The Biggest Non-Coronavirus Stories You Missed Today: Tensions With Iran Escalate Over War Ships, Environmentalists Win Big With Clean Water Act Ruling

The coronavirus pandemic is upending life around the world, straining the global economy and disrupting the way Americans work, learn and socialize, but it’s not the only story; here are five news events you may have missed Thursday.

• Tensions between President Donald Trump and Iran and the U.S. escalated on Thursday after Trump ordered the U.S. Navy to “destroy” Iranian gunboats if they harass U.S. ships, prompting Iran to issue a similar threat that it would target U.S. ships if threatened.
• Environmentalists won a big victory at the Supreme Court Thursday in a ruling that closes a so-called “loophole” in the Clean Water Act.
• In a separate opinion, the Supreme Court sided with the Trump Administration on Thursday by ruling that makes it easier for the government to deport lawful permanent residents with criminal records.
• The world’s insect population has shrunk 27% in the last 30 years, according to a new study in Science, a trend that alarms scientists because insects are crucial to the Earth’s ecosystems as pollinators and decomposers

The first round of the 2020 NFL Draft starts on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET; this year the NFL will use teleconferencing to announce picks and live feeds to show prospects learning where they will be playing.