A new book by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan alleges that US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a "little fucker," a "special-needs child," and "Mr Bean on crack." Bessent also reportedly advised Donald Trump not to host Zelenskyy in the Oval Office.
Vietnam faces a foreign policy test as the US increases pressure on Cuba. Hanoi must decide how to support its 60-year ally without jeopardizing its crucial partnership with Washington, especially after the fall of Venezuela's support for Cuba.
The Trump administration is reportedly planning to denaturalize at least 250 US citizens this year, a significant increase from previous administrations. This effort involves pulling attorneys from other duties and compiling a list of targets, focusing on individuals who committed serious fraud in their citizenship process.
Former President Barack Obama expressed concern that the Trump administration's agreement with Iran might leave the US in a weaker position than before, despite a potential ceasefire. Speaking at his presidential center's opening, Obama recalled his administration's JCPOA deal and criticized the withdrawal, which he believes led Iran to increase its nuclear capacity.
A federal judge denied Joe Biden's request to block the Trump administration from releasing recordings he made with a ghostwriter. The judge ruled the public interest in the material outweighs Biden's privacy rights, despite concerns over sensitive personal discussions.
The Justice Department has launched an investigation into MLB after players were reprimanded for writing Bible verses on their hats during Pride Night. The probe is framed as a commitment to combating religious discrimination.
The US imposed strict export controls on Anthropic's AI tools, citing national security risks. This move has led to global access suspension, criticism from tech executives and policymakers, and concerns about US AI leadership and regulatory gaps.
The US ordered Anthropic to block foreign access to its AI models, citing national security. Allies, including France and Canada, expressed concern over US "nationalist" tech policy and called for greater European self-reliance in AI development.
OpenAI has appointed Dean Ball, a former senior policy advisor on AI in the Trump administration, to lead its new Strategic Futures unit. Ball will focus on shaping OpenAI's frontier AI policy and internal governance, citing the company's key breakthroughs and talent as reasons for joining.
The U.S. military struck a boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing three people, in its ongoing campaign against alleged drug traffickers. This incident brings the total killed in such strikes to at least 211 since September. Critics question the legality and effectiveness of these actions, especially concerning fentanyl trafficking.
The U.S. military struck a boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing three individuals accused of drug smuggling. This incident is part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration against alleged "narcoterrorists," bringing the total killed in such strikes to at least 211 since September. Critics question the legality and effectiveness of these actions, particularly as fentanyl is often trafficked overland.
The US military killed three people in a boat strike in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Thursday, part of an ongoing campaign against alleged drug traffickers. This brings the total killed to at least 211 since September. Critics question the legality and effectiveness of these strikes, especially as fentanyl is often trafficked over land.
The Trump administration reportedly spent over $527,000 on installing a statue of slave-owner Caesar Rodney in Washington, D.C. The no-bid contract nearly doubled original estimates, drawing criticism for its use of taxpayer funds.
The Trump administration's export control directive to Anthropic, forcing advanced AI models offline, highlights the "Wild West" era of US AI regulation. Negotiations remain stalled, with Anthropic disputing rule violations and the White House citing recklessness.
The Trump administration is creating a national list of eligible voters by compiling state-by-state citizenship data, a move that has alarmed voting rights advocates. The initiative, stemming from an executive order, aims to restrict mail-in ballots and could lead to Americans being removed from voter rolls without recourse.
The National Science Foundation will halt plans to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative, a $368m deep-sea system collecting vital ocean data. The reversal follows outcry from lawmakers and scientists concerned about losing climate and weather forecasting information.
The Trump administration will offer federal student loan borrowers a 1% interest rate reduction if they sign up for autopay, starting July 1. Borrowers have until Sept. 30 to enroll for the discount, which lasts until June 30, 2028.
The U.S. Department of Education will temporarily increase the interest rate discount for student loan borrowers who enroll in automatic payments to 1 percentage point, starting July 1, 2026, lasting two years. This aims to encourage repayment and improve the federal student loan portfolio.
The Trump administration has removed more than 50 exhibits from at least 37 national parks, following an order to take down signs that "inappropriately disparage Americans." A federal judge blocked further modifications, calling the removals an attempt to "rewrite the Nation’s history with a white-out pen."
The Trump administration has redirected $352 million from Secret Service recruitment and training funds to "White House security measures," reportedly to help fund President Trump's planned 90,000 sq ft ballroom. Lawmakers question the shift, citing Trump's promise of private funding.
A Canadian company, K2 Gold, has received approval for gold exploration at Conglomerate Mesa in California, sparking a conflict with Indigenous tribes and environmentalists who view the area as sacred and ecologically vital. The project, approved by the Bureau of Land Management, is seen by some as a new gold rush facilitated by relaxed regulations, while others highlight potential economic benefits for the small town of Lone Pine.
Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook faced over $1.3 million in legal and security costs due to attacks from the Trump administration, including accusations of mortgage fraud by Bill Pulte. Cook denied the claims, asserting political motivation. A Supreme Court case stemming from her firing by Trump could impact the Fed's independence.
The Trump administration has declared the algae cleanup at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool a "regional and national priority," urging staff to work overtime for July 4 celebrations. The $14 million renovation project turned green shortly after completion due to algae infestation.
Despite President Trump's anti-climate policies, US development agencies like MCC, DFC, and EXIM Bank continue to fund climate-friendly projects globally, highlighting embedded climate action in economic activity.
