US Politics & Policy news from the last 24 hours, AI-curated by PiQ Markets

U.S. foreign surveillance powers under Section 702 of FISA have expired due to a Congressional stalemate, raising national security concerns amid global events. The Pentagon has elevated the counterintelligence threat from Israeli espionage to 'critical,' citing spying on U.S. deliberations regarding Iran and Lebanon. Separately, President Trump claimed progress on an Iran peace deal, a statement met with skepticism, while Republicans are leveraging the World Cup to pressure Democrats on the FISA extension. Meanwhile, a poll indicates evangelical Christians are divided on Trump's Iran war and immigration policies.

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to reinstate history and science exhibits in national parks, citing censorship. In a separate ruling, a judge mandated the resumption of asylum processing for nationals of 39 countries, criticizing the Department of Homeland Security for non-compliance. Meanwhile, a $1.776 billion fund for victims of alleged government weaponization has been indefinitely blocked by a judge, with the administration confirming its termination. An appeals court also denied the administration's bid to keep President Donald Trump's name on the Kennedy Center. The EPA is sending California's emissions rules to Congress for potential reversal.

Congressional Democrats are urging the Justice Department to reject a recent immigration ruling that could weaken Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) protections, while a separate court ruling offers renewed hope for immigrants with stalled applications. Meanwhile, federal prosecutors appointed under Donald Trump face court challenges attributed to inexperience, and a surge in federal cases has more than doubled caseloads in some immigration courts. Separately, U.S. senators agreed to restrict military use of AI and prediction markets in the Pentagon policy bill, and Republican redistricting efforts have increased the hurdle for Democrats to gain a House majority. ICE detention numbers have declined, and an effort by Black Democrats to block Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz's run for a plurality Black seat is reportedly faltering.

President Donald Trump maintains an optimistic economic outlook despite the ongoing war with Iran, which has driven up oil and gasoline prices, though he has downplayed the impact. This stance faces increasing criticism from Republican strategists and conservative voices concerned about economic fallout and electoral consequences ahead of the November election. Concurrently, Trump is intensifying pressure on Federal Reserve Governor Jerome Powell to cut interest rates to stimulate the economy. Voter sentiment, as indicated by a Financial Times poll, shows disapproval of Trump's handling of inflation and grocery prices, contrasting with his claims of a booming economy. Trump also denied promising to avoid initiating new wars.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is implementing several changes affecting state pensioners. A new £1,400 incentive is being offered to a specific group, while another group will receive an automatic £300 payment. Additionally, some pensioners over 80 will see a £21.88 cash boost in June, and certain older retirees may receive a payment of £1,479.20. However, a 28-day rule will cause some state pensioners to lose specific benefits. The DWP has also confirmed birthdates affected by the state pension age increase in 2026.

The United States and Iran are nearing a peace deal, with a senior official stating an 80-85% likelihood of signing within days. U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that Iranian assets will remain frozen and sanctions will stay in place until a final agreement is reached. Earlier reports suggested a tentative deal focusing on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, with future talks addressing Iran's nuclear program and economic benefits. However, Iran has rejected a U.S. proposal to use its frozen assets for Gulf reconstruction, deeming it a wrongful act.

Protests erupted in Southampton following the murder of Henry Nowak, leading to over 20 charges and four guilty pleas for violent disorder. The protests scrutinized the police response to Nowak's death. Separately, US Vice-President JD Vance linked Nowak's murder to immigration policies. Prosecutors also warned Hampshire Police against releasing a statement during the trial of Vickrum Digwa, accused of Nowak's murder, due to concerns about trial integrity. Footage of Digwa with a gun surfaced, and the Eid in the Park festival was cancelled due to planned protests.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a successful kinetic strike targeting Hector Guerrero Flores, the leader of the transnational Tren de Aragua gang in Venezuela. The operation was coordinated with the Caracas government. Meanwhile, the U.S. Army is reportedly preparing for potential executions of its four death-row inmates, pending presidential approval. Mexico is also beginning to push back against President Trump's pressure regarding cartels, signaling a shift in bilateral relations on border security and drug trafficking.

President Donald Trump is navigating multiple policy fronts, including advancing negotiations with Iran that he informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be reached soon. He is also set to address the U.S. trade deficit at the upcoming G-7 summit. Domestically, Trump's administration had a goal to end HIV in the U.S. by 2030, though efforts to combat the virus were reportedly undermined. Additionally, a proposed $350 billion defense package from Trump is unlikely to fundamentally alter Republican legislation.

Donald Trump's allies are exploring new avenues to compensate supporters and address past legal challenges, including the use of the Federal Tort Claims Act for potential payouts to January 6 participants. This comes as a proposed "weaponization fund" faces scrutiny, with a judge deeming it defunct and urging a lawsuit's dismissal. Trump's legal team argues the court's oversight role ended with a case dismissal, while allies also consider a resolution to nullify Trump's previous impeachments. The "anti-weaponization fund" was intended to counter legal actions against Trump and provide IRS audit protections.

South Korea is investigating ballot shortages during recent local elections, leading to a travel ban on the former head of the National Election Commission and other officials. Separately, investigators are seeking arrest warrants for former Shincheonji Church officials suspected of election manipulation. In international news, South Korea and UN members have formed a group to combat tech-facilitated human trafficking, prompted by a student's death. The U.S. has also tightened export rules for medical devices to North Korea, citing security concerns. Meanwhile, a U.S. House resolution honors former Representative Charles Rangel's contributions to the South Korea-U.S. alliance.

OpenAI is under investigation by a coalition of U.S. state attorneys general who have issued a subpoena for documents concerning its operations and user impact. The probe is examining data handling, policies regarding minors and seniors, and overall user effects. This investigation adds to OpenAI's existing legal challenges as the company reportedly prepares for an initial public offering. Concurrently, U.S. banking regulators are increasing their scrutiny of AI use within financial firms, focusing on data access, governance, and third-party risks.

The White House is set to host a UFC event on the South Lawn celebrating President Donald Trump's 80th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The event, organized by UFC President Dana White, highlights the close personal and financial ties between White and Trump. Several cryptocurrency companies, including Polymarket, Exodus, and VeChain, will feature prominent branding, a move that faced legal challenges. A federal judge rejected a lawsuit aiming to stop the event, which was filed by a progressive group concerned about the use of public monuments for commercial purposes. The UFC's presence in Washington D.C. has grown significantly during the Trump administration.

The USMNT secured a decisive 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener, featuring a brace from Folarin Balogun and a perfect passing performance from defender Chris Richards, who completed all 83 of his attempts. Christian Pulisic also contributed to early goals before being substituted at halftime as a precaution. Meanwhile, the Spanish national team's arrival in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for World Cup preparations has sparked humorous social media reactions. The USMNT's final pre-tournament match saw them lose 2-1 to Germany, with concerns over player fitness and tactical elements.

Spencer Pratt has conceded the Los Angeles mayoral race, ending his campaign but vowing to continue his fight against perceived corruption. Pratt's concession comes after his lead over Nithya Raman narrowed to 1 percentage point with the release of 58,558 late-counted votes, of which Raman secured 40.2%. The primary results have set up a more challenging general election for Los Angeles Democrats, with incumbent Mayor Karen Bass facing a tighter contest against Raman than initially anticipated. Pratt's move into politics is part of a broader trend of reality television personalities seeking elected office.

The U.S. is proposing tariffs on Brazil and Costa Rica, citing trade practice concerns and forced labor, respectively. Brazil faces a potential 25% tariff by July 15 over policies harming U.S. commerce, while Costa Rica could see a 12.5% tariff by July 6 for failing to prohibit forced labor goods. Meanwhile, Brazil has launched a subsidized motorcycle credit program for delivery drivers, offering lower interest rates for women, to stimulate demand before upcoming elections. Separately, President Donald Trump is reportedly developing new, legally robust tariffs following a court ruling that invalidated prior levies.

Several Indian entrance and recruitment examinations have released or are expected to release results for 2026 admissions and recruitments. The Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) announced its Round 1 allotment for IIT and NIT admissions on June 13, with a deadline of June 26 for candidates to complete formalities. Meanwhile, the MHT CET Cell is expected to release the 2026 PCM results soon for engineering admissions, and the UPSC is anticipated to release the Civil Services Prelims Result 2026 shortly, with the Main Examination scheduled for August 21. The Indian Air Force has also released its Agniveervayu Non-Combatant Result 2026.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is focusing on hyper-local issues and investing in online advertising for the Makerfield by-election, aiming to counter Reform UK's challenge and bolster his image as a local figure. This strategy comes as Burnham reportedly eyes a return to parliament with aspirations for UK Prime Minister, positioning himself as an anti-establishment figure. Meanwhile, former soldier and TV presenter Ant Middleton has endorsed Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon, facing criticism for past controversial statements. Additionally, Manchester's Fire and Rescue Service has warned employees about supporting Reform UK, leading to accusations of a 'chilling' attack on free speech.

West Bengal Police raided the Kolkata residence of TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee in connection with a financial fraud case. The raid lasted over four hours and intensified political tensions. Separately, Banerjee was questioned for over five hours by the West Bengal CID in an alleged signature forgery case and is due to appear again on June 14. Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate searched eight locations, including two residences of TMC MLA Madan Mitra, as part of a probe into an alleged multi-crore cash-for-municipalities job scam linked to recruitment irregularities in Kamarhati Municipality.

The upcoming World Cup is facing disruptions and unexpected narratives. Palestinian soccer officials are criticizing FIFA President Gianni Infantino over the denial of U.S. visas for 15 members of the Iranian soccer federation, citing a "lack of coordination" that impacts team preparation. Meanwhile, Pope Leo, the first U.S. leader of the Catholic Church, has declared his support for the U.S. soccer team during the tournament. Separately, an author recounts the circumstances that led to them missing their first World Cup match.