The U.S. Trade Representative's office has proposed tariffs of at least 10%, potentially up to 12.5%, on imports from approximately 60 countries, citing their failure to curb trade in goods made with forced labor. This move aims to rebuild the U.S. tariff policy after previous levies faced legal challenges. Several countries, including Switzerland and Vietnam, have rejected the U.S. findings on forced labor and are engaged in discussions. Separately, the U.S. has reduced tariffs on certain agricultural machinery and residential HVAC equipment from 25% to 15%, effective June 8, 2024, through December 31, 2027, particularly for products using U.S. steel, aluminum, or copper. The U.S. Commerce Department also preliminarily found that China and Mexico unfairly subsidize their van-type trailer industries, proposing duties ranging from 82.3% to 128.7%.

Tensions escalate in the Middle East as Iran halts ceasefire negotiations with the U.S. following military exchanges, including the interception of Iranian ballistic missiles targeting U.S. troops and a reported plan to close the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump faces scrutiny over his foreign policy, including reportedly telling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that "everybody hates you" due to Israeli strikes in Lebanon. Domestically, the U.S. House of Representatives has voted to limit Trump's war powers against Iran, though the measure faces an expected presidential veto. Trump also continues to assert that Iran has agreed to halt nuclear ambitions and claims gas prices will fall significantly post-conflict.

Former President Donald Trump claims he personally intervened to halt an Israeli invasion of Lebanon by calling Prime Minister Netanyahu and labeling him 'f***ing crazy.' Trump also seeks to reduce the size of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and has signed an AI executive order with less government scrutiny. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth blocked Navy officer promotions impacting diversity, and the Pentagon has redesignated its press office as a SCIF, limiting journalist access. In Congress, negotiations are underway for a housing deregulation bill, and US business leaders await potential new tariff announcements.

California's primary election is experiencing significant delays in vote counting, with results for key races like governor and Los Angeles mayor potentially taking days or weeks to finalize. This slow pace is attributed to the state's extensive mail-in voting system, a cure period for signature issues, and provisional ballots. Amidst the counting, reports of vandalism and burned ballots have surfaced in Los Angeles, prompting federal prosecutors and the FBI to launch investigations into alleged election fraud. Former President Donald Trump has also claimed 'cheating' without evidence, which election experts dismiss as baseless. In the Los Angeles mayoral race, incumbent Karen Bass is projected to advance to a runoff, while the governor's race remains too close to call.

President Trump has signed an executive order on AI innovation and security, requesting AI firms voluntarily submit models for government cybersecurity tests, though with reduced government scrutiny compared to earlier proposals. Meanwhile, a federal judge blocked a Trump-era plan to loosen Atlantic red snapper fishing rules, citing environmental concerns. In other regulatory news, House Democrats have asked the FTC to investigate prediction markets for deceptive advertising, while House Republicans propose limiting lawmakers' use of such markets. Additionally, Senate Democrats are blocking a foreign surveillance law renewal over concerns about a Trump nominee, and a federal judge temporarily halted the administration's effort to revoke NCAR's supercomputer access.

President Trump plans to allocate hundreds of millions of dollars to support coal plants and exports using Cold War-era authorities. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is seeking expertise from drone hobbyists to develop affordable "killer drones," aiming to leverage civilian innovation. In politics, Democrats are reportedly planning to expand the Supreme Court to 13 justices if they win power, while a MAGA megadonor has given a $5.5 million estate to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nonprofit. Separately, a study indicates Americans born after 1970 are dying faster than previous generations, and the UK government has criticized Senator J.D. Vance for his remarks on immigration.

The Trump administration is implementing significant policy changes across various sectors, including healthcare, employment, and technology. New guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) mandates 80 hours of work per month for able-bodied Medicaid enrollees aged 19-64, effective January 1, 2027, with $200 million in grants for states. This initiative faces criticism from organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), which fears it could jeopardize coverage for individuals with mental illness. Additionally, President Trump signed an executive order creating 'Schedule F' employment for approximately 8,000 federal workers, removing traditional job protections. Other actions include ending rebates for electric appliances, proposing student loan changes, and halting federal funding for Hawaii's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Protests have emerged against proposed healthcare cuts totaling $1 trillion from the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," which impacts Medicaid, Medicare, and public health programs.

Iowa Democrats have nominated State Representative Josh Turek for the U.S. Senate, shifting the race's outlook from 'likely Republican' to 'lean Republican' according to The Cook Political Report. Turek, a Paralympian, defeated State Senator Zach Wahls and will face Republican U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson. Meanwhile, New York Democrats are advancing a redistricting amendment that could add House seats and simplify map-drawing processes. In California, primary elections are testing anti-incumbency sentiment among House Democrats, with several long-serving members facing challenges. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Spencer Pratt will head to a runoff election.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces political challenges stemming from leaked messages involving Lord Peter Mandelson and concerns over his potential appointment as US ambassador. Mandelson's emails reportedly criticize Starmer's leadership, and Starmer himself is confirmed to use disappearing messages, raising questions about the preservation of communications. The Cabinet Office is withholding documents related to Mandelson's security vetting, citing national security, while the Conservative Party claims the government has not fully complied with requests for information. Separately, King Charles III reportedly expressed concerns about a state visit for Donald Trump due to Trump's criticism of Ukrainian President Zelensky.

The U.S. Senate is nearing a floor vote on the CLARITY Act, a bill designed to define regulatory oversight for digital assets between the SEC and CFTC. This legislation is viewed by some as a pivotal moment for the cryptocurrency industry, akin to the 'Dodd-Frank moment.' A coalition of 160 former national security officials has endorsed the bill, framing it as a national security priority that will enhance law enforcement tools and bring digital asset activity under U.S. jurisdiction. Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is also advocating for stablecoin clarity and confirmed progress on a U.S. Bitcoin reserve, currently holding over 328,000 BTC acquired through forfeitures. Senate Republicans are also pushing for fairer capital rules for banks involved with digital assets, criticizing international standards that they argue act as a de facto ban.

Donald Trump has announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, marking his return to the political arena. He is also reportedly facing accusations of free-market fundamentalism and is disputing media reporting on various issues. Concurrently, Trump is navigating ongoing legal challenges, the details of which are referenced in tweets and retweets. In separate news, a U.S. official has stated there are no plans to bomb Iran, emphasizing the importance of maintaining open communication channels. Additionally, White House analysis indicates that Working Families Tax Cuts have provided the largest share of tax relief to American families.

An inquest is examining whether police actions, including handcuffing, contributed to the death of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, who was stabbed. Medical experts suggest the intervention may have worsened his bleeding. The case has drawn widespread attention, with the Nowak family meeting the UK Prime Minister to discuss police trust. Separately, Nigel Farage faces criticism for his response to the murder, accused of using the tragedy for a 'culture war.' An officer involved in the case has resigned following comments from Sir Keir Starmer, and broadcaster Kate McCann became emotional discussing footage of the victim being handcuffed instead of receiving aid.

Senator Marco Rubio alleges Iran has mined the Strait of Hormuz and calls for US-China dialogue on de-escalation, while affirming policy on Taiwan. He also faced questions regarding the State Department's budget and Iran conflict, with protesters chanting 'Rubio lies' outside a hearing. Separately, House Republican leaders anticipate a war powers resolution on Iran will pass. Senator Chris Coons stated Iran is stronger than before the recent war, citing effective drone use. President Trump appointed Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence and Dr. Mehmet Oz led a White House briefing on Medicaid work requirements. Trump also commented that JD Vance and Marco Rubio would be an unbeatable presidential ticket in 2028.

Senate Republicans are divided over key legislative priorities, stalling progress on immigration funding and spy powers. Seven GOP senators joined Democrats to block debate on reauthorizing Section 702 of FISA, citing concerns over the acting Director of National Intelligence. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans voted against permanently eliminating President Trump's proposed $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund, a move that had previously stalled immigration bill negotiations. Democrats have introduced legislation to block this fund, expressing skepticism about extending FISA due to fears of potential "weaponization" under a future Trump administration. The Senate is also advancing a $72 billion budget bill for immigration agencies, though internal GOP disputes, such as removing $1 billion for a White House ballroom, continue to complicate the legislative landscape.

Recent incidents highlight safety concerns across U.S. transit and public spaces. In Atlanta, a federal investigation into the MARTA system is underway following two stabbings, including the fatal attack of Margaret Swan, 66, on a train, with suspect John Elijah Matthews facing murder and federal charges. New York City has seen multiple violent subway incidents, including an antisemitic attack and a man being shoved onto tracks, while a woman was stabbed waiting for an Uber in Brooklyn. Separately, a man is charged with assaulting five women at UCLA, and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warns of catastrophic consequences if the debt ceiling is not raised.

Protests and clashes have erupted outside Newark's Delaney Hall immigration detention center, leading to arrests and a curfew imposed by Mayor Ras Baraka. Governor Phil Murphy and Representative Mikie Sherrill blame "outside agitators" and "national extremist groups" for escalating tensions, with Sherrill also alleging immigration officials denied her access to the facility. Mayor Baraka is suing to shut down Delaney Hall due to health and safety concerns and plans to scale back police presence, stating the city will not fund the private company running the center. Investigations suggest anti-ICE activists used Signal chats to coordinate protests, involving approximately 100 groups with substantial collective revenue. Meanwhile, in a separate incident, an illegal immigrant from Mauritania was arrested in Indiana after allegedly faking an asylum claim and working as a jail officer.

Xavier Becerra leads the California governor primary, with Tom Steyer and Steve Hilton vying for second place. Becerra is favored to advance under California's 'jungle primary' system, which sends the top two candidates forward regardless of party affiliation. Donald Trump has endorsed several candidates challenging Democrats in California, including Steve Hilton, who expressed confidence in a strong Republican showing. Meanwhile, Deb Haaland has won the New Mexico governor primary, and Jon Ossoff and Keisha Lance Bottoms lead in Georgia as Republicans head to a runoff. An antisemitic conspiracy theorist also garnered significant votes in the California gubernatorial race.

Revolution Medicines' pancreatic cancer drug, daraxonrasib, has achieved a significant milestone, becoming the first to extend median survival beyond one year in a Phase 3 trial. The drug demonstrated a 60% reduction in the risk of death, with patients living a median of 13.2 months compared to 6.7 months on chemotherapy. This targeted therapy, administered as a once-daily pill, also improved quality of life, though some side effects like rash and mouth sores were noted. Revolution Medicines plans to submit regulatory filings based on these promising results, potentially offering a new treatment option for advanced pancreatic cancer.

The Justice Department has canceled its controversial $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization fund' following bipartisan backlash and concerns about potential misuse. The fund, intended to compensate individuals claiming wrongful investigation or prosecution, originated from a settlement in a lawsuit filed by Donald Trump against the IRS. Critics denounced the initiative as a 'slush fund' for political allies, with some reports indicating January 6th Capitol attack participants sought its use for legal costs. The decision to cancel the fund follows a federal judge's temporary order to freeze it and comes amid ongoing debate among Senate Republicans regarding its fate.

President Trump is directing nearly $700 million to support the U.S. coal industry using the Defense Production Act, citing national security concerns. The funds will support upgrades to existing plants, new projects, and a coal export terminal. In parallel, Trump has signed an executive order to foster innovation and security in artificial intelligence, aiming to maintain American leadership. The administration is also reportedly reshaping arts and humanities endowments by appointing aligned individuals and has proposed cutting funding for the chemical safety watchdog. Meanwhile, Democrats have nicknamed Trump 'Commander-in-Sleep' after he appeared to nod off at an event, a claim the White House denies.