NTD Good Morning

Voters are heading to the polls on Tuesday in New York, Maryland, Utah and South Carolina. Congressional seats and governors' races are in play, as well as a popularity test for Democratic Socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani. He has endorsed several candidates in House races, including New York City Comptroller Brad Lander in the 10th district and Darializa Avila Chevalier in the 13th district.President Trump on Tuesday morning, posting on Truth Social saying that Iran has agreed to what he called ‘the highest level of nuclear inspections indefinitely,' adding that without those commitments, there would be no further talks. The President also saying that the U.S. will keep the Strait of Hormuz open and has suspended plans for a naval blockade, while maintaining forces in the region if needed.The U.S. Supreme Court is entering the final stretch of its term, with major rulings expected on immigration, presidential authority, elections, gun rights, and transgender athletes. At the top of the list is President Trump's executive order restricting birthright citizenship for children born to illegal immigrants and some temporary visitors. The justices are weighing whether the Constitution's 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship in those cases.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance was in Lucerne, Switzerland on Monday giving an update on negotiations with Iran. He said that ‘a lot of good progress' has been made and that a ‘very good foundation' has been set for a successful final deal. Vance said that four key points have been made, including establishing a mechanism for keeping the Hormuz Strait open, coordinating a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, an agreement on IAEA inspections, and a process for technical negotiations.British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced he is stepping down, less than two years after he led the Labour Party to a landslide election victory. Starmer says the nomination process will begin on July 9th and a new leader will be chosen before Parliament returns in September. Andy Burnham is considered the frontrunner to replace Starmer, after recently winning a Parliament seat in a special election that boosted his standing within the party.Lawmakers are heading back to Washington, D.C. on Monday, to tackle issues like election integrity, affordable housing, and leadership in the intelligence community. The affordable housing bill, is backed by both Democrats and Republicans, and is expected to pass the House this week, after passing the Senate last week.

Vice President JD Vance's trip to Switzerland to meet with Iranian negotiators has been postponed. This comes as Israel carries out retaliation strikes in Lebanon, saying it targeted Hezbollah operatives and infrastructure. Israel says four soldiers were killed in the fighting and accused Hezbollah of repeated ceasefire violations. The U.S. military has also begun lifting its naval blockade of Iran, with Vice President Vance saying Central Command has allowed over a dozen ships through so far.President Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to three service members during a White House ceremony on Thursday. The President honored retired Marine Major James Capers Jr., Army Major Nicholas Dockery, and Marine Colonel John Ripley. The medal recognizes service members who performed acts of extraordinary heroism in combat. President Trump saying the nation owes its freedom to service members willing to face extraordinary danger in defense of the country.During the FIFA World Cup on Thursday, host country Canada defeated Qatar 6-0 in Vancouver, the country's first ever victory in a World Cup game. In Los Angeles, Switzerland scored 4 late goals to defeat Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1. Meanwhile, Mexican and South Korean supporters gathered together in Guadalajara ahead of their Group A showdown, with Mexico taking home the win with a score of 1-0. Team USA will be facing Australia on Friday in Seattle.

The United States and Iran have signed a memorandum of understanding to end the nearly four-month-long war, and it is now in effect. The agreement calls for an "immediate and permanent" end to hostilities between the two nations. The two sides will enter a 60-day negotiation period aimed at reaching a final peace deal and determining the future of Iran's nuclear program. The agreement also says Iran will reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restore commercial traffic through the key waterway without tolls during the 60-day period.Senators on Capitol Hill are working to hold Chinese Communist Party officials accountable for forcibly harvesting organs from prisoners of conscience. A committee on Wednesday advanced a bipartisan bill to sanction these perpetrators. They would be sanctioned, blocked from transacting with any U.S. person or entity, and have their U.S. properties frozen. Lawmakers are also calling for an official investigation to determine the scale and scope of the inhumane practice.Five men were arrested in connection with an alleged plot targeting the White House UFC Freedom 250 event. The suspects will likely be prosecuted outside Washington. Federal authorities say the group planned to use explosive-laden drones to trigger a mass evacuation before opening fire on fleeing attendees. The five suspects have already made initial court appearances and are scheduled to return to federal court on Thursday.

G7 leaders welcomed the deal between the United States and Iran and praised President Donald Trump for achieving a diplomatic breakthrough. In a meeting with Egyptian President El-Sisi, Trump warned Iran of the consequences if they don't get along, saying the United States would continue "shooting at them and dropping bombs on their heads." This comes as Trump vows to release the text of the deal.Results are in for primary elections in several states, including Georgia, Oklahoma, Alabama and Washington, D.C. Billionaire Rick Jackson won the Republican nomination for Georgia governor, beating Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, who was backed by Trump. Also in Georgia, Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) won his party's Senate run-off and will face Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) in November. In Oklahoma, Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.) secured the Republican nomination for an open U.S. Senate seat, while Alabama Rep. Barry Moore (R-Ala.) won the Republican Senate runoff.The FBI says it has disrupted a plot to deploy drones and snipers targeting last weekend's UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House. It comes amid a string of threats against Trump and senior officials. Vice President JD Vance condemned the plot while urging people to tone down rhetoric encouraging violence. The investigation into the alleged plot is still ongoing, and the Secret Service says there are still suspects at large and that they will keep working until everyone has been identified and held accountable.

At the G7 summit in France, President Trump dismissed claims of $300 billion in funds to rebuild Iran on Tuesday, saying the U.S. is ‘not investing any money in Iran.' The president denied the claim twice during a bilateral meeting with the Emir of Qatar. Trump also said that he is ‘not happy with the way Israel has handled themselves with Lebanon and with Hezbollah.' The President also said he wants to focus on Ukraine, meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G7.Gas prices fell below $4 a gallon on Sunday for the first time since mid-April. The drop comes as hopes for a possible end to the war in Iran improve market sentiment. President Trump also said that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen without tolls, and that the U.S. blockade on Iran would be lifted. A formal signing ceremony is scheduled for Friday in Switzerland.Eight people are dead after an Air Force B-52 bomber crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California. Officials at the base say the aircraft was conducting a local test flight tied to a radar modernization program. The victims included military personnel, government civilians and contractors. Investigators have not determined what caused the crash and say the review could take months.

President Trump says a peace deal between the United States and Iran has been reached. In a post on Truth Social, the president announcing what he called the ‘toll-free opening' of the Strait of Hormuz and the ‘immediate removal' of the U.S. naval blockade. Iran has signaled it may delay implementing parts of the agreement until the formal signing takes place. The agreement also sets a 60-day framework to address Iran's nuclear program, including its highly enriched uranium stockpile.Several lawmakers have raised concerns about the lapse of FISA section 702, which gives the government the ability to collect data on foreign nationals located outside of the U.S. A vote to renew the authority failed on the House floor last week as Democrats protesting the president's choice to allow Bill Pulte to serve as a temporary Director of national Intelligence. The president also seeks to include two non-voting issues, banning men from women's sports and transgender surgery for children.American singer and comedian Oliver Tree is among six people killed after two helicopters collided over Rio de Janeiro. Authorities say the aircraft crashed on Sunday in the city's western zone, killing everyone on board. An Argentine YouTuber Gaspar Prim, known online as Gaspi, was also among the victims. Rio's military fire department says one of the helicopters came down in the parking lot of an electric car dealership, igniting a fire. Officials have launched an investigation into the cause of the collision.

The World Cup has arrived in America, as the U.S. men's national team gets ready to kick off its first group-stage match against Paraguay on Friday at the Los Angeles Stadium. In Mexico City on Thursday, celebrations filled the Estadio Azteca after Mexico defeated South Africa, 2-0 in the tournament's opening match. The South Korean team also defeated the Czech Republic in their opener in a 2-1 victory.President Trump announcing a major breakthrough in the conflict with Iran, saying the war is effectively over. The president says that Iran has agreed never to have a nuclear weapon, and that a peace deal could be ready as soon as this weekend. Iran says it has not reached a final decision on an agreement. If the deal is confirmed, it would be the most significant diplomatic breakthrough yet to end the war.The government's FISA Section 702 spy powers bill lapsed on Friday, after Democrats used the extension vote as a way to protest President Trump's temporary pick to serve as the Director of National Intelligence. Several lawmakers have raised concerns about the authority being used to spy on Americans. President Trump made Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, as his official pick to serve as the DNI. Bill Pulte will still serve as temporary director until Clayton is confirmed.

Tensions continue to simmer in the Middle East, as U.S. Central Command says U.S. forces have completed an additional round of defensive strikes against multiple targets in Iran at President Trump's direction. On Thursday morning, President Trump posted on Truth Social saying that the U.S. will continue with strikes in Iran, and that the U.S. will be hitting Iran ‘very hard tonight.'One day after President Trump signed a Republican-only bill to fund immigration enforcement agencies, he calls on Congressional Republicans to immediately advance and pass a third budget bill to supplement the Department of War and an election integrity bill. The goal is to give the pentagon $350 billion for developing America's Golden Dome and manufacturing stealth fighters and stealth bombers. Trump is also calling for lawmakers to include in the party line package the SAVE America act to ‘protect our Elections for Generations to come.'The New York Knicks, pulling off the biggest comeback in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, beating the San Antonio Spurs 107-106. The Knicks were down 29 points at one point, but slowly made up the deficit in the second half, with OG Anunoby tipping in a rebound with 1.2 seconds left on the clock, sealing the victory for New York. Game 5 is on Saturday, and would secure the championship for New York if they win. If necessary, game 5 will be held on Tuesday.

A week after the primaries in California, gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton is now advancing to the general election in November. Hilton is holding nearly 25% to Democrat Xavier Becerra's 28%, with 88% of the votes counted. In Maine, voters nominated Graham Platner to take on incumbent Senator Susan Collins. Polls have painted a tough picture for her against Platner, with her trailing behind in most surveys conducted since March.President Trump, on Wednesday, bashing Iran for taking too long in negotiations and vowing to make them ‘pay the price.' It comes after the two sides exchanged new attacks after Trump blamed Tehran for the crash of an American attack helicopter. It's not currently clear what this will mean for Iran so far.House Republicans passed a major $72-billion immigration enforcement and border security package, that would fund ICE and CBP through the end of Trump's term. The measure passing mostly along party lines in a 214-to-212 vote. Democrats unanimously opposing the bill, arguing it expands immigration enforcement without additional reforms or oversight. The bill now heads to President Trump's desk, where he is expected to sign it into law.

Nithya Raman will now face incumbent Karen Bass in November in the Los Angeles mayoral race, beating out Spencer Pratt. The Associated Press called the race on Monday with 93% of the votes in. Raman posted a statement on X expressing her appreciation to voters who supported her, saying she is ‘incredibly honored' for the opportunity. Early election results favored Pratt, a former reality TV star, but mail-in ballots counted days after the election propelled Raman to a narrow second place.President Trump has confirmed that two crew members were rescued after a U.S. Army helicopter went down near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. The cause of the crash is not currently known. This as Israel and Iran return to a ceasefire after the president demanded that both sides ‘stop shooting.' Prime Minister Netanyahu saying that Israel only attacked Iran following Hezbollah's attack on Israel, declaring that Israel has the full right to self-defense and will exercise that right whenever necessary.Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy J.r announced a major expansion of the administration's nutrition education initiative on Monday, saying 19 additional medical schools have no pledged to require at least 40 hours of nutrition education beginning in the fall. Federal officials say the initiative is aimed at combating chronic disease by placing greater emphasis on prevention and nutrition in healthcare. Kennedy say the nutrition pledges are voluntary, and the government is not forcing schools to adopt any specific curriculum.

The IDF say Israeli forces have struck Iranian military targets in western and central Iran, just hours after President Trump urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to retaliate, following Tehran's missile barrage on Israel late Sunday. President Trump says U.S. troops will remain deployed in the Middle East until the military operation in Iran is completed. The U.S. Embassy in Israel has ordered staff and families to shelter in place due to heightened security alerts, with consular services in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv closed on Monday.Six people are injured after a stabbing attack inside New York's Penn Station on Sunday evening. Police say the attack unfolded around 7 PM and prompted a large emergency response. A suspect was taken into custody shortly after the attack. Victims suffered a range of injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals. Officials have not released details on a possible motive, and that the investigation is still ongoing.Secretary of War Pete Hegseth joined veterans, troops and world leaders in Normandy, France over the weekend, to mark the 82nd anniversary of the D-Day invasion. Hegseth honored the sacrifice of Allied troops who stormed the beaches of France during World War II. The D-Day landings involved more than 133,000 Allied troops in one of the largest military operations in history, with more than 4,000 Allied troops losing their lives that day.

The Senate passed a $70 billion immigration enforcement package on Friday after an overnight vote-a-rama on Capitol Hill. The Senate voted 52–47 to approve the legislation, with no support from ‌Democrats. The bill funds Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol through the remainder of President Donald Trump's second term, and now heads to the House. The legislation follows months of partisan clashes over immigration enforcement and Homeland Security funding.The United States imposed new sanctions on Cuban leader Miguel Diaz-Canel, his wife, and several other officials on Thursday. The move follows a broader sanctions push under Trump aimed at increasing pressure on the Cuban government over repression and national security concerns. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Cuba has been the world capital for radical left-wing terrorism for decades, accusing the regime of recruiting, training, and backing violent Marxist movements across the hemisphere and beyond.Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez called the sanctions "despicable" in a post on social media, describing them as the latest example of U.S. interventionism. "Every U.S. action aimed ​at creating a ​scenario of ⁠conflict between the two countries is doomed to failure," Rodriguez said.Trump has announced plans for what he calls "The Greatest Rally, Ever" in Washington, as part of celebrations marking America's 250th anniversary. The president says the event will feature patriotic music, military bands, and performances by Lee Greenwood and Christopher Macchio. The president is also promoting a series of restoration and construction projects across the capital, including repairs to fountains and the iconic Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Israel and Lebanon agree to a new ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States, which calls for Hezbollah terrorists to withdraw from southern Lebanon. The United States says both sides also agreed to establish pilot zones where the Lebanese Armed Forces would take exclusive control, excluding all non-state actors. The agreement follows months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which began after the terror group fired rockets into Israel earlier this year.Results are still coming in for the California primary races. Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra are emerging as the front-runners in the state's open gubernatorial primary, setting up a high-profile battle in November. Meanwhile, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is advancing to the general election, where she may face Spencer Pratt, as votes are still being counted in that race.In an announcement during a White House dinner, President Donald Trump said he would nominate Todd Blanche to permanently serve as U.S. Attorney General after months in the acting role. The president praised Blanche as a respected legal mind, signaling confidence in his leadership at the Justice Department. The nomination now heads to the Senate, where Blanche was previously confirmed as deputy attorney general in a mostly party-line vote.

Results are in from several primary races in Iowa, California, and New Jersey, with votes still being counted for the California governor's race between Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton, and Tom Steyer. Hilton has taken an early lead and could have Californian voters elect a Republican governor for the first time in 15 years. Current Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has advanced to the November ballot in the L.A. mayoral race, with Republican Spencer Pratt trailing just behind her. Meanwhile, in Iowa's gubernatorial race, Trump-backed Republican Randy Feenstra lost to businessman Zach Lahn by just 0.8 percent of the votes. Lahn will face Democrat Rob Sand in November.U.S. forces say they've intercepted multiple Iranian missiles and drones launched toward countries across the Middle East. U.S. CENTCOM says two Iranian missiles aimed at Kuwait fell short, while three more headed toward Bahrain were intercepted by U.S. and Bahraini air defenses. CENTCOM says it also disabled an oil tanker that was attempting to reach an Iranian port after ignoring repeated warnings from American forces.FBI Director Kash Patel has announced the launch of “Operation Summer Heat 2.0,” a nationwide crackdown targeting violent crime and drug trafficking. The first phase is called “Operation Turf War,” and Patel praised officers for giving their lives for the safety of communities and the nation. Last year‘s Summer Heat netted 8,600 arrests, 70,750 search warrants executed, 2,300 firearms taken off the street, and 45,000 kilograms (almost 100,000 lbs) of cocaine.

New Jersey is blaming outside agitators for the violence at anti-ICE protests at an ICE detention center in Newark. Governor Mikie Sherill warning that some national extremist groups have become involved. The protests began over a week ago after Democratic lawmakers raised concerns about conditions inside the facility, including allegations involving food and medical care. Newark has now imposed a nightly curfew around Delaney Hall as state police continue securing the area and warning that anyone who assaults officers or interferes with operations will be arrested.President Trump writing on Truth Social that any deal reached with Iran will be a good one for the United States. The president criticized what he called “endless chirping” from Democrats and some Republicans over the pace and direction of negotiations, saying outside commentary is making diplomacy harder. War Secretary Pete Hegseth saying the U.S. is ready to return to combat if a diplomatic solution is not found.The NBA finals are now set, with the New York Knicks to face the San Antonio Spurs for the top spot. This is after the Spurs knocked out the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals on Saturday, with a final score of 111-103. The Spurs will host the Knicks for the first game of the finals on Wednesday.

New Jersey is blaming outside agitators for the violence at anti-ICE protests at an ICE detention center in Newark. Governor Mikie Sherill warning that some national extremist groups have become involved. The protests began over a week ago after Democratic lawmakers raised concerns about conditions inside the facility, including allegations involving food and medical care. Newark has now imposed a nightly curfew around Delaney Hall as state police continue securing the area and warning that anyone who assaults officers or interferes with operations will be arrested.President Trump writing on Truth Social that any deal reached with Iran will be a good one for the United States. The president criticized what he called “endless chirping” from Democrats and some Republicans over the pace and direction of negotiations, saying outside commentary is making diplomacy harder. War Secretary Pete Hegseth saying the U.S. is ready to return to combat if a diplomatic solution is not found.The NBA finals are now set, with the New York Knicks to face the San Antonio Spurs for the top spot. This is after the Spurs knocked out the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals on Saturday, with a final score of 111-103. The Spurs will host the Knicks for the first game of the finals on Wednesday.

U.S. sources have confirmed to NTD that the United States and Iran have agreed to a 60-day extension of the ceasefire and are now awaiting President Donald Trump's approval.This comes after the United States launched self-defensive strikes against the Iranian regime earlier this week.The Treasury Department imposed new sanctions on Iran's oil trade on Thursday, with the Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioning eight vessels carrying Iranian crude oil and petroleum products, plus more than 15 entities that help move and sell the oil.Blue Origin's New Gen rocket erupted in flames in Florida on Thursday night, during a routine engine test on the launch pad.The incident occurred around 9 p.m. at Cape Canaveral's Launch Complex 36 as the rocket was being prepared for a static-fire of its seven engines. Blue Origin says no one was injured and all personnel are accounted for.It is not yet clear what caused the explosion or how much damage the pad sustained, with founder Jeff Bezos saying the company will investigate and rebuild as needed.The Louisiana State House on Thursday approved a new congressional map that will eliminate one of two majority-black districts. The State Senate could vote on it as early as Friday.This new map comes after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found Louisiana relied too heavily on race when drawing its previous map. The new map carves up the 6th district, making it more favorable to Republicans. If the new map is approved, Democrat Cleo Fields will likely lose his U.S. House seat.

The United States has launched new strikes against Iran, including operations near the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command said U.S. forces shot down four Iranian one-way attack drones that posed a threat to American forces and shipping in the area. U.S. forces also hit an Iranian ground control station in the port city of Bandar Abbas, which was preparing to launch a fifth drone. The United States said the strikes were "measured, purely defensive, and intended to maintain the ceasefire."Several states are moving forward on plans to make their congressional maps more friendly for Republicans, including Louisiana, South Carolina, Missouri, and Alabama. As of right now, the best case scenario for Republicans could see them gain around 16 seats after redistricting. Democratic states have altered their maps successfully in Utah and California for a potential gain of six seats, giving the GOP the upper hand in the redistricting battle.President Donald Trump told NTD on Wednesday that he's not thinking about threats against his life in order to be an effective president, reacting to a shooting this weekend right outside the White House, just weeks after an alleged third major assassination attempt against him in April. The president is also doubling down on making Washington a safer city, saying he wants to keep the National Guard in the city, with War Secretary Pete Hegseth saying they will surge National Guard troops to the capital this upcoming summer.

In Texas, State Attorney General Ken Paxton beat out Senator John Cornyn to race against Democrat James Talarico for the U.S. Senate seat. Paxton won President Trump's endorsement late in the game, just one week before this runoff. Cornyn had served in the Senate for 23 years, and said he would still support the Republican ticket after his loss. In the race to replace Ken Paxton's Attorney General position, Congressman Chip Roy lost to State Representative Mayes Middleton. On the Democrat side, Congressman Al Green was ousted by Representative Christian Menefee.A massive chemical tank collapsed Tuesday morning at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging paper mill in Longview, Washington. Officials say the tank contained nearly 900,000 gallons of a corrosive chemical mixture known as white liquor. The fire department says the collapse killed at least one worker and injured nine others. Emergency crews say recovery efforts were suspended overnight because the damaged tank remains unstable. Investigators say it remains unclear what caused the tank to implode. Recovery crews are expected to return today once the damaged structure can be safely stabilized.China, Mexico, and Canada were all part of a broader discussion on Tuesday, as U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer outlined the administration's global economic trade strategy. He defended the administration's focus on goods and manufacturing, even as the U.S. remains a services-heavy economy. He argued manufacturing is critical because it anchors communities, supports national security, strengthens supply chains, and creates upward mobility.

U.S. Central Command says the U.S. military carried out ‘self-defense strikes' in southern Iran on Monday. They say the strikes targeted Iranian missile launch sites and were intended to protect U.S. troops from threats posed by Iranian forces. President Trump also saying that negotiations with Iran are progressing, and he's now looking to turn a potential deal into a broader Middle East peace push, urging them to join the Abraham Accords, and calling on countries including Saudi Arabia and Qatar to normalize ties with Israel.Texas will be holding several run-off elections on Tuesday, where voters will finalize their chosen nominees for key congressional races. The most watched race will be the Republican primary for U.S. Senate between Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and incumbent Senator John Cornyn. There will also be a Democrat primary in the 18th district between Congressman Al Green and Representative Christian Menefee. Texas will also be choosing a new attorney general this cycle, with a runoff on the Republican side between Congressman Chip Roy and State Senator Mayes Middleton.The New York Knicks are in the NBA finals, after beating out the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93, in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. This is the first time the Knicks have advanced to the Championships since 1999. The Knicks' Jalen Brunson was named series MVP for averaging 25.5 points and nearly eight assists. The Knicks have outscored their opponents by 262 points during their winning streak, the most dominant span in league history, playoffs or regular season.

President Trump will be expected to take part at Arlington National Cemetery's annual Memorial Day wreath laying ceremony on Monday, alongside Vice President JD Vance, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Major General Antoinette Gant. The observance will be followed by the National Memorial Day ceremony inside Arlington's Memorial Amphitheater, where both President Trump and Vance are expected to deliver remarks.President Trump writing on Truth Social on Sunday that 'if I make a deal with Iran, it will be a good and proper one, not like the one made by Obama, which gave Iran massive amounts of cash, and a clear and open path to a nuclear weapon.' The President says the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports will remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed.In southern California, a damaged chemical tank is causing an emergency in Orange County. 50,000 residents are under evacuation orders as firefighters and hazmat teams work to prevent a highly toxic and flammable chemical explosion. Fire officials say crews have discovered a crack in the tank, something that officials say may help relive pressure inside the container. California Governor Gavin Newson has declared a state of emergency and fire officials are working round-the-clock. Authorities say no injuries have been reported yet and air monitoring still remains within normal limits.

Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch has died at the age of 41. His family announced his passing on Thursday, just hours after Busch had been hospitalized with a severe illness. NASCAR calling Busch one of the sport's greatest and fiercest drivers, spending more than two decades competing at NASCAR's highest level. He is survived by his wife and two children.Federal officials announced a major law enforcement action in Minnesota, charging 15 individuals in an alleged widespread fraud scheme involving more than $90 million in taxpayer funds. Vice President JD Vance, leading a White House task force to combat fraud, delivered a strong warning to those involved in health care fraud, saying ‘if you are committing fraud, our task force will find you.'A traveling Freedom Truck mobile museum is touring the country in the run-up to the 250th anniversary celebration on the 4th of July. The 18-wheeler is hosting interactive exhibits about the American Revolution and the nation's founding, including displays featuring George Washington and Paul Revere. The truck is operated by Freedom 250, a public-private partnership created to coordinate events tied to the nations 250th anniversary.

Authorities are accusing Fahima Mahamud of submitting more than 13,000 fraudulent childcare assistance claims worth roughly $4.6 million between 2022 and 2025. The CEO of Future Leaders Early Learning Day Care in Minneapolis was also indicted in February. Prosecutors say she falsely claimed to serve thousands of meals through the federal nutrition program tied to Feeding Our Future. That's the pandemic-era food aid fraud scheme involving $250 million and dozens of people charged.The U.S. has charged former Cuban President Raúl Castro with murder. President Trump says the indictment was a long time coming, and is one of the most important steps his administration has taken. Trump has emphasized that there will not be any military escalation yet. Cubans in Miami are celebrating the charges, saying it's never too late for justice.President Trump is mulling potential strikes on Iran, as he addresses graduating Coast Guard cadets with a message of American strength and deterrence. The White House says that the U.S. military is locked and loaded, ready to go at a moment's notice. President Trump also reiterating the stance he's held for years, that Iran cannot under any circumstances have a nuclear weapon.

The influence of President Donald Trump continues to impact major elections, with Congressman Thomas Massie falling to Trump-endorsed challenger Ed Gallrein in the Kentucky GOP primary, with Gallrein garnering nearly 55 percent of the vote. Gallrein will now face Democrat Melissa Strange in November's general election.More than 17,000 people are under evacuation orders in Southern California, as firefighters continue to battle the fast-moving Sandy Fire near Simi Valley. The fire department says the wildfire has burned more than 1,600 acres. Nearly 900 firefighters and multiple partner agencies are working to contain the blaze. As of Monday evening, the fire has been 5 percent contained.The New York Knicks overcame a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. New York's Jalen Brunson finished with 38 points, as the Knicks won in overtime 115–104. This is their eighth straight win, and they will be hosting Game 2 on Thursday.

Voters in Kentucky heading to the polls on Tuesday. They will decide if incumbent Congressman Thomas Massie is nominated to run for another term. War Secretary Pete Hegseth campaigning for challenger Ed Gallrein, who is endorsed by President Trump. Congressman Massie brushing aside comparisons to Senator Bill Cassidy who just lost his primary to a Trump-endorsed candidate, saying he believes he's going to win. The latest polling shows the candidates neck-in-neck, within the margin of error.Republican Senators this week, are adjusting their party line bill to fund immigration enforcement, facing a June 1st deadline to complete the bill. The goal is to fund these agencies through the end of Trump's term so Democrats can't use it as leverage. Senators are meeting in committee on Wednesday to fix some parts of the bill, with the GOP hoping to finish their changes before the Memorial Day recess.The Trump administration is ramping up its response to a growing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa with new travel restrictions as one American in Africa tested positive for the virus. The Trump administration is stressing though that there are currently no cases in the U.S. The State Department says embassies in Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda have established monitoring groups to communicate with Americans in the region. Ebola is highly contagious and can be contracted by way of bodily fluids. The disease it causes is rare, but severe and often fatal.

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy has lost his bid for reelection in Louisiana after failing to advance to the state's GOP primary runoff. Congresswoman Julia Letlow, who has President Trump's endorsement, led the primary with around 45% of the vote. Meanwhile, President Trump is targeting Congressman Thomas Massie in Tuesday's Kentucky primary, saying Massie has opposed key GOP priorities and is endorsing Navy SEAL and Army Ranger Captain Ed Gallrein.President Trump is ramping up his pressure on Iran, warning that 'the clock is ticking' and that 'time is of the essence.' In a Truth Social post on Sunday, the president said that ‘Iran better get moving FAST, or there won't be anything left of them.' President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on the phone on Sunday, amid growing speculation that the U.S. might consider renewed military action against Iran.The Long Island Rail Road will remain closed after overnight negotiations to end a strike failed to reach a deal. The shutdown affecting about 250,000 weekday commuters across New York City and Long Island. The Long Island Rail Road is the largest commuter rail system in North America and will now stay shut for a third straight day. Governor Kathy Hochul urging commuters who can work remotely to stay home as limited bus service begins on Monday for essential workers.

President Donald Trump wrapped up two days of talks in China with Chinese regime leader Xi Jinping, with the two reaching some consensus on Iran and trade. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One on the way back to the United States, Trump said he has not yet made a decision on whether a major U.S. sale of arms to Taiwan will move forward, but that he will "make a determination."CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper addressed the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday, praising Trump's initiative on Operation Epic Fury. He highlighted the importance of countering the threat posed by the Iranian regime, saying Iran's ability to threaten U.S. forces has since been degraded significantly.The National Mall is preparing to host thousands of Americans on Sunday for a day of prayer, worship, music, and testimonies, ahead of the country's 250th birthday on July 4. Organizers with Freedom 250 say the event will focus on what they describe as God's role throughout American history and a renewed commitment to the nation's future. Trump is expected to appear with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and House Speaker Mike Johnson.

President Trump spoke at a banquet in Beijing on Thursday, offering a toast and emphasizing themes of mutual respect, stability, and the relationship between the two nations. The president ended the toast with an invitation to regime leader Xi Jinping and his wife to a visit to the White House on September 24th. The banquet follows a meeting between the two leaders which focused heavily on Iran and security in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as discussions on trade and fentanyl trafficking.The Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh in a 54-45 vote as the 17th chairman of the Federal Reserve. Warsh will replace Jerome Powell, whose term ends on Friday. During his confirmation hearing last month, Warsh told Senators he would not allow political pressure to influence monetary policy decisions. He is also expected to chair his first Federal Open Market Committee meeting in June.Americans exposed to the hantavirus are continuing to isolate voluntarily at medical facilities in Nebraska and Georgia. Health officials say nine cases linked to the ship have been confirmed so far, with three deaths reported. At least 20 people in the U.S. may have been exposed to hantavirus and are being encouraged to isolate at home as the CDC works to monitor them. The CDC says there are currently no federal or state quarantine orders tied to the outbreak.

President Trump landed in Beijing on Monday ahead of a meeting with Chinese regime leader Xi Jinping. The president was greeted with a red carpet arrival paired with a welcoming ceremony. Trump was also traveling with top officials and business leaders including Elon Musk and Jensen Huang. Trump is expected to discuss trade, while the Iran war, Taiwan and human rights are also likely to take center stage.The Department of Health and Human Services says one U.S. passenger showing symptoms tested negative for the hantavirus. That passenger and their partner are currently in quarantine in Atlanta, Georgia, while the other 16 Americans are currently asymptomatic. The CDC says exposed passengers are being monitored by public health officials in multiple states and that the overall risk to the American public remains low.Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows annual inflation rose to 3.8% in April, with economists forecasting a jump to 3.7%. Core inflation, which excludes volatile energy and food prices, edged up to 2.8%. On a month-to-month basis, April prices rose 0.6% from March, with gas prices rising 5.4%. Grocery prices rose 0.7%. Labor Department data showed gas prices are up more than 28% compared to a year ago.

President Trump is set to depart for Beijing on Tuesday, for a two-day summit with Chinese regime leader Xi Jinping. White House officials say the President is expected to pursue major new agreements while traveling with a delegation of top U.S. tech and business leaders, including Elon Musk and other executives from major industries. The President also plans to raise several sensitive issues including Taiwan, Iran, and Russia. He says he will bring up the cases of imprisoned Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai and Chinese pastor Ezra Jin during discussions with Xi.The Justice Department says a California mayor has agreed to plead guilty to operating as an agent for the Chinese regime, in another troubling case of Beijing attempting to influence events in the U.S. Eileen Wang, former mayor of Arcadia, California resigned from her position on Monday after being charged with secretly carrying out the directives of a foreign government. Court documents say Wang and her fiancé and campaign treasurer Yaoning “Mike” Sun of Chino Hills worked on behalf of instructions from Chinese regime operatives from late 2020 through 2022.The Treasury Department announced sanctions on 12 new targets accused of helping transport Iranian oil to China. The move is part of the Trump administration's “Economic Fury” campaign aimed at cutting off funding for Tehran's military and nuclear programs. Treasury officials say the sanctions target a network tied to Iran's Revolutionary Guard, including several companies based in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates. Officials say the network used front companies and shell corporations to disguise Iranian oil shipments and move money through the global financial system.

Seventeen Americans arrived in the United States on Monday for monitoring after a hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius.The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said one American passenger is showing symptoms, and another has tested mildly positive. The HHS said all passengers will undergo evaluation at a federal quarantine facility in Nebraska.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it has activated emergency operations and deployed teams to support monitoring and coordination with state health departments. The World Health Organization also stressed that this is not another COVID pandemic, and the risk to the public is low.President Donald Trump reacted to Iran's peace proposal response on Sunday, saying it's totally unacceptable. Trump also accused Iran of playing games with the United States and the rest of the world for 47 years.The president said that although Iran was militarily defeated, there were still key targets the United States could strike if hostilities resumed.A Frontier Airlines plane had to abort takeoff after striking and killing a person on the runway. Officials say the person jumped a fence and ran onto the runway moments before the collision.Frontier Airlines said smoke was reported inside the cabin, prompting pilots to abort takeoff. Passengers then evacuated the plane using emergency slides. The airline says there were 224 passengers and seven crew members on board. The National Transportation Safety Board is now investigating.

The Trump administration releasing a new batch of previously classified files documenting UFO's. It's part of a new federal transparency initiative called "PURSUE." The effort involves multiple agencies, including the Pentagon, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, NASA, and the FBI. Officials say the release of files is part of President Trump's push for what the administration calls “maximum transparency” on unexplained aerial encounters. More documents, videos, and photos are expected to be released on a rolling basis.U.S. Central Command says 3 guided-missile destroyers came under attack while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, adding that no U.S. assets were struck in the exchange, and that the U.S. does not seek escalation but remains positioned and ready to protect American forces. President Trump saying that talks with Iran are going very well, but that if a deal doesn't get signed, 'they're going to have a lot of pain.'Tennessee is the latest state to take action in the nationwide redistricting battle, with state lawmakers and the governor swiftly approved a map that breaks up the state's only Democrat-majority voting district. Republicans say the new map is a historic opportunity to maximize the conservative representation of Tennessee. Democrats have launched an effort to counter Republican gains in several states. The party this week just launched a campaign to weaken Republican seats in New York.

President Trump projecting optimism on reaching a deal with Iran, saying that it's ‘very possible' the U.S. will make a deal with the regime. Trump is also maintaining the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, saying if Iran agrees to the deal, then the strait will be open to all, including Iran. But if they don't reach a deal, he's warning that the bombing will start at a much higher level and intensity than before.Health officials around the world are responding after a rare hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship left three people dead and several others infected. Authorities say the vessel is now heading toward Spain and the CDC is monitoring the health status of U.S. passengers on board. Health experts emphasize the virus is serious, but say the public should not panic. The CDC says the virus is not spread by people without symptoms and transmission requires close contact, and the risk to the American public is very low.A decades-long global insider trading scheme was uncovered by the Justice Department and the SEC yesterday, unsealing charges against 30 people. 19 people were arrested yesterday, and two international defendants are considered fugitives and together have allegedly collected tens of millions of illicit profits. The accused face up to 25 years in prison on some counts.

President Trump writing on Truth Social on Tuesday that great progress has been made toward a complete and final agreement with Iran. He says Project Freedom, the operation ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be paused for a short time to see if that agreement can be finalized and signed. The president adding the decision also follows requests from Pakistan and other countries, and what he described as significant U.S. military success in the region.Results are in for the latest primary elections in Indiana and Ohio for the 2026 midterms. President Trump backed seven GOP challengers to unseat incumbents in Indiana, and all seven defeated the incumbents. In Ohio, Vivek Ramaswamy, the former 2024 presidential candidate won the GOP primary for his state, and told voters his vision for Ohio is to return it back to its full potential. He will be facing Democratic nominee, Amy Acton in November. Democrat Sherrod Brown is also trying to make a comeback after losing his seat to Republican Senator Bernie Moreno.A rare and deadly virus outbreak on a cruise ship has left three people dead and four sick. 150 passengers including 17 Americans are on board the ship, which is now waiting off the coast of South Africa. Health officials are saying the cause of the outbreak is a rare strain of hantavirus, which can spread between people. Even so, officials say that human-to-human spread remains extremely rare and requires close contact, saying the outbreak does not pose a wider public health risk.

U.S. Central Command says U.S. forces will begin assisting merchant vessels seeking to transit the Strait of Hormuz under a mission called ‘Project Freedom.' CENTCOM says around 15,000 U.S. personnel, guided-missile destroyers, unmanned systems, and more than 100 aircraft will support the operation. Over the weekend, President Trump said the U.S. is ‘doing very well' with Iran, adding the country is ‘decimated' and wants to make a deal.The nation's largest ultra-low-cost airline, Spirit Airlines, has shut down operations on Saturday, leaving passengers scrambling and thousands of workers impacted. Spirit Airlines says it has ceased operations ‘effective immediately,' canceling all flights and telling customers not to go to the airport. Major carriers like Untied, Delta, JetBlue and Southwest, are now stepping in, offering capped fares and discounts for stranded Spirit passengers. Passengers are now being advised to seek refunds through credit card companies or bankruptcy claims, a process that could take time and may only result in partial repayment.Alabama and Tennessee are moving to redraw their congressional lines, potentially yielding three more GOP seats in Congress. Alabama currently has two majority-black districts. A lower court previously forced the state to add a second district with a substantial number of black voters. Both seats, held by Democrats, could be carved up after the high court's ruling. Meanwhile, Tennessee's primaries are underway this week. At the same time, a special session is set to start on Tuesday. Governor Bill Lee says legislators must ensure districts “accurately reflect the will of Tennessee voters.” President Trump previously urged the governor to "push hard" to carve up the sole democrat held district in Memphis.

President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an order to create retirement accounts for millions of Americans who don't have access to employer-sponsored plans. The changes would affect workers, including freelancers, contractors, gig workers, and self-employed individuals. Americans will be able to access the program at TrumpIRA.gov, and it is set to begin on Jan. 1, 2027.A new video of the alleged White House Correspondents' Dinner shooter has been released, showing the moment authorities say he tried to storm the dinner and attempt to kill Trump. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro posted the video on social media amid questions over whose bullet struck a Secret Service officer, saying there is no evidence the officer was hit by friendly fire.The Supreme Court's recent division on redistricting is shaking up some upcoming elections. Louisiana is now postponing its congressional primaries, and Florida and Mississippi are now moving to redraw their voting maps. A new voting map, one that's not drawn on the basis of race, could give Republicans a chance at winning an additional House seat in Louisiana in the November midterms. Some Democrats, however, implied that the high court's decision removed protections for minority voters.

President Trump issuing a new warning to Iran, telling the regime to ‘get smart soon,' as the president refuses to lift his naval blockade on Iranian ports. He says that Iran now has to ‘cry uncle' and that he will be keeping Tehran under that blockade until the regime agrees to a nuclear deal. President Trump says the U.S. is currently in telephone talks with Iran, saying that there could be a potential new wave of strikes on the regime depending on the outcome of those talks.House lawmakers, on Wednesday, breaking an impasse on two important measures, including funding for immigration enforcement and the renewal of the government's spy powers. No reforms will be made to the ICE policy, as Republicans saying they tried to level with Democrats and find a compromise for weeks. The spy powers bill will be heading to the Senate on Thursday, and may see some pushback from Senators.Former FBI Director James Comey made his first court appearance on Wednesday, after he was indicted in North Carolina on Tuesday on charges of making threats against President Trump. The charges against Comey stem from a social media post he made last year, that showed a photograph of seashells arranged in the numbers '86 47.' The indictment alleged that a reasonable recipient of the message would interpret it as a threat to Trump. Comey has said he is innocent and will fight the accusations in court.

President Trump is expected to host the four astronauts who were aboard the Artemis II mission at the White House on Wednesday. White House spokeswoman Liz Huston says the president and the crew will be celebrating their unmatched achievements. That's as the Artemis II crew set a record for the farthest distance ever traveled from Earth during a 10-day lunar flyby. The Artemis III mission is expected to launch next year, and will be testing docking capabilities with the lunar landing spacecraft. The Artemis IV mission is expected to launch in 2028 and will feature two crew members descending to the lunar surface and spending a week near the South Pole of the moon.Former FBI Director James Comey is back in the spotlight after a grand jury sitting in the Eastern District of North Carolina returned with a new indictment. Comey now stands charged with threatening to kill or harm President Trump. Comey has been charged with one count of making threats against the president for a social media post he made in 2025 that was interpreted as a call for violence against President Trump. The charge carries penalties ranging from a fine to five years in federal prison. Comey deleted the post last year after receiving backlash and has maintained that he is innocent of any intentional wrongdoing in the case.The Supreme Court will hear arguments on Wednesday over whether the Trump administration can end Temporary Protected Status, a program that lets immigrants live and work in the U.S. when they can't safely return home. The challenge comes from Syrian and Haitian immigrants who've been in this program for more than a decade. So far, lower courts have blocked the administration's efforts, and the Supreme Court has kept those protections in place for now.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt held a press conference on Monday, saying that the White House Correspondent Dinner shooting is now the third major assassination attempt on President Trump's life in the last two years. The White House also condemning elected officials and some media for what it calls the systemic demonization of President Trump, saying it leads to political violence. President Trump is also calling on ABC and Disney to fire Jimmy Kimmel, after the host referred to the First Lady as an ‘expectant widow.' President Trump met with his national security team on Monday to discuss the latest peace proposal from the Iranian regime. According to reports, the Iranian side offered a mutual reopening of the strait of Hormuz, but postponed discussion about Iran's nuclear activity. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday, telling Fox News that the main problem in discussing peace with Iran is that not even the Iranians themselves really know who's in charge.The Supreme Court is taking up a major human-rights case on Tuesday, one with big implications for foreign nationals living in the U.S. The plaintiffs are Chinese nationals living in the U.S. who allege that tech company,Cisco, designed, built, and maintained a surveillance system that the Chinese Communist Party used to track their activities in China and persecute them for practicing the spiritual discipline Falun Gong. They claim that aiding and abetting such violations is itself a violation of international law. But Cisco says those claims are only meant for entities or individuals who directly commit the violations, so even if they did help, the law doesn't allow for claims against them.

The suspected gunman in the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner will be arraigned on Monday in federal court in Washington, D.C. President Trump says the suspect was radicalized, speaking on Sunday in an interview on 60 Minutes. Authorities say the suspect breached a security checkpoint near the ballroom and opened fire, hitting a Secret Service agent. President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were safely evacuated, along with Vice President J.D. Vance and members of the Cabinet.The UK's King Charles III will not cancel his state visit to the U.S. on Monday following safety concerns after Saturday's shooting. Buckingham Palace said “The king and queen are most grateful to all those who have worked at pace" and that they are looking forward to the visit. The trip is to “celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States, marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence.”Tornadoes in Northern Texas have left at least two people dead and displaced more than a dozen families in northern Texas. emergency responders are still working to clear debris to reach damaged homes and provide medical care where needed. The National Weather Service said they confirmed an EF2 tornado, with winds peaking at 135 miles per hour and an EF1 tornado, with winds peaking at 105 miles per hour. Parts of the Midwest, including much of Illinois are potentially facing an EF3 or stronger tornado, as part of a severe weather outbreak.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine held a press conference at the Pentagon on Friday. Hegseth reiterated to reporters that the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports is ‘growing and going global.' 34 ships have been turned around from the Strait of Hormuz so far. President Trump is also saying the country is struggling with internal leadership issues, adding that infighting between “hardliners” and so-called moderates has been intense.House lawmakers this week unveiled a new bill to extend a controversial spy power, known as Section 702 of FISA, until 2029. It's the latest proposal after a group of critics blocked reauthorization last week, due to concerns about privacy breaches on Americans. The newest proposal also requires the civil liberties protection officer to give monthly reviews of queries of Americans. The House and Senate must approve the spy powers bill by April 30th to prevent a lapse.Federal prosecutors are charging two Chinese nationals in a sweeping crackdown on global crypto scams targeting Americans. Investigators say the operation, based in Southeast Asia, is using fake investment platforms and trafficked workers to steal billions. The Justice Department says the Scam Center Strike Force will continue using every available tool to identify, seize, and return stolen funds to victims.

Speaking on Fox News, President Trump said that he is under ‘no time frame' and was ‘in no rush' to reach a deal with Iran. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also saying there's a lot of internal division in Iran, saying the U.S. is completely strangling Iran's economy through the blockade of its ports. U.S. Central Command saying yesterday it has instructed 31 vessels around the Strait of Hormuz to turn around or return to port as part of its ongoing blockade against Iran.Senate Republicans voted on Thursday morning, following an overnight marathon session, to approve a budget measure setting up funding or ICE and Border Patrol, without Democrat support. The measure instructs committees to begin drafting a bill to authorize $70 billion in funds while bypassing a filibuster. This could also pave the way for House Republicans to pass the bipartisan bill already approved by the Senate to fund the rest of Homeland Security.Six candidates face off to debate on Wednesday night on why they should become the state's next governor, replacing Governor Gavin Newsom, as his term begins to end. The debate comes after former representative Eric Swalwell suspended his gubernatorial run and resigned from congress, amid allegations of sexual misconduct, which he has denied. The 2 candidates with the most votes in the June 2nd primary, regardless of party, will move on to the general election on November 3rd.

According to the UK Maritime Trade Organization, Iranian gunfire has struck at least three container ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday. One Liberia-flagged vessel suffered heavy damage after being approached and attacked by an Iranian gunboat. Two other ships were also targeted but were not damaged, with all crew members reported safe.Virginia voters have approved a new congressional map that heavily favors Democrats in 10 of the 11 districts in the state. This comes as Democrats are looking to offset GOP gains in Texas after its new map was drawn to favor the GOP in Congress. While Republicans are not happy about the outcome, ,there was just a few percentage points of a different between the votes to approve or reject the map.Senate Republicans are moving ahead with a budget plan to fund immigration enforcement, breaking a weeks-long stalemate over Homeland Security funding. Lawmakers voting 52 to 46 to advance the measure, triggering the reconciliation process and allowing the bill to pass without Democratic support. The proposal directs up to $70 billion toward ICE and Border Patrol, agencies at the center of the shutdown.

President Trump is signaling he is unlikely to extend the current ceasefire with Iran, as a key deadline to reach a deal quickly approaches. The president saying the truce, set to expire Wednesday evening, will likely end if negotiations fail. With pressure mounting on Iran, Vice President JD Vance preparing for another round of talks in Pakistan aimed at ending the conflict. President Trump telling Bloomberg in a phone interview that he won't be rushed into making a bad deal.Texas is suing ActBlue, the Democratic political fundraising platform, after years of investigation. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is alleging that ActBlue illegally accepted fraudulent foreign donations for federal and state candidates. ActBlue has pushed back on the lawsuit saying their platform has done more than any other to prevent improper donations and protect donors.Apple announced on Monday that CEO Tim Cook is stepping down from his role, and handing the reins to hardware chief John Ternus. Apple says Ternus will take over on September 1st, with Tim Cook transitioning to the role of executive chairman. Ternus will also join the board, marking the first CEO change at Apple since Cook succeeded Steve JObs in 2011.

President Donald Trump says U.S. representatives will arrive in Pakistan on Monday for negotiations with Iran. The U.S. delegation is set to include Vice President JD Vance, Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner. Those efforts may face challenges, though, with Iran saying it will not participate unless the U.S. ends its blockade of Iranian ports. This follows the U.S. seizure of an Iranian-flagged vessel over the weekend.A community in Louisiana is reeling after a shooting leaves eight children dead in Shreveport, Louisiana. Police say the suspected gunman, 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, targeted his own family in what investigators are calling a domestic incident. Authorities say the victims ranged in age from 18 months to 12 years old and were killed inside a residence on West 79th Street. Investigators say Elkins fled the scene, carjacked a vehicle, and was eventually shot and killed by police after a chase.Federal officials and lawmakers are investigating cases of 11 scientists who were either killed, died, or went missing. They all worked for the government and had access to nuclear or aerospace material. The majority of the cases took place between 2025 and 2026. One of the highest profile cases involves a retired U.S. Air Force General, William McCasland, who went missing from his Albuquerque home in February. President Trump described the disappearances as "pretty serious" involving very important people. He added that we'll know whether the cases were random or coordinated in the coming week.

Israel and Lebanon enter into a 10-day ceasefire. President Trump saying the brief pause of violence began after conversations with the Lebanese President and Israeli Prime Minister. It was the first time leaders from the neighboring countries met in-person in the U.S. Capitol for 34 years. The State Department says Lebanon, with international support, is expected to take steps to prevent Hezbollah and other armed groups from launching attacks on Israel.In an over night vote on Capitol Hill, House lawmakers extended FISA, a controversial spy powers act. The 10-day extension gives Republican leaders more time to negotiate a deal with hold outs. FISA is a surveillance law that allows the government to gather foreign intelligence, but several lawmakers have raised concerns that it doesn't have guardrails to protect Americans' privacy. The bill will now go to the Senate, with House Speaker Mike Johnson saying he's optimistic a deal will be reached by the new deadline.Democrat Analilia Mejia has won a special election in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District. She will now fill the seat vacated by Governor Mikie Sherrill. Mejia defeating Republican Joe Hathaway by roughly 40 points. The win narrows the Republican majority in the House from 217 to 214.The special election fills the remainder of Sherrill's term, and voters will return to the polls in June for a primary, followed by a general election in November.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine gave an update on the operation in Iran at the Pentagon on Thursday. Secretary Hegseth warning Tehran to ‘choose wisely' ahead of possible peace talks in Pakistan. Pentagon officials said U.S. joint forces will be ready to restart combat operations if Iran does not agree to a deal.Homeland Security employee Lauren Bullis was killed this week, in what officials describe as a brutal murder. Authorities say Bullis was shot and stabbed by while walking her dog. They have identified the suspect as 26-year-old Olaolukitan Adon-Abel, a naturalized U.S. citizen from the UK. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin suggesting the case underscores the need for stricter enforcement and vetting.House leaders were forced to delay a vote on a controversial spy bill on Wednesday night. Several Republicans refused to back down on their privacy concerns, now discussions are underway to put stronger guardrails in place. One of the main reforms that holdouts want is to require the government to obtain a warrant for “U.S. person queries” after probable cause is established that the person is an agent of a foreign power or has committed a crime.

President Trump saying on Tuesday that Pakistan's capital city Islamabad is the likely location for US-Iran peace talks. The President confirmed that he would not attend the Iran peace talks, but did not say who would be attending. Speaking on Fox News, President Trump saying he views the war as close to over.Late Tuesday night, House lawmakers advanced a controversial section of a spy bill known as FISA. But the path forward is uncertain, with President Trump calling on Republicans to unite. A floor debate is scheduled for Wednesday on Section 702 of FISA, ahead of a final vote to extend this spy power for the next 18 months without any reforms. This spy power is not without controversy, although it's meant to target intelligence from foreign nationals outside the United States, critics say there aren't enough guardrails to prevent the government from unlawfully spying on American citizens.On Monday, the U.S. and Indonesia upgraded their defense relationship to what they're calling a 'Major Defense Cooperation Partnership.' The move deepens coordination on maritime security in Southeast Asia, highlighting the Strait of Malacca, a narrow but critical shipping lane linking the Indian and Pacific Ocean. Under the new deal, the U.S. and Indonesia will expand joint training, deploy sensors, and integrate American surveillance technology. The goal is to improve monitoring of the waterway and give Washington more presence in the region.

Lebanon and Israel are expected to hold talks on Tuesday in Washington, to discuss the situation with Hezbollah. Lebanon's foreign minister says Beirut will use the meeting to push for a ceasefire, while Israel says a ceasefire with Hezbollah is not on the table. This is as the Israel Defense Forces is keeping up the pressure against the Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorist group in Lebanon.President Trump doubling down on his stance on Iran, saying that Iran's enriched uranium must be removed, and calling Iran's actions on the world stage unacceptable. The U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is now also in effect. Ships can still pass through the Strait, but not if they're heading to Iranian ports.Two congressmen, Representative Eric Swalwell and Representative Tony Gonzales are announcing they are leaving Congress after the House launched separate ethics probes into both members. It comes just one day after Swalwell apologized over sexual assault allegations and Representative Gonzales under fire after admitting to a prohibited romantic relationship with a staffer, who later committed suicide.

The U.S. military is launching a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, after peace talks over the weekend failed to produce a deal. CENTCOM says the blockade will be enforced against vessels leaving or entering Iranian ports and coastal areas. U.S. forces said though, that they will not interfere with normal transit through the strait, as long as vessels are not traveling to or from Iranian ports.Lawmakers return to Capitol Hill this week facing a crowded agenda, including a partial shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security now in its 59th day. Democrats are pushing for reforms at ICE and Republicans rejecting a proposed ban on agents wearing masks. House Speaker Mike Johnson criticizing a Senate-backed proposal, while a short-term House funding bill remains stalled in the Senate.NASA is already looking ahead after a historic return from the moon. The Artemis II crew is safely back on Earth, arriving in Houston to a rousing welcome. The focus is now shifting to what comes next, with NASA setting its sights on Artemis III, the next step toward returning humans to the lunar surface. Private companies racing to be ready, with SpaceX and Blue Origin developing lunar landers.