National News

• Authorities in eastern Libya released 10 Palestine solidarity activists on Monday, June 29, 2026, following their arrest in May. • The activists were members of the Global Sumud Convoy and were detained near Sirte while attempting to break the Israeli siege of the Gaza Strip. • The group's mission involved transporting critical humanitarian aid, including mobile homes and ambulances, to the besieged territory.

• Rescue teams continue to search for survivors in Venezuela four days after devastating earthquakes, as families struggle between grief and hope. • U.S. senators are pushing for urgent action regarding children's safety on social media, mirroring strict bans implemented in countries like Australia and Indonesia. • The Senate Judiciary Committee has summoned the CEOs of Meta, Alphabet, TikTok, and Snap to testify at an upcoming hearing.

• Rescue efforts continue in Venezuela four days after devastating earthquakes, as teams struggle to locate survivors amidst a mix of grief and optimism. • Since returning to office in January 2025, President Trump has nominated a personal lawyer as attorney general and ordered the DOJ to target political opponents. • The administration has deployed U.S. Marines to the nation's second-largest city and faced criticism for leveraging the presidency for personal and family financial gain.

• Venezuela is facing growing public frustration as the death toll from a recent earthquake has climbed to 1,430 people. • In the Persian Gulf, ongoing strikes indicate that the conflict involving Iran remains volatile and risks spinning out of control. • These escalations persist despite an interim deal previously reached between Iran and the U.S. intended to pave the way for a final peace accord.

• Le Figaro has published an analysis suggesting that a potential war in Iran could significantly reshape China's strategic approach toward Taiwan. • The report highlights that modern conflicts, such as those in Ukraine and Iran, are increasingly defined by cyber operations, drones, information warfare, and societal resilience rather than traditional military hardware. • This shift in warfare dynamics matters as it may influence how China calculates the risks and methods of a possible intervention in Taiwan.

• The U.S. military struck 10 targets in Iran following an order from President Donald Trump, escalating tensions and disrupting an uneasy ceasefire. • The attacks were launched in response to an Iranian assault on a ship near the Strait of Hormuz that occurred earlier on Saturday. • The U.S. military stated on X that Iran failed to honor the existing ceasefire agreement, necessitating the retaliatory strikes.

• Rescue teams are urgently searching for survivors four days after devastating earthquakes struck Venezuela. • Emergency crews are scrambling to locate missing persons amidst the rubble as the critical window for rescue operations narrows. • The disaster has caused significant infrastructure damage and casualties, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated international and local aid.

• Venezuela is facing growing public frustration as the death toll from a recent earthquake has climbed to 1,430 people. • In the United States, families of civil rights activists are expressing anger and sadness over the perceived dismantling of landmark voting rights laws. • This distress stems from a series of Supreme Court rulings over the last 12 years, including a specific decision in April, that have reversed previous political victories.

• A severe heat wave is impacting central and eastern Europe, causing record-breaking temperatures in Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Denmark. • Denmark experienced its hottest day since 1874, reaching 37 degrees Celsius, while the Czech Republic recorded its highest temperature ever. • The extreme heat has led to infrastructure damage on Germany's Autobahn, strained hospital resources in France, and red alerts in Italy.

• Superior Court Judge Thomas Matthews ruled on Friday that a man sharing the same name and party affiliation as U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan is eligible to appear on Alaska's August primary ballot. • The ruling overturns a June 15 decision made by Carol Beecher, the Director of the Division of Elections, who had previously blocked the challenger. • This legal decision is significant as it allows a candidate with an identical name to challenge the incumbent Republican senator in the upcoming election.

• Superior Court Judge Thomas Matthews ruled on Friday that a man sharing the same name and party affiliation as U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan is eligible to run in Alaska's August primary. • The decision overturns a June 15 ruling by Division of Elections Director Carol Beecher, who had previously sought to block the challenger from the ballot. • This legal development creates a rare situation where two candidates with identical names and party labels will compete for the same seat.

• Iranian drones launched attacks on Bahrain and struck a ship in the strait following recent U.S. airstrikes. • The escalation marks a direct response to American military actions in the region, increasing tensions between Iran and Western allies. • These strikes highlight the volatility of the strait, a critical global maritime corridor for oil and trade.

• Iranian drones have launched attacks on Bahrain and a ship in the strait following recent U.S. airstrikes. • Separately, the U.S. is reflecting on the legacy of voting rights laws as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. • Family members of those who died fighting for equal voting rights express anger and sadness over a series of Supreme Court rulings, including one in April, that have effectively dismantled these protections.

• OpenAI and Anthropic have restricted the release of new AI models to a select group of Trump-approved customers. • This limitation follows a request from President Donald Trump's administration to vet AI products for potential cybersecurity risks. • Separately, President Trump threatened a 100% tariff on all goods from any country that imposes specific taxes on U.S. products.

• Venezuelans are conducting their own search operations for missing persons as the death toll continues to rise following a recent earthquake. • In San Mateo County, a pilot program to restrict e-bike usage by age is moving forward, while other local legislative efforts have stalled in committee. • MidPen Housing has proposed a new 100% affordable housing development in San Carlos, which would be the tallest building in the city.

• A court ruling on Thursday dealt another blow to Donald Trump's voter suppression efforts leading up to the November midterm elections. • The decision follows a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing where Postmaster General David Steiner was questioned by Democrats regarding the handling of absentee ballots. • Senator Gary Peters of Michigan specifically challenged Steiner on whether the Postal Service would continue mailing ballots if a state refused to share its voter list with the federal government.

• Venezuela's health minister reported that catastrophic earthquakes have caused approximately 235 deaths and 4,300 injuries. • In the U.S., the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge reached a new three-year high in May, driven largely by peaking gas prices. • This surge in inflation is significant as rising living costs may create political challenges for President Donald Trump and his party.

• Ukraine has launched drone strikes deep inside Crimea, marking an escalation in its efforts to target Russian military infrastructure. • Diplomatic efforts regarding the Iran nuclear deal remain uncertain, with key details and the future of the agreement still described as blurry. • These developments highlight the ongoing volatility in global security, specifically regarding the conflict in Ukraine and nuclear non-proliferation.

California governor calls for national tax on super-wealthy and suggests the US should own a stake in AI companiesUS politics live – latest updatesCalifornia’s governor, Gavin Newsom, called for a national “billionaires tax” on Friday as he fights a ballot measure targeting the ultra-wealthy in his home state.Newsom, who is expected to run for president in 2028, published his proposal the day after California officials certified a ballot proposal to levy a one-time 5% tax on residents worth more than $1bn. The proposal, called the California Billionaire Tax Act, was brought by the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) and would fund the state’s healthcare, education and food assistance programs. Continue reading...

• Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, resulting in at least 164 deaths and nearly 1,000 injuries. • The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge reached a new three-year high in May, primarily driven by peaking gas prices. • Rising costs for semiconductors and computer equipment, fueled by the AI buildout, contributed significantly to the inflation spike.

• The Japan Creator Support Fund held a progress report meeting highlighting the international success of Japan's next generation of artists, musicians, filmmakers, and game developers. • The initiative has fostered collaborations and co-productions across 23 countries and regions, including the United States, United Kingdom, South Korea, China, and Thailand. • These efforts have resulted in tangible global outcomes such as awards, nominations, and expanded opportunities for overseas performances and international events.

• A series of oil tankers successfully navigated a new shipping route near Oman's shores in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday. • The route was promoted by Oman and a U.N. maritime agency to ensure safer passage for vessels. • This development is critical as it provides an alternative path amid ongoing threats from Iran's Revolutionary Guard against ships in the strait.

• Conservative outsider Abelardo de la Espriella, a businessman and lawyer endorsed by U.S. President Donald Trump, has won Colombia’s presidential election. • Progressive lawmaker Iván Cepeda conceded the race after results showed de la Espriella winning by a narrow margin of 1 percentage point, or approximately 251,000 votes. • The victory is widely interpreted as a public indictment of the administration of outgoing President Gustavo Petro.

• The U.S. and Iran are currently in a dispute regarding whether Tehran has formally agreed to allow nuclear inspections. • Primary elections are underway across the U.S., with voters in Maryland, New York, South Carolina, and Utah casting ballots on Tuesday to determine nominees for congressional and gubernatorial seats. • These primaries serve as the critical first step toward the November midterm elections, which will decide control of both chambers of Congress and various state offices.

• JD Vance stated that recent discussions with Iranian officials in Switzerland have established a "good foundation" for a potential deal to end the ongoing war. • The talks represent a diplomatic effort to stabilize regional tensions through direct engagement between the U.S. and Iran. • This development is significant as it signals a potential shift toward a negotiated settlement to prevent further escalation of conflict.

• JD Vance is currently meeting with top Iranian officials in Switzerland to engage in diplomatic discussions. • Simultaneously, Donald Trump is issuing threats against Tehran from a distance, creating a dual-track approach of diplomacy and pressure. • This development highlights the tension between direct negotiation efforts and the aggressive rhetoric characteristic of Trump's foreign policy.

• High-level negotiations between the US and Iran in Switzerland aimed at ending the war in Lebanon have concluded. • While Iran reported "major progress" toward a permanent ceasefire, the talks were complicated by threats made by Donald Trump. • Technical, lower-level discussions are scheduled to continue for the remainder of the week to finalize details.

• Residents and fans in Taylor Swift's coastal beach town are interpreting minor clues as evidence of a secret wedding. • The speculation has intensified as observers scrutinize the singer's movements and surroundings for hints of a marriage. • This phenomenon highlights the extreme level of public scrutiny and "easter egg" hunting associated with Swift's personal life.