National News

• 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.