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• A divided appeals court panel has ruled that a policy implemented by the Trump administration illegally banned transgender individuals from serving in the military. • The ruling addresses the legality of restrictions placed on transgender troops, marking a significant judicial challenge to the administration's personnel policies. • This decision matters as it potentially restores the right of transgender citizens to serve in the U.S. armed forces and sets a legal precedent for military inclusivity.

• The U.S. government has imposed new sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel as part of a strategic effort to pressure the island's leadership. • In a separate legal development, a government official is facing scrutiny over the inclusion of classified information in a memoir detailing their time in office. • Senate Republicans have successfully cleared an initial legislative hurdle to provide funding for President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement agencies.

• Former President Donald Trump admitted to calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "crazy," reflecting a shift in his previous strong support for the leader. • Trump claimed that Israel's current actions and policies are complicating potential peace negotiations and diplomatic efforts involving Iran. • These comments highlight growing tensions and a strategic rift between Trump's foreign policy approach and the current Israeli administration's tactics.

• A new European Central Bank (ECB) report reveals that the euro's international use has seen a moderate increase, reaching approximately 20% in 2025. • The currency has achieved record levels of euro-denominated debt issuance and maintains a leading position within the global green bond market. • Despite these gains, the ECB warns of growing risks regarding monetary system fragmentation and an increase in gold hoarding by central banks.

• Former President Donald Trump is currently weighing whether to move forward with a potential deal involving Iran. • The decision remains undecided, with Trump pondering the strategic implications of re-engaging or altering the terms of the agreement. • This deliberation is significant as it could shift U.S. foreign policy and impact geopolitical stability in the Middle East.

• Texas Senator John Cornyn lost his seat despite efforts to avoid conflict with Donald Trump. • Asian stock markets trended higher, with South Korea's Kospi jumping over 2% and Taiwan's benchmark surging. • The market growth was primarily driven by a boom in artificial intelligence and heavy investment in technology and computer chip companies.

• A suspect is dead after approaching a White House checkpoint while armed, according to the Secret Service. • Separately, the Trump administration is purging news releases regarding criminal charges and convictions related to the January 6 Capitol assault. • The administration has dismissed information regarding these prosecutions as "partisan propaganda" in an effort to rewrite the history of the event.

• A nine-story building under construction in a city north of the Philippine capital collapsed, resulting in the death of one Malaysian tourist and leaving 21 workers trapped. • In the U.S., Donald Trump cautioned against rushing a potential deal with Iran as new details regarding the agreement emerge. • The reports mark the five-year anniversary of the January 6 Capitol riot, where Trump supporters attempted to block the certification of Joe Biden's 2020 election victory.

• House Democrats are seeking a legislative breakthrough as the House of Representatives holds another critical vote regarding potential war with Iran. • The proceedings center on establishing clear boundaries for military engagement and preventing an escalation of conflict in the region. • This vote is pivotal as it reflects the internal struggle within the U.S. government to balance national security interests with the goal of avoiding a full-scale war.

• NPR provides comprehensive coverage of U.S. national news, focusing on key sectors including politics, elections, business, and technology. • The reporting extends to diverse societal topics such as arts, culture, health, and science to offer a broad perspective on current events. • This wide-ranging journalistic approach ensures that audiences stay informed on critical domestic developments and systemic shifts within the United States.

• Author Yáng Shuāng-zǐ and translator Lin King have become the first Taiwanese and Taiwanese-American winners of the International Booker Prize. • The winning novel, *Taiwan Travelogue*, marks a historic milestone as the first work translated from Mandarin Chinese to receive this prestigious award. • The victory coincides with the 10th anniversary of the International Booker Prize, highlighting the growing global influence of Mandarin literature.

• Meta has initiated a new round of layoff notifications, with employees based in Singapore among the first to be informed early in the morning. • The company is reducing its workforce across various international sectors, though the total number of affected employees has not yet been specified. • These cuts reflect a broader trend of tech industry restructuring and cost-cutting measures aimed at improving operational efficiency.

PM to update state and territory leaders and is weighing options to increase oil refining in Australia. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGood morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories. Nick Visser will take the reins shortly.Anthony Albanese will convene the national cabinet again in coming days to discuss the fuel crisis, he told the ABC’s 7.30 program last night, as the government considers options to boost domestic fuel refining capacity. Continue reading...

ACT independent David Pocock is calling for a 25% tax on gas exports to fund welfare and housing. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLabor should use the proceeds of limiting tax concessions for property investors and a crackdown on gas export profits to fund welfare increases and build housing, charities and social service groups say.Ahead of next month’s federal budget, the Albanese government is under pressure to wind back negative gearing rules and the 50% capital gains tax discount for property investments, and to tax more of the profits from soaring commodity exports, pushed up by the global energy shock.People on the lowest incomes are skipping meals, delaying medical care and rationing energy just to get by.Frontline services are operating at capacity, facing growing demand and increasingly complex needs. Current policy settings are not meeting the needs of our communities – it’s clear that significant and sustained public investment is essential. Continue reading...