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US PRESIDENT TRUMP WEIGHS MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAN, SAYS “I MAY DO IT, I MAY NOT DO IT”

US President Donald Trump has sparked further uncertainty over potential US involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict, stating “I may do it, I may not do it” when questioned about possible military action against Iran. Trump added that “nobody knows what I want to do,” emphasizing the unpredictability of his decision-making. The president’s comments came as Israel continued its airstrikes on Iranian targets, with the UN nuclear watchdog reporting that two Iranian centrifuge production sites were hit overnight. Iran retaliated with a hypersonic missile strike on Israel. Trump’s stance on the conflict appears to be multifaceted. On one hand, he has expressed a desire to avoid costly foreign entanglements and wants to be known as a “peacemaker.” On the other hand, he believes Iran should not have a nuclear weapon under any circumstances. “Two very simple words: unconditional surrender,” Trump said, adding that Iran’s air defenses have been “decimated.” Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has rejected Trump’s call for surrender, warning of “irreparable harm” if the US joins Israeli attacks. “The Iranian nation will not surrender,” Khamenei said in a televised statement. The Iranian government has also pushed back against Trump’s claims that Iranian officials are seeking to negotiate at the White House. “No Iranian official has asked to grovel at the gates of the White House,” Iran’s diplomatic mission to the UN said in a statement. As tensions escalate, the US has positioned military assets in the region, with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declining to confirm or deny potential military action against Iran. The conflict’s trajectory remains uncertain, with Trump’s unpredictability and Iran’s defiance contributing to the complex situation. Meanwhile, Israel’s strikes have resulted in significant damage and casualties in Iran, with reports indicating that over 224 civilians, including women and children, have been killed. The conflict’s impact on the region and global stability continues to grow, with diplomatic efforts struggling to find traction.

US PRESIDENT TRUMP SEEKS “REAL END” TO IRAN NUCLEAR DISPUTE AS ISRAEL-IRAN CONFLICT ESCALATES

US President Donald Trump has expressed his desire for a “real end” to the nuclear dispute with Iran, hinting at potential diplomatic efforts to ease tensions with the Islamic Republic. Speaking to reporters after departing the Group of Seven nations summit in Canada, Trump suggested he might send senior American officials to meet with Iran. “I may,” Trump said, when asked about the possibility of sending US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff or Vice President JD Vance to meet with Iran. The comments come as the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to intensify, with both sides exchanging heavy strikes for a fifth straight day. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that he could face the same fate as Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, who was toppled in a US-led invasion and eventually hanged after a trial. “I warn the Iranian dictator against continuing to commit war crimes and fire missiles at Israeli citizens,” Katz told top Israeli military officials. Trump predicted that Israel would not be easing its attacks on Iran, saying, “You’re going to find out over the next two days. You’re going to find out. Nobody’s slowed up so far.” He emphasized that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons, stating, “Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” The Israeli military has claimed control of Iranian airspace and intends to escalate its campaign in the coming days. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have retaliated with missile strikes, including a “more powerful” new wave of missiles launched towards Israel. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with Iranian officials reporting 224 deaths, mostly civilians, and Israel saying 24 civilians had been killed. World leaders meeting at the G7 summit have called for de-escalation, affirming Israel’s right to defend itself while emphasizing that Iran must never have nuclear weapons. French President Emmanuel Macron claimed that Trump had initiated a ceasefire proposal, but Trump disputed this, saying his departure from the summit had “nothing to do with” working on a ceasefire deal. “Wrong! He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. Diplomatic efforts are underway, with Tehran reportedly asking Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia to urge Trump to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to an immediate ceasefire. In return, Iran would show flexibility in nuclear negotiations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi emphasized that Israel must halt its aggression for the conflict to cease, stating, “If President Trump is genuine about diplomacy and interested in stopping this war, next steps are consequential.”

US APPEALS COURT ALLOWS TRUMP’S TARIFFS TO REMAIN IN EFFECT

A US federal appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump’s sweeping import tariffs can remain in effect while a legal challenge works its way through the court. The decision came after the Trump administration appealed a Court of International Trade ruling that found the president exceeded his authority to impose country-wide tariffs claiming a national emergency. The appeals court put the tariff cases on a fast track for a resolution this summer, with a hearing scheduled for July 31. The court’s decision allows the tariffs to stay in place pending the course of the appeal. According to the ruling, “the court concludes that these cases present issues of exceptional importance warranting expedited en banc consideration of the merits in the first instance.” Plaintiffs, a group of small businesses, had argued that preserving Trump’s sweeping tariffs while the appeals process is ongoing “would cause irreparable harm” to businesses and consumers across the country. Ilya Somin, a law professor at Scalia Law School and plaintiff lawyer, said the decision was “unfortunate” but expressed hope that the expedited review could yield a permanent answer soon. “The Federal Circuit also indicated in its ruling today that there will be expedited consideration of the case, and we hope to get a ruling on the merits faster than usual,” Somin said. The White House welcomed the stay, calling it “a welcome development.” White House spokesman Kush Desai said, “The Trump administration is legally using the powers granted to the executive branch by the Constitution and Congress to address our country’s national emergencies of persistent goods trade deficits and drug trafficking.” The tariffs were imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which Trump used to pass along “reciprocal” tariffs, a 10% universal tariff, and import taxes on Mexico, Canada, and China over their alleged roles in enabling illegal migration and fentanyl to flow into the US. JPMorgan economists estimated that without the IEEPA-related levies, the nation’s effective tariff rate on goods would decline from 13-14% to 5%. The ruling has no bearing on sector-wide tariffs Trump previously enacted, including those on aluminum, steel, cars, and car parts, which were imposed under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. Trump’s tariff policies have been unpredictable, with businesses and consumers struggling to determine the cost of imported goods. Trump has called for businesses to bring production into the United States to avoid tariffs, a process that takes time and money.

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ASKS SUPREME COURT TO PAUSE MASS LAYOFFS AT EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to pause a court order to reinstate Education Department employees who were fired in mass layoffs as part of his plan to dismantle the agency. The Justice Department’s emergency appeal to the high court claims that U.S. District Judge Myong Joun in Boston exceeded his authority when he issued a preliminary injunction reversing the layoffs of nearly 1,400 people and putting the broader plan on hold. Judge Joun’s order has blocked one of President Trump’s biggest campaign promises and effectively stalled the effort to wind down the department. However, Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued that Joun was substituting his policy preferences for those of the Trump administration. “The layoffs help put in place the ‘policy of streamlining the department and eliminating discretionary functions that, in the administration’s view, are better left to the states,’” Sauer wrote. The current case involves two consolidated lawsuits that claim Trump’s plan amounts to an illegal closure of the Education Department. One suit was filed by the Somerville and Easthampton school districts in Massachusetts along with the American Federation of Teachers and other education groups, while the other suit was filed by a coalition of 21 Democratic attorneys general. The suits argue that layoffs left the department unable to carry out responsibilities required by Congress, including duties to support special education, distribute financial aid, and enforce civil rights laws. President Trump has made it a priority to shut down the Education Department, though he has acknowledged that only Congress has the authority to do that. In March, Trump issued an order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to wind down the department “to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law.” Trump later said the department’s functions will be parceled to other agencies, suggesting that federal student loans should be managed by the Small Business Administration and programs involving students with disabilities would be absorbed by the Department of Health and Human Services. The president argues that the Education Department has been overtaken by liberals and has failed to spur improvements to the nation’s lagging academic scores. He has promised to “return education to the states,” although opponents note that K-12 education is already mostly overseen by states and cities. The Trump administration’s Education Department budget seeks a 15% budget cut, including a $4.5 billion cut in K-12 funding as part of the agency’s downsizing, which has been blasted by Democrats.

ELON MUSK AND DONALD TRUMP ENGAGE IN PUBLIC FEUD OVER EPSTEIN FILES AND GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

A war of words has erupted between Elon Musk and Donald Trump, with the Tesla billionaire calling for the president’s impeachment over allegations that Trump’s name appears in secret government files related to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Musk responded “yes” to a user on X who wrote: “Trump should be impeached and JD Vance should replace him.” Trump, in turn, threatened to cancel all of Musk’s government contracts, saying it would save the government “billions and billions of dollars.” “I’m very disappointed because Elon knew the inner workings of this bill…he only developed a problem when we knew we were going to cut the electric vehicle mandate,” Trump said. Musk shot back, saying Trump only won the election because of his support. The feud escalated further when Steve Bannon, Trump’s former adviser, urged the president to initiate a formal investigation into Musk’s immigration status and have him “deported from the country immediately.” Musk has also been accused of having a “Trump derangement syndrome” by the president. Tesla shares plummeted as the rift intensified, with investors fearing that Trump might hinder the rollout of self-driving cars in the US, hitting the company’s growth potential. Musk’s net worth plunged by $34 billion as Tesla shares nosedived by 14%. Musk has also pledged to decommission SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, which is used by Nasa to deliver and collect astronauts from the International Space Station. “In light of the President’s statement about cancellation of my government contracts, @SpaceX will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately,” Musk wrote on X. The public spat has sparked a wider debate, with some calling for the release of the Epstein files. House Democrats have demanded the release of the files, with Representative Dan Goldman saying, “I called for the full release of the Epstein Files a month ago because of my suspicion that Attorney General Pam Bondi was concealing the files to protect Donald Trump. Now my suspicion has been confirmed.” The feud shows no signs of abating, with both sides dug in and unwilling to back down. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the war of words between Elon Musk and Donald Trump is far from over.

HARVARD FIGHTS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER FOREIGN STUDENT BAN

Harvard University has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s latest directive to bar foreign students from entering the US, calling it “illegal retaliation” for the university’s rejection of White House demands. The lawsuit comes after Trump signed a proclamation suspending the entry of foreign nationals seeking to study or participate in exchange programs at Harvard University. According to the proclamation, Trump cited concerns about Harvard’s ties to foreign governments, particularly China, and its handling of student misconduct records. The university allegedly received over $150 million from China and failed to provide sufficient information about foreign students’ misconduct. Harvard argues that Trump’s action is an attempt to circumvent a previous court order and that targeting only Harvard students doesn’t qualify as a “class of aliens” under federal law. “The President’s actions thus are not undertaken to protect the ‘interests of the United States,’ but instead to pursue a government vendetta against Harvard,” the university wrote in its filing. US District Judge Allison Burroughs issued a temporary restraining order against Trump’s proclamation, saying Harvard had demonstrated “it will sustain immediate and irreparable injury before there is an opportunity to hear from all parties.” The uncertainty has left international students like Yonas Nuguse, a 21-year-old student from Ethiopia, anxiously waiting to find out if he’ll be able to attend Harvard. Nuguse was granted a visa to study at Harvard and worries it might be too late to reverse his decision and attend another university. “I hope the situation is temporary and I can enroll on time to go on and realize my dream far from reality in Ethiopia,” Nuguse said. Harvard President Alan Garber said the university is making contingency plans to ensure students and visiting scholars can continue their work. The standoff comes as the Trump administration tightens scrutiny of student visas nationwide. Thousands of students lost permission to be in the US this spring before the administration reversed itself. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the US would “aggressively revoke” visas for students from China. International student interest in the US has dropped significantly, according to Mike Henniger, CEO of Illume Student Advisory Services. “It is one blow after another,” Henniger said. “At this point, international student interest in the US has basically dropped to nil.” Craig Riggs, editor of ICEF Monitor, urges families to consult carefully with advisers and not overreact to the headlines. “The rules under which students would make this huge decision to devote years of their lives and quite a bit of money to studying at Harvard have been shown to change quite quickly,” Riggs said.

TRUMP SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER BLOCKING FOREIGN STUDENTS FROM HARVARD UNIVERSITY

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order barring international students from entering the US to attend Harvard University, citing national security concerns. The order, effective immediately, suspends entry under Harvard-hosted student and exchange visitor visas. According to Trump, Harvard’s conduct has rendered it an unsuitable destination for foreign students and researchers. The order alleges that Harvard failed to comply with Department of Homeland Security requests for information regarding alleged criminal and disciplinary activity involving international students. “This is yet another illegal retaliatory step taken by the Administration in violation of Harvard’s First Amendment rights,” Harvard officials said in a statement. “Harvard will continue to protect its international students.” The suspension is set to last six months, with the potential for extension. The order also places current international students and researchers at Harvard under review, directing the Department of State to consider revoking existing visas on a case-by-case basis. Trump’s proclamation comes less than three weeks after the DHS attempted to strip Harvard of its certification to enroll international students through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. A federal judge temporarily blocked the DHS action, allowing the University to continue enrolling international students. Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the President’s proclamation, saying, “Admission to the United States to study at an ‘elite’ American university is a privilege, not a right.” Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., criticized the measure, calling it “ridiculous” and a “thinly veiled revenge ploy” in Trump’s personal feud with Harvard. The order provides a loophole to allow students whose entry would “benefit the national interest,” as determined by federal officials. For foreign students already at Harvard, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will determine if visas should be revoked. The Trump administration’s efforts have created an environment of “profound fear, concern, and confusion” among international students, Harvard immigration services director Maureen Martin said in a court filing. Countless international students have asked about transferring from the university. The dispute has been building for months after the Trump administration demanded a series of policy and governance changes at Harvard, calling it a hotbed of liberalism and accusing it of tolerating anti-Jewish harassment. Harvard defied the demands, saying they encroached on the university’s autonomy and represented a threat to the freedom of all US universities.

TRUMP SIGNS TRAVEL BAN ON NATIONALS FROM 19 COUNTRIES

US President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation banning travel from several countries to the US, citing security risks. The ban will fully restrict entry of nationals from 12 countries: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Additionally, people from seven countries will face partial restrictions: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. The proclamation includes exceptions for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, certain visa categories, and individuals whose entry serves US national interests. “This is a strategic move, not a response to an immediate threat,” said Shawn Vandiver, founder of #AfghanEvac, a US coalition of resettlement and veterans’ groups. The ban “disproportionately affects families and individuals seeking lawful entry into the US.” The ban has sparked criticism from impacted countries and organizations. Venezuela’s Minister of Interior, Justice and Peace, Diosdado Cabello, said being in the US “is a big risk for anyone, not just Venezuelans.” Oxfam America’s President and CEO, Abby Maxman, warned that the proclamation “marks a chilling return to policies of fear, discrimination, and division.” The ban will take effect at 12:01 am on June 9. Trump said new countries could be added to the list as “threats emerge around the world.” “We also will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm, and nothing will stop us from keeping America safe,” he said. The proclamation takes a stricter approach than previous travel bans, with some countries facing partial restrictions instead of full bans. The list is subject to revision based on material improvements made by the countries in question.

CONSERVATIVE KAROL NAWROCKI WINS POLAND’S PRESIDENTIAL RUNOFF ELECTION

Conservative Karol Nawrocki has won Poland’s presidential runoff election, securing 50.89% of votes in a closely contested race against liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, who garnered 49.11%. The outcome suggests Poland will likely adopt a more nationalist and populist path under Nawrocki’s leadership. Nawrocki, a 42-year-old historian and amateur boxer, was backed by US President Donald Trump, who welcomed him to the White House last month. Trump’s support was seen as a boost to Nawrocki’s campaign, with some supporters believing he would restore “normality” and maintain good ties with the US administration. Trzaskowski conceded defeat, congratulating Nawrocki and thanking his supporters. “I fought for us to build a strong, safe, honest, and empathetic Poland together,” Trzaskowski wrote on X. “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to convince the majority of citizens of my vision for Poland. I’m sorry we didn’t win together.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán were among the leaders offering congratulations to Nawrocki. Zelenskyy praised Poland as “a pillar of regional and European security” and expressed his desire for continued cooperation with Poland and Nawrocki. Orbán hailed Nawrocki’s “fantastic victory,” while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the importance of EU-Poland collaboration rooted in shared democratic values. As president, Nawrocki is expected to influence foreign policy and wield veto power over legislation. His victory may pose challenges for Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose coalition government has been unable to fulfill certain electoral promises due to ideological differences and Duda’s veto power. Tusk’s ability to continue his term until the next parliamentary election in late 2027 may be complicated, particularly if Law and Justice offers cooperation with conservatives in his coalition. Nawrocki’s campaign was marked by controversy, including allegations of past connections to criminal figures and participation in a violent street brawl. However, his supporters view him as an embodiment of traditional, patriotic values. Nawrocki has also echoed some of Trump’s language on Ukraine, promising to continue Poland’s support while prioritizing Polish interests.

ELON MUSK DEPARTS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AFTER TURBULENT CHAPTER

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has announced his departure from his role as a top adviser to President Donald Trump, marking the end of a tumultuous chapter in Washington. Musk’s role, which focused on reducing and overhauling the federal bureaucracy through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), was always intended to be temporary. In a post on X, Musk thanked President Trump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending, saying, “The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.” A White House official confirmed Musk’s departure. Musk’s exit comes after he expressed frustration with the Trump administration’s legislative agenda, particularly the “big beautiful bill,” which includes tax cuts and enhanced immigration enforcement. Musk described the bill as a “massive spending bill” that increases the federal deficit and undermines the work of DOGE. “I think a bill can be big or it could be beautiful,” Musk said. “But I don’t know if it could be both.” Trump defended his agenda, citing the delicate politics involved in negotiating the legislation. “I’m not happy about certain aspects of it, but I’m thrilled by other aspects of it,” he said. “We’re going to see what happens. It’s got a way to go.” Some Republican lawmakers share Musk’s concerns about the bill. Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson sympathized with Musk’s frustration, saying he was “pretty confident” there was enough opposition to slow down the process until the president and leadership get serious about reducing spending. During his time in the administration, Musk struggled to achieve his goals, dramatically reducing his target for cutting spending from $2 trillion to $150 billion. He also clashed with other top officials and faced fierce political blowback. Musk’s departure is seen as a potential boost to Republicans who want bigger spending cuts. Republican Utah Sen. Mike Lee reposted a Fox News story about Musk’s interview, saying there was “still time to fix” the bill. “The Senate version will be more aggressive,” Lee said. “It can, it must, and it will be. Or it won’t pass.” The Congressional Budget Office estimates the tax provisions in the bill would increase federal deficits by $3.8 trillion over the decade, while the changes to Medicaid, food stamps, and other services would reduce spending by slightly more than $1 trillion. House Republican leaders claim increased economic growth would allow the bill to be deficit-neutral or deficit-reducing, but outside watchdogs are skeptical.