The US Department of Homeland Security has partially eased travel restrictions on Iran’s national football team during the ongoing World Cup. Under the new decision, the Iranian squad is allowed to enter the United States two days before their final group-stage match against Egypt. However, the team must leave the country immediately after the match on Saturday morning. Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA Taskforce, said the move was preplanned and aimed at reducing travel fatigue after observing the team’s earlier travel arrangements.

Iran had previously expressed frustration over strict travel limits that allowed entry only one day before matches, hindering player fitness and adaptation. Due to regional conflict, the team faced administrative and logistical challenges, including relocating its base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico. Several support staff and federation officials were also denied US visas. Following the new decision, the team departed Tijuana for Seattle.

Iran currently sits second in Group G with two points from two draws and will face Egypt in a decisive match for a knockout-stage berth.

Three Democratic candidates known for their strong criticism of Israel won by large margins in New York’s House primaries, marking what analysts describe as a significant shift in the party’s internal stance on Israel and growing support for Palestinians. The winners—Brad Lander, Claire Valdez, and Darializa Avila Chevalier—made criticism of Israeli government policies a central campaign theme, with backing from New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights.

Analysts note that support for Israel among younger Democratic voters has declined sharply, especially after Israel’s military actions in Gaza following October 7, 2023. Recent surveys show 60 percent of Democratic supporters sympathize more with Palestinians, compared to 15 percent with Israel. Senator Chris Van Hollen said more Democrats now oppose unconditional U.S. aid to Israel and expect this stance to influence the next Congress.

The results also highlight the weakening influence of pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC, whose supported candidates lost several key races. Upcoming Democratic primaries in states like Michigan and Minnesota are expected to further test the party’s evolving position on the Israel-Palestine issue.

Palestinian-American candidate Abar Kawas won the Democratic primary for the New York State Senate in Queens on Tuesday, campaigning on halting what she called funding for Israel’s actions in Gaza and promoting democratic socialism. Supported by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Kawas became the first Palestinian Muslim woman elected in New York State. Born and raised in New York to Palestinian parents, she emphasized immigration reform and tackling the state’s rising cost of living during her campaign.

Her victory followed Mamdani’s three consecutive primary wins, part of his effort to transform the Democratic Party into a democratic socialist force. Kawas co-founded the “Not On Our Dime!” campaign with Mamdani, which seeks to stop New York-registered organizations from sending funds to Israel. The campaign claims that New York subsidizes Israeli settlement expansion and state violence against Palestinians, calling to end state funding for Israeli war crimes.

A related bill proposes amending nonprofit laws to prevent unauthorized support for Israeli settlements. If enacted, it could halt about $60 million annually flowing from New York charities to Israeli settlements and impose fines of at least $1 million on violators.

U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered an investigation into major oil companies for allegedly failing to reduce gasoline prices in line with falling crude oil costs. The directive came Wednesday amid criticism over the impact of the Middle East war on fuel prices. According to AFP, global energy prices surged after Iran blocked oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz in response to U.S. and Israeli attacks in February.

Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that large oil companies were not lowering pump prices even though they were paying much less for crude, accusing them of overcharging consumers. Gasoline prices remain a sensitive political issue in the United States, where most people rely on fossil-fuel vehicles for transportation. The controversy comes as congressional elections approach in November.

Economists have disputed Trump’s repeated prediction that fuel prices would drop “like a rock” after the conflict ended, saying it could take months for prices to return to prewar levels. Although a preliminary U.S.-Iran deal has reopened oil transit through Hormuz, pump prices remain higher than before the war.

New York City council member Zohran Mamdani achieved notable success in the Democratic Party’s primary elections held on Tuesday, as all three candidates he endorsed secured victories. Among them, Daryaliza Avila Chevalier won in the 13th congressional district, Claire Valdez triumphed in the 7th, and Brad Lander defeated incumbent Dan Goldman in the 10th district. Analysts said the results signal possible shifts within the Democratic Party and the rise of a new political current ahead of the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential race.

Mamdani joined the winners in celebration, emphasizing the need for new ideas and alternative leadership in the current political climate. The Israel–Palestine issue also influenced the primaries, with several candidates criticizing U.S. policy toward Israel. Brad Lander called for a clearer Democratic stance on the matter. However, not all progressive contenders succeeded, as mainstream-backed Micah Lasher won in New York’s 12th district, and a centrist candidate led in Utah.

The primaries also stirred debate within the Republican Party, where questions arose about Donald Trump’s influence after several of his endorsed candidates failed to secure nominations.

The US Senate has passed a War Powers Resolution aimed at restricting any military action against Iran. The measure directs a halt to offensive operations without congressional approval. The decision drew an angry reaction from President Donald Trump, who expressed his discontent on the social media platform X.

In his post, Trump argued that the Senate’s move came at a time when Iran was under maximum pressure and ready to concede. He described the resolution as a poorly timed and meaningless act that undermines his administration’s efforts. Trump further claimed that the decision sends a wrong message to what he called the world’s top sponsor of terrorism, suggesting that the United States disapproves of his actions against Iran.

The president also criticized four Republican senators who voted with Democrats in favor of the resolution, accusing them of making his job harder. Despite the setback, Trump asserted that he would still achieve his goals by any means necessary.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final venue, MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, has become the center of controversy after players from Brazil and France criticized the pitch conditions. Following matches on June 13 between Brazil and Morocco (1–1) and on June 16 between France and Senegal (3–1), players and coaches from both teams expressed dissatisfaction with the field. Brazilian forward Vinícius Júnior said the dry grass slowed the game due to heat, while French coach Didier Deschamps described the pitch as “different” and “special.” Midfielder Adrien Rabiot went further, calling it as hard as artificial turf and questioning whether it met international standards.

FIFA dismissed the complaints, stating there was no reason for concern about the field’s quality. The organization said it had worked for over five years with turf experts and stadium authorities to ensure the best and safest conditions for players. FIFA added that despite visual concerns about some areas, its turf management team found the surface fully compliant and performing as expected for a major tournament.

The stadium is scheduled to host the World Cup final on July 19, along with several knockout and group-stage matches before that date.

US technology company Oracle has laid off about 21,000 employees over the past year as part of a business restructuring centered on artificial intelligence (AI). According to its latest annual report, Oracle’s full-time workforce stood at around 141,000 as of May 31, 2026, down from approximately 162,000 a year earlier. The company said increased use of AI across its operations has reduced the need for human staff, and this trend may continue.

The layoffs account for roughly 13 percent of Oracle’s global workforce. The company spent about 1.8 billion dollars on severance and restructuring during the year, compared with 374 million dollars in the previous fiscal year. Oracle also warned that shortages of skilled workers in certain roles could affect productivity and future earnings.

The report noted that the move aligns with a broader industry trend, as major technology firms such as Amazon and Meta have also cut thousands of jobs amid heavy investment in AI infrastructure and data center expansion.

The Washington Post reported on June 23, 2026, that former U.S. intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard may have received political guidance from individuals linked to the Hindu religious organization Science of Identity Foundation, which she has known since childhood. The report was based on more than 25,000 pages of documents provided by former member Rebecca Saltzberg. Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman who later joined the Republican Party, served as national intelligence director under President Donald Trump and resigned on May 22 citing her husband’s health issues.

According to the report, Gabbard had long-standing ties with the foundation and previously referred to its leader, Chris Butler, as her “guru.” The Washington Post said Butler influenced followers’ major life decisions and sought political influence, though the organization denied being a cult. Documents linked to Butler’s office reportedly contained memos advising Gabbard on congressional work, policy positions, and media appearances.

Some memos included advice on opposing U.S. efforts to remove Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2016. The report claimed similarities between those recommendations and Gabbard’s later political actions. Gabbard has denied that Butler directed her politically, and her representatives accused the newspaper of targeting her Hindu identity.

Leaders of the US House Energy and Commerce Committee have reached a bipartisan agreement to require social media platforms to provide protective tools and safeguards for parents and children. The deal, announced on Monday by Committee Chair Brett Guthrie and top Democrat Frank Pallone, follows years of debate over how to protect minors online. While specific details were not disclosed, the lawmakers said the initiative would increase accountability for major technology companies.

The agreement excludes a proposed “duty of care” clause that would have required platforms to be designed with child safety in mind, a provision long supported by several lawmakers including Senator Marsha Blackburn. Its omission could complicate the bill’s passage. However, states will still be allowed to enact stricter social media laws, a concession seen as a win for Democrats. The bill must still pass the Senate and receive President Donald Trump’s approval before becoming law.

Major tech firms such as Meta, Google, Snap, and TikTok declined to comment on the deal. The move comes amid growing scrutiny of social media’s impact on youth and ongoing lawsuits accusing major platforms of harming children’s mental health.

US President Donald Trump has accused NATO member states of failing to provide adequate support during the United States’ military operation in Iran. Speaking at a press conference in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump said that despite Washington’s heavy spending, NATO allies were reluctant to assist when the US needed cooperation on smaller matters. He warned that the US might also withhold assistance from NATO countries in the future if such attitudes continued.

According to Trump, NATO partners often show unwillingness to help, which he described as unfair given the US’s financial contributions to the alliance. He suggested that the US could respond in kind, implying a potential shift in Washington’s approach to alliance commitments.

Despite the ongoing strain in relations with NATO, Trump is scheduled to attend the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, next month, signaling continued engagement amid tensions.

The United States has announced a conditional plan to release Iran’s frozen assets, requiring that a major portion of the funds be used to buy American soybeans, corn, and wheat. The plan was revealed by US Vice President JD Vance after a high-level meeting between US and Iranian officials at Switzerland’s Bürgenstock Resort. According to Vance, the initiative aims to ensure that the released funds support humanitarian and public welfare purposes rather than terrorism financing.

Vance said the US and Qatar are jointly developing a special monitoring mechanism to oversee how Iran uses the released funds, with both Washington and Doha sharing control over approvals. He added that Jared Kushner is working with Qatar on a joint proposal to implement the plan, which would strengthen Iran’s food security while boosting US agricultural exports. Vance described the initiative as a “classic Trump deal” that could benefit both nations.

The US vice president also stated that Washington has been consulting with regional allies, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Lebanon. While Gulf countries view the move as a step toward regional stability, Israeli officials remain concerned about any concessions to Iran.

Democratic members of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee have sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s approach to Iran, accusing him of lifting sanctions before achieving progress on key negotiation issues, including Tehran’s nuclear program. In a post on social media platform X, the lawmakers said the administration’s actions contradict its previous statements about the conditions for any deal with Iran.

The Democrats noted that Trump administration officials had repeatedly stated that sanctions relief would only follow resolutions on Iran’s nuclear activities and its support for armed proxy groups. However, they argued that none of these issues have been resolved, yet Iran has received broad sanctions relief it had long sought. The criticism came after the US Treasury Department suspended sanctions on Iran’s oil and energy exports until August 21, allowing Tehran to sell oil in US dollars for the first time in decades.

The development marks a significant shift in US policy toward Iran, raising questions about the administration’s consistency and strategy in dealing with Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

The United States has announced a temporary relaxation of sanctions on Iran’s oil sales following progress in recent diplomatic discussions. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the decision came after positive outcomes from talks held in Switzerland, where both sides reached an understanding on several issues. Under the new arrangement, the US Treasury issued a 60-day general license allowing Iran to produce, supply, and sell oil without sanctions until 12:01 a.m. on August 21.

According to Washington, Iran agreed to ensure free and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and to allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors access to its facilities. Analysts believe the move could provide significant relief to Iran’s economy, which has been strained by years of strict sanctions. The decision also aims to stabilize operations in the Strait of Hormuz and reduce potential disruptions in global energy supply.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy transport routes, and any disturbance there could have major effects on international oil markets and energy distribution.

A research team at MIT has introduced DAAAM (Describe Anything, Anywhere, at Any Moment), an artificial intelligence system that enables robots to form and access long-term memory in real time. The system tracks what a robot sees, where it saw it, and when, allowing it to answer natural language questions about its environment. Using a depth-sensing camera, DAAAM builds a continuously updated “4D scene graph” that records objects, their 3D positions, and timestamps. Tested on large-scale benchmarks, the system outperformed existing methods in accuracy, timing, and navigation tasks.

DAAAM’s key innovation lies in batching visual data for efficient processing, achieving roughly tenfold speed improvements over standard approaches. The system’s Describe Anything Model generates textual descriptions of objects, though it sometimes misidentifies unusual items due to limited training data. Researchers note that while DAAAM operates effectively for ground robots, it may be too slow for drones or virtual reality applications. The team plans to release the code and data as open-source resources.

The project, presented at the Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, was supported by the ARL DCIST and ONR RAPID programs. Its developers see potential for use in hospitals, warehouses, and other dynamic environments requiring spatial memory.