The U.S. military has destroyed a drug-laden vessel operated by Venezuela’s notorious Tren de Aragua gang, killing 11 people, former President Donald Trump confirmed.

“We just destroyed a drug boat carrying large quantities of narcotics. Many more are coming from Venezuela,” Trump said, sharing drone footage showing the high-speed vessel exploding in flames.

Typically, such boats are intercepted and crews arrested, but this time the U.S. military opted to sink the vessel outright—a move likely to escalate tensions with Venezuela.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has brushed off viral rumors about his death, calling them “fake news” and a reflection of declining media credibility.

“Millions of people were apparently discussing my so-called death. Really? I hadn’t even seen it,” Trump remarked when asked by a journalist. He noted that after holding several press conferences last week, he skipped two days—prompting speculation about his health.

“President Biden could disappear for months, and no one would say a word. Yet with me, they immediately invent stories,” Trump said with a laugh. “I’ve been active with interviews, events, and posts on Truth Social. Clearly, I’m alive and well.”

U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated career diplomat Brent Christensen as the next ambassador to Bangladesh. The proposal was submitted to the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, where approval is pending.

Christensen currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Arms Control and International Security. Between 2019 and 2021, he was posted at the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka as Counselor for Political and Economic Affairs. A graduate of the National War College, he earned a Master’s degree in National Security Strategy in 2022.

Before joining the Foreign Service in 2002, Christensen worked as a management consultant in Houston and New York City.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade advisor, Peter Navarro, has criticized India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that while Modi is a capable leader, he is aligning with leaders like Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. Navarro said Brahmins are benefiting at the expense of ordinary Indians and urged that this practice stop. He also linked India’s purchase of Russian crude oil to economic support for Russia, prompting the U.S. to impose tariffs on Indian goods.

The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka has issued a strict warning that anyone involved in visa fraud will be permanently barred from entering the United States. The embassy emphasized that visa fraud and illegal immigration are serious offenses and those involved could face criminal charges. Applicants are urged to be truthful during visa applications and interviews, as even minor offenses or previous violations can result in visa denial. Secure borders are essential for national survival, the embassy added.

President Donald Trump said he will issue an executive order requiring voter ID for all ballots, with no exceptions. He stated only seriously ill individuals and military personnel abroad may vote by mail. Trump, who continues to claim without evidence that the 2020 election was stolen, has long opposed electronic voting machines, favoring paper ballots. Legal experts question his authority since states oversee elections. The 2026 midterms will be the first national test of his policies after returning to power.

A Harvard/Harris poll reveals a sharp generational divide in U.S. views on the Israel–Hamas conflict. While 74% of Americans overall back Israel, 60% of voters aged 18–24 support Hamas instead. Most Americans condemn Hamas’s actions, yet many young voters blame Israel for Gaza’s famine. Public opinion is split on whether Israel’s actions amount to genocide. Analysts say Gen Z’s reliance on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for news drives this shift, framing the conflict as a humanitarian issue rather than geopolitics.

The Trump administration has moved to dismiss more than 500 employees of Voice of America (VOA), citing cost-cutting and efficiency. Acting USAGM head Kari Lake said the move would reduce bureaucracy, though unions call it illegal. Court documents show only 108 staff will remain at VOA after the layoffs. The decision follows a court ruling that Trump officials mishandled the removal of VOA’s director. Some staff are fighting the cuts in court, while certain divisions, like Cuba Broadcasting, remain unaffected.

U.S. President Donald Trump has canceled plans to visit India for the Quad summit later this year, according to a New York Times analysis. The report says Trump had earlier promised Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a June 17 phone call that he would attend, but tensions have since escalated. Disputes over Trump’s mediation claim in the India-Pakistan conflict, a canceled G7 meeting, and Washington’s new 50% tariff on Indian goods have all contributed to worsening U.S.-India relations.

President Donald Trump has halted $5 billion in foreign aid approved by Congress, citing a need to prioritize American interests. The cuts, affecting the State Department and USAID programs, have drawn strong opposition from Democrats, who warn this could derail budget negotiations. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called the move illegal, while some moderate Republicans also criticized it. The White House defended the action as part of Trump’s “America First” agenda, escalating tensions over federal spending.

A U.S. appellate court has ruled that the majority of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on various countries are illegal, stating that only Congress has the authority to impose such measures. The court’s decision, citing emergency economic powers, will take effect after October 14, when the Supreme Court will review the case. The ruling raises questions about existing trade agreements and highlights potential political and economic consequences, with Trump criticizing the decision as threatening the nation’s stability.

The United States is set to impose a visa ban on Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and other PA and PLO officials, raising doubts over Abbas’s attendance at the UN General Assembly in September. The move comes as several countries, including France, Canada, and Australia, prepare to recognize Palestine as an independent state. The U.S. State Department said the ban aims to pressure Palestinian leaders to reject terrorism and halt unilateral efforts toward statehood, calling such actions unproductive.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance has assured that President Donald Trump is in excellent health and full of energy, dismissing recent concerns about his well-being. In a USA Today interview, Vance emphasized that he is fully prepared to take over presidential responsibilities if a “terrible tragedy” occurs. Highlighting Trump’s active routine despite his age, Vance also noted the valuable experience he has gained over the past 200 days in office, underlining the importance of being ready for any eventuality.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris will lose her Secret Service protection starting September 1, following a decision by President Donald Trump. Traditionally, ex-vice presidents receive six months of security after leaving office, but President Joe Biden had extended Harris’s coverage before her term ended. Harris, who is set to release a book and attend events nationwide, may face increased risk due to the withdrawal of security. Her advisor, Kirsten Allen, expressed gratitude for the professionalism and efforts of the Secret Service.

Lisa Cook, a governor of the U.S. Federal Reserve, has filed a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, challenging his attempt to remove her from office. In her legal petition, Cook has requested the court to declare Trump’s dismissal order “illegal and null.”

The lawsuit also names Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell as a co-defendant. Trump has accused Cook of providing false information regarding her mortgage records and claims that the Constitution gives him the authority to remove her from her position.

Cook has previously stated that there is no “legitimate legal basis” for her dismissal under U.S. law. According to reports from the BBC, the move by Trump comes amid his dissatisfaction with the Federal Reserve’s reluctance to lower interest rates. As a member of the board responsible for setting U.S. interest rates, Cook’s role places her at the center of this high-stakes confrontation.