Former U.S. President Donald Trump has filed a defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal, seeking $1 billion in damages.

In the lawsuit, filed in Miami, Trump alleges that the publication falsely claimed he sent a controversial letter in 2003 for Jeffrey Epstein’s birthday. Trump contends the article damaged both his reputation and financial interests.

The suit names not only the journalists involved but also Dow Jones, News Corp, and CEO Robert Thomson as defendants. Trump described the legal action as a step not just for himself but on behalf of the American people against what he calls the “fake news media.”

The US State Department, under Secretary Marco Rubio, has directed diplomats worldwide not to comment on the transparency or fairness of foreign elections unless it involves clear US foreign policy interests. This marks a shift from longstanding US support for free and fair elections globally. Election-related statements will now be limited to congratulating winners and referencing shared interests, with any official comments coming only from senior officials. The move aligns with President Trump’s non-interventionist stance, emphasizing national sovereignty over election oversight.

Donald Trump has threatened to sue the Wall Street Journal following a report claiming he sent a controversial letter featuring a drawing of a naked woman to Jeffrey Epstein on his 50th birthday. Trump denies the allegations, calling the letter “fake” and “defamatory,” and plans to take legal action against the newspaper’s parent company, News Corp. The controversy adds to ongoing debates about Trump’s past ties to Epstein and recent developments in the Epstein case.

In response to a recent attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, the United States has officially designated The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-based affiliate of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the decision, identifying TRF as a proxy group responsible for several violent incidents, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks. India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar welcomed the move, calling it a strong reaffirmation of counterterrorism cooperation. Tensions have escalated along the India-Pakistan border following the attack.

President Donald Trump has announced that the United States is close to finalizing a new trade agreement with India. Talks are progressing rapidly, with Indian commerce officials currently in Washington. India aims to secure better terms than Indonesia recently received. However, issues remain over tariffs on agricultural, dairy, steel, and automotive products. While the U.S. trade deficit with India grew to $45.7 billion in 2024, both countries are optimistic about enhanced market access through tariff reforms and an eventual deal.

Around 500 tons of high-calorie biscuits intended for 27,000 malnourished children in Afghanistan and Pakistan have expired and will now be destroyed. The food aid, provided by USAID, had been stored in a Dubai warehouse and was never distributed due to a suspension ordered by the Trump administration. Assistant Secretary of State Michael Riggs informed Congress that the biscuits, valued at around $800,000, will be incinerated or buried—at an additional disposal cost of $100,000 to U.S. taxpayers. The move has drawn heavy criticism from policy analysts, who questioned the rationale behind the aid freeze and its humanitarian consequences.

A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska, prompting immediate tsunami warnings for parts of southern Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula. The quake struck at 12:37 p.m. local time, with its epicenter located about 54 miles south of Sand Point and at a shallow depth of 20.1 kilometers. The National Tsunami Warning Center confirmed the potential for tsunami activity, with warnings in effect for specific regions along Alaska's Pacific coast. No immediate threat was identified for areas beyond the warning zone.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s new immigration crackdown is now affecting even legal immigrants. Nearly 1.2 million individuals under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) are facing deportation as part of the policy, disproportionately impacting citizens from Haiti, Venezuela, and Afghanistan.

Under the new rules, TPS and “parole” beneficiaries can now be deported by ICE without hearings. Congress has approved a $45 billion budget to enforce the initiative, signaling aggressive actions against both legal and undocumented migrants.

The United States has finalized a trade agreement imposing a 19% tariff on Indonesian exports. Under the deal, Indonesia will purchase $15 billion worth of fuel, $4.5 billion in agricultural products, and 50 Boeing aircraft from the US. President Trump warned that attempts to bypass tariffs via third countries would result in stricter penalties. A similar trade deal with Vietnam is near completion. Analysts note that despite aggressive tariff policies, the Trump administration is lagging behind its goal of finalizing 90 trade deals within 90 days.

A drone strike targeted a U.S.-owned oil facility in the Sarsang oil field in Iraq’s Duhok province, located in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. The attack caused a fire, though no casualties were reported. Operations at the site have been suspended until security can be assured.

The incident is part of a recent surge in drone and rocket attacks in the Kurdistan region, often linked to Iran-backed groups. A similar attack occurred earlier at the Erbil airport, where U.S. forces are stationed. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the latest strike.

In a phone interview with the BBC, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed disappointment in Russian President Vladimir Putin but said he has not severed ties. He warned that if no ceasefire agreement is reached within 50 days, the U.S. would impose heavy tariffs on Russia. Trump affirmed his commitment to NATO’s collective defense and said he doesn’t want his near-death experience to change his life’s direction. Despite the tensions, he still hopes for a “fruitful dialogue” with Putin.

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a 50-day ultimatum to Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt the war in Ukraine. If the deadline is not met, Trump warned that the U.S. will impose 100% secondary tariffs on Russia’s trade partners.

Analysts view this as a strategic escalation by the Trump administration to increase pressure on Moscow. As of now, neither Russia nor China has issued an official response to the threat.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying, “He speaks nicely but bombs another country every evening.” Trump confirmed that the U.S. will send Patriot missile systems to Ukraine, with the cost being covered by the European Union. He added that peace talks failed because of Putin’s actions and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to supplying Ukraine with advanced military technology—on the condition that it will be paid for. Trump also revealed plans to meet with NATO’s Secretary General.

Three U.S. senators—Bernie Sanders, Peter Welch, and Chris Van Hollen—have strongly condemned Israel's move to expel Arab MP Ayman Odeh from the Knesset, calling it a direct attack on democratic values. In a joint statement, they defended Odeh’s long-standing advocacy for peace and Jewish-Arab coexistence. The Knesset committee approved a proposal on June 30, requiring 90 out of 120 votes to pass. Even if approved, Odeh can appeal to Israel’s Supreme Court. The senators affirmed support for free expression for all lawmakers.

A gunman opened fire at the Richmond Road Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky, killing two women and injuring two men. The assailant initially shot at police officers before fleeing to the church, where he continued firing. He was later shot dead by police in a confrontation.

One of the injured victims is reported to be in critical condition. Although the incident occurred near the airport, authorities confirmed that it was not related to airport operations. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear praised law enforcement for their swift response.