A U.S. federal judge has temporarily halted the Trump administration’s proposed $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, which was intended to compensate individuals claiming to be victims of political misuse of government power. The order, issued by Judge Leonie Brinkema of the U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, suspends all fund-related activities for at least two weeks. A hearing on whether to extend the suspension is scheduled for June 12.

The fund was created as part of a settlement in a case involving the Internal Revenue Service and former President Donald Trump’s tax disclosures. It has faced multiple lawsuits, including one by the legal advocacy group Democracy Forward, which argues the fund lacks legal basis and accountability. Other suits were filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington and two Capitol Hill police officers. Republican lawmakers have also questioned the eligibility criteria, particularly whether January 6 rioters could claim compensation.

The U.S. Department of Justice maintains confidence in the fund’s legality, while the White House has declined to comment. No funds have yet been distributed or claims accepted.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM), responsible for military operations in the Middle East, has stated that American forces remain present and alert throughout the region. The announcement was made through a post on social media platform X, where the command shared an image related to its ongoing operations.

According to CENTCOM, the shared image shows an F-16 fighter jet flying over Middle Eastern airspace while on patrol. The post underscores continued US military vigilance in the area, though no additional operational details were provided in the statement.

The information was reported by Al Jazeera, and the CENTCOM post reflects ongoing monitoring and readiness activities by US forces in the region.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the era of providing subsidies from the United States to wealthy nations has ended. He made the statement on Saturday while attending the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Hegseth warned that if the Pacific region falls under the control of any hegemonic power, it would disrupt the regional balance of power.

He added that despite months of discussions about a possible war with Iran, the United States remains committed to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. Hegseth also said that under President Donald Trump, relations between the United States and China have improved compared to previous years. He noted that the US is holding more frequent meetings with Chinese counterparts while keeping military communication channels open.

Hegseth emphasized that the United States insists China must respect its long-standing presence in the region, underscoring Washington’s strategic focus on stability and openness in the Indo-Pacific.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that President Donald Trump will make a $1.5 trillion generational investment in the defense sector this year. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s leading security conference in Singapore, Hegseth described the move as a historic national production momentum for America’s defense industrial base.

He called on allied nations to allocate at least 3.5 percent of their GDP to defense spending, emphasizing that Washington will now prioritize relations with what he termed “ideal allies.” Hegseth warned that countries failing to meet this commitment would face clear changes in their business and diplomatic relations with the United States. He added that those relying on American taxpayers’ generosity for free benefits should recognize that such days are over.

Hegseth characterized the initiative as a strategic necessity, underscoring a shift in US defense and alliance policy direction.

US President Donald Trump has announced the lifting of the naval blockade imposed on Iran last month. The announcement was made through a post on his social media platform, Truth Social. Trump stated that the blockade on Iranian ports would soon be removed, allowing detained ships to return to their destinations.

In his post, Trump outlined several conditions for a potential US-Iran agreement. He said Iran must pledge never to develop nuclear weapons and ensure free passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz without any tolls. He also demanded that any mines in the strait be cleared, claiming that US forces had already destroyed several through explosions.

Trump further claimed that the United States, with assistance from the International Atomic Energy Agency, would recover and destroy uranium that had been damaged in an underground Iranian facility during a US B-2 bomber strike about eleven months ago.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared that Washington will not accept any form of Chinese dominance, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s leading security summit held in Singapore. Addressing the gathering, he warned that no nation, including China, should seek unilateral control or threaten the security of the United States and its allies.

Despite the strong message, Hegseth noted that under President Trump, US-China relations are currently at their best in many years. He said military-level communication channels remain open and meetings are taking place more frequently. He emphasized that the United States expects China to respect its long-standing presence in the region.

Hegseth reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, even as attention has recently been diverted by the war in Iran. He also stated that the era of the United States subsidizing wealthy nations has come to an end.

AI technology company Anthropic has reached a valuation of $965 billion following a new funding round, making it the world’s most valuable AI startup. The maker of the Claude chatbot announced on Thursday that it raised $65 billion in its latest investment round, surpassing rival OpenAI. The funding was led by Altimeter Capital, Dragoneer, Greenoaks, and Sequoia Capital.

Once considered a smaller player in the global AI race, Anthropic’s rapid rise has drawn major attention in the tech industry. The company’s coding assistance tools, launched late last year, have gained widespread adoption among large corporations. Analysts say the new valuation signals a shift in the balance of power within the AI sector and could influence IPO plans of companies like OpenAI and SpaceX.

Anthropic has also positioned itself as a safety-focused AI firm and is currently in a legal dispute with the U.S. Department of Defense over the use of its technology in autonomous weapons. The company recently delayed the release of its new “Mythos” model due to cybersecurity concerns, prompting international discussion about AI safety and regulation.

U.S. President Donald Trump has sent a draft of an Iran peace agreement to allies, including Israel, according to a report published on May 29, 2026. The move comes as both sides seek to prevent recent ceasefire violations from escalating. The draft reportedly resembles versions circulated across the Middle East in recent days.

Under the proposed terms, the Strait of Hormuz would reopen for commercial shipping, U.S. sanctions on Iranian ports would be lifted, and Iran would gain access to about $12 billion in previously frozen assets. The plan aims to restore pre-war shipping levels within 30 days and initiate up to 60 days of negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program, including uranium enrichment limits and oversight by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance stated that both sides are close to an agreement, though key issues such as Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and enrichment activities remain unresolved.

The US Treasury Secretary has warned that Oman could face sanctions if it assists Iran in implementing a toll system in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. In a post on social media platform X on Thursday, the Secretary stated that the US Treasury would target any party directly or indirectly involved in establishing such a system, emphasizing that Washington would not tolerate any attempt to impose tolls in the vital maritime route.

Later at a White House press conference, the Secretary said he had spoken with Oman’s ambassador earlier that morning. According to him, the ambassador assured that Oman has no plans to introduce any tolls in the Strait of Hormuz. The warning follows ongoing US concerns about potential disruptions to international shipping through the waterway.

The statement underscores Washington’s intent to deter regional actors from supporting measures that could affect global trade through the Strait, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has strongly condemned the ongoing war by the United States and Israel against Iran, calling for an immediate end to the conflict. In a post on social media platform X on May 29, 2026, Mamdani said the war must stop, highlighting its devastating impact on American civilians abroad and working families at home.

Mamdani noted that the war began three months ago without public consent, emphasizing that those paying the price had no voice in the decision. He stated that thousands of civilians have been killed and 13 U.S. soldiers will never return to their families. He also pointed out that rising fuel and grocery prices, along with budgetary strain, have resulted from a conflict initiated without a single congressional vote.

The remarks, reported by Al Jazeera, underscore growing criticism of the war’s human and economic toll, as concerns mount over its continuation without legislative approval.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Besent stated that any potential agreement between the United States and Iran depends entirely on President Donald Trump’s decision. Speaking at a White House press conference on Thursday, Besent emphasized that Trump would not agree to any deal that harms the American people. The two countries have reportedly reached a memorandum of understanding to extend their ceasefire by 60 days and begin talks aimed at a permanent end to the ongoing conflict.

Besent declined to provide further details about the memorandum but stressed that any final deal must meet several of Trump’s conditions. These include Iran handing over its highly enriched uranium, committing not to develop nuclear weapons, and allowing free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. He also suggested that the United States might lift sanctions on Iran as part of a final agreement.

Besent noted that progress would likely be slow, describing the process as multifaceted and dependent on Iran’s compliance with key conditions before substantive negotiations can proceed.

The United States’ Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) is rapidly depleting as President Donald Trump releases oil at a faster pace ahead of the midterm elections. The reserve, located in underground caverns in Texas and Louisiana, now holds crude oil volumes close to the lowest levels since the early 1980s, when the US economy and energy consumption were significantly smaller. The accelerated drawdown follows Trump’s earlier criticism of President Joe Biden for selling oil from the SPR during the 2022 campaign period to keep gasoline prices low.

Energy intelligence firm Kpler’s chief oil analyst Matt Smith said the barrels released from the reserve will eventually need to be replaced, which could push prices higher. The shrinking stockpile highlights the challenge US officials will face in refilling the reserve, potentially sustaining both demand and prices in the energy market.

The SPR, the world’s largest emergency crude oil reserve, has historically been used by both Republican and Democratic presidents to stabilize supply disruptions caused by wars, hurricanes, or other crises.

The United States carried out an attack on a vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing two people accused of drug trafficking. The strike is part of an ongoing operation that began in September, during which around 200 people have reportedly been killed. Human rights organizations have described these attacks as extrajudicial killings.

According to the US Southern Command, the targeted boat was allegedly involved in drug smuggling and was traveling along a known trafficking route. In a statement, the command said that two 'narco-terrorists' were killed in the latest strike. The US military launched the 'Southern Spear' operation in early September, with President Donald Trump emphasizing that the United States is effectively at war with Latin American drug cartels.

However, the report notes that US authorities have not provided conclusive evidence linking the attacked vessels to drug trafficking, raising questions about the legitimacy of the strikes.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to blow up Oman if the country fails to 'behave properly.' The warning came during a cabinet meeting, where Trump stated that Oman must act like everyone else or face destruction. His remarks followed reports of discussions between Iran and Oman about jointly imposing tolls on ships passing through a key waterway that has been largely closed since the start of the US-Israel war against Iran.

Trump also declared that the strait would soon be open to all and that no one would control it, emphasizing that the United States would monitor the situation. The statement reflects Washington’s growing frustration as Trump’s recent efforts to reach a peace agreement with Iran have so far been unsuccessful.

The comments mark an escalation in rhetoric toward a US ally and highlight the strategic tensions surrounding maritime control in the region.

The United States will need at least three years to replenish stockpiles of three major weapons systems heavily used during the Iran war, according to a report cited by PBS News. The shortage could limit the US military’s combat readiness in any future conflict with China. The affected systems include Tomahawk cruise missiles, used for deep strikes, and Patriot and THAAD interceptors, which defend against incoming missiles and drones.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies told the Associated Press that while the US has sufficient ammunition for any immediate Iran-related scenario, the depletion has created vulnerabilities in the Western Pacific region. The time required to rebuild these stockpiles has become a major concern for defense planners.

The report also noted that China aims to achieve the military capability to seize Taiwan by 2027 if necessary. Chinese President Xi Jinping recently warned that mismanagement of Washington’s ties with the self-governing island could lead to confrontation or open conflict between the two powers.