Lebanon's Aoun heads to White House to press Israel pullback
What's next: Aoun plans to present a written proposal on disarming Hezbollah as he seeks a phased Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
Bloomberg, BBC News (World) +7
Subject
#Washington
Blanche defends Epstein file review in tense Senate hearing
What's new: Trump's attorney general pick said the DOJ could still prosecute new suspects if fresh evidence emerges.
PBS NewsHour, Fox News +1
Trump declassifies China election files, revives 2020 fraud claims
What's new: The material conflicts with a 2021 US intelligence review that found no foreign actor altered any technical part of the vote.
Bloomberg, The New York Times +6
Rubio opens US-led anti-left terrorism summit with 60-plus delegations
What's new: Washington says at least 65 countries joined as the US presses allies to treat far-left attacks as a bigger security priority.
The Straits Times, PBS NewsHour +5
Trump administration ousts Seattle US attorney 54 minutes into job
What's new: Federal judges had unanimously picked Roger Rogoff to fill a vacancy the president had not addressed, setting up a legal fight.
The New York Times, The Straits Times +3
Clayton dodges 2020 election question in heated DNI hearing
What's next: The Senate Intelligence Committee plans a vote next week, with Clayton still likely to clear the GOP-led chamber.
The New York Times, Bloomberg +3
Ex-Fed adviser gets 38 months for lying in China secrets probe
Why it matters: Prosecutors said advance Fed rate information could have aided trading in China’s roughly $1.5 trillion in US Treasurys.
Bloomberg, The Straits Times +2
Todd Blanche faces Senate test in bid to lead Justice Department
What's next: Blanche needs unanimous GOP support on the Senate Judiciary Committee to advance his nomination.
The New York Times, BBC News (US & Canada) +5
Jay Clayton faces Senate hearing to lead US intelligence
Why it matters: His confirmation could replace acting DNI Bill Pulte and reopen talks on renewing FISA Section 702.
PBS NewsHour, Fox News +2
Ex-Goldman lawyer tells House Epstein deceived her for years
What's new: Kathryn Ruemmler said she would have gone to law enforcement if she had seen signs Epstein was abusing women or girls.
The New York Times, CNBC +2
CDC nominee Erica Schwartz faces Senate hearing amid agency turmoil
What's at stake: If confirmed, Schwartz would become Trump's third CDC pick and take over an agency without a permanent chief for most of his second term.
The New York Times, NPR +2
Blanche defends Epstein file review in Senate AG hearing
What's new: Blanche said the DOJ would bring charges if new evidence emerges and called a proposed $1.8 billion fund "dead."
PBS NewsHour, ABC News +1
Supreme Court seeks $228 million as threats to justices climb
What's new: Court police expect threats to rise 38% this year, and justices cited swatting, drones and AI-driven cyberattacks.
The New York Times, BBC News (US & Canada) +6
Supreme Court justices seek $228 million budget, more security
Why it matters: The court wants nearly $15 million for added protection after 564 threats to federal judges in the last fiscal year.
Bloomberg, The New York Times +4
Graham’s death sharpens scrutiny of the Senate’s advanced age
Why it matters: More than a third of senators are 71 or older, renewing debate over incumbency, seniority and fitness for office.
The New York Times, The Straits Times +1
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham dies at 71
His office said Graham died after a brief, sudden illness a day after returning from a trip to Ukraine.
The Straits Times, Republika +3
Judge ends Proud Boys Jan. 6 case after Trump clemency erased convictions
What's next: A separate bid to wipe out Oath Keepers seditious conspiracy convictions still awaits a judge's ruling.
Crews drain Lincoln Reflecting Pool again after July 4 repairs fail
What's new: The redo follows algae growth, peeling coating and debris from fireworks, pushing the project past Trump's July 4 goal.
PBS NewsHour, ABC News +1
McConnell remains hospitalized after June 14 admission
Why it matters: His absence could complicate Senate Republicans' narrow majority before the midterm elections.
The New York Times, PBS NewsHour +5
Panel backs Trump’s 250-foot arch, sets September height fight
What’s next: the National Capital Planning Commission wants design changes and more traffic details before a final vote.
PBS NewsHour, NPR +2
Ex-Olympian David Hearn pleads not guilty in pool damage case
What's next: Hearn faces a felony property-destruction charge tied to more than $1,000 in alleged damage and a possible 10-year sentence.
Ex-Olympian pleads not guilty in Lincoln Reflecting Pool case
What’s next: David Hearn faces an early August hearing on a felony count that carries up to 10 years in prison.
Smithsonian chief pushes back on White House attack on history museum
What's new: The dispute centers on a 162-page July 4 report that accused the National Museum of American History of anti-American bias.
The Straits Times, NPR
Former Olympian pleads not guilty in Lincoln Pool damage case
What's next: David Hearn was released pending trial, and a status hearing is set for Aug. 5 in Washington.
Ex-Olympian pleads not guilty in Lincoln Reflecting Pool case
What's next: David Hearn remains free before an Aug. 5 hearing as prosecutors pursue a felony carrying up to 10 years.
The Straits Times, The Hill +1
Appeals court keeps Trump’s name off Kennedy Center facade
What’s next: The same D.C. Circuit panel will hear Trump’s broader appeal of a May 29 order requiring the arts center to use only Kennedy’s name.
CNBC, NPR +4
McConnell remains hospitalized 3 weeks as GOP leaders describe calls
What's new: Senate leaders said they spoke with McConnell in recent days, countering online rumors as his office releases few details.
Vandalism hits National Mall with pool damage, blood message
What's new: Interior officials linked multiple incidents since June 9, including "8647" markings and cuts to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
The New York Times, PBS NewsHour +2
Park Police seek suspect in Lincoln Reflecting Pool damage case
What's new: Investigators released video from June 19 and asked the public to help identify a person seen reaching into the water.
ABC News, Fox News
Bill Gates told House panel Epstein weighed blackmail over affairs
What's new: Transcripts show Gates said Epstein used “veiled” pressure as Congress reviews the handling of the sex-trafficking case.
The Straits Times, CNBC Indonesia +2
Trump opens US 250th kickoff with rally on National Mall
What's new: Cancellations by acts including the Commodores and Young MC left the event leaning on military bands and Trump allies.
Bloomberg, BBC News (US & Canada) +3
Trump opens 16-day America 250 fair on Washington's National Mall
What's new: The free event runs through July 10 with exhibits from all 50 states and six territories, plus flyovers and a 110-foot Ferris wheel.
The Hill, Fox News
Lebanon and Israel open Washington talks as Iran-US deal looms
What's new: Beirut will seek a timetable for an Israeli withdrawal, while Israel is pressing for Hezbollah to be disarmed.
AI startup sues US after Anthropic cuts model access for Canadians
What's new: Legion says the shutdown of Fable 5 and Mythos 5 threatens its survival as export controls hit foreign nationals.
Bloomberg, The Straits Times
House releases Bill Gates, Lesley Groff transcripts in Epstein probe
What's new: Gates told lawmakers he met Epstein to seek support for the Gates Foundation and called those contacts a "grave error in judgment."
CNBC, PBS NewsHour
US sanctions 5 Cuban firms, Castro family member in pressure push
What's new: The measures freeze any US-based assets and cut the listed companies and individual off from the US financial system.
The Straits Times, Fox News
2 more suspects charged in alleged White House UFC attack plot
What's new: The latest arrests bring the federal case to seven defendants after investigators said they disrupted the plan before the June 14 event.
The Straits Times, NPR
Former Fed Chair Alan Greenspan dies at 100 in Washington
Why it matters: Greenspan led the Federal Reserve for 18 years, and his policies shaped debates after the 2008 financial crisis.
Republika, The Hill
Kennedy Center keeps doors open for now, halts new programming
What's next: the board is set to review three renovation options in mid-July, from a full shutdown to phased closures.
US-Iran meeting in Switzerland put on hold as Vance leads talks
What's new: The delay stalls a planned Switzerland session even as the vice president becomes the public face of the negotiations.
The New York Times, Bloomberg +1
South Korea forms body to manage US$350 billion US investment pledge
The package includes US$200 billion for advanced industries and US$150 billion for shipping, but projects are not yet set.
Senators question $397 million shift to White House security
What's new: The money came from a $1.2 billion Secret Service allocation, and lawmakers want to know whether any of it will help build the new ballroom.
The New York Times, The Straits Times +1
Fed holds rates at 3.5%-3.75%, drops 2026 cut outlook
What's new: Officials now pencil in a 3.8% year-end rate and split 9-8 over whether the next move is a hike or no change.
Bloomberg, The New York Times
FBI arrests 5 over alleged plot to attack White House UFC event
What's new: Court papers say the group discussed explosive drones, crowd shootings, maps, a safe house and escape routes before the June 14 show.
Bloomberg, The New York Times +4
FBI foiled alleged drone-and-sniper plot at White House UFC event
What's new: Court papers tie one Ohio suspect to encrypted planning chats, and officials say more suspects remain at large.
BBC News (World), CNBC +4
White House ballroom cost rose to $600 million, report finds
Why it matters: The estimate shows taxpayers may cover more than half the project after Trump had called it “tax-payer free.”
The Straits Times, The Hill
Secret Service pilots AI face-scanning app for threat cases
What's new: The Washington pilot covers 25 uniformed officers, who usually must get consent before scanning faces or fingerprints.
Bloomberg, The Straits Times
Trump stages 7 UFC fights on White House lawn on 80th birthday
What's new: A judge let the event proceed after a legal challenge, and UFC says it spent more than $60 million without expecting profit.
Bloomberg, NPR +3
Anthropic heads to Washington after US blocks foreign AI access
What's new: The order forced Anthropic to shut Fable 5 and Mythos 5 for all customers, not just foreign nationals.
Anthropic seeks reversal after US halts foreign access to 2 AI models
What's new: Company staff met Trump administration officials after a Friday order forced Anthropic to shut off Fable 5 and Mythos 5 for all customers.
Baby formula recall follows 3 infant botulism cases in 3 states
What’s new: The FDA said the product sold at Target and on Nara.com accounts for less than 1% of US formula sales, easing shortage fears.
The Straits Times, PBS NewsHour +1
UAE denies report it released up to $20 billion to Iran
What's new: Abu Dhabi called the claims "false and unfounded" after reports tied the alleged funds to efforts to halt Iranian strikes.
The Straits Times, Republika +4
Trump claims U.S.-Iran peace draft ready for signing, Tehran denies it
New: Trump cancels a planned bombing of Iran, while Iran's state media says Washington is backing away to old demands.
Antara News, CNN Indonesia +3
Kennedy Center board seeks stay to keep Trump name on facade
What's next: A judge ordered Trump's name removed by Friday and barred a planned two-year shutdown for renovations.
The New York Times, CNBC +5
DOJ moves to keep White House UFC event on track after lawsuit
What's new: The filing says more than $60 million has already been spent and about 124,000 people are expected at the White House and Ellipse.
The New York Times, PBS NewsHour +4
US probes ‘8647’ grass marking near Washington’s National Mall
What’s new: Park Police collected grass samples after the numbers appeared near the World War II Memorial ahead of July 4 events.
BBC News (US & Canada), The Straits Times +2
Poll finds 16% of Americans back Trump’s White House UFC event
What’s new: Even among Republicans, only 31% called the plan appropriate in the Reuters/Ipsos survey of 4,531 adults.
The Straits Times, The Hill
Bill Gates faces House questioning in Jeffrey Epstein probe
What's new: Lawmakers are expected to ask about meetings, emails and philanthropy ties after Justice Department files named Gates.
The New York Times, BBC News (US & Canada) +8
CFTC proposes limits on prediction markets tied to terror, war
What's next: The proposal enters a 45-day public comment period as regulators face pressure over sports and election contracts.
CNBC, The Hill
Social Security chief faces House hearing after 7,000 job cuts
What's new: Frank Bisignano plans to defend shorter phone waits and higher field-office service as lawmakers question staffing and privacy.
PBS NewsHour, The Hill
CrowdStrike finds China drove 58% of state-backed tech hacks
Why it matters: The report tied the espionage to a race for AI and said North Korean operatives also sought remote tech jobs to fund Pyongyang.
Epstein aide Lesley Groff sits for House Oversight interview
What's next: Bill Gates is due before the panel Wednesday as lawmakers widen their review of the government's handling of Epstein-related cases.
CNBC, PBS NewsHour
Iran fires missiles at Israel in first strike since April ceasefire
What's new: Iran closed western airspace, and the U.S. Embassy in Israel told staff and families to shelter in place.
Former Oregon Sen. Bob Packwood dies at 93 after long public fall
Why it matters: Packwood helped shape the 1986 tax overhaul, but sexual misconduct allegations ended his 27-year Senate career.
ABC News, The Hill
Trump completes Lincoln Reflecting Pool overhaul as costs top $13 million
What's new: Water is due back in the basin by Sunday, while records show contracts far above Trump's original $2 million estimate.
PBS NewsHour, The Straits Times +2
Trump says cancel Freedom 250 concerts after artists pull out
Trump said Freedom 250's concert series should be canceled after several artists withdrew, saying they were misled about its politics.
The New York Times, BBC News (World) +2
1 dead, 9 missing after chemical blast at Washington paper mill
A tank rupture at a paper mill in Longview, Washington, killed one person, left nine missing and injured nine others.
The New York Times, BBC News (US & Canada)
Pam Bondi defends Epstein files release in House interview
Former Attorney General Pam Bondi told House lawmakers the DOJ released all files required by the Epstein law, while admitting redaction mistakes.
BBC News (US & Canada), PBS NewsHour +1
Judge orders Trump’s name removed from Kennedy Center
A federal judge said the Kennedy Center cannot be renamed without Congress and ordered Donald Trump’s name removed within 14 days.
BBC News (US & Canada), PBS NewsHour +1