The Washington Stand News Brief

On today's news brief: As thousands of Iranians gathered in Tehran on Monday to honor the slain leader Ayatollah Khamenei - who was killed by strikes in February - president Trump warned Iran to make a deal, Russia continued its bombings of Ukraine, the NATO summit will likely include Gaza -- Hamas announced it had dissolved its de facto government, President Trump celebrated the launch of the federally-funded Trump accounts, and a disturbing fire in West Virginia has led to a local state of emergency.

On today's news brief: This fourth of July is unique. This year, we celebrate our 250th anniversary as a nation. But what are we celebrating? Or to put it another way… What are we grateful for?

On today's news brief: The United States Department of Labor reported on Thursday that the unemployment rate dropped to 4.2% last month, Russia promised to keep increasing pressure on Ukraine, following a massive overnight strike on Kyiv, In Hamden, Ohio, 16 children ages 1 to 18 have been found living in what authorities say is a 12 by 12 foot room for the past four years, and much of America is experiencing a heat wave of record-breaking proportions.

On today's news brief: The U.S. and Iran held indirect technical talks in Doha as they seek to agree on the flow of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and secure a lasting ceasefire, socialism continues to rise in the Democratic party, recovery efforts following the earthquakes in Venezuela continue with Samaritan's Purse mobilizing in one of the most impacted regions, and a new report on the death tolls from violence in Nigeria shows that nearly  80,000 people have lost their lives in over 15,000 attacks in the past 6 years. 

On today's news brief: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of birthright citizenship and protecting women's sports, an update on the aftermath of the devasting earthquakes in Venezuela, and President Trump encourages Congress to pass the SAVE America Act.  

On today's news brief: A review and breakdown of recently released United States Supreme Court decisions, an update on the war in Iran and the implementation of an interim peace deal, and the Texas State Board of Education voted to codify a proposed list of required reading for students in grades K-12 that include Bible passages.

On today's news brief: Iran has taken back control over the Strait of Hormuz -- the peace deal to end the war in Iran is on shaky ground, oil prices dropped by more than 3% today, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the U.S. is allowed to turn away those seeking asylum along the U.S. Mexico border in a 6 to 3 decision and the Department of Homeland Security can now cancel Temporary Protected Status, and a group of Conservatives have promised to bring the House floor to a halt until Republicans pass the SAVE America Act.

On today's news brief: President Donald Trump had a meeting with Senate members to discuss his War Powers Resolution, the White House is seeking $672 million in order to strip Iran of its nuclear materials, inspect its nuclear facilities, and for other counterproliferation objectives, debates continue to rage over the SAVE America Act, and Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky recently spoke about his concern that socialism is spreading at an alarming rate.

On today's news brief: The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said today that it will inspect Iran's nuclear sites but that there is no rush to do so, the Senate has also approved a war powers resolution meant to pressure President Donald Trump to remove the U.S. military from hostilities in Iran, a recently resurfaced podcast clip has shown Texas Senate candidate James Talarico proclaiming that he is a "Christian who hates Christianity" along with other questionable stances, and the Department of Justice opened a probe into a New York City establishment by the name of Poetica Coffee. This came after Poetica posted online that it would have refused service to pro-Israel U.S. Representative for New York Dan Goldman had it recognized him during a visit he made there on Sunday.

On today's news brief: a major breakdown in new Iran deal may be happening right now -- the Trump administration has repeatedly insisted that Iran has agreed to allow nuclear inspections long into the future, but now Iran is reportedly contradicting that, the Department of Justice announced a crackdown on $6.5 billion in healthcare fraud, and an update on the Ukraine war.

On today's news brief: The Iran peace deal is holding together, at least for now, a ceasefire in Lebanon held for a second day on Monday, the longest lull yet in three months of war between Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday he would resign, with a new leader to be in place by the time parliament returns in September, another strike on drug boats off the coast of the U.S., and a transgender lawmaker considered a pioneer in the LGBT movement has been sentenced to 33 years in prison for sexual exploitation of children.

On today's news brief: the newest update on Iran and their deal, California has introduced a bill that would allow children to legally divorce their parents if passed, and former president Barack Obama and first lady Michelle gave speeches yesterday at the unveiling of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.

On today's news brief: The US released the memorandum with Iran to the public yesterday -- however, Trump warned that the deal is not final, the Federal Trade Commission has sued the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, for allegedly giving misleading advice to parents of children struggling with gender dysphoria to undergo harmful treatments, and the UAE has now also instituted a social media ban for minors under the age of 15.

On today's news brief: President Donald Trump and other leaders held a press conference today to lay out the potential peace plan to end the war in Iran details are still fuzzy, strikes on alleged drug boats continue, and Denver Public Schools teacher Jennifer Honka has been fired after allegedly having students engage in same sex kissing role play in her classroom.

On today's news brief: A terrorist attack on the White House Freedom 250 event has been averted, updates on the peace deal with Iran, California Gov. Gavin Newsom says he is under federal investigation, and President Trump cracked down on DEI in education, but many schools are refusing to comply.

On today's news brief: We may finally have a peace deal to end the war in Iran, Israel continues to fire on Hezbollah in Lebanon over Trump's protests, both Russia and Ukraine may be open to a peace deal, and the United Kingdom has decided to ban social media for children under the age of 16.

On today's news brief: Updates on the conflict in Iran and if a peace deal is coming soon, plumes of smoke were seen rising over southern Lebanon following new Israeli strikes, the U.S. is planning to significantly reduce the aircraft and warships it makes available for NATO operations in Europe, a key U.S. spy tool that's important for preventing terror attacks is set to expire today, and a judge has indefinitely blocked a more than $1.7 billion dollar anti-weaponization fund supported by President Trump.

On today's news brief: President Donald Trump announced today that the U.S. would be conducting strikes on Iran tonight and that the U.S. would be taking Kharg island, the FISA 702 spying powers are set to expire, and a coalition of Republican attorneys general called on the Environmental Protection Agency to track how much chemical abortion pills are polluting America’s water.

On today's news brief: President Donald Trump today said Iran shot down a U.S. helicopter last night and the United States must respond to this attack, the Southern Poverty Law Center is in hot water for allegedly committing wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering as it funded the very hate groups it purported to fight, a major update in the ongoing crackdown on Minnesota fraud, and voters in Maine, Nevada, North Dakota and South Carolina head to the polls today for primary elections.

On today's news brief: Tensions exploded between Israel and Iran over the weekend. Iran opened fire on Israel, sending a barrage of nearly 30 missiles that were intercepted by the Israelis, at least a dozen people were wounded on Saturday at a shooting at a festival in Toledo Ohio, and newly released polling may give us a preview of the 2028 presidential race.

On today's news brief: The U.S. Senate has passed a bill that would give the Department of Homeland Security an additional $70 billion dollars for immigration enforcement, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to give aid to Ukraine and impose new sanctions on Russia, Iran-backed Hezbollah has rejected a ceasefire plan agreed upon by the Lebanese and Israeli governments in U.S.-mediated talks, and close to 3-in-4 K-12 educators are concerned that A-I is making it more challenging for students to think and learn on their own.

On today's news brief: U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday voted to restrict U.S. President Donald Trump's authority to continue military operations against Iran, a new U.S.-mediated ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon raised hopes for progress toward ending the wider U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, Trump said he would move to nominate acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche on Thursday to permanently lead the Justice Department, and the Department of Justice announced a superseding indictment against the SPLC.

On today's news brief: Hostilities in the Gulf continue, Iran has agreed to not have a nuclear weapon, the Trump administration is asking AI companies to submit models for cybersecurity testing, and a new poll shows that Americans' support for same-sex marriage has started declining.

On today's news brief: Marco Rubio gave an update on Iran, Israel and Hezbollah continued exchanged more fire, Donald Trump today appointed Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence, U.S. chief executives have grown pessimistic about the economy, and authorities have uncovered a cross-border tunnel used to smuggle drugs from Mexico.

On today's news brief: Iran is done talking with the U.S., Florida is taking on OpenAI, and supporters of Israel based in New York City gathered for the annual Israel Day Parade.

On today's news brief: President Trump says he's going to make a decision over a potential deal with Iran that will extend the ceasefire, Pam Bondi testified on the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein, and a U.S. judge temporarily blocked Trump's administration from setting up a fund to compensate victims of government "weaponization."

On today's news brief: Negotiators may finally have a ceasefire extension in Iran, rumors of a new $250 bill with President Trump's face on it to commemorate America's 250th birthday, Donald Trump today refiled a defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal, Planned Parenthood faced a legal setback in Florida, and the drug boat strikes continue.

On today's news brief: President Donald Trump convened his top cabinet officials at the White House today, Israel said on Wednesday that it had killed Mohammed Odeh, the results are in in Texas, another strike on an alleged drug boat, and a new report found that the vast majority of online abortion pill providers violate FDA rules.

On today's news brief: The U.S. military conducted more strikes in Iran, voters head to the polls today for primary elections in Texas, President Trump is healthy, and yesterday we honored our fallen heroes for Memorial Day.

On today's Memorial Day Special: This is the day each year when we honor the men and women in our armed services who have made the ultimate sacrifice. They gave their lives for their families, their countrymen, but also for the ideas upon which our country is built. Freedom of speech. Free exercise of religion. And more.

On today's news brief: Tulsi Gabbard is resigning from her role of Director of National Intelligence, Senate Republicans have paused plans to vote on a $72 billion dollar bill to fund ICE and Border Patrol, President Trump is ramping up pressure on Cuba, Democrats have released their much-anticipated autopsy on what led them to defeat in the 2024 presidential election, and President Trump has paused a signing ceremony for his administration’s executive order on the artificial intelligence industry.

On today's news brief: President Donald Trump spoke to reporters today about the Iran war as peace negotiations continue, but his demands contradict the latest comments from the Ayatollah, the Department of Justice today announced the latest chapter of the Minnesota fraud story, and the Federal Communications Commission is considering warning parents when their children will be exposed to transgender content, the way it warns about violence.

On today's news brief: The U.S. Senate voted 50-47 on Wednesday to advance a bill aimed at restricting President Donald Trump's power to take military action against Iran, the Southern Poverty Law Center faces scrutiny for their long history of irresponsible rhetoric as well as a recent Grand Jury indictment alleging they actually funded the hate groups they purported to be working against, voters headed to the polls yesterday in 6 states to cast their vote in primary races, and Nigerian forces, working with the U.S., have killed 175 Islamic State militants in a series of air and ground strikes according to the Nigerian military.

On today's news brief: President Donald Trump spoke to reporters today in front of the ball room construction to make the case for his project, Senate Republicans are working to pass about $72 billion in funding for ICE and border patrol, the president also gave an update on Iran, the Chinese president promised he will not send weapons or military equipment to Iran, authorities are investigating Monday's tragic attack on a mosque in San Diego, and voters head to the polls today in states around the country for a batch of primary races.

On today's news brief: The G7 nations are meeting in Paris this week -- the Iran war and its effect on energy prices are a top discussion item, Trump is reportedly considering resuming the war as Iranian leaders refuse to make concessions on the nuclear issue, the White House also announced that China has committed to purchasing at least $17 billion of U.S. agricultural products over the next three years, more U.S. strikes in Nigeria, and House Speaker Mike Johnson rededicated America back to the Lord yesterday on the National Mall as part of the America 250 rededication event.

On today's news brief: President Donald Trump arrived back in the U.S. today after his diplomatic trip to China where he discussed, U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, the Iran war, economic issues and more, the U.S. Supreme Court yesterday restored a Biden-era rule that allows the abortion pill to be dispensed by mail, even into states with pro-life laws, and Democratic U.S. Representative Steve Cohen announced today he will not seek re-election after his Tennessee district was redrawn by Republicans.

On today's news brief: Donald Trump's meetings in China are underway, J.D. Vance continues his war on government fraud, the U.S. House voted to bring up political prisoners to President Xi during this week's talks, and the U.S. Senate finalized a resolution that means the next time they shut down the government, they won't get paid.

On today's news brief: President Donald Trump left for China today to meet in person with Xi Jinping, Republicans get another win in the redistricting battle, a wildfire has burned through thousands of acres of the Everglades, and the University of North Carolina Charlotte announced an end to its transgender housing policy.

On today's news brief: President Donald Trump left for China today to meet in person with Chinese President Xi Jinping, likely topics of discussion are the Iran war, tensions over Taiwan, human rights violations, and of course the economy and trade, Republicans get another win in the redistricting battle, down in Florida, a wildfire has burned through thousands of acres of the Everglades, and the University of North Carolina Charlotte announced an end to its transgender housing policy.

On today's news brief: President Donald Trump all but killed hopes of a ceasefire with Iran, they demanded compensation for war damage and reasserted its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, which frustrated the President, the national average price for a gallon of gasoline is at $4.52, up from $3.13 cents a year ago, President Trump said he will suspend the 18-cent federal gas tax, and funding for Planned Parenthood dominates discussion.

On today's news brief: Today marks the 70th day of the conflict in Iran, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the U.S. expects to hear from Iran on a peace deal to end the war, although fire was exchanged, President Trump says the ceasefire is still in place, the Virginia Supreme Court struck down a redistricting plan that was created to flip four Republican-held congressional seats to Democrats, Tennessee is the latest state to pass and enact a new congressional map, and the WHO is assessing the recent Hantavirus outbreak.

On today's news brief: The United States is pushing the United Nations to condemn Iran for laying mines and firing on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, next week President Trump will visit China, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continues, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo at the Vatican, and National Day of Prayer.

On today's news brief: The U.S. and Iran may be close to a deal, the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein continues, the results are in from primary elections in three states, and antisemitism in the U.K. is on the rise.

On today's news brief: The ceasefire in the Iran war is still intact, but there is still trouble in the Strait of Hormuz, the White House went on lockdown yesterday after a man fired on Secret Service officers near the White House, the Department of Justice is demanding answers from hospitals over transgender drugs and surgeries for minors, and another drug boat was struck in the Caribbean.

On today's news brief: The fate of mail-order abortion is now in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court, negotiations to end the Iran war ramped up over the weekend, and the U.S. began an effort to free up ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday morning and claimed the U.S. military sank 6 small Iranian boats on Monday.

On today's news brief: The conflict with Iran has hit the 60-day deadline under the war powers resolution that requires the President to end the war without Congressional approval, the U.S. and Iran remain deadlocked over the Strait of Hormuz, Security camera footage of the gunman charged with attempting to assassinate President Trump at the Washington Hilton Hotel has been released by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, and President Trump signed an executive order yesterday that aims to expand workers' access to retirement accounts.

On today's news: Updates on Department of Homeland Security funding, the federal investigation into ABC and Disney is heating up as they face a Federal Communications Commission investigation over their alleged discriminatory practices via DEI policies, the United Arab Emirates' move to pull out of OPEC, and Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla ended their visit to the U.S. today.

On today's news brief: The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to block an electoral map in Louisiana for being too based on race, the Senate Banking Committee today approved Kevin Warsh - President Trump's pick to replace outgoing Federal Reserve Chair, the U.S. Senate yesterday rejected a Democrat-led motion to limit President Trump's war powers, and Trump officials gave insight into the financial cost of the war in Iran so far.

On today's news brief: A bombshell reports alleges that Planned Parenthood coordinated with the White House using code language to divert COVID relief funds to the mega abortion business, negotiations remain stalled between Iran and the U.S., a big development in the oil world, the United Arab Emirates it is leaving OPEC and OPEC+, and King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived at the White House for a formal welcome today.

On today's news brief: An assassination attempt was thwarted at the White House Correspondent's dinner when a man intent on shooting President Trump and his top Trump officials was tackled outside the ballroom by Secret Service, talks of peace between Iran and the U.S. seem to change daily, and the U.S. has struck another drug boat in the Pacific Ocean.