Major Housing Bill Becomes Law Without Trump's Signature
The 21st Century Road to Housing Act became law after President Trump declined to sign or veto it, allowing it to take effect automatically at midnight. The bipartisan measure is described as the most significant federal housing legislation in decades.A significant federal housing law took effect after President Trump allowed the 21st Century Road to Housing Act to become law without his signature, a procedural outcome that occurs when a president neither signs nor vetoes a bill within the constitutional timeframe. Trump stated publicly that he would not sign the measure because the Senate had not passed his preferred election legislation, known as the SAVE Act, but he also chose not to veto it. The bill passed Congress with bipartisan support. The law introduces a combination of incentives and regulatory changes aimed at increasing the US housing supply and improving affordability. It focuses primarily on encouraging local governments and homebuilders to make incremental changes, including streamlining permitting processes and providing financial incentives for new construction. Analysts describe it as meaningful but not transformative — notable progress within the constraints of what federal housing policy can directly accomplish. The US has faced a sustained housing shortage, with home prices and rents remaining elevated in most major markets. The new law does not impose direct rent controls or build housing itself, but rather creates conditions intended to encourage more private construction over time. The administration's decision to allow the bill to pass without a signature reflects an unusual approach — using the law as political leverage while declining to formally endorse or reject it.
Trump Administration Narrows Endangered Species Act Protections, Opening Habitats to Development
The Trump administration finalized a rule that redefines the term "harm" under the Endangered Species Act, effectively removing protections against habitat destruction for imperiled wildlife and opening those areas to logging, mining, and drilling.The Trump administration finalized a regulatory change to the Endangered Species Act on Friday that significantly narrows how the law protects imperiled wildlife. For roughly 50 years, the law's definition of "harm" included destroying the habitat that listed species depend on — meaning developers, logging operations, and extractive industries could face restrictions even if they did not directly kill protected animals. The new rule removes habitat destruction from that definition, meaning activities such as logging, mining, and drilling can proceed in areas used by endangered species without triggering the law's core protections. The Endangered Species Act, passed in 1973, is credited with preventing the extinction of roughly 99% of the species listed under it. Environmental groups have called the change a major setback for biodiversity, arguing that habitat loss is the leading driver of species decline. The administration framed the change as reducing regulatory burdens on land use industries. The finalized rule was announced by the Environmental Protection Agency. Legal challenges from conservation organizations are expected, as courts have previously considered habitat protection central to the law's intent. The change affects all currently listed threatened and endangered species in the United States, which number in the thousands.
New York State Sues 3M, DuPont and Others Over PFAS 'Forever Chemical' Contamination
New York State filed a lawsuit against 3M, DuPont, and other chemical companies, alleging they sold products containing PFAS chemicals while concealing known environmental and health risks from the public for decades.New York State sued multiple major chemical manufacturers, including 3M and DuPont, alleging that they caused a public nuisance by selling products containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — known as PFAS or "forever chemicals" — while withholding information about the associated risks. The lawsuit claims the companies were aware of the environmental and health hazards posed by PFAS and chose to conceal this information even as they began phasing the chemicals out of their own product lines. PFAS chemicals are called "forever chemicals" because they do not break down naturally in the environment or in the human body. They are found in a wide range of consumer goods and have been linked to a variety of health conditions including certain cancers, immune system effects, and thyroid disruption. PFAS contamination has been detected in drinking water supplies across the United States. New York's suit adds to a growing body of state-level litigation against PFAS manufacturers. Several companies have previously reached large settlements with other states and municipalities over similar claims. The lawsuit seeks to hold manufacturers financially responsible for remediation costs and public health damages. 3M announced in 2022 that it would exit PFAS manufacturing, and DuPont has separately spun off its specialty chemicals operations, creating some complexity in assigning liability.
Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Rehear Birthright Citizenship Case
The Trump administration has petitioned the Supreme Court to rehear its birthright citizenship case. Supreme Court do-overs are rare, and the request follows the Court's recent term, in which the ACLU argued against the administration's position.The Trump administration has formally asked the Supreme Court to rehear its case on birthright citizenship, a request that is uncommon in the Court's history. Rehearings — where the full Court reconsiders a decision it has already made — are granted in only a small fraction of cases. The administration's position has sought to narrow the application of the Fourteenth Amendment's citizenship clause, which grants citizenship to all persons born on US soil. The Supreme Court addressed the issue during its most recent term. Cecillia Wang, the National Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union, argued the opposing position before the Court and participated in a recent public review of the term. She and other legal observers noted the significance of the case as a test of executive authority to reinterpret long-established constitutional provisions. The administration's petition for rehearing keeps the matter before the Court rather than allowing lower court rulings to govern enforcement. The legal question of birthright citizenship has substantial implications for immigration policy, as the administration's preferred interpretation would deny automatic citizenship to children born in the US to parents who are not citizens or lawful permanent residents.
Democratic Senate Candidate in Maine Formally Withdraws After Vetting Failures Surface
Graham Platner submitted formal paperwork withdrawing from Maine's US Senate race after a vetting failure drew scrutiny. Maine Democrats must now select a replacement candidate by July 27 to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins in a seat considered key to Senate control.Graham Platner, who had been selected as the Democratic nominee for Maine's US Senate seat, formally submitted his withdrawal notice, making official what had been publicly apparent for several days. Platner, who had no prior political experience, was recruited by out-of-state political activists. According to a source familiar with the process, campaign operatives repeatedly disregarded warnings from their vetting firm that Platner required more thorough investigation before being put forward as a candidate. In his withdrawal statement, Platner said that public desperation for change had driven his candidacy. Maine is a closely watched state for Senate control, and Democrats had been positioning for a competitive race against incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins, who has held the seat for decades. The Maine Democratic Party now has until July 27 to identify and select a replacement candidate. The episode has prompted internal Democratic debate about candidate recruitment and vetting practices, particularly for high-profile races in competitive states. The seat is considered one of a limited number where Democrats have a plausible path to flipping a Republican-held Senate seat.
Trump Removes Remaining Members of Federal Election Assistance Commission
President Trump dismissed the remaining members of the Election Assistance Commission, a bipartisan federal agency that supports state and local election administration and certifies voting equipment, as midterm election planning is underway.President Trump removed the remaining members of the Election Assistance Commission, a federal agency established after the 2000 presidential election to help states and local jurisdictions administer elections reliably and certify voting equipment. The commission operates on a bipartisan basis and provides technical guidance, funding, and equipment testing standards used by election officials across the country. The dismissals come as state and local officials are in active planning phases for the upcoming midterm elections. The Election Assistance Commission does not run elections directly — that responsibility rests with state and local governments — but it provides resources and standards that many jurisdictions depend on. Critics of the move argue that removing the commission's leadership during an active election cycle disrupts the infrastructure that supports election administration. The Trump administration has pursued a series of actions related to federal oversight of elections, including pushing the SAVE Act, which would add documentation requirements for voter registration. The removal of the commission members continues a pattern of the administration seeking greater influence over federal election-related institutions.
Trump Administration Appoints Climate Science Critic to Oversee Federal Climate Report
The Trump administration appointed a former geochemist who has publicly criticized established climate science and describes himself as an "Earth science professor-in-exile" to lead the federal government's flagship National Climate Assessment.The Trump administration has selected Matthew Wielicki, a former geochemist who has been publicly critical of mainstream climate science, to oversee the National Climate Assessment — the federal government's primary scientific report on climate change and its effects on the United States. Wielicki has described climate concern as "alarmism" and has produced content for PragerU, a conservative media organization. He has referred to himself as an "Earth science professor-in-exile." The National Climate Assessment is produced by a consortium of federal agencies and is used by policymakers, planners, and researchers across government and the private sector to understand and prepare for climate-related risks. Previous editions of the report, published roughly every four years, have reflected scientific consensus on human-caused warming and its projected impacts. Scientists and climate policy advocates have raised concerns about the appointment, arguing that placing a prominent skeptic in charge of the report could compromise its scientific integrity. The administration has separately moved to remove climate-related information from government websites and has rolled back a range of environmental regulations.
US-Iran Nuclear Talks Continue as Both Sides Exchange Military Threats
US-Iran nuclear negotiations resumed in Oman on Saturday as President Trump issued direct threats toward Iran over assassination rhetoric, and Israel signaled readiness for further military action against the Islamic Republic.Diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran resumed Saturday in Oman, with Vice President JD Vance among the senior US officials participating. A central American demand is a public Iranian pledge to cease attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which a significant share of global oil trade passes. At the same time, President Trump posted a direct warning on social media, stating that the US would take severe military action against Iran in response to Iranian threats against his life — citing chants at Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral calling for his killing. Trump stated that large numbers of US missiles were positioned and ready. Iran's leadership responded with its own threats, with officials warning of a forceful response to ongoing US military operations in the region. Separately, Israeli officials publicly signaled their country's readiness to conduct a third strike on Iran, with the US government stating that Washington and Israel remain closely coordinated. The dual-track situation — active diplomacy alongside escalating military posturing — reflects a precarious balance. The Strait of Hormuz is a chokepoint for roughly 20% of global oil supply, and any disruption would have immediate consequences for energy prices worldwide. European governments have been evaluating whether to permit voluntary navigational fees in the strait as an alternative framework for maintaining open passage. The outcome of the Oman talks, and whether Iran makes any public commitment on Hormuz, is expected to shape the trajectory of the standoff in the coming days.
Research Finds Terrorist Groups Using AI Tools for Bomb-Making and Attack Planning
New research finds that violent extremist groups, including Boko Haram in Nigeria, are using AI chatbots not only for propaganda but as operational tools to assist with bomb construction and attack planning.New research has found that terrorist organizations are using artificial intelligence chatbots as operational tools beyond propaganda, including for assistance with bomb construction and the planning of attacks. The research names Boko Haram, the Nigerian extremist group, among the organizations identified as employing AI in this manner. The findings represent an escalation in how AI tools are being used by violent actors, moving from information dissemination and recruitment into direct operational support for violence. AI chatbots can be prompted to provide technical information across a wide range of subjects, and researchers have documented cases where safeguards have been bypassed or where less-restricted models have been used for harmful purposes. The research adds to a growing body of evidence that has prompted debate among policymakers, AI developers, and national security officials about the risks posed by widely available AI systems. For American readers, the findings are directly relevant to US counterterrorism policy and to ongoing debates about AI regulation and the responsibilities of technology companies to prevent misuse of their products.
Apple Sues OpenAI, Alleging Theft of Trade Secrets by Former Employees
Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI on Friday, alleging that the AI company recruited Apple employees and induced them to hand over confidential product designs and proprietary information to support OpenAI's development of its own hardware device.Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI on Friday in what represents a significant rupture between the two companies, which had entered into a partnership in 2024 to integrate AI services into Apple devices. The lawsuit alleges that OpenAI systematically recruited Apple employees and induced them to transfer confidential material, including product designs and other tightly held information, in support of OpenAI's emerging hardware business. Apple described OpenAI's nascent hardware venture as built on improperly obtained company secrets. The complaint centers on trade secret misappropriation — the claim that proprietary, non-public information was taken and used to benefit a competitor. OpenAI has been developing its own hardware device, a project that would place it in more direct competition with Apple in consumer electronics. The two companies' 2024 deal had made OpenAI's ChatGPT accessible through Apple's operating systems, but sources indicate the relationship deteriorated. OpenAI has not publicly responded to the lawsuit in detail. The case will proceed in civil court. Trade secret litigation of this scale between major technology companies is relatively rare and can take years to resolve, though it may prompt settlement negotiations or impose constraints on OpenAI's hardware development in the interim.
Meta Faces US Jury Verdict Appeal and European Regulatory Charges Over Addictive Platform Design
Meta is appealing a landmark US jury finding that held it responsible for social media addiction among young users, while separately the European Commission issued formal charges accusing Meta of failing to address the mental health risks of addictive design features on Facebook and Instagram.Meta is contesting a significant legal finding on two fronts simultaneously. In the United States, the company filed an appeal of a jury verdict in Los Angeles that found Meta liable for social media addiction among young users — the first such verdict of its kind. The case centered on whether Instagram and Facebook's design features, including algorithmic content promotion and engagement-maximizing tools, caused harm to minors. In Europe, the situation is distinct but related. The European Commission released a formal charge sheet accusing Meta of violating the Digital Services Act, a sweeping digital safety law that took effect in recent years. The Commission identified specific design features — including video autoplay and infinite scroll — as contributing to addictive use patterns that pose risks to the physical and mental health of users, particularly younger ones. Under the Digital Services Act, companies found in violation can face fines of up to six percent of global annual revenue. Meta has disputed the European Commission's findings. The parallel legal pressures in the US and Europe reflect a broader regulatory and judicial reckoning over platform responsibility for user wellbeing, a debate that has been building for several years following testimony from former employees and academic research linking heavy platform use to negative mental health outcomes in adolescents.
Microsoft, Amazon and Google Carbon Emissions Rise Nearly 20% in One Year, Driven by Data Center Construction
The combined carbon emissions of Microsoft, Amazon, and Google increased by nearly 20% in the past year, reaching approximately 119 million metric tonnes of CO₂ equivalent — roughly a third of France's total annual emissions — driven primarily by rapid data center construction linked to AI infrastructure.Microsoft, Amazon, and Google collectively emitted approximately 119 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in the financial year ending March 2026, a figure that represents close to one-third of France's total annual national emissions. That total reflects an increase of nearly 20% from the prior year. All three companies attributed the emissions growth primarily to the rapid expansion of data center infrastructure, which is being driven by surging demand for artificial intelligence computing capacity. Data centers are energy-intensive facilities that require large amounts of electricity for computing operations and cooling systems. All three companies have previously committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by set target dates, and each has stated that those goals remain in place despite the current trajectory. Critics note that the scale of emissions growth is difficult to reconcile with net-zero commitments without significant advances in clean energy sourcing and efficiency. The data center construction boom is expected to continue as AI-related computing demand grows, raising questions about the technology sector's long-term environmental footprint and the reliability of corporate net-zero pledges.
US Weather Service Analysis Finds Historically Strong El Niño Increasingly Likely This Year
The US National Weather Service's latest models indicate a high probability that the current El Niño event will rank among the largest on record since 1950, with the potential to intensify extreme weather globally.Analysis from the US National Weather Service indicates that the El Niño weather pattern currently developing has a high likelihood of becoming one of the strongest on record, potentially ranking among the largest events going back to 1950. El Niño is a periodic warming of surface waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean that disrupts normal atmospheric circulation patterns worldwide. Strong El Niño events are associated with intensified droughts in some regions, increased flooding and precipitation in others, stronger hurricane seasons in certain basins, and broader disruptions to agricultural production. The 1997-1998 El Niño event — one of the strongest on record — caused tens of billions of dollars in damage globally and is considered a benchmark for the scale of impacts a major event can produce. For the United States, strong El Niño events typically bring wetter-than-average conditions to the southern US in winter and can suppress Atlantic hurricane activity while increasing Pacific storm systems. The current analysis raises the probability of significant weather disruption in the coming months across multiple regions.
Spain and France Set for World Cup Semifinal in Arlington, Texas
Spain defeated Belgium to advance to the FIFA World Cup semifinal, where they will face France in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday. Both teams remain undefeated in this year's tournament.Spain secured a place in the World Cup semifinal with a narrow victory over Belgium, setting up a highly anticipated matchup against France in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday. Both Spain and France enter the semifinal without a loss in this year's tournament. The match had been anticipated as a potential fixture since the group stage draw. Spain's teenage standout Lamine Yamal told media that France should be concerned heading into the match. The game marks a significant occasion for North American World Cup hosting, with Arlington's AT&T Stadium serving as one of the flagship venues for the tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
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Wildfire in Southern Spain Kills at Least 12, Including Several British Nationals
A wildfire in southern Spain has killed at least 12 people, with at least four of the victims believed to be British nationals. More than 23 people remained missing as hundreds of firefighters worked to contain the blaze.A wildfire burning in southern Spain has killed at least 12 people and left 23 or more missing, making it one of the deadliest wildfires in recent Spanish history. At least four of the confirmed victims are believed to be British nationals. Hundreds of firefighters were deployed to contain the fire. Survivors described narrow escapes as the fire spread rapidly. The blaze is occurring during a period of elevated heat across parts of Europe.
US Citizen Working for Aid Organization Tests Positive for Ebola in Democratic Republic of Congo
An American citizen employed by the humanitarian organization Samaritan's Purse has tested positive for Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to US and African health officials.A US citizen working for Samaritan's Purse, a humanitarian organization, has tested positive for Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to US and African health officials. Ebola is a severe viral hemorrhagic fever with a high fatality rate when untreated. The DRC has experienced multiple Ebola outbreaks over the past decade, making it the country with the most Ebola experience globally. Health authorities in both countries have been notified and are monitoring the situation. No information has been provided regarding the individual's condition or whether additional cases have been identified. US health agencies typically coordinate with the CDC and international partners when an American citizen is confirmed with a high-consequence pathogen abroad.