A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore National Park Service policies that were changed under an executive order, including signs related to climate change, slavery, and Indigenous and LGBTQ+ history. The order came in response to a February lawsuit filed by conservation and historical organizations. The changes were made to purge language at national parks, prompting the removal of mentions of President Washington's slaves and climate threats at Fort Sumter.

A growing number of data centers are being built near residential areas, causing noise and emissions concerns for nearby residents. The FBI has built a replica town to simulate real-world cyberattacks, while the National Institute of Standards and Technology invites public comments on hardware-enabled security. Meanwhile, a commercial space race is prompting discussions about satellite pollution and ownership, with the FCC proposing new rules to regulate the industry.

US President Donald Trump is seeking to increase the Pentagon's budget to $1.5 trillion next year, amid a potential threat of armed conflict against Cuba. The US has assembled a powerful armada of ships off the Caribbean island, and a military intervention would require fewer weapons than the conflict with Iran. Meanwhile, tensions are running high between the US and Cuba, with a long history of strained relations.

A US company, Wilbur-Ellis, has agreed to pay $630,737 for violating the Toxic Substances Control Act with its manufacturing of chemicals. A chemical storage facility in California nearly caused an explosion, prompting a state of emergency and multiple investigations. Meanwhile, synthetic pesticides are being challenged, marine species are being protected, and a new world screwworm has been detected in the US.

Several tech companies, including OpenAI and Anthropic, are facing investigations and scrutiny over their use of AI and handling of user data. OpenAI is being probed by multiple states over the safety of its chatbot, while Anthropic has been banned from granting access to its most advanced AI models to foreign nationals due to national security concerns. These incidents come as the companies prepare for their initial public offerings and amid growing concerns about the ethics and risks of AI.

Cypress Creek Energy has secured $3.5 billion for the Steel River Energy Centre, a solar power project in the US. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Hindustan Limited aims to build 10 GW of renewable capacity by 2035. Researchers from the University of Malaga have developed an AI agent proposal to protect electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Top Beijing officials have welcomed Taiwanese participation at the Straits Forum, a cross-strait event in Fujian province, amid rising tensions between the mainland and Taiwan. China has also accused the US of power abuse by adding Chinese firms to a military blacklist, while the US has warned of a resolute response. Meanwhile, tensions between China and Indonesia over nickel mining quotas have spooked Chinese investors.

The Gaza Strip continues to experience violence, with at least 983 deaths reported since a ceasefire in October 2025. Israeli forces have carried out raids in Palestinian towns and targeted a refugee camp, while a drone attack killed one person and injured two others. The US is building a military base near the Gaza border, intended to serve as a combined military and civilian headquarters.

A California advocacy group recommends a permanent guaranteed income policy funded by local taxes. The policy, backed by the Economic Security Project, aims to support low-income Americans. The proposal follows successful pilot programs in other states, including Illinois, which established a permanent guaranteed basic income program after its initial pilot.

Iran will collect transit fees and jointly administer the Strait of Hormuz with Oman, according to Iran's top diplomat. The US has downed Iranian drones targeting commercial ships in the strait, despite a fragile truce agreed in April. The parties are trying to reach a peace deal to end the conflict, with Iran's foreign minister saying the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding is "never been closer" to being implemented.

The United States is experiencing an "epistemological crisis" 250 years after the Declaration of Independence, with many questioning the state of democracy. Conservative Trump voters believe that government institutions have drifted from their founding values, prioritizing faith, family, and freedom. France is taking steps to combat foreign digital interference ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The Trump administration has announced no nationwide environmental standards for artificial intelligence data centers, instead leaving it to states and local governments to restrict water usage and air pollution. Gas prices are expected to continue to drop nationwide, with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum attributing the decrease to increased oil and natural gas production. Meanwhile, a federal judge has ordered the restoration of historical signs at national parks that were removed by the Trump administration.

Katrin Groth won the Constructive World Award for her article "Welcome!" which made xenophobia visible. Rye Barcott founded With Honor, a charity that funds bipartisan lawmakers, in a Kenyan slum. The Literary Hub offers perks for membership, including an ad-free site and book picks, to support independent book coverage.

Kate Millett, a prominent figure in second-wave feminism, has gone missing. The disappearance of the artist and writer has sparked concerns about her well-being. Millett had a prolific career in the 1970s, publishing her influential book "Sexual Politics" and becoming a leader in feminist movements.

The US and Iran are closer to a deal to end the war, with Washington and Tehran agreeing on a draft memorandum of understanding. The proposed agreement comes after months of military escalation and economic disruption, with oil prices surging amid the Strait of Hormuz. The deal's success is uncertain, with concerns that Israel is trying to sabotage the process and that the system is already tipping over in the Arctic region.

Notable deaths include Robert Ricklefs, a renowned ecologist who helped shape modern ecology, at 83. Researchers have found dramatic restoration on land and sea after island rat removal, with increased biodiversity on Ulong Island in Palau. French Polynesia has announced the protection of 200,000 square miles of ocean, doubling the nation's conserved ocean territory.

A US appeals court has allowed the Trump administration to continue collecting a 10% global tariff, a victory for the administration's trade policy authority. The news comes as the world's first trillionaire, Elon Musk, was minted this week, sparking discussions about wealth inequality. Meanwhile, Americans are struggling with low consumer savings rates, with the rate falling from 4.3% in January to 2.5%.

Pakistan claims a US-Iran peace deal could be signed within 24 hours, with the country acting as mediator. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson says a deal will not be signed on Sunday. Meanwhile, the US has achieved its opening World Cup victory against Paraguay 4-1 in Inglewood.

Wall Street indices are experiencing fluctuations, with the Dow Jones near records and the Nasdaq in a consolidation phase, while the S&P 500 seeks stability. Bitcoin is gaining interest after setting a new yearly low, with order book data suggesting a potential rally to $70K. The cryptocurrency's mining difficulty is also expected to drop, with miners operating at the breakeven threshold.

The UNAids warns of a resurgence of the HIV epidemic unless there is renewed commitment and action, citing 570,000 Aids-related deaths and 1.2m new HIV infections last year. New laws against same-sex relations and the disappearance of community-led HIV services are also concerns. Meanwhile, some countries are relaxing laws on driving under the influence of cannabis, citing its potential as a "life-changing drug".

A US aid cut has led to a shortage of Plumpy'Nut, a lifesaving food for malnourished children in Senegal. Meanwhile, camping food safety tips emphasize hot and cold food storage, handwashing, and proper cooking temperatures. Global food giants are adapting recipes to suit Indian tastes, with changes to ingredients and flavors.

Germany's funding for development aid and the UN has been criticized, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz facing backlash for the lack of progress. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is celebrating its 60th anniversary, hailed as a remarkable success with a projected ranking as the world's fourth-largest economic bloc. The United Nations is facing a funding crisis, with warnings of "imminent financial collapse" and a need for an "extreme makeover" amid corruption scandals and questions about its relevance.

Researchers in Norway found that divorcees and widows share a concerning mental health trait, increasing their mortality risk. California is considering offering financial aid to over 1/4 of Covered California enrollees under a proposed state aid program. The middle class has not become poorer, but some individuals feel financially worse off despite rising incomes.

US refiners can continue to absorb more Venezuelan oil, with exports expected to increase in the coming months. Venezuela is sending about half of its total exports to the US, with the remaining volumes going to India and Europe. Tensions between the US and Iran remain, with Donald Trump announcing a planned agreement to end the war, but the Iranian Foreign Ministry disputes this claim.