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A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran continues to hold, offering a potential opening for diplomacy after nearly two weeks of conflict. President Donald Trump announced that U.S. officials plan to meet with Iran next week, though he expressed skepticism about the need for a new nuclear deal. Meanwhile, Iran reaffirmed its commitment to its nuclear program, and tensions remain high over U.S. and Israeli airstrikes that Tehran claims severely damaged key facilities. What to Know: Trump said the U.S. may sign an agreement with Iran next week but insisted it’s “not necessary.”

Iran has denied that talks are scheduled and passed a bill to suspend cooperation with the IAEA.

The ceasefire took hold after 12 days of fighting, following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

Iran insists it will continue enriching uranium and fast-tracked a law limiting international oversight.

Israeli and U.S. officials claim the strikes caused “total destruction” of Iran’s enrichment capabilities.

The IAEA is seeking to resume inspections and assess Iran’s remaining stockpiles.

French President Macron and other world leaders have urged Iran to return to diplomatic talks.

Mossad released a rare video detailing covert operations that enabled precision strikes on Iranian targets.

Human rights groups estimate over 1,000 deaths in Iran and 28 in Israel during the conflict. Stay with Newsweek for the latest.

02:41 PM EDT Iranian immigrant detained by ICE is a Trump supporter, wife says Ribvar Karimi was apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on June 22 in Locust, Alabama, according to his family. He is seen here with his wife Morgan on their wedding day. Ribvar Karimi was apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on June 22 in Locust, Alabama, according to his family. He is seen here with his wife Morgan on their wedding day. Supplied The heavily pregnant wife of an ex-Iranian army soldier detained by federal immigration agents has told Newsweek her husband supports President Donald Trump and that he never tried to hide is military service. Ribvar Karimi was apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on June 22 in Locust, Alabama, according to his family. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says that Karimi, 26, served as a sniper in the Iranian Army from 2018 to 2021. He entered the U.S. on a K-1 fiancé visa in October 2024 but failed to adjust his immigration status as required, making him subject to removal, according to ICE. His 30-year-old wife Morgan Karimi told Newsweek in an exclusive interview: “My husband himself even being from Iran supported Trump, his immigration policies and understood he was trying to protect the American people and was praying he helped free the Iranian people. “He believed in him as well. My husband is from the Kurdish region of Iran, where the people are good people and desperate for freedom from the regime.” Newsweek has contacted DHS for comment via email. Read the full story by Billal Rahman on Newsweek.

02:27 PM EDT Monarez defends science credentials, sidesteps CDC cuts at hearing Susan Monarez, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), testifies during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions in… Susan Monarez, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), testifies during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on June 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. More Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images Susan Monarez, Trump’s nominee to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told senators Wednesday that she supports vaccines and evidence-based public health policy, but avoided direct answers on recent staffing cuts and program eliminations at the agency. Monarez, who has served as acting director since January, said she was not involved in those decisions and emphasized her commitment to transitioning core CDC functions to other parts of the Health and Human Services Department. While her scientific background drew praise, some lawmakers expressed concern over her reluctance to address controversial moves by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., including dismissing the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel. The Senate health committee will now weigh whether to advance her nomination.

02:13 PM EDT Iran says 35 air defense personnel killed in Israeli strikes At least 35 members of Iran’s Air Defense Force were killed in Israeli attacks between June 13 and Tuesday, according to Iran’s semi-official Student News Network (SNN). The outlet published the names of the deceased, which reportedly include two brigadier generals, seven colonels, and three lieutenant colonels. The strikes are part of a broader Israeli campaign targeting Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure, which has escalated regional tensions and drawn international concern.

01:58 PM EDT Bove insists ‘no quid pro quo’ in ending criminal case against Eric Adams During his Wednesday confirmation hearing to be an appeals court judge, Emil Bove was questioned about his role in ending the criminal case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Bove said previously that the charges should be dropped so Adams could work with the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in the city. However, at his hearing, Bove insisted there was “no quid pro quo” in the move.

01:53 PM EDT Trump says Israel backs up his claim Iran’s nuclear sites were ‘obliterated’ President Donald Trump, who has become increasingly frustrated with reports that contradict his claims that Iran’s nuclear sites were “obliterated” in the U.S. strikes last weekend, has claimed that Israel supports his account. “Israel just stated that the Nuclear Sites were OBLITERATED! Thank you to our great B-2 pilots, and all others involved!” he added.

01:49 PM EDT WATCH: Bondi dismisses meme coin ‘gotcha question’ at hearing

01:44 PM EDT Donald Trump’s chances of winning Nobel Peace Prize skyrocket The odds on President Trump winning the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize have improved dramatically since his administration negotiated a ceasefire in the Israel-Iran conflict that went into effect on Tuesday, according to a leading betting website. Betting website Oddspedia gave Trump a 13.3 percent chance of securing the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize on May 19, but this had more than doubled to 27.8 percent as of 9:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday. On Wednesday morning, Oddspedia gave Trump odds of a 27.8 percent chance of securing the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, making him the favorite ahead of Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg on 20 percent. This was a dramatic improvement in his performance with Oddspedia since May 19, when the website only gave Trump a 13.3 percent chance of winning the prestigious award. Read in full from James Bickerton on Newsweek.

01:41 PM EDT Pam Bondi dodges repeatedly dodges question on oreign Influence In Government Attorney General Pam Bondi was repeatedly asked about President Donald Trump’s meme coin dinner, during her testimony at a Justice Department budget hearing Wednesday. “I want to know, if when the president held his dinner for 220 individuals who purchased the most of his meme coins, were there foreign interests attending that dinner?” Sen. Jeff Merkley asked Bondi. “Senator, we’re here to talk about the Department of Justice and my budget for the upcoming year. I would think that you would want to talk about the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel who is living in Oregon,” Bondi responded. However, Sen. Merkley pushed the attorney general again, pointing to Bondi’s refusal to answer the question in the House, adding that many of the people at the dinner, “were buying those coins because they wanted to influence U.S. policy.” “Don’t you think the American people have the right to know?” he added. Bondi hit back calling the question “wildly offensive” and a “gotcha question” before turning the conversation to the border and former President Biden. .@SenJeffMerkley asks whether foreign interests attended a dinner with President Trump who purchased his meme coins.@AGPamBondi: “I would think that you would want to talk about the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel who is living in Oregon.” pic.twitter.com/DyyVEY4DAN — CSPAN (@cspan) June 25, 2025

01:25 PM EDT Rep. Stanton urges Lake to run for governor again after 2022 loss During a tense exchange during Kari Lake’s testimony before a House committee on Wednesday, Rep. John Stanton asked her if she would “do us all a favor and run for governor again” after losing the gubernatorial and senate races in recent years. Lake, a senior adviser at the U.S. Agency for Global Media, responded by accusing Stanton of not caring about the integrity of Arizona elections. Lake has previously claimed she did not lose the elections. Stanton: You lost for governor in 2022, you lost even worse for Senate in 2024. Arizona has another election for governor next year. Will you do us all a favor and run for governor again? pic.twitter.com/9lDGjeS86s — Acyn (@Acyn) June 25, 2025

01:18 PM EDT Kari Lake responds to grilling on gutting agency with photo of Trump Kari Lake, a senior adviser at the U.S. Agency for Global Media, testified Wednesday in front of the House Foreign Affairs Committee about the massive cuts to her agency. Lake was being grilled by lawmakers about her role in downsizing the agency, when she responded by puling out a headshot of President Trump. “Most of all, what we’ve reviewed was an executive order March 14 by the man that’s in charge of the executive branch, his name is Donald Trump,” she said showing the picture. Kari Lake responding to tough questions in the House Foreign Affairs Committee by holding up a picture of Donald Trump pic.twitter.com/fGTqpZl9vN — Acyn (@Acyn) June 25, 2025

01:01 PM EDT Trump slams media over Iran strike coverage, defends B-2 pilots Trump lashed out at the New York Times and CNN in a social media post, accusing them of undermining the success of recent U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

12:40 PM EDT CDC reports tens of thousands of COVID deaths since fall COVID-19 continues to pose a serious health risk in the U.S., with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting 32,000 to 51,000 deaths and over 250,000 hospitalizations since last fall. The most vulnerable remain seniors and children under 2, particularly infants under 6 months, who may benefit from maternal vaccination during pregnancy. The data was presented as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s newly appointed vaccine advisory panel convened for the first time. The meeting drew criticism from medical groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, which announced it will now publish its independent vaccine schedule, citing concerns that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is “no longer a credible process.”

12:20 PM EDT White House touts $2.3T deficit cut from Trump tax plan, CBO disagrees A new analysis from the White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) projects that the Senate Finance Committee’s draft of Trump’s tax package could reduce the federal deficit by $2.1 to $2.3 trillion over the next decade. The estimate is based on anticipated economic growth and increased tariff revenue, with the CEA forecasting GDP growth reaching 4.9% within four years. The projection sharply contrasts with the Congressional Budget Office’s assessment of the House version of the bill, which estimates a deficit increase of up to $2.8 trillion over the same period and warns of disproportionate impacts on low-income Americans. The CEA report did not include a breakdown of how the tax changes would affect different income groups.

12:07 PM EDT POV from reporter at NATO summit: Trump ends NATO summit on warm note, but tensions with Spain linger Trump’s remarks marked the end of the summit for most here, providing somewhat of a judgement call on whether the U.S. is satisfied with the allies it has for months criticized. Trump’s arrival late last night, and his impression of the new NATO spending pledge, has been at the forefront of conversation all day here in The Hague. Trump largely struck a warm tone at his highly anticipated press conference, calling the summit “highly productive” — something NATO chief Mark Rutte, who is widely credited here with pushing the alliance towards its 5 percent spending pledge, will likely be very pleased to hear stated publicly. Rutte has been “terrific,” and is “doing a fantastic job,” Trump said in his opening comments. But Trump firmly took aim at Spain, as many expected him to do ahead of his press conference — although he did temper his biting critique of Madrid. “I do like Spain, by the way,” he quipped at a reporter from one of Spain’s major newspapers. Iran and the intelligence assessments on the state of its nuclear program dominated, too, although NATO has no direct involvement. It’s now a wrap in The Hague, a major moment for an alliance that has for months fretted over its own unity and how Trump could smash it apart, should he choose to. For the moment, at least, NATO and the U.S.’s role in it feels more solid than it has throughout much of this year, although this could change if the commitments made here don’t quickly materialize. Read more by Ellie Cook on Newsweek.

11:54 AM EDT Trump says U.S. may meet Iran next week, downplays need for deal Trump said Wednesday that the U.S. will meet with Iranian officials next week to discuss a potential nuclear agreement, though he repeatedly downplayed the need for such a deal. “I don’t care if I have an agreement or not,” Trump said at the close of the NATO summit in The Hague, insisting that U.S. strikes had already destroyed Iran’s nuclear capabilities. He added that any agreement would seek the same commitments as previous negotiations, but emphasized that the nuclear threat was already “blown up to kingdom come.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a deal would depend on Iran’s willingness to engage directly with the U.S., not through intermediaries.

11:41 AM EDT Senate panel advances Bedford’s FAA nomination amid partisan split Republic Airways President and CEO Bryan Bedford testifies during his nomination hearing to be Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in the Russell Senate Office… Republic Airways President and CEO Bryan Bedford testifies during his nomination hearing to be Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in the Russell Senate Office Building on June 11, 2025 in Washington, DC. More Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images The Senate Commerce Committee voted along party lines to advance Bryan Bedford’s next Federal Aviation Administrator nomination. Republicans praised Bedford’s decades of experience leading regional airlines, including Republic Airways, citing his management background as a strength for modernizing the FAA. Democrats, however, raised concerns about his past efforts to weaken pilot training requirements and questioned his commitment to aviation safety. Bedford has faced criticism for refusing to fully endorse the 1,500-hour flight rule for co-pilots during his confirmation hearings.

11:28 AM EDT Crow disputes Trump’s Iran strike claims, urges focus on facts In an interview with CNN’s Kate Bolduan, Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) challenged President Trump’s portrayal of the U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, saying the president has a history of distorting intelligence. Crow, a former Army Ranger and member of the House Intelligence Committee, confirmed he had seen the early assessments and warned that the strikes likely did not destroy Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Crow argued that the idea of permanently eliminating such deeply fortified sites “doesn’t stand to reason,” citing Cold War-era U.S. facilities as examples of how resilient underground complexes can be. He also criticized Trump for bypassing Congress and warned against conflating criticism of military decisions with disrespect for service members. The interview adds to growing scrutiny over the effectiveness of the strikes and the administration’s handling of intelligence.

11:13 AM EDT Trump says U.S. may send Patriots to Ukraine, praises reporter’s question Trump was asked a question by a reporter from the BBC’s Ukrainian service, who said she was living outside the country with her children but her husband was serving in the military inside Ukraine. “That’s rough stuff, right?” Trump told the reporter, who asked whether the U.S. is willing to sell Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine. Kyiv has asked its allies for the advanced Patriot systems, able to shoot down Russia’s advanced weapons, and has said it is willing to pay for them. “We’re going to see if we can make some available,” Trump said. “They’re very to get – we need them too, we were supplying them to Israel.” Trump said it is “hard to believe how effective” the American-made air defense missiles have proved to be. Referring to Ukraine’s government, he added: “They do want that more than any other thing.” Trump rounded off his response by telling the reporter: “That’s a very good question. And I wish you a lot of luck, I mean, I can see it’s very upsetting to you.” “Say hello to your husband,” he added.

11:12 AM EDT Trump sidesteps ‘daddy’ label, praises NATO allies President Donald Trump wrapped up his NATO summit press conference with a lighthearted exchange about Secretary General Mark Rutte’s earlier remark calling him “Daddy” to the alliance. Asked if he viewed NATO allies as his children, Trump laughed and replied, “No, he likes me. I think he likes me,” referring to Rutte. Trump went on to commend most NATO members for agreeing to boost defense spending and call the summit a success for alliance unity and U.S. leadership.

11:01 AM EDT Sánchez defends Spain’s 2% defense spending as ‘sufficient’ Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reaffirmed Wednesday that Spain will meet NATO’s agreed capability targets, despite opting to maintain defense spending at 2% of GDP. Speaking after the NATO summit in The Hague, Sánchez described the 2% figure as “sufficient and realistic,” emphasizing that it aligns with Spain’s social model and economic priorities. He also highlighted Spain’s ongoing contributions to European security, particularly along the southern border and the eastern flank with Russia, positioning the country as a reliable NATO partner amid broader alliance efforts to boost defense investment.

10:47 AM EDT Trump says Iran couldn’t move uranium before U.S. strikes Trump insisted Wednesday that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile was not removed ahead of U.S. airstrikes, claiming the facilities were hit “so hard, so fast” that Tehran had no time to act. “They didn’t get a chance to move,” Trump said at the NATO summit, describing the material as “very heavy and hard to move,” buried 30 stories beneath layers of granite, concrete, and steel.

10:42 AM EDT Trump threatens trade penalties over Spain’s defense spending stance Trump warned Wednesday that Spain could face trade repercussions after its government declined to meet NATO’s new 5% defense spending target, opting instead to remain at 2% of GDP. “They’re doing very well… and that economy could be blown right out of the water if something bad happened,” Trump said at the NATO summit in The Hague. He added that the U.S. is negotiating a trade deal with Spain and vowed, “We’re going to make them pay twice as much. I’m actually serious about this.” Spain has secured a formal exemption from the 5% goal, but Trump’s comments suggest tensions remain over burden-sharing within the alliance.

10:41 AM EDT Trump hints at possible U.S.-Iran talks, agreement next week Trump revealed Wednesday that the U.S. may resume direct talks with Iran as early as next week, raising the possibility of a new agreement between the two nations. “We’re going to talk with them next week,” Trump said during a press conference at the NATO summit in The Hague. “We may sign an agreement, I don’t know.”

10:35 AM EDT Intelligence report challenges Trump’s claim of obliterating Iran’s nuclear program A U.S. intelligence report has cast doubt on President Donald Trump’s assertion that American airstrikes “completely and fully obliterated” Iran’s nuclear facilities. The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) assessment, shared by sources familiar with the findings, concluded the strikes caused significant damage but only set back Iran’s nuclear progress by months, not years. While Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insist the operation dealt a lasting blow, the report found key infrastructure remained intact, and that Iran may have moved some enriched uranium and centrifuges before the strikes. The White House rejected the assessment as “flat-out wrong,” with Trump denouncing media coverage and defending the operation’s impact. Intelligence officials warn that Iran retains the ability to restart its nuclear program and potentially develop a weapon if it chooses.

10:25 AM EDT Trump rejects CNN report, says Iran nuclear site ‘obliterated’ US President Donald Trump (L) speaks flanked by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (C) and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) at a press conference during a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Heads of… US President Donald Trump (L) speaks flanked by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (C) and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) at a press conference during a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Heads of State and Government summit in The Hague on June 25, 2025. More Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images Trump dismissed a question from CNN during a NATO summit press conference, labeling the network “fake news” and rejecting claims that he relied on Israeli intelligence to assess the impact of U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. “We’ve collected additional intelligence,” Trump said. “The site is obliterated, and we think everything nuclear is down there. They didn’t take it out.”

10:22 AM EDT Trump says Iran-Israel war may restart despite ceasefire Trump expressed doubt Wednesday about the durability of the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, saying the two sides were “tired” after intense fighting. “They’ve fought very hard and very viciously, very violently, and they were both satisfied to go home and get out.” He then added, “I guess some day it could maybe start again soon.”

10:19 AM EDT Trump calls Hegseth ‘secretary of war,’ criticizes title change President Donald Trump referred to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as the “secretary of war” during remarks at the NATO summit, reviving a title officially retired in 1947. The designation was replaced with “Secretary of Defense” during the Truman administration as part of a broader post-WWII reorganization of the U.S. military. Trump dismissed the change as “politically correct,” suggesting the older title reflects the role’s purpose better, The Times reported.

10:17 AM EDT Trump defends Iran strike claims, says tunnels collapsed Trump doubled down Wednesday on his claim that U.S. airstrikes “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear facilities, dismissing media reports and intelligence assessments that suggest otherwise. Speaking at the NATO summit, Trump said the strikes caused the tunnels at Iran’s Fordow site to collapse, rendering the facility inaccessible. “There’s no way you can even get down,” he said, adding that the nuclear material was likely buried because “it’s very hard to remove.” He also praised the operation’s precision, claiming every strike landed “within nine inches” of its target.

10:10 AM EDT Trump touts Iran strikes, ceasefire at NATO summit Trump opened his remarks at the NATO summit in The Hague by thanking the Netherlands for hosting and praising the U.S. military. He again described the recent strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities as “obliteration,” despite intelligence reports suggesting more limited damage. Trump credited the operation with securing a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, calling the conflict the “12-day war” and expressing confidence that hostilities would not resume. He also claimed the strikes had “reasserted the credibility of American deterrence,” which he described as unmatched.

10:09 AM EDT Trump briefly addresses Ukraine war, urges NATO to buy U.S. arms Trump briefly mentioned the Ukraine war during his remarks at the NATO summit in The Hague, saying, “Hopefully we’re going to get that solved.” He reiterated his longstanding claim that the conflict “would have never happened” if he had been in office earlier. Trump emphasized that NATO’s new 5% defense spending pledge should go toward “very serious military hardware, not bureaucracy,” and expressed hope that much of it would be “made in America,” calling U.S. equipment “the very best in the world.”

10:06 AM EDT Trump touts NATO defense pledge, praises Dutch hospitality US President Donald Trump attends a press conference at the end of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in The Hague on June 25, 2025. US President Donald Trump attends a press conference at the end of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in The Hague on June 25, 2025. Robin Van Lonkhuijsen/Getty Images Trump said Wednesday that NATO allies will spend 5% of their GDP on defense, though he did not specify the agreed timeline by 2035. The announcement came during the NATO summit in The Hague, where Trump appeared upbeat, praising the Netherlands’ trees and calling the Dutch royals “beautiful people” from “central casting.” The 5% pledge marks a major shift in alliance policy, more than doubling the previous 2% target. While Trump celebrated the commitment, some member states have expressed concerns about meeting the goal within the decade.

10:00 AM EDT WATCH NOW: Trump gives press conference from NATO Summit

09:57 AM EDT IDF intercepts drone from Yemen amid regional ceasefire The Israel Defense Forces said Tuesday it intercepted an unmanned aerial vehicle likely launched from Yemen, adding that the drone did not enter Israeli airspace and no sirens were triggered. The incident comes days after a ceasefire between Israel and Iran took effect, following nearly two weeks of hostilities. Yemen’s Houthi rebels, aligned with Iran, have continued to launch attacks in the region despite the truce, including previous drone and missile strikes targeting Israel. The IDF said the drone was neutralized by protocol and posed no immediate threat.

09:46 AM EDT Trump and Zelenskyy meet on NATO summit sidelines in The Hague Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy began their long-anticipated meeting Wednesday on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague, according to Zelenskyy’s spokesperson Serhii Nykyforov. The leaders are expected to discuss Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia, military aid, and broader security cooperation. Earlier, Trump described Zelenskyy as “a nice guy” and said they would “discuss the obvious” regarding Ukraine’s challenges.

09:44 AM EDT Vance flips middle finger at fundraiser, jokes about D.C. culture Vice President J.D. Vance raised eyebrows Tuesday night when he flipped his middle finger toward the crowd during a Republican fundraiser in Lima, Ohio, joking about the challenges of modern politics. “All the pink-haired people throw up this sign,” Vance said, drawing laughter. “I think that means ‘We’re Number One,’ right?” He added that the gesture is familiar in Washington and said he interprets it that way. The moment came just hours after Trump used the f-word while venting about Israel and Iran allegedly violating a ceasefire, marking a notably unfiltered day for the administration.

09:31 AM EDT Macron urges nuclear diplomacy as Iran-Israel ceasefire holds French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday called the ceasefire between Iran and Israel “volatile and fragile,” urging renewed diplomatic efforts to address Iran’s nuclear program. Speaking after the NATO summit in the Netherlands, Macron said he hoped the truce would hold but emphasized the need to “resume diplomatic and technical work” involving Iran, the U.S., and European nations. He warned that “in the coming weeks we will have a choice to make” on how to proceed. Macron is scheduled to meet with the International Atomic Energy Agency chief in Paris later today to discuss next steps.

09:13 AM EDT ‘Then Daddy has to use strong language’: Trump, Rutte trade jabs at NATO President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte shared a headline-grabbing moment at the NATO summit in The Hague, with Rutte jokingly referring to Trump as “Daddy” during a press conference. The exchange followed Trump’s comparison of the Israel-Iran conflict to “two kids in a schoolyard,” saying they had to fight it out before being stopped. Rutte responded, “Then Daddy has to sometimes use strong language,” drawing laughter from the room. The moment came amid serious discussions on defense spending and alliance unity, as NATO leaders endorsed a 5% GDP defense pledge and reaffirmed their commitment to collective security.

08:54 AM EDT Judge quotes ‘The Simpsons’ in ruling against Donald Trump President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, N.J., Saturday, June 21, 2025. Homer Simpson visits The Empire State Building to celebrate the 30th anniversary of “The Simpsons” at The… President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, N.J., Saturday, June 21, 2025. Homer Simpson visits The Empire State Building to celebrate the 30th anniversary of “The Simpsons” at The Empire State Building on December 17, 2018 in New York City. More Manuel Balce Ceneta / Noam Galai/AP Photo / Getty Images A U.S. judge quoted from an episode of The Simpsons while ordering the Donald Trump administration to unfreeze billions of dollars in electric vehicle charger funding for 14 states. On Tuesday, District Judge Tana Lin granted a partial injunction to the states that sued the Department of Transportation over blocking the funds, and said that the states would likely succeed in their suit alleging that these were withheld illegally. In her ruling, Lin quoted from the TV show, writing: “In a 1995 episode of The Simpsons, Homer must cut short a tearful goodbye with his long-lost mother after her traveling companions protest that their ‘electric van only has minutes of juice left!'” “Some 26 years later, Congress sought to address the phenomenon that has come to be known as ‘range anxiety’: the unease experienced by electric vehicle (“EV”) drivers when they are unsure where the next charging station might be, and whether their car’s battery has sufficient charge to get them there,” she continued. Newsweek has reached out to the Department of Transportation and The Federal Highway Administration via email for comment on Lin’s ruling. Read the full story by Hugh Cameron on Newsweek.

08:47 AM EDT UK to buy F-35A jets, rejoining NATO’s airborne nuclear mission In a major shift in defense policy, the United Kingdom announced plans to purchase 12 F-35A stealth fighter-bombers, restoring its ability to deliver nuclear weapons by air for the first time since the Cold War. The move, revealed during the NATO summit in The Hague, also marks Britain’s formal entry into NATO’s airborne nuclear mission, joining allies like Germany and Italy in operating dual-capable aircraft equipped with U.S. B61 nuclear bombs. The F-35As will complement Britain’s existing Trident submarine-based deterrent, creating a second leg of its nuclear delivery system. The jets will be based at RAF Marham and are expected to support over 20,000 jobs across the UK defense sector. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the decision “the biggest strengthening of the UK’s nuclear posture in a generation,” citing growing global threats and the need for greater military readiness. A recent security review warned of the possibility of armed conflict on British soil and urged investment in lethality, readiness, and munitions stockpiles. The UK’s commitment comes amid broader NATO efforts to boost defense spending, with Britain pledging to allocate 5% of GDP to security by 2035. Critics, however, have raised concerns about the financial strain and potential trade-offs with domestic priorities.

08:35 AM EDT Trump, NATO allies reaffirm collective defense, sidestep Ukraine membership US President Donald Trump greets Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen ahead of the North Atlantic Council Plenary Session on the second day of the 2025 NATO Summit on June 25, 2025 in The… US President Donald Trump greets Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen ahead of the North Atlantic Council Plenary Session on the second day of the 2025 NATO Summit on June 25, 2025 in The Hague, Netherlands. More Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images At the close of a brief summit in The Hague, President Donald Trump and fellow NATO leaders issued a joint communique reaffirming their “ironclad commitment” to collective defense under Article 5 of the alliance’s founding treaty. The statement also labeled Russia a long-term threat and committed members to a new 5% GDP defense spending target by 2035. However, the communique notably omitted direct criticism of Russia’s war in Ukraine. It did not mention Ukrainian NATO membership, despite previous declarations that Kyiv was on an “irreversible path” to joining. Trump, who has ruled out Ukraine’s accession and maintains a closer relationship with Vladimir Putin than many allies, had earlier cast doubt on his interpretation of Article 5. Still, the final statement emphasized unity: “An attack on one is an attack on all.”

08:23 AM EDT Israel-Iran ceasefire holds as nuclear tensions and diplomacy collide The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran appeared to hold on Wednesday, offering a glimmer of hope for long-term peace after 12 days of conflict. While U.S. President Donald Trump hailed the truce as a success, Iran’s parliament voted to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), signaling a renewed push on its nuclear program. Trump, speaking at the NATO summit in the Netherlands, claimed Iran would no longer enrich uranium or pursue a bomb. However, Iranian officials insisted their nuclear ambitions remain intact, and accused the IAEA of failing to condemn U.S. and Israeli strikes on their facilities. The IAEA’s Director General, Rafael Grossi, said inspectors are eager to return to Iran to reassess uranium stockpiles and damage to nuclear sites. Despite Trump’s assertion that the strikes “obliterated” Iran’s program, early U.S. intelligence suggests the facilities were only set back by months. Israeli and U.S. officials continue to claim significant damage, while Iran confirmed its installations were hit but not destroyed. Meanwhile, Iran executed three more prisoners on espionage charges, bringing the total to six since June 16, raising concerns among human rights groups. As both sides claim victory, the ceasefire remains fragile. Trump’s envoy said talks are underway for a broader peace deal, while China urged all parties to seize the moment for regional stability.

08:08 AM EDT Trump’s UK state visit confirmed, no summer meeting with King Charles Officials confirmed that President Donald Trump will return to the United Kingdom for a second state visit later this year after accepting a formal invitation from King Charles III, per The Guardian. Although the monarch had hoped for an informal summer meeting at Balmoral or Dumfries House, logistical issues made that gathering unfeasible. Instead, planning has begun for a more formal visit in September. The visit will mark Trump’s first meeting with King Charles since the monarch’s ascension and an unusual second state visit for a U.S. president.

07:55 AM EDT Rubio says Iran’s nuclear program ‘set back significantly’ by U.S. strikes U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that Iran is now “much further away” from developing a nuclear weapon following recent U.S. airstrikes on three of its nuclear facilities. Speaking to Politico at the NATO summit in The Hague, Rubio pushed back on leaked intelligence suggesting the strikes only delayed Iran’s program by a few months. Rubio acknowledged the “deep underground” damage and said the U.S. is still assessing the full impact. He described the strikes as causing “very significant, substantial damage” to multiple components of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. While President Trump claimed the sites were “totally obliterated,” Rubio offered a more measured view, saying the program is “far worse shape” than it was a week ago. He also added that the U.S. is not seeking war with Iran, calling the operation a demonstration of “strategic patience” and a narrowly defined mission.

07:40 AM EDT Zelenskyy to approve tribunal targeting Russian leaders for Ukraine invasion Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to formally endorse the creation of a special international tribunal aimed at prosecuting senior Russian officials for the crime of aggression tied to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The court will be established through an agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe, marking a significant step in Kyiv’s push for legal accountability beyond existing international mechanisms. Zelenskyy is set to sign the agreement during a visit to the Council’s headquarters in Strasbourg, following his participation in the NATO summit in The Hague. The tribunal addresses jurisdictional gaps left by the International Criminal Court, which cannot prosecute Russian nationals for aggression due to legal limitations.

07:27 AM EDT Trump judicial nominee faces scrutiny over whistleblower claims Emil Bove, a top Justice Department official and former defense attorney for President Trump, is set to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday for his confirmation hearing to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. His nomination has drawn sharp attention following a whistleblower complaint alleging he suggested ignoring court orders during internal discussions on immigration enforcement. The complaint, filed by former DOJ lawyer Erez Reuveni, claims Bove used profane language in a March meeting and floated the idea of defying judicial rulings related to deportations under the Alien Enemies Act. Reuveni, who was later fired, has requested a formal investigation into Bove’s conduct. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has strongly denied the allegations, calling them “utterly false” and politically timed ahead of the hearing. Bove has also faced criticism for dismissing a federal corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a move that led to multiple DOJ resignations.

HQ

The latest news on the United States and Spain . At the NATO summit in The Hague, President Donald Trump warned that Spain will face harsher trade terms in future negotiations following its refusal to meet the alliance’s increased defense spending goals.

You might be interested: NATO backs Trump’s defence goal, but Spain refuses to follow.

“We’re negotiating with Spain on a trade deal. We’re going to make them pay twice as much,” United States President Donald Trump said (you can check his entire intervention on this matter in the video below).

However, as part of the European Union, Spain does not engage in direct trade negotiations with the United States. Instead, the European Commission represents the interests of all 27 member countries in those discussions.

While other members supported the new target, Spain maintained that it could meet its obligations with lower investment. Trump criticized Spain’s stance and promised economic retaliation, though trade agreements with EU members are handled collectively.