First Thing: Trump does deal with Nato allies to arm Ukraine and warns Russia of severe sanctions

The Trump administration has adjusted how the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) handles transgender workplace discrimination claims. While earlier guidance effectively froze these cases, the EEOC will now allow some complaints to move forward—though the exact criteria for which cases proceed remains unclear.

Editor’s Note: This shift signals a partial reversal from the previous hardline stance, but it’s not a full-throated endorsement of transgender rights. For advocates, it’s a small step forward—but with lingering uncertainty. For businesses and employees, it means some discrimination claims may now get a hearing, though the broader legal landscape is still in flux.

Golf legend Darren Clarke is back at Royal Portrush, practicing with Rory McIlroy and rising star Tom McKibbin ahead of The Open. Clarke, who mentored McIlroy early in his career, is rooting for both McIlroy and McKibbin—and himself—to shine this week. The trio drew big crowds during their early-morning session, adding to the buzz around the tournament.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a practice round—it’s a full-circle moment. Clarke’s influence on McIlroy’s career and his support for McKibbin highlight the passing of the torch in Irish golf. With The Open at Royal Portrush, a course steeped in personal history for these players, the story adds emotional weight to what’s already a major sporting event. Fans are watching not just for competition, but for legacy.

The US dollar's long-standing dominance as the world's reserve currency is under serious scrutiny. Countries, especially in the Global South, are increasingly challenging a financial system they see as unfairly tilted in America's favor. While this shift—often called "de-dollarization"—isn't necessarily destabilizing, it signals a broader erosion of trust in US economic leadership. The article suggests it's no longer a question of if the dollar will lose its top spot, but when.

Editor’s Note: Money isn't just about numbers—it's about power and trust. If the dollar stumbles, it could reshape everything from trade deals to interest rates on your loans. This isn't just a Wall Street concern; it's about whether the next generation will see a world where economic power is more evenly shared... or more chaotic.

The Pentagon is pulling out around 2,000 National Guard troops from Los Angeles—nearly half of the force deployed there in June. They were originally sent to help manage protests sparked by the Trump administration’s hardline immigration policies.

Editor’s Note: This drawdown signals a shift in the federal response to civil unrest, but it also raises questions about how tensions might evolve without that presence. For locals, it could mean fewer boots on the ground, but the underlying issues that fueled the protests haven’t gone away.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security just sent a plane carrying deported immigrants from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Cuba, and Yemen to Eswatini—a small kingdom in Southern Africa. This follows a recent Supreme Court decision allowing the U.S. to deport people to third countries, not just their home nations.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another deportation story—it signals a major shift in how the U.S. handles removals. Sending people to a country where they have no ties raises serious ethical and legal questions, especially for those fleeing unstable homelands. It also puts Eswatini, a nation with limited resources, in an awkward diplomatic spot. Expect more debate over whether this is a loophole or an overreach.