Gavin Newsom pushes back on Trump AI executive order preempting state laws

President Donald Trump announced plans for retaliation following the deaths of two U.S. Army soldiers and a civilian interpreter in an attack by the Islamic State in Palmyra, Syria. This incident marks a significant escalation in U.S. military involvement in the region, particularly after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime a year ago.

Two U.S. soldiers and an American civilian were killed in an attack by an alleged Islamic State gunman during a joint patrol in Palmyra, Syria, as confirmed by U.S. Central Command. The attack also left three other troops wounded before the assailant was neutralized by partner forces. President Donald Trump has vowed that there will be 'very serious retaliation' in response to this incident.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced the release of 123 prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski and opposition leader Maria Kalesnikava, following negotiations with a U.S. envoy that resulted in the lifting of certain U.S. sanctions on Belarus. This significant move occurred after two days of discussions aimed at improving diplomatic relations.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has released 123 prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski and opposition leader Maria Kalesnikava, following the lifting of US sanctions on Belarusian potash, a vital export. This decision came after two days of discussions with a US envoy, marking a significant diplomatic engagement between the US and Belarus.

Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has denied claims made by former President Donald Trump regarding a ceasefire with Cambodia, stating that military operations will continue as clashes persist along the border. Cambodia has responded by suspending all border crossings with Thailand amid rising casualties from the ongoing conflict.

Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia has intensified, leading to the closure of border crossings by Cambodia after Thailand denied a claim by former US President Donald Trump regarding a truce. The ongoing conflict, rooted in a historical border dispute, has displaced approximately half a million people across both nations.

A recent AP-NORC poll indicates that only 31% of U.S. adults approve of President Donald Trump's handling of the economy, a significant drop from 40% in March, marking his lowest economic rating to date. Historian Ian Reifowitz describes Trump's current standing as 'significantly underwater,' reflecting broader challenges faced by the Republican Party, which saw Democrats flip 20% of Republican House seats in 2025 without losing any of their own.

Fighting continues along the Thailand-Cambodia border despite claims of a ceasefire by former US President Donald Trump. The renewed clashes have resulted in significant casualties, including multiple deaths and the displacement of thousands of civilians, highlighting the ongoing volatility in the region.