Belarus releases 123 prisoners including opposition leaders after US lifts sanctions

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.

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.

Belarus has released 123 political prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski and opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova, following a deal with the United States that resulted in the lifting of sanctions against the country. This significant move marks a potential shift in Belarus's international relations and has been celebrated by supporters of the released prisoners.

California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized President Donald Trump's recent executive order on artificial intelligence, which aims to prevent states from enacting their own regulations. Newsom described the order as promoting 'grift and corruption' rather than fostering innovation, highlighting concerns over federal overreach in state governance.

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.