WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

1. 🇺🇸 The US is hesitant to impose severe sanctions on Russia. A bill has been pending that would impose a 500 percent tariff rate on any country importing Russian oil. But Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he doesn’t want to see it passed yet, asserting that America would “lose our ability” to conduct negotiations with Russia in good faith. Efforts to reach a peace agreement in the Russo-Ukrainian War have been halting.

2. 🇨🇦 Trump cut off all free trade talks with Canada. Canada announced a new digital services tax on the US, prompting a response from President Trump, who said that he would halt all trade talks with the country. In the next week, his administration will announce the new tariff it will levy on Canada. The move is a blow to new Prime Minister Mark Carney, who initially had warmer relations with Trump than his predecessor, Justin Trudeau.

3. 🇮🇷 Iran’s leader claimed a victory over the “Zionist regime.” Speaking publicly for the first time in a week, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei congratulated Iran for their victory over the US and the “Zionist regime.” The ayatollah — who had hidden in a bunker for the duration of the conflict — threatened that Iran would take more action if it deemed it necessary. The statement comes amid rumors of discontent among Iranian hardliners, who feel humiliated over the attacks.

4. 🇰🇵 North Korean troops may soon be fighting in Ukraine proper. Until now, North Koreans have aided Russian troops in pushing Ukrainians out of the Russian region of Kursk. But a South Korean intelligence report says North Koreans might be moved onto the frontline this summer. This, coupled with a buildup of Russian troops, could help Russia quickly make gains in Ukraine, as it seeks to take the entirety of the Donbas.

INSIDER RADAR

President Trump mocking the ayatollah

Insiders behind the paywall: Donald Trump, Ayatollah Khamenei, a Chinese central bank ex-official, Vladimir Putin, and Giorgia Meloni.

HOAX TRACKER

“A Norwegian man was deported from the US for having a JD Vance meme”

QUICK AND IMPORTANT

• Poland’s establishment ruling party is pushing for a recount to potentially flip a nationalist’s presidential win.

• Argentina under President Javier Milei grew faster than China in early 2025, thanks to sweeping reforms.

• South Africa secured $1.5 billion from the World Bank for infrastructure.

• The US and China just inked a trade framework that would lift US export controls on rare earth minerals.

Trump forces Europe to defend itself

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Eight years ago, President Donald Trump was treated like something of an interregnum by his European counterparts — someone to wait out so they could return to the days when America paid for their defense…

MEDIA BIAS SPOTTER

How left and right outlets frame Trump cutting off trade talks with Canada

Mentioned behind the paywall: BBC, Washington Post, Fox Business, and Daily Caller.

THE DAILY DEBATE

POLL RESULTS FROM YESTERDAY

Who would you prefer to have in the Senate representing Texas?

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🏛️ John Cornyn (128)
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔴 Ken Paxton (577)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 💬 Someone else (49)
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🤔 Unsure (138)

POP QUIZ

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