US vetoes Security Council resolution for Gaza ceasefire

The United States has vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution demanding an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza.

The U.S. was the only member to vote against the measure, which also called for the release of hostages and for humanitarian aid to be allowed to resume to Gaza.

For a Security Council resolution to pass, it must receive nine votes with no vetoes from its five permanent members: Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States.

The U.S. has vetoed four resolutions calling for a ceasefire since the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel. It abstained from allowing it to pass last year.

Read the full story by Hannah Parry on Newsweek.

Senate parliamentarian may sink GOP's key 'revenge tax' plan

A $116 billion tax hike on foreign companies—dubbed the "revenge tax"—faces an uncertain future as Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough reviews whether it can legally stay in Republicans' sweeping mega bill, according to Politico.

The provision would impose up to a 20% tax on foreign firms whose governments levy what the U.S. deems discriminatory taxes on American companies, especially tech giants. But MacDonough could rule it violates reconciliation rules by overriding tax treaties or falling under the jurisdiction of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee—issues that weren't addressed in Republicans' reconciliation instructions.

If the provision is removed, it could significantly damage the GOP's budget math. Lawmakers need to rewrite the bill or find new revenue sources to make the difference.

The proposal is part of a larger tax package House Republicans approved last month and hope to push through before the July 4 recess. Some experts say the revenge tax may also violate rules prohibiting provisions not aimed primarily at raising revenue.

Justice Department challenges Texas law granting in-state tuition to undocumented students

The Justice Department on Wednesday filed a lawsuit aiming to block a long-standing Texas law that allows certain undocumented college students to pay in-state tuition rates, escalating the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration, AP reported.

Passed in 2001, the Texas law was the first of its kind in the nation. It granted "Dreamers"—young adults without legal status—access to lower tuition if they met specific residency requirements. Nearly two dozen other states have since followed suit.

The federal lawsuit, filed in Wichita Falls, argues that the policy violates federal law by granting benefits to undocumented students that aren't guaranteed to all U.S. citizens. "The Justice Department will relentlessly fight to vindicate federal law," said Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Texas has about 57,000 undocumented students enrolled in public colleges, out of roughly 690,000 total. The law requires students to have lived in Texas for three years before graduating from high school and to sign a pledge to seek legal status.

Critics say the law undercuts fairness, but supporters argue it boosts the economy by supporting an educated workforce. The lawsuit follows a failed state legislative attempt to repeal the policy, and comes as similar efforts gain traction in states like Florida.

San Francisco leaders denounce move to strip Harvey Milk's name from Navy ship

San Francisco officials and LGBTQ+ advocates are condemning the Trump administration for its reported plan to strip the name of gay rights icon Harvey Milk from a U.S. Navy ship. This announcement comes during Pride Month.

Milk, a former Navy officer and one of the first openly gay elected officials in the U.S., was assassinated in 1978. He is remembered as a champion for LGBTQ+ rights and a symbol of courage in the face of discrimination. The USNS Harvey Milk was named in his honor in 2016 as part of a Navy initiative to recognize civil rights leaders.

Cleve Jones, a longtime friend and activist, criticized the reported decision as "cruel and petty," calling it a distraction from more urgent national issues like the war in Gaza and looming cuts to social safety nets. Milk's nephew, Stuart Milk, confirmed that the Harvey Milk Foundation has contacted the Pentagon, urging them to reject the proposed change.

California leaders, including Gov. Gavin Newsom and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, called the move a disgrace and a step backward for LGBTQ+ recognition. "This is a cowardly act from a man desperate to distract," Newsom said, referencing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has reportedly led the push to erase diversity and inclusion efforts across the military.

A new name for the ship has not yet been announced, and the Pentagon has not officially confirmed the renaming.

Bryson DeChambeau Seen Playing Golf at 'TPC White House'

It is not news that President Donald Trump and top professional golfer Bryson DeChambeau share a close bond. Their friendship has played out on golf courses across the country, with the two often spotted teeing it up together.

DeChambeau's viral "break 50" challenge with Trump during the U.S. presidential elections now has 15 million views, revealing just how much the pairs golf chemistry resonates with fans.

But it does not stop with the video. The LIV Golf pro has also played casual rounds with Trump's granddaughter, Kai Trump, even praising her game and calling it "pure skill."

Trump, too, highlighted DeChambeau's talent, frequently praising the golfer's performance in various tournaments.

Despite their close ties, it had been a while since the two were last seen playing together—until Sunday.

That reunion quickly gained traction when golf journalist Dan Rapaport shared a post on X, captioning it, "More like TPC White House with those soft ass greens."

Read the full story by Devlina Sakar on Newsweek.

Columbia University risks accreditation over civil rights violations

The U.S. Department of Education has notified the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that Columbia University is in violation of federal antidiscrimination laws, which threatens its accreditation status.

In a letter sent Wednesday, the Department's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) cited Columbia's failure to address harassment of Jewish students following Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. A joint investigation by OCR and the Department of Health and Human Services concluded last month that the university acted with "deliberate indifference" toward the harassment, violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Columbia's conduct was "immoral" and "unlawful," stressing the responsibility of accreditors to ensure institutions uphold civil rights standards. Under Trump's executive order on accreditation reform, the Department must inform accreditors of any such violations.

Columbia's accreditation is now in jeopardy unless the university takes corrective action. Accreditors are required by law to develop compliance plans or take disciplinary action if a school fails to meet federal standards.

Bishop Mariann Budde urges hope at World Pride amid political tension

Mariann Budde, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, called on attendees at World Pride to embrace love and joy as antidotes to fear, warning against efforts to roll back LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S.

"We're not in the 1960's and 70's anymore," Budde said Wednesday, addressing a crowd gathered in the nation's capital during a time of growing political unease for LGBTQ+ Americans.

Six months earlier, Budde drew national attention when she closed an interfaith prayer service after Trump's second inauguration by asking the president to show compassion for communities living in fear, including LGBTQ+ people and immigrants. The comments were met with backlash from Trump allies but support from advocates nationwide.

Speaking to the Associated Press ahead of her appearance, Budde said she would leave activism to organizers and instead center her message on resilience through "love, joy and community."

"It prevents us from being so paralyzed by fear that we forget who we are and our history in the struggle for equal rights," she said.

Canada holds off on immediate response to Trump's new steel tariffs

Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday that Canada will not respond immediately to Trump's latest move to increase tariffs on steel and aluminum.

"We will take some time, not much, some time, because we are in intensive discussions right now with the Americans on the trading relationship," Carney told reporters ahead of a cabinet meeting. "Those discussions are progressing."

Carney's remarks suggest the federal government is pursuing a cautious approach, as talks with U.S. officials continue. However, not all Canadian leaders agree.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, whose province is home to much of Canada's steel industry, called for swift retaliation. Ford has been vocal about the economic impact of tariffs on Ontario workers and has urged Ottawa to act decisively.

Labor Department cuts inflation data collection due to hiring freeze

The Labor Department has scaled back its inflation data collection amid a Trump-ordered federal hiring freeze, raising concerns among economists about the accuracy of key economic indicators during a volatile price period.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) confirmed this week that it stopped collecting price data in April in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Provo, Utah, and ceased data collection in Buffalo, New York, this month. The move is part of a broader reduction in data gathering as the BLS struggles with staffing shortages caused by the ongoing hiring freeze, which began on Trump's first day in office and remains in effect through at least late July.

An email from the BLS, reviewed by the Associated Press, said that the agency had "temporarily reduced the number of outlets and quotes" it collects for the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the country's most-watched measure of inflation.

The cutbacks come as inflation data is under intense scrutiny due to rising tariffs and economic uncertainty. Economists worry the reduced sampling could distort future inflation readings and undermine the reliability of reports used by policymakers and markets.

The BLS also announced plans to drop roughly 350 categories from its Producer Price Index (PPI), which tracks price changes before they reach consumers. While the agency says the cuts will have "minimal impact," it acknowledged they could add volatility to the prices of specific items.

Economists like Omair Sharif of Inflation Insights and Alan Detmeister of UBS warned that continued cutbacks could significantly erode the credibility of economic data in the long term, especially if tariffs drive further price changes.

Musk responds to Johnson claims he dodged his call

Elon Musk has responded to Mike Johnson's complaints that the Tesla CEO wasn't taking his calls.

Johnson told reporters on Wednesday that he had tried to call Musk on Tuesday, after his very vocal criticism of President Donald Trump's budget bill, but that he had not picked up. The House Speaker added that Musk still had not returned his call, as of Wednesday morning.

On Wednesday afternoon, Musk responded to a post on X with a clip of Johnson's comments and quoted him as saying, "I called Elon Musk last night and he didn't answer."

While Musk did not address his lack of communication directly, he wrote, "We need a new bill that doesn't grow the deficit."

Read the full story by Hannah Parry and Mandy Taheri on Newsweek.

Judge dismisses Democrats' suit over Trump order and FEC independence

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit from Democratic Party committees challenging a Trump administration executive order they claimed could threaten the independence of the Federal Election Commission.

U.S. District Judge Amir H. Ali ruled there was no clear evidence the administration planned to apply the February order to the FEC, writing that the plaintiffs' concerns, while serious, remained speculative.

The order declared that all executive branch officials "must be supervised and controlled by the people's elected President," raising alarm among Democrats after Trump ousted FEC Chair Ellen Weintraub. However, the court found the order's language too broad to support the specific challenge, noting the FEC was not explicitly mentioned.

Democrats had sought to block the order's application to the FEC, arguing it could allow Trump to interfere with campaign oversight. The judge left the door open to future legal action if the administration moves to assert more control over the commission.

Trump agrees with Warren 'on SOMETHING'

Trump said he agrees with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) that the U.S. should scrap the debt ceiling altogether, calling it too dangerous to leave in the hands of political actors.

In a Truth Social post on Wednesday, Trump wrote that keeping the debt limit "could have a horrendous effect" on the country and the world, and urged lawmakers in both parties to act.

He also included a screenshot of a tweet she posted on May 30: "@realDonaldTrump and I agree: the debt limit should be scrapped to prevent an economic catastrophe.

"Let's pass a bipartisan bill and get rid of it forever.

"But jacking up the debt limit by $4 trillion to fund more tax breaks for billionaires is an outrage."

Gavin Newsom defies Trump with groundbreaking pollution program

California Governor Gavin Newsom has responded to President Donald Trump's rollback of climate protections by unveiling a "first-of-its-kind" pollution monitoring program.

The state is launching its Statewide Mobile Monitoring Initiative (SMMI), which will use specially equipped vehicles to collect block-by-block air quality data in 64 communities that face heavy pollution. The results will help officials create solutions to improve air quality and public health.

"While the federal government threatens to take us back to the days of smoggy skies and clogged lungs, California continues to lead the way. We're deploying first-of-their-kind vehicles to monitor pollution levels at a block-by-block level, delivering critical air quality information to communities across the state," Newsom said in a statement on Tuesday.

The SMMI unveils amid sweeping federal actions targeting state-level environmental rules, including efforts to block California's authority to set vehicle emission standards and the rollback of clean air waivers.

The project, spearheaded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), will deploy sensor-equipped vehicles supplied by Aclima, along with mobile labs managed by researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, the University of California, Riverside, and Aerodyne.

The researchers will collect data from 64 communities statewide, with 60 percent of the monitoring focused on priority populations, including low-income communities and those facing disproportionate pollution.

More than 40 community-based organizations across the state have partnered with CARB to identify local air quality concerns and ensure community voices shape the monitoring efforts.

Read the full story by Martha McHardy on Newsweek.

Trump posts about call with Putin

Trump said he spoke by phone for about 75 minutes with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday. The leaders discussed recent attacks in Ukraine, including on Russian airfields, and concerns about Iran's nuclear program. Trump called the conversation "good" but said it wouldn't bring immediate peace.

Education secretary questions approach to African American history in schools

Education Secretary Linda McMahon faced tough questions Wednesday from the House Committee on Education and the Workforce about the Trump administration's efforts to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

Democratic Rep. Summer Lee asked whether courses on African American history should be allowed. McMahon replied that subjects like African studies or Middle East studies aren't part of DEI if taught as part of a balanced history curriculum.

When Lee challenged her, saying she didn't see "both sides" of African American history, McMahon did not provide a clear answer. Asked about teaching the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, McMahon said she would need to follow up later.

The exchange highlights ongoing debates about how race and history are taught in schools.

Pennsylvania sues USDA over cut in food aid funding

Pennsylvania sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wednesday, accusing the agency under Trump of illegally cutting off $13 million in funding. The money was part of a $1 billion pandemic-era program that helped states buy food from farms for schools, child care centers, and food banks.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Harrisburg and announced by Gov. Josh Shapiro, says the USDA ended the program without properly explaining its reasons or legal authority. Shapiro called the USDA's move "a broken deal" with Pennsylvania and its farmers.

The state plans to use the funds to purchase cheese, eggs, meat, fruits, and vegetables to support nutrition programs and food banks.

Harvard students 'incredibly afraid' over future career after Trump's move

There has been a chill in the air at Harvard University since President Donald Trump began his unprecedented attack on the college.

Harvard University is going toe-to-toe against the administration in a high-stakes legal clash and many students have been left in a state of uncertainty as the White House's actions cloud their futures.

"I am incredibly afraid," Alfred Williamson, a Harvard student from Wales, currently studying in Denmark, told Newsweek. "The day of my acceptance was the happiest day of my life. Now that opportunity is being stripped away from us."

In addition to pulling nearly $3 billion in federal grants, the administration has accused Harvard of antisemitism stemming from pro-Palestine protests and collusion with the Chinese Communist Party. Chinese nationals account for about 20 percent of Harvard's international student body.

Read the full story by Billal Rahman on Newsweek.

House speaker says he tried to reach Elon Musk after criticism of tax bill

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Wednesday that he called Elon Musk to discuss the billionaire's recent posts criticizing the tax bill. Johnson told reporters, "I called Elon last night and he didn't answer, but I hope to talk to him today." He added that he hopes Musk will return his call this week.

Johnson said he and Musk spoke at length Monday about the bill in a "very friendly, very fruitful conversation." Musk had expressed support then and even said he planned to help with the midterm elections. But Johnson said he was surprised when Musk reversed course and publicly opposed the bill just a day later.

Scalise questions CBO's accuracy, suggests concerns about its future

At a news conference Wednesday, House Minority Leader Steve Scalise criticized the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) for consistently missing economic growth projections. "You don't need to go back that far to see how wrong the CBO has been," Scalise said, adding that the budget office's forecasts have repeatedly fallen short.

When asked if the CBO should be abolished, Scalise did not rule out the possibility. "I think it's very valid to raise these concerns that CBO has missed the problems that come with making false estimates," he said, calling economic growth forecasts the agency's "Achilles heel." His comments come amid ongoing debates over the CBO's role and accuracy in evaluating major legislation.

Senate Democrats press Trump on Russia sanctions, Musk criticized over tax bill

On CNN News Central, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) criticized Trump for his silence on a bipartisan sanctions bill targeting Russia. Blumenthal called Trump "inexplicably inert" and said Russian President Vladimir Putin "plays him for a stooge."

He added that 82 senators—split evenly between Democrats and Republicans—support the bill, which has strong backing in the House as well. "If this bill gets a vote, it will pass," Blumenthal said during an interview with anchor Kate Bolduan.

Meanwhile, Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) spoke with anchor Sara Sidner about Elon Musk's recent criticism of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." Smith said Musk's comments are helping Democrats "build opposition" to the legislation, which includes significant Medicaid cuts.

"The mission is clear if you oppose this legislation — defeat it," Smith said, calling the bill "terrible for this country."

Greene criticizes AI bill for limiting state power despite having voted yes previously

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene warned that a proposed clause in an AI regulation bill would strip states of their right to make laws on the issue for a decade.

"This clause would take away state rights to make laws or regulate AI for 10 years," Greene said. "I think federalism is something that we must always protect."

Yesterday, Greene said that she was unaware that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act included a 10-year ban on states regulating artificial intelligence when she voted for it, and is now calling on the Senate to remove the provision.

Lady Phyll denied entry to U.S. ahead of World Pride speech

Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, known as Lady Phyll and co-founder of UK Black Pride, says she was barred from entering the United States just days before speaking at World Pride's human rights conference in Washington.

She said her U.S. visa was revoked due to a recent trip to Cuba. Speaking via live stream, Opoku-Gyimah explained that her attempt to reapply for a visa was denied, and the earliest available appointment was not until September.

"I've called. I've written. I've pleaded," she said. "And the answer was a cold, bureaucratic 'No.'"

Her situation has heightened concerns among LGBTQ+ travelers about safety and border policies. Several countries, including Denmark, Finland and Germany, have issued advisories for LGBTQ+ visitors to the U.S. during World Pride.

CBO says Trump's tax bill would raise deficits by $2.4 trillion

Trump's signature tax and spending bill would cut taxes by $3.7 trillion but add $2.4 trillion to the deficit over the next decade, according to a new report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office released Wednesday.

The CBO also estimates the legislation would result in 10.9 million more people without health insurance, including 1.4 million undocumented individuals currently in state-funded programs. Over the same period, the bill is expected to reduce overall federal spending by $1.3 trillion.

The report comes as Trump pushes to have the legislation signed into law by July 4. Republican leaders, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, preemptively criticized the CBO's credibility, pointing to past forecasting errors.

The bill, nicknamed the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," aims to extend and expand 2017 tax cuts, eliminate taxes on tips, and increase funding for immigration enforcement. It also raises the debt limit by $4 trillion and proposes cuts to green energy incentives, Medicaid, and food stamps.

Democrats have slammed the bill as harmful to working families and the safety net. The legislation remains the top priority for Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress.

Iran's Supreme Leader sends nuclear warning to U.S.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered a fiery speech on Wednesday, condemning U.S. demands over its nuclear program as "rude" and "insolent," and accusing Washington of trying to block Iran's progress and self-sufficiency. He warned that the United States "cannot do a damn thing".

The response from Iran's Supreme Leader's is the clearest yet to the nuclear proposals made by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened to use military force if there is no deal.

They also underline Iran's commitment to uranium enrichment, the main sticking point. Trump has said no enrichment would be allowed to prevent Iran acquiring nuclear weapons — something Tehran says it does not seek.

Tensions are high as Washington awaits an official response to the proposal sent following several rounds of talks, previously described as positive by both sides.

Read the full story by Amira El-Fekki on Newsweek.

Youngkin sets Sept. 9 special election to fill Connolly's seat

Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has scheduled a special election for Sept. 9 to fill the congressional seat previously held by the late Rep. Gerry Connolly. Both parties have until July 11 to select their nominees.

Connolly, a longtime Democratic figure in a deep blue district, died weeks after announcing he would not seek reelection. He had endorsed his former chief of staff, James Walkinshaw, now seen as a leading candidate in a crowded Democratic field.

Other Democratic contenders include state Sen. Stella Pekarsky, state Del. Irene Shin, and six additional local figures. Three Republicans and an independent have also entered the race.

The election comes during a busy year for Virginia voters, with races for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and all 100 House of Delegates seats on the November ballot.

Trump to meet with Senate Republicans on tax and spending bill

Trump is meeting this afternoon with Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee to discuss his proposed tax cut and spending bill.

The meeting, confirmed by a person familiar with the schedule who was granted anonymity, comes as the bill faces resistance in the Senate despite passing the House by a single vote.

The legislation would extend $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, increase funding for immigration and border enforcement, and cut spending on Medicaid, food stamps, and green energy programs.

Trump adviser Elon Musk has publicly criticized the bill, calling it a "disgusting abomination."

Trump's schedule revealed

Trump is scheduled to receive his daily intelligence briefing at 2 p.m. today.

At 3 p.m., he will sign a series of proclamations.

Later at 7 p.m., Trump will participate in the "Summer Soirée" event at the White House.

Former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre to publish book on Biden's reelection decision

Karine Jean-Pierre, former White House press secretary, will release a new book this fall offering an insider's look at former President Joe Biden's decision not to seek reelection. The book, Independent: A look inside a broken White House, outside the party lines, will be published on Oct. 21 by Legacy Lit, an imprint of Hachette Book Group.

Jean-Pierre, who recently changed her political affiliation to independent after years working with Democratic administrations, says the book explores the need to move beyond the traditional two-party system. She reflects on her time in the White House and the country's challenges.

The book reportedly details the three weeks leading up to Biden's decision to step back from a second term and tensions within the Democratic Party. Jean-Pierre promises to address disinformation in recent elections and offers her perspective on how the nation can move forward.

Footage shows Chinese ships near US ally's disputed island base

The Philippines has released footage showing Chinese maritime forces operating near its largest outpost in the South China Sea's disputed Spratly Islands archipelago.

Newsweek has contacted the Chinese Foreign Ministry and Philippine military for comment via written requests.

China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, citing "historical rights," which puts it at odds with the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan and Indonesia. In 2016, an arbitral tribunal in the Hague dismissed the sweeping claims featured in China's "nine-dashed line" map as incompatible with maritime law. Beijing rejected the decision.

The Philippines has mounted a stiff challenge to expanding Chinese activities in its exclusive economic zone. The resulting standoffs between Chinese and Philippine government vessels have raised concerns that Manila's Mutual Defense Treaty with Washington could pull the U.S. into a conflict with its East Asian rival.

Trump calls Powell 'unbelievable'

Trump posted on Truth Social, calling for Fed Chair Jerome Powell to lower interest rates.

Trump administration ends hospital guidance on emergency abortions

The Trump administration announced Tuesday it will revoke a 2022 directive that told hospitals to provide emergency abortions when needed to stabilize patients.

The original guidance came shortly after the Supreme Court overturned national abortion rights, aiming to protect women facing life-threatening complications.

Under federal law, hospitals that receive Medicare funding must provide emergency care to stabilize patients. Nearly all emergency rooms depend on these funds.

The policy's end raises concerns among doctors and abortion rights advocates that women in states with strict abortion bans may be denied critical emergency abortions.

White House asks Congress to rescind $9.4 billion in spending

On Tuesday, the White House requested Congress to rescind $9.4 billion in previously approved funding, targeting programs identified by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

This rescission process requires congressional approval to reverse spending that was already allocated. Trump administration officials say the cuts focus on programs promoting liberal policies.

If Congress approves, many of the spending cuts and freezes sought by DOGE would become permanent. The request comes amid Musk's strong criticism of the tax and spending plan moving through Congress, which he called a "disgusting abomination" for raising the federal deficit.

White House Budget Director Russ Vought said additional rescission packages and spending cuts could follow if the current effort is successful. "We are certainly willing and able to send up additional packages if the congressional will is there," he said.

Europe and U.S. meet in Paris amid tense tariff dispute

European Union and U.S. trade officials gathered in Paris on Wednesday to discuss a potential settlement in a growing tariff dispute with broad global implications.

EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met on the sidelines of an OECD meeting to review progress. Šefčovič said talks are moving forward steadily, with follow-up technical meetings planned in Washington and a video call to plan next steps.

Despite these efforts, experts say a major agreement is unlikely soon. The divide centers on longstanding trade tensions, including Trump's complaints about America's $161 billion trade deficit with the EU last year.

Trump criticizes the EU's 10% car import tax, raising U.S. tariffs on European steel and aluminum to 25%. The EU, meanwhile, points to its strong purchases of U.S. services and has proposed a "zero-for-zero" deal to remove tariffs on industrial goods. Trump has rejected the offer, but it remains on the table.

The EU warned that if talks fail, it could impose countermeasures, including tariffs on U.S. products and services. French Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin emphasized Europe's readiness to act.

Other sticking points include U.S. demands to scrap the EU's value-added tax and loosen food and safety regulations on hormone-treated beef, chlorinated chicken, and GMOs — areas where European officials remain firm.

Experts say these differences reflect more profound disagreements over national regulations versus trade barriers, unresolved for decades.

With several weeks for negotiation, the outcome remains uncertain as both sides weigh economic and political pressures.

Full list of Navy ships that could be renamed by Pete Hegseth

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is looking to rename several Navy ships which honor civil rights leaders, according to documents obtained by CBS.

These memos show Secretary Hegseth is changing the name of the USNS Harvey Milk at the beginning of Pride Month. The USNS Harvey Milk honors the memory of the gay rights campaigner who served in the Navy during the Korean War before being discharged for his sexuality.

The USNS Harvey Milk is not the only ship that the Secretary wants to rename. He is also looking to change the names of several other ships named after civil rights campaigners and leaders.

According to the memo this renaming is being done in "alignment with president" and "priorities of reestablishing the warrior culture."

Chief Pentagon Spokesman, Sean Parnell, said in a statement to Newsweek: "Secretary Hegseth is committed to ensuring that the names attached to all DOD installations and assets are reflective of the Commander-in-Chief's priorities, our nation's history, and the warrior ethos."

Read the full story by Sophie Clark on Newsweek.