First Lady Melania Trump issued a rare public statement from the White House, vehemently denying any relationship with Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell, and calling for an end to 'false smears' and a congressional hearing for Epstein's victims.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to direct negotiations with Lebanon, focusing on disarming Hezbollah, even as Israel continued its attacks, killing over 300 people and drawing international condemnation from Spain and others who argue the ceasefire should apply to Lebanon.
President Trump publicly attacked conservative media figures like Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly for opposing his Iran war strategy, while his approval rating dropped amid voter concerns over the conflict and rising prices. Democrats, including Senator Van Hollen and Rep. Kim, condemned Trump's 'genocide' post and called for his removal.
Iran Ceasefire Hopes Lift US Stocks, Trim Oil Gains
The U.S. Postal Service is seeking to raise the price of first-class mail stamps to 82 cents in July, alongside suspending pension contributions, as the agency faces a severe financial crisis and risks running out of money by early 2027.
Despite a US-Iran ceasefire, the Strait of Hormuz remains largely blocked, with Iran proposing cryptocurrency tolls for passage. This disruption, alongside attacks cutting Saudi oil output by 600,000 barrels/day, has driven up global oil and diesel prices, prompting UK leaders to express frustration.
US stock markets, including the S&P 500 and Dow, rallied for a second consecutive day, with the Dow turning positive for 2026, on growing hopes that the fragile US-Iran ceasefire will hold, despite analysts warning of continued market choppiness.