Drug Prices. Visa Bonds. Moon Reactor.

Olga Nesterova
3 days ago
5 min read

This is today's NEWS RECAP.

It’s a big news day — and we’ve got you covered. From Trump’s drug price crackdown and visa bond program rollout to Speaker Mike Johnson’s historic West Bank visit and a nuclear reactor planned for the Moon, today’s headlines span politics, policy, space, and international power plays.

Catch the full breakdown in today’s News Recap video, now live on YouTube

Here’s what we’re tracking today:

🇺🇸 Domestic Politics & Policy

🔻 Trump Demands Lower Drug Prices

President Donald Trump has sent formal letters to several major pharmaceutical companies demanding they reduce drug prices. One of the letters was released publicly; the move is seen as part of his renewed populist healthcare push.

🧠 U.S. Approves ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude for Government Use

The federal government's central procurement agency has added OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Anthropic’s Claude to its list of approved vendors. The move aims to accelerate artificial intelligence adoption across U.S. agencies.

🏛️ Trump Adds Gold to the Oval Office

According to a White House official, President Trump is overseeing renovations to the Oval Office, including the addition of gold trim to the ceiling. He has already installed a golden eagle overhead. Upgrades also continue in the Lincoln Bathroom, sparking social media speculation about the addition of a “golden toilet.”

🚨 Texas Rangers Ordered to Investigate Fleeing Democrats

The Texas House approved arrest warrants for Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to block a vote. Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the Texas Rangers to investigate those members for potential bribery and legal violations. The investigation also includes anyone who “may have funded or aided the walkout”.

🇮🇱 Speaker Mike Johnson Makes Historic Visit to West Bank

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson became the first Speaker to officially visit Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including Ariel University. Speaking in Ariel, Johnson stated:

“Judea and Samaria are the front lines of the State of Israel and must remain an integral part of it.”The visit was arranged by the Yesha Council and delayed earlier due to the Israel–Iran conflict.

🚀 U.S. to Fast-Track Moon Nuclear Reactor by 2030

Transportation Secretary and interim NASA Administrator Sean Duffy is pushing forward plans to install a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030, aiming to win the new space race. The plan follows increased lunar activity from China and Russia, who are pursuing joint space infrastructure.

The Trump administration has proposed slashing science missions by 50%, while boosting funding for human space exploration.

💳 U.S. Visa Bond Pilot Program: Up to $15,000 for ‘High-Risk’ Travelers

The State Department is launching a 12-month pilot requiring visa applicants from certain countries to pay refundable bonds of $5,000–$15,000 to enter for business or tourism.

Key points:

Applies to B-1/B-2 visitor visas
Excludes Visa Waiver Program countries
Bonds may be waived case-by-case
Targets countries with high overstay rates or citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programs

Likely affected:

Nigeria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Haiti, Bhutan, and several Caribbean nations
CBI countries like St. Kitts and Nevis, Vanuatu, and Turkey

🕵️‍♀️ Grand Jury Probe Into 2016 Russia Intel Begins

Attorney General Pam Bondi has authorized federal prosecutors to convene a grand jury into claims that Obama-era officials manipulated intelligence about Russian interference in the 2016 election. The move follows a referral from DNI Tulsi Gabbard, who recently declassified related documents.

🏭 Business & Tech

🚘 Tesla Awards Elon Musk $29B in Stock

Tesla has granted Elon Musk 96 million restricted shares — worth $29 billion — in a “good faith” effort to retain him amid distractions from his other ventures. The grant follows legal disputes over his earlier $56B pay package, which courts previously invalidated. Tesla stock has risen $735 billion in value since 2018, the company noted.

📊 Palantir Hits $1B in Quarterly Revenue

AI-fueled demand pushed Palantir to $1 billion in quarterly revenue, up 48% YoY, its highest ever. CEO Alex Karl credited AI adoption and said Wall Street skeptics have been “defanged.”

🏦 Banks Could Face Penalties for Political Discrimination

The White House is drafting an executive order to penalize banks that allegedly drop clients for political reasons. The proposed order would direct regulators to investigate potential violations of antitrust, consumer protection, and equal credit laws, according to a leaked draft reviewed by the Wall Street Journal.

🌍 Global Affairs

🇮🇱 Israel Fires Attorney General, Supreme Court Intervenes

The Israeli government voted to dismiss its Attorney General, who had investigated PM Netanyahu. However, the Supreme Court temporarily blocked the firing, citing legal concerns.

Meanwhile, internal tensions rise over Gaza war policy:

Netanyahu may seek “full conquest” of Gaza
Israeli military leaders reportedly oppose escalation
Over 600 former security officials urged Trump to push Netanyahu toward ending the war
Six countries airdropped food into Gaza, with Canada accusing Israel of violating international law

🇺🇳 UN Begins Plastic Pollution Treaty Talks

Delegates are meeting in Geneva to negotiate a global treaty on plastic pollution. A recent Lancet study estimates $1.5 trillion in annual health-related economic losses from plastic-related damage.

🇸🇾 Syria Clashes Despite Integration Deal

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reported new clashes with government troops in Aleppo, despite a prior agreement to integrate SDF forces into the national military. Conflict also flared in Sweida, displacing tens of thousands.

🇮🇳 Trump Threatens Tariffs Over Russian Oil Purchases

Trump said he will substantially increase tariffs on India for continuing to buy Russian oil, calling it a betrayal of U.S. sanctions policy. India’s government called the move “unjustified” and said it has not ordered refineries to stop Russian imports.

🇧🇷 Bolsonaro Under House Arrest

Brazil's Supreme Court placed former President Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest amid trial proceedings over an attempted coup. The Trump administration condemned the move, calling the trial “politicized.”

🇲🇩 Moldova Jails Putin Ally for Election Crimes

Evgeniya Gutsul, the former head of Moldova’s Gagauzia region and a close Putin ally, was sentenced to 7 years in prison for illegal campaign funding in 2023.

🇺🇦 Czech President: Some Occupation May Be Inevitable

Czech President Petr Pavel stated that if preserving Ukrainian independence means temporarily accepting territorial loss, “so be it,” while reaffirming that the West will never recognize those regions as Russian.

Here's my take on this:

🇷🇺 Putin Unlikely to Meet Trump’s Sanctions Deadline

Sources told Reuters that Putin is not expected to comply with Trump's sanctions ultimatum set to expire this Friday. Moscow continues to pursue full control of four Ukrainian regions.

🇨🇳 China Restricts Critical Mineral Exports

China is limiting the export of key minerals needed by Western defense contractors, delaying weapons production. Satellite imagery also shows China is test-flying a new stealthy, tailless combat jet, possibly a drone.

🇪🇺 EU Delays Tariff Retaliation Against U.S.

The European Union has formally delayed two retaliation packages against U.S. tariffs for six months, allowing more time to finalize duty structures — including on spirits.

🇨🇭 Swiss Leaders Rush to Washington Over Tariffs

Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter and Business Minister Guy Parmelin traveled to Washington in an attempt to prevent 39% tariffs on Swiss exports announced by Trump.