Newsroom Briefing | July 2nd, 2025
- Olga Nesterova
- Jul 2
- 17 min read
ONEST NOW News Recap – July 1st
If you missed the latest video news recap, please catch it here! I covered the “Alligator Alcatraz” camp, the ongoing Trump vs. Musk feud, Canada Day celebrations, and more.
Trump Blasts Predecessors, Promises to “Protect” NYC from “Communist Lunatic”
Flying back from a Florida camp tour stop, President Trump offered a pointed review of his predecessors and himself:
“Obama was a terrible president. Biden was the worst president in the history of our country. Bush…I don’t give him very high marks either. I give Trump very high marks.”
Today, Trump also vowed to “protect New York City from the ‘Communist Lunatic’ Mamdani” and promised to make the city “hot and great.”
Controversial GOP Bill Advances in Congress Amid Backroom Deals and Fierce Criticism
The “Big less-than-beautiful Bill” passed the Senate and is being voted on in the House of Representatives, where Republicans hold a 220–212 majority. At one point, voting stalled with 16 Republican members reportedly visiting Trump at the White House to negotiate personal “deals” in exchange for their support.
By the end of the day, House Speaker Mike Johnson "urged GOP unity", saying:
"All of us have to give up our personal preferences."
One of the bill’s most touted provisions by Republicans is eliminating taxes on tips, but Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized it as misleading:
"On this point of tax on tips, as one of the only people in this body who has lived off of tips, I want to tell you a little bit about the scam ... the cap on that is $25,000 while you're jacking up taxes on people who make less than $50,000 across the US ... while kicking them off the ACA."
Former President Barack Obama also weighed in, warning that the bill threatens health coverage for over 16 million Americans by cutting federal Medicaid funding and weakening the Affordable Care Act:
“More than 16 million Americans are at risk of losing their health care because Republicans in Congress are rushing to pass a bill that would cut federal funding for Medicaid and weaken the Affordable Care Act. If the House passes this bill, it will increase costs and hurt working class families for generations to come. Call your representative today and tell them to vote no on this bill.”
Trump Announces Vietnam Trade Deal Amid Questions Over Personal Business Ties
President Donald Trump announced he “closed a deal with Vietnam” under which the U.S. will import Vietnamese products with tariffs ranging from 20–40%, while Vietnam will import U.S. products duty-free. Trump touted the arrangement as another win, but critics note such tariffs effectively act as a tax on U.S. consumers and importers.
The announcement also comes against the backdrop of Trump’s business interests in Vietnam. On May 22, 2025, it was revealed that the Trump Organization had partnered with a unit of Vietnam-listed Kinh Bac City Development Holding Corp. to develop a $1.5 billion golf course, resort, and residential estate in Hung Yen province, south of Hanoi.
Trump Lifts Sanctions on Russian Arms Exporter and Banks Amid Syria, Ukraine Policy Shifts
President Donald Trump has lifted sanctions on several Russian companies and banks, including Rosoboronexport—Russia’s state arms trader and sole authorized exporter of military and dual-use goods. The decision follows his July 1 move to lift restrictions on Syria.
In addition to easing sanctions on Russian financial institutions, allowing them to invest in nuclear energy projects, the Trump administration is also withholding military aid previously allocated to Ukraine by the Biden administration. These shifts come as Ukraine faces intensified Russian military attacks and mounting concerns among European allies about waning U.S. support.
Pentagon Halts Key Weapons Shipments to Ukraine
The Pentagon has suspended shipments of certain air defense missiles and precision-guided munitions to Ukraine, citing “worries about critically low U.S. weapons stockpiles”.
The move, led by Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby, follows an internal review that highlighted dwindling reserves of artillery rounds, missile systems, and other high-demand munitions.
According to Politico, the decision was made in early June but is only now taking effect—just as Ukraine faces intensified Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and other cities. The pause impacts aid packages pledged under the Biden administration, raising questions about how the U.S. will balance its promise to support Ukraine with maintaining its own military readiness (or, some argue, its apparent willingness to favor Russia).
Meanwhile, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce commented on the Russia-Ukraine situation:
"The nature of how we're able to make that commitment is going be based on what is best for America First. It is certainly two nations at war, and America has made a huge difference in that regard... This is not something that the president is not not addressing."
NATO Secretary General Urges Continued U.S. Support for Ukraine Amid Aid Freeze
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte responded to the U.S. decision to halt arms shipments to Ukraine in a recent interview.
He emphasized the critical need for continued American assistance:
"I totally understand that the US always has to make sure that their own interests are covered but when it comes to Ukraine in the short term Ukraine cannot do without all the support it can get when it gets to ammunition and to air defense systems....We cannot do without the practical US support. This is also in the US interest for Ukraine not to lose this war and having a huge Russia now on the border of Europe and of course a secure Europe also means a secure US so this is all completely connected."
At least the slight shift in tone is notable. Less than a week ago, Rutte praised Trump for his “new commitments” and even referred to him as a “daddy.” Now, he is urging that prior aid allocations under the Biden administration not be undone.
European partners were reportedly caught off guard by the U.S. pause in arms shipments. According to Bloomberg, some allies are hoping the Trump administration will soften or reverse the decision—though perhaps the strategy should be to stop hoping.
Macron and Putin Hold First Call Since 2022 Amid Ukraine War and Middle East Tensions
French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone on July 1 for over two hours—their first conversation since 2022. They discussed Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, including Moscow’s advances in Sumy and Dnipropetrovsk Oblasts, as well as the conflict in the Middle East.
The Kremlin said Putin blamed Western policies for creating an “anti-Russian bridgehead” in Ukraine, while Macron reaffirmed France’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, urging an immediate ceasefire and negotiations. Afterward, Macron spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in what Kyiv described as a “constructive” call, noting that Putin showed no willingness to end the war.
The two leaders also discussed rising tensions between Iran and Israel and recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Meanwhile, in Ukraine, children continued sheltering from Russian missile and drone attacks.
Macron Slams European Defense Spending: “We’ve Gone Mad!”
French President Emmanuel Macron criticized European defense policy in blunt terms, saying:
“We Europeans spent 75% of our defense budgets since the war in Ukraine began on non-European solutions. We bought expensive American and South Korean weapons. We have €1.5 billion in the EDIP program for 27 countries — for two years — and yet we’re holding epic debates about limiting non-European arms to 35%, 40%, or 50%. We’ve gone mad!”
Macron’s remarks highlight frustration over Europe’s reliance on foreign weapons instead of investing in its own defense industry.
Over 210,000 Russians Enlist for War in Ukraine in Early 2025
More than 210,000 Russians signed military contracts to fight in Ukraine during the first half of 2025, according to Moscow. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council and former president, described the recruitment pace as “quite decent, good,” signaling sustained Russian mobilization efforts despite ongoing conflict.
Armenian Parliament Speaker Urges Ban on Russian TV Channels
Armenian National Assembly President Alen Simonyan called for serious discussions about halting the broadcast of Russian TV channels in Armenia. Criticizing what he described as “degenerate TV hosts” and “mankurts,” Simonyan argued these programs damage Armenian-Russian relations by interfering in Armenia’s internal affairs. He suggested Armenia should respond by blocking such channels from reaching citizens’ homes, noting that similar individual bans are already in place.
Russian Officer Alleges Order to Shoot Down Azerbaijani Airliner Amid Rising Tensions
Azerbaijani outlet Minval reported that a Russian air defense officer claimed he received orders last December to fire on a target that turned out to be an Azerbaijani passenger jet. The Embraer 190AR operated by Azerbaijan Airlines crashed over Chechnya on Dec. 25, 2024, killing 38 people.
The officer, identified as Captain Dmitry Paladichuk, said poor communication and fog led to the mistaken strike, according to leaked audio and a written note. While Minval could not fully verify the letter, it confirmed the audio ordering the attack. Russian outlets also confirmed Paladichuk’s identity and suggested the plane’s speed should have indicated it was not a drone.
The shootdown has strained relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, traditionally close partners. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev accused Russia of a cover-up, while Putin offered condolences without admitting fault. Tensions have since grown, with deaths of Azerbaijanis in Russian custody and raids on Russian media offices in Baku further worsening ties.
Ukraine Suspected of Attacking Five Russian Shadow Fleet Tankers
Ukraine is suspected of using limpet mines to bomb five oil tankers tied to Russia’s shadow fleet, the Financial Times reports. The attacks targeted four ships in the Mediterranean near Libya and Malta, and one in the Baltic Sea. All had recently called at Russian ports.
The vessels—Vilamoura, Seacharm, Seajewel, Grace Ferrum, and the EU-sanctioned Koala—were transporting Kazakh oil under the G7 price cap. TMS Tankers confirmed engine-room flooding on one tanker holding a million barrels but reported no casualties. Analysts warned that Libyan or other state actors could launch similar attacks in the future.
Zelenskyy Sends Heartfelt Canada Day Greetings
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Canadians on Canada Day with a warm message posted to X on July 1.
NATO Tests New Methods to Protect Baltic Sea Undersea Infrastructure
The NATO Research Vessel (NRV) Alliance is conducting experiments in the Baltic Sea to safeguard critical undersea infrastructure. Off Sweden’s Gotland coast, scientists from the NATO Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) are deploying advanced acoustic sensors to help Allies detect and respond to sabotage of pipelines and data cables. A key trial uses ballast anchors to mimic the sound of anchor drops—an approach suspected in recent seabed interference incidents—to improve real-time detection and tracking. The month-long mission also marks a milestone as NATO operates in these waters with its newest Allies, Finland and Sweden, using the Baltic’s complex seabed and dense infrastructure as an ideal test environment.
U.S. and Israeli Strikes Deal “Major Blow” to Iran’s Nuclear Program, per Pentagon
Retired U.S. Army General David Petraeus shared key details from a June 28, 2025 Middle East update prepared by the ISW/AEI CTP team. Between June 12 and 24, U.S. and Israeli airstrikes reportedly destroyed critical components of Iran’s nuclear weaponization capability at the Esfahan Nuclear Technology Center, including a Uranium Metal Conversion Plant essential for producing an atomic bomb core.
Iran has begun repairs at the bombed Natanz Enrichment Complex, with satellite images showing activity at the crater site. Meanwhile, Israeli strikes over 12 days targeted senior Iranian military and security leaders, killing 56 Artesh personnel—including at least three generals—and senior Law Enforcement Command intelligence officer Brigadier General Mehdi Nemati.
Amid these attacks, Iranian Supreme Leader adviser Ali Shamkhani urged resolving internal disputes through “mutual understanding,” while dismissing nuclear talks with the U.S. as a “deceptive plan” to stir unrest.
The Pentagon estimates the strikes have set back Iran’s nuclear program by two years.
Iran Reportedly Preparing to Mine Strait of Hormuz, Potentially Boosting Russia’s War Economy
Iran is reportedly preparing to mine the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a move that could block about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply and trigger a sharp rise in global energy prices. Such a disruption would be a potential boon for Russia’s oil-dependent economy, providing Moscow with increased revenue to help fund its war in Ukraine.
Iran Suspends IAEA Cooperation but Signals Openness to Diplomacy
Iran’s law halting cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) took effect today after passing its legislature last week. The UN nuclear watchdog said it is awaiting details on the suspension, while Israel called for reimposing sanctions on Iran. Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign minister told CBS that despite tensions over nuclear talks with Washington, the “doors of diplomacy will never slam shut.”
NATIONAL NEWS
Trump Expands Branded Merchandise to Fragrances
U.S. President Donald Trump is adding fragrances (priced at $249 each) to his growing line of merchandise, sparking new questions about his use of the presidential platform to promote products that financially benefit him and his family.
Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Block CPSC Reinstatement
President Trump’s administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday to intervene in his effort to fire three Democratic members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The administration is seeking to put on hold a judicial order that calls for their reinstatement.
Undocumented Immigrants’ Tax Contributions
Based on 2022 data from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, undocumented migrants paid about $19.5 billion in federal income taxes and $7.0 billion in state and local income taxes—a combined total of approximately $26.5 billion.
Paramount Settles Trump Lawsuit Over Harris Interview
Paramount has agreed to pay $16 million to settle President Trump’s lawsuit over the editing of a “60 Minutes” interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris. The settlement has drawn condemnation from CBS News staff, press freedom advocates, and lawmakers.
FTC Staff Object to Workshop on Gender-Affirming Care
Some staff at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission have raised concerns about a planned agency workshop on what it describes as the dangers of gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth. According to a letter seen by Reuters, employees argue the event oversteps the FTC’s consumer-protection mandate.
Jan. 6 Defendant Sentenced to Life for FBI Murder Plot
A man who took part in the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday for conspiring to kill the FBI agents investigating him, the Justice Department and court records show.
CIA Review Finds Flaws in 2016 Election Assessment Process
A CIA review released on Wednesday identified flaws in how the agency produced its assessment that Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to help Donald Trump in the 2016 U.S. election. However, the review did not dispute the conclusion itself.
Appeals Court Reinstates Soccer Bribery Convictions
A U.S. appeals court on Wednesday reinstated the convictions of a former Fox executive and an Argentine sports marketing company for bribing soccer officials to secure lucrative broadcasting rights.
CDC Backs Vaccine Panel’s Recommendations
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has adopted recommendations made by its vaccine advisory panel in April, months before Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. abruptly fired the panel members.
Religious-Objection Lawsuit Against Fed Revived
A federal appeals court on Wednesday revived part of a lawsuit accusing the Federal Reserve Bank of New York of illegally firing two employees who refused COVID-19 vaccinations on religious grounds.
FDA Approves Regeneron Drug for Multiple Myeloma
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals announced Wednesday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved its new treatment for multiple myeloma in patients who have already undergone at least four prior therapies.
Wisconsin Supreme Court Blocks Enforcement of 1849 Abortion Ban
Wisconsin’s highest court ruled on Wednesday that an 1849 law banning abortion in nearly all cases cannot be enforced, rejecting claims it had been revived following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision returning abortion regulation to individual states.
Weak Outlook for U.S. Dollar
A Reuters poll of foreign exchange analysts forecasts that the U.S. dollar will remain weak in the coming months, weighed down by rising debt concerns, unpredictable tariff policies, and expectations of interest rate cuts.
Judge Blocks Trump Move to End Haitian Protections Early
A federal judge on Tuesday rejected the Trump administration’s bid to end Temporary Protected Status and work permits early for about 521,000 Haitian immigrants. The DHS had sought to rescind President Biden’s extension of the program through February 3, 2026.
Judge Blocks Trump Administration HHS Reorganization
A federal judge on Tuesday blocked the Trump administration’s plans to overhaul the Department of Health and Human Services, which would have reorganized several agencies and significantly reduced their workforce.
Senate Budget Bill Cuts Strategic Petroleum Reserve Funding
The budget bill passed by the U.S. Senate on Tuesday reduces funding to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, despite President Trump’s vow on his first day in his second term to fill it “right to the top.”
EV Advocates Push to Preserve Tax Credits
An electric vehicle advocacy group on Tuesday urged the U.S. House to revise a Senate-passed bill that would end the $7,500 tax credit for new EV sales and leases, as well as the $4,000 credit for used EVs, on September 30.
Pro-Palestinian Georgetown Student Wins Deportation Reprieve
A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday ruled that a pro-Palestinian Georgetown University student from India, who had been detained by the Trump administration, can remain free while fighting deportation efforts.
DEFENSE
U.S. Southern Border Security
Approximately 8,500 military personnel assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border are continuing to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection by helping to identify, track, and disrupt threats at the southern border, according to a Department of Defense press release.
Air Force Budget Concerns
Roughly one-third of the overall U.S. Air Force funding for JetZero’s Z4 blended wing body demonstrator is at risk of being cut in the fiscal 2026 budget request.
General Dynamics Submarine Contract
General Dynamics Electric Boat, the submarine-building unit of General Dynamics, announced it received a $1.85 billion modification to its existing Virginia-class submarine contract. The funding will cover long-lead-time materials and preliminary construction efforts for the nuclear-powered vessels.
Senate Passes GOP Tax-and-Spending Package
The Senate passed the Republicans’ sweeping tax-and-spending package on July 1 with a 51–50 vote after a 27-hour marathon session. Often referred to as the reconciliation bill, it includes $150 billion in defense funding that supports key Air Force and Space Force priorities for next year.
Change of Command at U.S. European Command
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over as the U.S. and its allies continue to confront a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine. Grynkewich is of Belarusian descent; his great-grandfather Ilya Grynkewich immigrated to the United States from Minsk in 1899.
Space Force Missile Warning Satellite Delay
The Space Force's first planned launch for its new missile warning constellation in medium-Earth orbit has slipped from late 2026 to spring 2027 due to an unproven key component. Despite the delay, the service reports continued progress and is moving forward with additional satellite batches, according to the Guardian officer overseeing the effort.
California National Guard Redeployment
Some of the California National Guard troops deployed to Los Angeles last month by President Trump will be released from their mission to assist with the upcoming wildfire season. On July 1, U.S. Northern Command announced that approximately 150 Guardsmen were released from their federal assignment protecting Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents under Task Force 51.
Boeing Names New Defense Chief
Boeing announced on July 1 that Stephen Parker has been named president and chief executive of its Defense, Space and Security business, removing the interim title he has held since last September. Parker will oversee all aspects of the division, which has faced losses, production delays, cost overruns, and challenges with its Starliner spacecraft program that left astronauts stranded in space for over nine months.
Cyber Command Budget Increase
U.S. Cyber Command is seeking a significant funding boost in the fiscal 2026 budget to enhance Indo-Pacific Command’s network sensing, defense capabilities, data feeds, and analytic resources, according to newly released documents.
Space Development Agency Progress
The Space Development Agency’s experimental satellite program has achieved a record-fast transition to full operating mode, which officials see as a strong start for the Pentagon’s broader military space strategy.
Israel’s New Defense Technologies
During its recent 12-day conflict with Iran, Israel debuted new defense technologies, including the first operational use of the Barak air defense system and the first public acknowledgment of an Israeli Defense Forces unit employing electromagnetic spectrum defenses to counter drones.
Air Force Tanker Strategy Shift
Just two years after announcing plans for a futuristic stealthy tanker, the U.S. Air Force is once again changing its approach to its air refueling fleet. It is now looking to extend tanker production in a move that could benefit Boeing’s KC-46 Pegasus.
LeoLabs Radar Upgrade Funding
LeoLabs, a California-based operator of ground-based radars for tracking objects in low Earth orbit, announced it has secured $4 million in funding from a U.S. military program to upgrade its mobile surveillance radar systems.
Air Force Drone Launch Capability
The U.S. Air Force has developed a system for launching small drones from its KC-135 aerial refueling tankers and is exploring adding this capability across its fleet. The drones could improve situational awareness, help defend the tankers from threats, and potentially support other missions in the future.
GLOBAL NEWS
USAID to End Current Foreign Aid Implementation
The U.S. Agency for International Development will officially stop implementing traditional foreign aid programs on Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced. He said future American assistance would be more targeted and limited.
Chinese Nationals Charged with Espionage
U.S. prosecutors have charged two Chinese nationals with acting as agents of China’s security services. The Justice Department accused them of gathering intelligence about U.S. Navy bases and attempting to identify Navy personnel willing to spy for Beijing.
Huawei Loses Bid to Dismiss Charges
A U.S. judge on Tuesday rejected Huawei Technologies’ attempt to dismiss most of a federal indictment. The Chinese telecommunications giant is accused of trying to steal technology secrets from American rivals and misleading banks about its business dealings in Iran.
Trump Firm on Trade Deadline
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he is not considering an extension of the July 9 deadline for countries to negotiate trade deals with the U.S. He also expressed skepticism that an agreement could be reached with Japan.
Quad Pledges Cooperation on Critical Minerals
At a Quad foreign ministers meeting in Washington, Australia, India, Japan, and the United States pledged to work together to secure supplies of critical minerals. While details were limited, Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that 30 or 40 companies from the member countries were scheduled to meet at the State Department to discuss cooperation on critical mineral supply chains.
U.S.-India Trade Talks Face Sticking Points
U.S. and Indian trade negotiators continued discussions on Wednesday in an effort to secure a tariff-reduction deal before Trump’s July 9 deadline. However, disagreements over U.S. dairy and agriculture exports remained unresolved, according to sources familiar with the talks.
Trump to Host African Leaders' Summit
The first African leaders' summit of President Donald Trump’s second term will take place next week in Washington. Media reports indicate that heads of state from western and central African nations will attend.
Spain and World Bank to Launch Debt-Restructuring Hub
Spain and the World Bank announced plans to establish a hub to help countries restructure debt in order to finance social and environmental projects. While “debt swaps” have become increasingly popular, they are often complex and slow to finalize. Many recent deals have been supported by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, though it remains unclear if such support will continue under Trump.
Russian Advances in Eastern Ukraine
Russia has launched incursions near two key towns essential to Ukrainian army supply routes in eastern Ukraine, a Ukrainian military official said on Wednesday. The moves are part of Moscow’s push for a breakthrough in its summer offensive, at a time when Kyiv faces uncertainty over continued U.S. support.
Trump Administration Restores Aid for Tibetans
President Trump’s administration has reversed previous aid cuts for Tibetans in exile, approving $7 million in funding for projects that support health and education. The leader of the Tibetan government-in-exile confirmed the new aid package on Wednesday.
Escalating Violence in Gaza and the West Bank
Hostilities have continued in Gaza and the West Bank despite the recent U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran. Israel has intensified airstrikes in northern Gaza City after issuing partial evacuation orders, with Monday’s strikes killing 30 people at a café and gunfire killing 23 more. Israeli tanks and planes also targeted homes in both northern and southern Gaza.
Meanwhile, about 170 charities and NGOs have called for shutting down the Israel- and U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), citing the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians seeking aid since late May. Critics accuse Israeli forces and armed groups of routinely shooting at civilians trying to access aid. Some Israeli military sources reportedly confirmed orders to fire toward aid-seeking crowds, but Israel denies deliberately targeting civilians and says the GHF is designed to bypass Hamas and deliver aid directly to those in need.
Ceasefire Talks in Gaza
Hamas said on Wednesday it is reviewing what President Donald Trump described as a “final” ceasefire proposal for Gaza. Hamas insists that Israel must withdraw from the enclave. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Hamas “would be eliminated.”
Dalai Lama Addresses Succession
Ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday, the Dalai Lama told a gathering of Tibetan leaders that his foundation will take exclusive responsibility for identifying his successor. Beijing responded that the Chinese government must approve any successor. Traditionally, the search for the new Dalai Lama begins only after the incumbent’s death, but activists warn that China views the period of transition as a strategic opportunity to tighten control over Tibet.
TODAY IN HISTORY
1776 – The Continental Congress voted for independence from Britain. Though July 4 is celebrated as Independence Day in the United States, the formal vote for independence actually took place on July 2. John Adams even predicted Americans would remember July 2 as their national holiday.
1839 – Enslaved Africans seized control of the Spanish schooner La Amistad. The revolt led to a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case affirming their right to fight for freedom.
1881 – U.S. President James A. Garfield was shot by Charles J. Guiteau in Washington, D.C. Garfield died of his wounds on September 19.
1937 – Amelia Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan disappeared over the Pacific during an attempt to fly around the world. Despite extensive searches, their fate remains one of aviation’s great mysteries.
1964 – U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law. The landmark legislation banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, and ended segregation in public places.
1976 – North and South Vietnam were officially reunified as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam with Hanoi as its capital.
2002 – Steve Fossett became the first person to fly solo nonstop around the world in a balloon, landing in Australia after a 14-day journey.
COMING UP
Tomorrow, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Trinidad and Tobago, strengthening ties between India and the Caribbean nation.
On Monday, President Donald Trump plans to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House to discuss the situation in Gaza and ongoing tensions with Iran.
That's all for now. Thank you for reading. The next Newsroom Briefing will arrive on Friday.
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