Newsroom Briefing | June 30th, 2025
- Olga Nesterova
- Jun 30
- 17 min read

Senator Chris Murphy Highlights Alarming Provisions in GOP’s 900-Page Bill
U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) says Republicans just introduced a 900-page bill that none of them have read—so his team is reviewing it line by line. In a series of updates, he outlined what he calls hidden and harmful provisions:
Medicaid Cuts Expanded: The bill increases the number of Americans losing health coverage through Medicaid cuts from 16 million to 17 million.
New Tax on Renewables: Beyond eliminating all existing tax incentives for wind and solar energy, the bill adds a new tax on these projects—making it even harder for America to build renewable energy infrastructure. Murphy points out Trump had promised the oil industry policies like this in exchange for a $1 billion campaign donation.
Ban on State AI Regulation: The bill includes language effectively banning states from regulating artificial intelligence—a major giveaway to tech companies that, Murphy argues, want to addict kids, pollute politics, and kill jobs with no guardrails. While there's talk of “new language,” Murphy says it still functions as a ban.
Coal Industry Tax Breaks: While cutting incentives for renewables, the bill provides new tax breaks for coal companies. Murphy says this makes it official policy not only to deny climate change, but to actively worsen it.
Cuts to ACA Subsidies: The bill slashes financial help for middle-income Americans buying coverage on the Affordable Care Act exchanges. Murphy says a 60-year-old couple earning $85,000 a year could see their premiums rise by $26,000—a devastating increase.
Senator Murphy says he’ll keep sharing updates as his team continues combing through the legislation.
Trump to Visit Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” Migrant Camp Amid Fierce Debate

President Donald Trump is set to visit Florida on Tuesday for the official opening of a controversial new immigration detention facility in the heart of the Everglades, popularly dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed the visit Monday, calling the facility a tough new tool in the Trump campaign’s promised mass deportation drive.
“We have the president of the United States coming down tomorrow to tout what Florida has done,” DeSantis said at a press conference, adding that the camp would be “open for business” by the time of Trump’s visit.
The detention center, built under an emergency order, occupies a 30-square-mile swath of swampy former airport land in Miami-Dade County. The site has been outfitted with heavy-duty tents to house up to 5,000 people awaiting deportation.
State officials highlight its “natural” security: dense Everglades marshes filled with alligators and pythons. “Clearly, from a security perspective, if someone escapes, you know, there are a lot of alligators you're going to have to contend with,” DeSantis said. “No one's going anywhere once you do that. It's as safe and secure as can be.”
Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt defended the facility Monday, describing it as “isolated and surrounded by dangerous wildlife,” and touting it as an “efficient and low cost” solution for mass deportations.
“The only way out is a one-way flight,” Leavitt said, calling it key to what she described as the largest mass deportation effort in U.S. history. She also pointed to the proposed OBBB legislation as a way to authorize construction of additional similar camps.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem likewise endorsed the project, saying it is meant to house “some of the worst scumbags” who crossed the border illegally during the Biden administration.
“Alligator Alcatraz, and other facilities like it, will give us the capability to lock up some of the worst scumbags who entered our country under the previous administration,” Noem posted to X on Friday. “I will continue to stand alongside our officers as they protect and defend our homeland. Make America Safe.”
Meanwhile, the project has faced fierce pushback. Environmentalists and immigrant advocates staged protests along Highway 41 on Saturday, with signs reading “No Alligator Alcatraz” and “Another stupid plan to abuse people & the Everglades.”
A coalition of environmental groups also filed a last-minute lawsuit Friday against federal and state agencies, arguing the facility threatens the delicate Everglades ecosystem.

Aerial photos show the detention camp taking shape at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, with heavy-duty generators and tent structures erected amid the swampy terrain.
Despite the backlash, DeSantis remains unapologetic.
“The state of Florida is all in on President Trump’s mission,” he said during a Fox & Friends tour of the facility on Friday. “There needs to be more ability to intake, process and deport.”
Trump’s visit is expected to further galvanize both supporters of his immigration crackdown and opponents who see “Alligator Alcatraz” as an emblem of inhumane and ecologically reckless policy.
Ukraine Update: The Latest Developments
Russia launched its largest air attack of the war this weekend, firing 537 aerial weapons at Ukraine in a major summer offensive. Ukraine’s air force reported most of the weapons were shot down or lost due to electronic jamming, but at least four people were killed, and a Ukrainian F-16 pilot died while defending the country. Ukraine is using fighter jets for air defense because it lacks enough missiles, with U.S. supplies slowing since Donald Trump returned to office. Russia aims to exhaust Ukraine’s air defense, according to Ukraine’s defense minister.
The Pentagon recently diverted anti-drone technology previously meant for Ukraine to the Middle East, though after meeting with Zelenskyy at the NATO Summit, Trump said "he would consider" sending more Patriot missiles.
Off the battlefield, Zelenskyy signed a decree withdrawing Ukraine from the international Ottawa Treaty banning landmines, citing Russia’s use of them, joining other European countries that have exited or plan to exit the treaty.
Meanwhile, Russia’s intelligence chief said he spoke with the CIA director and is open to further talks, but Putin described the positions in recent peace discussions as “absolutely contradictory.”
Trump Administration Authorizes Transactions with Sanctioned Russian Banks for Civil Nuclear Projects
The Trump administration has quietly issued a new waiver allowing U.S. entities to conduct transactions with major Russian banks previously under sanctions—including Sberbank, VTB, Gazprombank, Alfa-Bank, and even the Central Bank of Russia—for certain civil nuclear energy projects.
According to the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), General License No. 115B permits these transactions through December 19, 2025, for activities “solely to maintain or support civil nuclear projects initiated before November 21, 2024.”
The license effectively carves out an exception in sweeping financial sanctions imposed under Executive Order 14024, which originally aimed to limit Russia’s ability to access global finance. The move undermines claims of maintaining “maximum pressure” on Moscow, as it reopens channels for sanctioned banks—including Sberbank, VTB, Gazprombank, Alfa-Bank, and others named in the order—to handle certain U.S.-linked payments.
While the Treasury describes the waiver as “narrowly focused on civil nuclear cooperation”, the long list of authorized institutions includes nearly all of Russia’s largest banks and its Central Bank—highlighting the enduring contradictions in the sanctions regime.
Azerbaijan Cracks Down on Russian State Media as Relations Sour
Azerbaijani authorities have raided the offices of the Russian state propaganda outlet Sputnik in Baku, arresting employees whom they accuse of being FSB agents. The move marks a sharp escalation in tensions between Azerbaijan and Russia.
Relations have deteriorated badly, with Azerbaijan accusing Moscow of undermining its sovereignty and meddling in its affairs. In response, Azeri state television has begun airing highly critical segments targeting President Vladimir Putin and Russia’s imperial legacy.
One recent broadcast asked: “What happened, Mr. Putin? Are you so worried that Azerbaijan has become a strong state, regained its lands, restored sovereignty, defends its interests, and that President Ilham Aliyev is recognized globally?”
The segment accused Russia of retaining a colonial mindset, comparing today’s Kremlin tactics to Stalin-era repression: “Whether tsarist or Soviet times, Russians were the master race; others were second-class. Though those empires are gone, the mindset persists. In the past, Stalin used the NKVD; now Putin uses OMON. The year ’37 continues—harsher and more serious.”
The broadcast also condemned Russia’s role in the long-running Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: “History forgets nothing: Stalin’s repressions, January 20, Khojaly, 30 years of occupation—all endured not only by Armenia but at the hands of Russia. For 30 years, it blocked resolution of Karabakh, played with our national pride—and now shows its strength to Azerbaijanis inside Russia.”
The public airing of such grievances underscores the deepening rift between the two former Soviet republics, as Azerbaijan asserts its independence and criticizes Moscow’s influence in the region.
Highlights from Today’s Russian Papers (via BBC’s Steven Rosenberg)
In today’s Russian papers: the federal budget is being readjusted due to lower oil prices; pork prices are on the rise; one paper mocks Europe, saying “Like a monkey on a bicycle, Europe’s economy is careering towards the abyss”; and there’s commentary on how “Putin threw fuel onto the fire of Trump’s vanity.”
China’s Top Diplomat Heads to Europe Amid Strained Ties
China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, began a European tour on Monday to strengthen ties with the European Union, France, and Germany—framing the relationship as an “anchor of stability” in a turbulent world. Beijing hopes to position Europe as a counterweight to the United States, even as major tensions persist over trade imbalances, market access, and China’s close ties with Russia during its war in Ukraine.
Wang will hold high-level talks in Brussels with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, meet Germany’s new conservative government for diplomacy and security discussions, and visit France for talks with Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.
Despite calls for cooperation on multilateralism and free trade, EU-China relations remain rocky. The bloc has accused Beijing of unfair trade practices, leading to tit-for-tat tariffs—including disputes over electric vehicles and French cognac. Tensions rose further after the EU barred Chinese firms from large government medical device contracts in retaliation for China’s market restrictions.
Rare earth exports are also a flashpoint: Beijing now requires licenses for these critical materials, drawing industry complaints. China has proposed a “green channel” to ease rare earth exports to Europe, but many disagreements remain unresolved as both sides seek to manage an increasingly complex and contentious relationship.
New Study Details China’s Expansive, Evolving Online Censorship System
A new study and online resource by ChinaFile, the Asia Society’s online magazine, offers a deep dive into the inner workings of China’s vast online censorship regime, examining how it operates technically, how it shapes information flows both into and within China, and what it means for the future of the global internet.
Led by ChinaFile Senior Editor for Investigations Jessica Batke and Northeastern University Computer Science Assistant Professor Laura Edelson, the project draws on interviews with experts, decades of computer science research, and a detailed review of policy and regulatory changes. It explores not only the technical architecture but also the social and political dimensions of censorship in China—offering insight into its purpose, scope, and likely evolution.
The authors warn that anyone seeking to defend an open, global internet must understand the risks posed by a censorship system that transcends borders and the threats to user privacy embedded in new technical standards.
Key findings include:
Beyond a “Firewall”: China’s system isn’t just about blocking outside information. It’s a complex, adaptive apparatus spanning online and offline controls. The authors dub it “the Locknet,” likening it to a water-control system that can selectively hold back or release information.
Harder to Evade: China’s censorship tools are becoming more sophisticated and less visible, making it harder for citizens to detect when information is being blocked or filtered—and when they need to use circumvention tools.
Global Reach: Elements of China’s censorship are extending into the broader internet. International users may be affected when companies replicate China’s censorship—for example, by integrating censored large language models into widely used products.
Privacy Risks in New Standards: Chinese tech companies are promoting new internet standards that sacrifice user privacy for efficiency. These standards are already deployed inside and outside China. The report warns that if international regulators fail to scrutinize these technologies, they risk undermining privacy and free expression worldwide.
Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting in Washington: Managing Tensions and Shaping Indo-Pacific Strategy
Asia Society Policy Institute experts preview the June 30–July 2 Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting in Washington, D.C., highlighting the complex dynamics at play among the U.S., Japan, Australia, and India.
Danny Russel notes that the meeting comes at an awkward time, with Japan recently canceling bilateral talks over U.S. defense and trade demands. Despite frustrations with the Trump administration, the three partners see the Quad as essential to keeping Washington engaged and stable in the Indo-Pacific and as a counterweight to China. However, they remain cautious about letting the U.S. turn the grouping into an overt anti-China bloc. The ministers must also prepare for the leaders’ summit in Delhi later this year and demonstrate continued Indo-Pacific coordination despite global distractions.
Emma Chanlett-Avery points out that the meeting may show whether the Quad is the Trump administration’s main platform for Indo-Pacific multilateral engagement, especially after Japan, Korea, and Australia snubbed the NATO summit. She emphasizes that messaging must avoid forcing Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands into a binary U.S.-China choice. While Biden-era priorities like climate and health may recede under Secretary Rubio, maritime security could become a shared focus.
Farwa Aamer highlights that the meeting will help set the agenda for the leaders’ summit in India. Although Indo-Pacific issues remain central, other tensions—including the Iran-Israel conflict, Russia engagement, and India-Pakistan dynamics—could complicate unity. For India, the timing is crucial given high-stakes U.S. trade talks and a fragile ceasefire with Pakistan, making this an important moment to strengthen U.S.-India strategic ties despite recent strains.
NATIONAL NEWS
Apple Lawsuit Proceeds
A U.S. judge ruled Monday that Apple must face the Justice Department’s lawsuit accusing the company of unlawfully dominating the U.S. smartphone market. U.S. District Judge Julien Neals in Newark, New Jersey, denied Apple’s motion to dismiss claims that it used restrictions on third-party app and device developers to discourage users from switching to competitors.
Trump Blames AT&T for Tech Issues on Call with Faith Leaders
President Donald Trump on Monday blamed AT&T for technical problems during a conference call with American faith leaders. He urged the wireless carrier’s CEO to personally address the issue.

Supreme Court Tosses Rulings Favoring Transgender Plaintiffs
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday threw out lower-court decisions in cases from North Carolina, West Virginia, Idaho, and Oklahoma that had favored transgender people. The disputes included challenges to state health insurance programs that deny coverage for gender-affirming medical care.
Appeals Court to Hear Key Deportation Case
A federal appeals court heard oral arguments Monday in a pivotal case testing whether the Trump administration can use an 18th-century law to expedite deportations.
Trump Administration Appeals Ruling on Law Firm Executive Order
The Trump administration on Monday appealed a federal judge’s decision to strike down an executive order targeting law firm Perkins Coie over its past work for Hillary Clinton and others.
Record Healthcare Fraud Operation Uncovered
The Justice Department announced Monday that it had disrupted a series of healthcare fraud schemes aiming to steal $14.6 billion from the government. The operation, the largest of its kind in U.S. history, led to criminal charges against 324 defendants and the seizure of over $245 million in cash, luxury cars, and other assets. Officials said the actual loss to the government totaled approximately $2.9 billion.
U.S. Revokes Visas for British Punk-Rap Duo
The United States has revoked visas for members of the British punk-rap group Bob Vylan after they led chants at Glastonbury Festival that the State Department and the BBC described as antisemitic.
BlackRock Warns on U.S. Debt Impact
BlackRock cautioned Monday that surging U.S. government debt could reduce investor appetite for long-dated Treasuries and the dollar, strengthening the case for seeking investment opportunities abroad.
Trump Administration Eyes Fed Leadership Changes
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday that the administration is considering filling the next expected Federal Reserve Board of Governors vacancy in early 2026 with a successor to Chair Jerome Powell. Asked about the possibility of becoming chair himself, Bessent said, “I will do what the president wants.”
Senators Agree on AI Regulation Moratorium
Two key Republican senators agreed to a revised plan for a five-year federal moratorium on state-level regulation of artificial intelligence, while allowing states to adopt rules for child online safety and protections for artists’ likenesses.
Iranian-Affiliated Hackers Threaten U.S. Targets
U.S. officials warned Monday that Iranian-affiliated hackers may target American companies and critical infrastructure operators, especially defense organizations with links to Israeli research and defense firms.
Trump Warns on Potential Tariff Hikes
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Monday that countries could face sharply higher U.S. tariffs on July 9 even if they are negotiating in good faith, noting that any extensions would be at President Trump’s discretion.
Supreme Court Seeks Administration’s Views on Bayer Lawsuits
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday asked the Trump administration for its opinion on Bayer’s bid to limit lawsuits alleging that its Roundup weedkiller causes cancer, potentially saving the company billions in damages.
Supreme Court Rejects Exxon Mobil Appeal
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear Exxon Mobil Corp’s appeal of a $14.25 million civil penalty in a long-running lawsuit over air pollution at its Baytown, Texas, refinery.
Supreme Court to Hear Campaign Finance Challenge
The Court agreed Monday to review a Republican-led challenge on free speech grounds to a federal campaign finance law provision that limits spending coordination between parties and candidates. The case involves Vice President JD Vance.
Senate Republicans to Push Tax and Spending Bill
Senate Republicans will attempt Monday to pass President Trump’s sweeping tax-cut and spending bill, despite internal divisions over its projected $3.3 trillion increase to the national debt.
EPA Employees Publish Declaration of Dissent
Nearly 300 current and recently terminated employees of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday published a declaration outlining five major concerns about how the Trump administration’s politicization of science and severe job cuts are undermining the agency’s mission.
NHTSA Investigates Jaguar Land Rover Vehicles
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday it has opened a preliminary investigation into 91,856 Jaguar Land Rover vehicles over concerns about potentially faulty front steering knuckles.
DEFENSE
Air Force Budget and Weapons
Thanks to budget reconciliation, the fiscal 2026 Air Force budget will see a significant boost in munitions procurement, though it’s uncertain whether production levels can be sustained. For the first time, the Air Force disclosed funding details for its secret AIM-260 JATM air-to-air missile program.
Air Force One Jet Modification
The Air Force redirected surplus funds from its delayed new nuclear missile program to convert a former Qatari royal jet for use as President Donald Trump’s Air Force One, the service’s top civilian confirmed on June 26.
Military Family Mental Health
A new survey found that military and veteran spouses experience depression and anxiety at two to three times the rate of the general population. Many also report challenges in finding community support, peer networks, and suitable employment.
Fatal Ejection Seat Accident
At Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas last spring, an instructor pilot failed to fully insert a safety pin into his T-6 ejection seat after a flight and accidentally triggered the handle while not fully strapped in, leading to his death when the seat launched him 100 feet into the air.
Pentagon Tests New Secure Network
The Pentagon is working to simplify its classified networks and is testing a secure, cloud-based system aboard a British aircraft carrier in the Indo-Pacific region, a senior defense technology official announced on June 26.
U.S.-Mexico Border Military Zones
The Defense Department is establishing two more military buffer zones along the southwestern U.S. border with Mexico, bringing the total to four "National Defense Areas." Military personnel can temporarily detain undocumented migrants who trespass on these areas. Additionally, a 250-mile stretch of the Rio Grande in Texas will be transferred to Joint Base San Antonio.
Cybersecurity Rules of Engagement
A senior lawmaker warned that existing rules of engagement in cyberspace may be too restrictive, limiting America’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to evolving digital threats.
Reliance on Chinese Suppliers
Despite bipartisan calls to reduce economic ties with China, a new study by analysis firm Govini warns that the U.S. defense industrial base remains heavily reliant on Chinese suppliers—highlighting a significant strategic vulnerability.
Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon’s Future
N
ebraska Republican U.S. Representative Don Bacon appears likely to leave Congress in early 2027. His departure would shake national politics, as he represents one of the country’s few true swing districts.
SpaceX Military Launch Contract
SpaceX secured an $81.6 million contract to launch a U.S. military weather-monitoring satellite in 2027. Awarded on June 27, it is SpaceX’s third consecutive win under the National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1 program.
Russian Seizure of Ukrainian Lithium Deposit
Russian forces have taken control of a valuable lithium deposit in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, denying Kyiv a critical resource that could have supported a new economic partnership with the United States.
Air Force Fitness Test Changes
The Air Force announced that basic and technical trainees will no longer have alternative exercise options in fitness tests; only the three traditional events will now be used in assessments.
DARPA Cancels Nuclear Engine Project
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has canceled its five-year-old Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations project, aimed at developing a nuclear thermal spacecraft engine, citing costs that no longer justify the benefits.
GLOBAL NEWS
Canada
Canada Backtracks on Digital Services Tax
Canada scrapped its planned digital services tax, which was set to take effect today, after opposition from Donald Trump led him to cut short bilateral trade talks on Friday. The tax would have imposed a 3% levy on certain revenues earned by companies such as Amazon, Google, and Meta. The Canadian government said both sides now aim to reach a new “trade arrangement” by July 21.
Iran
Damage Assessment After U.S. Strikes
Iran could be capable of producing enriched uranium “in a matter of months” despite recent U.S. airstrikes causing what the UN’s nuclear watchdog chief called a “very serious level of damage.” IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi made the comments in an interview aired yesterday. Washington has sought to resume nuclear talks with Tehran following the strikes, but Iran’s deputy foreign minister said negotiations would require the U.S. to rule out further attacks.
Syria
Trump to End U.S. Sanctions on Syria
President Trump signed an executive order Monday ending U.S. sanctions on Syria. The move follows Trump’s earlier decision to unwind these measures to support Syria’s rebuilding after its civil war.
Ukraine
Ten Newly Appointed Judges Take the Oath of Office
In the presence of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, ten judges took the oath of office on June 30, 2025. Nine will serve in local courts of general jurisdiction and one in a local commercial court. The new judges come from regions across Ukraine, including Lviv, Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Dnipro, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kharkiv, and Cherkasy. Zelenskyy stressed that much depends on the integrity of those who administer justice, urging judges to uphold justice for the state. Taking the oath is a required step before officially beginning judicial duties.
Russia
Kremlin Reacts to New Sanctions Proposal
The Kremlin said Monday it had taken note of remarks by U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, who is sponsoring a tough new sanctions bill on Russia. Moscow warned that the bill’s supporters should consider its impact on efforts to reach a peace deal in Ukraine.
Hong Kong
Last Street Protest Party Disbands
Hong Kong’s League of Social Democrats (LSD) announced yesterday it will disband “in the face of immense political pressure.” The group was the last pro-democracy party staging street protests in the city after Beijing imposed sweeping security laws in 2020. Many LSD members were arrested the following year.
China
Senior Naval Official Purged in Anti-Corruption Drive
Senior Navy Admiral Miao Hua was removed from a small but influential commission overseeing China’s military, Beijing announced Friday. He is under investigation for “serious violations of discipline,” signaling his fall in an ongoing anti-corruption campaign. Miao is one of the highest-ranking officials to be ousted from the oversight body in decades.
Uganda
Museveni Confirms Bid for Seventh Term
President Yoweri Museveni announced Saturday that he will run for a seventh term in next January’s election, extending his nearly 40-year rule. Opposition leader Bobi Wine, who plans to challenge him again, alleged fraud in the country’s 2021 vote after official results showed Museveni won.
Serbia
Mass Anti-Government Protest in Belgrade
Roughly 140,000 people joined an anti-government demonstration in Belgrade on Saturday, the BBC reported, marking the largest protest in months. The rally is part of a wave of demonstrations against President Aleksandar Vučić’s government that began last November. Police arrested dozens of people. Despite being a candidate for EU membership, Serbia has maintained close ties to Moscow and has not joined Western sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Sudan
Aid Cuts Delay Food Deliveries
Hundreds of thousands of doses of a high-calorie food supplement meant to prevent malnutrition in Sudan have been delayed due to foreign aid cuts under the Trump administration, the manufacturer told the Washington Post. The World Health Organization warns that about five million people in Sudan risk losing access to lifesaving services. The State Department said it is “continuing lifesaving programs.”
TODAY IN HISTORY
1908 – Tunguska Event: A massive explosion flattened 2,000 square kilometers of forest in Siberia. Believed to have been caused by an airburst of a meteor or comet fragment, it remains the largest impact event in recorded history with no impact crater.
1934 – Night of the Long Knives begins: Adolf Hitler launched a violent purge of his political rivals in Nazi Germany. Over the next days, SS squads killed leaders of the SA and other opponents, consolidating Hitler’s absolute power.
1960 – Congo gains independence: The Democratic Republic of the Congo declared independence from Belgium, with Patrice Lumumba as prime minister and Joseph Kasavubu as president.
1966 – U.S. bombs North Vietnam fuel depots: In the Vietnam War, American planes attacked major fuel storage facilities near Hanoi and Haiphong, escalating the conflict.
1971 – Soyuz 11 tragedy: The Soviet Soyuz 11 mission ended in disaster when its three cosmonauts died during re-entry due to cabin depressurization—the only human deaths in space (as opposed to during launch or landing).
1985 – Route 66 decommissioned: The iconic U.S. highway was officially removed from the United States Highway System after nearly 60 years of service.
1997 – UK hands Hong Kong to China: At midnight (technically July 1, but ceremonies began June 30), the British colony of Hong Kong was handed over to China, ending more than 150 years of colonial rule under the “one country, two systems” arrangement.
2013 – Egyptian protests begin: Massive demonstrations erupted across Egypt demanding President Mohamed Morsi’s resignation. The protests led to his ouster by the military days later.
COMING UP
Today: Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that a by-election will take place on August 18, 2025, in the Battle River—Crowfoot electoral district in Alberta.
Tomorrow: Denmark takes over the six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Tomorrow: Vietnam will launch a new administrative model aimed at reducing the number of provinces in the country.
Tomorrow: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will visit Toulouse, France, to attend the Airbus Top Executive Forum.
That's all for now. Thank you for reading. The next Newsroom Briefing will arrive on Wednesday.
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