Donald Trump's legal team has requested a pause in the classified documents case against him in Florida, leveraging a recent Supreme Court ruling that grants presidents broad immunity for official acts. This filing marks another strategic move by Trump's lawyers as he navigates four ongoing criminal prosecutions.
In a separate development, Trump distanced himself from \"Project 2025,\" a proposed overhaul of the federal government by a conservative think tank, labeling some of its ideas as \"ridiculous and abysmal\" on social media. His comments come ahead of upcoming Republican meetings to draft the party platform.
Internationally, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban made headlines with an unannounced visit to Moscow, becoming the first European leader to meet with President Vladimir Putin since 2022. Orban, who had recently urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to consider a ceasefire, faced criticism from European leaders who viewed his trip as appeasement rather than genuine diplomacy. Following their meeting, Putin reiterated his demands for Ukraine to withdraw from four regions claimed by Russia.
In the Middle East, ceasefire discussions between Israel and Hamas have resumed, with initial meetings held in Doha. However, significant gaps remain between the parties. This comes amid reports of an Israeli raid in the West Bank that resulted in the deaths of seven individuals, including members of a militant group.
In Iran, voters participated in a runoff presidential election, with early results indicating a lead for the more moderate candidate, Masood Pozeshkin, over hardliner Saeed Jalili. Voter sentiment appears mixed, with some expressing hope for change while others remain skeptical about the influence of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Lehi Khamenei.
The Vatican has excommunicated Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, a prominent critic of Pope Francis, due to his refusal to acknowledge the pope's authority. Vigano, a former ambassador to the U.S., has not been seen publicly since 2018.
As the extended July 4th holiday weekend begins, violence has marred celebrations across the U.S., with at least 33 fatalities reported from shootings and other incidents. Chicago reported 11 deaths and 55 injuries from gun violence, while a truck incident in Manhattan resulted in three deaths and multiple injuries.
These developments highlight ongoing political, social, and international tensions as various leaders and communities navigate complex challenges.