Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson harshly criticized President Trump and his administration on Wednesday, following the announcement of a federal investigation into the city’s employment practices. The Department of Justice had recently reached out to Johnson with concerns regarding possible racial discrimination in hiring, prompting a fierce response from the mayor.
The Justice Department’s inquiry came in the wake of remarks Johnson made at a church in the Woodlawn neighborhood, where he had spoken about efforts to prioritize Black hires in his administration. During a press conference later in the week, Johnson lashed out at the president.

President Donald Trump took aim at Apple on Friday, warning the tech giant that it could face a hefty 25% tariff on iPhones that are not assembled within the United States. The ultimatum increases the pressure on Apple CEO Tim Cook to shift operations away from Asia and into the U.S.
“I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhone’s that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.
“If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the US. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Following Trump’s remarks, Apple’s stock took a hit, tumbling 4% during early premarket activity.

U.S. defense officials have revealed that Russia has introduced nuclear-capable air-to-air missiles into its military arsenal, a move reminiscent of the nuclear strategies employed during the Cold War era. This new development was disclosed by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in its latest global threat report.
The 2025 Worldwide Threat Assessment was presented to lawmakers during a session of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations, held on May 15. Leading the briefing was Air Force Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, who heads the DIA.

During an appearance on Fox News Channel’s “America Reports” Thursday, Ofir Akunis, Israel’s Consul General in New York, pointed to Qatar’s influence on American college campuses as a contributing factor in the deadly shooting of two Israeli embassy staff members the previous day. Akunis accused Qatar of financing radical groups on U.S. campuses and urged the Gulf state to cease its funding if it truly wishes to play a constructive role in the region.

In a closely divided ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court has effectively halted the launch of what would have been the country’s first religious charter school, handing a setback to advocates seeking a broader role for faith-based institutions within the public education system.
The high court reached a 4-4 stalemate on the case involving St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Charter School, leaving intact a prior ruling by the Oklahoma Supreme Court. That ruling had determined that establishing a religious charter school would run afoul of constitutional protections that separate religion and government.

Edan Alexander, an Israeli soldier who endured nearly two years as a hostage of Hamas, had a meeting with Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, according to a report aired Thursday by Channel 12 News.
In a candid exchange during their meeting, Bar expressed deep regret to Alexander for the circumstances that led to his capture and the failure of Israeli security forces to prevent it. Bar told him, “I want to apologize to you for falling into captivity partly because of us, and for being freed thanks to [Steve] Witkoff and not us.”
Alexander recounted to Bar the terrifying experience of October 7, the trauma he suffered during his abduction, and his continued anxiety for the well-being of those who are still being held hostage.

The Prime Minister’s Office highlighted Friday morning that David Zini’s appointment to lead the Israel Security Agency was primarily driven by his early and prescient warnings about the nation’s unpreparedness for a large-scale assault like the one that took place on October 7.
In a formal statement, officials noted that Zini had been tasked back in March 2022—six months before the deadly incursion—with conducting a review of the Gaza Division’s operational capabilities, particularly in the event of an unexpected attack. The request came directly from the division’s commanding officer. Zini’s findings pointed to significant gaps in defensive strategy and made clear recommendations to bolster readiness.

France and Saudi Arabia are reportedly drafting a joint initiative aimed at stripping Hamas of its weapons, a move seen as the first step toward dismantling the group’s military capabilities, according to Bloomberg, which cited individuals with direct knowledge of the matter.
As part of this initiative, Saudi representatives are said to have established a channel of communication with Hamas leaders. While it remains uncertain whether France has also engaged directly with Hamas—given the European Union’s official designation of the group as a terrorist organization—Saudi involvement has been confirmed by the sources.

President Donald Trump held up a printed screenshot of a Reuters video during a tense meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday, claiming it showed the funerals of white farmers in South Africa—when in reality, the footage was filmed in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“These are all white farmers that are being buried,” Trump declared, referring to the image, which was actually taken from a February 3 Reuters video that captured the aftermath of violence in the Congolese city of Goma. That video, authenticated by Reuters’ fact-checking team, depicted humanitarian workers handling body bags following clashes with M23 rebels backed by Rwanda.

Elias Rodriguez, accused of fatally shooting two Israeli Embassy staff members in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night, reportedly confessed to officers shortly after the attack, saying, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza,” according to federal court filings.
As law enforcement led him out of the museum where the shooting occurred, Rodriguez shouted, “Free Palestine,” according to an affidavit submitted by FBI agents.
Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators revealed that Rodriguez initially walked past the victims outside the Capital Jewish Museum. He then turned back, drew a handgun from his waistband, and opened fire, shooting both victims in the back, the affidavit states.