AGP Executive Report

U.S.-Iran Diplomacy: Trump says he told negotiators “not to rush into a deal” and that the Hormuz blockade stays in force until an agreement is “certified and signed,” even as Rubio and regional officials describe “significant progress” toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Legal Fight in Cuba: Raul Castro’s defense is expected to face major hurdles in a Miami courtroom after U.S. charges tied to the 1996 Brothers to the Rescue shootdown, while Cuban-American lawmakers push that Washington has a narrow window to force change in Havana. Immigration Shockwave: A new green-card rule would require many foreign nationals to leave the U.S. and apply from abroad, adding fresh pressure to families and airlines amid broader enforcement concerns. Tech & Economy: NASA deputy administrator Matt Anderson is sworn in, tied to Huntsville’s SLS work, while AI and EV policy headlines keep markets and lawmakers busy. Sports & Community: Uganda qualifies for the U-17 World Cup again after a penalty win over Ghana; Memorial Day tributes continue, including a PBS concert honoring Pearl Harbor survivor Chuck Kohler.

U.S.-Cuba Tensions: Pro-war critics are pushing back hard as Trump escalates pressure on Cuba, with CodePink urging Congress to block any unauthorized military action and warning of a humanitarian and migration fallout. Middle East Diplomacy: At the same time, Trump says a U.S.-Iran deal is “largely negotiated,” with talk of reopening the Strait of Hormuz—while Iran’s World Cup base camp reportedly shifts from Tucson to Mexico. Immigration Overhaul: USCIS is rolling out sweeping Green Card changes that force many applicants to leave the U.S. and apply from abroad, a move likely to disrupt thousands. Public Health: The CDC expands Ebola entry screening to more U.S. airports, including Atlanta and Houston. Energy Costs: Memorial Day travel hits hard in Oregon, where gas prices top $5 as leaders tie relief to ending the Iran war. Other Big Hits: Powerball climbs to $131M; NASCAR legend Kyle Busch’s family says he died from pneumonia complications leading to sepsis.

Defense Deterrence: The U.S. ran a nighttime Minuteman III deterrence test from Vandenberg, validating missile systems and crew readiness. Air Defense Buildout: Lockheed Martin is expanding THAAD interceptor production with a new facility aimed at keeping up with demand for layered protection against drones and modern air threats. Middle East Talks: Iran, the U.S., and Pakistan’s mediators say talks to end the war are making “some progress,” with possible updates in the next few days—while both sides still signal major gaps. Immigration & Public Health: The administration is tightening Ebola-related entry rules, including blocking travelers from three African nations and expanding restrictions to green card holders. Politics & Power: Tulsi Gabbard resigned as Trump’s national intelligence director, citing her husband’s cancer; Trump named a replacement as questions swirl about how the exit happened. Tech & Markets: DeepSeek says it will make a 75% price cut on its V4-Pro AI model permanent. Local Life: Gas prices and consumer mood are taking a hit, and Hyundai issued a recall for 421,000 vehicles over a camera software issue that can trigger unexpected braking.

World Cup Health Rules: The U.S. told Congo’s team to keep a strict 21-day isolation “bubble” in Belgium or risk missing entry to the World Cup in Houston on June 11, as Ebola concerns shape travel plans. Taliban Women’s Rights: A new Taliban decree on divorce is drawing UN and rights-group condemnation for effectively formalizing child marriage, even as the Taliban disputes the claims. Housing Cost Shock: New data highlights how home prices keep sprinting ahead of pay—Idaho up 137% in 10 years, with Washington and Nevada also near the top of the biggest spikes. Delaware Oversight: Delaware’s first independent inspector general is moving to staff up, build a hotline, and focus on fraud, waste, and abuse investigations. NCAA Spotlight: The NCAA Women’s Golf Championship is underway, with USC taking an early team lead and Megha Ganne surging to the solo front. Memorial Day Travel: AAA expects about 45 million Americans to travel despite gas prices.

U.S.-Cuba Tensions: The U.S. is raising the temperature with an indictment of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro, as officials warn Americans in Havana to watch their surroundings ahead of major embassy protests. Immigration Policy: USCIS says “adjustment of status” in the U.S. will be granted only in extraordinary circumstances, pushing most applicants toward consular processing abroad. World Affairs: NATO allies are baffled by Trump’s about-face on troop moves in Europe after he signaled 5,000 more troops to Poland. Defense & Aid: The State Department approved a $108.1M sale to keep Ukraine’s HAWK air defenses running. Economy & Travel: Wall Street climbed to a Dow record as Iran peace talks stayed in focus, while AAA expects a record Memorial Day drive despite high gas prices. Sports: U.S. defender Chris Richards faces a serious ankle injury ahead of the World Cup, and Manchester United hired Michael Carrick permanently after a strong run.

Florida Fisheries Blocked: A federal judge halted Florida’s new Atlantic red snapper season plan just before it was set to begin, after a lawsuit challenged the Trump administration’s plan to let Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas manage the fishery. Health Watch: AbbVie is seeking FDA approval to use SKYRIZI as a subcutaneous induction option for adults with moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease. Public Safety: A Michigan man faces federal charges tied to a bomb threat against Toledo’s Fifth Third Field, home of the Mud Hens. Markets: U.S. stocks closed higher as oil prices eased and quantum computing shares surged. Ebola Escalates: Ebola has reached DR Congo’s South Kivu, with authorities racing to track how far it spread from a major transport hub. Foreign Policy: The U.S. is sending an aircraft carrier strike group to the Caribbean as Cuba tensions rise, while Iran talks remain stuck over uranium demands.

Quantum Computing Push: Quantum stocks jumped after a Wall Street Journal report says the Trump administration will award $2 billion in CHIPS Act grants to nine quantum firms, with IBM getting about $1 billion and GlobalFoundries $375 million. Markets & Oil: U.S. stocks drifted as oil rebounded and bond-market pressure returned, keeping traders cautious. Middle East & War Powers: Lawmakers are set to vote on forcing Trump to withdraw from the Iran conflict, as negotiations stall and Strait of Hormuz tensions keep gas prices high. Election Paperwork Scrutiny: Nigeria’s ruling party cleared Peter Obi after reviewing his degree, NYSC, and age documents. Everyday Life: Buc-ee’s is changing how drivers pay at the pump for credit/debit cards ahead of Memorial Day travel. Science & Service: A WWII Marine was finally identified through a nephew’s DNA submission, bringing him home for burial with honors.

Markets & Housing Pressure: A global bond sell-off pushed U.S. borrowing costs higher, with the 10-year Treasury near a January 2025 high—helping drive the average 30-year mortgage to about 6.75% and raising the price of car loans too. Defense & China: China is reportedly holding up a Pentagon policy chief visit tied to a $14 billion Taiwan arms package, while Xi may travel to North Korea soon as he tries to mediate with Kim. Middle East Shipping: One South Korean tanker cleared the Strait of Hormuz, but questions remain over the remaining 25 vessels’ routes. DOJ & Trump: The U.S. government agreed to permanently drop tax claims against Trump as part of a settlement tied to the IRS tax-return leak. Military Presence: The USS Nimitz is operating in the Caribbean, marking a return of U.S. carrier operations to the region. Local Governance: Colorado’s governor commuted Tina Peters’ sentence, drawing fresh backlash over local control of election decisions. Sports: The U.S. beat Germany in men’s hockey at the world championship via a shootout; Megan Keller is a PWHL defender-of-the-year finalist.

MMA on Netflix: Ronda Rousey’s comeback fight on Netflix—against Gina Carano—drew a record for the sport, with up to 17 million viewers worldwide and 11.6 million at peak in the U.S., plus other big-name bouts at Inglewood’s Intuit Dome. Cuba showdown: U.S. officials are expected to announce Raúl Castro’s indictment in Miami tied to the 1996 “Brothers to the Rescue” shootdown, as lawmakers push for accountability amid ongoing pressure on Havana. Middle East risk: Iran warns any renewed U.S./Israeli strikes could trigger retaliation “beyond the region,” while Trump signals possible action if no deal is reached. Public health watch: A hantavirus scare has led to a cruise passenger being held in quarantine in Omaha, and separate reports say Americans exposed to Ebola are under monitoring in Europe. Economy & daily life: Memorial Day travel hits a record 39.1 million drivers, while NielsenIQ says the U.S. alcohol market keeps sliding.

IRS Tax Settlement: The U.S. government agreed to permanently drop its tax claims against Donald Trump, his sons, and the Trump organization—“forever barred and precluded” from probing Trump’s current tax issues—while Trump gets an apology but no money. Iran Pressure & War Powers: As Trump signals he’s delaying a new Iran strike while ordering the military to be ready “on a moment’s notice,” the U.S. expands Iran sanctions and reports say the Navy seized a third Iranian shadow-fleet tanker. China-Taiwan Spotlight: Xi and Trump talks put Taiwan back in the spotlight, with analysts warning Taiwan will stay central to China’s maritime strategy. Primary Politics: Trump isn’t on Georgia’s ballot, but his endorsement power still looms over Tuesday’s races; in Kentucky, Andy Barr won the GOP Senate nod, while Democrats picked Charles Booker for the general-election matchup. Health & Safety: A federal court order forces Children’s Hospital Colorado to resume gender-affirming care for minors. Local/Travel: Croatia keeps a Level 1 “normal precautions” travel advisory, while Las Vegas approved Flavor Flav’s women-athletes parade for July 16.

Education Lawsuit: Connecticut AG William Tong and other states sued the U.S. Department of Education over a new rule that narrows what counts as a “professional degree,” potentially cutting off federal student loans for healthcare and other workforce programs. Politics & Courts: Virginia’s midcycle redistricting referendum was nullified by the state Supreme Court and then effectively killed after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to intervene—another warning shot in the GOP’s map-making push. Tech Security: Microsoft reversed course on an Edge password-manager flaw it previously said was “by design,” now promising updates across supported Edge versions so passwords won’t be loaded into memory at startup. Energy & Business: Shoals Technologies opened a $30M-backed mega facility in Portland, Tennessee, expanding U.S. manufacturing for solar, battery storage, and data-center power infrastructure. Markets: U.S. stocks slipped in early trading as investors weighed AI uncertainty and ongoing Iran-war risks.

OpenAI vs. Musk: A federal jury tossed Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI and executives after finding he filed too late, ending a three-week fight that hinged on whether OpenAI betrayed its nonprofit mission. U.S.-Iran Pressure: Trump postponed a planned strike on Iran after Gulf leaders urged talks to continue, even as the administration keeps ratcheting up warnings and Iran sets up new Hormuz management. Cuba Crackdown: The U.S. added nine senior Cuban officials and intelligence-linked targets to sanctions, escalating pressure on Havana’s power and economy. Arctic Bargaining: Closed-door talks over Greenland reportedly aim to lock in a bigger U.S. military role and investment leverage—Greenland leaders worry it’s a “forever” deal. Health Watch: Colorado is investigating a hantavirus death in Douglas County and says it’s not tied to the cruise-ship outbreak. Local Life: Fort Wayne restarted enforcement on tall grass and weeds, with fines and liens for repeat violations.

China-U.S. Reset: Xi Jinping and President Trump met to set a “new chapter” for relations, with the White House pushing modest trade progress—especially agriculture purchases—after a summit that left rivalry intact. Immigration & Courts: The Supreme Court asked the solicitor general for input in a GEO Group immunity case tied to immigrant detainee work pay, while a Chicago federal court adopted a rule to publicly flag when grand juries issue “no bill” decisions. Economy Mood: A new poll shows Trump at an all-time low approval level and 6 in 10 Americans saying the economy is getting worse, as costs and the Iran conflict weigh on daily life. Iran Pressure: U.S.-Iran talks remain tense, with reports of a temporary oil-sanctions waiver amid “clock is ticking” warnings. Food & Energy: USDA forecasts the smallest U.S. wheat crop in decades, and markets stay jumpy as energy routes and prices react. Health & Public Safety: A judge partially blocks evidence in the Luigi Mangione case, and new research warns measles may be back in the U.S.

PGA Championship Shockwaves: Kurt Kitayama fired a 7-under 63—tied for the lowest final-round major score—yet still finished six shots behind winner Aaron Rai, while Jon Rahm settled for runner-up after a late charge fell short. NBA MVP Repeat: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander became the 14th player to win back-to-back MVPs, cementing Oklahoma City’s star power. Ebola Alert: The CDC is mobilizing in the DRC and Uganda after reports Americans abroad may have been exposed as WHO declared a global emergency. Taiwan Tensions: Taiwan’s president doubled down that U.S. arms are the key deterrent after Trump questioned support following his China visit. Middle East Flashpoint: A drone strike sparked a fire near the UAE’s only nuclear plant, raising fears as U.S.-Iran signals harden. U.S. Politics & Faith: Maryland election officials pushed back on Trump’s “fake mail-in ballots” claim, while thousands filled the National Mall for a Christian prayer rally. Economy Watch: China’s property investment fell and industrial output rose, even as the country’s growth picture stays uneven.

U.S.-China Fallout: South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung held a 30-minute phone call with Donald Trump to hear results of Trump’s Xi summit, with both sides stressing peace on the Korean Peninsula and smoother follow-through on a prior joint trade deal. Middle East Flashpoints: A drone strike sparked a fire at the UAE’s Barakah nuclear plant, while diplomacy over the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and Gulf shipping remains stuck. Defense & Tech: The U.S. Navy is expanding unmanned maritime security in Africa and boosting MQ-4C Triton surveillance across the Indo-Pacific, while Special Operations plans tests of the CODiAQ robot. Domestic Pressure: A new poll finds many Americans are stressed about finances and gas costs, and home affordability keeps worsening—65% of households are priced out of new builds. Politics Abroad: In the UK, Wes Streeting made his Labour leadership challenge official, setting up a bruising internal fight against Keir Starmer. Health Watch: WHO declared an international emergency over a rare Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC.

Louisiana Senate Shake-Up: Rep. Julia Letlow and State Treasurer John Fleming are headed to a June 27 runoff after neither hit 50% in the GOP primary, knocking incumbent Bill Cassidy off the top spot—an “end of an era” for a senator who fell out with Trump after voting to convict him in the second impeachment. Election Logistics: Louisiana’s new closed primary system left many unaffiliated voters confused at the polls, forcing them to choose a party at the ballot box. Foreign Policy & Courts: Venezuela says it deported Alex Saab—Maduro’s longtime “bag man”—to face U.S. judicial proceedings, less than three years after Biden pardoned him. Terror Fight: The U.S. and Nigeria announced the killing of ISIS’s global second-in-command, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki. Markets Watch: Nasdaq is moving toward longer trading hours, raising the question of when “the day” really ends. Sports: Jay Fortune’s late goal earned Atlanta United a 1-1 draw with Orlando City.