Harvard Defies Trump Administration Demands

Harvard University publicly rejected a sweeping list of demands from the Trump administration, setting the stage for a significant confrontation between the federal government and one of the nation’s most prestigious academic institutions. The administration’s directives included reducing the influence of students and faculty in governance, increasing federal oversight of hiring and admissions, eliminating diversity-related programming, and enforcing “viewpoint diversity” across departments. In response, Harvard President Alan Garber condemned the demands as unconstitutional and unlawful, asserting that the university would not surrender its independence. That same day, the administration froze $2.2 billion in multiyear grants and a $60 million contract with Harvard.

Iran and U.S. Inch Toward Nuclear Talks

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is set to visit Russia ahead of a scheduled second round of indirect talks with the United States aimed at addressing the long-running nuclear standoff. The initial talks, mediated by Oman, involved both parties negotiating from separate rooms—a sign of deep mistrust—though officials described them as constructive. The follow-up discussions are set to take place in Muscat, despite earlier reports from Italian and Iraqi media suggesting Rome might host the talks. Iran approaches these negotiations cautiously, largely due to skepticism over U.S. intentions and fears tied to President Donald Trump’s aggressive posture, including a renewed “maximum pressure” sanctions regime. Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) remains alarmed by Iran’s advancing uranium enrichment program, with levels nearing those required for nuclear weapons. IAEA Director Rafael Grossi is scheduled to visit Tehran this week in an effort to resolve persistent transparency and compliance issues. Araqchi’s visit to Moscow signals Iran's ongoing coordination with Russia, a supporter of Iran’s right to a civilian nuclear program and a key signatory of the 2015 nuclear agreement.

FAA Grounds New York Helicopter Tour Company After Fatal Crash

Federal regulators have grounded New York Helicopter Tours following a catastrophic crash that killed five Spanish tourists and their pilot in the Hudson River. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an emergency order after learning that the company fired its operations director, Jason Costello, just minutes after he voluntarily halted flights to allow for an investigation. FAA officials said the timing strongly suggested retaliation for a safety-driven decision. The pilot, Seankese Johnson, a Navy veteran who had recently received his commercial license, died along with a family of five from Spain. In response, the FAA launched a comprehensive safety review of the company. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also investigating the incident and has recovered key helicopter components, including the main and tail rotors, which could help determine the cause of the midair breakup.

Zuckerberg Defends Meta in Landmark Antitrust Trial Over Instagram and WhatsApp Acquisitions

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the witness stand on Monday in a high-stakes antitrust trial in Washington, D.C., where the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is seeking to break up the tech giant. The FTC accuses Meta of maintaining an illegal monopoly by acquiring potential rivals Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014, allegedly to neutralize competition rather than innovate. Emails from Zuckerberg cited by the FTC reveal early concerns about competition from Instagram, with a 2012 memo referencing the goal of "neutralising" the app—a comment the FTC calls a "smoking gun." Zuckerberg, however, argued that the acquisitions were made to improve the platforms and not to stifle competition. Meta maintains that the FTC's case is flawed, particularly because the agency originally approved the deals. The trial, expected to run through July, comes amid broader U.S. government efforts to rein in Big Tech, including ongoing lawsuits against Google, Apple, and Amazon.