Trump Probes Biden's Cognitive Decline; French Deputies Seek Pension Reform Repeal
Key Takeaways
- Trump launches probe into Biden's alleged cognitive decline.
- French deputies pass resolution to repeal pension reform (198-35 vote).
- Trump bans citizens from a dozen countries from entering the United States.
- Labour's £13.2bn warm homes fund will not be cut in spending review.
- Trump administration pulls roughly $4B in funding for California high-speed rail.
Top Stories
Trump launches probe into Biden's alleged cognitive decline.
On 2025-06-05, it was reported that Donald Trump has initiated an investigation into Joe Biden's presidency, focusing on claims of cognitive decline.
French deputies pass resolution to repeal pension reform.
On 2025-06-05, the CGT called for demonstrations against the pension reform, which raises the retirement age from 62 to 64. Deputies adopted a resolution proposal initiated by the GDR group, supported by the left and Rassemblement National, with a vote of 198-35, demanding the abrogation of the reform.
Trump bans citizens from a dozen countries entering US.
On 2025-06-05, Donald Trump announced a travel ban, barring nationals of a dozen countries from entering the United States.
Labour's £13.2bn warm homes fund will not be cut.
On 2025-06-05, ministers decided not to cut Labour’s £13.2bn fund to fix draughty homes and install heat pumps and solar panels in the upcoming spending review; Rachel Reeves will not cut the warm homes plan.
Trump administration pulls $4B for California high-speed rail.
On June 4, 2025, the Trump administration announced it would pull roughly $4 billion in federal funding for California’s high-speed train project, citing repeated deadline extensions and cost overruns. The initial vision was a rail line transporting riders from the Bay Area to Los Angeles in under three hours.
Global Stage
North Korea reaffirms 'unconditional' support for Russia's Ukraine invasion.
EU to extend protection for Ukrainian refugees.
On 2025-06-04, it was reported that the EU will extend protection for Ukrainian refugees and plan for post-war returns.
Euronews offers guide on meeting Donald Trump.
On 2025-06-04, Euronews published a guide titled "How to survive a visit to the Oval Office: A practical guide for leaders meeting Donald Trump," offering advice for leaders meeting with Donald Trump.
Election Watch
Centrist Democrats strategize to control Congress in 2026.
On 2025-06-04, centrist Democrats gathered in Washington to discuss strategies for the party to take control of Congress in 2026 and beyond, focusing on winning and seizing control of the party’s messaging.
Socialist Party votes for first secretary: Faure vs. Mayer-Rossignol.
On 2025-06-05, Socialist Party (PS) militants are voting between Olivier Faure and Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol for the position of first secretary. Olivier Faure is slightly favored after receiving support from Boris Vallaud, with results expected later that night.
Eric Ciotti defends RN alliance in new book.
Published on 2025-06-05, Eric Ciotti "ne regrette rien" a year after his alliance with the RN, justifying his choice in his book Je ne regrette rien, released on 2025-06-04. He believes his former party's decline began with Nicolas Sarkozy's "l'ouverture" towards the left.
Karine Jean-Pierre, Biden’s former press secretary, leaves Democratic party.
French Fiscal Focus
IMF warns France: 'Difficult decisions' needed on finances.
Published on 2025-06-05, the International Monetary Fund (FMI) has cautioned that France needs to make "difficult decisions" to restore public finances, warning against excessive tax increases.
France aims for 'fiscal stability,' no tax increase in 2026.
On 2025-06-05, Minister of the Economy Eric Lombard stated that the French government aims for "fiscal stability" and does not plan to increase taxes for the 2026 budget, emphasizing a focus on public spending.
France seeks €40 billion in savings for 2026 deficit.
Published on 2025-06-05, the French government is working to identify 40 billion euros in savings to meet public deficit reduction targets for 2026.
Bayrou suggests 'social VAT' for French public finances.
Published on 2025-06-05, François Bayrou has called for a collective "effort from all French people" to improve public finances, suggesting the possibility of a "social VAT".
Global Human Rights
Danish PM seeks to extend veil ban to schools.
On 2025-06-05, it was reported that the Danish PM seeks to extend the religious full-face veil ban to educational institutions.
Dozens of bodies found in Libya's capital.
The UN reported on 2025-06-04 that dozens of bodies were found in an area of Libya's capital controlled by an armed militia.
Argentina: Protests demand better pensions for retirees.
On 2025-06-04, anti-government demonstrators rallied in Buenos Aires, Argentina, demanding better pensions for retirees, as reported on 2025-06-05.
Egyptian president refuses call to save hunger-striking activist's mother.
Reported on 2025-06-04, the Egyptian president is refusing to take a call from Keir Starmer, who wants to save the life of Laila Soueif, the mother of Alaa Abd el-Fattah, a human rights activist and British Egyptian dual national. Laila Soueif is in St Thomas’ hospital in London with very low blood sugar levels after nearly 250 days on hunger strike.
Lawmaking Today
Texas judge blocks in-state tuition for undocumented residents.
On 2025-06-04, a federal judge in Texas blocked a two decade-old law offering undocumented residents the same discounted tuition as other in-state college students. Gov. Greg Abbott declared the end of in-state tuition for illegal immigrants in Texas.
Trump DOJ pressed weak case on Hamas graffiti.
On 2025-06-04, the Justice Department argued that graffiti with a Hamas symbol outside the home of Columbia University’s interim president threatened her life and was comparable to a racist cross burning. The Trump administration was determined to press forward with a case judges viewed as weak.
Policy Insights
Draghi report: Europe's excessive regulation stifles innovation.
Published on 2025-06-05, Mario Draghi's report denounces excessive regulation in Europe and suggests creating a new EU vice-president position to oversee simplification. It's argued that intelligently designed regulation can stimulate innovation.
UK departments still negotiating multi-year budgets.
On 2025-06-05, it was reported that three Whitehall departments, led by Ed Miliband, Yvette Cooper, and Angela Rayner, were still in the process of agreeing on their multi-year budgets with the Treasury.
EU Commission issues fiscal verdicts amid defense concerns.
Rachel Reeves promises £15.6bn transport investment.
On 2025-06-04, Rachel Reeves promised £15.6bn in transport investment at a Rochdale bus factory as a down payment on the £113bn in additional investment she will lay out in next week’s spending review. She also revived her notion of “securonomics” and confirmed that the winter fuel allowance cut will be partly reversed.