Affirm

Donald Trump says he urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to "calm down" on attacks targeting Russian oil refineries, arguing Ukraine should strike other targets instead. The remark, reported amid ongoing US pressure for a negotiated end to the war, is drawing criticism from observers who see it as Washington limiting Ukraine's most effective strikes on Russia's energy and export infrastructure.

Democrats are weighing strategy ahead of the US midterm elections, with debate inside the party over whether opposing Donald Trump is a sufficient message for voters. Commentators and party figures argue Democrats have strengths on some issues but risk falling short if they offer no affirmative agenda, warning: 'We can't just be anti-Trump.'

The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed a dismissal of patent claims against Google under Section 101, which governs patent-eligible subject matter in the United States. The case concerned internet advertising patents, and the appeals court agreed they could not stand. The decision is being followed closely by intellectual property lawyers and tech companies, as it reinforces how courts treat software and advertising-related patents under current eligibility standards.

President Trump has reaffirmed ICE's arrest policy after guidance that left immigration agents alarmed and confused. The episode raised questions about how enforcement priorities are being communicated within the agency and whether operations on the ground are being affected. Officials say the policy stands, but the internal miscommunication has drawn attention to morale and clarity among agents carrying out arrests.

China has reaffirmed its support for Cuba as the two countries mark 66 years of diplomatic relations. Beijing reiterated its commitment to cooperation with Havana, in a statement reported by Chinese state media. The announcement underscores the enduring political alignment between the two Communist-ruled states, and comes amid continued US sanctions on Cuba and growing Chinese engagement across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Cuba has reaffirmed its support for the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination, a longstanding position in Havana's foreign policy toward Western Sahara. The statement was reported by the Sahrawi news agency and comes as the decades-old dispute over the territory, pitting Morocco against the Polisario Front, remains on the international agenda at the United Nations.