Policy Clashes and Political Tensions: Trump Blocks NYC Congestion Pricing, Calls Zelenskiy a 'Dictator,' and Social Security Chief Rejects Fraud Claims

Good Morning,

The Trump administration ordered a halt to New York City's congestion pricing toll, calling it a financial burden on working-class Americans, prompting a lawsuit from the state to keep the program alive, President Trump escalated his feud with Ukrainian President Zelenskiy by calling him a "dictator" and blaming Ukraine for Russia's invasion, and acting Social Security Commissioner Lee Dudek refuted claims by President Trump and Elon Musk that millions of deceased centenarians receive benefits, clarifying that outdated database entries do not equate to fraudulent payments.

Top Stories

● Trump administration orders halt to NYC toll meant to fight traffic and fund mass transit (AP)

● Trump tells 'dictator' Zelenskiy to move fast or lose Ukraine (Reuters)

● New Social Security chief contradicts claims that millions of dead people are getting payouts (AP)

● UnitedHealthcare is offering buyouts to employees in benefits unit, could pursue layoffs, sources say (CNBC)

● US declares drug cartels, criminal gangs global terrorist organisations (AJ)

United States and Canada

● Judge permanently blocks Ohio law on disposal of aborted fetal remains (AP)

● US universities target pro-Palestine students with suspensions, campus bans (AJ)

● Pentagon chief eyes funding cuts to some parts of military by 8% (Reuters)

● Trump says he's considering returning 20% of DOGE savings to Americans (Reuters)

● Arizona plane crash kills 2 in midair collision at Marana Airport in Arizona (CBS News)

● Hegseth Orders Pentagon to Draw Up Plans for Cuts (NYT)

Latin America

● Senior US military leader visits Panama to discuss security, canal (Reuters)

● Mexico’s economy secretary to meet with Trump officials in US in ‘first conversation’ on trade (AP)

● Costa Rica could hold US deportees for up to six weeks, president says (Reuters)

● British journalist missing in Brazil for more than 10 days, association says (Reuters)

Africa

● Frail Ugandan opposition figure back in jail after brief court appearance (AN)

● US top diplomat to boycott G20 foreign ministers meeting in South Africa (AN)

● Ethiopia and Somalia hold a first round of technical talks in Turkey toward resolving their dispute (AP)

● Exclusive: Barrick Gold signs agreement with Mali to end mining dispute (Reuters)

● US top diplomat Rubio speaks to Angola about conflict in eastern Congo (Reuters)

● Kenyan MP charged with forging University certificates (AN)

Middle East

● Suspected Somali pirates seize a new Yemeni fishing boat in second recent attack (AP)

● After decades in exile, Syria's Jews visit Damascus (Reuters)

● WHO says polio mass vaccination campaign to resume in Gaza (Reuters)

● Qatar’s emir holds talks with Iran’s president in Tehran (AJ)

● Netanyahu appoints an adviser with Trump ties to lead ceasefire talks (AP)

● Yemeni minister calls for arrest of Houthi officials attending Hezbollah chief Nasrallah's funeral (Reuters)

Indo-Pacific

● Afghan embassy says nationals face arrests, expulsions in Pakistan capital (AJ)

● Leading Myanmar opposition organization blames local resistance group for killing of Catholic priest (AP)

● North Korea criticizes US over AUKUS nuclear submarine deal (Reuters)

● Foreign spies seeking AUKUS secrets, Australia intelligence chief says (Reuters)

Europe

●  Pope’s tests show ‘slight improvement’ as Italy PM Meloni visits hospital (AJ)

● Sweden's top court rejects Greta Thunberg lawsuit on climate action (Reuters)

● Judge approves emergency plan to keep Britain’s largest water company afloat (AP)

● France's Macron, UK's Starmer to visit Washington amid Ukraine talks, US official says (Reuters)

● Sidelined by Trump, Macron tries to rally Europe on Ukraine. But divisions run deep (AP)

● Turkey detains 282 suspects in a dayslong operation against Kurdish insurgents (AP)

Interested in more from Atlas?

🌐Atlas Technologies: We are building world class OSINT technology that unifies the intelligence cycle by automating data collection, intelligence production and delivery to key stakeholders, all aligned with your priority intelligence requirements (PIRs). If you want to learn more, check out our website.

🛒Merch Store: Visit our merch store to shop our latest gear.

📰Newsletters: Check out our other publications to stay on top of the news and get insights from intelligence professionals.

• The Public Daily Briefing

• Apolitical 

• Table Stakes

• The BLUF 

• The Situation Room

If you'd like to get involved with Atlas, please contact us with your experience or ideas. If you're a solid fit, we'll be in touch.

Advertise with us || Contact Us

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2025 Atlas.1A