First Thing: Trump warns ‘clock is ticking’ for Iran to secure peace deal | US news

Good morning.

Donald Trump expressed his impatience with the deadlock in peace talks with Iran by posting the following on social media: “Time is Ticking for Iran and they better act FAST or there will be nothing left of them. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!”

According to Axios, the US president will meet with his national security team tomorrow to discuss next steps. Trump also spoke with Benjamin Netanyahu before the Israeli security cabinet focused on Iran, Lebanon and Gaza. Speculation is growing in Israel that the war with Iran could continue if there is no sign of compromise.

• What else is happening in the region? The United Arab Emirates blamed a fire near a nuclear power plant on a drone launched by Iran or one of its proxies, calling the incident a “dangerous escalation.”

Trump attacks Massie as Republican critic describes ‘desperate’ attempts to oust him from primary

Two days away from the final test of Trump’s firm grip on the Republican party, the president yesterday battled his longtime rival, Kentucky congressman Thomas Massie, for political survival in Tuesday’s primary elections.

Over an eight-hour period beginning in the early hours of Sunday, Trump used Truth Social to mock Massie, one of the few senior Republicans who dared to challenge him.

“He is the worst and most untrustworthy Republican congressman in the history of our country,” Massie began his rant, followed by a mid-morning exhortation to Kentucky voters to “vote for the bums on Tuesday.”

• Why is Massie Trump’s enemy? Massie has been a constant thorn in Trump’s side by voting against the signature tax and spending cuts bill, helping force the justice department to release the Jeffrey Epstein files, and insisting on congressional oversight of military actions in Venezuela and Iran. He now faces a primary against Trump-backed rival Ed Gallrein.

Union warns workers vying to turn pool blue for Trump could be at risk

Workers renovating one of Washington, D.C.’s most historically significant facilities at Trump’s direction could risk their safety as they race to complete the work before America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, a union that oversees the facility has warned.

The union’s concerns focused on the reflecting pool on the National Mall (the site of Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech), which was drained and fenced off to allow contractors to complete improvements by July 4.

The pool has become a hive of busy repair activity, with vehicles and heavy equipment now occupying the space.

• What is the union interested in? Herbert Zaldivar, director of business development for the International Union of Painters and Allied Craftsmen, said: “With this project, they are trying to rush a timeline that will likely leave some liability on the contractor. The chemicals are dangerous. My concern is generally the level of risk when it is rushed. Are workers taking the right steps to protect themselves?”

How ICE turned the violent detention of a US citizen into online content – With Kai and Carter in America

In June 2025, Christian Cerna went to a protest in his neighborhood against ICE raids and allegedly punched a border patrol officer. He later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault but denied hitting the officer.

Cerna was violently arrested in front of his family by ICE officers, who filmed the incident and shared the video on social media. Christian tells Carter Sherman how the experience “took a grave toll” on him, and Sam Levin breaks down the news behind the story.

• What’s in America with Kai and Carter? Guardian US’s new flagship video podcast, hosted by Kai Wright and fellow journalist Carter Sherman. With new episodes three times a week, the program will bring to life the Guardian’s global perspective and unique perspective on the United States. Watch and listen now.

In other news…

• Cate Blanchett laments #MeToo movement being ‘killed too quickly’ in Hollywood. Speaking at the Cannes film festival, the Australian actor said that even after a decade there were still “10 women and 75 men” on film sets.

• Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin sent “congratulatory letters” to each other yesterday In the presence of the President of Russia Visit Beijing this weekIt comes four days after Trump left China after the risky summit.

• The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda is a “public health emergency of international concern”The World Health Organization announced.

Situation of the day: Thousands of people gathered in Washington DC throughout the day USA themed prayer rally

Thousands of people flocked to the National Mall for a day-long prayer rally billed as “the rededication of our country as One Nation Under God.” Worship music blared from a stage, clearly demonstrating the Christian focus of the event. Yesterday’s White House-sponsored event was criticized for blurring the lines between church and state.

Don’t miss this: The The US oil era is collapsing. What happens next could be ugly

History shows that when the dominant energy source changes, the global balance of power often changes with it. We are currently experiencing such a transition, as the age of oil dominated by the US, Russia and the Gulf countries gives way to the age of renewable energy, the vast majority of which is produced in China. Meanwhile, fossil fuel fascists in the US are trying to turn back the clock.

… or this: How to become emotionally mature at any age?. ‘We often do not realize the pain we cause’

“We are in a rigged system of people willing to take advantage of other people, seek their own interests, and save as much money as they can for themselves,” says Lindsay C Gibson, author of Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents. Gibson remains optimistic that a better society of more emotionally healthy people is possible.

Climate control: Experts sound alarm as bees in North America start swarming season unusually early

Following a series of record-breaking heat waves in the US, the 2026 bee swarm season in North America is set to start 17 days earlier than last year, raising questions about how honeybees are responding to the climate crisis.

Latest Thing: Peacock ‘invasion’ of Italian seaside town ruffles feathers

Punta Marina, a seaside town in the Emilia-Romagna region on Italy’s Adriatic coast, has been invaded by peacocks, to the delight and disappointment of its residents. The birds previously lived in a nearby pine forest but entered the town during the Covid outbreak and never left.

become a member

First Thing is delivered to thousands of inboxes every weekday. If you haven’t registered yet, subscribe now.

Contact us

If you have any questions or comments about any of our newsletters please email newsletters@theguardian.com.