U.S. and world news for June 6

Musk and Trump continue public feud

Elon Musk and Donald Trump Friday morning were showing no signs of easing their war of words. The increasingly heated exchange about Trump’s massive tax and domestic policy bill affected stock prices, worried politicians, prompted calls for Trump’s impeachment, and renewed interest in government files on Jeffrey Epstein and his involvement with underage girls and sex trafficking. Musk alleged that the reason the files have been kept secret is that Trump is named. Musk gave Trump’s campaign a boost by donating over $290 million to Trump and funded other Republicans during the 2024 election cycle. After Trump’s return to office, Musk was a trusted adviser and frequent visitor to the White House.

Unemployment unchanged at 4.2% in May

The Trump Administration’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported this morning that total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 139,000 in May, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.2%. Employment continued to trend up in health care, leisure and hospitality, and social assistance. Federal government continued to lose jobs. This news release presents statistics from two monthly surveys. The unemployment rate has remained in a narrow range of 4.0% to 4.2% since May of last year. The number of unemployed people, at 7.2 million, changed little during May of this year.

Russia launches missiles against Kiev

Powerful explosions reverberated across the Ukrainian capital overnight as Russia launched waves of drones and ballistic missiles at multiple targets. Search and rescue operations are underway, but at least four people have been killed in Kyiv, with dozens more wounded across Ukraine. The latest barrage comes after Ukraine launched audacious raids on airfields deep inside Russia last weekend. Ukraine also surprised Moscow by attacking the Kerch Bridge — the only direct connection point between Russia and the annexed Crimean Peninsula — with 1,100 kilograms of explosives that had been planted underwater. During a meeting at the White House on Thursday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said President Donald Trump is the one person who could help end the war. “We both agree on this war and how terrible this war is going on, and we are both looking for ways to stop it very soon. And I told the president … he is the key person in the world who can really do that now by putting pressure on Russia,” Merz said.

Trump goes after judges on International Criminal Court

The Trump Administration’s Secretary of State Marco Rubio unveiled new sanctions that targeted four judges on the International Criminal Court for attempting to investigate the U.S. and Israel for alleged war crimes. President Trump authorized the sanctions. His order had already been used to sanction ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan. In response, the ICC said the sanctions were “a clear attempt to undermine the independence of an international judicial institution which operates under the mandate from 125 States Parties from all corners of the globe.” Last November, the ICC issued arrest warrants for top Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and for top Hamas leaders, including Yahya Sinwar, who was later killed.

Federal judge blocks another Trump move against Harvard

A federal judge has halted President Trump’s latest attempt to prevent international students from attending Harvard University. Trump signed a proclamation on Wednesday to suspend international visas for new students at the school and directed the secretary of state to consider revoking visas for current Harvard students who meet the proclamation’s “criteria.” The temporary restraining order, issued late Thursday by US District Judge Allison Burroughs, came just hours after the university requested that she block the proclamation. Burroughs’ order said that if she didn’t intervene now, the school would “sustain immediate and irreparable injury before there is an opportunity to hear from all parties.” A hearing has been set for mid-June.

Experts urge caution as measles cases rise

Summer travel season is here and that means millions of people will be in and out of busy airports, train stations and tourist destinations. With more than 1,100 measles cases already reported in the U.S. this year, experts are urging vacationers to take extra precautions to avoid contracting the highly contagious virus. Dr. Scott Roberts, associate medical director for infection prevention at the Yale School of Medicine, said people should double-check their immunity status at least six weeks before traveling internationally and read the country-specific travel health notices on the CDC’s website. He also recommended that all travelers stay up-to-date with vaccinations, engage in frequent hand-washing, avoid coming in contact with sick people whenever possible and wear masks if they are at high risk of severe illness.