President Donald Trump is resurrecting the travel ban policy from his first term, signing a proclamation Wednesday night preventing people from a dozen countries from entering the United States. The countries include Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. In addition to the ban, which takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday, there will be heightened restrictions on visitors from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. "I must act to protect the national security and national interest of the United States and its people," Trump said in his proclamation. The list results from a Jan. 20 executive order Trump issued requiring the departments of State and Homeland Security and the Director of National Intelligence to compile a report on "hostile attitudes" toward the U.S. and whether entry from certain countries represented a national security risk.
Karine Jean-Pierre, former White House press secretary for President Joe Biden, has left the Democratic Party to become an independent, she writes in a new book that will be released this fall. In her upcoming book "Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines," Jean-Pierre shares "why Americans must step beyond party lines to embrace life as Independents," publisher Hachette Book Group says in a summary of the book released June 4. "Jean-Pierre didn't come to her decision to be an Independent lightly," the teaser for the book adds. "She takes us through the three weeks that led to Biden's abandoning his bid for a second term and the betrayal by the Democratic Party that led to his decision."
Loretta Swit, the Emmy-winning actress most well-known for her leading role on "M*A*S*H," has died, her representatives said Friday. She was 87. Swit died at her home in New York City just after noon Friday, her team said in a statement, citing a police report. It is suspected she died of natural causes, but a report from the coroner's office is still pending. Swit portrayed the quick-witted Maj. Margaret Houlihan on one of TV's most honored series, and collected a number of awards for her "M*A*S*H" role, including two Emmys. She was nominated for 10 Emmys and four Golden Globes. Her sensuous, sensitive, comedic character was also known as "Hot Lips." The TV series, which aired from September 1972 to February 1983, followed the staff of an Army hospital during the Korean War. Swit starred in all seasons of "M*A*S*H."
Elon Musk has announced his departure from the Trump administration, bringing an end to his role as a special advisor and the public face of the government's cost-cutting campaign. The move comes just one day after the billionaire entrepreneur publicly criticised President Donald Trump's marquee legislative proposal, which he described as "a massive spending bill" that undermines his work. Posting on X, his own social media platform, Musk wrote, "As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending. The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government."
Gov. Ron DeSantis's office announced Tuesday that the Sunshine State hit a new tourism record last year. In 2024, 143 million visitors visited Florida, an increase of 1.7% over the previous record set in 2023. The governor's office said 130.65 million domestic travelers, 8.94 million overseas visitors, and 3.41 million Canadian tourists visited the Sunshine State last year. DeSantis also announced that Florida has welcomed 41.2 million visitors in the first quarter of 2025. "Florida's tourism industry leads the nation," DeSantis said. "These results are proof that our freedom-first policies work " and that Florida remains the best place to visit, work and raise a family." The governor's office said the state is "positioned for even greater success as the most visited destination in the United States."
Little River, SC remembered in a mostly peaceful way.