Tether Unveils New Crypto Credit Card

Tether has Partnered with Digital Banking Firm Fasset, to launch a Visa Card that allows Users to Spend their Holdings of Tether Gold (XAUT), a Tokenized Gold Asset, anywhere Visa is Accepted.

The Initiative aims to Change the Traditional Role of Gold from being Primarily a Store of Value to a practical Medium of Exchange. When Users make a Purchase with the Card, their XAUT is instantly Converted into Tether’s U.S. Dollar-Packed Stablecoin, USDT, and then into the Local Fiat Currency needed to Complete the Transaction. According to Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino, the Goal is to make Tokenized Gold more Useful in Everyday Financial Activities by Integrating it Seamlessly with Existing Payment Systems.

The Card also includes Incentives, Designed to Encourage Users to Hold and Accumulate Gold-Backed Assets. Eligible Purchases can Earn up to 6% Cashback, which is Paid in Real Time in XAUT, and a Round-Up Feature, Automatically Invests Spare Change from Purchases Back into XAUT.

Each XAUT Token represents One Fine Troy Ounce of Physical Gold Stored in Swiss Vaults and Independently Audited. The Token, which was First Launched on Ethereum and later Expanded to Other Networks such as BNB Chain, currently has a Market Capitalization of Approximately $2.7 billion.

Although Gold Reached Record Highs Earlier this year, both Physical Gold and XAUT were Trading around $4,414 per Ounce on Wednesday, roughly 20% Below their Annual Peak. Overall, the Nnew Visa Card Represents Tether’s Effort to Bridge Traditional Assets, Stablecoins, and Everyday Payments by Making Tokenized Gold Easier to Spend and Invest in.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

US Changing Contributions to NATO Force Plan

The U.S. is Reducing the Number of Forces it is prepared to Commit to NATO in a Crisis, U.S. European Command said in a 6/3/3036. The Changes, which were Previewed to Alliance Members last month by a Senior Pentagon Official, to include a Decrease in the Number of Combat Aircraft, Air-to-Air Refueling, and Navy Vessels.

The Air Force wants about $1 billion to move Collaborative Combat Aircraft into Production in Fiscal 2027 and Accelerate the Introduction of this Game-Changing Technology. The idea to establish a New Military Service, Dedicated to Cyber Warfare reared its head again this Week, Thanks to a Proposal in Congress and a Think Tank Report. But Essential Questions about how a so-called “Cyber Force” would be Manned and Work with the other Services remain.

The Air Force Plans to spend $213 Million on its CV-22 Fleet in Fiscal 2027, about One-Fifth of a $1.12 Billion Investment in the Tilt-Rotor Aircraft across the Pentagon. The Air Force has Awarded Contracts to General Electric Aerospace and Rolls-Royce to further hone their Designs for Engines that would Power Medium-Thrust Autonomous Drones. Trump (R) Tells Aides He Won’t Resume All-Out War with Iran Unless, U.S. Troops Are Killed. Trump has told Aides that He would Consider Ending the Ceasefire with Iran, if Tehran Kills American Troops.

With U.S. Military Supply Chains facing a Growing Risk of Adversary Attack, Senior Defense Officials are keen on using AI and other Advanced Technologies to address the Challenges associated with Contested Logistics. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (R) has Mandated that “Joint Warfighting Ability” be One of the Criteria considered when Oficers and Non-Commissioned Officers are Evaluated for Promotions, According to a recent Memo.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

House Passes Resolution to End Iran War

House Llawmakers on 6/3/2026 Passed Legislation to force Trump (R) to End the Iran War, making the War Illegal, Without Explicit Ccongressional Approval.

The Tally was 215-208, with 4 Republicans: Reps. Thomas Massie (KY-4th District), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-2st District), Tom Barrett (MI-7th District) and Warren Davidson (OH-8th District), joining All Democrat in Supporting the Measure.

The Development is Largely Symbolic, since there are Lingering Disputes about whether the Measure, known as a Concurrent Resolution, carries the Force-of-Law. And Trump is certain to Contest the Authority of the Measure, even if it’s also Passed by the Senate, where it’s Hheaded Next.

Still, the Vote Represents a Significant Development in the Political Battle over the Iran War, Putting Part of Congress. on the Record Condemning a Conflict that has Dragged on for more than Three Months, and Rrattled the Global Eeconomy, with No Clear End in Sight.

The Vote also Highlights an Increasing Willingness among GOP Lawmakers to Buck Trump on Prominent Issues, as the Midterm Election Season evolves.

Already, many Republicans are Balking at Trump’s Push for $1 Billion for Security Surrounding His White House Ballroom. And a Wave of GOP Opposition to Trump’s Proposed $1.8 Billion “Weaponization” Fund forced Trump Officials to Say this Week, that they’ve Abandoned it Altogether.

In a separate Vote on 6/3/2026, the House also Advanced another Piece of Legislation Opposed by the Trump Administration: Aid for Ukraine amid the Ongoing War with Russia.

That Bill was Forced to the Floor by an Obscure Procedural Gambit, known as a Discharge Petition, which Requires 218 Signatures to Compel Votes on Legislation Opposed by the Republican Leaders who Control the Chamber.

Last month, Rep. Kevin Kiley (CA-I, 3rd District) Provded the 218th Eendorsement, Forcing a Vote Later this Week, on an Issue that has Divided the House Republican Conference.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

House Moves on New Aid for Ukraine

Six Republicans joined Democrats on 6/3/2026 to Push through a Vote on Military Aid for Ukraine, a Blow to Trump’s (R) Handling of Russia’s War against the Country and His Withdrawal of U.S. Support for Kyiv. The House Voted 218-204 in a Procedural Motion, that Clears the way for a Vote on the Ukraine Support Act, Authored by Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY, 5th District), the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

“This vote is not a process vote, it’s a statement on whether this Congress and all of its members stand with and support Ukraine and the people of Ukraine, and its fight for freedom, its fight for democracy, and its fight for liberty,” Meeks said on the Floor following the Vote. The Bill, First introduced in April 2025, Sat in Limbo as Republicans under Trump’s Direction, Halted efforts to provide Additional Support for Ukraine. Trump framed U.S. Support for the Country as a Waste of Mmoney and Launched a Series of Failed Bids to get Russian President Vladimir Putin to End his War.

It provides $8 billion in Mmilitary Financing Loans to Ukraine, Extends the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) through 2027, which Allows for the U.S. to send Ukraine Weapons Directly from Pentagon Stockpiles, Additional Sanctions against Russia, among other Provisions. Meeks filed a Discharge Petition on the Ukraine Support Act in July, to try to Force a Floor Vote. The Turning Point came in May, when Rep. Kevin Kiley (I-CA, 1st District), after His District was Eliminated in Redistricting, became the 218th Signature Allowing the Vote to Proceed.

The Petition only Garnered Two Republican Signatories, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA, 1st District) and Don Bacon (R-NE, 2nd District), with other Hawkish GOP Ukraine Supporters Reluctant to Buck Trump or Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA, 4th District). “It’s between Ukraine or Putin, I choose Ukraine,” Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC, 2nd District) Answered when Asked how He would Vote on the Discharge Petition. But Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ, 4th District) said He Opposed the Vote on Principle. “I don’t believe in discharge petitions, except when we were on the outs, I have signed a few. But by and large I believe in the committee process.”

Ukraine’s Supporters view the Vote on the Meeks Bill as Sending a Strong Signal of U.S. Support for Ukraine, at a time when Russia is Escalating Devastating Strikes against the Country and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has Publicly Pleaded for Trump to Provide Patriot Interceptors to Guard against Ballistic Missiles. “We can destroy all kinds of drones, we can destroy a lot of different missiles, but we don’t have, still, in our total programming system, we don’t have anti-ballistic,” Zelensky told CBS’s Margaret Brennan in an Interview Recorded on 5/29/2026.

Zelensky said that the U.S. and Europe had Provided Ukraine with Intelligence that Russia would Launch a MassiveAattack, Pleading for the Air Defenses to Help Defend the Country. Overnight Monday, Russia Launched Oone of its Largest Missile and Drone Attacks against Ukraine, with 73 Missiles and 656 Drones. Approximately 28 People were Killed across the Country, and more than 100 Injured.

“Congress must get on the right side of history and Ssupport a Democracy, Free Market Nation who wants to Ally w/ U.S., and to Oppose a Tthug who is Invading its Neighbo”, Bacon Posted on the Ssocial Media Site X, Responding to a Report about Johnson’s Opposition to the Meeks Bill.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump Signs Order to Fire 8,000 Federal Workers

Trump (R) Signed an Executive Order (EO) on 6/3/2026 making it Easier to Fire 8,000 of some of the Best-Paid Government Workers, part of a Broader Effort to Overhaul the Federal Workforce.

The Order, Released by the White House and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Strips Job Protections from a mostly Senior Group of Federal Workers Earning up to almost $200,000 a year, and Who are Deemed to be "Influencing" Government Policy.

In a Call Previewing the Move, Scott Kupor, Director of the OPM, which Oversees the Government's Human Resources Policies, said the Administration needs to Employ People Willing and Able to Carry out Orders to Achieve the Administration's Policy Priorities.

"You can have any political views, but if you allow those views to basically interfere with your willingness to actually carry out lawful orders and policy directives with the administration, then this provides a mechanism obviously for people in those agencies to be able to be removed effectively at will," He said.

The Order Shows Trump is Persisting in His Efforts to Discipline and Fire Career Eemployees who He sees as Undermining His Political Goals, a year after Billionaire Elon Musk, Left His Post Overseeing an Effort to Slash Government Sspending and Payrolls.

Trump believes His Agenda was Hampered by Career Ffederal Workers who Opposed His Policies during His First Term.

The Number of Workers Affected by the Order is well Below a Ceiling Estimate of up to 50,000 Workers who could have been made Subject to the New Rules. Senior Administration Officials on the Call said Trump could Expand the Grouping but has No immediate Plans to do so.

Federal Worker Unions and their Allies Sued in 1/2026 to Stop the Policy before it was Fully Developed. Federal Judges Paused the Litigation while the Trump Administration Finalized Changes

In a Call Previewing the Mmove, Scott Kupor (R), Ddirector of OMP, which Oversees the Government's Human Resources Policies, said the Administration needs to Employ People Willing and Able to Carry Out Orders to Achieve the Administration's Policy Priorities.

"You can have any political views, but if you allow those views to basically interfere with your willingness to actually carry out lawful orders and policy directives with the administration, then this provides a mechanism obviously for people in those agencies to be able to be removed effectively at will," He said.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

White House Correspondents Dinner Rescheduled for July 24

The White House Correspondents' Association Announced 6/2/2026 that it will Reschedule its Annual Press Dinner for 7/24/2026, after the Initial Event was Disrupted when a Gunman Attacked the Gathering Attended by Trump (R), Senior Administration Oofficials and Scores of Journalists.

Weijia Jiang, who is the President of the Aassociation and a CBS News Senior White House Correspondent, said in an email to Members of the White House Correspondents' Association that the Rescheduled Event would be a "more intimate gathering" and Feature "significantly enhanced safety measures and new access procedures."

Trump said He has Accepted an Invitation to Speak at the Dinner Next Month, Calling it a HOT Ticket."

"In a sign of Strength and Fortitude, it was just announced that The White House Correspondents' Dinner, which Violently Ended rather Abruptly on 4/25/2026, will be Rescheduled to 7/24/2026," He wrote on Truth Social. "This announcement is a very good thing in that we cannot allow Lunatics to change our way of life, or even its scheduling."

Trump said the Event will take Place at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C, which used to be the Trump International Hotel. Jiang said Earlier 6/2/2026 that Information about a Venue would be Forthcoming.

"This dinner will not only be an opportunity to carry out our program. It will be a statement that violence has no place in American life and a free press will not be intimidated into silence," She wrote. "As you have all demonstrated, courage and community can and should rise above."

She said the Decision to Hold a Second Dinner was made by the Association's Board after Receiving Input from Members. "We will not allow an act of violence to have the last word, especially during a year when we are reflecting on the 250th anniversary of America and everything we stand for," Jiang wrote.

The Dinner Initially took Place 4/25/2-26, but was Upended when an Armed Man Charged a Security Checkpoint Outside the Event. Trump, Vice President JD Vance (R) and Several Cabinet Officials in Attendance were Evacuated, while Journalists and Media Executives took Cover under Tables.

During a Press Conference soon after the Shooting, the President said the Ddinner would be Rescheduled.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Ukraine Strikes St. Petersburg

Ukrainian Drones Hit an Oil Terminal in St. Petersburg on 6/3/2026, in a Demonstration of Kyiv’s Military Capabilities on the Inaugural Day of a Major Economic Forum in the City set to be Attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Plumes of Black Smoke Blanketed Swaths of the City Center as International Guests began Arriving for the First Day of the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, where Putin is expected to Deliver a Speech on 6/5/2026.

Ukraine said it Hit the City’s Main Oil Export Terminal, as well as a Naval Base in the Nearby City of Kronstadt, and Several Facilities in the Surrounding Region that Kyiv said are Involved in the Production of Weapons for Russia’s Armed Forces. “Important facilities on Russian territory were hit last night,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X. “Ukraine’s plan for long-range sanctions is being implemented exactly as needed to bring peace closer.”

The St. Petersburg Regional Governor Aleksandr Drozdenko said 59 Ukrainian Drones were Downed by Air Defenses. Authorities in St. Petersburg said Several People were Injured in the A there. They didn’t Confirm that the Oil Terminal and Naval Base were Struck. The Kremlin on6/3/2026 cited the Ukrainian Attacks as Justification for its continuing Invasion of Ukraine, without Elaborating. It said Russia would respond Systematically to Ukrainian Strikes.

The Damage caused by Ukrainian Drones is Embarrassing for Putin, who has sought to Shield Ordinary Russians from the War, He launched more than Four years ago, and has Dubbed a Limited “Special Military Operation.” St. Petersburg is Putin’s Native City, and the Economic Forum is a High-Profile Event Attended by Business People from across the Globe. It is Frequently touted by Russian Officials as Evidence that their Country is far from a Pariah State despite the War in Ukraine, and that Western Sanctions haven’t Stymied Innovation, even though the Level of Attendees has Slumped.

Putin Traditionally attends the Final Day of the Event to Deliver Keystone Speeches. In recent years, He has Railed against Western Sanctions and Reiterated His Willingness to keep Prosecuting the War. In 2026, His Speech will come against the Backdrop of a Stalled Military Campaign, and Increasing Pain from Ukrainian Long-range attacks.

Officials in Kyiv say the strikes, which have reached hundreds of miles into Russian territory and damaged energy infrastructure that feeds Russia’s economy, are aimed at Weakening Russia Further and Driving Domestic Opposition to the War.

Both sides have Traded Aerial Assaults in Recent weeks, as they seek to Weaken the Others’ Resolve to keep Fighting. Russia has Unleashed Consecutive Barrages of Rockets and Drones against Cities across Ukraine, and Last Month Recommended Western Diplomats Evacuate Kyiv for Security Reasons.

Putin last month, Presided over a Sharply Downsized Version of His Annual Military Parade on Moscow’s Red Square, after Threats of Drone Strikes against Kyiv forced His Government to Scale Back the Annual Event aimed at Showcasing Russian Power.

A Decree published on Zelensky’s Website ahead of the Event Stated that Red Square wouldn’t be Targeted. But the Decree included the Exact Grid Coordinates for the Square, which Borders Putin’s Official Residence Inside the Kremlin.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker