What's Happening

International

The US and China Are Locked in a Dangerous Standoff

What's going on: The economic ties between the US and China — once seen as the glue holding a fragile relationship together — are fraying fast. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are locked in a high-stakes trade standoff, with each side imposing triple-digit tariffs on the other. Over the weekend, the White House sent mixed signals about a potential carve out for electronics arriving from China. Meanwhile, Beijing called on the US to “completely cancel” its so-called reciprocal tariffs. Behind the scenes, US officials seem to want a personal call from Xi to negotiate, but some analysts say the trade war has spiraled out of control. The result? Rising fears of something far bigger than an economic spat. 

What it means: Experts worry the trade war could trigger a national security crisis — especially if Beijing sees the turmoil as an opportunity to speed up military moves around Taiwan. (Xi is currently touring Southeast Asia in an effort to strengthen China’s ties with its neighbors amid the trade dispute.) The Pentagon is evaluating whether Beijing could restrict exports of materials used in US weapons systems, according to The New York Times. “We’ve backed into decoupling,” a leading China policy analyst said, pointing to signs that the unraveling of US-China trade ties is already well underway. Still, Trump remains optimistic, saying last week that he believes his relationship with Xi will bring “something positive.”

Related: This EU Official Is Visiting Washington With a Delicate Deal in Hand (Politico)

US News

Colorado Passes Historic Gun Law 

What's going on: Colorado just passed a first-of-its-kind law targeting firearms with detachable magazines — the type commonly found on semiautomatic weapons like AR-15s, which make reloading faster and easier. Beginning August 2026, there will be a ban on the purchase, sale, or manufacture of specific semiautomatic firearms that accept high-capacity magazines. There will be an exception for Coloradans who get a special license and complete safety training. The law is intended to help reduce mass shootings and save lives — since high-capacity detachable magazines are a common factor in these tragedies. As one gun-control advocate said: “The moment when a shooter takes a pause to reload is the thing that can save lives and the research certainly bears that out.”

What it means: The state has a long and painful history with gun violence — from Columbine to Aurora. For some, this law is deeply personal, including for state Sen. Tom Sullivan (D), who lost his son in the theater shooting and led the push for this bill. Supporters say it could become a national model. Gun rights advocates, meanwhile, are preparing to challenge it in court, arguing it’s too restrictive and could unfairly affect Black gun owners. Some also point out that enforcement may be tricky if people can still bring in weapons from neighboring states. In the meantime, other Democrat-led states are watching closely — and some, like New Mexico, are already considering similar laws.

Related: The Trump Admin Is Planning To Roll Back These Gun Control Measures (NYT Gift Link) 

Health

ADHD Study Raises New Questions About Diagnosis, Treatment

What's going on: ADHD has made pop culture cameos for years, from Bart and Lisa Simpson to Modern Family’s Phil Dunphy — with fans often debating whether these shows “got it right.” But even scientists are still figuring that out. Some experts now say they understand less about ADHD than they thought they did two decades ago, The New York Times reports. Turns out, it may not be a simple, black-and-white diagnosis, but rather a set of symptoms that exist on a spectrum — showing up differently depending on the person, the place, and even the gender. And while treatment today largely revolves around medications like Adderall and Ritalin, many researchers believe that approach isn’t enough — especially with more than 15% of adolescents diagnosed and prescriptions at record highs.

Tell me more: In an era when even those without ADHD are concerned about attention spans, scientists are rethinking what really works. For instance, recent research indicates that a calm home life or an engaging job or classroom can help sharpen focus — and in some cases, symptoms seem to come and go based on environment. A long-term study on children also found that the effects of a daily Ritalin dose often wear off after about three years. Bottom line: The science of ADHD may need a shift in focus too — and the more researchers revisit what they think they know, the more effective support could become.

Related: Why a Leading US Alzheimer's Project Is in Trouble (NBC News)