Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed Iran plotted to assassinate former US President Donald Trump, citing Trump’s strong stance against Iran’s nuclear ambitions as the motive. Netanyahu credited Trump with dismantling the Iran nuclear deal and killing Qasem Soleimani, framing their joint efforts as a necessary response to Iran’s “dual existential threat” of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. He asserted that Israel’s recent military operation, Operation Rising Lion, significantly hampered Iran’s nuclear program and that Israel will continue to defend itself and the world from this threat. Netanyahu also disclosed that he himself was a target of an Iranian attack.
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Vance Boelter faces state and federal charges for the murders of Minnesota Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the attempted murders of Senator John Hoffman and his wife. The FBI investigation revealed Boelter visited the homes of at least two other lawmakers the same night, indicating a pre-planned, targeted attack. Boelter was apprehended after a 36-hour manhunt, and authorities recovered multiple firearms and evidence suggesting extensive planning and surveillance of his victims. Prosecutors intend to pursue first-degree murder charges, carrying a potential sentence of life without parole.
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Senator Tim Kaine introduced a war powers resolution to prevent President Trump from attacking Iran without congressional approval, citing concerns about another prolonged Middle Eastern conflict. The resolution, enjoying privileged status in the Senate, mandates explicit congressional authorization—through a declaration of war or specific military force authorization—for any hostilities with Iran. This measure follows escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, with bipartisan calls to avoid further U.S. military involvement. Previous similar legislation passed Congress but was vetoed by President Trump. The resolution aims to ensure any decision to engage U.S. troops in conflict with Iran is subject to thorough debate and a congressional vote.
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Russia reiterated its offer to store Iranian uranium, a proposal complicated by recent escalating tensions. This offer, made earlier this year, aims to ease concerns over Iran’s nuclear program. Simultaneously, Iran threatened to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, while Israel launched strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Despite Russia’s offer of mediation, the EU expressed significant doubt regarding its credibility in this role.
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Despite initial anger and a strong consideration of leaving, Indigenous leader Steven Crowchild ultimately chose to engage in a lengthy conversation with President Trump upon his arrival at the G7 summit. This decision, following prayer and consultation, was driven by a desire to advocate for Indigenous issues, including peace and clean water protection, on a global stage. Crowchild, representing the Tsuut’ina Nation, utilized his people’s language and traditional attire to convey the importance of these issues to the U.S. President. While the exact content of their conversation remains undisclosed, Crowchild hopes this interaction will raise awareness and promote positive change.
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During a Vienna press conference, President Zelenskyy revealed a Russian proposal to exchange prisoners of war for abducted Ukrainian children, a clear violation of international law. This unacceptable offer underscores Russia’s refusal to acknowledge the scale of child abductions, previously evidenced by dismissive comments from Russian negotiators. Ukraine is actively engaging numerous international partners to secure the return of thousands of forcibly deported children. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for diplomatic efforts to achieve this goal.
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Despite being appointed by President Trump to overturn Roe v. Wade, Justice Amy Coney Barrett initially opposed hearing the Dobbs case. Although she ultimately cast the deciding vote to overturn Roe, her voting record reveals a less partisan approach than expected by her conservative supporters, frequently siding with liberal justices on Trump administration matters. This has led to friction with the court’s most conservative wing, with Barrett sometimes issuing concurring opinions that diverge from her colleagues’ reasoning. Her actions, including recusal in a conflict-of-interest case, demonstrate a commitment to judicial process over partisan politics.
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Ukraine says five of its nationals were among the nine people killed in Saturday’s Iranian missile strike on Bat Yam, a city in Israel with a significant population of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, including many Ukrainians. This tragic event highlights the devastating ripple effects of geopolitical conflicts, demonstrating how individuals fleeing one warzone can tragically find themselves caught in another.
The incident underscores the heartbreaking reality for Ukrainians who, having escaped the ongoing war in their homeland, found themselves victims of a completely separate conflict thousands of miles away. The fact that an entire family, who had sought refuge in Israel after fleeing Iranian drone attacks in Ukraine, perished in this strike is particularly poignant, a cruel twist of fate that illustrates the pervasive nature of global instability.… Continue reading
Atlantic Trident 25, a multinational air combat exercise involving over 40 aircraft and 1,000 personnel from four nations, is being held in Finland for the first time from June 16th to 27th, 2025. The exercise, led by USAFE-AFAFRICA, focuses on integrating fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft in complex combat scenarios and enhancing allied interoperability. Finland’s participation, following its NATO accession, is significant, showcasing strengthened regional deterrence near its border with Russia. This exercise reflects a major strategic shift in Europe, with Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership bolstering the alliance’s capabilities in the High North and Baltic regions.
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A ProPublica investigation, based on a U.S. government inquiry, alleges that Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele’s administration made a secret pact with MS-13 gang leaders. This deal allegedly involved blocking extraditions of gang leaders, persecuting law enforcement officials, and potentially diverting U.S. aid funds to the gang in exchange for political support and reduced homicide rates. The investigation implicated Bukele and other senior officials in money laundering related to these activities. This alleged deal follows a history of similar, though smaller-scale, pacts between Salvadoran governments and gangs, highlighting a complex relationship between the two.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood