As of June 28, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported that Russia has suffered approximately 1,017,720 casualties since the start of its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, with 1,000 casualties occurring in the last day alone. Along with the significant loss of life, Russia has also lost vast amounts of military equipment, including thousands of tanks, armored fighting vehicles, artillery systems, and various other vehicles and vessels. The report details a comprehensive list of destroyed Russian military assets, including aircraft, drones, and submarines, highlighting the extensive damage sustained throughout the conflict.
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Germany and Italy are facing calls to repatriate a combined $245 billion in gold stored in the Federal Reserve due to concerns over the safety of their reserves. Politicians and advocacy groups are worried about the potential impact of US political interference, particularly given former President Trump’s criticism of the Federal Reserve. Germany and Italy hold the second and third largest gold reserves globally, with significant portions stored in the US, prompting calls for increased financial sovereignty. These concerns are amplified by worries about the Federal Reserve’s independence and the perceived risks associated with storing gold abroad under the current political climate.
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The Supreme Court issued a controversial ruling that significantly impacts the legal landscape surrounding birthright citizenship. The decision, written by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, effectively allows a Trump executive order denying citizenship to children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents to take effect. While the court avoided directly addressing the constitutional questions about birthright citizenship, the ruling also bars lower courts from issuing nationwide injunctions, which has been criticized for its implications on immigration enforcement. Justice Sotomayor, in her dissent, accused the Court of “gamesmanship,” and Justice Jackson called the decision “an existential threat to the rule of law.”
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China’s claim that it can’t “invade” Taiwan because it’s already part of its territory is at the heart of a deeply complex and historically charged disagreement. This justification, reminiscent of justifications used for other conflicts, highlights the core of the issue: a clash over history, identity, and the very definition of what constitutes “China.” The People’s Republic of China (PRC) views Taiwan as a renegade province, a part of its sovereign territory that needs to be reunified, by force if necessary.
This perspective, however, is directly at odds with Taiwan’s own self-identification and historical narrative. The Republic of China (ROC), Taiwan’s official name, maintains that it is the legitimate government of all of China, a claim rooted in the aftermath of the Chinese Civil War.… Continue reading
Ukraine is preparing to request EU sanctions against Bangladeshi entities for importing wheat stolen from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, according to comments from Ukraine’s ambassador to India. Despite Ukrainian diplomatic efforts to halt the trade, Bangladesh has not responded, prompting Kyiv to escalate the issue. The Ukrainian Embassy has requested Bangladesh reject over 150,000 tonnes of allegedly stolen grain shipped from a Russian port, but Bangladesh denies these imports. This action follows ongoing grain theft since 2014 and contributes to the estimated $80 billion in losses suffered by Ukraine’s agricultural sector due to the war.
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A federal law enforcement operation in Huntington Park, captured on security camera footage, involved an explosion as agents entered a home early Friday morning. The blast, which blew the door off and shattered a window, startled a woman and her two young children who were inside the residence. The agents were searching for the woman’s boyfriend, who was not present at the time of the raid. Authorities later stated that the boyfriend, Jorge Sierra-Hernandez, was arrested for ramming his car into a CBP vehicle and assaulting agents.
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Following allegations of intentional IDF fire on Palestinian civilians at aid distribution sites, Israel’s Military Advocate General initiated an investigation into potential war crimes. This investigation was spurred by claims of deliberate attacks against civilians seeking humanitarian assistance in Gaza. Both the IDF and Prime Minister Netanyahu have rejected the accusations. The probe is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding these incidents.
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Weather forecasts are at risk as the U.S. Department of Defense will cut off crucial data from its weather satellites, impacting the ability to accurately predict hurricane paths and intensity. This data, collected by satellites jointly run with NOAA, provides essential three-dimensional details of storms, especially at night, which conventional satellites miss. Experts warn that this data loss will hinder detection of rapid intensification and accurate storm plotting, potentially affecting millions along hurricane-prone coastlines. This move, coupled with previous cuts in NOAA’s resources during the Trump administration, raises concerns about the quality of future weather forecasts.
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Pentagon Strips Harvey Milk’s Name From Navy Vessel, and frankly, it’s utterly disgusting. This whole situation, stripping a ship of its namesake, the iconic Harvey Milk, feels like a deliberate slap in the face. It’s hard not to feel a sense of outrage when you see such a blatant political move, especially when it targets a figure like Milk who fought so courageously for equality. It’s as though they’re threatened by the very idea of a person like Harvey Milk, a man who stood for inclusivity and acceptance.
Pentagon Strips Harvey Milk’s Name From Navy Vessel, and it really makes you wonder about the motivations behind such a move.… Continue reading
The Army is implementing a new policy that could lead to the discharge of soldiers with chronic skin conditions like pseudofolliculitis barbae, disproportionately affecting Black men. This policy will require formal treatment plans and may mandate laser treatments, with soldiers potentially facing separation if they need shaving exemptions for over a year. This move follows the Marine Corps’ similar program and aligns with concerns regarding racial discrimination. The policy is being implemented amid a recruiting slump, particularly among white recruits, and a broader review of grooming standards ordered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood