To combat the resurgence of the New World screwworm, a devastating pest threatening livestock and potentially humans, the U.S. government announced an $8.5 million initiative. This includes constructing a new insect dispersal facility in Texas to breed millions of sterile male flies for release, mimicking a successful strategy used decades ago. A second facility near the Mexico-Guatemala border is also planned, supplementing the existing one in Panama. This multi-pronged approach aims to prevent the screwworm’s northward migration and protect the U.S. cattle industry from significant economic losses.
Read More
Zhenhao Zou, a 28-year-old PhD student, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 24 years for drugging and raping 10 women in the UK and China between 2019 and 2024. The court heard that Zou, a prolific predator who filmed his crimes, targeted his victims using social media and dating websites. Police believe dozens more women may be victims and are urging them to come forward. Zou’s actions were described as highly manipulative and demonstrating a significant risk to the public.
Read More
An Iranian missile launched Thursday morning contained a cluster munition, dispersing 2.5 kg explosive submunitions across an 8km radius after splitting apart 7km above Azor. The attack, part of a large-scale barrage causing damage and injuries in multiple cities including Tel Aviv, resulted in significant damage to buildings and injuries, with some unexploded submunitions posing a continued danger. Defense systems intercepted some missiles, but the attack overwhelmed emergency services, leading to 89 reported injuries, six critical. Footage from the Ramat Gan stock exchange shows extensive building damage and rescue efforts underway.
Read More
Victor Avila, a 66-year-old legal permanent resident since 1967, was detained by ICE in May upon returning from Japan. His detention stems from a 2009 misdemeanor conviction, despite having served his sentence and renewed his green card twice since then. Avila’s family, including a son serving in the U.S. Air Force, are U.S. citizens, and a GoFundMe campaign has raised over $20,000 for his legal defense. A deportation hearing is scheduled for July 15th.
Read More
Trump’s poorly attended military parade, ostensibly celebrating the Army’s anniversary, served as an authoritarian spectacle designed to bolster his image and potentially incite unrest. Simultaneously, massive “No Kings” protests, numbering in the millions, demonstrated widespread opposition to his actions and rhetoric. Trump responded with escalating threats, targeting Democrat-led cities and deploying inflammatory language, suggesting a deliberate strategy to destabilize the country. Experts warn of a potential escalation of violence and the erosion of democratic norms, drawing parallels to historical authoritarian regimes.
Read More
A YouGov survey reveals shifting Republican opinions on presidential immunity and fair trials, with fewer now believing presidents should be immune from prosecution (35% vs. 49% in November) and a decreased belief in fair trials for wealthy defendants. While most Americans believe ordinary and wealthy defendants are likely to receive fair trials, fewer believe this applies to former presidents (56%). Despite Trump’s conviction, most Americans (83%) believe he will not serve prison time, and partisan divisions on his guilt and treatment within the justice system remain stark.
Read More
Amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran, the State Department initiated the evacuation of non-essential embassy staff and their families from Israel. A government plane transported some personnel, while others may have departed via land routes. While the ambassador initially announced evacuation plans for private U.S. citizens, the State Department later clarified that no such plans were currently in place, though they are exploring options and providing information to citizens wishing to leave independently. This action, coupled with increased military deployments and presidential warnings of potential U.S. involvement, significantly raises the risk of broader U.S. engagement in the conflict.
Read More
Honda’s surprise reusable rocket test marks a bold entry into the space race, aiming for full-fledged spaceflight capabilities by 2029. This unexpected move has ignited considerable excitement, particularly given Honda’s reputation for reliable and innovative engineering across various sectors, from motorcycles and automobiles to even the HondaJet. The company’s proven track record suggests that a Honda rocket might indeed offer a level of dependability that surpasses expectations.
The announcement has generated a wave of enthusiastic support, fueled by Honda’s long-standing reputation for durable products. Many people point to the longevity and consistent performance of Honda’s lawnmowers and cars as evidence of the company’s engineering prowess, suggesting that a Honda rocket could similarly defy typical aerospace reliability issues.… Continue reading
Overnight, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched a large-scale air strike on numerous Iranian targets, including an inactive, but potentially reactivatable, nuclear reactor near Arak. The IDF targeted the reactor’s core seal, a crucial component for plutonium production, aiming to prevent its future use in nuclear weapons development. Simultaneously, Israeli forces struck a nuclear weapons development site in Natanz and other military facilities. Following the strikes, Iran reported missile attacks on Israeli residential areas, prompting warnings from Russia about the escalating conflict.
Read More
President Trump’s premature departure from the G7 summit stemmed from disagreements with French President Macron over Greenland and a disinterest in meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. His stated reason for leaving was the need to address the Israeli-Iranian conflict, though sources suggest his irritation with Macron played a significant role. This early exit prompted NATO to shorten its upcoming summit to prevent similar disruptions. The incident involved Trump’s cancelled meeting with Zelenskyy and subsequent criticism of Macron.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood