Despite European sanctions, Russia’s energy exports are projected to generate €233 billion in 2025, with over €20 billion stemming from EU purchases. This surpasses the EU’s planned military aid to Ukraine. Continued EU energy imports, totaling approximately €2 billion monthly, significantly bolster Russia’s military capabilities. This highlights the limited effectiveness of sanctions in curbing Russia’s war effort.
Fifty-nine-year-old Raymond Feige, a DEP marine engineer with over 30 years of service, was killed in a sewage boat explosion on Saturday. The accident, currently under investigation, occurred at the North River Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility. While another employee received hospital treatment, the incident appears to have had no lasting effect on plant operations or the environment. Commissioner Aggarwala lauded Feige’s dedication and expertise, highlighting his crucial, often unseen, contributions to the city.
SpaceX’s ninth Starship test flight ended in an explosion over the Indian Ocean on May 27, 2025. The Super Heavy booster failed, unlike previous tests where the upper stage was lost, and the Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly, failing to deploy its payload. Despite the failure, the flight exceeded the distance of previous attempts and SpaceX plans to increase launch frequency to one every 3-4 weeks. This test flight, the first to reuse a Super Heavy booster, aimed to push the boundaries of descent and reusability, key elements in SpaceX’s ambition for affordable space travel.
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Johns Hopkins University, concerned about the lack of conservative voices in academia, has partnered with the American Enterprise Institute to promote ideological diversity. This initiative, mirroring similar efforts at other universities, aims to address the underrepresentation of conservatives through various programs including cluster hiring, mentorship, and fellowships. The initiative seeks to broaden the applicant pool and create a more inclusive environment for conservative scholars, thereby enriching the academic discourse and improving public perception of higher education. This approach utilizes strategies similar to those employed in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, but focuses on political viewpoint rather than race or ethnicity. Critics, however, question whether this constitutes affirmative action for conservatives.
Senator Durbin, citing a precedent set by former Senator Vance, will delay confirmation votes on President Trump’s U.S. Attorney nominees. Vance previously stalled the confirmation of Biden’s nominees to protest the perceived politicization of the Department of Justice. This action by Durbin, who is not seeking reelection, has drawn criticism from Senator Grassley, who argues that Vance’s actions did not establish a legitimate precedent and that Durbin’s actions represent an unprecedented attack on the justice system. Grassley calls for bipartisan cooperation in confirming the nominees. The dispute highlights the increasing politicization of judicial appointments.
King Charles III delivered the Speech from the Throne, opening Canada’s 45th Parliament and emphasizing Canada’s independent identity. The speech, drafted in consultation with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office, outlined a plan for significant economic transformation, mirroring Liberal election promises. This transformation includes tax cuts, removing interprovincial trade barriers, and expedited infrastructure approvals. The King’s presence underscored Canada’s sovereignty, particularly in light of recent US rhetoric regarding annexation.
Prime Minister Mark Carney aims to finalize a concrete agreement with European partners by Canada Day, July 1, to participate in their €1.25 trillion defence rearmament plan. This initiative seeks to reduce Canada’s heavy reliance on the U.S. for military equipment, currently accounting for 75% of defence spending. While Carney confirmed increased defence spending is necessary and Canada will participate in NATO’s increased spending goals, he rejected President Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile defence proposal and avoided committing to a specific percentage of GDP for defence spending. A fall budget will address these details.
A 20-year-old Venezuelan asylum seeker and Ellis Prep High School student, Dylan, was detained by ICE following a court hearing, marking the first known arrest of a NYC public school student by the agency. ICE claims Dylan illegally entered the U.S. over a year ago and is subject to expedited removal, while his attorney contends he entered legally under existing Biden administration policies. Dylan’s mother reports her son is ill and has been transferred between multiple detention centers without medical care. Mayor Adams declined to intervene, citing legal limitations on coordinating with ICE on civil matters.
The trial of Joel Le Scouarnec, France’s most prolific known pedophile, concluded with widespread frustration over the lack of public attention, despite the conviction of a surgeon who admitted to abusing almost 300 individuals, mostly children. Victims, forming a campaign group, criticized the government’s inaction and a perceived societal indifference, highlighting institutional failures that allowed the abuse to persist for decades. The case, unlike the widely publicized Pelicot trial, failed to garner similar public outrage, prompting questions about France’s willingness to confront widespread child sexual abuse. Experts suggest this lack of attention may stem from the sheer number of victims, the grim nature of the crimes, and a cultural silence surrounding child sexual abuse in France.
John Q. Hosedrinker