Following a fire at a Nice substation, approximately 45,000 homes experienced a power outage due to suspected sabotage. The incident, mirroring a similar event in Cannes the previous day, involved a broken door and visible tire tracks at the affected facility. This second act of suspected vandalism disrupted services including Nice Airport and the local tramway network. Power was eventually restored later in the morning.
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Donald Trump, citing Harvard’s high percentage of international students (27.2%), demanded the university disclose their identities and home countries, questioning why those nations don’t contribute financially to their education. This follows the Trump administration’s attempts to block Harvard from enrolling foreign students and revoke its federal funding, actions a federal court temporarily halted. The administration’s actions stem from a broader effort to review universities’ federal funds and have been criticized as a politically motivated attack on higher education. Harvard has countered these accusations, emphasizing the significant contributions international students make to the university and the nation.
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After quitting his job and liquidating his retirement savings, Oliver Widger, a 29-year-old Oregon man, completed a weekslong solo sail to Hawaii with his cat, Phoenix. His journey, documented extensively on social media, garnered him over 2.7 million followers and national media attention. Upon arrival in Waikiki, he was greeted by cheering fans and Governor Josh Green, who presented him with a proclamation. Widger’s voyage, undertaken after a health scare prompted a reevaluation of his life, resonated with many who felt similarly trapped in unfulfilling careers.
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Federal agents are conducting mass arrests of immigrants outside immigration courtrooms across the US, immediately following hearings. These arrests, part of the Trump administration’s accelerated deportation agenda, target individuals with minimal or no criminal history, even those legally present or granted asylum. The American Immigration Lawyers Association condemns these actions as a violation of due process and basic fairness, arguing that the courts are being weaponized to expedite deportations. This strategy utilizes expedited removal processes, bypassing judicial hearings for those in the country less than two years, causing widespread concern about the erosion of legal protections.
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Despite criticizing European leaders for their delayed response to Russia’s actions, the author acknowledges President Trump’s prescient warnings regarding European defense spending and energy dependence on Russia, dating back to 2016. While acknowledging the likelihood of US withdrawal from Ukraine, the author suggests that increased European unity and leveraging relationships with major trading partners like China, India, and Iran, could yield significant results through sanctions. This coordinated approach could create substantial leverage, even without US participation, and requires greater cooperation between the UK and Europe. Ultimately, the author believes a unified European response to the crisis holds potential, despite the current grim outlook.
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Russia launched its largest-ever air attack on Ukraine, using over 360 missiles and drones, resulting in at least 14 deaths, including three children, and widespread damage across 13 regions. Ukrainian forces reported shooting down numerous missiles and drones, but the attack caused significant damage to residential buildings and infrastructure. The assault, which targeted military and civilian sites, came amidst ongoing calls for a ceasefire, which Russia has ignored. President Zelenskyy emphasized the need for stronger international pressure on Russia to halt the escalating violence.
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During a May 20th visit by Vladimir Putin to Russia’s Kursk Oblast, Ukrainian forces launched a large-scale drone attack. Kursk Oblast’s air defense forces intercepted 46 drones. The defense of Putin’s helicopter was a key element of this operation, placing it at the center of the counter-drone efforts. This unprecedented attack highlights the escalating conflict and the significant security measures surrounding Putin’s movements.
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Scores of White House National Security Council (NSC) staffers, including career officials and political appointees, were dismissed Friday under new National Security Advisor Marco Rubio. This downsizing, delivered via email on a Friday afternoon, reflects an administration effort to reduce the NSC’s size, mirroring models advocated by former advisors like Brent Scowcroft. Two new deputy advisors, Andy Baker and Robert Gabriel, have been appointed. The cuts, while intended to streamline operations, have raised concerns among former officials about the impact on the NSC’s ability to effectively advise the President on complex national security issues.
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On November 20, 2000, Michelle Renee and her seven-year-old daughter, Breea, were held hostage for 14 hours by three men who forced Michelle to rob her own bank. The men, led by Christopher Butler, used fake dynamite and threats to ensure compliance, leaving Breea in a closet while Michelle obtained $360,000. Butler’s business card, left at the bank earlier that day, led to the arrests of all four perpetrators. Although Michelle faced intense scrutiny during the trial, ultimately, all perpetrators were convicted, with Butler’s parole repeatedly denied after he recanted his false testimony implicating Michelle.
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Representative Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) asserts that the Republican tax bill does not cut federal health or food benefits, despite projected cuts of $1 trillion from related programs. This assertion contradicts analyses showing millions would lose health insurance and food assistance, including thousands in Van Orden’s own district. The bill, if enacted, would drastically reduce funding for Medicaid and SNAP, impacting millions of low-income Americans. Van Orden’s claims are refuted by independent analyses from organizations such as the Urban Institute and the Congressional Budget Office.
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John Q. Hosedrinker