Beginning in 2026, Saudi Arabia will implement a tightly controlled alcohol licensing system in designated tourist areas, including hotels and resorts, to support its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan. This limited alcohol availability, encompassing beer, wine, and cider but excluding spirits, aims to attract international events and investment while preserving cultural norms. Strict regulations and penalties for misuse will govern sales and consumption, ensuring responsible handling within authorized locations only. The initiative is expected to boost job creation and growth in hospitality and related sectors.
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During the night of May 23-24, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine, utilizing 14 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles and 250 attack drones. Ukrainian forces successfully intercepted six ballistic missiles and 128 drones, while electronic warfare neutralized a further 117 drones. The assault targeted multiple regions, including Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, and Zaporizhzhia, causing widespread disruption. This large-scale attack demonstrates the ongoing intensity of the conflict.
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At West Point’s 2025 graduation, President Trump delivered a lengthy speech deviating significantly from its intended focus. He used the address to celebrate his administration’s dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs within the military and to boast about his crackdown on immigration. The speech also included tangential anecdotes about golf, real estate, and comparisons to Al Capone, highlighting his perceived persecution. Trump’s departure from the stage via a staircase, rather than the ramp that previously sparked controversy, concluded the event.
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A recent DIA report to the US House of Representatives indicates that Vladimir Putin remains committed to his original war aims in Ukraine: Ukrainian neutrality and territorial partition. Putin views the conflict as an existential struggle against the West, impacting his power and legacy. Despite substantial military losses—estimated at over 10,000 ground vehicles and 700,000 personnel—Russia plans to continue its war of attrition through at least 2025, while simultaneously engaging in asymmetric warfare and destabilization efforts against the West. This strategy is pursued despite a weakened military capacity to directly confront NATO.
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Russia’s military advantage in Ukraine is diminishing due to critical shortages of weapons and manpower, leading to unsustainable losses despite numerical superiority. This decline, evidenced by stalled advances and dwindling tank reserves, presents an opportune moment for increased international pressure on Moscow. However, despite this weakening, Putin remains confident in a Russian victory, fueled by potentially inaccurate internal reports and a strategy of delaying peace negotiations while intensifying attacks. This confidence, coupled with Trump’s reluctance to engage in sanctions, creates a complex geopolitical landscape.
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New research predicts a significant expansion of Aspergillus fungi, responsible for the life-threatening aspergillosis, into new regions due to climate change. This expansion, modeled using computer simulations, will affect North America, Europe, China, and Russia, increasing the risk of infection for millions. The study highlights the urgent need for increased research and preparedness, given the high mortality rate of aspergillosis and the limited antifungal treatments available. Furthermore, the rising temperatures may also increase the fungi’s temperature tolerance, making infections more likely. This underscores the growing threat posed by climate change-driven increases in fungal pathogens.
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A federal judge rebuked the Trump administration for defying a court order by deporting migrants to South Sudan, a country deemed too dangerous for American travelers, without proper notice. The administration’s actions, including providing less than 24 hours’ notice, directly violated a prior injunction. House Republicans subsequently passed a bill to limit judges’ ability to enforce contempt orders, seemingly aimed at shielding administration officials from accountability. This move threatens to render numerous existing injunctions, including those concerning civil rights, unenforceable. The bill’s future remains uncertain, pending a potential challenge based on Senate procedural rules.
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John Ewing’s decisive victory over Republican incumbent Jean Stothert in Omaha’s mayoral race marks a significant rebuke of anti-transgender campaign tactics. Stothert’s campaign heavily focused on anti-transgender messaging, mirroring national trends, but this strategy proved ineffective against a counter-campaign highlighting the mayor’s neglect of city issues. Ewing’s win, the first for a Black mayor in Omaha, signals potential voter fatigue with culture war politics and suggests a shift in the effectiveness of anti-transgender rhetoric in swing districts. This outcome carries implications for future elections, particularly for Rep. Don Bacon’s upcoming reelection campaign, which has similarly relied on anti-trans talking points.
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Suspected sabotage caused a major power outage affecting Cannes and surrounding areas, plunging approximately 160,000 homes into darkness, including venues at the Cannes Film Festival. Investigations revealed arson at an electrical substation and damage to a pylon. Despite the disruption to screenings, the festival’s closing ceremony will proceed as scheduled thanks to a backup power system. Authorities are investigating the incident.
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Young American men are increasingly converting to Russian Orthodox Christianity, drawn to its emphasis on traditional masculinity and family values. This surge in converts, particularly noticeable in Texas, is linked to dissatisfaction with modern American culture and a perceived lack of male identity in contemporary society. The Russian Orthodox Church’s conservative stance on gender roles, family structure, and societal norms resonates with many seeking a counter-cultural alternative. This growth is amplified by online presence and outreach, contrasting with the relatively small size of the Orthodox community within the broader American religious landscape.
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John Q. Hosedrinker