Kim Jong Un held a public commemoration for North Korean troops who died fighting in support of Russia’s war in Ukraine, likely preparing the population for further deployments. This commemoration occurred at a gala performance, featuring a video of Kim mourning soldiers and draping coffins with the national flag. The event marked the first anniversary of the mutual defense pact between North Korea and Russia, a pact that has seen significant military and munitions exchanges. Experts believe this display aims to garner support for deployments while bracing the public for future involvement, as evidenced by North Korea’s deployment of approximately 15,000 troops and plans for further military personnel.
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Reports emerged that Kid Rock’s Nashville bar, along with several other Nashville restaurants, sent non-citizen employees home during a busy Saturday service due to potential ICE raids. While the musician has not explicitly denied the reports, he expressed support for removing “illegal criminals” from the country. ICE confirmed raids occurred in Nashville that weekend, leading to 196 arrests, including individuals with prior convictions or illegal reentry. This response comes amidst Kid Rock’s known support for former President Trump and his policies.
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Senator Josh Hawley, who publicly denounced Medicaid cuts as “morally wrong,” voted in favor of a budget reconciliation bill containing an estimated $930 billion in cuts to the program. The bill’s tax cuts, disproportionately benefiting high-income households, were predicated on the false promise of expiration, with Republicans now admitting their prior deception. Furthermore, the reinstatement of state and local tax deductions, though temporary, is another example of misleading budgeting practices. Ultimately, under real scoring, the Senate bill is projected to significantly increase the budget deficit, yet the Republican’s preferred scoring method attempts to hide this fact.
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Philadelphia is facing a strike by nearly 10,000 city workers, including sanitation workers and 911 operators, after contract negotiations stalled. The strike, announced by District Council 33 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, has prompted the city to suspend trash collection and adjust recreation center hours. Mayor Cherelle Parker, while vowing to keep the city operational and preserve Fourth of July celebrations, stated the city offered a fair contract with raises, but it was rejected. The union’s demands include annual raises, cost-of-living adjustments, pandemic bonuses, and full health care coverage for employees.
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Germany will deploy naval ships to the Arctic in response to the growing Russian military presence in the region, according to Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. The Bundeswehr plans to send patrol vessels, along with submarines, patrol aircraft, and frigates, to demonstrate its commitment and address increasing maritime threats. These deployments, scheduled for this year, will also include joint training exercises with allies. This move is part of Germany’s broader effort to strengthen its role in defending the West against Russia, particularly following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
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As Republicans push forward with Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” which threatens to strip millions of Americans of vital aid, Democrats are expected to fight against its passage. However, Senator John Fetterman has expressed open frustration with the extended legislative process, stating his preference to be elsewhere, such as on vacation. This sentiment has drawn criticism, with some questioning Fetterman’s commitment to the role and the needs of his constituents. Despite Fetterman’s intentions to vote against the bill, his recent actions and comments have stirred controversy and concern among fellow Democrats and constituents alike.
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In a farewell video, former US Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush criticized the Trump administration’s decision to dismantle USAID, calling it a “colossal mistake.” Monday marked the final day of USAID’s operation as an independent agency, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordering its absorption into the State Department. The former presidents, joined by U2 singer Bono, expressed their appreciation for the agency’s work, particularly its efforts in humanitarian aid, disease prevention, and promoting economic development. Obama emphasized USAID’s crucial role in global economic growth and saving lives, while Bush highlighted the importance of the PEPFAR program, which saved millions of lives.
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Donald Trump has dropped his federal lawsuit against Iowa pollster J. Ann Selzer, the Des Moines Register, and Gannett, alleging the survey falsely boosted Kamala Harris’s chances during the 2024 election. The case was dismissed without prejudice after the president’s legal team was denied requests to move the lawsuit out of federal court, and a similar complaint was subsequently filed in Iowa district court. Selzer’s attorney stated that there was no settlement involved, and the newspaper will continue to defend its First Amendment rights. This withdrawal occurs alongside a separate $20 billion lawsuit against CBS News, which is expected to reach a settlement.
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Overnight, Russian-occupied Donetsk and Luhansk experienced intense drone and missile attacks, resulting in fatalities and injuries. In Donetsk, a woman was killed, and others, including a teenager, were wounded, with several buildings damaged or destroyed. Horlivka was also targeted, with a bank branch sustaining damage. Russian-backed officials reported 26 strikes involving various weaponry. Reports suggest British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles were potentially used in the attacks.
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The author addresses Joe Rogan, expressing concern that Kash Patel misled him during a podcast about the “Russiagate” scandal. Patel presented a skewed narrative, focusing on the Steele dossier and the FBI’s actions while downplaying the broader issue: Russia’s interference in the 2016 election to help Trump. The author highlights Patel’s inaccuracies and omissions, urging Rogan to critically examine the claims and consider the extensive evidence, including bipartisan Senate reports, that contradict Patel’s assertions. Furthermore, the author points out additional misleading statements by Patel regarding crime statistics and the January 6th events.
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John Q. Hosedrinker