The European Union officially launched a €150 billion ($170 billion) defense loan instrument, called SAFE, to bolster Europe’s defense industry and support Ukraine against Russia’s ongoing aggression. This initiative, bypassing EU fiscal spending limits, will fund weapons procurement and production capacity increases for eligible EU member states, EFTA members, and Ukraine. The program aims to address capability gaps and significantly increase military aid to Ukraine, effectively doubling its current weapons supply. SAFE is a key component of the broader ReArm Europe program, facilitating an additional €650 billion in defense spending across the EU.
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Zelenskyy believes Vladimir Putin, rather than himself, is the greater source of irritation for the White House due to Putin’s deceptive nature and unwillingness to negotiate genuinely. While acknowledging potential US disappointment with Ukraine, Zelenskyy notes the White House understands Putin’s obstruction to their desired resolution. He highlights the challenging yet viable nature of the US-Ukraine partnership, contrasting it with the perceived one-sidedness of any interaction with Putin. This assessment follows recent large-scale Russian strikes on Ukraine and escalating rhetoric between Russia and the US.
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In a press statement on Sunday, Donald Trump expressed strong disapproval of Vladimir Putin’s actions in Ukraine, specifically citing the recent large-scale missile attacks on Kyiv and other cities. He stated his displeasure with the ongoing violence and killings, noting a personal history with Putin despite his current condemnation. Trump’s comments followed Russia’s most significant bombardment of Ukraine since the 2022 invasion. Russian state media responded to Trump’s criticism with ridicule.
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The US State Department has temporarily halted new student visa appointments globally to implement expanded social media vetting for all applicants. This action, stemming from a cable issued by Secretary Rubio, follows recent visa revocations and attempts to restrict foreign student enrollment. The pause is expected to create a significant backlog and potentially severely impact fall enrollment, particularly given the timing of the announcement. The expanded vetting process, while described as a review of existing procedures, raises concerns about its impact on international student admissions to US universities.
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A French government report warns of Islamist “entryism,” a tactic by groups like the Muslim Brotherhood to infiltrate French institutions, including schools and local government, to subtly undermine secular values from within. The report highlights the Federation of Muslims of France (FMF) as a key actor in this strategy, citing its control over numerous mosques, associations, and schools. This “entryism,” distinct from separatism, aims to influence societal norms and create religiously structured communities. President Macron has requested new government proposals to address this threat to national cohesion.
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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.
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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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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.
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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.
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Russia’s energy minister, Anton Rubtsov, has warned that heavy taxation is making oil production unprofitable, threatening the country’s vital export revenue. This comes as Russia’s oil and gas revenue plummeted by a third in May, reaching its lowest level since July 2023. The high tax burden, implemented to offset sanctions-related losses, is deterring investment and potentially impacting long-term production. Experts warn that while tax cuts could boost production, they risk widening the budget deficit, leaving the Kremlin in a difficult financial balancing act.
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John Q. Hosedrinker