News of the World
06-17-2025, 09:21 AM
(This post was last modified: 06-17-2025, 10:17 AM by kyonides.
Edit Reason: US-UK Trade Deal
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MIDDLE EAST WAR
Quote:The Pentagon and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth signaled on Monday that the United States does not plan to strike Iran as President Donald Trump prepares to meet with the National Security Council (NSC) at the White House.
The NSC meeting comes as the U.S. has repositioned both warships and military aircraft in the region to respond if the conflict between Israel and Iran further escalates.
"American Forces are maintaining their defensive posture & that has not changed," Sean Parnell, chief Pentagon spokesperson, wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "We will protect American troops & our interests."
The Context
Israel launched a number of strikes against Iran last week, igniting the most serious escalation to date in their long-running conflict.
Both countries have lobbed missiles at one another since Israel first attacked Iran early Friday, local time, with Iran bearing the brunt of the cost in the days since.
Israeli airstrikes have decapitated Iran's military and intelligence leadership and targeted critical nuclear sites and scientists, killing more than 224 people since Friday. Israeli officials have said that 24 people in Israel have been killed and at least 500 were injured as a result of Iran's retaliatory strikes.
What To Know
Hegseth underscored America's defensive posture vis-à-vis Iran, telling Fox News that Trump's priority is still achieving a new nuclear agreement with Iran.
"We believe that Iran ... should not have a nuclear weapon," he told Fox's Jesse Watters. "That position hasn't changed."
"Right now, we've got assets in the region and we're going to defend them," he said, adding: "We're strong, we're prepared, we're defensive ... President Trump hopes there can be peace."
The Trump administration has been working to negotiate a new nuclear agreement in Iran since he took office in January. Trump scrapped the Obama administration's 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran in 2018, during his first term.
On Monday evening, the president issued a warning to Tehran residents, telling them to "immediately" evacuate the capital city.
"Iran should have signed the 'deal' I told them to sign," he wrote. "What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!"
Trump initially planned to be at the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada until it wrapped, but White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that the president will leave early to deal with the Israel-Iran crisis.
Quote:President Donald Trump issued a warning on Monday evening telling "everyone" in Tehran to "immediately evacuate" the city. The U.S. president will also leave the G7 summit in Canada early to deal with the rapidly escalating crisis between Israel and Iran and has reportedly called a National Security Council meeting for when he lands in Washington, D.C.
The Context
Israel launched a number of strikes against Iran last week, igniting the most serious escalation to date in their long-running conflict.
Both countries have lobbed missiles at one another since Israel first attacked Iran early Friday, local time, with Iran bearing the brunt of the cost in the days since.
Israeli airstrikes have decapitated Iran's military and intelligence leadership and targeted critical nuclear sites and scientists, killing more than 224 people since Friday. Israeli officials have said that 24 people in Israel have been killed and at least 500 were injured as a result of Iran's retaliatory strikes.
What To Know
Trump posted Monday night on Truth Social, "Iran should have signed the 'deal' I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!"
Shortly after Trump's Truth Social post, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that the U.S. president will leave the G7 summit in Canada earlier than expected.
"President Trump had a great day at the G7, even signing a major trade deal with the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmer," Leavitt wrote. "Much was accomplished, but because of what's going on in the Middle East, President Trump will be leaving tonight after dinner with Heads of State."
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Trump has been caught in a tug-of-war between the isolationist wing of the MAGA movement and foreign policy hawks since Israel launched its strikes last Thursday. Current and former Israeli officials have also pushed for the U.S. to wade into the conflict, with former Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant telling CNN on Monday that Trump "has the option to change the Middle East and influence the world."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said regime change in Iran is not his goal, but he said it could "certainly be the result" of Israel's strikes, adding that the Iranian government is "very weak."
Netanyahu's comments came after Gideon Sa'ar, Israel's foreign minister, said Sunday that his country is not aiming for regime change, even as Israeli forces expand their offensive against Iran. Netanyahu also addressed reporting on Monday that Trump had vetoed an Israeli strike against Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei out of concern that it would further escalate the Israel-Iran conflict.
Such a strike would not "escalate the conflict, it's going to end the conflict," Netanyahu told ABC News' Jonathan Karl.
Quote:The U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv has sustained "minor damage" after an Iranian missile landed close to the building in the early hours of Monday, said the U.S. ambassador to Israel.
Why It Matters
Israel and Iran exchanged strikes for a fourth day into Monday after Israel launched its "preemptive" strikes on Iran's nuclear, missile and military sites late on Thursday U.S. time.
An Iranian official said 78 people were killed and more than 300 injured in Tehran as Israel declared a state of emergency and prepared for Iran's response.
Tehran has carried out several waves of retaliatory drone and missile strikes across Israel, as the Israeli military continues to target sites across Iran.
U.S. President Donald Trump has called for both sides to "make a deal," but told reporters in separate remarks that "sometimes they have to fight it out."
Israel's defense minister, Israel Katz, said on Monday that "the residents of Tehran will pay the price, and soon," after renewed Iranian ballistic missile strikes across Israel.
What To Know
Ambassador Mike Huckabee wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that no U.S. personnel were injured in the incident, but added that U.S. Embassy office and consulate would remain closed on Monday.
President Donald Trump, during his first term in office, opened the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and recognized the fiercely contested and divided city as the Israeli capital. The Tel Aviv branch has remained operational.
The U.S. State Department on Saturday said family members and selected nonemergency U.S. government personnel could leave the country, with all others sheltering until further notice. The Jerusalem and Tel Aviv offices would remain open, the State Department said at the time.
The U.S. pulled some of its staff from the wider Middle East, including the embassy in Iraq, ahead of Israel's initial strikes late last week.
Israeli authorities reported early on Monday that Iranian weapons had fallen close to the coastal area around Tel Aviv, causing damage to property and infrastructure.
Quote:The U.S. Navy's aircraft carrier USS Nimitz departed the South China Sea Monday morning, canceling a planned port call in central Vietnam as it changed course westward toward the Middle East.
At the same time, over 30 U.S. Air Force aerial-refueling tankers took off from American bases, heading east across the Atlantic. Officials have described some of these movements as routine or related to NATO exercises in Europe. The U.S. State Department has denied any direct U.S. involvement in Israeli airstrikes against Iran and emphasized that U.S. support for Israel is limited to defensive measures.
Newsweek has reached out to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and Iran's foreign ministry for comment.
Why It Matters
The repositioning of U.S. military assets comes as the Israel-Iran conflict enters its fourth day, after Israel launched strikes on Iranian territory last week. Iran responded with missile attacks on Israeli cities, with civilian casualties reported on both sides. The U.S. is moving forces to safeguard its personnel and prepare for potential escalation as the conflict deepens.
What to Know
The USS Nimitz was scheduled to visit Danang City, Vietnam, later this week. However, a formal reception set for June 20 was canceled due to an "emergent operational requirement," according to the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi. The aircraft carrier had recently completed maritime security operations in the South China Sea as part of what the U.S. Pacific Fleet described as the Navy's "routine presence in the Indo-Pacific."
Following the cancellation, ship tracking data confirmed the vessel was moving west toward the Middle East. The map shows the latest confirmed position of the Nimitz.
Massive U.S. Tanker Deployment
Meanwhile, more than 30 KC-135 and KC-46 aerial-refueling aircraft departed U.S. bases early Monday, crossing the Atlantic, according to data from Flightradar24.com. Such tankers are required to refuel aircraft participating in strikes far away from their home country, such as the Israeli jets hitting Iran.
However, U.S. officials stated that the tankers may participate in a scheduled NATO exercise in Europe. The State Department has instructed American diplomats to reassure host governments that the U.S. is not supporting Israeli air operations in Iran, and has not provided any refueling assistance to Israeli aircraft. The department also emphasized that U.S. support for Israel remains limited to defensive measures.
Quote:Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has called for a regime change in Iran, saying President Donald Trump should go "all in" to help Israel combat Iran's nuclear threat.
Why It Matters
Israel on Friday launched attacks against Iran's capital city of Tehran in what it called a "preemptive strike" and warned its citizens of retaliatory bombings from Iran.
Military tensions between the two countries have rapidly escalated in the days since; 224 people in Iran have died as a result of Israel's attacks on Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure, while 24 people in Israel have died and at least 500 were injured from Iran's retaliatory strikes.
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While speaking with Fox News' Sean Hannity Monday night on the strikes, Graham said, in part, "So here is the task at hand. Be all in, President Trump, in helping Israel eliminate the nuclear threat. If we need to provide bombs to Israel, provide bombs. If we need to fly planes with Israel, do joint operations. But here's the bigger question, wouldn't the world be better off if the Ayatollahs went away and replaced by something better? Wouldn't Iran be better off?"
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Graham also said, "No one can say that President @realDonaldTrump has not tried to seek peace regarding Ukraine-Russia and Israel-Iran. He has gone the extra mile and I appreciate that. However, you have to have willing partners to make peace. Iran played the same old game with the wrong guy. God bless Israel, God bless the United States and God bless President Trump."
Israel launched its strikes against Iran after the U.S. appeared to reach an impasse in its nuclear talks with Tehran and the country's defense minister, General Aziz Nasirzadeh, warned that Iran could attack American bases if talks broke down entirely or if hostilities continued to mount.
Quote:Israel now has "full aerial superiority" over the Iranian capital of Tehran, said its military, putting Iran's decimated leadership under significant pressure.
Commenting on the important moment in Operation Rising Lion, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said at a press briefing on Monday, June 16, they had "completed another wave of attacks in Tehran" which hit "more than 20 Iranian army and Quds Force headquarters."
"The wave of strikes last night opened with targeted strikes by air defense arrays designed to protect the centers of power of the Iranian army and a thorn force in the heart of Iran," Defrin said.
Why It Matters
The ongoing conflict has destabilized the Middle East and raised the stakes of a broader regional conflict drawing in wider geopolitical actors that could include the United States, Israel's main ally and Iran's longtime foe.
Tehran has accused Washington of supporting the attack, from which the United States initially distanced itself and made clear it did not participate in but later helped Israel counter Iranian reprisals.
After warning the U.S. and its allies not to help Israel repel its retaliatory attacks, an Iranian missile struck near the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv on Monday. So far, Israel has struck Iran's nuclear sites, airports, residential areas, and the largest gas field amid other critical infrastructure, and also killing senior officials.
Quote:Israel has said it has "eliminated" Iran's new top military commander.
"For the second time in 5 days—the IDF has eliminated Iran's War-Time Chief of Staff, the regime's top military commander," Israel Defense Forces said in a post on X.
"Ali Shadmani, Iran's senior-most military official and Khamenei's closest military adviser, was killed in an IAF strike in central Tehran, following precise intelligence."
There was no response from Iran.
Shadmani was appointed head of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters just five days ago, following earlier Israeli strikes that eliminated much of the Iranian military leadership.
Why It Matters
Israel's says its campaign against Iran is aimed at degrading Iran's capacity to develop a nuclear weapon. Its strikes have hit uranium enrichment facilities and missile infrastructure. Iran responded with more than 370 missiles and hundreds of drones aimed at Israeli cities. On Tuesday, fresh explosions were heard in northern Israel as the conflict showed no signs of abating.
What to Know
Israel intensified its aerial offensive against Iran's military and nuclear infrastructure on Tuesday.
President Donald Trump earlier issued a stark warning to residents of Tehran, urging immediate evacuation.
Quote:Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov issued a warning on Monday related to potential issues at the Bushehr nuclear power plant due to Israel's ongoing strikes targeting Iran, saying the situation is "extremely dangerous."
Newsweek reached out to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for comment via email.
Why It Matters
Israel launched strikes against Iran in the early morning hours Friday as it mobilized Operation Rising Lion, an effort Israeli officials say is designed to preempt a reportedly planned Iranian attack and disrupt Tehran's nuclear capabilities. Israel and the United States have both been concerned about whether Iran could be working to create nuclear weapons.
Russia is a key ally to Iran on the world stage.
The strike marks an escalation in the long-standing tensions between the two countries, fueling concerns of a wider war, particularly about possible involvement of the U.S., which has military bases in the region. The diplomatic and economic impacts of the attack rippled across the globe on Friday.
What To Know
Ryabkov warned about the situation in remarks first reported by Russia's Tass News Agency.
"Naturally, the situation is extremely dangerous. So far, no serious damage has been done—according to our sources and information obtained from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)—but this is just a happy coincidence. The risks remain far too high," Ryabkov said.
He said that "the military standoff needs to stop in order to stabilize the situation."
Ryabkov also told Tass that Russia is "analyzing all available sources of information" pertaining to Iran's nuclear infrastructure.
Russia played a role in constructing the Bushehr plant, situated on the Persian Gulf. CBS News reported it is fueled by uranium produced in Russia, not Iran. It has not been targeted nor affected by the recent attacks, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said during an update on the situation in Iran to the IAEA Board of Governors.
The organization is monitoring the status of Iran's nuclear facilities and the levels of radiation at "relevant sites" across the country, Grossi said.
The level of radioactivity at the Natanz nuclear facility has "remained unchanged and at normal levels," indicating "no external radiological impact to the population or the environment from this event," he said. However, the IAEA has stated that there has been contamination within the plant.
Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the attack with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian last Friday, according to the Kremlin.
He emphasized "the importance of resuming the negotiations and resolving any issues pertaining to Iran's nuclear programme exclusively via political and diplomatic means" in his call with Netanyahu.
Quote:Iranian authorities announced the arrest of several suspected Israeli Mossad operatives since Israel's strikes on military and nuclear sites as well as the execution of one formerly convicted spy, saying it was carrying out raids to counter foreign intelligence threats inside the country, Iranian state media reported.
Newsweek has reached out to office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and to the Iranian foreign ministry for comment.
Why It Matters
The announcement of intensified efforts against foreign spies come after Iran suffered heavy blows by Israeli forces, who eliminated the top of its military leadership as well as several nuclear scientists and struck its armed forces, its nuclear program and a number of other official sites.
What To Know
Two alleged Mossad spies were arrested in Tehran and were found in possession of large amounts of explosives and drone equipment, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported on Monday. In Alborz province, police said two were arrested a day earlier and accused them of producing explosives.
Meanwhile on Sunday, a man identified as Esmaeil Fekri was hanged. Arrested in 2023, Fekri was charged with attempting to transmit information strategic site location and personnel details in communication with Mossad operatives, the agency reported. At least two more were executed on similar spying charges in 2025, the news agency said.
Mossad agents deployed inside Iran planted explosive drones and launched precision strikes on missile defenses near Tehran to clear the way for Israeli jets ahead of the recent strikes, several media cited unnamed Israeli security officials as saying. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported that agents smuggled parts for hundreds of explosive-laden quadcopter drones and unmanned munitions into Iran over several months, according to insiders.
Days before the Israeli offensive, Iran said it had acquired classified documents on Israel's nuclear program, with Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh saying the move demonstrated Iran's "intelligence superiority" over Israel and praised Iranian "infiltration capabilities.
"This brilliant victory... not only shattered the fabricated myth of Mossad but also dismantled the pretentious façade of the sinister Zionist regime's security structure, delivering yet another strong blow to its hollow hegemony," he was quoted as saying by IRNA. Iran did not release the documents as it threatened.
Quote:The streets of Tehran were unusually empty Monday morning—no rush hour traffic, no crowded buses—just the low hum of uncertainty and dread as the conflict between Israel and Iran entered its fourth day.
After a weekend of Israeli airstrikes across Iran and a warning from Israel's defense minister that "the residents of Tehran will pay the price," panic and fear have taken hold of the capital. "It's horrible here," one resident told Newsweek, describing a city gripped by anxiety yet unsure of what comes next. Residents did not give their names for fear of reprisals.
Newsweek has reached out the foreign ministries of Iran and Israel for further commmet,
Why It Matters
This escalation opens a new front in the long-running Iran-Israel conflict, now directly threatening civilians on both sides. Tehran's densely populated urban centers and strained infrastructure make the city especially vulnerable to continued attacks, heightening fear and instability.
The echoes of the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980's deepen the psychological impact, reviving memories of prolonged urban bombardment.
What To Know
"Everyone's clueless! Some say it can't go long like this, some believe it'll take long. Let's see... everyone's leaving Tehran though," said a young woman in the capital, summing up the fear, confusion, and quiet flight underway. Streets normally packed with Monday traffic were strikingly clear, and some families have already begun relocating to smaller towns, fearing what may come next.
The tension has only deepened following Israel's vow to escalate. In a post on X, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned, "The residents of Tehran will pay the price, and soon," accusing Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei of becoming "a scared murderer who fires at Israel's civilian home front."
On Sunday, Israel warned Iranians living near weapons sites in Tehran to evacuate for their own safety. Meanwhile, Iran's missile attacks on Israeli cities continue to cause casualties and damage, raising fears the conflict could escalate further.
War Memories Return
The explosions now rocking Tehran echo the trauma of the Iran–Iraq War, when Iraqi missiles regularly struck the city in the 1980s. "I know from experience," one man said, "it is safer to stay in interior rooms or in basements, to be away from flying debris." His voice is part of a growing collective memory reawakened by the sound of blasts and sirens. Back then, families learned how to reinforce stairwells and avoid windows.
At the same time, a spirit of defiance is spreading across social media. "Nothing you can tell me about the crimes of the Iranian regime... but that doesn't mean I want my people bombed, maimed, killed, their homes in ruins," one Instagram user posted, echoing a view widely shared among Iranians who oppose the government but reject foreign strikes on civilians.
Quote:As Israel continues an unprecedented military operation against Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has openly called on Iranians to overthrow their government, going so far as to indicate that his forces' operations "could certainly" lead to a regime change effort.
Now, a number of opposition groups based in the country and abroad are calling for a mass uprising against the Islamic Republic.
Yet the Iranian government's domestic foes are composed of a diverse and largely fractured array of factions, including secular dissidents, militias organized along ethnic lines, Islamist militants and those seeking to restore a monarchy with ancient roots.
Most, if not all, are considered terrorist organizations in Iran, which has taken extensive efforts to suppress their activities in the 46 years since the establishment of the Islamic Republic. None have thus far been able to obtain a sufficient amount of popular support or material means to pose an existential challenge to the current system led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Each group also has its own aims and tactics, some of which directly conflict with others, complicating efforts to establish a united front amid the country's most devastating conflict since the 1980s Iran-Iraq War.
Israeli officials have declined to comment on record regarding potential efforts to foster ties with opposition groups active in Iran, but reports have emerged of operations tied to Israel taking place within the country, in addition to the large-scale air war being conducted by Israeli warplanes and drones since late Thursday.
With enthusiasm building among opponents of the Iranian government, analysts and former officials are treating with caution speculation of an insurrection capable of actually ousting the country's leadership.
'Three Levels' of Cooperation
Giora Eiland, an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reserve major general who previously served as head of Israel's National Security Council, told Newsweek that he believed "Israel is being assisted this way or that way by some Iranians," though the true degree of cooperation remained opaque.
"We can assume that there are three levels of Iranians that, directly or indirectly, might help us," Eiland said. "First, when we located some of the Israeli groups that were inside Iran and launched drones from short distances against Iranian facilities, they might have been given some assistance from locals, I cannot verify it, but this makes sense."
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Cargo Flight From China Diverted Toward Iran
Cargolux has denied that the aircraft entered Iranian airspace.
Cargolux has denied that the aircraft entered Iranian airspace.
Quote:A cargo flight operated by Cargolux, a Luxembourg-based airline partially owned by a Chinese company, appeared to divert from its scheduled route from China to Luxembourg and instead head toward Iran, prompting speculation about a possible air bridge between Beijing and Tehran amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.
Flight CV9736, operated by Cargolux Airlines International, departed Zhengzhou, China, on June 15 with Luxembourg as its stated destination, according to data from Flightradar24. However, flight-tracking records indicate that the aircraft veered sharply toward Iranian airspace before disappearing from public radar after switching off its transponder over Turkmenistan, a country that borders Iran and is considered a close ally of Tehran.
Additional data from FlightAware suggests the aircraft made a stop in Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan, before proceeding to Luxembourg. AirNavRadar also recorded the aircraft passing through Turkmenistan’s airspace before disappearing from radar.
Cargolux has denied that the aircraft entered Iranian airspace, issuing a statement in response to growing online speculation that the flight was part of a covert delivery operation involving China and Iran.
Blaming the reports on “incorrect data” from public flight-tracking platforms, the company said: “We are aware of the recent information/statements circulating on social media regarding recent Cargolux flights alleged to be using Iranian airspace, based on the data received on a publicly available app. Cargolux would like to categorically state that none of its flights utilize Iranian airspace.”
“Our flight tracking systems provide real-time data, which confirms that no flight entered Iranian airspace,” Cargolux added. “Any claims to the contrary are completely unfounded. We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and transparency in all our operations.”
The Epoch Times has reached out to Cargolux for further clarification regarding the route and stopovers of flight CV9736.
Chinese firm Henan Civil Aviation Development and Investment Co. Ltd (HNCA) took a 35 percent stake in Cargolux in 2014. As part of the deal, Cargolux established Zhengzhou as its second hub after Luxembourg.
Meanwhile, there have been numerous reports of close alignment between the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Iranian regime. Some analysts have warned of a China–Iran–Russia axis challenging U.S interests.
“Part of that alignment has to do with China’s economic dependence on Iranian oil. But China is also part of the anti-West axis that includes Iran as well as Putin’s Russia,” Clare Lopez, a former career CIA officer and former executive director of the Iran Policy Committee, told The Epoch Times in a 2023 interview.
Some experts say Iran has long sought security guarantees from China to protect it in case of fallout from its strategy of supporting various anti-Western proxies in the Middle East. Others say Beijing is using Iran as a destabilizing agent in the Middle East in support of its long-term goal of displacing the United States as the global hegemon.
Joseph Humire, executive director of the Center for a Secure Free Society, told The Epoch Times’ “American Thought Leaders” program in 2024 that China’s diplomatic efforts with countries like Iran are often about making a given region more “inhospitable” to the United States.
“The Sino-Iranian connection, in many respects, is probably the most dangerous one, even more so than the Sino-Russian connection, which is more talked about, I think, in foreign affairs,” Humire said.
Sunday’s incident comes as tensions in the Middle East remain high. Israeli forces last week launched a massive air campaign—code-named “Rising Lion”—targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and military sites. In retaliation, Iranian forces have fired waves of missiles and drones at Israeli targets.
Israeli military officials said Monday that Israel had destroyed 120 Iranian surface-to-surface missile launchers that had been firing at Israel, and that they had achieved “full air supremacy in the Tehran airspace.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Operation Rising Lion could result in regime change in Iran, though that is not its goal.
“We’re geared to do whatever is necessary to achieve our dual aim, to remove ... two existential threats—the nuclear threat and the ballistic missile threat,” Netanyahu told Fox News in an interview, adding that Israel is trying to “protect the world from this incendiary regime.”
The Iranian Ministry of Health claims that at least 224 people have been killed in the country since Friday, including several top military officials.
Late Sunday into early Monday, Iran launched a barrage of missiles at Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Petah Tikva, prompting a large-scale response from Israel’s multi-layered air defense system, which includes the Iron Dome.
Just before dawn, multiple explosions were heard in Tel Aviv—believed to be the result of interceptor systems neutralizing incoming projectiles. In Petah Tikva, Israeli authorities reported that one missile struck a residential building, shattering windows and damaging walls, though no fatalities were immediately reported.
UKRAINE WAR
Quote:Ukrainian delegates stormed out of the European Youth Event in protest following a speech delivered by Dasha Navalnaya, daughter of the late Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny.
They condemned the inclusion of Russian speakers while Ukrainian voices were absent at the June 13-14 event held at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, which was attended by European youth representatives, Ukrainian TV channel 24 Kanal reported.
The walkout centered on Navalnaya's appearance as a key speaker, which Ukrainian delegates called "insulting" given Russia's ongoing military actions in Ukraine. Delegates said they intend to bring their concerns to the European Parliament.
The objection to Navalnaya's speech came despite the fact that her late father was Russian President Vladimir Putin's most outspoken critic.
Why It Matters
The walkout highlights continuing tensions surrounding the participation of Russian citizens in European public events amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. It also highlights the sensitivities involved in international forums.
What To Know
Navalny died in an Arctic prison in 2024 where he was being held on charges that had been widely viewed as politically motivated. Numerous officials, including Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs, have accused the Kremlin of murdering Navalny.
Navalnaya, 23, a Stanford University graduate, is also a fierce Putin critic. Her mother, Yulia Navalnaya, has also pledged to continue Navalny's work.
The Ukrainian delegation, including representatives from the city of Lviv, left the event after learning that Navalnaya would serve as one of the main speakers.
A lawyer from Russia, Vyacheslav Samonov, also spoke at the event.
In a statement, the Ukrainian delegates expressed their outrage that Russian speakers were featured while Ukraine was not granted comparable participation, despite Lviv holding the title of European Youth Capital this year.
Quote:Russia has accused the U.K. of working with Ukraine in a plan to stage provocations involving a U.S. ship in the Baltic Sea.
In a statement on Monday, Russia's foreign intelligence service (SVR) said it knew of a plot to escalate the conflict in Ukraine with an operation in what is termed a "NATO Lake" due to its location surrounded by alliance members.
The statement provided no evidence for its claims and Moscow is often accused of pushing misinformation as a cover for its own activities.
It comes as Nichita Gurcov, senior analyst for Europe & Central Asia with ACLED (Armed Conflict Location & Event Data) told Newsweek suspected Russian destabilization activities appear to be picking up again across Europe following a lull earlier in 2025.
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Why It Matters
The Baltic Sea has been dubbed the "NATO Lake" following the accession to the alliance of Sweden and Finland. Countries surrounding the body of water have accused Moscow of increasing sabotage acts in the region, and the warning by Russian intelligence could prompt concerns about further acts of aggression.
What To Know
The statement by Russian intelligence on Monday said the government of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky intends to increase sabotage and terrorist activity against Russia to reverse problems faced by Kyiv's forces on the battlefield and counter war fatigue among the Ukrainian population.
The statement said coordinated operations by Kyiv and its allies were behind attacks on railways in Russia's Bryansk and Kursk regions, as well as Ukraine's drone strikes on Russian airfields on June 1, dubbed Operation Spiderweb.
Kyiv's upcoming plans, according to Russian intelligence, are to escalate the Ukrainian conflict, disrupt Russian-American negotiations and convince the White House of further military assistance to Kyiv.
The SVR also said that the Security Service of Ukraine and the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense had been tasked with European special services "to intensify the preparation of a series of new bloody provocations."
One proposed scenario would involve a Ukrainian-led plan to stage an alleged Russian torpedo attack on an unnamed U.S. Navy ship, which would explode at a "safe distance" and be blamed on Moscow.
ASIA
Quote:North Korea has airbrushed a top military commander from official photos run by state media after Kim Jong Un was reportedly enraged by damage sustained to a navy ship during a failed launch.
The 5,000 ton warship, a guided-missile destroyer, was damaged on May 21 when it keeled over during its launch. Former Navy Commander Kim Myong Sik and former Chongjin Shipyard manager Hong Gil Ho were subsequently erased from images of the North Korean leader inspecting the warship while it was under construction, NK News reported Friday.
Newsweek reached out to the North Korean Embassy in Washington for comment by email.
Why It Matters
The failed launch is reported to have deeply embarrassed Kim Jong Un as he attempts to modernize North Korea's navy. He vowed to hold those responsible criminally liable.
According to NK News, a U.S.-based outlet focused on North Korea, this marks the first time Pyongyang has erased individuals from state media footage since the execution of former North Korean Minister of State Security Jang Song Thaek in 2013.
What To Know
According to NK News, state media republished photos on Friday that were previously released in March, "this time deleting two key figures in a sign of their removal from leadership positions."
Kim and Hong were both removed from the images that were republished, with state media reporting that the the former shipyard manager was "clearly responsible for the accident."
A few days earlier in North Korea...
Quote:North Korean officials rejected a letter from U.S. President Donald Trump intended to open the door for dialogue with North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un, according to a North Korea-focused analysis site.
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During his first administration, Trump maintained a personal correspondence with Kim, saying he "fell in love" after receiving "beautiful letters" from the North Korean ruler.
The pair met three times, for a photo op on the North Korean side of the Demilitarized Zone and two summits where Trump sought to persuade Kim to scale back his nuclear arsenal. The collapse of those talks was followed by a chill in bilateral ties and sharp escalation in tensions between the North and U.S.-allied South.
What To Know
Trump recently penned a letter addressed to Kim in an effort to resume dialogue, North Korea-focused analysis site NK News reported, citing an "informed high-level source" familiar with the matter.
Multiple in-person attempts to deliver the letter were rebuffed, however, by North Korean diplomats based at the United Nations headquarters in New York, the source said.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt declined to comment on the specifics of the alleged letter. "I'll leave that to the president to answer," she told reporters Wednesday.
Leavitt said the U.S. hoped to build on "progress" made during the first summit with Kim, held in Singapore in 2018, and that Trump "remains receptive to correspondence with Kim Jong Un."
Newly elected South Korean President Lee Jae-myung appears to be making early attempts to de-escalate tensions with the North. On Wednesday, he shut down the loudspeakers that for the past year had been broadcasting daily anti-North propaganda near the border.
North Korea appeared to follow suit Thursday, with its own loudspeaker broadcasts falling silent, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
Kim has vowed never to give up North Korea's nuclear weapons arsenal, calling it necessary to deter aggression by the U.S. and its allies. In 2023, the country's rubber-stamp legislature enshrined this capability in its constitution.
Quote:The United States teamed up with the United Kingdom—a major NATO ally—to conduct patrols in the East China Sea, where China has carried out controversial maritime activities.
Newsweek has contacted the Chinese defense and foreign ministries for comment by email.
Why It Matters
The East China Sea lies between China and the First Island Chain—an island defense line formed by Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines as part of a U.S. containment strategy aimed at restricting China's naval activities through America-aligned territories in the event of war.
China asserts its sovereignty in the East China Sea by maintaining a coast guard presence near a disputed, Japan-administered group of islets and by installing fossil fuel facilities in the region—raising Japan's concerns that it is attempting to alter the status quo in its favor.
What To Know
Official photos released on Saturday show USCGC Stratton—a U.S. Coast Guard national security cutter deployed in the western Pacific since mid-May—sailing alongside the Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Spey at an undisclosed location in the East China Sea on June 1.
In a news release on June 11, the Royal Navy said that the Spey joined the Stratton in the Korea Strait—a 120-mile-wide waterway north of the East China Sea that separates South Korea and Japan. The two ships conducted close maneuvering and communications training.
The Spey is also deployed in the Indo-Pacific region. The British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales is expected to arrive in the area soon with a task group as part of an eight-month deployment.
Quote:Japan and the Philippines—both treaty allies of the United States—have conducted a joint naval exercise in the contested South China Sea, where they were shadowed by Chinese warships.
The Chinese military confirmed that it conducted sea and air patrols in the South China Sea on Saturday, in response to the Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) organized by the U.S. allies.
Why It Matters
China, the Philippines, and other regional nations maintain overlapping sovereignty claims in the energy-rich South China Sea. Confrontations and clashes between the navies and coast guards of rival claimants are an ongoing problem.
The Philippines, which has a mutual defense treaty with the U.S., frequently conducts drills with allies to assert its sovereignty in the South China Sea. The latest joint exercise follows Japan's ratification of an agreement allowing reciprocal military visits with the Philippines.
What To Know
The MCA was conducted on Saturday in South China Sea waters west of Luzon, the Philippines' main island, according to Japan's Kyodo News. The drill involved the Japanese destroyer JS Takanami and the Philippine frigate BRP Miguel Malvar.
A pair of Chinese naval vessels monitored the allied warships in nearby waters, according to imagery from the Philippines' ABS-CBN News. The Chinese navy kept its distance and did not challenge the exercise, which focused on anti-submarine warfare, Kyodo News reported.
SOUTH PACIFIC
Quote:A United States naval task group, led by a warship capable of carrying stealth fighter jets, operated in the South Pacific Ocean amid China's growing naval presence in the region.
The USS America, an amphibious assault ship equipped with F-35B fighter jets, visited Sydney, Australia, alongside two other vessels, demonstrating the U.S. Navy's forward presence, the U.S. Navy said.
...
Australia is a U.S. ally in the South Pacific, where American naval vessels frequently make port calls for stopovers and training. These include visits by the nuclear-powered submarine USS Minnesota to Western Australia in February and the Northern Territory in March.
Meanwhile, China is expanding its military reach and presence in the Pacific, leveraging the world's largest navy by hull count. From mid-February to early March, three Chinese naval vessels conducted a high-profile circumnavigation of Australia in a show of naval strength.
What To Know
The America arrived in Sydney on Saturday, followed by the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore the next day. The ships conducted a scheduled visit as part of routine operations in the South Pacific, the U.S. Navy said.
This marks the first time the three amphibious warships, capable of projecting air and land power from sea to shore, have been moored simultaneously in Sydney on the Australian east coast, along with about 4,500 Navy sailors and Marines, according to the U.S. Navy.
This group of naval ships and its embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit—a U.S. Marine Corps crisis response force—forms the America Amphibious Ready Group, which is capable of conducting combat operations as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
USA
Quote:A federal judge in Massachusetts, William Young, has ruled that the Trump administration's decision to cut National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants—allegedly in response to executive orders targeting gender identity and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies—was "illegal" and "void."
In his ruling, Judge Young, a Ronald Reagan appointee, said he was reinstating grants that had been awarded to the organizations and Democratic-led states that had sued over the terminations, Reuters reported.
Why It Matters
Young is presiding over a non-jury trial involving two cases against the Trump administration over the funding cuts.
In one case, the American Public Health Association, United Auto Workers Union and others allege that the NIH unlawfully issued directives leading to the termination of grants. In a second case, a group of Democrat-led states accuses the NIH of unlawfully canceling research grants.
What To Know
Young accused the government of racial discrimination and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community in court on Monday, Bloomberg Law reported.
"This represents racial discrimination and discrimination against America's LGBTQ community. That's what this is," Young said. "I would be blind not to call it out. My duty is to call it out."
Prior to the ruling, Young heard arguments on the case. He challenged the government's position that DEI initiatives contributed to unlawful discrimination.
"Affirmative action had various invidious calculus based upon race. I understand that. That's not a license to discriminate," Young said.
Young said he saw "no evidence" that supports the government's argument.
"Point me just anywhere in this record where it's pointed out that any particular grant or group of grants is being used to support unlawful discrimination on the basis of race. From what I can see, it's the reverse," Young said.
The judge added that it was "palpably clear" that the directives and terminated grants were "designed to frustrate, to stop research that may bear on the health" of LGBTQ+ individuals.
I wonder why that judge thinks that the US government is forced to invest in such researchs.
Quote:Peter Andrew Stinson, a former Coast Guard lieutenant, expert sharpshooter, and former Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) instructor has been arrested and charged with threatening to kill President Donald Trump.
According to charging documents, first reported by CBS News' Scott MacFarlane on X, formerly Twitter, the case includes an extensive record of social media posts spanning from 2020 through last week.
Federal prosecutors say the social media posts include separate, explicit threats by Stinson to use a gun, knife and poison President Trump.
Newsweek has reached out to the Justice Department (DOJ) via email on Monday night for comment. The FBI declined to comment when reached via email. The Coast Guard referred comments about the arrest and charges to the DOJ.
What to Know About Peter Stinson
Stinson, residing in Oakton, Virginia, self-identifies as a member of Antifa on his social media profiles, including Bluesky and X, formerly Twitter.
The criminal complaint affidavit filed by FBI task force officer Michael Blake says that he has posted statements advocating violence, such as "Violence is inherently necessary." In March 2025, he referenced using firearms in a post: "Target practice tonight. I set some [orange emoticon] on the railing. Let's shoot some oranges! Plink. Plunk. Boom. Bop."
Investigators interpret the "orange" references as coded language for Trump.
According to the affidavit, On, April 6, 2020, in response to a post that read, "Trump says the democrats 'shouldn't be allowed to win' the election because of how good a job he's done. He says they were 'artificially stopped' by the virus," Stinson posted, "What a [expletive] moron. Would someone just pull the proverbial trigger, please" and followed with an additional post the same day, reading: "I would do it. I would take the fall to save America. Too bad I don't have the operational skills to pull it off. I am willing to serve in a support capacity for someone else with the skills to take care of things."
The FBI confirmed Stinson's ownership of the social media accounts through subscriber information obtained from X Corp. and T-Mobile. The affidavit includes numerous posts where Stinson uses derogatory code names for Trump, including "the orange," "orange mf," and "Krasnov."
Quote:The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are offering $10,000 rewards for information leading to the arrest of two of the original four male migrants who escaped from Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, New Jersey.
Why It Matters
The migrants' escape from the 1,000-bed, privately operated detention center on June 12 raised immediate safety and security concerns for residents in Newark and surrounding areas. Delaney Hall was a site for protests in May, with lawmakers like Newark Mayor Ras Baraka ultimately filing a federal lawsuit in June against interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba and a Homeland Security (DHS) official, alleging false arrest and defamation stemming from his own detainment outside the facility.
What To Know
Rewards are $10,000 per escapee, or $20,000 for information leading to both of their apprehensions.
Federal officials initially described the four detainees as "criminal illegal aliens" and "public safety threats," urging the public to report any information to law enforcement.
Officials said additional law enforcement resources had been deployed to track and apprehend the individuals. DHS reported that no widespread unrest occurred at the facility during the incident.
Quote:The Trump administration has announced it is creating a new app for those crossing the United States' borders legally.
In launching CBP Link, U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated that its existing app, CBP Home, would be used solely by immigrants who intend to self-deport.
Why It Matters
President Donald Trump and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem have promoted CBP Home as a way for illegal immigrants to safely leave the U.S. without facing ICE custody, but the app also had features for those who need to cross the border legally and often, including to and from Mexico.
What To Know
In an announcement on Monday, CBP stated that it was splitting the two apps to create a "user-friendly mobile application designed to reduce data requirements."
CBP Link will now allow users visiting the U.S. for leisure and work to access a single app that lets them apply for the Visa Waiver Program up to seven days in advance and pay for an I-94 form, which proves legal visitor status.
Those entering with perishable cargo needing inspection will also use the app to notify border agents, as will bus operators who need to submit manifests of who and what is on board their vehicles crossing in and out of the country. CBP Link is also where border crossers will find crossing wait times, the agency said.
This is the third change to CBP's app by the Trump administration.
It was called CBP One when Trump returned to the White House. It launched under that name during his first term, with similar functions to CBP Link. Under former President Joe Biden, its functions were expanded so immigrants seeking asylum could book appointments with CBP agents, but Trump shut this down in January.
In March, the app was repurposed into CBP Home, giving immigrants the option to log their intention to self-deport and then notify the government once they had returned to their home country.
It was reported in recent days that around a million people had used the app to avoid being taken into ICE custody, with the Trump administration telling immigrants they may have the option to return to the U.S. via a legal route later. Hundreds of thousands have lost their legal status in recent months, making them deportable.
Quote:Fuentes Farms Inc. is recalling boxes of their fresh cucumbers due to fears of potential Salmonella contamination.
Newsweek reached out to the company via email Monday for additional comment.
Why It Matters
Numerous recalls have been initiated in 2025 due to the potential of damaged products, foodborne illness, contamination and undeclared food allergens.
Millions of Americans experience food sensitivities or allergies every year. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the nine "major" food allergens in the U.S. are eggs, milk, fish, wheat, soybeans, Crustacean shellfish, sesame, tree nuts and peanuts.
The FDA also warns that Salmonella is an organism that could cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in frail or older people, young children and those with weakened immune systems.
Healthy people infected with Salmonella could experience vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain, the FDA says.
What To Know
In its alert, the FDA says that the cucumbers were distributed at flea markets in McAllen and Alamo, Texas areas.
The impacted product has a lot number of 357 and were sold in 40-pound boxes by 1-1/9 bushels. The cucumbers were sold from May 31 to June 3. The FDA alert says that as of Monday, there have been no reported illnesses and that "the recall is not part of any current food outbreaks."
Quote:A city in West Virginia has seen more than double its average rainfall for the first two weeks of June amid thunderstorms that pummeled the region this past weekend.
National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Jason Frazier told Newsweek that more thunderstorms are on the way.
Why It Matters
West Virginia faced a sudden weather crisis after torrential rain brought deadly flash floods to several communities this past weekend, with officials confirming fatalities and ongoing search efforts for missing residents.
Central and northern parts of the state, particularly Wheeling and nearby towns such as Valley Grove and Triadelphia, experienced what local officials described as remarkably high rainfall rates, resulting in rapid rises of creeks and widespread infrastructure damage.
What to Know
On Sunday, thunderstorms pummeled Morgantown, West Virginia, and dropped 1.84 inches of rain over roughly an hour and a half. Nearby Fairmont, which saw such torrential rains that an apartment building partially collapsed, received as much as 3 inches during the same timeframe.
For the first two weeks of June, Morgantown's average rainfall is 1.91 inches. However, the relentless storms have dropped nearly 2.5 times that, with the city receiving 4.63 inches of rain so far this month.
It is the eighth wettest start to June in Morgantown.
Emergency responders in West Virginia faced significant challenges due to washed-out roads, destroyed bridges, and widespread debris, hampering rescue and evacuation efforts. The state's governor, Patrick Morrisey, declared a state of emergency for Ohio County, granting expanded authority for disaster response and mobilizing resources such as state police, the Division of Natural Resources, and the National Guard.
Quote:Democratic U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten of Michigan has postponed a town hall, saying her name appeared on what authorities called a "hit list" belonging to Vance Boelter, the Minnesota man charged in the Saturday shootings that killed a state representative and injured a state senator.
...
The shootings were "targeted political violence," Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said during a Saturday news conference, adding that the attack was "a politically motivated assassination."
What To Know
"West Michigan, I want nothing more than to hear from you in person during town halls and other events," Scholten's team said on X, formerly Twitter. "However, after the events of this weekend, Team Scholten has decided to postpone our event tonight in Muskegon for the safety of everyone involved."
"Please stay tuned for the new date, and I hope to see you all there. Keep yourselves safe and well, West Michigan," the post said.
In an additional statement from Scholten's office sent to Newsweek, the lawmaker said, "Nothing matters more to me than the safety and well-being of the people I serve. After being made aware that my name was on a list connected to the recent tragic shooting in Minnesota, my office has made the difficult decision to postpone our planned town hall in Muskegon."
"Open, honest dialogue with West Michigan is at the heart of my service–and I will not be deterred from standing up for this community. Out of an abundance of caution and to not divert additional law enforcement resources away from protecting the broader public at this time, this is the responsible choice.
"We will reschedule this event as soon as possible, and I remain committed to ensuring every West Michigander has the opportunity to make their voice heard," Scholten said.
Quote:New details about Vance Boelter, including what he was wearing and what police found inside his vehicle, were revealed in court documents obtained by Newsweek.
Boelter, 57, is accused of fatally shooting Minnesota state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman. He is also accused of injuring state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman.
Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Joseph H. Thompson said at a press conference on Monday that Boelter targeted four different Minnesota politicians. One politician was not home at the time, and the other called the police after Boelter's attempts to get them to answer the door.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced at a press conference on Monday that the attorney's office intends to pursue first-degree murder charges against Boelter. Charges of second-degree murder and attempted murder were filed on Saturday, which are the highest charges that can be filed by complaint, Moriarty said. The move also allowed the attorney's office to obtain a nationwide arrest warrant.
"We intend to go forward on this case, because we are accountable to protect our community and hold people who commit crimes in this country accountable," Moriarty said.
The Context
Moriarty condemned the prevalence of political violence in her comments at Monday's press conference.
"The way we talk to and about each other has raised the temperature to unfathomable levels," Moriarty said. "We cannot continue on this way. In times of tragedy, but also in our daily lives, we need to find ways to support one another."
...
What Did They Find in Vance Boelter's Vehicle?
Officials searched a vehicle registered to Boelter and found at least three AK-47 assault rifles, a 9-millimeter handgun and a list of names and addresses of other public officials, according to the statement of probable cause.
Thompson said the list contained more than 45 Minnesota elected officials, including Hortman.
Officers also searched the surrounding area and found a ballistic vest, a disassembled 9-millimeter firearm, a mask, and a gold "police-style" badge, the document stated.
Boelter is listed as the purchaser of at least four of the recovered firearms.
But we can now gladly announce that Boelter is under custody now.
Quote:Vance Boelter sent a group text to his family members saying he "went to war" after fatally shooting Democratic Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband and injuring Democratic State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, according to an FBI affidavit.
The Context
Boelter has been charged with federal murder and stalking charges in connection to the Hortmans' shooting and the shooting of Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. The Hoffmans were both injured but are in stable condition as of Monday, officials said.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described Hortman's killing as a "politically motivated assassination" and Joe Thompson, the acting U.S. attorney for the district of Minnesota, also described the shootings as "political assassinations."
What To Know
"Dad went to war last night ... I don't wanna say more because I don't wanna implicate anybody," Boelter texted his wife and family members around 6:18 a.m. on Saturday, according to the FBI affidavit.
The court filing said Boelter also separately texted his wife around the same time, writing, "Words are not gonna explain how sorry I am for this situation ... there's gonna be some people coming to the house armed and trigger-happy and I don't want you guys around."
Boelter, 57, researched his victims extensively before carrying out the shootings, officials said, adding that he also had a hit list with the names of 45 other elected officials. Thompson said the suspect went to the homes of four Minnesota state lawmakers "with the intent to kill them."
Law enforcement authorities say Boelter impersonated a police officers when he went to the lawmakers' homes, wearing a black tactical vest, carrying a handgun and driving a black SUV with police lights on it that also had a license plate saying "police."
The suspect was apprehended on Sunday after the most extensive manhunt in Minnesota's history, officials said. They later searched Boelter's wife's car and recovered two handguns, passports for her and her children and $10,000 in cash, according to the affidavit.
Boelter has been charged with murder and stalking, charges which could carry the death penalty if he's convicted. He also faces state charges of murder and attempted murder.
CANADA
Quote:President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Kier Starmer have officially signed the U.S.-U.K. trade deal.
The world leaders, who are gathered in Kananaskis, Canada for the G7 summit, appeared in front of the press for a joint announcement on Monday.
"We have our trade agreement with the United Kingdom," said Trump. "It's a great deal for both. It will produce a lot of jobs, a lot income."
The announcement was almost immediately interrupted by Trump dropping the newly-signed deal papers as he held them up to show the media, leaving Starmer to scramble to pick them up.
Trump praised his relationship with the British leader, calling it "fantastic," while Starmer added it was a "very good day for both of our countries."
What To Know
Trump announced sweeping tariffs on almost every nation in April, before imposing a 90-day pause amid strong backlash and a roiling stock market.
The president vowed at the time to secure 90 deals in 90 days before the July 9 deadline. However, so far the initiative has yielded only two agreements—with the U.K. and China.
The U.K. was the first to reach a deal, which includes the auto and aerospace industries, with the U.S. in May but it has taken weeks for the details to be finalized.
Britain has been seeking U.S.-U.K. trade pact since it voted to leave the European Union in 2016. Talks began in earnest under Trump's first term but slowed under President Joe Biden. They resumed when Trump returned to office in January and gained momentum amid his push for tariff deals.
Quote:Canadian Prime Minister gave South African President Cyril Ramaphosa a warm welcome at the G7 summit in Calgary, less than a month after Ramaphosa's tense White House meeting with President Donald Trump.
"It is a great honor," Carney told Ramaphosa on Sunday. "I've been a long admirer of your leadership of South Africa."
Why It Matters
In May, Trump alleged that a genocide against white Afrikaaner people is taking place in South Africa and has accepted more than 60 into the United States as refugees.
During Ramaphosa's visit to the White House, Trump called for the lights to be dimmed and made the South African delegation and all the reporters in the Oval Office watch clips of Julius Malema, the head of the growing opposition party the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), chant "kill the Boer, kill the farmer." Newsweek has previously broken down the history the chant and South Africa's legal rulings on it.
Ramaphosa has repeatedly made it clear that his priority is to smooth over relations with America in the hope of coming to an agreement on trade and getting Trump to attend the G20 summit, which will be hosted in South Africa in November.
Meanwhile, America and Canada are still reeling from their trade war, temporarily halted by a 90-day pause on tariff implementation.
What To Know
Carney shook Ramaphosa's hand, welcoming him to Canada.
"We've met a bit in the past," Carney said. "And I've been a long admirer of your leadership of South Africa and now your leadership of the G20."
"For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ," 1 Thessalonians 5:9
Maranatha!
The Internet might be either your friend or enemy. It just depends on whether or not she has a bad hair day.
![[Image: SP1-Scripter.png]](https://www.save-point.org/images/userbars/SP1-Scripter.png)
![[Image: SP1-Writer.png]](https://www.save-point.org/images/userbars/SP1-Writer.png)
![[Image: SP1-Poet.png]](https://www.save-point.org/images/userbars/SP1-Poet.png)
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My Original Stories (available in English and Spanish)
List of Compiled Binary Executables I have published...
HiddenChest & Roole
Give me a free copy of your completed game if you include at least 3 of my scripts!
Just some scripts I've already published on the board...
KyoGemBoost XP VX & ACE, RandomEnkounters XP, KSkillShop XP, Kolloseum States XP, KEvents XP, KScenario XP & Gosu, KyoPrizeShop XP Mangostan, Kuests XP, KyoDiscounts XP VX, ACE & MV, KChest XP VX & ACE 2016, KTelePort XP, KSkillMax XP & VX & ACE, Gem Roulette XP VX & VX Ace, KRespawnPoint XP, VX & VX Ace, GiveAway XP VX & ACE, Klearance XP VX & ACE, KUnits XP VX, ACE & Gosu 2017, KLevel XP, KRumors XP & ACE, KMonsterPals XP VX & ACE, KStatsRefill XP VX & ACE, KLotto XP VX & ACE, KItemDesc XP & VX, KPocket XP & VX, OpenChest XP VX & ACE
Maranatha!
The Internet might be either your friend or enemy. It just depends on whether or not she has a bad hair day.
My Original Stories (available in English and Spanish)
List of Compiled Binary Executables I have published...
HiddenChest & Roole
Give me a free copy of your completed game if you include at least 3 of my scripts!
Just some scripts I've already published on the board...
KyoGemBoost XP VX & ACE, RandomEnkounters XP, KSkillShop XP, Kolloseum States XP, KEvents XP, KScenario XP & Gosu, KyoPrizeShop XP Mangostan, Kuests XP, KyoDiscounts XP VX, ACE & MV, KChest XP VX & ACE 2016, KTelePort XP, KSkillMax XP & VX & ACE, Gem Roulette XP VX & VX Ace, KRespawnPoint XP, VX & VX Ace, GiveAway XP VX & ACE, Klearance XP VX & ACE, KUnits XP VX, ACE & Gosu 2017, KLevel XP, KRumors XP & ACE, KMonsterPals XP VX & ACE, KStatsRefill XP VX & ACE, KLotto XP VX & ACE, KItemDesc XP & VX, KPocket XP & VX, OpenChest XP VX & ACE
