By Jennie Taer Wrote:Ten illegal migrant youths, most of them unaccompanied, were found at a California marijuana farm during a tense immigration raid on Thursday, prompting federal officials to launch an investigation into possible child labor violations.
The youngsters, one just 14 years old, were discovered by federal agents at Glass House Farms in Southern California during a chaotic operation in which one protester appeared to fire a gun at authorities, Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott said on X Thursday.
“This is Newsom’s California,” Scott said in response to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who shared a video of the raid.
Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin revealed Friday the feds “rescued” eight of the minors, who crossed the border “unaccompanied.”
McLaughlin said the alarming situation “looks like exploitation, violation of child labor laws and potentially human trafficking or smuggling.”
Scott announced the child labor probe into the farm in his Thursday night social media post.
Farrar has donated to the Santa Barbara County Democratic Central Committee’s federal political action committee and Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Calif, on multiple occasions, according to the records.
He also donated $10,000 to Newsom in 2018, according to California records.
“Yesterday, Glass House Brands received immigration and naturalization warrants. As per the law, we verified that the warrants were valid and we complied. Workers were detained and we are assisting to provide them legal representation,” the company wrote.
“Glass House has never knowingly violated applicable hiring practices and does not and has never employed minors. We do not expect this to affect operations moving forward. We will provide additional details when applicable.”
Farrar reacted to the raid, saying “our team has been continually on site and we are focused on taking care of our people and our plants.”
“Know there are lots of questions, we have a lot of them too, as we get more information we will update,” Farrar posted to X.
When immigration and border agents descended on the cannabis farm, they were met by dozens of rioters who tried to block a road between fields.
The screaming mob eventually scattered when agents deployed an unknown substance to control the crowd. Several protesters appeared to hurl rocks at the officers, according to ABC 7.
A masked man also was seen allegedly firing a few shots as he and other protesters scampered away. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the alleged shooter’s arrest.
The feds set up a blockade with military-style vehicles as they clashed with protesters for four hours.
About 200 immigrants were arrested in the raid under suspicions of being in the US illegally, authorities said Friday.
One farm worker died from injuries he sustained during the raid and several others were critically injured, according to the United Farm Workers union.
A source noted that the ICE building “smelled like weed heavily” as the individuals were taken in for processing.
Glass House Farms said on social media that it “fully complied with agent search warrants” presented by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials Thursday.
The farm has a permit to grow cannabis in Ventura County, and as of last year, used half of the space for cannabis while half was dedicated to tomatoes and cucumbers, the Ventura County Star reported.
The Biden administration has lost track of roughly 320,000 unaccompanied migrant kids, many of whom are believed to be at risk of sex trafficking, forced labor and other forms of exploitation, according to a government watchdog.
Rescuing children from Slave Labor should not be an issue.
That 320,000 children were lost under the Biden administration, and these rescued children are among those missing should be.
And that so-named protestors have fought back against this action, even to fire guns, should be of grave concern.
Up is down, left is right and sideways is straight ahead. - Cord "Circle of Iron", 1978 (written by Bruce Lee and James Coburn... really...)
Quote:A U.S. company has announced a $400 million deal with the United States Department of Defense amid soaring demand for domestically mined rare earth elements that are critical for both civilian and military technologies.
The MP Materials deal is being hailed as a major move toward building out the U.S. mine-to-magnet supply chain and cutting the country's reliance on geopolitical rival China.
Newsweek reached out to the Pentagon and MP Materials via request for comment outside of office hours.
Why It Matters
China supplies 70 percent of the rare earths imported by the U.S. and controls about 85 percent of the world's refining capacity—a virtual stranglehold on production of the high-performance magnets used in everything from electric vehicles to missiles.
This dependency is viewed in Washington as an Achilles' heel. That concern has driven the administration of President Donald Trump to seek out new deals—such as one signed with Ukraine in May.
What To Know
MP Materials Corp announced Thursday it had entered a public-private partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense that would, in its words, "dramatically accelerate the build-out of an end-to-end U.S. rare earth magnet supply chain and reduce foreign dependency."
Under the deal, the Pentagon will invest $400 million for a 15 percent ownership stake in the Las Vegas-headquartered firm, whose Mountain Pass mine in California remains the country's only rare earth mining facility.
The company also processes rare earth concentrate, though most of the final refining and magnet production still takes place in China.
"This initiative marks a decisive action by the Trump administration to accelerate American supply chain independence," said James Litinsky, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of MP Materials.
MP Materials shares surged by over 50 percent when trading opened Thursday morning.
Quote:Attorney General Pam Bondi has fired several Department of Justice (DOJ) employees who worked with former special counsel Jack Smith on two criminal investigations into President Donald Trump's possession of classified documents and his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, Reuters reported on Friday.
...
The Trump administration has pursued sweeping personnel changes across federal departments and agencies, particularly targeting those they deem disloyal or involved in investigating Trump. The administration has carried out large firings on Friday evenings before, including the termination of several inspectors general in January.
Prior to assuming office for his second term, Trump faced two major criminal investigations overseen by then-Special Counsel Smith that involved multiple indictments. Over a dozen DOJ employees who worked with Smith have been fired since Trump took office again.
Outside of the judiciary, the president has also directed criticism and executive orders at lawyers and law firms linked to Smith.
What To Know
At least seven of the individuals fired Friday night worked as support staff on Smith's team, sources told Reuters.
Some of the now terminated DOJ employees most recently worked in U.S. Attorney's offices across the U.S. including Florida and North Carolina, the wire service reported.
Reuters initially reported that nine DOJ employees were fired, but later updated its reporting to note the number had risen to around 20. Axios and ABC News have also reported that at least 20 people were terminated.
Smith spearheaded the federal classified documents case in Florida and the case involving Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
Trump faced dozens of felony counts accusing him of illegally keeping classified documents that he took with him after he left the White House in 2021 at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and then obstructing the government's efforts to get them back. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and has denied wrongdoing.
Last summer, Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, dismissed the classified documents case on grounds that Smith was not properly appointed by then Attorney General Merrick Garland because he was not approved by the U.S. Senate.
Quote:Elon Musk escalated his public feud with President Donald Trump over the weekend, urging the release of documents related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein "as promised."
The billionaire responded to Trump's Truth Social post defending U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who has faced backlash from the MAGA movement over her handling of the Epstein files.
Musk replied to a screen grab of Trump's post and said: "Seriously. He said 'Epstein' half a dozen times while telling everyone to stop talking about Epstein. Just release the files as promised."
[Tweet]
Why It Matters
The Epstein issue has become a symbolic litmus test for parts of the conservative base, especially among voters who believe Trump promised full transparency. MAGA is clearly divided over Epstein, with multiple calls for Bondi to be sacked.
Influential voices on the right, including former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, have warned that suppressing the Epstein documents could be politically devastating. "You're going to lose 40 House seats over this if you don't release the files," Bannon said recently.
As Trump seeks to shore up his base for November, the controversy threatens to alienate populist factions once firmly in his corner.
What To Know
Musk was one of the most prominent supporters of Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, spending at least $250 million to support his bid.
But the pair fell out over Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, a major tax and spending package that passed the Senate with Vice President JD Vance's tiebreaking vote.
Quote:President Donald Trump publicly backed FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino during a press gaggle on Sunday, stating that Bongino is staying at the FBI for now following reports of potential resignation this week.
Trump described Bongino as "a very good guy" and said he believes the deputy director is "in good shape" amid ongoing tensions within the administration over the handling of Jeffrey Epstein files.
Newsweek reached out to the White House via email on Sunday for comment.
Why It Matters
Epstein, the financier and sex offender who died in prison six years ago, socialized with some of the world's most powerful people. While his death was ruled a suicide, conspiracy theories persist that he was instead killed due to his purported "client list," which many have speculated to contain the names of politicians including Trump, former President Bill Clinton and Britain's Prince Andrew.
Trump during his 2024 presidential campaign suggested he would release files related to Epstein, with a first batch publicized in February by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. However, earlier this week, Trump and Bondi said they found "no incriminating 'client list'" related to Epstein, triggering major backlash among both Democrats and MAGA supporters.
Billionaire Elon Musk last month said the government had not released records related to the case because Trump "is in the Epstein files." While the president has dismissed Musk's claim, it has sparked further interest in the government's records.
What To Know
Speaking with reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Trump revealed he had spoken with Bongino earlier on Sunday about his future at the FBI.
The president expressed confidence in his deputy director, emphasizing their long-standing relationship and Bongino's regular appearances on Trump's campaign trail. Trump noted he had "done his show many, many times," referring to The Dan Bongino Show podcast, which ranked as the 56th most-popular podcast on Spotify before Bongino took his FBI position.
The president's comments came amid reports that Bongino was considering resignation following a heated exchange with Attorney General Pam Bondi over the management of Epstein files. According to CNN, Bongino did not report to work on Friday, fueling speculation about his potential departure.
Trump appointed Bongino to his FBI deputy director role in late February, praising him as "great news for Law Enforcement and American Justice." Bongino previously served in the New York Police Department (NYPD) and as a Secret Service agent, protecting Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Quote:Two women were killed, and three others, including a Kentucky State Trooper, were injured after a suspect shot at the officer and fled to the Richmond Road Baptist Church, Kentucky authorities said on Sunday.
Police have confirmed that the suspect is also dead.
Newsweek has reached out to the Lexington Fire Department and the Richmond Road Baptist Church for comment via email on Sunday.
What To Know
"I'm heartbroken to share the shooting in Lexington at Richmond Road Baptist Church has taken the lives of two people," Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear wrote in an X, formerly Twitter, post.
Four people were shot at on church property, the two women who were killed and two men who have been transported to the hospital, the Lexington Police Department said in a press release.
"One victim was reported to have sustained critical injuries and the other was reported in stable condition," the police said.
In a second post, the governor wrote: "Violence like this has no place in our commonwealth or country. Please join Britainy and me as we pray for the families of those lost, each one a child of God gone too soon."
A single suspect was involved in two shootings Sunday in Lexington, with the first reported around 11:36 a.m. local time in Fayette County, Kentucky. The suspect "shot a trooper and then fled the scene, ending up at the Richmond Road Baptist Church," the Kentucky State Police (KSP) said in a statement emailed to Newsweek on Sunday afternoon.
The Lexington Police Department said in a Sunday statement the shootings are "connected," noting the first took place "on Terminal Drive, where a Kentucky State Trooper was shot."
The statement continued, "While that shooting occurred on Terminal Drive, it was unrelated to the Blue Grass Airport. The Trooper is in stable condition, receiving medical treatment."
Quote:A McDonald's manager was stabbed to death at work by an employee after an argument at a Detroit-area restaurant on Thursday, police have said.
The victim has been named as Jennifer Harris, a 36-year-old mother-of-six who had worked at the Eastpointe McDonald's, on 9 Mile and Schroeder Avenue, for 15 years.
What To Know
Harris had asked the employee to leave following an argument between the pair, police said. The employee went home but then returned with a kitchen knife and stabbed Harris multiple times shortly before 8 a.m., police said.
The 26-year-old suspect tried to run out of the restaurant after the attack but a customer with a gun fired a warning shot and detained the suspect, police added.
A witness at the drive-thru said the suspect was wearing a mask when she returned, according to Fox2Detroit.
"She started stabbing her and I ran for help and basically asked everybody like "help help" or whatever," the witness said. "I tried to stop her - it was no stopping her. She stabbed her everywhere."
Harris' daughter Antonia Griffin told reporters: "My momma was a good person, she was the best mom anybody could ever ask for. My momma, she woke up every day to work for us. My momma died trying to take care of us!"
The Context
Workplace violence remains a persistent problem in the United States. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration reports that about 2 million American workers experience workplace violence each year.
Hospitality workers experience 8 percent of workplace violence cases with guest interactions and late-night hours contributing to vulnerability, according to the report.
Quote:North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reaffirmed his country's "unconditional support" for Russia in the Ukraine war, telling Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Saturday that he strongly believes Moscow will emerge victorious from the conflict.
The exchange between the two was reported by North Korea state news agency KCNA on Sunday, which described the meeting between the so-called supreme leader and Lavrov as taking place in "an atmosphere full of warm comradely trust."
A Tightening Partnership
Kim and Lavrov met in the eastern coastal city of Wonsan during the Russian top diplomat's three-day visit to North Korea, the latest in a recent series of trips meant to further tighten the relationship between the two pariah countries.
The strategic partnership between the two countries, which position themselves as allies against the same West which has isolated them, has quickly escalated in recent years—in a way that experts consider dangerous. If in the first months following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in late February 2022 the relationship between the two countries was based on rather practical cash-for-weapon exchange, Pyongyang has recently gone as far in its support as sending more than 10,000 troops to fight for Russia in Ukraine.
Kim's recent statement to Lavrov suggests that there is no turning back for North Korea, even as the country has admitted losing hundreds of soldiers in Ukraine.
"Kim Jong Un reaffirmed that the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) is ready to unconditionally support and encourage all the measures taken by the Russian leadership as regards the tackling of the root cause of the Ukrainian crisis," KCNA wrote on Sunday.
Russia seems equally as enthusiastic about the friendship between the two countries. On Saturday, Lavrov was quoted on Russian media as celebrating Moscow and Pyongyang as "an invincible fighting brotherhood." The Russian diplomat also reportedly thanked Kim for the deployment of his country's troops to Ukraine.
What Is Happening In Ukraine
On the same day of the meeting between Kim and Lavrov, Ukraine said that Russia fired hundreds of drones and long-range missiles across the country overnight, in what the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) described as the third combined strike with over 400 drones and missiles in July alone.
"Twenty-six cruise missiles and 597 attack drones were launched, of which more than half were 'Shaheds' [Iranian-made drones]," Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening speech. According to the Ukrainian air force, 319 Shahed drones and 25 missiles were brought down, while one missile and about 20 drones had hit "five locations."
"The Russians are intensifying terror against cities and communities to increasingly intimidate our people. But despite Moscow's plans, the air defense forces are achieving good results," Zelensky wrote on X.
It seems sort of clear now that North Korea is heavily training its military to make its soldiers become truly professional combatants, and this might only mean they're waiting for the day when another war starts. But this time it'll be in the Pacific theater.
Quote:Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) said on Sunday that it successfully tracked down and "neutralized" two Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) agents who were suspected of assassinating Colonel Ivan Voronych, a high-ranking SBU Special Operations Centre officer, in Kyiv on July 10.
Newsweek has contacted the SBU, Ukrainian officials, and the FSB on Sunday via email for comment.
Why It Matters
Colonel Voronych served in the Special Operations Center (Alpha) and led high-risk operations targeting Russian military assets. As reported by RBC-Ukraine, his unit was involved in sabotage operations behind enemy lines and was credited with eliminating high-ranking members of the Russian administration.
His assassination marked a significant and brazen escalation in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia that began in February 2022 when Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded the Eastern European nation.
What To Know
As reported by Newsweek, Voronych was shot dead as he left his home in Kyiv on Thursday morning. A masked gunman approached the senior intelligence officer from a residential parking lot and shot him several times with a silenced handgun before fleeing.
According to SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk, the two agents, identified as a man and a woman, were dispatched into Ukraine several days before Voronych was gunned down in Kyiv's Holosiivskyi district.
Surveillance footage captured the two suspects following Voronych to a firearms cache where they retrieved a suppressed pistol. Around 9 a.m. local time on July 10, they ambushed and fatally shot him.
An update posted to the Ukrainian government Telegram channel stated: "The SBU eliminated the killers who killed the Security Service colonel in Kyiv. During a special operation, employees of the Security Service of Ukraine eliminated agents of the Russian special services who, on the instructions of the FSB of the Russian Federation, carried out the murder of the SBU colonel in Kyiv.
"The special operation to find the killers of the Ukrainian defender was personally led by the head of the SBU, Lieutenant General Vasyl Malyuk. The FSB agent-combat group was routed to Ukraine in advance and three days ago committed the murder of an SBU employee, our brother Colonel Ivan Voronych."
SBU and National Police located the pair in Kyiv Oblast during a special operation led personally by Malyuk. When the agents resisted arrest, a gunfight ensued, ending with both suspects being killed in the operation
"SBU and National Police officers established their location in the Kyiv region. This morning, a special operation was conducted, during which members of the FSB intelligence and combat group of the Russian Federation began to resist, so they were eliminated," the post said.
It went on to say that the head of the Ukrainian special service thanked the employees of the National Police of Ukraine for their professionalism and support, emphasizing that "effective counteraction to Russian special services is a key area of activity for the Security Service."
Quote:Finland has formally notified the United Nations (U.N.) of its intention to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, which bans the use of antipersonnel land mines, according to Reuters—a move that several European allies have made in the face of Russia's ongoing aggression in Ukraine.
Newsweek reached out to NATO via email outside of normal business hours on Friday night for comment.
Why It Matters
The move by Finland, a country sharing an 830-mile border with Russia, highlights growing apprehension in Eastern Europe due to the heightened threat of Russian invasion. Finland joined NATO after decades of holding a position of neutrality between the alliance and Russia, but changed course following the invasion of Ukraine.
In a joint statement earlier this year, Poland and the Baltic defense ministers said their decision would send "a clear message: Our countries are prepared and can use every necessary measure to defend our territory and freedom."
The Ottawa Convention, which took effect in 1999, requires signatory states to ban the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of antipersonnel mines. Finland's withdrawal was announced as regional partners—including Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania—also indicated their exit amid fears of Russia's military actions following its 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Last year, international watchdog Landmine Monitor reported that Russia and other countries had actively used land mines in recent conflicts. At least 5,757 people were killed or wounded by the mines and unexploded ordnance in the past year, most of whom were civilians—including significant numbers of children.
Comrade Peskov is back after discovering that water is wet!
Quote:Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peksov has admitted there is "unprecedented" military censorship of the media in Russia, but defended it as necessary in the current circumstances, as Moscow's invasion of Ukraine continues.
Peksov, speaking to Russia's Expert magazine, acknowledged that many independent publications had closed down and journalists had left the country.
"But do not forget the situation we are in," Peskov said, in comments translated from Russian, in the interview published on Friday, July 11.
"Now is the time of military censorship—unprecedented for our country.
"After all, the war is also going on in the information space. And it would be wrong to turn a blind eye to the media that are deliberately engaged in discrediting Russia. Therefore, I believe that this regime is justified now."
Russia Throttles Media Freedom
According to Reporters Without Borders, an advocacy group focused on media freedom, almost all independent media sources in Russia have been banned, blocked, or subjected to censorship and other sanctions since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
"The remaining media are owned by the state or by Kremlin allies. Their employees must follow orders issued by the president's office regarding subjects to be avoided, and must censor themselves closely," says Reporters Without Borders.
Most Russians consume news via television, whose channels are heavily controlled by the government.
Moscow has framed the conflict in Ukraine as a "special military operation" against what it characterizes as a "Nazi" regime, and says it is pushing back against Western threats to Russia's security as well as attempts to eradicate its culture.
Ukraine says Russia has launched a brutal imperial war of aggression to seize control of a neighbor and remove its sovereignty to prevent it joining groups such as the European Union (EU) and the U.S.-led defensive alliance NATO.
Peskov Praises New 'Patriotism' in Coverage
Peskov praised the Russian media for becoming increasingly "patriotic" in its coverage.
"I think that most people have always had a sense of love for Russia and pride in it, but it was not customary for many media outlets to promote such an agenda," he told Expert.
"I would even say that part of the editorial policy of a number of Russian media was to express skepticism toward their own country."
But he said there "will come a time when a softer information policy will be in demand, and then we will see the emergence of more neutral media that write about both problems and achievements."
If you were asking yourself if Soviet Russia was alive and kicking, this should open your eyes to the saddening and bloody red truth.
Quote:Two heavily armed Chinese coast guard vessels have been tracked in what Tokyo considers to be territorial waters around the disputed Senkaku Islands, according to the Japanese coast guard.
...
Japan administers the uninhabited islands, which China and Taiwan have long claimed—calling them the Diaoyu and Diaoyutai, respectively. Japan's nationalization of the islands in 2012 prompted China to step up its activities in the area.
The latest patrols come against a backdrop of tensions between the U.S. ally over China's military buildup. Analysts say China is using its coast guard to normalize its presence in disputed waters through "gray zone" actions that stop short of what would likely trigger a military response.
What To Know
The pair of Chinese coast guard cutters crossed into Japan-claimed territorial waters—which extend 12 nautical miles, or about 14 miles, from shore—near the Senkaku Islands early Wednesday morning, Japan's coast guard told local media.
The vessels, both of which were equipped with deck-mounted autocannons, attempted to approach a Japanese fishing boat operating in the area, the agency added.
Japan's coast guard said its ships had repeatedly ordered their Chinese counterparts to leave the area and managed to prevent them from sailing closer to the fishing vessel.
Nevertheless, both Chinese ships were still operating in territorial waters as of Thursday and were again successfully blocked from intercepting a fishing boat, the agency said, criticizing the move as "a violation of international law."
Quote:Iran is prepared to resume talks with the United States but only if it meets certain conditions, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.
Iran's suggestion that talks can be resumed comes nearly three weeks after President Donald Trump ordered strikes on Iran aimed at stopping its nuclear program following initial Israeli strikes.
Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. Department of State for comment.
Why It Matters
The comments and the setting of conditions indicate the challenge to reviving talks.
The impact of the U.S. strikes on the Iranian facilities is not clear, leading to speculation of more attacks and major questions over efforts to revive diplomatic engagement between the two long-time adversaries.
Iran's nuclear program may get more difficult to monitor if no deal is reached with the United States. The U.N. nuclear watchdog has withdrawn its inspectors and nuclear experts believe Iran relocated more than 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium—enough for 10 nuclear weapons—to a secret location.
What To Know
Araghchi, in a written interview with the French newspaper Le Monde, said the United States should compensate for the "serious damages" caused by the strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and guarantee there won't be more attacks. He also warned that sanctions complicate diplomacy and efforts to build trust around Iran's nuclear program.
"It was the U.S. that broke off negotiations and turned to military action. It is therefore essential that responsibility for these mistakes is acknowledged and that a clear sign of a change in behavior is observed," Araghchi said.
LATIN AMERICA
Please keep in mind that China is involved in this mega project.
Quote:Brazil and China have signed an agreement to launch a technical, environmental and economic feasibility study for a proposed 2,800-mile railway linking Brazil's Atlantic coast with Peru's Pacific port of Chancay.
The memorandum of understanding, made public on Monday, was agreed between Infra S.A., a Brazilian state-owned entity attached to the Ministry of Transport, and the China Railway Economic and Planning Research Institute.
Why It Matters
The proposed transcontinental corridor, if constructed, would represent a multibillion-dollar logistical overhaul for cross-continental trade, with estimates suggesting the cost could rise above $70 billion. Linking Brazil's Atlantic coast with the Pacific Ocean in Peru could shorten shipping times to Asian markets by as much as 12 days compared with current routes passing through the Panama Canal.
This diversification of trade infrastructure could decrease dependence on maritime choke points and foster expanded economic ties between South America and Asia. Infrastructure improvements on such a scale could make South American exports more competitive in Asian markets and potentially realign global supply chains.
What To Know
The feasibility study follows months of growing engagement between Brazil and China. In April, a Chinese delegation visited Brazil's Fico and Fiol railway lines, which are anticipated as important components for the larger corridor. The same group toured the Port of Santos, the busiest port in Latin America, which is also being expanded with Chinese investment.
The planned 2,800 miles of rail line would stretch from Ilhéus, Bahia, in northeastern Brazil, through the Amazon and the state of Acre, and ultimately cross the Andes Mountains into Peru.
The final destination would be Chancay, a major Pacific port. The project's cost, estimated at over $70 billion, makes it one of the most expensive infrastructure projects in South American history. As of the agreement, both countries have limited their commitment to a feasibility study, which will examine technical, environmental and economic implications. The study is projected to take up to five years before any construction could begin.
The feasibility study will need to account for significant logistical, technical and environmental hurdles. The planned railway traverses ecologically sensitive regions including portions of the Amazon rainforest and the Andes Mountains, raising concerns about potential impacts.
Both parties remain in the study phase and have not made final commitments on route selection or environmental mitigation.
The memorandum was signed after months of negotiation and on-site assessments, including a review of Fico and Fiol.
"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.
Quote:The U.S. Supreme Court said President Donald Trump's administration can proceed with plans to lay off some 1,400 employees at the Department of Education—marking another win for the White House from the conservative-leaning high court.
A majority of the justices lifted a lower-court ruling that had indefinitely paused the administration's plan. Liberal Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan dissented.
"Today, the Supreme Court again confirmed the obvious: the President of the United States, as the head of the Executive Branch, has the ultimate authority to make decisions about staffing levels, administrative organization, and day-to-day operations of federal agencies," Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a press release.
"While today's ruling is a significant win for students and families, it is a shame that the highest court in the land had to step in to allow President Trump to advance the reforms Americans elected him to deliver using the authorities granted to him by the U.S. Constitution."
Quote:Three Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies were killed in a blast at a compound that houses the agency’s arson and explosive unit on Friday morning.
The explosion at the Biscailuz Center Academy Training facility in East Los Angeles resulted in the department’s worst loss of life in a single event since 1857.
The officers were identified as Detective Joshua Kelley-Eklund, Detective Victor Lemus and Detective William Osborn, all of whom were assigned to the Special Enforcement Bureau’s Arson Explosives Detail.
The fallen members — whose elite unit responds to 1,000 calls yearly — were longtime veterans who had been on the job for 19, 22 and 33 years, respectively.
The three were remembered as heroes by the county’s top cop.
“There are no words to express the pain and sorrow we feel,” Sheriff Robert Luna said late Friday night. “These heroes represented the best of our Department, exemplifying courage, integrity, and selfless service. This is not only a heartbreaking loss for their families, but for all of us.”
At an earlier press briefing, he said they were “fantastic experts and, unfortunately, I lost three of them today.”
It’s unclear what sparked the deadly blast, though investigators are preliminarily looking at a possible training accident, a person briefed on the matter told the Associated Press.
Aerial footage from local news helicopters showed the explosion happened in a parking lot where patrol cars and box trucks were parked.
No other injuries were reported, and the scene was deemed safe about four hours after the explosion.
“There is currently an investigation going on to determine what happened from the very beginning to the end,” Luna said. “I know everybody wants answers, please understand we just rendered the scene safe.”
Quote:Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) made a quick U-turn Thursday after initially fuming that the discourse surrounding government documents related to notorious pedophile Jeffrey Epstein was a “distraction.”
About an hour after suggesting that Americans should focus on the debate over the rescissions package being considered in Congress, rather than the so-called “Epstein files,” Pelosi weighed in on President Trump’s handling of the convicted sex predator’s case – demanding that documents be released.
“This is a distraction,” Pelosi told MSNBC host Chris Jansing, when asked about what Trump could do to get his supporters to move on from the Epstein matter. “We have major issues right here with things we’re voting on today in the Congress.”
“And instead we’re talking about him – about this thing, and his own base has its own views of what the president should do,” she continued.
“I’ll leave it up to them to talk it out.”
“[W]hether it’s Jeffrey Epstein or Alcatraz, it’s all off the subject of what they’re doing with this budget that is harmful to the kitchen table, meeting the kitchen-table needs of the American people,” Pelosi fumed.
When asked to clarify her comments, Pelosi doubled-down, calling the Epstein debate and Trump’s vision of refurbishing Alcatraz so it can once again house prisoners “both distractions.”
“I think that they’re off the subject of what is happening, changing the character and the culture of America by undermining – by placing huge, trillions of dollars of national debt on future generations to carry forward at the expense of the health, nutrition and education of the American people,” she argued.
Quote:President Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi Thursday to release “pertinent” grand jury testimony in the case of notorious pedophile Jeffrey Epstein — so long as a court allows it.
“Based on the ridiculous amount of publicity given to Jeffrey Epstein, I have asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to Court approval,” he wrote on Truth Social.
“This SCAM, perpetuated by the Democrats, should end, right now!” the president added.
Trump’s decision follows intense pressure from his base for more transparency in the case, and comes hours after The Wall Street Journal published a story about a note he allegedly wrote to Epstein.
Grand jury testimony in the Epstein case took place in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York — and Bondi indicated that she would petition the court Friday for the release of the files.
“President Trump — we are ready to move the court tomorrow to unseal the grand jury transcripts,” Bondi wrote on X.
Epstein, 66, was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell in August 2019, a month after he was charged with sex trafficking minors by the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
The FBI and Justice Department announced the conclusion of a “systematic review” of the Epstein case last week in a controversial, unsigned memo.
The review found “no credible evidence” that Epstein “blackmailed prominent individuals” or that investigations against “uncharged third parties” were warranted.
Investigators also concluded the financier died by suicide and never had a “client list” of powerful associates allegedly implicated in his sickening crimes.
The memo indicated that no further disclosures would be made in the case.
Trump, backing the FBI and DOJ’s decision, has described the case as a “hoax” and has urged his supporters to move on from the issue since the release of the memo.
Quote:President Trump sued the publisher of The Wall Street Journal for $10 billion over an allegedly “fake” and “defamatory” article that claimed he sent a lewd letter, with the drawn outline of a naked woman, to pedophile Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday.
News Corp, its chair emeritus Rupert Murdoch and chief executive Robert Thomson; Dow Jones, the Journal’s publisher; and the reporters who authored the report were named as defendants in the suit filed Friday in federal court in the Southern District of Florida.
A Dow Jones spokesperson responded: “We have full confidence in the rigor and accuracy of our reporting, and will vigorously defend against any lawsuit.”
Reps for News Corp did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The suit, which seeks $10 billion in damages, stated “no authentic letter or drawing exists” showing Trump, 79, using “salacious language” to wish Epstein a happy 50th birthday in 2003.
“To attempt and inextricably link President Trump to Epstein, Defendants Safdar and Palazzolo falsely claim that the salacious language of the letter is contained within a hand-drawn naked woman, which was created with a heavy marker,” wrote Trump’s attorney Alejandro Brito.
The report goes on to “provide a series of quotes from the nonexistent letter, claiming that the letter was written in third person, beginning with a voice over interluding a conversation, followed by a purported dialogue between President Trump and Epstein — as if they were characters in a play.”
Brito also accused the Journal of trying to “falsely represent as fact that President Trump drew the naked woman’s breasts and signed his name ‘Donald’ below her waist, ‘mimicking pubic hair.'”
“Defendants concocted this story to malign President Trump’s character and integrity and deceptively portray him in a false light,” the suit alleged.
Quote:An undocumented woman faked her own kidnapping and blamed it on Immigration and Customs Enforcement to generate sympathy and donations, the Justice Department has claimed.
The DOJ said in a press release Thursday Yuriana Julia Pelaez Calderon, a 41-year-old from Los Angeles, was taken into ICE custody and charged with conspiracy and making false statements to federal officers.
The case comes amid criticism of President Donald Trump’s mass immigration deportation efforts, which have brought a spike in immigration raids across the country.
Federal prosecutors claimed, citing court documents filed Wednesday, that an attorney representing Calderon’s family held a press conference on June 30 saying the woman was kidnapped five days earlier in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant in Los Angeles.
The lawyer claimed she was brought to San Ysidro near the southern border, where “she was presented to [a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] staffer” and “presented with voluntary self-deportation paperwork,” prosecutors said.
When Calderon refused to sign the papers and demanded to speak to a judge and a lawyer, “she was punished” and sent to a warehouse in an undisclosed location, the attorney claimed, according to prosecutors.
A GoFundMe page with a fundraising goal of $4,500 was set up by Calderon’s daughter, who claimed her mother “was taken by masked men in an unmarked vehicle…when she was on her way to work,” according to the DOJ’s press release.
A fundraising page matching the DOJ’s description said Calderon is the head of the family household and describes her as an “amazing mother and very dedicated.”
Her daughter said her mother takes care of her, two teenage children and two adults with disabilities.
“We are asking for help because we are also facing an eviction. Every single dollar could help us at this moment, and we are hoping that we could find out where they have her. We have already looked in detention centers as well as warehouses, and we still have no idea why they did not process her,” Calderon’s daughter wrote on the page.
When The Independent reached out to GoFundMe about the $80 raised on Calderon’s behalf, a spokesperson for the company said: “GoFundMe has zero tolerance for the misuse of our platform, or any attempt to exploit the generosity of others, and cooperates with law enforcement investigations of those accused of wrongdoing.
“This fundraiser was removed from the platform and the $80 raised was refunded; at no point did the organizer have access to any of the funds. The GoFundMe Giving Guarantee guarantees donors a full refund in the rare case something isn’t right.”
Quote:A federal judge blocked on Friday the enforcement of US President Donald Trump’s executive order targeting those who work with the International Criminal Court.
The ruling follows an April lawsuit by two human rights advocates challenging Trump’s February 6 order authorizing potentially far-reaching economic and travel sanctions on people who work on ICC investigations of US citizens or US allies, such as Israel.
In her ruling, US District Judge Nancy Torresen called the executive order an unconstitutional infringement on free speech.
“The executive order appears to restrict substantially more speech than necessary to further that end,” she wrote.
“The executive order broadly prohibits any speech-based services that benefit the prosecutor, regardless of whether those beneficial services relate to an ICC investigation of the United States, Israel, or another US ally.”
The White House and the ICC did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The executive order imposed sanctions on ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, who is British. The US treasury department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control also places him on a registry of sanctioned individuals and entities.
US citizens who provide services for the benefit of Khan or other sanctioned individuals could face civil and criminal penalties, according to the order, which has been condemned by the ICC and dozens of countries.
Has that judge ever thought that the ICC might have overreached its own legal authority in the US and Israel by any chance?
Quote:The Trump administration is offering former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers up to $50,000 in bonuses to rejoin the agency now that it has additional funding to carry out migrant deportation arrests.
“You served the United States of America with distinction and honor. Now, your country calls upon you to serve once more,” read an email sent by ICE to a retired employee and obtained by The Post.
“Due to the prior administration’s disastrous immigration policies, the men and women of ICE now face unprecedented challenges,” the message continued. “Your experience and unwavering commitment are critically needed to secure our communities and uphold our laws.”
The “urgent call” to former ICE officers has been dubbed “Operation Return to Mission.”
As part of the deal, returning employees may serve in their “current location and previous job series,” and they could be eligible for lucrative bonuses.
ICE is offering a signing bonus of $10,000 upon returning to service; another $10,000 bonus for those who submit applications by Aug. 1; and annual $10,000 bonuses, for up to three years, for those who take part in Operation Return to Service.
The agency notes that “dual compensation waivers” will also be offered, allowing former federal workers to retain pension payments and benefits if they come out of retirement.
“By returning to ICE, you are providing an honorable, indispensable service to our nation,” the email said.
ICE noted that President Trump’s July 4 signing of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act has allowed the agency to “significantly” grow its team and that it is “starting with bringing back our former colleagues.”
The massive piece of legislation granted ICE $75 billion in extra funding to carry out Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration, including $30 billion for arrest and deportation efforts and $45 billion to expand detention capabilities.
Quote:The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the elimination of its research and development office Friday, along with thousands of job cuts that will save taxpayers nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars.
The reduction in force (RIF) will target the Office of Research and Development, the EPA’s scientific research arm which informs decision making, the agency said.
The EPA expects the overhaul to result in $748.8 million in savings.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, EPA has taken a close look at our operations to ensure the agency is better equipped than ever to deliver on our core mission of protecting human health and the environment while Powering the Great American Comeback,” EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said in a statement.
“This reduction in force will ensure we can better fulfill that mission while being responsible stewards of your hard-earned tax dollars,” he added.
The EPA previously announced that it planned to shift scientific expertise and research efforts to program offices that handle “statutory obligations and mission essential functions,” such as ensuring clean air and water.
The agency also said it is creating a new Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions that will “allow EPA to prioritize research and science more than ever before and put it at the forefront of rulemakings and technical assistance to states.”
EPA union leader Justin Chen slammed the decision to axe the Office of Research and Development, which he described as “the heart and brain” of the agency.
Quote:CBS brass say they pulled the plug on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” because of its punishing losses — pegged between $40 million and $50 million a year — and claim politics had nothing to do with it, The Post has learned.
The 61-year-old host got canned just days after he took a dig at the Tiffany Network over its $16 million settlement with Donald Trump over a controversial “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris as the network’s parent Paramount negotiates with the Trump administration regulatory approval for its $8 billion sale to independent studio Skydance.
“I am offended, and I don’t know if anything will ever repair my trust in this company,” Colbert said of the truce in his Monday night monologue.
“But just taking a stab at it, I’d say $16 million would help.”
‘Gets no advertising’
But scathing jokes at the expense of CBS brass wasn’t the problem, according to insiders.
Instead, the network’s bosses could no longer stomach the fact that Colbert has been plagued with an increasingly dire shortage of advertisers.
That’s despite Colbert’s No, 1 ratings in his time slot and his status as a key face for the Tiffany Network.
In the end, Paramount’s co-CEO George Cheeks decided to kill the show, sources said.
“Colbert gets no advertising and late night is a tough spot,” said a person with direct knowledge of CBS’s decision.
“Colbert might be No. 1, but who watches late night TV anymore?”
Some Democrats voiced suspicion, citing the host’s left-wing leanings and CBS owner Paramount’s urgent need to gain an OK from the Trump administration for the merger with Skydance, the Hollywood studio behind the “Mission: Impossible” franchise.
“CBS canceled Colbert’s show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16M settlement with Trump — a deal that looks like bribery,” lefty Sen. Elizabeth Warren wrote on X.
“America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons.”
Skydance CEO David Ellison is the son of Donald Trump pal and tech billionaire Larry Ellison.
As The Post first reported, CBS just paid $16 million to Trump and has agreed to run millions of dollars more in MAGA-friendly ads to settle the president’s lawsuit alleging that “60 Minutes” deceptively edited its 2024 interview with Kamala Harris to make her look better.
Trump, meanwhile, celebrated Colbert’s canning in a Friday morning post on Truth Social.
“I absolutely love that Colbert got fired,” the president wrote.
Quote:The Obama administration knew before and after the 2016 election that Russia did not affect the vote’s outcome through cyberattacks, according to a bombshell document released by the Trump administration Friday.
Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard made public more than 100 pages of emails, memos and other records cataloguing what she called Obama officials’ “conspiracy to subvert President Trump’s 2016 victory.”
Both before and after Democrat Hillary Clinton’s loss, the US Intelligence Community assessed that Russia played no significant role influencing the election.
Among the documents was a Sept. 12, 2016, Intelligence Community Assessment that determined “foreign adversaries do not have and will probably not obtain the capabilities to successfully execute widespread and undetected cyber attacks” on election infrastructure.
On Dec. 7, 2016, then-DNI James Clapper’s office also concluded: “Foreign adversaries did not use cyberattacks on election infrastructure to alter the US Presidential election outcome” and “We have no evidence of cyber manipulation of election infrastructure intended to alter results.”
Other findings, prepared the following day for Obama’s Presidential Daily Brief, only pointed to the “likely” hacking of an Illinois voter registration database that did not affect the electoral count and was “unsuccessfully attempted” in other states.
“Criminal activity also failed to reach the scale and sophistication necessary to change election outcomes,” the draft of the brief stated.
But those findings were suppressed after the FBI — led by Director James Comey — said it was going to “dissent” from the draft’s conclusions “based on some new guidance.”
Clapper then spearheaded an alternative intelligence report claiming the Kremlin orchestrated hackings of Democratic National Committee emails, thousands of which were later posted online by Wikileaks, and intervened in the presidential contest in favor of Trump.
Several officials — including CIA Director John Brennan, Secretary of State John Kerry, and FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe — met at the White House on Dec. 9, 2016, where Obama began “tasking” each to look into “Russia Election Meddling.”
White House chief of staff Denis McDonogh, National Security Adviser Susan Rice, Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson also attended that meeting.
The 44th president ordered a new intelligence assessment from the CIA, FBI, NSA and DHS, with comprehensive information about Russia’s activities related to the US presidential race by early January — an assessment which ended up including the since-debunked dossier produced by former MI6 spy Christopher Steele.
Quote:United States will revoke visas from other seven justices of Brazilian Supreme Court, in addition to judge Alexandre de Moraes, local newspaper O Globo reported on Friday, without citing its source.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced earlier the immediate visa revocations from “Moraes and his allies on the court, as well as their immediate family members”, citing court orders against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
Brazil’s Supreme Court issued search warrants and restraining orders against Bolsonaro on Friday, banning him from contacting foreign officials over allegations he courted the interference of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump has already tried to use pressure to help Bolsonaro by announcing a 50% tariff on goods from Latin America’s No. 1 economy.
Bolsonaro told Reuters that he believed the court orders were a reaction to Trump’s criticism of his trial before the Supreme Court for trying to overturn the last election.
The court’s crackdown on Bolsonaro added to evidence that Trump’s tactics are backfiring in Brazil, compounding trouble for his ideological ally and rallying public support behind a defiant leftist government.
Bolsonaro was banned from contacting foreign officials, using social media or approaching embassies, according to the decision issued by Moraes, who cited a “concrete possibility” of him fleeing the country. His home was raided by federal police and he had an ankle monitor placed on him.
In an interview with Reuters at his party’s headquarters on Friday, Bolsonaro called Moraes a “dictator” and described the latest court orders as acts of “cowardice.”
Quote:A Minnesota state senator was convicted of burglary Friday for breaking into her estranged stepmother’s home, and faced calls for her immediate resignation from a closely divided chamber where she holds a deciding vote.
After about three hours of deliberations, the jury found Democratic state Sen. Nicole Mitchell, 51, guilty of first-degree burglary and possession of burglary tools.
She told police right after her arrest that she went there to search for her father’s ashes and other mementos, but tried to back away from that story on the witness stand.
Mitchell displayed little emotion as the verdicts were read.
Democratic Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy was quick to issue a statement saying that Mitchell has told colleagues that she planned to resign if convicted, “and I expect her to follow through on that pledge.”
Republican Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson reiterated the GOP’s long-standing demand for immediate resignation or face expulsion.
Gov. Tim Walz’s office said he expects her to resign.
But one of Mitchell’s attorneys, Dane DeKrey, said in text messages that he didn’t know if she would heed the calls. He said they’re exploring their options for an appeal.
The Democrat from the St. Paul suburb of Woodbury maintained her innocence and refused to resign since her arrest in the early hours of April 22, 2024, at her stepmother’s home in the northwestern Minnesota city of Detroit Lakes.
Mitchell’s father died in 2023 at the age of 72.
He had been married to Mitchell’s stepmother, Carol Mitchell, for nearly 40 years.
The jury saw bodycam video of Mitchell telling police repeatedly after her arrest that she broke into the home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her father, including some of his ashes, photos and a flannel shirt.
Quote:The Big Apple will devolve into a crime-ridden dystopia unsafe for civilians and cops alike if socialist Zohran Mamdani wins the keys to City Hall, Mayor Adams predicted.
The far-left Democratic mayoral nominee’s anti-cop, soft-on-crime agenda will destroy the work Adams has done driving down major crimes in his first term, Hizzoner warned in an exclusive sit-down Thursday on the backyard porch of Gracie Mansion.
“Look at [Mandani’s] policies: once you empty out Rikers Island, that’s a major impact,” he told The Post, referring to Mamdani’s plan to drastically lower the jail complex’s 7,600 population. “It’s going to go back to the communities that crime came from.”
Adams, a retired NYPD captain, said Mamdani’s plan to have social workers respond to domestic violence calls — rather than cops — is another recipe for disaster.
He referred to NYPD Officer Wilbert Mora, 27, and his rookie partner Jason Rivera, 22, who were shot dead by 47-year-old Lashawn McNeil on Jan. 21, 2022 in East Harlem.
“Mora and Rivera, the two cops who were shot in the beginning of my [mayoral] career, they died and were assassinated responding to a domestic violence call,” said Adams, whose voice cracked with emotion while delivering eulogies at memorial services for the men days later.
“I think that we’re going to see some real errors” if Mamdani is elected mayor, Adams said. “His policies are harmful to the city.”
During a wide-ranging interview, Adams, sporting a gray pinstripe suit, black loafers and a silver watch, insisted he’s had to waste too much time in office “cleaning up” a “mess” he inherited thanks to state bail reform laws and other left-wing policies implemented under former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a registered Democrat who like Adams is also running for mayor as an independent.
He also insisted a bombshell lawsuit filed this week by former top cop Tom Donlon accusing him of running the NYPD like a criminal enterprise is both “baseless” and “politically” motivated — and that he has a great working relationship with current Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who he wants back if he’s reelected.
Quote:More than 30 people were hurt after a driver plowed into a crowd standing outside an East Hollywood nightclub on Friday night, according to officials.
Seven of the victims were in critical condition after the incident, which unfolded at 2 a.m. Saturday when a Nissan Versa flew into the crowd outside of The Vermont Hollywood club on Santa Monica Boulevard, near the intersection of Vermont Avenue, officials said.
“They were all standing in line going into a nightclub. There was a taco cart out there, so they were…getting some food, waiting to go in. And there’s also a valet line out there,” Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Adam VanGerpen said. “The valet podium was taken out, the taco truck was taken out, and then a large number of people were impacted by the vehicle.”
The majority of the people in line for the concert at the nightclub, which was billed as “So-Cal’s Biggest Reggaeton & Hip-Hop Party,” were women, according to VanGerpen.
At least three victims were in critical condition.
One of the patients had a gunshot wound, said paramedics, but the victim had yet to be identified and it was unclear if that victim was connected to the crash.
The majority of the 31 patients were being treated and transported to area hospitals and trauma centers, Van Gerpen said.
The cause of the crash was being probed, officials said.
“This is under police investigation,” VanGerpen said. “This will be a large investigation with the LAPD.”
People inside the club came out to help the victims in the minutes before emergency crews arrived on the scene, the captain said.
Quote:A stolen plane triggered a major security incident at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on Tuesday afternoon, temporarily halting operations and forcing multiple flights to reroute.
Just before 1:30 p.m. local time on July 15, a “security incident” involving a small private plane led to a temporary halt in airport operations, according to a statement from YVR.
The plane, flying within YVR’s airspace, forced nine incoming flights to reroute to different airports.
At approximately 1:45 p.m., following a 39-minute air traffic suspension, the Cessna 172, operated by a single individual, safely landed.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) then apprehended the pilot.
In an air traffic control recording obtained by the Vancouver Sun via LiveATC.net, a controller alerted other pilots: “We do have an aircraft that has been hijacked and is in the vicinity of the airport … just in case anything starts heading toward [you], you have the ability to move at your discretion.”
“They are currently flying overhead,” a voice from air traffic control can be heard saying.
“At this time, I have no further updates. We have the aircraft in visual range—please stand by for further instructions.”
Later, air traffic controllers instructed grounded aircraft to remain on standby during the ongoing situation:
“We’re not certain what will happen next. The aircraft continues to circle above, and its intentions remain unknown. For now, we are holding position.”
RCMP later confirmed that the aircraft had been taken from Victoria International Airport and had flown around 40 miles into Vancouver’s airspace.
Quote:The Mexico City government on Wednesday announced a preliminary plan to deal with gentrification, a week after a fierce protest against rising housing prices some link to mass tourism and an increase in foreigners often called “digital nomads” who live temporarily in the capital city.
Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada said the plan will include regulation so that landlords cannot increase rents above inflation. Authorities will also share a list of “reasonable rental” proposals.
Brugada said her government will open a discussion with residents of Mexico’s capital about her plan, but that the idea is to work on a bill that includes measures to promote affordable rent.
The protest in early July was fueled by government failures and active promotion to attract digital nomads who work remotely often for foreign companies from Mexico City, according to experts.
Hundreds of people marched in neighborhoods popular with tourists, but the demonstration turned violent when a small number of people began smashing storefronts and harassing foreigners.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that the protest was marked by xenophobia.
“The xenophobic displays seen at that protest have to be condemned. No one should be able to say ‘any nationality get out of our country’ even over a legitimate problem like gentrification,” Sheinbaum said back then.
Many Mexicans have complained about being priced out of their neighborhoods — in part because of a move made by Sheinbaum in 2022, when she was the Mexico City mayor and signed an agreement with Airbnb and UNESCO to boost tourism and attract digital nomads despite concern over the impact short-term rentals could have.
During the protest, some people marched with signs reading “Gringo: Stop stealing our home” and “Housing regulations now!”
Some anti-gentrification groups have called for a new protest this weekend.
So now the Mexican president is promising to solve the very same issue she caused in the first place!?
Quote:Authorities at the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (P.G.I.A.) say they were alerted to a U.S. man who was hijacking a small plane in Belize on Thursday.
The man stabbed two passengers and a pilot, before one of the stabbed passengers fatally shot him, according to officials in Belize and the United States. The passenger was licensed to carry a firearm and later turned his weapon over to the police.
"We are praying for him," Chester Williams, Belize police commissioner, told reporters. "He’s our hero."
Williams identified the hijacker as Akinyela Taylor and said he was a U.S. military veteran, a report by The Associated Press said. U.S. officials could not confirm the Belize police commissioner’s statement that Taylor was a military veteran.
The air flight Cessna Caravan V3HIG from Corozal to San Pedro had 14 passengers and 2 crew members onboard, the statement from P.G.I.A. said.
A full emergency was declared immediately after the incident started and the aircraft circled in random directions for approximately two hours until finally landing safely at the P.G.I.A., according to a statement by the Belize Airport Concession Company.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said at a news briefing in Washington that officials were still gathering information about what occurred.
"Horrifying," she said. "We are grateful, I think all of us are, that it did not turn into a mass casualty event with, I believe, over a dozen people on the plane. Clearly we know a few details. We don’t know much more."
U.S. officials said they did not know the motive for Taylor’s hijacking but were working with Belizean authorities to determine what happened.
Quote:A German doctor went on trial in Berlin Monday, accused of murdering 15 of his patients who were under palliative care.
The prosecutor’s office brought charges against the 40-year-old doctor “for 15 counts of murder with premeditated malice and other base motives” before a Berlin state court. The prosecutor’s office is seeking not only a conviction and a finding of “particularly serious” guilt, but also a lifetime ban on practicing medicine and subsequent preventive detention.
Murder charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison. If a court establishes that the defendant bears particularly severe guilt, that means he wouldn’t be eligible for release after 15 years as is usually the case in Germany.
Parallel to the trial, the prosecutor’s office is investigating dozens of other suspected cases in separate proceedings.
The man, who has only been identified as Johannes M. in line with Germany privacy rules, is also accused of trying to cover up evidence of the murders by starting fires in the victims’ homes. He has been in custody since Aug. 6.
The doctor was part of a nursing service’s end-of-life care team in the German capital and was initially suspected in the deaths of just four patients. That number has crept higher since last summer, and prosecutors are now accusing him of the deaths of 15 people between Sept. 22, 2021, and July 24 last year.
The victims’ ages ranged from 25 to 94. Most died in their own homes.
The doctor allegedly administered an anesthetic and a muscle relaxer to the patients without their knowledge or consent. The drug cocktail then allegedly paralyzed the respiratory muscles. Respiratory arrest and death followed within minutes, prosecutors said.
Quote:A mosaic panel on travertine slabs, depicting an erotic theme from the Roman era, was returned to the archaeological park of Pompeii on Tuesday, after being stolen by a Nazi German captain during World War II.
The artwork was repatriated from Germany through diplomatic channels, arranged by the Italian Consulate in Stuttgart, Germany, after having been returned from the heirs of the last owner, a deceased German citizen.
The owner had received the mosaic as a gift from a Wehrmacht captain, assigned to the military supply chain in Italy during the war.
The mosaic — dating between mid- to last century B.C. and the first century — is considered a work of “extraordinary cultural interest,” experts said.
“It is the moment when the theme of domestic love becomes an artistic subject,” said Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii and co-author of an essay dedicated to the returned work. “While the Hellenistic period, from the fourth to the first century B.C., exulted the passion of mythological and heroic figures, now we see a new theme.”
The heirs of the mosaic’s last owner in Germany contacted the Carabinieri unit in Rome that’s dedicated to protecting cultural heritage, which was in charge of the investigation, asking for information on how to return the mosaic to the Italian state. Authorities carried out the necessary checks to establish its authenticity and provenance, and then worked to repatriate the mosaic in September 2023.
Quote:A Staten Island native came face to face with the worst of Italy’s migrant crisis this week when he was nearly killed while vacationing in Milan.
Nick Pellegrino was attacked on a train Tuesday by a pair of North African migrants, who stabbed him in the neck with a 5-inch knife before making off with his luggage and jewelry — leaving him to die in a pool of his own blood in his family’s homeland, which has experienced a surge in criminal migrants over the past four years.
“With these very loose, lefty immigration laws, these immigrants come into these countries and they’re running amok, trying to murder people. It’s a playground for terror, for the vicious,” said Pellegrino, 29, speaking by phone from his hospital bed in the town of San Donato Milanese.
“It’s f–king crazy,” he said. “I know America has a big immigration problem, but it is worse here.”
Pellegrino — a former teacher at prestigious Monsignor Farrell High School in Oakwood who was visiting friends and family in Italy — recalled looking down at his phone as the train from Melegnano to Milan Bovisa rolled into the San Giuliano Milanese station.
When the train doors opened, his mid-20s, Arabic-speaking attackers darted towards him, stabbing him in the neck, nicking his jugular vein, Pellegrino said.
“They looked like the 9/11 hijackers,” Pellegrino said. “I remember looking at the floor in the train and just seeing the blade of the knife, and the most frightening amount of blood I have ever seen.”
Pellegrino was later told by EMTs he lost about a liter-and-a-half of blood, said Pellegrino, who now teaches religion and coaches track at Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco.
Before stealing his luggage and leaving him for dead, Pellegrino’s homicidal attackers snatched the gold crucifix from around his neck, he said.
A blood-soaked Pellegrino managed to stumble onto the train platform, where a 16-year-old boy dialed 112, Italy’s 911 equivalent.
Quote:A volcanic eruption in southwestern Iceland has once again forced the evacuation of local residents and the internationally known Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, the national broadcaster RUV reported.
The eruption began around 4 a.m. following an intense seismic swarm on the Reykjanes Peninsula, southwest of the capital, Reykjavik, Iceland’s Met Office said.
The town of Grindavik was evacuated shortly after the seismic activity began, with campers and guests at the Blue Lagoon forced to quickly pack their bags, RUV reported.
Lava from the eruption is flowing southeast from a fissure in the barren landscape that is 2,296 to 3,280 feet wide, but the molten rock isn’t threatening any infrastructure, the Met Office said.
Grindavik has been evacuated repeatedly since November 2023 when a volcano in the area came to life after lying dormant for some 800 years.
Quote:France’s prime minister proposed on Tuesday the elimination of two public holidays from the country’s annual calendar — possibly Easter Monday and the day marking the Allied victory over the Nazis — to save money in next year’s budget.
That’s among a raft of spending cuts laid out by Prime Minister Francois Bayrou in a sweeping, and potentially doomed, budget plan.
He argued that removing two state holidays would bring in tax revenues generated from economic activity, contributing to around 44 billion euros ($51.3 billion) in overall savings.
President Emmanuel Macron tasked Bayrou with crafting a budget that shaves costs to bring down France’s staggering debt and deficit, while also adding billions in new defense spending to face what Macron says are resurgent threats from Russia and beyond.
Bayrou questioned the religious importance of Easter Monday. And Victory Day, celebrated on May 8, comes in a month that has become a “veritable Gruyere,” or holey cheese, of days off that includes May Day and the Catholic holiday of Ascension, he said.
He said that those holidays were just suggestions, and that he was open to other ideas. France currently has 11 official holidays per year.
With no parliamentary majority, Macron’s centrist grouping must win support from adversaries on the left and right to pass the budget this fall.
Bayrou’s proposals, which are just a first step in the budget process, were quickly assailed by unions and the far-right National Rally, the largest single party in the lower house of Parliament.
Bayrou’s job is precarious, and he could be voted out if he fails to reach a compromise on the budget.
Quote:South Korea’s jailed ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol was indicted on additional charges on Saturday as a special prosecutor continues investigating him for his short-lived declaration of martial law in December.
The new charges include obstruction of the exercise of others’ rights by abuse of authority, ordering the deletion of records and blocking the execution of arrest warrants, the prosecutor’s office said in a briefing.
Yoon has been on trial on charges of insurrection, which is punishable by death or life imprisonment, facing additional charges since the special prosecutor was appointed in June to take over the cases against him.
Yoon has denied all wrongdoing. His lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new charges.
Quote:North Korea is banning the entry of foreign tourists to a recently opened mega beach resort, a move that dims prospects for the complex that leader Kim Jong Un hailed it as “one of the greatest successes this year.”
DPR Korea Tour, a website run by North Korea’s tourism authorities, said in a notice Friday that the eastern coastal Wonsan-Kalma tourist complex “is temporarily not receiving foreign tourists.”
It gave no further details including why a ban was established or how long it would last.
North Korea says the complex can accommodate nearly 20,000 guests.
The resort opened to domestic tourists July 1 before receiving a small group of Russian tourists last week. Observers expected North Korea to open the resort to Chinese tourists while largely blocking other international tourists.
Ban comes after visit by Russia’s top diplomat
The announcement came after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov flew to the complex to meet Kim and Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui for talks last weekend.
North Korea and Russia have sharply expanded military and other cooperation in recent years, with North Korea supplying weapons and troops to back Russia’s war against Ukraine.
During a meeting with Choe, Lavrov promised to take steps to support Russian travel to the zone.
“I am sure that Russian tourists will be increasingly eager to come here,” he said.
But experts say North Korea likely decided to halt foreign travel to the zone because of a newspaper article by a Russian reporter who traveled with Lavrov that implied North Koreans at the zone appeared to be mobilized by authorities and not real tourists.
Quote:President Trump announced Monday the US will send “billions of dollars” worth of weapons to Ukraine via Washington’s NATO allies — and threatened to impose “secondary tariffs” on Moscow’s business partners in 50 days if no peace is agreed to end the 40-month-old war.
The weapons will include “everything,” Trump said during his meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office — though the president did not immediately reveal specifics.
The White House also did not provide additional information on the specific weapons sent over to Europe.
When asked whether “Patriot missiles” — officially known as Guided Mulitple Launch Rocket Systems — or “Patriot batteries” would be sent to Ukraine, the president responded: “It is all of them. It is a full complement.”
“We will have some within days,” Trump continued. “A couple of countries that have Patriots will swap over, or replace the Patriots with the ones they have.”
“NATO may choose to have certain of them sent to other countries where we can get a little additional speed, where the country will release something, and it’ll be mostly in the form of a replacement,” he added.
Later Monday, ahead of a White House faith luncheon, the 79-year-old Trump reiterated that there will be “weapons of all kinds” sent across the Atlantic, with other members of the alliance paying for them by raising their defense spending to 5% of GDP over the next decade.
“We are going to be sending them weapons and they’re going to be paying for them,” Trump said, with Rutte agreeing that European countries should be “stepping up” and paying for the American-made materiel.
“This is really big,” Rutte, 58, said of the announcement, lauding Trump’s leadership in supplying Kyiv with much-needed munitions.
“It will mean that Ukraine can get its hands on really massive numbers of military equipment, both for air defense, but also missiles, ammunition, etc., etc.,” the NATO secretary general and former Dutch prime minister added.
Quote:Russia assaulted Ukraine with a fresh wave of deadly drone and missile strikes Wednesday in another audacious rebellion of President Trump’s 50-day peace ultimatum to Vladimir Putin.
Northeastern city Kharkiv was rocked by 17 strikes in just 20 minutes after midnight, the Kyiv Independent reported, citing Ukrainian government officials.
The intense barrage was focused on the city’s Kyivskyi district, where at least two people were killed and several more injured, Reuters reported.
There were also strikes reported to the east of Kharkiv in the town of Kupiansk and in the city of Kryvi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, according to the Kyiv Independent.
Power and water supplies were knocked out of service at several of the bombed areas, the outlet reported, citing a local military official, and explosions were also heard in Izmail, a city in Odesa Oblast in southern Ukraine.
The deadly strikes mark the second day in a row that the Russian military violently rebelled against Trump’s 50-day peace ultimatum he issued to Putin on Monday.
Early Tuesday morning, Russia killed five and injured 43 others, including two teens and four children, in bombing strikes targeting Sumy, with Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Oblast also under assault, the Kyiv Independent reported.
Russia claimed to only target military-industrial facilities, but local reports stated several residential buildings, a university and medical sites were also hit by drones, according to EuroNews.
Quote:President Trump reportedly questioned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about whether Kyiv could blast Moscow and St Petersburg, but later indicated publicly that Russia’s capital should be off limits.
“Volodymyr, can you hit Moscow? … Can you hit St Petersburg too?” Trump asked on a July 4 call with Zelensky, a day after the president had a disappointing phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, the Financial Times reported, citing multiple sources.
Zelensky, who has pressed Western powers for years to provide more long-range missiles, reportedly replied, “Absolutely. We can if you give us the weapons.”
The president later clarified to reporters Tuesday that Zelensky “shouldn’t target Moscow” and stressed that he’s “on nobody’s side” with the simple goal of stopping the killing. Trump further said that he has no plans to give Ukraine long-range missiles.
The White House insisted in a statement to The Post that the comments should not be taken out of context, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt pushing back on the Financial Times’ framing of the call, which suggested Trump encouraged Zelensky to step up strikes deep into Russian territory.
“The Financial Times is notorious for taking words wildly out of context to get clicks because their paper is dying,” Leavitt told The Post.
“President Trump was merely asking a question, not encouraging further killing. He’s working tirelessly to stop the killing and end this war.”
Trump’s reported query came after he spoke with Putin and was left convinced that the Kremlin wasn’t going to halt its war machine.
The reported question marks a significant turnaround from Trump’s explosive Feb. 28 Oval Office meeting with Zelensky, in which he raged that the Ukrainian leader was “gambling with World War III” and that “you don’t have the cards right now.”
On Monday, Trump announced a deal with NATO for the US to step up its supply of weapons to Ukraine, including Patriot missile systems and what he called a “full complement” of firepower to the war-torn ally.
Quote:The Kremlin mocked President Trump’s warning that Russia would face 100% secondary tariffs if it did not agree to a cease-fire deal with Ukraine as nothing more than a “theatrical ultimatum.”
Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president and top ally of Vladimir Putin, said the Kremlin would not abide by Trump’s call for a cease-fire agreement to be reached within 50 days, slamming threats of 100% secondary tariffs against Moscow as inconsequential.
“Trump issued a theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin. The world shuddered, expecting the consequences. Belligerent Europe was disappointed. Russia didn’t care,” Medvedev wrote on X.
Sergei Ryabkov, Russia’s senior diplomat, joined the criticism and described Trump’s warnings as unacceptable and pointless.
During his meeting with NATO’s top official on Monday, Trump said America would seek harsh secondary tariffs against Russia over Putin’s repeated dismissal of US-backed cease-fire deals and the ever-escalating airstrikes on Ukraine.
Secondary sanctions are meant to punish individuals or entities who do business with a country, with Trump aiming at those who prop up Russia’s war machine.
The tariffs would likely target China, India and Turkey, the biggest buyers of crude oil from Russia, the world’s second-largest exporter.
Trump also vowed to provide “billions of dollars” worth of weapons to Ukraine via Washington’s NATO allies to bolster Kyiv’s defenses.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said some of Trump’s remarks were personally addressed by Putin, warning the US and NATO that the discussions are being seen as “a signal to continue the war.”
“The US president’s statements are very serious,” Peskov told reporters. “We certainly need time to analyze what was said in Washington.”
Outside the Kremlin, Russia has been shocked by Trump’s latest policy against Moscow after previously touting his conversations with Putin and falsely accusing Ukraine of starting the war.
The front page of Kommersant, one of Russia’s most respected newspapers, led with the headline, “Et tu, Trump,” invoking the betrayal in William Shakespeare’s classic, “Julius Caesar.”
The latest development comes as Russia launched hundreds more drones and missiles into six Ukrainian regions overnight, killing at least two people, including a child.
Quote:North Korea is now supplying almost half of Russia’s ammunition for its war against Ukraine, South Korean military data shows.
Pyongyang is accused of shipping millions of artillery shells and other munitions to Vladimir Putin’s military, South Korea’s Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) said on Sunday.
The 28,000 containers loaded with shells and munitions are believed to exceed roughly 12 million rounds when converted into 6-inch artillery shells, the DIA said.
“North Korea is continuing to supply weapons to Russia. Our military is constantly reassessing the scale of North Korea’s weapons support to Russia in coordination with relevant agencies and allied nations,” the DIA said in a statement shared with South Korean lawmaker Kang Daeshik.
Pyongyang is now supplying Russia with as much as 40% of its ammunition needs for the war, Ukraine’s head of military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, told Bloomberg.
Kim Jong-un’s regime is also sending other weapons including ballistic missiles and artillery systems to aid Putin’s war, Budanov said.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on a visit to Pyongyang last week that North Korea had affirmed its “clear support” for Russia’s war and for the Kremlin’s leadership.
In return, Russia is supplying the hermit communist dictatorship with money and technology, Budanov said.
“Ukrainian and South Korean sources have been warning about Russia’s increasing reliance on North Korean shells for a while, and it is indicative of how Russia’s allies are propping up this war effort,” Russia Analyst from the Washington-based think-tank the Institute for the Study of War, Angelica Evans, told The Post.
“Russia’s alliance with North Korea is a huge asset to the war effort, as North Korea has a defense industrial capacity that Russia has benefited from and will likely continue to draw on,” she said.
“Putin is working very hard to minimize the impact of the war on regular Russians, and whatever industrial support Russia gets from its allies helps offset money that Russia can use to fund social programs and keep the Russian people placated,” Evans added.
Quote:The chairman of Russia’s Security Council called on Moscow to be ready to strike the West if it escalates the war in Ukraine — days after President Trump vowed to ramp up weapon shipments to Kyiv if a cease-fire isn’t reached soon.
Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s former president and top ally of Vladimir Putin, warned that Russia would be ready to respond “in full” should the West get further involved in the conflict that has raged for more than three years.
“We need to act accordingly. To respond in full. And if necessary, launch preemptive strikes,” Medvedev told the state-owned TASS outlet as he claimed that many in the West have “treachery in their blood.”
As he called for Russia to be prepared for war with the West, he also dismissed fears from NATO nations in eastern Europe who worry that they’ll be next on the chopping block should Moscow complete its goal of conquering Ukraine.
The Putin ally slammed the fears — which has prompted countries like Sweden and Finland to bolster their armies — as nothing more than “complete nonsense.”
“What is happening today is a proxy war, but in essence it is a full-scale war (launches of Western missiles, satellite intelligence, etc.), sanctions packages, loud statements about the militarization of Europe,” Medvedev said.
“It’s another attempt to destroy the ‘historical anomaly’ hated by the West — Russia, our country,” he added.
The Kremlin said Medvedev’s remarks were justified given the alleged “confrontational” environment of Europe, with the UK and France recently agreeing to a joint partnership to improve NATO and serve as the blocs’ nuclear defenders.
The tensions come about a year after Putin expanded Moscow’s nuclear doctrine, warning that any nuclear superpower that assists an enemy of Russia with long-range missiles can and should be considered a viable target for the Kremlin’s nukes.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia is currently weighing all options after President Trump threatened to slap 100% secondary tariffs on Russia and arm Ukraine with “billions of dollars” of new weapons if Putin does not agree to a peace deal in 50 days.
Quote:Russian President Vladimir Putin is “not ready for compromises” to end his brutal war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told The Post in an exclusive interview on Wednesday — but President Trump has the power to bring him to his knees by speeding up tough sanctions that could cause a “social explosion” in Russia.
“He needs to feel this,” Zelensky said.
The leader said he was “very grateful” that Trump supports sanctions, referring to the president’s Monday announcement that he would levy 100% tariffs on countries that purchase Russian oil if Moscow does not agree to a peace deal.
However, the 50-day deadline, he said, only means more death and destruction for another almost two months.
“Fifty days, for us, is just — every day is scary,” Zelensky said.
Zelensky said the solution to the more than three years of bloodshed is to make Putin want to end his war.
“Putin does not want a conclusion … so he’s just not ready to compromise,” Zelensky said.
“If Ukraine has to do this on its own, we have a very long way to go with a lot of deaths to convince him that it’s important [to end the conflict] because it’s not just words — they need serious leverage.”
It comes as Putin’s war machine has become increasingly savage, intentionally targeting civilians — including babies — with explosive drones, which his forces are launching into Ukraine in record numbers.
The Russian military even targets the first responders after an attack, Zelensky said. Secondary strikes are common, with Moscow sending additional drones to take out those attempting to help victims.
“They hit civilian infrastructure, a house, and they know that an ambulance is coming,” the president said.
“And at that moment, after the first blow, they pause. Then the cars come, the people who provide the opportunity to save lives come, the ambulance, the doctors, the nurses, the SES, and they come, and at that moment, when they are there, they strike again,” he continued.
Quote:Ukraine was pounded by hundreds of Russian bombs overnight into Saturday in a fiery scene that claimed the lives of at least eight civilians and wounded 31 others — leaving behind a trail of destruction across multiple frontline regions.
In the Black Sea port city of Odesa, Russian troops launched more than 20 drones and a missile, according to local officials, striking residential buildings and other infrastructure, killing at least one civilian.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the situation continues to remain “difficult” along the border — particularly in the areas of the Sumy and Kharkiv regions.
“The Russian army continues to torment our people in the Kherson and Mykolaiv regions, attacking civilians with various types of drones,” Zelensky wrote on X.
Flames badly engulfed one apartment building in Odesa, after a strike set fire to the top four floors of the nine-story structure, the state emergency service said.
Emergency crews pulled people from the burning apartments, but one of the women rescued died, local authorities said.
Six others were wounded, including a child.
The attack left behind charred rubble — as children’s clothes and the wreckage of furniture were seen piled up in destroyed apartments.
The onslaught came just as President Trump issued Russian strongman Vladimir Putin a 50-day ultimatum this week to agree to a peace deal.
In Pokrovsk — a key battleground city on the eastern front’s Donetsk region — five people were killed and nine more injured over the past day, the region’s governor said.
The Ukrainian “fortress city” has come under heavy Russian attack recently, after holding strong for much of the year.
Two more civilians were killed overnight, one in Kherson and another in Zaporizhzhia, according to local authorities.
"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.
Quote:President Donald Trump labeled those, including many of his "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) supporters urging the government to release more information in the Jeffrey Epstein case, as "troublemakers" in a social media post Saturday.
Newsweek reached out to the Department of Justice (DOJ) via their online contact form for comment on Saturday.
Why It Matters
From lawmakers and attorneys to concerned voters, many say that full transparency is essential to restoring public trust and bringing clarity to one of the most high-profile criminal investigations in recent memory.
Epstein, a convicted sex offender, died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting further sex trafficking charges. The disgraced financier had well-documented connections to powerful figures, and his death has long prompted numerous conspiracy theories, particularly about a "client list" and the way in which he died.
Frustrated MAGA supporters have pointed to Trump's past promise to make the materials public, as well as Attorney General Pam Bondi's claim that the list was on her desk. The backlash has led Trump to call out members of his own base in social media posts.
What To Know
In a Saturday morning post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that he has instructed the DOJ to release the grand jury testimony related to Epstein, writing, "I have asked the Justice Department to release all Grand Jury testimony with respect to Jeffrey Epstein, subject only to Court Approval."
The president continued: "With that being said, and even if the Court gave its full and unwavering approval, nothing will be good enough for the troublemakers and radical left lunatics making the request," he concluded, adding, "It will always be more, more, more. MAGA!"
The statement comes a day after the DOJ requested the unsealing of grand jury transcripts related to Epstein. Bondi's top deputy, Todd Blanche, submitted the motion to unseal the Epstein transcripts, as well as those in the case against convicted British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, just one day after Trump publicly directed the department to take that step.
In 2022, Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison for recruiting and grooming teenage girls for Epstein to sexually abuse. The 63-year-old, meanwhile, has filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court to vacate her conviction.
Quote:Representative Jasmine Crockett, a Texas Democrat, delivered sharp criticism of her Republican colleagues during a Saturday afternoon MSNBC interview, accusing them of showing loyalty to what she called a "wannabe Hitler" in reference to President Donald Trump.
The remarks came amid growing controversy over the Trump administration's handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related files.
Newsweek reached out to the White House via email on Sunday for comment.
Why It Matters
Epstein, a convicted sex offender, died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting further sex trafficking charges.
The disgraced financier had well-documented connections to powerful figures, and his death has long prompted numerous conspiracy theories, particularly about a "client list" and the way in which he died. From lawmakers and attorneys to concerned voters, many say that full transparency is essential to restoring public trust and bringing clarity to one of the most high-profile criminal investigations in recent memory.
The controversy has created fractures within Trump's own Make America Great Again (MAGA) base while highlighting broader questions about government transparency and executive accountability.
What To Know
During her Saturday MSNBC appearance on Alex Witt Reports, Crockett addressed Trump's reversal on releasing Epstein files after initially pledging transparency.
The lawmaker predicted her Republican colleagues would avoid taking decisive action on the matter, noting that several GOP lawmakers "just skipped a previous vote this week." Crockett suggested Republicans are deliberately protecting Trump from potentially damaging revelations because "they understand that it is most likely problematic for him as well as the MAGA brand."
The Texas Democrat characterized Republican loyalty to Trump in stark terms, saying lawmakers want to "pledge their loyalty" to someone she described as a "wannabe Hitler." She expressed skepticism that Republicans would support any measures "that may harm them or their fearless leader."
Yes, Trump's words have been proven right once again.
Quote:Chinese nationals once again dominated foreign purchases of U.S. homes over the past year, according to a new report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), with their expenses increasing by 83 percent compared to 2024.
In its latest report on international transactions in U.S. residential real estate, NAR found that Chinese buyers accounted for $13.7 billion of the total $56 billion spent by foreign buyers in the U.S. housing market between April 2024 and March 2025.
It was more than double the investment that Chinese buyers made a year earlier, $7.5 billion, and a little more than they spent in 2024, at $13.6 billion.
In terms of the number of existing homes purchased by foreign buyers, Chinese buyers snapped up 11,700 of the total 78,100. They represented 15 percent of all foreign buyers, followed by buyers from Canada (14 percent), Mexico (8 percent), India (6 percent), and the United Kingdom (4 percent).
Chinese buyers also paid the highest purchase price of the top five foreign buyers, according to NAR. Over the last year, their average purchase price was $1,168,800, while their median purchase price was $759,600.
Why Are Chinese Buyers So Interested In U.S. Homes?
Matt Christopherson, the director of Business and Consumer Research at NAR, believes that China's real estate crisis is partially to blame for the surge in interest in U.S. homes among Chinese buyers.
China's real estate sector, which at its peak contributed 25 percent of the country's total GDP and 38 percent of Beijing's government revenue, played a significant role in driving the country's spectacular economic growth over the past few decades.
But excessive borrowing and speculation brought the sector to a breaking point. In 2021, Evergrande defaulted on its debt, shaking confidence in the sector. Other developers, like Country Garden, followed in its footsteps, further destabilizing the market.
Since then, China's real estate sector has been navigating troubled waters, with declining prices and stalled construction. The crisis is having a negative impact on the entire Chinese economy, slowing growth despite authorities' efforts to prop up the housing market.
According to Christopherson, these challenges at home are prompting Chinese buyers to seek alternative investment opportunities for their hard-earned money.
"The Chinese housing market has been slow to recover following the pandemic, so Chinese buyers see a beneficial opportunity in diversifying their investment portfolios with exposure to stronger U.S. markets," Christopherson told Newsweek.
Quote:Representative Dina Titus, a Nevada Democrat, has introduced legislation that would restore the 100 percent deduction for gambling losses that Senate Republicans reduced to 90 percent late in the passing of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB).
Titus spoke with Newsweek about her Fair Accounting for Income Realized from Betting Earnings Taxation (FAIR BET) Act, which she says so far has garnered "10 times the response" from constituents in her state and beyond compared to other aspects of the OBBB.
Republican Representatives including Troy Nehls of Texas and Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey, also support Titus' bill.
Why It Matters
The roughly 900-page bill passed by Congress included a provision inserted by Senate Republicans without consent of the House that imposed a tax increase on Americans who gamble, reducing from 100 percent to 90 percent the amount of losses they can deduct from gambling winnings for their income taxes.
The new provision, added by the Senate Finance Committee late in the legislative process ahead of the July 4 bill signing by President Donald Trump, means that gambling losses that have traditionally been fully deductible would no longer be so and gamblers could owe taxes even if they ended up with net losses in a year.
For example, someone winning $100,000 and then losing that same amount may still owe $10,000 in taxes on that income—even though they broke even.
What To Know
Titus, in an exclusive interview, said the issue has drawn more widespread attention on the OBBB compared to other scrutinized portions of the legislation, such as Medicaid and food stamp cuts.
"We've certainly heard from the industry, they've all kind of now gotten on board," Titus said. "But I can tell you that we put out a lot of messages about that big, bad BS bill and we talked about Medicaid, we talked about food stamps, we talked about renewable energy, but this issue has gotten 10 times the response than any of those have."
The congresswoman continued: "I think it's people who are on the internet, I think it's young people who found an issue that they can kind of identify with. And I don't think it's just limited to the people directly impacted by gaming in Nevada. It's a national issue because now everybody can gamble on their phone, and so they're writing in, they're texting in, they're calling in to say, 'We should fix this.'"
Quote:Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused "neocolonial" Western powers of modern "robbery and looting" in the pursuit of rare earth metals to gain an advantage in the artificial intelligence (AI) race.
These highly prized resources are vital for the manufacture of cutting-edge technology, and President Donald Trump has put a particular emphasis on procuring them from Ukraine, Greenland, China, Africa, and elsewhere.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has also touted rare earths to Trump from the areas of Eastern Ukraine currently occupied by Moscow, which has tried to seize control of Kyiv in its full-scale invasion launched in February 2022.
"[Rare earth metals] are the prize in the trade wars underway between the key suppliers of AI solutions to the market," Zakharova wrote in an op-ed titled "Neo-coloniAIism" for the Rossiyskaya Gazeta, state news agency Tass reported.
"Political elites in Western countries, most of which don't have such reserves, seek to gain pre-empted and unrestricted access to the fields held by the countries of the global majority, and while doing so, they pursue an aggressive neocolonial policy bordering on robbery and looting."
Russia, China Rare Earths
The competition over rare earth elements—comprising 17 minerals essential for advanced electronics—has intensified in recent years due to their vital use in critical technologies, notably AI hardware.
Rare earths are foundational in manufacturing high-strength magnets found in electric vehicles, smartphones, wind turbines, and AI-centric semiconductor devices, such as Nvidia's H20 AI chips
Russia possesses significant rare earth reserves within its territory but has yet to develop these resources at scale for global supply.
The sector is underdeveloped compared to China, but Moscow views these minerals as strategically valuable—for domestic technological ambitions and as potential political leverage.
Ukraine Minerals Deal
The significance of Ukrainian mineral wealth is widely recognized, although full-scale exploitation has been hindered by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and lack of investment.
Trump sealed a critical minerals deal with Ukraine that will see Kyiv share its resources and the profits from them with the U.S. in exchange for investment and other support to develop its industries.
The White House saw the deal as a partial repayment for U.S. military aid as Ukraine fends off Russia's ongoing invasion.
Western officials have noted Russia's increased focus on critical minerals within occupied Ukrainian territories, further complicating the global supply landscape. The European Union (EU) has also raised concerns over the security implications of Russian access to rare earth assets amid its war in Ukraine.
China Exposure in Supply Chain
Supply chain vulnerability came into sharp focus after China introduced stricter controls on rare earth exports in April in retaliation for new U.S. tariffs.
The result was widespread disruption across the U.S. tech and auto sectors, with automakers temporarily suspending operations due to shortages.
Following weeks of stalled negotiations and further tit-for-tat export curbs, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke directly, paving the way for a renewed agreement in June.
As described by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the deal effectively unblocked rare earth shipments to the U.S., although China said it would approve export applications on a case-by-case basis to ensure compliance with dual-use and military end-user restrictions.
Quote:For the second time in a week, NATO member Poland has scrambled its aircraft in response to a widespread Russian attack on Ukraine.
The Polish Ministry of Defense announced the operation overnight on Friday, which coincided with drones and missile strikes Russia launched against Ukraine's cities.
On Saturday, the Polish Defense Ministry told Newsweek that no Polish airspace was violated and that Swedish aircraft were also involved in the operation.
Why It Matters
Poland has been among NATO's eastern flank members that have warned about the security risks posed by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The second deployment of Polish aircraft within a matter of days shows Warsaw's concerns about the risk of Russian drone and missile strikes on Ukraine spilling over into alliance territory.
What To Know
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia launched drones and missile on the regions of Donetsk, Kirovohrad, Dnipro, Sumy, Kherson, Volyn, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Odesa and Zhytomyr.
As Russia launched the attacks, Poland's Armed Forces said on X that it launched "all available forces and assets," which included aircraft being scrambled and ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance being put on the "highest state of readiness."
The Polish Armed Forces told Newsweek in a statement that a pair of Polish and Swedish fighter jets on duty in Poland were scrambled.
Quote:Australia has sent Ukraine the first batch of dozens of U.S.-built M1A1 Abrams tanks that it had promised Kyiv for its fight against Russian aggression, according to the Defense Ministry in Canberra.
Ukraine's ally in the South Pacific announced that Kyiv had received the majority of the 49 decommissioned tanks it had pledged, with the rest scheduled to arrive later this year.
The delivery follows reported delays due to initial resistance from the U.S. about the American vehicles.
Why It Matters
Australia is one of Ukraine's largest non-NATO partners and has been supplying Kyiv with assistance, ammunition and defense equipment since the beginning of the war. The delivery of main battle tanks could be a battlefield boost for Ukraine as it awaits further pledges of military support from U.S. President Donald Trump.
What To Know
Australia is providing 49 Abrams tanks to Ukraine to help its fight against Russia as part of a pledge it made in October.
The delivery was delayed because of objections from the U.S., the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported, citing unnamed defense officials.
Washington had warned Canberra against sending the tanks, and Trump's decision to pause military aid earlier this year may also have added to complications, according to the Australian outlet.
Experts have voiced concerns about their battlefield effectiveness due to the vulnerabilities of the tank's roof to drones.
However, the Australian Defense Ministry said on Friday that most of the tanks had been shipped to Ukraine, adding to the mobility and firepower of Kyiv's forces. The rest are set to arrive in the coming months.
Ukraine also awaits additional military aid pledged by Trump on July 7, when he unveiled a plan to funnel weapons to Ukraine via a NATO- and EU-backed program.
Retired U.S. Vice Admiral Robert Murrett told Newsweek that Washington's decision to provide more arms to Ukraine mostly through European allies was a good step, although the Kremlin is still convinced that conditions on the ground are working in its favor.
Despite high Russian losses, Moscow is not interested in a ceasefire, in spite of Kyiv's willingness to accept such a move, added Murrett, the deputy director at Syracuse University's Institute for Security Policy and Law.
He continued, "Both sides are likely to sustain the fight, and keep a close eye on arms, prospective additional sanctions and military activity in the skies and front lines in Ukraine."
Quote:Russia's drone attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure have begun to target military recruitment centers, according to a data analyst group.
Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) said Russia began to hit enlistment centers in recent weeks in a concerted effort to disrupt Ukraine's mobilization.
Olha Polishchuk, ACLED's Eastern Europe research manager, told Newsweek this new tactic by Russia was part of a clear pattern to hamper efforts by Kyiv to bring in new troops at a critical time.
Newsweek has contacted the Russian Defense Ministry for comment.
Why It Matters
Three and half years into Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine is looking to draft more troops. But Russian strikes against enlistment offices appear to be a tactic to disrupt this process as the government looks to extend martial law.
What To Know
In the first part of the year, Russian intelligence operatives were behind three terrorist attacks on enlistment centers in Dnipropetrovsk, Khmelnytskyi and Rivne oblasts using local residents, The Kyiv Independent reported.
However, ACLED's Ukraine conflict monitor said that since June 30, Russia has targeted military recruitment centers in the first recorded wave of such strikes.
Russian drones targeted centers in Poltava and Kryvyi Rih in the Dnipropetrovsk region, causing casualties among both service members and civilians.
On July 6, an enlistment office in Kremenchuk in the Poltava region was struck. On the following day, recruitment centers in the cities of Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia were also hit in drone attacks that struck other targets.
Citing Ukrainian sources, ACLED said the attacks aim to destroy data on those liable for military service not yet entered into the unified register of conscripts and to disrupt the draft by scaring people from visiting the centers.
Polishchuk told Newsweek that this strategy marks a real shift in how Russia is trying to weaken Ukraine's war effort and that the strikes are not isolated incidents but part of a clear pattern.
Russian propagandists have acknowledged that enlistment centers are being targeted, spreading social media reports saying military recruitment in Ukraine are forced and unpopular, she added.
Quote:Ukraine launched renewed attacks on the Russian capital overnight into Sunday, according to Russian and Ukrainian sources, after Moscow doubled down on missile and drone strikes across Ukraine.
Why It Matters
Kyiv has occasionally targeted Moscow with long-range drone strikes, and launched a string of attacks on the Russian capital in recent days.
Russia has intensified its own aerial assaults on the Ukrainian capital and many other regions of Ukraine in the past few weeks, despite U.S. efforts to secure a ceasefire deal and increasing frustration from U.S. President Donald Trump with Russia's President, Vladimir Putin.
What To Know
Moscow mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, said Russian air defenses had destroyed 13 Ukrainian drones over Moscow, then quickly said another seven had been intercepted.
Russia's Defense Ministry said in its own statement that Ukraine had launched 93 drones at Russia between 11:30 p.m. Moscow time on Saturday and 7 a.m. local time on Sunday. A total of 19 Ukrainian drones flew over the broader Moscow region, with 16 heading directly for the Russian capital city, the Russian government said. The Defense Ministry later reported Ukraine had launched seven more drones over the Moscow region from just after 8 a.m. Moscow time to midday.
A pro-Kremlin Telegram channel with purported links to Russian law enforcement reported a car "exploded after being hit by debris" from a Ukrainian drone in Zelenograd, on the northwestern edge of Moscow. The Baza Russian Telegram channel reported that debris from an intercepted drone had fallen on a multi-storey building in Zelenograd.
Russian state media reported temporary restrictions were put in place at Sheremetyevo airport, east of Zelenograd, citing the country's federal air transport agency. Restrictions were also imposed on the Moscow airports of Domodedovo, Vnukovo and Zhukovsky, as well as Kaluga, southwest of Moscow, according to several Russian reports.
A total of 134 flights were diverted over the weekend, a spokesperson for the Rosaviatsiya federal air transport agency said.
"Moscow was attacked by UAVs [uncrewed aerial vehicles]," Andriy Kovalenko, an official with Ukraine's national security and defense council, said in a post to social media on Sunday. Kovalenko shared footage the Ukrainian official said showed passengers at Sheremetyevo, which Newsweek could not independently verify.
Ukraine said on Sunday Russia had launched 57 drones at several regions of the war-torn country overnight, after reporting Moscow fired 344 drones at Ukraine into Saturday morning. Russia also used 12 short-range ballistic missiles and 15 cruise missiles from late on Friday into the early hours of Saturday, the Ukrainian air force said.
U.S.-brokered efforts to push Moscow into a ceasefire deal have so far failed, and Trump told the BBC earlier this month he was "disappointed" in the Russian leader, but "not done with him."
Quote:Ukraine has proposed a fresh round of negotiations with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
Why It Matters
Ceasefire talks pushed by the U.S have failed to yield progress toward an agreement after Russia refused to ink an American proposal that Ukraine agreed to back in March. Ukrainian and Russian officials have met directly for talks twice in recent months.
U.S. President Donald Trump has grown increasingly irritated with Russian President Vladimir Putin, pivoting from chasing a thaw with the Kremlin to overtly criticize the Russian leader.
In a marked departure from the White House's tough stance on Ukraine, Trump upped military support for Kyiv via NATO nations and said earlier this month Russia had 50 days to clinch a ceasefire deal or face tariffs. Moscow said Ukraine saw this as a "signal to continue the war" and abandon peace talks. Western leaders and Ukraine have repeatedly said Russia is stalling ceasefire negotiations.
What To Know
The chief of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), Rustem Umerov, has "proposed a new meeting with Russia next week," which would focus on ceasefire negotiations, prisoner exchanges and the return of Ukrainian children to the country, Zelensky said late on Saturday. Newsweek has reached out to the Russian Defense Ministry for comment via email.
Umerov, previously serving as Ukraine's defense minister, was appointed as the country's NSDC chief on Friday.
The Ukrainian president said he needed to meet with Putin "to truly ensure a lasting peace."
"Ukraine is ready," he added. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said last week Russia was waiting for Ukrainian proposals for a third round of talks.
Quote:Japan's government has launched a task force to deal with concerns about an uptick in foreign nationals living there.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi announced the "Office for the Promotion of a Society of Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals" on July 15.
The move comes as the issue of a record number of foreign nationals living there has become an election topic.
Why it Matters
The task force's establishment marked the most visible government response to growing public concerns as the number of foreign residents reached about 3.8 million as of the end of 2024, according to the Japanese data site Nippon.
This is the third consecutive record high, increasing by 10.5 percent year-on-year. But foreign nationals still only make up just 3 percent of Japan's total population of 120 million.
What To Know
Hayashi explained the reason for the task force in a press meeting on July 15, saying there are "situations in which the people feel anxious and unfair due to crimes and nuisances committed by some foreigners and inappropriate use of various systems."
"Realizing an orderly coexistence society with foreigners is one of the important policy issues that the government must address," he said.
Tasks will include creating a shared data information system for central and local governments to use and reviewing existing immigration rules and practices that do not take into account how much more globalized Japan currently is.
Japan has long had strict immigration laws, but the country has slowly eased them as its population has aged and birth rates have declined.
Quote:India's Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor will become the launch site for Japan's next-generation E10 Shinkansen bullet trains.
The Indian Ministry of Railways announced on Monday that the E10 trains, the successor to Japan's current generation of E5 Shinkansen, would make their debut in both countries simultaneously.
Newsweek contacted the Ministry of Railways and the Japanese Ministry of Transport via email for more information on the announcement.
Why It Matters
The introduction of E10 trains in India shows that there are deepening economic and technological ties with Japan. Japan's bullet trains are a huge part of the country's culture and the envy of the infrastructure world, so the fact that they are willing to share the spotlight with India suggests a high level of trust between the two nations.
What To Know
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train initiative will use the E10 model following initial testing of E5s.
The E10 series is set for commercial debut in Japan in 2030, at the same anticipated time that the Indian rail project will provide full connectivity to Mumbai.
The Indian Ministry of Railways said in a statement on Monday: "The Japanese Shinkansen [system] is currently running E5 trains. Next generation trains are E10.
"In the spirit of strategic partnership between Japan and India, the Japanese government has agreed to introduce E10 Shinkansen trains in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet train project. It is noteworthy that E10 will be introduced simultaneously in India and Japan."
The rollout will be the first time Japan has introduced its most advanced rail technology abroad in sync with its own domestic launch.
According to the Ministry of Railways, trials for the high-speed trains are scheduled between 2026 and 2027, while full-scale commercial service is targeted for 2027.
Quote:China has welcomed a Russian proposal for the restoration of a three-member bloc with India, saying cooperation would be in their interests and would contribute to peace and security, raising the prospect of a revitalized alliance that could challenge U.S. influence.
The three largest countries on the Eurasian land mass first floated the idea of a trilateral cooperation bloc in the 1990s, and they later held several ministerial meetings. But the initiative has stalled in recent years because of tensions between China and India over sections of their border.
Why It Matters
A revival of the Russia, India, China, or RIC, bloc could pose a challenge to the U.S. if it resulted in more coordinated action by the three nuclear-armed countries on diplomatic, economic and security issues.
The proposal for greater three-way cooperation comes as the administration of President Donald Trump is promoting his "America First" agenda, including the imposition of sweeping tariffs, which has raised questions in some countries about their standing with the U.S.
China has criticized U.S. tariff policy as "bullying." U.S. officials have defended the tariffs saying unfair trade arrangements have to be adjusted. India and the U.S. are negotiating a trade deal while the United States has imposed sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
What To Know
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, responding to a question about Russian negotiations to restore the RIC bloc, said more cooperation between the neighbors would be beneficial for all of them.
"Cooperation among China, Russia, and India not only aligns with the respective interests of the three countries, but also contributes to regional and global peace, security, stability, and progress," the spokesperson, Lin Jian, told a regular briefing in Beijing.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said earlier he was negotiating with both China and India on a revival of the bloc.
Quote:With Iran's military battered from an intense 12-day war with Israel that also involved direct U.S. intervention, China is emerging as top candidate to provide advanced weaponry that could help Tehran reestablish deterrence as tensions continue to simmer across the Middle East.
The trend marks a departure from Iran's long-standing efforts to acquire arms from another strategic partner, Russia, whose ability to deliver on deals remains limited by its ongoing war in Ukraine and other geopolitical constraints.
Beijing, on the other hand, has remained relatively insulated from two of the world's deadliest ongoing wars ravaging Eastern Europe and the Middle East, even if it has continued to cultivate cooperation with Moscow and Tehran.
With Iran's airspace now more vulnerable than ever, Hongda Fan, a professor at Shanghai International Studies University's Middle East Studies Institute, told Newsweek that "strengthening air defense capabilities is clearly an urgent priority for Iran at the moment" and that "China has indeed made remarkable progress in areas such as fighter jet development, attracting global attention."
Such progress was put on rare display in May when one of China's leading partners, Pakistan, employed Chinese Chengdu J-10C multi-purpose combat jets during another brief but intense battle with India, reportedly downing several Indian aircraft, including French Dassault Rafale warplanes.
Given the growing level of unrest that has rocked the international order in recent months, Fan felt the conditions could be ripe for greater military cooperation between the People's Republic and the Islamic Republic, particularly as "both China and Iran are victims of certain policies pursued by Western powers."
But if Tehran was to upgrade its cooperation with Beijing to something that more closely resembled the "all-weather," "iron-clad" pact between China and Pakistan, he said Iran would likely need to reevaluate its foreign policy outlook.
"It is important to note that, unlike Islamabad, some decision-makers in Tehran often see themselves Iran as one of the centers of the world," Fan said. "A great-power mindset is not uncommon in contemporary Iran, which to some extent affects the development of its foreign relations."
"Personally, I believe that if Tehran shows sufficient willingness and trust toward China," he added, "Beijing would not reject cooperation with Iran in military fields such as weapons."
Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Embassy to the United States and the Iranian Mission to the United Nations for comment.
Quote:Iran has "restored" its air defense network heavily targeted by Israel during last month's conflict, state media reported on Sunday, citing a senior Iranian military official.
Why It Matters
Israel homed in on Iran's air defense network ahead of launching its strikes on the country's nuclear sites and other military targets in June. Iran retaliated, the repeated exchange of strikes becoming what has been dubbed the 12-day war.
Israel quickly said it had established "full aerial superiority" over the Iranian capital and the area west of Tehran, meaning it could operate its advanced aircraft over Iran with little fear they could be shot down by air defenses.
Israel's knocking out of Iranian air defenses also cleared the path for U.S. aircraft to launch their own strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. Iran then attacked the U.S.'s Al Udeid military base in Qatar before a ceasefire was reached.
What To Know
Israel's "first targets" during the June war between the two countries were Iran's radars and air defense systems, Rear Admiral Mahmoud Mousavi, the deputy chief of operations for the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, said in comments carried by several state media and semiofficial outlets.
Mousavi said "some" air defenses were damaged. Israeli national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, said in June the Israeli military had destroyed "dozens and dozens" of Iranian air defense systems.
"With the efforts of my comrades, however, the damaged systems were replaced and deployed at predetermined locations," Mousavi said. The Israeli military declined to comment when approached by Newsweek on Sunday.
There are many types of air defenses, including large ground-based systems designed to intercept advanced missiles or keep aircraft far away from key targets. Iran has operated a mixture of domestically-made and imported air defense systems, including the Russian-manufactured S-300 long-range system and the shorter-range Tor.
Quote:President Donald Trump has warned Iran not to attempt to rebuild their nuclear facilities, after he claimed recent U.S. military strikes in June "completely destroyed" Iran's sites.
The President wrote on Truth Social on Saturday: "All three nuclear sites in Iran were completely destroyed and/or OBLITERATED. It would take years to bring them back into service and, if Iran wanted to do so, they would be much better off starting anew, in three different locations, prior to those sites being obliterated, should they decide to do so. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
Why it Matters
The stakes surrounding Iran's nuclear program remain high for U.S. national security interests and for stability across the Middle East.
President Trump's warning comes against a backdrop of ongoing debates about the effectiveness of U.S. strikes and the future of diplomatic efforts to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions.
What To Know
On June 21, the U.S. military—under an operation code-named Midnight Hammer—conducted airstrikes against three of Iran's principal nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
President Trump and defense officials publicly claimed that all three sites were "completely destroyed," saying that Iran would require years to reconstitute its nuclear program if it tried to rebuild. Trump reiterated this with his message on Saturday.
But some U.S. intelligence assessments have challenged the administration's narrative.
Only one out of three of Iran's nuclear sites was destroyed with the other two surviving enough to be able to resume nuclear enrichment within several months if Tehran wants it, according to NBC News, which cited five current and former U.S. officials familiar with the assessment.
The Defense Department and the White House have pushed back, asserting that their own intelligence showed all three facilities were "completely and totally obliterated."
Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Purnell said: "President Trump was clear and the American people understand: Iran's nuclear facilities in Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz were completely and totally obliterated. There is no doubt about that."
"The credibility of the Fake News Media is similar to that of the current state of the Iranian nuclear facilities: destroyed, in the dirt, and will take years to recover."
Iran maintains that its nuclear program serves peaceful purposes, despite long-standing Western suspicions.
Iranian diplomats are set to meet in Europe next week for discussions about a possible nuclear deal, according to the Institute for the Study of War.
"Iran has not softened its position on its right to enrich uranium on Iranian soil, which makes it unlikely that Iran will accept a nuclear deal that includes a zero uranium enrichment demand," the Institute said in its most recent report.
And just in case anything goes wrong, Iran now wants to discuss the nuclear issue with Europe...
Quote:Leaders from Iran, Germany, France, and Britain are finalizing plans to discuss Tehran's nuclear program, a major source of global tension, "in the coming week," a German diplomatic source told Newsweek on Sunday.
Newsweek has reached out to press representatives for France, Britain, and Iran via email for comment on Sunday.
Why It Matters
Iran's nuclear program has long been a source of international concern. In 2015, Iran and several world powers including France, the United Kingdom, and Germany, signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), an agreement aimed at limiting Tehran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. The JCPOA is set to expire in October.
The United States withdrew from the accord in 2018 under the Trump administration, reimposing sanctions and reigniting diplomatic friction.
Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is intended for civilian purposes, while the U.S. and some of its allies like Israel have accused Tehran of seeking nuclear weapons capability. Tensions spiked again last month when the U.S. conducted airstrikes on three nuclear sites in Iran, prompting Iranian retaliation with a strike on a U.S. military base in Qatar.
What To Know
The three European countries, known as the E3, "are in contact with Iran to arrange further talks in the coming week," a German diplomatic source told Newsweek in an email Sunday.
Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported a source informed on the matter, saying, "The principle of talks has been agreed upon, but consultations are continuing on the time and place of the talks. The country in which the talks could be held next week has not been finalized."
The organization of talks with E3 leaders and Iran comes just days after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held discussions with French, German and European Union (EU) officials. That was the first formal call since the Israel-Iran war.
A German diplomatic source told Newsweek that "Iran must never possess nuclear weapons."
Quote:Saudi Arabia's flagship urban development, The Line, entered a critical phase of evaluation this week, as the kingdom's Public Investment Fund (PIF) engaged external consulting firms to assess the feasibility of the megaproject.
The review aims to determine whether project goals remain attainable amid rising costs, shifting timelines, and a downturn in oil revenues.
Newsweek contacted the Public Investment Fund and Neom by email for comment.
The Context
The Line was first announced as a "linear city" of the Neom development, stretching 105 miles, featuring twin 500-meter-tall skyscrapers and promising residents that all daily needs would be met within a five-minute walk. The project was originally designed for nine million inhabitants, served by a high-speed train network, and to operate on zero emissions.
However, the scale and timeline of The Line have drawn skepticism, with reports last year suggesting that the project has been scaled back to house fewer than 300,000 people, though Saudi Arabia has not acknowledged reports of the change.
What To Know
Now, it appears that officials are accepting the project's scope may have to be reigned in, with Saudi Arabia calling in consultants to assess whether or not the current approach is feasible.
The review will also include suggestions of alterations to the design, according to reports from Bloomberg. Newsweek could not verify these reports.
In a statement on the review process, a spokesperson for Neom said: "As is typical with large-scale, multiyear projects, strategic reviews are common practice and occur several times over the course of a major development project or infrastructure program.
"The Line remains a strategic priority and Neom is focused on maintaining operational continuity, improving efficiencies and accelerating progress to match the overall vision and objectives of the project."
Despite the ambitious targets, progress on The Line has been limited. Satellite images published by Newsweek in April showed large-scale excavation and support-zone development near the site, with around 2,800 workers and staff housed in custom-built accommodations.
However, independent evidence of progress on the skyscraper elements remains limited. There were also allegations of labor abuses—particularly involving foreign workers—raised in the British TV documentary Kingdom Uncovered: Inside Saudi Arabia, which claimed that some workers at NEOM were treated as "trapped slaves" and "beggars."
In response, the Saudi Arabian National Council for Occupational Safety and Health told Newsweek: "In reference to the misinformation circulating across various media platforms—particularly claims suggesting an increase in worker fatalities linked to working conditions in Saudi Arabia, accompanied by unfounded statistics lacking credible sources—the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health in Saudi Arabia unequivocally refutes these assertions.
"The council affirms the work-related fatalities in Saudi Arabia is 1.12 per 100,000 workers. This figure positions Saudi Arabia among the lowest globally in terms of work-related fatalities.
"The International Labour Organization [ILO] acknowledges this progress, highlighting on its official website that Saudi Arabia has made significant advancements in improving occupational safety and health and reducing workplace accidents at the national level.
"Similar commendations have been offered by other reputable international organizations, including the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management and the British Safety Council.
Quote:Americans held in Venezuela will be included in a prisoner exchange with El Salvador, home to the supermax prison known as CECOT where the U.S. has deported hundreds of illegal migrants.
Newsweek understands that at least some of the Venezuelan immigrants sent to CECOT in March were on board flights headed to their home country Friday afternoon.
"Well, there were already rumors that a flight from El Salvador was leaving in a few hours," Danielvi Henriquez, sister of one of the deported Venezuelans Wilvenson Guevara Munoz, told Newsweek Friday.
"But we realized the plane was headed there. It landed, and they confirmed that there would indeed be an exchange — political prisoners here for our innocent Venezuelans in El Salvador."
Newsweek reached out to the U.S. State Department for comment by email on Friday afternoon. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later confirmed the release of 10 Americans from Venezuela.
Why It Matters
Relations between the U.S. and Venezuela have been strained for some time, with El Salvador becoming somewhat a bridge between the two nations when it comes to deportations and prisoners. Venezuela has been reluctant to take back nationals deported by the U.S., with CECOT taking many Venezuelans instead.
What To Know
El Salvador will send 238 Venezuelans held in the prison to Caracas in exchange for five U.S. citizens and five permanent U.S. residents to U.S. custody, according to Reuters, which cited two U.S. government officials.
Exact figures remain in flux, but one of the officials told the outlet that the numbers appear to be close to expectation.
"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.
News of the World
![[Image: QrnbKlx.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/QrnbKlx.jpg)
![[Image: sGz1ErF.png]](https://i.imgur.com/sGz1ErF.png)
![[Image: liM4ikn.png]](https://i.imgur.com/liM4ikn.png)
![[Image: fdzKgZA.png]](https://i.imgur.com/fdzKgZA.png)
![[Image: sj0H81z.png]](https://i.imgur.com/sj0H81z.png)
![[Image: QL7oRau.png]](https://i.imgur.com/QL7oRau.png)
![[Image: uSqjY09.png]](https://i.imgur.com/uSqjY09.png)
![[Image: GAA3qE9.png]](https://i.imgur.com/GAA3qE9.png)
![[Image: 2Hmnx1G.png]](https://i.imgur.com/2Hmnx1G.png)
![[Image: BwtNdKw.png%5B]](https://i.imgur.com/BwtNdKw.png%5B)
![[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)
![[Image: SP1-PixelArtist.png]](https://www.save-point.org/images/userbars/SP1-PixelArtist.png){kind=tracking}
![[Image: SP1-Reporter.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/GmxWbHyL/SP1-Reporter.png)
Has that judge ever thought that the ICC might have overreached its own legal authority in the US and Israel by any chance?
Yes, Trump's words have been proven right once again. 
