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With that, here’s the news:
Israel v. Iran
- Diplomacy window: Trump allows 2 weeks for diplomacy before deciding on a strike against Iran; European and Iranian officials meet in Geneva as UK sees a chance to ease the crisis; US remains skeptical but open to progress.
- Europe offers full negotiations: France, Germany, and the UK will propose “complete negotiations” to Iran at a key meeting in Geneva, covering nuclear enrichment, ballistic missiles, and terrorism financing.
- Macron warns against nuclear threat: Macron emphasizes no tolerance for a nuclear-armed Iran, stressing the urgency of returning to talks aiming for “zero enrichment” and regional stability.
- Israel threatens Iran’s leader: Netanyahu warns Iran’s Supreme Leader has “no immunity,” signaling potential direct targeting; Israel’s defense minister says Khamenei cannot be allowed to “continue to exist.”
- On the ground: Iran and Israel exchange overnight strikes with no signs of de-escalation; Netanyahu aims to target all Iranian nuclear sites; Iran threatens to strike Israel's Channel 14 news offices, calling it Netanyahu’s propaganda outlet.
Non-Israel News
- Trump silent on Juneteenth: Trump did not acknowledge Juneteenth until a late post saying there are “too many non-working holidays,” despite previously claiming credit for raising awareness before it became a federal holiday.
- White House holds private meeting: While Trump stayed quiet publicly, Black community leaders and senior Trump officials met at the White House to discuss improving coordination with federal, state, and local partners.
- Court allows Trump to retain control of California National Guard: A US appeals court ruled Trump likely had authority to federalize the National Guard to respond to Los Angeles protests, despite Governor Newsom’s legal challenge.
- Legal battle continues: Newsom vowed to keep fighting Trump’s “authoritarian” use of troops, while Trump celebrated the ruling as a victory for protecting Americans when local authorities fail.
- Dodgers block ICE access: The Los Angeles Dodgers say they stopped US immigration agents from entering Dodger Stadium’s parking lot, though DHS and ICE denied agents were present.
- New rules for detention center visits: DHS now requires lawmakers to give 72 hours’ notice before visiting detention centers, following several tense visits by Democrats amid Trump’s immigration crackdowns.
- Judge blocks funding pressure on states: A federal judge barred the Trump administration from withholding transportation funds from 20 Democratic-led states over immigration enforcement cooperation.
- Pentagon muted on Juneteenth: The Pentagon reportedly advised a “passive approach” to Juneteenth messaging, with no planned web content acknowledging the holiday, according to a Rolling Stone report.
- US pandemic preparedness weakens: Experts warn the US is less prepared for future pandemics than before 2020, citing staff dismissals, poor responses to bird flu and measles outbreaks, and weakened public health systems.
- Experts raise alarms: Scientists highlight reduced virus monitoring, lack of quality information, and insufficient pandemic planning as major risks, with Angela Rasmussen saying the US now has “essentially no pandemic preparedness.”
- Trump moves to keep Michigan coal plants open: The administration invokes a national energy emergency order to extend operations at two major coal plants, despite opposition from state regulators, utilities, and environmental groups.
- Environmental and economic concerns: Critics warn the order will raise energy costs and worsen pollution, with the Monroe plant leading the nation in arsenic water contamination; Michigan officials say there’s no energy emergency to justify the move.
- Hong Kong teachers warned over US events: Educators report being told to avoid US Independence Day celebrations, citing risks of violating national security laws.
- Schools urged to discourage students: A message from a school principal advised staff to protect and discourage students from attending events organized by the US consulate in Hong Kong.
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