Nation

• A U.S. House Appropriations subcommittee hearing escalated into a heated shouting match between Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. • The confrontation centered on accusations of hypocrisy during the exchange, reflecting deep partisan tensions within the congressional oversight process. • This clash highlights the ongoing friction between Democratic lawmakers and the Department of Homeland Security's leadership regarding policy implementation and governance.

• A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration's attempts to implement mail-in voting restrictions and create a national voter database ahead of the midterm elections. • The administration argued these measures were necessary to strengthen election integrity and combat potential voter fraud. • A key point of contention involves a proposed U.S. Postal Service rule that would require states to provide lists of eligible absentee voters to the federal government to ensure ballot delivery.

• Bangladesh has rejected India's explanation as "unsatisfactory" after Zahed Ur Rahman, an adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was detained at a Delhi airport. • The incident occurred when Rahman was flagged on a security blacklist, leading to his detention before he eventually flew back to Dhaka. • This event has sparked fresh diplomatic friction between the two nations, complicating bilateral relations during a sensitive period.

• Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, resulting in at least 164 deaths and nearly 1,000 injuries. • The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge reached a new three-year high in May, primarily driven by peaking gas prices. • Rising costs for semiconductors and computer equipment, fueled by the AI buildout, contributed significantly to the inflation spike.

• At least 32 people have died in Venezuela following a series of powerful twin earthquakes that have left the country reeling. • The disaster has caused significant casualties and infrastructure damage, prompting an immediate need for emergency relief. • International aid promises are currently pouring in to assist the Venezuelan government in rescue and recovery efforts.

• A Global Peace Conference was held in Hyderabad on Thursday, bringing together diplomats, policymakers, and social leaders from nations including Russia, France, and the United States. • Organized by a news channel and Bliss Berg Future of Hope, the event focused on promoting humanitarian values, peaceful coexistence, and collaborative diplomacy. • The meeting underscores the urgent need for international cooperation as rising geopolitical tensions continue to threaten global stability.

• This edition of "My Take 5" reviews key international developments, focusing on diplomatic efforts between the US and Iran to end their ongoing conflict. • The report highlights escalating tensions between Ukraine and Poland, alongside Ukraine's strategic increase in military strikes targeting Russian-occupied Crimea. • These events underscore the volatility of current geopolitical alliances and the intensifying nature of the Russia-Ukraine war.

• The Taliban's autocracy is being sustained through economic and political lifelines provided by international bodies, including the United Nations, which have compromised human rights standards. • Organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have documented a humanitarian catastrophe characterized by gender apartheid and systemic rights violations. • This crisis persists not merely due to a lack of political will, but because of active geopolitical mechanisms and fragmented international interests that normalize the regime's actions.

• This week's international news highlights a series of diplomatic and military developments, including US-Iran talks aimed at ending their conflict and a sudden diplomatic dispute between Ukraine and Poland. • Ukraine has intensified its military operations by increasing strikes on Russian-occupied Crimea to destabilize Russian control in the region. • In political shifts, the report notes the resignation of Keir Starmer in the UK, alongside updates on the progress of the Fifa World Cup in the US.

Senior official alleges in court filing that damage included about ‘70 fence post tops thrown’ into the poolA senior National Park Service (NPS) official has said a liner along the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool was “cut with a sharp knife or razor” earlier this month, repeating Donald Trump’s claims of vandalism.Frank Lands, the deputy director for operations for NPS, made the allegation in a court filing on Wednesday, as part of a lawsuit brought by a nonprofit group seeking to stop the US president’s renovation of the site. Continue reading...

Reform MP appears to contradict party leader’s claim money from crypto billionaire is ‘none of your business’Robert Jenrick has said it is “legitimate” for the media to ask questions about Nigel Farage’s £5m personal donation from a cryptocurrency billionaire, just days after the Reform UK leader told an interviewer it was “none of your business”.Jenrick, who is Reform’s shadow chancellor, said voters on the doorstep were not asking about the money given to Farage by the Thailand-based British crypto investor Christopher Harborne. Continue reading...

• The Japan Creator Support Fund held a progress report meeting highlighting the international success of Japan's next generation of artists, musicians, filmmakers, and game developers. • The initiative has fostered collaborations and co-productions across 23 countries and regions, including the United States, United Kingdom, South Korea, China, and Thailand. • These efforts have resulted in tangible global outcomes such as awards, nominations, and expanded opportunities for overseas performances and international events.

• The Shanghai International Film & TV Market, held alongside the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival and 31st Shanghai TV Festival, saw record global participation. • The Chinese Series Overseas Promotion Pavilion focused on the licensing and distribution of short-form content to platforms in Europe, India, and Southeast Asia. • A global trends workshop on June 21 featured producers from Malaysia, India, and the UK to discuss the rising demand for Chinese micro-dramas.

• Progressive candidates Brad Lander, Claire Valdez, and Darializa Avila Chevalier secured Democratic nominations in the New York primaries. • In a key New York House district, Micah Lasher, a former aide to Representative Jerry Nadler, defeated Jack Schlossberg and Alex Bores. • The results signal a strong night for the progressive wing of the party, highlighted by the defeat of high-profile heir Jack Schlossberg.

• A series of oil tankers successfully navigated a new shipping route near Oman's shores in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday. • The route was promoted by Oman and a U.N. maritime agency to ensure safer passage for vessels. • This development is critical as it provides an alternative path amid ongoing threats from Iran's Revolutionary Guard against ships in the strait.

• All 32 of the largest U.S. banks passed the Federal Reserve's annual "stress test" announced on Wednesday. • The simulation evaluated whether these financial institutions could withstand a severe economic contraction while continuing to lend to households and businesses. • These results indicate that the nation's banking system remains robust and healthy despite potential economic volatility.

• The Swiss Federal Council announced its international cooperation strategy for 2029–2032, shifting focus toward humanitarian aid due to pressure on federal finances. • The strategy prioritizes emergency relief and systematic action in major crises, while the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) will manage relations with middle-income countries. • SECO's mandate includes fostering trade and investment conditions and overseeing cooperation with the European Union, the western Balkans, and specific Asian nations.

Exclusive: Rights group says Nigel Farage’s party is reneging on promises made during the Brexit referendum campaignUK politics live – latest updatesEU nationals based permanently in the UK have expressed alarm over a Reform UK plan to target their rights to accommodation and employment, saying the policy is a betrayal of promises made in the Brexit referendum 10 years ago.Under updated migration policies, Nigel Farage’s party would evict all overseas nationals from social housing and make it notably more expensive for companies to employ them, with both policies also affecting EU nationals who have settled status. Continue reading...

• Geopolitical analyst Pepe Escobar claims that Israeli intelligence (Mossad) attempted to assassinate Pakistan's Army Chief during high-stakes US-Iran peace negotiations in Switzerland. • Pakistani military intelligence reportedly intercepted the plot in time, issuing a severe warning to Israel to prevent the attack from occurring. • The incident underscores the extreme volatility of global diplomacy and the potential for covert operations to derail international peace efforts.

• Nvidia's surge toward a $5 trillion valuation signals a global paradigm shift where semiconductors have replaced oil as the primary driver of economic power. • The rise of industry giants like TSMC in Taiwan and Samsung in South Korea highlights how mastery of the semiconductor supply chain now defines national strength. • This transition is fueled by the rapid evolution of AI technology, which is fundamentally reshaping global financial stability and market dynamics.

• The U.S. Department of Justice announced the 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, charging 455 defendants for their roles in massive fraud and opioid abuse schemes. • The group of defendants includes 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals who allegedly submitted over $6.5 billion in false health care claims. • This enforcement action is critical as the schemes caused significant patient harm, including deaths, highlighting the lethal consequences of medical fraud.

• Conservative outsider Abelardo de la Espriella, a businessman and lawyer endorsed by U.S. President Donald Trump, has won Colombia’s presidential election. • Progressive lawmaker Iván Cepeda conceded the race after results showed de la Espriella winning by a narrow margin of 1 percentage point, or approximately 251,000 votes. • The victory is widely interpreted as a public indictment of the administration of outgoing President Gustavo Petro.

• The Congress party has demanded an explanation from Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav following an investigation by The Indian Express. • The report revealed massive land purchases linked to Yadav’s family and associated real estate firms, sparking allegations of a conflict of interest. • This development marks a political escalation as the opposition accuses the Chief Minister of leveraging public office for private land acquisitions.

Fund manager Geoff Wilson says he did not watch full video and deleted it after ‘inappropriate associations were identified’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe fund manager Geoff Wilson, a prominent public critic of the government’s tax changes, has deleted an inflammatory AI-generated video he reposted from a rightwing nationalist account portraying Anthony Albanese and Jim Chalmers taking money from white Australians and giving it to recently arrived migrants wearing Islamic face coverings.Wilson said he had not watched the full video before sharing it or examined other accounts, some of whose content he reposted on Wednesday morning – which included content relating to the QAnon conspiracy theory – and deleted his posts after being contacted by Guardian Australia. Continue reading...

• AJ Dybantsa has been identified as the No. 1 pick in a high-profile NBA draft night featuring freshman stars and Michigan champions. • In a separate development, the league informed Sorsby of its decision regarding his application for the supplemental draft via a letter obtained by the AP. • Sorsby's application follows a legal dispute with the NCAA, which ruled him ineligible after he placed sports bets totaling at least $90,000 during college.

McQueen was a long-serving member of the Liberal party before defecting to One Nation in MayFormer Liberal heavyweight Teena McQueen is being remembered for her contribution to the party despite her defection to One Nation.McQueen, who served as the federal Liberal Party vice president from 2017 to 2023, died on Wednesday after battling severe sickness. Continue reading...

• South Korean leader Lee Jae-myung has adjusted the foreign policy approach of his predecessor to correct previous excesses without shifting toward a pro-China or anti-US stance. • Lee warns that a potential conflict over Taiwan could escalate military threats from both North Korea and China, potentially leading to joint military operations against South Korea. • This strategic vulnerability is viewed as a major existential threat to the nation's security and stability.

• Iran's economy nearly stagnated in 2025, recording a marginal growth rate of only 0.2% while non-oil GDP experienced a contraction. • The slowdown is attributed to a series of conflicts, including a 12-day war with Israel in the summer and a 40-day conflict involving the U.S. and Israel in the winter, alongside January's nationwide protests. • Long-term structural crises, including severe international sanctions, chronic corruption, mismanagement, and declining investment, have further crippled economic activity.