Good morning! With the United States on the verge of entering the conflict in Iran, today is going to be a very long news day.
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With that, here’s the news:
Iran v. Israel (and maybe the United States?)
Khamenei’s Warning: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated in a national address that Iran will not surrender, warning that any U.S. military intervention would lead to “irreparable damage.”
Trump’s Escalation: U.S. President Donald Trump called Khamenei an “easy target” and said America’s “patience is wearing thin,” demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender.”
Trump’s Shift Toward Military Action: According to two officials, Trump is increasingly open to using military force against Iranian nuclear sites, though he remains open to diplomacy if Iran offers concessions.
Iran’s Response: Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei warned that U.S. military intervention would be “a recipe for an all-out war in the region.” He also reiterated that Iran is still open to diplomatic solutions, stating, “Diplomacy never ends.”
Nuclear Facility Strikes: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that two Iranian centrifuge production facilities were hit, including buildings at the Tehran Research Center and the TESA Karaj workshop, following Israeli airstrikes.
Israel’s Airspace Closure: International tourists remain stranded as Israel’s airspace has been closed to civilian flights for over a week. Birthright Israel evacuated approximately 1,500 participants to Cyprus using an Israeli cruise ship escorted by navy vessels.
China’s Position: Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed concern over Israel’s military actions, offering China’s assistance in mediating the conflict. Speaking from Kazakhstan, Xi emphasized China’s opposition to violations of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Non-Israel News
The Supreme Court, in a 6-3 ruling, upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender transition care for minors, a decision likely to protect similar laws in 24 other states; the ruling found the law does not violate the Constitution’s 14th Amendment.
Trans rights advocates warned the decision could open the door to broader restrictions, while legal questions about parental rights remain unresolved; the Biden administration and transgender families had challenged the law, as Trump has moved to roll back Biden-era transgender protections.
California lawmakers touring a detention facility in Adelanto reported poor conditions for immigrants detained after workplace raids, including no clean clothes or towels for 10 days, dirty bathrooms, and limited access to family or legal counsel.
Families of detainees, including Lucero Garcia — whose uncle was arrested by ICE without warning — said they struggled to locate their loved ones in the system, highlighting concerns about detainee treatment and transparency.
According to the Wired, a controversial “Appeal to Heaven” flag, now linked to the “Stop the Steal” movement and Christian nationalism, was flown above the Small Business Administration (SBA) building in Washington, DC last week.
President Trump was reportedly furious after his director of national intelligence posted an unauthorized video featuring Tulsi Gabbard warning that “warmongers” have brought the world dangerously close to nuclear annihilation.
In the video, filmed in Hiroshima, Gabbard criticized political elites for escalating nuclear tensions, suggesting they feel protected while ordinary people face the consequences; it was posted shortly after Trump met with pro-Israel hawks urging support for strikes on Iran.
The Federal Reserve will announce its interest rate decision at 2 p.m. ET and is widely expected to hold rates steady for the fourth time this year, as inflation nears the 2% target after previously topping 9%.
Fed officials, including Chair Jerome Powell, are waiting to assess the economic impact of President Trump’s aggressive tariff policies before considering any rate changes.
Some economists warn that Trump’s trade agenda could spark renewed inflation, potentially forcing the Fed to raise rates in the future.
A federal judge in Miami found Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier in contempt of court for enforcing a blocked immigration law and boasting about it publicly, accusing him of defying and twisting her earlier ruling.
The contempt ruling by Judge Kathleen Williams highlights ongoing tensions between right-wing politicians and the courts, which have repeatedly blocked hardline immigration policies, including several under Donald Trump.
A new large-scale study suggests that living near U.S. coastal waters heavily polluted with microplastics may significantly increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, stroke, and coronary artery disease, while experts warn that microplastic exposure is widespread through water, food, and air.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said Meta has offered his top AI staff massive incentives — including $100 million signing bonuses — to lure them away, though none have accepted so far amid intensifying competition for AI talent.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy told employees that AI agents and generative AI tools will likely reduce the company’s corporate workforce in the coming years, as automation changes how many current jobs are done.
See you this evening.
— Aaron
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