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With that, here’s the news:
Pamela Hemphill, a former Trump supporter from Idaho, is rejecting the pardon she received from President Trump for her role in the January 6 Capitol riot. Despite being one of over 1,500 people granted clemency, she's the only one publicly trying to return it, saying the pardons support a false narrative. Hemphill, who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor, now denounces Trump’s claims and says law enforcement treated her fairly.
Marcelo Gomes, an 18-year-old high school student from Massachusetts, was detained by ICE on his way to volleyball practice and missed his graduation. In response, his classmates from Milford High School marched in solidarity to support him, though his whereabouts remain unknown.
Karol Nawrocki, a conservative nationalist and political newcomer, has narrowly won Poland's presidential election, securing 50.89% of the vote against liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski's 49.11%.
Nawrocki, backed by the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party and endorsed by U.S. President Donald Trump, is known for his staunch Catholic values and Eurosceptic stance. His victory is seen as a significant setback for Prime Minister Donald Tusk's pro-European Union government, potentially hindering its reform agenda.
China vows "forceful" measures against the United States and accuses the Trump Administration of violating the trade pact between the two countries.
In Boulder, Colorado, a man used a flamethrower and Molotov cocktails to attack a Jewish community event supporting hostages in Gaza, injuring at least eight people aged 52 to 88. The suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, reportedly shouted “Free Palestine!” during the assault and now faces multiple felony charges. Soliman, who previously overstayed a tourist visa after being denied entry in 2005, has reignited concerns among Jewish leaders over escalating antisemitic violence in the U.S.
A second round of direct peace talks between Ukraine and Russia has begun in Istanbul, according to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. He expressed hope for meaningful progress, saying the talks aim to address ceasefire terms and praised the U.S. for supporting the peace efforts.
More than a dozen National Weather Service offices along the Gulf Coast and in Puerto Rico are understaffed just as a potentially intense hurricane season begins. Key locations like Miami, Jacksonville, Houston, and San Juan are missing at least a third of their needed meteorologists, and the National Hurricane Center itself is short five specialists. These staffing gaps stem from Trump-era job cuts and a federal hiring freeze, raising concerns about the nation's readiness for severe storms.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, plans to roll out AI tools by the end of next year that will let advertisers create and target campaigns directly through its platform. This move could disrupt traditional ad agencies by allowing brands to generate ads using just a product image and a budget, potentially cutting out the need for external marketing firms.
Donald Trump is threatening to impose tariffs on major U.S. companies like Apple and Mattel in response to remarks made by their CEOs. While legal experts say targeting individual companies with tariffs likely won’t hold up in court—especially after a recent ruling questioning Trump’s tariff powers—Trump still views tariff threats as a tool to pressure businesses into alignment with his agenda.
Chris Christie accuses Trump of allowing white-collar criminals to operate without consequences — POLITICO
Trump has doubled tariffs on steel imports to 50%, prompting the European Union to warn it’s ready to hit back with its own trade measures. The EU says it regrets the move and will impose counter-tariffs if negotiations fail.
President Trump's upcoming military parade in Washington, D.C., set for June 14 to coincide with his 79th birthday and the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary, is projected to cause up to $16 million in street damage due to heavy military vehicles like tanks. The total cost of the event is estimated between $25 million and $45 million, with the Army stating it will cover repair expenses, though D.C. officials have expressed concerns about the financial burden.
A sudden eruption from Italy’s Mount Etna sent people fleeing as a pyroclastic flow—made of ash, gas, and rock—swept down the volcano's slope on June 2. Videos showed thick smoke filling the air, and Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology confirmed the flow likely came from a collapse on the Southeast Crater’s northern side.
See you this evening.
— Aaron
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