June 13, 2025

MIDDLE EAST | Update from regional conflicts:

• Israel carried out what it called "preemptive strikes" on dozens of targets across Iran overnight, targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, senior military leaders and nuclear scientists, the capital Tehran, and various military sites. An initial Iranian response today consisted of some 100 attack drones launched toward Israel, all of which, according to reports, were intercepted. U.S. officials maintain that the United States played no role in the attack on Iran. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte called on Israel's Western backers today to urge de-escalation of the conflict, while U.S. President Donald Trump urged Iran to come to a nuclear agreement "before it’s too late." [more]

U.S. MILITARY PARADE | A large-scale military parade is scheduled for tomorrow in Washington, DC, to mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army, which coincides with Flag Day and President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. Aircraft, tanks, and other military vehicles and equipment are expected to take part in the parade, along with historical reenactments and marching soldiers – all of which is estimated to cost between $25 million and $45 million. [more]

U.S. NO KINGS PROTESTS | More than 1,800 so-called "No Kings" protests across the United States are planned tomorrow in coordinated action that organizers say seeks to reject "authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics, and the militarization of our democracy." The protests are taking place on the same day as a large-scale military parade in Washington, DC, to mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army. [more]

U.S. IMMIGRATION | The Department of Homeland Security began notifying hundreds of thousands of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans yesterday that their temporary legal status and work permits granted under a Biden-era humanitarian parole program have been revoked and ordering the approximately 532,000 people affected to leave the country. [more]

U.S. SPENDING BILL | A new analysis from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office says President Donald Trump's spending and tax bill currently under consideration in Congress would, considered in isolation, cost the poorest American families about $1,600 per year, increase the income of middle-income families by $500 to $1000 per year, and boost the income of the wealthiest households by an average of $12,000 annually. [full CBO analysis] [more]

U.S. PUBLIC FUNDING | The House of Representatives voted, 214-212, yesterday to cut about $9.4 billion in previously approved spending as part of cuts recommended by the Department of Government Efficiency that target foreign aid programs and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides money for National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service. The funding rescission is expected to be taken up by the Senate in July. [more]

CALIFORNIA | The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last night temporarily blocked a lower court ruling from earlier in the day that ordered President Donald Trump to return control of federalized National Guard troops deployed to Los Angeles to California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Reports note that the Appeals Court has scheduled a hearing on the matter for this coming Tuesday. [more]

U.S. CONGRESS | Democratic U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla was forcefully removed from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s news conference yesterday in Los Angeles and handcuffed by officers as he tried to speak up about immigration raids that have led to protests in California and around the country. Padilla was released shortly after the incident. [more]

INDIA | Investigators say one passenger survived yesterday's crash of an Air India jetliner in the northwestern India city of Ahmedabad. A yet-unknown number of people on the ground were killed along with the 241 who lost their lives in the crash, according to reports. [more]

G7 | Leaders of the Group of Seven nations – Canada, the United States, France, Italy, Japan, Germany, and the U.K. – will begin their annual summit Sunday in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada. The leaders of Ukraine, the European Union, and Mexico are among others who have been invited to attend by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. [more]

CHINA AND HONG KONG | Chinese national security agents and Hong Kong police carried out their first publicly known joint operation yesterday, raiding the homes of six people suspected of colluding with foreign forces. [more]

SOUTH AFRICA | Authorities in South Africa's Eastern Cape province say the death toll from this week's flooding in the region has risen to at least 78 and that the number of dead is expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue. [more]

E.U. ENERGY | According to the European Commission, the European Union's plans to increase nuclear-powered electricity generation to 109 gigawatts by 2050 – up from 98 GW today – will require some 205 billion euros in investments for new nuclear power plants and 36 billion euros in funding to extend the lifespan of existing reactors. [more]

HOCKEY | The Edmonton Oilers beat the Florida Panthers, 5-4, in overtime last night to tie the best-of-seven NHL's Stanley Cup Final series at two games apiece. Game 5 of the series is scheduled for tomorrow night in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. [more]

ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS | George Clinton, The Doobie Brothers, Ashley Gorley, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, The Beach Boys’ Mike Love, and Tony Macaulay were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame last night in New York City. [info on inductees] [more]

TODAY IN HISTORY | On this date in 1966, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Miranda v. Arizona, affirmed that constitutional protections against self-incrimination include restrictions on police interrogation, and that criminal suspects must be informed of their constitutional rights to remain silent and consult with an attorney. [more history]