Month: June,2025

Belarus frees key opposition figure Sergey Tikhanovsky following rare visit from top US envoy

Belarus frees key opposition figure Sergey Tikhanovsky following rare visit from top US envoy


June 22, 2025
Belarus has freed Sergey Tikhanovsky, a key dissident figure and the husband of exiled opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, following a rare visit by a senior US official, Tikhanovskaya’s team announced on Saturday. Tikhanovsky, a popular blogger and activist who was jailed in 2020, arrived in Vilnius, Lithuania, alongside 13 other political prisoners, his wife’s team […]
Negotiations are ‘meaningless’ unless Israel stops attacks, Iran government spokesperson tells CNN

Negotiations are ‘meaningless’ unless Israel stops attacks, Iran government spokesperson tells CNN


June 22, 2025
The streets were fairly quiet in the Iranian capital, usually a bustling metropolis of over 9 million people. Over the past few days, traffic has increased as more Iranians return to the city after fleeing Israel’s bombing during earlier days of the conflict. Despite being the voice of a government exchanging blows with a nuclear […]
A celebrity draft-dodging scandal lays bare problems with Taiwan’s crucial reservist force

A celebrity draft-dodging scandal lays bare problems with Taiwan’s crucial reservist force


June 22, 2025
A draft-dodging scandal in Taiwan allegedly involving a number of actors, influencers, and musicians has cast an unflattering spotlight on the conscript and reservist forces which could one day stand between the island and a possible invasion by China. Taiwan’s military service regime, which runs alongside its conventional military, faces accusations of failing to prepare […]
What we know about the three Iranian nuclear sites struck by the US

What we know about the three Iranian nuclear sites struck by the US


June 22, 2025
The US has struck three key nuclear sites in Iran, President Donald Trump said on Truth Social Saturday evening as the Iran-Israel conflict enters a second week. The Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz sites lie at the heart of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and had previously been targeted by Israeli strikes. Here’s what we know about them. […]
Bodies of three hostages – an IDF soldier and two civilians – recovered from Gaza

Bodies of three hostages – an IDF soldier and two civilians – recovered from Gaza


June 22, 2025
The bodies of an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldier and two civilians killed in the Hamas-led October 7 attacks have been recovered from Gaza in a military hostage recovery operation. In a special operation carried out by the Israel Security Agency (ISA) and the IDF, the bodies of civilians, Ofra Keidar and Yonatan Samerano, and […]
These former USAID staff are working to match donors to urgent, lifesaving aid projects that had their funding slashed

These former USAID staff are working to match donors to urgent, lifesaving aid projects that had their funding slashed


June 22, 2025
In a warehouse in northeast Nigeria, a nonprofit’s stocks of food to treat malnourished children and pregnant women are running low. The organization, Action Against Hunger (ACF), is running a project to combat malnutrition that had been relying on funding from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to procure much-needed therapeutic food sachets. But […]
The answer to this question is key after Trump’s strike on Iran

The answer to this question is key after Trump’s strike on Iran


June 22, 2025
After the United States’ overnight strikes on Iran’s secretive nuclear program, the most important question is at least a “known unknown” – that is, what remains of it. The answer could define the region for decades to come, and be the ultimate arbiter of US President Donald Trump’s decision to embark on another conflict in […]
The NASDAQ 100, On The Brink Of A Breakout, Needs Help From This Group

The NASDAQ 100, On The Brink Of A Breakout, Needs Help From This Group


June 22, 2025
U.S. stocks are on the cusp of a very impressive breakout to all-time highs, but are still missing one key ingredient. They need help in the form of a semiconductors ($DJUSSC) breakout of its own. When the DJUSSC reached its all-time high on June 20, 2024, one year ago, a nasty bearish engulfing candle printed […]
Tech 5: OpenAI/Microsoft Talks Get Tense, SoftBank Floats Arizona Robotics Hub

Tech 5: OpenAI/Microsoft Talks Get Tense, SoftBank Floats Arizona Robotics Hub


June 22, 2025
This week, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) and OpenAI’s once tight alliance showed signs of strain, while Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) continued to source artificial intelligence (AI) talent from rival companies. Meanwhile, SoftBank’s (TSE:9434) CEO is considering a new chip and robotics venture in Arizona, and Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) is looking to bring AI solutions to American cities. Read on […]
Editor’s Picks: Silver Price Hits 13 Year High, Gold Takes a Breather

Editor’s Picks: Silver Price Hits 13 Year High, Gold Takes a Breather


June 22, 2025
Gold was on the decline this week, closing just below US$3,370 per ounce, after tensions in the Middle East pushed it past the US$3,430 level toward the end of last week. All eyes were on the US Federal Reserve, which in a widely expected move left interest rates unchanged on Wednesday (June 18) following its […]
Misdirection and ‘deception’ likely key in Trump admin’s surprise Iran strike

Misdirection and ‘deception’ likely key in Trump admin’s surprise Iran strike


June 22, 2025
Potential misdirection likely served a key role in the Trump administration’s successful strikes on a trio of Iranian nuclear facilities on Saturday evening, which were abruptly announced by President Donald Trump in a Truth Social post just days after he said his decision on Iran would unfold within the next two weeks.  ‘We have completed […]
Trump attacks Iran nuclear sites: Are our troops in danger from retaliatory strikes?

Trump attacks Iran nuclear sites: Are our troops in danger from retaliatory strikes?


June 22, 2025
After President Donald Trump announced the U.S. had struck Iranian nuclear sites late Saturday, thoughts turned to whether American troops in the region are suddenly in increased danger. On Sunday, officials from the Iran-backed Iraqi militant group Kataib Hezbollah said terrorists will resume offensives against American service members if there is any intervention by Washington […]
Trump launches precision strikes against Iran. Triumph or trap?

Trump launches precision strikes against Iran. Triumph or trap?


June 22, 2025
Until Saturday night, the world waited to see whether President Donald Trump would join Israel’s campaign against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Now we have the answer. In a televised address from the White House, President Trump called the strikes a ‘spectacular military success’ and a ‘historic moment for the United States, Israel, and the world.’ He […]
Trump earns bipartisan praise for decisive action against Iran’s nuclear program

Trump earns bipartisan praise for decisive action against Iran’s nuclear program


June 22, 2025
Exuberant Republicans, and at least one prominent Democrat, lauded President Donald Trump’s leadership on Saturday after the U.S. completed an attack on three Iranian nuclear sites.  ‘Good. This was the right call. The regime deserves it. Well done, President @realDonaldTrump,’ Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., wrote on X.  Democratic Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., also said Trump […]