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Israel and Iran remain locked in ongoing conflict, with tensions between the two nations continuing to escalate. On June 17, the Israeli military claimed it had successfully killed Iran's top military commander, Ali Shadmani, during a nighttime airstrike operation. Shadmani, a close confidant of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, held high-ranking positions within both the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian Armed Forces.

According to a report by Agence France-Presse (AFP), the Israeli military stated that its air force launched a precision strike in central Tehran, targeting a staffed command center. During the operation, they said they seized a “sudden opportunity” to eliminate Shadmani, described as the “wartime chief of staff” and the military leader closest to Khamenei. Shadmani had only been in his position for four days. His death is seen as a significant blow to Iran’s military structure.

In the early morning of June 16 (local time), Iran launched a new large-scale missile attack, firing dozens of missiles at Israeli territory. Air raid sirens sounded across the country. According to Israeli media reports, the attack resulted in casualties in several cities, including Tel Aviv, with at least five people killed and dozens injured. Residential and commercial facilities suffered severe damage.

In Tel Aviv, the intense shockwaves from the explosions caused minor damage to the U.S. Consulate building, including shattered windows and damaged external structures. No consulate staff were injured. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee announced on X (formerly Twitter) that both the Tel Aviv consulate and the Jerusalem embassy would be temporarily closed for the day while safety assessments and evacuation procedures were carried out.

Iran’s state-run news agency IRNA cited a statement from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), claiming that the missile strikes had "successfully and effectively hit" multiple targets within Israel. In response, Israeli authorities stated that their air defense systems—including the Patriot and Iron Dome—intercepted many of the missiles, but were unable to stop all of them.

This incident marks the fourth day of escalating conflict between Iran and Israel. Previously, Israel had launched airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities and military sites, reportedly causing heavy casualties on the Iranian side (estimated at 224 dead and 1,277 injured, with over 90% being civilians).

On the U.S. side, President Trump had earlier intervened to stop an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and warned that if any American personnel were injured, the U.S. would respond with strong measures.

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi stated on the 15th that if Israel halts its aggression against Iran, Tehran will also end its attacks on Israel. He emphasized that unless circumstances force otherwise, Iran does not wish for the conflict with Israel to expand into neighboring countries, and that Iran’s response has been purely defensive.

Araghchi said that since the 13th, Israel has launched airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, “crossing a new red line.” He added that Israel also struck the South Pars gas field and related infrastructure in the Persian Gulf—an act of open aggression and a very dangerous move. Araghchi accused Israel of deliberately attempting to expand the war beyond Iran’s borders.

He reiterated that Tehran has only been responding to foreign aggression, and if Israel stops its attacks, Iran’s response will also cease. Araghchi further claimed that Israel’s attacks would not have happened without the approval and support of the United States. He said Tehran does not believe Washington’s claims of non-involvement in the recent Israeli strikes and urged the U.S. to demonstrate goodwill by condemning Israel’s attacks on Iranian nuclear sites.

Meanwhile, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings on social media, urging civilians to leave certain areas immediately, stating that proximity to these facilities could endanger lives. The warnings covered all weapons factories and related support infrastructure. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz later confirmed that the military would conduct airstrikes on these sites, targeting nuclear capabilities and weapons systems. The missile exchanges between Iran and Israel continue, with Israel saying its aim is to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and to destroy its ballistic missile capabilities.

Foreign Minister Araghchi criticized the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), accusing it of being indifferent to the Israeli assault on Iran. He said the Israeli regime clearly has no interest in reaching any agreement on the nuclear issue, seeks neither negotiations nor diplomatic solutions. Araghchi also claimed that Israel’s recent attacks are intended to sabotage ongoing nuclear talks between Iran and the United States. “If Israeli aggression stops, our response will naturally cease,” he concluded.

On June 13, Israel launched a large-scale airstrike against Iran, code-named “Operation Rising Lion,” targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, military bases, and high-ranking military officials. More than 200 Israeli fighter jets struck over 100 targets, with the primary focus on Iran’s main uranium enrichment site in Natanz. Missile bases, radar installations, and air defense systems were also destroyed.

At least 20 high-ranking Iranian military officers, including IRGC Commander Hossein Salami and Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri, along with 9 nuclear scientists, were reportedly killed in the attack. Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, is believed to have carried out precise assassinations of key figures inside Iran and disabled parts of its air defense network.

In retaliation, Iran launched approximately 200 missiles and drones, striking areas including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The assault killed at least three people and injured dozens. Israel claimed that most of the projectiles were intercepted by its defense systems, while Iran asserted that its missiles successfully hit critical Israeli energy infrastructure. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei condemned the Israeli airstrikes as an act of war and vowed severe retaliation. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed damage to the Natanz facility but said no radiation leak was detected, emphasizing that nuclear sites should not be military targets.

According to a New York Times analysis, this airstrike could be a turning point in the Middle East. Columnist Thomas L. Friedman wrote that although Israel demonstrated military prowess and dealt a major blow to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and nuclear program, the strike was highly provocative and may push the region toward full-scale war. Friedman noted that Israel failed to completely eliminate Iran’s nuclear capabilities and criticized Tel Aviv’s approach as overly aggressive. He also warned that if the U.S. is drawn into the conflict, it could deepen domestic political divisions—particularly between Republican isolationists and pro-Israel factions.

Despite the risks, Israel claimed to have significantly weakened Iran’s nuclear capabilities, and some officials even declared control over Tehran’s airspace. Attacks on Iranian oil refineries also reportedly continue. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that operations would persist until Iran’s nuclear threat is completely neutralized, suggesting a long-term campaign.

The escalation has triggered international alarm. The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency meeting. China and Russia condemned Israel, accusing it of violating Iranian sovereignty, while the United States assisted in intercepting incoming missiles but denied direct involvement in the airstrikes. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the deployment of Royal Air Force jets to the Middle East as a precaution. The conflict has caused oil prices to surge and heightened instability across the region.

In the early hours of the 13th, Israel launched a military operation named "Operation Rising Lion," targeting Iran’s nuclear and military facilities. As a result, airports across the Middle East experienced significant disruption.

The Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, issued a warning on social media stating that scheduled flights were affected due to the ongoing conflict. Travelers were advised to check with their airlines before departure to confirm flight status.

Emirates Airlines announced on its official website the cancellation of multiple flights, including several scheduled departures that day, as well as all flights to and from Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and Jordan, citing the conflict as the reason.

Dubai International Airport also issued a statement, noting that the closure of airspace over Iran, Iraq, and Syria had led to delays and cancellations of some flights at both Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport.

Due to former President Donald Trump’s hardline crackdown on illegal immigration, intense protests erupted in Los Angeles over several consecutive days. The demonstrations escalated into violence—including car fires and rock-throwing—when police attempted to detain undocumented immigrants. In response, Trump ordered the deployment of the California National Guard and imposed a curfew, despite opposition from California Governor Gavin Newsom. This move sparked additional protests across the country, including in St. Louis, Missouri; Raleigh, North Carolina; Manhattan, New York; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Denver, Colorado. In retaliation, the California state government filed a lawsuit against the White House over Trump’s deployment of the National Guard.

Polls show that 45% of respondents disapproved of Trump’s unauthorized activation of California’s National Guard, with an even higher 47% opposing the deployment of Marine forces. To block the troop deployment, Governor Newsom filed for an injunction in a federal court in San Francisco. A hearing was held on the afternoon of the 12th, presided over by Judge Charles Breyer—appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1997.

In his 36-page ruling, Judge Breyer determined that Trump had exceeded his legal authority in commanding the California National Guard and violated the Tenth Amendment of the Constitution. The ruling ordered the return of command authority over the Guard to the California governor. However, the judge denied Newsom’s request to block the deployment of Marines, ruling that actions under the Posse Comitatus Act should not restrict the executive branch’s orders in such cases. He noted that there were past federal precedents of Marines being deployed to help contain protests and maintain order.

June 14 marked Trump’s birthday and also the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army. To celebrate, Trump held a military parade on Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C. Nationwide “No Kings” protests were expected in response.

A wave of violent incidents has erupted across Colombia, allegedly linked to the upcoming presidential election. On June 10, the city of Cali—Colombia's third-largest—and nearby towns came under attack. A total of 24 coordinated assaults targeted police outposts, municipal buildings, and civilian areas, leaving at least seven dead and 28 injured. The attacks, believed to have been carried out by local guerrilla forces, involved car bombs, motorcycle bombs, rifle fire, and drones.

Just days before the string of assaults, a presidential candidate survived an assassination attempt while campaigning in the capital city, Bogotá.

Security expert Elizabeth Dickinson from the International Crisis Group speculated that the attacks were likely orchestrated by the Central General Staff (Estado Mayor Central, EMC), the largest faction of the former rebel group Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). In an interview with AFP, Dickinson stated, "These attacks demonstrate the EMC’s capability to coordinate operations," adding, "and their ability to act in major urban areas like Cali." While the EMC had previously warned civilians to avoid military and police installations, the group has neither claimed responsibility for nor commented on the recent attacks.

Efforts by Colombian President Gustavo Petro to broker peace with the EMC and other armed groups have repeatedly faltered. Citizens are increasingly fearful of a return to the violent chaos of the 1980s and 1990s, a period marked by drug cartel dominance, guerrilla warfare, and political assassinations.

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently announced the dismissal of all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a decision that has sparked strong backlash within the medical community.

Kennedy, a long-time critic of vaccine policies, is seen as using this sweeping personnel change to signal a clear shift in policy direction.

In an op-ed published in *The Wall Street Journal*, Kennedy claimed that ACIP has long been plagued by "conflicts of interest," which he believes have undermined public trust in vaccine safety. He argued that in order to rebuild that trust and ensure the safety of immunizations, it is necessary to completely replace the committee's members.

The 17 dismissed members include many current clinical physicians and academic experts. Eight of them were appointed in January 2025 by former President Biden. Traditionally, their terms would have lasted until 2028, making this an especially significant shake-up.

In response, Dr. Bruce Scott, President of the American Medical Association, issued a stern protest, stating that the move "dismantles a decision-making body that has been built over years, operating transparently and effectively to save lives." He emphasized that, amid a growing measles outbreak and declining childhood vaccination rates, this action could further weaken the nation’s public health defenses.

As of now, no replacements have been announced. Republican Senator from Louisiana and physician Bill Cassidy also publicly opposed the decision, warning that appointing individuals without proper expertise could pose even greater risks. He added that he will continue to engage with Kennedy in hopes of preventing further deterioration of the situation.

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The Israeli military announced on June 8 that the body of Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar was discovered inside a tunnel beneath a hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza. His identity was confirmed through DNA testing. The 49-year-old Sinwar was killed in an airstrike on May 13. The body of Rafah Brigade commander Sabah Subhi Sabaaneh was also found at the scene, along with belongings of the two and other intelligence materials, which have been handed over to the relevant authorities for further investigation.

On June 8, the Israeli military led foreign journalists into a tunnel beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis. The entrance showed signs of recent excavation, and the tunnel system inside was described as intricate and maze-like, resembling an ant nest, with branches leading to various rooms. Some of these rooms were filled with clothing and plastic chairs. Video footage showed a body being pulled out of the tunnel using a rope.

Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated that they found the deceased Mohammed Sinwar in one of the rooms. He was the brother of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. The Israeli military emphasized that this operation confirms Hamas’s use of civilian infrastructure and hospitals for cover, using civilians as human shields. However, Hamas has not confirmed Sinwar’s death and continues to deny similar past accusations.

As a series of raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has sparked growing protests, the California National Guard began deploying in downtown Los Angeles early on the 8th. The deployment, personally ordered by President Trump without the consent of California Governor Gavin Newsom, marks a rare instance of federal intervention in local security matters in recent decades.

Trump's decision to send federally controlled National Guard troops into the nation's second-largest city triggered fierce backlash at the local level. Governor Newsom sharply criticized the move as “deliberate incitement,” accusing the president of disregarding states' rights and local autonomy, and of intentionally deepening social divisions.

According to the Associated Press, National Guard personnel have been stationed at the federal government complex in downtown Los Angeles, near several recent protest hotspots, including the Metropolitan Detention Center. In the past two days, protests and clashes involving hundreds have erupted throughout the city, with tensions running high in some areas.

Agence France-Presse reported that more protests are expected in Los Angeles. Organizers have called for a “mass mobilization” in front of City Hall at 2 p.m. on the 8th. Earlier that morning, in the Compton area, soldiers clad in combat gear and carrying automatic weapons were seen on the streets, with camouflaged military vehicles patrolling the area — a scene that many found shocking.

Trump had earlier announced plans to deploy around 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, citing what he called the failure of Governor Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass to respond effectively to recent unrest. He emphasized that the federal government has a responsibility to "maintain order," though critics argue that this military intervention may further inflame social tensions and deepen public distrust.