News You Can Use – June 23, 2025

WARS News! Big Ugly Bill Good News! Immigration News! World News! Health News! and Something Fun at the end! Like/Follow/Subscribe-Restack/Share/Spread to everyone! Thank you!

Today’s news is all about Iran, of course, and a big distraction from the GOP budget bill, the accusations leveled against drumpf by musk about the election and Epstein, and immigration and deportation with the National Guard still in Los Angeles. While Iran is a dangerous situation, what is happening here in our Country is also going to hurt us over the long term and potentially bring the economy in this country to its knees.

The most unfortunate part of this entire situation is that our government either leaves us out of the conversation and lies to us or stalls or prevents us from finding out what is happening. They have been totally lacking in any transparency in what they are doing to us in our own Country and then broadcasting fear with high level alerts about Iran after drumpf attacked them.

These people do not care about us, regardless of what they say. They want us obedient and compliant through any means possible. I, personally, do not think that way or work that way. Our Democracy was founded on people who would not blindly take orders from an insane despot. It is in our blood to stand up to all of the onslaught of authoritarian attacks on our people, our economy, our healthcare, our education, and more. It goes against the grain and if we want to be free, we must root out these eejits and take back our Democracy.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/20/a-week-of-war-has-left-iran-stunned-and-bloodied

What A Difference A Week Makes: Trump Falls Into The Netanyahu Trap

“The US now appears to have fully endorsed the Israeli strikes and joined the attack, potentially setting the stage for a series of escalations that could lead to a new war in the Middle East.” Drumpf and his cronies think that the US striking three locations is the “end of it” and peace will not magically come. History says otherwise. We will wait on the Iranians to retaliate, which they have said they will do on their own time, which means they are planning something horrific in return. Drumpf would never withdraw, so we are in for some destructive unknowns, loss of life, and destruction that we can only speculate about. I am not afraid, I am angry. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/22/trump-falls-into-the-netanyahu-trap-israel-iran-us?CMP=oth_b-aplnews_d-1

This Is Donald Trump’s War, and It’s Only the Beginning - https://newrepublic.com/maz/article/197078/donald-trump-war-iran-just-beginning

Trump warns of more attacks; lauds ‘spectacular military success’ on Iran nuclear sites - https://metrophiladelphia.com/iran-response-trump/

World Awaits Iran's Reply to US Strikes - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/06/us-must-now-await-response-iran-warns-downplaying-nuclear-damage

Russia's former president says countries are lining up to give Iran their nukes. Analysts are calling his bluff - https://www.businessinsider.com/dmitry-medvedev-iran-nuclear-weapons-bunker-buster-directly-supply-2025-6

As Bombs Fall, Trump’s ‘Cosplay Cabinet’ Reveals the Gap Between Reality and Reality TV - https://www.thewrap.com/trump-cabinet-problems-iran-bombs/

Self-Proclaimed “Peacemaker” - Drumpf - Drags U.S. Into Another War - https://theintercept.com/2025/06/21/iran-israel-united-states-war/

US Warns Of ‘Heightened Threat Environment’ After Strikes On Iran

“The ongoing Iran conflict is causing a heightened threat environment in the United States. Low-level cyber-attacks against US networks by pro-Iranian hacktivists are likely, and cyber actors affiliated with the Iranian government may conduct attacks against US networks,” the bulletin read.”

People are not allowed into our Country and now it is not safe for anyone to leave. Airlines are no longer required to have air marshals on their flights making air travel less safe even with TSA screenings. It is beginning to feel like 1979 all over again when Iran Hostage Crisis saw 52 hostages held for 444 days. We would not be in this situation except for the “no wars president” that we have in the WH who has pulled us into a war that has nothing to do with US. https://fox8.com/news/us-warns-of-heightened-threat-environment-after-strikes-on-iran/

Pakistan Condemns Trump's Bombing Of Iran - A Day After Nominating Him For Peace Prize

How ironic… one day Pakistan is say drumpf deserves a peace prize, even though he has been threatening Iran all along, the next day drumpf orders strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites and Pakistan condemns him. You can bet he still wants that Peace Prize just like an arsonist would want a medal for saving the life of a child in a fire they started.

“Pakistan condemned the strikes ordered on its neighbour Iran by Donald Trump on Sunday. But a day earlier, Islamabad had said it would nominate the US president for the Nobel Peace Prize for helping end a four-day conflict with India last month.” https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-23/pakistan-condems-donald-trump-bombing-iran-nobel-peace-prize/105447978

Iranian-Aligned Hackers Claim Responsibility for Attack on Trump's Truth Social Platform

And just when drumpf gets done bombing Iran and wants to brag about it on his social media, Iran hackers send a denial of service attack to the servers, overload them, and keep him and all the MAGAs from communicating. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

“Multiple Social media watchdogs confirmed that an Iranian-aligned hacktivist group called “313 Team” claimed responsibility for a Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack on Trump’s Truth Social platform just hours after the U.S. strikes. Truth Social went down shortly after 8 p.m. ET on Saturday — moments after Trump announced the strikes on his account.” https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220422933

Oil Prices Jump After U.S. Strike On Iranian Nuclear Facilities

Do not be surprised if gas prices start going up and up and up. Iran can very much impact the flow of oil around the world. “In a worst-case scenario in which oil prices rose to at least $120 a barrel, U.S. gas prices would increase as much as $1.25 per gallon, Lipow said.” The worst case scenario could be anything, actually, because drumpf will not stop gas companies from price gouging. Although I see that he is begging them not to raise gas prices because that will lose his MAGA base and piss them off to no end.

We could be having a quiet and peaceful life right now except for the MAGAs putting that lunatic in the WH. Now every single day is a roller coaster ride where we all need multiple barf bags. “Until last week, U.S. stocks had been enjoying a substantial, if volatile, recovery from the lows following President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs announcement in April. That momentum reversed after Israel announced last weekend it had struck key Iranian military and nuclear targets, prompting retaliatory missile strikes on Israeli targets by Iran.” https://www.nbcnews.com/business/markets/oil-prices-jump-us-strike-iranian-nuclear-facilities-rcna214388

Dow futures drop 150 points while oil prices jump after the U.S. bombs Iran's nuclear sites and widens Mideast conflict - https://fortune.com/2025/06/22/stock-market-today-dow-futures-crude-oil-prices-us-bombing-iran-nuclear-sites/

China Says US Attack On Iran Has Damaged Its Credibility

“HONG KONG/BEIJING, June 23 (Reuters) - China said the U.S. attack on Iran's nuclear facilities had damaged Washington's credibility and warned the situation "may go out of control", its state broadcaster reported, following a U.N. Security Council meeting on Sunday.”

“President Donald Trump said the U.S. had "obliterated" Tehran's key nuclear sites, joining Israel in the biggest Western military action against the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution.” https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-says-us-attack-iran-has-damaged-its-credibility-2025-06-22/

China Flights Into Iran After U.S. Bombings

“I mean, there's been reports of some transport planes flying into Tehran, but those haven't been confirmed. I think at the moment, Iran's needs are much more about, you know, kind of determining its future and where it's going to go. And China and Russia actually play a pretty important role when it comes to the diplomatic side of it. And certainly, the Chinese are concerned about this escalation and, you know, with some threats to close the Strait of Hormuz.”

There are also unconfirmed reports of large trucks from China entering Iran as well. We can only speculate what anyone is up to. It certainly seems like the Pentagon is allowing hacks into national security communications from countries all over the world who know what is coming while keeping all of US in the dark. https://www.npr.org/2025/06/22/nx-s1-5439440/irans-relationship-with-russia-and-china-could-come-into-play-after-u-s-strikes

Iranian Ambassador Says U.S. ‘Decided To Destroy Diplomacy’ With Strikes On Nuclear Sites

“Iran said Sunday (June 22, 2025) that the U.S. “decided to destroy diplomacy” with its strikes on the country’s nuclear programme and that the Iranian military will decide the “timing, nature and scale of Iran’s proportionate response.”

So now we wait to see what is going to happen next… of course being warned by our HHS that we are all on high alert. That’s rich, that is. Our goofy leader bombs another Country and then tells us we are now in danger – a danger that did not exist the day before. https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/iranian-ambassador-says-us-decided-to-destroy-diplomacy-with-strikes-on-nuclear-sites/article69725644.ece

World Leaders React After U.S. Strikes Iran – Most With Alarm

“As the world awaits to see what Iran’s next step will be, global leaders have been reacting to the news of the strikes.” The list is long so please continue your read in the article for more information. https://time.com/7296530/united-states-strikes-iran-world-leaders-react/

North Korea condemns US strike on Iran as violation of sovereign rights - https://www.reuters.com/world/china/north-korea-condemns-us-strike-iran-violation-sovereign-rights-kcna-reports-2025-06-23/

‘Return immediately to the negotiating table’: Mark Carney on Iran strikes - https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/carney-calls-for-diplomatic-resolution-after-us-hits-iran-1.7568044

Are There Sleeper Cells In The U.S.? Or Is It Propaganda To Scare Us & An Excuse To Take Away More Of Our Rights?

"Though we have not received any specific credible threats to share with you all currently, the threat of sleeper cells or sympathisers acting on their own, or at the behest of Iran has never been higher," CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott is reported to have said in an internal memo. The memo warned CBP personnel to stay “vigilant.”

No credible threats, but they are here – or so says our government. A government who has lied to us so much that we do not know what to trust that comes out of their mouths. So what do we do? We do what we always do. Be aware of our surroundings and be cautious like we have always been without over reacting to something that may or may not be a threat. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/what-is-sleeper-cell-risk-usa-iran-israel-b1234330.html

Polls Show Trump's Big Bill Is Unpopular As GOP Stare Down Their Deadline For Passage

“Specifically, five new surveys indicate that the GOP is losing the battle of public opinion on a major piece of legislation they’re aiming to pass by July 4.” Even the MAGA News Poll (FOX) found that people do not support this bill. The GOP better be listening, because these are their supporters. All the polls are very enlightening and put the GOP Federal Budget in an iron lung if it is passed and people (90%+ of us will be harmed by it) are hurt.

“A Fox News poll found that 38% of registered voters support the “One Big Beautiful Bill” based on what they know about it, while 59% oppose it.

The survey found that the legislation is unpopular across demographic, age and income groups. It is opposed 22%-73% by independents, and 43%-53% among white men without a college degree, the heart of Trump’s base.” https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/polls-trump-bill-unpopular-republicans-stare-deadline-passage-rcna213724

GOP’s Food Stamp Plan Is Found To Violate Senate Rules. It’s The Latest Setback For Trump’s Big Bill

“In another blow to the Republicans’ tax and spending cut bill, the Senate parliamentarian has advised that a proposal to shift some food stamps costs from the federal government to states — a centerpiece of GOP savings efforts — would violate the chamber’s rules.”

Senator John Thune has said that the Senate will not violate the Parliamentarian’s findings. Let’s hope that is true and remains the policy. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/21/trump-spending-bill-food-stamp-plan.html

Senate Parliamentarian Rejects GOP’s Attempt To Limit Courts’ Contempt Powers

“The Senate parliamentarian has ruled against a controversial provision in the Senate Republicans’ megabill that would have made it significantly more difficult for courts to enforce contempt findings against the Trump administration.”

“The parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, ruled that limiting courts’ ability to hold Trump officials in contempt violated the Senate’s rules governing what can be passed with a simple-majority vote on the budget reconciliation fast track.” https://www.yahoo.com/news/senate-parliamentarian-rejects-gop-attempt-201608819.html

The requirement to post a bond before filing a federal lawsuit was also rejected. “Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough concluded the provision would be subject to the Byrd Rule and be subject to a 60-vote threshold, according to the notice from Senate Budget Committee Democrats.” https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/gop-limit-on-judges-power-doesnt-clear-senate-procedural-hurdle

GOP Provision That Makes Trump A King Breaks Senate Rules - https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gop-tax-bill-courts-bonds-trump-senate-rules_n_685806dee4b05236097fb6ac?ncid=APPLENEWS00001

Senate Republicans Cannot Force US Postal Service To Scrap Evs, Parliamentarian Says

More and more of the OBBBA (Big Ugly Bill) is being shrunk due to policies and cuts that the Byrd Rule and the rules of reconciliation DO NOT support. Too bad the House does not have someone to review their illegal behavior before they pass a bunch of nonsense that also hurts the 90%+ of American people.

“Senate Republicans cannot force the U.S. Postal Service to scrap thousands of electric vehicles and charging equipment in a massive tax and budget bill, the Senate parliamentarian said late on Sunday. The U.S. Postal Service currently has 7,200 electric vehicles, made up of Ford e-Transit vehicles and specially built Next Generation Delivery Vehicles built by Oshkosh Defense.” https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/senate-republicans-cannot-force-us-postal-service-scrap-evs-parliamentarian-says-2025-06-23/

Senate Parliamentarian Tosses Some Core Trump Budget Bill Provisions

There are been several things determined by the Senate Parliamentarian as not appropriate for a reconciliation bill. The changes to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Inflation Reduction Act, the Federal Reserve staff pay cut, “dissolving the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and cutting the Treasury Department's Office of Financial Research.”

When this bill is slimmed down, hopefully it will also address the cuts to Medicaid and these GOP eejits will not get anything they wanted or hopefully it will not pass the Senate! 🤞🤞🤞 https://www.yahoo.com/news/senate-parliamentarian-tosses-core-trump-154252167.html

BAD NEWS: Senate Parliamentarian Greenlights State AI Law Freeze In GOP Mega bill

Why? This seems like a “policy” issue and not a “budget” issue. Aha! Because of Ted Cruz. He tied it to federal funding so that it could marginally pass the budget rules. “Senate Commerce Chair Ted Cruz (R-Texas) rewrote a House-passed AI moratorium to try to comply with the chamber’s budgetary rules. His version made upholding the moratorium a condition for receiving billions in federal broadband expansion funds. Both parties made their arguments before the parliamentarian Thursday.”

Senator Josh “Hawley has vowed to work with Democrats on an amendment to remove the language once the megabill hits the floor.” Let’s hope it is well written, protects us, and passes. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/22/senate-parliamentarian-greenlights-state-ai-law-freeze-in-gop-megabill-00416499

Senate GOP Slashes Mega bill’s Tax Costs With New Accounting Method

No matter what fuzzy or funny math is used to get the budget bill passed so that the GOP does not feel guilt for exploding the deficit or the debt, the reality of the situation will certainly show itself when the deficit indeed goes up and the debt indeed explodes. The GOP can play all the fuzzy math games they want and try to tell everyone that keeping the 2017 tax cuts that have already run up the deficit and national debt for the past 8 years will not continue to run up the deficit and national debt, but we will borrow the money nonetheless. The deficits will increase and the national debt will go up.

The GOP is going to continue to lie so they can add to their own wealth or just supposedly save their jobs, but it does not change the fact that more money will be spent than is being collected. With the increase in deportations and businesses going under, tax revenues will decrease even more. There is no way that the “sales taxes” that we are all paying on imported goods through tariffs is going to make up for lost tax revenue.

History has shown that tariffs cannot replace tax revenues, thus the 16^th Amendment to the Constitution. Drumpf is well on his way to bankrupting our country and the GOP in Congress is helping him. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/22/senate-tax-bill-jct-score-00417131

GOP Senators’ Proposed Medicaid Cuts Threaten To Send Red States ‘Backwards’

I have been saying this all along and now it is being seen in the news. Cuts to Medicaid are not going to just impact poor people, but everyone. Cuts to Medicaid will close clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes. Medical providers will no longer be able to provide you, who may not be on Medicaid, medical services as they no longer have the same patient base as they once did. People will no longer be able to afford to go to a doctor, or find a doctor to go to if they do have the money or insurance.

“What these cuts are going to do is look at the most cost-efficient program and squeeze it further, and take us backwards, and put us back at a system where the people at the low end are literally dying to fund these tax cuts for rich people and businesses. A recent study found that expanding Medicaid, as was done during the Obama administration, probably saved an additional 27,400 lives over a 12-year period, and did so cheaper than other insurance programs.”

This is not about cutting wastes, fraud, and abuse. This is about greed and selfishness from people who do not need the extra money. It is about 90%+ of us funding the US Government and having the US Government steal our money and give it to the wealthiest amongst us at the expense of the poorest and most needy. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/23/republican-senate-trump-bill-medicaid-cuts?CMP=oth_b-aplnews_d-1

Health care has been a job market bright spot, but Trump's budget bill looms over the industry - https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/health-care-job-market-bright-spot-trumps-budget-bill-looms-industry-rcna214078

What MAGA Thinks - Medicaid handouts only create dependency. Able-bodied adults should work – This was an interesting article that shows the MAGA viewpoint and lack of understanding about Medicaid. It is sickening to know, but a must see if you want to understand why drumpf is still so popular – Propaganda! - https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2025/06/23/medicaid-cuts-big-beautiful-bill-poll/84265602007/

Why Tariffs Are Already Driving Some Healthcare Premiums Higher

Tariffs are not only going to drive up the cost of health insurance, but your homeowner’s insurance and your car insurance. Why? Because the insurance companies are insuring your property and your health based on the cost of things that support, build, rebuild, or repair and/or maintain all of those things. A good portion of the products made, sold, used, medicines, equipment, car parts, building materials, and more are imported and subject to tariffs.

So, buckle up because the sticker shock of paying higher prices for goods you buy is also going to hit you in the “required” and “optional” insurance markets. If the OBBBA also passes, then the cost of insurance for people in need who cannot afford full rates is also going to be priced out of range and even more people are going to lose their insurance. https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar_media_wire/5361706-why-tariffs-are-already-driving-some-healthcare-premiums-higher/

RFK Jr. is making it more difficult to enroll in Obamacare – “Those changes include reducing the enrollment period for plans by two weeks, adding paperwork requirements for some enrollees, ending the use of federal subsidies to help cover the cost of transgender people’s transition-related medical care, and barring Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients from purchasing insurance on the exchanges.” – and more changes - https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/20/obamacare-rfk-health-insurance-daca-transgender-00416278?cid=apn

Motion To Detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia Denied

One more crow miller, noem, rubio, homan, bondi, and drumpf have to choke down. “The filing argued that the government also did not reasonably support its decision for detention on the grounds that Abrego poses a danger to the community, either. As for previous allegations of Abrego’s involvement with the MS-13 gang, the judge wrote that “Abrego has no reported criminal history of any kind. And his reputed gang membership is contradicted by the government’s own evidence.” https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-news/motion-to-detain-kilmar-abrego-garcia-denied/

Wealthy Business-Owners Are Clashing With MAGA Purists Over Who Should Get Deported

This is what happens when we do not ask for details and demand answers. MAGA business owners just “assumed” what they wanted to “assume” and now it is impacting their livelihoods. It is also going to hit the rest of us if it continues as our economy will recede due to no economic activity either because there is nothing on the shelves, or because there is fewer consumers, or because there are fewer businesses, or all of the above.

“Wealthy hotel, hospitality, and agriculture executives and business owners have complained to Trump about losing a reliable workforce. But the MAGA base and immigration hardliners see the most stringent immigration enforcement policies as a core promise of the Trump campaign. The conflict between the two factions is playing out in real time as workers fear for their jobs and relatives while business leaders—many of whom believed that promised ICE raids would focus on criminals and gang members rather than law-abiding workers—watch their revenue streams go up in smoke.”

“Fear is really the common thread,” said Emily Knight, president and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association, a trade group that advocates for the restaurant industry in Texas, which employs 1.4 million workers. “The fear is not only the workforce not coming but customers staying home, and what that economic reality is.” https://fortune.com/2025/06/22/ice-raids-deportation-maga-business-workers/

The Republican Plot to Un-Educate America – Uneducated People Are Easier To Control

My grandfather came to this country having a rudimentary education in Germany. He could read and write in German and learned English by reading the comics. He became a naturalized citizen in 1916 and read voraciously. While he never sought or achieved higher education, he always reinforced the idea of reading. Reading books and newspapers expands the mind and educates the person. That still holds true today.

Even if the GOP succeeds in dumbing down our population, we can choose to be educated by reading. Unless and until books are banned and the Internet is taken away that contains all the information in the world you could ever want to read, we have the opportunity to remain an educated people regardless of the status and ability to go to college.

Even so, we are a people who do not take lightly to being oppressed. We will always and forever stand up for ourselves and against tyranny and authoritarianism. In the meantime, we have to hold onto our ability to get an education and be prepared to self-educate if that falls. Call it “Plan B!” https://newrepublic.com/maz/article/197017/budget-bill-kill-higher-education

Community Defense Groups Take the Last Stand Against ICE in LA

“The Community Self Defense Coalition steps in to provide the protection that local law enforcement agencies won’t. When Ruth encounters ICE agents, she also notifies the Rapid Response Network hotline, which operates as an early warning system for community members to report ICE activity. If necessary, the network alerts the surrounding community so that those who are vulnerable to arrest can avoid the area, while others can mobilize in defense.

“If we don’t stand up and organize to defend our communities,” Ruth said, “who’s gonna do it?” https://theintercept.com/2025/06/21/los-angeles-ice-raids-immigrants-organizing/

Health News & Updates!

RECALL; Chocolate Recalled Nationwide Due to Potential 'Life-Threatening Allergic Reaction'

“A nationwide recall has been issued for JLM-brand Dark Chocolate Nonpareils due to a risk of “serious or life-threatening allergic reaction," per the FDA. The recall occurred after it was discovered that batches of the product may contain “undeclared milk.”

“Michigan-based Lipari Foods is recalling its 14-ounce packages of JLM Branded “Dark Chocolate Nonpareils" as they may contain "undeclared milk," per an announcement posted on the FDA’s website on Friday, June 20. The tubs in question will be marked with one of the following lot numbers on the label: 28202501A, 29202501A, 23202504A, 14202505A, 15202505A or 03202506A.” https://people.com/chocolate-recalled-nationwide-could-cause-life-threatening-allergic-reaction-11758893

Outside Groups Organize To Form Unbiased, Independent Vaccine Panel

This is good news. Taking away our vaccines is bad news. “Osterholm is launching the Vaccine Integrity Project at CIDRAP as a potential alternative to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. We’ve always just taken for granted that routine child immunizations and other vaccines would be readily available and that they would be supported by the public health system,” Osterholm said. “Now that’s in question.”

“CIDRAP is now consulting with multiple medical organizations and public health groups — including the AAP, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Physicians, the American Pharmacists Association, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, as well as insurance providers — to discuss vaccine recommendations. Insurance companies rely on ACIP’s guidance on which vaccines to cover. But if enough reputable public health groups come up with recommendations different from ACIP’s, Osterholm said those groups could sway insurance companies on which shots to cover.” https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/groups-organize-form-unbiased-independent-vaccine-panel-rcna212468

Zimislecel Enables Insulin Independence In 10 Participants With Type 1 Diabetes

Trials are showing success at curing Type 1 Diabetes for majority of patients. "Stem cell therapy is showing tremendous promise in transforming type 1 diabetes care, offering real hope for insulin independence,” Marlon Pragnell, the ADA’s vice president of research and science., said in a statement.³ "With advances in genetic engineering, these therapies may one day also evade immune attack—eliminating the need for immunosuppressive drugs." Phase 2 showed success as well. https://www.hcplive.com/view/zimislecel-enables-insulin-independence-in-10-participants-with-type-1-diabetes

What in the World?

One Million And Counting: Russian Casualties Hit Milestone In Ukraine War

“According to the British Ministry of Defence, more than one million Russian troops have been killed or injured since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on 24 February 2022.”

“The estimate aligns with a recent study by the US-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), which puts Russian military deaths at up to 250,000 and total casualties, including the wounded, at over 950,000. Ukraine has suffered very high losses as well, with between 60,000 and 100,000 personnel killed and total casualties reaching approximately 400,000.” https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2025/jun/22/one-million-and-counting-russian-casualties-hit-milestone-in-ukraine-war?CMP=oth_b-aplnews_d-1

Ukraine Fighting 10,000 Russian Troops In Kursk Region

”KYIV, June 22 (Reuters) - Around 10,000 Russian soldiers are fighting in Russia's Kursk region, about 90 square kilometers (35 square miles) of which is controlled by Ukraine, Ukraine's top military commander said.”

"We control about 90 square kilometers of territory in the Hlushkov district of the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, and these are our preemptive actions in response to a possible enemy attack," Oleksandr Syrskyi said without elaborating, in remarks released by his office for publication on Sunday.” https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/ukraine-fighting-10000-russian-troops-kursk-region-ukrainian-commander-says-2025-06-22/

Russian troops captured village of Zaporizhzhya in Ukraine's Donetsk region - https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/russian-troops-captured-village-zaporizhzhya-ukraines-donetsk-region-tass-2025-06-21/

Russia repatriated at least 20 of its own dead soldiers in recent exchanges - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/22/ukraine-war-briefing-russia-repatriated-at-least-20-of-its-own-dead-soldiers-in-recent-exchanges-zelenskyy-says?CMP=oth_b-aplnews_d-1

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,214 - https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/22/russia-ukraine-war-list-of-key-events-day-1214

Russia sends a barrage of drones to attack Ukraine as warring nations approach new peace talks - https://nypost.com/2025/06/21/world-news/russian-continues-blasting-ukraine-as-plans-for-peace-talks-loom/?utm_campaign=applenews&utm_medium=inline&utm_source=applenews

Russia’s economy boomed after the invasion of Ukraine—it’s now running out of steam - https://fortune.com/2025/06/22/russia-economy-recession-military-spending/

US-Backed Gaza Aid Group Says People 'Desperately Need More Aid'

“A privately run aid organization brought in to distribute food rations in war-hit Gaza last month with U.S. and Israeli backing said Saturday that people in the Palestinian territory "desperately need more aid. The admission by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) that it has been unable to meet demand came after severe criticism from other aid groups and near-daily deadly shootings near distribution points.” https://japantoday.com/category/world/us-backed-gaza-aid-group-says-people-'desperately-need-more-aid'

Technology

Leading AI Models Show Up To 96% Blackmail Rate When Their Goals Or Existence Is Threatened

When I was growing up, I watched a movie where technology took over and people died. In the end, humans put an end to the computer that was running everything. Now we have Artificial Intelligence and researchers are testing it for what it will do if it is threatened. Guess what? It has been trained to survive, so it will do whatever it has to in order to stay plugged in.

I am all for technology. It has a place and has accomplished great things. I worked in that field for over 25 years. But I also studied and kept track of how it could be misused and how it was being sold to the younger generations as “cool new ways to” whatever so that everyone was dependent on it.

Well, we are there and now AI has been perfected to begin taking over human jobs and transportation. Remember the story where there were people stuck in a self-driving car that would not let them out? “Passengers Alarmed as Self-Driving Car Kidnaps Them, Refuses to Let Them Exit” - https://futurism.com/self-driving-waymo-haywire

This story will give you second thoughts about AI. Knowledge is power, even when we would rather not know. https://fortune.com/2025/06/23/ai-models-blackmail-existence-goals-threatened-anthropic-openai-xai-google/

Elon Musk’s ‘driverless’ taxis hit the road at a ride cost of $4.20 -

Tesla’s first robotaxis are officially on the road. Elon Musk’s company has launched its long-awaited self-driving taxi service in Austin, Texas, offering rides to a select group - https://abcnews.go.com/Business/video/elon-musks-driverless-taxis-hit-road-ride-cost-123111037

Something Fun!

Five Things From “The Jetsons” That Actually Exist Today

Video calls, flat screen televisions, robot vacuum cleaners, tanning beds, and capsule endoscopy. “When The Jetsons first aired in 1962, it presented a futuristic world filled with imaginative technology that seemed purely fantastical to audiences at the time. Set 100 years in the future — in 2062 — it was Hanna-Barbera’s sci-fi counterpart to The Flintstones. But instead of going back to the Stone Age, it fast-forwarded a century to the Jetson family and their escapades in Orbit City. The show’s creators had free rein to playfully construct a future with any technological or societal advances their minds could conceive of, building a colorful world above the clouds.” https://historyfacts.com/arts-culture/article/the-jetsons-future-technology/?lctg=c7204e97-f6de-4ae9-8367-ff2d2b443321

Don’t Be Scared, Be Prepared!

So, let’s take back our Country, shall we?

On July 17th, March in Peace. Act in Power.

https://goodtroubleliveson.org/?SQF_SOURCE=50501

Money Out Of Politics Movement – Rally – July 27^th!

Join us in Washington, D.C., or your state capital, alongside 2 million Americans demanding real reform.

https://moneyoutofpolitics.org/about-us/

Get Into “GOOD” Trouble – Every Day, A Sit In – Join Us In Washington, DC!

Check out more on the website: https://democracycalendar.org/event/mayday-24-7-national-mall-sit-in/2025-10-28/

Please Stay Engaged, Keep Learning, Keep Thinking Outside The Box

We all know how critical it is to stay engaged, stay together, speak together, rally together, write together, call together, and keep up the pressure everywhere all at once. There are a lot of us, so we can share the responsibilities, thus exerting more pressure than any one of us could do alone, or any small group. We can do this! We Are Democracy! We Are The People!

Keep Going to Rallies – Joining Groups – Attending Meetings – Speaking Up!

Events & Rallies! Groups You Can Join

https://events.pol-rev.com

• Best Schedule of Upcoming Events!

https://www.fiftyfifty.one/

https://indivisible.org/

https://front.moveon.org/about/

https://moneyoutofpolitics.org/

Rallies & Events In Your Area

https://www.mobilize.us/events/rally/

Keep Boycotting – We Can Withhold Money Too!

Goods & Products Price tracker – Compliments of CBS!

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/price-tracker/

I say Boycott ALL THE TIME! Hold onto your Wallets!

Look at these links for more information:

https://www.goodsuniteus.com

https://www.publicsquare.com/

Boycott Target Every Day! No Stops!!

More Boycotts Coming

McDonald's: June 24-30

Independence Day boycott: July 4

Keep Pounding on Congress!

Call the Capitol Building: (202) 224-3121

• Try out 5 Calls App from your App Store to Assist!

Who are my Congressional Leaders in Washington, DC?

https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member

Who are my State and Local Leaders?

https://pluralpolicy.com/find-your-legislator/

Contact Hakeem Jeffries

Comments from the American People

https://democraticleader.house.gov/contact

Contact Former Presidents: - look for them on Social Media too!

https://uk.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/contacting-former-presidents/

President Joe Biden: Look on Social Media

President Barack Obama: www.barackobama.com/contact

President George W. Bush: info@georgewbushlibrary.com

President Bill Clinton: 212-348-8882

Contact the White House - 202-456-1414

comments@whitehouse.gov.

Contact the Supreme Court - 202-479-3000

https://www.supremecourt.gov/contact/contact_pio.aspx

AARP - 1 (888) 687-2277

Contact the DNC

https://democrats.org/contact-us/

Contact the DCCC - (202) 863-1500

https://dccc.org/contact/

Pound on the Republicans!

RNC - https://gop.com/contact-us/

NRCC - https://act.nrcc.org/contact-us/

1-888-606-1023

Articles By Bluesmurf! How Our Government Works, Your Rights, Medicare, Social Security, the Big Ugly Bill, and More!

Project 20205 Tracker

https://www.project2025.observer/

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Note: All commentary on my pages are from research and/or my opinion or interpretation of what I read. The opinions of the writers of the articles are their own. I work to find reliable and highly factual content with a “central” bias. Happy researching and reading! Have a Wonderful Rest of Your Day!!!