All Activity

The GOP's new favorite Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios Senate Republicans are elevating Colombia as a role model for U.S. voting rules — and using California as their foil. 😓 Why it matters: Republicans don't have the votes to jam through President Trump's SAVE Act, but conservatives want to keep up the pressure on GOP leaders. Colombia just elected Abelardo de la Espriella, a populist business owner who secured President Trump's endorsement. The country requires voters to present a national ID card, relies on paper ballots and does not generally allow mail-in voting. Republicans want the U.S. to follow suit. 🎤 What we're hearing: Some GOP senators are considering a hearing with California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and Colombian officials to compare election processes, Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) told Donald Trump Jr. on a podcast. "We always first invite before we consider a subpoena," Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) told us, when asked about the possibility of subpoenaing Newsom for such a hearing. Johnson said Republicans need to determine the best witnesses "to contrast the Colombian election with the fiasco in California." "Colombia just had an election with only paper ballots, no mail-in ballots, voter ID, proof of citizenship. They counted the ballots in three hours. That sounds like what President Trump has been proposing," Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) wrote in a Dear Colleague letter ahead of Senate Republicans' lunch with Trump on Wednesday. 🚪 Behind the scenes: At a closed-door lunch Tuesday, Moreno told senators that Colombian officials were confused when he asked what happens if someone shows up to vote without an ID, because it doesn't happen, sources familiar with the lunch told us. Moreno was in Colombia during the country's election last week. 🛑 The big picture: Trump has blown up the congressional schedule with his demands that lawmakers pass the SAVE America Act, which requires voter ID, proof of citizenship for registration and restricts mail-in voting. There is no clear path for passing such a bill through the Senate, with Democrats opposed and even some Republicans uncomfortable with the mail-in voting measures in particular. That has not stopped Trump allies from continuing to push for federal voting reforms. — Stef Kight

Windows 11 Is About to Change in a Way You'll Actually Notice Windows 11 26H2 is shaping up to be less about flashy features and more about fixing everyday annoyances users have complained about for years. https://www.pcmag.com/news/windows-11-is-about-to-change-in-a-way-youll-actually-notice?

NOTE: As a congregational SDA pastor, I have had situations whereone of the partners was a SDA and the other was a member of another denomination. I have always urged the sDA member to attend services on sunday with their partner. I havde we lcomed their partner to attend my servicces on Saturday. As a Feceral chaplain I have attended many Catholic services on sunday morning. I considerd such to be part of my duties. The Priest always welcomed me, but never considered me to be a convert. The Biblical Sabbath is muchmore than a worship service.

There are 7 days in a week. God may be worshiped on any/all of those 7 days. * SDA pastors hold worship services on Saturday and Sunday evenings. Take your pick. One of those is the Biblical first day of the week. * SDA pastors serving in chaplaincy positions hold worship services on Sunday mornings. In my service as a Federal chaplain, I have held more worship services on Sunday morning than I have held on Saturday as a a pastor of a SDA Chruch. * My service as a Fderal Chaplalin was endorsed by the General Conference who was fully awaare that I held Sunday w orship services. NOTE, IF the General Conference had not approved of wah tI did, they could have removed me from my federal position. Federal Chqaplains only serve with the permission of tlheir denominaiton. * The Sabbath is much more than a worswhip service, It is a 24 hour day devoted to God. In all of my life I have kept Saturday, the 7th day, as a Sabbth. I have never kept Sunday as a Sabbath. * If you think that mere worship on a day makes it a Sabbath, you lneed to review the Biblical and SDA teaching, as youy clearly donot understand them.

Since the local congregation doesn't actually own the building, who profits from the arrangement? Does the local congregation who, in theory, paid for the building keep the money, or is it paid to the denomination? The denomination allows congregants to attend services in a building they own, even though congregants paid for the building. My guess is that if the administration wanted to rent out the church to a homosexual advocacy group for "pride" meetings, the local congregation could find themselves locked out if they oppose it. This might sound impossible but at least one church member found herself banished from a couple of pro-gay SDA churches, one of which she had attended for years prior to “inclusion.” Just as they compelled congregations to accept female pastors, admin could install gay clergy. If you give your money to an organization like SDA, you shouldn't be surprised if homosexuals, female pastors, and Sunday keepers are “shoved down your throat." Nothing you can do about it. Normally, "Who pays the fiddler calls the tune." Not in Adventism. Pay your tithe and protest homosexuality, you could be banished. Suppose a gay congregation wants to rent an SDA building, see your donations at work?

Orthodox Jews who are careful Sabbath observers will sell a 1/7 interest in their business to a Goy. If the Goy chooses to open on Sabbath, it doesn't concern the Sabbath keeper. He doesn't own the business on that day.

US strikes Iran in response to a drone attack on a ship WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. struck Iran on Friday in response to a drone attack a day earlier on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. It’s the most significant test yet to an interim understanding reached a week ago by the two countries to begin working to end their months-long war and reopen the pivotal waterway. https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-israel-war-hormuz-strait-june-26-2026-8c1a77eb82d25f00de814958114c7296?

Ex-national security adviser John Bolton pleads guilty to illegally retaining classified information GREENBELT, Md. (AP) — Former Trump administration national security adviser John Bolton pleaded guilty on Friday to illegally retaining classified information, sealing a deal with federal prosecutors that could allow him to avoid a prison term. https://apnews.com/article/bolton-justice-department-trump-classified-information-e95c29e7f8659d8b4b01d44148ae1ab4? ps:How pathetic is that? The criminal gets away with taking more files than all the others and gets away with it!!

Microsoft Is Giving Windows 10 Users Another Year of Security Updates Microsoft is offering people another year of Windows 10 support. https://www.pcmag.com/news/microsoft-is-giving-windows-10-users-another-year-of-security-updates?

🎉 Yahoo! It's Friday! You made it. In today's edition: The USMNT's perfect run ends, too many Jays on the ballot, LaMelo to Minnesota, the "Disgrace of Kansas City" could be upon us, the Maple Leafs are on the clock, and more. Yahoo Sports AM is written by Kendall Baker and Jeff Tracy. Let's sports...   🚨 ICYMI HEADLINES 🏀 LaMelo to Minnesota: The Hornets are trading LaMelo Ball to the Timberwolves for Naz Reid, four draft picks and three pick swaps, a surprising move that sees Charlotte pivot away from its 24-year-old franchise cornerstone. Minnesota also gets guard Josh Green in the deal. ⚾️ CBA update: MLB made a big, public push for a salary cap and floor on Thursday with the release of a campaign that argues such a change is necessary to fix the issues caused by the massive spending gap between teams. The union, long vehemently opposed to a cap, responded by accusing the league of trying to "reduce player compensation by billions." 🏀 Mabrey ties scoring record: Tempo guard Marina Mabrey dropped 53 points in Thursday's blowout win over the Sparks, tying the WNBA's single-game scoring record. She also hit a record-tying nine 3-pointers… for the second time in her last three games. ⚾️ So close: The Rays came within two outs of pitching a combined no-hitter on Thursday that would have been just the second no-no in franchise history. Instead, they had to settle for a 13-2 victory over the Royals in which star 3B Junior Caminero had his first career 3-HR game. 🏀 Year 20: Al Horford, 40, will sign a two-year, $14 million deal to stay with the Warriors. Whenever he first takes the court this fall, he'll become just the 13th player in NBA history to play at least 20 seasons in the league.     ⚽️ WORLD CUP PERFECT NO MORE: USMNT STUMBLES IN FINALE (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) Mauricio Pochettino's heavily rotated USMNT struggled early before regaining momentum — and Christian Pulisic — in the second half of a 3-2 defeat to Turkey on Thursday night. The bright side: Turkey's stunning game-winner in the eighth minute of stoppage time, as deflating as it felt in the moment, changed nothing about the Americans' place atop Group D. Yes, but: Poch's men must learn from their mistakes without losing the confidence that has shaped the early phases of a stellar World Cup campaign. And judging by the team's postgame remarks, the players seem equal to the task. "We had a lot of chances and we could have done better in some defensive plays … But we're full of confidence. I'm not worried about it," said midfielder Brenden Aaronson. "I believe in this team," added winger Timothy Weah. "I think we've done such a great job to get to this point. When you look at the previous games against Australia and Paraguay, we just have to keep that same mentality." Next up: The Americans will take on Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 on Wednesday at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. Ecuador's Gonzalo Plata celebrates his game-winner. (Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images) More from Thursday: Group 😧 Third-place Paraguay and second-place Australia played to a 0-0 draw, with each gaining the vital fourth point needed to secure their places in the next round. Group E: With just 13 minutes to rescue Ecuador's World Cup dreams, Gonzalo Plata poked a corner kick past Manuel Neuer to beat Germany 2-1 and claim a place in the Round of 32. Ivory Coast clinched second place with a 2-0 win over Curaçao, booking their first-ever trip to the knockouts. Group F: The Netherlands beat Tunisia 3-1 to finish on top of the group and earn a date with Morocco. Sweden, thanks to this sensational equalizer, salvaged a critical draw against second-place Japan that will see them advance from third. Standings, clinching scenarios for the remainder of the group stage   ⚾️ MIDSUMMER CLASSIC ALL-STAR VOTING UPDATE: TOO MANY JAYS? Your AL leading vote-getter, Ernie Clement. (Mark Blinch/Getty Images) MLB All-Star voting has long been in the hands of the fans. But given the state of this year's ballot, it might be time to look into changing that tradition. Blue Jays everywhere: The Phase 1 voting results were revealed on Thursday, with the top two players at each position (and top six outfielders) moving onto Phase 2. And while the NL ballot appears to roughly correlate to performance, the AL ballot features Blue Jays at every single position. That includes 2B Ernie Clement — a good if unspectacular player — who's officially a starter after leading all AL players with 3.2 million votes. His 1.2 WAR ranks 63rd in the AL. 😄 Shea Langeliers (Athletics), Alejandro Kirk (Blue Jays) 1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays), Ben Rice (Yankees) SS: Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals), Andrés Giménez (Blue Jays) 3B: Kazuma Okamoto (Blue Jays), Junior Caminero (Rays) OF: Aaron Judge (Yankees), Mike Trout (Angels), Byron Buxton (Twins), Cody Bellinger (Yankees), Daulton Varsho (Blue Jays), Jesús Sánchez (Blue Jays) DH: Yordan Alvarez (Astros) vs. George Springer (Blue Jays) Ballot stuffing: This isn't a new phenomenon, but it's perhaps never been quite so egregious. Consider that Toronto is just 39-42 and doesn't have a single player with an OPS over .800. It makes sense, though: American baseball fans have 29 teams to choose from, Canadians have one. They have every right to vote for their guys, it just might dilute what should be the special honor of being named an All-Star. (Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) NL: The leading vote-getter on the Senior Circuit makes a little more sense, with Shohei Ohtani (3.3M votes) earning the start at DH. And while there are a lot of Dodgers and Braves below, that's less about ballot stuffing than a crop of really good players on really good teams. 😄 Drake Baldwin (Braves), Will Smith (Dodgers) 1B: Freddie Freeman (Dodgers), Matt Olson (Braves) 2B: Ozzie Albies (Braves), Bryson Stott (Phillies) SS: CJ Abrams (Nationals), Mookie Betts (Dodgers) 3B: Max Muncy (Dodgers), Alec Bohm (Phillies) OF: Andy Pages (Dodgers), Brandon Marsh (Phillies), Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves), Teoscar Hernández (Dodgers), Juan Soto (Mets), Michael Harris II (Braves) What's next: Phase 2 of voting runs from Monday through Thursday, with all starters, pitchers and reserves being announced on Saturday, July 4, for next month's Midsummer Classic in Philadelphia.   ⚽️ GROUP STAGE FINALE THE DISGRACE OF KANSAS CITY? West Germany advanced all the way to the 1982 World Cup Final after the Disgrace of Gijón. (AFP via Getty Images) 44 years ago, West Germany and Austria played one of the most controversial games in World Cup history, a match now known as the Disgrace of Gijón. Could we see history repeat itself tomorrow in Kansas City? State of play: Algeria and Austria play at Arrowhead Stadium tomorrow in the final time slot of the group stage (10pm ET, FS1), meaning they will know exactly what permutations would secure their progression, as well as the potential opponents that would come with it. Barring multi-goal defeat, both teams should advance to the Round of 32 behind group-winner Argentina. A draw would ensure safety, but because the second-place team in their group will likely face Spain (world No. 3) — while the third-place team is projected to face Switzerland (No. 17), or perhaps Egypt (No. 26) — it would actually be beneficial for both teams to lose. Thus, we could see a scenario play out where Algeria and Austria are both actively trying to lose tomorrow's matchup in Kansas City. Not exactly the final-time-slot-of-group-stage drama FIFA was hoping for. Flashback: Not only has this happened before, but both of these teams were involved! In 1982, Algeria was in second place after its group stage slate and looked set to advance to the knockouts, but West Germany and Austria still had one game left against each other in Gijón, Spain. They knew there was an exact result — a German win by one or two goals — that would see both teams go through at Algeria's expense. Germany scored in the 11th minute, and then both teams deployed their very best stall tactics for the rest of the game. It was an ugly scene that has since come to be known as the Disgrace of Gijón. Problem not solved: Though the collusion appeared obvious, FIFA was unable to prove any foul play; they did, however, shift the schedule for future World Cups so that all teams within a group play their final matches at the same time. Despite those efforts, this year's expanded format has opened the door for a potential "Disgrace of Kansas City."   📺 VIEWING GUIDE WEEKEND WATCHLIST Colombia fans hold up a replica of the World Cup trophy. (David Ramos/Getty Images) ⚽️ World Cup, Group Stage Finale We've almost reached the knockouts, with six more games today and tomorrow to close out the group stage. Of the 24 teams playing this weekend, four have clinched a spot in the Round of 32 (France, Norway, Argentina, Colombia) and just two have been eliminated (Jordan and Panama). Friday: Norway vs. France (3pm ET, Fox); Senegal vs. Iraq (3pm, FS1); Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia (8pm, FS1); Uruguay vs. Spain (8pm, Fox); Egypt vs. Iran (11pm, FS1); New Zealand vs. Belgium (11pm, Fox) Saturday: Croatia vs. Ghana (5pm, FS1); Panama vs. England (5pm, Fox); Colombia vs. Portugal (7:30pm, Fox); DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan (7:30pm, FS1); Algeria vs. Austria (10pm, FS1); Jordan vs. Argentina (10pm, Fox) Plus… The knockouts begin on Sunday in Los Angeles, where Canada takes on South Africa at SoFi Stadium (3pm, Fox). ⛳️ Women's PGA Championship The LPGA's third major continues this weekend (Fri-Sun, Golf/Peacock/NBC) at Minnesota's Hazeltine National Golf Club. Leaderboard: South Korea's Ina Yoon shot a scorching 9-under 63 on Thursday, tying the lowest round in tournament history. Australia's Karis Davidson (-7) isn't far behind, followed by American Alexa Pano (-5) and South Korea's A Lim Kim (-5). 🏒 NHL Draft The Maple Leafs are on the clock in Buffalo, where 32 young men will hear their names called tonight in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft (7pm, ESPN). Rounds 2-7 are tomorrow (11am, NHL), when another 192 prospects will continue their journey toward the professional ranks. Consensus No. 1: Penn State winger Gavin McKenna — the former WHL Rookie of the Year who ranked second in the nation with 1.46 points per game last season as a freshman for the Nittany Lions — is the heavy favorite to go first overall to Toronto. More to watch: ⚾️ MLB: Cubs at Brewers (Fri. 7:45pm, Apple); Dodgers at Padres (Fri. 9:45pm, Apple); Yankees at Red Sox (Sat. 1pm, ABC; Sun. 7:20pm, NBC) … A trio of heated rivalries headline this weekend's slate. ⚽️ NWSL Challenge Cup: Gotham FC vs. KC Current (Fri. 8pm, Prime) … The annual matchup between the reigning champions (Gotham) and Shield winners (KC) is taking place in Columbus, Ohio. 🏀 WNBA: Sparks at Fever (Sat. 8pm, CBS); Lynx at Wings (Sun. 2pm, CBS); Aces at Sky (Sun. 4pm, CBS); Liberty at Valkyries (Sun. 7pm, ESPN) ⛳️ PGA: Travelers Championship (Fri-Sun, ESPN+/Golf/NBC) … Eric Cole (-7) leads after Round 1 at TPC River Highlands, with Scottie Scheffler (-6) and Matt Fitzpatrick (-6) among the six golfers lurking one stroke back. 🏎️ F1: Austrian Grand Prix (Sun. 9am, Apple) … Can Lewis Hamilton follow up his first win at Ferrari with another victory? 🥍 PLL: Week 6 in San Diego (Sat-Sun, ESPN/ESPN+) … The WLL also plays one game on Saturday night (11pm, ESPN+). Plus: 🏁 NASCAR Cup Series at Sonoma Raceway (Sun. 3:30pm, TNT); 🎾 WTA's Bad Homburg Open (Fri-Sat, Tennis); 🏀 BIG3 Week 2 in Detroit (Sat. 4pm, CBS); 🏈 IFL Week 16 (Sat-Sun, Yahoo Sports). Got plans this weekend? Gametime is the best place to score last-minute tickets to the events in your city.   🥊 GO DEEPER GOOD READS: BOXING EDITION (Amy Monks/Yahoo Sports) Elliott Worsell, Uncrowned: Jaron 'Boots' Ennis is a new kind of Philly fighter The man they call "Boots" has long been hailed as boxing's future. Now, as he readies to challenge unified champion Xander Zayas, the latest heir to Philadelphia's rich fighting tapestry has a chance to become something far more difficult: the sport's present. (Josh Heim/Yahoo Sports) Lewis Watson, Uncrowned: I tried making weight like a fighter. Here's what I learned about combat sports' most dangerous addiction I set a weigh-in date, targeted 154 pounds (super welterweight) — which felt about right for my 35-year-old frame of 5-foot-11 — and put myself through something resembling a six-week training camp, as though a fight contract had just landed through my mailbox. How bad could it be? (Hassan Ahmad/Yahoo Sports) Elliott Worsell, Uncrowned: Ghosts of the USS Intrepid In June 2001, a nationally televised fight aboard a retired aircraft carrier left one man dead and another forever scarred. A quarter-century later, George Khalid Jones returns to the scene of one of boxing's most infamous tragedies to reckon with what remains.   ⚾ THE HOLY FATHER MLB TRIVIA (A.J. Pierzynski) On Thursday, former White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski gifted the baseball from the final out of Game 1 of the 2005 World Series to Pope Leo XIV, a White Sox fan who was in attendance that night. Question: Which team did the White Sox play (and beat) in that World Series? Hint: Their stadium had a hill in center field at the time. Answer at the bottom.   ⚽️ WHO YA GOT? WORLD CUP: MAKE YOUR PICKS! The knockout stage of the world's biggest soccer tournament is almost here! Pick your winners for each game in the Round of 32 in 2026 Soccer Pick 'Em from Yahoo Sports and FOX One. How to play: Make picks each round, earn points for correct predictions and climb the leaderboard. You can play solo against the field, create a private group with friends to compete for bragging rights, or join a public group to play with other fans.   🏎️ START YOUR ENGINES YAHOO SPORTS x APPLE TV (Apple) This weekend's Formula 1 Lenovo Austrian Grand Prix 2026 continues our season-long partnership with Apple TV for F1 coverage. Tune in: All three practice sessions (Fri. 7:30am/11am ET; Sat. 6:30am) and tomorrow's qualifying (10am) will air for free on Yahoo Sports, while Sunday's race (9am) will stream for free on Apple TV, the new U.S. home of Formula 1.   Trivia answer: Astros (they played in the NL until 2013)

Undocumented students could be banned from state university enrollment under looming rule change Undocumented students will be barred from enrolling in Florida’s state universities if a new admissions change continues to gain traction and is approved ahead of the 2027-2028 school year. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/06/25/undocumented-students-could-be-banned-from-university-enrollment-under-advancing-rule-change/? ‘No brainer’: DeSantis lauds SCOTUS for allowing deportations of Haitians, Syrians with TPS Gov. Ron DeSantis praised on Thursday the Trump administration’s impending mass deportations of Haitian and Syrian migrants legally sheltered within the United States as a “no brainer,” insisting many had abused the nation’s immigration system. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/06/25/no-brainer-desantis-lauds-scotus-for-allowing-deportations-of-haitians-syrians-with-tps/? State responds to union’s challenge to school voucher system legality Florida education officials say “speculative” damages caused by the state’s voucher system aren’t their fault. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/06/25/state-responds-to-unions-challenge-to-school-voucher-system-legality/? Campaign launches to oppose property tax cut constitutional amendment Three weeks after the Florida Legislature placed a proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would increase the state’s homestead property tax exemption, a political committee has launched a campaign opposing the measure. https://floridaphoenix.com/briefs/campaign-launches-to-oppose-property-tax-cut-constitutional-amendment/?

“Time Capsule” Cave Discovered in Israel Archaeologists have uncovered a prehistoric cave in Fureidis, Israel (south of Haifa), dating between 400,000 and 250,000 years ago. The archaeologists describe the cave as a “time capsule” because it remained largely undisturbed for hundreds of thousands of years. https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/time-capsule-cave-discovered-in-israel/?

Judge Corners DOJ for Covering Up Files on Trump’s 13-Year-Old Accuser Dozens of files related to the FBI’s interviews with Trump’s 13-year-old accuser are reportedly still sealed. A federal judge has cornered the Justice Department for withholding files on FBI interviews with the woman who accused Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her when she was 13. U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan ordered acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to release unredacted versions of several Jeffrey Epstein files, or explain why the DOJ should be allowed to keep them secret, as he sided with investigative journalist Katie Phang, who had accused Blanche of violating the Epstein Files Transparency Act. He gave the government until July 2 to comply. Sullivan’s decision covers FBI notes from interviews with a woman who claimed that Epstein introduced her to Trump in 1984, when she was about 13 years old, and that Trump forced her to perform a sexual act on him. Trump has denied the allegation. The South Carolina woman’s allegations were revealed in documents released as part of the DOJ’s Epstein files dump, including redacted FBI documents summarizing the interviews, but The Post and Courier reports that dozens of pages on the interviews have yet to be released. The woman was interviewed by the FBI four times about her allegations against Trump in 2019, soon after Epstein was arrested on suspicion of federal child sex offenses. The woman alleged that Epstein took her to a “very tall building with huge rooms.” Trump, she said, ordered everyone else out of the room, unzipped his pants, and pushed her head “down to his penis.” She then “bit the s--- out of” Trump’s penis, she said, after which he punched her in the head. The White House has denied the woman’s story. “The total baselessness of these accusations is also supported by the obvious fact that Joe Biden’s Department of Justice knew about them for four years and did nothing with them—because they knew President Trump did absolutely nothing wrong,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt previously told the Daily Beast. “As we have said countless times, President Trump has been totally exonerated by the release of the Epstein Files.” The DOJ and the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday’s court setback. In her suit, Phang had accused Blanche of violating the Epstein Files Transparency Act by failing to publish all the documents the government holds about the convicted sex trafficker and by improperly redacting documents. The DOJ has released roughly half of the 6 million pages of documents it collected on Epstein, and many of the disclosed files are heavily redacted. Blanche responded to Phang’s lawsuit by arguing that she cannot sue to compel the DOJ to release documents and must instead seek them through a Freedom of Information Act request. In his 48-page opinion, Sullivan concluded that Phang had the right to sue over unreleased files and that FOIA “does not provide an adequate remedy.” In addition to ordering the DOJ to release the documents requested by Phang or “show cause” why it cannot comply, Sullivan also ordered the agency to release a log listing every redaction it has made to the files it has published, as required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. https://www.thedailybeast.com/judge-corners-doj-over-covering-up-files-on-trumps-13-year-old-accuser/? ps:Pathetic!!!!!

JD Vance Gleefully Compares Himself to His Hero Nixon The VP claimed the fact Watergate took down a president was “crazy.” JD Vance has gleefully compared himself to disgraced former President Richard Nixon while downplaying the biggest scandal in U.S. political history. Vance, 41, was not born when the investigations into five operatives connected to Nixon’s re-election campaign were arrested for burglarizing and wiretapping the Democratic headquarters in 1972. It led to Nixon’s resignation during his second term in 1974. However, on Thursday, Vance shared his admiration for the only U.S. president so far to have been forced to resign while speaking at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in California, promoting his new memoir, Communion. Vance claimed that Nixon’s legacy is currently “enjoying a bit of a renaissance,” highlighting his diplomatic achievements in ending the Vietnam War and opening relations with China. “If Watergate happened tomorrow, it would be like a 12-hour news story. The idea that it would have taken down a presidency is crazy,” Vance stated. He then made the bold claim, “If you look at the story of how the deep state took down Richard Nixon, it’s not all that different from what the same groups of people, the same institutions tried to do to Donald Trump in the first Trump administration.” Vance also compared himself to the 37th president, whom he called a “political genius.” “Young senator, vice president, writes some bestselling books, is hated by the media,” he said. “It kind of sounds like JD Vance. I’ve always liked Richard Nixon.” Nixon died in 1994 at the age of 81, four days after suffering a major stroke. Vance’s comments blew up online on Thursday, as footage of his remarks was shared on social media. Pod Save America host Tommy Vietor pointed out some of the crimes exposed by the journalists who uncovered the Watergate scandal. “Thanks to Watergate, we know that Nixon’s staff broke into his political opponent’s HQ & Ellsberg’s psychiatrist’s office, and that Nixon himself approved obstructing justice to cover these crimes up, tried to use the IRS to punish enemies, and was cool with breaking finance law,” Vietor posted on X. He added that Vance “sold his soul for power, so it’s not remotely surprising that he is now fine with all of this stuff!” One X user said Vance was “vice-signaling,” adding that, “Politicians used to signal virtue, now they just signal vice. They signal how much they’ll hurt the other side.” Award-winning crime author Don Winslow said Vance’s comments were “So. F---ing. Revealing,” while comedian Stacy Cay noted, “The joke is that they’re doing so many crimes now that nobody would care about Nixon.” The Daily Beast has contacted the White House and Vance’s office for comment. Vance has already had an awkward week online, after a cringeworthy exchange with his pregnant wife, Usha, 40, also went viral. The couple appeared on a Father’s Day special of Storytime with the Second Lady, where Vance gingerly tapped his wife’s knee twice after she introduced him. “The face Usha Vance makes when JD touches her knee is a cry for help if I’ve ever seen one,” Democratic strategist Mike Nellis said on X.“Holy s---. This painfully awkward JD Vance moment is going viral,” anti-MAGA influencer Joe Gallina noted. “I’ve seen more chemistry during the Iran negotiations. This guy will never be president.” https://www.thedailybeast.com/jd-vance-gleefully-compares-himself-to-his-hero-richard-nixon/?

Ukraine unleashes one of its heaviest drone bombardments of Russia Ukraine launched a major nighttime attack on a dozen Russian regions, Russian-held Crimea and the surrounding seas, Moscow’s Defense Ministry said Friday, in what appeared to be one of Kyiv’s biggest drone assaults since the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion more than four years ago. https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-biggest-drone-attack-a356e2a119f3cb9422ede6acbedf56f3

What to know about Harvey Weinstein’s cases after a rape charge was dropped NEW YORK (AP) — New York prosecutors have dropped a rape charge against Harvey Weinstein instead of trying it a fourth time. His accuser supported Thursday’s decision, which puts an end to one piece of a landmark #MeToo-era prosecution. https://apnews.com/article/harvey-weinstein-charge-what-to-know-ef55d33b5d80e423b56d7f897e00eb5e?

Venezuelans take search for the missing into their own hands as earthquake death toll climbs LA GUAIRA, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelans took the search for missing loved ones into their own hands Friday in the aftermath of back-to-back earthquakes, citing the scarcity of government rescuers, as the human toll of the disaster climbed to at least 920 dead and more than 51,000 missing. https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-caracas-guaira-earthquakes-dead-injured-missing-b07aff1cb886cfe616a0e89b3687b8b8?

Reflecting Pool liner was cut with a sharp knife or razor, National Park Service says The cut caused damage to the foam sealant installed as part of a $16 million rehabilitation project, said Frank Lands, deputy director of operations for the park service. Read more. Why this matters: Lands made the statement in a court document filed late Wednesday as part of a lawsuit filed by a nonprofit organization to halt the Trump administration’s work on the project. His statement does not say when exactly the damage occurred or whether it was a suspected case of vandalism and does not identify anyone who might have been involved. This is the first time the Republican administration has offered specifics for when and how the Reflecting Pool may have been damaged after work on the project was substantially completed. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ immigration detention center has closed, governor says Vance, an admirer of Richard Nixon, says Watergate would be ‘a 12-hour news story’ today Judge blocks Trump plan that would limit graduate student loans in nursing and other fields DEA asks watchdog to investigate claims that agents permitted fentanyl to hit the streets Federal judge halts Trump’s election executive order seeking to create a federal voter list Supreme Court strikes down Hawaii law requiring permission to carry guns in stores and hotels Norman Rockwell people-watched in the West Wing lobby. Now those sketches are on public display

US Senator warns of administration plan to hastily remove over 500 unaccompanied migrant children WASHINGTON (AP) — A Democratic U.S. senator warns the Trump administration is getting ready to round up 500 immigrant children in a hasty effort to remove them from the country, bypassing legal protections. It would be their second attempt after a federal court intervened last year in an overnight plan to fly out hundreds of children on Labor Day weekend. https://apnews.com/article/migrant-children-deportation-border-trump-wyden-853585bc4efd13e59eccfb43fc4d0ceb? President Donald Trump and the citizenship debate: A Tijuana story TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) — Vivianne Petit Frere’s brightly painted Haitian restaurant sits blocks from the towering U.S. border wall in Tijuana. https://apnews.com/article/mexico-birthright-citizenship-haitians-supreme-court-trump-b87e79b570559f4b7445bcca0fdf2d8f?

Supreme Court’s ruling to end protections for Haitian, Syrian immigrants could have broader impact Thursday’s decision to end temporary legal protections to about 350,000 Haitians and 6,000 Syrians may be a sign of what’s in store for nearly 1.3 million people from 17 countries on Temporary Protected Status. Read more. What to know: The decision exposes TPS holders from Haiti and Syria to potential detention and deportation. It could also pave the way for hundreds of thousands of other beneficiaries with pending asylum claims or other immigration relief to be forced to leave the country. Many have lived and worked in the United States for decades and have American children. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Supreme Court clears way for Trump administration to revive restrictive policy for asylum seekers

Rent board fulfills Mamdani’s vow to freeze the rent on 1 million NYC apartments NEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani barreled into City Hall vowing to tackle the city’s notoriously high cost of living, partly by fulfilling a campaign promise repeated with almost monomaniacal zeal in social media ads, speeches and rallies: “As your next mayor, I will freeze your rent.” https://apnews.com/article/zohran-mamdani-nyc-rent-freeze-28e6f1bdd100af1e176ede569aab20fb?

UN agency pauses evacuation of ships through the Strait of Hormuz after attack on vessel DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A United Nations agency paused the evacuation of ships through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday after the British military said a vessel was hit by a projectile off the coast of Oman following the passage of several tankers that used a route backed by the U.N. https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-israel-war-hormuz-strait-june-25-2026-862164c2aecbdc376dea434198eaf75f?

Inflation jumps again with gas prices running higher than in past years The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge rose to a new three-year high in May as gas prices peaked, a sign rising costs could pose political problems for President Donald Trump and his political party as midterm elections near. Read more. What to know: Consumer prices rose 4.1% in May from a year earlier, the Commerce Department said Thursday. The increase was largely driven by more expensive gas, as well as pricier semiconductors and other computer equipment that are in high demand for the AI buildout. Oil and gas prices have fallen substantially since Trump agreed to a peace deal with Iran earlier this month, according to AAA. But gas prices are still more than 20% above prices at this time last year. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ US economy expanded at solid 2.1% pace in January-March, government says

Can Coffee Help Prevent Prostate Cancer? Some people can’t face the day before their first cup of coffee. It turns out that your mug of joe might offer more benefits than just a morning jolt. Several studies suggest that coffee may lower a man’s odds of getting prostate cancer. https://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/coffee-prevent-prostate-cancer? Prostate Cancer Symptoms There are no warning signs of early prostate cancer. You can’t feel the growing tumor pushing against anything else, so there’s no pain. You can have the disease for years and not know it. That’s why regular prostate cancer screenings are so important. https://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/understanding-prostate-cancer-symptoms? What to Know About Supplements and Prostate Health The prostate is a small gland located beneath the bladder and in front of the rectum. It's a male reproductive organ that produces semen and plays an essential role in the urinary system. https://www.webmd.com/men/what-to-know-about-supplements-and-prostate-health? Things That May Slow Prostate Cancer Progression https://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/ss/slideshow-prostate-cancer-slow-progression? Slideshow: Foods to Boost Male Health https://www.webmd.com/men/ss/slideshow-foods-to-boost-male-health? ps:A few of these I don't buy, because first of all God didn't give us meat to eat! He gave us grains, nuts, fruits so those I understand!! Can I Prevent BPH? Men with BPH have a larger-than-normal prostate. Some 9 in 10 men will have it by the time they’re in their 80s. Even with those chances, you still might ask: Are there things I can do to prevent it? https://www.webmd.com/men/prostate-enlargement-bph/can-i-prevent-bph? 6 Conditions That Can Mimic Prostate Cancer https://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/ss/cm/slideshow-conditions-that-mimic-prostate-cancer? How to Lower Your PSA Levels Naturally https://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/ss/cm/slideshow-lower-psa-levels-naturally? Slideshow: A Visual Guide to Enlarged Prostate (BPH) https://www.webmd.com/men/prostate-enlargement-bph/ss/cm/slideshow-bph-overview? Best Types of Science-Backed Therapies for Prostate Cancer https://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/ss/cm/therapies-for-prostate-cancer?