News of the World
06-09-2025, 10:28 PM
CALIFORNIA
Quote:President Donald Trump called for more troops to enter Los Angeles amid rioting in the Californian city that stemmed from protests against immigration enforcement.
The Republican president is deploying 2,000 California National Guard troops to L.A. to quell turmoul on the streets, despite opposition from Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom.
Of those, about 300 National Guard troops were on the ground by Sunday morning, Newsom's office told ABC News.
"Looking really bad in L.A. BRING IN THE TROOPS!!!" President Trump posted to his Truth Social platform in the early hours of Monday morning.
Why It Matters
Protesters have been demonstrating against the Trump administration's ICE raids in the city. Hundreds of protesters and federal immigration authorities in riot gear have clashed for three nights running.
The clashes highlight deepening conflicts between sanctuary jurisdictions and federal immigration policy, as Trump has implemented sweeping changes through executive orders and utilized the wartime Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expand deportation authority.
Quote:Dramatic footage, above, showed two motorbike riders trying to break through police lines during the protests in Los Angeles against immigration enforcement in the city.
Newsweek has contacted the Los Angeles Police Department, via email, for comment.
Why It Matters
Protests have rocked Los Angeles at the weekend, with demonstrators attempting to deter immigration raids and detentions by federal officials seeking to deport those in the U.S. illegally.
While the raids are following legal directive from federal authorities, protests have erupted amid reports that detainees were being held in the basement of a federal building. ICE denied these allegations, with a spokesperson previously telling Newsweek the agency "categorically refutes the assertions made by immigration activists in Los Angeles."
Scenes have turned violent, showing with burning cars and protesters seen hurling heavy objects at police vehicles.
President Donald Trump has deployed National Guard troops to quell the unrest, despite opposition from state and local leaders, who accused him of fanning the flames.
What To Know
The first rider, draped in the national flag of Guatemala, can be seen revving his engine and driving from the crowd through the police line, though he was quickly stopped and forced off his bike.
Shortly after, a second motorbike rider tries the same, bursting through the line and colliding with an officer before falling off and also being detained.
As riot officers fired rubber bullets toward the crowd, voices can be heard yelling "stay on the line" and "hold the line."
Quote:More than a dozen cops were forced to flee their vehicles and shelter beneath an underpass as their cars were pelted with rocks thrown by protesters in Los Angeles on Sunday.
The demonstrators were on the streets to march against a wave of immigration raids ordered by President Donald Trump. The group of California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers appeared trapped as they hunkered beneath the bridge while missiles rained down, including – at one point – an electric scooter.
The chaos erupted in a cacophony of noise, as cars on the other side of the freeways honked their horns, rocks smashed into vehicles, and explosions from flash-bangs or firecrackers rocked the area.
Newsweek has reached out to California Highway Patrol by email seeking comment.
Why It Matters
The incident, which unfolded on Sunday afternoon, occurred during increasingly violent protests against a series of immigration raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE], which have targeted businesses and day laborers as they gathered for work across the city.
Trump has deployed the National Guard to LA, sparking condemnation from California Governor Gavin Newsom who said the move was a "breach" of state sovereignty and was "intentionally designed to inflame the situation."
What To Know
Sunday brought a third day of tensions as police and protesters faced-off across the city. Some skirmishes involved the use of tear gas and rubber bullets by authorities, while elsewhere demonstrators torched cars and thew make-shift missiles at the authorities.
Quote:President Donald Trump has responded to Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom's dare to "arrest" him over his response to the ongoing protests against raids by Los Angeles Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Trump was returning to the White House on Monday, when he was asked by reporters about Newsom's taunt to border czar, Tom Homan. "I would do it, if I were Tom," Trump said. "It would be great."
Newsom has condemned Trump's comments, in a post on X, calling them an "unmistakable step to authoritarianism."
Why It Matters
Wide-scale protests broke out in L.A. on Saturday after ICE carried out multiple raids across the city. The situation rapidly escalated after the Trump administration deployed the National Guard, despite objections from Newsom and other state and city officials.
While the raids are based on federal authorities' legal directives, protests have broken out following reports that detainees were being held in the basement of a federal building. ICE denied these allegations, a spokesperson previously telling Newsweek the agency "categorically refutes the assertions made by immigration activists in Los Angeles."
What To Know
Homan vowed over the weekend to continue the ICE raids everyday despite the protests, and warned that anyone who tried to interfere could face federal charges, including elected officials.
When asked if that could include Newsom or L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, Homan suggested it could.
"I'll say it about anybody," Homan told MSNBC. "You cross that line, it's a felony to knowingly harbor and conceal an illegal alien. It's a felony to impede law enforcement doing their job."
Both Newsom and Bass have criticized the border czar's comments, the L.A. mayor calling the threat "unnecessary" and saying she won't brawl with the federal government.
A defiant Newsom told Homan to "come and get me."
"Trump's border czar is threatening to arrest me for speaking out," Newsom vowed in a post on X. "Come and get me, tough guy. I don't give a damn,"
Quote:he area around San Francisco was rocked by an earthquake on Sunday night, as downtown demonstrations took place against federal immigration raids and President Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles.
The 3.3-magnitude quake in California struck about 1 mile northwest of Pinole, about 20 miles north of downtown San Francisco, shortly after 9:30 p.m., according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). There have been no reports of any injuries or damage to buildings.
Newsweek reached out by email, outside of usual working hours on Monday, to the office of San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, seeking further information and comment.
Why It Matters
A "community internet intensity map" on the USGS website revealed self-reports from more than 4,000 people who said they had felt the tremors. The respondents had submitted their experiences via the agency's "Did You Feel It?" questionnaire, and the data has not yet been checked or verified by scientists. Some "light" or "weak" shaking was reportedly felt across San Francisco, Berkeley, Concord, and northwards up toward Santa Rosa.
Protests in San Francisco began on Sunday in solidarity with Los Angeles against federal immigration enforcement, with isolated incidents of violence and looting. In response, Trump announced the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to restore order, without California Governor Gavin Newsom's consent.
Laughable indeed. They should better thank God it wasn't a 6 or 7-magnitude quake instead. 
Quote:Authorities are investigating a deadly plane crash that occurred Sunday afternoon about 5 miles off the coast near San Diego, where a small aircraft carrying six people went down into the Pacific Ocean shortly after takeoff.
The U.S. Coast Guard reported discovering a debris field near Point Loma, and launched a coordinated search operation in waters approximately 200 feet deep. As of Monday, all six people aboard the plane have been confirmed dead, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The Context
This incident follows a string of aviation accidents in Southern California in recent months. In May, six people were killed when a private jet crashed into a residential neighborhood in San Diego, and another crash that month resulted in three fatalities and nine missing after a boat capsized nearby.
The current crash site is not far from those previous incidents.
What To Know
According to the FAA, the twin-engine Cessna 414 took off from San Diego International Airport at approximately 12:30 p.m. Sunday and was en route to Phoenix. The flight was returning to Arizona after departing from there a day earlier, according to FlightAware.
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot signaled distress, reporting he was struggling to maintain heading and altitude. Air traffic control instructed the aircraft to climb to 4,000 feet, but the pilot said the plane was only at 1,000 feet. Controllers attempted to guide him to land at a U.S. naval airport on Coronado Island, but the pilot responded that he couldn't see the runway. Moments later, he issued repeated "Mayday" distress calls before radar contact was lost.
FAA records reviewed by Newsweek show the aircraft was registered to Optimal Health Systems, a nutritional supplements company based in Pima, Arizona. However, the company clarified in a statement that it sold the aircraft in 2023 to private individuals and that the FAA's database may be outdated.
Quote:Former Vice President Kamala Harris defended the "overwhelmingly peaceful" protesters in her home state of California while criticizing President Donald Trump's deployment of National Guard troops as a "dangerous escalation" and "cruel" on the third consecutive day of violent clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement.
The protests, which began last week in response to federal immigration enforcement operations by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), have escalated into sustained confrontations involving rock-throwing, alleged Molotov cocktails, burning vehicles, and arrests across multiple Los Angeles locations.
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Trump's administration has pledged to carry out the largest mass deportation in U.S. history and has conducted numerous ICE raids, some of which have swept up individuals with proper documentation.
The president announced on Saturday evening that he had authorized the mobilization of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles after violence against law enforcement—specifically, ICE agents carrying out deportation raids in the city.
While the raids are following legal directive from federal authorities, protests have erupted amid reports that detainees were being held in the basement of a federal building. ICE denied these allegations, with a spokesperson previously telling Newsweek the agency "categorically refutes the assertions made by immigration activists in Los Angeles."
The clashes highlight deepening conflicts between sanctuary jurisdictions and federal immigration policy, as Trump has implemented sweeping changes through executive orders and utilized the wartime Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expand deportation authority.
This reminds me of the reporter that once claimed that one of the Antifa protests that took place about 5 years ago was peaceful as well. It didn't matter if the scenario where they were broadcasting from was full of tires and even whole cars burning like crazy. Not to mention the protesters were also firing at people and breaking into stores back then.
Quote:California Republican lawmakers are largely backing President Donald Trump's decision to send the National Guard into Los Angeles amid immigration protests, with Representative Kevin Kiley telling Newsweek that the president chose to "protect federal officers and LA citizens because Governor Newsom has refused to do so."
Why It Matters
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have conducted raids across the country and have faced large protests in Los Angeles, as Trump's administration pledged to carry out the largest mass deportations in U.S. history.
While the raids are following legal directive from federal authorities, protests have erupted amid reports that detainees were being held in the basement of a federal building. ICE denied these allegations, with a spokesperson previously telling Newsweek the agency "categorically refutes the assertions made by immigration activists in Los Angeles."
The clashes highlight deepening conflicts between sanctuary jurisdictions and federal immigration policy, as Trump has implemented sweeping changes through executive orders and utilized the wartime Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expand deportation authority.
Trump deployed 2,000 California National Guard troops to quell the protests in Los Angeles, sparking opposition from Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, who has said the move is "unlawful" and a "serious breach of state sovereignty." Some Republicans in the state, however, are siding with the president.
What to Know
Representative Kiley responded to Trump's move to call in the National Guard in a statement to Newsweek.
"The acts of violence, lawlessness, and obstruction we are seeing in Los Angeles pose an ongoing risk to public safety," Kiley said. "The President has chosen to protect federal officers and LA citizens because Governor Newsom has refused to do so. I am praying for everyone's safety during this time."
He said ICE officials are looking for "illegal immigrants with criminal convictions and existing deportation orders" and criticized Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for their handling of the situation, accusing them of choosing to "obstruct and interfere with these standard operations."
Quote:Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has reacted following mass protests in Los Angeles over President Donald Trump's immigration agenda, urging the Mexican community there to remain peaceful.
During her daily press briefing on Monday, Sheinbaum condemned reported acts of violence over the weekend: "We do not agree with violent actions as a form of protest. Burning police cars appears to be more an act of provocation than of resistance. We condemn violence, no matter where it comes from. We call on the Mexican community to act pacifically and not allow itself to be provoked."
Why It Matters
Protestors clashed with federal authorities over the weekend in response to the White House's immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles. On Sunday morning, the first wave of up to 2,000 National Guard troops arrived in the city following the outbreak of demonstrations two days earlier. California Governor Gavin Newsom has since urged the federal government to reconsider the deployment and transfer control back to the state.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is facing widespread backlash as it moves forward with what it calls the largest mass deportation effort in U.S. history. Newsweek has revealed dozens of cases of non-violent immigrants being detained by federal agents.
While these raids are being conducted under federal authorities, protests erupted after reporters emerged that detainees were allegedly being held in the basement of a federal building. ICE has denied the allegations.
The clash between protestors and law enforcement casts a spotlight on the growing tensions between sanctuary cities and the federal government as Trump's White House reshapes immigration policy with sweeping enforcement measures.
Quote:Iran has seized on violent protests rocking Los Angeles to mock the United States, ramping up social media taunts and state media headlines.
As federal immigration raids triggered days of unrest and National Guard deployment, Tehran's outlets amplified scenes of chaos to question American stability and governance. The trolling reflects broader tensions between the two nations, with Iran eager to capitalize on U.S. domestic turmoil.
Newsweek has reached out to the State Department and Iran's foreign ministry for comment.
Why It Matters
By amplifying scenes of chaos tied to immigration enforcement, Tehran aims to portray the Trump Administration as fractured, authoritarian, and morally compromised at a time of tense nuclear negotiations and long-term strains.
Against this backdrop, Iran is leveraging social media and state media to frame the U.S. as unstable and hypocritical—part of a broader strategy to weaken its global credibility amid deepening diplomatic tensions.
What to Know
Iran's state-linked outlets have ramped up efforts to mock the unrest in Los Angeles, taking direct aim at former President Donald Trump's signature slogan.
The Tehran Times ran a bold front page reading "Make America Quashed Again," a clear play on "Make America Great Again." On social media, a military-affiliated X account echoed the jab with the caption "Make Mexico Great Again!" over a photo of a protestor waving a Mexican flag —tying the border crisis to America's internal chaos. The coordinated barbs cast the U.S. as destabilized and in decline, turning Trump's branding against him.
OTHER US NEWS
Quote:Costco has recalled potentially contaminated products including Coca-Cola's Topo Chico Mineral Water and a selection of Fresh & Ready Foods' sandwiches, in six states.
The Coca-Cola recall applies to Costco shoppers in Texas and Louisiana, while those in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Washington should be aware of the Fresh & Ready Foods recall.
Newsweek has contacted Costco outside of regular working hours via email for comment.
Why It Matters
The recalls target a wide geographic area and involve widely consumed items, raising safety concerns among Costco's large U.S. membership base.
The sandwiches were recalled due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can cause listeriosis.
Listeriosis can result in fever, muscle aches, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. The infection can also be fatal in older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
The Coca-Cola product was recalled due to possible contamination with pseudomonas, a bacteria found naturally in water sources, which can cause Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. It can affect your skin, blood, lungs, GI tract and other parts of your body, and those with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable.
Quote:Mass protests across the country are being scheduled for Tesla CEO Elon Musk's birthday on June 28, led by the Tesla Takedown movement.
Despite no longer being part of the government, Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) policies and his continued impact as a private citizen are still being felt across the country, from mass governmental layoffs to his involvement in running companies with large government contracts.
The "Musk Must Fall" protests are planned for cities across the country, including in "red" states of Texas, Missouri, Georgia, and Ohio, with the Tesla Takedown team saying: "And our birthday gift to the Broligarch in Chief? A global party with one powerful message: Musk Must Fall."
Tesla has been contacted via email for comment.
Why It Matters
Musk retains a lot of power over global politics as he is capable of endless donations to political parties and aiding in message amplification as the owner of X (formerly Twitter).
According to public polls, he was an unpopular member of the Trump administration and, since leaving, has been in a public feud with President Donald Trump. Despite some political commentators recommending that Democrats try to win Musk and his billions over to their side, these protests show that Musk is still a deeply unpopular figure in American politics.
What To Know
Protests are planned for June 28 in 15 states: Virginia, California, Washington, Florida, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon, Texas, Idaho, Ohio, Missouri, as well as the District of Columbia. There are also protests planned overseas in the UK.
Quote:Some U.S. states are attempting to ban Chinese citizens from buying land and property, amid souring diplomatic relations between the countries.
By 2024, more than two thirds of states had enacted or considered laws limiting or barring foreign land ownership including states that specifically mention China by name, according to POLITICO.
According to the non-profit membership organization the Committee of 100, in total 27 states have considered this kind of legislation. However, the group has not shared a list of those states.
Newsweek has rounded up a non-exhaustive list of states that have been involved in this kind of legislation, based on publicly available information. Some states do not name China explicitly, but name foreign nations that would likely include China.
Why It Matters
There has been a wave of concern over Chinese land purchases in the United States, some of which have taken place close to military bases. This comes amid soaring tensions between the U.S. and China including trade clashes between the two giants and national security concerns.
However, as of USDA data accurate to 2023, Chinese investors own land in the U.S. equivalent to roughly twice the size of the footprint of New York City.
What To Know
A number of states have considered legislation on the issue. In May, the Texas legislature passed a bill to ban people tied to the governments of China, North Korea, Russia and Iran from purchasing land in the state.
In January, Republican senators in Arkansas introduced the Not One More Inch or Acre Act which would prohibit any Chinese citizen, entity or foreign person acting on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from purchasing public or private real estate in the U.S.
UKRAINE WAR
Quote:Ukrainian drones struck two major facilities supplying Russia's military on Monday, dealing a double blow to President Vladimir Putin's war machine.
The facilities struck in early morning attacks were a plant in the Chuvash Republic, which produces navigation systems for Russian drones and missiles, and a gunpowder factory in Kazan, according to local reports.
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Why It Matters
Kyiv's efforts to target Russian military facilities will impact Putin's war effort in Ukraine. Efforts led by Washington to bring an end to the conflict are faltering, and both sides have launched large-scale attacks in recent weeks.
What To Know
On Monday morning, local media reported that Ukrainian drones struck a facility producing electrical equipment for Putin's military, located some 900 kilometers from the Ukrainian border in the Russian city of Cheboksary in the Republic of Chuvashia.
The head of the republic, Oleg Nikolaev, confirmed the attack. He said in a post on his Telegram channel that the facility suspended operations after it was struck by two drones.
No casualties were reported, he said.
The ASTRA Telegram channel, a project run by independent Russian journalists, published a video that appears to show the aftermath of the strike on the facility.
"Several explosions have rocked Cheboksary in the Chuvash Republic. Thick black smoke is visible over the city," the channel said.
Local residents reportedly saw at least two drones over the city before at least six explosions were heard and black smoke observed. Air defense systems were activated.
Ukrainian news outlet Focus said a second facility—"a gunpowder factory"—was struck in Kazan, a city in southwest Russia.
Quote:An F-16 fighter jet given to Ukraine reportedly shot down an advanced Russian plane thanks to the assistance of a Swedish reconnaissance aircraft.
German newspaper Bild said the Russian Sukhoi Su-35 jet had been downed in the northeast of the country in an operation it described as a "historic first."
Earlier, Ukraine's Air Force had said Saturday it had downed a Su-35 in Russia's Kursk Oblast, although it gave no further details.
The details of the incident reported by Bild and Ukrainian social media users have not been independently verified. Newsweek reached out to the Russian and Ukrainian defense ministries for comment.
Why It Matters
The fourth-generation F-16s arrived in Ukraine to much fanfare after the Biden administration finally allowed Kyiv's allies to provide them in a move that was hoped to change the battlefield calculus.
If confirmed, the operation in which an F-16 worked with a Swedish reconnaissance plane to down a Russian fighter would highlight a new level in Ukraine's aviation capabilities.
What To Know
During a fight on Saturday in the northeastern Sumy region, Ukraine's Air Force used its fighter jets to bomb Russian positions inside the country and in Russia's nearby Kursk region, Bild reported. The outlet said Russia sent a high-tech Sukhoi Su-35 "air superiority fighter" into battle to down the Ukrainian fighter jets, but the Russian pilot "flew into an ambush."
Ukraine had deployed a Swedish Saab 340 AEW&C (Early Warning and Control) reconnaissance aircraft, which had been discreetly tracking the Russian jet from hundreds of miles away.
Quote:The Ukraine war won't end until NATO withdraws troops from the Baltics, a top Russian official has warned.
Sergei Ryabkov, Russia's deputy foreign minister responsible for U.S. relations, nonproliferation and arms control, made the remarks in an interview with state-run news agency Tass.
Newsweek has reached out to the Kremlin and NATO for comment by email.
Why It Matters
Ryabkov's comments mark a shift in the Kremlin's position. He suggested that the conflict's roots lie not only in Ukraine itself but in NATO's eastward expansion. According to Ryabkov, the withdrawal of NATO forces from the Baltics would help bring an end to the war.
What To Know
NATO maintains a strong military presence in the Baltic States, with multinational battle groups and brigades stationed in Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.
The military alliance bolstered its presence in the region in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It said in an update on June 6 that the eight battle groups "demonstrate the strength of the trans-Atlantic bond and the Alliance's solidarity, determination and ability to respond to any aggression."
Also, Sweden and Finland have switched from being neutral to joining NATO since the invasion.
The Kremlin had said Ukraine must abandon its ambitions to join NATO as a condition for ending the war, but Ryabkov appeared to signal to Tass that the alliance must withdraw completely from the Baltics as well.
Quote:Russian leader Vladimir Putin has approved a development strategy for Russia's Navy for the next 25 years, one of his key aides has said.
Nikolai Patrushev, who heads Russia's Maritime Board, told media that the Russian president had last month signed off plans for the Navy until 2050.
Retired U.S. Vice Admiral Robert Murrett told Newsweek on Monday that it was difficult to see how the strategy can transform Russia into one of the world's future leading naval powers.
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Russia has the world's third-most-powerful navy after China and the U.S. but it has faced setbacks in the Ukraine war due to Kyiv's drones and missile attacks, which pushed much of Moscow's Black Sea Fleet back from its main base in Crimea.
Amid its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia's military resources have been strained as Putin ramps up defense spending to record levels.
Patrushev's announcement highlights Moscow's long-term planning to keep its status as a naval power in the face of Western sanctions and military setbacks, raising questions about future security and geopolitical stability in the region.
What To Know
Patrushev, a former head of the FSB who has close ties to Putin, told the publication Arguments and Facts that the Russian president had approved on May 30 the "Strategy for the Development of the Russian Navy up to 2050."
Quote:The proportion of Russians who view the U.S. as the most hostile country towards Moscow has almost halved over the last year, according to a survey.
The poll by the independent Levada Center found 40 percent of respondents agreed that the U.S. was the most hostile nation towards Russia, down from 76 percent in 2024.
Aleksei Miniailo, an independent Russian sociologist who founded a separate polling group called Chronicles, told Newsweek Monday that the Levada figures show how fragile the effect of anti-U.S. propaganda in Russia actually is.
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Why It Matters
The Kremlin and its propagandists have framed Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine as a proxy war with the West, regularly issuing nuclear threats towards Kyiv's allies.
However the Levada center polling shows shows that this antipathy towards the U.S. is not shared by most Russians, which could be a backdrop to a thawing of ties between the countries since President Donald Trump came into office.
What To Know
The Levada Center asked 1,613 Russian adults between May 22 and May 28 about their attitudes to different countries in a poll with a margin of error no greater than 3.4 percent.
ASIA
Quote:ndia is preparing to bolster its intelligence and surveillance capabilities with the acquisition of advanced I-STAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance) aircraft, in a major boost to the Air Force's ability to counter challenges posed by Pakistan and China, according to news reports.
Newsweek has reached out to India's Defense Ministry and the Pakistani government for comment.
Why It Matters
The reports follows the worst confrontation in decades with Pakistan and underlined India's plan to strengthen aerial reconnaissance and to reduce reliance on foreign arms.
Pakistan performed strongly in air combat in May with the help of jets from China, which is another strategic rival of India's and is also locked in territorial disputes.
Tensions remain high between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan, despite U.S. diplomatic efforts that helped bring about a ceasefire.
What To Know
The project, at an estimated cost of 10,000 Indian Rupee (approximately $1.2 billion), involves integrating indigenous sensor systems onto foreign-made airframes and is expected to be reviewed by the defense ministry, according to news agency ANI, citing defense officials.
The systems for I-STAR have been developed by the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) which integrates advanced airborne surveillance platforms for the Indian military. The I-STAR could mark a leap in the Indian Air Force's (IAF) ability to conduct precision strikes and monitor enemy movements.
Quote:India concluded a massive two-day air combat drill along its southern border with Pakistan, according to multiple Indian news outlets.
Newsweek has reached out to the Indian Defense Ministry and the office of Pakistan's prime minister for comment.
Why It Matters
The exercise took place nearly a month after India launched its military campaign "Operation Sindoor" targeting Pakistan in their biggest confrontation in decades following a deadly attack on a tourist bus in Kashmir that killed 26 people. Pakistan denied Indian accusations of involvement in that attack.
Four days of fighting was marked by an extensive air battle, one of the largest dogfights since World War II, before the two nuclear rivals reached a ceasefire agreement following U.S. diplomatic efforts.
What To Know
The Indian Air Force issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) earlier this week for a large-scale exercise scheduled for June 7 and 8, taking place in Rajasthan's southern sector near the Pakistan border. Aircraft deployed included the Rafale, Mirage 2000, and Sukhoi-30, according to Indian outlets including Firstpost, The Shillong Times, and Mathrubhumi English.
In May, Pakistan said it shot down several Indian planes, including the French-made Rafale and Russian Sukhoi, with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar saying Chinese J-10C jets were used in the operation.
Diplomatic tensions have continued despite a ceasefire agreed under U.S. pressure. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused Pakistan of disrupting infrastructure development in the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir following the Pahalgam attack, Reuters reported Friday.
Quote:The most-advanced but yet-to-be-commissioned Chinese aircraft carrier, CNS Fujian, was reportedly conducting operations in the disputed waters near South Korea, a United States ally.
Newsweek has reached out to the South Korean Foreign Ministry for comment by email. The Chinese Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a written request for comment.
Why It Matters
China and South Korea established the Provisional Measures Zone (PMZ) in the Yellow Sea under a 2000 agreement, where their 230-mile-wide exclusive economic zones (EEZs) overlap. In late May, China declared "no-sail zones" within the PMZ for military exercises.
What To Know
China has the largest navy in the world by hull count, with over 370 ships and submarines—including two aircraft carriers in active service. Its third carrier, the Fujian, is continuing sea trials as part of its "construction process," the Chinese Defense Ministry previously said.
Unlike its predecessors, which use a ski-jump flight deck for aircraft takeoffs, the Fujian is equipped with electromagnetic catapults, enabling it to launch heavier aircraft. A Pentagon report said that the warship is expected to become operational in the first half of 2025.
Citing "multiple South Korean government sources," the local newspaper The Chosun Ilbo reported on Friday that the Fujian conducted flight operations with carrier-based aircraft in the PMZ from May 22 to 28, while three Chinese "no-sail zones" in the area were in effect.
The report said this was the first time a Chinese aircraft carrier conducted such operations in the PMZ. The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed to the newspaper that it had tracked and analyzed the Chinese naval activity, which lasted less than a week.
Quote:AChinese navy aircraft carrier has breached a second Pacific island defense line that is intended to keep the East Asian power's forces at a distance.
Newsweek has emailed the Pentagon and the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment.
Why It Matters
The United States has established three island chains across the Pacific Ocean. The first, closest to China, is formed by three U.S. allies and partners—Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines. The second, centered on Guam—America's westernmost territory—stretches from Japan to New Guinea, just north of Australia. The last one links Alaska's Aleutian Islands with New Zealand via Hawaii.
While the U.S. maritime containment strategy aims to restrict China's naval access to the broader Pacific Ocean during wartime, the Chinese navy—the largest in the world by hull count—has repeatedly breached the First Island Chain as it expands its reach and presence, including a high-profile, long-range mission that circumnavigated Australia earlier this year.
What To Know
The Chinese aircraft carrier CNS Liaoning has been underway since late May, when it was first spotted in the East China Sea, west of the First Island Chain. It then passed through the Miyako Strait in Japan's southwestern waters and entered the Philippine Sea. It was previously tracked on May 30 while sailing southward in waters east of the Philippines.
A Chinese naval task group—consisting of the Liaoning and three other vessels—was tracked operating about 186 miles southwest of Minamitorishima (with shima meaning "island" in Japanese) on Saturday, the Japanese Defense Ministry said in a press release.
Minamitorishima is Japan's easternmost territory, located over 1,200 miles southeast of the country's capital, Tokyo. It has valuable mineral resources, including rare earth elements, according to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which administers the remote island.
Quote:At least four people have been injured following an explosion near a U.S. military air base in Japan.
Local and defense ministry officials said that four Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (SFD) members suffered slight injuries following the incident at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa on Monday.
Officials said the explosion took place during bomb disposal operations. Newsweek has contacted the SFD for comment by email.
Why It Matters
Okinawa hosts most of the U.S.' military facilities in Japan. Japanese media reported that the country's 101st Unexploded Ordnance Disposal Unit at the Kadena site has disposed of more than 1,890 tons without any accidents so far.
What To Know
A team from a explosives disposal unit in the 15th Brigade of the SFD was at the facility on the grounds of a U.S. military base in Yomitan Village, Okinawa Prefecture.
The unit is responsible for the disposal of unexploded ordnance dropped on the island during World War II, and had previously disposed of more than 1,890 tons and over 40,000 cases without incident.
During World War II, the U.S. military dropped about 200,000 tons of ammunition, around 10,000 tons of which remains unexploded, according to the newspaper Sankei.
Japanese news outlet NHK said that unexploded ordnance blew up at around 11:20 a.m. Monday [10:20 p.m. ET Sunday] local time after a shell exploded while it was being examined for rust.
Emergency services attending the scene said that four Japanese personnel suffered injuries which included finger lacerations and possible hearing damage, but none were life threatening.
NHK said its helicopters captured footage of the ammunition depot area at around 1 p.m. where personnel had gathered around a tent next to a vehicle that deals with unexploded ordnance.
Unexploded ordnance from the Battle of Okinawa 80 years ago is found daily and collected by the disposal team and taken to a temporary storage facility in Yomitan Village to assess further risk.
In reporting Monday's incident, Japanese media noted how the SDF had been established after a modified land mine exploded next to a kindergarten in Naha City, in March 1974, killing four people and injuring 34.
Quote:Japan's Defense Ministry says two Chinese aircraft carriers were spotted in the Pacific during the past three days. The ministry says it was the first time the two vessels have entered the Pacific simultaneously.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force confirmed that a fleet of five warships was navigating about 550 kilometers southeast of Miyakojima Island, Okinawa Prefecture, on Saturday afternoon, according to the ministry. The fleet included the Shandong aircraft carrier and a guided missile destroyer.
Officials said fighter jets and helicopters were seen taking off and landing on the Shandong on Monday when it was in Japan's exclusive economic zone north of Okinotorishima, the nation's southernmost island.
Another Chinese aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, was spotted sailing within Japan's EEZ around Minamitorishima Island, which is part of Tokyo's Ogasawara Islands, on Saturday. Officials said the Liaoning was still in nearby waters on Monday, after it conducted aircraft takeoff and landing drills the day before.
The Liaoning and the Shandong are China's only two active aircraft carriers.
The ministry suspects that China's navy is trying to improve the operational capabilities of the warships, including long-range functions. Officials have continued caution and surveillance of the situation.
Quote:China's exports to the United States tumbled in May amid tit-for-tat import tariffs between the world's two biggest economies.
Chinese customs authorities say US-bound shipments slumped 34.5 percent in dollar terms from the same month last year.
Imports from the US sank 18.1 percent.
Beijing and Washington imposed tariffs of more than 100 percent in April.
However, some of the heat came out of the trade dispute in May as both sides agreed to cut back the levies and sit down for talks.
The next round of negotiations is set for London on Monday. China is sending Vice Premier He Lifeng, who heads up economic policy. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will be there for the US.
Quote:A high court in South Korea has said it will postpone the retrial of President Lee Jae-myung on charges of violating election law.
Local media have reported that it is very unlikely the retrial will go ahead while Lee remains in power.
South Korea's Supreme Court ruled in May, before Lee's victory, that he had violated election law by making false statements during his failed 2022 presidential bid. It sent the case back to the Seoul High Court after overturning an earlier ruling clearing him.
The high court announced on Monday it will indefinitely postpone the first hearing, which was scheduled for June 18.
The court said the move was based on the Constitution, which basically exempts sitting presidents from criminal prosecution.
Legal experts are divided over whether a sitting president's immunity extends to trials already underway. Neither the Constitution nor the law address the matter.
But South Korean media have reported the high court appears to have decided to shield Lee from standing trial during his term.
Lee is facing other criminal trials that some say put him at judicial risk. The ruling Democratic Party is reportedly pushing for legal revisions that halt trials while Lee is in office.
MIDDLE EAST
Quote:Iran's intelligence minister has said the country holds a vast trove of classified Israeli documents and plans to release them soon. The files detail Israel's nuclear program, foreign relations, and defense capabilities, according to state media.
The Israeli government has not commented on the claim, which comes amid rising tensions between the two countries and renewed scrutiny of Iran's own nuclear activities.
Newsweek has reached out to the Iranian and Israeli foreign ministries for comment.
Why It Matters
The disclosure adds a new layer of uncertainty to a region already on edge. Any release of secret Israeli nuclear data could destabilize diplomatic relations, provoke military retaliation, or undermine U.S.-led negotiations with Tehran. The episode also highlights the deepening mistrust between Iran and the West over nuclear ambitions, espionage, and covert operations.
What To Know
Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib said Tehran had acquired thousands of Israeli documents, describing them as a "treasure trove" capable of strengthening Iran's strategic position. He said the materials had been transferred under heavy secrecy to secure locations in Iran and would be published "soon."
"Talking of thousands of documents would be an understatement," Khatib said, adding that the transfer required "confidential" methods and a period of "media silence," according to Iran's state broadcaster.
Cyber Attacks and Espionage
Iran has not revealed how it obtained the documents it says it has or if they relate to the 2023 cyberattack on an Israeli nuclear center. State media called the transfer part of a wider intelligence campaign, highlighting its secrecy and complexity. Recent arrests of Israelis accused of spying for Tehran, though not officially linked, have raised speculation of a connection.
Meanwhile, a social media account closely linked to Iran's armed forces also posted a message in Hebrew shortly after the announcement, stating: "We know all your secrets now." The post appeared to signal a coordinated effort to amplify Tehran's claims and increase psychological pressure on Israeli officials.
Quote:Greta Thunberg became the focus of ridicule from Israeli officials and pro-government social media accounts after Israeli forces brought to an end a symbolic maritime mission aimed at delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The Madleen, a British-flagged yacht carrying Thunberg and other activists, was intercepted by Israeli naval forces in international waters and escorted to Ashdod port. Israeli authorities indicated the detained activists would be processed and repatriated; as of Monday, they were in custody. Officials dismissed the voyage as a publicity stunt, while activists accused Israel of unlawfully detaining them.
Newsweek has reached out to Thunberg's representatives as well as Israel's foreign ministry for comment.
Why It Matters
The incident highlights Israel's strategy of publicly discrediting high-profile critics amid its Gaza campaign, and the global struggle over the narrative of the situation.
While Israel says that it is letting aid into Gaza, foreign aid agences describe a humanitarian disaster that has intensified during the war waged by Israel since the Hamas attack in October 2023.
The Israeli seizure and ensuing mockery of the activists came amid an already polarized debate over the fighting in the devastated territory, where the Hamas health authorities say over 54,000 Palestinians have been killed. About 1,200 Israelis were killed in the Hamas attack on Israel, according to official Israeli sources and more than 200 were taken hostage, some still in Hamas captivity in Gaza.
...
Interception at Sea
The Madleen set sail from Catania, Sicily, on June 1, carrying aid including baby formula, rice, medical kits, solar panels, and prosthetics. On Sunday, the Israeli navy intercepted the yacht in international waters about 115 miles (185 km) from Gaza. Shayetet 13 commandos and border units boarded the vessel.
Twelve people were aboard, including Thunberg and French politician Rima Hassan, along with journalists, medics, and civil society members. Organizers say the seizure violated maritime law and constituted kidnapping.
Quote:President Donald Trump responded on Monday to Swedish activist Greta Thunberg's claim that she was "kidnapped" by Israel while she and other pro-Palestinian advocates were on an aid boat bound for Gaza.
The Context
After the Israeli military intercepted the civilian vessel in international waters, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which operated the boat, released a pre-recorded video from Thunberg.
"If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces, or forces that support Israel," the climate activist said in the clip.
What To Know
The president was asked Monday about whether he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed Thunberg during a phone call they had earlier Monday.
"Well, she's a strange person," he said. "She's a young, angry person. I don't know if it's real anger; it's hard to believe, actually. But I saw what happened. She's certainly different. Anger management. I think she has to go to an angry management class. That's my primary recommendation for her."
Trump was also asked about Thunberg's claim that she had been kidnapped.
"I find it—I think Israel has enough problems without kidnapping Greta Thunberg," Trump said. "Is that what she said? She was kidnapped by Israel?"
"For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ," 1 Thessalonians 5:9
Maranatha!
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My Original Stories (available in English and Spanish)
List of Compiled Binary Executables I have published...
HiddenChest & Roole
Give me a free copy of your completed game if you include at least 3 of my scripts!
Just some scripts I've already published on the board...
KyoGemBoost XP VX & ACE, RandomEnkounters XP, KSkillShop XP, Kolloseum States XP, KEvents XP, KScenario XP & Gosu, KyoPrizeShop XP Mangostan, Kuests XP, KyoDiscounts XP VX, ACE & MV, KChest XP VX & ACE 2016, KTelePort XP, KSkillMax XP & VX & ACE, Gem Roulette XP VX & VX Ace, KRespawnPoint XP, VX & VX Ace, GiveAway XP VX & ACE, Klearance XP VX & ACE, KUnits XP VX, ACE & Gosu 2017, KLevel XP, KRumors XP & ACE, KMonsterPals XP VX & ACE, KStatsRefill XP VX & ACE, KLotto XP VX & ACE, KItemDesc XP & VX, KPocket XP & VX, OpenChest XP VX & ACE
Maranatha!
The Internet might be either your friend or enemy. It just depends on whether or not she has a bad hair day.
My Original Stories (available in English and Spanish)
List of Compiled Binary Executables I have published...
HiddenChest & Roole
Give me a free copy of your completed game if you include at least 3 of my scripts!
Just some scripts I've already published on the board...
KyoGemBoost XP VX & ACE, RandomEnkounters XP, KSkillShop XP, Kolloseum States XP, KEvents XP, KScenario XP & Gosu, KyoPrizeShop XP Mangostan, Kuests XP, KyoDiscounts XP VX, ACE & MV, KChest XP VX & ACE 2016, KTelePort XP, KSkillMax XP & VX & ACE, Gem Roulette XP VX & VX Ace, KRespawnPoint XP, VX & VX Ace, GiveAway XP VX & ACE, Klearance XP VX & ACE, KUnits XP VX, ACE & Gosu 2017, KLevel XP, KRumors XP & ACE, KMonsterPals XP VX & ACE, KStatsRefill XP VX & ACE, KLotto XP VX & ACE, KItemDesc XP & VX, KPocket XP & VX, OpenChest XP VX & ACE
