5 things to know for June 20: Israel-Iran, Hurricane Erick, National Guard, Minnesota shooting, Serial rapist
Raging wars. Climate change. Natural disasters. Global pandemics. These issues and others have some preparing for the worst. They're stockpiling food and water, purchasing guns and medicines, assembling 'bug-out bags' and listening to survivalist podcasts. Yet despite what you might imagine when someone says the word 'prepper,' many of these people are liberals.
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The weeklong conflict between Israel and Iran shows no signs of de-escalation. Israel's military said it struck dozens of targets in Iran overnight, including missile production sites and a nuclear research facility in Tehran. Iran's Red Crescent Society said five hospitals were damaged as a result of Israeli strikes. An Iranian missile was intercepted over Israel, but the fall of munitions reportedly caused several fires in Beer Sheva. Iran also issued an evacuation warning to Israel's Channel 14 news, which it claims is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's 'propaganda channel.' On Thursday, the White House said that President Donald Trump will decide whether to launch a US strike on Iran within the next two weeks, and in the meantime, diplomatic efforts may proceed. However, Iran has said that it will not engage in further talks with the US until the Israeli attacks end.
Erick slammed into Mexico's Oaxaca state yesterday as a dangerous Category 3 storm. The hurricane unleashed powerful 125 mph winds at the coast and dumped heavy rains inland. Although official damage reports are still pending, photos from the region showed the storm had affected homes, businesses, beaches and boats. Erick is the first major hurricane — Category 3 or greater — on record to hit Mexico before July. As it tracks through Mexico's steep mountains, the storm is expected to quickly deteriorate and should dissipate by early Friday.
A federal appeals court has granted a request from President Trump to maintain control of roughly 4,000 National Guardsmen from California. In an unsigned ruling, the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals rejected arguments by Gov. Gavin Newsom that the president had violated federal law when he seized control of part of the state's militia to quell anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles. Last week, senior US District Judge Charles Breyer ruled that Trump had not satisfied any of the requirements that must be met to call up a state's National Guard and that the demonstrations did not constitute an insurrection. More legal wrangling over how Trump is using the guardsmen is expected during a hearing this afternoon.
Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, shared details of the harrowing attack that left them critically injured. Around 2 a.m. last Saturday, the Hoffmans were asleep at home when they heard someone pounding on their front door who identified himself as a police officer. But when the couple and their adult daughter, Hope, opened the door, the man began shooting. The state senator lunged at the gunman and was shot nine times. When his wife tried to push the man and shut the door, she was shot eight times. Hope Hoffman managed to get the door closed and locked, then called 911. After undergoing several surgeries, John Hoffman is now in critical but stable condition; Yvette Hoffman is in stable condition as well. The gunman also shot and killed state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, that same night. Authorities later arrested Vance Boelter for the attacks.
One of the worst sex offenders in UK history is going to prison. Zhenhao Zou, 28, who was convicted of sexually assaulting 10 women in the UK and China, was sentenced on Thursday to life behind bars with a minimum term of 24 years. According to prosecutors, Zou would use dating apps to find his victims. He would invite the women to his apartment, then drug and rape them. Zou also filmed some of the attacks using his cell phone and hidden cameras. In March, he was found guilty of rape, false imprisonment, voyeurism and several other offenses, including the possession of extreme pornographic images and the possession of a controlled drug with intent to commit a sexual offense. Police said there could be more than 50 other victims.
Game 7, baby!The Indiana Pacers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder last night, 108-91, and forced a Game 7 of the NBA Finals. The matchup will take place Sunday at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Beaned in the dugoutTampa Bay Rays pitcher Hunter Bigge was in the dugout on Thursday night when a foul ball struck him in the cheek. The 27-year-old right-hander flashed a thumbs-up sign as he was carted off the field in a medical cart.
'Sorry for what happened'Golfer Wyndham Clark has expressed regret for his behavior last weekend at the US Open. The course at Oakmont Country Club frustrated many of the world's best golfers.
A 'life-changing' raiseThe Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have received a 400% pay increase, according to the docuseries 'America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.' Previously, many of the cheerleaders had to work second jobs just to make ends meet.
He's back!After being banned last year, champion eater Joey Chestnut is returning to the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. Will he set a new record?
Which volcano erupted this week, sending an enormous ash column into the sky?A. Mount St. HelensB. Mount RainierC. Mount Lewotobi Laki LakiD. Mount Doom
Take me to the quiz!
70That's how many captive-bred Southern white rhinos — the world's second-largest land mammal — were transported 2,100 miles from South Africa to the Akagera National Park in Rwanda as part of an initiative to 'rewild' them.
'Now I believe that it is a national security interest of the United States for Iran not to have a bomb, but I don't believe that will be achieved by the United States getting dragged into a war with Iran. And I hope that the Congress will vote against that.'
— Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, who is co-sponsoring a bill with Republican Rep. Thomas Massie to limit President Trump's ability to get involved militarily in the conflict between Israel and Iran.
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Look, up in the sky!An astrophotographer recently traveled to West Penwith, England, to witness the beauty of a truly dark night sky.
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UPI
18 minutes ago
- UPI
Israeli PM Netanyahu calls Iran 'evil' as he tours site of missile strike
1 of 6 | Calling Iran an 'evil regime,' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday visited the Weizmann Institute of Science, close to where an Iranian missile hit earlier this week. Pool Photo by Jack GUEZ/UPI | License Photo June 20 (UPI) -- Calling Iran an "evil regime," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday visited the Weizmann Institute of Science, close to where an Iranian missile hit earlier this week. "This is the world-renowned Weizmann Institute, where the most advanced research in human biology is conducted -- medical research, genetic research," Netanyahu told reporters during the tour of the institute in the city of Rehovot in central Israel, some 12.5 miles south of Tel Aviv with a population of 150,000 people. "This research was shattered by a missile from the evil regime. They seek to destroy human progress. That is the essence of this regime. They have enslaved and oppressed their people for nearly 50 years -- half a century. Iran is the leading terrorist regime in the world. It must not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. This is Israel's mission: to save itself from the Iranian threat of annihilation. In doing so, we are saving many, many others." Netanyahu's tour of the site where two buildings were completely destroyed came a day after the prime minister said in a post on X, "We will make the tyrants from Tehran pay the full price." Iranian missile strikes also hit the largest hospital in Southern Israel earlier in the week. The two countries are engaged in hostilities over Iran's nuclear program. The Weizmann Institute is known as the research crown jewel of Israeli science, with laboratories dedicated to studying health issues such as cancer, heart disease and neurodevelopmental disorders. "It's completely gone. Not a trace. Nothing can be saved," Professor Oren Schuldiner told The Economic Times. Officials estimate the damage from Iranian missiles to the institute at more than $500 million. Thousands of hours of research have also been lost. "The most valuable resource of the Weizmann Institute, aside from property, are samples that have been stored for decades in labs for scientific research -- and all of it is gone, with no backup," Biomolecular Sciences Department Professor Tslil Ast told Y Net News. Netanyah also toured an Israel Defense Forces base Friday where he praised intelligence officers for their work in the recent operations carried out in Iran. "I am here at an IDF Intelligence base with the head of IDF intelligence, and with our amazing people, the soldiers, both conscripts and reservists, who are doing sacred work in providing us with the intelligence that wins wars," Netanyahu said, accompanied by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, National Security Council Director Tzachi Hanegbi and other top officials. "I cannot exaggerate the importance of the work that has been done, and which is being done at the moment, in achieving the total victory. Head of IDF Intelligence, thank you very much. For myself, the citizens of Israel and the Government of Israel, please convey my gratitude to everyone." Tensions in the region continue to escalate, with representatives from the European Union and Britain meeting for ciris talks on Friday with the Iranian counterparts. U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday set a 14-day deadline to decide on possible American military involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict. On Friday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the goal of Western allies is "obtaining from Iran a lasting rollback of its nuclear and ballistic missiles programs."
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Letting Transgender Kids Play Sports Benefits All Kids
Credit - Marc Elias—Getty Images President Donald Trump's raft of anti-LGBTQ+ executive orders affects many aspects of the lives of LGBTQ+ people, including their sports participation, access to healthcare, and ability to serve in the military. Advertisement One executive order seeking to ban transgender athletes from participating in girls' and women's sports, is surprisingly picking up some Democratic support. Recently, Senator Ruben Gallego, a Democrat from Arizona said banning trans students from girls' and women's school sports might be 'legitimate' and argued that trans girls put cisgender girls at risk during sporting events. However, this is a damaging myth that fuels anti-trans stigma, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination and reinforces misogynistic stereotypes that girls are weak and need protection. It's not the first time a Democrat has capitulated to Republican anti-trans messaging. In Oct. 2024, during his long-shot attempt to unseat Senator Ted Cruz in Texas, Democrat Colin Allred released a campaign ad in which he seemed to oppose the participation of trans girls in sports. And in March 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom, speaking on the first episode of his new podcast 'This Is Gavin Newsom,' said it was 'deeply unfair' for trans athletes to participate in women's sports. We are not totally naïve—we get why a handful of Democrats are joining Republicans in wanting to ban trans kids from participating in sports teams consistent with their gender identities. These democratic legislators likely think their stance will appeal to 'centrist' voters; recent public polling suggests that about two-thirds of U.S. adults support such bans. But we still firmly believe that such bans are misguided, harmful, and built on falsehoods, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and inequities. Democrats should not be willing to throw transgender kids under the bus just for electoral considerations. Trans kids face higher rates of multiple physical and mental health difficulties than their cis peers—largely due to how our society treats the transgender community. But when they're allowed to play sports, these rates fall. What's more, states with policies allowing trans girls to play sports have seen increased rates of sports participation by cis girls. In other words, letting trans girls play sports benefits all girls. Shouldn't politicians be championing the benefits of sport for all? Advertisement To understand why such bans are damaging, let's back up and consider the lives of trans youth. A study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law estimates that there are about 300,100 trans kids (ages 13-17) in the U.S., making up just 1.4% of all youth in that age range. The Center for American Progress notes that trans youth face 'high rates of family rejection, violence, discrimination, and suicidality.' Suicidality is shockingly common: the Centers for Disease Control conducts a national survey of high school students every two years to explore health-related behaviors, called the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), and the 2023 survey found that 53.8% of trans youth had seriously considered suicide, compared to 20.4% of the general youth population. Research has shown that trans kids are also at increased risk of depression, anxiety, substance misuse, and impaired quality of life. The good news is that sports can be a real lifeline. The research is clear: when trans youth are allowed to participate in sports, these mental health risks fall. For example, trans students in states with fully inclusive athletics policies are less likely to have considered suicide than students in states without such policies. Megan Bartlett, founder of the Chicago-based non-profit The Center for Healing and Justice Through Sport, told The Guardian that sports 'can be life-saving—especially for marginalized young people – because it can actually change your brain.' When kids are in sports teams, she said, the positive relationships help make them 'feel safe and practice being stressed but being able to deal with that stress,' which builds lifelong resilience. Trans kids at inclusive schools are also less likely to experience harassment and victimization. For all adolescents, participating in a sports team can reduce anxiety, depression, and feelings of loneliness. Letting trans kids play sports also improves their physical health. Trans kids have worse physical health than their peers—including higher rates of obesity and of risk factors for cardiovascular disease, like abnormal cholesterol levels—which are thought to be due to the stress of marginalization. But research has shown that playing sports lowers their risk of obesity and improves their cardiovascular health. The benefits go even further. Trans kids who are allowed to play sports in accordance with their gender identity are more likely to feel like they belong at school and more accepted by their peers. Sports help all kids gain skills in team building, management skills, commitment, and leadership. And there's even evidence that LGBTQ student athletes have higher grade point averages than those who do not play sports. Advertisement Unfortunately, several myths about trans student athletes are being promoted by supporters of school sports bans. We believe these need to be challenged. The first myth, pushed by Senator Gallego, is that anti-trans sports bans are needed to protect cisgender girls. There is no evidence that trans-inclusive policies are harmful to cis girls; indeed, trans boys and girls have been openly participating in high school sports for many years now, with no documented evidence of any harm to cis kids. States that have adopted inclusive policies have seen steady or increasing rates of participation by all youth. For example, California and Connecticut, which have allowed trans kids to play sports on the team of their choice, have seen participation of all girls increase. For instance in California, participation among girls in sports has increased by almost 14% from 2014 to 2020. The second myth, peddled by Governor Newsom, is that trans kids have an unfair advantage in sports. Trans kids vary enormously in their sporting ability, just like cis kids. Some play well and some play poorly, just like cis kids. Trans kids are all different heights, sizes, and strengths, just like cis kids. Whether any kid excels at sport is most often related to factors like how hard they train and what kind of access they have to good coaches. As the ACLU argues, when a trans kid does well at sport, they should be 'celebrated for their hard work, not demonized because of who they are.' Other myths abound. For instance, some conservative politicians and organizations push the fiction that massive numbers of trans kids are now 'dominating' high school sports. In reality, one study using CDC data found that only 40.7% of trans kids in grades nine through 12 played on at least one sports team. If we apply this percentage to the 300,100 trans kids aged 13-17 in the U.S., only 122,000 trans kids are playing sports out of a total of about 21 million kids in this age rage. This means that trans kids make up an extremely tiny fraction of those in sport. Advertisement Another false narrative claims that inclusive policies change the nature of girls' sports. But as the ACLU notes, that trans girls' 'participation in the girls' category does not change the nature of the category.' Inclusive policies do not undermine Title IX protections, and girls' sports have thrived in states that adopted such policies. This is why many women's rights advocacy groups support inclusion of trans people in sports. Trans kids just want the same opportunities as their peers. They want to be on sports teams to have fun, get exercise, and hang out with their friends. Just like any other kid. When we deny them that right, we are actively causing harm that could easily be avoided. And, in the end, this discriminatory behavior hurts us all. Contact us at letters@
Washington Post
25 minutes ago
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Internet and phone outage in much of Gaza disrupts humanitarian operations and deepens isolation
CAIRO — A breakdown in communications networks in central and southern Gaza has cut many Palestinians off from the outside world for the past week, further straining aid efforts and emergency services amid continuing Israeli bombardment. Israeli strikes damaged a main connection, cutting off communications in large areas of the strip since Tuesday, according to the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, based in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The telecom company Paltel said Friday that internet and landline services were restored in some areas in southern Gaza, including Khan Younis, with repairs ongoing in other southern and central areas.
