Source: Foreign Policy
by John Haltiwanger
“U.S. President Donald Trump has become a passenger in the Iran war, despite insisting that he remains behind the wheel after months of failed efforts to reach a peace deal. And by attempting to portray himself as in control and denying complex realities on the ground, he has only made it more difficult to reach an agreement.” (06/08/26)
Source: BBC News [UK State Media]
“More than 300 migrants heading to the UK last summer were kidnapped, tortured and threatened with forced organ removal, the BBC has learned. The young men, all from Iraqi Kurdistan, were captured in Libya by a militia who demanded a ransom of $5,000 (£3,700) from each of their families, and threatened to harvest the captives’ kidneys if payment was not made promptly. We have spoken to some hostages who have since been released, and seen photo evidence suggesting that forced operations did take place. The former captives showed us evidence of torture, and said they had been kept in cramped conditions, with nearly 180 people sharing a cell. At least one hostage is known to have died, and it is unclear how many remain captive.” (06/09/26)
Source: Antiwar.com
“Iran, Israel Trade Strikes After Israel Bombs Beirut, US-Nigerian Strikes Kill Civilians, and More.” (06/08/26)
Source: Big Head Press
by Scott Bieser
Cartoon. (06/08/26)
Source: The American Prospect
by David Dayen
“TLast week, the flesh-eating parasite known as the New World screwworm was found in a calf in Texas; a second case was identified about five miles away shortly thereafter. (A third case was found in a dog.) Screwworm flies lay their eggs in the live tissue of warm-blooded animals, from livestock to pets to humans. These larvae ‘screw’ into the animal’s flesh, and while they are not very harmful to humans, in that the horrifying effects of maggots chewing into your skin are relatively easy to notice and address, they can kill a livestock host if not treated. In a widespread infestation, one of the last resorts would be mass culling, which would obviously have huge impacts on a diminished U.S. cattle herd.” (06/09/26)
https://prospect.org/2026/06/09/why-that-next-hamburger-is-going-to-cost-you-new-world-screwworm/
Source: New York Times
“Nithya Raman, a progressive Democrat who has drawn comparisons to New York’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, will face Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles in a two-person race in November, The Associated Press determined on Monday. Ms. Raman, 44, a City Council member and former Bass ally, was behind in the initial vote count but came back in later returns to edge out Spencer Pratt, a Republican reality TV star who lost his home in the 2025 wildfires that devastated Pacific Palisades, a wealthy coastal enclave. Mr. Pratt had jumped out to an early lead in a field of more than a dozen contenders, in part because Republicans, who make up about 15 percent of the city’s electorate, had coalesced behind him. But his margin shrank as ballots from thousands of liberals [sic] who voted closer to Election Day were processed.” (06/08/26)
Source: Libertarian Institute
“Jim Webb: Trump to Netanyahu: ‘You’re F**king Crazy.’” (06/08/26)
https://libertarianinstitute.org/blog/guest-jim-webb-trump-to-netanyahu-youre-fking-crazy
Source: Quillette
by Kevin Mahnken
“The #CancelColbert saga in 2014 established the paradigm for countless hashtag controversies that followed.” (06/08/26)
https://quillette.com/2026/06/08/colbert-and-cancellation-cbs-trump-suey-park/
Source: Show-Me Institute
by James V Shuls
“Life comes at you in waves. You graduate high school, watch friends start careers, get married, and have kids. Then social media shows you their children repeating the cycle. As a member of the Pacific High School Class of 1999, I didn’t expect to reach the retirement wave so soon. Yet a recent post stopped me: a high school classmate, still in his mid-40s, announced his retirement after 25 years in Missouri public schools. … He is retiring at exactly the age when most professionals hit their career peak—when experience, leadership, and judgment are most valuable. And that’s the problem. Missouri’s Public School Retirement System (PSRS) is pushing talented educators out of the classroom at the very moment students and schools need them most.” (06/08/26)
Source: The Journal [Ireland]
“US president Donald Trump became the first sitting US president to attend – and fall asleep – at an NBA Finals game on Monday night. Tightened security due to Trump’s presence causes huge queues for the highly anticipated game – where the San Antonio Spurs ultimately beat the New York Knicks. During the national anthem at Madison Square Garden Trump was loudly booed by basketball fans, which appeared to cause the president to stop clapping. The 79-year-old who was seated in a private box with Knicks owner James Dolan and his granddaughter Kai Trump, was later caught on camera appearing to have nodded off during the game.” (06/09/26)
https://www.thejournal.ie/trump-was-booed-and-fell-asleep-at-nba-finals-game-7064594-Jun2026/