TikTok Standoff, Fugitive Captured, & Springsteen Trailer

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Adam Rogers
June 20, 2025

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President Trump is weighing joining Israel's Iran strikes, as only the US has weapons to destroy a key nuclear site.

Israel lacks the massive bunker-buster bombs needed to destroy Iran's underground Fordow enrichment facility, leaving Trump to decide whether to deploy US forces with that capability. Meanwhile, European leaders are rushing to prevent escalation and are holding emergency talks with Iran today in Geneva.
Israel destroyed Iran's above-ground nuclear facilities Thursday, including the Arak reactor that produces plutonium for potential weapons. Iran retaliated by hitting an Israeli hospital with cluster munitions - bombs that scatter smaller explosives over wide areas and were banned by most countries under a 2008 treaty due to their indiscriminate civilian harm. It is the first use of such weapons in the week-old conflict.
The stakes extend beyond the Middle East, with Iran threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz through which 20% of global oil passes. Back-channel talks between Washington and Tehran continue, though Iran demands Israel stop attacks before any negotiations can proceed.

A SpaceX Starship exploded during testing in the latest setback for its Mars rocket program.

SpaceX's 400-foot Starship rocket exploded late Wednesday during ground testing in Brownsville, Texas, shooting a massive fireball and debris into the night sky. The company called it "a major anomaly" and said preliminary data suggests a nitrogen pressure vessel in the payload bay failed, though the official cause remains under investigation. No injuries were reported. (See video of the blast here)
The explosion is the latest in a series of setbacks for the mega rocket this year, following previous explosions during flight tests in January, March, and May 2025. In May, the Starship successfully launched but lost contact 46 minutes into flight before breaking apart and falling into the Indian Ocean. Earlier tests also ended in explosions that sent fiery debris across the sky.
SpaceX is developing Starship as a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry cargo and humans to Mars. Musk plans the first uncrewed missions by the end of 2026. Despite the setbacks, the company had successful tests between June and November 2024 that saw Starship fly halfway around the world before safely landing in the Indian Ocean as planned.

Trump has extended the TikTok deadline for a third time as the app remains caught in China trade talks.

President Trump signed an executive order Thursday pushing back TikTok's sale deadline by 90 days, his third extension for the Chinese-owned app. Trump is effectively using TikTok as leverage in broader trade negotiations after China backed out of a previous deal in April following his tariff announcements. Trump has said any sale would likely come after the two countries reach a trade agreement.
TikTok briefly went dark for 14 hours in January when the congressional ban first took effect before Trump restored service on his first day in office. The app has operated under a series of presidential reprieves since then, with deadlines previously pushed from January to April to June.
The administration is in talks with four buyers with serious money: Frank McCourt's consortium offered $20 billion in cash while Jesse Tinsley's group bid over $30 billion. Microsoft, Amazon, and others have also expressed interest. Trump, who tried to ban TikTok during his first term, now calls it his "sweet spot" after crediting the app with helping him win young voters in 2024.

Texas police seized 75,000 pounds of THC products and $7 million in assets during DFW after a year-long investigation into illegal sales. The raids occurred as Gov. Abbott weighs legislation to ban hemp-derived THC products statewide. (More)

A Reuters poll found 62% of Democrats want new party leadership, saying leaders focus too much on transgender rights and electric vehicles instead of economic issues. Just 30% of polled Republicans thought their party leaders should be replaced. (More)

Authorities captured a fugitive who escaped custody at Seattle airport after 45 days on the run. Sedric Stevenson, 29, was wanted for gun possession, assault, and methamphetamine charges in Kentucky. (More)

Finland's parliament voted 157-18 to withdraw from an international landmine treaty, seeking to boost defenses against neighboring Russia. (More)

Rwanda and Congo reached a US-Qatar mediated draft peace agreement to end decades of conflict. The deal provides for the disarmament of eastern Congo armed groups and joint security mechanisms to prevent future flare-ups. (More)

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is facing growing calls for resignation after a leaked recording of border negotiations with Cambodia triggered a coalition partner to withdraw from the government. (More)

Switzerland's central bank cut interest rates to zero Thursday, trying to combat falling prices that are hurting the economy as the strong Swiss franc makes imports cheaper. (More)

Oil prices rose 3% on Thursday after Netanyahu ordered intensified Israeli attacks on Iran's strategic targets. Brent crude reached its highest settlement since January at $78.85 per barrel. (More)

Costco will open warehouses at 9 am exclusively for executive members starting Monday, adding early shopping hours and a $10 monthly credit after raising membership fees last year. (More)

The Indiana Pacers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-91 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals Thursday night, forcing a winner-take-all Game 7. Indiana overcame an early 10-2 deficit with a dominant 24-7 run and never trailed again. (More)

Rapper Fat Joe denied allegations of engaging in sex acts with minors in a lawsuit filed by former hype man Terrance Dixon. Dixon is seeking $20 million in damages for alleged coercive labor exploitation and sexual manipulation. (More)

Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka agreed to a long-term contract extension worth eight figures annually, making him one of the NBA's highest-paid coaches (More)

New research published in Heart found that cannabis use doubles the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and increases heart attack risk by 29% and stroke by 20%. (More)

China’s 146,000-year-old "dragon man" skull has been identified as the first known Denisovan skull. The discovery will allow facial reconstruction of the ancient human relative. (More)

Waymo applied for a permit to test self-driving vehicles with human safety operators in Manhattan. It has autonomous vehicles in San Francisco, LA, Phoenix, and Austin. (More)

Does peeing on a jellyfish sting actually help?

Colorado thieves pull off $1.4 M Nintendo heist.

See Jeremy Allen White as the Boss in the Springsteen movie trailer.

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