JD Vance tells Iran deal critics in Israel: Trump is your only ally left in the world

In a sharp rebuke to critics of Trump’s deal with Iran, the vice-president referenced the billions in defence aid Israel recieves from the US

US vice-president JD Vance has lashed out at Israeli critics of the Iran deal, saying Donald Trump is Israel’s only ally left in the world, in a sharp rebuke that referenced the billions in defence aid ⁠the country receives from America.

Vance was defending the deal ⁠reached this week to end the war ​with Iran that critics in the US and Israel have slammed for failing to curb Iran’s missile program and providing no clear path to dismantling its nuclear facilities, while constraining Israel in its war with Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

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Star-studded opening for Obama library in Chicago delivers implied rebuke to Trump

Musical stars and retired politicians from less polarised era seeming antidote to cage fights on White House lawn

The Barack Obama presidential center opened in Chicago on Thursday after more than a decade in the making amid a musical fanfare and paeans to democratic principles that evoked a previous age, all while delivering an implied rebuke to Donald Trump.

Featuring appearances by a cast of musical stars and retired politicians from a less polarised era, it was a seemingly perfect antidote to the crass spectacle of cage fights on the White House lawn.

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Ukraine pummels Russian capital with what may be largest drone strike yet on Moscow – The Washington Post

  1. Ukraine pummels Russian capital with what may be largest drone strike yet on Moscow  The Washington Post
  2. Massive blasts in Moscow shatter even Putin’s protective shell  CNN
  3. Ukraine Strikes Moscow Refinery in Large-Scale Drone Attack  The New York Times
  4. Moscow residents complain of black rain after largest Ukrainian attack hits oil refinery  BBC
  5. Zelenskiy says 'Moscow will burn' if Russian strikes continue  Reuters
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Iran Update Special Report, June 18, 2026 – Institute for the Study of War

  1. Iran Update Special Report, June 18, 2026  Institute for the Study of War
  2. Iran Update Special Report, June 16, 2026  Institute for the Study of War
  3. Iran, US-Israel War Live Updates | 'Iran is finished': Trump as first day of talks cancelled  Deccan Herald
  4. Iran War: Suez or Saigon?  providencemag.com
  5. Live Coverage of the Iran–U.S.–Israel Conflict / June 18  WANA News Agency
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Mangione lawyers abandon psychiatric defense over health CEO’s killing

Legal team of alleged gunman, 28, reverses position on ‘extreme emotional disturbance’ defense after one day

In a stunning reversal, Luigi Mangione’s legal team said on Thursday they would no longer pursue a psychiatric defense in his upcoming state trial over the killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Just one day earlier, Mangione’s lawyers told Judge Gregory Carro they would pursue a defense claiming the 28-year-old was suffering an “extreme emotional disturbance” at the time of Thompson’s killing on 4 December 2024.

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How Ukraine’s new drone tactics are causing chaos in Russia after largest-ever attack on Moscow – The Independent

  1. How Ukraine’s new drone tactics are causing chaos in Russia after largest-ever attack on Moscow  The Independent
  2. How Ukraine broke through Russia’s air defenses  CNN
  3. A Ukrainian drone team hitting targets deep inside Russia  NPR
  4. How Ukraine Uses A.I. to Knock Deadly Russian Drones Out of the Skies  The New York Times
  5. How Ukraine is breaking through defences to bring war home to Moscow  Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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Iran announces plans to bring in maritime fees for strait of Hormuz

As US lifts its blockade, Tehran says fees to cover cost of managing waterway will come into effect at end of 60-day negotiation period

Iran has announced plans to introduce a system of maritime fees in the strait of Hormuz in two months, after the 60-day period of negotiation that has been triggered by the signing of the memorandum of understanding.

Tehran, claiming a historic victory over the US, said the strait was under its control and a European plan for a naval mission to escort ships though the strait would not be welcome. The US on Thursday lifted its blockade of Iran, and oil tankers began freely moving through the critical channel.

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As China looms, Taiwan makes more drones for defense and the US military – Ars Technica

  1. As China looms, Taiwan makes more drones for defense and the US military  Ars Technica
  2. Inspired by Ukraine, and worried by China: Taiwan teaches its citizens how to fly drones  The Guardian
  3. DEFENSE Taiwan to establish offshore drone battalion for early threat response  Focus Taiwan
  4. Taiwan president says he 'won't give up' on defence spending after parliament cuts  Reuters
  5. Hsiao urges cross-party support for NT$210 billion drone defense budget  Taiwan News
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