- 6/18/2025
#worldnews #dailynews #geopolitics #economy #business #health #science #politics
Welcome to your Daily World News Brief – where we bring you the most important global headlines without the fluff.
In today's coverage, we dive into critical topics including politics, international affairs, economic trends,
environmental news, and pressing societal issues that shape our world.
Stay tuned to keep up with the latest developments across the globe. Whether it's business updates,
geopolitical tensions, or scientific discoveries, our goal is to keep you well-informed about the stories
that truly matter.
Thank you for tuning in, and don't forget to subscribe for daily insights into what's happening around the world.
📰 Global News | 🌐 International Affairs | 💼 Business | 🔬 Science | 🏥 Health | 📊 Economy
Welcome to your Daily World News Brief – where we bring you the most important global headlines without the fluff.
In today's coverage, we dive into critical topics including politics, international affairs, economic trends,
environmental news, and pressing societal issues that shape our world.
Stay tuned to keep up with the latest developments across the globe. Whether it's business updates,
geopolitical tensions, or scientific discoveries, our goal is to keep you well-informed about the stories
that truly matter.
Thank you for tuning in, and don't forget to subscribe for daily insights into what's happening around the world.
📰 Global News | 🌐 International Affairs | 💼 Business | 🔬 Science | 🏥 Health | 📊 Economy
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Welcome to Daily World Podcast on June 18, 2025. I'm Angela, here to bring you today's
00:16key developments in economics, politics and global headlines. Let's dive right in.
00:23Katie Miller, wife of former Trump aide Stephen Miller, is reported to have pressured Social
00:27Security Administration workers into supporting a false claim that 40% of calls to SSA phone lines
00:33were linked to fraud. This figure was used to justify cuts to the agency under Elon Musk's
00:39Doge initiative. SSA leadership later refuted the claim, and the cuts have reportedly led to
00:45staffing issues and backlogs. Despite the controversy surrounding Musk and President Donald Trump,
00:51Katie Miller continues to collaborate with Musk on various business ventures.
00:54In Iran, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a warning to Israel,
01:01declaring that the battle begins, and hinting at a great surprise that will be remembered for
01:05centuries. This comes as President Trump weighs military options to support Israel amid escalating
01:11tensions linked to Iran's nuclear program. The situation has intensified with missile
01:17exchanges between Israel and Iran, and the U.S. has deployed military assets, including bombers,
01:22near Iran, signaling preparations for potential offensive operations.
01:28Riza Pahlavi, the Iranian Crown Prince, has called for an uprising against the current regime,
01:33which he describes as collapsing. He has proposed a 100-day transition plan,
01:38aimed at establishing democratic governance in Iran.
01:43Ukraine has announced the mass production of its domestically designed Satsun ballistic missile,
01:48which has a range of nearly 300 kilometers, and is intended to enhance its defense capabilities
01:54against Russian targets. This marks a significant step for Ukraine, as it seeks to bolster its
02:00military technology, amid ongoing conflict and challenges in securing Western arms.
02:06Iranian Colonel Aman Tejik has claimed that Iran has achieved complete air superiority over Israel
02:11following missile attacks that reportedly penetrated Israeli defenses. This escalation has resulted in
02:17civilian casualties and increased fears among residents in Tehran of further Israeli strikes.
02:24China has sent three Boeing 747 cargo planes to Iran, raising concerns about potential military
02:30support amid rising tensions with Israel. The flights, which appear to carry cargo towards Iran,
02:36have sparked speculation about China's involvement, although experts caution that Beijing is likely to
02:41avoid escalating conflict with the U.S. and Israel. The U.S. military is positioning itself for potential
02:48involvement in Israel's conflict with Iran, as President Trump considers direct action against
02:53Iran's nuclear program. Military assets have been deployed to the Middle East, indicating preparations
02:59for possible offensive operations, while Trump has urged Iran to negotiate.
03:03U.S. intelligence officials have assessed that Iran is not actively building a nuclear weapon,
03:10a position that has been dismissed by President Trump, who claims Iran is close to developing a bomb.
03:16This disagreement reflects ongoing tensions within the U.S. administration regarding Iran's nuclear
03:21capabilities.
03:22The Trump administration has halted the expansion of broadband Internet services in Louisiana,
03:29raising concerns about connectivity and digital inclusion for residents in the region.
03:34Additionally, President Trump plans to extend the deadline for China's ByteDance to divest TikTok's
03:39U.S. business for a third time by 90 days, as negotiations continue amid national security concerns.
03:45A Romanian diplomat representing the EU was assaulted by apparent Russian security agents
03:52in Vladivostok, an incident that has raised significant concern among Western diplomats and
03:58is currently under investigation. This attack marks a serious escalation in diplomatic tensions.
04:05The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute has reported that China is rapidly expanding its
04:11nuclear arsenal, potentially matching the number of intercontinental ballistic missiles held
04:15by the U.S. and Russia by 2030. Currently, China has at least 600 nuclear warheads and is adding
04:23approximately 100 annually. Russia has evacuated its citizens from Iran and temporarily suspended
04:30consular services in Tehran following Israeli strikes and missile retaliations. President Putin
04:36condemned the Israeli actions and warned of a dangerous escalation in the Middle East.
04:39President Trump's proposed 2026 NASA budget includes a nearly 50% cut to science spending, which could
04:48threaten over 40 missions and undermine U.S. leadership in space exploration. This shift toward
04:54prioritizing human spaceflight raises concerns about lost investments and reduced international
04:59cooperation. A Ukrainian prisoner of war has been found with a scar reading, Glory to Russia, which was
05:07reportedly carved into his body by a Russian surgeon during an operation. This incident highlights the
05:13inhumane treatment faced by Ukrainian POWs. EU foreign policy chief Kajikolis criticized President Putin
05:21for attempting to mediate peace in the Middle East while continuing military actions in Ukraine.
05:26She urged EU member states to enforce stricter sanctions on Russian oil exports to limit funding for the war.
05:32Public disagreements between France's Dassault Aviation and Germany's Airbus over the future
05:39combat air system program have created tensions that could delay Europe's next-generation fighter
05:44jet development. Despite these challenges, both companies aim to continue the program.
05:51Former President Trump considered a military strike on Iran prior to a crucial Situation Room meeting,
05:56reflecting ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
05:58Amid these rising tensions, a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has introduced a resolution
06:04requiring congressional approval before any military action against Iran.
06:10The Pentagon has reassigned responsibility for U.S. military operations in Greenland
06:14to U.S. Northern Command, highlighting the island's strategic importance in the Arctic region.
06:20This move aligns with President Trump's interest in acquiring Greenland,
06:24although Denmark has rejected such proposals.
06:28A recent report alleges that voting machines were tampered with prior to the 2024 elections,
06:34raising questions about the integrity of the electoral process.
06:37This has prompted debates and calls for investigations to ensure election security.
06:43An analysis of X's Community Notes, a crowdsourced misinformation flagging program,
06:49indicates that Republicans are flagged more frequently than Democrats for sharing misinformation.
06:53This finding highlights potential partisan differences in the spread and identification of false information on the platform.
07:01Kristi Noem was hospitalized for an allergic reaction shortly after visiting the Integrated Research Facility
07:08at Fort Detrick with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Senator Rand Paul.
07:12The lab, which studies dangerous pathogens, was temporarily shut down due to safety concerns related to contract staff.
07:20The incident is currently under FBI investigation,
07:23although officials have not linked Noem's allergic reaction to the visit.
07:28A federal judge in Boston has blocked the Trump administration's policy
07:32that refused to issue passports reflecting transgender and non-binary Americans' gender identities.
07:38The ruling, which likely discriminates based on sex and violates the Constitution,
07:43expands a preliminary injunction to a nationwide class action, halting enforcement of the policy.
07:49This decision supports transgender rights against a policy that reversed decades of State Department practice.
07:56In Nashville, Elijah Miller, a 19-year-old counter-protester,
08:01was arrested and charged with illegal possession of firearms after brandishing a handgun during a protest.
08:06Authorities, including the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, searched his home and found additional weapons.
08:14Miller, who is under conservatorship for mental health reasons,
08:17was also taken for psychiatric evaluation following a suicidal call.
08:22During the same protest, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department reportedly fired rubber bullets
08:27and tear gas at the Los Angeles Police Department.
08:30This incident underscores the tensions and conflicts between law enforcement agencies amidst protest activities.
08:36Researchers at my university in Japan have demonstrated that CRISPR-Cas9
08:42can be used to remove the extra chromosome 21 responsible for Down syndrome in lab-grown cells,
08:48normalizing gene expression and improving cell function.
08:52This technique shows promise for correcting genetic imbalances,
08:55although it remains far from clinical application.
08:57The Dutch government has issued guidelines recommending that children under 15
09:03should not access social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
09:08This aligns with actions taken by other EU countries aiming to protect minors' mental health
09:12from social media impacts.
09:15A study using functional near-infrared spectroscopy
09:18found that college students with high-frequency pornography use
09:22exhibited altered brain connectivity patterns akin to those seen in substance addiction,
09:27along with impaired cognitive control.
09:30The findings suggest that frequent pornography consumption
09:33may mimic neural and behavioral patterns of addiction,
09:36although the study's limitations warrant further research.
09:39In a significant legislative move, MPs in England and Wales have voted overwhelmingly
09:45to decriminalize abortion, removing the risk of prosecution for women
09:49who terminate pregnancies outside the current legal framework.
09:53This amendment aims to modernize abortion laws and provide care and support,
09:57rather than criminalization.
10:00A study from Tufts University found that consuming one to three cups of caffeinated coffee daily,
10:05with low added sugar and saturated fat,
10:08is linked to a 14-17% lower risk of death from all causes and cardiovascular disease.
10:14The benefits diminish with high sugar and saturated fat intake.
10:19Federal research on misinformation has been cut following President Trump's executive order
10:24aimed at ending federal censorship,
10:26despite 95% of Americans viewing misinformation as a serious problem.
10:31The cuts impair efforts to combat misleading narratives,
10:34while accusations that such research leads to censorship are viewed as politically motivated.
10:41Protests have erupted in Venice as activists criticize Jeff Bezos' upcoming lavish wedding,
10:46claiming it exacerbates the city's housing crisis and prioritizes tourism over residents.
10:51Local authorities defend the event, citing economic benefits,
10:55while activists call for a shift towards resident-focused city management.
10:58Copenhagen has overtaken Vienna to become the world's most livable city,
11:04according to the EIU's Global Livability Index, 2025,
11:09achieving perfect scores in stability, education and infrastructure.
11:13The index noted a decline in global stability due to geopolitical conflicts,
11:18but highlighted improvements in healthcare and education.
11:20A study published in the Journal of Race, Ethnicity and Politics,
11:26found that white Republicans who perceived discrimination against white Americans
11:29were less likely to reduce their support for President Trump after the January 6 Capitol riot.
11:34This suggests that racial status perceptions can influence political accountability.
11:40Following the killing of Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman,
11:43right-wing social media spread false conspiracy theories blaming the left,
11:48despite evidence showing the suspect was a right-leaning Trump supporter.
11:52This misinformation campaign has drawn criticism from local officials and advocates for accurate narratives.
11:59In the Netherlands, a significant increase in tobacco taxes
12:02has led some smokers to purchase tobacco products from neighboring countries,
12:07undermining the effectiveness of the policy.
12:09The Dutch public health agency has warned that high cross-border purchases
12:13could compromise public health efforts.
12:16A study published in Physiology and Behavior,
12:19found that children aged 11 to 13 show greater improvements in attention and memory
12:23after outdoor physical activities compared to indoors.
12:27This suggests that the outdoor environment enhances cognitive benefits beyond exercise alone.
12:33Healthcare exchanges in Nevada, Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island
12:37have been found sharing sensitive personal health data
12:40with companies like Google and LinkedIn through web trackers.
12:43This raises privacy concerns and highlights the need for better oversight of data practices on health-related websites.
12:51A coalition of at least 12 EU countries is pushing the European Commission
12:56to ban the use of traditional meat names for plant-based substitutes to prevent consumer confusion.
13:01This initiative aims to create uniform rules amid concerns over regulatory fragmentation
13:07and the rise of synthetic meats.
13:11Fariba Vankar, former CEO of the waste management company ThinkPink,
13:15has been sentenced to six years in prison for illegally dumping toxic waste
13:19in Sweden's largest environmental crime case.
13:22The illegal dumping released hazardous substances,
13:25posing significant risks to public health and the environment.
13:28Researchers at Macquarie University discovered that the protein disulfide isomrase
13:35can repair damaged DNA in brain cells, potentially preventing neurogenerative diseases.
13:40This study highlights PDI's dual role in protecting healthy cells
13:45while also shielding tumor cells in cancer.
13:48New research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association
13:52reveals that residents living near U.S. coastal waters with high microplastic pollution
13:57have significantly higher rates of type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, and stroke.
14:03This highlights microplastic pollution as a potential public health issue.
14:08The European Union is set to amend the General Data Protection Regulation
14:12to reduce reporting burdens for small businesses.
14:15Concurrently, EU officials are finalizing another law
14:18aimed at addressing perceived design flaws in the original GDPR framework.
14:22A recent study reveals that 26% of immigrants in Germany
14:28have considered leaving the country,
14:29with skilled workers in sectors like IT and healthcare
14:32more likely to consider immigration due to high taxes and bureaucracy.
14:37This trend poses risks to Germany's economy,
14:40which relies on immigrant labor.
14:42The accused Minnesota shooter allegedly used data from online brokers
14:48to find the addresses of his victims,
14:50prompting U.S. Senators to call for stricter regulations on data brokers
14:54to prevent the sale of personal information that can facilitate violence.
14:59A psychological study involving over 700 couples
15:03reveals that relationship satisfaction fluctuates significantly
15:06even within a single day,
15:08with partners' satisfaction levels often rising and falling synchronously.
15:13This highlights the importance of recognizing and responding
15:16to a partner's needs to maintain stable satisfaction.
15:20A report argues that global military spending of over $2.4 trillion annually
15:25could be redirected towards space exploration,
15:28emphasizing the need to shift focus from war
15:30to peaceful cooperation and exploration.
15:34Researchers from Martin Luther University, Hal Wittenberg,
15:37have developed a novel solar absorber
15:39that produces up to 1,000 times more electricity
15:42than stand-alone barium titanate.
15:44This breakthrough could significantly impact solar energy technology,
15:48especially in urban environments.
15:51A study reveals that AI hiring tools used by 99% of Fortune 500 companies
15:57are disrupting the job market
15:58by filtering out qualified candidates unfairly.
16:02These AI systems are biased
16:03and have led to widespread job losses,
16:06particularly in white-collar roles,
16:08prompting calls for fair hiring practices.
16:12Alex Jones is facing allegations from the trustee overseeing his bankruptcy case,
16:17who claims he attempted to shield over $5 million from creditors,
16:21including families of Sandy Hook victims,
16:23awarded nearly $1.5 billion in defamation judgments.
16:28The trustee has pointed to fraudulent transfers of money and property
16:31among Jones family members and entities to conceal assets.
16:35Legal efforts to liquidate Jones Infower's assets
16:38have been complicated by a failed auction and ongoing appeals,
16:42as Sandy Hook families seek to enforce the judgments through state courts.
16:46In the tech sector, Trump Mobile,
16:50a new wireless service launched by the Trump Organization,
16:53has come under scrutiny for initially using the traditional name,
16:56Gulf of Mexico,
16:58on its coverage map instead of President Trump's preferred Gulf of America.
17:02The coverage map was quickly removed following backlash.
17:05The service offers a monthly plan priced at $47.45,
17:11utilizing existing 5G networks from major carriers,
17:14with the Trump brand as its primary selling point.
17:17Additionally, the service will employ AI to track user activity,
17:20promising features such as unlimited text and data,
17:23while emphasizing responsible AI use and data privacy safeguards.
17:29Lobbyists representing major technology companies including Amazon,
17:32Google, Microsoft, and Meta,
17:35are pushing for a 10-year moratorium on state-level regulation of artificial intelligence,
17:40urging the U.S. Senate to centralize AI regulation at the federal level.
17:44This comes as Meta has made significant recruitment efforts to attract OpenAI employees,
17:49offering signing bonuses up to $100 million.
17:53Despite these attempts,
17:54OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reports that none of the top talent have accepted Meta's offers.
17:59In economic news,
18:02U.S. retail sales experienced a sharp decline of 0.9% in May, 2025,
18:08marking the largest monthly drop since January,
18:11primarily driven by a 3.5% decrease in motor vehicle sales following a previous surge.
18:17While a core retail sales measure excluding volatile sectors showed a modest increase,
18:22concerns about economic sustainability persist,
18:24influencing Federal Reserve policy decisions amid mixed inflation signals.
18:28A U.N. study indicates that Ukrainian refugees contributed to a 2.7% increase in Poland's GDP in 2024,
18:38without raising unemployment or lowering wages.
18:42The report highlights the positive economic impact of their integration,
18:46with 69% of working-age refugees employed,
18:49countering claims that refugees are an economic burden.
18:51McKinsey & Co.
18:55Global managing partner Bob Sternfels noted that global companies are re-evaluating their investments in the U.S.
19:01due to policy uncertainties under the Trump administration,
19:04prompting interest in opportunities in Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Gulf region.
19:08This comes as U.S. battery manufacturers declared a national emergency following China's ban on antimony exports,
19:14a critical mineral for batteries,
19:16urging the U.S. to develop domestic processing capabilities.
19:19New York state lawmakers have passed a bill to end subsidies for gas line connections,
19:25shifting costs to homeowners.
19:27Supporters argue this will save utility rate payers $200 million annually and promote cleaner energy alternatives,
19:33while opponents warn it could increase housing costs and strain the power grid.
19:37President Trump's abrupt departure from the G7 summit,
19:42following criticism of trade deals with the EU and Japan,
19:45raises concerns about potential new tariffs on pharmaceuticals and energy.
19:50This could lead to increased volatility in sectors such as autos and pharmaceuticals,
19:54impacting U.S. stock market performance.
19:56Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announced that the company anticipates AI will reduce its corporate workforce
20:04by increasing efficiency, with plans to invest $100 billion in AI services this year.
20:10This trend reflects a broader movement among major companies to streamline operations through AI.
20:15Homebuilder sentiment has dropped to near-pandemic lows due to higher mortgage rates and economic uncertainty,
20:23with the National Association of Homebuilders Housing Market Index falling to 32.
20:27Builders are reporting price reductions as buyer traffic declines.
20:31In the realm of artificial intelligence,
20:35Google has increased the pricing for its Gemini 2.5 flash models thinking output from $0.15 to $0.30 per million tokens,
20:44marking a significant change in costs for users of this AI service.
20:50You've been with Daily World Podcast, and I'm Angela.
20:54Until our next report, stay engaged with the world around you.
21:01You've been with Daily World Podcast, and you've been with Daily World Podcast.
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