US Politics
According to a recent poll, public resistance to President Trump’s potential military action against Iran is significant, with only 16% of Americans and 19% of Trump voters supporting US military involvement in Israel’s conflict with Iran. Various demographics show significant resistance, and spans across political lines, with even Trump supporters largely against military engagement.
Meanwhile, a federal judge upheld executive authority in a dispute over federal funding cuts to Columbia University due to antisemitism concerns, emphasizing the separation of powers and the executive branch’s right to influence policy through funding decisions.
Geopolitics
President Trump has approved attack plans against Iran but is holding off to see if Tehran will abandon its nuclear program. Iran faces heavy Israeli airstrikes, with its air defenses compromised, leading to a near-total internet blackout. The U.S. is deploying the USS Ford Carrier Strike Group near the Middle East as tensions escalate. Russian President Putin has stated that Iran fights alone and has not requested Russian assistance.
Health
Sam’s Club has announced the removal of over 40 artificial ingredients, including aspartame, from its Member’s Mark brand by the end of the year. This follows General Mills’ and Kraft Heinz’s decisions to eliminate artificial colors from their entire U.S. product lines. While removing artificial colors might seem like a win for health, critics argue that natural alternatives can be just as harmful or less effective in terms of product stability and shelf life.
Additionally, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has formally halted funding for gain-of-function research in countries of concern, effective immediately.
An ACIP vote on the use of thimerosal-containing influenza vaccine recommendations is scheduled for June 26, 2025.
Economy
The Social Security Administration’s latest report forecasts a depletion of the trust fund supporting retirement benefits by 2033, with only 77% of benefits payable at that point. The combined trust funds for Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Disability Insurance are expected to last until 2034, one year earlier than previously projected, with 81% of benefits payable. Meanwhile, Medicare’s Hospital Insurance trust fund will be able to pay full benefits until 2033, after which 89% of benefits will be payable. A survey indicates that 85% of Americans prefer raising taxes over cutting benefits, with proposals to eliminate the payroll tax cap for high earners and gradually increase the payroll tax rate. However, there is a political divide on solutions, with Democrats generally favoring tax increases and Republicans leaning towards benefit cuts or adjustments.
European Politics
In Germany, Stefan Niehoff, a 64-year-old retiree, was fined €825 for retweeting memes. The case began with a raid on Niehoff’s home for a meme labeling Economics Minister Robert Habeck a “moron,” but shifted focus to other retweets deemed more prosecutable. These included images of Adolf Hitler and clerics giving Nazi salutes, as well as memes comparing current political figures to Nazis. Niehoff plans to appeal the conviction. Some critics argue that Germany’s laws against hate speech are too restrictive, sparking a debate about freedom of expression versus the need to combat hate speech.
Energy
As the world faces resource scarcity and economic contraction, Gail Tverberg advises adopting a future with reduced complexity and fewer goods and services. Practical advice includes avoiding conflict, preparing for a decline in international trade, focusing on the present, considering communal living, and prioritizing health and self-sufficiency through gardening. However, some experts suggest that technological advancements might mitigate some of the resource scarcity issues, providing a counter-narrative to the more pessimistic outlook.
Environment
The Environmental Working Group’s 2025 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce has updated its “Dirty Dozen” list, adding blackberries and potatoes due to high pesticide residues. The guide aims to inform consumers about pesticide exposure while encouraging the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Conversely, the “Clean Fifteen” list includes produce with the lowest pesticide residues, like bananas and cauliflower. Experts suggest simple steps like rinsing and peeling to reduce exposure to pesticides. However, the Alliance for Food and Farming argues that over 99% of produce tested by the USDA falls below legal safety limits for pesticides, suggesting that the health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables far outweigh the risks posed by pesticide residues.
Sources
Social Security Trust Funds Face Depletion by 2034, Urgent Congressional Action Required
Congress ‘must act’ to protect program
Source | Submitted by BonnieB2A
German Pensioner Fined for Nazi Memes in Landmark Retweet Case
He is probably the most dangerous retweeter in the entire nation.
Source | Submitted by richcabot
Navigating a World in Decline: Practical Advice for Ordinary Citizens
“The system causing the problem is physics-based. Without enough affordable energy of the right types, the economy tends to collapse.”
Source | Submitted by rhollenb
Navigating the Produce Aisle: Understanding the 2025 Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen Lists
“Everyone should eat more fruits and vegetables—organic or conventional.”
Trump’s Iran War Gambit Meets Unprecedented Public Resistance
“The Constitution does not permit the executive branch to unilaterally commit an act of war against a sovereign nation that hasn’t attacked the United States,” said Massie
Federal Judge Upholds Executive Authority in Columbia University Funding Dispute
With no apparent sense of irony, lawyers for an organization called ‘Protect Democracy’ insist that a district court judge should order the Executive Branch immediately to restore the flow of taxpayer dollars to an elite university, which funding Defendants represent is inconsistent with the priorities of the duly elected President of the United States.
Trump Approves Iran Attack Plans, Awaits Tehran’s Nuclear Concession Amidst Escalating Tensions
President Trump told senior aides late Tuesday that he approved of attack plans for Iran, but was holding off to see if Tehran would abandon its nuclear program, people familiar with the deliberations said.
Trump’s Iran Peace Talk Comments Overshadow Massive Crude Inventory Draw, WTI Prices Dip
“I may do it. I may not do it. Nobody knows what I’m going to do.”
Sam’s Club Removes Artificial Ingredients from Member’s Mark Brand
Glad to see @SamsClub take action—removing more than 40 ingredients, including artificial colors and aspartame, from its private label brand Member’s Mark by the end of this year.
General Mills Follows Kraft Heinz in Removing Artificial Colors from Products After RFK Jr.’s Influence
General Mills announces they will be removing artificial colors from their ENTIRE U.S. product line, following RFK Jr’s directives
Putin Clarifies Russia’s Non-Involvement in Iran’s Defense
Iran fights the fight alone, they’re proud and want to be self reliant.
Source | Submitted by AaronMcKeon
Vote on Thimerosal: Kennedy Jr. Highlights Toxicity Concerns
“There is a virtually unanimous scientific consensus among the hundreds of research scientists who have published peer-reviewed articles in the field that Thimerosal is immensely toxic to brain tissue.”
NIH Halts Funding for Dangerous Gain-of-Function Research in Countries of Concern
“Effective immediately, NIH will [t]erminate funding and other support for projects, including unfunded collaborations/projects, meeting the definition of dangerous gain-of-function research conducted by foreign entities in countries of concern”
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: Alliance for Food and Farming, Economist/YouGov, Financial Times, Guardian, Hill, Reuters.
by hladini 
