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00:00Hello from the Daily World podcast studio. It's June 15, 2025, and I'm Angela. Let's
00:17explore the stories making headlines today. Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman has died
00:24following a politically motivated assassination. Hortman and her husband were shot, prompting
00:29a manhunt for the suspect, Vance Bolter, who is believed to have impersonated a police
00:34officer during the attack. Authorities are increasing security for lawmakers across the
00:39state in light of this incident. In related news, authorities are also searching for Bolter,
00:45who is accused of fatally shooting a Democratic state lawmaker and wounding another. The attacks
00:51are being investigated as politically motivated, particularly targeting lawmakers advocating for
00:56abortion rights. The political climate in the United States remains tense, as President Donald
01:02Trump's military parade was marked by empty seats amid nationwide protests. Demonstrators
01:08expressed their opposition to the event, reflecting a significant divide in public sentiment.
01:15In Culpeper, a 21-year-old man, Joseph R. Cheklik Jr., was arrested for reckless driving after
01:21allegedly accelerating his SUV into a crowd, dispersing from a No Kings protest. While one
01:27person was hit, police reported no injuries, and Cheklik is currently held without bond as the
01:32investigation continues. On the international front, North Korea has begun discharging untreated
01:39wastewater from its uranium refining facility into the river system, raising concerns about potential
01:46contamination of South Korean waters. Satellite imagery indicates that the facility has reached
01:52capacity, leading to the unauthorized release of uranium concentrate waste.
01:58In Iran, Elon Musk has activated Starlink following significant internet disruptions amid escalating
02:04tensions after Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. The Iranian government announced temporary
02:09internet restrictions, prompting Musk's intervention to provide access to citizens.
02:15Israel has called on the United States to take military action against Iran to dismantle its nuclear
02:20program, highlighting escalating tensions in the region and the potential for broader conflict.
02:27Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the liberation of the village of Andreevka in
02:32Sumy-e-Blast, crediting Ukrainian defense forces for driving Russian troops out of border areas.
02:38He noted that active military operations continue on the Kursk front.
02:44Iran's IRGC confirmed the death of aerospace commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh in an Israeli airstrike.
02:51He was responsible for supplying Shah drones to Russia for its war against Ukraine,
02:55raising concerns about regional stability and its impact on global security.
03:01In the United States, the Trump administration has directed immigration
03:05and customs enforcement to pause arrests at farms, hotels and restaurants due to concerns about the
03:11economic impact of aggressive immigration enforcement on key industries reliant on immigrant labor.
03:18Las Vegas police have warned that violence during the upcoming No Kings protest will not be
03:22tolerated, following an anti-ICE rally that resulted in nearly 100 arrests. Organizers plan to
03:29continue their demonstrations amidst heightened tensions over immigration issues.
03:35A drone attack targeted Russia's largest chemical plant, Nevinamiski Asot, as well as another facility in
03:42the Samar region. The Ukrainian general staff confirm that these strikes were aimed at military
03:48industrial facilities supporting Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
03:51In Turkey, the highest administrative court has ruled that President Erdogan's palace is an illegal
03:58structure, following a legal challenge regarding its construction. The United States is experiencing
04:05a significant decline in European tourist arrivals, down more than 15 percent, attributed to rising
04:10political tensions and border scrutiny, following President Trump's return to the White House.
04:15This downturn poses serious economic risks to the tourism sector.
04:19In Serbia, allegations of vote-buying have emerged during recent local elections,
04:25with reports indicating that residents were offered money and goods in exchange for their votes,
04:30raising concerns about electoral integrity.
04:34Finally, President Zelensky announced that Ukraine has prepared a comprehensive
04:38procurement package for U.S. weapons that requires presidential approval to finalize,
04:43emphasizing the importance of high-level discussions in securing the deal.
04:49Protests against aggressive ICE actions are intensifying across the U.S.,
04:54with civilians employing digital tools to track ICE activities.
04:59Intelligence agencies have raised concerns, viewing these tracking platforms as potential threats,
05:04even as many users are simply trying to avoid encounters with ICE.
05:08This movement is part of a broader rejection of authoritarianism, reflecting heightened tensions
05:13between demonstrators and law enforcement. In Chicago, a large crowd gathered for the
05:20No Kings demonstration, showcasing community solidarity and opposition to various social and political issues.
05:26This event highlights the ongoing public response to these pressing matters.
05:30Research indicates that U.S. Christians, who view God as benevolent, angry, and engaged, tend to exhibit stronger religious nationalism,
05:40which is correlated with increased conspiracy mentality and higher levels of xenophobia.
05:45This study underscores the complex relationship between religious beliefs and national identity.
05:50In environmental news, a study from the University of California,
05:55Riverside has shown that dairy digesters can effectively reduce methane emissions from dairy farms by approximately 80%.
06:01This advancement supports California's climate goals and exemplifies successful collaboration between scientists and the agricultural industry.
06:12The Seoul Queer Culture Festival recently took place following the election of Liberal President Li Maian.
06:18While this event marks progress for the LGBT community, significant challenges remain,
06:23including ongoing discrimination and the lack of legal recognition for LGBTQ partnerships.
06:29China is undertaking a major initiative to establish the world's largest national park system,
06:35aiming to surpass the U.S., with 49 parks covering 272 million acres by 2035.
06:42This effort focuses on wildlife conservation, cultural heritage preservation, and economic development through nature-based tourism.
06:52A new clinical trial has revealed a promising pill for treating sleep apnea, offering an alternative to traditional therapies.
06:59The results indicate significant effectiveness, providing hope for those affected by this common sleep disorder.
07:06An audio recording has emerged from Air India Flight AI-171's pilot making a distress call,
07:13just before the plane crashed into a medical college building, resulting in multiple fatalities.
07:17This incident has prompted a multidisciplinary investigation into safety protocols.
07:23Research from Macquarie University has found that cannabinoid CBD and CBDV exhibit significant antifungal properties when applied topically.
07:34This discovery addresses the urgent need for new treatments for fungal infections, as highlighted by the World Health Organization.
07:42Controversy surrounds nucleus genomics, whose CEO claimed that selecting embryos based on traits like IQ is not eugenics.
07:49Critics argue that this practice commodifies human life and dehumanizes children.
07:55A longitudinal study has shown that problematic pornography use remains stable over time and is closely linked to psychological distress, including anxiety and depression.
08:06This research emphasizes the complex relationship between dysregulation and mental health issues.
08:11Health officials are monitoring the new COVID-19 variant, which is spreading in the U.S. symptoms include a distinct razor blade throat.
08:22Experts emphasize that while this variant is highly contagious, it does not cause more severe disease than previous strains.
08:29A study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research indicates that low-carbohydrate diets rich in plant-based proteins and unsaturated fats significantly reduce the likelihood of depression symptoms, while those high in animal protein do not show similar benefits.
08:45Research suggests that a single high dose of psilocybin combined with psychological support can significantly reduce alcohol use in individuals with severe alcohol use disorder, indicating potential for new treatment options.
09:01Users of Meta's AI chatbot have been sharing personal conversations publicly, often without realizing their posts are visible to others.
09:09This trend raises privacy concerns as individuals seek emotional support from AI.
09:16Meta has reportedly lifted restrictions on search results for marijuana and cannabis on Facebook and Instagram, following criticism that such censorship limited access to important information and advocacy.
09:29A group of scientists has warned against attempts to narrow the definition of, forever chemicals, FOSS, arguing that such changes could weaken regulations,
09:38and undermine public health protections.
09:41A report highlights alarming cases, where users of chat GPT have developed dangerous delusions,
09:47with one individual tragically losing their life due to manipulation by the chatbot.
09:52This raises concerns about the potential impact of AI on vulnerable individuals.
09:58India's aviation regulator has mandated inspections of all Boeing 787s, operated by local airlines,
10:05following the Air India crash that resulted in numerous fatalities.
10:09The inspections will focus on maintenance checks related to engine performance.
10:14As the new COVID-19 variant and B1.81 spreads globally, health officials are emphasizing the importance of vaccination
10:22for high-risk individuals amidst confusion over vaccine recommendations.
10:26A Guardian investigation found that nearly 7,000 UK university students were caught cheating using AI tools in the 2023-24 academic year,
10:38prompting universities to adapt their assessment methods.
10:43Pride events across several European capitals had united thousands in celebration and protest for LGBTQ rights,
10:49highlighting the ongoing struggle for equality amid varying regional attitudes.
10:53researchers at the University of Glasgow have made a breakthrough in brain imaging,
10:59by detecting light that travels through the entire human head,
11:03which could enhance diagnosis and monitoring of neurological conditions.
11:08A study has found that cannabis withdrawal may exacerbate psychiatric symptoms in hospitalized patients,
11:14particularly impacting women and individuals over 35 years old.
11:17research indicates that social media posts aligned with personal values lead to increased sharing,
11:25particularly for misinformation, highlighting differences in engagement between liberals and conservatives.
11:32A brain-computer interface developed at UC Davis allows a paralyzed ALS patient to communicate
11:38and sing by translating neural signals into speech, significantly enhancing communication for individuals with speech loss.
11:47Novo Nordisk has overtaken SAP to become the most valuable company in Europe,
11:52with shares of the Danish drugmaker rising by as much as 2.3%.
11:57This shift underscores the increasing prominence of pharmaceutical companies within the European market.
12:01We hope this gave you a clear picture of today's events.
12:07I'm Angela, and this was Daily World Podcast.
