#BREAKING: 35% tariff on Canada still in the cards, Lutnick says

The #US must compensate Iran for losses from June’s war, according to Iran’s foreign minister, as Tehran adopts a tougher stance on nuclear negotiations with the Trump administration, reported the Financial Times.

#Radioactive wasp nest found at site where U.S. once made #nuclear bombs. Employees who routinely check radiation levels at the Savannah River Site near Aiken found a wasp nest on July 3 on a post near tanks where liquid nuclear waste is stored, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Energy.

The nest had a radiation level 10 times what is allowed by federal regulations, officials said.

The workers sprayed the nest with insect killer, removed it and disposed of it as radioactive waste. No wasps were found, officials said.

The report said there is no leak from the waste tanks, and the nest was likely radioactive through what it called “onsite legacy radioactive contamination” from the residual radioactivity left from when the site was fully operational.

The watchdog group Savannah River Site Watch said the report was at best incomplete since it doesn’t detail where the contamination came from, how the wasps might have encountered it and the possibility there could be another radioactive nest if there is a leak somewhere.

Knowing the type of wasp nest could also be critical — some wasps make nest out of dirt and others use different material which could pinpoint where the contamination came from, Tom Clements, executive director of the group, wrote in a text message.

“I’m as mad as a hornet that SRS didn’t explain where the radioactive waste came from or if there is some kind of leak from the waste tanks that the public should be aware of,” Clements said.

The tank farm is well inside the boundaries of the site and wasps generally fly just a few hundred yards from their nests, so there is no danger they are outside the facility, according to a statement from Savannah River Mission Completion which now oversees the site.

If there had been wasps found, they would have significantly lower levels of radiation than their nests, according to the statement which was given to the Aiken Standard.

The site was opened in the early 1950s to manufacture the plutonium pits needed to make the core of nuclear bombs during the start of the Cold War with the Soviet Union. Now the site has shifted toward making fuel for nuclear plants and clean up.

The site generated more than 165 million gallons (625 million liters) of liquid nuclear waste which has, through evaporation, been reduced to about 34 million gallons (129 million liters), according to Savannah River Mission Completion.

There are still 43 of the underground tanks in use while eight have been closed.

Jeffrey Collins, The Associated Press

#Kamala Harris will not run for California governor in 2026. “For now, my leadership — and public service — will not be in elected office,” she said in a statement released Wednesday. “I look forward to getting back out and listening to the American people, helping elect Democrats across the nation who will fight fearlessly, and sharing more details in the months ahead about my own plans.”

In the aftermath of her loss to U.S. President Donald Trump, Harris and her team indicated that she would take some time to assess her next steps, which included considering a run for governor of California or potentially another run for president in 2028.

Harris had loomed over the potential field in California as a heavy favorite, which still features several other prominent Democrats including former Rep. Katie Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. The party is favored to hold the office in the deep-blue state.

But Harris also faced skepticism from some home-state Democrats, concerned about baggage from her unsuccessful White House campaign and the potential drag across the state’s battleground U.S. House districts that could be pivotal in the midterms.

Amid the drawn-out deliberations, Harris had reached out to former California governors to ask what she could get done on the job and asked aides for research and memos that outlined other options.

Among those options: Starting a 501(c)(4) organization focused on the information ecosystem and how to empower younger voters while rethinking institutions key to democracy, creating a political action committee to raise money for other candidates, and doing a listening tour of U.S. southern states with a 2028 presidential bid in mind.

Harris wanted to make the decision about running before an expected fall book tour was announced. That announcement is coming soon.

Her thinking, according to a person familiar with her deliberations, was that she would have time for all of these if she didn’t run for governor.

“I have extraordinary admiration and respect for those who dedicate their lives to public service — service to their communities and to our nation,” she said in her Wednesday statement.

“At the same time, we must recognize that our politics, our government, and our institutions have too often failed the American people, culminating in this moment of crisis. As we look ahead, we must be willing to pursue change through new methods and fresh thinking — committed to our same values and principles, but not bound by the same playbook.”
Harris’ future

Two people who have spoken with Harris stressed that the announcement should not be taken as a definite sign she will run for president again.

Harris made the decision announced Wednesday after returning from a trip to the United Kingdom last week for the wedding of the daughter of her friend and longtime donor Laurene Powell Jobs.

For weeks, she had been giving people she spoke with the impression that she was edging away from running. She told one person who spoke with her that she felt she could have the biggest impact by leading “from the outside.”

Harris and several close friends worried that she would get caught up in the granularity of running for governor, especially because they figured she’d have to over-exert herself to prove her bona fides that she wasn’t taking the race for granted, and that would take her out of bigger discussions she very much still wants to be a part of.

“To run for governor, you have to get more specific and granular to what the legislature is working on – and she’s needed in the national conversation,” the first person who spoke to her told CNN. As for running for president again, “it means she doesn’t have to make a decision right now, but she can spend time leading.”

#Trump says US intends to impose 25% tariffs on goods from India
India has changed basically more tariffs than almost any other country, "but now I am in charge, and you just can't do that," the #US President stressed

#Russian troops liberated two settlements in the #Zaporozhye Region and the #Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) over the past 24 hours in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on Tuesday.

"Battlegroup Center units liberated the settlement of Novoukrainka in the Donetsk People’s Republic through active operations… Battlegroup East units kept advancing deep into the enemy’s defenses and liberated the settlement of Temirovka in the Zaporozhye Region," the ministry said in a statement.
Kiev loses over 1,255 troops along engagement line in past day – latest figures

The Ukrainian army lost more than 1,255 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours, according to the latest data on the special military operation in Ukraine released by Russia’s Defense Ministry.

The latest figures show that the Ukrainian army lost over 175 troops, a tank and three armored combat vehicles in the responsibility area of Russia’s Battlegroup North, more than 230 troops, three artillery guns and a foreign-made multiple rocket launcher in the responsibility area of the Battlegroup West and roughly 155 troops and four armored combat vehicles in the responsibility area of the Battlegroup South.

During the last 24-hour period, the Ukrainian army also lost roughly 425 troops and three armored combat vehicles in the responsibility area of Russia’s Battlegroup Center, over 200 troops and an armored combat vehicle in the responsibility area of the Battlegroup East and more than 70 troops and five jamming stations in the responsibility area of the Battlegroup Dnepr, the latest figures show.
Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicts over 175 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted more than 175 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy tank and three armored combat vehicles in its areas of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Battlegroup North units improved their tactical position and inflicted losses on manpower and equipment of a mechanized brigade, an air assault brigade and an assault regiment of the Ukrainian army in areas near the settlements of Pisarevka, Alekseyevka, Yunakovka, Andreyevka and Varachino in the Sumy Region," the ministry said.

In the Kharkov direction, Battlegroup North units inflicted losses on formations of a motorized infantry brigade of the Ukrainian army and a territorial defense brigade in areas near the settlements of Ogurtsovo, Gatishche, Melovoye and Volchansk in the Kharkov Region, the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army lost over 175 personnel, a tank, three armored combat vehicles, nine motor vehicles, eight artillery guns, a Croatian-made RAK-SA-12 multiple rocket launcher and an Israeli-manufactured RADA RPS-42 radar station in those frontline areas over the past 24 hours, it specified.

In addition, Russian forces destroyed two counterbattery radar stations and four ammunition and materiel depots of the Ukrainian army, it said.
Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicts over 230 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 230 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy artillery guns and a foreign-made multiple rocket launcher in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Battlegroup West units improved their forward positions and inflicted losses on formations of three mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian army and two territorial defense brigades in areas near the settlements of Sredneye and Shandrigolovo in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Kupyansk, Osinovo, Blagodatovka, Boguslavka and Petropavlovka in the Kharkov Region," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army lost more than 230 personnel, 12 motor vehicles, three field artillery guns and a Croatian-made RAK-SA-12 multiple rocket launcher in that frontline area over the past 24 hours, it specified.

In addition, Russian forces destroyed five electronic warfare stations and three ammunition depots of the Ukrainian army, it said.
Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicts 155 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 155 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Battlegroup South units gained better lines and positions and inflicted losses on manpower and equipment of two mechanized brigades, an assault brigade of the Ukrainian army and two territorial defense brigades in areas near the settlements of Konstantinovka, Kleban-Byk, Ivanopolye, Pleshcheyevka, Serebryanka, Seversk, Zvanovka, Chasov Yar, Aleksandro-Shultino and Shcherbinovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army lost an estimated 155 personnel, a British-made Spartan armored personnel carrier, two HMMWV armored vehicles and a MaxxPro armored fighting vehicle of US manufacture in that frontline area over the past 24 hours, it specified.

In addition, Russian forces destroyed three Western-made artillery guns, a motor vehicle, two electronic warfare stations and four ammunition and materiel depots of the Ukrainian army, it said.
Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicts 425 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted roughly 425 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

During the last 24-hour period, Battlegroup Center units "inflicted losses on formations of three mechanized brigades, an airborne brigade of the Ukrainian army, a marine infantry brigade and two National Guard brigades in areas near the settlements of Dimitrov, Krasnoarmeysk, Chunishino, Artyomovka, Muravka, Udachnoye and Petrovskogo in the Donetsk People’s Republic," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army lost an estimated 425 personnel, three armored combat vehicles, four motor vehicles and five field artillery guns in that frontline area over the past 24 hours, it specified.
Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicts over 200 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicted more than 200 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy armored combat vehicle in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

During the last 24-hour period, Battlegroup East units "inflicted losses on manpower and equipment of a mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian army, two territorial defense brigades and a National Guard brigade in areas near the settlements of Charivnoye in the Zaporozhye Region, Novopetrovskoye, Yanvarskoye and Maliyevka in the Dnepropetrovsk Region, Aleksandrograd and Novokhatskoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army lost over 200 personnel, an armored combat vehicle and 14 motor vehicles in that frontline area over the past 24 hours, it specified.
Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr inflicts over 70 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr inflicted more than 70 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed five enemy jamming stations in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Battlegroup Dnepr units inflicted losses on formations of a mechanized brigade and a coastal defense brigade of the Ukrainian army in areas near the settlements of Lukyanovskoye in the Zaporozhye Region, Antonovka and Sadovoye in the Kherson Region and the city of Kherson," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army lost more than 70 personnel, two motor vehicles and five electronic warfare stations in that frontline area over the past 24 hours, it specified.

In addition, Russian forces destroyed three ammunition and three materiel depots of the Ukrainian army, it said.
Russian troops strike Ukrainian military airfield, UAV pilot training center in past day

Russian troops struck a Ukrainian military airfield and an UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) pilot training center over the past 24 hours, the ministry reported.

"Operational/tactical aircraft, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, missile troops and artillery of the Russian groups of forces struck the infrastructure of a military airfield, a workshop for the production and a center for the training of pilots of unmanned aerial vehicles, and also temporary deployment sites of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 142 areas," the ministry said.
Russian air defenses down 236 Ukrainian UAVs, Neptune missile over past day

Russian air defense forces shot down 236 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles and a Neptune missile over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Air defense capabilities shot down a Neptune long-range missile and 236 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles," the ministry said.

Overall, the Russian Armed Forces have destroyed 664 Ukrainian warplanes, 283 helicopters, 73,389 unmanned aerial vehicles, 624 surface-to-air missile systems, 24,375 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,583 multiple rocket launchers, 27,948 field artillery guns and mortars and 38,855 special military motor vehicles since the start of the special military operation, the ministry reported.

#Pakistani rescuers will try again to reach an injured German climber stranded on a mountain

An explosion and fire at a Nebraska plant are preventing a search for 3 missing people

#Canada: Car theft numbers are dropping, but will your insurance rates? New data shows vehicle thefts dropped 19 per cent nationally in the first half of 2025, compared to the same period last year. Ontario saw the biggest decline at 26 per cent.

But insurance industry officials say the improvement in theft rates won’t necessarily translate to lower premiums for drivers anytime soon.

“It’s encouraging to see some small steps in the right direction,” Hanna Beydoun, director of auto policy at the Insurance Bureau of Canada, told CTV News. “But the problem remains significantly above historical levels, and it’s far from the only factor that contributes to the cost that drivers pay for auto insurance.”

According to a new report from Equate Association, 23,000 personal cars and trucks were stolen in the first half of this year, which is down substantially from the 34,000 by July of 2023.

While the numbers represent progress, they come after a decade of rising theft rates. The Insurance Bureau of Canada says over the last 10 years, claims are up more than 115 per cent and auto theft costs have skyrocketed 371 per cent.

“One year is great, it’s a great indication of where trends might go,” Beydoun said. “But there’s still lots more work that remains to be done to get us out of this auto theft crisis.”
Why premiums keep rising

Beyond theft, Beydoun says several factors are driving up insurance costs across the country, including repair costs having jumped 22 per cent since the pandemic began, noting that tariffs on vehicle parts are making replacements more expensive. She also says Alberta has seen collision-related lawsuits rise significantly.

“Unless all the cost drivers are completely pulled out of the system, there’s going to be continued upward pressure on auto insurance premiums across the country,” Beydoun said.

For Ryan Tostik of Milton, Ont., the theft statistics aren’t just numbers. They represent a devastating personal loss.

His beloved 2004 Chevy Silverado was stolen from an auto repair shop on July 18. Tostik had spent six years and a lot of money restoring the truck, including a fresh paint job and new engine.

“It’s all a big shock, to be honest. I kind of feel violated,” he said. “Considering how much money that I put into it, and it was considered almost finished.”

Tostik says to him, the truck was worth between $50,000 and $60,000, and he can’t believe it was gone “within minutes.”

He says the response from police was discouraging.

“They just say it’s an everyday occurrence. So, more or less, they tell me you’re on your own,” he said. “Otherwise, call your insurance company.”

Now Tostik is hoping his insurer will recognize the truck’s value, and is armed with receipts for all the restoration work.

“I never had anything stolen in my life. So it’s a big shock and a gut-wrenching feeling in the stomach,” he said. “I’d like to have the vehicle back. I’m not hopeful, but I’m trying to be hopeful.”

Brian Gast, national vice-president of Investigative Services at Equite Association, credits the decline in thefts to increased public awareness and a collaborate effort between various levels of government and law enforcement agencies.

“I do caution that even though the numbers are going down, they’re still high,” he said. “It doesn’t mean that we need to take our foot off the gas.”

Gast says auto theft remains a major funding source for organized crime and criminals are adapting. Gast says investigators are seeing more “chop shops,” where stolen vehicles are dismantled and sold for parts, and they’re also replacing the vehicle identification number on stolen vehicles.
How to protect yourself

Gast has a few recommendations when it comes to vehicle security:

Park in a garage or well-lit area, when possible
Keep windows up and doors locked
Never leave key fobs inside the vehicle
Consider aftermarket tracking devices
Use visible deterrents like steering wheel locks

“You don’t have to do them all, but we call it a layered approach,” Gast said.

#Canada pledges $30M in Gaza aid, $10M for Palestinian Authority work toward statehood.

Canada is adding $30 million to its humanitarian funding for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, along with $10 million to help the Palestinian Authority reform itself for eventual statehood.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is announcing the new funding today at a major United Nations conference in New York aimed at finding ways to preserve the two-state solution.

The conference is taking place as international experts warn of starvation in Gaza, where Israel has slightly loosened its restrictions on aid deliveries to desperate Palestinians.

Anand says the $30 million will get to Gaza “as soon as logistically possible” and calls for a ceasefire to help the region move toward peace.

Canada has not joined France in announcing plans to recognize a Palestinian state, and is instead saying that the Palestinian Authority must “undertake the comprehensive reforms necessary to govern Gaza and the West Bank.”

Ottawa is pledging $10 million to accelerate reform so that the Palestinian Authority can provide “legitimate, democratic governance.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 28, 2025

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press