Monthly Archives: June 2025

2025.06.05

A trillion here, a trillion there, pretty soon we’re talking real money!
Trump’s tax bill would add $2.4tn to US debt, says non-partisan analysis
The Congressional Budget Office warns Trump’s ‘one big, beautiful bill’ will leave 10.9 million uninsured by 2034
Joseph Gedeon in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/04/trump-tax-bill-debt

‘These guys are idiots’: Sean Penn and Dustin Lance Black call out government’s Harvey Milk erasure
Team behind Oscar-winning biopic of the groundbreaking gay politician hits back at decision to remove his name
Adrian Horton
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/04/sean-penn-harvey-milk

Hundreds arrested across 28 states in effort to curb organized retail theft
Illinois taskforce brought together more than 100 law enforcement agencies and over 30 retailers for crackdown
Marina Dunbar
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/04/organized-retail-theft-arrests

Many of Dead Sea scrolls may be older than thought, experts say
Researchers enlisted help of AI along with radiocarbon dating to produce new insights into ancient texts
Nicola Davis Science Correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/jun/04/many-of-dead-sea-scrolls-may-be-older-that-thought-experts-say

MyPillow’s Mike Lindell faces trial and plans to testify about 2020 election lies
The case, brought by former Dominion employee Eric Coomer, could deepen Lindell’s legal and financial troubles
Rachel Leingang
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/04/mike-lindell-testify-2020-election-trial

FDA issues highest alert for tomato recall due to salmonella risk
Williams Farms Repack tomatoes recalled in Georgia and Carolinas, although no cases of illness have been reported
Maya Yang
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/04/tomato-recall-salmonella

Contraception warning over weight-loss drugs after dozens of pregnancies
UK watchdog has had 40 reports relating to pregnancies in people using drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro
Tobi Thomas Health and inequalities correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jun/05/contraception-warning-over-weight-loss-drugs-after-dozens-of-pregnancies

Breakthrough in search for HIV cure leaves researchers ‘overwhelmed’
Exclusive: Melbourne team demonstrates way to make the virus visible within white blood cells, paving the way to fully clear it from the body
Kat Lay Global health correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/jun/05/breakthrough-in-search-for-hiv-cure-leaves-researchers-overwhelmed

I thought it was being gay that made my life so difficult. Then, at 50, I got an eye-opening diagnosis …
I spent far too many years lonely and angry, thanks to schoolmates who called me ‘weird’ and bosses who dismissed me as ‘hysterical’. But was it my sexuality that put their backs up – or the autism I am still coming to terms with?
Matt Cain
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jun/05/i-thought-it-was-being-gay-that-made-my-life-so-difficult-then-at-50-i-got-an-eye-opening-diagnosis

Millions in west do not know they have aggressive fatty liver disease, study says
Research finds more than 15m in US, UK, Germany and France with MASH have not been diagnosed
Anna Bawden Health and social affairs correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jun/05/millions-in-west-do-not-know-they-have-aggressive-fatty-liver-disease-study-says

First bacteria we ever meet can keep us out of hospital
James Gallagher
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgr5lej9l8lo

What to do if your email account is stolen – and how to stop it happening again
A hacked or compromised account can be a nightmare. But with these tips, it need not be the end of the world
Samuel Gibbs Consumer technology editor
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/jun/04/what-to-do-if-your-email-account-is-stolen-and-how-to-stop-it-happening-again

From MPR News: “The Minnesota Department of Public Safety said people are receiving scam text messages that threaten penalties if they do not pay up. Department officials are asking people to delete and disregard the messages.” Via MinnPost
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/06/04/minnesota-officials-warn-of-scam-dmv-texts

From Bring Me The News: “Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued a statement in response to the law enforcement operation at two Twin Cities restaurants on Tuesday, one of which drew a large crowd of protesters. … MPD’s policy said that it will not interfere with ICE investigations, but will not be involved in the enforcement of federal immigration law.” In this case, “MPD said it ‘responded to a request to assist with crowd control and to help ensure public safety,’ adding: ‘Officers supported federal law enforcement in safely departing the area.’” Via MinnPost
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/ice-issues-statement-in-response-to-raids-at-2-twin-cities-restaurants

From KARE 11: “Skies are clearing over much of the state after days of being surrounded by a smoky haze, air so unhealthy it triggered the highest level Air Quality Index (AQI) warning for residents in northwest Minnesota. Things have improved so much that an Air Quality Alert issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) expired at 9 a.m. Wednesday for residents of the Twin Cities metro. Via MinnPost
https://www.kare11.com/article/weather/air-quality-alert-ends-for-twin-cities-wildfire-smoke-exiting-minnesota/89-a85d429f-5def-4025-92a7-ad26bb38790f

Contorted bodies and bare bottoms: Ralph Gibson’s all-seeing eye – in pictures
The photographer has spent six decades photographing Hollywood, New York … and lots of women. He talks us through his favourite images
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2025/jun/05/contorted-bodies-and-bare-bottoms-ralph-gibsons-all-seeing-eye-in-pictures

Where to start with: Edmund White
After the news of White’s death, here is a guide to a foundational writer of gay lives and elder statesman of American queer literary fiction
Neil Bartlett
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/jun/04/where-to-start-with-edmund-white

Why Minneapolis is one of the world’s happiest places
Lindsey Galloway
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250530-why-minneapolis-is-one-of-the-worlds-happiest-places

2025.06.04

From MPR News: “Tuesday’s smoke front produced the highest air quality index reading for wildfire smoke on record in the state of Minnesota.” Air quality is expected to improve markedly Wednesday and Thursday. Via MinnPost
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/06/03/smoke-storm-highest-smoke-level-ever-recorded-for-minnesota

From the Minnesota Star Tribune: “The hydroponic grower of year-round tomatoes in the northern clime of Owatonna, Minn., Bushel Boy Farms, has sold its assets and greenhouse to a new owner and operator. … Bushel Boy began as a greenhouse-grown tomato company in 1990 and had expanded in recent years to other fruits and vegetables, including strawberries and cucumbers.” Via MinnPost

US immigration officials push for increased detentions, including ‘collateral’ arrests
Exclusive: Ice officers encouraged to ‘push the envelope’ with arrests, including of undocumented people encountered by chance
José Olivares in New York
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/04/immigration-officials-increased-detentions-collateral-arrests

Proposed Republican cuts could undo opioid epidemic progress in Appalachia
Few other places in the US will see the effects of funding cuts felt more than in Appalachian communities
Stephen Starr in Huntington, West Virginia
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/04/opioids-appalachia-white-house-republicans

Trump keeps being overruled by judges. And his temper tantrums won’t stop that
Steven Greenhouse
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jun/04/trump-judges-law

Hegseth orders US navy to strip Harvey Milk name from ship amid Pride month
Timing of announcement on ship named after prominent gay rights activist and veteran is intentional, reports say
Maya Yang
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/03/harvey-milk-ship-name-hegseth

Are we heading for a recession? Show me your nails
Arwa Mahdawi
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jun/04/are-we-heading-for-a-recession-show-me-your-nails

How the use of a word in the Guardian has gotten some readers upset
Elisabeth Ribbans
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jun/04/use-word-gotten-some-readers-upset

Edmund White, novelist and great chronicler of gay life, dies aged 85
The American essayist, playwright and author of books including A Boy’s Own Story and The Married Man has died
Sian Cain
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/jun/04/edmund-white-novelist-dies

2025.06.03

Philadelphia paper warns Fetterman to take Senate job seriously – ‘or step away’
Democratic senator hits back at ‘smear’ after being accused of missing votes and skipping committee hearings
Anna Betts
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/02/john-fetterman-senate-philadelphia-inquirer

US firms say Trump trade war is hitting production as dollar nears three-year low
Manufacturing survey signals third monthly decline in output in a row amid uncertainty over tariffs
Heather Stewart Economics editor
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/02/us-firms-say-trump-trade-war-is-hitting-production-as-dollar-nears-three-year-low

Outrage over Peru’s decision to nearly halve protected area near Nazca Lines
Shock decision has raised fears ancient site with almost 2,000-year-old geoglyphs will be exploited by illegal miners
Dan Collyns in Lima
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/02/peru-nazca-lines-protection-illegal-mining

Theater Mu’s new artistic director sees role as a call to arms in uncertain times
Writer and director Fran de Leon aims to elevate the theater’s profile and reach, while continuing to bring overlooked Asian-American histories to light.
by Macy-Châu Diễm Trần
https://sahanjournal.com/arts-culture/theater-mu-new-artistic-director-fran-de-leon/

How Bangkok’s Coolest Neighborhood is Taking On Gentrification
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NHfQ7ox_is

2025.06.02

Much of Minnesota will be under an air quality alert, MPR News reports. The alert is expected to last until at least 6 p.m. Monday. “According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, fine particle levels caused by large wildfires from Manitoba and Saskatchewan will push the air quality index to the red category, a level considered unhealthy for everyone, across the northern half of Minnesota. … For most of the southern and central part of Minnesota, the air quality index is expected to reach the orange category, which is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.”  Via MinnPost
https://www.minnpost.com/glean/2025/06/smoggy-times-canadian-wildfires-contribute-to-minnesota-haze/

Key US weather monitoring offices understaffed as hurricane season starts
National Weather Service offices are reeling from job cuts and a hiring freeze imposed by Trump
Oliver Milman
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/02/trump-national-weather-service-hurricanes

Half of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders faced hate in 2024, study finds
Exclusive: rampant anti-Asian hate in 2024 reflected divisive election season, survey finds
Minnah Arshad
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/02/aapi-hate-study

A ‘war on children’: as US changes Covid vaccine rules, parents of trial volunteers push back
Frustration and anger mount as Trump administration contemplates new trials and restrictions for Covid vaccines
Melody Schreiber
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/02/vaccine-rule-change-child-trial-volunteers

Loan plan in Republican bill could worsen doctor shortage, experts warn
Proposal to limit student loans for ‘professional programs’ risks driving people away from medicine, critics say
Jessica Glenza
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/01/republican-trump-bill-doctor-shortage

Is it true that … taking collagen supplements slows signs of ageing?
Many people take collagen powders and pills in the hope of looking younger for longer, but there are better ways to improve your chances
Kate Lloyd
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/jun/02/is-it-true-that-taking-collagen-supplements-slows-signs-of-ageing

The deadlift difference: is this the exercise you need for an active and pain-free future?
Life is easier with a strong, flexible body – and this weightlifting move will help with everything from rearranging the furniture to picking up your groceries. You might even learn to love the barbell
Phil Daoust
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/jun/01/the-deadlift-difference-is-this-the-exercise-you-need-for-an-active-and-pain-free-future

How electric scooters are driving China’s salt battery push
Xiaoying You
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250530-how-electric-scooters-are-driving-chinas-salt-battery-push

Stakes are high for US democracy as conservative supreme court hears raft of cases
Former critics now hope the justices have enough fealty to the US constitution to mitigate Trump’s assault on rights
Robert Tait in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/01/us-supreme-court-democracy

Parks, libraries, museums: here’s why Trump is attacking America’s best-loved institutions
Margaret Sullivan
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jun/02/national-parks-libraries-museums-trump

Trump’s tax bill helps the rich, hurts the poor and adds trillions to the deficit
Katrina vanden Heuvel
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jun/02/big-beautiful-tax-bill-deficit-trump

The women saving Japan’s vanishing cuisine
Michelle Gross
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250530-the-women-saving-japans-vanishing-cuisine

Butt-naked Milton and a spot of fellatio: why William Blake became a queer icon
How did an ancient poet and painter who died in obscurity come to obsess everyone from Oscar Wilde to David Hockney, Robert Mapplethorpe, Derek Jarman and David Bowie? The writer of a new book explains his glorious allure
Philip Hoare
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/jun/02/william-blake-queer-icon-bowie-wilde-mapplethorpe-jarman

2025.06.01

Bee-ware: truck carrying 250m honeybees overturns by US-Canada border
Washington state officials swarmed to scene to find 70,000lbs of hives and bees abuzz in a sticky situation
José Olivares
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/31/truck-bees-hives-overturns-washington

Why Trump is really going after Harvard
David Smith in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/01/trump-harvard-authoritarianism-democracy

‘Empathy is a kind of strength’: Jacinda Ardern on kind leadership, public rage and life in Trump’s America
Young, progressive and relatable, the former prime minister of New Zealand tried to do politics differently. But six years into power, she dramatically resigned. In an exclusive interview with the Guardian’s editor-in-chief, she explains why
Katharine Viner
https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2025/may/31/jacinda-ardern-kind-leadership-public-rage-life-trump-america

‘It’s thrilling’: almost three centuries of the Belfast News Letter go online
The surviving editions of the world’s oldest, continuously published English-language daily can now be accessed free
Michael Savage Media editor
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/jun/01/worlds-oldest-daily-belfast-news-letter-go-digital

We decided to become a shoes-off house. It was more complicated than I thought
We are still in the beginning of our new shoeless lives, but already there is no turning back
Caroline Baum
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/jun/01/shoes-off-or-on-we-decided-to-become-a-shoeless-house

Recent Canadian wildfires are record-breaking – and will threaten US air quality for days
Eric Holthaus
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/30/canada-wildfires-air-quality

‘Try to stay on your feet’: Cheese-rolling champion reveals secrets to his success
Chris Anderson, who has won Gloucestershire event 23 times, says newcomers need to be brave and devise a plan
Steven Morris
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jun/01/try-to-stay-on-your-feet-cheese-rolling-champion-reveals-secrets-to-his-success

This Mississippi town without a cinema inspired a hit – now it gets to see the film
Ana Faguy
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8nj2dm7keo