Press review · Friday, 20 June 2025
20 June 2025
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theguardian.com Top stories ·
At least 16 people killed and 400 injured in Kenyan protests
Police clashed with people marching in Nairobi and other areas to honour those killed in protests last year
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edweek.org Top stories ·
California Violated Title IX Over Transgender Athletes, Ed. Dept. Concludes
The U.S. Department of Education said the state's school sports policies for transgender athletes violated female students' rights.
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theconversation.com Top stories ·
The war won’t end Iran’s nuclear program – it will drive it underground, following North Korea’s model
The US and Israel bombing campaigns may only delay an Iranian bomb by a few years. Could this signal the death of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty?
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nbcnews.com Top stories ·
Teen DOGE staffer 'Big Balls' has left the Trump administration
Edward Coristine worked for tech billionaire Elon Musk as one of the original DOGE staff members.
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home.treasury.gov Top stories ·
Treasury Issues Historic Orders under Powerful New Authority to Counter Fentanyl
Takes First Actions Under FEND Off Fentanyl ActWASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued orders identifying three Mexico-based financial institutions—CIBanco S.A., Institution de Banca Multiple (CIBanco), Intercam Banco S.A., Institución de Banca Multiple (Intercam), and Vector Casa de Bolsa, S.A. de C.V. (Vector)—as being of primary money laundering concern in connection with illicit opioid trafficking, and prohibit, respectively, certain transmittals of funds involving CIBanco, Intercam, and Vector. These orders are the first actions by FinCEN pursuant to the Fentanyl Sanctions Act and the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, which provide Treasury with additional authorities to target money laundering associated with the trafficking of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, including by cartels.CIBanco and Intercam, commercial banks with over $7 and $4 billion in total assets, respectively, and Vector, a brokerage firm managing nearly $11 billion in assets, have collectively played a longstanding and vital role in laundering millions of dollars on behalf of Mexico-based cartels and facilitating payments for the procurement of precursor chemicals needed to produce fentanyl. “Financial facilitators like CIBanco, Intercam, and Vector are enabling the poisoning of countless Americans by moving money on behalf of cartels, making them vital cogs in the fentanyl supply chain,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. “Through the first use of this powerful authority, today’s actions affirm Treasury’s commitment to using all tools at our disposal to counter the threat posed by criminal and terrorist organizations trafficking fentanyl and other narcotics.”These actions were taken within the broad context of the strong U.S.-Mexico inter-governmental relationship, the hallmarks of which include close collaboration and timely information exchange. Both the United States and Mexico are committed to financial systems with strong anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) controls that effectively protect their citizens from the transnational illicit finance threats of cartels trafficking fentanyl and other drugs. CIBancoAs set out in the order, FinCEN determined that CIBanco, a foreign financial institution operating outside the United States, is of primary money laundering concern in connection with illicit opioid trafficking based on its long-standing pattern of associations, transactions, and provision of financial services that facilitate illicit opioid trafficking by Mexico-based cartels, including the Beltran-Leyva Cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), and Gulf Cartel. CIBanco has also facilitated the procurement of precursor chemicals from China for illicit purposes.For example, a CIBanco employee in 2023 knowingly facilitated the creation of an account to purportedly launder $10 million on behalf of a Gulf Cartel member. From 2021 through 2024, CIBanco processed over $2.1 million in payments on behalf of Mexico-based companies to China-based companies that shipped precursor chemicals to Mexico for illicit purposes. A copy of FinCEN’s CIBanco order is available here.IntercamAs set out in the order, FinCEN determined that Intercam, a financial institution operating outside the United States, is of primary money laundering concern in connection with illicit opioid trafficking as a result of its long-standing pattern of associations, transactions, and provision of financial services that facilitate illicit opioid trafficking by Mexico-based cartels, including CJNG. Intercam has also processed USD-denominated funds transfers that finance the procurement of precursor chemicals from China on behalf of drug trafficking organizations for illicit purposes.For example, Intercam executives in late 2022 met directly with suspected CJNG members to discuss money laundering schemes, including transferring funds from China. From 2021 through 2024, a China-based company associated with an individual shipping precursor chemicals from China to Mexico for illicit purposes received over $1.5 million from Mexico-based companies through Intercam.A copy of FinCEN’s Intercam order is available here.VectorAs set out in the order, FinCEN determined that Vector, a financial institution operating outside of the United States, is of primary money laundering concern in connection with illicit opioid trafficking due to its facilitation of money laundering activities of Mexico-based cartels, including the Sinaloa Cartel and Gulf Cartel. Vector has also facilitated the procurement of precursor chemicals from China for illicit purposes.For example, from 2013 through 2021, a Sinaloa Cartel money mule employed various methods to launder $2 million from the United States to Mexico through Vector. Additionally, the order describes how from 2018 through 2023, Vector was found to have completed over $1 million in payments on behalf of Mexico-based companies to China-based companies known to have shipped precursor chemicals to Mexico for illicit purposes. These payments illustrate significant failings in Vector’s AML/CFT controls. A copy of FinCEN’s Vector order is available hereCombating drug cartels and stopping the flow of deadly drugs into the United States is one of the Trump Administration’s highest priorities. In January 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order creating a process by which certain cartels and other organizations would be designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and/or Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). Accordingly, in February, the U.S. Departments of the Treasury and State designated eight organizations, including six major Mexico-based drug cartels, as FTOs and SDGTs, including the CJNG, Gulf Cartel, and Sinaloa Cartel. Today’s actions complement these designations, as a further step to deny individuals and entities associated with cartels access to the U.S. financial system. As described in FinCEN’s orders, covered financial institutions are prohibited from engaging in transmittals of funds from or to CIBanco, Intercam, or Vector, or from or to any account or convertible virtual currency address administered by or on behalf of CIBanco, Intercam, or Vector. These prohibitions become effective 21 days after publication in the Federal Register.Any questions about these orders should be directed to www.fincen.gov/contact. Frequently asked questions are available here.
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kjzz.org Top stories ·
After promising to deport criminals, Trump targets asylum seekers instead
On the campaign trail, President Donald Trump promised to carry out the largest deportation effort in U.S. history, focused on deporting people with criminal records. But now, immigration officials are also going after people seeking asylum, a legal process intended to protect those fleeing persecution.
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foxnews.com Top stories ·
American Airlines plane makes emergency landing after engine starts smoking
An American Airlines plane made an emergency landing in Las Vegas Wednesday after smoke was seen emanating from one of its engines.
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fortune.com Top stories ·
Shell denies reports of BP mega-merger of Big Oil rivals
A Shell-BP deal would represent the biggest energy deal of the century—if not ever.
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abcnews.go.com Top stories ·
DOJ official Emil Bove, in confirmation hearing for judgeship, says he's 'not anybody's henchman'
Emil Bove, President Trump's former personal attorney who has been helping lead the DOJ, faced a Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday to serve as a federal judge.
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pbs.org Top stories ·
Kilmar Abrego Garcia is expected to be released from jail only to be taken into immigration custody
The Salvadoran national whose mistaken deportation became a flashpoint in the fight over President Donald Trump's immigration policies has been in jail since he was returned to the U.S. on June 7. He faces two counts of human smuggling in Tennessee.
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dailymail.co.uk Top stories ·
Prosecutors drop key parts of charges in Diddy case
Sean 'Diddy' Combs scored a huge courtroom victory after prosecutors decided to drop key parts of the charges against him.
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cbsnews.com Top stories ·
American Airlines flight returns to Las Vegas airport after flames, smoke come from engine midair
American Airlines said 153 passengers and six crew members were on board when Flight 1665 returned to Las Vegas' airport.
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ft.com Top stories ·
Federal Reserve unveils plans to reduce capital rules imposed after 2008 crisis
US central bank proposes lowering ‘supplementary leverage ratio’ after extensive industry lobbying
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huffpost.com Top stories ·
Andrew Cuomo Has Bloomberg’s Cash. Zohran Mamdani Has These Guys.
How a small super PAC helped a progressive close the gap in the most-watched primary of the year.
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thedailybeast.com Top stories ·
Trump, 79, Melts Down in Incoherent Rant About 'Hero Pilots'
The president attacked the media for reporting on the initial intelligence assessment on Iran.
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aljazeera.com Top stories ·
US to stop funding global vaccine alliance Gavi, health secretary says
The announcement from Robert F Kennedy Jr comes as his controversial CDC vaccine panel meets for the first time.
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foxnews.com Top stories ·
Linda McMahon opens up on ongoing battle to combat trans inclusion in women's sports
Education Secretary Linda McMahon warned states ignoring President Donald Trump's executive order on women's sports face Title IX investigations and potential federal funding cuts.
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arizonasports.com Top stories ·
Ketel Marte plays teary-eyed after fan mentioned late mother
Ketel Marte played with tears in his eyes after a fan at Rate Field yelled something about Marte's late mother during the game. The fan was ejected.
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Zelenskyy meets Trump on NATO sidelines; Putin will skip BRICS in Brazil
Ukrainian leader steps up diplomatic push, while his Russian counterpart will skip a summit due to ICC arrest warrant.
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news.bloombergtax.com Top stories ·
IRS to Lose 22% of Taxpayer Service Workers After Trump Purge
The IRS should quickly hire thousands of new taxpayer service employees so it’s prepared for next year’s filing season, given the agency is losing more than one-fifth of those workers under Trump administration-directed cuts, the National Taxpayer Advocate said in her mid-year report.
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Seven Israeli soldiers killed in Hamas attack in southern Gaza Strip
Hamas militants plant bomb on Israeli military vehicle in Khan Younis, causing it to catch fire
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theatlantic.com Top stories ·
A Cease-Fire Without a Conclusion
Iran’s regime has proved resilient, even in its toughest hour.
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wbal.com Top stories ·
Emil Bove, Trump's former lawyer-turned-DOJ official faces confirmation for judgeship | WBAL Baltimore News
Angela Weiss - Pool/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- A Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing to consider Emil Bove for a federal judgeship began Wednesday with the committee's ranking Democr
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reviewjournal.com Top stories ·
Flight returns to Las Vegas airport after smoke seen from engine — VIDEO
An American Airlines flight bound for Charlotte, North Carolina, was forced to return to Harry Reid International Airport on Wednesday morning after smoke was seen coming out of an engine.
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citizensforethics.org Top stories ·
DOGE’s big illusion: the heavy costs of the Trump administration’s so-called efficiency - CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
CREW’s review of some of the programs targeted for cuts by DOGE and the Trump admin found that the elimination or reduction of these programs have directly cost over 50,000 people their jobs. DOGE’s cuts could result in a loss of over $10 billion in U.S.-based economic activity and the shuttering of programs that have put over $26 billion in funds directly back into the pockets of taxpayers.
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wvia.org Top stories ·
Trump's appeals judge nominee to face tough questions in Senate
The nomination of the president's former personal lawyer Emil Bove to an appellate judgeship could represent a pivot point in Trump's approach to the judiciary.
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bbc.com Top stories ·
Russian air attack kills nine and injures dozens in Kyiv
Russian missiles and drones hit residential areas and hospitals in Ukraine's Kyiv region, the interior minister says.
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Shell denies it is in talks to buy BP after reports of potential £60bn takeover
Spokesperson says report that it is considering bid for struggling rival is ‘further market speculation’
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20 people injured in lightning strike while swimming at South Carolina beach
Twenty people were injured by a reported lightning strike while swimming at a beach in South Carolina, officials said.
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James Webb telescope captures direct images of Saturn-sized exoplanet
TWA 7b is 110 light years away and by far the smallest-mass planet to be observed by direct imagery
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whyy.org Top stories ·
New report documents how extreme heat affects indoor retail and service workers
Surveyed workers report experiencing headaches, fatigue, nausea, confusion and even seizures when indoor temperatures regularly reach 80 degrees or above.
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washingtonexaminer.com Top stories ·
White House predicts up to $2.3T in growth-induced deficit reduction from tax bill - Washington Examiner
The CEA said that the bill would result in $2.1 to $2.3 trillion in deficit reduction over a decade due to the growth sparked by the tax provisions in the bill.
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nbcnews.com Top stories ·
Presidents' ordering military action without Congress' approval has become routine. Here's why.
Though Congress acted after the U.S. withdrew from Vietnam to restrain presidents in their use of military force, recent decades have seen presidents pushing against those restraints.
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espn.com Top stories ·
Two-round NBA mock draft: We made 22 pick updates based on intel, trades
Round 1 of the NBA draft is tonight (8 ET on ABC and ESPN), and we have the intel on trade talks and picks.
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BP shares surge on report that rival Shell could acquire it
BP shares rose, Shell shares slide on news that the companies are in early discussions about a merger.
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ign.com Top stories ·
Ironheart Review - IGN
Ironheart's solo outing proves a cynical addition to the MCU as science and magic collide in Chicago.
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thespectator.com Top stories ·
Democrats vexed by Trump’s success in Iran
Democrats trap themselves when they refuse to step back and assess specific policy choices, independent of their general hatred for Trump
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nypost.com Top stories ·
Trump admin rules Calif. committed ‘clear violation’ of Title IX after transgender athlete probe
The civil rights office has given the Golden State 10 days to reverse course — or face “imminent enforcement action” that could include a referral to the Department of Justice.
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whistleblower.org Top stories ·
Page not found - Government Accountability Project
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ft.com Top stories ·
Trump changes tune on Zelenskyy and Putin
US president says Ukraine head is ‘very nice’ after their sideline chat at Nato summit, but is dismayed at Russian leader for not ending war
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elpasoinc.com Top stories ·
California found in violation of Title IX for males in female sports, spaces
(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Education said Wednesday that both the California Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation are in violation of Title IX for
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nbcnews.com Top stories ·
'Liver King' influencer arrested in Texas after threatening Joe Rogan
Brian Johnson, known online as the "Liver King," posted a series of threatening videos on his Instagram in the days before his arrest in Austin, Texas.
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nbcnews.com Top stories ·
Mish and Lucy the bears eat 'a week's worth' of honey after escaping from their enclosure
The siblings were found fast asleep after gorging on food in the wildlife park's kitchen.
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thesunchronicle.com Top stories ·
Former Republican US Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts seeks to succeed Shaheen in New Hampshire
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Scott Brown, a Republican who once represented Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate, announced his second bid Wednesday for the New Hampshire Senate seat being vacated by
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Lifeguard impaled by beach umbrella: 'Tough young woman'
A lifeguard is in the hospital after she was impaled by an umbrella at a New Jersey beach on Wednesday morning, officials said.
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usatoday.com Top stories ·
Huge ship carrying 3,000 cars sinks in international waters
On the ship was 70 fully electric vehicle and 681 hybrids, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
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nhl.com Top stories ·
Bruins Unveil New Brand Identity with Refreshed Logos and Uniforms | Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins unveiled today, June 25, a refreshed tandem of Spoked-B logos that will serve as the Club’s primary marks beginning with the 2025-26 season. The revitalized crest will be featured on the team’s new primary home and away uniform kits, developed in partnership with Fanatics and the National
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hoopshype.com Top stories ·
Fred VanVleet to re-sign with Rockets on two-year contract
Shams Charania: Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet intends to sign a two-year, $50 million contract to stay with the franchise, with a player option in 2026-27, sources tell ESPN. Rockets are decl…
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foxnews.com Top stories ·
Austin Metcalf’s suspected killer indicted on first-degree murder charge in track meet stabbing
Karmelo Anthony faces first-degree murder charges in the alleged April stabbing of Texas track star Austin Metcalf, and is expected to claim self-defense
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outkick.com Top stories ·
California Found To Be In Violation Of Title IX Amid Trans Athlete Absurdity, Riley Gaines Reacts
California being in violation of Title IX should come as a shock to no one.