As Iran bombs Israeli hospital, world waits on Trump: Unbiased Updates, June 19, 2025
Iran struck a hospital overnight. In response, Israel hit back. President Donald Trump’s message to Netanyahu: “Keep going.”
Plus, adding insult to injury: As mourners come together for a slain lawmaker in Minnesota, someone intrudes into her home.
Summer hasn’t officially arrived yet, but triple-digit temperatures and tropical humidity are on the way. Who will feel the heat, and for how long?
These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, June 19, 2025.
Israel accuses Iran of war crimes after hospital attack
On Thursday morning, June 19, Israel accused Iran of “war crimes of the most serious kind” after a missile struck the main hospital in southern Israel overnight. According to the Israeli military, it was one of dozens of ballistic missiles launched by Iran on Thursday.
Another strike occurred at a high-rise building, while residential areas near Tel Aviv were also targeted. Israeli emergency services reported that at least 65 people were wounded in the wave of attacks.
Israel responded overnight, striking the headquarters of Iran’s state broadcaster in Tehran and launching missiles at Iran’s inactive heavy water reactor, which is part of its nuclear infrastructure. Israel’s defense minister stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered an intensification of strikes inside Iran following the hospital attack.
Meanwhile, various news outlets reported that President Donald Trump approved U.S. attack plans on Iran Tuesday night, June 17, but stopped short of giving the final go-ahead.
The White House has not commented, but the president told reporters on Wednesday, June 18, that he hasn’t made a decision yet.
“I have ideas as to what to do, but I haven’t made it final. I like to make a decision one second before it’s due because things change,” Trump said. “Things can go from one extreme to the other. War is very bad.”
And in a bit of a strange twist, Trump claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to mediate the Israel-Iran crisis. However, Trump said he declined, telling Putin to focus on ending the Russia-Ukraine war first.
Trump administration resumes student visa program with social media stipulation
The Trump administration announced plans to resume the student visa process for foreign nationals. However, a new requirement has been introduced: applicants must now grant access to their social media accounts.
The State Department claimed that consular and foreign service officers will monitor posts, messages and activities that may be perceived as hostile toward the United States, its government, culture or fundamental values.
In a notice released Wednesday, June 18, the department warned that anyone who refuses to make their accounts public may be denied a visa, stating that it could signal an attempt to hide online behavior.
Last month, the administration temporarily paused new student visa interviews to prepare for this expanded screening process.
The Trump administration has been battling with universities, including Harvard and Columbia, since last school year over students holding large and loud pro-Palestine rallies on campus, which has left Jewish students feeling unsafe.
Minnesota mourns Rep. Hortman as break-in reported at her home
Hundreds gathered in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Wednesday night, June 18, to honor and remember Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, who were gunned down in what’s being called a political assassination.
There were no speeches or signs — just candles, string music and tears.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and his wife hugged mourners as the crowd sang Amazing Grace. Flowers, flags and handwritten notes now cover the Capitol steps.
“We got this from here,” one note read. “Thank you for everything.”
Just hours before the memorial, police reported that someone broke into the Hortman home, pried off plywood and shattered a back window.
The family said nothing was taken, but neighbors are furious, calling it a violation. The house had already been cleared by investigators; now police are back, asking nearby residents to check their cameras.
No relief in sight as dangerous heat dome builds across US
The eastern U.S. is experiencing the first of two rounds of extreme heat, as a harsh heat dome develops in advance of the weekend. Over 15 million people, stretching from Washington, D.C. to Florida, are under substantial heat risk.
It may be 90 on the thermometer, but in some areas, it feels like 105 due to all that humidity.
By early next week, cities from St. Louis to New York could break records, with the heat index pushing 110.
Experts suggest this is only a preview of what lies ahead. So, hydrate, stay shaded and don’t underestimate the seriousness of this heat.
Trump administration to end LGBTQ+ support on 988 lifeline
The Trump administration is discontinuing targeted suicide prevention services for LGBTQ+ youth through the 9-8-8 suicide and crisis lifeline. However, individuals experiencing a mental health crisis can still reach out by calling or texting 9-8-8 to connect with a trained counselor.
The lifeline offers tailored support for certain high-risk groups, including veterans and LGBTQ+ youth. However, that LGBTQ+ service is coming to an end. The last day for accessing it will be July 17.
The announcement comes during Pride Month and also follows a Trump administration decision to rename the U.S.S. Harvey Milk, a Navy ship honoring the gay rights icon.
Editor’s note: This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. You can also find resources in your area on the National Crisis Line website.
FDA approves game-changing HIV prevention drug
More than four decades after the first known cases of HIV in the U.S., the FDA has approved a twice-a-year injection that doctors claim is a significant breakthrough in prevention. It’s an injection called lenacapavir, a long-acting medication that, when taken just twice a year, has been shown to be nearly 100% effective at preventing HIV infection.
The drug could be a game-changer, especially for people who struggle to take daily prep pills.
The first known cases of aids in the U.S. were identified in 1981. It took six years before the first treatment was approved.
The drug’s maker claims that lenacapavir could be the solution that finally ends the HIV epidemic. However, it won’t be affordable. Experts estimate that the treatment could cost over $25,000 a year.
White House renovation: Trump adds new flagpoles
While the world waits to see whether Trump will approve military action against Iran, he has already greenlit something else: a pair of massive flagpoles on the White House lawn. The president will personally oversee the installation, referring to them as the best poles anywhere in the world.
Trump mentioned that he’s had the idea for years and confirmed he personally funded them. Standing nearly 100 feet tall and filled with sand, each flagpole costs about $50,000.
Next on the president’s renovation list? A new patio in the rose garden and maybe even a ballroom.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
