Israel launches ‘Rising Lion’ as Iran promises payback: Unbiased Updates, June 13, 2025
Israel launches an assault deep into Iran, targeting nuclear facilities that it claims were weeks away from developing a bomb. Tehran vows revenge, and U.S. officials are bracing for fallout.
Also, two judges have issued two different rulings. One determines that Trump violated the law by deploying troops in Los Angeles, while the other asserts that he remains in charge. This legal tug-of-war adds fuel to the unrest in Los Angeles.
Plus, authorities handcuffed a U.S. senator after confronting the Trump administration. The video shook Capitol Hill, and the White House’s blunt response followed.
These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, June 13, 2025.
Israeli strikes damage Iran nuclear facilities, kill top military leaders
Israel confirms it carried out airstrikes on Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility as part of a broader attack involving more than 200 fighter jets. The military states that dozens of Iranian radar sites and missile launchers were also destroyed.
A spokesperson called it a preemptive strike, claiming Israeli intelligence uncovered an Iranian plot to build nuclear weapons, expand missile stockpiles, and arm proxy forces across the region.
“For decades, the tyrants of Tehran have brazenly, openly called for Israel’s destruction. They backed up their genocidal rhetoric with a program to develop nuclear weapons. In recent years, Iran has produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine atom bombs,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. “In recent months, Iran has taken steps that it has never taken before, steps to weaponize this enriched uranium. And if not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time. It could be a year. It could be within a few months, less than a year.”
Israel said the attack, dubbed “Rising Lion,” killed top commanders of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and at least two senior nuclear scientists.
Iran retaliated, launching more than 100 drones at Israel. It has also requested an emergency meeting at the UN Security Council. The nation’s defense minister, on state TV, warned Israel will “forever regret” the strikes and called the U.S. “ineffective and untrustworthy.”
Nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran, scheduled for Sunday, have now been canceled. The U.S. said it had no role in the Israeli strikes.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Iran not to target U.S. personnel or interests. However, the backlash is global. NATO’s secretary general urged de-escalation, calling it a unilateral Israeli action and pressing the U.S. to help diffuse tensions.
“This was a unilateral action by Israel. So I think it is crucial for many allies, including the United States, to work as we speak, to de-escalate. I know they’re doing that. And I think that is now the first order of the day,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said.
World leaders have echoed that call.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, “Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy.”
Pakistan’s prime minister called the attacks “grave and highly irresponsible.” Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the strikes were a “clear violation” of international law.
Iraq called for the U.N. Security Council to convene immediately to take “decisive and concrete measures to deter this aggression.” Plus, Iranian ally Hamas said Israel was dragging the region into open war.
Judge rules Trump broke law on guard deployment, but stays in command for now
A federal judge ruled that President Donald Trump broke the law by taking control of California’s National Guard to suppress immigration protests in Los Angeles. However, Trump remains in charge for now.
Judge Charles Breyer ruled late Thursday night, June 12, that Trump exceeded his authority and violated the Constitution by deploying thousands of National Guard troops without Gov. Gavin Newsom’s consent. He described it as a “dangerous precedent” and ordered Trump to relinquish control.
But just hours later, a federal appeals court paused the ruling, keeping Trump in command for now while it reviews the case.
Newsom referred to the ruling as a test of democracy, stating that Trump isn’t a king and should stop behaving like one.
“But today’s order makes clear that he is not above or beyond constitutional constraints,” Newsom said. “How weak do you have to be to commandeer the military to fete you on your birthday in a vulgar display of weakness? That’s Donald Trump.”
The legal battle arises as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and military deployments have ignited days of intense protests, confrontations, looting and unrest across Los Angeles.
Democratic senator forcibly removed, handcuffed after confronting Noem
Just hours after the Los Angeles protests reignited, federal agents forced a U.S. senator to the ground and handcuffed him. California Sen. Alex Padilla was taken down, his face to the floor, after trying to question Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during her press conference on immigration policy on Thursday, June 12.
Noem was in Los Angeles to defend the Trump administration’s crackdown. She told Fox News that Padilla did not identify himself and burst into the room.
“The way that he acted was completely inappropriate. It wasn’t becoming of a U.S. senator or a public official, and perhaps he wanted the scene.”
However, Padilla stated that he identified himself, remained calm and wore a U.S. Senate shirt. His colleague from California did not hold back.
“Alex Padilla had every right to go into that room and demand answers,” California Sen. Adam Schiff said. “That is what a Senator does. And for him to get that kind of abusive treatment, every senator who works in the Capitol should be offended and outraged by this.”
The Secret Service claimed that it quickly determined Padilla was not a threat and arranged a brief meeting between him and Noem, which she said lasted 15 minutes. She claimed they exchanged phone numbers to keep in touch.
Sole survivor of Air India crash says he was able to jump from plane
Recovery crews in India are still sifting through debris after a deadly Air India crash that killed 241 people — everyone onboard except one.
The only survivor, Vish Ramesh, a 40-year-old British man, reported that he was seated in 11A, close to an emergency exit, when the plane crashed, and he managed to escape. He mentioned that he was heading back to Britain with his brother after a family visit in India.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited him in the hospital on Friday, June 13, as well as the wreckage site in a residential area. Reports suggest the total death toll is at least 290, indicating that 49 or more people on the ground lost their lives. An exact number has not been established.
Rescue personnel continued their search throughout the night and into the early morning, looking for missing aircraft parts among the debris that could clarify why the plane crashed shortly after taking off.
The Indian government is investigating the plane crash, with assistance from U.S. and U.K. officials, and the country’s aviation ministry has announced that it is considering grounding all 787s.
Investigators said they have recovered one of the plane’s two black boxes so far.
Washington prepares for military parade, protests and storms
On Saturday, June 14, tanks, troops and fighter jets will take over downtown Washington, D.C., for what’s being called the largest military parade since the Gulf War. More than 6,000 soldiers, 150 military vehicles and 50 aircraft will roll through the nation’s capital to mark the Army’s 250th birthday and Trump’s 79th birthday.
However, it’s not just a celebration but a controversy.
The $45 million price tag has sparked backlash from critics who say it’s less about honoring the military and more about inflating the president’s ego.
The parade route runs along Constitution Avenue, kicking off near the Lincoln Memorial and ending about one mile down the road at the Washington Monument. While no protests are planned in D.C., the No Kings Movement is organizing rallies in all 50 states at nearly 2,000 locations, aiming to counter the parade with what they call a nationwide day of defiance.
Security is tight. Roads are closed. Residents can expect metro delays, airport disruptions and a forecast that might just rain on the president’s parade.
16th-century shipwreck discovered off French coast
French navy divers stumbled upon a remarkably well-preserved 16th-century merchant ship during a routine sea floor inspection.
The vessel, named Camarat 4, was found resting quietly on the seabed off the French coast.
Remarkably, much of its cargo remained intact: hundreds of ceramic jugs, stacked plates and cooking gear. It’s essentially a time capsule from the 1500s, untouched for centuries.
Experts said there are no signs that the ship was attacked. There was no cannonball damage or signs of fire, leaving the cause of the sinking a mystery for now.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
