Russia snubs Trump, launches new strikes on Ukraine: Unbiased Updates, July 16, 2025
Russia thumbs its nose at Trump’s ultimatum, launching new strikes on Ukraine. Is the war escalating, or just entering a new phase?
Plus, the pressure is mounting from inside Trump’s own party. Even his allies want the Epstein files out in the open.
And you only get six hours, then you’re out. The Trump administration’s new plan to deport migrants without advance warning.
These stories and more make up your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, July 16, 2025.
Russia calls new Trump tariff threat ‘unacceptable,’ continues attacks
Overnight retaliation. Russia is firing back — literally — after President Trump threatened full sanctions if Moscow doesn’t reach a ceasefire deal with Ukraine within 50 days.
The Kremlin called the ultimatum “unacceptable” and launched one of the deadliest assaults against Ukraine yet.
Ukrainian cities, including Kryvyi Rih and Vinnytsia, were bombarded with missiles and drones overnight.
Local officials say it was one of the most intense attacks since the war began, leaving at least 15 people hurt, including a child.
President Zelenskyy said in a post on X that nearly 200 drones were intercepted, and more than 140 others missed their targets.
Civilian infrastructure in Kharkiv and Sumy was also struck.
The violence comes just days after Trump announced a new NATO deal to send American weapons to Ukraine via European allies and as U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg arrives in Kyiv for high-stakes talks.
Trump faces backlash over Epstein, Johnson demands transparency
Some of President Trump’s most loyal supporters on Capitol Hill are breaking ranks, and it’s all over the Epstein files. After the administration declined to release more documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein, a growing number of MAGA-aligned Republicans say they need more answers.
Speaker Mike Johnson, who usually walks lockstep with Trump, is now publicly calling for transparency, even suggesting Congress might launch its own probe.
In a podcast interview with a conservative commentator, Johnson said the administration “should put everything out there and let the people decide it.”
Others on the right have pushed for subpoenas. Some are pushing for a special counsel.
The blowback comes after Attorney General Pam Bondi — under fire for comments she made earlier this year — said the Department of Justice memo speaks for itself.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Trump said Bondi should release whatever is credible.
“We’ve gone through years of it,” Trump said, “but she’s handled it very well, and it’s going to be up to her. Whatever she thinks is credible, she should release.”
Senate GOP advances $9B spending cuts
Republicans in the Senate have taken the first step toward slashing billions in federal spending, including foreign aid and public broadcasting.
The $9 billion package advanced Tuesday evening by a single vote, with Vice President JD Vance breaking a tie after three Republicans broke ranks.
The White House agreed to drop cuts to a popular HIV-AIDS program in order to secure some votes, but funding for other foreign aid programs was still cut.
Funding for PBS and NPR is still on the chopping block, something some Republicans say goes too far, especially in rural areas.
If the final bill passes by Friday, it would mark a major win for the president, and a preview of even deeper cuts to come.
But with some GOP lawmakers still divided, it’s not a done deal just yet.
ICE may deport immigrants with only six hours’ notice, no assurances for safety
A new memo from the Trump administration lays out a plan to deport suspected illegal immigrants to third countries on just six hours’ notice, without guarantees that they won’t be persecuted or tortured in the country they’re sent to.
In a July 9th directive, acting ICE chief Todd Lyons says a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling gives immigration officials the green light to immediately begin sending people to “alternative” third-party countries without any assurances of safety.
The memo says migrants could be informed 24 hours ahead of time, but that in “exigent circumstances,” in other words in urgent or pressing circumstances, they may only get six hours’ notice.
Furthermore, if they’re being sent to countries that have promised some level of protection, there might be no advance warning at all.
The memo does require ICE to give those facing rapid removal a chance to speak to an attorney.
Immigrant rights advocates and lawyers call the plan dangerous and warn that it removes due process.
Trump administration orders 2,000 National Guard troops out of LA
Weeks after President Trump deployed thousands of National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to crack down on protests in Los Angeles, some are finally heading home. But the political battle over their presence is far from over.
2,000 Guards are now demobilizing, leaving LA after the Pentagon declared that “lawlessness is subsiding.”
But California Governor Gavin Newsom is criticizing the partial removal, calling it “theater,” and accusing the White House of leaving remaining troops “without a mission, without direction, and without hope.”
Newsom sued the Trump administration after it ordered 4000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines into the city in June to protect federal properties and ICE operations.
A federal appeals court sided with Trump, allowing the deployment to continue, until now.
National League wins MLB All-Star Game in home run derby-style swing-off tiebreaker
Finally, this morning, history was made at the 2025 MLB All-Star Game when a home run derby decided the winner for the first time ever.
Tied at six after nine innings, fans were treated to a swing-off. Three hitters from each side, three swings apiece.
The American League had stormed back from a 6-0 deficit in the 7th to force extras, but came up just short in the derby.
American League sluggers scored a combined three home runs, but the National League, led by Kyle Schwarber, crushed four, clinching the win without even needing a third batter.
Schwarber was named MVP after delivering the game-winner.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
