Good evening. I'm Will Dove
And I’m Hannah Bern, and this is the nightly news for Thursday, June 12.
St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver has become the site of a euthanasia Maid unit that is now fully operational. This controversial unit was forcibly established despite opposition, underscoring ongoing tensions around medical assistance in dying in the region. The implementation at such a prominent hospital highlights the expanding reach of Maid programs across Canada, raising questions about patient consent, ethical implications, and the future role of healthcare institutions in assisted death. This operation aligns with national trends where Maid units are becoming more common in major healthcare facilities.
The conflict in Ukraine is heading into a perilous new direction, with reports revealing nearly all the US-supplied Abrams tanks sent to Ukraine have been destroyed or disabled. This development raises significant concerns about the sustainability of Western military aid and the effectiveness of heavy armor on the battlefield. Analysts warn that the destruction of these advanced tanks diminishes Ukraine’s armored capabilities just as intense fighting continues. The war’s trajectory appears more dangerous as Ukrainian forces face mounting equipment losses. These setbacks could affect morale and the strategic calculus of both Kyiv and its Western backers. The loss of critical military hardware emphasizes the brutal realities of the conflict and foreshadows potential shifts in battlefield momentum.
Hamas is currently grappling with a leadership vacuum following the demise of its Gaza war council amid ongoing conflict. The collapse of this key governing body has thrown the militant group into disarray, impacting its command and control during critical operations. Analysts suggest this organizational breakdown could weaken Hamas’s operational capabilities and strategic coherence in Gaza. The power vacuum may also lead to internal power struggles and disrupt coordination of militant activities. Observers will be watching closely to see how Hamas reconstitutes its leadership in the face of mounting military and political pressures.
The United States is on heightened alert as tensions escalate over Iran’s nuclear program. The State Department has ordered all embassies within striking distance of Iranian assets—including locations in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Northern Africa—to convene Emergency Action Committees and send updated risk assessments to Washington. The US Embassy in Baghdad is preparing to evacuate all nonessential personnel amid fears of regional unrest.
The Pentagon has authorized the departure of military family members across the Middle East. This comes after reports that Israel may strike Iran’s nuclear facilities without US consent, which would destabilize ongoing nuclear negotiations. President Donald Trump expressed diminishing confidence in reaching a deal to curb Iran’s uranium enrichment, emphasizing that Iran will never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.
Iran insists on maintaining low-level uranium enrichment as a matter of sovereignty. The sixth round of talks scheduled in Oman for June 15 appears increasingly unlikely. Meanwhile, oil and gold prices have surged amid the uncertainty. A senior diplomat said, "We think it’s more serious than any other time in the past."
There are growing rumors that Chinese President Xi Jinping, architect of the strict Covid lockdowns, may be facing a political ouster. Observers have noted a sharp decline in official references to Xi and a shift from praising him as the "eternal core" to emphasizing “collective leadership.” Notably, his predecessor Hu Jintao appears to be making a comeback, with state media featuring his catchphrases focusing on "scientific, democratic and law-based decision-making."
Xi has been absent from key Central Military Commission meetings recently, where General Zhang, not affiliated with Xi’s faction, has taken his place. The power base within the People's Liberation Army appears uncertain, with several Xi loyalists under investigation or removed. Economically, China faces a property crash, rising graduate unemployment, and weak post-Covid recovery, fueling dissatisfaction.
Xi’s unusual two-week disappearance in late May and a subdued, unorthodox meeting hosted at his home have further fueled speculation. While some hope Xi may return to power, many insiders believe the CCP has grown tired of his dictatorial style and disastrous lockdown policies, which severely damaged the economy and public confidence.
A shocking whistleblower claim has emerged from doctor Mary Talley Bowden, alleging that certain hospitals intentionally euthanized Covid-19 patients to inflate death counts. Doctor bowden accused hospital administrators of using “Maid” to end the lives of vulnerable seniors during the pandemic peak under the guise of Covid treatment.
This practice reportedly aimed to increase the number of Covid fatalities, exaggerating the severity of the virus and justifying harsh public health measures, including prolonged lockdowns. Doctor Bowden’s disclosures merely confirm what many of us already suspected.
I’m Will Dove
And I’m Hannah Bern, and that’s the news for today, Thursday, June 12.
