The Morning Sixpack - June 12, 2025
Air India airplane crash; US evacuates Middle East staff amid Iran tensions; RFK Jr. revamps vaccine panel with skeptics; LAPD threatens LA protesters; judge halts Syrian deportation.
Air India Flight Crashes Near Ahmedabad Just After Takeoff, Leaving Families in Shock
An Air India flight carrying 242 passengers and crew crashed near a doctors' hostel in Ahmedabad shortly after liftoff on Thursday afternoon.
Flight AI171 had just taken off from Ahmedabad Airport, bound for London Gatwick, when it went down after reaching only 625 feet in altitude. Emergency teams rushed to the scene, quickly clearing about 70-80% of the impacted area.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carried a diverse group of passengers including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. Injured victims were transported to nearby hospitals as officials continue investigations.
Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran extended his deepest condolences and pledged full support to the victims' families, emphasizing the airline’s cooperation with authorities and emergency responders.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the crash as "heartbreaking beyond words," while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the scenes "devastating," both leaders expressing their sympathy and commitment to aid.
The Entire Fulbright Board Resigns, Blaming Trump Administration for Political Interference
The 12-member Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board collectively stepped down Wednesday, accusing the Trump administration of undermining a nearly 80-year-old scholarship program through unauthorized interference.
In a statement posted on their Substack, the board condemned White House actions that allegedly blocked a “substantial” number of scholarship recipients selected through a rigorous merit-based process for the 2025-2026 academic year. They also highlighted an “unauthorized review process” threatening about 1,200 foreign recipients' awards.
The board emphasized their congressionally mandated role granting them final approval over all awards— a responsibility previously respected by administrations of both parties. Their resignation letter called the administration’s moves “antithetical to the Fulbright mission and the values, including free speech and academic freedom.”
The State Department dismissed the board’s claims as “false” and accused the members of being “partisan political appointees,” insisting the final say over academic suitability aligns with President Trump’s Executive Orders.
“It is our sincere hope that Congress, the courts, and future Fulbright Boards will prevent the administration’s efforts to degrade, dismantle, or even eliminate one of our nation’s most respected and valuable programs,” the board concluded.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/06/11/fulbright-board-scholarships-trump-administration/
RFK Jr. Shakes Up Vaccine Advisory Panel by Naming Covid-Skeptic Members
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. just pulled the rug out from under the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) by dumping all 17 previous members and naming eight new ones—many of whom are outright Covid vaccine skeptics.
This move came fast and furious, with Kennedy claiming these new picks are “committed to evidence-based medicine” and “demanding definitive safety and efficacy data” before making vaccine recommendations. Honestly, that’s a bit rich coming from the guy who’s made a career questioning vaccine science.
Among the new appointees are Dr. Robert Malone—the mRNA vaccine pioneer turned loud skeptic who’s spread plenty of misinformation—and Vicky Pebsworth, a nurse with ties to anti-vaccine groups. Toss in a Harvard critic of lockdowns and vaccine mandates, and you’ve got a panel that screams controversy louder than a late-night Twitter feud.
Experts like UCSF law professor Dorit Reiss aren’t buying the hype, calling this lineup “unworthy of public trust” and “lacking scientific expertise.” And the White House? Yeah, they say Trump himself appointed Kennedy and trusts him to “restore trust in public health.” Let’s just say that’s a steep hill to climb.
Bottom line: This reshuffle isn’t just about who’s on the panel—it’s about what message it sends at a time when vaccine confidence is crucial. It’s a bold gamble, and one that’s bound to fuel more debate than clarity.
Source: https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/rfk-jr-names-eight-vaccine-panel-replacements-including-covid-shot-skeptics-9a7d2d54?st=6b5WXX&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink (gift article)
US Orders Evacuations Across Middle East Amid Rising Tensions Over Iran
The United States has begun evacuating non-essential personnel from diplomatic and military posts across the Middle East amid fears of retaliation as Israel prepares for potential strikes on Iran.
The partial withdrawal, including from the US embassy in Baghdad, follows stalled nuclear talks with Tehran and intelligence suggesting Israel is gearing up for military action.
President Trump reportedly told Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu that strikes on Iranian nuclear sites were “off the table for now,” despite Netanyahu’s insistence on maintaining a credible military threat.
American officials worry the escalating situation could trigger dangerous reprisals, prompting precautionary measures to safeguard US staff.
This move underscores the fragile state of diplomacy in the region as Washington and Tehran remain at an impasse, with broader implications for regional security.
Source: https://www.semafor.com/article/06/12/2025/us-orders-evacuations-for-some-middle-east-personnel
LAPD Threatens Protesters from the Sky: “I’m Going to Come to Your House”
A Los Angeles Police helicopter flew over anti-ICE protests and warned demonstrators, “I have all of you on camera. I’m going to come to your house.”
Civil liberties experts say this chilling message risks intimidating people exercising their First Amendment rights and raises fears about police using facial recognition to identify and retaliate against protesters. Jonathan Markovitz of the ACLU called it “an overt attempt to frighten and intimidate” that reflects the LAPD’s heavy-handed approach.
Matthew Guariglia from the Electronic Frontier Foundation warned that drones or helicopters can capture faces to build lists used for reprisals, undermining constitutional rights. He urged protesters to take digital precautions like turning phones to airplane mode and disabling face recognition.
The LAPD’s helicopter fleet operates nearly continuously, costing taxpayers about $50 million annually, sometimes used for questionable flights unrelated to law enforcement. Despite public concern, the department has not responded to requests for comment on this incident.
“This is a chilling statement,” Markovitz said. “Threats to use government surveillance capabilities to punish people exercising their rights are fundamentally antidemocratic and authoritarian.”
Source: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/06/los-angeles-ice-protests-helicopter/
Judge Rules Secretary Rubio’s Call Not Enough to Detain Syrian National Mahmoud Khalil
A federal judge ruled that Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s determination alone cannot justify detaining and deporting Mahmoud Khalil, a Syrian national accused of Hamas ties.
Rubio argued Khalil’s presence conflicted with U.S. foreign policy due to his role organizing campus protests supporting Hamas while at Columbia University. However, Judge Michael Farbiarz found Rubio’s stance insufficient to uphold Khalil’s detention and removal.
The judge noted that while the Department of Homeland Security may have grounds related to Khalil’s visa application, Rubio’s decision was driving the detention. He emphasized the “irreparable harm” Khalil has suffered from his arrest and ordered his release, allowing time for an appeal.
Farbiarz wrote, “It might be argued that [Khalil] would be detained anyway,” but clarified that the Secretary of State’s determination is not enough to continue his detention.
This ruling comes amid broader legal battles over immigration enforcement and national security concerns tied to foreign policy.
Source: https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2025/06/11/khalil-detention-ruling/1611749685590/