Is the "mini war" over yet?

 

                                                This iris is growing unattended.

                                     Here are some more irises, also growing wild.

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So what is happening now with the ceasefire? 

Yahoo News What to know about the Iran war today: Iran launched its first missile and drone attack on the United Arab Emirates since a ceasefire with the U.S. took effect on April 8, and it fired two drones at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, UAE authorities said on Monday.The U.S. military said two commercial vessels safely transited the key waterway Monday under the Project Freedom initiative announced by President Trump. Iran fired missiles at ships being protected during the operation, and Mr. Trump said U.S. forces destroyed seven Iranian small boats for trying to interfere.

The Iranian regime says it received a U.S. response to its latest 14-point peace proposal, which it says is aimed at ending the war, not extending the current ceasefire. Mr. Trump said over the weekend that he'd likely reject the Iranian proposal, as "they have not paid a big enough price." 

What is the price he thinks they need to pay and why do they owe it? Didn't the US attack first without any provocation? 

President Trump said Monday the U.S. is still engaged in a "mini war" with Iran, whatever that is. But is the ceasefire still in place?

 

Donald Trump has been wondering what to do next regarding Iran.

 

BBC, US strikes Iranian fast boats as Iran attacks UAE oil facility

The UAE and South Korea both reported strikes on ships in the vital channel on Monday. The UAE also said a fire broke out at the oil port of Fujairah after an Iranian attack.

Shipping company Maersk told the BBC that one of its US-flagged vessels had successfully exited the strait with US military protection - under what Trump has called "Project Freedom". Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that events in the strait "make clear that there's no military solution to a political crisis".

Then there came an annoucement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio:

Operation Epic Fury against Iran 'is over,' Rubio says

Does that mean that the war againt Iran is completely over and that US forces can all come home now? Since the war has been so unpopular with the American public, Republicans may have decided to call it quits well before the midterms. And Netanyahu seems to be in the clear now, as the guy who apparently started the whole thing. So let's simply declare victory and bring everyone home.  

Wash. Post, Trump lashes out at Pope Leo again ahead of Rubio trip to Rome

NY Times,

Where Have Modi’s Rivals Gone? India Is Under One Party.

NY Times, 

FedEx Driver Who Kidnapped and Killed 7-Year-Old Girl Is Sentenced to Death

It's hard to argue againt the death penalty in a case like this. 

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Alberta separatists say they have enough signatures to trigger independence referendum

My late father Leonard J. Currie, a well-know architect, was born in Stavely, Alberta. Surely I must have some relatives still living there. Why do Canadian provinces make separatist threats? They certainly would not want to join the US under Trump and going it alone seems problematic. Perhaps it's simply meant to be a political bargaining mechanism. 

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                                                  Artemis II was launched in April.
        

                                                    Now here is its image of our earth. 

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Republicans include $1 billion for White House ballroom in funding package

Money may be tight, now with many services to citizens being cut. But Donald Trump really wants his $1 billion ballroom and he wants it now! 

Add Yahoo 

Does Trump really need this ballroom? Does anyone else really want it? One billion dollars could go a long way towrd funding something much more useful.  

                            This colorful dish featured in the NY Times looks rather tasty.