This is an unofficial transcript meant for reference. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

JIMMY LOVAAS, HOST:

Welcome to the Factal Forecast, a look at the week’s biggest stories and what they mean from the editors at Factal. I’m Jimmy Lovaas.

Today is June 5, 2025.

In this week’s forecast we’ve got the attack in Boulder, Colo., WorldPride in Washington, D.C., voting on referendums in Italy, impeachment proceedings for the Philippines’ vice president and monsoon season picking back up in India.

You can also read about these stories and more in our weekly newsletter, which you’ll find a link to in the show notes.

Attack on pro-Israel event in Boulder, Colo.

Interview featuring Joe Veyera w/ additional research by Owen Bonertz

JIMMY: Up first, we’ll take a look at the recent attack in Boulder, Colo. For more on that I’ve got the lead for our North America coverage, Joe Veyera. 

JIMMY: Hello, Joe, 

JOE: Back with more bad news this week, Jimmy. 

JIMMY: Yeah, you're dependable that way. But on a serious note, I am very thankful for your time today. We did have a pretty awful attack go down in Colorado over the weekend and I'm hoping you can get our listeners all caught up on it. So to start, what exactly went down?

JOE: Yes. So the suspect, 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, is accused of using a makeshift flame thrower on demonstrators that were marching in support of Israeli hostages held by Hamas on Sunday in Boulder, Colo. At last check, a total of 15 people and a dog were hurt, and according to officials, Soliman allegedly shouted "Free Palestine" during the attack. And initial indications are that this was a premeditated incident that had been planned for perhaps close to a year. So, the suspect was an Egyptian national who entered the U.S. on a B2 tourism visa in 2023 and then sought asylum. That visa has since expired, but he had not exhausted all legal avenues to remain in the country.

JIMMY: And what's the latest? There been any new developments?

JOE: So the suspect has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and federal hate crime charges, among others. And on Tuesday, we heard from Homeland Security Secretary Christy Noem, who said that the family of the attacker had been detained by ICE as officials investigate, “to what extent his family knew about this.” And to go off of that, officials did say, in the wake of the attack, that the family had reportedly been cooperative with the search warrant on their home in the wake of the incident. The White House has since added that the family members have been flagged for “expedited removal,” but earlier on Wednesday, a judge barred the government from the immediate deportation of those family members. The suspect's next court appearance is set for Thursday afternoon. 

JIMMY: Well, what sort of reactions have you seen to the attack?

JOE: Well, this is the second apparent lone wolf attack in the past two weeks on Jewish Americans by suspects that were not previously on the radar of law enforcement. So there is a question of, how are these potential threats being seen before they actually occur? Like, what's the warning that they're getting before these take place? And you'd have to think that this leads to greater security, whether that's police or privately hired, at other Jewish events coming up. 

JIMMY: Well, considering all that, what do you think folks ought to be watching for next then?

JOE: Well, in the short term, we'll see what happens during Thursday's court appearance, and then as Soliman continues to work his way through the legal system, and also what happens to the suspect's family now that the federal government has targeted them for deportation and we've got that court battle also playing out. The federal government has also shown that they'll respond pretty quickly to antisemitic incidents, and, you know, attacks like this, and it'll be interesting to see what any potential, like, further crackdown could look like, and does that extend to “Free Palestine” demonstrations and protests?

JIMMY: That's a good question, Joe, but we'll need to pause there for today. But thank you for keeping us up to speed. I know you'll be keeping an eye on things for us and let us know if there's new developments. Appreciate it. 

JOE: Anytime, Jimmy.

WorldPride in Washington, D.C.

Information compiled by Vivian Wang

JIMMY: WorldPride is being hosted this year in Washington, D.C., and it will culminate this weekend in a parade on Saturday and a rally and march on Sunday.

Organizers of the international LGBTQ+ festival originally anticipated as many as 3 million attendees, but the Trump administration’s recent attacks on transgender rights and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts have unnerved some corporate sponsors and would-be international visitors. 

That has led to some backing out. 

Local business owners and event organizers are still hoping for a big turnout, but are wary of ongoing tensions dampening enthusiasm.

Now, D.C. city officials say they are ready to welcome visitors for WorldPride, with extra officers from other jurisdictions being called in and Metro extending service. 

Large crowds are expected to gather especially for Saturday’s parade starting in the U Street neighborhood, and Sunday’s rally at the Lincoln Memorial, followed by a march toward the U.S. Capitol. 

Police originally requested to close off Dupont Circle this weekend, a park at the center of D.C.’s historic LGBTQ+ neighborhood, but backed off after an outcry from local officials and community leaders.

Italy referendums

Information compiled by Agnese Boffano

JIMMY: Italian citizens will vote on Sunday and Monday on referendums concerning key issues.

The referendums will allow citizens to decide whether or not they wish to cancel five current laws, including four on labour and one key aspect regarding citizenship. 

Initiated by the leader of the centrist +Europa party, the citizenship law change seeks to shorten the period needed for non-EU nationals to live in Italy before being eligible to apply for citizenship. 

That period is currently 10 years, the change would reduce that to five years.  

Now, each referendum requires a majority of votes in order to officially pass, meaning that at least 50% of all Italian citizens eligible to vote, including those living abroad, will need to vote in these elections in order for a change to be applied to the Constitution. 

Analysts are particularly interested in the citizenship proposal, which, if passed, would mark a major shift in Italian immigration policy. 

It’s a policy that has long been considered to be one of the strictest in Europe.

Impeachment proceedings begin for Philippines’ vice president

Information compiled by Hua Hsieh

JIMMY: The Philippines’ Senate will decide Tuesday whether to proceed with the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

The daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte was impeached by the country's lower house over a range of accusations, including the misuse of public funds and alleged involvement in plotting to assassinate President Bongbong Marcos. 

The petition is now set to be reviewed and voted upon by the Senate, which will convene as an impeachment court if the motion passes. 

If found guilty, Duterte would face removal from office and become the first vice president to be impeached in Philippines’ history. 

The Senate was initially expected to take up the petition earlier this week, but an official said the date was postponed to allow the Senate to tackle "priority measures.”

Now, after Marcos and Duterte won a landslide victory in 2022’s elections, the rift between the Philippines’ two most powerful families has only grown deeper. 

While the impeachment was thought to be damaging to Sara Duterte’s political future, the Duterte alliance was hit by another blow in May when the former president was arrested by the ICC over killings in his war on drugs. 

Still, results from the midterm election showed stronger-than-expected support of Duterte’s camp, again tilting the precarious balance of power. 

Some analysts have raised concerns over whether the impeachment trial could cross over to the newly elected 20th congress as authority of the current Senate is set to expire on next Friday.

India monsoon season expected to pick back up

Information compiled by David Wyllie

JIMMY: Monsoon rains across India are expected to pick up again on Wednesday. 

Forecasters say intense rainfall is returning after a brief respite.

India’s annual monsoon rains dump vast amounts of water across the country like clockwork. 

As much as 80 percent of the entire year’s rainfall happens in this period, with an above-average inundation forecast for this year. 

The monsoons provide a crucial lifeline to farmers who use its consistent rainfall to water their crops. 

Still, in much of India, the constant downpour brings flooded streets, disruption to transportation and daily life and occasional disasters, such as collapsed bridges. 

At least 36 people have been killed in the monsoon season so far, which arrived earlier than usual this year.

Now, no matter how well prepared states and communities are, each year’s monsoon rains bring a casualty toll, and often significant flooding to cities. 

Transportation infrastructure is overwhelmed, with roads flooded and metro station pumps unable to meet sudden heavier demand. 

Finally, while the monsoons are known for being remarkably stable, occasional stalls aren’t unheard of. Forecasters, of course, will be keeping an eye out for more of them over the coming months.

JIMMY: As always, thank you for listening to the Factal Forecast. We publish our forward-looking podcast and newsletter each Thursday to help you get a jump-start on the week ahead. Please subscribe and review wherever you find your podcasts. We’d love it if you’d consider telling a friend about us.  

Today’s episode includes work from Factal editors Owen Bonertz, Vivian Wang, Agnese Boffano, Hua Hsieh and David Wyllie. Our interview featured editor Joe Veyera and our podcast is produced and edited by me – Jimmy Lovaas. Our music comes courtesy of Andrew Gospe.

Until next time, if you have any feedback, suggestions or events we’ve missed, drop us a note by emailing hello@factal.com

This transcript may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability not guaranteed. 

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Music: 'Factal Theme' courtesy of Andrew Gospe