of george zimmerman in florida and this will be a case worthy of our attention. and game six of the stanley cup finals goes down to the final minute and a flurry of dramatic goals. this is way too early. my bruins, they're done. so sad. good morning, everybody. i'm brian shactman. it is tuesday, june 25th. and we want to start you you off with breaking news from afghanistan. the taliban launching a suicide attack on the presidential palace, a place believed to be one of the safest in the war-torn country. afghan and u.s. forces exchanged gunfire with taliban fighters who infiltrated the palace grounds as reporters gathered for a news event. president karzai was expected to attend a press conference there later in the morning.

a taliban spokesman said they were also targeting cia assets. we're joined now by duncan who was at the palace gate when the attack happened and watched a lot of this play out. duncan, first of all, how close were you and give us a sense of what you saw. >> reporter: good morning, brian. we were very close. we were at the gates to the palace at the perimeter. we were there with about a dozen journalists when suddenly gunfire erupted all around us. we think it was probably about 100 meters away. we all went running for cover. me and the nbc team managed to get into the back of a car to take cover. the rest of the journalists, they were h they were hiding by a wall and a school boy was with them who got caught up. the gunfire kept continuing rocking the center of kabul. we've since learned what happened is a bump ever insurgents drove up to the

checkpoints with fake i.d.s. when they couldn't get through, they started firing and detonated a car bomb causing havoc. as far as we know, they were the only ones who were killed. >> a couple quick questions. first of all, you've covered this for a long time. this is considered a pretty safe space, so how shocking was to the people surrounding the area? >> reporter: absolutely completely shocking. we're used to hearing about attacks every couple of days in afghanistan but this was right in the center of a diplomatic area by the presidential palace, by the u.s. embassy, by nato hq. so right in the center of what should bes most secure part of afghanistan. >> and we were supposed to get negotiations with the taliban. is that now off the table? >> well, this is the question. it's only one week ago that they opened peace talks office in

qatar. jam they are trying to get it moved again, but hard to see whether there can be any trust with the violence. >> duncan, please stay safe. we appreciate the insight. while edward snowden remains at large, an international showdown is brewing over bringing him to justice. dozens of journalists booked tickets cuba yesterday, but he never showed up. one reporter tweeting his empty seat. wikileaks founder julian assange said snowden is, quote, healthy and safe and awaiting word over his asylum request from ecuador. kremlin officials claim they did not know he was headed to russia to begin with. president obama says the government is exploring all legal options as the u.s. puts pressure on loss cow to hand over the former contractor. >> we're just not buying that this was a technical decision by a hong kong immigration

official. this was a deliberate choice by the government to release a fugitive and that decision has a negative impact on the u.s./china relationship. >> i suppose there is no small irony here, i mean, i wonder if mr. snowden chose china and russia as assistance in his delight from justice because they're such powerful bass bastions of internet freedom. and i wonder if he raised questions of internet freedoms since that seems to be what he champions. >> this morning russian officials have reportedly rejected u.s. demands for snowden's extradition calling them ungrounded and unacceptable. meanwhile the south china morning post reports snowden specifically took his job with contractor booz allen hamilton to try to expose nsa programs through media leaks.

turning now to domestic politics, we now know the irs used terms like progressive and occupy in addition to tea party to target political groups applying for tax exempt status. that is according to acting irs chief danny werfel who yesterday said he was ending the use of lists to target certain groups. he admitted the agency was using those lists as recently as may almost two weeks after americans learned about the scandal. conservative groups believe they were unfairly targeted as a means to favor democrats in 20912 elections, but now that appears not necessarily to be the case. the much anticipated murder trial of george zimmerman officially under way and the prosecution and defense delivered their opening statements yesterday. >> [ bleep ] punks. these [ bleep ], they always get away. those were the words in that grown man's mouth as he followed

in the dark a 17-year-old boy who he didn't know. [ bleep ] punks. these [ bleep ] always get away. those were the words in that defendant's head just moments before he pressed that pistol into trayvon martin's chest and pulled the trigger. >> knock-knock. who's there? george zimmerman. george zimmerman who? all right, good, you're on the jury. nothing? that's funny. after what you folks have been through the last two or three weeks. >> zimmerman's attorney don west later did apologize for making a joke saying it was a serious matter. zimmerman is accused of shooting unarmed 17-year-old trayvon martin in february of last year in a gated community in sanford,

florida. he has pleaded not guilty to the charges claiming he acted in self-defense. we should thoet george zimmerman has sued nbc universal the parent company of this network for defamation. the company has strongly denied his allegations. james whitey bulger lived his life as an fbi informant without any fear. according to evidence introduced in court yesterday, bulger said no one would dare believe that i was an informant, it would be too incredible. the former leader of the winter hill gang was warned by agent john connelly that his life could be in danger if his cooperation with the bureau was ever revealed. bulger on trial for 19 murders and has pleaded not guilty to all charges. if convicted, he faces life in prison. he is 83 years old. former italian prime minister silvio berlusconi has been sentenced to seven years in prison for paying for sex at a minor at one of his famed b

bunga-bunga sex parties. when the girl known as ruby was arrested for threat, he alledgedly used his office to cover it up. the case divided the entire country of italy with protesters both for and against mr. berlusconi gathering outside the courthouse. he plans to appeal. by the way, in case you're not friends with berlusconi on facebook, he wrote a post in italian, quote, i was really convinced that they would acquit me because it was impossible to convict me based on the facts. now to business. stock futures pointing to a higher open this morning after a late can backe pushed the u.s. markets well off their session lows yesterday. although still a pretty down day. more than a percent. meanwhile treasury 30 year bonds snapping a three day losing streak as yields boost demand for debt. for more of today's business headline, let's check in with steve sedgwick in london for us. >> we were down a couple of

percent on the s&p and dow. closed down around 1%. the concern this time is all around about china and liquidity conditions there in the economy and what that will do for the growth rate. at one point the chinese market down another 5% today, but closed around the flat line. interesting to hear what the president of the dallas federal reserve said about the market, said they are rounding on the market like farrell hogs and if they detect a bad scent, they seem to be going after it. he said they will not break the fed. elsewhere, samsung unveiling three new tablets that will go on on sale in early july. from around about $200 to $400, 7 inches to 10 inch, the big ones have infrared. if you play on on your tablet, you're more likely to be watching tele. >> there is a new report from gallup that takes a look at job satisfaction here in the united states. give us details on that and

whether that's the case over there, as well. >> a simple remedy. get up between 1:00 and 3:00 a.m. in the morning and you'll be happy. that's what you and i do. but 52% are dissatisfied in the workplace around about 18% are actively disengaged. and this is costing around about $550 billion a year for those guys who are lacking productivity about they are disengaged. it's about having your voice heard at work. goodness me, i know they have to listen to my voice a lot at cnbc. >> and we know you're thrilled to be at work no matter the hour. mr. sedgwick, appreciate the insight. so a lot of us say we hate our jobs even with cool perks. but what would make you change your mind? what perk would make you smile instead of frown about your job? tweet your best ideas using the hash taking way too disgruntled. mine is being able to look into just graceful posture and warm

embrace of mike when he walks into the newsroom every day. more highlights on the blackhawks. and bruins by the way, they could push it to a game seven in and then the final two minutes happened. a scoring barrage that changed the whole series. and aaron carter sporting a solid black eye. and you may not believe who is behind it. here is a hint, it was not justin bieber fans. that story and a check on weather when way too early comes right back. michael jackson has died at the age of 50. earlier today jackson had been taken from his home in the los

angeles area by paramedics. early reports say he was not breathing when they arrived. [ male announcer ] i've seen incredible things.

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time for sports. it had all the makings of a classic standly cley cup final. rough start for the hawks. shaw take as puck to the face. we'll hear from him in a little bit because he turned out to to be okay. third period, tied score. lucic one of the toughest guys on the planet gives the bruins a lead. all they need is to get through the final few minutes and we have gave seven. but doesn't happen. a minute left, blackhawks tie the game at two and less than 20 seconds later -- >> blocked away by rask.

they score! 3-2 with less than a minute to go. >> 58.3 seconds left, chicago gets their second stanley cup in four years. their players of course feeling no pain basking in the glory of lord stanley. >> unbelievable. we have to do what we have to do to win and sacrificing the body, you have to go out there and do it. >> that's a hockey player. barn c barnicle, did the better team win? >> bernlg rop playigeron playin cracked rib. what a sport. >> showed the world hockey is pretty legit. to tennis, before wimbledon, there were grumbles nadal was seeded too low. the seeding won't be an issue anymore. the champ ousted in the first round. steve darcis pulled it off in straight sets.

he's the 135th ranked player in the world. nadal didn't have a lot of energy and the first time the 12 time major winner has ever lost in the first round of a major. makes the tournament a little who are boring in my opinion. scotty pippen may be facing serious charges in california. police say he was involved in a fight outside a restaurant on sunday. they say there was an argument between pippen and another man. let's just say the other man probably lost this one. he was taken to the hospital with a head injury. pippen left the scene of the fight but did come into speak to investigators voluntarily. is he a special adviser to the bulls. we'll see what happens there. you know that scene in hangover part 3, zach is pulling the giraffe. >> my life is great!

>> that's rough. tell me if that reminds you of this video of the miami heat celebration yesterday. wow. lebron had to duck. good they think he has better reflexes than the giraffe. that was a little scary actually. hot one in miami, but still a big crowd. let's check on your weather with todd santos. steamy in a lot of places yesterday. >> for sure. and i like the comparison there for lebron. >> had to to show the decapitated giraffe 37. >> let's take you from miami to chicago, a time lapse video of yesterday.37. >> let's take you from miami to chicago, a time lapse video of yesterday.7. >> let's take you from miami to chicago, a time lapse video of yesterday.. >> let's take you from miami to chicago, a time lapse video of yesterday. notice the storms rolling across the city. a lot of wind reports, midway airport had one upwards of 67 miles an hour. a number of tree limbs broken. kind of a mess there. air travel wise yesterday afternoon. a few thunderstorms fell apart this morning, but a few other areas including chicago could see a chance for some of those to fire up this afternoon.

there is a look at it. again, it's really daytime heating that will get things going. as brian mentioned, yes, it really feels like summer out there and we'll hang on to that again today. we also have a few wind producing, hail producing storms, as well, that got going during the heat of the afternoon. a few spots coming in already in the lower 70s. that's summer like weather and there is a good stretch of 90s. we'll hang on to pretty warm numbers for the next couple of days. still look out for the chance for afternoon thunderstorms. coming up at the top of the hour on morning joe, russia responding to the u.s. demands for edward snowden's extradition. let's just say it wasn't exactly friendly. and when we come back heerks ck will huddle around the cooler. jim carrey taking a stand against one of his own movies. [ male announcer ] erica had a rough day.

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time for the kimmel. jimmy kimmel wound up with a black eye after he says he hit himself in the face with his car

door. but he's not the only celebrity sporting a shiner these days. >> aaron had a concert in boston this weekend and he claims he was jumped by a group of new kids on the block fans. for real. he said four guys jumped out of a chevy malibu and said this is the town of the new kids and beat him up. if true, that might be the funniest statement ever made. even the red pandas have had enough of washington, d.c.. rous rusty back in his exhibit after an escape yesterday. the year old animal first noticed missing about 8:00 a.m. after an escape yesterday. the year old animal first noticed missing about 8:00 a.m. after an escape yesterday. the year old animal first noticed missing about 8:00 a.m. after an escape yesterday. the year old animal first noticed missing about 8:00 a.m.r an escape yesterday. the year old animal first noticed missing about 8:00 a.m. an escape yesterday. the year old animal first noticed missing about 8:00 a.m.. spotted shortly after in a nearby neighborhood. rusty back in the zoo a few hours later. that the point the zoo spokesman does not know how rusty escaped. from talking out of his ass to

kicking ass. i just said ass twice and that's in reference to pet detectives. but jim carrey's film career has certainly come a long way. but the horrific shooting at sandy hook quite seriously has the former cable guy regretting his latest role. >> more and more people joining us every night. >> try to have fun. >> his role as colonel stars and stripes in the super hero themed film is unapologetically violent, but now carrey has had a change of heart saying he's unlikely to promote the film. he explained on twitter saying i did kick ass a month before sandy hook and now in all good conscious i cannot support that level of violence. he then added, quote, i'm not ashamed of it, but recent events have caused a change in my heart. for what it's worth, the creator

of the comic book the film is based on called his performance one of his best ever performances. he's not only a fried chicken pioneer, he's also a passion icon. colonel sanders is also known for his signature white suit and bow tie. now charlie is sporting the all white look. he's the ceo of kfc japan. no word what he plans to wear to the company marketing meeting in dallas. but we know he paid more than 21 grand for that suit. mika, good morning. >> good morning. >> how are you? >> i'm good. we have a lot to talk about coming up. edward snowden remains in moscow. the situation is putting a strain on relations with russia and china. and it's calling into question this administration's influence abroad. we'll discuss that with david axelrod, senator coburn, eugene robinson and ed rendell. also opening statements in the

trial of george zimmerman. the defense begins with a knock-knock joke. we'll show you how that played out. and bring you up to speed in the latest arguments. that was fascinating. that absolutely fell flat. i have never seen a more awkward moment in court in recent history. and finally, a documentary on how to make money selling drugs. actor and producer adrian grenier joins us on the set to preview his new set. much more on "morning joe". back to you. >> we'll see you in a few minutes. still ahead, your best and most creative tweets on what perk would make you like your job. we'll be right back. [ shapiro ] at legalzoom, you can take care of virtually

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we want to know what perks you'd like to make your job better because it turns out most don't like your job. natalie, you like your job? you don't need anything more than what you have, right? john has a few responses. >> before we get to that, how

about those blackhawks, huh? >> what do i owe you? >> we'll talk about that later. >> lost that bet. sorry. appreciate it. >> here's responses. wardrobe allowance. don car service, joseph love my job at the community college but free craft beer would be a cool perk. not dealing with idiotic middle management and mark the ability to wear my shirt untucked like mike barnicle. >> if everyone had barnicle's job everyone would be happy. telecommuting and the most biggest complaint we got was middle management. let's get rid of them all. "morning joe" starts right now. >> knock knock. who's there? george zimmerman. george zimmerman who? all right. good.