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The US president described the ongoing negotiations with Iran as part of Washington’s efforts to eliminate Tehran’s nuclear capabilities.

United States President Donald Trump on Thursday claimed that Iran has agreed to nearly all of Washington’s demands in the ongoing negotiations, while reiterating that the talks are aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Speaking to CNBC, Trump said he believed the negotiations were nearing an agreement. “I think they’ve agreed to just about everything we need,” the US president said.

‘It’s Denuclearisation Of Iran’

The US president described the negotiations as part of Washington’s efforts to eliminate Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

“We’re in the war, and it’s really the denuclearisation of Iran. This is not a war per se. This is the denuking of Iran. You can’t let them have a nuclear weapon,” he said.

Trump also claimed the United States had significantly weakened Iran’s military during the conflict.

“I ripped their military apart. They have no navy, they have no air force, they have no radar, their leaders are all dead. And they elect – not elect – they raise new leaders. They’re all dead also. We’re on the third set of leaders, and we actually get along with them,” he said, while speaking to CNBC.

He further said the US has totally defeated the military of Iran, and their leftover missiles can also be wiped out easily.

“I’ve defeated them militarily. They’re totally defeated militarily. They have some missiles left, we could wipe them out too. And I hit them three times last week very hard, because they sent a drone into a ship, I hit them. Then they did something else, and I hit them. I hit them three nights in a row, the week before I hit them two nights in a row, very hard. And we’re negotiating, and we’ll see whether or not. I think they’ve agreed to just about everything we need,” Trump said.

Trump added that the United States has remained in a strong position during the negotiations. “We have all the assets. Now they are just waiting,” he said.

‘Iran Has 300% Inflation’

He also said Iran’s economy had been severely affected and suggested the US could become a supplier of food commodities if an agreement is reached.

“We have the great Navy, the greatest navy in the world. These guys are unbelievable. Not one ship got through to Iran. They have 300% inflation, they’re making no money. So we’re going to take some of the money, and we’re going to buy them. They need food. They need corn, and wheat, and soybeans, and we’re going to have exclusively our American farmers provide that. Assuming we get to the position where we should get to. I think we’re going to get there.”

Trump criticised media reports that suggested Iran was in a stronger position than before the conflict.

“The New York Times said the other day that Iran is in better position now than it was four months ago. I said, wait a minute, their military is gone. Their inflation is up to 300% from 5%. Their leaders are gone. Their second row of leaders are gone. Some of their third row of leaders are gone. Their generals are mostly wiped out. But they said that they are in better shape today than they were four months ago, before we attacked,” he said, while speaking to CNBC.

Speaking about the naval operations against Iran, Trump said that the US has blown up all their radars, and they will have to start building them again.

“We did something nobody knew. Every night, we were taking ships out through the South, which is the furthest point from where they have their little weapons, and they were going along the coast with no lights for a month and a half… We blew up Iran’s radar, they had no radar, they still don’t. We blew it up again the other night. They had a nice new radar, they were all set to go, and we blew it up last week. They have to start all over again for a third time,” he said.

Source : https://www.news18.com/world/just-about-everything-we-need-trump-claims-iran-has-accepted-nearly-all-us-conditions-ws-l-10187723.html

A US Navy MH-60S Sea Hawk crashed into the Arabian Sea during an emergency landing; 3 crew were rescued, 1 is missing,

A MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter with the US Navy crashed into the Arabian Sea on Wednesday during an emergency water landing, the US military said in a statement.

The incident was not a result of a hostile action on the chopper, currently assigned to the USS George H W Bush Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. The statement from the US Navy’s 5th Fleet said that the incident happened on July 1 at 3:30am EDT.

The Navy said the helicopter had four crew members, three of whom were recovered with injuries, while one still remains missing. No details about the missing crew member were revealed.

“US Navy assets in the region are currently searching for other crew members still missing,” the statement read. “The cause of incident is under investigation.”

The USS George W Bush has been a key part of the US Navy’s deployment in the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. It has been in the Middle East region since April 2026 as one of the two US aircraft carriers in the region.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/us-navy-mh-60s-water-landing-arabian-sea-helicopter-crash-service-member-missing-update-101782945218134.html

India and Pakistan have exchanged sharp statements over Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan, with Islamabad rejecting New Delhi’s criticism and insisting the operation targeted terrorist infrastructure. India condemned the strikes as aggression following civilian deaths, while Pakistan accused India of supporting militant groups, further intensifying diplomatic tensions over cross-border security.

Pakistan on Wednesday rejected India’s criticism of its recent airstrikes in Afghanistan, maintaining that the operation was aimed at “terrorist infrastructure”.

Pakistan defends Afghanistan strikes

Pakistan said it killed more than two dozen militants during strikes carried out in Afghanistan on June 29. The operation came after Islamabad accused militants based in Afghanistan of carrying out multiple attacks inside Pakistan.

India condemns civilian deaths

The Israeli leader also reiterated that Israeli forces would remain deployed in southern Lebanon as long as they viewed the Iran-backed Hezbollah as a threat.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Israel could carry out another military operation against Iran if it deems it necessary, saying Tehran will not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons while he remains in office.

In an interview with Hebrew-language broadcaster Channel 14, Netanyahu said that Israel had already entered Iran twice to prevent what he described as an existential threat and would not hesitate to act again.

“We entered Iran twice to save ourselves from destruction. There will be a third time if necessary. As long as I’m Prime Minister Iran will not have nuclear weapons,” he said.

Netanyahu also asserted that Israel’s campaign against Iran and its regional allies was far from over, saying his pursuit of “total victory” continued despite what he described as significant military gains over the past three years.

“It never ends,” Netanyahu said when asked whether his Gaza war objective of achieving “total victory” was still in force. “Israel is stronger than it has ever been… We have more work to do. We will take care of what is left of the Iranian axis.”

The Israeli leader also reiterated that Israeli forces would remain deployed in southern Lebanon as long as they viewed the Iran-backed Hezbollah as a threat.

“Our position is clear: we will not leave southern Lebanon until the threat has disappeared. And as long as Hezbollah, armed, is here and threatening us, we will stay here,” he said during a visit to Israeli troops in southern Lebanon on Tuesday.

Commenting on the possibility of rebuilding Israeli settlements in Gaza, Netanyahu said, “As for rebuilding settlements in Gaza, you have to be ready to act first and talk afterward. Sometimes it’s better to separate the two. That’s why I’m not going to add anything further on that subject.”

Source : https://www.news18.com/world/entered-twice-will-do-it-again-netanyahu-warns-of-third-strike-on-iran-if-needed-ws-l-10183223.html

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf said that under the memorandum of understanding, vessels would be allowed to transit the Strait of Hormuz without charges for 60 days.

Iranian Parliament Speaker and top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Tuesday said Tehran was “not negotiating with a friend” but with an “untrustworthy enemy” as talks with the United States continue, adding that Iran was prepared for war if necessary, even as discussions remain focused on implementing the memorandum of understanding (MoU).

According to Ghalibaf, Iran is not engaged in fresh negotiations with the United States and will not begin talks on a final agreement until Washington fulfils its commitments under the MoU.

“We are following up the process of talks to implement Article 13 of the memorandum of understanding,” Ghalibaf said.

He said Article 13 provides that, after the MoU is signed and subject to the implementation of the agreed provisions, Iran and the United States will begin negotiations on a final agreement covering the remaining clauses.

Ghalibaf said Tehran’s current position is that it will not move to those negotiations until the United States implements key commitments under the MoU, including ending hostilities, maritime de-escalation, immediate oil waivers for Iran and the unfreezing of Iranian assets.

‘Ready For War’

Commenting on Iran’s engagement with Washington, Ghalibaf said Tehran remained cautious despite the ongoing contacts.

“Even now that we are negotiating with America, we are not negotiating with a friend. We are negotiating with an untrustworthy enemy that will definitely act against us whenever it finds the opportunity. In truth, a person can negotiate well only if they are also prepared for war,” he said.

Ghalibaf warned that Iran was prepared to respond if the United States failed to honour the agreement.

“If they refuse to implement what was discussed, we are also prepared for war. If it becomes necessary to do this through war and fire, we will do it. We said that if they respond, we will definitely respond again,” he said.

Ghalibaf further said that Iran, the United States and Lebanon had agreed to establish a committee to oversee the implementation of the end of the war in Lebanon.

‘Agreement Preserves Lebanon’s Independence’

On the issue of Lebanon, Ghalibaf said Iran’s agreement safeguarded the country’s sovereignty.

“Our agreement preserves Lebanon’s independence. The guarantee of the agreement is our strength, not a UN resolution,” he said.

He also alleged that the Lebanese military was acting in Israel’s interests.

“The Lebanese Army is being placed at the service of the Zionist regime so that it can ensure the security of the Zionist regime,” he said.

Ghalibaf said attacks on Lebanon had declined since the Switzerland talks.

“The volume of attacks on Lebanon is incomparable to before the talks in Switzerland,” the speaker added.

‘Free Passage Through Hormuz Only For 60 Days’

Addressing the Strait of Hormuz, Ghalibaf said sovereignty over the waterway rests with Iran and Oman.

“Sovereignty over the Strait belongs to Iran and Oman, and passage through the Strait is subject to arrangements determined by Iran, although we consult with the coastal countries of the Persian Gulf,” he said.

He added that, under the memorandum of understanding, vessels would be allowed to transit the Strait of Hormuz without charges for 60 days.

“From the day the blockade was actually lifted until today, we have exported over 40 million barrels of oil — and this happened in just the last 10 or 12 days. But in the previous 50 or 60 days, we truly didn’t export even a single barrel of oil. We were entirely tied up with this issue,” he said.

Source : https://www.news18.com/world/negotiating-with-an-untrustworthy-enemy-iran-says-its-ready-for-war-if-us-talks-fail-ws-l-10183152.html

Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government has claimed responsibility for airstrikes on alleged ISIS (ISKP) positions inside Pakistan’s Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, saying the targets were being used to plan attacks.

Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government has claimed it carried out cross-border airstrikes against alleged Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) positions inside Pakistan, marking a significant escalation in tensions between the two neighbouring countries following recent Pakistani military operations inside Afghan territory.

According to TOLOnews, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence said its air force struck multiple locations in Pakistan’s Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, claiming the sites were being used to coordinate attacks against civilians inside Afghanistan.

Scientists stumbled upon the first dinosaur bone ever found in Antarctica, decades after it had been unassumingly tucked away in a drawer.

The bone, which comes from the tail of a titanosaur, was discovered in 1985 during an expedition to Antarctica’s James Ross Island led by geologist Mike Thomson — who logged it as belonging to a large reptile.

The bone was then shoved into a drawer in the geology collection of the British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge, the BBC reported.

Decades later, paleontologist Mark Evans rediscovered the bone and, with a team of researchers, decided to compare it with more complete dinosaur remains.

Evans’ suspicions about the bone proved correct, with scientists confirming that it belongs to a long-necked, plant-eating titanosaur.

The findings were published on Monday in the journal Acta Palaeontologica Polonica.

Dino fossils are a rare find in Antarctica due to unforgiving ice caps, though the frigid continent was once home to lush forests.

The titanosaur whose bone was unearthed from the drawer was believed to be about 23 feet long, which is small for its group.

Source : https://nypost.com/2026/06/29/science/antarcticas-first-ever-dinosaur-bone-discovered-collecting-dust-in-drawer-for-over-40-years/

An Indonesian researcher spotted fishy behaviour by her compatriots at a conference in Denmark and refused to look away. The case has sparked a wider debate over research integrity in Indonesia.

Indonesian authorities are investigating a case of suspected academic fraud that transcended borders and could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s researchers.

The case involves research that one of the alleged fraudsters presented at a scientific conference in Denmark in May.

After two Indonesian academics took to social media to voice their suspicions, netizens found that the other alleged conspirators may have done the same at other conferences overseas.

The alleged fraudsters may also have lied about their affiliations, and misused the names of legitimate researchers without their knowledge.

Some researchers fear the case, if proven, could affect the international standing of Indonesian academics and called for measures to strengthen research oversight and integrity, especially amid increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI).

Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) told CNA it is investigating the allegations with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology.

Together with Yogyakarta State University (UNY), BRIN and the ministry have questioned four of the implicated individuals – Rifaldy Fajar, Prihantini, Rini Winarti and Riana Dwi Kurniawati.

They completed their undergraduate studies at UNY from 2019 to 2021 and later obtained master’s degrees from other universities, Agus Haryono, BRIN’s Deputy for Research and Innovation Facilities, told CNA.

“We still need more accurate information to determine the extent of the alleged violations,” said Agus.

Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Brian Yuliarto has confirmed that his office has directly summoned the individuals involved.

“They have been summoned, and we will proceed with processing the case,” said Brian on Saturday (Jun 27) as reported by news portal Detik.

Brian said law enforcement officials are now involved in the investigation to determine the specific legal charges against the perpetrator.

“We are currently working with law enforcement agencies to clarify the legal charges. We also intend for this case to serve as a deterrent,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian academic who first spotted the suspicious activity at the 14th Meeting of the International Society on Pneumonia and Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD-14), held in Copenhagen from May 17 to 21, has reported the matter to the symposium’s organising committee.

According to her, ISPPD replied to confirm the list of abstracts submitted by travel grant recipients from Indonesia. The list included who submitted the abstracts, as well as their presenters.

CNA has contacted the ISPPD about the case and the status of the travel grant for the alleged perpetrators.

HOW THE ALLEGED FRAUD UNRAVELLED

At an ISPPD-14 session, a woman who introduced herself as Riana Dwi Kurniawati presented research examining the relationship between extreme heat and pneumonia risk among older adults.

Roughly 10 minutes later, she appeared at another session under the name Dimas Fajar Prasetyo, and presented another study on AI-driven pneumococcal vaccine booster strategies for elderly populations.

The discrepancy made clinical medicine researcher Wa Ode Dwi Daningrat of the University of Oxford sit up at the conference, because Dimas Fajar Prasetyo is a male Indonesian name.

“I found it bizarre to see one participant with multiple name tags because, typically, even when representing a colleague or teammate, you use your own name tag, introduce yourself, and clarify your role. There’s no need to switch name tags or alter your appearance between presentations,” Wa Ode Dwi told CNA.

Wa Ode Dwi said she chose not to report her suspicion to the organisers right away, opting instead to gather more evidence first.

The following day, Wa Ode Dwi attended another oral presentation scheduled under the name Riana Dwi Kurniawati. The presenter was the same woman who, the previous day, had variously introduced herself to different people as Dimas, Riana and Prihantini.

This time, the woman identified herself as Prihantini. She was asked a question by Keith Klugman, director of the pneumonia programme at the Gates Foundation and, according to Wa Ode Dwi, was unable to answer a seemingly basic question about the research.

After the presentation, Wa Ode Dwi approached Prihantini and asked her to explain the data presented. Once again, Prihantini was unable to do so.

“She stated that she did not know the details of the data and posters, claiming they were ‘generated’ by their ‘leader’, Rifaldy Fajar,” Wa Ode Dwi said.

The explanation raised further questions because neither Rifaldy nor Prihantini was listed as an author in the study, which named only Dimas Fajar Prasetyo, Aminatus Saadah and Riana Dwi Kurniawati as first authors.

When confronted again by Wa Ode Dwi about the discrepancy, Prihantini reportedly said Dimas was a colleague currently pursuing a master’s degree in Australia.

Prihantini also claimed she had not personally received a travel grant from the conference organisers. Instead, she said her airfare and accommodation had been funded through a grant awarded to Riana Dwi Kurniawati that was later transferred to her.

However, Wa Ode Dwi found out from the conference organisers that the four individuals – Dimas Fajar Prasetyo, Aminatus Saadah, Riana Dwi Kurniawati and Prihantini – had all received travel grants.

Wa Ode Dwi said she reported her concerns to the organisers and formally submitted a written complaint via email on May 19, 2026.

Beyond the alleged identity fraud, she and fellow academic Ida Bagus Mandela Brasica, an Indonesian climate mathematics researcher at the University of Exeter, also suspect some or all of the research data under the quartet’s names had been fabricated, possibly using AI.

Suspicions about the use of AI arose because the research presented data from various countries without the involvement of local collaborators. In international research practice, this is considered nearly impossible.

One of the alleged fraudsters, Rifaldy, has reportedly admitted to using AI in his research falsification. He has also apologised for lying about being affiliated with Muhammadiyah University of Bulukumba in some instances, reported Detik news portal.

Prihantini also failed to answer basic questions about the studies during the discussion, Wa Ode Dwi said. Ida Bagus co-authored the Instagram posts exposing the alleged misconduct but did not attend the ISPPD-14.

NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT?

Ida Bagus said he and Wa Ode Dwi decided to go public with the allegations because “we didn’t know where we could report what we believed was fraud”.

He also suspected the problem extended far beyond a single conference.

Their allegations gained traction on social media. Netizens began digging and soon claimed to have uncovered evidence suggesting similar misconduct may have taken place at other international conferences.

“People in Indonesia found indications that these individuals may have done similar things at several other conferences,” Ida Bagus told CNA.

One social media user had a screenshot of a post, allegedly uploaded by the suspected ringleader Rifaldy, who claimed to have taken more than 200 flights over two years.

Although that claim could not be independently corroborated, Ida Bagus said that based on various conference records bearing the names of the alleged participants, they may have attended dozens of international conferences.

Such conferences may provide travel grants to participants. Wa Ode Dwi said travel grants provided by ISPPD-14, for example, varied depending on a participant’s country of origin. The conference’s grants covered return airfare, five nights of accommodation, local transport including taxis and trains related to the conference, and registration fees.

Ida Bagus said travel grants for European scientific conferences typically range between €1,000 (US$1,141) and €1,500.

The alleged misconduct means many legitimate Indonesian researchers may have been denied opportunities to attend these conferences, he and Wa Ode Dwi said.

“If they committed this kind of fraud 100 times, then that’s 100 opportunities (potentially) taken away from Indonesian researchers who had genuine work to present,” said Ida Bagus.

“This is a serious violation of scientific integrity,” said Wa Ode Dwi. “What they did effectively mocked researchers working honestly in this field. They exploited the principles of good faith and honesty that underpin scientific research.”

CONCERNS OVER SAGA’S IMPACT

The scandal, if proven, could taint Indonesians doing good research around the world, said the two UK-based researchers and other Indonesian academics.

“Their actions could seriously undermine the scientific credibility that Indonesian researchers have spent years building internationally,” said Wa Ode Dwi.

She believes the alleged perpetrators exploited the conference’s trust-based abstract review process.

ISPPD required researchers to submit abstracts of around 250 to 300 words, she said.

Applications for travel grants required recommendation letters from supervisors and identity documents, with funding prioritised for early-career researchers from low- and middle-income countries eligible for support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Gavi is a public-private partnership that helps vaccinate half the world’s children against some of the world’s deadliest diseases.

In general, the review of abstracts is not on the basis of whether the research is valid, “but rather, within the framework of (whether the) research is relevant to this conference”, said Wa Ode Dwi.

Within Indonesia, the scandal, if proven, could erode public confidence in science and evidence-based policymaking, said Ubaid Matraji, an education observer from the National Coordinator of the Indonesian Education Monitoring Network (JPPI).

“If those who are supposed to produce scientific truth can lie, public scepticism towards evidence-based policy will only deepen,” he said.

This could leave society more vulnerable to misinformation and populism, he added.

The latest case adds to other academic integrity controversies in Indonesia in recent years.

In 2024, the publication record of Kumba Digdowiseiso, former dean of the faculty of economics and business at Universitas Nasional, came under scrutiny after he was credited with producing around 160 scientific papers between 2023 and early 2024 — an output considered unusually high.

The controversy fuelled broader debate on the existence of so-called “paper mills” — businesses that produce scientific manuscripts in large quantities — and intensified criticism that Indonesia’s academic incentive system rewards publication volume more than research quality.

In another case, Indonesia’s Ministry of Higher Education revoked the professorships of 17 lecturers at Lambung Mangkurat University in 2024 and 2025, following an investigation into alleged breaches of academic integrity linked to scientific publications and promotion requirements.

“NO CHOICE” BUT TO CUT CORNERS?

Academics and experts CNA interviewed said the Copenhagen case should serve as a catalyst for broader reforms.

Ida Bagus said Indonesian academics face intense pressure to publish while receiving limited financial support for research.

“University lecturers are expected to produce internationally recognised research every six months, but financial support is extremely limited. Government grants are rare, highly competitive and burdened by complicated bureaucracy,” he said.

According to Ida Bagus, such pressures can encourage some researchers to take unethical shortcuts.

“The gap between expectations and available resources makes some academics feel they have no choice but to cut corners,” he said.

He also cited longstanding practices surrounding authorship in Indonesia’s academic community.

“Many senior academics or professors ask to have their names included on papers despite contributing nothing to the research. That’s already unethical, but it’s been normalised (in Indonesia). Ethical boundaries have become blurred,” he said.

JPPI’s Ubaid agreed the latest case goes beyond personal misconduct. He and other researchers told CNA it reflects structural flaws within Indonesia’s academic system, where quantitative performance indicators often outweigh research quality and integrity.

“This is clearly a systemic disease, not merely personal misconduct,” he argued.

“It is the result of the industrialisation of academic titles. Lecturers are forced to become ‘credit-point labourers’, chasing promotions and incentives within an irrational academic ecosystem.”

Oversight mechanisms also need to be strengthened, Ubaid said.

“Our academic system has become trapped in administrative fetishism. Oversight focuses on stamps, receipts and compliance with templates rather than verifying whether the research itself was actually conducted,” he argued.

The Copenhagen case appears to have exposed failures in institutional supervision by assuming the alleged fraudsters were genuinely affiliated with academic institutions, said Lilis Mulyani, chair of the Indonesian Young Academy of Sciences (ALMI) for 2024–2026.

Abstracts submitted to ISPPD-14 listed their affiliation with the AI-Biomedicine Research Group, IMCDS Biomed Research Foundation. BRIN has since said the institution does not exist.

Lilis said researchers wishing to attend overseas conferences normally undergo multiple layers of internal review before receiving approval.

Typically, institutions require permission from their supervisors, submission of the research to be presented, and feedback from senior researchers or research groups. Many researchers also conduct rehearsal presentations before travelling abroad, said Lilis.

She noted a study on research integrity risk in 2025 – by Lokman Meho, a professor at the American University of Beirut – that listed several of Indonesia’s top universities in the most serious category for “systemic” risks and “extreme anomalies”.

Yogyakarta State University was among those in the “red flag” category of Meho’s Research Integrity Risk Index. The “red flag” was a tier above “high risk” – for universities deemed to have “significant deviation from global norms”. This was followed by the “watch list”, “normal variation” and “low risk” tiers.

There has been a growing number of Indonesian scientific papers being retracted, added Lilis. “In 2025 alone, more than 229 Indonesian scientific publications were retracted because of serious problems,” she said.

“This is deeply worrying because it damages not only individual researchers but also the reputation of our institutions and the country.”

Lilis noted sanctions for academic misconduct in Indonesia have so far been largely administrative, including revoking of professorships, dismissal of lecturers or excluding individuals from academic communities.

“To my knowledge, we’ve never seen criminal or civil penalties imposed in cases like these,” she said.

BRIN rejected claims of systemic regulatory failure and Agus disagreed with suggestions that the Denmark case was the result of Indonesia’s research regulations.

“I don’t believe this case is a systemic consequence of our existing regulations,” he said.

Agus said BRIN researchers are not required to attend a certain number of international conferences each year. In fact, he said, participation has been restricted in recent years because state budget funds cannot routinely be used for conference travel.

Instead, BRIN evaluates researchers primarily through research output such as scientific publications, intellectual property and licensing achievements.

Agus said researchers are not required to publish only in journals that charge publication fees, noting that many reputable international journals remain free to authors.

But he acknowledged that rapidly advancing technologies such as AI have created new challenges.

“What we are seeing may reflect a broader challenge facing today’s younger generation. The ease of using AI may encourage ideas or behaviour that should not occur in research,” he said.

Source : https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/indonesia-alleged-fake-research-scandal-fraud-denmark-scientific-conference-6218216

Australian AI infrastructure company Firmus Technologies said on Monday it had ​signed a strategic partnership with Nvidia Corp (NVDA.O), to help provide emerging ‌AI firms with more cost-effective access to computing power.

• Firmus said the deal would see it buy Nvidia infrastructure and sell Nvidia‑powered cloud services to “AI Native” customers, among ​others, in an agreement that would earn the U.S.-listed chip giant product ​revenue and a share of cloud revenue.
• The deal will ⁠deliver 170,000 Graphics Processing Units (GPU) from the first quarter of 2027 ​to the start of 2028, that will be located in Batam, Indonesia.
• Firmus ​said it expected to earn up to $30 billion in revenue during the first six years of the deal, based on customer commitments.
• The Australian-founded company said the deal ​would make it easier for smaller and developing AI firms to ​access the technology’s infrastructure.
• “We have worked to figure out how to close the gap ‌between ⁠the cost benefits that the large guys have access to, which they do because they have great credit ratings, and the guys that are up and comers,” Firmus co-chief executive Tim Rosenfield told Reuters. “This is ​actually a really ​material way to ⁠level the playing field a little bit to give the next a chance to compete with the ​big guys.”

Source : https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australias-firmus-technologies-strikes-ai-access-deal-with-nvidia-2026-06-28/

Iran and the United States ​agreed to halt recent hostilities in the Gulf and renew talks regarding their dispute over the Strait of Hormuz, a U.S. official said on Sunday, raising ‌hopes of saving an interim peace deal that was under pressure from days of tit-for-tat strikes.
“Technical talks are slated to continue on all areas of the MOU. Both sides will stand down for now and vessels can move freely,” the official said, referring to the 14-point memorandum of understanding that was agreed on June 17 under which the strait would be re-opened for traffic.

Axios, which first reported the cessation ​of hostilities, citing a senior U.S. official, said talks would resume Tuesday in Qatar.
A return to diplomacy would follow several days of strikes and counterstrikes since ​an Iranian projectile hit a cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, with both the U.S. and Iran accusing the ⁠other of breaking an interim ceasefire that was agreed to on June 17.
Iran launched missiles and drones at U.S. military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain early on Sunday, shortly ​after President Donald Trump threatened that the Islamic Republic would cease to exist if it did not honor the agreement to end the war.

Meanwhile, Israel said on Sunday it had once ​again struck Iran-backed armed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, destroying underground infrastructure used by the group in a village in southern Lebanon. That came after another strike on Saturday, which closely followed its latest ceasefire deal with Lebanon on Friday. Iran says the fighting in Lebanon must end if the wider agreement is to stick.
The U.S. military said earlier it had struck Iran again, hours after a tanker was hit in ​the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important energy shipping route, which Tehran has largely closed for most of the conflict.
“There may come a point when we are no ​longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started,” Trump said on social media, before the Axios report.

The 14-point interim peace accord was meant to halt the fighting, which the U.S. and Israel started on February 28, and reopen the strait while talks proceeded on issues such as Iran’s nuclear program.

VIOLENCE, ACCUSATIONS FOLLOW PEACE DEAL

One round of mediated talks, led by Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, was held in Switzerland a week ago and Washington waived sanctions on Tehran, but fighting has since resumed and intensified.
About an hour after Trump’s post, Kuwait’s army said its air defenses were responding ​to missile and drone attacks, while Bahrain ​said sirens had sounded there.
Iran’s Islamic ⁠Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a statement its navy and air forces had launched missile and drone operations targeting U.S. military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain.
The Guards said U.S. strikes had violated the ceasefire and “will result in the complete halt of all diplomatic processes”, state-run ​Press TV said. The IRGC navy command said American bases in the region “will experience hell in the coming days”.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-carries-out-fresh-strikes-against-iran-after-tanker-struck-hormuz-escalating-2026-06-27/

Europe’s unprecedented early summer heatwave may be responsible for hundreds of excess deaths, according to the head of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Temperature records were broken across the continent again on Sunday – including in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic – as the extreme heat continued to move east.

In a post on X, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said more than 1,300 excess deaths had been recorded since 21 June “linked to high temperatures in Europe”.

“Heat stress is often called the ‘silent killer’ – and European homes, workplaces and schools were not built for these temperatures,” he said.

On Sunday morning, France’s national health ministry said there had been around 1,000 more deaths than expected in the country since Wednesday.

Many of the extra fatalities are among those aged 65 over, the agency said, after logging a 40% rise in the number of people dying at home.

“Europe is the fastest-warming continent on Earth, heating at twice the global average,” Tedros warned.

Millions of people across the continent are currently “living under extreme heat, hundreds have died, schools are shut, grids are buckling”, he added.

On Sunday, Germany experienced its hottest-ever day for the third consecutive day after 41.7C was recorded in the east of the country, preliminary data showed.

A station in Coschen, near the Polish border in eastern Brandenburg, recorded 41.7C at around 16:00 local time.

The Czech Republic set its second temperature record in two days, recording 41.1C at Doksany, north of Prague, the meteorological institute CHMI said.

CHMI said it expected the heat to peak on Sunday, with storms forecast for western areas later.

Poland also broke its all-time temperature record with 40.5C in the town of Slubice, a spokeswoman for the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) told the AFP news agency on Sunday.

Climate change was responsible for the extreme weather, Tedros said, warning that Europe was warming at “twice the global average”.

“Driven by climate change and global warming, the phenomenon of the ‘once-in-a-generation’ heatwave is now occurring nearly annual,” he said.

He called on European countries to “implement heat health action plans”, as part of a push to safeguard health in the face of climate change.

The extreme weather has led European authorities to take drastic measures to prevent heat-related illnesses.

On Thursday, the Dutch music festival Defqon.1 was cancelled following an unprecedented code red warning for extreme heat.

In Paris, officials banned drinking takeaway alcohol in public and cancelled the city’s pride march to help stretched emergency services.

The ban began at noon on Friday local time ahead of France’s World Cup match with Norway and lasted until Sunday morning.

Source : https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4d2vv935lo

Former President Joe Biden was back onstage at a Democratic Party gala to excoriate President Trump Saturday – but needed a little help figuring out just how to exit.

Biden, who got pushed out of his reelection bid by fellow Democrats in 2024 following his debate disaster against Trump, defended his record and blasted his successor during his speech to the Maryland Democratic Party’s Fight Back & Win summit near Baltimore.

He ripped Trump for the “deliberate distraction – destruction of NATO” and hammered Trump’s White House ballroom as a “vanity project.”

At his speech’s conclusion Biden delivered a familiar refrain about the nation’s ability to overcome challenges – then sought an assist to find out which way to leave the stage.

He turned to the side seeking guidance, then pointed in two different directions to ascertain the best route. Once he had it sorted out, he walked away from the stage with his back to the audience.

His appearance at event, held at the Live! Casino & Hotel in Hanover, Maryland, came just days after he appeared at the grand opening of the Barack Obama presidential library in Chicago.

At that event, a bewildered looking Biden was left awkwardly onstage at its conclusion. “Where’s my granddaughter?” he shouted while walking up to the podium as it ended. At other times, he was guided by former first lady Jill Biden.

Biden, 83, relied on a teleprompter during his Saturday night remarks, squinting at times as he read his verbal blasts at his rival, who he defeated in 2020, only to relinquish the White House in 2024. He coughed loudly several times early on.

“Have you noticed that Americans are saying the economy under the Biden administration is a hell of a lot better than under Trump?” he told party faithful in the deep blue state.

“It’s not just his vanity projects – tearing down the East Wing of the White House making room for his ballroom. Putting his name on the Kennedy Center. Building an arch in his own honor. Even hiring his own pool guy to fix the reflecting pool. Woah – what a loser,” Biden said to applause.

He called it “simply stunning to me” that Trump made “billions of dollars” as he returned to the White House, saying “he has no shame.”

Biden’s successive awkward exits come after a long history during his presidency of mangling stage directions, as he did famously at a G7 photo-op in Italy in 2024.

He made no reference to the ideological fight going on in his party after democratic socialists prevailed in three New York primaries.

Source: https://nypost.com/2026/06/27/us-news/joe-biden-manages-to-find-his-way-offstage-at-democratic-gala-after-seeking-directions/

IRAN has accused the US of a “brutal and blatant violation” of its peace deal after Donald Trump launched fresh strikes on Tehran.

Dramatic footage shows the moment US forces struck missile and drone storage sites in response to an Iranian attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian media said a projectile struck the area around a pier in Sirik in southern Iran on Friday.

Video shows a huge explosion erupt from the US strike, as a mushroom cloud of smoke rises from the target site.

“These brutal attacks, which targeted Iranian coastal surveillance facilities, are a blatant violation of the memorandum of understanding to end the war”, the Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement.

Iran hit back with a series of dawn strikes on Bahrain today, the country’s ministry of foreign affairs said.

The ministry condemned the drone strikes as “heinous aggression” and placed “sole responsibility on Tehran for undermining peace efforts”.

US Central Command said: “CENTCOM forces launched strikes today in direct response to continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping.

“Military aircraft targeted Iranian military surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities, and minelayer capabilities.

“Commercial vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz continue. U.S. forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready.”

President Donald Trump on Friday (Jun 26) unveiled a rendering of a new limited-edition US passport to mark the country’s 250th anniversary of independence – featuring his stern-faced likeness.

“The USA’s New Passport, which says, ‘Welcome, but be good!'”, Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform featuring the passport mock-up.

The image features a glowering Trump leaning on his desk and his signature, with the text of the Declaration of Independence in the background. It appears to be based on a portrait taken by White House photographer Daniel Torok.

The opposite page shows a painting depicting the declaration’s signing in 1776, with the words “United States of America 250”.

The White House posted the same passport rendering, with the words “PATRIOT PASSPORT”.

The State Department – which had previously announced that a commemorative passport with “custom artwork” would be available from Jul 6 – did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A department official said in April that the Trump-themed passports would only be available at in-person appointments in Washington “for as long as there is availability”.

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/trump-unveils-new-us-passport-picture-himself-6214771

Mayor Zohran Mamdani promised to never accept the US Supreme Court’s ruling allowing President Trump’s administration to strip deportation protection for Haitian and Syrian migrants.

“To have people who frankly taught the world about freedom have their own freedom put into jeopardy by the actions of a Supreme Court and federal administration — it is not only cruel, it’s not something we will ever accept,” Hizzoner said in a video statement after Thursday’s bombshell 6-3 ruling.

The high court ruled that the “temporary protected status” statutes don’t allow for judicial review and that lower courts can’t intervene in the Trump administration’s decision to remove deportation protections for more than 6,000 Syrians and 350,000 Haitians living in the US.

Mamdani immediately rallied with immigration advocates, Gov. Kathy Hochul and state Attorney General Letitia James following the ruling, and released the defiant video message afterward.

“The Supreme Court just sparked one of the largest attacks on immigrants in modern American history. In one fell swoop, thousands of Haitians and Syrians now risk losing the right to live and work in the country they call home,” Mamdani also said in a statement issued by City Hall.

“This decision will cause enormous pain across the five boroughs. Here in New York, it falls hardest on our Haitian community, one of the largest in the country, alongside Syrian families,” the statement said.

“To the tens of thousands of New Yorkers with TPS who are watching the news, frightened about what comes next, hear me clearly: New York City is your home. You belong here. We will not turn our backs on you.”

City Hall said the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs would be sharing “additional information and resources soon.”

“You will not face this cruelty alone. This administration will stand alongside immigrant New Yorkers today, tomorrow, and every day that follows,” Mamdani said.

New York’s sanctuary rules largely prevent local law enforcement from enforcing federal immigration laws and operations, or cooperating with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

But Mamdani has boosted the Big Apple’s sanctuary rules since taking office in January.

The mayor signed an executive order in February strengthening sanctuary protections, including a prohibition on ICE entering city property like public schools, homeless shelters and hospitals without a judicial warrant.

Source : https://nypost.com/2026/06/26/us-news/mamdani-bucks-scotus-ruling-on-deportation-protection-for-haitians-syrians/

Germany vs Ecuador Highlights, FIFA World Cup 2026 Match: Gonzalo Plata scored the all-important goal as Ecuador beat Germany 2-1 to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32.

King Charles has disclosed he paid £12.9m in tax for 2024-2025 – becoming the first monarch to reveal their tax bill.

The level of tax paid by the King puts him in the top 100 of UK taxpayers.

The Prince of Wales declared he paid £7.76m tax over the same period, the figures in the annual royal report and accounts show.

It has also been revealed the King and Queen Camilla will continue to live in Clarence House and not move into Buckingham Palace.

The accounts show the main source of annual public funding for the Royal Household, the Sovereign Grant, is rising to just under £100m for the year 2027-28.

The accounts also show the King paid £11.7m in tax for 2023-24, while Prince William paid £8.34m for the same period.

The publication of how much tax the King and Prince William voluntarily pay was a personal decision made by both men, according to their offices.

Buckingham Palace described the move as increasing transparency and aimed to “encourage wider understanding of our accountability.”

Since the King became monarch in 2022 and William the Prince of Wales, the combined tax bill of father and son paid to HM Revenue and Customs has been more than £50m.

The new figures do not give any detailed breakdown of how the tax has been calculated.

The monarch paid the highest rate of tax.

The King receives an annual income from his Duchy of Lancaster estate set up to give the monarch an independent source of money for official and private expenditure.

It is a portfolio of land, investments and properties. It provides the King with an annual income which in 2025-26 was £25.2m.

Other sources of income, liable for tax, include the King’s own investments and savings alongside money generated by his private estates, Balmoral and Sandringham.

Initially, the Prince William did not release his tax payments when he became heir to the throne – but in line with his father, he has now made his payment of income and capital gains tax public.

Prince William receives an income from the Duchy of Cornwall – a billion-pound 130,000 acre hereditary estate which also includes the Oval cricket ground in London – which funds official duties, his office and private family life.

“Prince William pays income tax at the highest rate on any net surplus after those costs have been met. Those costs are independently audited to ensure that any deductions are appropriate,” said the prince’s private secretary Ian Patrick.

“The prince recognises the interest in these arrangements and the importance of appropriate transparency.”

The tax payable for 2025-2026 is still being audited and will be made public next year.

The income or any detail on private investments for both the King and Prince William has not been disclosed.

Prince William has also announced he will no longer personally benefit from the £1.5m annual rent generated by the abandoned Dartmoor Prison.

He has asked for the sum to be removed from the income of the Duchy Of Cornwall with the money instead spent on supporting the local community particularly in the rural community of Princetown close to the prison.

Dartmoor has been empty since 2024 due to high levels of the toxic gas, radon, discovered within the building.

The publication of the annual royal accounts also reveal:

• The most expensive overseas royal visit was Prince William’s three-day trip to Saudi Arabia in February this year costing just over £130,000
• This was just ahead of the £126,946 in travel costs for the King and Queen’s four-day state visit to Italy in April 2025
• The King’s trip on the royal train to Lancaster in June 2025 costing £48,460. The train is due to be taken out of service by 2027 to save money.
• Some 177 helicopter journeys were made by Royal Family over the past year costing £733,063

Meanwhile, under a new formula for calculating the Sovereign Grant, the Royal Household will receive £99.9m a year from 2027-2028. Three years ago the figure was £51.8m.

The grant provides public funding for the running costs of the monarchy. This includes core staff costs, running expenses of the King’s official household including receptions, maintenance of palaces in England and travel costs for royal engagements.

The higher figure was decided upon by Royal Trustees – Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and the King’s keeper of the Privy Purse and treasurer James Chalmers.

The extra money will be used pay for the upkeep of historic buildings, strengthen cyber security at royal residences and support the transition to green energy with £11m earmarked to replace boilers at Windsor Castle.

Chalmers insisted the funding was “not a blank cheque” and there were strict checks to ensure the grant was value for money.

“Expenditure is governed by the same standards and disciplines as any publicly funded body, with strict value-for-money requirements, detailed planning, multi-year strategies, independent audit, and Treasury oversight,” he said.

For the past 10 years, the Sovereign Grant has been at a higher level than its core sum to cover the costs of the major refurbishment of Buckingham Palace which will be complete by the end of 2027.

With the work finished, the annual figure will fall from £137.9m to a core funding of £99.9m – a sum that will be unchanged for the next five years when it will next be reviewed but is significantly higher than previous years.

“It is important to emphasise that the Sovereign Grant does not provide personal income to members of the Royal Family,” Chalmers said. “It funds the work of the institution – not private lives or private wealth.”

The decision of the King and Queen to continue living in Clarence House, where they have been based since 2005, has been taken to allow greater public access to Buckingham Palace, officials said.

Refurbishments on the palace totaling just under £370m are set to be completed in March next year.

It is hoped it will also allow the landmark to generate more income.

It will mark the first time since Queen Victoria’s reign that a monarch has chosen to reside away from Buckingham Palace.

Historian Anna Whitelock told BBC News the King revealing his tax bill puts him “front and centre as a very rich man”.

She said the disclosure was a direct response to calls for greater accountability and financial transparency in the monarchy, particularly in recent weeks and months.

“I do think this is very much a sign of the times, and it’s an attempt by the monarchy to try and get on front foot and before they were absolutely pushed to try and show they are responsive and not reactive.”

Norman Baker, former Lib Dem Home Office minister and a critic of royal funding, told BBC News Buckingham Palace visitor ticket sales should go to the Treasury and not the Royal Family.

“They bring in millions every year, so what should happen is if they’re not living in Buckingham Palace, [they] should open it to the public and all the money from visitors 12 months of the year should go to the Treasury to help pay for refurbishment,” he said.

Source : https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8x2151y8q4o

European leaders reaffirmed on Wednesday their commitment to a stronger defence partnership ahead of next month’s NATO summit in Ankara, following a series of spats with U.S. President Donald Trump and tensions among ​the main European members.
They also offered a warm farewell to outgoing British Prime Minister Keir ‌Starmer after he announced this week he would step down amid growing discontent in his party.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who invited the leaders of Britain, France, Italy and Poland to Berlin, said the NATO summit on July 7-8 would be the ​moment to demonstrate Europe’s determination to take a stronger leadership role in defence.
“We want to ​renew the Alliance. We are strengthening its European pillar,” Merz said as the leaders ⁠made brief remarks before meeting over dinner.
A joint statement “affirmed their unwavering commitment to Euro-Atlantic security and the ​transatlantic bond”.
Behind the messages of unity, Merz’s invitation to Berlin came after several incidents that laid bare ​tensions over defence and security issues among the main European partners.

Berlin and Paris have seen their long-delayed FCAS joint fighter project abandoned over strategic and management disagreements, underlining the difficulties Europe has faced in joining forces to rebuild its defences ​as Trump has increasingly turned away from NATO.
In recent months, Washington has criticised the alliance for its reluctance ​to support the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and threatened to draw down troops in Europe.
Germany, France and Britain, the ‌so-called E3 ⁠group, have also faced criticism from some European capitals, including Rome and Warsaw, that they have kept other countries from talks with Ukraine.
Merz, who has previously insisted that the E3 arrangement is intended to ensure Europe can act quickly, did not address differences directly but stressed the aim of reinforcing a joint ​approach, including a strong ​partnership with the United ⁠States.

“We are travelling this path together,” he said, adding, “Unilateral national actions in our defence policy would be a mistake.”

Source : https://www.reuters.com/world/european-leaders-pledge-unity-after-recent-tensions-ahead-nato-summit-2026-06-24/

The White House has formally requested $87.6 billion mostly to replenish the Pentagon after the U.S. war against Iran, submitting the request to Congress at a politically difficult time as Republican and Democratic lawmakers have objected to any further military action.

The Office of Management and Budget sent the supplemental spending request on Wednesday. It arrived just hours after President Donald Trump assailed Republican senators during a private lunch — engaging in a shouting match with one — over their votes to approve a war powers resolution that would halt further hostilities.

The request is mostly for expenses incurred by the Defense Department as part of Operation Epic Fury, the U.S.-led attack on Iran. But it also includes a range of other items, including $11.1 billion toward economic assistance for American farmers, $1.4 billion for the Ebola virus outbreak in Central Africa and $500 million to support ongoing efforts “to complete restoration and construction projects in and around Washington, D.C.”

“I urge the Congress to take action on these important and urgent requests as soon as possible,” said OMB Director Russ Vought in a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said, “President Trump is asking taxpayers to clean up his messes, to the tune of $87.6 billion.”

“After dragging America into a reckless war, he now wants Congress to hand him tens of billions more to paper over the damage — while families are still paying higher prices.”

There may not be enough support in Congress to pass war funds

It’s unclear how quickly the House and Senate could act on the White House’s request, or if Congress takes up the matter at all. The funding faces a difficult path because many lawmakers could view any votes as a reflection of test of their support for the war effort.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth returned to Capitol Hill on Wednesday briefing House GOP lawmakers from the conservative Republican Study Committee on the Pentagon’s budgetary needs. The White House is seeking as much as $1.5 trillion in defense spending in this year’s budget, a nearly 50% increase over previous levels.

But many lawmakers have complained they have yet to receive any formal briefing from the administration on the Iran war, nearly four months after it was launched, and as Trump’s team is now working to secure a fragile ceasefire and bring an end to the conflict.

Washington Sen. Patty Murray, the lead Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the request is not merely to pay for “the president’s disastrous war, but an attempt to secure tens of billions of additional dollars for unrelated Pentagon priorities.”

Murray said she would review to ensure servicemembers are taken care of, “but I will not rubberstamp tens of billions more for this disastrous war of choice.”

Yet the White House was clear to include provisions to interest lawmakers from various regions, including $1 billion to assist “the final design and construction of a modernized Penn Station in New York City,” which would be of interest to Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both of New York.

Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, and Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Ca., who chairs the panel’s subcommittee on Defense, said in a joint statement, “President Trump’s request reflects the reality that our defense strength must be maintained, not merely demonstrated.”

Money for farmers, the Ebola outbreak and other needs included

The bulk of the request, $67 billion, is to replenish the Pentagon from the Iran war. The largest portion of that defense funding, $21 billion, would go to weapons and munitions, with another $17.3 billion for operational costs and $12.1 billion for other classified programs. Funds are also requested to cover fuel costs, drone manufacturing and cybersecurity.

Source : https://apnews.com/article/white-house-billions-congress-war-farmers-ebola-c0cbd21df91c48fa821fc21e021d8831

Trump declared that Tehran will “never have a nuclear weapon” under the framework of the deal.

US President Donald Trump hailed the newly signed peace agreement with Iran as a historic diplomatic breakthrough, declaring that Tehran will “never have a nuclear weapon” under the framework of the deal.

Trump said the agreement aims to end the prolonged conflict between the United States and Iran, ensure the full reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, and establish what he described as unprecedented safeguards against Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

“Last week, we signed a historic agreement to end the conflict with Iran, fully open the Strait of Hormuz, and accomplish what no President has ever been able to accomplish before — Iran will NEVER have a nuclear weapon!” Trump said.

“For the first time in 3,000 years, we are finally going to have peace in the Middle East,” he said while addressing crowd at the kickoff event for the Great American State Fair.

Trump said the United States and Iran are expected to finalize the agreement within the next 60 days. Over the weekend, American and Iranian officials, working with mediating parties in Switzerland, established a roadmap aimed at securing a final deal.

Vice President JD Vance, who was involved in the diplomatic efforts, said the latest round of talks “laid a very good foundation for a successful final deal” before departing Switzerland on Monday.

The proposed agreement is expected to address Iran’s nuclear program while easing tensions that have fueled instability across the Middle East in recent months. Trump presented the development as one of the key achievements of his administration, alongside economic initiatives and efforts to revitalize Washington, D.C.

Highlighting broader progress under his presidency, Trump told the crowd that the United States is currently living through a “Golden Age,” pointing to gains in diplomacy, economic growth, and national development.

Source : https://www.news18.com/world/iran-will-never-have-a-nuclear-weapon-trump-on-peace-agreement-with-tehran-ws-l-10171771.html

The ​U.S. Department of Energy announced on Tuesday $17.5 billion in conditional loans for utilities and energy companies to purchase ‌parts needed to strengthen the U.S. commercial nuclear supply chain.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright told reporters the loans will help the U.S. achieve its goal of having 10 new large-scale nuclear reactors under construction by 2030, potentially accelerating that timeline by three years.

The U.S. industry has struggled to attract investment because nuclear ​projects are capital‑intensive, prone to cost overruns and subject to complex regulations, making them riskier than cheaper, quicker alternatives such ​as natural gas and renewables.
The loans would help companies procure items such as reactor vessels and steam ⁠generators, which can take years to secure, and potentially reduce the time to build large AP1000 nuclear plants.
Wright said the loans have ​attracted strong interest from data center hyperscalers — tech giants that run global cloud and computing infrastructure — and energy companies, as U.S. electricity demand ​soars with the rapid buildout of data centers to power AI capabilities.

“We are confident that these projects will be economic for utility shareholders, ratepayers and hyperscalers,” Wright said.
The loan announcement comes months after the DOE announced an $80 billion agreement with Westinghouse Electric’s owners, Canada-based Cameco (CCO.TO), and Brookfield Asset Management (BAM.N), in which ​the government would arrange financing and help secure permits for the Westinghouse reactors in exchange for a 20% share of future profits.

LOANS ​TO SUPPORT WESTINGHOUSE REACTORS

The Energy Department’s Office of Energy Dominance Financing, formerly known as the Loan Programs Office, will back up to five loans, each ‌of which ⁠will support two 1.1-gigawatt Westinghouse reactors per site.
Westinghouse will partner with up to five utilities and energy companies nationwide that will procure the reactors and other “long-lead” supply chain needs at a fixed price.

Wright said seven utilities have expressed interest, but would not disclose their names or project locations.
Each project will be jointly owned by Westinghouse and a utility or energy company, each required to commit $500 million before accessing ​DOE funds.
“This is not a risky ​endeavor,” Wright said.
During President Donald ⁠Trump’s first term, the only use he made of the then-Loan Programs Office was for financing reactors at Georgia’s Vogtle nuclear power plant.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-announces-175-billion-conditional-loans-nuclear-power-2026-06-23/

By stepping in as mediator in the Iran war, Pakistan has managed to elevate its status from a regional player to a global diplomatic stakeholder — with a little help from China and its friends in the Gulf.

The US-Iran deal, serving as foundation for the ongoing talks in Switzerland, marks a crucial diplomatic achievement for Pakistan, perhaps the most significant in the country’s modern history.

“Pakistan was not only able to effectively leverage its relations with Tehran and growing closeness to Washington but also its network of regional partners like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey,” Farwa Aamer, director of South Asia Initiatives at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York, told DW.

“It gave Pakistan more diplomatic weight and international support going into the mediation role,” she added.

Islamabad also boasts close ties with China — not an easy feat on a continent increasingly shaped by the Washington-Beijing rivalry.

“Pakistan’s patient diplomacy was critical in getting the US-Iran deal across the finish line, though its long-term impact will depend on the agreement’s durability as difficult negotiations continue,” Elizabeth Threlkeld, South Asia director at the Washington-based Stimson Center, told DW.

She lauded Islamabad for balancing ties with the US and Iran while also keeping key Gulf partners and China onboard, and “helping to find formulations that worked for all sides.”

Trump praises Pakistan’s Munir as his ‘favorite field marshal’

But good working relationships with regional and global powers were just a starting point. The Pakistani government has been pursuing a hands-on diplomatic strategy towards Tehran, with Pakistan’s most senior military commander Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifboth visiting Iran in May 2025, just weeks before the short-lived conflict with Israel that ended with the US bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities.

“Asim Munir and Shehbaz Sharif had both traveled to Iran that summer. That is when, in my view, the Trump administration first began to recognize that the Pakistanis could be a viable and trustworthy mediator,” Michael Kugelman, a senior fellow for South Asia at Washington-based Atlantic Council, told DW.

Army chief Munir, in particular, seem to have left a positive impression on Donald Trump, with the US president repeatedly praising him as a “great fighter,” “an exceptional human being” and “my favorite field marshal.”

The Pakistani leaders had much to lose with the US-Israel conflict with Iran spiraling into an all-out regional war. Pakistan shares a border with Iran and relies heavily on Gulf trade routes, so prolonged instability could trigger refugee flows, economic disruption, and security challenges along its western frontier.

Pakistan puts in work with Washington, Tehran

Once the US and Israel launched new airstrikes against Iran in late February, Sharif’s government began engaging in an intensive diplomatic effort involving shuttle diplomacy, direct contacts with Washington and Tehran, and coordination with regional capitals.

While Munir and Trump discussed the conflict by telephone on March 22, Prime Minister Sharif spoke to Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on the following day. Sharif then floated Islamabad as a possible destination for direct talks between Washington and Tehran.

In early April, Pakistan announced the initial ceasefire between the two warring parties, and then hosted delegations led by US Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf for a marathon negotiation session on April 11.

The Pakistani government repeatedly reasserted its mediator role in the following months, despite the peace talks eventually moving to Switzerland. With the peace process in jeopardy over the fighting in Lebanon, Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Tehran twice last week.

Support from China and the Gulf States

Many voices have speculated that Pakistan could only act as a mediator due to strong support from China. Beijing has ties to Tehran and needs stability in the Gulf to ensure energy imports and regional trade routes remained open. Chinese officials have publicly backed Islamabad’s diplomatic initiative and encouraged efforts to prevent escalation.

“I do think the role of China and the Gulf States is critical here. One could and should give credit to Pakistan for its role as a prime mediator, but it could not do this alone. That was never going to be the case,” asserted Kugelman.

“When (Pakistan’s Foreign Minister) Ishaq Dar went to Beijing several weeks ago, that led to this joint resolution for peace. It was at that moment that China formally signed on to the Pakistan-led peace process, and that meant that the Iranians knew that China was buying into this process. China leverages Iran in a big way because of its economic clout, because of the energy it imports from Iran, and so on,” underlined Kugelman.

Analyst Farwa Aamer says China did not play an overt role in Pakistan’s diplomatic effort, but warns that Beijing’s influence cannot be overlooked.

“Pakistani leadership kept China in the loop throughout, and Qatar was another prominent but influential player in the process,” she said.

Countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia also have strong incentives to avoid a prolonged conflict that threatened energy markets and maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

Qatar, in particular, has now positioned itself as a second mediator in the conflict, with its officials attending the US-Iran talks at the luxury Swiss resort of Bürgenstock.

Pakistan a glorified messenger between US and Iran?

Diplomatic sources familiar with the negotiations describe Pakistan’s role as extending beyond mere mediation between the warring parties.

“Pakistani officials helped identify areas of compromise, coordinated draft proposals, and worked to keep channels open during several moments when negotiations appeared close to collapse and maintained contact with both sides throughout the crisis,” a senior diplomatic source in Islamabad told DW.

Atlantic Council analyst Kugelman agrees that Pakistan was not simply a messenger in the US-Iran negotiations, pointing to army chief Munir and his direct involvement in Islamabad talks.

“Three-way discussions were taking place, which goes far beyond the role of a country merely passing messages between two sides. That is direct mediation,” said Kugelman.

“US Vice President JD Vance even remarked that he had spoken to Field Marshal Asim Munir more than anyone else over the past few months. Such statements reflect the depth of Pakistan’s involvement in the process,” commented Kugelman.

Source : https://www.dw.com/en/us-iran-deal-pakistans-diplomatic-masterstroke/a-77660414

As high-stakes negotiations to end the Iran war continue in Switzerland, the maritime industry’s message to the White House is clear: Don’t allow Iran to formalize its tolling racket over the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran wants all commercial shipping vessels to register with a newly formed Iranian agency in order to pass through the narrow entry to the oil-rich Persian Gulf — but Western insurance underwriters are refusing to comply, slamming the mandate as a sanctions trap, The Post has learned.

Senior sources say unless US negotiators force Iran to completely dismantle its unilateral insurance mandates and fully clear international waters of underwater mines, trade in the region will never truly recover.

“The current Iranian proposal or directive is unacceptable and not workable for commercial shipping,” one insider told The Post. “No country can unilaterally assert its jurisdiction over international waters. That has to be respected. If it isn’t, you will not get transit back to pre-war levels. It’s not possible.”

Under the guise of a 60-day truce, Tehran’s newly formed Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) declared that all traditional shipping channels through the international waters of the strait are “prohibited.” To force compliance, Iran wants all commercial vessels to register with the PGSA and carry Iranian-approved insurance.

But insiders told The Post that insurance firms are refusing to comply with a system they say is completely unworkable for the private sector.

“They’re using the strait and their perceived control of the strait as an economic weapon against the United States and their allies,” a senior source briefed on the matter said on the condition of anonymity. “It’s basically an attempt to vandalize the global economy.”

Tehran is dangling “free” insurance during the initial 60-day window, but the mandate explicitly reserves the right to levy steep premium fees down the line.

Global firms warn that signing on the dotted line would violate stringent US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions once premiums are paid. It also would force companies to rely on an Iranian legal system in which the West has “absolutely zero” confidence.

“No real legitimate shipping company internationally is going to buy insurance for their vessels from an insurance company they don’t know, and with the law and jurisdiction of over that insurance in Iran,” said one insider.

“You contract with an Iranian entity, you undermine your relationship with the United States,” they added. “I think that anyone doing that would do so at their peril, quite honestly.”

Instead, companies will likely continue to opt for shipping their goods through Oman under protection of the US military. Roughly 55 ships successfully navigated the narrower Omani channel over a recent weekend alone.

However, traffic remains severely bottlenecked compared to pre-war levels of more than 130 ships per day, primarily because the wider international waters remain littered with Iranian mines.

In the interim, Lloyd’s of London recently launched a massive new insurance consortium led by American underwriting giant Chubb.

The facility provides up to $200 million for hull risk, $200 million in liability, and $200 million for cargo, and covering roughly 80% of the world’s merchant ships transiting through the US-protected Omani channel.

“There is one urgent matter now: mine clearance,” warned a senior EU diplomat. “Otherwise, there will be no benefit from the agreement — shipowners, ships’ captains and insurance companies are not going to arrange a transit of the strait if they run the risk of seeing tankers blow up.”

At its narrowest, the Strait of Hormuz is a mere 21 miles wide, yet it serves as the single most critical artery for the global energy market.

Roughly a fifth of the world’s total oil consumption, more than 20 million barrels per day, squeezes through the waterway separating Iran and Oman.

The strait is the only path to the open ocean for crude oil from major producers including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Iraq, while it also serves as the primary export route for the liquefied natural gas (LNG) produced by Qatar, accounting for roughly 20% of global LNG trade.

A March 2026 Congressional Research Service (CRS) report said Iran’s extensive coastline and asymmetric military capabilities enable significant power projection over this energy trade.

By using threats to selectively disrupt commerce by country or carrier, Tehran has historically created closure-like conditions without requiring full military action.

Because the designated shipping lanes are just two miles wide, any threat immediately sends shockwaves through global commodity markets.

While Chinese vessels allied with Iran are currently utilizing the Iranian-controlled channels toll-free, the rest of the global fleet is actively shutting Tehran out.

Compounding the crisis, the US military currently possesses no immediate local mine-clearing capability in the strait, as American operational planning historically delegates demining duties to European allies.

The lack of cleared lanes threatens the very benchmark some inside the Trump administration had set itself.

“What constitutes success for this mission is maritime trade resumes to pre-conflict levels, and the industry is restored across the board to those levels,” a senior US administration official said.

Source : https://nypost.com/2026/06/22/business/inside-the-quiet-insurance-racket-iran-is-running-in-the-strait-of-hormuz/

Two leading German newspapers have deleted articles created with the use of artificial intelligence. Many fear an increasing reliance on AI will damage the credibility of German media outlets.

“For our newsroom, AI is a tool that helps us simplify and also improve certain steps in the editorial process. It is, however, definitely not a tool that is allowed to take over the core of our work.” This was the explanation published last weekend in the Berlin-based newspaper Tagesspiegel, as it hoped to contain a scandal that shook the German media world.

In the same text, the editors laid out their reasoning for taking the drastic decision to stop publishing columns by one of their most famous political commentators until further notice, after it emerged that Stephan-Andreas Casdorff, the newspaper’s former publisher and editor-in-chief, had used AI to compose opinion pieces.

The 67-year-old said he was aware of the magnitude of his misconduct: “I have made a huge mistake, damaged the publication’s reputation and my own,” Casdorff said. “For that I make a heartfelt apology. I used AI in the texts. I should have made that clear and therefore not allowed them to be published.”

The editorial leadership deleted several of Casdorff’s articles from the newspaper’s website: “We decided to take the texts in question offline for the time being until a detailed examination has been completed,” they explained.

The Casdorff case has further fueled an occasionally incendiary debate about the use of artificial intelligence in journalism. A few days earlier it was revealed that a guest op-ed in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) by the state premier of Thuringia, Mario Voigt, was also created with the help of AI. The FAZ said it had only found this out after the piece was published.

The core of journalistic work

Media researcher Vera Katzenberger, of Leipzig University, considers the Casdorff case to be especially serious because it shook trust in journalism.

“This is not about support with brainstorming or research, this is about the core of journalistic work,” Katzenberger told DW.

Readers buy or subscribe to newspapers because of the expertise or perspectives of certain authors. “If opinion pieces are generated by AI without its use being disclosed, the public could well see that as deception.”

When AI influences opinions

Katzenberger also thinks Casdorff’s AI-supported opinion pieces are dangerous because such commentaries have a particular function in democratic debates: “They offer us orientation in an increasingly complex world and support us in helping form our own opinions. If opinion pieces are generated by AI, that very directly interferes in how public opinion is formed.”

That is a problem because AI has no values, no political position, no sense of responsibility, Katzenberger said. Though she can see a positive outcome of the case: “It actually shows that editorial departments take their own policies very seriously and that breaches like these have serious consequences.”

The Tagesspiegel editors said they took down the Casdorff’s texts pending investigation because he breached editorial guidelines which were clearly communicated within the organization and binding for everyone. “The journalistic judgment, the weighing up of information, the analytical classification, and the way it is written must always be the responsibility of authors.”

That requirement is shared by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, which has now taken the apparently AI-generated guest opinion piece by the Thuringian state premier off its website. The media researcher sees two sides to this issue: “Whoever writes a text or submits a guest opinion piece should disclose whether and how AI has been used,” Katzenberger thinks.

“At the same time, editors cannot rely solely on what the authors say,” Katzenberger added. AI is now fundamentally changing journalism’s work processes, and editorial teams must now adapt their proofing methods to suit and establish clear rules, she said: “Which forms of AI support are allowed? When is there an obligation to label AI-generated content? What level of personal contribution is expected?”

However, Mathias Döpfner, CEO of the influential Axel Springer company, criticized the FAZ’s deletion of the AI-generated opinion piece by the Thuringian state premier.

Döpfner said he prompted an AI to target the FAZ in a polemic way, the resulting text was published as an opinion piece with Döpfner’s byline and accused the FAZ of rejecting modern technologies, saying it was a “desperate attempt from the stagecoach-lobby to ban the automobile.”

Source : https://www.dw.com/en/ai-scandal-rocks-the-german-media/a-77606407

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Prosperity Party comfortably secured another parliamentary majority, defeating a fragmented opposition.

“The ruling Prosperity Party secured 438 of the 486 seats in the House of Peoples’ Representatives,” Melatwork Hailu, chairperson of the NEBE, announced.

The June 1 legislative elections went ahead, despite voting not taking place in parts of the country, including areas in the Tigray and Amhara and Oromia regions.

Prosperity Party maintains its hold on power

More than 40 parties ran against Ahmed’s Prosperity Party, but most lacked funding, and the ruling party was unopposed in 64 constituencies. The best-represented rival, Ezema, fielded 293 candidates, compared with the Prosperity Party’s 461.

“The party’s victory accounts for roughly 90 percent of the contested seats,” the NEBE said.

The outcome will likely give Abiy, who has been in power since 2018, another five years in office, as the legislature elects the prime minister.

Some analysts say the suspension of voting in parts of Amhara, Oromia, and Tigray highlights the impact of unresolved conflicts.

“I hope they use the coming five years to really bring what the majority of the country really needs and deserves, which is peace and security,” analyst Bizuneh Yimenu previously told DW.

Source : https://www.dw.com/en/ethiopias-ruling-party-wins-overwhelming-majority-in-parliament/a-77647557

Iranian negotiators stormed out of the high-level peace talks with the US in Switzerland on Sunday after a frustrated President Trump unleashed his fury on the regime — threatening to seize the Strait of Hormuz and “blow the s–t out of them.”

The talks were abandoned after just 80 minutes when the discussions entered a “difficult phase” following “an insulting message by the US president,” Iran’s state news agency reported.

Vice President JD Vance, who was spearheading the negotiations, had earlier said the US hoped to “turn over a new leaf” with the Islamic Republic.

The talks in the Qatari-owned mountaintop resort of Buergenstock in Switzerland were the first to be held under the terms ‌of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreed a week ago.

But hopes of progress were swiftly dashed, and the diplomatic efforts were cut off when Trump, who had been criticized for being too soft on the regime with the MOU, warned that the US would hammer Iran if it didn’t open the Strait of Hormuz and rein in its terrorist proxies.

The president’s most explicit warning was aimed directly at Tehran’s diplomats in Switzerland.

“You won’t even make it back to your f–king country,” an irate Trump told Iran’s leaders, according to Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst.

“You close it, and you won’t have a country,” he said of the Strait of Hormuz.

“We may take over the Strait, if we have to. I’ll blow the s–t out of them.”

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps had claimed Saturday it was shutting down the critical waterway due to the continued fighting in Lebanon.

Iran also came into peace talks on Sunday wanting to prioritize discussions about Lebanon, where Israel’s military has been fighting the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group.

The talks were supposed to address Tehran’s nuclear program and the reopening of the strait; however, Iran said there could be no start to the next phase of negotiations until the fighting ends, the state news agency reported.

Trump also took to Truth Social to let out his rage, blaming Iran for the fighting and demanding that the regime keep Hezbollah in line.

“Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble,” the president wrote. “If they don’t we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!”

The Islamic Republic’s chief negotiator and head of Iran’s parliament, Mohammed Ghalibaf, slammed Trump’s threats as an act of “desperation.”

“We don’t take the Americans’ threats seriously,” he wrote on X.

Ghalibaf went on to warn the president that any force would be met in kind.

“They had better watch their statements,” he hit back.

“Our armed forces are ready to respond in another way. Whatever they say, we are the ones who will act.”

Ghalibaf and another of Iran’s top negotiators, Abbas Araghchi, also refused to participate in a scheduled handshake and joint photo session event with the US team, according to Iran’s Tasnim news agency.

The officials described the photo-op as an American “media show,” with the optics raising worries that the US fumbled the start of the negotiations.

US officials, however, claimed there was no snub and that Iran was merely spreading opportunistic propaganda.

The US delegation in Switzerland was being led by Vance, along with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

A senior US diplomat engaged in the negotiations later downplayed the diplomatic row, insisting that the peace talks remain ongoing.

“The Iranian delegation is still at the negotiating venue and the US delegation expects to continue working through the night,” the official said, adding that the discussions have included “clarifying some of the confusing messaging from Iran on the Strait and building deconfliction mechanisms to ensure the Strait will remain fully open.”

“We have also worked through deconfliction mechanisms and enforcing the ceasefire in southern Lebanon,” the diplomat said.

The talks Sunday would be used “as a starting point for ongoing technical talks going forward,” the official added.

Still, Morgan Ortagus, the deputy US special envoy to the Middle East, said the president’s latest threats mark a major shift in how Trump will proceed with the peace talks, after the notable concessions the US appeared willing to make last week to end the war.

“This is a game-changing announcement by the President as it relates to his policies towards Iran — if Hezbollah strikes, the President is now vowing he will hold Iran responsible and will hit them in return,” Ortagus wrote on X.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who has been pushing for Trump to be tougher on Iran, agreed that the onus should be on Iran to forge peace in Lebanon or face the consequences.

Graham also predicted that the peace talks wouldn’t be fruitful.

“I’d rather try diplomacy than take it off the table,” the lawmaker told CBS News’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday.

“If you don’t have a diplomatic path through the MOU, then you have to go to war or some other form of coercion. Let’s try this. Let’s try a diplomatic solution. I think it’s going to fail.” he added.

He added that he believes Trump will ultimately take control of the Strait of Hormuz by force and “obliterate” Iran if the talks collapse.

“I spent four-and-a-half hours with President Trump Friday. Here’s what I think will happen next. If this deal fails, President Trump is going to take the Strait of Hormuz over by force,” the hawkish senator explained.

Along with the threats, President Trump himself suggested the US could take full control of the Strait of Hormuz and impose its own “Guardian Angel” toll system after repeatedly warning Iran not to charge fees for passage.

Source : https://nypost.com/2026/06/21/world-news/trump-threatens-to-destroy-iran-over-strait-of-hormuz-closure-floats-20-guardian-angel-tax-on-oil/

Long before Jeffrey Epstein became the world’s most notorious sex offender, he committed an act that foreshadowed a lifetime of manipulating women — and his first victim was his own mother.

According to a researcher examining Epstein’s early years, the disgraced financier’s pattern of exploiting women began decades before his sex-trafficking empire came crashing down.

“His mother Paula adored him,” CUNY sociology professor Thomas Volscho, who is researching a book on wealthy sex traffickers, told The Post. “Both his parents were remembered as hardworking, well liked people from a simple Brooklyn family.”

Yet, one of the earliest documented controversies involving Epstein centered on his leaving his family in the lurch while a student at NYU.

According to a May 1976 report by Fidelifacts, New York University took Epstein to civil court in December 1975 after receiving an invalid tuition payment.

“He wrote a check on his mother’s checking account for his tuition and the check bounced,” Volscho told NYU student newspaper Washington Square News.

“When NYU sent a debt collector to his address, his brother answered the door and said he’d gone off to Europe and then coughed up like three or four hundred dollars of the thousand-odd dollars owed.”

The NYU lawsuit was later settled, but the incident is an early glimpse into a pattern that would define Epstein’s life.

Survivors revealed that Epstein — who left NYU without a degree and lied to prospective employer Bear Stearns about his education — repeatedly used promises of admission and tuition payments at New York University and other elite institutions to lure and control his victims, according to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

He would dangle the prospect of an education to entice young women into his orbit, and in some cases he or his associates arranged scholarships or paid tuition, then threaten to pull funding if they failed to comply with his demands.

As despicable as Epstein’s manipulation tactics were, he was the grand master at them. Even after his mother’s death, he exploited her for his own benefit.

Source : https://nypost.com/2026/06/20/us-news/epsteins-first-victim-was-his-own-mother-biographer

Health officials warned that dengue infections are expected to keep rising for at least two more weeks before the outbreak begins to ease.

Sri Lanka is battling the worst outbreak of mosquito-borne dengue fever in years, with more than 44,000 cases and 28 deaths recorded since January, an official said on Friday (Jun 19), putting public hospitals under strain.

Dengue is common during Sri Lanka’s monsoon season, but unplanned urbanisation coupled with damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which hit the island nation in late November, has worsened the outbreak this year, authorities said.

The number of dengue cases nearly doubled from 5,651 in April to 10,638 in the first two weeks of June, data from the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) showed.

“We noticed this increase after the cyclone,” Dr. Prashila Samaraweera, consultant community physician and NDCU spokesperson, told Reuters.

“A lot of debris was in our environment, so we noticed a lot of mosquito breeding places, and our entomological indices were high from that time.”

With 51,000 cases recorded in the whole of last year, the rate of infections has risen sharply, Dr. Samaraweera said. Infections are likely to increase for at least two more weeks before tapering off, she added.

SURGE COULD PUT HEALTH FACILITIES UNDER SEVERE STRAIN

A further uptick in patient numbers could put public hospitals under severe strain, Sri Lanka’s health minister Nalinda Jayatissa warned on Thursday.

More than half the cases are from the western region of the country, including 9,429 cases from commercial capital Colombo. Eight other districts have reported more than 2,000 patients since the start of the year.

The 28 deaths include five children.

Source : https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/sri-lanka-dengue-fever-cases-surge-6196126

US President Donald Trump claims he can influence Israel’s actions, saying leaders “do as I say”.

United States President Donald Trump on Friday claimed that he would be able to prevent Israel from carrying out strikes on Lebanon. He indicated that the Israeli leadership acts on his directions due to what he described as strong mutual respect.

During an interview on The Axios Show, when asked whether he could influence Israeli military actions in the region, particularly regarding potential strikes on Lebanon, Trump said that he would be able to exercise control over such decisions. “Yeah, I will be. I mean, they have a lot of respect for me, and they do as I say,” Trump said.

Trump also referred to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying they both have strong ties.”It’s good, but we have to keep him a little bit sane,” he remarked.

Trump’s remarks came as Israel and Hezbollah agreed to halt the heavy fighting in southern Lebanon that had threatened to unravel an interim agreement between the United States and Iran to end their war.

The ceasefire followed a day of escalating violence. Lebanon’s health ministry reported that Israeli strikes killed at least 47 people overnight and into Friday, while Israel said four of its soldiers had been killed in attacks by Hezbollah.

Earlier on Thursday, US Vice President JD Vance, during his press conference, seemed to be deliver a strong public criticism of the Israeli leadership, fuelling speculation that cracks are widening between Washington and its closest ally in the Middle East.

“Donald J Trump is the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time… If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left in the entire world,” Vance was quoted as saying.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-news/donald-trump-boasts-of-influence-over-israel-says-he-keeps-netanyahu-sane-article-154692263

The Justice Department is refusing a judge’s request for sworn declarations from top officials confirming that the controversial $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund is no longer moving forward.

The Justice Department is pushing back against a federal judge who wants top officials to officially confirm, under oath, that a controversial $1.8 billion fund is really off the table for good.

In a new court filing Friday, the DOJ said the judge’s request for these declarations simply isn’t needed and warned that being forced to comply would raise what it called “serious separation of powers concerns,” according to CNN.

What This Fund Was Supposed to Do

The case is unfolding in a federal courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia, and it’s just one of several legal challenges tied to the fund. The money originally came out of a settlement connected to a lawsuit President Trump filed against the IRS, a lawsuit that critics have described as legally shaky from the start.

The plan was to use the fund to compensate people who claimed they’d been targeted or “weaponized” against by the government under previous administrations. But the idea drew sharp criticism almost immediately, with opponents arguing it could effectively function as a slush fund benefiting Trump’s allies.

As pushback grew, both politically and in the courts, the administration eventually walked away from the plan altogether.

Why the Judge Wants It in Writing

Once the administration dropped the fund, Judge Leonie M. Brinkema, who’s overseeing the Virginia case, signaled she was leaning toward declaring the legal dispute moot. But she didn’t want to just take the administration’s word for it informally.

Last week, she ordered the DOJ to produce formal declarations from three specific officials: acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, his top deputy Associate Attorney General Stan Woodward, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. She wanted each of them to confirm, in her words, that “they will not take any action to create or operate the Anti-Weaponization Fund, and that the Anti-Weaponization Fund will not proceed in any manner, or under any name.”

Brinkema made clear in her order that if the declarations weren’t submitted, the case would simply continue moving forward through the legal process.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-news/trumps-doj-refuses-to-confirm-that-anti-weaponization-fund-is-dead-article-154691822

Tulsi Gabbard has released a tranche of documents that she says expose Dr Fauci’s role in funding the research in Wuhan and influencing intelligence assessments on the origins of COVID-19.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Thursday released what she described as previously undisclosed communications and intelligence records that allegedly show Dr Anthony Fauci played a central role in shaping official narratives surrounding the origins of COVID-19 while overseeing federal funding connected to coronavirus research in Wuhan, China.

The release marks one of Gabbard’s final actions before leaving office and forms part of what the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) says was a year-long declassification review. According to the DNI, the documents contain internal communications, whistleblower testimony and intelligence records that raise questions about how the US government assessed the origins of the pandemic and whether dissenting views were sidelined during that process.

In a statement accompanying the release, Gabbard argued that the American public deserved transparency regarding decisions made during the pandemic. She alleged that senior officials manipulated intelligence assessments, suppressed alternative viewpoints and concealed information relating to gain-of-function research involving bat coronaviruses at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

What The Newly Released Documents Claim

According to the ODNI press release, the newly disclosed material suggests that Fauci, while serving as Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), authorised funding for coronavirus research conducted through programmes involving the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

The documents released by the DNI further allege that Fauci maintained close relationships with intelligence officials and scientists whose views helped shape official assessments regarding the origins of COVID-19. The release claims those interactions contributed to intelligence products that favoured a natural-origin explanation for the virus while downplaying the possibility of a laboratory-related incident.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence also alleges that some intelligence analysts who challenged prevailing conclusions faced professional pressure or retaliation. According to whistleblower accounts cited by the agency, analysts advocating greater consideration of the lab-leak hypothesis were allegedly discouraged from pursuing those assessments.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-news/covid-cover-up-exposed-tulsi-gabbard-releases-files-implicating-dr-fauci-and-wuhan-research-article-154680964

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told NATO Thursday (Jun 18) the Pentagon will review its force presence in Europe within the next six months, as he lashed out at allies over defence spending and their response to the Iran war.

“This will be a real review. It will be designed to ensure that NATO is moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading, stepping up to take primary responsibility for the defence of Europe,” Hegseth told a meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels.

“It’s a review that some countries will fail, and others will pass with flying colours.”

The Pentagon chief said the move was also aimed at ensuring US “access, basing and overflight are clearly delineated and assured” after some European countries imposed restrictions on US forces during the Iran war.

“It was shameful. These allies, they put America’s sons and daughters, our sons and daughters, at risk,” he said. “There’s no excuse for that.”

The US is piling on the pressure ahead of a NATO summit next month as it seeks to make sure that allies make good on a pledge made last year to massively ramp up defence spending.

Hegseth said going forward that Washington paying its dues to cover NATO organisational running costs – roughly some US$790 million in 2026 – would be “contingent” on allies reaching spending targets.

“Where other allies do not spend with urgency, our dues contributions will go down,” he said.

The broadside from the US defence chief – who had initially signalled a conciliatory tone – will send a jolt through NATO allies concerned over US commitment to defending Europe.

US President Donald Trump had lashed out against European allies over their response to his war in Iran.

But there was hope the US peace deal with Tehran could help NATO put the bad blood behind it by the time alliance leaders meet in Turkey.

“Too many allied capitals seem to still miss something in translation,” Hegseth said.

Trump “gave our allies a test to support America when we asked for their help, and too many failed it”, he added.

Despite the tough language, Hegseth did acknowledge strides by many members of NATO to ramp up their defences and said progress was being made.

“Some of our allies have gotten the message and stepped up. You know who you are, and we very much appreciate it,” he said.

Source : https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/us-defense-secretary-pete-hegseth-hails-nato-progress-6192601

U.S. Vice President JD Vance lashed out at Israeli critics of the ​Iran deal on Thursday, saying President Donald Trump is Israel’s only ally, in a sharp rebuke that referenced the billions in U.S. defense aid the country receives.

Vance ‌was defending the deal reached this week to end the war with Iran that critics in the U.S. and Israel have slammed for failing to curb Iran’s missile program and providing no clear path to dismantling its nuclear facilities, while constraining Israel in its war with Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

Trump has repeatedly criticized longtime ally Israel, spiking tensions nearly four months after the two countries partnered to attack Iran. The war has roiled markets and ​global oil supplies as Tehran responded by closing the critical Strait of Hormuz supply route.

Vance, asked at a White House news briefing about a report that Israeli Prime Minister ​Benjamin Netanyahu was fuming over the agreement, said he had not heard such comments from Netanyahu but criticized members of the Israeli leader’s cabinet, ⁠who he said have attacked the deal and personally attacked Trump.

“My message to them would be twofold. No. 1: Donald J. Trump is the only head of state in the entire ​world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time,” Vance told reporters at the White House.

“If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not ​be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left in the entire world.”

He said he would also remind those cabinet members that two-thirds of the defensive weapons that have protected Israel “have been built by American hands and paid for by American tax dollars.” The United States provides Israel with roughly $4 billion in military assistance a year, but the two countries are negotiating a new aid agreement.

“The problem for Israel is not Donald J. ​Trump and anybody in Israel who thinks their biggest problem is the president of the United States needs to wake up and smell the reality of the situation that country is in,” Vance ​said.

Netanyahu’s office and Israel’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

TENSIONS GROW BETWEEN U.S., ISRAEL

Israeli senior officials, speaking anonymously, have said the deal terms were bad for Israel because they failed to ‌address concerns over ⁠Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile program, a view they say is shared across Israel’s leadership.

Trump tried to play down Israel’s concerns during closing remarks on Wednesday at the Group of Seven summit in France. Netanyahu could use a “softer touch” in the fight against Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, Trump said.

In his first comments since the deal, Netanyahu said at a public event that Israel appreciated its relationship with the U.S. but would continue to occupy southern Lebanon to maintain security for citizens living near Israel’s northern border.

“This requires maintaining the security strip in southern Lebanon; it requires that we not leave there ​as long as Israel’s security needs require it,” ​Netanyahu said.

Israel published a map on Thursday ⁠showing an expanded military control zone in southern Lebanon and said it would not rule out carrying out attacks beyond it, challenging the terms of the U.S.-Iran pact.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/vance-criticizes-israel-freakout-over-iran-deal-new-york-times-interview-2026-06-18

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday told a roomful ​of global leaders “I’m the boss”, as he and other G7 heads acknowledged Ukraine’s improved battlefield fortunes with a unified pledge of ‌support and fresh sanctions against Russia.
Trump’s comment — a tongue-in-cheek acknowledgment of an unspoken truth hanging over the June 15 to 17 summit of the Group of Seven Western powers in the French resort of Evian-les-Bains — followed a joint leaders’ statement that could bolster Kyiv’s growing leverage in potential peace talks with Moscow.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and his ​allies came to the G7 hoping to convince Trump that Ukraine’s fightback is delivering results, and that Russia is in no position ​to dictate terms for any peace deal.

TRUMP DESCRIBES RUSSIA AS ‘OFFENSIVE’ PARTY

The joint statement and comments from leaders suggest ⁠Trump has warmed to Zelenskiy’s argument after years of scepticism.
Trump told a press conference that Russia was losing more soldiers than Ukraine in the ​war, describing Moscow as the “offensive” party in the conflict.
Trump showed a “real change in approach” regarding the Ukraine war, French President Emmanuel Macron said earlier in ​the day. Other European leaders made similar comments.

A G7 summit in Canada last year ended without any joint stance on Ukraine. This time, ahead of a glitzy dinner in the Versailles palace, both Macron and Trump called the G7 summit a success.
However, any hopes of strongarming Moscow into peace talks still rely on Trump commitments, which can ​be elusive.
The U.S. president made his “I’m the boss” remark to G7 chiefs and reporters as he arrived to take his seat at a session ​on global economic security.

DIPLOMATS URGE CAUTION ON IRAN DEAL

G7 chiefs also welcomed a preliminary peace deal between the United States and Iran and said they were ready to ‌help implement ⁠it, but left with no commitment from Trump on what their role, if any, could be.
European allies fear an inexperienced U.S. negotiating team may fail to secure a robust nuclear agreement or address Iran’s ballistic missile programme in the next phase, risking a prolonged standoff.

Meanwhile, Trump stressed that the memorandum of understanding with Iran was not final, and that he could resume a bombing campaign if it was not honoured.
“If I don’t like it, if they don’t ​behave, we’ll go right back to ​dropping bombs right smack in ⁠the middle of their head, OK?” he said.
And although European allies appeared supportive of the preliminary memorandum in public, diplomats cautioned that getting a lasting deal on Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programme as well as ​its support for proxy forces in the Middle East is no small challenge.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/world/china/g7-leaders-tackle-reliance-china-critical-minerals-2026-06-17/

Vice President JD Vance has been on a whirlwind media tour all week, from co-hosting Fox News’ The Five (which is remarkable in and of itself), to tussling with the co-hosts of The View, to hitting the podcast circuit with the likes of Megyn Kelly. While Vance is out there pitching his new book, he’s also made himself the face of President Donald Trump’s Iran peace deal, which he said was signed electronically over the weekend.

As Vance emerges as the spokesman for the deal, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has raised eyebrows across the political world with his near-total absence. Rubio, who has taken on multiple roles in the administration, was central to the Iran negotiations up until the last week or so, in which Vance, Jared Kushner, and Steve Witkoff stepped in to rush to finalize an end to hostilities.

Axios reported on Monday that as Trump announced the “great settlement,” Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe were all skeptical, based on the latest intelligence, that Iran would be willing to make any actual concessions to end the war.

While the national security team inside the Trump administration appears to be sitting out going to bat for the deal, Vance has tied himself to it so much so that Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade and Marc Thiessen have taken to calling it “JD Vance’s deal.”

Rubio’s calculation here appears clear; he’s sitting back and waiting for the deal to either blow up or go into effect and be annihilated by the conservative pundit class.

Trump offered a preview of sorts on Wednesday morning of the precarious position Vance has put himself in when pressed on whether or not the deal gives Iran access to a $300 billion fund to rebuild the country. As the fund took arrows from the right in the press, Trump worked to deny its existence and jabbed Vance for highlighting it in the first place.

“That’s a false story that got picked up incorrectly from a statement that was pretty well made, I think. Maybe a little bit— Could have been a little more accurate, frankly,” Trump said of the claim, which originated from Vance during his media hits. Vance tying himself so closely to the deal not only risks him taking blame from conservative pundits for its shortcomings, but from Trump if the mood in the GOP turns against it.

The Economist’s chief Middle East correspondent Gregg Carlstrom fleshed out this point on Wednesday morning in reply to a social media comment claiming, “Trump will blame Vance when conflict does not actually stop in the Gulf and Lebanon.”

Carlstrom replied, “Which is why no one has heard a peep from Rubio over the past 48 hours. America’s most powerful secretary of state since Kissinger and yet the moment the deal was signed he magically went into occultation.”

Rubio’s silence makes clear that he’s aware of the many pitfalls in rushing through a deal with Iran, especially at a moment when Trump desperately needs to get the oil flowing again to ease inflation and avert a looming energy crisis. As Carlstrom’s interaction makes clear, there are so many other players in the region and potential flashpoints for the conflict to start again that Rubio’s betting against a quick peace seems like a safe play.

Source : https://www.mediaite.com/opinion/rubios-two-day-absence-secretarys-media-silence-is-a-flashing-red-sign-trumps-iran-deal-stinks/

Archaeologists revealed Thursday that they have discovered a structure near the prehistoric stone circle of Stonehenge in southern England that may have served as a “prototype” for the 5,000-year-old Neolithic monument.

A team from the British firm Wessex Archaeology said the structure would have consisted of two wooden poles 120 meters (394 feet) apart and aligned to point directly at the rising sun during the summer solstice and the setting sun at the winter solstice.

Researchers said the discovery predated Stonehenge by around 500 years.

The team was led by archaeologist Phil Harding, who is well known in the U.K. through his many years of excavations for Channel 4 TV series “Time Team.”

Harding, 76, said the site, which also turned up a treasure trove of finds including pottery, animal bones and a rare disc-shaped knife, was likely to have been a focus for major religious gatherings.

“Opportunities like this probably only come once in a career, in a lifetime,” Harding said. “I’m probably towards the end of my career now, but thank God I’m still in archaeology long enough to be part of this discovery, because it’s certainly the highlight of my career.”

The findings were released ahead of the summer solstice, which falls this year on Sunday, when thousands head to Stonehenge each year to celebrate the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Stonehenge is a symbol of British culture and history and remains one of the country’s biggest tourist draws. The World Heritage Site was built on the flat lands of Salisbury Plain in stages starting 5,000 years ago, with the unique stone circle erected in the late Neolithic period about 2,500 B.C.

The site’s meaning has been the subject of vigorous debate. The most generally accepted interpretation is that it was a temple aligned with movements of the sun — lining up perfectly with the summer and winter solstices.

Researchers who found the structure near Stonehenge carried out the dig at Bulford, 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from the main stone circle, as part of archaeological work to support the British defense ministry’s program to accommodate troops who have been withdrawn in recent years from Germany, where the army had a big footprint for decades. The area around Stonehenge is one of the largest military training grounds and in the U.K. and Bulford is home to a barracks.

Source : https://apnews.com/article/stonehenge-britain-discovery-summer-solstice-36f8517159a9e750c1042bebd884ca2d

Elon Musk’s SpaceX (SPCX.O), is buying the startup behind the popular AI coding agent Cursor, Anysphere, for $60 billion in an all-stock deal to boost its presence in the lucrative enterprise AI tools market.
Tuesday’s deal follows a blockbuster Nasdaq ​debut for the rockets-to-AI company last week, in which its valuation surged to more than $2 trillion.

The acquisition will give xAI, which was acquired ‌by SpaceX in February, a stronger hold in AI coding, one of the first areas where companies have turned AI into a real source of revenue from businesses.

Capitalizing on that interest is crucial for SpaceX as it had pitched its IPO investors an addressable market worth $28.5 trillion, the theoretical maximum revenue it could capture, of which a big share is expected to come from ​AI for businesses.
Cursor is one of several Silicon Valley startups that have drawn waves of developers by using AI to automate coding, making it ​a key rival to market leaders Anthropic and OpenAI. But a lack of access to computing power has hampered Cursor’s growth.
“Cursor ⁠does not have the scale of OpenAI or Anthropic, but it has built some very impressive coding models relative to cost. That makes this a positive move ​for SpaceX,” said Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown.

SpaceX had been eyeing Cursor for months and had in April unveiled an option to either buy ​the startup for $60 billion later this year or pay $10 billion for a partnership.
In its IPO filing, the company had said Cursor’s access to developers’ data, including coding requests and design decisions, could help improve its AI models such as Grok.
SpaceX said on Tuesday it would soon release an AI model on Cursor as well as Grok Build, xAI’s coding agent, which it has ​been jointly training for several months.
The all-stock transaction, for which SpaceX will not use proceeds from its IPO, is expected to close in the third quarter of ​2026.
Its shares jumped 10% in early trading, putting the company on track to add about $247 billion to its market capitalization of $2.53 trillion. At $211.27, the stock has climbed more than 56% ‌from its ⁠IPO price of $135.

If the gains hold, SpaceX is set to overtake Amazon (AMZN.O), in market value to become the fifth-largest company.

HIGH-PROFILE BACKERS, RAPID GROWTH

Paying in stock, experts said, lets SpaceX take advantage of its towering valuation, which would mean giving up a relatively small slice of equity for a $60 billion deal.
“One of the things that makes SpaceX so valuable is how valuable it is. The Cursor acquisition costs materially less in dilution because of SpaceX’s high valuation,” billionaire Bill Ackman said in a post on ​X.
Cursor’s business has scaled rapidly since its ​founding in 2022, with roughly $2.6 billion ⁠in annualized business-to-business revenue and enterprise sales growing sharply, according to company data shared with Reuters earlier this month.
The San Francisco-based company, backed by prominent Silicon Valley venture capitalists such as Andreessen Horowitz and Thrive, as well as Nvidia (NVDA.O), and Alphabet’s (GOOGL.O), ​Google, had reportedly been in talks for a funding round valuing it at $50 billion.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/spacex-buy-anysphere-60-billion-2026-06-16/

Norway’s prolific striker Erling Haaland bagged two goals in his maiden World Cup appearance ​on Tuesday to guide his team to an opening 4-1 Group I victory over Iraq, and put down a ‌marker for the tournament.
The 25-year-old, one of the most exciting forwards in world football, was in the spotlight long before the match, and he lived up to his big-name billing on his debut on the biggest of stages, as Norway returned to the World Cup after a 28-year absence.

After a cautious start, Haaland, who scored ​16 times in eight qualifying games, double the tally of anyone else in Europe, opened his World Cup goal account in ​the 29th minute, beating his markers and stabbing in a David Moller Wolfe low cross at the far ⁠post.
“It was not easy to be a debutant, you’re nervous, and to win on a not-so-good day is great,” Haaland told reporters. “To win ​4-1 on an average day is absolutely huge for all of us. It’s fantastic and I’m proud of all of us.”
“This is the most difficult ​thing you can do,” added the forward. “The next games will be much tougher than this. We have to play even better.”

It was always going to be an uphill struggle for Iraq, who returned to the World Cup for the first time in 40 years after grabbing the last available World Cup place with a 2-1 win ​over Bolivia in their intercontinental playoff in March.
But they had been battle-hardened by 21 qualifying matches and they kept their composure, snatching a stunning ​equaliser 10 minutes later, with Aymen Hussein, whose goal against Bolivia had sent them to the World Cup, rising higher than three Norwegians in the box ‌and heading ⁠in an Amir Al Ammari cross.
Their joy, however, was short-lived when Haaland pounced on a weak back pass to Iraq’s Jalal Hassan.
The keeper hesitated before trying to clear the ball but instead hit Haaland, with the ball bouncing off his knee into the net for his 57th goal in 51 international matches.

The forward, who looked to have benefited from some rest given by Manchester City at the end of the English Premier League season and by ​Norway in the run-up to the ​tournament, needed just 11 touches ⁠in the first half to score twice and give his team their first lead at halftime of a World Cup match.
Iraq refused to give up, repeatedly coming close in first-half stoppage time as both teams, with a combined ​World Cup absence of 68 years, delivered a scintillating opening 45 minutes.
The pace dropped somewhat after the ​break but Norway struck ⁠again in the 76th, sealing their win with substitute Leo Ostigard’s glancing header, before under-pressure Hussein scored an own goal deep into stoppage time.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/haaland-scores-twice-norway-beat-iraq-4-1-world-cup-return-2026-06-17/

Eight people, including two Boeing employees, have been killed after a US Air Force B-52 bomber crashed immediately after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in southern California.

The incident occurred at 11:20 local time (19:20 GMT) on Monday while the aircraft had been on a routine test mission. The crash sent a huge plume of black smoke into the air that could be seen for miles.

“Today, Edwards Air Force Base experienced a terrible tragedy, and we lost eight great Americans,” Col James Hayes said, describing them as a “mixed crew of military, government civilians and government contractors”.

The base earlier said that initial indications were that the crash “was not survivable”.

The crew’s next of kin were being notified and will be named 24 hours after that, Hayes said in an afternoon briefing.

The crash was “totally contained” within the Edwards Air Force Base on the runway, Hayes said, and the base has temporarily grounded operations.

The B-52 had been supporting the base’s radar modernisation programme, he said, and crashed immediately after takeoff and burst into flames.

After reviewing initial footage, the incident had been deemed “an unrecoverable crash and unsurvivable”, Hayes said.

No cause has yet been determined and will not be until after a series of investigations, which could take up to 30 days. Further cause analysis investigations could take more than six months, Hayes said.

Boeing confirmed in a separate statement that two of its employees had been among those onboard and said the company was in contact with their families. The aerospace giant declined to comment further when contacted by the BBC.

California Governor Gavin Newsom called the crash “a tragic incident” and offered condolences to the victims’ families and Edwards Air Force Base community in a post on X.

Aerial footage showed a charred, smoking landscape where the crash occurred.

The base said in an earlier update that all inbound aircraft had been diverted and all non-commercial visitor passes suspended “until further notice to allow the installation to focus entirely on emergency response operations.”

The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress has been used by the US military since the 1950s. It is nicknamed “the Buff”, which is partly short for “Big Ugly Fat”.

The B-52 is a long-range strategic bomber that has been participating in bombing raids during the US and Israel’s war in Iran.

Capable of flying at up to 50,000ft – in comparison to commercial airliners, which fly at around 35,000ft – the colossal bomber’s 70,000lb (32,000kg) payload can include hundreds of conventional bombs and 32 nuclear cruise missiles.

The aircraft can refuel mid-flight, giving it a potentially unlimited strike range. This created a “nuclear umbrella” for the US during the Cold War, back in the era of mutually assured destruction in the mid-20th Century.

The planes typically carry a crew of five – an aircraft commander, pilot, radar navigator, navigator and electronic warfare officer.

Edwards Base is located around 100 miles (160km) north of Los Angeles in the Mojave Desert.

Source : https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqx10yql319o

Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons in clashes with stone-throwing youths during a protest on Sunday in Geneva against the G7 group of wealthy nations, a day before its leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump hold a summit in nearby France.

A violent standoff extended into the evening after a series of incidents — including a car set ablaze and a bank’s windows smashed — along the route of an afternoon march that drew an estimated 20,000 people, including some 600 so-called “Black Bloc” militants, according to figures from Geneva police spokesman Alexandre Brahier.

The demonstration, which had been previously organized by a hodgepodge of activist groups after weeks of negotiations with local authorities, was otherwise peaceful — with environmentalists, women’s rights advocates, supporters of Palestinians and foes of imperialism, fascism and capitalism.

Early on during the march, firefighters extinguished a Tesla that was set ablaze next to the central bus stop and a phalanx of riot police cordoned off a secure area as a crowd congregated nearby.

A handful of demonstrators ripped down wooden barriers that were previously erected to protect a Banque du Leman and smashed its windows.

Several groups of dozens of youths wearing black hoodies, masks and goggles were mixed in among the other marchers — including behind an anti-Trump banner. Two with their faces totally covered refused to speak with The Associated Press and silently waved off questions before the protest began.

Some protesters fired flares toward officers or tore up chunks of asphalt and chucked them toward police in shields and riot gear.

The clashes continued even after police ordered the demonstrators to disperse.

The vast majority of marchers at the front were advocates of women’s rights, many wearing purple T-shirts and holding up banners and posters that decried the “patriarchy,” a lack of women in executive positions and inequality in pay and executive jobs in the workplace.

Other marchers held signs that showed sympathy for Palestinians in Gaza, carried slogans like “Antisemitic never; anti-Zionist always” and criticized Trump — often with expletives — among other sharply worded messages.

Organizers of the protest printed a handbook for demonstrators that included a map of the security perimeter, tips on how to gear up for the march, and advice on how to behave if detained by police.

Travel restrictions and limited border crossings during the summit

Swiss and French authorities have deployed thousands of police to provide security for the three-day summit starting Monday in the resort town of Evian-les-Bains, France. The leaders are set to discuss wars in Ukraine,Iran and the Middle East, and economic issues like global inequality and access to critical minerals.

Ahead of the gathering, authorities in Geneva blocked off roads, banned unauthorized gatherings and pledged financial support for businesses who could be hit by unrest.

Scores of businesses and shops in downtown Geneva boarded up their storefronts with wooden panels as a precaution, leery of upheaval that left a trail of damage in the city during a similar summit in Evian in 2003. Only seven of the 35 roadway border crossings will remain open.

The show of activism began a day earlier: a flotilla of around 20 boats appeared on Lake Geneva off the coast of Evian on Saturday, displaying anti-G7 and pro-Palestinian banners. Swiss media reports said some 20 protesters had been detained on Friday evening.

Resident Robin Hedz lamented the “mess” and expressed bafflement about the “wood-wall everywhere,” while acknowledging the memories of the trail of damaged property over 20 years ago.

The G7 brings together Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, though leaders of several other countries including India, Kenya and Ukraine were expected to join for discussions.

France has announced the deployment of more than 13,000 police and gendarmerie officers to ensure security in the summit area. Over 800 French border control officers will be active, up from about 60 normally.

Source : https://apnews.com/article/switzerland-france-g7-protests-trump-17a5c9c179914e58acecfdb791b824c4

The UK and Japan have agreed a multi-billion pound investment deal which UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said will build a “new era of co-operation” between the two nations.

Japanese firms will spend more than £9bn on UK infrastructure and financial services and up to £9bn on UK offshore wind, creating tens of thousands of jobs, Downing Street said as the PM met his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi in London.

The deal comes as the UK’s economy struggles to grow, with experts predicting the US-Israel war with Iran will hit the UK particularly hard.

It is not clear how much of the investment listed by Downing Street represents new money or previously announced plans.

Sir Keir and Takaichi met Japanese business leaders at Downing Street on Sunday, with Starmer describing the talks as “very productive”.

Separately, Sir Keir said he was “really pleased” the two countries had reaffirmed their commitment to the Gcap fighter jet programme being developed alongside Italy.

Meanwhile, it was announced Rolls-Royce would work with Japan’s Atomic Energy Agency to develop next generation nuclear technologies and a technology agreement would link up UK research and development and software expertise with Japanese manufacturing.

Speaking through a translator, Japan’s prime minister said the UK is “an extremely important partner”.

Mitsubishi Estate, Mitsui Fudosan, Nomura Real Estate were some of the Japanese firms which Downing Street said had agreed to spend billions over the next five years on infrastructure and real estate projects.

The Conservative’s shadow business and trade secretary Andrew Griffith said his party welcomed “any deal that brings investment” to the UK.

However, he added that Labours “tax hikes and employer red tape are doing huge damage, destroying jobs and putting more and more people onto welfare”.

Source : https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2kjwgwxwlo

WITH around 65,000 England fans expected to travel to the US for the World Cup, they could be caught out by a string of lesser-known rules.

As an army of Three Lions supporters prepares to descend on the biggest football tournament, they’ll have to navigate a country where the rulebook off the pitch can look very different to what they’re used to at home.

Across the 11 US host cities, as many as 10 million visitors are expected to descend for the 39-day tournament, which kicks off on June 11.

It will also be staged across Canada and Mexico in the first-ever three-nation World Cup.

Professor Steve Greenfield warned many supporters could make the mistake of treating the tournament as though it is being played under one set of rules.

He told The Sun: “I think it’s the expectation that it’s one culture.

“We’ve got three different countries, but within the USA, it’s a state-based system, with lots of different cultures and laws that may be applicable within different states.

“There’s always a danger that we assume that because it’s one country that everything will be the same.”

With England’s group stage games spread across Texas, Massachusetts and New Jersey, supporters could quickly discover that some of the most familiar matchday habits from Europe don’t translate.

For many fans, one of the earliest shocks will come simply trying to enjoy a beer on the move.

In Texas, Massachusetts and New Jersey, open-container laws mean it is illegal in most public spaces to carry an open alcoholic drink on the street.

That means no walking between bars with a pint, no casual street drinking near fan zones and no wandering back from the stadium with a drink in hand.

While enforcement can vary by district, fines can be issued on the spot, and “container zones” where alcohol is permitted outdoors are tightly controlled.

In all three of England’s group-stage locations, open containers are effectively illegal in public areas, meaning supporters used to continental-style street drinking could be caught out within minutes of arriving.

Even the idea of a beach beer – a staple of many fans’ summer holidays – could prove risky.

Across the US, many beaches ban alcohol outright, while others restrict it to specific areas or times of year, with beach patrols actively enforcing the rules.

In Massachusetts, many public beaches around Boston and Cape Cod are strictly alcohol-free.

In New Jersey – which carries a strong party reputation – alcohol rules are also far tighter than the image suggests.

Another major misconception for travelling fans is the law surrounding cannabis use.

While recreational cannabis is legal in some US states, it remains illegal in others and is still prohibited under federal law.

That creates a legal patchwork which could potentially land fans in hot water.

Recreational cannabis is illegal in Texas, where even small possession can lead to criminal charges.

Massachusetts has legal recreational cannabis, but it cannot be consumed in public – with the same applying in New Jersey.

Greenfield warned that differing cannabis laws across the country could easily catch fans out.

He said: “If you’re coming from here and you like to take dope, you’re in for a pleasant surprise.

“But then you run the risk of assuming it’s okay then. And then you go to a state where it isn’t legal. You don’t think about it. You think, ‘oh, it’s legal. It’s fine’. But it’s not in one nation.”

Supporters treating it like an Amsterdam trip risk finding themselves in legal grey areas very quickly.

Even something as simple as buying a drink will require more preparation than many England fans are used to.

The US drinking age is 21 nationwide, and enforcement is far stricter than in the UK, with ID checks carried out routinely regardless of age.

ID is required for buying alcohol in bars, shops and fan zones – even supporters in their 40s or 50s can be refused service if they fail to produce documentation.

Greenfield said many supporters are also likely to underestimate just how expensive drinking can be in the US once taxes and tipping are factored in.

He said: “I think the big shock for people is going to be the cost of alcohol.

“So let’s say you start with a beer that’s $10, which is easy over there. And then you get your local tax whacked on, which is probably around 8 per cent in Texas.

“So all of a sudden you may be up to around $11. And then there’s tipping expectation. And it’s more than an expectation. It’s almost a requirement.

“So, you know, you’re then looking at a beer going from $10 to somewhere between $13 and $14.”

Once inside stadiums, fans will also have to adjust to some of the strictest matchday security rules in world sport.

Across US venues, including those hosting England’s group games, clear bag policies are standard, with backpacks and large handbags typically banned outright.

Only transparent bags of a limited size are usually allowed, and entry involves airport-style security checks, including removal of belts, keys and sometimes shoes, with random secondary searches common.

There has also been confusion around what fans can bring into stadiums to drink.

FIFA has recently updated its Stadium Code of Conduct, reversing earlier guidance on reusable bottles.

While supporters were initially expected to be allowed to bring empty transparent bottles into venues, the updated rules now ban reusable water bottles entirely.

The change has raised concerns given expected summer temperatures of between 26C and 28C at some host cities, alongside questions over access to drinking water inside stadiums.

The rule shift means supporters will have to rely on water stations or purchase drinks inside venues, adding another layer of adjustment for fans travelling in heat unfamiliar to many European match-going routines.

Concerns around disorder are also front of mind for organisers.

Local authorities can introduce emergency restrictions – including temporary curfews in exceptional circumstances – during major security incidents, civil unrest or severe weather events.

This would effectively shut down parts of a host city, leaving supporters scrambling to get back to hotels.

In Mexico City, protesters have already toppled World Cup player statues with demonstrators — a group of teachers demanding higher wages — warning they will disrupt matches if the federal government does not engage with their demands.

If England top their group, they could face Mexico in Mexico City on July 6.

The way fans interact with police in the US can also carry far greater consequences than many will be used to back home.

While free speech protections are strong, confrontational behaviour towards law enforcement can escalate.

Source : https://www.the-sun.com/sport/16503796/england-fans-world-cup-rules-us/

New York ​City Mayor Zohran Mamdani had three words, for his constituents early on Sunday after his beloved Knicks broke a ‌53-year-old NBA title drought: “PARADE THURSDAY MANHATTAN”.
The New York Knicks mounted yet another double-digit comeback to beat the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on the road on Saturday, ending an excruciating wait for the millions of fans in the five boroughs who regarded the ​win as nothing short of a miracle.

“To have the fans that we have in New York City and be ​able to bring home a championship after all these years is absolutely amazing. It’s a surreal ⁠feeling,” coach Mike Brown told reporters.
“I mean, I don’t know how long it’s been since that final buzzer went off ​but I still don’t believe it. I’m pinching myself.”
Dozens of New Yorkers lined up in front of Madison Square Garden on Sunday ​morning, as the self-styled “World’s Most Famous Arena” swung open its doors for fans eager to purchase championship merchandise.
Mia Smith, a playwright and actress raised in Queens, said the win was an historic moment for the city.

“It means hope, it means joy, excitement for the city,” said Smith, 37. “It’s ​so much joy, community.”

Amy Loria, an immigrant from the Philippines who lives in Brooklyn, said she adopted the team when she ​moved to New York 10 years ago.
“It was electric. We were so amazed with the game,” said Loria, a 50-year-old registered nurse. “If you ‌can do ⁠anything, it’s always in New York.”

PARADE PARTY

Plans will now ramp up for a celebration equal to the United States’ biggest sports market, as a collision of sports mega-events draws the eyes of the world to the Big Apple.
New York New Jersey stadium, an amalgam of two bitter geographic rivals brought together to host eight World Cup soccer matches, saw its first game on Saturday, with ​the 1-1 draw between up-and-comers ​Morocco and powerhouse Brazil wrapping ⁠up around the time that the Knicks and Spurs tipped off.

Hundreds of people swarmed a convoy of about 15 shuttle buses in Times Square after they dropped off fans from the ​match and one was set on fire during chaotic post-game celebrations that saw thousands of New ​Yorkers out in ⁠the city streets and a teenager suffering a gunshot wound.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/chaos-confetti-settle-new-york-city-prepares-knicks-celebration-2026-06-14/

Oliver Tree, known for his popular songs “Life Goes On” and “Miss You,” has died at 32 years old.

The singer, born Oliver Tree Nickel, was identified as one of the six casualties involved in Sunday’s helicopter crash in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, in the Southwest zone of Rio de Janeiro, reports CNN.

The other victims include passengers Lucas Vignale, Gaspar Prim (also known as Argentinian YouTuber Gaspi), Lucas Brito Chaves, and pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac.

According to the outlet, two helicopters collided in the air early Sunday morning while flying over an electric vehicle yard. At least 20 cars were set on fire from the collision after being hit at the crash site.

The local Civil Police informed CNN that the case is ongoing and a forensic examination of the scene has been requested.

Tree was onboard the flight with Vignale, Prim, Chaves, and Souza. Marsillac was flying solo in the other helicopter.

In addition to the police, the local Fire Department, CET (Traffic Engineering Company), Comlurb, and teams from 31st BPM (Recreio dos Bandeirantes) have been working to isolate the area.

In a statement, the Brazilian Air Force said: “The Brazilian Air Force (FAB), through the Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (CENIPA), informs that, this Sunday (June 14th), investigators from the Third Regional Service for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (SERIPA III), based in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), were called to carry out the Initial Action of the incident involving two aircraft, registration numbers PP-MAC and PR-DJJ, in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, in the Southwest Zone of Rio de Janeiro (RJ).”

“During the Initial Action, qualified and accredited professionals apply specific techniques for data collection and confirmation, preservation of evidence, initial verification of damage caused to or by the aircraft, and gathering other information necessary for the investigation,” the statement continued.

Tree was visiting South America as part of his “The World’s First World Tour.” He had just performed a show in São Paulo on June 6 and was scheduled to pick up his tour in Lisbon on July 13.

Source : https://pagesix.com/2026/06/14/celebrity-news/singer-oliver-tree-dead-at-32-following-tragic-helicopter-crash/

Comparing the deal to former US President Barack Obama’s deal, Trump said that his deal is the “exact opposite”. He said that Obama’s deal would have helped Iran reach its nuclear weapons goal faster.

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the long-awaited deal to end the war in the Middle East is set to be signed on Sunday. Trump also claimed that the Strait of Hormuz will open to all “immediately after” the deal is signed.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “The Deal is scheduled to get signed tomorrow, and immediately after it is signed, the Hormuz Strait is open to all.”

Comparing the deal to former US President Barack Obama’s, Trump said that his deal is the “exact opposite”. He said that Obama’s deal would have helped Iran reach its nuclear weapons goal faster.

“Barack Hussein Obama’s Deal with Iran, the JCPOA, was an easy, beautiful, smooth road to a Nuclear Weapon, which Iran would have had six years ago, and would have used long before now. My Agreement with Iran is the exact opposite, a wall to no nuclear weapons!” he wrote.

Trump said that now Iran no longer wants a nuclear weapon and will not have one in the future either through purchase, development or procurement.

The Republican leader further claimed that the current administration enjoys a much different and better relationship than the previous ones.

Trump’s Claim About Iran’s Enriched Uranium

In his post, Trump also indicated the United States would take possession of and destroy Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium.

“At the appropriate time, when all is calm, we will go in and get the Nuclear Dust, buried deep under the powerful sunken granite mountains, thanks to our beautiful B-2 Bombers and their brilliant pilots, and downblend and destroy it, whether in Iran, or the United States,” Trump said. “We look forward to working with Iran, and the entire Middle East, long into the future.”

But Trump’s post also contained a warning to the Islamic Republic to fully implement the plan or face serious consequences.

“Hopefully, this process will all work out quickly, easily, and smoothly,” the US president wrote. “If it doesn’t, we have the ultimate alternative, hopefully never to be used again!”

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/deal-with-iran-tomorrow-strait-of-hormuz-to-be-open-to-all-trump-11632926?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio conveyed to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar that all commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz should comply with orders from U.S.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday conveyed to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar that all commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz should comply with orders from Washington as the naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in force.

During the telephonic conversation, Rubio stressed the blockade sought to “uphold peace and security in the Strait.”

Tommy Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of State, said: “U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke yesterday with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The two officials discussed recent events in the Strait of Hormuz.”

“The Secretary stressed that all commercial vessels should immediately comply with orders from U.S. forces as they seek to uphold peace and security in the Strait. He underscored that violations of the U.S. blockade and the illicit transport of Iranian oil will not be tolerated”, he added.

Jaishankar, Rubio Spoke On Killing Of Indians In U.S. Strike

S Jaishankar, who is currently on a visit to Europe, held a telephonic conversation with Marco Rubio and condemned the killing of three Indian mariners in a U.S. strike on a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Oman.

In a post on ‘X’, EAM Jaishankar wrote: “Spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio this evening. I reiterated India’s strong protest at the attacks by the US Navy in the Gulf that killed three Indian mariners.”

Spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio this evening. I reiterated India’s strong protest at the attacks by the US Navy in the Gulf that killed three Indian mariners. Such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified.

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 12, 2026

“Such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified”, he added.

Three Indian-crewed vessels came under attack near Oman in the Strait of Hormuz as Washington launched strikes, killing three Indian crew members.

The vessel had 24 crew members on board, of whom, 21 had been rescued.

India had lodged “strong protest” of the U.S. and summoned the most senior American diplomat in New Delhi to condemn the killing. The United States, in response, said the vessel was targeted after it failed to comply with instructions issued by the American forces.

Earlier, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said that attacks on merchant vessels carrying Indian crew members must cease immediately as he stressed for dialogue and diplomacy to ensure an early return to peace in West Asia.

Source : https://www.news18.com/world/rubio-discusses-hormuz-with-jaishankar-says-commercial-vessels-must-follow-us-orders-ws-l-10147948.html

The arrests come amid a growing struggle for women in Afghanistan who’ve been practically barred from society under Taliban rule.

The Taliban arrested at least 30 women, accusing them of violating dress code requirements, the UN agency for women’s rights said.

The UN Women said Thursday it was “gravely concerned” by the arrests, which they said heightened fear and apprehension among women and girls.

The arrests come amid a growing struggle for women in Afghanistan, with dozens of people having joined a rare protest last weekend to denounce the actions of Taliban authorities in the western city of Herat.

The information on protests has been hard to verify, with local media having reported that the Taliban’s “morality police,” or the Department for the ⁠Promotion ​of Virtue and Prevention of ​Vice, had detained some women in the days before the protests for allegedly failing to comply with hijab regulations.

But local authorities have denied reports that women were arrested.

Since taking over Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have curtailed women’s roles in various areas of public life such as banning them from attending schools beyond sixth grade and severely limiting their employment opportunities.

Taliban allegedly opened fire on protesters

Local media said protests erupted last weekend after morality officials arrested women opposing the mandatory dress requirement, which requires women to be fully covered in public except for their eyes.

Video on social media, though unverified, showed armed officials breaking up the demonstration, which included fully veiled women among the protesters.

Source : https://www.dw.com/en/taliban-arrest-30-women-for-violating-hijab-rules-un-says/a-77517764

President Donald Trump announced the elimination of Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, the leader of the Tren de Aragua gang, through a US military strike.

US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that a “swift and lethal kinetic” US strike had killed Niño Guerrero, “the infamous leader” of the “bloodthirsty” Tren de Aragua gang. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that the action was taken in close coordination with Venezuela, and terrorists will no longer have a safe haven there. He also shared a video of the precision strikes that took out the top boss.

“At my direction, the United States Southern Command delivered a swift and lethal kinetic strike to successfully execute Niño Guerrero, the infamous leader of Tren De Aragua, one of the most bloodthirsty Terrorist Organizations on Planet Earth,” he wrote.

The US President called this “retribution” for the families and loved ones of those “slaughtered” by the outfit.

“Early in my Administration, I delivered on my promise to designate Tren de Aragua as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, deport thousands of evil criminals, and wage war against the Cartels, who have long been waging war against our Citizens, while weak leaders left America helpless and defensive,” he wrote.

“This action was coordinated closely with our friends in Venezuela, with whom we are working very well. As a result, Tren de Aragua terrorists no longer have safe haven in Venezuela or anywhere else and, under my leadership, we will find these vicious murderers and drugs lords anytime, anyplace, and send them to the depths of hell where they belong,” he added.

Elon Musk has become the world’s first trillionaire after SpaceX’s market debut. His $1.1 trillion fortune exceeds most national economies and could buy 2.5 million homes or 243 billion gallons of fuel.

How do you measure a trillion dollars? Start with the zeroes. A trillion is written as $1,000,000,000,000 – a one followed by 12 zeroes. Yet even that struggles to convey its true scale.

Following the blockbuster stock market debut of SpaceX, Elon Musk became the world’s first trillionaire, with his net worth soaring to an estimated $1.1 trillion, according to Forbes. The milestone came after SpaceX shares began trading on the Nasdaq at $150, significantly above their IPO price of $135.

According to an analysis by the Associated Press, the trillion-dollar threshold has long been associated with the GDP of nations, government debt and the market value of the world’s largest corporations. Now, for the first time, it belongs to a single individual.

A confirmed tornado moved through Schererville, Indiana, on Thursday evening, prompting the National Weather Service to continue a Tornado Warning for northeastern Lake County.

A confirmed tornado was moving through northwestern Indiana on Thursday evening, prompting the National Weather Service (NWS) to maintain a Tornado Warning for northeastern Lake County. According to the NWS Chicago/Romeoville office, the tornado was located over Schererville, near Merrillville, at 7:25 PM CDT and was moving northeast at approximately 30 mph.

Forecasters warned that the tornado posed a significant threat to residents in its path, with the potential for damaging winds and flying debris. The agency said mobile homes could be damaged or destroyed, while roofs, windows and vehicles could also sustain damage. Tree damage was considered likely.

Communities in the projected path of the tornado included Merrillville, Hobart, Lake Station, and New Chicago, with Portage also expected to be impacted as the storm continued moving northeast.

The National Weather Service emphasized that the tornado had been confirmed by radar and urged residents to seek shelter immediately.

“To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW!” the weather agency said in its warning statement.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-news/indiana-tornado-warning-confirmed-tornado-near-merrillville-schererville-residents-urged-to-take-cover-article-154579095

A South Korean court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to 30 years in prison on Friday for charges ​linked to his ordering an incursion of military drones over North Korea to ​help create a pretext for his failed December 2024 ⁠martial law declaration.
The Seoul Central District Court found Yoon guilty of aiding ​the enemy and abuse of power, saying he had conspired in the ​October 2024 drone incursion over Pyongyang from the outset, according to a court statement.

The ruling adds to a series of judgments against the ousted conservative leader, once South ​Korea’s top prosecutor, whose martial law order plunged Asia’s fourth-largest economy ​into its deepest political turmoil in decades.
Yoon had denied any wrongdoing over the drone incursion.
His ‌lawyers ⁠said he neither ordered nor later approved the operation, which they said was unrelated to martial law and instead a response to months of North Korean launches across the border of balloons stuffed with rubbish.
Prosecutors ​had sought a ​30-year prison term ⁠for Yoon in April.
In February, a South Korean court sentenced Yoon to life in prison after finding ​him guilty of leading an insurrection linked to the ​martial law ⁠attempt.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-court-sentences-ex-president-yoon-30-year-jail-term-drone-case-2026-06-12/

The US military has disabled an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman that it accused of violating an American blockade by “attempting to transport oil from Iran”.

In a post on X, US Central Command said an aircraft fired “precision munitions” into the engine room of the Palau-flagged Settebello “after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces”.

India’s government said three Indian sailors were missing and 21 Indian crew members had been rescued after the attack on the Settebello off the coast of Oman.

It said the “targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end”.

The US military blocked access to Iran’s ports after Tehran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which some 20% of the world’s oil and gas supplies are transported, during the ongoing conflict.

US forces have disabled eight vessels and redirected 134 others since initiating the blockade on 13 April, according to Centcom.

Following the latest incident, the Indian government summoned the deputy head of the US mission in Delhi, officials told the BBC.

Earlier this week, US forces hit another Palau-flagged oil tanker with an Indian crew. The Marivex was also fired on in the Gulf of Oman after it failed to comply with US instructions, Centcom said.

All 24 crew were rescued by the Omani military, Indian authorities said.

Meanwhile, tensions between Iran and the US show no sign of easing. On Wednesday President Donald Trump threatened to hit Iran “hard”.

Trump said Tehran was taking too long to sign a peace deal and was playing Americans “for suckers”.

Source : https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0rygjw1kqxo

Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano will be the lead pilot for the Artemis III test flight. The NASA mission is expected to launch in 2027 to test technology for a future moon landing.

NASA has tapped Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano to pilot the Artemis III mission, making him the first European to be a part of the US space agency’s key human spaceflight campaign.

On Tuesday, NASA chief Jared Isaacman unveiled a four-member crew and a backup for the 2027 flight that will test new lunar landers — not on the moon as originally planned, but closer to home in Earth’s orbit.

The Artemis III crew

NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik has been picked as the mission commander, with Andre Douglas and Frank Rubio serving as mission specialists.

The three US astronauts and the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Parmitano will orbit Earth while practicing docking their Orion capsule with two moon landers.

NASA described the tests as challenging and essential for Artemis IV, which is its first planned crewed mission to the lunar South Pole in 2028.

NASA astronaut Bob Hines was named as a backup crew member to be on standby in case of an emergency.

NASA builds on Artemis II win

The Artemis III comes after thesuccess of the Artemis II mission two months ago, when humans flew around the moon for the first time in over five decades.

The April mission beat the distance record of the 1970 spaceflight Apollo 13.

“Today we take another bold step in humanity’s return to the Moon, building on the extraordinary foundation laid by the Artemis II astronauts,” said NASA administrator Isaacman.

“The Artemis III astronauts, alongside ESA and our international partners, and the tens of thousands of the best and brightest across the agency and industry, are ushering in a new Golden Age of exploration carrying forward the hopes and dreams of the next generation just as the Apollo astronauts did for so many of us,” he added.

Who is Luca Parmitano?

Parmitano will be the second non-US member involved in the Artemis program after the Canadian Space Agency’s Jeremy Hansen flew on Artemis II.

The 49-year-old was selected as an astronaut by the ESA in 2009. His track record includes two completed missions on board the International Space Station (ISS).

Parmitano, who trained at the Italian Air Force Academy and worked as a test pilot, also completed complex spacewalks.

In one such excursion in 2013, he met with a near-fatal mishap on a planned six-hour spacewalk, when his helmet began filling with water due to a failure in the suit’s cooling system.

He is also credited for performing the first-ever DJ set from space.

“I am honored to be part of this crew, and humbled at the same time: my crew mates bring a wealth of different experiences, and I am looking forward to working with them, eager to learn and to contribute as much as I can in my role,” Parmitano said in a statement after being named the Artemis III’s lead pilot.

Source : https://www.dw.com/en/nasa-picks-first-european-astronaut-for-artemis-mission/a-77482632

ARCHAEOLOGISTS have been left baffled after uncovering a 7,000-year-old mass grave full of human bones.

The pit full of headless skeletons is thought to be a result of a “complex burial ritual”.

Experts excavating the ditch have explained that while cut marks on the remains suggest that decapitation took place, it’s believed that this was done after death.

The pit was discovered at the entrance to the Stone Age town of Vráble in western Slovakia.

The settlement is believed to have been occupied by the creators of the Linear Pottery culture. The ancient pottery known for its parallel line designs has been found across Europe.

Work to uncover the ditch first began in 2022 when the team of archaeologists found four pairs of headless skeletons along with a mass grave containing 77 more.

One skeleton, belonging to a child, was found with the head still connected.

The excavation is still underway, but the initial findings have no been published in the in the Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society.

Scientists and historians working on the project are unsure why the skeletons appear to have had their heads removed post-mortem and it is not known if violence played a role in their deaths.

Headless bodies have been found in other European burial sites. However the skulls belonging to the headless skeletons in Vráble have not been found, making it particularly unusual.

Source : https://www.the-sun.com/tech/16479263/headless-skeletons-mass-grave-baffles-archaeologists/

In Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, escalating tensions have resulted in violent clashes between security forces and Joint Awami Action Committee supporters.

Tensions continue to escalate in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as clashes between security forces and workers of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) erupted in several parts of the region, leaving at least 30 dead and over 200 injured. The worst bloodshed was seen in Rawalakot, where firing on mourners at a funeral left 11 dead and over 70 injured. Amidst escalating violence, over 30 British MPs have sought diplomatic intervention over the massive human rights abuses in PoK.

In the videos emerging from PoK, a large crowd could be seen attacking a Pakistan Rangers convoy in Bhimbere. The convoy of the Pakistan Army and Rangers was moving to the Mirpur district of the PoK when they came under attack from locals. Visuals also surfaced from Muzaffarabad, in which forces could be seen firing tear gas shells at the mob pelting stones.

The protests erupted after the PoK government banned the JAAC, a grassroots movement that has gained support for raising issues such as rising inflation, electricity tariffs, taxation policies and what its supporters describe as the region’s long-standing political marginalisation.

The Palau-flagged tanker was hit by a missile after it tried to evade the US blockade of Iranian ports on Monday.

An audio clip has surfaced from a vessel that was attacked by the US Navy off the coast of Oman on Monday, with one of the 24 Indian crew members urging authorities to “please help,” saying the tanker, MT Marivex, was on fire and sinking.

The Palau-flagged tanker, which was black-listed and sanctioned by the US, was hit by a missile after it tried to evade the American blockade of Iranian ports. All 24 Indian crew members were later rescued by the Omani military.

“Sir, this is motor tanker Marivex… We have fire on board, and vessel is sinking,” a crew member said in a distress call to the authorities.

“US Navy attack, the missile on our engine room. We have hole at the bottom. We have fire onboard, please help… Please help, please help,” the member said.

“Total all crew Indian. 24 crew, all crew Indian. Please help quickly, we need immediate help,” he said.

A Helicopter Rescue

The Indian Coast Guard’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Mumbai received information regarding the missile attack on MT Marivex, anchored off Masirah, at about 2:20 pm (IST). It immediately established communication with the Oman Maritime Search and Rescue Centre (OMSC) to monitor the situation and ensure the safety of the crew.

A Royal Air Force of Oman helicopter then reportedly took off from an air base on Masirah Island at about 3:25 PM and reached Marivex’s location over 20 minutes later.

Visuals showed the chopper in action, flying over the vessel’s deck and evacuating those on the tanker.

“The successful rescue operation underscores the effectiveness of international maritime cooperation and the robust coordination mechanisms among maritime rescue authorities in the region,” India’s Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

“It also highlights the Indian Coast Guard’s commitment to safeguarding Indian seafarers and facilitating timely assistance during maritime emergencies,” the statement added.

US On Attacking Ship With Indian Crew

The US confirmed its forces disabled the unladen oil tanker after the vessel violated the ongoing blockade against Iran by attempting to sail to an Iranian port.

“An F/A-18 Super Hornet from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) fired a precision munition into the ship’s engineering and steering spaces after the crew failed to comply with directions from U.S. forces. Marivex is no longer sailing to Iran,” the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement.

https://t.co/EwA0PPWagv

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 8, 2026

MT Marivex had reportedly made four attempts to evade the US blockade. On three occasions, it had turned away after warnings by the US Navy.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/us-iran-war-indian-crews-distress-call-after-us-missile-attack-near-oman-on-mt-marivex-help-ship-is-sinking-11615132?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

The World Health Organization head is visiting Uganda, praising its “prompt and capable response” to the Ebola outbreak across the border in DRC’s Ituri province. Uganda has logged just a few cases, mainly imported.

On Monday, the director-general of the UN’s World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, visited Uganda, which borders the epicenter of the latest Ebola outbreak in Ituri province, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The WHO has declared a public health emergency over the current outbreak, which was announced on May 15 in the northeastern DRC.

Tedros was in the DRC last week, in the gold mining hub of Ituri province that has been at the center of the latest outbreak, involving more than 500 confirmed cases.

What did Tedros say during his visit to Uganda?

Tedros praised local authorities and their success in largely containing the handful of cases that have come across the border.

“I am in Uganda, where the government has mounted a prompt and capable response to the outbreak of Ebola,” he wrote.

“Screening at the borders helped detect cases arriving from neighboring DRC, and the country’s surveillance, testing and case management systems are doing steady work,” he said.

Tedros said there had been 19 confirmed cases in Uganda, 14 among people who entered from DRC and five Ugandan nationals. Two had died, he said, offering their loved ones his condolences. He pledged continued WHO support, in conjuction with the Africa CDC, in combating and controlling the outbreak.

Asked by a Reuters reporter about Uganda’s decision in late May to close its border to DRC, he said that blanket travel restrictions did not work, “so I hope they [Ugandan authorities] reconsider.”

Dr. Diana Atwine, a permanent secretary at the Ministry of Health in Uganda, also commented after the talks.

“[Tedros] is in the country to assess Uganda’s readiness to respond to the ongoing Ebola outbreak and to support efforts aimed at strengthening cross-border coordination to prevent further exportation of Ebola cases from Congo and to bring the outbreak to an end,” she said.

Africa CDC updates confirmed caseload, mostly for Ituri province

Also on Monday, the Africa Centres for Disease Control or Africa CDC issued updated lab-confirmed case numbers for the current outbreak.

Africa’s top public health agency said there had been a total of 544 confirmed Ebola cases, and 88 deaths. Of the cases, 515 were from the DRC’s Ituri province. These figures differ slightly from those offered a day earlier by the DRC.

The confirmed caseloads are sure to be smaller, largely because of difficulties testing and confirming in the remote wartorn region, than the actual and suspected totals.

The outbreak, the 17th in the DRC since 1976, involves the comparatively rare Bundibugyo species of ebolavirus for which there is no recognized vaccine.

While this complicates treatment, the current case and death numbers also suggest it is not among the most lethal forms of Ebola — with a fatality rate of less than 20% among confirmed cases, compared to rates often exceeding 50% in past outbreaks. Improved treatment, containment and detection methods may also play a role in these figures.

The WHO and the African CDC on Friday launched a $518-million (roughly €450-million) plan to battle the outbreak over the next six months.

US doctor and family discharged from Berlin hospital no longer showing symptoms

Meanwhile, in Berlin, a US doctor and his family were discharged from the specialist Charite Hospital over the weekend.

The doctor was working as a medical missionary in the DRC, along with his family, when he contracted the virus. At the request of the US government, he was flown to the specialist wing of the Berlin hospital for treatment.

Charite said no virus had been detected in the patient since May 30. He had been admitted on May 20.

Source : https://www.dw.com/en/ebola-outbreak-whos-tedros-visits-uganda-bordering-the-drc-ituri-province-epicenter/a-77462569

The chief prosecutor denies any wrongdoing but is suspended pending a vote by ICC member states.

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, was suspended from duty with immediate effect the court’s governing body announced late Monday.

Khan’s suspensions comes after an 18-month probe into an aide’s accounts of sexual misconduct by the prosecutor.

In reaction Khan’s lawyers described the decision as, “unlawful, procedurally unfair and unsupported by evidence.”

What are the allegations?

The allegations against Khan were first reported to the court’s independent watchdog more than two years ago.

Khan is alleged to have repeatedly harassed a female ICC employee over an extended period.

He had “nonconsensual sexual contact with (the aide) in his office, at his private residence, and whilst on mission,” according to a copy of a report by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) seen by the Associated Press.

Sources earlier told the Reuters news agency that a report by United Nations investigators found a “factual basis” for the allegations of sexual misconduct. However, a second report by three judges that reviewed the UN findings said the evidence was insufficient to establish the truth of the allegations “beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Khan has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. He stepped down in May 2025 pending the outcome of the investigation.

No criminal charges have been filed against Khan.

What comes next?

The Assembly of State Parties (ASP) bureau, the executive committee of the ICC’s oversight body, which includes 21 members, decided to refer the case to the Assembly with representation from all of the ICC’s member countries.

The decision to suspend Khan was made “by qualified majority,” the bureau said. Its assessment was based on “the report of an investigation undertaken by the OIOS, the underlying evidence, the advice of an ad hoc Panel of judicial experts, and written submissions.”

A majority of the ICC’s 125 member states would have to vote in favor of removing Khan from his role in a secret ballot.

Source : https://www.dw.com/en/iccs-karim-khan-suspended-over-claims-of-sexual-misconduct/a-77467013

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met King Charles III at Windsor Castle on Monday following talks with Ukraine’s European allies.

After their private meeting, Zelensky thanked the UK for its “ironclad” support and revealed he planned to invite the King for a state visit to Ukraine in the future.

It comes after the leaders of Ukraine, the UK, France and Germany published a joint statement calling for a “just and lasting” deal to end the war with Russia.

Following talks in London on Sunday, Zelensky, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said they would “stand firmly with Ukraine”.

Taking to social media after his meeting with the King, Zelensky thanked the monarch and the people of the UK for their ongoing support.

He also shared an image of himself alongside the King in the halls of Windsor Castle.

Speaking to the Guardian newspaper after his meeting with the King, Zelensky revealed he planned to invite Charles to Ukraine for an official state visit as early as this year.

He was also asked about several Reform UK councils making the decision to remove Ukrainian flags from outside town halls.

“I hope they will put it back,” Zelensky told the newspaper.

He added: “I don’t want to be involved in any political things, but you know, the world is so sensitive today. Sometimes little, small mistakes can break big friendships or huge contacts.”

Source : https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8d9jdvvpyo

Nvidia on Monday (Jun 8) announced deals with South Korea’s SK Hynix, Naver and Doosan Group to build AI data centres and use the US chip firm’s technology, as it looks to continue driving the AI boom.

The agreements come during a high-profile trip by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang to South Korea that began on Friday and has seen him have fried chicken with the country’s top corporate bosses, throw a baseball pitch and meet with a well-known gamer so far.

Nvidia and its partners did not disclose the value of the deals.

SK Hynix and Nvidia said they had signed a multi-year technology partnership that would advance next-generation memory for global AI data centres.

The South Korean memory chipmaker said it would enter new AI fields via the partnership, such as personal AI and physical AI, and that the deal would help maintain a stable supply of memory chips despite the advanced memory semiconductors’ long development cycles.

Its sister company SK Telecom said it would build a gigawatt-scale AI cloud in South Korea using Nvidia technology, with the first AI data centre to come online in 2027.

Nvidia also said that it would cooperate with South Korean internet giant Naver and conglomerate Doosan, which would both use its technology to build AI data centres.

Source : https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/nvidia-announces-deals-south-koreas-sk-hynix-naver-and-doosan-ai-data-centres-6167936

The Philippines and Indonesia both issued tsunami warnings after a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck off Mindanao. At least three people were killed by collapsing buildings in the Philippines.

Tsunami warnings were issued after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao, the Philippines, on Monday morning.

The seismological agencies of the Philippines and Indonesia have issued tsunami warnings, while the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued an alert also for Palau, Taiwan and Papua New Guinea.

“We advise people to evacuate to higher grounds or go further inland,” said Teresito Bacolcol, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Phivolcs warned that tsunami waves above one meter (yard) could ‌continue ​for several hours, while aftershocks could also be felt in the region.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ‌said authorities were moving fast to coordinate disaster response.

“The national government is moving and we will not ‌leave Mindanao ​behind,” Marcos said in a statement.

Indonesia lifted its tsunami warning later on Monday.

The Philippines lies on the edge of the Pacific’s so-called ‘Ring of Fire’ — an arc of seismic faults that makes the country unusually prone to volcanos, earthquakes and tsunamis.

At least 3 killed, several injured in earthquake

Police on Mindanao reported that at least three were killed and several others were injured by the earthquake as reports of damage began to emerge.

Source : https://www.dw.com/en/philippines-tsunami-warning-78-earthquake-indonesia/a-77452381

US President Donald Trump abruptly ended an interview with NBC News journalist Kristen Welker after a heated exchange over his claims of fraud in the 2020 election. When repeatedly asked for evidence, Trump insisted there was “nothing but evidence” and accused major media networks of bias. He then removed his microphone and walked out before ending the discussion

US President Donald Trump walked out of an interview after a heated verbal exchange with a NBC News journalist over the 2020 presidential election fraud allegations. “Let’s call it quits. Because I’ve had enough. Thank you, darling,” he said before walking out.

The discussion turned increasingly fiery as Kristen Welker repeatedly asked the US President to provide evidence for his claims about the election and ongoing vote counting in California.

Welker asked Trump directly whether he had any evidence to support his claims. “All I have to do is look,” he responded.

WOW — Trump crashes out and cuts his interview with Welker short as she presses him on his lack of evidence for claiming elections are rigged

“You’re either crooked or you’re stupid. Let’s call it quits. Because I’ve had enough. Thank you darling,” he tells her.”

“I traveled… pic.twitter.com/qQaNIDnX4y

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 7, 2026

The heated discussion began after detailed remarks about the status of negotiations to end the war with Iran. Kristen then asked about his 1.8 billion proposed anti-weaponisation initiative, which was intended to compensate people who believed they had been unfairly targeted by the previous regime.

“Now I don’t know what’s going to happen with the weaponisation fund. I love the idea because people like you, the fake dirty press, the crooked press, people like stupid Biden, he’s not smart enough to know what’s going on, but people that surrounded him, surrounded his beautiful Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, what they did to the lives of people, they destroyed people. They sent people to jail who did nothing wrong,” he said.

Countering his remarks, Welker pointed out that there was no evidence supporting some of his allegations.

“Listen to me: There’s tremendous evidence,” Trump said. “There’s nothing but evidence. The election was rigged. It was a dirty election, and it’s happening again right now in California,” Trump said.

POTUS claimed that delays in counting ballots in California were evidence that something was wrong with the process. Several races in the state remained undecided days after voting concluded, reported India Today.

“They’re crooked, just like you’re crooked, your press is crooked. And ‘Meet the Press’ is crooked,” Trump said, adding that the United States was “like a third-world country” when it came to running elections.

Welker attempted to respond, saying, “To be fair, I’m not crooked, but let’s…”

“Really? Well, you play right into their hands then. You’re either crooked or you’re stupid,” he replied.

“Your elections are crooked and you’re crooked and Meet the Press is crooked, and so is ABC and CBS and CNN,” Trump said. “You’re one-sided crooked networks.”

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/ive-had-enough-thank-you-darling-us-president-donald-trump-walks-out-after-heated-exchange-with-journalist-video

The UN says it is seeking an additional $331.5 million to tackle a worsening humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Israel is carrying out fresh strikes on the south of the country.

Argentine and US scientists will test rodents in Mendoza as investigators try to trace the source of a hantavirus outbreak that killed three people.

Hantavirus is a rare rodent-borne illness that has multiple strains of varying severity.

The outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius is linked to the Andes hantavirus strain, endemic to parts of Argentina and Chile, though not in Mendoza.

It infected at least 11 people aboard the ship, killing three, after it departed from the southern Argentine city of Ushuaia in April.

Scientists reconstructing how the virus spread

Authorities said scientists from Argentina’s leading center for infectious diseases, the Malbran Institute, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would conduct field studies in the city of Malargue, Mendoza, from June 8-12.

Argentine scientists, along with experts from the CDC, will trap and test rodents to trace the origin.

Laboratory analysis is also continuing on more than 100 rodents captured in Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego last month.

Investigators are trying to reconstruct how the virus spread, including tracing the movements of a Dutch couple believed to be among the first infected.

They had travelled through Argentina and Chile before boarding the cruise.

The MV Hondius was sailing from Ushuaia in Argentina to Cape Verde when its journey was disrupted following the outbreak.

Experts suspect exposure to infected rodent droppings or urine caused the outbreak.

Source : https://www.dw.com/en/hantavirus-scientists-head-to-western-argentina-to-trace-outbreak-source/a-77442811

Russia says Ukraine has launched an “unprecedented attack” on and around St Petersburg, as the city hosted the final day of an economic forum.

More than 140 drones were shot down over the surrounding Leningrad region, governor Aleksandr Drozdenko said, while the city’s governor, Alexander Beglov, urged residents to stay indoors for the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his forces had hit Russia’s arsenals and a naval base, calling it a just response to Russian attacks.

It comes a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin said there was no point in meeting Zelensky, who had called for direct talks to end the war.

Earlier on Saturday, Drozdenko said Ukraine’s attacks had caused a fire at an unspecified military facility, and that residents had been evacuated. He also said buildings had sustained “insignificant” damage.

Zelensky said his country’s drones had covered a distance of 1,000km (620 miles) to St Petersburg, Russia’s second largest city, targeting “the enemy navy’s arsenals and a base in Kronstadt”. The main outpost of the Russian Navy’s Baltic Fleet is located in Kronstadt.

According to Zelensky, an oil depot 500km (310 miles) away, in the southern Krasnodar region, was also hit as part of Ukraine’s “long-range sanctions” – a euphemism for strikes on Russia.

The commander of one of the Ukrainian units involved in the drone strikes told the BBC that it was very easy to hit targets inside Russia.

“We fly in Russia like it’s our own territory. Almost no resistance, not hard to reach a target,” Yevhen Karas, commander of the 413th regiment Raid of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, said.

Late on Saturday, the Russian defence ministry said the country’s air defence units had shot down or intercepted 339 Ukrainian drones over a number of Russian regions since 07:00 local time (04:00 GMT) on Saturday.

On the other side, Ukraine said Russia had attacked two civilian search-and-rescue vessels on a “humanitarian mission” in the Black Sea.

“Unfortunately, there are injured,” said Ukrainian Territorial Development Minister Oleksiy Kuleba.

Russia’s military has not publicly commented on the issue.

These latest attacks follow Ukrainian strikes on the outskirts of St Petersburg as Putin’s flagship economic forum in his hometown was getting under way just days earlier.

The major forum, designed to attract foreign investment into the country, drew thousands of guests from 130 countries, including a low-key US delegation – the first for many years.

In his open letter to Putin on Thursday, Zelensky called for a ceasefire and face-to-face negotiations with the Russian leader to end the war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

He wrote that it would be “wrong to simply wait” for the conflict to once again become the focus of US attention. President Donald Trump has been involved in efforts to mediate an end to the conflict, but the war with Iran has recently taken precedence.

Speaking at the economic forum on Friday, Putin refused the request for a meeting with Zelensky and reiterated his position that a truce would only allow Ukraine to regroup.

He said he would only end the war when Russia’s goals had been met.

Russia’s long-standing position is that Ukraine should withdraw from the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions it has largely seized, as well as abandon efforts to join Nato.

Ukraine has refused to give up any territory, arguing that concessions to Moscow would embolden it to invade again in the future.

In his message on Saturday, the Ukrainian president said it was “time to end this war”, but accused Russia’s leader of wanting to “keep fighting”.

Zelensky is expected to visit the UK on Sunday, for talks with some of Ukraine’s staunchest European allies – Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron.

In the Russian-occupied Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine, the Moscow-installed authorities say they have suspended coach services on two motorways following a campaign of Ukrainian drone strikes targeting Russian logistics.

Source : https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg7498kz808o

Iran’s World Cup soccer players have been granted visas to enter the United States, a White House official told Reuters on Friday, just 10 days before their first match in Los Angeles amid a conflict between the two countries.
Iran’s ​ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, said late on Thursday the squad had still not received their U.S. visas but ​these were granted overnight, the White House official said.

A spokesman for Iran’s World Cup federation could ⁠not immediately be reached for comment.
The U.S. had not yet issued visas to some members of the Iran team’s technical and administrative staff, ​the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Friday.
“Visas for some members of the national team’s technical and executive staff have not ​yet been issued, and the U.S. embassy has so far refused to issue them,” it said, without citing a source.
The Iran war has turned the World Cup – the biggest global sporting event – into a geopolitical contest, with both sides appearing to use the tournament for political posturing.

It is the ​first World Cup, since its inception in 1930, in which a host nation is set to receive a country it is ​at war with.
Tehran negotiated a last-minute move of the team’s base from Arizona to Tijuana in Mexico due to the visa issues and a ‌growing feeling ⁠in Iran that the squad’s presence in the United States should be kept to a minimum.
They are scheduled to land in Tijuana early on Sunday.
Iran are due to play their first Group G match on June 15 against New Zealand in Los Angeles, where they will also face Belgium before taking on Egypt in Seattle.
The U.S. had never formally said it did not want the Iran ​team to stay on its territory, ​ambassador Pasandideh said.
However, Secretary ⁠of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers on Tuesday that the U.S. would not allow Iran to include in its World Cup delegation individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards, a powerful branch of the Iranian armed ​forces.

Mehdi Taj, president of Iran’s soccer federation, was denied entry for the tournament draw in ​Washington in December. He ⁠is a former commander in the Revolutionary Guards.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-world-cup-players-granted-visas-enter-us-says-white-house-official-2026-06-05/

The number of Americans filing claims for unemployment benefits increased more than expected last week, touching their highest level in four months, but the underlying trend remained consistent with a stable labor market.
Economists shrugged off the rise in weekly jobless claims reported by the Labor Department on Thursday as volatility related to ​last Monday’s Memorial Day holiday. Claims tend to rise around public holidays. They said there were no signs yet the Middle East conflict was having a noticeable impact on the labor market, ‌though uncertainty was growing.

“The big picture remains that the trend in both initial and continuing claims still is very subdued,” said Oliver Allen, senior U.S. economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics. “It would be unwise, however, to conclude that all is fine and well with the labor market simply because claims are low. Low fire, low hire remains an apt description of labor market conditions, and only around one of four of those unemployed make a claim.”
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 13,000 to a seasonally adjusted 225,000 for the week ended May 30, the ​highest level since the first week of February. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 213,000 claims for the latest week. The four-week moving average of claims, which irons out week-to-week volatility, increased only 6,500 to 214,750.

Last ​week’s rise pushed claims to the upper end of their 190,000-230,000 range for this year. Applications could remain higher in the weeks ahead as the school year ends.
“Some states ⁠allow school workers who are off for the summer to claim unemployment benefits and that can lead to a rise in headline claims that isn’t always captured by the seasonal factors,” said Nancy Vanden Houten, lead U.S. economist at ​Oxford Economics.
Seasonal factors are the model used by the government to strip out seasonal fluctuations from the data.
Layoffs remain low by historical standards, despite high-profile job cuts by technology firms related to the adoption of artificial intelligence. U.S.-based employers announced 97,006 ​job cuts in May, about 39% of them in the technology sector, a separate report from global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas showed on Thursday. That was up 16% from April.

Still, planned job cuts rose only 3% compared to the same period last year. Though employers have not responded with mass layoffs to rising shortages and inflation stemming from the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, now in its fourth month, economists said that could change, the longer the conflict drags on.
The Federal Reserve’s Beige Book report on Wednesday said employment showed “little to ​no change” in May, and that “most districts described a low-hire, low-fire environment.” It added that “hiring remained selective and primarily focused on critical roles or attrition replacement.”
For now, low layoffs are anchoring the labor market. The number of people receiving unemployment ​benefits after an initial week of aid, a proxy for hiring, fell 8,000 to a seasonally adjusted 1.777 million during the week ended May 23, the claims report showed.

LABOR MARKET REMAINS STABLE

The claims data have no bearing on the closely watched employment report ‌for May, due ⁠to be released on Friday, as they fall outside the survey period.
Nonfarm payrolls likely rose by 85,000 jobs in May after rising 115,000 in April, a Reuters survey of economists predicted. The unemployment rate is forecast unchanged at 4.3%.
The Labor Department’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTS report, on Tuesday showed hiring decreased and layoffs fell in April, suggesting the increase in payrolls that month was due to lower layoffs. A stable labor market allows the Federal Reserve to focus on inflation. Financial markets expect the U.S. central bank to keep its benchmark overnight interest rate in the 3.50%-3.75% range into 2027.
U.S. stocks opened lower. The dollar slipped against a basket of currencies. U.S. Treasury yields fell.
A third report from the ​Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics showed worker productivity growth ​slowed faster than initially thought in the first ⁠quarter, but the underlying trend remained strong and a boost is expected from businesses adopting artificial intelligence for many roles.
Nonfarm productivity, which measures hourly output per worker, increased at a downwardly revised 0.3% annualized rate last quarter. That was the slowest since the first quarter of 2025. Productivity was previously estimated to have risen at a 0.8% pace last quarter. Economists ​had expected productivity growth would be revised down to a 0.5% pace.
Productivity grew at a 2.8% rate from a year ago, instead of the 2.9% pace estimated last ​month. It has grown at ⁠a 2.1% rate from the fourth quarter of 2019 through the first quarter of 2026. The softness in the first quarter was flagged by last week’s downgrade to gross domestic product growth to a 1.6% rate from the previously reported 2.0% pace. Productivity grew at an unrevised 1.6% rate in the October-December quarter.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/us-weekly-jobless-claims-increase-more-than-expected-labor-market-remains-stable-2026-06-04/

The U.S. Senate labored over a $70-billion immigration enforcement bill late into the night on Thursday, as Republicans rejected more than ‌a dozen Democratic amendments, including attempts to kill a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund that President Donald Trump has sought.
The $70 billion would help pay for Trump’s controversial migrant deportation crackdown over the next three years and would augment about $100 billion in unspent Department of Homeland Security law enforcement money enacted last year by Republicans, who control Congress.

If the Senate manages to pass the new funding, the House ​of Representatives could debate it as soon as next week.

TRUMP SAYS FUND IS ‘SO IMPORTANT’

Lawmakers began voting on amendments to the immigration bill in a “vote-a-rama” ​session early on Thursday that was expected to end in a vote on the underlying measure by Friday.
An initial move by ⁠Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer to kill what Democrats call a “slush fund” for Trump’s allies brought the session to a largely procedural halt for hours after Republican ​Senator Susan Collins voted for the motion.
She was later joined by fellow Republicans Jon Husted and Dan Sullivan.

“It’s heinous and it won’t die until we permanently ban it ​by law,” Schumer said of the $1.776 billion fund in a Senate floor speech.
His measure failed in a 50-49 vote but exposed the political turmoil among rank-and-file Senate Republicans. Some of them sought their own amendments to eliminate the fund permanently, five months before the November midterm elections. Collins, Husted and Sullivan all face competitive races for reelection at a time when Trump’s approval ​rating is down, even among Republicans.
The fund, which critics say would allow Trump to use taxpayer dollars to compensate his political allies, has already been put on hold ​by the White House and Justice Department over fierce opposition from Senate Republicans.
But on Wednesday, Trump declined to say whether the fund had actually been terminated, telling reporters: “I love it. I ‌think it’s ⁠so important.”

Republican Senator Thom Tillis, who opposed Schumer’s motion, told reporters he would not support passage of the funding bill without a Republican amendment vote to codify acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s congressional testimony that the administration was abandoning the fund.
Tillis argued that failing to do so would place a burden on congressional Republicans up for re-election in November who are worried about a voter backlash to the fund.

OPPONENTS CALL FUND ‘IMMEDIATE AND DIRE THREAT’

Nearly all of the bill’s $70 billion would go to DHS’s Immigration ​and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agencies ​that are carrying out the Trump ⁠administration’s vigorous deportations throughout the United States.
Tillis later offered his own amendment to reallocate the Trump fund’s resources to fraud-enforcement operations. It failed in an 84-15 vote while garnering support from 12 Republicans.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/senate-republicans-grapple-with-trumps-anti-weaponization-fund-ice-funding-vote-2026-06-04/

Artificial intelligence has been used to develop a “fundamentally new” type of vaccine that could protect against large swathes of viruses and prevent pandemics, say researchers.

The team at the University of Cambridge say it is the first time a vaccine’s key component has been designed entirely by AI and then trialled in people.

The vaccine was engineered to work on all coronaviruses which would include all Covid variants and viruses that infect animals, but could start the next pandemic.

The work is still in the early stages, but the team is already developing separate vaccines that could tackle flu and Ebola.

Vaccines teach our bodies how to spot an infection to increase our chances of fighting it off.

But some viruses are adept at changing their appearance – or mutating – so vaccines can quickly go out of date. It’s why Covid and winter flu vaccines need to be regularly updated.

“We’re always behind,” said Prof Jonathan Heeney, from the University of Cambridge, adding “what we’re trying to do is get ahead of the curve” and so far ahead they could protect against new outbreaks or pandemics.

How does it work?

Normally vaccines are designed using a current strain of a virus.

The Cambridge researchers took known genetic codes – the instruction manuals of life – from a range of coronaviruses that had been recorded by surveillance programmes hunting for potential viral threats.

These genetic codes were analysed by an artificial intelligence. It then designed a “super-antigen” that could train the immune system in such a way it gave protection against the whole family of viruses – even if they mutated or a new infection jumped from animals to people.

Antigens are the critical components of vaccines as this is what the immune system learns to attack.

Heeney said this was the first time an antigen designed by AI had been trialled in people. He said the technology was “surprising all of us” and it was “amazing what we can do with it for the good of humanity”.

Heeney told BBC News: “This is about making vaccines that protect us, not just from today’s viruses, but protect us from what can cause the next outbreak or disease.

“This is a fundamental shift in how we prepare for pandemics.”

The trials, in 39 people, were designed to assess if such vaccines were safe. A second study – involving around 200 people – will give a greater understanding of how well it is training the immune system.

The findings detailed in the Journal of Infection said the impact on the immune system was “modest”, but they are still generating excitement.

Prof Saul Faust, who performed some of the trials at the University of Southampton, said the AI design “definitely has potential” and was “really exciting”.

He told the BBC: “What’s really interesting is the technology is an awful lot better at designing vaccines for potential pandemics when viruses are changing.”

The Cambridge team are already performing animal research on universal seasonal flu vaccines that would not need to be adapted every year and an H5N1-bird flu vaccine, in case the virus that is currently devastating bird populations became a human pandemic.

They are also looking at a vaccine for viral haemorrhagic fevers, which would include Ebola species. The current outbreak in the Democratic Republic Congo is being caused by a species that does not have a vaccine developed for it yet.

Prof Andy Pollard, the director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, was not involved in the study, but said this approach was generating compelling evidence in animal research.

Source : https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crrpggegwe0o

A new wave of Trump tariffs could unsettle US trade partners which have already signed new trade deals or have been negotiating them for months.

US President Donald Trump’s administration is proposing additional tariffs of 10% or more to be imposed on its trading partners following a probe into countries importing goods allegedly made with forced labor.

In a report released Wednesday, the US Trade Representative (USTR) said it had found that 60 economies had failed to “impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labor,” calling it a “burden” to US commerce.

“This creates a dynamic where American workers are forced to compete globally on an unlevel playing field. We will no longer tolerate this disparity,” USTR Ambassador Jamieson Greer said in the document.

The tariff proposal is currently open to public comment and review and is therefore not in immediate effect.

The new tariffs under US trade law could help Trump bypass the Supreme Court ruling in February which stated that his tariffs werelargely illegal.

Which countries will face extra US tariffs?

An additional 10% tariff will be imposed on imports from Canada, Mexico, Taiwan, Pakistan, the UK and EU nations. These are countries which, according to Washington’s investigation, impose a forced labor import prohibition, that have undertaken commitments on forced labor or have partially prevented the import of forced labor goods.

An additional 12.5% tariff will be imposed on 45 others, including China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil and Switzerland. These are countries that have failed to impose and effectively enforce the prohibition of imports made with forced labor, the statement said.

“Each of our trading partners must do more to ensure that trade does not perversely encourage and entrench forced labor globally,” Greer said.

The USTR said it had initiated 60 investigations into forced labor in March.

The alleged failure to prohibit imports made with forced labor was “subjecting US producers to unfair competition” in both export markets and the US market, the USTR said.

The trade regulation body will hold hearings about the proposed tariffs on July 7.

More negotiations to ensue?

This latest wave of tariffs is likely to unsettle several US trade partners, who have been negotiating lower levies for over a year.

Just two weeks ago, the EU approved a trade deal with Washington to cap tariffs on most EU exports at 15%. That consensus was hard fought, with some member nations initially threatening to block the deal.

Meanwhile, a US delegation is currently in New Delhi to finalize a trade deal after Washington imposed one of the highest tariffs on India last year. India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday told local media that key details of the deal were already settled.

Source : https://www.dw.com/en/us-plans-extra-tariffs-for-60-countries-over-forced-labor/a-77400171

A Kenyan court blocked on ​Tuesday for another three weeks a proposed U.S. Ebola quarantine facility that has triggered protests in which two people were killed, and ordered the ‌government to disclose its agreement with Washington.
The proposed 50-bed unit on an air force base in central Kenya for Americans exposed to the virus in Democratic Republic of Congo or Uganda has angered many Kenyans. They accuse the U.S. of offloading the health risk of caring for patients.

A Kenyan court last week temporarily suspended the plan in response to a lawsuit from a legal advocacy group. ​However, U.S. military aircraft have continued to fly in staff and equipment in recent days, according to a U.S. official and diplomatic sources.
Kenyan High Court ​Judge Patricia Nyaundi on Tuesday issued an order barring the Kenyan government from taking any steps to build or begin operations ⁠at the facility in the town of Nanyuki before the case is resolved.
The judge also ordered the government to disclose all agreements and operational protocols related to ​the facility within seven days and scheduled the next hearing for June 23.

Senior U.S. health official Mehmet Oz told reporters in a White House briefing on Tuesday that ​President Donald Trump’s administration is confident the State Department will be able to work with Kenya to establish the facility.
“I think we’re going to work out … a very favourable arrangement with Kenya,” Oz said. “They’re going to do the right thing for everybody, and I think it’s a perfect solution.”
Hundreds protested against the plan in Nanyuki on Monday. Protest organiser Patrick Wahome said two people were ​killed by gunshot wounds after police opened fire. A security source also said two people had died but did not specify the cause of death.
Police spokesperson Michael ​Muchiri said he was not aware of the deaths.

KENYAN PRESIDENT RUTO DEFENDS US AGREEMENT

On Monday, Kenyan President William Ruto said the facility was part of a wider national preparedness plan and ‌long-running health ⁠partnership with Washington.

The U.S. said last week it would provide $13.5 million for Kenya’s Ebola preparedness effort. Ruto said the site would serve Kenyans and foreign nationals too.
“We are a responsible government. We know what we are doing,” Ruto said.
A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters the facility would only be treating U.S. citizens.
“American officials, doctors, and clinicians will be at this facility, treating American citizens at the facility. Our highest priority is containing the spread of Ebola and offering the highest clinical ​care to Americans,” the official said.
Kenyan courts ​are known for their independence, especially ⁠by regional standards, although activists often accuse the government of ignoring or circumventing orders.
The outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola is centred in eastern Congo and several cases have spilled over into neighbouring Uganda.
There have been 321 confirmed cases and ​116 suspected cases of Ebola in Congo, including 48 deaths, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday. Uganda has confirmed 15 ​cases.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/kenyas-president-defends-planned-us-backed-ebola-quarantine-facility-2026-06-02/

British MP Rupert Lowe highlighted survivor testimonies and alleged institutional failures, reigniting scrutiny of the UK’s grooming gangs scandal.

A recent speech by British MP Rupert Lowe in Parliament has renewed discussion on the UK’s long-running grooming gangs scandal. During his speech he presented disturbing survivor accounts and findings from his independent investigation into organised child sexual exploitation.

The testimonies, which detailed allegations of serious abuse, police failings, and institutional shortcomings, were cited as part of Lowe’s push for stronger accountability and justice for victims. As per the investigations by the UK government, most of the accused were “taxi drivers and market traders” of Pakistani origin.

Lowe also read out survivors’ statements who alleged that they were targeted by ‘grooming gang’ members when they were younger. One of the survivors revealed that she was raped by “600 or 700 different men”. One of the testimonies claimed that ‘grooming gang’ members put a cigarette out on the baby’s face, revealing the violence against children.

Meanwhile, as per Lowe, another survivor revealed, “He picked up the bottle of Jack Daniels which was now empty, and he forced it up inside me. He broke the glass while he was there. At that point I was about 12, nearly 13.”

One of the survivors revealed, as cited by the British MP, “I was held down by the men as they each took turns to orally and vaginally rape me, taking it in turns to pin down my arms and my legs. When the assault ended, the men hit me repeatedly, threatened to find me, kill me and harmed my loved ones, if I ever told anybody what had happened.”

“I was bleeding from both my vagina and my back passage and was so swollen I could not sit down. I told hospital staff my drink had been spiked, and I did not know what had happened because I was too afraid to tell the truth. They did not ask any questions. They gave me tablets and discharged me. I was 15 years old,” said another survivor, as cited by the British MP.

PLANS for the world’s first floating city have been revealed to include schools and a research hospital.

The £12 billion ‘Freedom Ship’ has a capacity of 80,000 and would provide homes for 50,000 permanent residents.

The mile-long vessel would also have capacity for 10,000 day visitors, as well as 20,000 crew members.

These plans have devised a 15,000-seat sports stadium, a water park and two museums.

Further amenities include a convention centre, a symphony hall, shops and restaurants.

The proposal would also see children on board educated from primary to college level.

Four decks would be utilised for financial branches, commercial services, retail and banks.

Passengers will also have access to a two-storey food hall, a night club and an expansive aquarium.

At 800ft wide and boasting 30 decks, the ship is too big to dock in any port.

It will likely be powered by nuclear fuel and remain in international waters, transferring passengers to and from land via a fleet of ferries.

Visitors would ride a tram system upon arrival to a series of districts to board the ship.

Alternatively, 15 miles of walkways and three acres of parks would be available for passengers preferring to explore on foot.

It is intended for the Freedom Ship to circumnavigate the globe every couple of years, at seven knots.

American engineer Norman Nixon first proposed the idea for The Freedom Ship in the 1990s.

The plans publicly resurfaced a year following Nixon’s death in 2012, but were soon put back on the shelf.

Freedom Cruise Line International’s chief executive, Roger Gooch, has highlighted demand for the vessel.

He told The Telegraph: “We could almost justify building three ships!”

He has enlisted a naval architect, a designer and a project manager among a 12-person leadership team.

Source : https://www.the-sun.com/news/16442011/floating-city-freedom-ship-schools-hospital-cruise/

Trump and Netanyahu share a complex, decades-long relationship, which has been marked by periods of strong public alignment and deep private tension. In the past, both leaders have had several tense calls but have still coordinated closely on Iran and other issues.

US President Donald Trump reportedly fumed over Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a heated phone call over Israel’s escalation in Lebanon, which threatens to jeopardise the ongoing peace talks with Iran to end the Middle East conflict. On the call, the US leader called Netanyahu “f***ing crazy” and accused him of ingratitude, according to a report by Axios.

Citing US officials and a third source briefed on the call, the American publication reported that Trump has also put the brakes on Israel’s plan to strike Beirut. He reportedly told the Israeli leader that the Israeli threats to bomb the Lebanese capital would further isolate Israel around the world.

Inside Trump-Netanyahu Call

Trump also claimed he had helped keep Netanyahu out of jail — a reference to his support during the Israeli leader’s corruption trial.

“You’re fucking crazy. You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your ass. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this,” Trump told Netanyahu, according to the Axios report.

At one point, a source said Trump got “pissed” with Netanyahu and asked him, “What the fuck are you doing?”

Before the call, Trump reportedly knew Hezbollah, the Iranian proxy militia operating from Lebanon, had been shooting at Israel and that Tel Aviv needed to defend itself. But sources said that Trump felt, in recent days, Netanyahu was escalating in a disproportionate way.

Israel’s Military Ops In Lebanon

In addition to the threats on Beirut, Israel has been expanding its ground operation in southern Lebanon. Trump was reportedly angry over the fact that Netanyahu’s decision to escalate in Lebanon was threatening to implode his negotiations with Iran.

US sources told Axios that the president had been concerned about too many Lebanese civilians and had objected to the Israeli plan of knocking down buildings to take out a single Hezbollah commander.

After the call, an Israeli official told Axios that the Jewish state no longer plans to strike Hezbollah targets in Beirut.

This is not the first disagreement between the US and the Israeli leaders. Trump and Netanyahu share a complex, decades-long relationship, which has been marked by periods of strong public alignment and deep private tension. In the past, both leaders have had several tense calls but have still coordinated closely on Iran and other issues.

However, according to the Axios report, this was one of Trump’s worst calls with Netanyahu since he returned to office last year in January.

What Happened After The Call

After the phone call with Netanyahu, which he touted as “productive”, Trump said that no Israeli troops will head to Beirut.

“I had a conversation with Bibi Netanyahu today, asking him not to go into a major raid of Beirut, Lebanon. He turned his troops around. Thank you, Bibi!” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.

The US leader added, “I also had a conversation with representatives of the leaders of Hezbollah, and they agreed to stop shooting at Israel and its soldiers. Likewise, Israel agreed to stop shooting at them. Let’s see how long that lasts — Hopefully it will be for ETERNITY!”

Later, Netanyahu also confirmed the conversation but cast it less as a restraint and more as a warning, saying he told Trump that Tel Aviv would strike targets in Beirut if Hezbollah’s attacks did not stop. The Israeli military will continue “to operate as planned” in southern Lebanon, Netanyahu added.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/us-iran-war-latest-news-youre-f-ing-crazy-would-be-in-prison-if-it-werent-for-me-trump-lashes-out-at-netanyahu-over-lebanon-11578150?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

More than 1,100 people were suspected of having contracted Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring Uganda, the head of the African Union’s health agency said on Sunday in a commentary for the Financial Times.

Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention director general Jean Kaseya said there were 263 confirmed cases in both countries as of Saturday, with 43 confirmed deaths.

More than 1,100 suspected cases were still being investigated, he wrote in the editorial. On Thursday, the Africa CDC said there had been 246 suspected deaths from the virus.

“We must move at the speed of the epidemic,” added Kaseya, criticising Africa’s dependence on outside financial support.

The health ministers of the DR Congo, Uganda and South Sudan recently adopted a $319-million response plan to the outbreak.

“That momentum must now expand across the continent,” Kaseya said, calling the latest Ebola outbreak a “serious test” for the Africa CDC and the African Union.

“This outbreak will not be the last,” he added.

The outbreak was declared on May 15 in Ituri, in the northeast DR Congo, which is home to more than 100 million people and is one of the poorest countries in the world.

The virus, which can cause a deadly haemorrhagic fever, has been detected in three Congolese provinces as well as in Uganda.

No vaccine or approved treatment is available against the Bundibugyo strain of the virus and efforts to contain its spread rely mainly on preventative measures.

The World Health Organization has triggered an international health alert but the true scale of the outbreak is not yet known.

International health authorities believe that current figures are likely an underestimation.

Source : https://www.barrons.com/news/africa-cdc-says-over-1-100-suspected-ebola-cases-in-dr-congo-and-uganda-373233af

Nepal PM Balen Shah’s remark that Nepal also encroached Indian territory sparked controversy, drawing opposition criticism, demands for proof or apology, while government clarified comments referred to border irregularities, not claims.

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Sunday said he has learnt about his country “encroaching” territories in India, as he sought to answer questions in Parliament on a long-running border dispute and instead triggered a controversy. Hours later, Nepal Foreign Ministry said PM Shah’s comments were related to “no-man’s land encroachments” and “cross-border occupation” between the two countries, rather than any territorial claims.

A blast on Sunday at a building in northeastern Myanmar said to have been storing explosives for mining has killed more than 45 people, according to rescue workers and independent media reports.

About 70 other people were injured in the explosion that took place around noon in the village of Kaungtup, in Namhkam township.

The area, located about 3 kilometers (2 miles) south of the Chinese border, is under the control of the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, an ethnic armed group which has engaged in sporadic fighting against Myanmar’s central government.

A rescue worker who rushed to the site of the blast told The Associated Press that 46 bodies, including six children, had been recovered by Sunday evening and taken for cremation.

The rescuer, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said 74 injured people had been transported to the township hospital and rescue operations were continuing.

Another rescuer in Namhkam, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said about 40 people were killed and more than 100 houses near the blast site were damaged.

Myanmar media outlets, including Shan State’s online Shwe Phee Myay news agency, reported death tolls ranging from 50 to 55. They published photos and videos showing smoke from the explosion and damaged buildings and debris in its aftermath.

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported the explosion caused multiple deaths and injuries, with many residential houses being severely damaged, but did not give figures.

It said that according to preliminary investigations, the blast occurred at a site where large quantities of explosives used for mining operations were stored.

Local authorities are currently providing relief, medical care and resettlement assistance to affected residents, said the report.

The Ta’ang National Liberation Army, or TNLA, said in a statement released on its Telegram channel that gelignite had been stored by the group’s economic department for use in mining and stone quarrying sites, and that an investigation into the cause of the explosion is underway.

Source : https://apnews.com/article/myanmar-deadly-explosion-5946c95f92ca91472fb30a57438234ec

U.S. President Donald Trump will headline an event commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary on the National Mall next ​month, organizers said on Saturday, after several musical performers scheduled to appear in ‌the celebration canceled, citing concerns about its association with him.
The concerts were planned as the opening ceremony of the Great American State Fair, a 16-day event running from June 25 to July ​10, 2026. Organizers said the fair, organized by the Freedom 250 group, would ​stretch on the National Mall from the U.S. Capitol to the ⁠Washington Monument, with concert stages, state pavilions, exhibits, rides, and other attractions.

But the musical ​lineup has been hit by a series of cancellations. On Friday, Bret Michaels, the lead ​singer of the rock band Poison, became the fifth performer to withdraw from the concerts, saying that the event was not the nonpartisan celebration that he thought it would be.
Trump is now scheduled ​to “personally kick off this historic celebration,” Freedom 250 posted on social media.
Organizers have ​not publicly detailed the reasons for the departures, though the exits have raised questions about the viability ‌of ⁠the event as originally envisioned.
The group did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

In a post on Truth Social earlier on Saturday, Trump suggested the concert series may no longer be necessary if performers continue to back out. He floated the ​possibility of giving a ​speech on the ⁠National Mall instead, portraying himself as a more powerful draw than any musical act.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-considers-dropping-concerts-us-capital-after-artists-drop-out-2026-05-30/