Iniaes

In Washington and around Iran

Talks over Iran are driving an unusually public split in Washington. A Reuters report says the White House is weighing a deal that would let Tehran resume oil sales immediately, while lawmakers from both parties say any final agreement should come to Congress for a vote. Trump, who likes the idea in principle, is also reported to be preparing to fire senior Pentagon officials over internal dissent on the ceasefire effort.

On security and war remnants

The UN says landmines and explosive remnants of war still contaminate at least 58 states and territories, and killed or injured more than 5,000 people in 2024 alone. In the English Channel, the UK says a Russian frigate fired warning shots after trying to contact a British yacht, an incident officials say was meant to avoid a collision rather than start one.

Courts and violent crime

In Milwaukee, Tremaine Jones was sentenced to life without the possibility of extended supervision, plus 83 years, for the fatal shooting of Officer Kendall Corder and the wounding of another officer. Prosecutors said he fired 16 shots during a confrontation that began after a fight between two women. In Chile, prosecutors are now looking into suspected trafficking of Haitian children, a case still at the complaint stage but serious enough to merit close attention.

Media and platforms

Netflix is testing how far it wants to go in the current media buyout frenzy, with its name surfacing in Warner Bros. Discovery talks, Roku’s sale process, and possible interest in Lionsgate Studios. The company says it did not bid for Roku and appears to be keeping one eye on opportunity and the other on the price tag. Meanwhile, a new study says Facebook pages flagged repeatedly for fake content can still make money from their posts, even after suspension.

In the U.S.

The Justice Department is backing Elon Musk’s xAI in a lawsuit brought by the NAACP over air pollution at the company’s Memphis-area operations. The case centers on a gas plant that powers xAI’s data center, and whether it needed an air permit before running. In Pennsylvania, Lehigh County is proposing a policy that would bar county employees from cooperating with ICE raids, while still allowing federal agents to operate in the county.

The Supreme Court also turned away Carter Page’s bid to revive his lawsuit against former FBI Director James Comey and other ex-FBI officials over surveillance tied to the Russia investigation.

In Europe

Polish police say a Russian artist known for caricatures of Vladimir Putin and other leaders was shot and killed on Tuesday. The circumstances are still unclear.

Separately, a Russian warship fired warning shots at a British yacht in the English Channel, prompting reports of British and French ships mobilizing and a Royal Navy helicopter overhead. The incident comes after the Royal Navy boarded a Russian oil tanker in the Channel.

In business and tech

Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang says a broader AI buildout could help bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S., with Texas serving as an early test case. At the same time, QVC presenters are seeking to unionize with SAG-AFTRA as they worry generative AI could reshape their jobs.

In international news

At the G7 summit, U.S. allies are trying to push Ukraine back up President Trump’s agenda as the war drags on more than four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion. Trump, meanwhile, has said the conflict is not a priority for him and that his focus is on Iran, a helpful way to describe a major European war as someone else’s problem.

Iran’s top diplomat said any deal ending the war with the U.S. would also need Israel to withdraw from Lebanon. The U.S. has not said whether Lebanon is part of the final agreement.

In Russia, a Tu-22M3 strategic bomber crashed during a training flight in the Irkutsk region, apparently after an engine failure. Officials said the aircraft was unarmed, the crew ejected safely, and four people were taken to hospital. Separately, the U.S. is trying to catch up as an Ebola outbreak spreads, a reminder that global health gaps tend to become everyone’s problem sooner or later.

In U.S. news

Luigi Mangione is due back in a New York courtroom Tuesday morning after a secret hearing earlier this month in his state murder case, with the judge offering no public explanation for why it was held behind closed doors.

Federal authorities say they disrupted a potential drone threat aimed at the White House UFC event, with FBI Director Kash Patel saying the case led to multiple arrests after investigators picked up the chatter through Signal chats on June 10.

In Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court ruled that skill games count as slot machines under the state Gaming Act and the Crimes Code, overturning a Commonwealth Court decision it called deeply flawed. The case centers on Pace-O-Matic, which has spent years insisting the machines are something else entirely.

Scrutiny is also growing over more than $1 million in improvements to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s private home, even as the state has already spent more than $30 million on security upgrades at the Governor’s Residence after last year’s arson attack. Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who is challenging Shapiro, is pressing the issue.

In Montgomery County, JBS Beef Plant in Souderton has filed a WARN notice saying its Pennsylvania locations will close this summer, putting 1,485 workers at risk of losing their jobs. In Philadelphia’s Wissinoming neighborhood, police say a man was shot during a parking dispute, the suspected shooter remained at the scene and is cooperating, and his handgun has been recovered.

In business

Rolls-Royce SMR has won a multi-billion-pound contract to build three small modular nuclear reactors for Sweden, a major step in its push to become a leading supplier of the technology in Europe.

SpaceX completed the largest initial public offering in U.S. corporate history, with shares pricing at $135 and then jumping sharply on the first two trading days. Early investors, including Larry Ellison, Jack Dorsey, and a Saudi prince, got the kind of paper gains that make billionaires sound like they found a coupon in the sofa.

In Britain

Police put a dispersal order in place at Bluewater shopping centre in Kent after antisocial behaviour, giving officers extra powers to move people on and make arrests if needed. Elsewhere, a 44-year-old millionaire banker has been arrested nearly nine years after the Putney Bridge push case, on suspicion of attempted grievous bodily harm.

On the roads, a lorry fire shut part of the M25 in Essex during the morning rush, with the closure expected to last while crews deal with the blaze and inspect the carriageway. Millennium Dough Company, a West London wholesale pizza dough supplier, has entered administration after 34 years in business and stopped trading.

In U.S. news

The FBI says it has arrested a man accused of flying a drone over a World Cup fan zone in Atlanta. In California, eight people were killed when a U.S. Air Force B-52 crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base on a routine test mission, and the cause is under investigation.

In Los Angeles, an LAPD officer fatally shot a family dog during a welfare check in Canoga Park, prompting backlash from the owner, who says the animal did not charge officers.

At the World Cup

Iran and New Zealand drew 2-2 in their opener at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, with the match overshadowed by boos for Iran’s national anthem from some in the crowd and support from others on the big screens. Outside the stadium, the game also exposed sharp divisions within the Iranian-American community. Tunisia, meanwhile, sacked head coach Sabrei Lamouchi after a 5-1 defeat to Sweden in their opening match.

In international affairs

Former U.S. national security adviser John Bolton said Iran outmaneuvered Donald Trump in negotiations, arguing that Tehran ended up with better terms after sensing Trump’s urgency to reach a deal and ease pressure on oil prices. A tidy little lesson in how leverage works.

In Europe

The European Council has unveiled a new framework to tackle the EU’s drug market, shifting the response toward both enforcement and public health. The bloc says about 29 million Europeans use drugs each year, the market is worth an estimated €31 billion, and drug-related deaths are around 7,600 annually.

In Latin America

Venezuela has signed a power deal with GE Vernova aimed at boosting electricity generation and supporting the country’s electricity supply.

In business

Fox says it plans to buy Roku in a $22 billion cash-and-stock deal, valuing the streaming platform at $160 a share and putting more than 100 million connected-TV devices under Fox’s control. The deal will face antitrust scrutiny.

In U.S. law and politics

The Supreme Court declined to take up a challenge from the gun industry to New York’s liability law, leaving in place a measure that lets people sue gun manufacturers and dealers over harm caused by criminal or unlawful misuse of their products. Separate from that, lawmakers told Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and the National Park Service they cannot build Trump’s planned arch without congressional approval.

In Pennsylvania, the state Supreme Court ruled that skill games are illegal, a decision that could have broad consequences for the machines’ operators and the businesses that host them.

In crime and public safety

A family in Philadelphia’s Hunting Park is grieving after a man was killed in a hit-and-run crash. In Chester, a 67-year-old woman is recovering after being shot twice while visiting a home.

In Britain

A national review will reopen eight closed grooming gang cases as part of Operation Beaconport. Investigators say the review is meant to find missed lines of inquiry and improve the way victims are handled, after earlier audits found failures to listen to and believe survivors.

In tech and security

The FCC approved a one-year waiver for major cable internet providers from the Trump administration’s ban on consumer-grade foreign-made routers, letting them swap components during that period. The cable lobby asked, the regulator nodded, and the compliance calendar got a little more creative.

Researchers at Mandiant and Google’s Threat Intelligence Group say ShinyHunters used a critical zero-day in Oracle PeopleSoft to breach more than 100 organizations worldwide, with universities and colleges making up most of the confirmed targets in the extortion campaign.

Labcorp has agreed to pay $35 million to settle class action claims tied to the 2018 AMCA breach, which affected nearly 10.3 million patients. Separately, the FDA’s draft guidance for AI-enabled medical devices signals a tougher framework for software that changes over time, with more emphasis on safety, transparency, and accountability.

In international security

China has officially put the two-seat J-20S stealth fighter into service, making it the first operational two-seat stealth fighter. Beijing is using the extra seat for mission systems work, electronic warfare, sensor coordination, and drone control, while the U.S. is still betting on single-seat stealth jets and more autonomy.

Top U.S. officials are still divided over Iran nuclear talks. CIA Director John Ratcliffe has warned that intelligence raises serious doubts about Tehran’s willingness to accept Washington’s terms, while other senior officials are also uneasy and Vice President Vance, along with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are backing the deal.

In U.S. news

Eight crew members are believed dead after a B-52 Stratofortress crashed at Edwards Air Force Base in California on Monday. The base said the aircraft went down on base property, and the investigation is continuing.

A federal judge has ordered Timothy Hudson detained before trial in the killing of 18-year-old Anna Kepner aboard a Carnival cruise ship. Hudson, who was 16 at the time, is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse and will be held while he receives mental health evaluation and treatment.

Senator Thom Tillis said he is generally satisfied with Todd Blanche’s paperwork for President Trump’s nomination to lead the Justice Department and plans to meet with him next week.

In the UK

The UK says it will ban social media use for under-16s, including TikTok and YouTube, but not messaging apps like WhatsApp. Public support is strong, while the evidence on mental health effects and whether bans work is still disputed.

In U.S. news

A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer was injured in Stafford Township, New Jersey, after police say a suspect being detained on Route 72 fled in a vehicle, struck the agent, and got away. Police said the agent fired at the vehicle in response.

At a U.S. Air Force base in Southern California’s Mojave Desert, a B-52 bomber crashed shortly after takeoff Monday morning, according to officials. Separately, California Gov. Gavin Newsom says people connected to him have been questioned by federal agents, and he’s calling it a politically motivated Justice Department inquiry tied to President Trump.

In Britain

The Court of Appeal upheld the Home Secretary’s ban on Palestine Action, overturning an earlier High Court ruling. The group’s co-founder says she will appeal to the Supreme Court, after police made 117 arrests outside the court.

In a separate case, two men were convicted over arson attacks on properties linked to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, including a car once owned by him and two houses. Prosecutors said the attacks were directed by a Russian-speaking taskmaster.

Also in Britain, Elon Musk attacked Labour’s plan to restrict under-16s from major social media platforms, calling it a “police state,” while Keir Starmer accused him of interfering in British politics.

In business and tech

The FBI has warned Microsoft 365 users about a phishing scam known as Kali365.

Zillow says starter homes now cost $1 million in 242 U.S. cities, roughly triple the number before the pandemic. Stanford researchers, meanwhile, say a natural compound called BRP reduced food intake in animal tests and could point to a possible Ozempic alternative, though that is still very much in the research stage.

In Europe and the Middle East

A Dutch court sentenced a Syrian man to 26 years in prison for torture carried out on behalf of Bashar al-Assad’s government. The case is part of a wider run of European prosecutions involving Syrians since Assad was overthrown in 2024.

In southern Lebanon, some residents are returning to Nabatieh after news of a U.S.-Iran peace deal, but Israel says its forces will remain in Lebanon indefinitely. The city has already been badly damaged by renewed fighting between Hezbollah and Israel.

In business

Fox Corp. says it will buy Roku in a $22 billion deal, a big streaming bet that folds a major platform into a major media company. Investors are, unsurprisingly, being asked to applaud the synergy before anyone has to explain it.

Oil prices also fell to their lowest level since March after U.S. officials announced an agreement with Iran.

In Canada, the broadcast regulator says the fight over whether foreign streaming platforms and social media companies should help fund Canadian content is not over, even after the latest setback.

In U.S. politics

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on AI security that acknowledges the risks of artificial intelligence but stops short of imposing new industry rules. The order keeps the federal government in the familiar position of warning loudly while regulating softly.

A separate report says the White House last year considered suspending habeas corpus rights for undocumented immigrants, which would have made it harder for detainees to challenge their detention.

In Europe and the war in Ukraine

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed plans to ban social media use for children under 16 on major platforms, a move the government says is meant to protect minors online. The proposal is already drawing questions about privacy and enforcement.

In Ukraine, a Russian drone and missile strike damaged the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, one of the country’s most important historic and religious sites. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called it one of Russia’s most serious crimes against Christian culture so far.

In crime and courts

A 63-year-old man is in custody in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, after police say he struck and killed a motorcyclist while drunk. Investigators say he failed sobriety testing, blew a 0.27 on a breath test, and admitted to drinking before driving. He has been charged with vehicular homicide.

And in a deeply disturbing case, Preston Davey died after months of sexual and physical abuse, and Jamie Varley was found guilty in his murder trial.

In U.S. news

Authorities in Philadelphia say they are still piecing together the case of the man accused of shooting three police officers in the Wynnefield section.

Separately, Brookings says a surge in ICE operations under the Trump administration has cost the U.S. an estimated 668,000 jobs across 86 metro areas since January 2025. The research points to a broad labor-market hit, not just a local one.

In the UK

At the Old Bailey, Roman Lavrynovych and Stanislav Carpiuc were found guilty over arson attacks linked to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, including a car that had previously been owned by him and property tied to his past residence. A third man, Petro Pochynok, was cleared of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.

In a separate ruling, a UK court upheld the government’s ban on a pro-Palestinian group as a terrorist organisation. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the proscription, saying supporters of the group had not understood its full nature.

And HMRC has apologized to about 1.7 million state pensioners after admitting a software error taxed them using the wrong pension figure. A quiet reminder that the machine is not, in fact, always the adult in the room.

In health

Researchers are taking a closer look at menthol and other cooling agents used in vapes after animal and lab studies suggested they may raise heart rate, blood pressure, and stress the cardiovascular system. The findings do not prove these additives cause heart disease in humans, but they do add to the list of reasons not to treat them as harmless flavoring.

On oil markets and the Strait of Hormuz

Oil prices fell and stocks rose after Donald Trump said the U.S. and Iran had reached a deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route. Brent crude slid sharply as traders bet lower energy costs could ease inflation, though the agreement still comes with a familiar modern detail, not many details.

The reported deal was also welcomed by European, Pakistani, and Qatari leaders, who described it as a step toward regional peace. Emmanuel Macron said a mission to help secure the strait’s reopening is ready, while questions remain over what the agreement means for Iran’s nuclear programme and for shipping once the headlines have done their work.

In the UK and beyond, social media age limits tighten

The UK is preparing to block TikTok, Snapchat, and other apps for teens in early 2027, as part of a broader push to keep under-16s off popular social platforms. The proposal also includes nighttime curfews for children, which is a bold new attempt to make the internet resemble bedtime.

Australia, Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia have already introduced or announced similar age-based restrictions, signaling a wider shift toward tighter controls on children’s access to social media.

In conflict

A Ukrainian drone attack in Russia’s Tula region killed three people and wounded three others, according to local reports. The strike hit the city south of Moscow.

Separately, a new study across 30 sub-Saharan African countries found conflict hits school enrollment hardest when armed groups directly target children. Using survey data from nearly 700,000 potential primary school starters, researchers found enrollment fell more sharply where child recruitment and sexual violence were reported, with girls especially affected.

In business and law

The Justice Department has closed its antitrust investigation into the proposed Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. merger, saying the deal is not likely to harm competition or consumers, including in streaming. That will come as a relief to the companies, and a mild disappointment to anyone who enjoys a merger being treated like a hostage negotiation.

In Norway, Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been found guilty of two rape charges and sentenced to four years in prison.