Iniaes

In U.S. news

A 63-year-old Oklahoma man has been charged with threatening to murder Senate Majority Leader John Thune and members of his family. Separately, House Republicans split from Donald Trump again and joined Democrats to approve Ukraine aid, with about 18 GOP lawmakers backing the measure. The party discipline remains, as ever, highly aspirational.

U.S. authorities are also moving to contain a confirmed case of New World screwworm in a South Texas calf. The parasite is rare, but it can destroy living tissue, so this one has drawn urgent attention from animal health officials.

Lawmakers are pressing the Pentagon after saying foreign adversaries bought commercial location data tied to U.S. troops, including personnel in the Middle East. They say personal devices were allowed in operational areas without geolocation being turned off, and that the department has not moved fast enough to close the gap.

In world news

Marjane Satrapi, the Iranian-French graphic novelist, filmmaker, and human rights activist best known for Persepolis, has died in Paris at 56. Her work turned a childhood under Iran’s Islamic Revolution into one of the defining books about resilience, repression, and freedom.

The World Meteorological Organization says there is an 80 percent chance El Niño forms before September and a 90 percent chance before November, warning of hotter global temperatures and more extreme weather. The agency says India could face more heat, China heavier rain, and agriculture across southeast Asia could take a hit.

In South Korea and regional diplomacy

South Korea’s election watchdog says it will investigate an unprecedented shortage of ballot papers that delayed formal confirmation of Seoul’s mayoral result, even after Oh Se-hoon’s comeback win secured him a fifth term. That result also leaves him better placed as a possible presidential contender, which is a useful reminder that elections can end and still not quite be over.

Separately, South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young has proposed reviving four-way talks involving North Korea, the United States and China, while Egypt’s foreign minister said dialogue, not military pressure, is the only viable path on North Korea’s nuclear issue. The diplomatic appetite is there, which is more than can be said for the actual negotiations.

In Britain

A parliamentary spending watchdog says control of the asylum system is “all but lost,” warning that the Home Office cannot show it is properly managing accommodation and does not know the whereabouts of some failed asylum seekers. MPs want a full overhaul, clearer deportation timeframes, and a plan to tackle illegal working, along with the employers who keep hiring it.

In a separate review, a public spending watchdog is also examining property arrangements involving royals, including Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, with questions around Royal Lodge cottages and subletting.

In security and infrastructure

Australia, the UK and the US have announced new steps to protect undersea cables and pipelines from sabotage, including autonomous submarine drones and stronger reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare. The move reflects just how exposed those networks have become, since undersea cables carry more than 95 percent of the world’s intercontinental telecom data and an increasing share of electricity.

In health and public safety

A parliamentary and health service ombudsman report says a five-year-old girl was left bleeding, in severe pain, and traumatized after a physician associate at a GP practice in the East Midlands wrongly prescribed a vaginal pessary. The report says there were multiple failures in her care after she was seen for itching and vaginal discharge, which is as grim as it sounds.

In brief

The family of American college student James Weston Higginbotham is asking for public help after he went missing in Japan, and a Rhode Island judge has temporarily barred a YouTuber from trespassing at the Burrillville home known as “The Conjuring” house.

In Philadelphia

Fifty-two Philadelphia schools will switch to virtual learning on Friday because extreme heat is forecast. The district is trying to avoid putting students and staff through a full day of class in conditions that would make a classroom feel more like a slow-cooked administrative decision.

In the war in Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has again called for direct face-to-face talks with Vladimir Putin, saying only a meeting between the two leaders can produce an agreement on territory and help end the war. It is still unclear whether Moscow is interested in that kind of negotiation, or in keeping the rest of the world guessing.

In the Middle East

The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran’s nuclear program has not changed significantly since the war began, according to its first report on the issue since the U.S.-Israeli conflict in Iran more than three months ago. Reuters reviewed the confidential report before it was presented to the agency’s board.

In Washington

Six Republican senators joined Democrats in an effort to block President Trump’s 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom project unless Congress signs off first. The proposal would also bar the use of federal money or private donations for the build, a small reminder that even a ballroom can become a constitutional argument.

Separately, six Democratic senators pressed tobacco companies for details about their contacts with the Trump administration after the FDA eased restrictions on vapes. The agency recently authorized four flavored vaping products and issued new guidance that has drawn fresh scrutiny.

In Australia

Ahmed al Ahmed, the Sydney shop owner praised for tackling one of the Bondi Beach gunmen during last December’s mass shooting, has been charged with common assault under domestic violence laws, along with stalking and intimidation allegations. Australian media say the charges relate to an incident involving his father in March. Ahmed denies the accusations and is due in court on June 29.

In science and public health

A new study in Science says wildfire smoke has reversed progress on U.S. ozone air quality since 2015. The research finds that recent fires have pushed pollution in the wrong direction and added to a growing public health problem.

In sports

England seized control of the first Test against New Zealand after Ollie Robinson took three wickets in one over and finished with four on a rain-hit opening day. New Zealand were reduced to 61 for 6, with 16 wickets falling in just 60 overs. Meanwhile, Poland’s Maja Chwalińska made history by beating Diana Shnaider to reach the French Open final after a run through qualifying.

In Washington

President Donald Trump says he will nominate Todd Blanche as permanent attorney general, two months after firing Pam Bondi. In the same political orbit, Trump called four Republicans “unpatriotic” after they joined Democrats on a House resolution aimed at limiting his approach to Iran.

Separately, multiple outlets report that John Bolton is expected to plead guilty to one count of illegally retaining sensitive national security documents and to pay more than $2 million in fines.

House Democrats also added four candidates to their Red to Blue challenger program, part of their effort to target Republican-held districts in next year’s midterms.

In crime and public safety

In Norristown, Pennsylvania, investigators say publicly posted videos from a fatal shooting scene helped lead to the arrest of a teenager. Prosecutors said the clips showed several juveniles running away after the shot was fired.

In New Hampshire, an 18-year-old man pleaded guilty to reckless second-degree murder in the shooting death of 17-year-old Christian Walker outside a Walmart in Keene. Prosecutors said he fired from his car after seeing Walker with his ex-girlfriend, and Walker later died at a hospital.

In Indiana, Rebecca Dewey has been charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death after police said her husband died in their Terre Haute home in January. Investigators say he had dementia, multiple strokes, malnutrition and skin breakdown, and that cellphone data placed Dewey away from home much of the time.

An autopsy in Washington state says Matt Brown, the former Alaskan Bush People star, died by suicide last month. The report says he suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was later found in a river.

In business and markets

Portuguese utility EDP says it is still pouring money into U.S. renewables despite the Trump administration’s rollback of some wind projects and tax credits. The company says it plans to spend $5.3 billion over the next three years on solar, battery storage and related projects, mostly tied to long-term contracts with Big Tech customers like Meta. Data center demand, it says, is the bottleneck.

Separately, the Russell 2000 is outpacing the S&P 500 this year, up 17.7% through late May 2026 versus 9.9% for the S&P. The catch is that about 40% of the index’s companies are not earning money.

In science and the sky

Several coronal mass ejections could hit Earth today, creating conditions that may make the northern lights visible in parts of the United States.

In the Middle East

Israel says it will keep ground operations in southern Lebanon and will not let residents return, despite the U.S.-brokered cease-fire announcement. Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah also continued on the ground. Separately, a Serbian UN peacekeeper died after a projectile struck a UN base in Lebanon.

In the U.S.

Authorities in Sacramento say a California man has been charged after bringing an explosive device and other weapons through an airport security checkpoint. In Pennsylvania, police say a person of interest is in custody after a fatal shooting in Norristown, and investigators do not believe the case was random.

The Social Security Administration says the retirement trust fund could run dry by 2032, which could trigger an average monthly cut of about $500 if nothing changes. In Washington, former Trump official Amaryllis Fox Kennedy says she resigned over what she saw as a lack of oversight of CIA spending.

In business

Bitcoin has fallen to about $61,000, its lowest level since February, after a drop of more than 25% this month. Long-term holders have been selling, and U.S. crypto regulation is still stuck between ambition and gridlock.

Uber says it is cutting 23% of its People and Places division, its human resources and workplace operations arm. The company denies the layoffs were driven by AI, even as it keeps warning that automation is reshaping work across tech.

In India

The monsoon has reached Kerala three days later than expected, but still in time to support India’s harvests. That matters well beyond farming, since the rains help drive a large share of the country’s economic activity.

In the UK

Residents in Port Talbot were told to keep windows and doors closed after a major fire broke out at Tata Steel, with crews still working to bring it under control.

The NHS is also moving to restrict political symbols on uniforms after a government-ordered review found Jewish patients and staff face routine ostracism in parts of the health service. The report says some patients hide their identity, and some staff feel they have to suffer in silence.

In Asia

South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party won a strong showing in local elections and parliamentary by-elections, while the opposition kept hold of Seoul’s mayoralty. So, a landslide with one fairly important exception.

In Indonesia, the deputy minister for immigration affairs has been arrested after about 10 hours of questioning as part of a corruption crackdown.

In Europe

Germany failed to secure the 127 votes needed for a seat on the UN Security Council, a result that has prompted questions about its global influence.

In the Middle East

Tehran says nuclear talks have made no progress, while Israel carried out drone strikes on Lebanon after agreeing to renew the ceasefire. Iran also defended attacks on Gulf nations.

In business and industry

SpaceX says it is now valued at $1.75 trillion and is pushing toward what it says would be the largest stock market debut. The company has also set a target share price sooner than expected, which is a remarkably relaxed way to describe a record-sized listing.

Separately, the EU is moving to block funding for clean energy projects that use solar and battery inverters from so-called high-risk countries, mainly China. The policy could shift contracts toward European suppliers, while also nudging costs higher.

In tech and security

Researchers at the University of Toronto say a free open-weight AI model was used to build a self-replicating worm in an isolated enterprise test network. It targeted known unpatched vulnerabilities, adapted at runtime, and managed to spread across multiple hosts, a useful reminder that cheap tools can still do expensive damage.

In Washington

President Trump was declared in excellent health after his latest annual physical, though doctors and medical experts said the White House report left out important details. On Capitol Hill, the House passed a measure to limit Trump’s war powers over Iran in a 215 to 208 vote, with four Republicans joining Democrats after three earlier failures.

Lawmakers are also pressing for answers after a report that a White House official helped secure a $620 million Pentagon loan for a company linked to Donald Trump Jr. Democrats are calling for a full explanation and hinting that the public should not simply take “trust us” as a governance model.

Separately, advocates warned that Trump’s 7,100 Social Security job cuts could slow disability benefit applications, leaving millions of Americans facing even longer waits in a system that already moves at the speed of a filing cabinet.

In security and foreign affairs

Russia has sanctioned 17-year-old Alexander Browder, the son of Kremlin critic Bill Browder, after he published a report on an alleged Russia-backed crypto money laundering network tied to sanctions evasion and the war in Ukraine. Moscow also added four other British nationals to its sanctions list, while the UK said Russia was not going to sidestep sanctions through shadow financial systems by declaring victory in the paperwork department.

The Trump administration says Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a ceasefire to end hostilities, as Washington pushes to clear the way for a broader deal on Iran. The U.S. says the arrangement depends on a complete halt in fire from Hezbollah and the removal of its operatives from southern Lebanon.

MI5 says Chinese intelligence services are using job boards like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Upwork to target civil servants, military staff, and others with access to sensitive information. The warning says recruiters pose as think tanks or private firms, then shift chats to encrypted apps and probe for non-public details.

The Army also identified Sgt. Devin A. Seibel, 26, as the U.S. soldier killed in a training-related incident at Erbil Airbase in Iraq. A British Army soldier also died in the accident.

In business

SpaceX says it plans to sell shares at $135 each in an initial public offering that could raise about $75 billion, at a valuation of roughly $1.77 trillion. That is a very normal number for a rocket company, if you happen to live in a spreadsheet.

In the Middle East

Israel and Lebanon have renewed their ceasefire after US-brokered talks, even as fighting with Hezbollah has intensified in recent weeks. The next question is whether that pause in violence has any spillover into the stalled US-Iran talks.

In business and tech

SpaceX is reportedly moving toward an initial public offering that could raise $75 billion, a figure that would make even the usual market hype machine sit up and check the math. The company has also set a target valuation of $1.75 trillion as it edges closer to a stock market debut.

Separately, major AI companies are pressing Congress for federal rules after Trump’s new order on advanced AI, arguing that a national framework should replace the current patchwork of state and local laws. With elections approaching and lawmakers already divided, the odds of a clean industry win look limited.

In finance

South Korea’s five biggest banks are dealing with more than 1 trillion won, or $716 million, in overdue loans, raising concerns about loan-loss provisions and asset quality. Harim Group, meanwhile, reported affiliate transactions totaling $938 million, with some unlisted units relying heavily on internal sales.

In health and law

A breakthrough ovarian cancer drug is being credited with giving patients more time and a better quality of life, according to women taking the treatment.

In Pakistan, an appellate court has upheld the death sentences of two men convicted in the gang rape of a French tourist near the Sialkot-Lahore motorway, closing a case that triggered nationwide protests over victim-blaming and weak protections for survivors.

In U.S. politics and institutions

The House has passed a measure directing President Trump to withdraw US troops from Iran. At the same time, the Trump administration has given a man convicted in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot a job in the Pentagon’s policy office.

In Britain and Ireland

British Airways has suspended four cabin crew members after an alleged drunken incident at a Belfast hotel following a London-to-Belfast flight. The airline says it is investigating and sent replacement crew to cover the return service.

In U.S. news

A Frontier Airlines flight to Chicago was diverted to Miami after police say a passenger tried to open an emergency exit door, attempted to get into the cockpit, and then choked an off-duty flight attendant. The plane landed in Miami because of the incident.

In Monterey Park, California, residents voted on a permanent ban on data centers, with early results showing strong support. If confirmed, it would make the city the first in the U.S. to do that through a ballot measure.

In politics

At a congressional hearing, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he had never seen President Trump fall asleep in a meeting. Representative Ted Lieu answered by showing video from a cabinet meeting.

Sen. Bernie Sanders responded to fresh criticism of Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner by saying, “I’m sure he’s not a saint.” Platner is already under scrutiny over controversial social media posts and a tattoo some say resembles Nazi insignia, and now reports say he sent sexual messages to women who were not his wife.

In business and property

Prince William has put a 600-acre farm near Ledbury in Herefordshire on the market for £6.65 million, as part of a wider plan to sell 20 percent of the Duchy of Cornwall’s property holdings over the next decade. The money is meant to help fund a £500 million programme for affordable housing and environmental projects.

Bill Ackman plans to sell his remaining stake in Universal Music Group, ending his five-year run with the company after his takeover bid failed.

In international conflict

In Tyre, an Israeli strike damaged buildings near Jabal Aamel Hospital, putting key medical services at risk and leaving the youngest patient there in danger. The hospital was heavily affected by the blast nearby.

In Italy, four farm workers were burned to death in an area where tensions around migrant labor are already high. Italian media also report a series of arson attacks on vehicles carrying Pakistani workers in the same region.

In tech and business

Britain has tightened protections for publishers over Google’s AI Overviews, aiming to curb how the feature uses publisher content in Great Britain.

OpenAI chief Sam Altman is due to meet lawmakers and White House officials in Washington this week, including people involved in President Trump’s latest order on government AI testing. Meanwhile, AI music platform Suno says it has raised $400 million at a $5.4 billion valuation.

In Europe and trade

The EU is preparing to increase pressure on Chinese industrial overcapacity in the bloc, even as Beijing threatens retaliation. The EU trade chief is set to meet China’s envoy as the dispute escalates.

Turkey’s foreign minister and Indonesia’s president also discussed expanding their $10 billion trade target, with cooperation on defence, energy, transportation and halal food among the areas on the table.

In politics and public order

UK ministers have condemned violent protests that followed the killing of student Henry Nowak. The case has also been pulled into the usual swirl of online claims about policing, including the familiar “two-tier” theory that some people never tire of repeating.

In the United States, Senate Majority Leader John Thune says Republicans may have enough votes to advance a $72 billion budget reconciliation bill on Wednesday, setting up an amendment marathon that could run into Thursday morning. Separately, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is headed to a November runoff, while the president’s preferred candidate for governor lost in Iowa.

In public safety and the courts

FBI agents fatally shot a suspected hostage-taker in Bakersfield, California, ending a 12-hour standoff. Police said the man was holding hostages inside a building that houses a bank branch and a school district office.

In Britain, a former police constable says she has gone into hiding after being falsely identified online as one of the officers involved in Henry Nowak’s arrest. She says social media and AI platforms spread the claim, putting her at risk.

In science and the environment

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have developed a 3D-printable, yeast-based material that could be used in architectural and interior design. It is intended as a bio-based alternative to fossil-based or non-renewable materials for screens, partitions and wall systems.

Scientists are also warning that deep-sea mining could permanently damage fragile marine ecosystems, especially in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific, a vast abyssal plain rich in polymetallic nodules.