Vote counting begins in high-stakes UK by-election
Ballots are being counted in the UK’s closely watched Makerfield by-election.
Star-studded opening for Obama library in Chicago delivers implied rebuke to Trump
Musical stars and retired politicians from less polarised era seeming antidote to cage fights on White House lawn
The Barack Obama presidential center opened in Chicago on Thursday after more than a decade in the making amid a musical fanfare and paeans to democratic principles that evoked a previous age, all while delivering an implied rebuke to Donald Trump.
Featuring appearances by a cast of musical stars and retired politicians from a less polarised era, it was a seemingly perfect antidote to the crass spectacle of cage fights on the White House lawn.
Continue reading...Ukraine pummels Russian capital with what may be largest drone strike yet on Moscow – The Washington Post
- Ukraine pummels Russian capital with what may be largest drone strike yet on Moscow The Washington Post
- Massive blasts in Moscow shatter even Putin’s protective shell CNN
- Ukraine Strikes Moscow Refinery in Large-Scale Drone Attack The New York Times
- Moscow residents complain of black rain after largest Ukrainian attack hits oil refinery BBC
- Zelenskiy says 'Moscow will burn' if Russian strikes continue Reuters
US judge orders release of Palestinian rights advocate detained by ICE
Mosque leader says he was arrested and detained by immigration authorities for his Palestine advocacy.
Iran Update Special Report, June 18, 2026 – Institute for the Study of War
- Iran Update Special Report, June 18, 2026 Institute for the Study of War
- Iran Update Special Report, June 16, 2026 Institute for the Study of War
- Iran, US-Israel War Live Updates | 'Iran is finished': Trump as first day of talks cancelled Deccan Herald
- Iran War: Suez or Saigon? providencemag.com
- Live Coverage of the Iran–U.S.–Israel Conflict / June 18 WANA News Agency
Mangione lawyers abandon psychiatric defense over health CEO’s killing
Legal team of alleged gunman, 28, reverses position on ‘extreme emotional disturbance’ defense after one day
In a stunning reversal, Luigi Mangione’s legal team said on Thursday they would no longer pursue a psychiatric defense in his upcoming state trial over the killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Just one day earlier, Mangione’s lawyers told Judge Gregory Carro they would pursue a defense claiming the 28-year-old was suffering an “extreme emotional disturbance” at the time of Thompson’s killing on 4 December 2024.
Continue reading...How Ukraine’s new drone tactics are causing chaos in Russia after largest-ever attack on Moscow – The Independent
- How Ukraine’s new drone tactics are causing chaos in Russia after largest-ever attack on Moscow The Independent
- How Ukraine broke through Russia’s air defenses CNN
- A Ukrainian drone team hitting targets deep inside Russia NPR
- How Ukraine Uses A.I. to Knock Deadly Russian Drones Out of the Skies The New York Times
- How Ukraine is breaking through defences to bring war home to Moscow Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Switzerland beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1, top Group B in World Cup
All five goals were scored in the final 30 minutes as the match in Los Angeles erupted to life in the closing stages.
Mamdani gives New York Knicks keys to city after NBA title
The New York Knicks celebrated their first NBA title in 53 years with a frenzied ticker-tape parade through Manhattan.
Iran announces plans to bring in maritime fees for strait of Hormuz
As US lifts its blockade, Tehran says fees to cover cost of managing waterway will come into effect at end of 60-day negotiation period
Iran has announced plans to introduce a system of maritime fees in the strait of Hormuz in two months, after the 60-day period of negotiation that has been triggered by the signing of the memorandum of understanding.
Tehran, claiming a historic victory over the US, said the strait was under its control and a European plan for a naval mission to escort ships though the strait would not be welcome. The US on Thursday lifted its blockade of Iran, and oil tankers began freely moving through the critical channel.
Continue reading...Thirty-five killed as gunmen attack Niger’s biggest airport
Niger has been fighting a militant Islamist insurgency for a decade and in January suspected jihadists attacked the same airport.
Trump from ‘hunted’ to ‘hunter’: New book details Trump’s push to test the limits of executive power – AP News
Are prices really dropping in the US, as Trump claims?
Donald Trump boasts on social media that since signing of MoU for peace deal, oil is flowing and prices are dropping.
Cuba’s Communist Party approves opening economy in unprecedented move
The emergency economic package comes amid an ongoing US pressure campaign that has left the island nation reeling.
As China looms, Taiwan makes more drones for defense and the US military – Ars Technica
- As China looms, Taiwan makes more drones for defense and the US military Ars Technica
- Inspired by Ukraine, and worried by China: Taiwan teaches its citizens how to fly drones The Guardian
- DEFENSE Taiwan to establish offshore drone battalion for early threat response Focus Taiwan
- Taiwan president says he 'won't give up' on defence spending after parliament cuts Reuters
- Hsiao urges cross-party support for NT$210 billion drone defense budget Taiwan News
Myanmar military airstrike kills seven civilians in Rakhine state
A Myanmar military airstrike on the Rakhine state town of Kyauktaw killed at least seven civilians.
Brazil executes warrant against Lula ally in widening financial scandal
Left-wing Senator Jaques Wagner was the latest prominent figure to be swept up in investigations into Banco Master.
Conjoined twins separated after surgery in Saudi Arabia
Filipino conjoined twins Olivia and Gianna were successfully separated during a six-hour surgery in Saudi Arabia.
Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon kill three despite US-Iran deal – Al Jazeera
- Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon kill three despite US-Iran deal Al Jazeera
- Israel launches fresh strikes on Lebanon despite Trump criticism BBC
- Israel Strikes Beirut Outskirts as Fighting With Hezbollah Escalates The New York Times
- Report: One dead, another critically hurt in Israeli drone strike in south Lebanon The Times of Israel
- Israeli drone strikes kill at least 4 in southern Lebanon Reuters
Burnham brings in top economists before possible leadership run
Labour mayor giving advisory roles to ex-Bank of England economist and others seen as attempt to reassure markets
Three economic heavyweights have been brought in to advise Andy Burnham as he attempts to reassure the markets before his possible return to parliament on Friday and challenge to Keir Starmer.
Burnham is understood to be getting advice from Andy Haldane, a former Bank of England chief economist, as well as Richard Hughes, a former chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility and Jim O’Neill, a crossbench peer and former Treasury minister who worked on George Osborne’s “Northern Powerhouse”.
Continue reading...