Headlines: 8-14 June 2026

Friday, 12 June 2026

Ebola spreads into new areas of DR Congo, including a crowded displacement camp: cases are being identified in new health zones on a near-daily basis (LINK) — 12 June 2026

Trump says Iran war deal close as Strait of Hormuz tensions linger (LINK) — 12 June 2026

IDF strikes over 300 Hezbollah sites, kills five Gaza terrorists, captures 50 suspects in West Bank (LINK) — 12 June 2026

UK court jails Palestine Action activists on 'terrorism' charges: quartet convicted on criminal damage and GBH charges, but judge insists raid on Israeli arms company was 'terrorist act' (LINK) — 12 June 2026

— Al Jazeera: Last month, four of six activists on trial were convicted of criminal damage. One of the defendants was also found guilty of striking a police officer with a sledgehammer. The group said their aim was to "dismantle drones and weaponry" they believed would be used to kill people in the Gaza Strip. Palestine Action was formally proscribed as a "terrorist" organisation in the UK last July.

South Korea court sentences ex-President Yoon to 30-year jail term over drone incursion of N. Korea in 2024 (LINK) — 12 June 2026

Putin admits Ukraine attacks hitting Russian economy, society. However, the Kremlin chief insisted that the surge in strikes will not succeed in creating division and that the economy will quickly bounce back (LINK) — 12 June 2026

— Al Jazeera: "As for the economy: they are certainly causing us damage, but we are recovering quickly," said Putin in comments carried by Russia's state-owned TASS news agency. He added that the strikes are intended to "sow confusion" in society. But he insisted that the strikes will not succeed "in either dividing society nor in causing us economic harm — at least not in the way they are aiming for".

Ukraine hits fuel supplies to Crimea, sparking a fuel crisis on the Russian-held peninsula (LINK) — 12 June 2026

Judge extends block on Trump's $1.8 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' indefinitely (LINK) — 12 June 2026

US appeals court denies last-minute request to block removal of Trump's name from Kennedy Center (LINK) — 12 June 2026

Elon Musk becomes world's first trillionaire as SpaceX soars in stock market debut (LINK) — 12 June 2026

China has arrested US scholar suspected of spying, China's foreign ministry has confirmed: U Min Zin, a director at a think tank focused on Myanmar, was arrested in early June. He allegedly disappeared while in the Chinese city of Kunming, which borders Myanmar (LINK) — 12 June 2026

Sam Bankman-Fried's conviction upheld by appeals court, days after pardon requested from President Donald Trump for the former FTX chief executive (LINK) — 12 June 2026

— Politico: Manhattan-based 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals shot down arguments from the former FTX CEO's attorneys that his 2023 trial was unfair and that his investments would have paid out scorned investors over the long term, among other claims. Bankman-Fried was found guilty by a New York jury on seven counts of fraud and conspiracy tied to the collapse of his crypto exchange, FTX, which was once one of the world's largest digital assets trading platforms. Prosecutors called Bankman-Fried's scheme one of the largest financial frauds in American history. He was later sentenced to 25 years in prison.

US Justice Department approves Paramount Skydance's acquisition of Warner Bros: deal opposed by many in the entertainment industry who fear it could lead to mass layoffs, among other concerns (LINK) — 12 June 2026

Argentina's inflation slows to 8-month low in a boost for President Milei (LINK) — 12 June 2026

'Lost Atlantis' finally found after 8,500 years: dating back to the Stone Age, it was found under the waters of Denmark's Bay of Aarhus (LINK) — 12 June 2026

Thursday, 11 June 2026

U.S. and Iran trade attacks again after Trump pledges Tehran will "pay the price" for not accepting deal (LINK) — 11 June 2026

Israel denies entry to French reporter Alice Froussard accused of supporting Palestinian militant group Hamas.FRANCE 24 journalists' association condemnss ban, Radio France Internationale slams 'obstacle to press freedom'. (LINK) — 11 June 2026

Ukraine war now longer than the first world war — the similarities are unsettling (LINK) — 11 June 2026

Hungary announces major deal with Ukraine, a former enemy: paves the way for Ukraine to start EU accession talks (LINK) — 11 June 2026

— Under the new agreement Ukraine will enable the use of minority languages in public administration. This will lead to bilingual signs for place names or on government buildings. The use of minority languages will be permitted in public institutions if a minority constitutes over 10% of the local population. This is a requirement for EU membership, however, and not the result of a "historic negotiation" by Magyar.

Brazil reports drop in Amazon deforestation rates, pushing back on US tariff accusations (LINK) — 11 June 2026

El Niño now under way, threatens weather extremes, US scientists say: BBC: the three strongest events since 1950 have been in 1982/83, 1997/98 and 2015/16 (LINK) — 11 June 2026

G7 summit under tight security on both sides of Lake Geneva: demonstration to be held Sunday in Geneva serving as first test (LINK) — 11 June 2026

Dominican Republic pushes for tax increases to offset surge in oil prices (LINK) — 11 June 2026

— The proposals include a 30% income tax hike for three years on companies in the Caribbean country that earn more than $17 million a year, a $10 increase on airline tickets and additional taxes on casinos, gambling and electronic cigarettes.

Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha dies at 47 after more than three years in coma, palace officials say (LINK) — 11 June 2026

Wednesday, 10 June 2026

Kuwait closes airspace, Israel warns of launches from Lebanon after U.S strikes in Iran (LINK) — 10 June 2026

U.S. conducts retaliatory strikes after Trump says Iran shot down Apache helicopter (LINK) — 10 June 2026

Amnesty accuses Israel's government of 'ethnic cleansing' of Palestinians from the West Bank (LINK) — 10 June 2026

Ebola cases in DRC surpass 600 as officials report struggles with community outreach: Health officials are following 5,681 contacts, but only 56% have been reached (LINK) — 10 June 2026

UN rights chief urges 'massive rethink' of US immigration policies ahead of World Cup (LINK) — 10 June 2026

Hungary makes major deal with Ukraine, its former enemy: about rights for a Hungarian minority in Ukraine. It paves the way for Ukraine to start EU accession talks (LINK) — 10 June 2026

Hate speech spreading 'faster than ever', warns UN chief as global action plan is revealed (LINK) — 10 June 2026

Trump family scores massive payday as company falls apart (LINK) — 10 June 2026

— Daily Beast: ALT5 Sigma, now known as AI Financial Corp., teamed up with the Trump family's World Liberty Financial last August in a deal that the president's sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, celebrated with cheery photos at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York. Under the deal, ALT5 acquired $1.5 billion in crypto tokens from World Liberty Financial. In turn, President Donald Trump and undisclosed members of his family were entitled to a staggering $500 million in proceeds from the sale, according to WLF disclosures first reported by CNBC. Now, according to CNBC, AI Financial Corp faces delisting from Nasdaq in the next two weeks if it cannot raise its price [which represents] a loss of more than 90 percent.

King Felipe, Queen Letizia and Pope Leo XIV celebrate Sagrada Família's completion of the world's tallest church tower (172.5m/566 feet) in Barcelona after 144 years: marking the centenary of Antoni Gaudí's death: over four decades, the Catalan architect devoted his life to the project (LINK) — 10 June 2026

After Healey exit, armed forces minister quits as defence funding row deepens in a dispute with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (LINK) — 10 June 2026

US President Donald Trump has named Jay Clayton, the top federal prosecutor in New York, to be the nation's most senior spy chief, after lawmakers in Congress objected to his previous choice due to lack of relevant experience: Outgoing Director Tulsi Gabbard's last day is 30 June (LINK) — 10 June 2026

Gunmen kill 12 in Johannesburg settlement attack (LINK) — 10s June 2026

— AfricaNews: As investigators work to establish the motive for the attack, Gauteng province's top cop visited this latest scene of a deadly mass shooting in the East Rand region. Gauteng Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni said it was too early to say if the incident was related to illegal mining in the area.

Police blast water cannons at protesters amid unrest over stabbing in Belfast (LINK) — 10 June 2026

Northern Ireland: Knife attack victim's family calls for calm after anti-immigrant violence in Belfast (LINK) — 10 June 2026

Scientists may have severely miscalculated how many humans are on Earth: we might be vastly underrepresenting rural areas (LINK) — 10 June 2026

Gold hit a new low for 2026 (LINK) — 10 June 2026

Heather Cox Richardson: US inflation: fuel oil [is] up 59% and gasoline up 41% over their costs last year. (LINK) — 10 June 2026

NASA addresses criticism over all-male crew selected for Artemis III test mission next year: NASA's crew selection process "does not involve any political appointees," an explanation likely intended to assuage questions about whether the Trump administration had any influence over the decision. (LINK) — 10 June 2026

— NBC: It is possible that NASA is saving its most experienced female astronauts for the Artemis IV mission to the moon, but that crew has not yet been announced. The agency has no shortage of female astronauts. Out of NASA's 37 active astronauts eligible for flight assignments, 15 are women. Last year, when NASA announced its newest class of 10 astronaut candidates, the majority were women for the first time in history.

Bill Gates testifies: meeting Epstein a 'grave error in judgment' but 'never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct'. 'While he may have sought to foster a personal relationship, I was never interested in that and never reciprocated' (LINK) — 10 June 2026

New York Times: Bill Gates says Epstein tried to use his extramarital affairs against him — (LINK)

Indian-origin businessman arrested over $100 million bank fraud scheme in California; threatened to 'kill' employees if they disobeyed (LINK) — 10 June 2026

Woman who lost both legs during Bahamas excursion sues Carnival Cruise Line: she suffered severe injuries during a catamaran excursion near Pearl Island (LINK) — 10 June 2026

— The complaint alleges Hannah Smith, a recent graduate, was directed by excursion staff to enter the water after she said she needed to use a restroom while returning from the island. The lawsuit further claims employees provided alcohol throughout the excursion and supplied marijuana before the incident. According to the filing, crew members failed to properly anchor the vessel and instead used its engines to maintain position while passengers entered the water. Smith alleges she was pulled beneath the boat and struck by a propeller, resulting in injuries that required the amputation of both legs. Carnival has asked the court to dismiss the claims against the cruise line, arguing that the excursion operator was an independent contractor and not under Carnival's direct control. Smith's attorneys contend Carnival marketed and sold the excursion to passengers and should bear responsibility for ensuring reasonable safety standards.

Tuesday, 9 June 2026

Israel launches new Lebanon strikes even as Trump insists Iran deal coming soon, 5 killed and 8 wounded in Tyre on Monday (LINK) — 9 June 2026

Israel puts Palestinian doctor in solitary confinement after 17 months held without charge (LINK) — 9 June 2026

Congo's Ebola outbreak rises to 100 deaths out of 550 cases after a month (LINK) — 9 June 2026

— Attacks on health workers from angry residents, skepticism among some locals and armed conflict in hot spots continue to challenge efforts to stop the outbreak declared on May 15, which has been caused by a severe form of Ebola disease.

Ebola cases 'increased rapidly' since late May, WHO says — (LINK)

— Over 5,000 people have been identified as contacts due to exposure from someone who was infected. Contact tracing efforts continue to be underway. At least 16 of the infections reported so far were identified in health care workers. While the WHO assesses the risk of transmission in the Congo as "very high" and "high" in bordering countries, the risk to the rest of Africa and the world is "low".

Russian attacks kill 5 in Ukraine overnight as Zelenskyy speaks with Witkoff and Kushner on Monday, praises US attempts to 'reinvigorate diplomacy' (LINK) — 9 June 2026

EU proposes entry ban on Russians who fought in Ukraine (LINK) — 9 June 2026

US: House passes $70B bill to fund immigration enforcement for 3 years (LINK) — 9 June 2026

US: Far-right influencer Jake Lang, pardoned for Jan. 6 Capitol riot, arrested in Texas on charge of making terroristic threats (LINK) — 9 June 2026

Senate panel approves Department of War name change: could become law this year (LINK) — 9 June 2026

Reports show Trump family cashing in big on World Soccer Cup, WH UFC event (LINK) — 9 June 2026

Trump family reportedly made about $2.3 billion on crypto while investors lost about $2.3 billion on Trump-related crypto (LINK) — 9 June 2026

Epstein file contains claim of "underage sex parties" on Trump golf course (LINK) — 9 June 2026

Pregnant Indianapolis mom, 30, found murdered in in a small village in the state of Chiapas, southern Mexico, her 7 missing kids found safe: police arrested their father. Local authorities told her family she was raped and beaten to death (LINK) — 9 June 2026

World's 65 biggest banks pumped $906 billion into fossil fuels in 2025 (LINK) — 9 June 2026

Swiss Sustainable Investments Market Study 2026: sustainable investments are holding their ground: "greatest financial impacts relating to nature-related risks are now attributed to extreme weather events" (LINK) — 9 June 2026

The most peaceful places in the world to travel to right now: of the 163 countries on the Global Peace Index, 99 deteriorated in peacefulness and 62 improved. There are now 119 countries that are less peaceful than they were in 2008 (LINK) — 9 June 2026

— Euronews: Iceland remains the most peaceful country in the world for the 19th year running. In 2026, New Zealand has risen one place to second globally. Switzerland comes in third globally, while Slovenia rose two places to fourth. Russia is the least peaceful country, with Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ukraine, and Israel completing the bottom five.

Politico: The White House is digging in on tariff refunds: the administration has processed more than half the $166 billion it illegally collected but is resisting paying back billions more (LINK) — 9 June 2026

Sea ice loss in the Arctic has triggered a critical tipping point that's destroying the food chain (LINK) — 8 June 2026

— Researchers say the Arctic Ocean crossed a biological tipping point in 2009, when nitrate levels in the water suddenly started dropping due to a drastic reduction in sea ice extent.

An unexpected breakthrough: a high school student's AI uncovers 1.5 million previously invisible cosmic phenomena (LINK) — 9 June 2026

Monday, 8 June 2026

U.S. crew saved in first-ever sea drone rescue after Apache helicopter crash near Strait of Hormuz (LINK) — 8 June 2026

Iran and Israel say they have halted strikes, after US President Donald Trump called on Iran and Israel to stop shooting, but leave door open to resume (LINK) — 8 June 2026

Israel hits Iran with air strikes after Tehran fires missiles at northern Israel: the first time Iran and Israel have launched attacks at each other's territory since the ceasefire came into force two months ago (LINK) — 8 June 2026

7.8 magnitude quake in the southern Philippines kills at least 32, collapses buildings and triggers tsunami (LINK) — 8 June 2026

UN: Afghanistan faces 'lost generation of talent and potential', Security Council hearsline (LINK) — 8 June 2026

ICC chief prosecutor suspended pending decision by oversight body on sexual misconduct allegations (LINK) — 8 June 2026

AI stocks recover some of last week's sell-off, while oil prices come off their overnight highs (LINK) — 8 June 2026

Motley Fool: Strategy stock is down 75%: has billionaire Michael Saylor's Bitcoin Treasury experiment failed? (LINK) — 8 June 2026