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The article profiles Maura Finkelstein, a tenured anthropology professor at Muhlenberg College, who was fired in 2024 after reposting an Instagram story that critics said discriminated against Zionists. Her social media posts opposing Zionism amid the Gaza war drew complaints, a federal civil-rights investigation, and a campus probe; she was suspended from teaching and ultimately dismissed with cause, bypassing traditional faculty governance. The piece situates her case within a broader clampdown on academic speech, especially around Israel-Palestine, and argues that political pressures, government actions, and administrative risk-aversion are eroding tenure and academic freedom. It traces the contested history of academic freedom in the U.S., warning that Finkelstein’s firing may signal a new era in which faculty speech—online and off—faces heightened surveillance and sanction, with profound implications for university autonomy and democratic debate.

The FBI under Director Kash Patel and deputy Dan Bongino has forced out or penalized several senior agents seen as out of step with Trump-aligned conservatives, escalating accusations of politicization and retaliation. Michael Feinberg, a top Norfolk deputy, resigned after being threatened with demotion and a polygraph over his friendship with Trump critic and ex-agent Peter Strzok; he called the bureau “decayed” and said he’d violated no policies. Stanley Meador, who led the Richmond office, is being pushed out over a 2023 memo on “radical-traditionalist” Catholics that an internal review found improper but not malicious; Republicans allege anti-Catholic bias. Spencer Evans, former human resources deputy and later Las Vegas chief, is being reassigned to Huntsville, Ala., after angering Trump supporters over vaccine exemption decisions. The moves add to widespread transfers and ousters as Patel and Bongino seek to “remake” the bureau, drawing criticism they are weaponizing it to appease Trump’s base; the FBI declined comment.

A Chinese businessman, He Tianying, who serves on a local committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference—a body tied to the Communist Party’s United Front system—secured V.I.P. access to a Trump-hosted crypto dinner and a White House tour by buying $3.7 million of Trump’s memecoin, $TRUMP. The event, organized by Trump’s business partner Bill Zanker and tied to a contest rewarding top coin purchasers, offered proximity to the president despite the administration’s hardline stance on Chinese nationals with party links. The episode highlights ethical and security concerns over monetizing presidential access, blurred lines between Trump’s private ventures and official settings, and apparent gaps in vetting. The White House called it a private event and said Trump wasn’t informed of attendees’ backgrounds; a senior official acknowledged the optics were “unfortunate.”

Senator Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, says he will apply the “Vance precedent” to President Trump’s U.S. attorney nominees, slowing confirmations unless Republicans make concessions. He cites then-Senator J.D. Vance’s 2023 blanket hold on Justice Department nominees as justification. Traditionally expedited, U.S. attorney picks have become partisan flashpoints, with Democrats also using blue slips and holds to block some nominees. Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley rejects the idea that one senator’s past tactics set precedent and warns that forcing votes on all 93 U.S. attorneys would consume extensive Senate time. Both Grassley and Durbin say they want a bipartisan resolution, but tensions and broader tit-for-tat obstruction persist.

At Sean “Diddy” Combs’s federal trial in New York, a woman identified as Jane testified that from 2021 to 2024 their relationship devolved into drug-fueled “hotel nights” in which she was pressured to have sex with male escorts while Combs watched, directed, and recorded. She said Combs discouraged condom use despite her requests, supplied or procured drugs, and at times asked her to transport Ecstasy. Jane described sessions lasting up to three days, multiple instances of illness and infections, and feeling coerced by Combs’s financial support, including $10,000-a-month rent and cosmetic dental work. Texts shown to jurors documented her distress and attempts to stop the encounters. The testimony echoed allegations by Casandra “Cassie” Ventura. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty; his defense argues Jane participated willingly. Prosecutors have suggested members of Combs’s staff were part of the racketeering conspiracy.

The article is an interactive weekly “Flashback” history quiz from The New York Times that challenges readers to place eight notable events in chronological order. It also promotes related Upshot features on education gaps for boys, a vaccination outbreak simulation, consumer interest rates, padded airline schedules, and a dialect quiz.

The piece profiles Nathaniel S. Butler, the N.B.A.’s lead photographer, as he works his 39th Finals, tracing his four-decade career from shooting St. John’s games in the 1980s to capturing many of basketball’s most iconic images. Players like Jayson Tatum praise his longevity and trust. Butler reflects on signature photos—Bill Russell posing with 11 rings, Kobe Bryant’s solitary shower moment in 2001, Magic Johnson’s 1987 sky hook, LeBron James’s 2016 chase-down block, Michael Jordan’s soaring 1987 dunk, and Ray Allen’s season-saving 2013 three—explaining how access, timing, experience, and evolving technology (from film to digital, remote rigs, and instant upload) shaped them. He emphasizes context, restraint, and luck, showing how his craft evolved while preserving the emotion and narrative of the game’s biggest moments.

South Korea swore in President Lee Jae-myung after the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol, prompting relief but also anxiety over deep national divisions and economic woes. Lee, backed by a dominant Democratic Party majority, pledged unity and democratic restoration while vowing to hold Yoon and allies accountable—an approach critics say contradicts reconciliation and risks tilting policy left and away from the U.S. alliance. Voters prioritized economic issues amid a shrinking economy, market turbulence, and labor concerns, with supporters citing Lee’s working-class background. High turnout reflected the stakes, as younger voters voiced hopes for stability, jobs, and housing, and uncertainty over U.S. tariff negotiations persists.

A House GOP bill would raise the child tax credit’s maximum to $2,500 per child but require higher earnings to receive it, leaving about one-third of children—22 million—without the full benefit; 17 million would get no additional help and 5 million only a partial increase, according to Columbia University’s Center on Poverty and Social Policy. The exclusions disproportionately affect children with single mothers (65%), Black children (51%), Latino children (44%), and rural children (40%), with especially high impacts in Republican-led states. The bill also includes a provision that could deny benefits to up to 4.5 million citizen or legal-resident children in mixed-status families by requiring parents’ Social Security numbers. Republicans frame the credit as a tax cut tied to work and tax liability, while Democrats favor broader inclusion akin to the 2021 expansion that temporarily cut child poverty to record lows. Senate Republicans’ plans are unclear; without action, the credit will drop to $1,000 per child.

Tyrese Haliburton hit a jumper with 0.3 seconds left to give the Indiana Pacers a 111-110 comeback win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in NBA Finals Game 1. It was Haliburton’s third game-winner of the postseason, capping a rally from 15 down in the fourth. Andrew Nembhard and Pascal Siakam made key late plays, and Indiana’s defense held OKC to 7-of-19 shooting in the fourth. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 38 but missed a late look before Haliburton’s winner. The Pacers overcame 24 turnovers, including 19 in the first half, and tied the largest fourth-quarter Finals comeback (15 points) since 1971. Game 2 is Sunday in Oklahoma City.

Britain faces an “extraordinary” level of state-backed threats from Russia and Iran, according to Jonathan Hall, the U.K.’s adviser on state threats and terrorism. Recent cases—including arson targeting a Ukraine-linked business, an alleged plot against Iranian journalists, a Russian spy ring run from a guesthouse, and an Iranian-linked British soldier—illustrate a surge in foreign espionage, sabotage, and intimidation on U.K. soil. Officials warn Moscow and Tehran are outsourcing operations to organized crime and exploiting social media to recruit disaffected individuals, making threats harder to detect than terrorism. Hall urges new legal powers to seize passports, issue intelligence alerts, and prosecute overseas targeting, echoing MI5 and MI6 assessments that Russia, Iran, and China are the top state threats. The U.K.’s stance contrasts with the U.S. political tone, though both confront similar hostile activity.

The Met Opera’s 2024–25 season mixed a few standout performances with many disappointments, especially among its four contemporary offerings. John Adams’s Antony and Cleopatra, Tesori’s Grounded, Golijov’s Ainadamar, and Heggie’s Moby-Dick drew uneven artistic and box office results, with Moby-Dick the strongest of the new works. Highlights included Quinn Kelsey’s charismatic, vocally distinctive Scarpia in Tosca; the grand return of Strauss’s Die Frau Ohne Schatten in Herbert Wernicke’s dazzling mirrored production; Lise Davidsen’s noble Leonore in Fidelio; Joana Mallwitz’s stylish, finely balanced conducting debut in Le Nozze di Figaro; and the season’s triumph, Claus Guth’s gripping new Salome, crowned by Peter Mattei’s commanding Jochanaan. Other notable performances came from Julia Bullock and Gerald Finley in Antony and Cleopatra, Ben Bliss and Golda Schultz in Die Zauberflöte, Kathryn Lewek’s Queen of the Night, and Alexey Markov’s Count Tomsky. Despite these peaks, new Aida, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Les Contes d’Hoffmann, and Il Trovatore underwhelmed.

An Australian court acquitted Rosemary Anne Gamble, operator of Taz-Zorb, of breaching safety laws in the 2021 Devonport tragedy where six children died and three were seriously injured after a bouncy castle was lifted by strong winds. The magistrate ruled the incident was caused by an unforeseeable “dust devil” and that additional precautions would not have changed the outcome. Families expressed anguish at the verdict. The victims, aged 11–12, were at Hillcrest Primary School when the inflatable was blown about 10m into the air; one child waiting in line was fatally struck by the blower. Gamble, charged in 2023, expressed sorrow through her lawyer.

Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu has died at 68 while receiving treatment in Pretoria, South Africa, after weeks under medical supervision. Lungu led Zambia from 2015 to 2021, winning a full term in 2016 but losing decisively to Hakainde Hichilema amid economic struggles, rising debt, and corruption allegations involving his allies, which he denied. Although he initially retired, he returned to politics in 2023 and remained a vocal critic of Hichilema. The Constitutional Court barred him from running again, ruling he had already served two terms. President Hichilema urged unity in mourning. Lungu, a lawyer who rose rapidly through government roles, previously underwent throat surgery a decade ago.

Eight passengers were injured, including a two-year-old and a woman with a head injury, when a Ryanair flight from Berlin to Milan encountered severe turbulence and diverted to Memmingen Airport in southern Germany. Three people were hospitalized and others treated on site. The flight could not land in Munich due to weather and was denied an onward flight that night. Ryanair provided alternative transport that evening and a replacement flight the next morning, apologizing to passengers. There were 179 passengers and six crew onboard; all were checked as a precaution.

Israel conducted airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs on the eve of Eid al-Adha, claiming to target a Hezbollah unit allegedly producing thousands of drones with Iranian support. The strikes followed evacuation warnings and caused major disruption in the densely populated Dahieh area. Lebanon’s prime minister and president condemned the attacks as violations of international agreements and a threat to stability. The incident comes despite a six-month ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon (not including Hezbollah) and follows previous Israeli strikes on alleged Hezbollah assets. The broader conflict traces back to cross-border hostilities intensified after Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack, with Israel citing self-defense and Hezbollah framing its actions as solidarity with Gaza.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is pushing a new defence spending target of 5% of GDP to be agreed at the upcoming summit, aiming to pre-empt criticism from Donald Trump and bolster deterrence against Russia. The plan splits 3.5% for core defence and 1.5% for broader “defence-related” costs like infrastructure and industry, offering flexibility. The U.S., already at about 3.4%, is expected to back it. There’s no firm timeline (likely around 10 years) or enforcement mechanism, though Rutte proposes annual national plans to avoid last-minute “hockey stick” increases. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says several key European countries have signaled support; the UK, currently targeting 2.5% by 2027 with an ambition for 3%, faces pressure to commit.

Michael Forbes, deputy chief press secretary to New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, resigned after being accused of secretly recording women, including audio of sex workers and surreptitious photos and videos in public places and private homes. The allegations surfaced when a sex worker found his phone recording; subsequent checks revealed multiple recordings and images. Police had received a related complaint in July 2024 but did not prosecute and did not alert ministers. Luxon called the revelations an “absolute shock,” expressed sympathy for affected women, urged a review of inter-agency processes, and signaled openness to strengthening privacy and anti-voyeurism laws. Forbes apologized, citing personal struggles and saying he has sought help.

The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously rejected Mexico’s lawsuit against U.S. gunmakers, upholding a 2005 law (PLCAA) that shields manufacturers from liability for crimes committed with their guns. Mexico argued that U.S. firms deliberately enabled trafficking to cartels by supplying dealers who sell illegally and failing to control distribution. The Court said Mexico did not plausibly allege specific aiding and abetting or identify concrete criminal transactions, overturning a lower court that had allowed the case to proceed. This is the Court’s first ruling addressing PLCAA, which limits lawsuits against gun makers and dealers. CBS reports 200,000–500,000 U.S. guns are trafficked to Mexico annually, and nearly half of guns recovered at Mexican crime scenes are U.S.-made.

The World Bank has lifted its two-year ban on new loans to Uganda imposed after the country enacted one of the world’s harshest anti-LGBTQ laws in 2023. Citing new mitigation measures to prevent discrimination in Bank-financed projects, it says it can resume funding without harming LGBTQ people. Newly approved projects include social protection, education, and support for refugees. The Bank remains a major source of external financing for Uganda, despite criticism that its lending model can foster dependency. Uganda’s anti-gay law prompted international backlash and significant economic losses, while domestic critics see it as a distraction from deeper issues.

Cologne defused three unexploded U.S. World War II bombs—two 20-ton and one 10-ton with impact fuses—after uncovering them during roadwork. The operation prompted the city’s largest postwar evacuation, relocating over 20,000 people and temporarily closing homes, hotels, schools, a hospital, nursing homes, museums, offices, a major train station, three Rhine bridges (including the Hohenzollern rail bridge), and halting river traffic. Specialists completed the defusing in about an hour, following a brief delay due to one resident refusing to leave. Decades after WWII, such bomb discoveries and large-scale evacuations remain common across Europe.

A Ryanair flight from Berlin to Milan made an emergency landing in Memmingen, Germany, after severe turbulence from storms injured nine people (eight passengers and one crew member). Three were hospitalized; others received outpatient treatment. Authorities grounded the plane, and passengers were bused to Milan. The incident follows other recent turbulence-related events, including the fatal Singapore Airlines case. Officials warned of continued storms in southern Germany, where separate weather damage occurred, including torn roofs and fallen trees. Passengers are urged to heed seatbelt signs to reduce injury risk during turbulence.

The U.S. Treasury sanctioned six alleged traffickers using boats and “narco subs” to move tons of cocaine from South America to the U.S., Europe, and the Caribbean. Four Guyanese—Paul Daby Jr., Randolph Duncan, Mark Cromwell, and Himnauth Sawh—and two Colombians—Yeison Andres Sanchez Vallejo and Manuel Salazar Gutierrez—were designated. Officials say Daby Jr. and Duncan run Guyana’s largest trafficking network, using semi-submersible vessels, airstrips, and corrupt facilitation; Daby Jr. also moves illegal gold. Cromwell, an ex-officer, is wanted in a 2024 abduction; Sawh allegedly provides safe passage for foreign traffickers. Sanchez and Salazar purportedly manage Colombian airstrips feeding smuggling flights to Guyana. All U.S.-linked assets are now blocked. Guyana’s location and port corruption have made it a key transit hub, with recent seizures including a “narco sub,” 182 kg of cocaine on a cargo ship, and an 8,000-pound jungle stash. Interpol warns these semi-submersibles can carry up to 3 tons and reach Western Europe.

Nintendo’s Switch 2 launched at midnight worldwide, drawing long lines and sellouts after a chaotic U.S. pre-order phase. The upgraded console features a larger, higher-resolution screen, improved processing power, a new “C” button for GameChat (requiring Nintendo Switch Online), and a built-in microphone for voice chat and screen sharing. Japan used a lottery system with about 2.2 million applications. Priced at $449.99 in the U.S., with “Mario Kart World” at $80, the rollout comes amid industry uncertainty over new U.S. tariffs. Nintendo plans major software releases (Zelda, Pokémon, Kirby) and is opening a San Francisco store and Super Nintendo World in Orlando, targeting 15 million units sold by March 2026.

Oscar Pistorius, the former Olympic and Paralympic runner convicted of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, competed in his first race since the 2013 killing, participating in the Isuzu IRONMAN 70.3 in Durban. Now 38 and on parole since January 2024, he finished in 5:56:39, placing 555th overall and third in the physically challenged category. Pistorius, a double leg amputee known as the “Blade Runner,” was sentenced to 13 years and 5 months for Steenkamp’s murder and will remain on parole until 2029. He has been living at his uncle’s home in Pretoria since his release.

Mexican band Los Tucanes de Tijuana was fined over $36,000 by authorities in Chihuahua for performing multiple “narcocorridos” that glorify drug cartels during a recent concert. The band has a history of controversy, including a long ban from performing in Tijuana. While several Mexican states restrict the genre, President Claudia Sheinbaum opposes a national ban, favoring pro-peace music initiatives instead. U.S. authorities have also taken action against artists perceived to glorify criminals, including revoking visas. The issue unfolds amid ongoing cartel-related violence that has targeted musicians.

Julien’s Auctions will hold “Princess Diana’s Style & A Royal Collection” on June 26 in Beverly Hills, billed as the largest auction of Princess Diana’s wardrobe, featuring 200+ garments and artifacts highlighting her fashion legacy and humanitarian image. Items from other royals, dating to the 1800s, are included, with part of proceeds benefiting Muscular Dystrophy UK. Notable Diana pieces and estimates include: a Bruce Oldfield yellow floral Ascot ensemble ($100k–$200k), a Bellville Sassoon floral day dress ($200k–$300k), a HEAD red ski suit ($30k–$50k), a Catherine Walker falcon evening gown from her 1986 Middle East tour ($200k–$300k), an Emanuel black taffeta gown from her 1981 engagement-era fittings ($20k–$40k), a John Boyd peach-pink hat worn for her honeymoon send-off and in Canberra ($20k–$40k), a three-piece Escada suit worn at six public appearances ($30k–$50k), a Jacqueline Mills dress toile ($6k–$8k), various shoes and handbags, and a 1995 Catherine Walker coat dress worn in New York ($30k–$50k). Previous Diana auctions have topped $1.1 million for single items.

The Trump administration sanctioned four International Criminal Court judges, alleging politicization and abuse of power after rulings that authorized arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and enabled an investigation into alleged U.S. crimes in Afghanistan. The sanctioned judges are Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou, Beti Hohler, Solomy Balungi Bossa, and Luz Del Carmen Ibanez Carranza. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the ICC unjustly targets the U.S. and its allies; the ICC condemned the sanctions as an attempt to undermine judicial independence. The move follows prior U.S. sanctions against ICC officials during Trump’s first term, later lifted by the Biden administration, and comes amid wider tensions over ICC actions, including a warrant for Vladimir Putin and a probe into ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan. Neither the U.S. nor Israel is party to the ICC’s founding treaty.

PwC’s 2025 Global AI Jobs Barometer finds AI is making workers more valuable by boosting productivity, wages, and job creation in AI-exposed roles. Since 2022, productivity has surged in AI-ready industries, with revenue per employee tripling in sectors like software. Workers with AI skills earn on average 56% more than peers, and wages are rising twice as fast in AI-exposed industries. Job growth remains strong across the board, including in automatable roles, which are becoming more complex and creative. AI appears to narrow inequality by reducing degree requirements and opening broader opportunities. The report urges treating AI as a growth strategy—upskilling workers and building new jobs and industries—rather than solely pursuing automation and headcount cuts.

An Ipsos poll shows growing pessimism across major European economies, with majorities in Germany (77%), the U.K., France, and Italy saying society is “broken,” up sharply since 2021. Economic grievance is fueling stable, high levels of populist and anti-establishment sentiment, with most respondents believing their economies are rigged for the rich; the U.K. tops Europe at 72%. Britons are the most likely to want a “strong leader who breaks the rules,” with over half agreeing, compared with 24% in Germany and 38% in the U.S. This discontent is pressuring mainstream parties and boosting right-wing populists, though tight fiscal constraints are likely to limit any government’s ability to deliver sweeping policies, often forcing populists to moderate in power. France, headed for a 2027 presidential vote amid deep divisions, reflects similar frustrations, while Germany pursues massive public investment to blunt far-right gains.

Private equity leaders at the SuperReturn conference acknowledged a tougher backdrop: IPOs and M&A haven’t rebounded as hoped for 2025, exits are slowing, and funds are sitting on roughly 30,000 unsold companies worth $3.6 trillion. This has delayed LP liquidity and stretched GPs, with U.S. market volatility, tariffs, and earlier overpaying during ultra-low rates cited as key pressures. Still, managers argued PE outperforms public markets over the long term, highlighted abundant dry powder (>$1 trillion), and pointed to growth areas like European defense, undervalued mid-caps, and Middle Eastern data centers. The industry is leaning on secondaries, continuation vehicles, and NAV lending to ease liquidity, while consolidation continues as LP demands rise (returns, governance, sustainability, AI). Despite short-term uncertainty, attendees were broadly bullish that deal activity will rebound once macro volatility stabilizes, with a renewed focus on disciplined entry prices and operational value creation.

Russia’s central bank cut its key rate by 100 basis points to 20%, the first reduction since September 2022, citing easing inflation and slowing growth. Inflation fell to a seasonally adjusted 6.2% in April from an 8.2% Q1 average, though the bank said policy will stay tight to reach its 4% target. The ruble weakened after the decision, despite being the year’s best-performing currency due to capital controls and prior tightening. Growth has cooled to 1.4% in Q1 2025 from 4.5% in Q4 2024, with activity concentrated in defense-related manufacturing and supported by state spending. Economists viewed the move as a dovish surprise and expect further cuts, but say rates must remain restrictive given war-driven supply-demand imbalances.

Switzerland proposed tougher capital rules for UBS following its 2023 Credit Suisse takeover, requiring up to $26 billion in additional CET1 capital (net ~$18 billion new capital after reducing AT1 holdings). UBS would also need to fully capitalize foreign subsidiaries, likely curbing share buybacks. The Swiss National Bank backs the measures to strengthen resilience and reduce bailout risk. UBS supports some proposals but calls the capital hike “extreme,” estimating total added CET1 needs of ~$42 billion based on its targets, while maintaining a 15% CET1 return goal and 2025 capital return plans. Analysts note a long phase-in (potentially to 2033–34) gives UBS time to meet requirements via profits (~$12 billion annually) and still pursue buybacks. The rules aim to address “too big to fail” risks but may raise UBS’s costs and pressure competitiveness versus U.S. peers. UBS shares rose on the announcement, helped by clarity and the extended timeline.

The U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority plans to lift its 2019 ban on selling crypto exchange-traded notes (ETNs) to retail investors to support growth and competitiveness, while maintaining restrictions on crypto derivatives. The move, part of a broader push to make the U.K. a leader in digital assets and establish a full crypto regulatory regime by 2026, aligns the country more closely with markets like the U.S., where spot crypto ETFs already exist. Industry figures welcomed the proposal as a major milestone, citing market maturation and improved consumer protections.

Miami-based Michelin-star chef Shingo Akikuni shares his favorite Tokyo spots. For dining, he recommends Ginza Sushi Aoki (his training ground), fusion-focused Noda with French influences and wine pairings, and the modern food hall Toranomon Yokocho for varied bites. For drinks, he suggests Good Music Bar (vinyl, DJs, solid cocktails), hidden fruit-cocktail speakeasy Kasumicho Arashi, and The SG Club by famed bartender Shingo Gokan with multi-level menus and a cigar room. His must-do sights are Meiji Jingu Shrine for a peaceful urban escape and Toyosu Fish Market for tuna auctions and exceptional seafood, plus the lesser-known Toyosu Fruit and Vegetable Market. For shopping, he favors Omotesando and Harajuku for uniquely Tokyo fashion and vintage finds. For stays, he likes The Imperial Hotel for classic omotenashi near the Imperial Palace and Aoyama Grand Tokyo for a contemporary base near Harajuku and Omotesando.

China’s manufacturing overdrive and excess capacity are flooding global markets with cheap goods, pressuring local industries but easing inflation. As U.S. tariffs curb exports to America, Chinese producers redirect to Asia, especially ASEAN, where imports are rising sharply at discounted prices. Economists say this “China shock” could lower consumer prices and give central banks room to cut rates across Asia, with Nomura forecasting broad easing. However, countries with sizable manufacturing bases face job and industry risks, prompting anti-dumping measures. Thailand may be hardest hit, potentially slipping into deflation, while nations like Australia benefit more from lower import costs.

New Zealand’s domestic butter prices have surged 65% in a year to an average of NZ$7.42 per 500g, despite the country being the world’s top dairy exporter. The spike—driven by global supply issues and high international demand, with 95% of NZ dairy exported—has prompted unusual responses: long queues and purchase caps at Costco, a “butter bandit” making 10-hour trips to resell cheaper blocks, a school fundraising by selling butter (19,000 blocks), and people learning to churn their own. Bakeries face price hikes or closure, with some importing Australian butter despite being surrounded by dairy farms. Economists say high export prices help the economy but strain local consumers.

Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, is facing backlash for inviting India’s Narendra Modi to the G7 summit in Alberta despite Canada’s federal police concluding that the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was orchestrated by the “highest levels” of the Indian government. Carney refused to say whether he believes Modi was involved, citing ongoing legal proceedings; four Indian nationals in Canada have been charged. He defended the invitation on strategic grounds, citing India’s economic weight and relevance to supply chains, energy, AI, and critical minerals. The World Sikh Organization condemned the move as a betrayal and reward for alleged Indian interference and repression in Canada. The outreach to Modi comes as Carney also seeks to ease tensions with China and negotiate an end to a trade war with the US under President Donald Trump.

Brazil’s 2022 census shows Catholics now comprise 56.7% of the population, down from 82.9% three decades ago, while evangelicals have grown to 26.9%, marking at least one in four Brazilians. Evangelicals’ cultural and political influence has expanded, forming a key base for Jair Bolsonaro and posing challenges for President Lula, whose approval is lower among evangelicals. The share of people with no religion rose to 9.3%. Followers of Afro-Brazilian religions (candomblé, umbanda) increased from 0.3% to 1%, reflecting both reduced stigma and cultural affirmation. There are proportionally more Black evangelicals than white, significant in a country where 56% of the population is Black.

Greenpeace says endangered sharks are being killed at alarming rates by industrial longline fishing in the South Pacific after its Rainbow Warrior activists observed the Spanish vessel Playa Zahara hauling and killing three mako sharks in 30 minutes north of New Zealand. Activists cut 20km of longline, released 14 animals (including blue sharks, swordfish and a longfin mako), and removed 210 hooks. The vessel’s owner, Viverdreams Fish, says its operations are legal, within quotas, and monitored, accusing Greenpeace of misinformation and dangerous interference. Greenpeace estimates nearly 500,000 blue sharks were caught as bycatch in the Pacific in 2024, with EU longliners taking mostly blue sharks. The clash comes ahead of the UN ocean conference, as Greenpeace urges Australia to ratify the high seas biodiversity treaty. Scientists warn heavy shark exploitation—amid rising global demand—threatens ecosystems and food security, calling for no‑take marine sanctuaries.

A Taiwan-wide survey by DoubleThink Lab found frequent TikTok use correlates with greater acceptance of pro-China narratives, including openness to unification and willingness to trade democracy for peace—patterns evident even among supporters of Taiwan’s ruling DPP. Agreement with criticisms of Taiwan’s democracy and institutions rose with TikTok use, peaking before dipping among the heaviest users (14+ hours/week). Researchers and academics note TikTok’s content is influenced by Chinese state interests, amplifying pro-CCP views and suppressing liberal-democratic content, though some caution that users may also self-select into such content. Taiwan restricts TikTok on government devices amid broader global concerns over ByteDance and propaganda.

Tirso “TJ” Dominguez, a former top pilot for Pablo Escobar, gives his first interview in the new podcast Cocaine Air, detailing how he went from a 20-year-old smuggler to Escobar’s go-to transporter. Initially earning $4m a month flying cocaine, he switched to Escobar after being offered $20m monthly, amassing vast wealth, businesses, and luxury cars. Dominguez claims he eventually operated independently, handling transport, sales, and laundering. Arrested in 1988, he pleaded guilty in 1991 and served 13 years, including two in solitary after plotting a helicopter escape from prison. Now 73, he says he’s repaid his debt and aims to rebuild legally, reflecting on his past and resilience.

Severe thunderstorms swept across Europe this week, with central France hit hardest as a violent supercell brought ping-pong-ball-sized hail (up to 6cm), flash flooding, strong winds, and a reported mini-tornado, damaging infrastructure and vehicles. The storms were driven by warm Mediterranean air colliding with cooler northern air, enhanced by mountain uplift and strong wind shear that fostered large hail. Meanwhile, southern China faced intense rainfall causing landslides, evacuations, and major transport disruption, with Guilin’s Lingui district recording over 207mm in a day. Canada is battling over 200 wildfires—many out of control—in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, burning about 2.3 million hectares, forcing evacuations and degrading air quality across parts of the US and even reaching Europe, amid hot, dry, climate change–amplified conditions.

Scientists are debating claims that the exoplanet K2-18b shows signs of life. An April study reported hints of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS)—molecules on Earth mostly linked to biology—in the planet’s hydrogen-rich atmosphere. Three independent teams reanalyzing the James Webb Space Telescope data now argue the evidence is too weak and could be explained by other molecules like ethane, highlighting issues with noisy data, model choices, and incomplete instrument coverage. They also question a sharp rise in the planet’s inferred temperature, which, if accurate, could undermine its habitability. The original authors maintain follow-up analyses support their findings. The back-and-forth underscores the high evidentiary bar and complexity of confirming extraterrestrial biosignatures, with more observations expected.

North Korea has refloated a newly launched 5,000-ton destroyer that capsized on May 21 due to a launch malfunction, surprising analysts who expected a longer recovery. State media said the ship was stabilized and moored by June 5 and will move to Rajin Dockyard for 7–10 days of dry dock repairs, aiming for completion before a late-June Workers’ Party plenary as ordered by Kim Jong Un. Satellite images indicate an innovative refloat using aerostatic balloons, and analysts now assess hull damage as less severe than feared, suggesting the ship could reach sea trials sooner if internal systems are effectively restored. Authorities reportedly arrested four people over the incident, which Kim called a “criminal act.”

North Korea has refloated a new 5,000-ton destroyer that capsized during its May 21 launch in Chongjin, surprising analysts who expected a longer recovery. State media said the ship, righted using aerostatic balloons and now moored, will be moved to Rajin Dockyard for 7–10 days of repairs ahead of a late-June Workers’ Party plenary, meeting Kim Jong Un’s directive to restore it as a matter of national honor. Despite initial fears of severe hull and keel damage, imagery and statements suggest the damage is less extensive than thought. Analysts noted the rapid, resource-intensive effort and said, if internal systems are properly restored, the ship could reach sea trials sooner than expected. Authorities reportedly arrested four people blamed for the launch failure.

CNN’s Clarissa Ward reports that billboards across Damascus are thanking President Trump, part of a campaign led by a woman aiming to “Make Syria Great Again.” The segment explores why pro-Trump imagery has appeared in Syria’s capital and profiles the organizer behind the effort.

CNN revisits Angelina Jolie’s iconic black leather Versace gown from the 2005 “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” premiere, framing it as a pivotal moment in her evolution from edgy goth to sleek minimalism without losing her bombshell edge. The tailored, slit dress with an open back cemented her long-running partnership with Versace and set a blueprint for leather’s high-fashion red-carpet status. The piece traces Jolie’s leather moments before and after—linking them to her on-screen personas—and shows the look’s lasting influence on today’s stars, from Dua Lipa and Miley Cyrus to Ayo Edebiri and Olivia Rodrigo. Two decades later, Jolie’s dress is still the reference point for modern, BDSM-tinged leather glamour.

CNN’s Anderson Cooper interviewed George Clooney on the Broadway set of “Good Night, and Good Luck,” his play about Edward R. Murrow’s clash with Sen. Joseph McCarthy. Clooney discusses parallels between McCarthy-era fear and today’s climate, suggesting contemporary fear is more pervasive and reflecting on the future of “Trumpism” after Donald Trump’s term. CNN will air a special presentation of the play on Saturday, June 7 at 7 p.m. ET, streaming on CNN.com.

China’s men’s football team faced fierce backlash from fans after a 1-0 loss to Indonesia ended their World Cup qualifying hopes, marking their first defeat to Indonesia in decades. Social media reactions called for the team to be disbanded as a “waste of national resources,” with some joking funds should be redirected to building aircraft carriers. While head coach Branko Ivankovic drew criticism, many blamed deeper systemic failures in Chinese football, which has not produced a World Cup berth in over 20 years.

China tested key components for quantum secure direct communication (QSDC) in a suborbital rocket flight, aiming to build an integrated space-air-ground quantum network. A laser module and phase encoding device from the Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences flew to 2.5 km on the reusable Yuanxingzhe-1 rocket to assess resilience to vibration and radiation. The trial marks a move from lab validation toward deployment. Unlike quantum key distribution (QKD), QSDC transmits messages directly via a quantum channel without encryption keys, promising greater efficiency and potentially higher security.

Major shipping lines, including MSC, will keep ordering vessels from Chinese shipyards despite a new U.S. port fee targeting China-linked ships. MSC executive Marie-Caroline Laurent said China’s shipyards have unmatched near-term capacity and expertise, especially for energy-transition vessels needed to meet the IMO’s net-zero goals. She noted a U.S. shipbuilding revival would take time, require subsidies, and retaining strategic assets, and is unlikely to change MSC’s shipbuilding strategy for now.

Hong Kong authorities confirmed bitumen contamination in freshwater at Queens Hill Estate and Shan Lai Court, where black particles were found. The Water Supplies Department said filters have reduced particles and pledged increased cleaning at affected estates. Bitumen-lined pipes, banned since 2005, still cover about 700km of the network. Officials said replacing these ageing pipes will proceed under a long-term, risk-based plan, though residents remain concerned about the effectiveness of filters and health risks.

China and Sri Lanka have revived talks on a long-delayed free-trade agreement, with China’s commerce minister urging a comprehensive deal “in one package” based on mutual benefit. Sri Lanka, emerging from economic crisis, hopes an FTA could help narrow its large trade deficit with China, but analysts caution meaningful gains may take years. The push follows President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s January visit to Beijing and renewed Chinese pledges of support tied to Belt and Road projects, including the Mattala airport, Hambantota port, and Port City Colombo. Negotiations had stalled for six years over terms Sri Lanka resisted.

Samaritan’s Purse, led on the ground by COO Edward Graham, is expanding aid in Israel’s northern and southern war zones. The group is donating 42 ambulances (28 armored) to Magen David Adom, building armored ambulance stations and exchange points to restore emergency response and residents’ sense of safety, and committing to new community clinics and trauma resilience centers in hard-hit areas like the Eshkol and Merhavim regions. During visits to missile- and drone-struck communities near Lebanon and Gaza, Graham emphasized support for displaced Israelis and rebuilding efforts, stating the organization goes where others won’t to show residents they are not forgotten. Local officials say the assistance is crucial to bringing families back and rebuilding amid ongoing threats.

The U.S.- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) is facing criticism and disruption as it distributes aid in Gaza. Israel accuses Hamas of spreading disinformation and attempting to sabotage GHF to prevent aid from bypassing the group’s control. The UN has pushed to centralize aid delivery under its agencies, drawing pushback from U.S. and Israeli officials who argue prior UN-led methods enabled Hamas to divert supplies. The U.S. vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire and unrestricted aid, urging support for GHF instead. After brief closures due to security incidents and maintenance, GHF resumed distributions.

Israel’s governing coalition is at risk of collapse over a standoff on ultra-Orthodox military draft exemptions. Ultra-Orthodox parties, key to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s majority, are demanding legislation to preserve exemptions despite a Supreme Court ruling deeming them unconstitutional. With war-driven public anger over unequal service obligations and an opposition bill to dissolve the Knesset set for a June 11 vote, early elections are possible if coalition members defect. Polls suggest Netanyahu’s bloc would lose power, with Naftali Bennett’s new party projected to outperform Likud. Coalition partners may try to delay elections until 2025, but defections by religious parties could force an earlier vote.

France is scrutinizing the Muslim Brotherhood after a government-commissioned intelligence report concluded the group poses a long-term threat to France’s secular values and institutions by influencing local governments, schools, and mosques. President Emmanuel Macron asked ministers for responsive measures, though the full report won’t be published. The report alleges the Brotherhood operates through proxies and identifies “Muslims of France” as its national branch, a claim the group disputes. Experts say the Brotherhood’s blend of open and clandestine activities makes its reach hard to gauge and contributes to societal sectarianization. In the U.S., Sen. Ted Cruz plans to reintroduce a bill to designate the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization. Several countries, including Egypt, the UAE, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, have already banned or restricted the group.

NATO allies are under U.S. pressure to sharply increase defense spending, with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urging a new target of 5% of GDP—3.5% on core defense and 1.5% on broader “defense-related” items, a category still undefined. While only Poland currently exceeds 3.5%, the U.S. spends 3.4% of its large GDP, accounting for over a third of global defense outlays—mostly benefiting U.S. firms. NATO chief Mark Rutte backs sustained, monitored increases over roughly a decade, rejecting backloaded “hockey stick” plans. Rising European defense budgets could aid security but, absent rapid growth of Europe’s defense industry, chiefly boost the American economy.

Portuguese investigators have concluded a three-day search near Lagos, close to Praia da Luz, for evidence in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, who vanished in 2007 at age three. Teams from Germany and Portugal examined scrubland and derelict buildings, using tools including ground-penetrating radar and a digger, but have not announced any significant findings. The operation was requested by German authorities as part of their case-building efforts against suspect Christian B., who is nearing the end of a separate prison sentence for a 2005 rape in the same area. British police were not involved in this latest search. Authorities have not commented further on the outcome.

Japan’s private space company ispace says its Resilience moon lander likely crashed after descending too fast when its altitude-measuring laser system failed. Communication was lost during Thursday’s attempted landing, marking the firm’s second failed touchdown after 2023. CEO Takeshi Hakamada apologized but vowed to continue future lunar missions. The lander carried a European-built rover, Tenacious, with science instruments and a Swedish “Moonhouse” art installation. The mission aimed to join recent private lunar efforts by U.S. firms Intuitive Machines and Firefly Aerospace.

China’s traditional alcohol-fueled business culture is fading as younger generations drink less and favor beer, cocktails, and wine over strong spirits like baijiu. The long-standing expectation that men must drink heavily to advance professionally is weakening, with competence increasingly valued over drinking rituals. Anti-corruption campaigns and political pressure have further dampened lavish drinking, contributing to steep declines in baijiu production and per capita consumption since 2016. In response, the alcohol industry is trying to rebrand baijiu for youth—such as spiking coffee and bubble tea with Moutai—scoring some commercial wins but reflecting a broader cultural shift away from ritualized, high-proof drinking.

Experts linked to the Kremlin, meeting within the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, privately acknowledge that Russian society is fatigued, fragmented, and lacks a shared postwar vision—contradicting official propaganda of unity and momentum. They warn that media-driven “pre-victory” narratives create false expectations, while a widening divide persists between those exposed to the front and those insulated from the war. The group criticizes Russia’s current economic model as inadequate for winning the war or securing peace, noting continued underestimation of the enemy, especially in defense technology. They foresee prolonged confrontation with the West and long-term difficulties maintaining influence in the post-Soviet space, given weak soft power and societal exhaustion rooted partly in Putin’s constitutional changes that extended his rule.