In other news

Russia launched a large drone-and-missile barrage on Kharkiv, killing at least three people and injuring 21, in what the city’s mayor called the most powerful attack since the full-scale invasion began. Strikes damaged dozens of residential buildings and homes, with reports of people trapped under rubble. Ukraine said Russia fired 215 missiles and drones overnight, with air defenses downing 87 drones and seven missiles; multiple regions were hit. Russia claimed it targeted military infrastructure. Both sides also accused each other of derailing plans to exchange 6,000 fallen soldiers’ bodies, underscoring stalled peace efforts after recent high-profile long-range strikes by both countries.

Afghanistan’s leading OB-GYN, Dr. Najmussama Shefajo, warns the country faces a worsening maternal health crisis due to Taliban bans on women’s education and training in nursing and midwifery. With girls barred from school and women from clinical training, the pipeline of female healthcare providers is collapsing, while Taliban rules require women to be treated by female doctors. Shefajo’s clinic is overwhelmed; she has hired her former students as “employees” to continue training them, but says aging staff and the bans will lead to rising maternal deaths. She urges the Taliban to lift restrictions on women’s health education to prevent catastrophe.

An American Airlines flight from Philadelphia to Naples had to divert to Rome because the Boeing 787-9 used was too large to land in Naples under operational limitations. The plane, which typically is a shorter 787-8 on this route, carried 231 passengers and 11 crew. After landing in Rome, passengers were bused about three hours to Naples. American apologized for the disruption.

Authorities from multiple countries dismantled a major cocaine smuggling ring that used high-speed “narco boats” to transport drugs from Brazil and Colombia to Spain’s Canary Islands, Spanish police said. The group allegedly operated 11 speedboats, refueled via an abandoned shipwreck, and transferred cocaine from larger “mother ships” in the Atlantic. Forty-eight people were arrested, and seizures included nearly 3,800 kilos of cocaine, 19 boats, about €100,000, six properties, and electronic/geolocation equipment. The operation involved agencies from the U.K., U.S. (DEA), Europol, and several countries including Colombia and Portugal. The bust follows U.S. sanctions on six alleged traffickers using boats and “narco subs” to move cocaine to the U.S., Europe, and the Caribbean.

Archaeologists in a Thessaloniki suburb uncovered 14 more bodies in unmarked graves linked to executions of alleged communist prisoners held at the Yedi Kule (Eptapyrgio) prison during and after Greece’s 1946–49 Civil War. Unlike 33 previously found bodies laid side by side, the new remains were jumbled with separated torsos and heads, suggesting hasty disposal. Items like a woman’s shoe and ring were found. Local authorities halted park renovations to continue excavations, believing more graves lie nearby. Families are seeking DNA identification, which has not yet begun. The discovery highlights the period’s brutal repression and unnotified executions.

A 6.3-magnitude, shallow earthquake struck central Colombia at 8:08 a.m. near Paratebueno, about 116 miles southeast of Bogotá. The quake, felt in Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and Manizales, was followed by aftershocks of magnitude 4 to 4.6. No casualties were immediately reported, and early footage from rural areas showed no damage. Authorities are assessing impacts, while residents in Bogotá briefly evacuated buildings. Colombia sits on the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire.

Russia’s Wagner Group announced it is withdrawing from Mali after over three years fighting Islamist insurgents, claiming its mission is complete. However, Russia’s state-controlled Africa Corps said its forces will remain, signaling a shift from Wagner to a Defense Ministry-led presence. Analysts suggest Moscow has been consolidating control over mercenary operations since Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin’s 2023 death, with Africa Corps likely to focus more on training, equipment, and protection than frontline combat. The move follows heavy recent losses to al-Qaida-linked JNIM and ongoing allegations of abuses by Wagner and Malian forces. The exact number of remaining Russian mercenaries and details of the transition remain unclear.

A salvage team is set to reach the cargo ship Morning Midas early next week after a fire broke out while it was carrying about 3,000 vehicles to Mexico in waters southwest of Adak Island, Alaska. The 600-foot, Liberia-flagged vessel remains afloat and smoking, with remote monitoring ongoing. All 22 crew members were safely evacuated and rescued without injuries. Salvage specialists will assess the ship, and a separate firefighting/tow tug is being arranged. The ship reportedly had around 70 fully electric and 680 hybrid vehicles onboard. The incident follows broader safety concerns raised after a deadly 2023 car carrier fire in the North Sea.

Tropical Storm Barbara has formed off southwestern Mexico near Zihuatanejo and is expected to strengthen into a hurricane while moving west-northwest, remaining offshore. It currently has sustained winds around 45–60 mph. No coastal watches or warnings are in effect, but 2–4 inches of rain could cause flooding and mudslides in western Mexico through Monday, and dangerous surf and rip currents are likely. NOAA forecasts an above-normal Pacific hurricane season with 13–19 named storms, 6–10 hurricanes, and 3–5 major hurricanes.

Sgt. Aaron Cox, 24, of Mabank, Texas, died from injuries in a vehicle accident during training near Camp Croft, Hungary, while preparing for Exercise Saber Guardian 25, the U.S. Army said. An infantryman with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Cox joined the Army in 2021 and previously deployed to Poland in 2022. His unit commander praised his leadership, and an investigation is ongoing. The incident follows a March training tragedy in Lithuania in which four U.S. soldiers died when their recovery vehicle became submerged in a peat bog.

Jared Kushner and the Trump Organization struck a deal with Serbia to develop a $500 million hotel and residential complex on Belgrade’s former General Staff site, a bombed landmark from 1999 that had been protected as a cultural asset. Days after Donald Trump’s 2024 reelection, Serbia’s government removed the site’s protected status, prompting protests, resignations, and claims of political pressure on heritage officials. A criminal case followed: prosecutors charged the cultural institute’s director with abuse of power for falsifying a document to justify lifting protections. The controversy has fueled Serbian student protests against President Aleksandar Vucic, spotlighted alleged efforts by senior officials (including Finance Minister Sinisa Mali) to push the project, and revived concerns that foreign governments may seek influence with Trump through his family’s business. The deal reportedly grants developers a 99-year no-cost lease convertible to free ownership, with Serbia slated to receive 22% of profits. Affinity Partners says the project is under review; Vucic has downplayed the investigation. Ric Grenell’s ties to Serbian officials and earlier advocacy helped pave the way.

The New York Times features candid photos and short videos from the Tony Awards red carpet at Radio City Music Hall, captured by Sinna Nasseri. Stars and nominees including George Clooney, Nicole Scherzinger, Audra McDonald, Sarah Snook, Daniel Dae Kim, Cole Escola, Cynthia Erivo (the host), Sarah Paulson, Mia Farrow, Danielle Brooks, Jonathan Groff, and others are shown arriving, posing, and mingling. Notable moments include Keanu Reeves’s upcoming “Waiting for Godot” with Alex Winter, Jamie Lloyd’s standout look, producer Jordan Roth’s flowing gown, and a first-time nomination for Bob Odenkirk. The piece emphasizes the lively, behind-the-scenes energy of the arrivals, from media serenades to rain-soaked glamour and quick hallway chats.

The linked page is a live news blog primarily covering U.S. politics and justice matters on June 9, 2025, not the titled Iran nuclear talks. Key updates include: the Justice Department firing another Jan. 6 prosecutor (Ahmed Baset); the DOJ opposing a Wisconsin judge’s claim of judicial immunity after she allegedly interfered with an ICE arrest; and the White House urging Texas Republicans to consider mid-decade House redistricting to protect the GOP majority, sparking internal concern about potential backlash. The page does not contain details about Iran rejecting a nuclear talks element.

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, claiming it would restore trust and reduce conflicts of interest. The move, which contradicts assurances he gave during confirmation, drew sharp condemnation from public health leaders who called it reckless and harmful, warning it could undermine vaccine guidance, access, and insurance coverage—especially for children and pregnant women. Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic, has already narrowed Covid vaccine recommendations and cut public health and research funding, actions critics say erode evidence-based policy. HHS says the committee’s scheduled meeting will proceed, but new members have not been named.

Sly Stone, pioneering singer, songwriter, and leader of the multiracial, mixed-gender band Sly and the Family Stone, died at 82 in Los Angeles from complications of COPD and other health issues. A groundbreaking force who fused R&B, soul, gospel, funk, and psychedelic rock, Stone created era-defining hits like “Everyday People,” “Dance to the Music,” “Family Affair,” and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin),” influencing artists from George Clinton and Stevie Wonder to Prince, Miles Davis, and hip-hop producers. Celebrated for joyous yet socially aware music, the band’s peak albums from 1968–71, including “Stand!” and the darker “There’s a Riot Goin’ On,” reshaped popular music. Though his later years were marked by reclusiveness, erratic performances, and legal battles, his legacy was revived through Questlove’s documentaries and Stone’s 2023 memoir. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, Stone remained an elusive, iconic presence whose innovations—from drum machine use to genre-blurring arrangements—permanently altered the course of Black music and pop culture.

The Thunder dominated Game 2 to even the NBA Finals 1-1, beating the Pacers 123-107 behind 34 points from MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who also notched 3,000 total points this season and set a record for most points in a player’s first two Finals games (72). Chet Holmgren (15) and Jalen Williams (19) rebounded from poor Game 1 showings, while bench contributors Alex Caruso (20) and Aaron Wiggins (18) provided a major spark. Oklahoma City’s elite defense tightened up, winning the turnover (15 by Indiana) and rebounding battles, and never allowed an Indiana rally after building an 18-point halftime lead. Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 17 but struggled until the fourth; Game 3 shifts to Indianapolis on Wednesday.

The 78th Tony Awards, hosted by Cynthia Erivo at Radio City Music Hall, crowned Maybe Happy Ending as the night’s top winner with six awards, including best new musical. Purpose won best play, Eureka Day took best play revival, and Jamie Lloyd’s Sunset Boulevard won best musical revival. First-time acting Tonys went to Nicole Scherzinger (lead actress, musical, Sunset Boulevard), Sarah Snook (lead actress, play, The Picture of Dorian Gray), Cole Escola (lead actor, play, Oh, Mary!), and Darren Criss (lead actor, musical, Maybe Happy Ending). Additional honors included Sam Pinkleton (direction of a play, Oh, Mary!), Michael Arden (direction of a musical, Maybe Happy Ending), Kara Young (featured actress, play, Purpose), Francis Jue (featured actor, play, Yellow Face), Natalie Venetia Belcon (featured actress, musical, Buena Vista Social Club), and Jak Malone (featured actor, musical, Operation Mincemeat). Technical awards highlighted Stranger Things: The First Shadow and Maybe Happy Ending for scenic and lighting achievements.

Ukraine said Russia launched 479 drones and 20 missiles overnight—the largest drone barrage of the war and part of a recent pattern of record-scale attacks aimed at exhausting Ukraine’s air defenses. Most were intercepted, but at least 10 strikes occurred, killing one person in Rivne and injuring several in Sumy, with minor damage near Kyiv. The escalation follows Ukraine’s June 1 drone strikes on Russian air bases and comes amid stalled cease-fire efforts pushed by the Trump administration. Russia also intensified ground assaults and opened a new front in the northeast, while reporting it downed 49 Ukrainian drones inside Russia. Both sides conducted a prisoner exchange involving wounded and young detainees.

Kenya’s police oversight body is investigating the death of Albert Ojwang, a teacher and blogger arrested in Homa Bay for “false publication” related to an alleged insult of a senior person on X and transported 350km to Nairobi. Police say he sustained fatal head injuries after hitting a cell wall, describing it as an attempted suicide, but Amnesty International Kenya calls the death “very suspicious” and demands an urgent, independent probe. Critics note he wasn’t booked locally before the long transfer. The case follows rising concerns over treatment of government critics, including recent cybercrime charges against a developer who opposed a finance bill.

The article explores how, during Indira Gandhi’s Emergency (1975-77), her government quietly considered reshaping India from a parliamentary democracy into a centralized presidential system inspired by de Gaulle’s France. Key aides and Congress leaders proposed a directly elected, powerful president, curbs on judicial review and fundamental rights, proportional representation, and tighter press controls. Though these ideas never became formal policy, their imprint appeared in the Forty-second Amendment (1976), which expanded executive power, limited judicial scrutiny, and strengthened the center’s control. After Gandhi’s 1977 defeat, the Janata Party rolled back many provisions via the Forty-third and Forty-fourth Amendments. Gandhi later briefly considered becoming president in 1982 but chose Zail Singh instead. The episode reveals a serious flirtation with presidential rule that ultimately failed, due to political caution, pushback, and the resilience of India’s parliamentary system.

Iran has expanded a dog-walking ban from Tehran to at least 18 cities, including Isfahan and Kerman, and also outlawed transporting dogs in vehicles, citing public order and health concerns. While dog ownership is not nationally illegal, local prosecutors and police enforce restrictions, with some owners facing arrests and confiscations. Authorities and religious leaders view pet dogs as un-Islamic and “unclean,” though ownership—especially among youth—is rising as a quiet form of resistance. Critics argue the crackdown misplaces police priorities amid concerns over violent crime, and enforcement has been uneven, with many owners walking dogs secretly or at night.

Italy is holding a referendum to halve the residency requirement for citizenship from 10 to five years, automatically naturalizing minors with their parents. Supporters say it would align Italy with much of Europe, improve integration, and immediately benefit up to 1.4 million long-term legal residents. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and allied parties are urging a boycott to keep turnout below the 50% validity threshold, arguing the current system is already generous. The debate highlights identity and inclusion tensions, with residents like Rome-born Sonny Olumati and Bologna-based PhD student Insaf Dimassi describing exclusion from jobs, voting, and public life despite deep roots in Italy. Even if the referendum fails on turnout, activists vow to continue pushing for reform.

South Korean musical Maybe Happy Ending won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book (Hue Park and Will Aronson), and Best Original Score. Darren Criss won Best Lead Actor in a Musical for his role as robot Oliver. Premiering in Seoul in 2016 and on Broadway in 2024, the show about two humanoid robots has earned widespread acclaim and earlier awards this season. The wins contribute to South Korea’s broader EGOT-status achievements across Emmys, Grammys, and Oscars, highlighting the country’s growing influence in global entertainment.

Rwanda has withdrawn from the Economic Community of Central African States (Eccas) after being blocked from assuming the rotating chairmanship during a summit in Equatorial Guinea. Eccas leaders cited Rwanda’s alleged aggression in eastern DR Congo and called for Rwandan troop withdrawal, opting to keep Equatorial Guinea as chair. Rwanda, accused by DR Congo, the US, France, and UN experts of backing the M23 rebels—who control key cities like Goma and Bukavu—denies the claims and says it is securing its border. The move comes amid US-mediated efforts toward a Rwanda–DR Congo peace deal expected later this month. Rwanda previously left Eccas in 2007 and later rejoined.

Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk invited U.S. President Donald Trump to live in his Ukrainian home for a week to witness the war’s realities, criticizing Trump’s claim he could quickly end the conflict and his blaming of Volodymyr Zelensky. Usyk described nightly bombings and civilian suffering, saying the experience might change Trump’s perspective. A longtime advocate for peace alongside the Klitschko brothers, Usyk is set to face Daniel Dubois on 19 July at Wembley in a rematch that could make him a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion or see Dubois become the first Englishman to hold all four major belts.

The article reports that President Trump reinstated travel restrictions on nationals from 10 African countries, citing U.S. national security, terrorism risks, and high visa overstay rates. The move follows a Boulder, Colorado attack allegedly by an Egyptian overstaying his visa. Analysts note many targeted states face instability, terrorism havens, weak governance, or strained U.S. relations, hindering reliable vetting. Specific concerns include active ISIS/al-Qaeda affiliates in Somalia, Libya’s lack of a central authority to verify documents, Sudan’s civil war and high overstay rates, Eritrea’s refusal to accept deportees and poor data access, and rising Russian influence in Chad. Several countries—such as Equatorial Guinea, Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Togo, and others—were cited for significant visa overstays, prompting partial or limited U.S. entry. Some affected nations signaled reciprocal measures. Critics label the policy a renewed “Muslim ban,” while the administration frames it as a security necessity.

At the 81st D-Day anniversary in Normandy, veterans and officials honored the sacrifices of American and Allied forces. The ceremony at the American cemetery near Omaha Beach featured reflections from centenarian veterans, including 102-year-old Jake Larson, who survived multiple battles, and New Yorkers Ray Sweeney and Harold Radish, who questioned whether the world has learned from war’s costs. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized the enduring importance of alliances, noting “America first” doesn’t mean “America alone.” Large crowds gathered, signaling continued remembrance of D-Day’s sacrifices and lessons.

Israel’s governing coalition is at risk of collapsing over a standoff on ultra-Orthodox military draft exemptions. Ultra-Orthodox parties, key to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s majority, are threatening to back an opposition bill to dissolve parliament unless new legislation protects exemptions struck down by the Supreme Court. With a vote set for June 11 and growing public anger amid the Gaza war’s manpower needs, early elections are possible. Polls suggest Netanyahu’s bloc would lose power, with Naftali Bennett’s new party poised to outperform Likud. Netanyahu is trying to hold on at least until the Knesset’s late-July recess, but defections could trigger a faster collapse.

German and Portuguese police conducted a renewed search in Praia da Luz, Portugal, for missing British toddler Madeleine McCann, likely prompted by a trusted inside tip, according to rescue expert Bryan Stern. The operation, requested by German federal police, targeted derelict houses, wells, and reservoirs and likely used ground-penetrating technology. Authorities have not disclosed findings. Christian Brueckner, 45, who lived in the area around the time of Madeleine’s 2007 disappearance, remains the prime suspect; he denies involvement and is serving a seven-year sentence for a separate 2005 rape, with release expected in September. Stern emphasized advances in DNA and detection tech and noted the ongoing pain for the McCann family given no confirmed remains. Madeleine would be 22 this year.

Russia launched extensive drone, missile, and bomb attacks on Kharkiv, Ukraine, killing at least four people and injuring more than 45, including a baby and a 14-year-old. Ukrainian officials said 215 missiles and drones targeted the city early Saturday, followed by bomb strikes on the city center. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks as terrorism, called for strengthened air defenses, and urged faster U.S. support and expanded European cooperation on air defense production. The strikes followed a Ukrainian drone operation that Kyiv says destroyed 40 Russian planes and came amid ongoing, largely unproductive peace talks and political commentary from U.S. President Donald Trump.

During a White House meeting, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged President Trump to use U.S. influence to pressure Russia and help end the war in Ukraine, aligning with Europe’s pro-Ukraine stance. Trump suggested it might be better to “let them fight for a while” before intervening, likening the conflict to separating fighting children, and said he conveyed a similar message to Vladimir Putin. Merz emphasized the war’s urgency, reaffirmed support for Ukraine, and called for joint U.S.-European action to stop the conflict.

The U.S. Treasury sanctioned 35 individuals tied to a vast money-laundering network funding Iran’s regime and global terrorism, as Western powers prepare an IAEA resolution declaring Tehran non-compliant with nuclear obligations—the first such move in about 20 years. Iran’s foreign minister warned of a strong response, calling the action a strategic mistake. Amid fragile nuclear talks, Iranians interviewed described severe economic hardship and skepticism that any deal would benefit ordinary people or restrain the regime, citing past experience with the JCPOA and ongoing repression. Concerns persist over Iran’s uranium enrichment nearing weapons-grade levels.

China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier, accompanied by two destroyers and a supply ship, entered Japan’s exclusive economic zone near Minamitori Island for the first time before exiting to conduct flight drills. Japan monitored the group with the warship Haguro and conveyed a message to Beijing, expressing concern over China’s expanding naval operations. The move, near resource-rich waters and far from Japan’s main islands, follows recent Chinese naval transits through other parts of Japan’s EEZ amid ongoing tensions over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands.

Chinese tech companies temporarily disabled key AI features during China’s high-stakes gaokao exams to curb cheating, affecting more than 13.3 million test-takers. Apps including ByteDance’s Doubao, DeepSeek, Tencent’s Yuanbao, Alibaba’s Qwen, and Moonshot’s Kimi suspended services such as question answering and image recognition during exam hours. The move, noted largely via user complaints online, coincides with broader anti-cheating measures: AI-driven proctoring to detect suspicious behavior, stricter entry checks, biometric ID, device screening, and radio jammers. Cities also adjusted traffic and schedules to prioritize exam logistics, reflecting the gaokao’s societal importance.

Peru’s government reversed a May decision to shrink the protected area around the Nazca Lines, restoring the original 5,600 sq km boundary after criticism that the cut to 3,200 sq km exposed the site to informal and illegal mining. The culture ministry said a technical panel—including government officials, archaeologists, academics, and UNESCO—will draft a consensus plan for zoning and land use. Critics warned the rollback had threatened decades of protections amid high gold prices, noting existing illegal mining activity in the Nazca Archaeological Reserve. The Nazca Lines, a UNESCO World Heritage site, comprise hundreds of ancient geoglyphs created over 1,500 years ago.

Jamaican authorities announced the interception of 233 illegal rifles and handguns along with over 40,000 rounds of ammunition—described as the country’s largest such seizure—while withholding details due to an ongoing cross-border investigation. Unconfirmed reports say the cache was concealed in an industrial water heater in Kingston. Prime minister Andrew Holness credited increased security investment, international partnerships, and enhanced scanning technology; officials cited a 43% year-on-year drop in murders and a US upgrade of Jamaica’s travel advisory to level two. Experts warned the haul could “arm a small army” and urged tougher measures against gun trafficking, with one criminologist even advocating consideration of capital punishment.

Ontario, Canada has recorded six cases of congenital measles in infants born to unvaccinated mothers amid the province’s large ongoing outbreak, the biggest in the western hemisphere since late 2024. All six babies recovered, but one premature infant exposed in utero died from complications. Officials note the infections were preventable through routine vaccination; measles cases in Ontario have surpassed 2,000 since October, exceeding U.S. totals for 2025. While the MMR vaccine isn’t recommended during pregnancy, exposed unvaccinated pregnant people are advised to receive intravenous immunoglobulin. High overall vaccination rates have helped limit the outbreak’s severity, the chief medical officer said.

Severe storms across Europe are giving way to a significant early-summer heatwave driven by a high-pressure “heat dome.” Italy will be hardest hit, with Florence forecast to reach about 39C and temperatures across Germany, France, and Belgium running roughly 9–10C above June norms; many other areas will be 5–7C above average. In contrast, South Africa faces a powerful cut-off low system bringing widespread severe weather: temperatures more than 7C below average, heavy rain exceeding 100mm along parts of the Eastern Cape coast, winds up to 60mph, and significant snowfall likely to disrupt travel and infrastructure. Authorities in South Africa urge vigilance and limited travel.

A British soldier stationed with the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) has been arrested on suspicion of raping a woman in Nanyuki last month, following a night out at a local bar. The Defence Serious Crime Command is investigating, with military police interviewing the bar owner and security staff. The Ministry of Defence confirmed the arrest but declined further comment, citing the ongoing probe, and reiterated zero tolerance for misconduct. The Army has launched a broader inquiry into UK personnel behavior in Kenya amid longstanding concerns, including the 2012 killing of Agnes Wanjiru in Nanyuki, a case that has drawn renewed scrutiny. The UK maintains a training agreement with Kenya, deploying up to six battalions annually.

Russian strikes on Kharkiv killed at least four people and injured dozens in one of the city’s most intense attacks since the full-scale invasion, with drones, missiles, and later aerial bombs hitting residential areas. President Zelenskyy condemned the “savage” assault as emergency crews battled fires and rescued trapped residents. Russia said it targeted military sites; images showed apartment blocks ablaze. Other regions, including Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, and Ternopil, were also hit. The violence comes amid faltering US-led peace efforts and mutual accusations over jeopardizing a planned exchange of 6,000 fallen soldiers’ bodies agreed in Istanbul.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man mistakenly deported from the U.S. under a controversial wartime law despite prior protection by an immigration judge, has been returned to the U.S. to face federal charges in Tennessee for allegedly conspiring to transport illegal immigrants. The indictment claims he played a significant role in an alien smuggling ring over nine years, making more than 100 trips and allegedly moving MS-13 members. His lawyers call the charges preposterous, arguing his return shows officials could have brought him back earlier. He will remain in custody until his arraignment and detention hearing. The case has drawn political scrutiny, with critics citing it as an example of aggressive Trump-era immigration policies; officials have alleged gang ties that his lawyers deny.

Authorities from multiple countries dismantled a “narco-boat” network smuggling cocaine into the EU, arresting 48 people, including a British national, in Operation Black Shadow. The gang moved cocaine from South America to the Canary Islands using “mother ships,” then ferried it ashore via 11 speedboats, even converting a shipwreck into a refuelling hub. Police seized around 3,800 kg of cocaine, 69 vehicles, and €100,000, and searched 29 properties across Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote. The group used encrypted communications, satellite terminals, and coded language to evade detection. The UK’s National Crime Agency said the operation helps stop drugs before entering the UK supply chain.

Prince William, speaking at Monaco’s Blue Economy and Finance Forum, warned that the world’s oceans are “diminishing before our eyes” due to overfishing, pollution, and rising temperatures. Urging global, collective action with “urgency and optimism,” he called on leaders and the public to “think big” during this decisive decade. He appeared alongside Sir David Attenborough in a social media video highlighting marine damage, and tied the message to his Earthshot Prize’s mission to drive environmental solutions, echoing Attenborough’s message: “If we save the sea, we save our world.”

Fifteen people, including university students and teachers from Sultan Idris Education University, were killed and 33 injured—seven critically—when a university bus and a car collided around 1:10am on Malaysia’s East-West Highway near the Thailand border. The bus overturned and the other vehicle slid into a ditch. Thirteen died at the scene and two later in hospital. The bus was returning from Jerteh to the university’s Tanjung Malim campus. Authorities describe it as Malaysia’s deadliest road accident in years on a notoriously dangerous route.

China has begun mass-producing the world’s first non-binary AI chip, developed by Professor Li Hongge’s team at Beihang University. The chip uses a Hybrid Stochastic Number (HSN) system that blends binary and probabilistic logic to overcome two major hurdles in traditional computing: high power consumption (“power wall”) and poor compatibility between new materials and existing CMOS architectures (“architecture wall”). The technology delivers higher fault tolerance and power efficiency for intelligent control and is being deployed at scale in applications such as touch displays, flight systems, and aircraft navigation—while also reducing reliance on US-restricted chip technologies.

Geely Auto will halt construction of new car plants due to severe global overcapacity and will instead invest in enhancing technological capabilities, chairman Li Shufu said at the Chongqing Auto Show. The move comes amid an intense price war in China’s auto market, where major players including Geely, BYD, and Leapmotor recently cut prices on dozens of models by up to 20%. Chinese carmakers’ average discounts hit a record 16.8% in April, up from 8.3% in 2024, reflecting profitability pressures across the sector.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee, marking three years in office, urged local businesses to align commercial pursuits with national interests, saying they are complementary rather than conflicting. Without directly addressing CK Hutchison’s controversial plan to sell overseas ports to a BlackRock-led consortium, which has drawn Beijing’s ire, Lee emphasized that firms have broad freedom to seek profits but should avoid actions that could harm national interests, as such harm would ultimately hurt their business as well.

An explosion at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa injured four Japan Self-Defence Forces members while they were removing rust from items at a prefectural facility that stores unexploded ordnance. The blast occurred during reassessment of whether the items were bombs. The injured men suffered finger injuries and were hospitalized; their conditions are not life-threatening. Japan’s defence ministry confirmed the incident.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang drew huge crowds at London Tech Week, sharing the stage with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and praising the U.K. as the “envy of the world” for AI, citing its venture ecosystem and talent from firms like DeepMind and ElevenLabs. While no major investments were announced, Nvidia unveiled a U.K. sovereign AI industry forum and new cloud partner deployments using its Blackwell GPUs. Huang framed AI as essential infrastructure and said Nvidia will help upskill workers and build domestic AI capacity. The appearance kicks off his European tour, with Paris and a GTC event next.

Sam Altman’s biometric ID project World is launching its eye-scanning Orb in the U.K., starting in London and expanding to major cities in the coming months. The system verifies humans by creating a unique iris-based code, enabling anonymous World ID logins for apps like Minecraft, Reddit, and Discord, and rewards users with WLD crypto. With 13 million verified users, World says demand from companies and governments is rising amid growing AI-driven fraud. The firm emphasizes privacy via encrypted, on-device processing and deletion of original biometrics, and is engaging U.K. regulators. World aims to rapidly scale verification capacity as digital ID needs outpace traditional methods like facial recognition and CAPTCHAs.

The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority is partnering with Nvidia to launch a “Supercharged Sandbox” from October, giving banks access to Nvidia’s accelerated computing and AI software, better data, and regulatory support to safely experiment with AI. Aimed at firms in the early “discovery and experiment” phase, the initiative addresses banks’ challenges deploying advanced AI amid privacy and fraud concerns. It complements the FCA’s separate live testing service for more mature projects and seeks to enable responsible AI innovation benefiting markets and consumers while supporting economic growth. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is set to speak in London as the program is unveiled.

Vantage Data Centers raised €720 million ($821 million) via Europe’s first euro-denominated asset-backed securitization tied to data centers, secured by four fully leased hyperscale facilities in Berlin and Frankfurt with ~64 MW of power. The bonds carry an average 4.3% coupon and were 2–4x oversubscribed despite higher leverage, reflecting strong investor appetite from insurers, pensions, and fund managers. Proceeds will refinance construction loans. Scope Ratings valued the assets at about $1 billion and rated two tranches A and BBB. The deal, led by Barclays and Deutsche Bank, adds to Vantage’s $7.5 billion in global ABS issuance and follows a £600 million EMEA securitization, amid rising AI-driven demand and a rapidly growing European data center market.

The family of Israeli soldier Matan Angrest, captured by Hamas on October 7, released video showing his violent seizure from a tank to highlight his dire condition and press for a ceasefire and comprehensive hostage deal. His mother, Anat, said she fears he’s been “left behind,” citing his chronic asthma, burns, and infections reported by former hostages. Angrest is among 55 hostages still held, with only about 20 believed alive; as a male soldier, he’s considered a high-value detainee and unlikely to be included in partial releases. The video, recovered by the Israeli military, was shared despite earlier requests to keep it private. Talks on a US-backed framework for a 60-day ceasefire and partial hostage release remain stalled, with Hamas demanding guarantees the war will not resume.

Designer Joe Doucet has developed a thermochromic, “climate-responsive” paint that shifts from very dark gray below 77°F to lighter shades as temperatures rise, helping buildings absorb heat in winter and reflect it in summer. Inspired by mood-ring chemistry and refined to resist sun degradation, the paint targets temperate regions and could cut household energy use by an estimated 15–30%, lowering costs and emissions. While the technology can be tinted to various colors and applied to homes or larger buildings, commercial availability is likely five to ten years away, contingent on partnerships and an uncertain policy and investment climate. Doucet frames it as one practical step among many needed to address climate change.

Satellite images show North Korea’s newly launched 5,000-ton destroyer—damaged in a botched May 21 launch—has been moved to a drydock in Rajin near the Russian border. Analysts say the location suggests potential Russian assistance, given Rajin’s role in North Korea–Russia cooperation and limited local repair capabilities. Kim Jong Un ordered repairs completed by late June; state media said they would take 7–10 days. Experts differ on damage extent: some cite possible bow sonar issues requiring foreign tech support, while South Korea’s military assesses mainly flooding with limited external damage. The move comes amid deepening Pyongyang–Moscow ties, with reports of North Korean munitions sent to Russia and reciprocal Russian transfers of military technology and refined oil.