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• The global space research funding has surpassed $130 billion annually, making 2026 one of the most heavily financed years in space exploration history. • Notable growth is seen in companies like Starlink, with subscriber counts increasing from 2.3 million in 2023 to 10.3 million by Q1 2026. • This increase in funding and growth can be attributed to rising attention on Moon missions, space stations, climate-monitoring satellites, and defense-related space systems.

• The South Korean boy band BTS has contributed approximately $50 billion to the national economy during their first decade of activity. • This economic impact is significant enough to be comparable to the GDP share of a major South Korean airline. • The group was signed in 2013 by Big Hit Entertainment, a small label founded in 2005 by Bang Si-hyuk that nearly faced bankruptcy before the band's debut.

From 1 July, restaurants need to tell customers whether their fish and seafood was caught in Australia or overseasGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFrom 1 July, diners across the country will see a small but notable change on menus.The federal government has made it mandatory for hospitality venues to designate a seafood product’s country of origin: “A” for Australian, “I” for imported and “M” for mixed. Continue reading...

• Fourteen U.S. states have already implemented laws similar to the federal SAVE Act, requiring voters to provide proof of citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, to register. • While the federal version of the SAVE Act faces potential stalls in Congress, proponents are shifting their strategy toward state-level legislation and citizen-initiated ballot measures. • These measures aim to tighten voter registration requirements, reflecting a broader push by MAGA-aligned legislators to mandate citizenship verification.

• Mayor Andy Burnham is delivering a speech today to outline his strategic plans for devolution and the specific changes he hopes to implement across the country. • The initiative is supported by the 2024 party manifesto, providing the political framework for Burnham to pursue these major structural shifts despite his recent entry into Parliament via a by-election. • This move matters as it seeks to redistribute power from central government to local authorities, potentially altering how public services and regional policies are managed.

• A non-European country's public broadcaster has officially become a full member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) following a successful vote. • This membership grants the nation the eligibility to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest, which is typically reserved for European nations. • The move is significant as it expands the global reach and inclusivity of the competition by allowing a new region to participate.

• The 61st ACM Awards, broadcast via a global Prime Video livestream, triggered significant streaming surges for several country music artists. • Post-show data from Luminate highlights massive commercial growth for performers including Ella Langley, Parker McCollum, and other emerging talents. • The event underscores the power of high-visibility award shows and digital streaming platforms in driving immediate listener discovery and consumption.

• Chinese Premier Li Qiang defended China's rapid technological growth during a statement on Wednesday, framing the advancements as a global opportunity rather than a threat. • The remarks address ongoing international tensions and security concerns regarding China's expanding influence in the global tech sector. • This positioning aims to counter narratives from Western nations that view China's tech rise as a strategic or economic risk.

Met Office forecasters have issued a rare red weather warning for England, with temperatures potentially reaching 40C (104F) in some places. Europe is also dealing with a debilitating heatwave, with schools closed, trains cancelled and France even restricting the consumption of alcohol outdoors to take pressure off the emergency services. The high temperatures coincide with the coming El Niño, which some scientists have nicknamed Godzilla for its predicted strength. To find out whether the two are linked, Ian Sample hears from our Europe climate correspondent, Ajit Niranjan. He explains why it’s so hot, why we could be in for even worse and how we can keep as cool as possibleClips: Sky News, BBC, Arirang NewsEl Niño is back with a vengeance – and fears of ‘Godzilla’ strength may be the least of our worries Continue reading...

• Iran has reportedly walked away from peace negotiations in Switzerland following aggressive threats from Donald Trump, who vowed to "blow the s*** out of them" and take over the country. • The diplomatic mission included JD Vance and his wife Usha, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, who arrived in Switzerland on Sunday. • This escalation marks a significant breakdown in diplomatic efforts to avoid further conflict between the U.S. and Iran.

• A viral thought experiment circulating among European policymakers warns of an "AI doomsday scenario" where the EU is sidelined by global tech powers. • The scenario predicts that by 2031, a tech-dominant United States and a robot-building China will effectively "tear apart" and carve up Europe. • This projection highlights the risk of Europe's economy falling into ruin and its own AI ambitions remaining stillborn due to a lack of competitiveness.

• InCorp reports that AI is rapidly evolving the cybersecurity landscape, creating a "new reality" where businesses must balance technological opportunities against increasingly sophisticated threats. • The report highlights a critical vulnerability in vendor exposure, noting that cybersecurity has become a fundamental trust issue between companies and their clients. • Data shows that 65% of consumers immediately lose trust in a brand following a security breach, with recovery of that confidence taking significantly longer than the incident resolution.

• Finland employs a "whole of society" approach to national security, a strategy developed over a century of preparing for potential Russian aggression. • The Finnish model integrates civilian readiness, military planning, and government coordination to ensure the entire population can withstand and respond to an invasion. • Experts suggest the UK should adopt similar comprehensive preparedness measures to strengthen its own resilience against evolving geopolitical threats.

The actor starts chant after president said he doesn’t ‘think about Americans’ financial situation, not even a little bit’Robert De Niro has renewed his attack on Donald Trump at an event in New York on Sunday. Speaking at Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the first amendment, the actor led the crowd in a repeated cry of “shut the fuck up!” in response to assorted remarks and policies of the current president.“I’m pretty close to being a free speech absolutist,” said De Niro, “even speech I don’t like, and there’s plenty of that around. So when I hear something I don’t like, I use my own free speech to respond. Continue reading...

Belligerent backdrop to tournament tests Fifa’s ‘football unites the world’ sloganIran will present a major challenge to Fifa’s “football unites the world” slogan on Monday by becoming the first country in World Cup history to compete on the soil of a host nation with which it is at war.The national team’s opening match against New Zealand in Los Angeles will kick off amid continuing hostilities between Iran and the US that have intensified in recent days, as a fragile ceasefire has failed to hold and attempts at reaching a negotiated settlement have sputtered. Continue reading...

• FOX Sports has secured the English-language broadcasting rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026, committing to air all 104 matches of the tournament. • The guide provides a comprehensive global overview of official broadcasters, streaming platforms, and mobile apps to help viewers access games across different countries. • It specifically addresses the use of VPNs to bypass regional restrictions, allowing fans to watch the tournament from outside their home countries.

• General Atlantic Co-President Martin Escobari discussed India's economic trajectory during a conversation with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath on June 11, 2026. • Escobari, representing a firm that has invested over $5 billion in India, urged the nation to be patient and avoid simply replicating China's development model. • He emphasized that India must develop a unique growth strategy tailored to its own specific strengths and systemic complexities to ensure sustainable success.

• BBC Countryfile presenter and Cotswold farmer Adam Henson has shared his perspective on the popular series *Clarkson’s Farm*. • Henson expressed support for the show, stating he is a fan of any project that helps educate the British public and consumers about farming culture. • The endorsement highlights the show's role in bridging the gap between urban populations and the realities of agricultural work.

• New Zealand has been ranked as the second-safest country in the world according to the latest Global Peace Index, which evaluates 163 independent states and territories. • This improvement in New Zealand's standing comes despite a broader global trend where world conflict has reached a historic high. • The ranking highlights New Zealand's stability and safety relative to other nations during a period of significant international volatility.

• President Barrow inaugurated the National Food and Drug Quality Control Laboratory in Brusubi to strengthen the country's health infrastructure. • During the ceremony, the President addressed a previous Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) outbreak, describing it as one of the darkest chapters in the nation's recent health history. • The event highlighted how the AKI tragedy exposed critical weaknesses in the health system, emphasizing that access to safe medicines is a fundamental necessity.

Fans from across UK descend on Shacklewell Arms for intimate gig that leaves them wanting one thing moreIn the Shacklewell Arms in east London, the usual crowd of hipsters and indie music fans had been replaced by a throng dressed in leopard print, double denim and cowboy hats to pay tribute to the night’s headliner: Shania Twain.“We thought we might have been scammed when we saw the ticket announcement,” said Jack, 28, who came with his sister Amy. “Why would she do a pub this small?” Continue reading...

People from town of potential site for US citizens with Ebola symptoms say it puts them at risk in country with no known casesPeople from a town in central Kenya where the US wants to set up an Ebola quarantine facility for its citizens have strongly criticised the plan, saying they fear it will expose them to the virus and that it is indicative of double standards on the part of the US.“Everybody should be quarantined in their home country. We shouldn’t allow foreigners to bring us diseases,” said Charles Mathenge, a taxi driver who lives near Laikipia Air Base, the proposed site in Nanyuki, 120 miles from the capital, Nairobi. “Kenya is our country, and we should be careful with it.” Continue reading...

• SoftBank plans to invest up to $87 billion to develop AI data centers in France, leveraging the country's robust nuclear energy grid. • The initial phase involves a $52 billion investment to establish 3.1 GW of capacity in the Hauts-de-France region by 2031. • This move highlights a growing global trend of AI infrastructure shifting toward regions with stable, low-carbon power, contrasting with energy shortages in the US.

Capture of Beaufort castle near the city of Nabatiyeh comes despite a nominal ceasefire and shortly before talks due in the USIsraeli troops have captured a mountain topped with a Crusader-built castle in southern Lebanon in their deepest incursion into the country in more than a quarter of a century.The capture of Beaufort castle near the city of Nabatiyeh came after days of intense fighting and airstrikes in nearby villages where Israeli troops fought Hezbollah members in the rugged area.Israel has expanded the scope of its operations in Lebanon sending troops across the Litani River, which previously served as a de facto boundary. Israel has designated the area from the Litani up to the Zahrani River a combat zone. Some residents have already left the area due to the intense strikes in recent days, but people remain in many of the area’s towns.Hezbollah overnight claimed two attacks targeting Israeli troops and a Merkava tank in the southwestern town of Bayada near the border. In recent days, the group has said it has clashed with Israeli troops in several towns just north of the river near Nabatiyeh and the castle.The Lebanese Health Ministry said the death toll in the country since March was 3,371, including civilians and combatants. The Israeli army announced Sunday that one of its soldiers had been killed the previous day by a Hezbollah explosive drone in southern Lebanon, bringing to 25 the number of Israeli military deaths since early March.US president Donald Trump said he had secured guarantees from Iran that it would not develop nuclear weapons, as reports emerged he had sent a tougher peace proposal back to Tehran. Trump has said his priorities for any deal include stopping Iran from any nuclear weapon development and re-opening the blockaded strait of Hormuz.Benjamin Netanyahu said he has given orders to the Israeli army to seize control of 70% of the Gaza Strip in a move that threatens to torpedo an already fragile ceasefire and create catastrophic humanitarian conditions in the already devastated territory. Continue reading...

Nawaf Salam says Israel collectively punishing southern Lebanon and forcing people ‘into exile’ but defends security talks with Tel AvivLebanon’s prime minister accused Israel on Saturday of pursuing a “scorched-earth policy” in his country’s south, urging a halt to the fighting as Israel carried out fresh airstrikes and issued evacuation warnings for more than a dozen locations.A day after the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said his forces had advanced deeper into Lebanon, his counterpart Nawaf Salam warned the country was facing a “dangerous” escalation, and called for “a swift and real ceasefire”. Continue reading...

Two men arrested in raid in which 12,000 doses of unlicensed weight-loss medicines recoveredA country estate near Northampton has become the centre of the largest-ever seizure of unlicensed weight-loss medicines in the UK.Two men, both aged 29, were arrested during a raid in which the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) recovered about 12,000 doses of unlicensed weight-loss medicines. Continue reading...

With early tests suggesting the presence of crude oil, the Caribbean island has begun to debate whether it could justify becoming a producerJamaica is closer than ever to drilling for oil. Tests on samples from the seabed off the Caribbean island’s south coast earlier this year identified hydrocarbons, which suggest the presence of crude oil below ground.Jamaica imports all its fuel, which costs about $1.5-2bn (£1.1bn-1.5bn) annually, depending on global oil prices. It is a persistent drag on an economy that generated $4.3bn from tourism, its biggest earner, in 2024. Continue reading...

The US president’s backing of Maga extremists turns off the very voters Republicans need to win over in the midtermsDonald Trump gave it a minute.At 9.01pm it was confirmed that Texas attorney general Ken Paxton – a hardliner backed by the US president – had triumphed over incumbent John Cornyn in the state’s Republican primary runoff for the US Senate. By 9.02pm, Trump had started celebrating on social media. Continue reading...