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• A Global Peace Conference was held in Hyderabad on Thursday, bringing together diplomats, policymakers, and social leaders from nations including Russia, France, and the United States. • Organized by a news channel and Bliss Berg Future of Hope, the event focused on promoting humanitarian values, peaceful coexistence, and collaborative diplomacy. • The meeting underscores the urgent need for international cooperation as rising geopolitical tensions continue to threaten global stability.

• The Japan Creator Support Fund held a progress report meeting highlighting the international success of Japan's next generation of artists, musicians, filmmakers, and game developers. • The initiative has fostered collaborations and co-productions across 23 countries and regions, including the United States, United Kingdom, South Korea, China, and Thailand. • These efforts have resulted in tangible global outcomes such as awards, nominations, and expanded opportunities for overseas performances and international events.

• Senate Republicans held a late-night vote on Wednesday to reject a war powers resolution, moving to appease President Donald Trump after he berated them for opposing his war in Iran. • The move follows a face-to-face confrontation where Trump harangued GOP senators for allowing a vote to block his military actions on Tuesday, specifically targeting Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy. • This internal conflict has stalled general Senate business and diverted the GOP's focus away from key election-year issues regarding affordability.

• Matt Derella has taken over as the executive leading Microsoft's advertising business, a division valued at approximately $20 billion. • Derella aims to leverage a monthly user base of over one billion people across platforms including Xbox, Bing, MSN, and Activision. • The strategy focuses on combining LinkedIn's identity data with Bing's search intent to help clients better target and reach customers.

Trump suddenly scrapped the signing of a pivotal bipartisan housing bill yesterday, demanding the Senate pass his voter ID bill Hello and welcome to the US politics live blog.A dramatic day is in store in Washington DC as Donald Trump heads for a crucial meeting with Mike Johnson, the House speaker, in an attempt to break a legislative gridlock as huge political fireworks have detonated on Capitol Hill far ahead of anything resembling a Fourth of July celebration.Maryland’s Democratic US Senator Chris Van Hollen is endorsing the progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan’s Senate primary, a split with Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, the Associated Press reports as an exclusive.The US supreme court is expected to issue opinions at 10am ET and most of the big cases have not yet been ruled upon. We await immigration and finance-related opinions in particular.Huge focus on the Hill where the House speaker, Mike Johnson, meets with Trump at 2pm, with both hoping the House will be persuaded to take a vote and end a rebellion from within the right wing of the Republican caucus over the Save Act to tighten up on who can vote in US elections.Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana got into a shouting match with Trump at the Senate lunch on Wednesday after Trump admonished four senators, including him, for backing a resolution to rein in the war in the Middle East. Kennedy reportedly responded: “You have not told the American people what’s going on” with the war, adding afterwards to reporters: “It was supposed to last four weeks. It’s lasted four months,” according to Politico. Continue reading...

Bahrain Mujagata is just 21 years old and balances taxi driving with university studies and acting classes“I’ve got T-shirts older than you!” The joke draws laughter from a table of black-cab drivers gathered in the Astral cafe on Regency Place in Westminster. Around the table, cabbies swap stories accumulated over decades behind the wheel: picking up the England World Cup hero Geoff Hurst, ferrying senior politicians around London, and navigating the capital long before smartphones and satnavs existed.At just 21, Bahrain Mujagata is an anomaly among them. In late 2025, he became London’s youngest licensed black-cab driver after completing the Knowledge – the notoriously demanding test of the capital’s streets – in just two years and five months. Most candidates take three to four years to qualify, according to Transport for London. Continue reading...

With Burnham and his team potentially having only weeks before he becomes PM, Starmer has agreed to give him access to civil serviceKeir Starmer has met Andy Burnham for the first time since the Makerfield byelection in what sources said was a “frosty” meeting to thrash out a transition of power.The prime minister has agreed for his likely successor to have talks with the civil service to smooth his path, but there is deep resentment within his inner circle towards Burnham for ousting Starmer. Continue reading...

US secretary of state to reassure UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain that his country remains committed to their securityMiddle East crisis live – latest updatesMarco Rubio, the US secretary of state, is to meet Gulf allies on Tuesday and Wednesday in an attempt to reassure them that the US remains committed to their security and the 60-day ceasefire deal struck with Iran last week will not embolden Tehran.The Gulf is divided over the deal. While Qatar has played a central role in mediating the agreement, some countries – notably the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain – are fearful it hands Iran substantial sums that may be ploughed into its military. Continue reading...

Temperatures could hit 38-40C in parts of England and Wales, smashing June record set in 1976; red alerts in France after 19 heat deathsTwo children found dead in car in France as heatwave hits EuropeWith temperatures forecast to reach 38-40C in parts of England and Wales, Britain’s national weather forecaster issued a rare red weather warning covering an area stretching from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham from 9am on Wednesday to 9pm on Thursday.These were reserved for the most severe events, the Met Office said, meaning this heatwave was expected to bring “severe and significant impacts” including widespread health risks for many – not just those who were normally more vulnerable to the heat – and even danger to life. Continue reading...

• On June 21, 2026, "Meet the Press" featured a panel including Sen. Cory Booker, former Secretary Mark Esper, and Jeh Johnson to discuss geopolitical tensions. • The discussion highlighted a stark divide in public opinion, noting that 60%-70% of Americans oppose the current conflict, while over 70% of Israelis support attacks against Hezbollah. • These diverging political dynamics are critical as both President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu face significant elections scheduled for the fall.

• Jimmy Kimmel is departing for his annual summer break, leaving his late-night talk show to be managed by a series of guest hosts. • The selection of guest hosts is drawing significant attention due to Kimmel's recent shift toward frequent political commentary and open criticism of Donald Trump. • This transition highlights the intersection of entertainment and politics, as the show continues to address major American political developments during the host's absence.

• EastEnders actress Lacey Turner has been announced as the first celebrity contestant for the 2026 season of Strictly Come Dancing. • Turner, known for her long-running role as Stacey Slater since 2004, joins the cast ahead of a planned revamp of the competition. • The early announcement signals the start of the 2026 season's buildup, with further celebrity additions rumored to follow.

• European Union leaders are convening for a summit in Brussels on Thursday, notably excluding Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for the first time in 16 years. • Orban's absence follows a bruising election loss, which many EU leaders viewed as a rebuke of his combative relationship with the bloc and his close ties to Russia. • Despite the defeat, Orban met with far-right allies in Brussels on Wednesday, asserting that his loss does not halt the "historical process" of rising patriotic and anti-migration movements across Europe.

• The Federal Reserve has maintained its target interest rate range for the fourth consecutive meeting, keeping borrowing costs elevated. • High interest rates on U.S. Treasury securities are directly increasing the federal government's overall cost of borrowing. • The Treasury projects that U.S. debt as a percentage of GDP will grow to more than five times the size of the economy over the next 75 years.

• G7 leaders met in Évian-les-Bains, France, to address critical global issues including war, AI governance, and the realignment of international supply chains. • U.S. President Donald Trump announced a deal to end the conflict with Iran just before the summit, focusing discussions on Middle East stability and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. • The G7 officially labeled the U.S.-Iran agreement a “historic opportunity,” signaling a collective Western effort to stabilize the region.

• Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh is expected to withhold his "dot plot" projection during the June 2026 meeting, while Bank of America reports at least three members may project further rate hikes for the year. • A rate cut is considered implausible due to rising inflation data, with May's wholesale producer prices (PPI) climbing 6.5% year-over-year and consumer prices (CPI) at 4.2%. • Economic uncertainty persists as G7 tariff discussions and fluctuating oil prices create a murky inflation outlook, despite a recent ceasefire providing some downward pressure.

• World leaders have gathered in Evian-les-Bains, France, for the 2026 G7 summit to address critical global challenges. • Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and is scheduled to hold discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump today. • European leaders aim to persuade Trump to sustain sanctions and military aid to Kyiv while establishing a diplomatic framework between Europe, Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S.

• EastEnders actor Lacey Turner, known for her long-running role as Stacey Slater, has been announced as the first celebrity contestant for Strictly Come Dancing 2026. • The upcoming series is expected to mark a "new era" for the BBC show following a major structural overhaul of the program. • Turner brings a high profile to the competition, having won multiple awards for her television work and appearing in the BBC series Our Girl.

World leaders will be joined by Volodymyr Zelenskyy as they try to keep Donald Trump on sideSo what we now have is the leaders of Canada, EU, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK waiting for Trump, Macron and Zelenskyy.It sounded as if someone, possibly Meloni, was telling some sort of story that involved the White House, but it’s impossible to make out what it was. Continue reading...

• The FCM M&E 2026 Trends Report indicates that MICE planners continue to prioritize face-to-face meetings despite a heightened focus on risk management and logistics. • Safety and flexibility have become primary drivers in decision-making, with planners implementing stricter oversight of event security and operational agility. • There is a significant shift toward ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals, with an emphasis on environmentally conscious venues, waste management, and positive community impact.

G7 leaders to meet in Évian-les-Bains in France later today to discuss the most pressing issues, including Ukraine, Gaza, and IranKyiv monastery set on fire in night of Russian attacks across UkraineMacron frames Évian G7 agenda in hope Trump will stay for whole summitThe G7 summit host, France’s president Emmanuel Macron, also condemned the attack on the Unesco-listed Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery.In a post on X, he said that “nothing justifies this attack on our universal heritage.”“France stands ready to cooperate with the Ukrainian authorities in charge of heritage. This attack only strengthens our determination to do everything, with our allies and partners, to work toward a ceasefire that Russia continues to obstinately refuse, and then toward peace. We will strive for this at the G7 in Evian.”“the French president has no idea if Trump, a haphazard summit attender, will last the full three days – or disrupt the proceedings every hour he stays.” Continue reading...

• Mediacorp’s Joanne Chan was named Social Content Producer of the Year for CNA at the Asia Podcast Awards 2025. • In a separate development on June 14, 2026, Malaysia’s English radio station HITZ announced the retirement of its 25-year-old tagline, "Malaysia's No.1 hit music station." • This branding shift follows 30 years of broadcasting and will be marked by a special event titled "The Roast of HITZ."

• NASA utilized an unconventional method to notify the Artemis 3 astronauts of their specific crew assignments. • Rather than a formal announcement, crew members were informed through enigmatic, individual meetings with their supervisors. • This approach deviates from traditional NASA communication styles, adding a personal and surprising element to the high-stakes mission selection.

• Government House has lowered the Thai national flag to half-mast to mourn Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha. • The Prime Minister chaired a special Cabinet meeting specifically to coordinate and prepare for the upcoming royal rites. • This action signifies the national state of mourning and the government's commitment to honoring the Princess with appropriate ceremonies.

• Fox has announced its lineup of broadcasters, analysts, and former players who will call the group stage matches for the 2026 World Cup. • The crew includes veteran broadcaster Ian Darke from ESPN, analyst Danny Higginbotham of Apple TV and NBC Sports, and former USMNT goal-scoring record holder Landon Donovan. • This selection brings together a mix of experienced play-by-play announcers and elite former athletes to provide expert commentary for a global audience.

• Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) appeared on "Meet the Press NOW" on June 12 to criticize Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner (D), labeling him a “bona fide dirtbag” amid ongoing controversies. • The program also addressed emerging details regarding a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran. • President Trump indicated that a formal agreement with Iran could be finalized as early as this coming weekend.

• Only Italy, Lithuania, and Slovakia met the June 7th deadline to implement new EU pay transparency rules into national legislation. • The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) reports that nearly half of EU nations, including Germany, Spain, and Ireland, have yet to publish draft laws. • Other countries like France and Denmark have drafts but will not complete the process until next year, while Sweden remains entirely opposed to the transposition.

• Jupiter and Venus will appear in a dazzling conjunction on June 9, glowing just a few degrees apart in the western sunset sky. • Observers can also spot Mercury lurking nearby, positioned close to the horizon during the event. • This celestial alignment offers a rare opportunity for stargazers to view three prominent planets in close proximity.