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• The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has invited 529 new voting members to join its ranks, including stars Jacob Elordi, Jenna Ortega, Teyana Taylor, and Josh O'Connor. • In a separate announcement, legendary actress Glenn Close will be honored with an Honorary Award statuette at the upcoming ceremony. • This recognition for Close comes after a distinguished career featuring eight competitive Oscar nominations.

• On the 25th, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok announced that the government will not submit the prosecution reform plan developed by the Prosecution Reform Promotion Team, despite maintaining a basic position to abolish the prosecution's supplementary investigation authority. • Advisory committee members condemned the decision as "irresponsible," claiming Kim abandoned his official duties to prioritize his political ambitions for the Democratic Party's leadership election in August. • This conflict highlights a significant rift between the government's executive leadership and the specialized team tasked with implementing legal reforms.

Australian woman Leah Stewart no longer in critical condition but doesn’t yet have use of her handA woman who was attacked by a shark at Sydney’s Coogee’s beach is no longer in a critical condition and “remembers the whole event in detail”, her brother has said.Leah Stewart’s brother, Joshua, provided the update on a fundraising site on Thursday, writing that it was “amazing to hear from her so much sooner than anyone expected” and she had been “overjoyed” to see her daughter for the first time since the incident almost two weeks ago. Continue reading...

• A new book titled "Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump" reveals that a former cabinet member referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a "special needs child for the Europeans." • The derogatory comment reportedly occurred during a meeting focused on discussing a proposed minerals deal between the United States and Ukraine. • These revelations highlight the contentious nature of the Trump administration's relationship with Ukraine and the personal perceptions held by top officials.

Michelle Zajko, in jail since February 2025 on other charges, has been charged in 2022 Pennsylvania killings of parentsA member of the cultlike group known as Zizians, who has denied killing her parents in Pennsylvania in 2022, has been charged with murder, a prosecutor said Wednesday.Michelle Zajko, who has been jailed in Maryland on other charges since February 2025, has been charged with murder, burglary and conspiracy charges in the deaths of Rita and Richard Zajko, Delaware county district attorney Tanner Rouse said at a news conference. The prosecutor said she did not act alone. Continue reading...

James Desborough told team searching for missing men he enjoyed gory scenes in serial killer series, prosecution says A fan of the television serial killer show Dexter murdered two men before dismembering and burning their bodies in Cornish woodland surrounding the cabin where he lived, a jury has heard.James Desborough, 40, allegedly killed Claudio Aquilino and Daniel Coleman and hid their bodies in the dense undergrowth close to his cabin near St Austell. Continue reading...

• A new book titled "Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump" reveals that a former cabinet member referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a "special needs child for the Europeans." • The comments reportedly surfaced during a meeting focused on discussing a proposed minerals deal between the United States and Ukraine. • This disclosure highlights the contentious nature of the Trump administration's internal views toward Ukrainian leadership and its allies in Europe.

• Television stars including Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, and Tony Danza have shared tributes following the death of prolific director James Burrows at age 85. • Christopher Nolan, a two-time Academy Award winner, also honored Burrows' legacy on behalf of the Directors Guild of America. • Burrows was one of the film and television industry's most respected directors, known for his extensive work with legendary sitcom casts.

• The EU Pay Transparency Directive entered into force in May 2023, requiring all member states to implement compliant local legislation by June 7, 2026. • The directive aims to combat gender-based pay discrimination by introducing clearer, more practical reporting and transparency obligations for employers. • In Portugal, employers are advised to review hiring practices and organize pay data now to prepare for legislation following the February 2026 elections.

The originating member of the band with hits like If You Leave Me Now and Hard to Say I’m Sorry died after a battle with Alzheimer’s diseaseWalter Parazaider, a co-founding member of the rock band Chicago, has died at the age of 81 following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.His daughter confirmed the news in a Facebook post on Wednesday morning. Continue reading...

• The European Film Academy has announced a new group of emerging members for 2026, including filmmakers such as Lukas Dhont from Belgium and Zofia Kujawska from Poland. • New members represent a diverse range of nations, including Armenia, France, Germany, Greenland, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, and the UK. • These appointments are significant as members are eligible to register and vote for the annual European Film Awards, helping determine the nominations and winners.

• Several studio audience members on "The View" refused to applaud as Vice President JD Vance entered the set for an on-air interview. • The silent reception occurred as Vance walked out to be interviewed by host Whoopi Goldberg. • The incident highlights the deep political polarization and the controversial nature of Vance's public image among certain demographics.

• The European Film Academy has released the list of new members for 2026, featuring a diverse group of industry professionals from Norway. • New inductees include director Joachim Trier, director Håvard Bustnes, and various producers, editors, and actors such as Hege Hauff Hvattum and Janne Hjeltnes. • This expansion of membership strengthens the Academy's representation of European cinematic talent ahead of the 34th European Film Awards in Berlin.

• On Monday, June 15, RTL Today reported on a potential US-Iran peace deal and significant EU membership milestones for Ukraine and Moldova. • The news roundup highlighted global economic outlooks, AI developments, and anti-G7 protests that took place in Geneva. • In sports, Germany dominated Curaçao 7-1 in the World Cup, while other notable results included Australia beating Turkey 2-0 and a 1-1 draw between Brazil and Morocco.

Rochford LGBTQ+ community say Reform council’s ban on flying pride flags or holding events states they’re not welcomeBefore Reform gained control of Essex county council in the May elections, Chris Taylor and members of the Rochford LGBTQ+ community already felt they were witnessing a growing tide of political rhetoric around identity.But they were still shocked when the county’s new leadership moved to ban Pride events in 74 libraries, scaling back events of “any particular groups or themes”, a decision they said was “straight out of Trumpland”. Continue reading...

Election of new Hungarian government in April has paved way for EU member states to agree to open talks Ukraine and Moldova will take a decisive step towards joining the EU on Monday, as they embark on the first phase of membership negotiations.The start of substantive negotiations, launched by senior EU officials and ministers from both countries in Luxembourg on Monday, will be a highly symbolic moment for the two countries that were both part of the former Soviet Union. It comes after Russia has intensified its bombardment of Ukrainian towns and cities, while sustaining huge losses for little territorial gain. Continue reading...

Jermiah Copeland had admitted killing Angelina Resendiz, attacking another sailor and illegally recording anotherSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailA member of the US navy has been ordered to spend 44 years in federal prison after admitting that he fatally strangled a fellow sailor in his barracks room, violently squeezed the neck of a second woman onboard an aircraft carrier and illegally made secret video recordings of a third, including while they were being intimate.Meanwhile, the family of the petty officer whom Jermiah Copeland acknowledged murdering, Angelina Resendiz, has called for reforms within the armed forces meant to better protect women serving in the military. Continue reading...

St Anthony of Padua asks for prayers for survivors after removing Anthony Odiong’s name from list of intentionsA Louisiana Catholic church that solicited prayers for a former pastor recently sentenced to life imprisonment for criminal clerical sexual assault, then backed off having offended his victims, is asking its community to pray for survivors of clergy abuse.The shift took place in an updated 7 June parochial bulletin published by St Anthony of Padua church in the New Orleans suburb of Luling, Louisiana, where priest Anthony Odiong was pastor from 2015 to late 2023. Continue reading...

• The United States Mission to the United Nations issued a briefing calling for immediate economic and political reforms by the Cuban regime. • The U.S. demanded the release of political prisoners, the opening of the economy, and an end to the government's practice of blaming American policies for Cuba's internal misery. • The U.S. urged UN Member States to stop voting for the annual anti-embargo resolution and to ensure humanitarian aid reaches the Cuban people directly rather than the government.

Von der Leyen tells Balkans summit that bloc needs to make enlargement process ‘faster and more credible’The EU must prove its willingness and ability to take in new members and speed up its enlargement process, leaders of the bloc have said, as they gathered with their counterparts from six western Balkan countries that hope to join soon.“The European Union has to show that it is capable of enlarging and willing to enlarge, and we want to discuss that here,” Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, told reporters on Friday at the summit in Tivat, a costal town in Montenegro. Continue reading...

Former student Almunthir Daqamah, 21, due to appear in court on Friday while campus safety officer is in stable condition in hospitalA man has been charged with attempted murder after a staff member was shot with a crossbow at the University of Surrey.Almunthir Daqamah, 21, a Saudi national, has been charged with attempted murder, possession of an offensive weapon, two counts of possession of a bladed article and possession of class B drugs, Surrey police said. Continue reading...

Macron, Merz and von der Leyen among those due to gather in Montenegro for talks on integration of six countriesEuropean leaders will seek to show six western Balkan countries that they have a real chance of joining the EU one day, despite splits over how to handle enlargement of the 27-member bloc.Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz, Giorgia Meloni and Ursula von der Leyen are among more than 30 leaders expected to gather in the Montenegrin coastal resort of Tivat on Friday for summit talks. The focus will be on integrating the six Balkan countries – among them Montenegro and Albania – more deeply into the EU single market, paving the way for them to join the bloc. Continue reading...

US secretary of state Marco Rubio says anyone providing services to sanctioned actors ‘is at risk of sanctions themselves’The United States has announced fresh economic sanctions on Cuba’s president and some of his immediate family, alongside members of the Castro family, in Washington’s latest ramping up of pressure on its communist-led neighbour.Among those targeted were the son and a grandson of former president Raúl Castro, who no longer holds an official position but remains a key figure on decisions about the future of the island. Continue reading...

Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad made a surprise appearance at a performance of Abba VoyageAbba Voyage concerts can be deafening enough. But when the real-life Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad made an appearance in the hall, which was packed with hundreds of schoolchildren, even security staff present were surprised by the din.On Tuesday, at the custom-built Abba Arena in east London, the virtual concert residency launched its expanded education programme, which aims to support young people across the area getting into creative industries. Continue reading...

Defense secretary’s latest interposition resulted in all-male, overwhelmingly white picks for promotion to admiraltyUS politics live – latest updatesThe US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, stripped nine navy officers including women and Black service members from a promotion list last month, according to a person familiar with the matter, resulting in an all-male, overwhelmingly white slate of 22 advancing as nominees to become one-star admirals.Hegseth’s unusual intervention violated promotion rules designed to be merit-based and apolitical, the New York Times said on Tuesday, and extended the Trump administration’s push to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the military. Continue reading...

• Eurostat released an update to the EXT_TEC03 trade dataset on June 1, 2026, detailing trade performance for the EU and its member states. • Total EU trade decreased from 284.63 billion euros in 2023 to 270.04 billion euros in 2024. • Major economies, specifically Germany and France, were among the member states that experienced declines in trade volume.

Researchers observed unavailable female dolphins – those that were older, or with calves – did not show the same avoidant behaviourGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFemale dolphins identify males by their unique calls and keep track of their past behaviour, choosing to avoid the most aggressive males during mating season, new research suggests.Bottlenose dolphin society is complex, and male and female dolphins often know each other for decades, said Prof Stephanie King, an expert in animal behaviour at the University of Bristol. Continue reading...

Revealed: AIEF, a charitable affiliate of pro-Israel lobby Aipac, has spent millions on travel for lawmakers from both parties, even as voters’ support for Israel plummetsDozens of members of Congress and Capitol Hill staffers have enjoyed lavish gifted travel to Israel funded by an Aipac affiliate since 7 October 2023, amid Israel’s expanding wars on its neighbors and despite plummeting levels of support among Americans for the country’s policies, a Guardian analysis has found.Congressional ethics filings and other public records show the trips, led by the American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF), revolved around one-sided briefings on Middle East politics and Israeli domestic and foreign policy. Lawmakers and their staffers from both parties met Israeli officials, military contractors and civil society figures, including Benjamin Netanyahu and advocates for the annexation of the West Bank and the displacement of Palestinians from Jerusalem. Continue reading...