Night

• WWE hosted its Night of Champions event, featuring high-stakes matches to determine the top contenders for the men's and women's singles championships. • The event focused on identifying which superstars would earn the right to challenge for the titles in upcoming bouts. • These matches are critical for the WWE landscape as they establish the hierarchy of challengers and set the stage for future championship storylines.

No immediate reports of damage after Bahrain hit by ‘number of drones’ as ship in strait of Hormuz also targetedBahrain said it was attacked by Iran with a wave of drones on Saturday, apparently in response to overnight US strikes on Iran. A ship in the strait of Hormuz was also attacked.Bahrain’s foreign ministry said a “number of drones” were launched at the country, though there were no immediate reports of damage. It condemned the attack and described it as a “flagrant threat to the security of citizens and residents”. Continue reading...

• The BET Awards will take place on Sunday, June 28, at 8 p.m. ET at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. • Comedian Druski will host the ceremony, which is expected to feature top nominees including Cardi B and Teyana Taylor. • Now in its 26th year, the event serves as a premier celebration of Black excellence across music, film, television, and sports.

• The 2026 BET Awards, referred to as "Culture's Biggest Night," will take place this Sunday, featuring a comprehensive guide for broadcast, streaming, and social media viewers. • This year's ceremony introduces several milestones, including the youngest host in the event's history at age 35 and the introduction of an inaugural award named after a living legend. • The event serves as a critical showcase for Black music and entertainment, with a nominee list described as a "State of the Union" for the industry.

• The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Trump administration, granting the government authority to strip protected status from individuals from Haiti and Syria. • This decision removes legal barriers that previously prevented the administration from terminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for these specific populations. • The ruling is significant as it exposes thousands of migrants to potential deportation and sparks accusations of ideological bias among the court's conservative majority.

• Asian stock markets rallied on Thursday, June 25, 2026, driven by a surge in technology shares across the region. • The rally was triggered by "blockbuster" earnings reports from US chipmakers Micron and Qualcomm, which renewed investor confidence in artificial intelligence. • This movement highlights the continued global influence of US tech performance on regional indices such as the Nikkei 225 and markets in Seoul and Taipei.

France has its hottest night on record, 15 Italian cities under red heat alert and UN chief says London is ‘cooking’Europe heatwave live – latest updatesForty people have drowned while swimming in unsupervised areas across France in recent days, the prime minister has said, as people across the country sought respite from the record-breaking heatwave sweeping across much of Europe.“There is a tragic scourge of drownings,” Sébastien Lecornu said on Tuesday. “The latest figures we’ve received are 40 deaths since 18 June. Most of the victims are young people.” Continue reading...

From north-east Scotland to Romford, London, what do those who spoke to the Guardian during the referendum campaign make of how it all panned out?The Guardian has revisited five bellwether constituencies we reported on during the 2016 EU referendum campaign, and asked those we spoke to at the time how they now feel about Brexit a decade on from the vote. Continue reading...

Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds are experiencing after-hours boom as a result of more lenient rulesLondon has the earliest council-mandated bedtime of any other city in the UK as a result of policies in nightlife districts that oppose any new bar or restaurant opening past 11pm.These strict restrictions on pubs and bars are “killing off nightlife” in the capital, experts have said, while other cities including Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds are experiencing an after-hours boom because they have more lenient rules. Continue reading...

• 'Peaky Blinders' writer Steven Knight testified before the UK parliament’s Culture, Media, and Sports Committee on June 16th regarding the financial state of the domestic film industry. • Knight expressed support for a proposed "streamer levy," which would require US-based streaming giants to provide financial contributions to support UK production. • The proposal aims to address funding gaps in the local industry by leveraging the massive profits generated by global platforms operating within the UK.

• The U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) secured a dominant 4-1 victory over Paraguay on Friday in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup. • The win took place at SoFi Stadium, marking a significant performance under the pressure of being the tournament host. • This result is historically significant as the U.S. has struggled against elite competition, recording only two wins in 22 attempts against South American and European teams since 1990.

In today’s newsletter: A peace deal between the US and Iran has been announced, but what it contains, and what could happen next, remain unclearGood morning. A war which had no clear objectives and no obvious endgame, but unleashed havoc across the globe, looks to be on the brink of coming to a close. As he prepared to mark his 80th birthday with a cage fight on the historic White House lawn, Donald Trump announced via social media that “the Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete”.The US president has been claiming a deal is close since very early on in the conflict, but this time his words have been backed up by Iranian officials and Pakistan, which has been acting as mediator. Iran’s deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the agreement puts an “immediate end” to the war, including the conflict in Lebanon. World leaders, including Keir Starmer, have welcomed the news.Russia | British armed forces intercepted and boarded a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the Channel in the early hours of Sunday, the first time the UK has led a naval capture since the start of the war in Ukraine.Ukraine | One of the country’s most significant religious sites, Dormition Cathedral in Kyiv, was set on fire after continuing Russian bombardment.Defence | The strategic defence review row drags on, after last week’s ministerial resignations. Culture secretary Lisa Nandy revealed her department is “actively involved” in identifying cash to divert to the Ministry of Defence.Nature | A tropical western reef heron usually found between west Africa and India has been spotted in north Wales, the first time the species has been sighted in Britain. Birdwatchers are thrilled; climate scientists less so.UK news | Tommy Robinson was detained at Heathrow on Saturday. The far-right activist, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was held under counter-terrorism laws after riots in Southampton.Today | Keir Starmer is expected to “outline” his plan to ban access to “high risk” social media apps for under-16s. Libby covered what that might look like last week.Tuesday | Chief of the defence staff Richard Knighton will appear in front of the Lords’ international relations and defence committee at 11am to discuss the beleaguered strategic defense review. One worth watching.Thursday | It’s make or break in Makerfield for Andy Burnham, as he looks to win the byelection … and then the keys to Number 10? There are also two byelections in Scotland, one of which the Guardian has called “pivotal” for the future of energy in the country. Continue reading...

Dormition Cathedral of Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, one of Ukraine’s most significant religious sites, and residential buildings hit across capitalUkraine has come under a massive Russian missile and drone attack with waves of explosions echoing through the capital, Kyiv, in the early hours of Monday morning as air raids killed at least five people across the country.Among targets hit in the sustained wave of strikes were the city’s historic Dormition Cathedral within the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, one of Ukraine’s most significant religious sites, as well as residential buildings across the city. Continue reading...

• Harry Styles began a record-breaking 12-show residency at Wembley Stadium, delivering a high-energy performance for the first night of the run. • During the concert, Styles paid a poignant tribute to renowned British artist David Hockney, whose death had been announced just hours prior. • The event coincided with royal celebrations, as members of the Royal Family appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the King's birthday.

• The 2026 World Cup kicks off tonight, Sunday, June 14, featuring an opening ceremony performance by Katy Perry. • The initial schedule includes five matches on Sunday, starting with Australia vs. Türkiye at 12 a.m. on FS1, followed by games in Houston, Arlington, Philadelphia, and Guadalupe. • Broadcasts will be split between FOX and FS1, with subsequent matches scheduled through Tuesday, June 16, across venues like Atlanta, Seattle, Miami, and Inglewood.

• President Donald Trump vowed to hit Iran "very hard tonight" following two days of intensified military strikes between the U.S. and Iran. • Trump further threatened that the United States would eventually take over Iran's critical oil and gas sectors to cripple its economy. • The escalation significantly increases the risk of a full-scale war in the Middle East, destabilizing an already volatile region.

While venues could stay open until 2am, rising costs remain a far bigger concern for many landlords Picture the scene: it’s 1am on a sultry July night and Jude Bellingham has just scored the decisive penalty to send England into the World Cup semi-final. Cue wild celebrations among millions of pub goers, fuelled by the realisation that there is still an hour until closing time.Keir Starmer may have imagined a national morale-boosting spectacle such as this when his government told hospitality venues that they could stay open until 2am on some World Cup match days. Continue reading...

• Chennai Super Kings defeated Kolkata Knight Riders in the 22nd match of the Indian Premier League 2026. • CSK posted a total of 192/5, featuring a contribution of 31 runs off 22 balls from Rovman Powell, while KKR was restricted to 160/7 in their 20 overs. • The victory strengthens CSK's position in the tournament standings through a dominant batting performance and effective bowling.

• Section 702 of FISA expires tonight, but a secret FISC certification ensures that NSA and FBI warrantless surveillance remains operational through March 2027. • The extension persists despite a 47-52 Senate vote and a House rejection, effectively bypassing legislative attempts to curb the program. • Data from a March 2026 letter by FBI Acting Assistant Director Ted Groves reveals that FBI queries of Americans' communications rose 35% in 2025.

US launches strikes in retaliation for downing of US army helicopter, while White House source says deal could still be closeThe future of peace talks in the Middle East have been thrown into question after Iran’s foreign ministry said it needed to “reassess” its participation, while Donald Trump said Iran would have to “pay the price” after the two countries traded fire overnight, drawing neighbouring states back into an on-and-off war that has consumed the region since late February.The US launched strikes against Iran in the early hours of Wednesday morning in retaliation for what it said was Iran’s downing of a US army helicopter near the strait of Hormuz. Iran then launched a wave of retaliatory airstrikes claiming hits on US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan. Continue reading...

• Wall Street is seeing a partial recovery on Monday as AI stocks bounce back from the previous week's significant sell-off. • Oil prices remain elevated due to ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, though they have retreated from their overnight peaks. • Global markets faced declines, with Japan's Nikkei 225 dropping 3.8% after the government revised Q1 annualized economic growth down to 1.8% from 2.1%.

• Wall Street stocks are recovering on Monday, with shares tied to the artificial intelligence boom bouncing back after steep losses on Friday. • Oil prices have retreated from overnight highs following a surge triggered by direct military strikes between Israel and Iran. • The volatility in the energy market reflects growing fears that the conflict between Israel and Iran could escalate into a full-scale regional war.

Kreuzberg campaigners win court ruling against €2m fence aimed at shutting out drug dealersThe “hollow” in Görlitzer Park was heaving with revellers who had gathered in reaction to a court ruling against Berlin’s mayor who wanted to lock it up at night. “Görli is our garden,” said Monika, a retired psychiatric nurse who lives nearby and had joined the crowds on Monday night for a beer and a bop on the popular deep bowl-shaped meadow in the Kreuzberg district.“Görli is where we socialise and where my daughter grew up,” she said, using the affectionate nickname for the centrally located green space covering 14 hectares (35 acres). Continue reading...

• The Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes are preparing for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, with Vegas holding a series advantage. • Vegas forward Brett Howden has emerged as a key offensive threat, scoring three goals in the series and totaling 13 playoff goals. • Howden's performance ties him with Jonathan Marchessault for the Golden Knights' franchise record for the most goals in a single postseason.

• BBC presenter and Newsnight host Victoria Derbyshire has been cleared of bullying allegations following an internal investigation. • Derbyshire denied the claims, which surfaced during a period of heightened scrutiny regarding the broadcaster's internal conduct. • The investigation follows a broader BBC review of workplace culture initiated last year after Huw Edwards was convicted of possessing indecent photographs of children.

• Pop star Pink will host the 2026 Tony Awards, featuring a nominee list that includes high-profile actors such as Daniel Radcliffe, Carrie Coon, and Luke Evans. • The ceremony will feature special anniversary tributes, including a 30th-anniversary celebration of *Chicago* and a 15th-anniversary reunion of the original *The Book of Mormon* cast. • Notable performers scheduled for the event include Queen Latifah, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and original cast members like Andrew Rannells and Josh Gad.

Cars damaged and bricks strewn across streets after demonstration over Henry Nowak’s murder erupts into riotUK politics live: latest news updatesA trail of destruction was left on the streets of Southampton after Tuesday night’s anti-police protest over Henry Nowak’s murder, with car windows smashed and bricks strewn across roads.The demonstration began relatively peacefully outside Southampton central police station but turned ugly when hundreds marched across the city to the neighbourhood where Nowak died and where his killer, Vickrum Digwa, lived. Continue reading...

Qayyum Balogun chased and attacked after gig ended in Grafton Street area following clash between rival groups, police sayA brawl in the heart of Dublin’s tourism district led to a nightclub promoter being chased and stabbed to death.It happened at about 3am on Monday after a gig ended in the Grafton Street area of the city centre that is popular with tourists. Continue reading...