Opening

• Brent crude oil prices have risen as tit-for-tat military strikes between the U.S. and Iran threaten the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. • The instability in this critical waterway is hindering a return to normality for global energy shipments, driving market volatility. • In related market movements, South Korean chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix saw shares drop by approximately 5% and 4%, respectively.

• Governor Gavin Newsom hosted the first public preview of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, a new addition to the California Science Center. • The facility is designed to honor California's history of aviation and space exploration, highlighting the contributions of engineers, astronauts, and scientists. • The center aims to foster curiosity and learning for future generations by showcasing the state's commitment to science and innovation.

• Governor Gavin Newsom hosted the first public preview of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, a new addition to the California Science Center. • The facility is designed to showcase California's history of aviation and space exploration, highlighting the contributions of local engineers, astronauts, and scientists. • This expansion underscores the state's commitment to science, education, and innovation by providing an immersive learning environment for future generations.

Anthony Albanese presided over ceremony in Canberra last night. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA major new gallery at the Australian War Memorial will keep the “flame of memory” burning for future generations, the prime minister told the opening ceremony in Canberra last night, Australian Associated Press reports.Anthony Albanese was among those on hand last night for the opening of the memorial’s atrium and Anzac Hall, a gallery that focuses mainly on Australia’s commitments to the Middle East, Afghanistan and peacekeeping operations.That most unadorned of sentences that dwells within us like a heartbeat – we vow to keep the flame of memory burning so brightly that its glow reaches future generations.Today we adjourned the parliament so that everyone who wished to could come mark the opening of this Atrium and Anzac Hall, an addition to the Australian War Memorial that makes that flame burns so much brighter.Look at the faces and get lost amid the smiles, the hope and camaraderie – the counterpoint to war’s relentless, inhuman arithmetic. They are its true cost.Yet, amid this loss and sacrifice, what pulses so powerfully is life, and an abiding sense of what is worth fighting for. Continue reading...

• Toy Story 5 has achieved a record-breaking opening weekend for the franchise, marking a significant commercial success for Disney and Pixar. • The film serves as a critical "return to form" for the studios following a period of notable operational and financial challenges in recent years. • With a production budget estimated at $250 million, the movie must earn at least $500 million to offset marketing and additional overhead costs.

• The three host nations of this year's FIFA World Cup are breaking local viewership records during the tournament's opening matches. • A standout performance occurred during the United States' victory over Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium, which attracted 27.5 million viewers. • These figures, provided by FIFA, highlight a massive surge in domestic interest and engagement for the tournament.

Musical stars and retired politicians from less polarised era seeming antidote to cage fights on White House lawnThe Barack Obama presidential center opened in Chicago on Thursday after more than a decade in the making amid a musical fanfare and paeans to democratic principles that evoked a previous age, all while delivering an implied rebuke to Donald Trump.Featuring appearances by a cast of musical stars and retired politicians from a less polarised era, it was a seemingly perfect antidote to the crass spectacle of cage fights on the White House lawn. Continue reading...

Former SAS soldier had been invited along with all other living Victoria Cross recipients, judge toldGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFormer SAS soldier Ben Roberts-Smith has successfully varied his bail to attend the opening of the Anzac Hall at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.However, he has not been allowed to go to a military graduation parade and after-party north of Sydney due to concerns he might interact with another alleged war criminal, Oliver Schulz, while there. Continue reading...

• U.S. stocks rallied on Monday, June 15, 2026, following President Donald Trump's announcement that an agreement to end hostilities with Iran is now complete. • The deal includes a formal signing ceremony scheduled for this Friday in Switzerland and the strategic reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. • This diplomatic breakthrough is significant as it aims to stabilize global energy shipping routes and reduce geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

• Mexico's World Cup opening match against South Africa attracted 7.1 million viewers in the United States. • This figure marks a new record for the most-watched opening match of the tournament for an English-language broadcast. • The high viewership underscores the significant growth and popularity of soccer within the U.S. market.

Move is part of broad effort to open public lands to industry and other uses, threatening wildlife and ecosystemsThe Trump administration is executing a controversial plan to allow dirt bikes, ATVs, trucks, snowmobiles and other off-road vehicles to drive through tens of millions of acres of public lands and national parks, which environmental groups warn threatens endangered species and the environment.The plan’s opponents say the impacts will be wide-ranging and that the vehicles will likely destroy sensitive habitats, harm waterways, drive large predators like grizzly bears into contact with humans, and otherwise damage pristine public lands and parks. Continue reading...

• Levi Strauss & Co. is mocking FIFA's strict corporate partnership rules by redacting its own name from social media posts and stadium branding during the 2026 World Cup. • The ban on non-FIFA-approved partners is extensive, affecting everything from stadium naming rights to the types of condiments and credit card machines allowed on-site. • These restrictions were highlighted following a match between Qatar and Switzerland, where the Levi's stadium logo was physically covered up.

• Caesars Entertainment has opened The Vanderpump Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, marking a strategic expansion into celebrity-branded hospitality. • The new venture aims to attract luxury travelers, food enthusiasts, and entertainment seekers by integrating high-end dining and nightlife experiences. • This move follows a growing global trend of celebrity-branded hotels already seen in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates.

• The opening ceremony for the FIFA World Cup 2026 took place in Toronto at BMO Field Stadium on Friday, June 12. • Performer Nora Fatehi delivered an electric highlight performance, serving as a key attraction of the event's festivities. • The ceremony marks the official commencement of the tournament's activities in Canada, blending global sports with high-profile entertainment.

• The FIFA World Cup 2026 will launch with three opening ceremonies held across Mexico City, Toronto, and Los Angeles over a two-day period. • In Toronto, the event at BMO Field will feature a performance by Nora Fatehi alongside a lineup of other Canadian stars. • These ceremonies mark the beginning of the global tournament, highlighting the collaborative hosting effort between Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

• 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.

• The USA World Cup opening ceremony will feature musical performances from major stars, including Katy Perry, preceding the United States' opening match against Paraguay. • The 2026 World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the U.S. having automatically qualified as a host nation. • Because the tournament spans multiple time zones across three countries, fans are advised to consult the official match schedule for local start times.

• Day 2 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup features two key matchups: Canada facing Bosnia-Herzegovina at 3 p.m. ET and the United States playing Paraguay at 9 p.m. ET. • These games follow the tournament's opening matches, where Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 and South Korea beat Czechia 2-1. • This expanded tournament is significant as it is hosted across three countries and features a record 48 teams competing for the title.

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...

• The countdown has begun for the FIFA World Cup 2026, marking the first time the tournament will be hosted across three different nations. • The event will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, expanding the scale of the competition. • This historic shift in hosting structure is designed to increase global accessibility and fan engagement across North America.

• South Korea secured a victory in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup. • The tournament began with a star-studded opening ceremony at Estadio Azteca, featuring performances by music icons Shakira and Burna Boy. • This win establishes early momentum for South Korea as they navigate the group stages of the competition.

• The 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially commenced in Mexico, marking the start of the largest tournament in the competition's history. • This edition introduces several technological upgrades, including a sensor-fitted smart match ball and enhanced semiautomated offside technology to assist VAR. • New gameplay regulations have been implemented to reduce time-wasting, featuring visible five-second countdowns for goal kicks and throw-ins, alongside stricter substitution rules.

• Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 on Thursday in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup. • The game was characterized by a high number of red cards and a perceived mismatch in skill levels between the two teams. • While the victory is a positive start, some local residents noted a contrast in atmosphere compared to the 1986 tournament due to ongoing city protests.

• The Athletic is providing live updates and analysis as the 2026 World Cup approaches its opening game this week. • Historical data highlights the 1954 tournament as the highest-scoring edition with 5.38 goals per game, featuring a notable 7-5 quarter-final between Austria and Switzerland. • In contrast, the 1990 tournament in Italy recorded the lowest scoring average at 2.21 goals per game, which eventually led to the implementation of the backpass rule.

• Diplomatic efforts are underway to reopen the Strait of Hormuz following closures linked to the 2026 Israel/US-Iran conflict. • The strait serves as a critical global maritime chokepoint, essential for the transport of oil, gas, and other vital supplies. • Restoring access is a priority to stabilize global energy markets and prevent widespread economic disruption caused by supply shortages.

Commission also told NSW police declined to provide static police presence at Hanukah by the Sea but four officers at event when attack beganWithin 30 seconds of opening fire at Bondi beach on 14 December, two gunmen targeting Jewish Australians had shot 11 people, killing 10 of them, the royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion has heard.The second block of public hearings opened in Sydney on Monday morning, taking evidence about what was known about the two shooters.The Jewish organisation, the Community Security Group, asked NSW police to provide a static police presence at the Hanukah by the Sea event for the entirety of the celebration;NSW police declined to provide a static police presence for the entire event, instead allocating a “mobile tasking, that is police officers were instructed to attend the event from time to time during the evening”;At the time the two gunmen opened fire on Jewish community members, there were four police at Archer Park;Within 29 seconds of the start of the shooting, eleven people had been shot, 10 of them fatally;Three police officers were shot and injured in the court of the attack;Within five minutes, there were 11 police officers on the scene;The first shooter was shot and killed and the second shooter was shot and apprehended within seven minutes and 41 seconds after the start of the shooting. Continue reading...

Film starring Pedro Pascal next to ‘Baby Yoda’ took $165m globally on opening weekend, failing to surpass the opening of 2018 flop SoloThe Mandalorian and Grogu may have blasted into first place at the box office – but its launch was far, far away from impressive, having the lowest opening weekend for a Star Wars film since Disney took over the franchise.The film, which stars Pedro Pascal as the titular helmeted warrior who travels the galaxy with a tiny companion better known as “Baby Yoda”, made $102m at the domestic box office (North America and Canada) over the US’s four-day Memorial day weekend, contributing to a total $165m global box office. Continue reading...

Ceremonial event marks start of new parliamentary year, and outlines government policies and proposed legislationUK politics live – latest updates Continue reading...