Penn

• Volodymyr Zhuravlev, a chief suspect in the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline bombings, has been arrested after previously evading German authorities. • Zhuravlev allegedly served as a consultant for "Snake Island," a dramatized film starring Sean Penn that reconstructs events related to the conflict. • The case involves a team of Ukrainian divers accused of destroying the pipelines that supplied Russian natural gas to Germany.

Volodymyr Zhuravlev had been consulted on Snake Island, a dramatised reconstruction of incidentEarlier this month locals in Zagreb noticed something odd outside an art deco building. Sandbags and barricades appeared in front of the Esplanade hotel, along with a film crew and extras sporting Ukrainian military uniforms. Soon afterwards the actors Sean Penn and Adrien Brody were spotted on the set in the Croatian capital, together with Doug Liman, the Hollywood director of the Jason Bourne movies.Liman had come to shoot his latest fictional political thriller. Its subject: the 2022 Nord Stream explosions, in which a team of Ukrainian divers allegedly blew up a pipeline supplying Russian oil to Germany. One of the chief suspects, Volodymyr Zhuravlev, had twice eluded the Germany authorities: once allegedly slipping out of Poland in the boot of a diplomatic car, and on another occasion freed by a court. Continue reading...

Foreign minister says Australia is ‘outraged’ after Israeli government decided not to pursue criminal proceedings over 2024 triple drone strike on humanitarian convoyFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia’s foreign minister has expressed “outrage” and will call in the Israel ambassador over the IDF decision overnight not to open a criminal investigation into Gaza strikes that killed Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom.In a statement released on Thursday, Penny Wong called the timing of the decision, on World Humanitarian Day, “ especially insulting”. Australia’s ambassador to Israel has been directed to convey the government’s views directly. Continue reading...

Foreign affairs minister says timing of decision was ‘especially insulting’. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe foreign minister, Penny Wong, says the government is “outraged” over the decision by the Israeli Defence Force not to pursue a criminal investigation into the strike on an aid convoy in 2024 that killed seven people including Australian Zomi FrankcomIn a statement issued this morning Wong says it falls “far short of the accountability we expect” and she will “call in Israel’s ambassador to Australia Hillel Newman and have directed Australia’s ambassador to Israel to convey our views directly to Israel as the Australian government considers next steps”.The Australian government learned of Israel’s decision late last night, moments before it was announced, on World Humanitarian Day - which is especially insulting to Zomi’s loved ones, humanitarians and all Australians.Zomi represented the best of Australia. Her courage deserves to be celebrated. Her family deserves justice.This was confirmed by Special Adviser Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin’s report.Democracies seek and accept higher standards. The Australian government will not stop pressing Israel for justice for Zomi and her colleagues. Continue reading...

Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi were off campus, with Delta Upsilon placed on interim probationMore than a dozen Penn State University students ran a cocaine trafficking ring that cut and packaged the potent drug mainly at two fraternity houses, authorities said on Monday.The Pennsylvania attorney general, Dave Sunday, announced charges on Monday against 14 people linked to the purported operation, saying it involved “primarily college students and two fraternities”. The drugs were “distributed mainly to Penn State … students”, Sunday’s office contended in statements that caused waves far beyond the research university’s campus community. Continue reading...

South American fish with razor-toothed jaws was probably released by someone who owned it as a pet, officials sayAn eight-year-old boy fishing for bass in Pennsylvania was stunned to catch something more associated with the Amazon – and countless horror movies – than the rolling landscape of the eastern US.Seamus Coffey, who was fishing with his father Michael in a lake near Philadelphia, hauled in a large red-bellied piranha, complete with the razor-toothed jaws that the fearsome breed is so famous for. Continue reading...

Shadow justice secretary says artist should foot bill, while others say his murals make art accessibleThree Banksy artworks have cost taxpayers almost £150,000 in cleaning, security and other costs, with the bill expected to rise.The largest bill relates to a mural painted on the Royal Courts of Justice in London in September 2025, where efforts to remove it and provide security have so far cost more than £85,000, according to the BBC. Continue reading...

• House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries launched the "Fighting for an Affordable America" agenda, marking the start of the 100-day countdown to the midterm elections. • The battle for House control is expected to be decided by just 20 key races, with Pennsylvania identified as a critical "swingy" state. • These elections serve as a referendum on the Trump administration's second term, specifically focusing on economic policies and military actions against Iran.

China’s foreign ministry says ‘relevant countries’ should ‘stop stirring up tension’. Follow liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia is not ruling out stepping up joint patrols of the South China Sea following “destabilising” missile testing in the region, Australian Associated Press reports.The foreign minister, Penny Wong, was asked last night about the potential of more regular regional sea patrols in tandem with the United States and Japan, following China’s launching of nuclear-capable missiles. Continue reading...

• Pennsylvania Democrats are eyeing a "trifecta" of control over the state Senate, state House, and governorship in the 2026 elections. • A Democratic sweep could revive stalled election reforms, including the implementation of pre-canvassing, same-day voter registration, and mandatory electronic pollbooks. • These changes would address current legislative gridlock and potentially reactivate a dormant bipartisan advisory board meant to suggest election solutions.

• ABC is airing "Disney Celebrates America: Nashville's Star-Spangled Bash," a July 4th special featuring live music and celebrity guests. • Hosted by Emmy winner Ryan Seacrest, the event includes performances from major music stars and one of the nation's largest fireworks and drone shows in downtown Nashville. • The special highlights the intersection of Disney's brand and American patriotic celebrations through a large-scale production in a music hub.

• A federal judge dismissed a Department of Justice lawsuit against Philadelphia City Commissioner Al Schmidt, ruling that Pennsylvania is not required to share its unredacted voter-registration database with the Trump administration. • This legal action was part of a broader effort by the DOJ to sue more than half of U.S. states to force the release of unredacted voter rolls. • The ruling marks the tenth time a federal judge has sided against the administration in these specific efforts to obtain voter data.

• Penn State has been ranked No. 20 in space science according to the U.S. News 2026-27 'Global Universities' rankings. • The university's researchers are recognized for their work in discovering exoplanets, analyzing asteroid samples, and studying the evolution of the cosmos. • This ranking highlights Penn State's leadership in space-related innovation and the development of critical astronomical instrumentation.

• Musician Oliver Tree, known for the hit "When I'm Down," died at age 32 following a helicopter crash. • Shortly before the accident, Tree revealed the specific details of his will, stating that his family would not receive any of his inheritance. • The revelation highlights a significant familial rift and ensures his estate will be distributed according to his specific wishes rather than to his relatives.

Oscar-winning actor to write and direct fact-based movie that will follow a police officer mixed up in 2021 Capitol riotSean Penn will direct a new film about the January 6 riot set to star Bradley Cooper.According to Deadline, the star, who recently won his second Oscar, will bring what’s been described as a “passion project” to the screen and act as both writer and director. Continue reading...

Suspect in custody at busy rail hub adjacent to Madison Square Garden one day before game three of NBA finalsSix people were stabbed in a Sunday night attack at New York’s Penn Station, authorities said, with Amtrak police saying a person believed to be homeless was being held in custody as a result.The stabbings at the US’s busiest railroad hub came one day before thousands of basketball fans were expected at the third game of the NBA finals at the adjacent Madison Square Garden complex, although the events are not believed to be linked. Continue reading...

• Five people were injured in a stabbing incident at New York's Penn Station, one of the busiest transportation hubs in the United States. • The attack occurred in downtown Manhattan as the city prepares for high-profile sporting events, including the NBA Finals and the World Cup. • The timing is particularly sensitive as Madison Square Garden, located above the station, is set to host NBA Finals games on Monday and Wednesday.

• Actor Sean Penn skipped the 2026 Oscars ceremony, opting not to attend in person to accept his Best Supporting Actor trophy. • Penn has previously criticized the Academy Awards, claiming in 2024 that the event functions more as a "television show" than an artistic celebration and limits diverse cultural expressions. • The actor also revealed a strict personal policy against taking selfies, stating he would refuse even in extreme emotional scenarios involving vulnerable individuals.

Foreign affairs minister says her position is to ‘always believe women’ when sexual assault allegations are madeGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, says she believes the Australian women who have alleged they were raped and beaten by Israeli soldiers after being detained as part of a humanitarian flotilla attempting to bring aid to Gaza.Appearing at Senate estimates, Wong said the treatment of the Australian women was “unacceptable”, and the allegations they had subsequently made were “distressing”. Continue reading...

Amtrak car caught fire in Hudson River tunnel due to overhead wire damage, according to New Jersey transitA fire in a rail yard train car near New York’s Penn Station injured five people and disrupted service for many commuters early Friday, authorities said.The fire resulted in train delays on the New Jersey Transit and Amtrak rail services into New York and briefly suspended Long Island Rail Road service, more than a week after a strike had shut down that system. Continue reading...

When an Inner Mongolia farmer sought two herders to tend his 3,000 sheep, he was swamped with applicants including graduates, factory labourers and white-collar workersA Chinese farm owner’s recruitment drive for shepherds has ended in success after his job advert seeking people to work on his Inner Mongolia ranch went viral, drawing the attention of city dwellers struggling to find work and highlighting growing strains in China’s labour market.Zuo Xiaoyong posted an advert on Chinese social media in late April seeking two shepherds, preferably a couple, to take 3,000 sheep out to graze on a 2,000ha pasture in the summer. The shepherds would also undertake indoor feeding and cleaning during the winter when temperatures can drop below -30C at his ranch roughly 300km from Xilinhot city, near the Mongolian border. Continue reading...

John A Walko was identified through DNA and brought home to Pennsylvania 80 years after his WWII deathThe remains of a US soldier killed during the second world war were returned to his Pennsylvania hometown more than 80 years after he died after DNA analysis identified him.John A Walko, a US army Pfc who died on 20 October 1944 during the Battle of Aachen in Germany, was escorted from the Pittsburgh airport to Commodore, Pennsylvania by a veteran’s motorcycle group earlier this month, according to Cleveland.com. Continue reading...

Australia’s foreign minister condemns video posted by Israel’s national security minister taunting detained activists. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, has condemned the actions of Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who posted a video of himself abusing bound activists captured while trying to sail an aid flotilla to Gaza.Wong joined international condemnation of the footage, which shows Ben-Gvir waving an Israeli flag, mocking and taunting the detainees, including shouting: “The people of Israel live” in the face of one bound man. In a statement, Wong said: “The images we have seen are shocking and unacceptable”.We condemn the actions of Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir – who Australia has sanctioned – and the degrading actions of Israeli authorities towards those detained. I have asked Australia’s Ambassador to Israel to make representations to Israel, reiterating our call for the release of the detained Australians and for Israel to ensure no ill treatment of any detainees and to act in line with international obligations. Continue reading...

Tight primary victory in Philadelphia district bolsters Democrats’ left flank, seen as test of progressive momentumUS politics live – latest updatesChris Rabb, an unflinching progressive state representative, declared his campaign for Pennsylvania’s third congressional district was “indomitable” after winning the Democratic primary in a race that became a proxy battle over the direction of the Democratic party.In a significant victory for the party’s left wing, Rabb took roughly 45% of the vote in Tuesday’s contest, comfortably ahead of early frontrunner state senator, Sharif Street, who fell to under 30%, and surgeon Ala Stanford. Continue reading...

• Penn State men's basketball team hired Dwayne Stephens, a former Michigan State assistant, as their new assistant coach on May 12, 2026. • Stephens spent nearly two decades with the Spartans under Tom Izzo before becoming a head coach at Denver and Wright State. • The hire strengthens Penn State's staff amid efforts to rebuild the program after recent seasons.

‘Brilliant, wise’ co-founder of English Shakespeare Company celebrated for his portrayal of roles including Macbeth and MercutioThe actor Michael Pennington, known for his Shakespearean work and his role in the original Star Wars trilogy, has died aged 82, his agent has said.Pennington, who is listed as an honorary associate artist with the Royal Shakespeare Company, also founded and ran the English Shakespeare Company alongside the theatre director Michael Bogdanov. Continue reading...

• A Pennsylvania man was arrested and charged with making repeated threats and leaving voicemails calling for President Donald Trump's assassination, marking the latest in a series of politically motivated violence incidents. • The arrest follows a similar case in California and has prompted concerns among political analysts about escalating threats against the president and other government officials. • Fox News political analyst Guy Benson highlighted the troubling trend of rising politically motivated violence targeting administration officials and lawmakers.

• A Pennsylvania state court ordered election officials to draw a new congressional map by June 2026, ruling that the current Republican‑backed map unlawfully diluted the voting strength of Black and Latino communities in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. • The judge found that the existing districts concentrated minority voters into a handful of “safe” Democratic seats, limiting their influence in neighboring competitive districts and violating state constitutional protections for equal representation. • The decision threatens Republican hopes of holding a narrow House majority in 2026 and could force the legislature into a court‑supervised redistricting process if lawmakers cannot agree on a replacement map.