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Palestinian children ‘deliberately targeted and killed,’ report’s chair says. Plus, Mamdani-backed candidates sweep NYC Democratic primariesGood morning.Israel continues to commit genocide by deliberately targeting Palestinian children in Gaza, an ⁠independent UN inquiry has found.What does the report say? That Palestinian children were deliberately targeted and killed during the ‌war, including after a ceasefire came into effect ‌in October 2025. “The evidence shows that Palestinian children have been deliberately targeted and killed by the Israeli security forces,” Srinivasan Muralidhar, the commission’s chair, said in a statement accompanying the report.How has Israel’s government reacted? The Israeli mission in Geneva said Israel rejected the commission’s “libellous sham”. The country has fought hard against allegations of genocide, while receiving critical diplomatic support from its allies including the US and the UK.What about legal and rights experts? A significant body of research has concluded that Israel is intent on destroying Palestinians, including analyses by UN investigators, rights bodies such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, and genocide scholars worldwide.Which Mamdani allies won their primaries? Brad Lander, a former New York City comptroller, defeated the Democratic representative Dan Goldman; Claire Valdez, a state lawmaker and former union organizer, defeated Antonio Reynoso, the preferred successor of Nydia Velázquez, who is retiring; and Darializa Avila Chevalier, a public defense investigator, toppled Adriano Espaillat, the powerful five-term incumbent who chairs the congressional Hispanic caucus. Continue reading...

• New research suggests that plasma from distant stars may interfere with and transform radio signals sent by alien civilizations. • This phenomenon could cause signals to be distorted or altered, leading scientists on Earth to overlook prime evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence. • The study highlights a critical gap in current SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) methods, which may be searching for the wrong signal patterns.

UK regulator has increased its scrutiny of fashion retailers over potentially misleading environmental statementsAds for Calvin Klein, Adidas and Uniqlo promoting “recycled” clothing and shoes have been banned by the UK watchdog after the advertisers were unable to prove their green claims.Each of the fashion companies ran paid-for Google ads, with Adidas promoting “recycled running shoes”, Calvin Klein “recycled” tops for women, and Uniqlo advertised fleece coats and jackets made from “recycled materials”. Continue reading...

• The Sensex and Nifty plummeted over 1% on Tuesday, driven by global market weakness, significant losses in the IT sector, and a weakening rupee. • Market sentiment was further pressured by fresh outflows from foreign institutional investors (FIIs), leading to a sharp decline in overall indices. • Investors are now monitoring critical technical levels and global cues on Wednesday to determine if the market will stabilize or continue its downward trend.

Central California US district court rejected claim policy was ‘unconstitutional’. Plus House of the Dragon star Olivia Cooke on being sworn at by people wanting selfiesGood morning. A California court has dismissed a lawsuit filed ⁠by Donald Trump’s administration against Los Angeles over a city ordinance making it a “sanctuary city” and limiting ⁠its cooperation with federal ⁠immigration ​authorities.Fernando Olguin, a judge in the central California US district court, rejected the administration’s argument that the city’s policy was unconstitutional. ⁠He gave the administration permission to file an amended complaint. The White House did not ⁠immediately respond to the Guardian’s request for comment.What did the city say about the victory? The Los Angeles ‌city attorney, Hydee ‌Feldstein Soto, said: “This order reinforces the well-established principle that local governments have the authority to decide how to use their personnel and resources. The goal of this ordinance … is to encourage victims of and witnesses to crime to feel safe coming forward to seek help from LAPD regardless of their immigration status. It does not obstruct or impede lawful federal immigration enforcement operations.”Why did both sides want the act to pass? The legislation comes as Democrats and Republicans prepare for November’s midterm elections, in which concerns about affordability are expected to loom large in the minds of voters. A shortfall in construction of new homes is seen as a key driver of housing costs, which have crept higher in recent years. Continue reading...

• The 2026 Shanghai Film Festival concluded with a first-time director winning the prestigious Golden Goblet award. • Artificial intelligence served as a dominant theme throughout the event, though attendees maintained a pragmatic and grounded perspective on its impact. • The festival highlighted a strong commitment to youth in cinema and featured a successful screening of a 1961 classic that drew a massive crowd.

US president threatened Iran over strait of Hormuz in sweary outburst. Plus, Starmer to step down as UK’s PM two years after historic landslideGood morning. Iran’s foreign minister has declared “progress” after the first day of talks between high-ranking officials from Washington and Tehran ended in Switzerland, despite a tense opening marked by Donald Trump’s threats to restart attacks.Abbas Araghchi said Pakistani and Qatari mediation “has delivered major progress to end [the] Lebanon war”. Iran has been adamant that Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon must end as part of any deal. The Israelis are not directly participating in the talks.What has been agreed? A joint statement from mediators Qatar and Pakistan said the ⁠US and Iran agreed a roadmap towards⁠ a final deal within 60 days. Technical talks between lower-ranked officials ​will continue for the rest of the week. In a development that is critical to unlocking progress, the US Treasury was also preparing to issue a 60-day waiver lifting sanctions on oil, petrochemicals and derivatives.What threat did Trump issue to the Iranians? Over the weekend, Iran said it had reinstated its blockade in the strait of Hormuz in protest at the continued Israeli strikes on Lebanon. The US president responded on social media, saying: “You close it and you won’t have a country. You won’t even make it back to your fucking country.”What impact has the war had on support within Iran for the government? Saeed Shah reports that the war has triggered a rare moment of solidarity in a country that was reeling from the killing of thousands of protesters by the authorities at the start of the year.Why has Starmer stood down? After months of internal party pressure and plunging poll numbers, his downfall has been triggered by key political misjudgments including appointing the Jeffery Epstein-linked Peter Mandelson as US ambassador despite a failed security vetting. Policy reversals have led to his MPs viewing him as weak, a sentiment reinforced by devastating losses in the May elections that underscored his deep unpopularity with voters. Continue reading...

• The second week of the 2026 World Cup saw the group stage progress across North America, with the knockout bracket beginning to take shape. • A critical Group G match featured Egypt and New Zealand, both of whom entered the game without a single victory in the current tournament or their respective World Cup histories. • The match carries significant implications for the Group G standings, as both teams fight for a chance to advance to the next round.

• A gamma-ray stream has been detected coming from the center of the Milky Way, known as the Galactic Center Excess. • Researchers have been unable to rule out the possibility that self-annihilating dark matter is the source of this emission. • The origin of the Galactic Center Excess is a long-standing debate in astrophysics, with no consensus on its cause.

• The weekend of 19th-21st June 2026 in Singapore is packed with activities and events. • The list includes 22 best things to do, although specific details are not provided. • Residents and visitors can look forward to exploring various options to fill their calendar.

• Indian equities ended lower on Friday, snapping a five-session winning streak as the Sensex fell 607 points and the Nifty dropped below recent highs. • The market decline was primarily driven by heavy selling in the IT sector and weak global cues that weighed on investor sentiment. • Despite the dip, analysts remain cautiously optimistic, suggesting a "buy-on-dips" strategy due to easing volatility and expectations of an earnings recovery.

Former party leaders reflect on the turbulence that followed the referendum in which most Scottish voters backed the losing sideThe decision to quit the EU bolstered support for Scottish independence, which a decade after the Brexit referendum is at near record levels, according to Scottish Labour’s former leader Kezia Dugdale.Dugdale said the Brexit vote “creates a frame around fairness” for many in Scotland because, unlike England, Scottish voters comprehensively backed remain in 2016, by 62% to 38%, yet found their country taken out of Europe. Continue reading...

• Netflix has cancelled the new sci-fi drama series created by the founders of *Stranger Things* after only one season. • The unnamed project joins a growing list of shows axed by the streaming platform following their initial run. • The creators previously expressed caution regarding cliffhangers, citing a similar experience with *The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance*, which was also cancelled after one season.

Italian house’s catwalk emphasised the brand’s ‘molto sexy’ look with flamboyant, sometimes revealing outfitsDolce & Gabbana leaned heavily into the art of theatrical misdirection on the second day of Milan fashion week as it aimed to draw attention away from its debt issues, catwalk controversies and management reshuffles.On the catwalk its signature “molto sexy” Italian aesthetic that comes served with a generous scoop of la dolce vita was in full swing. This was Euro summer on steroids. There were clingy muscle vests and micro shorts that made short shorts look modest while some models simply went topless. Jeans came ripped, shredded or smothered in sparkling jewels while T-shirts featured everything from giant prints of Sicilian lemons and ancient amphitheatres to a mosaic depiction of Christ. Continue reading...

• Western allies, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Belgium, are accelerating military assistance to Ukraine to counter potential Russian escalation. • The new support packages prioritize strengthening air defenses, expanding drone production, and sustaining critical battlefield operations. • This surge in aid comes as European nations express growing concern that Russia may employ its full military capabilities to annihilate Ukraine following recent long-range strikes.

JD Vance lambasted Israeli critics of the proposed deal, but did not travel to Europe as planned. Plus, at 82 years old, Keith Richards still gives some of the best interview quotes in townGood morning. Talks set to take place today between the US ⁠⁠and ​Iran to implement a peace deal were abruptly cancelled. The White House said the US still looked forward to “beginning technical talks as soon as possible”. Hezbollah-linked media reported Tehran was delaying sending its delegation due to Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Lebanon.The talks were set to begin in the Swiss village of Obbürgen two days after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that opened a 60-day window to negotiate a permanent agreement over Iran’s nuclear programme, while reopening the strait of Hormuz. The centre of the strait is blocked with about 80 mines that will need clearing for normal shipping to resume, the independent tanker owner trade body has said.What is happening in Lebanon? Hezbollah targeted Israeli forces near Nabatieh with several salvoes of rocket fire after Israeli shelling. Israel responded with a wave of airstrikes, killing at least 18 people and injuring 33. Iran has said Israel’s attacks on Lebanon must end as part of any peace deal.What did JD Vance say to Israeli critics of the deal? In sharp words, the vice-president said: “Donald J Trump is the only head of state in the entire world ‌who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this ‌moment in time. If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left ‌in the entire world.”Why does Trump’s Iran entanglement echo the Jimmy Carter years? In this excellent analysis piece Robert Tait reminds us that one of Trump’s earliest political forays was lambasting the Democratic president during the 1980 Iran hostage crisis. Trump, Tait says, now finds himself in a position that uncannily resembles that of his predecessor – unable to bend Iran to his will despite superior US military power. Continue reading...

• Indian equity markets advanced for a fourth consecutive session, driven by gains in the IT, metals, and PSU banking sectors. • Market sentiment was bolstered by a combination of easing geopolitical tensions, lower crude oil prices, softer bond yields, and a stronger rupee. • The India VIX remained subdued, signaling improved investor confidence and lower volatility across the benchmarks.

President hails ‘major win’ for US as he attempts to exit war having failed to achieve regime change in Tehran. Plus: an investigation into the murky world of OnlyFans ‘managers’Good morning.Donald Trump has signed a 14-point agreement with Iran, claiming it delivered a “major win” for the US – even as it made significant political and financial concessions to Iran to reopen the strait of Hormuz and prevent a “worldwide depression”.How have US Republicans reacted to the deal? Senator Lindsey Graham, a key Trump ally, appeared to soften his view of the deal after a “very lengthy and productive” conversation with the the US special envoy Steve Witkoff. But his fellow senator Ted Cruz, who has backed the war, said: “History teaches that giving billions of dollars to theocratic lunatics who want to murder us is not a good idea. I think the president is receiving some very poor advice on this deal.” And Senator Bill Cassidy declared: “Reagan is rolling over in his grave.”Why is Ukraine newly concerned about Belarus? Russian spy drones flying into Ukraine from Belarusian airspace have sharply increased since the beginning of the year, leading to Kyiv reinforcing fortifications on its northern border. What concerns Ukrainian and European officials is that Moscow appears to be attempting to integrate Minsk ever more closely into its war efforts, including through joint nuclear exercises earlier this year. Continue reading...

• A handwritten will allegedly left by the late 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' actor Nicholas Brendon has surfaced, detailing the distribution of his estate. • The document is notably brief, consisting of only 11 words that specify who the actor possibly intended to leave his assets to. • This revelation provides rare insight into the final wishes of the actor following his passing and the potential legal heirs to his estate.

Republicans question details of deal set to be signed later in the week as European leaders seek to join talks. Plus: can we refreeze the Arctic?Good morning.Donald Trump, facing severe criticism from some domestic supporters for conducting a war against Iran that has met hardly any of its original objectives, has backed a joint G7 leaders’ statement that welcomes his proposed peace deal.What is the domestic criticism of the deal? Many Senate Republicans said there were still unanswered questions and they needed thorough briefings before it was finalized. Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Trump and a longtime hawk on Iran, said: “The way Iran describes it, it’s awful. The way we describe it, it makes sense to me. Let’s look at it and see what it actually is.”How do people in Iran feel about the deal? The Guardian’s Deepa Parent found a shared sense of exhaustion, and anger that nothing has really changed.What does the deal mean for US-Israeli relations? The strategic interests of the US and Israel appear to be diverging and Benjamin Netanyahu has been left in a political bind, facing an election having led Israel in three wars – in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran – without a clear victory in any of them.How are authorities cracking down on protests against ICE? Fifteen people in Minnesota have been charged with conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers over their response to a deadly immigration enforcement crackdown in the state earlier this year. The prosecutors allege the defendants were part of two Minneapolis-based “antifa” groups that “violently oppose immigration law enforcement”. Continue reading...

• Global news reports highlight ongoing uncertainty regarding a potential deal with Iran and the persistence of economic price shocks caused by war. • The European Union is actively pushing back against Russia while officially initiating Ukraine's path toward EU accession. • A retrospective analysis examines how Ford’s historical success fundamentally reshaped global industry, urban development, and labor practices.

The Mason Lee case was not an anomaly. Queensland’s police and coronial systems work as designed – and that’s the core of the current crisisNine months before the death of the toddler Mason Jet Lee, a woman called police to warn them about the boy’s killer, William Andrew O’Sullivan. They placed a flag on his file labelling the woman’s claims “vexatious”. But that’s not the most shocking part of this story.Police already had evidence O’Sullivan was suicidal and homicidal. Months earlier they’d gone with him to a hospital, seeking mental health treatment, and while there he threatened to “skin” the woman and kill children. But that’s also not the most alarming thing. Continue reading...

• Indian equities rose for a third consecutive session, with the Sensex and Nifty gaining ground due to lower oil prices and optimism regarding a peace framework between Iran and the US. • The rally was driven by broad-based buying across the IT, realty, FMCG, and oil & gas sectors, which helped sharply reduce market volatility. • Investors are now shifting their focus to the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decision scheduled for Wednesday.

• The Bank of Japan raised interest rates by 25 basis points as anticipated and announced a reduction in its bond purchase program. • U.S. markets saw significant gains, with the Dow reaching a record close and the Nasdaq experiencing its strongest day since March, driven by an interim peace deal in Iran. • These developments highlight a shift in Japanese monetary policy and a positive investor reaction to geopolitical stabilization in the Middle East.

The US president says Iran will not obtain nuclear weapons, ‘which is what it was all about’. Plus, how AI could help botanists combat the extinction risk to rare plantsGood morning. Donald Trump has declared the strait of Hormuz will be “completely open” from Friday. “The deal’s all signed. And the strait ⁠is already partially opened,” the US president said as he arrived at the G7 summit in France.“I think a lot of great things are going to happen in the Middle East. And very importantly, the oil is plummeting down and the stock market is shooting up like a rocket today,” Trump said. “The main thing is that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon. They fully agreed to that with strong policing powers, and they won’t have a nuclear weapon, which is what it was all about.”What is the reaction in Israel? Analysts have pointed out that none of Benjamin Netanyahu’s promises at the beginning of the war – regime change in Tehran and the destruction of Iran’s nuclear programme – have been fulfilled. The Israeli prime minister did not denounce the deal, but distanced himself from the negotiations and said Israel would not leave the territory it was occupying in Lebanon.What else is on the agenda at the G7 summit? The G7 will seek to shore up waning US support for Ukraine, with the UK’s prime minister, Keir Starmer, vowing to “choke off” Russian revenue with further sanctions and provide hundreds of millions of pounds’ worth of energy support for Ukraine.What do experts say may have caused the crash? Jeff Guzzetti, an aviation safety expert, suspected a flight-control malfunction caused the crash, given how quickly the plane went down after takeoff. He noted that testing new equipment on a 70-year-old aircraft inherently heightened risks. “I think it was definitely a controllability issue,” he said. Continue reading...

• Indian equities saw a sharp rally, with the Sensex and Nifty both gaining nearly 1% due to improved investor sentiment. • The surge was driven by an interim US-Iran peace framework that eased geopolitical tensions and subsequently pushed global oil prices lower. • Positive expectations regarding inflation and interest rates further supported the rise in broader markets and global risk assets.

• SpaceX shares continued to rise following its record-breaking IPO, which has pushed the company's valuation to $2.1 trillion. • Gold prices surged as a peace deal between the U.S. and Iran reduced inflation concerns and weakened the U.S. dollar. • Investors are closely monitoring Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, who faces pressure from President Trump to implement aggressive rate cuts despite rising price growth.

Trump says strait of Hormuz to reopen as part of imminent agreement. Plus, best pictures from historic NBA night for New YorkGood morning.The US and Iran have announced a framework peace deal, expected to be signed later this week, that would bring their 15-week conflict to a tentative end, offering hope of relief for the Middle East and the world economy.What do we know about the deal? Leaked drafts suggest an immediate 60-day period of intensive technical talks, during which the most contentious issues, including Iran’s nuclear program, will be discussed. Iran’s deputy foreign minister said negotiators would seek to reach a broader agreement including sanctions relief.What has been the reaction in Iran? The Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour, reports anger among the country’s hardliners, who say the proposed deal does not guarantee an end to sanctions, compensation or control of the strait of Hormuz.And in Israel? Israel’s defense minister has said its forces “will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza – indefinitely – to defend the border and Israeli communities against jihadist elements”. Israel was frozen out of talks, despite having jointly launched the assault on Iran with the US.Will he have Trump’s blessing? “I have no doubt that the president of the US is going to be very supportive of anything that I ultimately decide to do,” Vance said. “I never bring it up. But sure, the president brings it up a lot, sometimes publicly, sometimes privately. You know, the president’s a political animal. He loves this stuff. He’s very fascinated by it.” Continue reading...