World

The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 105-104 in Game Two of the 2026 NBA Finals, taking a commanding series advantage. The victory marks the first time in franchise history the Knicks have held a 2-0 lead in the Finals.

Al Jazeera reports that seven-month-old Sam Abu Haikal was killed near Hebron by an Israeli soldier, with circumstances of the incident remaining unverified.

Tensions in the Middle East intensify as US Central Command confirms interception of Iranian ballistic missiles while striking Iranian surveillance infrastructure in retaliation.

The White House has issued a formal directive to the US military and the Central Intelligence Agency to expedite the integration of artificial intelligence into security operations, while ensuring systems remain under human control.

Geopolitical tensions escalate as Washington hints at force to curb Iran’s nuclear programme, coinciding with high-level diplomatic engagements in China.

The decision facilitates the Iranian national team’s participation in the June 2026 Football World Cup, hosted across North America, marking a procedural step in the sporting event despite historical diplomatic complexities.

President John Mahama faces scrutiny from opposition leaders and civil society groups over the enforcement of Section 208 of the Criminal Code, marking a sharp contrast to his previous warnings against using state power to intimidate dissent.

The Japanese government has confirmed that passport application fees will be reduced from July 2026, following legislative changes passed by the Diet. Officials are urging travellers to apply early to manage anticipated demand.

Cristiano Ronaldo has resumed training with the national squad, marking his preparation for a historic sixth FIFA World Cup appearance in the United States and Canada.

Al Jazeera reports that fishermen in Gaza are utilising dinghies built from reclaimed fiberglass, wood, and doorframes salvaged from rubble to maintain their operations.

Washington states that Iranian drones were shot down and radar sites on Qeshm Island and Goruk were struck, while the UN reports 1.4 million people in Lebanon require assistance due to ongoing Israeli attacks.

Rural voters face soaring fertiliser and petrol prices amid the US-Israeli war with Iran, with approval ratings for the administration’s economic management at historic lows.

The proposal accepts two key options: allowing female imperial family members to remain in the family after marriage, and adopting male-line descendants from former imperial families.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accuses Russia of choosing war after Vladimir Putin refuses in-person negotiations, citing strategic objectives and territorial concessions as prerequisites for any future deal.

The US government has authorised entry for Iran’s national football squad for the 2026 World Cup, though administrative staff face rejection and the team will remain in Tijuana to minimise US soil presence.

Kenyan leadership faces scrutiny over public health preparedness as rumours and scepticism hinder efforts to manage the Ebola threat.

The Japanese parliament approved the 2026 supplementary budget on 5 June to address tensions in the Middle East. With the session ending in just over a month, the ruling party must now secure opposition support in the House of Councillors to implement its coalition pledge to reduce the number of seats in the lower house.

French anti-terrorism prosecutors have initiated an inquiry into suspected war crimes after activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla reported severe mistreatment, including sexual humiliation and forced stress positions, during their detention in May.

Residents in central Gaza are removing rubble after Israeli strikes targeted the Az-Zawayda area overnight, according to Al Jazeera Global News.

Anthropic has called for a coordinated slowdown in advanced artificial intelligence development, citing fears that systems could soon outpace human control. The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from rival OpenAI, which argues that safety rules must be determined by governments rather than private laboratories.

The ruling strikes down November 2025 measures halted processing for citizens predominantly from Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, citing pretextual security concerns.

A fragile diplomatic window in the Middle East has closed after Hezbollah turned down a ceasefire proposal, triggering Iranian threats to abandon US negotiations. Simultaneously, Ukrainian drones targeted infrastructure in St Petersburg during the World Economic Forum, as political tensions rise in the US and Britain.

Protests have erupted in Albania targeting a construction initiative associated with Ivanka Trump, with local journalists documenting the unrest as public opposition intensifies.

Authorities suspect the suspect escaped via China following a fatal incident in Kamikawa Town, prompting a cross-border manhunt.

The Asuka-Fujiwara no Miyakodo archaeological site has received a recommendation for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List, marking a significant step in the formal designation process.

Moscow maintains that military operations will only cease upon the achievement of stated objectives, as diplomatic efforts stall amid shifting US foreign policy priorities.

The Trump administration’s use of the Judgment Fund to compensate TotalEnergies and others for abandoning offshore wind projects faces scrutiny over procedural legality and national security justifications.

Diplomatic tensions escalate as Kyiv calls for direct talks while military strikes continue across the Black Sea and Ukrainian infrastructure.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Emmanuel Macron outline a strategy to allow pre-membership participation in EU formats, aiming to address stagnation in the region’s bid for union entry.

A complaint filed on Friday challenges the Trump administration’s use of a third-country agreement to repatriate individuals to West Africa, citing credible human rights concerns and lost contact with deportees.

Yann V. was convicted alongside Malian officers accused of plotting a coup, prompting Paris to dismiss charges as baseless while the ruling exacerbates tensions between the former colonial power and its West African partner.

Alexander Zverev has reached his second French Open final, defeating Jakub Mensik in four sets to position himself as the overwhelming favourite for the title following the early exits of top contenders.

The legislation, which supplements $170bn previously allocated via a 2025 tax bill, now moves to the House of Representatives where Republican leaders anticipate its adoption.

Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin to summon prosecutors nationwide as political figures and activists demand urgent reform of child protection protocols following the death of 11-year-old Lyhanna.

Despite its age, the bridge’s name translates to 'New Bridge', a fact explored in a recent explainer by Tanishk Saha.

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s 17th Ebola epidemic is being exacerbated by widespread rumours and reduced international health aid, according to reports from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

The International Space Station crew returned to normal operations on Friday after NASA ordered a safe-haven procedure due to concerns over the repair methods being employed by Russian cosmonauts on a persistent air leak.

The United States plans to reduce the number of African locations handling visa applications from approximately 50 to 20, moving routine interviews to regional centres such as Nairobi, Johannesburg, and Dakar.

Justice Minister instructs immigration officers to refuse entry as Dublin calls for EU-level sanctions against far-right politicians.

Curated by Dr Jean-Marc Dreyfus, the collection documents the May 1941 operation as a precursor to the Vel’ d’Hiv roundup, exposing the mechanics of collaboration and the humanity of the victims.

A Ukrainian-operated sea drone detonated within the port of Constanta on Friday, with Kyiv’s navy alleging that Russian electronic interference diverted the device from its intended trajectory.

The elimination of preferential exchange rates, a naval blockade, and the US-Israeli 'Ramadan War' have triggered a 'perfect economic storm', leaving fixed-income earners below the poverty line and merchants facing bankruptcy.

At least 49 people died of thirst in northern Niger after a truck carrying passengers returning from Mali broke down in a remote district. The incident highlights the lethal risks facing travellers in the region, which serves as a transit route for migrants and refugees.