The Middle East Geopolitics topic focuses on the escalating Israel-Iran conflict with exchanged strikes, US involvement considerations, assassinations of Iranian officials, and regional protests, alongside Iran's nuclear capabilities.

• Israel-Iran Conflict: Live Updates: U.S. Moves B-2 Bombers as Iran and Israel Exchange Strikes — New York Times World -
• B-2 bombers head across the Pacific and Trump is scheduled to return to the White House as he considers strike on Iran. — New York Times World -
• Israel says it has killed two top al-Quds officials as diplomatic efforts to reach Iran ceasefire stall — The Guardian -

• Israel-Iran war live: Yemen’s Houthis threaten to attack US ships in Red Sea if it strikes Iran — The Guardian -
• Here’s the latest. — New York Times World -
• Israel Says It Killed Top Iran Commander Who Oversees Proxy Militias — New York Times World -
• Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Planning for His Possible Assassination, Picks Successors — New York Times World -
• Israel says it killed Iran's military coordinator with Hamas — BBC World -
• Israel says it killed a commander of Iranian force that oversees proxy militias. — New York Times World -
• Tulsi Gabbard now says Iran could produce nuclear weapon 'within weeks' — BBC World -
• Thousands Protest Across the Middle East as Israel-Iran Conflict Deepens — New York Times World -
• As Iran and Israel Battle, the Rest of the Mideast Fears What’s Next — New York Times World -
• Outcome of Israel’s war with Iran is uncertain even if US joins conflict — The Guardian -
• Live Updates: Israel and Iran Trade New Strikes on 9th Day of War — New York Times World -
• Iran rules out new nuclear talks until attacks stop — BBC World -
• Here’s the latest. — New York Times World -
• Tulsi Gabbard now backs Trump claim that Iran could have nuclear weapon ‘within weeks’ – as it happened — The Guardian -

The **US Domestic Politics & Society topic covers various domestic issues including a Utah rally shooting, RFK Jr. health initiatives, DHS controversy regarding assault allegations, US sunscreen effectiveness, and political violence, alongside Mahmoud Khalil's release from ICE detention and VP JD Vance's political statements**.

• Suspect in ‘No Kings’ rally shooting death in Utah released from jail — The Guardian -
• Key RFK Jr advisers stand to profit from a new federal health initiative — The Guardian -
• As a heatwave approaches, experts say US sunscreens are less effective than those abroad — The Guardian -

• ‘Authoritarian playbook’: DHS accuses critics of assaulting officers when videos say otherwise — The Guardian -
• Pakistan to nominate Donald Trump for Nobel peace prize — The Guardian -
• Recent US political violence aided by DIY murder tradecraft available on internet — The Guardian -
• Relief and a raised fist as Mahmoud Khalil goes free – but release ‘very long overdue’ — The Guardian -
• Mahmoud Khalil released from Ice detention after more than three months — The Guardian -
• JD Vance attacks Newsom and LA mayor while misnaming senator arrested by the FBI — The Guardian -

The **International Accidents & Major Events topic highlights tragic incidents like a hot-air balloon crash in Brazil that killed at least eight people and the salvaging of Mike Lynch's superyacht Bayesian** after it sank off Sicily, causing fatalities.

• Hot-Air Balloon Crashes in Brazil, Killing at Least 8 People — New York Times World -
• At least eight dead in hot air balloon accident in Brazil — BBC World -
• Brazil hot-air balloon crash kills at least eight — The Guardian -

• Salvagers fully raise Mike Lynch’s superyacht Bayesian from sea off Sicily — The Guardian -
• Sunken Bayesian superyacht raised from seabed near Sicily — BBC World -

The **Global Diplomacy & Conflicts topic features Trump's diplomatic outreach to Belarus leading to the release of an opposition leader, Ukraine's efforts to combat Russian recruitment of teenagers, the dropping of money laundering charges against Malaysia's ex-premier, and Panama declaring an emergency** due to unrest.

• Trump Sends Envoy to Belarus, Courting Ties With Russia’s Close Ally — New York Times World -
• ‘My husband is free!’ Belarus opposition leader freed after nearly five years in jail — The Guardian -
• Ukraine Warns Teenagers the Enemy Is Inside Their Phones — New York Times World -

• Banned from home for 40 years: deportations are Russia’s latest move to ‘cleanse’ Ukraine — The Guardian -
• Ex-Malaysia Premier Najib Has Money Laundering Charges Dropped — New York Times World -
• Panama declares emergency over banana region unrest — BBC World -

The **UK National & Social Issues topic includes a serial rapist facing a second trial, Poundland's financial struggles, the Commons passage of an assisted dying bill, a heatwave affecting Britons, and calls for alcohol cancer warning labels, alongside a report on a dangerous cycling spot in London**.

• Serial rapist Zhenhao Zou facing second trial as more women come forward — The Guardian -
• ‘Not an attractive place to shop’: how Poundland lost its appeal to shoppers — The Guardian -
• Esther Rantzen hails Commons passage of ‘rigorous and safe’ assisted dying bill — The Guardian -

• U.K. Heat Wave Leaves Britons Looking for Ways to Stay Cool — New York Times World -
• Chaos in Clapham: a visit to the most dangerous cycle spot in Great Britain — The Guardian -
• Alcohol should have labels warning drinkers of cancer risks, charities say — The Guardian -

The **Global Economic & Environmental Trends topic explores concerns over drought impacting global food supplies and rising prices, resistance to lithium mining in Portugal amidst the EU's green push, and Canadian travelers facing steeper airline fares** due to limited discount options.

• With Few Discount Airlines, Canadian Travelers Face Steeper Fares — New York Times World -
• Drought Is Hurting Global Food Supplies — New York Times World -
• The ‘sacrifice zone’: villagers resist the EU’s green push for lithium mining — The Guardian -

The **Culture & Lifestyle topic covers BTS reuniting and South Korea's growing cultural influence, Armani missing Milan Fashion Week due to health, Rod Stewart's unique singing technique, and a book exploring an improbable friendship, alongside a general note on the first day of summer**.

• How does an Obama speechwriter befriend a Joe Rogan fan? Via surfing — The Guardian -
• Season Opener — New York Times World -
• Armani to miss Milan Fashion Week for first time after hospital stay — BBC World -

• Aqua lungs: how Rod Stewart’s underwater swimming may help his singing — The Guardian -
• BTS Is Back Together. Does It Still Rule K-Pop? — New York Times World -
• How South Korea Became a Cultural Powerhouse — New York Times World -