Middle East & Gulf Crisis
Iran fires missiles at Kuwait and Bahrain after exchange of fire with US Iran attacked American bases in Gulf states after Washington shot down drones and struck Iranian radar sites, in the latest flare-up threatening the fragile ceasefire. Air raid sirens rang out in Bahrain and Kuwait’s military said it was intercepting incoming fire. — The Guardian
Iran says staff blocked from entering US after World Cup players given visas Iranian officials say technical staff have been denied visas, hours after the US said players could enter the country for the 2026 World Cup. — BBC
Israeli troops fatally shoot Palestinian infant in occupied West Bank Seven-month-old Sam Fahd Abu Haikal was killed and his parents injured after Israeli soldiers opened fire on the family’s car in Hebron, despite the vehicle having complied with an order to stop. — The Guardian · Al Jazeera
Israeli airstrikes kill Lebanese army officers after ceasefire deal The Israeli military confirmed hitting a vehicle and said the incident is being reviewed. Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun called the strike “a flagrant violation to Lebanese sovereignty and international law.” — NPR · BBC
Ukraine & Europe
Ukrainian drones target St Petersburg in attack Russia calls ‘unprecedented’ The city’s governor urged residents to remain indoors for the first time since the beginning of the war. — BBC
HMS Prince of Wales reports technical issue while docked in Norway The UK navy’s flagship aircraft carrier experienced a “minor technical issue” after working with NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force. The ship is expected to sail “in the coming days.” — The Guardian
Six more charged after Southampton riots over Henry Nowak murder The total charged rises to 11 after protests that broke out following the sentencing of a man for the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak. — The Guardian
Bernadette Chirac, widow of former French president, dies at 93 Bernadette Chirac, the widow of former French president Jacques Chirac, has died at the age of 93, her daughter told AFP. — France 24
Africa & Health
Ebola outbreak: aid agencies racing to help in DRC Aid agencies are racing to help health workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The virus is known to have killed at least 84, but the true toll may be far higher. — New York Times
Ebola border shutdown leaves goods rotting between Uganda and DRC Border closures due to the Ebola outbreak are causing goods to rot at crossings between Uganda and the DRC. — Al Jazeera
Americas
Peru set to elect its 10th president in a decade Peruvians will elect a new president Sunday with polls suggesting a polarized but tight race between hard-right candidate Keiko Fujimori and leftist Roberto Sánchez. — NPR
Canadian warehouse workers sign first-ever union deal with Walmart Canadian warehouse workers have signed the first-ever collective agreement with Walmart. The union calls it a “historic and powerful step” and says the deal is only the start of a broader fight to unionize major employers across the country. — The Guardian
Louisiana church remembers abuse victims after reversal on convicted priest St Anthony of Padua church asks for prayers for survivors of clergy abuse after previously soliciting prayers for a former pastor sentenced to life for criminal clerical sexual assault. — The Guardian
Asia & Pacific
Armenia holds parliamentary elections in ‘historic moment’ Armenia’s elections could reshape the country’s ties with Russia and the West. PM Nikol Pashinyan is seeking to normalise relations with Turkey and neighbouring Azerbaijan. — France 24
India’s 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi called up to T20 squad Fresh off his IPL heroics, teenage sensation Sooryavanshi could become the youngest-ever debutant for India. — Al Jazeera
‘Cockroach Janta Party’ rallies in New Delhi over exam scandals Youth-led protesters call for India’s Education Minister’s resignation after exam scandals, symbolizing lost faith in India’s system. — Al Jazeera
Transgender priests of South Sulawesi The bissu of South Sulawesi are considered a link between the earthly and celestial because they are thought to embody both male and female traits. — New York Times
Pope Leo’s Spain Visit
Pope Leo arrives in Spain with focus on immigration Pope Leo arrived in Spain for a week-long visit — his first to an EU country outside Italy — where he will inaugurate a new tower at Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia basilica and meet migrants who braved dangerous Atlantic waters to reach Europe. — France 24 · New York Times · CNBC
Trade & Economy
On China, Trump picked the right battle but the wrong strategy A long trade war looms. Trump’s scattershot protectionism, chaotic tariffs, and belligerence against natural allies guarantees that US trade policy will remain turbulent. — The Guardian
US crude inventories getting perilously low U.S. commercial oil inventories may be too low for comfort as the conflict with Iran enters its fourth month far from a clear resolution. — MarketWatch
Social Security’s 2027 COLA forecast rises Inflation is at its highest level in three years, pushing the projected 2027 cost-of-living adjustment higher for Social Security recipients. — Motley Fool
Tech & AI
Apple’s WWDC called make-or-break moment for AI strategy At Monday’s keynote, Apple will get a second chance to show users it can make Siri smarter and more contextually aware. — MarketWatch
Anthropic criticized over authoritarian investors The Intercept reports on tensions between Anthropic’s public stance against authoritarian AI and its investment ties to Abu Dhabi. — The Intercept
Global internet traffic has doubled since 2020 Global internet traffic has surged, more than doubling between 2020 and 2025, driven by digital services, streaming, and cloud computing. — ZeroHedge
Sports & Culture
Paris celebrates love at 2026 ‘Nuit Blanche’ art festival The 25th annual Nuit Blanche will transform Paris into a giant artistic playground with nearly 200 free installations focused on love, celebration, and collective creativity. This year’s artistic director is Barbara Butch. — France 24
World Cup comes to Canada — but does anyone care? Staggering ticket prices and lackluster matches have left thousands of seats in Toronto and Vancouver unsold just days before the tournament kicks off. — New York Times
David Sullivan steps down at West Ham The joint-chair and director of the relegated club resigned to fight “false allegations” about his private life. — The Guardian
UK urged not to further weaken EV rules Campaigners warn that British vehicles will emit an extra 17 million tonnes of CO2 by 2030 due to a loophole allowing sale of more PHEVs. — The Guardian
China turning historic African slave port into tourism destination In Benin’s Ouidah, China is transforming a former slave trade hub — where nearly 2 million enslaved Africans passed through the “Gate of No Return” — into a waterfront tourist destination. — SCMP
All stories sourced from RSS feeds fetched at 2026-06-06 08:00 CST. For research and more, visit ardeshir.io, sepahsalar.org, metalearn.org, univrs.io, and imagine.univrs.io. Code: github.com/univrs · github.com/ardeshir.