TOP NEWS

A suspected Russian drone attack on a residential building in Ukraine has injured at least seven people. Emergency services responded as fire ripped through the building in Zaporizhzhia.

June 16 (UPI) — Delaware authorities said Tuesday night that a suspect has been arrested in connection with a shooting inside a Wilmington hospital that left one person dead and another injured.

Little about the arrest has been made public. A statement from the Wilmington Police Department identified the suspect as a 23-year-old man who was taken into police custody in Philadelphia.

UPI has contacted the Philadelphia Police Department for comment.

“Charges and extradition to Delaware are pending,” the Wilmington Police Department statement said.

A preliminary investigation has indicated the shooting was targeted, authorities said following the arrest.

The shooting erupted at about 3:30 p.m. EDT at ChristianaCare Wilmington Hospital, a 321-bed facility located in the heart of Delaware’s most populous city. Officers arrived on the scene to find two people suffering from gunshot wounds. One person was pronounced dead, Wilmington Police Chief Wilfredo Campos told reporters during a press conference.

Authorities withheld the victims’ identities and the condition of the surviving victim out of respect for their families, he said.

The hospital, a trauma center, was placed under lockdown, which has since been lifted. Hospital staff barricaded themselves in rooms across the facility as law enforcement cleared the building. The large police presence that had descended on the facility was being removed, according to the police chief.

Regardless of the motive, “there is never an excuse for violence and there is never an excuse for gun violence,” he said.

Wilmington Mayor John Carney said violence and loss of life in the city were “unacceptable” and that the thoughts and prayers of his office were with the hospital employees “who I know experienced a terrible day today.”

“It’s particularly distressing when an incident like this occurs in a hospital whose fundamental purpose is to treat injuries and save lives,” he said.

“If there’s a place that should be a sanctuary from such violence, that is the place.”

Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer, a Democrat, said the shooting hits “especially close to home.” His wife, the state’s first lady, Lauren Meyer, works as a physician there.

“We ask all Delawareans to keep everyone affected in their thoughts as we learn more about what happened and stay vigilant,” he said.

Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., said he was monitoring reports of the shooting.

“I’m praying for everyone’s safety, including patients, healthcare workers, first responders and law enforcement officers,” he said in a social media statement.

According to The Gun Violence Archive, there have been more than 5,800 shooting-related deaths and nearly 10,600 shooting-related injuries in the United States so far this year.

June 16 (UPI) — On Tuesday, federal prosecutors announced charges against 15 people in Minnesota they say “conspired to impede or injure federal officers” in connection with an Immigration and Customs Enforcement push in Minneapolis earlier this year.

A Department of Justice press release said the 15 are members or associates of Direct Action Minnesota. The charges included conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer, interstate stalking, interstate threats, solicitation to commit a crime of violence, assaults on federal officers and destruction of government property.

The prosecutors and other officials said those charged are left-wing antifa activists. “Antifa” is short for “anti-facist.” Thirteen of those charged are in custody, while two remain at large.

The Trump administration’s ICE surge in Minneapolis drew widespread protests and pushback, including volunteer “rapid response” and “ICE watch” patrols, The Washington Post reported. ICE agents killed two protestors, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, during the surge.

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said Tuesday that those charged “engaged in an unrelenting campaign of harassment and violence targeting local and federal law enforcement.”

Markwayne Mullin, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, said the people charged were “rioters” and said the charges were “a win for law and order.”

“We have zero tolerance for violence against our law enforcement,” he said. “If you assault or obstruct law enforcement, you will face the consequences.”

Daniel Rosen, U.S. attorney for the District of Minnesota, was asked during a briefing about the charges how many federal agents were injured through the defendant’s alleged actions, The Post reported. Rosen said the charges were based on their plans.

In the release, Rosen said the direct actions of the activists were “un-American” and “will be met with swift justice.”

The press release said Direct Action Minnesota is, in the group’s own description, “a decentralized coalition of working-class people engaged in various forms of community defense against the (then-current) federal occupation happening within the wider metro area, and against state and a far-right violence more broadly.” It said the group “trains its members in the use of shields against law enforcement, surveillance, event planning, role differentiation and rapid mass mobilization” against ICE actions.

Jason Chavez, a Minneapolis City Council member, said Tuesday on social media that he was concerned investigators were targeting legal observers.

“Alerting our neighbors about ICE activity is not a crime,” he wrote. “Observing is not a crime, and loving your immigrant neighbors is not a crime. To every person who was observing the illegal actions committed by ICE and who supported our immigrant community, please know we have your back.”

As of yet, there are no charges against the ICE agents involved in the deaths of Good and Pretti. Rosen said Tuesday that investigations are ongoing.

France captain overtakes Giroud with 58 goals for his country and the most for Les Blues at a World Cup.

Any doubts about Kylian Mbappe’s status as one of the world’s greatest footballers were laid to rest when he statistically topped the charts with two goals as France beat Senegal 3-1 in their opening game of the World Cup.

The 27-year-old became France’s record scorer on Tuesday, overtaking Olivier Giroud with 58 goals. In a full-circle moment, Giroud, a commentator at Tuesday’s match against Senegal, congratulated Mbappe live on air when he netted again in the 96th minute.

Mbappe also became France’s top scorer at a World Cup with 14 goals, as well as the youngest ever to reach that number. He eclipsed Just Fontaine’s record of 13 goals, all of which were scored at the 1958 World Cup.

Mbappe sits just two goals behind Miroslav Klose’s World Cup record for most goals scored, another record he could break when France take on Iraq next week in Philadelphia. He sits third on the list, just behind Brazil’s Ronaldo with 15 goals, although he has eclipsed Argentinian icon Lionel Messi with 13 World Cup goals.

Mbappe posted on social media soon after the record-breaking match but did not mention the personal milestones.

“Always important to start with a win. It will be a long road, but we are ready,” he wrote on Instagram.

For his first goal of the 2026 edition, Mbappe darted across the penalty area to convert a brilliant Michael Olise pass on 66 minutes, breaking the deadlock in a contest in which France struggled in the first half but came to life after the break.

Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain then came off the bench to get the second late on, before his club colleague Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back in stoppage time for Senegal.

But Mbappe saved the best for last, as he blasted in from long range in the 96th minute to seal the win.

Mbappe is no stranger to World Cup stardom; he guided France to victory in Russia 2018 at just 19 years of age.

Which other records did Mbappe break?

His lone goal for France against Peru in 2018 made him the youngest French player to score at a World Cup, and the second teenager, after Pele, to score in a World Cup final. Mbappe’s performance earned him FIFA’s Young Player of the Year award, and he was also named France’s player of the year.

Although Messi’s Argentina robbed France of a consecutive victory in 2022, Mbappe’s hat-trick in the World Cup final was only the second time the feat has been achieved. England’s Geoff Hurst did it in 1966 at Wembley for a 4-2 victory over West Germany.

Mbappe’s goals on Tuesday mean he has scored at three consecutive World Cups, and is the only player to have scored two goals or more in five different World Cup matches.

June 16 (UPI) — Britain’s Prince George will attend Eton College, the same school as his father, starting in September, Kensington Palace announced Tuesday.

Eton is an elite private school in Berkshire with students from ages 13 to 18. In Britain, “college” refers to pre-university education. George, the oldest child of the prince and princess of Wales, will turn 13 in July. William, prince of Wales and heir to the British throne after his father, King Charles III, also attended Eton.

Prince George attended Lambrook School in Berkshire with his siblings, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, 8, BBC News reported. That school accepts students up to age 13.

Prince Harry, Prince William‘s brother, also attended Eton, as did many other prominent politicians, including 20 of the country’s 58 prime ministers, CNN reported. Celebrities including Tom Hiddleston and Eddie Redmayne are also alumni.

The school, founded in 1440 by King Henry VI, is considered prestigious — and expensive, with yearly fees nearly $85,000 in U.S. dollars. It’s a full boarding school, meaning Prince George will live and study there.

Melanie Sanderson, managing editor of “The Good Schools Guide,” said Eton has “spectacular facilities and spacious grounds” and that “despite its ancient buildings, it is a modern school with a progressive outlook,” BBC News reported.

“Most 13-year-old boys arriving there in September cannot possibly know what adult life holds for them,” she said. “Prince George, however, faces a very particular future and his parents, with an unrivaled choice of schools available to them, have decided that an Eton education represents the best preparation for life as a modern working royal.”

Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi is on a ‘historic’ tour of Israel, where he’s opened an embassy and visited the Knesset. The landmark trip comes months after Israel became the first country to recognise Somaliland as an independent nation.

South Korean players reportedly refrain from speaking to national media outside official World Cup commitments.

South Korea’s preparations for their World Cup match against Mexico have been overshadowed by a rift between the players and the country’s media following disparaging comments about captain Son Heung-min.

The spat reportedly led to the resignation of one of the team’s media officers on Tuesday. The national team has yet to confirm the resignation, which has been reported by some of the media covering the South Korean squad in Guadalajara.

Access for the media had apparently been cut off after the comments against Son were caught on camera. Players reportedly refrained from speaking to South Korean media outside official World Cup commitments, and scheduled interviews with players were cancelled.

Mexican media said there was a meeting between the team’s media officers and the South Korean media to discuss the incident.

There was no media access scheduled on Tuesday. The pre-match news conference is scheduled for Wednesday.

The South Korean football association said it regretted “the inappropriate remarks made by some media personnel during the national football team’s training at the Guadalajara base camp”. The organisation added the comments caused “great shock and disappointment” within the squad.

The incident occurred during an open training session on June 7, days before South Korea beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in its first World Cup match.

The 33-year-old Son, running with teammates, was mocked by unidentified media personnel over his military record in footage recorded by broadcaster JTBC, South Korea’s official rights holder for the tournament. The video was later leaked, prompting a strong reaction on social media.

By helping South Korea win gold at the 2018 Asian Games, Son earned an exemption from the mandatory 21-month military service required of able-bodied men.

Son later completed alternative duties, including a three-week military training course in 2020 and community service.

The federation said in Monday’s statement that it “will continue to prioritise the protection of the squad and strive to create a healthy media environment”.

Son, who left Tottenham for Los Angeles FC a year ago, missed chances in the victory over the Czech Republic, with Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu scoring in Guadalajara.

South Korea plays again in Guadalajara on Thursday when it faces Mexico in Group A.

BEIRUT, Lebanon, June 16 (UPI) — Lebanon’s economy, shattered by the 2019 financial collapse, has suffered another major shock from the Israel-Hezbollah war, which has disrupted recent recovery efforts and hit the tourism sector — the country’s main revenue generator — particularly hard.

The war, which began in October 2023 when Hezbollah opened a support front for Gaza, escalated as Israel intensified its attacks and the Iran-backed regime resumed fighting in solidarity with Iran last March after 15 months of inactivity. It further deepened Lebanon’s economic crisis and left the country grappling with its repercussions.

Direct and indirect losses are initially estimated at $20-30 billion, reflecting extensive destruction and mass displacement caused by the conflict, along with severe disruptions to economic activity. Inflationary pressures have also intensified due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Nearly every sector of the economy has been affected.

The escalation in March dramatically expanded the scale of destruction, with more than 70 villages in southern Lebanon reduced to ruins by advancing Israeli troops. Entire neighborhoods were leveled, while businesses, public infrastructure, schools, hospitals, and roads suffered extensive damage.

Beirut’s southern suburbs and parts of the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon were also heavily targeted by Israeli airstrikes, resulting in similar devastation.

Beyond the heavy casualty toll of 3,826 killed and 11,851 injured since March 2, the widespread physical destruction, and the displacement of 1.2 million people forced to flee their homes and villages under Israeli evacuation orders, the war has also resulted in significant indirect losses.

Unemployment rose as job losses mounted, while recession and inflation eroded household purchasing power, making people poorer.

The tourism sector was also badly hit, and the economy is expected to contract by between 7% and 10% in 2026 if the war continues, according to estimates by Finance Minister Yassine Jaber.

More critically, the recent escalation came as the reform-minded government of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam had begun putting the country on a path to recovery, and the economy was starting to pick up.

Despite the war — largely concentrated in southern Lebanon at that time — 2025 ended on a positive note, with the World Bank reporting modest GDP growth of 3.5 percent and a rebound in tourism.

A key highlight was a visit by Pope Leo XIV, which raised hopes and called for peace, alongside approximately 1.63 million visitors; an increase of 44.6% compared with the previous year.

“That showed that demand for Lebanon was returning… The escalation in March interrupted that momentum,” Tourism Minister Laura Khazen Lahoud told UPI.

Lahoud explained that the collapse became visible in cancellations, empty restaurants, very low hotel occupancy, and travel agencies shifting from selling trips to managing cancellations.

According to figures released by the relevant syndicates, travel and tourism activity declined by around 80%, while hotel occupancy in Beirut fell to roughly 7-10%, occasionally reaching 12%.

Tourism activity became concentrated in “a very small number of spots,” where hotels sought to attract displaced people seeking refuge in safer areas, according to Lahoud.

Charles Arbid, President of Lebanese Economic Social and Environmental Council, explained that the country was in “a state of stagflation,” with little economic activity or production, inflation reaching 20%, and businesses closing down or partially operating.

“This is a catastrophic economic situation, following a prolonged period of weak growth and the accumulation of structural economic problems,” Arbid said in an interview with UPI, referring to the drop in government revenues due to the inability to pay taxes and the complete halt of economic activity in southern Lebanon.

He was particularly concerned about the impact of the war on the population, as many were losing their jobs and depleting their remaining savings to cope with the spiraling inflation.

He said Lebanon is facing “a social and societal crisis,” exacerbated by the massive displacement, and would need a “Marshall Plan” for reconstruction, rehabilitation of its crumbling infrastructure, securing the return of the displaced to their villages, and supporting economic recovery.

In the meantime, many are struggling to keep their businesses afloat and secure an income.

Mohammad Farid, who has been displaced three times with his wife and son from their home in Beirut’s southern suburbs since 2024, has not given up despite suffering heavy losses: $250,000 after an Israeli strike destroyed a solar panel project he had co-partnered in the village of Ansar in southern Lebanon, and about $100,000 from two shops badly damaged in Israeli strikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs.

Farid and his wife, Malak, had started a new business, Oilganic, specializing in cold-pressed organic oils shortly before the 2023 war erupted, importing oil press machines from China and renting their first shop.

Their business began to flourish, expanding into online sales and building a strong reputation.

“That came to a halt when the war extended to our area, forcing us to leave and then return after a truce was reached, rent a new shop, and see it destroyed again months later,” Farid told UPI.

They were again displaced, taking refuge at their friends’ house in the mountains, where they resumed production on a smaller scale using small oil-press machines.

“We are doing our best so as not to lose our clients,” Farid said, determined to grow his business and relocate to his native border village of Naqoura in southern Lebanon after the war ends. “I want to go back to the south, rebuild our house, and continue my oil business there. This is our land, and we will never give it up.”

A glimmer of hope for ending the longest and most devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah emerged after the United States and Iran reached a memorandum of understanding, which was due to be signed in Geneva on Friday.

The agreement includes a full ceasefire in Lebanon, which has not yet been fully observed by either side.

A cessation of hostilities, or even a durable de-escalation, could bring much-needed relief, starting with salvaging part of the summer tourism season, largely relying on Lebanese expatriates and the diaspora.

Lahoud said the diaspora would help sustain the sector but noted that a very large segment of the diaspora, whether in West Africa or northern Europe, originates from southern Lebanon and would be less likely to visit this year.

She explained that the tourism sector has survived repeated shocks, but emphasized that “businesses cannot absorb losses indefinitely,” with hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, transport companies, event organizers, and seasonal workers remaining under real pressure.

As the region is being reshaped by major developments, Lebanon is looking to close the chapter of war and move into a period of peace, engaging in U.S.-mediated direct negotiations with Israel for the first time.

Arbid appeared confident that Lebanon “is heading into a better phase,” one that would require a new political understanding and security stability.

“That would pave the way for reconstruction and recovery… It will be a long journey, but we will make it in the end,” he said.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised Iran’s players during a World Cup dressing room visit after the team’s 2-2 draw with New Zealand on Monday.

June 16 (UPI) — A Russian warship, the Admiral Grigorovich, allegedly fired warning shots toward a British pleasure yacht Tuesday morning in the English Channel.

The shots came within about 500 yards of the yacht, BBC News reported. The incident took place in international waters between the Isle of Wight, a British island, and Normandy, part of France. Those on the yacht have not reported any damage or injuries.

“We are investigating reports of an incident in the channel,” a U.K. Ministry of Defense spokesperson said.

BBC News said the yacht apparently drifted toward the Russian frigate in foggy conditions. The bigger ship sounded an audible warning — with no immediate response from the yacht — before it fired the shots.

This incident comes after U.K. forces seized a Russian-linked tanker, the Smyrtos, on Sunday in the same area. The tanker was carrying sanctioned oil. However, British authorities said Tuesday’s incident is not linked to that seizure.

It’s not unusual for Russian ships to pass through the channel while being monitored by Royal Navy ships. The Admiral Grigorovich was shadowed Tuesday by the HMS Mersey, BBC News said.

The Russian frigate has regularly escorted shadow fleet vessels — the ships Russia uses to avoid sanctions on oil imposed after its invasion of Ukraine.

James MacClearly, Liberal Democrat defense spokesman, said in The Guardian that reports of a Russian ship firing shots in the English Channel are “deeply concerning.”

“Russian is quite literally on our doorstep,” he said. “Aggression and intimidation in our waters must not be tolerated.”

After the seizure of the Smyrtos on Sunday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it was “yet another blow to Russian and reminds those fueling Putin’s war in Ukraine that they cannot hide.”

June 16 (UPI) — Venezuela’s government signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S.-based GE Vernova, General Electric’s energy division, and state-owned utility Corpoelec to repair, modernize and stabilize the country’s struggling national power grid.

The plan aims to restore 1,000 megawatts of generating capacity over the next 24 months and more than 5,000 MW within four to five years.

The agreement, signed Monday by Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez, comes shortly after the National Assembly approved reforms to the country’s electricity law. The changes create a new framework that allows foreign investment in the sector after 15 years of an exclusive state monopoly.

During the signing ceremony, attended by Venezuelan government officials, company representatives and U.S. Charge d’Affaires in Caracas John Barrett, Rodriguez said the project will address both hydroelectric and thermoelectric infrastructure.

“We want to move forward steadily in the recovery of the national electricity system, for the benefit of the entire country but also to facilitate conditions for all the international investments arriving in the country,” Rodriguez said during the ceremony, which was broadcast on state television.

GE Vernova technical teams spent six weeks conducting an audit of Venezuela’s electrical system. The assessment confirmed the deteriorated condition of Corpoelec’s facilities, which have contributed to electricity rationing and widespread blackouts, particularly in western states such as Zulia, the center of Venezuela’s oil industry and a major agricultural region.

“We want to move quickly so the system works as well as possible within a few months, and I believe we can do that together,” GE Vernova Chief Sustainability Officer Roger Martella said. “We already have an agreement on the technical aspects and how we can move forward rapidly. Over the next 12 months and beyond, we will strengthen the national electric system.”

According to local media reports, the Guri Hydroelectric Plant, which supplies about 70% of the country’s electricity, has suffered significant wear because of a lack of original replacement parts. New equipment will be used to stabilize and rehabilitate generating facilities at hydroelectric dams in southern Venezuela.

GE Vernova’s equipment also is expected to help restore local thermoelectric generation capacity, reducing pressure on the Guri complex and improving energy independence for central and western regions.

Transmission lines that cross the country face constant overloads and aging substations. The plan includes energy management software and upgrades to substations to improve reliability and reduce recurring power fluctuations.

The legal reforms approved this month allow concessions of up to 25 years in power generation, transmission and distribution, providing legal certainty for companies such as GE Vernova to deploy technology and services in the sector.

The legislation also establishes stricter accountability requirements for operators and creates a formal framework for renewable energy development.

In addition to increasing generating capacity and modernizing grid operations, the agreement includes a specialized training program for Venezuela’s technical workforce.

Report highlights the growing threats posed by climate change and calls for the green transition to be accelerated.

Almost all children across the globe are exposed to at least one climate hazard and the situation is expected to worsen unless greenhouse gas emissions are urgently reduced, says a report by UNICEF.

The report, published on Tuesday, warns that climate hazards pose a threat to children on multiple fronts, with nearly half of the world’s children exposed to at least three such hazards, putting their health, education and survival at risk.

“The lives of children continue to be upended by the impact of heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, and floods,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Half of the world’s children are now living with at least three overlapping climate threats shaping their daily lives.”

The report highlights the growing threats posed by climate change and calls on governments and business leaders to accelerate the transition to renewable energy.

According to UNICEF’s report, 1.8 billion children are currently at risk from drought, while 1.2 billion are exposed to extreme heat, as warmer temperatures wreak havoc on the world’s water cycle.

Countries across Western Europe experienced a record-breaking heatwave last month, reaching temperatures not typically expected until the summer.

UNICEF also says that nearly every child is exposed to air pollution, while one billion are exposed to malaria.

Scientists have repeatedly warned that global warming must be limited to 1.5C (2.7F) above pre-industrial levels to avoid the worst effects of climate change.

Nearly 200 countries signed the Paris Agreement, aiming to curb global warming to that 1.5C mark. The accord came into force in November 2016.

Since then, scientists have repeatedly warned that the target is unlikely to be met.

In January, the United States formally withdrew from the Paris Agreement for a second time, following an order by President Donald Trump.

June 16 (UPI) — Voters are heading back to the polls in Georgia on Tuesday for primary election runoffs featuring one contest that pits President Donald Trump‘s endorsement against Gov. Brian Kemp‘s.

Among the key races that will be decided Tuesday is the race to see who will challenge Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in November’s midterm election. Trump has endorsed Rep. Mike Collins and Kemp endorsed Derek Dooley.

Kemp gave Dooley, a former college football coach, his endorsement in August. He reiterated his support in a social media post on Monday, asking voters to choose the “conservative fighter who will put Georgians first.”

Trump endorsed Collins on Friday after early voting ended. The president posted his endorsement on social media, calling Collins a “warrior and winner.”

Elsewhere on the ballot, Republican voters will choose their candidate for the state’s gubernatorial race. Kemp is a two-term governor and is in his last year serving in the office. He faced Democrat Stacey Abrams in the last two gubernatorial elections.

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones captured 38% of the vote in the primary election last month, falling short of the 50% threshold required to win. On the other side, billionaire Rick Jackson received 32% of the vote.

The winner of the Republican primary for the gubernatorial candidate will face Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in November.

June 16 (UPI) — Oil prices have fallen to their lowest levels since the start of the Iran war with Brent crude oil declining to less than $80 per barrel on Tuesday.

Brent crude oil, the international benchmark, traded for $79.96 on Tuesday morning. It is the first time since the war started that it has traded below $80 per barrel. It has since inched above the $80 mark to about $80.19.

The price of West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark, has dipped by about 3.8% on Tuesday to $77.71 per barrel.

Tuesday marks the second consecutive day of descending oil prices spurred along by Sunday’s announcement that the United States and Iran have come to terms on a peace agreement. Prior to the announcement, oil prices had risen by about 14% since the start of the war.

Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Feb. 28. The United States later instituted a naval blockade on the strait, stopping any vessels using Iranian ports.

The terms of the peace deal have not been made public. The United States and Iran have electronically signed a preliminary agreement and are expected to officially sign off on the peace deal on Friday.

While oil prices have fallen significantly, gas prices have moved more slowly, dropping by three cents on Tuesday. The national average for a gallon of regular-grade gas is $4.04, AAA reports. Gas prices remain elevated by about 36% since the start of the war.

President Donald Trump said Sunday that the traffic on the Strait of Hormuz would resume immediately. However, it may still take weeks for operators on the strait to actually allow tankers to pass through.

About 20% of the Middle East oil trade uses the Strait of Hormuz.

A viral youth satirical protest movement, the Cockroach Janta Party, has emerged following exam cancellations last month.

India has blocked the Telegram messaging app until Monday and ordered the platform to disable the editing feature on messages already posted, saying the platform has been used to “defraud candidates” and for “paper leaks” regarding upcoming national student examinations.

The restriction was issued on Tuesday under a stringent provision of the IT law, which empowers the government to block access to online sites in the interest of India’s “sovereignty and integrity”.

Activists said the provision is used to curb free speech although Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government said it ‌acts in compliance with the law and in the public interest.

Last month, the government cancelled a key undergraduate entrance exam for medical schools known as the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) after authorities discovered the questions had been leaked beforehand.

The leaks led to a series of student protests across the country, including the emergence of a satirical viral movement, the Cockroach Janta Party, that demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The government has scheduled a new examination for Sunday.

The restrictions on Telegram were imposed “in ⁠response to the organised use of the platform by cheating rackets to defraud candidates ⁠appearing for the NEET 2026 re-examination scheduled on 21 June 2026”, the Ministry of Education’s National Testing Agency said in a statement.

Telegram has grown rapidly ⁠in India, and the country is its biggest market for downloads although WhatsApp remains the dominant messaging platform.

The government said ⁠it “regrets the inconvenience caused” due to the blocking of the application, which will affect hundreds of thousands of people, but it said it is a measure of “last resort” as earlier attempts to take down content from the platform had not produced results.

US President Donald Trump says Iran has agreed to not acquire nuclear weapons and will ‘suffer unbelievable consequences’ if they do. His remarks came during a meeting with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim at the G7 summit in France.

The rival parties agreed Tuesday to conduct a 45-day parliamentary investigation into the National Election Commission (NEC) over ballot shortages reported during the recent local elections, party officials said.

In a meeting of their deputy floor leaders at the National Assembly, the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) agreed to put the plan to a vote at a parliamentary plenary session on Thursday.

“We agreed to launch the parliamentary probe to swiftly uncover the truth behind the alleged infringement of voting rights of the citizens caused by the ballot shortages and to lay the groundwork for sweeping reforms of the NEC,” Rep. Cheon Jun-ho of the DP told reporters after the meeting.

According to officials from both parties, the special parliamentary committee will be chaired by the PPP and comprise 18 members — nine from the ruling party, seven from the PPP and two from non-negotiating parties.

Rep. Kim Seung-soo of the main opposition PPP said the rival parties agreed to set the investigation period at 45 days in an effort to conduct the probe as swiftly as possible, while leaving open the possibility of an extension if further investigation becomes necessary.

Ballot shortages were reported at more than a dozen polling stations in Seoul during the June 3 local elections, temporarily disrupting voting and prompting protests.

Last week, the DP and the PPP separately submitted requests for a parliamentary probe, though they differed over the scope of the investigation and the number of seats to be allotted to each party on the committee.

Copyright (c) Yonhap News Agency prohibits its content from being redistributed or reprinted without consent, and forbids the content from being learned and used by artificial intelligence systems.

South Korea has begun consultations with the United States, Iran and other relevant countries regarding navigation through the Strait of Hormuz following the signing of a preliminary deal aimed at ending the monthslong war in the Middle East, the foreign ministry said Tuesday.

According to U.S. officials, President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf inked the memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would extend the countries’ ceasefire for 60 days, during which negotiations will take place to address nuclear and other issues to reach a final peace deal.

A large number of vessels, including two dozen South Korea-linked ships, have been stranded in the waterway, which Iran has effectively choked off with threats of missile and drone strikes amid the war.

“We are assessing the details related to maritime transit and have begun necessary communication with relevant countries, including the U.S. and Iran,” ministry spokesperson Park Il said during a regular press briefing.

According to Park, the government is closely monitoring a range of factors before making judgments on passage operations, including the presence of naval mines, the overall security situation in the strait and shipping traffic conditions.

He said the government will continue to prioritize the safety of South Korean vessels and sailors while working to ensure the smooth resumption of shipping.

Park added the government will also maintain close consultations with shipping companies in assessing developments in the region.

Copyright (c) Yonhap News Agency prohibits its content from being redistributed or reprinted without consent, and forbids the content from being learned and used by artificial intelligence systems.

June 15 (Asia Today) — Salt-damaged farmland once unsuitable for either agriculture or aquaculture has become a source of pension income for residents of islands in southwestern South Korea.

Shinan County in South Jeolla Province operates what it calls a “Sunlight Pension,” sharing part of the profits from solar power projects with local residents. The program is regarded as a social economy model that connects large-scale renewable energy infrastructure with household income and local spending.

The county began distributing the pension on Anjwa and Jara islands in 2021 under a renewable energy profit-sharing program. It has since expanded the program to Jido, Saokdo, Imjado and Bigeumdo.

Under the program, part of the profits generated by solar power projects is distributed to residents through local cooperatives.

South Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety regards the Shinan program as a social economy model that converts local resources into resident income while keeping spending within the community. The program brings residents, local government and private businesses together to ensure that some profits from power generation remain in the region.

The model is also consistent with the national government’s initiative to create “Sunlight Income Villages,” where communities receive income from renewable energy projects.

Shinan County enacted an ordinance in 2018 establishing a system to share profits from renewable energy development with residents. Residents do not directly pay the cost of building the power plants. Instead, resident cooperatives participate in the projects and receive dividends from the resulting revenue.

The dividends are paid through local gift certificates, encouraging recipients to spend the money within Shinan County.

“Existing residents are guaranteed dividend benefits, while benefits for new residents vary according to age to encourage younger people to move here,” a county official said. “New residents age 40 or younger are eligible immediately, without a waiting period.”

The program has produced measurable results.

Renewable energy development dividends generated cumulative revenue of 24.71 billion won, or about $16.1 million, between April 2021 and April 2025. Of that amount, 22.32 billion won, or about $14.6 million, was distributed through the Sunlight Pension.

An additional 2.39 billion won, or about $1.6 million, was distributed as a Sunlight Child Allowance for residents younger than 18.

Of Shinan County’s 16,483 residents, 13,284 are members of participating cooperatives, representing a participation rate of 81%.

The Anjwa Solar City power plant serves as the foundation of Shinan’s Sunlight Pension model.

The facility has a combined generating capacity of 288 megawatts, consisting of a 96-megawatt first phase and a 192-megawatt second phase. The first phase began commercial operations in November 2020, followed by the second phase in January 2023.

Plant officials said the project cost about 560 billion won, or approximately $366 million. It generates annual revenue of between 80 billion won and 85 billion won, or roughly $52.3 million to $55.6 million.

The history of the site is also significant.

The land was originally used for farming but became unsuitable for both agriculture and aquaculture because of salt damage and years of use as fish farms. A 2019 revision to South Korea’s Farmland Act allowed salt-damaged farmland to be used temporarily for other purposes, clearing the way for the solar project.

The land is scheduled to be restored to farmland after the solar facilities cease operations.

Anjwa Solar City is considered a leading example of South Korea’s resident-participation renewable energy profit-sharing system. Large solar projects can generate local opposition when residents receive few tangible benefits, making the profit-sharing structure a central element in securing community acceptance.

The Shinan model, however, may be difficult to reproduce in every region. Large renewable energy projects require several conditions, including government approval, resident consent and access to transmission infrastructure.

Project profitability and local acceptance must also be considered to maintain a stable dividend system.

“The Sunlight Pension was designed to ensure that development profits remain with residents and circulate within the community,” the county official said. “We plan to expand the profit-sharing program beyond solar power to offshore wind and other renewable energy projects.”

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260615010005065

Los Angeles – “I’m sure when we score a goal today, everyone will be cheering.”

That was the prediction of Iranian fan Parsa Tafreshi, who had travelled from New York to Los Angeles to see Iran take on New Zealand on Monday.

His words would prove largely true.

The game ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw, and each time Iran – known as Team Melli – scored, the stadium erupted in deafening celebrations.

There were two opposing sets of Iranian flags in Los Angeles, home to a large Iranian American community that is largely staunchly opposed to the governing system in Tehran.

Some fans waved the Islamic Republic flag, adorned with the name of God. Others opted for the pre-1979-revolution flag featuring the lion and sun, used by the Iranian opposition.

But when Team Melli were building up an attack, their supporters sang in unison.

Chants of “Iran, Iran” rang throughout the stadium, and the fans held their breath collectively each time Iran’s attackers came near New Zealand’s goal.

Concerns of unrest around the game did not materialise. Iranian fans vastly outnumbered their New Zealand counterparts at the stadium, and the game ended without any major incident.

Anti-team protest

A small group of demonstrators had gathered outside the venue, waving Israeli flags and chanting in support of opposition figure Reza Pahlavi.

They also called on United States President Donald Trump to resume the war with Iran, although Washington and Tehran have already reached a ceasefire deal.

“President Trump, finish the job,” they chanted on a loud megaphone.

Protesters also shouted slogans against the Palestinian group Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

One of the demonstrators held a banner featuring the faces of Team Melli players with red crosses on them.

“IRGC Team,” it said, referring to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, with red ink meant to resemble blood dripping from the letters.

Protester Kourosh Kiumarsi told Al Jazeera that the Iranian squad is the “regime team”.

Asked about the Israeli flags at the demonstration, he said: “Israel and the USA attacked the regime and helped the people of Iran. They are not at war with Iran. They are at war with the Islamic Republic regime.”

Despite the intensity of the slogans at the protest, it was small and contained.

“I love that all the hype was just outside of the stadium,” said Sudi Farokhnia, who wore a green, white and red wig and a shirt featuring the lion and sun flag.

“Once you walked into the stadium, all you could hear was Iran, Iran, Iran. The energy was amazing. The people were amazing,” she told Al Jazeera after the match.

But that does not mean the entire affair was apolitical.

It would be difficult to argue that the pre-revolution flag is not a political statement.

FIFA bans political symbols at international matches, but thousands of Iranian fans on Monday were able to come in with lion-and-sun flags, shirts and hats.

Many also wore political slogans like “Make Iran Great Again” and “free Iran”.

FIFA did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for comment on the issue.

Minab message

There were also other political expressions at the match.

Arash, an Iranian fan who asked to be identified by his first name only, wore a shirt that said “Mibab 168” on the back.

The US-Israel war on Iran killed hundreds of civilians, including 168 children at a girl’s school in the southern city of Minab, during the first day of the conflict.

“This is not a political shirt. This is not just to send a political message,” Arash told Al Jazeera.

“It’s a simple, simple statement: Schools are sanctuaries, whether it’s school shootings, bombings. School is a place of virtue. It’s a place of learning. It’s a place that – no matter who you are, what you believe in, what country – school should be off limits.”

Inside the stadium, a group of Iranian fans also revealed a “MINAB 168” message during the game.

There were also Palestinian and Israeli flags visible in the stands.

The match kicked off with a political message: Many fans jeered the Iranian national anthem, which opposition activists see as representative of the government.

Iran’s participation in the tournament was in peril earlier this year because of the war. Team Melli were forced to stay in Mexico as their base camp, while all their group-stage matches were in the US, because the Trump administration refused to host them.

Once the ball was kicked, however, that all faded into the background.

It was 11 versus 11. And the football delivered excitement, joy and disappointment.

Iran dropped two valuable points against a lower-ranked team, but came twice from behind and hit the woodwork once.

And each of the two times the net bulged, the goals brought happiness to a nation with two flags at home and abroad that has gone through war and immense hardship.

There was a number of protesters outside.

But when Iran scored, almost all Iranians cheered.

June 15 (Asia Today) — South Korean broadcaster JTBC and four other companies affiliated with JoongAng Group filed for court-led rehabilitation Monday, two days after the television network defaulted on 20.6 billion won, or about $13.6 million, in debt.

The applications could lead to restructuring, asset sales and efforts to attract new investment if the court approves the rehabilitation proceedings.

The five applicants are JTBC, Contentree JoongAng, Megabox JoongAng, JoongAng Holdings and JoongAng P&I.

JoongAng Group Vice Chairman Hong Jeong-do apologized during a news conference at the JoongAng Ilbo building in western Seoul.

“As a senior executive of JoongAng Group, I sincerely apologize to our employees,” Hong said.

“Management has explored every possible option to overcome the credit crunch and liquidity crisis and maintain the group’s operational stability,” he said. “However, accumulated financial burdens and the prolonged contraction of the capital market have left us with no choice but to file for rehabilitation proceedings.”

JTBC declared a payment default Friday after failing to repay 20.6 billion won in securitized borrowings at maturity.

South Korean credit-rating agencies subsequently downgraded the credit ratings of JTBC and other major group companies.

NICE Investors Service cut JTBC’s unsecured bond rating from BBB with a negative outlook to CCC. A CCC rating indicates a substantial risk of default and generally makes it difficult for a company to raise funds through conventional financial markets.

The agency also downgraded JoongAng Ilbo’s long-term credit rating from BBB with a negative outlook to BB- and lowered its short-term rating from A3 to B-.

Korea Ratings lowered JTBC’s unsecured bond rating from BBB with a negative outlook to BB under negative review. It also downgraded the broadcaster’s commercial paper and electronic short-term bond ratings from A3 to B under negative review.

The group’s financial difficulties have been attributed partly to a sharp decline in television advertising as audiences and advertisers move toward digital platforms and streaming services.

Heavy investment in sports broadcasting rights has also placed pressure on the group’s finances.

JTBC acquired exclusive South Korean broadcasting rights for the FIFA World Cup through Phoenix Sports, an affiliate of JoongAng Group.

Contentree JoongAng, the parent company of Phoenix Sports, reportedly invested $125 million, or about 190 billion won, to secure World Cup rights.

The group also reportedly committed about $500 million for rights to broadcast the Olympic Games from 2026 through 2032 and FIFA World Cup tournaments through 2030.

JTBC failed in February to resell Winter Olympics broadcasting rights to South Korea’s three terrestrial television networks, contributing to substantial losses.

For the 2026 World Cup, JTBC sold some broadcasting rights to public broadcaster KBS for 14 billion won, or about $9.2 million, but did not reach agreements with MBC or SBS.

If the court approves the applications, the companies are expected to consider workforce and business restructuring, asset sales and outside investment as part of a financial recovery plan.

The Seoul Bankruptcy Court assigned the cases involving the JoongAng Group companies and subsidiaries to its Rehabilitation Division 2.

The court will review financial records and other documents submitted by the companies before deciding whether to formally begin the proceedings. Such decisions are generally made within about a month.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260616010005214

June 15 (UPI) — The Korean Federation of Community Credit Cooperatives, or KFCC, said Monday that it will provide AI-powered companion robots to elderly residents as South Korea faces the social challenges posed by rapid population aging.

The nationwide cooperative federation noted that a total of 200 robots will be supplied to senior citizens living alone, with the aim of dealing with social isolation.

The robots are designed to offer various support functions, including interactive conversations, medication reminders, and motion-detection capabilities. When emergencies arise, they can alert authorities and connect users with relevant services, according to KFCC.

Information collected by the robots can be shared with caregivers and social welfare workers to help track their health status and identify potential signs of social isolation, the cooperative said.

“The problem of social isolation among elderly people living alone is becoming more severe amid population aging and the growing number of single-person households,” KFCC said in a statement.

“We will continue our social contribution activities to help build warm and inclusive communities where no neighbor is left behind,” it added.

South Korea is one of the fastest-aging societies in the world. Data from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety show that people aged 65 and older accounted for 21.21% of the population as of the end of last year. When the proportion surpasses the 20% mark, a country is classified as as uper-aged society.

Single-person households represented 36.1% of all households in the nation as of the end of 2024.

KFCC is not a publicly listed company.