Four-year-old Malika was seriously wounded in an Israeli attack that killed her mother while she shielded her from falling debris. Now, with support from her family and the Ghassan Abu Sitta Children’s Fund, she is recovering from her injuries. Her story reflects the lasting impact of war on children in Lebanon.
Published On 10 Jun 202610 Jun 2026
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This photo, taken Wednesday, shows the trading room of Hana Bank in Seoul as South Korean stocks fell more than 4 percent amid escalating Middle East tensions and a tech sell-off. Photo by Yonhap
South Korean stocks plummeted more than 4 percent Wednesday amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran and a tech slump fueled by concerns over the valuation of stocks related to artificial intelligence (AI). The local currency was trading lower against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 366.11 points, or 4.52 percent, to close at 7,730.82, almost eclipsing most of the over 8 percent surge from the previous day.
At one point, the index fell as low as 7,541.11.
Due to the sharp fall, the Korea Exchange had activated a sell-side sidecar for the index at 1:16 p.m., halting program trading for five minutes.
Trade volume was moderate at 457.5 million shares worth 39 trillion won (US$25.6 billion), with losers outnumbering winners 547 to 343.
Foreigners continued their sell-off for the 23rd consecutive session, dumping a net 2.77 trillion won, while retail investors and institutions purchased local shares worth 4.86 trillion won. Institutions sold 2.27 trillion won.
Market analysts said the KOSPI lost ground as tensions resurfaced in the Middle East after the U.S. struck Iran in response to the shooting down of an American Apache helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz and then Tehran hit back.
The risk-on appetite was also sapped by an overnight tech slide on Wall Street caused by concerns over the valuation of the AI stocks on news that Crusoe Energy Systems, a data center developer, suspended one of its projects upon the request of an unidentified big tech customer.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite closed 0.97 percent lower, and the S&P 500 dropped 0.26 percent, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.17 percent.
Major tech shares led the market decline, with Broadcom losing 1.12 percent, Apple sliding 3.64 percent, Micron falling 1.4 percent and Nvidia down 0.2 percent.
Investors’ eyes are now on the upcoming release of the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI), which could give further clues on the U.S. Federal Reserve’s monetary policy amid bets on a hawkish pivot and the initial public offering of SpaceX later this week.
“The South Korean stock market was weighed down as risk aversion sentiment strengthened ahead of the U.S. CPI and Oracle’s earnings release, once triggering a sell-side sidecar,” Lee Kyoung-min, an analyst at Daishin Securities, said.
Lee said a hot inflation report could further contract the market sentiment, raising concerns over a possible U.S. rate hike.
In Seoul, market top-cap Samsung Electronics slid 6.06 percent to 302,500 won, while its chipmaking rival SK hynix plunged 7.54 percent to 2.05 million won.
AI investment firm SK Square shed 6.78 percent to 1.18 million won, and Samsung Electro-Mechanics shot down 8.38 percent to 1.8 million won.
Samsung Life Insurance dipped 6.36 percent to 368,000 won, and Samsung C&T plummeted 5.01 percent to 407,500 won.
Auto shares were also weak, with Hyundai Motor down 5.79 percent to 602,000 won, and its sister Kia losing 2.8 percent to 159,700 won. Hyundai Mobis dropped 4.2 percent to 570,000 won.
Internet portal operator Naver, which had recently rallied on news on its partnership with Nvidia, nosedived 11.67 percent to 227,000 won. Home appliances maker LG Electronics shot down 9.68 percent to 224,000 won.
Major shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy was among the few gainers, jumping 4.74 percent to 641,000 won.
Defense giant Hanwha Aerospace also climbed 1.48 percent to 1.03 million won.
The Korean won was quoted at 1,524.2 won against the U.S. dollar at 3:30 p.m., down 12.1 won from the previous session.
Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed mixed. The yield on three-year Treasurys added 2.5 basis points to 3.881 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bonds dropped 3.2 basis points to 4.070 percent.
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.
Estonia, the smallest of the Baltic states, has experienced some dramatic incidents.
In September, Tallinn said Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered its airspace for 12 minutes. NATO scrambled Italian F-35s stationed in Estonia as part of the Baltic Air Policing mission. Russia denied violating Estonian airspace.
In March, a stray Ukrainian military drone crashed into Estonia’s Auvere power station.
In April and May, Estonian authorities said drones entered their airspace, grounding flights and prompting warnings issued to citizens.
Estonia’s intelligence services have said that the country does not believe Russia is preparing an imminent military attack on NATO, but that Moscow may be rebuilding its forces for the long term while engaging in hybrid attacks through drones, cyber operations, and sabotage.
Tallinn claims one such hybrid method is the so-called “Narva People’s Republic”, a pro-Russian separatist narrative that casts Estonia’s Russian-speaking border region as a distinct political entity, echoing the Donetsk and Luhansk “people’s republics” used by Moscow as a pretext for intervention in Ukraine.
Estonian authorities say it is part of a disinformation campaign rather than a credible separatist movement.
Its military has, at times, been bellicose in its statements.
In May, Estonia’s Lieutenant General Andrus Merilo argued that Russia is rebuilding its military much faster than many Europeans realise and that Estonia must be ready for a renewed military threat within the next few years, marking 2027 as a critical benchmark for readiness.
In September 2024, in an interview with the Estonian public broadcaster ERR, Estonian General Vahur Karus stated that if Moscow showed signs of preparing for an attack, Estonia could strike the Russians first.
“Our capability to neutralise the enemy on its own territory is crucial,” he said.
However, the government’s rhetoric has been more measured.
In April, Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy suggested in an interview that a new wave of Russian mobilisation may be used to launch an attack on the Baltic states.
But Estonian politicians, including the foreign minister, warned that the remarks echoed Moscow’s objective of stoking fears and made cooperation difficult.
“We do not see Russia concentrating its forces or preparing in any way militarily to attack NATO or the Baltic states; rather, it is the opposite. Russia is not in a very strong position on the Ukrainian front, and economically as well,” Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna told ERR.
“No one is in the streets panicking,” Tony Lawrence, a research fellow at the International Centre for Defence and Security in Tallinn, told Al Jazeera.
The air incursions have “put people on edge”, but there is a sense that Russian forces are too preoccupied in Ukraine, he said.
1 of 4 | German officers stand before Oslo’s National Theater in 1940 after taking control of Norway during World War II. On June 10, 1940, Norway surrendered to Germany during World War II, with King Haakon and members of the government fleeing to Britain. File Photo by Willi Ruge/German Federal Archives
On this date in history:
In 1692, Bridget Bishop was found guilty of the practice of witchcraft and hanged in Salem Village in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. She was the first colonist executed during the Salem witch trials.
In 1898, U.S. Marines invaded Cuba in the Spanish-American War.
In 1916, whatever momentum former President Theodore Roosevelt had built up as he campaigned for the Republican nomination for president was extinguished when the progressive convention voted for reconciliation with the GOP.
In 1935, Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in Akron, Ohio.
In 1940, Norway surrendered to Germany during World War II, with King Haakon and members of the government fleeing to Britain. National Unity Party leader Vidkun Quisling led Norwegian fascist forces to assist the Germans, seizing strategic locations.
In 1942, the German Gestapo burned the tiny Czech village of Lidice after shooting 173 men and shipping the women and children to concentration camps.
In 1943, Hungarian Laszlo Biro secured a patent for his invention — the first successful and widely used ballpoint pen.
In 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a law authorizing employers to withhold income tax payments from salary checks.
In 2000, Syrian President Hafez Assad died from a heart attack at age 69. He had ruled the country since 1970.
UPI File Photo
In 2003, a three-member Ontario Court of Appeal in Canada ordered that full marriage rights be extended to same-sex couples.
In 2006, three detainees at the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, hanged themselves.
File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
In 2009, Chrysler, one of America’s “Big 3” automakers, climbed out of bankruptcy with a reconstruction plan that included a partnership deal with Italian carmaker Fiat.
In 2014, Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., the U.S. House Republican leader, was defeated by Tea Party challenger David Brat, a college economics professor, in one of the most stunning primary election upsets in congressional history.
In 2021, the U.S. Senate confirmed Zahid Quraishi to the U.S. District Court in New Jersey, making him the first Muslim federal judge in the United States.
In 2024, Apple introduced its new generative artificial intelligence technology, called Apple Intelligence, at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference in Cupertino, Calif.
File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI
An Air Canada plane is shown in 2025 at a gate at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Police said a former Air Canada captain faces fraud charges after flying without the correct license for 17 years. File Photo by Graham Hughes/EPA
June 9 (UPI) — A former pilot and captain for Air Canada faces fraud charges after an investigation showed he flew hundreds of flights over 17 years without a proper license, police said Tuesday.
Geoffrey Wall, 59, of Barrie, Ontario, was arrested June 1 after the investigation, which police called “Project Icarus,” CBC News reported.
Wall, who’d started his career with Air Canada in 1998, did not obtain the required airline transport pilot license in 2009 when he was promoted to captain, Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich said at a press conference.
That license requires a series of written exams. Instead, Wall allegedly used fraudulent licenses for Air Canada and Transport Canada (the country’s federal transportation department)and then attempted to conceal that in a false police report, Milinovich said.
“This is very similar to a doctor who that is licensed to practice family medicine but is doing brain surgery in their office,” Milinovich said.
Air Canada said that Wall was immediately removed from duty when the fraud was discovered, The BBC reported. Airline officials said passengers were never at risk and that Wall was completely trained with a valid commercial pilot license, just not the ATPL.
Police said Wall flew several types of airplanes in a total of 900 domestic and international flights. The investigation through Transport Canada started when officials noticed inconsistencies with his license documentation in a routine evaluation. The Peel Regional Police then started a criminal investigation. The charges include fraud, forging documents and possession of counterfeit mark.
Wall is expected to appear in court on June 29.
Cutting-edge weapons, such as the KAAV amphibious assault vehicle and the Bigung guided rocket, are on display at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition, or ADEX, that kicked off at KINTEX in Goyang, just northwest of Seoul. Photo by YONHAP / EPA
June 9 (Asia Today) — Military, industry and academic experts warned Tuesday that South Korea must urgently build an integrated air and missile defense system as drone swarms, artificial intelligence-enabled attacks and missile threats become more complex.
Experts said fragmented air defense weapons cannot respond effectively to modern battlefields where drone swarms are combined with ballistic and cruise missiles. They called for linking sensors, command decisions and interceptors into a unified system.
The Korea Association of Defense Industry Studies hosted the Future of Integrated Air and Missile Defense conference at the Daejeon Convention Center. The Missile Defense Forum organized the event and Northrop Grumman sponsored it.
The conference was held alongside the InLEX KOREA 2026 defense exhibition and drew officials from U.S. Forces Korea, foreign defense attachés, South Korean defense firms and overseas defense companies.
Kim Jin-ki, chairman of the Korea Association of Defense Industry Studies, said building an integrated air defense network is directly tied to national survival in modern and future warfare. He called for closer governance among the military, industry, academia and research institutions.
Rep. Yoo Yong-won, a member of the National Assembly’s defense committee, said South Korea must move faster to advance its missile defense system and secure next-generation air defense capabilities as global interest grows in the Cheongung-II missile interceptor system.
Kim Ki-won, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, said lessons from the Israel-Iran conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war point to a major shift in air defense strategy.
“Simply increasing the number of interceptors has limits when facing saturation attacks such as drone swarms,” Kim said.
He said South Korea needs AI-based intelligent engagement control and a smart defense network that links multiple sensors into one system.
Sean McLay, Asia-Pacific business development director at Northrop Grumman, said modern attacks are increasingly combining ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones.
McLay said South Korea should move away from platform-centered air defense systems and toward a network-centered integrated architecture that connects sensors, command and control and engagement assets.
Northrop Grumman developed the Integrated Battle Command System, which is used by the United States and Poland. The system is built around the concept of linking any sensor to the best available shooter, allowing commanders to match threat data with the most effective response.
Former Air Force 3rd Missile Defense Brigade commander Moon Oh-sun said South Korea’s individual air defense weapons have already reached a world-class level but remain limited by organizational barriers.
“To maximize combat effectiveness, we must break down the closed and isolated silo structure among the military branches,” Moon said. “Complete integration of information sharing and command decision systems is essential.”
Kim Dae-young, a military research fellow at the Korea Research Institute for National Strategy, said South Korea must also prepare for the reality that no missile defense system can intercept every threat.
Operating on the premise that “perfect interception does not exist,” Kim said South Korea should build a multilayered survival structure that allows national functions to continue even if missile defenses fail. He cited the need for public air raid shelters and other measures to help the country withstand attacks.
South Korean defense companies also presented domestic technology related to integrated air defense.
Jung Won-woo, head of LIG D&A’s air defense control development team, introduced integrated fire control network technology based on data distribution service middleware. His presentation focused on the transition from engagement control to integrated fire control.
The conference ended with a panel discussion chaired by Joo Kwang-sup, a visiting research fellow at the Sejong Institute and a retired Army brigadier general. Panelists discussed how South Korea can build an integrated air and missile defense system suited to future security conditions.
Han Kwon-hee, planning director at the Korea Association of Defense Industry Studies, said the association will work to ensure the ideas raised at the conference help strengthen South Korea’s integrated air defense capabilities and improve the global competitiveness of the country’s defense industry.
— 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=20260609010003032
South Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo speaks during a press conference for South Korean correspondents at the South Korean Embassy in Washington, DC, USA, 20 May 2026. Photo by YONHAP / EPA
June 9 (Asia Today) — South Korea and the United States share the view that Seoul’s push to acquire nuclear-powered submarines would provide an important alliance capability, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.
The ministry said the issue was discussed last week during the inaugural meeting to implement the South Korea-U.S. joint fact sheet, known as JFS, and that the talks proceeded on the premise that the submarines would be built in South Korea.
A Foreign Ministry official told reporters that the U.S. delegation did not raise any particular objection to domestic construction of the submarines.
U.S. President Donald Trump previously said on social media that South Korea’s nuclear-powered submarines would be built at Philly Shipyard in the United States, but officials from the two countries discussed the project on the premise of construction in South Korea, the official said.
“Both sides share the view that South Korea’s nuclear-powered submarines would be an important alliance capability for South Korea’s leading role in the defense of the Korean Peninsula,” the official said.
The official said the submarine plan is intended to strengthen security in response to conditions on the Korean Peninsula and is not aimed at any specific country.
On South Korea’s push to expand its uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing rights, the official said the two sides agreed that strengthening their nuclear energy partnership serves their common interests and decided to begin full-scale talks on ways to make that happen.
South Korea faces the challenge of overcoming restrictions under its civil nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States, commonly known as the 123 Agreement, to expand enrichment and reprocessing rights.
Diplomatic circles have discussed options including a full or partial revision of the agreement or passage of separate special legislation.
“The joint fact sheet talks are aimed at strengthening South Korea-U.S. nuclear cooperation,” the Foreign Ministry official said. “In broad terms, this can be understood as looking at ways to adjust the current 123 Agreement.”
The launch meeting was held June 2-3 after a delay of about seven months. Foreign Ministry officials described the atmosphere as positive.
One official said the U.S. side gave the impression that it was serious about the talks. Another said the meeting proceeded in a constructive atmosphere.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun also made an unannounced visit to a working lunch on the second day of the talks to encourage the delegations.
The government remains cautious, however, because of the details of the negotiations, concerns in the United States over nonproliferation norms and uncertainty surrounding Trump’s decision-making style.
“The overall perception of South Korea’s commitment to nonproliferation is the most important thing,” the Foreign Ministry official said. “We must make efforts to avoid sending unnecessary messages.”
President Lee Jae Myung’s remarks at his first-anniversary news conference Monday, where he criticized calls for South Korea to develop nuclear weapons as “truly irresponsible,” were seen as reflecting that concern.
The government is coordinating the schedule for follow-up talks with Washington.
The Foreign Ministry official said the two sides agreed to accelerate consultations. Several more full meetings led by the two countries’ national security councils are expected, along with frequent working-level talks by sectoral delegations.
— 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=20260609010003009
Al Jazeera’s Milena Veselinovic reports from Belfast, where protests over a recent stabbing have escalated into violent riots. Tensions flared after a Sudanese asylum seeker was charged with attempted murder. Riot police have deployed to the scene as buses and vehicles are set alight.
Published On 10 Jun 202610 Jun 2026
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US Central Command (CENTCOM) says its forces began launching ‘self-defence’ strikes against Iran, holding Tehran responsible for downing a US Army Apache helicopter. Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher has the latest from the White House.
Published On 9 Jun 20269 Jun 2026
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Lebanon's Health Ministry said the toll from Israeli attacks on the country since March 2 has reached 3,666 dead.
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The Alibaba logo is displayed at a Alibaba office in Beijing, China, 09 June 2026. On 08 June, the Pentagon added Chinese companies Alibaba, BYD, and Baidu, among others, to a list of firms it said aid the Chinese military. Photo by JESSICA LEE / EPA
June 9 (Asia Today) — The U.S. Defense Department expanded its list of Chinese companies it says are linked to China’s military, adding about two dozen firms, including BYD, Alibaba, Baidu, WuXi AppTec and Unitree, according to U.S. media reports.
The annual list, known as the Section 1260H list of Chinese military companies, grew from last year as U.S. national security officials increased scrutiny of Beijing’s use of civilian technology to support military modernization.
The newly added companies span electric vehicles, e-commerce, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, biotechnology and robotics.
BYD is one of China’s leading electric vehicle makers. Alibaba operates e-commerce and cloud computing businesses, including in the United States. Baidu is active in internet search and artificial intelligence. WuXi AppTec is a major pharmaceutical and biotechnology services company, while Unitree is known for humanoid and quadruped robots.
The move shows the Trump administration is looking beyond semiconductors and AI chips as it assesses security risks tied to Chinese technology and industrial supply chains.
Chris McGuire, a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and former official at the State Department and National Security Council, said the action shows Washington is increasingly attentive to security risks from Chinese products in industries beyond semiconductors and AI.
China objected to the move.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington said the Defense Department was overstretching the concept of national security and creating a discriminatory list targeting Chinese companies.
The updated list drew attention because it comes as Washington and Beijing have recently appeared to ease some trade tensions.
The United States had reportedly held back some measures against Chinese companies, including sanctions, high tariffs and cyber-related actions. An earlier version of the list expected in February was withdrawn ahead of a U.S.-China summit, according to U.S. media reports.
The summit, held in Beijing last month, focused heavily on trade issues.
Still, the Pentagon continues to view China as the United States’ main military competitor.
Craig Singleton, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said the trade atmosphere may have improved after the summit, but Washington’s basic assessment has not changed.
He said U.S. officials still believe major Chinese civilian technology companies are connected to China’s military modernization.
Companies placed on the list are barred from doing business with the U.S. military. The designation does not automatically impose broad sanctions, but it can create reputational risk, reduce access to U.S. government-related business and increase scrutiny from investors and regulators.
The commercial effect can vary by company.
SZ DJI Technology, the Chinese drone maker placed on the list in 2022, has continued to maintain a strong position in the U.S. consumer drone market despite its designation.
The latest additions show that Washington’s concerns about China’s military-civil fusion strategy are expanding from advanced chips and AI models into broader technology and manufacturing ecosystems.
— 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=20260609010002864
A woman applies sunscreen to her face. On Tuesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it will allow the first new permitted ingredient in over-the-counter sunscreens in 20 years. File Photo by Bill Branson/National Cancer Institute
June 9 (UPI) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday added bemotrizinol to the list of permitted active ingredients in over-the-counter sunscreens, the first addition to that list since the 1990s.
The Department of Health and Human Services “is advancing innovation by bringing a new sunscreen ingredient to the U.S. market for the first time in 20 years,” HHS Secretary Robert F.Kennedy Jr said. “Bemotrizinol has been used safely in Europe for decades, and FDA’s action will increase competition and consumer confidence in sunscreen products.
The FDA said the ingredient has low levels of absorption through the skin and into the body and is generally recognized as safe and effective for adults and children 6 months old and older.
The American Chemical Society said that BEMT blocks ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B light rays and was first used in sunscreens in the European Union in 2000, with Canada, Australia and some countries in Asia following suit soon after.
UV B rays have more energy, cause visible sunburns and are the ones blocked by most U.S. sunscreens today. However, UV A rays can also cause skin cancers, the American Cancer Society said. They also cause skin cells to age and can cause indirect damage to cells’ DNA. The ACS said about 95% of the UV rays that reach the ground are UV A rays.
The FDA said an over-the-counter monograph drug, such as a sunscreen product, can enter the market without an approved drug application if it meets certain requirements. DSM Nutritional Products LLC submitted an OTC monograph order request to add BEMT, at concentrations up to 6%, as a new active ingredient in the OTC monograph for sunscreens. The FDA proposed to add BEMT in December, and the public could submit comments through Jan. 26.
Israeli forces killed nine people in Tyre in the past 24 hours after it issued forced displacement orders on the city and continued deadly attacks across southern Lebanon.
Published On 9 Jun 20269 Jun 2026
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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, better known as NASA, has unveiled the crew for its upcoming Artemis III spaceflight, a preparatory mission as the United States plans to return to the Moon.
On Tuesday, it was revealed that astronauts Andre Douglas, Frank Rubio, Luca Parmitano and Randy Bresnik will be leading the flight. Serving as a backup is veteran test pilot Bob Heintz, who is able to substitute into any role.
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Their two-week mission will focus on collecting research and practising in-space docking procedures in preparation for a future Moon landing.
While no women were named to the Artemis III flight, the newly announced crew represents a range of experiences and backgrounds.
Making his first spaceflight is Florida-born engineer Douglas, 40, who was a backup crew member for NASA’s last major spaceflight, Artemis II, which flew a loop around the Moon.
Douglas will serve as mission specialist on Artemis III, and his presence on the flight will make him one of roughly two dozen African American people to travel to space, out of a population of hundreds of space travellers so far.
Also serving as mission specialist will be Rubio, a 50-year-old Salvadoran American physician who used to pilot Black Hawk helicopters for the US Army. He currently holds the record for the longest single-duration spaceflight by a US astronaut, at 371 days.
The oldest member of the four-man crew is its 58-year-old commander, Bresnik. A former US Navy test pilot and Marine, Bresnik is the only Artemis III crew member to have participated in a space shuttle mission, back in 2009. That programme has since been retired.
More recently, in 2017, Bresnik served as the commander for the International Space Station.
The fourth and final member of the Artemis III mission is its pilot, Parmitano, 49. He will be the only astronaut on the mission who is not a US citizen.
Born in Paterno, Italy, Parmitano has a background in his country’s air force. In 2019, he too served as commander on board the International Space Station, becoming the first Italian to do so.
“ Each of you possess a unique background,” said NASA administrator Jared Isaacman, who introduced the astronauts. “Your vast experience and unwavering dedication to NASA’s mission enables you to help make us and take this next great step in space exploration.”
The Artemis III mission will be a public-private partnership. Three rockets will blast off as part of the initiative.
One will carry the four-man crew into orbit around Earth in an Orion spacecraft. Another two rockets will bear aloft Moon lander models from Blue Origin and SpaceX, private firms owned respectively by tech entrepreneurs Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk.
The Orion spacecraft will then practice rendezvous procedures with each of the two landers, in preparation for similar manoeuvres during future Moon missions. The Artemis III flight is set to take off before the end of 2027.
“Artemis III will be an extraordinary demonstration of what is possible when the greatest aerospace companies across the United States, alongside our European partners, come together to showcase the technological might and ambition of the free world,” said Isaacman, a Trump appointee who has experience commanding private space flights for SpaceX.
The mood at Tuesday’s unveiling ceremony was celebratory, as each newly announced astronaut took the stage to soaring music and standing ovations.
But looming over the event were concerns related to the explosion of an uncrewed Blue Origin New Glenn rocket in Florida on May 28.
That blast sent a mushroom cloud billowing above the city of Cape Canaveral, and it caused severe damage to a launchpad complex where the takeoff was scheduled.
Representatives from both NASA and Blue Origin, however, took the stage to wave aside any concerns.
“While we recognise there are questions about how Blue Origin’s recent anomaly impacts our plans, setbacks are a learning opportunity,” said Jeremy Parsons, NASA’s acting deputy administrator.
He added that NASA was taking an “active role” with its partners to “ensure the right outcomes are achieved”. The private firms, in turn, were granted “unparalleled access” to NASA experts, technology and test facilities.
“We are confident that New Glenn will be ready for Artemis III, together with Blue Origin,” Parsons said.
John Couluris, a representative for Blue Origin, likewise described the May 28 explosion as an “anomaly”.
“We’ve redoubled our efforts and are moving forward,” Couluris said, describing Blue Origin’s factories as “running around-the-clock shifts” to be ready for the Artemis III launch.
“We will measure ourselves not only by our successes but how we respond to setbacks.”
The race to beat China’s space programme was another theme that cropped up during Monday’s ceremony.
Several speakers alluded to China’s growing lunar landing programme, a rival to NASA’s efforts.
Earlier this year, the China Manned Space Agency announced its intentions to place a person on the Moon by 2030. Already, in 2024, China became the first country to retrieve soil samples from the far side of the Moon using robotics.
But lunar missions have been a point of pride for the US, which holds the distinction of completing the first crewed mission to the Moon in 1969.
Last April, the Artemis II flight marked the US’s return to lunar travel. For the first time since 1972, a crewed capsule flew beyond low Earth orbit, and it broke records for the farthest crewed flight into space.
Next year’s Artemis III mission is set to build on that effort. The administration of US President Donald Trump has signalled it would like to see astronauts land on the Moon before the Republican leader’s term ends in January 2029.
NASA officials have also described the Artemis programme as a stepping stone to establishing a permanent base on the Moon. Various speakers on Monday highlighted that vision.
Couluris, the Blue Origin representative, called the Moon an “eighth continent” for humans to explore.
NASA scientist Nicky Fox, meanwhile, described the Artemis III mission as part of the preparatory work that would enable the US “to plant astronaut boots back on the lunar surface — to stay”.
But the US’s lunar programme has faced numerous setbacks, as NASA engineers work to address technical issues that could otherwise cause life-threatening situations in deep space.
Originally, Artemis III was supposed to mark the US’s return to the Moon, bearing a crew to the lunar surface. But in February, that plan was scrapped in favour of the present-day project, which focuses on conducting practice drills in low Earth orbit.
“We will use this mission to reduce risk for our future crewed Moon missions with lander test articles from both Blue Origin and SpaceX, to ensure we will beat China back to the Moon,” Parsons said on Tuesday.
“This mission is deliberately designed to take calculated risks so that future crews will be safer and ultimately successful when we put boots on the lunar surface.”
Still, officials applauded Artemis III as a major step towards human beings reaching the Moon once more.
In a recorded statement, Senator Ted Cruz suggested that the Artemis III mission would also put the US a step ahead of China.
“At a time of growing competition with China in space, this mission will strengthen America’s leadership, expand our economy, and help secure a lasting American lunar presence,” he said.
“When America commits to a mission, we lead and we succeed.”
Many of Argentina’s country’s leading shopping mall operators to expand capacity to meet growing demand for retail space. File Photo by Juan Ignacio Roncoroni/EPA
BUENOS AIRES, June 9 (UPI) — International fashion, luxury and sports brands are accelerating expansion into Argentina after years of absence, driving multimillion-dollar investments and prompting the country’s leading shopping mall operators to expand capacity to meet growing demand for retail space.
The renewed interest from foreign companies reflects Argentina’s changing economic environment since President Javier Milei took office.
Looser import restrictions and other market-opening measures have revived the appeal of a market that for years had been left out of the expansion plans of many international firms.
The expansion comes despite a challenging consumer environment. According to consulting firm Scentia, sales of mass-market consumer goods fell 3.8% year over year in April 2026 and were down 3.3% during the first four months of the year.
Federico Vaccarezza, an economist and professor in Austral University’s Faculty of Business Sciences, told UPI that international brands closely monitor sales data from Argentina’s leading shopping malls because they reflect the behavior of the consumers targeted by their products.
He noted that many of these brands are not seeking to reach the broader population, but rather higher-income consumers — a segment that has shown greater resilience in maintaining spending levels despite economic difficulties.
Vaccarezza said those groups represent roughly the top 10% to 20% of income earners in Argentina.
The international chains that have announced plans to enter Argentina are focusing their projects on Buenos Aires’ most exclusive shopping centers and key cities across the country. The trend includes companies entering the market for the first time, brands returning after years away and firms expanding existing operations.
International companies view Argentina as a long-term opportunity because of its market size, with more than 45 million residents, and expectations surrounding recent economic changes.
The influx of brands is already affecting the commercial real estate sector. Shopping mall operators report growing demand for retail space from foreign companies.
To meet that demand, several groups have accelerated expansion and construction projects. Chilean retailer Cencosud, one of Latin America’s largest retail groups, will invest $60 million to expand Unicenter, Argentina’s largest shopping mall, betting on rising demand for commercial space from international brands.
The project will add more than 215,000 square feet of space and 85 new stores by 2027.
“This expansion represents a concrete long-term commitment to Argentina,” Dolores Fernández Lobbe, country manager of Cencosud Argentina, told La Nación.
Meanwhile, IRSA, Argentina’s largest shopping mall operator and owner of some of the country’s most valuable retail assets, including Alto Palermo, Patio Bullrich, Alcorta Shopping and DOT, is moving forward with three new developments in the Buenos Aires area and the cities of La Plata and Mar del Plata. The company has not opened a new shopping center since 2015, when it inaugurated a project in the Patagonian province of Neuquén.
“Shopping mall customers are still there. What has changed is that competition on prices is now more intense,” IRSA President Eduardo Elsztain told La Nación.
According to business news outlet iProfesional, the expansion spans multiple sectors. Fashion, beauty, sports equipment, accessories and luxury goods are among the industries seeking to capitalize on Argentina’s new economic environment.
June is expected to be one of the busiest months for store openings. U.S.-based Skechers will open a new location, while Dolce & Gabbana will launch its first store in Argentina.
In July, Bullpadel, a company specializing in padel equipment, will enter the market. Padel has experienced rapid growth across Latin America in recent years.
U.S. apparel company Lucky Brand will enter Argentina through a partnership with local group Oxford. According to La Nación, the company plans an initial $1 million investment, will open its first store in July and aims to develop a network of 30 standalone stores across the country.
The company also plans to align prices with those in the U.S. market to compete with other brands in the segment.
Spanish fashion retailer Mango confirmed its return to Argentina through a franchise agreement with local group Grimoldi. The company plans to open five stores over the next five years, including a first location at Alto Palermo scheduled for September.
Vaccarezza said 2025 was a favorable year for Argentina’s shopping malls, although the trend began to weaken in 2026, with sales declining about 5% in the first quarter compared with the same period a year earlier.
The economist said looser import regulations and previously unmet demand help explain foreign companies’ interest in Argentina. He added that investment decisions by international brands are driven primarily by market-specific studies rather than broader economic indicators.
“It is a calculated risk. Companies have a clear understanding of the consumers they want to reach. The results will become evident later,” he said.
Economist and consultant Néstor Requelme expressed a similar view, saying the arrival of new international brands reflects recent economic changes and the presence of consumers with strong purchasing power.
Martín Burgos, an economist and researcher at the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences, or Flacso, said the arrival of new companies could increase competition and help lower clothing prices in Argentina, a market that has historically been more expensive than many others.
“There is a policy aimed at reducing clothing prices. For years, apparel prices in Argentina were above international levels, and the easing of import restrictions is facilitating the arrival of these brands,” he told UPI.
However, Burgos agreed that many of the companies entering the country are primarily targeting higher-income consumers, one of the segments that has best withstood recent economic changes.
“The data show that overall consumption remains weak, but these brands are targeting consumers with greater purchasing power. For that reason, their expansion does not necessarily reflect a broad recovery in consumer spending,” he said.
June 9 (UPI) — An assistant of Jeffrey Epstein told members of the House Oversight Committee on Tuesday that she was unaware of his crimes but that he was a master manipulator.
Lesley Groff, Epstein’s then-executive assistant, told the committee that she believed the massage appointments she made for Epstein with young women and girls were with massage therapists, two sources told CNN. She said Epstein had every reason to keep his crimes secret from her.
Groff helped manage Epstein’s life, including making appointments with women, setting meetings with powerful people and arranging Epstein’s flights with the young women. She worked for Epstein for nearly 20 years, and her name was listed in the Epstein files more than 150,000 times.
Epstein, a billionaire financier and registered sex offender, died by suicide in prison in 2019.
Groff told the lawmakers that she wants to help and that since Epstein was arrested, she’s lost friends and her family has faced harassment.
Groff said Epstein didn’t sexually abuse her, one of the sources told CNN, and that she didn’t need the job. She said that Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell told her not to associate with their friends, and they insisted that their business was none of hers.
Survivors told a different story.
Sharlene Rochard was skeptical that Groff didn’t know about the crimes.
“One of the hardest parts for survivors is hearing the people who were closest to Epstein claim they saw nothing,” Rochard told CNN. “That doesn’t match my experience. Survivors deserve answers, not claims of ignorance.”
In a previous statement, Groff’s lawyer told CNN that she worked for Epstein as “part of a professional staff that included in-house attorneys, accountants and other office staff” and that her job included making appointments for Epstein, “taking his messages and setting up high-level meetings with CEOs, business executives, scientists, politicians, celebrities, charitable organizations and universities.”
Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., told MSNow that the panel has referred two names to the Department of Justice, though he didn’t identify them.
“I think the interviews that we’ve done have been very productive,” Comer told reporters on Tuesday morning.
“We’re bringing in the most important people in the whole Epstein criminal enterprise that are still alive, and hopefully we’ll get the proof to the American people that there’s an opportunity for accountability,” Comer said.
The committee is scheduled to interview Microsoft founder Bill Gates on Wednesday.
The European Commission has demanded that Meta allow other AI companies access without charge while it investigates the company for antitrust violations. File Photo by Gian Ehrenzeller/EPA
June 9 (UPI) — The European Commission ordered Meta to allow competing artificial intelligence assistants to access WhatsApp while it investigates the company for antitrust violations.
The company must restore access by next week as it was until October, when the competition could use WhatsApp for free.
“In rapidly evolving markets, competition can be lost long before a final decision is adopted. This is why these interim measures will remain in place for the duration of the investigation, in order to prevent harm that would be almost impossible to repair,” Teresa Ribera, executive vice president for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, said in a statement. “These interim measures will safeguard competition in the growing market for AI assistants, by preserving a key entry point to reach consumers in Europe — WhatsApp — and allowing AI companies to innovate, scale up and reach their full potential.”
The EC began its investigation in December around the same time Italy called foul of the alleged anti-competitive move by the company. Italy folded its complaint into the EC probe. After Brussels warned in February that it may force the company to open back up, in March Meta allowed the other companies in but began charging them fees. Brazil has levied similar complaints.
Meta has said WhatsApp’s business platform was not built to carry AI chatbots and that competitors can reach users through other channels.
“The European Commission has decided that OpenAI and some of the largest companies in the world can use the paid-for WhatsApp Business product for free. This is regulatory overreach subsidized by the many European companies that pay. We will appeal,” a Meta spokesperson told Politico.
Meta is also appealing a $228.34 million fine from the EU for violations of the Digital Markets Act.
If the company ignores the order, it can face fines of up to 10% of its annual revenue.
Published On 9 Jun 20269 Jun 2026
Gunshots, water cannon and tear gas have been used by Kenya’s police in the central town of Nanyuki, where hundreds of protesters lit fires and hurled stones at law enforcement officers as they demonstrated against a quarantine centre for US citizens exposed to Ebola.
Tuesday’s violence came as the proposed quarantine centre at the town’s Laikipia Air Base has caused anger among Kenyans who accuse the United States of shifting the risks of caring for people exposed to the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda onto Kenya.
Kenya has never recorded a case of Ebola, and many residents oppose bringing potential carriers of the virus into the country.
The centre is designed to have 50 isolation beds, run by US staff, and was nearing completion late last week.
Construction has continued despite a temporary halt order from Kenya’s High Court and vocal opposition from local politicians.
President William Ruto’s government has pledged to press ahead with the project, arguing that Kenya owes Washington for years of financial and technical support.
The US has committed $13.5m to support Kenya’s Ebola preparedness efforts.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, left, welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a summit in Tallinn, Estonia, Tuesday. Photo by Valda Kalnina/EPA
June 9 (UPI) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska traveled to Talinn, Estonia, Tuesday to take part in the Ukraine-Nordic-Baltic Eight summit and meet with other regional leaders.
Zelensky is boosting diplomatic efforts as he pushes for more support for Ukraine’s war against Russia.
The Ukrainian president met Tuesday with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, his spokesperson Sherhii Nykyforov told the Kyiv Independent. The meetings covered issues like strengthening Ukraine’s air defense and advancing the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List program, which allows NATO allies to finance buying of U.S. weapons.
Zelensky also met with Estonian President Alar Karis and thanked the country and others in the region for their continued support.
Zelensky also emphasized the need to coordinate positions ahead of upcoming summits this summer, including the European Union, G7 and NATO summits.
“June and July this year may determine a lot,” he told reporters at a press conference.
“For a cease-fire to take place, in my view, it would be better to have a meeting at the leadership level. Who? Certainly Ukraine, Russia and definitely Europe,” the Ukrainian state news service Ukrinform reported Zelensky said. “It would be desirable for the United States of America to be there as well. Why Europe? Because we are in Europe — that is the answer. Because this is our land, this is our continent, and we must be certain that life will be safe tomorrow, no matter what.”
He added that Ukraine has the political will to negotiate, but Russia hasn’t shown that.
“The 21st package of EU sanctions is necessary. And today we also discussed that the Baltic Sea and the North Sea must not be a free zone for the Russian shadow fleet. And all decisions that curtail the activity of Russian tankers are decisions that benefit not only Ukraine but all of Europe,” the Ukrainian president said.
Zelensky recently sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin asking to meet face to face for peace talks, but Putin declined.
June 9 (UPI) — Two U.S. Army helicopter crew members were rescued and brought to safety within two hours after their Apache gunship crashed near the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. President Donald Trump said early Tuesday that the two service personnel were “fine” and promised a report on the incident would be released in the next 24 hours or so.
U.S. Central Command said the pair were in a stable condition with spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins telling NBC News that a Task Force 59 unmanned surface vessel found and recovered the soldiers — the first time the U.S. military had carried out such an operation with a drone boat.
A source told the New York Times that it was yet to be established whether the aircraft came under Iranian fire, sustained a technical malfunction or encountered another issue.
The loss of a Hellfire missile-armed AH-64 Apache — which patrol the strait, downing Iranian drones and preventing small boats from attacking shipping — is a first for the U.S. military since the conflict started Feb. 28.
At least eight U.S. fighter jets and other military aircraft, plus more than two dozen uncrewed aerial vehicles, have been lost in both enemy and friendly-fire incidents but Monday’s crash was the first loss of a helicopter.
The Apaches play a key tactical role alongside F/A-18 and F-35s fighter aircraft in U.S. Central Command’s mission to counter the blockade of the vital international shipping route, which Iran has effectively put out of bounds to the vast majority of oil tankers and other commercial vessels.
However, the helicopters have been patrolling closer to Iran, including its islands in the Hormuz Strait and Persian Gulf, as part of Centcom’s effort to maintain the pressure on Tehran amid protracted negotiations to resolve the 100-day-long conflict.
Tehran did not immediately claim responsibility for the incident, according to Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency.
The confirmation from the U.S. side came hours after Iran and Israel sides paused airstrikes on each other at the request of U.S. President Donald Trump, who urged them to “stop shooting” because an agreement with Tehran to end the war was very close.
“We’re in the final throes of what will be a very, very good deal that will not allow in any way, shape, or form nuclear weapons. The strait will open up right away.
Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen to international shipping immediately after the agreement was signed, which could be before the weekend, adding that there was a chance it could be far earlier, “in one hour, if you want to know the truth.”
The 2026 World Cup will launch with a series of historic opening ceremonies across North America, marking the first time the tournament has been launched simultaneously in three host countries.
The United States, Mexico and Canada will officially launch the biggest World Cup in history.
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While the US hosted the tournament in 1994 and Mexico in 1970 and 1986, Canada will host the competition for the first time. Together, the three countries will open the tournament.
This World Cup will feature a record 104 matches spread across 16 host cities. The global event will run from the opening match in Mexico on Thursday, June 11, to the final on Sunday, July 19, in New York.
Here is what we know:
The three interconnected ceremonies staged across Mexico, Canada and the US are built around a shared theme designed to unite the three host nations while showcasing each country’s culture, identity and creative talent.
Each event will begin 90 minutes before the host nation’s opening match.
The ceremonies are being produced by Marco Balich, the creative director behind several Olympic opening ceremonies, including the 2026 Winter Games edition and major international sporting events. While each show will have its own distinct character, all three will be linked by a shared theme centred on football’s ability to unite people across borders.
Each host country will bring its own visual style to the ceremonies. Canada will be represented through a cultural mosaic, Mexico through papel picado, and the US through what Balich called “a super shiny, glowing cup”.
“The FIFA World Cup is a moment the world shares, and that begins with how we open it,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
“Starting with Mexico City and continuing the next days with Toronto and Los Angeles, these ceremonies will bring together music, culture and football in a way that reflects both the individuality of each nation and the unity that defines this tournament. It is a powerful way to begin a truly global celebration.”
According to The Athletic, the ceremony in Mexico City is expected to run for about 16 minutes and 30 seconds, while the shows in Toronto and Los Angeles are scheduled to last approximately 13 minutes each.
Once the performances conclude, the pitch will be handed over to the teams for their pre-match warm-ups. Matchday protocol ceremonies, including the player walkouts and official introductions, will then begin 25 minutes before kickoff and are expected to last about 13 minutes.
Mexico will face South Africa in the first match of the tournament, which will take place following the opening ceremony in Mexico City.
Canada will play against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, marking a historic milestone as it will be the Canadian Men’s National Team’s first World Cup match played on home soil.
The US will take on Paraguay in their opening match following the celebration in Los Angeles.
Mexico will launch the tournament at Mexico City Stadium (formerly known as the Estadio Azteca) 90 minutes before its opening match against South Africa, in a repeat of the 2010 opener.
The ceremony is expected to celebrate Mexican culture through Indigenous performers, contemporary folkloric acts and the traditional art of papel picado.
Artists featured on the Official FIFA World Cup Album are expected to perform, including Alejandro Fernandez, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Angeles Azules, and Mana. The show will also include South African singer-songwriter Tyla.
Shakira is also expected to perform her Dai Dai – an Italian phrase meaning “let’s go” or “come on” – along with Burna Boy. Shakira is also set to co-headline the inaugural FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show on July 19, alongside Madonna and K-pop band BTS.
Authorities have declared June 11 a public holiday in Mexico City, with schools closed and employers encouraged to allow remote work. Access to the stadium area will be restricted to ticket holders, accredited media and authorised personnel.
Opening day schedule in Mexico
9:00 (15:00 GMT): Stadium gates open
11:00 (17:00 GMT): Opening ceremony begins
12:10 (18:10 GMT): Team warm-ups
13:00 (19:00 GMT): Mexico vs South Africa kickoff
Canada’s ceremony will take place at Toronto Stadium before the country’s World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The opening ceremony in Toronto will kick off at 1:30pm local time (17:30 GMT).
The ceremony will begin with a unique countdown designed to take viewers on a “journey across Canada”, highlighting moments that reflect the nation “from coast to coast to coast”.
Centred on the theme of a cultural mosaic, the event will highlight Canada’s diversity through music and performance, with artists including Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Elyanna, Jessie Reyez, Michael Buble, Nora Fatehi, Sanjoy, Vegedream and William Prince.
The match immediately following the ceremony against Bosnia and Herzegovina is deeply significant, as it will be the first FIFA World Cup match to be played by the Canadian Men’s National Team on home soil.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino noted that the Toronto ceremony will be a “powerful reflection of Canada’s identity” and a “moment of pride, unity and anticipation” as the country steps onto football’s biggest stage.
Opening day schedule in Canada
13:30 (17:30 GMT): Opening ceremony begins.
15:00 (19:00 GMT): Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina kicks off.
After the ceremony concludes, the teams will complete their warm-ups before the official pre-match proceedings and kickoff at 3pm local time (19:00 GMT).
The US will host its opening celebration at the Los Angeles Stadium before facing Paraguay.
The ceremony will feature large-scale visuals, immersive storytelling and performances from global artists including Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema and Tyla.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted that this specific artist lineup was chosen to reflect the cultural diversity and vibrant diasporas of the US, showcasing the nation’s considerable influence on global pop culture, music, and entertainment.
Opening day schedule in US
16:30 (23:30 GMT): Opening ceremony begins
18:00 (01:00 GMT June 13): The US vs Paraguay kicks off.
Fans in the US can watch the opening ceremonies through FIFA’s official broadcast partners. English-language coverage will be available on FOX and FS1, while Spanish-language coverage will air on Telemundo and Universo.
For free streaming, Tubi will simulcast the opening ceremonies and the opening matches, including Mexico vs South Africa on June 11 and the United States vs Paraguay on June 12.
All 104 World Cup matches will also be available through the FOX One app (subscription required), while Spanish-language viewers can stream every match on Peacock and the Telemundo app.
International broadcasters include:
FIFA has not released an official number for the opening ceremonies. However, the three events are expected to fill their host venues in Mexico City, Toronto and Los Angeles, with a combined live attendance of roughly 200,000 spectators.
The ceremonies will also be broadcast worldwide as part of the opening match coverage, likely attracting a global television audience in the tens or hundreds of millions.
Yes. In Mexico City, ongoing protests by teachers’ unions and other groups have raised concerns about possible disruptions before the opening match between Mexico and South Africa.
Protesters have threatened to block major roads leading to Mexico City Stadium and other key locations. Authorities have responded with a large security operation and say the opening ceremony is not at risk, although organisers remain on alert as the tournament approaches.
In Los Angeles, officials have focused on security planning, crowd management and preparations for large-scale events across the city. Local authorities have also said they do not expect immigration enforcement operations at World Cup venues.
In Toronto, organisers are preparing for an influx of visitors, with transport agencies adding services and coordinating plans to reduce congestion. Across all three host nations, security and logistics remain key priorities as the tournament gets under way.
The FIFA World Cup begins on June 11. You can follow the action on Al Jazeera’s dedicated World Cup 2026 page with all the latest news, match build-up and live text commentary, and keep up to date with group standings, real-time match results and schedules.
The aftermath of an earlier Israeli airstrike on the southern Lebanese port of Tyre in May. On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces ordered residents, including for the first time those in Christian neighborhoods, to evacuate well to the north of the city for their safety as it prepared to target Hezbollah “elements, facilities and combat means.” File photo by Stringer/EPA
June 9 (UPI) — The Israel Defense Forces ordered residents of the Lebanese city of Tyre, including the Christian quarter and more than 10 refugee camps, to evacuate Tuesday, pending Israeli military action against targets of Iran-proxy Hezbollah.
IDF spokesman Avichay Adraee wrote on X that “out of concern for your safety,” residents should leave their homes immediately and move some 20 miles north beyond the Zahrani River and warned that anyone remaining south of the river was putting their life at risk.
“Your presence near Hezbollah elements or their facilities or combat means endangers your lives. As we warned in the past days, following Hezbollah elements’ actions inside the Christian Quarter in the city, the Israel Defense Forces will be compelled to act against their terrorist activities in the quarter in the near term,” said Adraee.
“Any building used by Hezbollah for military purposes may be subject to targeting. To ensure your safety — evacuate your homes immediately and move north beyond the Zahrani River. Attention — any movement south of the Zahrani River may endanger your lives,” he added.
The development came a day after Israel and Iran backed away from direct confrontation that flared up at the weekend over an Israeli strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut that prompted Tehran to fire as many as 30 missiles at Israel with Israel striking back against military targets in central and western Iran.
In standing down its military, Tehran warned that in the event Israel continued its attacks in Lebanon, including in the south, “much more severe and crushing measures will be on the way.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a post on X Monday evening that Israel had only halted hostilities because “after we struck the terror regime in Tehran, it ceased attacking us” and threatened to “respond with overwhelming force” if Iran made the mistake of attacking Israel again.
Netanyahu said that by firing into Israel over the past day, Iran and Hezbollah had attempted “to impose a new equation upon” where they believed they could fire at Israel from Lebanese territory and from Iran and Israel would not react.
“That did not happen, and it will not happen. Not on my watch! It is an equation I find intolerable and unacceptable,” wrote Netanyahu.
The sides halted their respective military strikes at the request of U.S. President Donald Trump who urged them to “stop shooting” because a deal ending the 100-day-long U.S.-Iran conflict was imminent.
Speaking on the tarmac at JFK Airport in New York on Monday night, Trump said the United States and Iran were very close to “a very good deal that will not allow in any way, shape, or form nuclear weapons.”
“And the [Hormuz] Strait will open up right away — they’ll open up immediately upon signing, which could be in two or three days,” said Trump.
He said he didn’t believe there were any sticking points.
Trump said the alternative was to return to bombing Iran but that would be counterproductive because it would mean the Strait of Hormuz remaining closed for many months and the needless deaths of many more people.
“Who wants to do that? I don’t. And we’ll have a signed document that’s actually stronger than doing the bombing,” he said.