South African police arrested a 28-year-old man for trying to smuggle 150 live venomous scorpions through Cape Town airport. The scorpions were hidden in his luggage and have been handed to a wildlife facility, while he faces legal charges.
Key Facts
The man was caught at Cape Town airport after police received information about him.
He concealed 150 venomous scorpions between his clothes in his luggage.
The arrest was made under the Nature and Environmental Ordinance Act related to possession of wild animals.
The scorpions were wrapped individually in plastic and are now kept for safekeeping and value assessment.
Wildlife trafficking is a major problem in South Africa, which has many different animal species.
Criminal groups often traffic animals like rhinos, elephants, pangolins, reptiles, and other wildlife.
Earlier, six people were charged in South Africa for involvement in illegal rhino horn trading.
A scorpion incident previously occurred at Boston’s Logan Airport when a woman was stung.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Two helicopters collided in the sky above Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, resulting in the deaths of six people, including US singer and comedian Oliver Tree. The crash involved two pilots and four passengers.
Key Facts
The accident happened over Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Two helicopters collided in flight.
Six people died in the crash: two pilots and four passengers.
Among the victims was Oliver Tree, a US singer and comedian.
The incident took place on Sunday.
The cause of the collision has not been stated in the report.
Emergency response details were not provided in the article.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Khalil al-Masri was sitting with others in Gaza when an Israeli drone shot and wounded him. He later died from his injuries. Seven Palestinians were killed in Gaza on Sunday, violating the October 2025 ceasefire.
Key Facts
Khalil al-Masri was shot by an Israeli drone while sitting with other people.
He died from the wounds caused by the drone attack.
Seven Palestinians died in Gaza on the same Sunday.
These killings broke the ceasefire agreement that began in October 2025.
The incident was recorded on video.
The attack involved an Israeli quadcopter, a type of drone.
The location of the event was Gaza.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A new play called Savage will tell the story of Paul O’Grady’s rise from a care worker to a famous TV presenter known as Lily Savage. The play will open in Leicester in February and then move to London, showing parts of his life including his work during the AIDS crisis and his unique style of drag performance.
Key Facts
The play Savage is inspired by the life of Paul O’Grady, also known as Lily Savage.
It premieres at Curve Theatre Leicester in February before a London run.
Danny Beard, a winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, will play Paul O’Grady.
The play shows O’Grady’s early career in gay pubs and his experiences during police raids on gay venues.
O’Grady visited men dying of AIDS, showing support before good treatments were available.
Playwright Jonathan Harvey used many lines from O’Grady’s autobiographies.
O’Grady was still working on new projects before he died at age 67.
The play ends with O’Grady retiring the Lily Savage character in 2005.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Britain plans to ban children under 16 from using many social media apps by spring 2027 to protect their mental health and safety. In contrast, the United States relies more on parents to manage children's online activity, even though most American adults support measures like parental consent and age limits for social media.
Key Facts
The UK government will ban under-16s from using popular social media apps such as Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X.
The ban excludes messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal.
British regulators have introduced over 40 child safety measures under the Online Safety Act 2023, including safer content feeds and stronger age checks.
The UK government views tech companies as responsible for redesigning their platforms to protect children.
In the US, 81% of adults support requiring parents' permission before kids can create social media accounts.
71% of American adults favor age verification on social media for minors, and 69% support time limits.
US political leaders often see European tech rules as bureaucracy or censorship, but many American parents want more support to manage kids’ online safety.
Britain and Australia are examples of countries taking tougher regulatory steps on children's social media use, while the US takes a more hands-off, parent-focused approach.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Court of Appeal has ruled that the UK government’s decision to ban Palestine Action as a terrorist group is lawful. This overturns a previous High Court ruling that had found the ban unlawful.
Key Facts
The UK government banned Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act.
The High Court had ruled the ban was unlawful earlier this year.
The Court of Appeal overturned that ruling, supporting the government’s decision.
Five judges agreed the ban struck a fair balance in law.
The ban makes it a crime to join or support Palestine Action, with a penalty of up to 14 years in prison.
Thousands have been arrested during protests since the ban began in July last year.
The Court of Appeal rejected comparisons of Palestine Action with historical protest groups like the suffragettes.
The legal debate allowed the government time to consider appealing the initial ruling.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The UK government plans to ban social media use for children under 16 and introduce stricter rules for online gaming and live video platforms. These new safety rules will be created by the end of the year to better protect young people and regulate big technology companies.
Key Facts
The UK will not allow children under 16 to use social media.
New rules will also affect gaming platforms and livestreaming services.
The goal is to improve online safety for children.
Regulations are expected to be finalized by the end of this year.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the plan.
The move aims to limit the influence of large tech companies online.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Eurosatory World Defense exhibition is currently happening in Paris at the Villepinte exhibition center. It is the world’s largest defense and security trade fair, with over 2,500 exhibitors from more than 65 countries showcasing military technology and equipment.
Key Facts
Eurosatory is the largest defense and security trade fair in the world.
The event is held in Paris at the Villepinte exhibition center.
It runs for five days.
This year’s event is bigger than ever before.
Over 2,500 exhibitors are participating.
Exhibitors come from more than 65 countries.
The growth in the event is linked to increased global military spending.
There are displays related to AI, drones, and technology from Ukraine at the fair.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The United States and Iran have announced they will sign a new agreement on Friday. World leaders, including the UK, France, Germany, and Italy, have expressed relief and called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and regional stability while emphasizing the need to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Key Facts
The US and Iran will sign an agreement on Friday, June 19, 2026.
This announcement has brought relief to many world leaders.
The UK, France, Germany, and Italy issued a joint statement supporting the deal.
These countries want the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route, to be reopened.
They also want peace and stability to return to the region.
Preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains a top priority.
The deal aims to reduce tensions between the US and Iran.
Further details about the deal and negotiations are still being discussed.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A 21-year-old woman died in Brazil after being thrown off a bridge for a rope jump without any safety cord attached. Police arrested three men who were involved in the jump because they ignored the dangers and the investigation is ongoing.
Key Facts
The woman, Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, was 21 years old and wanted to be a physical education teacher.
She was launched “airplane style” off Skeleton Bridge in São Paulo state by two instructors holding her above their heads.
No safety equipment or cord was attached to her during the jump.
She fell about 40 meters (131 feet) and died from the fall.
Three men were arrested for homicide with “dolus eventualis,” meaning they knew the risk but proceeded anyway.
Authorities said the team who conducted the jump was not authorized or regulated to operate there.
Rope jumping uses a less stretchy cord than bungee jumping and causes a swinging motion rather than bouncing.
Videos of the accident went viral on social media, sparking reactions about the lack of safety.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The United States and Iran agreed to immediately and permanently stop military actions, including ending fighting in Lebanon and lifting the US naval blockade. This agreement was announced through Pakistan, acting as a mediator, and reflects key demands from Iran before making a deal.
Key Facts
The US and Iran reached a surprise agreement to end all military operations immediately and permanently.
The deal includes stopping hostilities in Lebanon, a key area of conflict.
The US naval blockade against Iran will be lifted as part of the agreement.
Pakistan acted as the mediator to announce the memorandum of understanding.
Iranian state media confirmed these terms as meeting Tehran’s main demands.
The agreement aims to de-escalate tensions between the US and Iran in the Middle East.
The announcement was made public on June 15, 2026.
Details about further negotiations or broader terms were not included in the initial announcement.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
More than 2,500 companies are showing their latest defense technologies at the Eurosatory defense fair near Paris. The event features advanced tools like artificial intelligence (AI), drones, and weapons developed by Ukraine during its conflict with Russia.
Key Facts
Eurosatory is one of the largest global weapons and defense technology shows.
The event takes place near Paris and runs this week.
Over 2,500 exhibitors are participating from around the world.
Key highlights include AI systems and drone technology.
Ukraine is showcasing weapons it developed in response to its war with Russia.
The fair draws attention to new military technology and innovations amid ongoing global conflicts.
The event provides a platform for countries and companies to display their defense advances.
The coverage comes from a report by James Andre at the fair.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The court of appeal has ruled that the government’s ban on the group Palestine Action under anti-terrorism laws was legal. This overturns a previous decision by a lower court that had found the ban unlawful.
Key Facts
Palestine Action was the first group banned under the UK’s Terrorism Act.
The court of appeal had a panel of five judges, including the two top judges in England and Wales.
The ban became effective on 5 July last year.
Being a member of or supporting Palestine Action can lead to up to 14 years in prison.
Over 3,000 people were arrested for actions related to supporting Palestine Action since the ban.
Many arrests involved people holding placards stating support for Palestine Action during civil disobedience protests.
The case attracted significant public attention and criticism of the government’s ban.
The judges who ruled included Lady Chief Justice Sue Carr and Master of the Rolls Geoffrey Vos.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Britain’s Court of Appeal ruled that the government was correct to label the group Palestine Action as a terrorist organization. This decision overturned an earlier court ruling that had said the ban was unfair and affected free speech too much.
Key Facts
The Court of Appeal decided the government’s ban on Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act 2000 was lawful.
The earlier High Court ruling had found the ban unlawful and disproportionate.
The Court of Appeal said Palestine Action’s actions were not peaceful and involved promoting violence.
Since the ban, about 1,600 people have been arrested for supporting Palestine Action.
The court noted the group aimed to shut down legal businesses and posed risks to people and property.
Palestine Action’s co-founder argued the ban restricts free speech and protest rights.
Supporters of Palestine Action plan to appeal to higher courts, including the Supreme Court and European Court of Human Rights.
Critics say the court’s decision suppresses opposition to government actions and protests.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Congo reported 72 new Ebola cases in one day, the largest single-day increase since the outbreak began a month ago. The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved vaccine or treatment, and the situation is worsened by poor contact tracing, insecurity, and funding problems.
Key Facts
Congo reported 72 new Ebola cases in 24 hours, raising the total to 782 confirmed cases.
There have been 181 confirmed deaths, with 32 new deaths recently.
The Ebola outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved vaccine or treatment.
The outbreak began earlier than May 15, but was only confirmed then.
Contact tracing covers 56% of cases, down from last week.
The outbreak mainly affects the Ituri province in eastern Congo, with some cases in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Uganda.
Nearly one million people have been displaced by conflict in the region, making health efforts difficult.
The World Health Organization and Africa CDC are increasing efforts to test, trace, and treat cases but need more resources.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A 21-year-old woman died in Brazil after instructors failed to attach a safety rope before she jumped from a bridge during a rope-jumping activity. Three men have been arrested and police are investigating whether they are responsible for her death.
Key Facts
The incident took place at the abandoned "Skeleton Bridge" in São Paulo state, Brazil.
Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas was let go from the bridge without her safety rope attached and fell about 40 meters (130 feet).
Emergency services declared her dead at the scene.
Three men involved in the jump were arrested and are under investigation for possible homicide with eventual intent, meaning they might have assumed the risk of causing death.
Rope-jumping uses non-elastic climbing ropes for a swinging fall, different from bungee jumping which uses elastic cords for bouncing.
The bridge is under federal government control, and local city officials say they will sue the federal government for not managing the site properly.
Authorities are still investigating whether the instructors were from a private company or informal groups offering rope-jumping.
The death has raised concerns about the safety and regulation of extreme sports at the location.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
South African TV star and rapper Molemo "Jub Jub" Maarohanye was arrested for allegedly kidnapping a taxi driver and firing a gun at him during a dispute involving his girlfriend. The driver escaped unharmed and reported the incident to the police.
Key Facts
Molemo Maarohanye, also known as Jub Jub, is a South African TV presenter and rapper.
He allegedly kidnapped a taxi driver and shot a gun toward him in Edenvale, near Johannesburg.
The incident happened early Sunday morning after the taxi driver had dropped off a passenger.
The driver escaped without injury and went to a police station to report the event.
Maarohanye will appear in Germiston Magistrate’s Court for a first hearing on Wednesday.
He has a past criminal record, including a manslaughter conviction related to a 2012 accident involving schoolchildren.
In 2023, he faced serious charges including rape and attempted murder, but these were dropped in 2024 by prosecutors.
Maarohanye hosts a reality TV show called Uyajola 9/9, which exposes cheating partners.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Russia launched a large attack on Ukraine that included missile and drone strikes on Kyiv and Kharkiv, hitting important civilian and cultural sites. The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site and important Christian landmark, was damaged, drawing widespread condemnation from Ukrainian and international leaders.
Key Facts
Russia attacked Kyiv and Kharkiv with over 70 missiles and 600 drones overnight.
The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, a nearly 1,000-year-old Christian monastery and UNESCO site, was damaged in the strike.
At least 10 people were killed in the attacks on the two cities.
Ukraine's foreign minister said the attack was a serious crime against Christian culture.
Russia denied targeting the monastery, blaming a malfunctioning Patriot missile instead.
Other damaged sites in Kyiv included a museum, a court, a power facility, a school, and a kindergarten.
Russia also struck a railway station, a college, and businesses in the city of Dnipro.
The European Union and France called the strikes war crimes and promised new sanctions against Russia.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a plan to ban children under 16 from using major social media platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. The government aims to protect young people from harmful content and reduce excessive screen time, with the ban expected to start in spring 2027.
Key Facts
The ban targets children under 16 on platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter).
Messaging apps like WhatsApp will not be banned for under-16s.
The ban is influenced by Australia’s recent social media restrictions for young users.
The UK government plans to introduce rules to limit overnight use and add breaks in infinite scrolling for teenagers.
Some charities support the ban, while others warn it might push children to less safe, unregulated online spaces.
The ban could face opposition from US tech companies and possibly from President Donald Trump’s administration.
The government will also block harmful features on gaming and live streaming services that allow strangers to contact children.
A recent UK government consultation on social media for children received over 116,000 responses, with most parents in favor of stricter rules.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Police in Geneva used tear gas and water cannons to control violent clashes during a mostly peaceful protest against the G7 summit held nearby in Evian, France. Around 20,000 people marched peacefully, but some groups broke away, causing damage and setting cars on fire near the United Nations European headquarters.
Key Facts
About 20,000 people protested in Geneva against the G7 summit in Evian.
The protest was mostly peaceful, with people carrying Palestinian flags and climate banners.
Some protesters wearing black clothes broke off from the main group and caused violence.
These violent protesters smashed barriers, attacked buildings, and set cars on fire.
Police said about 600 members of the "Black Bloc" group were involved in the violence.
The G7 summit involves leaders from the world’s richest democracies and started the day after the protest.
French President Emmanuel Macron hosted US President Donald Trump and other leaders at the summit.
The summit will focus on the war involving the US and Israel against Iran and on Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
