An appeals court in California upheld Harvey Weinstein's 2022 conviction for rape and sexual assault but ordered a resentencing. Weinstein remains in prison and faces sentencing in New York on a separate sexual assault conviction.
Key Facts
A California appeals court confirmed Weinstein's 2022 rape and sexual assault conviction.
The court decided Weinstein’s original sentence must be reconsidered.
Weinstein was sentenced to 16 years in California for crimes against Evgeniya Chernyshova, formerly known as Jane Doe 1.
Weinstein’s lawyers argued that key evidence about Chernyshova’s relationship with a film festival head was unfairly limited at trial.
The New York prosecutors dropped a fourth trial after the accuser declined to testify again.
Weinstein is still convicted of a sexual assault charge in New York and awaits sentencing there.
Prosecutors in New York are seeking a 20-year sentence for Weinstein.
Weinstein’s defense plans to ask the California Supreme Court to review legal issues from his trial.
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Sergei Ivanov, a former Russian defense minister and close ally of President Vladimir Putin, has died at 73. Ivanov held several important roles in Russia’s government and was once considered a possible successor to Putin.
Key Facts
Sergei Ivanov died at the age of 73; no cause of death was given.
He and President Putin knew each other since the 1970s when both worked as KGB officers.
Ivanov served as Russia’s defense minister from 2001 to 2007, overseeing the war in Chechnya.
He was seen as a likely successor to Putin when Putin stepped down as president in 2008.
Putin chose Dmitry Medvedev as a temporary president instead of Ivanov.
Ivanov then served as deputy prime minister and later as Kremlin chief of staff until 2016.
He was appointed as a presidential envoy for environment and transport in 2016, a less influential position.
Ivanov was sanctioned by the U.S. and the EU due to Russia’s military actions in Ukraine.
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Madonna talked about her new album, Confessions II, in an interview with Graham Norton. She shared personal stories, including feeling jealous of Kylie Minogue, working on a song with her daughter, and possibly headlining the Glastonbury festival in the future.
Key Facts
Madonna’s new album is called Confessions II and focuses on dance music and her early days in 1980s New York.
She performed a duet with her daughter, Lola, on the album, addressing challenges in their relationship.
Madonna mourns her brother Christopher, who died from cancer in 2024, in one of the album tracks.
She hinted she might headline the Glastonbury festival in 2027, after missing the chance in 2024.
Madonna admitted feeling jealous of Kylie Minogue because her ex-husband, Guy Ritchie, had a crush on Kylie.
Kylie Minogue appeared in the interview in a playful segment serving Madonna a cocktail.
Madonna said she loves dancing because it creates community and relationships.
Her daughter Lourdes Leon had been cautious about working with her mother to avoid the “nepo baby” label, but they collaborated on a healing song together.
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A strong earthquake struck Venezuela, causing damage and prompting rescue teams to search for survivors. Additionally, a large airplane made an unusually low flight over an area, causing concern.
Key Facts
There was a significant earthquake in Venezuela.
Rescue workers are looking for people trapped or injured after the quake.
The earthquake caused damage in affected areas.
A large jet flew very low over a location, which alarmed people.
The news report covered these two major events on June 26.
CBS Evening News provided updates on both the earthquake and the low jet flyover.
The events took place in Venezuela and relate to public safety.
The low flyover incident did not mention any accidents or injuries.
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Two strong earthquakes hit Venezuela, causing many buildings to collapse. Rescue teams are working hard to find people trapped under the rubble. So far, at least 920 people have died and more than 3,300 are injured.
Key Facts
Two earthquakes struck Venezuela recently.
The earthquakes caused severe damage, including building collapses.
At least 920 people have died due to the earthquakes.
Over 3,300 people have been injured.
Rescue teams are searching for survivors trapped in the debris.
Officials continue to update the death and injury toll as rescue efforts proceed.
The situation is ongoing and emergency crews are actively responding.
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The U.S. military carried out strikes in Iran targeting missile and drone storage sites and coastal radar stations. These actions were in response to an Iranian attack on a cargo ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Key Facts
The U.S. launched retaliatory strikes against locations in Iran.
Targets included places storing missiles and drones.
Coastal radar sites in Iran were also targeted.
The strikes were a direct response to an Iranian attack.
The attacked ship was a cargo vessel flagged in Singapore.
The incident happened in the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route.
The information was provided by CENTCOM, the U.S. military command responsible for the Middle East.
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South Korea plans to train every member of its nearly 500,000-strong military to operate drones like personal weapons. This effort aims to keep an edge against North Korea by making drones common tools for combat and surveillance.
Key Facts
South Korea wants all its soldiers to be able to use drones easily, like they use guns.
The military plans to provide 11,000 training drones in 2024 and reach 60,000 drones by 2029.
The South Korean defense ministry aims to produce drones fully within the country, avoiding Chinese parts for security reasons.
South Korea has about 450,000 active troops, but North Korea has over 1.2 million.
The military’s size is shrinking due to fewer births and mandatory service rules that exclude women.
South Korea will add more inexpensive drones for observation and attack, plus laser and microwave weapons to counter enemy drones.
Ukraine’s use of drones in its conflict inspired South Korea’s shift towards drone warfare.
Training so many soldiers is difficult because of shortages in officers and experienced military trainers.
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A powerful earthquake hit Venezuela, causing many deaths and missing people. The scale of the disaster was worsened by weak government institutions, corruption, and poor emergency response over many years.
Key Facts
Venezuela experienced a deadly earthquake with a death toll rising to at least 920.
Tens of thousands of people are reported missing after the earthquake.
The earthquake was a natural event, but the large humanitarian crisis was affected by political problems.
Corruption and weak public institutions over decades made rescue efforts ineffective.
Infrastructure in Venezuela was deteriorated, worsening the impact of the disaster.
Lack of a strong emergency response turned a natural disaster into a national tragedy.
The situation shows a difference between unavoidable natural damage and preventable institutional failure.
The earthquake is described as a “doublet,” meaning two quakes close in time and location caused extra damage.
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A new opera in Cincinnati tells the story of a young woman living 400 years in the future who is exiled after finding she has a rare gene that gives her special powers and immortality. PBS stations CET and ThinkTV provide a behind-the-scenes look at this project, which aims to offer a fresh perspective on opera.
Key Facts
The opera’s story is set 400 years in the future.
The main character is a young woman who discovers she has a rare gene.
This gene is linked to special power and immortality.
Because of this discovery, she is forced into exile.
The opera premieres in Cincinnati.
PBS stations CET and ThinkTV are featuring coverage of the project.
The project is part of an arts and culture series called CANVAS.
The opera seeks to bring a new direction to the art form.
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The U.S. launched strikes against Iran in response to a drone attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. This incident tests a recent temporary agreement aimed at ending the conflict between the two countries and reopening this important shipping route.
Key Facts
The U.S. targeted missile, drone, and radar sites in Iran following a drone attack on a cargo ship.
President Donald Trump said the drone attack broke the ceasefire agreed upon last week.
Iran said the Strait of Hormuz is controlled by them and called the U.S. strikes “ceasefire management,” not a violation.
The British military reported the cargo ship was hit near Oman, but no one was hurt.
The United Nations stopped efforts to move ships through the strait after the attack, citing safety concerns.
About 115 ships have left the area using a safer route, but 500 remain trapped in the strait.
The strait is a key route for global oil shipments and reopening it is important for the world economy.
The U.S. and Iran have 60 days to finalize details of their agreement, including safe ship passage and Iran’s uranium stockpile.
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A BBC reporter visited La Guaira, Venezuela, a place badly damaged by two recent earthquakes. Many people are trapped under rubble, and rescue teams from other countries are helping to find survivors.
Key Facts
Two earthquakes hit Venezuela on Wednesday, causing severe damage in La Guaira.
Many people, including workers in a small shopping centre, are trapped under debris.
A mother named Natacha Díaz has two daughters missing in the rubble.
Rescue efforts continue with fears that more people are trapped.
International rescue teams have arrived, bringing sniffer dogs to help find survivors.
The death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue work goes on.
The BBC reporter Vanessa Silva covered the situation from La Guaira.
The area is one of the worst affected by the earthquakes in Venezuela.
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A 60-year-old man in Spain had brain lesions and worsening headaches that doctors first thought were cancer. After many tests, they found the lesions were actually caused by tapeworm larvae in his brain, a condition called neurocysticercosis. He was treated with anti-parasitic drugs and recovered.
Key Facts
The man had headaches and some changes in behavior for two weeks.
Blood tests showed high IgE, indicating possible allergies or parasitic infections.
Initial brain scans showed multiple lesions and swelling, leading doctors to suspect cancer.
Cancer tests, including scans and colonoscopy, found no tumors.
A detailed MRI scan revealed the lesions were tapeworm larvae called cysticerci, with visible heads (scolexes).
The man had no international travel but may have caught the parasite from coworkers who came from regions where pork tapeworms are common.
The parasite Taenia solium spreads through contaminated food or water and can infect the brain, causing neurocysticercosis.
The man was treated with anti-parasitic medicine and made a good recovery.
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The United States attacked Iranian military sites after Iran allegedly attacked a cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump said Iran broke a ceasefire agreement, and the U.S. military responded by targeting Iranian missile depots and radar positions. Iran warned it would respond quickly to any new U.S. attacks.
Key Facts
A cargo ship was hit near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global shipping.
The U.S. military struck Iranian missile and drone storage sites and radar locations in response.
President Trump said the attack violated a ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran.
The British military confirmed a vessel was hit off Oman by a projectile before the U.S. strikes.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they repelled a U.S. attack on Sirik Island near the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian officials called the U.S. violation "reckless" and warned of swift retaliation.
These events come amid fragile peace talks between the U.S. and Iran over an interim agreement.
The conflict affects regional stability and international shipping lanes in the Middle East.
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The United States conducted military strikes against Iran after President Donald Trump said that Iran violated a ceasefire agreement. This event marks an escalation in tensions between the two countries.
Key Facts
The US carried out strikes targeting Iran.
President Donald Trump stated the strikes followed a violation of a ceasefire.
The incident reflects ongoing conflict between the US and Iran.
It occurred on June 26, 2026.
President Trump emphasized the importance of enforcing the ceasefire.
Details about the specific targets or outcomes of the strikes were not provided in this article excerpt.
No information was given about casualties or Iran’s response.
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Burkina Faso's military government cut diplomatic ties with France, accusing it of interfering in the country's affairs and supporting harmful groups. The junta has been distancing itself from Western countries since it took power in a 2022 coup led by Captain Ibrahim Traore.
Key Facts
Burkina Faso's military junta ended diplomatic relations with France on June 26, 2026.
The government accused France of working against Burkina Faso’s interests and supporting terrorist and subversive groups.
Captain Ibrahim Traore has led the country since a coup in September 2022.
The decision only affects official diplomatic relations, not cultural or social ties between the two nations.
Burkina Faso and neighboring countries have faced violent attacks by jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS for about ten years.
Anti-French feelings are rising in some African countries amid growing Russian and Chinese influence.
France has a long history of involvement in Africa, including military actions and economic influence since the 1960s.
France has pledged to end its "Francafrique" policy, which involved political control and economic privileges in former colonies.
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The United States carried out military strikes against Iran in the Strait of Hormuz area. This action was a response to Iran attacking a cargo ship in that region.
Key Facts
The U.S. military targeted Iranian forces near the Strait of Hormuz.
The strikes were in retaliation for an attack by Iran on a cargo ship.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key waterway used for global shipping.
CENTCOM (U.S. Central Command) provided information about the strikes.
The incident increased tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
The location of the strike is a strategic area for oil transport.
The U.S. described its actions as a response to protect shipping and navigation.
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Thousands of migrants are leaving South Africa due to increasing attacks against foreigners and planned anti-immigrant protests on June 30. Several African countries, including Malawi and Zimbabwe, are helping their citizens return home by setting up support outside their consulates.
Key Facts
Migrants from countries like Malawi, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ghana, and Mozambique are leaving South Africa.
The reason for the departures is rising xenophobic violence, which means hostility toward foreigners.
Anti-immigrant protests are scheduled to take place in South Africa on June 30.
Some migrants are waiting outside their country’s consulates to get help returning home.
Governments of neighboring African countries are actively repatriating their citizens.
The situation has caused concern about safety for foreign nationals living in South Africa.
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A Royal Caribbean cruise ship struck and killed a 61-foot endangered fin whale near Alaska, likely causing its death. This incident highlights a larger problem where thousands of whales worldwide are injured or killed each year by ships passing through their habitats.
Key Facts
The whale was pregnant and died from blunt-force trauma, probably from a ship collision.
Scientists estimate around 20,000 whales are killed by ship strikes globally each year.
Many whale deaths go unnoticed because whales often sink after being hit.
Ship traffic overlaps with whale feeding and migration areas, increasing risks.
Large whale species like fin whales, blue whales, humpbacks, and North Atlantic right whales are most at risk.
About 90% of world trade moves by sea, expanding shipping lanes through whale habitats.
Less than 7% of high-risk whale areas have strategies to reduce ship collisions.
The cruise line reported the incident to authorities and is cooperating with investigations.
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Two strong earthquakes hit northern Venezuela, killing at least 920 people and injuring over 3,300. Rescue teams are searching for survivors amid widespread damage to buildings and hospitals, while many families wait for news of missing loved ones.
Key Facts
Two earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, including one measuring magnitude 7.5.
Over 900 people have died and more than 3,360 have been injured.
La Guaira, north of Caracas, was the hardest-hit region with extensive damage.
At least 172 people are still believed to be trapped under rubble.
More than 240 people have been rescued alive so far.
Hospitals and many buildings were damaged or destroyed; medical facilities are overwhelmed.
Around 214 aftershocks have occurred since the initial quakes.
International rescue teams and aid, including from the US, UK, Netherlands, Mexico, and Switzerland, are supporting Venezuela’s efforts.
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Burkina Faso announced it is ending diplomatic relations with France on June 26, 2026. The military government in Burkina Faso accused France of interfering in its affairs and supporting groups that harm the country.
Key Facts
Burkina Faso cut diplomatic ties with France as of June 26, 2026.
The announcement was made on national television by the government.
The current government is led by Captain Ibrahim Traore, who came to power in a 2022 coup.
Burkina Faso’s government said France acts against its interests and interferes in its internal matters.
The government accused France of supporting networks and terrorists in Burkina Faso and the Sahel region.
Burkina Faso faces armed groups like al-Qaeda-linked JNIM and Islamic State Sahel Province in parts of the country.
The military government dissolved political parties in January 2026 and seized their assets.
France’s influence in Africa has decreased recently, with some countries turning toward Russia and China.
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