Vijay’s journey from cinema to public life Thalapathy Vijay turned 52 on June 22, marking one of the most important phases of his public life. For decades, Vijay has been one of Tamil cinema’s biggest stars, building a huge fan base through mass entertainers, socially charged roles and films that connected strongly with youth and family audiences. His rise in cinema was not sudden. Vijay had to compete in an industry dominated by major stars and stro

Andy Burnham has moved to the centre of Britain’s political debate after Keir Starmer announced that he would resign as Labour leader and step down as prime minister once a successor is chosen. Burnham’s return to Parliament through the Makerfield by-election has changed the mood inside Labour and made him one of the most closely watched figures in the race for No 10. His victory came at a difficult time for the governing party. Labour

An attack in Edinburgh on June 19 has raised fresh concern over hate crime, anti-Muslim abuse and community safety in the UK. Five men were injured after a 36-year-old man allegedly attacked people while shouting religious abuse. Some of the victims were Muslim, and two men were reportedly returning from mosque prayers when the incident happened. Police and counter-terrorism officers are investigating the case as a suspected hate crime, making it a sensitive moment for m

The resignation of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pushed British politics into a major period of uncertainty, with Labour now preparing for a leadership contest that could decide the country’s next prime minister. Starmer announced on Monday, June 22, 2026, that he would step down after growing pressure from within his party and months of declining public support. Starmer said he would remain in office during the transition to ensure

US President Donald Trump has strongly criticized a report on the Iran conflict, accusing the publication of presenting a misleading picture of the war’s outcome. In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump said the article ignored what he described as major military, economic and regional changes after months of fighting. Trump also warned that the coverage could become part of a multibillion-dollar lawsuit. He claimed the report unders

Israel has signalled that its forces will remain in parts of southern Lebanon, including the area around Beaufort Castle, as border security remains a major concern despite continuing ceasefire pressure. Israeli officials say the military-held zone is needed to protect communities in Galilee and prevent Hezbollah-linked groups from regaining positions close to northern Israel. Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel does not intend to wit

US Iran peace talks in Switzerland have drawn fresh attention as Qatar and Pakistan take a more visible role in efforts to reduce regional tensions. The discussions, held near Lake Lucerne, brought together senior representatives linked to Washington, Tehran, Doha and Islamabad at a time when the Middle East remains under pressure from nuclear concerns, shipping risks and ceasefire disputes. The talks are being watched closely because they

A deadly shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Philippines, left three students dead and several others injured on Monday, June 22, 2026. The incident happened during school hours, sending students, teachers and parents into fear as police and emergency responders rushed to the campus. Injured learners were taken to nearby medical facilities, while authorities secured the school grounds and began a full investigation into the attack.

US-Iran talks in Switzerland have ended with cautious progress after senior officials from Washington and Tehran agreed to continue discussions through a 60-day roadmap. The meeting, supported by Pakistan and Qatar as mediators, did not deliver a final agreement, but it gave both sides a structured process to address sanctions, nuclear concerns, regional security and the safety of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The talks were held

Qatar factory blast triggers search operation An explosion at a factory in Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial zone injured 54 people and left 18 others missing, the country’s interior ministry said Monday, June 22. Authorities described the blast as the result of a technical incident and said emergency teams were continuing search and response operations at the site. The ministry did not immediately provide further details on the condition of

US Iran talks end with cautious optimism The first round of US Iran talks in Switzerland has concluded with cautious optimism, according to a joint statement issued by mediators Pakistan and Qatar on Monday, June 22. The discussions, held at the Lake Lucerne Summit, focused on ending the wider Middle East conflict and creating a framework for continued negotiations. Mediators described the session as constructive and positive, while noting th

Trump raises pressure over Strait of Hormuz US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States could move to control the Strait of Hormuz if Iran does not reach a deal with Washington, escalating tensions as US Iran talks continue in Switzerland. In remarks during a media interview, Trump said the US could act as a “guardian angel” for the strategic waterway and suggested Washington could claim a share linked to oil movement thro

US Iran talks face early tension in Switzerland US and Iranian negotiators continued discussions in Switzerland into the early hours of Monday, June 22, as both sides attempted to advance a fragile diplomatic process aimed at reducing months of conflict across the Middle East. The talks, held at the Swiss resort of Burgenstock, focused on regional security issues and efforts to prevent further escalation that has unsettled global energy marke

World Music Day 2026 will be observed on Sunday, June 21, bringing musicians and audiences together through free performances and community events. Also known as Fête de la Musique or Make Music Day, the annual celebration encourages people of all skill levels to create and enjoy music in public spaces.

MIAMI — A federal judge is examining whether the resolution of President Donald Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service involved deception, collusion or possible fraud on the court. U.S. District Judge Kathleen M. Williams ordered further briefing on Friday, May 29, 2026, after 35 former federal judges asked her to reconsider the case’s closure. No finding of fraud has been made. Trump, his two elde

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A federal judge has kept the Trump administration’s proposed $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund on hold after senior officials declined to provide sworn assurances that the program had been abandoned. U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema issued a preliminary injunction on Friday, June 12, 2026, barring the Justice and Treasury departments from creating, financing or operating the fund. The order

The U.S. Department of Justice is reportedly investigating how Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei built a global investment portfolio with exposure to Wall Street banks, according to a Bloomberg News report published Thursday, June 18, 2026. Bloomberg cited officials familiar with the matter. The Justice Department had not publicly commented on the reported investigation when Reuters published its account. Mojtaba Khamenei Transactions Under Reported DOJ Review The investigation is reportedly part of a broader examination of allegations involving money laundering and corruption. Investigators are reviewing transactions involving companies overseen by Khamenei and examining the role U.S. financial institutions may have played in processing them, according to the report. JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup are among the banks reportedly under review. The report did not establish that either bank had violated U.S. law. JPMorgan, Citigroup and DOJ Responses Reuters said Citigroup declined to comment on the report. JPMorgan Chase and the Justice Department did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment when the story was published. The existence of an investigation does not mean criminal charges will be filed. Bloomberg reported that Khamenei, rather than the banks, was the primary focus of the inquiry. Why the Report Matters As Iran’s supreme leader, Khamenei has final authority over major matters of state, including the country’s foreign policy and nuclear program. The reported investigation could attract further scrutiny of financial transactions connected to Iranian political networks and their potential exposure to U.S. institutions. However, the inquiry remains at the investigative stage. No charges or findings of wrongdoing were announced in the report. Related: Mojtaba Khamenei Approves US-Iran Agreement as Swiss Talks Advance

Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei approved the U.S.-Iran agreement despite reservations, giving political backing to an interim memorandum as negotiations moved forward in Switzerland. In a written message issued Thursday, June 18, 2026, Khamenei said he authorized the memorandum after President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior officials assured him that Iran’s rights and the interests of what Tehran calls the “Resistance Front” would be protected.

More than 30,000 soccer fans packed San Pedro Square for one of San Jose’s World Cup watch parties, turning the downtown district into a crowded international fan zone. Some supporters were turned away after the Mexico-South Korea screening reached capacity. San Pedro Square World Cup Watch Parties Boost Downtown Businesses The San Jose Earthquakes designated San Pedro Square as the official Soccer Celebration headquarters, bringing large match-day cro

Texas leaders praised New World screwworm funding awards intended to support projects combating the pest and protecting the state’s livestock industry. The announcement presented the awards as part of efforts to prevent the New World screwworm threat from harming animals and livestock operations in Texas. The supplied information did not specify the funding amount, grant recipients, project locations or implementation timeline. New World Screwwo