Lebanese advocate for endangered sea turtles killed by Israeli strike
Mona Khalil, a Lebanese conservationist and advocate for endangered sea turtles, has died from injuries after she was wounded in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon.
Khalil, 76, was injured by an Israeli strike near her house in Mansouri beach, near the southern city of Tyre, two weeks ago. She died Friday after spending several days in hospital.
“For decades, Mona dedicated her life to protecting endangered sea turtles and their nesting habitats,†Lebanese conservation group Green Southerners said in a statement.
“Through the Orange House, she inspired generations of Lebanese to value and protect their natural heritage and coastal ecosystems. Her work made her one of Lebanon's most respected voices for marine conservation and biodiversity protection,†the group added.
“Green Southerners strongly condemns the attack that claimed Mona Khalil's life and injured her assistant,†Green Southerners said. “The strike targeted a site that had long been known for environmental conservation, biodiversity protection, and public awareness. Her death stands as a stark reminder that the ongoing violence in southern Lebanon is exacting a devastating toll on civilians, environmental defenders, and the natural heritage they sought to protect.â€
Alex Woodward21 June 2026 02:00
Pentagon used Elon Musk's Grok AI to fire 2,000 missiles at Iran, official says
Donald Trump's administration turned to Elon Musk's Grok chatbot to launch thousands of missiles in Iran, according to a top defense official.
In court filings this week, the Pentagon's artificial intelligence chief said the chatbot's continued operation is “a matter of paramount national security†— and was used to fire more than “2,000 munitions at 2,000 distinct targets within 96 hours.â€
Grok, a generative artificial intelligence chatbot developed by xAI, is among four AI models “currently capable of supporting national security applications,†according to Cameron Stanley, the Pentagon's chief digital and artificial intelligence officer.
Alex Woodward21 June 2026 01:00
Iran negotiating team arrives in Zurich
An Iranian negotiating team has arrived in Zurich, according to state media IRIB.
The delegation is led by Iranian parliament speaher Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, along with foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, national security council deputy scretary Ali Bagheri, and foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei.
Vice President JD Vance is on his way, and talks are expected to begin Sunday.
Alex Woodward21 June 2026 00:31
Recap: Iran closes Strait of Hormuz after accusing US and Israel of breaching ceasefire
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared the Strait of Hormuz closed again on Saturday after accusing the US and Israel of violating the newly-signed peace deal.
The top joint military command, ​Khatam al-Anbiya Central ‌Headquarters, said that the closure was the “first step” in response to what it described as breaches of commitments to the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Donald Trump on Wednesday.
Maira Butt21 June 2026 00:00
55 merchant ships transit through Strait of Hormuz, US says
US officials have denied that Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz, which Iranian military insists the passage will be closed in response to Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
US Central Command said 55 merchant ships passed through the waterway on Saturday.
“Safe passage through the international waterway remained intact today as 55 merchant ships transited, moving large amounts of cargo and more than 17 million barrels of oil to global markets,†according to a statement.
Alex Woodward20 June 2026 23:30
Italy's Meloni delivers savage blow to Trump and questions his popularity in latest attack
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni delivered a sharp rebuke to President Donald Trump and attacked his popularity on Saturday, intensifying an ongoing feud that erupted during the G7 Summit.
Brendan Rascius20 June 2026 23:00
JD Vance departs for Switzerland
US Vice President JD Vance is on his way to Switzerland where he expects to spend “a day or two.â€
“I think we're going to hopefully make progress on the nuclear issue, make progress on the Lebanon ceasefire issue,†he told reporters before boarding a small jet bound for Switzerland
“Those are the two big things that I think we're to be focused on. I'm sure the Iranians are going to have issues they'd like to discuss as well,†he added.
He claimed “things are actually getting better†and “slowing down†when it comes to Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon. “The big problem is that you have somebody will shoot and then somebody will respond, and you kind of have a chicken and egg problem where you've just got to stop the shooting for long enough to get the ceasefire to keep hold, that's what we're going to try to do,†he said.
Alex Woodward20 June 2026 22:20
Iran’s negotiators arrive in Switzerland for US talks – reports
Iran's negotiating delegation has arrived in Switzerland for talks with the US, the country's media has reported.
US vice president JD Vance has said that he may be able to get to the European country for a day or two as the countries iron out the details of the peace deal. US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are already there.
The US and Iran had agreed to a 60-day ceasefire while negotiations take place.
Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Saturday declared the Strait of Hormuz shut, appearing to raise the stakes ahead of the talks as both sides seek to advance an interim deal brokered by Pakistan and signed on Wednesday by US.
Holly Bancroft20 June 2026 21:45
US President Donald Trump insists there will be no tolls on Strait of Hormuz
US president Donald Trump has taken to social media platform Truth Social to insist that there will be no tolls on the Strait of Hormuz unless they are imposed by America, after Iran claimed they would close the crucial waterway to tankers.
In a post on Truth Social on Saturday evening, Mr Trump said: “There will be NO TOLLS in the Hormuz Strait for 60 days during the cease fire period, and there will be NO TOLLS after the 60 day period has expired, unless they are imposed by and for the United States of America, should the deal not be completed, for services rendered as the Guardian Angel to the countries of the Middle East for the purposes of both past, present, and future reimbursement of costs.
“Thank you for your attention to this matter!!! President DJTâ€.
Holly Bancroft20 June 2026 21:12
Israeli strikes on Lebanon reportedly kill 20 people
Israeli strikes on Lebanon killed at least 20 people on Saturday, according to Lebanon's state news agency.
Israel said the strikes were a response to projectiles fired overnight by Hezbollah. An Israeli military official said Hezbollah launched more than 50 projectiles at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, prompting attacks on what the official described as “Hezbollah targets”. Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes and drones had struck multiple locations in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah accused Israel of committing hundreds of ceasefire violations, and warned that continued attacks “will not pass without a response”.
Holly Bancroft20 June 2026 20:33




