Friday, June 26, 2026|20°C Partly Cloudy
Next edition scheduled
Your Personal Daily Intelligence

More Top Stories

CULTURE

Skeleton Knight in Another World Anime Season 2 Reveals Three New Cast Members

4h ago · Source: animenewsnetwork

The promotional video for the second season of the anime Skeleton Knight in Another World was released on June 26, announcing three new voice actors. Based on Ennki Hakari’s light novel, the series follows Arc, a gamer reborn as a skeleton, and aired its first season in April 2022. Crunchyroll streams the series worldwide with an English dub. Mitsuo Iwata, Kento Hama and Hiroshi Naka were added as the voices of Charos, Ein and Hanzō respectively. The second season premieres on AT‑X on July 4 at 8:30 p.m., with simultaneous streaming on d Anime Store and ABEMA. It will also air on a repeat broadcast on AT‑X on July 6 and on Tokyo MX, BS11 and Sun TV. Crunchyroll continues to stream the season with an English dub. Staff returning for the second season include director Kenshō Ono, character designer Tōru Imanishi, monster designer Yoshihiro Nagamori, sound director Satoshi Motoyama and new series script supervisor Toshizo Nemoto. Additional staff added for this season are art director Chisa Shibata, color key artist Harue Ono, CGI director Tomotaka Aoki, animation producer Yasuhiro Uema and others. The opening theme “Rōman Kaidō, Osanpo Chū” is performed by PelleK and the ending theme “Kiseki wa Okinai” is performed by DIALOGUE+. The series is published in English by Seven Seas Entertainment, which also releases the light novel and manga adaptations. The first season premiered in April 2022 and the second season is expected to begin airing in July.

POLITICS

Supreme Court Allows End of TPS Protections for Haitian and Syrian Migrants

4h ago · Source: floridapolitics

Supreme Court voted 6‑3 on Thursday to allow the Department of Homeland Security to end temporary protected status for roughly 1.3 million people from 17 countries, including Haiti and Syria. The decision reverses lower‑court orders that had temporarily blocked the administration’s plan to terminate the program. The Court held that immigration authorities have exclusive authority over TPS and that the statute does not permit judicial intervention. Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor dissented.

Florida officials responded quickly. Governor Ron DeSantis posted on social media that the ruling was a correct decision and said the three liberal justices who voted against it believed temporary protective status was effectively permanent. Representative Maxwell Frost warned that the decision would devastate families, communities and the nation, noting that TPS holders have built lives in the United States. Representative Jared Moskowitz said deporting Haitian TPS holders to a country the State Department deems unsafe would have cascading economic effects, reducing essential workers in health care, infrastructure and other sectors. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz described the ruling as despicable and said she would introduce legislation to reverse it, arguing that families who followed the law and paid taxes would be torn apart. House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell emphasized that many TPS recipients are legal workers who pay taxes and contribute daily to their communities. State Representative Angie Nixon called the decision catastrophic and faulted Senator Ashley Moody for not acting to prevent it, noting that Florida has the largest number of TPS holders in the country. Miami‑Dade Commissioner Marleine Bastien warned that the impacts would be felt beyond the Haitian community, potentially leaving jobs vacant in health care, hospitality, construction and other industries. Commissioner Oliver Gilbert linked the policy to racial hostility, while former Broward County Mayor Dale Holness described the ruling as legally reckless and morally bankrupt. Former Representative David Jolly expressed support for Venezuelan TPS holders.

Analysts noted that the decision marks another victory for the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown after a prior Supreme Court ruling cleared the way for a policy restricting asylum seekers. The ruling leaves the future of TPS uncertain and raises questions about the broader scope of executive immigration authority.

POLITICS

Supreme Court Allows Trump Administration to Restrict Asylum Access at U.S. Border

4h ago · Source: guardian-politics

The U.S. Supreme Court voted 6-3 on June 25 to permit the Trump administration to enforce a policy named 'metering' that bars asylum seekers from entering the United States before reaching a port of entry.

Immigration law provides that individuals who arrive in the United States may seek asylum, and the case turned on the interpretation of the phrase 'arrive in'.

Chief Justice Samuel Alito wrote that ordinary usage of the phrase does not require physical entry before the location is considered reached, while Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented, arguing that the word must be read in statutory context.

The majority included Justices Alito, John Roberts, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett; the dissent was joined by Justices Elena Kagan, Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sonia Sotomayor.

Human rights organizations said the ruling effectively undermines statutory protections that require officials to examine asylum seekers at ports of entry and to refrain from returning them to dangerous conditions.

The decision follows separate Supreme Court actions on June 24 that allowed the administration to end temporary protected status for hundreds of thousands of Haitian and Syrian residents and to strike down a Hawaii gun restriction.

Other developments reported include a request for $87.6 billion in congressional funding for the administration’s foreign policy initiatives, Senate Republicans’ rejection of a war powers resolution after pressure from the president, Governor Ron DeSantis’ announcement of the removal of 21,000 individuals from a detention facility in the Everglades, and a Pentagon decision to reinstate flu vaccinations for military recruits amid a flu outbreak.

Senate Oregon Senator Ron Wyden accused the Department of Health and Human Services of preparing an unprecedented legal framework to deport more than 500 unaccompanied migrant children in its custody.

California voters will decide in November whether billionaires will face a one-time 5 percent tax, after a deadline for withdrawing the ballot measure passed on Thursday.

Markets as of 04:18 PM · Source: Market data not available

TOP STORY

Tether Stablecoin Becomes Second Largest Cryptocurrency by Market Capitalization

Tether’s USDT stablecoin reached a $186 billion market capitalization, overtaking Ethereum’s $185 billion market cap after Ether fell to $1,510 on Friday.

By · 4h ago · Source: cointelegraph

Tether’s USDT stablecoin reached a $186 billion market capitalization, overtaking Ethereum’s $185 billion market cap after Ether fell to $1,510 on Friday. Ethereum’s market capitalization dropped below $185 billion following a 5.2 % price decline over 24 hours, according to TradingView. Stablecoins now account for roughly 15 % of total crypto market capitalization, up from a contraction of more than 30 % during the previous bear market, 21Shares noted. Andri Fauzan Adziima, research lead at Bitrue Research Institute, said the shift reflects continued market preference for stability over Ether’s volatility. Alvin Kan, chief operating officer of Bitget Wallet, said the milestone underscores the growing role of stablecoins in providing liquidity during periods of price volatility. Sharplink, an Ethereum treasury company, purchased 5,000 ETH on Thursday, marking its first acquisition in eight months, while Bitmine, led by Tom Lee, added 76,881 ETH to its holdings the previous week. USDC, issued by Circle, surpassed Ripple’s XRP in market capitalization as XRP slipped toward $1, its lowest level since November 2024, according to CoinGecko. Ethereum Foundation announced a 20 % workforce reduction earlier this year and several executive departures, while a new nonprofit, Ethlabs, was launched this week by former EF developers and supported by Ether treasuries Bitmine and Sharplink. Ether’s price remains near critical long‑term support levels as the market watches stablecoin expansion and evolving Ethereum ecosystem developments.

WORLD

At Least 235 Killed in Two Venezuela Earthquakes

4h ago · Source: bbc

Rescuers searched rubble after two shallow earthquakes of 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude struck near Caracas and La Guaira on Wednesday at 18:04 local time (22:04 GMT), killing at least 235 people and injuring 4,300. The first quake occurred at a depth of 20.3 km and the second at 10 km, according to the US Geological Survey. Both events were centered close to the surface, which increased structural damage. In Caracas and the nearby coastal city of La Guaira, survivors called for help from beneath collapsed buildings. Approximately 250 buildings were damaged or destroyed, most in La Guaira, where a 10‑storey hotel was reduced to rubble, as verified by BBC footage. In Chacao, Mayor Gustavo Duque reported 11 deaths and 23 rescues outside a ruined building. Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly, said the death toll had risen after interim President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency. The United States pledged $150 million in aid and announced deployment of military transport ships and aircraft to support search and rescue operations, a statement said. The Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico and Qatar also expressed willingness to assist. Aftershocks continued, with at least 30 recorded by the USGS. The agency estimated a 42 % probability of more than 10,000 deaths and a 33 % probability of exceeding 100,000 deaths based on historical data and the size of the affected population. Journalist Luis Hernández noted that power outages and internet failures in the region made assessing the full extent of damage difficult. Emergency services continued to search for survivors, with teams from multiple countries supporting the effort. The final death toll may increase further, and the long‑term impact on the affected communities remains uncertain.

WORLD

Rescue Efforts Continue After Venezuela Earthquakes Kill 235

4h ago · Source: aljazeera

International rescue teams from several countries and the United Nations are assisting after two strong earthquakes in Venezuela on Wednesday that have killed at least 235 people and wounded 4,300, with hundreds still missing.

The quakes measured 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude and were among the strongest recorded in Venezuela in over a century, affecting the coastal state of La Guaira and the capital Caracas.

Authorities have raised the death toll to 235; 4,300 people are injured, and hospitals are reportedly at capacity. More than 70,000 families have been affected and over 100 buildings have collapsed in La Guaira, where the main international airport remains closed. Volunteers are digging through rubble with bare hands while families await information on missing relatives. Civilians along the Caracas‑La Guaira highway are transporting water, food and medicine. Residents report fear of further collapses, with many sleeping outdoors.

Countries including Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador, Cuba and the United States, as well as the United Nations, have deployed search‑and‑rescue teams, medical units, equipment and financial aid. The United States pledged $150 million and a whole‑of‑government response that includes warships, transport planes and helicopters. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced a field hospital and additional firefighters. El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele said 300 rescuers and 50 tonnes of equipment, medicines and supplies are ready. Cuban health workers are providing medical services. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said a military team is being sent, with more assistance possible. Colombia will send more than 60 rescuers and 12 tonnes of humanitarian aid. Additional support has been offered by Turkey, Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, China, India and Iran. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies released $2.5 million, and the Vatican announced 100,000 euros in emergency aid.

The disaster occurs against a backdrop of Venezuela's prolonged economic collapse and strained infrastructure, which have limited local response capacity. International assistance is expected to play an important role in saving lives and meeting the needs of the injured.

WORLD

Venezuelans Search for Missing After Earthquakes

4h ago · Source: ap

Venezuelans have turned to social media and online registries to locate relatives reported missing after two large earthquakes that struck the country on Wednesday evening.

Health Minister Carlos Alvarado reported that the death toll rose to about 235 and that at least 4,300 people were injured, with casualty numbers expected to increase.

The 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude quakes caused widespread damage across several states, particularly in La Guaira north of Caracas, where many buildings collapsed.

Independent registries have recorded up to 40,000 people missing, far exceeding official government figures. Relatives have posted photos and personal information on platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook and X to seek updates.

Vanesa Marcano, a 31‑year‑old woman living in Madrid, posted images of her uncle and aunt from La Guaira, hoping they were only out of contact. She said she felt uncertainty about their condition.

Hughes Concalves, a resident of Catia La Mar, last spoke with his partner and her daughter minutes before the shaking; after the quake he posted a missing notice on X and Facebook, expressing hope that they survived.

The government had blocked several social media services in August 2024, complicating information flow. The United Nations called on authorities to restore unrestricted access to social media, saying timely information can save lives. Following the appeal, access to X was restored in Venezuela.

Many Venezuelans living abroad rely on these platforms to contact family members, as migration has left millions unable to obtain reliable updates.

The search remains ongoing, with families hoping for rescue or confirmation of their relatives' condition.

WORLD

Israel Conducts Strikes in Southern Lebanon as IAEA Plans Return to Iran

4h ago · Source: aljazeera

Israeli and Lebanese delegations will resume talks on Friday amid ongoing Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon and an interim US‑Iran peace agreement that would allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to return to Iran.

The conflict, which began on February 28, has seen Israel occupy roughly one‑fifth of Lebanon while pledging not to withdraw from occupied areas, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Two people were killed and another was wounded in an Israeli raid on the town of Mayfadoun in the Nabatieh district, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reported, and a separate air raid hit Nabatieh al‑Fawqa, Al Jazeera reported.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said at a news conference in Japan that the interim memorandum of understanding with the United States provides inspectors access to Iran and that the agency hopes to be present soon, though Tehran indicated key sites will remain off‑limits until a final deal is reached and sanctions are lifted, according to the agency.

The United Nations International Maritime Organization paused its escort mission for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday after a vessel reported an attack near Oman, the British Navy agency UKMTO said. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned ships not to attempt passage without its permission, despite Oman and the IMO releasing details of a new safe route, and the Guard previously issued its own safe‑transit guidelines, according to the reports.

In the United States, President Donald Trump reiterated that unfrozen Iranian assets will be used to purchase American wheat, soybeans and corn, though Iran has not confirmed the plan, according to a statement made at a farmer event.

India lifted commercial liquefied petroleum gas restrictions that were imposed during the war, when energy supplies were disrupted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the government announced. Saudi Aramco resumed oil loading at its Ras Tanura terminal in the Gulf after a nearly four‑month pause, shipping data showed.

The situation remains unresolved, with final peace terms and sanctions still pending and continued military activity reported in southern Lebanon.

WORLD

European June Heatwave Found to Be Almost Impossible 50 Years Ago, Scientists Say

4h ago · Source: france24

Scientists reported on Friday that a record June heatwave across Europe would have been virtually impossible without human‑caused climate change, according to a study by the World Weather Attribution group. The study examined temperature data from nearly 850 European cities and compared the 2026 event with historical records from 1976 and 2003. Europe has warmed about 1.4 °C above pre‑industrial levels, driven largely by fossil fuel emissions. The study found that daytime temperatures in June 1976 would have been about 3.5 °C lower than in 2026, and that a comparable event in June 2003 would have been roughly 2 °C cooler. Overnight temperatures in 2003 would have been more than 100 times less likely, the authors said. Theodore Keeping, lead author from Imperial College London, said the heatwave would not have occurred without climate change. Friederike Otto, co‑founder of World Weather Attribution, noted that the weather pattern itself was typical but the high temperatures made the event unusually hazardous. The analysis covered nearly 850 cities, and 45 % of them recorded or were projected to record all‑time heat‑stress thresholds in June. Heat stress, which occurs when the body’s cooling mechanisms are overwhelmed, can range from dizziness to organ failure. The June heatwave follows an earlier May heatwave that brought temperatures more typical of high summer to central and western Europe. The authors emphasized that rapid reduction of fossil‑fuel emissions is critical to limit future temperature rise. While the study attributes the event unequivocally to human‑driven climate change, the speed of future heatwave frequency remains a subject of ongoing research.

WORLD

Back-to-back Earthquakes Kill over 230 in Northern Venezuela

4h ago · Source: ap

Neighbors in northern Venezuela dug through rubble after two back-to-back earthquakes killed more than 230 people and injured thousands on Wednesday evening in La Guaira and Caracas.

The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes were among the strongest recorded in Venezuela in more than a century and were felt across the region.

The official death toll rose to about 235, with at least 4,300 people injured, according to Health Minister Carlos Alvarado.

Rescue operations continued through the night, with volunteers and local residents searching through collapsed buildings while government teams were deployed to the areas with the most severe damage.

State television broadcast images of a woman rescued from under a cement slab and of a girl emerging from a collapsed 10‑story building, but few government search teams were visible outside Caracas initially.

The main airport in La Guaira was closed because of damage, hindering the delivery of aid.

Venezuelan authorities said they were moving rescue teams from other parts of the country to La Guaira and creating a $200 million fund for reconstruction of hospitals and homes.

President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency and appealed to businesses to make heavy construction equipment available for rescue work.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was deploying a whole‑of‑government response, though the airport closure complicated logistics.

International partners pledged assistance: rescue workers and aid arrived from Chile, a team of 80 specialists with search dogs came from Switzerland, Turkey announced two flights with military and medical personnel, China said it would provide aid, and leaders from Qatar, Brazil, Spain, Portugal and Canada committed to sending help.

Rescue teams from El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Turkey and other countries also arrived, while the Venezuelan diaspora organized donations in countries such as Ecuador and the United States.

UN officials urged the government to lift social media restrictions so information about life‑saving assistance could be shared.

The number of missing persons remained unconfirmed, and rescue efforts faced continued challenges from damaged infrastructure and limited access.

◆ Morning Briefing

97 min · 77 stories analyzed
    See full briefing →

    AI Editor's Note

    This edition was assembled from neutral, agent-rewritten summaries of the day's aggregated news.

    Why it matters: Every article was reviewed for loaded language, partisan framing, and missing attribution before publication.

    Weather Overview

    Source: Weather data not available

    New York
    22°C
    Partly Cloudy
    London
    16°C
    Mostly Cloudy
    Tokyo
    24°C
    Sunny