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Who: US special envoy Steve Witkoff, joined by Jared Kushner and regional intermediaries; When: technical talks resumed after a postponement on June 20, 2026; Where: Swiss talks centered at Bürgenstock resort; What: renewed Israel-Hezbollah firefights in southern Lebanon have threatened a US-Iran memorandum of understanding signed June 17; Result: Washington is racing to salvage negotiations … Read more

On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education announced it will raise the auto-pay interest-rate incentive to a 1 percentage-point reduction for borrowers who enroll in automatic payments through 2028. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB) estimates the move will cost at least $5 billion. CRFB president Maya MacGuineas criticized the change … Read more

Lead On Friday in Seattle, the United States beat Australia 2-0 at Lumen Field to secure a place in the FIFA Men’s World Cup knockout round after just two matches. Cameron Burgess’ 11th-minute own goal and an Alex Freeman header just before halftime produced the margin. Paraguay’s late 1-0 win over Turkey ensured the U.S. … Read more

James Burrows, the prolific television director whose career shaped multiple generations of American sitcoms, died Friday at age 85, his family told People. Over a five-decade career he directed more than a thousand television episodes, including landmark work on Cheers, Taxi, Friends and Will and Grace. His family said he “passed away peacefully … surrounded … Read more

Lead: Two East Midlands Railway passenger trains collided just south of Elstow, near Bedford, shortly after 17:00 BST on Friday, leaving at least one person dead and dozens injured. Emergency services declared a major incident and the East of England Ambulance Service reported 89 people hurt, including 11 with very serious injuries. British Transport Police … Read more

Wyndham Clark arrived at Shinnecock Hills on Friday, June 19, 2026, and left the clubhouse holding the 36-hole record after rounds of 64 and 69. The 6-under 64 in Round 1 and a 1-under 69 in Round 2 left him at 7-under for the tournament, a total that put him three strokes clear of the … Read more

Wyndham Clark opened the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills with a strong two-day stretch, reaching 7-under par through 36 holes on Friday, June 19, 2026. After a 6-under 64 in Round 1 and a steady follow-up, Clark’s 7-under total established the 36-hole scoring record at Shinnecock and sent him into the clubhouse with a … Read more

Lead: In Seattle on Friday, Christian Pulisic was ruled out of the U.S. national team’s World Cup meeting with Australia because of a calf problem that forced him off at halftime of the opener. Coach Mauricio Pochettino confirmed Pulisic was unavailable ahead of the match, and team staff chose not to risk further damage given … Read more

Lead: On Friday, June 19, 2026 at Shinnecock Hills, Wyndham Clark carried a two-shot advantage into the second round after a brilliant opening 64 (6-under). Early play on the second day saw Clark extend and then fluctuate around that lead as weather and pin locations left scoring opportunities mixed across the field. Several major champions … Read more

Wyndham Clark arrived at Shinnecock with a sparkling 6-under 64 in Round 1 and carried a two-shot advantage into Friday’s second round. Play resumed early as suspended first-round groups finished and new waves got underway under blustery conditions. A mix of past U.S. Open champions — including Dustin Johnson, Matt Fitzpatrick and Gary Woodland — … Read more

Lead: Israeli forces carried out strikes across southern Lebanon overnight on June 19, 2026, as Hezbollah reported intense clashes that deepened regional tensions and interrupted planned U.S.–Iran negotiations in Switzerland. The violence coincided with reports that at least 18 people in Lebanon were killed in airstrikes and that four Israeli soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel, … Read more

Lead Global equities traded unevenly on Friday as investors weighed the likely permanence of an interim, U.S.-brokered agreement with Iran. Asian markets were broadly softer while some European sectors edged lower, and U.S. futures pointed to a weaker open. Market moves reflected a mix of risk-on rebounds in major U.S. indexes earlier in the week … Read more

Lead On Thursday at Shinnecock Hills, defending champion Wyndham Clark surged ahead to build a four-shot lead before fading light forced play to stop. Clark was six under through 16 holes when a horn sounded and officials suspended play at 8:25pm, leaving him well clear of a congested chasing group. The opening day also featured … Read more

Ismael Kone stretchered off after red-card tackle in Canada vs. Qatar Lead: On June 18, 2026, in Vancouver, Canada midfielder Ismael Kone suffered a serious left-leg injury early in the second half of his nation’s World Cup Group B match against Qatar after a tackle by Assim Madibo. The challenge was initially called a foul … Read more

Lead President Donald Trump signed a 14-point interim agreement at the Palace of Versailles this week that ends active hostilities with Iran and reopens the Strait of Hormuz. The accord halts a U.S.-led maritime blockade and lifts sanctions while opening a 60-day negotiation window, to be held in the Swiss Alps starting Friday, to conclude … Read more