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Over 1,000 pilgrims tragically died during the annual Hajj in Saudi Arabia, primarily due to extreme heat that soared above 50°C (122°F). The majority were unregistered pilgrims lacking essential facilities and medical care, underscoring the growing dangers climate change poses to this sacred journey.
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are set for their first 2024 presidential debate on June 27, an unusually early and highly anticipated event hosted by CNN in Atlanta. This initial showdown, featuring muted microphones and no live audience, is expected to significantly influence the campaign's narrative and address crucial concerns for both candidates.
The U.S. Federal Reserve maintained its benchmark interest rate at a 23-year high, signaling an ongoing battle against persistent inflation. This pivotal decision, announced with a revised forecast of only one rate cut for 2024, underscores a "higher for longer" outlook for borrowing costs, impacting consumers and businesses alike.
South Korea has reactivated powerful loudspeakers along its heavily fortified border, blaring K-pop music and critical messages into North Korea, in direct retaliation for Pyongyang's recent campaign of sending hundreds of trash-filled balloons. This provocative move, reversing a 2018 de-escalation agreement, has prompted North Korea to warn of a "new response" and significantly escalates regional tensions, raising concerns about potential military clashes.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly backed the US-proposed Gaza ceasefire, but crucially, he insists it hinges on the complete destruction of Hamas's military and governing power. This firm condition creates a major divergence from the internationally supported three-phase plan, which aims for a permanent end to hostilities, especially as Hamas also seeks clearer guarantees for a full Israeli withdrawal.
The Bank of Japan announced a reduction in bond purchases, signaling a cautious but significant move towards normalizing its ultra-loose monetary policy while keeping interest rates unchanged. This gradual approach, deferring a detailed plan until July, disappointed some market participants and led to a sharp weakening of the Japanese yen.
Hosts Germany launched their Euro 2024 campaign with a resounding 5-1 victory over Scotland, immediately signaling their intent as formidable contenders. An early goal from Florian Wirtz and a pivotal red card for Scotland before halftime cemented Germany's dominance, propelling them to the top of Group A.
NASA and Boeing have indefinitely delayed the return of the Starliner spacecraft from the International Space Station, where two astronauts are awaiting their journey home, due to significant technical concerns. Extensive evaluations are underway to address multiple helium leaks and propulsion system issues, ensuring crew safety remains the top priority before a new return date can be set.
French President Emmanuel Macron dissolved parliament and called a snap legislative election after his centrist party suffered a crushing defeat to the far-right National Rally in the European Parliament elections. This bold move has plunged France into immediate political uncertainty, potentially leading to a far-right government and a "cohabitation" scenario that could severely hinder Macron's agenda and reshape both domestic and European policies.
G7 leaders have reached a landmark agreement to provide Ukraine with a $50 billion loan, which will be repaid using profits generated from frozen Russian sovereign assets. This crucial financial package, officially termed the "Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) Loan," aims to deliver sustained support for Ukraine's war efforts, economic stability, and future reconstruction.
Apple officially unveiled "Apple Intelligence" at its WWDC event, a comprehensive new suite of AI features deeply integrated across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, promising enhanced writing, image generation, and a more powerful Siri. This strategic entry into generative AI emphasizes user privacy with on-device processing and "Private Cloud Compute," rolling out later this year to newer devices like the iPhone 15 Pro and M-series Macs.
Labour leader Keir Starmer has formally announced plans to abolish tax exemptions for private schools, a move projected to raise £1.6 billion annually for state education funding. This contentious proposal, unveiled amidst the UK general election campaign, faces strong opposition from private school groups but enjoys significant support among Labour voters and education unions.