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- US lawmakers reach bipartisan agreement on budget to avert shutdown
- US designates Ecuador’s Chone Killers gang as a terrorist organisation
- Transit advocates urge low-income transit pass as TransLink fares rise
- Emergency services responded to unconscious patient at Mitch McConnell’s home
- China does not disclose details following plane crash into CITIC Tower
- Palestinian committee concludes productive talks in Cyprus on Gaza recovery
- Couple arrested after scaling Empire State Building for marriage proposal
- Manitoba cuts provincial sales tax on grocery and convenience store food
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US lawmakers reach bipartisan agreement on budget to avert shutdown
6:02 am
US lawmakers reach bipartisan agreement on budget to avert shutdown
The Supreme Court is set to hear a significant case on affirmative action today, focusing on admissions policies at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina. This ruling could reshape the future of diversity initiatives in higher education across the United States, impacting how institutions assess race in their admissions strategies. Legal experts are closely watching this case, as its outcomes may reverberate through various sectors, from academia to employment practices.
In market developments, investors are bracing for potential volatility ahead of the Supreme Court decision, given its implications for corporate diversity policies and workforce recruitment strategies. The S&P 500 recently saw fluctuations amid speculation about the ruling’s implications for businesses nationwide. Traders will monitor market reactions closely, particularly in sectors sensitive to demographic considerations, as announcements unfold today.
Key developments across the United States
Trump mourns death of longtime advisor, confirms plans to attend funeral
US POLITICS — Donald Trump confirms he will attend the funeral of a close advisor who passed away.
The advisor, who played a significant role in Trump’s campaigns and administration, was noted for their deep loyalty and political insight. The acknowledgment of their passing illustrates the ongoing personal and political ties within Trump’s circle.
House passes bipartisan bill to strengthen protection of whistleblowers
US LAW — The House of Representatives has passed a bill to enhance protections for whistleblowers in government.
This bipartisan initiative aims to ensure that individuals who report wrongdoing are safeguarded from retaliation, thereby encouraging transparency and accountability in federal agencies. Lawmakers emphasized the importance of protecting whistleblowers to maintain trust in public institutions.
Senate begins debate on critical infrastructure funding bill
US ECONOMY — The Senate has started discussions on a significant bill related to infrastructure funding.
This funding is intended to modernize aging facilities and improve transportation networks across the nation. Senators highlighted the bill’s potential to create jobs and stimulate economic growth while addressing urgent infrastructure needs.
Federal Reserve signals possible interest rate increases
US ECONOMY — The Federal Reserve has indicated potential interest rate hikes in response to economic conditions.
Biden administration focuses on renewable energy investment
US ENERGY — The Biden administration is prioritizing investments in renewable energy sources.
What to watch — Key decisions on economic policy and infrastructure funding are expected to unfold in the coming weeks as debates continue.
Further reading from US News sources
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US designates Ecuador’s Chone Killers gang as a terrorist organisation
5:00 am
Get you up to speed: US designates Ecuador’s Chone Killers gang as ‘terrorist’ organisation
The US State Department has designated the Ecuadorian gang Chone Killers as a foreign “terrorist organisation” due to its attacks on civilians and officials. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the designation is part of a broader anti-crime campaign during the Trump administration, which involves collaboration with Ecuador and President Daniel Noboa.
The US designation of the Chone Killers as a terrorist organisation follows a series of coordinated efforts to combat organised crime in Latin America. Ecuador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed gratitude for the US support, signalling a continued commitment by President Daniel Noboa to intensify measures against gang-related violence.
The Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has welcomed the US designation of the Chone Killers as a foreign terrorist organisation, emphasising strong bilateral support for President Daniel Noboa’s campaign against crime. In response to escalating gang activity, Noboa has imposed curfews and deployed military forces in several provinces, with plans for continued collaboration with US authorities to combat drug trafficking and organised crime.
What remains unclear — The exact number of individuals affected by the gang’s attacks has not been disclosed.
US designates Ecuador’s Chone Killers gang as a terrorist organisation
News|CrimeUS designates Ecuador’s Chone Killers gang as ‘terrorist’ organisation
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the gang had also been classified as a ‘Specially Designated Global Terrorist’.
Published On 2 Jul 20262 Jul 2026
The US State Department has designated the Ecuadorean gang Chone Killers as a foreign “terrorist organisation”, imposing sanctions on a crime group that Washington has accused of carrying out attacks on civilians and public officials.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the gang has also been classified as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist”.
“Chone Killers has committed numerous attacks targeting civilians, law enforcement officers and government officials, including high-profile assassinations of public officials,” Rubio said in a statement announcing the designations.
The move against the Ecuadorian street gang is part of a broader campaign by US President Donald Trump’s administration on organised crime and drug trafficking in Latin America.
The Trump administration has designated several other Latin American gangs and drug cartels as “terrorist” organisations, including Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua and the Mexican Sinaloa cartel.
“The Trump administration, in partnership with Ecuador and President Daniel Noboa, will continue to protect our hemisphere by keeping illicit drugs off our streets and disrupting the revenue streams funding violent narcoterrorists,” Rubio said.
Rubio also alleged that Ecuadorean gangs help Mexican cartels transport and export illegal drugs, which he said fund “terrorism” and other criminal activity.
Ecuador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the US decision, saying it reflected Washington’s strong support for Noboa’s campaign against criminal organisations.
“The Government of Ecuador thanks the firm support of the United States for the decision by President Daniel Noboa to maintain an all-out fight against criminal organisations,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted on X.
Noboa, a staunch ally of Trump, has imposed curfews and deployed the military to several provinces in a US-backed crackdown aimed at stamping out gang activity.
Transit advocates urge low-income transit pass as TransLink fares rise
3:00 am
Get you up to speed: Transit advocates call for low-income transit pass as TransLink fares increase
A rally was held to advocate for a more affordable transport pass for low-income individuals. Denis Agar, the executive director of Movement, spoke on the necessity of such a pass.
The executive director of Movement, Denis Agar, emphasised the importance of affordable transport passes for individuals with lower incomes during a recent rally. There are currently no details on any proposed changes to the pricing structure or eligibility criteria for these passes.
Denis Agar, the executive director of Movement, emphasised the importance of affordable transport options for lower-income individuals during a recent rally, stating, “It’s never been more necessary to have a pass that makes it more affordable for people with lower incomes.” In response to growing concerns, local authorities are evaluating potential measures to enhance accessibility and reduce transport costs.
What remains unclear — It is not specified what actions will be taken to create a more affordable pass for people with lower incomes.
Transit advocates urge low-income transit pass as TransLink fares rise
‘It’s never been more necessary to have a pass that makes it more affordable for people with lower incomes,’ Denis Agar, the executive director of Movement, said at the rally.
Emergency services responded to unconscious patient at Mitch McConnell’s home
1:00 am
Get you up to speed: EMS was called to Sen. Mitch McConnell’s home for “unconscious” patient last month, recording suggests
Emergency medical personnel responded to a report of an unconscious person experiencing “cardiac arrest” at Republican Senator Mitch McConnell’s home in Washington on June 14. The senator was hospitalized the same day, but further details about the situation have not been confirmed.
Emergency medical personnel responded to a call reporting an unconscious person at Sen. Mitch McConnell’s home on June 14, with CPR in progress before 9 a.m. Although McConnell’s spokesperson confirmed the senator was hospitalised and “receiving excellent care,” no specific details about his condition or the cause of hospitalisation have been released.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune confirmed that he spoke with Mitch McConnell, stating, “He sounded good” and is “fully engaged with staff on Senate business and Kentucky matters.” Following his recent health scare, McConnell’s office has not disclosed further details, and WTX US News has reached out for additional comments.
What remains unclear — WTX US News has not confirmed the identity of the unconscious person mentioned in the EMS dispatch call related to Mitch McConnell.
Emergency services responded to unconscious patient at Mitch McConnell’s home
Washington — On the same morning Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell was hospitalized last month, emergency medical personnel went to his home to respond to an unconscious person who appeared to experience “cardiac arrest,” according to a public EMS dispatch call reviewed by WTX US News.
During the recording, a dispatcher called in a “cardiac arrest” and a medic said there was “CPR in progress” at McConnell’s address. The dispatcher also said somebody was “unconscious.” The call came in before 9 a.m. on June 14. The senator’s name is not mentioned during the call, and WTX US News has not confirmed the identity of the unconscious person.
Audio of the call was first shared by journalist Desiree Townsend.
On the same day as the dispatch call, a spokesperson for McConnell said in a statement that the Kentucky Republican was hospitalized and was “receiving excellent care.” No details were provided about why he was admitted or where.
In a statement the next day, the spokesperson said McConnell — who was previously the Senate’s top Republican — “is fully engaged with staff on Senate business and Kentucky matters.”
That day, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he spoke with McConnell and he “sounded good.”
“He’s clearly dialed into what’s going on,” the South Dakota Republican said on June 15. “He’s following the stuff we’re doing this week up here.”
McConnell last voted on June 11.
WTX US News has reached out to McConnell’s office for comment.
McConnell, a childhood polio survivor, has faced several health scares in recent years. In a May 19 committee hearing, the 84-year-old was seen with a bandage around his hand. In February, McConnell spent more than a week in the hospital after he checked himself in for “flu-like symptoms.”
In 2023, he was hospitalized with a concussion after a fall and later appeared to freeze in two separate instances. He suffered minor injuries in 2024 after another fall.
China does not disclose details following plane crash into CITIC Tower
12:00 am
Get you up to speed: China won’t reveal why a plane crashed into Beijing’s highest building | News World
A small aircraft, identified as a B-12PP, crashed into the CITIC Tower in Beijing on Friday, resulting in one fatality and 13 injuries. The crash occurred within a no-fly zone, and the building has been boarded up as authorities investigate the incident.
Beijing district authorities have initiated an investigation into the crash, although the deceased pilot has not been identified. The plane had deviated from its intended flight path shortly after taking off from Shifosi Airport and lost tracking signals shortly before the incident.
Beijing district authorities have confirmed an investigation into the crash is underway, although the identity of the deceased pilot has not been released. Aviation firms have suspended light aircraft operations, with a source noting they were instructed not to discuss the incident further.
What remains unclear — The cause of the aircraft crash into Beijing’s CITIC Tower has not been disclosed by Chinese authorities.
China does not disclose details following plane crash into CITIC Tower
The world is still waiting for answers about why a plane slammed into Beijing’s tallest building.
The small aircraft crashed into Beijing’s famous CITIC Tower skyscraper on Friday, killing the only person on board and wounding 13 others.
The jet – identified as a B-12PP – plummeted to the ground and left holes in the 109-storey building, which has since been boarded up.
However, China has not revealed the cause of the crash and has reportedly made it impossible to access footage of the incident from within the country.
The only official statement to come out of China is a 60-word report detailing the basic facts in Beijing Daily.
The crash happened within a no-fly zone (Picture: AP Photo/Han Guan Ng)
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Aviation firms have also suspended light aircraft operations, the outlet said, with a source telling them: ‘We were told not to speak about it’.
Other national media outlets, including Xinhua news agency and China Central Television, have not reported on the incident, according to Reuters.
The plane involved in the crash had deviated from its intended flight path after taking off from Shifosi Airport half an hour earlier, according to Global.hk.
It was due to turn around and return to the airport for 5.45pm, but flight monitoring lost the tracking signal around Beijing’s East Fifth Ring Road.
After this, the aircraft could not be reached and moments later it crashed into the skyscraper.
The crash took place within a no-fly zone just a few kilometres from Zhongnanhai, the Communist Party’s heavily guarded headquarters.
The CITIC Tower, also known as China Zun, is a popular tourist attraction in China’s capital (Picture: REUTERS)
China analyst Bill Bishop wrote on X that the crash was a ‘massive security breach’.
He said: ‘Not many more seconds of flying and [the crash] could have been at Zhongnanhai… [That would have been] an earthquake in Beijing’s security system.’
Beijing district authorities have said an investigation into the crash is underway, but have not named the pilot who died.
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Palestinian committee concludes productive talks in Cyprus on Gaza recovery
11:00 pm
Palestinian committee concludes productive talks in Cyprus on Gaza recovery
Productive Talks
The Palestinian National Committee for the Administration of Gaza concluded two days of talks in Cyprus aimed at easing humanitarian suffering and planning for reconstruction in the territory.
The Palestinian National Committee for the Administration of Gaza concluded two days of talks in Cyprus aimed at easing humanitarian suffering and planning for reconstruction in the territory.
Reconstruction funds
Over $71 billion is estimated to be required for Gaza’s reconstruction over the next decade, highlighting a significant financial necessity amid a critical humanitarian situation.
Over $71 billion is estimated to be required for Gaza’s reconstruction over the next decade, highlighting a significant financial necessity amid a critical humanitarian situation.
Official Commitment
“We held a series of working meetings in Cyprus to relieve the suffering of Gazans and develop plans for immediate project implementation,” stated the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.
“We held a series of working meetings in Cyprus to relieve the suffering of Gazans and develop plans for immediate project implementation,” stated the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.
Committee tasked with post-war Gaza governance says Cyprus talks ‘highly productive’
Published on •Updated
The Palestinian technocratic committee tasked with administering post-war Gaza said on Wednesday it concluded two days of “highly productive” talks in Cyprus on easing humanitarian suffering and advancing plans to rebuild the territory.
The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) said in a post on X that it held “a series of working meetings in Cyprus with experts and advisers of the Board of Peace, the Office of the High Representative for Gaza (Nikolai Mladenov) and the Tony Blair Institute.”
The talks focused on efforts to “relieve the suffering” of Gazans, the committee said, including through projects that “can be done immediately.”
Participants also reviewed plans for reconstruction, security and governance, while developing a framework to ensure transparency and accountability for international donors.
The committee reiterated its commitment to US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan and said it remained prepared to assume its responsibilities in coordination with the Board of Peace.
It gave no timeframe, saying further steps would be announced “once the right conditions are met.”
The Board of Peace was established by Trump earlier this year as part of a US-backed ceasefire plan for Gaza endorsed by the UN Security Council.
The initiative aims to facilitate a transition away from Hamas rule while supporting the restoration of civilian administration and basic services across the territory of over 2 million Palestinians.
However progress has been slow and the technocratic committee has yet to even enter Gaza.
In May, a source familiar with the board told the AFP news agency that it had no cash in its official Gaza reconstruction fund, despite member countries pledging billions of dollars.
Since the board was set up, its fund, administered by the World Bank and endorsed by the United Nations, has received no money from donors, the source said.
And the International Stabilisation Force for Gaza that was announced at the inaugural Board of Peace meeting has still not been assembled with none of the five countries that pledged troops coming through with any significant contributions.
The board’s creation also quickly raised eyebrows after Trump sent out wide invitations, including to Russian President Vladimir Putin and to countries far removed from traditional Middle East diplomacy.
Major European nations have shunned the board, which is heavy on longstanding US partners in the Middle East, ideological allies of Trump and smaller countries eager for Trump’s attention.
The board is unambiguously led not just by the United States but by Trump personally, who holds the final say and can remain in charge past his presidency.
Under the second phase of the US-backed deal, Israel was to gradually pull out of the territory and Hamas was to hand over its weapons, neither of which has happened.
The Gaza war was triggered by Hamas’ 7 October 2023 surprise attack on Israel, prompting Israel to launch a retaliatory campaign against the territory.
The war lasted two years until the ceasefire went into effect last October, though it has not completely quelled the violence.
Israel still retains control of over 60% of the Gaza Strip, including all entry and exit points, while the population is concentrated on the coast.
An EU-UN assessment published in April estimated that more than $71 billion (€60 billion) will be needed over the next decade for the reconstruction of Gaza, where the UN says the humanitarian situation is “critical.”
Additional sources • AFP
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