Israel strikes Hamas sites over fire balloons, challenging truce

Israeli aircraft struck Hamas sites in Gaza on Wednesday after incendiary balloons were launched from the Palestinian enclave in the first such attacks since a fragile ceasefire ended 11 days of deadly fighting last month.
Wide gulf, slim hopes as Putin and Biden arrive for summit

GENEVA, June 16 (Reuters) – Shaking hands in front of a grand Geneva villa, U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday began their first summit since Biden took office, with deep disagreements likely and expectations of solving them low. Both have said they hope their talks can lead to more stable […]
Giant Buddhist goddess in Japan gets face mask to pray for end of COVID-19

June 16 (Reuters) – Workers scaled a giant statue of a Buddhist goddess in Japan on Tuesday to place a custom-made mask on her face, an act meant to be a prayer for the end of the coronavirus pandemic. It took four workers three hours to carry the massive mask on ropes up the 57 […]
Quoting Irish poet, Biden ends EU trade war in renewal of transatlantic ties

U.S. President Joe Biden ended one front in a Trump-era trade war when he met European Union leaders on Tuesday by agreeing a truce in a transatlantic dispute over aircraft subsidies that has dragged on for 17 years.
Britain’s biggest investor drops AIG, others from some funds over climate

Legal & General Investment Management, Britain’s biggest asset manager, said on Tuesday it would drop four companies from a number of its funds over their “insufficient” response to the challenge of climate change, including U.S. insurer AIG (AIG.N).
Soccer clubs embrace cryptocurrency, but fans are divided

A growing number of major soccer clubs are launching digital coins that allow fans to vote on a variety of minor decisions as the sport faces slumping revenues caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
eCom Scotland’s investments in digital skills professionals pay off

In the light of growing demand for its products and services – taking its current turnover beyond pre-pandemic levels – the digital learning and assessment specialist, eCom Scotland is continuing growing its investment in skilled digital skills professionals.
Shares in record-setting spree as Fed meeting looms

World stocks hit yet another record high on Tuesday, with European stocks poised for their longest winning streak since 2019 as investors bet likely “transitory” inflation pressures will stay the U.S. Federal Reserve’s hand from signalling a shift in policy settings.
What you need to know about the coronavirus right now

Here’s what you need to know about the coronavirus right now.
UK sees record jump in employee numbers in May

The number of employees on British company payrolls surged by a record amount in May as COVID restrictions eased and pubs and restaurants resumed indoor service, though it still remains more than half a million below its pre-pandemic peak.