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MIDDLE EAST | Updates from regional conflicts:

• Israel and Iran continue to trade waves of airstrikes today following a warning from U.S. President Donald Trump yesterday that “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” Reports suggest that many in Tehran are heeding Trump's warning, with heavy outbound traffic noted outside the Iranian capital. [more]
• Speculation continues today about possible direct U.S. military action against Iran after President Donald Trump's early departure from the G7 leaders' summit in Canada due to the developing situation in the Middle East. Reports note that the U.S., and not Israel, has the armament – notably the massive GBU-57 bunker-busting bomb – thought to be necessary to destroy heavily fortified underground nuclear enrichment facilities. [more]
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested yesterday that Israeli airstrikes have set Iran's nuclear program back a "very, very long time." [more]
• Reports say at least 51 people were killed, and 200 others were wounded, yesterday when Israeli tanks fired at least two shells at a crowd of people gathered along a route used by aid distribution trucks in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. Israeli military officials say portions of the crowd approached troops prior to the incident and that the Israeli Defense Forces "regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals." [more]

UKRAINE | Today is day 1209 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Here is your update:

• Ukrainian authorities say at least 15 people were killed, and at least 116 others were injured, in overnight Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, with most deaths and damage from the attacks occurring in the capital Kyiv. [more]

U.S. GRANT FUNDING | Massachusetts-based U.S. District Judge William Young ruled yesterday that the Trump administration illegally cancelled several hundred National Institutes of Health research grants in an "arbitrary and capricious" manner that failed to follow long-held government rules and standards and that raised serious questions about "racial discrimination and discrimination against America’s LGBTQ community." Young further ordered the NIH to restore grants cut based on gender ideology or diversity, equity, and inclusion. [more]

CALIFORNIA | The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is scheduled to hear arguments today on the challenged legality of President Donald Trump's deployment of federalized National Guard troops and active-duty Marines to Los Angeles amidst protests and civil unrest over immigration raids. [more]

U.S. 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION | A Colorado jury yesterday found MyPillow founder Mike Lindell – a prominent election conspiracy theorist – guilty of defaming a former security and product strategy director at Denver-based Dominion Voting Systems by making false statements about alleged rigging of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results. Lindell was ordered to pay $2.3 million in damages, and reports note that he intends to appeal the ruling. [more]

U.S. AND U.K. | U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the signing of a new trade deal between their countries yesterday at the G7 summit in Canada. The agreement is reported to reduce tariffs on U.K. auto and aerospace industry imports, but does not yet address steel production and trade. [more]

AUSTRIA | In the aftermath of last week's school shooting in which a former student killed nine students and a teacher in the city of Graz, Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker said in a speech yesterday that his country's gun laws will be strengthened. Measures are expected to include stricter eligibility requirements for gun ownership and restrictions for certain risk groups, and possibly a change in the minimum age for gun buyers. [more]

CHINA | State media reports that nine people were killed, and 26 others were injured, yesterday in an explosion at a fireworks factory near the city of Changde in China's Hunan province. [more]

UAE | Emergency officials in the United Arab Emirates say 24 people were evacuated from an oil tanker today following the collision of two ships near the Strait of Hormuz. Reports cite British maritime security firm Ambrey as saying the incident in the critical oil shipping chokepoint was not security related. [more]

TAIWAN | Taiwanese officials are reported to have finalized a long-term deal with German robotics and automation company Auterion for drone software to help strengthen the island territory's defenses against military threats from China. [more]

SWITZERLAND | Swiss authorities ordered the evacuation yesterday of the Graubünden region village of Brienz/Brinzauls due to indicators of a potential rockslide. The evacuation comes about three weeks after a mudslide destroyed the village of Blatten in Switzerland's southern Lötschental valley. [more]

FRANCE | The world-famous Louvre Museum in Paris, France, was closed yesterday due to a spontaneous one-day strike by gallery attendants, ticket agents, and security personnel over what they say are ongoing problems with unmanageable crowds, chronic understaffing, and “untenable” working conditions. [more]

BASKETBALL | The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers, 120-109, last night to win Game 5 of the NBA Finals and take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. [more]

HOCKEY | Game 6 of the NHL's Stanley Cup Final is scheduled for tonight with the Florida Panthers leading the best-of-seven series against the Edmonton Oilers, 3 games to 2. [more]

TODAY IN HISTORY | On this date in 1631, Mumtaz Mahal, wife of Mughal emperor Shah Jahān, died during childbirth. In her memory he built the Taj Mahal, the most famous building in India. [more history]