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Iain Robertson, an actor known for his role in the BBC soap River City, was found guilty of raping one woman and assaulting two others in crimes dated between 2004 and 2019. The trial took place in Glasgow, and sentencing is scheduled for July 23.
Key Facts
Iain Robertson is 45 years old and played Stevie O'Hara in River City.
He was convicted of five crimes, including rape and domestic abuse.
The offenses happened from 2004 to 2019.
Witnesses described Robertson as violent and controlling.
The trial was held at the High Court in Glasgow.
The judge has postponed sentencing until July 23.
The prosecutor said the victims’ stories were strong and consistent.
Robertson denied the charges and said he was "no angel."
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A survey shows that most people in the United Kingdom now think leaving the European Union, known as Brexit, was a mistake ten years after the 2016 referendum. The country has faced political and economic problems since leaving the EU, but many people who voted to leave still support Brexit.
Key Facts
In 2016, the UK voted to leave the EU with 51.9% of the vote.
A recent YouGov poll finds a majority of Britons now believe Brexit was a mistake.
Brexit has caused political troubles, with seven prime ministers in ten years dealing with its effects.
Economic studies show that Brexit reduced UK productivity, imports, exports, and caused about a 6% drop in the economy.
Some who voted to leave admit to "Bregret," but two-thirds still support Brexit.
Nigel Farage, a Brexit leader and ally of President Donald Trump, says leaving the EU was the right decision.
The promise to control borders and limit EU migration was not fully realized, leading to increased migration from outside the EU.
Many Britons are tired of the idea of holding another referendum on EU membership.
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France is experiencing a severe heatwave that has caused early closures of major Paris tourist sites like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre museum. The heat has also disrupted daily life, leading to school closures and train cancellations across the country.
Key Facts
The Eiffel Tower closed early at 4 pm on Tuesday due to extreme heat and may close early again on Wednesday.
Visitors with tickets to the Eiffel Tower during early closures will be refunded.
The Louvre museum will close two hours early from Wednesday to Saturday because of the heat.
Both the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre are among the most visited sites in the world, attracting millions of tourists annually.
The Louvre's old building is not well adapted to climate change and faces funding challenges for upgrades.
Other tourist attractions, like Mont Saint Michel in Normandy, have warned visitors to postpone visits during the heatwave.
More than half of mainland France is under the highest weather alert level due to the heat.
The heatwave has caused school closures and train cancellations, affecting daily life in France.
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A severe heatwave in France has caused the early closure of two famous Paris tourist sites, the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum. These closures aim to protect visitors and staff from dangerous high temperatures.
Key Facts
The Eiffel Tower closed early at 4 pm on June 23, 2026, instead of its usual hours from 9 am to 12:45 am.
The Louvre Museum will close two hours early, at 4 pm, from Wednesday to Saturday due to the heatwave.
The heatwave has disrupted daily life in France, causing school closures and train cancellations.
The Eiffel Tower receives about seven million visitors annually.
The Louvre, home to famous artworks like the Mona Lisa, has around nine million visitors each year.
The Louvre is an old building that is not well-equipped to handle extreme heat and needs upgrades.
Visitors who had tickets for early closure times at the Eiffel Tower will be refunded.
The highest heat buildup occurs late in the day and is worsened by large numbers of visitors inside these sites.
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The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on June 23, 2026, for faster action against global warming. He urged artificial intelligence (AI) companies to reveal their environmental impact as Europe experiences a second heatwave in two months, highlighting the role of fossil fuels in climate and energy problems.
Key Facts
Europe is currently enduring its second heatwave in two months.
UN chief Antonio Guterres emphasized the need for urgent action to tackle global warming.
Guterres specifically asked AI companies to be transparent about the energy they use and environmental effects they cause.
A UN study found that AI facilities consumed more electricity in 2025 than most countries in the world.
The increase in fossil fuel use is a key factor driving climate change and energy crises.
The article references related environmental warnings, like ocean warming and the impact of El Niño on climate.
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France is experiencing a severe heatwave with temperatures near 40 degrees Celsius in several cities. The extreme heat has caused deaths, including two children found in a parked car and around 40 people drowning while trying to cool off.
Key Facts
Much of France is under a severe heat alert as of June 23, 2026.
Temperatures around 40°C (104°F) were forecast in cities such as Bordeaux, Rennes, and Toulouse.
This heatwave produced the hottest afternoon and night since temperature records began in 1947.
Two children died after being found inside a parked car on June 22, 2026.
Approximately 40 people drowned in recent days while attempting to cool down from the heat.
The heatwave poses a particular risk to elderly people.
The Eiffel Tower closed early on June 23 due to the extreme heat.
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A deadly heat wave is currently affecting Europe, bringing record-high temperatures across the region. Meteorologists are providing forecasts to help people prepare for the extreme heat.
Key Facts
Europe is experiencing a heat wave with temperatures breaking previous records.
The heat wave has caused dangerous conditions in multiple countries.
Meteorologists are actively monitoring and forecasting the weather.
Heat waves can lead to health risks like heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Authorities may issue warnings or advice to help keep people safe.
Such extreme heat events are becoming more common due to climate patterns.
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The sky turned bright red over Miass, a city in Russia’s Chelyabinsk region, due to storms moving through the area. Local officials warned people about heavy rain and thunderstorms after days of heavy downpours across several parts of Russia.
Key Facts
The sky appeared red in Miass, Russia, during a storm.
The event happened in the Chelyabinsk region.
Local authorities issued warnings for heavy rain and thunderstorms.
Several Russian regions have experienced heavy rain over the past week.
The unusual sky color was captured in eyewitness videos.
The red sky effect was linked to stormy weather conditions.
The warnings aimed to prepare people for potential severe weather.
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Five ducklings hatched and are growing well after being rescued from eggs found floating at a sewage treatment plant in Devon. Two workers safely moved the eggs to a safer place where they hatched and are now being cared for at home.
Key Facts
Workers found seven duck eggs floating on debris during maintenance at Totnes sewage works.
They used a bag and rope to move the eggs safely without breaking them.
Six eggs hatched, and five ducklings survived.
The ducklings are being raised at the worker’s home and have access to a paddling pool.
The family modified a playhouse to provide a safe outdoor space for the ducklings.
Plans include moving the ducklings to an indoor enclosure and later to a chicken coop near ponds.
The ducklings are expected to eventually live near streams and ponds in the garden.
The rescue happened in Devon, England, and involved staff from South West Water.
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Tehran has denied President Trump's statement that Iran has fully agreed to nuclear inspections. The U.S. and Iran are giving different messages about upcoming talks on nuclear inspections. These negotiations may face new difficulties because of the conflict involving Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Key Facts
Tehran says it did not fully agree to nuclear inspections, contradicting President Trump's claim.
The Trump administration and Iran are sending mixed signals about future nuclear deal talks.
The negotiations focus on possible inspections of Iran's nuclear activities.
Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon is complicating the situation.
These tensions could cause delays or problems in reaching an agreement.
CBS News reporter Aaron Navarro covered the story.
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Two more dead ducks were found near the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. These deaths come after another dead bird was discovered in the same area recently renovated.
Key Facts
Two dead ducks were found near the Reflecting Pool.
The ducks were specifically located in a pond at Constitution Gardens.
Constitution Gardens is about 200 feet away from the Reflecting Pool.
A previous dead bird was also found floating in the Reflecting Pool.
The Reflecting Pool area has been recently renovated.
The location of the deaths is on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
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Ten years after the Brexit vote, the UK music industry faces new challenges with higher costs and more rules for touring in Europe. Many British musicians and event organizers find it harder to work across borders, causing financial struggles and changes in how the industry operates.
Key Facts
Brexit has increased costs and administrative work for UK musicians touring in Europe.
The UK live music industry shrank from £4.5 billion to £1.9 billion in two years due to Brexit and Covid-19 impacts.
Campaigns like "Butts for Tour Buses" highlight the financial difficulties for touring artists.
Festivals and venues in the UK and Europe are adapting to new political and logistical challenges.
About 60% of British music acts feel that European tours are no longer possible or viable.
New initiatives aim to help artists and venues survive and grow in this changed environment.
The music scene’s cultural ecosystem is shifting with a new generation adjusting to these conditions.
Bands like Liverpool’s Stone emphasize the importance of growing fanbases both in the UK and Europe despite the challenges.
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This article marks the 10th anniversary of the Brexit referendum and presents a quiz with 18 questions about unusual and memorable moments from the UK’s decision to leave the European Union. It covers facts about politicians, events, pop culture references, and public reactions during and after the Brexit process.
Key Facts
The UK voted to leave the EU in a referendum 10 years ago.
Theresa May planned a £120 million national festival celebrating British creativity, initially called the Festival of Brexit.
British blue passports are made in several European countries, including Italy, France, Spain, and Slovakia.
Nigel Farage had a "battle" on the River Thames with pop star Bob Geldof during the campaign.
Article 50, which started the formal Brexit process, was invoked by Prime Minister Theresa May.
Scotland voted to remain in the EU by a much larger margin than the UK overall.
Bpoplive was a planned youth music festival linked to Brexit that was eventually cancelled.
Boris Johnson used colorful stories, like the "bendy banana," to highlight EU regulations during the campaign.
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Australia faces a threat from the deadly H5N1 bird flu strain, which puts over 150 native bird species and several mammals at very high risk of dying out or greatly declining. The virus has recently been found in two sick birds on the Western Australian coast, and scientists warn that some animals like black swans and swift parrots may suffer significant losses if the virus spreads.
Key Facts
More than 150 native Australian bird species are at very high risk from H5N1 bird flu.
The virus was detected in a brown skua and a giant petrel near Esperance, Western Australia.
Australia was previously free of H5N1, which has killed millions of birds and mammals globally.
No new cases have been found recently, and authorities say the virus has not spread widely yet.
Species at high risk include black swans, swift parrots, orange-bellied parrots, and the red goshawk.
Some mammals like Tasmanian devils and Australian sea lions are also at risk.
Black swans lack immune genes to fight the virus effectively, leading to uncontrolled inflammatory responses.
Experts warn that if black swans start dying in large numbers, it could signal a serious outbreak in wildlife.
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Since the US and Iran signed a deal to end the conflict, at least 172 ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz, including 42 in one day. Many ships linked to Iran are moving through after the US lifted its naval blockade and eased sanctions, but traffic is still below normal levels due to safety concerns and unclear rules.
Key Facts
At least 172 vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz since June 18, the day after the US-Iran deal.
The number of daily crossings is still much lower than the usual 138 ships per day before the conflict.
Over 200 tankers are waiting inside the strait, with some moving into the Gulf.
The price of Brent crude oil dropped to its lowest since the start of the war.
The US issued a license allowing the sale of Iranian oil and related products until August 21.
At least 30 tankers have left the Gulf carrying Iranian oil since the deal.
Ships are mainly using a northern route approved by Iran rather than the southern route recommended by the US.
Safety concerns about sea mines in middle shipping lanes continue to limit traffic levels.
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More than 5,300 people remain trapped in illegal online scam centers in Myanmar near the Thai border, according to a human rights group. These centers are run by criminal gangs and involve human trafficking, forcing victims to work in online fraud schemes that target people worldwide.
Key Facts
Over 5,300 people are still held in scam centers near the Myanmar-Thailand border.
The centers are mostly controlled by the Myanmar Democratic Karen Buddhist Army militia.
About 1,600 of those trapped are Chinese nationals; others come from countries like Myanmar, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brazil, Russia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe.
These scam centers continued to operate despite a multinational crackdown last year.
The scam centers grew quickly during the COVID-19 pandemic and are connected to illegal online fraud and human trafficking.
Victims face severe abuse, including torture, sexual abuse, forced abortions, food deprivation, and solitary confinement.
The United Nations reports the scam centers form a multibillion-dollar illegal industry.
Victims often do not receive proper care or justice and may face stigma or punishment instead.
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The Eiffel Tower in Paris closed early on June 23 due to very high temperatures from a heatwave affecting much of France. The city is having a hard time dealing with the unusually hot weather, which is putting stress on its usual ways of living.
Key Facts
The Eiffel Tower closed earlier than usual on June 23 because of extreme heat.
Paris is experiencing a historic heatwave that is hotter than normal.
The heatwave is affecting most parts of France, not just the capital.
Paris is not built to handle such high temperatures, causing challenges for residents.
Visitors at the Eiffel Tower had to leave earlier than expected.
The heatwave has caused concern and difficulties across the country.
The article includes video coverage from FRANCE 24 journalist Caroline Baum at the scene.
The heatwave is considered a significant event impacting daily life and tourism in Paris.
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The U.S. Supreme Court decided that members of the Falun Gong spiritual group cannot sue Cisco Systems for helping the Chinese government spy on and harm the group. The Court said the plaintiffs could not use the old Alien Tort Statute to make these claims against the company and some of its former executives.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court ruled 6 to 3 in favor of Cisco.
The case involved the Falun Gong, a spiritual group persecuted in China.
Plaintiffs accused Cisco of helping the Chinese government with surveillance and abuse.
The plaintiffs tried to use the Alien Tort Statute, a law from the 1700s, to sue Cisco.
The Court’s conservative majority rejected this legal approach.
The lawsuit also targeted two former Cisco executives.
The ruling means the case cannot proceed in U.S. courts against Cisco.
The decision relates to U.S. law and foreign human rights claims.
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With the World Cup happening, many adults in Brazil are placing bets online on the football matches. This surge in betting is linked to mental health problems, and Brazil’s parliament is considering a law to stop celebrities from promoting betting companies.
Key Facts
Over one-third of Brazilian adults are expected to bet on the World Cup.
Online sports betting in Brazil has grown significantly during the tournament.
Official data shows a connection between increased betting and mental health issues.
Brazilian lawmakers are debating a bill to ban celebrities from advertising betting services.
The report comes from Rio de Janeiro and was published by FRANCE 24 on June 23, 2026.
The World Cup acts as a catalyst for this rise in online gambling in Brazil.
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Andy Burnham is currently the leading candidate to become the next prime minister after Keir Starmer steps down. Two other politicians, Al Carns and Darren Jones, are thinking about running, but it is unclear if they have enough support. People are also guessing who Burnham might choose for the important government job of Chancellor.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is expected to be the main candidate for prime minister.
Keir Starmer is leaving his position as prime minister.
Al Carns and Darren Jones might run for prime minister but may lack enough backing.
The role of Chancellor (the government's finance leader) is being widely discussed.
The political situation is creating many rumors in Westminster, the UK government center.
This news is from a BBC podcast episode from June 23, 2026.
The podcast provides daily updates on political news in the UK.
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