8News June 18, 2026

World

US and Iran near final deal as G7 leaders back memorandum on uranium and Hormuz passage

Senior US officials dictated a memorandum with Iran that includes standards for diluting Tehran's uranium stockpile and guarantees toll-free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, according to AP reports from the G7 summit. President Trump said the deal 'could be signed tomorrow,' sending oil prices sliding and global stocks jumping. The agreement would end months of conflict that disrupted energy markets and sent inflation climbing worldwide.

AP News

Politics

Trump calls off new military strikes on Iran, nominates Jay Clayton to lead intelligence

President Donald Trump said he has called off new military strikes on Iran just hours after threatening escalation, as negotiations toward a peace deal picked up momentum at the G7 summit. Separately, Trump nominated US Attorney Jay Clayton to serve as director of national intelligence, filling a key national security position amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.

AP News

Business

Fed holds interest rates steady as SpaceX overtakes Amazon to become fifth most valuable firm

The Federal Reserve held US interest rates steady for the fourth time this year, citing uncertainty over the US-Iran deal and persistent inflation that hit a three-year high in May. Meanwhile, SpaceX's valuation ballooned to $2.6 trillion after its blockbuster IPO, briefly surpassing Amazon to become the world's fifth most valuable company. The EV/auto and tech sectors showed mixed results as markets digest the dual forces of monetary policy and AI-driven valuation shifts.

BBC/Reuters

Technology

Only 16% of Americans believe AI will have a positive societal impact, new study finds

A new study published by TechCrunch reveals that only 16% of Americans think artificial intelligence will have a positive impact on society, reflecting deep public skepticism about the technology. Meanwhile, ChatGPT's market share slipped below 50% for the first time as competition intensifies, and Google launched Android 17 with expanded Gemini AI features. The findings come amid growing debates over AI regulation, with Anthropic facing a White House meeting after its models were suspended by the US government.

TechCrunch

Science

Webb telescope delivers strongest evidence yet for 'black hole stars' in the early universe

Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers led by the University of Texas at Austin have obtained the deepest spectrum ever taken of 'little red dots' — faint, red objects from the early universe. The findings provide the strongest case yet that these objects are 'black hole stars,' a theoretical type of star powered by a central black hole rather than nuclear fusion. The discovery could reshape our understanding of how the first galaxies formed after the Big Bang.

Sci.News

Sports

Iran fights back for 2-2 draw against New Zealand in politically charged World Cup opener

Iran twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with New Zealand at Los Angeles Stadium in a politically charged World Cup clash. Whistles drowned out parts of Iran's national anthem while other fans sang along, reflecting deep divisions over Tehran's government. The match coincided with the tentative US-Iran peace deal. In other World Cup action, Cape Verde stunned Spain with a 0-0 draw on their tournament debut, and England began its campaign with a highly anticipated Group L clash against Croatia.

Reuters

Health

GLP-1 weight loss drugs slash risk of 4 types of cancer by 50% or more, study finds

A major new study published by Medical News Today finds that GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy reduce the risk of four types of cancer by 50% or more. The research adds to growing evidence that these medications, already widely used for weight loss and diabetes management, offer broader health benefits. Meanwhile, the FDA proposed a ban on bulk compounding of semaglutide and tirzepatide, and the first-ever AI-designed vaccine entered human trials.

Medical News Today

Environment

Australia warns El Nino could be strongest in 70 years as scientists find climate-resilient coral reefs

Australia's weather bureau warned that an El Nino weather pattern has formed in the tropical Pacific and could intensify to become one of the strongest in seven decades, threatening crops, water supplies, and wildfire conditions across the Asia-Pacific region. In parallel, scientists identified 64,000 square miles of coral reef across the globe that appear capable of surviving climate change, offering hope for marine conservation. A tropical cyclone also formed off the Texas coast threatening flash flooding during the World Cup.

Reuters

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