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☎️ Bibi defies Trump on Iran strikes The war between Israel and Iran resumed yesterday after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defied President Trump's request to stand down, with the two nations exchanging attacks — Israeli strikes on Tehran and Iranian missile launches toward Tel Aviv, Axios' Barak Ravid writes. Why it matters: The attacks last night and this morning are the most significant escalation since the April 8 ceasefire, and threaten to unravel the Trump administration's negotiations with Iran and draw the U.S. back into the war. "Israel and Iran must immediately stop shooting," Trump wrote on Truth Social this morning. Israel first attacked Beirut, then Iran responded by launching a barrage of missiles toward Israel. 🔎 Behind the scenes: Trump told Netanyahu during a call to hold off because "we are close to doing something good in terms of a deal," a U.S. official told Barak. A U.S. defense official said the U.S. military wasn't involved in the Israeli strikes, which he described as "relatively limited." Iran had threatened to expand its attacks and target U.S. bases in the region if Israel retaliated. Further exchanges of fire could unravel the negotiations between the U.S. and Iran and reignite the war. Keep reading.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY June 8 1968 James Earl Ray, suspect in Martin Luther King Jr. assassination, is arrested James Earl Ray is arrested in London, England, and charged with the assassination of African American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. read more Sponsored Content by REVCONTENT 1950s 1949 FBI report names Hollywood figures as communists Arts & Entertainment 1984 “Ghostbusters” released 1949 George Orwell’s “1984” is published Exploration 1924 Final sighting of George Mallory on Mount Everest Inventions & Science 1948 First Porsche completed Middle Eastern History 1967 Israel attacks USS Liberty Native American History 1874 Apache chief Cochise dies Religion 632 Muhammad, the prophet who spread Islam, dies Sports 1966 NFL and AFL announce merger U.S. Government and Politics 1968 Senator Robert F. Kennedy buried 1972 Shirley Chisholm visits her opponent George Wallace in the hospital

Box-and-Banana for Bees Bumblebees have demonstrated the ability to carry out spontaneous problem-solving, a study published last week reveals. The animal is the first nonvertebrate to pass a test compared to the box-and-banana experiment for chimpanzees. In the 1910s, German psychologist Wolfgang Köhler placed a banana outside the reach of a chimpanzee. In one experiment, he placed several boxes nearby, with the chimpanzee realizing he could stack the objects to reach the treat (see image). Other large-brained animals—including elephants and birds—have since shown a similar capacity for what Köhler called insight learning (watch a pigeon pass the test, w/video). In the latest experiment, researchers trained bumblebees to associate a blue flower with a treat and to recognize that a Styrofoam ball was harmless. In several experiments, the bumblebee showed the capacity to manipulate the ball to reach the treat. The bee is now the smallest-brained animal to have passed Köhler’s test. See the experiments in action here (scroll for video).

79th Tony Awards "Schmigadoon!" won best musical at the 79th Tony Awards yesterday, while "Liberation" won best new play. See the full list of winners here; see red carpet photos here. The awards come as Broadway’s 2025-26 season grossed a record $1.9B in ticket sales, up 3.5% from last year, with attendance up 1.8%. Plays drove higher attendance, surging nearly 14%, while attendance at musicals dropped 4.7%. Live entertainment has proved robust since the COVID-19 pandemic, even as consumers pull back from other forms of discretionary spending in recent years. Live Nation says concert ticket sales are projected to rise 11% this year. The effect of a Tony Award can bump ticket prices up 17% the month after the awards and may extend a show’s run by months. Learn more about the history of the Tony Awards, in memory of Antoinette "Tony" Perry, here.

The bark of cinnamon is one of the few spices that can be consumed in its raw state. James

A 7.8 magnitude quake in the Philippines kills at least 35, collapses buildings and sparks tsunami DAVAO, Philippines (AP) — An offshore earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 hit the southern Philippines on Monday, killing at least 35 people, injuring more than 200 others mostly in ruined buildings and sending a 1-meter (3-foot) tsunami into nearby coasts. https://apnews.com/article/philippines-earthquake-mindanao-6e489739402863eaf40cbfd30a1b1cc7?

6 people hurt in stabbings at New York’s Penn Station with a suspect in custody, authorities says NEW YORK (AP) — Six people were injured in a stabbing inside New York’s Penn Station on Sunday evening, authorities said, less than a day before thousands of fans are expected to descend on neighboring Madison Square Garden for Game 3 of the NBA Finals. https://apnews.com/article/penn-station-stabbings-new-york-city-c06008f819b9cb04de611be65898ea14?

“Warehousing Human Beings” Hundreds of detained people launched a hunger and labor strike at Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey, over Memorial Day weekend to protest inhumane conditions at the immigration detention facility run by the for-profit company GEO Group. Protesters flocked to the scene to echo detainees’ pleas for release and better conditions — and were met with brutal tactics from federal, local, and state law enforcement officials, who beat, tear-gassed, and arrested protesters. https://theintercept.com/2026/06/05/new-jersey-ice-delaney-hall-protests/? Anthropic Says We Must Stop Authoritarian AI. But What About Its Authoritarian Investors? Anthropic’s high-profile spat with the Pentagon gave it a killer marketing advantage, burnishing its public image as a principled AI company that puts values over profits — unlike more mercenary rivals such as OpenAI or Google. But Anthropic’s double standard on authoritarianism suggests the nearly trillion-dollar firm is as calculating and ethically flexible as any of its competitors. https://theintercept.com/2026/06/06/anthropic-ai-investor-abu-dhabi-china/? The Real “Divide” Among Democrats Over Israel Is Between Party Leadership and Voters As Israel’s standing in the U.S., and among liberals in particular, continues to crater, the mainstream American media is vaguely taking notice. But when they report on this increasingly potent political dynamic, national publications continue to frame it as a tension among Democratic voters — rather than a tension between Democratic voters and their party leadership. https://theintercept.com/2026/06/04/democrats-israel-voters/? Daughter of 2028 Olympics Chair Dreams of Competing in LA — for Israel Casey Wasserman, the entertainment super-agent, has attracted his fair share of controversy as the head of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee. https://theintercept.com/2026/06/07/olympics-la-casey-wasserman-israel/? Trump Administration Tries to Shift Blame for Ebola Response As an Ebola outbreak continues to rage in Central Africa, the Trump administration keeps trying to blame the World Health Organization — revealing what experts say is a deep misunderstanding about global disease response. https://theintercept.com/2026/06/04/trump-ebola-outbreak-congo/? ps:Oh what a pathetic administration from the top down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! House Dems Coming Around on Iran War — But Won’t Vote to Stop Israel’s Destruction of Lebanon House Democrats voted unanimously on Wednesday against continuing the Iran war without congressional approval — but a day later, Democratic leaders helped defeat a similar measure aimed at Israel’s parallel war in Lebanon. https://theintercept.com/2026/06/04/lebanon-israel-war-powers-resolution-iran/?

🫏 Trail mix: The week in the pre-campaign Illustration: Sarah Grillo / Axios A look at what potential 2028 Democratic presidential contenders are up to: Former Vice President Kamala Harris is traveling to New Orleans on Aug. 7 to talk about how Democrats can "counteract" a recent Supreme Court ruling likely to reduce Black political representation, we scooped. Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock is visiting Nevada, a traditional early primary state, on Friday to headline a state party reception and talk with voters, his team told us first. Warnock said in a statement that "President Trump promised the people of Nevada that he would put more money in their pockets," but "instead fewer tourists are coming to Las Vegas." Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy is donating $50,000 to 14 county party chairs in battleground congressional districts. "Local parties shouldn't be operating on a shoestring budget," he told us. California Gov. Gavin Newsom's team boasted on social media that some of the state's gubernatorial candidates who were critical of his tenure lost the primary contest last week. Ocasio-Cortez is the top Democratic fundraiser in the House this year, Inside Elections found — a feat she's achieved by amassing small-dollar donations. AOC has helped boost several progressive candidates across the country — but not beleaguered Platner. "I haven't waded into that primary," she told CNN. California Rep. Ro Khanna dived into the Maine Senate race, appearing at a rally with Platner on Friday, where he said the candidate was ashamed of some of his past actions but has "worked to be a better man." It's the latest example of how AOC and Khanna, progressive acolytes of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, are taking contrasting approaches ahead of 2028. Businessman Mark Cuban was the headline speaker Wednesday at D.C.'s WelcomeFest, a get-together of centrist Democrats. Cuban insisted he won't run for president — and when we asked him afterward if a political outsider should be the next Democratic nominee, he said: "It's not about that.… It's just people who can actually come up with solutions." Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego also spoke at the event, where he said Democrats are "going to be branded as these 'others' " unless "we actually show that we're the party of opportunity." NOTUS reported that Gallego supports sectoral bargaining, a policy that would empower labor unions. Shapiro aired the first TV ad for his reelection 2026 campaign, which touted his expansion of the state's free school breakfast program. CNN reported that former President Obama wanted Harris to pick Shapiro as her running mate in 2024. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will headline an Iowa Democratic Party fundraiser July 12, Politico scooped. Pritzker announced that he's taking executive action aimed at pausing tax breaks for data centers — a U-turn from his previous position. Emanuel biked through New Hampshire and had several meet-and-greets along the way. And Hunter Biden trolled the internet by joking "LFG" regarding a 2028 run for president.

👀 Maine Dems' Electoral College plot Illustration: Sarah Grillo / Axios 🥊 Democrats in mostly blue Maine are threatening to retaliate if Republican-led Nebraska changes how it awards Electoral College votes for the 2028 presidential election. 🫵 Why it matters: It's the latest example of tit-for-tat election politics that have come to define the Trump era, and that could help determine who wins the race for the White House. 🔭 Zoom in: Several Democrats running to be Maine's next governor have signaled they'd support modifying state law to adopt a "winner take all" electoral vote system in the presidential race if Nebraska did the same. 🗳️ Unlike other states, Maine and Nebraska dole out their Electoral College votes partly based on the winner of each congressional district. That's led to GOP presidential contenders picking up one of Maine's four Electoral College votes in the 2020 and 2024 elections, and Democrats similarly winning one of Nebraska's five Electoral College votes in those years. Speculation that Nebraska could move to a winner-take-all system has fueled chatter about a response by Maine. 🔥 "We must fight fire with fire," Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, posted last week on X. "If Nebraska changes their Electoral College system to a winner-take-all, Maine must be prepared to act in response to protect the presidency and our democracy." Zoom out: Nebraska Republicans — under pressure from Gov. Jim Pillen — debated changing state law last year to allocate their Electoral College votes on a winner-take-all basis, but those efforts fell flat. Some Democrats, however, remain concerned that Nebraska's legislature could pass such a bill. That possibility was a major issue in a congressional primary last month. ❌ The potential changes in Maine and Nebraska would nullify each other if both were enacted. But just the possibility of even a small tweak in each party's Electoral College calculus has led to game-planning similar to what happened during President Trump's mid-decade redistricting push. Hannah Pingree, another Democrat running for Maine governor, told us she'd support changing the state's Electoral College system to winner-take-all if Nebraska did — and that it's worth considering even if Nebraska didn't. "In this time of Donald Trump, I think it's really important to think about common-sense changes in our laws," she said. Nirav Shah, a third Democrat vying for Maine governor, backs changing the state's current approach toward allocating Electoral College votes if Nebraska did so, he told Axios. A fourth contender for Maine governor, Troy Jackson, a progressive backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), said on social media that he's "very open to looking at changes" in the state's Electoral College policy. Reality check: Jane Kleeb, chair of Nebraska's Democratic Party, told us that fears of a change in her state are overblown. "The Nebraska Republican Party does not have the votes to change the current fair-split electoral vote system," she said in a text. Read more. — Holly Otterbein ps:Personally the Electoral College should be eliminated!!!!!

🚨 Jewish Dems sound alarm Illustration: Sarah Grillo / Axios. Stock: Getty Images 👀 A growing number of Jewish Democrats tell us they feel shunned — like unwelcome strangers in their own party. Why it matters: They warn that the constant and escalating hostilities over Israel's actions in Gaza have at times veered into hostility toward Jewish Americans that could hurt Democrats in 2028. 🗳️ A large majority of Jewish Americans vote Democratic. Any shifts among Jewish voters who feel alienated from the party could impact the 2028 election — particularly in swing states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Georgia, which have large Jewish populations. "For many Jewish Democrats, the Democratic Party is just the latest institution that welcomed us and is turning hostile," Howard Wolfson, a longtime Democratic strategist who worked for Hillary Clinton and Mike Bloomberg, told Axios. 🇮🇱 State of play: The party's internal tension over Israel is rising at a time when Jewish Democratic leaders such as Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin are potential contenders for president in 2028. 📉 Support for Israel's government — for decades a matter of bipartisan agreement in the U.S. — has fallen sharply among Democrats, polls show. As voters' opinions on Israel have shifted, some in the party's left wing have become more accepting of associating with people who've made conspiratorial or controversial comments about Jews and Israelis. Several incidents in the past year have increased the alarm among Jewish Democrats. Among them: Graham Platner, the likely Democratic nominee for a Maine Senate seat and a fierce critic of Israel, sporting a Nazi-linked tattoo. (He said he didn't know what it meant and later covered it up, but a former girlfriend says he knew the image's history.) A social media account for Philadelphia Democratic congressional nominee Chris Rabb, who was endorsed by New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), previously reposting that the Bondi Beach massacre of Jews was likely a false-flag attack by "Zionists." His team blamed the December post on a former staffer and said he condemns antisemitism. A Democratic House candidate in Texas, Maureen Galindo, calling for a "prison for American Zionists." She didn't win a primary runoff election but still got 36% of the vote despite being denounced by both parties. What they're saying: "There are Jewish Democrats in key states who might be hard-pressed to support the nominee if the nominee is decidedly hostile to Israel — and it's a big problem for the party," Wolfson said. "Jews are starting to feel scared again," said Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), who's Jewish. He said Jewish voters are beginning to leave the Democratic Party but that it's not yet a "mass exodus." Moskowitz added that party leaders are "not taking it seriously. Words are irrelevant; condemnation statements are irrelevant." Pritzker told Politico that "antisemitism has often been connected to people's views about Israel. That is: If you don't like what Israel and, in particular, [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu are doing, now it's OK to have slurs that you're spewing about Jews. It's not. It's never OK." Jewish staffers in some Democratic campaigns and offices say they've increasingly felt a chill from colleagues. One former Biden White House official told Axios: "No Jews in the Biden administration agreed with what Netanyahu was doing, but we all felt like we were having to answer for it by the party and our colleagues." The other side: Many believe the worries about Jewish Democrats fleeing the party are overblown, noting that there has been a rise in hostility toward Jewish people and Zionists on the right. "I think the Democratic Party has an Israel issue, but I think the Republicans have a Jewish issue," Emanuel told Axios. Others say Democrats' internal fight over Israel could be a good thing. Ned Price, a former spokesperson for the Biden State Department, said a debate within the party is "necessary, legitimate, and long overdue," while the rise of antisemitism "must be condemned unequivocally." Read more. — Alex Thompson, Holly Otterbein

British deputy prime minister tells JD Vance he was wrong to blame immigration for teen’s murder Trump’s troop reversals in Europe could cost millions and have left soldiers in limbo, officials say Trump’s deportation agenda is about to get a $70B infusion from Congress A federal judge strikes down Trump administration immigration policy affecting 39 countries Treasury warns banks of ‘red flags’ tied to customers in the US illegally ICE will no longer report deaths of detainees who have recently been released from custody Case filed against Equatorial Guinea for sending US deportees to nations where they face persecution More than half of Latin Americans deported from US to Congo are now back home South Carolina probe into fake IDs leads to ICE detention of 48 immigrants; 6 other people indicted What to know about the ongoing protests and arrests outside a New Jersey detention center New Jersey police sergeant charged with stealing journalist’s camera bag at immigration protest A Texas town may offer a preview of a Trump plan to force noncitizens from public housing

Hegseth invokes immigration and ‘invasion’ in D-Day speech in France U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used a D-Day anniversary speech on Saturday to appear to link immigration by sea to the wartime liberation of Europe, warning that the freedom won by Allied troops could prove temporary if leaders failed to defend it. His remarks echoed broader Trump administration criticism of Europe over migration, borders and what U.S. officials have described as censorship of nationalist and far-right voices. Read more.

Trump issues pardon to former Republican congressman Stephen Buyer convicted of insider trading Trump says he wants his new acting director of national intelligence to cut the office FBI fires several analysts tied to disputed ‘Catholic ideology’ memo Defense Department slashes its religious designations list from more than 200 choices to 31 Trump calls for military to accelerate use of AI while protecting Americans Female Navy officers say they fear a career cap after Hegseth cuts women from promotions list Supreme Court sides with Trump administration on federal regulation of telecom companies Supreme Court upholds broad reading of SEC authority to recoup ill-gotten gains in fraud cases Judge halts Trump administration efforts to impose conditions on SNAP Judge tosses Kennedy Center suit against musician who canceled Christmas Eve show Scientists lose critical climate record as ocean observatory will go dark under Trump funding cuts What to know about the growing opposition to Trump family linked resort in Albania Stocks slump as Big Tech sinks and a strong May jobs report boosts odds for higher interest rates FACT FOCUS: Is inflation a red state vs. blue state issue? It’s increasing no matter how you cut it US attorney opens investigations into California’s elections, sends prosecutor to LA vote center Democrat Xavier Becerra advances to general election in race for California governor Donald Trump, Knicks fan, heads back to New York to root on his team

First came Congress. Now a national redistricting battle may turn to statehouses and city councils Several states already have redrawn congressional districts to create a partisan advantage in the November elections. Now, Georgia's Republican-led Legislature will convene June 17 to draw new districts for the 2028 elections not only for Congress, but also for state legislative seats. Mississippi Republicans are also planning to draw new districts before their 2027 legislative elections. It remains to be seen whether more state legislatures and local governments will try to redraw districts in light of a recent Supreme Court decision weakening the federal Voting Rights Act. Read more. ps:Pathetic!!

🏀 Chart du jour Via Age of Disruption The cheapest ticket to see the New York Knicks vs. the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden this week is $3,745 — 107 times as expensive as the Knicks' previous trip to the NBA Finals in 1999, Bruce Mehlman, author of Age of Disruption on Substack, notes in his excellent (and free) Six-Chart Sunday post. The Knicks announced yesterday that with President Trump attending Game 3 at Madison Square Garden tomorrow night, fans will go through TSA-style screening, and are advised to arrive two hours before tip-off. Years of pent-up emotions came flooding out of Alexander Zverev when he finally won the French Open PARIS (AP) — It all came rushing back to Alexander Zverev when he was lying on his back on the French Open’s center court, his hands covering his face, and sobbing on Sunday as he realized that he had — finally — become a Grand Slam champion. https://apnews.com/article/zverev-cobolli-french-open-roland-garros-afbf92e0f000b2eddef08643ef68e139?

📚 Six-figure tuitions Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios There's a growing six-figure club of colleges charging $100,000 or more for a single year of tuition. At least 16 schools, including Duke, Georgetown, UChicago, NYU, USC and Amherst, have crossed that benchmark, New York Magazine reports ($). What to watch: 85 colleges were already charging more than $90,000 last year so look for more entrants into the six-figure club in the next few years.

⚽ War clashes with World Cup The USA and Iran teams stand for national anthems at Stade de Gerland in Lyon, France, during the 1998 World Cup. Photo: Eric Feferberg/AFP via Getty Images The U.S.–Iran war is forcing FIFA to navigate a diplomatic and logistical mess even before the World Cup kicks off Thursday, Axios' Brittany Gibson reports. Iran has three guaranteed matches on U.S. soil in the group stage after FIFA declined the nation's request to move its games to stadiums in Canada or Mexico once the war started. Without overnight stays, the Iranian team will fly in from Mexico, clear customs, play a match and then fly back to Mexico the same day for each U.S.-based match. While Iranian players, coaches, staff and immediate family are supposed to be exempt, members of the support staff and the head of the country's football federation were denied visas, the N.Y. Times reports. Iran's fans won't be allowed to travel to the U.S. at all. Read on.

82 years since D-Day Photo: Jeremias Gonzalez/AP U.S. World War II veteran Hilbert "Hibby" Margol, age 102, arrives yesterday at the U.S. cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France, to commemorate the 82nd anniversary of the D-Day landings. Fewer than 0.5% of the 16.4 million Americans who served in World War II are still alive. Photo: Jeremias Gonzalez/AP Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth lays a wreath during a ceremony in Colleville-sur-Mer yesterday. Worthy read: The Atlantic spoke with 100-year-old D-Day survivor Joe Picard about preserving history (gift link).

Siri AI, Apple Intelligence, iOS 27: Everything You Missed at WWDC 2026 We're in Cupertino for Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference. Can Tim Cook save Siri and Apple's AI ambitions on his way out the door? https://www.pcmag.com/news/wwdc-2026-live-all-the-latest-news-on-ios-27-siri-apple-intelligence?

AI's 4 harsh realities Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios Investors were confronted this past week with four difficult realities that may fundamentally change the way they think about AI the business vs. AI the technology, Axios' Ben Berkowitz writes: 💰 AI is too expensive, say CEOs and even Microsoft itself. 🗑️ It's not paying off nearly as much as companies expected, per a new Bain study. ⛅️ Infrastructure demand is strong — but not as strong as the most optimistic wanted, as Broadcom showed with its "weak" forecast. 🏦 Financing that infrastructure is going to be more expensive for longer, with signs pointing to the Fed raising, not lowering, interest rates. Why it matters: Those realities challenge assumptions that powered markets to historic heights over the past few years. It's hard to justify chip or memory stocks rising 1,000%+ in a year if the boom isn't what everyone assumed. 🔭 The big picture: The costs of AI are now. The profits are later — maybe. That "maybe" is what's making people nervous. AI the technology has a bright future. But AI the business is starting to look like a bottomless pit — especially amid news that even some of the world's biggest companies are rushing to sell historic (and dilutive) amounts of stock to justify their expansion. By the numbers: The market sold off Friday amid those jitters, with the tech-laden Nasdaq having its worst day in 14 months. Broadcom's tepid outlook wiped $444 billion off its market cap alone in just two days. 🔎 Friction point: Tech selling off weighs down everything else. As charts expert Matt Cerminaro (a.k.a. "Chart Kid Matt") noted Friday, the S&P 500 was down more than 2%, even though the majority of stocks in the index were actually up on the day. The last time that happened? April 12, 2000, as the dot-com bubble was collapsing. The bottom line: Every great new technology has its moment where the business behind it resets, even as the tech itself keeps advancing. We could be seeing the start of that moment for AI.

An appeals court rules that a lower court improperly interpreted church governance, allowing a lawsuit regarding university control to proceed. The post Fifth Circuit Reverses Dismissal in Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Governance Dispute appeared first on ReligiousLiberty.TV. View the full article

Israel and Iran appear to pause strikes after trading fire for the first time since April ceasefire DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israel and Iran appeared to back away from further strikes Monday, hours after they traded fire for the first time since the U.S. agreed to a ceasefire with Tehran two months ago. Both countries warned that they were ready to launch retaliatory attacks if provoked. https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-ceasefire-hezbollah-israel-c16dc4917512f7436a3921a4b044b98b? Israel strikes Beirut’s southern suburbs days after US-supported ceasefire deal Israel struck Beirut’s southern suburbs without warning on Sunday, days after a ceasefire agreement in Washington went into effect and despite a U.S. request not to attack Lebanon’s capital. Iran had warned that an attack on Beirut would renew full-scale war across the Mideast, even as Pakistan tries to restart talks between Tehran and Washington. Iran wants a deal to include ending the war in Lebanon. There was no immediate White House comment. Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Arab attacker opens fire in central Israel, killing 1 and wounding 5 WATCH: Funeral of baby killed by Israeli forces in West Bank A new exchange of fire with Iran in the Gulf tests the fragile ceasefire UN food agency says millions are being pushed into hunger by Iran war American Airlines temporarily suspends some of its summer routes due to steep jet fuel costs

June 7, 2026 Good morning. There’s no better time than early summer to put away your phone and get some fresh air. We have a challenge to help you actually do it. Touch grass By Jancee Dunn Do you check the daily screen time on your phone? The number can be jarring. Like your cholesterol levels or the payoff amount on your mortgage, it’s a figure you feel you should be monitoring, but don’t really want to know. Last Sunday, a day I spent mostly baking and on a long walk with a friend, I felt as if I had been on my phone for an hour and a half, tops. Turned out it was four hours. What was I doing all that time? Who knows. I sent some texts. I watched Instagram videos of cats being rescued from vacant lots and strangers giving me pep talks. (“You got this!”) Most of us spend five or more hours a day on our phones, according to a 2026 YouGov survey. Four in 10 adults say they are online “almost constantly,” a separate poll by Pew Research found. All this time in front of screens has an impact on our mental and physical health, raising our stress levels and shrinking our attention span. Our devices change the way we walk and cause us to breathe less often, a stress response known as screen apnea. Dr. John La Puma, an internist and the author of “Indoor Epidemic,” says our phones also make it more tempting for us to stay inside — where we already spend an estimated 90 percent of our time. Dr. La Puma has a name for those hours we stare at our phones: ultraprocessed time. “Ultraprocessed time is to your attention what ultraprocessed food is to your metabolism,” he told me. “It’s instant gratification, and it’s designed to be addictive.” Daniel Salmieri ‘Ultraprocessed time’ To combat this, we’ve created a monthlong “Touch Grass” challenge. Summer’s almost here. Let’s put those devices down and get some air. Sign up here, and each week in June you’ll get a set of easy, science-based exercises that will encourage you to put down your devices and engage with real life. We’ve just published the first installment, asking you to commit to spending 20 minutes a day outside without phones. Next, we’ll work on improving our sleep by turning those phones off 30 minutes before bedtime. Then we’ll guide you through hosting a 1990s-style hangout — there were no smartphones in the ’90s, which means no GPS, so make sure to write down directions. To finish, a little art project (with pine cones!). Our first activity was inspired by a landmark study of nearly 20,000 people. Those who spent at least 120 minutes in nature a week reported higher levels of health and well-being. That averages out to 17 minutes a day. We rounded it up to 20. Add some “greens” to your ultraprocessed time and pledge to go outside, device-free, for a total of 20 minutes a day. (It can be in increments!) Try it for a week, or all month (or for the rest of your life). “You don’t need to be in an open meadow,” Dr. La Puma said. “It can be anywhere you see the sky and breathe outdoor air.” If you’re in a city, that might be a dog park, a rooftop or any street with trees. If you’re a caregiver or can’t leave the house, the front steps, a fire escape or a backyard will work. It may be uncomfortable at first to be alone with your thoughts. But to get the most out of this in terms of reduced stress, better sleep, higher levels of focus and sharper memory, “you do have to unplug,” said Marc Berman, a psychologist at the University of Chicago and the author of “Nature and the Mind.” If you need extra motivation, here’s how to check your screen time on iPhone and Android. ‘Release the bees’ At first, field-testing this exercise, I could manage only about five device-free minutes before getting twitchy. I’d take a quick walk around the block and then scurry back home. If you suspect that you, too, might be uneasy without your phone, give yourself a little task. Count the dogs you see on the walk, or use the time for savoring life, bringing mindful attention to the positive things in it. Maybe an awe walk, designed to cultivate a sense of amazement at the surroundings. Watch the tree leaves rustle, listen to the water flowing downstream. After a few weeks of beta-testing my 20-minute jaunts, I began to view them as a chance to “release the bees” — the persistent, annoying thoughts that buzz around my brain. Now I have begun to crave this restorative stretch of uninterrupted peace the way I crave those pep talks from strangers. I’ve found I’m less likely to go straight for my phone when I return. I hope you’ll join me in this experiment by signing up for the “Touch Grass” challenge. And while you’re at it, sign up here to get my newsletter, Well, delivered to your inbox. THE LATEST NEWS Middle East President Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu in December. Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times The Pentagon raised its counterintelligence threat level for Israel amid concerns about eavesdropping on U.S.-Iran talks. An Israeli strike killed three Lebanese soldiers, including a brigadier general, threatening a fragile U.S.-brokered cease-fire. Israel has used white phosphorus over populated areas in Lebanon, visual evidence collected by The Times found. Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian infant in the occupied West Bank when they fired on a car, Palestinian officials said. Around the World In Germany, a member of a neo-Nazi party reached a mayoral runoff in one town. In India, thousands supported a viral Gen Z movement demanding the education minister’s resignation after recent exam scandals. As Ebola spreads in East Africa, a diminished U.S. role leaves a leadership vacuum. Will China step in? Pope Leo is visiting Spain. Other Big Stories The Trump administration is quietly fast-tracking immigration court cases, partly to speed up deportations. Executives are increasingly using A.I. versions of themselves to help handle requests. Starting a career in this economy could leave lasting scars on wages and opportunities. Sydney Ember, a business reporter who has been interviewing recent graduates, describes their struggles. Click to play. The New York Times FROM OPINION The New York Times Ross Douthat talked to Representative Anna Paulina Luna about her role in declassifying secrets — the Epstein files, the J.F.K. shooting, U.F.O.s and more. Click the video above to play. Which states offer residents the best well-being? Nicholas Kristof looks into it. Morning readers: Save on the complete Times experience. Experience all of The Times, all in one subscription — all with this introductory offer. You’ll gain unlimited access to news and analysis, plus games, recipes, product reviews and more. MORNING READS The New York Times Thrill seekers: Disabled travelers in search of adventure have a growing number of adrenaline-fueled activities to choose from. Health care: A YouTuber’s post about his wife’s abortion after a Down syndrome diagnosis prompted backlash. Like it or not: SpaceX is about to be in your 401(k). SPORTS Knicks: A rowdy watch party outside Madison Square Garden led to 17 arrests. N.H.L.: The Vegas Golden Knights survived a stunning comeback by the Carolina Hurricanes and went on to win in double overtime. French Open women’s final: The Russian 19-year-old Mirra Andreeva officially ascended to tennis elite with her 6-3, 6-2 victory over the world No. 114 Maja Chwalinska. Golf: Madelene Sagstrom was surprised at going viral for playing the U.S. Women’s Open while 26 weeks pregnant, explaining, “It’s my job.” Here’s what that’s been like for her. BOOK OF THE WEEK Harper, via Associated Press By Elisabeth Egan “Whistler,” by Ann Patchett: Don’t be fooled by the cover: It’s not about a horse. Patchett’s latest novel explores the history of a New York family courtesy of a chance encounter between a high school teacher and a book editor who used to be her stepfather. Our reviewer asked, “Is there a place in serious literature for kind, happy characters and kind, happy stories?” The answer, based on this wistful and witty novel, is a resounding yes. Also, kudos to Patchett for her deft narration of the audiobook — a project she’s previously delegated to pros like Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep. Her snippets of song and spot-on portrayals add yet another layer to this delicious parfait. (Read our full review.) For more: A previously unpublished short story by Edith Wharton about World War I has been released, a century after she is believed to have written it. THE INTERVIEW Photo illustration by The New York Times By Lulu Garcia-Navarro This week’s subject for The Interview is Scott Pelley, who was recently fired from his job as a “60 Minutes” correspondent after 37 years at CBS News. President Trump reacted to your being fired. Did he? He went on a podcast and called you a stiff. I’m surprised that the president of the United States would bother to notice, but please tell me. I’m not aware of this. He said you were part of this gang of “stupid, crooked people that don’t care about your country.” Stupid? I can take that. Stiff? Yeah, probably. Don’t care about the country? I’ve never worn the uniform. But I’ve been in combat for this country, in Afghanistan and Iraq, Kuwait. I’ve been shot at, spent nights in foxholes filling up with water in the desert. I’m not aware that the president of the United States has ever done any of those things for his country. Please correct me if I’m wrong. You become a journalist because you love the First Amendment. You become a journalist because you love the country. And while all the other descriptions that the president used about me might be applicable, not that one. [Tears up] There is no democracy without journalism. It can’t be done. That is why I am a journalist. Read more of the interview here. Or watch a longer version on YouTube. THE SUNDAY DEBATE During a “60 Minutes” staff meeting last week, the veteran reporter Scott Pelley excoriated CBS News executives and was fired the next day. Was Pelley right to speak out so publicly? Yes. He courageously spoke up against mismanagement under Bari Weiss and the injection of political bias in reporting, Margaret Sullivan writes for The Guardian: “Pelley will be remembered as a beacon of integrity and a symbol of righteous indignation — somebody willing to lose his job in order to speak truth to power.” No. He is an activist who hijacked a meeting to attack a colleague instead of speaking to them privately, Joe Concha writes for the Washington Examiner: “It’s this kind of cheesy, theatrical performance by a ’60 Minutes’ correspondent and former anchor of the ‘CBS Evening News,’ a chair once occupied by an actual newsman in Walter Cronkite, that helped turn the longtime newsmagazine into just another program with an agenda.” THE NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE Paolo Pellegrin/Magnum Read this week’s magazine. THE MORNING RECOMMENDS … Take inspiration from these Father’s Day gift ideas from T magazine. Sit on a great folding chair. The best ones are compact and storable, attractive and comfortable. Try using enzymes to make your laundry and your dishes get cleaner, faster. MEAL PLAN Julia Gartland for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Barrett Washburne. Wondering what to make for dinner this week? We have a few easy weeknight dishes: Try chile tofu, beef fried rice or sheet-pan ravioli. NOW TIME TO PLAY Here is today’s Spelling Bee. Yesterday’s pangram was towline. Can you put eight historical events — including the Siege of Yorktown, the invention of cornflakes and the first Oktoberfest — in chronological order? Take this week’s Flashback quiz. And here are today’s Mini Crossword, Wordle, Crossplay, Connections and Strands. Thanks for spending part of your weekend with The Times. Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox. Reach our team at themorning@nytimes.com. Host: Sam Sifton Editor: Adam B. Kushner News Editor: Tom Wright-Piersanti Associate Editor: Lauren Jackson News Staff: Evan Gorelick, Brent Lewis, Lara McCoy, Karl Russell Saturday Writer: Melissa Kirsch Editorial Director, Newsletters: Jodi Rudoren