SBS News

Trump Claims Meloni "Begged" for Photo; Meloni Calls It "Fabricated" President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked a diplomatic stir by claiming that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni "begged" to take a photo with him. SBS Jun 19, 2026 11:14 PM

Israel and Hezbollah Agree to Cease-Fire Following U.S. and Qatari Mediation and Iran, local and international media reported on June 19 , citing U.S. officials. SBS Jun 19, 2026 11:09 PM

Iran Condemns Israel's Airstrikes on Lebanon, Vows to Take "Necessary Measures" According to Iran's state-run IRNA news agency on June 19 , Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated, "We strongly condemn the Israeli aggression and terrorist operations in Lebanon, which have resulted in dozens of Lebanese casualties and the destruction of residential areas and national infrastructure." He further warned, "If the war provocations by Israel, which continues to commit occupation and genocide, persist, it will lead to serious and immediate consequences for regional peace and security." Referring to Article 1 of the Memorandum of Understanding on ending the war, which specifies the end of the war in Lebanon as an essential element of a comprehensive ceasefire agreement, spokesperson Baghaei emphasized, "We will take all necessary measures to protect our national interests, security, and our allies." The Israeli military conducted airstrikes on approximately 80 Hezbollah command posts and other infrastructure across southern Lebanon from the night of June 18 to the morning of June 19. SBS Jun 19, 2026 10:28 PM

Trump: "It Was Iran, Not the U.S., That Was Desperate... I Will Watch the 60 Days Until the End" President Donald Trump U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on June 19 that the signing of a memorandum of understanding to end the war with Iran was driven by Iran's desperation, not the United States', as he continued to push back against criticism that the U.S. SBS Jun 19, 2026 10:26 PM

Iranian Hardline Media: "Israel Violating Ceasefire, Strait of Hormuz Must Be Blocked" Tasnim News, which is linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, criticized the situation on June 19 , stating, "The barbaric aggression by the U.S.'s mad dog, Israel, against southern Lebanon has not ceased, and the intensity of the airstrikes has significantly increased over the past 24 hours." The outlet further argued, "Israel's crimes in Lebanon and its failure to withdraw are a complete violation of the Islamabad MOU agreed upon by Iran and the U.S. SBS Jun 19, 2026 10:26 PM

U.S.-Iran Working-Level Talks Canceled: A Rocky Start With the leaders of the United States and Iran officially signing a memorandum of understanding on peace negotiations, a 60-day period for main talks has begun. SBS Jun 19, 2026 10:25 PM

25 Ships Pass Through Strait of Hormuz on First Day of Reopening According to data released on June 19 by AXSMarine, a Paris-based maritime data specialist, a total of 25 merchant vessels passed through the strait on the previous day, June 18, following its reopening, AFP reported. SBS Jun 19, 2026 9:18 PM

US-Iran Talks Hit Sudden Brake as Israel-Hezbollah Clashes Escalate In particular, as Hezbollah's attacks caused significant casualties among Israeli troops stationed in southern Lebanon, a large-scale retaliatory strike by Israel is expected. SBS Jun 19, 2026 9:15 PM

Hezbollah Lawmaker: Iran Says No Talks With U.S. Without Comprehensive Cease-fire without the implementation of a comprehensive cease-fire, including in Lebanon. Hassan Fadlallah, a Hezbollah lawmaker, told Reuters, "Iran has notified us that it cannot continue dialogue with the U.S. SBS Jun 19, 2026 8:56 PM

UK Labour Heavyweight Wins By-Election Landslide, Posing Threat to PM Starmer According to the results of the parliamentary by-election held on June 18 in the Makerfield constituency of Greater Manchester, UK, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, running as the Labour candidate, secured victory with 54.8% of the vote. SBS Jun 19, 2026 8:56 PM