E! News Blog

ANGELINA JOLIE and BRAD PITT'S daughter ZAHARA seeks to officially drop 'PITT' from her last name

2026-06-10T15:13:11.386-07:00

Wednesday, June 10, 2026 -Zahara, the 21-year-old daughter of Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, has reportedly filed legal documents seeking to remove "Pitt" from her surname.

According to TMZ, Zahara submitted a petition in a Los Angeles court requesting that her legal name be changed from Zahara Jolie-Pitt to Zahara Marley Jolie.

The move comes years after she reportedly stopped using Pitt's surname publicly. In 2023, when she joined a sorority at Spelman College, she introduced herself as Zahara Marley Jolie. She was also reported to have used the name Zahara Jolie during her graduation ceremony earlier this year.

Zahara is one of six children raised by Jolie and Pitt before the couple's highly publicised split in 2016. Reports have also suggested that some of her siblings, including Shiloh and Vivienne, have moved away from publicly using Pitt's surname.

Jolie and Pitt began their relationship after starring together in the movie Mr. & Mrs. Smith. They married in 2014 before separating two years later.

Their split led to a lengthy legal battle that included disputes over custody and allegations surrounding an incident aboard a private flight in 2016. Jolie made several allegations against Pitt regarding the incident, while Pitt denied the claims through his representatives.

Texas teen sentenced to 35 years for fatal stabbing of fellow student at athletics event

2026-06-10T15:11:52.554-07:00

Wednesday, June 10, 2026 - A Texas teenager accused of fatally st@bbing one of his peers at a high school athletics event in the Dallas area was found guilty by a jury on Tuesday, June 9, and was sentenced to 35 years in jail.

A jury found the now-19-year-old Karmelo Anthony guilty of murder for fatally st@bbing Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, in 2025. Both were 17 at the time of the incident.

Prosecutors alleged that Anthony, then a student at Centennial High School, entered a tent for Memorial High School and began the confrontation with Metcalf, who was a student at Memorial. Anthony's attorneys argued that Metcalf and his twin brother began the physical altercation with Anthony and that Anthony stabbed Metcalf in self-defense.

"There is no evidence Karmelo did anything but really think he was defending himself in that split second of chaos," Anthony's attorney Mike Howard told the jury Tuesday before deliberations began.

Prosecutor Bill Wirskye disputed this justification, telling jurors, "You don't get to meet a shove with a stab, especially if you provoke the shove."

Judge John Roach enforced strict rules for the trial, including enforcing a gag order preventing parties in the trial from publicly discussing the case and barring cameras and electronic devices from the courtroom.

The Dallas-area case drew national attention and stoked racial tensions as well. Anthony is Black and Metcalf was white, though prosecutors argued that race was not a factor in the confrontation between the students.

Critics also raised concerns that all Black potential jurors were excluded from the trial.

Police investigate suspected murder-suicide as wealthy couple, terminally ill 9-year-old son fatally fall from luxury London apartment

2026-06-10T15:11:02.119-07:00

Wednesday, June 10, 2026 - A couple and their nine-year-old son d!ed after falling from the balcony of their 36th-floor apartment in a luxury residential building in London, United Kingdom, in what police are investigating as an "unexpected" d3ath.

Metropolitan Police spokesperson in a statement on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 said that while they have not been formally identified, they are named as Aditi Vijay Paralkar, 46, Rakesh Narayan Pai, 47, and their son Sid Pai Paralkar, nine.

Emergency services were called to Churchyard Row in Elephant and Castle at about 07:30 BST on 27 May, 2026 following reports that people had fallen from height.

The Met said said officers attended the scene alongside the London Ambulance Service, London's Air Ambulance and the London Fire Brigade.

Despite attempts by paramedics to revive them, the couple and their son were declared d3ad at the scene.

The family had been living on the 36th floor of the building.

Local MP Neil Coyle said police believed the child's serious health conditions may have been a factor behind what he described as a "horrendous decision"

"It's a terrible tragedy, a family of three. Just awful. Some constituents saw it happen. The suggestion was that the child was born in the UK with severe illnesses, which the police inferred contributed to their horrendous decision," Coyle wrote in a letter to residents of the building.

Known to friends as Adi and Robin, the couple worked in finance and construction consulting, according to the report.

The family had travelled to India in 2020 in search of treatment for Sid but returned to the UK in 2025 after his condition did not improve.

However, some friends have questioned the suggestion that the deaths were a m8rder-suicide.

One friend told the publication, "None of this makes sense to us, because while it was obvious that Adi was struggling, Robin was the composed one of the two. He was actually handling things quite well given Sid's illness and the pressure they were all under."

Another person close to the family said caring for Sid had placed "a huge toll" on Aditi's mental health.

A neighbour also told police that she had heard "shouting and screaming" coming from the family's apartment in the weeks before their deaths.

The police spokesperson said, "Their d3aths are currently being treated as unexpected. There were no other reported injuries. Work is underway to formally identify those who d!ed. Their next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers."

Julian Morris, senior coroner for the London inner south area, said the matter had been referred to his office.

"This matter has been referred to this office. The Metropolitan Police are currently conducting their investigation, and we are providing assistance where necessary," he said.

The official causes of d3ath will be established during an inquest, the date for which has not yet been announced.

Sudan women suffer humiliating 0-30 defeat to Comoros in Olympic Qualifiers

2026-06-10T15:10:11.774-07:00

Wednesday, June 10, 2026 - Comoros has secured a meeting with African champions, Nigeria's Super Falcons, after thrashing Sudan 30–0 on aggregate in the first round of qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games.

The Coelacanths won the first leg 17–0 on June 3 and followed it up with a 13–0 victory five days later to complete a dominant aggregate win.

In the opening leg, Comoros found the net after eight minutes and then unleashed a relentless attacking display that overwhelmed Sudan throughout the match. Nine different players got on the scoresheet, highlighting the depth and attacking quality of the Comorian side. In the second leg on Monday, June 8, Comoros scored three goals in the first half and added ten more after the break to seal the 13–0 victory.

They advanced 30–0 on aggregate and will now face a significantly tougher challenge against Nigeria's Super Falcons, Africa's most successful women's national team, in the next round. The Super Falcons are expected to go into the tie as strong favourites.

Justine Madugu's side defeated Senegal 3–0 in a friendly at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Monday night, following a 2–1 win in the first friendly last week. The second-round qualifiers are scheduled to take place between October 5 and 13, 2026. Two African teams will qualify for the women's football event at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, United States.

Jailed crypto founder SAM BANKMAN-FRIED asks for TRUMP pardon

2026-06-10T15:09:23.122-07:00

Wednesday, June 10, 2026 - Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX who is serving a 25-year prison sentence for fraud and conspiracy, has applied for a pardon from President Donald Trump.

The website of the Office of the Pardon Attorney of the Department of Justice lists a request by Bankman-Fried for a pardon and says its status is "pending."

Trump, in an interview with The New York Times in January, said he did not plan to issue a pardon to the 34-year-old Bankman-Fried.

Bankman-Fried, known as SBF, became a billionaire before age 30 and turned FTX, a small start-up he co-founded in 2019, into the world's second largest crypto exchange platform.

But in November 2022, Bankman-Fried's rise came crashing down, with a deluge of customer withdrawals and revelations that billions of dollars had been illegally moved from FTX to Bankman-Fried's personal hedge fund, Alameda Research

He was convicted by a federal jury in New York in November 2023 on seven counts of fraud, embezzlement and criminal conspiracy.

He has appealed his conviction.

US court strikes down TRUMP’s $100,000 fee requirement for H-1B visas

2026-06-10T15:08:39.268-07:00

Wednesday, June 10, 2026 - A federal judge has voided President Donald Trump’s requirement of a $100,000 application fee for H-1B visas, ruling that the executive branch lacked the authority to impose the policy on a program used by companies to hire highly skilled foreign workers.

The decision by US District Judge Leo Sorokin concluded that only Congress holds the power to change federal immigration policy to include such a requirement. Sorokin viewed the massive fee as a tax and noted that lawmakers had not given the president permission to unilaterally make the change. Writing in the 42-page decision, Sorokin stated that the president had no power or delegated authority to impose a tax on H-1B petitions.

The lawsuit was initiated by a coalition of Democratic state attorneys general after the administration introduced the fee in an effort to rein in the program, which the administration argued was being overused. H-1B visas allow foreign professionals with at least a bachelor’s degree to work in specialized fields, granting an initial three years of residency with the option to renew for another three.

Economists have frequently argued that the program helps US companies maintain competitiveness and grow, which ultimately creates more jobs domestically.

During the proceedings, the administration argued that federal immigration law provides the president enough leeway to alter US policy. Sorokin rejected this defense, stating that nothing in current laws allows the executive branch to levy taxes within the immigration sphere.

Following the ruling, a Justice Department spokesperson expressed commitment to protecting American workers and supporting the administration's agenda, pointing to a previous favorable ruling in a separate challenge to the policy.

The spokesperson emphasized that the department will continue to hold companies accountable if they exploit American workers or fail to use the H-1B program as intended.

Conversely, New York Attorney General Letitia James, whose office led the lawsuit, praised the court's decision for halting an illegal attempt to disrupt a critical program and the jobs it supports, reaffirming a commitment to defending immigrant communities and their contributions to the state.

Iran accuses US of revoking World Cup ticket allocation for their fans days before tournament kick off.

2026-06-10T15:07:49.378-07:00

Wednesday, June 10, 2026 - The Iranian Football Federation has announced that its ticket allocation for the FIFA World Cup has been withdrawn, only days before the tournament is scheduled to kick off.

In a statement, the governing body claimed that the ticket quota, which had been sold through its official website, was pulled. Iran accused the United States, as a co-host of the event, of obstructing Iranian supporters from attending matches amid an ongoing diplomatic rift.

Under standard FIFA rules, each participating federation receives eight percent of the ticket capacity for matches involving its national team, allowing fans from that country to purchase seats through official channels. The Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran had begun selling tickets for the team's group matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt via its website.

"However, in an unexpected move, the allocation granted to the Iranian Football Federation has been withdrawn, and under the current circumstances, the federation is unable to provide even a single ticket to supporters of the national team," the federation said.

Many Iranian fans had made travel plans based on the expectation of purchasing tickets through that process. While alternative methods of obtaining tickets still exist, the move will almost certainly reduce the number of Iranian supporters present at matches.

The federation described the decision as "contrary to the spirit governing international competitions and the principle of equality among participating countries." It also called on FIFA and tournament organisers "to uphold the principles of neutrality, fairness, and established regulations, to provide the necessary conditions for Iranian supporters."

Neither FIFA nor US organisers have publicly responded to Iran's accusation. This complaint is the latest in a series of disputes surrounding Iran's involvement in the World Cup. Tehran has previously reported visa problems that have prevented roughly 15 administrative and management staff from entering the United States.

Rising tensions also led Iran to relocate its World Cup training base to Tijuana, a Mexican border city, instead of Tucson, Arizona, as originally planned. Iran opens its campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, followed by a match against Belgium in the same city on June 21, and then faces Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

DONALD TRUMP says peace deal with Iran could come in ‘2 or 3 days’

2026-06-10T15:07:21.140-07:00

Wednesday, June 10, 2026 - The president said the agreement will prohibit Iran from having nuclear weapons and result in the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

It is not the first time that the U.S. president has promised an imminent end to the war in Iran, which has been raging since February. | Saul Loeb/AFP via

President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that, despite the exchange of strikes between Iran and Israel, a deal to end the war in the Middle East could be reached “in two or three days.”

“They were going back and forth [with strikes], and now they both agreed, through me, to stop, and now we’re in the final throes of what will be a very, very good deal,” Trump told reporters in New York, where he was attending the NBA finals in Madison Square Garden.

Trump said the deal would stop Iran from having nuclear weapons and result in the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. “The strait will open up right away,” he insisted. “It’ll open up immediately upon signing.”

It is not the first time that the president has promised an imminent end to the war in Iran, which has been raging since February. Weeks have passed since Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that negotiating a deal to end the war in Iran could “take a few days.”

Trump on Monday said he had a “very good conversation” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and downplayed talks of a rift between the two leaders.

Last week Trump was reported to have called Netanyahu “crazy” for his renewed attacks on Lebanon, and over the weekend he told the Financial Times that the Israeli prime minister had “no choice” but to accept a deal with Iran.

The president on Sunday urged his Israeli counterpart not to retaliate after Iran launched several missiles at Israel. After Netanyahu seemingly ignored the request and struck several Iranian cities, Trump demanded both countries “immediately stop shooting” and respect the U.S.-brokered ceasefire that has been in effect since April.

Both sides suspended military operations on Monday afternoon, but Iran warned that it would respond to any attacks targeting its territory or Lebanon. An Israeli army spokesperson warned residents of the Lebanese city of Tyre to evacuate on Tuesday, suggesting strikes on Hezbollah targets were imminent.

Trump on Monday insisted that Netanyahu had not defied him by retaliating against Iran. “If I tell him to do something, he does it,” he told the BBC, explaining Israel had fired its missiles at Iran before the two leaders had spoken.

According to the Times of Israel, Netanyahu called off a major strike on Iran following the conversation with the president.

The seemingly brief breakdown of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire began after Israel struck Iran-backed Hezbollah targets in Beirut on Sunday, violating a separate ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. Iran responded with missile attacks on Israel, calling them retaliation for the strikes on Lebanon. Israel then launched attacks on what it said were military targets in Iran.

The Financial Times reported on Tuesday that the United States was not directly involved in the latest attacks, although U.S. forces launched interceptors to protect American troops stationed in Israel.

Ex-UEFA boss MICHEL PLATINI files criminal case against FIFA, INFANTINO

2026-06-10T15:05:38.024-07:00

Wednesday, June 10, 2026 - Former UEFA president Michel Platini has launched civil and legal proceedings against Fifa and current president Gianni Infantino over corruption allegations from 2015, which he says derailed his bid to lead the governing body.

The criminal complaint, filed in the French courts, accuses Infantino and two former Fifa officials – legal director Marco Villiger and audit committee chair Domenico Scala – of malicious prosecution.

In a separate civil lawsuit, Platini, 70, is seeking financial compensation from Fifa over alleged efforts to block his election as Fifa president.

Former France captain Platini was Uefa president from 2008 to 2015 and had been the favourite to succeed Sepp Blatter as Fifa president in 2016.

However, in 2015 the pair became embroiled in allegations of fraud and corruption over a payment of 2m Swiss francs (£1.6m) made to Platini in 2011, which, it had been claimed, was authorised by Blatter.

It led Blatter to resign from his role and ended Platini's hopes of becoming head of Fifa, with the Frenchman also banned for eight years by Fifa's ethics committee – a sanction later reduced to four years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Both Platini and Blatter subsequently faced criminal charges but were cleared of corruption in a Swiss federal criminal appeals court in March 2025.

Infantino, general secretary of Uefa under Platini, replaced Blatter as Fifa president.

Belgium rejects US World Cup demand for Congo travel ban amid Ebola outbreak

2026-06-10T15:03:06.089-07:00

Wednesday, June 10, 2026-Belgium has rejected reported pressure from the United States to impose a travel ban on Democratic Republic of the Congo ahead of upcoming international sporting events, despite concerns linked to an Ebola outbreak.

Belgian officials have emphasized that travel restrictions must be based on scientific risk assessments rather than broad geopolitical or event-driven demands.

Health authorities continue to monitor the Ebola situation closely, with containment efforts focused on surveillance, rapid response teams, and targeted movement controls in affected regions rather than nationwide bans.

The stance reflects a growing preference among some governments for calibrated public health measures that aim to limit disruption while still addressing outbreak risks.

The disagreement highlights ongoing tensions between public health policy and international mobility, particularly when major global events are approaching.

Analysts say the debate underscores the challenge of balancing disease prevention with diplomatic coordination and economic considerations. For now, authorities are prioritizing localized containment strategies while resisting sweeping travel restrictions that could have wider regional consequences.

Gas project forecast to lift Mozambique’s economy

2026-06-10T15:02:04.558-07:00

Wednesday, June 10, 2026-Mozambique is expected to see a significant economic boost as major natural gas projects move closer to expanded production and export capacity.

Analysts project that the sector could become a central driver of GDP growth, foreign exchange earnings, and industrial development, reshaping the country’s long-term economic outlook.

The momentum is being driven by large-scale liquefied natural gas developments and associated infrastructure investments, which are attracting multinational energy firms and supporting supply chain growth.

Government planners are positioning the gas sector as a foundation for broader diversification, aiming to channel revenues into infrastructure, public services, and job creation. However, the pace of development remains sensitive to security conditions in key operational regions.

Economists caution that while the upside is substantial, success depends on stability, regulatory consistency, and effective revenue management.

The focus is now on ensuring that resource wealth translates into inclusive growth rather than concentrated gains. If executed effectively, the gas industry could mark a structural shift in Mozambique’s economic trajectory over the coming decade.

Japan advances imperial family law reform amid succession concerns

2026-06-10T14:59:20.226-07:00

Wednesday, June 10, 2026- Japan is moving forward with renewed discussions on reforms to its imperial household laws as concerns grow over long-term succession stability.

Lawmakers are increasingly focused on ensuring the continuity of the imperial line amid a shrinking pool of eligible heirs and evolving public debate over the structure of the imperial family.

The current momentum centers on proposals aimed at expanding the number of individuals who can support official duties, while preserving the traditional male-line succession framework.

Policy discussions are being shaped by demographic pressures within the imperial household, including aging members and limited succession options, which have intensified calls for legislative adjustment. Government committees are weighing multiple approaches, balancing tradition with institutional sustainability.

Analysts say the reform debate reflects a broader national conversation about cultural continuity versus modernization in state institutions. While no final agreement has been reached, the renewed political focus signals growing urgency around succession planning.

The outcome is expected to influence not only the structure of the imperial family but also Japan’s broader approach to preserving symbolic national institutions in a changing society.

Bus traffic at Medyka checkpoint towards Poland suspended due to repairs

2026-06-10T14:57:24.749-07:00

Wednesday, June 10, 2026-Bus traffic from Ukraine to Poland through the Medyka–Shehyni border crossing has been temporarily suspended due to large-scale repair works, according to border and customs authorities.

The suspension affects buses departing Ukraine, while other categories of traffic and return routes from Poland into Ukraine continue to operate normally. Officials say the measures are necessary to modernize infrastructure and reduce long-term congestion.

The repair work is focused on upgrading the bus lane, a key corridor for passenger movement between Ukraine and the European Union.

Authorities have warned transport operators to reroute services through alternative crossings and adjust schedules in advance to avoid disruption. The suspension is expected to last until the completion of the upgrade program, which has been described as extensive and long-term in scope.

The disruption comes at a time when the Medyka–Shehyni corridor remains one of the busiest entry points into the EU, with high volumes of passenger and commercial movement.

While officials emphasize that the works are essential for improving border efficiency, the immediate impact is increased pressure on nearby crossings. Travelers are being urged to plan ahead as authorities work to maintain steady cross-border flow during the construction period.

Rwanda secures $250M IMF credit facility

2026-06-10T14:55:17.006-07:00

Wednesday, June 10, 2026-Rwanda has secured a $250 million credit facility from the International Monetary Fund, strengthening its financial buffer amid ongoing efforts to stabilize the economy and support development priorities.

The funding is aimed at improving fiscal resilience, managing external shocks, and supporting key public investment programs.

The agreement reflects continued cooperation between Rwanda and the IMF as the country navigates global economic pressures, including inflationary trends, exchange rate volatility, and shifting trade conditions.

Authorities have emphasized that the facility will help maintain macroeconomic stability while sustaining growth-focused reforms in infrastructure, agriculture, and digital services.

Economists note that the credit arrangement is also a signal of confidence in Rwanda’s policy direction, particularly its emphasis on fiscal discipline and structural reform.

The focus now shifts to implementation, with expectations that the funds will be deployed efficiently to support long-term development goals while safeguarding financial stability in a challenging global environment.