5 Big News Stories Overnight - Thursday, June 11, 2026

CENTCOM Disables Non-Compliant Vessel in Gulf of Oman

USCENTCOM

U.S. forces disabled an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman for the second consecutive day after another vessel violated the ongoing blockade by attempting to transport oil from Iran.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) disabled Palau-flagged M/T Settebello as it transited the Gulf of Oman. A U.S. aircraft fired precision munitions into the ship’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces.

CENTCOM forces have disabled eight non-compliant vessels, redirected 134 ships that complied, and allowed 42 vessels supporting humanitarian aid to pass since initiating the blockade on April 13. 

CENTCOM reported the action on June 10

US launches attacks on ‘multiple’ Iranian targets

Al Jazeera reports:

The United States military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) said attacks have been launched “against multiple targets in Iran”, calling the strikes “self-defense” and in response to “Iran’s unwarranted and continued aggression”.

Iranian media reports the sound of explosions in several locations, including the port city of Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island and the southern towns of Sirik and Minab. Air defences were also activated in western Tehran, according to reports.

Iran’s Mehr news agency reports that Iran’s military has ordered the complete closure of the Hormuz Strait to all vessels, including oil tankers and commercial vessels.

US President Donald Trump warned earlier that his military was preparing to strike Iran again, claiming: “They’ve taken too long to negotiate a deal that would have been great for them; now they will have to pay the price”.

French pop star Bruel placed under formal investigation for rape, sexual assault

France 24 reports

French pop singer and film star Patrick Bruel was on Wednesday charged with rape, attempted rape, sexual assault and harassment.

The public prosecutor's office has requested that the 67-year-old star be remanded in custody. Bruel appeared at the court in the western Paris suburb of Nanterre dressed in a black sweater and dark grey jeans, looking tired.

A major figure in French pop culture with multiple top-selling albums and dozens of film appearances, Bruel has denied any wrongdoing.

He is the latest top French celebrity to face investigators in the wake of the #MeToo movement, after film legend Gérard Depardieu was handed a suspended 18-month prison sentence last year for sexually assaulting two women on a film set.

PHOTO: Georges Biard CC:3.0

Gates Faces Congress Over Epstein Ties

Politico reports:

Tech mogul Bill Gates expressed remorse for his association with Jeffrey Epstein during his closed-door interview Wednesday with the House Oversight Committee. But lawmakers are unsure if his contrition will — or should — be enough to prevent irreconcilable damage to his reputation and standing as a leading innovator and philanthropist.

The Microsoft founder and global health champion made his case to committee members as part of their ongoing investigation into Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died by suicide behind bars in 2019, and the people who might have helped carry out his crimes. Over the course of hours, Gates insisted he did not know about Epstein’s misdeeds and that he never witnessed or took part in the late financier’s criminal behavior.

Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) said Gates described his relationship with Epstein inside the room as a “means” to support his work of pouring massive amounts of money into humanitarian causes around the world.

“He admitted that he knew of Mr. Epstein’s reputation,” she told reporters during a break in the proceedings. “He admitted that he knew that he had been convicted of [sex] crimes. But ultimately, in his words, he viewed this narrow relationship as being an acceptable means to access wealthy donors.”

Rioters clash with police near Belfast migrant hotel

The Telegraph reports:

Masked rioters have clashed with police near a migrant hotel during a second evening of disorder on the streets of Belfast.

Protesters threw bricks and bottles at police as they tried to march on the Chimney Corner Hotel in Newtonabbey, on the northern outskirts of the city on Wednesday night.

Earlier in the day, a “hit list” of migrant homes was drawn up and circulated online after a Sudanese asylum seeker appeared in court over a knife attack on Monday night which left Stephen Ogilvie in hospital.

Officers responded by firing a water cannon and plastic bullets during clashes which lasted several hours.

Footage posted online also showed masked demonstrators tearing bricks from properties and smashing paving stones with sledgehammers to create projectiles to throw at riot police.