The United States carried out new airstrikes on Iran after Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz ended a temporary ceasefire. In response, Iran launched attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, which are Gulf Arab states and U.S. allies in the region.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump announced the end of a fragile ceasefire with Iran due to Iranian attacks on commercial ships.
The U.S. airstrikes targeted multiple military sites and port facilities in Iran early Thursday.
Iran responded by firing missiles and drones at Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar.
Sirens and alerts sounded in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, but no immediate damage was reported.
Kuwait's military intercepted some of the incoming Iranian attacks.
The U.S. Central Command said it struck about 90 targets in Iran, including an airport runway and missile launchers.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait.
Bahrain hosts the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters, making the region strategically important.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has lowered its forecast for global economic growth in 2026 to 3 percent, down from 3.1 percent earlier this year. The reduction is mainly due to ongoing effects from the US-Israel war on Iran, which caused energy disruptions, even as technology investments provide some support.
Key Facts
The IMF cut the 2026 global growth forecast to 3 percent from 3.1 percent.
The energy shock caused by the US-Israel war involving Iran is slowing growth.
AI and technology investments are helping ease the slowdown somewhat.
Global growth is expected to improve to 3.4 percent in 2027.
Inflation is forecasted to rise to 4.7 percent in 2026, then fall to 3.9 percent in 2027.
The Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for oil, is still disrupted due to conflict risks.
Oil prices have risen following US strikes on Iran after attacks on commercial ships.
The US economy is expected to grow faster than other major advanced economies in 2026, at 2.3 percent growth.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Jim Townsend, a former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for NATO, said he is not sure if the US would send troops to defend a NATO ally if attacked. He mentioned doubts about President Donald Trump’s approach and how this uncertainty affects the security plans of NATO allies.
Key Facts
Jim Townsend worked in the US Department of Defense on NATO matters.
He expressed uncertainty about US military support for NATO allies if attacked.
His concern relates to the policies or stance of President Donald Trump.
This uncertainty may impact how NATO allies plan their own defense.
The comments were part of a segment on Al Jazeera’s program “This is America.”
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The UK Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee wants to have the power to reject political appointments to top diplomatic jobs after problems with Lord Peter Mandelson becoming the UK ambassador to the US. The committee criticized the process for Mandelson's appointment, saying it was not clear and lacked proper security checks before he started the role.
Key Facts
Lord Peter Mandelson was appointed as UK ambassador to the US in 2024 but was removed last year due to links with Jeffrey Epstein.
Mandelson passed Developed Vetting, a security check, after his appointment was announced but before officially starting in February 2025.
The Foreign Affairs Committee said the appointment process seemed to be created during the process, lacking clear rules.
The committee proposes that no public appointments should be made without security clearance first.
They want to hold hearings to review political ambassador appointments before they are finalized.
The committee suggests it should have veto power over appointments it finds unsuitable.
They criticized poor record-keeping by Number 10 and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Recommendations include better consultation with the foreign secretary and diplomatic leaders before political ambassador appointments.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The U.S. government is preparing for ongoing conflict with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz after a ceasefire ended. Fighting has escalated with attacks on ships and U.S. bases, raising concerns about control of this key global energy route.
Key Facts
A ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran has ended, leading to renewed clashes near the Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump said the 60-day ceasefire is over following Iranian attacks on commercial ships.
The U.S. launched strikes on targets inside Iran, and Iran retaliated by attacking U.S. bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.
Iran insists it controls the Strait of Hormuz and will only allow navigation on its terms.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical passage for global oil transportation, making its control important for world energy markets.
The U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding required safe passage through the strait, but both sides accuse each other of breaking the deal.
U.S. officials believe there is room to increase military pressure without causing a major oil price spike.
Iran’s leadership is divided, with hardliners unhappy with the agreement’s benefits and continuing nuclear issues complicating relations.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards fired missiles and drones at US military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain after President Donald Trump said the US-Iran ceasefire ended. The attacks followed US airstrikes on Iran, and both sides warned of further military actions.
Key Facts
Iran's Revolutionary Guards attacked US bases in Kuwait (Arifjan and Ali Al Salem) and Bahrain (Juffair and Sheikh Isa) with missiles and drones.
Kuwait's military said their air defenses intercepted hostile missile and drone attacks.
Explosions and air raid sirens were reported in Bahrain's capital following the attacks.
The US military launched airstrikes hitting 90 targets in Iran.
President Trump declared the US-Iran ceasefire "over," leading to renewed conflict.
Iran's chief negotiator said the Strait of Hormuz would only open under Iran's control.
Iran warned it would expand its responses to other US bases if attacks continue.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu criticized President Trump's plan to sell F-35 jets to Turkey, citing concerns over Middle East power balance.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
June 2026 was the hottest June ever recorded in Western Europe and the second hottest worldwide, according to a report by the Copernicus Climate Change Service. This extreme heat caused deadly heatwaves, wildfires, and droughts across Europe and the United States.
Key Facts
Western Europe experienced its highest June temperatures on record in 2026.
Globally, June 2026 ranked as the second hottest June ever recorded.
Heatwaves in Europe broke monthly and all-time temperature records in several countries.
Wildfires in southern France burned over 11,000 acres, forcing about 10,000 people to evacuate.
More than 1,300 heat-related deaths were reported in Europe after June 21, with about 1,000 excess deaths in France, mainly among elderly people.
Average temperatures in Western Europe were nearly 5.5°F above the 1991-2020 average.
High sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific reflect an active El Niño, which is expected to influence global weather and increase the risk of extreme events.
El Niño may cause more flooding along the U.S. West and East Coasts in the coming months, even without storms.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The U.S. military has launched new strikes on Iran following orders from President Trump. A Middle East expert said he does not believe the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is completely over, despite the president saying otherwise.
Key Facts
The U.S. Central Command confirmed a new round of strikes on Iran.
These military actions happened after President Trump declared the ceasefire with Iran ended from his point of view.
The strikes are part of ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
Will Todman, an expert on the Middle East at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, shared his views on the situation.
Todman believes the ceasefire might still hold in some form despite recent events.
President Trump is currently leading the U.S. and directing its military decisions.
The report was shared by CBS News with additional commentary from the Middle East program specialist.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
At least 600 people have died from Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with 1,759 confirmed cases reported. Health workers in the hardest-hit Ituri province have protested over unpaid wages, affecting efforts to control the outbreak.
Key Facts
There are 1,759 confirmed cases of Ebola in the DRC, with at least 600 deaths.
In the past 24 hours, 51 new cases and 20 new deaths were recorded.
Two possible new cases in Kisangani city are awaiting official confirmation.
One of the unconfirmed cases is linked to the village of Nia-Nia in Ituri province, where the outbreak started.
Health workers in Ituri have stopped working to demand payment for wages and bonuses since May 15.
The Ebola strain involved is the Bundibugyo virus, which does not have an approved vaccine and is less deadly than other strains.
The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency in May after the virus spread for weeks undetected.
The outbreak has affected multiple eastern provinces with mining towns being early spreading points.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, suggested there might be an extra public holiday if England wins the 2026 World Cup. The final match is set for July 19, and the proposed day off would be on July 24, if England claims the championship.
Key Facts
The 2026 World Cup final will be played on Sunday, July 19.
England is competing in the quarter-finals against Norway.
Sir Keir Starmer hinted at a possible extra bank holiday if England wins the tournament.
The suggested extra day off would be the Friday after the final, July 24.
Sir Keir Starmer may resign as prime minister the day after the final.
Andy Burnham is expected to replace Sir Keir as prime minister.
If England reaches the final, Sir Keir may attend the game, which could briefly delay the transfer of power.
England must win the quarter-final, semi-final, and final to trigger the potential bank holiday.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Masih Alinejad described the funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a gathering of terrorists. This statement came as the United States conducted new strikes on Iran. The funeral was part of the Islamic Republic’s official mourning events.
Key Facts
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, recently passed away.
Iran held an official funeral and mourning gatherings for him.
Masih Alinejad, a CBS News contributor, called the funeral a "terrorist summit."
The United States carried out new military strikes on Iran around the same time.
The article presents these events as linked in timing but does not elaborate on the details of the strikes.
Masih Alinejad is known for her critical views of the Iranian government.
The funeral involved many of Iran’s political and religious leaders.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A landslide struck a girls’ school in a refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, killing at least seven children and one teacher. The weather office warns of more rain, which increases the chance of more landslides and flooding in the crowded camps.
Key Facts
The landslide happened at a girls’ school inside a refugee camp in Bangladesh.
At least seven children and one teacher died in the incident.
The affected refugee camps are located in Cox’s Bazar.
The camps are overcrowded, making them vulnerable to disasters.
The local weather office has predicted more rainfall soon.
Additional rains raise the risk of more landslides and flooding in the area.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The United States launched new strikes on Iran after attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, which President Donald Trump said ended the fragile ceasefire between the countries. Trump warned that future Iranian attacks could lead to much worse military actions.
Key Facts
The US military carried out strikes targeting Iranian military sites and ports on July 8, 2026.
These strikes followed Iranian attacks on merchant ships near the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas trade.
President Trump stated that the ceasefire with Iran was over and warned that further Iranian attacks would be met with harsher responses.
Trump mentioned the possibility of targeting Iran’s civilian infrastructure and taking control of Kharg Island, an important oil production area.
Iranian officials rejected US threats and said Iran has the right to control traffic through the Strait of Hormuz under the ceasefire deal.
The conflict has caused increases in oil prices due to fears of regional escalation and disruptions to energy shipments.
Trump said military actions would happen quickly and might “just finish the job,” though he allowed peace talks to continue.
The new strikes raised concerns that fighting between the US and Iran could expand and affect the wider Middle East.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
South Sudan is marking 15 years since its independence, but the country still faces many struggles. Despite a peace agreement signed in 2018, violence, poverty, and weak government services continue to affect the lives of many people.
Key Facts
South Sudan became independent in 2011 after a long conflict with Sudan.
The country experienced a civil war from 2013 to 2018, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths.
A peace deal called the Revitalised Agreement (R-ARCSS) was signed in 2018 but has not been fully put into action.
Many people lack basic services like healthcare and clean water.
Violence, including local conflicts and attacks, continues across much of the country.
Women’s rights laws and quotas from the peace deal are not fully implemented.
Economic problems like inflation and unemployment are widespread.
Humanitarian groups face challenges including insecurity, flooding, and not enough funding to meet needs.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Scientists from Macquarie University in Australia and Southern Medical University in China studied bees and found they show behaviors similar to emotions. This suggests bees may have more complex inner feelings than previously understood.
Key Facts
The study is the first of its kind to explore emotion-like behaviors in bees.
Researchers observed bees acting in ways that resemble feelings seen in mammals.
The study was a collaboration between an Australian and a Chinese university.
This research challenges the idea that insects do not have inner emotional experiences.
The findings may change how people understand and treat bees and other insects.
The study was reported by the BBC’s Australia correspondent, Lana Lan.
Bees’ emotional behavior was observed through careful scientific methods.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
In the rural area of Guajes de Ayala, Mexico, cartel drones began bombing the community early in the morning, causing fear and damage. Despite warnings from residents about cartel threats, government forces focused on protecting major cities during the World Cup, leaving smaller areas vulnerable to violence.
Key Facts
The cartel La Nueva Familia Michoacana attacked Guajes de Ayala using drones carrying bombs.
Residents had warned Guerrero state police about rising cartel threats before the attacks.
Around 70 women, children, and elderly hid in an abandoned clinic during the violence.
Mexican government focused security on World Cup host cities like Mexico City and Guadalajara.
The World Cup ended without major problems in host cities, but violence grew elsewhere.
Mexican officials denied the attacks despite videos showing gunfire and smoke.
Security expert said World Cup protection pulled forces away from non-host regions.
Recent cartel violence also included deadly clashes in Sinaloa and bodies found in Chiapas.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The HBO Max drama "The Pitt" received 25 Emmy nominations, with 13 of them for its actors, a significant achievement for a new show. The cast includes many first-time nominees who portray doctors, nurses, and patients in a busy Pittsburgh emergency room.
Key Facts
"The Pitt" got 25 Emmy nominations, 13 of which are for its actors.
In its first season, the show had 3 acting nominations and won all three.
Noah Wyle, Katherine LaNasa, and Shawn Hatosy were all nominated again this year.
The acting nominations include categories like best actor, supporting actress, supporting actor, and guest actor.
The show features characters dealing with serious issues, such as PTSD, addiction, and sexual assault.
Tal Anderson, an autistic actor, received her first Emmy nomination for her role as Becca King.
The cast expressed happiness about having many colleagues recognized during the awards.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Andy Burnham is the only Labour MP who has announced he wants to be the next party leader after Sir Keir Starmer resigned. If no one else runs, Burnham could become prime minister around July 20, following a formal process with King Charles III.
Key Facts
Labour MPs can nominate candidates for party leader from July 9 to 15.
Candidates need support from at least 81 Labour MPs out of 403 to stand.
They also need nominations from trade unions or local party groups.
Leadership hustings, where candidates answer questions, will be held on July 13.
If Burnham is unchallenged, he could be leader by July 17 and prime minister by July 20.
If another candidate appears, party members and union supporters will vote in August.
Burnham has said he will not call an early general election and will follow the 2024 manifesto.
The current UK Parliament was elected in July 2024, and the next general election is due by August 2029.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Iranian state media released video footage showing damage to the compound of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran. The footage was shared on the day of Khamenei’s burial, after he was killed during the start of a war between the US, Israel, and Iran.
Key Facts
Iranian state media showed video of damage at Ali Khamenei’s compound in Tehran.
Ali Khamenei was Iran’s Supreme Leader.
He died on the first day of a war involving the US, Israel, and Iran.
The footage was released on the day Khamenei was buried.
The video is said to be the first to show the damage to his compound.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Millions of people gathered in Karbala, Iraq, to attend the funeral procession of Iran’s late supreme leader Ali Khamenei. This event is the sixth day of mourning and the last stop before his burial in Mashhad, Iran.
Key Facts
Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, has passed away.
A funeral procession is taking place, with millions attending in Karbala, Iraq.
Karbala is considered a holy city for many Shia Muslims.
The procession in Karbala is the sixth day of funeral events.
The final burial will be in Mashhad, Khamenei’s hometown in Iran.
The funeral draws large crowds from different places, showing his influence in the region.
Khamenei was a key political and religious figure in Iran for many years.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
