The Actual News

Key Facts:

• Israel believes Iran is closer to creating a nuclear weapon now than it has been in the past.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned that military actions against Iran are partly intended to "liberate" its people.
• Iran has a long history and culture, influenced by past empires and resistance movements.
• The term "liberation" has different meanings to Iranians, especially amid calls for regime change by the US and Israel.
• Both the US and Israel have shown interest in changing Iran’s current government.

Key Facts:

• China is the largest buyer of Iranian oil.
• Iran sends about 90% of its oil exports to China.
• The U.S. has sanctions against buying oil from Iran to prevent funding for Iran's military.
• China buys Iranian oil at a lower price, about 8% less than market rates.
• Oil is transported using a "dark fleet," a group of ships that bypass official shipping systems.
• These ships often change the origin labels of oil shipments to disguise them.
• This oil trade keeps Iran's economy stable, letting the country withstand economic pressure.
• China does not engage militarily in the region but holds political influence in Iran.

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Key Facts:

• Nine Scottish Labour MPs signed an amendment against controversial welfare reforms.
• Two Crawley Town players, Joy Mukena and Ryan Sandford, signed new contracts to stay with the team.
• During a meeting about special educational needs, inappropriate images and threats were posted online.
• Chelsea's player Nicolas Jackson received a two-game suspension due to a red card in a recent match.
• A vandalism incident occurred at Trump Turnberry where a green was damaged and graffiti was left.
• Police increased patrols after a primary school student brought a knife to school, though such cases are rare.
• An Iranian nuclear scientist was reportedly killed in a strike; nine others also died, according to Iranian media and officials.
• A Brazilian tourist died after falling from Mount Rinjani in Indonesia during a hike.

Key Facts:

• Israel's objectives were to disrupt Iran’s nuclear program and to instigate a regime change.
• The nuclear program's key materials were moved, indicating disruption was not successful.
• The US attacked Iranian nuclear sites with special bombs but did not continue support.
• Evaluating the actual damage to Iran's nuclear sites is difficult without access.
• Assassinations intended to destabilize Iran's leadership instead strengthened public support for the government.
• Bombing of sites symbolic of Iran's regime, like state media, did not achieve the intended results.
• President Trump ordered the US bombing of Iranian facilities but did not engage further in support of Israel.
• These US actions might have violated international law and may have lasting effects.

Key Facts:

• A ceasefire between Israel and Iran started after being brokered by the US and Qatar.
• US President Donald Trump publicly criticized Israel for allegedly breaching the ceasefire.
• Trump expressed disappointment with both Israel and Iran for the ongoing conflicts.
• Israel conducted additional strikes, citing Iranian missile violations of the ceasefire.
• Iran denied firing missiles and accused Israel of continuing attacks post-ceasefire.
• Trump supports the ceasefire but clarified that he is not seeking to change Iran's government.
• The ceasefire remains a significant political goal for Trump amid recent tensions.
• Some Iranian officials view Trump's remarks as a potential chance for diplomatic talks.

Key Facts:

• Trump announced U.S. air strikes on ISIL leadership in Somalia soon after his second term began.
• There have been at least 43 U.S. air strikes in Somalia in 2025, as reported by New America using AFRICOM data.
• The strikes targeted IS-Somalia in northeast Puntland and the militant group al-Shabab.
• The increase in strikes is linked to concerns about ISIL becoming a hub for financing and regional attacks.
• The U.S. has a history of military involvement in Somalia, including since the "Black Hawk Down" incident in 1993.
• After 9/11, Somalia became part of the global war on terror, hosting several U.S. air strikes.
• Trump's first term saw 219 air strikes in Somalia, which was more than during the administrations before him.
• Analysts express that the U.S. military actions in Somalia continue despite historical controversies and challenges.

Key Facts:

• President Donald Trump raised questions about the U.S. commitment to NATO defense guarantees.
• Trump referred to multiple definitions of NATO's Article 5, which says an attack on one member is an attack on all.
• NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated there is no doubt about the U.S.'s commitment to Article 5.
• The summit occurs amid Middle Eastern tensions after U.S. actions in Iran and a ceasefire announcement between Israel and Iran.
• Trump has a history of criticizing NATO and questioning its members' defense spending.
• Trump proposed increasing NATO members' defense spending to 4% or 5% of their GDP.
• Senator Jeanne Shaheen expressed concern that Trump's actions could benefit adversaries like China.
• The NATO summit is held in The Hague, Netherlands, with leaders from around the world attending.

Key Facts:

• The NATO summit is taking place in The Hague, Netherlands.
• Leaders from the 32 NATO member countries are attending to discuss defense spending.
• The US wants NATO countries to raise their defense spending to 5% of their GDP.
• Currently, the target is 2% of GDP for defense spending, and only 22 countries meet this goal.
• The increase in spending is partly due to conflicts like the war in Ukraine.
• Germany plans to increase its military spending to strengthen its army.
• The Kremlin claimed NATO was formed for confrontation but stated it has no plans to attack NATO.
• Non-member countries like Ukraine, Japan, and New Zealand are also attending the summit.

Key Facts:

• The US bombed at least three of Iran’s nuclear facilities using B-2 stealth bombers.
• Seven B-2 bombers, each worth around $2.1 billion, dropped 14 bunker-buster bombs.
• More than 125 US aircraft, including fighters and support crews, were involved in the mission.
• In 2024, the US military budget was $997 billion, making up 37% of global military spending.
• US-led wars since 2001 directly caused about 940,000 deaths and between 4.5 to 4.7 million total deaths, including indirect causes.
• The US has spent about $5.8 trillion on wars since 2001.
• US aid to Israel amounts to at least $251.2 billion since 1959, with an additional $17.9 billion in military aid provided following events in 2023.

Key Facts:

• Sean Combs, a well-known hip-hop figure, is on trial for serious charges like sex trafficking and racketeering.
• The trial is taking place in the Southern District of New York.
• Prosecutors have presented evidence and around 30 witnesses over six weeks.
• Electronic devices are banned in the courtroom, so reporters and fans take notes by hand.
• A juror was dismissed for giving unclear answers about his residency.
• Leaks of sealed evidence to media outlets led to the judge scolding both legal teams.
• The defense will not call any witnesses but will argue that involved women were not victims.
• Sean Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Key Facts:

• Jerome Powell is the Chair of the Federal Reserve, which is responsible for managing interest rates in the U.S.
• President Trump’s tariffs create uncertain conditions for the U.S. economy, affecting decisions on interest rates.
• The Fed left interest rates unchanged but suggested they might lower them twice later this year.
• Trump has criticized Powell and pushed for faster interest rate cuts.
• Powell mentioned inflation and economic growth as reasons for the current interest rate strategy.
• Businesses may still have older inventories not yet affected by tariffs, and summer data will show the impact on consumer prices.
• The central bank aims to keep prices stable and ensure there is enough work for people who want jobs.
• Some Fed governors are open to lowering rates sooner, possibly as early as July.

Key Facts:

• The article is about possible U.S. airstrikes on Iran.
• These strikes would target Iran's nuclear sites.
• The purpose of the strikes is linked to concerns about Iran's nuclear program.
• Experts discuss how this could affect Iran's leadership.
• The situation relates to tensions between Israel and Iran.
• The article features insights from Iran expert Karim Sadjadpour.

Key Facts:

• The meeting in The Hague is a significant NATO summit focused on European defense.
• Germany's Chancellor Merz stated that Russia only responds to force and pledged Germany's fair share for European defense.
• NATO leaders plan to commit to spending 3.5% of GDP on defense, with an additional 1.5% on related needs, like infrastructure and cybersecurity.
• NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized U.S. commitment to NATO and urged European nations to increase defense spending.
• Ten people were killed in recent Russian missile attacks on Ukraine, with further casualties in Dnipro and Sumy.
• German Chancellor Merz said that efforts to negotiate with Russia have been unsuccessful.
• NATO countries plan a new investment initiative to reach a defense spending goal of 5% of GDP.
• Ukrainian President Zelensky will meet U.S. President Trump at the summit, their first meeting since April.

Key Facts:

• Saher, a Palestinian construction worker, tried to climb Israel’s separation wall to reach a job in Israel but fell and was injured.
• The separation wall is a concrete barrier that can be as high as 8 meters (26 feet) and separates the occupied West Bank from Israel.
• Due to recent conflicts, many Palestinian work permits for Israel have been revoked, leading workers to attempt illegal crossings.
• The wall is closely watched with drones, sensors, and military patrols, making crossings more dangerous.
• Ahed Rizk, another worker, fell from the wall and was severely injured, losing the use of both legs.
• Many Palestinians depended on work in Israeli areas before the conflict, but now face unemployment and difficult conditions in the West Bank.
• Workers attempting to cross face dangers, including potential falls and being caught by Israeli forces.

Key Facts:

• Iran launched 19 missiles at the US's Al Udeid airbase in Qatar.
• Qatari defense forces intercepted 18 of these missiles.
• The base is located 35 kilometers (21 miles) from Qatar's capital, Doha.
• The US and Britain advised their citizens to stay indoors briefly after the attack.
• Qatar temporarily closed its airspace and announced school closures for safety.
• Residents resumed daily activities 12 hours after the attack.
• Many residents reported feeling safe due to the swift response and reassurances.
• The attack led to an unexpected holiday, and residents used the time for leisure activities.

Key Facts:

• NATO leaders gathered in the Netherlands for a summit.
• The U.S. President shared a private message from NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praising him.
• There is a proposed goal for NATO members to spend 5% of their GDP on defense.
• Spain opposes the 5% defense spending target, calling it unreasonable.
• NATO confirmed the deadline for this spending target is 2035.
• The summit shifted focus due to the U.S. actions in Iran and a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
• Ukraine needs weapons and attention due to its ongoing conflict.
• Ukrainian President Zelenskyy attended meetings in The Hague but NATO membership discussions for Ukraine have stalled.

Key Facts:

• Israel and Iran agreed to a ceasefire plan announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
• Both countries have warned each other against breaking the ceasefire.
• Israel’s Defense Minister ordered a military strike on Iran, claiming missile violations.
• Trump urged Israel not to retaliate with bombings, which Prime Minister Netanyahu complied with.
• Iran intends to resume its nuclear program quickly.
• The United States and the UN previously found no sign Iran was developing a nuclear weapon.
• Israel's initial strikes aimed to disrupt Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities.
• There is worldwide caution about the ceasefire, with calls to pursue peace in Gaza.

Key Facts:

• Dutch officials are looking into whether a fire in about 30 rail cables was set on purpose, which led to a power outage.
• The power outage disrupted train services between Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam.
• ProRail, the rail service operator, found considerable damage from the fire and aimed to restore normal services by early evening.
• Security for the NATO summit includes closing roads and airspace, involving 27,000 police officers and over 10,000 defense personnel.
• Pro-Russian hackers launched cyberattacks on several organizations linked to the NATO summit.
• The previous year, France's rail network also experienced sabotage shortly before a major international event.