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The US has carried out repeated air and naval strikes across Iran to degrade Tehran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on US bases and Gulf allies, and the IRGC has warned civilians near US forces to stay away; the exchanges have closed much of the strait and pushed oil prices higher.
The United Nations chief has urged the immediate removal of sanctions on Syria as he concludes a two-day visit, stressing Syria’s crossroads and the need for investment to rebuild infrastructure, institutions and livelihoods. He has met interim leadership, civil society and UN peacekeepers, while calling for international support to accelerate recovery and safe returns for refugees.
HouseStories shows residents sharing memories of personal spaces; Claire Marsh reconnects with the home she grew up in near Ascot Close, while neighbours reflect on wildlife and community spirit.
A wave of federal subpoenas targets journalists as The Times and other outlets challenge the Trump administration’s leak investigations tied to security concerns around a Qatar-donated Air Force One. Officials say reporters are not the targets, but outlets warn the move threatens First Amendment rights. Delivery of the Qatar jet has been under heightened scrutiny as security features come into focus.
The government has pledged to fully fund the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) while balancing NATO commitments; ministers are facing pressure from the Treasury to back Defence spending targets, including 3% of GDP by 2030 and 3.5% by 2035. Streeting is promising prudence and reform to maximise value for money, even as gaps persist.
Celtic have signed Camilo Duran and face recruitment constraints as they lose Kelechi Iheanacho to Bursaspor. O’Neill says progress on other targets is possible, while Celtic’s summer activity remains limited amid competition from bigger clubs.
Spain defeats Argentina in a dramatic final, delivering a standout team performance and concluding a tournament that delivered entertainment and questions about its lasting legacy. The victory underscores Spain’s cohesive style and resilience, while Argentina’s star power could not sustain a late comeback.
As Labour’s Burnham forms a new government, cabinet changes place Ed Miliband as foreign secretary and Wes Streeting as defence secretary. Debates over arms sales to Israel and Gaza policy intensify, with critics calling for tougher action while supporters urge caution.
Scottish clubs Hearts, Rangers, Hibernian and Motherwell will learn their European paths after the draws in Nyon. Rangers face Jagellonia Bialystok in the Europa League third qualifying round; Hearts could meet Benfica if they advance from Sturm Graz; Hibs and Motherwell discover potential third-round opponents in the Conference League. The fixtures are two-legged and scheduled in August, with seedings shaping seeds and matchups.
Ozgur Ozel has resigned from the Republican People’s Party with 90 MPs and has registered a new group, the "New Party", with the Interior Ministry. The split has reduced the CHP to about 44 seats in the 600-seat parliament and leaves the New Party with 91 lawmakers, set to become the main opposition against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Palestinian paediatrician Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, remains detained by Israel without charge. Rights groups including MSF and PHRI report severe health deterioration and alleged torture, calling for urgent independent medical review and his release. UN and other bodies have highlighted his case, as international pressure grows.
President Trump has begun flying a $400m Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar but used an older Air Force One during a July NATO trip after officials raised security concerns. The administration has launched a leak probe led by the FBI director and White House chief of staff; The New York Times reporters were subpoenaed as investigators sought sources about the jet's defensive capabilities.
The United States has escalated strikes against Iran, while Iran and its IRGC retaliate with missiles and drones targeting Gulf bases and shipping. The renewed hostilities threaten global energy flows as both sides threaten further action and diplomatic talks remain fragile. The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the crisis.
Fuel shortages persist across Russia as Ukrainian drone strikes disrupt refineries and supply networks. Regions report rationing, long queues at petrol stations, and authorities are imposing export bans while exploring imports to stabilise domestic supply. Prices have risen as the crisis deepens.
House Republicans have advanced a reconciliation budget resolution that would channel roughly $60 billion to the Iran war, boost Pentagon and farm aid and include parts of President Trump’s elections package. Democrats have opposed the plan’s high spending and social riders. Separately, more than 100 House Democrats voted to withhold military aid to Israel, exposing a deep intra-party split ahead of the midterms.
Israel and its allies are under renewed pressure as mediation efforts on southern Lebanon and southern Syria are tested by ongoing clashes, shifting security zones, and new calls for withdrawal. The broader Middle East crisis is escalating with US-led diplomacy pushing for a staged redeployment while maintaining security arrangements.
The White House reveals updated perimeter security plans, including fencing Lafayette Park and a new underground screening facility, as part of a broader modernization drive. Projects are advancing amid ongoing security concerns and dramatic architectural changes across Washington.
Syria has stepped up border security following seizures of arms, including missiles and drones bound for Lebanon. The latest operation comes after earlier interceptions and signals a broader push to curb cross-border smuggling amid regional tensions and attempts to influence international ties.
The United States and Iran have escalated strikes around the Strait of Hormuz as talks with Oman on managing Hormuz continue. Iran warns the conflict could widen if US strikes resume, while Oman-Tehran mediation appears to progress amid stalled cease-fire efforts and renewed pressure on maritime routes.
The United States has has backed plans to rehabilitate the Iraq–Syria crude oil pipeline as a priority infrastructure project linking Iraqi production with Mediterranean export markets. Deals with US firms aim to create alternative routes to the Strait of Hormuz, with initial capacity of about 2 million barrels per day once completed.
Independent and AP News report on Marian devotion at Bandel Church near Kolkata and a Philippine replica of Mary’s house in Cavite. Both sites illustrate how Marian devotion shapes faith communities across Asia.
US-backed deals have Iraq seeking long-term investment, with Chevron-backed pipelines and parallel routes to reduce Hormuz dependence. Analysts say regional pipelines could carry a large share of oil by 2028; the question remains when they’ll be viable.
Iraq has signed 48 agreements with American firms, spanning energy, healthcare and technology, as Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi travels to the United States. The deals include oil and electricity cooperation with ExxonMobil, KBR, GE Vernova, Shell and Halliburton, plus a pipeline project with Syria to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Starlink will bring satellite services.
Ukrainian forces have targeted logistics hubs and oil facilities in Russia, while Russian strikes hit Ukrainian cities including Kyiv and Odesa. Officials report casualties and disruptions as both sides escalate attacks and sanctions intensify.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point as renewed US and Iranian strikes have disrupted shipping, pushed oil prices higher, and drawn in regional powers. Oil flows through Hormuz have slowed, tanker traffic is volatile, and regional leaders warn of broader conflict.
France's parliament has approved a bill barring under-15s from creating new social-media accounts, with steps to suspend existing accounts; a two-stage rollout targets the new school year, while online encyclopedias and educational sites are exempt. The measure aims to shield children from harmful online content, but faces constitutional scrutiny and enforcement challenges.
A study from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust shows UK bumblebees struggle to fly and forage as heatwaves push body temperatures toward lethal levels. Data from 2022 reveals declines in red-tailed, buff-tailed and common carder bumblebees, with concerns about ongoing drought and climate trends. Some species are faring better this spring, but the year remains uncertain.
The Guardian and New York Times pieces converge on Spain's ongoing World Cup campaign, highlighting the resilience of players like Mikel Merino and the rise of underdogs Cape Verde and Chwalinska. The narrative focuses on preparation, perseverance, and the balance between elite teams and surprising challengers.
Mexico’s veteran goalkeeper has confirmed his retirement from international soccer after a storied 20-year career spanning six World Cups, three as starter, and a trove of CONCACAF titles.
The U.S. has intensified air strikes in response to Iranian attacks on shipping near the Strait of Hormuz. Casualty tallies are disputed as Pentagon data shifts and new categories appear on the casualty system. Diplomatic efforts show no immediate progress amid renewed tensions over shipping routes.
The White House Correspondents' Dinner has begun at the Waldorf Astoria after the April event was halted when a gunman fired at a security checkpoint. Secret Service officials have said threat reports have surged this year to roughly 10,000 incidents, forcing heightened checks, digital passes and a smaller guest list. President Trump has attended and will speak.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint as Iran’s blockade pressures oil markets. Gulf states are accelerating pipeline projects to reroute crude to Fujairah and Turkish ports, aiming to reduce reliance on Hormuz. Iraq, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and others say new routes will begin diverting millions of barrels daily within the next few years, though pipelines remain vulnerable to attacks.
France's football federation has announced that Zinedine Zidane will be named the new coach, succeeding Didier Deschamps. Zidane, 54, has not coached since 2021 and is expected to be introduced at a Paris news conference. France's recent World Cup and European Championship results are referenced as context for the transition.
Netanyahu has travelled to Washington to meet President Trump and attend the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham, as part of ongoing discussions on security and regional tensions. Reports suggest the trip could signal whether a broader US escalation against Iran is imminent.
The governor of Ardahan province has been removed by presidential decree on 17 July. Critics say he spent too much time on social media and cycling, while supporters highlight his work promoting sports and youth programs. A petition to reinstate him has gathered over 10,000 signatures.
Italy’s football federation has been in talks with Pep Guardiola about taking charge, but Guardiola has informed the FIGC he will not pursue the role. Carlo Ancelotti remains in Brazil’s post, while Andrea Pirlo and other candidates are considered. Germany’s Klopp is taking over the national team. The federation aims to appoint a coach soon while balancing long‑term plans.
The U.S. Justice Department has withdrawn grand jury subpoenas targeting The New York Times and other outlets in a case linked to reporting on a Qatar-donated Air Force One. Judge Arun Subramanian has criticized the government’s approach, saying subpoenas are a last resort. Newsrooms say the move preserves First Amendment protections while the investigation continues.
Subpoenas targeting journalists in the Trump leak investigation have sparked a clash over press freedom. Courts are weighing procedural issues as prosecutors stress the ongoing nature of the probe, while news organizations call the moves abusive and improper.
Vietnam is drafting a decree to allow under-16s to stay logged in to social platforms but under restricted posting, with parent registration guiding monitoring and time limits. The move mirrors similar actions in Australia, France and elsewhere as governments seek safer online spaces for youths.
Protests across New Delhi and other cities have intensified after a string of exam paper leaks. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned following mass youth-led demonstrations led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The government pledges fast-track courts to punish leaks as protesters demand systemic reforms and compensation for victims’ families.
Races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled earlier this year due to regional conflict. With the calendar tight, F1 is considering Sepang in Malaysia to host a double-trace schedule in late September to early October, effectively substituting a Bahrain date and linking Asia and Europe before Singapore. The Bahrain event would be branded as Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia for contractual reasons.
The Moscow Times and Reuters reports indicate renewed discussions of a Ukraine-Russia peace proposal, with Kyiv and Moscow weighing ceasefire options as US envoys may visit Moscow; Tokayev suggests freezing the conflict and reviving Istanbul talks.