Israel and Iran Exchange Threats as Ceasefire Appears to Collapse
Israel has signaled readiness for a third strike on Iran while Iran's new supreme leader called vengeance against the US and Israel inevitable, threatening a ceasefire signed last month.The fragile ceasefire reached last month between the United States, Israel, and Iran appears to be collapsing, with both sides exchanging public threats over the past several days. Israel's government has signaled that it is prepared to strike Iran for a third time, and US officials have confirmed that Washington remains closely coordinated with Israel on the matter. On the Iranian side, Mojtaba Khamenei, who assumed leadership following the death of his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the earlier US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, publicly declared that vengeance for his father's killing is inevitable. The funeral for the former supreme leader reportedly included open calls for the killing of President Trump. Trump responded overnight with social media posts threatening further missile strikes against Iran. Separately, Iran's foreign minister met with officials in Oman — a country that has historically served as a back-channel mediator between Washington and Tehran — to discuss access to the Strait of Hormuz, though no public commitments were made. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, and any disruption would have significant consequences for energy markets. Mediators are reported to be working to prevent a full breakdown of the ceasefire arrangement, but the public statements from both sides have significantly eroded confidence in its durability.
US Congressman Says He Was Held by Armed Israeli Settlers During West Bank Visit
Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, says armed Israeli settlers detained his group for approximately 90 minutes during a visit to the occupied West Bank on Wednesday. Israeli military personnel arrived on the scene before the group was released.Representative Ro Khanna of California says he was detained by armed Israeli settlers for roughly 90 minutes during a visit to the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Wednesday, part of a three-day tour of the area. Khanna described the experience as a firsthand view of conditions faced by Palestinians living under occupation. He said the settlers were carrying US-made M4 rifles. Israeli military troops arrived at the scene during the detention. The incident occurred in the middle of an official congressional visit to the region, according to a representative for Khanna. Khanna, a progressive Democrat who has been an outspoken critic of Israeli military operations in Gaza, described the detention in an interview with Reuters while still in the West Bank. The Israeli government has not issued a detailed public response to Khanna's account. The West Bank has seen increased activity by armed settlers in recent years, and the incident is likely to draw renewed congressional attention to US policy regarding settler conduct in the occupied territory.
Justice Department Subpoenas New York Times Reporters Over Air Force One Coverage
Federal agents delivered subpoenas to several New York Times journalists, demanding they testify before a grand jury about their reporting on the Boeing 747 gifted to President Trump by Qatar for use as Air Force One.The Justice Department has subpoenaed multiple New York Times journalists, directing them to testify before a federal grand jury in Manhattan over their coverage of security concerns related to the aircraft Qatar gifted to President Trump for use as Air Force One. Federal agents delivered some of the subpoenas to reporters at their homes, according to the Times. The grand jury testimony is scheduled for the coming week. The Times has publicly stated its opposition to the subpoenas, and press freedom advocates have raised concerns about the use of grand jury processes to compel journalists to identify sources. The episode follows a pattern in which the current administration has taken legal steps against news organizations and journalists who have reported on sensitive matters. The underlying reporting involved alleged security vulnerabilities with the Qatari-gifted aircraft, a story that generated significant political attention when it was first published.
Trump Administration Removes 50-Year Habitat Protection Provision from Endangered Species Act
The Trump administration finalized a rule eliminating a core provision of the Endangered Species Act that had prohibited harm to critical wildlife habitats for five decades, opening those areas to logging, mining, and other development.The Trump administration has finalized a rule repealing a foundational protection within the Endangered Species Act that had been in place for 50 years. The eliminated provision prohibited activities that would harm or harass species listed under the Act by destroying their habitats — a protection that conservation scientists say has been central to preventing the extinction of listed species. The new rule opens habitats of imperiled wildlife to logging, mining, drilling, and other forms of development. Environmental groups and biologists have argued that habitat destruction is the leading driver of species loss, and that the existing law had kept approximately 99 percent of listed species from going extinct since its passage. The administration has not detailed which specific habitats or species will be most immediately affected. Conservation organizations have indicated they will challenge the rule in court. The change affects a broad range of species across the United States and could accelerate development in areas that were previously restricted.
Federal Housing Affordability Law Signed, Offering Local Incentives for New Construction
A new federal housing law has been enacted, offering incentives to local governments and developers to increase housing supply. The law targets affordability through incremental measures rather than large-scale mandates.A new federal housing affordability law has been signed, establishing incentive programs aimed at increasing housing supply across the United States. The law does not mandate large-scale changes but instead offers financial and regulatory incentives to local governments and builders who take steps to permit and construct additional housing. Analysts describe the measure as modest in scope compared to the scale of the national housing shortage, though it represents the most significant federal housing legislation passed in some time. Local governments, which have broad control over zoning and permitting, remain the primary decision-makers on housing development, and the law's effectiveness will depend substantially on how many localities opt in to its incentive structures. The housing affordability crisis has worsened in many metropolitan areas in recent years, with home prices and rents rising faster than incomes across a wide range of markets.
Trump Dismisses All Election Assistance Commission Members, Leaving Agency Without Leadership
President Trump dismissed all members of the Election Assistance Commission, leaving the federal agency with no commissioners and temporarily unable to function. The EAC oversees federal voting standards and election administration support.President Trump has dismissed every sitting member of the Election Assistance Commission, leaving the bipartisan federal agency with no commissioners and unable to carry out its statutory functions. The EAC is the federal body responsible for setting voluntary voting system guidelines, administering election-related funding to states, and providing guidance on election administration practices. With no commissioners in place, the agency cannot take formal action, approve standards, or disburse funds. The dismissals follow the administration's broader effort to reshape federal oversight of elections. The EAC was created by Congress following the 2000 presidential election to standardize and improve election administration. Critics of the move argue it undermines the agency's ability to support election integrity; supporters of the administration frame it as part of a broader push to restructure how voting rules are set at the federal level.
Minnesota Withdraws National Guard from Washington Early Amid Democratic Governor Resistance
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced he is withdrawing his state's National Guard troops from Washington, D.C. ahead of schedule, joining growing resistance among Democratic governors to President Trump's ongoing deployment of state troops to the capital.Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has announced he will pull his state's National Guard contingent from Washington, D.C. before their deployment was scheduled to end, amid increasing pressure on Democratic governors to stop supplying troops for President Trump's ongoing security operations in the capital. The decision adds Minnesota to a list of states whose Democratic governors have expressed opposition to continued Guard participation. Pressure is also reportedly mounting on Michigan's governor to follow suit. The deployment has been a source of political tension between the administration and Democratic-led states, with critics arguing that using state National Guard units for federal domestic operations in Washington sets a problematic precedent. The Guard troops have been part of an extended security presence in the capital.
Judge Permanently Dismisses January 6 Convictions of Proud Boys Leaders Following Trump Clemency
A federal judge permanently dismissed the remaining January 6 seditious conspiracy convictions of four Proud Boys leaders, citing President Trump's broad clemency grants as leaving no legal basis to maintain the cases. The judge criticized the Capitol riot as an attack on democracy while ruling he had no constitutional alternative.A federal judge has permanently dismissed the seditious conspiracy convictions of four Proud Boys leaders connected to the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol, ruling that President Trump's sweeping clemency actions last year left no legal basis to preserve the convictions. The judge, who was appointed by Trump, made clear in his ruling that he viewed the Capitol riot as an assault on democratic institutions, and offered a sharp rebuke of the events of that day. Nonetheless, he concluded that the Constitution gave him no choice but to grant the dismissal given the executive clemency that had been applied. The ruling closes out the remnants of one of the most significant prosecutions arising from January 6. Seditious conspiracy — conspiracy to use force to oppose the authority of the United States government — is among the most serious charges that had been brought against participants in the Capitol attack.
Typhoon Bavi Makes Landfall in Eastern China, Nearly 2 Million Evacuated
Typhoon Bavi struck China's eastern Zhejiang province, prompting the evacuation of nearly two million people. It is the second typhoon to make landfall in China within a week, following an earlier storm that also caused widespread evacuations.Typhoon Bavi made landfall in China's eastern Zhejiang province, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall to a densely populated coastal region. Authorities evacuated nearly two million people in advance of the storm, with the city of Wenzhou positioned close to the storm's path. Bavi had previously brought significant weather impacts to Japan's southern islands and Taiwan before intensifying toward the Chinese mainland. It is the second typhoon to strike China in just over a week, following an earlier system that also required large-scale evacuations. Zhejiang province is home to major manufacturing and port infrastructure, and storm impacts on the region can have broader supply chain effects. Damage assessments were ongoing.
More Than 200 Summer Camp Campers Airlifted from Missouri Flooding
More than 200 children and staff at Camp Taum Sauk in Lesterville, Missouri were airlifted to safety after floodwaters washed out surrounding roads, trapping the group with additional rainfall forecast.More than 200 people, including children and staff, were evacuated by helicopter from Camp Taum Sauk in the small southeastern Missouri community of Lesterville after flooding destroyed nearby road access. State highway patrol confirmed that roads surrounding the camp had been washed away and more rain was expected, making ground evacuation impossible. The airlift operation was completed safely. Missouri and surrounding states have been contending with significant flooding in recent days.
Microsoft, Amazon, and Google Carbon Emissions Rose Nearly 20% in Past Year, Driven by Data Center Construction
The combined carbon emissions of Microsoft, Amazon, and Google increased by nearly a fifth in the past year, reaching 119 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent — roughly a third of France's annual emissions — as data center construction accelerated.Microsoft, Amazon, and Google collectively emitted approximately 119 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in the financial year ending March 2026, an increase of nearly 20 percent from the prior year. The primary driver of the increase is an accelerating wave of data center construction tied to artificial intelligence infrastructure investment. All three companies have stated they continue to aim for net-zero emissions, but the current trajectory is moving in the opposite direction. The combined figure is roughly equivalent to a third of France's total annual greenhouse gas output. The growth in data center energy demand has become a significant factor in corporate emissions calculations globally, and the gap between stated climate commitments and actual emissions has drawn scrutiny from environmental analysts and investors.
A US citizen working for a humanitarian organization in the Democratic Republic of Congo has tested positive for Ebola. The CDC is working with health authorities and the individual's employer to identify close contacts and prevent further transmission.A US citizen employed by a humanitarian organization in the Democratic Republic of Congo has tested positive for Ebola, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC stated it is coordinating with the individual's employer, relevant US agencies, Congolese public health authorities, and local partners to conduct contact tracing and prevent transmission. The DRC has experienced multiple Ebola outbreaks over recent decades, and the detection of a case involving a US national will prompt monitoring for any potential spread. No cases have been reported outside of Congo at this time. The CDC did not identify the individual or the humanitarian organization involved.
Apple Sues OpenAI, Alleging Theft of Trade Secrets
Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI on Friday, alleging the company recruited Apple employees to obtain confidential product designs and proprietary information. The two companies had a partnership agreement since 2024.Apple has filed a lawsuit in federal court against OpenAI, accusing the artificial intelligence company of misappropriating trade secrets. The complaint alleges that OpenAI recruited Apple employees and induced them to hand over confidential materials including product designs and other proprietary information, reportedly as part of OpenAI's efforts to develop its own hardware device. The lawsuit arrives at a notable moment: the two companies struck a deal in 2024 under which OpenAI's technology was integrated into Apple devices. That partnership has since soured, and the lawsuit marks a significant escalation in the breakdown of their relationship. The case is likely to draw wide attention given the scale of both companies and the sensitivity of the trade secret claims. Neither side has publicly detailed how the alleged theft occurred.
EU Charges Meta With Violating Digital Safety Law Over Addictive Platform Design
The European Commission issued formal charges against Meta on Friday, alleging features on Instagram and Facebook — including video autoplay — violate the EU's Digital Services Act by creating addictive design that harms users' physical and mental health.European Union regulators have formally charged Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, with violating the bloc's Digital Services Act by designing its platforms in ways that foster compulsive use. The European Commission's official charge sheet, released Friday, identifies specific features such as video autoplay as examples of design practices that pose risks to the physical and mental health of users. The DSA, which came into force for large platforms in 2023, requires companies to assess and mitigate systemic risks including those related to user wellbeing. If found in violation, Meta could face fines of up to a percentage of its global annual revenue. Meta has not confirmed whether it will change the implicated features but may respond to the charges before a final determination is made. The EU's regulatory action against major US technology companies has become more frequent and consequential in recent years, and this case could set a significant precedent for how platform design is regulated globally.
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Wildfire in Southern Spain Kills at Least 12, Including Several British Nationals
A wildfire in southern Spain has killed at least 12 people and left more than 20 others missing, in one of the deadliest fires in the country's recorded history. Several British nationals are reported among the dead.A wildfire burning in southern Spain has killed at least 12 people and left more than 20 others unaccounted for, making it one of the deadliest fires in Spain's history. Hundreds of firefighters have been deployed to contain the blaze. The majority of confirmed fatalities are reported to be nationals of Belgium or Britain, with at least four British citizens believed to be among the dead. Authorities have not released a final accounting of all missing persons. The fire comes amid a broader pattern of increasingly severe wildfire seasons across southern Europe, linked to higher temperatures and prolonged dry periods.
Former UK Politician Ann Widdecombe Found Dead; Initial Arrest Made and Released
Former British politician Ann Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home in Devon. Police believe she was attacked approximately 24 hours before her body was discovered. A 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder has since been released and is no longer part of the investigation.Ann Widdecombe, the 78-year-old former Conservative member of Parliament and public figure, was found dead at her home on Dartmoor in Devon, England. Police believe she was attacked at approximately 12:30pm on Wednesday, roughly 24 hours before her body was discovered. A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder following the discovery of her body, but was subsequently released and is no longer considered part of the investigation. Devon and Cornwall Police stated that detectives are working at a significant pace and do not believe there is a broader risk to the public. Widdecombe served as a Member of Parliament for many years and later appeared on television programmes and ran for elected office with other parties. The investigation remains active.
The death toll from twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela's coastal La Guaira state on June 24 has passed 4,300, with more than 16,700 people reported injured. Entire districts were flattened by the back-to-back quakes.The confirmed death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela's La Guaira state on June 24 has risen above 4,300, according to government figures reported to parliament. More than 16,740 people were injured in the twin quakes, which struck the coastal state in rapid succession and leveled entire districts. The scale of the recovery effort remains substantial, and international attention to the disaster has continued to grow as the true extent of destruction becomes clearer. La Guaira is a densely populated coastal region and serves as the gateway to the capital, Caracas. Venezuela's government has been coordinating recovery operations, though the country's ongoing economic and institutional difficulties present significant challenges to the relief effort.
15 Indian Tourists Killed After Speedboat Capsizes Off Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island
At least 15 Indian tourists died when a speedboat capsized off Phu Quoc, a southern Vietnamese island, on Saturday. Authorities are investigating the cause.At least 15 Indian tourists were killed when their speedboat capsized off Phu Quoc, a popular tourist island in southern Vietnam. Vietnamese authorities confirmed the deaths and are investigating the cause of the capsizing. Phu Quoc has become a major international tourism destination in recent years. The incident is among the deadliest maritime accidents involving tourists in the region in recent memory.