Balm — Sunday, July 12, 2026 AM

US and Iran Exchange Fresh Strikes as Strait of Hormuz Dispute Escalates

The US military launched new strikes against Iran after Iranian forces attacked a Cyprus-flagged container ship in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran declared the strait closed, a previous ceasefire appeared to collapse, and Israel signaled readiness for further action. The United States military carried out fresh strikes against Iran following an Iranian attack on a civilian container ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz, marking a significant escalation in an ongoing conflict between the two countries. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps struck the vessel, which it said was using an unauthorized route, then declared the strait closed — a waterway through which a substantial share of the world's oil supply passes. Oman reported that 23 people were rescued from the attacked ship, identified as the GFS Galaxy, though one crew member remained missing. India's foreign ministry said 10 of the 11 Indian nationals aboard had been accounted for. The exchange of strikes placed the tenuous ceasefire between the United States and Iran in serious doubt. President Trump issued public threats of further missile attacks. Iran's supreme leader's funeral, held in the wake of earlier conflict that killed much of Iran's senior leadership, saw open calls for retaliation against the United States, and Iranian hardline factions have sought to fill the leadership void left by those deaths and push for continued confrontation. Israel separately signaled it was prepared to conduct a third strike against Iran, with US officials confirming close coordination between Washington and Jerusalem. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical energy chokepoints; its closure or disruption has significant implications for global oil prices and supply chains, with direct economic consequences for American consumers and markets.

Senator Lindsey Graham Dies at 71 After Sudden Illness

Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a Republican who served in the Senate since 2003 and was a close ally of President Trump, died Saturday at age 71 following a brief and sudden illness. He had returned from a visit to Kyiv just days before his death. Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, died Saturday evening at age 71 following what his office described as a brief and sudden illness. Graham had served in the United States Senate since 2003, making him one of the chamber's longer-tenured members, and was widely regarded as one of President Trump's most consistent congressional allies. He had also been a prominent voice on foreign policy and defense throughout his career. Graham had returned just days before his death from a trip to Kyiv, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday. No further details about the nature of his illness were provided by his office. Graham's death leaves a vacancy in one of South Carolina's Senate seats. Under South Carolina law, the governor is responsible for appointing a replacement to serve until a special election is held. His passing removes a significant figure from the Senate Republican caucus at a moment of active legislative and foreign policy activity.

Trump Administration Removes Key Endangered Species Act Habitat Protection

The Trump administration finalized a rule eliminating a 50-year-old Endangered Species Act provision that had prohibited activities harming the habitats of protected wildlife, opening those areas to logging, mining, and other development. The Trump administration has finalized a regulatory change that removes a foundational protection under the Endangered Species Act that had been in place for approximately 50 years. The rule had prohibited activities that harm or harass the habitats of imperiled species — a protection that conservationists say has been central to preventing extinctions, with the law credited with keeping roughly 99 percent of listed species from going extinct. Under the new rule, habitats of endangered and threatened species can be opened to logging, mining, drilling, and other development activities. Environmental groups and scientists have raised concerns that habitat destruction is the leading driver of species loss, and that removing this protection could accelerate declines among already vulnerable populations. The administration has framed the change as reducing regulatory burdens. The rule change does not require congressional approval and takes effect as a final agency action. Conservation organizations have indicated legal challenges are likely.

Trump Administration Subpoenas New York Times Journalists Over Air Force One Reporting

Federal authorities have subpoenaed New York Times journalists, seeking their testimony before a grand jury in Manhattan regarding reporting on alleged security issues with the president's new aircraft, which was provided by Qatar. The Trump administration has issued subpoenas to journalists at the New York Times following the publication of stories about alleged security concerns related to the president's new Air Force One aircraft, which was a gift from Qatar. The subpoenas compel the reporters to testify before a federal grand jury in Manhattan. The Times reported that federal agents delivered some of the subpoenas to reporters at their homes. Press freedom advocates have raised concerns about the use of grand jury subpoenas to compel journalists to reveal information about their sources or reporting, a practice that has been contested in prior administrations. The Times has not specified whether it intends to challenge the subpoenas. The underlying reporting addressed security issues with a foreign-government-gifted aircraft used by the president.

Federal Gun Violence Prevention Programs Reduced, Reports Removed From Government Websites

The Trump administration has cut funding to hospitals and community groups working on gun violence prevention and removed related reports from government websites, as it pursues policies aimed at expanding gun rights. The Trump administration has reduced federal efforts aimed at preventing gun violence, including cutting funding that had supported hospitals and community-based organizations running intervention and prevention programs. Reports on preventing firearm injuries have also been removed from government websites, including material previously published by the CDC and the departments of Homeland Security and Justice. The administration has framed its approach as focused on expanding gun rights rather than restricting them. Critics of the funding cuts argue that community violence intervention programs, which target high-risk individuals before violence occurs, have shown effectiveness in reducing shootings in urban areas. The removal of government-hosted reports has drawn criticism from public health researchers who use such data. The policy shift represents a substantial change in how the federal government approaches gun violence as a public health and safety issue.

The New York Times

Typhoon Bavi Strikes Eastern China, Triggering Mass Evacuations and Widespread Disruption

Typhoon Bavi made landfall in eastern China's Zhejiang province after killing 17 people in the Philippines and passing near Japan and Taiwan. Chinese authorities evacuated nearly two million people ahead of the storm. Typhoon Bavi made landfall in eastern China, prompting authorities to evacuate close to two million people, suspend schools and outdoor activities, and cancel many transportation services in Zhejiang province. The storm was described as approximately the width of France at its largest extent. Before reaching China, the typhoon killed 17 people in the Philippines, brought strong winds and rain to Japan's southern islands, and affected Taiwan. Bavi was the second typhoon to impact China in just over a week. Large-scale evacuations and infrastructure disruptions are standard procedure for major typhoons making landfall in China's coastal provinces, though the scale of this evacuation reflects the storm's significant size and intensity.

Flooding in Missouri and Kentucky Prompts Water Rescues Including Summer Camp Evacuation

Historic rainfall caused flooding across multiple Missouri counties and parts of Kentucky, prompting water rescues and the evacuation of approximately 200 young campers from a summer camp. Severe flooding triggered by a historic rainfall event struck parts of Missouri and Kentucky, submerging communities and prompting water rescue operations. Among those evacuated were approximately 200 young campers at a summer camp in the affected region. Multiple Missouri counties were impacted, with communities reporting significant flooding. The event was described as historically significant in terms of rainfall totals. Authorities coordinated emergency responses to reach residents and campers stranded by rising water.

NPR News

Analysts Warn 'Super' El Niño Could Drive Global Food Price Increases Through 2028

Economists are warning that a severe El Niño weather cycle developing this year could push global food prices significantly higher and sustain that pressure into 2028, compounding inflation already elevated by the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Economists and climate analysts are warning that a particularly strong El Niño weather pattern developing in 2026 could cause a major shock to global food prices that may last into 2028. The concern is that extreme weather conditions associated with a severe El Niño — including drought in key agricultural regions and disrupted growing seasons — would reduce harvests worldwide and tighten food supply at a time when prices are already elevated. Global food prices have already reached their highest level in three years, with the Iran conflict cited as a contributing factor through its effects on energy costs and shipping. Analysts describe the situation as supply chains facing two simultaneous shocks: one from geopolitical disruption and one from extreme weather. For American consumers, higher global food prices typically translate to increased grocery costs, though the magnitude depends on how long and severe the El Niño event proves to be. The forecasts carry uncertainty, as both the intensity of the El Niño cycle and agricultural impacts are still being assessed.

Guggenheim Museum Among New York Buildings Testing Positive for Legionella Bacteria

The Guggenheim Museum tested positive for Legionella bacteria and was among 31 Upper East Side buildings ordered by New York City health authorities to clean and disinfect cooling towers amid a Legionnaires' disease outbreak. New York City health authorities identified 31 buildings on the Upper East Side that tested positive for Legionella bacteria and ordered them to clean and disinfect their cooling towers as part of a response to a Legionnaires' disease outbreak in the area. The Guggenheim Museum was among the buildings listed. Legionnaires' disease is a serious form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which can grow in water systems including cooling towers used in building air conditioning systems. People contract it by inhaling contaminated water droplets; the disease does not spread person to person. Symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath, and it can be severe, particularly for older adults and those with weakened immune systems. The city has not disclosed the total number of people affected in the current outbreak.

Scientists Raise Concern That New World Screwworm Could Spread Into the United States

Scientists are warning that current eradication efforts may be insufficient to prevent the New World screwworm, a parasitic fly whose larvae infest living animals, from spreading northward into the United States from Central America. The New World screwworm, a parasitic fly whose larvae burrow into the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, has been spreading rapidly through wildlife and livestock in Central American forests, and scientists are raising concern that existing eradication programs may not be able to contain it before it reaches the United States. The parasite was eradicated from the US decades ago through a program of releasing sterile flies, but it has reestablished in parts of Central America. Wildlife cameras set up in remote forests to monitor illegal cattle movement have recently documented animals rapidly becoming infested, indicating the parasite is moving through wildlife populations in ways that are harder to track and control than livestock infections alone. Researchers say the combination of wildlife spread and geographic progression toward Mexico and the US border presents new challenges for containment. The screwworm poses a significant threat to the American cattle industry as well as to wildlife populations. Agricultural and public health authorities are watching the situation closely.

Apple Files Lawsuit Against OpenAI, Alleging Trade Secret Theft

Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging the AI company recruited Apple employees to obtain confidential product designs and trade secrets. The two companies had a partnership agreement since 2024 to offer AI services on Apple devices. Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI alleging that the artificial intelligence company misappropriated Apple trade secrets by recruiting Apple employees and coaxing them to share confidential material, including product designs and proprietary information. The lawsuit was filed on a Friday and relates to what Apple claims was an effort by OpenAI to develop its own hardware device using Apple's confidential information. The legal action is notable given that the two companies had entered a partnership in 2024 under which OpenAI's AI capabilities were integrated into Apple devices. That partnership appears to have deteriorated significantly. The lawsuit does not carry criminal allegations but seeks civil remedies. The case adds to a growing pattern of legal disputes in the AI industry over intellectual property, as companies race to develop AI-powered hardware and software products and compete intensely for specialized engineering talent.

Research Finds Terrorist Groups Using AI Tools to Plan Attacks and Build Weapons

New research has found that violent extremist organizations, including Boko Haram in Nigeria, are using AI chatbots not only for propaganda but for operational purposes including bomb construction guidance and attack planning. New research has documented that terrorist and extremist organizations are using artificial intelligence tools, including AI chatbots, for purposes that go beyond propaganda and recruitment. The research found that groups including Boko Haram in Nigeria are using these tools to assist with bomb construction and the planning of attacks. The findings suggest that AI represents a meaningful capability shift for violent extremist groups, allowing individuals or small cells to access specialized technical knowledge that would previously have required either human expertise or physical training. Researchers note that this operational use of AI is distinct from the better-documented use of social media and online content for radicalization and recruitment. The research raises questions for policymakers and AI companies about safeguards, content moderation, and the terms under which AI tools are made accessible.

The New York Times

Argentina Advances to World Cup Semifinals With Extra-Time Win Over Switzerland

Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1 in extra time to advance to the World Cup semifinals, where they will face England. Julian Alvarez scored the decisive goal in the 112th minute. Defending World Cup champion Argentina advanced to the semifinals with a 3-1 victory over Switzerland in a quarterfinal that required extra time. Julian Alvarez scored the match-winning goal with a long-range strike in the 112th minute. Argentina has reached the semifinals despite facing close contests in multiple knockout rounds. They will now face England in the semifinal, a matchup that carries significant historical weight between the two nations, including past World Cup meetings and moments that remain prominent in football history.

England Beats Norway 2-1 in Extra Time to Reach World Cup Semifinals

England defeated Norway 2-1 in a World Cup quarterfinal, with Jude Bellingham scoring the winner in extra time. England will face Argentina in the semifinals. England defeated Norway 2-1 in their World Cup quarterfinal, with Jude Bellingham scoring the decisive goal in extra time. Norway's Erling Haaland was kept largely quiet throughout and was substituted late in the match. England manager Thomas Tuchel publicly acknowledged his team benefited from some luck in the victory, while Bellingham offered a different assessment of the performance. England will next face Argentina in the World Cup semifinals, a fixture that revives one of football's more storied international rivalries.