U.S. and Iran Expand Military Strikes; Shipping in Persian Gulf Slows, Oil Prices Rise
U.S. forces struck bridges, ports, and Iranian military targets while Marines boarded a tanker in the Gulf of Oman to enforce a naval blockade of Iranian ports. Iran struck back at U.S. bases in the Gulf and accused American forces of hitting civilian infrastructure.The conflict between the United States and Iran escalated significantly this week, with both sides expanding the scope of their attacks. U.S. Central Command said its latest strikes hit dozens of Iranian military targets, while Iranian state media and Iranian officials reported that bridges and port facilities in southern Iran were also struck. Iran accused the U.S. of targeting civilian infrastructure; the Pentagon said the strikes were intended to degrade Iranian military capabilities. The two sides' accounts differ on what was hit.
In a separate development, U.S. Marines boarded a commercial tanker, the M/T Wen Yao, in the Gulf of Oman to enforce a naval blockade of Iranian ports that the U.S. military reimposed earlier this week. Iran struck back at U.S. bases in the region, and Iranian officials described the Strait of Hormuz as a 'red line,' signaling willingness to close the critical waterway. A prior interim ceasefire reached last month has collapsed.
The fighting is having measurable economic effects. Shipping traffic through the Persian Gulf has fallen to its lowest level in more than a month, and oil prices have risen in response to the disruption. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical chokepoints for global energy supply, with roughly 20 percent of all oil traded globally passing through it. Disruptions there directly affect fuel prices in the United States and internationally.
Bahrain and Kuwait, which host major U.S. military installations, have also faced incoming fire attributed to Iranian forces. The escalation reignites concerns about the possibility of a broader regional conflict.
Andy Burnham Elected UK Labour Leader, Set to Become Prime Minister on Monday
Andy Burnham was confirmed as leader of the UK Labour Party on Friday and is expected to become prime minister on Monday, when Keir Starmer formally resigns. Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, won support from MPs, trade unions, and party members.Andy Burnham was confirmed as leader of the Labour Party on Friday at a special party conference, completing the final step before he takes over as British prime minister. Keir Starmer is expected to formally resign at Buckingham Palace on Monday morning, after which Burnham will be invited to form a government.
Burnham, 56, served as the directly elected mayor of Greater Manchester from 2017 until recently, a tenure that significantly rebuilt his political profile after earlier setbacks in Westminster. He is a plain-spoken politician from a working-class background in northwest England, and his decade leading Greater Manchester — during which he championed devolution and regional investment — became the central argument for his leadership.
In his first speech as party leader, Burnham pledged to 'fix the big things that politics has neglected,' restore trust, and spread economic growth beyond London. He said he would deliver a 'new politics' and called for party unity.
Burnham will begin assembling his cabinet upon returning to Downing Street on Monday. The current home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, is widely reported to be a leading candidate for chancellor. Among the key challenges facing the incoming prime minister are defence spending commitments, housing supply, and the broader economic situation. He takes office at a time when the UK's Labour government has faced difficult approval ratings and pressure from parties on both its left and right.
Trump Alleges Chinese Interference in 2020 Election; China Calls Claims Fabricated
President Trump, in a primetime televised address, alleged that China interfered in the 2020 presidential election and questioned the security of upcoming midterm elections. China denied the claims, and U.S. Democrats said the speech was an effort to undermine confidence in future elections.President Trump delivered a primetime televised address in which he accused China of meddling in the 2020 presidential election, citing what he described as newly declassified intelligence on election vulnerabilities. The president also raised concerns about the security of November's congressional midterm elections.
China's government rejected the allegations as 'entirely fabricated' and threatened countermeasures. Chinese analysts, according to reporting, said Beijing was trying to preserve a fragile diplomatic détente and was avoiding a more aggressive public response.
U.S. Democrats criticized the speech, with some saying Trump was laying the groundwork to contest or undermine the results of the approaching midterm elections. Trump's claims about the 2020 election have previously been rejected by courts, election officials across both parties, and his own administration's officials.
The speech did not present new publicly verifiable evidence for the specific allegations about Chinese interference. Trump also called on Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, which deals with election integrity measures including voter ID requirements.
Trump Administration Halts Offshore Wind Development, Citing National Security
The Trump administration has moved to stop offshore wind development, invoking national security grounds. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum cited a classified report; the administration has halted major projects and bought back existing leases.The Trump administration has worked since late 2025 to stop offshore wind development in U.S. waters, citing national security concerns. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has said the administration's position is backed by a classified report, the contents of which have not been made public.
The administration's actions have included halting work on major offshore wind projects that were underway or in advanced planning, and buying back leases previously sold to energy developers. Offshore wind has been a significant component of U.S. clean energy plans under recent administrations.
The national security rationale has not been detailed publicly, making independent evaluation of the claim difficult. The policy represents a significant reversal of the direction of U.S. offshore energy development and has created uncertainty for the domestic wind energy industry, which had invested substantially in planned projects.
U.S. Designates Two Additional Mexican Cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations
The Trump administration added two more Mexican drug cartels to the U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations, expanding a policy begun in February 2025 intended to allow more aggressive action against the groups.The U.S. government designated two additional Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, continuing a policy President Trump initiated in early 2025. The terrorist designation allows U.S. authorities to take more aggressive legal and enforcement action against designated groups and against individuals or entities found to be materially supporting them.
The designations have significant legal implications: they can restrict financial transactions, enable prosecution of cartel members under counterterrorism statutes, and affect immigration proceedings for individuals with ties to the groups.
The policy has been welcomed by some law enforcement officials and criticized by others who argue that the terrorist label — typically applied to ideologically motivated groups — is poorly suited to criminal organizations primarily motivated by profit, and that it could complicate diplomatic relations with Mexico.
Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Revisit Protected Status for Venezuelan and Haitian Nationals
The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to direct a lower court to reconsider its ruling protecting Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelan and Haitian nationals living in the United States.The Trump administration filed a petition with the Supreme Court asking the justices to order a lower federal court to reconsider its decision protecting Temporary Protected Status, known as TPS, for nationals from Venezuela and Haiti.
TPS is a humanitarian program that allows people from designated countries experiencing conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions to live and work legally in the United States on a temporary basis. The Biden administration significantly expanded TPS designations for Venezuela and Haiti; the Trump administration has sought to end or curtail those designations.
The legal dispute reflects a broader conflict between the executive branch's claimed authority to terminate TPS designations and federal court rulings that have placed limits on how quickly or broadly those terminations can be implemented. The outcome could affect hundreds of thousands of people currently living in the U.S. under TPS from those two countries.
Markets have been mixed with no clear direction over the past week.
TSMC Increases U.S. Investment Commitment to $265 Billion
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company added $100 billion to its U.S. spending plan, bringing its total commitment to operations in Arizona to $265 billion.TSMC, the world's largest contract chip manufacturer and a supplier to nearly every major technology company, announced an additional $100 billion investment in its U.S. operations, bringing its total commitment to its Arizona facilities to $265 billion.
The expansion is part of a broader effort to build semiconductor manufacturing capacity on U.S. soil, a priority for both the current and previous administrations following supply chain disruptions that highlighted U.S. dependence on Asian chip production. TSMC's Arizona campus is already under construction and expanding.
The investment is significant for the U.S. technology and defense industries, as advanced semiconductors are essential components in everything from consumer electronics to military systems. TSMC manufactures chips for companies including Apple, Nvidia, and AMD.
Uber Agrees to Acquire German Food Delivery Company Delivery Hero for $14.8 Billion
Uber has reached a deal to acquire Delivery Hero, a German food delivery company, for $14.8 billion, a transaction that would substantially expand Uber's global food delivery operations.Uber announced an agreement to acquire Delivery Hero, one of the world's largest food delivery companies, for approximately $14.8 billion. Uber offered €41.50 per share to Delivery Hero's shareholders.
Delivery Hero operates in dozens of countries across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. The deal, if completed, would significantly expand Uber Eats' international presence and create one of the world's largest food delivery businesses by market reach.
The transaction is subject to regulatory approval in multiple jurisdictions. Antitrust scrutiny of large technology and platform acquisitions has increased in both the United States and Europe in recent years.
FDA Links Cyclospora Outbreak to Taylor Farms Iceberg Lettuce Supplied to Taco Bell
The FDA identified Taylor Farms as the likely source of iceberg lettuce contaminated with the Cyclospora parasite, which causes gastrointestinal illness. The lettuce was supplied to Taco Bell and possibly other vendors.Federal regulators have identified Taylor Farms as the probable source of iceberg lettuce linked to an ongoing outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite. The FDA said it worked with Michigan investigators to trace the contaminated produce.
The lettuce was supplied to Taco Bell locations and may also have reached other food service vendors, though the full distribution is still being determined. Cyclosporiasis typically causes watery diarrhea, cramping, fatigue, and nausea, and can last several weeks without treatment. It is generally treated with antibiotics.
Consumers who ate iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell in recent weeks and developed gastrointestinal symptoms are advised to consult a healthcare provider. No formal recall had been announced at time of publication, but the FDA said the investigation is ongoing.
FDA Approves New Cholesterol-Lowering Pill That Outperforms Statins in Trials
The FDA approved a new oral medication capable of lowering cholesterol to levels beyond what statins can achieve, according to clinical trial results.The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new pill designed to reduce cholesterol levels, with clinical trial data showing it can bring cholesterol down significantly further than statins, the current standard treatment.
Statins are among the most widely prescribed medications in the United States and have been a cornerstone of cardiovascular disease prevention for decades. The newly approved drug offers an option for patients who cannot tolerate statins, do not achieve sufficient reduction on statins alone, or require more aggressive cholesterol management.
High LDL cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke, which together remain leading causes of death in the United States. The FDA did not specify pricing in its approval; the cost and insurance coverage of the new drug will affect how broadly it is used in practice.
Scientists Detect Atmosphere Around Earth-Like Exoplanet 49 Light-Years Away
Researchers announced the discovery of an atmosphere around an Earth-sized planet 49 light-years away, with conditions that could potentially allow liquid water on its surface.Scientists have confirmed the presence of an atmosphere around LHS 1140b, an Earth-sized exoplanet located approximately 49 light-years from our solar system. The finding is considered a significant step in the search for potentially habitable worlds beyond Earth.
Atmospheres have previously been detected around gas giant exoplanets and so-called 'super-Earths,' but finding one around a planet closer in size to Earth is less common. Researchers said the atmospheric conditions of LHS 1140b are consistent with the possibility of liquid water on the planet's surface, though this has not been confirmed.
The discovery does not constitute evidence of life, but it narrows the field of candidates worthy of further study with next-generation telescopes. The James Webb Space Telescope is among the instruments capable of analyzing exoplanet atmospheres in more detail.
Federal Prosecutor Calls for Investigation into Rare Cancer Cluster Among Children in Orange County, California
The U.S. Attorney for Los Angeles has called for a federal investigation into multiple diagnoses of Ewing sarcoma, an extremely rare bone cancer, among children in and near Ladera Ranch in Orange County. At least one teenager has died and five others have been diagnosed.The top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles has called for an investigation into a cluster of Ewing sarcoma diagnoses among children in the Ladera Ranch community and surrounding areas of Orange County, California. Ewing sarcoma is a rare cancer that primarily affects bones and soft tissue, most commonly in children and young adults.
At least one teenager has died and at least five other young people have been diagnosed with the disease in the area, prompting concern from families and local officials. Some residents and advocates have called for restrictions on toxic pesticides, citing the cases.
Ewing sarcoma typically occurs at a rate of roughly three cases per million people per year, making a geographic cluster of this size unusual enough to warrant investigation. The cause of the cluster has not been established. Environmental investigations in such cases can be lengthy and complex, and the presence of a cluster does not by itself confirm a shared environmental cause.
Wildfire Smoke from Canada Triggers Air Quality Alerts Across U.S. Midwest and East Coast
Smoke from more than 800 wildfires burning in Canada blanketed major U.S. cities from the Great Lakes to parts of the East Coast, reducing visibility and prompting health officials to advise people to stay indoors.Dense smoke from a large number of wildfires burning across Canada drifted south into the United States, triggering air quality alerts from the Midwest through the East Coast. Officials in multiple states advised residents — particularly those with respiratory conditions, the elderly, and children — to remain indoors and limit outdoor activity.
More than 800 separate fires were reported burning in Canada at the time. Cities including Toronto and New York, as well as communities across the Great Lakes region, reported reduced visibility and hazy conditions. The smoke carried fine particulate matter at concentrations considered unhealthy for the general population.
Wildfire smoke events originating in Canada have become increasingly common in recent years, with prior episodes in 2023 and 2024 also affecting large portions of the U.S. Public health officials recommend checking local air quality index readings before spending time outside on affected days.
Flash Flooding Kills at Least 2 in Texas Hill Country, a Region Struck by Deadly Floods Last Year
Flash floods in the Texas Hill Country killed at least two people after days of heavy rain sent a large surge of water down the same river that was devastated by flooding last summer, which killed two dozen children and camp counselors.Flash flooding struck the Texas Hill Country region this week, killing at least two people. The National Weather Service said a large surge of water barreled down the Guadalupe River following days of sustained heavy rain. The same river was the site of deadly floods last summer, when more than two dozen children and counselors died at Camp Mystic.
The repeated flooding of this region has drawn attention from climate scientists, who say that global warming is driving more frequent and intense rainfall events across the United States. Experts note that the country has seen record rainfall and damaging flash floods across multiple states over the past month, and that the trend is expected to continue and intensify as temperatures rise.
Emergency management officials in the Hill Country were monitoring water levels and coordinating rescue efforts in affected areas. The full extent of damage was still being assessed.
EU Orders Google to Give AI Competitors Greater Access on Android Devices
European Union regulators ordered Google to provide rival AI services with greater access on Android smartphones, citing concerns that Google could use its dominant mobile platform to entrench its position in artificial intelligence.European Union regulators issued a decision requiring Google to expand access for competing artificial intelligence services on Android smartphones. The ruling reflects concern that Google's near-universal presence on mobile devices could allow it to favor its own AI products over rivals, limiting competition in the rapidly growing AI market.
Android is the world's most widely used mobile operating system, powering the majority of smartphones globally. EU regulators have previously taken significant action against Google's market practices, including large fines related to search and shopping services.
The decision could affect how AI assistants and tools are distributed and promoted on Android devices across Europe. Google has not yet publicly stated whether it will comply, appeal, or seek modifications to the order.
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More Than 500 Rohingya Feared Dead After Two Boats Disappear at Sea
Two boats carrying an estimated 530 Rohingya refugees departed Myanmar on June 29 and have since disappeared. More than 500 people are feared dead.Two boats carrying approximately 530 Rohingya people departed Myanmar on June 29 and subsequently disappeared at sea. More than 500 people are now feared dead, in what may represent one of the deadliest maritime tragedies involving the Rohingya in recent years. News of the boats' disappearance emerged only weeks after their departure.
The Rohingya are a Muslim minority group from Myanmar who have faced decades of state-sanctioned discrimination and violence. A 2017 military crackdown drove more than 700,000 Rohingya into neighboring Bangladesh, where most remain in overcrowded refugee camps with limited rights and dim prospects for resettlement. Facing these conditions, many attempt dangerous sea crossings to reach Thailand, Malaysia, or Indonesia.
Death tolls from such voyages are often uncertain or underreported because the boats operate outside formal channels and survivors may be detained or reluctant to come forward. Human rights organizations have described the Rohingya as among the world's most persecuted peoples.