The US has launched attacks on Iran for three days, aiming to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten commercial ships. In response, Iran attacked US allies Bahrain and Jordan, as well as tankers near the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump said the US would take control of the strait and charge ships a toll for safe passage, escalating tensions in the region.
Key Facts
The US conducted a five-hour strike on Iranian targets including the port cities of Bushehr and Bandar Abbas.
Iran retaliated by attacking Bahrain, Jordan, and two tankers near the Strait of Hormuz.
Bahrain intercepted several missile attacks and accused Iran of targeting civilians; Jordan intercepted four missiles.
President Trump announced the US would control the Strait of Hormuz and charge a toll up to 20% of cargo value for safe passage.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed their attacks were in response to warnings being ignored and called on Jordan to remove US bases.
At least 28 people have died in US-Iran clashes since last week.
India protested after one Indian seafarer was killed and 10 wounded in Iran’s tanker attacks.
Oil prices rose to over $86 per barrel amid the conflict, increasing concerns over global oil supply.
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The global market for personal safety apps and self-defense tools has grown to $2.1 billion, driven by public fear of violence despite crime rates dropping. Guy Schnitzler, a former law officer, says that true self-defense starts before physical attacks, by recognizing danger early, keeping distance, and staying aware of surroundings.
Key Facts
The personal safety market includes location trackers, panic buttons, and self-defense classes.
Violent crime rates have generally gone down, but high-profile incidents keep people worried.
Guy Schnitzler has 33 years of law enforcement experience.
Schnitzler says self-defense should focus on spotting threats early, before a physical fight begins.
The “zero-to-five-foot range” is a critical danger zone where most attacks happen.
Attackers often use distraction to get close instead of direct force.
Being confident without proper training can be dangerous, especially for men who trust physical strength alone.
Using phones in public lowers awareness, making people easier targets.
Schnitzler suggests practicing alertness by observing people and surroundings regularly.
Avoiding and de-escalating conflicts are priorities before using physical self-defense.
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France held its annual Bastille Day celebration on July 14 with a military parade in Paris. President Emmanuel Macron and other European leaders watched as soldiers from Ukraine and allied countries marched, with planes creating red, white, and blue smoke in the sky.
Key Facts
Bastille Day is a national holiday in France celebrated every July 14.
It marks the storming of the Bastille fortress in 1789, an important event in the French Revolution.
The celebration included a military parade through the streets of Paris.
Planes flew overhead leaving trails of red, white, and blue smoke, France’s national colors.
President Emmanuel Macron attended the event along with leaders like the UK's Sir Keir Starmer and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky.
Soldiers from Ukraine and its allied countries, called the "Coalition of the Willing," participated in the parade.
The event highlights France’s national pride and ongoing international cooperation.
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Fighting has increased between Yemen’s government and Houthi rebels, breaking a four-year truce. This conflict risks spreading to the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a vital global trade route that moves a large amount of the world’s oil and goods.
Key Facts
Yemen’s government bombed the runway at Sanaa International Airport to stop an Iranian plane from landing.
The Houthi rebels responded by firing missiles at Saudi Arabia, ending a period of reduced conflict with their neighbor.
Yemen’s government claims the Iranian plane carried military equipment; Houthis say it had medical patients and officials.
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is a narrow waterway linking the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, used by about 12% of global trade every day.
Around 4 million barrels of oil per day pass through this strait, making it important for energy shipping to Europe and North America.
Iran, supporting the Houthis, may try to close the Bab al-Mandeb Strait to counter US naval actions at the nearby Strait of Hormuz.
Experts warn that conflict in both waterways could disrupt global energy supplies and trade.
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is historically called the “Gate of Tears” because it is dangerous and strategically important.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) says the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) may be much larger than reported, possibly up to four times more cases. Official counts show nearly 2,000 infections since May, but WHO estimates suggest the real number could be between 4,000 and 8,000.
Key Facts
The Ebola outbreak started in mid-May 2026 in the DRC.
Official reports list about 1,960 people infected and over 700 deaths.
WHO’s emergency director said the actual number of cases could be two to four times higher than official figures.
This means there could be up to around 8,000 cases instead of the reported 2,000.
Ebola is a serious disease that causes bleeding and fever.
The outbreak is spreading to more provinces in the DRC.
Accurate counting is difficult due to challenges in tracking all cases.
WHO uses modeling to estimate the possible true scale of the outbreak.
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A Singapore court has ordered Bloomberg and one of its reporters to pay about $356,000 to two government ministers for defamation. The ministers had sued over a 2024 article that linked their property transactions to secrecy and money laundering. The court ruled that the article implied the ministers were involved in wrongdoing.
Key Facts
The court ordered Bloomberg and reporter Low De Wei to pay S$460,000 (about $356,000) to ministers K Shanmugam and Tan See Leng.
The 2024 article discussed secretive property deals involving expensive mansions called Good Class Bungalows.
It mentioned minister Shanmugam selling a bungalow for S$88 million through a trust and minister Tan buying one via a deal that hides buyer details.
Ministers claimed the article unfairly connected their deals to illegal activities like money laundering.
Bloomberg said the story listed the ministers as examples and did not imply any wrongdoing.
The judge ruled the article’s meaning suggested the ministers acted non-transparently to avoid scrutiny.
Singapore’s anti-fake news law also required Bloomberg to add a correction notice to the article.
Bloomberg removed the article from its website after the court’s decision.
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Archaeologists have decoded ancient mural symbols to reveal the name of a Mayan astronomer and mathematician for the first time. The name "White-chested Fox" was found on murals dating from 400 BC to 900 AD at a site on the Mexico-Guatemala border, alongside mathematical and astronomical formulas.
Key Facts
The name discovered is "White-chested Fox," from the Mayan language.
The murals were found at the San Bartolo-Xultun site near the Mexico-Guatemala border.
The murals date from between 400 BC and 900 AD, during the Maya Classic period.
Researchers found a complete mathematical and astronomical formula credited to this individual.
Over 50 small mathematical and astronomical texts on the wall were analyzed to make this discovery.
Eleven hieroglyphs were deciphered using digital enhancement of photos and scans.
The Maya civilization declined around 900 AD and was later impacted by Spanish conquest.
Recent advances like laser scanning from planes help archaeologists find and study Maya ruins in dense jungle areas.
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Lebanon and Israel have restarted talks in Rome to discuss a U.S.-brokered plan aimed at ending their conflict. The talks focus on Israel withdrawing its troops from southern Lebanon and deploying Lebanese forces, but progress remains slow amid ongoing tensions.
Key Facts
Lebanon and Israel held two days of talks in Rome at the U.S. embassy to implement a peace agreement.
The agreement calls for Israel to withdraw troops from southern Lebanon and Lebanese forces to take their place.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun demands Israel pull back troops from two specific zones before further talks.
Italy is hosting the talks to support efforts for a ceasefire and peace.
The agreement follows a June 26 meeting in Washington, which aimed to end hostilities and disarm armed groups like Hezbollah.
Hezbollah opposes the agreement and efforts to disarm it, while Israel wants to keep its troops until Hezbollah is disarmed.
Israeli forces occupy a 10-kilometer strip inside southern Lebanon to protect Israeli communities.
The U.S. military is involved in coordinating the implementation of the withdrawal and Lebanese troop deployment plans.
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An official inquiry found that Boris Johnson’s Conservative government wasted large amounts of public money buying personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The inquiry criticized a special “VIP lane” that gave priority to companies with political links, causing unfair treatment and public distrust.
Key Facts
The UK government spent about £14.9 billion on PPE during the pandemic.
Nearly two-thirds of this spending, around £10 billion, was wasted.
A “VIP lane” prioritized PPE contracts for firms connected to the Conservative Party.
PPE Medpro, linked to a Conservative peer, received £203 million in contracts after political contact.
The inquiry found no proof of corruption or cronyism by ministers in final contract decisions.
The government’s PPE stockpile was inadequate at the pandemic’s start.
Healthcare workers lacked sufficient protection against COVID-19.
The inquiry stated the VIP lane was unfair and should not be used again.
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Gulf countries including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan have activated their air defence systems in response to recent attacks by Iran targeting US military sites in the region. The attacks follow US strikes on Iranian positions and come amid ongoing tensions despite a recent agreement aimed at preventing war.
Key Facts
Iran launched attacks on US military installations in the Gulf region.
The US responded with bombardments on Iran’s southern coast and islands.
The attacks have renewed less than a month after a memorandum aimed to halt conflict was signed by the US and Iran.
Iran claims it targeted fuel depots, military facilities, and air defence systems in several Gulf countries.
Gulf states report missiles and drones entering their airspace, causing some civilian injuries.
The US has about 50,000 troops stationed in 19 locations across the Middle East and North Africa.
Gulf countries rely on US military presence for protection but face risks because of it.
The strength of Gulf air defence systems is being tested by the renewed attacks.
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Healthcare workers at an Ebola treatment center in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have stopped working to protest unpaid wages and concerns about their safety. Some workers say they have not received pay for several months during the ongoing Ebola outbreak.
Key Facts
The strike is happening at an Ebola treatment center in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Healthcare workers are protesting because they have not been paid for months.
Workers are also concerned about unsafe working conditions.
The strike affects efforts to control the Ebola outbreak in the area.
Ebola is a serious infectious disease that requires specialized treatment and safety measures.
The healthcare workers want their salaries paid and better protections while treating patients.
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President Donald Trump has used military actions and threats to pressure Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for oil shipping. Experts say that fully controlling the strait would require a large U.S. military presence on Iranian land because Iran can still attack ships from hidden weapons.
Key Facts
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway in the Middle East where 20% of the world’s oil passes through.
President Trump has reimposed a blockade on Iran’s ports and plans to charge fees on cargo passing through the strait.
Iran controls the strait and has hidden drones and missiles that can disrupt ship traffic.
Experts say Iran has prepared for this kind of conflict for decades and can continue causing problems.
Securing the strait by force would need tens of thousands of U.S. troops on the ground in Iran.
Deploying such a large force would be expensive and could lead to insurgent attacks against U.S. soldiers.
The conflict has caused oil prices to rise and affects U.S. politics ahead of the midterm elections.
Both sides have exchanged fire recently, increasing the risk of a wider war.
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The Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX), a traditionalist Catholic group, has started an official appeal against Pope Leo XIV's decree that declared them in schism and excommunicated six of their bishops. The appeal challenges the Vatican’s decision after SSPX consecrated new bishops without the Pope’s approval, which the Vatican said broke Church rules.
Key Facts
The SSPX filed a preliminary appeal on July 11 with the Vatican’s office in charge of Church doctrine.
Pope Leo XIV’s decree on July 2 excommunicated six SSPX bishops and said their priests are in schism.
The excommunication followed the SSPX consecrating four new bishops in Switzerland without permission from the Pope.
The SSPX argues they followed canon law (Church law) and say the consecrations were necessary due to problems in the Church.
The Vatican had warned the SSPX that consecrating bishops without approval would cause excommunication and schism.
The SSPX hopes the appeal will help resolve the dispute peacefully while staying loyal to the Catholic Church.
The issue is a major challenge early in Pope Leo XIV’s leadership.
The appeal process is the first step before a formal Church trial or decision.
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Police are questioning a 28-year-old man from South Yorkshire in connection with the murder of politician Ann Widdecombe, who was found dead at her home in Devon. The investigation has been taken over by the Counter Terrorism Police after new information suggested a possible terrorism link.
Key Facts
Ann Widdecombe, aged 78, a former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman, was found dead at her home in Devon.
A 28-year-old white British man from Rotherham was arrested on suspicion of murder and later re-arrested under terrorism laws.
Police believe Widdecombe was attacked around 12:30 pm on Wednesday.
Counter Terrorism Policing South East took over the investigation after initial police said there was no political motive.
The suspect can be held for up to two weeks without charge under terrorism laws, unlike the usual 96 hours for murder suspects.
CCTV showed the suspect leaving Yorkshire early Wednesday, hours before the attack.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the suspect was not known to the government’s anti-terror Prevent program.
Police plan to give safety advice to Members of Parliament after this incident.
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President Donald Trump has approved Ukraine's request to produce key interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defense system within Ukraine. This decision aims to help Ukraine defend itself from Russian air attacks amid rising civilian casualties and ongoing conflict.
Key Facts
Ukraine will get a license to produce Patriot interceptor missiles on its own soil.
The Patriot system helps defend Ukraine from Russian aircraft, drones, and ballistic missiles.
Ukrainian officials say more air defense systems and ammunition are urgently needed due to frequent Russian strikes.
At least 265 civilians were reported killed and 1,816 injured in Ukraine from Russian attacks in June 2026.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and President Trump met at a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, and showed a friendlier relationship than before.
Zelenskyy called the missile production agreement a historic political deal.
Chrystia Freeland, an adviser to Zelenskyy, said producing missiles will take time and Ukraine needs immediate help to reduce casualties.
Freeland noted Trump tends to support those who show strength and winning progress in the conflict.
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This article explains how to help cats that have been through trauma, neglect, or abandonment learn to trust humans again. It shares advice from a veterinarian on how to care for rescue cats gently, create a safe space, and be patient as they adjust to their new home.
Key Facts
Cats who have suffered neglect or abandonment may not show affection right away because they need time to trust.
Mr. Wobbles, a cat with a deformed leg that was amputated, is looking for a patient new home.
Vets advise keeping rescued cats in a small, quiet room with food, water, a litter box, and safe hiding spots when they first arrive.
Scared cats might hide quietly or show subtle signs of trust like eating nearby, slow blinking, or grooming.
Moving too fast or forcing contact can frighten rescue cats more. Owners should wait for the cat to approach and reward positive behavior with treats and toys.
Tripod cats (cats with three legs) like Mr. Wobbles and another kitten named Winston can adapt well but need homes that are easy to navigate.
Safety improvements for three-legged cats include non-slip floors and accessible food, water, and litter boxes.
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Two Romanian climbers who went missing last week were found dead in the Italian Alps. They fell into a deep crevasse in the Gran Paradiso massif after leaving a mountain refuge on July 9.
Key Facts
The climbers were Romanian nationals and disappeared after leaving a mountain refuge on July 9.
Their bodies were found Monday at the bottom of a 65-foot deep crevasse in the Gran Paradiso massif.
The Gran Paradiso massif is part of Italy’s oldest national park and rises to 4,061 meters.
Helicopter searches were conducted over several days before finding the climbers.
Mountain accidents in Italy are common, with 528 deaths reported in 2025, a 13% increase from 2024.
In early 2025, a record 13 backcountry skiers, climbers, and hikers died in one week.
In November 2025, five German mountaineers died in an avalanche in South Tyrol, northern Italy.
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The United States, under President Donald Trump, has carried out strikes on Iran for the third night in a row and announced plans to charge ships for passing through the Strait of Hormuz. This comes amid ongoing attacks in the area despite an interim deal meant to halt hostilities. Meanwhile, tensions rise as Iran and the US continue confrontations related to navigation and control of the strategic waterway.
Key Facts
The US has launched three consecutive nights of strikes on Iran.
President Trump announced the US will charge a 20% fee for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The UAE reported that two of its national tankers were hit by Iranian missiles near the strait, resulting in one death and several injuries.
An interim deal designed to end the conflict between Iran and the US is breaking down amid ongoing attacks.
Both the US and Iran previously said the strait should be free of tolls, but now both sides have proposed charging fees.
Charging fees or blocking the strait violates international rules on free navigation and could disrupt global trade.
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial waterway for global oil shipments.
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Wildfires are burning across the UK due to a long heatwave, with fire services under heavy pressure to control the flames. Several major fires are active in regions including Wales, Derbyshire, and the Peak District, and dry weather is increasing the risk of new fires starting.
Key Facts
About 19 wildfires remain active across the UK.
Major incidents were declared in Conwy (north Wales) and Glossop (Derbyshire).
Fires have also affected Hampshire, Durham, West Sussex, East Sussex, Devon, and Somerset.
One large moorland fire near Tintwistle Moor has burned around 260 hectares (642 acres).
Firefighters warn of difficult conditions caused by high temperatures, wind, and dry weather.
Dry weather does not cause fires alone; an ignition source like a spark is needed, but dry plants burn more easily.
A 20-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of arson near the Peak District fire.
Authorities warn of a very high or exceptional risk of fires across much of England and Wales in the coming days.
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