Shipping activity in the Strait of Hormuz has almost stopped due to renewed fighting between the United States and Iran. Recent attacks and military strikes have increased tensions, affecting one of the world's most important routes for oil transport.
Key Facts
No large ships have officially crossed the Strait of Hormuz via the US-endorsed route since July 7.
Only a few vessels have been tracked crossing the strait recently, down from about 130 daily before the conflict began.
The US and Iran have exchanged military strikes, including US attacks on Iranian targets and Iranian responses in several nearby countries.
Iran reported explosions in its southern region, but US forces denied involvement in the latest incidents.
Despite the conflict, oil prices stayed mostly steady but are expected to rise due to reduced supply and lower oil inventories.
Diesel prices are rising more sharply because of supply issues from Middle Eastern and Russian refineries.
Asian stock markets opened higher, showing investor confidence despite the conflict.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital route for global energy supplies, making this disruption significant for international markets.
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The United States launched new airstrikes on Iran, leading Iran to fire missiles at countries that host US forces, including Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan. This exchange of attacks threatens a temporary agreement aimed at stopping the war in the Middle East and has caused explosions near Iran’s nuclear power plant.
Key Facts
The US conducted airstrikes on Iran early Thursday, hitting about 90 targets.
Iran responded by launching missiles at Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan.
Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan reported intercepting and shooting down missiles and drones.
The attacks put a fragile ceasefire in the Middle East at risk.
Explosions were reported near Iran’s only nuclear power plant.
At least 14 people were killed and 78 wounded in Iran due to US airstrikes.
The conflict affects the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and natural gas shipments.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of Iran was buried after being killed early in the war.
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At least 12 people died and six were injured in a wildfire in Los Gallardos, Spain, during a severe heatwave affecting southern Europe. The fire spread quickly, causing evacuations and road closures, as hundreds of firefighters worked to control it amid record-high temperatures.
Key Facts
The wildfire occurred in Los Gallardos, in the Almería province of southeastern Spain.
Twelve people died, with some victims found inside vehicles caught in the fire.
Six people were injured, including those with burns and smoke inhalation.
Witnesses suggested a downed power line might have started the fire, but this is not officially confirmed.
About 150 firefighters, along with Spain's Military Emergency Unit, are involved in fighting the fire.
The heatwave causing the fire brought temperatures around 40°C (104°F), with some areas forecasted to hit 42°C (107.6°F).
Spain had its worst wildfire season last year, burning nearly 393,000 hectares.
Climate change is causing more heatwaves and wildfires in Europe, which is warming faster than the global average.
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A goat named Goldie followed firefighters working to stop a wildfire in Colorado Springs. The goat stayed with the crews for two days, offering company while they fought the Rock Creek Fire.
Key Facts
Goldie is a 4-year-old Nigerian dwarf goat with a brown and white coat.
Goldie followed firefighters during their work on the Rock Creek Fire in Colorado Springs.
The goat also helped by eating some leaves and brush while the crews cleared the area.
Firefighters appreciated Goldie’s company during the tough work fighting the fire.
The Rock Creek Fire was about 50% contained as of late Friday.
The Colorado Springs fire crew has also worked on other wildfires in the area this season.
Hot weather, low snow, and strong winds have made fighting fires in the West more difficult.
Goldie’s owner said the goat helped lift the spirits of the firefighters during their long shifts.
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Israeli researchers are testing ways to find and remove unexploded bombs from the Mediterranean Sea near Rishon Lezion. The goal is to make part of the shoreline safe for public use again. This effort is part of a wider global move to protect ocean waters as they see more use.
Key Facts
Israeli divers are searching for unexploded mortar shells and other bombs underwater near Rishon Lezion.
The area has been a firing range for many years, which left dangerous munitions on the sea floor.
The project aims to clear 2 kilometers (about 1.2 miles) of shoreline to reopen it for people.
Finding underwater bombs is difficult, as shown when divers could not locate test dummy shells they placed months earlier.
Unexploded munitions can leak harmful chemicals and metals into the sea, polluting the environment.
These bombs can be dangerous if stepped on or handled, especially by children.
Similar efforts are underway in Europe, where large amounts of wartime munitions lie on sea floors.
The project is among the first in the Middle East to focus on clearing smaller munitions from complex underwater areas.
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The UK government has proposed new rules to make vape products less attractive to children by requiring plain packaging and banning flavor names related to sweets and alcohol. The plans aim to reduce youth vaping while still allowing adults to use vapes to quit smoking.
Key Facts
The UK is consulting on plain, bland vape packaging to reduce appeal to children.
Names referencing sweets, desserts, and alcohol will be banned on vape products.
Bright colors, cartoon images, and flashy branding will no longer be allowed on vape packaging.
Vaping is less harmful than smoking and helps adults quit but should not target children.
The Tobacco and Vapes Act sets a lifelong ban on cigarette sales to anyone born after January 1, 2009.
New rules may ban vaping in cars with children, playgrounds, schools, and hospitals.
Single-use vapes are banned, with plans to ban vending machine sales and vape advertising.
Around 20% of young people aged 11-17 in Great Britain tried vaping in 2025, according to a charity.
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Melanie C, known as Sporty Spice from the Spice Girls, said the 30th anniversary of their hit song "Wannabe" was very emotional. The song, released in 1996, became a global success and helped the band promote "Girl Power." Melanie received a global impact award at the Silver Clef Awards while other artists were also honored.
Key Facts
"Wannabe" was released 30 years ago and became one of the biggest songs of the 1990s.
The song sold more than 8 million copies worldwide.
Melanie C spoke about the band's surprise at their huge success and their goal to conquer the world.
The Spice Girls posted messages on social media to mark the anniversary.
Melanie C received the global impact award at the Nordoff and Robbins Silver Clef Awards.
Actor Richard E Grant, who was in the Spice Girls movie Spice World, presented her with the award.
Other award winners included Sam Fender (best live act), Jade Thirlwall (best female), Lily Allen (icon award), and Jessie J (outstanding achievement).
The Silver Clef Awards support a music therapy charity that helps people with various health conditions.
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Prince William, the Prince of Wales, is a big fan of football and supports the England team as well as the Aston Villa club. He has followed all England’s World Cup matches, stays in touch with players, and attended Aston Villa’s recent Europa League final win in person.
Key Facts
Prince William watched England’s World Cup matches, including their win over Mexico.
He is the Patron of the Football Association and knows many players personally.
If England reaches the World Cup final on 19 July, he will attend as an official FA representative.
Prince William supports Aston Villa, a football club he has followed since his teenage years.
He attended Aston Villa’s Europa League final victory in May with friends.
His official social media accounts have shown enthusiastic support for Aston Villa.
The club captain praised William for being a dedicated fan who joined the team celebrations.
Prince William listens to a podcast about Aston Villa and expressed interest in appearing on it.
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A senior aid worker, Mohammed al-Wahidi, who helped organise World Cup match screenings in Gaza, was killed in an Israeli air strike on a taxi. He was part of an Egyptian aid group working in Gaza and was mourned by many Palestinians and Egyptians.
Key Facts
Mohammed al-Wahidi, a Palestinian working for the Egyptian Relief Committee, was killed by an Israeli air strike in Gaza.
The air strike also killed three others, including two children aged 10 and 8.
Al-Wahidi helped clear rubble, support displaced families, and organise World Cup screenings in Gaza.
Hundreds attended his funeral, where his body was wrapped in Palestinian and Egyptian flags.
Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire on October 10, 2025, but air strikes by Israel have continued.
Since the ceasefire, over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 3,500 injured due to air strikes.
Since October 2023, more than 73,000 Palestinians have died in the conflict, according to Gaza health officials.
The incident was raised by Egyptian officials with Israel, condemning the ongoing violence and obstruction of aid work.
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Paul Gambaccini, a veteran BBC radio DJ, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2025. He will continue hosting his shows on BBC Radio 2 and Greatest Hits Radio while sharing updates about his condition.
Key Facts
Paul Gambaccini is 77 years old and was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2025.
He is a presenter on BBC Radio 2 and Greatest Hits Radio and plans to keep working.
BBC Radio 2 expressed support and sent best wishes to him.
Gambaccini has a long career in radio, starting in 1973 with BBC Radio 1.
He has presented on multiple BBC radio stations and was a founding presenter of Classic FM.
He was inducted into the Radio Academy Hall of Fame in 2005.
Gambaccini has been open about his diagnosis and grateful for public support.
The Alzheimer's Society highlights his story as an example that life can continue after a dementia diagnosis.
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A new, non-invasive treatment using focused ultrasound waves has been tested to help identical twins affected by twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), a condition causing uneven blood flow between twins sharing a placenta. In a small trial, the treatment successfully sealed problem blood vessels, allowing some babies to be born healthy without the need for surgery.
Key Facts
TTTS affects about 10-15% of identical twins who share a placenta, roughly 300-400 pregnancies a year in the UK.
The condition causes uneven blood flow, with one twin receiving too much blood and the other not enough, which can be dangerous.
Traditional treatments involve inserting needles or scopes into the womb to drain fluid or seal vessels using lasers.
The new procedure uses high-powered ultrasound waves to seal small blood vessels without surgery.
The trial treated 10 women; half required additional treatments, and 12 out of 20 babies survived.
The ultrasound treatment blocked blood flow in 90% of targeted vessels and caused no harmful side effects.
Larger studies are needed before the treatment can be widely used.
Parents and doctors see this as a hopeful, less invasive option for managing TTTS.
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A wildfire in southern Spain’s Almeria region killed 12 people and injured several others. Firefighters, supported by the military emergency unit, worked to control the blaze amid a severe heatwave causing dangerous conditions.
Key Facts
The wildfire occurred in the hamlet of Bedar, Almeria, southern Spain.
Twelve people died, and at least six were injured, including burns and smoke inhalation cases.
Around 150 firefighters fought the fire, with military emergency units joining later.
Fires forced road closures and evacuations; about 50 people stayed in a cultural center.
Officials suspect the fire may have started when a power line fell on dry vegetation.
Spain is experiencing a heatwave with temperatures over 40°C, raising wildfire risks.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez promised Spain’s largest wildfire response this summer.
Climate change has lengthened wildfire seasons worldwide and increased the size and frequency of fires.
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Nearly 9,000 people in England and Wales who are supposed to wear electronic monitoring tags do not have them, according to a report from the National Audit Office (NAO). The Ministry of Justice says its own count is lower, at about 5,450, and both groups agree that the system needs improvement to better protect the public.
Key Facts
Around 8,900 cases show individuals required to wear electronic tags but are not actually tagged, according to the NAO.
The Ministry of Justice estimates a lower number of untagged offenders at 5,450.
Electronic monitoring tags are used to enforce curfews or conditions in court and prison orders.
There are three types of electronic tags: curfew tags, location tags, and alcohol tags.
A total of 28,700 people were recorded as tagged as of March 2026.
Reasons for missing tags include system errors, refusal to wear a tag, delays in fitting, or tag removal during arrest.
The government is investing £100 million to expand and improve electronic monitoring under the Sentencing Act 2026.
Probation officers report being overworked and worried about managing more offenders released early from prison with monitoring requirements.
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A British-Australian pianist, Jayson Gillham, lost a workplace discrimination case against the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra after his concert was canceled. The cancellation followed his public comments about the killing of Palestinian journalists by Israel during a performance.
Key Facts
Jayson Gillham made comments during a 2024 concert saying Israel had killed more than 100 Palestinian journalists since the Gaza war began.
Gillham's planned recital was canceled by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) shortly after his remarks.
The cancellation was ruled not to be due to discrimination but to protect the orchestra's reputation and business.
The court found that the MSO has a policy against musicians making political or social statements on stage without approval.
About 150 people attended the concert where Gillham premiered a piece dedicated to journalists in Gaza.
The Committee to Protect Journalists reported 207 journalists killed in Gaza since October 2023.
The MSO initially said canceling the recital was a mistake and tried to reschedule the event.
The case lasted three weeks, with many witnesses including Gillham and MSO leaders giving evidence.
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Akiko Sugaya sells tofu door to door in an east Tokyo neighborhood, where she also keeps an eye on elderly customers living alone. Her work helps fight loneliness and sometimes leads her to discover if someone is in trouble.
Key Facts
Sugaya sells tofu from a pink cart while blowing a small brass horn to alert customers.
She has been delivering tofu and checking on neighbors for 23 years.
Many of her customers are elderly people living alone, a growing issue in Japan’s aging society.
She sometimes finds signs like uncollected newspapers or laundry that suggest someone may need help.
Sugaya has occasionally been the first to find elderly customers who passed away alone.
Delivering tofu has helped her build confidence after experiencing bullying and job losses.
Her work continues the tradition of neighborhood vendors in Japan amid rising delivery apps and smartphone use.
A regular customer, Shinji Saito, praises her kindness and accepting nature.
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A Michigan woman, Lynette Hooker, went missing in the Bahamas in April while on a sailboat trip with her husband, Brian Hooker. Investigators are considering that Lynette may have returned to the couple's sailboat before disappearing, and they are also looking into whether there was a fight between the couple on the boat.
Key Facts
Lynette Hooker, 55, was reported missing on April 5 by her husband Brian Hooker.
Brian said Lynette fell overboard from a dinghy and was swept away by rough waters.
Authorities have not found Lynette’s body.
Brian Hooker was briefly detained but not charged and denies any wrongdoing.
Investigators now think Lynette might have made it back to the sailboat named "Soulmate."
They are investigating if a physical fight happened on the sailboat.
The Coast Guard seized the sailboat in May near Florida and the dinghy in June in the Bahamas.
Evidence from the sailboat is being examined at an FBI facility in Virginia.
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The United States and Iran have recently engaged in their strongest military strikes near the Strait of Hormuz since agreeing to a ceasefire a little over three weeks ago. This area is a key waterway for global oil shipments, making the conflict there particularly significant.
Key Facts
The U.S. and Iran exchanged heavy strikes near the Strait of Hormuz this week.
The strikes are the strongest since a fragile ceasefire was signed about three weeks ago.
The Strait of Hormuz is an important passage for oil transportation worldwide.
Increased military activity raises concerns about regional stability and global energy supplies.
CBS News national security analyst Aaron MacLean provided analysis of the situation.
The conflict shows ongoing tension despite the recent ceasefire agreement.
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A wildfire in southern Spain's Almeria region killed 12 people, with some found inside vehicles. Firefighters are working to control the fire, which has also injured several people and caused evacuations.
Key Facts
The wildfire occurred in the hamlet of Bedar, near Los Gallardos in Andalusia, southern Spain.
Twelve people died, with six victims found after initial reports.
About 150 firefighters are battling the fire.
At least six people were injured, including a woman with burns and a person with smoke inhalation.
Witnesses said the fire may have started when a power line fell and ignited dry plants.
Roads were closed and residents evacuated, with around 50 people staying in a cultural center.
Spain is experiencing a heatwave with high temperatures, increasing wildfire risks.
Spain's Military Emergency Unit (UME) is scheduled to assist in firefighting efforts.
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Andy Burnham, expected to be the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, apologized for his party's earlier response to Israel's actions in Gaza. He now wants the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Netanyahu, to be held responsible for the situation.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is likely to become the UK’s next Prime Minister.
He publicly apologized for the Labour Party’s original reaction to Israeli attacks in Gaza.
Burnham used social media to make his apology.
He is calling for accountability from the Israeli government.
The Israeli government is led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The issue concerns the conflict and suffering in Gaza.
Burnham’s stance represents a change from his party’s initial position.
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A student pilot had to land a plane by himself after the instructor unexpectedly jumped out of the aircraft midair. The instructor’s family said he had seen a psychiatrist the week before the incident.
Key Facts
The plane instructor jumped to his death while flying with a student pilot.
The student pilot managed to land the plane alone safely.
A school official shared this information about the incident.
The instructor’s family revealed he visited a psychiatrist recently.
The event happened suddenly and required quick action from the student pilot.
No further details about the exact location or cause have been provided.
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