Two American troops were killed and one went missing following an Iranian missile attack in Jordan. Jordan reported intercepting 10 Iranian missiles that entered its airspace overnight into Saturday. The United States confirmed the casualties in the wake of the strike. The attack marks a significant escalation in regional tensions involving US forces and Iran.
Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok has agreed to step down after the country's parliament voted to remove him from office. Sulyok, widely regarded as a loyalist of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, faced a deadline of Saturday night to consent to ending his term early. The parliamentary move marked a significant political development in Hungary's leadership. His departure follows formal legislative action that left him little choice but to accept the decision.
German politician Jens Spahn has resigned following public backlash over his personal use of a surrogate mother. The controversy stems from the fact that Spahn had previously supported a ban on surrogacy in Germany. His decision to use the very practice he once opposed drew widespread criticism and calls for his resignation. The case has reignited debate in Germany around the ethics and legality of surrogacy.
Ukrainian drones attacked warehouses belonging to Russian online retailer Wildberries, hitting facilities near Moscow and in the Tambov region. The strikes caused fatalities, making them deadly incidents rather than purely infrastructural attacks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky defended the strikes, describing the targeted sites as major logistics facilities. He alleged the warehouses were being used to supply sanctioned components, framing the attacks as militarily justified rather than civilian in nature.
Laos authorities have stated they cannot establish the cause of death of several tourists who died in 2024 and were linked to methanol poisoning. Officials cited the absence of autopsies as the primary reason for their inability to reach a conclusion. The deaths had raised international concern, with suspicions pointing toward tainted alcoholic drinks containing methanol. Without forensic evidence, Laos has no official confirmation of poisoning. The case has highlighted gaps in the country's response to tourist safety incidents.
A woman identified only as 'Anya' has given the BBC a rare firsthand account of life inside Jeffrey Epstein's network of abuse. She describes how the convicted sex-criminal financier used calculated manipulation and threats to lure and control young women he called his 'assistants'. Anya alleges that control extended to coerced and disfiguring surgical procedures carried out on victims. Her testimony offers an unusually detailed glimpse into the methods Epstein reportedly used to maintain power over those around him. Epstein died in a US federal jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Indian climate activist and innovator Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly taken to hospital after sustaining a hunger strike for 20 days. Wangchuk, known for his work in Ladakh, had been fasting as part of a campaign to press demands related to the region. He had called on supporters to join a protest march to parliament scheduled for 20 July. Authorities intervened and moved him to a medical facility given concerns over his deteriorating health.
Shomari Figures made history by winning a seat in the U.S. Congress, becoming a notable representative for his constituents. However, a subsequent Supreme Court decision has put his congressional seat at risk. Residents in his district have expressed concern that losing Figures as their representative could result in a loss of critical federal funding for their community. The case highlights the broader impact Supreme Court redistricting rulings can have on elected officials and the communities they serve.
The United States military has carried out strikes against Iran for the seventh night in a row, according to US command. The stated objective of the campaign is to degrade Iran's armed forces and military capabilities. Iran has reported explosions occurring near the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically critical waterway. The ongoing strikes mark a significant and sustained US military operation against Iranian targets.
Indian space startup Skyroot Aerospace is preparing to launch its Vikram-1 rocket, marking a significant milestone in the country's commercial space sector. The company holds the distinction of being India's first space-tech unicorn. The Vikram-1 is designed specifically to reach orbit, distinguishing it from suborbital test flights. The launch is scheduled for Saturday, representing a major step forward for private spaceflight in India.
Maricopa County in Arizona is one of the hottest regions in the United States, regularly experiencing extreme desert temperatures. Despite this harsh climate, the county has managed to reduce the number of deaths caused by heat. Authorities and public health officials have implemented strategies to address the growing threat of heat-related fatalities. The county's approach is now being studied as a potential model for other cities and regions facing rising temperatures worldwide.
Wildfires burning in Ontario, Canada have sent thick smoke drifting across cities in both the United States and Canada. The smoke has created hazardous air quality conditions for residents in affected areas. The fires have raised significant public health concerns due to the concentration of harmful particulates in the air. Authorities have been monitoring the situation as the smoke continues to impact large urban populations across the region.
North Korean defectors have revealed to the BBC that K-pop music has managed to gain popularity inside the country despite severe government restrictions. The North Korean state has long enforced a policy of cultural isolation, positioning Kim Jong Un as the sole object of citizens' admiration and loyalty. Nevertheless, South Korean pop music has found ways to penetrate the tightly controlled society. Defectors describe how people secretly consume K-pop content, risking serious punishment to do so. The trend highlights the growing challenge authoritarian regimes face in completely suppressing outside cultural influences.
The comments could further fuel the row over the incident, which has seen Downing Street back calls for Fifa to investigate.
US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on Canada in response to wildfire smoke drifting across the border and affecting air quality in northern American cities. The smoke, originating from Canadian wildfires, has prompted Trump to pressure Ottawa with economic measures. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded by stating that both the US and Canada share equal responsibility in addressing climate change. Experts have linked worsening wildfire conditions to climate change, underscoring the broader environmental context behind the cross-border dispute.
Russia has taken action against two prominent anti-war voices in a sign of tightening pressure on government opponents. Boris Nadezhdin, a known critic of the war, has been barred from standing for parliament and handed a fine. Separately, blogger Ilya Remeslo has been remanded in custody, meaning he will be held while his case proceeds. The two cases highlight an ongoing pattern of the Russian authorities moving against those who publicly oppose the war.
Protests erupted in Ukraine on Thursday after Mykhailo Fedorov's removal - and now soldiers are also criticising the move.
The European Union has put forward proposals to relax its emissions trading system for businesses. The move would give companies additional time to reduce their carbon output rather than meeting existing deadlines. The proposals represent a softening of the EU's current approach to corporate carbon reduction targets. The changes would affect how businesses participate in the bloc's established carbon trading framework.
A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Mexico, prompting the US Tsunami Warning Center to issue a formal warning. The seismic event triggered ocean waves that were recorded at a height of 0.3 metres, or approximately 1.1 feet. The waves were detected at Puerto Madero and along the Chiapas coastline in southern Mexico. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as part of the ongoing tsunami alert response.
Suspected Somali pirates have hijacked a tanker in waters off Yemen, marking the second such incident within three months. The attack is part of a broader resurgence of piracy activity in the region. Several other attempted hijackings in the area have been reported but were unsuccessful. The incidents signal a concerning revival of maritime piracy in waters that had seen reduced activity in recent years.
