Lead Story
Trump declares US-Iran ceasefire 'over,' orders naval blockade of Strait of Hormuz
President Trump said the ceasefire between the United States and Iran is 'over' after the two sides traded fresh attacks, and announced the US Navy will blockade the Strait of Hormuz and charge foreign vessels a fee for safe passage through the vital oil-shipping route. The declaration follows an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps strike on commercial shipping and days of retaliatory US airstrikes on Iranian military sites. Trump said Washington remains open to further talks with Tehran, with another round of negotiations expected soon, even as both militaries continue exchanging fire across the Gulf.
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Trump declares US-Iran ceasefire 'over,' orders naval blockade of Strait of Hormuz
President Trump said the ceasefire between the United States and Iran is 'over' after the two sides traded fresh attacks, and announced the US Navy will blockade the Strait of Hormuz and charge foreign vessels a fee for safe passage through the vital oil-shipping route. The declaration follows an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps strike on commercial shipping and days of retaliatory US airstrikes on Iranian military sites. Trump said Washington remains open to further talks with Tehran, with another round of negotiations expected soon, even as both militaries continue exchanging fire across the Gulf.
UN warns Yemen risks full-scale conflict as Houthis threaten Saudi Arabia after Sanaa airport strike
Yemeni government forces bombed the runway at Sanaa airport to block what they called an unauthorized Iranian flight, prompting Houthi rebels to declare an end to a period of de-escalation and threaten retaliation against Saudi Arabia, which backs the government. Houthi missiles were fired at Saudi territory and intercepted, while the group also threatened to strike Riyadh's King Khalid Airport and to close the Bab al-Mandeb strait. The United Nations warned the flare-up could unravel a truce that has largely held since 2022 and tip Yemen back into full-scale war.
Read more →UN warns Yemen risks full-scale conflict as Houthis threaten Saudi Arabia after Sanaa airport strike
Yemeni government forces bombed the runway at Sanaa airport to block what they called an unauthorized Iranian flight, prompting Houthi rebels to declare an end to a period of de-escalation and threaten retaliation against Saudi Arabia, which backs the government. Houthi missiles were fired at Saudi territory and intercepted, while the group also threatened to strike Riyadh's King Khalid Airport and to close the Bab al-Mandeb strait. The United Nations warned the flare-up could unravel a truce that has largely held since 2022 and tip Yemen back into full-scale war.
World Cup 2026 semifinals set: France face Spain, England face Argentina
The World Cup 2026 semifinal lineup is complete after a dramatic round of quarterfinals: France beat Morocco 2-0, Spain beat Belgium 2-1, England beat Norway 2-1 in extra time on two Jude Bellingham goals, and Argentina edged Switzerland 3-1 behind a 112th-minute long-range strike from Julian Alvarez. France meet Spain on Tuesday, July 14 in Dallas, and England renew their rivalry with Argentina on Wednesday, July 15 in Atlanta, with the winners advancing to the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium.
Read more →World Cup 2026 semifinals set: France face Spain, England face Argentina
The World Cup 2026 semifinal lineup is complete after a dramatic round of quarterfinals: France beat Morocco 2-0, Spain beat Belgium 2-1, England beat Norway 2-1 in extra time on two Jude Bellingham goals, and Argentina edged Switzerland 3-1 behind a 112th-minute long-range strike from Julian Alvarez. France meet Spain on Tuesday, July 14 in Dallas, and England renew their rivalry with Argentina on Wednesday, July 15 in Atlanta, with the winners advancing to the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium.
US strikes hit some 140 Iranian military sites as Trump vows to 'hold Iranian forces accountable'
US Central Command carried out a third consecutive night of strikes on Iran, hitting roughly 140 military sites in an overnight aerial assault, with CENTCOM saying President Trump directed the operation to 'hold Iranian forces accountable.' Across three nights this week the US has now struck more than 300 targets, including air-defense systems, coastal radar sites, missile and drone facilities and small boats, aiming to degrade Iran's ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The escalation follows an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps attack on the Cyprus-flagged container ship M/V GFS Galaxy, and the two sides remain at odds over who controls passage through the strait.
Read more →US strikes hit some 140 Iranian military sites as Trump vows to 'hold Iranian forces accountable'
US Central Command carried out a third consecutive night of strikes on Iran, hitting roughly 140 military sites in an overnight aerial assault, with CENTCOM saying President Trump directed the operation to 'hold Iranian forces accountable.' Across three nights this week the US has now struck more than 300 targets, including air-defense systems, coastal radar sites, missile and drone facilities and small boats, aiming to degrade Iran's ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The escalation follows an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps attack on the Cyprus-flagged container ship M/V GFS Galaxy, and the two sides remain at odds over who controls passage through the strait.
Former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani dies at 74
Qatar's Father Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, has died at age 74. He ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013, transforming the small Gulf state into a major energy exporter and regional diplomatic power, before handing power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in a rare voluntary abdication by a hereditary Gulf Arab ruler. Qatar declared a four-day period of public mourning starting Sunday, suspending work at government agencies and lowering flags to half-mast, as condolences arrived from leaders around the world.
Read more →Former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani dies at 74
Qatar's Father Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, has died at age 74. He ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013, transforming the small Gulf state into a major energy exporter and regional diplomatic power, before handing power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in a rare voluntary abdication by a hereditary Gulf Arab ruler. Qatar declared a four-day period of public mourning starting Sunday, suspending work at government agencies and lowering flags to half-mast, as condolences arrived from leaders around the world.
Ukraine's PM Yulia Svyrydenko steps down as Zelenskyy reshuffles government
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stepped down on Sunday as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a fresh reshuffle of his government, the fourth major reorganization since Russia's full-scale invasion began. Zelenskyy said the shake-up is meant to sharpen the country's foreign policy and security focus, with each priority relationship overseen by an experienced individual capable of delivering on agreements reached at the leaders' level, and thanked Svyrydenko for offering to lead a new major direction in relations with a key partner. The overhaul also brings changes to the top ranks of Ukraine's law enforcement agencies.
Read more →Ukraine's PM Yulia Svyrydenko steps down as Zelenskyy reshuffles government
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stepped down on Sunday as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a fresh reshuffle of his government, the fourth major reorganization since Russia's full-scale invasion began. Zelenskyy said the shake-up is meant to sharpen the country's foreign policy and security focus, with each priority relationship overseen by an experienced individual capable of delivering on agreements reached at the leaders' level, and thanked Svyrydenko for offering to lead a new major direction in relations with a key partner. The overhaul also brings changes to the top ranks of Ukraine's law enforcement agencies.
Iran launches missile and drone barrage on Qatar, UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait after fresh US strikes
Iran widened its military campaign across the Gulf on Sunday, firing waves of missiles and drones at Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait, with further attacks claimed in Jordan and Oman, hours after the US carried out a third round of airstrikes on Iranian targets in retaliation for attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Revolutionary Guard said it targeted the Al-Udeid US airbase in Qatar, claiming it destroyed a command-and-control center and an aircraft maintenance facility, though Qatari air defenses intercepted the incoming missiles; explosions lit up the night sky over Doha. Kuwait said it shot down four missiles and ten drones, and Jordan intercepted eight missiles, as Tehran warned that other American bases in the region remain vulnerable if Washington continues military operations.
Read more →Iran launches missile and drone barrage on Qatar, UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait after fresh US strikes
Iran widened its military campaign across the Gulf on Sunday, firing waves of missiles and drones at Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait, with further attacks claimed in Jordan and Oman, hours after the US carried out a third round of airstrikes on Iranian targets in retaliation for attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Revolutionary Guard said it targeted the Al-Udeid US airbase in Qatar, claiming it destroyed a command-and-control center and an aircraft maintenance facility, though Qatari air defenses intercepted the incoming missiles; explosions lit up the night sky over Doha. Kuwait said it shot down four missiles and ten drones, and Jordan intercepted eight missiles, as Tehran warned that other American bases in the region remain vulnerable if Washington continues military operations.
Two killed in mass shooting at Toronto's largest Latin street festival
Two men were killed and four other people were seriously injured when at least two shooters exchanged gunfire amid a crowd of roughly 13,000 at the Salsa on St. Clair festival, Canada's biggest Latin street festival, on Saturday night. Toronto police said the gunfire appeared to be an exchange between two individuals targeting each other that 'indiscriminately put vast numbers of people in danger,' and a manhunt is underway for suspects still at large. Mayor Olivia Chow condemned the shooting as 'a reckless, despicable act of violence at a crowded festival' and pledged authorities would work to identify those responsible.
Read more →Two killed in mass shooting at Toronto's largest Latin street festival
Two men were killed and four other people were seriously injured when at least two shooters exchanged gunfire amid a crowd of roughly 13,000 at the Salsa on St. Clair festival, Canada's biggest Latin street festival, on Saturday night. Toronto police said the gunfire appeared to be an exchange between two individuals targeting each other that 'indiscriminately put vast numbers of people in danger,' and a manhunt is underway for suspects still at large. Mayor Olivia Chow condemned the shooting as 'a reckless, despicable act of violence at a crowded festival' and pledged authorities would work to identify those responsible.
Trump warns Iran of '1,000 missiles locked and loaded' over alleged assassination plot
President Trump posted on Truth Social that the US has '1,000 missiles locked and loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands more to immediately follow,' should Tehran act on threats to assassinate him. He said the US military was prepared to 'completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran' for a year or more if such a plot were carried out, and that orders had 'already been given.' The warning lands amid a renewed round of strikes and counter-strikes between the US and Iran that collapsed an earlier ceasefire memorandum, further raising the stakes in an already volatile conflict.
Read more →Trump warns Iran of '1,000 missiles locked and loaded' over alleged assassination plot
President Trump posted on Truth Social that the US has '1,000 missiles locked and loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands more to immediately follow,' should Tehran act on threats to assassinate him. He said the US military was prepared to 'completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran' for a year or more if such a plot were carried out, and that orders had 'already been given.' The warning lands amid a renewed round of strikes and counter-strikes between the US and Iran that collapsed an earlier ceasefire memorandum, further raising the stakes in an already volatile conflict.
Venezuela earthquake death toll passes 4,000 as rescue effort drags into third week
Nearly three weeks after twin 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes struck northwestern and central Venezuela, officials say the confirmed death toll has climbed past 4,000, with more than 16,700 injured and tens of thousands still unaccounted for. Rescue crews continue to pull survivors and remains from collapsed buildings, while aid groups warn that damaged roads, power outages and a lack of clean water are compounding the humanitarian crisis in the hardest-hit regions.
Read more →Venezuela earthquake death toll passes 4,000 as rescue effort drags into third week
Nearly three weeks after twin 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes struck northwestern and central Venezuela, officials say the confirmed death toll has climbed past 4,000, with more than 16,700 injured and tens of thousands still unaccounted for. Rescue crews continue to pull survivors and remains from collapsed buildings, while aid groups warn that damaged roads, power outages and a lack of clean water are compounding the humanitarian crisis in the hardest-hit regions.
Cuba's national power grid collapses again in fourth total blackout of 2026
Cuba's electric grid operator UNE confirmed a total nationwide collapse that left all 10 million residents without power, the fourth full grid failure this year. Public transport largely halted and tens of thousands of scheduled surgeries were canceled as crews worked to restore service, first to hospitals and food-production sites and later to the capital. Officials point to decades of deferred maintenance on aging power plants combined with a worsening fuel shortage, intensified by expanded US sanctions on Cuba's energy sector, as the underlying cause of the repeated failures.
Read more →Cuba's national power grid collapses again in fourth total blackout of 2026
Cuba's electric grid operator UNE confirmed a total nationwide collapse that left all 10 million residents without power, the fourth full grid failure this year. Public transport largely halted and tens of thousands of scheduled surgeries were canceled as crews worked to restore service, first to hospitals and food-production sites and later to the capital. Officials point to decades of deferred maintenance on aging power plants combined with a worsening fuel shortage, intensified by expanded US sanctions on Cuba's energy sector, as the underlying cause of the repeated failures.
Iran buries slain Supreme Leader Khamenei at Mashhad shrine after week of mourning
Iran completed the burial of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and four family members killed alongside him in the US-Israeli strikes that opened the war in late February, laying him to rest at the Imam Reza shrine in his birthplace of Mashhad. State media said the private burial capped a week of mass funeral processions across the country that drew crowds Iranian officials put at over 15 million, with mourners in Tehran chanting against President Trump. Khamenei's successor has yet to appear in public, leaving Iran's leadership transition uncertain even as the war with the US and Israel continues.
Read more →Iran buries slain Supreme Leader Khamenei at Mashhad shrine after week of mourning
Iran completed the burial of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and four family members killed alongside him in the US-Israeli strikes that opened the war in late February, laying him to rest at the Imam Reza shrine in his birthplace of Mashhad. State media said the private burial capped a week of mass funeral processions across the country that drew crowds Iranian officials put at over 15 million, with mourners in Tehran chanting against President Trump. Khamenei's successor has yet to appear in public, leaving Iran's leadership transition uncertain even as the war with the US and Israel continues.
Iran strikes US and allied bases across the Gulf and Jordan as war escalates further
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said it fired ten ballistic missiles at a US command-and-control center and the Al-Azraq air base in Jordan, which hosts American, German, Belgian and French forces; Jordan said its air defenses intercepted eight incoming missiles. Iran's military also launched waves of kamikaze drones at a Patriot missile system in Kuwait, an early-warning radar site in Qatar and fuel tanks in Bahrain, retaliating for fresh US strikes on Iranian cities including Bushehr, Chabahar and Bandar Abbas. The IRGC warned that any repeat US aggression would draw further strikes on American bases across the region, as mediators pressed both sides to return to the ceasefire memorandum.
Read more →Iran strikes US and allied bases across the Gulf and Jordan as war escalates further
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said it fired ten ballistic missiles at a US command-and-control center and the Al-Azraq air base in Jordan, which hosts American, German, Belgian and French forces; Jordan said its air defenses intercepted eight incoming missiles. Iran's military also launched waves of kamikaze drones at a Patriot missile system in Kuwait, an early-warning radar site in Qatar and fuel tanks in Bahrain, retaliating for fresh US strikes on Iranian cities including Bushehr, Chabahar and Bandar Abbas. The IRGC warned that any repeat US aggression would draw further strikes on American bases across the region, as mediators pressed both sides to return to the ceasefire memorandum.
Wildfire kills 12 in southern Spain as Andalusia heatwave fuels blaze
A fast-moving wildfire near Almeria in southern Spain killed 12 people, with several victims found inside vehicles in the hamlet of Bedar as they apparently tried to flee. At least six others were injured, including people treated for burns and smoke inhalation, and around 150 firefighters battled the blaze overnight. Investigators believe the fire may have started when a fallen power line ignited dry vegetation, which then spread rapidly through woodland during a heatwave that has triggered orange-level weather warnings across Andalusia.
Read more →Wildfire kills 12 in southern Spain as Andalusia heatwave fuels blaze
A fast-moving wildfire near Almeria in southern Spain killed 12 people, with several victims found inside vehicles in the hamlet of Bedar as they apparently tried to flee. At least six others were injured, including people treated for burns and smoke inhalation, and around 150 firefighters battled the blaze overnight. Investigators believe the fire may have started when a fallen power line ignited dry vegetation, which then spread rapidly through woodland during a heatwave that has triggered orange-level weather warnings across Andalusia.