In Europe

France marked Bastille Day in Paris with a military parade that put Ukraine and European defense on display, as Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined Emmanuel Macron and other leaders for the ceremony. In Spain, David Sánchez, the prime minister’s brother, was banned from public office for nine years after a misconduct trial, and in the UK the latest Covid inquiry report said PPE failures left NHS staff exposed and wasted £10 billion.

Police in the UK also said former politician Ann Widdecombe was found dead at home last week after serious injuries. No further details were provided.

In the Middle East

The U.S. launched strikes on Iran early Tuesday, and Iran responded with attacks on U.S. allies across the Middle East, sharply raising the risk of a wider war. Oil prices also climbed above $85 a barrel as markets reacted to the escalating conflict. The Strait of Hormuz, for once, got the attention it has always deserved.

In U.S. politics and public life

Former U.S. officials and aviation cost estimates say the Trump administration quietly spent about $400,000 to fly 59 white South Africans from Johannesburg to Washington on a largely empty charter jet, a trip now under scrutiny for its cost and purpose. In South Carolina, Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham Nordone, Lindsey Graham’s sister, to fill the late senator’s seat, drawing criticism over nepotism and fairness.

Separately, North Charleston police say Teresa Marie Mills left her 90-year-old husband with dementia alone while she went to dinner with friends. Officers found him disoriented and injured during a welfare check, and Mills was arrested on vulnerable adult abuse and neglect charges.

In business and trade

The European Commission says it may use unilateral trade defense measures against cheap Chinese imports if talks do not make progress before the October deadline set by trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič.

In brief

Archaeologists near Luxor have uncovered a roughly 3,000-year-old Egyptian tomb with vivid paintings from the Ramesside period, including scenes of religious ritual and the journey into the afterlife.

In UK news

South East Water has agreed to pay £30.5 million after Ofwat found repeated supply failures, customer failings and licence breaches that left residents and businesses facing real disruption over several years. The package closes three investigations, including a proposed £22 million fine tied to outages from 2020 to 2023 that affected more than 286,000 people.

Separately, Reform UK is facing criticism over a proposal to make it a criminal offence to publish election material in any language other than English or Welsh. Language experts and civil rights campaigners say the plan would shut out minority communities, which is a bold choice for a party that seems to think democracy should come with subtitles.

In international security

Britain and the European Union say Russia’s FSB carried out a failed cyberattack aimed at Poland’s power grid, in an operation that could have left 500,000 people without electricity during winter. The response is the first joint UK-EU package of cyber sanctions.

Counter-terrorism police have taken over the investigation into the suspected murder of former minister and Reform UK spokesperson Ann Widdecombe after officials said new information changed the direction of the inquiry.

In the United States

US Capitol Police say a 67-year-old man from Mississippi is in custody after allegedly being seen with a handgun outside the Capitol’s North Barricade in Washington. He faces a charge of carrying a pistol without a license or permit.

President Donald Trump has signed orders shrinking two national monuments in southern Utah by more than a million acres each, drawing criticism from environmentalists.

Health officials are also investigating a growing US outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a foodborne illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite.

In science and technology

Astronomers have detected erythrulose, a sugar molecule found on Earth in raspberries and self-tanners, in a gas cloud near the center of the Milky Way. The find adds to evidence that some of the chemical ingredients linked to life may be widespread in space.

Elsewhere

In Wellington, Italy lock Niccolò Cannone has been suspended for four matches after his red card against New Zealand, ruling him out of Italy’s final Nations Championship match and the start of Benetton’s United Rugby Championship season.

And in Australia, a cargo ship called Matilda 1 has completed a beach landing test near Darwin, backing stern-first onto shore and out again in under a minute. Military planners love this sort of thing, right up until the first spreadsheet asks about the fuel bill.

In the Middle East

U.S. strikes on Iran continued for a third straight night, while President Trump said a deal is still possible. The fighting is also rattling shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz, with reports of attacks on vessels and fresh warnings about the route, which handles a huge share of global oil traffic.

That pressure is already showing up in markets. Brent crude has climbed to nearly $85 a barrel, a one-month high. Iranian nationalism is also hardening the negotiating line in Tehran, which is a charming development if your goal is to make diplomacy harder.

In U.S. news

An ICE officer fatally shot a motorist in Maine, the second deadly incident involving the agency in a week. Separate reporting identified the man as Colombian, adding to the scrutiny around immigration enforcement and use of force.

In Philadelphia, a 14-year-old has been charged with murder in the killing of a pizza delivery driver, and four people were injured in a separate shooting in Southwest Philadelphia. A federal judge also dismissed most of the city’s case over planned changes to the President’s House historic site.

In business and tech

Samsung is reportedly nearing production of Tesla’s AI5 chip at its Texas plant, with key preparations completed and operations now moving toward a late-2026 start. The chip race continues, which is great news for semiconductor fabs and for people who enjoy hearing that a new chip will arrive “soon” in industrial time.

In Thailand

Thai police are investigating possible safety failures after a deadly fire at a Bangkok bar. Survivors and first responders reported locked doors and no visible emergency exit signs, raising immediate questions about whether the disaster was preventable.

In South Korea

South Korea’s defense minister is under pressure on two fronts, facing a desertion allegation while military academy alumni organize against his plan to consolidate the armed forces’ academies. The reform drive now has the familiar problem of being both controversial and politically inconvenient.

In Washington and the international courts

The Trump administration has launched a diplomatic campaign to weaken the International Criminal Court, with officials saying they want to dismantle it over claims that it threatens American sovereignty. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed that line in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, arguing the court could drag U.S. personnel and officials into foreign legal jeopardy.

In the Middle East

Trump is facing a widening Iran crisis after ordering a naval blockade against Tehran, while fighting spreads across the region and raises fears the United States could be pulled in deeper. The UAE condemned what it called Iran’s attack on tankers, and the U.S. carried out a third straight night of strikes on Iran, as the standoff keeps moving in the wrong direction.

Separately, three Palestinians were killed and 15 others wounded in Israeli strikes across Gaza, according to the provided details, as ceasefire violations continue.

In public health

Michigan health officials say early findings point to lettuce or other salad greens as a possible source of a cyclosporiasis outbreak that has caused thousands of cases. The investigation is still ongoing, and officials say it is too early to rule out other food sources.

In business and tech

More than 200 economists and AI researchers are urging leaders to prepare now for major economic disruption from artificial intelligence. Their warning is straightforward, even if the politics around it usually are not: governments should start planning for a labor and productivity shock before the shock gets a vote.

In China, startup Dongfang Suanxin has unveiled the DF1000, a 3D-stacked processor design it says can rival NVIDIA without relying on the most advanced chipmaking nodes blocked by U.S. export controls. The company says the chip is ready for mass production, with shipments expected before year-end, and it is building out follow-on hardware and software around it.

In weather

Forecasters say the current El Niño is now expected to be stronger and last longer than previously predicted. AccuWeather also says a fifth heat wave begins tomorrow, with temperatures near 100 degrees by midweek and possible record highs in many cities. Summer remains committed to the bit.

In U.S. news

ICE fatally shot a Colombian man in Biddeford, Maine, during an immigration operation, the second deadly-force case involving the agency in a week. Bystander video showed agents trying to slow a white sedan driving in circles in an intersection southwest of Portland. Senator Angus King said he was concerned the agents were not wearing body cameras.

A federal judge also voided a Trump administration IRS settlement, saying the president and the Justice Department misused the courts in a deal that created an anti-weaponization fund. Separate from that, Trump said he will deliver a primetime address on Thursday night as tensions with Iran rise over the Strait of Hormuz, though he did not say what he plans to announce.

In business

Twelve states are suing to block Paramount’s proposed $81 billion takeover of Warner Bros., arguing the merger would crush competition in Hollywood. Regulators are still doing what mergers now require: taking a very expensive thing and asking whether it will make the market worse.

In international news

Hungary’s parliament has moved to oust President Tamás Sulyok, another step by lawmakers trying to distance the country from the Viktor Orbán era.

In Bangkok, at least 27 people were killed after a fire broke out at a pub. Investigators are looking at the ceiling materials and whether emergency exits were blocked.

Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, visited the site of a deadly wildfire in Almería and met with firefighters and emergency crews who battled the blaze.

In the Middle East

President Trump said the U.S. will take control of the Strait of Hormuz and block Iran there, after accusing Tehran of breaking the deal. CENTCOM also rejected an Iranian claim that three U.S. service members were killed in Kuwait, saying no such deaths occurred. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is heading to the U.S. for talks on security, energy investment, and the role of pro-Iran groups.

In the economy and crypto

Federal Reserve surveys say Trump’s tariffs are hitting small businesses especially hard. Many are raising prices, and many expect weaker hiring and revenue next year because smaller firms have fewer ways to absorb higher input costs.

At the same time, Sen. Elizabeth Warren is criticizing Senate leaders for leaving ethics restrictions out of a crypto regulation bill expected on the floor in the coming weeks. She also pointed to Trump’s recent financial disclosures, which, for a bill about rules and ethics, does keep the hypocrisy detector busy.

In public safety

A person was killed in a shooting involving ICE in Maine. That follows the fatal shooting of a Mexican national by ICE agents in Houston last week.

In Philadelphia’s Lawncrest section, one person was killed and four others were injured in a shooting at an apartment complex, less than 24 hours after a disturbance at the same location. Separately, in Lehigh County, firefighters responding to a house fire in South Whitehall Township found a man dead inside the home.

In another case, Dawood Safi has had a manslaughter plea accepted in the killing of a dog walker. He still faces trial for the attempted murder of his landlord and a teenage boy.

In health

The Met Office says more than 2,700 people died from heat-related complications in England and Wales during the hot weather in May and June. The toll covers the early summer heatwave, which brought blistering temperatures across both months.

The World Health Organization says a second U.S. citizen has been diagnosed with Ebola and transferred to Germany for treatment. The person, a humanitarian worker whose identity has not been disclosed, was admitted to Frankfurt University Hospital early Monday.

In climate and energy

British experts say recent heat waves in England and Wales caused about 2,700 excess deaths, with roughly 42% of them linked to the extra heat made worse by human-driven climate change. In the U.S., a major heat dome is pushing dangerous temperatures across the West, the Plains, and the Upper Great Lakes, with some places expected to top 110 degrees. France is also feeling the strain: EDF has temporarily shut down three nuclear reactors and may have to reduce output at seven more because the water used for cooling is too warm.

In the Middle East

The standoff over the Strait of Hormuz has escalated again, with the U.S. and Iran each claiming control of the vital shipping route after weekend attacks across the region. Yemen’s government says its forces also struck Sanaa airport to block an Iranian plane from landing there. Brent crude rose about 3 percent, staying below $80 a barrel, while UK fuel prices moved higher.

Obituaries

Sam Neill, the New Zealand actor best known to many as Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic Park, has died at 78. His family said the death was sudden and unexpected. He had been treated for blood cancer for five years and said in April that he was cancer-free. Over a five-decade career, he also appeared in The Piano, The Hunt for Red October, Event Horizon, and The Hunter, and was widely honored in New Zealand and Australia.

In the Middle East

American forces struck targets along Iran’s southern coast for the third time in a week after attacks on two commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Oil markets moved fast, Brent crude climbed above $78 a barrel in early Asian trading, and tanker traffic has already slowed.

Retired U.S. General Mark Kimmitt warned the latest exchange could widen into a broader regional conflict. That’s the kind of escalation nobody wants in a shipping lane this important.

In climate and weather

Britain could still face more extreme heat this summer, with forecasters saying recent heatwaves may only be the beginning of a season shaped by prolonged hot weather. Across Europe, new data show about 10,000 excess deaths during June heatwaves, and World Weather Attribution says the conditions would have been virtually impossible without climate change.

In crime and public safety

Police in Vietnam are investigating a tourist boat capsize that killed 15 Indian tourists, about 400 meters from shore. Investigators are looking at overcrowding, safety failures, and delayed rescue efforts to determine whether a survivable accident became a fatal one.

In New York, former professional basketball player Kinu Rochford was shot and killed during a summer tournament in Harlem. Police say the shooter has not been caught.

In Kent, police are still searching urgently for a man reported missing since Saturday.

In U.S. politics

A federal judge ruled that key allegations accusing Hunter Biden of involvement in an Iranian bribery scheme were fabricated, and that ruling led to a $1.7 million punitive damages award against former Overstock.com chief executive Patrick Byrne.

Meanwhile, Palm Beach International Airport has been renamed for President Trump, making him the first sitting U.S. president to have an airport named after him. The new logo drew attention for the wrong reasons.

In U.S. news

The Justice Department has sent legal demands to several journalists after reports about a security issue involving President Trump. Federal agents also visited newsroom staff at their homes after a tense White House meeting about how the information became public.

In the Senate, Republican Lindsey Graham died Saturday after a brief illness, his office said Sunday. He was a 23-year veteran of the chamber and a major figure in foreign and domestic policy debates.

In Wilmington, Delaware, a 17-year-old was critically injured in a Sunday night shooting near West 4th and North DuPont streets. Police say the investigation is ongoing.

And in Philadelphia, crews were still cleaning up after Saturday evening storms toppled hundreds of trees and cut power across the city. Another heat wave is expected later this week.

In the Middle East and Europe

The U.S. carried out another round of strikes on Iranian targets on Sunday, saying the aim was to weaken Iran’s ability to hit civilian mariners and commercial ships near the Strait of Hormuz. The fighting has intensified with missile and drone attacks on both sides, and Brent crude jumped more than 4 percent as markets reacted to the risk around a key global shipping route.

In France, firefighters brought in aircraft after a fast-moving wildfire broke out in the Fontainebleau forest southeast of Paris. The blaze burned more than 800 hectares, forced evacuations in nearby villages, and disrupted highway and rail travel during a busy summer weekend.

Spain is also dealing with severe wildfire damage. A 93-year-old woman died after being hospitalized with burns, lifting the death toll there to 13, while authorities say the fires have burned about 17,300 acres and displaced more than 1,000 people.

In sports

Jannik Sinner won his second straight Wimbledon title after beating Alexander Zverev in four sets, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-4. Zverev appeared to be bothered by a knee issue after slipping on the grass during a key point in the third set, which is an unfortunate way to discover that Centre Court does not forgive.

In the Middle East

The United States carried out fresh strikes against Iranian targets for a second straight night on Sunday, saying the aim was to weaken Iran’s military. World leaders are calling for de-escalation as the exchange threatens to widen further.

In weather and public health

A major heat dome is spreading from the interior West into the Upper Midwest and is expected to push east later this week. Separately, an early estimate suggests more than 2,700 people in the UK may have died from heat-related causes during the severe heatwaves in May and June. The figure is not final, but it points to a serious public health toll.

In the UK

The Home Office says it will spend more than £250 million over three years to increase security for Jewish communities in England and Wales. The plan would add more than 500 officers around neighborhoods, schools, synagogues, and community centres, and strengthen counter-terrorism efforts after a series of antisemitic incidents.

Public health doctors are also warning that badly handled workplace disciplinary hearings are costing the UK economy £28.5 billion a year, while pushing staff toward burnout. And homelessness in England could rise by 25% by 2030, unless ministers move toward a more aggressive housing-first approach.

In business and technology

California pulled in more than $335 billion in venture capital this year, far ahead of New York and Texas, with nearly 90% of the money going to AI firms. Los Angeles-area startups alone drew nearly $8 billion across 207 deals.

Anthropic has admitted an erroneous £12.2 million billing demand after a South Korean Claude user said repeated charge attempts blocked his main credit card. The company said the mistake was real after several failed charges and four days of support delay.

In U.S. politics

The death of Sen. Lindsey Graham at 71 has renewed debate over the age and stamina of Congress, and it also complicates several Republican policy efforts. Graham was a key Trump ally and Senate dealmaker, with a hand in aid packages, tax fights, and the party’s broader legislative machinery.