First Thing: Trump flip-flops on Hormuz toll and threatens Iran’s civilian infrastructure US president says power plants and bridges could be targeted, which would probably constitute war crimes The Guardian - UK · Jul 15
European Commission President tells Ukraine ‘the tide is turning’ during visit Von der Leyen said she would announce new steps toward integrating the European and Ukrainian defense industries The Independent UK · Jul 15
Iran threatens to cut off vital seaways in response to Trump's renewed blockade After closing the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran on Wednesday threatened to shut additional energy export routes including the Bab el-Mandeb gateway to the Red Sea, a major global shipping route through which Saudi Arabia exports its oil. The warning comes after the US launched a fresh round of strikes on… France 24 · Jul 15
Iran reports fresh US strikes in return to war TEHRAN — Iran reported fresh US strikes Wednesday on a port city that is home to the country's only civilian nuclear plant, as Washington reimposed a naval blockade in a return to war between the foes. Bangkok Post · Jul 15
Ukraine conducts record drone strike of 2,500km after 12-hour flight — $55,000 unit made of plywood halts operations at Russia's largest gasoline producer Ukrainian FP-1 drones struck the Gazprom Neft oil refinery in Omsk, Siberia, on July 6 after flying roughly 2,500 km over more than 12 hours. Tom’s Hardware · Jul 15
Trump Warns US Will Continue Iran Strikes, Save Energy Targets for Last as He Touts Alaska, Texas Alternatives President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the U.S. will continue its strikes in Iran into the coming week, warning that it will hit the country “very hard” as tensions escalate over the movement of ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Benzinga · Jul 15
EU seals deal with Ukraine to scale up drone production Ukraine and the European Union have signed a "drone deal" to combine Kyiv's expertise with Europe's industrial capacity to boost production, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced on Wednesday. Her visit comes as Russian strikes killed six people and wounded at least 20 across Ukraine, according to regional… France 24 · Jul 15
United States launches new Iran strikes and reimposes naval blockade The United States carried out strikes against Iran for a fourth day running on Tuesday and reimposed a naval blockade to prevent ships from sailing to or from the country's ports. Radio France Internationale · Jul 15
US says latest attack wave on Iran completed – as it happened This blog is now closed The Guardian - AU · Jul 15
Russian strikes killed nearly 300 Ukrainian civilians in June; deadliest month since 2022 Russian attacks across Ukraine pushed civilian casualties to their highest monthly level since April 2022, with at least 293 people killed and 1,990 injured in June 2026, according to a new report by the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU). The Times of India · Jul 15
Middle East war: Trump weighs 'devastating strikes'; Iran targets US bases in Middle East - key points Iran's Revolutionary Guard has asserted that the Strait of Hormuz will stay closed until the United States changes its course of action. This comes on the heels of the US conducting new strikes near the Strait and reinstating a naval blockade. Iran has also announced attacks on US bases in… The Times of India · Jul 15
'Hormuz to remain closed until end of America's evils': Iran defiant as US continues strikes Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the "end of America's evils". It further warned that other oil and gas export routes serving the interests of the US and its allies could also be shut. The Times of India · Jul 15
Lebanon, Israel conclude talks, agree to implement ‘pilot zones’ Lebanon and Israel completed a new round of US-mediated negotiations in Rome on Wednesday, agreeing to implement "pilot zones" in southern Lebanon where Israeli forces would withdraw and turn over control to the Lebanese army, the US State Department said. Follow our liveblog to see how the day's events unfolded. France 24 · Jul 15
Ukraine war briefing: Spotlight on ‘hundreds’ of alleged PoW executions by Russia Ukraine attacks deter Russian shipping in Sea of Azov; loudest cheers for Kyiv’s troops at Bastille Day parade in Paris. What we know on day 1,603 The Guardian - AU · Jul 15
The Guardian - AU · Jul 15 ‘Den of spies’: why has Japan been easy prey for Russian espionage, and what is Tokyo doing about it? Postwar rules limit state collection of intelligence and prosecution of illegal operatives, but the government of Sanae Takaichi is beefing up its capabilities
France 24 · Jul 14 US military reimposes naval blockade on Iranian ports, launches new strikes US forces on Tuesday reimposed a naval blockade to prevent ships from sailing to or from Iran's ports and conducted strikes against the country for a fourth day in response to Tehran's attacks on commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz and on Gulf facilities.
Reason · Jul 14 As U.S. Starts 'New' Iran War, Lawmakers Want Answers About Deadly Elementary School Strike A Tomahawk missile struck an Iranian school and reportedly killed over 100 children in February.
The Independent UK · Jul 14 Another U-turn shows how Trump is lost in his own forever war with Iran THE INDEPENDENT VIEW: Editorial: The US president is finding it hard to navigate his own erratic Tehran policy, not least when it comes to opening the vital Strait of Hormuz
The Guardian - UK · Jul 14 Keir Starmer becomes first UK PM to receive France’s Légion d’honneur Exclusive: Emmanuel Macron honours outgoing prime minister for leadership role in supporting Ukraine
The Guardian - UK · Jul 14 Young Germans opt out of military service as Berlin strives to boost army Almost 6,000 young men apply to be excluded on moral or religious grounds despite ‘conscription lite’ policy
Bangkok Post · Jul 14 France flaunts firepower on Bastille Day PARIS - France on Tuesday showcased military power and unity with European allies in its largest-ever national day parade, as European rearmament gathers pace in the face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Benzinga · Jul 14 Oil Is at $72. Diesel Is Pricing In $140. That's the Inflation Warning Wall Street May Be Missing. Crude oil prices suggest inflation is staying in check. The diesel market is telling a very different story.
International Business Times UK · Jul 14 Trump Says Part of Lindsey Graham's Body 'Blew Up' Amid Russia Assassination Conspiracy Theories Donald Trump dismissed conspiracy theories about Lindsey Graham's sudden death, attributing it to health issues rather than foul play, despite online speculation following Graham's trip to Ukraine.
France 24 · Jul 14 June was deadliest month for Ukrainian civilians in four years, UN says More than 293 Ukrainian civilians were killed and 1,990 wounded in Russian strikes across the country in the month of June, making it the highest toll in any single month since April 2022, the UN monitoring mission in Ukraine said Tuesday. The UN has recorded 16,431 verified civilian deaths in…
The Guardian - UK · Jul 14 Bastille Day celebrations in France tempered by fear of more wildfires Firework displays cancelled as Paris military parade asserts ‘France’s rearmament ... and Europe’s strategic awakening’