Trump says he is close to decision on largest-yet attack on Iran

• A devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Colombia, resulting in more than 160 deaths, while Typhoon Dolphin forced the evacuation of over one million people in China. • NOAA reported that July 2026 was the hottest month ever documented in the U.S., highlighting escalating climate trends.

• Former Indonesian Ambassador Dr. Wajid Fauzi delivered a presentation at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) analyzing the historical and geopolitical drivers of Middle East conflicts. • He specifically highlighted the conflict in Yemen, explaining how domestic strife evolved into a regional proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

• Israel has recognized Somaliland, a self-declared statelet, signaling a strategic move to expand its influence within the Horn of Africa. • This development aligns with a June 1 report from the Global Conflict Index, which warns that separate conflicts in the Middle East and the Horn of Africa are merging into a singular system.

Reiner, 32, charged with first-degree murder in deaths of Hollywood towering figures Rob Reiner and Michele ReinerA grand jury has indicted Nick Reiner with first-degree murder in the deaths of his parents, the renowned director and actor Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Singer Reiner, the Los Angeles county district attorney’s office announced on Wednesday.Prosecutors accuse Reiner, 32, of stabbing the couple to death in December in their Brentwood home, before fleeing the scene. He was arrested shortly after and charged with murder. Reiner has since been held in custody without bail. Continue reading...

News bargaining bill expected to pass parliament after Labor and Coalition agree on terms that will force tech companies to contribute to media outlets. Follow today’s news live Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGood morning and welcome to our live politics blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then it will be Krishani Dhanji with the main action.The news bargaining incentive, which will see tech companies forced to make more deals with news publishers to compensate them for using their material, will be introduced to parliament today. More coming up. Continue reading...

Beginning in Russia’s remote Arctic north, the eclipse traced an arc over much of western Europe – with the best views in Spain, Iceland and GreenlandIt was a moment of awe shared by millions across Europe: an eclipse that blocked out the sun, plunging parts of the continent into a daytime darkness in which temperatures dropped and birds suddenly went quiet.Wednesday’s eclipse began in Russia’s remote Arctic north, going on to trace an arc over much of western Europe. From the UK to northern Italy, tens of millions of people turned to the sky as the light of the setting sun was almost completley blocked out. Continue reading...

People came from far and wide to witness phenomenon that has thrilled humans for thousands of yearsAt 6pm the beach and village began to empty, and those in the know headed up the hill towards the old granite coastguard station on the headland.“This is the best spot,” said Sennen Cove resident Lisa Redfern, who had built a pinhole camera for the eclipse out of an old Ryvita Thins box. Continue reading...

US president announced departure on social media, saying Leavitt was leaving to ‘spend more time’ with familyKaroline Leavitt will step down as White House press secretary at the end of August, Donald Trump announced.The US president announced her departure on social media, saying Leavitt was leaving “so she can spend more time” with her family. She gave birth to a daughter, Viviana, in May, and returned from maternity leave last month. Continue reading...

Prosecutors charge Heidi Beirich with financial crimes as part of case against the Southern Poverty Law CenterThe justice department on Wednesday arrested a leading expert on far-right extremism, charging her with financial crimes as part of the government’s ongoing case against the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).Federal prosecutors charged Heidi Beirich, who formerly served as the group’s chief financial officer, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to submit false statements to a federally insured bank, and conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering. Continue reading...

Ángel Aguirre indicted in case that rocked Mexico and became symbol of its brutal cartel violenceThe former governor of Guerrero state in Mexico has been formally charged over his alleged involvement in the disappearance of 43 students in 2014, a case that has become a symbol of the country’s brutal cartel violence and government impunity.Ángel Aguirre, who was arrested last week, is accused of forced disappearance and obstruction of justice for ordering the destruction of surveillance tapes that may have shed light on what happened to the students from the Ayotzinapa teacher training college on the night of 26 September 2014. Continue reading...

Organisers says new rule will ensure contest provides ‘safe and welcoming environment’ for participantsBroadcasters will no longer be eligible to host the Eurovision song contest if their state is involved in an “armed conflict” or “sensitive geopolitical situation”.Eurovision is traditionally hosted by the previous year’s winning broadcaster, with the next show due to take place in Bulgaria in 2027 after singer Dara’s victory for the country in May. Continue reading...

Move by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is latest government rollback of climate science activityThe Trump administration has pulled its support for an annual report on the environmental changes across the Arctic, a region that is already heating up four times faster than the global average due to the climate crisis.On Tuesday, Kim Doster, the communications director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa), said the federal agency was withdrawing its support for the Arctic Report Card, which has provided environmental updates on the region to scientists and the public since 2006. Continue reading...