Iran launched attacks on US bases in the Middle East after reports that a US strike killed five people, including a child, at a wedding party. Iran's Red Crescent said shrapnel from the strike hit a home, while the US military says it is aware of the reports and maintains it never targets civilians. The exchange marks a serious escalation in hostilities between the US and Iran.

Ukrainian President Zelensky is urging airlines to avoid Russian airspace as Ukraine ramps up its drone operations against Russia. Despite the warning, some Chinese and Gulf state carriers continue to fly through the region. Russia has responded by vowing to intensify its own attacks on Ukraine, raising the stakes in the ongoing conflict.

Nepal's flood disaster has grown increasingly severe, with the death toll now exceeding 1,000 as rescue efforts continue for hydropower workers trapped by rushing water. A survivor described being chased by floodwater inside a tunnel for 20 minutes, underscoring the scale of danger faced by those still missing or trapped. Major rescue operations remain underway as authorities work to reach survivors.

A Utah judge ruled there is enough evidence for the suspect in the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk to stand trial, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty. The ruling followed evidentiary arguments held in July concerning the shooting of Kirk last year. This sets up a high-profile capital murder trial in Utah.

The Supreme Court's decision allowing President Trump to continue construction of a White House ballroom is raising broader separation-of-powers questions, according to legal experts. Georgetown Law professor Stephen Vladeck notes the ruling could have implications well beyond the specific construction dispute. The case touches on the scope of presidential authority over federal property and executive action.

Deadly flooding at the Grand Canyon has killed two people and left one person still missing, with dozens of hikers airlifted to safety in rescue operations. Officials say most people caught in the flooding have now been accounted for, though search efforts continue. Additional rain in the forecast is complicating ongoing rescue work.

A 5-year-old child was found dead near Pawleys Island, South Carolina, and the child's parents have been charged in connection with the death. The case has drawn attention across state lines as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the child's death.

Governor McMaster has signed a $350 million earmarks bill that will fund various projects across South Carolina. The legislation represents a significant state investment with impacts likely to be felt in communities statewide.

South Carolina has joined other states in eliminating the so-called 'orphan tax,' a policy change affecting how certain individuals are taxed. This move aligns the state with a broader national trend on this tax issue.

The U.S. launched a new round of air strikes on Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz after the IRGC reportedly attempted attacks on American troops in the region. This marks a significant escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions in a critical global chokepoint for oil shipping, raising concerns about wider regional conflict.

A growing list of senior military and civilian defense leaders have been fired, forced out, or resigned since Pete Hegseth became defense secretary, following the Army secretary's own departure. The pattern suggests a broader shake-up of military leadership under the current Pentagon leadership, raising questions about institutional stability and decision-making processes at the top of the U.S. armed forces.

The Pentagon is reportedly becoming involved in Venezuelan oil operations under the Trump administration, according to new reporting. This unusual intersection of military and energy policy signals a notable shift in how U.S. national security interests are being pursued in Latin America.