The U.S. and Iran have expanded their conflict, with the U.S. striking bridges inside Iran and Tehran targeting U.S. military bases in the Gulf. The escalation reignites fears of a broader war centered on control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route.

A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off the coast of Mexico, triggering a tsunami warning. The U.S. Tsunami Warning Center recorded waves over a foot high hitting Puerto Madero and Chiapas.

Ukrainian soldiers have expressed outrage over the removal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, according to BBC interviews with troops. The move has sparked protests within Ukraine, reflecting deeper tensions over military leadership amid the ongoing war with Russia.

A federal court case has revealed that ICE improperly shared Medicaid data with Palantir, raising concerns about privacy violations and the use of government data for deportation efforts. Democratic-led states are challenging ICE's access to this data in court. The revelation adds to ongoing scrutiny of surveillance practices under the Trump administration's immigration enforcement push.

Wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota continues to blanket dozens of U.S. cities, pushing air quality indexes to record-high, hazardous levels. Officials are urging residents to stay indoors as skies turn hazy and orange, with no improvement expected until the weekend. The widespread smoke poses significant health risks to millions of Americans.

President Trump has alleged that China meddled in the 2020 election and raised doubts about U.S. voting system security ahead of the November midterms. China has denied the claims, calling them fabricated, while Democrats warn the rhetoric could be used to undermine confidence in upcoming elections. Election experts have said Trump's speech and released documents provide no evidence to support the claims.

Senator Lindsey Graham's death has prompted reflection across South Carolina on his complicated and often polarizing legacy in state and national politics. The Guardian notes he was a figure people both admired and criticized deeply, reflecting his controversial decades-long career. His passing marks a significant moment for South Carolina politics.

A hate crime sentencing in South Carolina has brought a measure of justice to a man who was targeted, according to South Carolina Public Radio. The case highlights ongoing issues of bias-motivated violence and the legal system's response to it.

Parents in South Carolina are demanding answers after learning a registered sex offender was allowed to volunteer at a church-run school. The situation raises serious concerns about vetting procedures and child safety oversight at religious and private educational institutions.

U.S. military strikes on Iran have now continued for a full week, marking a sustained escalation rather than a one-off action. The duration signals a deepening conflict with significant implications for regional stability and U.S. involvement in the Middle East.

Analysts say China is testing new long-term methods—ranging from coast guard activity to an ICBM test—to deter rivals from challenging its territorial claims in Asia. The combination of gray-zone tactics and strategic weapons signaling suggests Beijing is refining a broader strategy to assert dominance in the region.

French President Macron and German Chancellor Merz are meeting amid serious strain in Franco-German defense cooperation, following the collapse of the joint Future Combat Air System fighter jet program due to industrial rivalries. The rift raises questions about the future of European defense integration at a critical geopolitical moment.