US launches new attacks on Iran as Tehran targets Gulf sites
Iran's Health Ministry has said at least 35 people have been killed and more than 300 injured since fighting resumed.
Culture & Life
Time, arts and everyday life around the globe.
Iran War Live Updates: U.S. and Iran Exchange Strikes for 5th Straight Day
Though both sides appeared to be digging in, a top Iranian official seemed to leave the door open for a deal, saying, “We must fear neither war nor negotiations.”
‘Escaping Beijing’: Why some young Chinese are quitting the capital
A slowing economy and rising prices are making it harder for young Chinese to thrive in the city.
More in Culture & Life
The New York Times
Australia to Put Environmental Brakes on A.I. Data Centers
The country will also seek to protect the rights of creators of work used to train artificial intelligence models, as it aims to impose parameters on the growing industry.
Al Jazeera
Pete Hegseth says US military to start testosterone screening for over 30s
US Defense Secretary says plan is 'about restoring and optimising ... natural capabilities' of troops.
France 24
Fire at orphanage in Algeria kills 11 and wounds 19
A fire at an orphanage outside of Algiers claimed the lives of at least 11 people and wounded 19, the country's civil defence announced on Thursday.
BBC News
Iran targets military bases as US launches wave of strikes
Explosions were heard across Iran overnight, shortly after neighbouring Gulf states began to report attacks.
France 24
Protests against removal of popular defence minister erupt across Ukraine
Rare wartime protests in Ukraine erupted across the country on Thursday with demonstrators demanding that President Volodymyr Zelensky reappoint Mykhailo Fedorov, who was removed from office on…
France 24
Canadian wildfire smoke pushes Toronto air quality to world's worst, reaches US
Toronto recorded among the worst air quality of all major cities worldwide on Wednesday as thick smoke from wildfires in Ontario blanketed its skyline and drifted into the US, prompting health…
NPR
The band playing when a Bangkok bar caught fire mourns its members among the 33 dead
Victims of this week's flash fire at a Bangkok music bar that took more than 30 lives included four of the six core members of the band playing when the blaze broke out.
France 24
Title holders Argentina seal dramatic spot in World Cup Final
With his voice still shaking after Argentina’s stunning comeback against England, Albiceleste striker Lautaro Martinez described his side's journey as "incredible." The reigning World Cup champions…
Al Jazeera
Trump’s intelligence chief nominee won’t say Biden won 2020 election
US President Trump’s nominee for top intel official, Jay Clayton, evaded directly stating that Biden won 2020 election
Al Jazeera
UK proposes voluntary overnight social media curfew for older teens
Latest government measure aimed at curbing digital harm comes after under-16 social media ban announced last month.
Al Jazeera
Argentina’s Falklands banner sparks controversy at World Cup
Argentina players held up a banner declaring ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinas’ after beating England.
BBC News
Actor Sam Neill died from pneumonia, agent confirms
Neill died in Sydney on Monday, with his family saying his death was 'sudden and unexpected'.
Al Jazeera
Former US Ambassador says Iran miscalculated Trump’s resolve
Nightly strikes between the US and Iran have been the heaviest since the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement.
Al Jazeera
Senior Chinese delegation visits North Korea for talks
China's fourth-highest-ranked official, Wang Huning, held talks with a top official of North Korea's governing party.
Al Jazeera
South Korea’s international adoptees seek justice, not homecoming
South Korea's government has acknowledged wrongs, but advocates say accountability is still lacking.
BBC News
US military to start screening for testosterone deficiency, Hegseth says
Hegseth says he is authorising hormone screening to ensure US troops "operate at your absolute best".
Al Jazeera
Toronto engulfed by wildfire smoke as US cities threatened
Monitor ranks Toronto as having the worst air quality on earth, surpassing Kinshasa, DR Congo, and New Delhi, India.
France 24
Trump says Iran released 'wrongfully detained' American citizen
US President Donald Trump said Iran had released an American citizen detained since December 2024 and allowed her to leave the country, calling it a "gesture of goodwill" despite renewed hostilities…
Al Jazeera
Iran launches strikes on Gulf, even as FM visits Qatar
Iranian FM Araghchi visits Qatar to pay respects following the death of the Father Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin al Thani
Al Jazeera
Two killed in Russian missile fire on Kyiv after Ukraine-EU drone deal
Mayor Vitali Klitschko says emergency services are battling blazes across the Ukrainian capital.
France 24
'It is crazy': Argentina's Messi adds third final to his career after inspiring win against England
Lionel Messi edged Argentina closer to back-to-back World Cup titles with two late assists in a dramatic 2 to1 semi-final against England on Wednesday. The 39-year-old captain inspired the defending…
France 24
Middle East live: Iran warns of attacks on regional infrastructure if US strikes
Tehran warned Thursday it would target regional infrastructure if the United States carried out threats to attack Iran's infrastructure. Earlier in the day, Iran said it carried out drone attacks on…
BBC News
Blanche apologises on Capitol Hill for Epstein files 'mistakes'
Blanche faces a bipartisan grilling as he seeks to assume the role of US attorney general permanently.
BBC News
New monkey species with orange lips found 'hiding' in DR Congo forest
Scientists describe "amazing feeling" to look into the face of an animal that so few people knew existed.
BBC News
Families of 43 victims await verdict in Genoa bridge disaster
A large section of the giant Morandi motorway bridge crumbled and collapsed on to the railway tracks below.
BBC News
Argentina face action over Falklands banner
Argentina face the prospect of disciplinary action from Fifa after their players celebrate the World Cup semi-final win against England with a banner in support of their country's claims to the…
The New York Times
For Argentina, a World Cup Semifinal Against England Isn’t Just Soccer
Wednesday’s contest for a spot in the final carries the weight of a 1986 contentious clash, a war over the Falklands and a national mythology built around Diego Maradona.
NPR
Why is it so hard for the U.S. to win wars?
The U.S. has fought three major wars in the past quarter-century, in Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan. None has gone as planned.
France 24
Ukraine defence minister resigns as part of Zelensky's cabinet reshuffle
Ukraine's Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced his resignation on Wednesday as part of President Volodymyr Zelensky's cabinet reshuffle, stepping down after overseeing a rapid expansion of…
France 24
Wagner's disinformation network across Africa: France denies asylum to insider turned whistleblower
For Spotlight, François Picard is pleased to welcome Lea Perruchon, Journalist with Forbidden Stories. She exposes a collision of competing interests: journalism, France's national security and their…
The New York Times
As Argentina Tries to Win the World Cup, the Rest of Latin America Cheers Against It
Rather than rally behind the tournament’s last Latin American team, other countries in the region are confronting Argentina’s fraught claims to its own identity.
NPR
Sen. Shaheen discusses new Russia sanctions bill
A conversation with Jeanne Shaheen, Democratic Senator from New Hampshire, about a bipartisan bill she put together with the late Senator Lindsey Graham that slaps new sanctions on Russia.
BBC News
Russian attacks kill 14 as Ukraine hits Black Sea oil tankers
Civilian casualties are reported in a number of Ukrainian regions, while Kyiv hits 20 Russian vessels in the Black Sea.
France 24
World Cup 2026: Argentina complete comeback to beat England and reach final
Argentina beat England 2-1 in a thrilling World Cup semi-final in Atlanta to book their place in the final against Spain as they chase back-to-back World Cup titles. After falling behind to Anthony…
The New York Times
Wildfires Rage in Ontario as Smoke Affects Toronto’s Air Quality
Air quality in Canada’s largest city was at times the worst in the world on Wednesday, as wildfires across Ontario sent smoke drifting into New York City and beyond.
NPR
The crews stuck at sea as the Strait of Hormuz crisis grows
The Strait of Hormuz crisis is leaving thousands of crew members on commercial ships stranded. Arsenio Dominguez, head of the UN's International Maritime Organization, explains.
NPR
China and Xi favored over U.S. and Trump in many nations: Survey
The change is driven by improved perceptions of China and declining views of the United States.
The New York Times
France Votes to Allow Assisted Dying
Lawmakers approved a bill that will allow doctors to help terminally ill patients to die, adding France to a short list of nations that allow the practice.
The New York Times
Ukraine Pounds Russian Ships in Its Campaign to Cut Off Crimea
After striking roads and railways, Kyiv is now focusing on sea routes as it tries to disrupt fuel supplies and pressure Russia to end the war.
BBC News
French MPs approve assisted dying law with strict rules after years of argument
The bill would allow assisted dying for terminally ill adults who meet strict criteria.
BBC News
More people around the world now favour China over the US, Pew study suggests
There is more confidence in Xi Jinping than Donald Trump, the US think tank's survey indicates.
BBC News
Five arrested after Hong Kong police raid independent bookshops
Officials say they are suspected of selling "seditious" books which incited "hatred" against authorities.
NPR
Hong Kong booksellers arrested for allegedly selling seditious books
Hong Kong was once known for its freedom of publication, but political changes have created a challenging environment for independent bookstores.
The New York Times
He Has a $25 Million Bounty on His Head but Is Also a U.S. Partner in Venezuela
A list of alleged crimes has not prevented Diosdado Cabello, and other Venezuelan officials, from working with a U.S. government that once hounded them.
BBC News
Special police team to investigate killing of an anti-migrant leader in South Africa
The March and March provincial leader died of his injuries in hospital several days after being shot.
The New York Times
For Israel, the U.S.-Iran Hostilities Have Created an Uneasy Limbo
Officials see a return to full-blown war as preferable to an agreement that fails to curb the threats Iran poses to Israel. Meanwhile, they wait.
NPR
China's economy grows 4.3% in Q2, slowest since late 2022
Lagging consumer spending and business investment offset the boost from strong exports thanks partly to the boom in artificial intelligence.
NPR
Old rivals, new battle: Argentina and England clash in World Cup Semifinal
Old rivals. New stakes. A World Cup final spot on the line. Argentina vs. England.
NPR
Greetings from Paris, where an art installation transformed the Pont Neuf into a rocky cave
The oldest bridge in Paris was draped in fabric last month to appear like a mountain cave, in an installation by the artist JR. Unlike a real cave, though, it didn't provide respite from a brutal…
NPR
Acting AG Todd Blanche faces a key test. And, ICE pauses most traffic stops
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is set to appear before the Senate for his confirmation hearing. And, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has paused most traffic stops after recent deadly…
The New York Times
U.S. Presses China to Free American Seismologist Accused of Spying
President Trump has urged Xi Jinping to release the scientist, Youlin Chen, the man’s family says. Dr. Chen studied the detection of North Korean nuclear tests.
The New York Times
Missing From Prince Harry’s UK Trip: A Reunion With Prince William
Harry is clearly repairing his relationship with King Charles III, but the rift with his brother remains unresolved.
The New York Times
Six Dead in an Elevator After Fire in Central Brussels
After a fire broke out at the Oxy building in central Brussels on Tuesday morning, six bodies were found in an elevator.