World
The U.S. military attacked Iran early Wednesday after Tehran struck three ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington also revoked Iran's ability to openly sell crude oil on the world market. International oil prices pushed past $100 a barrel as the conflict escalated, with President Trump threatening further retaliation. The Houthis in Yemen also attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, expanding the conflict's reach.
Associated Press
Politics
Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right not to testify at a contentious Senate hearing on Covid-19. Meanwhile, House Republicans passed a hard-right defense bill handing wins to President Trump, and House Democrats prepared an Iran war powers vote. The Senate also confirmed Jay Clayton as the new director of national intelligence.
NBC News, Politico
Business
Oil prices surged past $100 a barrel as the US-Iran conflict disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump simultaneously imposed a new round of tariffs on allies and rivals, straining global trade. The FTSE 100 hit a record high despite the sell-off in tech stocks, while Asian markets tumbled on fears of a prolonged trade war combined with soaring energy costs.
New York Times, NPR, Guardian
Technology
Semiconductor stocks tumbled into bear-market territory as the PHLX Semiconductor Index fell more than 5%. Nvidia lost its position as the world's most valuable company to Apple. Chinese memory maker CXMT soared 470% in its Shanghai IPO, while a report that a Chinese state-backed firm began producing chipmaking equipment rivaling ASML fueled fears of intensifying competition.
Yahoo Finance, Bloomberg
Science
A joint investigation by Science and Retraction Watch revealed that a 6-year-old girl in China died in March 2025 after receiving an experimental gene therapy for a nonlethal condition. Her death was never made public by the scientists involved. The case raises serious questions about China's regulation of experimental therapies and the ethical oversight of clinical trials.
Science, Retraction Watch
Sports
All 32 NFL teams have reported for training camp. San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is recovering from a concussion sustained in a July car accident. The Raiders named Kirk Cousins their QB1, while the Eagles signed defensive tackle Jalen Carter to a historic 4-year extension worth up to $100 million. The Browns' Denzel Ward became the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history for the second time.
Yahoo Sports, CBS Sports, NFL Network
Health
An FDA advisory panel voted to ease restrictions on some peptides over agency scientists' objections. Separately, researchers at Sciencedaily reported that lab-grown mini brains grown from patients' cells can predict which Alzheimer's treatments will work. The organoids revealed striking differences in how Alzheimer's-related tissue responds to an antidepressant, opening the door to more personalized treatments.
MedPage Today, ScienceDaily, CDC
Environment
A devastating heatwave across Europe has been linked to more than 1,300 excess deaths since June 21, according to WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Germany recorded its hottest day ever at 41.7°C. Scientists from the World Weather Attribution consortium said the heatwave would have been 2°C cooler in 2003 and is impossible without climate change.
BBC, Guardian, WMO