Middle East
Iran attacks Gulf countries following fresh US strikes Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and the UAE reportedly came under attack as Tehran says it is closing the Strait of Hormuz. There was almost no visible traffic in the strait, with only two oil-products tankers seen approaching the waterway, per a Bloomberg report. President Trump has declared the ceasefire over while leaving the door open for talks. (Guardian) https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/jul/12/iran-gulf-us-strikes-jordan-qatar-uae-strait-hormuz-latest-news-updates-live
IRGC releases video of retaliatory missile strikes Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps published footage of its retaliatory missile strikes. (Al Jazeera) https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2026/7/12/irgc-releases-video-of-retaliatory-missile-strikes
Hard-liners in Iran want to keep fighting America With much of their leadership killed in the war, Iran’s conservatives have sought to fill the void and intensify the fight against the United States. (New York Times) https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/12/world/middleeast/iran-united-states-hard-liners.html
A look at the heavy strikes in recent days The New York Times tracks the exchange of heavy US and Iranian strikes. (New York Times) https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/07/12/us/iran-war-trump-hormuz/us-and-iranian-strikes
Key moments from former Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani’s life Sheikh Hamad’s 18-year rule catapulted Qatar to prosperity and reshaped its domestic, regional and global footprint. (Al Jazeera) https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/12/key-moments-from-former-qatar-emir-sheikh-hamad-bin-khalifa-al-thanis-life
United States
Sen. Lindsey Graham dies at 71 after a brief illness Graham, a prominent Republican senator from South Carolina and Trump ally, has died. His office announced his death and said he had just returned from a trip to Ukraine. He had served in the Senate since 2003 and was running for re-election in November. (CNBC / Guardian) https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/12/senator-lindsey-graham-has-died-after-a-brief-illness-his-office-says.html https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/12/lindsey-graham-key-ally-of-donald-trump-has-died-after-sudden-illness-his-office-says
United Kingdom & Europe
UK police make new arrest in killing of ex-lawmaker Ann Widdecombe A 26-year-old man was detained Saturday in connection with the death of former Parliament member Ann Widdecombe. Police say there is nothing to suggest the death was politically motivated and are not looking for anyone else after arresting a man on suspicion of murder. (New York Times / Guardian) https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/12/world/europe/ann-widdecombe-arrest-uk.html https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jul/12/ann-widdecombe-death-police-investigation
Badly burned British couple rescued from ravine during Spain wildfires The unnamed pair were found semi-conscious with 40% burns after being trapped by blazes raging through Almeria province, according to local media. (BBC) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2x7441762o
Eiffel Tower to close early as heatwave hits France The operator said the Paris monument would “exceptionally close” early over the weekend at 4 pm, as France was gripped by a third heatwave since May. (France 24) https://www.france24.com/en/video/20260712-eiffel-tower-to-close-early-as-heatwave-hits-france-operator
The week in pictures: Le Pen’s comeback, Khamenei’s funeral and Mbappé’s wondergoal Marine Le Pen was cleared to run in next year’s French presidential election despite her embezzlement conviction being confirmed, in a week that also saw Iran hold days-long funeral ceremonies for slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. (France 24) https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20260712-the-week-in-pictures-le-pen-s-comeback-khamenei-s-funeral-and-mbapp%C3%A9-s-wondergoal
Economy & Markets
IMF downgrades global growth forecast for the second time this year The IMF now expects the global economy to grow by just 3 percent in 2026, down from a 3.3 percent projection in January. The report cites shocks from the Iran war driving up the price of energy and other traded goods. (ZeroHedge) https://www.zerohedge.com/economics/imf-downgrades-global-growth-forecast-second-time-row
Hormuz reopening faces costly hurdles The Council on Foreign Relations’ Clara Gillispie says Gulf energy flows face an uncertain recovery as producers work to clear ships, restart halted output and repair refineries, LNG facilities and ports. Shipping remains below prewar levels and US pressure on Iran complicates efforts to restore safe passage. (Bloomberg) https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2026-07-12/hormuz-reopening-faces-costly-hurdles-video
Chinese state-owned firms set up semiconductor funds amid calls for ‘patient’ capital State- and provincial-government-backed companies announced new funds for the semiconductor industry. China Life Insurance said it would establish a partnership with total capital of 5 billion yuan (US$737 million) focused on chip companies. (SCMP) https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3360269/chinese-state-owned-firms-set-semiconductor-funds-amid-calls-patient-capital
Land O’Lakes lets workers choose their own days and hours The Fortune 500 food giant changed its policy after flexibility became workers’ top priority; its flex jobs are getting 25% more applicants than full-time roles. (Fortune) https://fortune.com/2026/07/12/land-o-lakes-letting-worker-choose-days-and-times-work-flex-jobs-getting-more-applicants-full-time-gigs/
Peter Thiel and other tech billionaires shield their children from screens As governments race to restrict minors’ social media use, the tech billionaires who built the platforms are imposing strict screen limits at home. (Fortune) https://fortune.com/article/peter-thiel-tech-billionaires-limit-kids-screen-time-social-media-smartphones-short-form-video-risks/
Bitcoin nears a power-law support line Fidelity has tracked since 2015 CoinDesk reports bitcoin is approaching a long-observed power-law support level. (CoinDesk) https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/07/12/bitcoin-is-nearing-a-power-law-support-line-fidelity-has-tracked-since-2015
Is the Vanguard Growth ETF the best growth ETF to buy now? The Motley Fool weighs the data, noting the top choice differs for every investor. (Motley Fool) https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/07/12/vanguard-growth-etf-best-buy-right-now-data/
Science & Tech
Could China’s lunar laser tower revive Tesla’s free-energy dream? Chinese scientists propose transmitting electricity wirelessly at the moon’s south pole, where crater rims receive near-continuous sunlight next to permanently shadowed regions believed to hold water ice. (SCMP) https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3359998/could-chinas-lunar-laser-tower-bring-nikola-teslas-free-energy-dream-life