Middle East & the US-Iran War
US strikes bridges in Iran, Tehran targets US bases in the Gulf. The US and Iran expanded their targets in the latest round of strikes on Friday, as fighting over control of the Strait of Hormuz reignited fears of all-out war. NPR
US hits bridges and a port in Iran’s south. US Central Command said the latest round of attacks “hit dozens of Iranian military targets” but made no mention of civilian infrastructure, according to Iranian media reports. New York Times
Iranian airport and bridges hit as US forces board ship amid ports blockade. US forces boarded a vessel as strikes on Iranian infrastructure continued during the ports blockade. The Guardian
Why is the US attacking southern Iran’s civilian infrastructure? Analysts say the goals range from targeting Iran’s supply lines to curbing its influence in the Strait of Hormuz. Al Jazeera
Only three commodity vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday. Shipping through the strait has collapsed amid the escalating conflict. Middle East Eye
UK investigating incident on ship near Oman. British authorities are looking into an incident involving a vessel near Oman. Middle East Eye
Araghchi: Israel using US taxpayer money to silence critics. The Iranian official accused Israel of leveraging American funding to suppress critics. Middle East Eye
Israeli forces kill three people in strikes on Gaza. Israeli strikes killed three people in Gaza, according to reports. Middle East Eye
The Church of England takes a step on Palestine. By agreeing to hear Palestinian Christians, the Synod has begun to confront its history and responsibilities, an opinion piece argues. Al Jazeera
Malaysia vows to deport Israelis found in digital nomads community. Malaysia said any Israelis found in the country will be deported. Middle East Eye
United Kingdom
Andy Burnham becomes Labour leader in final step towards becoming UK PM. Burnham was named Labour leader, the last step before he takes over as prime minister on Monday. The Guardian
Burnham calls for party unity and ‘new politics’ in first speech as leader. In his first speech as Labour leader, Burnham urged unity and a new approach to politics. The Guardian
How new PM Andy Burnham will change UK’s international role. From northwest England to the global stage, the former mayor of Manchester takes office Monday amid questions over how he will handle international affairs. DW
China hits out at British Steel nationalisation. The UK government said taking the firm into public hands would safeguard “a vital national capability.” BBC
United States Politics
Trump alleges China meddled in the 2020 election and questions voting security. China said Trump’s claims were fabricated and US Democrats said he was paving the way to undermine November’s elections. BBC
Democrats criticize Trump’s claims of election interference. Democrats pushed back on Trump’s unverified allegations about US electoral integrity. The Guardian
Lindsey Graham’s death leaves South Carolina confronting a complex legacy. The state weighs a divisive political figure — “you loved him and you hated him.” The Guardian
Asia & Africa
Hundreds of Rohingya feared drowned at sea. Members of the persecuted Myanmar minority set off weeks ago in search of a better life; more than 500 are feared dead after their boats sank. New York Times
Project ‘Afrika’: Inside Russia’s propaganda machine. After a leak of confidential documents revealed how Russian agents placed hundreds of articles in French-speaking African media, France 24 travelled to Dakar, Senegal, to investigate. France 24
Fears grow for Sahrawi prisoner in sixth week of hunger strike in Morocco. Concern is mounting over a Sahrawi prisoner entering the sixth week of a hunger strike. Middle East Eye
Japan: Superstitions make some homes hard to sell or rent. Many in Japan avoid homes where a sudden or violent death occurred, prompting owners to call in “ghost investigators” to reassure buyers and tenants. DW
Markets & Finance
Nasdaq futures fall 2% as global chip sell-off continues. The moves follow a decline in chipmakers that dragged the broader market lower, as the US continued to strike Iran overnight. CNBC
Global tech stocks fall as the AI trade goes into reverse. An index of US semiconductor stocks is on track for its worst week since last year’s “liberation day” rout. FT
Economic outlook is worsening and Trump is getting blamed, CNBC survey finds. The public is as pessimistic about the economy as it has been since the years just after the pandemic, according to the All-America Economic Survey. CNBC
Iran says civilian infrastructure hit by latest US strikes, expands attacks to Syria, Bahrain. The escalating standoff comes as the fragile truce signed last month shows further signs of unravelling. CNBC
A wealth manager warns the market may be headed for a 40% correction. Ted Oakley of Oxbow Advisors sees a market that is “not normal,” with investors locked into an S&P 500 that isn’t giving them a diversified portfolio, and flags bargains in overlooked stocks. MarketWatch
AI frenzy losing steam leaves bitcoin less volatile than South Korean stocks. Bitcoin’s relative calm stands out as the AI trade cools. CoinDesk
SpaceX stock falls further after Starship rocket test aborted at last second. An engine ignition failure forced SpaceX to scrub a Starship test flight Thursday, sending the stock further below its $135 IPO price. Quartz
Reliance founders lift stake by most since 2019 as stock slumps. Reliance Industries founders, led by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, raised their stake in the conglomerate by the most in nearly seven years following the stock’s prolonged slump in the wake of the US-Iran war. Bloomberg
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