Day News Recap: Iran Gulf strikes deepen tensions as Ukraine, Venezuela and trade rows add pressure

Iran and the United States traded fresh strikes and accusations across the Gulf, with reports of attacks on US linked targets, retaliation against Iranian sites and new incidents involving Bahrain and shipping, raising fears that the fragile ceasefire is under renewed strain.  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗

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The Strait of Hormuz remained a flashpoint after a Singapore flagged cargo ship was reported attacked and a Panama flagged oil tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile, although the crew was said to be safe. The incidents added to concern over one of the world's most important energy routes.  🔗  🔗

In Gaza, Israeli drones struck tents in the al Mawasi area west of Khan Younis, killing at least two Palestinians and wounding others in what had been described as a safe zone. In Lebanon, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem rejected the new Israel Lebanon framework signed in Washington, while Israeli attacks continued in the south and tens of thousands joined an Ashura procession in Beirut's southern suburbs in a show of force.  🔗  🔗  🔗

Ukraine came under another night of Russian strikes that killed at least two people and injured more than 20 across several regions, with damage reported in Dnipro and other areas. The attacks underlined the continuing pressure on civilians and infrastructure despite repeated warnings about the scale of the overnight bombardment.  🔗

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In Europe and the Americas, Donald Trump escalated trade pressure on the European Union by threatening 100 percent tariffs on goods from any European country that introduces a digital services tax on American companies. In Washington, former national security adviser John Bolton pleaded guilty in a federal case over the illegal retention of classified information.  🔗  🔗

In the United States, Utah declared a state of emergency and restricted fireworks ahead of July 4 as wildfire danger intensified, while the UN human rights chief called for an independent probe into rising deaths in migrant detention centres. Separately, the US and India were reported to be moving closer to a trade deal, with Trump expected to visit India in early 2027.  🔗  🔗  🔗

Asia saw several security and disaster stories. Chinese authorities said a small plane crashed into Beijing's CITIC Tower, killing the pilot and injuring 13 people. Assam police said they foiled a planned mass casualty attack in Tinsukia district, and Australia confirmed its first H5 bird flu cases as the virus reached every continent.  🔗  🔗  🔗

South Asia and the wider region were also shaken by a magnitude 6.2 earthquake in Afghanistan's Hindu Kush, with tremors felt across Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir and the Delhi NCR area. India separately released the names of six armed forces personnel killed in Operation Sindoor, while the UK sent a 68 person search and rescue team to Venezuela after twin earthquakes killed nearly 1,000 people and left buildings collapsed and residents sheltering outdoors in Caracas.  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗

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In Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo took Rwanda to the International Court of Justice over decades of conflict, accusing its neighbour of breaching international law. Burkina Faso also severed diplomatic ties with France, deepening its break with the former colonial power.  🔗  🔗

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