Breakfast News Recap: Iran US tensions spread across Gulf as Nepal flood toll climbs past 1,200

Nepal is facing a huge search and rescue effort after flash flooding pushed the reported death toll to around 1,200, with thousands still missing and Australia deploying drone specialists to help the search.  🔗

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Rescuers are also working around the clock in flood ravaged districts near the border with Tibet, where more than 900 workers linked to hydropower projects are trapped in tunnels, and experts say some survivors could last up to 17 days.  🔗

Across the Gulf, Iran and the United States traded threats after what the supplied material describes as some of the heaviest military exchanges in weeks, with Tehran and Washington both warning of further action.  🔗

The confrontation widened further when Saudi Arabia said an attack on a Saudi owned tanker in the Strait of Hormuz killed two Filipino sailors, while Kuwait said its air defences were intercepting a missile and drone attack from Iran.  🔗 🔗

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Energy markets and supply chains are already reacting, with Asian economies moving to expand oil and gas storage closer to home after the disruption through the Strait of Hormuz.  🔗

In Venezuela, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright oversaw the signing of a new package of oil and energy agreements in Caracas, while Chevron said it will invest more than $7bn in its joint ventures and new Orinoco acreage.  🔗 🔗

Elsewhere in the Middle East, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said there is no real solution for Gaza without removing Palestinians from the territory, and Save the Children said seven children a day have been killed or injured in Lebanon since March despite ceasefire arrangements.  🔗 🔗

In Europe, the EU is preparing more sanctions and tighter enforcement after Germany blamed Russia for a failed drone attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport, while foreign ministers remained split over trade sanctions on goods from illegal Israeli settlements.  🔗 🔗

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Security concerns also surfaced in Poland, where Prime Minister Donald Tusk said a fire at a defence manufacturing plant was deliberate arson, and in Australia, ABC Investigations reported audio that appears to capture alleged Russian spies speaking in Queensland prison recordings.  🔗 🔗

Other developments included Canada condemning a social media post by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth mocking a cadet award ceremony, a Republican senator urging Donald Trump to fire him over the Iran war, the US House rejecting a bid to cap the Supreme Court at nine justices, and a Maltese businessman being acquitted in the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder case.  🔗 🔗 🔗 🔗

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