⚡ Today in History

On July 31, 1991, the United States and the Soviet Union signed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, limiting the two superpowers' long-range nuclear arsenals. Today? The U.S. military struck dozens of Iranian military sites overnight, reviving fears of a wider war tied to Tehran's disputed nuclear ambitions.

Top News

US hits dozens of Iran targets overnight 2-HR STRIKE

After Iran fired missiles at a U.S. base in Jordan on Tuesday, the U.S. military launched a two-hour wave of strikes against dozens of Iranian Revolutionary Guard targets Wednesday night, Central Command said. The strikes hit military command centers, missile facilities and coastal defense sites across Iran, including the island of Qeshm, where state media reported three deaths. Iran's Revolutionary Guard vowed Thursday to "punish the aggressor," raising fears of a fresh round of escalation in the five-month war.

Japan quake death toll climbs to 18 18 DEAD

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture on the southern island of Kyushu Tuesday evening, trapping shoppers inside a partially collapsed shopping mall and sparking fires across the region. The death toll has climbed to at least 18, with more than 60 people injured, as rescue crews keep searching the rubble. Officials warned Thursday that strong aftershocks could continue for days.

France evacuates 250,000 in wildfire crisis 250K EVACUATED

Weeks of record heat have left forests tinder-dry across southwestern France, fueling a wildfire west of Bordeaux that grew intense enough to spawn its own lightning. More than 250,000 people have been evacuated from the Gironde and Landes regions, France's largest peacetime evacuation since World War II. Authorities ordered another 4,000 people out of coastal tourist sites this week as a fourth heat wave threatens firefighters' hold on the blaze.

Dow sheds 1,153 points as Fed holds rates -1,153 PTS

The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged Wednesday, but three policymakers dissented in favor of a hike, unsettling bond markets already on edge over Middle East tensions. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1,153 points, its worst day since April 2025, while the 30-year Treasury yield climbed above 5.2%, a level last seen in 2007. Futures pointed higher again Thursday morning after stronger-than-expected results from Microsoft.

Rushdie's attacker convicted of terrorism

A federal jury convicted Hadi Matar of terrorism charges Wednesday for the 2022 stabbing of author Salman Rushdie, who lost sight in one eye after being slashed 15 times on a New York stage. Prosecutors said Matar acted on a decades-old fatwa from Iran's former supreme leader calling for Rushdie's death over the novel "The Satanic Verses." Matar, already serving 25 years on a state attempted-murder conviction, now faces a potential life sentence on the federal charges.

World

Japan's bullet trains grind to a halt M7.1 QUAKE

Tuesday's magnitude 7.1 earthquake forced Japan Railways to suspend Shinkansen and local train service across Kyushu island, including in hard-hit Kumamoto Prefecture. A tsunami advisory for the Ariake and Yatsushiro seas was lifted within an hour, and Kyushu Electric Power reported no damage at nearby nuclear plants. Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae said Wednesday that further quakes remain possible in the area.

Spain's wildfires claim first death of the season

Weeks-long heat waves have fueled wildfires across Spain alongside the crisis in neighboring France. A man died Saturday in a blaze in Manises, near Valencia, marking the country's first wildfire death this year. More than 76,000 people have been evacuated nationwide, with firefighters racing to keep two fires west of Madrid from merging into one.

Iranian strike hits Chinese firm's site in Kuwait

Hours after Jordan's air defenses shot down five missiles fired from Iran, an Iranian strike hit a building belonging to a Chinese company in northern Kuwait on Thursday, Kuwait's military said. The blast severely damaged the structure and killed one worker. The attack widened a conflict that has already drawn in Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Egypt.

Zelenskyy, Netanyahu each get an hour with Trump

President Trump held separate Oval Office meetings Tuesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, days after tensions between Trump and Netanyahu had grown over the Gaza war. Zelenskyy said the two discussed licenses for Ukraine to build Patriot interceptor missiles and ways to revive peace talks with Russia. Both leaders later attended funeral services for the late Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime ally to both countries.

Drone fires hit gas tankers at Egyptian port

British maritime security firm Ambrey reported drone strikes ignited fires on two natural gas vessels at the Egyptian port of Damietta on Wednesday, one owned by a U.S. company and the other by a Greek operator. Egyptian officials said an initial probe pointed to drones, though no group has claimed responsibility. Egypt has largely avoided direct strikes during the war, and a confirmed attack would mark a significant widening of the conflict.

Politics

Fauci pleads the Fifth over 100 times 100+ TIMES

Senate Homeland Security Chairman Rand Paul had subpoenaed Dr. Anthony Fauci to testify about the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic on Wednesday. Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 100 times, arguing that Paul's "unhinged obsession" with prosecuting him left him no other choice. Paul said the committee will vote next week on holding Fauci in contempt of Congress.

Haitians, Syrians face deportation as protections end

The Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that the Trump administration could revoke Temporary Protected Status for Haitian and Syrian immigrants. Nearly 30,000 Haitian immigrants living in Columbus, Ohio, alone rely on the status to remain in the country legally. Advocates say those affected must now find other legal pathways or face removal in the coming months.

Trump and Netanyahu try to mend a rocky patch

Trump had recently called Netanyahu "crazy" and declared that Israel would not exist without him, as tensions rose over the Gaza war and Iran policy. The two met Tuesday in the Oval Office to discuss the Iran conflict and a U.S.-brokered plan for Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon. Netanyahu is up for reelection at home and is seeking to repair the relationship before facing voters.

Saudi Arabia joins US strikes on Iraqi militias

Iran-backed militias in Iraq fired more than 30 drones at American troops and Saudi oil facilities over three days, Central Command said. American and Saudi forces struck the militias in response on Wednesday, killing at least 20 fighters and six Iranian advisers. Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman told Trump and Vice President JD Vance the kingdom still wants a return to negotiations with Tehran.

Iraq threatens legal action over US-Saudi strikes

Wednesday's joint U.S.-Saudi strikes on Iran-backed militias in Iraq killed or injured dozens of people, Iraqi officials said. Iraq's prime minister directed the country's Foreign Ministry to pursue legal action against both the United States and Saudi Arabia over the operation. The dispute adds a new diplomatic front to a war that already spans Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait and Yemen.

Markets

Dow logs its worst day since April 2025 -2.2%

The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged Wednesday, but three policymakers dissented in favor of a rate hike, rattling investors already worried about inflation. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1,153 points, or 2.2%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq each dropped more than 1.5%. Futures pointed higher again Thursday morning after Microsoft's earnings eased some of the worry.

30-year yield hits its highest since 2007

Bond markets read the Fed's split decision as a sign the central bank may be falling behind on inflation. The 30-year Treasury yield jumped above 5.2% Wednesday, its highest level in nearly two decades, while the 10-year yield rose above 4.67%. Higher long-term yields raise borrowing costs for mortgages and business loans across the economy.

Oil jumps 7% on fresh US strikes on Iran

Brent crude, the international benchmark, climbed 6.6% to $89.61 a barrel Wednesday after Trump vowed the U.S. would hit Iran hard for its attack on American forces in Jordan. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 6.4% to $84.31 a barrel. Shipping companies have begun exploring routes through the Suez Canal to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, where transits have fallen sharply since the war escalated.

Meta stock sinks 9% on AI spending worries

Meta Platforms shares fell more than 9% in premarket trading Thursday after its earnings report added to concerns the company can't recoup its massive AI investments. Microsoft shares moved the opposite direction after stronger-than-expected growth in its Azure cloud business eased similar worries about its own spending. The split shows growing investor doubt about which tech giants can turn AI spending into profit.

Entertainment

Oscar winner Glen Hansard dies at 56 AGE 56

Glen Hansard, the Irish musician and actor who won an Oscar for co-writing "Falling Slowly" from the film Once, died Wednesday in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash, police confirmed. Hansard, 56, had performed and recorded for more than three decades, including with his band the Frames. Tributes poured in Thursday from musicians who had toured and collaborated with him over the years.

Netflix eyes world tour for KPop Demon Hunters

KPop Demon Hunters won Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song at the 2026 Oscars earlier this year. Netflix is now in talks with concert promoters to stage a live tour featuring songs from the film, playing arenas worldwide, Bloomberg reported. The tour would arrive in 2027, ahead of a planned sequel to the film.

Four women accuse Jared Leto of misconduct

Four women have accused actor Jared Leto of sexual misconduct dating back to when they were teenagers, according to a new report published this week. Leto has denied the allegations, some of which involve accusers who say they were minors at the time. No criminal charges have been filed as of Thursday.

Preliminary hearing continues in D4vd murder case

Singer David Burke, known by his stage name D4vd, is charged with murder in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. A judge ruled Monday that Burke will stand trial on charges including murder, sexual abuse of a child and mutilation of a corpse. The preliminary hearing entered its fifth day of testimony this week.

Disney sets release dates for two sequels

Disney has announced theatrical release dates for two highly anticipated sequels: Lilo & Stitch 2 and The Incredibles 3. Both franchises rank among the studio's most successful of the past two decades. Full 2027 release details have not yet followed the initial announcement.