Key facts
- The US military intercepted multiple Iranian ballistic missiles launched at its forces in the Middle East.
- The US also conducted strikes against sites in Iraq used by Iran-backed militias.
- The missile attack by Iran occurred during a brief pause in fighting.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Donald Trump at the White House.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also met with Donald Trump to discuss military aid.
- A 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Japan killed at least 13 people and injured hundreds.
- The US FCC banned humanoid robots from China, citing national security concerns.
- Wildfires led to thousands of evacuations on the French and Spanish coasts.
The US military announced it intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile barrage targeting its forces in the Middle East, an action described by Washington as an "attempted surprise attack" by Tehran. The incident shattered a brief pause in fighting and occurred as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington for a meeting with Donald Trump. US Central Command confirmed all Iranian missiles launched on Tuesday were intercepted.
In addition to the Iran missile incident, the report covers several other global developments. Japan is grappling with the aftermath of a 6.8-magnitude earthquake that killed at least 13 people and injured hundreds, prompting a large-scale disaster relief operation. The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has banned humanoid robots from China, citing national security risks related to data collection and potential foreign intelligence leverage. Meanwhile, thousands of people have been evacuated from tourist sites near Bordeaux, France, and in Spain due to raging wildfires exacerbated by high temperatures and winds.
Further news includes reports that Donald Trump is urging Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr to aggressively cut vaccine schedules in the US, a move that comes as measles cases have surged. The article also touches on the potential biodiversity threat posed by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to conflict, with scientists warning of invasive marine species spread. Other brief mentions include a settlement by eBay executives over a harassment campaign, differing heart attack symptoms in men and women, a Gaza beekeeper continuing his work amidst war, a professor facing charges in an 'antifa' case, and the investigation into the deaths of 15 elephants in Kenya.