Massive crowds attended the funeral procession for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and four family members, who were killed during the first day of Israeli-U.S. strikes on February 28, with mourners throwing flower petals and waving red flags symbolizing revenge. The caskets, adorned with the Iranian flag, were transported through Tehran on a semi-trailer as Iranian officials and low-ranking foreign delegates, including Russia's former President Dmitry Medvedev and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, participated in the ceremonies. The event aimed to convey an image of resilience for the regime, despite mixed sentiments among the public about Khamenei's legacy and the expenses associated with his mourning.
Elbit Systems reported that the Israeli command system identified 850,000 targets in real time during the wars in Gaza and Lebanon, with approximately 1,000 potential targets detected daily in the first two years. The military presentation highlighted that these targets included people, vehicles, and other objects deemed for potential follow-up attacks, raising concerns about the impact on Gaza’s population of 2.2 million and 300,000 buildings prior to October 2023. An Elbit spokesperson clarified that the 850,000 figure should be viewed as system activity data rather than a direct count of enemy targets or strikes.
The U.S. men's national soccer team will have striker Folarin Balogun available for their Round of 16 World Cup match against Belgium on July 6, 2026, after FIFA lifted his one-game suspension following controversy over a red card he received in a match against Bosnia-Herzegovina. The unexpected decision to suspend Balogun's suspension came after President Trump reportedly spoke with FIFA President Gianni Infantino about the matter, which sparked outrage from Belgian soccer officials who are now considering all potential recourse options. U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino stated that the decision was justified as "99.9% of people" believed the original red card was an unfair punishment.
Super Typhoon Bavi made landfall near Guam with winds exceeding 150 mph (241 km/h), equivalent to a category-five hurricane, causing significant damage in the Northern Mariana Islands and affecting around 210,000 residents. The storm is expected to bring at least 20 inches (51 cm) of rain and prompted local authorities to issue urgent warnings for residents to seek shelter. Rota, the hardest-hit island, reported "major damages," although the full extent remains unclear due to communication difficulties.
Millions have gathered in Tehran for a six-day funeral procession for Iran's former supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, who was killed in February during the US-Israel conflict. The procession, which includes calls for revenge and the murder of Donald Trump, will culminate in Khamenei's burial at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad on Thursday. Daily life in the capital has been severely disrupted, with authorities closing streets and airspace as the funeral progresses.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen supported Ukraine's call for enhanced air defense, highlighting that over 400 drones and missiles were used in recent attacks on Kyiv. At the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, the discussion will focus on Ukraine's urgent need for air defense, with Europe having already committed €4 billion of a planned €90 billion loan for advanced drone technology. Additionally, von der Leyen noted that efforts are ongoing to finalize the 21st sanctions package against Russia, emphasizing a commitment to escalate pressure until the conflict concludes.
Portugal will face Spain in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on July 6 at Dallas Stadium, following their second-place finish in Group J with five points, while Spain topped Group H with seven points. Spain is unbeaten in their last 34 matches (W25 D9) and aims to advance past the quarterfinals for the first time in 16 years, while Ronaldo, at age 41, faces potential retirement from national duty depending on the outcome of the tournament. The match marks a significant moment as it could be Ronaldo's last chance to secure the World Cup trophy, a notable absence in his otherwise decorated career.
On July 6, 2026, Russia launched missile and drone attacks on Kyiv, resulting in at least 10 deaths and 46 injuries, with emergency services searching for survivors in damaged residential high-rises. The attacks, which included ballistic and cruise missiles, caused significant destruction in the Podilskyi and Darnytsia districts, where civilians sought shelter in metro stations amid the explosions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated the need for increased air defense support from Western allies, emphasizing that a lack of resources encourages Russia's ongoing aggression.
Russia's missile and drone attack on Kyiv on July 6, 2026, resulted in at least 11 fatalities and wounded around 60 individuals, as emergency workers searched through the debris of residential high-rises that were directly struck. This strike followed a deadly attack just three days prior, which claimed 31 lives, marking it as one of the deadliest for the capital this year, while over 16,000 Ukrainian civilians have been reported killed in the ongoing conflict according to the United Nations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted the critical need for more interceptor missiles from allies to strengthen air defenses against Russian ballistic missiles, which have proven to be particularly challenging to counter due to shortages in the global supply of systems like the U.S. Patriot missiles.
Russia launched missile and drone strikes on Kyiv, killing at least 12 people and wounding 60 others, with all 29 ballistic missiles hitting their intended targets. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is expected to advocate for increased air defense support at a NATO summit following the attack, as analysis shows gaps in Ukraine's air defenses due to a shortage of interceptor missiles, particularly Patriot systems. The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 16,000 civilian deaths in Ukraine, according to the United Nations.
China has conducted a missile test from a nuclear submarine in the South Pacific, landing the missile in designated waters at 12:01 PM local time on July 6, 2026, which has raised concerns from Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong highlighted the destabilizing nature of the test amid China's rapid military build-up, while Japan expressed grave concern and urged China to reconsider its military activities. New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters also condemned the test, asserting that the Pacific should not be used as a site for testing missile capabilities.
A 12-year-old girl named Fabiana was rescued after being trapped under rubble for over thirty hours following twin earthquakes in Venezuela. She managed to survive by consuming ketchup and cheese and sustained only a fracture in her left foot and some minor scrapes. As of Sunday, the death toll from the earthquakes rose to 3,342, with tens of thousands more reported missing.
The funeral procession for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei commenced in Tehran, following a two-day lying in state at the Grand Mosalla, attracting large crowds amid concerns of potential chaos reminiscent of the 1989 funeral for Ruhollah Khomeini, which drew approximately 10 million attendees. Khamenei was killed during the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, alongside four family members, and thousands attended a tribute at the Grand Mosalla before the procession. After the Tehran events, similar ceremonies are planned in Qom and Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala, culminating in Khamenei's burial in Mashhad on Thursday.
Residents of Newarthill, Lanarkshire, are increasingly wary of a proposed AI datacentre project, initially promised to bring 3,400 high-value jobs and £543 million in local investment, as they fear losing property and green belt land due to its demands. The venture is led by CoreWeave and DataVita, which has claimed that the site will provide 1GW of power from renewable energy parks, but admits that this will connect to the existing grid rather than being generated on-site, contradicting earlier representations. Investigations reveal that the project may require up to 44 square kilometers of land for energy needs, while DataVita currently possesses less than a tenth of that required.
Camra has accused big brewers of misleading consumers about the craft credentials and origins of their beers, urging the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) to investigate anti-competitive practices that favor larger companies over independent breweries. The report highlights that seven of the top 10 selling “craft beers” in the UK are produced by just four multinational brewing conglomerates, including Heineken and ABInBev. Camra also cited examples of marketed foreign beers, like Madri, which are actually brewed in the UK, and called for action to ensure fair access for independent brewers in the market.
A Guardian investigation revealed that the £8.2 billion AI datacentre complex planned for Lanarkshire, Scotland, faces significant hurdles in providing its promised power supply, as internal communications acknowledged "power provision" issues despite claims of generating up to 1GW of energy. The project, which is crucial for Britain's AI ambitions and expected to be powered entirely by renewables by 2030, may not meet its goals, with the government suggesting it will connect to an overloaded grid instead. The findings raise concerns about the feasibility of similar projects in the UK, amid a backdrop of delays for new developments connecting to the grid that could take up to 10 years.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sparked controversy after participating in a "shag, marry, date" game during an interview with comedian Nikki Osborne, which detracted from his initial sensible response about being newly married. This incident highlights the challenges politicians face in navigating social media to connect with younger voters, as they balance a desire to appear relatable with the risk of engaging in potentially damaging content. Critics, including fellow politicians, have advised Albanese to be more cautious with his public comments, citing his need to avoid flippant answers that could backfire.
A Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv has killed at least 10 people and injured 46, marking the second large-scale assault on the Ukrainian capital in under a week. Ukraine's military reported that Russia launched 68 missiles and 351 drones during the attack, damaging at least 15 buildings, including four in the historic Podilskyi district. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that intelligence suggests another Russian assault may be imminent, coinciding with the upcoming NATO summit in Turkey.
Sky has announced a £1.6bn deal to acquire ITV’s broadcasting and streaming arm, creating the UK’s largest commercial broadcaster. This includes an initial payment of £1.2bn in cash and up to £200m contingent on 2027 advertising revenues, while Sky will also invest at least £2.1bn in the business from 2028 to 2032. Comcast will sell its Love Productions business to ITV for £200m, but the deal excludes ITV Studios, a major production company.
In Omdurman, Sudan, the maternity hospital Al-Dayat has resumed operations after a lengthy closure due to war, witnessing an increase in births from one or two cases daily to about 60. The health ministry has repaired 15 maternity wards and monthly deliveries in the capital have surged to approximately 7,000, though significant challenges remain, including high costs for births (ranging from 130,000 to 800,000 Sudanese pounds), medication shortages, and a lack of qualified medical staff. Mothers, like Fatima Abdel Rahman, are navigating these difficulties to access safe childbirth, having previously faced unsafe home births during the conflict.
A cruise ship, the Scarlet Lady, carrying 2,000 LGBTQ+ passengers and Broadway star Patti LuPone, was blocked from docking in Turkey due to authorities citing that the group’s behavior did not align with the country's "moral values." For the first time in its 36-year history, Atlantis Events, the cruise operator, faced an explicit ban on entry based solely on the sexual orientation of its passengers. While the Scarlet Lady will now divert to Cairo and Crete, Turkey's long-standing issues with LGBTQ+ rights include bans on Pride events since 2015 and a historical precedent from 2000 when over 800 gay tourists were similarly denied entry.
A royal commission has heard that Meta's decision to cut back on "censorship" on its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, may have resulted in increased antisemitic content. Following a January 2025 announcement by CEO Mark Zuckerberg to reduce fact-checking and tackle only serious violations proactively, evidence presented indicated that problematic comments might be allowed under the new policies, such as statements about immigrants and stereotypes about race. While Meta claims a consistent 0.02% prevalence of hateful conduct policy violations since 2022, the commission noted a 79% drop in actions taken against hate speech, prompting questions about the impact of the policy changes on the moderation of harmful content.
A crowd of millions participated in the funeral procession for Iran's assassinated supreme leader Ali Khamenei, moving through Tehran from Revolution Square to Azadi Square. The event, characterized by mourners wearing black and chanting slogans such as "we will rise," lasted an estimated 10 to 12 hours and was attended by prominent Iranian officials, with significant security measures resulting in no reported deaths during the procession. Over 300 foreign journalists were granted access to cover the event, which served as a demonstration of national unity following a period of protests and violence in the country.
China conducted a long-range missile test in the Pacific, which Australia condemned as "destabilising to the region," with the Australian government being informed only hours before the test took place. The missile, described as a "routine arrangement" for China’s military training, was fired from a strategic nuclear submarine and landed in designated waters, though specific coordinates were not disclosed. This test occurred on the same day Australia and Fiji signed a defense alliance, and it was reported that three Chinese satellite-tracking vessels were in the Pacific, likely to monitor the missile launch.
President Donald Trump succeeded in convincing NATO members to commit to increasing their defense spending to 5% of their annual GDP over the next decade, a mandate he will seek to enforce during an upcoming summit in Turkey. This meeting, characterized as the "first report card" on the commitments made at last year's summit, reflects Trump’s influence on the alliance despite ongoing tensions regarding various international issues. In addition to the defense discussions, Trump is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the summit, while also continuing to express dissatisfaction with U.S. defense spending compared to other nations.
Residents in Crimea are reporting a "catastrophic" situation following a surge in Ukrainian drone strikes targeting oil refineries, power plants, and military sites on the peninsula. These attacks have intensified recently in an effort to disrupt supply lines to Russian forces operating in southern Ukraine. The strikes are significant as they hold strategic importance for both Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Analysis by the National Housing Federation indicates that over half of all affordable homes in rural England could be at risk if the government proceeds with plans to relax section 106 agreements, which require affordable housing quotas for developments of 10 to 49 houses. The proposed changes could lead to a loss of 32,000 affordable homes over the next decade, exacerbating the ongoing rural housing crisis. Section 106 agreements currently account for 36% of all affordable homes delivered in the UK in the 2024-25 period, but ministers are considering allowing developers to make cash payments to councils instead of building affordable homes on site.
Many in Israel anticipate that US President Donald Trump will reassess the longstanding US-Israel alliance, particularly as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces political peril due to corruption charges and a challenging election season. Relations between the US and Israel have soured, exacerbated by Trump's reported frustration with Netanyahu's military actions in Lebanon, indicating a potential shift in support for Israel among Trump's right-wing base, with notable critics emerging within the MAGA movement. Recent polls reflect growing skepticism towards US support for Israel, signalling a transformation in the political landscape that could impact future military and diplomatic actions.
Mexico's World Cup run ended in the round of 16 with a 3-2 loss to England at Estadio Azteca, despite having a home-field advantage and a passionate crowd of 80,824 fans backing them. Coach Javier Aguirre expressed disappointment after the defeat, noting that Mexico had not conceded any goals in their first four World Cup matches but struggled defensively against Jude Bellingham, who scored twice in rapid succession. This loss marks Mexico's eighth elimination in the round of 16 since 1986, when they last reached the quarterfinals, and Aguirre will be replaced by his assistant, Rafael Marquez, following the tournament.
Norway's Erling Haaland scored two late goals against Brazil, leading his team into the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in history. With this victory, Haaland has now scored 62 goals in 54 appearances for Norway, maintaining an impressive average of 1.15 goals per game, and his scoring streak for the national team has reached 27 goals in just 14 matches. Haaland's performance has put him on par with Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi, all tied for the Golden Boot with seven goals each in the tournament.