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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reportedly told EU leaders that Beijing doesn't want Russia to lose the war in Ukraine, fearing a US shift of focus towards China. This admission, surprising to some EU officials, aligns with suspicions about China's stance. Wang denied materially supporting Russia, suggesting the war would be over if they were.
In a late-night session, the Senate advanced President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, despite opposition from Republican senators Tillis, Paul, and initially Johnson. The bill, featuring tax breaks and national security funding, faces criticism for Medicaid cuts and increased debt. Trump hailed the procedural clearance as a victory, thanking supportive Republican senators.
The White House will host pilots involved in recent strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities during Independence Day celebrations. The event will feature a military flyover with B-2 Spirit bombers, the same aircraft used in the operation. President Trump, who will deliver remarks, has asserted the strikes significantly delayed Iran's nuclear program, contradicting initial Pentagon assessments.
Escalating tensions between Israel and Iran pose a significant destabilization risk for volatile African regions, particularly the Horn of Africa, already facing its deepest crisis in decades. Interconnected alliances between groups like the Houthis and Al-Shabab, coupled with diminishing Western support, could exacerbate conflicts and create security gaps across the continent.
Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls in Texas Hill Country, reported 23 missing girls after torrential rainfall caused catastrophic flash floods. The Guadalupe River surged, isolating the camp due to washed-out roads and communication breakdowns. Rescue operations are underway, facing logistical challenges as the search for survivors continues amidst rising water levels and damaged infrastructure.
A right-wing Croatian singer, Marko Perkovic, also known as Thompson, ignited controversy after performing a song featuring a pro-Nazi salute at a large concert in Zagreb. Meanwhile, in Turkiye, a 53-year-old man was seriously injured by a lion that escaped from a zoo in Manavgat. The escaped lion was later shot dead after the attack.
Federal prosecutors have indicated that the Trump administration intends to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia, charged with human smuggling and alleged MS-13 affiliation, to a country other than El Salvador if he's released from jail. His attorneys are fighting to have him returned to Maryland for his ongoing criminal case, fearing swift deportation by ICE.
California's governor Gavin Newsom signed a $321-billion budget addressing a $12-billion deficit by rolling back progressive initiatives, including healthcare expansion for undocumented immigrants. The budget relies on reserves and internal borrowing, avoiding new taxes, while protecting safety net programs. Republicans criticize the budget for lacking long-term fiscal solutions and affordability measures.
Bigg Boss 19 is set to make history with the reported entry of Habubu, a UAE-based AI doll, as the first non-human contestant. Developed by IFCM, Habubu features emotional AI, multilingual skills, and traditional Emirati aesthetics. Her inclusion highlights the UAE’s innovation in artificial intelligence and brings a unique cultural-tech blend to South Asia’s most-watched reality show.