World
Venezuela's Official Earthquake Death Toll Passes 3,500 as Opposition and Protesters Press Acting President for Elections
Twin June 24 quakes killed thousands amid a U.S.-backed transition; sides dispute whether the crisis reflects government failure, U.S. control, or the sidelining of Venezuela's elected opposition.
Russia Strikes Kyiv With Missiles and Drones a Day Before NATO Summit; Casualty Counts Vary
Overnight missile and drone strikes hit residential and other sites in Kyiv on July 6, 2026, with early death tolls ranging from about 7 to 15, as President Trump prepares to meet President Zelenskyy at a NATO summit in Turkey.
Venezuela Twin Earthquakes Kill at Least 235; U.S. Deploys Rescue Teams and Partially Eases Sanctions
A 7.5-magnitude mainshock and a 7.2-magnitude foreshock struck northern Venezuela on June 24, 2026, triggering a large U.S. aid response and renewed debate over whether American sanctions are blocking effective disaster relief.
Russia Cites Unverified Anchorage 'Understandings' as Ukraine Peace Talks Remain Deadlocked
The U.S.-imposed June 2026 deadline has passed with no deal. Russia keeps citing disputed commitments from the August 2025 Trump-Putin summit in Alaska while refusing direct talks with Zelensky. No party has agreed on a ceasefire or a political framework.
Israel and Lebanon Hold U.S.-Brokered Rome Talks on Hezbollah Disarmament and Phased Israeli Withdrawal
Officials met July 14–15 in Rome to work out how to implement a June framework tying an Israeli pullback from southern Lebanon to the disarming of Hezbollah, which rejects the deal.
Mexico Vows Criminal Complaints and Lawsuits After ICE Officer Fatally Shoots Mexican National in Houston
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says she will seek U.S. criminal complaints and civil suits over the death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and other citizens, as U.S. and Mexican officials give conflicting accounts of the shooting.
Independent Report Says Mexico's Sinaloa Crackdown Has Not Cut Fentanyl Reaching the U.S.; Some Cite Falling Seizures and Overdose Deaths
The International Crisis Group found no measurable change in fentanyl prices or availability in the U.S. despite thousands of arrests and lab raids in Sinaloa, while U.S. officials point to record drops in border seizures and overdose deaths.
Fourteen Nations Reaffirm 2016 South China Sea Ruling on Its Tenth Anniversary; China Rejects It
The U.S., U.K., Japan, the Philippines and 10 other countries called the Hague tribunal award final and binding, while Beijing again dismissed it as void amid renewed friction near Scarborough Shoal.
China and Russia End Joint Sea-2026 Naval Drills, Plan Pacific Patrol; China Test-Fires Submarine Missile
The two navies exercised near Qingdao and announced a follow-on Pacific patrol as China launched a submarine-based ballistic missile into the ocean, drawing objections from the U.S. and its allies.
North Korea Fires About 10 Ballistic Missiles Toward East Sea, Days After Kim Ordered Nuclear Buildup
Seoul's military reported the salvo on July 11, 2026, days after North Korea's ruling party said it would strengthen the country's nuclear forces "quantitatively and qualitatively."
Russia Strikes Kyiv With Missiles and Drones Days After Trump Backs Ukrainian Patriot Production
An overnight barrage on July 11 wounded at least 10 people in Kyiv, three days after Trump told Zelensky the U.S. would license Ukraine to build Patriot interceptors.
Trump Renews Demand for U.S. Control of Greenland at NATO Summit; Denmark Refuses and Vows to Defend Territory
At the alliance summit in Ankara, President Trump said Greenland should be controlled by the U.S. and floated pulling American troops from Europe; Denmark said the island is not for sale.