Switzerland Postpones US-Iran Talks Amid Escalation in Lebanon

China Test-Launches Ballistic Missile From Submarine in Pacific, Sparking Regional Concern

On July 6, 2026, China's navy test-launched a long-range ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific Ocean. According to Chinese officials, the missile carried a training simulation warhead and landed accurately in a designated sea area on the high seas. Beijing described the test as routine and said it had provided advance notification. The launch came just hours after Australia signed a defense agreement with Fiji, a timing that several observers noted as significant. Australia, New...

Millions Attend Funeral Procession for Iran's Assassinated Supreme Leader Khamenei

Iran held a large funeral procession in Tehran for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated on February 28, 2026, in Israeli and US airstrikes that opened a war between Iran and the United States. The procession, held on Monday, July 6, drew crowds that authorities and multiple outlets estimated in the millions, following two days of lying in state at the Grand Mosalla religious complex. Coffins of Khamenei and four family members killed alongside him were transported through the streets on a...

US and Iran signal progress toward deal to end Middle East war, oil sanctions temporarily eased

US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf concluded a first round of talks in Switzerland that Vance described as having established a 'good foundation' for a final deal to end the Middle East war that began between the US, Israel and Iran in February 2026. The negotiations, held at the Burgenstock resort, were characterized by Vance as rocky at times but ultimately productive, with several agreements reached. Alongside the diplomatic push, the US Treasury Department...

US Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship in setback for Trump

On June 30, 2026, the US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that Donald Trump's executive order seeking to restrict automatic citizenship for children born in the US to non-citizen or non-permanent-resident parents was unconstitutional. The majority cited the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to nearly all persons born on US soil. The ruling represents a major setback to one of Trump's signature anti-immigration policies. On the same day, the court also struck down limits on coordinated campaign spending in a 6-3...

Belgium Rout Host USA 4-1 to Reach World Cup Quarterfinals Against Spain

Belgium defeated co-host United States 4-1 in the World Cup round of 16, ending the Americans' tournament dream. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice, Hans Vanaken capitalized on a goalkeeping error, and substitute Romelu Lukaku added a late fourth goal. The match was overshadowed by controversy surrounding US striker Folarin Balogun, whose one-game suspension was lifted by FIFA after lobbying from US President Donald Trump, allowing him to start. Despite playing, Balogun failed to have a significant impact on the...

Trump says Iran has released US citizen detained since 2024