US Reimposes Naval Blockade of Iranian Ports as Trump Threatens Strikes; Iran Retaliates with Drone and Missile Attacks on Kuwait
The US military reinstituted a naval blockade of Iranian ports on July 14 and launched fresh strikes on Iranian military targets, while President Trump threatened to hit Iranian power plants and bridges unless Tehran returns to negotiations. Iran responded with ballistic missile and drone attacks on Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain, causing casualties and airport shutdowns, as the interim US-Iran ceasefire deal fully unravels.
Senate Democrats Block Defense Bill Over Iran War Authority, Dispute Spending Increase
Senate Democrats blocked a procedural vote on the annual National Defense Authorization Act in a 50-46 vote, opposing President Trump's military operations in Iran without congressional approval. The dispute centers on the $1.14 trillion defense package and whether Trump has authority to wage war under the War Powers Resolution without Congress explicitly authorizing the conflict.
June CPI Falls to 3.5% on Biggest Monthly Drop Since April 2020, Driven by 10% Gasoline Price Decline
The Consumer Price Index dropped 0.4% in June on a seasonally adjusted basis, the largest monthly decline since April 2020, pushing the annual inflation rate to 3.5% from 4.2% in May. The decline was primarily driven by a 10% drop in gasoline prices following a mid-June U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement that calmed oil markets, though the ceasefire has since collapsed, risking renewed energy price increases.
Sam Neill, 'Jurassic Park' and 'The Piano' star, dies at 78
Sam Neill, the New Zealand actor best known for playing Dr. Alan Grant in 'Jurassic Park' and his role in 'The Piano,' died suddenly on Monday in Sydney at age 78. The death came unexpectedly just months after Neill announced in April that he was cancer-free following treatment for stage-three blood cancer diagnosed in 2023.
IBM shares plunge 25% in worst day since 1987 after warning Q2 profits will disappoint due to soft software and infrastructure demand amid AI component shortage
IBM issued a rare pre-announcement of deeply disappointing second-quarter results, with shares collapsing 25% and erasing $55 billion in market value—the company's worst trading day since Black Monday 1987. CEO Arvind Krishna attributed the shortfall to customers redirecting capital spending toward memory chips and servers due to an AI-driven semiconductor shortage, causing large software and infrastructure deals to slip. The selloff rippled across the tech sector, with Goldman Sachs warning of a potential software bear market.
Spain beats France 2-0 to reach World Cup final; England faces Argentina in semifinal Wednesday
Spain defeated France 2-0 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal, advancing to the final with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro. England and Argentina will face off Wednesday in the second semifinal, with the winner meeting Spain in Sunday's final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
12 State AGs seek emergency restraining order to block $110B Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger before July 22 close
A dozen state attorneys general filed an emergency motion in federal court to temporarily halt Paramount's $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, with a hearing scheduled for Friday, July 18, and a ruling needed by July 22 before the companies plan to close the deal. The states argue the merged company would control nearly one-third of U.S. cable programming and over one-third of blockbuster theatrical releases, leading to higher prices, lower quality content, and reduced competition, while the Writers Guild separately filed its own antitrust lawsuit claiming the deal would suppress writers' wages.
Lancet study identifies minimum combined sleep, exercise, and nutrition needed to extend lifespan
A new study published in The Lancet's eClinicalMedicine tracked 59,078 UK participants and found that small combined improvements in sleep, exercise, and diet—as little as 15 extra minutes of sleep, 1.6 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity, and a modest diet upgrade daily—can reduce mortality risk by 10%. The research shows that combined lifestyle changes are significantly more effective than targeting any single habit alone.