Uzbekistan braces for near-record power demand as extreme heat pushes electricity use higher
Uzbekistan is preparing for one of its hottest weeks of the year, with electricity demand expected to approach a record as temperatures are forecast t...
The U.S. said it struck Iranian radar sites on Qeshm Island and in Goruk after intercepting four drones, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they launches retaliatory strikes on four tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and targeted U.S. bases in the Gulf.
That is a wrap on our live coverage for today. Thank you for joining us. Before you head off, here is a quick recap of the day's top headlines:
Our main news desk will continue tracking updates through the night. Read our detailed article on how the Ukraine war with Russia has reshaped and changed the perception of modern warfare (HERE).
UN peacekeepers condemn an airstrike in southern Lebanon that killed Lebanese army personnel, calling it a violation of sovereignty and UN Resolution 1701. Lebanese officials say the strike hit a military vehicle in Nabatieh, killing three soldiers, while Israel’s military says it targeted a suspicious vehicle and is reviewing the incident amid a fragile ceasefire.
Syrian state media reports that Israeli forces carried out a second incursion into southern Quneitra in less than 24 hours, entering multiple villages with several military vehicles. Earlier, troops reportedly raided a home in the Abu Madhra area west of Sayda al‑Golan, detained a civilian and took him into Israeli‑held territory.
Later on Saturday, another unit entered the village of Al‑Asha, searched a number of houses and withdrew. These raids are part of what Syrian media say are near‑daily Israeli operations in the south, including incursions, checkpoints and detentions, following Israel’s declaration that the 1974 disengagement agreement no longer applies.
At least seven Palestinians, including two women, were killed and 15 others wounded in an Israeli strike on a tent camp in central Gaza City, medics say. Israel’s military said it targeted “terrorists”.
The attack comes as mediators resume ceasefire talks in Cairo, with Hamas pressing for an end to strikes, more aid access and Israeli troop withdrawals amid a stalled truce.
Lebanon’s army says Commander General Rudolf Haykal has travelled to Pakistan at the invitation of his counterpart, with no further details given, as Islamabad steps up efforts to mediate in the escalating US‑Israel‑Iran tensions affecting Lebanon.
Iran’s foreign ministry says a U.S. strike on radar and coastal surveillance facilities in the Sirik area and Qeshm Island breached the 8 April ceasefire. It adds that repeated violations show Washington has no intention of reducing tensions, warning the U.S. will bear responsibility for any consequences and further escalation.
Kuwait’s army says it intercepted seven Iranian missiles on Saturday, with the attack causing material damage but no reported injuries.
Bahrain's military said it intercepted and destroyed three missiles and several drones launched from Iran, accusing Tehran of targeting civilian sites in the kingdom.
The Bahrain Defence Force said its air defence systems successfully neutralised the threats and remains on high alert.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi accused the UN nuclear watchdog of politicising oversight of Tehran's nuclear programme, urging the agency to keep its reports technical and avoid political pressure.
He said reduced monitoring at some facilities was caused by U.S. and Israeli strikes, and claimed the watchdog was using the aftermath of those attacks to create ambiguity about Iran's nuclear activities.
Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is due to travel to Tehran on Saturday for talks with Iranian officials, according to Iran's Mehr news agency.
Iran's World Cup players have received U.S. visas ahead of next week's opening match, a US official said, although Iranian media reported that some federation officials and administrative staff are still waiting for entry permits.
The chief executive of Russian oil company Rosneft, Igor Sechin, warned that any closure of the Strait of Hormuz could have consequences beyond the Gulf, saying that other major shipping routes, including the Straits of Malacca, Bab el-Mandeb and Gibraltar, could also face disruption.
Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, he added that Rosneft China is better prepared than most countries for any closure of the Strait of Hormuz, citing what he described as a balanced energy security strategy and a realistic assessment of risks.
Sechin also said a closure of the Strait of Hormuz would amount to an attempt to reshape global energy markets in the interests of the United States, adding that the OPEC+ alliance has lost some of its influence following the United Arab Emirates' withdrawal from the group.
Several Lebanese soldiers, including an officer, were killed in an Israeli strike on a military vehicle in southern Lebanon on Saturday, the Lebanese army said.
The attack took place on the Khardali-Nabatieh road. The army has largely stayed out of clashes between Israel and Hezbollah and has not taken part in the current conflict.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran could have secured an agreement with the United States long ago if Lebanon had been a "bargaining chip", responding to criticism from Lebanese President Joseph Aoun that Iran was using Lebanon as leverage in talks with Washington.
The U.S. military said Iran fired seven ballistic missiles towards Kuwait and Bahrain, with six intercepted and a seventh failing to reach its target.
The attack came hours after U.S. forces shot down four Iranian drones and struck radar sites on Qeshm Island and in Goruk, according to CENTCOM.
Kuwaiti air defences intercepted missile and drone attacks, the army's General Staff said, according to state news agency KUNA.
Authorities said explosions heard across the country were caused by air defence interceptions and urged the public to follow official safety instructions.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they targeted U.S. bases in the Gulf with air-launched missiles in response to what they described as U.S. attacks on Sirik and Qeshm islands.
The U.S. military said it struck Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites after shooting down four Iranian attack drones launched towards the Strait of Hormuz, which it said posed an immediate threat to regional maritime traffic.
The radar sites were reportedly located in Goruk and on Qeshm Island.
The 4th Shusha Global Media Forum will bring together nearly 160 media leaders, experts and officials from 54 countries in Azerbaijan's historic city of Shusha on 13-14 July, to discuss journalism’s role in peacebuilding, restoring public trust and tackling challenges.
The U.S. has launched fresh strikes on Iran after Tehran targeted a container ship and said it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also claimed to have expanded attacks on U.S. military facilities across the Gulf.
Typhoon Bavi, the strongest storm to hit the eastern coast of mainland China this year, brought heavy rain, strong winds, flooding and landslides after making landfall in Zhejiang province on Sunday. More than 2.8 million people were evacuated to safety ahead of the storm.
President Ilham Aliyev is holding his annual question-and-answer session with international journalists at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum in Azerbaijan.
Qatar is mourning the death of its former ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who has passed away at the age of 74.
Uzbekistan is preparing for one of its hottest weeks of the year, with electricity demand expected to approach a record as temperatures are forecast to reach 44-46°C across parts of the country. Authorities are taking measures to maintain power supplies during the extreme heat.
Iran has said it remains determined to pursue legal action against Israel and the United States over the deaths of senior officials and civilians during recent military confrontations, insisting it will seek accountability through international bodies.
Pakistan on Sunday expressed "deep concern" over the latest escalation in the Middle East following renewed military exchanges between the U.S. and Iran. It urged all sides to exercise restraint and honour commitments made under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Tajikistan will reduce electricity exports and increase water reserves ahead of winter as the government seeks to improve domestic power supplies after last year’s seasonal shortages.
President Ilham Aliyev is holding his annual question-and-answer session with international journalists at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum in Azerbaijan.
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