World News | June 28, 2026 US-Iran Strikes Escalate as Global Crises Multiply

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📰 US-Iran Conflict Escalates: US Strikes Iranian Military Sites, Iran Retaliates Against US Bases

The US military launched a new round of airstrikes Friday evening against Iranian missile and drone bases near the Strait of Hormuz. According to US officials, six F-35 and F-16 fighter jets struck four Iranian military sites along the Strait of Hormuz and on Qeshm Island. The strikes came in retaliation for an Iranian drone attack on a Singapore-flagged cargo vessel transiting the strait a day earlier.

Iran subsequently announced retaliatory strikes against American military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait, further straining the already fragile ceasefire framework. Earlier this month, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding agreeing to suspend hostilities for 60 days, but both sides have accused each other of violating its terms.

Meanwhile, both chambers of the US Congress passed resolutions directing President Trump to withdraw American forces from hostilities with Iran, reflecting growing concern within the Republican Party over continued military engagement. The Israel-Lebanon border conflict also persists, further complicating the Middle East landscape.

— NPR

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📰 Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Exceeds 1,400 as New Tremors Hit

The death toll from the devastating back-to-back earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has climbed to at least 1,430, with thousands more injured. Rescue workers continue to race against time searching for survivors in the rubble. On Friday, aftershocks measuring 4.9 and 5.6 magnitude struck the country's coastal region, further complicating relief efforts.

The US Geological Survey has estimated that the final casualty count could exceed 10,000. In the capital Caracas and the port city of La Guaira, widespread building collapses have overwhelmed hospitals. International aid operations are underway, with the Venezuelan diaspora in the US, Colombia, and Spain sending relief supplies.

FIFA held a moment of silence at all World Cup matches to honor the earthquake victims. The disaster, which Venezuelans are comparing to the 1967 quake that killed over 200 people, is the country's worst natural disaster in nearly 60 years.

— Al Jazeera

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📰 UK Prime Minister Starmer Resigns, Labour Leadership Crisis Unfolds

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer formally announced his resignation as Prime Minister and Labour Party leader on June 22, after fewer than two years in office marked by policy U-turns and deep public unpopularity. Defence Secretary John Healey and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns had already resigned earlier in protest over the government's stance on military spending.

Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who returned to Parliament after a by-election victory in Makerfield, is widely seen as the frontrunner to succeed Starmer. Labour will open nominations for the leadership contest from July 9 to 16, with Burnham expected to win comfortably.

The political crisis leaves the UK in uncertainty at a time of growing international threats. Analysts note that Starmer became the fifth Labour leader to become Prime Minister after a general election victory, but the chaotic end to his brief tenure may long affect the party's governing credibility.

— AP News

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📰 Europe Shatters Heat Records, Red Alerts Issued Across Multiple Countries

Europe is experiencing its most severe June heatwave on record. Britain, France, Germany, Switzerland, and other nations have all broken their June temperature records. Météo-France issued an unprecedented red heat alert across 72 of the country's 96 departments, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in some areas.

The heatwave has caused significant casualties. Italian health ministry data shows daily excess deaths exceeded 1,200 to 1,400 between June 24 and 26, compared to the April-May daily average of 900 to 1,000. Germany and Poland have also issued extreme fire danger red alerts, warning that high winds and low humidity could trigger uncontrollable wildfires.

Scientists say this heatwave would have been virtually impossible without climate change. High humidity has subjected hundreds of cities to their worst-ever heat stress. The Paris Pride march was postponed, Waterloo battle reenactments were cancelled, and transport and hospital systems across Europe are under severe strain.

— France 24

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📰 Bitcoin Crashes Below $60,000, Hits 20-Month Low

Bitcoin prices broke below the psychological $60,000 threshold this week, hitting a 20-month low. According to CoinDesk data, nearly 11 million bitcoins are now held at a loss, while long-term holders control a record 14.8 million coins. Bitcoin also fell below its 200-week moving average for the first time since the 2022 collapse.

Panic continues to spread through cryptocurrency markets. Massive outflows from Bitcoin ETFs and multibillion-dollar futures liquidations have intensified selling pressure. Bitcoin mining difficulty rose to 133.87 trillion on June 26, but hashprice fell 18% this month, putting severe profitability pressure on mining operations.

Analysts point to the Federal Reserve maintaining interest rates in the 3.50% to 3.75% range, global trade tensions, and geopolitical risks as factors driving this deep crypto market correction. Some institutions warn that Bitcoin's traditional four-year cycle may have been broken.

— CoinDesk

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📰 US Government Grants Limited Release of Anthropic's Mythos 5 AI Model

The US Commerce Department notified Anthropic on June 27 that it may release its most powerful cybersecurity AI model, Claude Mythos 5, to more than 100 US institutions including major companies and federal agencies. The decision marks a breakthrough in the two-week standoff between the Trump administration and the AI company.

The government had issued an order on June 12 restricting the release of Mythos 5 and Fable 5 on national security grounds, concerned that the advanced models could be "jailbroken" to bypass safety guardrails. Anthropic had abruptly withdrawn access to both models for all users, sparking widespread concern in the AI industry about government overreach.

The limited release is seen as an attempt to balance security and innovation. Chinese competitors like Zhipu have seized the opportunity to accelerate product development while American AI companies were constrained. Anthropic says it will continue working with the government to restore general access to Fable 5.

— CNN

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📰 Ukraine Unleashes Massive Drone Barrage, Russia Claims 660 Intercepted

Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks on Russia overnight between June 25 and 26. Russia's Defense Ministry claimed to have intercepted 660 Ukrainian drones, with attacks spanning multiple Russian regions, Crimea, and surrounding seas. Kremlin news agency TASS reported that the strikes caused some infrastructure damage.

According to the Institute for the Study of War, Ukraine also struck an ammunition depot near Kronstadt, with Ukrainian estimates suggesting approximately 5,000 tons of ammunition were destroyed. An oil depot in Ust-Labinsk was also hit by drones, and port infrastructure in Mariupol was targeted.

This offensive represents one of the largest cross-border drone operations since the war entered its third year. Fighting intensity continues to escalate in the Kherson Oblast and Crimea regions, with prospects for peace negotiations remaining dim.

— NPR

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📰 World Cup 2026: England Tops Group, Croatia Eliminates Ghana 2-1

The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage is reaching its decisive phase. England secured top spot in their group on June 28 and advanced smoothly to the knockout rounds. Scotland manager Steve Clarke stepped down after his team's disappointing performance, becoming the first coaching casualty of this tournament.

Croatia defeated Ghana 2-1 with goals from Nikola Vlašic and Luka Sucic, securing a spot in the knockout stage. The Democratic Republic of Congo also achieved a historic breakthrough in their match on the same day.

This World Cup, the first expanded to 48 teams, is jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, running from mid-June through July. As the group stage nears its conclusion, the performances of traditional powerhouses and emerging dark horses have sparked lively debate among global fans.

— ESPN

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📰 Oracle Posts Worst Week Since 2001 Dot-Com Bust as AI Bets Alarm Investors

Oracle shares plunged 19% this week, marking the company's worst weekly performance since the dot-com bust in 2001. Investors are increasingly concerned about whether the software giant's massive bet on artificial intelligence will pay off. Financial results showed Oracle posted negative free cash flow of $23.7 billion in fiscal 2026, compared to negative $394 million the prior year.

Capital expenditure surged 162% year-over-year to $55.7 billion, reflecting Oracle's aggressive expansion into AI infrastructure. Analysts warn that such large-scale debt-fueled investment carries extreme risk in an environment of rising economic uncertainty.

Oracle's collapse dragged down the broader tech sector. AI leaders Nvidia and Google parent Alphabet were not spared either, fueling widespread discussion about whether the AI bubble is beginning to burst. Meanwhile, Meta rolled out multiple AI initiatives this month but also failed to lift its stock.

— CNBC

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📰 Tanzania Suffers Nationwide Blackout After Power Grid Failure

Tanzania's national power grid suffered a technical failure on June 27, causing a nationwide blackout. State-owned power utility Tanesco confirmed that all areas supplied through the national grid were plunged into darkness, including the major city of Dar es Salaam. Rail services were also disrupted.

This is one of Tanzania's most severe power incidents in recent years. The exact cause of the failure and the timeline for full restoration remain unclear. Tanesco said engineering teams are working urgently on repairs.

Tanzania, one of East Africa's largest economies, has been investing heavily in power infrastructure in recent years, including natural gas and hydropower projects. This nationwide blackout exposes the remaining vulnerabilities in the country's grid system and raises broader concerns about infrastructure reliability.

— Reuters