The Guardian · 14 Jul, 06:00
The US carried out a third consecutive night of strikes against Iran, while Iranian cruise missiles struck two Emirati oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, killing one crew member and injuring eight. The US plans to reinstate its blockade of Iranian shipping in the Gulf and charge a 20% fee on ships transiting through the waterway.
The US conducted a third consecutive night of strikes against Iran, with explosions reported in several locations including the port city of Bandar Abbas and islands in the Gulf. Iranian cruise missiles struck two Emirati oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, killing one crew member and injuring eight. The US plans to reinstate its blockade of Iranian shipping in the Gulf, with a 20% fee to be levied on ships transiting through the waterway. Iran's military warned that it would not allow the US to interfere in the strait's management.
Why it matters: The escalating conflict between the US and Iran has significant implications for global energy markets, with oil prices rising 2% to their highest in four weeks. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital energy transit route, and any disruption to oil flows through the strait could have far-reaching economic consequences. The US's plan to charge fees on ships transiting through the strait could also violate global norms on freedom of navigation and raise tensions in the region.
20% fee on ships transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, 2% rise in oil prices, $84.98 a barrel (Brent crude futures), $79.79 a barrel (US West Texas Intermediate crude), 1 crew member killed, 8 crew members injured, 23 foreign crew members rescued by Iran after a bulk carrier collided with another vessel
We're protecting a very rich portion of the world. We're spending money. And so, what we've done is, we are going to be reimbursed for protection. - Donald Trump
The Guardian · 14 Jul, 06:00
The UK Home Office has closed several hotels housing asylum seekers, moving them to military barracks or other shared housing, sparking concerns about the government's failure to assess individual vulnerabilities before the mass evictions. Asylum seekers, including families with medical needs, have reported chaotic and distressing experiences.
The UK Home Office has closed 20 hotels housing asylum seekers, following an earlier closure of 11 hotels, as part of a government pledge to move asylum seekers out of hotels and into military barracks or other forms of shared housing. Asylum seekers, including families with medical needs, have been given short notice to move to new accommodations, with some reporting chaotic and distressing experiences. Legal challenges have been launched on behalf of some asylum seekers due to concerns about the government's failure to assess individual vulnerabilities before the mass evictions.
Why it matters: The closures and moves have significant implications for the well-being and safety of asylum seekers, particularly those with medical needs or vulnerabilities. The government's actions have been criticized for being chaotic and failing to consider the individual needs of those being moved.
20 (number of hotels closed), 11 (number of hotels closed earlier this year), 549 (miles moved by one family to Aberdeen), 10am-7pm (length of time one family waited for transport to their new hotel)
“My children and I are dying little by little here. My daughter is sleeping on the floor because she is scared of the bunk bed. The new place is so cramped and there is nowhere to cook for my children.” - Huda, a 41-year-old asylum seeker
The Guardian · 14 Jul, 05:06
A fire at a Bangkok bar has killed 30 people, with police investigating alleged negligence as the primary theory. The fire, caused by an electrical short circuit in an air conditioner, has raised questions about the accessibility of exits and potential safety violations.
A devastating fire broke out at the Rong Beer Na Ladprao pub in Bangkok's north on Monday, resulting in the deaths of 30 people. An initial assessment by disaster officials found that an electrical short circuit in an air conditioner located in the ceiling caused the fire. Most of the victims were found trapped in windowless bathrooms near one of the rear exits, which may have been blocked by a table or difficult to find due to darkness. Authorities have confirmed the identities of 27 victims, with three yet to be identified.
Why it matters: This incident is significant as it highlights potential safety violations and negligence that may have contributed to the high number of casualties. The investigation into the fire will examine whether exits were accessible and if flammable materials were used in decorative elements. The incident has also raised concerns about the safety of nightlife establishments in Bangkok.
30: death toll, 27: identified victims, 3: unidentified victims, 24: critically injured, 15: moderately injured, 36: minor injuries
“If they had run this way, it would have been fine,” - Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, commenting on a potential exit route that may have been blocked.
Ars Technica · 14 Jul, 01:17
SpaceX is preparing for the 13th test flight of its Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy booster, which is set to launch later this week with 20 Starlink V3 satellites on board.
SpaceX is gearing up for the 13th test flight of its Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy booster, scheduled to launch on Thursday. The mission will include 20 Starlink V3 satellites in the cargo bay, marking the first time real satellites will be used in a Starship test flight. The satellites will not be part of SpaceX's operational network, but will be used to test the deployment mechanism and validate interoperability with previous-generation Starlink satellites.
Why it matters: This test flight is significant because it marks a major step forward in the development of Starship and Starlink technology. The inclusion of real satellites on board will allow SpaceX to test the payload deployment mechanism and validate the interoperability of Starlink V3 with previous-generation satellites.
13 (test flight number), 20 (number of Starlink V3 satellites on board), 5:45 pm CDT (launch window opening time)
Ars Technica · 13 Jul, 21:03
The US government has warned that Russian state hackers are targeting home and small office routers to compromise them for use in obscuring malicious actions against sensitive organizations. The hackers, tracked under various names, exploit poorly configured and vulnerable networking devices worldwide.
The US government's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued a warning that Russian state hackers, specifically those from the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) Center 16, are mass-compromising home and small office routers. These hackers, also known by names such as Berserk Bear and Energetic Bear, exploit poorly configured and vulnerable networking devices worldwide to gain access to critical infrastructure sector networks. This warning was co-issued with governments from Australia, Denmark, New Zealand, and the UK.
Why it matters: This is significant because compromised routers can be used to obscure malicious actions against sensitive organizations in both the public and private sectors. The ongoing compromise of routers by Russian and Chinese governments has been a persistent issue, with the US government and other companies working to disrupt the botnets that control these compromised devices.
“Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) Center 16 cyber actors continue to exploit poorly configured and vulnerable networking devices worldwide, opportunistically compromising multiple critical infrastructure sector networks,”
Ars Technica · 13 Jul, 20:41
Ukrainian drone strikes have forced Russia to completely halt shipping in the Sea of Azov, a vital sea corridor, in less than a week. The strikes have targeted over 100 Russian tankers and ships, disrupting maritime trade and further isolating the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula.
Between July 6 and July 13, Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces conducted drone strikes on over 100 Russian tankers and ships in the Sea of Azov. The strikes have resulted in the complete shutdown of the shipping route from Russia's Don River into the Sea of Azov and the halt of all Kerch Strait shipping transits from the Sea of Azov into the Black Sea. This has cut off seaborne delivery of fuel to Crimea, which had already been experiencing severe fuel rationing and power outages.
Why it matters: The Ukrainian drone strikes demonstrate how a country without traditional naval power can still effectively blockade maritime corridors. The shutdown of these maritime lanes has further isolated the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula, disrupting trade and exacerbating existing fuel and power shortages.
over 100 (Russian tankers and ships targeted), July 6-13 (duration of drone strikes),
NPR News · 14 Jul, 05:00
The World Cup semifinals have begun with a highly anticipated match between France and Spain.
The World Cup semifinals are set to start with a match between France and Spain, considered heavyweight matchups. The expanded World Cup introduced a new seeding system that placed top teams in opposite corners of the knockout bracket, leading to these significant semifinal pairings.
Why it matters: This is significant because the semifinals feature top teams facing off against each other, making for highly competitive and anticipated matches. The new seeding system added an extra layer of excitement to the tournament.
NPR News · 13 Jul, 20:22
The Trump administration's Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has abandoned its plan to withhold Medicare and Medicaid funding from hospitals that provide gender-affirming care to minors. This decision marks a significant shift in the administration's approach to transgender healthcare.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Trump administration had considered a rule that would have cut off Medicare and Medicaid funding to any hospital providing gender-affirming care to minors. However, NPR has learned that HHS will not finalize this rule, effectively abandoning this aggressive attempt to restrict access to gender-affirming care for youth nationally. This decision comes after significant backlash and opposition to the proposed rule.
Why it matters: This development is significant because it represents a major setback for the Trump administration's efforts to restrict access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth. The decision will likely be seen as a victory for LGBTQ+ advocates and a reprieve for hospitals and healthcare providers that offer these services.
NPR News · 13 Jul, 20:17
Summary not available.