Sunday, July 12, 2026

World

US Strikes Iran as Hormuz Strait Declared Closed

The US military has launched strikes on multiple Iranian port cities after Iran's Revolutionary Guard closed the Strait of Hormuz and hit a commercial vessel it claimed was travelling an unapproved route. The closure threatens roughly 20% of global oil supply, and mediators in Qatar and Oman are scrambling to prevent the confrontation from spiralling further. Explosions have been reported in at least five cities, including the major oil terminal at Bandar Abbas.

MarketWill the U.S. invade Iran before 2027?17%

Politics

January 6 Proud Boys Case Dismissed After Trump Order

A US judge has dismissed the remaining January 6 federal case against the Proud Boys, acting on a Trump administration directive to unravel prosecutions stemming from the Capitol riot. The move is the latest in a systematic rollback of January 6 accountability, with prosecutors having already dropped or sought pardons in dozens of related cases since Trump returned to office.

World

Shooting at Toronto Street Festival Kills Two

A gunman opened fire at Toronto's Salsa on St Clair festival on Saturday night, killing two people and wounding three others while police launched an active search for the shooter. Officers urged the public to stay away from the St Clair Avenue West area as the investigation continued.

Tech

Tencent Bids for AI Startup Manus After Beijing Blocked Meta

Tencent is in advanced talks to acquire a majority stake in AI agent startup Manus at a $2 billion valuation, months after Beijing forced Meta to unwind its own $2 billion deal for the same company. The episode illustrates how China is actively shaping who controls its most promising AI assets, redirecting them toward domestic tech giants rather than American buyers. Manus is reported to be generating around $500 million in annual revenue.

MarketWill Viking Therapeutics be acquired before 2027?44%

Health

Long Covid Found to Physically Damage Stomach-Controlling Nerves

New research published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases has found that Long Covid can cause measurable physical damage to the autonomic nerves that regulate stomach function, offering a biological explanation for the debilitating gastrointestinal symptoms many patients report. The finding moves Long Covid's gut effects from the category of mysterious complaints into documented nerve injury, which could open pathways for targeted treatment.