US-Saudi nuclear deal signed as regional conflict escalates
The United States has signed a landmark nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, potentially permitting the kingdom to enrich uranium in the future. The deal will be submitted to Congress for review, where it may face opposition from lawmakers concerned about insufficient monitoring safeguards. The agreement follows lengthy negotiations spanning multiple administrations, with US officials fearing Riyadh would seek nuclear technology from China or Russia if Washington did not meet its demands.
Controversy over uranium enrichment and Iran war context
The full details of the deal have not yet been released. The agreement comes as the US continues its military campaign against Iran, partly aimed at preventing Tehran from enriching uranium domestically and hindering its ability to build nuclear weapons. Saudi Arabia has previously stated it would need a nuclear weapon if Iran acquired one. Kenneth Roth has analyzed why President Donald Trump would agree to the deal at this time.
House Republicans advance $95bn war funding bill
House Republicans have agreed to begin drafting a $95bn bill to fund the war with Iran and provide new aid to farmers, while also attempting to impose new voting restrictions nationwide. The resolution passes as the conflict intensifies. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Senate on Tuesday that the war has so far cost $37.5bn. The Trump administration last month requested approximately $88bn in supplemental funding, with up to $67.1bn allocated for war costs.
Latest military developments: strikes widen to western and central Iran
The US military launched its 12th consecutive night of strikes, now targeting western and central Iran. In five-hour attacks, the US claims to have struck military assets including maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites, and air defense systems. Yemen’s Houthi militia attacked two Saudi Arabian oil tankers, the Iran-aligned group said on Thursday. A Saudi news agency later confirmed one vessel was ablaze in the Red Sea.
Senator Warren demands answers from Barclays over Staley-Epstein ties
US Senator Elizabeth Warren has called for urgent answers from Barclays regarding its “apparent failure to meaningfully investigate” ties between former CEO Jes Staley and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a private letter to Barclays chair Nigel Higgins, seen by the Guardian, Warren—the most senior Democrat on the Senate banking committee—stated it was “deeply unclear how Barclays, supposedly investigating Staley’s connection to Epstein, failed to uncover this decades-long relationship.”
Epstein case: modelling scout found dead near Paris
A modelling scout who recruited women for Epstein has been found dead at his home near Paris, French officials said. Daniel Siad, 69, was under investigation by French prosecutors on charges including rape. He had denied the allegations and wanted to give his version of events. His name appeared in over 1,000 documents in the declassified US Department of Justice Epstein files. An investigation into the cause of death has been opened, and an autopsy will be conducted.
Other notable developments
A US teenager dropped his Meta lawsuit blaming the platforms for his depression and anxiety just days before trial, a victory for the social media giant after a previous landmark loss on social media addiction. Donald Trump scoffed at the word “affordability” while promoting his economic policies in Georgia, calling it a term concocted by Democratic consultants. A police officer fatally shot a man in Madison, Wisconsin, sparking protests. India’s prime minister announced “fast-track courts” to punish officials who leaked exam papers, aiming to quell the youth-led Cockroach protest movement. Pride organizers vowed to march in a Romanian city that has blocked the event for four consecutive years.
Stat of the day: Google’s 12th consecutive quarter of revenue gains
Alphabet, Google’s parent company, reported double-digit revenue growth for its second-quarter earnings on Wednesday, marking the tech giant’s 12th consecutive quarter of massive revenue gains.
Climate crisis: extreme heat drying soils across Europe
Environment editor Damian Carrington reports that extreme heat supercharged by the climate crisis is drying Europe in summer and intensifying drought. Researchers stated the link between human-caused climate change and the drying of European summers is strong.
Orcas ram prey so hard it explodes, possibly for fun
Orcas have been observed ramming giant fish so forcefully that the prey explodes, likely as a form of entertainment. Dr Kathryn Ayres, a scientist at Beneath the Waves, said: “We think this may help younger orcas feed more easily, or it could also just be for fun. Orcas are known for playing with their food.”
