AFP

Bahrain has sounded sirens for the third time on Wednesday, advising citizens and residents to seek safe locations. Additional explosions were reported in the Gulf country according to AFP.

Several explosions occurred across Bahrain on Wednesday, including a 'loud' blast reported by AFP north of the country.

China's deadly storms, exacerbated by a convergence of factors, caused flooding in Nanning, leading to submerged shops along the Yongjiang River on July 7. The incident underscores the severe impact of extreme weather events.

A Catholic cardinal considered a favorite to replace Pope Francis is stepping back from his role after an AFP investigation found five women accused him of sexual assault. The cardinal, Cristobal Lopez Romero, denies the allegations, though one woman submitted a written complaint to the Vatican embassy in Morocco in May.

Two explosions in Damascus near a hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying injured 18 people. Macron was not present in the hotel during the blasts, having already arrived at Syria's presidential palace for a meeting with Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Bombs exploded near the hotel where Emmanuel Macron was staying in Damascus, Syria, during his visit. The French president met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa随后, and the blasts highlighted ongoing security challenges in the region.

Bellingcat geolocated footage showing coffins in newly dug trenches near La Esperanza, Venezuela, following recent earthquakes. Reports indicate 150 unidentified bodies were buried in individual graves at the site, with a resident noting refrigerated trucks transporting bodies. The death toll is estimated at over 3,500 and may reach 10,000.

Hamas is preparing to dissolve the Gaza Strip administration it has governed for nearly two decades. The move aims to transition governance to a technocratic body composed of various Palestinian factions, with a consensus figure overseeing the transition until the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza assumes control.

Thousands of Iranians gathered in Tehran on July 4, 2026, for a funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli attacks on February 28. Mourners chanted 'revenge' and emphasized vows to avenge his death, with his coffin and those of family members displayed at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla.

An oil terminal in Russia’s St. Petersburg was attacked by a Ukrainian long-range drone launched by the 9th Kairos Battalion of the 'Madyar's Birds' from an undisclosed location in Ukraine. The attack occurred hours before Moscow reported the incident during the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran, chanting 'death to America' and 'revenge' during funeral ceremonies for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Attendees carried red banners symbolizing calls for revenge, and crowds assembled at metro stations to reach the event. A woman displayed a sign featuring US President Donald Trump at the funeral.

Funeral ceremonies for Iran’s assassinated supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei began in Tehran, with an estimated 15-20 million participants expected over three days. The events follow his death in a US-Israeli strike on February 28, 2026, and will include a six-day tribute, though his son and successor, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has not yet appeared publicly.

Thousands of mourners gathered at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla complex ahead of funeral ceremonies for Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Authorities imposed traffic restrictions, and many mourners walked long distances to reach the venue.

A fire broke out in central Kyiv after an explosion during an air raid alert on Wednesday, with firefighters and ambulances responding to the scene. Kyiv has experienced frequent Russian air strikes more than four years into Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

US President Donald Trump expressed excitement during his first flight on the new Air Force One jet, a luxury aircraft gifted by Qatar. He praised the plane's uniqueness, despite it being a modified Boeing 747-8 originally built in the United States.

Three people were wounded in an explosion at a residential building in Monaco, which authorities suspect was a deliberate attack. The blast occurred near the French border around 9 p.m., and Minister of State Christophe Mirmand stated it was 'very likely an attack' according to AFP.

Palestinians mourn the deaths of individuals, including 13-year-old Alin Al-Farra, following Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip. Funerals were held at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis and Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah on 29 June 2026.

A European heatwave has caused 1,000 excess deaths in France, with AFP estimating that 191 million people in Europe will experience temperatures of at least 35C.

China's crude oil imports are expected to decrease further in June. This follows a reported decline in imports, as highlighted by a recent unloading activity at a terminal port in Qingdao, Shandong province.

Europe faces extreme heat with warnings issued in the UK, France, and Italy. Over 101 million people are expected to experience temperatures above 35°C, surpassing the previous day's 94 million. The UK may break its June heat record for the second consecutive day.

Chinese oil imports may not fully recover following the Iran war, as indicated by the context of a crude oil terminal in Qingdao, China.

Israel has lifted all war-related restrictions on northern border areas, effective Monday, 22 June 2026, as part of the conflict with Lebanon. The Israeli military stated that border communities will transition to full activity without restrictions.

Hezbollah accused Israel of bearing 'full responsibility' for violating their ceasefire agreement with Lebanon, claiming the violations represent ongoing aggression. The Lebanese health ministry reported over 4,000 deaths since Israel's attacks began on 2 March.

Goldman Sachs estimates that oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz may only recover to 70% of current levels after a war. The article references a photo of vessels in the strait taken by a photographer affiliated with ISNA news agency.

Gold prices continue to decline despite increased market expectations of a Federal Reserve rate hike this year. A jewelry shop in Chennai is highlighted as an example of the gold market activity.

Israeli settlers set fire to two mosques in West Bank villages, damaging structures and scrawling hostile Hebrew graffiti. The incidents occurred amid increased settler attacks against Palestinian communities since the 2023 Gaza war began.

The Strait of Hormuz shipping lane is set to re-open after nearly four months, following a US-Iran agreement to end the Middle East war. The re-opening may allow stranded ships to resume movement through the strait, though a return to normal operations is expected to take time.

The EU alleges that China trained Russian troops for the Ukraine war. A Russian missile and drone strike damaged garages in Kyiv on June 2.

US and Iran signed an agreement electronically ahead of a formal ceremony. US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf participated in the electronic signing, with a formal event scheduled later this week. Ghalibaf described the agreement as a 'great step toward final victory' for Iran.

US Vice-President JD Vance is expected to attend the Iran deal signing in Geneva on Friday. President Donald Trump may also sign the agreement, with initial reports suggesting the ceremony was anticipated in Vienna. US media and officials have closely monitored Vance's movements and aircraft positioning as details emerged.

Hamas cofounder Hassan Yousef has been released from Israeli detention after being held without trial since October 2023. He is a senior Hamas leader in the West Bank and was previously released in July 2020 after 16 months in administrative detention.

Qatari negotiators have departed Tehran after conducting talks with Iranian officials on the current Middle East war. The discussions, which lasted into the early hours, were conducted in coordination with the United States.

Israeli strikes on Lebanon killed at least 12 people in the towns of Tayr Debba and Deir Qanun al-Nahr, according to a medical source. The strikes occurred on June 10, 2026, with eight fatalities reported in Tayr Debba and four in Deir Qanun al-Nahr.

Anti-immigration protesters torched buildings and vehicles in Belfast and blocked roads following a stabbing allegedly by a Sudanese refugee. Hundreds of masked protesters gathered, causing fires and evacuations, with the incident linked to a graphic video that shocked the country.

El Niño has emerged in the Pacific, increasing heat and posing risks to crops. A farmer in Sidoarjo, Indonesia, is planting rice seedlings amid these conditions.

Pakistan is experiencing a heatwave with temperatures exceeding 40°C in Lahore and Islamabad, projected to last until June 12. Images show commuters, workers, and traffic police struggling with extreme heat in Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi.

Israel's military intercepted three projectiles fired from Lebanon, with some intercepted before entering Israeli territory and one falling near Israeli soldiers. No injuries were reported.

China is increasing its liquefied natural gas (LNG) purchases in anticipation of summer heat. A ship recently offloaded LNG at a terminal in Rudong, China.

Israel conducted a retaliatory attack on Beirut's suburbs following Hezbollah's use of fighter drones against Israeli military targets, as stated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. The attack is part of ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Bernadette Chirac, the widow of former French president Jacques Chirac, died at 93, according to a statement from her daughter to AFP. The announcement was made on Saturday.