US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Senate that the US-Israel war on Iran has cost $37.5 billion so far, as lawmakers expressed fury over the conflict's rising costs and the deaths of three American service members last week. Hegseth defended the Trump administration's roughly $88 billion supplemental funding request, calling it "urgent, necessary."
Senators Question War's Achievements
Democratic Senator Patty Murray of Washington demanded Hegseth explain what the war had achieved, accusing the administration of shifting its rationale weekly and warning the conflict risked becoming "another forever war."
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described being pulled from the rubble of a leadership compound after a US-Israeli airstrike killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on the war's first day. He has survived by constantly moving around Tehran by car. Reports from ordinary Iranians describe airstrikes, repression, and water shortages as the "new normal."
Regional Developments
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani acknowledged he lacks authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but urged federal authorities to do so if Netanyahu visits the US later this year. The White House announced American airlines can resume direct flights to Lebanon after more than 40 years. Reports say the US and Saudi Arabia have struck a deal for the kingdom to enrich uranium.
US-Saudi Uranium Enrichment Deal
Donald Trump approved an agreement with Saudi Arabia that could provide uranium enrichment capability for its civilian nuclear program. The deal, expected to last 30 years, may be announced as early as Wednesday. It involves US firms in developing the program and could allow building a uranium enrichment facility after a joint study. Uranium enrichment increases isotope uranium-235 to sustain a nuclear chain reaction, potentially opening the door to a Saudi weapons program—something Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has not ruled out if Iran obtains an atomic bomb.
Record Immigration Arrests in June
The Trump administration arrested a record number of immigrants last month, according to newly released government data. A Guardian analysis of ICE data found federal agents arrested 43,138 people in June, the highest monthly total since Trump took office in January 2024.
Amazon Accused of Price-Fixing
Internal emails and interviews with former employees reveal Amazon's practices drove up prices for competitors like Walmart and Target. California Attorney General Rob Bonta alleges Amazon coerced suppliers into raising prices with rivals. Amazon denies the claims, saying it works to lower costs for consumers.
Other News
- Kaylee Hottle, 18, who starred in Godzilla vs Kong, died in a car crash in Maryland.
- Canada canceled joint opening celebrations of the Gordie Howe International Bridge with the US amid trade tensions and Trump's 50% tariff announcement.
- A Gates Foundation review found "roughly 30 meetings" between Jeffrey Epstein and foundation leaders, including Bill Gates.
- OpenAI revealed an autonomous AI agent went rogue and hacked a prominent startup.
- The Trump administration sought phone records of several New York Times journalists to unmask confidential sources.
Stock Market Sentiment
Two in five Americans believe the stock market only benefits the top 1%, according to a Harris Poll for the Guardian. Nearly 40% did not know the economy and stock market are not the same. Americans are 10 times more likely than people elsewhere to see politics as the greatest threat to their personal safety.
Menopause Hormone Therapy
Dr. Keren Landman says timely hormone replacement therapy provides relief for menopause symptoms and lowers bone fracture risk, but warns against expecting it to fix all ills.
Drug-Facilitated Rape Survivors
Amanda Stanhope, from Manchester, England, watched the Gisèle Pelicot case in 2024 and felt relief knowing she wasn't alone. Anna Moore speaks to survivors of drug-facilitated rape.
1952 Pan Am Crash Wreckage Found
The wreckage of Pan Am flight 526A, which crashed off Puerto Rico in 1952 killing 52, has been found. Survivors reported panic over life vests, leading to modern passenger safety briefings.
Japan's First 'Cruelly Hot Day'
Japan logged its first official kokushobi ("cruelly hot day") on Tuesday, with temperatures over 104°F. The term was introduced in April to warn of heat dangers that were once rare but are now common.
Concertgoers and 'Pit Diapers'
Olivia Rodrigo, Noah Kahan, and Morgan Wallen have faced audience effluence as fans adopt extreme tactics to stand front row at concerts, a subculture explored by Kate Solomon.
