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US forces launched a ninth consecutive night of strikes against Iran, raising confirmed US military deaths to three and a total of 17 since the conflict began, while the Revolutionary Guard reported attacks on US targets in Kuwait, Jordan, and Syria. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned Iran's use of the strait of Hormuz as leverage, as oil prices surged to their highest level since June due to tensions in the region. Iran warned that maritime transit would remain unsafe until US aggression ceased, with the Revolutionary Guard claiming strikes on American positions and the US stating its operations aim to protect commercial shipping.

The US launched strikes against Iran and a naval blockade on Iranian ports after a service member was killed in Iraq, marking the third US death in recent days. Donald Trump justified the attacks as honoring fallen soldiers, while Iranian forces responded by targeting locations in Jordan and Bahrain, causing oil prices to rise above $90 a barrel. As diplomatic efforts collapsed with Iran suspending its commitments to an interim deal, Israel warned of military retaliation if attacked, and the US focused on securing oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

Wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota is degrading air quality across the US mid-Atlantic, north-east, and midwest, prompting health warnings, business closures, and evacuations. Despite forecasts that rain and storms may improve conditions before the World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday, officials warn that the smoky conditions will persist as fires continue to burn. Long-term exposure to the smoke poses significant health risks, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Donald Trump ordered renewed strikes against Iranian targets less than a month after signing a ceasefire agreement, a move that triggered retaliatory missile attacks by Iran on U.S. allies in the Gulf. The resumption of hostilities centered on control of the Strait of Hormuz, with experts and political commentators warning that the escalation could prolong the conflict, increase inflation, and damage Republican prospects in the upcoming midterm elections.

The US military struck civilian infrastructure sites in southern Iran, including bridges and an airport, which Iran’s health ministry stated resulted in eight deaths and 20 injuries. Iran retaliated by firing on US military bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, and Qatar, claiming damage to American aircraft in Jordan and targeting facilities in Kuwait. Regional governments confirmed missile interceptions and infrastructure damage, while Iranian officials vowed that strikes would continue until the Strait of Hormuz is secure.

Telstra chief executive Vicki Brady testified before a Senate inquiry that a nationwide mobile outage was caused by a Microchip NTP server resetting to the year 2006 during maintenance in Melbourne. The failure resulted from an unapplied software update and an undocumented design change, which caused authentication errors across the network and affected 45% of calls and data sessions. Telstra acknowledged full accountability for the disruption, which disrupted emergency calls and mobile services, and is currently processing customer compensation claims.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov after a public breakdown in relations with Army Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi, appointing Yevhenii Khmara as the interim defence minister. Fedoroz accused the military high command of bureaucratic obstruction and loyalty-based decision-making, sparking protests from over 1,000 supporters in Kyiv. During British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit, the two leaders exchanged honors and pledged continued UK support, while Starmer asserted that Ukrainian drone strikes have shifted the war's momentum against Russia.

University leaders testified at the royal commission into antisemitism that they have implemented stricter protest policies, including bans on encampments and indoor demonstrations, following incidents involving pro-Palestine sit-ins and harassment claims. While University of Melbourne vice-chancellor Glyn Davis cited changes to Wi-Fi surveillance and postering rules, University of Sydney vice-chancellor Mark Scott justified disbanding a campus encampment as necessary for safety, though he admitted insufficient engagement with Jewish students. Both institutions reported reduced complaints following these policy shifts, while Davis declined to reveal the identities of specific protesters involved in office occupations.

The US military resumed airstrikes on Iranian port cities including Bushehr and Bandar Abbas, prompting Iran to launch retaliatory attacks on Bahrain, Jordan, and vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump simultaneously reversed a threat to impose a 20% toll on shipping in the strait, citing new diplomatic engagements, while maintaining a naval blockade of Iranian ports. These escalating hostilities, which have resulted in at least 28 deaths in Iran and casualties among Indian nationals, have further hindered ongoing negotiations for a permanent truce with Iran and regional stability talks with Israel.