Trump again threatens to hit Iran's power plants over blockade of Strait of Hormuz
Donald Trump has threatened that the US will hit Iran's power plants and bridges next week if Tehran does not agree to return to negotiations, while US military operations and naval blockades in the Strait of Hormuz continue.
Iran responded with attacks on US military targets in the region and warned that if its oil and gas exports are disrupted, other energy routes could be blocked.
Escalating tensions are raising fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East and dimming hopes for a lasting ceasefire.
Bastille Day celebrations in France tempered by fears of more fires
Due to the heatwave and high risk of fires, many cities in France cancelled fireworks and traditional Bastille Day celebrations, while around 850 firefighters continue to battle the flames in the Fontainebleau forest.
In Paris, President Emmanuel Macron led his final military parade on July 14, attended by Western leaders and Ukrainian soldiers, in a demonstration of support for Ukraine and strengthening European defense.
Meanwhile, authorities are investigating suspected arson, as fires this year have burned more land than during the entire 2025 season.
Japanese officials hunt bear that raided couple's fridge amid series of robberies
An Asian black bear is being sought by Japanese authorities after it broke into the home of an elderly couple, opened the refrigerator and took food, and is suspected of being responsible for 14 other break-ins to homes and businesses in two weeks.
Authorities have set up traps, electric fences and patrols in the city of Shizukuishi to catch the animal as soon as possible. Experts say bear attacks have increased in recent years as the population decline in rural areas has caused them to lose their fear of humans and enter residential areas more often.
Young Germans opt out of military service as Berlin tries to strengthen military
Nearly 6,000 young men in Germany have requested exemption from military service for moral or religious reasons in the first half of 2026 alone, more than in the whole of last year.
The increase comes at a time when the government is trying to strengthen the army and has introduced a new system under which all 18-year-old boys must declare their readiness for military service and undergo medical checks.
Meanwhile, thousands of young people have protested against this policy, accusing the government of trying to turn them into "cannon fodder."
