Associated Press

Witnesses testified during the opening day of Duane “Keffe D” Davis’s Las Vegas trial over the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur. Prosecutors allege Davis planned the shooting in retaliation for the assault of his nephew, Orlando Anderson, and cite Davis’s past interviews and memoir as evidence, while the defence argues that the prosecution’s narrative is fiction and points to weaknesses in the original investigation. Witnesses described the shooting, the police response and Marion “Suge” Knight’s conduct after the attack. The trial is expected to last about a month, with up to 45 prosecution witnesses.

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off Indonesia’s Flores region, killing at least 47 people, injuring at least 50 and damaging or destroying hundreds of homes and public facilities. Landslides buried or isolated remote villages, blocked the Trans-Flores motorway and hampered rescue efforts, while about 2,000 people moved to temporary shelters. A tsunami warning was later lifted after monitoring found no major sea-level threat, although smaller waves caused flooding and debris in several coastal communities. Authorities deployed helicopters and a rescue vessel as the death toll was expected to rise.

A federal judge in Miami postponed until August 27 the hearing on whether Andrew and Tristan Tate should remain detained while they contest extradition to the United Kingdom. The defence requested more time to respond to prosecutors, who argue that the brothers pose a flight and public-safety risk because of serious UK allegations involving rape, assault and human trafficking, as well as witness-intimidation allegations in Romania. The brothers deny wrongdoing, while their lawyers argue that their compliance with Romanian restrictions and public social-media activity show they are not flight risks. The UK has until mid-September to submit evidence supporting extradition, and no extradition hearing date has been set.

A US Senate committee voted along party lines to hold Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after he invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 100 times during questioning about his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. Republican chairman Rand Paul argued that Fauci’s presidential pardon eliminated the risk of federal prosecution, while Fauci, his lawyer and Democrats said he had a legitimate fear that prosecutors could pursue new statements or alleged false testimony. Paul plans to refer the matter directly to the Justice Department, although Democrats question whether bypassing the full Senate is lawful. The referral would not compel prosecutors to investigate or bring charges.

Hiroshima commemorated the 81st anniversary of the 1945 US atomic bombing, which killed about 140,000 people, with roughly 50,000 attendees from around 120 countries. Mayor Kazumi Matsui warned that legitimising nuclear deterrence and the use of force could lead to renewed violence, while Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi endorsed a realistic, UN-based approach to preventing nuclear use. The ceremony took place amid concern that her hawkish government could reconsider Japan’s three non-nuclear principles, particularly the ban on allowing nuclear weapons into the country. Aging survivors remain worried about fading memories and growing international support for nuclear deterrence, while Japan continues to rely on the US nuclear umbrella and refuses to join the nuclear-weapons-ban treaty.

Scientists using the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope in Maui captured the highest-resolution images yet of the Sun’s surface. The images revealed feathery ripples caused by magnetized plasma moving at different speeds, a phenomenon not previously observed at this level on the solar surface. Published in Nature, the findings could improve understanding of the Sun’s inner workings and help scientists track coronal mass ejections that can disrupt GPS communications and produce auroras.

Severe drought has pushed the Danube to record-low levels, exposing dozens of German warships deliberately sunk near Prahovo, Serbia, in 1944 as Nazi forces retreated from advancing Soviet troops. The wrecks, some still carrying explosives, are creating navigation hazards between Serbia and Romania. Authorities are working to keep river traffic moving, while low water levels have also threatened power plant operations and prompted electricity-conservation measures across Central and Eastern Europe. Experts link the extreme heat to global warming and other factors.

Colin Gray was sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, reckless conduct and cruelty to children for giving his son, Colt Gray, the rifle and ammunition used in the September 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia. The attack killed students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo and teachers Richard Aspinwall and Cristina Irimie, while wounding another teacher and eight students. Colt Gray had previously received a life sentence without parole after pleading guilty to murder and related charges.

Cooler temperatures, higher humidity and light rain allowed French authorities to let 84,000 more evacuees return to nine localities in the Gironde region, bringing the total permitted to return to nearly two-thirds of the 224,000 initially evacuated. The wildfire has burned about 42,000 hectares, an area four times the size of Paris, but officials reported that it had not expanded overnight. France increased firefighting forces to 3,300 personnel, supported by aircraft, helicopters, heavy machinery, firebreaks and, for the first time, police water cannons. The A63 highway was also scheduled to reopen. Wildfire threats remained across Spain and other parts of Europe, with a new heatwave prompting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to urge caution.

At least 23 people were killed and 63 injured, including five seriously, after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto in southern Japan. Rescuers continued searching collapsed buildings for survivors while the number of missing remained unclear. Damage was severe at an Aeon Mall in Kashima and a Nippon Paper Industries factory in Yatsushiro. Nearly 23,000 homes remained without electricity, and more than 10,000 people were sheltering in evacuation centres.

Personal memorabilia belonging to KFC founder Harland “Colonel” Sanders, including one of his signature black bow ties, watches, a cash register, kitchen equipment and a 1964 planner containing a handwritten recipe, is being auctioned. Sanders’ former Shelbyville, Kentucky home, Blackwood Hall, and the Claudia Sanders Dinner House are also available through sealed bids. The auction highlights Sanders’ transformation into a celebrity brand ambassador after selling KFC in 1964; an auction organizer called him a marketing genius. The planner’s recipe was once the subject of a KFC lawsuit, but the company later concluded it was likely a stuffing recipe rather than the secret 11-herb-and-spice blend.

A massive wildfire in France’s Gironde region has stopped growing after forcing about 220,000 people to evacuate, but officials warn that smouldering woodlands and an approaching heat surge could worsen conditions. Thousands of firefighters, aircraft, farmers and international crews are supporting the response, while authorities restrict tourism in affected areas. Fires in Spain have displaced more than 100,000 people and burned record areas, prompting renewed calls for stronger climate action. A separate blaze in Italy’s Puglia region forced about 300 tourists to evacuate.

A shooting at Seattle’s Bite of Seattle food festival left three people dead and four wounded, including a two-year-old boy. Police believe two suspects exchanged gunfire; one surrendered while the other fled and remained at large. Authorities said there was no continuing threat to the public, and the injured victims were in stable condition.

Wildfires in southwest France have forced more than 250,000 people to evacuate, including 55,000 overnight, as a major blaze in the Gironde region approaches Bordeaux. The fire has burned about 162 square miles of pine forest and scrubland, with strong winds making it increasingly erratic. Some 2,500 firefighters, soldiers, aircraft and helicopters are working to contain it, with international assistance. Spain is also battling major fires that have displaced about 116,000 people and caused its first recorded death in the latest outbreak.

Wildfires in south-western France and central Spain forced roughly 200,000 people to evacuate, including about 141,000 in France and 60,000 in Spain. In France, fires near the Cap Ferret peninsula and in Landes destroyed homes and a campsite, injured dozens of firefighters and threatened to move toward Bordeaux; some evacuees escaped by boat. Spain declared a national wildfire emergency as fires near Madrid and in Ávila consumed large areas, while high winds, heat and hilly terrain hampered firefighting. France and Spain requested European assistance, receiving or expecting firefighting aircraft and helicopters. Authorities linked the extreme conditions to a heatwave, while Spanish officials and analysts highlighted climate change and rural land abandonment as factors increasing fire risk.

The International Criminal Court’s 125 member states voted by a large majority to remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan, the first prosecutor in the court’s history to be ousted. The Assembly of States Parties concluded that he committed serious misconduct and a serious breach of duty after allegations that he had a sexual relationship with a female aide and attempted to prevent her from pursuing complaints; Khan denies the findings. His removal comes as the ICC faces US sanctions and pressure from the Trump administration, Israeli opposition to warrants issued for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, and Venezuela’s announcement that it will withdraw from the court. The removal will not immediately affect the existing arrest warrants, which can only be withdrawn by ICC judges.

A federal terrorism trial has opened in Buffalo for Hadi Matar, who previously received a 25‑year state sentence for the 2022 stabbing of author Salman Rushdie. Prosecutors argue that Matar acted to fulfil a decades‑old fatwa issued by Ayatollah Khomeini and was motivated by loyalty to Iran’s theocratic leadership and Hezbollah. Evidence includes digital files and notes detailing research on Rushdie and the religious decree. The defence challenges assertions about Matar’s intent. Rushdie, who was severely injured and left blind in one eye, is expected to testify. If convicted on federal charges, Matar faces a possible life sentence.

Firefighters in central Spain are battling a massive wildfire in Guadalajara that has burned over 32,000 hectares and forced the evacuation of dozens of villages during an intense heatwave. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and other officials linked the severity of the fires to climate change, noting that Spain has already experienced an unusually high number of major wildfires this year. Authorities reported no serious injuries and said homes in affected villages have largely been protected, with support from aerial firefighting units. Extreme heat across Spain is worsening fire conditions as temperatures approach or exceed 40C, while scientists warn that climate change is driving increasingly severe heat and wildfire risks across Europe.

Austria has reopened Adolf Hitler’s birthplace in Braunau am Inn as a police station to curb far‑right pilgrimages. The government emphasized its responsibility to confront the legacy of Nazism, retaining a memorial stone while renovating the building to make it less recognizable. The project cost around 20 million euros following a long legal battle over ownership resolved by expropriation in 2017. Critics say the site still lacks historical context. Design changes were made to prevent misuse, and construction debris was secretly disposed of to avoid becoming Nazi memorabilia, responding to past incidents of extremists paying homage at the site.

Luverne, Minnesota unveiled Verne the Patriot, a 65-foot nutcracker now considered the world’s tallest, drawing significant tourism interest. The landmark builds on the town’s longstanding nutcracker obsession sparked by resident Betty Mann’s expansive collection, which now numbers over 7,500 pieces. Local businesses report increased visitors, and the project, funded through donations and grants, was assembled after several years of planning. The unveiling also resonated with visitors John and Francine Hawkinson, who recently lost their own collection in a fire, highlighting the community’s emotional connection to the tradition.

US regulators will allow Boeing to resume certifying the airworthiness of its 737 Max and 787 aircraft after determining the company’s safety checks meet required standards. The FAA, which assumed full control of 737 Max approvals after two fatal crashes and suspended Boeing’s self-certification of 787s in 2022, said both Boeing and government inspectors had been reaching similar safety findings. Oversight will continue, but officials expect to shift focus toward earlier detection of manufacturing issues. Production limits on the 737 Max, imposed after a 2024 mid‑flight panel failure on an Alaska Airlines jet, have also been gradually eased.

A longtime teleprompter operator for Donald Trump was placed on unpaid leave following reports that he used insider knowledge to place profitable bets on Kalshi prediction markets related to the president’s speeches. Kalshi referred the suspicious trades to federal regulators, and ABC News reported the operator earned more than $100,000 through the bets. The situation has intensified scrutiny of ethical issues within the administration, including Trump’s substantial earnings from crypto ventures and merchandising while in office. White House officials defended Trump’s compliance with conflict‑of‑interest laws while acknowledging the ongoing investigation.

Three commercial tankers were hit by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz as tensions escalated during negotiations aimed at ending the US–Iran war and reopening critical shipping routes. Following the attacks, the United States revoked its temporary sanctions waiver on Iranian oil, citing Iran’s unacceptable actions. The strikes, occurring near Oman and the UAE, threatened global energy flows and complicated efforts to stabilise maritime navigation. Iran denied direct responsibility while Qatar condemned an attack on one of its vessels. The situation unfolded amid mass mourning ceremonies for former Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and ongoing disputes over control and fees for shipping routes through the strait. The US warned Iran to reach a deal or face military consequences as regional and international bodies continued efforts to maintain safe passage for vessels.

Two vessels were struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, including a Qatari LNG tanker that caught fire, amid escalating tensions over control of shipping routes. Iran is suspected of involvement, though no official claim was made. Qatar condemned the attack and blamed Iran, while the US warned Tehran against further interference as negotiations to reopen the strait and address Iran’s nuclear programme stall. The incidents occur during large-scale mourning ceremonies for the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose death has intensified regional instability. International agencies reported the strikes as investigations continue and shipping traffic remains high despite the risks.

A performer at the funeral of Iran’s late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for the death of US President Donald Trump, echoing broader anti-US and anti-Israel sentiment during the mass gathering in Tehran. Senior Iranian political and military figures attended, though new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei was absent amid reports he was wounded in the airstrike that killed his father. The funeral unfolded against ongoing US–Iran negotiations over ending the war and Iran’s strategic leverage over the Strait of Hormuz. The event highlighted ongoing threats against Trump and heightened tensions involving Israel, the US, and Iran’s leadership.

Pope Leo XIV visited Lampedusa on July 4 to honor migrants who died trying to reach Europe, praying at a migrant cemetery and celebrating Mass while emphasizing the Christian duty to protect vulnerable people. His symbolic visit contrasted with US Independence Day celebrations and highlighted the immigrant roots of the United States. In a message to Americans, he urged compassion and support for immigrants as part of respecting human dignity and the value of all human life.

Funeral ceremonies began in Tehran for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in an air strike at the outset of the war with the US and Israel. Massive crowds gathered as officials displayed his casket and those of family members also killed. The turnout is expected to bolster Iran’s government as it navigates negotiations with the United States and concerns about further Israeli action. Chants against America surfaced alongside visible anger toward President Trump after his remarks about Iran. Security measures intensified across Tehran as Khamenei’s body is set to travel through Iran and Iraq, while uncertainty remains over whether his successor and son, Mojtaba Khamenei, will attend amid ongoing threats from Israel.

A century after steam trains first crossed the Furka Pass, volunteers and rail enthusiasts celebrate the anniversary of the restored Swiss mountain route. Originally closed after a tunnel diverted traffic in the 1980s, the heritage railway was gradually reopened by volunteers who rebuilt and now operate the 11‑mile line as a summer tourist attraction. Visitors ride vintage trains through Alpine landscapes, while engineers and volunteers describe the skill, dedication and passion involved in maintaining the historic locomotives. Anniversary events run throughout the weekend.

The United States and Iran paused recent exchanges of strikes as both sides prepared to send delegations to Qatar for negotiations, though Iran denied agreeing to direct talks with the US. The interim deal requires Iran to dilute enriched uranium and allows the easing of sanctions while reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Conflicting statements emerged over planned meetings, while ongoing maritime attacks and retaliatory strikes continued to threaten diplomatic progress. Qatar is expected to release six billion dollars in frozen Iranian assets for humanitarian purchases, and regional actors including Oman and France engaged in discussions over navigation security and demining efforts in the strait.