QtrendsU.S. Senator Lindsey Graham dies at 71 following a brief illness. The Strait of Hormuz crisis escalates as the U.S. strikes Iran and Iran retaliates by attacking Gulf nations and closing the strait. Iran's hardliners push for continued confrontation with the U.S. following the funeral of its longest-serving leader. Argentina and England set up a World Cup semifinal clash. A New York Times investigation tracks a Russian spy operating out of Tokyo under diplomatic cover.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina and one of Israel's strongest allies in the Senate, died at 71 after a brief and sudden illness. His office confirmed the death on Saturday evening. Graham served in the Senate for more than two decades and was a close ally of former President Donald Trump.
A New York Times investigation tracked down Maksim Vladimirovich Filchenkov, a Russian intelligence officer operating out of Aeroflot's Tokyo office. Filchenkov is part of Russia's 20th Directorate of military intelligence, which specializes in smuggling high-tech equipment into Russia to support the war in Ukraine. The report details how the state-owned airline has long been used as cover for Russian spy operations.
Argentina defeated Switzerland in extra time to book a World Cup semifinal against England. The match saw Switzerland reduced to 10 men before Argentina broke through in extra time. The upcoming semifinal renews one of football's historic rivalries, adding to the tournament's drama.
The U.S. military launched strikes against Iran after a civilian vessel was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. has demanded Iran publicly guarantee the strait remains open. Iran responded by attacking five Gulf nations and closing the Strait of Hormuz, escalating one of the most serious confrontations in the region in decades.
Following the funeral of Iran's longest-serving leader, hardliners in Tehran are pushing for continued confrontation with the United States. President Trump has threatened Iran after the funeral saw calls for his killing. The future of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire remains uncertain as hardliners advocate for escalating the conflict.