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Time:2026-07-12T14:44:05Z

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has died at 71 after a brief illness, drawing reactions from world leaders and US politicians. The US has launched military strikes against Iran in response to an attack on a civilian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran retaliated by attacking Gulf states and closing the strategic waterway. Qatar's former ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has died at 74. A New York Times investigation details a Russian spy operating out of Tokyo using Aeroflot as cover.

Senator Lindsey Graham dies at 71

Senator Lindsey Graham dies at 71Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has died at age 71 after a brief and sudden illness. A staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, Graham served in the Senate since 2003 and was a prominent voice on foreign policy and judiciary matters. World leaders and US politicians from both parties have reacted to his passing, with many recalling his evolution from a Trump critic to one of his closest congressional allies. Tributes have highlighted his service on the Senate Judiciary Committee and his role in shaping the conservative legal movement.

Sources:
Republican Lindsey Graham dies at 71: World leaders, US politicians react (Al Jazeera)
US senator and close Trump ally Lindsey Graham dies after 'brief and sudden illness' (BBC)
Lindsey Graham, Republican Senator and Staunch Trump Ally, Dies at 71 (NYT)
U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham dead at 71 (CBC)

US strikes Iran after vessel attack in Strait of Hormuz

US strikes Iran after vessel attack in Strait of HormuzThe US military has launched strikes against Iran after an attack on a civilian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington is demanding that Tehran publicly declare the waterway open and pledge not to target ships. Iran has declared the Strait closed, escalating one of the most critical chokepoints for global oil shipments. NPR and BBC report that the US has conducted multiple rounds of strikes, while Al Jazeera notes Washington's vow to protect commercial shipping in the region.

Sources:
US military says it is striking Iran in response to attack on civilian vessel in Strait of Hormuz (AP News)
US demands Iran publicly state that Strait of Hormuz is open and Tehran won’t attack ships anymore (AP News)
US vows to protect ships in Hormuz Strait after Iran says it’s closed (Al Jazeera)
US launches fresh strikes as Iran closes Strait of Hormuz (BBC)
U.S. launches fresh strikes on Iran as Tehran says it has closed Strait of Hormuz (NPR)

Iran retaliates by attacking Gulf states

Iran retaliates by attacking Gulf statesIn a dramatic escalation, Iran has retaliated against US strikes by attacking multiple Gulf nations and shutting the Strait of Hormuz. The New York Times reports that hard-liners in Iran are pushing to continue fighting America, while China Daily describes the region as being on shaky ground. The conflict has rapidly widened beyond a bilateral US-Iran confrontation into a broader regional crisis involving Gulf Arab states. Analysts warn of severe economic repercussions given the Strait of Hormuz's role in global energy supplies.

Sources:
US strikes Iran over latest ship attack and Tehran responds by hitting Arab states (AP News)
Iran attacks five Gulf nations, shuts Hormuz after US bombing: All to know (Al Jazeera)
Region on shaky ground as US, Iran trade attacks (China Daily)
Iran Targets Gulf States After Night of Intense U.S. Strikes (NYT)
Hard-Liners in Iran Want to Keep Fighting America (NYT)

Qatar's former ruler Sheikh Hamad dies at 74

Qatar's former ruler Sheikh Hamad dies at 74Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar, has died at age 74. He is widely credited as the architect of modern Qatar, transforming the small Gulf nation into a regional power through strategic investments in energy, media, education, and infrastructure. Under his rule, Qatar launched Al Jazeera and built a formidable soft power network. Sheikh Hamad abdicated in 2013 in favor of his son, the current Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Sources:
Qatar’s former ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has died at age 74, state news agency says (AP News)
Former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani dies aged 74 (Al Jazeera)
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the architect of modern Qatar (Al Jazeera)
How late Father Emir Sheikh Hamad built Qatar’s soft power (Al Jazeera)

NYT investigation tracks Russian spy operating in Tokyo

The New York Times has published an investigation detailing the activities of Maksim Filchenkov, a Russian intelligence officer operating out of Tokyo under the cover of Aeroflot, the Russian state-owned airline. Filchenkov is reportedly part of the 20th Directorate of Russia's military intelligence agency (GRU), which specializes in smuggling high-tech equipment into Russia to support the war in Ukraine. NYT reporters tracked him down on the 22nd floor of a Tokyo high-rise office building. The case highlights Japan's role as a hub for Russian espionage activities in Asia.

Sources:
Jane BradleyEarlier this year, I found myself on the 22nd floor of a Tokyo high rise. I was looking for a man named Maksim Vladimirovich Filchenkov, a Russian spy. (NYT)
Michael SchwirtzFilchenkov, officials told us, is part of the 20th Directorate of Russia’s military intelligence agency. The 20th works to smuggle high-tech equipment into Russia to support the war in Ukraine. (NYT)
Jane BradleyFilchenkov works out of the Tokyo office of Aeroflot, the Russian state-owned airline that has long been used as cover for Russian spies. I set out to track him down. (NYT)