U.S. hits bridges and energy targets, Iran says, as strikes widen; How to protect yourself from wildfire smoke
News and markets
- Global headlines: U.S. hits bridges and energy targets, Iran says, as strikes widen (The attacks on Iran’s infrastructure came on the sixth consecutive day of U.S. strikes. A retaliatory attack by Iran caused damage to a power and desalination plant in Kuwait); How to protect yourself from wildfire smoke (Around 100 million people could experience unhealthy air this week. These simple tips will help protect your health); and After years of drone warfare, Ukraine is selling its ‘blood experience’ to allies (As unmanned aerial vehicles target Israel, Persian Gulf states and U.S. forces in the Middle East, Ukraine is selling equipment, giving advice and establishing joint production lines).
- Markets leaned lower, with 6 of 7 tracked indexes down; Nikkei 225 down 4.03% was the largest move.
- Benchmarks tracked: S&P 500, NASDAQ Composite, Euronext 100 Index, and Public Joint-Stock Company Moscow Exchange MICEX-RTS plus 3 more indexes.
Hacker News and Product Hunt
- Hacker News: Kaiser nurses say AI, workplace surveillance are making their jobs, care worse (KAISER PERMANENTE NURSES who answer advice and triage calls say their duty of care for patients is being increasingly threatened by...); The Zilog Z80 has turned 50 (As of writing, the Zilog Z80 processor was officially launched 50 years ago, in July of 1976, less than 4 years after the last human had...); and First atmosphere found on Earth-like planet in habitable zone of distant star (Researchers have found an Earth-like, rocky planet orbiting within the habitable zone of a distant star with an atmosphere).
- Product Hunt features Pebbles Ai (AI sales platform for modern B2B teams), Kimi K3 (The world's first open 3T-class model), and Pocket Screen (Keep any Mac window visible in a floating mini screen).
Global Headlines
Top stories across selected outlets, presented in a fast daily brief format.
U.S. hits bridges and energy targets, Iran says, as strikes widen
The attacks on Iran’s infrastructure came on the sixth consecutive day of U.S. strikes. A retaliatory attack by Iran caused damage to a power and desalination plant in Kuwait.
How to protect yourself from wildfire smoke
Around 100 million people could experience unhealthy air this week. These simple tips will help protect your health.
After years of drone warfare, Ukraine is selling its ‘blood experience’ to allies
As unmanned aerial vehicles target Israel, Persian Gulf states and U.S. forces in the Middle East, Ukraine is selling equipment, giving advice and establishing joint production lines.
Iran threatens region’s infrastructure as U.S. strikes expand
Rhetoric sharpened on both sides after days of renewed attacks, with Iranian state media reporting strikes around Tehran.
Iran releases U.S. citizen in goodwill gesture, Trump says
Dena Karari had been trapped in Iran since December 2024, her attorney said. Several other Americans are believed to still be in Iranian custody.
Mandela Day: What his legacy means in today’s South Africa
As South Africa grapples with inequality and division, Mandela Day has taken on new political significance.
Manila protests ‘racist’ portrayal of Filipinos in China Daily videos
The Philippines protests China Daily videos depicting Filipinos as monkeys amid South China Sea tensions.
Israeli army destroys three schools in southern Lebanon, minister says
At least 20 schools have now been completely destroyed in southern Lebanon, with 100 more damaged.
Trump Media reportedly mulling fee for first access to social media posts
US president has frequently been accused of trading government influence for improper financial gain.
UK by-election sees record 34 candidates as Farage seeks return
The Reform UK leader seeks to regain his seat after resigning amid gifts controversy.
ICE shared Medicaid data it wasn't supposed to have with Palantir
The revelations came out in a federal court case brought by Democratic states challenging ICE's access to Medicaid data to aid in deportation efforts.
Ex-wife says ICE agent who killed man in Maine had racist beliefs, violent tendencies
Ashley Brouillette has identified her ex-husband, David Brouillette, as the officer who fatally shot Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Biddeford, Maine, on Monday. She said she learned he was the officer responsible when he called her on Wednesday.
Spain could make World Cup history: The first to win men's and women's trophies back-to-back
The Spanish Men's National Team will face Argentina in Sunday's World Cup final. The country's women's team lifted its first World Cup trophy in 2023.
Move over, Super Bowl? There's an even bigger – and splashier – World Cup halftime show coming
The show, which will begin somewhere around 3:45 PM ET, will air in the U.S. on Fox, Fox One and in Spanish on Telemundo, as well as on the Fox Sports app and streaming in Spanish on Peacock. It's expected to run for about 11 minutes.
China signals possible return of U.S. trade privileges for Hong Kong
The decision comes two months after President Donald Trump met with Xi Jinping, potentially warming ties ahead of Xi's expected U.S. visit.
French parliament approves assisted dying
The lower house of the French parliament, the National Assembly, has given its final approval to a bill that will create a legal right to assisted death for adults with incurable diseases, potentially bringing an end to years of debate over the issue.
Durian export boom boosts Vietnamese growers
LAM DONG, Vietnam — Perched atop durian trees in Da Huoai Commune of Vietnam's central province of Lam Dong, harvester Ho Minh Nhat carefully cuts loose each spiky fruit, knowing that many of them will soon begin their journey to China.
Saving Gaza's cultural heritage, one artifact at a time
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — Armed with paintbrushes and wearing surgical gloves, volunteers inside a large tent in Gaza delicately brushed dust from a stone mosaic before placing it into storage, part of an effort to preserve cultural heritage hit by conflict.
Tensions spur ultra-rich to diversify across Asia
Investor jitters over Gulf tensions are prompting wealthy families and founders to consider shifting capital to rival financial hubs, say bankers and advisers.
Dialogue remains key to Sino-US ties
Chinese and American businesses operating in each other's markets remain deeply interconnected and can serve as a bridge for subnational dialogue, business leaders and policy experts said.
NCP (SP) to join NDA only as part of a ‘unified NCP’: BJP tells Mahayuti allies
BJP insists NCP can only join NDA as a unified entity, addressing concerns of current allies in Maharashtra.
Supreme Court to examine plea for recognition of intersex persons as a distinct class
Supreme Court to review petition for intersex recognition, banning unnecessary surgeries and ensuring identity rights and protections.
One more U.S. made anti-submarine helicopter delivered to the Indian Navy
The Indian Navy strengthens its capabilities with the delivery of another advanced MH-60R anti-submarine helicopter from the U.S.
Supreme Court to examine whether persons deleted from voter list in SIR can be denied welfare schemes
Supreme Court to assess whether deleted voters in West Bengal can receive welfare benefits amidst ongoing citizenship disputes.
CJP’s Abhijeet Dipke begins indefinite hunger strike, as police shifts Wangchuk to hospital
CJP’s Abhijeet Dipke starts indefinite hunger strike as police transfer activist Sonam Wangchuk to hospital for medical care.
India moves fasting activist to hospital, police say
Reuters: India moves fasting activist to hospital, police say.
Federal employees can download TikTok on government devices, DOJ says
Reuters: Federal employees can download TikTok on government devices, DOJ says.
US appeals court strikes down New Jersey's assault weapons ban on AR-15s
Reuters: US appeals court strikes down New Jersey's assault weapons ban on AR-15s.
Trump blames Canada for wildfire smoke, says he will add cost to tariffs
Reuters: Trump blames Canada for wildfire smoke, says he will add cost to tariffs.
Venice protests greet U.S. Ambassador Fertitta's arrival on superyacht
Reuters: Venice protests greet U.S. Ambassador Fertitta's arrival on superyacht.
Market Snapshot
Latest completed sessions across the selected benchmark indexes.
| Index | Region | Session Date | Value | Change | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
S&P 500 | US | 2026-07-18 | 7457.69 | -76.08 (-1.01%) | Down |
NASDAQ Composite | US | 2026-07-18 | 25520.24 | -361.70 (-1.40%) | Down |
Euronext 100 Index | Europe | 2026-07-18 | 1905.37 | -15.16 (-0.79%) | Down |
Public Joint-Stock Company Moscow Exchange MICEX-RTS | Europe | 2026-07-18 | 85.20 | -0.11 (-0.13%) | Down |
HANG SENG INDEX | Asia | 2026-07-18 | 24562.24 | -446.36 (-1.78%) | Down |
Nikkei 225 | Asia | 2026-07-18 | 64141.12 | -2694.42 (-4.03%) | Down |
S&P BSE SENSEX | India | 2026-07-18 | 78151.45 | 964.59 (1.25%) | Up |
Hacker News
Ten notable links from the last day in the Hacker News ecosystem.
Kaiser nurses say AI, workplace surveillance are making their jobs, care worse
KAISER PERMANENTE NURSES who answer advice and triage calls say their duty of care for patients is being increasingly threatened by workplace
The Zilog Z80 has turned 50
As of writing, the Zilog Z80 processor was officially launched 50 years ago, in July of 1976, less than 4 years after the last human had walked on the moon, decades closer to WWII than to the present day, roughly at a half way point between the Kennedy assassination and the fall of the Berlin wall, closer to the Korean war than to 9/11 which is itself an event that happened a quarter of a century ago. (Sorry…)
First atmosphere found on Earth-like planet in habitable zone of distant star
Researchers have found an Earth-like, rocky planet orbiting within the habitable zone of a distant star with an atmosphere.
Moonstone: Modern, cross-platform Lua runtime and package manager written in Zig
Moonstone — the modern, content-addressed package manager and deterministic environment orchestrator for Lua.
I Started a "Dirt Notebook"
I love taking notes, but one problem that I have is that that I start cherishing every notebook that I start. I can't seem to keep my notes messy. Eventually...
TP-Link Kasa cameras leaked home GPS via unauthenticated UDP for 6 years
Independent IoT security research, vulnerability disclosures, and PoCs focusing on firmware analysis, hardware interfaces, and cryptographic flaws. - BadChemical/IoT-Vulnerability-Research-Public
The Isomorphic Labs Drug Design Engine unlocks a new frontier beyond AlphaFold
Today, we are excited to share an update on our progress towards a new frontier of drug design. We have unlocked a new paradigm of predictive accuracy in understanding our biomolecular world, allowing us to rationally design new medicines on a computer with unprecedented understanding and precision.
Learning a few things about running SQLite
jvns.ca: Learning a few things about running SQLite.
Kimi K3, and what we can still learn from the pelican benchmark
Chinese AI lab Moonshot AI announced Kimi K3 this morning, describing it as their “most capable model to date, with 2.8 trillion parameters”. It’s currently available via their website and …
Stenchill: 3D Printable Solder Paste Stencil Generator
Free DIY tool to generate 3D-printable solder paste stencils from Gerber files. Convert Gerber to STL/3MF for FDM printing. Compatible with KiCad, Eagle, Altium.
Product Hunt
Featured products from the latest public Product Hunt listings.
Source Notes
Generation details, data coverage, and any partial-source warnings for this edition.