BAE Systems to pay $36m penalty after 104 violations of US arms export rules

The UK defence company BAE Systems is to pay a $36m (£26.7m) civil penalty after breaching US arms exports regulations more than 100 times.

The US Department of State announced on Thursday that it had reached an administrative settlement with the US arm of BAE to resolve 104 violations of the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Concern grows over conditions on USS Abraham Lincoln

Concern about living conditions on a US aircraft carrier that has been deployed in the Middle East for more than 250 days is leading a US senator to demand answers from the military about the vessel and putting more pressure on the Trump administration over the Iran war.

DR Congo Ebola outbreak spreads to a sixth province

Ebola outbreak has killed 2,128 people out of around 4,566 recorded cases in the DRC, according to government figures.

The latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has spread to a sixth province after a death was recorded in previously unaffected Bas-Uele, said the head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

UK records hottest day of year as fifth summer heatwave reaches peak

The UK has recorded its hottest day of the year so far with a provisional temperature of 38.1C in southern England as Europe sweltered under a major heat dome.

As temperatures on the continent surpassed 40C at the peak of the summer’s fifth heatwave, the thermometer at Kew Gardens in west London on Thursday surpassed the previous high of 38C on 28 June, the Met Office said.

Will all-out war in Yemen reignite as the Houthis escalate attacks?

A series of Houthi attacks in recent weeks, which are among the deadliest in years, is raising fears that Yemen could be sliding back towards all-out war as conflict spreads across the Middle East.

Turkiye’s AK Party turns 25: A journey of change and renewal

The initial step taken on August 14, 2001 cannot be viewed merely as the submission of a political party’s founding petition within the annals of international political history; rather, it is the reincarnation of a millennium-old, deep-rooted civilisational vision on the modern world stage. Today, having left a quarter of a century behind, the AK Party is not merely a tale of national development within its borders, but an unparalleled 25-year epic of democracy on a global scale. Coming to power with immense public favour just 16 months after its founding, and steering the country with uninterrupted stability for a quarter of a century, this political movement has secured a highly exceptional place in world political history.

Iran says Strait of Hormuz under its control, rejects Trump claims

Iran asserts full control over the Strait of Hormuz, challenging US claims of dominance in the strategic waterway.

The commander of the paramilitary Basij Organisation said the Strait of Hormuz is “under Iran’s control and management”, a day after President Donald Trump claimed the United States was in “total control” of the waterway.

Oman says massive oil spill reaches coastline: What damage could it do?

A vast oil spill from a leaking tanker reached Oman’s coastline on Wednesday, its environment agency said.

This oil spill threatens to become one of the world’s worst in years after spreading largely unchecked for several weeks, experts say.

Lebanese Americans sue seeking end to US support for Israel

Dozens of Lebanese Americans have filed a class action civil lawsuit against the US government and several defence contractors, saying their role in Israel’s war in Lebanon is a violation of a US law that bars assistance to foreign governments known to be committing human rights abuses.

Trump-led board reportedly votes again to close Kennedy Center for renovations – live

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Trump-led board reportedly votes again to close Kennedy Center for renovations

The board of the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has once again voted to move forward with Donald Trump’s controversial plan to temporarily close the building for renovations, the New York Times (paywall) is reporting, citing two people with direct knowledge of the proceedings.