International News Digest

Jordan Shoots Down Iranian Missiles, US Hits Iraq Militias

Jordan intercepted five ballistic missiles launched directly from Iran, AP News reported. It is a rare move that shows the conflict spreading beyond Israel and Gaza. Jordan has defended its airspace before, but intercepting Iranian missiles is a significant step.

The U.S. military worked alongside Saudi Arabia's forces to strike militia sites inside Iraq. Those militias have been attacking U.S. and Saudi targets in recent days. The strikes signal a broader front opening up across the region, AP News reported.

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Japan Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 18

A powerful earthquake struck Japan and has now killed at least 18 people, according to AP News. The death toll has been rising as rescuers search through damaged buildings. Japan is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries and has strong early-warning systems, but casualties still climbed.

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Fauci Grilled by Senate Republicans on COVID Origins

Dr. Anthony Fauci, who led the U.S. COVID-19 pandemic response, was questioned by Senate Republicans about how the coronavirus started, AP News reported. Lawmakers pressed him on whether the virus leaked from a lab in Wuhan, China. The hearing drew intense attention from both parties.

Fauci has long said the evidence does not clearly support the lab-leak theory. Republicans say they want more answers about decisions made early in the pandemic. The hearing is part of a broader congressional push to investigate the pandemic's origins.

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France Wildfire Forces 220,000 to Flee as Global Burning Shifts

A massive wildfire in France has forced more than 220,000 people to evacuate their homes, AP News reported. Officials said it is unclear when the fire will be contained. Europe and North America are seeing more extreme fires even as the total amount of global burning is actually going down.

Experts warn that El Niño — a weather pattern that brings hotter, drier conditions — could make fires much worse in tropical regions in the coming months. The pattern shifts rain away from places like Southeast Asia and parts of South America, leaving forests dry and easy to burn.

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