Tens of millions swelter as heatwave blankets the central and eastern US

American breweries dominated the 2025 World Beer Cup, often called the "Olympics of beer," with West Coast states leading the charge. Oregon’s 2 Towns Ciderhouse stole the spotlight by snagging six awards in the competition’s first-ever cider categories—proving the U.S. isn’t just a beer powerhouse but a rising star in cider too.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a win for the breweries—it’s a big deal for American craft beverage culture. The U.S. has been climbing the ranks in global beer competitions for years, but sweeping top honors (and crushing it in cider) shows how innovative and competitive the industry has become. For beer lovers, it’s a sign to keep an eye on West Coast brews—and maybe give cider a fresh look.

A man opened fire outside a Michigan church but was quickly stopped when security staff shot and killed him. Police say the suspect, Brian Anthony Browning, had a loose connection to the church—his mother occasionally attended but wasn’t present during the incident.

Editor’s Note: This story is another grim reminder of how gun violence can erupt anywhere, even in places meant to be safe. The fact that church security had to respond with lethal force underscores both the prevalence of threats and the difficult choices faced in split-second situations. While no congregants were hurt, the psychological toll—on witnesses, the community, and even the shooter’s family—lingers. It also raises questions about motives, given the suspect’s tangential ties to the church.

A federal jury has ruled that a man involved in the January 6 Capitol riot must pay $500,000 to the family of a police officer who died by suicide shortly after the attack. The officer had clashed with the defendant during the riot, and his widow argued that the trauma of that day contributed to his death. While the case doesn’t directly tie the assault to the suicide, the jury found the defendant liable for emotional distress.

Editor’s Note: This ruling is one of the first to hold a Capitol rioter financially responsible for the broader consequences of their actions—even beyond the immediate violence. It underscores how the events of January 6 continue to ripple through lives, raising tough questions about trauma, guilt, and who bears the cost. For the officer’s family, it’s a measure of justice, but it also highlights the lingering scars of that day.

Iran says it struck a major U.S. military base in Qatar with missiles, calling it retaliation for alleged U.S. attacks on its nuclear facilities. The Al Udeid base—America’s biggest in the region—was targeted, though damage and casualties remain unclear. Meanwhile, President Trump is meeting with his security team as tensions escalate.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another flare-up—it’s a direct military strike by Iran against a key U.S. asset, which could spiral fast. With Trump’s team huddling, the world’s watching to see if this becomes a full-blown crisis or if cooler heads prevail. For everyday folks, it’s a stark reminder of how quickly geopolitical tensions can turn dangerous.

The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog says Iran's Fordow nuclear site probably took a major hit in recent U.S. strikes, along with facilities in Isfahan and Natanz. But with tensions still high, inspectors can't get in to see just how bad the damage is—they'll need a pause in the fighting first.

Editor’s Note: This isn't just about damaged buildings—it's about how close we are to the edge right now. Fordow is a sensitive underground site where Iran has enriched uranium, and major damage could escalate an already volatile situation. The fact that even neutral inspectors can't safely assess the fallout shows how fragile things are. For anyone tracking global security risks, this is a flashing warning sign.