US strikes hit Iran for seventh consecutive night as Middle East conflict deepens

The United States has launched a seventh consecutive night of airstrikes on Iran, targeting military infrastructure and strategic assets as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate, raising fears of a broader conflict across the Middle East and threatening global energy security.

The latest military operation came after US President Donald Trump declared that the temporary ceasefire reached between the two countries in June was “over,” following the collapse of diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict.

According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), American forces struck surveillance sites, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage facilities and maritime capabilities across multiple locations in Iran.

CENTCOM said the operation concluded after several hours of coordinated attacks involving fighter jets, armed drones, warships and other precision strike systems, describing the mission as part of efforts to weaken Iran’s military capabilities and protect US interests and allies in the region.

The latest strikes reportedly hit areas around Yazd, Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas and other strategic locations, with Iranian state media reporting multiple explosions.

Images and videos circulating online showed damage near the Shahid Mirzaei twin tunnels north of Bandar Abbas, while local authorities reported that attacks on electricity infrastructure and desalination facilities near Jask disrupted drinking water supplies for about 10,000 residents across 20 villages.

Iranian officials also disclosed that more than 100 telecommunications towers were knocked out of service in parts of Hormozgan Province, disrupting mobile, internet and landline communications.

In response, Iran launched fresh missile and drone attacks targeting countries hosting US military assets in the Gulf.

Authorities in Kuwait said Iranian strikes damaged a power generation and water desalination facility, triggering a fire that forced the shutdown of several electricity generation units.

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Kuwait’s state news agency later reported that an oil facility also sustained significant damage during repeated attacks, while several people were reportedly injured.

Meanwhile, Jordan said its air defence systems intercepted 10 Iranian missiles that entered its airspace overnight, preventing damage on the ground.

Bahrain also announced that its air defence forces successfully intercepted Iranian projectiles aimed at its territory.

The renewed fighting follows the collapse of a ceasefire agreement reached in June to facilitate negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

Although the truce initially reduced hostilities, tensions resurfaced after Iran allegedly targeted commercial oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that vessels obtain Tehran’s approval before passing through the strategic waterway.

The United States subsequently resumed military operations and reinforced restrictions around Iranian ports, while Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to shipping.

The waterway remains one of the world’s most important energy corridors, carrying roughly 20 per cent of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports. The disruption has heightened concerns over global energy supplies and contributed to renewed volatility in international oil markets.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned that prolonged instability around the Strait could significantly affect global energy security and international trade.

Iran has also claimed responsibility for attacks on US military facilities in Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and Syria, although Washington has disputed several of Tehran’s claims.

US officials acknowledged that several American service members were injured during recent Iranian attacks on military installations in Jordan but maintained that US operations have been directed exclusively at military objectives.

The White House rejected allegations that American forces deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure, insisting that military planners focused on logistics facilities, surveillance systems and assets linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also confirmed that American forces destroyed a control tower at the port of Chabahar, describing it as part of an IRGC maritime surveillance network used to monitor shipping movements around the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz.

The latest escalation has prompted renewed international calls for restraint, with governments and diplomatic organisations warning that continued military exchanges could trigger a wider regional conflict involving additional countries.

Security analysts say the confrontation now represents one of the most serious geopolitical crises in the Middle East in recent years, with potential consequences for global trade, energy markets and international security.

With neither Washington nor Tehran signalling an immediate willingness to de-escalate, concerns continue to grow that the conflict could intensify further in the coming days.

US strikes hit Iran for seventh consecutive night as Middle East conflict deepens

China unveils 5,000 AI training opportunities for developing countries at WAIC 2026

China has announced 5,000 artificial intelligence (AI) training opportunities for developing countries over the next five years, unveiling an ambitious package of initiatives aimed at strengthening global AI governance, narrowing the digital divide and promoting inclusive technological development across the Global South.

The announcement was made by Chinese President Xi Jinping during the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) and the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, where government leaders, technology executives, researchers and policymakers gathered to discuss the future of artificial intelligence and international cooperation.

Xi said the new training programme would help government officials, researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs and technology professionals from developing countries acquire critical AI knowledge and technical skills needed to accelerate digital transformation and economic growth.

According to him, the initiative reflects China’s commitment to ensuring that developing nations benefit from the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence instead of being left behind by technological progress.

He stressed that AI should become a tool for shared prosperity rather than a source of greater inequality between advanced economies and developing countries.

“AI development should not be a solo performance by a single country, but a symphony of international cooperation,” Xi said, while calling for stronger global collaboration in AI innovation and governance.

Beyond the training programme, Xi announced that China would establish international AI application cooperation centres with major regional organisations, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the African Union (AU), the League of Arab States, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and BRICS.

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He said the centres would promote technology transfer, joint research, innovation, knowledge sharing and practical AI applications tailored to the development priorities of participating countries. According to Xi, the initiative is designed to strengthen AI capacity across developing regions while ensuring broader and more equitable access to emerging technologies.

Xi also confirmed the official establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) in Shanghai. The organisation, first proposed by China last year, is expected to serve as a multilateral platform for AI research, governance, standard-setting and capacity building.

According to the Chinese president, WAICO was created in response to calls from developing countries for a more inclusive international AI governance framework that gives emerging economies a stronger voice in shaping global AI policies and standards.

During his address, Xi outlined four guiding principles for global AI governance. He urged countries to promote open innovation, strengthen AI safety and security, encourage inclusiveness and cultural diversity, and improve multilateral governance under the framework of the United Nations.

While acknowledging AI’s enormous potential to transform healthcare, education, manufacturing, agriculture, transportation and public administration, Xi warned that the technology also presents ethical, security and governance risks that require coordinated international action.

He called for stronger legal frameworks, regulatory systems, technological monitoring, early warning mechanisms and emergency response capabilities to ensure artificial intelligence remains safe, transparent and under meaningful human control.

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At the same time, Xi cautioned against expanding national security restrictions in ways that could unnecessarily hinder international cooperation, scientific collaboration and technological innovation.

Highlighting China’s domestic achievements, Xi said artificial intelligence has become one of the country’s major drivers of economic transformation. He disclosed that China’s core AI and smart economy industries are now valued at more than one trillion yuan, with AI technologies increasingly being deployed across manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, education, agriculture and public services.

He added that China has continued to strengthen its AI regulatory framework through improved ethical guidelines, governance mechanisms and industry standards aimed at promoting the safe and responsible development of artificial intelligence.

Xi also highlighted China’s expanding international engagement in AI development. He said Beijing had promoted the adoption of a United Nations General Assembly resolution on AI capacity building, launched the AI Capacity Building Action Plan for Good and for All, and introduced the AI Plus International Cooperation Initiative to deepen global partnerships in artificial intelligence.

In another major announcement, Xi revealed that China would provide 30 countries with access to its MAZU AI-powered meteorological early warning system to improve disaster preparedness, weather forecasting and emergency response capabilities.

He said the initiative would help vulnerable countries strengthen resilience against climate-related disasters while demonstrating how artificial intelligence can be deployed to protect lives and support sustainable development.

Xi urged governments, technology companies, research institutions and international organisations to work together to ensure artificial intelligence contributes to sustainable development rather than widening global inequalities.

He stressed that human wisdom, ethical principles and international consensus must continue to guide the development and deployment of AI technologies.

“As AI advances at a staggering speed, we must ensure its development is for the positive, for good and for humanity,” Xi said.

The announcements come at a time when countries around the world are competing to develop advanced AI technologies while debating issues relating to regulation, ethics, cybersecurity, intellectual property and national security.

Analysts believe China’s latest initiatives reinforce its ambition to position itself as a leading global player in artificial intelligence while strengthening partnerships with countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and other developing regions through technology transfer, skills development and digital infrastructure cooperation.

China unveils 5,000 AI training opportunities for developing countries at WAIC 2026

Mother of Henry Nowak’s Killer Jailed for Three Years for Removing Murder Weapon

The mother of a man convicted of murdering an 18-year-old university student has been sentenced to three years in prison for removing the knife used in the killing from the scene of the crime. Kiran Kaur, 53, of St Denys Road, Southampton, was found guilty at Southampton Crown Court in May of assisting an offender after she took possession of the 21cm blade used by her son, Vickrum Digwa, to fatally stab Henry Nowak on 3 December 2025. The sentencing took place on 17 July 2026, with Judge William Mousley KC presiding.

Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old finance student from Essex, was walking home from a night out in Southampton when he was attacked by Digwa. The altercation began over a mobile phone, with Digwa using a ceremonial-style knife he carried in a cross-body sheath over his clothing. He claimed he carried it in keeping with the traditions of the Nihang warrior sect within Sikhism, though many Sikhs dispute descriptions of the murder weapon as a kirpan, saying a kirpan is a small ceremonial blade worn as an article of faith. Following the stabbing, Digwa lied to police, falsely claiming he had been the victim of a racist attack and that Nowak had knocked off his turban. This false narrative led to a shocking sequence of events: police officers handcuffed the dying teenager at the scene while he repeatedly pleaded that he had been stabbed. Bodycam footage released by the police showed Nowak telling officers multiple times that “I’ve been stabbed” and “I can’t breathe”. It took officers eight minutes to discover the fatal wound to his heart, and Nowak died “terrified” and “alone”. The case sparked national outrage, protests across Southampton, and accusations of “two-tier policing”.

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In the immediate aftermath of the killing, Digwa handed the murder weapon to his mother. Instead of challenging her son or encouraging him to do the right thing, Kaur took the knife back to the family home on St Denys Road in Southampton and placed it among a larger collection of ceremonial and other weapons in her son’s bedroom. The weapon was not recovered by police until seven days after the attack, severely hampering the investigation. Judge Mousley told Kaur during sentencing that a “responsible parent would have challenged their son” and asked their child to “do the right thing”. He noted that by hiding the knife among other weapons, her actions “helped to conceal what it had been used for” and “added to your son’s pretence that he had done nothing wrong and that he was the victim”. He acknowledged that Kaur was unlikely to reoffend and that her motive was “mistakenly, to protect your son rather than for any personal gain”, but ruled that the seriousness of the offence required a custodial sentence to deter others.

Prosecutor Nicholas Lobbenberg described Kaur’s actions as “criminality of the highest order” and said her role was “crucial” in removing the murder weapon from the scene, contributing to Henry dying “terrified, alone and disbelieved”. Defence barrister Mark Watson argued that Kaur’s actions were a “spontaneous act carried out in a matter of moments” driven by an “instinctive desire to protect her child”, adding that she was “equally misled” by her son’s lies. Kaur, who appeared emotional in the dock and required a Punjabi interpreter, dabbed her eyes with a tissue as she was led away to begin her sentence.

Vickrum Digwa, 23, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years on 1 June 2026 for the murder of Henry Nowak. His sentence was later referred to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor General as potentially “unduly lenient”. It has also been confirmed that Digwa is seeking permission to appeal against his conviction and sentence. Following Kaur’s sentencing, Kelly Newman of the Crown Prosecution Service stated: “Those who seek to help murderers evade justice should be in no doubt that they too will be held accountable for their actions”.

An Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation into the police response remains ongoing, with two officers under investigation for potential gross misconduct, including failures to realise Henry needed urgent medical attention and the decision to arrest and handcuff him instead of providing first aid. Hampshire Police have apologised to the Nowak family. A full inquest into Henry Nowak’s death will be held at Winchester Coroner’s Court on 20 September 2027, examining whether any “act or omission by a police officer” caused or contributed to his death. Separately, Digwa, his father Moga Singh, 52, and his brother Gurpreet Digwa, 27, have pleaded not guilty to multiple weapons charges related to a large collection of weapons found at the family home, including machetes, swords, knuckledusters, and other offensive weapons.

Mother of Henry Nowak’s Killer Jailed for Three Years for Removing Murder Weapon