SBS News

Iran Attacks Merchant Vessel and Declares "Full Closure" of Strait; U.S. Launches Retaliatory Airstrikes We begin with news on the war in Iran. After Iran completely blocked the Strait of Hormuz and attacked a civilian merchant vessel, the United States launched airstrikes on the Iranian mainland. SBS Jul 12, 2026 11:32 PM

Zelenskyy Announces Cabinet Reshuffle for "New Political Strategy"; Prime Minister Resigns ▲ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a meeting with Prime Minister Yuli… SBS Jul 12, 2026 10:59 PM

U.S.: Iran Does Not Control Strait of Hormuz; U.S. Forces Prepared to Ensure Freedom of Navigation The U.S. military stated on July 12 that it is prepared to ensure the free passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that Iran does not exercise control over the waterway. SBS Jul 12, 2026 10:20 PM

Europe Struggles with Sleepless Nights as Tropical Nights Hit Record Highs According to the British daily Financial Times on the 11th , an analysis of weather records from June 19 to 30 by Berkeley Earth, a U.S.-based climate change research organization, found that hundreds of weather stations across at least 15 European countries, including those in Northern Europe, recorded their highest-ever nighttime minimum temperatures. SBS Jul 12, 2026 7:30 PM

Strait of Hormuz Faces New Closure; Departure of Two South Korean Vessels Uncertain According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on Sunday, July 12, there are currently two South Korean-flagged vessels remaining inside the Strait of Hormuz, including one that was struck in early May and is undergoing repairs at the Port of Dubai. SBS Jul 12, 2026 4:40 PM

Cutting Sleep by 80 Minutes Linked to Weight Gain and Increased Waistline Adults who reduced their daily sleep by approximately 80 minutes experienced an increase in both body weight and waist circumference over a six-week period. SBS Jul 12, 2026 4:12 PM

Sheikh Hamad, Former Emir Who Transformed Qatar into Gas Powerhouse, Dies He was 74, and no specific cause of death was announced. The former Emir is credited with expanding Qatar's political influence and driving its economic growth during his reign. SBS Jul 12, 2026 4:11 PM

Iranian Negotiator Warns, "U.S. Will Pay the Price If Promises Are Not Kept" and Iran on June 17, which outlines the passage and future management of the Strait of Hormuz. SBS Jul 12, 2026 3:29 PM

Iran Launches Large-Scale Retaliation Against U.S. Airstrikes, Targeting Bases in Gulf and Jordan military bases in the Middle East on July 12, local time, in response to U.S. airstrikes. SBS Jul 12, 2026 3:28 PM

Typhoon Bavi Makes Landfall in China: 2 Million Evacuated, Flights and Trains Halted; Over 100 Injured in Taiwan Approximately 2 million people have been evacuated across various regions in China, while Taiwan, which was in the typhoon's path before China, reported over 100 injuries. SBS Jul 12, 2026 3:16 PM