Iran says US-Israel attacks damaged 100 commercial aircraft

An Amber Heat-Health Alert has been issued across affected parts of England as hot weather continues, with the alert remaining in place until 9am on Friday, August 14. Health authorities are urging people to take precautions during the heat, particularly those who may be more vulnerable to high temperatures. People are advised to drink plenty of water, avoid the hottest part of the day where possible and take steps to keep cool. Authorities have also urged the public to check on family members, friends and neighbours who may struggle to cope with the heat. Those considered particularly vulnerable include older people, young children and babies, as well as people living with existing health conditions. The alert is intended to raise awareness of the potential health impacts of sustained high temperatures and encourage people to take preventative measures. People are advised to keep indoor spaces as cool as possible, stay out of direct sunlight during the hottest periods and seek medical advice if they become seriously unwell because of the heat. The Amber Heat-Health Alert will remain in force until 9am on Friday, August 14, unless conditions change earlier. Authorities are continuing to monitor the weather situation and are urging the public to take the heat seriously, particularly as temperatures remain elevated across parts of the country.

Voters across Michigan headed to the polls on Tuesday for a pivotal Democratic Senate primary that has emerged as a major battleground testing the ideological direction of the party. Former public health director Abdul El-Sayed faced four-term US Representative Haley Stevens in a fierce contest to secure the nomination to replace retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters. The election night watch party for El-Sayed in Detroit saw left-wing commentator Hasan Piker launch a sharp critique against the Democratic political establishment while speaking to media representatives. Piker praised El-Sayed’s campaign as an “issues-first” movement, asserting that grassroots engagement carried greater weight than financial backing. Piker drew specific attention to external campaign funding, taking aim at the more than $30 million (£23.5 million) poured into the race by political action committees affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in support of Stevens. Describing the influx of negative advertising against El-Sayed as a “heinous smear campaign”, Piker expressed hope that mainstream Democrats would learn from El-Sayed’s approach. He also dismissed suggestions that the candidate or his high-profile backers would prove to be a general election liability, arguing that voters are disillusioned with personality-driven politics and seeking structural policy changes. Throughout the primary, the candidates presented starkly contrasting visions for the party’s future in the battleground state. El-Sayed, who gained endorsement from Senator Bernie Sanders, focused his platform on reducing corporate influence in politics, expanding healthcare access, and providing economic support to working families. Responding to characterisations regarding his political stance, El-Sayed clarified that he advocates for regulated capitalism rather than socialism. Conversely, Stevens leaned on her tenure in the US House of Representatives and her previous role in the Obama administration, positioning herself as a pragmatic candidate with the legislative track record needed to retain the seat. While earlier polling indicated El-Sayed held a slight edge, surveys suggested Stevens might hold broader appeal amongst moderate voters in the upcoming general election. The political friction surrounding the primary also drew public commentary from US President Donald Trump, who characterised the race as a contest between a “communist and a socialist.” The winning Democratic nominee will move on to face Republican candidate Mike Rogers in the November general election, a race anticipated to play a crucial role in determining party control of the US Senate.

A senior American military commander has warned that the United States could soon struggle to maintain its support for Israel while also protecting its own military interests across the Middle East. The warning reflects increasing concern inside the Pentagon that the ongoing conflict with Iran is placing heavy pressure on US naval forces and missile defence resources. According to reports from The Washington Post and other international media outlets, General Alexus Grynkewich, who leads US European Command, has told Pentagon officials that American naval assets in the region are becoming overstretched. He reportedly said that unless another US Navy destroyer is deployed, military commanders may eventually have to choose between defending American personnel and continuing missile defence operations in support of Israel. His assessment has drawn attention because it comes from one of the senior officers directly responsible for overseeing US military operations rather than from outside analysts. It suggests that the growing demands on American forces are becoming a serious concern at the highest levels of military planning. US Navy destroyers equipped with the Aegis combat system have played a major role in helping defend Israel from Iranian missile attacks. These warships are capable of detecting incoming ballistic missiles and intercepting them using advanced SM-3 and SM-6 missile systems. However, these destroyers are also critical to American security operations around the world. They are needed in the Indo-Pacific to counter China’s growing military presence, in Europe to support NATO allies, and across the Middle East to protect US military bases and key shipping routes. Sending more of these ships to one conflict reduces the military’s ability to respond quickly to other global crises. The conflict has also placed significant pressure on America’s stockpile of advanced missile defence systems. Pentagon assessments reported by The Washington Post indicate that US forces have fired more than 200 THAAD interceptors during the fighting with Iran, which is believed to be nearly half of the country’s available inventory. In addition, US Navy ships have launched more than 100 missile interceptors. Although Israel also relied on its own defence systems, including the Arrow and David’s Sling missile shields, American support proved essential during the most intense phases of the missile exchanges. Military experts say the challenge goes beyond the number of missiles used. Advanced interceptors are highly sophisticated weapons that require considerable time and resources to manufacture. Replacing depleted stockpiles cannot happen quickly, raising concerns about America’s ability to sustain long conflicts while remaining prepared for new security threats elsewhere. Defence planners have warned that prolonged military operations could leave the United States with reduced inventories of some of its most important air defence weapons. For many years, US military strategy has been based on the ability to respond to several major conflicts at the same time. The country maintains security commitments across Europe, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific, requiring a constant supply of military equipment and personnel. The latest warning from US European Command suggests those assumptions are now being tested as growing global tensions demand the same resources in multiple regions. An analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, cited by CNN, estimates that the US has already used a large share of its advanced missile inventory in recent weeks. The report suggests that around half of the country’s THAAD and Patriot interceptors have been consumed, while substantial numbers of Precision Strike Missiles, Tomahawk cruise missiles, Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles, and SM-3 and SM-6 interceptors have also been used. The findings highlight a broader challenge facing the US military. Although it remains one of the world’s strongest armed forces, modern warfare is consuming advanced weapons at a pace that is difficult for defence industries to match. As conflicts continue across different regions, Washington may increasingly face difficult decisions about where to deploy its military resources.