Syrian president says investigation into today’s Damascus explosion is ongoing.

Super typhoon Bavi formed on July 2 and has rapidly intensified; its cloud system now exceeds 1,000 km in diameter. Forecasts show Bavi will begin affecting Chinese waters and coasts from July 9 and may make landfall on China's coast on July 11. The main path uncertainty is its proximity to Taiwan — it could pass offshore or land in northern Taiwan before tracking north. Landfall intensity is expected to be very strong; wind and rain impacts will start from July 9, first affecting the southeast coast, waters east of Taiwan and most of the East China Sea. Heavy precipitation will begin on July 9, hitting Taiwan first and then spreading to East China, central China and North China.

Data show two Japan-owned supertankers carrying Saudi crude are transiting toward the Strait of Hormuz to exit the Gulf region.