A significant increase in immigration enforcement at US airports has led to conflicts between airline workers and the Trump administration, which is aiming for 2,000 daily arrests. Last month, ICE and the TSA conducted up to three dozen arrests each day, targeting individuals with pending visa or asylum applications, including a former au pair and an asylum seeker with medical conditions. Airline employees have pushed back against these actions, with reports of agents being blocked from accessing passenger information without proper legal documentation, raising safety and legal concerns within the industry.
ICE is currently tracking nearly 54,000 immigrants with GPS-enabled ankle monitors, up from just 17,000 early last year, part of an electronic surveillance program managed by the Geo Group, which has led to increased revenues for the company. Ankle monitors cost ICE over $2 a day, significantly more than the $0.96 daily cost for the SmartLink app, which has over 127,000 enrolled immigrants. A class action lawsuit against ICE claims that the "ankle monitors for all" policy imposes continuous surveillance without justification, affecting individuals including pregnant women, while Geo Group anticipates scaling up their inventory for increased government utilization to potentially track several million participants.
K-pop boy band Cortis launched their global tour, named "Put Your Phone Down," in Incheon on July 18, with plans to perform in cities like New York and Los Angeles before returning to Seoul later this month. The band, composed of teenagers with the oldest member being only 20, encourages fans to engage with live performances rather than recording them, though mixed reactions have arisen from their followers, as many value fan-filmed content. Cortis is part of a broader movement among artists advocating against phone usage at concerts, reflecting a desire for deeper artist-fan interactions during performances.
President Donald Trump signed two executive actions aimed at limiting birthright citizenship and curbing "birth tourism" on August 6, 2026, despite a previous attempt being rejected by the Supreme Court. One action seeks to reduce the number of individuals eligible for U.S. citizenship after being born in the country, while the second imposes stricter visa regulations on visitors seeking to give birth in the U.S. The Supreme Court had upheld birthright citizenship in June 2026 with a 6-3 vote, reaffirming the broad interpretation of the 14th Amendment.
NASA astronauts Anil Menon and Jessica Meir conducted a 6.5-hour spacewalk outside the International Space Station to install mounting hardware for the 3B power channel. This preparation is intended for the future installation of new roll-out solar arrays. The spacewalk took place on Thursday, highlighting ongoing efforts in space exploration.
Astronomers have achieved the highest-resolution image of the Sun’s surface, marking a significant advancement in solar observation. Private investment in nuclear fusion firms has surged by $4.5 billion, indicating a growing interest in this area of research. Additionally, physicists have established a new precision record in measuring matter-antimatter symmetry, pinning down the hyperfine splitting of antihydrogen to within four parts per million.
President Donald Trump has signed two executive orders aimed at limiting birthright citizenship, which has been upheld as constitutional by the Supreme Court. One order seeks to expand an exception that denies citizenship to children born to foreign diplomats or invading forces, while the other targets "birth tourism" by directing actions from the secretaries of state and homeland security. Trump's previous attempts to narrow birthright citizenship were struck down by the Supreme Court, where a majority of six justices, including Chief Justice John Roberts, affirmed that the Fourteenth Amendment's Citizenship Clause applies broadly to all children born in the U.S.
Penny Wong, Australia's Foreign Minister, emphasized the need for Australia to strengthen its relationships in the Pacific during a meeting in Fiji with regional counterparts, stating, "We’ve got more work to do." Australia is planning to engage and negotiate with both Tonga and the Solomon Islands as part of these efforts. Wong also noted the importance of regional leaders' opposition to China's ballistic missile test conducted in July, which they deemed destabilizing to their vision of an "ocean of peace."
African health authorities will begin using a vaccine for the Zaire ebolavirus strain to combat the fast-spreading Bundibugyo strain in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where approximately 4,000 cases and 1,801 deaths have been confirmed since the outbreak was declared in mid-May. The current outbreak is spreading at a rate six to eight times faster than any previous outbreak, with one confirmed case identified for every 10 contacts on the risk list, compared to one per 57 during the severe 2018-2020 Zaire outbreak. Africa CDC director Jean Kaseya noted that, during trials, there were no deaths among those vaccinated against the Zaire strain, signaling a potential level of protection, while plans to expand the use of the antiviral drug remdesivir are also underway.
Toronto police arrested a 19-year-old and a 15-year-old in connection with a second shooting at the US Consulate in five months, which occurred on July 27 and involved a single shot fired at the building. The adults arrested in June for the first shooting on March 10 were aged 18 and 19, and police noted both incidents are being investigated as national security threats with possible recruitment of suspects via encrypted messaging apps. Authorities expressed concern over a trend where individuals are hired to commit violence, with varying amounts of financial incentive based on the targeted attacks.
Donald Trump signed two executive orders aimed at restricting birthright citizenship and banning "birth tourism," following the Supreme Court's rejection of his previous attempt to limit this constitutional guarantee. The new orders redefine the eligibility of children for birthright citizenship and address the issue of "birth tourism," which Trump claims is practiced by hundreds of thousands of people, with estimates of 22,000 to 26,000 births annually from foreign mothers, although government data recorded only 9,600 such births in 2024. This initiative reflects Trump's ongoing focus on drastically changing immigration policies during his second term.
Downing Street has pledged to take away local councils' powers that attempt to limit "vertical drinking" or bar ordering in pubs, responding to Westminster council's proposed draft licensing policy which recommends restricting these practices and calling last orders at 10pm. The government plans to empower the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to counteract such local council decisions, emphasizing the importance of thriving nightlife in famous areas like Soho. Critics of the draft policy argue it could jeopardize West End nightlife and the hospitality industry, while the council's leader insists there has never been any intention to outright ban standing while drinking.
Marco Rubio, the U.S. diplomat, announced sanctions against five Cuban companies and eight individuals for their role in procuring military equipment for Cuba's armed forces, labeling the Cuban government as a danger to U.S. national security. The sanctions, part of a broader "maximum pressure" campaign by President Trump since his return to office, target entities like Tecnoimport and Union de Industria Militar, and freeze any U.S. assets held by them while barring Americans from business dealings. This announcement follows a recent report characterizing Cuba as integral to a global anti-American coalition and adds to a series of sanctions imposed on Cuba, which previously included nine entities and two individuals in July.
Iran's parliament is considering a plan to ban U.S., Israeli, and other "hostile" ships from the Strait of Hormuz and impose tolls of up to 7% of cargo value on passing vessels. Ships violating Iran's conditions could face fines of 20% of their cargo value, as Iran finalizes an agreement with Oman to establish new shipping routes. This development comes after five months of conflict, during which the closure of the strait significantly disrupted global fuel and fertilizer supplies and escalated tensions between Iran and the U.S.
In early 2026, ICE conducted massive arrests in West Virginia, detaining around 600 immigrants in a two-week period, most of whom had no criminal records. Following the operation, known as Operation Country Roads, West Virginia decided not to hold ICE detainees in their jails. Despite the increase in national arrests reaching a record high of 1,400 per day, many detainee proceedings in West Virginia are falling apart in court, with successful habeas petitions leading to releases often on the same day of arrest.
Israel launched new air and artillery attacks in Lebanon following the deaths of its soldiers for the first time since a ceasefire began two months prior. This escalation occurred despite ongoing Lebanese-Israeli peace talks in Rome, which are part of a US-brokered process. The article features insights from experts including Maha Yahya, Jennifer Gavito, and Rami Khouri, discussing the current situation and implications.
Senator Mitch McConnell announced he has been discharged from a rehabilitation center and will continue his recovery at home, following hospitalization from a fall on June 14, marking his first public update in 10 days and his absence since June 11. Critics have raised concerns about transparency regarding his health, especially given that McConnell, 84, is not seeking re-election and his seat could face a special election under Kentucky law if a vacancy occurs. Republicans currently hold 53 of the 100 Senate seats, and a potential vacancy due to McConnell's condition could further narrow their majority, especially after the unexpected death of Senator Lindsey Graham on July 11.
Central and Southeastern Europe are facing severe drought conditions, with Hungary experiencing its worst energy crisis in decades, as low water levels in the Danube have forced the Paks nuclear power plant to operate at only about 12% of its capacity. The extreme heat, reaching 43 degrees Celsius (109.4 degrees Fahrenheit) in Budapest, has significantly impacted agriculture, particularly maize and sunflower harvests, and disrupted transport systems. Romania is also affected, with the Cernavoda nuclear power plant taking one of its two reactors offline due to low water levels and authorities taking measures to redirect water to maintain operations.
Central and Southeastern Europe are facing severe drought conditions due to record low rainfall and extreme summer heat, with countries like Hungary and Romania experiencing significant impacts on agriculture, energy production, and infrastructure. Hungary is currently suffering the worst energy crisis in decades, with the Paks nuclear power plant operating at only 12% capacity due to low Danube water levels, while Romania has also seen disruptions at its Cernavoda nuclear plant, which was forced to take one reactor offline. Romania is implementing measures such as blasting rocks to redirect water to improve flow into the Danube, but both countries face ongoing challenges in managing their energy needs amid these unprecedented drought conditions.
Mitch McConnell, the 84-year-old Republican senator, has been discharged from a rehabilitation center after a 53-day absence from the Senate following a fall that resulted in a hospitalization on June 14. He revealed that he will continue his recovery at home while engaging with staff and colleagues, despite concerns from lawmakers about his health. McConnell's absence complicates Senate business, particularly the confirmation of Todd Blanche as US attorney general, amidst calls from Kentucky's Democratic governor for more transparency regarding McConnell's wellbeing.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted 2-1 to rescind the 39 percent ownership cap for local broadcast station owners, allowing for individual assessments of television company mergers. The change aims to assist local broadcasters in increasing investments amid declining local newspapers, with FCC Chairman Brendan Carr arguing that outdated regulations hinder market growth. Critics, including FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez and Reporters Without Borders, contend that this move invites excessive media consolidation, benefiting a few powerful companies while undermining the public interest and regulatory safeguards against monopolistic practices.
Real Madrid has extended Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr's contract until June 30, 2032, ending speculation about his future amidst interest from Arsenal. Since joining in 2018, Vinicius has scored 128 goals and provided 100 assists, becoming a pivotal player for the club during a successful period, including two Champions League titles and three La Liga crowns. His contract extension follows a challenging season for Real Madrid, who finished as runners-up to Barcelona in La Liga and exited the Champions League in the quarterfinals.
Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon's Tyre district have wounded eight people and killed two Israeli soldiers during a recent escalation in violence, with a total of 4,333 casualties and over 12,000 injuries reported since March 2. The recent hostilities coincide with the seventh round of US-mediated ceasefire negotiations in Rome, where Lebanon and Israel have been discussing disarming Hezbollah and military withdrawal, but have yet to receive clarity on ceasefire commitments. On Wednesday alone, the Israeli army fired 113 projectiles into southern Lebanon, marking the highest number of strikes recorded since June 21.
Super Pacs linked to Aipac have spent over $5 million in recent weeks in California's congressional race to support Melissa Hernandez and attack Aisha Wahab, the frontrunner endorsed by the California Democratic Party. Wahab previously secured more than a 20-point lead over Hernandez in a June primary, and they are set to face off again in a runoff later this month, as well as in November. Notably, Aipac has significantly ramped up its political spending, reaching $67.2 million in Democratic primaries, with over $4.4 million directly supporting Hernandez.
President Donald Trump denied reports of a U.S. munitions shortage amid ongoing military operations, asserting that the U.S. has "massive amounts of 'munitions'" and that significant manufacturing is underway. According to estimates from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the U.S. had between 759 and 827 Patriot missiles remaining by the end of July, a reduction of about one-third from 2,330 before the conflict, and has used around 60% of its terminal high altitude area defense missiles. As the U.S. grapples with military supply demands related to both the conflict with Iran and aid to Ukraine, Trump emphasized confidence in the military stockpile, claiming the U.S. possesses "far more munitions than anyone in the world."
At least 345 people across 27 US states have fallen ill due to a salmonella strain linked to jalapeno peppers sourced from a grower in Sinaloa, Mexico, with 36 hospitalizations reported but no fatalities. Most cases have occurred in Minnesota and Colorado, prompting Coast Citrus Distributors to recall the jalapenos and notify affected customers, including restaurant chains Chipotle and Qdoba, which have since removed the product from their locations. The CDC noted that salmonella triggers approximately 1.35 million infections annually in the US, and ongoing investigations by the FDA may lead to further recalls if jalapenos were distributed to grocery stores.
At least 100 people have died during mass migrant crossings from Morocco into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta, where between 3,000 and 5,000 undocumented migrants still remain. In total, around 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta in one of the largest surges into EU territory in recent years, with this influx nearly equal to the enclave's population of over 80,000. Local officials described the situation as a humanitarian emergency, citing overwhelmed reception centers and a lack of adequate security and resources to manage the crisis.
Academics at the University of Cambridge are demanding an independent inquiry into the appointment of Jason Arday, a 37-year-old professor of sociology of education, who resigned after allegations of plagiarism and exaggerating his academic credentials surfaced. Concerns have been raised about the university’s decision-making processes, with professors calling the situation a "grotesque racism" that harms both the individual and the broader field of critical race studies. Arday, who is set to publish a memoir with Simon & Schuster for $1.4 million, faced scrutiny over his appointment amid claims that it was intended to quickly boost the university's diversity efforts.
Israeli prosecutors have charged settler Yinon Levy with reckless manslaughter for the July 2025 shooting of Palestinian activist Odeh Hathaleen, marking the first indictment in nearly three years for Israeli killings of Palestinians in the West Bank. The indictment comes amid rising violence, with the UN reporting at least 1,110 Palestinian fatalities and 41 Israeli deaths in the region since the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel. Levy, who has denied the allegations and faces additional charges of armed trespassing and malicious property damage, described the prosecution as a mistaken decision and claimed he acted in self-defense.
A recent poll conducted by The Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 66 percent of Americans believe climate change is happening, down from 73 percent in September 2025, while 30 percent reported that extreme heat has a “major impact” on their outdoor activities, an increase from 21 percent in 2024. The survey, which included 1,165 participants, also revealed that 81 percent of Americans felt their electricity bills were affected by extreme heat over the last year, rising from 69 percent a year prior. Climatologists noted that around 60 percent of the U.S. is in a state of drought, with 20 percent facing extreme drought conditions, potentially impacting agriculture and public infrastructure.