Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett testified before House lawmakers, emphasizing the need for increased security, highlighting that each justice is assigned "between four and eight members of the security detail." Barrett recounted her experience with heightened security since the 2022 Dobbs decision leak, including instances involving a bulletproof vest and a swatting incident at her home, underscoring the personal risks faced by justices. Lawmakers, including Democrat Steny Hoyer and Rosa DeLauro, stressed the importance of adequate funding for judicial security and more transparency regarding justices' financial disclosures and ethical conduct following scrutiny of Justice Clarence Thomas.
Nallely Arenas, a lawyer in Mexico, co-founded the Cancha Violeta football organization to create safe spaces for youth affected by gender violence and cartel activity. Her daughter, Karol, trains with the team in hopes of competing in the upcoming Street Child World Cup. The documentary "Mexico: Football Without Fear" highlights Nallely's efforts to protect her daughter and address the harsh realities of gender violence in the country.
Billionaire Warren Buffett has decided to omit Bill Gates' foundation from his annual donations this year, following disclosures of Gates' ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, despite Gates denying any wrongdoing. Buffett plans to donate approximately $6 billion in total, with about $4.5 billion allocated to the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation and $500 million each to the Sherwood, Howard G. Buffett, and Novo Foundations, while stating his remaining Berkshire Hathaway stock, valued at over $140 billion, will be donated to charity by the end of 2034. Once close friends, Buffett and Gates have not communicated for months, and Buffett's latest decision indicates a shift in his philanthropic strategy, accelerating plans to grant full control of his estate to his children after his death.
Mexico has filed complaints with state prosecutors in the U.S. regarding the deaths of 17 Mexican citizens linked to immigration enforcement since President Trump returned to office in January last year. The Mexican government has also sent cease-and-desist letters to U.S. detention centers, notably the Adelanto center in California, where four Mexican nationals have died, addressing issues such as delays in medical care. Additionally, Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco Alvarez has reached out to the UN for an investigation into whether the deaths align with U.S. international obligations, emphasizing the need to raise awareness about these human rights violations.
An Israeli drone attack on a police station in Jabalia camp, northern Gaza, on July 14, 2026, resulted in at least eight fatalities, including six police personnel and a female officer, with local officials describing it as a "horrific massacre." The attack is part of ongoing Israeli strikes in Gaza, which have collectively resulted in at least 73,233 deaths and 173,707 injuries since the conflict escalated on October 7, 2023; at least 1,110 of these deaths occurred after a truce that was supposed to be in effect. Additionally, a separate attack in Khan Younis on the same day claimed the life of a 10-year-old child, bringing the daily death toll in the enclave to 11.
Carl McDaniel, a 65-year-old grandfather, was charged by a 2,000lb bull bison at Yellowstone National Park, resulting in him being flipped 8 feet in the air and breaking his femur in four places. Despite the severity of the attack, which left him with severe bruising and required surgery, McDaniel believes the bison spared his life by not goring him, stating, “it was not as catastrophic as it could have been.” The incident, witnessed and filmed by bystanders, occurred while McDaniel and his 13-year-old grandson were approximately 100 yards away from the bison, which was thought to be calm before charging at them unexpectedly.
More than 158,000 fake football shirts, valued at approximately £5.5 million, were seized in one of the UK's largest counterfeiting raids, targeting illicit merchandise related to World Cup teams like England, France, and Spain. The operation, conducted by Edinburgh’s trading standards team in collaboration with Police Scotland, uncovered 9 tonnes of counterfeit kits that pose safety risks due to potentially harmful materials. This crackdown highlights the broader issues of organized crime linked to the counterfeit goods market, which is estimated to be worth $467 billion globally, accounting for 2.3% of international trade.
The EU has rejected claims by the Trump administration that the International Criminal Court (ICC) threatens US sovereignty, with a spokesperson asserting support for the court's role in prosecuting serious crimes like genocide and war crimes. The US government has sanctioned 11 ICC officials, including the chief prosecutor and eight judges, and threatened to pressure other nations to withdraw from the ICC while increasing scrutiny on those that do not comply. Legal experts clarified that the ICC can only investigate crimes in member states and primarily acts when those states are unwilling or unable to prosecute, emphasizing that the court does not claim jurisdiction over acts committed in the US.
A 67 million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex, nicknamed Gus, was sold for £37.4 million ($50.1 million) at a Sotheby's auction in New York, setting a record for the highest price ever paid for a dinosaur. The fossil is over 12 feet tall and consists of more than 60% of its bones, marking it as one of the most complete specimens found; excavation took three summers from 2021 to 2023, followed by three years of lab work. While the winning bidder remains undisclosed, this record-breaking sale may signal a new trend in ultra-wealthy fossil collecting, similar to previous auctions.
Keir Starmer has become the first UK prime minister to be awarded the Légion d’honneur by a French president, Emmanuel Macron, recognizing his leadership in forming the coalition of the willing, which includes over 30 countries committed to supporting Ukraine, during a critical moment for Europe in early 2025. Macron praised Starmer for his "historic role" and personal leadership, emphasizing the importance of close cooperation on European security. Starmer's tenure saw continuous support for Ukraine following Russia's invasion in February 2022, with successive British prime ministers providing military and humanitarian aid and placing sanctions on Russia.
At least 12 detainees at a federal immigration jail in Aurora, Colorado, have contracted tuberculosis (TB), leading to the quarantine of dozens more, with testing of 88 detainees revealing a sharp increase from one positive case three days prior. Conditions have worsened as the air conditioning broke down amid a heat advisory, with temperatures reaching 96°F (36°C), resulting in detainees enduring isolation without proper cooling. The center, which has a capacity of 1,532, has faced ongoing health concerns, including a previous TB outbreak in April of the prior year, highlighting continuing issues in federal detention facilities overseen by private contractors.
The T. rex fossil nicknamed Gus sold for $50.1 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York, setting the record for the most valuable dinosaur fossil ever sold, significantly exceeding its pre-sale estimate of $20 million to $30 million. Gus, excavated in South Dakota and evaluated as one of the largest and most complete T. rex skeletons, comprises 183 fossil bone elements and is approximately 61% complete by bone count, with a body length of around 38 feet and standing 3.8 meters tall. Concerns have been raised by paleontologists about the impact of such high-value sales on scientific research, as private ownership may limit access to fossils that could otherwise provide insights into dinosaur biology and behavior.
Rapper Boosie Badazz is seeking a $300,000 refund from JM Burkman & Associates after they failed to secure a pardon from Donald Trump for his 2023 weapon possession conviction, despite Boosie paying the firm $600,000 for their services. The legal dispute centers around whether the firm has a contractual obligation to return half of the fee since they claim there was no agreement for a partial refund. Boosie, who received a sentence of three years of supervised release, 300 hours of community service, and a $50,000 fine for his conviction, alleged that the lobbyists misled him about the status of the pardon application.
A leading Houthi official has threatened a "siege" on Saudi Arabia in retaliation for an attack on Sanaa International Airport, which they attribute to Saudi forces, while the Yemeni government claims responsibility to prevent an Iranian plane's landing. Mohammed al-Bukhaiti stated that any aggression towards Sanaa Airport grants the Houthis the right to retaliate, and an ongoing escalation could disrupt the truce established four years ago, marked by clashes earlier in July. The situation raises concerns over the potential closure of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, crucial for global shipping, amid fears that continued hostilities could further destabilize the region.
E. Jean Carroll has received $5.6 million in damages from Donald Trump after a Manhattan federal court released the funds, which had been held in an escrow account. This payment stems from a 2023 trial in which a jury found Trump liable for sexually assaulting and defaming Carroll, with the court ordering the release of the funds on July 9, following the Supreme Court's denial of Trump's appeal request on June 29. Additionally, in a separate trial, Carroll was awarded $83.3 million for defamatory comments made by Trump while he was president, linked to claims of a sexual assault she alleges occurred around three decades ago.
The number of young Germans applying for conscientious objector status has surged, with 5,862 applications submitted in the first half of 2026, surpassing last year's total of 3,879. This increase is attributed to concerns about military involvement amid Germany's push for a stronger army under the "conscription lite" policy, aiming for 260,000 active volunteer soldiers by 2035. Despite this rise, some individuals are also reversing their conscientious objector status, with 233 opting to waive their right in the first quarter of 2026, compared to 781 in all of 2025.
Kash Patel presented a 3D-printed imitation pistol as a gift to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) during his visit last year, which was initially "displayed proudly" by then-commissioner Reece Kershaw. However, after Krissy Barrett became the new AFP commissioner in October 2025, she ordered the destruction of the replica, which was deemed an inoperable imitation pistol by the AFP's forensic firearms team. This incident parallels a similar occurrence in New Zealand, where three replica pistols given by Patel also had to be destroyed under the country’s gun laws.
David Penman privately prosecuted five councillors in the Hepburn Shire Council, resulting in only two of seven councillors being able to serve, as any councillor facing a criminal charge must step down under the Local Government Act 2020. Most allegations revolve around the council's unlawful adoption of its budget without necessary financial documents, leading to disruptions in council decision-making and operations, although daily functions remain unaffected. The Victorian government is considering amendments to the law to prevent such situations from arising in the future, whereby only councillors facing charges laid by police would need to step down, leaving those facing private prosecutions unaffected.
A man in his 40s pleaded guilty to 32 sexual offences, including 12 counts of rape, 14 counts of assault by penetration, and six counts of sexual assault, committed against his girlfriend over a period of 12 years between January 2014 and September last year, with some offences recorded on his devices. The court heard that ten of these offences were committed in connection with “a person unknown,” although the number of other perpetrators involved was not specified. He faces a possible life sentence, with sentencing scheduled for September 18, after a prosecution characterized the acts as a sustained campaign of abuse against a victim who had been allegedly drugged or asleep.
As hostilities between the U.S. and Iran escalate, the conflict is exacerbating global economic vulnerabilities tied to fossil fuel dependence, leading to increasing inflation and economic strain in various regions, particularly affecting transport and energy costs. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has noted that at least 46 countries have implemented emergency measures in response to rising fuel prices, while the World Food Programme estimates that 45 million people may face acute hunger due to higher prices of oil, gas, and fertilizers. During the first month of the conflict, the world's 100 largest oil and gas companies reportedly earned over $30 million an hour in windfall profits, highlighting the cyclical nature of economic disruptions caused by reliance on fossil fuels.
Moroccan-American referee Ismail Elfath is set to officiate the FIFA World Cup semifinal between England and Argentina on July 14, 2026, marking his fourth match in the tournament. Over his previous three matches, Elfath issued a total of seven yellow cards and one red card, showcasing his active role in the games. This 2026 World Cup marks Elfath's second appearance at the tournament, and he is one of eight referees from the US participating.
Before international artists can perform in the U.S., they must navigate a complex visa process that requires filing a detailed petition, which can take over a year. Average processing times have drastically increased, with P visa petitions now averaging 11.5 months, and O-1 visa petitions for individuals of "extraordinary ability" taking just over a year. Due to backlogs and heightened scrutiny, arts advocates warn that the U.S. is becoming increasingly challenging for foreign artists, potentially leading to a decline in global cultural exchange.
Inflation slowed to 3.5% in June, down from 4.2% in May, primarily due to a drop in energy prices, with gas prices falling 71 cents from their peak in May. Despite the reprieve, analysts warn that tensions with Iran and reinstated U.S. blockades could trigger a spike in energy prices, potentially bringing the national average for gas back up to $4.00 soon. Core inflation, excluding food and energy, was 2.6% for the year ending in June, prompting speculation on potential interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve.
The UK Covid inquiry report, led by Judge Heather Hallett, concluded that the Johnson government wasted approximately £10 billion on personal protective equipment (PPE) during the pandemic, with a total expenditure of nearly £15 billion. The inquiry highlighted a "catastrophic failure" in preparedness that resulted in inadequate PPE for health and social care workers, contributing to the deaths of many, including the families of those advocating for justice, who have united into a group of 7,000 members. Additionally, the report confirmed the controversial "VIP lane" system, which prioritized contracts for companies with government connections, leading to £4.2 billion being allocated to those firms.
New York has become the first state in the U.S. to impose a one-year moratorium on new "hyperscale" AI datacenters, defined as having an electrical capacity of over 50 megawatts, following an executive order from Governor Kathy Hochul. The decision aims to address concerns over rising utility bills, resource depletion, and environmental impacts, as a recent Heatmap poll indicated that nearly 75% of Americans oppose nearby datacenter projects. Additionally, a Siena Research Institute poll revealed that 46% of New Yorkers believe the moratorium would be beneficial for the state, alongside existing legislative efforts for environmental impact assessments and energy efficiency standards.
Nine European nations, including Estonia, Denmark, and Poland, have requested the European Union to cut funding to international sports bodies, like the IOC, that allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete. This collective effort aims to leverage EU financial support against these bodies in response to the ongoing conflict caused by Russia’s war on Ukraine. The proposal emphasizes respect for human rights and calls for actions that recognize the challenges faced by Ukrainian athletes, while suggesting restrictions on noncompliant organizations' involvement in EU sports initiatives.
The Church of England has voted against a plan to rewild 30% of its 425,000 hectares (105,000 acres) of land by 2030, currently only 3.5% of which is used for nature restoration. Instead of committing to the target, the church's assembly passed a separate amendment that includes six alternative steps without measurable rewilding goals. Critics argue that the church has missed the chance for moral leadership, especially as 190 countries, including the UK, are committed to the "30by30" initiative, while only 7% of land in England currently meets the target criteria.
President Trump announced plans to restart a naval blockade of Iran and impose a 20 percent toll on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to establish the U.S. as the "guardian" of this crucial waterway. Analysts note that the proposal lacks practical enforcement mechanisms and may inadvertently support Iran's claims of control over the strait, creating confusion for commercial shipping. With shipping companies facing risks from both U.S. and Iranian actions, they will likely adapt to conditions imposed by whoever can actually ensure their safety, increasing uncertainty in the region.
On July 14, 2026, the leaders of nine European nations and Ukraine convened in Paris to establish the Integrated Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition aimed at creating a unified missile defense system in Europe, highlighting the continent's vulnerability to Russian missile threats. The coalition, composed of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the UK, and Ukraine, comes in the wake of increased ballistic missile attacks on Ukraine, necessitating a more reliable defense framework than what is currently available. Notably absent from the coalition are Poland, the Baltic states, Finland, and the United States, emphasizing the urgency for Europe to develop its own defense capabilities rather than relying on foreign systems, which have proven costly and insufficient.
A study from the Growing Up in Australia report reveals that nearly 75% of young Australians feel "quite a bit" or "very concerned" about housing affordability, surpassing their anxieties about climate change (41%) and job prospects (40%). The survey, which tracked around 10,000 children since 2004, highlights a significant distrust in the political system, with only 15% of respondents expressing "a lot of trust" in politicians and just 11% believing the political system allows for a "meaningful say" in decisions. Despite their concerns, over 80% of the 1,796 respondents have engaged in civic actions like signing online petitions, indicating active participation in public debate.