In other news

The article profiles Chris Allred, a lifelong Arkansan who staunchly opposes illegal immigration yet marries Gely, an Ecuadorean woman in the U.S. without legal status. Shaped by his father’s job losses and a belief that undocumented immigrants strain public resources, Allred voted for Trump largely for immigration enforcement. After personal tragedies and newfound stability, he meets Gely via a dating app, falls quickly in love, and marries her. Her work ethic, entrepreneurship, and avoidance of public benefits challenge his stereotypes, exposing the tension between abstract policy views and lived relationships. Former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson notes this broader dynamic: support for strict enforcement often softens when it affects familiar, sympathetic people. Allred acknowledges he is “a walking contradiction” and seeks legal help for his wife’s status, illustrating the complexities and human nuances within America’s immigration debate.

Two crew members were killed and two injured when small boats attacked the Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated cargo ship Eternity C in the Red Sea near Yemen, the second such incident in a week. The assault followed a Houthi-claimed attack that severely damaged another Liberian-flagged ship, Magic Seas, whose 22 crew were rescued. While the Houthis did not claim the Eternity C attack, the U.S. Embassy in Yemen blamed them, saying they threaten freedom of navigation. The renewed violence undermines a May truce announced by President Trump, which lacked clear terms and did not elicit a full Houthi cease-fire; the group says it will keep targeting Israel-linked shipping until the Gaza blockade ends. The Red Sea attacks continue to disrupt global trade routes to the Suez Canal.

California’s High-Speed Rail Authority strongly contested the Trump administration’s move to revoke $4 billion in federal grants, calling the decision politically motivated and based on outdated, flawed analysis. The U.S. Transportation Department argued the project faces cost overruns, reduced ridership forecasts, missed deadlines, and no viable path to meet a 2033 initial-operations deadline. California countered that it is in compliance, has completed 59% of the initial 119-mile Central Valley segment’s structures and rail bed, finished environmental reviews from the Bay Area to Southern California, and built electrified infrastructure between San Francisco and San Jose. Despite total system costs now projected up to $128 billion and a $7 billion shortfall for the Central Valley segment (costing up to $35 billion), the state cites ongoing cap-and-trade revenues and prior Biden-era support as evidence of progress. Revoking funds would likely trigger years of litigation and jeopardize Governor Newsom’s goal of opening Merced–Bakersfield service, potentially even hindering completion of the 119-mile stretch now under construction. Federal officials will review California’s response before making a final decision.

Federal agents, joined by National Guard troops, staged a large, militarized immigration enforcement operation in Los Angeles’s MacArthur Park, alarming residents and drawing sharp condemnation from local leaders. Mayor Karen Bass likened the show of force—armored vehicles, helicopters, agents in fatigues, and camera crews—to an “armed occupation,” while Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized the federalization of the Guard and is contesting it in court. DHS offered few specifics, calling it an ongoing operation; a CBP chief vowed such displays would become “normal.” Community groups reported guns pointed at healthcare workers, and local businesses and families—already rattled by weeks of raids—described widespread fear and economic fallout. After Bass intervened on site, agents left the park, but officials warned similar operations may continue.

The article describes how an increasingly insular inner circle shaped the final phase of Joe Biden’s political career, especially after his disastrous June 2024 debate. Aides tightly controlled access, shielding him from grim polling and critical voices, including allies like Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Chris Coons. Campaign pollsters were barred from briefing Biden directly and were rebuked for concluding he had no path to victory. Senior staff, believing Biden wasn’t getting the truth, tried indirect routes—like “Morning Joe”—to reach him. This protective bubble, led by longtime advisers Steve Ricchetti and Mike Donilon, contributed to a warped sense of reality and delayed Biden’s decision to end his reelection bid by 24 days. The piece opens with the author’s brief phone interview with Biden—quickly cut off by aides who then changed his number—illustrating the extraordinary gatekeeping around him.

The I.R.S. moved to allow churches and other houses of worship to endorse political candidates to their congregations without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status, carving out a religious exemption to the Johnson Amendment’s ban on nonprofit campaigning. In a court filing settling a lawsuit by two Texas churches and a Christian broadcasters’ group, the agency said such endorsements, delivered through usual religious channels during services, would be treated as private communications akin to family discussions. Experts say the shift formalizes a long-tolerated practice and could spur increased politicking in churches, while critics warn it could open new avenues for tax-deductible political influence. The filing asks a federal judge to bar current and future administrations from enforcing the ban against the plaintiffs; questions remain about how far the exemption extends, especially for online communications that reach beyond congregants.

The article profiles Laura Loomer’s growing influence and disruptive role in President Trump’s second-term White House. Once a fringe provocateur known for Islamophobic rhetoric and conspiracy claims, Loomer has gained direct access to Trump, who praises her publicly and calls her frequently. In April, after presenting a dossier accusing National Security Council staffers of disloyalty, Trump ordered multiple firings, showcasing her ability to shape personnel decisions. While aides view her as toxic and unpredictable—blocking her from a VIP interaction at the Kennedy Center—they tread carefully due to her sway with the president and her large online following. Loomer frames herself as Trump’s ultimate loyalist and power broker, denies accusations of conspiracy-mongering and misogynistic smears, and continues to use social media to attack perceived enemies, reflecting Trump’s openness to hardline voices and intensifying internal West Wing tensions.

French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to the U.K. pairs royal pageantry with efforts to reset Franco-British cooperation after Brexit and amid global uncertainty. Macron and Prime Minister Keir Starmer aim to tighten joint action on small-boat Channel crossings—potentially via a limited “one-in, one-out” returns arrangement, though broader EU sensitivities may curb ambitions. They will also bolster support for Ukraine, advancing a European “coalition of the willing” and discussing deterrence—including nuclear assurances—as U.S. reliability wanes following halted American arms deliveries to Kyiv. While their tactics toward President Trump differ, both leaders see shared interest in leading Europe’s security response and signaling renewed alignment between Europe’s two nuclear powers.

A federal judge in Massachusetts granted Planned Parenthood a 14-day temporary injunction allowing its clinics to keep receiving Medicaid reimbursements for non-abortion services after the group sued the Trump administration over a new law. The law bars nonprofit providers that performed abortions and received at least $800,000 in Medicaid payments in 2023 from getting any Medicaid funds for other care, a threshold that largely targets Planned Parenthood affiliates while sparing smaller independent clinics. Planned Parenthood argues the measure is an unconstitutional, speech-based attack on the organization and its advocacy, violating the First Amendment. The group warns the law would force service cuts, layoffs, and clinic closures; HHS did not comment. The case could also hinge on whether specific affiliates, such as Utah’s, fall below the $800,000 threshold and are exempt.

The Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to proceed with plans to significantly shrink the federal workforce and reorganize agencies, lifting lower-court blocks while litigation continues. The unsigned order suggested the government is likely to prevail on the legality of Trump’s executive order but did not endorse specific layoffs. Justice Sonia Sotomayor concurred in result but emphasized that trial courts can still assess specific actions; Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented sharply, warning of major real-world consequences and judicial overreach. The decision enables immediate moves, including layoffs at agencies like State, HUD, and Treasury, despite ongoing challenges arguing such restructuring requires congressional approval. This is the latest in a series of emergency Supreme Court rulings favoring the administration’s rapid government overhaul.

France will loan the Bayeux Tapestry to the British Museum, bringing the 11th-century embroidery to England for the first time from September 2026 to July 2027. Announced during President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit, the loan highlights Franco-British ties and offers UK audiences a rare chance to view the 230-foot work depicting the 1066 Norman Conquest and the Battle of Hastings, likely commissioned by Bishop Odo and possibly made in England. The move follows years of conservation planning and will be reciprocated with British loans to Normandy, including the Lewis Chessmen and Sutton Hoo artifacts. Observers see the exchange as a sign of a more collaborative era for the British Museum amid broader debates over cultural repatriation.

The Trump administration has reversed its plan to rewrite and delay the Biden-era ban on chrysotile (“white”) asbestos, notifying a federal appeals court it will not pursue changes. The 2024 EPA ban—targeting imports, manufacture, and use of the last asbestos type still used in the U.S.—remains in place, though some manufacturers retain phaseout periods of up to 12 years. The EPA said it still disagrees with parts of the policy but opted against a lengthy rulemaking and will instead pursue immediate actions to bolster worker protections. Health advocates welcomed the reversal, while the ban continues to face an industry court challenge. Asbestos exposure is linked to an estimated 40,000 U.S. deaths annually.

The Trump administration pursued two conflicting tracks to free Americans and Venezuelan political prisoners held in Venezuela: a State Department plan led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to swap roughly 250 Venezuelan migrants detained in El Salvador for 11 Americans and about 80 Venezuelan political prisoners, and a separate effort by envoy Richard Grenell offering Venezuela an extension of Chevron’s oil operations in exchange for American detainees. Poor coordination and mixed signals—compounded by political resistance to easing oil sanctions—derailed the swap, leaving both the Americans and Venezuelans still imprisoned and the migrants still held in El Salvador’s maximum-security facility. The U.S. has paid El Salvador to detain the migrants, whom it labels gang members, a claim their lawyers dispute. While the migrant-for-prisoners deal remains on the table, the White House has not extended Chevron’s license. Families of detainees criticized the disjointed U.S. approach, and Grenell separately secured the release of one American veteran during the same period.

The Department of Veterans Affairs abandoned a plan to cut over 80,000 jobs and will instead reduce about 30,000 positions by the end of September, primarily through early retirement, severance, and normal attrition. With 17,000 employees already departed, the workforce will fall from roughly 484,000 to 455,000. VA Secretary Doug Collins said a formal reduction in force is off the table and asserted services will not be disrupted, citing safeguards. The department, which expanded rapidly after a Biden-era law broadened veterans’ benefits, says it is continuing to reduce a claims backlog while maintaining its health care, research, and benefits programs.

- Swiss authorities approved the first malaria treatment specifically formulated for newborns and very young children under 4.5 kg (about 10 lb), closing a longstanding treatment gap. - The Novartis drug, Coartem Baby (Riamet Baby in some countries), will be introduced largely not-for-profit and is expected to roll out in several high-burden African nations within weeks. - The approval follows collaboration with Medicines for Malaria Venture and trials involving eight African countries. - Malaria caused about 597,000 deaths in 2023, mostly in Africa; roughly three-quarters were children under five. The new infant-appropriate dosing aims to reduce risks from using older-child formulations and improve survival among the most vulnerable.

Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki on Flores erupted again, sending ash up to 18 km high and prompting the highest alert level. Authorities expanded the exclusion zone to 7 km and warned of lahar risks. Over 4,000 residents have evacuated; those remaining face shortages of water, food, and masks amid ash contamination concerns. At least 24 flights to and from Bali were canceled Monday, with some resuming Tuesday. The volcano erupted multiple times between Monday and early Tuesday, with no reported casualties. Indonesia lies on the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire.

Bruno, a seven-year-old Italian bloodhound celebrated for finding nine missing people and honored by the prime minister, was killed after eating nail-filled sausages thrown into his kennel at a search and rescue center in Taranto, Puglia. Trainer Arcangelo Caressa, who reported prior death threats, suspects revenge linked to Bruno’s role in dismantling dog-fighting rings and says he knows the culprits. Authorities have opened an investigation. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the “vile” act, and MP Michela Vittoria Brambilla urged applying Italy’s strengthened law against animal torture, which carries up to four years in prison and a €60,000 fine.

King Charles III’s state visit hosting French President Emmanuel Macron aims to reset and deepen UK–France ties after years of post-Brexit friction. Beyond pageantry in Windsor and Westminster, the trip includes a UK–France summit with PM Keir Starmer focused on a migrant returns deal and sustaining military support for Ukraine. Both countries seek to modernize the Lancaster House defense pact and align more closely amid European security challenges and uncertainty over US policy. Charles, a longtime francophile with deep diplomatic experience, is seen as an active soft-power player helping to rebuild trust, complementing warming political relations. While memories of Brexit-era tensions linger, shared strategic needs—Russia’s war, European defense, and managing a potential Trump presidency—are driving the rapprochement.

The conviction of Erin Patterson for murdering three relatives with death cap mushrooms and attempting to murder a fourth has left the interconnected towns of Korumburra, Outtrim, Leongatha, and Morwell in shock and fatigue. Korumburra mourns beloved community figures Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson, while residents avoid discussing the case amid intense global attention. Outtrim locals grapple with claims toxic fungi were foraged from their gardens, and Leongatha residents are wearied by constant onlookers at Patterson’s now-empty home. In Morwell, the trial brought unusual media influx and business to a struggling town, but also revived distrust in local justice systems. Community leaders emphasize the lasting grief and disruption, lamenting how a tragic crime became pop culture, while also highlighting moments of community solidarity.

Twelve Turkish soldiers died and seven others were hospitalized after exposure to methane gas in a cave during a search-and-clear operation in northern Iraq. They were searching for the remains of a soldier killed in May 2022 during Operation Claw Lock against the PKK. The cause of the high methane concentration is unclear. A farewell ceremony was held in Hakkari, and the bodies were returned to their hometowns. The incident comes as the PKK, long in conflict with Turkey and designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the EU, UK, and US, has announced a ceasefire and plans to disband, with some fighters set to lay down arms in Iraqi Kurdistan.

At least 11 people were killed and 567 arrested during Saba Saba anniversary protests in Kenya, as police sealed central Nairobi with checkpoints, razor wire, tear gas, and water cannon. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights accused police of excessive force, plainclothes operations, collaboration with armed gangs, and reported abductions; police praised their restraint and said 52 officers and 11 civilians were injured. Demonstrations led by Gen-Z activists over governance and police brutality spread to at least 17 counties, with incidents of arson and shootings reported. Major roads were blocked, stranding commuters and long-distance travelers. Opposition leader Raila Odinga condemned police but canceled an appearance due to roadblocks. The unrest follows deadly protests in June and reflects Saba Saba’s legacy of civic resistance in Kenya.

KwaZulu-Natal police chief Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi publicly accused South Africa’s Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of links to criminal gangs, meddling in probes of political killings, and receiving financial support from a controversial businessman, Vusimuzi Matlala. He alleged Mchunu orchestrated the disbandment of a 2018 task force investigating politically motivated murders after it uncovered ties between high-profile figures and a drug cartel, and that 121 case dockets were removed to head office without further work, despite pending arrests. Mchunu denied the “wild allegations,” while President Cyril Ramaphosa called them a grave national security concern warranting top priority. The claims come amid turmoil in police intelligence, including the recent arrest of crime intelligence chief Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo on fraud and corruption allegations.

US President Donald Trump called Brazil’s prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro a “witch hunt,” urging authorities to drop the case. Bolsonaro, on trial for allegedly attempting a coup after Lula da Silva’s election victory, denies involvement and thanked Trump, calling it political persecution. Lula rebuked Trump, insisting Brazil’s judiciary and sovereignty be respected and that no one is above the law. Brazilian officials also criticized Trump’s remarks. The exchange occurred as Lula hosted a BRICS summit, amid Trump’s threats of tariffs on countries aligned with the bloc. Bolsonaro, barred from office until 2030 for spreading election-fraud claims, could face decades in prison if convicted.

The US plans to remove Syria’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly al-Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate, from its foreign terrorist organizations list, per a State Department memo. The move follows a December rebel offensive led by HTS that toppled the Assad regime, with HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (Abu Mohammed al-Jolani) now serving as interim president. It comes amid a broader Western reset with Syria: President Trump recently ended US sanctions, contingent on steps toward stability, ties with Israel, and curbing terrorism; the UK lifted some sanctions and announced £94.5m in support, with Foreign Secretary David Lammy visiting Damascus. Syria says the shifts will aid economic recovery, but concerns persist over the new government’s centralization, limited female representation, and rising sectarian violence, including attacks on Alawite and Druze communities and a church bombing in Damascus.

Twelve Turkish soldiers died from methane gas exposure while searching a cave in northern Iraq for the remains of a comrade killed by PKK militants in 2022. Nineteen troops were affected; five died Sunday and seven Monday, with the rest hospitalized. The incident occurred in the Claw-Lock Operation area, where Turkey has long targeted the PKK. The cave, previously used by the PKK as a field hospital, sits at about 2,795 feet. Turkish defense leaders traveled to the region, and the fallen soldiers’ bodies were returned to their hometowns. The origin of the methane was not explained. The deaths came amid ongoing talks with jailed PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan and the PKK’s declared move toward disarmament.

An Australian jury found Erin Patterson guilty of murdering three relatives—her former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson—by serving them beef Wellington containing deadly death cap mushrooms at a 2023 lunch. She was also convicted of attempting to murder Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, who survived. While it was undisputed that Patterson served the meal and that the mushrooms caused the deaths, the trial centered on whether she knowingly included the toxic fungi and intended harm. Jurors rejected her claim it was an accident involving foraged mushrooms. Prosecutors cited strained family relations but did not present a clear motive. Patterson faces life in prison; sentencing is pending. The high-profile case, marked by intense media scrutiny, examined her actions in detail, including sending her children out during the lunch, adding dried mushrooms, avoiding severe illness herself, and disposing of a food dehydrator.

A male lion named Zeus escaped from the Land of Lions zoo in Manavgat, Turkey, and attacked a 53-year-old farmer sleeping outdoors after irrigating pistachio trees. Police responding to the commotion scared the lion off by firing into the air; the farmer sustained head, shoulder, and leg injuries and was hospitalized. Authorities later located and killed the lion in nearby woods. The zoo, which claims to house over 30 lions, offered no immediate comment as an investigation into the escape began. The incident follows a separate recent pet lion attack in Pakistan.

A hiker fell 26 feet into a crevasse on Switzerland’s Fee Glacier and used a walkie-talkie to call for help, but rescuers initially couldn’t find him on the vast, featureless ice. An Air Zermatt team finally spotted his long-haired Chihuahua perched beside the barely visible hole, pinpointing the location. Rescuers abseiled down and saved the man, crediting the dog’s steadfast presence and behavior with significantly aiding the successful rescue.

Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki on Flores Island erupted twice on July 7, sending ash columns up to 11 miles high, triggering ash fall that darkened skies over nearby villages and prompting at least 24 international flight cancellations and additional delays. No casualties were reported. Authorities maintained the highest alert, expanded the exclusion zone to about 4.3 miles, and warned of potential lava floods with heavy rain. Drone observations showed lava filling the crater and pyroclastic flows reached up to 3 miles down the slopes. The eruptions, linked to magma blockage and pressure buildup, were among Indonesia’s largest since 2010 and affected routes involving Bali, Australia, Singapore, and South Korea.

A city council secretary in Apaseo el Grande, Guanajuato, Ignacio Alejandro Roaro, was shot dead when a gunman stormed a sports hall during an amateur basketball game attended by families. Local media reported an arrest. The killing underscores Guanajuato’s status as Mexico’s deadliest state, driven by turf wars between the Santa Rosa de Lima gang and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The state recorded over 3,000 murders last year and has seen a string of mass killings in 2024, reflecting the broader national toll of drug-related violence since 2006.

Researchers identified North America’s oldest known pterosaur from a fragile jawbone found in Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park, dating to 209.2 million years ago. Named Eotephradactylus mcintireae (“ash-winged dawn goddess”) after volunteer discoverer Suzanne McIntire, the small, seagull-sized flying reptile helps fill a key gap in the late Triassic fossil record before the end-Triassic extinction. The precise dating was enabled by volcanic ash layers. The Smithsonian-led study also reported other late Triassic fossils from the site, including one of the world’s oldest turtles, giant amphibians, and armored crocodile relatives.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport cleared French Olympic fencer Ysaora Thibus of a doping violation, accepting evidence that she was inadvertently contaminated with the banned substance ostarine through kissing her partner, U.S. fencer Race Imboden, over nine days in January 2024. CAS dismissed the World Anti-Doping Agency’s appeal seeking a four-year ban, affirming that saliva transfer at the partner’s intake levels could cause detectable contamination. Thibus, previously cleared by the International Fencing Federation and allowed to compete at the Paris Olympics, finished fifth in team foil and 28th individually. The ruling echoes Richard Gasquet’s 2009 “cocaine kiss” case.

Rep. Tom Suozzi criticized Republicans’ sweeping tax-and-health bill as a “big, ugly bill,” warning it would massively increase the deficit, fuel inflation, keep interest rates high, and strip Medicaid/ACA coverage from vulnerable Americans, while giving unnecessary tax breaks to the wealthy. He supports parts that fund border security and aid lower- and middle-income taxpayers but says the harmful provisions outweigh benefits. On politics, Suozzi argued Zohran Mamdani’s NYC primary win reflects the same economic anxiety Donald Trump taps: voters doubt the economy works for them. He urged Democrats to center an economic security message—affordability, jobs, taxes, immigration, crime, health care—and to improve communication across fragmented media ecosystems (social media, podcasts, ethnic/closed-network apps), where right-leaning voices dominate.

The U.S. State Department will remove the terrorist designation for Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), effective Tuesday, citing “positive actions” by Syria’s new government led by HTS’s former leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, who became president after toppling the Assad regime. Secretary of State Marco Rubio pointed to HTS’s planned disbandment and the government’s commitment to combating terrorism. The move follows President Trump’s decision to lift longstanding U.S. sanctions on Syria and his meeting with al-Sharaa. While HTS has distanced itself from al Qaeda since 2016, its history as Jabhat al-Nusra and al-Sharaa’s insurgent past have prompted skepticism among observers.

- China’s Civil Aviation Administration activated W121, the last of three branches off the M503 flight path near the Taiwan Strait’s median line, without consulting Taipei. - The M503 route runs as close as 4.2 nautical miles from the unofficial median line and skirts airspace near two sensitive Taiwan-administered offshore islands. - Beijing says the move eases air traffic congestion and improves safety, citing benefits to cross-strait flight operations and exchanges. - Taiwan defense experts and lawmakers warn the change heightens risks of miscalculation and tensions in an already crowded and sensitive air corridor.

Chinese students are increasingly considering Singapore over the US for higher education due to cultural fit, safety concerns, and rising challenges for international students in America. Singapore’s top universities are courting Chinese applicants with Mandarin-taught programs and WeChat-based support, alongside attractive factors like a familiar cultural environment, Chinese cuisine, warm climate, and an open, stable economy. With over 73,000 international students in 2023 and many from China, industry observers expect a short-term rise in Chinese applications to Singapore amid US uncertainty.

China has expanded the southbound Bond Connect to allow mainland securities firms, fund managers, insurers, and wealth managers—beyond just banks—to invest in offshore bonds via Hong Kong. The broadened access aims to meet rising diversification demand, widen Hong Kong’s investor base, and improve bond market liquidity, reinforcing the city’s role as an international financial centre. Existing net outflow caps remain unchanged at 20 billion yuan per day and 500 billion yuan per year. The PBOC signaled continued market opening and deeper cooperation with Hong Kong.

China’s new export controls on rare earths have accelerated global efforts to diversify supply, with projects advancing in Brazil (St George Mining), Kazakhstan (Kaz Resources/Cove Kaz Capital), Greenland (Critical Metals with US EXIM financing), and Malaysia (Lynas producing separated heavy rare earths). Despite this pushback, analysts say Beijing still holds a strong hand and is likely to lead the sector for years, as its processing capacity, established supply chains, and market dominance remain unmatched even as competitors scale up.

China is leveraging Guizhou—once among its poorest provinces—as a strategic inland hub to bolster economic security amid a renewed US-China trade war. With a 90-day truce in place, Beijing’s forthcoming Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) emphasizes fortifying the domestic economy and supply chains. Guizhou’s “strategic hinterland” push, echoing the 1960s-70s Third Line Construction, aims to build inland industrial bases, material reserves, and infrastructure, capitalizing on the province’s insulation from coastal trade shocks. Local leaders are aligning with national goals to pivot from export reliance to resilient, domestically anchored growth.

At the SCMP 2025 China Conference, experts including former commerce chief Edward Yau urged Hong Kong to evolve from a “superconnector” into a “value partner” that actively builds dependable, value-adding partnerships rather than merely facilitating links. Patrick Lau of the HKTDC noted Hong Kong’s trade resilience despite external pressures, citing an increase in the global market share of mainland exports routed through the city from 12% to about 14% even after initial tariffs.

A suspected explosive found at a construction site on Mody Road in East Tsim Sha Tsui led Hong Kong police to cordon off part of Granville Road near the Science Museum around 12:10pm. About 40 workers were evacuated as seven Explosive Ordnance Disposal officers examined the mud-covered object, which resembled a gun or cannon barrel. Preliminary checks suggest it may be a cannon barrel rather than an active bomb, and the site was not fully blocked off as it was not believed to be dangerous, though police had yet to confirm its identity.

Eleven people were killed and 29 injured in Kenya as police clashed with protesters during nationwide anti-government demonstrations on 7 July (Saba Saba). Authorities blocked major roads into Nairobi, restricted access to the city center, and used tear gas and live fire, according to witnesses. Protests—driven by anger over police brutality, poor governance, and high living costs, and calls for President William Ruto’s resignation—took place in 17 of 47 counties. The unrest follows the recent death of a blogger in police custody, a police shooting of a civilian on 17 June, and earlier deadly protests including at least 19 killed on 25 June and over 60 during 2024 anti-tax demonstrations. The government warned it would not tolerate violence, while critics say attempts to criminalize protests are unconstitutional and inflame tensions.

Bruno, an award-winning bloodhound known for finding missing people in Italy, died after eating sausages stuffed with nails thrown into his kennel in Taranto. His trainer, Arcangelo Caressa—a prominent anti-drug dog trainer and anti-dog-fighting advocate—said he believes he was the intended target and had recently received death threats. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the killing as “vile” and “cowardly.” The case has sparked national outrage and calls for prosecution under a new animal protection law that allows up to four years in prison and heavy fines for cruel animal deaths.

International experts from Colombia, Spain, the UK, Canada, and the US have joined Ireland’s ODAIT to begin a two-year excavation at the former St Mary’s Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, Co Galway, where up to 796 infants and young children who died between 1925 and 1961 are believed buried in a former sewage system. Sparked by historian Catherine Corless’s 2014 findings, the dig aims to exhume, analyze, identify where possible, and respectfully reinter remains, using advanced forensic methods (including enamel-based sex identification). The work follows a 2021 state apology after an inquiry found around 9,000 child deaths across 18 such institutions; the Bon Secours Sisters, who ran Tuam, also apologized. The fenced-off site—once a children’s playground—has been prepared by ODAIT, which calls the excavation unprecedented and complex, and is proceeding to high forensic standards in case of potential legal action.

Sky News’ investigation highlights safety and design concerns at “Alligator Alcatraz,” a rapidly built immigration detention center in Florida constructed in eight days to hold 3,000–5,000 detainees. Verified videos from the opening tour show flooding around electrical cables after a minor storm, raising questions about storm resilience as hurricane season begins. While Florida officials claim the tents can withstand Category 2 conditions, experts note the region’s hurricane risk, potential wind gusts exceeding design standards, and the unsuitability of tents during major storms. Critics also question whether adequate medical, sewage, and sanitary infrastructure can be installed so quickly, especially on Everglades terrain. The facility—costing an estimated $450m per year—is backed by the Trump administration and Florida, with plans to seek federal reimbursement, but faces a lawsuit over alleged lack of required environmental review and public input.

Ireland has begun a long-awaited two-year excavation at the former St Mary’s Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, County Galway, where an estimated 796 infants and children who died between 1925 and 1961 are believed to have been buried in chambers within a disused sewage tank. The institution, run by the Bon Secours Sisters, housed unmarried mothers amid a church-dominated social order; many children died from malnutrition and diseases common at the time. The investigation was spurred by historian Catherine Corless’s research and a 2017 confirmation of remains on site. Legal and pandemic delays stalled action after a 2018 government pledge; powers to proceed were granted by the 2022 Institutional Burials Act, and an oversight office (ODAIT) was established. The excavation—secured and monitored—will involve exhumation, forensic analysis, attempts at identification with help from international experts and religious archives, and dignified reburial, aiming to provide long-awaited closure to families while confronting a painful chapter of Ireland’s past.

Nearly 600 founders and tech figures signed an open letter urging Sequoia Capital to condemn partner Shaun Maguire’s posts on X about New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, which they called Islamophobic. The letter demands Sequoia denounce the remarks, apologize to Mamdani and Muslim founders, adopt a zero-tolerance policy on hate speech, and launch an independent review of Maguire’s behavior over the past two years, with a public response requested by July 14. Sequoia declined comment; Maguire said attempts to silence him would “embolden” him. Signatories include leaders from Careem, Vectara, Hugging Face, and Telda, as well as YC alumni. The episode highlights political divisions associated with Sequoia figures, with past leaders publicly backing opposing parties while current lead partner Roelof Botha emphasizes the firm’s neutrality and partners’ individual expression.

The Reserve Bank of Australia unexpectedly kept its cash rate at 3.85%, defying expectations for a 25-basis-point cut, citing a need for more data to confirm inflation is sustainably heading to 2.5%. Recent inflation readings are low and slightly stronger than forecast at the margin, with May CPI at 2.1% and Q1 at 2.4%. The decision drew disappointment from the treasurer, while markets saw the ASX 200 dip and the Australian dollar rise. Amid a slowing economy and weak demand, Oxford Economics said the case for a cut was strong and expects the RBA to ease in August after seeing the quarterly CPI and factoring in new tariffs.

Shein has confidentially filed for an IPO in Hong Kong to pressure U.K. regulators and revive its long-delayed London listing, the Financial Times reports. The Singapore-based, China-founded fast-fashion retailer submitted a draft prospectus to HKEX and is seeking CSRC approval after struggling for roughly 18 months to secure U.K. regulatory clearance. A London float was seen as key for global legitimacy and access to Western capital, but Shein’s listing plans have been hampered by allegations of forced labor—which it denies—and prior U.S. political pushback that shelved a New York listing. Regulators and exchanges have not commented.

A wave of antisemitic attacks hit Melbourne on July 4–5, including an arson attempt at the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation while about 20 people were inside and a violent raid by around 20 masked protesters at Israeli-owned restaurant Miznon, where chairs and glassware were thrown and diners fled. Police arrested one person and are investigating additional incidents involving vehicle fires and graffiti with antisemitic inferences. Jewish community leaders and Israel’s foreign minister condemned the violence and urged stronger action, citing over 2,000 antisemitic incidents in Australia between Oct. 2023 and Sept. 2024. Critics say authorities have been too lenient with anti-Israel protests, emboldening extremists.

An unarmed North Korean man crossed the heavily fortified DMZ into South Korean custody late Thursday. South Korean troops tracked and guided him through minefields; his intent to defect has not been confirmed. The UN Command was notified, and North Korea showed no unusual movement. The incident comes amid Seoul’s softer approach under President Lee Jae Myung, including halting loudspeaker broadcasts and seeking to ban activist balloon launches—moves critics say weaken deterrence as North Korea has floated trash-filled balloons southward and border incidents have increased. Such direct crossings are rare; most defectors go through China. U.S.-North Korea talks remain stalled since 2019, while Pyongyang continues expanding its nuclear program.

Former Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters may face prosecution in the U.K. after publicly supporting Palestine Action, which Parliament recently proscribed as a terrorist organization following attacks including damage to RAF aircraft. In a video, Waters praised the group as nonviolent and denounced the U.K. government, also commending artist Bob Vylan for anti-IDF chants at Glastonbury. Under U.K. anti-terror laws, expressing support for a banned group can carry up to 14 years in prison. The Campaign Against Antisemitism flagged Waters’ post to authorities and signaled it could pursue private prosecution if police do not act, citing antisemitism concerns over his remarks. Reuters contributed to the report.

Canadian police arrested four men, including active military members, accused of planning to form an anti-government militia and forcibly seize land near Quebec City. RCMP searches in January 2024 uncovered the largest weapons cache ever seized in a Canadian terrorism probe: 83 firearms, 16 explosive devices, 11,000 rounds of ammunition, and other military gear. Three men face terrorism-related facilitation charges; a fourth is charged with firearms and explosives offenses. Authorities have not disclosed the group’s specific ideology or targets. An intelligence expert called the cache among the largest disrupted in NATO countries. The men were set to appear in court; charges have not been proven.

Haiti’s famed Hotel Oloffson in Port-au-Prince—a historic gingerbread landmark and cultural hub that inspired Graham Greene’s The Comedians and drew guests from Mick Jagger to Jackie Kennedy—was burned down amid gang violence. Closed since 2022 due to insecurity, the hotel’s destruction was confirmed by manager Richard Morse via drone images after an attack on the area over the weekend. Once a presidential palace and later a US Marine hospital before becoming a hotel in the 1930s, the Oloffson survived coups, dictatorship, and the 2010 earthquake. Mourning Haitians and admirers lamented the loss; Morse emphasized Haiti’s wider suffering but held out hope for restoring the country’s culture and the hotel.

Archaeologists in Peru have unveiled Peñico, a 3,800-year-old urban center in Huaura province, north of Lima, after eight years of excavation. Founded around 1800 BC and influenced by the Caral tradition, Peñico strategically linked coastal Supe Valley communities with the high Andes and Amazon, likely rising in prominence after Caral’s decline. The site includes 18 structures—public buildings and residences—highlighted by a monumental complex (B1-B3) where clay sculptures, ceremonial tools, and conch-shell trumpets (pututus) were found. Peñico may have been a key hub for hematite trade, a red pigment with symbolic Andean significance. Now open to tourists with an interpretation center and walking routes, the site launches its first Peñico Raymi festival to honor its cultural legacy and Pachamama.