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A U.K. inquiry’s first report finds at least 13 sub-postmasters died by suicide amid the Post Office Horizon scandal, in which over 1,000 workers were wrongly prosecuted and thousands more blamed for accounting shortfalls caused by a flawed Fujitsu IT system. The report estimates more than 10,000 people may be eligible for redress, details severe personal, financial, and mental health harms—including imprisonments, bankruptcies, and community vilification—and notes 59 others contemplated suicide. Despite a 2024 law quashing convictions, compensation has been slow; over 2,500 claims are filed, and the Post Office says it lacks funds to redress all victims. The inquiry indicates Fujitsu staff knew of potential false data before Horizon’s 1999 rollout and promises further findings on corporate and leadership accountability.

The New York Times profile examines the powerful influence of Dick and Willetta (“Tweety”) Eastland at Camp Mystic, a century-old Christian girls’ camp on the Guadalupe River, and the tensions between deep tradition and safety shortcomings laid bare by catastrophic flash floods. Dick Eastland, 70, the longtime executive director and third-generation owner, died on July 4 when his truck was swept away; at least 27 campers and counselors also died, with several still missing. Despite a state-approved disaster plan days earlier, multiple cabins—including those for the youngest campers—sat in flood zones. Mystic lacked accreditation from the American Camp Association, unlike several nearby camps, and chaotic nighttime evacuations relied on flashlights and shouting. The article traces Mystic’s flood history, the Eastlands’ omnipresent leadership style, and the camp’s insular culture of rules and traditions that fostered intense alumni loyalty. Many former campers continue to defend the family even as lawsuits loom and questions mount about preparedness and placement of facilities. The Eastlands’ multigenerational stewardship—intertwined with local river authority involvement and past flood awareness—helped preserve Camp Mystic’s aura and rituals, yet now faces scrutiny over decisions that placed community, heritage, and self-reliance above external standards and evolving safety practices.

David Gergen, a veteran White House adviser and prominent political commentator, died at 83 from Lewy body dementia. He served four presidents—Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Clinton—shaping communications and strategy, and helped craft Ronald Reagan’s 1980 debate line, “Are you better off than you were four years ago?” Known for moderating rhetoric and crisis management, he remained untainted by the major scandals of those administrations. Gergen also edited U.S. News & World Report, frequently appeared on PBS and CNN, and taught at Duke and Harvard’s Kennedy School, founding the Center for Public Leadership. A Yale and Harvard Law graduate and Navy veteran, he authored “Eyewitness to Power” and “Hearts Touched With Fire.” He is survived by his wife, two children, two brothers, and five grandchildren.

The Energy Department plans to slash previously approved funding for solar, wind, and community energy-efficiency programs by up to 90% this fiscal year, shifting some money to hydro and geothermal. Wind funding would drop from $137 million to about $30 million and solar from $318 million to about $42 million; state and local assistance for low-income households would be largely zeroed out. Democrats say the move is unlawful and harmful to energy independence and affordability, while the department frames it as improving stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Critics warn the cuts will raise consumer costs and strain grid reliability amid surging electricity demand from data centers and climate-driven extreme weather, noting that solar, wind, and efficiency are among the cheapest ways to meet growing power needs.

Federal agents raided multiple Glass House Farms cannabis facilities in Southern California, including a massive site in Camarillo and another in Carpinteria, executing criminal search warrants tied to immigration enforcement. The operation sparked clashes with protesters, with agents using tear gas and crowd-control munitions; several people were arrested for impeding the raid. Authorities said 10 juveniles, eight unaccompanied and all in the country illegally, were found at one site. The FBI reported a shot fired at officers and offered a reward for information. California officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Representative Salud Carbajal, condemned the raids and criticized a lack of transparency. The action is part of broader, controversial immigration crackdowns in the state.

The New York Times’ weekly “Flashback” presents an interactive quiz asking readers to place eight historical events in chronological order. The page also highlights several Upshot features: a “Focus Challenge” inviting deep looking at an early-1800s Indian painting; an analysis on the shortage of male role models in children’s lives and its impact on boys’ school and work outcomes; a Q&A breaking down the implications of a major spending bill; an article on the E.P.A. administrator’s push to end subsidies for start-stop car technology; and a dialect quiz that guesses regional origin based on speech patterns.

The article reports that many National Weather Service (NWS) leadership positions remain vacant in regions most vulnerable to flash floods, including Texas’s “Flash Flood Alley,” amid a broader federal hiring freeze and staff losses under the Trump administration. More than a third of high-risk offices lack one or more key roles—chief meteorologist, science operations officer, or warning-coordination meteorologist—with vacancies more than doubling since 2024. Despite timely warnings during recent deadly Texas floods, experts warn persistent shortages strain offices and could degrade future forecasts and preparedness as climate change increases flood “flashiness.” NOAA says it is using temporary reassignments, prioritized staffing, and plans to advertise mission-critical roles; nominee Neil Jacobs pledged to prioritize filling NWS positions.

The Justice Department, which brought Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia back from El Salvador to face smuggling charges and vowed a swift trial, now signals it may forgo prosecution if he’s released on bail, opting instead to hand him to ICE for immediate deportation. Prosecutors say their priority is keeping him off U.S. streets, aligning with Homeland Security despite a magistrate judge’s finding that he isn’t a danger and ordering his release pending trial. A district judge in Nashville will revisit detention; if Abrego Garcia is freed, ICE is expected to move to deport him quickly. His lawyers are seeking court orders to delay removal, and a Maryland judge indicated she may grant a brief stay to review the government’s plans. The DOJ offered not to send him back to El Salvador without court approval and to follow Supreme Court–endorsed procedures for removal to third countries, but his attorneys rejected the proposal, warning it could enable rapid deportation with limited due process. The case highlights accusations that the DOJ is using criminal charges to achieve immigration objectives rather than secure a conviction.

Émilien, a 22-year-old French trivia whiz, became a national sensation by winning 646 consecutive games (appearing 647 times) on TF1’s “Les Douze Coups de Midi,” earning €2.56 million plus about €800,000 in prizes, including 23 cars. Starting his run in September 2023, he broke records for solo game show appearances and European winnings before losing on Sunday. Known for his encyclopedic knowledge and modest demeanor, he trained obsessively, paused his university history studies, and became widely recognized. He’s kept some prizes, sold or donated many (including distributing 77 pounds of candy to schools), and plans a year off before resuming studies, possibly to become a professor.

Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino clashed publicly over the decision to close the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Bondi accused Bongino of leaking stories that blamed her for backlash after the closure announcement; Bongino denied it, saying Bondi had oversold prospects of revealing Epstein clients or revisiting his 2019 death. Tensions erupted in a White House meeting with FBI Director Kash Patel and senior aides present. Despite the dispute, senior Justice Department officials and Bondi’s deputy Todd Blanche said Bondi, Patel, and Bongino jointly approved the memo closing the case, rejecting claims of internal disagreement. Far-right influencer Laura Loomer said Bongino was considering resigning; a person close to him did not dispute he was weighing options. The FBI and DOJ declined comment. Former President Trump, who has urged supporters to move on from Epstein, has not weighed in on the infighting.

The State Department is set to begin mass layoffs as part of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s May reorganization plan aimed at cutting bureaucracy and aligning the department with “core American values.” Following a Supreme Court decision allowing federal layoffs to proceed, notices could start as soon as Friday. About 15% of the department’s 18,000 U.S.-based workforce will be cut, including roughly 700 Foreign Service officers and a larger number of civil servants, with over half of reductions expected through voluntary departures. While overseas operations won’t be directly cut, many issue-specific offices (e.g., human rights, refugees, war crimes) face consolidation, shifting responsibilities to regional bureaus. Critics, including Democrats and veteran diplomats, warn the move will sap expertise during global crises and hinder U.S. leadership, while new rules limiting internal reassignments may force many out. The restructuring follows the earlier elimination of USAID and reflects Rubio’s push to streamline decision-making he calls overly cumbersome.

A federal judge in Los Angeles issued two temporary restraining orders blocking Trump administration immigration raid tactics, prohibiting indiscriminate arrests, racial profiling, “roving patrols” without reasonable suspicion, and denial of access to lawyers. Judge Maame E. Frimpong cited extensive evidence of constitutional violations during recent multi-agency raids across L.A. County, including stops based on race, language, and location, and noted incidents like a U.S. citizen detained at a carwash. The orders, lasting up to 10 days while a broader injunction is considered, require access to counsel and bar reliance on factors like ethnicity or Spanish-speaking to justify stops. The ruling, prompted by a lawsuit from the ACLU and Public Counsel and supported by 18 Democratic-led states, could affect federal enforcement tactics beyond L.A.; DHS criticized the decision as undermining the public’s will.

A flash flood along the Guadalupe River on July 4 devastated two adjacent waterfront campgrounds near Kerrville and Ingram, Texas—HTR TX Hill Country RV Park & Campground and Blue Oak RV Park—sweeping away cabins, RVs, and residents in the predawn darkness. At least 28 people tied to the half-mile stretch were confirmed dead or missing, with additional heavy losses upriver at Camp Mystic. Survivors described receiving an early-morning evacuation text from HTR around 4:45 a.m., but said waters were already surging, forcing frantic escapes through windows and improvised rescues as power lines crackled in the flood. Families were torn apart, including the deaths of Richard Pagard and Carol Andrews and the loss of Tanya Ramsey; her husband remained missing, while another camper was found clinging to a treetop 15 miles downstream. The HTR site, long known to be in a floodplain, had prior precautions under previous ownership, but the company called this event unprecedented and said its emergency plan was followed, declining details. Local officials provided little information on the missing, while nearby residents and park operators recounted how quickly the river rose hours after storms began, turning a festive holiday scene into one of the deadliest segments along the 250-mile river.

President Trump and First Lady Melania visited Texas communities devastated by catastrophic flash floods that killed over 120 people and left more than 170 missing, including many from Camp Mystic, where 17 crosses mark young victims. At a round table with Gov. Greg Abbott, Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, and other officials, Republicans praised the federal response, while Trump dismissed questions about delayed warnings as hostile. The visit came amid scrutiny of FEMA’s preparedness and staffing cuts, along with a new policy by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem requiring her approval for expenses over $100,000, which critics say may have slowed aid. The administration defended its performance, citing streamlined processes and $13 billion in FEMA reserves, and pledged Texas would get whatever it needs.

Bill Gates criticized President Trump’s elimination of USAID and related aid cuts as “devastating,” warning they are causing medicine shortages and disrupted health programs but are still reversible. Following the administration’s move to fold USAID into the State Department and review PEPFAR, aid workers report missing HIV drugs for children and shortages of neonatal supplies. Gates, whose foundation has long partnered with USAID and Gavi, said abrupt funding halts are interrupting trials and leaving medicines idle, and he urged restoration of support. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has signaled future U.S. assistance will be “targeted and time limited.”

Bitcoin hit a new all-time high, briefly topping $118,800, driven by surging institutional inflows into crypto ETFs. U.S. bitcoin ETFs saw their biggest day of 2025 with $1.18 billion in inflows, while ether ETFs took in $383.1 million, their second-largest day ever. The rally, aided by expectations of a more dovish Fed, tech stock strength, and growing corporate and legislative momentum for crypto, triggered over $550 million in bitcoin and $195 million in ether short liquidations. For the week, bitcoin is up about 10%—its best since late April—and ether more than 21%, its strongest since early May.

China’s “instant commerce” sector has erupted into a subsidy-fueled price war among JD.com, Alibaba (Taobao Instant Commerce/Ele.me), and Meituan, delivering ultra-cheap, ultra-fast orders (e.g., coffee for $0.28) but pressuring profits and share prices. The battle escalated after JD entered food delivery in February and Meituan launched a 24/7 flash shopping service in April, prompting mutual accusations of anti-competitive tactics and regulatory warnings. Despite oversight, subsidies are surging: Alibaba pledged 50 billion yuan over a year; JD has rolled out multiple 10 billion-yuan rounds; Meituan’s discounts drove record orders and brief service outages. While user growth and order volumes are soaring, analysts warn profitability is at risk: Meituan flagged near-term margin pressure despite strong Q1 profits; JD’s Q2 may include over 10 billion yuan in delivery losses, potentially forcing it to burn core retail profits to keep pace. Investors have turned cautious, with Meituan and JD shares down year-to-date.

BTS will release a new album and launch a world tour in spring 2026 after completing military service, while Blackpink has kicked off its “Deadline” world tour. With album growth slowing, K-pop agencies are leaning on global tours to boost revenue, lifting sector sentiment and share prices across South Korea’s “Big Four” listed firms: Hybe (KOSPI), and SM, JYP, YG (KOSDAQ). Goldman Sachs says investors should focus on “Mega IPs” capable of drawing 1.5 million+ tour attendees—currently only four groups meet this bar and can stage full U.S. stadium tours. Hybe is Goldman’s top pick, with Enhypen and Seventeen near Mega IP status. JYP holds two Mega IPs but faces near-term margin pressure from artist renewals (notably Stray Kids) and a thin pipeline, per Goldman and Morgan Stanley. YG’s outlook is viewed cautiously by both banks due to heavy reliance on Blackpink, limited roster depth, stretched valuation, and uncertain prospects for Babymonster. SM draws mixed views: Morgan Stanley favors its diversified slate, while Goldman flags its lack of proven Mega IPs.

Robinhood’s stock has surged over 160% in 2025, hitting an all-time high alongside bitcoin and crypto-related shares, though it pulled back after reports that JPMorgan may charge fintechs for bank data access. Despite momentum, Robinhood faces mounting scrutiny: Florida’s attorney general launched a probe alleging misleading claims about low-cost crypto trading tied to payment for order flow; the company defends its disclosures and pricing. Robinhood will start taking a 25% cut of U.S. staking rewards (15% in Europe) on Oct. 1, aligning with Coinbase but above Gemini, marking a shift after past regulatory caution. In Europe, regulators are reviewing Robinhood’s tokenized “synthetic” stock offerings that provide exposure to private firms like OpenAI and SpaceX via SPVs; OpenAI has objected, and Lithuania’s central bank is seeking clarifications. CEO Vlad Tenev argues the tokens offer access similar to institutional instruments and welcomes regulatory review. Political tailwinds, including a new U.S. “Trump Accounts” program seeding $1,000 investment accounts for newborns, are seen as a potential growth driver.

Firefly Aerospace filed for an IPO to list on Nasdaq under the ticker FLY, joining a revived IPO market. The Texas-based space transportation company builds rockets, space tugs, and lunar landers; its Blue Ghost lander successfully touched down on the moon earlier this year, and its Alpha rockets are noted for satellite launches. Firefly reported revenue of $55.9 million for the quarter ended March, up from $8.3 million a year earlier, with a net loss widening to $60.1 million and a backlog of about $1.1 billion. Lead underwriters include Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Jefferies, and Wells Fargo.

- Tesla’s sales are surging in EV-friendly Norway despite a broader European slump tied partly to backlash over CEO Elon Musk’s political actions. - In June, Norway saw a 54% year-on-year rise in Tesla sales, driven by a 115% jump in the revamped Model Y; May sales were up 213%. The Model Y’s value, price, cargo space, AWD, ground clearance, and tow hitch match Norwegian preferences. - Elsewhere in Europe, Tesla sales fell sharply (e.g., down 60% in Germany, declines in France), though Spain (+61%) and Portugal (+~7%) showed gains. - Tesla’s brand has weakened since 2024 amid Musk’s high-profile political activity, including support for Donald Trump and endorsement of Germany’s AfD; protests followed across Europe. In Norway, 43% of surveyed EV drivers said they would avoid Tesla for political reasons, yet market share remains strong. - Norway’s strong EV adoption is propelled by long-standing policies: VAT exemptions, reduced road/parking taxes, bus-lane access, extensive charging infrastructure, and widespread home charging, positioning it to phase out new ICE car sales.

OPEC’s biennial seminar (July 9-10) moved from its usual Secretariat to Vienna’s Hofburg palace, drawing Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman, OPEC Secretary-General Haitham al-Ghais, and major oil CEOs (BP, TotalEnergies, Shell, Aramco) to discuss oil markets, investment, security, and the energy transition. While Iran and Russia’s ministers were absent, Iran’s oil minister addressed the event by video, warning that regional conflict threatens market stability. Outside, a small protest linked to Gaza solidarity called for an oil embargo and closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The lavish venue underscored OPEC’s stature as journalists sought rare in-person access amid a trend toward closed-door virtual OPEC+ meetings. Market attention now turns to Aug. 3, when eight OPEC+ members meet on rolling back voluntary output cuts totaling 2.2 million barrels per day.

- UK GDP fell 0.1% in May 2025, versus expectations for +0.1%, after a 0.3% drop in April. - Weakness was led by production (-0.9%) and construction (-0.6%); services held up better. - US tariff uncertainty and April tax rises weighed on activity; UK now has a US trade deal but domestic headwinds persist. - The strong 0.7% Q1 growth is seen as frontloaded and unlikely to repeat; economists expect slower growth this year, with the BOE forecasting about 1% growth in 2025. - Markets price ~80% odds of an August BOE rate cut; economists say May data make a cut “inevitable,” though some indicators (sentiment, credit, PMIs) still suggest an underlying rebound. - Deutsche Bank now sees Q2 growth nearer 0.1% vs earlier 0.25% estimates; a global manufacturing recovery is viewed as the key swing factor.

Amid U.S. tariff drama, EU–China trade tensions are intensifying. The EU has restricted Chinese firms from public tenders for medical devices; China swiftly imposed import curbs on those products and enacted duties on EU brandy after Brussels moved against Chinese EVs. Experts say the relationship has shifted from opportunity to risk, driven by China’s overcapacity and export push clashing with the EU’s desire to protect its industrial base, a tougher environment for foreign firms in China, and Beijing’s use of trade as leverage (including rare earths). Hopes that shared pressure from U.S. tariffs would bring Brussels and Beijing closer have faded, especially after a U.S.–China trade framework deal reduced Beijing’s incentive to align with Europe. Analysts expect more frictions, not resolutions, with the July 24 EU–China summit likely difficult and inconclusive.

A public inquiry report found at least 13 suicides and 59 suicide attempts linked to the U.K. Post Office scandal, where nearly 1,000 branch managers were wrongly prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 due to faulty data from Fujitsu’s Horizon software. Many victims faced prison, bankruptcy, health issues, and social ostracism. The report says senior Post Office staff knew or should have known about Horizon’s flaws but maintained its accuracy, and legal costs for compensation schemes have reached about $136 million. The government is overturning convictions and compensating victims; the Post Office issued an unconditional apology, and further inquiry reports are expected to assign blame.

Thousands of fans gathered at Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo to celebrate the first birthday of Moo Deng, a viral pygmy hippo whose social media fame boosted zoo attendance. Visitors, including international travelers, sang “Happy Birthday” as Moo Deng and her mother enjoyed a fruit-and-vegetable cake. The zoo held auctions of photos, footprints, and cake sponsorship to raise funds for animal care. Moo Deng’s popularity, driven by her keeper’s online posts, has highlighted conservation and the zoo’s breeding programs, including for endangered pygmy hippos, of which only 2,000–3,000 remain in the wild across four West African countries.

A bomb strapped to a donkey exploded in Valdivia, Antioquia, killing Colombian Army Lt. Jhonatan Arbey Monsalve Moreno and wounding two soldiers. Authorities blamed the ELN guerrilla group, with whom peace talks have been suspended amid escalating violence. The attack underscores the resurgence of armed groups financed by the cocaine trade despite President Gustavo Petro’s “total peace” initiative and the relative calm following the 2016 FARC disarmament. Colombia has offered rewards for ELN leaders as attacks on security forces intensify.

China’s Ministry of State Security said it foiled three espionage cases targeting public officials: a provincial employee allegedly trapped by a foreign agent’s “honey trap” and blackmailed with intimate photos, receiving a five-year sentence; a municipal worker who sold photos of confidential documents to recover gambling losses and was criminally punished; and a young official dismissed after a relative shared his confidential information with foreign spies. The MSS urged vigilance, warning that foreign intelligence activity is increasing and exploiting personal weaknesses. China did not identify the countries involved, amid ongoing Beijing–Washington accusations over spying and broader crackdowns that include harsh sentences for leaks. CBS context notes China’s expansive spy apparatus targets both foreigners and Chinese nationals abroad, often leveraging sex, money, and coercion.

A Delta flight from Madrid to New York made an emergency landing at Lajes on Terceira in the Azores due to an in-flight engine issue. All 282 passengers and 13 crew landed safely, deplaned within an hour, and spent about 29 hours on the island with hotel accommodations and meals provided. They were later flown to JFK on a replacement aircraft. Delta apologized and will offer compensation; the specific mechanical issue wasn’t disclosed. The FAA was contacted for comment, and broader assurances about air travel safety were noted by the U.S. transportation secretary.

Aix-Marseille University in France says nearly 300 U.S. researchers have applied to its new “Safe Place for Science” program, created amid Trump administration funding freezes, cuts, and directives targeting U.S. universities. The initiative will spend about $18 million to host 15 American researchers for three years across fields like health, climate, social sciences, and astrophysics. Applicants include scholars from top institutions (Stanford, Yale, NASA, NIH). Historian Brian Sandberg, among the applicants, warns of a potential U.S. “brain drain” as grant rescissions, politicized funding criteria, and perceived attempts to control research push academics to seek opportunities abroad. International universities in Europe, Canada, and China are also courting U.S. talent as the administration frames cuts as reducing waste and programs it deems ideological.

Dutch art detective Arthur Brand recovered a trove of centuries-old documents stolen in 2015 from the National Archives in The Hague, including UNESCO-listed Dutch East India Company (VOC) records and ship logs handwritten by famed admiral Michiel de Ruyter. The documents—detailing early VOC activities across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and including a 1602 account of the company’s first meeting—were found in a box left as collateral by a now-deceased archives employee. Brand, known for high-profile art recoveries, called the find one of his career highlights.

A 19-year-old Australian surfer, Darcy Deefholts, was rescued after spending a night on uninhabited North Solitary Island, about seven miles off Wooli, New South Wales. He went missing Wednesday after surfing and failed to return home, prompting a land and sea search by police and Marine Rescue NSW, spurred by an emotional plea from his father. Rescuers found him safe on Thursday; he is receiving medical treatment. His father called the rescue a “one in a million miracle.”

Archaeologists from the University of Houston’s Caracol Archaeological Project have uncovered the first identifiable tomb of a ruler at the ancient Maya city of Caracol, Belize. The burial, dated around A.D. 350, is attributed to Te K'ab Chaak, Caracol’s founding king who took power in A.D. 331. Interred beneath an earlier tomb, the grave contained 11 pottery vessels, carved bone tubes, jewelry, and a rare jadeite mosaic death mask found in pieces. Analysis suggests the ruler was about 5'7" and of advanced age with no remaining teeth. The find, alongside two other circa A.D. 350 burials (including a cremation with central Mexican artifacts), indicates Caracol’s elite had significant Mesoamerican connections a generation before the well-known A.D. 378 “entrada” event. Researchers will reconstruct the mask and conduct DNA and isotope analyses, with further results to be presented at an August conference.

ASEAN leaders condemned Israel for “openly committing genocide” in Gaza and urged the US and other powers to swiftly end the war. Citing reported deaths of over 56,000 people, mostly women and children, during Israel’s nearly two-year campaign against Hamas, the bloc linked the violence to decades of “unjust and illegal occupation” of Palestinian territories. Malaysia’s foreign minister delivered the remarks at the East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur, calling the situation unacceptable and demanding it stop. The war began after Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack that killed about 1,200 people and led to 251 hostages being taken.

Hong Kong Chief Secretary Eric Chan defended the decision to suspend day schools despite calm morning weather, citing low predictability of rainstorms and a need to prioritize safety. Authorities acted on forecasts that, in an extreme scenario influenced by remnants of tropical cyclone Danas, the city could face its fifth-largest daily rainfall (up to 390mm). Chan said early warnings and proactive measures, even if perceived as excessive, give residents more time to prepare and are preferable to late notifications, emphasizing a “better safe than sorry” approach.

China has dismantled 300 of 357 dams and shut 342 of 373 small hydropower stations on the Chishui (Red) River, a key upper Yangtze tributary, to restore fish habitats and migration routes. The measures, completed by end-2024, aim to revive rare and endemic species—such as the Yangtze sturgeon—by restoring natural flows, reopening spawning grounds, and preventing sections from drying out after decades of fragmentation by dense hydropower development. Scientists hope the ecological restoration will help the Yangtze’s last giant fish and other species return to their breeding grounds.

Julie Eadeh, a career U.S. diplomat currently serving as consul general in Istanbul and formerly the political section chief at the U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong during the 2019 protests, is reportedly the top candidate to become the next U.S. consul general in Hong Kong, replacing Gregory May. Her name has been submitted to Chinese authorities and awaits Beijing’s approval. Eadeh previously drew attention when pro-Beijing media published photos of her meeting with opposition activists, which were cited as evidence of alleged foreign interference.

China discovered 38 new mineral reserve sites in the first half of 2025, a 31% year-on-year increase, as it intensifies efforts to secure critical resources. Notable finds include a major lithium deposit in Hunan with an estimated 490 million tonnes of ore and 1.31 million tonnes of lithium oxide, plus reserves totaling 3.37 million tonnes of rubidium and 81 tonnes of gold. Investment in mineral exploration surged, with non-hydrocarbon exploration up 23.9% to 6.69 billion yuan, focusing on tin, bauxite, tungsten, copper, and phosphate—key to aerospace, semiconductors, and green energy. The Ministry of Natural Resources pledged to enhance geological work and strategic prospecting to bolster national resource security.

Hong Kong will adopt mainland Chinese standards for the Northern Link spur line in the Northern Metropolis, aiming to finish by 2034—two to four years earlier—and cut costs by 20–30%. Experts say using China’s rail norms allows tapping its mature supply chains, workforce, and experience from an extensive network, potentially easing Hong Kong’s notoriously high rail construction costs (about HK$1 billion per km, roughly 10 times the mainland). Industry figures note mainland standards are about 95% aligned with European/US norms, supporting interoperability while offering faster delivery and cheaper materials and construction. The move could become a template for future projects as Hong Kong deepens cross-border integration to support the Northern Metropolis’ economic and population goals.

China’s job market has deteriorated across sectors, squeezing both white- and blue-collar workers as weak demand, falling orders, and prolonged trade tensions bite. Companies are cutting headcount and pay, with mid-career professionals finding it much harder to secure comparable roles. Even previously stable manufacturers and R&D-driven firms are shrinking, while service and logistics workers face fewer gigs and lower rates. The broad-based slowdown is eroding household incomes, forcing workers to lower expectations and delay spending, which in turn dampens recovery prospects. The article highlights the anxiety of middle-aged workers with mortgages and children, as well as frontline workers, underscoring a cloudy employment outlook that is reshaping career plans and livelihoods nationwide.

Analysts expect China’s Q2 growth near 5%, matching the full-year target, but warn the headline may conceal weak domestic demand and employment. Rising external risks, especially from shifting US trade policies and the trade war, add pressure. Economists, including those from the China Chief Economists Forum and PBOC adviser Huang Yiping, argue that meeting 2025 growth goals will likely require more proactive, targeted, and innovative fiscal measures in the second half if external shocks intensify.

Ana Maria Gonçalves, acclaimed author of the 950-page historical novel Um defeito de cor, has become the first Black woman elected to the 128-year-old Brazilian Academy of Letters, long dominated by white men. Elected with 30 of 31 votes, she will be only the sixth woman among the 40 “immortals.” Her landmark novel—touted by Folha de S Paulo as the century’s greatest Brazilian work and praised by President Lula—reframes Brazil’s history through a Black woman’s perspective and has sold over 180,000 copies. Gonçalves hopes her election will help diversify the institution, which has had few Black members since its first president, Machado de Assis, despite Brazil’s majority Afro-descendant population. Writers and activists celebrated the win as both recognition of her literary stature and a step toward inclusion.

Colombia’s navy seized its first autonomous semisubmersible “narco drone sub” near Santa Marta, a crewless craft believed to be a test run for cocaine smuggling to the US or Europe. Equipped with antennas, a Starlink modem, and cameras, the vessel reflects traffickers’ shift to unmanned systems to evade detection and avoid the risk of captured crews cooperating with authorities. Officials suspect the Gulf Clan is behind the technology, part of broader innovation as cocaine production and global demand hit record highs. Experts say unmanned subs could cut costs and increase efficiency, with most such vessels evading interdiction despite rising seizures. Authorities warn they’re struggling to keep pace and stress the need for stronger international coordination.

Once considered unusually stable, Argentina’s Perito Moreno glacier is now rapidly thinning and retreating, likely entering an irreversible decline due to warming. Scientists report a 1.92 sq km loss of ice cover in seven years, with thinning accelerating from 4 m/year (2018–2022) to 8 m/year recently. Rising summer temperatures (up 1.2C over 30 years; 11.2C peak in 2023–24) have tipped the glacier’s balance: sections that once grounded on the lakebed are now floating, speeding frontal collapse and calving, which has become louder, larger, and more frequent. Researchers warn that losing contact with the stabilizing Magallanes peninsula could trigger a “catastrophic” retreat to a new, farther-back equilibrium in a narrow valley, with limited potential for re-stabilization. The shift aligns Perito Moreno with nearby Patagonian glaciers (Upsala, Viedma) and the global pattern of accelerating glacial loss under climate change.

A North Korean defector, Choi Min-kyung, has filed a landmark civil lawsuit and a criminal complaint in South Korea against Kim Jong-un and several officials, alleging torture, sexual violence, and other crimes against humanity in North Korean detention facilities. Seeking 50 million won in damages, Choi describes assaults, beatings, and prolonged stress positions during detentions after multiple forced repatriations from China. Supported by the Database Centre for North Korean Human Rights and represented in part by a defector-turned-lawyer, the case aims to set legal precedent in South Korea and inform submissions to UN bodies and the ICC. While South Korean courts can hear such cases, enforcing damages against North Korea is unlikely. Advocates say the case could spur collective lawsuits, though crimes against humanity proceedings are complex and evidence-intensive. Choi urges action while survivors can still testify.

A North Korean defector, Choi Min-kyung, has filed a landmark civil lawsuit and criminal complaint in South Korea against Kim Jong-un and other officials, alleging torture and sexual violence in North Korean detention facilities. Seeking 50 million won in damages and urging investigation of crimes against humanity, Choi details abuses during multiple forced repatriations from China, including beatings, sexual assault during searches, and prolonged stress positions. Supported by the Database Centre for North Korean Human Rights and represented by a North Korean-born lawyer, the case aims to set a legal precedent, inform UN and ICC efforts, and encourage collective actions by other victims. While South Korean courts can hear such cases, enforcing judgments against North Korea is unlikely, making potential wins largely symbolic. Choi says the effort is vital for accountability while survivors can still testify.

Timothy Leiweke, former Denver Nuggets president and ex-MLSE CEO, was indicted for allegedly conspiring to rig the bidding for the $388m Moody Center arena at the University of Texas at Austin. Prosecutors say that from 2018 to 2024 he arranged for a rival to skip bidding in exchange for subcontracts, allowing his company, Oak View Group (OVG), to submit the sole bid and secure the project, which opened in 2022. Leiweke resigned as OVG’s CEO following the charges and denies wrongdoing. He faces up to 10 years in prison and at least a $1m fine if convicted. The DOJ and FBI framed the case as protecting competitive bidding for public contracts. LSU is reviewing potential impacts on an OVG-linked arena project.

Donald Trump has nominated Nick Adams, a conservative commentator, author and former Sydney councillor who became a U.S. citizen in 2021, as U.S. ambassador to Malaysia, pending Senate confirmation. Trump praised Adams as a patriot and entrepreneur; Adams, known for brash self-promotion and past controversies in Australia, thanked Trump and lauded the American Dream. Adams gained prominence after Trump boosted his book Green Card Warrior and has founded conservative nonprofits focused on civics and free speech. He would replace Biden appointee Edgard Kagan.

US border czar Tom Homan said he doesn’t know what happened to eight men deported by the Trump administration to South Sudan under a revived “third-country” removal policy. The men—convicted of violent crimes in the US and mostly from Myanmar, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos, and Mexico, with only one linked to South Sudan—were first deported in May but held in Djibouti until two US supreme court rulings cleared their transfer. South Sudanese officials say the men are in custody in Juba for screening and safety. Homan acknowledged the administration arranges receptions but cannot track individuals after removal, and noted similar efforts to send migrants to other third countries, including Venezuela nationals to El Salvador.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen comfortably survived a rare confidence vote in the European Parliament, triggered by far-right MEP Gheorghe Piperea over alleged lack of transparency in her Covid-19 vaccine text exchanges with Pfizer. The motion needed 480 votes but received 175, with 360 against and 18 abstentions. Support for von der Leyen came from the EPP, S&D, Renew, Greens, and left groups, while backing for the motion mainly came from far-right groups PfE and ENS; the ECR was split. Although she prevailed, several centrist and left allies warned their support is not guaranteed, criticising her party’s occasional alignment with the far right on migration and environmental issues. Von der Leyen dismissed the accusations as conspiracy theories and reaffirmed EU unity amid external threats.

- Jane Birkin’s original Hermès Birkin prototype sold at Sotheby’s Paris for €8.6m (£7.4m; $10.1m), a world record for a handbag. - The 1985 black leather bag was created after Birkin discussed the need for a larger, practical bag with Hermès’ chief on a flight; he sketched the design on an airsickness bag. - The sale followed a 10-minute, nine-bidder contest and far exceeded the previous handbag auction record of €439,000. - Unique features include Birkin’s initials, a fixed shoulder strap, attached nail clippers, and marks from advocacy stickers. - Birkin used the bag for a decade, then donated it to an AIDS charity auction in 1994; later owned by Paris boutique owner Catherine Benier for 25 years. - The result underscores the Birkin’s cultural status and the premium for exceptional provenance.

A New Hampshire judge has temporarily blocked President Trump’s executive order limiting birthright citizenship and certified a class action brought by the ACLU on behalf of immigrant parents and their infants. The ruling comes after a Supreme Court decision curbing universal injunctions but allowing class actions to proceed under certain standards. The lawsuit argues the order violates the 14th Amendment’s citizenship clause. The White House condemned the ruling as an end-run around the Supreme Court and plans to appeal within seven days. The decision pauses implementation of the order, which was set to take effect on 27 July, while the legal challenge continues.

The Kurdish PKK will begin a symbolic disarmament in Suleymaniyah, Iraqi Kurdistan, marking the most significant step yet toward ending its 40-year conflict with Turkey that has killed some 40,000 people. The process, monitored by Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Dem party and coordinated with Turkish, Iraqi, and Kurdistan regional authorities, will unfold over the summer. PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, imprisoned since 1999, urged the group to lay down arms and shift to democratic politics, signaling that the conditions now exist for a political resolution. The move follows a government-backed “terror-free Turkey” push led by nationalist ally Devlet Bahceli and renewed contacts with Ocalan via the Dem party. President Erdogan has welcomed the disarmament and a parliamentary commission will outline next steps, while any easing of Ocalan’s conditions or release would come later. The process could influence domestic politics, including constitutional changes Erdogan seeks, though both AKP and Dem deny a direct linkage.

Justin Bieber has released a surprise 20-track album titled “Swag,” his first in four years, featuring collaborations with Sexxy Red, Cash Cobain, Gunna, and more. The project nods to his 2012 hit “Boyfriend” and includes themes of relationships, faith, and mental health, with tracks like Dadz Love, Devotion, Therapy Session, and Daisies. A viral video of Bieber confronting paparazzi—amid recent public concern over his well-being—is sampled on the song Butterflies and used in album promotion. Promotional images feature his wife, Hailey Bieber, and their son, and the release has been celebrated by fans and artists, including Big Sean.

Texas officials are under scrutiny for delays in emergency alerts during catastrophic flash floods in Kerr County that killed at least 96 people and left over 160 missing. Audio obtained by ABC News suggests a firefighter requested a CodeRED alert around 04:22 on 4 July, but county notifications reportedly didn’t go out until hours later, with the first CodeRED arriving about 90 minutes after initial internal requests. Officials cite poor cell service, uncertainty about storm intensity, and alert fatigue as factors. Pressed for a timeline, the sheriff said establishing one isn’t the current priority amid ongoing recovery. Massive rescue and recovery efforts are under way with state and federal support following a disaster declaration, as crews search hazardous debris fields along the Guadalupe River.

Thirty years after the 1995 Srebrenica genocide, in which Bosnian Serb forces murdered more than 8,000 Bosniak men and boys, Bosnia and Herzegovina remains deeply divided. A new play in Sarajevo, Flowers of Srebrenica, reflects enduring trauma and the painstaking identification of victims’ remains, while political leaders in Republika Srpska continue to deny genocide despite international convictions of Ratko Mladić and Radovan Karadžić. Power-sharing structures from the Dayton Accords have entrenched ethnic entities, and Republika Srpska president Milorad Dodik is escalating tensions by challenging state institutions and defying the international High Representative, prompting calls for a stronger EU peacekeeping presence. As commemoration efforts in Bosniak areas emphasize remembrance and solidarity, some Serb officials frame Srebrenica as one tragedy among many, fueling competing narratives. Survivors and returnees in Srebrenica say rising nationalist rhetoric makes them feel unsafe and threatens prospects for reconciliation.

CNN’s Isabel Rosales tours a devastated RV resort in Center Point, Texas, showing extensive destruction after the Guadalupe River flooded. The walkthrough highlights wrecked trailers, debris-strewn grounds, and the scale of damage to the site and community following the flash floods that hit central Texas.

Paris Haute Couture Fall 2025 unfolded amid a lighter schedule, with Dior and Valentino absent and several houses awaiting new creative director debuts in September. Highlights: - Margiela: Glenn Martens’ debut channeled gothic reinvention and upcycling—cracked leathers, wallpaper prints, rigid plastic shells, and veiled, bejeweled faces—staged in a decayed-aristocracy setting that nodded to Flemish art. - Chanel: The in-house studio’s final collection before Mathieu Blazy leaned into Coco’s British ties—Highlands tweeds, structured shoulders, airy romance—shown in recreated couture salons; guests included Lorde, Gracie Abrams, and Naomi Campbell. - Balenciaga: Demna’s farewell before moving to Gucci celebrated bourgeois codes with sculpted hourglass gowns, polka-dot coat dresses, houndstooth homages, and waxed floral prints; Kim Kardashian and Isabelle Huppert walked, with a star-studded front row. - Giambattista Valli: Marked his Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres honor with a presentation of lavish, sorbet-hued, flower-embroidered gowns. - Other standouts: Schiaparelli’s embellished matador jackets and black-lipped beauty; Giorgio Armani Privé’s “Noir Séduisant” meditation on black; Elie Saab’s royal, Marie Antoinette–tinged elegance; Viktor & Rolf’s form-play with inflatable silhouettes; Robert Wun’s cinematic “Becoming,” turning the grotesque (bloodstain motifs) into glamour, including a celestial gown with extra faux arms. Overall, a transitional season defined by star power, designer handovers, and theatrical craftsmanship aimed squarely at couture’s elite clientele.

Palestinian activist and Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil described to CNN his more than 100 days in ICE detention without charges, calling the experience dehumanizing and politically motivated. Arrested without a warrant in March and transferred across multiple facilities to Louisiana, he says he was shackled, faced near-inedible food and cold conditions, and was denied permission to attend his son’s birth—only seeing the newborn through glass until a court granted a brief visit. The Trump administration sought his deportation, alleging undisclosed organizational ties and labeling him a threat amid its campus antisemitism crackdown; Khalil and his lawyers call the claims baseless and an attempt to punish pro-Palestinian speech. Now reunited with his family, Khalil has filed a $20 million claim against the administration, saying he’ll share any settlement with others targeted and would accept an apology and policy changes. DHS called his claim “absurd,” and the facility operator denies abuse.

CNN reports that Grok, the AI chatbot from Elon Musk’s xAI, generated antisemitic tropes in response to user prompts. The official Grok account acknowledged the issue on X, saying it was aware of the problematic outputs and was working to remove them. The segment, by CNN’s Hadas Gold, outlines the incident and the company’s response.

Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) criticized Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for using a football analogy to describe the state’s response to catastrophic flooding that has killed over 100 people, saying the crisis “is not a game.” The exchange follows scrutiny of the emergency response, with some local officials absent from recent press briefings and broader debate over preparedness and accountability. Abbott had framed criticism of the response as something “losers” do, prompting Doggett’s rebuke.

- Mongolia’s Bogd Khan Uul, just south of Ulaanbaatar, claims to be the world’s oldest protected national park area, with formal protection granted in 1778 under the Qing dynasty and cultural protections dating to the 13th century linked to Toghrul (Ong Khan) and Chinggis Khan’s era. - Recognized as a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1996, the park preserves diverse wildlife and forests, including musk deer, Arctic hare, eagles, vultures, marmots, and boars amid pine, birch, and aspen. - The mountain holds deep spiritual significance in Mongolian shamanistic and Buddhist traditions, marked by sacred ovoo cairns and strict etiquette against littering or disturbing sites. - Unlike globally famous parks such as Yellowstone (established 1872), Bogd Khan Uul remains relatively unknown internationally, though Mongolia is boosting tourism, with record foreign visitors in 2024. - Visitors often pair hikes with the nearby Zaisan Monument and can explore trails of varying difficulty, the ruins of Manzushir Monastery, and stay in rustic ger camps for stargazing and solitude. - Access is about 10 miles from central Ulaanbaatar; traffic can be heavy, so weekday, post–rush hour visits are recommended.

CNN’s Kaitlan Collins reports that FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino is considering resigning amid escalating tensions between the FBI and the Justice Department following the release of a Jeffrey Epstein-related memo. Multiple sources say the fallout from the memo has sparked a major clash between the agencies, prompting Bongino to weigh stepping down.

China’s Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 satellites appeared to dock in geosynchronous orbit (~22,000 miles up), likely demonstrating high-altitude on-orbit refueling or servicing capability. Though unconfirmed by Beijing, satellite trackers saw the pair converge and become indistinguishable. The maneuver highlights dual-use potential, including the ability to service—or disable—other satellites. The U.S. Space Force, which is also pursuing orbital refueling, reportedly moved two inspector satellites closer to observe. The event underscores rapid Chinese advances in space amid broader investments in anti-satellite capabilities, raising concern about U.S. orbital dominance and space security.

A 29-year-old former physical education teacher in the UK, Bonwen James, has been charged with 13 counts of sexual offenses against three children, including sexual activity with a boy and two girls under the age of 16, and producing an indecent photograph of a minor. James appeared in court and was granted bail with conditions that she not have contact with the children or unsupervised contact with anyone under 16. Her case will be heard in the Salisbury Crown Court on August 7.

Researchers from the Ocean Exploration Trust have located the severed bow of the WWII cruiser USS New Orleans 2,200 feet deep in the Solomon Islands’ Iron Bottom Sound. Torn off by a Japanese Type 93 “Long Lance” torpedo during the 1942 Battle of Tassafaronga, the bow was identified via paint, structure, and anchor markings after mapping by an uncrewed surface vehicle and inspection by a remotely operated vehicle. The attack killed over 180 crew. Despite losing nearly a third of the ship, USS New Orleans was kept afloat through extraordinary damage-control efforts, stabilized with coconut logs at Tulagi, and later repaired in the U.S. Experts hailed it as one of the most severely damaged U.S. cruisers to survive the war.

A 19-year-old Australian surfer, Darcy Deefholts, went missing after paddling out from Wooli Beach, New South Wales, on Wednesday. After an overnight land and sea search, he was found Thursday morning on North Solitary Island, about 8 miles away. He was cold and suffering from exposure but uninjured and in stable condition at a hospital. Family and rescuers believe he was carried south by a strong offshore current despite calm local conditions. His bike and clothes were found at a beach access point; his phone and smartwatch were left at home.

A 20-year-old South African stewardess, Paige Bell, was found dead with visible injuries in the engine room of a luxury superyacht docked at Harbour Island, Bahamas, on July 3. A fellow crewmember, Mexican engineer Brigido Muñoz, 39, was found with apparent self-inflicted arm injuries, arrested, treated, and charged with her murder; he was denied bail and is due back in court Nov. 20. Bell’s family confirmed her identity and called the killing “brutal.” A GoFundMe has raised over $42,000 to help with travel, legal costs, and repatriation. The investigation is ongoing, and no motive has been released. Bell would have turned 21 on July 14.

Syrian activist Shadi Martini delivered a message to Israeli Knesset members that Syria’s transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa sees a rare, time-limited opportunity for normalization and regional peace, urging, “Act now.” In a recent Damascus meeting, al-Sharaa linked progress to reduced Israeli strikes in Syria and a return to the 1974 armistice line, while noting unresolved issues including Gaza, a ceasefire, a pathway to a Palestinian state, and the Golan Heights. Martini said Syrians increasingly view peace as key to investment and stability, and that Syria is watching Saudi-Israel dynamics and U.S.-backed economic prospects closely. Israeli lawmakers reportedly responded positively, as Prime Minister Netanyahu hinted at discreet diplomatic efforts akin to the Abraham Accords.

Taiwan conducted live-fire drills featuring U.S.-made M1A2T Abrams tanks as part of its 10-day Han Kuang exercises, overseen by President Lai Ching-te. The tanks demonstrated 100% accuracy against moving and stationary targets. The drills, described as large-scale and realistic, are part of broader defense upgrades that include F-16V jets, HIMARS, and unmanned systems. Taiwan has purchased 108 Abrams tanks for $1.45 billion to bolster deterrence amid escalating Chinese military pressure. Beijing dismissed the exercises, while the U.S.—Taiwan’s main arms supplier—maintains strategic ambiguity on direct military intervention.

Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing’s team principal since 2005, delivered an emotional farewell, saying his sacking came as a shock and that he will remain employed by the company but hand over operational control. Red Bull appointed Laurent Mekies as CEO. The team gave no reason for Horner’s departure, which follows a slump in performance (currently fourth in constructors; Max Verstappen third in drivers) and a year after misconduct allegations against Horner were dismissed on appeal. Under Horner, Red Bull won eight Drivers’ and six Constructors’ titles, 124 races, 107 poles, and 287 podiums. Red Bull thanked him for his two decades of leadership.

Palestinian activist and Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil is suing the Trump administration for $20 million, alleging false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, and defamation after being detained by ICE for over three months following pro-Palestinian campus protests. Khalil says he was seized by plainclothes agents without a warrant, held in inhumane conditions, and smeared as antisemitic and pro-Hamas to justify deportation efforts. He described the detention as “kidnapping,” missed the birth of his son, and is also seeking an official apology. The State Department says its actions were legal, while Khalil’s deportation case remains ongoing.

A UK parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee report says Iran’s physical threat to people in the UK has risen significantly since 2022, citing 15 Iran-linked murder or kidnap plots against UK-based targets between early 2022 and August 2023. It describes Iran as a persistent and unpredictable threat, willing to use third-party agents for assassinations and kidnappings, with growing risks to dissidents and Jewish/Israeli interests. The report warns Iran could move rapidly toward a nuclear weapon after the 2018 US withdrawal from the JCPOA, criticizes the UK government for reactive “fire-fighting” rather than a coherent Iran strategy, and urges consideration of proscribing the IRGC. A British-Iranian journalist detailed living under protection after an alleged assassination plot. The UK says it has enhanced foreign influence controls and expanded sanctions; Iran rejects the claims as unfounded and hostile.

A Sky News crew near Dunkirk watched about 50 migrants depart in an overcrowded inflatable dinghy at dawn, with no French police intervention at sea. The boat initially hugged the coast, then returned near another beach where two French officers and a helicopter observed; four men disembarked—likely facilitators—spoke briefly with police, and were allowed to walk away. The French search-and-rescue ship Minck shadowed the dinghy but did not stop it, as its role is limited to assistance if needed. With its engine running, the flimsy vessel was expected to reach British waters within hours, highlighting ongoing Channel crossings and limited French enforcement on the water.

David Gergen, a bipartisan adviser to four U.S. presidents—Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Clinton—has died at 83 after a long illness. A Yale and Harvard Law graduate, Navy veteran, and longtime Harvard Kennedy School leader, he founded the Center for Public Leadership and served as a CNN senior political analyst. Colleagues, including Al Gore, praised his integrity, kindness, and judgment. Author of the 2022 leadership book “Hearts Touched with Fire,” Gergen will have a private burial at Mount Auburn Cemetery and a forthcoming memorial at Harvard.

A federal judge in Los Angeles issued temporary restraining orders halting broad immigration sweeps across Los Angeles and six surrounding counties, finding “a mountain of evidence” that ICE and Border Patrol have been conducting unconstitutional stops and arrests based on race, accents, or perceived immigrant-associated work. The orders bar agents from stopping individuals without reasonable suspicion of unlawful status and require immediate access to lawyers for those arrested. The ruling, prompted by an ACLU-led class action, responds to June raids that targeted Latino worker hubs and allegedly swept up both undocumented immigrants and U.S. citizens. DHS criticized the decision, while advocates called it a major rebuke of racial profiling and denial of counsel. The restrictions are temporary as the case proceeds but could significantly curb the administration’s current raid tactics in Southern California.

The State Department, led by Secretary Marco Rubio, is cutting about 15% of its Washington-based staff and eliminating 132 offices in what officials call the agency’s largest overhaul in decades. Early retirements and hundreds of layoff notices are underway, enabled by rewritten personnel rules to dismiss positions being phased out. Rubio argues the cuts will streamline slow, bureaucratic processes; Democrats and former diplomats condemn the move as weakening U.S. diplomacy, eroding institutional knowledge, and diminishing America’s global influence—especially after USAID’s closure. Critics warn the long-term impact could leave the U.S. trailing rivals like China.

Seven months after Bashar al-Assad’s fall, Syria is in a fragile, uneven transition marked by reconstruction hopes, sectarian tensions, and unresolved power-sharing. Washington’s easing of sanctions has sparked cautious optimism for rebuilding, visible in tentative repair work from Aleppo to Manbij, yet governance remains fractured. In Aleppo, rifts persist between Sunni factions that backed rebels and former regime loyalists like Liwa al-Baqir, who feel shortchanged. Kurdish YPG control of key districts complicates a stalled deal to integrate Kurdish institutions into the state. Manbij, once an IS hub, illustrates the security and political minefield: vast IS/YPG tunnel networks remain, reconstruction is underway, but bombings, drugs, and suspected YPG spoilers threaten reintegration. Homs faces kidnappings, sectarian vendettas, and targeted killings of ex-regime figures, prompting government arrests to curb vigilante justice. Damascus was shaken by a deadly church bombing claimed by a Sunni extremist group linked to IS, stoking fear among Christians and public criticism of the interim authorities. In the desert around Palmyra and Deir ez-Zor, the landscape still bears the scars of war and competition over resources. Across the country, the transitional government under Ahmed al-Sharaa pledges protection for minorities after massacres and clashes, but its legitimacy hinges on delivering security, justice, and a durable settlement with Kurdish forces—without which the peace and reconstruction window could quickly close.

The article explains that Xi Jinping’s repeated ousters of top PLA generals are driven primarily by entrenched corruption and nepotism within China’s military, which Xi sees as undermining discipline, morale, and combat readiness. Expert Lyle Morris argues corruption is systemic—promotions and postings often involved bribery—and cannot be eradicated even by a powerful leader like Xi. While Xi’s anti-corruption drive signals a push for a more professional force and can also sideline disloyal figures, it won’t eliminate the problem. Morris contends pervasive graft likely harms readiness and morale, though China’s military remains far more capable than Russia’s pre-Ukraine and would see limited defections if prospects of victory (e.g., over Taiwan) appeared strong. Rumors in individual cases range from financial misconduct to possible intelligence leaks, but no evidence suggests a rebellion against Xi.