Leaderboard

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced a new Department of Defense programme to screen soldiers aged 30 and above for testosterone deficiency, describing it as a way to support readiness and long-term health. In a video posted on X on Wednesday, Hegseth said the department would authorise annual testing for “warfighters” aged 30 and over as part of their routine health assessments. He said service personnel under 30 would be able to opt in to the screening. Hegseth said the move is intended to ensure troops have “right testosterone levels” to operate at their best, linking the programme to what he described as the demands of modern combat. He said addressing health indicators early would help maintain psychological and mental readiness, and that the initiative formed part of the department’s commitment to provide “elite medical care”. Annual testing and voluntary treatmentUnder the plan, annual tests would be carried out for eligible personnel over the age of 30. Hegseth said treatment, including testosterone replacement therapy, would be voluntary. He said the programme is designed to “restore and optimise” capabilities and to prioritise long-term health, with the aim of keeping service members “strong and resilient” for their entire lives. The announcement also framed the screening as part of maintaining physical and mental readiness for modern combat. Hegseth did not give further details on how the tests would be implemented beyond describing them as part of ongoing health assessments. Medical body urges caution on diagnosisThe initiative comes as “low T” has become a prominent political topic in the US. It is not the first time figures in the Trump administration have discussed testosterone levels publicly. In a statement, the American Urological Association said it appreciates the administration’s recognition of the importance of screening for testosterone deficiency. However, it cautioned that diagnosing testosterone deficiency should not rely on a single blood test. The association said testosterone testing can provide a baseline value for people who need further evaluation, but that a diagnosis should be based on symptoms and two separate tests rather than one result. “Low T” debate and gender care not addressedHegseth’s announcement did not address active duty women in the US military. According to the text, more than 231,000 women serve on active duty. The wider debate around testosterone has been taken up across parts of the political right and online. The article says Robert F Kennedy Jr, the US health secretary, has spoken about testosterone as part of his personal anti-ageing approach, and warned in October that teenagers have significantly less testosterone than older men, despite saying the claim was not backed by evidence. The report also points to right-leaning media commentary, including Tucker Carlson criticising what he described as a masculinity crisis in films such as The End of Men, alongside influencers promoting “T-maxxing” and direct-to-consumer testosterone injections. Research cited from the journal Social Science & Medicine says young men are being targeted online by influencers and wellness companies promoting hormone tests and treatments as essential to being a “real man”, despite screening for low testosterone being medically unwarranted for most people in that age group. Join the discussion? 16 July 2026

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, one of US President Donald Trump's closest political allies and a leading voice on American foreign policy, has died at the age of 71 following what his office described as a "brief and sudden illness." Get today's headlines by email A statement released by Graham's office said he died on Saturday evening. His family requested privacy during "this incredibly difficult period." The South Carolina senator had recently returned from Ukraine, where he met President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday. There had been no public indication of any health concerns before the trip. Leading Republican VoiceGraham was first elected to the US Senate in 2002 and went on to become one of Washington's most influential Republican lawmakers, particularly on national security and foreign policy. He also served as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. A long-time advocate for strong US support for Ukraine, Graham had been working on a new version of a Russia sanctions bill during his latest visit to Kyiv. He said the legislation would provide "tools to President Trump to end this war." President Donald Trump paid tribute to his longtime ally in a social media post, describing Graham as a "true American Patriot." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was "deeply saddened" by the senator's death. Writing on X, Zelensky said Graham had visited Ukraine 10 times since Russia's full-scale invasion began and had stood "with our people when it was most needed." "America and the world have lost a determined leader," Zelensky added. From Critic to Close AllyGraham's relationship with Trump underwent a dramatic transformation over the past decade. During the 2016 presidential campaign, he was one of Trump's harshest Republican critics. In a 2015 interview with CNN, Graham described Trump as "a race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot." He also warned on social media that nominating Trump would lead Republicans to defeat. Following the 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol, Graham appeared to distance himself from the president. "Trump and I, we've had a hell of a journey. I hate it to end this way," he said in a speech on the Senate floor. "All I can say is count me out. Enough is enough." Despite those remarks, Graham later became one of Trump's strongest supporters. He voted against convicting Trump during his 2021 impeachment trial and backed his successful 2024 presidential campaign. In a 2023 interview with the BBC, Graham acknowledged what he called Trump's "dark side" but said he continued to support him because of his record on border security, the killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani and the appointment of conservative judges. Strong Foreign Policy AdvocateThroughout his Senate career, Graham was known for advocating a robust US role in global security. He strongly opposed the 2021 withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, calling it "a sad and dangerous event for US national security" and warning that extremist groups would view it as a sign of American weakness. Graham was also a staunch supporter of Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid tribute on Sunday, saying Graham understood that "the security of Israel and America are inseparable." "Lindsey understood that the security of Israel and America are inseparable," Netanyahu said, adding that Israel had lost "one of its greatest friends." Join the discussion? 12 July 2026

President Donald Trump has said he has left standing instructions for the United States to launch an overwhelming military strike against Iran if he is assassinated, amid renewed attention on threats against him and heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. Get today's headlines by email Speaking to the New York Post on Friday, Trump said Iran had targeted him for years and claimed he had already directed how the U.S. should respond if such an attack were carried out. "I've been on their list for a long time. That's what we're dealing with," Trump said. "The only thing is, I've left instructions — if anything happens, to just literally bomb them at levels that they've never seen before." Assassination ThreatsTrump's remarks came a day after The Wall Street Journal reported that Israel had shared intelligence with U.S. officials suggesting there was a new Iranian plot to assassinate the president. However, Trump dismissed suggestions that Israel had uncovered fresh information. "No, no. Israel came up with nothing. No, no," he said. "I've been No. 1 [on Iran's kill list] for a long time, and it's the way life is." CNN, citing U.S. officials, reported that the Israeli intelligence may have been intended to influence Trump's thinking as he considers whether to expand military action against Iran. According to the report, Israel has advocated for stronger military intervention, while Trump has continued to pursue negotiations despite the escalating conflict. Long-Running HostilityIran has been accused of seeking revenge against Trump since he ordered the January 2020 U.S. strike that killed senior Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani. Reuters also reported that during funeral processions this week for Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, crowds chanted "Death to America," while banners reading "We Will Kill Trump" were displayed. Earlier this week, Trump also referred to the threats while speaking to reporters at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. "I'm their No. 1 target because they're scum," he said. Questions were also raised after Trump returned from Turkey aboard the older Air Force One rather than the newer aircraft gifted by Qatar. The White House played down any suggestion that the decision reflected increased security concerns. Military EscalationRelations between Washington and Tehran have deteriorated sharply in recent days. The United States carried out strikes on 90 targets inside Iran on Wednesday after Tehran targeted shipping vessels in the strategic strait. The military action marked a significant escalation in the confrontation between the two countries. On Friday, Trump said Iran had requested that peace talks continue and that Washington had agreed to further negotiations. At the same time, he declared that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran was "over." Earlier in the week, the president also ended the U.S. sanctions waiver covering Iranian oil exports, increasing economic pressure on Tehran. Join the discussion? 11 July 2026

France’s National Assembly has passed a bill to create a right to assisted dying, with strict safeguards, after years of debate and repeated reversals in the upper house. MPs voted 291 to 241 to approve the measure, which had previously been rejected three times by the Senate. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is expected to refer parts of the bill to France’s Constitutional Council to determine whether it complies with the constitution before it can become law. Eligibility and safeguardsThe legislation would allow assisted dying for French adults with a “serious and incurable” illness that is life-threatening and in an advanced or terminal stage. It would require that the condition leaves the person in constant physical or psychological suffering that is unbearable and resistant to treatment. The patient would have to make a request to a doctor, expressing their intention freely. After consultation, the doctor would decide within 15 days. Two-step confirmation and administrationOnce the doctor has agreed that the criteria are met, the patient would be given a two-day period to reflect, after which they would confirm their request again. The final step would involve the patient administering a lethal substance themselves. If they were unable to do so, a doctor or nurse could carry out the administration. The decision to proceed would also need to be verified by the physician on the day of the procedure. Constitutional review and political delayWednesday’s vote means France could join a number of European countries that have decriminalised assisted dying in some form. On the eve of the vote, Lecornu said he intended to submit provisions of the bill to the Constitutional Council, a nine-member body that checks whether laws comply with the constitution. President Emmanuel Macron has previously backed end-of-life legislation, but the process was delayed after he called snap elections two years ago. Since 2024, French prime ministers have shown greater reluctance to advance the assisted dying bill, and Lecornu is known to have reservations about its terms. Ahead of the vote, Lecornu’s office said the National Assembly had debated the bill extensively, but that the Senate had not allowed scrutiny that addressed “both the aspirations of its supporters and concerns of those worried about its implementation”. It said the constitutional review should focus on three specific elements: whether the two-day reflection period is too short; whether patients protected under the law but with impaired judgement can still give free and informed consent; and the role of health and social care facilities in providing assisted dying services, given their stated mission to deliver palliative care for those who are terminally ill. European context and UK debateThe assisted dying issue has been highly contentious in France, with opposition from the Catholic Church and parts of the medical profession. Despite the political conflict, opinion polls have indicated that a large majority of people in France support giving terminally ill patients a choice between palliative care and assisted dying. Similar arguments have played out elsewhere in Europe. The UK’s bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales stalled earlier this year and is due to return to Parliament in September. In the Netherlands and Belgium, assisted dying has been legal since 2002 for people with unbearable suffering from incurable illness, with the practice carried out under a physician’s oversight. Switzerland has long allowed assisted suicide where the person who helps acts unselfishly. Join the discussion? 16 July 2026

The US House of Representatives on Tuesday passed legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent across the country, clearing a key step for the measure as it moves to the Senate. House passes Sunshine Protection ActIn a vote of 308-117, the lower chamber approved the Sunshine Protection Act of 2025. If enacted, the bill would establish daylight saving time as the permanent standard time nationwide. The legislation now goes to the Senate for further consideration. Trump backs measure backed by Florida lawmakersPresident Donald Trump said he supports the bill, posting on Truth Social that the change would help avoid the costs and disruption associated with switching clocks twice each year. He argued that “Hundreds of Millions of Dollars are spent every year” by people, cities and states because they are “forced to change their Clocks,” and said he wants the measure signed into law. The House bill was introduced by Republican Rep. Vern Buchanan of Florida and has been popular in the state. Supporters in Florida have said extending evening daylight could boost tourism and outdoor recreation. Buchanan previously said Floridians and Americans are “tired of the biannual time change,” adding that he believes permanent daylight saving time can improve public health, reduce traffic accidents, lower crime and encourage more outdoor activity. He also described ending the clock change as a “commonsense reform” that would improve daily life for millions of Americans. The top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. of New Jersey, has also backed the bill. Senate consideration after 2022 pushThe Senate unanimously approved a similar measure in 2022, but it stalled in the House. While this time around the House has advanced the new text, the legislation could still face resistance in the upper chamber. Sen. Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, has warned that making daylight saving time permanent would “push winter sunrises to an absurdly late hour.” Cotton said the change could force children to walk to school in the dark, or that schools would need to move start times later. As the process moves forward, lawmakers will consider whether any of those concerns could affect the bill’s prospects in the Senate. Join the discussion? 15 July 2026

Billionaire investor Warren Buffett has said he will not include the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in his annual charitable giving after new disclosures linked the Microsoft co-founder to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Get today's headlines by email In a statement released Tuesday, Buffett said he would donate about $6 billion to four foundations connected to his own family. He did not mention the Gates Foundation in the announcement, which follows renewed public attention on Epstein after the release of related court materials. Donations and end-date for Buffett’s remaining sharesBuffett also outlined a change to how his remaining wealth will be given away. He said his remaining shares of Berkshire Hathaway, worth nearly $146 billion, will be donated to the four foundations by December 31, 2034. He previously had planned for his three children to distribute his remaining fortune within 10 years after his death. Buffett said Tuesday that timing is uncertain, but insisted the donations would still be completed by the end of 2034. “Of course, mortality is unpredictable, but my remaining shares will be donated to the four foundations one way or the other by December 31, 2034,” he said. He added that the aim is for grants managed by his children to grow year by year, and for the annual grant to the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation to increase at a somewhat higher rate. Buffett’s statement came as CNBC said he is scheduled to give the US business network an exclusive interview on the matter on Wednesday morning. The Gates Foundation and Buffett did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Tuesday. Gates, Epstein and review of the foundation’s pastBuffett has long directed substantial parts of his giving to the Gates Foundation. Since he announced plans to distribute his fortune in 2006, more than $61 billion in gifts have gone to the Gates Foundation, including regular transfers of Berkshire Hathaway stock and donations from Buffett’s family foundations. The relationship between Gates and Epstein has been scrutinised again following the disclosure of court materials. Gates has denied any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and has not been accused of wrongdoing. He has said he met Epstein because he believed it would help him raise money for charitable causes. Epstein, who was accused of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls, was found dead at a Manhattan federal detention facility in August 2019. New York City’s medical examiner later ruled his death a suicide. The Gates Foundation said it hired someone in March to assess its past engagement with Epstein and to review policies for vetting future partnerships. Gates and other board members are expected to receive an update on the assessment during the summer, the foundation said. Court documents tied to a Justice Department investigation into Epstein include references to Gates, including email correspondence about philanthropic projects, calendar entries recording meetings, and photographs of Gates at events attended by the two men. Buffett’s past comments and earlier disputeBuffett previously said in 2024 that he would cut off donations to the Gates Foundation after his death, allowing his children to decide how to distribute the remainder of his fortune. The decision announced Tuesday accelerates the shift for the annual donations while he is still alive. Buffett and Gates were close friends for years, speaking often, playing bridge online and taking vacations together. Gates served on Berkshire’s board for years, and Buffett sat on the board of the Gates Foundation. Buffett told CNBC in March that he had not spoken with Gates for months before the Epstein files were released in the autumn of 2025. In earlier years, Buffett defended Gates publicly. Three years ago, Buffett cut off a man who tried to question Gates’ character during a Berkshire shareholder meeting, citing Epstein ties. The man, Peter Flaherty, was arrested for trespassing despite being approved to make the presentation; charges were later dropped, and a lawsuit stemming from the incident is still pending. Buffett told CNBC in March that it was “astounding” how someone could succeed as a con person, adding that he did not want to be involved with anything that could be investigated later. He also said he was glad Epstein never came to Omaha, where he has lived for more than six decades. Buffett stepped down as Berkshire Hathaway chief executive in January after 60 years at the helm, but remains chairman and the largest shareholder. Greg Abel is now CEO. Join the discussion? 15 July 2026

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they launched attacks on American military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait, while also claiming to have destroyed radar systems in Oman and struck fuel tanks and ammunition depots at Prince Hassan Air Base in Jordan. Get today's headlines by email The attacks were described by Tehran as retaliation for the latest US strikes and marked a significant escalation in the growing confrontation between the two countries. Jordan said it intercepted and shot down four missiles fired from Iranian territory. Meanwhile, Kuwait's military said it had intercepted "hostile aerial targets" within the country's airspace. Iran Expands Retaliatory StrikesThe latest exchange of attacks comes as Iran seeks to reinforce its position over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which it regards as its strongest source of leverage in negotiations with Washington. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Tehran is attempting to establish a joint mechanism with Oman to manage the waterway. He accused the United States of hindering those efforts by pressuring Oman, although he did not explain how that pressure was being applied. Oman Proposal Under DiscussionTalks held on Saturday aimed at easing tensions over the Strait of Hormuz included a proposal from Oman to fully reopen both shipping lanes through the waterway, according to Axios, citing a diplomat briefed on the negotiations. Under the reported proposal, the southern shipping route through Omani waters would reopen without requiring prior approval, restoring arrangements that existed before the conflict. According to the diplomat, Iran's delegation was unable to approve the proposal during the talks and returned to Tehran to seek further guidance from its leadership. US Seeks Public CommitmentThe United States is demanding that Iran publicly commit to ending attacks on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz and guarantee that all shipping lanes remain open without tolls or other charges. Iran has instead established a system directing vessels through northern lanes close to its coastline, where it has argued it can impose fees or tolls. Tehran has also insisted that ships use those routes or risk consequences. Join the discussion? 13 July 2026

US Congressman Ro Khanna has said he was detained by armed Israeli settlers while visiting the occupied West Bank, describing the incident as a stark example of the conditions faced by Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. Get today's headlines by email The California Democrat told Reuters that the incident occurred on Wednesday during a visit to a Palestinian village in the southern West Bank that has experienced repeated attacks by Israeli settlers. Khanna said his delegation had been inspecting a village where buildings, including a school, had been destroyed when settlers carrying US-made M4 rifles surrounded their vehicle and blocked the road. Khanna Criticises Israeli ForcesAccording to Khanna, the settlers prevented the group from leaving before contacting the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). "And these hoodlums ... detain us. They block off the road. And then they call the IDF and the IDF is on their side, not on the side of the Americans," Khanna told Reuters. He said the settlers and Israeli soldiers showed little concern that US citizens, including a member of Congress, were being held. Khanna said the experience highlighted what he described as "the arrogance of power" and a culture created by a lack of accountability. His aide, Cameron Kasky, also said on X that he witnessed the incident, writing that Israeli forces "showed up to back up the settlers, not the US congressman." Khanna later told The New York Times that the group remained detained for about 90 minutes before being able to continue after contacting the US Embassy and Israeli police. He said the experience left him feeling powerless and offered insight into what many Palestinians endure under occupation. Israeli Military ResponseThe Israeli military said troops and police responded after receiving reports that settlers were obstructing vehicles near the Palestinian hamlet of Khirbet Zanuta. The village's residents were forced to leave following violent settler attacks after the Hamas assault on Israel in October 2023. More than 700,000 Israelis live in settlements across the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. The United Nations considers the settlements illegal under international law, although Israel disputes that position. Israel has also faced repeated international criticism over settler violence in the territory. Political RemarksAsked whether he plans to seek the US presidency, Khanna told Reuters he was "strongly considering it" and said the events during his trip had strengthened that resolve. Khanna has been among the most outspoken Democratic critics of Israel's military campaign in Gaza and its occupation of the West Bank. He has also argued that US support for Israel's actions contributed to the Democratic Party's defeat in the 2024 presidential election. Join the discussion? 12 July 2026

President Donald Trump said in a primetime address on Thursday that the White House has published documents on its website which he said are aimed at showing vulnerabilities in electronic voting systems. Trump, speaking after the White House press secretary previewed an announcement about election integrity, also accused China of compromising voter data from the 2020 US presidential election. He has previously pushed claims of election wrongdoing despite findings by officials that no widespread voter fraud changed the outcome. Documents on VulnerabilitiesTrump said the White House release consists of what he described as a set of previously classified assessments from the US intelligence community and other reports. He said the material shows weaknesses in electronic voting, framing the publication as part of a wider effort to protect electoral processes. The White House later released details online, in line with his remarks. Democrats and some Republicans have been watching closely for any implications of the speech for voters ahead of future elections, with Trump positioning the message as focused on election security and transparency. China and Voter Data ClaimsIn his speech, Trump accused China of compromising voter data tied to the 2020 election. He did not provide additional publicly confirmed evidence in the text of the remarks provided, but the allegation aligned with his longer-running narrative that foreign actors sought to influence the election. Earlier reporting included that officials in the first Trump administration had described efforts by Iran, China and Russia to influence the 2020 vote, while later determining that none of their interference would have altered the result. Press Secretary Ties It to Election IntegrityAhead of Trump’s address, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said she expected the president to discuss “protecting the integrity of our elections” during her daily briefing, offering few details beyond that focus. When asked about worries among some Republicans that Trump might be “litigating” the 2020 contest again and turning off swing voters, Leavitt said he would instead concentrate on secure elections as a foundation for American democracy. Leavitt urged reporters and the public to listen to the speech, arguing that it would be backed by facts and evidence that the president would present. When pressed further about the political concerns raised by Republicans, she said people should wait until they heard the remarks. Democrats Criticise the TimingDemocrats launched a pre-emptive response on Thursday. Senator John Ossoff called the speech “a prime-time presidential sour grapes address”, saying it would pursue Trump’s previous grievances about the 2020 election. Trump’s remarks come after years in which he has maintained claims that his 2020 defeat involved fraud. US officials have said they found no evidence of widespread voter fraud. In the days leading up to the address, Trump told supporters on his social media platform that the announcement was “really big news” and stressed the importance of “free and fair elections”. He also said from the Oval Office that it would be a major disclosure. The speech also arrives as Trump has made changes in national security personnel. He recently installed loyalist Bill Pulte, who has not previously held national security experience, to lead the Director of National Intelligence. Trump has also said he wanted Pulte to declassify information and remove senior career staff. Join the discussion? 17 July 2026

Iranian officials have privately told advisers to U.S. President Donald Trump that attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz were a mistake and were carried out by an "errant" group of hardliners seeking to derail ongoing negotiations, according to senior U.S. officials. Get today's headlines by email The officials said Tehran has expressed a desire to continue talks with Washington, with negotiations scheduled to take place in Oman on Saturday. The White House is pressing Iran to publicly acknowledge what it describes as a violation of the ceasefire after the attacks on commercial shipping. Trump Keeps Diplomatic Effort on TrackPresident Trump has instructed his negotiating team, led by Vice President JD Vance, Jared Kushner, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to continue pursuing a diplomatic agreement. U.S. officials said Washington remains prepared to use military and economic pressure if Iran carries out further hostile actions. One senior official described Iran's message as an admission of error, saying Tehran had returned to negotiations after acknowledging it had "made a mistake" and wanted discussions to continue. Dispute Over Shipping AttacksAccording to U.S. officials, Iran has claimed the attacks on commercial vessels were initiated by a rogue faction within its system that was attempting to undermine the negotiations. The Trump administration, however, disputes that explanation. Officials said the United States believes Iran reacted after being surprised by the volume of commercial traffic using the southern shipping lane along the Omani coast. Washington had expected that route to remain open under an existing memorandum, but officials believe Iran reversed course after seeing how much oil and gas shipping continued through the passage. Following Saturday's talks, the administration expects Iran to confirm that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open and managed as it was before the recent conflict. One official warned that if Tehran adopts a different position, the outcome would not be favourable for Iran. Another official described the current situation as a "wait-and-see" moment. Nuclear Issue Still LoomsU.S. officials said President Trump is allowing negotiators time to seek an agreement, although they stressed that patience is limited. They also said Washington would prefer to recover what the president has referred to as the "nuclear dust" — the remaining elements of Iran's nuclear programme — through peaceful means. However, officials said other options remain available if Iran does not, in their words, behave like a "normal country." Officials argued that if Iran cannot honour what Washington considers the simplest part of any agreement — keeping the Strait of Hormuz open to international trade — negotiations are unlikely to progress to the more difficult issue of Iran's nuclear programme. The officials declined to comment on reports that Israeli intelligence uncovered alleged plots targeting President Trump, but said the president does not make decisions based on fear or threats. Join the discussion? 11 July 2026

A team of astronomers has reported strong evidence that the rocky exoplanet LHS 1140b, located a few dozen light-years from Earth, has an atmosphere rich in helium. The finding, published in Science, adds to evidence that some worlds beyond the Solar System may have conditions consistent with habitability. Researchers said the planet meets three broad criteria associated with life as understood on Earth: it appears rocky, it orbits within its star’s habitable zone where liquid water could exist at the surface, and it now shows signs of an atmosphere. Collin Cherubim, a planetary scientist who recently completed his doctorate at Harvard University, said there is no evidence of life on the planet. However, he said the observations indicate that key components relevant to habitability are present. A rocky planet in the habitable zoneLHS 1140b was first identified in 2017. It orbits a star at a distance that places it in the habitable zone, described as neither too hot nor too cold for liquid water to exist on the planet’s surface. The exoplanet is cooler than Earth, but larger in both size and mass. Although it is often labelled Earth-like, astronomers say there are important differences between the planet and our own world, including how it moves and rotates relative to its star. Helium signals point to a real atmosphereThe new data indicate that LHS 1140b likely has a helium-rich atmosphere. The research team said the detection provides the first clear evidence for a potentially habitable planet with an atmosphere. An atmosphere is considered important for habitability because it can help a planet retain water, regulate climate conditions and protect the surface from harmful radiation. Scientists have confirmed atmospheres around giant gas planets, but have previously had less certainty about whether rocky planets can hold on to gases over time. Helium escape appears to change over timeCherubim previously built a theoretical model of how a rocky planet’s atmosphere might behave. His calculations suggested that lighter elements, including helium, may escape more easily under certain conditions. He argued that LHS 1140b is a candidate for active helium loss to space. LHS 1140b orbits a red dwarf, the most common type of star in the galaxy. Red dwarfs are smaller and cooler than many other stars, which can make rocky planets around them easier to detect. At the same time, such stars can be energetic, emitting flares that may strip atmospheres from nearby planets. Cherubim said the star hosting LHS 1140b appears less active than typical red dwarfs. In 2024, he and colleagues observed the planet transiting in front of its star using a telescope at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile. Their measurements showed helium at high altitudes, suggesting helium was escaping from an atmosphere that is otherwise difficult to detect. In 2025, the team observed the system again during another eclipse, but this time reported no sign of helium escaping. Shreyas Vissapragada, a planetary scientist at the Carnegie Observatories in Pasadena, California, and an author of the new study, said the change in results was surprising but not entirely unexpected. He noted that differing amounts of helium have been seen in the atmospheres of gas giants and that the new work represents the first time the effect has been observed on a rocky exoplanet. Vissapragada said the observations amount to tracking changes in a planet’s atmosphere over time. Earth-like, with key differencesAstronomers describe LHS 1140b as Earth-like, but it diverges from Earth in several ways. The planet completes an orbit in less than 25 days, compared with Earth’s 365 days. It also always shows the same face to its star, meaning it does not experience a regular day-night cycle in the way Earth does. The planet’s atmosphere is expected to be helium-rich, while Earth’s atmosphere is dominated by nitrogen. In 2020, Sara Seager of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology led research suggesting that yeast and E. coli could survive in an atmosphere of pure helium. While that does not establish that life exists on LHS 1140b, it illustrates that such an environment has been considered plausible in laboratory-based scenarios. Vissapragada said finding an atmosphere on LHS 1140b is a step towards characterising exoplanets that may be truly Earth-like. Join the discussion? 17 July 2026

The Trump administration has issued final notice of plans to introduce tighter visa rules for foreign students, including limiting how long they can remain in the United States without federal permission. Under the changes, which are set to come into effect in September, foreign students on F-1 and J-1 visas will no longer be allowed to stay for the full duration of their studies under the existing “duration of status” approach. Instead, the rules will introduce a time limit on length of stay, restricting how long students can remain in the country before they must obtain permission from the US Department of Homeland Security. Restrictions on transfers and extensionsThe Department of Homeland Security said the policy would also narrow student options to switch programmes and transfer between universities and colleges. Until now, higher education institutions had the authority to grant visa extensions for students. The new rules reduce that flexibility, placing tighter controls on how students maintain their status while studying. DHS said the policy “combats rampant visa abuse, and strengthens national security through regular vetting”. New grace period after graduationThe new framework also changes the period students have after completing their course. Foreign students will be given 30 days to leave the US after graduation or to change to another visa category. This is a reduction from the previous 60-day grace period. Department officials argued that the previous system allowed students to remain in the US indefinitely. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said that, “for decades, foreign students have been admitted into the US indefinitely, allowing thousands to abuse our immigration system by perpetually enrolling in courses to avoid having to leave the US.” Duration-of-status set to endUnder the prior rules, F-1 and J-1 students were able to remain in the US as long as it took to complete their degrees. The new policy replaces that approach with a cap, preventing students from staying for more than four years unless they receive permission from the federal government. Most undergraduate programmes in the US are typically four years, but graduate studies, including doctorates, often take longer to complete. The administration said this could affect fields where students frequently need additional time, particularly in science and technology disciplines. Graduate courses often require more time and involve research activities that can extend study periods. DHS also noted that funding shortfalls and personal circumstances can lengthen the time needed to finish a programme. Criticism from international education groupNAFSA: Association of International Educators, a non-profit that advises schools on foreign student enrolment, criticised the new rules. Fanta Aw, its chief executive, said the policy “injects uncertainty, bureaucracy, and fear into a system that has long worked effectively. It is a solution in search of a problem.” The new rules form part of a wider Trump administration effort to reduce the number of foreign students in the US and tighten immigration controls. The administration has sought to cap the number of students at some elite colleges and has also moved to revoke visas of students who have been critical of US foreign policy. Join the discussion? 17 July 2026

Polish prosecutors have charged an 18-year-old Ukrainian man with carrying out sabotage acts on behalf of Russian intelligence, allegedly aimed at stoking tensions between Poland and Ukraine. The suspect, identified as Illia K under Polish privacy rules, faces 47 criminal charges covering the period from November 2024 to August 2025, when he was arrested. Alleged acts targeting memorialsProsecutors said the alleged operations included the desecration of memorials for Polish victims linked to the Volyhnia massacre, which they said was carried out by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) during the Second World War. The UPA is widely known for involvement in mass killings of Polish civilians in areas that were then part of Poland and are now in western Ukraine. Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW) said the objective was to “incite ethnic tensions” between the two countries. Prosecutors also said that although the defendant allegedly acted for financial reasons rather than ideology, most of the alleged sabotage was carried out for the benefit of foreign intelligence. Espionage investigations riseIn May, the ABW said it had launched 48 espionage investigations in 2024, more than double the number started the previous year. It said Russian intelligence services had focused on discrediting Poland internationally and exploiting “historical ethnic antagonisms”, particularly in Polish-Ukrainian relations. The charges against Illia K included alleged vandalism at the Monument to the Jewish Heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto in Warsaw, as well as damage to memorials to Polish victims of the Volyhnia massacre in Domostawa and Wrocław. Prosecutors said the defendant placed inscriptions and symbols that, they alleged, glorified the UPA. Drone plan and alleged recruitment via cryptoProsecutors further alleged that the man made preparations to fly a drone over President Karol Nawrocki’s vehicle during the Polish Armed Forces’ Day parade in Warsaw on August 15. They said he was arrested three days before the event. ABW said the suspect allegedly recruited people to take part in the crimes, using cryptocurrencies registered in Russia and China to pay participants. According to prosecutors, Illia K received tasks from an unidentified handler through a messaging service. He then allegedly sent back photos to show the tasks had been carried out. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment. Long-running dispute over UPA legacyThe Volyhnia massacre took place between 1943 and 1945, as the UPA fought to create an independent Ukraine for Ukrainians. Prosecutors said up to 100,000 members of the minority Polish population were killed during the conflict. The issue continues to affect relations between the neighbours. At times, Kyiv has blocked Polish requests to exhume victims’ remains from mass graves, although exhumations have resumed. The dispute came to the fore again in May, when President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a decree naming a Ukrainian military unit after the “Heroes of the UPA”. In response, Nawrocki removed Poland’s highest state honour, the Order of the White Eagle, from Zelensky. The action had previously been taken only once in more than 300 years. A Polish academic specialising in eastern affairs, Wojciech Konończuk, director of Warsaw’s Office for Eastern Studies, said Poles and Ukrainians view the UPA differently. In a recent interview with the BBC, he said many Ukrainians regard the group as heroes for fighting the Soviet forces, while in Poland the UPA is seen as a criminal formation responsible for killings of Polish civilians. Join the discussion? 17 July 2026

Vice President JD Vance said the Trump administration mishandled communications around the release of Jeffrey Epstein files, arguing that everything should have been made public immediately while insisting the administration was not trying to conceal information. Speaking on The Joe Rogan Experience in an episode released on Wednesday, Vance said officials had “absolutely screwed up the comms” relating to the files. He was asked whether attempts to keep the documents under wraps involved “undue influence” or were intended to hide something. “I say this with all candor, like we absolutely screwed up the comms of the Epstein files, like we just did,” Vance said. He added that he did not believe the reason for the communications failure was concealment. “But do I think the reason we screwed up the comms is because we were trying to hide something? No,” he said. Blowback over handling of the filesVance’s comments came as the administration faced criticism from within the president’s own support base over how it dealt with the Epstein records. In discussing what he said went wrong, the vice president pointed to public remarks made by then-Attorney General Pam Bondi, who suggested a purported client list was on her desk. Vance also referenced a set of binders provided to right-wing social media influencers in February 2025, describing them as “largely documents that were already released”. He said he did not know the purpose behind those actions, but argued their impact was to increase public mistrust in the overall effort. “I don’t know what the purpose of it was, but I know the effect of it was to make people mistrust the entire effort,” Vance said. He added that he did not think Bondi was acting “anything malicious”. Bondi “overstated” what the administration hadVance said Bondi was trying to respond to the political moment but overstated what materials were available. “I think Pam was trying to respond to the political moment. I think she overstated what we had and what we didn’t have, and I think she got roasted for it publicly by a lot of people, including me,” he said. He returned to the broader handling of the case, describing himself as an early proponent of Epstein-related conspiracy theories and saying he had “gone down every single rabbit hole”. Vance argued that the “original sin” of the Epstein investigation was in 2007 and 2008, when he said it was pursued “way too narrow”. He cited former US Attorney Alex Acosta, who negotiated a controversial plea deal with Epstein, as central to what he described as the failure of the investigation. “If there was a broader conspiracy — and you know my view is that there probably was — the evidence that existed in 2007, that was the opportunity to get it out,” Vance said. He also responded to questions about claims that Epstein may have had links to Israel’s Mossad or other intelligence services, saying: “Yeah, Mossad or CIA or some other deep state.” “He clearly had connections to the upper, the highest levels of American intelligence. He clearly had connections to the highest levels of Israeli intelligence,” he added. Defending Trump’s decision to release recordsVance defended President Donald Trump’s role in releasing the Epstein files, rejecting claims that Trump acted only because of pressure. He argued that Trump could have prevented the congressional push to compel the Justice Department to release the records if he had wanted to. “Trump could have killed” the effort, Vance said, referencing prior attempts by Trump and Republican leaders to quash the move before he reversed course at the last minute. Despite defending the decision to release the files, Vance conceded the process took longer than it should have. “If people want to say we mishandled the Epstein release, guilty. We did mishandle it, especially the communications of it,” he said. He added that the administration should have moved faster. “I think that we should have just dropped everything at the very beginning,” Vance said. “We should have just done it as quickly as possible.” Join the discussion? 16 July 2026

President Donald Trump reversed a temporary move to pause most vehicle stops by Immigration and Customs Enforcement after complaints from supporters, according to two people familiar with the matter. CNN reported on Tuesday that ICE officers had been instructed to largely suspend vehicle stops until further notice, with some exceptions. Tom Homan, the White House border czar, said the step was meant to be temporary, following ICE-related shootings in Houston, Texas, and Maine. ICE Review After Fatal ShootingsThe shootings have led senior officials within the Department of Homeland Security to consider interim changes to operations, sources said. The pause—however brief—removed a key enforcement tool as the administration sought to increase arrests tied to Trump’s mass deportation plans. Officials have also been working under pressure to meet the administration’s self-set target of 2,000 arrests per day. Markwayne Mullin, the Homeland Security secretary, and Homan did not inform Trump about the traffic stop change before it was put in place, according to two people familiar with the timeline. Trump Reacts to Coverage and Orders OverturnTrump became angry after seeing media coverage that described the temporary policy shift as weakening immigration enforcement. Early on Wednesday, he ordered that the guidance be reversed and posted on Truth Social that “The Radical Left Dumocrats would like to see this done, but it won’t happen on my watch.” CNN asked the White House for comment. A reversal followed amid heightened criticism from prominent figures in the MAGA base. Steve Bannon, a longtime adviser to Trump, and conservative lawyer Mike Davis criticised the decision to suspend traffic stops in comments broadcast on Wednesday. Davis, speaking on Bannon’s “War Room” programme, said Mullin should not be aligned with Senate Democrats and Susan Collins, and called for stronger action if the administration could not carry out enforcement priorities. Guidance Reversed, Officers Told to Keep OptionsThe traffic stop guidance was later rolled back, a White House official said, describing it as an effort to ensure ICE officers had appropriate options while carrying out arrests aimed at deporting undocumented people. Mullin said in a statement that he and Trump shared the same position and that ICE officers should have “all options available” to keep them safe while pursuing the administration’s mission of removing “as many illegal alien criminals” as possible. Earlier on Wednesday, Mullin posted an image of Trump’s Truth Social message reversing the guidance. On X, he added that the top priority was to keep officers safe and remove criminals from US streets, and that anyone in the country illegally should leave. According to the source, the guidance applied to ICE staff in Enforcement and Removal Operations, the unit responsible for arrest and deportation of undocumented immigrants. It imposed a pause on initiating vehicle stops. Officers were instead told to coordinate with partner agencies to conduct a stop when executing a criminal warrant involving an individual in a vehicle. Killings Spur Body Camera PledgeThe administration ordered the vehicle stop pause after two fatal shootings during federal immigration enforcement operations drew renewed scrutiny of ICE. Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was killed in Houston and Joan Sebastian Durán Guerrero was shot in Biddeford, Maine. Sources said neither man was the target of the operations in which they were killed. In the aftermath of the shootings, the Department of Homeland Security said it would “rapidly” deploy body cameras to officers across the country, as pressure mounted for independent investigations. Join the discussion? 16 July 2026

China is now viewed more positively than the United States in many countries worldwide, according to a new study by Pew Research Center, the first time the organisation has recorded that pattern at that scale. The non-partisan, US-based think tank found favourable opinions of China have reached record highs in multiple countries, while perceptions of the United States have weakened. Pew said respondents also showed low confidence in both US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, though Xi was rated more positively than Trump. Global views shiftPew surveyed more than 42,000 people across 36 countries between February and May. Participants were asked whether they had a very favourable, somewhat favourable, somewhat unfavourable or very unfavourable view of each superpower. Across the 36 countries, Pew reported that in 25 nations there were more respondents with favourable views of China than of the US. The centre said this marked the first time it had seen such a result across so many countries since it began tracking global sentiments towards the two powers in 2002. Pew research director Jonathan Schulman said the organisation previously recorded dips in positive views of the United States, including in 2008 at the end of George Bush’s presidency and in 2017 at the start of Trump’s first term. Even during those declines, favourable views of China were generally similar to, or slightly below, those of the US, Schulman told the BBC. In this year’s survey, major swings towards China were reported in Spain, Indonesia, Italy, Greece and Canada. Only six countries still preferred the United States more: Poland, the Philippines, South Korea, India, Japan and Israel, which are described as staunch US allies. Pew also found that median favourable views followed different trajectories in its wider dataset. The median favourable opinion of the US across 20 countries fell steadily in recent years, while the median favourable opinion of China rose. Pew said favourable views of China increased in more than a third of the countries surveyed in recent years, based on an expanded dataset that included the United States. The study also pointed to record highs for China in several places, including Italy, Spain, Colombia, Mexico, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria and Turkey. Allies still back USPew said the pattern of attitudes often differed by country income level. Middle-income countries tended to hold more positive views of China, while wealthier countries were more likely to have negative views. One exception was Singapore, where Pew recorded both a high GDP per capita and a high level of positivity towards China. In Asia-Pacific, Pew reported especially sharp contrasts. It said about 90% of respondents in Pakistan appeared to favour China, compared with 11% in Japan. Confidence in Xi and TrumpPew’s survey also asked respondents about confidence in Xi and Trump to do the right thing regarding world affairs. Overall, confidence scores were low for both leaders, with most countries recording results below 50%. Many countries, however, expressed more confidence in Xi than in Trump. For Xi, Pew reported the highest rating was in Pakistan at 83% and the lowest was in Japan at 7%. For Trump, the highest confidence rating was in the Philippines at 68% and the lowest was 4% in the West Bank/East Jerusalem. Schulman said the survey suggested people did not have as firm a view of Xi as they did of other political leaders, while respondents were more likely to give answers at the extremes when rating Trump. Pew also found that while more people believed the US government respected personal freedoms more than China’s government did, the gap had narrowed. When asked about foreign policy, Pew said China was viewed as interfering less than the US in the affairs of other countries. Foreign policy assessmentsIn additional questions Pew asked in several middle-income countries, a median of 75% said the US interfered in other countries’ affairs a great deal or a fair amount, while 45% said the same of China. Similar studies by other groups have produced related but not identical results. Gallup reported last year that China surpassed the US in global approval ratings, with the widest gap in China’s favour recorded in 20 years. Separately, the Asia Society’s Global Public Opinion on China survey said China’s image, which dipped during the pandemic, had made only a modest recovery. Carnegie China scholar Chong Ja Ian said Pew’s findings were consistent with expectations, citing what he described as the volatility of US policy and its economic effects, and saying that China can appear more predictable. He added that while people may not necessarily hold strong confidence in Xi personally, they can still show more positive views of China overall. Join the discussion? 16 July 2026

The UK government has announced plans for a midnight social media curfew for 16 and 17-year-olds, saying the measure will be switched on by default but can be avoided by changing account settings. Get today's headlines by email Under the proposal, popular platforms including Instagram, TikTok and YouTube would be set to be unavailable between midnight and 06:00 for older teenagers. The government said the curfew would be paired with changes to “addictive” design features, including auto-play and infinite scroll, which it wants to disable during the same period. The government argued that the combination would help improve teenagers’ sleep, attention at school and college, and family time. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the steps were designed to ensure young people “enjoy the benefits of technology” while having tools to help them “thrive” online. Critics, however, said the approach was incomplete. Laura Trott, the Conservative shadow education secretary, described the plan as a “dog’s dinner”, arguing that it amounted to a curfew that can be bypassed. Child safety organisations and experts also raised concerns about whether a time-based restriction would protect vulnerable children. Linked with wider online restrictions for childrenThe announcement comes after the government said in June that children under 16 in the UK would be barred entirely from a range of social media platforms. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said it intends to put the new proposals before Parliament by the end of 2026, with a goal of bringing them into effect next spring alongside the planned ban for under-16s. Alongside the curfew, the government said it wants measures to improve the safety of children using AI chatbot services. It said providers should introduce regular breaks for under-18s. Government cites curfew trials; critics question impactThe government said it had trialled several approaches, including overnight curfews, in households across the UK. It reported that 300 teenagers took part in tests in which social apps were disabled overnight from 21:00 to 07:00, or capped to one hour, while some participants saw no changes. The government said the tests lasted one month and were designed to compare experiences. In a report published on Tuesday, officials said the overnight curfews produced the biggest gains in sleep, alongside more engaging family evenings and a lighter burden for parents. It added that the option was also the most manageable to enforce compared with the other interventions tested. Kendall said the findings supported what parents have long told the government: reducing time on social media brings benefits. However, Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, said the plan was “piecemeal” and not the comprehensive child safety framework needed. Prof Sonia Livingstone, an expert in children’s digital rights at the London School of Economics, warned that a curfew could be harmful for vulnerable children if it restricts access to support at night. “If it’s a curfew on companies using push notifications to wake someone up in the night, absolutely have a curfew,” Prof Livingstone told the BBC. She said a restriction that prevents a child in need of help or comfort from reaching trusted sources during the night could cause harm. Ofcom powers, VPN concerns and Australia comparisonDame Rachel de Souza, England’s children’s commissioner, said young people do not want a ban but do want protection from addictive features such as infinite scrolling. She said she wanted to understand how the policies would be delivered and said she would monitor whether they are effective while also urging Ofcom to use its powers to make online services safer for children. The government’s moves have been framed as following steps taken in Australia, where restrictions on social media for under-16s began in December. In Australia, providers were required to close existing accounts and stop teens from opening new ones, but the measures have been criticised as ineffective, with many young people reporting they can still access sites that were meant to be blocked. Questions have also been raised about the practicality of age checks for under-16s, and about how any UK regime might handle virtual private networks (VPNs). On Tuesday, the government said research it commissioned found little evidence that many children use VPNs to bypass age checks. Join the discussion? 15 July 2026

Sir Keir Starmer has become the first serving prime minister of the United Kingdom to receive France’s highest award, the Legion d’honneur. Get today's headlines by email He was presented with the decoration at the end of a meeting associated with the “Coalition of the Willing”, a group of countries set up with French President Emmanuel Macron to support Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Starmer and Macron helped establish the coalition, according to the account of the event. Macron praises Starmer’s roleAt the ceremony in the French presidential palace, Macron said he wanted to express gratitude for Starmer’s “years as prime minister”. He praised Starmer’s “human qualities” and described him as a “reliable and friendly partner”. Macron also referenced commitments from the UK that, he said, supported not only the country but “the security of Europe” and Ukraine, alongside the bilateral relationship between France and the UK. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was among those attending to recognise Starmer ahead of his departure, also paid tribute to the outgoing prime minister. Starmer is due to leave office next week. Zelensky and Merz thank the outgoing leaderDuring the event, Zelensky and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz both publicly thanked Starmer. Zelensky’s comments were part of the acknowledgements made at the conclusion of the meeting in Paris. Merz thanked Starmer in person at the French presidential palace, as did Zelensky, who was listed among those paying tribute. What the Legion d’Honneur isThe Legion d’honneur is awarded each year to around 2,000 French people and 200 foreign nationals. Recipients are recognised for “outstanding merits”. Among past honours in the order is Sir Winston Churchill, who received the highest rank of the decoration, known as Grand Croix (Grand Cross). That level is awarded for continued “outstanding merit” over an extended period. A controversial decoration with notable recipientsThe Legion d’honneur has faced criticism since it was created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. Past recipients include leaders such as Nelson Mandela and former US President Dwight Eisenhower, as well as Zelensky. It has also been granted to figures including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi, and earlier to Benito Mussolini of wartime Italy and Spain’s dictator Francisco Franco. So far, only one foreign recipient has had the honour withdrawn: former Panamanian President Manuel Noriega. Under Macron, French officials also removed the award from Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein following a series of accusations of sexual harassment and rape, according to the report of the decision. Join the discussion? 15 July 2026

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot a Colombian national during an immigration enforcement operation in Biddeford, Maine, after a vehicle attempted to flee, the agency said. Get today's headlines by email The incident comes about a week after ICE used deadly force in a separate case involving another migrant in a traffic stop in Texas. Operation linked to final removal orderICE said agents were surveilling an address in Biddeford for a person with a final order of removal at around 07:00 EDT (11:00 GMT) on Monday. Agents attempted to stop a driver who was leaving the address. ICE said the vehicle tried to flee the scene, and that “fearing for public safety”, an officer discharged a weapon. ICE added that the driver was struck. After the shooting, dozens of demonstrators gathered in Biddeford. Prosecutor, lawmakers order investigation as officer placed on leaveMaine’s top prosecutor said the officer worked for ICE’s Enforcement Removal Operations and has been placed on leave while an investigation is carried out. The state’s Attorney General, Aaron Frey, said initial information indicates the individual “attempted to flee in a vehicle in the direction of the officer and was fatally shot”. Frey said the man’s name would not be released until he is formally identified and his family is notified. The Department of Homeland Security inspector general office is taking over the investigation, Senator Susan Collins said, citing the agency overseeing ICE. Collins and other Maine officials faced questions after reports that the circumstances of the operation changed. Fellow senator Angus King said he was first told by DHS chief Markwayne Mullin that the person shot was a target of an arrest warrant in an immigration operation. Hours later, King said Mullin told him the man was not the target of a warrant. Governor Janet Mills said the death of someone the government was not seeking “makes this tragedy even more disturbing and infuriating”. She said it showed what she called the “reckless and haphazard manner” in which immigration enforcement operations are being conducted in Maine and across the country. Embassy, rights groups confirm victim’s nationality; witnesses describe gunfireColombia’s embassy confirmed the deceased man was Colombian. The embassy said it has requested information and clarification from DHS about the circumstances and will follow the case as the investigation continues. The Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition said the man was a 26-year-old Colombian authorised to work in the United States, and said he was part of its community. The organisation did not identify him. Protests also took place outside the office of Collins after she voted to fund ICE, with demonstrators calling for what King described as a “full and impartial investigation”. Witness accounts to local and national media described the shooting and the response by federal agents. The Biddeford Gazette reported that around 07:20 local time, a resident saw flashing lights from an unmarked white SUV and at least two officers wearing green ICE vests. The witness said agents surrounded a white sedan and that at least four gunshots were heard. Another witness speaking to the Associated Press said the victim lived nearby with his wife and daughter and described seeing his spouse fall to her knees and a child crying with a pink backpack. King said Mullin told him the man was shot after attempting to drive his car at officers. King said that involved “weaponised” use of the vehicle, and that an ICE agent fired. King also said officers did not wear body cameras and that officials would investigate whether deadly force was necessary. The case has renewed attention on DHS and ICE operations. On 7 July, ICE officer Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-old builder, was shot and killed in Houston while driving to a construction site. Federal officials later said he was not the intended target but that he tried to run over an ICE agent. Mullin took over leadership of DHS in March, replacing Kristi Noem after she was fired by US President Donald Trump. Noem’s tenure followed fatal shootings by immigration officers of two protesters, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, both American citizens, after immigration enforcement surges were announced in Minnesota and other states. A similar operation in Maine, launched in January and dubbed Operation Catch of the Day, has also drawn legal challenges. Civil rights organisations filed a lawsuit alleging aggressive tactics by federal agents during enforcement surges. Join the discussion? 14 July 2026

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday that President Donald Trump’s administration would try to “dismantle” the International Criminal Court and called on other governments to support the effort. Get today's headlines by email Rubio accused the court of pursuing the United States through what he described as “so-called international law”, rather than military force. His comments signalled a sharper phase in Washington’s long-running dispute with the Hague-based institution. The Trump administration’s opposition to the ICC dates to the president’s first term, when the court sought to examine alleged war crimes by US forces in Afghanistan. In Trump’s second term, Washington has imposed several sanctions on ICC personnel over efforts to investigate the United States and Israel. Aid Scrutiny ThreatenedA State Department official said the new campaign, led by the department and involving the wider US government, is aimed at isolating the ICC diplomatically. The official said countries receiving US assistance could face closer examination if they do not reject the court’s authority. Rubio wrote in the Wall Street Journal that Washington would use available government measures and work with allies to take the court apart “brick by brick, if necessary”. The State Department official said possible measures include travel bans, visa cancellations and additional sanctions. The official said Washington is pressing countries that cooperate with US law enforcement, host American troops or rely on US security support to reject any ICC claim to prosecute US officials or service members. Senior US officials, including Rubio, the deputy secretary of state and US ambassadors, are contacting foreign governments as part of the effort. Members Urged To LeaveAccording to the official, the administration wants ICC member states to withdraw from the court and end financial support. It is also asking countries outside the ICC, including the United States, to use their diplomatic ties to encourage similar steps. CNN reported that it had sought comment from the ICC. In his opinion article, Rubio accused the court of being supported by leftist non-governmental groups, “smug globalists” and governments hostile to the United States. He also rejected claims by outside organisations that US deportations to El Salvador and deadly boat strikes on alleged narco-terrorists breached international law. DAWN Disputes RubioRubio also dismissed a call from Democracy for the Arab World Now, known as DAWN, for the ICC to look into alleged US war crimes in Iran. He said such claims could expose US actions to court scrutiny. Omar Shakir, DAWN’s executive director, told CNN that Rubio had misrepresented the group’s request to investigate possible war crimes committed during the war. He asked whether Rubio believed US personnel should face investigation over war crimes allegations in Iran. Shakir said governments would be judged by whether they defended institutions created to uphold international law, and argued that Rubio’s campaign was weakening the rules-based order established after World War II. Join the discussion? 14 July 2026

A bull bison said to weigh about 2,000lb (900kg) injured a 65-year-old man in Yellowstone National Park after charging at him and his grandson near a campground in Wyoming. Get today's headlines by email Video Shows Sudden ChargeViral video of the encounter shows the pair stopping to photograph the animal while it was lying in grass. Moments later, the bison rose and ran toward them, eventually striking the older man and throwing him into the air. US media have identified the man as Carl Isom-McDaniel. He suffered multiple injuries and was taken to hospital, the New York Times reported. Witnesses said he appeared to be in significant pain after the impact. The National Park Service has not issued details about the incident. The BBC reported that it had sought comment from the agency. Attack Near Yellowstone LakeThe encounter happened on Friday evening at Bridge Bay Campground, close to Yellowstone Lake, during the last hour before sunset. In the footage, Isom-McDaniel and his grandson appear to be some distance from the bison when they stop walking and lift their cameras. The animal rolls on its side several times before getting up. A white truck then approaches slowly. The bison charges toward the vehicle, prompting the driver to leave quickly, before the animal continues after Isom-McDaniel and the boy, kicking up dust as it runs. The pair attempt to get away by moving through a stand of trees, but the bison catches up with Isom-McDaniel. Mike Macleod, who filmed the scene, told the Cowboy State Daily that the bison caught the man on the hip with its left horn and threw him upward. Macleod said Isom-McDaniel flipped and landed on his side. He added that the man had leg pain but remained conscious and was still joking afterward. Park Warns VisitorsThe NPS says bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal in the park, despite often seeming calm. The agency says they can run three times faster than people and urges visitors to keep well away. Its guidance tells visitors to stay at least 25 yards (23 metres) from bison and not to approach them for photographs. Summer is Yellowstone’s busiest period, with almost 60% of yearly visits taking place in June, July and August, according to the NPS. Mating Season RisksJuly also falls during the bison breeding season, when bull bison have higher testosterone levels, said Jennifer Barfield, scientific lead at Colorado’s Laramie Foothills Bison Conservation Herd. Barfield said that can make the animals more unpredictable than at other times of the year. She said her team avoids getting close to bison during the breeding period except when observing from inside a vehicle. For visitors on foot, Barfield said the 25-yard rule should be treated as the minimum safe distance. Join the discussion? 14 July 2026

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has vowed to avenge the death of his father and predecessor, Ali Khamenei, in his first public statement since taking over the country's leadership. Get today's headlines by email The written message, read on Iranian state television, described revenge as the "will of the nation" and came as funeral ceremonies for Ali Khamenei continued. The former supreme leader was killed in a US-Israeli air strike on 28 February, the opening day of the conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel. Ali Khamenei was buried on Friday in his hometown of Mashhad. Vow of RetaliationMojtaba Khamenei has not appeared in public since before the war, amid reports that he was injured and disfigured in the strike that killed his father. In his statement, he pledged to continue the campaign for retaliation. He added that the effort would continue regardless of who remained in office, saying its fulfilment did not depend on his personal leadership or that of other officials. During funeral events across Iran, many mourners carried placards calling for the death of US President Donald Trump. On Saturday, Trump warned that any attempt to assassinate him would prompt the United States to "decimate and destroy all areas" of Iran. Conflict and Diplomatic EffortsUS media, including The Wall Street Journal, reported this week that Israel had shared intelligence suggesting Iran had recently developed a plan to assassinate Trump. However, the US president denied both that Tehran had launched a new plot and that Israel had been the source of such intelligence. He told the New York Post that he had been Iran's "No. 1" target for a long time. The conflict began on 28 February when US and Israeli forces launched strikes against Iran. Tehran responded with attacks on Israel as well as US targets and allies in the Gulf. Although the United States and Iran agreed to a ceasefire in June to facilitate negotiations, tensions have risen again following attacks on three commercial tankers travelling through US-recommended shipping lanes in waters off Oman. Iran has maintained that the only safe route is through its own territorial waters. Iranian officials said subsequent US strikes killed 17 people and injured 115. Tehran then launched retaliatory strikes against US allies in the Gulf. The latest exchange led Trump to declare the ceasefire over, although he said negotiations would continue with the help of international mediators. US officials have reportedly demanded through intermediaries that Iran publicly guarantee the Strait of Hormuz will remain open to international shipping and commit to ending attacks on commercial vessels. According to US media reports, Iranian officials privately told their American counterparts that the tanker attacks were a mistake carried out by a rogue internal group. Join the discussion? 12 July 2026

South Florida's Palm Beach International Airport officially became President Donald J. Trump International Airport on Thursday, with workers beginning to replace signs across the terminal following the formal name change. Get today's headlines by email New name unveiled as signage is replacedAirport officials said the transition would take several weeks, meaning travelers will temporarily see a mix of the airport's previous branding alongside the new identity. "Because an entire airport transformation doesn't happen overnight, you'll notice a combination of both our classic look and our new brand elements coexisting while traveling through the terminal over the next several weeks," the airport said in a Facebook post. Trump family marks first dayThe first aircraft to arrive under the airport's new name was "Trump Force One," a Boeing 757 owned by The Trump Organization, shortly after 5 a.m. Eric Trump was among those on board. The Trump family frequently uses the airport when traveling to President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in nearby Palm Beach. Earlier this year, a road connecting the airport to the estate was renamed Donald J. Trump Boulevard. Eric Trump welcomed the change in a post on X, saying his father was deserving of the recognition and adding that he would be proud to see the airport's future code, DJT, on his boarding passes. Although the airport's new name took effect immediately, its three-letter code will remain PBI until Aug. 18, when it is scheduled to change to DJT. Trump welcomes the movePresident Trump also praised the renaming in a post on Truth Social, describing it as "a very big day" for Palm Beach. He thanked local supporters for approving the change and said the airport's ongoing renovation would be "spectacular," calling it one of the world's greatest airports. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation earlier this year authorising the renaming. Officials estimate the project will cost up to $5.5 million, covering new signs, branding and related updates. Mixed public reactionSome travellers expressed little concern over the change. Keegan Collett, who was departing for Cincinnati on Thursday morning, said he did not believe Trump should have an airport named after him but added that the issue was not especially important. "At the end of the day, it's just the name of an airport," Collett said. "There's bigger things. I feel like it's just more of a distraction. Why even worry about it?" Elsewhere on Thursday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, and Representative Tim Burchett attended a ceremony in Dandridge, Tennessee, to rename the Interstate 40 Bridge as the Donald J. Trump Bridge. Speaking before the event, Bessent said that "no one is more deserving" of the honour than Trump. Trump won 82% of the vote in Jefferson County, where Dandridge is located, in the 2024 general election. Join the discussion? 11 July 2026

Police are continuing a manhunt for a suspect believed to have killed a mother and her two children before leaving the UK. Officers from Bedfordshire Police forced entry to a home on Carnoustie Drive in Great Denham, near Bedford, on Monday after receiving reports that the family had not been seen for several days. Get today's headlines by email Assistant Chief Constable John Murphy said investigators had identified a suspect who was known to all three victims and believed the individual had since left the country. Murphy described the case as "a deeply distressing incident" in which a mother and her two children were believed to have been murdered. Police identify suspect believed to have left UKFloral tributes have been placed outside the property, with mourners gathering to pay their respects. One woman, while laying flowers at the scene, said: "We're really sorry to lose her. She was such a gracious mother." The driveway of the house remains cordoned off as officers continue their investigation. Residents described their disbelief at the incident, saying violent crime was rare in the quiet village. Community in shockJess Roland said she was stunned when her husband told her about the deaths. "I actually almost wanted to fact check it to see if it was true because it just doesn't seem like something that would happen here – but obviously it could happen to anybody," she said. Her husband, Tim Roland, said the incident was "just incredibly shocking and just really sad". Appeal for informationAnother resident, Brian Cheyne, said the deaths of the two children made the case especially distressing. "It's absolutely shocking, especially the two young children," he said, adding that the discovery several days after the family was last seen made the incident "absolutely horrific". Laura Watson-Smith described Great Denham as a quiet and friendly village where the news had left residents deeply shaken. "Everyone's very shocked and it's incredibly sad and scary to hear that something like that has happened in the village," she said. Police said there was nothing to indicate any wider threat to the public but confirmed that additional patrols would be carried out in the area to reassure residents. Investigators have appealed for anyone with information about the deaths, or who noticed suspicious activity in Great Denham on Friday or Saturday, to contact Bedfordshire Police. Join the discussion? 8 July 2026

An Israeli strike on a funeral in the Gaza Strip has killed at least seven people and injured another 22, according to Al-Awda hospital, a local medical facility. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Al-Awda hospital in the Nuseirat refugee camp said the strike hit the funeral of a Palestinian who had been killed in another Israeli attack earlier on Friday. The hospital confirmed the number of casualties, including at least seven deaths and 22 people injured. Ceasefire in place since OctoberIsrael and the Hamas militant group agreed to a ceasefire deal in October intended to halt their two-year-long war. The heaviest fighting has since subsided, but Gaza’s health ministry said at least 1,123 people have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect. The ministry says it keeps detailed records of casualties, which UN agencies and independent experts describe as generally reliable. An independent UN inquiry has also found that Israel continues to commit genocide by deliberately targeting Palestinian children in Gaza. Ongoing attacks and deaths on both sidesMilitants have carried out shooting attacks on troops, and Israel said its strikes were carried out in response to such attacks and other violations. Israel’s campaign has continued under the ceasefire framework, with five Israeli soldiers killed since it began, according to the account cited in the reporting. Background to the warThe war began after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023. In that attack, about 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage, according to the figures referenced in the report. Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed more than 73,000 Palestinians, including those killed since the ceasefire took effect, Gaza’s health ministry said. Join the discussion? 18 July 2026

London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has been named as one of 26 new peers who will take seats in the House of Lords, in one of Sir Keir Starmer's final acts before leaving office as prime minister. Sir Sadiq is among 16 Labour nominees, alongside broadcaster June Sarpong and former Trades Union Congress general secretary Christina McAnea. The appointments also include five Liberal Democrat peers, three Conservatives and two cross-bench members. Although membership of the House of Lords could make Sir Sadiq eligible to serve as a government minister, the BBC understands he is not seeking a post in Andy Burnham's incoming administration. Cross-party appointments announcedDowning Street released the list of nominations, saying the King had "been graciously pleased to signify his intention of conferring peerages" on those selected. The appointments come just days before Sir Keir is due to leave office on Monday, when Andy Burnham is expected to become the UK's next prime minister. The BBC understands the nominations were prepared before Sir Keir announced his resignation as Labour leader last month. Rather than being a traditional resignation honours list, they are political peerages agreed across the parties. Among the two cross-bench appointments are former Cabinet Secretary Sir Chris Wormald and retired senior judge Sir Brian Leveson. Khan to remain focused on LondonSir Sadiq, who was first elected London mayor in 2016, is serving his third term in office. The BBC has been told he has not yet decided whether he will seek re-election for a fourth term in 2028. A government source described him as "a brilliant mayor who has transformed London for the better", citing reductions in violent crime, cleaner air, the delivery of the Elizabeth Line and increased council house building as reasons the peerage was deserved. A spokesperson for the mayor said Sir Sadiq was "honoured" by the appointment and remained committed to serving the capital. "He is excited about what more can be delivered in the years ahead and he will devote his time and energy to standing up for our city and building a fairer, safer and greener London for everyone," the spokesperson said. Reform debate continuesReform UK did not receive any peerages in the latest appointments. Party leader Nigel Farage criticised the list, calling it "the uniparty writ large" and arguing it left the upper chamber even less representative. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey welcomed his party's five new peers, including agricultural economist Julia Aglionby, former Barnsley councillor Hannah Kitching, economist Tim Leunig, campaigns director Dave McCobb and offshore wind entrepreneur Mark Petterson. He said they would help hold the government to account and support efforts to reform the House of Lords. The Conservatives' new peers include former head of the Army General Sir Patrick Sanders, Carphone Warehouse co-founder David Ross and University of Warwick professor Swaran Singh. The party said all three would bring valuable expertise from defence, business and healthcare. Calls for House of Lords reformMembers of the House of Lords are formally appointed by the King on the advice of the prime minister once nominees have completed the vetting process. Labour pledged in 2022 to abolish the House of Lords and replace it with a new second chamber, but later softened that commitment. Instead, the party promised to consider wider reform while immediately removing the remaining hereditary peers, a change completed earlier this year. Andy Burnham has continued to argue for a fundamental overhaul of the unelected chamber, saying it is difficult to justify having half of the UK's national legislature made up of unelected members. The Electoral Reform Society also questioned the latest appointments, saying Labour supporters would be puzzled by the expansion of the Lords while the party continues to promise reform. The group's chief executive, Darren Hughes, urged the next prime minister to create a smaller, democratic upper chamber that is more representative and accountable. Join the discussion? 17 July 2026

The United States military launched another wave of strikes on Iran, while Tehran said it retaliated with missile and drone attacks against US military assets in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan. Iran’s Health Ministry said at least 35 people were killed and more than 300 injured since fighting resumed last week. US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees operations in the Middle East, said it carried out an evening operation that began as part of a wave of strikes against Iran, concluding at 9pm ET on Wednesday (01:00 GMT on Thursday). CENTCOM says 90-minute strikeCENTCOM said the 90-minute mission targeted what it described as Iranian command centres, air defence sites, missile and drone capabilities, and coastal surveillance facilities. It said the aim was to reduce Iran’s ability to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The command said the operation hit Bandar Abbas, a southern port city and naval hub overlooking the waterway. It also targeted coastal defence and cruise missile sites on Greater Tunb island, one of three islands near the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian air defences were activated over Tehran, according to state media reporting attacks across much of the country. Picture courtesy of Al Jazeera Iran reports attacks across multiple provincesExplosions were reported in Bandar Abbas and on Qeshm island in the south. Iranian media also reported strikes in Sirik, Chabahar and Konarak on the southeastern coast, along with attacks further inland in Rask, Khondab, Khorramabad and Semnan. Iranian authorities said there were no casualties in Pakdasht or at the Parchin military complex near Tehran. In Semnan, the state broadcaster IRIB, citing a senior security official, said there were no deaths or injuries following the attack. Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera said a civilian airport building in Semnan was attacked, with only minor damage reported. The network said a storage facility in the same city was also hit. In Khuzestan province, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it intercepted and shot down a US MQ-9 drone over Andimeshk. Retaliation claimed across Kuwait, Bahrain and JordanIran said it carried out retaliatory missile and drone attacks against facilities used by US forces in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan. The Iranian army said its missiles targeted US radar and air defence systems in Kuwait and Bahrain. Kuwait’s military said its air defences were confronting attacks by “hostile drones”. It said any explosion sounds were the result of interceptors handling the attacks. Kuwait said it intercepted four cruise missiles and 21 drones launched from Iran between Wednesday and early Thursday. Iranian state media said missiles struck Patriot missile batteries and fuel tanks used by US forces at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. The Iranian army added that drones targeted communications equipment, Super Hawk radar systems and Patriot air defence installations used by US forces at Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain. It also claimed missile and drone attacks on Jordan’s al-Azraq Air Base. Jordan’s military said earlier on Wednesday it intercepted eight Iranian missiles. In a statement addressed to the Jordanian public, the IRGC said it had “targeted and destroyed” what it called a fighter jet storage ramp and a new command and control centre in West Asia at a “very large base” in Al-Azraq, using Khyber-Shakan ballistic missiles. Iran’s army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia warned that attacks “will spread to new areas” if the US continues its strikes, saying Iran’s response would be commensurate and exceed expectations. Blockade enforcement and Trump commentsThe latest escalation comes less than a month after Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding extending an April ceasefire and setting out plans for negotiations to end the war that began on February 28, following Israeli and US strikes on Iran. Both sides have since accused the other of violating the agreement. Separately, CENTCOM said US forces disabled an oil tanker attempting to sail towards an Iranian port. It said the Curacao-flagged M/T Belma was observed transiting towards Kharg Island despite warnings, and that a US aircraft fired Hellfire missiles into the ship’s smokestack. CENTCOM said the vessel stopped transiting towards Iran, and that during the first 24 hours of enforcement it redirected two compliant commercial vessels and disabled one non-compliant vessel. Reporting from Washington, Al Jazeera said President Donald Trump has indicated he could broaden US military operations beyond targeting Iranian military facilities, including storage and naval assets, and has raised the possibility of striking parts of Iranian infrastructure, such as power plants and bridges. Join the discussion? 17 July 2026

A 15-year-old British girl was stranded in Rome for six weeks after being refused permission to return to her UK school, after the Home Office rule requiring dual British nationals to hold a British passport or a “certificate of entitlement” to enter the country came into force in February. The girl, who has dual nationality, was in Italy in April to visit her grandmother when she was prevented from boarding a flight home. Her father, Rowan Somerville, said she missed six weeks of education while the issue was resolved. Passport rule blocks return for dual nationalsUnder the policy, dual nationals risk being denied boarding of a flight, train or ferry if they do not present a British passport, whether current or expired, or a certificate of entitlement. The certificate, priced at £589, is linked to the passport of the person’s second nationality. Somerville said the Home Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office were unable to help him secure a temporary document to allow his daughter to travel because she did not hold a British passport in the first place. Her school wrote to government departments, saying it was increasingly concerned about her prolonged absence from education. Emergency travel document issued in MaySomerville and his family then sought help through their local MP, Joe Powell. Powell said he made representations to the Home Office and the FCDO and that, in May, the FCDO issued the girl with an emergency travel document, allowing her to return to the UK. Powell said the case was not unique, and urged the immigration minister, Mike Tapp, to ensure no other schoolchildren were left stranded by the rules. He said the policy changes were not communicated meaningfully to the public and that the outcome showed weaknesses in how government departments support people who fall through administrative gaps. Powell said the girl had two valid passports and a British parent and had been in UK education since nursery. He added that the changes to the Home Office’s requirements left her stuck in Rome and missing six weeks of school. Home Office says carriers must verify citizenshipSomerville described the process of getting his daughter the necessary British passport as prolonged and difficult. He said getting the passport took about three months, while the government website states it takes three weeks. He said the Passport Office’s front-line customer service staff were helpful, but added that he encountered what he described as bureaucratic obstacles once his complaint was escalated, including a call during which staff told him they could no longer speak to him because his daughter had turned 16. The Home Office previously rejected claims that it had not informed the public about the rule change, saying information is available on gov.uk. A Home Office spokesperson said Somerville’s daughter “was granted an emergency travel document in May, enabling them to return to the UK”, and added that the department remained in contact about a passport application. The spokesperson said that once information was received and checks were concluded, a passport was issued within eight days. The spokesperson said that since February all dual British citizens have needed to present either a valid British passport or a certificate of entitlement when travelling to the UK, arguing that without the documents “carriers cannot verify British citizenship”, which may lead to delays or refused boarding. Join the discussion? 16 July 2026

The Trump administration has removed a slavery-focused exhibition from the home of former US President George Washington in Philadelphia, replacing it with another display, the Associated Press reported. On Wednesday, officials swapped the exhibit at Washington’s former residence with a different version. Historians cited by the AP said the replacement is not historically accurate. In a statement posted on X, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said the city remained “committed to the honest and accurate portrayal of history at the President’s House.” “A portrayal that was the hard-fought and hard-won result of the effort of countless federal, state, and local officials as well as advocates, including Avenging the Ancestors Coalition, dedicated to telling the truth,” Parker added. Panels removed before the new displayParker said that during the previous night the federal government removed panels at the President’s House that, she said, presented a thorough history of Philadelphia. She said the Trump administration had the authority to make the change following a federal court decision. The mayor did not provide further details of the ruling in her statement. The exhibition being replaced had been designed to describe the lives of enslaved people who lived in the former executive mansion. It included information about nine people enslaved by Washington. Washington lived in the house, along with John Adams, before the White House was built. The location later became associated with the presidential era as part of the federal historical site. Exhibit opened 16 years agoThe slavery exhibit opened 16 years ago. It was presented as part of the public interpretation of Washington’s Philadelphia home, and it aimed to document the presence of enslaved people in the former mansion. According to the AP, the administration’s newly installed version has been criticised by historians who argue that it does not reflect the historical record in the same way as the previous display. The AP said the change followed the removal and reinstatement of the exhibition in earlier months, indicating that the exhibit’s future has been contested through both legal and administrative action. Earlier removal and court deadlineThis was not the first time the exhibit had been taken down. It was removed in January, but restored in February after a federal judge set a deadline ordering the National Park Service (NPS) to bring the display back. The NPS is responsible for managing the site, and the February reinstatement occurred before the deadline established by the court. In the AP report, The Hill said it had reached out to the Department of the Interior for comment. The Department of the Interior oversees the NPS. What the dispute centres onAt the centre of the dispute is how the President’s House presents slavery and the enslavement linked to the historic residence. Parker, speaking for the city, said Philadelphia would continue to push for what she described as an “accurate portrayal” of the history connected to the site. The administration’s actions, according to the mayor and the AP, were carried out under federal authority after litigation, even as historians raised concerns about the historical accuracy of the replacement materials. Join the discussion? 16 July 2026

House Democrats nearly split evenly on Wednesday in a vote on an amendment to cut off U.S. aid to Israel, highlighting how the issue is reshaping divisions within the party. The amendment, led by Rep. Thomas Massie, was widely expected to fail as a political gesture. But it also acted as a litmus test for Democrats facing increasing pressure from an activist wing over Israel policy. The amendment was defeated by 104 votes to 314, with 10 members voting present. In total, 103 Democrats supported the measure, while 98 voted against it. Massie, a Republican, was the only Republican to vote in favour of the amendment. A defeated amendment, but a clear party splitThe vote was on a fiscal year 2027 funding bill covering the State Department and national security. The measure would have prevented funds in the bill from being used for Israel and would have reduced the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme by $3.3 billion, an amount intended to match funds designated for Israel. Democratic leaders were divided. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar both opposed the amendment, while House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark voted for it. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi also voted in favour. The 10 Democrats who voted “present” were Reps. Ami Bera of California, Shontel Brown of Ohio, Janelle Bynum of Oregon, Sarah Elfreth of Maryland, Jared Huffman of California, Betty McCollum of Minnesota, Kelly Morrison of Minnesota, Chris Pappas of New Hampshire, Linda Sánchez of California and Mike Thompson of California. Jeffries and Clark disagree on whether the measure helpsJeffries said he planned to vote against the bill on Tuesday, arguing in a “Dear Colleague” letter that the amendment was too broad because it would “prohibit or limit” funding tied to longstanding initiatives. He said it would affect areas including humanitarian assistance, refugee resettlement, peace-building and operations linked to the U.S. Embassy. In his view, more direct steps were needed to force change regarding the Israeli government. He accused Republican leaders of using the amendment for partisan purposes. Clark said in her Wednesday remarks that the amendment was also overly broad, and she characterised it as an attempt by Republicans to score political points. However, she said the current approach was not sustainable. Clark argued that the United States should not provide a “blank check” for military aid to any country that does not comply with U.S. law, interests and values, and that the Netanyahu government had not met those standards. She said she would vote for the amendment to change course, while not endorsing the entirety of the Republican proposal or the reasons behind its timing. Pelosi backs the amendment’s message despite reservationsPelosi said she remained committed to a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and to support for a two-state solution. She also said the amendment created an “unfortunate choice” for the House. Pelosi argued that, for the sake of Israelis and Palestinians, U.S. policy must change to achieve what she described as a just and lasting peace. She said the United States must promote security and stability, and that Americans were demanding an end to what she described as a perpetual cycle of war. She said the Netanyahu government could not continue on its current path. While she called the amendment ill-conceived, Pelosi said she voted yes to send what she viewed as the right signal. Join the discussion? 16 July 2026

A 14-year-old boy from south London has been charged with an offence linked to “extreme rightwing terrorism” after police found documents of concern during a search of his home. The Metropolitan Police said the teenager was arrested on 9 July on suspicion of criminal damage to a vehicle. Officers who went to the address then uncovered what they described as “a number of documents of concern”, prompting further counter-terrorism work. Alleged target in SuttonThe terrorism charge relates to an alleged plan to target two mosques in the Sutton area of south London. The Met said the mosques affected had been contacted and were receiving support from specialist officers. It added that officers were not looking for any other suspects in connection with the plot. Following further inquiries by counter-terrorism officers working with the Crown Prosecution Service, the boy was charged with preparation of terrorist acts on or before 9 July. Other chargeHe was also charged with racially aggravated damage to property after officers alleged he damaged a car window on or before 20 June in Sutton. Both charges stem from matters investigated after the initial vehicle incident and the subsequent search. Helen Flanagan, head of counter-terrorism policing for London, said the charge was serious and would be of concern to the public and local community. She said the case was particularly worrying for the Muslim community and that police were working with the venues affected to provide updates, advice, support and reassurance. Flanagan added that the force is seeing an increasing number of children and young people in its counter-terrorism casework. Nick Blackburn, the Met’s deputy commander for local policing in south London, said the cumulative impact of such incidents can be significant for Muslim communities. He said the charges were brought just days after 12 people were arrested over a suspected threat to an Islamic festival in Suffolk, and after a man was arrested over an alleged assault outside a mosque in Leyton. Blackburn said counter-terrorism colleagues were involved throughout the investigation and that additional patrols had been put in place in affected areas, with further patrols expected in the coming days. Wider security guidanceLast month, new national guidance from the Muslim Council of Britain advised mosques in the UK to carry out lockdown drills, strengthen links with police and improve CCTV coverage. The guidance was issued amid growing concerns about anti-Muslim attacks and warned that Muslim places of worship faced increasing risks including vandalism, intimidation, threats and targeted hostility. The Met’s announcement follows a wider pattern of incidents affecting Muslim communities. These include a “potential serious threat” to an event in Suffolk, racist riots in Belfast last month, and attempted firebombings, vandalism and violent attacks on mosques in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool, Shrewsbury and parts of east London. Join the discussion? 16 July 2026

A 68-year-old man in Berlin has been charged with 22 counts of raping women who prosecutors say were unconscious, with investigators also believing the assaults may have involved as many as 60 victims. Berlin prosecutors said they have indicted the German national, an electrician who has not been named, on charges covering sexual assault of 14 women. They said he has been in custody since March and that the offences were allegedly filmed. Investigators believe that the suspect may have attacked up to 60 people, based on video material gathered during an ongoing probe. Prosecutors said the case formed part of a wider pattern of high-profile series offences in which victims were targeted without their knowledge and the assaults were recorded. Charges and alleged victimsProsecutors said the indictment relates to 22 counts involving 14 women. They also said their investigation has uncovered numerous alleged offences against a total of 58 women. They added that 10 of the women had not yet been identified. Prosecutors said the charges are framed not only around sexual violence, but also around violations of the right to one’s own image. They said the suspect is alleged to have recorded each offence, and that this element is part of the legal basis for the charges. Sedation and online approachProsecutors said the suspect is accused of sedating the women using various sleeping tablets combined with alcohol, before allegedly raping them. They said the victims were allegedly lured beforehand through online dating platforms. Several people believed to have been attacked told investigators they could not remember the alleged assaults, and they only became aware of what had happened after the videos were found. Prosecutors said the man had not responded to the charges. How investigators built the caseThe case emerged after a tip from police in Lower Saxony. In early 2025, officers there were investigating similar allegations against another man who later died. Prosecutors said that man had been in contact with the Berlin suspect through online chats. The tip led Berlin police to search the suspect’s home in the Friedrichsfelde suburb. During the search, officers reportedly discovered a large set of digital files. In 2026, an investigator found several videos of sexual assaults in which the suspect is believed to be the attacker. Police then carried out another raid at his flat in March of this year and detained him. Parallels with other casesProsecutors said the allegations have prompted comparisons with other incidents investigated in Germany this year, including cases in Berlin and Munich involving drugged women whose assaults were recorded. German media also drew parallels with the highly publicised trial of Gisèle Pelicot in France, in which her husband was convicted of drugging and abusing her and offering her unconscious to multiple strangers to be raped. The comparisons were drawn by media reports, rather than by prosecutors in Berlin. Join the discussion? 16 July 2026

An American man arrested in Spain after allegedly providing material support for Hamas is being held without bail in Madrid as the US government seeks his extradition, prompting fresh concerns among leftwing supporters of Palestinian causes about “chilling effects” on humanitarian and political activity. Get today's headlines by email Spanish authorities detained James “Fergie” Chambers on Friday in Ibiza. He is now in custody in the Spanish capital, where a hearing has been set for Thursday to decide whether he can be released on bail. The indictment against him has been sealed. Spanish extradition processThe Spanish high court has 40 days to rule on the US extradition request submitted by the Trump administration. If the court rejects the bid, the proceedings end at that stage. If it approves the request, the Council of Ministers makes the final decision, according to a spokesperson for the court. Stanley Cohen, an attorney with decades of experience in terrorism cases, said the case is the first known instance of the US pursuing extradition of a citizen who has been arrested and charged in connection with support for Hamas. In comments reported by supporters, Cohen said the decision to seek extradition would “look good” politically, adding that he believed the move was made for “political purposes”. Chambers’s case, he suggested, could influence how other people and groups view the risks of involvement in pro-Palestinian work. Donations and alleged linksChambers, who describes himself as anti-imperialist, is the heir to a wealthy US family that owns Cox Communications. His legal team says he has funded progressive and humanitarian projects, including initiatives supporting children and other community efforts in the Middle East, and that he has donated more than $1m to humanitarian projects in Gaza. His attorney, Llorenç Salvà, said in a statement that Chambers has long been known to US authorities and that the Trump administration, which has prioritised disrupting alleged terrorist-related funding, is now seeking his extradition. In statements about the arrest, Chambers’s partner, Stella Schnabel, said he was being jailed for using his wealth to support Palestine, characterising it as political persecution. Chambers also said he had been on the US federal government’s radar for more than a decade. According to the account of his activities, he sold stock in mid-2023 worth around $250m as part of transactions within his family’s holdings, and later directed money towards causes he supported. The case drew attention in the United States after Chambers was profiled in US media. In late 2023, he gave an interview on local television in New Hampshire about a direct action against Elbit Systems, described as an Israel defence contractor, which he said was carried out by a group that he had backed financially. He later moved to Tunisia, where he bought the football club Club Africain. Leftwing concerns and legal precedentsSpanish politicians and lawmakers from left-of-centre parties have questioned whether the state is treating humanitarian or solidarity work as criminal support for terrorism. Irene Montero, a member of Podemos and a Spanish representative in the European Parliament, posted on X on Monday that Spain should not collaborate with the Trump administration in what she described as the persecution of Palestinian solidarity, arguing the government should protect Chambers. Separately, six members of Spain’s Congress from Sumar wrote that Chambers’s arrest occurred in the context of “growing repression” from the Trump administration against the Palestinian solidarity movement. They also pointed to Spain’s wider public critiques of Israel’s actions in Gaza and said that heightened tensions with the Trump administration form part of the background to the US request. Trevor Aaronson, author of books on the FBI and terrorism, linked the Chambers case to arguments made within Trump-era counter-terrorism thinking that leftwing groups can be treated as part of a broader network connected to violence. He said the approach echoes legal reasoning developed in the post-9/11 “War on Terrorism”, including the mid-2000s Holy Land Foundation case, where prosecutors argued that money can be “fungible” and that support for governed areas could indirectly aid groups such as Hamas. Aaronson said that such reasoning can create a “chilling effect”, discouraging people from donating to Palestinian groups or other leftwing organisations for fear their actions could be interpreted as terrorism-related support. He also criticised the timing, saying that humanitarian needs in Gaza are greater than ever and that linking aid to terrorism is significant. Join the discussion? 15 July 2026

China has detained a US seismologist who studies nuclear test activity for nearly two years on espionage allegations, the man’s family said, while Beijing said the case is being handled under Chinese law. Get today's headlines by email Detained in Beijing visitChen Youlin, 54, was arrested in November 2024 while travelling to Beijing to visit family, according to Global Reach, a US hostage advocacy group. His relatives decided to speak publicly after they said they had not seen any indication that Chinese authorities would release him. Chen’s wife, Rong Yufang—also a seismologist—said she has not been able to speak with her husband for more than 600 days and is concerned for his health and welfare. She said in a statement carried by Global Reach that he has been denied regular contact. China’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that judicial authorities handle cases according to law. Spokesman Lin Jian said there was “no such thing as so-called wrongful detention”. In China, he noted, espionage convictions can lead to life imprisonment or the death penalty. Chen is currently the only US citizen designated as “wrongfully detained” by Global Reach. Work focused on North Korea testsRong told Reuters that Chinese authorities questioned Chen more than 100 times about his research and that he was not allowed to see a lawyer for the first 13 months of his detention. Chen, who was born in China and became a US citizen in 2011, lives in Boston, Massachusetts. His published work focuses on North Korea, a close Chinese partner that has been under long-running sanctions over its nuclear weapons programme and underground nuclear tests. It is not clear, the reporting said, whether and how Chen’s research intersected with any nuclear activity by China. US intelligence has suggested that China is developing a new nuclear arsenal and has carried out secret tests, charges Beijing denies. Rong said Chen worked with Chinese colleagues in ways she described as transparent, adding that his work was collaborative rather than secretive. His research included a study in December 2020 that used seismic data recorded across Asia—including China—to improve nuclear test monitoring and estimate yields. Treaty monitoring and US-funded projectsChen’s work drew on seismological methods to detect nuclear explosions. He also undertook projects funded by the US government, according to Global Reach. The advocacy group said there are “suspicions within the US government” that Chen’s arrest was linked to China conducting nuclear tests in violation of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. The treaty aims to ban all nuclear explosion tests, but several “nuclear-capable” states have not ratified it, including the US and China. Both countries have observed voluntary moratoriums on explosive nuclear testing. In June 2020, during Donald Trump’s first term, the US administration accused China of conducting a covert underground nuclear test at the Lop Nur facility in the country’s north-west. China rejected the allegations as unfounded and politically motivated. Health concerns and US responseA separate US-based hostage advocacy group, the Foley Foundation, said Chen’s health is a concern and noted he has diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. It said he needs reliable access to medical treatment that is not available while he is imprisoned. US Senator Edward Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, said China’s handling of Chen “has undermined [its] partnership [with the US]” and could discourage other academics from working with Chinese counterparts. In a statement published on Tuesday, Markey said he hoped increased attention would lead to Chen’s release. Details about Chen’s detention emerged about a month after China confirmed it had arrested another US academic, Min Zin, director of a Myanmar-focused think tank. Beijing has accused Min of spying and of endangering Chinese national security. Join the discussion? 15 July 2026

US President Donald Trump said next week the United States would strike Iran’s bridges and power plants unless Tehran resumed talks, escalating pressure as fighting between the two countries entered its fourth consecutive day. Get today's headlines by email The remarks were made in an interview on Fox News, in the same period that US and Iranian forces reported continued exchanges of fire. Threat Linked to Resuming NegotiationsTrump said he warned Iranian authorities that “it gets really bad” unless Iran “gets to the table and negotiate”. He said the US would “knock out” power plants and bridges, repeating threats he had previously made and which were condemned at the time by UN officials. In April, Trump threatened strikes on civilian infrastructure in Iran, including bridges and power plants. Volker Türk, the UN human rights chief, said deliberately attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure is prohibited under international law and amounts to a war crime. The Geneva Conventions, agreed in 1949, bar attacks on sites essential for civilians. In Tuesday night’s interview, Trump also said US negotiators had told their Iranian counterparts that they needed to make a deal or “you’re not going to have anything left”. US Says It Targeted Capabilities Used to Attack ShippingThe latest escalation in rhetoric coincided with a renewed round of US strikes. US Central Command said late on Tuesday that its forces began an additional round of strikes against Iran to degrade capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. US Admiral Brad Cooper said in a late Tuesday statement that Iran had “intentionally targeted civilians” by attacking seven commercial ships. Cooper said the attacks resulted in nearly a dozen civilian crew members killed, missing, or injured. The United Arab Emirates said on Monday night that Iranian cruise missiles had hit two UAE tankers, killing one Indian crew member and wounding eight others, with four in serious condition. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps later confirmed the strikes via Telegram, saying two tankers ignored warnings, switched off navigation systems and tried to pass through a mined route. Centcom did not specify which other incidents its statement referred to, and the IRGC did not immediately comment beyond its Telegram message. In the early hours of Wednesday, Kuwait’s military said it was intercepting Iranian attack drones, while Bahrain activated air raid sirens. Kuwait’s army said air defences were engaging hostile drone attacks, and Bahrain’s interior ministry urged residents to move to safe places. Tehran said on Tuesday it had targeted US military facilities in Bahrain and Jordan after earlier attacking two UAE tankers. Fee Plan Row and Blockade MoveTrump’s comments came after he said a 20% fee he had threatened to impose on cargo moving through the Strait of Hormuz would be replaced by “massive” trade and investment deals with Gulf states. The announcement was made hours before the US resumed its blockade of Iranian ports. On Truth Social, Trump said he had decided to replace the “United States Reimbursement Fee” with trade and investment deals to be made by Gulf states with the US, adding that the investments would be “MASSIVE” and “extraordinarily good” for them, without giving further details. He also said the strait was open to all ship traffic except for Iran and said oil was flowing “like never before”. After talks in Washington with Iraq’s new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, Trump said he did not like the concept of a fee, but that it was “not fair” for the US to protect the strait for the entire world. He said he had adjusted his initial plan after receiving calls from Gulf leaders. Iran said it would remain in control of the Strait of Hormuz. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi told state television that the decision to tighten measures, including a blockade, had “dismantled” an earlier agreed truce, according to AFP. Reuters reported him saying that if the US tried to squeeze Iran through military actions and an economic blockade, it would be a mistake. The US imposed a naval blockade of all Iranian ports in April. About five weeks later, it said it had redirected 100 commercial vessels and disabled four. The US lifted the blockade in June as part of a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict, but a dispute over the strait remains a key point. Shipping data shows traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed to a two-month low, while Brent crude prices have risen sharply. Join the discussion? 15 July 2026

Donald Trump’s shifting demands over how the United States would secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have underscored how hard it is proving to end the war with Iran, which has now dragged on for more than four months. Get today's headlines by email On Monday, the president announced on Truth Social that the United States would resume a naval blockade of Iranian-linked shipping and said all vessels passing through the strait, including ships from US allies, would have to pay a 20% fee. Trump said the charges were meant to reimburse the US “for any and all costs” tied to providing safety and security in what he described as a volatile area. The proposal lasted a day. On Tuesday, Trump withdrew it, instead saying he would pursue “trade and investment deals” with Gulf allies. The message suggested Washington would offer them safe passage through Hormuz in exchange for cooperation on economic arrangements. Hormuz proposal flips after short runThe abrupt change came as negotiations between Washington and Tehran, temporarily framed by a memorandum of understanding, failed to produce an enduring ceasefire. The MOU had been meant to put a ceiling on hostilities and set out a path for further talks. Both sides had previously described it as a breakthrough, though key aspects were left for later negotiation. Trump’s blockade announcement on Tuesday signaled the end of that framework. At 10:16 ET (16:16 BST), the MOU “died” on Truth Social, according to Trump’s post, as he also cited a wave of renewed US military strikes across Iran. Blockade returns as attacks spreadIran responded by intensifying attacks on US allies and on commercial shipping in the region. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz again slowed to near standstill, according to the report. The renewed cycle of fighting followed weeks of stop-and-start diplomacy. Each time a ceasefire appeared to hold, occasional incidents tested the terms, leaving doubts about whether both sides were observing the same understanding. Although the US had, in military terms, carried out strikes that it said achieved its immediate aims—destroying Iranian ships, aircraft and targets and degrading defence capabilities—the political track remained unresolved. The ability to deny Iran access to the strait was also not automatic, the article said, and without a major escalation by American forces in the region, the US could not fully prevent Iranian pressure on shipping. Prior “tolls” criticism resurfacesTrump’s latest Hormuz fee idea was not new, having been floated at various points during the war. But it collided with earlier US messaging from within the administration. In a statement last month, Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned an Iranian plan to impose “fees” on shipping through the strait, saying international waterways should not be subject to tolls and referring to existing international law and practice across global routes. The memorandum’s text had also left room for Iran to play a role in managing the safe passage of commercial vessels through Hormuz. It stated that the Islamic Republic would make arrangements, using its best efforts, for safe passage “with no charge”. Alongside that language, the MOU included promised investment in Iran and an end to international sanctions. Those elements had been treated by some as inducements aimed at reducing Iran’s incentive to use geography for leverage in the strait. The report said that assessment has proved wrong, at least for now. Defense Priorities director Rosemary Kelanid said the MOU was effectively undone, with the commitments it described “completely” reversed. Patience tested on both sidesWith the blockade back in place, Iran faces renewed pressure as oil revenue—described as a lifeline for the regime—comes under strain again. Trump, meanwhile, is confronted with a recurring choice: expand the conflict further, or accept an outcome that leaves Iran in place despite the risk that the fighting could restart. Elliot Abrams, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said the two sides are again asking who can outlast the other, with Iran unable to export oil and the US and other customers dependent on Persian Gulf supply. The dispute also leaves the underlying issues unresolved, including control of the strait, Iran’s nuclear programme, and Iran’s regional influence. Abrams said there could be room for negotiations over a Hormuz arrangement, but not a return to the earlier memorandum framework. As the war approaches a fifth month, Trump pointed out that other US conflicts, including the Vietnam War, had lasted for years. The report noted that a prolonged conflict contributed to political damage for Lyndon Baines Johnson, and that Trump’s team is also mindful of the domestic backdrop heading into November’s midterm elections—especially given the concern that higher oil prices would reverse recent improvements in consumer inflation trends. After Trump’s Monday post, the price of a barrel of oil rose nearly 10%, the biggest one-day gain in six years. With the MOU dismantled and hostilities resumed, the article said the war does not appear closer to resolution than it was in the early weeks of the conflict. Join the discussion? 15 July 2026

US President Donald Trump has paid writer E Jean Carroll more than $5m (£3.7m) in damages, ending a three-year effort to delay a civil ruling that found him liable for sexually abusing and defaming her. Get today's headlines by email Her lawyers said the payment was made after a judge ordered it following the US Supreme Court’s decision last month to reject Trump’s bid to review the case. Damages paid after judge’s orderRoberta Kaplan, a lawyer for Carroll, said on Tuesday that Carroll had received the damages amount ordered by a jury. “Today, we are pleased to report that she has received the damages payment the jury awarded her as a result of that verdict,” Kaplan said in a brief statement. Trump had sought to postpone the payout so he could ask the Supreme Court to reconsider a ruling that declined to hear his appeal. The judge overseeing the case then directed him to pay the damages. A representative for Trump’s legal team declined to comment on the payment. Payment tops $5.62m with interestCarroll’s legal team said she received more than $5.62m. The figure included the $5m awarded by the jury plus interest accrued during the appeals process. After the verdict in 2023, Trump deposited the damages into a court-controlled account. The funds remained there while the legal challenges proceeded through the courts. In seeking to avoid payment, Trump argued that the trial judge improperly allowed evidence that prejudiced jurors against him. He also described the case as politically motivated. Trump challenges evidence and verdictLawyers for Trump criticised the judge’s decision to require payment. They characterised the lawsuit as a “hoax” and a “Witch Hunt”, arguing it had been supported by Democrats. During the legal process, a federal appeals court upheld the jury’s finding last year. It said Judge Lewis Kaplan, who presided over the civil trial, did not make errors that would justify a new trial. Trump had also repeatedly denied Carroll’s allegations. Carroll, who is 82, has said Trump assaulted her in the mid-1990s in a dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman in Manhattan. She later alleged Trump defamed her in a 2022 post on his Truth Social platform, in which he denied her claims. Supreme Court decision ends delayLast month, the Supreme Court declined Trump’s request to consider the matter, removing a key barrier to payment. Carroll marked the Supreme Court’s refusal at the time, posting on her Substack that the outcome meant “WE WON!” She also wrote that the result was “for every woman in the world”. Trump’s legal team has continued contesting related decisions. He is also appealing a separate 2024 ruling in which another jury found him liable for defaming Carroll and awarded her nearly $84m. A panel of federal judges rejected Trump’s appeal of that award last year. Separate defamation case remains under appealThe new payment resolves the damages component of the 2023 civil case in which the jury found Trump liable over Carroll’s claims of sexual abuse and defamation. The case began before Trump’s Supreme Court challenge, which ultimately failed. The damages paid Tuesday conclude a process that began shortly after the jury verdict, when the money was set aside pending appeals. Join the discussion? 15 July 2026

Florida is set to carry out executions of three prisoners scheduled to die by the end of the month, underscoring how the death row population has aged in the United States. Get today's headlines by email The state last week executed Dusty Ray Spencer, 74, becoming Florida’s oldest prisoner put to death in modern times. Two more men, both in their late 70s and 80, are next in line, with their dates set closely together. Elderly prisoners scheduled for death in FloridaOn June 25, Spencer was executed after being convicted of fatally stabbing his wife in 1992. The US Supreme Court rejected his appeal, which argued that liver disease would make him especially vulnerable to severe pain during lethal injection. Florida’s next scheduled execution is for Dennis Sochor, who was convicted of killing Patricia Gifford, 18, hours after meeting her at a New Year’s Eve party in 1982. Family members have said they plan to attend. Sochor is 79, and his attorneys had argued against execution based on his age and health, leaving him nearing his 80th birthday. Dominick Anthony Occhicone, 80, is scheduled to die on July 28. He was sentenced in the murders of his ex-girlfriend’s parents and has spent nearly four decades on Florida’s death row. If executed, he would be the second-oldest person known to be put to death in the US, behind Walter Moody Jr., who was 83 when he was executed in Alabama in 2018. Florida has three inmates older than Occhicone on its death row. Questions raised as appeals and sentencing run longThe coming executions are reviving debate over whether capital punishment can be carried out humanely when inmates are elderly and medically frail, and about whether long appeals processes, intended to protect constitutional rights and guard against wrongful executions, also contribute to delays. Rev. Dustin Feddon, a Catholic priest who has ministered to Florida death row inmates since 2013, said the issue raises the question of whether the system is effectively waiting out a natural death. He added that executing those who are the most frail and elderly would be especially harsh. Marilyn Gifford, whose sister was killed by Sochor, said she does not view the age factor as a reason to stop the process. She told reporters she is “happy it’s happening” during her lifetime. Governor controls execution dates in FloridaIt is not clear why Florida scheduled three executions in close succession. Legal advocates say the state’s system gives the governor broad authority over timing. Maria DeLiberato, legal director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, said Florida’s governor largely determines when executions occur, while in many other states the courts play a bigger role in setting schedules. Picture courtesy of Miami Herald About half of Florida’s 242 death row inmates have exhausted their appeals and could receive death warrants at any time. The family of Michael Sheridan spent about a year calling and writing to Republican Governor Ron DeSantis to request that he sign a death warrant before Sheridan’s killer was executed earlier this year. DeSantis’ office did not respond to an Associated Press request for comment. DeSantis oversaw a record 19 executions in 2025, more than any other Florida governor since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. The state has carried out nine executions so far this year. In a statement last year, DeSantis said his goal is to deliver justice for victims’ families who waited for decades, arguing that delays deny justice. Age alone is not a bar under court precedentThe average age of inmates executed in the US has risen from the 30s to the 50s over the past half-century, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. In many cases, decades on death row can lead inmates to develop medical conditions that may complicate attempts to carry out lethal injections. Occhicone’s attorneys said he has age-related ailments, including kidney and prostate problems, and requires assistance getting in and out of the shower. Under Supreme Court precedent, people cannot be executed for crimes committed before age 18. But court officials and attorneys say advanced age alone does not provide a basis to stop an execution. Gerod Hooper, a lawyer with Florida’s Capital Collateral Regional Counsel, said a legal challenge would have to show that the inmate lacks execution capacity or that specific medical conditions would make the injection process unconstitutional because of undue pain. Similar issues have arisen in other states. In cases involving inmates with dementia in Utah and Alabama, execution was avoided and the prisoners later died of apparent natural causes. In Idaho, an inmate received at least one stay connected to cancer and other health problems, though state officials continued to seek the death penalty. Frank Frandel, who grew up near Sochor in Portland, Michigan, said he opposes leniency based on age, noting Sochor’s father is expected to turn 99 this year and arguing that Sochor could live for many years. Join the discussion? 14 July 2026

The Soviet nuclear submarine Komsomolets, which sank off Norway in 1989, remains under scrutiny after Norwegian researchers reported continuing radioactive leaks from the wreck. Get today's headlines by email Wreck Raises Long-Running ConcernsThe submarine lies close to 1.7km, or about one mile, below the Norwegian Sea. Its sinking prompted alarm because two nuclear-tipped torpedoes were left on board, containing about 9lb (4kg) of plutonium. In a 1993 BBC report, Russian Greenpeace activist Dimitri Litvinov warned that the wreck posed an urgent danger if nothing was done. At the time, environmentalists feared plutonium could enter rich fishing grounds, although an international scientific report that year concluded fisheries were unlikely to be contaminated. Fire And SinkingKomsomolets was built as an advanced Soviet attack submarine capable of operating at exceptional depths. Nato expected it could be the first of a larger class, but no sister vessels were completed. A 1994 BBC Horizon documentary described it as a submarine designed to cruise and launch nuclear weapons from 1,000m, far deeper than Western equivalents could operate. A fire broke out on 7 April 1989. The crew brought the vessel to the surface, but it sank after five hours afloat. Forty-two of the 69 crew members died. As the submarine went down, an escape pod carried five trapped sailors to the surface. Only one managed to get out before the pod filled with water. When the wreck struck the seabed, an explosion tore open its titanium pressure hull and allowed seawater to reach the nuclear torpedoes. Russian oceanographers later found parts of the hull had shattered in the blast. Scientists disagreed over the scale of the threat. Igor Spassky, from the Rubin Institute, which designed the submarine, told the BBC in 1993 that the situation was not catastrophic, but said he wanted the wreck raised. He also warned separately that saltwater corrosion could eventually release plutonium from the damaged torpedoes. Attempts To Contain MaterialDeep-sea engineering work in 1995 and 1996 sealed cracks in the hull and closed torpedo tubes to contain radioactive material. The operation ended in July 1996. Norwegian government investigations have since found the submarine is still leaking. The sealant used in the 1990s was expected to last about 30 years. A March 2026 report by the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, known as the DSA, said the torpedoes remain sealed but the reactor is deteriorating. Researchers found radioactive material escaping in occasional bursts, including a visible cloud from a ventilation duct, rather than as a constant leak. Ingar Amundsen, acting director of the DSA's Department for International Nuclear Safety and Security, said current releases from the reactor had so far had little effect on the surrounding marine environment. Calls For Further ChecksExperts say the risk could change as corrosion continues. Hans Kristensen, director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists, told the BBC that radiation levels could be affected by oxygen levels in seawater around and inside the wreck, as well as by the condition of the sealant. He said shifting currents could influence how radioactive material moves from the wreck and whether it reaches bottom-feeding species and fish. He added that the earlier decision to seal the submarine showed authorities had recognised the risk. Amundsen said more work was needed to understand the releases and corrosion, but the depth of the wreck made mitigation difficult and there were no known current plans for action. Kristensen said a new expedition should at least assess the submarine’s condition, noting that plutonium in warheads has a half-life of 24,000 years. Join the discussion? 14 July 2026

President Donald Trump says the United States will restore a naval blockade on Iranian ports and seek a 20% payment on cargo moving through the Strait of Hormuz, after a new round of strikes between Washington and Tehran. Get today's headlines by email Trump said the measures would prevent Iranian vessels and their customers from using the major energy shipping route, while leaving it available to other countries. He said the blockade would take effect at 16:00 Eastern Time (20:00 GMT) on Tuesday. Blockade to resumeIn a post on Truth Social, Trump said the strait would remain open “with or without Iran” and described the US as the “guardian” of the waterway. He said reimbursement would be sought for the cost of providing security, and that arrangements would begin immediately. He earlier told Fox News that the US would “probably run” the Strait of Hormuz, saying Iran had broken a deal with Washington. Strikes deepen confrontationThe announcement followed military exchanges overnight and on Monday. The US said it hit Iranian military targets, including air defence systems, coastal radar installations and missile and drone facilities. Iran said its response included attacks on US military bases in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain, as well as radar sites in Oman. US Central Command later said American forces would again block maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports on 14 July. It said the US military would continue to support the movement of vessels in regional waters if they were not breaching the blockade. Iran rejects US roleIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded on X by saying those securing safe passage for commercial ships through the strait should be compensated, but said Iran had always served as its guardian and would continue to do so. He added that 20% was too high and that Iran would be “fair”. A spokesperson for the International Maritime Organization, the UN body overseeing global shipping, was quoted by Reuters as opposing charges for passage through straits used for international navigation. The spokesperson said there was no legal basis for imposing mandatory transit tolls on such routes. Before Trump’s statement, Iran’s top military headquarters said it would not accept US involvement in managing the strait. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Khatam al-Anbiya, said in remarks carried by Iranian media that US actions had put regional security, trade and the movement of tankers and merchant ships at risk. He warned that cooperation with Washington would be treated as an act of war against Iranian sovereignty. Legal and political questionsHow the US plan would operate remains uncertain. Under UN rules, states may control territorial waters up to 12 nautical miles from their coast. At its narrowest point, the Strait of Hormuz and its shipping lanes fall within the territorial waters of Iran and Oman. The strait had previously carried about 25% of the world’s oil and 20% of global liquefied natural gas. Iran effectively closed it after US and Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February. Tehran then fired missiles and drones at Israel and US bases in several Gulf countries, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps fired on commercial vessels trying to pass without approval and seized two ships. Traffic fell sharply and oil prices rose. Washington first imposed a blockade on Iranian ports in April. By late May, the US military said it had redirected 100 commercial ships and disabled four. The blockade was lifted in June under a memorandum of understanding intended to end the conflict, but Trump told Congress last Friday that US military action in Iran had resumed on 7 July after renewed disputes over the strait. The 20% charge may face resistance from US allies and criticism from opponents who note the strait was open before the conflict. The move could also create domestic pressure as oil prices rise ahead of midterm elections, in which Republicans other than Trump will face voters. Some lawmakers, including Republicans, had questioned what Washington gained from the ceasefire, its extension and further negotiations. The announcement could also be aimed at reviving talks and pressing other countries to engage, an approach Trump has used before. Join the discussion? 14 July 2026

South Africa says it has deported or repatriated more than 53,000 foreign nationals in the five weeks since launching a nationwide migration enforcement campaign, with officials indicating the total is expected to rise as operations continue. Get today's headlines by email Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said on Sunday that 53,499 people had been processed for deportation or repatriation. She said most were from Malawi, followed by Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The campaign is one of South Africa's largest efforts in recent years to remove undocumented migrants and comes after weeks of anti-immigration protests across parts of the country. Government Reports Mass DeportationsDemonstrators have called for stricter border controls and the mass deportation of undocumented migrants, arguing they contribute to unemployment, crime and pressure on public services. Some activist groups have threatened to continue holding weekly protests until the government meets their demands. There are concerns that further demonstrations could become violent after earlier protests were marked by intimidation, looting and attacks targeting migrants. Protests Drive Pressure on GovernmentProtest organisers had also declared an unofficial deadline of 30 June for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa. The climate of fear has prompted many foreign nationals to leave the country, while governments including Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda and Kenya have arranged flights to repatriate their citizens. Government Stresses Human RightsSpeaking at a news conference in Pretoria, Kubayi said the government was seeking to maintain an orderly migration system while respecting the rights of everyone living in the country. "We are striving to achieve an orderly and regular migration which is mindful and sensitive to the concerns raised by our people, while observing human rights and dignity of all people in our country, irrespective of their citizenship and immigration status," she said. Kubayi added that the deportation process had also led to the arrest of individuals wanted by police for alleged criminal offences. She said immigration laws would continue to be enforced but warned protesters against carrying out unauthorised searches of homes or businesses suspected of sheltering undocumented migrants. UN Warns Against Scapegoating MigrantsThe United Nations has cautioned against blaming migrants for South Africa's economic and social problems, warning that they should not be made scapegoats for the country's challenges. President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged public concerns over immigration while condemning attacks on foreign nationals. He has urged citizens not to take the law into their own hands. South Africa, the continent's largest economy by industrial output and one of its wealthiest nations, has long attracted migrants seeking better economic opportunities, with some entering the country illegally. Join the discussion? 13 July 2026

Several New York Times journalists have been subpoenaed to testify under oath after reporting on alleged security concerns surrounding President Donald Trump's new Air Force One aircraft. Get today's headlines by email According to the newspaper, federal agents delivered subpoenas to some reporters at their homes, ordering them to appear before a federal grand jury investigating a possible federal crime. Journalists Ordered to TestifyThe Justice Department confirmed it is investigating alleged illegal leaks of classified information but said the journalists themselves are not the focus of the inquiry. Reports Raised Security QuestionsThe New York Times recently published reports citing unnamed sources who claimed the Boeing 747-8, donated by Qatar, lacked key security capabilities required for presidential travel. One report said the Secret Service advised Trump to switch to an older Air Force One aircraft for his return journey after attending a Nato summit in Turkey. Another said officials were concerned the newer plane did not yet include advanced defensive systems, including anti-missile protection. Other media outlets, including CBS News, also reported similar concerns. A former US government official told CBS there had not been enough time or funding to equip the aircraft with all the security features needed for Air Force One service. Press Freedom ConcernsThe subpoenas reportedly require the journalists to appear before a grand jury in Manhattan to provide testimony regarding an alleged violation of federal criminal law. David McCraw, the New York Times' senior newsroom lawyer, condemned the move, describing it as a "brazen act" aimed at intimidating journalists and discouraging reporting on matters of public interest. The newspaper noted that while leaking classified information can be a criminal offence, the US Constitution protects the press's right to publish information in the public interest. The Justice Department said it recognises the importance of a free press but also has a responsibility to investigate the unauthorised disclosure of classified information. Trump Dismisses ConcernsThe reports emerged during a period of heightened tensions with Iran, as the United States carried out military strikes while diplomatic efforts over a ceasefire continued. Asked about the reported security concerns, Trump dismissed them, saying: "I have a threat all the time. I'm No. 1 on their list." Last month, Trump unveiled the Boeing 747-8 that Qatar donated to the United States as an "unconditional" gift. The aircraft, valued at about $400 million (£300 million), was modified for presidential transport. The US Air Force said the jet received upgrades covering security, communications, logistics support and advanced technology, adding that any identified risks associated with using a previously owned aircraft had been addressed. Join the discussion? 12 July 2026

A Ryanair flight travelling from Greece to Germany was forced to return to its departure airport after a passenger window shattered in mid-air, with local reports claiming one passenger was nearly pulled through the opening before being rescued by his wife. Get today's headlines by email The incident happened on Ryanair flight FR1879, operated by Malta Air, which departed Thessaloniki for Memmingen near Munich on Thursday. Passenger reportedly pulled towards broken windowAccording to Greek media reports, a 61-year-old Serbian man was partially pulled out of his seat after the aircraft suffered an apparent engine failure that sent debris into an acrylic passenger window, causing it to shatter. Picture courtesy The Times The reports said the man was left hanging headfirst outside the aircraft after the cabin rapidly depressurised. His wife reportedly prevented him from being pulled completely through the opening by holding on to his legs until the situation was brought under control. Michalis Giannakos, president of the Panhellenic Federation of Public Hospital Employees (POEDIN), described the incident as "almost a tragedy", according to the Greek news website Newsit. The passenger was taken to hospital after landing, reportedly suffering from shock and friction burns caused by exposure to the freezing airflow outside the aircraft. Emergency return to ThessalonikiImages and videos shared online showed oxygen masks hanging from the cabin ceiling, indicating the aircraft had experienced a loss of cabin pressure after the window was damaged. Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 showed the Boeing 737 remained airborne for just over an hour. The aircraft climbed to around 16,000ft before turning back and landing safely at Thessaloniki Airport. The circumstances that caused the window to fail have not been officially confirmed. Ryanair confirms window came looseIn a statement, Ryanair confirmed the aircraft returned shortly after take-off because of a problem with a passenger window. "A Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen on Friday morning returned to Thessaloniki shortly after takeoff when a passenger window dislodged inflight," a company spokesperson said. The airline did not comment on reports that a passenger was nearly sucked through the damaged window or provide details on the number of people injured. It remains unclear whether investigators have confirmed the sequence of events described in local media. The aircraft landed safely, and emergency services met the flight after its return to Thessaloniki. Join the discussion? 10 July 2026

President Donald Trump is now arguing that Iran has effectively been stripped of its nuclear capability, a position that contrasts with the rationale his administration gave for launching the war earlier this year. Get today's headlines by email When the conflict began in February, Trump said Iran posed an imminent nuclear threat. However, critics noted that he had spent months beforehand insisting that U.S. and Israeli strikes in June 2025 had already "obliterated" Iran's nuclear programme. Trump shifts message on Iran's nuclear threatJust weeks before the war started, he said those attacks had left Iran without even a "potential capability" to build nuclear weapons. Now, as the conflict enters its fifth month, Trump is once again describing Iran's nuclear programme as effectively eliminated. Trump declares war a successSpeaking at a NATO summit in Turkey on Wednesday, Trump rejected suggestions that the war had reached a strategic dead end. "I was there for one reason: that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. I call it, we denuclearize Iran," he said. "And that's happened; they will never have a nuclear weapon." Trump argued that Iran's nuclear materials are now buried so deeply beneath mountains that they are effectively inaccessible. He also said the United States can monitor the sites and ensure they remain unusable. "There's no way they have a nuclear weapon," he said. At another event, Trump was asked how the United States intended to secure Iran's nuclear materials. He suggested that their location effectively placed them under U.S. control. "We've already got the nuclear material, because it's so far underground," Trump said. "Nobody's going to be able to get it except us." "They can't get it," he added, calling the outcome "a tremendous success." Questions over the war's objectivesTrump's latest comments have fuelled questions about the administration's original justification for the conflict. Throughout the war, administration officials repeatedly described securing or eliminating Iran's nuclear materials as a key objective. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent referred to obtaining the materials as a "red line" only weeks ago. Trump has increasingly suggested that physically recovering those materials may no longer be necessary because Iran cannot access them and the sites can be monitored remotely. His latest remarks also add to what critics describe as shifting explanations for the war. Over recent months, the administration has cited multiple objectives, including preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and, at times, promoting regime change. Trump has also claimed that the killing of senior Iranian leaders amounted to achieving regime change, despite Iran's government remaining in power. Critics point to inconsistenciesThe president's latest position has prompted further questions about why the war continued if Iran's nuclear capability had already been neutralised. The largest attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities occurred in June 2025, when Trump first declared the programme had been "obliterated." Major combat operations in the current conflict ended with a ceasefire announced on April 7. If Iran's nuclear materials were already inaccessible, critics ask why the administration continued pursuing a nuclear agreement and maintained that securing those materials remained essential. Some analysts argue Trump's latest comments suggest he is preparing to reduce U.S. involvement while portraying the campaign as a success, despite key objectives remaining unmet and negotiations with Tehran showing little sign of progress. The conflict has imposed significant costs, including the deaths of 13 U.S. service members, disruption to the global economy and heightened concern over Iran's demonstrated ability to affect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Critics argue those consequences may ultimately prove among the war's most enduring outcomes. Join the discussion? 10 July 2026

President Donald Trump renewed his call for the United States to control Greenland during the NATO summit in Turkey on Tuesday, saying the Arctic territory should be under U.S. control rather than Denmark's. Get today's headlines by email Speaking to reporters alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trump said Greenland "should be controlled by the United States, not by Denmark", reviving a position that has strained relations between Washington and Copenhagen, both founding members of NATO. Greenland Remarks Renew TensionsTrump has repeatedly argued that the United States should acquire or control Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, citing its strategic importance. Denmark Rejects ProposalHours later in Ankara, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen firmly rejected the suggestion, saying NATO allies should respect Denmark's sovereignty and recognise that Greenland was not for sale. She said it was well known that the United States wanted to take control of Greenland, but stressed that such a move would not happen. Frederiksen also said there were no plans for discussions at the summit on Greenland, the Arctic or the High North. File photo Greenland's Foreign Minister Mute Egede echoed Denmark's position, saying the island's future should be decided by its own people. In a Facebook post, Egede said Greenland's future had always been determined by its population and that this would continue, while adding that the territory should maintain close cooperation with its allies. Trump Cites Security ConcernsTrump argued that the disagreement over Greenland had affected U.S. relations within NATO. He said Denmark was not doing enough to support Greenland despite its strategic location, claiming the island was surrounded by Chinese and Russian vessels. Trump also pointed to U.S. spending on European security, particularly in response to Russia, as part of his criticism. The United States has long viewed Greenland as strategically important because of its location in the Arctic and its role in regional defence. Diplomatic Talks ContinueDespite the public disagreement, the issue has shifted onto a diplomatic track in recent months. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in June that discussions with Denmark and Greenland were continuing on a monthly basis. Join the discussion? 8 July 2026

Iran says it has launched attacks on American military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait in retaliation for US strikes on dozens of Iranian military targets. Get today's headlines by email The announcement came after the United States said it had carried out large-scale attacks on Iranian positions late on Tuesday. US strikes dozens of targetsThe US Central Command said its forces struck more than 80 targets across Iran, including more than 60 small boats belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). According to Iranian state media, areas including Bandar Abbas and Sirik were hit during the operation. Some people were reported to have been injured by shrapnel. Escalating regional tensionsThe latest exchange follows attacks earlier this week on three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has not directly claimed responsibility for those incidents. The retaliation marks a further escalation in tensions between Tehran and Washington, raising concerns about the potential for a wider regional conflict. Dispute over ceasefireNato Secretary General Mark Rutte said the US military action was "absolutely necessary", accusing Iran of "basically violating the ceasefire". Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, rejected that claim, saying it was the United States that had breached the truce. Join the discussion? 8 July 2026