Front Page
ICE plans to equip agents with electric-shock gloves
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans to spend $20 million on gloves that deliver a sharp electric shock intended to compel subjects to comply. The Department of Homeland Security described the gloves as a “de-escalation device,” while critics said they could encourage agents to use more force.
Russian blockade of Ukrainian ports threatens grain supplies
Deadly strikes on Ukrainian ports are part of a continuing maritime battle involving Russia and Ukraine. Grain exports from both countries are falling as attacks target shipping facilities and ports, raising concerns about global grain supplies.
Colombia earthquake search enters a critical phase
Rescue efforts in Colombia have entered a final phase after a deadly 7.4 earthquake. The reported death toll has reached 265, and the president has promised an emergency fund to help rebuild destroyed hospitals and schools.
National News
Two soldiers killed in Apache helicopter crash in Texas
An Apache military helicopter crashed in central Texas, killing two U.S. Army soldiers. The incident occurred about 50 miles north of Austin and sparked a large fire, officials said.
Prescription drug prices post sharpest annual drop in decades
Prescription drug prices fell 3.1% in the year ending in July, the steepest annual decline since 1963. Overall medical costs continued to rise during the same period.
Three U.S. states set for same-day executions
Three states are scheduled to carry out executions on the same day for the first time since 2010. The development comes as opposition to the death penalty continues to grow, while one state is driving a rise in executions.
Politics
Karoline Leavitt to leave White House press secretary post
President Trump said Karoline Leavitt will leave her position as White House press secretary at the end of August. He said she plans to spend time with her young children and family.
Justice Department lets parts of National Firearms Act lapse
The Trump administration’s Justice Department allowed a provision of the Prohibition-era National Firearms Act to lapse, according to The New York Times. The move represents a retreat from a longstanding federal firearms restriction.
Defense secretary calls for stronger action against drug cartels
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Latin American military leaders gathered in Panama to intensify cooperation with U.S. forces against drug cartels. He said the groups would be “targeted like ISIS” and that the coalition would do “bad things to bad people.”
The New York Times - Al Jazeera
Business & Finance
U.S. stock futures edge higher as inflation cools
U.S. stock futures moved higher as investors weighed signs of cooling inflation that could allow the Federal Reserve to hold interest rates. Oil, Treasury yields and gold were lower in early trading.
Mexico seeks lower auto tariffs in trade talks
Mexico is pushing the United States to reduce tariffs on North American automobiles during talks about reworking the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. A Mexican counterproposal would apply levies to only a small portion of a vehicle’s value, potentially reducing final tariffs for many cars.
Tariff refunds boost earnings at major companies
Companies including Apple, Nike and FedEx are recovering substantial tariff refunds relatively quickly, according to The Wall Street Journal. The refunds are contributing to stronger earnings.
World News
Israeli settlers’ siege of West Bank homes enters a fourth day
Three Palestinian families in the West Bank village of Qusra say they have been trapped in their homes, with water, power, food and other supplies cut off. More troops are expected to be sent to the area, while a U.S. diplomat described the siege as an “act of terror.”
BBC - Al Jazeera - The New York Times
Ebola outbreak could become deadliest ever, WHO chief says
The Ebola outbreak, declared May 15, has caused more than 2,000 deaths, with thousands of additional cases reported. The WHO chief said the outbreak is on track to become the deadliest ever.
Zambia votes in presidential election
Zambians are voting in an election expected to favor incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema. The vote will test whether his economic reforms can overcome widespread frustration, while the legacy of his late predecessor and former rival Edgar Lungu remains a central issue.
Arts & Culture
Travis Kelce calls wedding to Taylor Swift “the best night of my life”
In his first official comments, Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce described his early July wedding to Taylor Swift at Madison Square Garden as “the best night of my life.” He also referred to Swift as his wife and said marrying her was a childhood dream.
BTS star V reveals hearing-loss battle
BTS member V said during a livestream that he has experienced hearing issues for more than two years. He made the condition public this week.
Actors Alan Cumming and Shirley Henderson revisit a 40-year friendship
Alan Cumming and Shirley Henderson have placed their four-decade acting relationship at the center of a new project. Their professional connection mirrors the show on which they have been reunited.
Tech & Society
Twitch users object to Amazon’s use of content for AI training
Twitch users criticized the platform after Amazon allowed their data to be used to train artificial intelligence by default. The streaming service’s policy has prompted backlash from users.
AI detector distinguishes chatbot writing but struggles with images
A test of Pangram found that the tool is effective at distinguishing chatbot-generated words from human writing. However, it was not reliable at identifying artificially generated images.
Taiwan says it was targeted in an AI-driven hacking campaign
Taiwan said it was targeted last month in a hacking campaign that used artificial intelligence. The report comes as the island conducts military drills that have cleared streets and slowed internet service in Taipei.
Sports
Katie Ledecky extends winning streak with Pan Pacific gold
Katie Ledecky won the women’s 1,500-meter freestyle at the Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine, California, in 15 minutes, 36.09 seconds. The victory extended her 16-year winning streak in the event and gave her the first international medal of her career on home soil.
Lakers to be sold in record $12.5 billion deal
The Los Angeles Lakers are set to be sold for a reported $12.5 billion, a record price for an NBA franchise. The deal comes less than a year after Mark Walter acquired a majority stake in the team.
Bangladesh routs Australia on first day of Test
Bangladesh bowler Hasan Mahmud took six wickets for 55 runs as Australia was dismissed for 198 in 53 overs on the first day of the teams’ first Test in Darwin. Steve Smith scored 71, while Bangladesh reached 96 for 1.
| THU | 💧 | FRI | SAT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | ☁️ 71/88 | 44% | ☁️ 67/86 | ☁️ 70/83 |
| Los Angeles | ☁️ 65/87 | 1% | ☁️ 68/82 | ☁️ 68/84 |
| San Francisco | 🌫️ 56/69 | 1% | ☁️ 57/66 | ☁️ 59/67 |
| Chicago | 🌫️ 66/80 | 31% | 🌧️ 68/75 | 🌦️ 69/87 |
| Houston | ☁️ 79/96 | 2% | ☁️ 76/95 | ☁️ 79/103 |
| Dallas | ☀️ 81/103 | 0% | ☁️ 77/100 | ☁️ 84/106 |
| Phoenix | 🌦️ 77/104 | 54% | ☁️ 78/101 | ☁️ 91/103 |
| Philadelphia | ☁️ 73/90 | 11% | ☁️ 69/89 | ☁️ 70/87 |
| San Antonio | ☁️ 79/101 | 0% | ☁️ 77/98 | ☁️ 78/102 |
| San Diego | ☁️ 69/81 | 3% | 🌦️ 68/77 | ☁️ 70/77 |
| San Jose | ☁️ 57/82 | 0% | ☁️ 59/78 | ☁️ 59/83 |
| Austin | ☁️ 80/101 | 0% | ☁️ 78/101 | ☁️ 79/104 |
| Jacksonville | 🌧️ 74/92 | 83% | ⛅ 79/97 | ☁️ 79/103 |
| Fort Worth | ☀️ 82/105 | 0% | ☁️ 78/101 | ☁️ 83/106 |
| Columbus | 🌧️ 65/79 | 70% | 🌧️ 72/82 | ☁️ 69/89 |
| Charlotte | ☁️ 72/93 | 5% | 🌧️ 74/97 | ☁️ 75/99 |
| Indianapolis | 🌫️ 66/86 | 32% | 🌧️ 71/85 | 🌦️ 71/92 |
| Seattle | 🌤️ 58/75 | 2% | ☁️ 59/79 | ☁️ 55/85 |
| Denver | 🌦️ 62/93 | 40% | 🌦️ 61/89 | 🌦️ 65/87 |
| Boston | ☁️ 68/86 | 34% | ☁️ 63/83 | ☁️ 62/81 |
| Nashville | ☁️ 78/98 | 9% | 🌤️ 78/101 | 🌤️ 80/102 |
| Detroit | ☁️ 66/88 | 8% | ☁️ 69/87 | 🌧️ 67/84 |
| Portland | 🌤️ 59/77 | 1% | ☁️ 62/82 | ☁️ 63/84 |
| Las Vegas | 🌧️ 73/97 | 27% | 🌦️ 68/90 | 🌦️ 71/96 |
| Miami | ☁️ 76/91 | 41% | ☁️ 79/91 | ⛈️ 82/88 |
| Atlanta | ☁️ 74/94 | 12% | ☁️ 76/97 | 🌦️ 79/99 |
| Minneapolis | 🌦️ 71/88 | 21% | ☁️ 69/84 | 🌦️ 68/86 |
| Kansas City | ☁️ 77/104 | 10% | ☁️ 79/104 | 🌦️ 75/102 |
| New Orleans | ☁️ 79/98 | 13% | ☁️ 77/97 | ☁️ 81/99 |
| Honolulu | 🌦️ 75/87 | 24% | 🌦️ 74/85 | 🌦️ 76/85 |
| Anchorage | ☁️ 59/71 | 8% | ☁️ 58/75 | ☁️ 58/75 |