US President Donald Trump has dramatically escalated his personal security apparatus in response to what officials describe as persistent threats, with recent Israeli intelligence reports intensifying concerns within the White House. The enhanced protective measures—ranging from covert aircraft transfers to visible military deployments—have sparked debate in Washington about both the credibility of the threats and the administration's increasingly aggressive security posture. Trump's July 8 departure from Türkiye's capital after the NATO Summit featured an elaborate deception maneuver that has since drawn widespread attention. According to accounts from The Washington Post and The New York Times, the president boarded the familiar Air Force One aircraft in public view—but this was merely a decoy operation. Trump was subsequently moved through the plane's lower service compartment into a catering truck, which transported him to a smaller C-32A military aircraft with the call sign "Reach 18." The original plane continued its journey under the "Air Force One" designation to maintain the illusion that Trump remained on board, a tactic typically reserved for wartime scenarios. The Wall Street Journal has reported that Israeli intelligence agencies shared information with Washington alleging Iranian officials have discussed assassination plans targeting Trump. However, senior US officials have characterized the intelligence as lacking concrete operational details, describing it as general discussions rather than actionable plotting. Israeli Channel 12 quoted two American officials who indicated the information remains unverified. The development has prompted some observers to suggest Israel may be employing a strategic approach, using intelligence sharing to influence US policy toward Tehran while Washington exercises caution regarding the reliability of such reporting.
🇺🇸 Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said that President Trump had lost the war against Iran, arguing that the United States had emerged weaker while Iran had grown stronger. He criticized a potential agreement that would, in his words, pay Iran $100 billion a year in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a victory for Tehran. He also stated that he would not support funding to replenish U.S. munitions stockpiles for continued attacks on Iran.
Israeli media reported that William Shakin, a 25-year-old U.S. resident who moved to Israel after the October 7 attack and served with the 13th Battalion of the Golani Brigade, committed suicide after experiencing severe psychological distress following months of genocide in Gaza.
The leader of Tunisia’s Ennahda movement, Rached Ghannouchi, launched a hunger and medication strike five days ago to protest the “complete isolation” imposed on him at a hospital, his defense team said Monday. In a statement published on Ghannouchi’s Facebook page, the defense team said that the 85-year-old Ennahda leader was transferred to a hospital on July 29. “Since then, complete isolation has been imposed on him, with his lawyers and family prevented from visiting him, communicating with him or even being provided with any information about his health condition, despite repeated requests submitted to all concerned authorities,” the statement said. “In light of this total blackout on information, the defense team learned that Ghannouchi began a hunger and medication strike on Aug. 6 to protest his isolation and deprivation of his most basic rights, as a last resort to defend them,” it said. The team said practices against Ghannouchi amid his “delicate health condition” amount to “inhuman abuse” and “a serious violation of his basic rights and physical safety.” The defense team held Tunisian authorities “fully responsible for these violations and for any serious complications that may result and threaten the health and life of its client.” It demanded that “his lawyers and family be allowed to visit him and check on his health condition.” There was no immediate comment from Tunisian authorities on the statement. Ghannouchi, the former speaker of the parliament dissolved by President Kais Saied, has been in prison since his arrest on April 17, 2023. A court ordered his detention in a case related to remarks attributed to him, on charges of “incitement against state security.” He was later handed prison sentences in several cases, but he rejects the charges as politically motivated. Tunisian authorities say Ghannouchi and other defendants are being prosecuted on criminal charges and deny any political interference in judicial proceedings. Critics and opposition figures, however, argue that the cases are part of a wider campaign targeting opponents of the Tunisian president.
The Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport, located on the Asian side of the Turkish metropolis, saw its busiest day ever with 179,789 passengers aboard 935 flights on Aug. 9, according to the air hub’s authority, Airport Management and Aeronautical Industries (HEAS). Some 56.5% of the record-breaking day’s flights were international and 43.5% were domestic, while 56% of passenger traffic was on international flights and 44% was on domestic flights. Incoming passengers made up 50.4% of the total traffic, and outgoing passengers accounted for 49.6%, marking a balanced operational intensity. Faruk Kacir, general manager of HEAS, said the new record for the airport’s operational capacity served as a testament to its service quality and trust. “We will continue to take the Sabiha Gokcen Airport much further and achieve new successes with our commitment to uninterrupted and safe operations,” he said. The authority, HEAS, and terminal operator Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen (ISG) managed the heavy passenger and flight traffic throughout the day, with the authority ensuring air traffic, apron, runway and other airport operations were carried out without interruptions, while ISG teams managed passenger flow, security, cleaning, guidance and passenger experience processes. The coordinated efforts ensured operational continuity despite the high volume, while the previous record of 174,325 passengers aboard 919 flights, set Aug. 2, 2026, was updated in a new announcement to reflect the latest record.
Javier Tebas, president of Spain's top-flight football league La Liga, called on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to step down, declaring that his era at the helm of world football was over. Tebas became the latest senior football official to challenge Infantino's leadership following the collapse of FIFA's proposed World Cup privatization plan “For me, Gianni Infantino’s time has long since passed,” Tebas told French newspaper Le Monde in an interview published Sunday. A longtime critic of Infantino, Tebas said the recent controversy had exposed management practices he had opposed for years. He also accused Infantino of promoting elite-focused projects at the expense of national leagues, ‘‘destroying the very essence of football.’’ “For me, the Infantino era is over,” he said. Tebas then extended his criticism to FIFA’s wider governance system, stressing that replacing Infantino would not be enough and calling for broader change within world football’s governing body. “And the problem is not limited to one person: It is about an entire system. The old system can persist even when the people change. Let’s hope things truly change, that a new leader arrives, and that new governance is established at FIFA,” Tebas added. Infantino has faced mounting pressure since FIFA’s previously undisclosed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal became public. The plan involved selling a 20% stake in a new commercial entity valued at $20 billion that would manage rights linked to the World Cup and other FIFA competitions. FIFA later shelved the proposal following widespread opposition led by UEFA, which had threatened to boycott FIFA competitions, but criticism of Infantino’s leadership has continued. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) issued a joint open letter Monday accusing Infantino of deception and a fundamental breach of trust over the proposal. “When trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned,” the letter said.
A recent KAN News poll found that 18% of Israelis—nearly one in five—have considered emigrating from the country over the past two years. The same survey indicated that one-third of respondents know at least one person who has already left Israel during that period. Additionally, 12% of those polled said the result of the upcoming elections would influence their decision on whether to stay in or move out of Israel.
Former England footballer and ex-Match of the Day host Gary Lineker spoke publicly for the first time about leaving the BBC after voicing support for Palestine. Speaking alongside broadcaster Afua Hirsch on Palestine Deep Dive, Lineker said, "That didn't matter to me, losing my job. What mattered to me was losing my dignity." Hirsch described the pressure faced by public figures who speak out on Palestine as intentional intimidation, saying, "It's designed to intimidate us... If you dare do what Gary has done and speak out, we will find a way to take you down." She questioned the purpose of holding a public platform without using it to take a stand. Lineker added that his life had improved since leaving the BBC, offering reassurance to others considering speaking out on the issue.
Yemen’s Houthi group claimed Wednesday that it struck the Saudi oil tanker Wafaa with several ballistic missiles in the northern Red Sea off the coast of Yanbu. The group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, said in a statement on X that the missiles hit the tanker “accurately.” Saree said the attack was part of what the group calls its maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia and its “blockade for blockade” strategy. The attack brought to eight the number of Saudi oil tankers targeted by the group since the blockade began July 22, he said. Saree also claimed that 29 Saudi oil tankers had either been prevented from passing through the Red Sea and Arabian Sea or forced to turn back. He said Saudi Arabia had redirected its oil tankers to the northern Red Sea after the group succeeded in imposing what it described as a blockade from the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Saree vowed that the group would continue and intensify attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the northern Red Sea to block maritime access routes and prevent their passage, “regardless of the consequences.” There was no immediate comment from Saudi authorities on the claims.
🇹🇷🤝🇵🇸 Ömer Çelik, spokesperson for Turkiye’s ruling Justice and Development Party, said that Netanyahu’s network continues to commit crimes, most recently the killing of more than 30 civilians in Gaza and the targeting of medical facilities, following the agreement on a roadmap for implementing the Gaza peace plan. He added that this is further proof that they oppose every step toward peace, and that Netanyahu’s sole objective is the complete destruction of Gaza. He also said that Netanyahu’s aggression undermines the policies of all countries that advocate for peace.
Israelis continue to emigrate According to research by experts from Tel Aviv University, another 45,000 to 50,000 people emigrated from Israel in 2025.
🇵🇸 Emmy Award-winning Scottish actor Brian Cox, best known for his role as Logan Roy in HBO’s Succession, says he has no fear of backlash and does not care about potential repercussions in Hollywood, adding that he will not hold back his opinions when it comes to supporting Palestinian rights. Speaking in a recent interview, Cox said, “I have no fear of backlash about my support for Palestine. I'm too old, too tired and too talented to take any sh*t.”
American Jewish scholar Prof. Norman Finkelstein said, "Israel kills children as a hobby. The problem is not Netanyahu, it's Israeli society as a whole."
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed Monday that it had shot down an MQ-9 drone over the Strait of Hormuz amid rising military escalation with the US. In a statement carried by the official IRNA news agency, the IRGC said the US-made MQ-9 drone was intercepted and hit by air defense systems over the strategic waterway. There was no immediate US comment on the claim. Between July 8 and July 24, the US and Iran exchanged military strikes, with Washington attacking targets inside Iran and Tehran responding by targeting what it described as US military facilities and equipment in several Arab countries, particularly Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait. The escalation followed a memorandum of understanding signed by Washington and Tehran in June and the launch of negotiations toward a final agreement. The talks later stalled over disagreements on security guarantees and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategic routes for global energy supplies and trade.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said early Wednesday that it "targeted and stopped" three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz after the vessels ignored its warnings, according to local media. In a statement, the IRGC said the vessels were intercepted "a few hours ago" but did not provide details on the tankers' identities, ownership, locations or the nature of the alleged violations. "The IRGC Navy once again warns that the illegal interventions and orders of the US, a child-killing army, will not go unanswered by vessels in the region," it said. Tensions between the US and Iran have escalated in recent weeks, with the US carrying out attacks on Iran and Tehran responding by targeting what it says are US military facilities and equipment in countries across the region.
Israeli occupiers set fire to a Palestinian family's home near Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, while another group reportedly abducted two Palestinian men west of Hebron. The Palestine Red Crescent Society said its crews evacuated eight members of the family after occupiers torched their home in the Abu Njeim area east of Bethlehem. No injuries were reported. The official Palestinian news agency Wafa said the occupiers also set fire to a Palestinian vehicle during the attack. In a separate incident west of Hebron, Wafa reported that occupiers abducted two Palestinian men after vandalizing their vehicle near the town of Beit Ula. No further details were immediately available. The occupied West Bank has witnessed a sharp increase in attacks by Israeli occupiers against Palestinians and their property in recent weeks. Palestinians, as well as Israeli and international human rights organizations, have accused the Israeli military of protecting occupiers and, in some cases, participating in the attacks. According to the Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, occupiers carried out 3,488 attacks against Palestinians and their property during the first half of 2026. The incidents included assaults on people, land and property, the establishment of new illegal settlement outposts, and preventing farmers from accessing their land. About 750,000 occupiers live in 156 illegal settlements and 360 illegal settlement outposts across the occupied West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. They have carried out repeated attacks aimed at forcibly displacing Palestinians, according to Palestinian data.
Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy, known online as Sneako, an American live streamer and social media personality, recently wrote on his X account: “Israel is a terrorist state and has no right to exist.”
🇲🇾🤝🇵🇸 The United States has summoned Malaysia’s ambassador in Washington amid rising diplomatic tensions over Kuala Lumpur’s continued refusal to recognize Israel, a position closely tied to its longstanding support for Palestine. The move follows recent remarks by Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, who reiterated that Malaysia’s policy remains unchanged. According to state news agency Bernama, Ambassador Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob informed US officials that Malaysia does not recognize Israeli statehood and maintains immigration rules that do not acknowledge Israeli citizenship. Hasan also pointed to a recent case involving a dual US-Israeli national who was asked to leave Malaysia after authorities identified his Israeli passport.
🇮🇳 An Indian Supreme Court judge has criticised the arrest of 14 Muslim students who spent nearly three months in custody over allegations that they ate chicken biryani during an iftar boat ride on the Ganga in Varanasi. Justice Ujjal Bhuyan said there is no law prohibiting people from eating chicken on the river and questioned the legal grounds for arresting them.
Bangladesh’s border force said it foiled an attempt by India’s Border Security Force to push eight people into Bangladesh through the Kushtia border. According to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), the incident happened around 5:10 a.m. near the Joypur Border Outpost, where BSF personnel tried to make the group cross a river into Bangladeshi territory. BGB patrols intercepted the group before they entered the country, and the people were later forced back to the Indian side. The incident adds to recurring tensions over “push-ins” along the Bangladesh-India border. BGB says Indian authorities have repeatedly tried to send undocumented individuals across the frontier without following formal nationality verification or deportation procedures, a practice that has drawn protests from Dhaka.
🇪🇸🤝🇵🇸 Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez said that he keeps a drawing made by children in Gaza in his office so that he never forgets their pain.
Iran on Thursday rejected a US ceasefire proposal delivered by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, the New York Times reported, as fighting between the two countries continued for nearly two weeks. Citing Iranian and Iraqi officials familiar with the matter, the newspaper said al-Zaidi carried the proposal during a visit to Tehran after recently meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House. The report said details of the proposal were unclear, but Iranian officials described it as the only proposal currently offered. Tehran rejected it, they reportedly said, because it did not resolve the issue of control over the Strait of Hormuz. The report has not been confirmed by Iranian authorities. Al-Zaidi’s trip was his first official visit to Iran since taking office in May. He traveled with a high-level ministerial delegation and met with President Masoud Pezeshkian as the two sides discussed bilateral ties, regional developments and efforts to strengthen security and stability. Iranian officials said the talks also covered the implementation of previously signed agreements, with both governments calling for broader cooperation in trade, energy, transportation and regional affairs. According to Iranian media, al-Zaidi also met with Iran’s chief negotiator and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The report said Iranian officials were preparing for the possibility of a wider conflict if Trump follows through on threats to strike Tehran and additional critical infrastructure. The newspaper said two Iranian officials told it that such attacks would prompt Tehran to expand the war regionally, including by targeting Tel Aviv and asking Yemen’s Houthi group to close the Bab al-Mandab Strait. US forces launched strikes against Iranian targets for the 13th consecutive night early Friday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced. On Wednesday, Iranian authorities put the death toll from the ongoing US strikes at 53, with 592 others injured. Regional tensions have escalated over the past two weeks after Trump announced on July 8 that the ceasefire outlined in last month’s US-Iran memorandum of understanding was no longer in effect. Since then, the US and Iran have exchanged strikes, with Washington targeting sites inside Iran while Tehran says it has attacked US military facilities and equipment across several countries in the region. The confrontation has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, threatened global energy supplies and prompted intermittent airspace closures and growing warnings of attacks on US facilities and interests beyond the Middle East.
🇨🇴 Colombian President Gustavo Petro: “Whoever laughs at a genocide is a fascist. Period.”
The Iranian army said Wednesday it launched a new wave of drone attacks targeting US military facilities at Al-Azraq US base in Jordan and Sheikh Isa US base in Bahrain, according to state media. Iran’s official broadcaster IRIB reported that the operation began Wednesday morning and targeted US military infrastructure at the two bases. According to the report, Iranian forces struck “housing and welfare facilities” as well as “equipment storage sites used by the US military” at Al-Azraq US base in Jordan. Drones also targeted “large equipment warehouses and heavy aircraft maintenance and repair workshops” at Sheikh Isa US base in Bahrain, the army said. There was no immediate comment from Jordan or Bahrain. The reported attacks came a day after Iran said it had launched missile strikes on US-linked military targets in Jordan and Bahrain. Jordanian authorities said their air defense systems intercepted and destroyed several Iranian missiles and drones that entered the kingdom’s airspace, while Bahrain’s military said it had intercepted and destroyed several Iranian aerial attacks after air raid sirens sounded across the country. The US has intensified attacks on Iran since last week, while Tehran has responded with strikes targeting facilities and bases it says are used by the US military in several countries across the region. The exchange of fire has continued despite a Pakistan-brokered memorandum of understanding signed by the US and Iran in June to end the war that began in February and pave the way for a lasting peace agreement.
US President Donald Trump wants FIFA President Gianni Infantino to be the next secretary-general of the UN, the New York Post reported Tuesday. Citing a source close to Trump, the Post reported that the president believes that Infantino “is respected by everyone around the world, and recognizes he has a special ability to bring people together." Infantino, 56, developed close ties with Trump during this year’s World Cup, with the Swiss-born FIFA president making repeated efforts to court the US leader, including presenting him with FIFA’s inaugural Peace Prize in December, the report said. A successor to current UN chief Antonio Guterres will serve a five-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2027. Under Article 97 of the UN Charter, the secretary-general is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. To obtain the post, Infantino would first need the backing of the 15-member Security Council, where any of the five permanent members can exercise a veto, before winning approval from the General Assembly. Trump has repeatedly criticized what he sees as the UN's failure to play a more active role in resolving major global conflicts. Last year, he established a US-led Board of Peace, prompting speculation that he was creating an alternative to the UN as his administration pursued peace agreements, including between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. Trump denied those claims. Since returning to the White House last year, Trump has sharply reduced US funding for the UN and withdrawn the US from several UN-affiliated organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO).
🇮🇳 A woman in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India, and her lover have been arrested for killing her husband and making the death appear to be caused by a snakebite in order to claim insurance money. Police said the victim, Atul Pawar, lived in Hastinapur with his wife, Damini, and the couple ran a children's school together. They had been married since 2019. On Friday morning, Damini told neighbors that her husband had been bitten by a snake and rushed him to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead. A poisonous snake was later found on the bed, which initially supported the claim that he had died from a snakebite. However, Atul’s family became suspicious and questioned how the snake could have reached the bed. They filed a complaint, prompting a police investigation. Police then said they uncovered an affair between Damini and the school’s driver, Tushar. According to investigators, the two had been planning the killing for some time. Investigators found that Tushar obtained a venomous snake and gave it to Damini. She is accused of drugging her husband with sleeping pills and then placing the snake on the bed to make his death appear accidental. Police believe the motive was to collect a life insurance payout of about 2 million rupees, or roughly $21,000. Both suspects have been arrested, and the investigation is ongoing.
Israel has made Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv available to US military refuelling aircraft supporting strikes on Iran, a move that will result in the cancellation of thousands of civilian flights, Israeli media reported. The decision was made during discussions on the airport's emergency plan, with channel 12 reporting that allocating additional space for US military aircraft would cause significant operational and financial losses. Israeli state broadcaster KAN reported that Washington has told Tel Aviv it plans to intensify its strikes on Iran in the coming days. More than 10 US refuelling aircraft have arrived in Israel from bases in Europe and Qatar, with additional equipment and ammunition being deployed to support operations. The Walla news site, citing an Israeli air force source, said the US plans to station approximately 100 refuelling aircraft at military bases and Ramon Airport in southern Israel. Over the weekend, 14 more US tanker aircraft arrived in Israel, with restrictions on their landing lifted following US objections. The mass deployment of US military aircraft has forced the cancellation of roughly 5,000 passenger flights during the peak summer period, as space at the country's main international airport is prioritised for military operations. The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth noted that the crisis arose after plans to allocate space for US aircraft were suspended to free up room for civilian flights.
A youth-led protest movement known as the "Cockroach Party" has intensified in India's capital, with thousands gathering to demand Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resignation over widespread examination irregularities. Police in New Delhi used batons to disperse demonstrators who attempted to march on parliament, marking one of the largest social opposition movements since Modi's third term began. The movement began in May after leaks in medical entrance exam papers affected more than 2 million students and forced a re-test. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which started as an online campaign, has since gained 22 million Instagram followers and attracted support from opposition parties. Activists have been calling for the resignation of Modi and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protests were fuelled further by the police decision to hospitalise activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on hunger strike. Delhi police denied using force, saying the protest was handled professionally. Internet access was cut in parts of central Delhi as demonstrators, braving rainy weather, marched to the city centre chanting slogans against the government.
🇪🇸🇵🇸 Victory is the sweetest revenge! Congratulations Spain!
Bye bye 👋 @leomessi
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has warned that any Israeli nationals found in the country will be deported immediately, reiterating that Malaysia does not recognise Israel. The warning follows a security probe into the Network School, a co-living compound in Forest City, Johor, founded by former Coinbase executive Balaji Srinivasan, after a promotional video sparked online backlash. Malaysia's Immigration Department said it inspected 266 foreigners from 40 countries at the site and confirmed all held valid travel documents, though further checks are ongoing. Johor chief minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi had called for the probe amid claims that Israeli nationals were entering using second-country passports, and ordered additional checks on the site's licensing, land use and business operations. Malaysia bars entry to holders of Israeli passports, though no specific law prevents Israeli dual nationals from travelling on other passports.
A music festival in County Kerry, Ireland, has banned anyone currently serving or previously serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from attending. Organizers said the decision was made in solidarity with Palestinians after backlash over an Israeli attendee who had completed mandatory military service.
US President Donald Trump has issued a direct threat to Iran, warning that the United States will strike energy plants and bridges if Tehran refuses to return to the negotiating table. The statement came as Washington resumed its blockade of Iranian ports, escalating tensions that have been building over control of the Strait of Hormuz. While earlier US attacks focused on radar and observation towers near the strait, strikes have now expanded deep into Iranian territory. On Thursday, Iran's military reported an attack on a military base in the Sistan-Baluchestan province near the Pakistani border. CENTCOM announced two separate waves of strikes, stating they were targeting Iranian military capabilities used to threaten commercial shipping. Iranian officials reported at least 35 killed, including seven soldiers. According to Axios, Trump convened a meeting in the Situation Room to discuss broader military options against Iran. The session included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, and other senior officials. Reports suggest the discussion included plans for more destructive strikes against strategic targets inside Iran. Iran's Revolutionary Guard has declared that either everyone or no one will be able to export oil through the strait. Iranian officials have rejected any new negotiations, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stating, "We have no negotiation plan at this time. We are focused on defence." Meanwhile, Iran continued its own strikes against Gulf states, with Kuwait reporting 21 drones and four ballistic missiles in its airspace.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the July 15, 2016 failed coup bid as a defining moment in Türkiye's modern history, saying it represented a "declaration of independence" for the Türkiye Century. In an article, titled July 15: The Declaration of Independence of the Türkiye Century, published to mark the 10th anniversary of Democracy and National Unity Day, Erdogan said the failed coup was not only an attempt to overthrow the government but also an attack on the nation's independence and democratic will.
President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced that Mexico will formally request U.S. prosecutors to file criminal charges against U.S. immigration authorities in American courts. On July 7, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed Mexican citizen Lorenzo Salgado Araujo during a raid in Houston. Araujo is the 17th Mexican national to die during U.S. immigration raids or in custody since Donald Trump returned to the White House. Despite facing tariff threats and warnings of potential CIA intervention from the Trump administration, Sheinbaum stated that she would not remain silent, emphasizing that “we must raise our voices when there are human rights violations against our fellow citizens.”
🇩🇪 Germany’s upper house of parliament has approved a draft law that would criminalize publicly denying Israel’s right to exist or calling for its destruction. The proposal, introduced by the state of Hesse, provides for penalties of up to five years in prison or fines, but only in cases where such statements are considered likely to incite antisemitic violence or arbitrary acts.
An Indian judge, Tabassum Khan, is facing online abuse and death threats after sentencing 14 men to life in prison for the 2022 lynching of 50-year-old Nazir Ahmad. The men, self-styled cow vigilantes armed with sticks and rods, dragged Ahmad and two companions from their vehicle and beat them over suspected cattle smuggling; Ahmad died, but his companions survived to testify.
ICC-wanted war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu mourned Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on Sunday, calling him "one of Israel's greatest friends" and saying the U.S. lost "a great patriot." In a statement, Netanyahu added that "Lindsey understood that the security of Israel and America are inseparable... I have lost a beloved friend."
Rising military tensions between the United States and Iran have taken a new turn following reports that Israeli officials have passed intelligence to Washington about an alleged Iranian assassination scheme targeting President Donald Trump. The Wall Street Journal broke the story, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, though no further details about the intelligence channels or timeline were provided. According to the report, Tehran has repeatedly voiced its intent to target Trump since the US drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, in January 2020. Public statements from Iranian officials and funeral ceremonies for late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's associates have reportedly featured calls for retaliation against the US president, keeping Trump consistently in Tehran's crosshairs. Trump has been the subject of multiple assassination attempts in recent years. On July 13, 2024, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, he sustained a wound to his right ear in a shooting incident. Two months later, on September 15, 2024, Secret Service agents intercepted an armed individual lying in wait near Trump's golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, thwarting what authorities described as a potential assassination effort. More recently, on April 25, 2026, a planned armed attack targeting the White House Correspondents' Association dinner—attended by Trump and his cabinet members—was prevented when Secret Service personnel apprehended the suspect. The reported plot adds another layer of complexity to the already volatile US-Iran relationship, with implications extending across the Middle East. Türkiye, which maintains diplomatic channels with both Washington and Tehran, continues to monitor developments closely, emphasising the importance of de-escalation and dialogue in preventing further regional instability. Washington has not officially confirmed the intelligence report, but security measures around the president have been visibly heightened in recent days. The White House has declined to comment on operational security matters while stressing that any threat against the commander-in-chief would be met with an appropriate response.
🇮🇸🤝🇹🇷 During her visit to Türkiye for the NATO Summit, Prime Minister of Iceland Kristrún Frostadóttir said: “I was impressed by the tolerance of Muslims in Türkiye. They welcomed me very warmly. I really liked the sound of the call to prayer; it had an impressive tone. I will visit Türkiye again very soon.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that President Donald Trump had formally notified Congress of his administration’s intention to rescind Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism after the required 45-day congressional notification period. “This is yet another historic step by President Trump to give the Syrian people a chance at greatness,” Rubio said in a statement. Syria hailed the US move as an “important development” in bilateral relations. The US had placed Syria on the list of state sponsors of terrorism since 1979 during the era of late President Hafez al-Assad, a designation widely viewed as one of the main remaining obstacles to the country’s economic recovery. The US decision followed a meeting between Trump and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara.
🇦🇷 Argentinian President Javier Milei: “I am sincerely proud to be the most Zionist president in the world."
🔴 BREAKING NEWS | A $26.2 billion agreement has been signed within NATO to develop an integrated air and missile defense system. Turkish defense companies ASELSAN and ROKETSAN will contribute to the initiative.
#BREAKING Two explosions struck central Damascus on Tuesday near the hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron was holding meetings, Syrian state media reported. Macron's office said he did not hear the blasts and went on to meet Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa shortly afterward. The explosions occurred in a busy area between the Syrian tourism ministry and the national museum, across the street from the Four Seasons hotel, where Macron had been meeting with civil society groups. Syria's state news agency said 18 people were injured, including four police officers. The first blast occurred shortly after Macron's motorcade departed for the presidential palace; a second explosion followed near an ambulance that had been parked at the scene amid a gathering crowd. Footage showed flames and thick black smoke rising from the area as emergency personnel worked to contain the fire. Macron's visit is the first by the leader of a major EU nation since rebels led by al-Sharaa ousted brutal dictator Bashar al-Assad in 2024.
Egypt's national team coach, Hossam Hassan, used a FIFA World Cup news conference on Monday to renew his support for the Palestinian people, days after dedicating his side's knockout win to Palestinians and waving their flag on the pitch. Speaking for more than four minutes, Hassan said "If there is anyone in the world who does not feel for the Palestinian people, then they are not human — whether they are Arab, European, or American." Israeli strikes on Gaza have continued despite a declared ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with the death toll from the war since October 7 now exceeding 73,000, including more than 20,000 children, according to reporting on the conflict. Hassan compared global reactions to animal cruelty with what he described as normalized indifference toward mass civilian deaths, saying it "has become normal to hear that two or three thousand people die in a single day because of a missile." Hassan, whose team faces Argentina and Lionel Messi in Tuesday's round of 16, said Egypt would not be overawed by the World Cup holders, describing his country as a "civilisation that is 7,000 years old" carrying responsibility for the Arab world and Africa.
The 2026 NATO summit gets underway in the Turkish capital Ankara today, bringing together leaders from 32 member states and several partner countries for high-level discussions over the next two days. Defense spending, long-term support for Ukraine and efforts to strengthen the alliance’s defense industrial capacity are expected to dominate discussions. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and other officials also say Europe wants to show that it is honoring pledges to hike defense spending, with major arms deals expected to be announced during the summit.
A retired Greek intelligence official has voiced alarm over Türkiye’s rising centrality within NATO, warning that Ankara’s geopolitical weight now extends beyond the F‑35 fighter jet issue. Speaking to Greek media, Savvas Kalenderidis, former head of Greece’s intelligence agency, said the shift from a peripheral ally to a central pillar under the “NATO 3.0” framework represents a fundamental change in the alliance’s power dynamics. Kalenderidis’s remarks come after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly expressed deep concern over potential F‑35 sales to Türkiye, warning that it could shift the regional balance of power and undermine Israel’s air superiority. The issue is expected to feature prominently during the NATO summit in Ankara, where President Trump has signalled he will make a “very happy” announcement regarding Türkiye’s requests. “The real development is not the F‑35s, but Türkiye’s geopolitical importance and its significance for NATO reaching a new level,” Kalenderidis said. “I don’t know how Greece and Israel should cope with this new development.” He also noted that Trump is expected to meet Syrian President Ahmad al‑Sharaa alongside Erdoğan, further underscoring Ankara’s diplomatic reach. The NATO summit, which begins in Ankara on July 7, is expected to address defence spending, support for Ukraine, and the alliance’s future strategic orientation amid shifting transatlantic dynamics.
The US Embassy in Ankara has announced changes to its operating hours in Türkiye due to the NATO summit taking place in the capital on July 7-8. In a security and service advisory, the embassy said routine appointments at diplomatic missions in Ankara and Istanbul would be suspended from June 29 to July 10. During this period, only emergency services — including passport applications for those without existing passports, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, and notarial services — will be available. Applicants can request these services by sending a cargo communication form along with a document explaining the urgency, with a deadline of July 31. The US Consulate General in Istanbul will offer limited passport services and birth registration appointments during the same period, with bookings available via the consulate’s website. The embassy also reminded citizens that roads may be closed and heightened security measures will be in effect before and after the summit. The advisory reflects the extensive security preparations for the NATO gathering, which brings together leaders from 32 allied and nine invited countries. The suspension of routine services is a standard measure during major international events to ensure diplomatic staff can focus on summit-related coordination and security.
US President Donald Trump has escalated his public feud with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, posting a photo of their handshake on social media with the caption “restraining order needed.” The post came just days before the NATO summit in Ankara, where both leaders are expected to attend, and follows weeks of tit‑for‑tat exchanges over a G7 photo incident. The row began on June 19 when Trump claimed in an interview that Meloni had “begged” him for a photo during the G7 summit in France. Meloni swiftly denied the claim, stating: “Neither I nor Italy ever begs.” Trump later repeated the allegation, saying Meloni now wants to be friends again after the US “defeated Iran militarily.” Meloni responded by calling Trump’s attacks “senseless and unprovoked,” adding that being his friend had “certainly not benefited” her popularity. Trump’s latest social media post has further strained relations between the two leaders ahead of the NATO summit, where allied unity is expected to be a key theme. Italian politicians have condemned Trump’s remarks, with some calling him a “vile bully.” Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani cancelled a planned visit to the US in protest. Despite the tensions, both leaders are still expected to attend the Ankara summit.
Physicians for Human Rights quoted Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, as saying: “This will be the last time you see me. They brought me here to kill me. I don’t think I will survive; this is the end.” The organization’s statement, based on a visit by lawyer Nasser Abu Odeh to Abu Safiya on July 2 at the underground interrogation center in Israel’s Nitzan Prison, included the following: 🔴 Abu Safiya showed signs of severe beatings to his head, neck, ears, and around his eyes. 🔴 He was suffering from extreme exhaustion, had difficulty breathing and standing, and nearly lost consciousness several times while speaking with his lawyer. 🔴 Abu Safiya reported being beaten with hammers and batons by prison guards during his detention at Ganot Prison. 🔴 Since his transfer on June 24 to the underground interrogation center in Nitzan Prison, he has been subjected to continuous daily torture, according to the statement.
The scale of devastation from Venezuela’s twin earthquakes continues to grow, with NASA reporting that approximately 59,000 buildings have been damaged or destroyed. The death toll has risen to 1,943, with 10,571 injured, according to Venezuelan authorities. NASA researchers analysed radar data from the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-1 satellite, comparing post‑quake images with 65 reference images from the past year to produce the estimate. The Venezuelan government’s official report on Monday, presented by National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez, had previously stated that 855 buildings were damaged, of which 189 were destroyed. However, NASA’s satellite‑based analysis suggests the actual figure is significantly higher. The US Geological Survey reported that two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck the country on June 24, 39 seconds apart, affecting Yaracuy state and surrounding regions. The World Health Organization has warned of potential disease outbreaks, as local health services are under severe strain and vaccination rates were already low before the quakes. The UN refugee agency has also warned of rising social tensions in affected areas due to restricted aid access. The UN Development Programme has estimated the direct physical damage cost at $6.7 billion.