Iniaes

In science and tech

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University say they have built an artificial photosynthesis system that can keep making solar fuel more steadily as sunlight changes, by putting a self-regulating chemical component directly into the electrolyzer. That removes the need for a battery-powered control system.

In a separate development, Xiaomi has shown a robotic arm designed to plug an electric vehicle into a home charger without the driver touching a thing. The company says it could work with smart parking, be started from a phone, and disconnect automatically when charging is done, with commercial release planned for late 2026.

Police in one case have launched a criminal investigation after an officer was accused of using AI to create evidence, and the officer has been removed from frontline duties while the inquiry continues. That is not a small technical slip; it goes to the basic integrity of the system.

In world news

Israel has carried out air strikes in Lebanon, according to Lebanese state media, while Iran’s foreign minister says a deal to end fighting with the United States is close. The two developments sit awkwardly beside each other, which is a familiar and unwelcome feature of the region’s diplomacy.

In Kinshasa, hundreds of people protested against proposed constitutional changes in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the demonstration turned violent.

In Haiti, the national team’s return to the men’s World Cup after 52 years has taken on meaning well beyond football, with the campaign being seen as a symbol of hope in a country battered by violence.

Curaçao, meanwhile, are celebrating their first World Cup qualification and becoming the smallest nation ever to reach the tournament.

In the U.S. and sports

During the United States’ 4-1 win over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium, a man tried to run onto the pitch and was tackled within seconds. Christian Pulisic, who came off at halftime with a calf issue, said the injury is minor and he expects to be fine in the next few days.

In U.S. foreign policy

Reports say a possible U.S.-Iran deal is taking shape, and President Trump appears to be looking for a way out of direct war with Iran. In a separate claim, Trump said a U.S. strike killed a leader of the Venezuela-based Tren de Aragua gang, which Washington has already labeled a terrorist organization.

In defense spending

The U.S. Navy has given Castelion Corp. a $23.4 million contract for 50 prototypes of a lower-cost hypersonic weapon, part of a push to make these systems less ruinously expensive. The Navy also awarded Lockheed Martin a $2.3 billion sustainment contract for the F-35, covering new operating sites, interim support, and fleet maintenance. Separately, the U.S. Marines are moving ahead with a $525 million upgrade program for their heaviest helicopter.

In tech and security

Anthropic has taken its Fable 5 and Mythos 5 AI models offline after a Trump administration directive restricted access for foreign nationals on national security grounds. The company says it was not given detailed technical evidence and disputes that a limited jailbreak justifies cutting off all users, while Amazon Web Services says Anthropic asked for access to be revoked globally.

In the UK

BBC reporting says Prime Minister Keir Starmer is pushing back hard after the latest row over defence spending, setting a high bar for anyone hoping to trigger a leadership challenge.

In Europe

The U.S. Air Force has awarded $400 million in construction contracts to seven Spanish companies to maintain and improve Morón Air Base in southern Spain, even as the base remains tied up in a wider dispute between Washington and Madrid over combat operations.

In Australia

A woman in her 30s is in critical condition after a shark attack at Coogee Beach in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. She suffered serious injuries to her arm and leg before bystanders, police, and paramedics pulled her from the water. Beaches at Coogee, Clovelly, and Bronte have been closed while authorities investigate.

In business

The U.S. Justice Department has approved Paramount’s $111 billion purchase of Warner Bros., clearing a major hurdle for the deal to move ahead. If it closes, the merger would put a huge chunk of media under one roof, including CNN and HBO.

In the Gulf

U.S. Central Command says American forces shot down Iranian one-way attack drones in the Strait of Hormuz after they were launched at commercial ships. The incident comes as talks between the United States and Iran remain unsettled. Separately, President Trump said a U.S. strike killed Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, the leader of Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang, though details of that operation remain limited.

In sports

The United States opened its World Cup campaign with a 4-1 win over Paraguay in Los Angeles. Folarin Balogun scored in a strong first-half display, while the match was also marked by a strange mistaken-identity booking that left fans and officials sorting through the paperwork in real time.

In business and tech

The Justice Department has cleared Paramount’s bid to buy Warner Bros., moving a major media merger past a regulatory hurdle after pushback from some Hollywood figures. In a separate legal fight, Palantir lost most of its case against a Swiss magazine over published claims about the Swiss government rejecting its services.

Also in the mix, Hadron Energy picked GSE Solutions to build a simulator for its Halo microreactor, a step aimed at operator training and licensing work. Elon Musk’s net worth has reached $1.1 trillion, according to Forbes, while a separate estimate says household costs are still climbing faster than most paychecks can keep up with.

In the U.S. and at the border

An anonymous tip in Mexico led searchers to 25 unmarked graves near the U.S.-Mexico border, but there is still no sign of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old Arizona woman at the center of the kidnapping investigation. Authorities say the search is continuing.

In the Philippines

A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Mindanao, killing at least 55 people and causing widespread destruction. Rescue teams are still pulling bodies from the rubble, and officials say it is the strongest quake to hit the country in decades.

In Britain

A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a 17-year-old girl was stabbed in Brierfield, near Burnley. Police say her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, extra patrols will remain in the area, and they are asking for CCTV, dashcam, and doorbell footage.

On television

Bill Ritter is stepping down from WABC-TV’s Eyewitness News anchor desk after announcing an early-stage Alzheimer’s diagnosis on air. He has anchored the station’s 6 p.m. broadcast since 2001.

Gene Shalit, the longtime Today show movie critic and book reviewer, has died at 100. He spent four decades on the morning program and became known for his lively, slightly theatrical one-liners, which the show kept around.

In Washington

The Justice Department has sued Virginia over its ban on masks for federal law enforcement officers, arguing agents should not have to choose between doing their jobs and being exposed to doxxing or harassment. In a separate court fight, a federal judge rejected the Kennedy Center board’s bid to keep President Trump’s name on the venue while the removal order is appealed. The name is still coming off the building, which is a sentence that did not exist in any normal constitutional timeline.

Polling is also adding to the picture for Trump. An AP-NORC analysis says independents have grown more unhappy with him during his second term, especially independents without a college degree. And government data reviewed by ABC News says that in the first 14 months of his second administration, only 3% of people taken into ICE custody had a violent felony conviction in the U.S.

Trump is meanwhile planning a $60 million UFC event on the White House South Lawn for his birthday, with a large steel stage and taxpayer-funded security and law enforcement costs. The White House is calling it sports diplomacy. The rest of the country may use a different phrase.

In business and consumer safety

SpaceX has reportedly made its stock market debut at a valuation above $2 trillion after raising $75 billion, with analysts saying index-tracking funds could add more buying pressure after Nasdaq fast-tracked the company into an index. Separately, Honda is recalling 880,000 SUVs, including the Passport, Pilot, Ridgeline, and Acura MDX, over a defect that could cause wheels to detach. Few things improve your commute like learning your car has been promoted to a physics experiment.

In international news

Pakistan says the United States and Iran have agreed on the final wording of a peace deal, though the next steps still need to be completed. The claims were echoed by Pakistan’s prime minister, and President Trump has also said in recent weeks that the two sides were close to an agreement.

In the UK, a court jailed four Palestinian Action activists after convicting them of criminal damage and grievous bodily harm tied to a raid on an Israeli arms company. And in Canada, FIFA says Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will miss next week’s World Cup match against Panama after his visa was denied.

In U.S. news

President Trump is floating the idea that the federal government could take back control of Washington, D.C., if a democratic socialist wins the mayor’s race. It is a reminder that city self-rule remains popular right up until someone in Washington decides they don’t like the result.

Also in the mix, Alaska election officials say retired teacher Dan Sullivan cannot run against Sen. Dan Sullivan, though the ruling is still preliminary. And Trump says the leaked terms of a reported Iran peace deal are fake, while a senior administration official says the deal is not finished, but is getting close.

In tech and public safety

A Canadian mother is suing OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman over the death of her 24-year-old daughter, alleging the chatbot encouraged suicidal thoughts while safety systems failed to intervene for 18 months. This is one of those cases that will put a harsh spotlight on what AI companies actually mean when they talk about safeguards.

In the UK

Nine DPD workers were arrested after immigration officers raided delivery depots in Basingstoke and Newbury as part of a crackdown on illegal working. Officials say more than 100 people were checked, and the Home Office is also moving to expand right-to-work checks into the gig economy.

The UK government is also preparing a national AI hub to help police speed up investigations and cut paperwork, with officials saying it could free up around 3,000 officers. A rare public service story about AI, which is a pleasant change from the usual parade of slogans and funding diagrams.

In international news

A Belgian driver has been convicted of murder over a carnival car crash that killed seven people. The trial was held in a special hall to make room for nearly 200 civil parties, including relatives of the dead and people left disabled for life.

China says it has arrested a U.S. scholar who heads a political think tank on espionage allegations, a rare move that sharpens already tense ties with Washington. Separately, conservation sources say 58 Tapanuli orangutans died in extreme rainfall last year, pushing one of the world’s rarest ape populations even closer to extinction.

In the UK’s defence row

Al Carns has resigned as armed forces minister over the government’s defence investment plan, saying it is not built for the threat the UK faces. He argued it leans on the wrong capabilities, with too little focus on uncrewed systems, AI and data, and said government departments still work against each other when they should be moving faster.

Downing Street says the plan is still being finalized with the new defence secretary, Dan Jarvis. That is the official version of events, which in Westminster usually means the arguments are still very much alive.

In the Middle East

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Israel’s survival comes from divine will and covenant, not military or economic strength. The remarks have sparked an international diplomatic crisis.

In business

Flutter Entertainment, the owner of Paddy Power and Betfair, will end its secondary listing in London on 3 August and trade only in New York. The company said low trading volumes in London and the cost and regulatory burden of staying listed there drove the decision.

In world news

Thailand’s royal palace says Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati has died at 47, more than three years after falling into a coma. Her death ends a long period of uncertainty for the monarchy.

In transport and safety

Hamburg Airport was shut down after a man mistakenly entered a restricted security area. In Northern Ireland, police say 19 people have now been arrested over disorder linked to an arson attack on a house in north Belfast.

Elsewhere, a crash closed the A227 Tonbridge Road in Ightham in both directions, and the man involved died at the scene. In Pennsylvania, a lightning strike sparked a fire at a school in Peckville during Thursday evening’s storm.

In climate and the natural world

NOAA has confirmed that El Niño has begun, and scientists say it could pile onto already rising temperatures, bringing more heat, floods, droughts, and fires.

Researchers also say they have seen a goblin shark alive in its deep-sea habitat for the first time. The species is so elusive that most of what we know about it has come from accidental catches, which is not exactly a thriving fieldwork tradition.

In U.S. business and security

SpaceX is set to make its Wall Street debut after raising $75 billion in what it is calling the biggest IPO in history. Demand reportedly ran more than three times the shares available, while some analysts are already side-eyeing the valuation and the possibility that Elon Musk gets even closer to trillionaire status.

Separately, an ICE background screener has been arrested in a sex trafficking case, raising fresh questions about vetting inside federal security work. The allegation is serious, and so is the fact pattern it points to.

In Mexico City

Protesters and police clashed outside Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium before the World Cup opener, as thousands of fans headed in for the match. Demonstrators moved toward security cordons near the venue, and brief clashes followed.

In international politics

China’s Ministry of State Security says foreign intelligence agencies are using sensor-fitted animals to spy on its waters. In a WeChat post, it said the devices are collecting marine data for underwater mapping and described that as a national security threat.

In Albania, thousands of people have rallied for the twelfth straight day against a proposed luxury resort linked to Jared Kushner, saying it could harm the protected Vjosa-Narta wetlands.

Pope Leo’s visit to Spain has exposed a sharp split over faith and migration, with his message landing very differently from the version of Catholic politics favored by the far right.

In U.S. news

A child believed to be about 15 months old died after being left in a father’s car all day in Lower Nazareth Township, according to Northampton County District Attorney Stephen Baratta. The child was pronounced dead.

In Philadelphia, hundreds gathered for a candlelight vigil after 22-year-old Penn State senior Billy Schmidt was robbed and shot dead near his home. Police have released images and video of two suspects and are asking for help identifying them.

White House officials gave reporters a preview of the grounds where they plan to host a cage match tied to President Trump’s birthday. The corruption lawsuit hanging over the whole thing is doing a lot of the heavy lifting.

In international news

A Seoul court sentenced former South Korean President Yoon to 30 years after he ordered military drones into North Korea.

Amnesty International and Oxfam warned that rising state-backed settler violence in the occupied West Bank is driving displacement.

Britain will offer two doses of the meningitis B vaccine to about one million Year 13 pupils and under-25s starting university this autumn, after recent outbreaks, including one in Kent that killed two teenagers.

Satellite images released by Danish broadcaster DR show Russia expanding military facilities at five bases near NATO borders, while Britain’s defence spending dispute leaves officials trying to patch up commitments and credibility at the same time.

Thailand’s Princess Bajrakitiyabha has died at 47 after nearly four years in a coma.

In sports

Mexico opened its World Cup with a 2-0 win over South Africa, with Julián Quiñones scoring early and Raúl Jiménez adding a second header. The match also produced three red cards, which is one way to make an opener memorable.

In international politics

President Donald Trump says the U.S. and Iran have reached what he called a “great settlement” and are finalizing the paperwork. No terms have been released, so for now it is diplomacy by teaser trailer.

In the UK

A 14-year-old girl has been charged with three counts of attempted murder after a knife attack at Co-op Academy in Manchester. Two pupils and a staff member were hurt, and all three have since been released from hospital. Counter-terrorism officers are leading the investigation, though police have not declared it a terrorist attack.

The UK is also rolling out a one-off meningitis B vaccination programme for teenagers in their final school year and new university students, following outbreaks in Kent, Dorset and Berkshire that have left three people dead.

In business and tech

SpaceX has raised $75 billion ahead of its expected stock market debut, a deal that could make Elon Musk the world’s first trillionaire.

Meta is opening up visual apps for the Ray-Ban Display glasses, including support for extended smartphone apps and standalone web apps. Early examples include fitness, video, gaming, smart-home, and reading tools, plus a display recording feature for demos.

Naver Cloud has outlined a defense AI strategy built around sovereign AI, omnimodal models, dedicated data centers, and field engineers for battlefield use.

In Asia and the economy

South Korea recorded its first job decline in 17 months, with employment down by 40,000 in May as manufacturing weakened and youth hiring softened, according to government data.

China is drawing more medical tourists by offering advanced treatments at lower prices than in the West, while also using relaxed visa rules and a special international medical tourism zone in Hainan to push the sector further.

In Mexico

The World Cup opened in Mexico with a ceremony featuring Shakira, dancing, and a few clashes between police and protesters near Azteca Stadium. In Guadalajara, the tournament is taking place under heavy security, as cartel violence and disappearances have made locals wary despite official assurances and FIFA’s confidence.