US Resumes Iran Blockade and Airstrikes as Ceasefire Collapses; Trump Drops Hormuz Toll Plan
The US resumed a naval blockade of Iranian ports and carried out additional airstrikes against Iran on Tuesday, marking a third day of renewed hostilities after a brief ceasefire ended. Trump withdrew a proposal to charge ships a 20% fee to transit the Strait of Hormuz, replacing it with investment agreements with Gulf Arab states.The United States resumed its naval blockade of Iranian ports and conducted additional airstrikes on Tuesday, reigniting open conflict after a brief ceasefire between the two countries collapsed. It was the third consecutive day of US-Iran exchanges, with Iran also reporting attacks on two oil tankers and strikes on US military positions in the region.
President Trump withdrew a proposal, announced just 24 hours earlier, to impose a 20% fee on cargo ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. He said Gulf Arab leaders — including kings and emirs — called him and proposed an alternative arrangement involving investment and trade commitments with the United States. The withdrawal came after significant pushback from maritime and trading partners.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a central point of contention. Roughly 20% of the world's traded oil passes through the waterway, and disruptions there have immediate effects on global energy markets. Crude oil prices rose approximately 3% on Tuesday, with Brent crude reaching $85.78 a barrel — a four-year high. Natural gas prices also increased.
On the domestic political front, Senate Democrats blocked the annual National Defense Authorization Act — a roughly $1 trillion defense bill — in protest over the ongoing conflict. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats would not support legislation he characterized as a congressional endorsement of an unauthorized war. The conflict, now in its fifth month, has no publicly stated endgame from the administration.
Separately, inflation data released Tuesday showed consumer prices rose 3.5% annually in June — a decline from May's more than three-year high. Analysts attributed part of the moderation to a temporary drop in energy prices during the ceasefire period. With hostilities resuming, economists cautioned that energy costs are likely to rise again, potentially reversing that progress.
Europe has not joined the US militarily in the conflict. At the Bastille Day parade in Paris, European leaders presented a show of collective strength focused on Ukraine, while remaining on the sidelines regarding Iran.
South Korean Company Facing US Trade Investigation Paid Trump $2 Million
A South Korean company that is the subject of a US trade investigation paid President Trump $2 million while he was in office, raising questions about conflicts of interest stemming from his personal financial ties to foreign businesses.A South Korean company currently under investigation by the United States government for trade-related matters paid President Trump $2 million while he has been serving as president, according to a report. The nature of the payment — whether for licensing, services, or another arrangement — was not specified in the available source material.
The disclosure highlights ongoing concerns about the president maintaining personal financial relationships with foreign entities while exercising executive authority over trade policy. The company involved faces a trade investigation, which the administration has the power to pursue, resolve, or escalate.
Ethics rules and federal law generally restrict officials from acting on matters in which they have a financial interest, though the application of those rules to the presidency has been a subject of ongoing legal and political debate. The specific investigation and company involved were not named in the source material.
Senate Democrats Block Defense Bill in Protest Over Iran War; US Carries Out New Strikes
Senate Democrats blocked the annual National Defense Authorization Act — the roughly $1 trillion bill that funds the US military — in opposition to the ongoing US war with Iran, now in its fifth month. Separately, the US military carried out additional strikes on Iran ahead of reimposing a naval blockade.Senate Democrats voted to block the National Defense Authorization Act, the annual legislation that authorizes approximately $1 trillion in defense spending and is considered one of Congress's most essential annual obligations. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer led the effort, characterizing the bill as a document that would effectively endorse what he called an unauthorized war against Iran.
The move is unusual — the NDAA has passed in some form for more than six decades, and blocking it carries significant consequences for military operations, pay, and procurement. Democrats argued that advancing the bill without congressional authorization for the Iran conflict would set a damaging precedent.
The conflict with Iran has now extended into its fifth month with no publicly articulated endgame. The administration has not sought a formal Authorization for Use of Military Force from Congress.
On the military front, US forces carried out additional airstrikes on Iran on Tuesday ahead of reimposing a naval blockade on Iranian ports. Iran has also conducted offensive operations, including reported attacks on oil tankers in the region.
The blockade and air campaign have drawn bipartisan concern in Congress, though Republican leadership has largely continued to support the administration's posture. The combination of military escalation and legislative standoff represents a significant moment of institutional friction between the executive and legislative branches over war powers.
DOJ Charges Three Russian Nationals in $63 Million Cybercrime Scheme Targeting US Infrastructure
The Justice Department has charged three Russian nationals with running a cybercrime network that allegedly powered ransomware, malware, and phishing attacks against US critical infrastructure, generating an estimated $63 million.The Justice Department has filed charges against three Russian nationals accused of operating so-called bulletproof hosting services — infrastructure designed to resist law enforcement takedowns — that were used to conduct ransomware, malware, and phishing attacks against targets in the United States.
Authorities allege the scheme generated approximately $63 million and specifically targeted US critical infrastructure. Bulletproof hosting firms provide technical services that allow cybercriminals to operate with reduced risk of detection or disruption by law enforcement.
The charges represent one of the more significant cybercrime indictments targeting Russian nationals in recent months. It is unclear whether any of the three individuals are in US custody or subject to extradition. Russia does not generally extradite its nationals to the United States.
Trump Pays Writer E. Jean Carroll $5 Million in Damages From Sexual Abuse and Defamation Case
President Trump has paid writer E. Jean Carroll approximately $5 million to $5.6 million in damages — figures vary by source — following a jury finding that he was liable for sexually abusing and defaming her. The payment comes after Trump sought unsuccessfully to delay it and to have the Supreme Court overturn the judgment.President Trump has paid writer E. Jean Carroll between $5 million and $5.6 million in damages — accounts differ slightly by source — resolving the financial obligation stemming from a civil jury verdict three years ago. That jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll and for defaming her when he publicly denied her account.
Trump had sought to delay the payment and petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn the judgment, but those efforts did not succeed. The payment now closes the financial component of the case, though it does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing.
The case was one of several civil and criminal legal proceedings involving Trump during and after his first term. Carroll alleged that Trump assaulted her in a department store dressing room in the 1990s. Trump has consistently denied the allegations.
ICE Suspends Most Vehicle Stops After Two People Are Killed in Separate Incidents
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has suspended most non-urgent vehicle stops following two fatal shootings in less than a week during immigration enforcement operations. Exceptions remain for executing criminal warrants or working with partner agencies.US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has ordered a pause on most vehicle stops following two separate deadly shootings within a week during immigration enforcement operations. One incident occurred in Biddeford, Maine; the other in Houston, Texas. The suspension was confirmed by the office of Maine Senator Angus King.
The pause is not absolute. ICE retains the ability to conduct vehicle stops when executing a criminal warrant or when operating alongside partner law enforcement agencies. Non-urgent stops — a tactic that has been used more frequently in recent months as part of expanded enforcement operations — are the primary category affected.
The deaths mark a significant operational moment for the agency, which has faced scrutiny over the expansion of enforcement activities and the tactics used during stops. The administration has not announced any permanent changes to vehicle stop policy.
US House Votes to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent
The House of Representatives voted by a wide bipartisan margin to pass the Sunshine Protection Act, which would end the twice-yearly clock change and make daylight saving time permanent year-round. The bill now moves to the Senate, where its prospects are less certain.The House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act on Tuesday, a bill that would end the practice of changing clocks twice a year and establish daylight saving time as the permanent year-round standard in the United States. The vote was bipartisan and passed by a wide margin.
President Trump has signaled support for ending clock changes. If enacted, the bill would eliminate the practice of setting clocks one hour forward in spring and one hour back in fall — a tradition that began in the early 20th century and has been a recurring subject of public debate.
The bill now moves to the Senate, where it faces a less certain path. Some senators have raised concerns about the effects of permanent daylight saving time on circadian rhythms and road safety, particularly for schoolchildren commuting in the dark during winter months. Previous versions of similar legislation passed the Senate unanimously in 2022 but were never taken up by the House at the time.
Supreme Court Justices Barrett and Kagan Testify Before Congress, Requesting $14.6 Million Security Increase
Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan testified before Congress to request a $14.6 million increase in the court's security budget, citing a significant rise in threats against the justices that has affected their personal and family lives.Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan appeared before House lawmakers in rare congressional testimony to make the case for a substantial increase in the court's security budget. Barrett and Kagan requested $14.6 million in additional security funding, citing a marked increase in threats directed at the justices.
Justice Barrett described the impact on her family, noting that her children have been exposed to circumstances related to her security situation at a young age. The rise in threats accelerated after the leak of the draft Dobbs decision in 2022, which ultimately overturned Roe v. Wade.
The appearance was notable both for its bipartisan pairing — Barrett and Kagan sit on opposite ends of the court's ideological spectrum — and for the relative rarity of justices testifying before Congress. Historically, justices have appeared before Congress primarily to discuss budget matters, maintaining separation from the legislative branch on substantive legal questions.
Both justices were expected to testify before House and Senate subcommittees. The funding request will require congressional approval.
Markets have declined modestly after brief gains earlier in the period.
IBM Shares Drop More Than 25% After Company Issues Profit Warning
IBM shares fell more than 25% on Tuesday after the company released disappointing preliminary second-quarter results and issued a profit warning, citing shifts in its business. The decline was on track to be one of the steepest single-day drops in the company's modern history.Shares in IBM fell more than 25% on Tuesday after the technology company released preliminary second-quarter financial results that fell short of expectations and issued a profit warning. The single-day decline was on pace to exceed the percentage drop IBM suffered during the 1987 market crash.
IBM attributed the disappointing results to shifts in its business, though specific details of those shifts were not elaborated upon in available source material. The company is a major player in enterprise technology, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence services.
The sharp drop erased a significant portion of IBM's market value in a single session, drawing attention across financial markets. IBM's results arrive during a period of broader uncertainty in the technology sector, which is simultaneously navigating rapid AI investment cycles and macroeconomic pressures including elevated energy costs tied to the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
Cyclospora Outbreak Spreads Across US; Michigan Officials Point to Lettuce as Possible Source
A Cyclosporiasis outbreak has sickened thousands across the United States, with Michigan reporting more than 3,300 cases. Michigan health officials identified lettuce or salad greens as a possible source but said other foods could not be ruled out.A significant outbreak of cyclosporiasis — a gastrointestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora — has spread across multiple US states, with thousands of cases reported nationwide. Michigan has been among the hardest-hit states, recording more than 3,300 cases.
Michigan health officials announced preliminary findings suggesting that lettuce or salad greens may be the source of the outbreak, but cautioned that the investigation is ongoing and other foods have not been ruled out. No specific brand or product recall has been announced at this time.
Cyclosporiasis is contracted by consuming food or water contaminated with feces containing Cyclospora parasites. Symptoms typically include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, bloating, nausea, and fatigue. The illness is treatable with antibiotics.
Health officials advise anyone experiencing prolonged gastrointestinal symptoms to consult a healthcare provider. The CDC and state health departments are continuing their investigation to identify the specific food source and the full geographic scope of the outbreak.
Federal Appeals Court Revives Lawsuits Linking Tylenol Use in Pregnancy to Autism and ADHD
A federal appeals court has allowed lawsuits to proceed that allege prenatal use of Tylenol — the brand name for acetaminophen — is associated with autism and ADHD in children. The appeals court overruled a district judge who had dismissed the cases citing unreliable scientific evidence.A federal appeals court has revived a set of lawsuits alleging that use of Tylenol, the widely available pain reliever whose active ingredient is acetaminophen, during pregnancy is linked to autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children.
The appeals court overturned a lower court ruling that had dismissed the cases, with the district court judge having determined that the scientific evidence presented was insufficiently reliable to support the claims. The appeals court disagreed with that assessment and allowed the litigation to move forward.
The scientific question of whether prenatal acetaminophen exposure is associated with neurodevelopmental conditions in children has been debated in the medical literature for several years. No regulatory agency has issued guidance advising pregnant people to avoid acetaminophen entirely, and acetaminophen is generally considered among the safer over-the-counter pain options during pregnancy.
The revival of these lawsuits does not constitute a legal finding that Tylenol causes these conditions — it means the cases will now be heard on their merits. Tylenol is one of the most commonly used medications in the United States and is sold by Johnson & Johnson.
New York to Impose First Statewide Moratorium on New Large Data Centers
New York state will block construction of new large data centers — the kind that power artificial intelligence systems — for up to one year, citing concerns about environmental impact and strain on the electrical grid.New York is set to become the first state in the country to impose a statewide moratorium on new large-scale data centers, a move driven by concerns about energy consumption and environmental impact. The pause is expected to last up to one year.
Data centers that support artificial intelligence systems and large-scale cloud computing require substantial amounts of electricity, and their rapid proliferation has placed increasing pressure on regional power grids. New York officials cited both grid reliability and environmental protection as motivations for the moratorium.
The move comes as states and municipalities across the country grapple with how to manage the infrastructure demands of the AI industry. New York's action stands in contrast to other jurisdictions — including Australia, where the government announced this week it would fast-track approvals for AI-related data center projects.
The moratorium is expected to face scrutiny from the technology industry, which has been expanding data center capacity rapidly. It is unclear whether the pause will affect projects already under construction or only new applications.
Apple Sues OpenAI, Alleging Theft of Company Secrets
Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the artificial intelligence company of stealing trade secrets. The two companies had a partnership beginning in 2024 to offer AI services on Apple devices, but that relationship has since deteriorated.Apple has sued OpenAI, alleging that the AI company misappropriated Apple's proprietary information and trade secrets. The lawsuit follows a significant deterioration in the relationship between the two companies, which entered into a partnership in 2024 to integrate OpenAI's technology into Apple devices and services.
The specific trade secrets at issue were not detailed in the available source material. The lawsuit represents a notable escalation in tensions between two of the most prominent companies in the technology industry, and could have broad implications for how AI companies license and use partner technology.
The case will likely draw scrutiny from the legal and technology communities, given the scale of both companies and the significance of their prior commercial relationship. No court rulings or preliminary findings have been issued.
Spain Defeats France 2-0 to Advance to Men's World Cup Final
Spain defeated France 2-0 in the World Cup semifinal on Tuesday, advancing to the final for the first time since 2010 — the year Spain won its only World Cup title. Spain will face either defending champion Argentina or England in the final, to be held Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey.Spain defeated France 2-0 in the men's World Cup semifinal on Tuesday, advancing to the tournament's final for the first time since 2010. Spain's 2010 appearance ended with the country's only World Cup championship. France, which had hoped to reach the final for a third consecutive tournament, failed to score for the first time in this year's competition. The shutout was Spain's sixth of the current tournament — a record for this World Cup. Spain will play in the final on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, against the winner of the other semifinal between defending champion Argentina and England.
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UK Politician Ann Widdecombe Killed in What Police Describe as Targeted Attack
Counterterrorism police in the UK are investigating the death of Ann Widdecombe, a prominent member of the Reform UK party, as a targeted attack. A 28-year-old man remains in custody under a warrant allowing up to seven days of questioning, on suspicion of murder and terrorism-related offenses.Counterterrorism police in the United Kingdom are investigating the death of Ann Widdecombe, a high-profile politician and senior figure in the right-wing Reform UK party, as a targeted attack. Authorities have described the incident as deliberate rather than random.
A 28-year-old man has been detained and is being held under a warrant that allows police to question him for up to seven days. He is under suspicion of murder and terrorism-related offenses. Police have not publicly disclosed a motive, and the investigation is ongoing.
The killing has prompted calls from political leaders for a review of security arrangements for elected officials and public figures. It is the latest in a series of violent incidents targeting politicians in the United Kingdom in recent years, renewing debate about the safety of public servants and the broader climate in which political figures operate.