The nation’s fourth-largest city, a buzzing hub in Texas politics and culture.
A new slate of Lynch syndrome vaccine trials is expanding in the UK and US, with Oxford and Moderna leading the charge. Trials aim to prevent cancers in high-risk individuals by training the immune system to spot pre-cancer changes; early results show promise, but researchers caution that more data is needed.
President Trump has begun flying a $400m Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar but used an older Air Force One during a July NATO trip after officials raised security concerns. The administration has launched a leak probe led by the FBI director and White House chief of staff; The New York Times reporters were subpoenaed as investigators sought sources about the jet's defensive capabilities.
A wave of earnings reports from major tech and consumer companies shows mixed results but outlooks point to continued momentum in AI, autos and logistics. Qualcomm, UPS, IBM, Intel and UnitedHealth report varying results, with some guiding higher, others facing cost pressures, and others expanding into automotive and AI workloads.
Officials say a string of fatal incidents involving immigration enforcement have prompted renewed scrutiny of DHS vetting and tactics. The Maine and Houston shootings have sparked demands for independent investigations and reforms as lawmakers push for oversight.
A wave of updates across Uber, Waymo, Baidu, and others is redefining autonomous-vehicle deployment in major markets. Partnerships are shifting, apps are expanding beyond rides, and regulators are sharpening standards. The evolving ecosystem is accelerating, with major players preparing for broader rollout in 2028 and beyond.
The ICE body camera program has moved forward with purchases, training, and nationwide deployment, following recent fatal shootings during stops in Texas and Maine. Officials cite funding and the need for accountability, while critics question delays and transparency.
The United States has has backed plans to rehabilitate the Iraq–Syria crude oil pipeline as a priority infrastructure project linking Iraqi production with Mediterranean export markets. Deals with US firms aim to create alternative routes to the Strait of Hormuz, with initial capacity of about 2 million barrels per day once completed.
Leaders are demanding oversight and transparency after two deadly ICE shootings in Maine and Texas spur controversy over training, vehicle stops and body cameras. Lawmakers press DHS for clearer vetting, identification and accountability.
US-backed deals have Iraq seeking long-term investment, with Chevron-backed pipelines and parallel routes to reduce Hormuz dependence. Analysts say regional pipelines could carry a large share of oil by 2028; the question remains when they’ll be viable.
Iraq has signed 48 agreements with American firms, spanning energy, healthcare and technology, as Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi travels to the United States. The deals include oil and electricity cooperation with ExxonMobil, KBR, GE Vernova, Shell and Halliburton, plus a pipeline project with Syria to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Starlink will bring satellite services.
A Santa Barbara judge has dismissed parts of a lawsuit challenging Santa Barbara County's permit process for Sable Offshore and ExxonMobil, ruling some claims can be amended. The decision preserves ongoing county protections while leaving room for refiled charges as both sides weigh next moves over the Santa Ynez Unit oil project and related pipeline.
Hannah Rapp, 26, was struck by a reversing car while riding with a cyclist in Brazos County, Texas. She has died at a local hospital. A 31-year-old man, Charles Medina, has been arrested on a manslaughter charge as investigators pursue a full probe.
The Guardian reports deadly ICE incidents amid growing calls to abolish ICE and hold officials to account. Victims’ families urge prosecutions and retroactive liability, signaling a broader push for systemic reform and legal repercussions for those involved.
Five adults have drowned while attempting to save others after a fishing trip on the Scioto River. The victims, all residents of Columbus, were identified as two Honduran couples and three others, with a lone survivor among their children. Authorities say the events unfolded as multiple swimmers entered deep water to aid those in distress.
Defaults among federal student loan borrowers have surged after the pause ended, with around 9.5 million in default and more facing higher payments as the government ends the SAVE plan. The government has shifted repayment options and tightened relief, raising concerns about financial strain.
A Florida woman has been charged in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, accused of helping secure more than $32 million in COVID-19 relief funds before fleeing to Jamaica and later being captured in a US-led operation. Several co-defendants have already been convicted or sentenced in the ongoing case.
U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison has ordered the release of Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego from ICE custody within 48 hours, citing Fifth Amendment due process rights. He faces a pending habeas petition and a potential U-Visa application, while DHS will comply with the court order. The case follows the July 7 shooting of Lorenzo Araujo Salgado by an ICE officer and related investigations.
Tesla has reported weak Q2 profits and heavy capital spending on AI, robotaxis and humanoid robots, turning free cash flow negative and sending its shares sharply lower. SpaceX has fallen since its IPO and heavy short interest is piling up. Investors are demanding clearer timelines for robotaxi, Optimus and Tesla–SpaceX collaboration as capital needs rise.
The Trump administration is facing internal debate as ICE shootings prompt a pause in traffic stops, then a reversal. White House and DHS officials argue over training, body cameras, and tactics amid ongoing criticism of immigration enforcement.
The Department of Homeland Security’s account of the July 7 shooting by ICE has faced pushback from witnesses and the victim’s family at a Houston hearing. His sons say he was a hardworking, legal-status immigrant who was killed in front of his crew; prosecutors question DHS details amid calls for independent scrutiny.
Tesla has escalated its capital expenditure, with second-quarter capex at $5.8 billion and projected annual capex above $25 billion as it expands robotaxi, Optimus, and semiconductor initiatives. Revenue rises, while operating margin declines amid aggressive investments.
The White House has expanded a nonbinding Ratepayer Protection Pledge to include nearly 200 additional utilities, governors and data‑center developers, and President Trump has urged local leaders to welcome data centers as economic opportunities. Critics say the pledge lacks enforcement and will not prevent rising electricity bills as AI-related power demand grows.
Californios has earned its third Michelin star, becoming the first Mexican restaurant worldwide to reach this height. Chef Val Cantú and his 40‑person team are celebrated for blending Mexican tradition with California ingredients, a move Michelin inspectors say crosses borders without losing identity. The accolade comes amid a broader rise in recognition for Mexican cuisine, set against tightening immigration enforcement.
SpaceX’s Starship 13th flight has deployed Starlink satellites and tested heat-shield upgrades. The test landed in the Indian Ocean with an intact booster and a taller test profile. Analysts discuss remaining heat-shield challenges for rapid reuse and cost reduction, with NASA eyeing Artemis and lunar missions.
A Texas suit has been filed to block a state law requiring framed Ten Commandments posters in every public school classroom. Plaintiffs argue the mandate burdens religious freedom under state law and Prop. 15. The case seeks a temporary restraining order before the new school year. The action follows earlier federal rulings on the same law.
Tesla is accelerating its AI and robotics agenda while its robotaxi rollout remains limited and costly. Quarterly data show robotaxi miles dwindling, even as Musk pushes Optimus and other AI initiatives. Analysts warn that regulatory hurdles and high CapEx complicate the path to scale.
The watchdogs say ICE’s vetting and training processes are under review following a Maine shooting involving an ICE officer. Lawmakers from both parties are pressing for body cameras, clearer guidelines on vehicle stops, and closer oversight as the department aims to meet aggressive deportation goals.
The Guardian, AP, Independent and Al Jazeera report that ICE is extending Camp East Montana’s operation under a no-bid contract, potentially costing up to $1.2 billion through Sept. 2027. Advocates cite mistreatment, deaths and oversight gaps. DHS says extending is impracticable given bed space; critics deem it a risk and human-rights abuse.
Two people have been found dead at a Houston property. Police say one death is being treated as murder while the other is unexplained. Investigators are at the scene and are searching for further information.
Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego has been ordered released from ICE custody following a federal judge’s ruling that his detention violates due process. The case centers on a July 7 shooting involving an ICE officer during a traffic stop in which a van carrying three passengers was stopped. Rojas Pliego disputes the government’s account and says he has lived in the U.S. for decades without legal status. Protests have erupted in Houston as more details emerge about the incident and investigations continue.
UK parents Maisie and Josh traveled with their unborn son Theo to Texas for a groundbreaking in-womb procedure to repair complex gastroschisis. The trial, led by foetal and paediatric surgeons, aims to shift treatment before birth. Theo was delivered healthy in Texas and is doing remarkably well; if successful, the UK could offer the procedure to more patients.
Three separate ocean encounters have left swimmers injured on vacation: a shark bite in the Bahamas, and barracuda injuries in Turks and Caicos. A 69-year-old man required 26 stitches after a shark attack during a cruise snorkeling trip; a 13-year-old received injuries from a barracuda while in Turks and Caicos, prompting surgery to repair tendons. All victims are recovering.
Texas Governor has ordered audits of data-center projects seeking grid connections. ERCOT and the Public Utility Commission are reviewing more than 1,800 interconnection requests, the vast majority from data centers. The move aims to verify power and water use, tax incentives and community impacts, and could deny connections to projects that do not comply.
The FAA has opened a safety review after Marine One, carrying the president, has had a momentary loss of separation with a commercial regional jet departing Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Tuesday afternoon. Both aircraft have landed safely; the NTSB is gathering information and considering an investigation.
Stefon Diggs has signed a one-year deal with the Washington Commanders, giving quarterback Jayden Daniels a proven No. 2 to complement Terry McLaurin. Diggs arrives amid a legal saga that recently cleared him of felony charges, and he is positioned to make an immediate impact as Washington pivots to a more productive passing attack.
Wizz Air has posted an operating loss of 183 million euros for April–June, reversing a year-earlier profit as jet-fuel prices surge with Brent crude above $120. The carrier says market prices are up about 87% and is reallocating capacity from Middle East routes to Europe while expanding passenger traffic to 21.2 million.
The Trump administration has issued a single-source contract with the Burke Law Group to provide legal services for unaccompanied migrant children in shelters, as a previous network of nearly 100 providers loses its funding. Officials say the move covers children in shelters starting Aug. 15, while questions remain about services for those outside the shelter system and how remaining providers will be repaid.
The rollout of body-worn cameras across ICE is finishing this September, but scrutiny grows over how footage will be released. Officials promise transparency while critics warn of selective disclosures and privacy trade-offs amid recent fatal shootings.
Annelise Camp has died after life-support was withdrawn following weeks of court battles over brain-death testing and treatment options. Families and doctors weighed legal and medical options while transfers between hospitals occurred; public statements and legal filings highlighted ongoing debates about brain death and care.