Donald Trump's administration saw key appointments, decisive actions in Washington D.C., and ongoing diplomatic overtures with Russia while facing criticism over economic impacts and judicial decisions on classified information.

• Trump nominates Heritage Foundation economist as labor statistics chief — The Guardian -
• Trump nominates chief economist at rightwing Heritage Foundation to lead Bureau of Labor Statistics – live — The Guardian -
• Trump Says He’s Going to Alaska to See What Putin ‘Has in Mind’ — New York Times World -

• Trump spreads false narratives about DC crime – just as he did with LA — The Guardian -
• Tuesday Briefing: Trump’s Washington Crackdown — New York Times World -
• Trump seizes control of Washington DC police and deploys national guard — The Guardian -
• Trump Wields Tariffs as a Force in Diplomacy, to Questionable Effect — New York Times World -
• ‘Red meat to throw to his base’: DC residents on Trump’s police takeover — The Guardian -
• Trump says he will try to get back territory for Ukraine in talks with Putin — BBC World -
• Brazil Clamped Down on Big Tech. Trump’s Tariffs Could Change That. — New York Times World -
• Zelensky could still attend Trump-Putin meeting, but rest of Europe is shut out — BBC World -
• Trump deploys National Guard to Washington DC and pledges crime crackdown — BBC World -
• Trump says he and Putin will discuss ‘land swapping’ at Ukraine war summit — The Guardian -
• A Sidelined Zelensky Warns That Russia Will Try to Deceive the U.S. — New York Times World -
• Judge rejects Trump administration request to unseal Ghislaine Maxwell grand jury transcripts — The Guardian -
• Ghislaine Maxwell court materials to stay secret, judge rules — BBC World -
• European leaders set to join call with Zelenskyy and Trump on Wednesday, Germany says - as it happpened — The Guardian -
• Watch: Trump announces deployment of National Guard in Washington DC — BBC World -
• India’s Modi Left Soul-Searching After Failed Courtships of Xi and Trump — New York Times World -
• Trump stirs far-right rage despite FBI deprioritizing extremist threat — The Guardian -
• Wind generator Ørsted blames Trump as shares sink to all-time low — The Guardian -
• Farmers displaced by $1.5bn Trump golf course reportedly being offered rice and cash — The Guardian -
• Immigration crackdown causing ‘Trump slump’ in Las Vegas tourism, unions say — The Guardian -
• Trump demands homeless people 'immediately' move out of Washington DC — BBC World -
• Trump demands homeless people 'immediately' move out of Washington DC — BBC World -
• Mutual inconvenience: why Alaska for the Trump-Putin summit on Ukraine? — The Guardian -

The Israel-Gaza conflict continues with condemnation over journalists' killings, Australia's move to recognize Palestine, and ongoing tensions with Qatar, while Syria faces sectarian violence and Israel's post-Gaza City plans remain unclear.

• Australia news live: Albanese says Netanyahu’s frustrating ‘denial’ of suffering in Gaza led to move to recognise Palestine — The Guardian -
• Who Were the Al Jazeera Journalists Killed in an Israeli Strike in Gaza? — New York Times World -
• Palestinian reporters killed, international reporters banned – Israel’s other Gaza war is over narrative — The Guardian -

• Israel-Qatar Tensions Escalate After Israel Kills Al Jazeera Journalists — New York Times World -
• What to Know About Al Jazeera, the Broadcaster Israel Accuses of Supporting Hamas — New York Times World -
• Israel’s Plan for Gaza City Is Still Unclear — New York Times World -
• Palestine Action co-founder accuses ministers of making defamatory claims — The Guardian -
• ‘I risked everything’: remembering six media workers killed by Israel in Gaza — The Guardian -
• Israeli Strike Kills 5 Al Jazeera Journalists, Network Says — New York Times World -
• UN condemns targeted Israeli attack that killed five Al Jazeera journalists — BBC World -
• Footage Shows Medical Volunteer Execution in Southern Syria Amid Sectarian Violence — New York Times World -
• Who was Anas al-Sharif, prominent Gaza journalist killed by Israel? — BBC World -
• Mourners gather amid outrage over Israeli troops’ killing of journalists in Gaza – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Palestine Action is a ‘violent organisation’, Downing Street says after mass arrests over the weekend – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Clashing Visions of Syria’s Future Play Out in Ancient Alleys of Damascus — New York Times World -
• Palestinian activist killed by settler filmed his shooting, footage shows — The Guardian -
• First Thing: Prominent Al Jazeera correspondent among five journalists killed in Israeli airstrike on Gaza — The Guardian -
• Global outrage mounts as funeral held for five journalists killed by Israel — The Guardian -
• Albanese’s Palestinian statehood decision won’t please everyone – but it’s better than the horrifying status quo — The Guardian -
• Five Al Jazeera journalists killed in Israeli strike in Gaza — BBC World -
• Australia to Recognize Palestinian Statehood — New York Times World -
• Anas al-Sharif, prominent Al Jazeera correspondent, among five journalists killed in Israeli airstrike on Gaza — The Guardian -
• Australia recognising Palestine a ‘political fig leaf’ without sanctions, Palestine Advocacy Network head says — The Guardian -
• Labor Friends of Palestine applaud Albanese’s move to recognise statehood – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Monday briefing: ​What a new investigation tells us about the shooting of Palestinians at Gaza aid sites — The Guardian -
• Australia to recognise a Palestinian state at the UN next month — The Guardian -
• Australia to recognise Palestinian state in September — BBC World -
• Netanyahu Doubles Down on Gaza Offensive After Global Backlash — New York Times World -

Extreme weather events like wildfires in Colorado and Canada, heatwaves across Southern Europe and the UK, and flooding in the US midwest highlight a rapidly changing climate, alongside marine heatwaves affecting coral reefs, a nuclear plant shut down by jellyfish, and concerns over Mekong River megafish decline and PFAS contamination.

• Colorado deploys more than 1,000 firefighters to battle two huge blazes — The Guardian -
• Southern Europe swelters under deadly heatwave as temperatures pass 40C — The Guardian -
• Canada wildfire season already second worst on record as experts warn of ‘new reality’ — The Guardian -

• Jellyfish Shut Down French Nuclear Power Plant — New York Times World -
• ‘Death spiral’: Mekong River megafish have shrunk by half, study reveals — The Guardian -
• UK taxpayers on hook as failed Cumbria coalmine investors sue government — The Guardian -
• Sydney has wettest start to August in decades – and there could be more rain when spring arrives — The Guardian -
• WA’s ‘longest and most intense’ marine heatwave killed coral across 1,500km stretch — The Guardian -
• Antarctic glacier melt reveals remains of Briton who died in 1959 accident — The Guardian -
• Flooding hits midwest as Milwaukee experiences second wettest day ever — The Guardian -
• Waste from agricultural plant poisoned US town’s water with Pfas, lawsuits allege — The Guardian -
• UK weather: heat health warnings issued across England — The Guardian -
• Firefighters Tackle Blaze at Arthur’s Seat, an Edinburgh Landmark — New York Times World -
• Weather tracker: Europe braces for another heatwave with highs of 44C — The Guardian -
• Swarm of jellyfish shuts nuclear power plant in France — The Guardian -
• Firefighters tackle blaze at Arthur’s Seat landmark in Edinburgh — The Guardian -

Significant crime incidents include multiple shootings in the US and Ecuador, a deadly house fire in Maryland, and a plant explosion in Pennsylvania, alongside legal developments such as a sheriff's extortion charges and a teacher's abuse conviction.

• Gunman in CDC attack fired over 180 shots at building and broke 150 windows — The Guardian -
• Suspect arrested after shooting at Texas Target leaves at least three people dead — The Guardian -
• Explosion ‘like thunder’ at Pennsylvania US Steel plant leaves at least one dead — The Guardian -

• Colombian senator Miguel Uribe dies after June campaign shooting — The Guardian -
• Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe dies two months after being shot — BBC World -
• Eight people killed in barrage of gunfire on Ecuador nightclub — The Guardian -
• Miguel Uribe, Colombian Senator Shot at Campaign Event, Dies at 39 — New York Times World -
• Witness to 2009 murder ‘told he would be charged’ unless he gave Met a name — The Guardian -
• Four children and two adults killed in deadliest Maryland house fire in a decade — The Guardian -
• Former teacher found guilty of abusing boys at Edinburgh Academy — The Guardian -
• Massachusetts sheriff charged with extortion over $50,000 stock deal with cannabis company — The Guardian -
• Judge ruled Erin Patterson would have to face separate trial for attempting to kill estranged husband to avoid prejudice — The Guardian -
• British backpacker pleads guilty to killing man while drunk on e-scooter — BBC World -
• Eight killed in Ecuador nightclub shooting — BBC World -
• English backpacker pleads guilty to causing death of Perth father of two in drunken e-scooter crash — The Guardian -

Geopolitical tensions escalated with China ramming its own warship while chasing a Philippine vessel and a senior Chinese diplomat being detained, while Finland charged tanker crew members for damaging undersea cables, and Mali saw soldiers arrested over an alleged coup plot.

• Indian court orders removal of thousands of stray dogs from Delhi region — The Guardian -
• Finland Charges Ship’s Crew Members in Slashing of Undersea Cables — New York Times World -
• Finland charges tanker crew members with sabotage of undersea cables — The Guardian -

• Hundreds of Indian Lawmakers Detained at a Protest Claiming Vote Rigging — New York Times World -
• Dozens of Malian soldiers arrested over alleged coup plot against junta, sources say — BBC World -
• Dozens of Malian soldiers arrested over alleged coup plot against junta, sources say — BBC World -
• China rams own warship while chasing Philippine vessel — BBC World -
• China rams own warship while chasing Philippine vessel — BBC World -
• Delhi given eight weeks to round up hundreds of thousands of stray dogs — BBC World -
• Watch: Chinese ships collide while pursuing Philippine boat — BBC World -
• Growing pains: can rice production in Africa keep up with demand? — The Guardian -
• Monday Briefing: North Korea’s Heir Apparent — New York Times World -
• China diplomat tipped as next foreign minister detained by authorities – report — The Guardian -
• China's unemployed young adults who are pretending to have jobs — BBC World -
• China's unemployed young adults who are pretending to have jobs — BBC World -

Concerns over healthcare safety saw **attacks on A&E nurses double, while migrant protests continued, and debates arose over public monuments, online safety regulations, and road safety reforms, as A-level results returned to pre-pandemic levels**.

• ‘None of us feel safe’: attacks on A&E nurses double in six years as waits rise — The Guardian -
• UK party leaders urged to end ‘pernicious currents’ of hatred fuelling anti-migrant protests — The Guardian -
• Labour peer calls for removal of Clive of India statue from outside Foreign Office — The Guardian -

• Wikipedia can challenge Online Safety Act if strictest rules apply to it, says judge — The Guardian -
• UK ministers urged to do more to protect new drivers in road safety overhaul — The Guardian -
• Prince Charles cinema looks to expand to second venue in east London — The Guardian -
• A-level results in England expected to return to near pre-pandemic levels — The Guardian -
• Russell T Davies blames Reform and Trump for decline in UK gay rights — The Guardian -
• Conch blowing could help to alleviate sleep apnoea, study suggests — The Guardian -
• Ray Brooks, British actor and voice of Mr Benn, dies aged 86 — The Guardian -

The tech sector saw a significant shift as Nvidia and AMD agreed to pay a percentage of China chip sales to the US, while AOL announced the end of its dial-up service, and Santander eased mortgage lending, amidst calls to end tax breaks for Chinese online rivals.

• Chip giants Nvidia and AMD to pay 15% of sales revenue in China to US — BBC World -
• Trump announces another 90-day pause on China tariffs — The Guardian -
• Santander mortgage cap jumps by as much as 24% as bank eases lending rules — The Guardian -

• End of an era: AOL to discontinue its dial-up internet service after 30 years — The Guardian -
• Luxury jeweller Fabergé sold to tech investor in $50m deal — The Guardian -
• B&Q boss urges Reeves to end tax breaks that favour online Chinese rivals — The Guardian -
• AI tools used by English councils downplay women’s health issues, study finds — The Guardian -
• U.S. Government to Take Cut of Nvidia and AMD A.I. Chip Sales to China — New York Times World -
• Mark Baxter stopped talking about his upbringing to break through the ‘class ceiling’. Now he’s fighting for change — The Guardian -

Across the United States, multiple public safety incidents occurred, including a major water main break in New Jersey, medication abortions increasing post-Roe, and concerns over veterans agency staffing, alongside the Las Vegas tourism decline.

• New Jersey city stuck with little or no water service four days after water main break — The Guardian -
• Medication abortions drove up number of US procedures after Roe’s repeal, study shows — The Guardian -
• Immigration crackdown causing ‘Trump slump’ in Las Vegas tourism, unions say — The Guardian -

• US veterans agency lost thousands of ‘core’ medical staff under Trump, records show — The Guardian -

A variety of global events captivated attention, including rare meteorite sightings, the reopening of Melbourne's Ferris wheel, unusual incidents involving trains and planes, and significant cultural losses in entertainment.

• A Haven for English in the Most French of North American Cities — New York Times World -
• Veteran stock-car driver Robbie Brewer dies after medical emergency during North Carolina race — The Guardian -
• Harry and Meghan sign new multi-year film and TV deal with Netflix — The Guardian -

• EasyJet suspends pilot after claims he wandered naked around luxury hotel — The Guardian -
• Helicopter pilot in crash that killed Outback Wrangler star was a ‘party animal’, court told — The Guardian -
• Man jumps on to moving high-speed train — BBC World -
• Freddo bar creator would be ‘rolling in his grave’ at its price today, daughter says — The Guardian -
• Pioneering Blue Peter editor Biddy Baxter dies at 92 — The Guardian -
• Tiny fireball that crashed into Georgia home is 4.56bn-year-old meteorite, say experts — The Guardian -
• Watch: Moment storm blows roof off Nebraska prison — BBC World -
• Japan rocked by bullying scandal after team withdraws from high school baseball tournament — The Guardian -
• Road tax for Australian EV users ‘sensible’, Tanya Plibersek says ahead of key economic summit — The Guardian -
• Their loved ones are missing at war. So these Ukrainian children spend summer together — BBC World -
• ‘My house and the earth shook visibly’: blazing meteor thrills residents in central Victoria — The Guardian -
• Full circle: Melbourne’s beleaguered Star ferris wheel to turn again — The Guardian -
• Watch: Meteor burns across Australian night sky — BBC World -
• Turkey earthquake flattens buildings in north-east Balikesir province — BBC World -
• Turkey earthquake flattens buildings in north-east Balikesir province — BBC World -