Briefing

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson defended her decision on Friday to remove the city’s police chief. She called the move “the right decision at the right time.” Wilson declined to explain why she decided to oust the chief. Her remarks came after a shooting in the city.

Seattlecity governmentpolice chiefshooting

TThe Associated Press★★★☆☆2026-07-31 23:59

Egypt’s Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy said on Friday that electricity prices for most household users would rise. Rates for the first residential consumption bracket will remain unchanged. Tariffs for other household consumption brackets will increase by an average of 12%.

Egyptelectricity tariffshousehold energy

RReuters★★★☆☆2026-07-31 23:50Original

Nearly six months after Nancy Guthrie vanished from her home in Tucson’s Catalina Foothills neighborhood, investigators have released the complete contents of a ransom note. They also published a follow-up message that investigators believe could contain clues recognizable to someone familiar with the alleged kidnappers. The release adds detail to the investigation into Guthrie’s disappearance.

Nancy GuthrieTucsonmissing personransom note

CCNN★★★☆☆2026-07-31 22:33

Japan’s high-cost medical expense system is set for changes from August 1. Monthly out-of-pocket ceilings are to be raised according to income. An annual ceiling will also be introduced, taking into account patients who continue treatment over a long period.

Japanmedical costshealth policy

NNHK News★★★☆☆2026-07-31 20:45Original

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating nearly 1.2 million Tesla vehicles. The probe follows complaints about a suspension failure that could result in a loss of vehicle directional control. Its preliminary scope includes Model 3 vehicles from 2018 to 2020 and Model Y vehicles from 2021 to 2023. The agency’s office identified those models in a filing.

Teslavehicle safetysuspension failure

TThe Verge★★★☆☆2026-07-31 18:33Original

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has abandoned plans to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private equity investors. UEFA had threatened to boycott FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup, unless he withdrew the proposal. The decision follows backlash against the planned sell-off. The dispute had put participation in FIFA events at risk for European football. Infantino has now dropped the investment plan.

FIFAWorld CupUEFAprivate equity

DDW★★★☆☆2026-07-31 23:46Original

President Donald Trump said the United States has not agreed to Ukraine producing Patriot missiles. He said discussions on the issue are still underway. Trump added that Washington must be “very careful” about allowing someone else to build the missiles.

Donald TrumpUkrainePatriot missiles

RReuters★★★☆☆2026-07-31 22:47

As tensions between the United States and Iran intensify, a retired Navy SEAL examines the cyber threats linked to the conflict. The discussion also addresses military strategy and the future of diplomacy with Iran. The potential consequences for homeland security are at the center of the concern.

IranUnited Statescyberattackhomeland security

FFox News★★★★☆2026-07-31 11:15

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng held a video call on Thursday with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. He Lifeng is also China’s lead official for economic and trade affairs with the United States. The call brought the two sides’ senior economic and trade officials into direct contact. It marked communication at the leadership level on China-U.S. economic and trade matters.

China-U.S. relationstradediplomacy

CChina News Service★★★★☆2026-07-31 11:03Original

A new study from researchers at World Weather Attribution says human-caused climate change significantly contributed to wildfires that have affected France and Spain over the past week. The scientists linked the fires to hotter and drier conditions associated with climate change. They estimated that such conditions made the fires twice as likely in France and 20 times as likely in Spain.

climate changeEuropean wildfiresFranceSpain

FFrance 24★★★★☆2026-07-31 09:34Original

The European Union plans to establish a corporate advisory group after the summer break. The group will exchange information on risks affecting supply chains. The initiative is intended to strengthen the bloc’s economic security. EU officials are expected to set the timetable for launching the group in the fall.

European Uniontrade conflictssupply chain riskseconomic security

BBloomberg News★★★★☆2026-07-31 08:00Original

President Trump may pull Todd Blanche’s nomination to become attorney general and defer the matter until next year. Two Republican senators are refusing to move Blanche forward in the confirmation process. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis have threatened to block the nomination unless Trump and the Justice Department formally end a controversial “anti-weaponization” fund. Their opposition has created a hurdle for the administration’s effort to advance Blanche’s nomination.

Donald TrumpAttorney General nominationRepublican senatorsConfirmation process

CCBS News★★★☆☆2026-07-31 14:37

Russia will provide Kyrgyzstan with 100,000 metric tons of fuel each month. Russia currently accounts for roughly 90% to 95% of the republic’s supplies of gasoline, diesel and aviation kerosene. The arrangement covers the main fuel products used by Kyrgyzstan.

RussiaKyrgyzstanfuel supply

TTASS★★★☆☆2026-07-31 14:51Original

A Guardian investigation says CT Group, a political lobbying firm co-founded by Lynton Crosby, secretly pays journalists to produce favourable articles for British newspapers. Crosby previously served as an electoral strategist for David Cameron and Boris Johnson. Lobbyists reportedly told an undercover reporter that journalists had been paid to place such pieces. The practice appears to offer private companies a back door to influence public opinion, raising concerns about journalism.

journalismpolitical lobbyingundercover investigationpublic opinion

GGuardian News★★★☆☆2026-07-31 12:32

Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, has resigned in protest at a proposal to attract private investment for the World Cup. Cordeiro said the plan would “mortgage football’s future.” Opposition is growing, with European football associations considering a boycott, alongside CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation. FIFA is offering $40 million to every country that supports the project.

FIFAWorld Cupprivate investmentfootball governance

FFrance 24★★★☆☆2026-07-31 10:42Original

The Financial Times reports that Big Tech companies have invested more than $1 trillion in artificial intelligence. The newspaper says the scale of this spending demonstrates the breadth of their ambitions in AI. It also points to the speed with which America’s technology giants have built up their artificial-intelligence efforts.

artificial intelligenceBig Techinvestment

TTASS★★★★☆2026-07-31 07:07Original

Japan is preparing to establish a centralized intelligence body for the first time since World War II. Critics fear the move could depart from Tokyo’s pacifist ideals. Supporters argue it is necessary for a country whose security weaknesses are so extensive that it has been dubbed a “paradise for spies.”

Japanintelligence agencynational security

CCNN★★★★☆2026-07-31 02:58Original

Federal regulators are clearing a path for some robotaxis to operate without manual controls such as steering wheels. As regulations begin catching up with evolving technology, vehicles could eventually be allowed to operate without brake pedals as well. The move signals a shift in rules governing autonomous transportation.

robotaxisfederal regulationautonomous vehicles

TThe Associated Press★★★☆☆2026-07-31 02:15

US President Donald Trump told the Financial Times that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would visit Ukraine in the coming days. Trump said his attention was focused on ending the conflict. The planned visit comes as the administration highlights efforts aimed at bringing the conflict to an end.

Donald TrumpUkrainediplomatic visit

TTASS★★★★☆2026-07-31 01:07Original

Homelessness is increasing across the United Kingdom, leaving thousands struggling to secure stable housing. The worsening cost of living and persistent housing shortages are deepening the problem. Reporting from Middlesbrough follows the experiences of people sleeping rough and examines the structural forces behind Britain’s homelessness crisis. Charities and housing specialists point to welfare-system gaps, higher rents, addiction, domestic abuse and a shortage of affordable homes as factors pushing more people into homelessness.

United Kingdomhomelessnesshousing crisiscost of living

AAl Jazeera English★★★☆☆2026-07-31 03:51

Twenty-five vessels carrying commodities passed through the Bab el-Mandeb strait on Thursday, according to shipping data from Kpler. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained limited at the same time. Only two tankers were recorded transiting Hormuz that day, underscoring the sharp difference in vessel movements between the two strategic waterways.

Bab el-MandebStrait of Hormuzshippingtankers

RReuters★★★☆☆2026-07-31 07:40Original