Iran strikes pause, tariffs surge, Ceuta crisis, Russia missile, Scarborough drills

IRGC fires ballistic salvo at US Jordan base; Trump pauses strikes pending deal

Trump's 10% tariff baseline expires at midnight; differentiated new rates take effect

At midnight ET August 2, Trump's universal 10% tariff baseline expired and a differentiated schedule took effect across dozens of trading partners.

60,000 migrants breach Ceuta in 24 hours, 57 dead; Italy invokes Schengen Article 25

In a 24-hour window from July 31 to August 1, approximately 60,000 migrants crossed the Morocco-Ceuta border — the largest single-day surge ever recorded on EU territory. At least 57 people died.

Russian Kh-101 cruise missile breaches Polish airspace; Senate advances Russia sanctions 86-12

A live Russian Kh-101 cruise missile entered Polish airspace near Lublin during a large-scale assault on Ukraine, exploding in a field near Tarnawa-Kolonia — leaving a 10-meter crater. NATO scrambled jets.

Todd Blanche AG vote blocked; $1.8B DOJ anti-weaponization fund at center of dispute

The Senate Judiciary Committee was forced to postpone its July 29 vote to advance Todd Blanche as Attorney General. Two Republican senators — led by John Cornyn — are blocking the nomination over a $1.

Trump demands Senate cancel recess for SAVE America Act; Thune refuses, 4 votes short of 60

Trump has been hammering Senate Majority Leader John Thune to cancel the August 6–September 14 recess and remain in session until the SAVE America Act passes — a strict proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration and casting ballots.

Global chip sales hit $120.6B in May, up 104% YoY; AI compute doubles every 9 months

Global semiconductor monthly revenue hit $120. 6 billion in May 2026 — up 104% year-on-year — the 15th consecutive monthly record.

Palo Alto Unit 42: Zhuhai actor weaponizes DeepSeek in attack framework, hits 460+ systems

Palo Alto Networks' Unit 42 threat intelligence division has documented a Zhuhai-based threat actor that integrated DeepSeek R1 into the ope…

Alphabet Q2 free cash flow turns negative $5.9B for first time since 2004 IPO; $205B AI capex

Alphabet reported negative $5. 9 billion free cash flow in Q2 2026 — the first cash burn since the company's 2004 IPO — as it raised 2026 AI infrastructure spending to approximately $205 billion.

DRC Ebola PHEIC: 3,605 cases, 1,587 deaths, 44% fatality rate with no approved vaccine

The Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease outbreak in DRC and Uganda — declared a PHEIC by WHO on May 17, the fastest such designation in history — reached 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 confirmed deaths as of July 30.

PLA drills Scarborough Shoal on Army Day; Beijing warns Manila of 'rich and powerful toolbox'

On PLA Army Day (August 1), the People's Liberation Army Southern Theatre Command conducted joint naval and air combat drills near Scarborough Shoal, calling them a "necessary response to the actions of certain countries.

Apple enters DOJ settlement talks; discovery fight over 14 federal agencies erupts July 29

Apple and the DOJ are in early settlement talks over the 2024 iPhone monopolization case, per Bloomberg. Apple has made multiple offers; no deal reached.