Japan tightens social media rules for AI content in elections

• Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), and nine colleagues sent a formal letter to OMB Director Russ Vought demanding the reversal of a proposed federal regulation. • The lawmakers argue that the proposed rule change would negatively impact American science, research, and innovation by creating restrictive political barriers.

• Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan are scheduled to testify before Congress regarding a $228 million funding request specifically for enhanced Supreme Court security. • The broader judiciary has requested a total of $920.9 million for security for fiscal year 2027, marking a 3.2% increase of $28.9 million over the 2026 budget.

• The USD/KRW currency pair is currently trading at ₩1,490, reflecting a 0.53% decrease as the U.S. Dollar faces persistent downside momentum. • Technical analysis indicates a flat pattern is holding, with critical support established at the ₩1,482 level.

• Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to two years in prison on Monday for violating the Political Funds Act. • The Seoul Central District Court found that Yoon accepted 14 free political polling services valued at 27.92 million won ($18,600) from broker Myung Tae-kyun during his campaign.

• The July 13, 2026, UPSC Daily Current Affairs report provides a comprehensive overview of key geopolitical and scientific topics, including India-New Zealand relations and the Global Liveability Index. • Technical and economic subjects are highlighted, specifically the properties of Helium, the development of Hydrogen Trains, and the PMFME scheme.

• A South Korean court has sentenced ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol to two years in prison for his involvement in a polling scandal. • The court found that Yoon illegally received manipulated opinion polls for free from a political broker to potentially aid his political standing.

• The European Union is preparing to implement a comprehensive ban on social media usage for children across all member states. • This move follows similar regulatory actions or proposals already established in other major global markets, including Australia, Britain, China, India, and the United States.

• The Hungarian parliament passed a sweeping constitutional reform that resulted in the removal of President Tamás Sulyok from office. • The overhaul reshapes key national institutions, prompting a boycott by Fidesz and Christian Democratic (KDNP) lawmakers who spent Monday mourning the loss of Hungarian democracy.

• Hungary’s Parliament voted to remove a loyalist of former right-wing leader Viktor Orban from the presidential post as part of Prime Minister Peter Magyar's "Operation Cleansing Fire." • Prime Minister Magyar pushed through rapid constitutional amendments to dismantle the former governing party's control over the judiciary, state-run media, and government agencies.

• Hungary's Parliament voted 139 to 6 on Monday to pass a constitutional amendment removing President Tamas Sulyok from office. • The move is led by Prime Minister Peter Magyar and his pro-European Tisza party, who secured a two-thirds majority in April's landslide election.

• The U.S. is engaged in ongoing attacks against Iran, while the IRGC has retaliated by striking U.S. military bases throughout the Middle East. • In other geopolitical developments, armed Israeli settlers in the West Bank detained Congressman Ro Khanna, and Secretary of State Rubio is reportedly acting as a de facto viceroy of Venezuela.