Order

• A federal judge has halted an executive order signed by President Trump that aimed to create a centralized federal voter list. • Judge Talwani rejected the administration's motions to dismiss, ruling that postponing judicial review would be impracticable given the upcoming election cycle. • The decision marks the second ruling in two days against Trump's executive orders seeking increased federal oversight of national elections.

• The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Trump administration, allowing the government to block asylum seekers from entering the U.S. at the border. • The decision centers on the legal interpretation of what constitutes "arriving" in the United States, specifically regarding migrants in areas like Ciudad Juárez. • This ruling enables the administration to reinstate a restrictive border control policy that had been previously rescinded in 2021.

• An Obama-appointed judge has blocked an executive order issued by Donald Trump intended to prevent non-citizens from registering to vote in federal elections. • The court ruled that the president exceeded his legal authority by attempting to create a federal voter registration list, as election rules typically fall under different jurisdictions. • This decision marks a significant legal setback for the administration's efforts to implement the SAVE America Act's goals through executive action.

• Asian equities surged on Thursday, with MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares (excluding Japan) rising 1.3% in early trading. • The rally was driven by strong earnings and forecasts from chip giants Micron and Qualcomm, which eased investor fears regarding the sustainability of the AI boom. • Key financial highlights include Micron reporting $22 billion in customer commitments for memory chips and Qualcomm projecting $15 billion in data center sales by 2029.

• The US Supreme Court has issued a ruling that allows the government to block asylum seekers from entering the country at the border. • Liberal justices criticized the decision, arguing that it "circumvents" existing US law by permitting agents to prevent individuals from filing asylum claims. • This ruling significantly alters the legal landscape for border enforcement, granting the administration broader authority to restrict entry.

• A federal judge struck down key portions of an executive order issued by President Trump that aimed to restrict mail-in voting procedures. • The ruling, issued on Thursday, explicitly stated that the U.S. Constitution does not grant the President specific powers to alter federal election procedures. • This decision is significant as it prevents the administration from unilaterally changing how voters cast ballots via mail, preserving existing access.

• The G7 summit in 2026 saw leaders adopt nine declarations, though US President Donald Trump reportedly viewed the event as a political stage rather than a diplomatic forum. • The group is facing a shift where economic and technological issues are increasingly being used as tools for geopolitical competition and classical power politics. • To maintain a leading role in upholding the rules-based international order, the G7 must strengthen its global legitimacy.

Decision allows Trump administration to block migrants from entering US soil and the right to claim asylumSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailThe supreme court has given the Trump administration a green light to turn back asylum seekers at the US-Mexico border, in a decision that fundamentally reshapes the US asylum system.The Trump administration has sought for years to block migrants from setting foot on US soil, where federal law guarantees them the right to claim asylum and protection from persecution. The ruling will allow that practice to resume, concluding a battle that has spanned three administrations. Continue reading...

Trump says he instructed justice department to investigate oil firms over high gas prices amid Middle East conflictDonald Trump said Wednesday that he had instructed the US Department of Justice to investigate oil companies for alleged price gouging, accusing them of not lowering gas prices enough amid conflict in the Middle East.“The big oil companies are not dropping their price at the pump commensurate with the sharply lower prices they are paying for oil. Those prices are dropping like a rock! In other words, customers are being ‘gouged.’ I have instructed the DOJ to immediately start looking into this,” Trump wrote in a social media post late Tuesday night. “Gasoline prices better start going down a lot faster than what I’m seeing!” Continue reading...

• A federal district court in Alabama has barred the state from performing executions using nitrogen gas following a legal challenge by death-row inmate Jeffery Lee. • The ruling was upheld after both a federal appeals court and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to stay the order, citing Eighth Amendment concerns regarding cruel and unusual punishment. • This judicial blockade creates significant uncertainty for the future of nitrogen gas as an execution method in the United States.

• South Korean President Lee has ordered the national election watchdog to expand its investigation into voting irregularities beyond initial reports of ballot shortages. • In a separate directive, Lee called for a rigorous crackdown on workplace abuses following the death of a female firefighter in her 20s. • These actions signal a government push for greater institutional accountability and the protection of workers' rights across public sectors.

Decision comes after Aden Duale was held in contempt for ignoring previous high court ruling to stop work The Kenyan health minister told a court he has ordered a halt to preparations for a US-run Ebola quarantine facility, after being held in contempt for ignoring a previous stop-work order.Kenyans have strongly opposed the plan, and deadly protests have erupted since the facility was announced in May for US citizens evacuated from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is grappling with a large-scale Ebola outbreak. Continue reading...

Spain’s leading festival of photography showcases the work of more than 300 visual artists in nearly 100 exhibitions across the countryPhotoEspaña, Spain’s leading festival of photography, held its official opening in Madrid this month and by September nearly 100 exhibitions will have showcased the work of more than 300 visual artists in the capital and across the country. Loosely corralled under the theme of reimagining, the exhibitions feature work by major figures in Spanish and international photography and less well-known emerging artists.From the series Invisible Line. Photograph: Alejandro Cartagena Continue reading...

Kennedy overrides CDC order saying an American who came into contact with hantavirus can self-quarantine The Trump administration is employing “authoritarian” and “unconstitutional” quarantine measures for at least one person who came into contact with a hantavirus patient, health law experts say.The mandatory quarantine, reimposed without an offering scientific evidence, reveals how the US might approach future cases of Ebola and other pathogens in the US – and sets a precedent for detaining Americans with no scientific rationale. Continue reading...

• Afghanistan has launched strikes against targets located within Pakistan, significantly escalating cross-border tensions between the two nations. • The attacks represent a direct threat to the fragile ceasefire currently in place, marking a volatile shift in diplomatic relations. • This escalation highlights the ongoing instability and security challenges persisting in the region under the current administration.

Peter Wai and Bill Yuen sentenced to 10 and eight years at Old Bailey in first convictions under National Security ActA UK Border Force officer and a Hong Kong trade official based in London have been jailed for spying for China in what is the first such conviction in British criminal history.Peter Wai, who conducted “shadow policing” operations on Chinese dissidents in the UK, was sentenced to 10 years while his handler, Bill Yuen, received an eight-year term. Continue reading...

Jamie Varley jailed for life and partner John McGowan-Fazakerley jailed for 19 years over death of Preston DaveyA secondary school teacher has been jailed for life for sexually abusing and murdering the baby boy he was adopting with his partner.Jamie Varley, 37, was sentenced to a whole life order by a judge on Thursday for abusing and killing 13-month-old Preston Davey. It means he will stay in prison for the rest of his life and never be eligible for parole, Mr Justice Turner said. Continue reading...

Directive aimed at government workers, but reports of wider implementation spark warnings of future Afghanistan-wide prohibitionThe Taliban have ordered a sweeping ban on the use of smartphones by government officials – in what some analysts say could foreshadow broader, population-level restrictions.In a directive issued by the Taliban’s military courts and reviewed by the Guardian, the ban was to take effect this week and prohibits “high rank, low rank, general mujahideen, or service staff” from using mobile phones. Continue reading...

Clouds of dark smoke and ammonia rose from cold storage and freezing facility in Boyle Heights near downtownThe solar panel-covered roof of a 500,000 sq-ft cold storage facility in Los Angeles caught fire Wednesday, sending up thick clouds of dark smoke and ammonia, leading city officials to order nearby residents to shelter in place.About 110 firefighters responded in the afternoon to a blaze at the cold storage and freezing warehouse owned by Lineage in the Boyle Heights neighborhood near downtown, according to spokesperson Jennifer Middleton of the Los Angeles fire department. Both the city and Los Angeles county deployed firefighters and hazmat teams to contain the fire. Continue reading...

• G7 leaders met in Évian-les-Bains, France, to address critical global issues including war, AI governance, and the realignment of international supply chains. • U.S. President Donald Trump announced a deal to end the conflict with Iran just before the summit, focusing discussions on Middle East stability and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. • The G7 officially labeled the U.S.-Iran agreement a “historic opportunity,” signaling a collective Western effort to stabilize the region.

• Activists from an 11-party alliance held a protest march in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on June 15, 2026. • The demonstration targeted India's border actions, specifically citing "push-ins," torture, and border killings. • The event highlights escalating tensions and human rights concerns regarding the management and security of the India-Bangladesh border.

• EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen asserted that Europe does not pose a security risk to the U.S. following a U.S. order restricting access to powerful AI models. • The tension follows the U.S. government's decision to shut down Anthropic’s Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models due to security concerns. • This conflict underscores Europe's strategic push for technological independence while Virkkunen continues to advocate for transatlantic cooperation on AI.

• Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held a summit in June 2026 to discuss regional stability and diplomatic cooperation. • The meeting serves as a critical test of China's strategic claim that it can lead and maintain a "stable" new global order. • This interaction is significant as it highlights China's attempt to manage North Korea's volatility while asserting its influence over geopolitical security.

• The U.S. government has imposed export controls on Anthropic, a leading AI company, limiting the availability of its advanced models in certain regions. • This move has sparked criticism from European leaders, including French politician Jordan Bardella, who argues that AI has become a critical issue of national sovereignty. • The situation highlights the European Union's heavy dependency on American technology and the strategic risks associated with relying on foreign AI infrastructure.

• Meta has begun unwinding its $2 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus following a divestiture order from the Chinese government citing national security concerns. • The co-founders of Manus are currently in early negotiations to raise approximately $1 billion from external investors to fund the buyback of the company from Meta. • This separation is critical as it allows Manus to potentially transition into a Chinese joint venture structure to comply with Beijing's regulatory requirements.

Company said US government believes safeguards can be bypassed and product used to identify software vulnerabilitiesAnthropic said it will “abruptly disable” its most advanced AI models for all users after the US government ordered it to suspend access to the models for foreign nationals, citing national security concerns.The company received the export control directive to suspend access to Fable 5 and Mythos 5 for all foreign nationals, without being given specific details of the national security concern, Anthropic said in a statement. Continue reading...

• European shares closed higher on Thursday, ending a four-day losing streak as investors moved past rhetoric from US President Donald Trump. • The European Central Bank (ECB) raised interest rates by 25 basis points, marking its first borrowing cost increase in nearly three years. • Along with the hike, the ECB increased inflation forecasts and lowered its growth outlook due to price pressures from the ongoing Middle East conflict.