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• NASA is conducting crew swap activities aboard the International Space Station (ISS), welcoming three new crew members while a trio from Expedition 74 prepares for their return to Earth. • The incoming crew is currently undergoing orientation to adapt to living and working in a microgravity environment. • Scientific operations have resumed in full swing, with researchers focusing on studies regarding how weightlessness impacts the human body.

• Researchers have uncovered new details regarding the asteroid impact that occurred 66 million years ago, leading to the extinction of the dinosaurs. • The findings emphasize the extreme misfortune of the dinosaurs, though scientists continue to investigate the precise mechanisms that wiped out life on Earth. • The discovery is significant as it helps clarify the catastrophic event, while some experts suggest that pre-existing climate change or volcanic activity may have also contributed.

• General Romeo Brawner Jr., the chief of the Philippine Armed Forces, is set to retire following the completion of his three-year term. • President Marcos must now appoint a successor, with the selection process currently centering on a race between candidates Gustilo and Cordura. • This leadership transition occurs amid escalating tensions and increased pressure from China in the South China Sea.

• ASEAN nations are aggressively pursuing AI development, though they face significant local opposition, such as February 2026 protests in Gelang Patah, Malaysia, over data center water consumption. • Thailand is positioning itself as a regional hub, with Gulf Development pledging up to 140 billion baht over five years to increase data center capacity from 200 to 2,000 megawatts. • Major global players are fueling this growth, including Google's $1 billion investment in a Bangkok cloud region and partnerships with Microsoft and a Singtel-AIS venture.

Officials haven’t released additional information about the person’s identity, age or details on when and how they fell illA legionnaires’ disease outbreak that has sickened dozens of people in New York City has claimed its first life, health officials said Friday.Officials didn’t release additional information about the person’s identity, age or details on when and how they fell ill. Continue reading...

• A public health emergency occurred in May 2026 involving the Bundibugyo virus (Orthoebolavirus bundibugyoense) across the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. • The disease is characterized by high mortality rates, yet it currently lacks licensed vaccines, approved therapeutics, and widespread diagnostic implementation. • This outbreak highlights a critical gap in medical countermeasures and a lack of understanding regarding the virus's reservoir ecology.

• The Planetary Society has warned that a new Trump administration proposal to place political appointees in charge of grant funding could cause "concrete harm" to space science. • The move is part of a broader effort to combat "woke science," potentially shifting the criteria for how research funding is allocated and awarded. • This shift matters because it threatens the independence of scientific research and could prioritize political agendas over empirical data and peer-reviewed merit.

• Chelsea is finalizing the signing of 18-year-old player Denner, who is scheduled to travel to west London next week. • The move involves the player undergoing a medical examination to complete the transfer process. • Denner has recently been recovering from a knee injury after turning 18 in February.

• Under the EU's Digital Markets Act, Google is required to share its Android features and search data with OpenAI and other AI competitors to curb its market dominance. • The regulatory changes are scheduled to be implemented in two phases, taking effect in January 2025 and July 2027. • This move matters as it aims to level the playing field for AI rivals, preventing Google from using its ecosystem to unfairly stifle competition in the search and AI sectors.

• Laala Bechetoula and Prof. Michel Chossudovsky held a video debate on July 15, 2026, focusing on the ongoing genocide in Palestine. • The discussion highlighted devastating casualty figures, reporting over 73,000 deaths and 173,000 wounded over a period of a thousand days. • The debate emphasizes the scale of the humanitarian crisis, noting that approximately 9,500 individuals remain trapped under concrete rubble.

• The European Commission has ruled against Google, requiring the company to share specific data with competitors to foster fair competition in the AI search engine market. • In a separate but related regulatory action, the Commission accused Apple of restricting app developers from informing iOS users about cheaper music subscription alternatives for over a decade. • These rulings matter as they target the "walled garden" ecosystems of Big Tech, aiming to lower consumer prices and prevent market monopolization.

• President Prabowo faces a critical leadership test at the upcoming ASEAN summit in Manila, where he aims to reclaim Indonesia's traditional role as a regional powerhouse. • A primary objective for the Indonesian leader is to break the ongoing diplomatic deadlock regarding the violent crisis and political instability in Myanmar. • The summit serves as a high-stakes opportunity for Prabowo to silence critics and demonstrate his ability to navigate complex geopolitical tensions within Southeast Asia.

• Ken Research released a strategic analysis on July 16, 2026, projecting that the Asia-Pacific Artificial Intelligence (AI) in marketing market will reach USD 305.35 billion by 2030. • The report highlights a growth trajectory of 28.3%, driven largely by the integration of generative AI and evolving marketing technology ecosystems across the region. • This growth is significant as it outlines critical regional investment priorities and strategic imperatives for businesses aiming to remain competitive in the AI-driven landscape.

Roger Rogoff’s was selected by panel of judges for top prosecutor job after interim US attorney’s term endedUS politics live – latest updatesDonald Trump fired the new top federal prosecutor in Seattle on Wednesday less than an hour after the attorney was unanimously appointed by the federal judges in the district, highlighting tensions between the courts and the president over the powerful positions.Roger Rogoff, a former judge and veteran state and federal prosecutor, was sworn in as US attorney before 8am at the US courthouse in downtown Seattle. In a phone interview, he said he then went to the US attorney’s office and asked to meet with Charles Neil Floyd, whose 120-day interim term in the position ended in February. Continue reading...

• President Tharman Shanmugaratnam concluded a state visit to Malaysia, emphasizing the need for both nations to collaborate in driving ASEAN's economic growth. • The two countries aim to focus on high-potential sectors, specifically targeting advancements in green energy and the digital economy. • President Tharman highlighted a shared commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the region avoids splitting into competing geopolitical blocs.

• The Supreme Court upheld a two-year prison sentence for Rep. Kweong Seong-dong of the People Power Party (PPP) on Thursday. • The ruling follows convictions for accepting illegal political funds sourced from the Unification Church. • As a result of the finalized prison term, Kweong has been stripped of his parliamentary seat.

• RB Leipzig has set a minimum asking price of £51m (€60m) for winger Antonio Nusa amid reported transfer interest from Arsenal and Liverpool. • In international football, the USA was eliminated from the World Cup last 16 after suffering a 4-1 defeat to Belgium. • Despite Balogun's efforts, the USA failed to achieve their goal of winning two consecutive World Cup knockout matches for the first time.

• The Royal Netherlands Navy is integrating uncrewed systems, including robots, AI, and drones, to modernize its maritime defense capabilities. • Recent sea trials were conducted off the country's northern coast to test these technologies in real-world environments. • The primary objective of this digital transformation is to enhance operational safety by keeping personnel out of high-risk danger zones.

• Thailand has established four specific benchmarks to measure progress in Myanmar following talks between ASEAN foreign ministers and their Myanmar counterpart on July 12 in Bangkok. • The initiative is part of a "calibrated re-engagement" strategy designed to advance the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus through direct dialogue. • This move matters as it provides a structured framework to evaluate whether Myanmar is adhering to regional peace and stability agreements.

One person dead after pontoon boat involved in memorial service capsized in San Francisco Bay on TuesdayRescuers were still searching for three missing people on Wednesday after a boat involved in a memorial service sank in the cold, fast-moving waters of San Francisco Bay near Alcatraz Island, authorities said.At least one person died and 16 people were rescued after the boat capsized on Tuesday afternoon in what witnesses described as “rough seas”, San Francisco fire chief Dean Crispen said at a news conference. Continue reading...

• In an article published July 14, 2026, author Colin Todhunter explores how individuals can reclaim sovereignty from the combined influence of state and corporate power. • The piece highlights the rise of an "emerging digital control grid" as the primary mechanism used by these entities to shape and monitor modern life. • This analysis matters as it addresses the systemic erosion of personal autonomy and the increasing centralization of power through technological surveillance.

• A public health emergency occurred in May 2026 across the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda due to an outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease. • The disease, caused by *Orthoebolavirus bundibugyoense*, is characterized by high mortality rates and a lack of understood reservoir ecology. • Current medical responses are hindered by limited diagnostic implementation and a total absence of licensed vaccines or therapeutics specifically approved for this species.

Oil giant has denied involvement, but climate activists are closely watching court case against Israeli private investigator for answersA group of American climate activists are closely watching a US court case that could reveal who hired hackers to target their inboxes a decade ago.In 2015, a set of explosive media reports revealed that ExxonMobil’s own scientists determined as early as 1982 that the extraction and burning of fossil fuels caused the climate crisis – but Exxon went on to fund climate denial campaigns anyway. The reports prompted attorneys general to investigate the company. Continue reading...

Canadian scientists visit remains of polar exploration vessels in ‘golden era for shipwreck investigating’Moments after devouring the final glimmers of light, the seafloor offered nothing but darkness and silt. Then the bow appeared.More than 1,000ft (305 metres) below the surface of the Labrador Sea, off the coast of Canada, the skeleton of the final ship used by the famed polar explorer Ernest Shackleton appeared in its silty grave. Continue reading...

• Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh testified at his first congressional hearing on Tuesday, advocating for a "sea change" in the central bank's economic strategy. • Warsh detailed plans to overhaul the Federal Reserve's current approach to managing inflation and broader economic stability. • This shift signals a potential departure from previous monetary policies, aiming to modernize how the Fed responds to evolving financial pressures.

• OpenAI researcher Miles Wang is reportedly in talks to launch an AI-driven drug discovery startup with a projected valuation of $2 billion. • Venture capital firm Lightspeed is in discussions to lead the funding round, though Wang has disputed the specific valuation figures and company description. • The move highlights a surge in investor interest in life sciences, exemplified by Chai Discovery's recent announcement of $400 million in funding at a $3.8 billion valuation.

• ASEAN nations are aggressively investing in AI infrastructure to establish the region as a global technology hub. • This rapid growth is accompanied by significant risks, including widespread job displacement, increased economic inequality, and critical energy shortages. • There are growing concerns that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) may be excluded from the AI transition, potentially leading to a volatile tech bubble.

• The article marks the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling, which dismantled China's legal claims in the South China Sea. • While the judgment did not award sovereignty over specific islets, it invalidated the legal basis for China's claims that overlap with the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia. • This legal victory is significant because it exposes the "gibberish" nature of China's territorial arguments, providing a legal framework for Southeast Asian nations to challenge incursions.