Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, made a historic visit to the Israeli settlement of Ariel in the West Bank, accompanied by Republican members of Congress. Johnson, the highest-ranking US official to visit an Israeli settlement, was photographed planting a tree with the settlement mayor. The visit, organized by a pro-Israel advocacy group, drew condemnation from the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, who cited the visit as a violation of international law. This trip follows Johnson’s strong public support for Israel, contrasting the current US stance against settlements that the US considers illegal.
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Following the failure to reach a trade deal by the August 1 deadline, Prime Minister Mark Carney has signaled a potentially conciliatory approach to U.S. tariffs, suggesting the possibility of removing existing Canadian tariffs if it benefits Canadian industries. This contrasts with the pressure from some Canadian officials to retaliate against the increased 35% import tax on certain Canadian goods, which the Trump administration claims is a response to fentanyl trafficking and previous Canadian tariffs. Carney’s government is also allocating $1.2 billion in support for the softwood lumber industry, which faces substantial U.S. duties and is working towards diversifying markets. The Prime Minister is under pressure from many to secure a favorable trade agreement with the United States.
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On Monday evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife hosted US House Speaker Mike Johnson and several other Republican members of Congress, along with US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, for dinner in the West Bank settlement of Shiloh. This event marked Johnson’s visit to Ariel and Shiloh, making him the highest-ranking US official to visit a West Bank settlement. Johnson expressed support for the Jewish people’s claim to the region, reflecting a shift away from the two-state solution previously favored by leaders of both parties. The dinner was organized by the US Israel Education Association and also included Ditsa Or, the mother of a hostage held by Hamas, who met with the Prime Minister and his wife.
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Despite criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, the visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Lithuania was deemed necessary by the Lithuanian president’s chief advisor. The meeting between Herzog and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda focused on defense cooperation and economic ties. While acknowledging the ongoing conflict and the right of Israel to defend itself, Lithuania emphasized the importance of respecting international law and allowing humanitarian aid to reach Gaza. Furthermore, Lithuania views Israel as a key economic and military partner, highlighting its investments in research and innovation as beneficial.
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In a new NATO initiative, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark will collectively purchase $1 billion worth of US weapons to aid Ukraine in its war against Russia. The purchases are the first under the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), a mechanism launched by US President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The Netherlands will allocate 500 million euros ($577 million), while the three Scandinavian countries will jointly provide $500 million. These funds will provide air defense systems, including munitions to Patriot, anti-tank systems, ammunition and spare parts, and will help Ukraine in its fight to defend itself and ensure European security.
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Eighty years after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, surviving Japanese citizens express mounting frustration over global leaders’ acceptance of nuclear weapons. Many survivors, after years of silence due to trauma and fear of discrimination, are now speaking out. They are sharing their experiences and advocating for nuclear disarmament, hoping to raise awareness, particularly among younger generations and foreigners. These survivors, such as Kunihiko Iida and Fumiko Doi, are dedicating their lives to educating others and warning against the devastating consequences of nuclear war.
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Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads, is facing a lawsuit from relatives of October 7th victims. The lawsuit alleges Meta facilitated the spread of Hamas’s massacre by allowing livestreams and broadcasts of the attacks, including footage of the victims’ murders. The plaintiffs claim this caused significant emotional distress and further amplified the trauma of the events. The lawsuit highlights the role of social media platforms in the dissemination of violent content and its impact on those affected by the tragedy.
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Russia’s oil and gas revenues experienced a significant decline in July, marking the third consecutive month of decreased income, falling by almost 30% year-on-year. This decline is attributed to decreased mineral extraction tax (NDPI) revenue, with Gazprom’s exports to Europe reaching historic lows. The EU’s sanctions, including a lowered price cap on Russian oil, are contributing to this downturn, forcing the Kremlin to revise its revenue projections. To offset these losses, Russia is reportedly drawing from its National Wealth Fund.
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The Ukrainian military intelligence agency (HUR) has reportedly obtained classified documents on Russia’s new nuclear submarine, K-555 Knyaz Pozharsky, a key component of the Kremlin’s nuclear arsenal. These documents include detailed information on crew members, combat instructions, schematics, internal regulations, and engineering records. The HUR also secured an excerpt from the submarine’s schedule book, detailing daily operations. This information provides insight into the vessel’s technical limitations and allows the identification of vulnerabilities.
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Attorney General Pam Bondi has initiated a grand jury investigation into the intelligence surrounding President Trump and Russia’s involvement in the 2016 election. This action follows a criminal referral from Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Gabbard’s referral and accompanying declassified files allege suppression and manipulation of intelligence related to Russia’s election interference, sparking controversy and accusations of conspiracy. The Justice Department has not yet commented on the matter, while Democrats dispute the claims made by Gabbard.
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John Q. Hosedrinker