By Giancarla Sambo
Edited by Elissa D. Hecker
Below, for your browsing convenience, the categories are divided into: Entertainment, Arts, Sports, Technology/Media, and General News:
U.S. Copyright Royalty Board Proposes Extending Physical and Download Mechanical Rates Through 2032
The U.S. Copyright Royalty Board proposed extending the current royalty rates for physical music, downloads, ringtones, and bundles through 2032, with inflation adjustments. Filed by major labels, A2IM, and publishers, it keeps the per-track rate rising with the CPI, though groups like the Songwriters Guild of America may object before August 10. The settlement does not address streaming royalties, where publishers oppose reclassifications that could cost over $3.1 billion through 2032.
https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/us-copyright-royalty-board-proposes-extending-physical-and-download-mechanical-rates-through-2032/
States Sue to Block Paramount’s Deal for Warner Bros.
A coalition of 12 states, led by California, New York, and Washington, filed an antitrust lawsuit to block Paramount Skydance’s $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, the largest legal challenge since the Trump DOJ cleared the deal in June. The states argue that the merger would give the company a 27% share of the cable licensing market, harm competition in film distribution, and raise prices. The Writers Guild called it “one of the worst proposed mergers we’ve seen.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/13/business/paramount-warner-bros-lawsuit.html
Paramount CEO David Ellison Backing Bipartisan Federal Film Tax Incentive
Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison secretly backed a bipartisan bill for the first federal film tax incentive, meeting with House Ways and Means Committee members, including 13 Democrats and Republicans, at a dinner hosted by Chairman Jason Smith. Productions are relocating from the U.S. to the UK, Canada, and elsewhere due to California's $750 million cap without a federal option. Hollywood unions like DGA, IATSE, and SAG-AFTRA support the incentive. Ellison's Washington meeting happened as California AG Rob Bonta and 11 attorneys general sued to block his $111 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger for antitrust violations.
https://variety.com/2026/film/news/paramount-david-ellison-federal-film-tax-incentive-1236810169/
X and Music Publishers Retreat from Lawsuits
Elon Musk’s X Corp and 17 major music publishers, including Universal, Sony, and Warner, asked courts in Tennessee and Texas to dismiss their lawsuits, ending a years-long copyright dispute without revealing settlement details. The publishers sued X in 2023 for over $250 million for refusing to license music; X countersued in January 2026, accusing the publishers of collusion to block competition. Both suits were dismissed with prejudice, preventing refiling.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/17/arts/music/x-music-lawsuits.html
AI Creation Tilly Norwood to Star in First Film
AI creation Tilly Norwood, developed by Particle 6, will star in her first film, 'Misaligned,' a comedy-drama blending film, TV, and AI experts. The project revives last year's controversy over Norwood's potential signing to a talent agency, which faced backlash from SAG-AFTRA president Sean Astin, who argued AI technology uses performers' work without permission or pay. Particle 6 CEO Eline van der Velden says the film, still in early development with distributor interest, aims to explore identity and fears about AI, amid SAG-AFTRA's push for stronger AI protections, including the NO FAKES Act.
https://enewspaper.latimes.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=d95ef056-5a73-49a4-94e4-4f94a23c5d5b
Nicki Minaj Hit With $230K Lawsuit by Former Counsel
Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani sued Nicki Minaj in Los Angeles for $229,541 in legal fees from defending her in a 2023 copyright case over her song 'I Lied,' settled in late 2024. The firm alleges that Minaj defaulted, with a September hearing for a default judgment. Minaj also faces a $275,000 suit from 24/7 Productions.
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/music/articles/nicki-minaj-sued-law-firm-022407152.html
Boosie Lobbied for a Pardon. It Never Came. He Wants a Refund.
Rapper Boosie Badazz paid $600,000 to Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman of JM Burkman & Associates to secure a pardon from President Trump on a federal gun charge. Wohl and Burkman claimed they had Trump "on speed dial" and that the pardon was nearly guaranteed. When Boosie received a 10-day sentence in January with no pardon, a White House official said the clemency office never heard from Wohl or Burkman. Boosie filed a lawsuit seeking a $300,000 refund, but Wohl and Burkman dispute ever having agreed to such a contract.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/18/us/boosie-badazz-pardon-lawsuit.html
Washington, D.C. Now Has the Strictest Anti-Scalping Ticketing Policy in the Country
The D.C. Council approved the RESALE Act, which limits concert ticket resale to 10% above face value, bans speculative listings, and requires registration for resellers of over 50 tickets annually, making D.C. the strictest anti-scalping market. It applies only to concerts, not sports. Councilmember Charles Allen cited a CBC investigation showing StubHub CEO Eric Baker runs a separate ticket business, leading to a lawsuit against StubHub. D.C.'s law follows Vermont's 110% resale cap, with New York and California considering similar laws.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-industry-news/washington-dc-passes-concert-ticket-resale-bill-1236649518/
Arts
Publishers, Authors File Class Action Lawsuit Against Google
Publishers Hachette, Cengage, and Elsevier, with author Scott Turow, sued Google in Manhattan, claiming that Google used copyrighted books and journal articles to train its Gemini AI without permission. The complaint alleges that Google reused material for training despite internal concerns about fines of $10 billion to $100 billion. Evidence shows Gemini reproducing a textbook table of contents and a 2,000-word summary of Turow's 'Innocent,' suggesting it could replace purchases. They seek damages, an injunction, disclosure of sources, and destruction of copies. This follows a similar case against Meta filed in May.
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/copyright/article/100820-new-lawsuit-aims-to-stop-google-from-copyright-infringement-in-creating-ai-models.html
Man Who Killed Gay Dancer in Brooklyn Is Sentenced to 20 Years.
Dmitriy Popov, a Brooklyn man convicted of first-degree manslaughter as a hate crime for stabbing gay dancer O’Shae Sibley at a Midwood gas station in 2023, was sentenced to 20 years. Sibley, 28, and friends were voguing to Beyoncé when Popov and teens hurled anti-gay and anti-Black slurs. Popov was acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter as a hate crime, with a sentence of 8 to 25 years. Justice Dena Douglas imposed the 20-year sentence, rejecting the defense’s plea to treat him as a youth.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/16/nyregion/oshae-sibley-case-manslaughter-hate-crime.html
Nike Was the Poster Child for Diversity Efforts. That Made It a Trump Target.
The EEOC is investigating Nike over claims that its diversity initiatives discriminated against white employees and applicants. Led by Chair Andrea Lucas, the agency filed a Missouri court action to enforce a subpoena and is examining Nike's layoff criteria, race data use, and 16 programs offering race-specific mentoring since 2018. Nike provided thousands of pages, calling the subpoena an "unusual escalation." Lucas frames this case as part of the EEOC's effort to enforce civil rights law under Trump, similar to actions against Northwestern Mutual.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/16/us/politics/nike-dei-trump-eeoc.html
As White House Leans on Smithsonian, Little Uproar Over Board Vacancies.
The Smithsonian’s Board of Regents is divided over whether to oppose the Trump administration’s push for exhibitions that favor the White House’s version of American history. Secretary Lonnie Bunch III, the first African American leader of the institution and called a “radical activist” in a White House report, has tried to preserve curatorial independence. His family urges him to retire, and several Regent terms end this year. Experts warn that Trump-aligned replacements could threaten the Smithsonian’s century-long independence from political interference.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/14/arts/smithsonian-trump-board-lonnie-bunch.html
Trump Is Building a White House Helipad. He Sought No Approvals.
Trump has bypassed standard congressional review and approval panels to swiftly construct a permanent granite helipad on the White House South Lawn. The administration sidestepped the usual oversight process for historic properties to build the facility.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/07/16/us/politics/white-house-helipad-trump.html
Congressional Representatives Introduce New Bill to Protect Public Artworks in Government Buildings
Reps. Dina Titus and Lloyd Doggett introduced the PRESERVE Act, requiring the General Services Administration (GSA) to identify artworks in federal buildings marked as "surplus property" and form a committee before any sale or disposal. The bill references the Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building in Washington, known as the "Sistine Chapel of New Deal Art" for its murals by Guston, Shahn, and the Magafan sisters, which Trump threatened to demolish along with three other buildings. The bill follows the GSA's "accelerated disposal" program, which lists dozens of federal properties, including the Cohen building, for sale with limited public input. Preservation groups like Living New Deal argue that roughly 26,000 government artworks nationwide belong to the public and deserve protection regardless of GSA control.
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/new-bill-protect-public-artworks-government-buildings-1234792754/
I Got Slopped - Someone used A.I. to write my biography
New York Times tech reporter Kashmir Hill found a 90-page biography of herself on Amazon for $26.99, written by John Crane Miller, a pseudonymous publisher flooding the platform with AI-generated biographies of celebrities and journalists. The book had some true details but also fabricated scenes and hallucinated facts. Amazon permits AI-generated content if it doesn’t harm customer experience but doesn’t require disclosure, despite pressure from the Authors Guild. Hill’s investigation revealed multiple prolific AI authors producing dozens of biographies, including one of Charlie Kirk that briefly hit bestseller status before removal amid scathing reviews.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/16/technology/ai-slop-books-biography-amazon.html
The Battle Over Frida Kahlo: Activists Sue to Keep Her Art from Leaving Mexico
A major collection of 20th-century Mexican art, including works by Frida Kahlo, has drawn record crowds to Mexico City's Museum of Modern Art. However, about 70 pieces from the Gelman Collection are set to leave for Spain in a deal between the Zambrano family and Santander Bank. This angers Mexico's cultural elite, as Kahlo's art was declared a national "artistic monument" in 1984, prohibiting permanent export and allowing only loans for up to two years. Around 400 artists and academics signed a letter protesting the lack of transparency. Mexican officials, including President Claudia Sheinbaum and Culture Minister Claudia Curiel de Icaza, say the works are temporarily exported and will return, though skepticism remains because Santander plans a "permanent presence" in Spain.
https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2026-07-14/keep-frida-in-mexico-many-object-to-move-of-marquee-exhibit-to-spain
Sports
Bryce Harper Addresses Cameo Video Sent by FanDuel to Gambler: ‘I Did Not Consent to It’
Philadelphia Phillies All-Star Bryce Harper said he was deceived when FanDuel used a Cameo video he recorded for Terry Thompson, a problem gambler who wagered $18.5 million and lost $1.52 million. Harper thought he was recording a personal message, but FanDuel attached its logo and used the clip as a gambling promo without his consent. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is reviewing the incident; Thompson is suing FanDuel and DraftKings, claiming that their microbetting products are addictive.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7442814/2026/07/13/bryce-harper-fanduel-cameo-gambling-video/
Lawsuit Alleges Charlotte FC, Panthers Parent Company Discriminates Against Men
Dustin Swinehart, Charlotte FC's former community engagement director and first employee, sued Tepper Sports & Entertainment for gender discrimination. He claims he was fired in August 2024 over an email he didn't send, while female staff received less discipline for worse conduct, such as racial slurs and intoxication. The dispute centers on a youth camp incident in which two brothers briefly wandered off. Afterward, Chief HR Officer Kisha Smith told staff not to contact the family in writing. Swinehart alleges that he was terminated for insubordination over a colleague's email he didn't write. His lawsuit in the North Carolina Superior Court accuses Nicole Tepper, CEO Kristi Coleman, and Smith of being quick to fire men and be lenient toward women. TSE has declined to comment.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7453323/2026/07/18/charlotte-fc-carolina-panthers-tepper-male-discrimination-lawsuit/
Senator Says Key Piece of College Sports Legislation ‘Probably’ Has 60 Votes to Clear Upper Chamber
Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) stated at the AP Sports Editors meeting that the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act likely has enough votes to pass the Senate. He emphasized the importance of the next two weeks, as SEC and Big Ten leaders, both opposing the bill, negotiate changes with sponsors, including Sens. Cruz and Cantwell. The bill would limit NCAA and conference liability, preempt state NIL laws, and allow media rights pooling for revenue, which SEC and Big Ten oppose. SEC’s Sankey warned that allowing lawsuits could increase litigation. Schmitt argued that the bill is vital for women's sports' survival due to financial pressures. Even if approved by the Senate, the bill's fate in the House remains uncertain, as a similar bill, the SCORE Act, never reached a vote.
https://apnews.com/article/nil-congress-bill-college-sports-aa5685d747e9831bbc53c3383481bfad
Building the Legal Framework for LA28
Elisabeth Freinberg, chief legal officer of LA28, now oversees a legal team of over 40, similar to a law firm, as the organization shifts from planning to executing the 2028 Games. Staff will increase from 720 to over 5,000. Her team manages negotiations with host cities, security for a National Special Security Event, and Olympic trademarks, since LA28 relies on sponsorship funding, not government aid. Freinberg, formerly of Munger, Tolles & Olson and Warner Bros., recently started a legal fellowship with five Southern California law schools to bring in talent as the workload grows, with fewer than 800 days until the Games.
https://www.latimes.com/b2b/law-legal/story/2026-07-19/la28-general-counsel-elisabeth-freinberg
Group Including 49ers Minority Owner Agrees to Buy Seahawks for What Is Said to Be Record Price
Paul Allen's estate sold the Seattle Seahawks to the Khosla family for a record $9.612 billion, the largest NFL deal. The Khosla family will relinquish their minority stake in the 49ers, pending NFL approval on August 26 in Atlanta. Neeru Khosla is the controlling owner, with son Neal in a leadership role. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7439323/2026/07/11/seattle-seahawks-sale-vinod-khosla/
World Cup Final Reaction: Spain Lifts the World Cup Trophy After Securing Second Men's Title
Spain beat 10-man Argentina 1-0 in extra time at MetLife Stadium to win the 2026 World Cup, its second title after 2010. Substitute Ferran Torres scored 39 seconds into the second half of extra time, heading in Nico Williams's flick from a Pedro Porro cross, ending a dominant Spanish display (65% possession, 20 shots) against an Argentina team that didn't have a single shot on target. Argentina's night worsened when Enzo Fernández was sent off in stoppage time for a reckless foul on Pau Cubarsí, ending Lionel Messi's last World Cup in a loss as Spain's patient buildup broke through.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/spain-vs-argentina-live-updates-world-cup-2026-final-score-result/o7c5wGK8uury/
France vs. England: Kylian Mbappe Becomes World Cup Record Scorer as England Beat France 6-4 In Crazy Bronze Final
England beat France 6-4 in a chaotic third-place World Cup match in Miami Gardens with 10 goals, the tournament's most. Bukayo Saka scored a hat trick for England's best finish since 1966. Kylian Mbappe tied Lionel Messi's record of 21 goals in the 48th minute and broke it in the 66th with Michael Olise's help, ending with 22. Olise's two assists set a record for most assists in a World Cup. France, demoralized and down 4-0 at halftime, seemed to have little left to play for. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7441997/2026/07/18/france-england-world-cup-third-place/
IOC Demands Investigation into Gianni Infantino’s Role in Folarin Balogun’s World Cup Ban Controversy
FairSquare asked the IOC to investigate FIFA President Gianni Infantino's role in overturning Folarin Balogun's World Cup suspension, citing concerns about political influence. Balogun, who got a red card during the U.S. match against Bosnia, had his ban lifted by FIFA's disciplinary committee, allowing him to play in the last-16 loss to Belgium. The decision drew scrutiny after Trump admitted he asked Infantino to review the incident. Infantino confirmed a conversation with Trump but denied influence, calling such talks routine. The IOC, where Infantino has been a member since 2020, will review the request before deciding on next steps.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/ioc-demands-investigation-gianni-infantino-053000303.html
More Than 700 Illegal Drones Seized During the World Cup, Says FBI
Since June 11, the FBI has seized over 700 drones across all 11 FIFA World Cup host cities, with Miami leading at 99. Restrictions ban drone flights near stadiums and festivals, with violators risking fines up to $100,000, criminal charges, and confiscation. Most caught pilots were hobbyists, photographers, and inspectors seeking aerial views.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7452912/2026/07/19/more-than-700-illegal-drones-seized-during-the-world-cup-says-fbi/
A Car Crash Nearly Killed ESPN's Matt Miller. Then Came the Fraud Allegations.
ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller is recovering from a June 17 car crash in Missouri that led to the amputation of his left arm. The accident revived scrutiny over claims he never paid winners or made promised charitable donations from fantasy leagues he managed. The Missouri Attorney General's Office launched a fraud probe after 26 complaints, including from those who paid for scouting camps that were not delivered. A GoFundMe campaign raising over $51,000 for Miller's recovery, with donations from ESPN colleagues like Pat McAfee and Adam Schefter, was paused amid the investigation. Miller, on leave from ESPN, said that he's working to repay league winners despite limited access to his account but did not address charity allegations, citing an active investigation. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7447251/2026/07/17/matt-miller-espn-car-crash-accident-fraud/
Europe’s New “Sexualization” Broadcast Guidelines for Women’s Athletics Get It Backwards
The European Broadcasting Union's new 23-page handbook, developed with input from Olympic athletes like Holly Bradshaw and Blanka Vlašić, aims to reduce the sexualization of women in athletics coverage by banning close-up, slow-motion shots and other "compromising" camera angles. LetsRun's Robert Johnson criticizes this, noting that many banned images, such as tight shots of pole vaulters, are also common in men's coverage, including stars like Mondo Duplantis. He argues that treating ordinary shots of women's bodies as provocative reinforces the very sexualization the EBU opposes. His solution is to film women's athletics just as men's are filmed, rather than creating a separate, restrictive set of rules.
https://www.letsrun.com/news/2026/07/europes-new-sexualization-broadcast-guidelines-for-womens-athletics-get-it-backwards/
Technology/Media
E. Jean Carroll Receives $5.6 Million Payment from Trump in Civil Case
Over three years after a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll, the $5.6 million award, including $5 million plus interest, was transferred from escrow to Carroll, settling the first lawsuit. A second jury ordered Trump to pay $83.3 million in a separate defamation case that remains on appeal. Trump’s lawyers vow to continue fighting.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/14/nyregion/carroll-trump-settlement-million.html
Could a 50-Year-Old Case Thwart Trump's Attacks on the News Media?
The 1972 Supreme Court case Branzburg v. Hayes ruled that journalists don't have an absolute First Amendment right to refuse grand jury subpoenas about sources. The ruling is being revisited amid the Trump administration's subpoenas of New York Times journalists over reporting on security concerns related to the Qatari-gifted Air Force One. The Court hasn't directly addressed this since the 5-4 ruling, but Justice Powell's concurrence allows case-by-case analysis, which some cite as increasing source protection.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/16/us/politics/the-docket-supreme-court-press.html
Madison Square Garden Sues Wired Magazine Over L.G.B.T.Q. Tracking Report
Madison Square Garden Entertainment sued WIRED, Advance Publications, and three journalists over a July 9 article titled "Madison Square Garden Kept a List of Gay Celebrities." The article said MSG’s database tagged 93 of 40,000 celebrity entries as "LGBTQIA" and assigned risk scores to figures like Lil Jon, DaBaby, and Morgan Wallen. The data, leaked by ShinyHunters, was allegedly cherry-picked from stolen data by WIRED, ignoring mundane fields to create a false story. MSG claims the orientation field was added in 2022 for inclusion efforts like Pride invitations. MSG seeks damages, a retraction, and a jury trial, calling the reporting unethical. WIRED says the scores tracked social media criticism, not safety threats.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/18/business/media/msg-entertainment-sues-wired-magazine.html
Politicians Are Trying to Change What Chatbots Say About Them
Political campaigns worry about how AI chatbots are portraying candidates, as 55% of U.S. voters under 45 plan to use chatbots to learn about elections, according to a Data for Progress survey. A NOTUS case found California's Tom Steyer, despite spending over $200 million, was ranked low by AI on issues like affordability and education funding, partly based on Reddit threads viewed as authoritative as outlets like CalMatters. This shows that campaigns lack insight into why chatbots reach certain conclusions. As a result, political and tech transparency groups are racing to find ways to audit or influence AI outputs, similar to early efforts to game search results, but it's harder since chatbots give different answers to different users.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/19/us/politics/chatbots-political-campaigns.html
USPTO’s AI-Based Search Tools Send Warning to Patent Applicants
The USPTO's new AI search pilot, announced in October 2025, uses AI to analyze an application's classification, specification, claims, and abstract to find up to 10 relevant prior art references before examination. Building on a similar tool from four years ago, this marks a deeper move into AI-assisted patent searching. Patent attorney Michael Anderson says these systems can find more precise prior art and speed reviews, but may also lead to more prosecution rounds, narrower claims, and abandonment, as better references are flagged. He advises applicants to file detailed, technically grounded specifications, especially for early-stage software patents, to ensure sufficient disclosure for claim amendments when AI flags prior art.
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/legal-exchange-insights-and-commentary/usptos-ai-based-search-tools-send-warning-to-patent-applicants
FCC Chairman Accepted Pricey Tickets to Kennedy Center Honors Amid Paramount Oversight
A ProPublica report found that FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and Republican Commissioner Olivia Trusty accepted expensive tickets to the Kennedy Center Honors from Paramount, which broadcasts the event on CBS. Trusty valued her tickets at $12,000, while Carr, who has yet to file his disclosure, was seen with David Ellison in a private box where tickets reportedly cost $125,000. The timing is notable because the FCC has overseen Paramount’s recent acquisitions, the review of Middle East investor stakes, and its fight with Netflix over Warner Bros. Discovery. ProPublica noted this bipartisan practice, with seven of ten FCC commissioners attending as CBS guests, but the gifts are now under scrutiny due to Paramount's lawsuits and regulatory attention.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/fcc-chairman-carr-tickets-kennedy-center-honors-paramount-1236649631/
Trump Drops Part of $10 Billion BBC Lawsuit
Trump agreed to dismiss part of his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC, dropping claims against BBC Studios Distribution and BBC Studios Productions, but continuing to sue the BBC itself. The suit concerns a "Panorama" documentary that edited Trump's January 6, 2021, speech to make it appear that he urged supporters to march on the Capitol and "fight like hell." The BBC apologized but said the edit didn't amount to defamation; the lawsuit has led to the firing of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness. The trial is scheduled for February 2027 in Florida, and the U.S. government may join, which the BBC views as a conflict of interest because it could restrict access to documents.
https://variety.com/2026/digital/global/donald-trump-drops-part-bbc-lawsuit-1236814496/
Google Ordered to Give A.I. Rivals More Access on Android Smartphones
The European Commission ordered Google to grant rival AI assistants equal Android system access and share search data by January 2027. Adopted July 16 after six months, the orders target features like wake-word activation, screen reading, and app integration, requiring Google's next Android update by July 2027. Google warned this could harm user privacy. Unlike Apple, which delayed Siri's AI features in the EU to avoid similar rules, Google faces strict interoperability requirements.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/16/technology/google-android-ai.html
China's Leader Pitches 'Openness' in Push to Shape A.I.'s Future
Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke at the World AI Conference in Shanghai, calling AI "a symphony of international cooperation" rather than a solo effort, in contrast to the U.S. approach. The event followed 29 countries signing an agreement to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation. Xi positioned China as a reliable AI partner for developing nations and criticized the misuse of national security to justify tech restrictions. This speech followed Trump’s May visit to Beijing, where China and the U.S. agreed to begin bilateral AI talks.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/17/business/xi-jinping-china-ai.html
Stocks Sink on Anxiety About Tech and A.I. Spending
Rising Chinese competition is causing a Wall Street sell-off, as Moonshot AI's breakthrough narrows the gap with U.S. tech firms. Investors worry that heavy A.I. investments may not secure an American lead.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/17/business/stocks-ai-tech-wall-street.html
Bloomberg Loses Landmark Libel Case in Singapore
Singapore's High Court ordered Bloomberg News and reporter Low De Wei to pay S$460,000 (~$356,000) in damages to Ministers K. Shanmugam and Tan See Leng for a December 2024 article that defamed them by implying they exploited transparency issues in luxury real estate. Judge Audrey Lim said the article, about Good Class Bungalow transactions, was written with malice to damage their reputations, particularly Shanmugam's. Bloomberg's John Micklethwait expressed disappointment but affirmed the reporting was accurate and in the public interest. Press freedom groups criticized the ruling as a concerning precedent for investigative journalism in Singapore.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/14/world/asia/singapore-bloomberg-defamation.html
General News
A Judge Issued a Scathing Ruling Over Trump’s Deal with the I.R.S.
U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams in Miami dismissed Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS over the 2019-2020 tax return leak, citing improper purpose to manipulate courts and legitimize a settlement. The ruling nullified the settlement related to the $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund and referred a Trump lawyer for disciplinary action. The judge found that Trump’s lawyers and DOJ attorneys were not truly adverse parties, a legal requirement for civil suits.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/07/13/us/trump-news#trump-irs-suit
Takeaways From Trump’s Address Claiming Election Vulnerabilities
Documents released by the Trump administration to support the president's claims of election vulnerabilities didn't back up his most aggressive statements. Experts and intelligence officials noted that some declassified records contradicted his assertions, saying manipulation to alter results would be difficult.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/17/us/trump-speech-elections-takeaways.html
In Prime Time, Trump Criticizes Networks for Not Carrying His Speech
Not all networks aired Trump’s speech. He criticized ABC and NBC for not broadcasting it live, accusing them of hiding corruption and demanding license revocation without proof. They streamed online before switching to entertainment to analyze his claims.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/16/us/politics/trump-speech-television-networks.html
Senate Democrats Block Defense Bill Over War in Iran
Senate Democrats blocked a procedural vote on the NDAA 50-46, protesting Trump’s Iran war. Schumer criticized Trump for the reckless war without approval or exit plan, saying the NDAA shouldn't enable it.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/14/us/politics/senate-democrats-defense-bill.html
Takeaways From Rare Congressional Testimony by Two Supreme Court Justices
Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett appeared on Capitol Hill to discuss security funding, but the discussion shifted to ethics enforcement, the emergency docket, and threats against justices. Kagan and Barrett differ on ethics enforcement. Both parties condemned threats, but only Democrats addressed Trump's attacks on justices he nominated. Despite low public approval, the hearing was collegial, with bipartisan support for increased security.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/14/us/politics/supreme-court-congress-takeaways.html
Trump Administration Subpoenas Law Firms, Escalating Pressure Campaign
The Trump Justice Department subpoenaed 14 major law firms, including nine that promised nearly $1 billion in pro bono work to avoid White House orders. The subpoenas demanded records of communications with Trump adviser Boris Epshteyn and the American Bar Association. Legal observers viewed the move as coercive, aiming to pressure firms to lobby the ABA to drop its lawsuit against the administration’s crackdown on prominent firms, possibly revealing Epshteyn’s unofficial influence over the DOJ.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/14/us/politics/trump-subpoenas-law-firms-epshteyn-aba.html
Trump Gutted Civil Rights Agency, Stifling U.S. Scrutiny of Workplace Bias
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), a Labor Department agency that investigates discrimination among federal contractors and covers about 20% of the U.S. workforce, has been effectively dismantled since Trump rescinded its authority in January 2025. The administration halted audits, placed staff on leave, and stripped OFCCP of enforcement power. OFCCP, which recovered over $260 million for discriminated workers from 2014-2024, will merge into a smaller Office of Civil Rights with $35 million and 110 staff, mainly focusing on veterans and disabled workers, leaving broader discrimination enforcement largely unpoliced.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/19/us/politics/trump-gutted-civil-rights-agency-stifling-us-scrutiny-of-workplace-bias.html
Opportunities Narrow for Women as Hegseth Blocks More Promotions
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth blocked Navy officers' promotions over their involvement in diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, sparking outrage from Senate Armed Services Committee members and causing staffing gaps in key roles. This happened while the U.S. Navy enforced a blockade of Iranian ports under a ceasefire, affecting both flag officers and senior enlisted personnel.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/14/us/hegseth-blocks-navy-promotions.html
ICE Ordered to Cease Most Vehicle Stops After 2 Killings in a Week
The Trump administration told ICE to pause most vehicle stops nationwide after two men were shot and killed during traffic stops, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston and Joan Sebastian Guerrero in Maine, amid rising immigration arrests. Officials said the men tried to flee, but no evidence was provided, and videos later contradicted some of the agency's accounts. The pause follows political pressure, including from Sen. Susan Collins, and at least 22 shootings and six deaths linked to deportation efforts since Trump took office.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/14/us/ice-agents-traffic-stops.html
Bags in Van of ICE Victim Contained Salt, Not Drugs, Lawyer Says
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo's family attorney says the "crystal-like substance' suspected as meth was salt mixed with lemon and water for electrolyte drinks in Texas heat. The FBI sought a search warrant for drugs, but the district attorney doubted this, saying it didn't match their knowledge of the men. The family's lawyer, Ruby Powers, calls for quick testing to clear their names. Federal officials say the shooting was justified as the driver "weaponized his vehicle" while fleeing, though passengers say agents never identified themselves before firing.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/16/us/fbi-search-drugs-houston-ice-shooting.html
D.O.J. Turns Over Evidence in Minnesota Shootings by Immigration Agents
The Trump administration provided long-sought evidence to Minnesota investigators probing the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, including body camera footage, officer statements, and Good’s damaged SUV. The release coincided with a separate ICE agent killing a motorist in Maine and with Houston prosecutors alleging the administration still withholds evidence in another ICE fatal shooting. Minnesota had sued for access after months of federal stonewalling.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/13/us/minnesota-ice-shootings-evidence-pretti-renee-good.html
Court Filings Describe Ongoing Contact Between ICE and Iran on Deportations
Court declarations show the Trump administration allowed Iranian officials in Washington to access asylum seekers in ICE detention and share reasons for fleeing Iran before the U.S.-Iran conflict. An attorney's sworn account states that an Iranian official met monthly with ICE after a March 2025 meeting, when a U.S. official provided a list of about 150 Iranian detainees. ICE then sent immigration files to the Iranian Interest Section. This contributed to over 100 Iranians being deported to Tehran between September 2025 and January, just before U.S. military action. DHS denies the allegations but has not commented on the new details.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/15/us/politics/state-dept-ice-iran-deportation.html
Federal Agents Were Told F.B.I. Will No Longer Investigate ICE
FBI managers learned that the bureau will stop investigating ICE officer assault allegations, likely handing over reviews to Homeland Security Investigations. Critics say this reduces oversight, since DHS can't investigate federal civil rights violations, decreasing the likelihood of federal scrutiny for ICE officers in deadly shootings. The DOJ and DHS denied policy changes. This report followed an ICE agent's fatal shooting of Colombian Joan Sebastian Guerrero in Maine, the seventh since January 2025 and the second in July after the shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/19/us/politics/fbi-ice-agents-investigations-shootings.html
They Were Charged with Assaulting ICE Agents. The Cases Are Crumbling.
A New York Times investigation found that the Trump administration filed assault charges against over 550 people during its immigration crackdown, more than previously known. Nearly half of about 400 resolved cases ended in acquittals, dismissals, or withdrawals, showing a high failure rate by federal standards. The review also uncovered misconduct by federal agents, such as attacking protesters, destroying evidence, and making false court statements. Former federal prosecutor Jimmy L. Arce suggested many charges lacked merit, implying the prosecutions aimed to intimidate protesters and immigrants rather than protect agents.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/18/us/ice-assaults-protesters.html
Court Revives Lawsuits Tying Tylenol Use in Pregnancy to Autism and A.D.H.D.
A three-judge Second Circuit panel revived over 500 lawsuits claiming prenatal acetaminophen (Tylenol) caused autism and ADHD after ruling the district court wrongly excluded key expert testimony. Remanded for a new hearing, the case could hold Kenvue and retailers liable for billions. Meanwhile, the FDA is updating Tylenol’s label amid ongoing pregnancy safety debates.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/13/science/court-lawsuits-tylenol-pregnancy.html
Blanche's Nomination for Attorney General Faces Hurdle After Rocky Hearing
Todd Blanche's attorney general nomination faced uncertainty after a tough confirmation hearing. Outgoing Texas Sen. John Cornyn, who lost his primary, questioned Blanche on the $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund and an agreement shielding Trump's tax returns from IRS audits. Cornyn remains undecided, and since he is on the Judiciary Committee where one Republican could block Blanche, his vote is vital.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/07/15/us/todd-blanche-hearing-attorney-general
Clayton Dodges Question on 2020 Election, and Democrats Call Him on It
Jay Clayton, Trump's pick for director of national intelligence, faced resistance at a hearing after refusing to say that Joe Biden won the 2020 election, stating only that the results were "certified." Sen. Ossoff and Warner expressed disappointment, with Warner calling Clayton's performance “bitterly disappointing” and Schumer calling it "abysmal." Despite broad Republican support, Democratic backlash may hinder efforts to renew FISA Section 702.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/15/us/politics/jay-clayton-confirmation-hearing-director-national-intelligence.html
Trump Sharply Cuts the Size of Two National Monuments in Utah
Trump signed orders reducing Bears Ears by 91% and Grand Staircase-Escalante by 90% during an Oval Office ceremony with Utah’s delegation. Biden restored them in 2021. Tribal leaders, Native groups, and environmentalists announced lawsuits.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/13/climate/trump-national-monuments-utah.html
Top Science Panel Backs Research Linking Extreme Weather to Climate Change
The National Academies' 14-member panel states that extreme event attribution science has advanced enough to assess climate extremes and the role of greenhouse gases in disasters. The 2016 report notes highest confidence in extreme heat, cold, and heavy rainfall, aiding climate litigation, risk planning, and disaster response.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/16/climate/national-academies-extreme-weather-attribution.html
White House Faces Stiff Pushback on Subjecting Grants to Political Review
The White House's plan to oversee $1 trillion in federal grants has garnered about 500,000 comments and opposition from sheriffs, mayors, and lawmakers. It requires Trump appointees to approve grants that match the president's policies, banning funding that promotes anti-American values or DEI. OMB Director Russell Vought says it ensures "democratic control" of spending. Critics, including 24 state governors and attorneys general, argue that the rule is unconstitutional and endangers services like housing and healthcare, although groups like Heritage Action dismiss the opposition as "hyperbolic."
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/16/us/politics/white-house-federal-grants-political-review.html
Trump Paid $2 Million by South Korean Company Facing Trade Investigation
South Korean firm Base Group, which invests in Korea Aluminum and fights U.S. tariffs over Chinese duty evasion, paid $2 million to Trump's holding company last year as a "nonrefundable development fee" for an unannounced golf course project. Base Group has long-standing ties with the Trump family, including selling Trump-branded wine and hosting Eric Trump in Seoul. The timing and vague payment description have raised scrutiny amid its trade dispute with the U.S.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/14/us/politics/trump-south-korea-aluminum.html
Trump Blasts ‘Sanctuary’ States, but Many Still Aid Deportations
Despite political rhetoric and legal battles over immigration policies, a review of sanctuary states reveals that they routinely aid federal immigration authorities. A recent investigation found that nearly all states with "sanctuary" policies cooperate significantly with ICE when dealing with individuals accused of violent crimes.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/19/us/politics/sanctuary-states-deportation-aid.html
Lindsey Graham's Sister Appointed to Finish His Senate Term
Three days after Sen. Lindsey Graham died unexpectedly at 71 from an aortic dissection, his sister, Darline Graham Nordone, was sworn in as a U.S. senator, the first woman to represent South Carolina in the Senate. Graham took guardianship of Darline at 22, when Darline was 13, after both parents died within 15 months. She was appointed by Gov. Henry McMaster on Trump’s recommendation and will serve until January; a special primary election is scheduled for August 11.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/13/us/politics/trump-graham-sister-south-carolina-senate.html
White House Teleprompter Operator Bet on Trump Speeches, Kalshi Says
White House assistant Gabriel Perez was placed on unpaid leave after allegedly using access to Trump's speeches to earn about $100,000 on Kalshi. Surveillance flagged the suspicious trades in March, froze funds, and reported them to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/16/technology/teleprompter-operator-kalshi-trump-speeches.html
Oil Prices Rise to Highest Level in a Month as Shipping in the Persian Gulf
Oil prices hit a month high on Friday as U.S.-Iran tensions disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude rose 4.6% to $88.10, and WTI increased 4.5% to $82.49. Both gained about 16% weekly, fueled by U.S. strikes on Iran and Iranian retaliation, including an attack on a Kuwaiti desalination plant causing a fire and power outage. Kuwait's dependence on desalination fuels fears Iran may target civilian infrastructure.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/17/business/strait-hormuz-iran-oil-prices.html
Cyclospora Linked to Taylor Farms Lettuce Sent to Taco Bell
An ongoing Cyclospora outbreak has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms to Taco Bell restaurants. The outbreak has sickened over 1,600 people, resulting in at least 94 hospitalizations across Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/16/well/cyclospora-taylor-farms-lettuce-taco-bell.html
Gay-Themed Mediterranean Cruise Turned Away from Turkey and Then Egypt
Turkish authorities blocked Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady, chartered by LGBTQ+ company Atlantis Events for a 10-day Athens-Venice cruise with nearly 2,000 passengers, from stops in Kuşadası and Istanbul. Local officials said that the trip was organized by groups whose "behaviors do not align with our society." After rerouting to Alexandria, Egypt, authorities there withdrew permission to dock without explanation, forcing another reroute. Atlantis CEO Rich Campbell called previous visits incident-free and said these rejections were "shocking," linking Turkey's denial to the group's being gay.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/16/world/middleeast/gay-cruise-turkey-egypt.html
Trump Administration Announces New Attack on the International Criminal Court
Secretary of State Marco Rubio initiated a campaign to disable the ICC with travel bans and sanctions on officials, judges, and groups. This came after a lawsuit by three ICC judges against the Trump administration, alleging that the sanctions were intended to punish them. Rubio called the ICC a network of leftist groups, globalists, and hostile Third World governments opposing the U.S.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/13/us/politics/trump-international-criminal-court.html
Burnham Becomes Labour Leader Pledging to Deliver Hope to Britain.
Andy Burnham will become the seventh prime minister in a decade, succeeding Keir Starmer as Labour leader and British prime minister. His rise occurs amid ongoing economic stagnation and political upheaval in Britain.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/17/world/europe/burnham-labour-leader.html
Iran War Live Updates: U.S. Launches Strikes After Iranian Attack Kills 2 American Soldiers
The U.S. military reported its first direct combat fatalities from Iranian fire since the war's start, with two American service members killed and a third missing after an attack on a Jordan base. CENTCOM then conducted a seventh consecutive night of strikes on Iranian sites. Iran retaliated by striking a Kuwaiti desalination plant and oil facility, injuring several and cutting power, which affects 90% of Kuwait's drinking water. Iran's Health Ministry reported 50 deaths and over 500 injuries from three weeks of U.S. strikes. New Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei warned of "unforgettable lessons" for the U.S. and declared Trump's signature on the Islamabad Memorandum "worthless and invalid," as Iran suspended its ceasefire commitments.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/07/18/world/iran-war-strikes-trump-hormuz
The Next Phase in Ukraine's War with Russia: The Battle for Minds
Ukrainian leaders, led by Maria Berlinska's nonprofit Victory Neurones, are launching a campaign to undermine Russian support for the war and disrupt Moscow's mobilization. The initiative shifts from kinetic drone warfare to psychological operations, recognizing that battlefield tech alone can't defeat a larger foe. Ukraine combines strategic communications, cyberwarfare, and cognitive skills to treat the information and psychological space as a key theater shaping the war's political outcome.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/13/world/europe/ukraine-war-russia-cognitive-warfare.html
Astronomers Find an Atmosphere on a Nearby Earthlike Planet
Astronomers found the first clear evidence of an atmosphere on a potentially habitable rocky exoplanet, LHS 1140 b, 48 light-years away. They detected helium escaping, indicating the planet has retained a substantial atmosphere despite its star. Published in Science, these findings mark a milestone in the search for Earth-like worlds, as atmosphere retention is key to habitability.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/16/science/astronomy-exoplanet-atmosphere.html