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Hungary’s government is investigating a large deal with Chinese electric carmaker BYD after former Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó left Parliament to work for the company. The investigation will look into whether Szijjártó used his government position to help BYD receive major public subsidies and other benefits.
Key Facts
Péter Szijjártó resigned from Parliament to take an executive job at BYD, a leading Chinese electric carmaker.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced a probe into decisions made by Szijjártó related to BYD’s investments.
BYD received hundreds of billions of forints in public money, tax breaks, permits, and other state support while Szijjártó was in office.
The investigation will review subsidies, tax incentives, environmental exemptions, and infrastructure projects tied to BYD and other multinational firms.
BYD planned to open its first European factory and research center in Hungary, benefiting from Hungary’s efforts to become a lithium-ion battery manufacturing hub.
Szijjártó was involved in attracting Chinese companies to invest in Hungary during the administration of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
The company’s European operations in Hungary helped BYD avoid EU import tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
Neither Szijjártó nor BYD have responded publicly to the conflict of interest allegations so far.
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A former U.S. Army soldier named Andrew Arrabaca set off fireworks, started a fire, and fired a pellet gun outside a federal building in Manhattan, injuring three people. Authorities arrested him, and the FBI is investigating the incident, though it has not been labeled terrorism.
Key Facts
Andrew Arrabaca is 43 years old and a former U.S. Army mechanic who worked on Patriot missile systems.
The incident happened on the morning of July 20, 2026, outside 26 Federal Plaza in New York City.
Arrabaca carried a sign with the message "ICE Off Our Streets," showing opposition to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
He poured gasoline and set a fire near an employee entrance of the federal building.
Arrabaca fired five to seven pellets from an airsoft rifle at the building.
Three people were injured during the incident, including someone attending an immigration court hearing.
FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating, but the attack is not currently classified as terrorism.
Arrabaca was arrested by federal security officers and a security contractor shortly after the attack.
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The Philippine military accused China's coast guard of injuring a Filipino sailor during an incident at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. China claimed Filipino boats attacked its patrol boat first. The conflict highlights ongoing tension over territorial claims in these waters.
Key Facts
The incident happened at the Second Thomas Shoal, a disputed area in the South China Sea.
Chinese coast guard personnel allegedly hit a Filipino sailor on the head with a wooden baton.
The Filipino sailor was injured, and his small boat was damaged.
Filipino sailors recorded the incident on video.
China accused Filipino boats of ramming its patrol boat and attacking Chinese personnel with sticks and oars.
The Filipino navy vessel BRP Sierra Madre, stationed on the shoal, is a key point of the territorial dispute.
The Philippine military said Filipino personnel acted peacefully and only asked the Chinese to back away.
Both countries claim the area, with China demanding the removal of the Philippine vessel.
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The European Union fined the Chinese online marketplace AliExpress 550 million euros for not stopping the sale of unsafe and fake products on its website. This is the largest penalty under the EU’s Digital Services Act, which aims to keep online users safe and protect their rights.
Key Facts
AliExpress was fined 550 million euros (about $629 million) by the European Commission.
The fine is for failing to prevent the sale of dangerous and counterfeit goods on its platform.
This is the biggest fine ever given under the EU’s Digital Services Act.
The Digital Services Act is a law to protect people from harmful or illegal online content and products.
AliExpress’s parent company is the Chinese tech giant Alibaba.
Alibaba also agreed to pay $600 million to the U.S. government over illegal import claims.
AliExpress must submit a plan by October 20 to fix its risk management problems.
The EU previously fined other companies like Temu and Elon Musk’s social media site X for similar issues.
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A ferry capsized off the coast of Guyana, leading to a search for survivors and a criminal investigation. Authorities found many passengers were not on the official list, and the ferry captain tested positive for marijuana.
Key Facts
The ferry MV Barima capsized on Saturday near Guyana’s Essequibo coast.
At least 67 people were rescued, but many more passengers were believed to be on board than listed.
Officials said 32 of the rescued were not on the passenger manifest, which is the official passenger list.
Passengers have reported that seats are often sold unofficially without recording names.
The ferry’s captain and another crew member tested positive for marijuana and are in police custody.
Only 10 bodies were recovered by Monday, and the search for survivors continued.
The ferry was built over 80 years ago and had recent repairs in 2024, with more planned for October.
Guyana’s Prime Minister and President promised a full investigation focusing on safety, the accurate number of passengers, and crew actions.
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Volunteers in southern Taiwan have begun an excavation to find the remains of Japanese soldiers who died during World War II when their ships were sunk in the Bashi Channel by U.S. forces in 1944. The goal is to recover bodies washed ashore and, if possible, identify them through DNA testing for return to Japan.
Key Facts
The excavation is taking place in Hengchun Township, Pingtung County, southern Taiwan.
The operation aims to recover remains from Japanese military ships sunk in 1944 by U.S. forces in the Bashi Channel.
Over 4,700 Japanese soldiers and crew died in the sinking, while 65 survived.
Japan ruled Taiwan as a colony from 1895 until the end of World War II in 1945.
Many bodies from the sunken ships are believed to have reached the shore near the excavation site.
Japan enacted a law in 2016 to speed up the recovery and identification of war remains, extending the effort through 2030 with improved DNA testing.
Around 15,600 Japanese soldiers who died in Taiwan remain missing; about 26,300 bodies have been recovered previously.
The last excavation in Taiwan was in 1975, recovering 242 bodies.
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David Hearn, a former Olympic canoeist, is set for a trial on September 28 in Washington, D.C., after being charged with damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The pool has undergone a costly and problematic renovation project supported by President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
David Hearn has been indicted on a felony charge for allegedly damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
The trial date is set for September 28, 2026, by Judge Todd Edelman.
Hearn pleaded not guilty and his lawyers want the case dismissed, citing poor preservation of evidence.
Three others face misdemeanor charges related to the Reflecting Pool for removing paint.
The damage charge involves at least $1,000 worth of harm, with up to 10 years in prison possible if convicted.
The Reflecting Pool renovation, led by President Trump for the country's 250th independence anniversary, has cost over $16 million, much higher than the initial $1.5 million estimate.
Critics say the renovation problems result from bad repair work, while Trump says vandals are responsible.
Supporters of Hearn argue this prosecution is politically motivated to shift blame from the administration.
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The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is planning to lease 2,840 acres of Ohio’s Wayne National Forest for oil and gas drilling using fracking. This move is part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to expand energy development on public lands, although environmental groups are concerned about its effects on wildlife and recreation.
Key Facts
The lease sale will cover 41 parcels totaling 2,840 acres in Ohio’s Wayne National Forest.
The forest is divided into three separate areas located around southeast Ohio near Marietta and Parkersburg, West Virginia.
This would be the first time fracking, a method that uses high-pressure water to extract natural gas, is allowed in this national forest.
The lease sale is scheduled for September 15, 2026, but the winning bidders will still need federal permits to start drilling.
Environmental groups warn that fracking threatens endangered species like the Indiana bat and could increase noise, light, and traffic.
The Wayne National Forest already has conventional oil wells from before fracking technology was used.
Ohio state parks and wildlife areas have also opened about 22,000 acres to oil and gas development since 2024 through GOP-supported laws.
The Ohio Oil and Gas Association says the leasing process includes environmental reviews and public input and argues responsible energy development is possible with care for the environment.
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Dozens of U.S. senators, led by Senator Angus King, have asked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security for more information about ICE agent hiring and pursuit policies. They also want ICE officers to start using body cameras after two fatal shootings involving immigrants in Maine and Houston.
Key Facts
39 senators signed a letter requesting details on how ICE vets new agents and handles vehicle chases.
The letter was led by Senator Angus King from Maine and sent to DHS, which oversees ICE.
Two ICE officers shot and killed immigrants recently, one in Maine and one in Houston.
The Maine ICE officer who fired had a history of family violence, reported in court documents.
Family members believe ICE should not have given this officer a gun and authority to patrol.
Senators want ICE to consider domestic violence records when hiring agents.
They call for body cameras to be quickly issued to all ICE officers.
The senators emphasize the need for clarity and accountability after these shootings.
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Arizona Republicans will hold a primary election to choose a candidate to run against Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs in November. Voters will also decide candidates for U.S. House seats and various state and local offices.
Key Facts
Arizona’s Republican primary will pick a nominee to challenge Governor Katie Hobbs in the general election.
Katie Hobbs is one of few Democratic governors in states won by President Trump in 2024 facing a competitive race in 2026.
Four candidates are running for the Republican governor nomination: two congressmen, Andy Biggs and David Schweikert, and two businessmen, Ken Miceli and Scott Neely.
Andy Biggs has the endorsement of President Trump.
Former Trump-endorsed candidate Karrin Taylor Robson dropped out in February.
David Schweikert is not seeking reelection to Congress to run for governor.
In the race to replace Schweikert’s congressional seat, candidates include Joseph Chaplik, Jay Feely, and John Trobough.
President Trump endorsed Feely after encouraging him to run in a different district when Feely switched from the 5th to the 1st Congressional District race.
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Fieldwork Robotics, a company in the U.K., has created a robot that can pick raspberries using artificial intelligence and special sensors to find ripe fruit. The robot uses gentle arms to pick berries without damage and works quickly, helping farmers with labor shortages and reducing waste.
Key Facts
The robot attaches to a self-driving, battery-powered vehicle with four picking arms.
Each arm has a "picking cup" that gently grips raspberries using an inflatable membrane.
The robot can detect seven different ripeness levels to pick fruit based on customer needs.
In tests, the robot picked raspberries from a 328-foot row in about 40 minutes.
It harvests about 3.3 to 4.4 pounds of fruit per hour.
Robots do not need breaks, wages, or benefits, making harvesting more flexible and cost-effective.
The technology is meant to assist human workers, not replace them completely.
Future versions will improve the ability to find berries hidden deep in bushes.
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A study from Boston University found that Republican lawmakers introduced 86% of anti-vaccine bills in U.S. state legislatures between 2019 and 2023. The number of vaccine-related bills increased sharply after the COVID-19 pandemic began, reflecting growing political divisions over vaccines.
Key Facts
Between 2019 and 2023, state legislatures introduced 1,513 vaccine-related bills.
After 2020, vaccine-related bills increased from 386 in 2019 to 1,154 in 2021.
Republicans sponsored over 65% of anti-vaccine bills during this period.
Democrats sponsored 54% of pro-vaccine bills and mostly supported increasing vaccine access or funding.
Roughly 40% of all bills each legislative cycle after 2020 dealt with vaccines.
Anti-vaccine attitudes shifted from personal views to political issues influencing laws.
Vaccine hesitancy has become more linked to political identity than to medical discussion.
Researchers highlight that vaccine hesitancy is now an institutional challenge, not just a communication problem.
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Canada is prepared to increase trade talks with the United States after President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on many Canadian products. These tariffs, set to take effect in 30 days, target goods like wine, hockey sticks, and cement, and come despite the existing United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Key Facts
President Trump ordered fresh tariffs of up to 50% on several Canadian goods.
The tariffs will exclude energy products, fish, critical minerals, potash, steel, and aluminum.
These new tariffs violate terms of the USMCA trade agreement signed by the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called the tariffs a direct violation of the agreement and expressed readiness to intensify trade talks.
The White House claims the tariffs aim to address Canadian discrimination against American goods like automobiles, alcohol, and cheese.
Canada’s political leaders across parties oppose the tariffs and consider retaliatory measures.
These tariffs follow earlier US trade actions and relate partially to disagreements over border security and fentanyl smuggling.
The tariffs were imposed using Section 338 of the 1930 Trade Act, a controversial legal tool some Democrats want repealed.
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Thames Water has started a hosepipe ban for over 10 million customers due to very low rainfall and several heatwaves this year. The ban stops people from using hosepipes for activities like watering gardens and washing cars to protect water supplies.
Key Facts
The hosepipe ban begins on Thursday and affects all Thames Water drinking water customers.
Thames Water serves 10.1 million people in areas including London, Surrey, Kent, and the Thames Valley.
This year has had 40% less rain than usual and record numbers of very hot days above 34°C.
Water use is 7-10% higher than normal during the drought, adding about 100 million extra liters used daily.
The ban prohibits hosepipes for watering plants, washing cars, filling pools, and cleaning windows.
Essential water use like drinking, cooking, and hygiene is still allowed.
Buckets and watering cans can still be used, and some customers with special needs have exemptions.
Thames Water is facing financial trouble with about £20 billion in debt and a recent government rejection of a rescue plan.
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President Trump resumed military actions against Iran after ending a June agreement, leading to increased US and Iranian casualties. Democrats are urging the president to stop escalating the conflict, while Iran has responded with attacks on US sites and military targets in the Middle East.
Key Facts
President Trump ended a memorandum of understanding with Iran in June and restarted military attacks.
US forces have carried out at least ten waves of attacks on Iranian targets.
Three US troops were killed in Iranian strikes, with at least 17 US service members killed since the war began on February 28.
Nearly 100 US service members have been injured in the recent two weeks of fighting.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards targeted US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait.
Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan activated defenses to repel Iranian attacks.
More than 1,700 Iranian civilians have died in the conflict so far.
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy criticized President Trump for losing control of the war.
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Jackie, a bald eagle in California's Big Bear Valley, is recovering after a fight with two younger eagles. She had been missing from her nest, which caused concern.
Key Facts
Jackie is a bald eagle known on the internet.
The eagle lives in Big Bear Valley, California.
Jackie got into a fight with two younger eagles.
After the fight, Jackie was absent from her nest.
Jackie is currently recovering from the fight.
The story was reported by ABC News' Danny New.
Bald eagles are a protected bird species in the U.S.
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The U.S. Supreme Court will review a case involving Alaska bush pilot Kenneth Jouppi, whose $95,000 plane was seized after a passenger brought beer on a flight to a dry village. Jouppi argues that taking his plane as punishment is an excessive fine and violates the Eighth Amendment, while Alaska says the seizure is legal due to laws against bringing alcohol into certain communities.
Key Facts
Kenneth Jouppi is an Alaska bush pilot whose 1969 Cessna plane was seized after a passenger brought a six-pack of beer to a dry village.
Jouppi and his company were convicted of a misdemeanor for knowingly transporting alcohol into a village where it is banned.
A judge sentenced Jouppi to three days in jail and decided to seize his plane to deter others from similar actions.
The Alaska Supreme Court ruled that seizing Jouppi’s plane was legal and not an excessive fine.
Jouppi argues the seizure violates the Eighth Amendment’s Excessive Fines Clause, which protects against unreasonable punishments.
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the case, with arguments expected in the fall.
Alaska officials say airplane seizures help fight alcohol abuse in rural areas where planes are often used to bring alcohol illegally.
Jouppi’s lawyers say the punishment is too harsh for a minor crime involving only one six-pack of beer.
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Arizona voters are holding primary elections to pick party candidates for governor, congressional seats, and other state offices. The results are important because they could affect who controls the U.S. House of Representatives and whether Republicans can win the governor’s office in a key battleground state.
Key Facts
Arizona’s primary elections take place on Tuesday, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.
Registered Democrats and Republicans can only vote in their party’s primary; independents can choose either party’s primary to vote in.
About 4.3 million people are registered to vote in Arizona, including around 1.5 million Republicans, 1.2 million Democrats, and 1.5 million independents or unaffiliated voters.
Voters are selecting nominees for governor, U.S. Congress, state secretary, attorney general, treasurer, superintendent of public instruction, and all seats in the state legislature.
The key race is the Republican primary for governor, where Andy Biggs and David Schweikert are the main contenders to challenge Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs in November.
Andy Biggs is closely aligned with President Trump and supports his agenda, while Schweikert presents himself as a more moderate conservative.
The 1st Congressional District seat is open because Schweikert is running for governor; Republicans and Democrats are competing to win this important and competitive district.
President Trump has endorsed Andy Biggs in the governor’s race and Jay Feely, a former NFL kicker, in the congressional race.
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Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun will meet with President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon and efforts to disarm the Lebanese group Hezbollah. The talks come amid regional tensions involving the U.S., Iran, and ongoing conflicts between Hezbollah and Israel.
Key Facts
President Aoun is visiting Washington to seek U.S. support for Lebanon’s demands that Israel withdraw from southern Lebanon.
Aoun wants Hezbollah to be disarmed as part of the agreement between Lebanon, Israel, and the United States.
The meeting aims to strengthen cooperation between Lebanon and the U.S. to support Lebanon’s military and economy.
Aoun met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who emphasized support for the Lebanese government as a way to counter Hezbollah and Iran’s influence.
The trilateral framework calls for creating “pilot zones” in southern Lebanon where the Lebanese Armed Forces will take over after Israeli withdrawal and prevent Hezbollah presence.
Hezbollah rejects the framework and will not comply with the agreement.
Critics in Lebanon say the deal compromises Lebanon’s sovereignty and links Israel’s withdrawal to conditions set by Israel and the U.S.
The deal includes a clause that Lebanon will not seek international legal action against Israel for past abuses.
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AI technology is increasingly used in modern warfare to help make faster decisions and control military actions like drone strikes. One system, Project Maven, processed thousands of strikes quickly in the US-Israel war on Iran, but mistakes have raised questions about AI's ability to handle moral decisions in war.
Key Facts
AI systems are being used in conflicts in Kyiv, Gaza, Tehran, and during the US-Israel war on Iran.
Project Maven helped strike over 1,000 targets on February 28, including a mistaken attack on a school in Minab that killed more than 150 people.
The Pentagon’s investigation into the school attack is delayed, with outdated satellite data blamed for the error.
Global military spending increased to $2.87 trillion in 2023, with AI military spending expected to grow from $11.7 billion to $19.3 billion by 2030.
The US military aims to become an “AI-first fighting force” to speed up decision-making using the OODA loop concept (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act).
Project Maven uses AI to analyze drone and surveillance footage, identify targets, select weapons, and assess damage much faster than traditional methods.
Before AI, military analysts tracked enemies manually, which took hours or days; now AI compresses this timeline to seconds.
AI use in war raises concerns about whether machines can make ethical decisions about life and death.
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