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A popular Lebanese food influencer known as Dr Food was sentenced to life in prison with hard labor for smuggling hashish hidden in cake packaging. The drugs were transported from Lebanon to Turkey and then shipped internationally. The influencer and others were convicted under Lebanon’s Narcotics Law and were sentenced in their absence.
Key Facts
Dr Food is a Lebanese food influencer with over five million TikTok followers.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labor and fined 120 million Lebanese pounds (about $1,341).
The drug smuggling involved 820 kilograms (1,800 pounds) of hashish hidden in cake packaging from Baalbek in eastern Lebanon.
The drugs were transported to Turkey and then shipped to other countries.
The sentencing happened after a 2024 drug bust and was issued by Judge Elie al-Helou.
Dr Food and others convicted were also stripped of their civil rights.
The influencer was charged last year with manufacturing, trafficking, and smuggling drugs abroad.
Dr Food appears to be out of Lebanon, and his social media hasn’t mentioned the court decision.
Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley is a well-known area for hashish production.
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Two Arizona Republican representatives, Andy Biggs and David Schweikert, are competing in the primary election for governor. Biggs supports a strong, hard-line approach aligned with President Donald Trump, while Schweikert believes a less extreme strategy will help the party regain strength in Arizona.
Key Facts
Andy Biggs leads the conservative Freedom Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Biggs strongly supports President Donald Trump’s agenda.
David Schweikert believes strict, uncompromising tactics have hurt Republicans in Arizona.
Republicans in Arizona have lost influence as voters reject candidates seen as too extreme.
Biggs and Schweikert have different ideas on how to rebuild the Republican Party in Arizona.
The primary election is set for Tuesday.
The winner will challenge Katie Hobbs, the current Democratic governor of Arizona.
Katie Hobbs is considered one of the most vulnerable Democratic governors in the country.
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Lenders to Thames Water are preparing to take legal action if the government, led by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, decides to nationalize the company. Thames Water owes about £20 billion, and although its lenders offered to reduce some debt and invest more money, the government rejected this and is considering nationalization or other options.
Key Facts
Thames Water is the largest water company in the UK and has about £20 billion in debt.
Lenders offered to write off nearly £9.4 billion and put in £3.35 billion cash but want fewer pollution fines in return.
The government called the lenders’ proposal "weak" and harmful to consumers and the environment.
Thames Water has enough money to operate until the end of this year but remains in financial trouble.
The government could nationalize the company, meaning it would take ownership to protect customers and services.
A temporary "special administration regime" (SAR) is another option, where the company is managed until a new private owner is found.
Thames Water serves about 16 million people in the UK.
Nationalization or SAR could cost taxpayers billions if the company’s problems continue.
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The United States is involved in a conflict with Iran after Iranian missile attacks killed two American soldiers and injured others, leading to U.S. military strikes in response. Senator Mark Warner spoke about the situation, describing it as a war of choice with significant challenges and casualties.
Key Facts
Two U.S. troops were killed and one is missing after an Iranian missile attack in Jordan.
The U.S. launched retaliatory strikes against Iranian drone and missile sites.
This marks eight nights of American bombing and a return to U.S. combat operations in the Middle East.
A total of 16 American troops have died in the current conflict with Iran so far.
Senator Mark Warner said there was no imminent threat from Iran before the war started and called it a war of choice.
Warner suggested that achieving the goal of regime change in Iran would require 15,000 U.S. troops on the ground, which no one wants.
President Donald Trump recently gave a prime-time speech focusing on election security and declassified intelligence on election vulnerabilities, drawing mixed reactions.
The broadcast also mentioned other topics, like New York’s new data center moratorium, immigration enforcement, and concerns about inflation.
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Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei called for national unity and calm during ongoing conflicts with the US. He urged Iranians and officials to avoid internal divisions and warned that enemies should not see any sign of weakness.
Key Facts
Khamenei has not appeared publicly since becoming supreme leader in March.
He asked Iranians to uphold “sacred unity” to face challenges, especially from the US.
Iran and the US have been engaged in fighting, including exchange of attacks over the Strait of Hormuz.
A recent agreement to pause fighting was approved by Khamenei despite his personal reservations.
Hardliners in Iran have protested the agreement and accused officials of treason.
The agreement has been suspended and is close to collapsing amid renewed hostilities.
Military leaders promised to follow Khamenei’s call for unity and warned of strong responses to US attacks.
Several Iranian officials emphasized trust in government bodies to maintain national strength.
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At least 50 soldiers from Mali were killed when their military convoy was attacked near Anefis in northern Mali. The attack was claimed by Tuareg separatists and fighters linked to al Qaeda, with videos showing captured soldiers and destroyed vehicles.
Key Facts
The convoy was made up of Malian army soldiers and members of Russia’s Africa Corps.
The attack happened near Anefis, a town in northern Mali.
At least 50 Malian soldiers were killed in the ambush.
Tuareg separatists and al Qaeda-linked fighters said they carried out the attack.
Videos showed soldiers captured by attackers and military vehicles destroyed.
The attack is part of ongoing violence in the region involving ethnic and extremist groups.
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Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has started a visit to Washington, meeting with U.S. officials including Senator Marco Rubio and planning to meet President Donald Trump. The talks focus on implementing a U.S.-backed agreement for Israeli troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah.
Key Facts
President Joseph Aoun arrived in Washington with his wife and began meetings with U.S. officials.
He met U.S. Senator Marco Rubio to discuss cooperation on implementing the Lebanon-Israel agreement signed on June 26.
The agreement includes an Israeli troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon and aims to disarm Hezbollah.
Rubio praised Lebanon’s efforts to reclaim sovereignty and dismantle Hezbollah’s armed presence.
Aoun plans to meet President Trump and U.S. senators to seek support for Lebanon’s proposal on disarming Hezbollah and securing Israeli withdrawal.
This is the first visit by a Lebanese head of state to Washington since 2009.
Lebanon faces challenges from Hezbollah’s rejection of disarmament and Israeli insistence on Hezbollah’s demilitarization before full troop withdrawal.
The U.S. is mediating talks between Lebanon and Israel to implement the framework agreement after recent conflicts in the region.
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Comedian Bill Maher criticized the Democratic Party, especially its socialist members. He also said he might vote for Vice President Vance if Vance runs for president in 2028.
Key Facts
Bill Maher is a comedian who spoke about politics on ABC News.
He said the Democratic Party is changing and being "taken over."
Maher criticized the socialist wing of the Democratic Party.
He spoke on the show “This Week” with Jonathan Karl.
Maher is open to voting for Vice President Vance in the 2028 presidential election.
The article does not provide details on why Maher supports Vance.
President Donald Trump is the current U.S. president, elected for a second term in 2024.
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The United States is experiencing a large increase in building data centers that support artificial intelligence. These centers need a lot of electricity and water, leading power companies to build new transmission lines that sometimes require taking private land through eminent domain, a legal process that allows the government to seize private property for public use with compensation.
Key Facts
There are over 3,000 data centers in the U.S., with about 1,500 more being built.
Data centers use a lot of electricity and water and can increase pollution and noise.
Many Americans oppose building AI data centers near their homes due to concerns like higher bills and environmental impacts.
Power companies need to build new transmission lines to supply electricity to data centers.
If landowners refuse to sell land, companies and governments may use eminent domain to acquire it.
Eminent domain allows the government to take private land for public use with just compensation, based on the Fifth Amendment.
States have different rules about when utilities can use eminent domain; some courts have limited its use for private economic development.
Legal debates continue over whether building infrastructure for private AI data centers qualifies as public use.
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Israeli and Jordanian forces intercepted an Iranian missile aimed at the Jordanian city of Aqaba. Some shrapnel from the interception landed in Israel, but there were no injuries reported.
Key Facts
An Iranian missile targeted the city of Aqaba in Jordan.
Israeli and Jordanian military forces intercepted the missile.
Shrapnel from the interception reached Israel.
No people were hurt by the shrapnel.
The incident increased concerns about the conflict getting more intense.
The event took place on July 19, 2026.
The news was reported by the Israeli military and covered by France 24.
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Andy Burnham has become the new Labour leader in the UK and wants to stop political infighting and secret briefings within his party. However, disagreements and competition for power continue between different groups in Labour, making his goal challenging.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is the new leader of the UK Labour Party.
He wants to end the practice of secret briefings and internal fighting in politics.
Labour faces ongoing disputes between its right wing and soft left wing over policy and leadership roles.
Supporters of Burnham used briefings to weaken former leader Keir Starmer.
Ed Miliband and Shabana Mahmood are two main candidates discussed for the chancellor role, with both facing criticism from inside the party.
Rival ministers openly try to promote themselves to the media for top jobs.
Deputy leader Lucy Powell said some media reports about disagreements have been unpleasant and unhelpful.
Burnham aims to have a broad party that accepts different views but must still manage strong conflicts behind the scenes.
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Nine people were hurt in a shooting in downtown Tucson, Arizona, early Sunday morning. Police shot the suspected shooter at the scene, and both the suspect and the injured victims were taken to hospitals.
Key Facts
The shooting happened around 2 a.m. in downtown Tucson.
Nine people were wounded, all adults, many with injuries to arms or legs.
The suspect is an adult man who was shot by police and is in critical condition.
Police officers heard gunfire while patrolling and quickly responded.
The suspect's identity is known to police but has not been shared publicly.
The crime scene is large, and investigations will take time.
The Pima County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation.
Tucson Police are also investigating the officer who shot the suspect, using body camera footage.
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The General Jewish Labour Bund was a socialist group started in 1897 in the Russian Empire. It supported Jewish workers, Yiddish culture, and democracy, and opposed Zionism. The article explores whether the group's ideas still influence today’s Jewish left.
Key Facts
The General Jewish Labour Bund began in 1897 in the Russian Empire.
It was a revolutionary socialist movement focused on Jewish workers.
The Bund promoted Yiddish culture and democratic values.
It stood against Zionism, a movement supporting a Jewish homeland in Palestine.
The article discusses the current memory and influence of the Bund’s vision.
Molly Crabapple, an artist and author, talks about the Jewish left and the Bund’s legacy.
The topic is featured on the news program UpFront, hosted by Marc Lamont Hill.
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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will require officers to use body cameras during vehicle stops, according to Tom Homan, a Trump administration border official. This move follows two recent deadly shootings by ICE agents during traffic stops and aims to provide clear records of such encounters.
Key Facts
ICE will mandate officers to wear body cameras during vehicle stops.
The decision follows two fatal shootings by ICE agents in Texas and Maine earlier this month.
No body camera footage was available from the recent shootings involving ICE agents.
ICE temporarily paused most vehicle stops to review procedures, but President Trump ordered them to resume within 24 hours.
ICE has previously run a body camera pilot program in five cities, but funding was reduced last year.
The Trump administration is now buying cameras and training officers to use them nationwide.
There have been 11 fatal shootings by federal immigration officials since President Trump’s current term began.
FBI agents will no longer investigate confrontations involving ICE agents, which reduces external oversight of these incidents.
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The Trump administration has used a secret court, created in 1996 but never used before, to request the deportation of a suspected "alien terrorist." The court held its first hearing and asked the government for more information about the case.
Key Facts
The Alien Terrorist Removal Court (ATRC) was created in 1996 but had never handled a case until now.
The Trump administration submitted the first petition to this court to deport a suspected "alien terrorist."
The court is made up of five judges chosen by Chief Justice John Roberts.
A hearing was held, and the judge asked the government to provide more details.
The court must hold public hearings where the government proves the individual qualifies as an "alien terrorist."
U.S. law defines an "alien terrorist" as someone involved in or supporting terrorist activities or belonging to groups encouraging terrorism.
President Trump’s administration has increased deportations and used laws like the Alien Enemies Act to remove migrants suspected of terrorism.
The ATRC is designed for national security cases involving deportation but was dormant until now.
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Firefighters have surrounded a large wildfire in the Cairngorms, Scotland, after several days of effort. More than 100 firefighters and special equipment have been working to control the fire, with residents evacuated for safety.
Key Facts
The wildfire started near Ryvoan Bothy, south of Nethy Bridge, on Wednesday.
Over 100 firefighters are involved in tackling the fire, which has affected around six square kilometers.
Residents and campers were evacuated but began returning to collect belongings under police escort.
Weather conditions like low wind and rainfall helped firefighters make progress on Saturday.
Helicopters and drones have been used to fight the fire and monitor the affected area.
Water is being drawn from Loch Morlich using a high-volume pump to support firefighting.
Roadblocks remain in place in Glenmore, Abernethy, and Loch Morlich areas to keep people away.
The Cairngorms National Park Authority said the fire is mostly surrounded but still active.
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The Justice Department has asked a special federal court, unused for 30 years, to deport an unnamed noncitizen linked to terrorism. This court allows secret evidence to be used in cases for national security reasons, and the government must prove its case in two stages, including a public hearing.
Key Facts
The Justice Department filed its first case ever in the Alien Terrorist Removal Court last Wednesday.
The court was created by Congress in 1996 to handle terrorism-related deportation cases while protecting classified information.
The unnamed person involved and specific allegations were not disclosed publicly.
The court process has two parts: a private judge review and a public hearing, but classified evidence remains secret.
The law allows the government to use evidence that might normally be illegal.
The court has never been used before because immigration cases usually handled these matters without it.
The court is meant to protect national security by keeping sensitive evidence out of the public but still requiring legal review.
The Justice Department must provide more detailed facts and legal arguments by the coming Wednesday.
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Europe’s top human rights group, the Council of Europe, raised concerns about the fairness and integrity of the World Cup. They asked FIFA to create stronger rules to protect the 2030 World Cup, which will mostly take place in Spain and Portugal.
Key Facts
The Council of Europe wrote an open letter to FIFA before the 2024 final between Spain and Argentina.
They highlighted issues like political pressure, including a case where President Trump called FIFA’s president about a U.S. player’s suspension.
FIFA allowed U.S. forward Folarin Balugun to skip a one-game ban after this intervention.
FIFA made a $150 million sponsorship deal with a newly formed betting company, raising concerns about gambling and fraud risks.
Betting on specific moments in soccer games can encourage insider trading or cheating.
The Council of Europe signed a cooperation agreement with FIFA in 2018 promoting transparency and integrity in sports.
UEFA, the European soccer group, criticized FIFA’s decision to lift Balugun’s ban, calling it a violation of fair rules.
The 2030 World Cup will be mainly in Europe, with a few games in South America to honor the first tournament’s host.
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Senator John Fetterman said that Iran still having nuclear material called “nuclear dust” is a reason for the U.S. to carry out strikes against Iran. He made this statement after the U.S. and Iran ended a temporary agreement and fighting started again.
Key Facts
Senator John Fetterman is from Pennsylvania and is a Democrat.
Iran is holding onto “nuclear dust,” which means leftover nuclear material.
The U.S. and Iran had a temporary deal that has now ended.
Hostilities or fighting between the U.S. and Iran have resumed.
Fetterman argues that the nuclear material justifies more U.S. military strikes against Iran.
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The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations criticized New York City’s Democratic mayor, Zohran Mamdani, for threatening to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits New York for the UN General Assembly. The ambassador said the mayor does not have the legal authority because of international laws protecting foreign leaders and UN officials. Mamdani’s threat is based on an International Criminal Court warrant accusing Netanyahu of war crimes related to Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Key Facts
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he might arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to the UN General Assembly in September.
The U.S. ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, called Mamdani’s threat "political theater" and said it is unlikely to succeed legally.
The U.S. has not ratified the Rome Statute, so it does not enforce rulings by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Head-of-state immunity and UN agreements protect visiting world leaders like Netanyahu from arrest while attending UN meetings in New York.
The ICC issued a warrant in November 2024 accusing Netanyahu and others of war crimes during the Israeli military campaign in Gaza.
Mamdani said he supports the ICC warrant and plans to act according to the law if Netanyahu visits.
Netanyahu intends to attend the UN General Assembly despite the potential arrest threat.
The ICC is an international court in The Hague that investigates serious crimes like war crimes and crimes against humanity.
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