World

The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, ending the century-old practice of changing clocks twice a year.

Core Summary President Trump has signed an executive order significantly reducing the protected area of two national monuments in Utah. This marks the second time during his tenure that such action has been taken in the region, drawing strong condemnation from environmental organizations, Native American tribes, and Democratic lawmakers. The Guardian reports that these monuments hold sacred significance for indigenous tribes, and the reduction threatens cultural heritage preservation. Event Details According to The Washington Post, President Trump has once again used executive authority to dramatically cut the protected area of two national monuments in Utah. The New York Times notes this is the second time Trump has taken similar action against Utah’s national monuments, having previously attempted to reduce the sizes of Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments. ...

Core Summary Hungary’s parliament voted on July 13 to remove President Tamás Sulyok from office. Sulyok was widely regarded as a loyalist of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who lost power in April after 16 years in office. The vote marks a new phase in Hungary’s post-Orbán political transition, as the new government systematically dismantles the political legacy of its predecessor. Event Details According to the BBC, Hungary’s parliament passed the motion to remove President Sulyok by a majority vote. Sulyok was elected president during Orbán’s tenure and was seen as a steadfast supporter of the former ruling party. After Orbán’s Fidesz party lost the general election in April, Péter Magyar’s Respect and Freedom Party formed a new government, and Sulyok’s political position began to weaken. ...

Core Summary According to The New York Times and Al Jazeera, Japan has formally established its first national intelligence agency since the end of World War II, with a budget of $407 million and a personnel strength of 33,000. This historic move marks a major turning point in Japan’s security policy, aimed at addressing increasingly complex regional security threats and ending Japan’s longstanding embarrassment as what the intelligence community has called a “spy paradise.” ...

Core Summary The French government has announced it will summon Russia’s ambassador to formally protest alleged Russian sabotage and espionage operations across more than a dozen European countries. According to CBS News, France accuses Russia of conducting cyberattacks and intelligence infiltration targeting European nations over the past fifteen years. Meanwhile, the EU has sanctioned nine individuals suspected of involvement in Russian espionage activities, marking a further escalation in Europe-Russia security confrontation. ...

Core Summary The military standoff between the United States and Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz continues to escalate. Both sides claim authority over the strategic waterway and have conducted fresh rounds of airstrikes in recent hours. According to The Washington Post, Tehran has declared peace negotiations to be in a “crisis phase,” signaling the collapse of ceasefire agreements. International oil prices have surged in response, while AI-related stocks have declined broadly. ...

Core Summary New Zealand actor Sam Neill has died at the age of 78, according to Al Jazeera. Neill gained global fame for his role as paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park film series and was one of New Zealand’s most successful international actors. His passing has prompted widespread mourning from fans around the world. Event Details Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1947, Neill moved to New Zealand as a child. He began his acting career in the late 1970s, gaining recognition in New Zealand and Australian cinema. In 1993, he became a global star through his role in Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park, one of the most commercially successful sci-fi adventure films in cinema history. ...

Core Summary A severe fire broke out at a bar in central Bangkok on the evening of July 12, killing at least 27 people and leaving 8 others critically injured. According to BBC reporting, firefighters battled the blaze for several hours before bringing it under control. This incident represents one of Thailand’s most serious public venue safety disasters in recent years, triggering widespread concern about safety management at entertainment establishments. ...

Core Summary US Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina and close ally of President Donald Trump, died on July 12, 2026, following what was described as a brief and sudden illness. He was 71 years old. Graham served in the Senate for over two decades and was known for his hardline foreign policy positions and conservative stance on national security. President Trump released a statement calling Graham a true American patriot who will be greatly missed. ...

Executive Summary The United States military has launched strikes against targets inside Iran in response to an attack on a civilian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. The escalation marks a significant deterioration in US-Iran relations and threatens global energy security as Iran announces closure of the critical waterway. Event Details According to the Associated Press, the US military announced on July 12 that it has conducted strikes against multiple military targets inside Iran, responding to Iran’s earlier attack on a Cyprus-flagged civilian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command stated the operation aimed to “protect international shipping” and “maintain regional stability.” ...