Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, President Trump's nominee, is undergoing a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing to become the permanent head of the Justice Department. Senators are expected to question him on his past involvement with Jeffrey Epstein's files and cases against Trump's political rivals.
The US has launched new strikes on Iran and reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports, escalating tensions over the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump warned of hitting all Iranian power plants and bridges next week if a deal is not reached, while Iran threatened to block more trade routes and energy exports.
The House of Representatives passed a bill to permanently establish daylight saving time, aiming to end the biannual clock changes. This Trump-backed initiative would eliminate the need for Americans to reset their clocks twice a year.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) temporarily suspended most vehicle stops following two fatal shootings in Maine and Texas, with DHS announcing body cameras for all arrest teams. However, President Trump publicly contradicted the new policy, stating ICE should continue traffic stops, calling them "important and effective."
China's economy grew by 4.3% in the three months to June, one of its lowest rates on record, missing expectations. Weak domestic demand and sluggish consumer spending overshadowed strong exports, which were buoyed by the AI boom.
Ukraine has intensified its campaign to cut off Crimea by targeting Russian vessels in the Black Sea, sinking a ship near a compound linked to Putin. Meanwhile, Ukraine and the EU have agreed on a new drone production deal, combining Kyiv’s expertise with the bloc's manufacturing capacity.
Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan testified before Congress, a rare occurrence, to discuss the high court's annual budget request, which includes increased funding for security. Justice Barrett highlighted the "really high" threat level against judges, while Senator Collins warned against politicizing the court.