🇺🇸⚡️ — At midnight, U.S. Southern Command's Joint Task Force–Southern Spear (JTF 84-2) will be redesignated as Joint Task Force–Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM).

SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Donovan says the new task force will serve as the command's "action arm," expanding its operational role across the Western Hemisphere.

🍏❌😀 — Telegram has been removed from Apple's App Store.

🇩🇰⚡️ — Three teenage boys, aged 15, 16, and 16, have been charged with attempted terrorism over an alleged plot to attack Hadsten School in eastern Jutland, Denmark.

A judge at the Randers Court found there was reasonable suspicion the boys planned to kill or injure multiple people, with the alleged preparations taking place on Discord and Telegram. Police arrested the suspects before the attack could be carried out.

The boys have pleaded not guilty and, due to their age, will be held in secure youth institutions rather than prison. The court also ordered psychiatric evaluations for all three.

🇰🇵🇺🇸🇰🇷🇯🇵⚡️ — North Korea has condemned the recent Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise as a "war rehearsal of aggression" led by the U.S., South Korea, and Japan, warning it will respond with a "deterrence of a new level."

Pyongyang accused Washington of using the multinational drills to strengthen trilateral military cooperation and pursue military dominance in the Asia-Pacific.

It also criticized recent U.S.-South Korea military exercises, claiming the alliance has "crossed the red line" and is creating a new regional security crisis.

🇺🇸⚡️ — The U.S. State Department has informed Congress of plans to close five overseas diplomatic missions in a rare reduction of America's global diplomatic presence, according to Reuters.

The proposed closures include posts in St. George's, Grenada; Nagoya, Japan; Medan, Indonesia; Douala, Cameroon; and Winnipeg, Canada.

🇨🇺⚡️ — A few hours ago, Cuba's electricity collapsed for the second time in 24 hours. Cuba's Unión Eléctrica claims this occured due to weather conditions.

🇺🇦❌🇷🇺 — Ukrainian drones attacked the Syzran oil refinery in Russia early this morning.

The refinery is in flames after the drone attack.

🇺🇸⚡️ — The White House continues to post sloppy AI-generated videos on X.

They posted this one with the caption, "Silence your cell phones. Sit back. Welcome to the Golden Age."

🇾🇪⚡️ — Explosion in Sana'a, Ansarallah-controlled Yemen.

💬🍏⚡️ — Telegram is back on Apple's App Store.

🇮🇷🇴🇲🇺🇸⚡️ — Iran and Oman are nearing an agreement to reopen shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, though key details of the proposed arrangement remain disputed, NYT reports.

Iranian officials said inbound vessels would use a route near Iran's coast while outbound traffic would transit a channel closer to Oman. They said ships would not pay tolls but would instead be charged a service fee covering security, environmental protection, and staffing, with the revenue shared equally between Iran and Oman.

A U.S. official familiar with the negotiations disputed that account, saying any temporary shipping routes would not require Iranian approval or involve tolls or other charges.

Some senior Pentagon officials are skeptical of the emerging arrangement, viewing it as a potential capitulation to Iran. Officials have also raised concerns that mines remain in Omani waters, meaning vessels would still need to coordinate with Iran for safe passage.

Iranian officials have likewise questioned whether the agreement would function as intended or prevent another round of U.S. military strikes.

🇺🇸🇮🇷⚡️ — Privately, some officials doubt a nuclear deal will be reached, as the 60-day period of the fragile MoU only has about two weeks left with no scheduled talks in sight, suggesting Trump could instead declare the issue resolved by asserting that Iran's nuclear stockpiles remain buried beneath the facilities destroyed in the June 2025 airstrikes, NYT reports.

🇾🇪⚡️ — There wasn't an explosion in Sana'a after all, it was probably mistaken with something else.

🇪🇸🇦🇷⚡️ — CNN's Collins: Did it make it any sweeter that it was Messi and Argentina you defeated?

Spain's Ferran Torres: Yeah. It was the best moment in my life.

🇪🇸🇺🇸⚡️ — CNN's Collins: You were later seen wearing a red Make Spain Great Again hat.

Spain's Ferran Torres: Yeah, it was a funny moment because it was not about politics because honestly, I don't know about politics. It was just to be able to see Spain again on the top, winning the World Cup.

🇺🇸⚡️ — Federal prosecutors in Washington have moved to dismiss charges against three additional defendants accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, following last week's decision to drop the felony case against former Olympian David Hearn.

The dismissed misdemeanor cases involve Justin Carreno, Sophie Dennison-Gibby, and Cameron Thiers, who had been accused of causing less than $1,000 in damage. Prosecutors said new evidence showed the damage resulted from a faulty installation by contractors rather than vandalism.

The decision has fueled tensions within the White House and has made Trump furious with U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, saying she "choked" and insisting vandals were responsible.

🇺🇸⚡️ — Aaron Farinacci, a 37-year old felon who murdered his father in 2010 after his father told him to wash the dishes, has been arrested and charged with first degree arson for allegedly intentionally starting the Old Trails fire.

The Old Trails fire is an ongoing fire that burned through a residential neighborhood in Spokane, Washington. It is the biggest fire that threatens the city.

🇺🇸⚡️ — U.S. crude exports fell to 3.66 million barrels per day in July, the lowest in eight months, after the temporary U.S.-Iran peace deal allowed more Middle Eastern oil to reach global markets, Reuters reports.

U.S. crude exports to Asia fell to 40% from 52% in June.

Exports to Japan dropped 67% and to South Korea 39%.

Strong U.S. refinery activity, averaging 96.3%, also reduced crude available for export.

Analysts expect exports to rebound above 4 million bpd in August and September, helped by stronger WTI discounts and increased tanker bookings.