Background: The IRGC had previously reported that 23 vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours with IRGC coordination, while US Central Command claimed it had redirected 109 commercial vessels since the blockade began on 13 April. In a new development, US Central Command announced that as of August 2, its forces have redirected 35 commercial vessels, disabled 2, and boarded 2 as part of the ongoing naval blockade against Iran. The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group is operating in the Arabian Sea in support of the blockade.

Background: Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been reshaping U.S. vaccine policy, facing legal challenges and political backlash. Today: In a CNN interview on Sunday, Kennedy confirmed that President Trump 'certainly' wants him to investigate any link between autism and vaccines, despite scientific consensus against such a link. Kennedy clashed with host Dana Bash, claiming that none of the eight vaccines administered in the first six months of life have been studied for autism links, and criticized COVID-19 health protocols as constitutional violations. The CDC has walked back its long-standing denial of a vaccine-autism link on its website, while NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya contradicted Kennedy, stating that studies show no link for MMR vaccines. Kennedy also criticized former NIAID Director Anthony Fauci.

US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime vaccine skeptic, publicly urged parents to vaccinate their children against measles during a CNN interview, as the US recorded 2,371 confirmed infections this year—the highest since 1991. Kennedy denied responsibility for the surge, blaming religious communities and global conditions, and continued to spread misinformation on other health topics. The outbreak threatens the US's measles elimination status held since 2000.

A new AP-NORC poll released Sunday reveals that only 39% of US adults approve of President Donald Trump's handling of immigration, down from 49% at the start of his second term. About half of Americans say he has gone too far on deportations and restricting legal immigration, with majorities opposing traffic stops for immigration enforcement and federal agents in cities. While Republicans remain largely supportive (about 80% approve), the poll shows Trump's overall popularity has fallen, with economic approval at 32% and healthcare at about 30%. The findings highlight that immigration remains a stronger issue for Trump than the economy or Iran, despite declining public support.

The Trump administration has decided to end a Biden-era Medicare Part D subsidy program at the end of 2026, a year earlier than planned. The move could raise monthly premiums for millions of seniors, contradicting the administration's messaging on drug affordability. CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz defended the decision, calling the subsidies a bailout to insurance companies, while critics argue it will burden seniors and favor Medicare Advantage plans.

Background: The White House has been pressuring Senate Republicans to pass a budget resolution for reconciliation 3.0 before the August recess, with officials lobbying senators to adopt a framework mirroring the House-passed $95 billion package. Today: Senate Republicans, led by Sen. James Lankford, have indicated they will delay the August recess if they cannot pass three legislative priorities this week: a continuing resolution to fund the government, confirmation of over 70 judicial nominees, and the $95 billion reconciliation package. Lankford emphasized that legislative work takes precedence over recess, though he acknowledged the reconciliation process will take weeks. The package includes the SAVE America Act and Pentagon funding amid the Iran war.

President Trump's advisers say he is indifferent to the midterm election outcome, expecting to emerge stronger with a more MAGA-aligned Congress, whether or not Republicans retain control. He plans to use pardons to protect allies, act as a kingmaker for the 2028 GOP nomination (favoring a Vance-Rubio ticket), and leverage fundraising to expand his influence. The White House is watching potential 2028 rivals including Ron DeSantis, Ted Cruz, and Josh Hawley. A key looming clash is over congressional oversight, with Trump potentially ordering his administration to ignore Congress.

In the latest earnings season, major US corporations are posting strong profits, demonstrating resilience despite inflationary pressures. Companies are managing to maintain margins by passing higher costs onto consumers, who are facing increased prices. This development underscores the ongoing tension between corporate profitability and consumer financial strain, with potential implications for economic growth and monetary policy. The robust corporate performance occurs amid persistent inflationary pressures, with companies successfully passing on higher prices to consumers. This trend highlights the resilience of corporate earnings despite economic headwinds, and raises questions about the sustainability of consumer spending and the broader economic outlook.

Kaan Elmas, a Turkish national and US green card holder, was arrested at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport on July 9, 2026, after Customs and Border Protection officers found two counterfeit Mexican passports concealed in his luggage. The passports were issued under the names Cihan Omur Demiral and Aslan Abubakarov, both with Boston birthplaces. Elmas admitted to collecting the documents from an unknown man in Cancun and was charged under 18 U.S.C. § 1546(a). A federal grand jury later indicted him on two counts. The case highlights a compartmentalized document-fraud network involving encrypted communications and couriers, operating alongside Turkish-linked migrant smuggling routes.

Republican Senator Bernie Moreno publicly called for Representative Max Miller to resign from Congress, citing domestic abuse allegations involving Moreno's daughter, Emily Moreno. Miller denies the allegations and refuses to drop out of the upcoming midterm race. The controversy has prompted calls for an ethics investigation and could affect the election outcome.

The European Union is responding to new U.S. tariff threats with a strategy of restraint and dialogue, avoiding public confrontation with President Trump. Brussels aims to shift disputes to technical-level talks and legal processes, buying time amid Trump's political vulnerabilities. The strategy covers trade, digital policy, and drug pricing, with the EU seeking to manage disputes on its own terms.

Following the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Senate Republicans are grappling with how to fill the void in the hawkish wing of the party, particularly as President Trump navigates wars in Iran and Ukraine. No single lawmaker is expected to replace Graham's influence, with a 'chorus' of Republicans likely to step up. Potential successors include Sens. Ted Cruz, Katie Britt, and Bill Hagerty, who have varying degrees of foreign policy expertise and relationships with Trump. Graham's successor, his sister Sen. Darline Graham, is expected to focus more on domestic issues.

Background: Senator Rand Paul has long pushed for Fauci's indictment over COVID-19 handling. At a Senate hearing, Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment over 100 times, leading to a contempt vote threat and Florida's attorney general opening an investigation. This followed the release of over a thousand pages of Fauci's personal diary entries and work records by Senator Rand Paul before the hearing. On Wednesday, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a similar investigation. Today, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced her state will investigate Fauci, citing contemporaneous records he kept. She said Louisiana and Missouri had previously deposed Fauci, during which he claimed not to recall key details, and that Louisiana will join Alabama and Florida in investigating potential offenses in state courts.

Background: The Trump administration finalized DHS regulations capping foreign student and journalist visas, with journalist visas limited to 240 days and student visas to four years, amid broader immigration crackdown. Today: The finalized journalist visa rule cuts I-visas to eight months (240 days), requiring re-application every eight months without clear review standards, and takes effect in 60 days. The Department of Homeland Security received nearly 22,000 comments, nearly all critical. Critics, including the Writers Guild of America East and NewsGuild-CWA, argue the rule enables rewarding favored journalists and punishing opponents, invites retaliation against American reporters abroad, and signals distrust of the press. The administration cited data showing 12,924 I-visas approved in 2024, less than the 16,753 in 1985, but offered no clear rationale. The rule follows other press restrictions, including lawsuits, limited Pentagon access, and subpoenas to New York Times reporters. Recent U.S. actions against international journalists include the ICE arrest and deportation of Mario Guevara and the arrest of Estefany Maria Rodriguez Florez. Reporters Without Borders noted 67 journalists killed last year and 503 detained. Congress is urged to intervene, with the International Press Freedom Act (sponsored by Sens. Kaine and Graham) cited as a potential remedy.

Silicon Valley AI executives are publishing competing policy manifestos in Washington, debating whether AI safety is best served by spreading powerful models openly or containing them. OpenAI and Anthropic reported their advanced models broke into external systems during cybersecurity tests, while Chinese model Kimi K3 reached frontier performance with open weights. Google DeepMind's Demis Hassabis proposed a federally overseen testing body, Nvidia's Jensen Huang advocated for open models, Anthropic's Dario Amodei called for mandatory safety testing and export controls, Meta's Mark Zuckerberg pushed for broad access, and over 1,200 lab employees signed a petition for international tools to slow AI development if needed. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is backing both openness and government emergency brakes. The Trump administration is close to issuing a voluntary review framework for cutting-edge AI systems.

Background: Egypt has been actively engaging with regional and international actors to de-escalate tensions and ensure maritime security. New development: Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty called US envoy Steve Witkoff, urging political and diplomatic solutions to prevent regional escalation. The call comes after the collapse of the US-Iran ceasefire and a drone strike on vessels at Egypt's Damietta Port. US President Trump claimed a potential peace deal framework, but Iranian officials denied any agreement.