Donald Trump has announced plans to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago, describing the city as a ‘hellhole’ plagued by violent crime. He hinted Baltimore could be next, insisting his actions are not politically motivated despite targeting Democratic-led cities. Illinois governor JB Pritzker and Chicago’s mayor strongly opposed the move; Pritzker called it an ‘invasion’, stating that murders have fallen nearly 50 percent in four years. There have already been protests in Chicago expressing opposition, as residents fear further unrest. The announcement follows Trump’s controversial use of troops in Washington and Los Angeles, where a federal judge has recently ruled he overstepped legal boundaries.  The  judge said that Trump appears intent on ‘creating a national police force with the President as its chief’. He has barred National Guard troops or marines from performing police functions: however, this will come into effect only on 12 September, potentially leaving an opening for the conservative-dominated supreme court to rule on the case.

Matt Williams of Tennessee was heartbroken when his Bible case, filled with family photos and treasured memories, was stolen from his vehicle. In that moment, he turned to God in prayer, surrendering the situation: 'Not my will but yours’. Astonishingly, his Bible was later discovered inside another stolen car, placed alongside a second copy of the Scriptures. The chain of events that led to its recovery seemed providential: the mother of the woman whose car had been stolen posted online about finding the Bible, and Williams recognised it as his. The unexpected return of his precious Bible reminded him of God’s intimate care: 'Not even a sparrow falls without His notice. Apparently not even a Bible gets stolen without His response.' This showed Williams that God is attentive to the details of His children’s lives and answers prayer in personal, unexpected ways. His testimony is a reminder that God values His people deeply and delights to show His faithfulness.

Donald Trump is intensifying pressure on the EU and other nations over digital regulations and taxes which he argues unfairly target American technology companies. Threatening new tariffs and restrictions on exports, he has warned that countries with policies he deems discriminatory will face consequences unless they roll back their measures. At the heart of the dispute are the EU’s Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act, designed to curb monopolistic practices and require platforms to tackle harmful content, but viewed by Washington as an attack on US firms like Google and Meta. The standoff raises tensions at a delicate stage in transatlantic trade talks, with many issues unresolved despite a preliminary agreement. Analysts caution that Europe is unlikely to reverse rules which represent long-sought goals of digital sovereignty, while Trump’s negotiating tactic is seen as ‘keep on pushing, keep on demanding: nothing is ever fully agreed upon.’

Tragedy struck Minneapolis when a gunman opened fire during a worship service at a Catholic school, killing two children aged eight and ten and injuring at least seventeen others. The attacker, 23-year-old Robin Westman, heavily armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, was later found dead. Authorities say he acted alone and had no extensive criminal history; his motive remains unclear. Ten victims remain in critical condition, with several requiring urgent surgery. The violent assault has devastated families, leaving parents grieving, children fighting for their lives, and a city grappling with profound trauma. Officials described the community’s heartbreak as immeasurable, with the mayor calling for more than empty platitudes. The event has reignited anguished questions over gun violence, safety in places of worship, and the vulnerability of schools meant to be sanctuaries for children.

The conflict between Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook and Donald Trump represents a profound clash over institutional independence and executive authority. Trump says he has dismissed Cook, alleging mortgage fraud, but her attorney insists the president lacks the power to remove a governor in this way. According to the Federal Reserve Act, governors should serve a fourteen-year term and may only be removed ‘for cause’, but what qualifies as ‘cause’ is unclear. Trump’s move follows similar attacks against other prominent Democrats, raising concerns about politicising independent regulators. Legal scholars note that recent supreme court rulings granted broader executive authority over some agencies, but not over the Federal Reserve. Cook, refusing to resign, has vowed to challenge Trump’s actions in court. The outcome of this struggle could potentially set a historic precedent. In a separate development, Trump has fired the head of the Centre for Disease Control, Susan Monarez, only a month after she was appointed: see

Nicolás Maduro has announced the mobilisation of more than four million civilian militia fighters, responding to what he describes as escalating threats from the USA. He pledged to arm and activate militias across the country, reinforcing national sovereignty against US actions. His remarks followed the Trump administration’s decision to double its bounty for his arrest to $50 million. While US officials accuse Maduro of leading a cocaine smuggling network known as the Cartel de los Soles, no direct evidence has been publicly presented. Venezuela’s militia system, created under former president Hugo Chávez, claims millions of members, though analysts question the figures. Meanwhile, the US military has dispatched three destroyers to the southern Caribbean as part of an expanded campaign against drug cartels in Latin America. The standoff reflects years of strained relations between Caracas and Washington, marked by sanctions, contested elections, and allegations of corruption.

In Green Bay, Wisconsin, a homeless man, Weldon Tucker, is being hailed as a hero after saving a six-year-old girl from oncoming traffic. The child, Honeretta, who has autism, ran into a busy road while her family was moving house. Her grandmother’s cries for help caught Tucker’s attention, and without hesitation he ran into the street, risking his own life to pull her to safety. Mother Faith Roberts praised his quick thinking, especially since others nearby did not intervene. Tucker, currently receiving shelter assistance, downplayed his heroism, saying he simply acted instinctively and hoped anyone would do the same. The town’s mayor will honor him publicly during a city council meeting, recognising his courage and selflessness. The family is deeply grateful, crediting God for Tucker’s timely intervention, and seeing in him a powerful example of sacrificial love and compassion in action.

Donald Trump has extended the trade truce with China by another ninety days, narrowly avoiding a major escalation between the world’s two largest economies. The announcement came just hours before the previous deadline was to expire, averting a spike in US tariffs on Chinese imports and likely retaliatory action from Beijing. Both governments confirmed the extension, maintaining existing terms while allowing more time for negotiation. This delay is seen as a temporary relief for global markets and US companies which depend on trade with China. Earlier trade disputes saw tariffs soar to triple digits, severely disrupting international commerce and sparking volatility in financial markets. Although current tariff levels remain high, they are significantly lower than the peak rates imposed in May. Talks between Washington and Beijing continue, with hopes for a more permanent resolution and a possible summit between Trump and Xi Jinping later this year. However, key issues remain unresolved.

US-India relations entered a turbulent phase when Donald Trump tore into India for its continued oil imports from Russia and slow progress on trade negotiations. Formerly close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump, accusing India of funding Russia’s war in Ukraine, has vowed to raise tariffs on Indian exports to 50%. India regards its Russian energy imports as economically necessary; it has a longstanding relationship with Russia and is among the largest importers of Russian oil. Modi’s government has so far resisted Trump’s pressure, particularly over opening up US access to the heavily protected agriculture and dairy sectors. In response to Trump’s belligerent language, Modi has called on citizens to buy only Indian-made goods, leading to greater economic self-reliance. Political commentators note that it will be very difficult for Modi to give any large concessions in a trade deal, given the growing anger within India towards Trump.

The US health department is to cancel $500 million in funding for 22 mRNA vaccine projects targeting viruses such as flu and Covid-19, including those by Pfizer and Moderna. Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, a vaccine sceptic, claimed mRNA technology poses more risks than benefits for respiratory viruses. Health experts strongly disagreed, noting that the vaccines were pivotal in slowing Covid-19 and saving millions of lives. They warned that withdrawing support undermines one of the most effective tools for pandemic preparedness. Kennedy argued the department would fund alternative vaccine platforms with broader safety records. However, experts say that viruses mutate naturally and that mRNA vaccines are remarkably safe, effective, and faster to develop than traditional vaccines. The decision is part of broader changes Kennedy has made to vaccine policy, including removing Covid vaccines from the recommended immunisation schedule for healthy children and pregnant women.