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- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche rescinds anti-weaponization fund plan
- Appeal made to find schoolgirl who went missing nearly 50 years ago
- Man detained after British woman found dead in suitcase in Athens
- Morocco reports 11 dead in Ceuta crossing attempt amid migrant surge
- Japan and US announce joint intervention to support yen amid decline
- B.C. wildfires increase, prompting evacuation orders for over 5,000 people
- Israel conducts overnight strikes in Gaza, resulting in eight fatalities
- Ohio Representative Marcy Kaptur hospitalised after Toledo car crash
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche rescinds anti-weaponization fund plan
7:00 am
Get you up to speed: Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issues order rescinding “anti-weaponization fund”
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche rescinded plans for a $1.8 billion compensation fund for allies of President Trump following threats from Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn to block his confirmation. The order clarifies that the fund is not operative, with no claims received or payments made.
The Senate Judiciary Committee vote on Todd Blanche’s confirmation is scheduled for Tuesday, following delays due to objections from Senators Cornyn and Tillis. Several frivolous lawsuits challenging the $1.8 billion fund have been filed, with at least one court declining to dismiss those claims as moot.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche rescinded the plans for the $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” following threats from Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn to block his confirmation. The Senate Judiciary Committee vote on Blanche is scheduled for Tuesday, with the situation remaining contentious amid ongoing lawsuits and political opposition.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain whether President Trump will attempt to revive the anti-weaponization fund despite its current rescission.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche rescinds anti-weaponization fund plan
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issued an order Sunday evening formally rescinding plans to create a $1.8 billion fund meant to compensate allies of President Trump.
The order came after Republican Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn threatened to block Blanche’s confirmation for the permanent position to lead the Justice Department.
“The Attorney General’s May 18, 2026 Order establishing the Anti-WeaponizationFund (“Fund”) is rescinded and shall have no force or effect,” the order states.
“For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Order is intended to contradict or otherwise be contrary to prior representations by the Department of Justice that the Fund is not operative. No Members were appointed; no funds were transferred; no process for receiving claims was established; no claims were paid. Nevertheless, several frivolous lawsuits have been filed challenging the Fund, and at least one court has declined to dismiss those claims as moot,” it continues. “This Order establishes, beyond any doubt, that there is no Fund.”
Tillis and Cornyn have refused to vote for Blanche as the full-time attorney general unless it is put in writing that Mr. Trump will no longer pursue the “anti-weaponization fund,” a nearly $1.8 billion fund to pay people who claim they were politically persecuted, which was announced in May as part of a settlement to resolve Mr. Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS and Treasury Department.
The document released by Blanche on Sunday night also limits the scope of another provision of the settlement that provided broad immunity for Mr. Trump and members of his family from tax audits. It clarifies that the tax audit immunity agreement “applies only retroactively” to claims open at the time of the settlement and does not protect the president from examination of future tax filings.
“My team and I have met with committee members and Senators over the past several weeks and addressed any concerns or outstanding questions,” Blanche said in a post on X. We have enjoyed good faith discussions, and as a result issue the following order.”
Natalie Yezbick, a spokesperson for Cornyn, told WTX US News in a statement the senator, “has reached an agreement with the Department of Justice” about the fund and the scope of the IRS settlement.
WTX US News has also reached out to Tillis for comment.
After being delayed last week due to Cornyn and Tillis’ objections, the Senate Judiciary Committee vote on Blanche is scheduled for Tuesday.
At his confirmation hearing earlier this month, Blanche insisted the fund was “dead.” Cornyn noted the settlement states any changes to it must be agreed upon in writing by all parties involved.
“Has there been a written agreement of the parties to modify the settlement fund?” Cornyn asked.
“No, the settlement fund is just not moving forward,” Blanche responded. “There’s no modification. It never started. No money went from the Treasury to any other account.”
The acting attorney general’s office said Sunday night that Blanche “stands by all of his July 15, 2026 Senate Judiciary Committee testimony, including answers to questions asked by Senator Cornyn related to the scope and applicability of the May 19, 2026 Order,” and included a transcript of the exchange with the order.
Mr. Trump on Saturday had threatened to push to revive the fund if Tillis and Cornyn did not back Blanche as attorney general.
“If Senators Cornyn and Tillis, both upset because I wouldn’t Endorse them (they lost, and quit, respectively!), aren’t going to approve Todd Blanche, one of the most respected professionals, according to everybody, in the Country, to be the United States Attorney General, then I will keep Todd as Acting A.G., and push hard to get the Anti-Weaponization Bill, which takes care of those who have been so badly treated by the Crooked Joe Biden (and Obuma!) Administration (I get nothing, although I was treated horribly!), PASSED,” the president wrote Saturday morning on Truth Social.”
The “anti-weaponization fund” was temporarily blocked by a federal judge in May amid a series of lawsuits. The Justice Department said in June court filings that the fund was not going forward and argued the lawsuits against it should be rendered moot.
Democrats, who have called it a “slush fund,” and a number of Republicans besides Cornyn and Tillis have previously stated their opposition to the fund, making the prospect of any future implementation or passage questionable, despite the president’s weekend ultimatum.
Tillis, in response to Mr. Trump, said Saturday on X, “Despite comments as late as yesterday that the fund is dead, President Trump clearly intends to resurrect the payout pot for punks either by inappropriately establishing another bogus fund or pushing Congress to vote for a bill that the majority of Republicans in the Senate would be against.”
Appeal made to find schoolgirl who went missing nearly 50 years ago
6:00 am
Get you up to speed: WTX readers urged to help find schoolgirl who vanished nearly 50 years ago | News UK
Suzanne Lawrence, a 14-year-old girl, disappeared in 1979 after leaving home with her sister Michelle in Harold Hill, east London. Police now fear she may have been murdered and are appealing to the public for information regarding her disappearance.
Police are revisiting the circumstances surrounding Suzanne Lawrence’s disappearance, with current efforts focusing on her last known sightings on public transport. The investigation remains open, and authorities are appealing for any information that could provide clarity for her family after more than four decades.
Detective Chief Inspector Kam Sodhi appealed to the public for information regarding Suzanne Lawrence’s disappearance, stating, “If you know anything, however small, that could help us find out what has happened please get in touch with us.” This renewed investigation comes as police pivot to explore the possibility of foul play after initially believing she may have joined a travelling fair.
What remains unclear — The circumstances surrounding Suzanne Lawrence’s disappearance and whether she came to harm are still being investigated by police.
Appeal made to find schoolgirl who went missing nearly 50 years ago
A 14-year-old girl who vanished in 1979 is feared to have been murdered, as officers directly appeal to WTX readers for help.
Suzanne Lawrence disappeared after leaving home with her 13-year-old sister Michelle in Harold Hill, east London.
They told their mum they were staying with friends in Dagenham, but Michelle returned home five days later, alone.
The pair had met three boys, aged around 14 to 17, at a fair in Highbury Fields, north London.
They were taken to a nearby squat where they stayed for two nights, but Michelle returned home after getting into an argument with her sister.
She expected her Suzanne to come home the next day, but she has not been seen since.
Police originally believed Suzanne joined the travelling fair, but are now exploring the circumstances of her disappearance – including if she came to harm.
Michelle said: ‘I was the last member of the family to be with my sister before she disappeared.
‘We left home together and for a period we were both trying to survive away from home. Eventually I returned, but Suzanne did not.
‘Many years have passed, but not a day goes by without wondering what happened to her. Our mother is now elderly and, like me, has lived for decades without knowing what became of her daughter. No family should have to endure such uncertainty for so long.
‘If my sister is alive, I want her to know that she has never been forgotten.’
Police are directly appealing to WTX readers as some of the last sightings of Suzanne were on public transport.
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The sisters left Neave Comprehensive School in Harold Hill and caught the bus to Romford train station on July 27 1979. They caught the train to central London.
They then stayed in a property near the then Highbury Stadium before spending the next two nights at the squat with the boys a 15-minute walk away from Highbury Fields.
Detective Chief Inspector Kam Sodhi said: ‘This is about finding answers for Suzanne’s sister and wider family, who cannot understand why she never came home.
‘I want to appeal directly to WTX readers to help us with this appeal.
‘If you know anything, however small, that could help us find out what has happened please get in touch with us.’
Man detained after British woman found dead in suitcase in Athens
5:00 am
Get you up to speed: Foreign national, 26, arrested after British woman found dead in suitcase in Athens | News World
Elisabeth Jane Ross, a 38-year-old British charity worker, was found dead in a suitcase in an abandoned building in the Kypseli district of Athens on July 18. A 26-year-old man from Afghanistan has been arrested and charged with manslaughter, robbery, and weapon violations after confessing to the crime.
Greek police are examining Elisabeth Jane Ross’s mobile phone, which remained active after her death, suggesting attempts to create the impression she was still alive. The 26-year-old suspect, charged with manslaughter and robbery, reportedly used the victim’s bank cards following her death.
Greek police have arrested a 26-year-old Afghan man who confessed to the murder of British charity worker Elisabeth Jane Ross, charged him with manslaughter, robbery, and weapon violations. Authorities are investigating the victim’s mobile phone, which showed suspicious activity after her death, indicating that someone attempted to mislead others into believing she was still alive.
What remains unclear — It is unknown who assisted the suspect in disposing of Elisabeth Jane Ross’s body or facilitating the use of her bank cards.
Man detained after British woman found dead in suitcase in Athens
Elisabeth Jane Ross was found dead last Saturday
A man has been arrested in connection with the death of a British charity worker found dead in Athens.
Elisabeth Jane Ross, 38, was found stuffed inside a suitcase and hidden in an abandoned building on July 18.
Greek police said a 26-year-old from Afghanistan confessed in police interrogation and has been charged with manslaughter, robbery and weapon violations.
Police said a raid of the suspect’s home found a fake pistol and a knife.
He is also suspected of using the victim’s bank card following her death.
The Scottish national would volunteer at local NGO charities and visit the Greek capital often, it has emerged.
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Known as Lisa, she would be seen talking to homeless people in the run-down sections of the city.
Detectives told local media they are investigating her mobile phone which ‘remained active’ after she died.
An abandoned building where the body of a British 38-year-old woman, Elisabeth Ross, was found (Picture: Reuters)
They believe someone was sending messages to create the false impression that she was still alive. It was then switched off when the case began to garner international attention.
The texts claim she ‘needed some time to herself’ and that she ‘wanted to be alone for a while’, according to media outlets in the country.
Police told Greek media: ‘The phone was being used. Text messages were even sent obviously with a view to making people believe she was still alive.
Greek authorities remove body of Elisabeth Jane Ross from an abandoned building.
(Picture: Intime News/Athena Pictures)
A homeless man found Elisabeth’s body after following a ‘bad smell’ into an empty building. He then saw something coming out of a suitcase which ‘looked like a human limb’.
Elisabeth Jane Ross, from Scotland, was found dead in the Kypseli district in Athens on Saturday
Hellenic Police said that specialised officers carried out biological tests on the composed body. They managed to retrieve a set of fingerprints but were not on any Greek databases. The information was shared with US authorities who found them to be identical to those of a 38-year-old British citizen.
Elisabeth entered the country on June 26 and resided in a friendly residence in the Piraeus area until July 10, 2026, when she left for an unknown destination within Attica.
‘It emerged that the 26-year-old placed the body in a suitcase and transported it to the abandoned site.
‘In fact, in the following days, the 26-year-old used the victim’s bank cards to withdraw money.’
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Morocco reports 11 dead in Ceuta crossing attempt amid migrant surge
4:00 am
Morocco reports 11 dead in Ceuta crossing attempt amid migrant surge
Death Toll Confirmed
Morocco’s interior ministry reported that 11 people died attempting to reach Spain’s Ceuta, with 10 drowning and one falling from a rocky area.
Morocco’s interior ministry reported that 11 people died attempting to reach Spain’s Ceuta, with 10 drowning and one falling from a rocky area.
Diplomatic Tensions
Spain’s migration policies have faced significant scrutiny within the EU, exacerbated by diverging casualty figures and a surge of over 60,000 attempted crossings into Ceuta.
Spain’s migration policies have faced significant scrutiny within the EU, exacerbated by diverging casualty figures and a surge of over 60,000 attempted crossings into Ceuta.
Official Statement
Rachid El Khalfi stated, “We are working in coordination with Spain to verify these figures and to identify bodies found on Spanish territory.”
Rachid El Khalfi stated, “We are working in coordination with Spain to verify these figures and to identify bodies found on Spanish territory.”
Morocco reports 11 Ceuta deaths, sharply conflicting Spanish figures
Published on
Morocco’s interior ministry has issued its first toll for those who died trying to reach Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta last week, saying 11 people had died, which is significantly lower than the number issued by Spain, which was at least 72 people.
Tens of thousands of potential migrants crossed into the territory between Wednesday and Friday, sparking diplomatic tension within the European Union as some member states criticised Spain’s lack of action and loose migration policies.
Rachid El Khalfi, a spokesman for Morocco’s interior ministry, said that of the 11 who died, 10 had drowned, while an eleventh person fell from a rocky area.
Morocco also announced that they were working in coordination with Spain to verify these figures and to identify bodies found on Spanish territory
Meanwhile, the ministry blamed the sudden surge on the “malicious exploitation” of social media and the “spread of misleading information”.
But it also cited “misinterpretations of legal provisions”, a reference to a July 8 Spanish Supreme court ruling that migrants arriving by sea should not be returned as quickly as others.
The ministry reported 40,000 attempts to cross into Ceuta unlawfully.
A further 1,135 people sought to illegally enter the Spanish enclave of Melilla, located further east, but were promptly returned to Moroccan territory, the ministry added.
Spain states that over 60,000 people succeeded in entering Ceuta in recent days, though the majority have since returned to Morocco.
The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) noted that there were “nearly 130 victims”, alongside dozens of others who remain missing.
Prosecutors have launched an official inquiry into the events, according to the ministry.
Additional sources • AFP
Japan and US announce joint intervention to support yen amid decline
2:00 am
Get you up to speed: Japan and US confirm rare joint intervention to prop up yen
Japan and the United States confirmed a rare joint intervention to buy yen, aimed at halting the Japanese currency’s decline to 40-year lows. The Japanese Ministry of Finance stated that the intervention was intended to counter excessive volatility in the yen’s value, emphasising the willingness to take further action if necessary.
Tokyo’s intervention involved a potential sale of up to $58.97 billion in New York markets prior to the confirmed joint action with Washington. The Japanese Ministry of Finance stated it is maintaining close communication with the U.S. Treasury and is prepared for further interventions if necessary.
The Japanese Ministry of Finance confirmed that the joint yen-buying intervention with the US Treasury was aimed at countering excessive volatility, with a readiness to conduct further interventions if necessary. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that Washington “will not hesitate to participate in further joint intervention” and reiterated calls for the Bank of Japan to implement higher interest rates.
What remains unclear — The specific amount Japan may engage in for further joint interventions with the US has not been disclosed.
Japan and US announce joint intervention to support yen amid decline
Economy|Business and EconomyJapan and US confirm rare joint intervention to prop up yen
US President Donald Trump says helping to bolster the Japanese currency is a sign of friendship.
Published On 3 Aug 20263 Aug 2026
Japan and the United States have confirmed a rare, coordinated yen-buying intervention to halt the Japanese currency’s slide to 40-year lows, with Tokyo signalling it is willing to take further action if needed.
The Japanese Ministry of Finance confirmed the joint intervention after a statement by US President Donald Trump on Sunday announced that Washington was helping to prop up the yen as a sign of friendship and to support the global economy.
“They have a weakening yen, and they wanted a little bit of help. And we’re always there for Japan,” Trump said in response to a reporter’s query about why the US is helping to support the currency.
Analysts say the intervention underscores both countries’ resolve to prevent global spillovers from a sell-off in the yen and Japanese government bonds, including by adding pressure on already rising US Treasury yields.
The dollar fell 0.2 percent to 157.07 yen after Trump’s remarks, well off the 40-year high near 164 yen hit late last month, but it rose back to 157.70 yen after the Japanese Finance Ministry’s statement.
Japan has been struggling to curb a relentless drop in its currency that pushes up import prices and stokes broader inflation, hitting household wallets and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s approval ratings.
In its statement, Japan’s Finance Ministry said Friday’s yen-buying intervention with the US Treasury Department “countered excessive volatility and disorderly movements in the Japanese yen in recent months”.
“The Japanese Ministry of Finance remains attentive and in close communication with our counterparts at the U.S. Treasury,” it added. “We will not hesitate to conduct further joint intervention.”
The joint intervention is the first since a 2011 coordinated action to weaken the yen after the devastating earthquake in eastern Japan.
Tokyo may have sold as much as $58.97bn to buy yen when it intervened in New York markets on Thursday, Bank of Japan data indicated, before Friday’s confirmed joint intervention with Washington.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also confirmed Friday’s effort, noting on Sunday that Washington “will not hesitate to participate in further joint intervention”.
“We strongly support Japan’s decisive market and monetary steps to correct the substantial undervaluation of the yen,” Bessent said in a separate statement on X, repeating his calls for further interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan.
In line with Bessent’s repeated calls for higher Japanese interest rates, the Bank of Japan on Friday offered its most explicit signal to date of an early rate hike, even as it kept monetary policy steady.
In a sign of broader policy coordination, South Korea also stepped in to buy its won currency on Thursday.
Japan intervened in April and May, buying yen, but the move triggered only a brief rebound. The Bank of Japan’s June rate hike to a 31-year high of 1 percent also gave the struggling currency little lasting boost.
B.C. wildfires increase, prompting evacuation orders for over 5,000 people
1:00 am
Get you up to speed: B.C. wildfires grow, put more than 5K under evacuation orders in past 24 hours
Approximately 130 wildfires are currently burning across British Columbia, with nearly half classified as out-of-control, according to BC Wildfire Service. The situation remains dynamic as authorities continue to monitor the fires.
BC Wildfire Service is actively monitoring the situation, with efforts concentrated on the 130 active wildfires across the province. Authorities have yet to provide an estimated timeline for when containment might be achieved for those fires currently deemed out-of-control.
The BC Wildfire Service has announced that resources are being mobilised to combat the ongoing wildfires, as approximately 130 are currently raging, with nearly half deemed out-of-control. The provincial government is expected to hold a news conference to outline further response measures and provide updates on fire management strategies.
What remains unclear — It is not known how many of the out-of-control wildfires may threaten populated areas.
B.C. wildfires increase, prompting evacuation orders for over 5,000 people
There are now approximately 130 wildfires burning in British Columbia, with BC Wildfire Service reporting almost half of those are considered out-of-control.
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