The Guardian · 26 Jul, 05:35
A van was driven into a crowd at Berlin's Pride festival, killing one person and injuring 16 others, with several people also stabbed. A 21-year-old suspect, identified as Abdul B., is wanted by German authorities and believed to have ties to Islamic groups.
On Saturday night, a van was driven into a crowd at Berlin's Pride festival, killing one person and injuring at least 16 others. The vehicle struck multiple people in the city's central Tiergarten park close to the Brandenburg Gate, and several people were also apparently stabbed. The driver of the van fled the scene, and a manhunt involving helicopters and officers from several German states was underway. The suspect, identified as 21-year-old Abdul B., is believed to have ties to Islamic groups in the German capital.
Why it matters: The attack forced organizers to cut short one of Europe's largest Pride events and comes as Germany remains on edge after a series of deadly vehicle and knife attacks in recent years. The incident has sparked widespread concern and condemnation, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowing to punish those responsible. The attack also highlights the growing hostility towards the LGBTQ+ community in Germany, with campaigners warning of a rise in attacks and a surge in support for far-right parties.
1 (person killed), 16 (people injured), 21 (age of suspect), 80 (number of floats in parade), 50 (number of groups on foot in parade), 1979 (year CSD was first held in West Berlin)
Berlin mayor, Kai Wegner, called the deadly assault 'an attack on our free and cosmopolitan society'.
The Guardian · 26 Jul, 05:00
Three Venezuelan men who were flown to a notorious Salvadorian prison by US aviation companies are suing the companies for violating their civil rights, false imprisonment, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The lawsuit claims the companies, CSI Aviation and GlobalX, deliberately transported the men to El Salvador despite knowing they would likely be tortured.
In March 2023, the Trump administration expelled over 230 Venezuelan men held in US immigration custody to El Salvador, where they were detained for four months in a maximum-security terrorism prison called Cecot. The men were flown there by US aviation companies CSI Aviation and GlobalX, which were hired by the Department of Homeland Security. The lawsuit claims that the companies knew the men would likely be tortured in Cecot, but transported them anyway, in violation of US and international law.
Why it matters: This lawsuit is significant because it attempts to hold private contractors accountable for their role in alleged human rights abuses stemming from the Trump administration's aggressive anti-immigrant policies. The case also highlights the use of private companies in the US government's deportation efforts and the risks faced by deportees who are sent to countries with poor human rights records.
230+: number of Venezuelan men expelled to El Salvador; 4: months the men were detained in Cecot; $1.23bn: revenue from ICE in 2025 for CSI Aviation; 252: number of Venezuelan and Salvadorian men rounded up by ICE and expelled to El Salvador; 17 July: date the lawsuit was filed
Many people might not be aware of the degree to which private companies are intertwined with the human rights abuses occurring under the Trump administration through the detention and unlawful deportation schemes that are occurring - Anthony Enriquez, vice-president of advocacy and litigation for the Kennedy Human Rights Center
The Guardian · 26 Jul, 05:00
The French parliament has approved a bill reauthorizing the use of two pesticides, acetamiprid and flupyradifurone, which were previously banned in France due to their potential harm to bees. The decision has sparked outrage among beekeepers and environmentalists, who argue that it is 'scandalous, irrational and irresponsible'.
The French parliament has passed a bill that allows the use of two pesticides, acetamiprid and flupyradifurone, which were banned in France but allowed in the EU. The pesticides will be authorized to combat aphid-borne diseases that can ruin crops of sugar beet, apples, hazelnuts, and cherries. The decision was made despite scientific studies that have established that acetamiprid can poison bees, affecting their foraging capacity and memory, and that flupyradifurone could be lethal to some honeybees.
Why it matters: The decision to reauthorize the use of these pesticides is significant because it could have a devastating impact on bee populations and biodiversity in France. Beekeepers and environmentalists argue that the pesticides are a threat to the health of bees and the ecosystem as a whole, and that their use could lead to 'very high mortality rates and reduced harvests'.
214 votes to 111 (senate vote in favor of the bill), 2m signatures (petition against the reauthorization of acetamiprid), 80kg per hive to 5kg (decline in honey production after introduction of neonicotinoids in the 1990s), 70,000 bees to 20,000 (decline in bee colonies after introduction of neonicotinoids)
'It's scandalous, irrational and irresponsible.' - Henri Clément, spokesperson for the French beekeeping association, UNAF
Ars Technica · 25 Jul, 17:47
SpaceX successfully completed the 13th test flight of its Starship, achieving an intact splashdown in the Indian Ocean. The company is now planning to attempt a tower catch for the next Starship flight.
SpaceX's 13th full-scale Starship test flight ended with a successful, intact splashdown in a remote section of the Indian Ocean. The Starship vehicle gently tipped over and came to rest floating in the ocean, marking a significant improvement over previous splashdowns that ended in conflagrations. Engineers inspected the vehicle's heat shield using drones and found it to be in good condition, with the 18,000 ceramic tiles withstanding temperatures up to 2,600° Fahrenheit. The flight was a major milestone for SpaceX, which is now planning to attempt a tower catch for the next Starship flight.
Why it matters: The successful test flight is significant because it demonstrates progress in developing a reusable heat shield for the Starship vehicle, a critical component for achieving rapid turnarounds and multiple flights per day. The intact splashdown also opens up the possibility for SpaceX to tow the rocket back to shore for more detailed inspections and reuse.
13 (number of Starship test flights), 18,000 (number of ceramic tiles on the Starship heat shield), 2,600° Fahrenheit (temperature withstand by the heat shield tiles), 5:51 pm CDT (launch time from Starbase, Texas)
Unless we discover problems after mission data review, SpaceX will attempt to catch the ship with the tower on next flight. - Elon Musk
Ars Technica · 25 Jul, 20:52
Prime Video has released the first teaser for the new series 'Blade Runner 2099' at San Diego Comic-Con. The series is a spinoff of the 'Blade Runner' franchise and takes place after the events of the previous films.
The first teaser for 'Blade Runner 2099' was debuted at San Diego Comic-Con by Prime Video. The series is a ten-episode spinoff of the 'Blade Runner' franchise, which includes the 1982 original film and the 2017 sequel 'Blade Runner 2049'. The show is set to explore what it means to be human in a world where humanity is no longer relevant. An uprising has occurred, resulting in humans becoming the hunted second-class citizens.
Why it matters: This is significant because it marks a new expansion of the 'Blade Runner' franchise into television. The series has the potential to further explore the themes and world-building of the original films, offering fans a fresh perspective on the franchise. The show's premise, which flips the script on human-replicant relations, also raises interesting questions about power dynamics and identity.
The show is really imagining what comes after us, and what does it mean to be human in a world where humanity is no longer relevant - Silka Luisa, showrunner
NPR News · 26 Jul, 01:10
A vehicle plowed through a crowd at a Berlin Pride event, killing one person and injuring several others. The suspect, who is known to police and has links to Islamist circles, has been identified.
A vehicle drove into a crowd at a Berlin Pride event, resulting in one death and multiple injuries. The incident occurred on July 25, 2026. Berlin police have identified a suspect who is known to them and has connections to Islamist circles.
Why it matters: This incident is significant as it highlights the potential threat of violence at public events, particularly those celebrating diversity and inclusivity. The identification of a suspect with links to Islamist circles also raises concerns about extremist motivations.
1 (fatality), 2026 (year), July 25 (date)
NPR News · 26 Jul, 01:05
Wildfires in France and Spain have forced over 200,000 people to flee their homes, with at least one person reported dead in Spain.
Wildfires in France and Spain have led to a mass evacuation of over 200,000 people. The fires have been burning in both countries, with one person confirmed dead in Spain. Firefighters have been working to contain the blazes. The situation remains severe with many people displaced.
Why it matters: The wildfires have caused significant displacement and loss of life, highlighting the severity of the situation in both France and Spain. The evacuations demonstrate the urgent need for fire containment and public safety measures.
200,000 (people evacuated), 1 (person reported dead)
NPR News · 25 Jul, 19:36
Former President Joe Biden will not appeal a court ruling that allows the Justice Department to release recordings of his conversations with a ghostwriter working on his memoir.
Former President Joe Biden has declined to appeal a court ruling that permits the Justice Department to publicize recordings of conversations between him and a writer collaborating on his memoir. The recordings were made during Biden's work with a ghostwriter. The court ruling allows for the release of these tapes.
Why it matters: This is significant because it allows for the potential release of sensitive or candid conversations made by the former President during the writing of his memoir. The tapes could provide insight into Biden's thought process and decision-making during his presidency.
Ars Technica · 25 Jul, 11:00
Art museums are changing the visitor experience with the help of data, aiming to engage more people, especially young visitors who may not have had extensive prior exposure to art.
Art museums are leveraging data to reframe the visitor experience, particularly for young people who may not have had immersive artistic education. Many visitors, unlike Giovanni Kanter, an ICU nurse and art enthusiast, do not have a background of frequent gallery visits and rely on the museum experience to learn about and understand art.
Why it matters: This shift is significant as it acknowledges the changing demographics and learning habits of museum-goers. By using data, museums can better cater to diverse audiences and improve engagement, potentially increasing the accessibility and appreciation of art.