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Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley postponed Todd Blanche’s confirmation vote on July 29 after Republican senators withheld support. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis demanded written assurances that a controversial government fund would end. Cornyn said, "I'm not prepared to vote yes," as the committee sought clarity on the issue.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced plans to cut the 8 per cent sales tax on food to 1 per cent for two years starting next April. The government aims to finalize this move in August. However, many lawmakers worry this plan will hurt Japan’s already worsening national finances.
Negeri Sembilan ruler Muhriz Munawir stripped senior opposition figure Rais Yatim of his royal honours on July 30. State secretary Zafir Ibrahim said, "This decision was taken to preverse the majesty, sanctity and dignity of Negeri Sembilan's royal institution." The move follows Rais’s actions against the throne before the election.
Experts said "salad bar" extremism is making it harder to spot radicalised people in Singapore. Individuals now pick and choose conflicting beliefs to justify violence. Professor Rohan Gunaratna said, “For the individuals driven by CoVE, it is violence first, and ideology second.” Authorities have started updating their rehabilitation playbooks accordingly.
Singapore government agencies like the Police Force and Tourism Board are now top social media creators. They use memes and viral trends to reach younger people. Superintendent Ricky Tay said, “The SPF’s public education outreach efforts have had to evolve to adapt to these changing information consumption patterns.” It works well.
A person got taken to hospital after a car caught fire at Orchid Park condominium in Yishun on July 29. SCDF officers used two water jets to put out the blaze at 8.20pm. MP Lee Hui Ying said, "Good to see many neighbours looking out for one another," after the incident.
The United States military launched powerful strikes on Iran on Thursday (Jul 30) following attacks on US bases in Jordan. US Central Command said, "The strikes are a powerful response to yesterday's attempted Iranian attacks on US forces." These actions ended a week-long lull, as regional tensions flared up again.
New Zealand foreign minister Winston Peters sparked a racism row on Thursday, July 30, after telling lawmaker Lawrence Xu-Nan to "go back to your own country." The Chinese ambassador Wang Xiaolong criticized the remarks, but Peters hit back, saying his comments showed the difference between democracy and other countries' systems.