Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, pledging that an armed attack on one will be treated as an attack on all three. Officials described the pact as defensive and said it aims to strengthen deterrence and broader defense cooperation.
News Mash
The U.S. economy unexpectedly lost 23,000 jobs in July, missing forecasts for solid gains and prompting sharp downward revisions to earlier months. The unemployment rate was 4.1%, but reports said the figure was influenced by people leaving the labor force rather than stronger hiring.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she will oppose Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general, leaving President Trump’s pick with almost no margin for error. The fight centers in part on concerns over a proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund and whether it could be revived after confirmation.
Houthi forces launched missile and drone attacks on Saudi-backed troops in Yemen and wounded civilians in southern Saudi Arabia. Casualty reports varied, with at least 17 to 58 Yemeni government troops reported killed in Thursday’s strikes.
The FAA has ordered inspections of certain Boeing 737 Max aircraft after cracks were found in a structural reinforcement component on older 737 models. The directive covers 471 U.S. planes and 1,429 worldwide, though no cracks have been found so far in Max jets.
A student killed a teacher and injured four other people in a shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School near Bangkok, authorities said. Officials said the gunman later took his own life.
U.S. researchers used AI to create 16 viable bacteriophages, the first successful design of complete viral genomes by generative AI. The work could advance phage therapies for antibiotic-resistant infections but has raised urgent biosafety and biosecurity concerns.
The Government Accountability Office found that DOGE’s online “Wall of Receipts” included $110 billion in claimed savings that were incorrect or lacked supporting evidence. The watchdog said DOGE did not adequately explain its calculations and credited itself for some actions already underway.