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Today’s 3-by-3 travels across an Israeli strike on a Hamas leader, a social media agreement to prevent drug distribution, two new international soccer champions, and more. Let’s fly!

Politics

• Trump survives assassination attempt

On Saturday evening around 6:05 pm, just a few minutes into a campaign speech in Butler, Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump was shot — with the 20-year-old shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks hitting Trump’s right ear and murdering one attendee before being killed by Secret Service. Trump arose just moments later with blood on his ear and face, pumping his fist and encouraging his supporters to fight on. Many are questioning how the Service could have allowed a sniper like Crooks to be stationed on such a nearby building, while leaders across the aisle and the globe (Argentinian President Milei, Indian Prime Minister Modi, Japan President Kishida, etc.) have condemned the act of political violence and extended their sympathies — notably including President Biden who delivered a prime-time national address to remind the public that “there is no place in America for this kind of violence” and even temporarily suspended his campaign ads amid an otherwise hostile race.

• Israeli airstrike fails to kill Hamas commander

Despite ongoing cease-fire efforts and negotiations, the Israeli military launched a massive airstrike on a designated safe zone in southern Gaza — targeting Hamas’ military commander Mohammed Deif and killing at least 90 people in the process. Deif, an elusive leader who has been in hiding for over two decades and a chief architect of the October 7 attack on Israel, reportedly survived Saturday’s destructive strike which wounded over 300 Palestinians — though one of his direct reports Rafa Salama was killed. With Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu committed to kill all of Hamas’ leaders in his effort to cripple the group irreparably, Hamas has called the event a “horrific massacre” yet stated that mediated cease-fire discussions will continue.

• Somali bombing continues a pattern of terrorism

A Sunday bombing in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu killed at least 9 people and injured 20 others, marking another deadly attack by al-Shabab (a local Islamic militant group that the U.S. has deemed one of al-Qaida’s deadliest organizations). Al-Shabab has been attempting to topple the Somalian government for over 17 years and rid Africa’s easternmost country of foreign influence, with the U.S. conducting several air raids and ground strikes over the years in support of the federal government. The bombing occurred just one day after an attempted Mogadishu prison break in which convicted al-Shabab members were killed after exchanging fire with prison guards, all while the United Nations reports an increase and “pervasive threat” in violent extremism across Africa more broadly.

Business

• Delta Airlines prohibits non-American flags on uniforms

A controversial, viral social media post has resulted in Delta Airlines no longer allowing employees to wear pins that represent any country other than the United States, aiming to create a “safe, comfortable, and welcoming environment for all.” Last week, a passenger posted a photo of two Delta flight attendants wearing Palestinian flag pins, referring to them as “Hamas badges,” and alluded to feeling unsafe from a terrorist threat accordingly — to which Delta’s social media account initially responded, “I’d be terrified as well.” The airline quickly deleted the comment after many found it to be an offensive misrepresentation of Palestinian solidarity but still decided to implement the new uniform policy.

• Putin increases Russian wealth tax for his war chest

With Western sanctions limiting Russian trade and specifically reducing its lucrative oil revenues, President Vladimir Putin has signed a bill to increase income taxes on the rich — notably changing a long-standing flat-rate tax to a progressive tax system. Projected to generate an additional $29 billion in 2025, the maximum personal tax rate will be 22% for those with annual incomes over $573,000, and the company income tax rate will increase from 20% to 25%. Following a highly pro-Ukraine NATO summit that yielded a $225 million aid package from the U.S. and inbound defense systems from multiple allies, Russia aims to reduce its dependence on external factors and increase its internal ability to fund war efforts.

• Leading social media platforms commit to drug prevention

As reports indicate a 20% increase in drug use from the last decade and a 24-fold increase in opioid use since 2010, the U.S. Mission to the United Nations has signed an agreement with Meta, X, and Snap to combat the distribution of synthetic drugs on their platforms and educate the public of the dangers. The so-called Alliance to Prevent Drug Harms recognizes synthetic drug use as an international crisis and social media as a tool that criminal organizations have used to grow their illicit operations, calling on the technology sector to assist the government in response. The new commitment will supplement existing platform initiatives, such as Snap’s efforts to detect drug content, refer law enforcement to criminals on their platform, and raise awareness of drug use risks among its users — a base that includes 90% of America’s 13 to 24-year-olds.

Culture

• Spain and Argentina become soccer champions

A summer of global soccer has concluded with two new champions as Spain defeated England for its record fourth European Championship and Argentina beat Colombia for its second straight Copa América. A decade since Spanish soccer’s “golden generation” and its dominant success from 2008-2012, its success in this tournament was largely driven by multicultural stars who reflect an increasingly diverse Spain — such as Nico Williams whose parents immigrated from Ghana, and Lamine Yamal whose parents came from Equatorial Guinea and Morocco. In the Americas, Lionel Messi-led Argentina won the Copa América after winning it in 2020 and the World Cup in 2022, cementing a historic legacy for one of the game’s greatest players.

• Ambani wedding concludes with a star-studded reception

The “wedding of the year” bankrolled by Asia’s richest man has concluded after months, with Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant holding a final star-studded reception at the 16,000-capacity Jio World Convention Center in Mumbai. In addition to Bollywood’s biggest stars such as Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, notable American attendees included Kim Kardashian, Nick Jonas, and John Cena (all dressed in designer Indian attire). As the chairman of Reliance Industries with a net worth of $116 billion, Mukesh Ambani’s wealth and global clout were on full display during his family’s last wedding — with many criticizing the extravagance in a country where the richest 1% owns over 40% of total wealth.

• Reggaeton singers raise interest in Puerto Rican basketball

Reggaeton stars Bad Bunny, Ozuna, and Anual AA have driven a revival for Puerto Rico’s professional men’s basketball after 40 years of financial setbacks and low turnout, doubling attendance for the BSN league from 2018 to 2023. Bad Bunny first became a co-owner of Los Cangrejeros de Santurce in 2021 and began drawing large crowds by attending games frequently, even inspiring celebrities like LeBron James and Floyd Mayweather to attend. Though severe budget cuts and a lack of arena maintenance still challenge the league, an increase in TV viewership (notably among women ages 18 to 49) and a Puerto Rican team set for the 2024 Summer Olympics signal a bright future for basketball on the island.

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