7/30

• A federal judge dismissed a $475 million lawsuit against CNN from former President Trump, claiming that the network defamed the former president by referring to his false claims regarding the 2020 presidential election as a “big lie,” which Trump felt was a link used to connect him to the Nazis.
• A federal judge in Arkansas temporarily blocked a law that would ban libraries from distributing books deemed “obscene” to children and criminally charge librarians and booksellers if they do not comply with the law.
• Kanye West’s Twitter account was unsuspended (see 12/1).

7/31

• At least 43 people were killed following an explosion at a political rally in Pakistan.
• Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States threatened to use force against Niger’s coup leaders unless they reinstate ousted President Bazoum within a week.

8/1

• A Fulton County judge rejected former President Trump’s attempt to challenge Fulton District Attorney Fani Willis’ investigation into Trump’s efforts to interfere with the state’s 2020 presidential election (see 7/18).
• Ukraine and Croatia agreed to export Ukrainian grain through Croatian ports on the Danube River (see 7/18).
• ISIS-K, the Islamic State affiliate in South Asia, claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing at a political rally in Pakistan (see 7/31).

8/2

• Former President Trump was indicted on felony charges, accusing the former president and 6 alleged co-conspirators of plotting to defraud the United States, obstruct an official proceeding, and deny citizens their right to a free election.
• The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, which serves as the local authority for Walt Disney World with board members who were appointed by Florida Gov. DeSantis, announced that it was abolishing diversity and equity programs.
• New Jersey Lt. Gov Sheila Oliver, who was the first Black woman to hold statewide office in the state, died a day after being rushed to a hospital.

8/3

• Robert Bowers was sentenced to death for killing eleven people and wounding 6 including 4 police officers, at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh in 2018.
• The State Department announced that it pulled out non-emergency personnel and their families from the U.S. embassy in Niger (see 7/31).

8/4

• Former President Trump pleaded not guilty to federal charges that he attempted to overturn his loss in the 2020 presidential election (see 8/2).
• 6 White former Mississippi police officers pleaded guilty to a racist assault on 2 Black men (see 6/28).
• Florida banned public schools from teaching AP Psychology due to its discussion of gender and sexual orientation (see 1/19).
• Colombia’s government and the National Liberation Army, or ELN, started a ceasefire that aims to last 6 months.

8/5

• A Texas judge ruled that the state’s abortion ban must allow certain medical exemptions for abortions.
• Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. reversed the state’s decision on banning AP Psychology from being taught in public schools (see 8/4).
• Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was sentenced to 3 years in jail for corruption.