Context:

Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated after a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, leading to missile strikes and military engagements, with global leaders urging restraint. The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily lifted an injunction against a ban on transgender troops, allowing the controversial policy to take effect amid ongoing legal challenges. Immigration enforcement has intensified in courthouses, raising concerns about its impact on the judicial process and potential intimidation of attendees. The U.S. Navy has lost another F/A-18 Super Hornet in the Red Sea, marking the second such incident involving the USS Harry S. Truman in recent weeks. Fungal infections are causing millions of deaths annually, with limited antifungal treatments available, prompting the WHO to prioritize new drug development against resistant strains.

Dive Deeper:

• A lethal attack in Indian-administered Kashmir resulted in India downgrading diplomatic ties with Pakistan and launching missile strikes on sites in Pakistan’s Punjab province and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, killing and wounding numerous individuals. This escalation has caused both nations to exchange artillery fire, prompting international calls for de-escalation.

• In a setback for transgender service members, the U.S. Supreme Court lifted a nationwide injunction against a military ban, allowing the policy to proceed despite ongoing legal battles. Critics argue that the ban, which bars transgender individuals from enlisting and serving, is discriminatory and not based on military readiness.

• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been making arrests near courthouses, a tactic criticized for potentially disrupting legal proceedings and discouraging court attendance. Since the beginning of the year, multiple arrests have been made, leading to concerns about the impact on judicial processes and community trust.

• The U.S. Navy's USS Harry S. Truman has lost a second F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet within weeks, this time due to an incident during landing in the Red Sea. Both the pilot and weapons systems officer ejected safely, but the aircraft was not recovered, adding to concerns about operational risks and aircraft losses.

• Fungal infections are increasingly deadly, causing millions of deaths annually, yet only a handful of antifungal medications exist. The difficulty in developing effective treatments that do not harm human cells has been a significant barrier, with the WHO identifying several fungal species as priorities for new drug development.