Daily Recap: Science — 18 July 2026

Science is taking a back seat today to the wider forces shaping research, energy and risk. Markets are watching a wave of securities-fraud class actions against firms including Zillow, Via Transportation, Hub Group, GeneDx and Futu, as investors weigh allegations ranging from misstated finances to undisclosed regulatory exposure ahead of August lead-plaintiff deadlines. Energy security is also in sharp focus after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed two tankers struck mines and exploded in the Strait of Hormuz, an account the U.S. disputes, underscoring how quickly geopolitical conflict can threaten a critical global shipping corridor. In Britain, expected moves by incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham to revisit North Sea licenses for Rosebank and Jackdaw signal a renewed clash between climate goals and industrial policy. And in Venezuela, the human toll after last month’s earthquakes has climbed past 5,000 as IMF emergency funding begins to support recovery.

Top Science stories

• New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani considers arresting Netanyahu during UN General Assembly visit (5 sources)
• Iran’s IRGC says two tankers explode after striking mines in Strait of Hormuz (4 sources)
• Venezuela earthquake deaths top 5,000 as IMF releases recovery and emergency funds (4 sources)
• Police hunt for missing £1,000 Louis Vuitton trainers in Essex kidnapping-murder probe (3 sources)
• Secret camera trap found after armed intruders entered Richard’s property (3 sources)
• 5.0 magnitude earthquake reported in eastern Turkey; no damage or casualties reported (3 sources)
• ISRO plans seven launches this fiscal year; next mission expected within two months (3 sources)
• Three siblings abducted while transporting mother’s corpse in Benue (3 sources)

Read the full daily recap on NewSumm →