Houston

A federal judge in Houston ordered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Monday to release Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego, a witness to the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by federal immigration officers earlier this month. U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison ruled that Rojas Pliego's continued detention constitutes an 'unconstitutional deprivation' of his liberty. The case highlights ongoing legal scrutiny of immigration enforcement actions and the treatment of witnesses in federal custody.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 09:21 PM UTC

Bubble tea chain Gong cha has signed an exclusive area development agreement with franchise operator Bakers Acres & Cattle Company (BACC) to open 50 stores in Texas over the next seven years. The deal, described as the largest direct franchising agreement in Gong cha's history, will target key markets including Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas. This follows Gong cha's acquisition of master franchise rights for 170 US locations across 13 states, including Texas, positioning the brand for faster nationwide growth. BACC, a Houston-based multi-generational family business, entered franchising in 2015 with Nothing Bundt Cakes and has since built a successful bakery operation. Gong cha Americas president Geoff Henry highlighted strong interest from multi-unit operators due to the brand's operational simplicity, consumer demand, and scalable low-cost model.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 02:28 PM UTC

Gong cha, a global bubble tea brand, has signed a 50-unit direct franchising agreement in Texas, its largest such deal. The franchisee, Bakers Acres & Cattle Company, which also operates a dozen Nothing Bundt Cake locations, will develop stores in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin over seven years. The deal follows Gong cha's acquisition of 170 US stores from its master franchisee, part of a strategy to accelerate growth toward 1,000 US units. The brand recently redesigned its store layout and added automated drink makers to reduce ticket times. Texas, with its growing metro areas, has become a key target for franchisors, with similar multi-unit deals from Starbird and Oakberry. The 50 new stores represent about one-fifth of Gong cha's current 240-store US footprint.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 10:38 AM UTC

During his summer break, French basketball star Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs played an amateur football match at the Katy Sports Complex in Houston, Texas. Wearing a Paris Saint-Germain jersey, he joined local youths in a friendly game, scoring two goals and celebrating in the style of Kylian Mbappé. The event was filmed by surprised internet users, and he left to cheers. Additionally, Wembanyama participated in a training session with NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon at his academy. This is not the first time the Frenchman has joined a football match, having done so in Japan last summer.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 09:28 PM UTC

During his summer break, French basketball star Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs played an amateur football match at the Katy Sports Complex in Houston, Texas. Wearing a Paris Saint-Germain jersey, he joined local youths in a friendly game, scoring two goals and celebrating in the style of Kylian Mbappé before leaving to cheers. The 7'4" center, recently called up for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers, also participated in a special training session with NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon at his academy. This is not the first time Wembanyama has played football during his travels, having done the same in Japan last summer.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 09:28 PM UTC

The Harris County District Attorney's Office announced on Friday that a substance found in the vehicle of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was fatally shot by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Houston earlier this month, tested negative for illegal drugs. The confirmation clarifies a key detail in the ongoing investigation into the shooting, which has drawn attention to the circumstances surrounding the incident. The DA's office stated that the substance was not narcotics or illicit drugs, though further details about the nature of the substance or the shooting itself were not immediately released.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 02:06 PM UTC

During the 2026 World Cup, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized over 445,000 counterfeit World Cup-related items nationwide, causing an estimated $32 million in industry losses. The most seized items were fake Lionel Messi jerseys, according to New York Customs head Frank Russo. A special operation called 'Final Whistle' targeted counterfeit sales and transportation. Temporary stalls near Times Square sold fake Argentine jerseys for $30-$40, compared to $110 for official Adidas versions. New York alone accounted for 65,000 seizures, while Miami and Houston seized 16,000 and 12,000 items respectively. Toronto, Canada, also seized about 16,000 items. U.S. Customs noted that 60-70% of counterfeit goods shipped to the U.S. originate from China, and enforcement aims to prevent profits from flowing into organized crime. Separately, UK law enforcement seized 58,000 fake World Cup jerseys in Scotland valued at £5.5 million, a local record.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 04:45 PM UTC

Southwest Airlines, facing volatile fuel markets and supply concerns exacerbated by the U.S.-Iran conflict, chartered a barge to transport 12.6 million gallons of jet fuel from Houston to Los Angeles via the Panama Canal, arriving May 28, 2026. It was the first such shipment for the airline, providing roughly a week's supply to the West Coast during peak constriction. The move utilized a Jones Act waiver granted by President Trump in March as fuel prices spiked following strikes on Iran. Southwest reported fuel expenses rose nearly $900 million in Q2 year-over-year. Airlines have scaled back capacity growth and raised fares, with executives expecting higher prices to persist. United Airlines also noted a $575 million fuel cost increase for Q3 alone, highlighting ongoing volatility.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 08:45 PM UTC

Southwest Airlines, for the first time, chartered a barge to transport 12.6 million gallons of jet fuel from Houston to Los Angeles via the Panama Canal, arriving May 28, 2026. The move was a response to volatile fuel markets and supply concerns exacerbated by the U.S.-Iran conflict and subsequent shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The shipment utilized a Jones Act waiver granted by President Trump in March. Southwest reported fuel expenses rose nearly $900 million in Q2 2026. The West Coast, heavily reliant on imports, faced particularly high prices. Airlines have scaled back capacity growth and raised fares, with executives expecting higher prices to persist. United Airlines also noted significant fuel cost increases, impacting earnings.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 08:12 PM UTC

US-based tax and advisory firm Doeren Mayhew has acquired Houston CPA practice Sowers & Company for an undisclosed sum. The deal expands Doeren Mayhew's tax and outsourced accounting capabilities in Houston. Sowers & Company, founded about 20 years ago by Jason Sowers with shareholder Erin Fowler, serves high-net-worth individuals and small to mid-sized businesses. As part of the transaction, Sowers and Fowler will join Doeren Mayhew's leadership team in principal roles, and all employees have moved to Doeren Mayhew's Houston office. The acquisition is part of Doeren Mayhew's accelerated growth in Houston, where it has integrated five practices in the past year, increasing headcount by 58% to nearly 220 employees. The firm also recently purchased Griffin Global Technologies to broaden its technology and AI capabilities.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 09:26 AM UTC

Tesla provided new metrics on its Robotaxi ride-hailing service during its Q2 2025 earnings call. The company reported nearly 2.5 million cumulative paid miles, over 380,000 unsupervised miles driven across six cities, and weekly mileage growth exceeding 10%. Robotaxi is now active in seven US metropolitan regions: Austin, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and San Francisco Bay Area. Tesla claims zero notable incidents from unsupervised operations, though two low-speed crashes occurred with safety monitors present. The company has installed annual manufacturing capacity for over 125,000 Cybercabs at Gigafactory Texas. Tesla also reported 1.48 million paying Full Self-Driving customers, a 56% year-over-year increase. CEO Elon Musk emphasized safety constraints on deployment speed, warning that any injury would trigger regulatory crackdowns. For comparison, Waymo has driven over 200 million fully autonomous miles and operates in 11 US regions.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 02:21 AM UTC

Southwest Airlines reported a more than 9% increase in second-quarter profit, driven by higher fares that helped offset a nearly $900 million rise in fuel costs. Adjusted earnings per share came in at 94 cents, though revenue of $8.43 billion fell short of the $8.58 billion analysts expected. The airline forecast third-quarter adjusted earnings between 50 and 75 cents per share, below the 82 cents consensus estimate. The results highlight the airline's ability to pass fuel costs to passengers but also signal potential softening in demand or pricing power in the coming quarter. The report is based on LSEG consensus estimates and was published by CNBC on July 22, 2026.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 08:29 PM UTC

Tesla is set to report Q2 2026 earnings with shares down 15.74% year-to-date, trading near $376.88. Despite concerns over brand sentiment and softer delivery comparisons, the article highlights strong underlying fundamentals: automotive gross margin expanded to 21.1% from 16.2% YoY, FSD subscriptions reached 1.28 million (up 51% YoY), and operating income surged 135.84% YoY. Prediction markets price a 74% probability of an earnings beat. The 12-month consensus price target is $425.22, with a bull case of $487.90. Key catalysts include six new production lines, Robotaxi launches in Dallas and Houston, and EU FSD approval in the Netherlands. The article argues the stock looks attractive at current levels despite a high trailing P/E of 375.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 03:32 PM UTC

Published on July 22, 2026, by The Hindu, this feature article by Indulekha S. examines the extensive training astronauts undergo for space missions. It covers Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA) training in neutral buoyancy pools at NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory and Russia's Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center. Geological field training prepares astronauts for planetary exploration using Earth analogs like Hawaii's volcanic landscapes, as done for Apollo missions. Survival training addresses emergency scenarios during spaceflight. The article emphasizes the years of rigorous preparation—physical, mental, and simulated—required to ensure astronauts are efficient and valiant in space. It includes images of European astronauts training for lunar missions and historical Apollo training photos.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 04:49 AM UTC

Fervo Energy (FRVO), a next-generation geothermal company, received a 'Buy' upgrade from Jefferies on July 21, 2026, with a $34 price target. The upgrade follows a sharp 38% decline from its post-IPO high of $42.65, which Jefferies views as an attractive entry point. The company, which raised $1.89 billion in the largest clean energy IPO in May 2026, uses oil and gas drilling techniques for enhanced geothermal power. Its flagship Cape Station project in Utah targets 500 MW initial capacity with potential expansion to 2 GW. Analysts expect contracted projects to begin generating revenue in the second half of 2026, potentially triggering a re-rating as the company transitions from potential to earnings-based valuation. Fervo also has a project supplying clean electricity to Alphabet (Google).

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 04:50 PM UTC

Home Bancorp, Inc. reported its highest quarterly net interest income in its 118-year history during Q2 2026, driven by higher earning asset yields and stable deposit costs. The bank separated CEO and President roles to support future growth. Loan growth recovered, led by the Houston market and a new Tomball branch. Substandard loans increased primarily due to a single $12.4 million C&I loan to a manufacturing company, though the borrower remains current. Non-performing loans decreased via transfers to OREO. Management expects mid-single-digit loan growth in H2 2026, continued net interest margin expansion through year-end, and over $30 million in special asset improvements. M&A remains the primary capital deployment priority, with share buybacks deprioritized due to stock price appreciation. Elevated non-interest expenses are forecast due to foreclosed asset costs.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 12:30 PM UTC

Halliburton, the Houston-based oil-services company, reported higher earnings and revenue for the second quarter of 2026, driven by gains in both its North American and overseas markets. The company posted a profit of $534 million, or 64 cents per share, compared with $472 million, or 55 cents per share, in the same quarter a year earlier. The results reflect continued strength in global oilfield services demand, with growth across key operating regions. The article, published by Yahoo Finance and originally sourced from Dow Jones, highlights the company's financial performance amid a competitive energy services landscape.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 12:03 PM UTC

Tesla is expected to report its first quarterly cash burn in over two years on Wednesday, as spending on AI infrastructure and robotics soars to $25 billion this year, outstripping cash generated by core automotive and energy operations. CEO Elon Musk has shifted focus from manufacturing cars to physical AI businesses like self-driving taxis and humanoid robots, but progress has been slower than expected. The robotaxi network remains confined to Austin, Dallas, Houston, and Miami, despite Musk's earlier predictions of serving half the U.S. population by end of 2025. Analysts expect negative free cash flow of $3.3 billion for Q2, though a record vehicle delivery quarter and higher oil prices have boosted auto sales. Investor questions overwhelmingly focus on delays in AI-driven goals, including robotaxi expansion and Cybercab deployment. The earnings call will be closely watched for signs that heavy spending is strengthening Tesla's AI moat.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 10:01 AM UTC

Rathna Kumar, a renowned Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi exponent, marks 75 years in dance by criticizing the growing 'pay-to-perform' culture in classical arts. She calls for stronger institutional funding, government grants, and more opportunities for emerging artists. Reflecting on her career, she notes that Kuchipudi has lost grace and fluidity, prioritizing speed and athleticism over elegance. Teaching was not her original plan, but after moving to Houston in 1975, she founded the Anjali Center for Performing Arts and has taught at Rice University since 2002. She emphasizes the guru-sishya tradition and teaches dance as a liberal arts discipline, attracting many non-Indian students. Kumar believes dance is a lifelong learning process and expresses hope for continuity across generations.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 07:27 AM UTC

Tom Homan, Donald Trump's border czar, denied that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) made mistakes during deadly shootings in Minnesota, instead blaming the victims for their own deaths. Speaking outside the White House, Homan claimed that two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were shot and killed while protesting ICE's Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis, would be alive if they had complied with law enforcement. Homan's remarks came amid Democratic lawmakers withholding Department of Homeland Security funding over alleged ICE errors. The article notes that since Trump launched a mass deportation scheme, ICE agents have shot and killed 11 people, including recent incidents in Maine and Houston where victims were legally in the U.S. or had eyewitnesses disputing official accounts.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 07:47 PM UTC

Tom Homan, Donald Trump's border czar, denied that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents made mistakes during deadly shootings in Minnesota, instead blaming the victims for their own deaths. Speaking outside the White House, Homan claimed that two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were protesting ICE operations in Minneapolis, would be alive if they had complied with law enforcement. He argued that non-compliance justifies lethal force, a stance criticized as ignoring legal norms. The article notes that since Trump's return to office, ICE agents have shot and killed 11 people, including recent incidents in Maine and Houston where victims were legally present in the U.S. Homan's remarks come amid Democratic lawmakers withholding Department of Homeland Security funding over alleged operational mistakes.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 07:47 PM UTC

Tom Homan, Donald Trump's border czar, denied that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents made mistakes during deadly shootings in Minnesota, instead blaming the victims for their own deaths. Speaking outside the White House, Homan claimed that two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were protesting ICE operations in Minneapolis, would be alive if they had complied with law enforcement. He suggested that Democratic lawmakers wrongfully withheld DHS funding over alleged mistakes during Operation Metro Surge. The article notes that since Trump returned to office and launched a mass deportation scheme, ICE agents have shot and killed 11 people, including recent incidents in Maine and Houston where victims were legally present in the U.S. The report criticizes Homan's stance, arguing that non-compliance with law enforcement is not a capital offense.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 07:47 PM UTC

Texas Senate candidate James Talarico (D) faced a hostile reception at a town hall in Houston on Sunday. Video captured by the Austin American-Statesman’s Faith Bugenhagen shows a Black woman yelling at Talarico, demanding he stay and answer questions or face consequences. Other attendees applauded the woman's outburst, highlighting the tense atmosphere. The incident underscores the challenges Talarico faces in his campaign as he engages with voters in a politically charged environment.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 07:05 PM UTC

According to sources cited by The New York Times, the Trump administration has directed the FBI to cease investigating claims of assault against immigration agents, transferring responsibility to Homeland Security Investigations, a branch of ICE. This change follows three deadly incidents involving ICE agents, including the fatal shooting of Joan Sebastian Guerrero in Maine, a man killed by a tractor-trailer during an ICE chase in Florida, and the shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston. The Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security denied any policy change, stating the FBI will continue investigations per agency policy. Critics argue the guidance could grant ICE impunity, especially given that hundreds of prior assault cases against immigration officers have collapsed and officials have allegedly misrepresented confrontations.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 01:17 PM UTC

According to sources cited by The New York Times, the Trump administration has directed the FBI to cease investigating claims of assault against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, transferring responsibility to Homeland Security Investigations, a branch of ICE itself. The policy shift follows three fatal encounters: the shooting of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Maine, a man killed by a tractor-trailer while being chased by ICE in Florida, and the shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston. The Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security denied any change, stating the FBI will continue to investigate per policy. Critics argue the move grants ICE impunity, especially as hundreds of prior assault cases have collapsed and officials have been accused of lying about confrontations.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 01:17 PM UTC

The Trump administration has reportedly directed the FBI to cease investigating claims of assault against ICE agents, instead delegating such probes to Homeland Security Investigations, a branch of ICE itself. This follows three recent fatal incidents: the shooting of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Maine, a man killed by a tractor trailer during an ICE chase in Florida, and the shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston. The DOJ and DHS denied any policy change, but sources told The New York Times that FBI agents received notice of the shift. Hundreds of prior assault cases against immigration officers have already collapsed. Critics argue the move grants ICE impunity amid a pattern of disputed violent confrontations.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 01:17 PM UTC

Occidental Petroleum (OXY) is set to release its Q2 FY2026 earnings on August 5, 2026, after market close. Wall Street expects diluted EPS of $1.95, a 400% increase from $0.39 in the same quarter last year. The company has beaten earnings estimates for four consecutive quarters. Full-year FY2026 EPS is forecast at $5.66, up 156.1% year-over-year, though FY2027 EPS is expected to decline 30.7% to $3.92. OXY stock has risen 26% over the past 52 weeks and 33.4% year-to-date, outperforming the S&P 500. The stock gained 2.3% on July 17 amid rising crude oil prices due to geopolitical tensions. Analysts give OXY a 'Moderately Buy' rating with an average price target of $63.76 (16.2% upside) and a Street-high target of $75 (36.7% upside). The company operates in oil and gas exploration, chemicals (OxyChem), and carbon management.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 06:23 AM UTC

Tropical Depression 2 has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Bertha later this week. Multiple weather outlets report the system is tracking toward the upper Gulf Coast, with potential impacts on Houston and other parts of the southeastern United States. The depression is predicted to intensify as it moves northward, bringing heavy rain and gusty winds to coastal areas. Forecasters are monitoring the system closely as it develops over warm Gulf waters.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 11:57 PM UTC

According to a New York Times report, the FBI has been instructed to stop investigating assault claims against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, shifting oversight to Homeland Security Investigations, an arm of ICE. The change, communicated in writing to FBI managers on July 16, 2026, could reduce accountability for immigration agents, as DHS lacks jurisdiction over civil rights violations. The report comes after two fatal ICE shootings in July 2026: the killing of Colombian national Joan Sebastian Guerrero in Maine and Mexican immigrant Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston. The Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security have jointly denied any change in oversight, stating that the FBI will continue to investigate in accordance with agency policy.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 07:51 PM UTC

According to a New York Times report, FBI managers have been notified that the bureau will no longer investigate assault claims against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The change would shift oversight to Homeland Security Investigations, an arm of ICE, potentially reducing accountability for immigration agents, as DHS lacks jurisdiction over civil rights violations. The report comes after ICE agents shot and killed two people in July 2026, including a Colombian man in Maine. The Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security jointly denied any change in policy, stating that the FBI will continue to investigate in accordance with agency policy. The purported shift could affect future civil rights investigations into ICE shootings.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 06:36 PM UTC