A rare black-crowned night heron was spotted at the Holnicote Estate in south-west England, where a river restoration project is improving habitats for wildlife. The estate is becoming a refuge for many birds and animals as the river is allowed to flow naturally again.
Key Facts
The black-crowned night heron was seen on camera at Holnicote Estate for three days in a row.
The estate is in Somerset, south-west England, where a river "reset" project is restoring natural wetlands.
Other birds observed include white-tailed eagles, white storks, and cranes.
The river restoration allows water to spread into streams, pools, and bogs, helping plants and animals.
The area also supports water voles, otters, pine martens, and grass snakes.
The black-crowned night heron is usually active at night and is uncommon in the UK.
The estate uses live cameras to show the wildlife and the forest streams.
Over 500 years, England has lost about 90% of its wetlands, and projects like this aim to bring them back.
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Irish politicians have asked their government to send observers to a trial in Germany involving pro-Palestinian activists accused of attacking an Israeli arms company. They have expressed concern about the treatment and detention conditions of the Irish defendant, Daniel Tatlow-Devally, and want these issues raised during the German chancellor’s upcoming visit to Ireland.
Key Facts
A group of Irish politicians attended the trial in Stuttgart of five activists charged after an attack on Elbit Systems, an Israeli arms company.
Daniel Tatlow-Devally, an Irish activist, is one of the accused and is reportedly held in harsh conditions with 23 hours per day in a small prison cell.
The activists are accused of trespassing, damaging property worth about €1 million, and being members of a criminal organisation.
The group aimed to protest against Germany’s support for Israel and its role in supplying arms.
The trial includes defendants from several countries: Britain, Ireland, Germany, and Spain.
The accused face up to five years in prison if found guilty.
The use of a glass barrier in court limits the activists' ability to communicate freely with their lawyers, raising concerns about their right to legal representation.
German authorities consider the activists a threat to society and have denied bail, keeping them in pre-trial detention beyond six months.
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A seaplane with 11 people on board crashed near Sucia Island in Washington state. Everyone was rescued, but multiple people were injured, including one in critical condition, and the plane caught fire and sank.
Key Facts
The plane was a DeHavilland DHC-3 seaplane operated by Kenmore Air.
The crash happened around 5:20 p.m. near Sucia Island, Washington.
There were 10 passengers and 1 pilot on board.
All 11 people were rescued from the water.
Injuries included head wounds, broken bones, and cuts; one person was seriously hurt.
The plane caught fire after landing in shallow water and then sank.
Rescue efforts involved local boats, the U.S. Navy, and the Coast Guard.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
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Oil prices rose above $100 a barrel due to disruptions in major shipping routes caused by Yemen’s Houthi group. The Houthis declared a naval blockade in the Red Sea, targeting Saudi, Israeli, and U.S.-linked tankers, which has raised concerns about crude oil supply and market stability.
Key Facts
Brent crude oil prices rose to $100.65 a barrel, the highest since May.
Yemen’s Houthis declared a naval blockade in Bab el-Mandeb, a key shipping passage linking the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean.
The Houthis attacked two Saudi Arabian oil tankers, with one reported set on fire.
The Houthis’ actions are partially in response to Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz to retaliate against U.S. and Israeli attacks.
Some Chinese-owned tankers have continued to pass through the blockade area, showing selective enforcement by the Houthis.
The current disruptions come amid a period when global oil reserves have not fully recovered from earlier crises.
Diesel prices in the U.S. have also risen due to refinery outages in Russia caused by drone attacks.
The national average price for gasoline in the U.S. is about $4.09 per gallon, with diesel averaging $5.34 per gallon.
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The UK Health Security Agency has issued yellow heat health alerts for parts of England due to temperatures reaching around 30°C (86°F). While some rain is expected this weekend, it will be light and unlikely to ease drought conditions affecting many areas.
Key Facts
Heat alerts cover central, southern, and eastern England from Friday morning to Sunday morning.
Temperatures in affected areas will reach as high as 30°C (86°F).
Heat risks are mainly for vulnerable people and may affect health and social care services.
Parts of north and mid-Wales have been officially declared in drought.
Large areas of Wales and much of England experience prolonged dry weather.
Hosepipe bans are in place for millions of people to save water.
Some rain will occur this weekend, mainly in northern and western UK, but rainfall will be light in the south and east.
There is a possibility that heatwave conditions may return next week if high pressure builds in the southeast.
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A youth protest movement called the "Cockroaches" has emerged in India, led by young people upset about failures in the education system and government corruption. The group is calling for the resignation of the Education Minister after exam paper leaks and challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
Key Facts
The movement began after India’s Supreme Court Chief Justice compared some unemployed youth to “cockroaches,” which sparked an online response.
Young Indians adopted the cockroach as a symbol of resilience and formed the Cockroach Janta Party (People’s Party).
The protests focus on exam paper leaks affecting important entrance exams for medical college and government jobs.
Millions rely on these exams for stable employment and better social opportunities.
The leaks have caused cancellations and delays, harming students’ preparations and futures.
The Cockroach movement quickly gained over 21 million followers on Instagram and widespread social media support.
Supporters have organized protests in New Delhi demanding the Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan step down.
The movement represents a significant public challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist government.
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A man named Marat Ganiev, who was charged in the death of 19-year-old Isla Bell from Melbourne, lost his request to have the last charge against him dropped. The court ruled that prosecutors could file new charges and that Ganiev will continue to face trial.
Key Facts
Isla Bell’s remains were found in a rubbish tip in Dandenong in November 2024, about six weeks after her suspected death.
Marat Ganiev was first charged with her murder in October 2024.
Police said Ganiev killed Bell, stored her body in a fridge, wrapped it, and it was moved around Melbourne before being dumped.
Ganiev’s murder charge was reduced to manslaughter, then withdrawn due to lack of evidence.
After the manslaughter charge was dropped, Ganiev was charged with attempting to stop justice from taking its course.
Ganiev asked the Supreme Court to permanently stop the case, claiming the timing of new charges was unfair.
Justice James Elliott rejected Ganiev’s request, saying prosecutors have the right to reconsider evidence and file new charges.
Ganiev will return to court in August, and Bell’s family has expressed ongoing grief and called for justice system reform.
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Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan stated that although the court currently has more conservative members, it does not automatically approve everything that President Donald Trump supports. She made this comment while speaking at a judicial conference.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court has a conservative majority.
Justice Elena Kagan spoke at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals conference.
Kagan said the court is not a “rubber stamp” for President Trump.
The court has ruled in favor of President Trump in some major cases.
Kagan emphasized the court’s independence from political influence.
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Two men were stabbed in separate attacks on the Upper West Side in New York City. The suspect, Raul Morales, was arrested, and police are investigating if the attacks were hate crimes possibly linked to mental health issues.
Key Facts
The attacks happened around 1:30 p.m. with one victim stabbed near West 84th Street and Central Park West and the other near 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue.
The two victims are a 57-year-old Asian man and a 50-year-old Jewish man, who do not know each other.
The suspect reportedly shouted "Allahu Akbar" during both attacks.
A screwdriver was believed to be the weapon used in the second stabbing.
The suspect barricaded himself in an apartment before NYPD officers took him into custody.
Raul Morales, 51, has seven prior arrests, including drug-related cases.
Police are examining whether mental health issues played a role in the attacks.
Community members and local officials expressed concern and relief that the victims are expected to survive.
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President Donald Trump indicated that Saudi Arabia must join the Abraham Accords as a condition for a nuclear deal. The Abraham Accords are agreements aiming to normalize relations between Israel and some Arab countries.
Key Facts
President Trump linked a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia to the Kingdom joining the Abraham Accords.
The Abraham Accords are agreements that promote peace and cooperation between Israel and Arab nations.
Saudi Arabia has not yet joined the Abraham Accords.
The Abraham Accords were first signed in 2020.
The agreements are seen as a step toward reducing conflict in the Middle East.
The U.S. has played a key role in facilitating the Abraham Accords.
The nuclear deal mentioned concerns Saudi Arabia’s potential nuclear program.
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The death toll from a ferry capsizing off the coast of Guyana has risen to 72, with 76 survivors rescued. International crews are working to salvage the old ferry MV Barima and investigate the cause of the accident, while the government continues search efforts and a criminal probe is underway.
Key Facts
The ferry MV Barima capsized in Atlantic waters near Essequibo, Guyana.
About 179 people were on board; 72 confirmed dead and 76 rescued.
The government estimates around 100 people may have died, marking this as Guyana’s worst marine disaster.
The ferry was 87 years old and last received major repairs in 2024.
The ferry was reportedly under capacity but survivors claim it was overloaded.
A criminal investigation detained three people, including the captain and a crew member who tested positive for marijuana.
International divers from Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago are helping with salvage efforts.
The government is paying for funerals and related expenses since the ferry was uninsured.
A new ferry was bought from India but delayed due to unfinished infrastructure at Port Kaituma.
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The United States military launched new air strikes against targets in Iran amid ongoing conflict involving Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacking Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. These attacks have caused oil prices to rise sharply due to concerns over disruptions to major shipping routes.
Key Facts
The US military carried out a 13th consecutive night of strikes on Iran on July 22, 2026.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, opening a new front in the conflict.
The attacks raised concerns about the safety of key global shipping lanes, leading to a sharp rise in oil prices.
Brent crude oil prices briefly rose above $100 per barrel for the first time since May 2026.
The US House of Representatives narrowly passed a resolution to stop US military actions in Iran.
President Donald Trump warned Iran it would be held responsible for attacks on the Saudi tankers.
Trump linked a US-Saudi nuclear deal to Saudi Arabia normalizing relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords.
The conflict has already cost the US approximately $37.5 billion.
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Wildfires driven by very hot weather and strong winds have spread across parts of western Europe. Spain declared a state of emergency in the Madrid area, and France asked the European Union for extra help fighting the fires, which have caused large evacuations and killed several firefighters.
Key Facts
Spain declared a state of emergency in its Madrid region due to wildfires.
France sought emergency support from the European Union, which sent water-bombing aircraft.
Thousands of tourists along France’s southwest coast were told to leave campsites and holiday homes.
Eastern and southern France also suffered fires, with some homes destroyed near Cotignac.
Italy is battling many fires in Sicily and Calabria, where some fires were set illegally.
Three firefighters have died so far while fighting these fires in southern Europe.
Temperatures have exceeded 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in some affected areas.
This year’s wildfire area burned in the EU is the second-largest ever recorded according to satellite data.
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A federal court panel approved a new Tennessee congressional map that splits a mostly Black district in Memphis. The court refused to stop the map before the state’s primary elections in August.
Key Facts
The court decision was made by a three-judge federal panel.
The new map divides a majority-Black district located in Memphis, Tennessee.
The judges did not issue a preliminary injunction to block the map.
The ruling allows Tennessee to use the new map for upcoming primary elections.
The primary elections are scheduled for August.
This decision affects how congressional districts will be drawn in Tennessee.
The case involved concerns about representation for Black voters in Memphis.
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The United States has carried out air strikes for the 13th night in a row. Iranian leaders have warned that continued attacks could provoke them to respond with actions against countries in the Gulf region.
Key Facts
The US has conducted air strikes for 13 consecutive nights.
The strikes are happening in or around the Gulf region.
Iranian leaders have issued warnings about possible retaliation.
Iran’s warnings suggest they may target other Gulf countries if attacks continue.
The situation remains tense between the US and Iran.
The news report includes coverage from Tehran by Al Jazeera’s Tohid Asadi.
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A man was arrested after stabbing two men on Manhattan’s Upper West Side in separate attacks that are being investigated as possible hate crimes. Both victims, an Asian man and a Jewish man, were taken to the hospital and are expected to survive.
Key Facts
The suspect is Raul Morales, 51 years old.
Morales stabbed two men in broad daylight, about two blocks apart.
Witnesses said Morales yelled “Allahu Akbar” during both attacks.
The victims were an Asian man and a Jewish man.
The New York Police Department is investigating the attacks as possible hate crimes.
Police suspect mental health issues may have been a factor.
Both victims were hospitalized and are expected to recover.
New York officials condemned the attacks and emphasized support for affected communities.
Hate crimes against Jewish and Asian people have been rising in New York City recently, even as overall violent crime has dropped.
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A dangerous Ebola outbreak is spreading in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with over 2,500 cases and 1,000 deaths reported as of July 21. Health workers face many problems including unpaid salaries, a lack of protective gear, and attacks from people who do not believe the virus is real.
Key Facts
The current Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC involves the rare Bundibugyo strain, which has no approved treatment or vaccine.
The outbreak was officially declared on May 15 but had been spreading undetected for weeks.
More than 2,500 cases and 1,000 deaths have been recorded by July 21, making it one of the fastest spreading Ebola outbreaks.
Health aid cuts have weakened disease monitoring and response efforts.
The outbreak region is affected by conflict and mistrust of authorities, making it hard to track cases.
More than 100 health workers have been infected, with about 35 deaths among them.
Many health workers have not been paid since the outbreak began, leading to strikes.
Health workers face hostility and attacks from some community members who don’t believe Ebola exists.
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A US appeals court ruled that Georgetown scholar Badar Khan Suri, who faces deportation for his pro-Palestinian activism, must be released because his detention violated his constitutional rights. This decision goes against the Trump administration’s efforts to detain and deport activists and could lead to a Supreme Court review.
Key Facts
Badar Khan Suri, an Indian scholar at Georgetown University, was detained in March 2025 for pro-Palestinian activism.
The US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled 2-1 that his detention violated his rights to due process and free speech.
The court denied the Trump administration’s request to move the case from Virginia to Texas.
A district court had previously ordered Suri’s release in May 2024.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) represents Suri and supports his constitutional rights.
Two other appeals courts recently overruled lower courts that had freed other pro-Palestinian activists, leading to conflicting decisions.
The Trump administration uses a rare immigration law allowing deportation of people seen as harmful to US foreign policy.
The Supreme Court, with a conservative majority including three Trump appointees, may soon decide on these cases.
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Tens of thousands of young people in India are protesting under the name "Cockroach Janta party" after the chief justice reportedly called unemployed youth "cockroaches" and "parasites." The protests also follow exam paper leaks that forced many students to retake tests, leading to demands for the education minister’s resignation.
Key Facts
The protests involve mainly young people marching in large numbers across India.
The movement is called "Cockroach Janta party" to reclaim a hurtful term used by India’s chief justice.
The chief justice reportedly referred to unemployed youth as "cockroaches" and "parasites."
The protests started after exam papers were leaked, causing millions of students to retake their exams.
These scandals have been linked to multiple student suicides in recent years.
Demonstrators are demanding action against corruption and unemployment.
A key demand is the resignation of the education minister.
This movement is one of the biggest challenges Narendra Modi’s government has faced in recent years.
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President Donald Trump has announced new tariffs on goods from more than 80 countries, including major trade partners like Canada, Mexico, and China. These tariffs range from 10% to 12.5% and are aimed at penalizing countries over forced labor issues, despite a Supreme Court ruling that previously limited the president’s power to impose such tariffs without Congress.
Key Facts
The new tariffs affect over 80 countries, including Canada, Mexico, China, the EU, the UK, Australia, India, Brazil, and Japan.
Countries that have taken steps to stop forced labor imports face a 10% tariff; others face a 12.5% tariff.
The Supreme Court ruled in February that President Trump could not use a 1977 law to justify his previous tariffs without Congressional approval.
The Trump administration is now using a different section of the Trade Act of 1974 to justify the new tariffs.
Experts predict the new tariffs may be challenged in court and could be struck down by the Supreme Court.
Most of the cost of tariffs has been passed to American consumers and businesses.
Many Americans, including Republicans, view tariffs as harmful to the U.S. economy.
The tariffs are part of Trump's ongoing efforts to protect American jobs and manufacturing.
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