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Hungarian prosecutors raided data servers used by the Fidesz party, led by former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, as part of an investigation into suspected misuse of government grant money. Six officials face charges related to the alleged embezzlement of about $53.5 million from a cultural fund during Orbán’s time in office.
Key Facts
Prosecutors and tax investigators raided offices housing Fidesz party data servers in Hungary.
The raid is linked to a probe into the misuse of funds from Hungary’s National Cultural Fund.
About 17 billion forints (roughly $53.5 million) are involved in the alleged embezzlement.
Six current and former officials have been charged but deny any wrongdoing.
Money was reportedly distributed in a non-transparent way to artists connected to Fidesz.
The investigation is conducted by the Bács-Kiskun County prosecutor's office, south of Budapest.
Fidesz claims the raid is a political attack by the current governing Tisza party.
Since losing power in April, Orbán’s Fidesz accuses new leaders of trying to dismantle their system.
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Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a young tech expert, after a clash with General Oleksandr Syrskyi, who leads Ukraine's armed forces. This move caused protests and highlights tensions between modern military innovations and traditional command methods during the ongoing war with Russia.
Key Facts
Mykhailo Fedorov, 35, was Ukraine's youngest defense minister and a tech entrepreneur before taking the role six months ago.
Fedorov modernized Ukraine's drone program and changed military purchasing rules to reduce corruption.
Fedorov helped limit Russian access to Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service.
General Oleksandr Syrskyi, 60, trained in the Soviet military system, commands Ukraine's armed forces with a traditional leadership style.
Syrskyi led key military victories, including the defense of Kyiv and the counteroffensive in Kharkiv.
Fedorov accused Syrskyi of blocking reforms needed for the changing nature of the war.
Syrskyi is nicknamed "the Butcher," linked to heavy losses in battles like the defense of Bakhmut.
Zelenskyy's dismissal of Fedorov sparked public protests, reflecting a divide between new tech approaches and old military methods.
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The French parliament has approved a law that bans children and teenagers under 15 from using social media. France is the first country in the European Union to make this kind of restriction.
Key Facts
France’s lawmakers passed a law to stop social media use for people under 15 years old.
This law is the first of its kind in the European Union.
The rule aims to protect children's wellbeing online.
The article mentions social media platforms like Meta and TikTok.
The decision was reported from France’s National Assembly, the country’s main legislative body.
A lawyer named Philippe Coen, founder of an NGO called Respect Zone, is involved in discussing the issue.
The law reflects growing concern about children’s safety on the internet.
France hopes to lead other countries in setting similar rules.
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French lawmakers have passed a law banning children under 15 from using social media, making France the first European Union country to do so. The law also bans mobile phones in high schools and aims to protect children from harmful online content, with plans to start at the next school year in September.
Key Facts
The law bans social media use for children under 15 years old in France.
It also prohibits the use of mobile phones in high schools.
This is part of President Emmanuel Macron’s second-term initiatives.
The law still needs a constitutional review, which could delay its start.
The ban does not apply to educational websites or online encyclopedias.
Some lawmakers oppose the law, citing concerns about enforcing it and privacy issues.
France’s health report shows half of teenagers spend 2 to 5 hours a day using smartphones.
Social media use among 12- to 17-year-olds is linked to risks like low self-esteem and exposure to harmful content.
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Senators are set to question Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about the U.S. war against Iran and the proposed $95 billion budget to fund the military and other priorities. The conflict with Iran has caused the deaths of 17 American service members and over 100 injuries since early July, while concerns grow about war funding and leadership decisions.
Key Facts
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, General Dan Caine, and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins will testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The Republican budget proposal requests $95 billion, mostly for war funding, plus $10 billion for farmers and $10 billion for voting law changes.
Since early July, 17 U.S. service members have died and over 100 have been injured in the Iran war.
Senator Patty Murray warns the conflict might become a "forever war" and questions President Trump’s claims that a deal to end the war is near.
Republican leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, support continuing the war efforts without using congressional power to limit the conflict.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Hegseth for promoting testosterone supplements for troops instead of releasing casualty numbers.
Senators demand the Pentagon release a report on a deadly attack on an Iran primary school and have threatened to cut Hegseth’s travel budget until compliance.
Public opinion polls show most Americans disapprove of President Trump’s handling of the Iran war.
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Residents of Lukianivka, a historic neighborhood in Kyiv, continue to live there despite frequent Russian missile strikes. The area includes a Soviet-era weapons factory often targeted, and locals deal with damage by repairing and continuing their daily lives.
Key Facts
Lukianivka is one of the most frequently bombed neighborhoods in Kyiv.
It includes a Soviet-era weapons plant targeted repeatedly by Russian attacks.
The nearby Lukianivka metro station has been hit at least eight times and serves as an air raid shelter.
Residents accept the danger but choose to stay and rebuild after each attack.
Businesses operate next to damaged buildings, and cultural events move underground due to the strikes.
Damage includes blackened roofs, blown-out windows, shattered glass, and craters in streets.
A local real estate agent warns renters about the danger but promotes its benefits like affordability and good transit.
Residents expect more attacks but remain committed to living in their community.
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The bagel came to America with Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe escaping poverty and antisemitism in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It started as a specialty food in New York and has since become a popular American breakfast item found in stores and bakeries nationwide.
Key Facts
Bagels originated in Jewish communities in Poland.
Eastern European Jews brought bagels to the U.S. while fleeing hardship and antisemitism.
Harry Lender worked in a New Jersey bakery and later expanded his family’s bagel business across the country.
Bagels are known for their crunchy exterior and dense, chewy inside texture.
Popular bagel toppings include cream cheese, smoked fish, tomatoes, and onions.
Different flavors of bagels include plain, egg, poppy seed, sesame, onion, salt, and "everything."
Bagels hold cultural and religious importance in Jewish American life during celebrations and mourning.
The bagel’s rise reflects the success of immigrant families and their influence on American food culture.
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Moldova’s parliament elected Vasile Tofan, a businessman, as prime minister to help the country join the European Union. He replaces Alexandru Munteanu, who resigned after eight months in office.
Key Facts
Vasile Tofan was elected prime minister on July 21, 2026, with 53 votes in favor, 21 against, and 21 abstentions in the 101-seat parliament.
Tofan has a background in business and investment, including work at Horizon Capital and degrees from Harvard and Erasmus University.
Former prime minister Alexandru Munteanu resigned unexpectedly after eight months, without giving a clear reason.
President Maia Sandu and her party support Tofan and want a strong government to push Moldova’s EU membership bid.
Moldova is a former Soviet republic located between Ukraine and Romania, with a mix of Romanian and Russian-speaking populations.
Moldova is pursuing EU membership and recently started negotiations on key topics like the rule of law, democracy, and foreign policy.
Moldova’s west-leaning direction has made it a focus in the geopolitical struggle between Russia and Europe.
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About 6,600 noncitizens were mistakenly registered to vote in New Jersey between 2023 and 2024 due to a software error in the Motor Vehicle Commission system, Governor Mikie Sherrill said. Fewer than 400 of those registered actually voted, and the governor is removing the incorrect registrations and investigating the mistake.
Key Facts
Around 6,600 people who said they were noncitizens when getting New Jersey IDs were wrongly registered to vote.
This error happened in 2023 and 2024 due to a problem with the Motor Vehicle Commission’s software system.
Fewer than 400 people in this group cast ballots in elections.
Governor Mikie Sherrill took office in 2025 and is addressing the problem.
She ordered the removal of the incorrect voter registrations.
The state is replacing the vendor who managed the faulty system.
An investigation is underway to find out how the error occurred.
New Jersey allows noncitizens to have driver’s licenses and other state IDs.
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Massachusetts is facing a shortage of primary care doctors, making it hard for many people to find regular medical help. The state Senate passed a bill that would require hospitals and insurers to spend more on primary care, aiming to improve access without raising overall healthcare costs.
Key Facts
About 30% of Massachusetts residents have trouble getting a primary care doctor.
New Bedford has only 36 primary care clinicians for 20,000 to 25,000 residents without a regular doctor.
Specialty healthcare services get more investment because they bring in more money than primary care.
In 2024, just 6.6% of commercial healthcare spending in Massachusetts went to primary care.
The proposed law requires healthcare providers to spend 15% of their expenses on primary care by 2030.
The state Health Policy Commission will enforce the spending rules and can fine providers or stop them from taking new patients if they don’t comply.
Commercial insurance companies would have to pay community health centers at least as much as Medicaid does for the same services.
The bill aims to improve primary care access without increasing overall healthcare spending or insurance premiums.
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National Geographic has released a new three-part documentary series called "Pompeii: Out of Time" featuring actor Tom Hiddleston exploring the final day of Pompeii before Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE. The series combines historical facts with drama to tell the stories of people caught in the disaster.
Key Facts
Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE, covering Pompeii and Herculaneum with ash and killing thousands.
The new docuseries stars Tom Hiddleston as a "time detective" who helps bring the story of Pompeii to life.
Hiddleston studied classics and visited Pompeii as a teenager, connecting him personally to the story.
The series follows three individuals—a teenage boy, a businesswoman, and a guard—during Pompeii’s last 24 hours.
Instead of usual documentary-style re-enactments, it uses scripted scenes for a more cinematic experience.
The show mixes imagination with historical facts to present a more human story of ancient life.
The approach aligns with a modern trend in archaeology that supports combining storytelling with history.
The production team includes executive producer Kevin Wright, who also worked on the Disney+ series Loki.
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Rep. Nancy Mace from South Carolina endorsed Rep. Ralph Norman to fill the Senate seat left vacant by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. This endorsement goes against President Donald Trump’s choice for the position.
Key Facts
Nancy Mace is a Republican representative from South Carolina.
She endorsed Ralph Norman, also a Republican representative from South Carolina.
The endorsement is for the Senate seat after Senator Lindsey Graham’s death.
Mace described Norman as a strong conservative who stands firm on his beliefs.
President Donald Trump has a different preferred candidate for the Senate seat.
Mace and Norman appeared together publicly to announce the endorsement.
This event highlights a division within the South Carolina Republican Party.
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A U.S. soldier named Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, aged 30 and a father of two from North Carolina, was killed in Iraq during a controlled explosion involving an Iranian drone. The Army is investigating his death, which comes amid ongoing fighting between the U.S. and Iran in the Middle East.
Key Facts
Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton died in Irbil, Iraq, during a controlled detonation of an Iranian drone.
He had served in the Army since 2017 and was part of the 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment.
Swinton's family includes his wife, Mia Gonzalez-Swinton, and two children aged 6 and 4.
He will be awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge, and posthumously promoted to staff sergeant.
Two other U.S. soldiers were recently killed in Jordan during attacks involving Iranian ballistic missiles and drones.
The conflict between the U.S. and Iran has been ongoing for 10 days, including strikes that have affected civilians and infrastructure.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said the military action aims to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
The U.S. State Department warned Americans about possible Iranian attacks worldwide.
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Home values owned by seniors aged 62 and older reached a record high of $14.92 trillion in early 2026. Seniors can borrow against this home equity using options like reverse mortgages, home equity loans, or home equity lines of credit.
Key Facts
Senior home wealth rose by $314.8 billion (1.8%) in the first quarter of 2026 after previous declines.
Total home equity for seniors aged 62+ is now $14.92 trillion.
Reverse mortgages allow seniors to borrow without monthly repayments until death or sale of the home.
Home equity loans have average interest rates around 7%, lower than personal loans or credit cards.
A home equity line of credit (HELOC) offers a revolving credit line with variable rates and payments starting after an initial period.
Both home equity loans and HELOCs use the home as collateral, meaning borrowers could risk losing their home if payments are missed.
Reverse mortgages reduce home value and may affect inheritance plans.
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The director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, Dr. Anthea Hartig, defended the museum during a congressional hearing after the White House criticized it for political bias. She said the museum follows strict standards to provide accurate and impartial information about American history, allowing visitors to form their own opinions.
Key Facts
Dr. Anthea Hartig is the director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.
The White House released a report accusing the museum of "radical political activism."
The report claims the museum presents a biased and negative view of American history.
The museum’s leadership denies these accusations and says they follow standards of scholarship and nonpartisanship.
President Donald Trump issued an executive order in 2025 directing removal of "improper ideology" from Smithsonian institutions.
The White House investigation targeted content it considers "anti-White," "illegal alien," and "transgender activism."
Dr. Hartig testified before a House subcommittee to address the White House’s concerns.
The Smithsonian organization includes 21 museums, galleries, and the national zoo.
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ESPN is laying off many employees for the first time in three years after buying NFL Network and other NFL digital assets last year. Some on-air personalities, including NFL analyst Ryan Clark, were informed of their layoffs during live broadcasts. The cuts also affect staff across other parts of ESPN and are part of wider job reductions at the Walt Disney Company.
Key Facts
ESPN acquired NFL Network, NFL Fantasy, and RedZone rights last year, giving the NFL a 10% ownership stake in ESPN.
The NFL Network employees officially joined ESPN on April 1, following government approval in January.
ESPN’s chairman said the layoffs are mostly related to integrating the NFL assets and restructuring the company for the future.
Ryan Clark learned about his layoff while appearing live on the show NFL Live.
Other ESPN on-air staff affected include Karl Ravech, Tom Pelissero, and reportedly Cam Newton.
Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter, NFL insiders, recently received contract extensions and were not laid off.
The layoffs are part of a broader reduction in staff across the Walt Disney Company this week.
ESPN has not previously had such a large round of layoffs in the past three years.
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Thousands of young people and supporters in India are protesting for changes in the education system and government responsibility. Police used tear gas and force to stop the march near Parliament, but many protesters, including professionals and families, continue to demonstrate in New Delhi asking for the resignation of the Education Minister.
Key Facts
The Cockroach movement started two months ago after a Supreme Court judge called India’s youth "cockroaches."
Thousands marched toward Parliament and faced police tear gas and beatings.
Protesters are camping at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site, demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and Congress lawmakers supported the protests with a sit-in outside Prime Minister Modi’s home but were removed by police.
Hundreds of people were injured, including protesters and security personnel.
The government held talks with protest leaders, but no agreement was reached.
The movement gained more support after police forcibly hospitalized activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike.
Amnesty International criticized the police actions, saying peaceful protests are being suppressed in India.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Dan Caine will speak to the Senate Appropriations Committee about a new request from the White House for $87.6 billion in extra funding. This money is planned to support military actions related to Iran, fight the Ebola outbreak, and help U.S. farmers, among other needs.
Key Facts
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Dan Caine are testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The White House has requested $87.6 billion in supplemental funding.
The funding aims to support military efforts connected to Iran.
Part of the money will help address the Ebola outbreak.
The request also includes aid for U.S. farmers.
The hearing will take place on a Tuesday afternoon.
The funding request comes from President Donald Trump’s administration.
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Kaylee Hottle, an 18-year-old actress known for her role in the Godzilla movies, died after a car crash in Frederick County, Maryland. The crash involved a 1995 Honda Accord that left the road and hit a culvert, with speed believed to be a factor.
Key Facts
The accident happened around 2:52 a.m. on Windsor Road in Ijamsville, Maryland.
Kaylee Hottle was a passenger in the car, which was driven by a 19-year-old man from Frederick.
The driver survived with non-life-threatening injuries and another passenger declined medical help.
Hottle was taken to a trauma center where she was later pronounced dead.
The 1995 Honda Accord left the right side of the road and struck a culvert, a structure used to allow water to pass under the road.
Investigators think the car was going too fast before it crashed.
Kaylee Hottle was originally from Atlanta and recently lived in Kyle, Texas.
She was known for playing the character Jia in "Godzilla vs. Kong" and "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" and used American Sign Language in her acting career.
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John Healey has been appointed chancellor by Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Healey is seen as a hardworking and unifying figure who supports re-industrialisation and devolution. He will manage the government’s budget while working within limits on taxes and borrowing set by the previous government.
Key Facts
John Healey was chosen as chancellor by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham on his first day in office.
Healey has a reputation for hard work and a strong connection to the military.
He supports policies like re-industrialisation (bringing back manufacturing) and giving more powers to local regions (devolution).
Burnham promised not to raise income tax, VAT, or national insurance and to stick to previous borrowing rules.
Healey has experience working in Treasury and can appeal to different parts of the Labour party.
Some officials see Healey as ideologically motivated, not just a follower of the prime minister.
Healey has a personal style of involving junior staff in discussions and remembering details about people.
His role will include funding promises like higher defence spending, public control of utilities, and lowering living costs for voters.
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