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Senegal has changed its position and now supports former president Macky Sall to become the next United Nations Secretary-General. This decision was announced amidst other major security issues in Africa, including a deadly attack in Mali and rising challenges in Nigeria.
Key Facts
Senegal reversed its earlier stance and backed ex-president Macky Sall for UN Secretary-General.
The announcement was made by Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
A deadly ambush in northern Mali killed at least 50 soldiers recently.
Nigeria faces increased difficulties as foreign fighters join jihadist groups there.
Senegal’s president also became chairman of the West African economic union around the same time.
The news was reported by Clarisse Fortuné, Antonia Cimini, and others for France 24 in July 2026.
The article also referenced broader African and global issues, but the main focus was Senegal’s UN support shift.
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President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine fired General Oleksandr Syrsky, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, after large protests in Kyiv and other cities called for his removal. Zelensky appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new military chief.
Key Facts
President Zelensky dismissed General Oleksandr Syrsky as Ukraine’s military leader.
The decision followed nationwide protests demanding Syrsky’s removal.
Protests took place in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.
Mykhailo Drapatyi was named the new commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces.
The changes were announced on social media by President Zelensky.
The situation reflects political tension in Ukraine relating to military leadership.
The news was reported on July 21, 2026.
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Kuwaitis are using less electricity to prevent power outages after Iranian attacks damaged parts of their power system. The government says that people saving energy has helped reduce the strain on the electricity network during hot summer days.
Key Facts
Iranian strikes have hit Kuwait's power infrastructure.
These attacks caused concerns about electricity shortages.
Kuwait is experiencing very high electricity demand due to summer heat.
People in Kuwait are reducing their electricity use to avoid outages.
Authorities report that conservation efforts have helped ease pressure on the power grid.
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A Los Angeles judge heard graphic evidence in the murder case against singer D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, accused of killing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Burke has pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder, and the hearing will decide if there is enough proof to go to trial.
Key Facts
D4vd (David Anthony Burke) faces charges of first-degree murder, sexual abuse of a child, and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
The victim, Celeste Rivas Hernandez, was 14 years old and last seen alive in April 2025 at Burke’s home.
Her body was found months later, dismembered, and placed inside the front trunk of a Tesla linked to Burke.
Prosecutors say Burke and Hernandez had a relationship that started when she was 13 and he was 18.
Burke denies the charges and claims he did not kill Hernandez.
The preliminary hearing is to decide if there is enough evidence to hold a trial.
The hearing is private, and information is coming from reporters attending in person.
D4vd is a singer known for hits like "Romantic Homicide" and built his career through TikTok.
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ESPN is laying off several employees, including some well-known TV personalities such as NFL analyst Ryan Clark. The layoffs are mostly connected to ESPN's recent purchase of NFL Network and are part of broader cost-cutting efforts at its parent company, Disney.
Key Facts
ESPN is cutting jobs this week, affecting on-air talent and behind-the-scenes staff.
NFL analyst Ryan Clark, NFL insider Tom Pelissero, and broadcaster Karl Ravech are reportedly among those let go.
Other affected names may include Bart Scott, Cam Newton, and Charles Davis.
ESPN confirmed layoffs in a memo, linking the cuts to its acquisition of NFL Network.
The NFL Network deal also included NFL Fantasy and the RedZone channel rights.
The layoffs are part of bigger job cuts by Disney due to rising sports rights costs and declining cable subscribers.
Ryan Clark was informed of his layoff during a live broadcast, earlier than planned.
Reports say financial reasons are the main cause, but Clark’s past on-air behavior may have influenced the decision.
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Rep. Ted Lieu, a Democrat from California, spoke at a press conference and suggested that the White House should send President Donald Trump to campaign in swing districts for House Republicans. He made this request in a sarcastic way.
Key Facts
Rep. Ted Lieu represents California and is a Democrat.
He serves as the vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus.
Lieu made a public statement on a Tuesday during a press event.
He asked the White House to send President Trump to swing districts.
Swing districts are areas where elections are closely contested between parties.
The request was made sarcastically, implying a political point.
Lieu linked President Trump’s presence to support for Republican House candidates.
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France has passed a law banning children under 15 from using social media and also forbids mobile phones in high schools. This new rule aims to protect children from harmful online content and is planned to start in September, although it may face legal reviews before going into effect.
Key Facts
France is the first country in the European Union to ban social media use for children under 15.
The law also bans mobile phone use in high schools across France.
Both chambers of the French Parliament approved the bill, which is a key part of President Emmanuel Macron’s second term.
The ban is expected to start at the beginning of the school year in September, but a constitutional review may delay it.
The law excludes educational and scientific websites from the ban.
Some lawmakers opposed the bill due to concerns about privacy and how the law will be enforced.
France’s health agency reports many teenagers use smartphones daily, and studies link social media to risks like low self-esteem and exposure to harmful behaviors.
Similar restrictions on social media use by children have been introduced in other countries, such as Australia.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Senate that the U.S. war in Iran has cost about $37.5 billion since it started in late February. The Pentagon has asked Congress for an additional $87.6 billion to cover ongoing expenses and needs tied to the conflict.
Key Facts
The U.S. war in Iran began in late February.
The total cost so far is estimated at $37.5 billion, including current spending and future needs until September 30.
This cost estimate had not been shared publicly before.
The Pentagon has requested $87.6 billion more from Congress to support "urgent needs" related to the conflict.
Secretary Hegseth gave this information during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing.
The hearing occurred after three U.S. soldiers were killed and President Donald Trump ordered new strikes on Iran.
Protesters interrupted the hearing while Secretary Hegseth was speaking.
Other military officials, including Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine, also testified about the situation.
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The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) will give a special award to Secret Service Officer Victor Gonzales for his role in stopping a gunman who tried to attack President Donald Trump. The award will be given at the WHCA annual dinner this spring.
Key Facts
The WHCA announced the award on a Tuesday.
Victor Gonzales is a Secret Service Police Officer.
Gonzales helped stop a gunman who attempted to harm President Donald Trump.
He will receive the “President’s Award for Exceptional Service.”
The award presentation will happen during the WHCA’s rescheduled annual dinner in spring.
The article highlights the importance of Gonzales’s actions in protecting the President.
The WHCA is an organization related to journalists who cover the White House.
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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky fired Oleksandr Syrsky, the chief of Ukraine’s army, and appointed Major General Mykhailo Drapaty as the new commander-in-chief. This change happened after protests over the earlier dismissal of popular defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who had clashed with Syrsky over military reforms.
Key Facts
Oleksandr Syrsky was the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s army since 2024.
Syrsky led the defense of Kyiv during Russia’s 2022 invasion.
President Zelensky dismissed Syrsky following political unrest after firing defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
Mykhailo Drapaty, an ally of Fedorov, is now the new army commander-in-chief.
Fedorov, 35 years old, was known for trying to modernize Ukraine’s army and had conflicts with military leadership.
Fedorov accused Syrsky of blocking his reforms and pushing for his removal; Syrsky denied this.
Zelensky offered Fedorov a new position overseeing the state’s technological area.
Public protests in Kyiv supported Fedorov after his dismissal.
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David Hogg, former vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, criticized the group that supports House Democratic candidates for picking poor candidates ahead of the November midterm elections. He made these remarks at a meeting of the College Democrats in Washington, D.C.
Key Facts
David Hogg is a former vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
He spoke at the College Democrats of America convention in Washington, D.C.
Hogg criticized the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), which helps pick and support candidates for the House of Representatives.
He said the DCCC had chosen “terrible candidates” for the upcoming midterm elections.
The midterm elections will happen in November 2024.
Hogg suggested there is no “non-evil” or better version of the DCCC currently in place.
His comments came months before the elections, indicating concern over the party’s candidate choices.
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A company is using artificial intelligence (AI) to create electronic "noses" that can detect complex smells, including those linked to diseases. Other technologies discussed include tools to understand sleep better and apps that help identify birds by sound.
Key Facts
Dogs have very sensitive noses that can detect many smells.
AI is being used to build electronic devices that can "smell" in a similar way.
These devices can identify complex odors, such as those related to health conditions.
There is technology available to help people understand their sleep patterns.
Bird identification apps allow users to recognize birds by their calls or sounds.
Younger people especially enjoy using bird identification apps.
The article features visits and demonstrations of these technologies in different locations.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has removed the country’s top army commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, shortly after firing Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Syrskyi was replaced by Mykhailo Drapatyi, a general known for his frontline experience.
Key Facts
President Zelensky fired commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi on July 21, 2026.
This happened days after Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov was also removed from his position.
Fedorov was popular for reforming the military and fighting corruption.
Syrskyi is viewed by many as a traditional commander, hesitant to make big changes.
Zelensky thanked Syrskyi for defending Kyiv at the start of Russia’s invasion in 2022.
Mykhailo Drapatyi, a battle-experienced general, replaced Syrskyi as commander-in-chief.
The leadership changes caused protests across Ukraine.
Zelensky said all decisions would be officially finalized the next day.
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Most of President Trump's Cabinet will start using TikTok, after the Justice Department said the app is now safe for federal workers because it is owned by a U.S.-approved company. This is a change from the earlier position that TikTok was a security risk due to its connection to China.
Key Facts
President Trump's Cabinet members will launch TikTok accounts on Tuesday.
The Justice Department recently said it is safe for federal employees to use TikTok.
Earlier, the Trump administration considered TikTok a national security threat because it was owned by China's ByteDance.
The 2022 No TikTok on Government Devices Act banned TikTok on government phones.
The Department of Justice now says the law does not apply after TikTok's ownership shifted to a U.S.-controlled company.
Cabinet members joining TikTok shows it is now seen as an acceptable way for the government to communicate.
President Trump has been using TikTok since 2024 and has received hundreds of millions of views on some videos.
The administration views TikTok as a key platform to reach young voters.
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Prime Minister Andy Burnham has asked his cabinet to explore all options to reduce the cost of living for people. On his first day in office, he announced that VAT on electricity bills will be removed starting October 1, which will cost £850 million next year. He is also planning to speed up the introduction of a national care service and aims to balance these policies within current borrowing limits.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham wants his government to focus on lowering the cost of living for citizens.
VAT on electricity bills will be removed from October 1, reducing bills by £45 and costing £850 million next year.
Funding for the VAT cut will come from existing department budgets, potentially leading to cuts elsewhere.
The government plans to accelerate the rollout of a national care service before the next election.
The digital ID program, which Burnham wants to scrap to fund VAT cuts, was not funded and money details remain unclear.
The Prime Minister’s new office structure includes the creation of a powerful Office for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
John Healey, the new chancellor, is working on a broader budget plan to tackle the cost of living later this year.
Burnham has ruled out borrowing more money to pay for increased defense spending.
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The Senate Intelligence Committee has approved Jay Clayton, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead U.S. intelligence agencies, by a 9-8 party-line vote. Some Democrats initially supported Clayton but opposed him after his hearing, where he avoided directly stating that President Joe Biden won the 2020 election. The nomination now moves to a full Senate vote.
Key Facts
The Senate Intelligence Committee voted 9-8 to advance Jay Clayton’s nomination.
Clayton was nominated by President Donald Trump to lead the U.S. intelligence agencies.
Clayton is currently a U.S. attorney and former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
During his confirmation hearing, Clayton said the 2020 election was “certified” but did not explicitly say Biden won.
All Democrats on the committee voted against advancing Clayton after the hearing.
Democrats are unlikely to speed up the Senate vote because of concerns about Clayton’s hearing performance.
Clayton did not address concerns about the current interim intelligence director, Bill Pulte, who lacks intelligence experience.
Republican senators praised Clayton’s record of integrity and government experience.
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House Republicans plan to vote on a bill to fund the federal government through December 4, aiming to prevent a possible government shutdown before the midterm elections. The bill maintains current spending levels and includes provisions related to defense, farm aid, and parts of President Donald Trump’s election reform efforts, but Democrats expect to oppose it.
Key Facts
House Republicans want to pass a stopgap funding bill months ahead of the fiscal year deadline to avoid a government shutdown.
The bill would fund the government through December 4 at current spending levels.
The package includes $95 billion for defense, aid to farmers, and parts of President Trump’s election overhaul plan.
Speaker Mike Johnson is challenging Democrats to oppose the bill, warning they would be blamed if a shutdown occurs.
Democrats criticize the bill for lack of bipartisan negotiation and want to delay approval to get more complete information.
The House will be in session for only 16 more days before the funding deadline.
Republicans want to prevent a repeat of recent long government shutdowns.
Democrats plan to largely oppose the stopgap funding measure.
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Kaylee Hottle, an 18-year-old deaf actor known for her role in two Godzilla movies, died in a car crash in Maryland. The crash happened early in the morning, and speed is believed to have played a role.
Key Facts
Kaylee Hottle was a deaf actress who starred as Jia in “Godzilla vs. Kong” and its sequel.
She died in a car accident in Ijamsville, Maryland, before 3 a.m.
She was one of two passengers; the driver survived with minor injuries.
The crash is being investigated, with excessive speed likely a factor.
Hottle used American Sign Language (ASL) and came from a deaf family.
Her co-stars and school community expressed sadness and offered support.
She had roles in TV and was set to appear in an upcoming film called “What Doesn’t Kill Us.”
The Texas School for the Deaf announced counseling services for those affected by her death.
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Sony Pictures released the final trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, a new Spider-Man movie starring Tom Holland. The movie continues the story after Spider-Man: No Way Home and will be in theaters on July 31, 2026.
Key Facts
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, who also directed Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
The film follows Peter Parker, who is now forgotten by the world but continues to fight crime as Spider-Man.
Tom Holland returns as Spider-Man, with Zendaya as MJ and Jacob Batalon as Ned Leeds.
The movie introduces several characters including Jon Bernthal as Punisher and Mark Ruffalo as Hulk.
The storyline involves a new, invisible villain that poses a major threat to Spider-Man and the city.
The trailer shows scenes from the previous films and new action moments, such as Spider-Man fighting the Hand.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is scheduled for release on July 31, 2026.
Additional characters might appear, such as Florence Pugh’s Yelena and other comic book figures.
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The White House has approved an ethics part of a bill that aims to regulate cryptocurrency. The bill, called the Clarity Act, is under consideration in the Senate, but it is not yet clear what the ethics provision includes or if Democrats will support the bill.
Key Facts
The White House supports an ethics provision in a cryptocurrency regulation bill.
The bill is named the Clarity Act.
The legislation is currently being reviewed in the Senate.
Details of the ethics provision have not been publicly shared.
The Trump administration backs the bill.
It is uncertain if Democrats will agree with the bill.
The bill aims to regulate cryptocurrency activities.
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