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The United Nations refugee agency reported that over 100 people died or went missing last week after trying to cross the sea off the coast of Mauritania to reach Europe. Two separate boat incidents left 144 people dead or missing, while 387 others were rescued.
Key Facts
The incidents happened between July 14 and 18 near Mauritania’s coast.
One boat carrying 160 people from Gambia was stranded for 25 days after running out of fuel.
Mauritania’s coast guard said 122 people went missing from this boat.
In another case, 179 people were rescued from a boat that left Senegal.
The cause of death or disappearance is related to long distances and unsafe, overcrowded boats.
Mauritania’s waters are a major route for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa trying to reach Europe.
The route to the Canary Islands is known as one of the deadliest sea crossings.
Economic problems in sub-Saharan Africa motivate many people to attempt this dangerous journey.
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A federal judge approved a $1.5 billion settlement requiring AI company Anthropic to pay thousands of authors for using pirated copies of their books to train its Claude chatbot. About 91% of the 482,000 affected books have been claimed by authors or publishers who will receive roughly $3,000 per book.
Key Facts
Anthropic, an AI company, used pirated books to train its Claude chatbot.
A federal judge approved a $1.5 billion settlement for the affected authors and publishers.
Payments will be around $3,000 per book to the authors or publishers who claim them.
More than 482,000 books were included in the settlement.
About 91% of those books have been claimed so far.
The lawsuit began in 2024, started by thriller novelist Andrea Bartz and two other authors.
A previous ruling said training AI on copyrighted books is not illegal but Anthropic acquired the books illegally from pirate websites.
The settlement is described as the largest copyright recovery in history.
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Rep. Adam Smith said that President Trump has not given Congress information about U.S. military deaths related to conflict with Iran. This comes after three American service members died recently as fighting with Iran started again.
Key Facts
Rep. Adam Smith is a Democrat from Washington state.
He is the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee.
Smith said President Trump has not shared Iran war casualty numbers with Congress.
Three U.S. service members were killed in the last week during renewed fighting with Iran.
There is concern in Congress about being kept informed on military losses.
President Trump leads the U.S. response to the conflict with Iran.
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An Israeli air strike in Gaza City killed six members of one family, according to local medical sources. The Israeli military said it targeted a Hamas member and is reviewing the attack's results. The UN expressed concern over increased violence and civilian deaths in Gaza despite a ceasefire.
Key Facts
Six family members, including parents and four children, died in an air strike in the al-Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City.
The Israeli military stated the target was a Hamas operative linked to the attack on Israel on 7 October 2023.
Since the ceasefire in October 2023, over 1,168 Palestinians and four Israeli soldiers have died in attacks.
Between 13 and 20 July, at least 57 Palestinians died in Israeli strikes on residential and crowded areas.
The UN human rights office warned that civilian killings may violate international laws and could be war crimes.
Israel launched a large military campaign after Hamas’s attack on Israel that killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages in October 2023.
Gaza’s health ministry reports over 73,000 people have died in the conflict since October.
The air strike and violence continue despite the announced ceasefire nine months ago.
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Youth leaders in India are continuing their Cockroach protests after police tried to stop their demonstrations. They want the education minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, to resign because of repeated cheating during medical school entrance exams, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not responded yet.
Key Facts
The Cockroach movement is led by young people protesting in India.
Protesters demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Their main issue is repeated leaks in medical school entrance tests.
Police have tried to break up the protests with a crackdown.
Two protest members met with a government minister on July 20, 2026.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not addressed the protests publicly.
The movement plans to continue despite police actions.
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Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Israel does not want to take part in the US military actions against Iran. He believes that the ongoing conflict and economic pressure from the US on Iran help Israel’s interests.
Key Facts
Bezalel Smotrich is Israel’s Finance Minister.
He stated Israel has no interest in joining the US war on Iran.
The US has renewed its military campaign targeting Iran.
Smotrich thinks the conflict and economic pressure on Iran benefit Israel.
This shows Israel’s current government does not want to be directly involved in the US-Iran tension.
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Zendaya wore ancient Iranian earrings dating back to 700 BC during a promotional event for the film "Odyssey," which has caused criticism from archaeologists and historians. They argue that using these culturally important and possibly looted artefacts as fashion accessories disrespects Iran’s heritage and ignores the spiritual significance of the items.
Key Facts
Zendaya wore earrings made from Iranian artefacts from around 700 BC at a film event in London.
The earrings come from the Ziwiye hoard, a collection of ancient objects found in northwestern Iran in the 1940s.
The hoard was looted, with pieces sold in antique markets outside Iran in the 1960s.
Archaeologists and historians say using such artefacts as jewellery disrespects their cultural and spiritual importance.
The earrings were bought by Barron London gallery, which says it follows legal rules and tracks provenance (the history of ownership).
Critics say the use of these artefacts for fashion “hijacks” Iran’s cultural contributions and strips the objects of meaning.
The issue links to broader debates about western museums holding looted artefacts from around the world.
Zendaya’s representatives and stylist have been contacted for comment but have not publicly responded yet.
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Members of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) will meet this week in Washington, D.C., to decide which states will vote first in the 2028 Democratic primary. The rules and bylaws committee will discuss and suggest changes to the early primary calendar.
Key Facts
The DNC members are gathering in Washington, D.C. this week.
The meeting takes place at the Salamander Hotel on Thursday and Friday.
They will vote on which states should be early in the 2028 Democratic primary voting schedule.
The group making recommendations is the rules and bylaws committee within the DNC.
The goal is to set the early primary calendar for the 2028 election cycle.
Early primary states get to vote before others in the presidential primary process.
The decisions can influence the momentum of the candidates in the early stages.
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Microsoft has signed a multibillion-dollar deal with the French AI startup Mistral to use its computing infrastructure in Europe. This partnership lets Microsoft offer Mistral’s AI models to its customers through the Azure cloud platform, supporting European data regulations and reducing dependence on US-only technology.
Key Facts
Microsoft will spend billions to use Mistral’s AI data centers located in Europe.
Azure customers can now build software using Mistral’s computing power in France.
Mistral’s AI models, Medium 3.5 and OCR 4, are integrated into Microsoft’s tools like Foundry and Copilot Studio.
Businesses with their own data centers can run Mistral’s open AI models through Microsoft Azure Local.
The deal helps Europe reduce reliance on US-controlled AI technology and meet strict local rules.
Microsoft President Brad Smith said the partnership blends American software with European AI infrastructure.
Mistral aims to reach 1 gigawatt of computing capacity by 2030 for AI development.
Nvidia, an American chip maker and investor in Mistral, provides key technology behind the AI infrastructure.
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A group of younger Democrats in the U.S. Congress want to set limits on how long someone can lead committee groups. They say having the same older leaders for a long time hurts democracy and want younger people to have more chances to lead.
Key Facts
Younger Democratic members of Congress are asking for term limits on committee leadership roles.
They believe that having leaders who stay in power too long creates a problem called gerontocracy, which means rule by older people.
They want more generational change to bring fresh ideas and perspectives.
Rodericka Applewhaite, a Majority Democrat, supports the idea that age should not be a big factor in choosing leaders.
The push aims to make political leadership more balanced and representative of different age groups.
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Senator Andy Kim from New Jersey introduced a plan called the MediKids Act to give every American child health coverage through Medicare. The program would start at birth and cover children up to age 26.
Key Facts
The proposal is called the MediKids Act.
It would enroll every child in the U.S. in Medicare automatically when they are born.
The health coverage would continue until the child turns 26 years old.
Senator Andy Kim is a Democrat from New Jersey.
The plan aims to expand healthcare access for children and young adults.
Medicare is a government health insurance program.
The proposal is part of a push to bring new ideas to the healthcare discussion.
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Saudi Arabia condemned the Houthi group in Yemen after the Houthis announced they would set up a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia. The Houthis intend to disrupt shipping near a key route for global oil exports, raising concerns about higher risks to world energy supplies amid ongoing regional tensions.
Key Facts
The Houthis in Yemen declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia, aiming to respond to what they call a Saudi siege on Yemen.
Saudi Arabia said it will take all necessary actions to protect its ships and keep trade flowing.
The maritime route affected is near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a crucial passage for oil shipments linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
About 4.1 billion barrels of oil passed through this strait in 2024, representing roughly 5% of global oil trade.
The Strait of Hormuz, another vital oil route, is already closed due to conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran.
Closing both the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb would block about 25% of the world’s oil and gas supply.
The conflict in Yemen began over a decade ago, with the Houthis controlling the capital Sanaa since 2014, and Saudi Arabia supporting Yemen’s recognized government since 2015.
The situation has caused one of the worst humanitarian crises, with ongoing fighting and disruptions to shipping and aid deliveries.
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Iran is facing tough choices after recent conflicts with the US over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipping. The country can either accept US terms to reopen the strait, escalate military actions, or maintain a risky balance that applies economic pressure without full-scale war.
Key Facts
The Strait of Hormuz is a key passage for global oil transport and has been a conflict point between Iran and the US.
Iran could agree to US demands like stopping attacks on ships, limiting uranium enrichment, and allowing nuclear inspections, in exchange for ending a US naval blockade and easing sanctions.
Accepting these terms would be politically difficult for Iran, as it would mean giving up influence over the strait and its nuclear program.
Iran might escalate attacks on US bases and Gulf states to raise energy prices and pressure the US to negotiate.
Escalation risks broader war and involvement of other regional countries.
Iran could also keep current tensions low enough to maintain leverage but avoid full war, as survival is viewed as a form of victory.
Increased attacks on the strait might drive other countries to find alternative shipping routes, reducing Iran’s strategic power.
Iran’s leadership situation is uncertain after the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, now succeeded by his son Mojtaba, which affects decision-making.
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Novo Nordisk sued Eli Lilly, saying Eli Lilly made false claims in ads about their weight loss and diabetes drugs. Novo Nordisk says Eli Lilly used old data to make their drugs look better than Novo’s medicines.
Key Facts
Novo Nordisk filed a lawsuit against Eli Lilly in New Jersey federal court.
The suit says Eli Lilly’s ads use outdated clinical trial data to compare their drugs Zepbound and Mounjaro with Novo’s Wegovy and Ozempic.
The lawsuit claims Eli Lilly compared their highest drug doses to lower doses of Novo Nordisk’s drugs unfairly.
Eli Lilly says its advertising is truthful, transparent, and based on scientific evidence.
Novo Nordisk says the FDA approved newer, more effective doses of its drugs that Eli Lilly did not reference in its ads.
The lawsuit states Eli Lilly mentions the higher dose of Wegovy only in small, unclear footnotes.
Both companies are competing in the fast-growing market for weight loss drugs using GLP-1 medicines.
A recent study shows 15% of U.S. adults have used GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, up from 12% the previous year.
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A fake video claiming that Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. criticized the movie The Odyssey has been shared widely online. The video is false, and no evidence exists that RFK Jr. made such statements. The film faced criticism for its diverse casting but has received strong reviews and box office success.
Key Facts
A viral video falsely shows RFK Jr. saying The Odyssey is for "gays and cowards."
The video comes from an account that says it mainly posts satire.
A fact-check note on the video states no proof RFK Jr. made those comments.
The Odyssey is a new movie based on the ancient Greek epic by Homer.
Some conservatives criticized the film’s casting of Black and transgender actors before it was released.
Director Christopher Nolan dismissed early criticism as irrelevant since people hadn't seen the film.
The movie earned over $123 million in its opening weekend in the U.S.
Critics praised the film, and it holds high audience ratings on IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes.
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Kaylee Hottle, an 18-year-old deaf actress known for playing Jia in the Godzilla movies, died in a car accident in Maryland. Her father confirmed she was critically injured and died en route to the hospital.
Key Facts
Kaylee Hottle was 18 years old and deaf.
She played Jia in the Godzilla vs. Kong films.
She used sign language to communicate with the monster on screen.
She died early Tuesday in a car accident in Maryland.
Her father, Joshua Hottle, confirmed her death and shared his grief in American Sign Language.
Kaylee started acting as a child, appearing in commercials and a public service announcement.
She was from Atlanta and came from a family with multiple generations of deaf members.
Kaylee also appeared in a 2021 episode of the show Magnum P.I.
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France’s Normandy D-Day landing beaches may soon become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This status would recognize their worldwide importance and bring more attention to these historic locations where Allied forces landed during World War II.
Key Facts
The D-Day beaches are in Normandy, France.
The listing would mark nearly 20 years of efforts to get this recognition.
UNESCO calls this a recognition of "outstanding universal value."
One of the beaches includes a site where an artificial harbor was built by Allied forces.
UNESCO’s cultural agency will announce the decision between July 24 and 27, 2026.
This designation would increase global awareness of the beaches’ historic significance related to World War II.
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The US military identified Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton as the soldier killed during a controlled explosion of a downed Iranian drone in Iraq. He died at Erbil airbase while supporting US operations, marking the 17th American military death in the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Key Facts
Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, from Fayetteville, North Carolina, was killed in Iraq.
He died while conducting a controlled detonation (a planned explosion to safely destroy dangerous materials) of an unexploded Iranian drone.
The incident happened at Erbil airbase in northern Iraq.
Another service member was wounded with minor injuries during the explosion.
Two other US soldiers recently died defending against Iranian missile and drone attacks in Jordan.
The US war with Iran began in February after US strikes on Iran’s military and nuclear sites.
17 US service members have died, and hundreds have been injured during the conflict so far.
Swinton served as an air defense early warning system operator and was part of the Army’s air and missile defense command at Fort Bragg.
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The article discusses underwater cables beneath important waterways like the Taiwan Strait and the Baltic Sea. These cables are crucial for communication and security, and their protection tests the ability of free societies to safeguard essential infrastructure.
Key Facts
There are important underwater cables beneath the Taiwan Strait and the Baltic Sea.
These cables carry communication signals essential for daily life and national security.
Protecting these cables is a challenge for countries with free societies.
The safety of such infrastructure affects global communication and security.
The article suggests these cables are a measure of resilience for nations.
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The article compares the AI developments of the U.S. and China, highlighting their different approaches to advancing artificial intelligence. The U.S. focuses on creating very powerful but closed-access AI models, while China develops more accessible and efficient AI systems that users can modify and run on their own machines.
Key Facts
A robot humanoid fought in a violent match in Shenzhen, China, showing advanced AI robotics technology.
The U.S. and China are competing to lead the world in AI technology, with both making rapid progress.
American AI labs use the best technology and lots of money to create very powerful but closed AI models.
Chinese AI labs emphasize efficiency and accessibility, offering open AI models that anyone can download and use.
China’s AI models may be slightly less powerful but can run on less hardware and cost less money.
The CEO of Chinese AI company Moonshot plans to release its Kimi K3 AI model publicly soon.
The U.S. approach is like making expensive luxury cars, while China offers more affordable cars available to many people.
Both countries have different ideas about how AI should be used and shared globally.
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