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Steven Long, head of Universal Wealth Preservation (UWP), was sentenced to over 8 years in prison for defrauding 115 people, mostly elderly, out of more than £11 million. The victims trusted UWP to protect or sell their homes, but the company sold properties and kept the money without giving it to the rightful heirs.
Key Facts
Steven Long led UWP, a company that claimed to protect people's assets, especially homes.
UWP targeted elderly people with promises to safeguard their homes from costs like care fees.
Donald Matthews signed over his home to UWP in 2008 and died in 2016; his family never received money from the house sale.
UWP sold Matthews’ home for £260,000 but did not give any of the money to his children.
More than 114 victims lost a total of over £11 million to the same scam.
Deborah Wildish and her sister also lost thousands after trusting UWP to sell their parents’ home.
Police investigated after victims reported the scam, leading to Long’s conviction.
Long was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court and will serve 8 years and 4 months in prison.
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Hand-painted film posters became a unique art form in Ghana from the late 1970s to early 2000s, created to attract viewers to local video clubs. Though the practice declined with the rise of home video technology, it has experienced renewed interest globally, supported by businesses like Deadly Prey Gallery that connect Ghanaian artists with international collectors.
Key Facts
Ghanaian artists painted colorful, imaginative movie posters on flour sacks to advertise films in neighborhood video clubs.
The posters often added dramatic or unrelated elements to make them more eye-catching.
This hand-painted poster tradition started in the late 1970s and faded by the early 2000s as more people got TVs and video players.
Interest in these posters revived due to online marketing and international demand, especially from the US.
Deadly Prey Gallery was founded in 2012 to preserve this art and help artists sell their work worldwide.
The gallery works with 15 artists, including Heavy J and Stoger, who have painted for decades.
Popular poster themes include action, horror, and science fiction films like The Exorcist, Star Wars, and Terminator.
Commissioned posters can sell for $600 or more and are shipped internationally.
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Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike for 20 days in Delhi to demand education reforms, was taken by police to a hospital. The court ordered authorities to monitor his health and provide treatment as his condition worsened, but his group still plans to march to the parliament.
Key Facts
Sonam Wangchuk is a 59-year-old activist and educationist on a hunger strike for 20 days.
He protested in support of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), an online satirical movement pushing for educational reform.
Wangchuk had lost over 9kg and was only consuming salt and water during the strike.
Police and paramilitary forces removed him forcibly from the protest site early Saturday morning.
A Delhi High Court ordered the government to regularly check Wangchuk’s health and provide medical care.
Wangchuk was taken to a government hospital and is now under medical supervision.
CJP demands the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after a major exam was canceled due to a paper leak.
Some political leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, have expressed support and urged the government to engage with protesters.
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The Philippines has officially protested to China over videos by China Daily that showed Filipinos in a racist way. The videos were part of China Daily's coverage of a South China Sea dispute, and the Philippines says they insult their people and go beyond normal political arguments.
Key Facts
The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs called the videos “demeaning” and “racist” for depicting Filipinos as monkeys.
The protest was made both in person to China’s ambassador and through a formal diplomatic note.
China Daily is a major state-run English newspaper in China with over 110 million Facebook followers.
The videos were linked to the 10th anniversary of a 2016 international tribunal ruling favoring the Philippines in the South China Sea dispute.
China rejects this tribunal ruling and claims most of the South China Sea as its territory.
The South China Sea has large oil and natural gas reserves and is a point of tension between China and the Philippines.
The U.S. and other countries support the Philippines’ position based on the 2016 ruling and call for peace in the region.
China’s government and China Daily had not responded publicly to the protest when the article was published.
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The Justice Department said that federal law banning TikTok from government devices no longer applies because TikTok is now mostly owned by American investors. However, individual federal agencies can still choose to block TikTok on their devices if they want.
Key Facts
The Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel issued a legal opinion saying the TikTok ban no longer applies.
TikTok’s U.S. operations are now run by a new joint venture mainly owned by American investors.
ByteDance, based in Beijing, keeps a 19.9% minority stake, just under the 20% limit set by law.
In late 2022, Congress required federal agencies to remove TikTok from government devices due to national security concerns.
The ban targeted the TikTok version owned by ByteDance, which raised fears data could be shared with the Chinese government.
President Trump directed the Justice Department not to enforce the nationwide ban, aiming for a new ownership deal.
Oracle, a U.S. tech company, is one of the new investors and monitors TikTok’s cybersecurity.
Lawsuits have been filed by some tech firms arguing the new deal does not meet legal requirements; the case is still open.
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A minibus accident in the Peruvian Andes caused the death of at least 14 people and injured five others. The minibus lost control on a curve and went off a mountain road, and rescue teams had to use ropes to bring victims up from the steep hillside.
Key Facts
At least 14 people died in the accident.
Five people were injured.
The accident happened in the Peruvian Andes mountains.
The minibus lost control while going around a curve.
The vehicle went off a mountain road and down a steep slope.
Rescue workers used ropes to reach and recover the victims.
The accident involved a minibus transporting passengers.
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Protesters in Venice clashed with police outside the superyacht of US Ambassador Tilman Fertitta. The ambassador was in Venice as part of his Freedom 250 Coastal Diplomacy Tour of Italy, but activists criticized the visit because of security measures that caused disruption.
Key Facts
US Ambassador Tilman Fertitta visited Venice with his superyacht.
The visit was part of the Freedom 250 Coastal Diplomacy Tour of Italy.
Activists protested due to security-related disruptions during the arrival.
Clashes occurred between protesters and police outside the superyacht.
The protests focused on the impact of the ambassador’s security detail in Venice.
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The race for South Carolina's open U.S. Senate seat shows a split among Republican leaders after Senator Lindsey Graham's death. Congressman Ralph Norman is supported by Senators Mike Lee and Rick Scott, while interim Senator Darline Graham, Lindsey's sister, is backed by President Donald Trump and Representative William Timmons.
Key Facts
Senator Lindsey Graham died from an aortic dissection on July 11 at age 71.
Ralph Norman has endorsements from Republican Senators Mike Lee and Rick Scott.
Darline Graham, Lindsey Graham’s sister and newly sworn-in interim senator, has President Trump’s backing.
President Trump publicly encouraged Darline Graham to run in the special Republican primary scheduled for August 11, 2026.
The South Carolina Senate seat is important as the state has voted Republican in every presidential election since 1976.
Ralph Norman has not yet officially announced if he will run but said a decision is coming soon.
Rick Scott praised Norman for supporting President Trump’s agenda in the House of Representatives.
William Timmons supports Darline Graham based on President Trump’s endorsement.
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David Crowley plans to re-enter the race for Wisconsin governor after Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez ended her campaign due to issues with campaign finance. Crowley made a public hint that he would soon make a major announcement about his campaign plans.
Key Facts
David Crowley is the Milwaukee County Executive.
He is running in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor.
Sara Rodriguez, Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor, recently quit the governor’s race.
Rodriguez left the race because of a campaign finance scandal.
Crowley announced on social media that he would soon share important campaign news.
Crowley previously left the governor’s race but is now rejoining.
The Wisconsin governor’s race is part of the 2024 election cycle.
Crowley represents the Democratic Party.
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In Bay Ridge, New York, known as "Little Palestine," many Arab Americans are cheering for Spain in the FIFA World Cup final against Argentina. They support Spain partly because Spain recognized the State of Palestine and has criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Key Facts
Bay Ridge is a neighborhood in New York with a large Arab American community and is nicknamed "Little Palestine."
Many local Arab Americans support Spain in the World Cup final due to Spain’s political stance supporting Palestine.
Spain recognized the State of Palestine in 2024.
Palestinian symbols and decorations are common in Bay Ridge businesses and on the streets.
The 2026 World Cup final is held nearby in New Jersey, increasing local excitement.
Eight Arab teams participated in the 2026 World Cup, with Morocco reaching the quarterfinals.
Egyptian fans were upset after losing to Argentina in the round of 16 due to controversial refereeing decisions.
Arab community members organized public viewings and celebrations, creating a festive atmosphere around the tournament.
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More than a thousand people gathered in Memphis to support Justin Pearson, a progressive Democratic state representative running for Congress. The rally came after four fatal shootings by the Memphis Safe Task Force, and speakers highlighted issues like redistricting, racial justice, and environmental concerns in the city.
Key Facts
Justin Pearson is running in the Democratic primary for Tennessee’s 9th congressional district.
Four fatal shootings by Memphis Safe Task Force members occurred in the last two months.
Pearson was expelled in April 2023 from the Tennessee legislature for protesting against lack of gun laws but was reappointed by the Shelby County commission.
Tennessee’s congressional districts were redrawn to split Memphis’ largely Black Democratic district into three districts with no Democratic majority.
Progressive US representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, and Summer Lee supported Pearson at the rally.
Pearson plans to build on recent progressive wins in Democratic primaries and challenge established politicians.
The rally highlighted historical and ongoing struggles for racial justice, drawing connections to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy.
Environmental issues tied to pollution in Southwest Memphis and concerns about a data center were also mentioned.
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Russia is facing widespread fuel shortages as Ukrainian attacks hit its oil depots. This has led to long lines at gas stations and fuel rationing in many regions, including Vologda, about 300 miles north of Moscow.
Key Facts
Ukrainian strikes have damaged Russian oil facilities, reducing the country's refining capacity by nearly half.
More than 90% of Russian regions have experienced fuel shortages or rationing since June 2026.
The Russian government banned exports of some fuels and limited diesel exports to manage the crisis.
Fuel queues have started to shorten in Moscow and some other areas due to these measures.
Vologda drivers report some improvement but still face difficulties finding petrol.
Russia is one of the world’s largest oil producers but is still affected by the disruptions.
President Vladimir Putin says Ukraine is trying to cause panic and damage Russia’s economy.
Russian drivers blame Western countries and echo official messages blaming Ukraine for the crisis.
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An Iranian military advisor, Mohsen Rezaee, said Iran has so far limited its responses to US bombings. He warned that if the bombings continue, Iran will increase its actions into a full-scale war.
Key Facts
Mohsen Rezaee is a senior military advisor in Iran.
He said Iran has been holding back on its retaliation so far.
The warning came after US bombings on Iranian targets.
Rezaee stated that ongoing US attacks will lead Iran to escalate the conflict.
He indicated that the policy of negotiating while at war is over.
The statement implies a risk of larger military conflict between the US and Iran.
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The Israeli military destroyed three schools in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon’s education minister. This adds to the many educational buildings damaged or destroyed during ongoing fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which escalated into war in March 2024.
Key Facts
Israel’s military looted and then blew up three schools in southern Lebanon.
The destruction was confirmed by Lebanon’s Education and Higher Education Minister Rima Karami.
Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah escalated into full-scale war in March 2024.
UNESCO reported that at least 17 schools were destroyed and over 100 damaged in Lebanon before these latest attacks.
About 500,000 Lebanese children are currently not attending school due to the conflict.
Lebanese authorities report over 4,300 people killed and more than one million displaced since March 2024.
Lebanon and Israel signed a US-mediated agreement on June 26, linking Israeli withdrawal to Hezbollah disarmament but without a set timetable.
Over 11,000 buildings have been destroyed in southern Lebanon since March, according to the UN Development Programme.
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Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was charged with a misdemeanor hit-and-run in California. He is accused of crashing into a parked, empty car and leaving the scene without fulfilling legal requirements.
Key Facts
Paul Pelosi is 86 years old.
The charge is a misdemeanor hit-and-run.
The incident involved hitting an unoccupied parked car.
The crash happened in California.
California law requires drivers in crashes causing property damage to stop and provide their information.
Pelosi is the husband of Nancy Pelosi, a Democratic U.S. House Speaker.
The charge was announced several weeks after the crash happened.
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The United States has expanded its military actions in Iran from targeting areas near the Strait of Hormuz to locations further inside the country. The exact places hit by the recent strikes have not been made public, indicating a change in the US approach.
Key Facts
The US initially focused strikes near the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway.
Recent US strikes have moved inland into Iran.
The specific locations of the new strikes have not been revealed.
This change suggests a shift in US military strategy against Iran.
The information comes from Al Jazeera reporter Mike Hanna.
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Iran reportedly attacked two military bases in Jordan this week, injuring several U.S. troops. Neither the U.S. nor Jordan reported any deaths from the attacks, but details about when the attacks happened and the injury severity are unclear.
Key Facts
Iranian forces attacked at least two military bases in Jordan this week.
Several U.S. service members were injured in these attacks.
No deaths have been reported by either the U.S. or Jordan.
The exact timing of the attacks is not confirmed.
The extent of the injuries to U.S. troops is unknown.
The Pentagon has not yet given an official response.
Jordan and U.S. military cooperation includes hosting U.S. troops at bases in Jordan.
These incidents highlight ongoing regional tensions involving Iran.
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Two adopted children of actors Angelina Jolie and President Donald Trump’s predecessor Brad Pitt have legally started the process to remove Pitt’s surname. Another woman, Hannah Leonard-Ripley, changed her surname to combine her mother’s and husband’s names after feeling little connection to her father’s name.
Key Facts
Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt and Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt, aged 21 and 24, filed documents to remove their father Brad Pitt’s surname in April.
They published their intention to change names in a local paper for four weeks, which is a legal requirement.
They will await court approval in September to finalize their name changes.
Another child of Jolie and Pitt, Shiloh, changed her surname to Jolie earlier in 2024.
Hannah Leonard-Ripley legally changed her surname to combine her mother’s maiden name and her husband’s surname.
Hannah had used two surnames before: one from her mother on social media, and another from her father legally.
Hannah and another woman named Maggie both changed their surnames to reflect stronger connections with their mothers.
Experts say changing surnames often signals a wish to dissociate from a family history or identity.
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Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin supported President Trump's claim that over 250,000 non-citizens are registered to vote in four states, but no detailed proof has been shared. Experts say the methods used to make this estimate likely overcount non-citizen voters, and confirmed cases of non-citizen voting are very rare.
Key Facts
President Trump and Secretary Mullin claim more than 250,000 non-citizens are registered to vote in California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Nevada.
These four states have not provided voter data to the federal government as requested.
In 23 other states cooperating with the administration, about 28,000 non-citizen registrants were identified through a new federal database.
The 250,000 figure is based on commercial data analysis that may produce many errors, including false positives.
Election experts say many alleged non-citizens on voter rolls are actually eligible voters, and removing them could break the law.
Verified cases of non-citizens voting are extremely uncommon.
President Trump has pushed for stricter voting rules, including requiring proof of citizenship and photo ID to vote.
Courts have blocked some of these new voting restrictions, and the Justice Department is suing states to obtain voter roll data.
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Shomari Figures became the first Black person to represent Tuskegee, Alabama, in Congress in modern times. After helping secure $1 million for a new civic center, the US Supreme Court changed voting district rules, allowing Alabama to redraw maps that may weaken Black voter representation and challenge Figures’ reelection.
Key Facts
De’Mari Benham, a Tuskegee student, was injured and had limited access to adequate medical care due to lack of local hospitals.
Tuskegee is a small, mostly Black city with high poverty and no general hospital or full emergency care.
The local fire department often treats serious injuries because no proper medical facilities are nearby.
Shomari Figures, elected in 2024, is the first Black person to represent Tuskegee in Congress in modern history.
Figures helped get $1 million in federal funds to build a civic center to serve as a storm shelter and house emergency services.
The US Supreme Court struck down a part of the Voting Rights Act, enabling states like Alabama to redraw voting maps.
The new maps could split majority-Black districts, weakening minority voting power and favoring Republicans.
Tuskegee’s mayor worries losing Figures’ seat could hurt the city’s access to federal help and funding.
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