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Nearly 5,000 people have died in two earthquakes that hit Venezuela in June, and the United Nations says up to 50,000 people might still be missing. Many survivors are living in shelters, and rescue efforts continue while economic sanctions are making recovery harder.
Key Facts
Two earthquakes in Venezuela in June killed about 4,930 people.
The UN estimates up to 50,000 people may be missing, possibly trapped under rubble.
Around 17,000 people were injured, and over 21,000 are living in temporary shelters.
Local civilians responded immediately after the earthquakes, but government help has been slower.
International rescue teams helped at first but have now left to focus on humanitarian aid.
Venezuela faces US and European sanctions blocking access to about $11 billion in resources.
Some US lawmakers have asked President Trump to ease sanctions to help with disaster recovery.
The UN estimates it will cost $37 billion to fully recover from the earthquakes.
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Actor Sam Neill, known for movies like "Jurassic Park," died from pneumonia at his home in New Zealand. He had previously beaten a rare form of blood cancer called lymphoma using a new treatment before falling ill.
Key Facts
Sam Neill died from pneumonia on Monday in Sydney.
He had successfully fought angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare blood cancer, using CAR-T therapy.
CAR-T therapy is a treatment that uses a patient’s own immune cells to fight cancer.
Neill filmed four projects in the last year that will be released soon.
A private family memorial will be held at his New Zealand farm at a later date.
Neill was famous for roles in "Jurassic Park," "The Piano," and "Hunt for the Wilderpeople."
He was also a winemaker, producing wines under the Two Paddocks label in New Zealand.
Neill is survived by his four children and eight grandchildren.
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A Vietnamese activist, Tieu Nguyen Bao Ngoc, joined a mission to deliver aid to Gaza amid the conflict with Israel. Her ship was stopped by Israeli forces, and she was detained briefly, sparking strong reactions on Vietnamese social media despite limited coverage by local media and the government.
Key Facts
Tieu Nguyen Bao Ngoc is a 28-year-old activist from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
She took part in the Global Sumud Flotilla to deliver aid to Gaza during its siege by Israel.
The flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters near Cyprus in May.
Bao Ngoc was briefly detained and called for help through a prerecorded message.
Vietnamese social media widely supported her and demanded her release.
Major Vietnamese media and the government largely remained silent on her detention.
Neighboring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia openly condemned Israel’s actions against their citizens in the flotilla.
Supporters ran a campaign with thousands of emails to the Vietnamese embassy in Israel to push for her release.
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A UK study found that focal therapy, a less invasive treatment for prostate cancer, works as well as surgery or radiotherapy but causes fewer side effects. The 10-year research followed nearly 3,500 men and showed that only two died from prostate cancer after treatment, with lower risks of urine leakage and sexual problems.
Key Facts
Focal therapy uses high-intensity ultrasound or freezing methods to destroy cancer tissue.
The study was led by Imperial College London and involved about 3,500 men over 10 years.
Almost all patients had intermediate or high-risk prostate cancer at the start.
Only two men died from prostate cancer after 10 years following focal therapy.
Side effects like incontinence and loss of sexual function were less than half as common compared to surgery or radiotherapy.
Currently, only about 1,000 men per year in the UK get focal therapy, but up to 15,000 could benefit.
NHS access is limited to 10 centers in England, with none in other parts of the UK.
The UK government pledged up to £2.8 million to help expand focal therapy availability.
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The United States increased its attacks on Iran, targeting areas near Tehran and other regions, and fired on a ship it said was trying to break its naval blockade. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones at U.S. allies in the region and warned the conflict could escalate further. The fighting centers on control of the Strait of Hormuz, an important oil shipping route.
Key Facts
The U.S. expanded strikes farther north in Iran, including near Tehran and missile production sites.
The U.S. fired a missile at an oil tanker accused of trying to break the naval blockade on Iran.
Iran called the Strait of Hormuz a "red line" and vowed to prevent foreign interference.
Iran launched missile and drone attacks on U.S. allies Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait.
The interim ceasefire from last month has ended, leading to ongoing clashes.
U.S. strikes have reportedly killed over 35 people and injured more than 300 in Iran.
Iran controls several islands near the Strait that give it strategic power over the area.
Iraq condemned a drone attack on its northern region and said it will work to disarm Iranian-backed groups.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson plans to hold an early vote next week on a short-term government funding bill, even though the government won’t run out of money for more than two months. This vote may fail, which could help Johnson use a different budget process called reconciliation later to fund government spending and military needs.
Key Facts
Mike Johnson wants to vote soon on a short-term spending bill called a continuing resolution (CR).
The government has money until September, so the early vote is unusual.
If the CR vote fails, Johnson might use reconciliation, a budget process that needs fewer votes, to fund government spending and military munitions.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune does not agree with rushing into a third reconciliation bill.
Using reconciliation could pressure the Senate to accept the House’s spending plan or be blamed for a government shutdown.
Some Republicans fear a government shutdown could hurt them in upcoming elections.
Democrats are unsure if they will support the short-term funding bill and warn against a rigid approach.
Some conservatives want a specific bill (SAVE America Act) included with funding; Johnson has not decided on this.
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A nationwide outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an illness caused by a parasite, has sickened thousands of people in the U.S. Officials are investigating a lettuce supplier from Mexico, Taylor Farms, which provided lettuce to Taco Bell locations where some sick people ate. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is looking into the source while Taco Bell has temporarily removed some ingredients at certain restaurants.
Key Facts
Cyclosporiasis is caused by the parasite cyclospora and leads to diarrhea.
The outbreak began in early May and has spread to 34 states.
At least 1,645 people have been sickened and 141 hospitalized, but some states report higher numbers.
Michigan reported over 4,300 cases and more than 100 hospitalizations.
FDA traced the lettuce used by Taco Bell in five affected states to Taylor Farms in Mexico.
Taco Bell voluntarily removed some ingredients at select restaurants as a safety measure.
Taylor Farms is a major producer of salads and fresh foods, supplying many restaurant chains across North America.
Taylor Farms was linked to a previous food outbreak involving onions last year.
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A bill called the Sunshine Protection Act is moving through the U.S. Senate after passing the House. It would make daylight saving time permanent, meaning no more clock changes twice a year. Veterinarians say this change could temporarily disrupt pets' routines since animals rely on consistent schedules for feeding, walks, and medication.
Key Facts
The Sunshine Protection Act would keep the U.S. on daylight saving time all year, eliminating the switch back to standard time.
Pets like dogs and cats do not follow clock time but depend on regular routines for eating, walking, and sleeping.
Sudden changes in owners’ schedules could confuse pets for a few days.
Pets most affected include senior animals, puppies, kittens, those with anxiety or dementia, and pets on timed medications.
Medication schedules for pets should be adjusted gradually with a vet’s help to avoid problems.
Longer evenings may shift dog walks later, which could raise heat illness risks during summer for vulnerable breeds like bulldogs and older or overweight pets.
Darker mornings might lead to more early walks, increasing safety risks due to lower visibility.
Owners should take precautions when walking pets in low light to stay safe.
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President Donald Trump will give a speech from the White House on July 16, 2026, focusing on election issues and new claims that China accessed U.S. voter data. He continues to say the 2020 election was stolen, although officials say no foreign country interfered with vote counting or ballots.
Key Facts
President Trump’s speech is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET on July 16, 2026, at the White House in Washington, D.C.
He will address allegations that China accessed U.S. voter data and may have tried to influence elections.
U.S. intelligence agencies say no foreign countries interfered with actual voting or vote counts in 2020.
Trump is promoting the SAVE America Act, a bill requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration and photo ID at voting.
The SAVE America Act also seeks to ban mail-in voting and restrict transgender athletes in women’s sports.
Critics warn the bill could prevent millions of eligible voters from casting ballots.
The bill has passed the House but lacks enough support in the Senate to become law.
Intelligence agencies differentiate between “election influence” (spreading messages to affect voters) and “election interference” (changing votes or counts), finding only influence occurred in 2020.
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Parts of the UK have experienced nearly two weeks of continuous hot weather, with some places reaching temperatures above 30°C for 12 days in a row. This heatwave is one of the longest and hottest in recent years, influenced by climate change and specific weather patterns that trap warm air.
Key Facts
Southern England has seen 13 days above the heatwave temperature threshold.
Merryfield in Somerset reached 30.6°C (87.1°F) on a recent day, marking 12 consecutive days at or above 30°C in the UK.
The current heatwave is the longest since 2006 but is unlikely to break the 1976 record of 16 days at or above 30°C.
Climate change has raised average UK temperatures by about 1.33°C since 1961-1990, with the hottest days warming even faster.
A slow-moving high pressure system, called a "heat dome," has trapped warm air, creating prolonged heat and dry conditions.
This year has had three heatwaves so far, with more days exceeding 35°C than usual and consecutive months with extreme heat.
Some parts of southern England have not seen any rainfall for 30 days, but no widespread drought is reported yet.
Heatwaves in the UK are becoming more frequent, longer, and more intense according to the Met Office.
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President Donald Trump is preparing to give a primetime TV speech about election security in the United States. He plans to claim that China meddled in U.S. elections and is supporting a new law that would require voters to show photo ID and proof of citizenship.
Key Facts
President Trump will give a primetime speech focused on U.S. election security.
He is expected to allege that China interfered in the U.S. elections.
President Trump supports a voting law that requires a national photo ID for voters.
The proposed law would also require proof of citizenship to vote.
The information comes from unnamed sources who spoke to CBS News.
The speech links to concerns about protecting election integrity in America.
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Scientists have created tiny particles called nanoparticles that use copper already inside tumors to kill cancer cells. These nanoparticles deliver a special chemical directly to cancer cells to trigger a type of cell death called cuproptosis, while minimizing harm to healthy cells.
Key Facts
Researchers designed biodegradable nanoparticles made from a safe material called PLGA-PEG.
The nanoparticles have a surface modified with iRGD, a peptide that helps them target and enter cancer cells.
They carry a chemical called TPEN which binds copper inside cancer cells to cause cell death.
The nanoparticles are about 80 nanometers in size and release TPEN slowly over 72 hours.
Experiments showed these particles entered breast cancer cells more effectively than non-targeted ones.
Targeted nanoparticles killed cancer cells better and were less harmful to normal cells compared to free TPEN.
The approach uses copper naturally present in tumors instead of adding extra copper, aiming to reduce side effects.
Although promising, more research is needed to ensure safety and effectiveness before it can be used in patients.
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The U.S. government has officially labeled two more Mexican drug cartels, the Juárez Cartel and Los Viagras, as foreign terrorist organizations. This designation allows the U.S. to take stronger actions against these groups and anyone helping them.
Key Facts
The Juárez Cartel operates near the Texas border, controlling the Ciudad Juárez crossing opposite El Paso.
Los Viagras is a cartel based in the western Mexican state of Michoacán.
Both groups were added to a list that already included six other Mexican cartels designated as terrorist organizations.
The U.S. began labeling Latin American cartels as terrorist groups in February 2025 under President Donald Trump.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said these groups threaten U.S. national security, foreign policy, or economy.
The Juárez Cartel has a history of violent acts, including the 2019 killing of nine U.S. citizens.
Los Viagras emerged after local farmers ousted previous cartels in Michoacán and now control key exports, like avocados, often through extortion.
Nicolás Sierra Santana, leader of Los Viagras, faces drug trafficking charges in the U.S., with a $5 million reward offered for his capture.
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A new poll shows Democrat David Jolly slightly leading Republican Byron Donalds in the race for Florida governor. The survey found Jolly ahead by six points among likely voters, but the contest is still early and may change before the general election.
Key Facts
David Jolly, a former Republican turned Democrat, leads Byron Donalds 46% to 40% in the latest poll.
The poll was conducted by Change Research, a firm known to lean Democratic.
Previous polls showed a smaller gap or had Donalds slightly ahead.
President Donald Trump won Florida by 13 points in 2024, and no Democrat has been governor there for over 20 years.
About 45% of voters have heard of David Jolly, while 19% of voters say they are not familiar with Donalds.
Only 31% of likely voters approve of Donalds’ job performance in Congress.
Donalds’ campaign criticized the poll, claiming it was inaccurate based on past errors.
The poll surveyed 1,348 registered Florida voters, with 1,004 likely voters, and has a margin of error of 2.8%.
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The World Cup generates huge amounts of money, especially for FIFA, the organization that runs world football. While FIFA and broadcasters earn big profits from the event, fans face high costs for tickets, travel, and accommodation.
Key Facts
FIFA made a record $7.6 billion from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and expects even more revenue from the 2026 tournament in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA's income comes from selling TV rights, sponsorships, tickets, and licensing deals, plus a new resale marketplace charging fees.
FIFA is planning to expand the World Cup to 48 or even 64 teams to attract more viewers and increase earnings.
Fans paid very high prices for tickets, with some final match tickets listed officially at $32,970 and resale prices exceeding $2 million.
Travel and other expenses, like a train ticket hike in New Jersey from $12.90 to $150, also raised costs for fans.
Broadcasters spent large amounts to buy TV rights but expect large returns through advertising, especially with new "hydration breaks" sponsored during games.
In the US, a 30-second World Cup ad costs between $200,000 and $750,000, making hydration break ads a new big money opportunity.
UK viewers watching on BBC or ITV did not see hydration break ads because those channels do not run commercials.
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Sarah Reeve made her fiancé, Lee, pay off his debt before they married. Since then, Sarah has taken charge of managing their money, including budgeting, saving, and paying bills. She says getting financial advice helped her feel more confident about planning for the future.
Key Facts
Sarah gave Lee an ultimatum to clear his £2,000 debt before marriage.
After paying off his debt, they used a joint bank account for all their money.
Sarah manages the bills, savings, and budgeting, while Lee prefers to leave money decisions to her.
Sarah earns £24,000 part-time in insurance; Lee used to work at a factory and now does property maintenance earning about £30,000.
They have two daughters, 19 and 21, and consider their money shared.
The couple regularly makes extra payments on their mortgage and have avoided overspending.
Sarah initially felt unsure about managing investments but gained confidence after meeting a financial adviser.
Research shows more women are involved in daily money management but feel less confident than men about investment decisions.
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President Donald Trump is scheduled to give a televised speech amid ongoing military strikes against Iran that he authorized. Some TV networks will not air the speech live to avoid spreading unproven election fraud claims, while Democratic leaders criticize Trump for questioning 2020 election results and warning about interference in future elections.
Key Facts
President Trump will address the nation following US military strikes on Iran for the sixth day in a row.
The strikes targeted locations near Tehran and a ship accused by US officials of trying to break a US blockade.
Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on US allies in the region.
Some TV networks like NBC and ABC plan to stream Trump’s speech online but not broadcast it live on traditional TV.
Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff, Raphael Warnock, and Angela Alsobrooks, have criticized Trump’s focus on election fraud claims.
They say there is no evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 election and accuse Trump of trying to undermine future elections.
Trump’s press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended his focus on election concerns, citing support from many Americans.
The conflict with Iran has lasted 139 days, with no ceasefire or peace talks in progress, and gas prices rising.
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There has been an outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by a parasite, linked to shredded lettuce served at some Taco Bell restaurants. The affected locations are in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
Key Facts
Cyclosporiasis is an infection caused by a parasite called Cyclospora cayetanensis.
The illness has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce at certain Taco Bell locations.
The Taco Bell locations involved are in five U.S. states: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating the outbreak.
Taco Bell stated they prioritize customer health and are monitoring the situation.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information on cyclosporiasis.
The illness affects the intestines and is caused by a single-celled parasite.
The situation is ongoing and being updated as new information becomes available.
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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on countries to work together against what he described as a rising threat from far-left extremist groups. The Trump administration hosted a meeting in Washington focusing on far-left terrorism, especially targeting groups like Antifa, while not addressing far-right threats.
Key Facts
Rubio urged global cooperation to share information about far-left extremism.
The meeting included officials from over 60 countries, including many European, Latin American, and Asian nations.
The Trump administration has labeled Antifa and other left-wing groups as terrorist organizations.
Visa restrictions were announced against members of far-left groups involved in activities like economic sabotage.
Democrats criticized the focus on left-wing groups as politically biased and warned it could affect lawful protests.
Four European left-wing groups have been designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations by the U.S. government.
Reports show a complex picture of terrorism in the U.S., with some saying far-left threats have risen, while others emphasize far-right violence.
A recent U.S. Justice Department study indicating far-right extremists were responsible for most ideologically motivated deaths was quietly removed from the public website.
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Qatar denied reports from Israeli media that it agreed to join military action against Iran. Qatar said these claims are false and try to damage its reputation as a mediator in the region.
Key Facts
Israeli media reported that Qatar agreed to participate in military action against Iran.
Qatar officially rejected these reports.
Qatar calls the reports false allegations.
The country wants to maintain its role as a regional mediator.
Qatar’s statement came through Al Jazeera’s correspondent Zein Basravi.
The disagreement is about Qatar’s position toward Iran and regional security issues.
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