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Minneapolis currently has the worst air quality in the world among major cities because of thick smoke from wildfires nearby. Officials are warning people to stay indoors due to hazardous air conditions caused by many fires burning in northern Minnesota and Ontario, Canada.
Key Facts
Minneapolis' air quality reached an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 460, well above the hazardous level of 300.
Detroit also had one of the worst air qualities in the world alongside Minneapolis.
Wildfires are burning in Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota.
Hot, dry, windy weather and lightning have made the fires spread quickly.
Over 183 wildfires were active in Ontario, Canada, sending smoke to the U.S. Midwest.
Rain forecasted is too light to stop the fires, which may burn until fall.
First responders are evacuating residents and visitors to keep them safe.
Firefighters from both the U.S. and Canada are working together to fight the fires.
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Steve Bannon, a former White House adviser, said that people working in the White House shared information with journalist Vaughn Hillyard about President Trump’s primetime speech. Bannon claimed these officials spoke off the record, meaning they did not want their names revealed. The leaked information was about what President Trump would say during his address.
Key Facts
Steve Bannon is a former adviser to President Trump.
Bannon accused White House staff of sharing information without permission.
The information was given to journalist Vaughn Hillyard.
The leaks concerned President Trump’s upcoming primetime speech.
The talks with Hillyard were off the record, meaning no names were to be revealed.
Bannon made these accusations on a Wednesday.
The leaks were related to the content of the president’s address to the nation.
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The Republican primary to replace the late Senator Lindsey Graham in South Carolina is competitive, with several candidates including Representatives Ralph Norman and Nancy Mace considering running. A recent poll shows no clear favorite, but name recognition and support from President Trump might influence the outcome in the quickly approaching primary.
Key Facts
Senator Lindsey Graham passed away, leaving his Senate seat open in South Carolina.
The Republican Party must quickly hold a primary to pick a nominee for the November election.
A poll of 500 likely Republican voters shows Ralph Norman leading with 16% support.
Mark Lynch, who has confirmed he is running, has 13% support.
Nancy Mace and Lt. Governor Pamela Evette both have 10% support in the poll.
Other candidates include Russell Fry (9%), Governor Henry McMaster (8%), and Senator Darline Graham (6%).
18% of voters are undecided, which could impact the tight race.
Candidates with higher name recognition and President Trump’s support may have an advantage.
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A court in Genoa, Italy, sentenced the former CEO of the country’s main highway operator to 12 years in prison for the collapse of the Morandi bridge in 2018, which killed 43 people. The trial involved 57 defendants and focused on charges including manslaughter, negligence, and safety violations tied to the bridge's poor maintenance.
Key Facts
The Morandi bridge in Genoa collapsed on August 14, 2018, killing 43 people.
Giovanni Castellucci, former CEO of Atlantia (the company that operated the bridge), received a 12-year prison sentence.
Castellucci was convicted of vehicular homicide and negligence.
Michele Donferri Mitelli, former head of maintenance, was sentenced to 11 years; Antonino Galata, former CEO of the engineering firm SPEA, got five years and six months.
A total of 32 people were convicted, with sentences ranging from nearly 2 to 12 years; others were found not guilty or had charges expire.
The trial lasted four years and included accusations of manslaughter, neglecting transport safety, and falsifying documents.
The bridge had been deteriorating for years, with experts warning about its condition but needed repairs were not made.
Prosecutors said delayed maintenance and ignored warnings caused the collapse, while the defense blamed hidden construction defects.
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Republican Congressman Marlin Stutzman, who had questioned whether Senator Mitch McConnell was alive, now says he believes McConnell is alive and able to do his job. McConnell is recovering in a rehabilitation center after a fall caused his long hospital stay, and he has urged patience as he works to regain his strength.
Key Facts
Indiana Rep. Marlin Stutzman doubted McConnell’s status but now believes he is alive and working.
McConnell fell on June 14, leading to an extended hospital stay.
He was treated for a mild case of pneumonia and had tests to understand the cause of his fall.
McConnell moved from hospital care to a rehabilitation center to recover strength.
McConnell has not yet returned to voting in the Senate but continues to follow doctor’s advice.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear requested official updates about McConnell’s health.
McConnell released a public statement and photo with his wife to reassure constituents.
Speculation about McConnell’s health and status had grown due to limited information.
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President Donald Trump fired Roger Rogoff, the newly appointed top U.S. prosecutor in Seattle, less than an hour after his appointment by federal judges. Rogoff was sworn in early but was removed by the administration shortly after arriving at the office.
Key Facts
Roger Rogoff was unanimously appointed by federal judges as the top U.S. prosecutor in Seattle.
He was sworn in before 8 a.m. at the U.S. courthouse in Seattle.
Rogoff asked to meet the previous interim prosecutor whose term ended in February.
While waiting, Rogoff received an email from the Trump administration saying he was fired.
Rogoff is consulting lawyers about possibly suing over his removal.
The firing happened very quickly, highlighting a conflict between the courts and President Trump.
Charles Neil Floyd had been the interim U.S. attorney before Rogoff’s appointment.
The situation involves a powerful government position within the federal legal system.
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Washington state voters will choose in November whether to repeal a new tax on households that earn more than $1 million each year. The effort to repeal the tax, called Initiative 645, gathered enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.
Key Facts
The issue will be decided by voters in Washington state this November.
The tax targets households earning over $1 million annually.
The tax is often called the "millionaire’s tax."
Initiative 645 aims to remove this new tax.
The initiative got enough signatures to be included on the election ballot.
Secretary of State Steve Hobbs confirmed the signature count.
The tax was recently put into effect before the repeal effort began.
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under President Trump finalized new rules changing how international students, exchange visitors, and foreign journalists stay in the U.S. Instead of staying for the full length of their programs automatically, they will get fixed time limits and must apply to extend their stay with immigration authorities.
Key Facts
The new DHS rule affects people on F-1 student visas, J-1 exchange visitor visas, and I visas for foreign media representatives.
Currently, many can stay as long as they follow visa rules, but the new system sets fixed admission periods, often tied to a program’s end date and capped at four years.
Those needing more time must apply for extensions with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), potentially facing interviews or biometrics checks.
The post-graduation grace period for F-1 students will shrink from 60 days to 30 days.
Limits on school transfers and changing education goals for F-1 students will become stricter.
There will be a 24-month total limit on English-language study under F-1 visas.
Schools and program sponsors must report more information to the government.
Critics say the changes add complexity and cost, while supporters argue they improve oversight of visa holders.
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Representative Mike Lawler from New York revealed that he was arrested for drunk driving in 2012 on St. Patrick’s Day. This information came out in a recent news report.
Key Facts
Mike Lawler is a Republican Representative from New York.
He was arrested for drunk driving in 2012.
The arrest happened on St. Patrick’s Day.
Lawler disclosed this information publicly.
The report about the arrest was published by News 12 New Jersey.
This incident occurred more than ten years ago.
The news report emerged recently.
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Senator Thom Tillis said he will only vote to confirm Todd Blanche as U.S. attorney general if Blanche meets with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein within two weeks. Tillis has a positive view of Blanche but has not decided yet, and Blanche needs all Republican votes to pass the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Key Facts
Senator Thom Tillis is from North Carolina and a member of the Republican Party.
Todd Blanche is nominated to be the U.S. attorney general.
Tillis wants Blanche to meet with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender.
Blanche has not yet responded to requests from Epstein survivors.
Tillis said he is "trying to get to yes," meaning he wants to support Blanche if conditions are met.
The vote will happen during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings.
Blanche needs all Republican senators on the committee to approve his nomination.
Tillis has not made a final decision on his vote yet.
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Dawood Safi, a 28-year-old Afghan refugee living in the UK, was found guilty of stabbing a dog walker, Wayne Broadhurst, to death and also guilty of attempted murder against his landlord, Shahzad Farrukh. Safi was in a psychotic state during the attacks and had a history of mental health issues.
Key Facts
Dawood Safi killed Wayne Broadhurst on October 27, 2025, by stabbing him about 14 times.
Safi also attacked his landlord, Shahzad Farrukh, stabbing him with a large kitchen knife.
Safi was found guilty of attempted murder of Farrukh and manslaughter of Broadhurst because of diminished responsibility due to psychosis.
Safi struggled violently with Farrukh, and neighboring CCTV footage was shown in court.
Safi arrived in the UK as an Afghan refugee in 2020, granted asylum in 2022.
In days before the attack, Safi had mental health assessments and reported hearing voices.
Safi believed people, including his family, were controlling or plotting against him.
The jury is still deciding on a second murder charge involving a 14-year-old boy.
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A reporter for KTLA News in Los Angeles stayed calm during a live broadcast when a big flying cockroach landed on her and crawled across her body. She finished her report without reacting and later shared the video on social media, where many praised her professionalism.
Key Facts
Reporter Rachel Menitoff was reporting live from Sherman Oaks, California, during extreme heat conditions.
A large flying cockroach landed on her neck, crawled on her body, and flew away during the broadcast.
Menitoff remained calm and finished her live report without showing any reaction.
After the segment, she brushed off the insect and joked about the incident on Instagram.
KTLA shared the video on social media, where her colleagues and viewers praised her calmness.
Other examples of animals interrupting live news reports have also gone viral in recent years.
Menitoff admitted it was difficult to stay composed during the incident.
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Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina who is retiring, criticized President Donald Trump’s main voter ID bill. He said he would block or delay the bill if it returned to the Senate.
Key Facts
Senator Thom Tillis is retiring from the Senate.
He is a Republican and has spoken out against President Trump within his party.
Tillis criticized the SAVE America Act, which focuses on voter ID laws.
He made his comments during a Senate speech on a Thursday morning.
Tillis said he would try to slow down the bill if it came back to the Senate.
The SAVE America Act is a top priority bill for President Donald Trump.
Voter ID laws require people to show identification to vote.
Tillis’s opposition signals division within the Republican Party on this issue.
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Human Rights Watch and the ACLU reported that migrants detained at the U.S. Army immigration facility at Fort Bliss in El Paso face beatings, abuse, and neglect. Their detailed report describes harsh treatment of people held at the camp.
Key Facts
The report was released by Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union on Wednesday.
It focuses on the immigration detention camp run by the U.S. Army at Fort Bliss, El Paso.
The report has 84 pages outlining alleged abuses against detained migrants.
Accusations include physical beatings and neglect of health and safety.
The report claims conditions at the camp are harmful and violate rights.
The title of the report is “‘You’re Only Getting Out Deported or Dead’: Abusive U.S. Immigration Detention at Ft. Bliss.”
The findings aim to bring attention to treatment in military-run immigration detention centers.
The report seeks changes to improve detainees’ conditions and prevent abuse.
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Andy Burnham, poised to become the UK prime minister, is keeping decisions about his cabinet appointments secret. This has caused confusion and uncertainty among members of his party and the wider government. Only a small group close to Burnham knows the final plans, while others wait and guess.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is expected to become the next prime minister of the UK.
He has centralized power in a small group called the “black box,” including himself, Louise Haigh, and James Purnell.
Most senior Labour Party members and cabinet ministers do not know who will get important roles.
This secrecy is causing anxiety and rumors within Westminster, the UK’s political center.
Burnham previously used this secretive approach during an earlier election contest.
Key positions like the chancellor of the exchequer may be given to Shabana Mahmood instead of Ed Miliband.
Burnham has made few public appearances and shared little about his policies or plans.
People close to Burnham say no final cabinet decisions have yet been announced.
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John R. Dearie suggests that the United States can better handle its growing national debt by increasing economic growth to 3.5 percent, a rate seen after World War II. He believes this can be done by supporting new businesses, investing in technology and science programs, passing the INVEST Act, and improving immigration rules for skilled workers.
Key Facts
The U.S. is facing a rising national debt problem.
John R. Dearie recommends faster economic growth as a solution.
The target growth rate is 3.5 percent, similar to the post-World War II period.
Strengthening entrepreneurship means helping new businesses start and grow.
The CHIPS and Science Act funds technology and science development.
The INVEST Act is new legislation aimed at supporting innovation.
Reforming high-skilled immigration rules means making it easier for skilled workers from other countries to live and work in the U.S.
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OnePlus announced it will stop releasing new phones in North America and Europe, focusing only on India and China for future launches. Existing OnePlus phones in these regions will still get software updates, but will switch from OxygenOS to Oppo’s ColorOS with the next Android update.
Key Facts
OnePlus will no longer launch new phones in the US and Europe after the OnePlus 15 model in late 2025.
The company will continue selling current phones and support their software in these regions.
OnePlus devices will switch from OxygenOS to Oppo’s ColorOS starting with Android 17.
Future OnePlus phone releases will focus only on India and China.
Oppo, OnePlus’ parent company, is integrating OnePlus devices closer with its own brand and software.
Chinese brands like Oppo and OnePlus face challenges entering the US market due to carrier partnerships and regulations.
The smartphone market in the US will continue to be dominated by Apple and Samsung.
Rising costs for phone parts like RAM and flash storage are making phone production more expensive, influencing companies to adjust their strategies.
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The traditionalist Catholic group Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) warned against unquestioning obedience to the pope, listing what they see as errors by recent popes. This came shortly after the Vatican excommunicated four SSPX bishops for being ordained without approval, leading the group to begin appealing the decision.
Key Facts
SSPX posted a video urging Catholics to question papal authority if it contradicts traditional Church teachings.
The group claims recent popes have made serious errors on topics like same-sex blessings, religious diversity, the death penalty, and Marian titles.
The SSPX was critical of reforms from the Second Vatican Council, which introduced many changes to Catholic practice.
On July 1, SSPX ordained four bishops without the pope’s permission in Switzerland.
Pope Leo XIV excommunicated those bishops, the consecrators, and SSPX members formally following the group.
SSPX appealed the excommunications shortly after they were announced.
The group disagrees with Pope Francis approving blessings for same-sex couples but says these do not change Church teaching on marriage.
SSPX rejects Pope Francis’s view that religious diversity is willed by God, seeing it as contradictory to Catholic doctrine.
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The United States will start charging a 25 percent tariff on many Brazilian imports such as sugar, clothes, paper, and steel starting July 22. This is part of a new US trade policy using a law called Section 301, which targets unfair trade practices after a year-long investigation into Brazil's trade and environmental issues.
Key Facts
The US plans 25 percent tariffs on thousands of Brazilian products, excluding some items like beef, coffee, rare-earth materials, aircraft parts, and certain oil and gas products.
The tariffs are based on findings that Brazil engaged in unfair trade practices, including concerns about digital trade and illegal deforestation.
US beef and coffee prices have increased significantly, so these products are exempted to avoid further price rises.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva opposes the tariffs, calling the US claims politically motivated.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized Lula, saying Brazil was not negotiating sincerely.
The tariffs follow over 30 meetings between US and Brazilian officials but no agreement was reached.
These tariffs are the first actions under Section 301 after the US Supreme Court ruled against the former global tariffs method.
The US is also conducting similar trade investigations with countries like the EU, India, Japan, and South Korea.
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Scientists named a new dinosaur that is valued at $50 million. The article also mentions other world events, including Sir Keir Starmer’s last session as UK Prime Minister and ongoing tensions between the US and Iran.
Key Facts
A new dinosaur worth $50 million received an official scientific name.
Sir Keir Starmer participated in his last Prime Minister’s Questions before leaving office.
The US and Iran continue to have conflicts involving verbal attacks and military actions.
Film critics praised the movie The Odyssey this week.
The article includes a quiz about recent news events.
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