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The chief executive of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), Rain Newton-Smith, advised Andy Burnham, the new Labour leader, to avoid uncertain talks about tax and spending that could alarm businesses. She encouraged careful, steady decisions on fiscal plans and warned against costly ideas like renationalising utilities.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is set to become the Labour party leader with a new cabinet soon.
Rain Newton-Smith said speculation about tax increases or spending cuts creates uncertainty that worries businesses.
She advised the new chancellor to take time to listen to business concerns before making decisions.
Newton-Smith supports gradual changes instead of major shocks to the economy.
She warned that renationalising utilities is expensive and might hurt ordinary people.
Public-private partnerships were recommended to fund important projects like housing and energy-efficient buildings.
British businesses face high energy costs; electricity prices are 45% above the average of major countries (G7).
Newton-Smith suggested moving energy transition costs off business bills to taxpayers or private funding.
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UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer made a final visit to Ukraine to show the UK's strong and lasting support for the country amid the ongoing war with Russia. He met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv and highlighted the UK’s long-term commitment to Ukraine’s defense and security.
Key Facts
Sir Keir Starmer made a last trip to Ukraine as Prime Minister.
He met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.
The UK signed a 100-year partnership with Ukraine for defense and trade cooperation.
The UK increased its defense investments and supported new war-fighting technologies.
British-made artillery barrels are being supplied to Ukraine under a £61 million contract.
Russia continues to attack Ukrainian ports, including Odesa, killing eight people in recent strikes.
Starmer recalled supporting Zelensky shortly after a dispute between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump.
Andy Burnham will replace Starmer as Labour leader and is expected to become the next prime minister soon.
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Andy Burnham, soon to be UK Prime Minister, faces a big housing problem with high prices and long waits for affordable homes. The UK government has promised to build many new homes, but it is not meeting its current targets.
Key Facts
The average house price in England was £300,000 last year, about eight times the average salary.
The Labour government wants to build 1.5 million new homes in England during this Parliament but is already behind schedule.
Andy Burnham plans a large council house-building program, the biggest since after World War II, but has not given exact details.
The government pledged £39 billion to build 300,000 new social and affordable homes over 10 years.
Council house building has fallen sharply since the 1980s due to past policies that sold many local authority homes.
In 2025, councils built only 1,970 new homes, compared to almost 200,000 per year in the 1950s.
To meet Burnham’s goals, councils would need much more money and staff to manage large building projects.
Only about 204,000 new homes were built in the 12 months to March 2024, below the yearly target needed to reach 1.5 million homes.
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Several London residents have spoken about recent racist abuse they faced in their own neighbourhoods, describing how it has affected their sense of safety and belonging. The Metropolitan Police report a 9% increase in racist hate crimes in London over the past year, with nearly 18,000 cases recorded.
Key Facts
A British Asian man in London was verbally abused with racist language while walking in his neighbourhood.
Uzma Hussain, a local business owner, faced 30 minutes of racist abuse outside her restaurant in Walthamstow Village.
The abuse caused emotional distress and made victims question their sense of identity and belonging.
Food influencer Jimmy Bapu was also racially abused after trying to help during one incident.
Some community members showed support and shared their own experiences of racism.
Racist hate crimes in London rose by 9% in the last year and almost 18,000 offences were reported.
About one in eight reported racist crimes are now processed in the justice system, up from fewer than one in ten the previous year.
Activists say many incidents are not reported, so the actual number may be higher.
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The UK government has proposed a voluntary overnight social media curfew for 16- and 17-year-olds, blocking access from midnight to 6 a.m. by default on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. The plan also aims to turn off features like autoplay and infinite scroll to help teens sleep and focus better, but users can choose to disable these limits.
Key Facts
The curfew would apply automatically but can be turned off by 16- and 17-year-olds.
The ban would last six hours, from midnight to 6 a.m., on major social media platforms.
Features that encourage continuous watching, like autoplay and infinite scrolling, would be off by default.
A stricter ban on social media use for children under 16 is planned to start in 2027.
The UK government views this as a gradual way to help teens move safely toward adulthood.
Some politicians and child safety groups worry the voluntary system won't work well.
The policy still needs official approval and will likely be implemented by the next prime minister.
Australia has already banned social media use for under-16s since December 2023, setting a global example.
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Members of the U.S. Liberal Party are debating whether to introduce gender quotas to increase diversity. While party leader Angus Taylor opposes quotas, other senior members like Jane Hume and Anne Ruston say all options should be considered and stress the need to act quickly.
Key Facts
Angus Taylor, party leader, opposes gender quotas but supports recruiting more diverse members.
Jane Hume, deputy leader, said the party will consider all options from a draft report.
Anne Ruston, shadow cabinet minister, urged the party to act urgently on diversity issues.
The draft report suggests ways to engage women, young people, and multicultural communities.
Some party members question the need for another review, calling it outdated or irrelevant.
Former MP Jason Falinski suggests focusing on policies that appeal to younger men too.
The Liberal Party is trying to improve diversity and appeal after recent elections.
The debate follows previous reviews and critiques of the party's current gender balance.
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A former member of Morocco’s intelligence service revealed that Morocco used Pegasus spyware to spy on journalists, human rights activists, and foreign officials. Pegasus, made by Israel's NSO Group, can access all data on a mobile phone and secretly activate its camera and microphone. This information is based on insider testimony and a joint investigation by multiple news organizations and Amnesty International.
Key Facts
Pegasus spyware allows remote access to phone data, including emails, messages, photos, and can turn on cameras and microphones.
Morocco denied using Pegasus to target critics but evidence from a whistleblower shows it started using the spyware in 2017.
The spyware was reportedly demonstrated to Moroccan intelligence officials in Rabat by NSO Group representatives.
The whistleblower said the UAE bought Pegasus and shared it with Morocco’s intelligence service.
The spyware was used mostly for high-value targets after cheaper spying methods failed.
Multiple media organizations and Amnesty International collaborated on this investigation, analyzing leaked emails, records, and testimonies.
Two other former Moroccan intelligence agents confirmed the whistleblower’s information.
Morocco’s intelligence service is called the Direction Générale de la Surveillance du Territoire (DGST).
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New Zealand actor Sam Neill died at 78 from pneumonia in a Sydney hospital. He had successfully fought blood cancer but passed away unexpectedly, with his family and agent confirming the cause of death.
Key Facts
Sam Neill was 78 years old when he died.
He died from pneumonia, according to his agent and family.
Neill had been treated for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a blood cancer, and was cancer-free at the time of death.
He received a cancer treatment called CAR-T therapy.
Neill acted in films like Jurassic Park and TV shows like Peaky Blinders.
He completed four projects during the last year of his life, to be released soon.
Neill was born in Northern Ireland and grew up in New Zealand.
He is survived by four children and eight grandchildren.
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There have been heavy nightly strikes between the US and Iran since a recent agreement was signed. A former US ambassador said Iran wrongly thought President Trump would give up or back down.
Key Facts
The US and Iran have been engaging in heavy strikes every night.
These attacks are the most intense since the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed one month ago.
A former US ambassador spoke about the situation on Al Jazeera’s program called "This is America."
The ambassador said Iran made a mistake by believing President Trump would stop or relax the US response.
The MOU agreement was intended to manage tensions between the US and Iran.
The strikes indicate ongoing conflict despite the agreement.
President Donald Trump remains firm in his position regarding Iran.
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The United States will place a 25% tax (tariff) on certain goods imported from Brazil starting July 22. This action follows a U.S. investigation that found Brazil uses unfair trade practices, such as weak anti-corruption rules and unfair taxes, that hurt American businesses.
Key Facts
The U.S. is imposing a 25% tariff on some Brazilian imports due to unfair trade practices.
The tariffs begin on July 22 and exclude products not made in the U.S. or that could disrupt supply chains, like coffee, beef, and aerospace parts.
The U.S. Trade Representative said Brazil’s unfair actions block U.S. workers and companies from one of the world’s largest markets.
The U.S. investigation, lasting a year, found Brazil had issues like weak enforcement against corruption and unfair tariffs of its own.
The tariffs use Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, a law allowing action against unfair trade practices.
The U.S. had previously imposed and later lifted other tariffs on Brazil after progress in talks.
Brazilian President Lula da Silva criticized the tariffs and claimed they were politically motivated.
U.S. officials said the tariffs are based on long-standing trade concerns, not politics, and that recent talks with Brazil did not fix the problems enough.
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The U.S. Coast Guard stopped searching for three missing people after their boat sank near Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. One person died after being rescued, several were injured, and most passengers were safely brought to shore.
Key Facts
The boat, named Volare, capsized about 600 yards from Alcatraz Island on Tuesday afternoon.
There were 20 adults on board during a trip under the Golden Gate Bridge and to Angel Island.
The Coast Guard searched over 950 square nautical miles and 1,700 miles of track line for 23 hours before suspending the search at sunset.
One man, Clifford Joseph Boisa, 79, died after being rescued and taken to shore.
Three people remain missing: Carol Boisa, Jackie Boisa, and a friend named Tondra.
Thirteen passengers were safely rescued, and three were injured but released from the hospital.
The boat started taking on water in rough seas and capsized around 3:30 p.m.
A dog on board also died in the accident.
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Mortgage rates for 30-year fixed loans have been around 6.5% recently, higher than a few years ago due to inflation and economic factors. To get the lowest mortgage rates now, experts say borrowers generally need a credit score of at least 740, but lenders are also looking at overall financial history, not just credit scores.
Key Facts
Mortgage rates for 30-year fixed loans are currently about 6.5%.
This rate is higher than in past years because of inflation, bond market changes, and steady Federal Reserve interest rates.
Borrowers with credit scores of 740 or higher usually get the lowest mortgage rates.
The average credit score of borrowers last year was 713, which is lower than the 740 needed for best rates.
For example, someone with a 740+ credit score might pay 6.4% interest, while someone with a score between 680-699 might pay 6.84%.
The difference in rates can mean paying about $87 more monthly and over $31,000 more in interest on a $300,000 loan.
Since November 2025, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac removed minimum credit score requirements, so lenders now consider other financial behaviors.
Improving credit scores can happen quickly by paying down credit card balances and managing debts well.
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The Royal Netherlands Navy is testing uncrewed vessels, drones, and underwater robots to improve sea defense. These autonomous systems aim to work alongside crewed ships to reduce risk to people and enhance military capabilities within the next decade.
Key Facts
The Dutch navy is conducting a five-week trial near Den Helder with uncrewed vessels called Defender 1 and Defender 2.
The navy plans to have over half of its operations done by uncrewed systems within five years.
The autonomous fleet includes underwater vehicles, boats, drones resembling giant flies and bats, and an undersea mine mapper named Lobster Robotics.
These systems operate under a “system of systems” model, allowing new technology to be added or replaced easily.
Artificial intelligence helps control these systems but humans remain responsible for important decisions like using weapons.
The Dutch navy’s Goalkeeper air defense system has used autonomous functions for over 40 years.
The use of uncrewed technology responds to challenges like labor shortages and increased operational demands.
Other countries, including the UK and US, are also investing heavily in similar autonomous military technology.
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A senior Chinese official, Wang Huning, visited North Korea for talks with a top North Korean party leader. The meeting aims to strengthen ties between China and North Korea after Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Pyongyang last month.
Key Facts
Wang Huning is the fourth-highest-ranking official in China.
Wang met Jo Yong Won, a top official in North Korea’s Workers’ Party.
The meeting follows President Xi Jinping’s first visit to North Korea in seven years, in June 2024.
China and North Korea agreed on a "far-reaching blueprint" to strengthen their strategic relationship.
China wants closer diplomatic, law enforcement, and military cooperation with North Korea.
North Korea has recently grown close to Russia but continues to rely on China as its largest economic partner.
The two countries discussed improving public welfare, business, culture, and party cooperation.
Experts say both nations want to deepen ties to gain economic and geopolitical advantages.
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Many South Koreans adopted by families abroad are finding out that their adoption records were false or incomplete. Some adoptees discovered their birth families thought they were dead, and adoption agencies may have hidden or changed important information. The South Korean government has apologized for its role in these problems.
Key Facts
Marie Wang, adopted from South Korea to Denmark, found her adoption records contained false information about her birth mother.
Many adoptees were told their birth parents gave them up because of poverty or other reasons, but some learned their families believed they had died.
Mia Lee Hansen was reunited with her birth family after DNA testing revealed they thought she had died as a baby.
Hospital records and other documents often conflicted or were missing for adoptees.
South Korea’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission found the government was involved in problematic overseas adoptions.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung apologized to adoptees and families for the pain caused by these adoption issues.
Advocates say adoption agencies did not keep accurate records and sometimes fabricated files.
Many adoptees have never returned to South Korea, feeling disconnected from their birth families.
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Volunteers in the United States are helping the National Archives read and type out old handwritten documents from the Revolutionary War. These documents include about 2.5 million pages of pension files, which are records related to payments made to war veterans.
Key Facts
Volunteers are reading handwritten papers from the Revolutionary War period.
The documents are written in cursive, which can be hard to read today.
These papers come from pension files, which are records about money given to veterans.
There are about 2.5 million pages that need to be transcribed.
The project helps preserve history and makes the information easier to access.
The National Archives organizes this work.
People helping with this task are called "citizen archivists."
This effort relies on ordinary Americans volunteering their time and skills.
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The U.S. Central Command said it started a second round of military strikes against Iran on Wednesday, after an earlier set of attacks the same day. Retired Navy Vice Admiral Robert Murrett explained that the conflict between the U.S. and Iran has entered a new phase.
Key Facts
The U.S. Central Command carried out a second wave of strikes against Iran on Wednesday.
These strikes followed an earlier series of attacks earlier that day.
Retired Navy Vice Adm. Robert Murrett spoke about the situation in a CBS News interview.
Murrett said the conflict between the U.S. and Iran is now in a new phase.
The information was reported by CBS News.
The article does not specify what prompted the strikes or the details of the attacks.
The focus is on the increased military actions and the changing nature of the conflict.
No direct response from Iran is mentioned in the report.
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A recycling company is working to improve how we recycle electronic waste. As more devices are used and discarded, this company shows the steps involved in safely reusing and disposing of old technology.
Key Facts
The amount of electronic waste is increasing due to the growth of technology use.
The company focuses on recycling old electronic devices.
Recycling helps recover valuable materials and reduces pollution.
The process involves safely dismantling and sorting electronic parts.
Proper recycling prevents harmful substances from damaging the environment.
This effort supports more sustainable use of technology resources.
The news report gives a detailed look inside the recycling facility.
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The American Red Cross has declared a national blood emergency because hospitals across the country need more blood for emergencies and surgeries. They are urging people to donate blood as soon as possible.
Key Facts
The American Red Cross announced a national blood emergency.
Hospitals in the U.S. have a serious shortage of blood products.
Blood is needed urgently for emergencies and surgical procedures.
The Red Cross is calling on people to donate blood quickly.
Blood donations help save lives in medical emergencies.
The shortage affects hospitals nationwide.
Donations can come from eligible, healthy individuals.
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The Trump administration removed a slavery exhibit at George Washington’s Philadelphia home and replaced it with another display. Historians have said the new exhibit is not accurate about history.
Key Facts
The change happened at George Washington’s historic home in Philadelphia.
A slavery-focused exhibit was taken down by the Trump administration.
It was replaced on Wednesday with a different exhibit.
Historians say the new exhibit is not historically accurate.
The news was reported by The Associated Press.
Mayor Cherelle Parker of Philadelphia is mentioned, but her role in this change is unclear.
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