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R Kelly has formally asked President Donald Trump to reduce his 31-year prison sentence for crimes including racketeering and sex trafficking. The request is currently being reviewed by the Department of Justice but is not a request for a full pardon.
Key Facts
R Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in 2021 for leading a criminal group involved in illegal sexual activities.
In 2022, he received an additional 20-year sentence for child abuse images and child enticement, mostly served at the same time as the first sentence.
His total combined sentence is 31 years, and he is in a North Carolina federal prison until 2046.
The singer’s lawyer, Beau Brindley, has been asking President Trump to reduce the sentence for over a year.
A formal application for commutation (sentence reduction) is currently pending with the Department of Justice.
In 2025, Kelly’s lawyer requested his early release on home detention, claiming threats against his life in prison; this request was denied.
R Kelly has denied the charges against him.
Support information is provided for those affected by sexual abuse.
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President Donald Trump announced that Iran released an American citizen who had been held since December 2024. The woman, identified as Dena Karari, is now safely out of Iran, and the release was described as a "gesture of goodwill" despite ongoing tensions between the two countries.
Key Facts
The American citizen, Dena Karari, was detained in Iran since December 2024.
President Trump said the release was a positive act despite recent conflicts with Iran.
Karari was held on charges of collaborating with a hostile state and espionage, which her lawyer called false.
She ran a non-profit organization helping poor children in Iran.
Karari faced many interrogations and hardships but was never physically detained.
Iran holds several Western nationals, often using them in political negotiations.
Relations between the U.S. and Iran remain tense, with renewed military actions and blockades.
Washington and Tehran recently signed an agreement aiming to reduce conflict, but fighting continues.
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Drones are now an important part of battles in Ukraine and the Middle East. They are changing how wars are fought by allowing forces to gather information and attack from the air without risking soldiers directly.
Key Facts
Drones are widely used in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
They have also been used a lot in the Middle East during the war involving Iran.
Drones help armies to see enemy positions and carry out attacks.
Using drones reduces the risk to soldiers because the machines fly instead of people.
Military experts are closely studying how drones affect these wars.
This new technology is changing modern warfare strategies.
The report was discussed by a military affairs reporter from Business Insider on CBS News.
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Two families are suing a hospital in North Dakota after a man from Colorado discovered through a DNA test that he was likely switched at birth with another man born the same day at that hospital 36 years ago. The hospital denies any wrongdoing, saying records and staff from that time are no longer available to clarify the situation.
Key Facts
Jeremy Morrison took a DNA test two years ago and found his parents are not his biological parents.
Morrison believes he was switched at birth with Kyle Bylin, who was born the same day at Unity Medical Center in 1988.
Both sets of parents have met their biological sons, but the two men have not met each other yet.
The families filed a lawsuit against Unity Medical Center, which denies responsibility.
The hospital says it has no medical or staff records from 36 years ago to provide evidence.
Unity Medical Center expresses sympathy but says it found no proof it caused the mix-up.
Morrison grew up feeling different and stood out in appearance from his family.
The hospital is located in Grafton, North Dakota; Morrison currently lives in Colorado.
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Kyiv experienced a large missile attack by Russia, causing fires and damage in several districts. The attack happened shortly after the European Union and Ukraine signed a deal to boost drone production for Ukraine’s defense.
Key Facts
Russian missiles hit Kyiv, damaging buildings and causing fires.
Emergency services worked to control the fires triggered by the missile strikes.
Ukraine’s Air Force reported the missile threat lasted about one hour.
The attack followed a new agreement between the EU and Ukraine to increase drone production.
The EU plans to use its large industrial capacity to help make drones quickly.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the deal.
Recent Russian attacks also hit cities like Odesa and Sumy, causing civilian casualties.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has lasted over four years and continues to cause damage and loss of life.
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French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu visited Morocco in July 2024 to strengthen ties after France recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. The visit aimed to improve cooperation in defense, security, and economic investment, reflecting France’s effort to rebuild one of its key partnerships in North Africa amid growing global competition in the region.
Key Facts
Lecornu’s visit was his first official foreign trip as French Prime Minister, lasting two days in July 2024.
France recently recognized Moroccan control over Western Sahara, a disputed territory claimed by Morocco and the Algeria-supported Polisario Front.
Between 2021 and 2023, relations between France and Morocco were strained due to disagreements over visas, intelligence sharing, and legal cooperation.
Morocco has grown as a major trade and transport hub between Europe and Africa, with large investments in ports, industrial zones, and renewable energy.
France sees Morocco as a stable partner to engage both the Mediterranean region and Africa amid growing influence from China, Turkey, Gulf states, and the United States.
The two countries are focusing on cooperation in defense, security, and economic fields such as artificial intelligence, big data, and advanced manufacturing.
Morocco benefits from access to foreign investment and technology to build a stronger, more competitive economy.
The partnership reflects a shift in French foreign policy seeking reliable regional allies as France’s influence in North Africa and the Sahel decreases.
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A U.S.-Iran dual citizen named Dena Karari has left Iran after being barred from leaving for more than a year under accusations of spying. She was never formally charged and left Iran safely, with President Donald Trump acknowledging her release.
Key Facts
Dena Karari was unable to leave Iran since December 2024 due to an exit ban, not imprisonment.
Iranian authorities accused her of espionage and working with a hostile state but never formally charged her.
Her exit ban ended in April, but Iran still did not allow her to leave until recently.
Karari had a heart attack on July 8 while still in Iran.
The U.S. State Department included her among Americans whose release was sought in diplomacy talks led by envoy Steve Witkoff.
President Donald Trump confirmed on social media that she was safely outside Iran.
Several other Americans remain detained in Iran, with some considered "wrongfully detained" by the U.S. government.
The release of Karari was not part of the recent U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement.
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US strikes hit several cities in southern and western Iran, causing damage to ports and at least one hospital. Residents and officials are assessing the damage from these attacks.
Key Facts
The strikes targeted key cities in southern and western Iran.
Ports in these areas have been damaged by the attacks.
At least one hospital, including a children’s cancer hospital, was impacted.
Local people are inspecting the damage after the strikes.
The attacks happened over several days.
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The mayor of Biddeford, Maine, Liam LaFountain, spoke about a recent event where an ICE officer shot and killed a man. He shared how the local community is reacting to this incident.
Key Facts
The incident involved an ICE officer shooting a man in Biddeford, Maine.
The shooting occurred on a Monday.
Liam LaFountain is the mayor of Biddeford.
The mayor discussed the community’s response on a CBS News program called "The Daily Report."
The discussion focused on addressing the community’s feelings and concerns after the shooting.
ICE refers to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a government agency responsible for immigration enforcement.
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Hong Kong police raided two independent bookstores and arrested five people for selling materials considered seditious under the city’s 2024 national security law. The authorities accuse the suspects of offering books that incite hatred against the government and law enforcement, continuing recent crackdowns on free expression.
Key Facts
Police raided Have A Nice Stay and Greenfield Book Store in Mong Kok, Hong Kong.
Five people (two men and three women) were arrested on suspicion of selling seditious publications.
The raids are part of ongoing actions following similar arrests in March and June.
The national security law passed in 2024 prohibits materials that threaten state security or incite hatred against authorities.
Hong Kong was previously known for its freedom of publication, attracting readers from mainland China.
Security chief Chris Tang emphasized that booksellers must ensure their items do not violate the law.
Have A Nice Stay announced it would close by the end of August due to financial and legal pressures.
The crackdown follows a broader political shift reducing freedoms in Hong Kong since 2019 protests.
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The US military disabled an empty oil tanker attempting to break a naval blockade near Iran by firing missiles at the ship's smokestack. This action is part of a series of US strikes on Iranian targets amid rising tensions, with Iran responding by activating air defenses and launching attacks on US and allied forces.
Key Facts
US Central Command said they fired Hellfire missiles at the oil tanker M/T Belma to stop it from reaching an Iranian port.
The tanker was sailing in international waters near Kharg Island and ignored multiple US warnings.
The US military launched a new wave of strikes targeting Iranian military capabilities threatening ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed to have attacked the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and launched missiles intercepted by Jordanian forces.
Kurdish forces in Iraq said US-led coalition forces shot down drones near Erbil, close to the US consulate.
Iranian air defenses were activated in Tehran to protect against hostile threats.
President Trump warned of escalating strikes, including targeting power plants and bridges, if Iran does not return to negotiations.
Iran expressed plans to respond decisively and threatened to halt energy exports from the Middle East in reaction to the US blockade.
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Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina said Darline Graham, the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, could be a candidate for Lindsey’s Senate seat. A special election will be held soon, and several Republicans, including members of Congress, are interested in running.
Key Facts
Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina senator, passed away recently.
Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham, Lindsey's sister, as an interim senator.
Darline Graham has not said if she will run for a full term but promised to support President Trump and continue her brother’s work.
The Republican primary for the seat will take place next month, with filing from July 21 to July 28.
Senator Tim Scott chairs the Senate Republican fundraising committee and said many candidates are interested in running.
President Donald Trump has not officially endorsed anyone but has shown private interest in Representative Russell Fry.
Trey Gowdy and other Republicans are also considered possible candidates.
Lindsey Graham was a powerful senator with strong ties to President Trump.
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The United States, under President Donald Trump's orders, launched new air strikes on Iran targeting military sites linked to threats against ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded with attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait after the U.S. reimposed a naval blockade. Meanwhile, President Trump announced that Iran released a U.S. citizen who was previously detained.
Key Facts
The U.S. attacked Iranian command centers, air defense sites, missile and drone facilities, and coastal surveillance locations.
The strikes included targets in Bandar Abbas, a major Iranian port on the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran responded by attacking Bahrain and Kuwait, using drones and other means.
The U.S. military reinstated a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain, and Kuwait reported intercepting Iranian drone attacks.
President Trump said Iran freed a U.S. citizen they had detained during the Biden administration.
Lebanon and Israel agreed on pilot zones where Israeli forces will withdraw and hand control to the Lebanese army.
Iran threatened to close additional energy export routes beyond the Strait of Hormuz.
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England lost to Argentina in the World Cup semi-final, ending their hopes of reaching the final. The news also covers possible political changes in the UK, with Andy Burnham expected to become Prime Minister and considering Shabana Mahmood for Chancellor.
Key Facts
England was defeated by Argentina in the World Cup semi-final after Argentina scored two goals in seven minutes.
England took the lead in the second half but could not hold on, leading to their exit from the tournament.
Multiple UK newspapers covered the emotional reaction of England fans and players after the loss.
Andy Burnham is expected to replace Keir Starmer as UK Prime Minister soon.
Burnham may appoint Shabana Mahmood as Chancellor, a key role managing the UK’s finances.
Markets reacted positively to the idea of Mahmood becoming Chancellor.
Burnham has not ruled out a wealth tax and suggested some people might pay more to improve public finances.
A new UK pay negotiation body will include unions and employees to set pay for care workers, offering NHS-style annual raises.
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More than 1,600 cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic illness, have been confirmed in the United States. Health officials are working to find the food source causing the outbreak and advise people to take precautions when eating certain foods.
Key Facts
Cyclosporiasis is caused by a parasite that can make people sick with diarrhea and stomach pain.
Over 1,600 people have been diagnosed with cyclosporiasis in the current outbreak.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating to identify which foods are causing the illness.
People are urged to be careful about what they eat to avoid getting sick.
The outbreak is still active, and more cases may be reported.
Washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly may help reduce the risk of infection.
Symptoms of cyclosporiasis usually appear a few days after eating contaminated food.
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Smoke from many wildfires in Canada has filled the air over Toronto and Ontario. This caused the sky to look orange, and Toronto had the worst air quality of any big city in the world.
Key Facts
Hundreds of wildfires are burning across Canada.
Smoke from these fires reached Toronto and Ontario.
The sky over these areas appeared orange because of the smoke.
Toronto recorded the worst air quality among major cities worldwide.
The haze from the wildfires affected health and visibility.
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The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to make daylight saving time permanent. The article also explains how daylight saving time started in the past.
Key Facts
The House passed a bill to end changing clocks twice a year.
Daylight saving time means moving clocks forward one hour in spring and back in fall.
The idea was first used long ago to save energy by using more daylight hours.
Making daylight saving time permanent would keep clocks one hour ahead all year.
The goal is to avoid the disruption caused by changing clocks twice each year.
The bill now needs approval from the Senate and the President to become law.
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The United States and Iran have exchanged military strikes for five days in a row. President Donald Trump warned Iran to "behave" during this conflict.
Key Facts
The U.S. carried out military strikes on Iran on Wednesday.
This marks the fifth day in a row of attacks exchanged between the U.S. and Iran.
President Donald Trump gave a warning to Iran, telling them they need to behave.
The ongoing conflict has involved multiple back-to-back attacks.
CBS News reported on the situation with updates from their White House correspondent.
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Victorian Liberal MP Moira Deeming has dropped her legal case against the party president as she tries to avoid being removed as a candidate before the state election. The legal action followed a dispute over an assault claim involving former leader Matthew Guy, which police found no offence occurred.
Key Facts
Moira Deeming launched a last-minute court challenge against Liberal party president Brian Loughnane on July 3.
The challenge related to an assault claim Deeming made against former leader Matthew Guy.
Police reviewed CCTV footage and decided no offence was committed.
Deeming later withdrew the court case and offered a mediation proposal to the party.
She denied any wrongdoing and said she would keep working as an MP.
CCTV showed Guy placing a hand on Deeming’s upper back during a conversation.
Deeming said she misunderstood the term “headlock” related to the claim.
Matthew Guy denied any wrong behavior and demanded a public apology from Deeming.
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Relationship OCD (ROCD) is a condition where people have constant, distressing doubts about their romantic relationships. These doubts go beyond normal worries and can cause serious anxiety and compulsive behaviors like repeatedly seeking reassurance.
Key Facts
ROCD causes persistent and intrusive doubts about a relationship or a partner’s flaws.
It leads to distress and compulsive actions like testing the partner for reassurance.
OCD affects about 1.2% of people in the UK, but data on ROCD specifically is limited.
ROCD can be triggered by relationship milestones like moving in together or marriage.
It may be slightly more common in women, though clear data is lacking.
Social media can make ROCD worse by creating unrealistic ideas about love and relationships.
People with ROCD often experience their doubts as mental torture that dominates their thoughts.
Treatments and awareness are increasing, helping more people seek support.
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