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The Morandi bridge in Genoa, Italy, collapsed in August 2018, killing 43 people and drawing attention to Italy’s aging infrastructure. A major criminal trial is now concluding, with judges set to deliver a verdict on whether neglect and poor maintenance caused the disaster.
Key Facts
The Morandi bridge collapsed on August 14, 2018, during heavy rain.
The collapse killed 43 people from Italy and other countries.
The bridge was built in 1967 and reinforced in the 1990s but showed signs of deterioration by 2000.
Investigations found that corroded cables holding up the bridge’s ninth pillar caused it to fail.
Prosecutors say poor maintenance and ignoring repairs contributed to the collapse.
Defense lawyers argue a hidden design flaw caused the failure, which could not have been prevented.
The bridge carried far more daily traffic than it was designed for, between 50,000 and 60,000 vehicles.
The trial is one of Italy’s largest criminal cases related to a public infrastructure disaster.
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Large protests took place in several Ukrainian cities on July 16 after President Volodymyr Zelensky removed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Fedorov was appointed six months ago and was seen as a popular figure who worked to modernize Ukraine's military during the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Key Facts
Protests erupted in multiple Ukrainian cities on July 16, 2026.
President Zelensky removed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov from his position.
Fedorov had been Defence Minister for only six months.
He gained popularity for efforts to reform and modernize the Ukrainian military.
Ukraine has been engaged in conflict with Russia for over four years.
The military is under strain due to the ongoing invasion by Russia.
Fedorov was considered a key figure in Ukraine’s defense leadership.
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Tim Steiner, co-founder and CEO of Ocado, said he will not control the company like a "puppet master" after he steps down in 2028. Ocado reported a big fall in profits and its shares dropped sharply, but Steiner said the business is on a good path and will continue growing with new clients and facilities.
Key Facts
Tim Steiner will leave his CEO role at Ocado in 2028 but will stay on for one more year to provide advice.
Ocado’s pre-tax profit dropped from £607 million to £17 million in one year.
The company’s shares fell nearly 15%, reaching their lowest point in over ten years.
There are reports of tension in Ocado’s leadership about finding a new CEO, with the chair, Adam Warby, involved.
Steiner said he supports new leaders and does not want to control daily decisions.
Ocado plans to open robot-run warehouses in South Korea, Japan, and the US soon.
The company expects positive cash flow by November.
Ocado’s joint venture with Marks & Spencer saw a 15% sales increase to £1.76 billion in six months.
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A fire at a foster care home in Algiers, Algeria, killed eleven people and injured nineteen others. Firefighters were still working to put out the fire early Thursday morning, while some people with special needs were safely evacuated.
Key Facts
The fire happened at a foster care facility in Algiers, the capital of Algeria.
Eleven people died in the fire, and nineteen were injured.
Firefighters were still trying to extinguish the fire early on Thursday.
Five people with special needs were moved to a safe place during the fire.
Algeria has been experiencing a heatwave and about 1,000 fires in the last week.
Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb visited two hospitals to see those injured in the fire.
The ages of the victims were not released by officials.
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Ukraine launched a large drone attack targeting Moscow, with at least 200 drones sent overnight as part of its ongoing strikes deep inside Russia. Russian officials said many drones were intercepted across multiple regions, including Moscow, while Ukraine aims to hit military and infrastructure sites within Russia.
Key Facts
Over 200 Ukrainian drones were launched toward Moscow in one night.
Moscow’s mayor reported that most drones were neutralized by air defenses, with 10 destroyed near the city.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have shot down at least 375 drones over 18 regions, including Crimea and the Black Sea.
In the past week, more than 1,200 Ukrainian drones flew toward Moscow, with around 191 shot down near the city.
In 2026 alone, Moscow reports show over 1,400 Ukrainian drones were intercepted, compared to 734 in all of 2025.
Ukraine targets include Russian cities, oil infrastructure, and military sites as part of its “long-range sanctions” campaign.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated that attacking Russian territory is a response to Russia’s ongoing war and strikes on Ukraine.
Engels-2 airbase in Saratov, a key Russian military hub, was also targeted in recent Ukrainian drone attacks.
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Pakistan is refusing to accept the deportation of Shabir Ahmed, a British-Pakistani man convicted of sexual abuse in the UK. The UK government wants to deport him but needs Pakistan to agree, while Pakistan says this is the UK’s internal legal matter.
Key Facts
Shabir Ahmed led a grooming gang that abused girls as young as 12 in Rochdale, UK.
He was convicted in 2012 and sentenced to 22 years in prison.
Ahmed had dual British and Pakistani citizenship but lost his UK passport after conviction.
UK law from 1971 generally prevents deporting Commonwealth citizens who arrived before 1973.
The UK government proposes to change this law to allow deportation for serious crimes.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry says Ahmed should be handled under UK law and denies involvement.
Ahmed was released from prison recently under strict supervision and an electronic tag.
Victims and some UK politicians want him deported, but it depends on Pakistan’s cooperation.
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U.S. Vice President JD Vance said that Jeffrey Epstein had connections to top officials in both American and Israeli intelligence. Vance also admitted that the Trump administration mishandled how it shared information about Epstein’s case but denied that they were trying to hide anything.
Key Facts
JD Vance claims Jeffrey Epstein was linked to high-level American and Israeli intelligence agencies.
Vance suggested Epstein’s Israeli connections leaned toward the left side of Israeli politics.
The interview took place with podcaster Joe Rogan and was released recently.
Vance said the Trump administration made mistakes in how it communicated about the Epstein files.
He focused criticism on former Attorney General Pam Bondi for overstating what was known about Epstein’s documents.
Bondi had stated she had an alleged Epstein client list on her desk, which led to public backlash.
Vance said the mishandling of communication was not due to trying to hide information but due to poor communication.
Pam Bondi was fired by President Trump in April prior to these comments.
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Smoke from over 800 wildfires burning in Canada is spreading into the United States, causing poor air quality and haze in many states. New York and several other states have issued health alerts, warning people to take precautions to protect themselves from the harmful effects of the smoke.
Key Facts
Wildfires in Canada are producing smoke that has moved into the U.S., affecting air quality.
New York State issued air quality health advisories covering most of the state, including New York City.
Officials in New York are recommending people stay indoors, use air conditioning, wear masks, and avoid outdoor activities.
The air pollution includes fine particles that can harm children, older adults, and people with heart or lung problems.
Other states affected include Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Some areas, like parts of Minnesota, have air quality considered hazardous due to the smoke.
Pennsylvania has issued Code Red alerts, indicating very poor air quality.
The smoke is expected to continue impacting air quality across the Northeast and Midwest for several days.
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The UK regulator Ofcom is investigating TikTok to see if it properly protects children from harmful content by checking their ages accurately. Ofcom is concerned that TikTok’s current methods might be letting many children see dangerous things online, and the investigation could lead to fines or other penalties.
Key Facts
Ofcom is formally investigating TikTok over concerns about protecting children from harmful content.
TikTok uses age checks that involve users entering their birth date and technology that guesses age from other information.
Ofcom worries these methods may fail to correctly identify many children, exposing them to harmful content like self-harm, suicide, and pornography.
If TikTok is found not complying with the law, it could face fines up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue.
The UK government plans to introduce a social media ban for under-16s next year, increasing demands for effective age verification.
Ofcom also doubts other platforms’ age-checking methods and suggests they switch to more reliable approaches.
Research shows 1 in 10 teenagers aged 15-17 still use popular dating apps despite age checks.
Ofcom found many pornography sites in the UK have no age checks, and search engines often link to these sites without restrictions.
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The US military shared video of air strikes in Iran targeting coastal defense systems and missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian media said explosions happened in Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas, and Chabahar.
Key Facts
The US carried out strikes across Iran on a Wednesday.
Targets included coastal defense systems and missile infrastructure.
The strikes focused near the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route.
Iranian news reported explosions in three places: Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas, and Chabahar.
The US military released video footage of the strikes.
The Strait of Hormuz is important for global oil transport.
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The US military carried out air strikes on several locations in Iran, including near Tehran, targeting military sites to reduce Iran’s threat in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Iran launched attacks on US military assets in Kuwait, Bahrain, and other nearby countries, escalating tensions in the region.
Key Facts
The US carried out strikes on Iranian military sites, including command centers, air defenses, missile and drone facilities, and coastal surveillance.
The US targeted Bandar Abbas, Greater Tunb Island, and other locations close to the Strait of Hormuz.
An oil tanker trying to reach Iran’s Kharg Island was disabled by the US Navy as part of a naval blockade.
Iran retaliated by striking US military bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan with missiles and drones.
Jordan intercepted eight Iranian missiles, and Iraq reported drone attacks near US facilities in Erbil.
A hospital in Ahvaz, Iran, was evacuated after being hit during the US strikes.
Iranian officials warned of a larger military conflict and threatened to stop all energy exports from the Middle East in response to the US blockade.
At least 35 people have died, and over 300 were injured in the recent wave of attacks that started the previous Wednesday.
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Greece has started using four small satellites with thermal imaging to help predict and fight wildfires. These satellites monitor temperature, humidity, and terrain to detect fires early, track their spread, and guide firefighting efforts more precisely.
Key Facts
The Hellenic Space Center in Athens operates four satellites orbiting 550 km above Earth.
These satellites are Greece’s first with thermal imaging, which can see heat through smoke to locate fires.
The satellites help predict where wildfires may start within hours by monitoring ground temperature and humidity.
They provide maps of vegetation and elevation to show how fires might spread.
Satellites send real-time images about fire fronts even at night, aiding early firefighting actions.
Greece plans to launch seven more satellites with multi-spectral sensors to monitor forest health and detect fires.
Greece faces about 10,000 forest and field fires annually, requiring advanced technology for faster response.
Older methods relied on patrols and lookout posts, which are slower and less efficient than satellite monitoring.
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The United States military has launched new strikes on Iran targeting military and coastal sites to limit Iran's ability to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by attacking US military bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan with missiles and drones, leading to a rising cycle of retaliation between the two countries.
Key Facts
The US conducted strikes against Iranian command centers, air defenses, missile and drone sites, and coastal surveillance facilities.
Targets included Bandar Abbas, a key naval port near the Strait of Hormuz, and Greater Tunb island.
Iran reported explosions and activated its air defenses across multiple cities, including Tehran and southern coastal areas.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps shot down a US MQ-9 drone over Khuzestan province.
Iran claims it attacked US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, focusing on missile batteries, radar, and fuel tanks.
Kuwait intercepted 4 cruise missiles and 21 drones launched by Iran.
Jordan intercepted 8 Iranian missiles and rejected claims of US base damage.
This conflict escalates despite a recent ceasefire agreement and plans for negotiations between the US and Iran.
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Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old Black teenager, was found dead after going missing during a boat trip near Mississippi on July 4. His family is working with local prosecutors to examine his cellphone for clues as they seek more transparency in the investigation.
Key Facts
Nolan Wells went missing after a boat trip to Horn Island with friends on July 4.
He was reported missing by his mother early on July 5.
Rescuers found his body in waters near the island the following day.
Wells’ cellphone was recovered from a friend’s home, but his family says some messages appeared erased.
Authorities said no foul play is suspected so far, but the autopsy results are pending.
Family hired civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, known for representing families in racially sensitive cases.
Nearly 200 people were at the July 4 event, with Wells one of few Black attendees.
District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath promised to present the investigation to a grand jury when it is complete.
Wells’ funeral is scheduled for July 20, with security planned to keep the event peaceful.
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Many young people in Beijing are choosing to leave the city because life has become too expensive and stressful. The slowing economy, housing problems, and tough job market are pushing them to seek better opportunities and a higher quality of life elsewhere.
Key Facts
Beijing’s population grew from 11 million in 1990 to nearly 22 million today, attracting many migrants seeking success.
China’s rapid economic growth has slowed, affected by real estate troubles and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Property prices dropped, causing financial losses for families who invested heavily in housing.
The pandemic led people to save more and spend less, shrinking business opportunities and jobs.
Wang Lei, a 29-year-old who moved to Beijing in 2020, left his real estate job due to market problems and now freelances while co-owning a small bar.
Young people on social media use the hashtag “escaping Beijing” to discuss leaving due to high costs, competition, and uncertain career futures.
A work culture known as “996”—working 9 am to 9 pm six days a week—has become less popular among younger generations.
Leaving Beijing used to be seen as failure, but attitudes are changing as many seek better life balance and lower living costs outside the city.
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President Trump announced a 25% tariff on many goods from Brazil, aiming to address what his administration calls unfair treatment of U.S. companies by Brazil. Some important products like coffee and beef are exempted to reduce the effect on American consumers.
Key Facts
The tariffs target Brazilian products due to Brazil’s trade barriers against U.S. tech and payment companies.
Brazil is accused of limiting U.S. ethanol access, not protecting intellectual property properly, and favoring other countries with tariffs.
The U.S. also criticizes Brazil for weak enforcement against illegal deforestation, which gives Brazilian producers a cost advantage.
This action follows a year-long investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows the U.S. to impose tariffs to counter unfair trade practices.
Exemptions cover products not made in the U.S. or that would harm U.S. supply chains or the economy.
Although the U.S. has a trade surplus with Brazil, the tariffs focus on specific trade barriers, not the overall trade balance.
Tariffs will start on July 22, with ongoing negotiations between the two countries expected to continue.
Tensions exist between President Trump and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, influencing the trade conflict.
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New data shows that Generation Z is facing higher inflation than other age groups, with prices for goods they buy rising nearly 40% since 2018. One main reason is Gen Z’s higher spending on quick-service restaurants, where prices have gone up over 50%, compared to the general market increase of about 34%.
Key Facts
Generation Z includes people born from 1997 to 2012, currently aged about 14 to 29.
Since January 2018, prices for items Gen Z buys have increased by 39.4%, compared to a 33.8% increase nationally.
Quick-service (fast food) restaurant prices have risen 54%, much more than the overall 33.8% increase.
Gen Z spends more money on eating out and takeout than other generations and plans to do so even more through 2026.
The higher inflation for Gen Z is influenced by their spending habits, especially on dining out and value retailers.
Low-income consumers also face higher inflation and have less ability to adjust their spending.
Rising food prices and climate factors like El Niño may continue to push inflation up in the future.
The inflation measures include everyday goods such as groceries, household items, and health and beauty products.
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On his last full day as Labour party leader, Keir Starmer finalized the nationalization of British Steel, a company previously owned by a Chinese firm and partly under public control. While making this decision, Starmer visited Ukraine to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and prepare for the transition to Andy Burnham as the new Labour leader and Prime Minister.
Key Facts
Keir Starmer is stepping down as Labour party leader and will be replaced by Andy Burnham.
The UK government has nationalized British Steel to protect jobs and the steel industry.
British Steel was previously owned by Chinese company Jingye and partly under public control before nationalization.
Starmer visited Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on his last day in office.
Andy Burnham is expected to appoint Shabana Mahmood as his chancellor, replacing the previous favorite Ed Miliband.
Other political events included testimonies on defence investment and a variety of government statements before the parliamentary summer recess.
The nationalization law received royal assent shortly before this move was announced.
British Steel is seen as important for the UK’s industrial strength and economy.
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US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a new annual testosterone test for military members aged 30 and older. The test will be part of the regular health checkup, and any treatment after testing will be the service member's choice.
Key Facts
The testosterone screening applies yearly to all US service members aged 30 and over.
Service members under 30 can choose to take the test if they want.
The screening is added to the mandatory periodic health assessment.
Treatments like testosterone replacement therapy would remain voluntary.
The initiative aims to maintain the natural physical ability of soldiers.
Testosterone levels naturally drop about 1% per year after age 30 or 40.
The Defense Department must report to Congress on testosterone treatments and testing under the 2025 defense bill.
Some Democratic lawmakers criticized the program and called for hormone screening to include women in the military.
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A fire broke out at an orphanage near Algiers, Algeria, killing at least 11 people and injuring 19 others. The cause of the fire is unknown, and efforts to control the blaze are ongoing amid a severe heatwave affecting the region.
Key Facts
The fire occurred in an orphanage located in the Mohammadia district, a suburb of Algiers.
At least 11 people died, and 19 were injured due to the fire.
The country’s civil defence is still working to extinguish the fire.
Authorities have not yet determined what started the fire.
Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb visited the injured at the hospital.
Algeria is experiencing a heatwave with temperatures causing nearly 1,000 fires in one week.
The photo in the article shows firefighters battling a previous fire in Algeria.
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