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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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Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-old Mexican immigrant, was shot and killed by an ICE officer during a traffic stop in Houston. His family disputes ICE's claim that he used his van as a weapon, and several investigations are underway into the shooting.
Key Facts
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was shot by an ICE officer on July 7 in Houston.
ICE claims Salgado Araujo weaponized his work van; his family and passengers deny this.
The Salgado family learned about the shooting and death through videos and news articles.
Salgado Araujo had lived in the U.S. for over 30 years and reportedly had no criminal record.
DHS says Salgado Araujo was in the U.S. illegally but was not the target of the ICE operation.
Investigations are ongoing by the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, Justice Department, Harris County DA, and Texas Rangers.
The FBI is also investigating possible drugs found in the van, separate from ICE’s reasons for the stop.
Following this incident, ICE paused most vehicle stops after a similar fatal shooting in Maine.
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The Australian National University (ANU) denied losing control of its campus during a pro-Palestine student encampment held in 2024. An internal review found the encampment posed high mental and social risks, leading the university to improve its security procedures for future protests.
Key Facts
The pro-Palestine encampment was set up in April 2024 to show support amid the Israel-Gaza war.
ANU conducted a safety review which rated the encampment’s psychosocial risks as high. Psychosocial risk means problems that affect people's mental health and social wellbeing.
The university tried several times to end the encampment, which finished after a dispute over electricity and lights.
ANU announced it would stop investing in controversial weapons and small arms manufacturers during this period.
The university’s security team kept close watch on the encampment and interacted with students to ensure safety.
ANU investigated claims of a Nazi salute at a student meeting but found no misconduct. The gesture thought to be a salute was explained as a common personal gesture by the student.
About 500 people attended the student meeting where the allegations arose, with one student removed for misconduct unrelated to the salute.
The royal commission is examining antisemitism and social cohesion in universities, including ANU’s handling of these events.
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A new poll of likely Democratic voters in Michigan shows former Vice President Kamala Harris leading the potential candidates for the 2028 presidential nomination, followed by Pete Buttigieg and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The poll highlights the competitiveness of the Democratic primary in an important swing state.
Key Facts
Kamala Harris leads with 25.1% support among likely Michigan Democratic voters.
Pete Buttigieg is second with 19.4%, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is third with 11.5%.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Senators Cory Booker and Mark Kelly each have about 8–10% support.
Governors Wes Moore, Josh Shapiro, and JB Pritzker each have less than 5% support.
The poll surveyed 500 likely Democratic voters in Michigan from July 8 to 11, with a margin of error of 4.4%.
Michigan is a key swing state where President Donald Trump won by a narrow margin in 2024.
Other national polls also show Harris leading, with varying support for Buttigieg, Newsom, Ocasio-Cortez, and others.
No candidate has officially announced a 2028 presidential run yet.
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The US attacked an oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz as part of a blockade on Iranian ports during ongoing military strikes. These strikes, hitting targets in Iran including near Tehran, follow Iranian attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait and mark a sharp escalation in tensions between the two countries.
Key Facts
The US disabled an empty oil tanker near Kharg Island with Hellfire missiles after multiple warnings.
US strikes targeted Iranian military sites, including missile storage and coastal defenses, over several days.
Iranian attacks responded with hits on Bahrain and Kuwait, but initial damage reports are unclear.
Iran stated the recent US strikes killed over 35 people and wounded more than 300.
The conflict escalated after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for nearly 20% of global oil shipments.
The US reinstated a naval blockade of Iran, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards threatened to stop all regional energy exports.
Oil prices rose above $85 a barrel due to the conflict but remain below peaks seen earlier in the war.
President Donald Trump said Iran wants peace but warned the US might expand attacks to force open the strait, including targeting a key underground facility.
An agreement (MOU) aimed at ending the conflict and resuming nuclear talks is at risk, as Iran insists the US follow its terms to reopen the strait.
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Smoke from wildfires in northwestern Ontario has caused Toronto to have the worst air quality among major world cities. The smoke is also affecting northeastern U.S. states, leading to health warnings and some evacuations, while wildfires continue to burn in parts of Canada.
Key Facts
Toronto’s Air Quality Health Index reached 10+, meaning very high risk to health.
Smoke from Ontario wildfires spread to U.S. states including New York, Pennsylvania, and New England.
Over 800 wildfires are active across Canada, with 112 out of control.
The fires have burned about 1.9 million hectares (4.7 million acres) so far.
The Canadian wildfire season started slower than in recent severe years but remains dangerous due to warm temperatures.
Evacuations occurred near Armstrong, Ontario, where a train was surrounded by fire.
New York City officials advised residents to avoid heavy outdoor activity during poor air quality days.
Experts expect more frequent combined heat and wildfire smoke events in the future.
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The New York Times has asked a court to cancel subpoenas that the Biden administration issued to its reporters after the paper published a story about the new Air Force One airplane. The newspaper’s lawyer called the subpoenas unfair and harmful to press freedom.
Key Facts
The subpoenas target reporters from The New York Times.
They were issued by the Biden administration.
The subpoenas relate to a news report about the new Air Force One aircraft.
The Times filed a legal motion to quash, or cancel, the subpoenas.
David McCraw, the paper’s chief newsroom lawyer, called the subpoenas “abusive.”
The Times said these actions threaten press freedom.
The legal move happened on a Wednesday, according to the report.
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New Zealand has confirmed its first case of the deadly H5N1 bird flu in a seabird, raising concerns about the risk to the country's many native and endangered bird species. Officials are preparing by monitoring wildlife and vaccinating certain endangered birds to reduce the virus’s impact.
Key Facts
The first confirmed H5N1 bird flu case in New Zealand was found in a brown skua seabird at Petone beach in Wellington.
Bird flu has spread worldwide since 2021, reaching Antarctica and recently Australia.
New Zealand has many unique native birds, including many flightless species, with about 80% considered endangered.
A vaccination program is underway for endangered birds in captivity, such as kākāpō and takahē.
The government has a large surveillance system involving wildlife parks, poultry farms, vets, and the public.
Signs of bird flu include weakness, seizures, head twisting, and trouble breathing.
Species that gather in large groups, like shorebirds and scavengers, face the highest risk.
Public are urged to report groups of three or more sick or dead birds to authorities immediately.
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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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