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Tropical Storm Elida has formed in the Pacific Ocean far from Mexico. It is moving west at about 15 miles per hour and is expected to become a hurricane by Thursday night.
Key Facts
Elida is the fifth named storm in the Pacific this season.
The storm formed well offshore of Mexico.
Elida is moving west at 15 mph and will slow down and turn northwest by Thursday night.
Winds near the center are about 40 mph, with stronger gusts.
The storm is expected to gain strength and become a hurricane by Thursday night.
Peak intensity is forecast for Friday.
Tropical storm force winds reach about 60 miles from the storm’s center.
No coastal warnings or watches are currently in effect, and there is no threat to land.
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The United States has recently attacked several Iranian islands and coastal cities, raising questions about whether it plans to take control of Iranian territory. Experts say the US has the military power to seize some islands but holding them would be difficult and costly due to ongoing Iranian attacks.
Key Facts
US forces struck Iran’s Qeshm, Kish, and Abu Musa islands, along with southern coastal cities like Bandar Abbas.
There is speculation that the US might try to take control of Iranian islands, a plan discussed earlier this year.
President Donald Trump avoided ruling out a military operation to seize Iranian islands in a recent interview.
The US has about 50,000 soldiers stationed in the Middle East and the military ability to capture small islands.
Experts say holding and supplying the islands would be challenging because of Iranian attacks from nearby land and sea.
Seizing multiple islands would require a large amphibious campaign involving thousands of troops and substantial logistical support.
Captured islands would be vulnerable to continuous Iranian missile, drone, and artillery attacks.
Taking the islands might strengthen Iran’s position by allowing it to portray the US as an occupier.
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The Hill Nation Summit took place in Washington to bring together lawmakers from both parties, government officials, and journalists. They discussed important topics such as the upcoming midterm elections, healthcare changes, the cost of living, and artificial intelligence.
Key Facts
The event was the second Hill Nation Summit.
It was held in Washington, D.C.
Attendees included lawmakers from both political parties and administration officials.
Journalists from The Hill and NewsNation participated in the conversations.
The summit focused on issues like midterm elections happening in less than four months.
Topics discussed included affordability (cost of living), artificial intelligence, and healthcare reform.
The goal was to share updates and insights on current political and policy matters before the elections.
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Anil Menon, a NASA flight surgeon, applied four times to become an astronaut but was rejected each time. After joining SpaceX to support human spaceflight missions, he and his wife Anna, also working at SpaceX, eventually both went to space.
Key Facts
Anil Menon applied four times to become a NASA astronaut but was never selected.
Menon is an emergency physician and pilot with experience in Afghanistan and Mount Everest.
He became a NASA flight surgeon in 2014, training astronauts for space missions.
In 2018, Menon left NASA for a job at SpaceX to support the Crew Dragon spacecraft missions.
His wife, Anna, also works at SpaceX in crew operations management.
Menon helped prepare for SpaceX’s first human flight, Demo-2, with NASA astronauts.
Both Menon and his wife eventually traveled to space.
They took a risk in switching jobs and moving their family to Houston and then California.
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The article discusses a shift in the United States' approach to its role in international relations. The U.S. now expects allies to contribute more to their own defense while providing them with energy, displaying confidence in its global position.
Key Facts
The U.S. provides energy to its allied countries.
The U.S. asks its allies to pay for their own defense costs.
This approach shows the U.S. feels strong and essential in global affairs.
The country no longer seeks approval or apology for its influence.
The change reflects a new stance in how the U.S. interacts with the world.
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The Hill Nation Summit will take place in Washington on Wednesday, July 15. This event is organized by The Hill and NewsNation and aims to bring together people from different political views to discuss important topics.
Key Facts
The summit is held for the second year in a row.
It takes place in Washington, D.C.
The event is scheduled for July 15.
The Hill and NewsNation are the event hosts.
The summit encourages bipartisan, or two-party, discussions.
Participants talk in a series of conversations about current news and issues.
The event focuses on fostering reasoned and respectful dialogue.
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Over 830 wildfires are burning across Canada, especially in west-central Ontario. Smoke from these fires is blowing into the United States, creating poor air quality from the Great Lakes area to New England, affecting millions of people.
Key Facts
More than 830 wildfires are active in Canada as of July 15, 2026.
Fires are also burning in northern Minnesota near the U.S.-Canada border.
The largest fires are in west-central Ontario, burning thick forests.
Smoke is carried by wind into the upper Midwest and Northeast U.S.
Cities affected include Duluth, Marquette, Green Bay, Milwaukee, Detroit, Buffalo, New York City, Philadelphia, and Boston.
Air quality alerts are in effect from Minnesota to New York City, covering whole states like Wisconsin and Michigan.
Smoke will continue through the week but rain is expected to help clear it starting Friday in the Midwest and Saturday in the Northeast.
The smoke could reach dangerous levels, affecting everyone, not just people with breathing problems.
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The U.S. military has carried out several days of airstrikes on Iran to weaken its military capabilities near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on U.S. allies in the Middle East, including Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. These actions have increased tensions and raised fears of a wider conflict in the region.
Key Facts
The U.S. launched a new wave of airstrikes on Iran targeting military sites used against commercial shipping.
These strikes have occurred for four nights in a row, continuing after President Trump ended a ceasefire on July 8.
Iranian officials report more than 260 people wounded and at least 30 killed in recent U.S. attacks.
Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan have all reported incoming missile or drone attacks from Iran.
The U.S. has reimposed a naval blockade on Iran to prevent threats to commercial ships.
The U.S. Central Command said the strikes aim to stop Iran from threatening shipping and civilians.
There is concern the fighting might escalate into a larger war in the Middle East.
Iranian attacks have targeted ships and military forces allied with the U.S. in the region.
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Lebanese and Israeli officials are talking about creating ‘pilot zones’ in southern Lebanon. In these areas, the Israeli military would pull back, Hezbollah would give up its weapons, and the Lebanese army would take control.
Key Facts
The ‘pilot zones’ are specific areas in southern Lebanon.
Israel is expected to withdraw its military forces from these zones.
Hezbollah is supposed to disarm in these areas.
The Lebanese army would move in to control and protect the zones.
Negotiations are ongoing between Lebanon and Israel about how to set this up.
The goal is to reduce conflict and improve security along the border.
Al Jazeera reporter Heidi Pett visited one of the proposed pilot zones.
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Tiana Bender-Santiago was told as a teenager that cancer treatment had made it very unlikely she could have children. Years later, she was surprised to discover she was pregnant, despite doctors considering it a high-risk pregnancy. She and her husband are excited and hopeful as they prepare for their baby boy’s birth.
Key Facts
Tiana was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a strong bone cancer, at age 13.
The cancer was in her pelvis, pressing on her spine, requiring chemotherapy and radiation.
Doctors said her cancer treatment likely caused infertility, making pregnancy unlikely.
She chose not to freeze her eggs before treatment and accepted adoption as a family option.
At age 28, she unexpectedly found out she was pregnant after using a pregnancy test.
Multiple tests and an ultrasound confirmed her pregnancy, surprising her and her doctors.
Her pregnancy is high-risk due to past cancer treatment, so doctors will watch her closely.
She shared her story on TikTok, connecting with others facing cancer and fertility issues.
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California officials are recalling certain grapevine and desert willow plants sold at Costco because they may carry an invasive insect called the glassy-winged sharpshooter. This insect can spread a deadly plant disease called Pierce’s disease, which harms grapevines and threatens California’s large wine industry.
Key Facts
The glassy-winged sharpshooter is an invasive insect that feeds on plants and spreads a harmful bacterium called Xylella fastidiosa.
Pierce’s disease, caused by this bacterium, can kill grapevines by blocking their water system, and there is no cure.
California produces over 90% of the US’s grapes, with the grape and wine industry valued at billions of dollars.
Costco sold grapevine plants between April 21 and May 21, 2026, and desert willow plants between June 24 and July 3, 2026, that may carry the sharpshooter.
More than 1,300 affected grapevine plants were sold in Santa Clara County, with about 1,180 not yet recovered.
Agricultural workers are going door-to-door to collect the recalled plants and ask customers to report if they bought any affected plants.
The recall is currently focused on California counties including Santa Clara, Alameda, Napa, Sonoma, and others.
The USDA and California Department of Food and Agriculture are involved in managing the response.
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The UK government plans to set a social media curfew overnight for 16 and 17-year-olds, disabling apps like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube by default, though teens can opt out. Parenting experts suggest ways to reduce kids' screen time, such as setting limits calmly, involving teenagers in discussions, turning screen use into learning moments, and modeling good habits.
Key Facts
The UK government will introduce an overnight social media curfew for 16 and 17-year-olds.
Popular apps like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube will be unavailable during curfew hours by default.
Teens can choose to opt out of this curfew if they want.
Features like auto-play videos and infinite scrolling will be disabled to reduce addictive use.
Experts say parents should set screen limits calmly, not during arguments.
Talking with teens about social media’s impact helps cooperation.
Turning screen time into learning moments teaches digital literacy.
Parents should model good screen habits since kids often copy adults.
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ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) has stopped its traffic stop operations after a second shooting involving its agents. A 26-year-old Colombian delivery driver was shot and killed in Maine because officers thought he was someone else with an arrest warrant.
Key Facts
ICE suspended certain traffic stop activities following two recent shootings involving its agents.
The most recent shooting killed a 26-year-old Colombian delivery driver in Maine.
ICE officers mistakenly believed the driver was a different person wanted by authorities.
These incidents are drawing criticism of President Donald Trump’s strict immigration policies.
The shootings occurred within a few days of each other.
The situation sparked public demonstrations calling for action.
ICE stands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a U.S. agency handling immigration enforcement.
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The UK is experiencing hotter temperatures than in the past, with some regions now as warm as southern England used to be in the 1960s. A recent Met Office report says that extreme heat and dry conditions are becoming normal, causing problems for homes, transport, and health services.
Key Facts
The hottest day of the year in southern England is about 4.5°C warmer now than between 1961 and 1990.
Northern parts of the UK are seeing temperatures that southern areas had in the past.
2025 was the warmest year on record in the UK since 1884.
The decade from 2016 to 2025 was 1.33°C warmer than 1961 to 1990 on average.
Days over 30°C and nights over 18°C in Greater London have more than quadrupled compared to 1961-1990.
Over 2,700 heat-related deaths may have occurred in England and Wales during May and June 2025.
England had its driest spring in over 100 years in 2025, with very low river water levels.
Dry soil from droughts harms plant growth and increases risks of wildfires and intensifies heatwaves.
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One person died and three are missing after a pontoon boat capsized near Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. Rescue teams found 20 people on the boat, mostly family members attending a memorial service, and several others were injured but stable.
Key Facts
The boat capsized about 600 yards from Alcatraz Island.
The San Francisco Fire Department received the distress call at 3:37 p.m. local time.
A man found in the water was given CPR but died after being brought to shore.
There were 20 people on the boat, mostly family members at a memorial service.
Three people were injured and taken to the hospital, all in stable condition.
Thirteen people returned safely and were not injured.
Witnesses reported rough seas and the boat taking on water before flipping over.
Rescue efforts involved the San Francisco Fire Department and the U.S. Coast Guard and continued into the evening.
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Iran has threatened to block more trade routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, after the U.S. launched new military strikes on Iranian targets. President Donald Trump warned he may target Iran’s energy infrastructure if Iran does not return to talks.
Key Facts
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the Strait of Hormuz will stay closed until the U.S. stops its "acts of aggression."
Other regional oil and gas export routes might also be closed by Iran.
The U.S. military conducted drone, air, and naval strikes on Iran on Wednesday morning and an earlier operation overnight.
President Trump said he plans to strike Iran’s bridges and power plants if they do not come back to negotiations.
The U.S. re-imposed a blockade on Iranian ports on Tuesday evening, stopping ships from entering or leaving.
Iran claimed it attacked U.S. targets in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain, and those countries reported intercepting Iranian drones and missiles.
President Trump suggested replacing a threatened 20% toll on the Strait of Hormuz with large trade and investment deals with Gulf states.
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A new poll shows that President Donald Trump’s approval rating has dropped significantly among younger Americans aged 18 to 34. This decline highlights a growing gap between generations that could affect voter behavior in the 2026 midterm elections.
Key Facts
President Trump’s overall approval rating is 38%, with 61% disapproving, according to a July 2026 poll by Echelon Insights.
Among voters aged 18–34, approval is 35% while disapproval is 65%, showing stronger negative views in this group.
Compared to July 2025, Trump’s net approval has dropped by 15 points overall and 14 points among younger voters.
Since January 2025, at the start of Trump’s second term, approval among younger voters has fallen by 37 points on a net basis.
Younger voters played a key role in the 2024 election and their changing opinions may influence turnout and results in the 2026 midterms.
The poll surveyed 1,004 likely voters between July 9–13, 2026, with a margin of error of ±3.6 points.
The White House responded by stating the president has made historic progress on jobs, inflation, and housing, and expects more positive results soon.
Multiple polls show similar trends, with Trump’s approval hovering near 39% nationally in mid-2026.
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Haiti is facing serious problems because armed gangs control parts of the country, especially in the capital. This violence makes it very hard to deliver humanitarian aid, while 1.5 million people have been forced to leave their homes and many people suffer from malnutrition.
Key Facts
Armed gangs control areas in Haiti’s capital and some provinces.
A new international security force has arrived but has not yet improved the situation much.
About 1.5 million people are displaced inside Haiti because of violence.
Malnutrition is widespread among the population.
Roads to the capital are mostly blocked, making travel and aid delivery difficult.
Haiti’s main airport is not fully operational.
The country’s basic infrastructure, like roads and services, is falling apart.
Aid agencies continue working to help local communities and provide needed support despite challenges.
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Jay Clayton, the US attorney for southern New York, will have a Senate intelligence committee hearing to become the new director of national intelligence. He would replace Bill Pulte, who is currently acting director but faces criticism due to his background and loyalty to President Trump.
Key Facts
Jay Clayton is nominated to be the next director of national intelligence.
Bill Pulte is currently acting director of national intelligence, appointed by President Trump.
Senators from both parties have concerns about Pulte’s experience and loyalty to Trump.
Republicans initially scheduled a hearing for Clayton to block Pulte’s permanent appointment.
President Trump stopped Clayton from attending the hearing, letting Pulte remain acting director.
Pulte has fired some intelligence officials since becoming acting director.
Clayton previously chaired the Securities and Exchange Commission under Trump’s first term.
Clayton has no experience in intelligence agencies but supports Trump’s claims about election fraud.
Clayton expressed skepticism about election integrity during an interview related to California elections.
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SpaceX is planning to build data centers in space by launching a large group of satellites called AI1, each powered by solar panels and designed to handle advanced computing tasks. Experts say there are many technical challenges to overcome, such as managing heat and radiation in space, and the business side of this idea is also uncertain.
Key Facts
SpaceX wants to create a network of about 1 million satellites that act as data centers in orbit.
These satellites will use solar power, with panels around 600 square meters in size to generate up to 150 kW of power.
The project aims to support tens of millions, possibly up to 100 million, high-performance computing units called GPUs.
Elon Musk said building these satellites uses technology similar to what is already in SpaceX’s Starlink satellites.
Experts recognize the technical problems involved, including cooling systems, radiation protection, and communication delays.
Some industry leaders think the excitement is more about potential money and company value than immediate practical use.
The idea of orbital data centers is new, and SpaceX is the main company actively developing this concept.
The project’s success depends on solving many difficult engineering and financial issues.
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