Swimming lessons have restarted in Gaza after three years of war, with makeshift pools built from sandbags and rubble on the beach. Hundreds of children are learning to swim, giving them a chance to enjoy normal childhood activities in an area affected by violence, loss, and destruction.
Key Facts
Swimming classes are held in five pools made by volunteers on Gaza’s beaches using sandbags and rubble.
These classes help children, many of whom have experienced trauma, to relax and have fun despite the ongoing conflict.
A UN survey found that 96% of children in Gaza feel like they might die soon due to the ongoing war.
Many children have lost family members in Israeli attacks, and Gaza has the highest rate of child amputees globally.
Most schools in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged, and many children have no access to formal education.
The Israeli siege has caused severe shortages leading to hunger and long-term health problems for children.
The swimming academy was founded more than 20 years ago and is run this summer by volunteers to support children.
The pools provide a rare space for physical activity and mental relief from living in crowded, unsafe conditions.
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The UK’s largest Muslim event, Jalsa Salana, is going ahead with extra security due to rising anti-Muslim hate crimes. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, which organizes the event, has a long history of facing hostility but continues to promote unity and loyalty to the UK.
Key Facts
Jalsa Salana is the UK’s largest Muslim convention, expected to attract about 50,000 people from over 100 countries.
Security staff have been increased by several hundred, and there is close work with police and emergency services.
Last month, another Islamic event closed early after arrests linked to a far-right threat.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has been in the UK since 1913 and built one of London’s first mosques in 1926.
Anti-Muslim hate crime in England and Wales rose by 19% in the year to March 2025.
One mosque in Britain is attacked every five days on average.
The community promotes interfaith dialogue, local cooperation, and urges members to be proud and visible as Muslims in Britain.
The Ahmadiyya community faces hostility both from far-right groups and from some extremist Muslims.
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UK banks and financial providers are offering higher interest rates on savings accounts due to increased competition. Savers can find instant-access accounts with up to 5% interest, fixed-rate bonds near that level, and regular savings accounts offering up to 8%.
Key Facts
More than half of the 1,385 reviewed savings accounts now pay interest above the Bank of England’s base rate of 3.75%.
Instant-access accounts pay around 2.53% on average, with top offers like Revolut paying 5% until December 4, 2024.
Chase offers a new account paying 4.5% for new customers, requiring a linked current account.
Fixed-rate savings bonds require locking money in for 6 months to 5 years; one-year bonds pay around 4.22% on average, with some bank offers up to 4.9%.
Regular savings accounts, where you save a set amount each month, can pay up to 8% interest but often require a current account and may limit withdrawals.
Lloyds, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, and Santander all provide regular savings accounts paying 8% for 12 months.
Interest earned above tax-free limits on regular savings accounts can be subject to tax if not held in an ISA (Individual Savings Account).
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Avtar Singh, who grew up in India and moved to Canada as a child, spent many years wondering about the identity of his birth mother. Using artificial intelligence, specifically ChatGPT, he was eventually able to uncover family secrets and reconnect with his long-lost family members.
Key Facts
Avtar was raised in India by his grandparents; the woman he thought was his mother was actually his grandmother.
His father emigrated to Canada before Avtar joined him there at age nine.
Avtar struggled to fit in both at school and at home after moving to Canada.
His biological mother’s identity and background remained a secret for many years.
Avtar’s grandmother revealed that his mother was from Africa and had left him in India before returning abroad.
Repeated attempts to get information from his father were blocked.
A school assignment about his family tree motivated Avtar to seek answers.
Avtar eventually used ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence tool, to gather information about his family history.
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Groups of people are illegally hunting hares in the UK by using dogs to chase them, a practice called hare coursing. This activity is organized by gangs who cause damage, scare farmers, and sometimes leave dead animals in public places. Police report thousands of such incidents in recent years, but responses vary due to limited resources.
Key Facts
Hare coursing uses dogs like greyhounds to chase and catch hares, with points given for how the hare runs and if it is caught.
The sport was banned in the UK in 2005 but now happens illegally at night and in rural areas.
More than 9,000 reports of hare coursing were made in the UK over the past three years.
Criminal gangs organize these events, which include gambling, prizes, and using violence or intimidation.
In one case, a farmer’s land was invaded by over 70 people with vehicles, damaging crops and property.
Dead hares and other animals have been dumped in villages, disturbing local residents and children.
Police can be stretched thin and sometimes cannot respond quickly to these incidents.
The BBC investigation uncovered the hidden and dangerous nature of this illegal bloodsport.
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Syngenta will stop selling the herbicide paraquat in Australia because new government rules have made it too costly to sell. Paraquat is banned in over 70 countries due to health concerns, including links to Parkinson’s disease, but it is still used in Australian farming under restrictions.
Key Facts
Paraquat is a herbicide that has been linked to Parkinson’s disease.
It is banned in more than 70 countries and has not been allowed in the European Union since 2007.
Australia recently introduced new rules to restrict the use of paraquat, such as banning backpack sprayers and requiring better protective gear.
Syngenta says these new rules and higher costs in the supply chain make selling paraquat in Australia unprofitable.
The company will phase out its paraquat products following government deadlines.
Generic versions of paraquat will still be available to Australian farmers.
Some experts say there is strong evidence paraquat exposure increases Parkinson’s disease risk.
Grain industry representatives worry Syngenta’s exit might reduce farming options and affect future investments in Australia.
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Wildfires in southwestern France and central Spain have forced over 200,000 people to leave their homes. French authorities ordered evacuations near the city of Bordeaux and mobilized the military to fight the fires as they threatened populated areas.
Key Facts
Wildfires are spreading through southwestern France and central Spain.
More than 200,000 people have been evacuated due to the fires.
French authorities ordered evacuations near Bordeaux as a safety measure.
The Gironde region's roads are advised to be avoided to allow emergency vehicles to move freely.
President Emmanuel Macron sent the military to help control the fires in France.
Spain declared a national emergency in the Madrid area and the province of Avila.
The fires in France have burned around 14,000 hectares (about 34,600 acres).
These wildfires are affecting multiple European countries, including France, Spain, and Italy.
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Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Yemeni Houthi group exchanged attacks after the Houthis announced a blockade and attacked Saudi ships. Meanwhile, the US military disabled a tanker trying to break a blockade on Iranian ports in the Gulf of Oman, amid ongoing tensions and military actions between the US and Iran.
Key Facts
Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen's port city of Hodeida and a nearby island.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for a missile attack on the Saudi city of Jizan.
The US Navy disabled a tanker in the Gulf of Oman that attempted to break the US blockade on Iranian ports.
The tanker crew ignored multiple warnings before the US fired on the ship’s engine room to stop it.
Oman sent a delegation to Tehran for talks about the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route.
Iran claims it carried out drone strikes on US military bases in retaliation for US attacks.
President Trump said talks with Iran are ongoing but warned the US is ready to use military force if needed.
Oil prices briefly rose due to security concerns around shipping routes but fell after safe passage of some tankers.
The US and UK plan to hold a conference about the Strait of Hormuz next week with senior military officials attending.
A ceasefire agreement signed in June between the US and Iran collapsed after renewed attacks on ships.
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Funerals were held for four Palestinians who died near the city of Nablus in the West Bank. Palestinian officials say Israeli settlers and soldiers attacked the area, while Israel said the violence started after a separate attack on Israeli civilians.
Key Facts
Four Palestinians were killed near Nablus, a city in the West Bank.
Funerals for the four took place overnight.
Palestinian leaders accuse Israeli settlers and soldiers of attacking the area.
Israel says the violence began following an attack on Israeli civilians.
The West Bank is an area occupied by Israel but claimed by Palestinians.
The situation reflects ongoing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians in the region.
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President Donald Trump attended the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, where he joked about the press and praised free speech. The event marked a return after a shooting forced the earlier dinner to be canceled, and it honored reporters and security officers involved in that incident.
Key Facts
President Trump made jokes about the media and "fake news" during the dinner.
The event honored reporters from major news outlets like the New York Times, CNN, and the Wall Street Journal.
The dinner was smaller than usual, with about 700 attendees instead of over 2,000.
Strong security measures were in place due to the shooting at the previous dinner in April.
Officer Victor Gonzalez was awarded by President Trump for his role in stopping the gunman in April.
The shooter, Cole Tomas Allen, was charged with attempting to assassinate the president.
WHCA President Weijia Jiang announced the dinner would return to the same hotel next year.
Government officials such as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and FBI Director Kash Patel attended the event.
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Greece has nominated Mount Olympus to be included on the UNESCO World Heritage list because of its cultural and environmental importance. The decision will be discussed soon by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee during their session in South Korea.
Key Facts
Mount Olympus is Greece’s highest mountain, rising 2,918 meters above the sea.
It is famous in Greek mythology as the home of the gods and the throne of Zeus.
Greece first proposed Mount Olympus for UNESCO World Heritage status in 2014.
The mountain was Greece’s first national forest (1938) and a biosphere reserve since 1981.
In 2021, Mount Olympus was declared a national park to protect its natural environment.
About 500,000 tourists visited the mountain last year, with numbers expected to rise.
Protection from threats like forest fires, worsened by climate change, is a key concern.
Becoming a World Heritage site would help safeguard the mountain from overdevelopment and tourism damage.
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President Donald Trump spoke at the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner, criticizing the press, Democrats, and some celebrities. His speech received a mixed reaction, coming months after a reported attack attempt at the same event.
Key Facts
President Trump gave a speech at the WHCA dinner on Friday evening.
He criticized the news media, members of the Democratic Party, and some celebrity critics.
The speech was met with a lukewarm, or not very enthusiastic, response.
The WHCA dinner is an annual event involving journalists and political figures.
A gunman allegedly tried to attack President Trump at the WHCA dinner just a few months prior.
The event is known for speeches that often include political remarks and humor.
President Trump’s remarks targeted multiple groups, including the press and political opponents.
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Samsung unveiled its 2026 mobile and wearable devices at the Galaxy Unpacked event in London on July 20. The lineup includes three new foldable phones, two smartwatches, and two smart glasses collaborations with eyewear brands.
Key Facts
Samsung introduced the Galaxy Z Fold8, Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, and Galaxy Z Flip8 foldable phones.
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra uses a new Flex Titanium material to be thinner, stronger, and more durable.
The Fold8 Ultra features a 200-megapixel main camera and 10-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
The Galaxy Z Flip8 is lighter and thinner than its predecessor and has an improved cover screen called FlexWindow Home.
Samsung launched two new smartwatches: Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 has 35% better battery life, a brighter screen, and is designed for professional athletes.
The Watch Ultra2 monitors advanced health data like hydration and diving metrics.
The more affordable Galaxy Watch9 focuses on everyday health management with heart health features.
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President Donald Trump attended the rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Association dinner three months after a gunman trying to attack him disrupted the original event. At the dinner, Trump spoke about the incident, praised his aides, and made remarks targeting political opponents.
Key Facts
The original White House Correspondents’ dinner in April was stopped because a gunman tried to attack President Trump.
The rescheduled dinner was held at the Waldorf Astoria hotel with about 700 guests, smaller than the first event.
The gunman, Cole Tomas Allen, shot a Secret Service officer and faces federal charges for attempting to kill the president.
President Trump praised aides who showed bravery during the attack.
Trump made jokes about running for a third presidential term, though the Constitution limits presidents to two terms.
Trump used the event to criticize several Democratic politicians with insulting nicknames.
This was Trump's second time attending the dinner; he previously refused to go during his first term.
The White House Correspondents’ Association said the message of the event was to not be intimidated by violence.
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President Donald Trump spoke at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, which was held at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C. The event was rescheduled after an active shooter disrupted the original dinner in April.
Key Facts
President Trump attended and spoke at the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner.
The event took place at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, D.C.
The original April dinner was disrupted by an active shooter incident.
The rescheduling allowed the dinner to proceed safely.
The White House Correspondents' Dinner is a traditional event where the president and journalists come together.
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President Donald Trump attended the White House Correspondents' Dinner for the first time as president, condemning political violence that delayed the event. During his speech, he criticized some reporters and Democrats while also praising freedom of speech and democracy.
Key Facts
The dinner was rescheduled after a gunman opened fire outside the originally planned event in April, wounding a Secret Service agent.
President Trump emphasized that political differences should be settled through debate, not violence.
He humorously referenced building the Waldorf Astoria hotel and made jokes about security measures like bulletproof vests.
Trump criticized some reporters by name, including CNN’s Kaitlin Collins and Jake Tapper, calling the latter “Fake Tapper.”
CNN defended its reporters during the speech, citing the U.S. Constitution’s protection of press freedom.
Trump joked about a "gay dictator" running a toppled regime and mentioned journalist Bari Weiss joining CBS News.
The Wall Street Journal received an award for coverage of a letter Trump allegedly wrote to Jeffrey Epstein, which Trump acknowledged with a chuckle.
The speech lasted about an hour, starting lightly but turning confrontational, ending with Trump wearing a “Trump 2028” hat and suggesting he will run for president again.
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Young Liberians are using social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and podcasts to share and preserve their country’s history and culture. This digital approach helps continue the tradition of storytelling that was disrupted by Liberia’s civil wars and urban migration.
Key Facts
Liberia’s history was traditionally passed down by elders through storytelling and ceremonies.
The country does not have the formal griot tradition found in some West African regions, but elders played a similar role.
Liberia experienced two civil wars between 1989 and 2003, killing about 250,000 people and disrupting cultural transmission.
Urban migration has increased, with nearly half of the urban population internally migrating, reducing community-based storytelling.
Young Liberians are now using digital media to document and share their history and culture.
Archive Liberia, led by Bilphena Decontee Yahwon, is one project working to preserve Liberian history through research and public storytelling.
Digital platforms allow Liberian stories to reach audiences both inside the country and across the Liberian diaspora worldwide.
This shift from traditional to digital storytelling is seen as an evolution of culture, rather than a loss.
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The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has recommended making South Carolina the first state to hold its presidential primary in 2028, replacing Nevada. This change could affect candidates from the progressive and democratic socialist wings of the party, as South Carolina's electorate may favor more established candidates.
Key Facts
The DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee voted to recommend South Carolina as the first primary state in 2028.
This recommendation still needs full DNC approval in August.
South Carolina was moved ahead of Nevada, which previously held the first primary spot.
South Carolina has a large Black voter population that historically favors establishment Democratic candidates.
Early primary wins help candidates gain media attention, fundraising, and voter support.
No incumbent Democratic president is expected to run in 2028, making the primary more open and competitive.
Some experts say this change could make it harder for democratic socialist candidates like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to gain early momentum.
The shift has led to speculation that Ocasio-Cortez might run for Senate instead of president in 2028.
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President Donald Trump has ordered the Smithsonian National Museum of American History to put up signs warning visitors that some exhibits contain "inaccurate" information. The order asks the Department of the Interior to guide people to what it calls "accurate information" about U.S. history.
Key Facts
President Trump signed an order for warning signs at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
The order claims the museum does not properly honor America's founders on its 250th anniversary.
It accuses museum leaders of using history to push social justice ideas and political activism.
The White House says the museum promotes Marxism and divides Americans.
The Smithsonian is a large, federally funded museum group with 21 museums serving millions of visitors yearly.
The order follows earlier criticism and hearings by Republican lawmakers about "woke ideology" in the museum.
President Trump has taken other steps to remove diversity and inclusion programs from the federal government.
The Smithsonian has not responded publicly to the new order or accusations.
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