Keiko Fujimori’s Popular Force party won the Senate presidency in Peru by forming an alliance with another conservative party. This happened just before Fujimori’s presidential inauguration on July 28, 2026, as Peru’s Congress reinstated a two-chamber system after more than 30 years.
Key Facts
The Popular Force party, led by President-elect Keiko Fujimori, won the Senate presidency.
Miguel Torres was elected Senate president with 30 out of 60 votes.
The alliance includes the right-wing Popular Renewal party, whose member Alejandro Muñante became first vice president of the Senate.
Peru’s Congress brought back a bicameral system (two chambers) after more than 30 years.
The Senate president, Miguel Torres, will serve for one year and is also Peru’s second vice president-elect.
Congress faces the challenge of political instability, having seen eight presidents in the last decade.
The lower house leadership, made up of 130 deputies, will be chosen soon.
Peru’s new government term is from 2026 to 2031, starting with Fujimori’s inauguration on July 28, 2026.
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Ukraine carried out a long-range strike in the Caspian Sea, hitting an Iranian-linked commercial vessel and a Russian warship. The attack killed one Iranian sailor and increased tensions between Ukraine, Iran, and Russia, highlighting the growing international connections in the conflict.
Key Facts
Ukraine’s strike targeted vessels involved in military cargo linked to Iran and a Russian warship in the Caspian Sea.
Iran reported one sailor killed on a commercial vessel and called for a strong response.
Ukrainian President Zelensky said the strike showed Ukraine’s expanding ability to reach far beyond its main battlefields.
The Caspian Sea is an important trade route for Iran, connecting it to Russia, Central Asia, and China.
Iran relies more on northern trade routes in the Caspian region due to pressure on its southern sea routes.
Zelensky accused Russia of sharing satellite images with Iran to help plan attacks in the Middle East.
Ukraine has documented Russian surveillance of Gulf states and U.S. military sites, with alleged information shared with Tehran.
The incident reflects the growing overlap and complexity in the conflicts involving Ukraine, Russia, Iran, and the West.
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The Democratic National Committee (DNC) panel chose South Carolina to hold the first 2028 presidential primary, a move that has upset some progressive Democrats. Progressives worry this decision favors moderate candidates and makes it harder for left-wing contenders to win the party's nomination.
Key Facts
The DNC panel voted to start the 2028 primary season in South Carolina instead of Nevada.
Bernie Sanders lost badly in South Carolina in both 2016 and 2020 primaries, but won Nevada in 2020.
Some progressives believe the new schedule is designed to block left-wing candidates.
South Carolina's primary is seen by some as a test of retail politics, where local, personal campaigning is important.
South Carolina has a large Black Democratic voter base, which affects primary dynamics.
The full DNC still needs to approve the primary schedule chosen by the panel.
Progressives have had better support from younger Black and Latino voters but less success with older Black voters in the South.
Some argue the new calendar could help winnow candidates early, though it might limit progressive chances.
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Large wildfires in southwest France have forced about 250,000 people to leave their homes, marking one of the biggest evacuations in the country's recent history during peacetime. France 24's reporter Luke Shrago shared his firsthand experience of the ongoing fire crisis.
Key Facts
Wildfires are burning in southwest France.
Around 250,000 people have been evacuated from the affected areas.
The evacuation is one of the largest peacetime evacuations in France.
Reporter Luke Shrago witnessed the fires and reported from the scene.
French firefighters and local farmers are involved in fighting the fires.
About 42,000 hectares (roughly 103,600 acres) have been burned.
Efforts to contain the blaze are ongoing.
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A federal appeals court blocked President Trump's executive order that would restrict mail-in voting in 23 states before the midterm elections. The court ruled that state and local officials are responsible for running federal elections, and federal interference could cause confusion and stop some voters from casting ballots.
Key Facts
The First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston issued a 2-1 decision blocking the executive order.
The ruling affects 23 states that sued against the mail-in voting restrictions.
Another appeals court had set aside a similar ruling for 27 other states, creating uncertainty about those states.
President Trump issued the executive order in March 2026 to increase federal control over mail-in voting.
The U.S. Postal Service proposed rules to limit mail-in voting and create approved voter lists.
Courts said the order would create confusion and risk stopping eligible voters from voting.
Studies show mail-in voting fraud is extremely rare, with only a few examples in millions of votes.
The Trump administration may appeal the case to the Supreme Court.
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Megan Romer, co-chair of the Democratic Socialist of America, said that mainstream Democrats should be concerned about voter opinions. She spoke about this during an interview on Fox News Sunday, suggesting that the traditional Democratic Party needs to pay attention to what voters want.
Key Facts
Megan Romer is the national co-chair of the Democratic Socialist of America (DSA).
Romer appeared on Fox News Sunday on a program hosted by Shannon Bream.
She stated that establishment Democrats should worry about voter concerns.
The comment was made in the context of discussing the Democratic Party and its future.
The DSA is a political organization that promotes socialist ideas within the U.S. political system.
The interview included questions about the DSA's plans for the Democratic Party.
Romer emphasized the importance of listening to voters rather than focusing on internal party worries.
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A recent survey shows that nearly 80% of Americans think the war with Iran has been harder for President Trump’s administration than expected. The poll asked over 2,000 people about their views on the conflict after almost five months.
Key Facts
The war between the U.S. and Iran has been ongoing for almost five months.
More than 75% of those surveyed said the conflict is tougher than the Trump administration planned for.
Around 20% of respondents believe the conflict has gone as smoothly as expected.
The poll was conducted by CBS News and YouGov.
The survey included 2,193 respondents from across the U.S.
The poll reflects public opinion about how the current U.S. government is handling the Iran war.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham at a naval base where UK forces have trained Ukrainian troops to show Britain’s strong support for Ukraine. They will discuss military cooperation, including the use of a British-made electronic jammer called Stone Cloak, which helps protect Ukrainian drones from Russian defenses.
Key Facts
Zelenskyy is the first foreign visitor to meet Prime Minister Andy Burnham since he took office.
The visit takes place at a UK naval base where Ukrainian troops have trained with British forces.
They will speak with soldiers involved in Exercise Sea Breeze, a military training operation with 15 countries in the Black Sea.
Stone Cloak is a British electronic jammer that disrupts Russian air defense systems and is being used on Ukrainian drones.
The UK has shared the technology so Ukraine can make Stone Cloak devices themselves.
Over 200 Ukrainian personnel took part in recent training exercises in Dorset, UK.
Since Russia’s full invasion in February 2022, the UK has provided £25 billion in total support to Ukraine, including £16 billion in military aid.
Zelenskyy and Burnham aim to continue strong UK-Ukraine relations, building on previous support by former Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
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UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has promised ongoing support for Ukraine during a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. They will discuss military cooperation including sharing technology for an electronic warfare system to help Ukraine defend against drones.
Key Facts
President Zelensky is the first international visitor to UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham since he took office a week ago.
The UK will share the intellectual property of the "Stone Cloak" electronic jammer with Ukraine so it can produce this device itself.
The Stone Cloak jammer blocks drone detection and has already been sent in large numbers to Ukrainian forces.
The UK plans to include this technology in its future long-range weapons, such as low-cost cruise missiles.
Zelensky and Burnham will meet over 200 Ukrainian troops who took part in a maritime exercise in the UK called Exercise Sea Breeze, focused on Black Sea security.
The UK has committed £25 billion to support Ukraine since the start of Russia's invasion four years ago.
Previous UK leader Sir Keir Starmer visited Kyiv and promised an additional £255 million in support for Ukraine.
Zelensky expressed hope that strong UK-Ukraine relations will continue despite political changes in both countries.
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Some Democrats are adopting their own version of "America First" by opposing President Trump's war with Iran and calling for more focus on American needs instead of foreign conflicts. They argue that money should stay in the U.S. and be spent on things like schools and jobs, not wars abroad.
Key Facts
Democrats like Abdul El-Sayed and Ro Khanna are using the "America First" phrase to oppose military spending overseas and promote domestic priorities.
Khanna introduced a bill to ban gas exports during high price periods, saying a new war in the Middle East is not "America First."
Dan Osborn, an independent Senate candidate, criticized sending money to Israel and foreign wars.
Some Republicans, including Tucker Carlson, have also criticized President Trump's approach to Iran and the war.
Most Democrats avoid using Trump's exact slogan but agree with the idea of focusing on American needs rather than wars abroad.
Politicians like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Kamala Harris call for funds to be used for schools, healthcare, and housing instead of foreign wars.
Senators Mark Kelly and Cory Booker introduced legislation to boost American manufacturing and reduce dependence on foreign countries.
Polls show many Americans are tired of long-term Middle East conflicts, especially when the economy is weak.
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A car drove into a crowd at Berlin’s LGBTQ+ parade, killing one person and injuring several others. After a long search, police found and shot the suspect.
Key Facts
The attack happened during Berlin’s Pride parade on Saturday.
One person died and several were hurt when the car hit the crowd.
Police conducted a manhunt that lasted several hours.
Authorities located and fatally shot the suspect on Sunday.
The event targeted a large public gathering supporting LGBTQ+ rights.
Officials are still investigating details about the motive and the suspect.
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Many wildfires are burning across western and southern Europe, especially in France and Spain. Experts say climate change, including high temperatures and heatwaves, is making these fires more frequent and severe.
Key Facts
Wildfires are affecting large areas in western and southern Europe.
France and Spain are the hardest hit countries.
The World Health Organization links the fires to climate change.
Since May, Europe has experienced record high temperatures and multiple heatwaves.
Thousands of firefighters are working in France and Spain to control the fires.
Neighboring countries have sent help to support firefighting efforts.
Authorities describe the current wildfire situation as unprecedented, meaning it has never been seen before.
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Israel’s government has approved the International Stabilization Force (ISF) to enter Gaza as part of President Donald Trump’s peace plan. The ISF, made up of about 200 personnel from countries like Uganda and Morocco, will work closely with the Israeli military and help stabilize Gaza under Israeli approval.
Key Facts
Israel’s security cabinet approved legal steps for the ISF to operate in Gaza.
The ISF will include 200 people from friendly countries such as Uganda and Morocco.
Israel will decide which countries can send forces as part of the ISF.
The ISF will work in cooperation with the Israeli military and operate outside Israeli-controlled areas.
The approval happened one day before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trip to Washington, DC.
The peace plan involves a ceasefire, disarmament of Hamas, Israeli withdrawal, and creation of a Palestinian governing body called the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).
About 70 percent of Gaza is currently occupied by Israel, with nearly two million people living in a reduced area.
Since the ceasefire in October, over 1,200 Palestinians have reportedly been killed and nearly 3,900 wounded.
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Palestinians in Gaza are hopeful after Israel agreed to let an international peace force enter the area as part of a ceasefire plan supported by the United States. They believe this force could help rebuild Gaza and allow displaced people to return to their homes following months of conflict.
Key Facts
Israel approved an international peace force entering Gaza.
The peace force is part of a ceasefire plan backed by the United States.
Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced due to months of fighting.
The peace force aims to help stabilize the region.
Gaza residents hope for rebuilding and the chance to return home.
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Kemi Badenoch, Conservative Party leader, asked Prime Minister Andy Burnham to avoid raising taxes or borrowing more money to pay for social care reform. She said any funding must come from cutting current spending and protecting people who have saved money for their care.
Key Facts
Kemi Badenoch wrote a letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham about social care reform.
She wants the reforms funded by reducing current government spending, not by raising taxes or borrowing.
Badenoch insists reforms must be fair to people who have saved money for their own care.
Andy Burnham plans to speak about adult social care and has worked on this issue since 2009.
Past efforts by other leaders, including Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer, have also focused on social care reform.
Sir Ed Davey from the Liberal Democrats supports cross-party cooperation on social care.
Badenoch emphasized concerns about business closures, youth unemployment, and the cost of living worsening with tax increases.
Burnham responded positively to cooperation, expressing willingness to find common ground.
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House Republicans are traveling around the country during their August recess to find positive points in a challenging political situation before the midterm elections. They want to connect all Democrats to more extreme left-wing candidates to gain voter support ahead of the election.
Key Facts
House Republicans are on recess in August and visiting different parts of the country.
They face difficulties in public opinion polls as the midterm elections approach.
Their strategy includes highlighting links between Democrats and far-left candidates.
They are beginning a 100-day period leading up to Election Day.
Republicans hope to find opportunities to improve their chances despite a tough environment.
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A baby named Riley was born with a rare condition called Poland-Moebius Syndrome, which causes facial paralysis and missing chest muscles. Doctors diagnosed him after noticing he could not make expressions or open his mouth properly, and now his family is managing his symptoms with medical support.
Key Facts
Riley was born on January 29, 2025, without the ability to cry or form facial expressions.
He has small, webbed hands and is missing his right chest muscle.
Riley was diagnosed with Poland-Moebius Syndrome, a rare condition affecting about 1 in 50,000 births.
The syndrome causes underdeveloped facial nerves, making it hard to smile, frown, blink, swallow, or speak properly.
There is no cure; treatment focuses on managing symptoms and supporting Riley’s development.
Riley uses a feeding tube (G-tube) and had surgery to correct his crossed eyes and eyelash problems.
His mother noted the emotional challenges of the diagnosis but said Riley expresses himself in other ways.
Riley has had two MRI scans to assist doctors in understanding his condition.
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Massive wildfires in southwest France have forced 220,000 people to evacuate, including 55,000 overnight near Bordeaux. The fires are spreading uncontrollably due to dry conditions and strong winds, while nearby Spain is also managing evacuations from its own wildfires.
Key Facts
The wildfire in France’s Gironde region has burned about 42,000 hectares (162 square miles), four times the size of Paris.
Bordeaux, a major city with 268,000 people, is threatened, but no evacuation order has been issued yet.
Around 2,500 firefighters, supported by 18 planes and helicopters, and soldiers are fighting the fires.
The blaze created rare firestorms that generate lightning, which can start new fires.
French authorities have evacuated 220,000 people in the region so far.
Hundreds of homes have been destroyed, and 75 firefighters have been injured.
Neighboring Spain is also conducting evacuations due to wildfires on its east coast.
Pope Leo XIV called for prayers for the victims and rescue workers.
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The new UK Defense Secretary, Wes Streeting, said he is ready to cooperate with President Donald Trump's government on shared goals. He also stated that President Trump’s actions have prompted Europe to become more alert and less comfortable with the status quo.
Key Facts
Wes Streeting is the new Secretary of State for Defence in the United Kingdom.
He expressed willingness to work with the Trump administration where their interests align.
Streeting emphasized that trying to flatter President Trump is not effective.
He stated that President Trump has pushed Europe to move away from complacency.
The comments were made publicly on a Sunday.
Streeting's remarks suggest a more active European approach to defense and security in response to U.S. policies.
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The United States and Iran have stopped military strikes for two days amid hopes for talks to reduce conflict. Both countries remain cautious while negotiations involving Oman and other mediators continue about managing the busy Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route.
Key Facts
The US and Iran paused strikes after two weeks of nightly attacks and retaliation.
President Donald Trump allowed some space for diplomatic talks despite readiness to act militarily.
Oman sent a delegation to Tehran to help ease tensions, prompting the US to halt bombings temporarily.
Iran’s army also paused retaliatory attacks but warned the conflict could widen if the US continues strikes.
Mediators from Pakistan and Qatar are working with both sides to de-escalate the situation.
Talks focused on managing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, an important route for oil and gas exports.
The US naval blockade of Iran continues, redirecting and inspecting commercial vessels in the area.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard stopped some ships in the strait and a tanker hit a mine after leaving a path approved by Iran.
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