A photo of pop star Charli XCX taken by British photographer Harley Weir has been added to the National Portrait Gallery's collection. The portrait will be shown in the gallery’s History Makers Now section, celebrating people who shape modern culture.
Key Facts
The photo shows Charli XCX in a white crop top and unbuttoned black jeans.
It was taken in 2024 and used to promote her album Brat.
The National Portrait Gallery called Charli “one of the defining artists of our time.”
The portrait’s purchase was funded by the Bukhman Foundation.
Charli XCX’s eighth album, Music, Fashion, Film, was released recently and may reach number one on the UK charts.
The album explores her relationship with art and fame.
Charli released extra songs called "b-sides" on iTunes after initially not planning to.
She will headline the Reading & Leeds festival next month.
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The article discusses challenges in American higher education. It talks about how some parts of academia are resistant to change, even when they need to fix problems.
Key Facts
American colleges and universities face pressure to change outdated or problematic practices.
Some academic groups strongly resist efforts to make these changes.
The resistance makes it harder for schools to improve and respond to criticism.
The article suggests that self-correction is necessary for academia to move forward.
The focus is on internal challenges within the U.S. higher education system.
The discussion includes ideas about balance between free speech and academic standards.
It highlights ongoing debates about the culture and direction of universities.
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DCC, a major energy company listed on the London Stock Exchange, has agreed to a £5.75 billion takeover offer from two US private equity firms, KKR and Energy Capital Partners. The company’s board supports the deal, but the founder and some large shareholders oppose it, claiming the offer undervalues the company.
Key Facts
DCC is one of the largest energy companies listed on the London Stock Exchange.
US private equity companies KKR and Energy Capital Partners plan to buy DCC for about £5.75 billion.
The DCC board recommends the takeover despite objections from its founder, Jim Flavin, and significant shareholders.
Jim Flavin believes the offer is too low given the company’s plan to increase profits by 2030.
The takeover price is £65.25 per share in cash, with an extra £1.25 per share if a related sale meets a price target.
The offer is 36% higher than DCC’s average share price before the takeover talks were public but still faces shareholder opposition.
Large shareholders like Aviva and Fidelity consider the price inadequate and plan to vote against the deal.
DCC’s board says the offer provides a guaranteed cash gain for shareholders immediately.
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Spain is working hard to control large wildfires near Madrid and Valencia. The country's interior minister said the next two days are very important as a new heatwave could make fighting the fires harder. Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from the affected areas.
Key Facts
Large wildfires are burning near Madrid and Valencia in Spain.
The Spanish interior minister called the next two days "decisive" for controlling the fires.
A new heatwave is expected, which may make firefighting efforts more difficult.
Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated to keep them safe.
The wildfires are described as "monster" fires because of their size and intensity.
Spain is facing a longer wildfire season, similar to other parts of Europe.
Efforts continue to stop smaller fires from joining into larger, more dangerous ones.
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Ken Paxton, the Texas Attorney General, has faced many scandals but remains popular with voters. James Talarico, a Democrat, is challenging Paxton in a closely watched U.S. Senate race, trying to use Paxton’s past controversies to gain support.
Key Facts
Ken Paxton has been Texas Attorney General since 2014 and is running for U.S. Senate.
Paxton has faced multiple scandals, including charges of securities fraud, but has never been convicted.
Paxton uses conservative positions on issues like immigration and abortion to maintain support.
Past challengers, including Republicans and Democrats, have accused Paxton of corruption but failed to defeat him.
James Talarico won a tough Democratic primary and is running against Paxton in the Senate race.
Talarico aims to connect Paxton to a broader culture of political corruption.
Paxton’s campaign says accusations against him are politically motivated and points to his acquittals.
The race is seen as significant in Texas and nationally because it could affect control of the U.S. Senate.
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Bill Oddie, a British comedian and wildlife expert, died at the age of 85. He was known for his work on the comedy series "The Goodies" and for hosting several BBC wildlife programs focused on birds and nature.
Key Facts
Bill Oddie was a member of the British comedy trio The Goodies, which aired from 1970 to 1982.
He became a well-known wildlife presenter, hosting shows like "Birding With Bill Oddie," "Bill Oddie Goes Wild," and "Springwatch."
Oddie was also a writer, musician, and conservationist who encouraged people to protect the environment.
He was born in 1941 in Rochdale, England, and studied English literature at Cambridge University.
During university, he performed with the Cambridge Footlights comedy group alongside future Monty Python members.
Oddie originally planned to be a teacher or bird observatory warden but chose a career in entertainment and wildlife instead.
He wrote several books about birdwatching and wildlife.
Bill Oddie is survived by his wife Laura and their three daughters: Bonnie, Kate, and Rosie.
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Marvel had a successful weekend at San Diego Comic-Con, featuring appearances by actor Ryan Gosling and the return of the "Black Panther" franchise. The event showcased new Marvel news and excited many fans.
Key Facts
Marvel participated in San Diego Comic-Con with major announcements.
Ryan Gosling was involved in Marvel-related news during the event.
The "Black Panther" franchise was highlighted with new updates or returns.
Comic-Con is an annual event where companies reveal new entertainment projects.
Fans at the event received new information about upcoming Marvel movies or shows.
The reporting came from ABC News, summarizing the highlights of Marvel’s weekend.
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The United States has paused strikes on Iran following military advice and ongoing diplomatic talks to avoid full war. The Pentagon updated casualty numbers showing 18 US troops killed and 624 wounded since the conflict began in February. Meanwhile, Iran also paused its retaliatory attacks, and global markets reacted to the pause.
Key Facts
The US stopped bombing Iran for a third night after military leaders advised President Trump to pause.
Diplomatic negotiations are ongoing to prevent the conflict from escalating into full war.
Iran announced a pause in its retaliatory attacks on US allies in the region.
Oil prices dropped as markets responded to the reduced military activity.
The Pentagon reported 18 US troops killed and 624 wounded since the war began on February 28.
Admiral Bradley Cooper told President Trump that US military efforts had reached their limit.
Singer Katy Perry criticized the White House for using her song in a video showing US strikes on Iran without her permission.
The situation is part of a nearly five-month conflict involving US military actions against Iran.
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Hawaii faces a serious housing affordability problem that is part of a larger economic issue. Many Native Hawaiians are leaving the state because jobs and opportunities are limited, not just because homes are expensive. A local entrepreneur believes that creating new industries, like using artificial intelligence (AI), can help build a stronger economy and keep people in the community.
Key Facts
The median home price in the U.S. is about $440,600, making housing hard to afford for many.
Hawaii has one of the highest costs of living in the country, with an index of 185 (where 100 is the national average).
More than half of Native Hawaiians now live outside Hawaii, mainly due to high living costs and lack of job opportunities.
People are leaving some areas because economic chances have moved elsewhere, not just because housing is too expensive.
AI jobs and investments are mostly growing in a few big cities, deepening economic gaps between regions.
Lauren Shim, CEO of Aloha AI, sees the housing crisis as a symptom of a wider economic problem where good jobs are scarce.
Shim founded Aloha AI to build new industries in Hawaii, aiming to create more economic opportunities locally using AI.
The company hopes AI can help diversify Hawaii’s economy beyond tourism and create a stable future for residents.
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Huge wildfires are burning large areas of forest in southwest France and central Spain. Thousands of people have had to leave their homes as firefighters work to control the flames amid ongoing heatwaves and dry conditions.
Key Facts
Over 325,000 people have evacuated, mostly in the Gironde region near Bordeaux, France.
Fires in France have created a rare fire cloud called a “pyrocumulonimbus” that produces lightning and strong winds.
In Spain, a wildfire near Avila covers a perimeter of 280 km and 77,000 hectares (190,000 acres).
The Spanish Interior Minister said the fires are spreading slowly but steadily.
Climate change is making heatwaves and wildfires more common and severe.
Dry weather and heat since May have made forests very flammable.
Holiday camps in Gironde, including those for Scouts and people with disabilities, have been banned.
Spain’s King Felipe VI visited an emergency shelter and said the fires caused severe damage to nature.
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Doctors and the FDA have concerns about compounded GLP-1 drugs. These drugs are often cheaper and easier to obtain than the brand-name drug Ozempic, but they may pose significant health risks.
Key Facts
Compounded GLP-1 drugs are versions made by mixing ingredients in pharmacies, not by original drug makers.
They are less expensive than Ozempic, a popular GLP-1 drug.
Compounded drugs are easier to get for some patients.
Doctors warn these drugs can have serious risks because they are not regulated like brand-name drugs.
The FDA has expressed concern about the safety of compounded GLP-1 medicines.
GLP-1 drugs help control blood sugar and are often used for diabetes or weight loss.
Patients using compounded drugs may not get the exact dose or quality of medicine as with approved products.
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President Donald Trump is visiting Michigan to talk about jobs, manufacturing, and the economy. This visit comes just a few days before the state’s primary election.
Key Facts
President Trump is traveling to Michigan.
His focus is on jobs and manufacturing in the state.
He will also discuss the economy during his visit.
The visit happens shortly before Michigan’s primary election.
Michigan is an important state for manufacturing and auto jobs.
The primary voting will influence the selection of political candidates.
President Trump aims to connect with voters in this key state.
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The White House stated that President Trump will not try to stop the Tate brothers from being sent to another country for trial. Their extradition case will be discussed in a Miami courtroom starting Monday.
Key Facts
The Tate brothers are involved in a legal case about extradition.
Extradition means sending someone to another country to face charges or trial.
Their case will be heard in a Miami court on Monday.
The White House confirmed President Trump will not intervene.
This means the government will allow the legal process to continue without interference.
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Wildfires in the Bordeaux region of France have created strong "fire-generated thunderstorms" known as pyrocumulonimbus clouds. These clouds form when intense heat from the fires lifts smoke and moisture high into the air, causing dangerous weather that can spread the fires further.
Key Facts
Pyrocumulonimbus clouds are thunderstorms created by the heat of wildfires.
The fires in Gironde, near Bordeaux, have forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate.
These clouds can spread embers far, making wildfires harder to control and start new fires with lightning.
France is experiencing record heatwaves and dry conditions that increase wildfire risks.
This fire-cloud phenomenon has not been seen before in France but occurred during Australia's 2019-2020 bushfires and California's 2021 fire season.
Wildfires in Gironde may burn for many weeks and could take months to fully put out.
Climate change is expected to make such extreme fire weather events more common.
Authorities warn of another heatwave in France with temperatures possibly reaching 40°C (104°F), worsening wildfire dangers.
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President Donald Trump is visiting suburban Detroit, Michigan, to promote his economic policies and defend his use of tariffs. He will tour a General Motors facility and highlight job creation in manufacturing, despite concerns about the negative effects of new tariffs on Michigan’s economy.
Key Facts
President Trump is visiting a General Motors facility in Milford, Michigan.
He plans to defend his tariffs, including high import taxes on Canadian products like cars.
Michigan’s economy depends heavily on trade with Canada, which may suffer from new tariffs.
Michigan is holding a primary election on August 4, with key Republican and Democratic nomination contests underway.
Trump is supporting Republican candidate John James for governor, who is competing against Perry Johnson.
Oakland County, near Detroit, has shifted from Republican to Democratic support in recent elections.
Inflation, rising gas prices, and the conflict in Iran contribute to economic concerns in Michigan.
The White House says Trump will emphasize how his policies have helped create manufacturing jobs and encouraged foreign investment.
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The U.S. Senate is set to begin voting on Jay Clayton, nominated by President Donald Trump to be the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). Clayton is expected to be confirmed soon to lead the nation’s intelligence agencies, replacing the interim director who has no national security experience.
Key Facts
Jay Clayton, former Manhattan U.S. attorney, is nominated to be the top U.S. intelligence official.
The Director of National Intelligence oversees 18 intelligence agencies in the U.S.
The DNI role was created after the September 11, 2001 attacks to coordinate intelligence activities.
The previous DNI, Tulsi Gabbard, resigned in June amid conflicts with congressional Democrats.
Bill Pulte has been the interim DNI but lacks national security experience and has reduced agency staff.
The Senate, with a 53-47 Republican majority, is expected to approve Clayton’s nomination.
A procedural vote will start the process, followed by a final confirmation vote later in the week.
President Trump appointed Clayton to fill the intelligence leadership vacancy.
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Leading climate scientists who helped Greater Manchester set a goal to be carbon neutral by 2038 are asking Prime Minister Andy Burnham to stop new oil drilling in the North Sea. They warn that approving new oil projects like Jackdaw and Rosebank would go against the UK’s climate promises and harm global efforts to limit warming.
Key Facts
Scientists from the Tyndall Centre at the University of Manchester authored a letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
The letter opposes new oil drilling in the North Sea, specifically the Jackdaw and Rosebank oilfields.
Jackdaw and Rosebank projects were paused due to legal requirements for a more detailed environmental impact assessment.
Burnham, as mayor of Greater Manchester, helped create a plan for the city to become carbon neutral by 2038.
The scientists say allowing new drilling breaks the climate principles Burnham supported and the UK’s international commitments.
Global carbon emissions need to drop by about 8% every year to meet the Paris Agreement goals.
Burning new fossil fuels from these fields would increase emissions and worsen climate change effects like heatwaves and wildfires.
The scientists warn that approving drilling would signal that the UK is stepping back from its climate responsibilities.
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More than 100 retired NASA astronauts formed a group called Astronauts for America to promote support for the U.S. Constitution and democracy. They will run the Vote for Freedom campaign, visiting many college campuses to encourage young voters to participate in upcoming elections.
Key Facts
The group includes 108 former NASA astronauts with diverse political views.
They want to restore trust in the U.S. Constitution and democratic institutions.
Astronaut Cady Coleman describes the experience of viewing America from space as united without divisions.
The campaign launches around the 2026 semiquincentennial (250th anniversary) of the U.S.
The Vote for Freedom campaign will tour about 60 colleges, mostly in swing states.
They focus on encouraging first-time and young voters to use their right to vote.
Notable members include Charles Bolden and Bill Nelson, both former NASA administrators.
Rusty Schweickart, who flew on Apollo 9, is the oldest member at 90 years old.
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Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan were arrested in Miami and face serious charges including rape, assault, and sex trafficking. They were previously under house arrest in Romania but left the country with help from the Trump administration. The article discusses how Tate’s misogynistic views align with many on the American right and why Democrats have not strongly challenged this.
Key Facts
Andrew Tate is accused of rape, strangulation, assault, sex trafficking, and possession of illegal content.
Tate and his brother were arrested in Miami but had earlier legal troubles in Romania.
The Trump administration helped the Tate brothers leave Romanian house arrest and return to the U.S.
Tate and his brother hold dual citizenship with the UK and await extradition there.
The Tate brothers have built their public image by making sexist and hateful remarks about women.
Investigations found evidence of alleged serious crimes and police failures to act properly.
Tate’s views on male dominance resonate strongly with many supporters of President Trump and the MAGA movement.
Democrats have not focused much on holding the Trump movement accountable for embracing figures like Tate.
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Francisco Longoria was stopped by masked agents from ICE and CBP while driving in Southern California. When he tried to leave, agents shot at his truck; later, Longoria was arrested and charged but the charges were dropped. He and his family have filed a lawsuit against the government for using excessive force and racial profiling.
Key Facts
On August 16, Francisco Longoria was delivering a party item in San Bernardino, California, when ICE and CBP agents stopped his truck.
The agents wore masks and did not show a warrant or identify themselves clearly.
Longoria did not immediately comply, and an agent smashed his window and struck him in the face.
Longoria tried to drive away, and an agent fired three shots at his truck, hitting the passenger side.
Longoria was later charged with a felony for allegedly using his truck as a weapon, but the case was dropped.
The family has filed a lawsuit claiming excessive use of force, violation of agency policies, and racial profiling.
The lawsuit also states officers broke a court order against targeting people based on race or language.
The incident occurred during the Trump administration’s immigration raids in Southern California, a largely Latino city.
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