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President Donald Trump criticized Dr. Anthony Fauci before Fauci’s Senate testimony. Trump said more people died of COVID-19 under President Biden than under his administration and praised “Operation Warp Speed,” the COVID-19 vaccine development effort during his term.
Key Facts
President Trump made critical remarks about Dr. Anthony Fauci ahead of a Senate hearing.
Fauci was scheduled to testify before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
Trump claimed that more COVID-19 deaths occurred under President Biden than during his own presidency.
He called “Operation Warp Speed,” the vaccine development program launched during his administration, “spectacular.”
Trump posted his comments on the social media platform Truth Social.
The article focuses on U.S. political figures and their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Nearly 1,200 workers in the artificial intelligence (AI) field signed a letter asking the U.S. government to slow down the progress of AI technology. They want more caution in how fast AI is developed.
Key Facts
Around 1,200 AI workers signed the letter.
The letter was sent to the U.S. government.
The request is to slow down AI development.
The signers are employees at major AI companies.
The concern reflects worries about the rapid pace of AI advances.
CBS News reported on this development.
The call for slowdown aims to give more time for safety and regulation.
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Since late June, the capital city of Madagascar, Antananarivo, has faced many kidnappings and disappearances, mainly involving children and teenagers. The government has created a special team to fight kidnapping, and the country recently held a national day to mourn the victims.
Key Facts
Kidnappings and disappearances began increasing in Antananarivo at the end of June 2026.
Most victims are children and teenagers.
Madagascar held a national day of mourning for the victims last Friday.
The government formed an anti-kidnapping task force to address the issue.
Police and families of victims are actively involved in responding to the crisis.
The situation has caused fear and concern in the capital city.
Reports of kidnappings are still coming in, showing the problem continues.
Media coverage includes interviews with affected families and police officials.
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A new study from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) found that children who have their own cellphones tend to score lower on reading comprehension tests. This effect appears even if the children do not bring their phones to school.
Key Facts
The study was conducted by researchers at UCLA.
It focused on children who own personal cellphones.
Children with cellphones scored lower on tests measuring reading comprehension.
The lower scores occurred regardless of whether children brought phones to school.
Dr. Patricia Greenfield is the study’s lead author.
The study offers advice aimed at parents and teachers.
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Robert Bush, a funeral director in Hull, admitted to 67 offences including failing to properly care for bodies and cremations. Authorities found 35 decomposing bodies and more than 100 sets of ashes stored poorly at his funeral home, and he deceived families by giving ashes of strangers or falsely claiming cremations and burials.
Key Facts
35 bodies and over 100 sets of ashes were discovered in poor condition at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in March 2024.
Robert Bush admitted 67 offences, such as not burying or cremating people as promised.
Bodies were left unwashed, in soiled states, and kept longer than necessary without proper care.
Ashes were stored improperly, with many containers covered in mold on the floor.
Bush falsely told families their loved ones had been cremated or buried and gave them ashes from other people.
Between 2017 and 2024, over £3.3 million was paid into Legacy and Bush’s personal accounts, but reported earnings were much lower.
Bush failed to pay proper taxes, spent money on personal hobbies, and sold fake funeral plans totaling more than £500,000.
He also stole charity donations collected at funerals, affecting groups like Macmillan Cancer Support and The Salvation Army.
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Anthony Fauci, who was the top medical adviser to the White House, refused to answer some questions during a Senate hearing by using his Fifth Amendment right. This right allows people to avoid answering questions that might incriminate themselves. The hearing was led by Senator Rand Paul, who has been critical of Fauci.
Key Facts
Anthony Fauci appeared before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
Senator Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky, chaired the hearing.
Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right, which means he chose not to answer some questions to avoid self-incrimination.
Fauci criticized Senator Paul for repeatedly calling for him to be prosecuted.
The hearing involved a dispute between Fauci and Senator Paul over Fauci’s past actions and statements.
Fauci previously served as the chief medical adviser to the White House during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The hearing was public and part of ongoing political discussions about the government’s response to COVID-19.
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Global investment in artificial intelligence (AI) grew to $581.7 billion in 2025 as more companies use AI across different business areas. Along with technology, experts say it is important to develop human skills like trust and communication to make AI work well in the workplace.
Key Facts
In 2025, companies worldwide invested $581.7 billion in AI, a big increase from the year before.
88% of organizations use AI in at least one part of their business, though many are still early in expanding its use.
By 2030, 59 out of every 100 workers will need new skills or training due to changes from technology.
Experts stress that human skills such as emotional intelligence, teamwork, and adaptability are key to successfully using AI.
Dr. Robin Hills, an emotional intelligence leader, says human meaning and trust inspire real commitment, which AI can't replace.
AI helps by processing information fast, but people create the meaning that motivates good decisions and actions.
Workplaces are changing with more digital communication, making emotional skills more important for handling conflict and building trust.
Focusing only on productivity misses the value of helping people connect and adjust to change with AI tools.
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Chad has decided to leave the International Criminal Court (ICC) by withdrawing from the Rome Statute, the treaty that created the ICC. The government said the court is unfair because it mostly investigates cases in Africa.
Key Facts
Chad officially announced its withdrawal from the Rome Statute and the ICC.
Chad joins other Sahel region countries that have also left the ICC.
The government claims the ICC is biased against African countries.
Most ICC investigations have focused on crimes in Africa, according to Chad’s statement.
The ICC is an international court that tries people accused of serious crimes like war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Chad’s departure follows similar moves by several African nations in recent years.
The decision raises concerns about cooperation in fighting impunity for serious crimes in the region.
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The BBC has cancelled three entertainment shows—Blankety Blank, Celebrity Mastermind, and Live at the Apollo—due to budget cuts and falling viewer numbers. The main Mastermind show will continue with Clive Myrie as host, but the celebrity version and the other two shows will end after their already filmed series are broadcast.
Key Facts
Blankety Blank, Celebrity Mastermind, and Live at the Apollo are cancelled by the BBC to save money.
The main Mastermind program will continue with Clive Myrie hosting.
Celebrity Mastermind’s viewers dropped from 4 million in 2017 to 1.7 million recently.
Blankety Blank’s viewers fell from 5.5 million in 2021 to 2.3 million in the latest series.
Live at the Apollo’s audience declined from 1.3 million in 2018 to 660,000 in the latest series.
BBC plans to save £500 million over three years and reduce 100-150 hours of new TV programs by 2027/28.
Live at the Apollo has one more already filmed series but will not continue after that.
The BBC will focus more on digital content to support new comedy talent after these changes.
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Large wildfires are burning in France and Spain. In France, the fires have destroyed land four times bigger than the city of Paris, and thousands of firefighters are working to stop them. In Spain, over 1,000 firefighters are fighting 16 fires, including the worst fire ever recorded there.
Key Facts
Wildfires in France have burned an area four times the size of Paris.
More than 2,500 firefighters are working to control fires across France.
In Spain, over 1,000 firefighters are fighting 16 active wildfires.
The Avila Fire in Spain is the worst fire in the country's history.
Firefighters continue to battle these large and dangerous wildfires.
The fires are affecting multiple regions in both France and Spain.
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Childcare has become a major political issue in the United States, as the rising cost and shortage of care affect many families, not just the poor. Several recent political candidates have made free or affordable childcare a key part of their campaigns, and New Mexico is now the first state to offer free childcare for all children.
Key Facts
Francesca Hong is running for governor in Wisconsin’s Democratic primary, promoting government-funded childcare.
For decades, US childcare policy mainly helped low-income families, with limited broader government support.
Childcare costs have risen so much that they now exceed college tuition in many cases.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for affordable childcare became a problem for the middle class.
New Mexico is the first state to provide free childcare to all families as of March 2024.
Candidates like Zohran Mamdani in New York and others in Virginia and New Jersey have campaigned on universal childcare.
Long-term advocacy efforts and recent crises have brought childcare to the forefront of US political discussions.
The US almost created a national childcare system in the 1970s, but it was blocked by President Nixon’s veto.
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The article discusses concerns about President Donald Trump’s approach to tariffs, questioning whether his trade policies truly help the economy. It uses Detroit automakers as an example to highlight the challenges faced under these tariff practices.
Key Facts
President Trump supports tariffs, which are taxes on imported goods.
Some Republicans view these tariffs as a way to improve the economy.
Detroit automakers have struggled under current trade policies.
The article suggests that these tariffs may harm businesses instead of helping them.
The situation raises worries among Republicans about the impact of tariff strategies.
The article implies a disconnect between political views and real economic outcomes for manufacturers.
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Police are reviewing the unexplained deaths of four people who lived at a homeless shelter in Cornwall while triple killer James Desborough was there. Desborough was found guilty of murdering two men at a homeless shelter and another murder in prison but is not currently a suspect in these four deaths.
Key Facts
Four people (two men and two women) died unexpectedly at Sandy Lodge homeless shelter in Newquay between December 2024 and April 2025.
James Desborough, 40, was found guilty of murdering two men he met at a homeless shelter and also murdered his prison cellmate.
The deaths are being reviewed by the major crime investigation team after being reported by the coroner’s officer.
Additional forensic work, CCTV reviews, and witness statements have been commissioned.
Police say the deaths remain unexplained and the inquiry is ongoing.
Desborough is not considered a suspect in the four deaths at the shelter.
The investigation is separate from Desborough’s known murder cases.
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Scientists have found that the rapid growth of large-scale poultry farming has helped spread the bacteria Campylobacter jejuni, a leading cause of food poisoning worldwide. Their study shows that dense chicken farms create ideal conditions for the bacteria to thrive and develop resistance to antibiotics, increasing public health risks.
Key Facts
The global number of chickens has grown seven times since the 1960s, reaching about 31 billion birds.
Campylobacter jejuni causes about 1.9 million foodborne illnesses and 13,000 hospitalizations annually in the U.S.
Researchers studied nearly 2,800 bacterial samples from chickens and wild birds in 30 countries between 1979 and 2024.
Large poultry farms act like "pathogen sponges," allowing bacteria to spread and evolve quickly.
The bacteria have developed traits that help them survive in farm environments, including antibiotic resistance.
In the U.K., Campylobacter causes more than three times as many stomach illness cases each year as all other foodborne bacteria combined.
About 80% of Campylobacter infections in a region of England were linked to poultry meat.
Proper food handling and cooking can reduce the risk of infection, though antibiotic-resistant infections are a growing concern.
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Families in Jersey who earn middle incomes say they are struggling with costs because government help, like a school supplies bonus, does not reach them. The social security minister said the government will review the support program and look for more ways to help families with costs.
Key Facts
A school supplies bonus is available only to low-income families in Jersey, not middle-income earners.
Many middle-income families say they struggle with rising costs like interest rates, nursery fees, and school lunches.
Lisa McCabe, a parent and business owner, said middle earners are being overlooked by government support programs.
The social security minister, Elaine Millar, called the school bonus a pilot program and plans to review it before next year.
Some parents want the bonus given as vouchers instead of cash to avoid backlash and misuse concerns.
The government is considering a broader review of support for families and meeting with charities about poverty.
The minister said any increase in income support must be targeted carefully to avoid raising taxes.
Raising taxes is not currently planned by the government.
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Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the country should fix problems in palliative care and social care before starting a debate on assisted dying. He supports discussing assisted dying in the future but believes that better care and funding must come first.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is the prime minister and former Greater Manchester mayor.
He said assisted dying is a tough issue that should wait until social and palliative care improve.
Burnham supports proper funding and reform of hospices before passing assisted dying laws.
He has changed his view after personal experience with his father’s dementia care.
Burnham expects some social care improvements will need tax rises but aims to use existing resources first.
He favors a cross-party approach and open talks with Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.
Burnham said social care reform options have changed since 2010, possibly needing a more voluntary approach.
The government wants to be honest with the public about tough decisions related to funding care.
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Dr. Anthony Fauci, who led the U.S. response to COVID-19, invoked the Fifth Amendment during a Senate hearing and did not answer questions from lawmakers. The hearing was held by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee chaired by Senator Rand Paul.
Key Facts
Dr. Anthony Fauci appeared before the Senate committee but chose not to answer questions.
Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment, which protects against self-incrimination.
The committee is led by Republican Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky.
Senator Paul has accused Fauci of misleading the public about the COVID-19 pandemic's origins.
Paul focused on Fauci’s private journal entries from December 2019 to December 2022.
The hearing took place on July 29, 2026, at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
Fauci played a key role in managing the U.S. response to COVID-19.
This story is ongoing, and updates may follow.
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Yashaswinee Raje Singh, the daughter of a politician from India’s BJP party, shared her reasons for supporting student-led protests in India. She also explained how a group called the Cockroach Janta Party helped mobilize young people, especially those in Generation Z.
Key Facts
Yashaswinee Raje Singh is the daughter of a BJP politician in India.
She supports protests led by students in India.
The protests involve India’s youth, particularly the generation known as Gen Z.
A group named the Cockroach Janta Party played a role in encouraging more young people to join the protests.
Singh spoke about these issues in an interview with Al Jazeera.
The protests focus on matters important to students and young citizens in India.
This discussion highlights differing views within families connected to the ruling BJP party.
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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear asked CNN to call Senator Mitch McConnell live during a broadcast to show that McConnell is healthy and still active after being away from Congress for over 40 days due to a medical emergency. This challenge came after a CNN contributor mentioned having talked with McConnell recently.
Key Facts
Senator Mitch McConnell has not been seen in Congress for more than 40 days.
McConnell has been absent due to a medical emergency.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear publicly challenged CNN to call McConnell live on air.
Beshear’s goal was to confirm that McConnell is alive and well.
A CNN contributor named Scott Jennings said he recently spoke with McConnell.
The challenge aims to stop rumors and speculation about McConnell’s condition.
McConnell is a Republican senator representing Kentucky.
Beshear is the Democratic governor of Kentucky.
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U.S. and Saudi military forces carried out targeted strikes against Iranian-backed militia groups in Iraq. At the same time, Iran launched ballistic missiles aimed at American forces, which U.S. officials described as a surprise attack attempt.
Key Facts
U.S. and Saudi forces worked together to hit Iranian-backed militias in Iraq.
The strikes were precise attacks, targeting specific militia locations.
Iran responded by firing ballistic missiles toward American troops.
U.S. military leaders called the missile launches an attempted surprise attack.
The incident reflects ongoing tensions between the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and Iran in the region.
The conflict involves militias in Iraq supported by Iran.
Details about casualties or damage were not provided in the article.
The situation remains a significant part of Middle Eastern security issues.
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