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A ferry tipped over in Guyana on Saturday night, causing the deaths of at least 53 people. The old ferry was carrying 179 passengers, which was more than the official number of people listed on board.
Key Facts
The ferry that capsized was 87 years old.
It happened on Saturday night in Guyana.
At least 53 people died in the accident.
The ferry was carrying 179 passengers.
Official records showed only 116 passengers and 17 crew members on the ferry.
This means more people were on board than listed.
Survivors described the event as terrifying.
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A small Texas town called Presidio is suing the U.S. government to stop the construction of President Donald Trump’s border wall because they say it threatens the town’s flood protection system. The government wants to build a wall along the border but faces opposition from local groups and others who are concerned about environmental damage and legal procedures.
Key Facts
Presidio, Texas, has about 3,200 residents and is located on the Mexico border.
The town’s developers say the proposed border wall could harm the levees that protect Presidio from flooding.
The government’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has a $46 billion plan to build the wall from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.
Presidio says the government did not get required permission from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before starting construction near the levees.
The town argues that replacing parts of the levee with a concrete wall and tall steel panels could increase flood risk.
DHS claims it has the right to bypass many regulations to finish the wall quickly.
There is opposition from landowners, environmental groups, and Native American tribes who worry about impacts on historical sites and the environment.
The lawsuit highlights a conflict between local communities and the federal government’s border security plans.
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A federal terrorism trial is starting for Hadi Matar, who stabbed author Salman Rushdie in 2022. The trial will explore Matar’s motives, including alleged ties to Iran and Hezbollah, groups linked to a religious order calling for Rushdie’s death.
Key Facts
Hadi Matar stabbed Salman Rushdie in 2022 during a public event.
Matar was previously convicted in state court and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
The new federal trial will focus on charges related to terrorism and motive.
Prosecutors say Matar acted out of loyalty to Iran’s government and Hezbollah.
Matar’s electronics contained information on a fatwa, a religious order calling for Rushdie’s death.
Salman Rushdie is expected to testify about the attack and his recovery.
Matar faces a potential life sentence if found guilty of federal terrorism charges.
Matar’s lawyers have challenged the use of his social media and digital evidence.
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Britain’s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham faces big challenges to boost a slow-growing economy and help people struggling with high living costs. He named John Healey as Treasury chief to manage government debt while also cutting a home electricity tax to ease pressures on households.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham became the UK Prime Minister on July 20, 2026.
Burnham is from the Labour Party and faces voters worried about the cost of living.
John Healey, former Defense Secretary and Treasury official, was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer (Treasury chief).
The government plans to scrap the tax on home electricity for six months starting in October, saving households about 45 pounds ($60) a year.
To pay for this, plans to introduce a digital ID will be canceled, aiming to reassure investors.
Government debt is over 95% of the UK’s gross domestic product (GDP), a level last seen in the 1960s.
Debt interest payments reached 111.2 billion pounds ($149 billion), or 8.3% of government spending, limiting funds for public services.
The UK economy has grown less than 1.5% per year on average since 2009, slower than before the 2008 financial crisis.
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Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are in a Brooklyn jail after being captured by U.S. forces in a raid in Venezuela. They face drug trafficking charges linked to a plan to send cocaine into the United States but deny the accusations and are challenging the legality of their capture in court.
Key Facts
Nicolás Maduro and his wife have been held in a Brooklyn jail since they were taken from their home in Venezuela by U.S. forces in January 2024.
They are charged with conspiracy to ship large amounts of cocaine into the U.S. and have pleaded not guilty.
The U.S. government calls the operation to capture them a “surgical law enforcement operation.”
Maduro and his defense team claim his capture was an illegal “military abduction.”
Prosecutors say Maduro worked with Venezuelan law enforcement to help drug traffickers move cocaine into the U.S.
Maduro says he is the legitimate president of Venezuela and denies all charges.
The couple has not sought bail, and no trial date has been set yet.
The court will first address legal questions before the trial can start.
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President Donald Trump promotes "Trump Accounts," investment accounts that give $1,000 to every child born during his second term to help reduce poverty and increase stock market participation. While some parents have received the money, many are still waiting for the $1,000 seed funds to arrive in their children’s accounts.
Key Facts
Trump Accounts provide $1,000 to children born between 2025 and 2028.
The accounts were created by Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill from last year.
The accounts can be opened for children under 18 and are tax-advantaged, meaning they offer tax benefits.
The government says 6.5 million Trump Accounts have been opened, with 1.5 million eligible for the $1,000 baby bonus.
After opening, parents and others can add money; the funds are invested in index funds that track the stock market’s performance.
The money cannot be used until the child turns 18 and must be spent on education, starting a business, or buying a home.
Some parents report delays in receiving the $1,000 initial deposit from the Treasury Department.
President Trump plans to speak at a Georgia high school to promote these accounts.
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New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the city cannot arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu despite a war crimes arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court. Mamdani urged the U.S. federal government, which has legal authority, to enforce the warrant if Netanyahu visits New York for the U.N. General Assembly.
Key Facts
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in 2024 over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Mayor Mamdani called Netanyahu a "war criminal" and said he is not welcome in New York City.
New York City lacks the legal power to arrest Netanyahu and cannot enforce the ICC warrant.
Mamdani asked the federal government to join the ICC and carry out the arrest warrant.
President Donald Trump stated that Netanyahu will not be arrested in the United States.
Netanyahu faces accusations related to using starvation as a method of warfare and targeting civilians, which Israel denies.
The Israeli ambassador to the UN criticized Mayor Mamdani, saying he should focus on serving New Yorkers.
Netanyahu is expected to attend the U.N. General Assembly in New York City in September.
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President Donald Trump will attend the dignified transfer of four U.S. service members killed in the Middle East at Dover Air Force Base. The soldiers died in Iranian missile and drone attacks in Jordan and Iraq during ongoing hostilities.
Key Facts
The dignified transfer is a ceremony where the remains of fallen service members are returned to their families.
This will be President Trump’s third time attending such a transfer since the war in Iran began in February 2026.
Two soldiers, Tyler James Feehan and Isabella Gonzales, were killed in missile and drone attacks in Jordan.
A third soldier, Angel S. Rampersad, missing after the Jordan attacks, is now believed to be deceased.
The fourth soldier, Michael Emmanuel Swinton, died in Iraq during an Iranian drone detonation.
Since the war started, 18 U.S. service members have been killed.
The U.S. has carried out strikes against Iran amid a failed interim peace agreement.
President Trump stated that the U.S. would respond strongly to each American soldier killed by Iran.
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A trial date of June 2027 has been proposed for ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. They face charges in the U.S. of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking linked to drug cartels. The U.S. court is setting schedules for evidence and motions before the trial.
Key Facts
Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are accused of working with drug cartels to traffic cocaine into the United States.
A federal court in Manhattan has proposed June 2027 as the trial date.
Prosecutors and defense lawyers have arranged a timeline for pretrial motions and evidence sharing.
Maduro’s legal team will file a motion to dismiss the case by September, citing sovereign immunity, with a hearing in November.
Most non-classified evidence has been shared with the defense; classified evidence is to be shared by November.
Defense lawyers dropped their initial motion to dismiss after the Treasury Department allowed Venezuelan funds to pay for their legal defense.
Maduro and Flores were brought to the U.S. in January during a military operation to face charges.
Maduro declared his innocence and claimed he is still the president of Venezuela during a court hearing.
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should face trial for war crimes based on an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC). However, Mamdani later acknowledged that New York City does not have the authority to arrest Netanyahu.
Key Facts
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani called for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be tried for war crimes.
The call was based on an ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu.
The ICC is an international court that investigates and tries serious crimes like war crimes.
Mamdani publicly shared this call in a video statement.
After some discussion, Mamdani said NYC cannot arrest Netanyahu.
The city lacks the legal power to detain a foreign leader like Netanyahu.
The issue relates to international justice and local authority limits.
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the city does not have the legal power to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest. Mamdani asked the U.S. federal government to carry out the arrest instead, while Israel and President Donald Trump rejected the ICC’s authority.
Key Facts
Mayor Mamdani had promised to enforce an ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu if he visited New York City.
The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and others in 2024 over alleged war crimes linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The United States is not part of the ICC and usually does not recognize its rulings.
Mamdani said New York City lacks legal authority to execute the ICC warrant.
Mamdani urged the U.S. federal government to arrest Netanyahu during his visit for the UN General Assembly.
Israel strongly disagrees with the ICC charges and calls the court politically biased.
Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon criticized Mamdani for supporting what he called Hamas propaganda.
President Donald Trump stated Netanyahu will not be arrested while in the U.S.
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A baby puffin was spotted for the first time in 30 years on the Dorset coast in southern England. Volunteers and scientists have been carefully watching the cliffs where puffins nest, and this sighting shows the local puffin colony is still alive.
Key Facts
The baby puffin, called a puffling, appeared on the Purbeck coast near Swanage, the last known mainland nesting site in southern England.
In the 1950s, about 80 puffins nested there; now only a few pairs remain.
Volunteers monitored the cliffs for 15 weeks during the summer to watch for puffins.
Adult puffins were seen carrying fish to at least two nests, indicating more than one pair trying to raise chicks.
The puffling was about 38 days old when photographed on July 7.
After fledging, pufflings leave the nest and will not return for about two years or start breeding until much later.
Researchers are using solar-powered motion-sensor cameras to learn more about puffin nesting and chick survival.
The National Trust is investigating reasons for puffin decline, including predators and climate changes.
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France's parliament has passed a law that will ban children under 15 from using social media starting in January 2027. The law requires all users in France to prove their age to access social media accounts, making France the first European country to introduce such a rule.
Key Facts
The law will start in two stages: from September under-15s cannot open new social media accounts, and by January 2027 all existing accounts must verify age.
Social media platforms must use age-verification tools approved by the French privacy regulator.
The law aims to protect children’s mental health and follows similar moves by the UK and EU.
France is the second country after Australia to introduce a social media age ban for young users.
Critics worry about privacy risks, how well age checks will work, and young people finding ways to get around the ban.
Australia’s similar ban for under-16s has shown many young users still access social media despite restrictions.
Experts say young people should be included in the discussion about social media bans to make the rules more effective and fair.
Other European countries are also considering rules to limit social media use for children.
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Japan experienced its first official "cruelly hot day" with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius or higher, a new warning term introduced to highlight extreme heat. The rising temperatures have caused health problems, affected agriculture, and led to changes in sports and work culture.
Key Facts
Japan introduced the term "kokushobi" to describe days with temperatures over 40°C (104°F).
Central Japan cities Gujo, Tajimi, and Toyota recorded temperatures of 40°C or higher, setting local records.
Over 278 weather stations reported temperatures above 35°C, classified as "extremely hot days."
Heatstroke deaths in Japan surpassed 2,000 in 2024, with many hospitalizations due to heat-related illnesses.
Farmers are planting heat-resistant crops and exploring new options like avocados to cope with the heat.
The national high school baseball tournament now splits games into morning and evening sessions to avoid heatstroke risks.
Office workers are encouraged to wear more casual, cooler clothing to reduce electricity use and air conditioning demands.
Average summer temperatures in Japan have increased by about 1.3°C over the past century, with recent years breaking heat records.
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Israel’s parliament set an election date for October 27, and soon after, Israeli forces struck a funeral procession in Gaza, killing at least eight people. Between July 13 and 20, Israeli attacks killed at least 57 Palestinians, including children and women, raising concerns about possible violations of international laws during a week of heavy violence and destruction in Gaza.
Key Facts
Israel’s parliament dissolved itself and scheduled elections for October 27.
On July 17, an Israeli drone attacked a funeral outside Ahmad Yassin Mosque in Gaza, killing at least eight mourners.
Between July 13 and 20, at least 57 Palestinians were killed by Israeli attacks, including six children and eight women.
The UN human rights office warned that the attacks might violate international humanitarian law and could be war crimes.
Israel’s military carried out daily attacks, destroyed homes, and settlers attacked Palestinians during this period.
Some Israeli officials expressed satisfaction with the destruction and discussed establishing military-style settlements in northern Gaza.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is worsening, with many households lacking sufficient drinking water and living near exposed sewage.
The “Yellow Line” controlled by Israel has expanded, forcing more families to flee their homes.
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At least 143 refugees and migrants died or went missing after a boat carrying them got stranded off the coast of Mauritania. The boat left from The Gambia and was found after 25 days, with 38 survivors and many bodies on board.
Key Facts
The boat left Bafuloto, The Gambia, with 160 people on board.
It was stranded for 25 days before reaching Nouadhibou port in Mauritania.
38 people survived, including two children who lost all their family members.
At least 143 people are dead or missing from the boat.
Mauritania’s coastguard reported 122 people missing.
The passengers were from countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
The route to the Canary Islands is very dangerous due to long distances and unsafe boats.
European Union funding supports crackdowns in Mauritania, reducing arrivals but pushing migrants to take longer and more dangerous routes.
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U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs won the Republican nomination for Arizona governor and will run against the current Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs in the November election. Biggs is known for his strong support of President Donald Trump and leadership in the House Freedom Caucus.
Key Facts
Andy Biggs defeated Rep. David Schweikert in the Republican primary for Arizona governor.
Biggs is a close ally of President Donald Trump and was chair of the House Freedom Caucus from 2019 to 2022.
He voted against certifying the 2020 election results in Arizona and other states after the January 6 Capitol riot.
Schweikert criticized Biggs as unelectable but struggled to raise money and lacked Trump’s endorsement.
Biggs received support from Trump and a conservative group called Turning Point Action.
Both parties are also choosing candidates for important state offices like secretary of state and attorney general.
Democrats plan to campaign against Biggs by calling him an extremist focused more on Trump than Arizona residents.
The race between Biggs and Hobbs is expected to be very close and important for Arizona’s political future.
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France will ban children under 15 from using social media starting September 1. This follows similar restrictions introduced by the UK and Australia, though some studies suggest such bans might not work because young people find ways to get around them.
Key Facts
France’s social media ban applies to children under 15 years old.
The ban starts on September 1.
The UK and Australia have made similar rules to restrict social media use for young people.
Research shows that young users may still find ways to use social media despite restrictions.
The effectiveness of these bans is debated among experts.
The law aims to protect children’s well-being online.
Social media platforms will need to enforce the age restrictions.
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South Korean prosecutors have asked for a one-year jail sentence and a fine for the owner of a Michelin two-star restaurant that used ants as a garnish on desserts. The ants are not approved for human consumption in South Korea, and health officials found the ants contained high levels of heavy metals. The court will decide the case in September.
Key Facts
The restaurant used about 49,000 ants over four years, mainly as a topping for sorbet.
Ants are not in the list of 10 insect species approved by South Korean law for eating; approved insects include grasshoppers and crickets.
The ants were imported from the US and Thailand.
Health authorities found the ants had up to 55 times more heavy metals than typical edible insects.
The owner said only about 60% of customers chose to eat the ants; others received alternative toppings.
Similar use of ants as food occurs in countries like Australia, Denmark, and the UK.
The restaurant holds two Michelin stars, a rating for excellent cooking and quality.
The court will announce its verdict on September 2.
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Alexander Kolodin, an Arizona state representative and lawyer who challenged the 2020 election results, is expected to win the Republican primary for Arizona secretary of state. He will run against the current Secretary of State, Adrian Fontes, who is a Democrat, in the November election.
Key Facts
Alexander Kolodin is an Arizona state representative and election lawyer.
He is known for disputing the 2020 election outcomes.
Kolodin is projected to win the GOP primary for Arizona secretary of state.
His primary opponent was Gina Swoboda, a former state GOP chair.
The general election will be against Adrian Fontes, the Democratic incumbent secretary of state.
The information comes from Decision Desk HQ projections.
The Arizona secretary of state oversees elections in the state.
This election is scheduled for November.
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