President Donald Trump met with Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to discuss stronger economic ties and increased oil production. The US plans to withdraw troops from Iraq by September 30, but also urges Iraq to disarm Iran-aligned militias, putting Iraq in a difficult position between the US and Iran.
Key Facts
President Trump described Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi as “young” and “handsome” during their White House meeting.
Trump and al-Zaidi pledged to increase economic cooperation and boost Iraq’s oil production.
Iraq is seeking an International Monetary Fund loan of up to $8 billion.
The US plans to withdraw all remaining troops from Iraq, fewer than 2,000, by September 30, 2024.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth demanded that Iraq disarm militias aligned with Iran.
Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group in Iraq, said it would join a war against the US if conflict with Iran starts.
Iraq wants to maintain good relations with both the US and Iran due to economic and cultural reasons.
Iraq relies on US companies to modernize its oil and gas sector but faces pressure over militia activity.
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Australian researchers studied the flying ability of the greater glider, the largest gliding marsupial in Australia, and found it glides about 19 metres on average—much less than the 100 metres reported in an old study. The research shows that the animals rely on close tree cover to move, which is important for their conservation since they are endangered.
Key Facts
The greater glider is Australia’s largest gliding marsupial.
Researchers measured 41 glides using infrared binoculars, lasers, and tape measures in New South Wales forests.
The average glide distance is about 19 metres, not 100 metres as suggested by a 1941 study.
The longest recorded glide in this study was just under 50 metres.
Greater gliders launch from around 22 metres high and land about 5 metres above ground.
They use a membrane stretched from elbows to ankles to glide between trees.
The 1941 report may have confused greater gliders with yellow-bellied gliders, which can glide up to 145 metres.
Since greater gliders cannot glide far, habitat destruction like logging could prevent them from moving through forests easily.
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The article discusses a 2020 CBS News report about the comeback of grizzly bears in the United States. It shows how the grizzly population is growing after being endangered.
Key Facts
The report was originally aired in 2020 on the show "60 Minutes."
It focuses on grizzly bears that were once at risk of disappearing.
The grizzly bear population in the U.S. has increased recently.
The story highlights efforts to protect and recover these bears.
This comeback shows success in wildlife conservation.
The information is available through the CBS News app or website.
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Craig Foreman, a British man jailed in Iran, has been given a two-year longer prison sentence for talking to the media. He and his wife Lindsay were arrested in 2025 in Iran and sentenced to 10 years for spying, which they deny.
Key Facts
Craig and Lindsay Foreman are a British couple arrested in Iran in 2025.
They were traveling through Iran on a motorcycle as part of a global trip.
Both were sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of espionage (spying).
The couple denies the spying accusations against them.
A judge added two more years to Craig Foreman’s sentence because he spoke to the media.
The UK government called their original sentences unfair and unjustified.
The family announced the sentence extension on July 15, 2026.
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President Trump said he does not want to negotiate with Iran at this time. He described the Iranian government as “evil” and blamed the latest Iranian representatives for preventing a deal between the two countries.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke about Iran during an interview on Fox News.
He said he is not interested in negotiating with Iran right now.
Trump called the Iranian regime “evil.”
He pointed to the newest group of Iranian officials as the reason talks are not happening.
The interview took place as new attacks involving Iran were occurring.
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A Ryanair passenger shared her experience of a frightening event where her husband was almost pulled out of a plane window. She spoke about how she helped save him during this dangerous situation.
Key Facts
The incident involved a passenger nearly being pulled out of a plane window.
The passenger's wife helped save him during the event.
The airline involved was Ryanair.
The woman publicly spoke out about the incident.
The event was described as terrifying.
The article includes other current news topics unrelated to this event.
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Far-right activist Tommy Robinson admitted he was wrong to accuse Quoroum Beg of filming children in a Glasgow park and shared a correction on social media. Beg, who was actually recording an anti-immigration protest, says Robinson’s correction is not a real apology and he now fears for his safety due to online threats.
Key Facts
Tommy Robinson falsely accused Quoroum Beg of filming children in a Glasgow park.
Beg was filming an anti-immigration protest that caused him and his family to leave the park.
Robinson called Beg an "invader" and shared the video with his two million followers.
Robinson later admitted his mistake and posted a correction on X (formerly Twitter).
Beg feels the correction wasn’t a real apology and is worried about his safety.
Beg has been given an emergency police number to call if he feels threatened.
Glasgow has had recent anti-immigration protests, some involving violence or threats.
Beg is a UK-born father of three who fears for his children’s safety due to the protests and online disinformation.
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Ukraine's Parliament accepted Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko's resignation after President Zelenskyy decided to change the top government leaders. The changes aim to prepare Ukraine better for the upcoming winter and improve relations with foreign partners, amid ongoing conflict with Russia.
Key Facts
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko resigned, and Ukraine’s Parliament approved it.
President Zelenskyy wants to assign important foreign policy tasks to experienced people.
Preparing for a harsh winter and protecting Ukraine’s energy system are top priorities.
Last winter was difficult, with long power outages caused by Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid.
Svyrydenko’s government was criticized for not preparing well for winter challenges.
Serhiy Koretskyi, head of Ukraine’s state energy company, may become the new prime minister.
Zelenskyy might appoint Svyrydenko as Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States.
Some planned changes, like replacing the Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, caused debate in Ukraine.
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A special police team in South Africa is investigating the killing of Andile Mvuyelwa Somgxada, a leader of an anti-migrant group called March and March. He was shot near his home and died in the hospital days later, with police treating the case as serious and related to tensions over undocumented migrants.
Key Facts
Andile Mvuyelwa Somgxada was the Gauteng province leader of the anti-migrant group March and March.
He was shot outside his home east of Johannesburg earlier this month and died in hospital several days later.
The group believes the killing was retaliation for their campaign to get undocumented migrants to leave South Africa.
March and March had an unofficial deadline of 30 June for all undocumented migrants to leave the country.
A special multidisciplinary police team is investigating the shooting to find out what happened.
Immigration and undocumented migrants are a highly debated issue in South Africa, causing protests and some violence.
The South African government has deported or sent home over 53,000 foreign nationals in recent weeks.
Police warned that no group or person can legally do immigration checks or force people to leave communities.
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The article reflects on the author's 20 years of using Twitter since its launch in 2006, highlighting how the platform influenced their career as an international journalist. Twitter played a key role in covering major global events like the Green Revolution in Iran, the Arab Spring, and conflicts in Libya and Iraq, allowing the author to break news quickly and connect with a wide audience.
Key Facts
Twitter was launched publicly on July 15, 2006.
The author began using Twitter early in its history and saw it as a platform for breaking news and personal expression.
The 2009 Green Revolution in Iran was a defining moment for the author's Twitter use in journalism.
The Arab Spring and the Libyan revolution were major events the author covered using Twitter.
The author used a satellite phone and relied on colleagues to update Twitter during limited connectivity in conflict zones.
Becoming a bureau chief in Tehran in 2013 helped the author specialize and use Twitter to break news on Iran’s nuclear talks and other regional events.
The author was among the first to report on the US air strike killing Qassem Soleimani in January 2020.
Twitter helped the author build a wider network and directly interact with public figures, expanding journalistic reach.
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Russia has increased attacks on Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, causing fear and casualties. Ukraine is hopeful for a peace deal but questions remain about how a ceasefire would work, especially for occupied areas and refugees. Meanwhile, tensions between Ukraine and its ally Poland have grown due to disagreements over historical memory linked to World War II events.
Key Facts
Russia has stepped up drone and missile attacks on Kyiv, sometimes hitting the city center.
One recent attack killed 27 people and caused many residents to seek shelter underground.
President Trump has tried to help end the war, but no agreement has been reached, and U.S. focus has shifted recently to the Middle East.
Ukraine hopes for a peace window in late autumn but faces skepticism due to Russia’s recent aggressive stance.
President Zelenskyy is planning a government reshuffle and may seek re-election following potential ceasefire talks.
Organizing elections for frontline, occupied areas, and refugees is a complex challenge.
Ukraine and Poland’s relationship has worsened over Ukraine naming a military unit after a nationalist group associated with wartime massacres against Poles and Jews.
This historical dispute complicates long-standing alliances and reflects deeper issues about memory and identity in the region.
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The U.S. military launched air strikes on Iran’s Greater Tunb Island near the Strait of Hormuz. This action followed President Trump’s warning of possible broader attacks against Iran.
Key Facts
The U.S. targeted coastal defense systems on Greater Tunb Island.
Cruise missile storage and launch sites were also attacked.
The strikes took place near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Precision weapons were used in the military operation.
President Trump had threatened wider strikes before the attacks.
This was part of an ongoing military response involving the U.S. and Iran.
Greater Tunb Island is a key location close to important shipping routes.
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Ali al-Zaidi recently became Iraq’s prime minister after the U.S. pressured Iraqi political groups to choose him. Though he holds the title, real power comes from U.S. financial control over Iraq’s oil revenue and influence through envoy Tom Barrack. The U.S. wants Iraq to disarm armed militias, but some groups tied to Iran refuse, leaving the situation unresolved as the U.S. prepares to withdraw troops.
Key Facts
Ali al-Zaidi was chosen prime minister quickly under pressure from Washington.
The U.S. Treasury froze Iraq’s dollar shipments, which are vital for the country’s budget.
Iraq’s oil money is held in a New York Federal Reserve account controlled by the U.S.
Tom Barrack serves as U.S. envoy to Iraq, Syria, and Turkiye, using financial tools to influence Iraq.
Some armed militias refuse to disarm or come under Iraqi state control, especially those connected to Iran.
U.S. military strikes and sanctions have targeted Iranian-backed militia leaders in Iraq.
Iraq set a September 30 deadline to disarm militias, coinciding with the planned U.S. troop withdrawal.
U.S. companies like Chevron want to expand oil and energy projects in Iraq to boost production.
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A senior researcher from the University of Bristol discussed how temperatures in Europe are rising faster than in other regions. The warmer weather is contributing to wildfires, including large fires near Paris that firefighters are trying to control.
Key Facts
European temperatures are increasing more quickly than in many other parts of the world.
Rising temperatures are linked to more frequent and intense wildfires.
Two major fires have recently burned in the Fontainebleau forest near Paris.
Hundreds of French firefighters are working to contain these fires.
The Fontainebleau forest may take decades to recover from the wildfire damage.
Europe has experienced multiple heatwaves since May 2026.
Experts warn that changes in weather patterns have serious effects on ecosystems and communities.
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An expectant mother in Australia asked her doctor not to reveal her unborn baby's gender during prenatal testing, but the doctor accidentally told her. She wanted to keep the baby's sex a surprise to enjoy the moment at birth and avoid gender stereotypes. Despite the mistake, she now appreciates having a healthy baby girl and advises others to remind medical staff about their wishes.
Key Facts
The mother did not want to know her baby's gender before birth.
She called her doctor to discuss prenatal test results and asked not to be told the sex.
The doctor accidentally revealed the baby was a girl during the call.
The mother had kept her first child’s sex a secret until birth and wanted the same surprise again.
She felt disappointed but later found the situation funny and was grateful for a healthy baby.
Experts say some parents avoid knowing the sex to prevent gender stereotypes and expectations.
The baby girl was named Nora Snowy Sheahan and will soon turn one year old.
The mother advises other parents to remind healthcare providers about their wish to keep the sex secret.
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France is facing an early and intense drought after experiencing three heatwaves in a few months. The drought has caused severe water shortages, leading to the highest number of water restrictions since 2013, and worsening wildfires due to dry conditions.
Key Facts
France is under record water restrictions because of a severe drought.
The drought is happening about a month earlier than usual and is very intense.
Water levels in rivers and small channels are dropping quickly; many have dried up.
France has faced three heatwaves in the last few months.
Wildfires have increased due to the hot and dry weather.
The drought occurs despite normal rainfall in spring.
Experts link these extreme weather events to climate change caused by human activities.
Some rivers, like the Doubs, have dried earlier and longer than in the past.
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A tornado touched down near San Antonio, Texas, crossing a busy highway on Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Officials warned people in the storm's path to seek shelter and also issued a flood watch due to heavy rain expected in the area.
Key Facts
The tornado crossed Interstate 10 near The Dominion and Shavano Park in northwest Bexar County.
The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado and warned residents to seek shelter.
Witnesses saw debris and flashes of power outages after the tornado passed.
No injuries have been reported so far.
The region is also under a flood watch until Thursday evening because of heavy rainfall.
Flooding could occur in rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying areas.
The tornado is part of a developing weather situation with more updates expected.
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Zvi Sukkot, an Israeli lawmaker and head of the Knesset Education Committee, entered a Palestinian orphan school in East Jerusalem. He damaged the school’s sign and threatened to close the school because of Palestinian symbols displayed there.
Key Facts
Zvi Sukkot is a far-right Israeli lawmaker.
He leads the Knesset Education Committee in Israel.
The incident happened at a Palestinian orphan school in East Jerusalem, an area Israel occupies.
Sukkot broke the school's ceramic sign during his visit.
He said he would shut down the school due to Palestinian symbols seen there.
The affected school cares for Palestinian orphans.
The episode reflects ongoing tensions between Israeli authorities and Palestinians in East Jerusalem.
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The article questions the effectiveness of imposing another blockade on Iran. It suggests that people supporting the blockade should explain why it would work this time.
Key Facts
The article discusses the idea of blockading Iran.
It highlights doubts about the success of such a blockade.
The author asks for reasons why a new blockade would succeed now.
The message implies past attempts may not have worked well.
The focus is on international actions involving Iran.
No specific plans or details about the blockade are given.
The article emphasizes the need for clear reasons before trying again.
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Sir Keir Starmer spoke at his final Prime Minister's Questions session before stepping down as UK Prime Minister. MPs from all parties paid tribute to him, and he will hand over power to Andy Burnham after the Labour leadership conference.
Key Facts
Sir Keir Starmer described his last Prime Minister’s Questions as the end of his political journey.
MPs from different parties paused usual arguments to honor him during the 50-minute session.
Some Labour MPs, including Chancellor Rachel Reeves, were visibly emotional.
Andy Burnham will become Labour leader after a special party conference on Friday.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch praised Starmer’s work on Ukraine but criticized future Labour leadership.
Starmer was thanked for his kindness after personal family tragedies.
The session included lighter moments, such as jokes about England’s World Cup chances.
Starmer paid tribute to former MP Ann Widdecombe and mentioned that three MPs had died during his time in Parliament.
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