Oil prices rose about 9% on Monday, reaching around $83 per barrel after President Trump said the U.S. was bringing back a naval blockade on Iran. This move contributed to higher oil prices, which could lead to more expensive gasoline in the U.S.
Key Facts
Oil prices jumped roughly 9% to about $83 per barrel on Monday.
President Trump announced the U.S. is reinstating a naval blockade targeting Iran.
Trump said the Strait of Hormuz will remain open to all countries except Iran.
The U.S. plans to charge a 20% fee on all cargo for providing security in the area.
U.S. average gas prices were $3.87 per gallon Monday, rising 7 cents over the past week.
Gas prices peaked at $4.56 per gallon in May.
Ship tracking companies noted fewer vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz recently.
The decline in ship movement reverses gains seen after a recent U.S.-Iran agreement.
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The Vatican said Pope Leo XIV’s statements on the Iran war are spiritual, not political, despite criticism from President Donald Trump. The U.S. ambassador to the Vatican described the pope as a political leader equal to other world leaders, highlighting tension between the Trump administration and the Vatican.
Key Facts
Pope Leo XIV has criticized the Iran war, which has upset President Trump.
President Trump called the pope “weak on crime” and poor on foreign policy.
The Vatican said the pope’s comments reflect his spiritual role, not political power.
The pope calls for peace and an end to the arms race, aligning with gospel teachings.
U.S. Ambassador Brian Burch views the pope as a political leader equal to heads of state.
Burch stated the pope has limited facts to judge the Iran war’s justice or injustice.
The disagreement creates questions among Catholic voters in the U.S. before important elections.
Experts say the pope’s spiritual and political roles are closely connected in Catholic belief.
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Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited Almeria, where a wildfire caused deaths and missing people. He met with firefighters and emergency workers and urged better plans to prevent future fires.
Key Facts
A wildfire in Almeria, Spain, killed at least 13 people.
23 people are still missing after the fire.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez met with firefighters and emergency teams in Almeria.
He emphasized the need for better fire prevention measures.
Sanchez called for more training in civil protection.
He also promoted increased education about fire safety.
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A large fire burned about 1,200 hectares of the Fontainebleau forest near Paris, France, on Monday. Police arrested two people suspected of starting the fire, which caused evacuations in nearby villages.
Key Facts
The fire started on Sunday in the Fontainebleau forest, about 60 kilometers southeast of Paris.
The forest covers a former royal hunting area with small villages.
Around 1,200 hectares (about 5% of the forest) were burned.
Authorities evacuated residents from the affected areas for safety.
Two suspects were arrested as part of an investigation into the fire’s cause.
The fire was ongoing on Monday as firefighters worked to control it.
The Fontainebleau forest is a key natural area often called the "lungs of greater Paris" because it provides important green space.
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Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of President Donald Trump and supporter of Ukraine, has died suddenly. Ukraine’s leaders are concerned about losing his support as they face ongoing conflict with Russia.
Key Facts
Senator Lindsey Graham was a Republican and a strong supporter of Ukraine.
He visited Kyiv, Ukraine, just two days before his death.
In Kyiv, Graham spoke about new economic sanctions against Russia.
He worked with Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat, on the sanctions proposal.
Graham planned to meet U.S. bipartisan leaders to push the sanctions forward.
Ukraine saw Graham as an important connection to President Trump’s administration.
His sudden death raises concerns in Ukraine about continued U.S. support.
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Leaders from over 20 countries met in Paris to support Ukraine. After the meeting, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Ukraine will receive 16 new Rafale fighter jets, new surface-to-air defense systems, and licenses to produce cruise missiles.
Key Facts
More than 20 countries joined a meeting called the "Coalition of the Willing" in Paris.
Ukraine ordered 16 Rafale fighter jets from France.
Ukraine will get advanced SAMP/T surface-to-air defense batteries.
Ukraine secured licenses to produce several military capabilities, including the Scalp cruise missile.
The goal of the coalition is to strengthen Ukraine’s defense.
President Macron spoke publicly after the meeting to confirm these plans.
The coalition focuses on supporting Ukraine amid ongoing conflict concerns.
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Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson discussed his next dream acting role during an appearance on ABC News. The segment was part of “GMA” Pop News, which features popular stories of the day.
Key Facts
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is a well-known actor and former wrestler.
He shared information about a role he dreams of playing next.
The conversation was part of a regular entertainment news segment called “GMA” Pop News by ABC News.
The story aired on July 13, 2026.
The article also lists other top news stories but focuses on Johnson’s upcoming role.
No specific details about the dream role itself were provided in the article.
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The UK government has officially labeled Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist group. This new rule allows the UK to list foreign groups that threaten national security, and anyone helping the IRGC could face up to 14 years in prison.
Key Facts
The UK has designated Iran’s IRGC as a terrorist organization.
This designation is part of new government powers regarding national security threats.
Individuals or groups supporting or helping the IRGC may be punished by law.
The maximum prison sentence for assisting the IRGC is 14 years.
The decision targets a foreign military group linked to Iran.
The measure aims to enhance UK national security against foreign threats.
The move places the IRGC alongside other groups banned for terrorism reasons.
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Ukraine and nine European countries, including the UK, Germany, and France, have agreed to create a shared program to protect Europe from ballistic missiles. This program will use Ukraine’s experience in defending against Russia’s attacks and aims to develop an integrated missile defense system to stop future threats.
Key Facts
Ten countries, including Ukraine, the UK, Germany, France, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Spain, are part of the coalition.
The coalition aims to build a shared ballistic missile defense for Europe.
Ballistic missiles are seen as a growing threat and are harder to stop than other weapons like cruise missiles and drones.
The UK signed up to participate in a €90 billion EU support loan for Ukraine, allowing UK companies to sell weapons funded by this loan.
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is pushing for stronger air defenses before winter, when Russian attacks usually increase.
The anti-ballistic defense plan will create an integrated system to detect and stop missile attacks.
No specific timeline was given for when the missile defense program will be completed.
French President Emmanuel Macron warned against countries developing separate national defense systems, promoting cooperation to avoid delays and inefficiency.
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A fire broke out at a popular pub in Bangkok, causing deaths and injuries. Police are investigating whether safety rules were ignored, such as locked exits and the use of flammable decorations. Families are trying to find their missing relatives after the fire.
Key Facts
A deadly fire happened in a busy pub in Bangkok.
Survivors described the frightening experience during the fire.
Police are looking into fire safety problems like blocked or locked exits.
Flammable decorations may have made the fire worse.
Families are searching for people who have not been found since the fire.
The incident happened in a crowded street area.
The investigation is ongoing to find causes and responsibility.
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The U.K. government has announced that an Iran-backed group called the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right (IMCR) is responsible for arson and vandalism attacks on Jewish sites in Britain. The government has banned this group and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, linking them to attacks in Britain and across Europe, and plans harsher punishments for related crimes.
Key Facts
The U.K. banned the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right (IMCR) and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard due to security threats.
IMCR claimed responsibility for seven attacks in Britain, including fires at synagogues and Jewish charity ambulances.
The Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Force likely directed the IMCR attacks across Europe.
The attacks also targeted Persian-language media critical of Iran’s government.
Britain will allow life sentences for sabotage linked to these groups after new legislation passes.
The U.K. is also banning the GRU Volunteer Corps, tied to Russian military intelligence, for hostile operations.
The new law helps police target people hired to carry out attacks for foreign governments.
Iranian officials were summoned by the British foreign secretary to condemn these actions; Iran denies involvement.
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Ukraine's allies met in Paris without the United States to discuss military and financial support for Ukraine. The meeting included new commitments like a large EU defense loan from the UK and German funding for Ukrainian drones as the conflict with Russia continues.
Key Facts
The coalition met in Paris on Bastille Day, excluding the United States.
The UK agreed to a €60 billion EU defense loan to support Ukraine.
Germany pledged 90 million euros to build long-range drones for Ukraine.
Ukraine’s long-range strikes are causing fuel shortages in Russia but cannot stop Russian missile attacks or advances in the Donbas region.
The coalition includes countries like Germany, Ukraine, the UK, Sweden, and Greece.
The meeting happened shortly after a NATO summit that involved President Donald Trump.
European countries are looking for ways to support Ukraine without relying on U.S. military and financial power.
Military aircraft from allied countries participated in a Bastille Day flyover in Paris.
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A bison charged at a man last Friday in Yellowstone National Park and flipped him into the air. The event was recorded on video and shared by CBS News.
Key Facts
The incident took place at Yellowstone National Park.
A bison charged at a man and flipped him up.
The attack happened last Friday.
The encounter was caught on camera.
CBS News reported and shared the footage.
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The U.S. military used sea-based drones for the first time in a combat attack on an Iranian port. They launched three unmanned vessels to hit a ship repair site and a submarine at Bandar Abbas Naval Base in Iran.
Key Facts
This was the first time the U.S. used seaborne drones in a military attack.
The drones used were called Corsair unmanned surface vessels.
Three Corsair drones were deployed in the assault.
Targets included a ship maintenance facility and a submarine.
The attack took place at Bandar Abbas Naval Base in Iran.
These drones are designed to operate on the sea without a human crew onboard.
The operation demonstrated new military technology in action.
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The UK government is preparing to label Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a national security threat. New laws will make it a crime to support the IRGC or other designated groups, with penalties up to life imprisonment. This move aims to stop foreign state-backed activities like sabotage and interference in the UK.
Key Facts
The UK is submitting draft rules to Parliament to ban support for Iran’s IRGC.
The legislation will make it illegal to help or support the IRGC in the UK.
Two other groups, Iran-backed Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR) and Russia’s GRU Volunteer Corps, are also being designated as threats.
These groups are linked to attacks on Jewish sites and other hostile acts in the UK.
Suspected members helping these groups could face life in prison if the law passes.
The law removes the need to prove a direct link to a foreign government when prosecuting these groups.
The UK government says these groups conduct spying, sabotage, and interference in UK democracy.
The designation is expected to worsen UK-Iran diplomatic relations, with Iran denying it uses proxies.
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Israel announced national elections for 27 October 2024, the first since the Hamas attacks in October 2023. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right government face voter judgment amid ongoing violence and political controversy.
Key Facts
Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, will be dissolved on 26 April 2024, starting the election process.
The election date is set for 27 October 2024.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leads a far-right coalition and is on trial for corruption.
Netanyahu has focused his campaign on national security, claiming only he can keep Israel safe.
Recent polls show Netanyahu’s main opponent, Gadi Eisenkot, leading slightly in seats.
Violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank is expected to continue until the election.
Netanyahu’s government is rushing to pass laws before the elections, including changes to the attorney general’s powers and policies on religious study and military service exemptions.
Israel uses proportional representation for elections, meaning parties earn seats based on their total vote share nationwide.
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An airline pilot wrote "I'm bored" in the sky over north-west England during a two-hour test flight. The flight tested a replaced part on the plane and the pilot will not face punishment for the skywriting.
Key Facts
The plane took off from Liverpool at 11:25 a.m. on Saturday.
The message was visible over the Wirral, Cheshire, north Wales, and Dee estuary.
The pilot wrote the phrase at about 335 meters (1,100 feet) high while flying under 100 knots (about 115 mph).
The pilot is a flying instructor in his 20s.
The flight tested a replaced cylinder part on the plane.
The airline’s operations manager said the pilot used skill to write the message and is not in trouble.
The plane is now back in the hangar and the pilot is on a day off.
The test flight route was not authorized but necessary to check the new part worked properly.
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Many people who adopt puppies imagine what the dog will be like when it grows up. However, dogs, especially mixed breeds, often change in size, looks, and personality. Experts say it is important for owners to accept the dog they have, not the dog they expected.
Key Facts
An adopter named Cassandra believed she had a dachshund puppy, Ollie, but he grew to look more like a Chihuahua.
Dogs' breed labels are not always accurate, especially for mixed breeds, making it hard to predict their adult traits.
Mixed-breed dogs inherit different traits from various breeds, which can affect their size, personality, and needs.
Janice Costa, a pet expert, says owners should "parent the dog in front of you," meaning they should focus on who their dog actually is.
Costa shared her experience with a dog she expected to be a collie mix but turned out to be a working-line Belgian Malinois mix with very different needs.
Owners might need to adjust their expectations, routines, and supplies as their dogs grow and develop unexpected traits.
Some dogs may need more exercise, training, or socialization than owners first expected, which can improve their behavior and happiness.
Accepting the real dog and learning about its needs helps build a stronger relationship between owners and their pets.
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Ukraine and nine European countries are working together to create a defense system against ballistic missile attacks in Europe. They want to use Ukraine's experience fighting Russia to build a strong, shared missile defense, but it could take years to develop.
Key Facts
Ukraine and nine other countries formed a coalition to protect Europe from ballistic missiles.
The coalition includes Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the UK.
Ballistic missiles are harder to stop than cruise missiles or drones.
The group aims to create an integrated missile defense system to deter future threats.
Russian President Vladimir Putin promised strong retaliation for attacks on Russian territory.
Ukraine is pushing to build better air defenses before winter when Russian attacks usually increase.
U.S. President Donald Trump pledged to license Ukraine to produce Patriot missile defense systems.
Ukraine struck 105 Russian vessels near Crimea in early July using drones as part of its strategy.
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The new official trailer for the movie *Digger* starring Tom Cruise has been released. Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, the film is a dark comedy about a powerful man trying to stop an environmental disaster.
Key Facts
*Digger* is directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, known for *Birdman* and *The Revenant*.
It is Iñárritu’s first English-language film since 2015.
Tom Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, an eccentric billionaire oil baron who looks very different from his usual roles.
The story involves a melting iceberg and nuclear waste causing an ecological disaster.
John Goodman plays an elderly U.S. president in the movie.
The cast also includes Mercedes Hernandez, Sandra Hüller, Jesse Plemons, Riz Ahmed, and others.
The film will be released in theaters on October 2, 2026.
Iñárritu praised Cruise both as an actor and as a person, highlighting his major transformation for the role.
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