Syria’s electricity supply has recently improved, with longer uninterrupted hours of power, but many people still face challenges due to high costs and fuel shortages. The new government is working to rebuild the energy sector with international help, including a major World Bank grant and new oil and gas deals.
Key Facts
Electricity supply in Damascus now lasts about five to six hours before cuts, better than during the war years.
Syria’s energy mostly came from natural gas (52%) and oil (45%) before 2024, with very little from solar or hydropower.
In June 2025, the World Bank gave $146 million to help improve Syria’s electricity system.
The Syrian government took control of the northeast oil-producing region, increasing oil production from 10,000 to 100,000 barrels per day.
New gas import agreements were signed with Azerbaijan, Jordan, and Egypt, plus a $7 billion energy deal with Qatari, Turkish, and US companies.
Western sanctions were eased, helping Syria to progress in energy and electricity rebuilding.
Many Syrians still find solar panels too expensive to afford due to high initial costs and widespread poverty.
Fuel shortages cause long waits at gas stations, though the government recently said it is increasing fuel supply and speeding up distribution.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A group of countries supporting Ukraine, called the "coalition of the willing," met in Paris to strengthen their help during the ongoing war. Meanwhile, Ukraine increased drone attacks, hitting targets in Russia’s Moscow region, causing several casualties.
Key Facts
The meeting in Paris involved countries allied with Ukraine to discuss more support.
Ukraine launched drone strikes on July 13, killing four people and wounding seven in Russia.
Most casualties from the drone attacks were in the Moscow region.
These attacks were in response to Russian artillery strikes on Ukraine.
The coalition aims to coordinate efforts to support Ukraine in the conflict with Russia.
The article was reported by France 24 and includes footage by Gulliver Cragg.
The event shows ongoing international involvement in the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Ukrainian drone attacks caused explosions and fires in areas near Russia's capital and in southern Russia. Surveillance video captured an explosion in a residential area close to Moscow during the overnight strikes.
Key Facts
Ukrainian drones attacked locations near Russia’s capital city.
An explosion was recorded in a residential area near Moscow.
The attacks also caused a large fire in southern Russia.
The events happened overnight.
Surveillance footage documented the explosion near Moscow.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Amber Davies, who stars as Elle Woods in the Legally Blonde musical, asked a woman filming the show from the front row in Dublin to be removed because it distracted the cast. She posted a video reminding people not to film during theatre performances.
Key Facts
Amber Davies is acting in Legally Blonde the Musical, currently touring the UK and Ireland.
During a show in Dublin, she noticed a woman filming from the front row.
Davies asked theatre staff to remove the woman for the second half of the show.
She posted a message on Instagram asking audiences not to film performances.
Davies said filming ruins the morale of the cast and distracts everyone.
She has acted in other musicals and appeared on Strictly Come Dancing.
Theatre performers often remind audiences to follow etiquette like not filming or texting during shows.
The production company did not comment on Davies' message.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Actor Sam Neill has died at the age of 78. He was best known for playing Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park movies and had a long career in both big Hollywood films and smaller art films.
Key Facts
Sam Neill died at the age of 78.
He starred as Dr. Alan Grant in the original 1993 Jurassic Park film directed by Steven Spielberg.
Neill appeared again in Jurassic Park III (2001) and returned in Jurassic World Dominion (2022).
He had important roles in films such as The Omen III (1981), Dead Calm (1989), The Hunt for Red October (1990), and The Piano (1993).
Neill acted in the sci-fi thriller Event Horizon (1997) and played Merlin in a TV series (1998 and 2006).
More recently, he appeared as Major Chester Campbell in the BBC TV series Peaky Blinders.
He also featured in the mystery drama Apples Never Fall alongside Annette Bening.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) carried out missile and drone attacks on US military facilities in Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, and Kuwait in response to US strikes on targets in Iran. The US military said it conducted precise attacks on multiple Iranian sites to limit Iran’s ability to attack shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Key Facts
Iran’s IRGC attacked radar systems in Oman, US military sites in Bahrain, missile bases in Kuwait, and air bases in Jordan.
Jordan’s military intercepted four missiles coming from Iran and downed them before they caused damage.
Kuwait’s army engaged hostile targets in its airspace and reported explosions due to intercepting missile attacks.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) targeted Iranian military air-defense systems, radar, missile and drone capabilities, and small boats.
The US used fighter aircraft, naval vessels, and one-way attack drones for the first time in these strikes.
The strikes resulted in at least one civilian death and four injuries in Iran’s Khuzestan province.
Iran condemned the US attacks and accused the US of breaking a recent agreement before launching a drone attack on a ship.
The conflict reignited after the IRGC attacked several commercial vessels near Oman on July 6.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The United States and Iran continue to carry out limited military attacks while holding peace talks. Recent missile attacks were reported in Kuwait and Jordan, and Iran said the peace agreement between the two countries is in crisis.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump launched major joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026.
The U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in June 2026 aimed at ending the war.
Despite peace talks, both countries have continued limited attacks, mainly near the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian officials say the MOU is now in crisis, blaming the U.S. for violating the agreement.
Iran states it is defending its security and targeting only U.S. military facilities in neighboring countries.
Kuwait’s army reported intercepting hostile aerial targets in its airspace.
Jordan’s military said it shot down four Iranian missiles with no casualties or damage.
Bahrain activated air defense sirens following the attacks but gave no further details.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Communities across the U.S. are changing sites linked to racism, like former Ku Klux Klan halls and slave auction blocks, into places for education, healing, and remembrance. These projects come amid debates over how to handle racist landmarks as the federal government moves to promote a more positive version of American history.
Key Facts
A former KKK hall in Fort Worth, Texas, is being turned into an arts and community center named after a Black lynching victim.
Other sites, such as a segregated theater in South Carolina, a slave auction block in Virginia, and a school in New Orleans, are being transformed into education and memorial centers.
The Emmett Till Interpretive Center in Mississippi is restoring the barn where Emmett Till was killed to create a memorial.
President Trump’s 2025 executive order asks federal sites to remove or change content seen as divisive or anti-American, especially related to slavery.
A federal judge temporarily blocked the order, but an appeals court allowed changes to continue during legal disputes.
Local groups are working to preserve fuller and more truthful stories about racism and slavery, pushing back against narrow federal history interpretations.
Stone Mountain in Georgia is a public park with a large Confederate carving; efforts to add context about slavery and the KKK have faced opposition and lawsuits from Confederate heritage groups.
Supporters of repurposing racist landmarks argue it helps communities confront painful history instead of erasing it.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A fire broke out at a busy bar in Bangkok, killing at least 27 people and injuring over 60. The blaze spread quickly, trapping many inside the maze-like, poorly lit bar with unclear exit routes.
Key Facts
The fire happened at Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao bar in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district.
At least 27 people died, including members of the band Thotsakan who were performing.
Over 60 people were injured, with eight in critical condition.
The bar’s interior was dark, with low ceilings and unclear escape routes.
Flammable materials on the ceiling may have made the fire spread faster.
Firefighters controlled the blaze within about 30 minutes of arrival.
One foreign victim, a Laotian, was identified among the deceased.
Nearby residents expressed fear of similar fires due to many similar bars in the area.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A Welsh artist named Diana Williams created a baby’s christening gown embroidered with the names of 300 infants killed in Gaza. She used the gown to show the loss and suffering faced by children during the conflict in Gaza since October 2023.
Key Facts
Diana Williams is a retired art lecturer from Wales.
She embroidered a vintage christening gown with the names of 300 babies killed in Gaza.
The gown’s hem was purposely frayed to represent harsh living conditions and loss.
More than 20,000 children have been killed in Gaza since late 2023.
The artwork is titled "Know Their Names," inspired by Al Jazeera’s victim databases.
The gown received a people’s award at Galeri Caernarfon in Wales.
Williams donated the prize money to Medical Aid for Palestinians.
The gown will be shown in Paris and on a New York billboard later in 2024.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The United States carried out new military strikes against Iran, targeting several sites across the country, prompting Iran to launch attacks on US military targets in the Gulf region. These events have worsened tensions and put the current ceasefire and peace talks between Washington and Tehran in danger.
Key Facts
The US Central Command said the strikes targeted Iran’s air defense, radar sites, missile and drone capabilities, and small boats.
The US used fighter jets, naval vessels, and special one-way attack drones in the operation.
Iran reported casualties and damage in Khuzestan province from the US strikes.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard attacked US military sites in Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait in response.
Bahrain and Jordan issued alerts after Iranian missile activity nearby.
The US and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire in June and aims to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.
The Strait of Hormuz is crucial because about 20% of the world’s energy exports pass through it.
President Donald Trump wants to lower oil prices, while Iran insists ships use routes close to its coast to maintain control of the strait.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A 10-year Finnish study found that a common knee surgery to trim damaged cartilage does not help middle-aged or older patients with knee pain and may cause faster arthritis and more surgeries. The study suggests physical therapy as a safer first option, and surgery should be considered only carefully.
Key Facts
The study followed patients for 10 years after either real knee surgery or fake surgery with only a skin incision.
Patients having the actual surgery showed worse pain and faster arthritis progression compared to those who did not.
The study focused on people with degenerative cartilage tears, common in those over 50, not injuries from accidents.
Similar procedures in Finland have dropped by 90%, while U.S. rates have decreased more slowly, about 4% per year.
Medicare data shows knee surgeries decreased from about 169,000 in 2014 to 91,000 in 2024.
Experts recommend trying physical therapy before considering surgery for degenerative meniscus tears.
Regional differences exist in U.S. surgery rates, with more surgeries in the South than the Northeast.
A European and U.S. orthopedic committee says either surgery or non-surgical treatment can work, but physical therapy should come first.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A large fire broke out in the Fontainebleau forest near Paris, involving around 400 firefighters to control it. The fire caused road closures and train disruptions just before a major national holiday and the start of the summer holiday season in France.
Key Facts
The fire occurred in the Fontainebleau forest, located in the Ile de France region near Paris.
About 400 firefighters were called to fight the blaze.
The fire happened on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
The event affected transportation with closed highways and disrupted train services.
This happened just before France’s national holiday on July 14.
The summer holiday travel period was beginning, increasing the impact of disruptions.
Fontainebleau forest is known as the “lungs of greater Paris” because it helps clean the air.
France has faced several heatwaves in 2026, increasing fire risks.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Tensions between the United States and Iran have risen again with Iran attacking ships using a route defined by the U.S. in the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global oil shipping. Although the strait remains open, these attacks increase uncertainty as negotiators attempt to find a lasting peace agreement.
Key Facts
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital shipping route for oil transportation.
Iran has struck ships that follow a U.S.-defined path through the strait.
The strait has not been completely closed despite the attacks.
Recent hostilities are part of ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran.
Negotiations are ongoing to reach a peace deal to keep this route safe.
The situation raises concerns about stability in the Middle East region.
The attacks come amid broader tensions including previous U.S. strikes and Iranian actions.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
At least 27 people died and many others were injured in a fire at a pub in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 13, 2026. The fire began during a musician's performance, who saw smoke coming from a circuit breaker before an explosion happened.
Key Facts
The fire occurred early on July 13, 2026, at a pub in Bangkok.
At least 27 people lost their lives in the fire.
Dozens of people were taken to hospitals with injuries.
A musician performing at the pub noticed smoke from a circuit breaker just before the explosion.
Rescue teams worked to extinguish the fire at the scene.
The incident attracted international news attention.
The cause of the fire is linked to electrical issues near the circuit breaker.
Authorities are investigating the full details of the event.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Typhoon Bavi hit China’s eastern coast in Zhejiang province, causing strong waves that damaged houses. The storm led to power and phone outages, and more than two million people were moved to safer places before the storm arrived.
Key Facts
Typhoon Bavi struck Zhejiang province on China’s eastern coast.
Large waves from the typhoon hit and damaged homes.
The storm caused power outages and disrupted phone services.
Over two million residents were evacuated ahead of the typhoon.
Authorities took safety measures to protect people from the storm.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Fighting between the U.S. and Iran has continued for a second week, centered around control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route. The U.S. has launched multiple strikes on Iranian targets after Iran attacked a container ship, while Iran has responded by targeting Gulf countries hosting U.S. forces and firing missiles at Jordan.
Key Facts
Iran claimed attacks on Bahrain, Oman, and Jordan, hitting radar systems and U.S. military sites.
Jordan reported shooting down four Iranian missiles that entered its airspace, with no injuries or damage.
The U.S. conducted strikes on Iranian military targets, including air defenses, radar sites, and naval vessels, using fighter aircraft and drones.
The U.S. Central Command said Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz, despite Iran's claims it is closed.
Oil prices rose nearly 5% due to the rising tensions, with Brent crude near $80 per barrel.
The conflict follows an Iranian attack on a container ship that set it on fire and caused a crew member to go missing.
Iran's foreign ministry said U.S. strikes have undone recent diplomatic efforts and increased insecurity in the region.
President Donald Trump ordered these strikes to hold Iranian forces accountable.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The United States carried out a third major air strike on Iran between July 12 and 13, 2026, following President Donald Trump’s end to a ceasefire. Iran responded by attacking U.S. military bases in Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait, increasing tensions in the Middle East.
Key Facts
The U.S. launched three major air strikes against Iran within two days in July 2026.
President Donald Trump declared the ceasefire with Iran over before these strikes.
Iran retaliated by targeting U.S. bases located in Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
The recent U.S. strikes are among the largest since the ceasefire ended.
These actions have escalated conflict risks between the U.S. and Iran in the region.
Military activity in the Middle East is increasing amid ongoing political tensions.
Israel recently warned the U.S. about a possible Iranian plot to assassinate President Trump.
Iran is showing signs of shifting leadership style after the funeral of its former leader Khamenei.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards attacked U.S. military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait and struck targets in Oman and Jordan in response to recent U.S. strikes on Iranian military locations. The attacks come amid heightened tensions over control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global oil shipments.
Key Facts
Iran targeted American military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait and destroyed radar systems in Oman.
Iranian forces also struck fuel tanks and ammunition depots at a Jordanian air base.
Jordan intercepted and shot down four missiles fired from Iran.
Kuwait’s military intercepted hostile aerial targets in its airspace.
The conflict escalated after U.S. strikes hit dozens of Iranian military sites, including missile and drone equipment.
Iran claims sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, while the U.S. insists it does not control the waterway.
A 60-day interim deal to pause the conflict and allow negotiations is deteriorating.
President Trump stated the Strait remains open but said U.S. forces are using force to keep it accessible to commercial ships.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A man was thrown into the air by a bull bison at Yellowstone National Park's Bridge Bay Campground. The man was seriously injured and emergency services were called, while the National Park Service has warned visitors to keep a safe distance from bison.
Key Facts
A bull bison tossed a tourist about 8 feet into the air at Yellowstone National Park.
The incident occurred at Bridge Bay Campground, south of Fishing Bridge.
A professional photographer captured the event on video and said the people involved kept a safe distance initially.
The bison got agitated by a passing vehicle and charged the man, causing significant injuries.
Onlookers, including the photographer, frightened the bison away by making loud noises and appearing large.
Yellowstone authorities warn visitors to stay at least 25 yards (about 23 meters) away from bison.
Bison can run much faster than humans and are responsible for more injuries in the park than other animals.
This is the second reported bison attack on a person in Yellowstone this year.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
