Two men died after trying to rescue two children who were in trouble in the water at Seaton Carew beach in County Durham. Both children were safe and taken to the hospital, but the men died despite emergency help. The police are investigating, and they warn people to be careful around open water, especially during hot weather.
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The incident happened at about 3:45 pm on Sunday at Seaton Carew beach in Hartlepool.
Two children were in difficulty in the water; both were rescued and taken to the hospital.
Two men entered the water to help, were pulled out, and given medical treatment but died shortly after.
Police, RNLI, Coastguard, and ambulance services responded to the scene.
Police said the deaths are not suspicious and will prepare a report for the coroner.
Recent hot weather has led to several water-related deaths in the UK.
Cold water shock is a danger that can cause people to inhale water if they jump into cold water suddenly.
Scientists link Europe’s record heatwaves to the climate crisis caused by burning fossil fuels.
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Recent explosions occurred in Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island in Iran as the US conducted a fifth round of strikes since a ceasefire three weeks ago. Iran reported that its military sites in Hormozgan province were hit and said it retaliated against US military targets in the area.
Key Facts
Explosions were reported in Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island in Iran.
The US has carried out five waves of strikes since a ceasefire was signed three weeks ago.
Iranian state media said military sites in Hormozgan province were targeted.
Iran claimed it retaliated against US military assets in the region.
The events follow a ceasefire agreement between Iran and the US.
Qeshm Island is located in the strategic Persian Gulf area near key shipping routes.
Bandar Abbas is a port city close to Qeshm Island and a military hub for Iran.
Both sides appear to be involved in ongoing military actions despite the ceasefire.
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A large fire broke out at a popular bar in Bangkok, killing at least 27 people and injuring several others. Firefighters controlled the blaze within 30 minutes, but some people are still missing, and the cause of the fire is being investigated.
Key Facts
The fire happened just after midnight in a bar located in Bangkok’s Chatuchak District.
At least 27 people died in the fire, according to Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
Several injured people were taken to hospitals.
Firefighters arrived quickly and brought the fire under control in about 30 minutes.
The bar was a well-known entertainment spot and restaurant in the area.
Photos show the inside of the bar completely burnt and damaged after the fire.
Some people are still missing following the fire.
Officials are investigating what caused the fire.
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Russian drones and missiles killed four people in Ukraine, while Ukrainian attacks on Russia and Russian-held areas in Ukraine killed five people. Both sides continue to launch attacks amid ongoing conflict and international efforts to support Ukraine.
Key Facts
Russian attacks killed three people in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, including two at a factory in Kryvyi Rih.
A drone attack in Kherson, Ukraine, killed a 48-year-old man.
Russia has increased attacks recently, exploiting Ukraine’s shortage of missiles for its Patriot air defense system.
NATO countries promised more Patriot missiles to Ukraine at a recent summit.
President Donald Trump said he might allow Ukraine to make US Patriot missiles within Ukraine.
Around 25 world leaders will meet in Paris to discuss how to help Ukraine and pressure Russia.
Ukrainian strikes killed four people and injured four in the Russian-held town of Enerhodar.
A long-range Ukrainian drone attack killed a man in Russia’s Samara region.
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Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi will visit the United States to meet President Donald Trump, marking his first international trip since taking office. The visit will focus on signing oil and gas deals and boosting economic and investment ties between Iraq and the US.
Key Facts
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi will spend a week in the US, starting Monday.
The visit aims to strengthen Iraq-US economic relations, especially in oil and gas.
Several memorandums of understanding are expected to be signed to increase Iraq’s oil production.
Iraq hopes to attract US investment after losing revenue due to halted oil exports during the Iran war.
Iraqi forces recently arrested many officials in an anti-corruption crackdown ordered by al-Zaidi.
Iraq-US relations have been tense due to US troops' presence and Baghdad's ties with Iran.
President Trump congratulated al-Zaidi on becoming prime minister and expressed hope for closer cooperation.
The US has resumed handling Iraq’s oil revenue cash shipments through the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
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Two men died after trying to save two children who were in trouble in the sea at Seaton Carew beach in Hartlepool. The children were taken to hospital and are safe, while the men's deaths are not considered suspicious.
Key Facts
The incident happened at Seaton Carew beach in Hartlepool.
Cleveland Police were called around 15:45 BST about two children struggling in the water.
Two men entered the sea to help the children.
The RNLI (sea rescue service) pulled the men from the water, but both died shortly after.
The children were taken to hospital and confirmed safe.
Police are not treating the deaths as suspicious.
A coroner will review the case.
Families of the men are receiving support from specially trained officers.
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Iran and the United States signed a ceasefire agreement last month but are struggling to agree on its meaning. Both sides want to avoid heavy damage but are not willing to make tough compromises, which is causing the ceasefire to weaken. President Trump is unhappy with the slow progress in the talks.
Key Facts
Iran and the U.S. signed a ceasefire agreement last month.
Both countries want to avoid causing heavy harm to each other.
Neither side is ready to make difficult compromises.
Each side wants to follow its own understanding of the ceasefire terms.
President Trump is frustrated with the slow results from the diplomatic efforts.
Diplomacy is seen as the only option to prevent further conflict.
The ceasefire is currently not holding strongly due to disagreements.
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In Northern Ireland, a large bonfire was set on fire with flags from Palestine, Syria, Sudan, and Somalia placed on it. Police arrested a man linked to this event, which is part of a yearly celebration but was criticized as a hateful display.
Key Facts
Flags from Palestine, Syria, Sudan, and Somalia were placed on a big bonfire tower.
The bonfire was set on fire during an annual celebration in Northern Ireland.
Police made an arrest related to the display on the bonfire.
The display was described by authorities as a hate-related act.
This event took place as part of a traditional yearly event held in the region.
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The Malian army said it recaptured the northern town of Anefis from rebels after nearly a week of fighting. About 30 soldiers were killed and around 60 wounded during the operation to retake the town from Tuareg separatists and al-Qaeda-linked fighters.
Key Facts
The town of Anefis in northern Mali was held by Tuareg separatists and fighters linked to al-Qaeda.
The Malian army launched an operation and regained control of Anefis after about a week.
Around 30 Malian soldiers died, and about 60 soldiers were wounded.
The Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), a Tuareg-led group, also suffered losses but claimed to have inflicted heavy damage on government forces.
Mali has faced ongoing security and political problems for more than ten years.
Al-Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin controls parts of rural Mali.
The FLA wants to create an independent state in northern Mali.
In April, coordinated rebel attacks killed Mali’s Defence Minister and led to a siege on the capital, Bamako.
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South Africa has deported or sent back more than 53,000 foreign nationals in a migration crackdown that began five weeks ago. The government is responding to protests demanding stricter border controls and mass deportations amid concerns about unemployment and crime.
Key Facts
Over 53,000 foreign nationals, mostly from Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, have been deported or repatriated.
The campaign started after protests against undocumented migrants led to violence and looting.
Protesters blame migrants for high unemployment, crime, and failure of public services.
The UN warns against blaming migrants for South Africa’s social and economic problems.
Some African countries, such as Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, and Kenya, have flown their citizens home recently.
The government says deportations also help catch criminals wanted by the police.
Officials urge protesters not to conduct illegal raids or take the law into their own hands.
President Cyril Ramaphosa condemns attacks on migrants and supports lawful handling of immigration issues.
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Police found guns, including a military-grade weapon, in a car near a synagogue in Sarcelles, a suburb north of Paris. About 300 people were evacuated, and French anti-terrorist prosecutors started an investigation into possible terrorist activities.
Key Facts
The incident happened in Sarcelles, a Paris suburb with a large Jewish community.
A suspicious car parked near a synagogue contained guns, including an assault-style rifle and a handgun.
Around 300 people were moved to safety from nearby homes and businesses.
No explosives were found in the car.
French anti-terrorist prosecutors opened a case for preparing terrorist crimes and illegal possession of weapons.
The suspects have not been identified yet, and the reasons for the threat are still unknown.
Authorities set up a security cordon around the area during the evacuation.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez mentioned that three attacks had been prevented in France since the start of the year.
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Archaeologists discovered a 3,000-year-old tomb near Luxor, Egypt, belonging to a man named Paser. The tomb dates back to the Ramesside period and features well-preserved architectural elements and inscriptions showing Paser with deities and his wife.
Key Facts
The tomb was found near Luxor's Sheikh Abd el-Qurna necropolis by a Dutch team from Leiden University.
It dates to Egypt's 19th and 20th dynasties, known as the Ramesside period.
The tomb has a courtyard, a rock-cut chapel shaped like an inverted "T," and underground burial chambers.
Inscriptions show Paser worshipping gods and sitting with his wife before offerings.
Egypt is promoting such archaeological finds to boost tourism, an important source of income.
The discovery is part of a research project that started in 2018.
Luxor is home to many important ancient monuments and tombs.
Other recent discoveries include a reopened pharaoh’s tomb and artifacts from a Greco-Roman cemetery.
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Martha Lillard, the last known person in the US using an iron lung to survive polio, died at age 78. She contracted polio at age five and lived most of her life relying on the machine to breathe. Lillard’s death was linked to lung failure, long-term effects of polio, and possibly long Covid.
Key Facts
Martha Lillard contracted polio at age five and used an iron lung to help her breathe throughout her life.
She died on June 26 in Oklahoma at the age of 78.
The iron lung is a metal cylinder that changes air pressure to push air in and out of the lungs.
Despite her condition, Lillard attended school with a mix of in-person and tutoring.
Her sister said Lillard was told she wouldn’t live past 20 but lived much longer with enthusiasm.
Lillard’s death certificate lists chronic pulmonary failure and post-polio syndrome as causes of death; long Covid may have contributed.
Iron lungs were widely used in the 1950s during polio outbreaks to save lives temporarily.
Polio was declared eliminated in the US in 1979 due to widespread vaccination efforts.
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French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a statue honoring Captain Alfred Dreyfus, who was wrongfully convicted of treason in the 19th century due to antisemitism in France. Macron warned about the ongoing rise of antisemitism in the country and called for constant vigilance against hatred.
Key Facts
Alfred Dreyfus was wrongly convicted of treason in 1894 because of deep anti-Jewish bias.
Dreyfus was cleared of all charges by France’s highest court on July 12, 1906.
July 12 is now a national day to remember Dreyfus’ innocence, starting in 2026.
A statue of Dreyfus was unveiled near the Palace of Justice in Paris.
Police evacuated 300 people near a Paris synagogue due to a suspicious vehicle with a weapon; terrorism investigation opened.
France has Europe’s largest Jewish population and has seen a rise in antisemitic acts after the 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel.
Macron called antisemitism the “old demons” that continue to affect France.
Dreyfus’ 99-year-old grandson attended the ceremony, expressing sadness at the resurgence of antisemitism.
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Thousands of people came together in Doha, Qatar, to honor and say goodbye to Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. He was the emir of Qatar for 18 years and helped transform the country into a strong presence in diplomacy, business, and media.
Key Facts
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was the emir of Qatar for 18 years.
He played a key role in changing Qatar into a global leader in diplomacy.
Under his leadership, Qatar’s economy grew significantly.
He helped develop Qatar’s media influence, including supporting Al Jazeera.
Thousands gathered in Doha for a farewell event to honor him.
The event was covered by Al Jazeera journalist Mohammad Saleh.
Sheikh Hamad is often called Qatar’s Father Emir for his contributions.
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The United States has carried out multiple military strikes across Iran, targeting hundreds of military sites and some civilian areas mostly in southern provinces near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has responded by declaring the strait closed and attacking US interests in several nearby countries, increasing fears of a wider conflict.
Key Facts
US fighter jets and warships have hit over 300 military targets in Iran over several days.
Strikes have focused on southern Iran, especially around the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed after US attacks and targeted US interests in Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar, and Oman.
The US attacks have damaged ports, air defenses, and infrastructure including an important railway bridge and an airport tower.
Iran’s only nuclear power plant’s perimeter was struck but not damaged.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported that two vessels using the southern route near Oman were struck.
Iranian civilians report daily life disruptions and fear escalating violence.
Negotiations to end the military escalation appear unlikely at this time.
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Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko resigned to take a new role as President Zelenskyy reshuffles several government positions. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continued attacks on Russian oil facilities, causing damage and casualties in Russian regions.
Key Facts
Yulia Svyrydenko resigned as Ukraine’s prime minister but will serve in another important government role.
President Zelenskyy is changing government roles to implement a new political strategy during wartime.
Svyrydenko was prime minister since July 2025 and previously Ukraine’s economy minister.
Zelenskyy plans to assign specific foreign policy priorities to experienced officials.
The government reshuffle includes changes in top law enforcement positions.
Ukrainian forces attacked Russian oil facilities in the Samara and Rostov regions.
The strikes caused damage to homes, an industrial site, an oil refinery, and injured civilians, including a child.
Ukraine’s attacks on Russian energy infrastructure have led to fuel shortages in Russia, while Russia responded with missile strikes on Ukraine.
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Mariano Rajoy, former Spanish prime minister, wrote in a newspaper that the French soccer team "does not have any French players," leading to accusations of racism. His comments were strongly criticized by Spanish and French leaders who emphasized France’s diversity and rejected Rajoy’s views.
Key Facts
Mariano Rajoy served as Spain’s prime minister from 2011 to 2018.
Rajoy wrote that France’s national soccer team lacks actual French players despite their success.
Spain’s current prime minister Pedro Sánchez condemned Rajoy’s remarks as xenophobic and based on skin color or birthplace.
French interior minister Laurent Nuñez stated France is a diverse country where everyone belongs.
French political leaders from different parties defended the French national team as made up of French citizens.
Rajoy’s remarks were compared to racist comments by a Paraguayan senator about French player Kylian Mbappé.
France’s football federation has filed a complaint against those racist comments.
Sánchez ended his message hoping the best team wins and that racism loses in the upcoming World Cup semi-final.
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A 2,000-pound bull bison in Yellowstone National Park tossed a tourist about 8 feet into the air at a campground, seriously injuring him. The incident was recorded by a nearby photographer and happened despite the tourist following park safety advice.
Key Facts
The bison weighed around 2,000 pounds (900 kg) and was agitated during the attack.
The tourist was walking with his grandson at Bridge Bay campground in Yellowstone when attacked.
The man was seriously injured after the bison flipped him with its horn.
A professional photographer captured video of the event and described the bison’s aggressive behavior.
The bison charged a pickup truck before focusing on the grandfather and grandson.
Park rules advise visitors to keep at least 25 yards away from bison and other animals.
Yellowstone officials warn animals in the park are wild and dangerous even if they look calm.
The injured man followed park guidelines but was still attacked unexpectedly.
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New technology like drones controlled by artificial intelligence is changing how wars are fought, especially in Ukraine. This shift raises questions about whether investing in traditional weapons like tanks and planes is still useful or if they are becoming outdated like cavalry horses were before modern guns.
Key Facts
Advances in drone warfare guided by artificial intelligence are changing conflict tactics.
These changes are happening notably in Ukraine and other parts of the world.
Governments, especially in Europe, face challenges deciding where to spend money on military equipment.
Some experts compare investing billions in tanks and warships today to buying horses and arrows before machine guns were invented.
The debate is whether these military changes represent a slow evolution or a sudden revolution in war.
Yaroslav Trofimov, a Wall Street Journal correspondent, investigates these issues in his recent report.
The discussion is causing concern for future military strategies and budgets globally.
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