At a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave unusual gifts to NATO leaders: engraved pistols with six live bullets each. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump flew back on a different plane than the one gifted by Qatar because the gifted Boeing jet lacked important safety features. Israeli intelligence also warned of an Iranian plot to assassinate President Trump.
Key Facts
President Erdogan gave NATO leaders engraved pistols with six live bullets as gifts at the Ankara summit.
Some leaders turned the guns over to authorities due to legal and safety concerns.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen plans to donate her gift to a museum.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer left his pistol in Ankara to be safely deactivated.
President Donald Trump did not use the Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar to return from the summit because it lacks counter-missile defenses.
Trump flew home on a different, less fancy plane for his safety.
Israeli intelligence told the U.S. about an alleged Iranian plan to assassinate President Trump.
The gift of guns from Erdogan surprised NATO leaders because of safety and legal issues.
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European Union (EU) foreign ministers are meeting to discuss issues related to Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel’s actions. Despite international law and reports of violations, some EU countries block strong actions, and relations with Israel remain a priority over enforcing legal commitments.
Key Facts
EU foreign ministers will meet in Brussels to discuss Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel-related topics on July 13.
Issues include trade from Israeli settlements, possible sanctions on Israeli officials, and enforcement of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
Some EU countries like Germany and Italy have blocked strong measures against Israel’s actions.
Reports show Israel damaged more than 150 million euros of EU-funded projects in Palestinian territories without facing consequences.
A 2026 UN report labeled Israeli actions against Palestinian children as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
The EU’s legal advice from 2017 suggested that it could suspend the Association Agreement with Israel but has not done so.
The International Court of Justice ruled Israel’s occupation unlawful and stated all countries must not support it.
EU member states have legal tools to act individually without needing full EU agreement.
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President Donald Trump has given Ukraine permission to produce Patriot missile interceptors, a key weapon Ukraine uses to defend itself against Russian attacks. Ukraine plans to learn how to make these complex missiles domestically, although it may take time before production starts.
Key Facts
Patriot missiles are expensive, American-made weapons that Ukraine uses to stop Russian attacks.
Frequent Russian strikes have reduced Ukraine’s supply of these missiles.
President Trump told Ukrainian President Zelenskyy that the US will share technology to help Ukraine build its own Patriots.
Trump did not specify when Ukraine could start making the missiles and said the US will keep its own supply.
Experts say Ukraine might first produce simpler missile parts and it could take less than a year to begin production.
Patriot missile systems include missiles, launchers, radar, and a control vehicle to move stealthily.
The war is evolving with more use of drones and networked technology, allowing real-time coordination on the battlefield.
Ukraine’s military is increasingly relying on modern technology amid challenges with soldier recruitment and desertion.
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Hamas has announced it is dissolving its government in Gaza and is ready to hand power to a group of technocrats chosen by President Donald Trump's Board of Peace. Despite this, Israel continues military actions in Gaza, controls much of the area, and the new technocratic committee has not yet entered Gaza, raising questions about who holds real power.
Key Facts
Hamas declared it was ending its control as Gaza’s government this week.
The group said it will give power to technocrats appointed by President Trump’s Board of Peace.
Israel called Hamas's move a public relations stunt.
The Israeli military keeps bombing Gaza despite a declared ceasefire.
Israel now controls over 60% of Gaza’s territory.
The technocratic committee has not yet entered Gaza to take power.
Experts say dissolving Hamas’s government could help peace talks.
There is uncertainty if the U.S. will fully support the peace plan for Gaza.
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Pakistan Navy teams have found more pieces of a cargo plane that crashed into the Arabian Sea. The search for the five missing crew members is ongoing, with rescue teams working in difficult sea conditions. Investigators will study the recovered wreckage to determine the cause of the crash.
Key Facts
The cargo plane, operated by private airline K2 Airways, disappeared from radar late Tuesday.
The plane was flying from Sharjah in the UAE to Karachi, Pakistan.
The crew reported a navigation system problem before the crash.
Wreckage was first found Wednesday about 60 miles off the coast near Ormara, Balochistan.
The main body of the plane and all five crew members are still missing.
Pakistan Navy and Maritime Security Agency are using ships and aircraft in the search.
The search is hindered by rough seas, strong winds, and shifting currents.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered full efforts to locate the crew.
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Damascus, the capital of Syria, experienced three bomb attacks in early July 2026, killing at least 11 people and injuring many more. Syrian authorities arrested a group linked to ISIS believed to be responsible for the attacks, which targeted symbolic places to disrupt the city's sense of safety.
Key Facts
On July 2, a bomb exploded at a café near Damascus’s Justice Palace, killing at least 10 people.
Two more bombs went off on July 7 near the Four Seasons Hotel, injuring 36 and killing one person.
French President Emmanuel Macron was staying at the Four Seasons Hotel during the attacks.
Syrian police arrested an ISIS-linked group they said carried out the explosions.
No group officially claimed responsibility for the bombings.
These attacks aim to unsettle residents by targeting important locations at sensitive times.
Syria’s government has faced major security challenges since President al-Assad’s fall in December 2024.
Despite some progress in Damascus, including arrests of militants, threats still persist with underground networks active.
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Typhoon Maysak hit southern and central China, causing heavy rain, floods, and strong winds. The storm led to deaths, injuries, damaged homes, and rare tornadoes in the central region. Nearby India experienced heavy rainfall causing building collapses and fatalities, while the South Atlantic island Tristan da Cunha faced a strong winter storm with very high winds.
Key Facts
Typhoon Maysak brought up to 280mm of rain in 12 hours in Guangxi, China.
Flooding stranded many people on rooftops in Nanning and nearby areas.
Hundreds of snakes, including cobras, escaped from flooded farms during the typhoon.
Two tornadoes formed in central China when warm and cold air met, causing damage and injuries.
Official reports list at least 11 deaths and over 300 injuries from the typhoon in China.
Mumbai, India, had over 300mm of rain in one day and more than 850mm in four days, causing buildings to collapse and killing at least 13 people.
Tristan da Cunha island experienced a winter storm with winds up to 124 mph, damaging roofs but causing no deaths.
The island’s volcano influences strong wind gusts by creating a weather effect called downslope winds.
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The high brown fritillary butterfly, one of Britain’s rarest butterflies, has declined by 62% since 1970 due to its special habitat needs. Volunteers in Wales are helping the butterfly by managing the land with cows that graze and trample bracken, creating the right conditions for the butterfly’s survival.
Key Facts
The high brown fritillary butterfly has orange and black wings and has become very rare in Britain.
Its numbers have dropped by 62% since 1970.
The butterfly needs a mix of bracken (a type of fern) and common dog violet plants to survive.
Too much bracken stops dog violets from growing, but some bracken trimmed down helps warm the ground for caterpillars.
Volunteers have worked for decades to manage land at Old Castle Down in the Vale of Glamorgan to protect the butterfly.
For the past three years, cows have grazed on the land to help control the bracken by trampling it without destroying it.
Solar-powered collars on cows help keep them within the common land without needing fences.
The volunteer group grew from 2 to over 40 people and combines conservation work with social activities.
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Lisa Nandy, a Culture Secretary and Labour MP, says that under Andy Burnham’s leadership, the Labour Party will act faster and with bolder ideas. Burnham is expected to become the next Labour leader and prime minister on July 20, with strong support from Labour MPs and no serious challenger.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham has been nominated by 322 Labour MPs to be the next leader.
Burnham is currently the only declared candidate and is expected to be confirmed leader next week.
He is set to become prime minister on July 20.
Lisa Nandy supports Burnham’s plan to create a "No 10 North" office in Manchester to balance government focus across the country.
Nandy believes Burnham will bring faster and bolder changes than before.
Labour’s recent efforts include reducing NHS waiting times and helping young people, but these have not fully connected with the public.
Nandy says a leadership contest is unnecessary and could harm Labour’s goal to focus on the country’s needs.
Burnham has not yet offered jobs to current cabinet members, including Nandy.
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Russia may be planning another military draft to support its war in Ukraine, following heavy losses and difficulties maintaining troop numbers. The Russian government is preparing training and mobilization systems while facing significant challenges from Ukrainian attacks on its infrastructure.
Key Facts
In September 2022, Russia launched a partial military draft, leading to 800,000 to 1 million people leaving the country.
Many young and educated Russians left, causing a brain drain in fields like science and technology.
Russia has avoided a full draft since then, relying on foreign and contract soldiers to fight in Ukraine.
Russia is recruiting about 30,000 new soldiers monthly with large signing bonuses, but many recruits have very short survival times.
Ukrainian drone strikes recently damaged Russian energy infrastructure, causing fuel shortages and export limits.
Russia is strengthening air defenses but still faces serious military and economic challenges.
Russian officials are preparing for a possible new draft after the 2026 parliamentary elections.
Measures include digital summons and travel bans to prevent those drafted from leaving Russia.
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Many university graduates in Gaza struggle to find jobs due to the ongoing war, economic hardship, and Israel’s blockade. Unemployment in Gaza is very high, causing severe poverty and forcing people to accept any available work to support their families.
Key Facts
Around 80% of Palestinians in Gaza do not have jobs.
The war that began in October 2023 has caused Gaza’s economy to shrink by more than 82%.
Over 73,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict.
Israel’s blockade of Gaza has lasted since 2007, restricting movement and trade.
More than 80% of people in Gaza now rely on humanitarian aid to survive.
Many graduates, including those with degrees in English and engineering, apply for jobs outside their fields because they need any income.
Electricity cuts, poor internet access, and restrictions on movement make job searching very hard.
Long-term unemployment leads to loss of skills and increases poverty and social problems in Gaza.
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Prince Harry is in the UK to prepare for the 2027 Invictus Games, a sports event for injured veterans that he founded. His visit has faced issues like disagreement over police protection for his family, accommodation problems, and a recent lost lawsuit against a newspaper.
Key Facts
Prince Harry will attend a “one year to go” event for the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham, scheduled for July 10–17, 2027.
The Invictus Games support wounded, injured, and sick service members and veterans.
Harry planned to bring his wife Meghan Markle and their children but was denied police protection in the UK.
Without police protection, Harry feels it is unsafe for his family to visit.
Buckingham Palace withdrew an accommodation offer after Harry missed the deadline to accept it.
Harry lost a major privacy lawsuit against the Daily Mail’s publisher shortly before the Birmingham event.
Meghan Markle will not attend the Birmingham events, but the family might visit the UK later.
A special train called the “Spirit of Invictus” was launched to honor the countdown to the games.
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A police officer was injured and several people were arrested after violent clashes in London following France’s 2-0 win over Morocco in the World Cup quarter-final. Celebrations in France included a fatal accident where a 17-year-old girl died after falling from a truck.
Key Facts
The incident in London happened on Edgware Road after the France vs. Morocco World Cup game.
Flares were lit and objects like bottles were thrown at police officers during the disorder.
One police officer was hospitalized with a head injury after being hit by a glass bottle.
Four people were arrested for violent disorder in London, and the road was reopened around 1 a.m.
After the England-Mexico match, 223 incidents were reported in England and Wales, including hate crimes and domestic abuse, with 42 arrests.
In France, a 17-year-old girl died after falling from a truck during celebrations. The truck driver was detained.
Hundreds celebrated France’s victory in the streets of Paris, with heavy police presence for security.
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Andy Burnham is set to become the next Labour leader and UK Prime Minister, having secured the majority of nominations from Labour MPs. However, nearly 80 Labour MPs have criticized the home secretary Shabana Mahmood’s new immigration policy, which would require migrants to wait up to 10 years for indefinite leave to remain, saying it could harm the party’s image and lose progressive voters.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham has received 322 nominations from Labour MPs, securing his position as the next Labour leader and Prime Minister.
Labour’s left and moderate wings currently support Burnham, but this unity may change.
Burnham apologized for Labour’s initial response to the Israel-Hamas conflict, admitting the party “didn’t get it right.”
Around 80 Labour MPs wrote a letter criticizing Shabana Mahmood’s plan to increase the wait time for migrants to gain indefinite leave to remain from 5 to 10 years.
The MPs argue the policy is unfair, could cost billions, and risks losing progressive voters by appearing too harsh on migrants who followed the rules.
They warn the UK would become an international outlier with such long settlement periods, weakening its attractiveness as a place to live, study, and work.
The letter suggests Burnham should consider removing Mahmood from her Home Office role, despite Burnham’s recent public support for her policies.
Reform UK, a political party mentioned as a comparison, is facing financial problems.
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Ann Widdecombe, a British politician and reality TV star, has died at age 78. She was known for her long political career supporting Brexit and socially conservative views, as well as for her appearances on Strictly Come Dancing and other TV shows.
Key Facts
Ann Widdecombe was a Conservative MP for Maidstone for over 20 years before joining Reform UK.
She supported Brexit early and served as a Brexit Party MEP from 2019 until the UK left the EU in 2020.
Widdecombe appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, reaching the semi-finals, and later took part in Celebrity Big Brother.
She held strong socially conservative views, opposing abortion, assisted dying, and gay rights, and supported bringing back the death penalty.
Born in 1947, she studied Latin and then Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Oxford.
Widdecombe served as prisons minister from 1995 and held shadow cabinet roles after 1997.
She converted to Catholicism in the 1990s and received a papal honor in 2013.
Beyond politics, she was an animal lover, founding a website section for her cats and supporting animal causes.
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A study of free-roaming cats in New York City found that over half carry parasites that can spread to people. Young male cats were the main source of parasite eggs contaminating the environment, which could pose public health risks.
Key Facts
Researchers tested 87 free-roaming cats caught in New York City between May and July 2023.
57.5% of these cats carried at least one type of parasite.
The most common parasite was Toxocara, a roundworm found in 54% of cats.
Young male cats were "super-shedders," releasing more parasite eggs than others.
Parasites found can infect humans, potentially causing serious health problems, especially in children and pregnant women.
Parasite eggs from cat feces can survive in soil for a long time, posing risks in places like sandboxes.
Experts recommend washing hands after outdoor activities, wearing gloves when working with soil, and controlling cat populations through Trap Neuter Return (TNR) programs.
The NYC Health Department monitors diseases that can spread between animals and people and works with health professionals to manage risks.
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Hamas has announced it will dissolve its Gaza governing body and transfer civilian control to a new Palestinian group called the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), backed by the United States. This move aims to address concerns from Israel and its allies about Hamas’s rule, but questions about security and political acceptance remain unresolved.
Key Facts
Hamas ruled Gaza and was seen by Israel and its allies as an obstacle to peace.
Hamas plans to hand over civilian administration to the NCAG, a non-Hamas Palestinian body.
The NCAG would be made up of professionals like engineers and lawyers, not political party members.
This new administration would manage public services and reconstruction in Gaza.
Israel and others still have concerns about disarmament and security oversight.
The legitimacy of Palestinian leadership has often been influenced by external countries.
Past Palestinian elections led to political isolation of Hamas when it won.
Israel has resisted Palestinian political control that could lead to full sovereignty.
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Swift bird nests were reportedly destroyed during house renovations in South Tyneside, England. Local wildlife groups and the council are investigating the incident because it is illegal to disturb or destroy active bird nests.
Key Facts
Swift nests were found damaged and debris was thrown into a skip (a large waste container) during renovations in Jarrow, South Tyneside.
A rescued young swift was taken to a local wildlife center and is recovering.
The Northern Swifts Group suspects more than one nest was destroyed, as swifts often nest close together.
It is against the law in the UK to disturb wild bird nests when they are being used.
Swift populations in the UK have dropped by about 70% since 1995, partly due to loss of nesting sites in buildings.
Renovations and building work can harm swifts if nests are blocked or removed.
The council stopped the work after learning about the damage and is conducting an investigation.
Contractors are supposed to receive training about protecting wildlife before starting such works.
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Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are rising, risking a new war that could affect Europe’s military supplies. European countries want to strengthen their own defense but face challenges like lack of coordination and dependence on U.S. weapons amid conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war.
Key Facts
Fresh clashes between the U.S. and Iran and President Trump’s threats endanger a ceasefire and push the Persian Gulf toward possible war.
Europe is struggling to get enough U.S. arms because of growing global conflicts and strained relations with the U.S.
European leaders want more independence in defense and have increased spending to build their military industries.
Experts say Europe is still not ready to fully defend itself without U.S. support, creating a risky transition period.
Lack of coordination between EU countries and different defense practices make building a strong European military difficult.
The European Union is investing heavily in defense programs but remains partly dependent on U.S. military equipment due to a recent trade deal.
President Trump has pressured European allies to buy more U.S. arms while also demanding they contribute more to their own defense budgets.
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war could escalate and catch Europe unprepared if it spreads into NATO territory.
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The Bayeux Tapestry has arrived in Britain for the first time in nearly 1,000 years. The medieval artwork, showing the Norman conquest of England in 1066, is on display at the British Museum until July 2027 as part of a cultural exchange between France and Britain.
Key Facts
The Bayeux Tapestry is about 70 meters long and made of wool stitched on linen.
It depicts the 1066 Norman conquest of England, including the Battle of Hastings.
The tapestry was likely made in England and later taken to France.
It arrived in London in a secret, high-security operation involving a climate-controlled case and police escort.
This is the first time the tapestry has returned to Britain since it was created nearly 1,000 years ago.
French President Emmanuel Macron described the loan as a symbol of friendship between France and Britain.
The British Museum will loan France Anglo-Saxon artifacts from the Sutton Hoo ship burial in exchange.
The exhibition at the British Museum has already sold thousands of tickets.
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