Tropical Storm Bertha is getting stronger in the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf Coast is preparing for heavy rain and possible dangerous flooding caused by the storm.
Key Facts
Tropical Storm Bertha is currently active in the Gulf of Mexico.
The storm is increasing in strength.
Areas along the Gulf Coast are expecting heavy rainfall.
There is a risk of flooding from both rain and storm surge, which is water pushed onto land by winds.
Meteorologists are tracking the storm's path closely.
Local communities are taking steps to prepare for potential flooding and dangerous conditions.
Officials may issue warnings to keep people safe from the storm’s impact.
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The Lebanese army has started sending troops to three towns in southern Lebanon. This move is part of a plan supported by the United States to improve security and prevent Hezbollah, a military group, from operating in these areas.
Key Facts
The Lebanese army is deploying in three southern towns.
This deployment is part of a new framework agreement.
The agreement is supported by the United States.
The plan aims to improve security in southern Lebanon.
A main goal is to keep the group Hezbollah out of these towns.
The areas where the army is deploying are called "pilot zones."
The Lebanese army’s ability to maintain security in these zones will be tested.
The agreement involves cooperation linked to Israel.
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Moldova’s parliament elected Vasile Tofan as the new prime minister and approved his government. Tofan’s main goal is to improve the economy and continue Moldova’s process to join the European Union.
Key Facts
Vasile Tofan was elected prime minister with 53 votes in favor, 21 against, and 21 abstentions.
He replaces Alexandru Munteanu, who resigned after only eight months in office.
Tofan is not linked to any political party but was nominated by President Maia Sandu and supported by her party.
Moldova aims to advance EU membership talks, with a plan to join the EU by 2030.
Moldova received EU candidate status in 2022 and started formal membership talks with the EU last month.
The new government plans to revive the economy, reduce budget deficits, and sell state-owned companies.
Moldova is one of Europe’s poorest countries, with a 2.4% economic growth last year.
Moldova’s politics often shift between pro-European and pro-Russian groups; the EU accuses Russia of interfering in Moldova’s elections.
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Lebanon’s president recently visited President Donald Trump at the White House, marking the first visit by a Lebanese leader in almost 20 years. Lebanon and Israel have restarted diplomatic relations with a new agreement aimed at stopping long-standing conflicts, but many people in southern Lebanon remain doubtful and violence continues.
Key Facts
Lebanon's president met with President Donald Trump at the White House.
This was the first visit by a Lebanese head of state to the U.S. in nearly 20 years.
Lebanon and Israel resumed diplomatic relations under President Trump’s administration.
A new deal was signed to try to end decades of war between Lebanon and Israel.
Many people in southern Lebanon are skeptical about the new agreement.
Violence in the region continues despite the deal.
The special correspondent reporting on this is Simona Foltyn.
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Millions of people along the U.S. Gulf Coast are getting ready for Tropical Storm Bertha. In Ukraine, President Zelenskyy removed the commander-in-chief of the country’s armed forces. In New Jersey, officials reported that over 6,000 noncitizens registered to vote recently, but fewer than 400 actually voted.
Key Facts
Tropical Storm Bertha is expected to affect millions along the Gulf Coast.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy fired the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces.
This firing is part of changes in Ukraine’s top military leadership.
New Jersey’s governor said more than 6,000 noncitizens registered to vote in 2023 and 2024.
Fewer than 400 of those registered noncitizens cast a ballot.
The voter registration and turnout numbers were reported by New Jersey’s governor.
The situations reported involve weather, military leadership, and voting registration.
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A humanitarian worker was flown from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to a London hospital for monitoring after possible exposure to Ebola. The worker shows no symptoms and is being kept in isolation as a safety precaution during the virus's incubation period.
Key Facts
The worker was treating Ebola patients in the DRC before evacuation.
The UK Health Security Agency arranged a special flight to bring the person to London.
The individual currently shows no signs of Ebola and remains healthy.
Ebola’s incubation period is between 2 and 21 days; the person will be isolated and monitored during this time.
No confirmed Ebola cases exist in the UK, and the risk to the public is low.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated items.
Symptoms include fever, pain, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and organ problems.
In May, WHO declared an Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda a global health emergency.
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The Tokyo Metropolitan Government encourages office workers to wear shorts and casual clothes during hot summer months to stay cool and save energy. While some people welcome the change, some women say the policy is unfair because they must still wear tights and feel uncomfortable seeing men’s leg hair at work.
Key Facts
Tokyo’s government started promoting "Tokyo Cool Biz," allowing shorts and casual wear in offices to help people cope with summer heat.
The initiative builds on a previous campaign called "Cool Biz," started in 2005 to save energy by loosening office dress codes.
A survey showed 53.5% of people opposed wearing shorts at work, mainly due to concerns about body shape and body hair.
Women are more likely than men to feel uncomfortable seeing men’s bare legs and leg hair, calling it "leg hair harassment" or "sunehara."
Some men have started removing leg hair with laser treatments to avoid offending female coworkers.
Japan is experiencing record summer heat, with warnings about "brutally hot days" over 40°C (104°F).
Heatstroke cases have increased, with several deaths and thousands hospitalized recently.
People are also using cooling products like clothes with fans, wet towels, and portable fans to manage the heat.
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Anna Deavere Smith, an actress and playwright, has created a new play called "Basil Biggs" that explores her family history. She spoke about this project during an interview in Philadelphia for the arts and culture series CANVAS.
Key Facts
Anna Deavere Smith is known for her acting roles in TV shows like “The West Wing” and “Nurse Jackie.”
She is also recognized as a playwright, creating unique theatrical dramas about American life.
Her newest work, "Basil Biggs," focuses on her own family's past.
Jeffrey Brown interviewed her in Philadelphia about this project.
The interview is part of an arts and culture series called CANVAS.
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Thousands of dead fish were found in a canal in Sint Maarten, marking the largest fish kill in the area. Officials are working to clean up the fish but face challenges due to limited local equipment.
Key Facts
The fish kill happened in a floodgate canal near Philipsburg, the capital of Sint Maarten.
Thousands of invasive tilapia fish died, likely due to a severe drop in oxygen levels in the water.
Cleanup efforts include using backhoes, and officials are considering small boats and nets to remove the fish.
The strong smell from the dead fish has affected the nearby area.
Local authorities say equipment for this large cleanup is not available on the island.
Fish kills in this region often happen between May and October, the hottest and driest months.
The Nature Foundation of Sint Maarten collected water samples and advised people not to eat the dead fish.
The foundation confirmed that photos and videos of the fish kill are real and not computer-generated images.
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Five adults, including two married couples from Honduras, drowned in Ohio’s Scioto River after trying to help one person who was struggling to swim. The two women’s bodies were recovered Sunday, and the three men’s bodies were found on Monday. Honduran authorities are working with U.S. officials to repatriate the bodies and care for the victims’ children.
Key Facts
Five adults drowned in the Scioto River in Ohio after entering the water to help someone having trouble swimming.
Two of the couples were from Honduras; four of the five adults have been confirmed as Honduran citizens.
The two women’s bodies were recovered on Sunday, and the three men’s bodies on Monday.
The victims’ children, aged 8 and 10, are currently under the care of the state of Ohio.
Honduran officials are coordinating with U.S. authorities to bring the bodies back to Honduras; this process may take at least a month.
One child escaped the riverbank during the incident and cried out for his mother while running near a busy road.
A GoFundMe campaign has been started to help with funeral, transportation, and childcare expenses.
The river was running high and fast despite appearing calm on the surface at the time of the tragedy.
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Andy Burnham became the new prime minister of the U.K., replacing Keir Starmer and forming a new Cabinet. He promised to focus on lowering the cost of living and addressing major issues like homelessness, while also changing key government roles and preparing to manage foreign relations, including with President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham was appointed as the U.K.’s new prime minister, succeeding Keir Starmer.
Burnham’s first Cabinet meeting focused on a "one-team approach" despite removing many of Starmer’s supporters.
Burnham announced a tax cut on electricity bills saving the average household about £45 a year, starting October 1.
The government will fund this tax cut by cancelling a planned digital ID card program from Starmer’s time.
Key Cabinet changes include John Healey as finance minister and Wes Streeting now defense secretary.
Burnham aims to ease the cost of living, decentralize power, boost industry, and end homelessness.
Burnham has limited foreign policy experience but has already spoken warmly with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Burnham also communicated with leaders like Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy and French President Macron.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy replaced the country’s military commander Oleksandr Syrskyi with Mykhailo Drapatyi after protests called for changes in military leadership. The changes come amid ongoing conflict with Russia and rising civilian casualties reported by the United Nations.
Key Facts
President Zelenskyy fired Oleksandr Syrskyi as Ukraine’s commander-in-chief.
Mykhailo Drapatyi was appointed as the new military leader.
The leadership change followed protests after the removal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
Protesters wanted better military plans and accountability due to rising Ukrainian war casualties.
The UN reported a 37% rise in civilian deaths and injuries in Ukraine during the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year.
Both Ukraine and Russia have increased air strikes targeting important infrastructure.
Ukraine is short of Patriot interceptor missiles used to defend against Russian ballistic missiles.
Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russian targets, including oil depots, causing casualties and damage.
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In Port Talbot, Wales, a busy section of the M4 motorway runs on elevated concrete pillars about 45 feet above some people's back gardens. Residents say the motorway provides shelter from rain and sun, and they have adapted to the noise and other effects of living close to the road.
Key Facts
The M4 motorway in Port Talbot opened on 22 July 1966 and is one of the first sections of the UK motorway network.
Around 75,000 vehicles pass over the elevated section daily.
The motorway sits about 45 feet (14 meters) above some gardens and homes in the town.
Residents use the space under the motorway as a dry area and sunshade.
Noise from vehicles is described as a background sound, often unnoticed when inside homes.
People living nearby experience some litter from vehicles above.
The area beneath the motorway provides shelter for children to play even when it rains.
Building the motorway led to the demolition of homes and displacement of communities in Port Talbot.
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President Donald Trump said the United States will soon strike an area near Pickaxe Mountain in Iran. This site is a fortified underground location close to one of Iran's main nuclear enrichment facilities.
Key Facts
President Trump announced the U.S. will target the area near Pickaxe Mountain in Iran.
Pickaxe Mountain is a fortified underground site linked to Iran’s nuclear program.
The strike is planned to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Trump said the U.S. will hit that area "very heavily" and "pretty soon."
He was asked if Iran moved nuclear equipment to the site and said it only matters if Iran has uranium there.
Trump mentioned that the U.S. tracks nuclear material to understand where the activity is.
The comments came during a news briefing on Tuesday.
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The wreckage of a Pan Am plane that crashed near Puerto Rico in 1952, killing 52 people, has been found 2,000 feet underwater. This crash prompted the safety announcements we hear on every flight today about life vests and emergency exits. Explorers used an advanced underwater drone to locate the plane's remains.
Key Facts
The Pan Am plane, named Clipper Endeavor, crashed on Good Friday in 1952.
52 people died after the plane sank quickly in the ocean near Puerto Rico.
Survivors said panic made it hard to find life vests and rafts.
This crash led to the safety rules requiring flight attendants to explain emergency procedures before flights.
The wreck was found at a depth of around 2,000 feet using an autonomous underwater drone.
The discovery took years of research, using old Coast Guard and Pan Am records, and maps from Air Force pilots.
The search was helped by a company that usually works with military drones designed to find underwater mines.
The find may give hope to families searching for wreckage from other ocean crashes, like Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada is considering all possible responses after U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to impose new 50% tariffs on many Canadian goods in 30 days. Both leaders agreed to increase talks soon to try to reach a trade deal, but Carney did not confirm if he would visit Washington for negotiations.
Key Facts
President Trump plans to impose a 50% tariff on many goods from Canada starting in 30 days.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada is exploring all options to respond.
Carney and Trump agreed to "intensify discussions" about a possible trade deal soon.
Carney did not confirm any travel plans to Washington for further negotiations.
The tariffs threaten to impact trade between Canada and the United States.
The situation is part of ongoing trade tensions between the two countries.
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President Donald Trump said on July 21, 2026, that the United States is not finished with Iran and may soon target an underground nuclear site called Pickaxe Mountain. This statement comes amid ongoing conflict and military actions between the US and Iran in the Middle East.
Key Facts
President Trump announced a possible US attack on Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain nuclear complex.
Pickaxe Mountain is an underground facility related to Iran’s nuclear program.
The announcement was made on July 21, 2026.
The US and Iran have exchanged military strikes recently.
Three US soldiers have been killed in the conflict since the last ceasefire ended.
The situation has increased tensions in the Middle East, affecting countries like Lebanon and Israel.
President Trump continues to support allies in the region, including Lebanon.
This conflict involves concerns over nuclear weapons and regional security.
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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired General Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces after protests demanded his removal. Zelenskyy appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new army chief and offered former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov a government role focused on unifying Ukraine’s technology sector.
Key Facts
General Oleksandr Syrskyi was removed as commander-in-chief following mass protests in Kyiv and other cities.
Protesters wanted Syrskyi gone, accusing him of representing an old Soviet-style military leadership.
Mykhailo Drapatyi was appointed as the new head of Ukraine’s armed forces.
Zelenskyy thanked Syrskyi for his military achievements, including defending Kyiv and operations in Kharkiv and Kursk.
Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, supported by protesters, publicly criticized Syrskyi and pushed for reforms.
Zelenskyy offered Fedorov a government position to coordinate Ukraine’s technology sector.
Drapatyi pledged to serve responsibly and to respect the soldiers defending Ukraine.
It is uncertain if these changes will satisfy protesters or calm public unrest.
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Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy has replaced the country’s military commander Oleksandr Syrskyi with Mykhailo Drapati and plans to bring back the defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov after protests. Drapati will lead a reorganisation of the army and continue precision attacks on Russia, while Fedorov’s exact role remains unclear.
Key Facts
President Zelenskyy fired commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.
Mykhailo Drapati, a respected general, is appointed as the new head of Ukraine’s armed forces.
Drapati is known for fighting Russia since 2014 and pushing military reforms.
Zelenskyy will reinstate defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov after nationwide protests demanded his return.
Protesters threatened ongoing demonstrations until Fedorov was restored.
Drapati and Fedorov are allies focused on modernizing Ukraine’s military technology and strategy.
Zelenskyy thanked Syrskyi for his leadership during major battles and counter-invasion operations.
Drapati’s job includes reforming Ukraine’s defense strategy, army structure, and overseeing mobilization efforts.
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Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the replacement of the top military general, Oleksandr Syrskyi, after protests against the earlier removal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. The new general, Major General Mykhailo Drapatiy, is seen as more aligned with reform efforts and closer to Fedorov.
Key Facts
President Zelenskyy removed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov last week, citing a conflict between Fedorov and the military commander Syrskyi.
The decision to fire Fedorov caused protests across Ukraine, with many people demanding his return and Syrskyi's dismissal.
Fedorov was popular among younger Ukrainians for promoting technological reforms and fighting corruption in the military.
Some top defense officials resigned in protest, including the deputy commander of the Ukrainian Air Force.
Zelenskyy listened to public and political concerns and delayed final decisions before replacing Syrskyi.
Major General Mykhailo Drapatiy, who commands forces in the Kharkiv region, was appointed commander-in-chief.
Drapatiy is considered reform-minded and close to the removed Defense Minister Fedorov.
Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of unity and victory in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
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