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Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's far-right National Rally party, faces a court decision that could stop her from running in the 2027 presidential election. She was convicted of misusing European Parliament funds, and if the appeals court upholds the conviction and ban, her political career might be blocked, with her party possibly choosing Jordan Bardella as her replacement.
Key Facts
Marine Le Pen and other National Rally members were found guilty of illegally using EU Parliament funds from 2004 to 2016.
The lower court gave Le Pen a suspended prison sentence and a five-year ban on holding elected office.
The Paris appeals court is reviewing whether Le Pen can run for president in 2027.
If Le Pen is barred, her party would likely select Jordan Bardella, 30, as the presidential candidate.
Le Pen denies wrongdoing and is appealing to remain eligible for a fourth presidential run.
President Emmanuel Macron cannot run for a third consecutive term in 2027 due to constitutional limits.
The ruling could affect the political balance in France and the European Union, given Le Pen’s critical stance on the EU.
The appeals court verdict is expected to take several hours to be announced.
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NATO is holding a summit in Ankara, Turkey, where it will announce new military projects worth billions of dollars. The goal is to show U.S. President Donald Trump that European allies are increasing defense spending and building real military power, addressing his past concerns about NATO’s capabilities and commitment.
Key Facts
The NATO summit in Ankara is a two-day meeting focused on the alliance’s future.
NATO plans to reveal new defense contracts worth tens of billions of dollars, many involving U.S. defense companies.
President Trump has criticized NATO as weak and too dependent on American arms and leadership.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte highlighted $1.2 trillion spent on defense by European allies and Canada since 2017.
Trump remains unhappy with some NATO members refusing to join the Iran war, expressing a desire for loyalty over money.
One major contract expected is the replacement of NATO’s old surveillance planes, some of which are nearly 50 years old.
Some military projects will be funded through an EU-backed loan system raising up to $170 billion for defense.
NATO itself does not own weapons; military equipment belongs to its 32 member countries.
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A powerful earthquake in Venezuela’s coastal town of Caraballeda destroyed homes belonging to both wealthy yacht owners and lower-income public housing residents. The disaster left about 17,000 people homeless and caused over 3,500 deaths. Survivors now face uncertainty about where they will live as the government struggles to respond.
Key Facts
Caraballeda is a coastal town in Venezuela where rich and poor once lived side by side.
A strong earthquake on June 24, 2026, flattened many homes within seconds.
Official death toll from the earthquake is over 3,500 people.
Around 17,000 survivors lost their homes and are now homeless.
Venezuela’s government has a history of providing housing but faces criticism for poor disaster response.
Many residents lived in government-assigned apartments without property deeds.
The housing crisis worsens as survivors wait for aid and new homes.
The earthquake affected both luxury apartments with marina access and public housing towers.
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A Bollywood film trailer about Kashmir’s protests has upset people who suffered pellet gun injuries from Indian security forces during unrest in the region. The film shows an Indian officer facing protesters and describes pellet guns as causing "limited damage," but many Kashmiris have lost their eyesight or been severely hurt by these weapons over the past decade.
Key Facts
Pellet guns, which fire hundreds of small metal pellets, have been used by Indian forces in Kashmir since 2010 to control protests.
These pellets can cause serious injuries, including permanent blindness, as with Feroz Aslam who lost his sight after being hit.
Over 1,000 Kashmiris have lost partial or full vision due to pellet gun injuries.
The Bollywood film “Chauhaan,” set to release in October 2027, features an Indian security officer and refers to pellet guns as only causing “limited damage.”
The trailer’s portrayal has angered victims and others in Kashmir who feel it downplays their suffering.
Large protests in 2016 followed the killing of Burhan Wani, a rebel leader, leading to many injuries and deaths in Kashmir.
Some pellet gun victims include very young children and teenagers who have suffered severe physical harm.
The film’s depiction touches on a sensitive and ongoing conflict in the disputed Kashmir region, claimed by both India and Pakistan.
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Stephanie’s son Ben was born with serious health problems but took eight years to get a diagnosis of You-Hoover-Fong syndrome, a very rare genetic disorder. After the diagnosis, Stephanie left her job to care for Ben full time and created Blue Badgers, an app to help disabled people and their carers find discounts and information about accessible places.
Key Facts
Ben was born weighing only 3 pounds and had trouble feeding and developing normally.
He had surgery at six months old to remove cataracts.
Doctors took eight years to diagnose him with You-Hoover-Fong syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting about 40 people worldwide.
Stephanie balanced working as a lawyer while caring for Ben before becoming a full-time carer.
Stephanie founded Blue Badgers, a platform and app providing discounts and accessibility info for disabled people and unpaid carers.
The app includes an interactive map where users can share details about accessible venues.
Stephanie created Blue Badgers after struggling to find disabled and carer tickets at a local attraction.
The goal is to support carers and disabled people by making information about accessible places easy to find.
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A heatwave in the UK at the end of June caused many people to lose sleep and feel unwell due to high temperatures. Scientists link this to global heating, which is making heatwaves more common and harder to manage.
Key Facts
Two out of three people in the UK had trouble sleeping during the late June heatwave.
Almost half of them lost three or more hours of sleep each night.
86% said their homes were too hot during the heatwave.
One in four people or their household members felt physically unwell because of the heat.
One in five people cancelled plans or threw away food that couldn’t be kept cool.
The UK has had over 10,000 deaths linked to heatwaves between 2020 and 2024.
More than half of people said their homes need upgrades to handle heat, but 78% cannot afford the cost.
Most people support taxing polluting companies to pay for home improvements to cope with heat.
The UK Climate Change Committee says the country must urgently update buildings for the hotter climate.
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A secret investigation found that MI5 knew an agent they protected was violent and treated women badly but did not properly review his behavior. The agent, called Agent X, attacked his girlfriend and had extreme views, yet MI5 continued to use him and gave false information about his role in court. The watchdog ordered MI5 to make changes and keep supervising its work with agents like him.
Key Facts
MI5 used an agent known as Agent X who was involved in violent and abusive behavior.
Agent X attacked his girlfriend with a machete and controlled her through coercion.
MI5 knew Agent X was openly hateful towards women and interested in violence.
The watchdog IPCO said MI5 failed to properly check if Agent X was safe or suitable to be an agent.
MI5 gave false evidence to courts and misled the watchdog about Agent X’s status.
IPCO required MI5 to fix its mistakes and update its rules and practices.
The agent continued intelligence work abroad even while under investigation.
The girlfriend of Agent X is asking MI5 to apologize for their failure to act.
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India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta to discuss stronger economic and defense partnerships. They talked about areas like trade, security, energy, and education, with plans to sign several agreements during the visit.
Key Facts
Modi and Prabowo met at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on July 7, 2026.
The meeting focused on defense, security, trade, investment, food and energy security, critical minerals, health, and education.
Eight agreements and several memorandums of understanding were expected to be signed during the visit.
Modi’s trip to Indonesia is part of a larger visit to Indo-Pacific countries including Australia and New Zealand.
Modi’s plane was escorted by three fighter jets, showing the importance Indonesia places on the relationship.
Indonesia and India are members of the Group of 20 (G20) and BRICS, groups of major developing economies.
This was Modi’s second visit to Indonesia as prime minister; Prabowo was the chief guest at India’s Republic Day last year.
Modi planned to address the Indonesian Parliament and meet with the local Indian community during the visit.
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Thousands of people gathered at Jamkaran Mosque near Qom for a funeral service for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The funeral ceremonies will continue in the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala in Iraq, with the final burial planned in Khamenei’s hometown, Mashhad.
Key Facts
Ali Khamenei was Iran’s Supreme Leader.
Tens of thousands attended his funeral service at Jamkaran Mosque near Qom.
The funeral events will also take place in Najaf and Karbala, two important religious cities in Iraq.
The final burial will be in Mashhad, Khamenei’s hometown.
The gathering shows the significance of Khamenei in the region’s religious and political life.
Qom is a holy city in Iran known for religious importance.
Najaf and Karbala are key cities in Shia Islam located in Iraq.
The funeral ceremonies are part of traditional mourning practices for major religious leaders.
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Cuba experienced a nationwide power outage for the third time in six months, affecting almost 10 million people. The state-run Electric Union said they are investigating what caused the blackout.
Key Facts
Nearly 10 million people in Cuba lost power during the blackout.
This is the third nationwide blackout in six months.
The blackout happened on a Monday.
The Electric Union in Cuba is the government agency in charge of electricity.
Officials are still investigating the reason for the power outage.
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Prince Harry and six others, including Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley, sued the Daily Mail’s publisher for invading their privacy using illegal methods. The London High Court will soon decide on the case, which is part of a larger phone hacking scandal.
Key Facts
Prince Harry led a group suing Associated Newspapers Ltd, publisher of the Daily Mail, for privacy invasion.
The lawsuit accuses the publisher of illegal phone tapping, voicemail interception, and obtaining personal info by deception.
The trial lasted 11 weeks and cost around 40 million pounds ($53.5 million).
Other plaintiffs include singer Elton John and actors Elizabeth Hurley and Sadie Frost.
The newspapers deny the claims and say their stories came from legal sources like friends and aides.
Prince Harry has criticized the press for causing harm to his family, including his late mother, Princess Diana.
Harry previously won privacy cases against other British tabloids, including the Daily Mirror and The Sun.
This is one of several lawsuits linked to a long-running phone hacking scandal in the UK.
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Nashville regularly faces dangerous storms like tornadoes, and locals rely on a volunteer group called Nashville Severe Weather for timely updates and safety advice. The group uses social media and livestreams to give real-time information, helping people know when to take cover and when it is safe again.
Key Facts
Nashville experiences tornadoes and severe storms on a regular basis.
Nashville Severe Weather is a group of volunteers providing storm updates and safety guidance.
The volunteers share live weather information on platforms like YouTube and social media.
Their audience includes many younger people who prefer quick updates on their phones over traditional news.
The group started over ten years ago as a Twitter feed and blog and has grown into a trusted local resource.
The volunteers live in the area and face the same weather threats as their viewers.
The group’s approach is calm and focused on preparedness, helping reduce panic during storms.
The service draws tens of thousands of viewers and encourages real-time interaction.
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At least 16 people remain buried after a landslide in Gansu province, western China, while 17 others were rescued. Heavy storms have also caused deaths and injuries in eastern and central China, with more severe weather and a typhoon expected soon.
Key Facts
A landslide in Gansu province trapped 33 people; 17 have been rescued and 16 are still buried.
Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered a full rescue effort following the landslide.
The cause of the landslide is not yet clear.
Severe thunderstorms recently hit Hubei province, killing at least eight people and injuring 275.
Winds in some cities reached up to 149 km/h (92.58 mph).
Forecasters warned of heavy rain in southeastern and eastern China, which may cause more landslides and tornadoes.
About 200 million people live in areas expected to face heavy rain.
Super Typhoon Bavi is approaching Taiwan with winds up to 290 km/h (180 mph), moving across nearby islands.
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A tanker caught fire after being hit by a projectile while traveling near Oman in the Strait of Hormuz. The attack is part of ongoing tensions in the area, where important oil and gas shipments pass through a key waterway.
Key Facts
The tanker was hit early Tuesday near Limah, Oman, in the Strait of Hormuz.
The UK military reported the projectile struck the port side (left side) of the vessel.
The tanker was heading south toward the Gulf of Oman when attacked.
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial route for about one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas.
Iranian TV claimed the ship was attacked after ignoring warnings but did not directly say Iran was responsible.
Iran says only its approved route through the strait is safe and has reportedly attacked ships using other paths.
Talks between Iran and the United States on ending the conflict are paused due to the recent death of Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Khamenei’s body was moved to Qom, a religious city, where people paid their respects.
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NATO leaders are meeting in Ankara during a tense time, as President Trump pressures allies to increase their defense spending. NATO members plan to announce new arms deals and commit about €70 billion in military aid to Ukraine, while discussions focus on fulfilling previous spending promises.
Key Facts
NATO leaders will meet in Ankara for a two-day summit.
President Trump expects NATO allies to increase defense spending to 5% of their GDP.
NATO members will announce tens of billions in new arms contracts during the summit.
Allies plan to commit around €70 billion in military aid to Ukraine over 2023 and 2024.
In 2022, European members and Canada pledged to raise defense spending, including infrastructure to support military movements.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says the focus is on delivering spending commitments, not pleasing anyone.
President Trump has publicly criticized NATO members for not spending enough on defense and compared their budgets to the US.
US plans include reducing some military forces in Europe if a conflict with Russia occurs, depending on how much countries spend on defense.
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Europe is concerned that the United States may not be able to supply weapons it promised to NATO allies because US military stockpiles are running low after conflicts in Ukraine and Iran. NATO leaders, including President Donald Trump, are meeting in Turkey to discuss European defense spending and the US’s future support for the alliance.
Key Facts
The US has delayed or canceled deliveries of key weapons like Tomahawk missiles, Himars rocket artillery, and Patriot missiles to European NATO countries.
US stockpiles of Patriot missiles have been heavily used, especially due to the war with Iran, with about 50% expended by April this year.
These missiles are important to defend against attacks in Ukraine and protect Europe against possible conflict with Russia.
Ukraine’s president said recent Russian attacks overwhelmed their missile defenses, partly because of a shortage of interceptor missiles.
European countries are unhappy about the US shortages but are cautious about openly criticizing the Trump administration.
The US wants NATO allies to raise their defense spending to 5% of GDP and spend much of it on buying American weapons.
Europe plans to increase its own weapons production, but this could take 5 to 10 years, creating a risky gap during which Europe may be less defended.
The US may prioritize sending weapons to allies like Israel, and it could take over 3 years to restock some missile supplies fully.
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A new study shows that dowry-related deaths of women in India have increased but no longer cause public anger or widespread protests. Despite being illegal since 1961, dowry demands remain common, leading to abuse and murder when families cannot meet these demands.
Key Facts
In 2022, there were 6,516 dowry deaths in India, up from 1,841 in 1988.
Dowries were banned in India in 1961 but are still widely demanded by grooms’ families.
Women unable to pay dowries suffer abuse, harassment, and sometimes murder.
Earlier public protests have faded due to political control and changing social attitudes.
Dowry demands have become a “premium on the male child,” linked to the groom’s economic status.
Methods of dowry-related killings evolved from staged accidents to driving women to suicide.
Sex-selective abortion has increased as some families try to avoid future dowry costs.
The ratio of girls to boys in India has become unbalanced, with fewer girls born in some regions.
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Marine Le Pen, a far-right French politician, is waiting for a court decision that will decide if she can run in the next presidential election. She faces a ban from holding office after being convicted of using European parliament funds improperly to pay party staff.
Key Facts
Le Pen leads the far-right National Rally party and is a top candidate for France’s 2027 presidential election.
A lower court banned her from public office for five years and gave her a prison sentence related to misuse of European Union funds.
The court found that Le Pen’s party used EU money to pay workers in France between 2004 and 2016.
Le Pen appealed the ban and denies any wrongdoing, calling the case a “witch-hunt.”
The appeals court ruling will decide if she or her party colleague Jordan Bardella leads the party into next year’s election.
Possible outcomes include reducing or lifting the ban, or confirming it, which could end Le Pen’s campaign chances.
Le Pen has said she will only run if she can campaign freely without restrictions.
If banned, she could try to appeal again to France’s highest court, but she is unsure about doing this.
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A court in eastern China sentenced Yang Youlin, a former city official in Nanjing, to death for accepting over 2.2 billion yuan (about $325 million) in bribes over 30 years. He was also found guilty of embezzlement, abuse of power, and money laundering as part of President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign.
Key Facts
Yang Youlin worked in various official roles in Nanjing city from 1993 to 2023.
He took bribes totaling more than 2.2 billion yuan ($325 million).
Yang helped others get engineering contracts, land deals, and financing in exchange for money and valuables.
He was convicted of embezzlement, abuse of power, and money laundering.
His case was part of President Xi Jinping’s wide anti-corruption drive targeting many sectors.
Death sentences for corruption are rare but given when bribes exceed 1 billion yuan.
Yang admitted guilt and showed remorse but his crimes were considered very serious by the court.
Similar past cases include other officials sentenced to death for large-scale bribery and corruption.
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