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Australia and Fiji have signed a new defense agreement called the Ocean of Peace Alliance, making it Fiji’s first mutual defense treaty. The two countries also agreed on an economic deal involving over 1 billion Australian dollars in investment, aiming to strengthen security and economic ties in the Pacific region amid concerns about China’s growing influence.
Key Facts
Australia and Fiji signed the Ocean of Peace Alliance, a mutual defense treaty, on July 6, 2026.
Fiji’s Prime Minister is Sitiveni Rabuka; Australia’s Prime Minister is Anthony Albanese.
The treaty commits both countries to help each other in times of need.
Australia will invest more than 1 billion Australian dollars ($693 million) in Fiji over ten years through the Vuvale Union economic treaty.
This is Australia’s fourth mutual defense treaty, following agreements with the U.S., New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.
The treaty aims to counter China’s influence in the South Pacific after China signed a security deal with the Solomon Islands in 2022.
Fiji’s Prime Minister said the agreement does not threaten either country’s relationship with China.
Albanese plans to visit the Solomon Islands to discuss their security treaty with China and to meet with leaders from Papua New Guinea and Tonga.
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Ukrainian forces are using midrange drones to attack Russian supply routes. These drones help disrupt fuel, ammunition, and reinforcements, slowing down Russian advances and aiding Ukrainian counterattacks, including strikes on Crimea.
Key Facts
Ukrainian midrange drones target highways used by Russian forces to carry supplies.
These drones operate from command centers hundreds of kilometers away from the front lines.
The goal is to cut off supplies like food, ammunition, and batteries to Russian soldiers.
Attacks on supply lines help stall Russian troop movements and make logistics harder.
Previously, Ukrainian drones could not reach this supply corridor due to range limits.
New fixed-wing midrange drones with Starlink satellite communications have extended Ukraine’s reach.
Disrupting supplies supports Ukrainian counterattacks and efforts to isolate Crimea.
Soldiers use call signs instead of real names when speaking about drone operations.
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Six round objects called "space balls" washed up on beaches in northern Queensland. The Australian Space Agency said they likely came from a rocket that recently fell back to Earth from space.
Key Facts
The objects were found near Forrest Beach, north of Townsville, over three days.
They are pressure vessels, which hold fuel on a rocket and survive high heat during re-entry.
The Australian Space Agency believes the objects came from a foreign rocket that re-entered the atmosphere.
Police and fire services set safety zones around the debris and checked them for danger.
Australia follows an international treaty that says the country that launched the rocket owns its debris.
Australia is working with other countries to confirm exactly where the debris came from.
Experts warn people not to touch or move space debris but to call emergency services instead.
Similar space debris has fallen to Australia before, including parts from India’s rocket and NASA’s Skylab station.
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For the first time in over 80 years, nearly 10,000 soldiers from the British Indian Army who fought and died in World War One are being officially recognized. Their names have been added to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission casualty database after volunteers digitized records from Punjab, which was then part of India but now split between India and Pakistan.
Key Facts
About 1.4 million people from what are now India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh served in the British Indian Army during World War One.
Researchers found 9,909 names of soldiers who were missing from official casualty records.
These names came from detailed hand-written registers created in Punjab after the war.
The Punjab region was divided between India and Pakistan in 1947 after independence.
Volunteers from the UK Punjab Heritage Association digitized and studied these fragile records over several years.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has updated its database to include these soldiers for the first time since World War Two.
Many newly recognized soldiers died of wounds away from battle and were not included before because of old rules.
Around 25% of the newly added soldiers are Sikhs, 25% Hindus, and 40% Muslims, reflecting the diverse makeup of the army.
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Pizza Express conducted a private investigation in 2019 to check if Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor had visited their Woking restaurant as he claimed during a BBC Newsnight interview. The restaurant found no proof either confirming or denying his presence on the day he was accused of sexual misconduct involving Virginia Giuffre.
Key Facts
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor said in a 2019 interview that he was at a Pizza Express in Woking on the day Virginia Giuffre accused him of sexual assault.
The Pizza Express chain conducted an internal inquiry after the interview to verify his claim.
The restaurant searched for records and spoke to former staff but found no evidence to prove whether he had been there or not.
No witnesses or customers recalled seeing Mountbatten-Windsor at the Woking branch on that day in 2001.
Mountbatten-Windsor strongly denies any wrongdoing related to the allegations.
The accusations are linked to Jeffrey Epstein’s victims, with police investigating Mountbatten-Windsor for misconduct.
The interview involving the Pizza Express visit was widely reported and considered an “alibi” at the time.
The investigation took place because the claim was a matter of public interest following the interview.
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Andy Burnham is expected to become the next UK prime minister and will likely speak soon with President Donald Trump. Past UK leaders struggled with Trump’s unpredictable behavior, and experts say Burnham faces challenges in managing the UK-US relationship.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is expected to become UK prime minister soon.
President Donald Trump has Scottish roots and is interested in Britain.
Previous UK leaders had difficulty dealing with Trump’s unpredictable and demanding style.
Trump insulted previous British leaders and criticized UK military support.
Burnham was mayor of Greater Manchester and held UK government roles in 2008-2009.
Burnham has criticized US-style politics and Trump’s impact on global stability.
Experts say Trump respects kings more than prime ministers and often treats UK leaders poorly.
Burnham’s low recognition in the US might be an advantage in starting their relationship fresh.
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Prince Harry is visiting the UK soon to take part in charity events. There is much attention on whether his wife Meghan and their two children will join him, as security arrangements have not been confirmed by the government.
Key Facts
Prince Harry will attend charity events in the UK starting Tuesday.
The visit marks one year before the Invictus Games, which Harry founded.
British media are guessing if Meghan and their children, Archie and Lilibet, will come.
Bringing the children depends on the UK government approving security for the family.
A government committee called Ravec decides on state-funded protection for Harry.
Harry and Meghan do not receive automatic security because they are no longer working royals.
Harry says his family is still at risk due to their royal ties.
A High Court decision on Harry’s privacy lawsuit is expected soon and may affect the visit.
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Russian missile strikes hit buildings in Kyiv, killing at least nine people and injuring many others, including children. The attacks occurred just before a Nato summit in Turkey where Ukrainian President Zelensky and US President Donald Trump are expected to meet.
Key Facts
At least nine people were killed and 46 injured in Russian strikes on Kyiv.
Among the injured, at least five are children.
The strikes damaged apartment buildings, warehouses, and garages in the city.
Fires broke out in several apartment complexes following the missile hits.
Ukrainian officials warned of a second large assault on Kyiv shortly before the attacks.
Russia claimed it targeted military and energy facilities in retaliation for Ukrainian strikes.
Power outages occurred in Sevastopol, a city in Russian-occupied Crimea, overnight.
Ahead of the Nato summit, Zelensky called for faster delivery of long-range air defense missiles to Ukraine.
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New entertainment options are available this week, including the Rolling Stones’ latest album “Foreign Tongues,” the movie “Backrooms” now on streaming, and a reboot of the TV series “Little House on the Prairie.” Other new releases include films like “Reminders of Him” and “The Long Walk,” music albums from Adam Lambert and Finn Wolfhard, and the video game “College Football 27.”
Key Facts
The Rolling Stones’ new album “Foreign Tongues” comes out on July 10 and features guest artists like Robert Smith and Paul McCartney.
The movie “Backrooms,” directed by Kane Parsons and starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, will be available to stream for purchase starting July 7.
“Reminders of Him,” a movie about a woman rebuilding her life after prison, will stream on Peacock starting July 10.
HBO Max will release “The Long Walk” on July 10, a film based on a Stephen King story about a deadly contest among boys.
Actor Finn Wolfhard releases his second solo music album on July 10, following his debut year ago.
New albums from Adam Lambert and Finn Wolfhard, along with the “College Football 27” video game, are also launching this week.
The new “Little House on the Prairie” series is part of this week’s streaming offerings.
The Rolling Stones’ “Jealous Lover” music video features actors Anya Taylor-Joy and Charles Melton.
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President Donald Trump will attend the NATO summit in Turkey, where he plans to ensure that alliance members follow through on their promises to increase defense spending. Last year, most NATO countries agreed to raise their defense budgets to 5% of their economy over the next decade, responding to Trump’s demands.
Key Facts
President Trump successfully pushed NATO members last year to spend more on defense.
NATO countries have mostly agreed to spend 5% of their annual economy (GDP) on defense over ten years.
Trump’s goal at the Turkey summit is to make sure these countries keep their spending promises.
The U.S. ambassador to NATO confirmed that Trump expects immediate action from all members.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte showed Trump charts called “The Trump Trillion” to highlight increased spending by allies.
Trump has raised complaints about the U.S. paying more for defense compared to other NATO countries.
The Ankara meeting is seen as the first report card on NATO’s progress since last year.
Trump plans to meet with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy at the summit.
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Ernest Hemingway’s novel "The Sun Also Rises," published 100 years ago, helped make the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, famous worldwide. Many Americans, inspired by the book, travel to Pamplona to take part in the running of the bulls, a dangerous event where people run alongside bulls through city streets.
Key Facts
"The Sun Also Rises" was published in 1926 and made Pamplona famous.
The novel features the San Fermin festival and the running of the bulls.
Bill Hillmann, inspired by the book at age 19, has run with bulls hundreds of times and was injured by a bull three times.
Hillmann earned a doctorate in English and teaches the book at East-West University in Chicago.
Americans are the largest group of foreign participants in the San Fermin bull runs.
In 2022, 16% of the bull runners were Americans, the highest percentage among foreigners.
The San Fermin festival lasts nine days and begins with a firework over the city plaza.
The running of the bulls involves guiding bulls through cobblestone streets to the bull ring.
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Many schools in the UK struggled to keep students cool during a recent heat wave, with temperatures reaching record highs. Old buildings with poor ventilation and no air conditioning made it hard for students and teachers to stay comfortable, forcing some schools to close.
Key Facts
A heat wave hit the UK and record high temperatures, like 35.9°C (96.6°F) in Wales, disrupted schools.
Over 1,000 schools in the UK closed or sent children home early because of the heat.
Many school buildings are old and were built to keep warm, not cool, so they lack air conditioning and have poor ventilation.
Teachers and students tried to cope with handheld fans, water sprays, cold foods, and sitting on cooler floors.
Crowded classrooms with around 30 students each made overheating a health concern.
The situation revealed problems with public buildings across the UK being unprepared for more frequent, intense heat as climate change continues.
The British government’s climate advisers stated that buildings were designed for a past climate and need updating for new weather conditions.
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A 12-year-old Venezuelan girl named Fabiana was trapped under rubble for 32 hours after two strong earthquakes hit her area on June 24, 2024. She survived with only minor injuries by staying calm, moving rubble, and finding some ketchup and cheese to stay conscious until rescuers arrived.
Key Facts
Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela nearly at the same time on June 24, 2024.
The second earthquake had a magnitude of 7.5, one of the strongest in a century for the country.
Fabiana was inside her home when the building collapsed and she got trapped under debris.
She remained trapped for 32 hours with a fractured foot and minor cuts and scrapes.
Fabiana found a bottle of ketchup and grated cheese, which helped her stay alert.
A nurse trapped nearby called out and heard Fabiana respond, leading to hope for rescue.
Firefighters searched for Fabiana but initially could not find her.
She used her phone to record a video message as a way to signal for help.
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Ukraine aims to sign defense agreements with at least seven NATO countries by the end of the year, focusing on drone technology and related military knowledge. Kyiv has already made deals with six countries, including Middle Eastern states and NATO members Latvia and Lithuania, sharing expertise in drone defense and attack systems.
Key Facts
Ukraine has signed “drone deals” with six countries, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Azerbaijan, Latvia, and Lithuania.
The deals include sharing knowledge, components, and expertise, not just drones themselves.
Middle Eastern states sought Ukraine's support after being attacked by Iranian Shahed drones.
Ukraine provides advice on operating interceptor drones and integrating air defense systems.
Ukraine's defense industry is heavily focused on its own needs, so drone deliveries are not yet included in agreements.
The initiative helps Ukraine build new alliances and keeps its security issues on the global agenda.
NATO countries near Russia and Ukraine are increasingly focused on drone defense capabilities.
Ukraine’s experience is valuable because it has been defending against and using drones extensively in its conflict with Russia.
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Iran held a funeral procession in Tehran for its late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died after being killed in an airstrike earlier this year. The funeral will continue until Thursday, ending with Khamenei's burial in his hometown of Mashhad. Meanwhile, the U.S. and Iran are in talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and address Iran’s nuclear program, but discussions are paused during the funeral.
Key Facts
Iran began a funeral procession for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran.
Khamenei and some family members were killed in a February airstrike linked to Israel and the U.S.
The coffin, covered with the Iranian flag, is being moved through the city to Mehrabad International Airport.
Streets and airspace in Tehran were shut down for the mourning events, which last from Saturday to Thursday.
Khamenei will be buried at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, Iran.
The U.S. is negotiating with Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz and limit Iran’s nuclear program.
Negotiations are paused during the funeral period.
Some mourners have called for revenge against U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
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Russia attacked Kyiv and nearby areas with ballistic missiles and drones, killing at least eight people and hurting dozens. The attacks happened just before a NATO summit in Turkey, where President Trump and Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy plan to meet.
Key Facts
Russia used ballistic missiles and drones to strike Kyiv and surrounding regions.
At least eight people were killed, including seven in Kyiv and one in Bucha district.
Around 34 people were injured in Kyiv and nearby areas.
The attacks damaged apartment buildings and other structures overnight.
Kyiv’s mayor urged people to stay in shelters as air defenses worked to stop attacks.
Ukraine’s drones hit an oil terminal and port near St. Petersburg in Russia.
The conflict has intensified with long-range attacks from both sides, more than four years after Russia’s full invasion began.
President Trump and President Zelenskyy are expected to discuss the war during the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.
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Russia launched ballistic missile attacks on the Kyiv region in Ukraine, killing at least eight people and injuring dozens. This happened just before a NATO summit in Turkey where U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky planned to discuss the war, followed by Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Key Facts
Russia fired ballistic missiles into Kyiv’s region, resulting in deaths and injuries.
The attack on Kyiv was the second in less than a week.
Both Russia and Ukraine have increased long-range attacks in the conflict.
The war has lasted over four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion started.
Air defenses were active in Kyiv during the missile attacks.
The NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, begins on July 7, 2026.
Presidents Trump and Zelensky plan to meet during the summit to discuss the war.
Trump is scheduled to talk with Putin to try to restart peace negotiations.
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A sports stadium in La Guaira state, Venezuela, has been changed into a temporary shelter and aid center for thousands of people affected by recent earthquakes. Aid groups plan to use this shelter as a model for helping others in need.
Key Facts
The stadium is located in La Guaira state, Venezuela.
It now serves as a temporary home for earthquake victims.
The stadium also functions as a logistics center to organize aid.
Thousands of people are being sheltered there.
Aid organizations are involved in managing the shelter.
They want to use this shelter model for future disaster responses.
The change happened after earthquakes struck the region.
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Russia launched missile and drone attacks on Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, killing at least five people and damaging several residential buildings. The attacks caused buildings to collapse and people to be trapped under rubble while civilians took shelter in metro stations.
Key Facts
The attack hit Kyiv overnight into Monday and targeted residential areas.
At least five people were killed in the missile and drone strikes.
A building in the Podilskyi district partially collapsed.
Several multistory buildings in the Darnytsia district were damaged, with people believed trapped under rubble.
The attack included ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones.
Explosions were heard throughout the city as people sought shelter.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had warned of a large-scale attack nearby.
Zelenskyy asked Western countries to supply more Patriot missile systems to help defend Ukraine from future attacks.
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The United States has put sanctions on certain Rwandan businessmen and companies accused of helping fund the M23 armed group in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by illegally trading minerals. The US aims to stop the illegal mineral trade that is used to buy weapons and support the conflict, which has caused a serious humanitarian crisis.
Key Facts
The US sanctioned Jean Malic Kalima and Bosco Kayobotsi, leaders of Gasabo Gold Refinery in Rwanda.
Four Rwandan companies were also sanctioned: Gasabo Gold Refinery Ltd, Bugambira Mines Ltd, Wolfram Mining and Processing Ltd, and Rwinkwavu Mining Corporation Ltd.
The M23 group uses profits from minerals taken from the DRC to buy weapons and pay fighters.
Conflict in eastern DRC has been driven by fights over natural resources for many years.
The US Treasury says mineral wealth should help development, not fund violence.
Rwanda denies the accusations and calls the sanctions unfair and unhelpful to peace.
UN experts and watchdog groups have found evidence that minerals are smuggled from eastern DRC through neighboring countries into international markets.
Many people in the DRC hope the sanctions will disrupt illegal mineral trade but worry they may not end the conflict by themselves.
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