Jordan Parke, a cosmetic practitioner nicknamed the "Lip King," was banned twice from performing liquid Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) procedures in parts of England before a woman, Alice Webb, died after receiving the treatment from him in Gloucester in 2024. Authorities and family members say there is a need for national rules to prevent risky cosmetic practitioners from working in new areas after being banned elsewhere.
Key Facts
Alice Webb, a mother of five, died after a liquid Brazilian Butt Lift procedure performed by Jordan Parke.
Jordan Parke was banned from doing liquid BBLs in Dudley and Greater Manchester before treating Webb.
Prohibition orders were issued in Dudley (2023) and Salford (February 2024) restricting Parke’s practice.
Parke was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter but was not charged; he died in February 2024 in an unrelated incident.
Alice Webb’s former partner, Ben Kingscote, called for national regulations to stop banned cosmetic practitioners from working elsewhere.
The Department of Health and Social Care plans to consult on stricter rules for high-risk cosmetic procedures like liquid BBLs.
The Gloucestershire Police investigated Webb’s death; her inquest is expected in autumn 2024 before a jury.
The case highlights concerns about gaps in the regulation of cosmetic treatments across different regions.
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The US military has carried out airstrikes for 11 nights in a row, hitting new areas in Iran. These attacks have caused more civilian deaths and economic problems, raising doubts about the chances for peaceful talks.
Key Facts
The US military launched airstrikes for the 11th consecutive night.
Strikes expanded to Iranian provinces that had not been targeted before.
Civilian casualties from the strikes have increased.
The attacks are causing more economic difficulties in the affected areas.
These effects are leading people to question if diplomacy can still work.
The information comes from a report by Al Jazeera from Tehran.
The strikes mark a widening of the US military campaign against Iran.
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Six beluga whales were moved from a closed marine park in Canada to aquariums in the United States. The whales were carefully transported in cold-water containers with veterinarians watching over them during the trip.
Key Facts
The whales came from Marineland of Canada, which has a group of 30 belugas needing new homes.
Four whales named Sierra, Acadia, Osiris, and Lillooet went to a facility in Chicago.
Two whales named Bertie Botts and Frankie were sent to SeaWorld in San Antonio, Texas.
The whales were moved using trucks and planes equipped to keep their water cold.
Marine mammal veterinarians accompanied the whales during the entire journey.
This relocation effort is the first of its kind between countries.
The move required months of preparation and health checks for the whales.
Specialists are now watching the whales as they adjust to their new environments.
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Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, described surviving a US-Israeli airstrike that killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. The strike used precise intelligence to target senior officials, and Iran is now led by Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba.
Key Facts
The airstrike killed Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei on the first day of the war.
Abbas Araghchi was trapped in rubble but escaped after the attack on a leadership compound in Tehran.
The US and Israel had accurate intelligence about the location and timing of senior Iranian officials’ meetings.
Iran’s new leader is Mojtaba Khamenei, Ali Khamenei’s son, who will continue existing policies.
Iran had tried to negotiate with the US on its nuclear program but failed, and talks ended just before the airstrike.
The attack included multiple explosions hitting different parts of the building housing Iran’s intelligence and defense councils.
Iran had plans, named “Code 110,” to respond if the supreme leader was targeted, including closing the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Regional governments advised President Donald Trump against war with Iran, warning it would not be easy.
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A farm near Peterborough found six barn owlets in one nest, which is a rare and positive sign for local wildlife. The owlets were tagged to help track their movements and support ongoing conservation efforts.
Key Facts
Six barn owlets, about 40 to 50 days old, were discovered at Moor Farm near Peterborough.
The owlets were fitted with metal rings that have unique ID numbers for tracking by conservationists.
This group of six is the largest brood found in 2026 in the area.
The farm had experienced six suspected arson attacks earlier this summer.
The six owlets include three males and three females, each about three days apart in age.
Barn owl numbers increased in 2026 compared to recent years when fewer babies hatched.
The biggest threat to barn owls is cars, so the farm created safe hunting paths away from roads.
Simon Dudhill, who monitors the owlets, has ringed over 260 barn owlets in Cambridgeshire this year.
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Rebel Wilson has won a defamation case brought by her co-star Charlotte MacInnes, who accused Wilson of making false social media posts. The court ruled MacInnes did not prove serious harm from Wilson’s posts that involved allegations about a sexual harassment complaint on a film set.
Key Facts
Rebel Wilson was sued by Australian actor Charlotte MacInnes over social media posts.
MacInnes claimed the posts implied she lied about and retracted a sexual harassment complaint.
The complaint involved a co-producer who allegedly asked to share a shower and bath.
MacInnes denied making or withdrawing any complaint and said she was not uncomfortable.
Justice Elizabeth Raper ruled in favor of Wilson, stating MacInnes did not show serious harm caused by the posts.
MacInnes sought extra damages for anxiety and work loss, but the court did not agree.
Wilson said she stood by her truth-telling and thanked supporters after the verdict.
The dispute related to Wilson’s directorial debut film, The Deb, and involved production conflicts.
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A ferry tipped over in Guyana on Saturday night, causing the deaths of at least 53 people. The old ferry was carrying 179 passengers, which was more than the official number of people listed on board.
Key Facts
The ferry that capsized was 87 years old.
It happened on Saturday night in Guyana.
At least 53 people died in the accident.
The ferry was carrying 179 passengers.
Official records showed only 116 passengers and 17 crew members on the ferry.
This means more people were on board than listed.
Survivors described the event as terrifying.
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Britain’s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham faces big challenges to boost a slow-growing economy and help people struggling with high living costs. He named John Healey as Treasury chief to manage government debt while also cutting a home electricity tax to ease pressures on households.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham became the UK Prime Minister on July 20, 2026.
Burnham is from the Labour Party and faces voters worried about the cost of living.
John Healey, former Defense Secretary and Treasury official, was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer (Treasury chief).
The government plans to scrap the tax on home electricity for six months starting in October, saving households about 45 pounds ($60) a year.
To pay for this, plans to introduce a digital ID will be canceled, aiming to reassure investors.
Government debt is over 95% of the UK’s gross domestic product (GDP), a level last seen in the 1960s.
Debt interest payments reached 111.2 billion pounds ($149 billion), or 8.3% of government spending, limiting funds for public services.
The UK economy has grown less than 1.5% per year on average since 2009, slower than before the 2008 financial crisis.
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Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are in a Brooklyn jail after being captured by U.S. forces in a raid in Venezuela. They face drug trafficking charges linked to a plan to send cocaine into the United States but deny the accusations and are challenging the legality of their capture in court.
Key Facts
Nicolás Maduro and his wife have been held in a Brooklyn jail since they were taken from their home in Venezuela by U.S. forces in January 2024.
They are charged with conspiracy to ship large amounts of cocaine into the U.S. and have pleaded not guilty.
The U.S. government calls the operation to capture them a “surgical law enforcement operation.”
Maduro and his defense team claim his capture was an illegal “military abduction.”
Prosecutors say Maduro worked with Venezuelan law enforcement to help drug traffickers move cocaine into the U.S.
Maduro says he is the legitimate president of Venezuela and denies all charges.
The couple has not sought bail, and no trial date has been set yet.
The court will first address legal questions before the trial can start.
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A trial date of June 2027 has been proposed for ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. They face charges in the U.S. of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking linked to drug cartels. The U.S. court is setting schedules for evidence and motions before the trial.
Key Facts
Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are accused of working with drug cartels to traffic cocaine into the United States.
A federal court in Manhattan has proposed June 2027 as the trial date.
Prosecutors and defense lawyers have arranged a timeline for pretrial motions and evidence sharing.
Maduro’s legal team will file a motion to dismiss the case by September, citing sovereign immunity, with a hearing in November.
Most non-classified evidence has been shared with the defense; classified evidence is to be shared by November.
Defense lawyers dropped their initial motion to dismiss after the Treasury Department allowed Venezuelan funds to pay for their legal defense.
Maduro and Flores were brought to the U.S. in January during a military operation to face charges.
Maduro declared his innocence and claimed he is still the president of Venezuela during a court hearing.
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should face trial for war crimes based on an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC). However, Mamdani later acknowledged that New York City does not have the authority to arrest Netanyahu.
Key Facts
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani called for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be tried for war crimes.
The call was based on an ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu.
The ICC is an international court that investigates and tries serious crimes like war crimes.
Mamdani publicly shared this call in a video statement.
After some discussion, Mamdani said NYC cannot arrest Netanyahu.
The city lacks the legal power to detain a foreign leader like Netanyahu.
The issue relates to international justice and local authority limits.
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the city does not have the legal power to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest. Mamdani asked the U.S. federal government to carry out the arrest instead, while Israel and President Donald Trump rejected the ICC’s authority.
Key Facts
Mayor Mamdani had promised to enforce an ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu if he visited New York City.
The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and others in 2024 over alleged war crimes linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The United States is not part of the ICC and usually does not recognize its rulings.
Mamdani said New York City lacks legal authority to execute the ICC warrant.
Mamdani urged the U.S. federal government to arrest Netanyahu during his visit for the UN General Assembly.
Israel strongly disagrees with the ICC charges and calls the court politically biased.
Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon criticized Mamdani for supporting what he called Hamas propaganda.
President Donald Trump stated Netanyahu will not be arrested while in the U.S.
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A baby puffin was spotted for the first time in 30 years on the Dorset coast in southern England. Volunteers and scientists have been carefully watching the cliffs where puffins nest, and this sighting shows the local puffin colony is still alive.
Key Facts
The baby puffin, called a puffling, appeared on the Purbeck coast near Swanage, the last known mainland nesting site in southern England.
In the 1950s, about 80 puffins nested there; now only a few pairs remain.
Volunteers monitored the cliffs for 15 weeks during the summer to watch for puffins.
Adult puffins were seen carrying fish to at least two nests, indicating more than one pair trying to raise chicks.
The puffling was about 38 days old when photographed on July 7.
After fledging, pufflings leave the nest and will not return for about two years or start breeding until much later.
Researchers are using solar-powered motion-sensor cameras to learn more about puffin nesting and chick survival.
The National Trust is investigating reasons for puffin decline, including predators and climate changes.
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France's parliament has passed a law that will ban children under 15 from using social media starting in January 2027. The law requires all users in France to prove their age to access social media accounts, making France the first European country to introduce such a rule.
Key Facts
The law will start in two stages: from September under-15s cannot open new social media accounts, and by January 2027 all existing accounts must verify age.
Social media platforms must use age-verification tools approved by the French privacy regulator.
The law aims to protect children’s mental health and follows similar moves by the UK and EU.
France is the second country after Australia to introduce a social media age ban for young users.
Critics worry about privacy risks, how well age checks will work, and young people finding ways to get around the ban.
Australia’s similar ban for under-16s has shown many young users still access social media despite restrictions.
Experts say young people should be included in the discussion about social media bans to make the rules more effective and fair.
Other European countries are also considering rules to limit social media use for children.
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Japan experienced its first official "cruelly hot day" with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius or higher, a new warning term introduced to highlight extreme heat. The rising temperatures have caused health problems, affected agriculture, and led to changes in sports and work culture.
Key Facts
Japan introduced the term "kokushobi" to describe days with temperatures over 40°C (104°F).
Central Japan cities Gujo, Tajimi, and Toyota recorded temperatures of 40°C or higher, setting local records.
Over 278 weather stations reported temperatures above 35°C, classified as "extremely hot days."
Heatstroke deaths in Japan surpassed 2,000 in 2024, with many hospitalizations due to heat-related illnesses.
Farmers are planting heat-resistant crops and exploring new options like avocados to cope with the heat.
The national high school baseball tournament now splits games into morning and evening sessions to avoid heatstroke risks.
Office workers are encouraged to wear more casual, cooler clothing to reduce electricity use and air conditioning demands.
Average summer temperatures in Japan have increased by about 1.3°C over the past century, with recent years breaking heat records.
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Israel’s parliament set an election date for October 27, and soon after, Israeli forces struck a funeral procession in Gaza, killing at least eight people. Between July 13 and 20, Israeli attacks killed at least 57 Palestinians, including children and women, raising concerns about possible violations of international laws during a week of heavy violence and destruction in Gaza.
Key Facts
Israel’s parliament dissolved itself and scheduled elections for October 27.
On July 17, an Israeli drone attacked a funeral outside Ahmad Yassin Mosque in Gaza, killing at least eight mourners.
Between July 13 and 20, at least 57 Palestinians were killed by Israeli attacks, including six children and eight women.
The UN human rights office warned that the attacks might violate international humanitarian law and could be war crimes.
Israel’s military carried out daily attacks, destroyed homes, and settlers attacked Palestinians during this period.
Some Israeli officials expressed satisfaction with the destruction and discussed establishing military-style settlements in northern Gaza.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is worsening, with many households lacking sufficient drinking water and living near exposed sewage.
The “Yellow Line” controlled by Israel has expanded, forcing more families to flee their homes.
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At least 143 refugees and migrants died or went missing after a boat carrying them got stranded off the coast of Mauritania. The boat left from The Gambia and was found after 25 days, with 38 survivors and many bodies on board.
Key Facts
The boat left Bafuloto, The Gambia, with 160 people on board.
It was stranded for 25 days before reaching Nouadhibou port in Mauritania.
38 people survived, including two children who lost all their family members.
At least 143 people are dead or missing from the boat.
Mauritania’s coastguard reported 122 people missing.
The passengers were from countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
The route to the Canary Islands is very dangerous due to long distances and unsafe boats.
European Union funding supports crackdowns in Mauritania, reducing arrivals but pushing migrants to take longer and more dangerous routes.
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France will ban children under 15 from using social media starting September 1. This follows similar restrictions introduced by the UK and Australia, though some studies suggest such bans might not work because young people find ways to get around them.
Key Facts
France’s social media ban applies to children under 15 years old.
The ban starts on September 1.
The UK and Australia have made similar rules to restrict social media use for young people.
Research shows that young users may still find ways to use social media despite restrictions.
The effectiveness of these bans is debated among experts.
The law aims to protect children’s well-being online.
Social media platforms will need to enforce the age restrictions.
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South Korean prosecutors have asked for a one-year jail sentence and a fine for the owner of a Michelin two-star restaurant that used ants as a garnish on desserts. The ants are not approved for human consumption in South Korea, and health officials found the ants contained high levels of heavy metals. The court will decide the case in September.
Key Facts
The restaurant used about 49,000 ants over four years, mainly as a topping for sorbet.
Ants are not in the list of 10 insect species approved by South Korean law for eating; approved insects include grasshoppers and crickets.
The ants were imported from the US and Thailand.
Health authorities found the ants had up to 55 times more heavy metals than typical edible insects.
The owner said only about 60% of customers chose to eat the ants; others received alternative toppings.
Similar use of ants as food occurs in countries like Australia, Denmark, and the UK.
The restaurant holds two Michelin stars, a rating for excellent cooking and quality.
The court will announce its verdict on September 2.
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An Australian woman gave birth to identical quadruplet girls after a very rare natural pregnancy, with all four babies coming from one fertilized egg that split into four. The babies were born prematurely at 28 weeks and are now in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit, while the mother is recovering well.
Key Facts
The mother, Jenitar Sau Na’amoana, is 34 years old and already has four children.
The quadruplets were born at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in Queensland, Australia.
The pregnancy is extremely rare, with a chance of about 1 in 15 million for identical quadruplets conceived naturally.
The babies were born by cesarean section at 28 weeks and 4 days of pregnancy.
All four babies share one placenta, increasing health risks for the mother and babies.
The mother was monitored closely by a medical team from 10 weeks and hospitalized at 25 weeks.
The babies’ names are Emily, Harriet, Catherine, and Alexa, named after the doctor who cared for the mother.
Natural conception of any quadruplets is about 1 in 700,000, most quadruplets come from fertility treatments.
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