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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Boris Nadezhdin, a critic of President Vladimir Putin and Russia’s military actions in Ukraine, was convicted of displaying “extremist symbols,” which prevents him from running for parliament this year. The conviction is connected to a 2023 video where he showed a picture of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in prison earlier this year.
Key Facts
Boris Nadezhdin criticized Russia’s military action in Ukraine and wanted to challenge President Putin in the 2024 election.
He was found guilty of showing “extremist symbols” in a video where he briefly showed a photo of Alexei Navalny.
Navalny was a jailed opposition leader who died in an Arctic prison in February 2024.
Nadezhdin’s conviction bars him from running in September’s parliamentary election.
He was fined 1,000 rubles (about $13) by a court in Dolgoprudny, near Moscow.
Authorities rejected over 9,000 signatures from Nadezhdin’s presidential campaign, disqualifying him from the March 2024 election.
The ruling party, United Russia, aims to keep control of the parliament amid growing public frustration over fuel shortages and economic problems linked to the Ukraine conflict.
Nadezhdin was a government adviser in the 1990s and has served as a lawmaker.
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Mykhailo Drapatyi was appointed as the new commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces by President Zelenskyy after protests called for the previous general’s removal. Drapatyi is known for his experience fighting Russia since 2014 and has led important military operations during Ukraine’s ongoing conflict.
Key Facts
Mykhailo Drapatyi became Ukraine’s commander-in-chief of the armed forces in July 2026.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Drapatyi following protests demanding the previous commander’s removal.
Drapatyi has fought against Russia since 2014 and has spent most of his military career in combat roles.
In 2014, Drapatyi led a bold rescue mission in Mariupol by breaking through barricades with an armored vehicle.
He also led a nighttime breakout of hundreds of soldiers and vehicles from a Russian-encircled area near the border.
Drapatyi commanded units that stopped Russian advances and helped regain territory in 2024, including near Zelenskyy’s hometown.
Before becoming commander-in-chief, he served as deputy commander of Ukrainian Joint Forces.
Drapatyi is respected for his discipline, combat skills, and leadership during difficult battles.
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A large wildfire in central Spain has burned more than 30,000 hectares of forest. The fire caused many people to leave their homes across 34 towns during a long heatwave with temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius. A drone captured images showing the damage to the forest.
Key Facts
The wildfire happened in central Spain.
Over 30,000 hectares of forest were burned. (A hectare is about the size of a soccer field.)
People were evacuated from 34 different towns.
The fire occurred during a long heatwave with temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F).
A drone was used to take pictures of the scorched forest.
The heatwave made the wildfire worse by creating dry and hot conditions.
Firefighters have been working to control the wildfire.
The exact cause of the fire was not mentioned.
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Australia’s foreign affairs minister Penny Wong met with China’s foreign minister Wang Yi during a meeting in Manila. They discussed concerns about China’s recent test of a nuclear-capable submarine missile and talked about peace, stability, and other issues in the Indo-Pacific region.
Key Facts
Penny Wong met Wang Yi at the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Manila.
This was their 12th meeting.
Wong expressed Australia’s worries about China’s recent nuclear-capable submarine missile test.
Many Pacific island countries are also concerned about the missile test.
They discussed the importance of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific area.
Wong raised consular issues, including a case involving Dr. Yang Jun.
Australia emphasized respect for its laws, sovereignty (control over its own affairs), freedom of expression, safe maritime conduct, and human rights.
The meeting took place alongside ongoing regional diplomatic talks during the ASEAN event.
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Iran held funerals for 32 children who died in a US strike on a school in Minab on February 28. The attack killed at least 170 people, and search teams are still finding more victims’ remains.
Key Facts
A US strike hit a school in Minab, Iran, on February 28.
The strike killed at least 170 people.
Among the dead were at least 32 children.
Iran has held funerals for these children.
Search and excavation efforts continue to recover more bodies.
The incident took place in Iran’s city of Minab.
The US carried out the strike that caused the casualties.
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Khalil al-Hayya has been chosen as the new leader of Hamas, a Palestinian group he helped start about 40 years ago. He has faced Israeli attacks and imprisonment before, and recently led talks to try to stop the fighting between Israel and Gaza.
Key Facts
Khalil al-Hayya was part of a small group that led Hamas for nearly two years.
He joined Hamas when it began approximately four decades ago.
He has survived several attempts by Israel to kill him.
Al-Hayya has been arrested multiple times by Israeli authorities.
He led Palestinian groups in negotiations aiming to end the war in Gaza.
Over two million Palestinians continue to face frequent Israeli attacks despite a ceasefire.
Hamas is under pressure to give up some power.
Experts discuss how al-Hayya might handle the ongoing challenges faced by Hamas.
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President Donald Trump said the U.S. would soon attack Pickaxe Mountain, an Iranian nuclear site being built underground near Natanz, Iran. The site reportedly holds centrifuges that Iran may use to enrich uranium, which is needed for nuclear weapons.
Key Facts
Pickaxe Mountain is a nuclear facility under construction about miles from Natanz in Iran.
It is located about 100 meters underground within a mountain called Kūh-e Kolang or Mount Kolang.
Israeli intelligence reported that Iran moved uranium-enriching centrifuges to Pickaxe Mountain last fall.
President Trump warned the U.S. will target this site "pretty soon" and with heavy force.
Iran's nuclear program was damaged by U.S. strikes in 2025 but Pickaxe Mountain was not hit then.
The U.S. and Israeli strikes previously focused on other nuclear sites near Natanz.
International inspectors have been blocked from entering Iran, limiting access to verify nuclear activities there.
Experts say construction at Pickaxe Mountain is ongoing, but it is unclear when it will be operational.
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A 65-year-old man named Carl Isom-McDaniel was attacked by a bison in Yellowstone Park. The bison charged and threw him into the air, breaking his hip in several places. The attack happened during the bison’s mating season when they can be more aggressive.
Key Facts
Carl Isom-McDaniel was attacked by a bison on July 10 in Yellowstone Park.
The bison weighed about 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms).
The bison launched him into the air and caused multiple fractures in his hip.
The injury was mostly caused by the way he landed after being thrown.
The National Park Service warns visitors to stay at least 25 yards (23 meters) away from bison.
Bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal.
The attack likely happened during bison mating season, which increases their aggression.
Isom-McDaniel was treated at Bozeman Health hospital in Montana.
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Guyana’s ferry accident death toll has risen to at least 41 people after the MV Barima capsized on Saturday night. Rescue teams have saved 77 people and continue searching for others who are missing.
Key Facts
The ferry MV Barima overturned off the coast of Guyana on Saturday night.
At least 41 people have died so far; 14 bodies were recovered recently, adding to 27 previously found.
A total of 77 passengers have been rescued.
The ferry was carrying 179 people, but the official passenger list showed only 133.
Authorities say the captain and one crew member tested positive for marijuana and have been arrested.
The ferry was built in 1939.
Rescue operations involve 16 vessels and divers from Guyana and France.
The boat traveled from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, located deep in Guyana's rainforest.
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President Donald Trump has put a 50% tax on many goods coming from Canada. This move is to respond to what he says is unfair treatment of U.S. cars, dairy, and alcohol in Canada. Canadians are worried about how this will affect their economy.
Key Facts
The U.S. tariff is set at 50% on a wide range of Canadian imports.
President Trump says the tariffs are a response to Canada's rules on U.S. cars, dairy products, and alcohol.
The tariffs are meant as retaliation, or a kind of punishment, for what the U.S. sees as unfair trade practices.
Canadians from different parts of the country, including Montreal, have expressed frustration about the tariffs.
The tariffs could impact trade between Canada and the U.S., affecting businesses and consumers.
This trade dispute is part of a broader issue involving U.S.-Canada economic relations.
The BBC reported these reactions shortly after the new tariffs were announced.
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A Russian guided bomb hit a residential building in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. The attack killed at least three people and injured 13 others, according to local officials.
Key Facts
The attack used a guided aerial bomb.
It targeted a nine-story residential building.
The strike occurred in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine.
At least three people were killed.
Thirteen people were injured.
Local authorities reported the incident.
The attack happened during the daytime.
The military administration said residential areas were targeted.
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