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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France’s parliament has approved a law that stops children under 15 from using social media and bans mobile phones in schools. The law will start by blocking new accounts from September 2024 and close existing accounts for this age group by January 2027, pending a constitutional review.
Key Facts
The law bans social media use for children under the age of 15 in France.
Mobile phone use in schools is also banned under this law.
France will be the first EU country with a broad social media ban for young children.
President Emmanuel Macron supports the law and wants it to start by September 2024.
A law review by the French Constitutional Council could delay the law’s start.
New accounts for under-15s will be blocked from September 1, 2024.
Existing accounts for under-15s will be closed by January 2027.
The law does not affect online encyclopedias or educational websites.
Some lawmakers worry about the law’s legality and enforcement.
Families have sued social media companies in France, citing harm to teens’ mental health.
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The United States reduced funding for a major HIV treatment program called PEPFAR, causing many clinics worldwide to close and services to be cut. This has negatively affected HIV prevention and treatment in dozens of countries, especially impacting vulnerable groups and children.
Key Facts
The US government under President Donald Trump cut funding for PEPFAR, a program that helps fight HIV and AIDS globally.
A report by HIV charity amfAR found that over 1,700 clinics closed and 16,000 jobs were lost due to these cuts.
About 75% of organizations stopped serving high-risk groups like sex workers, transgender people, gay men, and drug users.
Around 77,000 fewer children received HIV treatment in 2025, a decrease of 14%.
The US Department of State disagreed with the report and said PEPFAR became stronger under clearer management.
UNAIDS warned that if funding cuts continue, there could be millions more HIV infections and AIDS deaths by 2029.
Other countries, including France, Germany, and the UK, have also reduced aid for AIDS programs.
Africa, with the highest HIV rates, is urged to improve its health systems to cope with these changes.
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The U.S. passport has dropped from being the most powerful passport to the 10th position over the past 20 years. In 2026, Singapore holds the top spot, allowing visa-free access to 192 places worldwide.
Key Facts
The ranking comes from Henley & Partners, a firm focused on residence and citizenship planning.
The U.S. passport was the most powerful about 20 years ago but is now ranked 10th.
Singapore’s passport is currently the strongest, offering visa-free travel to 192 jurisdictions.
A passport’s “power” is measured by the number of countries it allows travelers to enter without a visa.
The ranking helps show how easy or hard it is for citizens to travel internationally.
The shift reflects changes in global visa policies and international relations over time.
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President Donald Trump announced that American airlines can resume direct flights to Lebanon after more than 40 years. This decision came after a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who visited Washington to discuss peace and stability in Lebanon amid regional conflicts.
Key Facts
Direct US-Lebanon flights were stopped in 1985 after a plane hijacking.
President Trump said US airlines can now fly directly to Lebanon again.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun visited the White House, his first visit since 2009.
The meeting focused on promoting peace following recent conflict involving Israel and Hezbollah.
Trump promised to help Lebanon but gave no specific details.
Lebanon wants Israeli troops to leave parts of southern Lebanon and seek more military support.
Trump said Israel is working on redeploying its forces from Lebanon.
The US is also concerned about Iran’s role in regional conflicts but is not currently seeking talks with Iranian leaders.
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The Iran-aligned Houthi group in Yemen has introduced a naval blockade targeting Saudi ships in response to Saudi Arabia's restrictions on Yemen. They warned Saudi Arabia of more severe strikes if Riyadh acts against them, amid rising conflict linked to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
Key Facts
The Houthi group, also known as Ansar Allah, declared a naval blockade on Saudi shipping through the Bab el-Mandel Strait.
This action responds to Saudi Arabia's long-standing blockade and restrictions on Yemen.
The group aims to target Saudi ships and policies but is not directly involved in the broader U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Houthis previously disrupted shipping through the Red Sea, forcing ships to take longer routes around Africa.
In May 2025, President Donald Trump ordered military strikes on the Houthis, leading to a ceasefire.
Since the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran resumed, Houthis have escalated strikes on Israel and issued warnings of broader intervention.
Recently, Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of attacking Sanaa airport, prompting their first direct attacks on Saudi territory in years.
Disruption of shipping routes in strategic waterways like the Bab el-Mandel Strait could increase global economic costs.
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President Donald Trump announced that U.S. airlines can resume direct flights to Lebanon after a break of nearly 40 years. This change follows his meeting with Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun and aims to improve ties between the two countries.
Key Facts
Direct commercial flights between the U.S. and Lebanon have been stopped since 1985 due to a hijacking incident involving TWA Flight 847.
The hijacking led to a hostage situation and the death of a U.S. Navy diver, prompting the U.S. government to halt direct flights.
President Trump announced on Truth Social that U.S. airlines are now allowed to offer direct flights to Lebanon.
Lebanon is still rated Level 4 ("Do Not Travel") by the U.S. State Department due to security concerns.
Airlines must consider passenger demand, security, insurance, and regional tensions before starting service.
Lebanon’s large Lebanese-American community could support direct flight routes.
The announcement came during a visit by Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun to Washington, where both leaders discussed regional and bilateral issues.
The decision may symbolize increased U.S. confidence in Lebanon’s stability despite ongoing Middle East conflicts.
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President Donald Trump said that the possible blockade of the Red Sea by Houthi rebels is not an immediate concern. He stated that if a blockade happens, the U.S. will handle the situation as needed.
Key Facts
The Houthi rebels, supported by Iran, announced a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia.
Six ships were forced to change their routes after warnings from the Houthis.
President Trump commented from the Oval Office that no blockade has occurred so far.
Trump said the U.S. and the Houthis have not had problems recently.
The Red Sea is a critical waterway for international shipping and trade.
The Houthis are involved in the conflict in Yemen, which has regional impacts.
President Trump indicated readiness to respond if the blockade actually happens.
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Turkiye’s opposition leader Ozgur Ozel plans to start a new political party after being removed as head of the main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP). This move comes amid legal actions against opposition members and may change the balance of power in Turkiye’s parliament.
Key Facts
Ozgur Ozel was ousted as leader of the CHP by a court order in May 2024.
Ozel announced his plan for a new party in a speech in parliament on Tuesday.
The new party aims to become the main opposition force in the 600-seat parliament.
Many CHP lawmakers are expected to join Ozel’s new party.
The CHP has faced legal challenges, with many elected officials jailed since late 2024.
Istanbul’s mayor and key opposition figure, Ekrem Imamoglu, has been imprisoned since March 2024.
The government says courts are independent, but critics say the crackdown is politically motivated.
Analysts warn that splitting the opposition could benefit President Erdogan and his party.
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Puerto Rico’s governor announced that her chief of staff, Francisco Domenech, and deputy chief of staff, Itza García, will resign next month amid ongoing corruption investigations. They are accused of involvement in irregular activities related to government contract processes but deny the allegations.
Key Facts
Francisco Domenech and Itza García will step down next month from their government positions.
Both are being investigated by an independent Puerto Rican agency over corruption claims linked to the Office of Permit Management.
Allegations arose after Sebastián Negrón, former economic development chief, resigned and accused the administration of interference.
Over 10 other officials in the economic development agency resigned after similar concerns.
Domenech has denied the accusations and previously submitted statements accusing Negrón of corruption.
García was accused of pressuring an appointment related to a government contract in connection with a lobbying firm founded by Domenech.
The Senate president, Thomas Rivera Schatz, from the governor’s party, called for their resignations and referred García to ethics investigators.
The governor thanked Domenech and García for their service and said she would not let political attacks stop her administration’s work.
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A 65-year-old man named Carl McDaniel was attacked by a bison in Yellowstone National Park and suffered multiple broken bones. He said the hardest part was hitting the ground, not the bison's horns, and he shared his experience from a hospital bed.
Key Facts
The attack happened on July 10 at Yellowstone’s Bridge Bay Campground.
McDaniel was walking with his grandson, who was not hurt.
Bison can run up to 35 mph and weigh as much as 2,000 pounds.
Yellowstone sees about two bison attacks each year on average.
McDaniel suffered multiple bone fractures in the attack.
He described the bison as calm until it chose him as a target.
The man spoke about the incident from Bozeman Health Deaconess Medical Center in Montana.
Bison are North America’s largest land animals and can move very quickly despite their size.
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