Typhoon Dolphin is approaching eastern China with strong winds and heavy rain. Authorities have closed schools and tourist sites to reduce risks from flooding and landslides as the storm nears land.
Key Facts
Typhoon Dolphin has winds of about 162 km/h (101 mph).
It is expected to hit Zhejiang and northern Fujian provinces late Sunday.
Shanghai is also in the storm’s path.
A level III emergency response was declared by national authorities.
Tourist sites in Zhejiang are closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Water activities like ferries and cruises are suspended.
Schools in Ningbo city are closed this weekend for safety.
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Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi met with Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief Khalid bin Ali Al Humaidan in Baghdad to improve relations after recent deadly cross-border attacks. Saudi Arabia invited al-Zaidi to visit Riyadh, and both leaders discussed better security cooperation, with Iraq promising not to allow attacks from its land against other countries.
Key Facts
Saudi intelligence chief Khalid bin Ali Al Humaidan met Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi in Baghdad.
Saudi Arabia invited al-Zaidi to visit Riyadh, after his earlier trip was canceled due to a Saudi-US operation.
The July 29 attacks killed 20 fighters from Iraqi armed groups, including five Iranians.
Iraq and Saudi Arabia want to coordinate better on security amid regional tensions.
Iraq pledged that its soil will not be used to launch attacks on other countries.
Saudi Arabia said their strikes were retaliation for drone attacks on their oil facilities, which they blamed on Iran-aligned Iraqi groups.
Iraq’s National Security Council called Saudi strikes a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty.
An Iran-aligned armed group in Iraq postponed retaliation after political pressure.
Iraqi PM al-Zaidi aims to bring armed groups under government control by September 30.
Iraq tries to balance relations between the US and Iran, often becoming a place for their rivalry.
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A new Texas Pulse poll shows Democrat James Talarico leading Republican Ken Paxton by 47% to 43% among likely Texas voters. The poll indicates a close race with Talarico gaining support, especially from independent and younger voters, while Paxton retains strong support among Republicans and older voters.
Key Facts
The Texas Pulse poll surveyed 619 likely Texas voters from July 27-30, with a margin of error of ±4.7%.
Talarico leads Paxton 47% to 43%, a shift from June when both were tied at 46%.
Talarico performs well with independent voters, leading 53% to 30%.
Talarico leads women voters 53% to 40% and voters under 65, especially 18-34 year olds (66% to 23%).
Paxton holds strong support among Republicans and voters age 65 and older.
Voters think Talarico would do better on issues like affordability, the war in Iran, safety, and water management.
Voters believe Paxton is tougher but view him as less honest and more corrupt by a 55%-35% margin.
Republicans currently hold a 53-45 Senate majority, and flipping the Texas seat is important to both parties.
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Two U.S. judges ruled against extending temporary protections for migrants from South Sudan and Myanmar. The Department of Homeland Security announced that as of August 7, these migrants no longer have Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and could face deportation.
Key Facts
Two U.S. district judges rejected legal cases defending TPS for South Sudan and Myanmar migrants.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed TPS for these countries ended on August 7.
TPS is a program that gives migrants temporary protection from being deported.
Without TPS, migrants from these countries may have to leave the United States.
These changes affect people who had been living in the U.S. under special protections due to unsafe conditions in their home countries.
The decision follows legal challenges related to the continuation of TPS designations.
DHS posted alerts on its website to inform the public about the end of TPS for these groups.
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The Pentagon revoked former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall's security clearance, accusing him of sharing classified details about the new Air Force One with the media. Kendall denied revealing any secret information and said he did not understand the reasons behind the revocation.
Key Facts
Frank Kendall lost his clearance to access classified information and was barred from sensitive roles.
The Pentagon claimed Kendall disclosed secret details about Air Force One’s capabilities.
The new Air Force One was a Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar and underwent a $400 million upgrade.
The plane lacks some advanced defense features found on previous Air Force One jets.
President Trump flew on the new plane to a NATO summit but left on an older, more secure model due to security threats.
The U.S. Secret Service advised using the older plane after detecting a credible missile threat from Iran.
Kendall served under President Biden and publicly discussed the Qatari 747 without revealing classified information.
The Justice Department subpoenaed reporters covering the story but later withdrew the subpoenas after criticism.
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The US Senate passed a strong set of sanctions against Russia under President Trump. These sanctions could include tariffs that affect major buyers of Russian goods, such as India and China.
Key Facts
The US Senate approved new sanctions targeting Russia.
These are the strongest sanctions passed against Russia during President Trump’s term.
The sanctions could impose tariffs, which are taxes on imports and exports.
India and China, as major buyers of Russian goods, could be affected by these tariffs.
The move reflects increased US pressure on Russia amid ongoing tensions.
The sanctions have potential economic impacts beyond Russia, reaching other countries involved in trade.
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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, President Donald Trump, and Senate conservative members agreed to delay a vote on the budget and postpone parts of the SAVE America Act until after the Senate breaks in August. This deal ended a disagreement among Senate Republicans that had lasted for weeks.
Key Facts
The agreement involved Senate Majority Leader John Thune and President Donald Trump.
Senate conservative Republicans had been divided over a budget resolution and the SAVE America Act.
The vote on the budget resolution will be set aside for now.
Action on much of the SAVE America Act will be delayed until after the August recess.
The deal ended a weeks-long dispute within the Senate Republican group.
Conservative Senators such as Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin) were involved in the discussions.
The pause allows the Senate to avoid conflict and continue work later in the year.
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A village that was underwater is now visible again as water in Indonesia’s Karian Reservoir has dropped due to dry weather. Officials say the water level has gone down by 80 centimeters but is still safe.
Key Facts
The Karian Reservoir is located in Indonesia.
Water levels in the reservoir fell because of dry weather (a drought).
The water level dropped by 80 centimeters (about 2.6 feet).
A village that was once underwater can now be seen again.
Officials confirmed the reservoir is still within safe water levels.
Drone footage captured images of the re-emerged village remains.
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Reality TV star Spencer Pratt said he is working with President Donald Trump on a plan for a 25 percent federal film tax credit. This effort aims to support the film industry and help bring jobs back to Hollywood.
Key Facts
Spencer Pratt is a reality TV star and former candidate for Los Angeles mayor.
Pratt announced on the social media platform X that he is collaborating with President Trump.
The plan involves a 25 percent federal tax credit for film productions.
The goal is to bring more film projects and jobs back to Hollywood.
The tax credit would reduce the amount of taxes filmmakers pay, encouraging them to work in the U.S.
Pratt expressed his commitment to revitalizing the Hollywood film industry.
The announcement was made in a post on a Friday.
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Two federal judges allowed the Trump administration to end temporary protections that have prevented people from South Sudan and Myanmar from being deported. These protections, called Temporary Protected Status (TPS), had let about 232 South Sudanese and 4,000 Myanmar nationals live and work safely in the U.S. despite problems in their home countries.
Key Facts
TPS protects people from deportation when their home countries face war, natural disasters, or other serious problems.
The Supreme Court ruled earlier that the Trump administration could end TPS for some countries.
Judges in Boston and Chicago rejected lawyers’ attempts to keep TPS for South Sudan and Myanmar.
South Sudan has had TPS since 2011 because of ongoing conflict.
Myanmar’s TPS was granted due to political instability after a 2021 military coup.
Ending TPS could lead to deportation of these people back to unsafe conditions.
DHS still faces court blocks on ending TPS for people from Ethiopia and Somalia.
DHS General Counsel said delays in ending TPS go against what voters wanted.
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President Donald Trump has asked the Justice Department to rethink its decision to drop criminal charges against people accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. He continues to say the pool was vandalized and specifically called on U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro to review the decision.
Key Facts
President Trump claims the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was vandalized.
Criminal charges against those accused of damaging the pool were dropped by the Justice Department.
Trump wants the Justice Department to reverse this decision.
He directly addressed U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro to reconsider the case.
The pool is located at a major U.S. national monument in Washington, D.C.
The issue centers on whether the Reflecting Pool was damaged during certain events.
Trump continues to push for accountability related to the pool's condition.
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Old technology like digital cameras and wired earphones is becoming popular again. Many people prefer them because they feel more real or nostalgic compared to modern smartphones and wireless devices.
Key Facts
Digital cameras were very popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s before smartphones became common.
There are currently 42 million active film camera users worldwide, with many aged 18–30.
People say digital cameras produce photos with a different quality that phones cannot match.
On eBay UK, sales of iPods and Walkman music players increased by nearly 50% in 2025.
Searches for iPod minis on eBay grew by 48% over the last year.
Some users enjoy older MP3 players because they provide music without phone distractions like notifications.
Nostalgia and a desire for simpler technology drive the renewed interest in these older devices.
Social media trends have helped popularize digital cameras and early MP3 players among younger users.
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Freddie Woodward, a former British Olympic diver, shared how he struggled with watching a lot of online pornography from a young age and later changed his mindset to stop. Experts say that while "porn addiction" is not officially recognized as a medical condition, some people do experience a problem with controlling their porn use that can harm their lives.
Key Facts
Freddie Woodward started watching hardcore porn regularly by age 12.
He watched porn several times a day during his diving career, including while preparing for the Olympics.
Woodward stopped by changing his mindset to see himself as someone who does not watch porn anymore.
"Porn addiction" is not an official medical diagnosis, but many people seek help for problematic porn use.
Experts disagree on whether porn use can be classified as an addiction similar to drug addiction.
Problematic porn use may be treated as a type of compulsive sexual behavior, a condition recognized by the World Health Organization.
Signs of harmful use include when porn interferes with daily life, like missing work or neglecting relationships.
Feeling shame alone does not mean someone is addicted; distress must come from loss of control and life impact.
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Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan have signed a new defense agreement called the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. This pact promises that if one country is attacked, the others will respond together, reflecting a shift in how some Middle Eastern countries view their security and their relationship with the United States.
Key Facts
The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement was signed in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, by Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan.
The pact declares that an armed attack on any of the three countries is considered an attack on all three.
It aims to improve cooperation in defense between the three nations.
The deal comes amid ongoing conflict involving the US and Israel against Iran, which has affected regional security.
Some Middle Eastern countries doubt the reliability of US security guarantees, prompting them to seek new defense partnerships.
Analysts suggest the agreement is meant to add options for security, not to replace the US role entirely.
Saudi Arabia seems interested in widening its security relationships beyond just the US, building more regional alliances.
The US government under President Trump has not yet commented formally on the pact.
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Republican senators are using the summer break to avoid taking tough votes. They face pressure on issues that clash with President Donald Trump’s positions, such as the war in Iran and calls to release the Epstein files.
Key Facts
Republican senators are on summer recess.
They are avoiding difficult votes during this time.
The tough issues include the war in Iran.
Another issue is the demand to release the Epstein files.
These issues put senators at odds with President Donald Trump.
Senators want to avoid political pressure from these conflicts.
The summer recess is being used to delay decisions on these topics.
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Colombia’s new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, has promised to boost the country’s oil and gas sector and strengthen the national energy company, Ecopetrol. He supports a move toward cleaner energy but says this should not weaken Colombia’s oil and gas industry or energy security.
Key Facts
Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as Colombia’s president in Cali on August 7, 2026.
He plans to revive Colombia’s oil and gas production and restore Ecopetrol, the state-owned energy company.
De la Espriella supports an energy transition to renewable sources like wind and solar but wants to maintain strong oil and gas production.
His approach marks a change from former President Gustavo Petro’s policy, which paused new oil and gas contracts and focused on protecting the environment.
The new president will allow fracking (a method to extract oil and gas) with strict environmental rules.
He aims to increase oil and gas exploration to rebuild reserves and attract investment.
De la Espriella described Colombia’s energy system as in a “critical situation” due to declining reserves and rising electricity demand.
Energy security, or the reliable supply of energy, is a top priority for his administration and seen as tied to national sovereignty.
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The Pentagon has taken away former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall’s permission to access classified information and banned him from sensitive jobs. This happened after allegations that he shared secret details about the new Air Force One aircraft’s features with the media.
Key Facts
Frank Kendall served as Air Force Secretary under President Joe Biden.
The Pentagon claims Kendall disclosed sensitive information about the new Air Force One plane’s capabilities.
The new Air Force One was a $400 million upgrade and was gifted by Qatar.
President Donald Trump flew on this new plane to Turkey but used an older model to leave the NATO summit due to security concerns.
The Justice Department tried to force reporters to reveal their sources about the Air Force One story but later dropped the case.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stressed the importance of protecting classified information.
The Pentagon did not say if Kendall will face criminal charges.
The Trump administration has previously revoked security clearances of other national security officials.
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Abelardo De La Espriella, a right-wing politician, became Colombia’s new president after a close election in June. He promises to fight drug trafficking, improve security, and strengthen economic ties with the United States and President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
Abelardo De La Espriella was elected president of Colombia in a tight runoff election in June.
He is a politician from the right-wing side of politics.
De La Espriella vows to fight against drug trafficking and related violence.
Security and economic issues are among his main priorities.
He plans to bring Colombia closer to the U.S. and President Donald Trump’s policies.
His focus includes tackling what he calls “narco-terrorism,” linked to drug crime.
His government aims to strengthen ties between Colombia and the United States.
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The Pentagon has taken away former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall's permission to access classified information and barred him from sensitive jobs. This action followed reports that Kendall shared secret details about the new Air Force One plane with the media.
Key Facts
The Pentagon revoked Frank Kendall’s eligibility to access classified information.
Kendall is banned from holding any sensitive positions in the government.
The decision was made after reports that he disclosed details about the new Air Force One’s capabilities.
The new Air Force One was gifted by Qatar and cost $400 million to upgrade.
President Donald Trump flew on this new plane recently but used an older model to leave a NATO summit due to security concerns.
The Justice Department tried to force reporters to reveal their sources about the Air Force One story but later withdrew the subpoenas.
The Pentagon spokesperson said protecting classified information is very important and those who breach trust lose access rights.
It is unclear if Kendall will face criminal charges related to these allegations.
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A reporter underwent a full-body scan using AI technology to check for various health conditions, including skin cancer, at a clinic in Manchester. While the scan aims to detect diseases early, some doctors warn about the risks of over-diagnosis and unnecessary worry. One woman’s experience showed the AI missed some cancerous skin marks, which were later found by her dermatologist.
Key Facts
The full-body scan uses 70 cameras and AI to create a 3D image of the skin and detect health issues.
The scan checks for conditions like skin cancer, heart disease, diabetes, eye problems, and kidney or blood disorders.
The service offered by Neko Health costs £299, and there are 100,000 people waiting for it.
The scan industry promotes early disease detection to prevent illness before symptoms appear.
Some doctors in the NHS caution that these scans can lead to over-diagnosis and unnecessary medical tests.
Annabel Mason-Thompson had a Neko Health scan that missed four cancerous skin marks later found by a private dermatologist.
Neko Health says it prioritizes patient safety and clinical quality, with multiple dermatologists reviewing suspicious lesions.
The body scan market has grown quickly, with companies like Prenuvo, Ezra, and Neko Health receiving significant investment.
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