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Reform UK activists are being asked to leave the Greater Manchester mayoral byelection and help Nigel Farage in a byelection in Clacton, Essex, about 250 miles away. Farage’s decision to hold this extra election has disrupted Reform UK’s campaign in Greater Manchester, where Labour is currently favored to win.
Key Facts
Reform UK wants its members in north-west England to support Nigel Farage’s Clacton byelection instead of the Greater Manchester mayoral race.
The Clacton byelection was called suddenly by Farage, who is standing down and running again for his seat.
Greater Manchester’s byelection is the largest in Britain and will be held on July 30; Clacton’s is expected on August 6.
Farage’s rivals in Clacton are mostly boycotting the election except for a novelty candidate and a right-wing party leader.
Labour’s candidate Bev Craig is currently leading in Greater Manchester’s contest.
Reform UK won many seats in the May local elections in Greater Manchester but is now shifting focus due to Farage’s call for the Clacton contest.
Some Reform UK members believe the party doubts winning in Greater Manchester, especially since their mayoral candidate is a woman.
Critics call the Clacton byelection a “fake” or “vanity” contest designed by Farage.
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Since the ceasefire on October 10, 2025, about 1,050 Palestinians have died in Gaza, with nearly 28% being children. This means Israel has killed on average one child per day in Gaza. The situation is worsened by media restrictions, and many survivors, especially children, face severe injuries and challenges.
Key Facts
Since the ceasefire started on October 10, 2025, around 1,050 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza.
About 28% of these deaths are children, averaging one child killed every day.
Gaza has the highest number of child amputees per population in the world.
Media restrictions by Israeli authorities limit the reporting on the situation in Gaza.
Survivors of the conflict face long-term health and recovery challenges.
US President Donald Trump announced plans to allow Ukraine to make Patriot missiles, but this is a complex and lengthy process.
Russia receives 25-40% of its artillery ammunition from North Korea and recruits fighters from other countries like Egypt.
The war has also affected wildlife in the Chornobyl area, changing animal behavior significantly.
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Bonnie Tyler, the Welsh singer known for her husky voice and the 1980s hit "Total Eclipse of the Heart," died aged 75 after emergency intestinal surgery in Portugal. She had a 50-year music career, released several popular songs, received awards including an MBE, and remained active until recently.
Key Facts
Bonnie Tyler was born Gaynor Hopkins in Wales and grew up loving music.
She was discovered by talent scout Roger Bell in a Swansea club.
Her first single, "Lost in France," came out in 1977.
"Total Eclipse of the Heart," released five years later, became a global hit.
The song was originally eight minutes long, but the radio version was shorter.
She received three Grammy nominations for vocals.
Tyler represented the UK in Eurovision 2013.
In 2022, she was awarded an MBE by Prince William for her contributions to music.
Her most famous song has over a billion streams on Spotify and 1.3 billion views on YouTube.
Tyler passed away after emergency surgery and a period in intensive care.
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The United States and Iran have exchanged military attacks again, damaging a recent ceasefire agreement. Both sides targeted military sites, and casualties were reported as tensions rose around the Strait of Hormuz, an important waterway for global shipping.
Key Facts
The U.S. targeted about 90 military sites in Iran, including storage for missiles and drones.
Iran responded by attacking facilities used by U.S. forces in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar.
President Donald Trump said the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran was “over.”
Attacks have damaged key infrastructure, causing some transport disruptions in Iran, including railway service suspension.
At least 14 people have died and dozens more were injured over the past two days due to the conflict.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic shipping route that both sides agreed to reopen under a recent ceasefire deal.
The ceasefire agreement was mediated by Pakistan and Qatar and aimed to start talks on bigger issues like Iran’s nuclear program.
Despite the attacks, Trump mentioned Iran had reached out wanting to negotiate a deal.
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Last June was the hottest June ever recorded in Western Europe, with temperatures over 3 degrees Celsius above recent averages, according to the European Union’s climate monitoring service. A strong heatwave caused very high temperatures, dry conditions, and wildfires, affecting millions of people across the continent.
Key Facts
Western Europe’s average temperature in June was 20.74°C (69.33°F), over 3°C above the 1991-2020 average.
The heatwave created a “heat dome,” a high-pressure system trapping heat like a lid on a pot.
More than 410 million Europeans experienced temperatures above 35°C (95°F) during the heatwave.
Thousands of deaths were linked to the heatwave, mostly in France, Spain, and Belgium.
High humidity made nights warm, reducing relief from the heat.
The Mediterranean Sea reached record-high water temperatures, harming marine ecosystems.
Dry weather increased drought risks in Eastern Europe and caused wildfires in southern Europe.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service gathers data from satellites and weather stations to monitor these changes.
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King’s College London has disciplined at least 26 students since October 2023 for their involvement in pro-Palestine protests or related activities. The university said it only acts on complaints involving threats, abuse, or racism, and does not punish lawful protest or political views.
Key Facts
A student named Khadija was banned from attending classes with a lecturer linked to the Israeli army after posting critical remarks in a pro-Gaza group.
She was required to write a 2,000-word essay and faced possible referral to a UK government counterterrorism program called Prevent.
King’s College London had the highest number of disciplinary investigations into pro-Palestine students among British universities.
A total of 42 UK universities have investigated up to 236 students or staff for pro-Gaza activities since October 2023.
University College London had 24 disciplinary cases, University of Oxford had 18, and Cardiff University had 12.
King’s College London says it supports diverse views and only disciplines behavior that threatens safety or free expression.
Seven of the investigated students at King’s are international students on visas.
Some students planned protests that included wearing Palestinian scarves and showing images related to Gaza, but these protests did not take place before investigations began.
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Andy Burnham is expected to become the new leader of the Labour Party because no one else is running against him. If confirmed, he would become the prime minister of the United Kingdom on July 20, shortly after returning to Parliament.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is currently the only candidate running to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader.
Labour MPs can officially support candidates from 9:00 BST on Thursday, with an initial count published around 19:00 BST.
Former defence minister Al Carns decided not to run, clearing the way for Burnham.
Labour rules require a candidate to have at least 81 MP nominations and support from local branches or affiliated unions.
Burnham could secure enough MP nominations (323) to prevent any rival from running.
If unopposed, Burnham would be declared leader by the end of next week and become prime minister on July 20.
Burnham plans to create a new unit in Manchester to give local governments more control over housing and transport.
He intends to keep Jonathan Powell as his national security adviser and wants to increase defense spending while being more transparent about military costs.
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Prince Harry's visit to the UK was meant to support the Invictus Games and possibly reconnect with King Charles III. However, three major problems, including not receiving police protection, have overshadowed the trip and made relationships tense.
Key Facts
Prince Harry planned to bring his children, Archie and Lilibet, to meet King Charles III for the first time in four years.
The visit was connected to the Invictus Games, a sports event for military veterans.
The UK Home Office decided not to provide police protection for Harry during the visit.
Without police protection, Harry questioned the safety of bringing his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children.
King Charles offered Harry a royal residence to stay in but could not influence the protection decision because it is a government matter.
Some in Harry’s team suspected palace aides influenced decisions about security, causing mistrust.
The Police protection decisions involve a committee called RAVEC, which includes senior royal aides.
The issues shifted the story from positive family reunion plans to disputes and suspicion.
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Russia has threatened to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine during its ongoing war. Russian forces face heavy losses and attacks deep inside Russia, raising concerns that President Putin might consider using nuclear weapons to change the course of the conflict.
Key Facts
Russian oligarch Konstantin Malofeyev suggested using tactical nuclear weapons on Ukraine in June 2023.
Russia participated in nuclear exercises just before invading Ukraine in February 2022, signaling possible nuclear threats.
President Putin warned of severe consequences on the first day of the invasion.
Ukraine has conducted drone strikes on targets deep inside Russia, including near Moscow and in Crimea.
Russia is experiencing energy shortages due to attacks on its refineries and energy facilities.
Russian troops suffer high casualties with very short life expectancy for new recruits.
Analysts warn Russia’s regime could collapse under military and economic pressure.
Some experts believe Russia may use nuclear weapons to try to win the war as a last option.
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Two Muslim women who have faced threats for opposing extremism warn that foreign money, especially from Qatar, is influencing American college campuses. They say this funding shapes what gets taught and pushes moderate voices aside, creating tensions among students and limiting open discussion. They call on the U.S. Senate to pass laws requiring schools to disclose such foreign funding.
Key Facts
The authors are two Muslim women who opposed extremist groups and have faced death threats.
Qatar has sent billions of dollars to U.S. universities since 2001, more than any other foreign country.
Qatar supports groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas and runs Al Jazeera, a network seen as spreading anti-Israel views.
Foreign funds affect university teaching, research, and hiring, shaping campus ideas over time.
Moderate Muslim voices on campuses are being pushed out, while tensions between Muslim and Jewish students increase.
A study found that campuses with undisclosed foreign money report more efforts to silence scholars and more antisemitism.
Past congressional actions addressed similar issues with Chinese Confucius Institutes by requiring transparency.
The House has passed the DETERRENT Act twice to increase disclosure of foreign funding, but the Senate has not yet acted.
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A national protest against data centers is planned in the U.S. on July 18, organized by a conservative group called Humans First. The group is concerned about the effects of data centers on local communities, including higher utility costs, water use, noise, and national security risks related to artificial intelligence (AI) growth.
Key Facts
More than 4,000 data centers have been built in the U.S. so far.
A Gallup poll shows 70% of Americans do not want a data center in their community.
Humans First plans protests in over 50 locations on July 18.
The group wants officials to better protect communities from impacts of data centers.
Protest organizers say elected officials are not listening to concerns about these facilities.
They want stronger safety rules for AI technology and more transparency about data center projects.
Some data centers have been built in drought-affected areas and on important water sources.
The Trump administration supports faster building of data centers to compete with countries like China.
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Scientists at Tufts University have found specific immune molecules that appear early in Lyme disease infections and may help doctors diagnose the disease sooner. These molecules could also help identify patients who have ongoing symptoms after treatment, potentially improving testing and care for Lyme disease.
Key Facts
Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi.
Current tests find antibodies that take weeks to appear and can stay long after infection is gone, making diagnosis difficult.
Researchers discovered antibodies against certain fats (lipids) that show up earlier in infection.
Three lipid-related antibodies were found at higher levels during Lyme infection; two of these (αPA and αPS) appeared even before standard tests turned positive.
Elevated αPS antibody levels were linked to patients with lasting symptoms after treatment.
These antibodies are less likely to be found in other diseases that mimic Lyme symptoms.
The study used blood samples from 199 Lyme disease patients and compared them to healthy volunteers and individuals with similar diseases.
More research is needed before these findings can be turned into a new test for Lyme disease.
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A three-month-old Palestinian baby named Ahmad Zaid died after Israeli soldiers blocked an ambulance route near Deir Ammar refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. His family was unable to get emergency medical help because a military gate was closed, forcing them to take a longer route that delayed treatment.
Key Facts
Ahmad Zaid was three months old and lived in Deir Ammar refugee camp near Ramallah.
On the day of the incident, Ahmad became unresponsive and needed urgent medical care.
An ambulance was called, but a locked Israeli military gate blocked the direct route to Ramallah hospital.
Soldiers refused to open the gate even after Ahmad’s father pleaded and carried the baby toward them.
Soldiers fired tear gas and stun grenades to push the family away when they tried to cross on foot.
The family had to use longer, difficult roads, and Ahmad was pronounced dead on the way to the hospital.
The gate has been closed indefinitely since late February and isolates about 18,000 Palestinians from essential services.
The World Health Organization reported many incidents where healthcare was delayed or blocked in the West Bank in 2025.
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Costco is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit from customers who say the company sold Orgain Organic Protein Powder without telling buyers it contained unsafe levels of heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and arsenic. The lawsuit claims Costco violated consumer protection laws by not warning shoppers about these contaminants.
Key Facts
Seven consumers filed the lawsuit in federal court in Washington state.
The product involved is Orgain Organic Protein Powder, sold at Costco stores nationwide.
Testing by Consumer Reports found lead levels 43% above the safe benchmark, plus cadmium and arsenic present.
Heavy metals naturally appear in the environment and can end up in food.
The plaintiffs say Costco did not disclose these metal levels on the packaging or in advertising.
Consumers claim they would not have bought the product or would have paid less if they knew about the contaminants.
Protein powders are not regularly reviewed or tested by the FDA before sale.
Lawsuit alleges violations in several states and seeks disclosure of heavy metal levels and sales restrictions until disclosed.
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States in the U.S. rely on different types of taxes to fund their governments. Some states collect most of their revenue from income taxes on wages and businesses, while others depend mainly on taxes from sales, gas, tourism, and other purchases.
Key Facts
In 2025, 27 states got most of their tax money from sales and consumption taxes.
21 states raised most of their tax revenue from income taxes, including taxes on wages and corporate profits.
Texas, Florida, and some other states have no income tax and rely heavily on taxes from spending and business activity.
California, New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut depend mostly on income taxes, which are affected by earnings and business profits.
All states collected some form of sales or similar taxes by 2025, making up 45.4% of state tax revenue nationwide.
Taxes on consumption can feel lighter for wealthy people but often take more from lower-income families.
The way taxes are collected may influence economic fairness and affect racial inequality since lower-income Black and Hispanic households may pay a larger share of consumption taxes.
States have created tax systems based on different parts of the economy and populations, not just on whether taxes are "high" or "low."
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The total value of the cryptocurrency market is over $2.23 trillion, but Bitcoin has lost more than half its value since its highest price in October 2025. While big investors, banks, and politicians are supporting cryptocurrencies, there are concerns about their use in political interference and by sanctioned countries to move money outside normal banking.
Key Facts
The cryptocurrency market is valued at more than $2.23 trillion.
Bitcoin’s price has dropped by more than 50% since October 2025.
Large institutional investors are investing billions in cryptocurrencies.
Traditional banks are starting to use and support digital currencies.
Some politicians actively promote and benefit from cryptocurrencies.
Governments worldwide are working on new regulations for digital assets.
Cryptocurrencies are being used for political interference.
Some sanctioned countries use cryptocurrencies to bypass normal financial rules.
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Sony announced that it will stop making physical PlayStation game discs starting in 2028 and focus only on digital game sales. This decision follows a recent example where Sony removed some digital movies from users' libraries, highlighting concerns about owning digital products. Many gamers and companies reacted strongly to Sony's news, worried about losing the option to buy physical discs.
Key Facts
Sony will end production of physical PlayStation game discs in 2028.
Around 80% of PlayStation game sales are already digital downloads.
The switch saves Sony money on manufacturing and shipping discs.
Players will no longer be able to share, resell, or buy discounted physical games.
Sony currently controls game pricing through its digital PlayStation Store.
This decision might impact PlayStation superfans who spend above average and promote games.
Sony has faced criticism and lawsuits over its digital sales monopoly.
The change could lead to cheaper PlayStation consoles without disc drives in the future.
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Oil prices rose sharply after President Donald Trump ended a ceasefire with Iran following attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz and ordered new strikes. Prices later fell but remained volatile as tensions between the US and Iran created uncertainty in the oil markets.
Key Facts
President Trump declared the ceasefire with Iran over after Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The US ordered fresh military strikes against Iran in response.
Oil prices jumped about 8% on the news, with Brent crude surpassing $80 a barrel.
The US revoked a temporary sanctions waiver for Iranian oil.
The Strait of Hormuz is important because about 20% of the world’s oil passes through it.
President Trump said he expects the conflict to end quickly and mentioned talks might resume.
Stock markets, especially tech shares in Asia, rose slightly amid the oil price changes.
Investors remain cautious about further violence affecting global oil supply and prices.
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South Sudan became the newest country in the world in 2011 when almost all voters chose to leave Sudan. Fifteen years later, the country still faces many problems like poverty, violence, and political struggles, and many promises made at independence have not been met.
Key Facts
South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in July 2011 after a 99% vote in favor.
The country is very poor, with 82% of people living below the poverty line.
Oil makes up about 90% of the government’s income, but the economy depends on pipelines going through Sudan.
There has been no national election since independence, and the next one is planned for late 2026.
South Sudan is governed by a transitional unity government formed under a 2018 peace deal, but fighting continues in several states.
Key political groups include the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO).
President Salva Kiir has been in power since independence, backed mainly by the Dinka ethnic group.
Vice President Riek Machar leads the SPLM-IO and is supported by many in the Nuer ethnic group.
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Andy Burnham, soon to become Labour leader in the UK, has called for more openness and public discussion about defence spending. He emphasizes the need for better transparency, stronger national security, support for British industry, and closer defence ties with European countries.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham will become Labour leader and is expected to be elected unopposed.
Burnham promises not to use party rules to stop debate among Labour MPs.
He wants more open public discussion and detailed updates on defence spending projects.
Burnham supports maintaining Jonathan Powell as national security adviser.
Defence spending should focus on boosting economic growth, creating jobs, and supporting British businesses.
He stresses the need to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and build partnerships with allies.
National security will be Burnham’s top priority if he becomes prime minister.
Burnham aims for a closer defence relationship with European countries.
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