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Experts say that cutting US research funding is making the country weaker in science and technology. They point out that China now spends more on research, produces more science and engineering PhDs, and is making progress in many industries.
Key Facts
US research funding is being reduced.
Experts worry this will hurt America's science and technology strength.
China spends more money on research and development than the US.
China graduates more PhDs in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.
China is advancing in many industries, partly due to its investment in research.
The US risks losing its global lead in science because of the funding cuts.
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A preliminary court hearing is underway in Utah for Tyler Robinson, who is accused of killing Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and supporter of President Donald Trump. Prosecutors plan to show videos, witness statements, and other evidence to convince a judge to send Robinson to trial.
Key Facts
Tyler Robinson, 23, is charged with aggravated murder for the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk.
The shooting happened on September 10, 2025, while Kirk was speaking at Utah Valley University.
A former university officer testified that it looked like the shooter used a "sniper pad" on a rooftop.
Robinson has not entered a plea and has unsuccessfully tried to remove the death penalty as an option.
Prosecutors plan to show video from when Robinson turned himself in and a recorded statement from his roommate.
According to prosecutors, Robinson’s note to his roommate said he wanted to "take out" Charlie Kirk.
Evidence expected includes DNA linking Robinson to the weapon, autopsy results, and video of the shooting.
The shooting is considered especially serious because it endangered many people at the campus event.
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U.S. airlines have been focusing on attracting passengers who pay more for first-class, business-class, and premium-economy seats. This strategy creates very different travel experiences for passengers on the same flight, with premium travelers enjoying more comfort and services, while economy travelers face more basic conditions.
Key Facts
Airlines like Delta, American, and United are expanding premium seating and improving high-end amenities.
Premium cabins include first-class, business-class, and premium-economy seats that offer more space and perks.
Premium passengers get benefits like priority security, lounge access with food and drinks, early boarding, and larger seats.
Economy passengers often wait in lines, pay more for food, board late, and have less comfortable seating.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines have emphasized premium cabins to increase profits.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian said airlines aim to win by offering the best, not the cheapest, experience.
United CEO Scott Kirby said investments also improve experiences for economy travelers, including better entertainment and apps.
Airlines used to give free first-class upgrades to loyal customers but now sell more premium seats directly to travelers willing to pay.
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Prince Harry and six others, including Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley, sued the Daily Mail’s publisher for invading their privacy using illegal methods. The London High Court will soon decide on the case, which is part of a larger phone hacking scandal.
Key Facts
Prince Harry led a group suing Associated Newspapers Ltd, publisher of the Daily Mail, for privacy invasion.
The lawsuit accuses the publisher of illegal phone tapping, voicemail interception, and obtaining personal info by deception.
The trial lasted 11 weeks and cost around 40 million pounds ($53.5 million).
Other plaintiffs include singer Elton John and actors Elizabeth Hurley and Sadie Frost.
The newspapers deny the claims and say their stories came from legal sources like friends and aides.
Prince Harry has criticized the press for causing harm to his family, including his late mother, Princess Diana.
Harry previously won privacy cases against other British tabloids, including the Daily Mirror and The Sun.
This is one of several lawsuits linked to a long-running phone hacking scandal in the UK.
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Nashville regularly faces dangerous storms like tornadoes, and locals rely on a volunteer group called Nashville Severe Weather for timely updates and safety advice. The group uses social media and livestreams to give real-time information, helping people know when to take cover and when it is safe again.
Key Facts
Nashville experiences tornadoes and severe storms on a regular basis.
Nashville Severe Weather is a group of volunteers providing storm updates and safety guidance.
The volunteers share live weather information on platforms like YouTube and social media.
Their audience includes many younger people who prefer quick updates on their phones over traditional news.
The group started over ten years ago as a Twitter feed and blog and has grown into a trusted local resource.
The volunteers live in the area and face the same weather threats as their viewers.
The group’s approach is calm and focused on preparedness, helping reduce panic during storms.
The service draws tens of thousands of viewers and encourages real-time interaction.
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At least 16 people remain buried after a landslide in Gansu province, western China, while 17 others were rescued. Heavy storms have also caused deaths and injuries in eastern and central China, with more severe weather and a typhoon expected soon.
Key Facts
A landslide in Gansu province trapped 33 people; 17 have been rescued and 16 are still buried.
Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered a full rescue effort following the landslide.
The cause of the landslide is not yet clear.
Severe thunderstorms recently hit Hubei province, killing at least eight people and injuring 275.
Winds in some cities reached up to 149 km/h (92.58 mph).
Forecasters warned of heavy rain in southeastern and eastern China, which may cause more landslides and tornadoes.
About 200 million people live in areas expected to face heavy rain.
Super Typhoon Bavi is approaching Taiwan with winds up to 290 km/h (180 mph), moving across nearby islands.
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A tanker caught fire after being hit by a projectile while traveling near Oman in the Strait of Hormuz. The attack is part of ongoing tensions in the area, where important oil and gas shipments pass through a key waterway.
Key Facts
The tanker was hit early Tuesday near Limah, Oman, in the Strait of Hormuz.
The UK military reported the projectile struck the port side (left side) of the vessel.
The tanker was heading south toward the Gulf of Oman when attacked.
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial route for about one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas.
Iranian TV claimed the ship was attacked after ignoring warnings but did not directly say Iran was responsible.
Iran says only its approved route through the strait is safe and has reportedly attacked ships using other paths.
Talks between Iran and the United States on ending the conflict are paused due to the recent death of Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Khamenei’s body was moved to Qom, a religious city, where people paid their respects.
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Two new tests called EndoSure and Endotest will soon be available on the NHS in England and Wales to help diagnose endometriosis much faster. Endometriosis is a painful condition affecting many women, and diagnosis often takes years. These tests provide quicker, less invasive options that can give results in under an hour.
Key Facts
Endometriosis affects about 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, causing pain in various parts of the body.
Current diagnosis methods, like ultrasounds and surgery, can take many years to confirm the condition.
The NHS plans to offer two new tests: Endotest (which uses saliva samples) and EndoSure (which measures electrical signals in the gut).
Endotest checks for biological markers linked to endometriosis and sends results back to doctors to guide care.
EndoSure takes about 45 minutes and uses sensors and drinking water to detect gut activity related to the condition.
These tests are not meant to replace other exams but to speed up diagnosis when symptoms suggest endometriosis.
The new tests have provisional approval for three years while more evidence is collected.
Experts say faster diagnosis means earlier treatment and can reduce the need for surgery and long waiting times.
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MPs say the government misled students in England and Wales about the terms of student loans. They criticized materials that compared loan repayments to phone contracts and did not clearly explain that terms could change later. The Treasury committee called for the government to reverse a planned freeze on the repayment threshold.
Key Facts
The repayment threshold for plan 2 student loans will be frozen at £29,385 from April 2027 for three years.
Graduates pay back 9% of their earnings above this threshold.
The freeze means rising salaries do not reduce the loan repayment burden against living costs.
MPs said promotional materials did not reveal that the government could change loan terms retrospectively.
A committee survey with over 52,000 respondents found many did not understand loan terms before borrowing.
The government capped interest rates on student loans at 6% but has not reversed the repayment threshold freeze.
MPs urged the government to honor the original terms promised when the loans were introduced.
A government spokesperson said they are working to improve the student finance system and communications with students.
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NATO leaders are meeting in Ankara during a tense time, as President Trump pressures allies to increase their defense spending. NATO members plan to announce new arms deals and commit about €70 billion in military aid to Ukraine, while discussions focus on fulfilling previous spending promises.
Key Facts
NATO leaders will meet in Ankara for a two-day summit.
President Trump expects NATO allies to increase defense spending to 5% of their GDP.
NATO members will announce tens of billions in new arms contracts during the summit.
Allies plan to commit around €70 billion in military aid to Ukraine over 2023 and 2024.
In 2022, European members and Canada pledged to raise defense spending, including infrastructure to support military movements.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says the focus is on delivering spending commitments, not pleasing anyone.
President Trump has publicly criticized NATO members for not spending enough on defense and compared their budgets to the US.
US plans include reducing some military forces in Europe if a conflict with Russia occurs, depending on how much countries spend on defense.
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Europe is concerned that the United States may not be able to supply weapons it promised to NATO allies because US military stockpiles are running low after conflicts in Ukraine and Iran. NATO leaders, including President Donald Trump, are meeting in Turkey to discuss European defense spending and the US’s future support for the alliance.
Key Facts
The US has delayed or canceled deliveries of key weapons like Tomahawk missiles, Himars rocket artillery, and Patriot missiles to European NATO countries.
US stockpiles of Patriot missiles have been heavily used, especially due to the war with Iran, with about 50% expended by April this year.
These missiles are important to defend against attacks in Ukraine and protect Europe against possible conflict with Russia.
Ukraine’s president said recent Russian attacks overwhelmed their missile defenses, partly because of a shortage of interceptor missiles.
European countries are unhappy about the US shortages but are cautious about openly criticizing the Trump administration.
The US wants NATO allies to raise their defense spending to 5% of GDP and spend much of it on buying American weapons.
Europe plans to increase its own weapons production, but this could take 5 to 10 years, creating a risky gap during which Europe may be less defended.
The US may prioritize sending weapons to allies like Israel, and it could take over 3 years to restock some missile supplies fully.
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A new study shows that dowry-related deaths of women in India have increased but no longer cause public anger or widespread protests. Despite being illegal since 1961, dowry demands remain common, leading to abuse and murder when families cannot meet these demands.
Key Facts
In 2022, there were 6,516 dowry deaths in India, up from 1,841 in 1988.
Dowries were banned in India in 1961 but are still widely demanded by grooms’ families.
Women unable to pay dowries suffer abuse, harassment, and sometimes murder.
Earlier public protests have faded due to political control and changing social attitudes.
Dowry demands have become a “premium on the male child,” linked to the groom’s economic status.
Methods of dowry-related killings evolved from staged accidents to driving women to suicide.
Sex-selective abortion has increased as some families try to avoid future dowry costs.
The ratio of girls to boys in India has become unbalanced, with fewer girls born in some regions.
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Marine Le Pen, a far-right French politician, is waiting for a court decision that will decide if she can run in the next presidential election. She faces a ban from holding office after being convicted of using European parliament funds improperly to pay party staff.
Key Facts
Le Pen leads the far-right National Rally party and is a top candidate for France’s 2027 presidential election.
A lower court banned her from public office for five years and gave her a prison sentence related to misuse of European Union funds.
The court found that Le Pen’s party used EU money to pay workers in France between 2004 and 2016.
Le Pen appealed the ban and denies any wrongdoing, calling the case a “witch-hunt.”
The appeals court ruling will decide if she or her party colleague Jordan Bardella leads the party into next year’s election.
Possible outcomes include reducing or lifting the ban, or confirming it, which could end Le Pen’s campaign chances.
Le Pen has said she will only run if she can campaign freely without restrictions.
If banned, she could try to appeal again to France’s highest court, but she is unsure about doing this.
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A court in eastern China sentenced Yang Youlin, a former city official in Nanjing, to death for accepting over 2.2 billion yuan (about $325 million) in bribes over 30 years. He was also found guilty of embezzlement, abuse of power, and money laundering as part of President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign.
Key Facts
Yang Youlin worked in various official roles in Nanjing city from 1993 to 2023.
He took bribes totaling more than 2.2 billion yuan ($325 million).
Yang helped others get engineering contracts, land deals, and financing in exchange for money and valuables.
He was convicted of embezzlement, abuse of power, and money laundering.
His case was part of President Xi Jinping’s wide anti-corruption drive targeting many sectors.
Death sentences for corruption are rare but given when bribes exceed 1 billion yuan.
Yang admitted guilt and showed remorse but his crimes were considered very serious by the court.
Similar past cases include other officials sentenced to death for large-scale bribery and corruption.
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Hamas has ended the civilian government it ran in Gaza for almost 20 years. This move includes key officials stepping down and stopping the government emergency committee.
Key Facts
Hamas has dissolved its civilian governing body in Gaza.
The civilian government had been in place for nearly 20 years.
Key officials in the government have resigned.
The government emergency committee has been ended.
The announcement marks a major change in Gaza's administration.
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Michael Cohen, who used to be President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, said on Monday that he and President Trump have made up. Cohen spoke about this during a radio show appearance and mentioned that political pressure helped restore their relationship.
Key Facts
Michael Cohen was President Trump’s personal attorney.
Cohen had previously turned against President Trump.
On Monday, Cohen said he and President Trump have reconciled.
Cohen discussed this on the “Cats & Cosby Show” on 77 WABC radio.
He mentioned that the “far left” played a role in bringing back their relationship.
This marks a change in Cohen’s public stance toward President Trump.
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Top Democrats are urging Graham Platner, the Democratic candidate for the US Senate in Maine, to leave the race after a woman accused him of sexual assault. Platner denies the claim but is considering his next steps as the race is important for Democratic control of the Senate.
Key Facts
Graham Platner, a Democrat running for US Senate in Maine, is accused of sexual assault by a former partner.
Platner denies the allegation and calls it "categorically false."
Several top Democrats, including Senate leaders Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, have called for Platner to drop out.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee will not fund Platner’s campaign if he stays in the race.
Other Democratic politicians, like Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, and Elissa Slotkin, also demand he quit the race.
Platner faces Republican Senator Susan Collins in the November election, a key race for Senate control.
Platner must withdraw by July 13 for a replacement candidate to appear on the ballot.
The accuser, Jenny Racicot, says Platner entered her home uninvited and assaulted her while intoxicated.
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A recent poll shows that most voters in Maine want Senate candidate Graham Platner to quit if he is involved in another scandal. The poll was conducted by Wedgewood Polls and focused on the Maine Senate race.
Key Facts
The poll was released on a Monday.
75 percent of Maine voters said Platner should drop out if another scandal happens.
The poll was done by Wedgewood Polls.
The focus is on the Maine Senate race.
Graham Platner is a Democratic candidate.
Voter opinion reflects concern about potential future scandals.
The poll results reflect current attitudes toward Platner’s candidacy.
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Ukraine launched over 430 drones towards Moscow overnight, with many shot down before reaching the city. One person died in a Ukrainian strike in Russia’s Belgorod region. Ahead of a NATO summit, European countries plan to announce large defense deals to boost military spending.
Key Facts
Ukraine sent more than 430 drones toward Moscow between evening and early morning.
Moscow’s mayor said most drones were destroyed before getting close to the city.
A Ukrainian strike in Russia’s Belgorod region killed one civilian and caused a fire.
Another Ukrainian drone attack caused a fire at an industrial facility in Russia's Kaluga region, with no casualties reported.
NATO leaders will reveal defense deals worth tens of billions of dollars in Turkey before their summit.
European countries have increased defense spending significantly, partly due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized the need to keep supporting Ukraine’s defense.
President Donald Trump is attending the NATO summit with other leaders in Ankara.
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Cuba experienced its third nationwide power blackout this year due to fuel shortages and damage to its electric grid. The US has imposed a fuel blockade on Cuba, limiting oil deliveries and worsening the energy crisis, leading to frequent blackouts and power cuts.
Key Facts
Cuba had its third country-wide power outage since the start of the year.
The state electric company is investigating the cause of the blackout.
Vital services like hospitals and food centers still get some electricity during outages.
Cuba’s fuel shortage worsened after President Donald Trump stopped Venezuelan oil deliveries to the island in January.
The US has allowed only one Russian oil tanker to dock in Cuba this year amid sanctions.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel blamed the US for trying to create unrest by cutting fuel supplies.
Parts of Havana have faced over 30 hours of power cuts, and some rural areas over 70 hours.
Residents report very limited daily electricity, sometimes just three or four hours.
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