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President Donald Trump posted a fake photo showing former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama boarding Air Force One with graffiti on the plane. The graffiti included political slogans and an Arabic word, and the image has drawn criticism for its racial undertones.
Key Facts
President Trump shared a doctored image of the Obamas boarding Air Force One covered in graffiti.
The graffiti included "Yes We Can," "Obama," "BLM" (Black Lives Matter), and an Arabic word meaning "praise be to God."
Graffiti can be a coded symbol tied to messages about crime and urban decay, often used in racist messaging against Black people.
This is not the first time Trump has posted controversial or racist images involving the Obamas; a prior post depicted them as primates and was removed after criticism.
Trump has a history of personal and racial attacks on Obama, including unfounded claims about Obama’s birthplace.
The new Air Force One recently flown by Trump has a changed color scheme, different from its traditional light blue.
The White House and the Obamas did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
Trump’s recent posts have also targeted the Obama presidential library and foreign leaders in provocative ways.
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President Donald Trump announced that his administration is planning to create new savings accounts for adults. These accounts would be similar to a retirement savings system used in Australia.
Key Facts
President Trump revealed the plan on a Monday.
The plan aims to set up savings accounts specifically for retirement.
The accounts are modeled after Australia's retirement savings system.
Australia’s system involves automatic savings from workers’ income.
The goal is to help Americans save more money for retirement.
Details of how the plan will work in the U.S. have not yet been fully shared.
President Trump believes the plan will be popular with the public.
The initiative is part of the current administration’s goals around financial security.
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Cédric Jubillar has admitted to killing his wife, Delphine Jubillar, who disappeared in December 2020 while seeking a divorce and starting a new relationship. This case has brought attention to issues of violence against women and children in France.
Key Facts
Delphine Jubillar disappeared in late December 2020.
She was in the process of divorcing and had started a new relationship.
Cédric Jubillar confessed to murdering his wife.
He offered to help police find her body.
The case has highlighted concerns about femicide, which means the killing of women because of their gender.
There have been protests in France demanding stronger laws against violence toward minors and women.
The issue has sparked national debate on how to prevent and handle sexual violence and femicide.
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Two spacecraft from Japan and China had close encounters with small asteroids this weekend. Japan’s Hayabusa2 flew by the asteroid Torifune, while China’s Tianwen-2 arrived near asteroid Kamoʻoalewa to study it and plan sample collection.
Key Facts
Japan’s Hayabusa2 mission launched in 2014 and first visited asteroid Ryugu in 2018, collecting 5.4 grams of samples.
Hayabusa2 still has fuel left and is continuing an extended mission to visit more asteroids.
On Sunday, Hayabusa2 flew within about 10 km of the 450-meter asteroid Torifune.
Hayabusa2’s next planned flyby is a small asteroid about 11 meters wide expected in July 2031.
China’s Tianwen-2 spacecraft reached within 20 km of asteroid Kamoʻoalewa on July 2.
Kamoʻoalewa is about 20 meters in diameter and orbits near Earth but is not captured by Earth’s gravity.
Tianwen-2 will study Kamoʻoalewa, try to collect samples, and aims to return them to Earth by November 2027.
After the sample return, Tianwen-2 may continue to another asteroid named 311P/PanSTARRS for further study.
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AT&T won permission from federal regulators to stop offering traditional landline phone service in California starting in June 2027. Although most Americans use wireless phones, some, especially in rural areas, still rely on landlines for emergencies and during power outages. Data shows about 20% of U.S. households use landlines alongside wireless phones, and nearly 1% use landlines only.
Key Facts
AT&T can now phase out its landline phone service in California starting June 2027.
The Federal Communications Commission approved AT&T’s request to end its role as the state’s carrier of last resort for landlines.
About 3% of California households still use AT&T landline service.
Landlines are important in rural areas where cell signals may be weak or unreliable.
Landlines work during power outages when cell networks can fail.
Nearly 20% of American households use landlines along with wireless phones in 2024.
Around 0.9% of Americans, about 3 million people, depend on landlines only.
Older adults and people with lower incomes are more likely to still use landlines.
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A French man named Cédric Jubillar, who was convicted of murdering his wife Delphine in 2020 without her body ever being found, has confessed to the crime from prison. He promised to help police find where he hid her remains.
Key Facts
Cédric Jubillar was convicted last year and sentenced to 30 years in prison for murdering his wife.
Delphine Jubillar went missing in December 2020; her body has never been found.
Cédric admitted in a letter and to his lawyer that he killed Delphine after a marital fight.
He said he used his car to move her body on the night she died.
The couple had two young children and were discussing divorce before the murder.
Delphine was a night nurse; Cédric reportedly smoked cannabis daily and struggled to keep a job.
Searches included exploring old mines but did not locate Delphine.
Cédric’s appeal trial planned for soon may be delayed due to his confession.
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Prosecutors in Utah are presenting evidence against Tyler Robinson, who is accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk last September. Robinson will have a five-day hearing where the judge will decide if there is enough proof to go to trial.
Key Facts
Tyler Robinson is accused of killing Charlie Kirk in September.
Charlie Kirk is known as a conservative activist.
The case is in Utah state court.
Robinson is 23 years old.
The hearing will last five days.
Prosecutors want the judge to allow a full trial.
The hearing judge is District Judge Tony Graf.
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President Donald Trump said he spoke to FIFA before they lifted a one-game red card ban on U.S. player Folarin Balogun. Balogun, who scored three goals in the tournament, was initially given a red card for a foul but the decision was later overturned.
Key Facts
President Trump confirmed he contacted FIFA about the red card ban on Folarin Balogun.
Balogun is a 25-year-old soccer player and the top scorer for the U.S. in the tournament with three goals.
FIFA initially gave Balogun a straight red card due to a foul against a Bosnia-Herzegovina defender.
FIFA later suspended the red card ban, allowing Balogun to play.
The incident happened during a recent match in the tournament.
The overturned red card helped Balogun continue playing for the U.S. team.
The change in decision was discussed publicly by President Trump.
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President Donald Trump has built a network of nationalist leaders around the world who share a goal of putting their nations first instead of following global institutions. Although these leaders often support each other, their nationalist agendas can clash, causing tensions like the recent dispute between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Their disagreements highlight the challenges of maintaining unity among leaders who prioritize national pride and independence.
Key Facts
President Trump promotes a patriotic, nationalist movement that opposes global cooperation and supports sovereign national interests.
His National Security Strategy encourages European allies to celebrate their national identities and resist centralized European power.
Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s prime minister, is a prominent member of this nationalist group and considered a moderate leader within it.
Other nationalist leaders linked to Trump’s movement include Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, France’s Marine Le Pen, and Poland’s Karol Nawrocki.
Despite a shared ideology, nationalist leaders often clash because each must show loyalty to their own country first.
Trump and Meloni recently had a disagreement stemming from a photo request at a previous summit, illustrating personal and political tensions.
The U.S. and Italy plan to strengthen their strategic partnership on security, economic, and technology issues, focusing on fair trade.
Nationalist leaders face the challenge of balancing cooperation with each other while maintaining strong national pride without seeming controlled by others.
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California has started strictly enforcing the "Daylighting to Save Lives" law, which bans parking near crosswalks to improve safety. Drivers who park too close to crosswalks in Southern California may now receive fines after a grace period focused on education ended.
Key Facts
The law prohibits parking within 20 feet of the approach side of a crosswalk, or 15 feet if a curb extension is present.
It aims to improve visibility for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists at intersections.
The law took effect in January 2025, but enforcement was delayed to allow public education.
The grace period ended in March 2025 statewide, with Los Angeles County continuing education until November 2025.
Violators in Los Angeles County face a $63 fine for parking too close to crosswalks.
The law applies even if there are no signs or red curbs marking the restricted area.
Officials emphasize that drivers must now follow the law or risk getting ticketed.
The rule was created to reduce pedestrian deaths, especially those occurring at intersections.
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Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced a large expansion of settlements beyond the West Bank into other areas like the Negev and Galilee. The Israeli government approved building 13 new settlements in the West Bank, which critics say will strengthen Israel’s control over Palestinian land and hurt hopes for a two-state solution.
Key Facts
Israel plans to expand illegal settlements beyond the West Bank into the Negev and Galilee regions.
The Israeli cabinet approved 13 new settlements in the central West Bank along key routes connecting Palestinian cities.
Israeli officials say the settlements will help secure strategic areas, especially near Route 60 and the Jordan Valley.
Palestinians warn this expansion will isolate East Jerusalem, a key area for a future Palestinian state.
Since 2022, under Prime Minister Netanyahu’s far-right government, settlement expansion and funding have increased dramatically.
More than 500,000 Israeli settlers live in West Bank settlements and 250,000 in East Jerusalem, all considered illegal under international law.
There has been a rise in settler violence against Palestinians, including attacks on villages, destruction of property, and seizure of resources.
In May alone, 1,659 attacks by Israeli forces and settlers were recorded, with settlers responsible for 551, alongside frequent home demolitions.
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Many first-time home buyers in Australia are using a government program that lets them buy homes with just a 5% deposit. Since the program removed income limits last year, a large number of higher earners, including those making over $200,000, have been able to use it. Economists say this has pushed up home prices because it increased the spending power of buyers who would have purchased homes anyway.
Key Facts
The government’s 5% deposit scheme allows first home buyers to borrow 95% of a home's price with government help on mortgage insurance.
The income limits for the scheme were removed last year, allowing higher earners to use it.
From October to April, about 40,000 loans were backed by the government under this scheme.
More than 13,900 of these loans were to people earning above the previous income caps ($125,000 for singles, $200,000 for couples).
Nearly 1,000 single borrowers earned $200,000 or more, and over 1,200 couples earned $275,000 or more and used the scheme.
Higher earners using the scheme may have contributed to rising home prices by increasing buyer demand.
The scheme’s expansion increased the maximum home prices eligible for the program to over $1 million in some cities.
The average number of first home buyer loans increased only slightly after the scheme expanded, and overall first home buyer activity has recently dropped as the housing market slows.
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A study from the University of Sydney found that extremely high temperatures double the chance that young people in New South Wales, Australia, will be admitted to hospital for mental health problems. The research warns that as global heating causes more extreme heat events, these hospital admissions could increase by up to 7.7% by 2100.
Key Facts
The study analyzed 720,000 hospital admissions of young people up to age 24 from 2001 to 2022.
Admissions for mental health conditions like schizophrenia, depression, substance misuse, eating disorders, and self-harm doubled during very hot days in warmer months.
In colder months, the risk of admission tripled on extremely hot days.
Extreme heat impacts brain function, stress management, sleep, and mood, which may explain the rise in hospital admissions.
The research shows a quick effect of temperature spikes on mental health emergencies, indicating a direct physical response to heat.
Other studies link heatwaves to increased suicidal thoughts and behavior in young people.
Experts note that heat can increase impulsive behavior and substance use as coping methods.
The study is published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
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Labor is changing its policy to soften its long-standing opposition to mandatory jail sentences, keeping some criticism but no longer fully opposing these laws. The party also plans to tighten rules on gambling advertising, aiming to reduce harmful incentives offered by betting companies.
Key Facts
Labor has revised its policy to reduce opposition to mandatory minimum jail sentences but still criticizes their effectiveness and impact on judicial independence.
The updated policy will be discussed at Labor’s national conference in Adelaide from July 23-25.
The earlier draft removed opposition to mandatory sentencing, causing internal disagreement and criticism from party elders.
Labor wants stronger laws to restrict gambling advertising, especially targeting bonuses or incentives from betting companies.
The government’s current draft gambling laws do not ban these betting incentives, despite recommendations to do so.
New South Wales Labor has also pushed the federal government to ban all gambling inducements and advertising.
The policy draft supports the Aukus security pact and includes updated positions on Israel and Palestine, opposing illegal settlements.
Although the platform guides party values and goals, the parliamentary Labor group is not required to follow it exactly.
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Andy Burnham, expected to become UK Prime Minister, has promised to devolve power within England but has not clearly addressed power-sharing with Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Leaders in these Celtic nations remain doubtful about his plans and worry that his approach will not improve their political or financial situations.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is expected to become UK Prime Minister on 20 July, succeeding Keir Starmer.
Burnham supports devolving more power and resources within England, especially focusing on northern cities like Manchester.
Leaders in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are skeptical of Burnham’s approach to devolution beyond England.
Burnham’s speech included comments suggesting some mistrust or misunderstanding about powers already held by devolved governments in Scotland and Wales.
Burnham has questioned or backed away from reforming the Barnett formula, a funding system that allocates money to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru, and Sinn Féin have expressed disappointment with Burnham’s promises and his insufficient attention to their concerns.
Some Labour Party members have differing views on how to handle devolution in Scotland and Wales, causing internal debate on Burnham’s agenda.
Northern Ireland’s first minister, Michelle O’Neill, criticized Burnham’s expected leadership as unlikely to change existing policies.
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Researchers in Texas have found that fleas on pet cats carry the bacteria that cause murine typhus, a disease that is making a comeback in the state. The illness spreads when infected flea waste touches human skin or eyes, and while most cases are mild, some people have been hospitalized or have died from it.
Key Facts
Murine typhus is caused by the bacteria Rickettsia typhi and is spread by fleas.
The disease is not passed directly from person to person.
Symptoms include fever, headache, rash, and nausea, appearing 6 to 14 days after infection.
Researchers detected the bacteria in fleas living on 6 out of 167 pet cats in Texas’s Rio Grande Valley.
Between 2008 and 2023, more than 6,700 cases were reported in Texas.
Flea-borne typhus is also increasing in places like Galveston and California.
Pets rarely get seriously ill, but fleas on them can infect humans.
Preventing fleas on pets and managing rodents helps reduce disease risks.
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Hamas announced it has ended its government in Gaza and will transfer authority to a UN-supported technical committee as part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal. It remains unclear if Hamas will disarm or hand over security, while Israel dismissed Hamas’s announcement as insignificant.
Key Facts
Hamas said it dissolved its government in Gaza and will transfer power to a UN-backed technical committee.
The move aims to support Gaza’s reconstruction after years of conflict.
Hamas did not confirm if it will disarm or give control of security to an international force.
The Board of Peace, led by President Donald Trump, oversees Gaza’s governance and rebuilding efforts under the ceasefire terms.
Hamas plans for only technical staff to manage day-to-day services in Gaza.
Israel called Hamas’s government resignation announcement “spin” with no real effect.
The ceasefire was signed nine months ago, but talks over its second phase, including disarmament, are stalled.
The conflict that began in October 2023 caused thousands of deaths on both Israeli and Palestinian sides.
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A large wildfire in southern France forced Tour de France race organizers to bar fans from part of the race route near the Pyrenees. Across parts of Europe, including Greece, extreme heat has led to numerous wildfires, with firefighters working to control them amid rising temperatures linked to climate change.
Key Facts
A wildfire in Pyrénées-Orientales, southern France, has burned about 1,821 hectares (4,500 acres).
The Tour de France stopped its publicity caravan for the last 40 kilometers of the third stage in France to protect people and resources.
Nearly 700 firefighters are battling the wildfire, and more than two dozen villages were evacuated.
The race stage started in Spain, where temperatures reached around 35°C (95°F).
Greece experienced 96 wildfires over 48 hours, most contained quickly.
The largest fire in Greece was near Athens, requiring 29 aircraft and over 200 firefighters.
Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s, increasing risks of heatwaves and wildfires.
Scientists link the growing frequency and severity of these events to climate change effects in southeastern Europe.
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