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A three-year-old boy was seriously injured by crocodiles at a zoo in Cambridgeshire and has had five surgeries so far. Police arrested a 30-year-old man but later released him on bail; the boy will need more surgeries and a long recovery.
Key Facts
The attack happened on June 18 at Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo in Cambridgeshire.
The boy was inside the crocodile enclosure when the attack occurred.
He has undergone five surgeries and needs at least two more.
The boy’s parents said they don’t yet know how much feeling or movement he will recover in his arms and hands.
A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder but was released on bail until September 18.
The arrested man has learning disabilities and was visiting the zoo with carers; he is not believed to know the boy.
The family has received around £26,000 in donations to help with recovery and expenses.
Zoo staff acted quickly to rescue the boy, and the zoo has over 100 animals including lions, tigers, and various types of crocodiles.
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President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukraine’s military said Ukraine still controls the eastern city of Kostiantynivka. This makes their own claim that Russia has not captured the city, which Russia’s military said it had taken during fighting in the Donetsk region.
Key Facts
Ukraine controls the city of Kostiantynivka in eastern Ukraine.
President Zelensky and Ukraine’s General Staff denied Russian claims of capturing the city.
Russia’s military reported to President Vladimir Putin that it had taken Kostiantynivka.
Kostiantynivka is an important strategic target in Russia’s push through the Donetsk region.
The city has been a key focus in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
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Two young men were killed and a third was injured in a shooting at Fairlane Town Center mall in Dearborn, Michigan, on the afternoon before July 4. The shooting began as an argument between two groups who knew each other and was not random.
Key Facts
The shooting happened around 1:25 p.m. local time on Friday at Fairlane Town Center mall.
Two young men died, one inside the mall and one later at a hospital; a third person was also shot and taken to the hospital.
The incident started as a fight between two groups of young people who knew each other.
Both groups had handguns, and police do not believe the shooting was random or related to robbery.
The mall was evacuated, and police cleared the area; one person fleeing was hit by a vehicle outside.
Several people connected to the fight were questioned, but no arrests were made immediately.
Michigan State Police helped Dearborn police with the investigation, and the mall was closed while police worked.
Police asked the public to provide any information about the shooting by calling the Dearborn Police Department.
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President Donald Trump gave a speech at Mount Rushmore to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence. In his speech, he praised America’s uniqueness but also warned about the dangers of communism, turning the celebration into a political message.
Key Facts
The speech was given at Mount Rushmore during the 250th anniversary of the United States.
President Trump spoke about American exceptionalism, meaning the idea that the U.S. is special and different from other countries.
He also warned about a threat he described as communism.
The tone of the speech shifted from a celebration to a political warning.
Ian Reifowitz, a history professor, said Trump’s goal was to increase his popularity and power.
The speech politicized the independence celebrations rather than focusing solely on national unity.
The event included a flyover at Mount Rushmore as part of the festivities.
The speech drew attention from experts and media for its political content during a historic celebration.
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The Independence Day parade in Washington, D.C., planned for Saturday morning, was canceled because of extremely hot weather. The National Park Service, which runs the event, made this decision after an official heat warning was issued.
Key Facts
The annual Independence Day parade in Washington, D.C. was scheduled for Saturday at 10:30 a.m.
The National Park Service is responsible for organizing the parade.
The parade was canceled late Friday due to very high temperatures.
The cancellation followed an "Extreme Heat Warning" from weather authorities.
The heat conditions also disrupted other America 250 celebrations around the country.
Extreme heat can create health risks, especially during outdoor events.
The decision was made to keep attendees and participants safe.
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The 1986 World Cup in Mexico was almost cancelled after a deadly earthquake hit Mexico City in 1985, killing thousands and damaging the city. Despite the disaster, the tournament went ahead because the stadiums were not damaged, and the Mexican government and FIFA decided to continue with the event.
Key Facts
A powerful earthquake struck Mexico City in 1985, killing at least 5,000 people and leaving about 30,000 homeless.
Some estimates claim the death toll could have been as high as 40,000.
The quake damaged many buildings, including hospitals and churches, and caused widespread destruction in the city center.
Mexico was not the original host of the 1986 World Cup; it took over after Colombia withdrew in 1983.
The city’s football stadiums, including Estadio Azteca, remained intact after the earthquake.
FIFA supported Mexico’s decision to continue hosting the tournament despite the disaster.
Rescue efforts involved 50,000 troops, police, and firefighters dealing with severe shortages of water and medicine.
During the World Cup opening, President Miguel de la Madrid faced boos from the crowd, indicating public dissatisfaction with the government.
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The UK Parliament is asked to help young adults with learning disabilities access money in their Child Trust Funds because current legal costs are too high. New data shows many newly hired workers are choosing not to join workplace pensions, and delays continue in pension services for civil servants. Changes are also proposed to replace the Lifetime ISA with a new savings product just for first-time homebuyers.
Key Facts
Child Trust Funds were started over 15 years ago with government and family contributions.
Young adults with learning disabilities face high legal costs to access their Child Trust Funds money.
In one year, 500,000 people opted out of workplace pension enrollment before their contributions began.
Automatic pension enrollment happens when people start new jobs but some say no to joining.
Capita is behind schedule in fixing long pension service delays for civil servants.
Plans are being made to replace the Lifetime ISA with a new savings product aimed at first-time homebuyers.
The news comes from a Radio 4 Money Box episode aired on 4th July 2026.
The program reports on financial issues affecting young adults, pension savers, and homebuyers.
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The city of El Obeid in Sudan is facing heavy drone attacks amid fighting between Sudan’s army and a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). These strikes have damaged schools, fuel stations, and power facilities, causing many deaths and injuries. The United Nations and human rights groups warn of possible large-scale human rights crimes in the area.
Key Facts
El Obeid is a city of about 500,000 people in Sudan’s conflict zone between government and paramilitary forces.
Over 40 drone attacks have occurred in recent months, with at least 15 strikes causing 45 deaths and 41 injuries in June alone.
The RSF is accused of ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, including actions described as having genocide characteristics in nearby regions.
The UN’s human rights chief called for urgent international action to stop potential atrocities in El Obeid.
Key facilities such as schools, hospitals, fuel stations, and the city’s main power station have been hit, causing blackouts and disrupting life.
The Sudanese army is defending the city and has built extensive defensive lines in anticipation of a siege.
Tens of thousands of displaced people live in camps near El Obeid, increasing the humanitarian crisis.
Reports find that attacks on civilian infrastructure appear intentional and designed to weaken the city’s ability to survive.
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President Donald Trump’s administration has launched “Trump Accounts,” special savings accounts for American children under 18 to help families save money for the future. Parents can enroll newborns in these accounts when they get their Social Security numbers, and the government will add $1,000 to children born between 2025 and 2028.
Key Facts
Trump Accounts are tax-advantaged savings accounts for people under 18, designed to become traditional retirement accounts after age 18.
The accounts allow up to $5,000 in annual contributions that grow tax-deferred until withdrawal.
Withdrawals can start only after the child turns 18, following traditional IRA rules.
The Social Security Administration will allow parents to enroll newborns in Trump Accounts when getting Social Security numbers.
The government will deposit $1,000 into the accounts of children born from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2028.
Investment options for the accounts are limited to mutual funds or ETFs tracking U.S. stock indexes like the S&P 500.
Some companies, such as BlackRock and Chipotle, will match the government’s $1,000 contribution for their employees’ children.
Experts have expressed doubts about the optimistic projections for the accounts’ long-term growth.
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Thousands of people protested in Erfurt, Germany, to block roads and disrupt the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party’s annual conference. The AfD is gaining popularity but remains controversial due to its extremist views, and some protesters want the party banned.
Key Facts
Around 20,000 protesters gathered in Erfurt, Thuringia, to oppose the AfD party meeting.
Protesters came from unions, civil groups, and left-wing parties and organized road blockades and sit-ins.
Police deployed many officers and reported over 200 buses bringing protesters to the city.
Some clashes occurred between protesters and police in riot gear, but the AfD conference began on time.
The AfD became the second largest party in Germany last year, achieving the best far-right election result since World War II.
Opinion polls indicate the AfD leads over Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative party and might gain state-level power for the first time in Saxony-Anhalt.
Mainstream parties refuse to work with AfD because of its “anti-democratic” and extremist positions.
The German intelligence agency has monitored AfD for possible anti-constitutional activities.
Protesters argue that AfD’s policies, like mass deportations, are harmful and demand banning the party.
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Many people experience problems with their sense of smell, such as total or partial loss. The COVID-19 pandemic brought more attention to these smell disorders, leading to increased research showing how smell affects quality of life and brain health.
Key Facts
Around 22% of people have some smell impairment, including complete loss (anosmia) or partial loss (hyposmia).
Other smell disorders include phantosmia (smelling things that aren’t there) and parosmia (pleasant smells become unpleasant).
COVID-19 caused millions of smell losses worldwide, making researchers study this sense more closely.
Smell is linked directly to emotional and memory areas of the brain, unlike vision or hearing.
The olfactory bulbs in the brain detect smells and can grow new neurons even in adults.
These brain parts are vulnerable to viruses and toxins and may explain long-term smell problems.
Chrissi Kelly lost her sense of smell 14 years ago and started patient groups and research efforts on smell loss.
Historically, scientists underestimated the importance of smell, but new studies show it plays a key role in everyday life and brain function.
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Nearly 1 million homes across the Midwest and Northeast United States lost power due to extreme heat and severe weather on July 3 and 4, 2026. Major Independence Day events in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., including the Salute to Independence parade and the National Independence Day Parade, were canceled because of dangerous triple-digit temperatures.
Key Facts
About 956,388 homes experienced power outages across multiple states in the Midwest and Northeast.
The heatwave caused temperatures to reach heat index values between 110°F and 115°F. Heat index is how hot it feels when humidity is combined with the air temperature.
The Philadelphia Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade was canceled due to extreme heat.
The National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C., scheduled for July 4, 2026, was also canceled for safety reasons.
Organizers consulted with the National Park Service, D.C. government, and other groups before making the decision to cancel events.
The Great American State Fair and FIFA Fan Zone in D.C. delayed their opening by two hours due to the heat.
The extreme heat posed serious health risks to participants, spectators, and staff at public events.
Power restoration crews were working throughout the day to fix outages, and the number of people affected was likely higher than the number of households reported.
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The United States is marking its 250th anniversary of independence with large celebrations across the country. However, a strong heat wave in the eastern US is causing health warnings and some changes to planned events during the Fourth of July weekend.
Key Facts
This year marks 250 years since the US adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
The anniversary celebrations include parades, concerts, fairs, fireworks, and historical reenactments nationwide.
President Donald Trump created his own planning committee, “Freedom 250,” to lead key anniversary events like the Great American State Fair in Washington, DC.
Some musical performers dropped out of the fair because of its association with President Trump.
The Great American State Fair will feature state pavilions, food, live music, and a Ferris wheel along the National Mall in Washington, DC.
Other major events include a concert in Los Angeles, a time capsule burial in Philadelphia, tall ships in New York Harbor, and fireworks in Boston.
Extreme heat in the eastern US is causing health concerns and forcing some event organizers to modify or delay activities.
Officials warn of serious health risks from the heat during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
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NASA’s Perseverance rover found a new type of organic carbon on the surface of a Martian rock in Jezero Crater. Unlike previous findings that required drilling, this carbon was detected right on the rock’s surface, but scientists are still unsure if it came from living things or non-living chemical processes.
Key Facts
Perseverance rover has been exploring Mars’ Jezero Crater for five years.
It detected complex macromolecular carbon on the surface of a rock named Bright Angel near an ancient river channel called Neretva Vallis.
This carbon was found using SHERLOC, an instrument that uses ultraviolet light to identify chemicals.
The carbon’s pattern (called the G-band) suggests a structure similar to kerogen, a substance on Earth usually made by fossilized life.
Scientists do not confirm the carbon is from life because it might have formed through non-living processes.
Tests showed the signal was not caused by Perseverance’s instruments or contamination from Earth.
One detected rock with the carbon was never touched by the rover’s tools; the rover only removed dust with nitrogen gas.
To understand the origin of the carbon, scientists may need to bring samples back to Earth for more detailed study.
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The Merlin bird ID app lets users identify bird species by their songs and photos using machine learning. It will soon connect with the eBird database to share bird sightings automatically, helping scientists monitor bird populations and support conservation efforts.
Key Facts
Merlin app, created by the Cornell Lab for Ornithology, identifies birds from their songs and pictures using machine learning.
Bird sightings recorded by users will be automatically added to eBird, a global database with over 2 billion bird observations.
The app can currently identify 2,066 bird species, mainly in the US, Canada, Europe, India, and parts of the Americas.
Merlin has been downloaded over 40 million times in 240 countries, with nearly 2 million users in the UK alone.
The UK bird population has declined by over 70 million in 50 years, highlighting the importance of bird monitoring apps like Merlin.
Some users report occasional misidentifications by Merlin, and the European Bird Census Council advises caution in using the app for official surveys.
The app aims to connect more people to nature and improve conservation through citizen science contributions.
Future updates will allow users to upload audio recordings directly to eBird via the Merlin app.
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The article discusses the upcoming 250th birthday of the United States and criticizes the planned celebrations as unexciting. The author suggests changes to how the country could be improved, such as eliminating the electoral college and making Puerto Rico a state, as better ways to mark the occasion.
Key Facts
The United States will celebrate its 250th birthday on the Fourth of July weekend.
Many events planned for the celebration have not attracted much interest or fun for the public.
The electoral college is criticized for being a confusing and outdated system to elect the president.
The author proposes ending the electoral college system as a gift to America.
Making Puerto Rico a state is suggested to increase inclusion and add stars to the American flag.
The US currently controls 14 territories, 5 of which have people living there.
The article also humorously proposes using artificial intelligence to create a new season of the TV show Game of Thrones as part of the celebration.
The focus is on ideas that might unite and improve the country rather than traditional birthday events.
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Slate Auto, a Detroit-based electric vehicle startup backed by Jeff Bezos, launched an affordable pickup truck priced at $24,950. While this price is low for the U.S. market, the dominance of inexpensive, feature-rich Chinese electric vehicles worldwide is challenging the U.S. auto industry's competitiveness in the electric vehicle market.
Key Facts
Slate Auto offers a basic electric pickup truck starting at $24,950, which is about half the price of the average new U.S. vehicle.
Chinese electric vehicles can cost as little as $10,000 and come with more features than U.S. models like Slate’s truck.
About 20% of new cars sold recently in the UK and around 6.4% in the European Union are Chinese-made electric vehicles.
Chinese electric vehicles are not allowed to be sold in the U.S. due to trade restrictions.
American consumers prefer bigger, feature-packed vehicles, pushing domestic automakers to focus on those models.
The Slate pickup has limited features, such as manual windows and no built-in stereo, and an estimated range of 205 miles.
Adding optional features to the Slate truck increases its price significantly, similar to budget airlines charging for extras.
BYD, a Chinese automaker, produces more electric vehicles than Tesla and plans to become the largest automaker worldwide within five years.
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This year, the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence on July 4th. Some people born on July 4th say they have mixed feelings about sharing their birthdays with the national holiday, especially given the current political and social climate under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Key Facts
The US is marking 250 years of independence this Fourth of July with events on the National Mall.
The celebration comes amid concerns about civil rights, immigration policies, and international relations.
Several Americans born on July 4th shared their mixed emotions about their birthday coinciding with the anniversary.
Some feel this year’s celebrations under President Trump lack seriousness and reflect poorly on the country.
Others recall more meaningful celebrations during the 200th anniversary in 1976.
Many feel the holiday has become more political and less about the original ideals of independence.
Some July 4th birthdays find it hard to enjoy the holiday because of the current political atmosphere.
The term “MAGA” (Make America Great Again) was mentioned as symbolizing the current style of patriotism that some find off-putting.
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Jeremy Wright from Texas bought $1,158 worth of World Cup tickets on StubHub but received an email just hours before the match saying the tickets were no longer available. Despite StubHub’s guarantee to provide valid or replacement tickets or refunds, Jeremy and his wife could not get new tickets and had to request a refund.
Key Facts
Jeremy Wright bought two World Cup tickets on StubHub for a game in Dallas.
He paid $1,158 and planned the trip with his wife, including an $800 hotel stay.
Hours before the match, StubHub emailed him saying the tickets were no longer available.
StubHub promises a “FanProtect 100% Guarantee” to provide valid or replacement tickets or refunds.
No replacement tickets were offered; available tickets were much more expensive ($2,200-$3,500).
Jeremy requested a refund and did not attend the game after driving to Dallas.
Other buyers on StubHub have reported similar last-minute ticket cancellations.
The sudden cancellations caused frustration due to short notice and costly travel plans.
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A woman shares her experience of diving near the Revillagigedo Archipelago, a remote group of islands in the Pacific Ocean known for abundant marine life including many sharks. She describes the challenging journey, the powerful feeling of being underwater during a shark feeding frenzy, and how the trip helped her find peace after personal struggles including cancer and marriage issues.
Key Facts
The Revillagigedo Archipelago consists of four small, isolated islands about 400 km from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
The area is only reachable by a 24-hour liveaboard dive boat journey, often through rough seas.
It is known for clear, pristine waters and a variety of sea animals, including large manta rays, dolphins, and many sharks.
The author experienced a feeding frenzy of sharks underwater while diving near one of the islands called Roca Partida.
The journey was part of the author's effort to find solitude and healing after surviving breast cancer and going through a difficult marriage.
The archipelago has no hotels, no public airports, and little infrastructure besides a small Mexican naval base.
The author’s dive experience was deeply personal, reconnecting with a childhood love for the ocean and exploration.
The trip was designed to be a break from technology and everyday life, with limited or no phone and internet service.
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