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This week, rescue work continued in Venezuela after strong earthquakes hit the country last month. The King and Queen of the United Kingdom announced they will not return to live in Buckingham Palace, and Victor Willis, the lead singer of the Village People, passed away.
Key Facts
Rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing in Venezuela after recent damaging earthquakes.
The King and Queen of the UK said they will not move back into Buckingham Palace.
Victor Willis, the lead singer of the music group Village People, died this week.
The article includes a weekly quiz about recent events.
The quiz covers topics related to the UK Royal Family and other world news.
The content aims to test readers' knowledge of recent global and UK events.
The quiz was put together by Ben Fell and includes links to other quizzes.
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Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and her department have stopped using Elon Musk's social media platform X because they believe it spreads misinformation and abuse. The attorney general's office and some other UK politicians left the platform earlier for similar reasons related to harmful content.
Key Facts
Lisa Nandy, the UK Culture Secretary, announced her department is leaving X.
Nandy said X favors abuse and misinformation instead of healthy discussion.
The Culture Department is the second UK government department to leave X, after the attorney general’s office.
Several Members of Parliament (MPs) also left X over misuse of its AI tool to create inappropriate images.
Attorney General Lord Hermer said X often sees racism and misogyny, so his office stopped using it.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer accused Elon Musk of causing division in the UK through his platform.
The controversy follows violent protests after the death of student Henry Nowak, with Musk criticizing the police.
X stated that users creating illegal content with its AI face the same penalties as those posting illegal content.
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The United States can keep producing lots of crops while creating new markets for biofuels. This will help farmers earn more, offer benefits to consumers, protect the environment, and lower the need for oil from other countries.
Key Facts
Biofuels are fuels made from plants and agricultural products.
Using biofuels can reduce pollution compared to traditional fossil fuels.
Expanding biofuel markets can give farmers new sources of income.
Growing biofuels can help the U.S. rely less on imported oil.
Supporting biofuels can boost the agricultural economy.
Biofuels contribute to energy independence and environmental goals.
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Fans suing StubHub say the ticket website did not deliver World Cup game tickets after they paid for them. The lawsuit claims StubHub canceled orders and did not honor a guarantee to protect buyers, while StubHub blames issues on the official event organizer FIFA.
Key Facts
A group lawsuit was filed in Manhattan federal court against StubHub for failing to deliver paid World Cup tickets.
One buyer paid $1,905 for three tickets but had the order canceled by StubHub.
Another paid nearly $3,000 for two tickets, which were also canceled; he was refunded but lost travel costs.
The lawsuit accuses StubHub of selling tickets without authorization from FIFA, the event organizer.
StubHub offers a "FanProtect Guarantee" to ensure ticket authenticity but allegedly failed to honor it in these cases.
Plaintiffs are seeking at least $5 million in damages.
StubHub says it wants to get fans into events and blames FIFA’s ticketing system for problems.
FIFA did not comment on the lawsuit when asked.
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Florida education officials have voted to ban undocumented students from attending state colleges and universities. The policy applies to 28 state-funded schools and requires students to be U.S. citizens or legally in the country to enroll.
Key Facts
Florida’s board of education approved the ban on undocumented students attending public colleges and universities.
The rule affects 28 state-funded institutions in Florida.
Undocumented students must now be U.S. citizens or “lawfully present” in the country to enroll.
This follows a previous change that removed discounted tuition rates for some immigrant students.
Critics say the rule could cost the state up to $15 million each year in lost tuition and fees.
Some opponents question if the rule is legal since it was passed by the board, not the elected legislature.
The ban may conflict with Florida’s goal to increase the number of residents with post-secondary education (“Sail to 60” policy).
Supporters argue taxpayer-funded colleges should only serve citizens and documented immigrants.
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Megyn Kelly criticized President Donald Trump’s family, saying they have gained personal benefits from his time in office. She expressed her disappointment with some leaders during an episode of her podcast and YouTube show.
Key Facts
Megyn Kelly made critical remarks about President Trump’s family.
She claimed they have personally profited from his presidency.
Kelly spoke on her podcast and YouTube show when making these comments.
She expressed feeling disappointed with some political leaders.
The remarks focus on concerns about ethics and leadership within the U.S. government.
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Researchers have started a study to test two possible treatments for a growing Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo. The outbreak involves a rare type of Ebola virus called Bundibugyo, for which there are no approved treatments or vaccines.
Key Facts
More than 1,400 people in Congo have been diagnosed with the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, and 438 have died.
The World Health Organization (WHO) began enrolling participants in the study on July 2, 2026.
The study is testing two drugs: remdesivir, an antiviral medicine, and MBP134, an experimental antibody treatment.
All patients in the trial will receive standard care plus one or both drugs, or neither, to compare results.
Survival of participants will be tracked for 28 days after treatment begins.
The trial is currently only at one treatment center in Congo’s Ituri province due to safety concerns.
Researchers hope the trial will show if either treatment improves survival and can be scaled up in the future.
The study is a collaboration between Congo’s national research institute, Oxford University, Antwerp’s Institute of Tropical Medicine, and international health organizations.
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Hot dogs originated from German sausages and became a popular American food by the late 1800s. They are now a cultural symbol often associated with baseball, regional traditions, and even diplomatic moments involving U.S. presidents and foreign leaders.
Key Facts
The term "hot dog" first appeared in a print in Indiana in 1884.
German sausages like weisswurst and bockwurst helped shape what Americans call hot dogs today.
By the 1890s, hot dogs were commonly linked to baseball games in the United States.
The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council lists 19 different regional hot dog varieties in the U.S.
Hot dogs have played a role in U.S. international relations, sometimes called "hot dog diplomacy."
British King George VI and Queen Elizabeth were served hot dogs during their visit to America before World War II.
Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev tried an American hot dog in 1959 and praised American sausage-making.
Hot dogs continue to inspire art and cultural events, such as a large hot dog sculpture in New York’s Times Square.
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A couple climbed the antenna of the Empire State Building in New York to display a banner about love and peace as part of a marriage proposal. They were arrested and charged with felony reckless endangerment, burglary, and other crimes.
Key Facts
The couple, Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, climbed the Empire State Building’s antenna on July 1, 2026.
They unfurled a black banner that said, “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.”
The climb was part of a marriage proposal at the top of the 1,454-foot tall antenna.
Police waited for about 30 minutes to power down the antenna before arresting them.
The couple was charged with felony reckless endangerment, burglary, and other charges.
Angela and Ivan were featured in a 2024 Netflix documentary called “Skywalkers: A Love Story.”
They posted photos of the climb and engagement ring on social media.
The stunt created safety concerns due to the height and the building’s security.
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Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce plan to hold their wedding at New York’s Madison Square Garden starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, with an event that could run until 4 a.m. the following morning. The city approved a special event permit that also includes a rehearsal dinner and street closures near the venue.
Key Facts
The wedding is set to begin at 5 p.m. Friday at Madison Square Garden in New York.
The event could last until 4 a.m. Saturday.
A permit for the event was approved by New York City's permitting office.
About 100 guests will arrive Thursday evening for a rehearsal dinner.
Streets around Madison Square Garden will be closed overnight to set up tents and entrances.
Officials are preparing extra police presence for the event, which is planned during a busy weekend.
The couple has not publicly confirmed details about the wedding.
Nearby business owners are concerned about losing customers due to street closures and increased security.
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The Wall Street Journal published an opinion piece criticizing President Donald Trump and his family for earning large amounts of money while he is president. According to financial disclosures, President Trump made $2 billion last year, including over $526 million from a cryptocurrency project linked to his company.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump earned $2 billion in the past year, according to his financial disclosures.
More than $526 million came from a cryptocurrency venture managed by the Trump Organization.
The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board wrote an opinion piece about these earnings.
The article suggests the Trump family benefited financially during his presidency.
The cryptocurrency tokens are part of a project associated with the Trump brand.
The editorial uses the phrase “cashing in on the presidency” to describe these earnings.
Financial disclosures are reports that show income and assets of government officials.
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Wilbur, a pet cat from a village in Cornwall, appeared bright blue after coming into contact with blue cornstarch used at a neighbour’s gender-reveal party. Wilbur’s owners were worried at first, but a vet expert said the dye was unlikely to harm the cat, and washing her right away was the correct action.
Key Facts
Wilbur is a female cat usually grey, black, and white.
She got covered in blue dye from cornstarch used in a neighbour’s gender-reveal party.
The family initially thought Wilbur might have been painted with harmful paint.
The gender-reveal involved children kicking footballs filled with blue cornstarch.
Wilbur rolled around in leftover cornstarch in the garden, turning her fur blue.
The family washed the cat repeatedly to remove the dye; a small stain remains.
A vet specialist said the food dye used on cornstarch is unlikely to cause harm.
The vet advised pet owners to stop pets from licking unfamiliar substances and to seek vet advice.
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Tropical Storm Douglas is moving in the eastern Pacific Ocean near the U.S. West Coast but remains far from land and is not expected to cause coastal damage. Forecasters predict the storm will weaken over cooler waters and disappear by Friday, though some models suggest it could come closer to Baja California.
Key Facts
Tropical Storm Douglas is the fourth named storm of the 2026 eastern Pacific hurricane season.
The storm is about 1,175 miles west-southwest of Baja California, with 40 mph winds, moving north at 6 mph.
Douglas is forecast to move over open water, weaken over cooler seas, and become a post-tropical cyclone by Friday.
There are currently no coastal watches or warnings for Douglas.
"Spaghetti models" show different possible storm paths; most predict Douglas will stay away from land, but one shows a possible turn toward Baja California.
The 2026 eastern Pacific hurricane season is expected to be above normal, with 15 to 22 named storms predicted.
El Niño conditions in the Pacific are increasing storm activity in the eastern Pacific by creating favorable weather for storm development.
El Niño generally increases storms in the eastern Pacific while reducing them in the Atlantic hurricane season.
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Adjusting your air conditioner (AC) settings can help lower your electric bill during the summer. Simple changes like raising the thermostat temperature a few degrees, using automated schedules, and setting the fan to "auto" instead of "on" can reduce cooling costs without losing comfort.
Key Facts
Raising the thermostat by 1 degree can save about 3% on cooling costs.
Increasing the thermostat 4-5 degrees can lead to noticeable savings over a billing cycle.
Using automated schedules that raise the temperature 7-10 degrees for several hours daily can reduce costs by up to 10% per year.
Smart thermostats that learn your routine can save around 8% on cooling bills with no extra effort.
Setting the AC fan to "auto" is more energy-efficient than keeping it "on" all the time.
Running the fan continuously increases electricity use and can cause moisture problems inside the home.
Managing humidity with a "dry" mode and proper fan settings helps you keep the house comfortable at higher temperatures, saving energy indirectly.
Not all AC settings significantly affect energy use; knowing which ones matter is key to saving money.
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A live discussion focused on the impact of the recent New Glenn rocket explosion on NASA’s plans to land humans on the Moon with the Artemis IV mission. Experts expressed doubts about the timeline for Blue Origin’s new and more powerful 9×4 rocket variant, suggesting NASA may need to rely mainly on SpaceX’s Starship to achieve lunar goals this decade.
Key Facts
The New Glenn rocket by Blue Origin exploded in late May, causing setbacks for the space industry.
Blue Origin’s planned 9×4 rocket has nine engines on the first stage and four on the upper stage, making it more powerful than the variant that exploded.
Blue Origin has not announced an official date for the 9×4 rocket’s first flight, but some sources suggest late 2027 or early 2028.
Experts doubt Blue Origin will meet these targets; some think development might slip into the 2030s.
NASA’s Artemis IV mission aims to land humans on the Moon this decade, requiring reliable rockets.
SpaceX’s Starship currently has proven launch capabilities and infrastructure, making it a likely primary vehicle for lunar missions.
Experts recommend focusing on Starship rather than waiting for new Blue Origin rockets due to timing and complexity issues.
Panelists also answered viewer questions during the live event hosted by Ars Technica.
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German prosecutors have charged a former Ukrainian army officer for a 2022 attack on the Nord Stream gas pipelines. The officer is accused of leading a group that planted explosives underwater to damage the pipelines and disrupt gas supplies from Russia to Europe.
Key Facts
A court in Hamburg, Germany charged Serhii K, a former Ukrainian army officer, for involvement in the Nord Stream pipeline blasts.
The attack happened in September 2022 and damaged Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in the Baltic Sea.
Prosecutors say Serhii K and his team used fake documents and transported explosives underwater near Denmark to destroy the pipelines.
The pipelines supplied Russian gas to Europe, and damaging them aimed to stop gas revenue Russia used for its war.
Serhii K denies involvement in the attack.
Ukraine’s government and President Zelenskyy have not yet commented fully, awaiting details from Germany.
Serhii K was arrested in Italy in August 2023 and moved to Germany in November 2023.
German courts claim jurisdiction since the pipelines end in Germany and the attack affected German energy security.
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President Donald Trump plans to renovate the East Potomac Park golf course in Washington, D.C., starting September 1. There are concerns on social media that the renovation might remove some of the city’s oldest cherry trees, but no official confirmation or environmental plan has been released yet.
Key Facts
The East Potomac Park golf course is located near historic cherry tree groves in Washington, D.C.
These cherry trees were gifted by Japan in 1912 as a symbol of friendship.
President Trump announced the renovation to create a world-class public golf course for major tournaments.
The project is led by golf architect Tom Fazio and managed through the Department of the Interior.
Social media posts claim the oldest cherry trees might be cut down, causing public concern.
No federal agency has confirmed plans to remove any cherry trees so far.
Some redevelopment plans do not clearly show all existing park features, sparking speculation.
Trump and Fazio have not directly responded to questions about the cherry trees.
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The Princess of Wales made a surprise visit to Wimbledon, where she met the public and handed out tickets. She watched a tennis match on Court 18, sitting with important tennis figures.
Key Facts
The Princess of Wales visited Wimbledon without prior announcement.
She gave out tickets to people attending the event.
During her visit, she accepted card payments from attendees.
She sat on Court 18 to watch a match between British player Arthur Fery and Finland's Otto Virtanen.
The princess was seated between Deborah Jevans, chairwoman of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, and former British tennis player Tim Henman.
The visit took place on a Thursday during the Wimbledon tennis tournament.
The event involved interaction with members of the public attending Wimbledon.
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After grieving the loss of her dog, Alabama Jackson developed painful blisters on her eyeball caused by rubbing her eyes too much while crying. She had the blisters treated by an eye doctor, but they returned, so she is now avoiding rubbing her eyes to let them heal naturally.
Key Facts
Alabama Jackson lost her 7-year-old rescue dog, Goober, who had a serious spinal disease that caused paralysis.
After saying goodbye, she cried a lot and rubbed her eyes, leading to an unusual health problem.
Jackson developed multiple blisters called conjunctival cysts on the outer layer of her eyeball.
An eye doctor used local anesthesia and a needle to pop the blisters in her left eye.
The blisters caused blurry vision and discomfort but did not severely affect her sight.
Despite treatment, the blisters came back due to continued eye rubbing.
Jackson is now using eye drops and avoiding rubbing her eyes to prevent infection.
She shares her experience as a reminder to be gentle with your eyes during emotional times.
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Plex has introduced a new five-year subscription pass for $250, a change from their previous lifetime pass pricing. They also raised the cost of lifetime access to $750 to reflect the software’s ongoing value and support future development.
Key Facts
Plex started in 2012 selling lifetime access for $75.
Lifetime Plex Pass price increased to $120 in 2014, then to $250 in March 2025.
As of now, $250 buys a five-year subscription instead of lifetime access.
Lifetime Plex Pass price jumped to $750 recently.
Plex has raised $87.6 million in funding but is not yet profitable.
The company aims to increase recurring revenue via subscriptions for steady cash flow.
Plex has broadened beyond media server software to include movie rentals, ad-supported streaming, social features, and data monetization.
Since 2022, more users use Plex’s streaming service than the original media server capabilities.
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