The UK government is increasing defence spending by £15 billion to improve the military and support British factories. However, an analysis shows that the cuts to other infrastructure investments needed to pay for this will likely cause about 10,000 job losses, which is twice the number of jobs created by the defence boost.
Key Facts
The UK is adding £15 billion to defence spending to upgrade armed forces and manufacturing.
About £6.8 billion will come from cuts to other government department investments.
Another £4.7 billion in funding is currently unaccounted for.
The extra defence spending is expected to create around 10,000 new jobs by 2029-30.
The cuts to other areas will cause nearly 20,000 jobs to be lost, resulting in a net job loss.
Experts say investments in public services like health, education, and climate action create more jobs than military spending.
Military spending includes money for nuclear weapons and autonomous weapons technologies like AI.
The funding gap and spending decisions will affect the next UK prime minister, likely Andy Burnham.
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Three people were sentenced to life in prison in South Africa for kidnapping, robbing, and killing a British couple in 2018. Rachel and Rodney Saunders were found dead after being taken in a forest while collecting plants.
Key Facts
Rachel Saunders, 64, and Rodney Saunders, 73, were kidnapped and killed in Ngoye Forest, South Africa, in February 2018.
The couple were botanists collecting indigenous plants and seeds at the time.
Three people—Saffydeen Aslam del Vecchio, Fatima Patel, and Ahmad Mussa—were convicted and sentenced to two life terms each.
They were also sentenced for robbery and theft, including using the couple’s bank cards to buy items near Durban.
The couple’s car was found with blood stains, and 734,000 rand (£42,000) was taken from their accounts.
Del Vecchio and Patel were arrested shortly after the disappearance, and Mussa was arrested three weeks later.
Rachel and Rodney had dual South African and British citizenship and owned a seed business in Cape Town.
The sentences will run at the same time, and Patel was previously arrested during an unrelated anti-terrorism raid.
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On the 1,000th day since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, Israelis have called for a state commission to investigate the event. Many in Israel feel that despite the ongoing war in Gaza, the country has not achieved a clear victory.
Key Facts
The October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas was the deadliest event in Israel's history.
The attack triggered a war between Israel and Gaza.
Israelis are asking for a state commission to examine the attack and its handling.
This milestone marks 1,000 days since the start of the conflict.
There is a strong feeling inside Israel that the war has not produced a clear win.
The conflict also involves other regional players such as Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Iran.
The situation remains tense with continued violence and no resolution yet.
Various reports highlight ongoing instability and diplomatic challenges in the Middle East.
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Hillary Clinton criticized Bill Pulte, the acting Director of National Intelligence, accusing him of partisanship in his role. She expressed concern about political influence affecting the intelligence agencies.
Key Facts
Hillary Clinton spoke about Bill Pulte, the current acting Director of National Intelligence.
Clinton wished there were officials who did not share information with Pulte, implying distrust.
She said people should be worried about the situation.
Clinton described the current intelligence leadership as a partisan takeover.
The criticism highlights concerns about political influence in U.S. intelligence agencies.
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Armenia and announced an 18-million euro aid package and the removal of import taxes on most Armenian farm products. This support aims to help Armenia strengthen its economy and reduce reliance on Russia amid tensions caused by Russia’s trade sanctions and political pressure.
Key Facts
The EU will give Armenia 18 million euros as part of a total 52-million euro support package.
Import taxes on nearly 80% of Armenian farm products going to the EU will be removed.
Armenia faces economic pressure from Russia, including trade bans on flowers, brandy, wine, and fruits.
Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s party recently won a parliamentary election, seen as a vote on the country’s alignment between Russia and the EU.
Russia has a military base in Armenia and has warned of harsh consequences if Armenia continues to shift toward the West.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Karabakh region has worsened relations between Armenia and Russia.
In 2025, President Donald Trump helped broker a deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan to end their conflict and create a new transit corridor.
Von der Leyen also visited Azerbaijan, announcing a 200-million euro package to fund transport, energy, and digital projects in the South Caucasus region.
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Pubs in England and Wales can stay open until 5 a.m. on the night England plays Mexico in the World Cup round of 16. This change allows fans to watch the game live, as the match starts very early Monday morning UK time, and goes beyond the usual closing time of 2 a.m.
Key Facts
The match between England and Mexico starts at 1 a.m. Monday UK time and could finish around 4 a.m. if extra time or penalties happen.
The government extended pub opening hours until 5 a.m. for this night only.
Pubs do not need to apply individually for extended hours.
This extension applies only in England and Wales, not in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the change to support fans and local pubs.
The extension was welcomed by pub industry leaders as a boost for their businesses and community spirit.
Schoolchildren can watch the match and still attend school the next day, according to the Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.
England’s head coach Thomas Tuchel suggested children should be excused from school due to the late match time.
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Fans have sued StubHub for canceling World Cup tickets they bought, saying the company sold tickets that did not exist or were later revoked. The lawsuit claims StubHub’s sales practices were misleading, and fans want compensation and a stop to StubHub selling World Cup tickets.
Key Facts
Two fans from California filed a federal lawsuit against StubHub in New York.
They say they bought tickets for group stage World Cup matches but never received them.
The lawsuit may become a class action for many affected fans.
Fans claim tickets were canceled due to problems with FIFA’s digital ticket system.
StubHub did not comment directly on the suit but said their goal is to get fans into events.
StubHub offers a FanProtect Guarantee promising replacement tickets or refunds, but one fan said they did not get a refund.
FIFA says it cannot control ticket resale on third-party platforms like StubHub and denies responsibility for system problems there.
FIFA sells tickets through its official marketplace and adds a 30% fee on resold tickets.
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The Onion, a satirical news website, is launching a parody version of Alex Jones' Infowars site on its own platform. They plan to donate part of the money they earn from this parody to families affected by the Sandy Hook school shooting, who have not received court-ordered payments from Alex Jones.
Key Facts
The Onion is creating a parody of Alex Jones' Infowars website.
This parody will be on The Onion’s own website.
The Onion tried to buy Infowars over a year ago.
They plan to give some of the earnings from the parody to Sandy Hook families.
Sandy Hook families were awarded over $1 billion by courts from Alex Jones.
The families have not received any payment from Alex Jones yet.
The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting happened in 2012.
Alex Jones falsely claimed the shooting was a hoax.
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President Donald Trump reported earning over $1 billion last year from cryptocurrency ventures and at least $2.2 billion from all his business holdings. Concerns have been raised about conflicts of interest because his financial gains appear linked to his presidential actions and policies, especially in crypto and real estate deals.
Key Facts
Trump earned more than $1 billion last year from his cryptocurrency businesses.
Total earnings from all his holdings, including real estate, were at least $2.2 billion last year.
Trump and his family invested heavily in crypto companies during the 2024 presidential campaign.
Trump has appointed regulators favorable to digital assets and supported laws that reduce crypto disclosure requirements.
His investment accounts made over 20,000 trades last year, some timed around his public announcements that affected markets.
Foreign governments, especially from the Middle East, paid about $300 million to Trump’s businesses last year.
Trump traveled on a new Air Force One jet valued at $400 million, gifted by the Qatari royal family, with ownership transferring to his presidential library foundation.
The White House denies any conflicts of interest involving Trump or his family.
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Jeanine Pirro, U.S. attorney for Washington D.C., is holding a news briefing about an investigation into damage at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The damage was found after the pool, which was recently fixed, had its liner torn by something sharp.
Key Facts
Jeanine Pirro is the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia.
She is speaking about a legal investigation on Thursday afternoon.
The investigation concerns possible vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
The Reflecting Pool was recently renovated before the damage occurred.
The National Park Service discovered the pool’s liner had a tear made by a sharp object.
The probe is linked to actions taken during President Donald Trump’s administration.
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New York Representative Nicole Malliotakis said that singer Taylor Swift and football player Travis Kelce should pay back the New York Police Department for the expense of providing security at their wedding. The wedding is expected to have about 130 police officers working daily to manage safety at Madison Square Garden.
Key Facts
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are having a wedding at Madison Square Garden.
The New York Police Department is providing security for the event.
About 130 police officers are expected to work each day during the wedding.
New York Rep. Nicole Malliotakis suggested the couple should reimburse the police department.
The reimbursement would cover the costs of the officers’ work.
The event is described as a high-cost, large-scale celebration.
The topic involves public spending and use of city resources for private events.
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A man was rescued eight days after two strong earthquakes hit Venezuela, which caused widespread damage and many deaths. Rescuers are now focusing more on helping displaced people and addressing humanitarian needs.
Key Facts
Two earthquakes with magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela last week.
Around 60,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed.
At least 2,295 people have died, and 11,000 were injured.
Approximately 13,000 people are homeless due to the earthquakes.
A 43-year-old security guard named Hernan Gil was rescued after being trapped for eight days.
Rescue teams from seven countries helped free Gil by digging a tunnel and providing water and oxygen.
The emergency focus is shifting from search and rescue to providing aid and relief.
The World Food Programme requested $50 million to feed 500,000 people for three months, and damages are estimated at $6.7 billion.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine will respond to Russian attacks on Kyiv that killed at least 21 people and injured many others. He made this statement while visiting a damaged apartment building in the capital.
Key Facts
Russia launched strikes on Kyiv, Ukraine's capital.
At least 21 people died in the attack.
Dozens of people were injured.
President Zelensky visited a partially destroyed apartment block in Kyiv.
Zelensky confirmed that Ukraine will retaliate against the attacks.
The attack was one of the largest on the city in recent times.
The conflict involves ongoing fighting between Russia and Ukraine.
The situation has drawn international attention and concern.
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The Air Force confirmed that a trainee named Keon McDaniel died from a flu outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He was in basic training and passed away after being taken to a hospital on June 12.
Key Facts
The trainee’s name was Keon McDaniel.
He was in his sixth week of basic military training.
McDaniel experienced a medical emergency on June 12.
He was taken to Brooke Army Medical Center after the emergency.
The Air Force confirmed his death was linked to a flu outbreak.
The incident occurred at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.
Congressman Joaquin Castro shared the information publicly.
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A federal judge temporarily stopped Philadelphia from enforcing a rule that bans federal officers from wearing masks while working. The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit, saying the city’s rule was unconstitutional and could harm the safety and work of federal agents.
Key Facts
A federal judge blocked Philadelphia’s mask ban for federal officers on duty.
The ban was part of a local ordinance with other regulations.
The Department of Justice sued Philadelphia in mid-June.
The DOJ called the rule unconstitutional, meaning it breaks the law.
The DOJ said the rule could make officers less safe.
The DOJ also said the rule could reduce how well officers do their jobs.
The judge issuing the block is named Chad Kenney.
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Jessica and Damien O’Brien from Michigan are facing charges of second-degree murder, torture, and child abuse after their 7-year-old son, Casper, who weighed 255 pounds, died due to health problems related to severe obesity. The parents will undergo mental evaluations to determine if they are able to stand trial.
Key Facts
Casper O’Brien weighed 255 pounds and died from dilated cardiomyopathy, worsened by morbid obesity.
His parents, Jessica and Damien O’Brien, were charged with murder, torture, and multiple child abuse counts.
Police found the family living in unsanitary, unsafe conditions with hoarding and no working toilet.
Casper was immobile, suffered bed sores and rashes, and had only been taken to a doctor once.
The parents did not seek proper medical care or provide adequate nutrition.
They are being held without bail and will undergo competency and criminal responsibility evaluations.
The next court hearing is scheduled for September 9, 2026.
Defense attorneys want more time to review over 400 pages of medical records and dispute the severity of the charges.
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Two people have been charged in connection with a drive-by shooting in South Carolina that killed 13-year-old Jacob Duncan over two years ago. Caleb Garcia faces multiple charges including murder, while Amber Moree is charged with helping after the crime and obstructing justice.
Key Facts
The shooting happened on January 26, 2024, and Jacob Duncan died from a gunshot wound.
Jacob was not the intended target; he was hit by a stray bullet while in a barn on his property.
Caleb Garcia, 23, is charged with murder, seven counts of assault and battery, weapon possession during a violent crime, and breach of peace.
Garcia is currently in prison in North Carolina for an attempted murder committed shortly after the shooting that killed Jacob.
Amber Moree, 21, was arrested and charged with accessory after the fact of murder, obstruction of justice, and misprision (concealing knowledge of a crime).
The Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office said Garcia will be brought to South Carolina to face these charges when possible.
Officials expect more charges to be filed as the investigation continues.
The sheriff emphasized their ongoing commitment to justice despite the time taken to solve the case.
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Labour party leaders warn that some members are unhappy that Andy Burnham will likely become the new Labour leader without a contest. Party officials plan online events to engage members and give trade unions a chance to give formal endorsements before Burnham is confirmed as leader.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is expected to become Labour leader at a conference on 17 July with no serious leadership challenge.
Labour members are upset about the lack of a democratic contest to choose the new leader.
Labour considered booking Everton FC’s stadium for Burnham’s announcement due to his fandom but dropped the plan to avoid seeming presumptive.
Party bosses will organize online Q&A sessions to replace usual events held during leadership contests.
Trade unions will formally give their endorsements or decline during nomination week starting 9 July.
The Labour rulebook was changed to allow unions to give endorsements before Burnham is officially leader.
Burnham recently met union leaders and is expected to become prime minister on 20 July.
Some members are still unhappy about previous leader Keir Starmer’s departure and want more input in leadership decisions.
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