A bomb exploded in a cafe near the Palace of Justice in Damascus, Syria, killing nine people, including six lawyers, and injuring 22 others. The attack targeted a popular spot for legal professionals and has been condemned by Syria’s neighbors and the European Union.
Key Facts
The bomb blast occurred at the Al-Mushairiya Cafe on al-Nasr Street in Damascus’s al-Hijaz district.
Nine people died, including six lawyers, and 22 others were wounded.
The cafe was close to the Palace of Justice and often visited by lawyers and court visitors.
The Syrian Bar Association called the killed lawyers “martyrs” serving the justice system.
Syrian authorities said the bomb was planted inside the cafe and denied reports of a suicide bomber.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.
The attack received condemnation from regional countries like Turkey, Iraq, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, and the European Union.
This bombing is one of the worst security incidents in Damascus since the new government took power in December 2024.
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ABC News' Deborah Roberts flew with the French Air and Space Force team called Patrouille de France during a special evening flyover of the Statue of Liberty. This event was part of the celebration for America’s 250th anniversary on July 3, 2026.
Key Facts
The flyover featured the French Air and Space Force's Patrouille de France team.
Deborah Roberts from ABC News participated in the flight.
The event honored the Statue of Liberty.
The flyover took place in the evening.
This celebration marked the 250th anniversary of the United States.
The date of the flyover was July 3, 2026.
The event was covered as a special feature by ABC News.
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A visitor at the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C. cooled off in a baptism pool inside a religious tent after feeling overwhelmed by extreme heat. The fair is experiencing very high temperatures due to a heat dome affecting much of the eastern U.S., with officials warning of potentially record-breaking heat through the Fourth of July weekend.
Key Facts
A woman at the Great American State Fair sought relief from the heat by getting into a baptism pool inside a religious tent.
She felt dizzy and was treated at a medical tent with fluids and electrolytes.
A heat dome is causing very high temperatures across the eastern United States.
Forecasts predict temperatures near 102-103 degrees Fahrenheit with heat indexes up to 115 degrees in Washington, D.C. during the fair.
An extreme heat warning is in effect through Saturday night.
Showers and thunderstorms are expected after storms on Saturday evening and into the early week.
Temperatures are expected to slightly cool down starting Monday but remain warm and humid with chances of rain.
The Great American State Fair is taking place on the National Mall and is entering its final week.
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Scientists have developed a new experimental treatment for glioblastoma, a very deadly brain cancer, by targeting a protein called GPNMB found on both cancer cells and supportive immune cells. This approach aims to attack the tumor and its environment at the same time. The treatment has shown promising results in early lab tests but is still years away from patient use.
Key Facts
Glioblastoma is one of the deadliest brain cancers with most patients living 12 to 18 months after diagnosis.
Only about 5% of glioblastoma patients survive beyond five years.
Researchers found that glioblastoma tumors are made up of cancer cells plus other supporting cells that help the tumor grow.
The team focused on a protein called GPNMB, present on both glioblastoma cells and immune cells called macrophages.
They designed CAR-T cells (a type of immune therapy) to attack GPNMB wherever it appears, targeting both cancer and supportive cells.
In preclinical tests on lab models, the therapy eliminated tumors and led to long-term survival without detectable disease.
Researchers believe future treatments should address the whole tumor environment, not just cancer cells alone.
The treatment is still experimental and has only been tested in preclinical models so far.
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NATO’s top commander said European countries have replaced most of the military equipment that the U.S. has cut back supplying. The U.S. decided to reduce support like aircraft carriers and fighter jets to Europe, focusing more on other global threats, but European allies have stepped up to fill the gaps quickly.
Key Facts
The U.S. cut back military contributions to NATO in Europe, including aircraft carriers, support ships, refueling planes, and fighter jets.
NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Gen. Alex Grynkewich, said Europe has mostly filled these gaps within weeks.
NATO’s Force Model plans how member countries provide military forces in peace, crisis, or war, especially in the first six months of any conflict.
For missing capabilities, NATO is exploring alternative resources with similar effects.
Britain has made a second aircraft carrier and F35 jets more ready for emergencies.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the U.S. would likely send more military help if a real conflict occurred in Europe.
NATO has 32 member countries who agree that an attack on one is an attack on all under Article 5 of its treaty, although exact military support is not automatically required.
The U.S. shift is partly because it is focusing on threats in the Indo-Pacific region, especially from China.
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Three men were found not guilty of murder in the 2019 killing of journalist Lyra McKee in Northern Ireland. McKee was shot while reporting on a riot, and a member of a dissident group claimed the shooting was accidental.
Key Facts
Lyra McKee was a 29-year-old journalist killed in April 2019 during a riot in Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
She was shot by a masked gunman from a dissident Irish Republican Army splinter group called the New IRA.
The New IRA said its members accidentally shot McKee while aiming at police.
Three men were charged as accomplices but were acquitted after a trial without a jury.
McKee was known for reporting on the effects of past violence in Northern Ireland.
Her death drew attention to Northern Ireland’s peace process and led to renewed political cooperation.
No one has been charged with actually firing the gun that killed her.
The trial lasted intermittently for two years at Belfast Crown Court.
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Venice’s mayor, Simone Venturini, is proposing a new pricing plan to charge visitors a higher fee on busy days to reduce overcrowding. The city wants to raise the day-trip access fee from 10 euros to as much as 50 euros during peak times to help pay for maintaining the historic city.
Key Facts
Venice charges a 10-euro access fee for day visitors to control crowds.
The mayor suggests a surge pricing system where fees rise on the busiest days, up to 50 euros.
The goal is to reduce overcrowding and cover high maintenance costs of about 100 million euros yearly.
Venice’s old town population has fallen below 48,000, while tourist accommodations exceed 51,500 beds.
The city needs hand-cleaning with brooms, boats, and carts, making maintenance expensive.
The pricing idea requires approval and a law change by the Italian government.
Not everyone visiting will pay the highest fee; it increases when visitor numbers surpass certain limits.
Some critics say fees don’t help enough and turning Venice into a paid attraction harms residents.
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Belgium has created special centers called Centres for the Care of Sexual Violence (CPVS) that help victims of sexual assault by offering medical, psychological, and police support all in one place. Since the government expanded this system nationwide in 2020, many more people have reported assaults through these centers.
Key Facts
The CPVS are centers where victims can get help from doctors, forensic nurses, psychologists, and police officers under one roof.
The system started as a pilot project in three hospitals and showed good scientific results.
In 2020, Belgium decided to expand the CPVS throughout the country.
The number of reports made through the CPVS has quadrupled in three years.
On average, 11 people visit these centers every day for help.
The model is seen as better than more fragmented systems used in other countries, such as France.
CPVS focuses on making the process easier for victims by having all key services in one location.
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The article looks back at the United States' Bicentennial celebration in 1976, which marked the 200th anniversary of the country's founding. It reflects on how Americans commemorated this historic event.
Key Facts
The Bicentennial celebration took place in 1976.
It marked 200 years since the United States was founded in 1776.
Americans participated in various events and activities to honor the anniversary.
The celebration was a national moment to reflect on American history and independence.
The article is part of a broader collection of news and stories related to U.S. history and current events.
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Iran held a mourning ceremony for its slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran. Many Iranian officials, foreign dignitaries, and mourners gathered to pay respects before his grand funeral planned for next week.
Key Facts
Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader for over 30 years, was killed four months ago in US-Israeli strikes.
His body is lying in state at the Grand Mosalla religious complex in Tehran.
Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, paid their respects.
Foreign officials from Pakistan, Russia, Afghanistan’s Taliban government, Hamas, and Hezbollah have also attended.
Around 30 countries are expected to send representatives to the funeral.
Millions of mourners are expected to participate in public ceremonies and processions before the burial.
The city is preparing extensively, setting up tents, cooling stations, and decorations for the event.
Officials have called on Iranians to show unity and remember Khamenei’s leadership.
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Reagan Washington National Airport will stop flights for about three hours on Friday because of practice events for the July Fourth America 250 celebrations. On Saturday, the airport will pause operations starting at noon. Airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration planned these pauses in advance and handled cancellations early.
Key Facts
The airport is pausing operations for about three hours on Friday.
The pause is due to rehearsals for the America 250 July Fourth celebrations.
On Saturday, the airport will stop operations starting at noon.
Airlines and the FAA worked together to create the plan.
Flight cancellations related to this were made months before the events.
The airport affected is Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
The pauses are to support large-scale events celebrating America's 250th anniversary.
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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent discussed new financial accounts related to President Donald Trump that will start on Saturday. He also talked about when gas prices could return to the levels before the Iran war and commented on wage growth for American workers.
Key Facts
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent spoke in an exclusive interview.
New Trump-related financial accounts will officially launch on Saturday.
Bessent addressed the timing for gas prices to fall back to pre-Iran war levels.
He discussed wage growth trends for workers in the United States.
The interview was conducted by Kelly O'Grady from CBS News.
The discussion included topics related to the current economic environment.
The information was shared on CBS News and available in the CBS News app.
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The U.S. Army Brass Quintet appeared on "CBS Mornings" to celebrate the United States' 250th birthday. Master Sergeant Kevin Gebo talked about the band’s favorite music and what they expect for the upcoming weekend events.
Key Facts
The U.S. Army Brass Quintet is a music group made up of five Army musicians.
They performed on the TV show "CBS Mornings."
The band is celebrating the U.S. 250th birthday, also known as the nation's semiquincentennial.
Master Sgt. Kevin Gebo is a member of the band who spoke on the show.
The band shared which songs they enjoy playing the most.
They discussed their excitement for the events happening that weekend as part of the celebration.
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Louisiana’s highest court has temporarily stopped a criminal case against the state’s attorney general, Liz Murrill, who faces 16 charges including intimidation and wrongdoing. The court cited problems with how the grand jury and trial court handled the case and allowed Murrill to defend herself while the case is on hold.
Key Facts
Liz Murrill, the first female attorney general of Louisiana and a Republican, was indicted on 16 charges by a New Orleans grand jury.
Charges accuse her of trying to intimidate New Orleans officials opposed to a new law changing city courts.
Louisiana’s Supreme Court granted a stay of proceedings, pausing the criminal case.
The court found serious issues in how the grand jury and trial court managed the case.
Murrill called the charges “retaliatory, meritless and unconstitutional” and said she will continue her work.
Governor Jeff Landry, also a Republican, promised to quickly pardon her.
The indictment announcement was kept secret, and some media members were removed from the courtroom when trying to report on it.
The dispute partly involves a law that removed a court clerk position held by Calvin Duncan, a man exonerated after spending decades in prison.
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Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns talked about America’s 250th birthday and said that people in the country are not as divided now as they have been in the past. He also shared his thoughts on how Americans might work together despite political differences.
Key Facts
Ken Burns is a well-known documentary filmmaker.
The discussion was about the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Burns said historic divisions in America were larger than today’s political divides.
He spoke about Americans coming together despite disagreements.
The remarks were featured on CBS News.
The topic included reflections on political divisions in the country.
The content is available on the CBS News app and other platforms.
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Pro-Palestine activists in the United States have recently seen success in elections, with several candidates who support Palestinian rights winning important races. These wins follow a series of student protests on campuses, especially at Columbia University, which sparked a national movement despite facing crackdowns and criticism.
Key Facts
Darializa Avila Chevalier, a former Columbia University activist, won a Democratic congressional primary in New York.
Zohran Mamdani, supported by pro-Palestine activists, was elected mayor of New York City last year.
Melat Kiros, who was fired from a law firm for supporting Palestinian rights, defeated a long-term incumbent in Colorado.
Pro-Palestine-backed candidates also won key elections in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Student protests in 2024 included encampments and calls for divestment from companies linked to Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Many student protesters faced arrests, academic discipline, and political opposition, including efforts by President Trump to deport non-citizen activists.
Despite setbacks, activists say the recent election results show growing public support for their cause.
The movement is seen as making gradual progress rather than quick changes.
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UK officials are discussing with Pakistan the possible deportation of Shabir Ahmed, the leader of a grooming gang convicted of sexually abusing girls. Ahmed was released from prison but cannot currently be sent to Pakistan because of an old law from 1971 that protects some long-term residents from deportation.
Key Facts
Shabir Ahmed led a gang that abused girls as young as 12 and was convicted in 2012.
Ahmed held both British and Pakistani citizenship but lost his UK passport after conviction.
UK law from 1971 stops the deportation of Commonwealth citizens who arrived before 1973 and lived in Britain for five years.
The UK government is considering changing this law to allow Ahmed’s deportation.
Deporting Ahmed also depends on cooperation from Pakistan, which has refused to accept other gang members before.
Ahmed is now released and monitored with an electronic tag, living in secure accommodation.
Victims have expressed fear and concern for their safety after his release.
UK politicians have suggested possible diplomatic actions, including cutting foreign aid to Pakistan if it refuses to accept deportees.
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France experienced 2,025 more deaths than usual during a heatwave in June. This heatwave brought the highest June temperatures in the country since 1947, with many places reaching above 40 degrees Celsius.
Key Facts
France recorded its hottest June since 1947.
Temperatures during the heatwave rose above 40°C in many regions.
There were 2,025 excess deaths in France during June compared to normal expectations.
The information was provided by France’s health minister on July 3, 2026.
The heatwave affected large parts of the country during June 2026.
Excess deaths refer to the number of deaths above what is normally expected for that time period.
The rise in deaths is linked to the extreme heat conditions.
This event highlights the health risks during very high temperatures.
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The United States has pulled back most of the troops it sent to Nigeria earlier this year to help fight Islamist militants. The joint mission with Nigerian forces successfully weakened the leadership of the Islamic State group in Nigeria, but attacks by jihadist groups still continue, especially in the northeast.
Key Facts
About 200 US troops were deployed to Nigeria to support efforts against Islamist militant groups.
The mission targeted militants in the Lake Chad Basin region, including strikes on Christmas Day.
A senior Islamic State leader, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, was killed during the operation.
US officials said the operation disrupted IS leadership and their ability to communicate locally and globally.
Nigerian military says the withdrawal of US troops will not reduce their fight against militants.
Intelligence sharing between Nigeria and the US will continue after the troop withdrawal.
Nigeria faces multiple security problems, including attacks by jihadists, banditry, and criminal violence.
US troops who were in Nigeria before this operation remain stationed in the country.
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Episode 35 of "Love Island" Season 13 will be released on July 4, 2026. The episode shows the end of Casa Amor, where contestants decide whether to stay with their original partners or switch to new connections; some contestants end up alone after this recoupling.
Key Facts
"Love Island" Season 13 Episode 35 releases on July 4, 2026.
Episodes are available to stream on Hulu starting at 12 a.m. Pacific Time / 3 a.m. Eastern Time.
A Hulu subscription costs at least $11.99 per month.
New episodes air daily except on Tuesdays.
Episode 35 runs about 60 to 90 minutes.
Casa Amor ends in this episode with contestants choosing to stay or switch partners.
Some girls are left without a partner after the recoupling.
Original cast members include Robyn, Lorenzo, Mica, Sean, Ellie, Samraj, Lola, Sam, Angelista, Ope, Jasmine, and Aidan.
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