Chinese companies are working to create robotic hands that can move and work like human hands, which is very hard to do. These efforts are part of China's plan to use robots for practical jobs because the country faces a shrinking and aging workforce.
Key Facts
Human hands are very complex and difficult to copy with machines.
Chinese start-ups are focusing on making robotic hands with advanced movements, called dextrous hands.
China leads the world in installing factory robots, but humanoid robots with useful hands are still not common.
Beijing supports "embodied AI," which means robots that can do physical tasks like humans, as part of its development plan.
Making a robotic hand is considered 100 times harder than making the rest of a humanoid robot, due to its size and complexity.
LinkerBot is a Chinese company that only makes robotic hands and produces about 5,000 each month.
The company aims to create affordable prosthetic hands for people who have lost limbs.
Elon Musk’s Tesla also works on humanoids, and Musk agrees that making hands is the hardest part of building a robot.
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The Rolling Stones have started a fun event called The Rolling Stones Streaming World Cup, where 30 countries compete by streaming the band's songs on Spotify. The country with the most streams in four weeks will win the title of Stones Top Streaming Nation.
Key Facts
The event involves the top 30 countries streaming The Rolling Stones on Spotify.
Each stream of a song from their catalog counts as one point for that country.
Band members Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood each lead 10 teams as captains.
The streaming competition will last four weeks.
The Rolling Stones have released their 25th studio album called "Foreign Tongues" on July 10.
The event encourages fans to help their countries by streaming more songs.
The band continues to produce new music rather than only relying on old hits.
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President Donald Trump posted a manipulated photo showing Barack and Michelle Obama boarding an Air Force One plane with graffiti on it. This follows previous controversial posts by Trump targeting the Obamas, and comes shortly after Trump’s first flight on a newly designed Air Force One.
Key Facts
The photo shows the Obamas waving before boarding Air Force One, which is spray-painted with messages like “Yes We Can,” “Obama,” “BLM,” and Arabic graffiti meaning “praise be to God.”
Graffiti in such images is often used as a symbol to evoke ideas of crime and urban decay, linked historically to racist messages about Black people.
Trump has a history of harsh and racially charged criticism of the Obamas, including false claims about Obama’s birthplace.
In February, Trump posted a racist image of the Obamas depicted as primates, which he later removed without apology.
The newly designed Air Force One recently used by Trump has a navy-blue belly with red and gold stripes, replacing the traditional light blue color.
Trump posted the doctored Air Force One image on Truth Social, his social media platform.
Earlier posts included a doctored photo of Obama’s presidential library appearing ruined and surrounded by trash.
Trump was attending an Independence Day event in Washington on July 4, 2026, and planned to travel to Turkey for a NATO summit.
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The Philippine Senate will start the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte amid political tensions with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. She faces charges including unexplained wealth and a threat to assassinate the president, which she denies. A conviction could stop her from running for president in 2028.
Key Facts
The Senate acts as the impeachment court for Vice President Sara Duterte.
The trial starts Monday and is planned to last 92 days.
Charges against Duterte include unexplained wealth and threatening to have President Marcos assassinated.
If convicted, Duterte could never hold public office again.
Duterte and Marcos were once allies in the 2022 elections but are now political rivals.
Over 6,000 police officers are deployed to secure the trial amid protests.
Duterte's father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, is detained by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes.
Duterte blames Marcos for her father’s arrest and has not fully responded to the charges publicly.
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A major independent review has found that police leadership in England and Wales often does not meet high standards and needs a complete overhaul. The report points to problems like weak leader development, low morale, and unfair promotion practices, and it recommends changes to recruitment, training, and leadership support to improve the police service.
Key Facts
The Police Leadership Commission published the report after studying police forces in England and Wales.
Many chief constable roles attract only one suitable candidate.
There are concerns about low morale and lack of motivation among officers.
Issues include too much paperwork and risk-averse leadership cultures.
Some senior officers are under disciplinary investigation, with 8 out of 43 forces having chiefs involved.
Recommendations include restoring funding for leadership training and creating a National Academy of Police Leadership.
The report suggests new ranks and updated qualifications to better develop and recognize leaders.
Most police forces were rated as needing improvement in leadership, with none rated outstanding.
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The White House Domestic Policy Council released a report on July 4 criticizing leaders at the Smithsonian Institution, especially those at the National Museum of American History. The report claims these leaders act like extreme activists and are trying to push their personal views on American history.
Key Facts
The report is 162 pages long and was published by the White House Domestic Policy Council.
It focuses on leaders of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History.
The report says these leaders act as “extreme” activists.
It accuses them of trying to control how American history is shown to the public.
The report claims the museum fails to properly explain U.S. history.
The White House released this report on July 4, a significant date in American history.
The report is part of a broader discussion on how American history is presented in national institutions.
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The Wegovy weight loss pill is now available to buy privately in UK pharmacies but is not yet provided by the NHS. It contains semaglutide, the same ingredient as the injectable version, and should be used with a healthy diet and exercise.
Key Facts
Wegovy pill contains semaglutide, which mimics a hormone that helps reduce appetite.
It is available for people with a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27-30 with certain health problems like type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.
The pill must be taken on an empty stomach at least eight hours after eating and 30 minutes before any food or drink, with plain water.
The starting dose is 1.5 mg once a day, increasing monthly up to a maximum of 25 mg daily.
Side effects can include stomach issues, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, headaches, and tiredness. Serious side effects are rare but may include low blood sugar or allergic reactions.
The injectable Wegovy is taken once a week and can be stored in the fridge, while the pill is taken daily.
Patients can switch from the injection to the pill with medical supervision.
A consultation with a healthcare professional is needed before starting the pill to make sure it is safe and appropriate.
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Bangladesh's new government is seeking closer ties with China to boost its economy while also trying to improve relations with neighboring India. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visits to Malaysia and China show Dhaka’s efforts to balance its foreign policy between the two big Asian countries.
Key Facts
Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited Malaysia and China in his first official foreign trip.
The visit to China included agreements on managing the Teesta River and developing a special economic zone near Mongla port.
Relations between Bangladesh and India worsened after the removal of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.
Sheikh Hasina fled to India, which led to strained diplomatic ties and reduced high-level visits between India and Bangladesh.
After Rahman’s election in February, Bangladesh and India have started to ease tensions, resuming some cross-border bus services and trade activities.
India provided emergency fuel to Bangladesh during global supply issues caused by the war in the Middle East.
India appointed a new High Commissioner to Dhaka with a cabinet rank, signaling a desire to improve relations.
There are still issues between the two countries, including complaints from Bangladesh about India pushing people back into its territory without proper procedures.
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Reports say Nigel Farage received help from George Cottrell, a person convicted of fraud in the US, before Farage became a member of Parliament. Farage and his party say no rules were broken because the support happened before he was an MP. Meanwhile, the UK government is planning new rules to make political donations more transparent and limit donations from foreign sources.
Key Facts
Nigel Farage got security and staff support for his website from George Cottrell before becoming an MP.
George Cottrell pleaded guilty to wire fraud in the US in 2017.
Farage denies any wrongdoing and says this is a "hit job" against him.
Reform UK says accepting help before becoming an MP did not break any rules.
The UK government is introducing new rules to increase transparency in political funding.
New rules will include limits on donations from foreign-based supporters.
Farage may face a second investigation about what he declared to Parliament.
These developments happen while the UK is focusing on cracking down on large political donations.
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Marine Le Pen will learn on Tuesday whether a Paris court will uphold her conviction for embezzling European Parliament funds, which could stop her from running for French president in 2027. Le Pen leads in polls and if she is barred, her party’s candidate Jordan Bardella would run instead.
Key Facts
Marine Le Pen was convicted of embezzling €1.4 million in European Parliament funds from 2004-2016.
She was banned from holding public office for five years starting March 31, 2025.
The Paris appeal court decision will determine if this ban stands, affecting her eligibility for the 2027 presidential election.
Le Pen has run for president three times and placed second to Emmanuel Macron in 2017 and 2022.
If banned, Le Pen’s party, National Rally, would likely run Jordan Bardella as their candidate.
Le Pen denies organizing the embezzlement but admits mistakes were made.
The first round of the next French presidential election is April 18, 2027; the run-off is May 2, 2027.
Le Pen’s party made its best-ever showing in the 2024 National Assembly elections.
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A 33-year-old woman named Alice Webb died less than 24 hours after having a non-surgical Brazilian butt lift (BBL) at a temporary clinic in the UK. This case highlights growing concerns about the safety and regulation of cosmetic injectable procedures, which are widely available and sometimes done in unregulated settings.
Key Facts
Alice Webb underwent a non-surgical BBL, which uses injections to add volume to the buttocks, and died shortly afterward.
Her death is the first known UK fatality linked to a non-surgical BBL, with an inquest planned to determine cause.
The UK has a booming cosmetic injectable industry with few regulations compared to many European countries.
Procedures can be done in places like pop-up clinics, beauty salons, offices, and hotel rooms.
Many patients report serious pain, infections, and complications from cosmetic injections marketed as safe and low-risk.
Save Face, a cosmetic accreditation group, reports multiple severe harms including botched surgeries causing lasting damage.
Social media and reality TV have popularized cosmetic injectables among younger people, increasing demand and normalization.
UK officials in Scotland and England are planning stricter regulations to improve safety in this multi-billion-pound industry.
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Fishermen on Sherbo Island, Sierra Leone, say their fish catches have dropped a lot in recent years. They blame big foreign fishing boats, mostly Chinese, for fishing illegally close to shore and damaging their nets. Officials say they are trying to control illegal fishing with new rules and inspections.
Key Facts
Sherbo Island fishermen say their catches of fish like snapper and mackerel have gone down significantly.
Local fishermen accuse foreign fishing ships, mainly Chinese trawlers, of entering restricted coastal waters illegally.
Some fishermen say these ships cut their fishing nets at night, causing them financial loss.
West Africa is reported to have about 40% of the world’s illegal fishing, costing countries around $10 billion.
The President of Sierra Leone’s Fishermen’s Union says catches have dropped by about 40% due to illegal fishing.
Local fishermen claim government officials do not help because of corruption and bribery by illegal operators.
Sierra Leone’s Fisheries Ministry says they have introduced vessel tracking and inspectors to reduce illegal fishing.
Despite the ministry’s efforts, fishermen continue to report problems with foreign trawlers.
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The European Union has introduced a new border control system called the Entry/Exit System (EES), requiring UK travelers to register their fingerprints and photo at airports. This process has caused delays and long queues, leading some travelers to miss flights and pay extra costs. Experts advise arriving early but not too early, signing up for travel alerts, and reading travel insurance details carefully to avoid unexpected expenses.
Key Facts
The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) requires UK travelers to scan their passports and register fingerprints and a photo at European airports.
The process has caused long delays and technical problems at some airports, leading to missed flights.
Budget airline Wizz Air recommends arriving three hours before flights to allow enough time for EES registration.
Eurostar advises passengers to arrive at the recommended time on their tickets because its timing already includes EES steps.
The Port of Dover is experiencing technical issues with EES and suggests arriving no more than two hours before ferry departures to avoid queues.
Airlines send alerts about delays, so travelers should sign up for notifications and check apps regularly.
Airlines are not required to offer free replacement flights if passengers miss their flights due to EES delays.
Travel insurance usually does not cover extra costs caused by EES-related delays, as these are expected procedures.
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Britain’s Defence Secretary, Dan Jarvis, has urged Prime Minister hopeful Andy Burnham to commit to raising UK defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035, aligning with NATO targets. This increase would mean spending about £25 billion more annually on the military by the middle of the decade, likely requiring cuts in other areas or new funding.
Key Facts
Dan Jarvis is the new UK Defence Secretary and a former paratrooper.
He wants defence spending to reach 3.5% of GDP by 2035, matching a NATO target.
Achieving this target would add approximately £25 billion more yearly to military budgets.
The current defence investment plan (DIP) totals £298 billion over four years.
The DIP was delayed but published recently, including £1.5 billion extra mainly for drones.
Andy Burnham, the prime minister candidate, has little defence experience but says he will fully fund the defence plan.
The defence budget increase may require cutting other government spending, raising taxes, or borrowing more.
Jarvis will attend the NATO summit in Turkey and reassure allies, including the US, about the UK’s defence commitments.
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A government-backed report finds that police leadership in England and Wales suffers from nepotism, bias, and a loss of focus on fighting crime. The report calls for major reforms, citing misconduct among top officers and inconsistent service across the 43 police forces.
Key Facts
The report covers all 43 police forces in England and Wales.
It finds widespread nepotism and favoritism in police promotions and leadership.
Many senior officers have faced misconduct investigations; 78 since 2018.
Eight chief constables are currently under investigation or facing disciplinary action.
Frontline officers report poor leadership, with only 13% of constables feeling well led.
Police leaders often focus less on cutting crime and more on their own interests.
The report recommends creating a national police leadership academy and improving leadership training.
Annual spending on police leadership training is currently about £4 million out of a £19 billion police budget.
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A report says making UK public transport fully accessible for disabled people could add £176 billion to the economy by helping millions find jobs. The Institution of Mechanical Engineers highlights current transport barriers that prevent many disabled people from working or taking part in daily activities.
Key Facts
Nearly one quarter of working-age people in the UK find the transport system inaccessible.
Problems include lack of lifts, ramps, tactile paving, and sensory-friendly environments at stations.
Almost half of disabled professionals have turned down jobs because of transport issues.
About 2.8 million disabled people are partly excluded from the workforce due to these barriers.
The potential economic benefit of full accessibility is estimated at £176.4 billion annually.
The cost of making the rail network fully accessible is expected to be between £20 billion and £24 billion over several years.
Improving accessibility could also boost sectors like retail, leisure, and tourism by £22.3 billion per year.
There could be an extra £10 billion to £34 billion annually in fare revenue from more passengers using public transport.
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The UK government is introducing new rules to limit large political donations and make funding more transparent. This comes as Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, faces possible investigations into benefits and donations he received from a convicted fraudster before becoming a Member of Parliament.
Key Facts
The government will cap donations at £100,000 for people who have recently moved to the UK to prevent foreign influence in elections.
New checks will be introduced to ensure companies donating to politics are genuine by looking at their profits and revenues.
Political candidates will need to declare donations over £2,230, including those received before officially running for office.
Nigel Farage received various benefits from George Cottrell, a crypto entrepreneur convicted of wire fraud in the US.
Farage declared some donations from Cottrell after becoming an MP but did not disclose earlier gifts like staff support and use of a mansion.
The parliamentary standards commissioner may open a new investigation into gifts Farage received before becoming an MP.
The government plans to add these rules as amendments to the Representation of the People Bill.
Government ministers say the new measures aim to protect UK democracy from "dodgy funding" and foreign interference.
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A study by consumer group Which? found that the UK has worse mobile internet coverage and speeds than any other EU country and every other G7 nation. Despite low costs, many UK users experience slow connections, dropped signals, and poor coverage, especially outside cities and on railways.
Key Facts
UK mobile coverage ranks last among 27 EU countries and G7 members.
UK is 57th worldwide for network performance and 70th for download speeds.
Only 64% of the UK has 5G mobile coverage, with rural areas largely uncovered.
Over one-third of UK mobile users had issues like slow speeds or dropped calls in the last year.
The UK has some of the cheapest mobile internet prices due to competition and network mergers.
Poor mobile signal on Britain’s railways is a major concern compared to Germany’s higher standards.
Barriers to improving UK mobile networks include strict planning rules and landowner disputes.
Which? urges government, regulators, and companies to boost investment and improve coverage targets.
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The NHS in England will start rating hospitals and ambulance services on how they handle racism, violence, and sexual misconduct against staff from July. These ratings will be published, aiming to improve workplace safety and wellbeing for more than 1.5 million NHS employees.
Key Facts
NHS trusts will be rated on six measures: tackling racism, preventing violence, improving sexual safety, promoting flexible working, line management, and health and wellbeing support.
The ratings will use a score from one to four for each measure and affect overall trust ratings.
This is the first time NHS workforce wellbeing will count directly towards performance ratings alongside patient care measures.
Primary care providers like GP practices are not yet included but may be in the future.
The initiative is part of a 10-year government health plan commitment.
Surveys show many NHS workers have experienced violence, harassment, racism, or unwanted sexual behavior in the last year.
Experts say official ratings are a positive step but stress the need for real enforcement and anonymous reporting methods to protect staff.
NHS leaders emphasize that supporting staff is crucial for delivering better patient care.
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Lyra McKee, a journalist, was shot and killed during rioting in Londonderry in April 2019. Three men accused of involvement in her murder were found not guilty, and her former partner expressed hope that the killer feels remorse.
Key Facts
Lyra McKee was shot dead by a masked gunman during riots in the Creggan area of Derry on 18 April 2019.
The New IRA, a dissident republican group, claimed responsibility for the killing.
Three men—Paul McIntyre, Peter Cavanagh, and Jordan Devine—were found not guilty of her murder.
None of the accused were charged with firing the fatal shot; the prosecution argued they helped the gunman.
Lyra’s former partner, Sara Canning, said the killer was "showing off" for cameras and expressed doubt justice will be served.
The trial lasted almost two years and ended more than seven years after Lyra’s death.
The judge said the murder was an act of senseless violence and acknowledged the verdict would bring little comfort to Lyra’s family and friends.
Sara Canning said the trial process was emotionally difficult and that the verdict was heartbreaking.
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