Millions of people in Iran are taking part in public funeral services for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country's supreme leader, who was killed. The crowd is also calling for revenge following an airstrike by the U.S. and Israel that caused his death.
Key Facts
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was the supreme leader of Iran.
He was killed in an airstrike carried out by the U.S. and Israel.
Millions of people attended his funeral services across Iran.
The funeral included public gatherings and ceremonies.
Attendees expressed calls for revenge against those responsible.
The event occurred over the weekend.
CBS News provided coverage of the funeral and its developments.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump gave a speech on the 4th of July, marking 250 years since America was founded. In his speech, he praised patriotism and criticized the Democratic Party by calling them communists after some democratic socialist candidates won elections in the country.
Key Facts
The speech took place on the 4th of July, America's Independence Day.
The occasion also marked 250 years since the founding of the United States.
President Trump emphasized patriotism during his speech.
He criticized the Democratic Party, calling them communists.
This criticism came after some democratic socialist candidates won recent elections.
The speech was reported by CBS News.
The content included a mix of celebrating America and highlighting political divides.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Many cities experienced extreme weather during the Fourth of July weekend, including record high temperatures. In New Jersey, at least 19 people died due to the heat. Additionally, a seaplane had to make a difficult landing in New York City's East River.
Key Facts
Several cities set new temperature records over the Fourth of July weekend.
At least 19 deaths in New Jersey are linked to the heatwave.
A seaplane made a hard landing in the East River in New York City on Sunday.
The extreme weather affected multiple parts of the region.
Meteorologists provided forecasts and updates during this weather event.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Canada will soon decide between two bids to build 12 new submarines. The two companies competing are Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean, and the decision is expected around the time Prime Minister Mark Carney visits a military base and heads to a NATO summit.
Key Facts
Canada wants to build 12 new submarines powered by conventional diesel-electric engines.
The two bidders are Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean.
The submarines contract is worth tens of billions of dollars, making it one of Canada’s largest military purchases.
Canada’s current fleet of four Victoria-class submarines is almost unusable.
The announcement is expected before Prime Minister Carney goes to a NATO summit in Turkey.
Both companies promise job creation and investment in Canada if they win.
Canada has committed to increasing its defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035 to meet NATO goals.
South Korea’s Hanwha recently demonstrated its KSS-III submarine with a trans-Pacific voyage.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The UK government plans to limit political donations from people who move back to the UK after living overseas. New rules will cap donations at £100,000 for a year after their return, and companies will face tougher checks to keep foreign money out of UK elections.
Key Facts
Overseas voters moving to the UK will be limited to donating no more than £100,000 for one year after arrival.
The restriction aims to prevent foreign influence in UK elections.
The UK government already set an annual donation cap of £100,000 for British citizens living abroad.
Two major donors to Reform UK, Christopher Harborne and Ben Delo, would be affected by these new rules when they return to the UK.
Harborne donated £12 million and Delo donated £4 million to Reform UK in recent years.
Corporate donations will be reviewed based on profits after tax over five years instead of just revenue.
Election candidates must now prove that funding received before standing for election is legitimate.
The changes will be added to the Representation of the People Bill, to be discussed further in July.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The UK is experiencing its third heatwave of the year with temperatures expected to reach up to 34°C, lasting longer than previous heatwaves but not as hot. Heat-health warnings are in place for parts of England, while other parts of the UK will see milder weather with more cloud and rain.
Key Facts
The third heatwave of 2024 has started in parts of the UK with temperatures up to 34°C expected.
This heatwave will last longer but is less intense than the late June heatwave, which reached 37.7°C.
Yellow heat-health alerts are active across the Midlands and southern England until 11 July evening.
Some areas in the north of the UK will be warmer but will also have more clouds and rain, especially western Scotland.
Official heatwave criteria require temperatures above 28°C, expected widely across the Midlands, East Anglia, and southeast England.
Temperatures in London and southeast England might reach around 34°C midweek.
Previous heatwaves broke records for monthly temperatures and caused very hot, humid nights called "tropical nights."
Similar intense heat is affecting parts of Portugal, Spain, France, and Italy, increasing wildfire risks due to dry conditions.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
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.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
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.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
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.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
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.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
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.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
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.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
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.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
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.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
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.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
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.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
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.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
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.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
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.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
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.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
