Venezuela has started mass burials for people who died in recent earthquakes. The official death count is now 3,535, and over 30,000 people are still missing.
Key Facts
Two earthquakes hit Venezuela nearly two weeks ago.
Bodies of victims are being buried at La Esperanza Cemetery in La Guaira.
Many victims are unidentified.
The official death toll has reached 3,535 people.
More than 30,000 people remain missing after the disaster.
The burials involve large groups of victims at once due to the high number of deaths.
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French Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Rima Hassan went to court in Paris for a case accusing her of praising terrorism. The charge comes from a social media post she made about a 1972 attack on Israel’s main airport. Hassan and her supporters say the trial aims to silence pro-Palestinian opinions.
Key Facts
Rima Hassan is a French MEP.
She faces a trial in Paris for "glorifying terrorism."
The case involves a social media post referencing the 1972 attack on Israel’s main airport.
Hassan told supporters, "No one is safe anymore," upon arriving at court.
Supporters believe the trial tries to stop pro-Palestinian voices from speaking out.
The incident referenced dates back more than 50 years.
The trial draws attention to ongoing tensions around speech and political views on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
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Senator Mitch McConnell has been in the hospital since mid-June and has not voted since then, raising concerns among Republicans about his ability to return to work. His office says he is improving and staying involved with Senate work, but details about his health have not been shared publicly.
Key Facts
Mitch McConnell, 84, has been hospitalized since June 14.
He has not cast a Senate vote since June 11.
McConnell’s staff reports he is receiving good care and remains involved in work.
Several Republican senators and advisors recently spoke with him.
No specific information about his illness or treatment has been provided.
Republicans hold a narrow 53-47 majority in the Senate, so his absence impacts voting.
His absence helped Democrats pass a resolution opposing President Trump’s war in Iran.
McConnell plans to retire in January 2027, but an early departure would trigger a special election in Kentucky.
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Christian missionaries from the organization Cru have been using the virtual reality platform VRChat for three years to meet and talk with people around the world. They adapt their usual way of sharing their faith by interacting with users through avatars in different virtual worlds.
Key Facts
Cru missionaries gather every Friday in VRChat to connect with people.
VRChat is a social platform where users interact using avatars like animals, robots, or humans.
Missionaries start conversations casually before discussing religion and faith.
The missionaries use virtual maps to find and join small groups inside VRChat worlds.
A digital strategist named Frank Kuligowski helped start this VR outreach by buying VR headsets.
Some users, like a social worker from the Netherlands, appreciate having a space to talk about spiritual topics online.
One missionary’s story involved inviting a woman from China to a virtual church within VRChat.
The virtual prayer sessions and discussions aim to reach people who might not attend physical churches.
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A cargo plane with five crew members went missing off the coast of Karachi, Pakistan, after quickly descending and losing contact with air traffic controllers. The plane was flying from the United Arab Emirates to Karachi when it reported a navigation problem, and search efforts are ongoing in the Arabian Sea.
Key Facts
The missing aircraft was a Boeing 737 cargo plane.
It had five crew members on board.
The plane was operated by K2 Airways, based in Karachi.
The flight started in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, and was headed to Karachi, Pakistan.
The plane reported a navigation system problem at 9:18 p.m. local time.
Radar showed the plane descending rapidly and changing direction sharply at about 9:21 p.m.
Contact with the plane was lost about 155 nautical miles west of Karachi.
Pakistani authorities have launched search-and-rescue operations in the Arabian Sea.
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The private prison company CoreCivic sold two large immigrant detention centers in California to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for $1.5 billion. The government now owns the facilities but CoreCivic will likely keep managing them under current contracts, which may be renegotiated.
Key Facts
CoreCivic sold Otay Mesa Detention Center and California City Detention Facility to the federal government.
The total sale price was $1.5 billion, with about $1.1 billion expected as net proceeds to CoreCivic.
Otay Mesa has 1,994 beds; California City has 2,560 beds.
The sales closed on July 2, and DHS paid $739.2 million for Otay Mesa and $732.6 million for California City.
CoreCivic will likely continue running both centers under contracts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Contracts run through 2027 (California City) and 2029 (Otay Mesa), with options to extend.
The federal government has increased its budget to expand immigration detention capacity, aiming to own more facilities directly.
Some local officials were surprised by the sales and acquisitions, which have faced legal challenges in other states.
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Senator Mitch McConnell has been in the hospital for over three weeks due to unknown health issues. Despite this, top Senate Republicans have talked with him by phone, and he continues to improve while preparing to retire in January.
Key Facts
Mitch McConnell was admitted to the hospital on June 14 for unspecified health problems.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senator John Barrasso each spoke with McConnell recently by phone.
McConnell’s team says he is improving and working closely with staff while recovering.
He plans to retire at the end of his current term in January.
McConnell has a history of health issues, including past hospital stays, a concussion from a fall, and childhood polio.
He has continued to attend Senate sessions, often using a wheelchair.
No new details about his condition have been released, leading to public speculation.
The Senate is currently out of session and will return next week.
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A federal judge stopped the Department of Justice (DOJ) from demanding the names and personal details of workers involved in the 2020 election in Fulton County, Georgia. This action is part of an ongoing investigation into the 2020 election that began during President Donald Trump’s administration.
Key Facts
The DOJ issued a subpoena to get information about Fulton County's 2020 election workers.
A federal judge quashed (canceled) this subpoena on July 7, 2026.
The subpoena was part of an election probe started under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Fulton County challenged the subpoena legally.
Fulton County is located in Georgia and was involved in the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
The investigation relates to events and actions during the 2020 election.
The judge’s decision protects the privacy of election workers in Fulton County.
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Marine Le Pen, leader of the French National Rally party, announced she will run for the French presidency in 2027. She is also appealing a court decision that requires her to wear an electronic tag after being found guilty of misusing EU funds in a fake jobs scheme.
Key Facts
Marine Le Pen confirmed her bid for the 2027 French presidential election.
She leads the National Rally party in France.
A Paris appeal court found her guilty of misusing €2.8 million in EU funds.
The conviction relates to a fake jobs scheme.
The court ruled that she must wear an electronic tag for one year.
Despite the conviction, she is allowed to run for president while wearing the tag.
Le Pen said she wants to use all legal options to prove her innocence.
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Prosecutors released new video footage they say shows Tyler Robinson, who is accused of killing Charlie Kirk. The footage includes Robinson driving a car and walking through a parking garage.
Key Facts
The video was shared by prosecutors on Tuesday.
The footage shows a man believed to be Tyler Robinson.
Tyler Robinson is accused of killing Charlie Kirk.
The video shows Robinson driving a vehicle.
It also shows him walking through a parking garage.
The video is part of ongoing legal proceedings.
The incident took place in Utah.
Authorities are using the footage as evidence in the case.
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The Supreme Court declined to stop Texas from enforcing a law that requires app stores to verify users’ ages, allowing the state to continue applying the law while legal challenges proceed. This law aims to protect minors by restricting certain app content and requires app stores to use reasonable age checks, but it faces criticism from Big Tech companies who say it limits free speech and privacy.
Key Facts
Texas passed the App Store Accountability Act, requiring app stores to verify ages and restrict some apps for users under 18.
A federal judge blocked the law in December 2025, saying it likely violates free speech protections.
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed that block in June 2026, saying the law likely meets legal standards.
Big Tech groups, including the Computer & Communications Industry Association, called the law a "broad censorship regime."
The Supreme Court refused to reinstate the block, so Texas can enforce the law while the case continues.
The law exempts some nonprofit, government, and emergency service apps from these rules.
The legal debate centers on how strictly the law should be examined under free speech rules.
Texas argues the law protects children’s data, safety, and privacy by requiring age checks and parental consent.
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George E. Johnson Sr., who created a successful Black hair care company and was the first Black owner of a company listed on the American Stock Exchange, died at age 99. He founded Johnson Products in 1954, which served mainly Black customers and became well-known for products like Afro Sheen and Ultra Sheen.
Key Facts
George E. Johnson Sr. died at his home in Chicago at age 99.
He and his wife started Johnson Products in 1954 with a $250 loan.
Johnson Products catered mainly to Black consumers with hair care brands such as Afro Sheen and Ultra Sheen.
It was the first Black-owned company listed on the American Stock Exchange.
Johnson Products sponsored the 1970s TV show "Soul Train."
Johnson was born in Mississippi in 1927 and moved to Chicago during the First Great Migration.
He also founded Independence Bank and was the first Black board member at Illinois’ utility company Commonwealth Edison.
Johnson created an educational fund granting over 1,000 college scholarships.
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The Canadian province of British Columbia plans to sue OpenAI for not alerting police about violent messages linked to the person who committed a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge. The lawsuit claims OpenAI failed to notify authorities despite internal warnings about the shooter’s violent use of ChatGPT several months before the attack.
Key Facts
The mass shooting happened on February 10 in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia.
The shooter killed six people, including five children and one teacher, and injured 27 others before dying by a self-inflicted gunshot.
OpenAI’s safety teams flagged violent prompts from the shooter’s ChatGPT account months before the shooting.
OpenAI banned the shooter’s account in June 2025 after detecting disturbing content.
Despite employees urging OpenAI to report the threats, the company did not notify police.
OpenAI said it did not report the threats because it did not see a clear, immediate danger.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman publicly apologized for not alerting law enforcement.
British Columbia’s Attorney General hired lawyers in Canada and California to explore legal actions against OpenAI, separate from victim families’ lawsuits.
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Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s National Rally party, plans to run for president in 2027 while appealing her criminal conviction at the country’s highest court. By appealing, her conviction is temporarily suspended, allowing her to present herself as innocent during the campaign, but she risks serving a sentence if the court upholds the verdict quickly.
Key Facts
Marine Le Pen was found guilty by two courts but is appealing to the French High Court of Appeal, called the Court of Cassation.
The appeal suspends her conviction during the legal process, meaning she is presumed innocent for now.
If she accepted the appeal court’s decision without further appeal, she could run a normal campaign but would likely have to wear an electronic ankle tag as part of her sentence.
By appealing, she avoids wearing the ankle tag for now, but if the highest court rules against her before or during the campaign, she would have to wear it immediately.
Le Pen’s lawyers may hope the court takes a long time to decide, possibly ruling after the election.
If Le Pen wins the presidency, she would have legal immunity and could avoid serving the sentence while in office.
There is a risk the court may speed up the decision if it feels the legal process is being delayed deliberately.
The situation creates uncertainty for Le Pen’s campaign because the timing of the court’s ruling could affect her ability to campaign freely.
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Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell has been in the hospital for more than three weeks due to undisclosed health problems. Senate Republican leaders have spoken with him recently, and no new information about his condition has been released.
Key Facts
Mitch McConnell was admitted to the hospital on June 14, 2026.
His health issues have not been publicly detailed by his aides.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senator John Barrasso have spoken with McConnell by phone.
McConnell, 84, is retiring at the end of his current term in January.
His hospital stay follows several past health incidents including a concussion in 2023 and falls in previous years.
McConnell uses a wheelchair sometimes due to mobility difficulties partly related to polio in his childhood.
Statements from his office say he is improving and staying involved with Senate work during his recovery.
McConnell was first elected to the Senate in 1984 and led Senate Republicans from 2007 to 2025.
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President Donald Trump expressed disappointment with NATO during the first day of a summit in Turkiye, criticizing some European allies for not supporting the US during conflicts and urging them to increase defense spending. The summit also discussed NATO’s support for Ukraine amid the Russia-Ukraine war and raised tensions over Greenland’s sovereignty.
Key Facts
President Trump said he was “very disappointed” with NATO and criticized some European countries like Italy, Germany, and France for not supporting the US in conflicts involving Iran.
Trump urged European NATO members to spend more on defense, pointing out that only five members are expected to meet the 3.5% GDP spending target by 2026.
Trump renewed his claim that Greenland should be controlled by the US, not Denmark, which Denmark’s prime minister rejected, emphasizing Greenland is not for sale.
The summit is focused on maintaining NATO unity amid ongoing tensions, including disagreements over Iran, Greenland, and mutual defense commitments.
NATO leaders discussed continuing military support for Ukraine, with Norway pledging about $306 million for air defense and other allies expected to keep support through 2026 and 2027.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged NATO to allow Ukraine to join the alliance for stronger defense protection.
President Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin before the summit and is expected to meet Zelenskyy during the event.
Trump expressed hope that the Russia-Ukraine conflict would be resolved soon, saying both sides want a deal.
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The Trump administration ended a special permission that allowed some sales of Iranian oil and petrochemicals. This decision followed reports that Iran attacked three ships near the Strait of Hormuz, an important route for shipping oil.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump’s administration revoked a sanctions waiver for Iranian oil and petrochemical sales.
The waiver allowed certain transactions that are now no longer permitted.
The revocation was announced by the U.S. Treasury Department.
This action came after reports of Iran striking three ships near the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway used for transporting oil internationally.
The sanctions aim to limit Iran’s oil exports as part of U.S. policy.
The measure tightens restrictions on Iran in response to regional security concerns.
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The article discusses the need for a shared national purpose in the United States to bring people together. The author, a retired Army brigadier general, suggests creating a universal national service system to unite Americans across different backgrounds and political beliefs.
Key Facts
The author is a Greek American who served as an Army doctor and retired as a brigadier general.
He reflects on questions about identity and belonging that persist after 250 years since the Declaration of Independence.
National identity is built through shared responsibility, not just slogans.
The author proposes a universal national service to connect young Americans from all races, religions, and political views.
Shared historical experiences do not guarantee a shared identity because people remember events differently.
Institutions today often divide people by background, income, culture, and politics rather than unite them.
The military is one of the few institutions that bring people together across these divides.
The article highlights that a common mission is needed to strengthen national unity in the U.S.
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President Donald Trump has strengthened U.S. ties with Turkey during the NATO summit in Ankara, recognizing Turkey’s growing strategic role between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Turkey’s military and diplomatic influence has increased in several regional conflicts, making it an important partner for NATO and U.S. regional strategy.
Key Facts
President Trump expressed strong support for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the NATO summit.
Turkey is geographically important, located between conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Some U.S. allies, including European countries and Israel, have criticized Erdogan’s style of leadership and Turkey’s growing influence.
Turkey has been a NATO member since 1952 and has one of the largest militaries in the alliance after the U.S.
Erdogan has led Turkey since 2003, boosting its military and diplomatic power in regions like Libya, Syria, and the Caucasus.
Turkish drones have been used effectively in conflicts in Ukraine and the Caucasus.
Turkey maintains a complex relationship with Russia, acting as a mediator between Moscow and Kyiv.
Turkey’s role is central to many NATO security concerns, making it a key partner for U.S. regional plans.
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Recent changes in federal energy policies under President Donald Trump are expected to increase energy bills for American households. A report by Energy Innovation predicts that rolling back clean-energy programs and incentives will add an average of $460 to energy costs per year by 2035, with some states facing even higher increases.
Key Facts
Energy Innovation analyzed seven major federal policy changes made since President Trump took office in January 2025.
These changes include cutting clean-energy incentives, rolling back emissions rules, and ending programs like Solar for All.
The report estimates households could pay $460 more annually for energy by 2035, with some states seeing increases over $500.
States likely most affected include Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
States like Maine, Vermont, Washington, and New Hampshire might face smaller impacts due to existing state energy-efficiency policies.
President Trump’s energy plan focuses on increasing fossil fuel and nuclear energy production while reducing clean energy support.
The administration aims to strengthen the energy grid, lower costs, and support manufacturing.
White House officials say these changes will make energy more affordable despite the report’s findings.
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