Conservationists from Chester Zoo have successfully bred 300 Madeiran land snails, a species near extinction, and returned them to Bugio Island in the Atlantic Ocean. Only 21 of these tiny snails were found in the wild before the breeding program began.
Key Facts
Madeiran land snails were found almost extinct, with just 21 left on Bugio Island.
Chester Zoo experts bred 300 snails in captivity to help save the species.
The snails were put back on Bugio Island after careful planning and efforts.
The rescue involved climbing cliffs and navigating rough seas without a jetty.
The snails are very small, about 8mm or one-third of an inch in size.
They play an important role by eating plants and improving soil quality.
The local government of Madeira requested Chester Zoo’s help with this project.
Conservationists will watch the snails closely to see how they adjust back to the wild.
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Authorities in Uttar Pradesh, India, have ordered the demolition of most buildings of Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, a Muslim-founded institution, citing illegal construction. Students, alumni, and residents are protesting the decision, while the government issued a temporary pause on the demolition without fully cancelling it.
Key Facts
Mohammad Ali Jauhar University is located in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, about 200 km from New Delhi.
The university was founded by Azam Khan, a prominent Muslim politician and founder of the Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust.
On July 15, the district administration ordered the demolition of 38 out of 40 university buildings, claiming they lacked proper approvals.
The demolition was scheduled to begin by August 5, but an interim stay was issued, delaying action without cancelling it.
Around 3,000 students study at the university, and many have been protesting the demolition with a sit-in outside the campus gates.
The state government in Uttar Pradesh is led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), known for right-wing policies and a Hindu nationalist agenda.
Azam Khan, the university’s lifelong chancellor, is a critic of the BJP and a founding member of the Samajwadi Party, which has strong Muslim and lower-caste Hindu support in the state.
Protesters are demanding the demolition order be completely withdrawn.
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Labour leader Keir Starmer has announced a change in education goals, aiming for two-thirds of children to attend university or apprenticeships instead of a 50% university target. Andy Burnham, a Labour figure, proposed a related plan focusing on local businesses shaping technical education from age 14, including work experience. The Conservative party opposes Burnham’s plan, saying it conflicts with Labour’s recent Schools Act.
Key Facts
Keir Starmer wants to replace the 50% university attendance target with a goal for two-thirds of children to choose university or gold standard apprenticeships.
Starmer emphasizes respect for apprenticeships and technical education alongside university education.
Andy Burnham proposes linking technical education to local business needs and emphasizes practical skills from age 14.
Burnham’s plan includes keeping core subjects like maths, English, and science, combined with hands-on technical learning and work experience.
Burnham’s approach supports local decision-making, working with mayors, local leaders, employers, and schools to tailor education to local industries.
The Conservative party claims Burnham’s proposal conflicts with Labour’s Schools Act, which limits local control over schools.
Labour's shadow education secretary criticizes the new plan, calling it unclear and contradictory to recent legislation.
Burnham’s plan has endorsements from mayors, business groups, and unions but lacks Conservative support.
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The US delegation left a United Nations Security Council meeting while France was speaking. The walkout was a protest against France's criticism of the US for voting against extending the UN human rights chief’s term, comparing the US to authoritarian states.
Key Facts
The US voted against extending Volker Turk's term as UN high commissioner for human rights, along with North Korea and Russia.
France criticized the US, saying it was no longer a leader in human rights.
The US ambassador accused France of supporting authoritarian countries and lecturing democracies.
The US delegation walked out during an emergency UN Security Council meeting about Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The vote to extend Turk’s term passed with 144 countries in favor, 10 against, and 13 abstentions.
Volker Turk has criticized Russia's war in Ukraine and Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The US has reduced funding for UN agencies and pulled out of many UN bodies.
The UN said all member states should respect the decisions made at meetings.
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Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington DC to meet with President Donald Trump. They discussed the ongoing conflict with Iran and recent tensions between their countries, especially over Israel's military actions in Lebanon.
Key Facts
Netanyahu met President Trump to talk about the conflict with Iran.
There are signs of increasing tension between Israel and the US leaders.
President Trump has criticized Israel for attacks in Lebanon and not following a ceasefire.
Public support for Israel in the US is reportedly decreasing.
Support for Israel and Netanyahu is an important issue in US primary elections before the midterms.
The meeting happened in the context of political activity in the United States.
Netanyahu's visit is seen as a high-stakes diplomatic event.
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A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck southern Japan near Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28, 2026. Authorities issued a tsunami advisory for nearby seas and told people to stay away from the coast. No problems were reported at nearby nuclear facilities.
Key Facts
The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.1.
It occurred shortly before 4:30 p.m. local time in Kumamoto Prefecture.
The quake's depth was about 6 miles underground.
It lasted around one minute according to local news.
A tsunami advisory was issued for the Ariake Sea and Yatsushiro Sea coasts.
People were urged to avoid ocean and shoreline areas.
Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority reported no issues at the Ikata and Genkai nuclear plants.
The situation is still developing with updates expected.
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Sixty Palestinian men who were held by Israel have been returned to Gaza. Many arrived in poor health after being detained for long periods and reported mistreatment while in custody.
Key Facts
Sixty Palestinian detainees were released by Israel and received at a hospital in Gaza.
These men had been held as "unlawful combatants" and were released after Israeli authorities said they were no longer security threats.
The detainees arrived weak, injured, and some could not walk.
The prisoners reported harsh conditions, including beatings and poor treatment.
They were held in major Israeli prisons such as Ofer, Negev, and Sde Teiman.
Human rights groups say Palestinians in Israeli prisons often face torture and neglect.
About 9,600 Palestinians remain in Israeli detention, including some children.
The International Committee of the Red Cross has been unable to inspect Palestinian detainees since October 2023.
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Iran executed two men convicted of killing four police officers during protests in January. The men were also found guilty of setting a police station on fire and causing damage in the city of Isfahan.
Key Facts
Two men named Abolfazl Sepahi Badjani and Amir Hossein Safari Hosseinabadi were hanged in Iran.
They were convicted for killing four police officers during protests in January.
The men also set fire to a police station and damaged public property in Isfahan.
These executions come after tens of thousands of people were arrested during the nationwide protests.
Rights groups warn that more people might get death sentences related to these protests.
The protests began in late December and continued through January, met with a strong response from security forces.
Iran’s government says more than 3,000 people died in the protests, while rights groups estimate over 7,000 deaths.
Earlier in July, Iran hanged two other men connected to the same case.
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Colombia’s President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella announced major changes to the country’s foreign policy. He plans to cancel the opening of a Palestinian embassy, reopen Colombia’s embassy in Jerusalem, and close 15 other embassies.
Key Facts
Abelardo de la Espriella is the far-right President-elect of Colombia.
He will stop plans to open an embassy for Palestine in Colombia.
He intends to reopen Colombia’s embassy in Jerusalem.
As part of a diplomatic reset, he will close 15 other embassies around the world.
These changes signal a new direction in Colombia’s foreign relations.
The decisions reflect a shift in Colombia’s stance on Middle Eastern politics.
The exact list of closed embassies was not detailed.
The changes will affect Colombia’s international diplomatic presence.
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Protesters in Washington, DC, shouted slogans and waved Palestinian flags as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived for meetings with President Donald Trump. The demonstrators called for Netanyahu’s arrest, accusing him of war crimes.
Key Facts
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, visited Washington, DC.
Protesters met his motorcade with slogans like "War criminal."
Demonstrators waved Palestinian flags during the protest.
They called for Netanyahu to be arrested.
Netanyahu was in Washington to hold talks with President Donald Trump.
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A strong earthquake measuring 7.1 hit southern Japan's Kumamoto prefecture on Tuesday. A tsunami warning was issued for a possible wave about one meter high, but there was no tsunami threat for Hawaii or American Samoa.
Key Facts
The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.1.
It occurred in Kumamoto prefecture, southern Japan.
The Japan Meteorological Agency reported the quake reached the highest level on Japan’s Shindo scale (level 7).
A tsunami alert warned of waves about one meter (one yard) high.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no tsunami danger to Hawaii or American Samoa.
The earthquake happened on a Tuesday.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued the tsunami alert.
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The United Nations reported that fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan since October has killed nearly 500 Afghan civilians and wounded over 1,200. The conflict includes airstrikes and cross-border attacks, with both countries accusing each other over militant activities.
Key Facts
Between October and June, nearly 500 Afghan civilians were killed, and more than 1,200 were injured in Pakistan-Afghanistan fighting.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) documented these casualties and reported incidents like civilians being hit by a second airstrike while rescuing others.
Fighting escalated notably in February after Afghan forces raided Pakistan in response to Pakistani airstrikes.
Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of sheltering militants, especially the Pakistani Taliban (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan). Afghanistan denies this.
A major Pakistani airstrike in March hit a drug treatment center in Kabul, killing hundreds of civilians; this attack is being investigated as a possible war crime.
Pakistan says its strikes target only terrorist locations, ignoring Afghan civilian casualties reported by the UN.
UNAMA monitors only incidents in Afghanistan and does not have data on civilian casualties in Pakistan from the fighting.
The report also mentions other human rights concerns, such as repression of protests over women's clothing rules and the legalization of child marriage in Afghanistan.
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Firefighters in southwest France controlled a large wildfire that burned 420 square kilometers near Bordeaux, stopping its spread after several days. Thousands of people were evacuated, and some began returning home as the fire was contained, but dry weather could cause new flare-ups.
Key Facts
The wildfire has been burning since last week near Saumos, southwest of Bordeaux.
It has burned an area about four times the size of Paris (420 square kilometers).
Around 220,000 people had to evacuate due to the fire.
Firefighters worked overnight to control flare-ups near the Atlantic coast dunes.
Crews have created 103 kilometers (64 miles) of firebreaks, areas cleared to stop the fire from spreading.
Ninety-three firefighters have been injured while fighting the blaze.
Parts of a major highway (A63) and train routes south of Bordeaux remain closed or limited.
Thousands in the neighboring Landes region have begun returning home after another wildfire was contained.
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A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 struck Kumamoto in southern Japan on Tuesday afternoon. Officials issued a local tsunami advisory, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
Key Facts
The earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.1.
It occurred near Kumamoto on Kyushu, Japan’s southern main island.
The quake's depth was about 10 kilometers (6 miles) below the sea surface.
The time of the earthquake was 4:29 p.m. local time.
A tsunami advisory was issued for the local area.
The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said no tsunami risk exists beyond local coasts.
No damage or injuries were reported immediately.
The quake’s location was roughly 900 kilometers (540 miles) southwest of Tokyo.
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A Vietnamese cargo ship sank near a Chinese-controlled island in the South China Sea, and rescuers have saved 48 crew members so far. Search teams from Vietnam, China, and the Philippines are still looking for 14 people who remain missing.
Key Facts
The Vietnamese ship Khoi Nguyen 18 sank on Saturday near Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratly Islands.
The ship went down during bad weather while operating in the East Sea.
62 people were on board; 48 have been rescued and given medical care by Vietnamese authorities.
Rescue operations involve Vietnamese, Chinese, and Philippine forces working together.
The Philippine Coast Guard is helping after Vietnam asked for assistance, under international maritime agreements.
Fiery Cross Reef is controlled by China but claimed by several countries including Vietnam and the Philippines.
The South China Sea is a key trade route with about $5 trillion in trade passing through it yearly.
The area is also believed to have large deposits of oil and gas under the sea floor.
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Massive wildfires continue to burn in southwestern France and parts of Spain, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate. Firefighters are working to contain the fires before a new heatwave brings hotter temperatures that will make their job harder.
Key Facts
A large wildfire near Bordeaux, France, has burned 42,000 hectares (103,000 acres) and forced 220,000 people to leave their homes.
The fire is so intense it has created a rare thunderstorm cloud called a pyrocumulonimbus.
Another forest fire in Landes, France, forced more than 30,000 people to evacuate but is now under control.
In Spain, wildfires have burned 77,000 hectares (190,000 acres), similar in size to New York City, and led to about 60,000 evacuations.
Both countries face a new heatwave expected to bring temperatures up to 40°C (104°F), which will make firefighting more difficult.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez have warned citizens about tough conditions ahead.
Since the start of the year, France’s wildfires have burned 116,000 hectares of land, much more than the 70,000 hectares burned last year.
Air quality in the affected regions has worsened due to smoke from the fires.
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Volunteers from Dobrobat, Ukraine’s largest volunteer group with over 55,000 helpers, are repairing homes damaged by Russian missile attacks in Kyiv. They quickly fix broken windows and other damage to help people stay safe until permanent repairs can be made.
Key Facts
On June 15, Russia fired about 70 missiles at Ukraine, hitting areas in eastern Kyiv.
A missile exploded near Mariya Prokopchuk’s apartment, shattering hundreds of windows.
Dobrobat volunteers arrived soon after to clear rubble and install temporary window coverings.
Dobrobat means “Battalion of Kindness” and has helped repair homes for over a million Ukrainians.
Volunteers work only after danger like unexploded mines is cleared.
Most volunteers are Ukrainian, but people from over 30 countries, including Sweden and the USA, have joined.
The group also does long-term repairs, such as rebuilding roofs damaged by earlier shelling.
Volunteers use portable tools and materials to make quick, effective fixes to damaged homes.
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The article marks the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, an international agreement that protects people forced to flee persecution. The author, a refugee from Syria, shares their personal story and emphasizes the ongoing need for protection and support for millions of displaced people worldwide.
Key Facts
The 1951 Refugee Convention was created to protect people fleeing persecution after World War II.
The author fled Syria ten years ago due to war and became a refugee.
The Convention gave the author the chance to rebuild their life in Germany.
Today, over 120 million people are displaced by conflict, violence, or persecution globally.
Refugees are often seen as numbers or problems but are people with dreams and talents.
Many countries hosting refugees face heavy burdens that need more global sharing.
Refugees often face closed borders, dangerous travel, and hostility.
Returning home safely requires security, schools, hospitals, jobs, and stability, which many refugees still lack.
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India’s youth-led Cockroach movement protested exam leaks and other problems, leading to the resignation of the education minister. The group says the government has not kept its promise to stop punishing student protesters and may restart protests if detained students are not released.
Key Facts
The Cockroach Janta party (CJP) organized protests against exam leaks and irregularities across India.
Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned after the protests.
The government initially promised no action against protesters but later filed cases against many students in BJP-ruled states.
At least 100 people have been arrested, some facing serious charges.
Protests in New Delhi turned violent, with police using teargas and batons.
The chief justice of India called for an independent investigation into police actions against protesters.
The government formed a panel to reform the exam system and proposed stricter punishments for exam leaks.
The CJP set up a legal fund to support protesters facing police cases.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House for the first time since U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran led to increased conflict in the Middle East. The leaders plan to focus on the ongoing war, security issues, and regional peace efforts despite previous tensions in their relationship.
Key Facts
Netanyahu and President Trump will meet on Tuesday at the White House.
This is their first in-person meeting since U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.
Relations between the two leaders were strained after the strikes and ceasefire talks in April.
Both leaders have tried to reduce public disagreements ahead of the meeting.
They will discuss Iran, the Israel-Lebanon framework deal, and Gaza’s reconstruction.
The meeting aims to show that U.S.-Israeli ties remain strong despite challenges.
The U.S. and Israel have different views on how to handle military operations but agree on war goals.
This will be their eighth meeting since President Trump began his second term last year.
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