The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the global economy will grow more slowly in the coming years. It expects growth to fall from 3.5% in 2025 to 3% in 2026, then rise slightly to 3.4% in 2027.
Key Facts
The IMF released an update on the global economy in July.
Global economic growth is expected to slow down in 2026.
Growth will fall from 3.5% in 2025 to 3% in 2026.
The growth rate is expected to increase again to 3.4% in 2027.
The report is part of the IMF’s World Economic Outlook.
The slowdown indicates challenges for the global economy over the next few years.
The IMF is a global organization that monitors and advises on the world economy.
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People in Guangxi province, China, are cleaning up their homes after heavy rain caused a nearby reservoir to overflow. The flooding killed six people and forced at least 130,000 to leave their homes.
Key Facts
A reservoir in Guangxi province burst its banks due to heavy rain.
Flooding affected many homes in the area.
Six people died because of the flood.
At least 130,000 people were evacuated to safer places.
Residents and volunteers are working together to clean up the damage.
The event followed a period of very heavy rainfall in the region.
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President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. will give Ukraine permission to make Patriot air defense systems. This will help Ukraine defend itself against Russian missile attacks during the ongoing war.
Key Facts
The U.S. will license Ukraine to produce Patriot missile defense systems.
Patriot systems are used to detect and destroy enemy missiles.
The announcement aims to strengthen Ukraine’s defense against Russian attacks.
The war between Ukraine and Russia has been ongoing for five years.
This move represents a significant increase in military support for Ukraine.
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Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Nato member countries are united. However, questions arose because President Donald Trump continues to criticize the alliance. This happened during a Nato meeting in Turkey where leaders talked about conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Key Facts
Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Nato member countries are united.
The BBC's Frank Gardner questioned the unity of Nato because of ongoing criticism from President Donald Trump.
President Trump has made negative remarks about Nato, referred to as "verbal grenades."
The Nato conference took place in Turkey.
World leaders discussed Russia’s war in Ukraine during the meeting.
They also talked about conflicts in the Middle East.
The issue of Nato’s unity was a key topic at the conference.
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President Donald Trump said he will stop all trade with Spain because of disagreements over Spain's defense spending and its lack of support for the U.S. in the war against Iran. He made this statement while arriving at a NATO meeting in Turkey.
Key Facts
President Trump threatened to end all trade with Spain.
The disagreement is about Spain’s defense spending for NATO.
Spain has not supported the U.S. in the Iran war, according to Trump.
The statement was made at a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.
President Trump called Spain "a wasted cause."
The issue reflects tensions between the U.S. and some European NATO members.
This dispute involves military contributions and alliance responsibilities.
NATO is a military alliance of mainly North American and European countries.
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President Donald Trump announced that the US may take control of Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export center, after declaring an end to a temporary ceasefire and warning of more strikes. Kharg Island is key to Iran’s oil exports, handling about 90% of its crude oil shipments, and any disruption there would impact global oil supplies.
Key Facts
Kharg Island is located about 55 kilometers off Iran’s coast in the Persian Gulf.
The island is about 8 km long and 4-5 km wide and allows large oil tankers to dock.
Around 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports pass through Kharg Island, about 950 million barrels annually.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) controls access to the island tightly.
Trump has warned of seizing Kharg Island and confirmed US strikes on Iranian boats near the area.
The US has so far avoided destroying the island’s oil infrastructure but has threatened to reconsider if Iran interferes with shipping.
Disrupting Kharg Island’s oil exports would heavily affect Iran’s oil revenue and could reduce global oil supplies.
Kharg Island was targeted during the 1980 Iran-Iraq war to cut off Iran’s oil income.
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Over a million people gathered in Najaf, Iraq, for the funeral procession of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Many attendees said their presence was motivated by anger over the ongoing war in Gaza.
Key Facts
The funeral procession took place in Najaf, a city in Iraq.
More than one million people attended the event.
The funeral was for Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Many mourners linked their attendance to the war in Gaza.
The large crowd showed strong feelings about the conflict in Gaza.
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President Donald Trump announced he will remove Syria from the U.S. State Department’s list of State Sponsors of Terrorism for the first time since 1979. This decision follows Trump’s meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who recently unified Syria after leading rebel groups and was previously linked to al-Qaeda.
Key Facts
Syria has been on the U.S. State Sponsors of Terrorism list since 1979.
President Trump met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa during a NATO summit in Turkey.
Al-Sharaa once led an al-Qaeda affiliate and had a $10 million bounty on him.
Al-Sharaa led a coalition to remove former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in late 2024.
The U.S. plans to remove Syria from the terrorism list to help Syria rejoin the global financial system.
Repealing the designation could allow Syria to receive foreign assistance and investment.
Congress repealed sanctions on Syria under the Caesar Act, signed by Trump in 2025.
Some U.S. lawmakers want Syria to improve rights for women and minorities before full normalization.
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President Donald Trump announced that the United States will allow Ukraine to produce Patriot missile interceptors. This move responds to Ukraine's request for help in building these defense missiles.
Key Facts
President Trump made the announcement on a Wednesday.
Ukraine has requested the right to build Patriot missiles.
The U.S. will grant a production license to Ukraine.
Patriot missiles are used for defense, specifically to intercept threats.
This decision supports Ukraine’s defense capabilities amid ongoing conflicts.
The announcement was reported by CBS News.
National security analyst Aaron MacLean provided further analysis.
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New video footage shows the ship Quest, the last ship of explorer Ernest Shackleton. Scientists took the footage during an expedition to the shipwreck off Newfoundland where Shackleton died in 1922.
Key Facts
The ship Quest belonged to Ernest Shackleton, a famous Antarctic explorer.
Quest was the last ship Shackleton built before modern engines became common.
The shipwreck is located in the Labrador Sea near Newfoundland, Canada.
The exploration was done by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
The footage is the first video captured of the Quest wreck.
Shackleton died on or near the ship in 1922.
Shackleton was a key figure during the early 1900s period called the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration.
The video was produced and edited by Meiying Wu.
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Marine Le Pen announced she will run for French president in 2027 despite being legally convicted of embezzlement. An appeal court confirmed her guilt but reduced her ban from running, allowing her to continue her presidential bid while she appeals the court’s decision on an electronic monitoring sentence.
Key Facts
Marine Le Pen is the leader of France’s far-right National Rally party.
She was convicted for embezzling European Parliament funds in a fake jobs scam.
The appeal court upheld her conviction but shortened her ban on running for office.
She faces a one-year sentence that could require wearing an electronic tag to monitor her movements.
Le Pen appealed the electronic tag ruling, delaying its enforcement until a higher court decision.
This legal situation creates uncertainty about her ability to campaign freely.
Le Pen has run for president twice before, losing both times to Emmanuel Macron.
Her party president, Jordan Bardella, supports her and may become her future prime minister if she wins.
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President Donald Trump attended the NATO summit, expressing surprise praise for the alliance despite earlier criticisms. He also discussed ongoing tensions with Iran, stating that a ceasefire recently agreed upon is effectively over due to Iranian attacks, and emphasized the goal of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Key Facts
President Trump called the NATO meeting positive, highlighting unity among member countries.
Earlier, he had complained about NATO’s support on issues like the Iran conflict and defense spending.
Trump praised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and mentioned progress toward ending the Ukraine-Russia war.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said European leaders credited Trump with helping NATO progress.
Trump declared that Iran violated a recent ceasefire agreement by attacking vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
He recalled past Iranian actions against US forces, reinforcing US hostility toward Iran.
Trump stated the new goal is Iran’s denuclearization and suggested future US military strikes might occur.
Some of Trump’s statements included incorrect names or mixed-up words during his remarks.
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UK parliament members have called for the full release of a government report warning that the collapse of ecosystems abroad could cause severe problems for the UK’s national security. The report, kept mostly secret, predicts serious food shortages, political instability, and possible conflict due to environmental damage and climate change.
Key Facts
A secret UK intelligence report says ecosystem collapse overseas threatens UK national security.
The government has only shared a limited, redacted version of the report despite demands for full publication.
The report warns of food shortages in the UK within five years due to environmental damage and climate change.
MPs say the government is ignoring links between climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and security risks.
There are concerns that cuts to UK overseas aid and climate budgets worsen the problem.
The Amazon rainforest is mentioned as a key ecosystem at risk of reaching a tipping point.
Parliament members urge urgent government action to protect ecosystems and address the crisis.
The report involves the joint intelligence committee and other government departments.
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Israeli air strikes in Gaza killed at least eight people, including two children, according to Palestinian health officials. These attacks happened despite a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas brokered by the United States in October 2023.
Key Facts
At least eight people died in recent Israeli air strikes in Gaza, including children aged 6 and 10.
The attacks struck locations such as near a school, a displaced persons’ tent, and a vehicle.
Twelve people were wounded in these air strike incidents.
The Israeli military said it targeted fighters but did not confirm civilian casualties.
Since the ceasefire in October 2023, over 1,000 people have been killed and more than 3,400 injured due to Israeli actions, according to Gaza health officials.
The overall death toll in Gaza from the conflict has reached over 73,000 with more than 173,000 injuries.
Israel has increased its control over Gaza territory by about 11% beyond agreed boundaries from the ceasefire.
The UN reports worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza, including nearly 9,300 chickenpox cases in overcrowded health facilities.
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President Donald Trump will fly from Turkey to England on an older Air Force One jet instead of the new, $400 million plane given to the U.S. by Qatar. He said the new plane will be displayed at a U.S. military base in the U.K. so soldiers can see it.
Key Facts
Trump traveled to Turkey on a new Air Force One plane gifted by Qatar last year.
For the trip from Turkey to England, Trump chose the older Air Force One jet.
Trump said the new plane is being sent to U.K. bases for military personnel to tour it.
Reporters asked if security concerns about Iran influenced the decision, but Trump did not confirm this.
Trump said he believes he is a high-value target for Iran and spoke about the risks to his life.
The new plane sparked criticism over security and possible conflicts of interest when accepted.
U.S.-Iran tensions were high, with recent U.S. military strikes on Iranian targets and sanctions on Iranian oil.
Trump declared the ceasefire with Iran over during the NATO summit in Turkey.
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President Donald Trump and other NATO leaders met in Ankara, Turkey, for a summit where Trump approved Ukraine producing Patriot missile interceptors to help in its conflict with Russia. He also expressed strong criticism toward Iran during the event.
Key Facts
The NATO summit took place in Ankara, Turkey.
President Trump supported Ukraine manufacturing Patriot missile interceptors.
This decision aids Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia.
NATO members view the support for Ukraine positively.
President Trump strongly criticized Iran during the summit.
The meeting involved leaders from NATO member countries.
The summit aimed to discuss security and alliance cooperation.
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Lebanese pop singer Fadel Shaker, who became involved in militancy, was released on bail after months in jail. He faces ongoing investigations related to 2013 clashes between Sunni militants and the Lebanese army near Sidon.
Key Facts
Fadel Shaker surrendered to Lebanese military intelligence in October after 12 years as a fugitive.
He was sentenced to 22 years in prison in 2020 for supporting a terrorist group in 2013 clashes.
Shaker paid 500 million Lebanese pounds (about $5,500) for his release on bail.
He faces charges including membership in an armed group, funding armed groups, and money laundering.
The 2013 clashes near Sidon involved Sunni militants and Lebanese army soldiers, causing deaths and deepening sectarian tensions.
Shaker was close to Sunni cleric Ahmed al-Assir, who was sentenced to death for his role in the clashes.
Shaker denies participating in the clashes but a video shows him taunting the military during the event.
After release, Shaker moved to a rented apartment in Beirut and the legal case is still ongoing.
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At the NATO summit in Ankara, President Donald Trump and the other leaders renewed their commitment to defend each other if attacked, despite previous tensions. Trump described the summit as a success and highlighted unity among the allies.
Key Facts
The NATO summit took place in Ankara, Turkey, on July 7-8, 2026.
Leaders confirmed their commitment to Article 5, meaning an attack on one ally is an attack on all.
President Trump said there was “a lot of love” and unity among the leaders during the summit.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said allies welcomed President Trump’s leadership.
Trump authorized U.S. military strikes on Iran shortly after the summit dinner.
Rutte did not rule out a future NATO role in the conflict with Iran, although Iran is outside NATO territory.
The U.S. will license its Patriot air defense system technology to allies.
The summit saw discussions about defense and cooperation amid some past disagreements, including Trump’s interest in Greenland.
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Thousands of people in La Guaira, Venezuela, are struggling to get clean water and proper toilets after earthquakes damaged many buildings and water tanks. Relief groups, including the U.S., are providing food, water, and hygiene supplies to help those living in temporary shelters or outside.
Key Facts
Strong earthquakes hit Venezuela on June 24, causing 3,685 deaths.
About 190 buildings collapsed, and 856 were damaged in the affected area.
Many families lost their water storage tanks, making it hard to get water.
Some communities had water service only once a month or less even before the earthquakes.
People are using beaches for showers and toilets due to lack of facilities.
The U.S. is sending humanitarian aid with food, water, and hygiene kits.
Relief workers distributed aid boxes near the beach in Maiquetía, home to the country’s main airport.
Humanitarian groups say better living conditions are needed to stop disease from spreading.
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Baby Rose, a singer and songwriter from Washington, D.C., grew up surrounded by music from her family. Her latest album, YEARNALISM, explores themes of desire and emotion through songs inspired by her own experiences and group listening sessions.
Key Facts
Baby Rose was raised in a musical family with influences from funk, soul, and hip-hop.
She received her first piano at age 9, which became a key part of her music and personal comfort.
Early in her career, she worked with hip-hop sampling and appreciated imperfections in sounds.
She won her first Grammy for work on Leon Thomas’s album MUTT.
Her album YEARNALISM focuses on feelings like forgiveness, conflict, and yearning.
YEARNALISM was influenced by listening groups called Yearners Anonymous, which are like group therapy sessions.
Baby Rose aims to preserve music as a way to keep memories and traditions alive.
She believes that yearning is a natural part of being alive and an important theme in her music.
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