Two Palestinian mothers think a widely shared photo of a tied-up prisoner from Gaza is of their missing sons. Israel has confirmed the photo is real but has not said who the man is.
Key Facts
The photo shows a man from Gaza who is tied up and has been shared widely online.
Two mothers from Palestine each believe the man in the photo is their son.
Both sons are currently missing.
Israel has confirmed that the photo is authentic.
Israel has not announced the identity of the man in the photo.
The situation has caused distress for both families who want to know the truth.
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Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have created a list of viruses that can infect humans, focusing on those most likely to cause pandemics. Their work helps identify which viruses can spread from person to person and might pose a serious public health threat.
Key Facts
Each year, scientists find two or three new viruses that infect people.
Most new viruses do not spread widely or cause major health problems.
RNA viruses, which carry their genetic material as RNA, have caused recent pandemics like AIDS and COVID-19.
Only 239 known RNA viruses infect humans, but there could be millions more in nature.
Two-thirds of these viruses are zoonotic, meaning they usually infect people from animals without spreading between humans.
Viruses that already spread easily from person to person are a bigger risk for pandemics.
Some viruses spread in small outbreaks but have the potential to infect many if conditions change.
This virus catalog helps predict which viruses might cause future pandemics by looking at how they spread and how related they are to other viruses.
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France’s appeals court has ruled that Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally party, is banned from holding public office for 15 months. This ruling raises questions about whether she will run in the 2027 presidential election or let her younger protégé, Jordan Bardella, run instead.
Key Facts
Marine Le Pen leads the far-right National Rally party in France.
A court has banned Le Pen from holding public office for 15 months.
Despite the ban, she might still run for president but would have to wear an electronic tag.
Le Pen has said wearing an electronic tag is unacceptable to her.
Jordan Bardella, 30 years old, is Le Pen’s popular protégé and possible alternative candidate.
The party must decide soon whether Le Pen or Bardella will run in the 2027 presidential election.
The ruling could change the political landscape in France’s upcoming election.
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At least nine police officers were killed in an attack on a police post at a dam project in southwestern Pakistan. Security forces later freed eight abducted officers and killed 15 attackers during clearing operations. No group has officially claimed responsibility, but local officials blamed the Pakistan Taliban (TTP).
Key Facts
Nine police officers, including two officers, were killed in the attack.
The attack targeted a police post at a dam project in southwestern Pakistan.
Eight police officers were abducted but later rescued by security forces.
Security forces killed 15 attackers during joint clearance operations.
No group has officially claimed responsibility for the attack.
Local officials blamed the Pakistan Taliban (TTP) for the attack without providing evidence.
Pakistan has long faced attacks by armed groups in the mineral-rich Balochistan province.
The TTP is different from the Afghan Taliban and has fought to overthrow the Pakistani government.
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A Paris appeals court ruled that French far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s ban from public office will be reduced, allowing her to run in the 2027 presidential election. However, the court ordered her to wear an electronic ankle tag for one year starting in March 2025, which may make campaigning difficult. This situation increases the chances that her political protege, Jordan Bardella, will be the National Rally’s candidate in 2027.
Key Facts
Marine Le Pen was convicted of a fraud scheme involving European Union funds.
Her 45-month ban on holding public office was reduced to 15 months, ending in March 2026.
The reduced ban clears her to run in the April 2027 presidential election.
The court requires Le Pen to wear an electronic ankle bracelet for one year starting in March 2025.
Le Pen said she might not run if the bracelet limits her ability to campaign freely.
Jordan Bardella, 30 years old, is Le Pen’s political protege and current National Rally president.
Bardella grew up in a working-class suburb, joined the National Rally at 16, and was elected to the European Parliament at 23.
The National Rally, under Bardella’s leadership, won a record 31.5% of the vote in the 2024 European elections but performed less well in France’s 2024 parliamentary elections.
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A Paris appeals court has allowed Marine Le Pen, a far-right French leader, to possibly run for president in 2027. However, the court said she must wear an electronic monitoring bracelet during the campaign, and she has previously stated she would not run under these conditions.
Key Facts
Marine Le Pen is the leader of the far-right National Rally party in France.
The appeals court decision on July 7, 2026, permits her to run for the 2027 presidential election.
The court requires Le Pen to wear an electronic bracelet as a form of monitoring.
Le Pen has said in the past that she would refuse to campaign while wearing the bracelet.
The final decision to run with or without the bracelet is now up to Le Pen.
Le Pen was previously sentenced to a ban from public office related to an EU embezzlement case.
The ruling could have major effects on the 2027 French presidential election.
The situation is part of ongoing legal and political challenges faced by Le Pen and her party.
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Marine Le Pen has been allowed to run in the 2027 French presidential election despite an embezzlement conviction from 2025. The court ruling requires her to wear an electronic tag as part of a house arrest sentence, but she may request to reduce that restriction to campaign freely.
Key Facts
Marine Le Pen was convicted in 2025 for embezzling European Union funds to pay her party staff.
Her original five-year ban from running for president was reduced to 45 months, making her eligible for the 2027 election.
Le Pen was sentenced to three years in prison, with two years suspended and one year under house arrest with an electronic tag.
The house arrest and tagging will remain in place unless reduced, which would allow her to campaign without restrictions.
Le Pen has stated she cannot campaign freely while under house arrest or wearing the tag.
Other members of her National Rally party were also found guilty and sentenced.
Polls show Le Pen and her party leader Jordan Bardella have similar support ahead of the election.
French presidential elections have two voting rounds, with the top two candidates in the second round deciding the winner.
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Farmers in Gaza have lost their homes and farmland due to widespread destruction during the ongoing Israeli military actions. Many displaced farmers now grow small gardens near their tents as a way to feed their families amid severe shortages of water, seeds, and fertilizers.
Key Facts
Israeli bulldozing since October 2023 has destroyed most farmland in Gaza’s Sheikh Ijlin neighborhood and beyond.
More than 94 percent of Gaza’s 178,000 dunams (about 69 square miles) of agricultural land has been destroyed.
Gaza’s agricultural production dropped from 405,000 tonnes to 28,000 tonnes annually.
Around 4 million fruit trees, including 1.6 million olive trees, were uprooted, damaging long-term food sources.
Less than 15 percent of usual farm areas remain cultivated due to destruction and lack of supplies.
Israeli forces marked much farmland as unreachable due to military fire, blocking farmers access.
The United Nations and food experts say this damage is a deliberate effort to cause food dependence and hunger.
Displaced Gaza residents are growing small vegetable gardens near their tents to cope with food shortages.
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President Trump arrived in Turkey to attend a NATO summit focused on important security topics, especially the war in Ukraine. The president's involvement in the controversy surrounding U.S. soccer player Folarin Balogun's World Cup suspension may affect the atmosphere at the meeting.
Key Facts
President Trump is attending a NATO summit in Turkey.
The main topics at the summit include security concerns.
A major focus will be the ongoing war in Ukraine.
President Trump has also addressed the suspension of U.S. soccer player Folarin Balogun in the World Cup.
The discussion about Balogun's suspension is seen as a controversial issue.
The controversy might influence the tone of the NATO summit.
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President Donald Trump arrived in Ankara, Turkey, for a two-day NATO Summit. He received a formal welcome and met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, where they are expected to discuss a possible sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey.
Key Facts
President Trump arrived in Ankara, Turkey, for the NATO Summit.
He was welcomed with military salutes and an air show.
The summit will last two days.
Trump had a meeting with Turkish President Erdoğan soon after arriving.
One topic on the agenda is a possible sale of F-35 jets to Turkey.
The F-35 is a type of advanced fighter jet used by the U.S. and allies.
NATO Summits bring together member countries to discuss defense and security.
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Violence has increased in South Sudan’s Jonglei State, where a government-appointed county commissioner, James Kueth Makuach, was killed by opposition fighters. This conflict challenges the 2018 peace agreement and threatens the safety of civilians in the region.
Key Facts
James Kueth Makuach, the government-appointed county commissioner in Akobo West, was assassinated on Sunday by opposition forces.
Akobo County is contested, with both government-backed and opposition-backed officials claiming leadership.
Makuach switched to President Salva Kiir’s ruling party in April after being removed by the opposition earlier in the year.
The 2018 peace deal gives control of Akobo County to the opposition party led by Riek Machar, who is currently in prison facing treason charges.
Fighting in Jonglei State has intensified recently, with unclear casualty numbers and senior army officers reportedly killed.
The United Nations withdrew peacekeepers from the area in June, reducing protection for civilians.
Civil society leaders warn that political tensions are causing more fighting and are calling for respect of the ceasefire.
South Sudan plans to hold national elections on December 22, its first since gaining independence in 2011.
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President Donald Trump traveled to Turkey to attend a NATO summit. At the meeting, he plans to urge NATO countries to increase their military spending amid ongoing global tensions.
Key Facts
President Trump is attending a NATO summit in Turkey.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed President Trump upon arrival.
The main focus for President Trump is to ask NATO allies to raise their defense budgets.
This request comes as there are concerns about global security and tensions.
NATO is a military alliance made up of many countries that work together for mutual defense.
Increasing defense spending means countries would spend more money on their military forces.
The summit serves as a chance for NATO leaders to discuss shared security challenges.
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A commercial tanker caught fire after being hit by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz near Oman, according to the British military. The incident happened as Iran was observing mourning for its leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.
Key Facts
A commercial tanker was struck by a projectile while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The tanker caught fire following the strike.
The location of the incident was off the coast of Limah, Oman.
The British Royal Navy’s Maritime Trade Operations reported the attack.
The tanker was traveling southbound at the time.
The event coincided with a period of mourning in Iran for Ayatollah Khamenei.
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A French court confirmed Marine Le Pen’s conviction for stealing European Parliament funds but reduced her ban on running for office, which might let her run in the 2027 presidential election. However, the court gave her a three-year jail sentence with one year under electronic monitoring, which could make running a campaign difficult.
Key Facts
Marine Le Pen was convicted of embezzlement related to a fake jobs scheme that ran from 2004 to 2016.
The court shortened her ban on running for office to 15 months, with 30 months suspended.
She received a three-year prison sentence: two years suspended and one year with an electronic ankle tag.
Le Pen leads the National Rally party, which is known for its anti-immigration policies.
She has said that wearing an electronic tag would likely stop her from campaigning freely.
Le Pen’s party president, Jordan Bardella, could run for president if she decides not to.
Le Pen aims to run for president in 2027 after losing twice to Emmanuel Macron in 2017 and 2022.
The case involved misuse of European Parliament funds intended to pay assistants.
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French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has been found guilty of embezzling European Union funds. She was sentenced to a 15-month ban from holding public office and one year of electronic monitoring.
Key Facts
Marine Le Pen was found guilty of misusing EU funds.
The appeals court sentenced her to 15 months of ineligibility for public office.
She was also given a one-year sentence requiring her to wear an electronic tag.
Wearing the electronic tag would still allow her to run for president, but she has said she will not run under these conditions.
The ruling came from a court in Paris.
Marine Le Pen is a leading figure in France’s far-right political party.
The case focuses on her actions related to funding from the European Union.
The sentence affects her political career and participation in future elections.
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Archaeologists in western Thailand discovered two gold rings and human bones at a site called Don Yai Thong. The rings are about 2,000 years old, and one has an ancient Indian script engraved on it. The site also has skeletons and other artifacts from a period known as the Iron Age.
Key Facts
Two gold rings, around 2,000 years old, were found at Don Yai Thong archaeological site in Phetchaburi province, Thailand.
The rings were discovered with human bones during an excavation that started earlier in 2026.
One ring has an engraving in Brahmi script, an old Indian writing system.
The inscription reads "pusarakhitasa," meaning "the one protected by Pushya," a good zodiac sign in Indian astronomy.
Experts think the rings' owner might have been a merchant from the ancient Indian caste group called Vaishyas.
The Don Yai Thong site dates back to Thailand’s Iron Age, about 1,500 to 2,500 years ago.
Archaeologists have found eight human skeletons, bronze and gold jewelry, pottery, and other items suggesting these were high-status burials.
Charcoal samples from the site were sent to the U.S. for scientific dating, with excavation expected to finish soon.
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A French appeals court confirmed Marine Le Pen’s conviction for misusing EU funds but reduced her ban on holding elected office, potentially allowing her to run in the 2027 French presidential election. She was sentenced to three years in jail, with two years suspended and one year to be served at home with an electronic ankle bracelet, a condition she has said may stop her from campaigning.
Key Facts
Marine Le Pen was found guilty of embezzling European Parliament funds between 2004 and 2016.
The appeals court shortened her ban on running for public office from five years to 45 months, mostly suspended.
Her prison sentence was cut from four years to three years, with two years suspended.
She must wear an electronic ankle bracelet during one year of home detention.
Le Pen has denied wrongdoing and hopes to run for president again in 2027.
She has indicated that campaigning while wearing the bracelet could prevent her from running.
If Le Pen does not run, her party’s president, Jordan Bardella, may become the candidate.
Le Pen’s final political plans are expected to be announced in a televised interview.
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Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Rally party, has been banned from holding public office for 15 months and sentenced to one year with an electronic monitoring device after being found guilty of misusing European Union funds. Because Le Pen will not run for president under these conditions, her close ally Jordan Bardella is expected to be the party’s candidate in the 2027 French presidential election.
Key Facts
Marine Le Pen was sentenced to a 15-month ban from public office.
She also received a one-year sentence with electronic monitoring (an ankle tag).
The punishment resulted from a case about embezzlement of EU funds.
Despite the ban, Le Pen could run again, but she said she would not run with an electronic tag.
Jordan Bardella is a protégé of Marine Le Pen.
Bardella is likely to become the National Rally’s presidential candidate in 2027.
The National Rally is a far-right political party in France.
The court’s ruling affects the party’s leadership and election plans.
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A French appeals court ruled Marine Le Pen guilty of misusing public funds but shortened her ban from holding office. She may be able to run for president in 2027, but she must wear an electronic monitoring tag if she campaigns.
Key Facts
Marine Le Pen was found guilty of misusing public funds by a French appeals court.
The court reduced her ban on holding elected office to 45 months, with 30 months suspended.
Le Pen must wear an electronic tag as part of her sentence if she campaigns.
A lower court last year sentenced her to five years ban and two years in prison over a fake jobs scandal at the European Parliament.
Le Pen has run for president three times before.
She aims to run in the 2027 presidential election to replace President Emmanuel Macron.
If the electronic tagging prevents her from campaigning, she said she would let Jordan Bardella, her party’s leader, take her place.
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A French appeals court confirmed Marine Le Pen’s conviction for misusing European Union funds but reduced her ban from holding elected office to 15 months. She was also sentenced to wear an electronic monitoring tag for one year, which she said would stop her from running in the 2027 presidential election.
Key Facts
Marine Le Pen was found guilty of misusing EU funds.
The court shortened her ban from running for public office to 15 months.
She must wear an electronic tag for one year as part of the sentence.
Le Pen said she would not run for president if she has to wear the electronic tag.
The reduced ban might allow her to return to politics after the sentence.
The case relates to her role as a far-right political leader in France.
The ruling affects her plans for the 2027 French presidential race.
The court decision was made on July 7, 2026.
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