Israel and Lebanon reached a new agreement in Washington, DC, to reduce conflict, but it does not require Israel to fully leave the land it occupies in southern Lebanon. The deal links Israel’s withdrawal to the disarmament of Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based armed group that opposes the agreement and refuses to disarm.
Key Facts
Israel has occupied about 20% of southern Lebanon and fighting between them has killed over 4,000 people since March 2.
A ceasefire in November 2024 was broken by Israel’s frequent attacks and continued occupation.
The new agreement was signed after four days of talks in Washington, brokered by the US.
The deal says the Lebanese army will gradually take control of southern areas as Hezbollah disarms.
Israel will “progressively redeploy” from Lebanon but will keep control of some security zones until Hezbollah disarms.
Hezbollah’s leader rejected the agreement and supporters protested in Beirut against the deal.
Israel says this plan would end Israel’s need for a military presence in Lebanon and denies having any territorial ambitions there.
Lebanon’s government opposes any attacks by non-state groups like Hezbollah without its permission.
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Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez faced jeers from people in a Caracas neighborhood hit hard by recent earthquakes. Efforts to rescue those affected have been difficult due to Venezuela’s ongoing economic problems and weakened infrastructure.
Key Facts
Delcy Rodriguez is the acting President of Venezuela.
She visited a neighborhood in Caracas affected by recent earthquakes.
Residents showed their anger by jeering during her visit.
Rescue operations have faced many challenges.
Venezuela has been dealing with economic collapse for several years.
The country’s infrastructure, such as roads and buildings, is strained and weak.
These problems have made it harder to help earthquake survivors.
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Thunderstorms and heavy rain caused major flight delays and cancellations at London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports. More than 600 flights were delayed or cancelled, leaving passengers stuck for hours, as air traffic control expected the disruption to continue due to bad weather in southeast England.
Key Facts
Severe thunderstorms hit London after several days of very hot weather.
Over 600 flights at Heathrow and Gatwick were delayed or cancelled.
Some flights were delayed for more than six hours.
Air traffic control warned of ongoing disruptions due to bad weather.
Passengers reported long waits onboard planes without air conditioning.
British Airways and easyJet made schedule changes and cancellations because of the weather.
Smaller UK airports like Leeds Bradford, Edinburgh, and London City also experienced delays.
Airlines are offering refunds, rebooking options, and assistance like hotel stays to affected passengers.
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Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said there will be no direct military communication with the United States to manage the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route. This statement came after new exchanges of fire between U.S. and Iranian forces and conflicting reports about a “hotline” intended to reduce tensions in the area.
Key Facts
The IRGC denied reports of direct military communication or a hotline with the U.S. regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. and Iran recently exchanged fire near the Strait after commercial ships were attacked.
A U.S. official said an Iranian military representative would meet with U.S. Central Command personnel in Doha to discuss issues.
Iran demands that vessels use routes close to its shores in the Strait or risk being stopped or targeted.
The U.S. considers the IRGC a foreign terrorist organization.
Iran and Oman plan to manage the Strait’s maritime services, consulting other Gulf states and following international law.
The Singapore-flagged ship Ever Lovely was hit by a projectile while following a UK-recommended route.
Tensions remain high, with warnings from U.S. officials that violence will be met with violence.
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The Cornish language, known as Kernewek, is experiencing a revival among children in Cornwall. Local schools are teaching the language, and a ten-year council plan aims to make it widely spoken and visible in everyday life across the region.
Key Facts
Nearly 200 children gathered at a celebration event in Truro to showcase their learning of Kernewek.
Cornwall Council has a 10-year strategy to make Cornish a "thriving, forever language," including bilingual schools and public use.
The council’s goals include children leaving primary school with basic Cornish skills and having official uses like births, marriages, and road signs in the language.
Kernewek was officially recognized under the European charter for regional or minority languages in January, giving it more protection and status.
About 500 people in Cornwall speak Cornish fluently, with 2,000 having basic knowledge.
The language’s revival is largely due to volunteers, not government programs.
Recent efforts include a BBC podcast to teach Cornish and public events like a Kernewek mass at Truro Cathedral.
Cornwall Council wants Cornwall to become a devolved nation within the UK to unlock more funding for initiatives like the Kernewek revival.
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Two tropical storms, Mekkhala and Higos, hit Japan, causing heavy rain, floods, and landslides. The storms resulted in one death, several injuries, damage to homes and roads, and disrupted train and flight services.
Key Facts
Two storms, Mekkhala and Higos, struck Japan during the rainy season.
A man in his 70s died due to a house collapse caused by a landslide in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Three other people were injured in the same landslide incident.
Rivers, such as the Kamo River in Kyoto, swelled with muddy floodwaters.
Flood alerts were issued for Kyoto, Osaka, and other western Japan areas.
More than 30 homes were flooded in Nara and Hiroshima prefectures.
Heavy rain caused damage to roads and disrupted train and flight services.
The Japanese Fire and Disaster Management Agency is monitoring the situation.
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Rescuers in Venezuela saved a newborn baby from the rubble after two earthquakes struck the country. The baby's mother was also rescued alive, and rescue efforts are ongoing.
Key Facts
Two earthquakes hit Venezuela, causing buildings to collapse.
A newborn baby was found alive under the rubble in the city of La Guaira.
The baby was handed to a man believed to be the father at the rescue site.
The mother was rescued alive some time after the baby.
At least 920 people died and more than 3,360 were injured in the earthquakes.
Rescue operations are continuing across the affected areas.
Videos of the rescue were shared on social media.
The event happened recently, with updates published 37 minutes ago.
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Budapest held its first official Pride march since Prime Minister Viktor Orbán left office. Thousands joined the event despite very hot weather, but some tensions appeared as far-right activists replaced rainbow flags on a bridge with Hungarian national flags.
Key Facts
The Pride march in Budapest is the first official one after Viktor Orbán stopped being prime minister.
Thousands of people took part in the parade on a hot day.
The event was fully authorized by the authorities.
Far-right activists removed some rainbow flags on Elisabeth Bridge.
These activists replaced the rainbow flags with Hungarian national flags.
The flag replacement was done to try to prevent conflicts during the event.
The parade shows continuing support for LGBTQ rights in Hungary after Orbán’s departure.
The situation still showed some tensions between supporters and opponents of Pride.
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Australia plans to double the fine for companies that break its social media ban for children under 16, raising the penalty to $99 million. The government is also giving more power to the eSafety commissioner to investigate tech companies like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for not properly preventing children from using their platforms.
Key Facts
Australia introduced a law on December 10 banning children under 16 from using social media.
More than 5 million accounts belonging to under-16s have been removed or restricted since the ban started.
Research shows that over 80% of children under 16 still access social media despite the law.
The government will increase the fine for breaking the ban from $49.5 million to $99 million.
The eSafety commissioner will have stronger powers to demand information and evidence from social media companies to check their compliance.
Some countries, like France and the UK, are planning similar social media age restrictions.
A study found that age checks on social media accounts are often weak, with only a small number required to provide official ID.
Many children said they bypassed restrictions to use social media even when under the age limit.
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French hospitals are facing serious challenges due to a severe heatwave lasting seven days. Emergency rooms have seen a large rise in patients with heat-related problems, putting extra pressure on health services.
Key Facts
The heatwave in France has lasted for seven days straight.
Hospitals, especially emergency departments, report a sharp increase in heat-related health cases within one day.
Dr. Pascal André, an emergency medicine and infection expert, says the situation shows the need for better cooperation and reforms in healthcare.
He recommends changes to how hospitals staff workers and improvements to hospital buildings.
Increased government funding is needed to prepare the health system for more frequent heatwaves.
The heatwave is linked to climate change effects.
Some public events in France have been postponed or canceled to avoid overloading emergency services.
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Reports suggest singer Taylor Swift and football player Travis Kelce may get married at Madison Square Garden in early July, but no official confirmation has been made. The couple has shared little about their wedding plans since announcing their engagement nearly a year ago.
Key Facts
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce became engaged about a year ago.
Reports say the wedding might take place in early July at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Madison Square Garden is a large arena that can seat up to 19,500 people.
News sources say there could be two events: one with about 100 people on July 2 and another with about 1,000 people on July 3.
The couple has not publicly confirmed any wedding details.
The city issued a permit for loading and unloading materials at Madison Square Garden from June 29 to July 4.
A company known for producing big entertainment events applied for a permit to set up a large tent outside the arena for around 999 people.
New York City’s mayor mentioned the wedding reports humorously but said he was not invited.
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Scratching a bug bite or rash may feel good at first but can actually make the itch worse and cause more swelling. Scientists studied mice to see how scratching affects the skin and found that scratching activates immune cells that increase inflammation.
Key Facts
Scratching an itch damages the skin and can lead to a cycle of more itching and scratching.
Researchers used "cones of shame" on mice to stop them from scratching and found less swelling and irritation.
Normal mice that were allowed to scratch developed more inflamed and swollen rashes.
Scratching causes pain-sensing nerves to release a substance that activates immune cells called mast cells.
Mast cells release chemicals that cause the itch and swelling to get worse.
A little scratch feels good because it may help remove parasites or fight some bacteria on the skin.
Ignoring a mosquito bite usually makes the itch go away quickly, but scratching prolongs the problem.
The study looked specifically at allergic contact dermatitis caused by irritants like poison ivy or nickel.
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Iran launched drone attacks on Bahrain early Saturday after the U.S. military struck Iranian military sites. Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, said the drone attacks violated its sovereignty and condemned Iran’s actions.
Key Facts
Iran attacked Bahrain using drones in the early hours of Saturday.
The drone strikes happened just hours after U.S. military strikes targeted Iranian military locations.
Bahrain hosts the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, a key U.S. naval force in the region.
Bahrain condemned the drone attacks, calling them a clear violation of its sovereignty.
The U.S. strikes on Iran were a response to unspecified events or threats.
The situation highlights ongoing tensions between Iran, the U.S., and their allies in the Middle East.
Bahrain blamed Tehran (Iran’s government) for the attack.
These events may increase regional instability in the Gulf area.
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Two earthquakes hit Venezuela, causing many buildings to fall down and trapping thousands of people. Rescue efforts continue three days later, but there are complaints about a lack of government help, while international aid is arriving. More than 200 people have been rescued, but tens of thousands are still missing.
Key Facts
Two earthquakes hit Venezuela on Wednesday, causing many buildings to collapse.
Over 200 people have been rescued so far; around 51,000 remain missing.
Many families are searching on their own due to limited government rescue presence.
The government says it is responding and distributing food and water in the disaster areas.
La Guaira, the epicenter, has been militarized and access is controlled by permits.
The earthquakes were very shallow, which made the damage worse.
There have been aftershocks following the initial quakes.
Aid organizations warn the first 48 to 72 hours are critical for saving lives.
Up to 6.76 million people could be affected, including about 2 million in Caracas.
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Overnight attacks between Russia and Ukraine have caused deaths and injuries on both sides. Russian attacks hit several places in Ukraine, killing two people and injuring more than 20, while Ukrainian strikes on Russian-controlled areas killed one person and wounded 10.
Key Facts
Russian attacks used drones and bombs on Ukrainian regions including Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia.
Two people died in Ukraine from Russian attacks: a 66-year-old man in Sumy and one person in Dnipropetrovsk.
Nine people, including two children, were injured in attacks on Zaporizhzhia.
Ukrainian emergency workers rescued two people from a damaged high-rise in Zaporizhzhia.
Ukraine attacked Russian-held areas, including Horlivka, killing one woman.
Ukrainian strikes injured 10 people in Russia’s Volgograd region and damaged industrial facilities.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said missiles hit a major military production plant in Volgograd.
Russia moved air defense systems closer to Moscow in response to Ukrainian attacks deeper inside Russia.
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The article tells the story of Pia, an eight-year-old girl in Delhi, India, who survived sexual abuse as a baby. Her family is still seeking justice eight years after the crime, while trying to protect and support her as she grows up.
Key Facts
Pia is an eight-year-old girl living in Delhi, India.
She was sexually abused as a baby.
Pia’s family, including her father Madhav and mother Rakhi, are involved in her care and protection.
The family is waiting for justice, eight years after the abuse happened.
Pia is being raised with love and attention, including support from her adoptive aunt (called "Bua").
Her mother expresses ongoing concern about how long they can keep the trauma from affecting Pia.
The article focuses on the impact of sexual abuse on a child and the family’s struggle for justice.
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David Hencke, a journalist for The Guardian who revealed major political scandals in the UK, has died at age 79 from liver cancer. He was best known for reporting the cash-for-questions scandal and uncovering details that led to the resignation of British ministers.
Key Facts
David Hencke worked for The Guardian for over 30 years, mainly as a political reporter in Westminster.
He exposed the cash-for-questions scandal involving Conservative ministers Neil Hamilton and Tim Smith in the 1990s.
The scandal contributed to the end of 18 years of Conservative government in the 1997 UK general election.
Hencke also revealed Peter Mandelson’s secret £373,000 loan, which helped him buy a house.
He was named reporter of the year in 1994 and won scoop of the year in 1998 for these investigations.
Hencke continued investigating political stories until a week before his death.
Colleagues described him as a skilled and determined journalist who uncovered wrongdoing by powerful people.
He passed away from liver cancer at age 79.
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A two-year investigation reveals that scam networks in Southeast Asia have trafficked at least 300,000 people from over 60 countries and stolen trillions of dollars worldwide. These criminal groups, led by Chinese syndicates, operate openly while moving their activities to new countries as police try to respond.
Key Facts
At least 300,000 people from more than 60 countries have been trafficked by Southeast Asia’s scam industry.
The scam networks have stolen trillions of dollars from victims globally.
The industry is highly organized and built on forced criminal activity.
Chinese-led groups are behind much of the scam operations.
Law enforcement agencies are struggling to keep up with these networks.
The syndicates are moving their operations to new parts of the world.
Investigators went undercover to reveal how the scam industry works in Myanmar.
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Dana Shabat, an 18-year-old student from Gaza, is taking her high school graduation exams online due to the destruction of schools in the war between Israel and Gaza. Despite living in a tent after losing her home and mother in the conflict, she studies hard with support from private tutors and faces the exams as a critical step toward a scholarship abroad.
Key Facts
Dana is one of 37,000 Palestinian students taking the tawjihi exams this year.
The tawjihi exams are the final high school tests needed for university admission.
Schools in Gaza have been destroyed or turned into shelters during the war.
Gaza students take their exams online, while West Bank students take them in schools.
Dana lost her mother in an Israeli attack last year that killed thousands of Palestinians.
She now lives displaced in a tent with her family in central Gaza.
Dana studies by herself, using tutors and videos, and travels early to an internet café to take her exams.
Her father, a former chemistry teacher, is supporting her financially despite difficult conditions.
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Police found the body of a 15-year-old boy who went missing after swimming in Testwood Lakes nature reserve in Hampshire. The boy's family has been told, and the area remains closed as the investigation continues.
Key Facts
A 15-year-old boy went missing while swimming at Testwood Lakes near Totton, Hampshire.
Police began searching on Wednesday, using marine units.
The boy’s body was recovered and formally identified.
The nature reserve was evacuated and remains closed.
The incident happened on a very hot day, with temperatures reaching 36°C and an extreme heat warning.
The reserve is owned by Southern Water and managed by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.
Several water-related deaths have occurred in the UK during this summer’s hot weather, including other drownings in rivers and seas.
Authorities urge people to avoid swimming in dangerous water conditions during the heatwave.
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