King Charles and Queen Camilla will not live in Buckingham Palace after it is renovated, choosing to stay at Clarence House nearby. The palace will remain the main place for royal events but not their home. The king has paid millions in taxes on his personal income, and the public money given to support royal duties is increasing.
Key Facts
Buckingham Palace is undergoing a £369 million renovation, expected to finish next year.
King Charles and Queen Camilla decided to remain at Clarence House instead of moving into the palace.
Buckingham Palace will still serve as the official royal headquarters and for ceremonies.
King Charles paid £12.9 million in income and capital gains tax in 2024-25 on his personal income.
Prince William paid £7.76 million in taxes for the same period.
The public money (sovereign grant) given to the king to support official duties will nearly double to £99.9 million by 2027-28.
The decision to pay taxes is voluntary; there is no legal rule requiring the monarch to pay them.
Public access to Buckingham Palace continues through seasonal tours and certain parts of the palace open for visitors.
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David Clayton-Thomas, the lead singer of the band Blood, Sweat & Tears, has died at age 84 in Toronto. He was known for his distinctive voice on hits like "Spinning Wheel" and helped the band become very popular in the late 1960s.
Key Facts
David Clayton-Thomas died peacefully at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto at age 84.
He was the lead singer of Blood, Sweat & Tears, a band famous for mixing rock with brass instruments.
The band won two Grammy Awards and beat the Beatles’ "Abbey Road" for best album in 1969.
Clayton-Thomas grew up in Canada and overcame a troubled youth, including time in a reformatory.
Blood, Sweat & Tears played at the 1969 Woodstock festival and toured Eastern Europe for the U.S. State Department.
Clayton-Thomas left the band in 1972 but later reunited briefly and had a solo music career releasing over a dozen albums.
He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1996.
Clayton-Thomas is survived by his daughters Ashleigh Clayton-Thomas and Christine Graham.
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King Charles and Queen Camilla will continue to live at Clarence House rather than Buckingham Palace, even after major renovations to the palace finish next year. Buckingham Palace will remain the main place for royal work and events, but not a permanent home, allowing more public access.
Key Facts
Buckingham Palace has been the official London home of UK monarchs since 1837.
A £369 million renovation of Buckingham Palace is scheduled to finish in March next year.
The palace is getting updated electrical wiring, pipes, and heating systems to prevent fire and water damage.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have lived at Clarence House since 2005 and plan to stay there.
Living at Buckingham Palace would limit visitor access due to security concerns.
Buckingham Palace will still host official events like banquets, receptions, and meetings.
The King will have private rooms in the palace for work and possible future residence.
The renovation is funded by a temporary increase in the Sovereign Grant, government money that pays for royal duties.
After renovations, the Sovereign Grant will decrease but still cover maintenance and upgrades for royal palaces.
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New research shows that Generation Z is not having much less sex than older generations, contrary to past reports. The study found that their sexual satisfaction depends more on emotional connection and shared experiences than just physical aspects like orgasm.
Key Facts
A study from the women’s health app Flo surveyed nearly 28,000 people, mostly women.
Gen Z reported about 87.2% had partnered sex, close to 89.9% for older generations.
Sexual satisfaction is linked more to emotional connection with partners than the frequency of orgasms.
Around 56% of respondents said they were satisfied with their sex lives; 19.5% were dissatisfied.
Stress and anxiety, which are higher among Gen Z, can reduce sexual desire and satisfaction.
Solo sexual activity may feel less pressured but does not lead to higher satisfaction compared to partnered sex.
Experts note evolving ideas about intimacy and sexual activity among younger people.
The study mostly included women who use the Flo app, so the results may not represent all groups equally.
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King Charles has shared that he paid £12.9 million in taxes for 2024-2025, making him the first British monarch to reveal his tax bill. The Prince of Wales also disclosed paying £7.76 million in tax over the same period, and both continue to provide these details voluntarily to increase transparency.
Key Facts
King Charles paid £12.9 million in taxes for the year 2024-2025.
The Prince of Wales (Prince William) paid £7.76 million in taxes for the same period.
King Charles is ranked among the top 100 taxpayers in the UK.
The main funding for the Royal Household, the Sovereign Grant, is set to rise to nearly £100 million by 2027-28.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will stay living in Clarence House, not Buckingham Palace.
Since King Charles became monarch and William became Prince of Wales, together they have paid over £50 million in taxes.
King Charles’ income comes from the Duchy of Lancaster estate, which gave him £25.2 million in 2025-26.
Prince William earns income from the Duchy of Cornwall, which includes the Oval cricket ground and other lands.
Prince William will no longer take the £1.5 million annual rent from the unused Dartmoor Prison; instead, this money will support the nearby community.
The royal accounts detailed costs for overseas visits, including £130,000 for Prince William’s trip to Saudi Arabia and £126,946 for the King and Queen’s visit to Italy.
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King Charles has revealed that he paid £24.6 million in tax on his private income over two years, marking the first time a British monarch has made such a disclosure in modern times. While this move aims to increase openness, many details about the king’s income, expenses, and overall wealth remain undisclosed.
Key Facts
King Charles voluntarily pays tax on his private income, continuing a practice started by his mother in 1993.
He paid £12.9 million in tax for 2024-25 and £11.7 million for 2023-24, totaling over £30 million since becoming king.
The income subject to tax has not been fully revealed; the Duchy of Lancaster provided £25.2 million in 2025-26.
It is unclear how much official expenses, which are tax-exempt, have reduced taxable income.
The king’s exact fortune is unknown, but The Guardian estimated it at about £1.8 billion in 2023.
Buckingham Palace disputes this estimate and does not comment on the family’s personal finances.
Payments made to other working members of the royal family from King Charles’s wealth are not publicly detailed.
Gifts worth millions received by the royals have unclear ownership status, and many royal wills remain secret.
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King Charles III has paid over $40 million in taxes since becoming king in September 2022, a first for a British monarch to disclose such information. The Sovereign Grant, public funding for the monarchy, will be reduced from 2027 to 2032 after a period of increased funding for Buckingham Palace renovations.
Key Facts
King Charles III paid £11.7 million (around $15 million) in taxes in 2023-24 and £12.9 million (about $17 million) in 2024-25.
Since his accession in September 2022 until March 2023, he paid more than £5.4 million in taxes.
The tax amount increased by about 10.3%, higher than the UK average wage growth of 3.4%.
The tax payments come from his income including the Duchy of Lancaster estate, Balmoral, Sandringham, and investments.
The monarchy’s public funding (Sovereign Grant) rose to £137.9 million (about $180 million) for 2026-27, up from £132.1 million in 2025-26.
From 2027 to 2032, the Sovereign Grant will be cut to £99.9 million annually after palace refurbishment ends.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla will not live in Buckingham Palace after renovations, choosing to stay at Clarence House.
The palace disclosed these details amid growing calls for more financial transparency of the royal family, partly due to scandals involving other royals.
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The United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) has paused its plan to help ships leave the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship was attacked near Oman. This pause comes amid warnings from Iran about ship routes and safety concerns in the area.
Key Facts
The IMO started evacuating about 600 ships and 11,000 sailors from the Strait of Hormuz due to a conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran.
A Singapore-flagged container ship named Ever Lovely was hit by a projectile near Oman's coast but was not part of the IMO evacuation.
The attack may have been from a drone, but no group has claimed responsibility.
Iran warned ships to get permission before using the strait and ordered some vessels to change course.
Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority said ships outside its designated routes will not have guaranteed safe passage.
The evacuation is paused to reassess safety after the attack on the ship.
Oman and other countries, including Denmark, support efforts to safely reopen the strait.
Ship traffic is lower than normal, with operators moving cautiously due to safety risks.
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A series of earthquakes struck Venezuela, causing deaths and damage. Rescue teams are working to help people affected and clear debris. The International Rescue Committee is involved in the humanitarian response.
Two earthquakes in Venezuela caused severe damage in the La Guaira region. Many buildings collapsed, and families are trying to find people trapped under the rubble. Locals say rescue work is slow and there are not enough supplies.
Key Facts
La Guaira was the area most affected by two recent earthquakes in Venezuela.
The earthquakes caused widespread destruction and building collapses.
Families are searching for loved ones trapped under debris.
Residents say rescue efforts are slow.
People report a lack of sufficient resources to help victims.
Authorities are conducting rescue operations in the region.
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Karl Stefanovic is leaving the Nine network immediately after more than 20 years with the company. The decision came after controversy about an interview he conducted on his independent podcast with British far-right activist Tommy Robinson, and an agreement that he could not continue hosting Today while running the podcast.
Key Facts
Karl Stefanovic was a host on the Today show at Nine for over 20 years.
He used his independent podcast to interview Tommy Robinson, a British far-right activist.
Nine Entertainment and Stefanovic agreed he could not keep hosting Today and running the podcast at the same time.
Stefanovic was initially expected to leave Nine at the end of the year but will now leave immediately.
Nine’s CEO Matt Stanton sent an internal email confirming the decision and acknowledging the impact on viewers and the network.
The departure follows days of controversy related to Stefanovic’s podcast content.
Nine stated this was the right moment for Stefanovic to move on from the network.
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Two strong earthquakes hit Venezuela near the capital, Caracas, causing at least 188 deaths and over 1,500 injuries. Rescue teams are searching through rubble in several affected areas, while many buildings were damaged or destroyed and a state of emergency has been declared.
Key Facts
Two earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday: one with magnitude 7.2 and another stronger one with 7.5.
Both earthquakes were shallow, causing more severe damage.
At least 188 people have died and more than 1,500 were injured.
Around 250 buildings were damaged or collapsed, especially in La Guaira and Caracas.
Venezuela’s main international airport near Caracas was closed due to damage.
The government declared a state of emergency to manage the disaster.
The US pledged $150 million in aid to help with rescue efforts.
Aftershocks continue, with at least 30 recorded after the main quakes.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israeli troops will stay in southern Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza as long as needed. He made this statement during a ceremony for new combat officers in southern Israel.
Key Facts
Netanyahu is the Prime Minister of Israel.
He spoke at a graduation event for combat officers.
Israeli forces have a presence in southern Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza.
Netanyahu said the troops will remain there "as long as required."
This suggests Israel’s military will continue operations in these areas for the foreseeable future.
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Kenyans held marches to mark the anniversary of violent protests that happened in 2024. During the events, hundreds of people were arrested and police used tear gas on the crowds.
Key Facts
The protests being remembered took place in Kenya in 2024 and involved violence.
On the anniversary, many people gathered to march and remember those events.
Police responded to the march with tear gas to control the crowds.
Hundreds of people were detained during the anniversary events.
The article also briefly mentions other news, including a South African soccer team’s World Cup progress and musical history in Ghana.
No new violence or protests were reported beyond the anniversary march.
The focus was on peaceful commemoration but security measures were strict.
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Iran's Revolutionary Guards attacked a commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz, damaging the ship's bridge but causing no casualties. This incident raises concerns about the safety of shipping in the area despite a recent agreement between the U.S. and Iran to allow safer passage through the strait.
Key Facts
The attack targeted a Singapore-flagged commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
The ship was hit on its starboard (right) side by an unknown projectile near Oman.
No injuries or environmental damage were reported from the attack.
The International Maritime Organization paused an evacuation plan for ships in the Persian Gulf following the attack, citing safety concerns.
The U.S. and Iran recently signed a 60-day agreement aimed at providing toll-free safe passage through the strait.
Ship traffic in the strait increased from 6 vessels to 70 vessels a week after the deal.
Iran insists ships must seek its permission and follow a route closer to its coast, while the U.S. favors a route near Oman.
Iran may consider charging tolls on ships passing through after the agreement expires, which the U.S. has rejected.
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Tom Holland said he wants to star in a musical romantic comedy with Zendaya after their superhero movies and upcoming film "The Odyssey." He imagines Zendaya doing most of the singing and dancing while he joins in some dancing.
Key Facts
Tom Holland and Zendaya play a popular couple in the "Spider-Man" franchise.
They will appear together in the upcoming movie "The Odyssey" by Christopher Nolan.
Holland expressed interest in doing a musical rom-com with Zendaya in the future.
He said Zendaya would take the lead in singing and dancing, and he would participate in some dancing.
Holland recently revealed they are married, calling Zendaya by her middle name "Maree" in an interview.
Zendaya shared which habit of Holland’s frustrates her the most in a different interview.
The new "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" movie is set to release on July 31.
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Two strong earthquakes hit northern Venezuela on Wednesday, killing at least 188 people and injuring about 1,500. Rescue teams are working in damaged areas, especially the coastal city of La Guaira, where many buildings collapsed and the main airport was damaged.
Key Facts
Two earthquakes struck northern Venezuela with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5.
At least 188 people died, more than 200 were trapped, and about 1,500 were injured.
The strongest damage was in La Guaira, a coastal city north of the capital Caracas.
The main airport in La Guaira was damaged and closed, slowing aid efforts.
Thousands of people evacuated buildings, and many were reported missing.
Rescue teams from inside Venezuela and the United Nations are working in the disaster area.
Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez is leading the response to the crisis.
Venezuela lies on the border of two tectonic plates, but strong earthquakes are rare there.
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In Iran, the first month of the Islamic calendar, Muharram, is marked by Ashura ceremonies to mourn the death of Imam Hussein, a key figure in Shia Islam killed over 1,300 years ago. These ceremonies mix religious traditions with political messages that support the Iranian state and honor leaders seen as martyrs in ongoing conflicts.
Key Facts
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and a period of mourning in Iran.
Ashura commemorates the death of Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, who died in a historic uprising.
The Iranian government links Ashura’s religious meaning to its political narrative, portraying itself as continuing Hussein’s fight against injustice.
State media and supporters honor leaders like Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah as martyrs.
Khamenei died months ago during a conflict involving the US and Israel and will be buried in a major Shia shrine in July, with ceremonies expected to last weeks.
Cities in Iran display black cloths, host processions, hold state-organized events with music and chanting, and distribute food during this period.
Some Ashura events focus purely on religious tradition and family remembrance, including cooking traditional foods and small ceremonies.
Security forces often oversee public demonstrations linked to the state during Ashura.
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A small plane with 10 people onboard crashed in a remote area of Alaska because of engine trouble. The crash happened far from any large cities, deep in the wilderness.
Key Facts
The plane was carrying 10 passengers.
It crashed in the Alaskan wilderness on Monday.
Engine problems caused the crash.
The location is hundreds of miles away from the closest major city.
Video from inside the plane after the crash was shared by CBS News.
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Gulf countries to reassure them that the US will protect their security after a deal aims to end conflict involving Iran. He emphasized that the US wants a lasting agreement with Iran, but Iran should not control important shipping routes or have nuclear weapons.
Key Facts
Marco Rubio met Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders in Bahrain.
The visit followed an agreement intended to end the US-Israel conflict connected to Iran.
Rubio said the US wants a permanent deal with Iran but not at any cost.
Iran should not charge fees for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route.
Rubio insisted Iran must not have nuclear weapons.
Gulf states were attacked by Iran during the war, raising their security concerns.
The GCC wants a larger role in regional security decisions, especially about the Strait of Hormuz.
Experts discussed whether the US can fully address Gulf countries’ concerns and include them in future plans.
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