Congo reported 72 new Ebola cases in one day, the largest single-day increase since the outbreak began a month ago. The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved vaccine or treatment, and the situation is worsened by poor contact tracing, insecurity, and funding problems.
Key Facts
Congo reported 72 new Ebola cases in 24 hours, raising the total to 782 confirmed cases.
There have been 181 confirmed deaths, with 32 new deaths recently.
The Ebola outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved vaccine or treatment.
The outbreak began earlier than May 15, but was only confirmed then.
Contact tracing covers 56% of cases, down from last week.
The outbreak mainly affects the Ituri province in eastern Congo, with some cases in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Uganda.
Nearly one million people have been displaced by conflict in the region, making health efforts difficult.
The World Health Organization and Africa CDC are increasing efforts to test, trace, and treat cases but need more resources.
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A 21-year-old woman died in Brazil after instructors failed to attach a safety rope before she jumped from a bridge during a rope-jumping activity. Three men have been arrested and police are investigating whether they are responsible for her death.
Key Facts
The incident took place at the abandoned "Skeleton Bridge" in São Paulo state, Brazil.
Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas was let go from the bridge without her safety rope attached and fell about 40 meters (130 feet).
Emergency services declared her dead at the scene.
Three men involved in the jump were arrested and are under investigation for possible homicide with eventual intent, meaning they might have assumed the risk of causing death.
Rope-jumping uses non-elastic climbing ropes for a swinging fall, different from bungee jumping which uses elastic cords for bouncing.
The bridge is under federal government control, and local city officials say they will sue the federal government for not managing the site properly.
Authorities are still investigating whether the instructors were from a private company or informal groups offering rope-jumping.
The death has raised concerns about the safety and regulation of extreme sports at the location.
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South African TV star and rapper Molemo "Jub Jub" Maarohanye was arrested for allegedly kidnapping a taxi driver and firing a gun at him during a dispute involving his girlfriend. The driver escaped unharmed and reported the incident to the police.
Key Facts
Molemo Maarohanye, also known as Jub Jub, is a South African TV presenter and rapper.
He allegedly kidnapped a taxi driver and shot a gun toward him in Edenvale, near Johannesburg.
The incident happened early Sunday morning after the taxi driver had dropped off a passenger.
The driver escaped without injury and went to a police station to report the event.
Maarohanye will appear in Germiston Magistrate’s Court for a first hearing on Wednesday.
He has a past criminal record, including a manslaughter conviction related to a 2012 accident involving schoolchildren.
In 2023, he faced serious charges including rape and attempted murder, but these were dropped in 2024 by prosecutors.
Maarohanye hosts a reality TV show called Uyajola 9/9, which exposes cheating partners.
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Russia launched a large attack on Ukraine that included missile and drone strikes on Kyiv and Kharkiv, hitting important civilian and cultural sites. The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site and important Christian landmark, was damaged, drawing widespread condemnation from Ukrainian and international leaders.
Key Facts
Russia attacked Kyiv and Kharkiv with over 70 missiles and 600 drones overnight.
The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, a nearly 1,000-year-old Christian monastery and UNESCO site, was damaged in the strike.
At least 10 people were killed in the attacks on the two cities.
Ukraine's foreign minister said the attack was a serious crime against Christian culture.
Russia denied targeting the monastery, blaming a malfunctioning Patriot missile instead.
Other damaged sites in Kyiv included a museum, a court, a power facility, a school, and a kindergarten.
Russia also struck a railway station, a college, and businesses in the city of Dnipro.
The European Union and France called the strikes war crimes and promised new sanctions against Russia.
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Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a plan to ban children under 16 from using major social media platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. The government aims to protect young people from harmful content and reduce excessive screen time, with the ban expected to start in spring 2027.
Key Facts
The ban targets children under 16 on platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter).
Messaging apps like WhatsApp will not be banned for under-16s.
The ban is influenced by Australia’s recent social media restrictions for young users.
The UK government plans to introduce rules to limit overnight use and add breaks in infinite scrolling for teenagers.
Some charities support the ban, while others warn it might push children to less safe, unregulated online spaces.
The ban could face opposition from US tech companies and possibly from President Donald Trump’s administration.
The government will also block harmful features on gaming and live streaming services that allow strangers to contact children.
A recent UK government consultation on social media for children received over 116,000 responses, with most parents in favor of stricter rules.
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Police in Geneva used tear gas and water cannons to control violent clashes during a mostly peaceful protest against the G7 summit held nearby in Evian, France. Around 20,000 people marched peacefully, but some groups broke away, causing damage and setting cars on fire near the United Nations European headquarters.
Key Facts
About 20,000 people protested in Geneva against the G7 summit in Evian.
The protest was mostly peaceful, with people carrying Palestinian flags and climate banners.
Some protesters wearing black clothes broke off from the main group and caused violence.
These violent protesters smashed barriers, attacked buildings, and set cars on fire.
Police said about 600 members of the "Black Bloc" group were involved in the violence.
The G7 summit involves leaders from the world’s richest democracies and started the day after the protest.
French President Emmanuel Macron hosted US President Donald Trump and other leaders at the summit.
The summit will focus on the war involving the US and Israel against Iran and on Russia’s war in Ukraine.
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Russia launched a major air attack on Ukraine, firing dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones, hitting Kyiv and other cities. The attack damaged a historic cathedral in Kyiv and killed several people, including emergency workers in Kharkiv. Both sides continue military strikes while diplomatic talks involve leaders including President Trump.
Key Facts
Russia fired 70 missiles and 611 drones overnight, mainly targeting Kyiv.
Ukraine’s air defenses shot down most of the incoming missiles and drones.
At least four people died and about 30 were hurt in Kyiv during the attack.
The Dormition Cathedral, part of an 11th-century monastery and UNESCO World Heritage Site, caught fire after a direct hit.
In Kharkiv, a “double tap” strike killed four rescuers and a local official.
Russia said it targeted military and industrial sites using precision weapons and drones.
Ukraine reported attacking Russian targets, including a drone strike in the city of Tula.
President Zelenskyy, President Putin, and U.S. President Donald Trump talked separately amid ongoing conflict and stalled peace efforts.
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The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery, an important cultural and religious site in Ukraine, caught fire during heavy Russian attacks. There is a possibility that the fire was deliberate, but no missile hit directly struck the building.
Key Facts
The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery is a symbol of Ukraine’s spiritual and cultural history.
The monastery caught fire amid intense Russian attacks on Ukraine overnight.
Reports indicate it is possible the fire was deliberately set.
No direct missile strike was reported on the monastery building.
The incident was reported by France 24 from Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine.
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The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, announced a plan to ban children under 16 from using social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. The goal is to protect children from harmful content and addictive features, with the ban expected to begin in spring next year after passing new rules by December.
Key Facts
The UK plans to ban social media use for children under 16 years old.
The ban will include popular sites such as TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram.
The government will also regulate gaming and livestreaming services that let children talk to strangers.
The aim is to protect children from dangerous and addictive content online.
The new laws may include night-time curfews and breaks to stop endless scrolling for under-18s.
The ban is inspired by Australia, which recently put a similar ban in place.
Canada is also considering a law to ban social media accounts for those under 16 and to regulate harmful AI content.
YouTube warned that banning mainstream social media might push children to use less safe, unregulated platforms.
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Catholic church leaders allowed priest Anthony Odiong to continue working in New Orleans and Texas despite knowing he faced sexual misconduct accusations. Odiong was later convicted of sexual assault and sentenced to life in prison. Church documents show that complaints were known by officials years before his conviction, but the church delayed action and extended his ministry.
Key Facts
Anthony Odiong, a Catholic priest, was convicted of criminal sexual assault in Texas and sentenced to life imprisonment in June.
The first complaint against Odiong was made in 2011 in Austin, Texas, but the New Orleans church was only informed in 2018.
Odiong continued to serve as pastor at St Anthony of Padua church in Luling, Louisiana, with extensions authorized up to at least 2027.
Several women accused Odiong of sexual misconduct and unwanted advances while he was ministering to them.
Church officials in Austin and New Orleans, including bishops Gregory Aymond and Joe Vásquez, knew about complaints but allowed Odiong to keep working.
Odiong fathered a child with one of the women he ministered to, breaking Catholic celibacy vows.
A letter in 2018 requested Odiong refrain from ministry in Austin, but he remained active in New Orleans.
Several top church leaders were aware of the allegations, and a victim's family member recanted a claim due to fear of job loss, which was later challenged during the trial.
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Internal church documents show that Catholic leaders knew about multiple sexual misconduct complaints against a Texas priest, Anthony Odiong, but delayed taking action for years. Despite these complaints, the church extended his pastoral roles until he was finally removed shortly before being sentenced to life in prison for sexual assault in Texas.
Key Facts
Anthony Odiong was a Catholic priest who faced at least six accusations of sexual misconduct from women in different locations.
Odiong served initially in Texas from 2006 to 2012 and later at a church near New Orleans from 2015 onward.
Church officials in New Orleans extended his pastoral assignment multiple times despite complaints against him.
In 2018, Texas diocese leaders informed New Orleans counterparts about previous complaints, but no immediate removal occurred.
Odiong fathered a child with a woman he met through church work, even though priests promise celibacy.
He was only removed after making anti-LGBTQ+ remarks from the pulpit, shortly before his arrest.
In May 2024, a jury in Waco, Texas, found Odiong guilty of first- and second-degree sexual assault, sentencing him to life in prison.
Church officials described Odiong as a person of good moral character during his ministry, despite the allegations.
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Countries in the Middle East are expanding their oil shipping facilities to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. This waterway was blocked by Iran, disrupting about 20% of the world's daily oil supply and causing problems in global oil markets.
Key Facts
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway important for shipping oil from the Middle East.
Before the conflict, about 20% of the world's oil passed through this strait each day.
Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz, interrupting oil shipments.
This blockade has caused problems and increased uncertainty in global oil markets.
Middle Eastern countries are building new oil shipping routes and facilities to avoid relying on this waterway.
These efforts aim to reduce risks by creating alternative paths for oil transport.
The changes are intended as long-term solutions to avoid future disruptions caused by the strait’s blockage.
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Investigative journalist Roger Cook, known for creating the doorstep interview style, has died at age 83 after a short illness. He was famous for exposing criminals and injustice through TV and radio programs, including The Cook Report, and won major awards for his work.
Key Facts
Roger Cook invented the doorstep interview technique, where he confronted suspects face-to-face.
He died peacefully after a short illness at age 83.
Cook worked on The Cook Report from 1987 to 1999, reaching over 12 million viewers at its peak.
He won a Bafta special award for 25 years of outstanding investigative journalism.
His investigations exposed issues like child abuse, illegal arms trade, baby trading, and war crimes.
Cook was injured multiple times while reporting, including breaking three ribs in a violent encounter.
Police once warned that a hitman had been hired to kill him.
He believed confronting alleged criminals directly was the best way to get answers and serve victims.
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Staff at Goldsmiths, University of London, have started an indefinite strike due to ongoing plans by management to cut more than a fifth of the workforce as part of efforts to save £22 million. This is the third restructuring in five years, each leading to staff cuts and reduced support for students and faculty. The union and staff argue these changes hurt the university’s core strengths in arts and humanities.
Key Facts
Goldsmiths staff are on an indefinite strike to protest proposed job cuts and restructuring.
Management aims to save £22 million, mainly by cutting staff jobs.
This is the third major restructuring in five years at Goldsmiths.
Earlier restructures led to fewer jobs, reduced administrative support, and financial deals involving banks.
Over £14 million was spent on consultants and legal fees since 2019, including payments to KPMG.
Previous restructures saved money but weakened the university’s teaching and support.
Staff are critical of management’s plans and financial explanations.
The strike began after a marking and assessment boycott started in April, followed by a lockout with pay deductions.
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A 16-year-old boy from Brisbane was arrested for allegedly planning terrorist attacks against the Liberal party and the 2024 Labour Day march. He was influenced by the Unabomber and prepared explosives using chemicals he bought, according to court statements.
Key Facts
The teenager was arrested in August 2024 by counter-terrorism police in Brisbane.
He allegedly planned attacks targeting the Liberal party and the Labour Day march route.
The boy researched bomb-making and tested explosives using over-the-counter chemicals.
He was influenced by Ted Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, who conducted a bombing campaign against technology and industrial society.
The teenager wrote and updated a manifesto criticizing technology and capitalism, similar to the Unabomber’s ideas.
Police found bomb-making materials during a search of his mother’s house.
He faces charges of preparing or planning terrorist offences from March to July 2024.
The trial is ongoing in Queensland Supreme Court and is expected to last about 10 days.
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Large parts of Texas are under flood and flash flood warnings due to heavy rain across the state. The National Weather Service says many areas, including cities like Austin and San Antonio, are experiencing rising water levels and dangerous flooding.
Key Facts
Flood and flash flood warnings cover much of South-Central Texas and surrounding counties.
Cities affected include Austin, San Antonio, Round Rock, and Cedar Park.
Rainfall amounts range from 1 to 4 inches in many areas, with more rain expected.
Flash flood warnings mean people should take immediate action and seek higher ground.
Flooding is occurring or expected along rivers, creeks, roads, urban areas, and low water crossings.
Some counties affected are Edwards, Bexar, Kendall, Medina, Gillespie, Travis, Williamson, El Paso, Blanco, Burnet, Llano, Milam, Kimble, and Mason.
Floodwaters are causing dangerous conditions in both cities and rural locations.
Minor flooding is also expected near Blue Ridge in Collin County.
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A new play called The Standard of Living, opening in September, tells the life story of John Maynard Keynes, a key economist of the 20th century. The play covers his work from 1917 to 1946, showing how he changed ideas about government, money, and the arts, as well as his personal life and relationships.
Key Facts
John Maynard Keynes was born in 1883 and studied math before becoming an economist.
He created ideas to help governments stop economic problems like unemployment during crises such as the Great Depression.
Keynes believed that governments should spend money during bad economic times to help people, instead of waiting for the market to fix itself.
He was part of the Bloomsbury Group, a circle of writers and artists, and had personal relationships with figures like Virginia Woolf and painter Duncan Grant.
Keynes was bisexual and surprised many by marrying ballerina Lydia Lopokova in 1925.
His book, The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money, remains very influential in economics.
Keynes’s economic ideas helped create a period of economic growth in Britain after World War II and influenced US policies like the New Deal.
The play is directed by Nicholas Hytner, with Rory Kinnear playing Keynes and Natalia Osipova playing Lydia Lopokova.
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A nine-year-old Australian girl named Hania Ahmed was shot and killed by police in Pakistan during a hostage situation. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has asked Pakistani authorities to investigate the incident openly and properly.
Key Facts
Hania Ahmed and her family were taken hostage by armed robbers in Chakwal, Punjab province, Pakistan.
The robbers fired at a police officer, which led to a police shootout.
A police officer mistakenly fired at the family's vehicle, killing Hania and injuring her father and older brother.
Pakistani police say the officer thought the suspects were escaping in the family's car.
The police officer involved has been placed in custody for investigation.
Hania’s father says the police fired first, contradicting police statements.
Australian Prime Minister Albanese called for transparency and a full investigation.
Hania was described as friendly and well-liked by her school community in Perth, Australia.
The Australian government is helping the family with consular support.
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The US and Iran have agreed on a framework deal aiming to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for oil and gas shipments. However, experts say it will take time for shipping and oil supplies to return to normal, and the effects on global oil prices and the economy may last for months.
Key Facts
The US and Iran reached a framework deal to end conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The strait has been closed to most shipping since February, disrupting global oil and gas supplies.
Only a few ships have passed through the strait since the deal announcement.
About 200 vessels remain stuck in the Persian Gulf due to safety concerns like sea mines and drone strikes.
Shipping companies remain cautious and hesitant to send ships through the area quickly.
Before the war, about 20% of the world’s oil and liquid natural gas shipped through the strait.
Oil prices rose sharply after the conflict began and remain higher than before the war.
Experts say production and shipping need time to return to full capacity, and insurance costs for ships may stay high.
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A historic monastery in Kyiv, known as the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, caught fire during heavy Russian air attacks on Ukraine’s capital. Four people died in the attack, which was the most intense on Kyiv in two weeks.
Key Facts
The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery is an important symbol of Ukraine’s spiritual and cultural history.
The monastery caught fire during a major Russian air strike on Kyiv.
Four people were killed in this attack.
This was the heaviest Russian air attack on Kyiv in two weeks.
The event took place on or before June 15, 2026.
Ukrainian authorities reported the incident.
The attack is part of ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
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