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UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer made a final visit to Ukraine to show the UK's strong and lasting support for the country amid the ongoing war with Russia. He met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv and highlighted the UK’s long-term commitment to Ukraine’s defense and security.
Key Facts
Sir Keir Starmer made a last trip to Ukraine as Prime Minister.
He met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.
The UK signed a 100-year partnership with Ukraine for defense and trade cooperation.
The UK increased its defense investments and supported new war-fighting technologies.
British-made artillery barrels are being supplied to Ukraine under a £61 million contract.
Russia continues to attack Ukrainian ports, including Odesa, killing eight people in recent strikes.
Starmer recalled supporting Zelensky shortly after a dispute between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump.
Andy Burnham will replace Starmer as Labour leader and is expected to become the next prime minister soon.
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Andy Burnham, soon to be UK Prime Minister, faces a big housing problem with high prices and long waits for affordable homes. The UK government has promised to build many new homes, but it is not meeting its current targets.
Key Facts
The average house price in England was £300,000 last year, about eight times the average salary.
The Labour government wants to build 1.5 million new homes in England during this Parliament but is already behind schedule.
Andy Burnham plans a large council house-building program, the biggest since after World War II, but has not given exact details.
The government pledged £39 billion to build 300,000 new social and affordable homes over 10 years.
Council house building has fallen sharply since the 1980s due to past policies that sold many local authority homes.
In 2025, councils built only 1,970 new homes, compared to almost 200,000 per year in the 1950s.
To meet Burnham’s goals, councils would need much more money and staff to manage large building projects.
Only about 204,000 new homes were built in the 12 months to March 2024, below the yearly target needed to reach 1.5 million homes.
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The UK government has proposed a voluntary overnight social media curfew for 16- and 17-year-olds, blocking access from midnight to 6 a.m. by default on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. The plan also aims to turn off features like autoplay and infinite scroll to help teens sleep and focus better, but users can choose to disable these limits.
Key Facts
The curfew would apply automatically but can be turned off by 16- and 17-year-olds.
The ban would last six hours, from midnight to 6 a.m., on major social media platforms.
Features that encourage continuous watching, like autoplay and infinite scrolling, would be off by default.
A stricter ban on social media use for children under 16 is planned to start in 2027.
The UK government views this as a gradual way to help teens move safely toward adulthood.
Some politicians and child safety groups worry the voluntary system won't work well.
The policy still needs official approval and will likely be implemented by the next prime minister.
Australia has already banned social media use for under-16s since December 2023, setting a global example.
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A former member of Morocco’s intelligence service revealed that Morocco used Pegasus spyware to spy on journalists, human rights activists, and foreign officials. Pegasus, made by Israel's NSO Group, can access all data on a mobile phone and secretly activate its camera and microphone. This information is based on insider testimony and a joint investigation by multiple news organizations and Amnesty International.
Key Facts
Pegasus spyware allows remote access to phone data, including emails, messages, photos, and can turn on cameras and microphones.
Morocco denied using Pegasus to target critics but evidence from a whistleblower shows it started using the spyware in 2017.
The spyware was reportedly demonstrated to Moroccan intelligence officials in Rabat by NSO Group representatives.
The whistleblower said the UAE bought Pegasus and shared it with Morocco’s intelligence service.
The spyware was used mostly for high-value targets after cheaper spying methods failed.
Multiple media organizations and Amnesty International collaborated on this investigation, analyzing leaked emails, records, and testimonies.
Two other former Moroccan intelligence agents confirmed the whistleblower’s information.
Morocco’s intelligence service is called the Direction Générale de la Surveillance du Territoire (DGST).
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New Zealand actor Sam Neill died at 78 from pneumonia in a Sydney hospital. He had successfully fought blood cancer but passed away unexpectedly, with his family and agent confirming the cause of death.
Key Facts
Sam Neill was 78 years old when he died.
He died from pneumonia, according to his agent and family.
Neill had been treated for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a blood cancer, and was cancer-free at the time of death.
He received a cancer treatment called CAR-T therapy.
Neill acted in films like Jurassic Park and TV shows like Peaky Blinders.
He completed four projects during the last year of his life, to be released soon.
Neill was born in Northern Ireland and grew up in New Zealand.
He is survived by four children and eight grandchildren.
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There have been heavy nightly strikes between the US and Iran since a recent agreement was signed. A former US ambassador said Iran wrongly thought President Trump would give up or back down.
Key Facts
The US and Iran have been engaging in heavy strikes every night.
These attacks are the most intense since the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed one month ago.
A former US ambassador spoke about the situation on Al Jazeera’s program called "This is America."
The ambassador said Iran made a mistake by believing President Trump would stop or relax the US response.
The MOU agreement was intended to manage tensions between the US and Iran.
The strikes indicate ongoing conflict despite the agreement.
President Donald Trump remains firm in his position regarding Iran.
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The Royal Netherlands Navy is testing uncrewed vessels, drones, and underwater robots to improve sea defense. These autonomous systems aim to work alongside crewed ships to reduce risk to people and enhance military capabilities within the next decade.
Key Facts
The Dutch navy is conducting a five-week trial near Den Helder with uncrewed vessels called Defender 1 and Defender 2.
The navy plans to have over half of its operations done by uncrewed systems within five years.
The autonomous fleet includes underwater vehicles, boats, drones resembling giant flies and bats, and an undersea mine mapper named Lobster Robotics.
These systems operate under a “system of systems” model, allowing new technology to be added or replaced easily.
Artificial intelligence helps control these systems but humans remain responsible for important decisions like using weapons.
The Dutch navy’s Goalkeeper air defense system has used autonomous functions for over 40 years.
The use of uncrewed technology responds to challenges like labor shortages and increased operational demands.
Other countries, including the UK and US, are also investing heavily in similar autonomous military technology.
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A senior Chinese official, Wang Huning, visited North Korea for talks with a top North Korean party leader. The meeting aims to strengthen ties between China and North Korea after Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Pyongyang last month.
Key Facts
Wang Huning is the fourth-highest-ranking official in China.
Wang met Jo Yong Won, a top official in North Korea’s Workers’ Party.
The meeting follows President Xi Jinping’s first visit to North Korea in seven years, in June 2024.
China and North Korea agreed on a "far-reaching blueprint" to strengthen their strategic relationship.
China wants closer diplomatic, law enforcement, and military cooperation with North Korea.
North Korea has recently grown close to Russia but continues to rely on China as its largest economic partner.
The two countries discussed improving public welfare, business, culture, and party cooperation.
Experts say both nations want to deepen ties to gain economic and geopolitical advantages.
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Many South Koreans adopted by families abroad are finding out that their adoption records were false or incomplete. Some adoptees discovered their birth families thought they were dead, and adoption agencies may have hidden or changed important information. The South Korean government has apologized for its role in these problems.
Key Facts
Marie Wang, adopted from South Korea to Denmark, found her adoption records contained false information about her birth mother.
Many adoptees were told their birth parents gave them up because of poverty or other reasons, but some learned their families believed they had died.
Mia Lee Hansen was reunited with her birth family after DNA testing revealed they thought she had died as a baby.
Hospital records and other documents often conflicted or were missing for adoptees.
South Korea’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission found the government was involved in problematic overseas adoptions.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung apologized to adoptees and families for the pain caused by these adoption issues.
Advocates say adoption agencies did not keep accurate records and sometimes fabricated files.
Many adoptees have never returned to South Korea, feeling disconnected from their birth families.
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Volunteers in the United States are helping the National Archives read and type out old handwritten documents from the Revolutionary War. These documents include about 2.5 million pages of pension files, which are records related to payments made to war veterans.
Key Facts
Volunteers are reading handwritten papers from the Revolutionary War period.
The documents are written in cursive, which can be hard to read today.
These papers come from pension files, which are records about money given to veterans.
There are about 2.5 million pages that need to be transcribed.
The project helps preserve history and makes the information easier to access.
The National Archives organizes this work.
People helping with this task are called "citizen archivists."
This effort relies on ordinary Americans volunteering their time and skills.
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The U.S. Central Command said it started a second round of military strikes against Iran on Wednesday, after an earlier set of attacks the same day. Retired Navy Vice Admiral Robert Murrett explained that the conflict between the U.S. and Iran has entered a new phase.
Key Facts
The U.S. Central Command carried out a second wave of strikes against Iran on Wednesday.
These strikes followed an earlier series of attacks earlier that day.
Retired Navy Vice Adm. Robert Murrett spoke about the situation in a CBS News interview.
Murrett said the conflict between the U.S. and Iran is now in a new phase.
The information was reported by CBS News.
The article does not specify what prompted the strikes or the details of the attacks.
The focus is on the increased military actions and the changing nature of the conflict.
No direct response from Iran is mentioned in the report.
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The Australian National University (ANU) denied losing control of its campus during a pro-Palestine student encampment held in 2024. An internal review found the encampment posed high mental and social risks, leading the university to improve its security procedures for future protests.
Key Facts
The pro-Palestine encampment was set up in April 2024 to show support amid the Israel-Gaza war.
ANU conducted a safety review which rated the encampment’s psychosocial risks as high. Psychosocial risk means problems that affect people's mental health and social wellbeing.
The university tried several times to end the encampment, which finished after a dispute over electricity and lights.
ANU announced it would stop investing in controversial weapons and small arms manufacturers during this period.
The university’s security team kept close watch on the encampment and interacted with students to ensure safety.
ANU investigated claims of a Nazi salute at a student meeting but found no misconduct. The gesture thought to be a salute was explained as a common personal gesture by the student.
About 500 people attended the student meeting where the allegations arose, with one student removed for misconduct unrelated to the salute.
The royal commission is examining antisemitism and social cohesion in universities, including ANU’s handling of these events.
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The US attacked an oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz as part of a blockade on Iranian ports during ongoing military strikes. These strikes, hitting targets in Iran including near Tehran, follow Iranian attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait and mark a sharp escalation in tensions between the two countries.
Key Facts
The US disabled an empty oil tanker near Kharg Island with Hellfire missiles after multiple warnings.
US strikes targeted Iranian military sites, including missile storage and coastal defenses, over several days.
Iranian attacks responded with hits on Bahrain and Kuwait, but initial damage reports are unclear.
Iran stated the recent US strikes killed over 35 people and wounded more than 300.
The conflict escalated after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for nearly 20% of global oil shipments.
The US reinstated a naval blockade of Iran, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards threatened to stop all regional energy exports.
Oil prices rose above $85 a barrel due to the conflict but remain below peaks seen earlier in the war.
President Donald Trump said Iran wants peace but warned the US might expand attacks to force open the strait, including targeting a key underground facility.
An agreement (MOU) aimed at ending the conflict and resuming nuclear talks is at risk, as Iran insists the US follow its terms to reopen the strait.
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Smoke from wildfires in northwestern Ontario has caused Toronto to have the worst air quality among major world cities. The smoke is also affecting northeastern U.S. states, leading to health warnings and some evacuations, while wildfires continue to burn in parts of Canada.
Key Facts
Toronto’s Air Quality Health Index reached 10+, meaning very high risk to health.
Smoke from Ontario wildfires spread to U.S. states including New York, Pennsylvania, and New England.
Over 800 wildfires are active across Canada, with 112 out of control.
The fires have burned about 1.9 million hectares (4.7 million acres) so far.
The Canadian wildfire season started slower than in recent severe years but remains dangerous due to warm temperatures.
Evacuations occurred near Armstrong, Ontario, where a train was surrounded by fire.
New York City officials advised residents to avoid heavy outdoor activity during poor air quality days.
Experts expect more frequent combined heat and wildfire smoke events in the future.
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New Zealand has confirmed its first case of the deadly H5N1 bird flu in a seabird, raising concerns about the risk to the country's many native and endangered bird species. Officials are preparing by monitoring wildlife and vaccinating certain endangered birds to reduce the virus’s impact.
Key Facts
The first confirmed H5N1 bird flu case in New Zealand was found in a brown skua seabird at Petone beach in Wellington.
Bird flu has spread worldwide since 2021, reaching Antarctica and recently Australia.
New Zealand has many unique native birds, including many flightless species, with about 80% considered endangered.
A vaccination program is underway for endangered birds in captivity, such as kākāpō and takahē.
The government has a large surveillance system involving wildlife parks, poultry farms, vets, and the public.
Signs of bird flu include weakness, seizures, head twisting, and trouble breathing.
Species that gather in large groups, like shorebirds and scavengers, face the highest risk.
Public are urged to report groups of three or more sick or dead birds to authorities immediately.
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President Donald Trump announced that Iran released an American citizen who had been held since December 2024. The woman, identified as Dena Karari, is now safely out of Iran, and the release was described as a "gesture of goodwill" despite ongoing tensions between the two countries.
Key Facts
The American citizen, Dena Karari, was detained in Iran since December 2024.
President Trump said the release was a positive act despite recent conflicts with Iran.
Karari was held on charges of collaborating with a hostile state and espionage, which her lawyer called false.
She ran a non-profit organization helping poor children in Iran.
Karari faced many interrogations and hardships but was never physically detained.
Iran holds several Western nationals, often using them in political negotiations.
Relations between the U.S. and Iran remain tense, with renewed military actions and blockades.
Washington and Tehran recently signed an agreement aiming to reduce conflict, but fighting continues.
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Drones are now an important part of battles in Ukraine and the Middle East. They are changing how wars are fought by allowing forces to gather information and attack from the air without risking soldiers directly.
Key Facts
Drones are widely used in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
They have also been used a lot in the Middle East during the war involving Iran.
Drones help armies to see enemy positions and carry out attacks.
Using drones reduces the risk to soldiers because the machines fly instead of people.
Military experts are closely studying how drones affect these wars.
This new technology is changing modern warfare strategies.
The report was discussed by a military affairs reporter from Business Insider on CBS News.
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Kyiv experienced a large missile attack by Russia, causing fires and damage in several districts. The attack happened shortly after the European Union and Ukraine signed a deal to boost drone production for Ukraine’s defense.
Key Facts
Russian missiles hit Kyiv, damaging buildings and causing fires.
Emergency services worked to control the fires triggered by the missile strikes.
Ukraine’s Air Force reported the missile threat lasted about one hour.
The attack followed a new agreement between the EU and Ukraine to increase drone production.
The EU plans to use its large industrial capacity to help make drones quickly.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the deal.
Recent Russian attacks also hit cities like Odesa and Sumy, causing civilian casualties.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has lasted over four years and continues to cause damage and loss of life.
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French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu visited Morocco in July 2024 to strengthen ties after France recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. The visit aimed to improve cooperation in defense, security, and economic investment, reflecting France’s effort to rebuild one of its key partnerships in North Africa amid growing global competition in the region.
Key Facts
Lecornu’s visit was his first official foreign trip as French Prime Minister, lasting two days in July 2024.
France recently recognized Moroccan control over Western Sahara, a disputed territory claimed by Morocco and the Algeria-supported Polisario Front.
Between 2021 and 2023, relations between France and Morocco were strained due to disagreements over visas, intelligence sharing, and legal cooperation.
Morocco has grown as a major trade and transport hub between Europe and Africa, with large investments in ports, industrial zones, and renewable energy.
France sees Morocco as a stable partner to engage both the Mediterranean region and Africa amid growing influence from China, Turkey, Gulf states, and the United States.
The two countries are focusing on cooperation in defense, security, and economic fields such as artificial intelligence, big data, and advanced manufacturing.
Morocco benefits from access to foreign investment and technology to build a stronger, more competitive economy.
The partnership reflects a shift in French foreign policy seeking reliable regional allies as France’s influence in North Africa and the Sahel decreases.
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A U.S.-Iran dual citizen named Dena Karari has left Iran after being barred from leaving for more than a year under accusations of spying. She was never formally charged and left Iran safely, with President Donald Trump acknowledging her release.
Key Facts
Dena Karari was unable to leave Iran since December 2024 due to an exit ban, not imprisonment.
Iranian authorities accused her of espionage and working with a hostile state but never formally charged her.
Her exit ban ended in April, but Iran still did not allow her to leave until recently.
Karari had a heart attack on July 8 while still in Iran.
The U.S. State Department included her among Americans whose release was sought in diplomacy talks led by envoy Steve Witkoff.
President Donald Trump confirmed on social media that she was safely outside Iran.
Several other Americans remain detained in Iran, with some considered "wrongfully detained" by the U.S. government.
The release of Karari was not part of the recent U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement.
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