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Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have skyrocketed amid growing conflicts near the border, leading both countries to heavily downgrade relations with each other. Both countries have accused each other of striking first, with the incident taking place near the historical temple of Ta Muen Thom, located in the southern Thai province of Surin. Thailand claims that they had spotted a Cambodian surveillance drone near the temple before heavily armed Cambodian troops arrived, where they exchanged fire in an intense outburst of fighting. Two Thai soldiers were injured, and at least three civilians were injured after the Cambodian troops allegedly opened fire in the nearby district of Kap Choeng. However, Cambodia has argued that their troops were acting out of self-defense, claiming that the Thai soldiers had begun the exchange of gunfire. Nevertheless, Thailand continued to retaliate, launching several F-16 fighter jets into Cambodia to deal with the situation. Thailand claimed that they had struck multiple military installments within Cambodia, but Cambodia did not confirm the claim. Additionally, the Cambodian President of the Senate, Hun Sen, confirmed that at least two Cambodian provinces had been shelled, and Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that they would respond. Due to previous border disputes in the area, Thailand and Cambodia maintain a demilitarized zone (DMZ) along much of their border, leading to large spikes in tensions when that space is violated. Tensions initially began to rise in May when another exchange of gunfire resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. Then, earlier in the week, a Thai soldier lost his leg after a landmine explosion, injuring four other soldiers as well. After that incident, Thailand downgraded their relations with Cambodia, calling their ambassador back and sending Cambodia's ambassador back to their country. Now, those tensions have sunk even lower, with both countries calling foreign staff home, and there is a possibility of the conflict escalating even further if Cambodia decides to strike back. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Octopuses and squids have beaks. The beak is made of keratin – the same material that a bird’s beak and our fingernails are made of. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests. (Epictetus) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Logy (adj, LOH-ghee) - Like sluggish and groggy , logy describes a person who is not able to think or move normally because of being tired, sick, etc., or something that moves slowly and ploddingly. In a Sentence: The heavy meal left me feeling logy and in need of a nap.

At least 31 people are dead after an air force jet crashed into a school in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, sparking protests from students across the country. The incident occurred on Monday when a Chinese-made F-7 BGI fighter jet belonging to the Bangladesh Air Force struck the Milestone School and College in the neighborhood of Uttara, which was full of children. The resulting explosion set the two-story building on fire, trapping students and teachers inside as smoke billowed out of the structure. Most of the victims were children under 12, and a total of 25 students were killed. After rising several times, the current death toll stands at 31, making Bangladesh's worst aviation disaster in decades. Unfortunately, 68 people are still hospitalized with burns and other injuries, with 10 of them in critical condition, but many were saved by authorities' rapid response. Helicopters, fire trucks, ambulances, and other vehicles were quickly dispatched to deal with the situation, and at least 171 people were rescued by firefighters and local authorities. The Bangladeshi military later confirmed that the F-7 jet had departed on a training mission when it experienced a severe mechanical failure, forcing the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Md. Taukir Islam, to make a crash landing. He attempted to steer the jet away from populated areas but ended up hitting the school-- the pilot was also killed in the explosion. Dozens of teachers and students had been standing outside the building as well, leaving them to watch the plane strike the school and wait in desperation as authorities arrived. A thorough investigation into the incident has begun, and the country held a day of mourning yesterday for the victims of the crash, with all flags flying at half-mast for the entire day. However, protests have erupted across the city, with students calling for the government to retire aging machinery and instruct pilots to avoid flying near populated areas like Dhaka. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The first service animals were established in Germany during World War I, but references to service animals date back to the mid-16th Century. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): You will never feel truly satisfied by work until you are satisfied by life. (Heather Schuck) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Jettison (verb, JET-uh-sun) - When you jettison something, you get rid of it either because it is not needed or because it is impeding your progress or otherwise weighing you down. In a Sentence: Now that the purchase of the building has been finalized, we'll revamp what we want to keep and jettison the rest.

28 nations have signed a statement calling for the immediate end to Israel's war in Gaza as deaths at aid sites continue to increase. The referendum was signed by Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, and states that an immediate end to the war in Gaza is crucial to prevent additional loss of life. The statement also says the execution of aid delivery under the Israeli government has been done in an extremely dangerous, inhumane way, leading to the deaths, and that Israel's restrictions on aid flow have resulted in an even larger humanitarian crisis. The statement comes as more and more people die each day at aid distribution centers in Gaza-- at least 100 people were killed by gunfire at aid sites this past weekend alone. Using the aid provided by the United Nations and other countries, Israel has set up several aid centers across Gaza to hand out food and water to Palestinian citizens, who have struggled with supply shortages since the war began. However, these aid distribution centers have proved to be a deadly site for Gazans, with crowds facing rounds of Israeli gunfire almost every day. Israel claims that their troops fire "warning shots" to disperse the crowds or deter Palestinians who try to approach the site before it opens, but the UN has reported that at least 875 people have been killed while trying to get food over the past eight weeks. Additionally, tens of thousands of people are currently suffering from malnutrition, with dozens dying every day from hunger and thirst. Hospitals do not have food, water, or other crucial supplies either, and markets have shut down due to extreme shortages. Meanwhile, locals cannot purchase food due to skyrocketing prices, forcing them to take their chances at an aid site. Nevertheless, Israel has denied all of these claims and dismissed the recent statement. They claim that the death count has been exaggerated by Hamas in order to increase pressure on Israel, and have blamed the organization for refusing to commit to a ceasefire deal. Also, Israel has maintained that they are conducting all of their operations in accordance with international laws, and have not taken any action that could be considered inhumane or dangerous for Palestinians. Despite arguments from both sides, the death toll from the conflict continues to rise-- over 59,000 people have been killed since the war began on October 7, 2023, and there does not seem to be any end in sight. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): If you translate “Jesus” from Hebrew to English, the correct translation is “Joshua.” The name “Jesus” comes from translating the name from Hebrew to Greek to Latin to English. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Perhaps tomorrow, if not today. (Michele Jennae) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Hubris (noun, HYOO-bris) - Hubris is a formal and literary word that refers to a great or foolish amount of pride or confidence. In a Sentence: The project's failure was predictable, given the inexperience and unbridled hubris of those leading the effort.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebels have finally signed a peace deal, hoping to end the conflict within another month. The deal aims towards bringing peace to the eastern part of DRC, which has seen serious violence over the last seven months. The M23 rebels, a militia primarily made up of members of the Tutsi ethnic group, invaded the area north of the city of Goma in January , killing scores of citizens. After storming Goma and the nearby city of Bukavu, they quickly took over two airports and shut down their airspace, trapping millions of people inside the two cities. Additionally, the rebels did not provide food, water, or shelter, but consistent bombings and shootings resulted in more and more deaths, pressuring the DRC government to take action. Qatar began hosting ceasefire talks in March, and the United States has also attempted to assist in negotiations. US President Donald Trump has clearly expressed his interest in obtaining a part of the wide range of rich mineral resources located in central Africa, motivating him to keep good relations with countries like the DRC. Now, after months of negotiations, both sides have confirmed that they will stop all fighting by July 29, with a long-term agreement expected by August 18. However, the details of the deal are still relatively unclear. DRC representatives claimed that they would see M23 move out of the areas that they have recently invaded, but M23 has denied those claims. Additionally, authorities, citizens, and foreign organizations are still unsure as to whether the agreement will last-- various other peace deals have been made in the past, and all of them have been violated at some point. More recently, in April, the two sides agreed to facilitate a complete ceasefire, but the conflict continued despite orders from the top. As a whole, the current deal is extremely vague, with most of the finer details expected to be finalized over the next month. Upcoming Events: World Drowning Prevention Day (Friday, July 25) International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent (Friday, July 25) International Day for Judicial Well-Being (Friday, July 25) Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Elvis was originally blonde. He started coloring his hair black for an edgier look. Sometimes, he would touch it up himself using shoe polish. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Trees are poems the earth writes upon the sky, We fell them down and turn them into paper, That we may record our emptiness. (Kahlil Gibran) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Utmost (adj, UT-mohst) - Utmost describes something that is the greatest or highest in degree, number, or amount. In a Sentence: The safety of employees is of utmost importance.

At least 38 people are dead and several others are missing after a tourist-filled boat capsized off the coast of Vietnam, with the severe weather likely due to the impacts of Typhoon Wipha. The incident took place in Halong Bay, an area famous for its mountainous islands that are scattered across the water. Located next to the bay is the city of Haiphong, Vietnam's third-largest city with a population of just over 2 million people, where most tourist boats cast off from. The ship, named Wonder Sea, had 53 people onboard, 48 of which were tourists, and at least 20 of them were children. The boat was sailing through the bay at around 1:30 pm in the afternoon when it got caught in a strong storm, causing it to capsize completely. Due to a loss of power, authorities were not able to triangulate its position for some time, and locating the ship became even harder because of the pouring rain. Nevertheless, the Vietnamese government responded quickly, sending out 27 boats and two additional crafts that were carrying members of the navy, police, and border guards. Divers immediately launched into the water to search for any bodies or survivors, and 10 people were rescued. Some were trapped inside the ship, while others were found floating in the water. Unfortunately, 38 people have been confirmed dead, but five others are still missing as search-and-rescue operations continue in full force. The severe weather was likely due to the incoming Typhoon Wipha, which pounded the Hong Kong area with strong winds and heavy rain last night. It began as a tropical storm off the northern coast of the Philippines, steadily moving west as it intensified, hitting southern Taiwan with heavy rain along the way as well. Over the last few days, residents of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, Macau, and other southeastern Chinese cities have been preparing for the effects of Wipha, especially the devastating rain. The storm is also delivering winds of over 75 mph, blowing down trees and sending debris flying across cities. Hundreds of flights have been canceled and delayed, trains have been suspended, ports have been shut down, and the massive 18-mile bridge that connects Macau and Hong Kong has also been closed as the area weathers the dangerous storm. After passing Hong Kong, it is projected to move into northern Vietnam and Laos, dropping even more rain on the area, but the typhoon's pass over land will weaken its winds. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The Iberian Religious Wars were the longest wars in history, lasting 781 years as European Christian Kingdoms fought against the Muslim rulers of Spain and Northern Africa from 711 CE to 1492. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): The only impossible journey is the one you never begin. (Tony Robbins) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Devise (verb, dih-VYZE) - To devise is to invent or plan something that is difficult or complicated in some way. In a Sentence: The siblings devised a plan to clean the house from top to bottom with hopes of getting their parents to let them go to the concert.

The European Union has announced the arrival of a massive new sanctions bill that is set to greatly impact the Russian economy. The agreement approved yet another round of sanctions targeting Russia, further pressuring them to end their war against Ukraine. The war began back in February 2022 and has not let up since then, with various countries around the world urging Russia to put an end to the conflict. One of the most efficient ways to put pressure on a country is through the financial sector, especially during a time of war. Due to Russia's tightening finances from other sanctions and increasing expenditures on military and arms, they have become even more dependent on their booming oil and gas industry. Prior to the war, numerous European countries were heavily reliant on Russian oil to provide crucial services like heating and electricity, but those numbers have slowly decreased as the EU as a whole attempts to move away from Russian products. Now, in the latest move against Russia's economy, the EU and UK have lowered the price cap for Russian oil, bringing it down from $60 per barrel to $47.60 per barrel. This prohibits any country within the European Union from purchasing Russian oil if it is priced over $47.60, substantially lowering Russia's net profits. The new limit will take effect on September 3, and it could have a serious impact on Russia's finances. In addition to the price cap shift, the agreement also cuts back on the usage of Russian pipelines and avoids Russian banks, further damaging their economy, and technology-related exports to Russia will also take a hit. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The Bagheera kiplingi spider was discovered in the 1800s and is the only species of spider that has been classified as vegetarian. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it. (Simon Sinek) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Meritorious (adj, mair-uh-TOR-ee-us) - Meritorious is a formal adjective used to describe something that is deserving of honor, praise, or esteem. In a Sentence: She was honored for her meritorious service to the city.

The United Kingdom has announced that they will lower the eligible voting age to 16 for the next general election in 2029. The move will expand voting eligibility to include almost 1.6 million 16 and 17-year-old British citizens currently living in the UK, making it a huge move in the country's political landscape. The last time the voting age was reduced was in 1969, when it was brought down from 21 to 18, as many countries did at the time. However, there are only a handful of countries today that allow 16-year-old citizens to vote; among them are Argentina, Austria, Brazil, and Ecuador. Additionally, in Wales and Scotland, 16 and 17-year-olds are already allowed to vote in elections for local Parliament and other positions, but voting in general elections was not permitted until the age of 18. The change comes as voter turnout in the UK drops significantly, with turnout in 2024 reaching its lowest point since 2001. Adding a new age range to the elections is expected to raise turnout and likely increase the representation of the country's younger population in the government, which has been hailed and raised concerns. However, studies in other countries that have taken similar action show that lowering the age range does not have a significant impact on the results, and the addition of younger voters does not necessarily skew the elections. Contrary to popular belief, young voters have a diverse variety of views on politics, and it is extremely unlikely that they would all vote towards one party. The move has sparked a heated debate among supporters and critics of the idea-- advocates for young voters have pointed out that 16 and 17-year-olds can already pay taxes, drive vehicles, leave home, and work full-time, while others have argued that they are still unable to do various other tasks, like getting married, purchasing a lottery ticket, or buying alcohol. Nevertheless, the bill still needs to be passed by Parliament, and the next general election does not take place until 2029, giving the country time to adapt to the updated system if the idea makes it through both houses. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): There is a company in Japan that has schools that teach you how to be funny. The first one opened in 1982. About 1,000 students take the course each year. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dream ; and how you handle disappointment along the way. (Robert Kiyosaki) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Fugitive (noun, FYOO-juh-tiv) - Fugitive refers to a person who runs away to avoid being captured or arrested. In a Sentence: The FBI regularly updates and circulates its list of most wanted fugitives , and asks communities where they might be seen to be careful and on the lookout.

Israel and Syria have finally come to an agreement on a ceasefire after several days of intense battles in the southern Syrian city of Suwayda, which is home to a large number of the Druze minority. The Druze are part of a specific sect of Islam that includes around one million people, most of which live in Lebanon and Syria. However, Druze do not identify as Muslims, and their faith involves aspects of Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and others, as well as a belief in reincarnation. While they do speak Arabic, they do not share their traditions or practices with others, do not allow conversion to or from their religion, and strongly discourage marriage to someone outside of their faith. Due to this, Druze communities are very tight-knit, and areas which contain Druze are usually heavily populated with them. The southern Syrian province of Suwayda happens to be an epicenter for the Druze majority, but Druze have faced conflict from Syrian forces under the rule of dictator Bashar al-Assad in the past. A large population of Druze also reside in Golan Heights, a disputed area between Israel and Syria that Israel currently maintains control over, giving Israel motivation to support the sect. On Sunday, several members of a Bedouin tribe attacked a Druze man in Suwayda, sparking outrage among the people of the area. The tension quickly escalated into a huge conflict, pitting Bedouins against Druze and forcing others to take sides. Syria has also gone through a large period of recent government reform after Assad was ousted by now-former terrorist organization Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) several months ago. While HTS has attempted to restore peace throughout different regions of Syria, the impact of previous governmental mistreatment of many tribes and sects remains, including the Druze. Because of this, when the Syrian government also attempted to intervene, the Druze misunderstood and believed that they had come to back up the Bedouins, escalating the conflict even further. Then, in recent days, Israel joined the fight in an attempt to show solidarity with the Druze. Due to the significant number of Druze who live in Israel and provide a huge benefit to the country's government, military, and economy, they began to attack Syria to defend the sect. However, Druze leaders within Syria confirmed that they did not want Israel's help, and would rather have avoided international conflict. Despite this, Israel pounded Damascus and Suwayda with airstrikes for several days, doing serious damage to numerous buildings. In total, at least 300 people were killed in the conflict, and crucial supplies like electricity and internet have been disrupted across Suwayda. Nevertheless, a ceasefire has been reached. The agreement will see all military action come to a stop-- including Druze forces, Bedouin forces, Syrian national forces, or Israeli national forces. Syrian forces have already begun to move out of Suwayda, and Syria has confirmed that the local government will soon be re-established. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The tongue is the only muscle in the human body that is not attached on both ends. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Sometimes the bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the best things that will ever happen to us. (Jeremiah Say) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Abject (adj, AB-jekt) - Abject usually describes things that are extremely bad or severe. It can also describe something that feels or shows shame, or someone lacking courage or strength. In a Sentence: Happily, their attempts to derail the project ended in abject failure.

A secret plan to move thousands of Afghans to the United Kingdom was revealed yesterday after a government official accidentally leaked the information, possibly endangering thousands of others. Ever since the United States pulled out of Afghanistan in 2021, the country has been under the strict rule of the Taliban, who have been designated a terrorist organization by several nations. They have been widely criticized for their extremely strict implementation of Sharia Law, the Islamic way of life, specifically regarding women. In Afghanistan, girls cannot attend school past 6th grade and are prohibited from attending university, they are excluded from most professions, they must wear a full-body covering, and are banned from most public spaces, among other things. Due to the organization's fearmongering tactics and brutal punishments, many Afghans have applied to move to other countries, particularly the United Kingdom. After the Taliban took control, tens of thousands of people applied to move to the UK from Afghanistan, taking part in the country's Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP). Over the past few years, at least 36,000 Afghans have shifted to the UK, sparking outrage among many British politicians. Unfortunately, the data of over 19,000 people was leaked in 2022 in a major error-- and the government did not find out for another year and a half. To protect the citizens who may have been at risk, the British government quickly set up a secret program to move Afghans who had been on the original list, with 4,500 Afghans being moved to the UK over the past year. Additionally, at least 600 Afghan soldiers and 1,800 of their family members remain in Afghanistan, putting their livelihoods in jeopardy due to the danger posed by the Taliban. However, the entire initial leak and plot was kept under wraps after the British government received permission from a court to hide the information. Now, due to a crucial error by an official in the UK, their scheme has been leaked once again, endangering the lives of thousands of Afghans who could now face the wrath of the Taliban. They have instructed the individuals whose information was leaked to take caution in daily activities, especially online, to protect themselves. Nevertheless, the UK has confirmed that they will go through with the rest of their plan, but they will end the program after it is complete-- this would allow everyone on the leaked list to enter the UK, but prevent any other Afghans from being added to the list. It does come at a cost, though-- the country has already spent over £400 million on the project, and completing it could cost upwards of another £400 million. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The world’s largest single-keyboard grand piano was built by a 15-year-old in New Zealand. The piano is almost 19 feet long and was built by Adrian Mann as an experiment with long piano wire to explore the sound of unwrapped bass strings. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): It’s not what you achieve, it’s what you overcome. That’s what defines your career . (Stan Musial) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Tantalize (verb, TAN-tuh-lyze) - To tantalize someone is to cause them to feel interest or excitement about something that is very attractive, appealing, etc. In a Sentence: She was tantalized by the prospect of a big promotion.

French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed that he will increase the country's military spending by over €6.5 billion across the next two years amid the growing threat of Russian attack. During conflicts of the past, the EU always had the strong support of the US behind them due to their position in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), giving them confidence. However, current US President Donald Trump has threatened to back out of NATO and has imposed 30% tariffs on the entire EU, set to begin on August 1. Now, Europe is scrambling to build their military defenses in case of a Russian attack, as Putin has already invaded Ukraine and tensions between the two sides are rising. NATO's initial target for defense spending was set at 2% of GDP after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, but some significant changes were made to those targets this year. At the 2025 NATO Summit at The Hague in the Netherlands, the alliance agreed to raise defense and security-related spending targets to 5% of GDP by 2035, but France took it a step further. Yesterday, just before Bastille Day, France's national holiday, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that they would raise their military budget by €3.5 billion in 2026 and another €3 billion in 2027. The move is an approximate 6% increase from the €110 billion that has already been planned for the country over the next two years, but it still needs to be approved by the French Parliament. However, the announcement has brought concerns over France's growing national debt, which currently exceeds €3.3 trillion. This gives the country a debt-to-GDP ratio of 113%-- one of the highest in Europe. Due to this, Macron plans to introduce a massive bill to cut government spending and raise taxes for citizens, which could see backlash in the near future. Nevertheless, the president has urged citizens to comply with the new regulations, which aim to help protect France from Russian threats. France already has one of the most powerful armies in the European Union, with the United Kingdom as its only competitor, and maintains Europe's largest active personnel numbers. These two countries are also the only countries in Europe that possess nuclear weapons, making them the EU's strongest members in case of a war with Russia. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Forrest Fenn, an art dealer and author, hid a treasure chest in the Rocky Mountains worth over 1 million dollars. It was found approximately a decade later, in 2020. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): True ignorance is not the absence of knowledge , but the refusal to acquire it. (Karl Popper) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Nuance (noun, NOO-ahnss) - A nuance is a very small difference in something, such as color, tone, meaning, etc. In a Sentence: Amy’s musical ear makes it easy for her to detect the subtle nuances in sampled music.