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• Rescue teams continue to search for survivors in Venezuela four days after devastating earthquakes, as families struggle between grief and hope. • U.S. senators are pushing for urgent action regarding children's safety on social media, mirroring strict bans implemented in countries like Australia and Indonesia. • The Senate Judiciary Committee has summoned the CEOs of Meta, Alphabet, TikTok, and Snap to testify at an upcoming hearing.

• The BET Awards honored artists including Lauryn Hill and Janet Jackson, while Druski achieved a historic milestone during the ceremony. • Separately, a special event featuring celebrities Woody Harrelson and Jay Leno is scheduled to air on Netflix on July 21. • Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick attended the event, which takes place amidst ongoing legal disputes regarding Donald Trump's influence over the center.

• Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old elected official, is attributing his recent primary victory to a desire to revive the historical roots of the Democratic Party. • Mamdani has emerged as a significant political "kingmaker" following the election results in 2025. • The victory is seen as a shift toward a style of politics that Mamdani claims has been absent from the modern era and relegated to history books.

• The U.S. military struck 10 targets in Iran following an order from President Donald Trump, escalating tensions and disrupting an uneasy ceasefire. • The attacks were launched in response to an Iranian assault on a ship near the Strait of Hormuz that occurred earlier on Saturday. • The U.S. military stated on X that Iran failed to honor the existing ceasefire agreement, necessitating the retaliatory strikes.

• Rescue teams are urgently searching for survivors four days after devastating earthquakes struck Venezuela. • Emergency crews are scrambling to locate missing persons amidst the rubble as the critical window for rescue operations narrows. • The disaster has caused significant infrastructure damage and casualties, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated international and local aid.

• Iran has launched attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait following recent U.S. military strikes, while threatening to halt diplomatic negotiations aimed at ending the war. • Separately, critics are comparing Donald Trump's presidency to the monarchy that inspired the American Revolution due to his pursuit of unprecedented executive power. • Concerns have been raised regarding Trump's use of the Justice Department against political rivals, the deployment of military forces in cities, and efforts to override state authority.

• Venezuela is facing growing public frustration as the death toll from a recent earthquake has climbed to 1,430 people. • In the United States, families of civil rights activists are expressing anger and sadness over the perceived dismantling of landmark voting rights laws. • This distress stems from a series of Supreme Court rulings over the last 12 years, including a specific decision in April, that have reversed previous political victories.

• Comedian Druski is set to make history as the youngest host of the BET Awards, which will also honor artists Lauryn Hill and Teyana Taylor. • Legendary filmmaker and comedian Mel Brooks celebrates his 100th birthday this Sunday, marking a centennial milestone for the creator of "The 2000 Year Old Man." • In a separate event, a red carpet company has applied for a canopy permit, though some speculate the request may be a distraction from other undisclosed plans.

• A severe heat wave is impacting central and eastern Europe, causing record-breaking temperatures in Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Denmark. • Denmark experienced its hottest day since 1874, reaching 37 degrees Celsius, while the Czech Republic recorded its highest temperature ever. • The extreme heat has led to infrastructure damage on Germany's Autobahn, strained hospital resources in France, and red alerts in Italy.

• Superior Court Judge Thomas Matthews ruled on Friday that a man sharing the same name and party affiliation as U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan is eligible to appear on Alaska's August primary ballot. • The ruling overturns a June 15 decision made by Carol Beecher, the Director of the Division of Elections, who had previously blocked the challenger. • This legal decision is significant as it allows a candidate with an identical name to challenge the incumbent Republican senator in the upcoming election.

• Superior Court Judge Thomas Matthews ruled on Friday that a man sharing the same name and party affiliation as U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan is eligible to run in Alaska's August primary. • The decision overturns a June 15 ruling by Division of Elections Director Carol Beecher, who had previously sought to block the challenger from the ballot. • This legal development creates a rare situation where two candidates with identical names and party labels will compete for the same seat.

• Iranian drones launched attacks on Bahrain and struck a ship in the strait following recent U.S. airstrikes. • The escalation marks a direct response to American military actions in the region, increasing tensions between Iran and Western allies. • These strikes highlight the volatility of the strait, a critical global maritime corridor for oil and trade.

• A devastating earthquake in Venezuela has resulted in at least 1,430 deaths, sparking widespread public outcry. • Frustration is mounting among survivors and families as they criticize the government's slow and inadequate emergency response. • The high casualty count underscores the region's vulnerability and the critical lack of infrastructure needed to handle large-scale natural disasters.

• Iranian drones have launched attacks on Bahrain and a ship in the strait following recent U.S. airstrikes. • Separately, the U.S. is reflecting on the legacy of voting rights laws as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. • Family members of those who died fighting for equal voting rights express anger and sadness over a series of Supreme Court rulings, including one in April, that have effectively dismantled these protections.

• OpenAI and Anthropic have restricted the release of new AI models to a select group of Trump-approved customers. • This limitation follows a request from President Donald Trump's administration to vet AI products for potential cybersecurity risks. • Separately, President Trump threatened a 100% tariff on all goods from any country that imposes specific taxes on U.S. products.

• Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, resulting in at least 164 deaths and nearly 1,000 injuries. • The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge reached a new three-year high in May, primarily driven by peaking gas prices. • Rising costs for semiconductors and computer equipment, fueled by the AI buildout, contributed significantly to the inflation spike.

• At least 32 people have died in Venezuela following a series of powerful twin earthquakes that have left the country reeling. • The disaster has caused significant casualties and infrastructure damage, prompting an immediate need for emergency relief. • International aid promises are currently pouring in to assist the Venezuelan government in rescue and recovery efforts.

• Music industry mogul Clive Davis has passed away at the age of 94. • In a separate tragedy, the artist known as Tree died along with five others in a two-helicopter collision. • Tree, a California native recognized for his viral internet presence and unique style, was in the midst of a world tour at the time of the accident.

• A series of oil tankers successfully navigated a new shipping route near Oman's shores in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday. • The route was promoted by Oman and a U.N. maritime agency to ensure safer passage for vessels. • This development is critical as it provides an alternative path amid ongoing threats from Iran's Revolutionary Guard against ships in the strait.

• The U.S. and Iran are currently in a dispute regarding whether Tehran has formally agreed to allow nuclear inspections. • Across the U.S., primary elections are underway in all 50 states to select nominees for various offices, with recent voting occurring in Maryland, New York, South Carolina, and Utah. • The Supreme Court ruled that a Rastafari man cannot sue Louisiana prison officials over the forced cutting of his dreadlocks.

• Comedian Carlos Mencia has pleaded not guilty to 12 felony charges related to the failure to pay taxes. • An influential music industry figure, known as the "man with the golden ears," passed away Monday at the age of 94. • The deceased executive played a pivotal role in launching or reviving the careers of legendary artists, including Whitney Houston, Janis Joplin, Alicia Keys, and Carlos Santana.

• Conservative outsider Abelardo de la Espriella, a businessman and lawyer endorsed by U.S. President Donald Trump, has won Colombia’s presidential election. • Progressive lawmaker Iván Cepeda conceded the race after results showed de la Espriella winning by a narrow margin of 1 percentage point, or approximately 251,000 votes. • The victory is widely interpreted as a public indictment of the administration of outgoing President Gustavo Petro.

• AJ Dybantsa has been identified as the No. 1 pick in a high-profile NBA draft night featuring freshman stars and Michigan champions. • In a separate development, the league informed Sorsby of its decision regarding his application for the supplemental draft via a letter obtained by the AP. • Sorsby's application follows a legal dispute with the NCAA, which ruled him ineligible after he placed sports bets totaling at least $90,000 during college.

Nancy Lacore will spearhead effort to flip Republican House seat in November’s midterm electionsA three-star navy rear-admiral fired by Pete Hegseth last year in the defense secretary’s purge of senior US military officials has won the Democratic primary in a closely watched congressional race.Nancy Lacore secured the party’s nomination for the US House of Representatives in South Carolina’s first congressional district on Tuesday after defeating Mac Deford, a US Coast Guard veteran, in a runoff. Continue reading...

• The U.S. and Iran are currently in a dispute regarding whether Tehran has formally agreed to allow nuclear inspections. • Primary elections are underway across the U.S., with voters in Maryland, New York, South Carolina, and Utah casting ballots on Tuesday to determine nominees for congressional and gubernatorial seats. • These primaries serve as the critical first step toward the November midterm elections, which will decide control of both chambers of Congress and various state offices.

• AI chatbots are increasingly being integrated into the dating scene, acting as digital intermediaries to help users navigate romance and communication. • In a separate local development, city commissioners have determined that the Texas Gas building must be demolished if it is not actively being developed. • These updates highlight the intersection of emerging technology in personal relationships and urban planning challenges regarding vacant infrastructure.

• New York City voters will cast ballots this Tuesday in a House primary that has become a proxy war between the AI industry and safety advocacy groups. • The conflict centers on candidates like Bores, who proposed the RAISE (Responsible AI Safety and Education) Act to mandate that AI firms disclose safety protocols and report incidents. • Tech-backed organizations are opposing such candidates, arguing that strict regulations will stifle innovation and limit the potential benefits of artificial intelligence.

• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Monday following a decline in public standing driven by economic struggles and a controversial U.S. ambassador appointment. • The resignation follows a period of political instability in Britain that has persisted for 10 years since the country left the European Union. • Newly sworn-in Member of Parliament Andy Burnham has emerged as a potential challenger to take over the leadership.