Duolingo shares climb 7% as users swarm to app to learn Mandarin

Israeli forces killed 43 Palestinians, including 9 who were waiting for aid, just hours after announcing "humanitarian pauses." UN aid chief Tom Fletcher noted a slight improvement in access with only 73 aid trucks entering Gaza, emphasizing that the situation is worsening with famine conditions. Want More Context? 🔎

José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen, criticized the global silence on the dire situation in Gaza, emphasizing the responsibility of Israel as the occupying force to ensure civilian survival and calling for the opening of humanitarian corridors. With aid crossings closed for over 140 days, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, highlighting the urgent need for action. Want More Context? 🔎

Three people were killed when a twin-engine Beechcraft crashed into the Pacific Ocean off Point Pinos, California, on Saturday night. The victims, identified as Steve Clatterbuck, James Vincent, and Jamie Tabscott, were recovered by emergency crews after a search operation, and the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash. Want More Context? 🔎

Most European nations welcome the deal, but some slam it as a capitulation before the EU’s largest trading partner.The US and EU established a trade deal imposing a 15% tariff on most EU goods, averting a trade war. While some European leaders, like Denmark's Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Germany's Friedrich Merz, view it as stabilizing, others, including Hungary's Viktor Orban and France's Francois Bayrou, criticize it as a capitulation. Want More Context? 🔎

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Singapore announced a 2.6% increase in the supply of Certificates of Entitlement (COEs) for the period from August to October, raising the total to 18,701. Bidding under this new quota will commence on August 4, with significant increases in Category E and adjustments based on vehicle deregistrations and population changes anticipated. Want More Context? 🔎

North Sydney councillors have voted to implement a $50 ticketing system for access to Blues Point during Sydney's New Year's Eve fireworks, citing financial challenges. While Mayor Zoe Baker expressed regret over the decision, she emphasized the availability of other free vantage points for the event. Want More Context? 🔎