**Summary:** Pharmaceutical companies Moderna and Merck reported positive Phase 3 clinical trial results for their personalized mRNA cancer vaccine combined with immunotherapy, showing improved outcomes for advanced melanoma patients.

**Key points:**
- The experimental treatment, called intismeran autogene, marks the first positive Phase 3 trial result for an individualized neoantigen and mRNA-based cancer therapy.
- The therapy was tested in combination with Merck's immunotherapy drug Keytruda in a study involving over 1,100 patients.
- Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel and Merck representatives noted the treatment significantly improved recurrence-free survival and delayed distant metastasis after surgery.
- Following the announcement, Moderna's stock surged significantly while Merck shares also saw gains on the stock market.

**Why it matters:** This milestone represents a major breakthrough in oncology, demonstrating the first successful late-stage trial for a personalized messenger ribonucleic acid cancer therapy aimed at preventing melanoma recurrence.

elfinancierocr.com - Moderna y Merck anuncian resultados positivos de una vacuna contra el cáncer de piel

huffingtonpost.es - Moderna y Merck anuncian resultados positivos en un ensayo clínico de una vacuna para el melanoma

latercera.com - Qué se sabe de la vacuna contra el cáncer que pudo combatir la reaparición del melanoma, según un estudio

Moderna and Merck Announce Positive Phase 3 Results for mRNA Skin Cancer Vaccine

**Summary:** The Israel Defense Forces has ordered a military police criminal investigation into the January 2024 killing of five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab and her family in Gaza City.

**Key points:**
- The decision follows a review by the Israel Defense Forces finding alleged failures in coordinating the Palestine Red Crescent Society ambulance movement.
- This marks the first time the military has admitted opening fire on the vehicle carrying Hind and her relatives.
- The Hind Rajab Foundation recently filed a criminal complaint in India against an Israeli soldier as part of ongoing international legal actions.

**Why it matters:** This criminal investigation marks a notable shift in the military's accountability measures regarding a high-profile civilian casualty incident during the Gaza war.

jordanzad.com - جيش الاحتلال الإسرائيلي يفتح تحقيقاً جنائياً في استشهاد هند رجب

myjoyonline.com - Israeli army orders criminal investigation into killing of Palestinian girl Hind Rajab in Gaza

Israeli Army Orders Criminal Probe Into Hind Rajab Killing

**Summary:** China successfully recovered the first stage of the reusable Zhuque-3 rocket on land for the first time, marking a major milestone in its commercial space program.

**Key points:**
- The Zhuque-3 Y2 rocket lifted off from the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone in northwest China.
- The mission marks China's first controlled land-based recovery utilizing deployable landing legs.
- This follows an earlier test on July 10 where a Long March-10B rocket stage was recovered at sea using a net-capture system.

**Why it matters:** This successful land-based rocket recovery represents a significant technological leap for China's commercial space sector, moving closer to reusable rocket capabilities that can help reduce launch costs.

globaltimes.cn - China launches Zhuque - 3 , achieving its first rocket recovery on land

clickondetroit.com - China recovers rocket stage on land for first time , after earlier recovery at sea

China Achieves First Land-Based Rocket Stage Recovery with Zhuque-3

**Summary:** A fire broke out at a budget hotel in central Kolkata early Wednesday morning, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries while dozens of guests were successfully evacuated.

**Key points:**
- The blaze started at around 2:50 a.m. local time on an upper floor of the building located in a congested area.
- Initial reports and local media suggested that several or all of the deceased were Bangladeshi citizens visiting for medical treatment, though police stated nationalities were still being verified.
- Local media reported at least six wounded individuals receiving hospital treatment following the incident.
- Authorities suspect an electrical short circuit or air conditioner explosion may have triggered the fire, while investigations into the exact cause and hotel safety measures continue.

**Why it matters:** This tragic incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding fire safety regulations and compliance within budget accommodations situated in densely populated urban areas.

jagonews24.com - কলকাতায় হোটেলে আগুন: নিহত বাংলাদেশিদের সংখ্যা নিয়ে ধোঁয়াশা

cyprus-mail.com - At least nine killed in Kolkata hotel fire

Fire at Kolkata Budget Hotel Leaves Several Dead and Injured

**Summary:** US President Donald Trump paused scheduled 50% tariffs on Canadian goods for three days after announcing that the US and Canada have reached a trade deal.

**Key points:**
- The 50% tariffs were set to apply to nearly $20bn of Canadian imports including wine, dairy, cement, clothing, and hockey equipment.
- Negotiations involved discussions over reducing US tariffs on Canadian autos and removing provincial bans on American liquor sales.
- US President Donald Trump stated that the final agreement could potentially allow for the revival of the Keystone XL pipeline.

**Why it matters:** A successful trade agreement averts steep tariffs that businesses warned would damage both economies and disrupt supply chains between the two major trading partners.

bbc.co.uk - Trump pauses new tariffs on Canada and says countries close to a deal

aljazeera.com - US, Canada reach trade deal to avert steep tariffs, Trump says

US and Canada Reach Trade Deal, Averting 50% Tariffs

**Summary:** The UAE Ministry of Defense reported that air defense systems detected two ballistic missiles launched from Iran, which landed outside and within territorial waters. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghai denied the accusations.

**Key points:**
- The UAE's National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority advised residents to stay in safe areas and avoid falling debris.
- The first missile landed outside the UAE's territorial waters while the second fell within them.
- Esmail Baghai characterized the accusations as contrary to the principle of good neighborliness.
- Iran blamed the regional situation on ongoing actions by the United States and Israel.

**Why it matters:** This incident highlights a sharp escalation in regional tensions between the UAE and Iran, raising concerns over security and stability in the Gulf.

interfax.ru - Иран отрицает причастность к запуску ракет в сторону ОАЭ

jordanzad.com - الإمارات: الدفاعات الجوية ترصد تهديدًا صاروخيًا

jordanzad.com - «الدفاع الإماراتية» ترصد صاروخين باليستيين أطلقا من إيران

UAE Air Defenses Track Missiles from Iran as Tehran Denies Launch

**Summary:** A bipartisan coalition of 29 U.S. states has initiated a landmark federal trial in California, accusing Meta of intentionally designing its apps to addict children and mishandle their data.

**Key points:**
- Plaintiffs include four lead states: California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey.
- The lawsuit alleges that features like infinite scrolling and data collection have fueled mental health crises among minors.
- Meta faces potential penalties that could range up to hundreds of billions or trillions of dollars, alongside demands for age restrictions and platform changes.
- Top executives including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram chief Adam Mosseri are expected to testify during the six-week trial.

**Why it matters:** This case represents one of the largest legal tests regarding social media companies' accountability for youth mental health and online safety, potentially reshaping popular digital platforms.

globalnews.ca - Meta faces landmark California trial: ‘Kids are the product’

timeslive.co.za - Meta trial that could reshape Facebook, Instagram gets underway

cyprus-mail.com - Meta targeted children to boost Facebook and Instagram use, lawyer says as landmark trial begins

Landmark Meta trial begins over child social media addiction and data privacy claims

**Summary:** US President Donald Trump stated that no peace negotiations are currently underway or planned with Iran, while US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned of unprecedented new measures against Tehran.

**Key points:**
- Trump asserted that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, mines have been cleared, and the US naval blockade is fully operational.
- Iranian chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf reiterated that the strait will remain closed until Washington fulfills commitments under a June agreement.
- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that Washington will impose measures on Tehran that have never been seen before.
- Economic analysis indicates that Iran's economy has avoided total collapse despite sustained pressure due to targeted monetary transfer policies.

**Why it matters:** The breakdown in diplomatic talks and threats of severe economic escalation heighten tensions in the Middle East, directly impacting regional security and global energy transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

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