[The 7] Iran negotiations; European heat wave; fried apple pie; and more

Diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program have entered a critical phase, with both sides signaling a cautious willingness to broker a new agreement.

Negotiators remain divided over the pace of uranium enrichment limits and the lifting of economic sanctions, leaving the outcome deeply uncertain. Any deal would require significant concessions on both sides.

A severe heat wave has gripped large parts of southern and central Europe, pushing temperatures well above seasonal norms and prompting public health authorities to issue emergency warnings.

Countries including Spain, France, and Italy have opened cooling centers and urged vulnerable populations — the elderly and young children in particular — to stay indoors during peak afternoon hours. Climate scientists note that such extreme heat events are becoming more frequent and intense.

A wave of nostalgia has swept social media over McDonald’s original deep-fried apple pie, which the chain phased out in the early 1990s in favor of a baked version.

Food writers and longtime fans argue the crispier, greasier original had an irreplaceable texture that the current baked pie simply cannot replicate. The debate has reignited broader conversations about how fast-food chains balance consumer health trends with the comfort-food cravings that built their loyal customer bases.

Congressional leaders face mounting pressure to pass a spending package before the summer recess, with bipartisan support proving elusive on several key provisions.

Negotiations over defense funding and domestic social programs have stalled repeatedly, raising the prospect of a government shutdown if an agreement is not reached in the coming weeks.

New trade data suggest that tariff tensions between major economies continue to weigh on global growth projections, with the International Monetary Fund revising its outlook downward for the second consecutive quarter.

Supply chain disruptions and elevated interest rates in developed economies are compounding the slowdown, particularly for export-dependent emerging markets.

Scientists have released new data showing that Arctic sea ice reached a record low extent for this time of year, a finding that researchers describe as alarming evidence of accelerating climate change.

The loss of sea ice accelerates warming by reducing the reflective surface that bounces sunlight back into space, creating a feedback loop that scientists have long warned about.

A new report on reading habits among American adults finds that long-form reading — books, long journalism, and essays — has declined sharply over the past decade, giving way to shorter, algorithm-driven content consumed on mobile devices.

Literacy researchers warn that sustained attention to longer texts is a skill that erodes without regular practice, with potential long-term consequences for critical thinking and civic engagement.