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British shoppers bought more picnic foods like potato salad, olives, and ice cream during last month’s heatwaves, according to market research. Grocery price increases slowed to their lowest rate in nearly two years, helped by more shoppers using special deals to save money.
Key Facts
Spending increased on summer foods such as potato salad, coleslaw, olives, and ice cream during the heatwave.
Grocery prices rose by 2.1% in early August, the slowest increase since October 2024.
Nearly one-third (31.3%) of supermarket sales were made using promotions or discounts.
Average grocery spending fell by £14.24 compared to the previous busy period during the men’s football World Cup.
Soft drink sales grew by 15.1%, and frozen treats like ice cream and sorbet sales increased by 26%. Frozen fruit sales went up by 48%.
Online food shopping sales rose 10% in value, reaching £2.1 billion, with food delivery platforms gaining popularity.
Convenience stores saw their strongest sales growth in over a year, at 3.6%.
Experts expect shopping patterns to change again as summer ends and schools reopen, likely increasing use of discount vouchers.
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Home Depot’s sales rose in the second quarter as customers spent more on smaller home projects during the summer. The company earned $4.77 billion, beating Wall Street’s earnings and revenue expectations despite a slow housing market.
Key Facts
Home Depot’s revenue grew to $47.86 billion, exceeding the expected $47.24 billion.
Sales at stores open at least a year increased 1.7% worldwide and 1.3% in the U.S.
Customer transactions dropped by 1%, but the average spending per transaction rose to $92.50 from $90.01 last year.
The company earned $4.77 billion, or $4.79 per share, in the quarter ended August 2.
Adjusted earnings per share were $4.92, beating Wall Street’s prediction of $4.73 per share.
The housing market remains weak with falling home sales and high mortgage rates slowing buyers.
Home Depot expects total sales growth of 2.5% to 4.5% for fiscal year 2026.
The median price of U.S. homes rose 2% to $434,100 in July, despite the housing market slowdown.
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Brazil’s President Lula da Silva supports the recent discovery of oil off the Amazon coast. He believes the oil will help Brazil’s future and strengthen its control over the country’s resources, even though environmentalists oppose drilling there.
Key Facts
Oil was found off the coast of the Amazon in Brazil.
President Lula da Silva praised the discovery.
Lula called the oil a "passport to the country’s future."
The president said oil will boost Brazil’s national sovereignty, meaning more control over its own resources.
Environmental groups are against drilling in this region because of environmental concerns.
The discovery could impact Brazil’s economy and energy sector.
The Amazon area is known for its rich nature, which is why drilling causes debate.
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A Syrian man died while in police custody after his family said he was badly beaten. His wife had warned the officers that he had haemophilia, a condition that makes bleeding more likely. Syria’s Interior Ministry said it detained seven officers in connection with the case.
Key Facts
The man in custody was Syrian.
His family claimed he was severely beaten by security officers.
His wife informed officers that he had haemophilia, a medical condition that affects blood clotting.
The man died while in police custody.
The case has raised new concerns about abuse in detention centers in Syria.
Syria’s Interior Ministry reported that seven officers have been detained related to the incident.
The incident highlights ongoing human rights issues in Syrian detention facilities.
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Sophie Adenot, a French astronaut, will become the first French woman to walk in space. She will perform a spacewalk lasting about six and a half hours to make repairs outside the International Space Station (ISS).
Key Facts
Sophie Adenot is a French astronaut, also called a spationaut.
She will be the first French woman to do a spacewalk.
The spacewalk will happen on a Tuesday.
Her task is to repair parts outside the ISS.
The spacewalk will take around 6 hours and 30 minutes.
Spacewalks are physically demanding activities.
The ISS is an orbiting space laboratory shared by several countries.
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Western Australia police are searching for a 10-year-old girl named Lyndel Ningella who went missing from the northern suburbs of Perth on Saturday evening. She was last seen leaving a home in Butler and may have traveled up to 80 kilometers away, possibly to nearby coastal suburbs.
Key Facts
Lyndel Ningella is 10 years old and went missing on the evening of August 15.
She was last seen at about 5:45 pm leaving a home in Butler, a suburb in Perth.
Lyndel is about 160 cm tall, has a medium build, long brown hair with blonde ends, and dark brown eyes.
She was wearing black shorts and a black jumper when last seen.
Police believe she might be in the Kwinana, Leda, Parmelia, or Wellard areas, which are coastal suburbs near Perth.
Authorities mistakenly reported she was found on Monday but later clarified she is still missing.
Police are concerned about her safety considering her young age and think she could be with family or acquaintances.
Anyone with information about Lyndel’s whereabouts is asked to contact Western Australia police immediately.
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The Somali national army stopped an attack by forces loyal to a removed regional leader and Islamist fighters on the city of Baidoa. The army reported killing nearly 30 attackers and said the assault included vehicles filled with explosives.
Key Facts
The attack happened in Baidoa, a key city in Somalia.
The attackers were made up of troops loyal to a removed regional leader and Islamist insurgents.
The Somali army defended the city and repelled the assault.
The government said the attackers used vehicles loaded with explosives.
Nearly 30 militants were killed by Somali forces during the battle.
The event took place on Monday, August 18, 2026.
The conflict is linked to local political and security struggles in Somalia.
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The French government has approved 12 million euros to help towns damaged by recent wildfires in southern France. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu also announced tax relief for businesses affected, but some residents jeered him during his visit to one of the hardest-hit villages.
Key Facts
France set aside 12 million euros to support towns damaged by wildfires in the south.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu visited Le Porge, where 183 homes were destroyed by fire.
The government will offer tax breaks to companies impacted by the wildfires.
Some local residents reacted with jeers during the Prime Minister’s visit to the affected village.
The fires have caused significant damage and forced evacuations in parts of southern France.
Firefighters continue efforts to control the wildfires in the Landes region.
The wildfires are linked to dry conditions and heatwaves affecting the area.
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The Trump administration has removed or changed nearly 400 federal datasets on topics like public health, education, and the environment. These changes include deleting data on LGBTQ+ people and stopping updates on key health surveys, which experts say could harm public decision-making.
Key Facts
About 28 federal datasets have been deleted and 338 altered since President Trump began his second term.
The changes affect data from over 60 government agencies in areas like environment, law enforcement, labor, and health.
Health datasets are most affected, making up roughly 40% of the altered or deleted collections.
Several Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) surveys removed questions about gender identity due to an executive order by President Trump.
Four important health datasets, including those tracking drug overdoses, have stopped being updated.
Removal of data could harm efforts to track and respond to epidemics and public health trends.
Agricultural and education surveys, such as those on farmworker employment and teacher pay, were also deleted or altered.
Dataindex.us, a group monitoring these changes, warns about losing crucial information needed for public health and policy decisions.
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Florida is holding primary elections for governor and U.S. Senate seats, along with other races. In the governor's race, Rep. Byron Donalds, supported by President Trump, leads the Republican field, while former Republican Rep. David Jolly is a leading Democrat candidate. For the Senate, Ashley Moody, appointed to replace Marco Rubio, is running to finish Rubio’s term against several challengers.
Key Facts
Florida is voting in primaries for governor, U.S. Senate, and new congressional districts.
Gov. Ron DeSantis cannot run again due to term limits.
Rep. Byron Donalds, backed by President Trump, leads the Republican race for governor.
Donalds has raised $90 million and is ahead in polls among 11 Republican candidates.
James Fishback, a far-right activist, is also running in the governor’s Republican primary but has little chance to win.
Former Republican Rep. David Jolly is the top Democrat candidate for governor.
Ashley Moody was appointed to the U.S. Senate by DeSantis after Marco Rubio became secretary of state.
Moody is expected to win the Republican Senate nomination against three challengers.
Democrats Alex Vindman and Angie Nixon are competing for the Senate Democratic nomination.
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Countries that were once part of the Soviet Union in Central Asia and the South Caucasus are now making their own decisions without following Russia’s lead. These nations, like Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, are building partnerships with the West and moving away from Russian influence, especially after Russia’s focus shifted to the war in Ukraine.
Key Facts
After the Soviet Union fell, many Central Asian and South Caucasus countries used to base their foreign policies on what Russia would allow.
Now, these countries act independently, with Kazakhstan supporting the U.S. and opposing Russia’s war.
Armenia has pursued membership in the European Union and declined Russia’s pressure to stay in its economic alliance.
Azerbaijan hosts discussions on Russian colonialism and supports Ukraine’s infrastructure.
Russia used to control these countries through threats, conflicts, and economic leverage, but its resources have been depleted by the Ukraine war.
Kazakhstan’s President Tokayev publicly rejected Russia’s separatist regions and called for an end to the war.
Armenia’s Prime Minister Pashinyan resisted Kremlin pressure, won elections, and keeps Armenia aligned more with Europe.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan kept them dependent on Russia, but peace efforts are now led by the U.S., reducing Russian influence.
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The article discusses problems in California's government. It suggests that even though California has many resources and positive qualities, it faces challenges in how it is run.
Key Facts
California has many natural and economic resources.
Despite its resources, the state faces governance problems.
Challenges in management affect California’s overall success.
The article links California’s positive reputation with its mismanagement.
There is a history of resource-rich areas struggling with governance.
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Two Democratic Representatives from Florida, Jared Moskowitz and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, are competing against progressive challengers in their primaries due to new district boundaries in South Florida. Moskowitz is running in the new 25th Congressional District and faces a challenger supported by the Democratic Socialists of America.
Key Facts
Jared Moskowitz and Debbie Wasserman Schultz are Democratic Representatives from Florida.
Both face progressive challengers in their upcoming primary elections.
The elections take place in newly drawn districts in South Florida.
Moskowitz is running in Florida’s new 25th Congressional District.
His challenger, Oliver Larkin, is supported by the Democratic Socialists of America.
The primaries are scheduled for Tuesday.
The races are part of the effort for these politicians to win reelection after redistricting.
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President Donald Trump has directed the U.S. Navy to return to using steam catapults on Ford-class aircraft carriers. This change could raise building costs and cause delays in finishing the ships.
Key Facts
President Trump is influencing the design of U.S. aircraft carriers.
He wants to bring back steam catapults instead of the newer technology now in use.
Steam catapults help launch planes from the carrier deck.
The Ford-class carriers were planned with a different type of catapult system to save costs and time.
Reverting to steam catapults may increase construction expenses.
This decision could delay when the new carriers are ready for use.
The Navy is adjusting its plans to accommodate these changes.
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President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Oman, a U.S. ally, if it interferes with negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. This threat was made as a 60-day ceasefire deadline expired, during a tense time in Middle East diplomacy.
Key Facts
President Trump used strong language to warn Oman against interfering in U.S.-Iran talks.
Oman is helping to mediate negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.
The threat came as a 60-day ceasefire period ended in the region.
This is not the first time President Trump has threatened Oman.
Jared Kushner, a U.S. negotiator, is involved in related discussions in Jerusalem.
The situation involves ongoing conflicts and ceasefire efforts in the Middle East, including Gaza and Lebanon.
Israeli strikes and humanitarian issues are part of the wider regional tensions during the negotiations.
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Jared Kushner, a US negotiator and son-in-law of President Donald Trump, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem to discuss a US-backed plan for a ceasefire deal in Gaza. This meeting came after Netanyahu rejected the plan, and Kushner had previously met Hamas’ leader in Egypt to push for agreement.
Key Facts
Jared Kushner is acting as a US negotiator in the Middle East peace talks.
Kushner met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on August 18, 2026.
Netanyahu recently rejected a US-supported roadmap for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Before meeting Netanyahu, Kushner met with Hamas’ leader in Egypt.
The US is trying to get Israel to approve the ceasefire plan in Gaza.
The negotiations are part of ongoing efforts to reduce violence and resolve the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
The article mentions related regional tensions and humanitarian issues in the Middle East.
Jared Kushner is President Donald Trump’s son-in-law.
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Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered former Prime Minister Imran Khan to be moved from jail to a hospital for medical checkups due to his poor health. Khan, a former cricket star and political leader, has been jailed since 2023 on corruption charges and was sentenced to 17 years in prison along with his wife.
Key Facts
Imran Khan is 73 years old and has been in jail since 2023 on corruption charges.
The Supreme Court ordered Khan’s transfer to Shifa International hospital in Islamabad within two days.
Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were both sentenced to 17 years in prison last year.
Khan’s lawyers filed a petition citing concerns about his deteriorating health.
He previously received eye treatment after losing most of the vision in his right eye.
Khan was Pakistan’s prime minister from 2018 to 2022 before being removed by a no-confidence vote.
His arrest led to protests across Pakistan, some becoming violent.
Khan is a former cricket star who led Pakistan to victory in the 1992 World Cup.
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Ukraine launched more than 600 drones in an early morning attack on the Moscow region, one of its largest air assaults on Russia's capital. The attack injured at least three people, including a child, while a separate Russian attack in northeast Ukraine killed ten people.
Key Facts
Ukraine used over 600 drones to attack areas near Moscow.
This was one of the biggest drone attacks on the Russian capital.
At least three people were hurt, including a 10-year-old girl.
Russia carried out an attack on the Kharkiv region in northeast Ukraine.
The Russian attack in Kharkiv killed ten people.
The events are part of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The report was provided by a correspondent in Kyiv and covered by France 24.
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An architecture firm called FORMA designed a new building that combines a data center with a public bathhouse. The data center's waste heat is used to warm the pools and bathing areas, turning excess heat into a useful resource for the community.
Key Facts
The building design mixes a data center with a public bathhouse, called "Pink Thermal Baths."
The data center is hidden underground while sharing heat with the bathhouse pools.
Data centers produce a lot of heat, and bathhouses need heat, so the idea uses waste heat instead of letting it go to waste.
The design helps save energy and benefits local communities by making infrastructure visible and useful.
The project was first imagined years before the current surge in AI and data center building.
FORMA’s founder partner, Miroslava Brooks, says this approach integrates energy, buildings, and landscapes into one system.
Tech companies like Google and Microsoft are also working to reduce data centers’ environmental impact by using renewable energy.
This project offers a new way to recover heat in a city setting while supporting leisure and public use.
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A hand grenade exploded near a school in Kabul, Afghanistan, injuring many children. The attack happened in a neighborhood mainly inhabited by the Hazara ethnic minority, who have faced attacks in the past. Authorities are investigating the incident.
Key Facts
The grenade attack occurred near a school in Kabul on Monday afternoon.
Multiple children were wounded in the blast, with Afghan media reporting about 50 injured.
The attack took place in Dasht-e-Barchi, a Kabul neighborhood mostly home to the Hazara community.
The Hazara are a minority group in Afghanistan, mainly Shiite Muslims, who have been targeted by extremist groups.
Richard Bennett, the UN special rapporteur for Afghanistan, condemned the attack and called for an independent investigation.
The same area was targeted in 2021, when bombings at a school killed many Hazara children.
Authorities have not yet released further details about the ongoing investigation.
The attack reflects ongoing violence and persecution faced by the Hazara minority in Afghanistan.
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