A couple renovating a large historic house in England found a hidden arched brick doorway after removing an overgrown fig tree near the house. The doorway had been covered by years of growth and changes to the property, revealing a secret entrance to part of the house's cellar.
Key Facts
The house is called Ferne Grove House, a Victorian country home with 12 bedrooms and 13 bathrooms.
The home had been empty for around six years before Ceri and Steve Smith bought it recently.
The couple removed a large fig tree as advised by a survey because its roots were close to the house.
When cutting back the tree, they discovered old brickwork, steps, and an arched doorway previously hidden.
The doorway leads to the cellar, which is large and partly unexplored due to partitions inside.
The house had been used commercially for some time, covering or hiding many original features.
The couple is working to uncover more original parts of the home and restore it.
The hidden entrance might have been linked to servants’ quarters, based on historical records.
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NATO leaders met in Ankara for a summit focusing on encouraging Europe and Canada to pay more for their defense. President Donald Trump’s support within NATO depends not just on friendly leaders but on the costs and dependencies that give the U.S. leverage over the alliance.
Key Facts
NATO held a two-day summit in Ankara, Turkey, starting July 7.
The U.S.-led alliance wants Europe and Canada to share more defense costs.
NATO members have a goal to spend 5% of their budgets on defense by 2035.
President Trump said he values loyalty over money from NATO allies.
Some European leaders, like Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, have complicated relationships with Trump.
NATO relies heavily on U.S. troops, bases, and advanced military technology.
The U.S. dominates key technologies like cloud computing and artificial intelligence used in defense.
Europe is working to reduce its dependence on American tech but still needs U.S. systems and software.
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The film “Being Heumann,” about disability rights activist Judith Heumann, will open the 51st Toronto International Film Festival on September 10. The movie, directed by Siân Heder and starring Ruth Madeley, tells the story of Heumann’s life and work for disability rights.
Key Facts
“Being Heumann” is a film about Judith Heumann, a well-known disability rights activist.
Judith Heumann helped push for the Americans with Disabilities Act, a key U.S. law for disability rights.
She became unable to walk at age 2.
The film stars Ruth Madeley as Heumann.
Directed by Siân Heder, who also directed the Oscar-winning movie “CODA.”
The film will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2023.
Judith Heumann passed away in 2023.
Apple will release the film “Being Heumann.”
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Tracee Ellis Ross is making her first appearance on Broadway in the solo play "Every Brilliant Thing," which tells the story of someone listing things that make life worth living to help a depressed mother. The show involves audience participation and adapts some parts to fit the actor's background and personality.
Key Facts
Tracee Ellis Ross begins her Broadway debut in "Every Brilliant Thing."
The play is about a narrator who lists things that bring joy to prove life’s value to a depressed mother.
Audience members participate by reading or acting during the performance.
Ross took over a role previously played by Daniel Radcliffe and Mariska Hargitay.
The show runs for about 70 minutes without a break.
Ross learned a 40-page monologue during a three-week rehearsal.
The play adapts references and items to fit the actor’s personal experiences.
Ross views this role as completing a personal goal and attracting hope through the story.
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Gwynne Shotwell, the president of SpaceX, announced that she and her husband are donating some of their SpaceX stock to "Trump Accounts," which support programs for over two million children. This donation is part of a program called Invest America.
Key Facts
Gwynne Shotwell is the president of SpaceX.
She and her husband are donating SpaceX stock to Trump Accounts.
The donation helps programs serving more than two million children.
The stock comes from SpaceX, a company that recently became public.
The donation is part of the Invest America program.
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Support columns on the 21st floor of a 37-story building under construction near Grand Central Terminal in New York City started to bend and caused upper floors to sag. This led to a fast evacuation, street closures, and an ongoing investigation to ensure the building's safety.
Key Facts
The incident happened at 235 East 42nd Street, a former Pfizer headquarters being turned into luxury apartments.
The problem began early Tuesday morning with two support columns bending.
No one was injured during the evacuation.
Nearby buildings at 225 and 221 East 43rd Street were also evacuated as a safety measure.
East 42nd Street was closed between Second and Third avenues to control traffic.
Fire and police departments, along with building inspectors, responded quickly to the scene.
The building has active construction permits, and authorities are reviewing the causes.
Officials are still investigating and will provide updates later.
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Police have started a murder investigation after a mother and her two children were found dead in their home near Bedford. The main suspect, who knew the victims, is believed to have left the country.
Key Facts
A mother and her two children were found dead at a house in Great Denham, near Bedford.
Police were called because the family had not been seen for several days.
Officers forced entry to the home and discovered the bodies.
The suspect is known to the victims and is believed to have fled the country.
Police say there is no sign of any wider danger to the public.
More police officers will be in the area to support the investigation and reassure residents.
Police ask anyone with information or who saw anything suspicious to contact them.
Authorities asked people to respect the victims' privacy and avoid speculation.
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Marine Le Pen, a leader of France’s far-right National Rally party, may run for president but would have to wear an electronic bracelet due to a court ruling. She might also decide not to run, in which case her protégé Jordan Bardella could take her place.
Key Facts
Marine Le Pen was sentenced to a 15-month ban from public office in an embezzlement case.
The court ruling allows her to run in the 2027 presidential election if she chooses.
If she runs, she must wear an electronic bracelet, which she has said she does not want to wear.
Le Pen plans to announce her decision in a prime-time TV interview.
Jordan Bardella is a rising figure in the National Rally party and could replace Le Pen if she does not run.
The case and Le Pen’s situation are significant in French far-right politics.
The ruling was made by the Court of Appeal in Paris on July 7, 2026.
Le Pen has faced legal challenges related to her role and financial conduct.
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A series of storms caused flash flooding along the East Coast, leading to damage in several areas. A video captured the moment a roof collapsed during the flooding. People in affected communities are now working to clean up after the storms.
Key Facts
The East Coast experienced heavy storms that caused flash flooding.
Flash flooding is sudden, intense flooding that happens quickly.
A roof collapsed during the flooding, as shown in a video report.
The flooding caused widespread damage across multiple locations.
Residents and officials are involved in cleanup efforts following the storms.
The event was covered by CBS News with reports and video footage.
The flooding was part of a series of storms impacting the region.
The damage disrupted normal activities and required emergency responses.
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In Montpellier, France, some apartments are designed to stay cool during heatwaves without using air conditioning. These buildings use special features like latticework for airflow and curved walls that block the sun, keeping indoor temperatures below 25°C.
Key Facts
The apartments are located in Montpellier, France.
They remain comfortable during heatwaves without air conditioning.
Middle Eastern-style latticework helps improve airflow and ventilation.
Curved building facades act like big sunshades to reduce heat inside.
Indoor temperatures rarely go above 25 degrees Celsius (77°F).
The design focuses on keeping people cool naturally using architecture.
This approach helps reduce energy use and limits air conditioning demand.
The project highlights new ideas to adapt homes to hotter weather caused by climate change.
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Democratic leaders are urging Graham Platner, a candidate for the U.S. Senate from Maine, to leave the race after a former partner accused him of sexual assault. The accusations have raised concerns within the Democratic Party about his candidacy.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is running for the U.S. Senate seat in Maine.
A former partner has accused Platner of sexual assault.
Democratic leaders are asking Platner to withdraw from the race.
The accusation has become a public issue covered by CBS News.
The call for Platner to leave the race aims to protect the party’s image and values.
No further details on the investigation or Platner’s response were included in the article.
Sexual assault refers to unwanted or forced sexual contact or behavior.
The news focuses on the impact of the accusation on the Senate race within the U.S. political system.
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President Donald Trump criticized NATO again, saying he was disappointed with Europe’s response during the US conflict with Iran. He said he was testing whether America’s allies would support the US, but believes they may not stand by the US as the US has supported them in the past.
Key Facts
President Trump renewed his criticism of NATO.
He expressed disappointment with Europe’s response in the US war with Iran.
Trump said he asked for European support to test the alliance.
He said the US did not need help but wanted to see if allies would be there for the US.
Trump questioned whether NATO members would support the US as the US has helped them before.
The issue of NATO support has been a major point of disagreement between Trump and the alliance.
He made these remarks during a meeting with Turkey’s president.
The article was published recently, about 18 hours ago.
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Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell has been in the hospital since June 14, with few updates about his health. His office says he is recovering and remains involved in Senate matters, but no official diagnosis has been shared.
Key Facts
Mitch McConnell was admitted to the hospital on June 14 and remains there after more than three weeks.
His office has only said he is recovering and receiving good care.
Emergency dispatch recordings suggested a cardiac emergency at his home, but this has not been confirmed as involving McConnell.
Senate leaders have said they spoke with McConnell after his hospitalization and that he was aware of Senate business.
McConnell’s wife, Elaine Chao, continued her planned trip to China after his hospitalization and met with Chinese officials.
McConnell is 84 years old and serving his final Senate term, which ends in January 2027.
Questions about his health have led to discussions about how Kentucky would fill a Senate vacancy if necessary.
McConnell’s family has not provided detailed public information about his condition.
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A woman accused Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner of drunkenly forcing her to have sex after she said no. Platner denied the claim but said he would think about what to do next. Some important supporters withdrew their backing, causing uncertainty in the race.
Key Facts
The allegation was reported by Politico.
The accuser is a woman who previously dated Platner.
Platner denies the sexual assault claim.
Platner acknowledged the political impact of the allegation.
Some prominent Democrats stopped endorsing Platner.
Platner is considering his future in the Senate race.
The race is seen as very important for the Democratic Party.
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President Donald Trump said he is considering allowing Turkey back into the F-35 fighter jet program and selling jets to the Turkish air force. Turkey was removed from the program in 2019 after buying a Russian missile system, which the U.S. says poses security risks.
Key Facts
President Trump met with Turkish President Erdoğan in Ankara and showed openness to selling F-35 jets to Turkey.
Turkey was expelled from the F-35 program in 2019 because it bought Russia’s S-400 missile defense system.
Allowing Turkey back would make it the first country in the region involved in building F-35s and the second to have them after Israel.
Israel opposes the sale, fearing it would threaten the regional power balance and violate U.S. promises to protect Israel’s military edge.
Vice President Vance said the Pentagon is reviewing how the U.S. could legally sell F-35s to Turkey despite its Russian defense system.
18 U.S. lawmakers have urged Congress to block any sale of F-35 jets to Turkey while it still operates the S-400.
President Trump praised Turkey as a loyal U.S. ally and noted it did not join the war with Iran despite missile attacks on Turkish soil.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu recently asked President Trump to avoid selling weapons that would strengthen Turkey’s air force.
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A man from New York sued U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after federal officers visited his home about an email he sent to the agency’s acting director. The man, David Streever, who is a U.S. citizen, had criticized ICE in his email regarding the deaths of two Americans linked to the agency.
Key Facts
David Streever is a resident of Rochester, New York, and a U.S. citizen.
Streever sent a strong, critical email to Todd Lyons, the then-acting director of ICE.
The email expressed anger about the killing of two Americans by ICE.
Following the email, ICE officers came to Streever’s home to warn him.
Streever decided to sue ICE over the visit to his home.
The lawsuit challenges the actions of ICE officers regarding the home visit.
The incident and lawsuit involve questions about government behavior and citizen rights.
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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked NATO for more missile defenses after deadly Russian attacks on Kyiv. The United States has used a large part of its missile defenses in the Iran war, reducing the supply available to Ukraine and its allies.
Key Facts
Russia’s missile strikes on Kyiv have caused many deaths recently.
Zelensky asked NATO members to increase air defense support at a summit in Ankara.
The U.S. has used about half of its Patriot and THAAD missile interceptors in the Iran conflict.
This use has strained the global supply of these missile defenses.
Ukraine’s air defenses are running low on interceptors, making it harder to stop missile and drone attacks.
The U.S. has delayed or canceled deliveries of some weapons, including missile systems, to Europe.
Turkey, with NATO’s second-largest military, plays a key role in regional security facing the threat from Russia.
Replenishing missile stockpiles could take 1 to 4 years according to experts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
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Common, an award-winning artist, talks about his role in the TV series "Silo," which has returned for its third season. He shares what interested him in his character and mentions some of his recent performances at events like the BET Awards and the opening of the Obama Presidential Center.
Key Facts
Common stars in the TV series "Silo."
"Silo" is in its third season.
Common has won Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy awards.
He explains why he was attracted to his character in the show.
Common recently performed at the BET Awards.
He also performed at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center.
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President Donald Trump said he is not worried about selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. He made the remarks during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara, despite concerns from others about this decision.
Key Facts
President Trump supports selling F-35 jets to Turkey.
This position goes against previous objections and concerns.
The meeting took place in Ankara, Turkey.
Concerns include Turkey’s use of the Russian S-400 missile system.
Some worry Turkey might transfer the S-400 system to other countries.
The F-35 is a highly advanced U.S. fighter jet.
U.S. officials have previously worried about Turkey’s ties with Russia affecting security.
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Lake Powell, a large reservoir in the western US, is dropping to very low water levels this year due to low snowfall and a hot spring. This decline threatens electric power production and raises concerns about sharing water among seven states and millions of people who depend on the Colorado River.
Key Facts
Lake Powell is the second-largest reservoir in the US and is currently at about 23% of its capacity.
The reservoir did not recover water levels this spring because of a historic low snowpack and a heatwave.
The water level is expected to drop further through the next eight months, reaching its lowest since 1965.
The reservoir powers turbines that supply electricity to nearly 6 million households and businesses.
Seven US states rely on water from the Colorado River and have not yet agreed on how to conserve it.
The US Bureau of Reclamation may impose water use cuts if states cannot agree soon.
Experts blame less water runoff on climate warming as the main cause of the shortage.
Cities in the southwest are planning new ways to secure water supplies due to this ongoing crisis.
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