Country singer Elizabeth Cook performed the song "Sunset Promenade" on CBS News Saturday Sessions. She has visited the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville more than 400 times and appears in a film inspired by her life called "The Easy Kind." Her new album, "Great Television," is currently available.
Key Facts
Elizabeth Cook is a country music singer and songwriter.
She has performed at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville over 400 times.
Cook appears with David Letterman in a movie called "The Easy Kind."
The film is inspired by her personal life and music career.
Her latest album is titled "Great Television."
The performance of "Sunset Promenade" was featured on CBS News Saturday Sessions.
The content is available through the CBS News app and online browsers.
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Country singer-songwriter Elizabeth Cook performed the song "Razorwire Wall" on CBS News Saturday Sessions. She has appeared at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry over 400 times and is featured with David Letterman in a new film inspired by her life. Her latest album, "Great Television," is currently available.
Key Facts
Elizabeth Cook is a country singer and songwriter.
She has performed more than 400 times at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
She appears with David Letterman in a movie called "The Easy Kind."
The movie is inspired by Elizabeth Cook’s life and music career.
Elizabeth Cook recently released a new album called "Great Television."
The performance of "Razorwire Wall" was shown on CBS News Saturday Sessions.
Viewers can watch the performance on the CBS News app and website.
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President Donald Trump said the United States might declare the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. territory after dealing with Iran. Iran responded strongly, saying the strait is Iranian and will stay under Iran’s control.
Key Facts
President Trump said during a speech that the U.S. could soon claim the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. territory.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi called Trump’s statement “delusions” and said Iran controls the strait.
The Strait of Hormuz is vital because about one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments pass through it.
Iran says parts of the strait are within its territorial waters; the U.S. wants to keep the waterway open for free shipping.
This disagreement is part of ongoing tension between the U.S. and Iran since February.
Iran and Oman are working on new rules for ships passing through the strait, including possible fees for services.
International law usually does not allow fees just for passing through a strait, but permits charges for safety and other maritime services.
Analysts suggest Iran and Oman could legally charge fees if they are for navigational or safety services rather than just passage tolls.
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Hundreds of fans gathered in Mumbles, Wales, to see singer Bonnie Tyler’s coffin brought home for her funeral. Tyler, known for the hit song “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” died in Portugal at age 75 after emergency surgery.
Key Facts
Bonnie Tyler’s real name was Gaynor Hopkins.
She died on July 8, 2026, in a hospital in Portugal.
Tyler was 75 years old at the time of her death.
Fans lined the streets of Mumbles, a village near Swansea, Wales, to honor her.
Her coffin was draped in a Welsh flag during the procession.
Tyler was born in Skewen, Wales, and grew up in a working-class family.
She was nominated for three Grammy Awards and represented Britain in Eurovision 2013.
Tyler was honored with the Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2022 for her contributions to music.
Her song “Total Eclipse of the Heart” reached number one in the UK and the US and has over 1 billion streams.
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Sudan’s army leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has promised temporary legal protection for people joining a national dialogue aimed at peace talks. He ruled out allowing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, to return to power and said peace must start with RSF withdrawing from cities.
Key Facts
Abdel Fattah al-Burhan is head of Sudan’s Sovereign Council and army commander.
He offered temporary immunity from legal actions for those participating in the Sudanese dialogue.
The dialogue will be managed by an independent Sudanese group, not the government.
Opinions shared during the dialogue will not be used for legal prosecution.
Al-Burhan rejected the return of the RSF and its leader Hemedti to power.
He said peace requires RSF troops to leave cities and displaced people to return home first.
Talks are ongoing to include national forces in government institutions and parliament.
An African Union delegation will visit Khartoum to discuss peace and political issues with Sudanese leaders.
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Jason Arday was the youngest Black professor at Cambridge University and had an inspiring life story involving overcoming autism and hardships. However, he resigned amid accusations of plagiarism and fabrications about his life, and he died unexpectedly at age 41 in August 2024.
Key Facts
Jason Arday became the youngest Black professor at Cambridge University at age 37.
He was diagnosed with autism as a child and faced challenges like being non-verbal until age 11.
Arday claimed impressive athletic fundraising feats, including running many marathons to raise millions of pounds for charities.
Cambridge described him as a respected scholar focused on race, inequality, and education.
In 2024, he resigned due to scandals involving plagiarism in his academic work and false claims about his personal history.
Arday was found dead at his home in Battersea, London, on August 14, 2024, with no suspicious circumstances reported.
His family said he had faced sustained abuse and misinformation online.
His story raised complex discussions about heroism, truth, and public scrutiny in academia.
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Eleven major fires and dozens of wildfires have put fire services in the UK under great pressure, especially in the West Midlands. In Stourbridge, 38 homes were damaged or destroyed, and many people are still waiting to learn when they can return to their houses.
Key Facts
There have been 11 major fires in 48 hours and 43 new wildfires since Friday in the UK.
Fires affected places include Stourbridge, Sandwell, Pershore, Stoke-on-Trent, Hampshire, and South Wales.
In Stourbridge, 38 homes were damaged or destroyed by a large fire.
Over 100 firefighters worked to control a grass fire near Stourbridge Golf Club, covering 500 acres.
Residents are not allowed to return home until officials say it is safe; some hope to go back Saturday evening.
Police and fire investigators are trying to determine where the fire started and have asked the public not to speculate on the cause.
An online fund has been set up to help people affected by the fires.
Some residents reported frustration over the lack of updates, and emergencies included slow fire engine response in one case.
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"The Brink of War" is a film featuring Jeff Daniels as President Ronald Reagan and Jared Harris as Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. The movie focuses on their important 1986 meeting in Reykjavik during a tense time in global politics.
Key Facts
Jeff Daniels plays President Ronald Reagan in the film.
Jared Harris portrays Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.
The film is called "The Brink of War."
It shows the 1986 Reykjavik Summit where Reagan and Gorbachev met.
The summit took place during a period of high political tension between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
Both actors spoke about their experiences playing these historical figures.
The movie is available to watch on CBS News platforms.
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In July, more Ukrainian civilians died than in any other month since Russia’s war in Ukraine began, according to the United Nations. The report highlights the continuing violence and its toll on people living in Ukraine.
Key Facts
July was the deadliest month for civilians in Ukraine since the war started.
The information comes from a United Nations report.
The war in Ukraine involves Russia’s military actions.
There was a mention of a summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held in Alaska a year earlier.
The summit included discussions about the war in Ukraine.
The conflict has led to ongoing violence affecting many people in Ukraine.
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More than 100 houses on the royal estates of King Charles and Prince William do not meet the UK’s legal energy efficiency rules for landlords. Many homes have poor energy ratings and are rented out without proper exemptions, despite rules that require upgrades or limits on renting inefficient properties.
Key Facts
Over 100 homes on the duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall and the Sandringham estate have low Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings of F or G.
EPCs measure how energy efficient a property is, with ratings from A (best) to G (worst).
Since 2020, landlords cannot rent homes with EPC ratings below E unless they have an official exemption.
Most of these royal properties lack recorded exemptions to allow renting despite poor ratings.
Some farmhouses rented from the royal estates are exempt because of their tenancy type, and older leases also avoid the rules.
Some homes are in poor condition, with problems like black mold, single-glazed windows, no central heating, and reliance on coal fires or electric heaters.
The duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall, which pay little business tax, have provided the royal family with over £400 million since 2018.
Landlords must spend up to £3,500 to improve properties or prove that upgrades are not reasonable to avoid fines up to £5,000.
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To celebrate Mozart's 270th birthday, artist Ottmar Hörl created 320 small statues of Mozart and his dog, Pimperl, and placed them around Salzburg, Austria. Many of these statues have gone missing due to theft.
Key Facts
The statues were made by German artist Ottmar Hörl.
There are 320 small statues in total.
The statues show Mozart and his dog named Pimperl.
They were placed around Salzburg, Austria.
The statues were created to honor Mozart's 270th birthday.
Several of the statues have been stolen or taken without permission.
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A “severe” emergency alert about wildfires was sent to phones in England and Wales, causing surprise and concern among the public and officials. The UK is facing record wildfires, with emergency services stretched and the government taking actions like banning disposable barbecues and deploying military support.
Key Facts
A loud “severe” emergency alert about wildfires was sent to phones on Friday evening in England and Wales.
Many people felt the alert was too general and worried about alarm fatigue, where repeated alerts might lose their impact.
England and Wales have had a record number of wildfires this year, surpassing 1,017 incidents.
Fire services declared 11 major incidents in a single 24-hour period starting Thursday.
The UK government temporarily banned the sale of disposable barbecues to reduce fire risk while danger remains high.
The military deployed about 100 personnel in south Wales to help emergency services by distributing water and providing support.
The government announced £65 million in extra funding to help farmers affected by drought, stressing the importance of food security.
Officials and politicians linked the wildfires and heatwaves to climate change and called for faster action on reducing emissions.
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Ukraine has launched long-distance attacks on Russian military sites, including a rocket center linked to Russia’s satellite internet network and an air base. Russia is seeking explanations from the US and Turkey about a possible large shipment of US weapons and ammunition being sent to Ukraine through Turkey.
Key Facts
Ukraine struck the Progress Centre rocket facility, which supports Russia’s space agency and military technology, located about 900 km from Ukraine’s border.
The Progress Centre is important for producing Russian rocket technology and electronics.
Ukraine also targeted Savasleyka air base, about 700 km from the border.
Ukrainian forces used locally made Flamingo cruise missiles for the missile strike.
Russia’s Samara mayor said air defenses stopped a large Ukrainian attack but some industrial damage occurred.
A Ukrainian drone hit a house near Moscow, injuring two people including a child.
Russia attacked a town in southeastern Ukraine, killing a three-month-old baby in a missile strike.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry wants answers from the US and Turkey about a possible large arms shipment to Ukraine, warning it would harm relations with both countries.
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Three Palestinian families in the West Bank say Israeli settlers have blocked their homes for almost a week. The families report they cannot get food, water, or basic help because settlers are trying to take their land.
Key Facts
Three Palestinian families are trapped inside their homes in the West Bank.
The blockade has lasted for nearly a week.
Israeli settlers are accused of preventing access to food and water.
The settlers are reportedly trying to take control of the families’ properties.
The situation is happening in the occupied West Bank region.
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Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon killed at least 11 people, including children, in attacks described as the deadliest since a truce began on June 20. The strikes targeted villages near Ansar and Deir al-Zahrani and drew criticism from Lebanese leaders who said the attacks harm peace efforts.
Key Facts
Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon killed 11 people on Saturday.
Seven people, including three children, died in an airstrike near the village of Ansar.
Four people were killed in an attack on the village of Deir al-Zahrani.
The attacks happened despite a truce between Israel and Hezbollah starting June 20.
Lebanon and Israel agreed on a framework for Israeli withdrawal and Hezbollah disarmament on June 26.
Hezbollah has refused to join direct peace talks and was not part of the agreement.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the strikes, saying civilians, not military targets, were killed.
Israel said the strikes were in response to attacks against its soldiers and vowed to act against threats.
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Ukraine launched cruise missiles deep into Russia and hit the Progress Rocket Space Center in Samara, a major Russian rocket factory. The attack targeted a key facility that produces Soyuz rockets used for both military and space missions.
Key Facts
Ukraine struck the Progress Rocket Space Center in Samara, about 900 km from Ukraine’s border.
The Progress Center is a major factory for Russia’s Soyuz-2 and Soyuz-5 rockets.
Soyuz-2 rockets are used for many purposes, including Russian crewed missions to the International Space Station.
Ukraine used FP-5 “Flamingo” missiles for the attack, which can travel thousands of kilometers.
The Progress facility also works on military satellites and rocket electronics.
Damage to this factory could seriously disrupt Russia’s space launches and military satellite production.
Russia’s demand for Soyuz rockets already exceeds the factory’s production capacity by 30–50 percent for 2027–2030.
The Soyuz rockets remain Russia’s main launcher as older rockets are retired and newer models are not yet fully operational.
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Jason Arday, a former professor at Cambridge University who was the youngest Black professor there, was found dead a few weeks after he resigned due to plagiarism accusations. Police are investigating his death, but they believe it was not caused by any criminal activity.
Key Facts
Jason Arday was a professor at Cambridge University.
He was the youngest Black professor at Cambridge.
Arday resigned from his position following allegations of plagiarism, which means copying someone else's work.
He was found dead a few weeks after his resignation.
Police say there are no signs of a suspicious death.
The police are still investigating to confirm the cause of death.
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South Korean President Lee Jae-myung proposed starting talks with North Korea to officially end the Korean War, which has lasted over 70 years without a peace treaty. The proposal aims to reduce military threats and potentially stop North Korea's nuclear weapons growth.
Key Facts
The Korean War (1950-1953) ended with a ceasefire, not a peace treaty, so the two Koreas are technically still at war.
President Lee made his proposal during a speech marking Korea's liberation from Japanese rule.
He suggested that both Koreas discuss ending the war and controlling North Korea's nuclear weapons.
North Korea opposes upcoming US-South Korean military drills and recently launched missiles near Japan.
The North Korean government calls itself an "irreversible" nuclear state since talks with the US in 2019 failed.
South Korea’s current government seeks talks with no conditions, shifting from the previous tougher approach.
North Korea is strengthening military ties with Russia and reportedly supports Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The US, with about 28,500 troops in South Korea, continues joint military exercises to prepare for threats from North Korea.
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A large wildfire broke out in the High Fens nature reserve in eastern Belgium, leading to the evacuation of around 600 villagers. The fire has burned over 2,700 hectares of land, and emergency services from Belgium and other European countries are working to control it.
Key Facts
The wildfire started on August 14, 2026, in the High Fens park near the German border.
More than 2,700 hectares (about 6,700 acres) were burned by August 15.
Around 600 residents from nearby villages such as Sourbrodt and Buetgenbach were evacuated.
Belgium called for help through the European Union civil protection mechanism, receiving helicopters and water bombers from other countries.
The terrain is difficult, with peatlands and pine forests preventing emergency crews from working up close.
A gym in Malmedy was opened as a shelter for displaced people.
Authorities warned the fire was not under control and could threaten homes.
This is described as the largest wildfire in Belgium's modern history, similar to a massive fire in 1911 during a heatwave and drought.
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Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon killed at least 11 people, including three children. These strikes targeted Hezbollah sites and are the deadliest since a US-backed peace agreement in June, raising concerns about the future of peace talks.
Key Facts
At least 11 people were killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon.
Among the dead were three children.
Israel said it was targeting Hezbollah infrastructure.
Lebanese officials condemned the strikes as a threat to peace negotiations.
The attacks are the deadliest since a US-mediated peace framework was agreed in June.
The incident has increased tensions in the region.
Peace talks could be at risk because of these attacks.
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