A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck near Flores Island in Indonesia, killing two people and injuring another. Authorities issued a tsunami warning and urged residents to move to higher ground.
Key Facts
The earthquake occurred early Saturday at 5:58am local time with a depth of 10 km.
The epicenter was 68 km north-northwest of Ende city in East Nusa Tenggara province.
Three strong aftershocks followed, measuring 5.9, 5.6, and 6.1 in magnitude.
Two people died at the port of L Say Maumere, and at least one person was injured.
Indonesia’s disaster agency urged people along northern Flores and southern islands to evacuate immediately.
The tsunami warning advised residents to stay away from beaches and riverbanks and to move inland or to higher ground.
More than half a million people likely felt very strong shaking, affecting millions more in the region.
Indonesia is on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” making it prone to frequent earthquakes and tsunamis.
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A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit Buenaventura, Colombia, causing widespread damage and killing about 19 people in the city. Residents say the government has not provided enough help and worry that poorer areas like theirs will be overlooked in recovery efforts compared to bigger cities.
Key Facts
The earthquake measured 7.4 on the Richter scale and struck Colombia’s Pacific coast.
Buenaventura is a city of about 432,000 people and hosts Colombia’s largest port.
Four people died inside a collapsed five-storey building next to Lorena Hipis’s home.
The earthquake caused major damage to homes, including Hipis’s house and her mother’s nearby.
An estimated 287 people died across Colombia because of the earthquake.
Residents say the government and local authorities have been slow to respond with help.
People fear that more attention and resources will go to larger cities like Pereira and Cali.
Residents in poorer areas like Buenaventura feel neglected in the recovery process.
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An 18-year-old experienced hiker named Lily Hooper has been missing since Wednesday after going for a hike in Nattai National Park, New South Wales. Multiple rescue teams, including police, ambulance, fire services, and the defense force, are searching for her with no further signs found so far.
Key Facts
Lily Hooper left her home in Sydney’s south-west at about 8 am on Wednesday, 12 August.
She planned a hike in Nattai National Park, north-west of Mittagong.
Her car was found parked near the Bonnum Pic Walking Trail at High Range.
Hooper reached the summit of Bonnum Pic around mid-morning on Wednesday.
Rescue teams include police, ambulance, fire and rescue, emergency services, defense force, and family members.
Search efforts use drones, a helicopter, and specialist rescuers such as trail-bike riders.
Police and officials are hopeful but concerned for her safety.
People with any information are asked to contact Moss Vale police or Crime Stoppers.
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Jason Arday, a former Cambridge professor involved in a controversy about plagiarism, has been found dead. In the UK, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called on the military to help fight wildfires and banned people from lighting barbecues to prevent new fires.
Key Facts
Jason Arday, an ex-Cambridge professor, was found dead; police said the death is unexpected but not suspicious.
Arday’s memoir is set to be published in the UK later in August.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has warned the country is like a "tinderbox" due to wildfire risks.
Burnham has asked the military for support and banned barbecues and other open fires to stop wildfires.
A severe fire in the West Midlands destroyed 19 homes recently.
The RAF’s wildfire water-dropping equipment is currently 2,000 miles away.
Similar news includes a train derailment in Essex happening less than 24 hours after another accident.
Nigel Farage was re-elected as MP for Clacton after a costly by-election.
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An experienced air traffic controller in Phoenix prevented a dangerous situation when two American Airlines jets used the same flight number and radio channel at the same time. The controller used clear instructions to keep the planes safely apart, and both flights continued without any problems.
Key Facts
Two American Airlines jets had the same flight number (2482) and radio frequency at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.
One flight was landing in Phoenix from Chicago, while the other was taking off from Phoenix to Chicago.
The air traffic controller used different descriptions to tell the planes apart, saying "American 2842 departing" and "American 2482 arriving."
The planes remained a safe distance apart during the entire time.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident.
The mix-up happened because the arriving flight was delayed, so a different plane was used for the departing flight under the same flight number.
American Airlines said their pilots and air traffic controllers handled the incident professionally and safely.
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Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva leads right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro by a small margin in polls ahead of October’s presidential election. Lula has about 43% support in a run-off scenario, while Bolsonaro has 40%, making the race very close.
Key Facts
Lula is the current President of Brazil and is running for re-election.
Flavio Bolsonaro is the leading right-wing candidate and son of former President Jair Bolsonaro.
Jair Bolsonaro is banned from running due to abuse of power and a conviction related to the 2022 election.
A poll by Quaest surveyed 2,004 people from August 10-13 and showed Lula leading by 3 points in a run-off.
In the first round poll, Lula has 38% support, Bolsonaro 31%, with other candidates far behind.
Lula warns against foreign interference in Brazil’s elections and wants to protect Brazil’s minerals from foreign control.
President Donald Trump has close ties with the Bolsonaro family, and Lula has asked Trump not to interfere.
Brazilian election rules require a run-off if no candidate wins more than half the vote in the first round.
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The United Nations warns that many women’s organizations in Afghanistan may have to close soon due to lack of funding, five years after the Taliban took power. Despite promises, restrictions on women’s rights remain strict, affecting education, work, and daily life, while the country faces multiple other social and humanitarian challenges.
Key Facts
Over half of 74 women’s organizations in Afghanistan face closure or suspension within a year because of funding problems.
The UN’s $1.7 billion aid appeal for Afghanistan is only 25% funded, with many women’s groups experiencing cuts in 2025.
The Taliban marked five years in power with flags and events, but women and girls remain banned from public activities like attending a cricket match.
Since the Taliban returned, they have imposed more than 100 restrictions on women affecting education, work, movement, healthcare, and justice.
Girls are still banned from secondary schools and women from universities despite Taliban promises to allow education compliant with their ideology.
More than half of surveyed Afghan women now leave home only once or twice a month, and 70% report poor mental health.
A group of 56 countries at the UN urged the Taliban to reverse its repression of women and girls.
Afghanistan faces broader issues like critical child malnutrition, damaged infrastructure from earthquakes and floods, border conflicts, and limited diplomatic recognition.
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A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Cali, Colombia, leaving many buildings collapsed. Over 400 people are still missing, and families are upset about the slow search efforts to find their loved ones trapped under rubble.
Key Facts
The earthquake measured 7.4 in magnitude.
It happened on a Monday in Cali, Colombia.
Buildings were damaged or collapsed.
More than 400 people are missing after the earthquake.
Families are frustrated with the search for missing persons.
There are reports of a strong smell from bodies under the rubble.
Rescue teams are still working to find survivors and victims.
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Five people were arrested in connection with the theft of three valuable paintings from an Italian museum in March. The artworks, worth about $10 million, have been recovered by the authorities.
Key Facts
Three important paintings were stolen from a museum in Italy last March.
The stolen art is estimated to be worth $10 million.
Police have recovered all three stolen paintings.
Five individuals have been arrested for their involvement in the theft.
The arrests and recovery happened after an investigation by Italian authorities.
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Bella Ramsey, known for acting since age 11, said they missed out on a typical rebellious teenage experience because they worked with adults early on. Ramsey explored that teenage freedom while filming the movie Sunny Dancer, about young cancer survivors at a summer camp.
Key Facts
Bella Ramsey is a British actor who played Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones.
They use they/them pronouns and started acting professionally at age 11.
Ramsey said they avoided behaving like a typical moody teenager.
The film Sunny Dancer gave Ramsey a chance to experience teenage freedom at age 21.
Sunny Dancer tells the story of young cancer survivors at a "chemo camp."
The film’s writer/director George Jaques used his own and others’ cancer experiences to shape the story.
Jaques worked with the Teenage Cancer Trust and included young survivors’ input in the movie.
Both Ramsey and Jaques highlight the difficulty people face in grieving and returning to normal life.
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Heavy rains have caused serious flooding across nine states from Nebraska to Virginia. In Indiana, more than a foot of rain fell, and one river reached a record high level.
Key Facts
Nine states are under flood watches due to heavy rain.
The affected area stretches from Nebraska to Virginia.
Indiana received over 12 inches of rain.
A river in Indiana reached its highest level ever recorded.
The flooding is impacting large areas in the Midwest and beyond.
Officials are monitoring the rivers and warning residents about flood risks.
The rains have caused damage and disruptions in the affected regions.
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An Air India Airbus A320 experienced a sudden drop of 300 feet during a flight from Phuket to Delhi, injuring passengers and crew but landing safely. Both pilots were tested for drugs; reports say the captain tested positive for cannabis, but this result has not been officially confirmed and does not necessarily explain the incident.
Key Facts
The Air India flight lost about 300 feet in altitude on August 4, injuring 13 passengers and 4 crew members.
The plane carried 137 passengers and 8 crew and landed safely in Delhi.
Both pilots underwent routine drug screening after the flight.
The captain’s initial drug test needed confirmatory testing, and both pilots were taken off flying duties during the investigation.
Media reports say the captain tested positive for cannabis, but Air India has not officially confirmed this.
Investigators are looking at many possible causes, including technical and human factors.
Studies show cannabis can impair pilots' skills and attention for hours after use, but such tests can’t determine exact impairment timing.
The situation is still under investigation, and no clear link between cannabis use and the altitude drop has been established.
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Jason Arday, a former professor at the University of Cambridge and the youngest Black professor there, died at the age of 41. He resigned recently because of accusations that he copied others' work without proper credit.
Key Facts
Jason Arday was the youngest Black professor at Cambridge.
He resigned last week amid plagiarism claims.
Plagiarism means using someone else's work and saying it's your own.
Arday was found dead on a Friday.
He was 41 years old at the time of his death.
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Jason Arday, a British sociologist and the youngest Black professor at the University of Cambridge, was found dead in London shortly after resigning amid plagiarism allegations and questions about his academic record. The police said his death was unexpected but not suspicious, and Cambridge expressed sadness while offering condolences to his family.
Key Facts
Jason Arday was a 41-year-old professor known for his research on race, inequality, and education.
He resigned from Cambridge on August 5 after the university launched an investigation into his qualifications and academic conduct.
Police found Arday dead at a home in Battersea, south London, and ruled the death unexpected but not suspicious.
Arday denied any wrongdoing but said the public scrutiny affected him and his family deeply.
He was the youngest Black professor at Cambridge, appointed in 2023.
Arday had an autism diagnosis and overcame challenges like delayed speech and literacy to build an academic career.
His 2015 Ph.D. thesis was alleged to have over 100 passages very similar to another doctoral thesis.
Arday's family stated he faced ongoing harassment since joining Cambridge and asked for privacy.
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A strong 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit eastern Indonesia’s Flores region early Saturday, causing a tsunami warning and prompting many people to evacuate. There were no immediate reports of deaths, but aftershocks followed, and small tsunami waves were detected.
Key Facts
The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.7 and occurred at a depth of 10 km.
The epicenter was 68 km north-northwest of Ende city in East Nusa Tenggara province.
Two aftershocks occurred, one measuring magnitude 6.1.
Indonesia’s agency BMKG issued a tsunami warning for East Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, and West Nusa Tenggara provinces.
Tsunami waves of 0.5 to 3 meters were predicted, but detected waves were between 19 and 30 centimeters.
Residents evacuated to higher ground, especially in the town of Maumere and nearby areas.
Indonesia lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” making it prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity.
Australia’s tsunami warning center said there is no tsunami threat to Australia from this quake.
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"Mothers' Instinct" is a psychological thriller movie set in a U.S. suburb in the early 1960s. It shows how the close relationship between two best friends and neighbors changes forever after a tragic accident involving their sons.
Key Facts
The story takes place in the early 1960s in suburban America.
The main characters are two best friends who live next door to each other.
Both women have sons of the same age.
A tragic accident changes the relationship between the neighbors.
The film contains some scenes with sexual content and violence.
Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain star in the movie.
The movie runs for 1 hour and 29 minutes.
It is available to watch for 10 months on the BBC iPlayer.
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Jason Arday, the youngest Black professor at the University of Cambridge, was found dead at age 41 after resigning amid allegations of plagiarism and questions about his achievements. Cambridge has opened an investigation into the accusations, and Arday's family said he faced a prolonged campaign of abuse.
Key Facts
Jason Arday became the youngest Black professor at Cambridge University in 2023.
He resigned last week following public accusations of plagiarism and media scrutiny.
Arday denied plagiarism but acknowledged mistakes in his doctoral work.
The Metropolitan Police said his death was unexpected but not suspicious.
Cambridge University has started an investigation into the plagiarism claims and their hiring processes.
Arday’s family said he was subjected to sustained abuse and misinformation over three years.
Questions were raised about his academic work and claims of fundraising and athletic achievements.
More than 20 academics and politicians called the plagiarism accusations a “smear campaign” against Black academics.
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A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck off the coast of Indonesia near Flores island. Authorities issued a tsunami warning and asked people to stay away from the shore and move to higher ground as a precaution.
Key Facts
The earthquake occurred at 5:58 a.m. local time near Flores island in East Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia.
The quake’s depth was 10 kilometers below the surface.
The epicenter was about 68 kilometers north-northwest of the city of Ende.
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency issued a tsunami warning after the quake.
Residents near the coast were told to avoid beaches and riverbanks and to move to higher ground.
No immediate reports of deaths or damage came in after the quake.
Officials are watching tide gauges closely to detect any tsunami changes.
Indonesia is located on the “Ring of Fire,” an area prone to many earthquakes and volcanoes.
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Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, a site that honors Japan’s war dead but is controversial because it also commemorates World War II criminals. Countries like China and South Korea criticize such visits, seeing them as a sign that Japan does not regret its past military actions.
Key Facts
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi prayed at the Yasukuni Shrine on August 15, 2023.
The shrine honors Japan’s war dead, including some officials convicted of war crimes from World War II.
China and South Korea view visits to the shrine as insensitive and disrespectful.
Koizumi regularly visits the shrine on the anniversary of the war’s end and other times each year.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi usually visits the shrine but chose not to this year to help maintain good relations with neighboring countries.
The shrine remains a symbol of Japan’s militaristic past for many of its Asian neighbors.
Visits by Japanese politicians to the shrine often cause diplomatic tensions in the region.
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Sue Nyathi, a Zimbabwean author, wrote a novel called The Polygamist about a man with multiple secret wives. The book became a big success after Nyathi self-published it and was adapted into a popular Netflix series, now streamed in many countries including the United States.
Key Facts
Publishers initially said there was no market for Nyathi's novel about a polygamous man.
Nyathi self-published 500 copies of the book in 2012, which later became very popular.
The story is about Jonasi, a man who secretly marries several women, while one wife thinks the marriage is monogamous.
Polygamy is legally recognized in Zimbabwe and South Africa under certain customs, but the novel shows a secretive, modern form based on deception.
Nyathi’s own family practiced traditional polygamy where roles and responsibilities were clear and respected.
The book focuses on women’s struggles with lack of power and control in their relationships, including health risks like HIV.
The Netflix version is filmed in South Africa, in the Zulu language, and features fewer wives than the book.
The novel highlights women's perspectives, narrated entirely by the wives, unlike the TV show.
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