A suspected suspicious device found in a trash bin near a fire station in Washington DC caused a road closure during morning rush hour. The bomb squad investigated and found the item was actually a sex toy.
Key Facts
The incident happened around 7 a.m. near the Tenleytown fire station on Wisconsin Avenue.
A person left a blue-and-black electronic device with exposed wires in a trash bin.
Police closed Wisconsin Avenue and nearby streets for about two hours during the investigation.
The bomb squad and K-9 unit responded to the scene.
The device was identified as an electronic sex toy, specifically a portable pump.
The sex toy is similar to the “Zolo Blowbot,” which costs over $300 and has suction and drying features.
No one was injured, and traffic resumed after the area was cleared.
Similar traffic disruptions from sex toys occurred before, such as a truck accident in Oklahoma in 2022.
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Japan is experiencing very hot summers, leading to many cases of heatstroke. To help people cool down, a new product called the Do Hiemon, or "The Cooling Box," is being sold to businesses and placed in public areas.
Key Facts
Over 53,000 people in Japan have been treated for heatstroke in the last two months.
There have been 79 reported deaths from heatstroke during this time.
The Do Hiemon is a cooling device that people can enter to lower their body temperature.
Each unit costs approximately 1.5 million yen (about $9,400).
The design of the Do Hiemon was inspired by freezer vending machines.
The cooling boxes are being made available in public spaces and to businesses.
The heat in Japan is getting worse, increasing the need for cooling solutions.
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Actors Alan Cumming and Shirley Henderson, who have known each other for about 40 years, are starring together in a stage play called *A History of Paper* at Pitlochry Festival Theatre. The play follows a couple’s life story told through pieces of paper and was originally a radio play turned into a musical.
Key Facts
Alan Cumming and Shirley Henderson first met as young actors on the TV drama *Shadow of the Stone*.
Henderson appeared in the *Harry Potter* and *Bridget Jones* films; Cumming had some acting roles early on.
*A History of Paper* began as a radio play in 2017 and became a musical in 2024 at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
The play was written by Oliver Emanuel who passed away in 2023, making the production more emotional.
Cumming is the artistic director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre where the play is currently running until September 12.
They play older versions of themselves, reversing the usual casting by playing their younger selves now as older actors.
Both actors say they share a close bond and a willingness to be open and vulnerable on stage together.
Personal keepsakes like letters from Henderson’s late father and drawings from Cumming’s husband inspire their performances.
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An 18-year-old firefighter named Bobi Jones from Wales balanced studying for his A-levels while helping fight wildfires. Other students in Wales also prepared for their exam results, with many aiming to continue university studies or apprenticeships.
Key Facts
Bobi Jones managed A-levels in business, sport, and the Welsh Baccalaureate alongside firefighting duties.
His school allowed him flexibility to leave class for fire emergencies if he caught up on work later.
Wildfires in Wales have required regular firefighting but were less severe than in some other areas.
Bobi plans to start an electrician apprenticeship and continue on-call firefighter shifts.
About 32.8% of 18-year-olds in Wales had applied to universities by the end of June.
Rosa MacGowan, another student, studied A-levels and worked part-time, aiming to study medicine or pharmacy.
William Hopkins studied BTEC in Uniformed Protective Services and wants to join the Army or Royal Marines.
Students feel a mix of excitement and nervousness about their results and future plans.
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Millions of people in the UK and Europe watched a major solar eclipse, the most impressive in nearly 30 years. While the UK saw a partial eclipse with up to 95% of the Sun covered, parts of Spain, Greenland, and Iceland experienced a full solar eclipse where the Sun was completely hidden by the Moon.
Key Facts
The eclipse occurred on the evening of the event and lasted about an hour in the UK.
Most of the UK saw around 90% of the Sun covered by the Moon; in Cornwall, coverage reached 95%.
Spain, Greenland, and Iceland experienced a total eclipse, meaning the Sun was fully blocked for a brief time.
The path of the total eclipse started in northern Siberia and moved south through the Arctic Ocean, Iceland, and Europe.
The Sun’s corona, a glow of superheated gas, was visible during the total eclipse.
People used solar glasses or homemade viewers like colanders and cereal boxes to safely watch the eclipse.
A total solar eclipse happens somewhere on Earth about every 18 months but is rare for any single location, occurring roughly once every 400 years.
Despite cloudier skies in northern UK regions, crowds gathered at famous landmarks to watch the event.
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A Pentagon report says US military strikes in Yemen killed 153 civilians and injured 243 in 2025, mostly from three attacks in April. These strikes targeted Houthi forces and a fuel port but caused significant civilian harm.
Key Facts
In 2025, US strikes in Yemen killed 153 civilians and wounded 243, according to a Pentagon review.
All civilian casualties were from three strikes in April near Sanaa and the Ras Isa fuel port.
The deadliest strike hit Ras Isa, killing 80 people and injuring 171, causing large fires.
The Pentagon’s report was sent to Congress and shared with the media.
Civilian deaths rose sharply from 2024, when only 2 civilians were reported killed.
US Central Command said the strikes targeted fuel and revenue sources for the Iran-backed Houthis.
The report found it was likely civilians were harmed but said condolence payments were not appropriate.
The US military started strikes against Houthis in 2023 and increased attacks after President Trump’s 2025 inauguration.
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Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities have detained two Afghan members of the United Nations political mission in the city of Herat. The UN has not been told why they were detained and has asked the Taliban to respect the immunity and rights of UN officials.
Key Facts
The two UN staff members were detained on Sunday by the Taliban’s General Directorate of Intelligence in Herat.
The UN mission has not been informed about any charges against the detained men.
The UN mission calls on the Taliban to respect the privileges and protections given to UN staff.
The Taliban took control of Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, after the withdrawal of US and NATO forces.
Since then, the Taliban has imposed restrictions on education and work, especially affecting women and girls.
The UN mission’s role includes supporting humanitarian aid, human rights, women’s equality, good governance, and economic stability in Afghanistan.
Detentions come amid a worsening humanitarian crisis and increased fighting between Taliban forces and Pakistan.
Human rights groups warn that detaining UN workers threatens the delivery of lifesaving aid in Afghanistan.
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U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned that the International Criminal Court (ICC) might investigate U.S. military strikes on drug smuggling boats in Latin America. Hegseth said the U.S. and its Latin American allies are fighting drug cartels lawfully, while rights groups claim these strikes violate international law.
Key Facts
Pete Hegseth spoke in Panama about strengthening the military coalition "Shield of the Americas" against drug cartels.
Colombia joined the coalition, becoming its 19th member under President Abelardo de la Espriella.
Hegseth urged coalition members to reject ICC jurisdiction over their military actions.
The U.S. claims its strikes have greatly reduced drug smuggling by sea in the Caribbean and Pacific.
Human rights groups report at least 221 deaths in U.S. strikes since 2025, calling some killings unlawful.
Amnesty International and other observers warn civilians may have been killed in these attacks.
The U.S. is discussing joint operations against drug cartels with Honduras, Guatemala, and Colombia.
Colombia’s new president has promised a strong fight against drug crime and rebel groups.
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Israeli settlers and soldiers have surrounded two Palestinian families in the West Bank village of Qusra, blocking their homes and cutting off water and electricity. The families say they are trapped, facing harassment and limited access to medical care, while Israeli military commanders have promised to remove the settlers and are sending more troops to the area.
Key Facts
Israeli settlers and soldiers set up a tent outside Yousef Hassan’s home, trapping him, his wife, and two daughters inside.
Settlers regularly throw stones, shout, and use offensive language at the families during the night.
Power and water have been cut off to the homes, and medical aid has been blocked, including an ambulance that was delayed when Hassan’s two-year-old daughter became ill.
Israeli military commander Gen Avi Bluth visited the families and promised to lift the siege, but settlers remain outside the house.
The Israeli military condemned the settlers’ actions and said soldiers supporting settlers will face consequences.
The military is sending a battalion of infantry reservists to strengthen control in the West Bank area.
Human rights groups say more than 1,100 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli civilians and soldiers in the West Bank since 2020, with almost no legal action taken.
Some groups describe these attacks as part of a wider effort involving forced displacement of Palestinian communities.
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A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 hit western Colombia, killing hundreds and leaving thousands unaccounted for. Rescue teams are still searching collapsed buildings two days after the quake, while hospitals face shortages and communication problems are slowing down the efforts.
Key Facts
The earthquake measured 7.4 in magnitude.
It struck western Colombia.
Hundreds of people have died because of the quake.
Thousands of people are still missing.
Rescue teams continue to search through collapsed buildings.
Hospitals are struggling with not enough supplies to treat the injured.
Communication outages are making it harder to coordinate rescue operations.
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Brazil’s Supreme Court ruled that state laws can deny tax benefits to farmers who follow the soy moratorium, a voluntary agreement that bans buying soy from land deforested in the Amazon after 2008. The court also confirmed that the moratorium itself is constitutional, but recent state laws challenge its effectiveness by punishing those who comply with higher environmental standards.
Key Facts
The soy moratorium started in 2006 and stops buying soy grown on Amazon land cleared after July 2008.
Brazil is the world’s largest soybean producer, supplying about 40% of global soybeans.
The moratorium helped reduce deforestation in risky areas by 35% over its first ten years.
Major soy traders left the moratorium in January 2024 after some states revoked tax incentives for those following it.
The Amazon rainforest is important for global climate regulation and preventing deforestation is key to fighting climate change.
State laws now deny tax benefits to farmers who comply with the soy moratorium, even though the Supreme Court says the moratorium itself is allowed by the constitution.
Ending the moratorium could lead to up to 1.4 million hectares (3.5 million acres) more deforestation in the next decade.
Under President Lula’s current administration, Amazon deforestation has fallen to its lowest level in ten years after a rise during former President Bolsonaro’s term.
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Scottish Labour party leaders who want to replace Anas Sarwar warn that the party must stop fighting inside and work together. After losing many seats in the recent election, the candidates say the party needs big changes to win support again.
Key Facts
Monica Lennon, Joe Fagan, and Michael Marra want to become the next Scottish Labour leader.
Anas Sarwar is stepping down as leader and MSP to join Andy Burnham's government.
Scottish Labour tied for second place with 17 seats in the recent Scottish Parliament election.
Lennon says the party is in its worst crisis and must stop faction fights and dirty tactics.
Marra warns against negative briefings and says the party’s culture must change deeply.
Fagan calls for courage, unity, and putting working people first to rebuild the party.
The leadership vote runs from August 28 to September 17, with the result announced September 19.
Pro-Palestine protesters briefly interrupted the first hustings event in Glasgow.
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A partial solar eclipse was seen by millions of people in parts of North and West Africa and Europe on August 12, 2026. The event caused some areas, including parts of Spain, to experience temporary darkness as the moon blocked part of the sun.
Key Facts
The partial solar eclipse occurred on August 12, 2026.
Millions of people in North and West Africa and parts of Europe viewed the eclipse.
Some regions in Spain experienced partial darkness during the event.
A solar eclipse happens when the moon moves between the earth and the sun, blocking part of the sun’s light.
The article also briefly mentioned political and social news from Africa unrelated to the eclipse.
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Moroccan authorities are working to stop more people from crossing illegally into the Spanish city of Ceuta after a social media campaign encouraged mass attempts to enter. They have increased border security and plan legal action against those spreading messages that promote irregular migration.
Key Facts
Moroccan officials say they are boosting border security near Ceuta and Melilla, Spanish cities located in North Africa.
A social media campaign claimed the border at Fnideq would be open on August 15, leading to fears of mass illegal crossings.
Around 72,000 people crossed into Ceuta irregularly in late July, mostly by sea.
Morocco sentenced seven taxi drivers to prison and fined them for helping people try to reach the border.
About 2,000 people remain in Ceuta after the surge, with around 1,000 being children who cannot legally be sent back to Morocco.
Moroccan authorities found 11 bodies after the crossing crisis, while Spain reported at least 80 deaths; a human rights group says at least 141 people died.
Moroccan officials have asked Spain to speed up returning children who remain in Ceuta.
People spreading online posts encouraging illegal border crossings are being investigated by Moroccan authorities.
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An 11-year-old boy was shot in the head and leg by Israeli forces in Khan Younis, Gaza, according to his father. Since last October’s ceasefire, Israeli attacks in Gaza have killed at least 1,259 Palestinians and injured more than 4,100, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office.
Key Facts
The boy is 11 years old.
He was shot in the head and leg.
The shooting happened in Khan Younis, Gaza.
The father provided the information about the shooting.
Gaza’s Government Media Office reported casualties from Israeli attacks since last October.
At least 1,259 Palestinians have died due to these attacks.
More than 4,146 Palestinians have been injured since the ceasefire last October.
The article refers to ongoing violence after a ceasefire agreement.
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Millions of people in the UK watched a solar eclipse on Wednesday, the biggest one since 1999. During this event, the Moon covered more than 90% of the Sun.
Key Facts
The solar eclipse was visible across the UK.
Over 90% of the Sun was blocked by the Moon.
This was the most significant solar eclipse in the UK since 1999.
Many people gathered outdoors to watch the event.
The eclipse was described as a rare astronomical sight.
Cities mentioned include Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cornwall, London, and Belfast.
The event was covered live and attracted widespread attention.
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Drone attacks on Libya’s oil and power facilities are making the country’s energy problems worse. Rival groups fighting for control of the city of Az Zawiya have caused disruptions to fuel supplies and increased power outages.
Key Facts
Libya’s oil and power infrastructure has been hit by repeated drone strikes.
These attacks are worsening the country’s energy crisis.
The city of Az Zawiya is a strategic location involved in the conflict.
Rival groups are competing to control Az Zawiya.
The attacks are causing fuel shortages.
Power cuts across the region are becoming more frequent.
The situation threatens the stability of Libya’s energy supply.
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An Israeli air strike in northern Gaza killed one person and injured five others. The strike targeted a vehicle carrying a municipal maintenance team near Beit Lahiya. The Israeli military said the attack aimed at a Hamas commander planning attacks against Israeli forces.
Key Facts
One person died and five were injured in an Israeli air strike in northern Gaza.
The strike hit a three-wheeled tuk-tuk vehicle near the Western Roundabout in Beit Lahiya.
The deceased, Mohanad Saada, was part of a municipal team fixing a damaged water well.
The Israeli military stated the target was a Hamas commander involved in planning attacks.
Despite a recent reduction in heavy air raids, Israeli forces continue ground shelling and drone attacks.
Additional Israeli strikes wounded a father and critically injured his 13-year-old son in Khan Younis.
President Donald Trump proposed a 15-point peace plan requiring disarmament of Hamas, which Israel rejected.
Since October 7, 2023, over 1,250 Palestinians mostly civilians, have been killed amid ongoing conflict in Gaza.
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Heavy rains caused a landslide in Maharashtra state, India, on Wednesday. The landslide killed at least seven people and injured several others after a hillside collapsed onto houses.
Key Facts
The incident happened in Maharashtra, a state in western India.
Heavy rainfall caused the landslide.
The landslide occurred on Wednesday.
At least seven people died because of the landslide.
Several people were injured.
The hillside collapsed onto multiple houses.
The heavy rain occurred overnight before the landslide.
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A court in Damascus has sentenced Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher, and six other former officials to death in absentia for crimes during the nearly 14-year war in Syria. This trial marks a significant moment in Syria's efforts to hold leaders accountable for violence, but questions remain about how far the government will go in seeking justice.
Key Facts
Syrians have called for accountability for killings, disappearances, and torture during the war.
President Bashar al-Assad and six other high-ranking officials were sentenced to death without being present at the trial.
Maher al-Assad, the president's brother, was also sentenced to death.
Atef Najib, a cousin of al-Assad and former security chief for Deraa province, was sentenced to death and attended the trial.
The new Syrian government views the verdicts as an important step toward justice.
The trial raises questions about the scope and nature of transitional justice in Syria.
Experts discussed the situation and justice questions on a program hosted by James Bays.
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