More than 20 states in the U.S. will see a partial solar eclipse on Wednesday when the moon moves in front of the sun. The best views in the U.S. will be in Alaska, while people wanting to see the full eclipse are traveling to other countries.
Key Facts
Over 20 U.S. states will experience a partial solar eclipse.
The eclipse happens when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun.
Alaska is expected to have the clearest and best viewing conditions.
The full solar eclipse is visible only in certain places outside the U.S.
Many people are traveling overseas to watch the total eclipse.
Andrew Fraknoi, an astronomy professor, shared tips on eclipse viewing.
The event will happen on Wednesday.
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Europe will see a total solar eclipse on Wednesday, where the moon completely blocks the sun. At the same time, 25 U.S. states will experience a partial solar eclipse, meaning the moon will cover only part of the sun.
Key Facts
A total solar eclipse will occur over parts of Europe on Wednesday.
During a total solar eclipse, the moon fully covers the sun, making it dark for a short time.
In the United States, 25 states will see a partial solar eclipse on the same day.
In a partial eclipse, the moon covers only a part of the sun's surface.
Derrick Pitts, chief astronomer at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, explained what to expect from the eclipse.
The event can be watched live on CBS News and through the CBS News app.
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North Korea fired a ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan, marking its second test in less than a week. This launch happened just before South Korea and the United States start their annual joint military drills, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield.
Key Facts
North Korea launched a ballistic missile from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea (Sea of Japan).
The missile flew more than 700 kilometers (435 miles).
South Korea and the US plan to hold their Ulchi Freedom Shield military drills starting August 17, lasting 11 days.
About 18,000 South Korean soldiers will participate in these joint exercises with the US.
North Korea often responds to these drills with missile tests and critical statements.
Japan reported the missile launch and said the missile had fallen into the sea.
North Korea has criticized Japan’s defense policies in recent months.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy claimed Russia used a North Korean missile in an attack on a steel plant in Ukraine.
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The Cook Islands are holding a general election amid debates over deep-sea mining, diplomatic tensions with New Zealand, and new foreign partnerships, especially with China. Prime Minister Mark Brown defended his decisions, saying the country works with other nations on its own terms, but the new China agreements caused concern and economic challenges.
Key Facts
The Cook Islands has about 17,000 people and faces important choices in its general election.
Prime Minister Mark Brown has led the country since 2020 and signed partnership deals with China in 2025.
These deals caused tension with New Zealand, a longtime ally that temporarily stopped aid due to concerns about transparency.
A new Defense and Security Agreement with New Zealand was signed to improve relations.
The opposition leader, Teariki Heather, opposes the China partnership and values close ties with New Zealand.
The Cook Islands economy suffered during the Covid-19 pandemic mainly because tourism makes up about 70% of its income.
The government worked to cut debt and grow the economy by more than 10% per year after 2022.
Rising fuel prices due to conflict in the Middle East affected the islands, leading the government to create a fund to stabilize energy costs.
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The mayor of Bay Head, New Jersey, is concerned that a social media trend of attracting sharks near shore with bait is increasing the risk of shark attacks on swimmers. People are sharing videos of pulling sharks close to the beach to take photos, which the mayor says lures dangerous sharks into swimming areas.
Key Facts
Bay Head’s mayor, Bill Curtis, is worried about a social media trend attracting sharks near shore.
People are using bait near the beach to draw in sharks, then taking photos with them.
One video shows an 8-foot bull shark being pulled onto the beach.
Shark fishermen often fish about 100 yards from shore in 15-foot-deep water.
Captain John Schaible says participants are not harming sharks, just taking pictures and releasing them.
The mayor believes baiting sharks near swimmers is unsafe and urges caution and common sense.
It is legal to fish for sharks in the area, but the practice is causing concern due to public safety.
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An Egyptian cargo ship caught fire in the Bab al-Mandeb strait after a suspected attack by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi fighters. Four crew members died, which would be the first deaths caused by a Houthi strike on shipping since the war involving Iran began in February.
Key Facts
The cargo ship is owned by Egypt.
It caught fire in the Bab al-Mandeb strait.
The fire followed a suspected attack by Houthi forces from Yemen.
The Houthis are supported by Iran.
Four crew members were killed in the attack.
This is the first reported death from a Houthi strike on shipping since the conflict with Iran started in February.
The incident was captured on video showing the ship in flames.
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The Pentagon informed Congress that U.S. airstrikes in Yemen last year caused the deaths of 153 civilians and injured 243 others. These airstrikes were authorized by President Donald Trump in March after attacks by Houthi rebels on commercial ships in the Red Sea.
Key Facts
The U.S. military conducted airstrikes against Houthi militants in Yemen last year.
The Pentagon reported to Congress that 153 civilians were killed due to these strikes.
An additional 243 civilians were injured in the airstrikes.
The airstrikes followed Houthi attacks on commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea.
President Donald Trump authorized the airstrikes in March of the previous year.
The Houthi group is a rebel movement involved in the conflict in Yemen.
These events are part of ongoing conflict and instability in Yemen.
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A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 hit western Colombia, causing severe damage and deaths. Rescue teams and volunteers are working hard to find survivors among the collapsed buildings.
Key Facts
The earthquake happened on Monday at 7:34 a.m. local time in western Colombia.
At least 254 people have died, mostly in the cities of Pereira and Cali.
Around 5,000 homes were damaged, according to the United Nations.
In Cali, 95 people died and 45 buildings fully or partially collapsed.
A seven-story apartment building called the Vanessa Building was completely destroyed.
Rescue workers are using tools and machines to search for about 20 people trapped under the rubble.
Hundreds of volunteers are helping clear debris by forming human chains to move rubble.
Rescuers often pause to listen carefully for sounds of survivors beneath the concrete.
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The UK has set a new record for the number of days with temperatures over 30°C in one year, reaching 35 days. The heatwave will continue with temperatures possibly hitting 38°C in parts of England, and the Met Office has issued an amber extreme heat warning.
Key Facts
The UK hit 35 days above 30°C this year, breaking the previous record of 34 days from 1995.
Temperatures may reach 38°C on Thursday in the Midlands, London, and southeast England.
This could be the hottest August day since 2003 when 38.5°C was recorded.
The heatwave has prompted an amber extreme heat warning from the Met Office.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber heat health alerts for all of England.
Health alerts warn of risks such as higher death rates and strain on social and health care.
Scotland and Northern Ireland will be cooler but still warmer than usual, especially in eastern areas.
Cooler weather with possible rain is expected to arrive this weekend in western Scotland and Northern Ireland.
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Some people in New Jersey have been attracting large sharks into shallow waters near the shore. This has raised worries because it brings sharks close to swimmers and beachgoers.
Key Facts
The activity involves luring big sharks into shallow water areas.
It happened during the summer in New Jersey.
Videos of the shark fishing caused concern among the public.
The sharks come closer to places where people swim.
Authorities and experts are paying attention to the situation.
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The head of military intelligence for Libya’s eastern army, Fawzi al-Mansouri, was killed by a car bomb in Benghazi. His assassination raises concerns about security in the region controlled by military commander Khalifa Haftar and complicates ongoing efforts to reunify Libya’s divided government.
Key Facts
Fawzi al-Mansouri, leader of military intelligence for the Libyan National Army (LNA), died in a car bombing on Monday in Benghazi.
The bomb exploded as he was leaving a mosque at night.
The LNA controls eastern and parts of southern Libya, while a rival government is in Tripoli.
Khalifa Haftar leads the LNA and the rival government in Benghazi.
An investigation into the bombing has been opened, with suggestions it was a terrorist act.
The attack challenges the image of security the LNA tries to maintain in its territories.
The killing threatens a US-led plan to reunify Libya’s divided government and institutions.
No group has claimed responsibility for the bomb attack yet.
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Forest City in Malaysia, a large artificial island development, remains mostly empty despite plans for 700,000 residents. Recently, police found and arrested scammers using apartments there to run fraud operations targeting people overseas.
Key Facts
Forest City was created by Chinese developers and launched in 2016 with a $100 billion plan.
The project was meant to be a financial zone housing 700,000 people, but less than 1% of that number live there now.
Malaysian police raided scam operations in Forest City in July, arresting 335 people and seizing computers and phones.
The scammers ran cryptocurrency investment and romance scams aimed at victims from other countries.
Those arrested included mainly Chinese nationals along with Indonesians, Malaysians, and Myanmar nationals.
Police are working with Interpol to find the leaders behind these fraud schemes.
Experts say these scam groups operate like multinational companies with recruitment, IT, and money laundering teams.
The scams likely moved to Malaysia after crackdowns in Cambodia, a major center for such crimes.
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Colombia experienced its strongest earthquake ever on Monday, with a magnitude of 7.4. The new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, reported at least 181 people have died, and many more are missing.
Key Facts
The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.4, the strongest recorded in Colombia.
It occurred on a Monday.
President Abelardo de la Espriella is Colombia’s current leader.
At least 181 people have died because of the earthquake.
Hundreds of people are missing after the earthquake.
The earthquake caused widespread damage and fear.
News reporter Lilia Luciano covered the event from Colombia.
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Severe storms with strong winds and thunderstorms struck the Midwest, causing nearly 1 million people to lose electricity across Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. The storms led to flight delays, at least one death, widespread damage to homes and trees, and the cancellation of local events.
Key Facts
Nearly 1 million customers lost power due to severe weather in four states: Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky.
Chicago airports stopped flights temporarily; nearly half of flights were delayed and 10% were canceled.
Tornado warning sirens sounded as two suspected tornadoes hit suburbs of south Chicago and northwest Indiana.
Wind gusts reached speeds of 80 mph or more in some areas, causing roofs to be damaged and power lines to fall.
A home explosion in Portage, Indiana, during the storm killed one person, though the exact cause was unclear.
Flooded roads blocked emergency responders in Roseville, Ohio, where a resident died during a health emergency.
Local fairs and events were canceled due to the weather and resulting damage.
Officials warned the storms were dangerous because of the "ring of fire" weather pattern bringing heavy rain and winds.
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Singer Sir Rod Stewart has canceled the rest of his "One Last Time" farewell tour after having a coronary stent procedure, a treatment to help heart blood flow. He is recovering well but will take four weeks to rest and regain his strength before performing again.
Key Facts
Rod Stewart postponed and canceled several concerts due to a medical issue.
He underwent a routine coronary stent procedure to improve blood flow to his heart.
Doctors are pleased with his recovery, and he is returning to normal activities.
On medical advice, he will rest for four weeks before returning to the stage.
Stewart canceled all remaining tour dates scheduled through September 3, including shows in Las Vegas and Mexico.
The singer expressed disappointment about missing performances and thanked medical staff for their care.
Stewart is 81 years old and is a highly successful and famous rock singer with hits like “Maggie May.”
He has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice.
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Powerful storms moved through the Midwest and mid-Atlantic regions on Tuesday night. The storms brought very strong winds, tornadoes, and sudden flooding.
Key Facts
Storms affected the Midwest and mid-Atlantic states.
Wind speeds reached up to 100 miles per hour, similar to hurricane force.
Tornadoes were reported during the storm outbreak.
Flash flooding occurred in some areas.
The event took place on a Tuesday night.
The storms caused dangerous weather conditions across multiple states.
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The UK will experience its largest solar eclipse since 1999 on Wednesday evening, with the Moon covering up to 96% of the Sun depending on the location. Northern Spain and other parts of Europe will see a total solar eclipse, attracting many visitors to witness this natural event.
Key Facts
The eclipse will be visible across the entire UK, with the highest coverage (94%-96%) in Devon, Cornwall, and parts of Wales.
Other parts of the UK will see between 90% and 94% of the Sun covered by the Moon.
Northern Spain, Russia, Greenland, Iceland, and Portugal will experience a total solar eclipse.
Hundreds of thousands of people are traveling to northern Spain to watch the full eclipse.
The peak time for the eclipse in the UK will be between 18:58 and 19:15 BST, varying by location.
Weather forecasts predict mostly clear skies in much of the UK, but cloud and rain may affect parts of northern England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Special eclipse glasses are needed to safely watch the event; many have been sold out in UK stores.
The next similar partial eclipse visible in the UK will happen in 2081, and the next total eclipse in the UK in 2090.
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Heavy floods have affected Assam, a state in northeastern India, causing widespread damage and displacing many people. A 97-year-old woman was rescued on a raft made from banana tree trunks after floodwaters rose around her home in the village of Charing.
Key Facts
Floods in Assam have affected about 1.2 million people across 25 districts.
The floods have damaged over 19,000 houses and put more than 75,000 people in 252 relief camps.
The death toll from the floods has reached 100, with 10 districts and 456 villages affected.
Bornali Baruah and her family carried her 97-year-old mother on a banana trunk raft to safety due to the lack of boats or rescue teams.
Baruah’s home was submerged in water rising up to five feet inside the house.
The flooding was caused by rivers like the Jhanji, Dikhow, and Mitong overflowing after heavy rains.
Baruah, who runs a large livestock farm, lost most of her animals, farm equipment, furniture, vehicles, and books in the flood.
There is no insurance available for livestock in her area, making recovery harder for farmers like her.
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UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has reversed his plan to allow early release of two killers of PC Andrew Harper. Police chiefs and unions have raised concerns about the early release scheme, warning it could risk public safety and cause mistakes in prisoner releases.
Key Facts
Prime Minister Burnham wants to stop early release of Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, jailed for killing PC Andrew Harper.
The National Association of Probation Officers has voted for possible strike action over the early release plans.
All 43 chief police officers in England and Wales wrote to Burnham seeking extra safety measures for violent offenders.
Some unions warn that blocking early release in some cases may increase mistakes and risks for other inmates.
Burnham is confident he can find prison space for high-profile offenders who should stay behind bars.
Other news includes a major solar eclipse visible in the UK and Europe and a heatwave raising food prices.
The Financial Times reports on Syria sentencing Atif Najib and Bashar al-Assad to death for war crimes.
Actress Lucy Davis has publicly shared her terminal breast cancer diagnosis and her plan to live positively.
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Male redback spiders perform a unique "self-sacrificial somersault" during mating that causes females to eat them after sex. Scientists found this behavior is linked to a specific gene on the male spider’s X chromosome and studied how it differs from related spider species like the New Zealand katipō.
Key Facts
Male redback spiders often get eaten by females after mating through a behavior called a self-sacrificial somersault.
During mating, the male flips his body into the female’s mouth to help transfer sperm and increase reproductive success.
This sacrificial act is genetically linked to a specific part of the male spider’s X chromosome.
Redbacks are related to New Zealand’s katipō spiders, which do not show this cannibalistic behavior.
Researchers bred redbacks and katipō spiders together and found about half of the offspring showed the somersault behavior.
The katipō and redback species separated around 100,000 years ago, during which time katipō lost this behavior.
Interbreeding between invasive redbacks and native katipō in New Zealand is a concern because it could harm the native species.
Understanding this behavior and interbreeding helps scientists find ways to protect native katipō spiders.
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