Lebanon’s parliament has voted to end the death penalty, making it the first Middle Eastern country to officially abolish capital punishment. The law will now go to the government and President Joseph Aoun for final approval. Under the new law, the death penalty will be replaced by life imprisonment with hard labour.
Key Facts
Lebanon’s 128-seat parliament voted to abolish the death penalty, with most MPs supporting the move.
Hezbollah’s parliamentary group opposed the abolition.
The law must be approved next by the cabinet and then signed by President Joseph Aoun.
Lebanon has not executed anyone since 2004 but still sentenced over 78 people to death.
Life imprisonment with hard labour will replace the death penalty under the new law.
Hard labour is already in Lebanese law but is rarely enforced due to limited resources.
The vote follows more than 20 years without executions, as execution requires approval by top officials which has not happened since 2004.
Other Middle East countries are still using or expanding the death penalty, including Jordan, Israel, and Iran.
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Lebanon’s parliament has passed a law to end the death penalty, making it the first Middle Eastern country to do so. The new law replaces the death sentence with life imprisonment that includes hard labor, although the exact details of this punishment are not yet clear.
Key Facts
Lebanon’s parliament voted to abolish the death penalty with a majority of the 128 members in favor.
Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc was the only group opposing the law.
The death penalty has not been officially carried out in Lebanon since 2004, but courts still issued death sentences until now.
At the end of 2025, 85 people in Lebanon were still sentenced to death.
The new punishment replaces the death sentence with life imprisonment and aggravated hard labor.
Lebanon’s prisons are overcrowded, and carrying out hard labor has been rare due to limited resources.
Amnesty International called Lebanon’s decision a major step for human rights and aligned with global trends.
Lebanon is also discussing a general amnesty law that could reduce or cancel some prison sentences, which has caused protests by families of soldiers killed in attacks.
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A large partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK on Wednesday, August 12, with up to 95% of the Sun covered in some places. Weather conditions will vary by region, with most of the UK expected to have clear skies, but some northern areas may experience cloud and rain that could block the view.
Key Facts
The partial solar eclipse starts around 6:00 PM BST and peaks between 7:02 and 7:16 PM BST in the UK.
London will see about 90% of the Sun covered, while Cornwall may see up to 95% covered.
There is a path of total eclipse elsewhere, but the UK will only experience a partial eclipse.
High pressure over Europe brings dry, sunny weather for much of the UK, offering good viewing conditions.
Northern Scotland, Northern Ireland, and parts of northern England and Wales may have clouds and rain that could affect visibility.
The Sun will be low in the western sky, so viewers should find a clear western horizon without trees or buildings.
Iceland may have some cloud and rain, while Spain and Portugal are expected to have clear skies.
This eclipse is the closest thing to a total eclipse the UK will see for many years.
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On Wednesday, a total solar eclipse will be visible across parts of Europe and the Arctic region, marking the first total eclipse in Europe in 27 years. The moon will cover the sun completely for about two minutes along a specific path, while many other areas will see a partial eclipse.
Key Facts
The eclipse starts at 15:34 GMT and totality (full coverage) occurs around 17:46 GMT.
Totality will last about 2 minutes and 18 seconds at its peak.
The eclipse will pass over northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and a small part of Portugal.
About 15 million people will experience nearly total darkness during the eclipse.
Partial eclipse visibility will extend across much of Western Europe, parts of Northwest Africa, most of Canada, and parts of the northern United States.
Major European cities like Paris and London will see over 90% of the sun covered, while Berlin will see about 85%.
In the US, Alaska will have the deepest partial eclipse coverage (up to 37%), but most of the country will see much less.
Totality will reach Spain around 18:27 GMT and last up to 110 seconds in cities like Leon, Valladolid, and Zaragoza.
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Myanmar’s military has increased its use of low-cost aircraft like motorized paragliders and gyrocopters to launch airstrikes that kill civilians. A United Nations investigation found evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including attacks targeting people helping the wounded and those fleeing.
Key Facts
Myanmar’s military has used motorized paragliders, gyrocopters, and drones for low-altitude airstrikes with unguided explosives.
The UN’s Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) investigated abuses and found increased attacks around national elections in late 2023 and early 2024.
The military uses “double-tap” strikes where a second attack targets first responders and civilians escaping the first strike.
The Arakan Army, an ethnic armed group, said 20 civilians were killed in Myanmar military airstrikes across Rakhine state in early August 2024.
Motorized paragliders sometimes glide silently by cutting engines before attacking, giving civilians little warning.
Since 2021, over 8,000 civilians have been killed and more than 31,000 arrested by Myanmar’s security forces, according to an independent group.
The IIMM gathered evidence from more than 1,600 sources to support future prosecutions of those responsible for war crimes.
Myanmar’s military government has not publicly responded to the UN report or allegations of civilian attacks.
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A study from the University of Queensland followed over 8,000 adults for nine years and found that people who regularly did both aerobic exercise and muscle-strengthening activities had a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and some cancers. Only about a quarter of adults met both exercise guidelines, highlighting a need for better public health messages encouraging strength training along with aerobic workouts.
Key Facts
The study tracked adults aged 40 to 64 in Brisbane from 2007 to 2016.
Recommended exercise includes at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity weekly and muscle-strengthening exercises on two or more days.
Meeting both exercise guidelines was linked to a 23% lower cancer risk, 24% lower hypertension risk, and 50% lower type 2 diabetes risk.
About 50% of participants met aerobic activity guidelines, but only 24% met both aerobic and muscle-strengthening guidelines.
Around 30% of participants did not meet either exercise recommendation.
Muscle-strengthening activities involve lifting weights, resistance bands, and bodyweight exercises like push-ups and squats.
Current public health advice often focuses mainly on aerobic activity, but this study suggests strength training is equally important to prevent chronic diseases.
Chronic diseases affect about 60% of middle-aged adults in Australia, with 30% having more than one condition.
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Reece Weaver, known as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, announced she will perform on Broadway. She spoke about her decision to leave the cheerleading team and start rehearsals for her new role.
Key Facts
Reece Weaver was a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader.
She appeared on the show "America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders."
Her departure from the cheerleading team surprised many viewers.
She announced her Broadway debut on "CBS Mornings."
Weaver discussed why she chose to leave cheerleading.
She shared her experience starting Broadway rehearsals.
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In northwestern Nigeria, clashes between police and armed criminals called bandits left at least 29 people dead, including 10 police officers, 17 bandits, and 2 civilians. The violence happened as the bandits traveled between states known for crime like kidnappings and cattle theft.
Key Facts
10 police officers died and 2 were injured in the clashes.
17 bandits were killed during the fight.
2 civilians also lost their lives in the violence.
The incident occurred in Kebbi State, with bandits coming from Zamfara State.
About 240 armed bandits on more than 200 motorcycles were involved.
Northwestern Nigeria often faces problems with criminal gangs doing kidnappings and stealing livestock.
Last month, at least 20 people were killed in a bandit attack in Zamfara.
More than 500,000 people have been forced to leave their homes because of similar violence in nearby states, according to a UN report.
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An American Airlines flight from Myrtle Beach to Charlotte turned back after flames came out of its left engine caused by hitting birds during takeoff. The plane landed safely with no injuries, and passengers later continued their trip on another plane.
Key Facts
The plane was a Boeing 737 with 172 passengers on board.
Flames appeared from the left engine shortly after takeoff from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
The pilot reported an engine problem and declared a mayday emergency.
The plane safely landed back in Myrtle Beach with no injuries.
American Airlines removed the plane from service for inspections.
Passengers were transferred to a different aircraft to reach Charlotte, North Carolina.
The Federal Aviation Administration said about 8,300 animal strikes, mainly involving birds, have been reported this year.
Bird strikes can seriously damage airplane engines and are a known safety concern in aviation.
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People in Paris are getting ready to see a solar eclipse, which will be the first one visible in France since 1999. The event is important for sky watchers and photographers who study stars and space.
Key Facts
A solar eclipse will soon be visible in Paris, France.
The last solar eclipse seen in France was in 1999.
This eclipse is attracting attention from photographers and space enthusiasts.
The article mentions that the eclipse is a rare event in the region.
It refers to related topics like science and astronomy connected to the eclipse.
The article comes from France 24 and was published on August 11, 2026.
There are mentions of other recent news related to France’s environment and politics listed after the main story.
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A strong earthquake measuring 7.4 struck western Colombia, killing at least 224 people. Thousands are still missing, and officials warn the death toll could rise as rescue efforts continue.
Key Facts
The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.4.
It hit the western region of Colombia.
At least 224 people have died so far.
Thousands of people remain unaccounted for.
Rescue teams are working quickly to find survivors.
Authorities warn that the number of casualties may increase.
The event has caused widespread damage and urgent response efforts.
The news was reported on August 11, 2026.
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Ukraine’s hope to join NATO has been delayed for many years, and recent statements from NATO leaders and Ukraine’s former top general suggest membership may never happen. Despite continued military support, NATO has not set a timeline for Ukraine’s entry, and some Ukrainian officials now question whether joining NATO is realistic.
Key Facts
In 2008, NATO promised that Ukraine would eventually become a member.
Russia has attacked Ukraine since 2014, including annexing Crimea and starting a war in eastern Ukraine.
In 2024, NATO reaffirmed support for Ukraine but did not say when it would join NATO.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in 2025 Ukraine’s NATO membership is "not realistic."
At the 2025 NATO summit, Ukraine was called a security partner but membership was not mentioned.
Ukrainian former commander Valery Zaluzhnyi said Ukraine might never join NATO and criticized NATO’s outdated military approaches.
Zaluzhnyi suggested Ukraine should focus on creating a new security role rather than relying on NATO membership.
Russian media used Zaluzhnyi’s comments to support their view that Ukraine’s Western allies have abandoned it.
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A strong earthquake in western Colombia caused many buildings to collapse. The number of people who died has increased to 224 as rescuers continue to search for survivors.
Key Facts
The earthquake happened in western Colombia.
Dozens of buildings were destroyed by the quake.
At least 224 people have died so far.
Emergency workers are searching through rubble for survivors.
The death toll is still rising as rescue efforts continue.
The disaster has triggered a large rescue operation.
Local authorities are managing the response to the earthquake.
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Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is in perfect health. At the same time, Iran is changing its top security commanders, while the U.S. and Iran continue to accuse each other over ongoing conflict issues.
Key Facts
Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is reported to be in perfect health.
Iran is undergoing changes in its senior military and security leadership.
Several top commanders have been assigned to new positions within Iran’s security forces.
The United States and Iran are still demanding compensation from each other related to war conflicts.
This news was reported by Al Jazeera journalist Marah Rayan.
President Masoud Pezeshkian publicly made the health statement about Khamenei.
The tensions between Washington and Tehran continue amid these leadership changes.
The article focuses on political and security developments involving Iran and its relations with the U.S.
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The UK is expected to have its hottest summer ever recorded in 2026, with average temperatures rising significantly above normal levels. Multiple heatwaves have occurred, causing record temperatures and drought conditions in many areas.
Key Facts
The UK’s average temperature this summer is 16.48°C, which is 1.88°C higher than the 1991-2020 average.
The previous record summer temperature in 2025 was 16.10°C.
Three heatwaves have already happened this year, in May, June, and July, with a possible fourth in August.
The highest temperature so far was 38°C, recorded in Norfolk on 26 June.
England and Wales may have their warmest summers ever, with temperatures 2.46°C and 2.17°C above average, respectively.
July was the driest month on record for England and Wales since 1836.
Over two-thirds of England and all of Wales are in drought, affecting 45 million people in England, many facing water restrictions.
Some rain may arrive soon, but it is not expected to be heavy or lasting.
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More than 2,000 people have died in the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history, mainly affecting eastern Congo. The outbreak, caused by a rare Ebola virus type, is hard to control due to remote locations, unpaid health workers, misinformation, and conflict in the region.
Key Facts
There are 4,381 confirmed Ebola cases and 2,011 deaths as of July 2026.
This outbreak is spreading nearly three times faster than the 2014-16 West Africa outbreak.
The virus is a rare type called Bundibugyo, which delayed diagnosis because tests targeted the common type.
Ebola spreads through contact with infected body fluids and contaminated objects.
Five provinces in eastern Congo are affected, near South Sudan, Uganda, and Rwanda.
Health workers face strikes over unpaid wages and threats from rebel groups.
Communities mistrust health efforts due to trauma and misinformation about Ebola’s existence.
Traditional funeral practices have been restricted, causing anger among locals.
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Hungary’s Parliament elected András Baka, a former Supreme Court chief justice, as the new president. This change is part of the current government’s effort to remove officials connected to former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and restore democratic institutions.
Key Facts
András Baka was elected president by Hungary’s Parliament with 140 votes for and 6 against, while Orbán’s party boycotted the vote.
The president’s role in Hungary is mostly ceremonial but includes some powers like sending laws back for review.
The new government led by Prime Minister Peter Magyar aims to end the influence of Orbán’s appointees, whom they blame for weakening democracy.
Orbán and his party criticize the new government’s actions, calling them tyrannical, which the government denies.
Baka said political changes should focus on unity, not revenge or fear among citizens.
Since May, the government has removed officials linked to Orbán and shut down institutions seen as tools for his control.
Media outlets connected to Orbán’s party have been suspended or closed by the new administration.
Judicial reforms and new offices have been created to investigate past abuses and strengthen democracy in Hungary.
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Thailand has stopped giving new permits to own guns after a 14-year-old student killed eight people and himself in a school shooting near Bangkok. The government is speeding up plans for tougher gun laws and asking people to hand in unlicensed guns.
Key Facts
A 14-year-old boy shot his grandparents, five school staff, and a 12-year-old girl before killing himself.
The boy used his grandfather’s handgun and may have learned to use guns by watching videos on social media.
Existing gun owners in Thailand are not allowed to carry guns in public and must keep them at home or in shooting ranges.
No new gun ownership permits will be issued, and current permits will not be renewed.
Thailand has about 10.3 million guns in private hands and a high level of gun crime.
The government wants to convince owners of around 4 million unlicensed guns to give them up.
The education minister suggested checking students at school entrances to stop weapons from entering schools.
The prime minister pledges to introduce strict gun control laws with tough penalties soon.
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The number of miscarriages in Gaza has tripled between January and June 2026 compared to the previous six months, with nearly one miscarriage for every five live births. Poor living conditions, lack of medical care, and stress are making pregnancy much more dangerous for women in Gaza.
Key Facts
Over 3,950 miscarriages were recorded in Gaza from January to June 2026.
The miscarriage rate is about one for every five live births in this period.
Living conditions in Gaza include overcrowding, poor sanitation, lack of food, and unsafe water.
Pregnant women face repeated displacement and psychological stress, affecting their health.
Medical care and access to prenatal vitamins and supplements have become harder to obtain.
Doctors report more cases of anemia, malnutrition, and stress among pregnant women.
Exposure to war debris and heavy metals may increase birth defects and premature births.
The worsening health situation is linked to multiple factors combined, not just one cause.
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A strong 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit Colombia, making it the strongest in the country in the last 100 years. Rescue teams are searching through rubble to find people who might be trapped after the disaster.
Key Facts
The earthquake measured 7.4 on the Richter scale.
It is the strongest earthquake Colombia has experienced in the past century.
Rescue teams are actively looking for survivors trapped under debris.
The earthquake caused significant damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Local officials reported on the disaster and ongoing rescue efforts.
Emergency services are responding urgently to help affected communities.
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