A new art exhibition in New England shows how three famous American painters influenced each other during summer stays by the sea. These summer retreats helped shape their artistic styles and careers in the 20th century.
Key Facts
The exhibition takes place in New England, specifically around Cape Ann.
It focuses on three important American painters from the 20th century.
These painters spent summers together by the sea.
Their time together helped them grow and change as artists.
The exhibition is part of the CANVAS arts and culture series by GBH Boston.
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American English developed by changing the original British English in pronunciation, spelling, and vocabulary. Linguists say these changes started early in American history and grew over time, making American English unique.
Key Facts
American English comes from British English but has many differences.
Changes include how words are pronounced and spelled.
Americans created new words not found in British English.
Dialects, or regional ways of speaking, evolved in the U.S.
Linguists Anne Curzan and Valerie Fridland discussed these changes on a podcast.
The podcast is called "In Pursuit of Happiness."
These language changes began from the earliest days of America.
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The K-pop boy band Cortis started their global concert tour, encouraging fans to put down their phones and enjoy the live show. This message reflects the band’s wish for fans to experience concerts directly rather than through their phone screens, though some fans still chose to record performances.
Key Facts
Cortis began their “Put your phone down” tour in Incheon, South Korea, and will visit cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Seoul.
The band asks fans to stop filming and engage with their live performance.
Some fans, like Park Ji-yeon, still record concerts to preserve memories and use high-quality phones for filming.
Others enjoyed the concert more by putting their phones away and dancing with the crowd.
Cortis debuted last year under BigHit Music, the same label as BTS.
Most band members are teenagers; the oldest is 20 years old.
Their name means “colour outside the lines,” representing their desire to break from norms.
Other artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Alicia Keys, and BTS also encourage fans to limit phone use during shows.
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Researchers studied over 800 adults aged 90 and older to understand dementia risk in very old age. They found that risk varies by sex, race, ethnicity, and genetics, with women and certain racial groups having higher chances of developing dementia even after age 90.
Key Facts
The study followed adults aged 90+ as part of the LifeAfter90 project by UC Davis Health and Kaiser Permanente.
Women were about twice as likely to develop dementia as men after age 90.
Black participants had a 75% higher risk of dementia compared to Asian participants.
Black and Hispanic individuals had higher rates of dementia than White and Asian groups.
The APOE gene, linked to Alzheimer’s disease, affects dementia risk differently in very old adults.
The APOE2 gene variant reduced dementia risk by about 60%, even after age 90.
APOE4 gene increased dementia risk mostly in men and Black participants.
Some people stayed healthy cognitively despite risk factors like high blood pressure or carrying APOE4.
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German police found and disarmed a drone with explosives near Ukrainian cargo planes at Leipzig airport. The drone did not explode, and the airport was shut down for several hours while officials investigated a possible second drone involved in a near midair collision.
Key Facts
A drone carrying a package of plastic explosive Semtex was found hovering near Ukrainian Antonov Airlines cargo planes at Leipzig airport.
The explosive did not detonate because of a failed detonator.
German police used a bomb disposal robot to disarm the drone and later performed a controlled explosion.
The Ukrainian cargo planes were reported to be empty and not carrying weapons or munitions.
Leipzig/Halle airport was closed for several hours, causing about 19 flights to divert.
A DHL Boeing 757 had a near midair collision with an unidentified object, possibly a second drone, and landed safely.
German authorities opened a counterterrorism investigation and suspect foreign involvement, with some officials linking Russia to the incident.
Drone incursions near European airports, military bases, and industrial sites have increased since 2024, prompting frequent military responses.
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Far-right groups called "Active Clubs" use fitness activities and a sense of friendship to attract young white men. Experts say these groups hide their extremist views and train members for potential violence.
Key Facts
"Active Clubs" are far-right groups focused on fitness.
They recruit young white men by offering exercise and group bonding.
The groups hide their extremist beliefs behind the fitness activities.
Experts warn the groups are decentralized, meaning they operate in many places without central control.
Members get prepared for real-world violent actions.
These clubs are part of a broader concern about rising far-right extremism.
The reporting was done by Nils Adler for Al Jazeera.
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A bomb exploded on a minibus in the Syrian town of Jaramana, near Damascus, killing at least two people and injuring 13. The attack caused heavy damage to the vehicle, and no group has claimed responsibility yet.
Key Facts
The explosion happened on August 6, 2026, in Jaramana, a suburb of Damascus.
The bomb was planted inside a minibus, destroying its roof and interior.
At least two people died and 13 were injured in the blast.
Jaramana is home to Druze and Christian communities.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.
Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, new Islamist authorities control Syria.
The area around Damascus has seen multiple attacks targeting civilians recently.
Syrian officials have arrested an Islamic State-linked cell accused of past bombings.
President Ahmed al-Sharaa has promised to protect minority groups in Syria.
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Uganda has approved sending troops to Gaza to join an international peacekeeping force proposed by President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace. The force aims to help secure Gaza after the Israel-Hamas conflict ends, alongside troops also pledged by Morocco.
Key Facts
Uganda’s parliament approved deploying troops to Gaza as part of the international force.
The force was proposed by President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace in February.
Morocco has also promised troops for this mission.
The force would be led by American Major General Jasper Jeffers.
The mission is planned to begin after Israeli troops gradually withdraw from Gaza.
Uganda’s defense minister cited the country’s experience in peacekeeping in Somalia as a reason for participation.
Some Ugandan lawmakers questioned the decision and expressed concerns about the country’s role.
The peacekeeping force is linked to a ceasefire deal aiming for Israel to stop military actions and Hamas to end militant activity.
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Russian missile strikes on Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, killed at least 17 people on the night of August 5. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that if ballistic missile interceptors had worked, some lives might have been saved.
Key Facts
The attacks occurred on the night of August 5 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
At least 17 people died because of the Russian missile strikes.
The strikes caused severe damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the tragedy after the attack.
President Zelensky noted that interceptors designed to shoot down missiles might have prevented some deaths.
Ballistic missile interceptors are systems that detect and destroy incoming missiles before they hit targets.
These attacks are part of ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
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Australia’s trade surplus has fallen to its lowest level in almost ten years. This is due to higher imports of electric vehicles and Australia's efforts to secure fuel supplies during the oil crisis in the Middle East. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong is in Fiji working to improve relationships with Pacific nations and addressing concerns about China’s missile test.
Key Facts
Australia’s trade surplus reached its lowest level in nearly nine years in the latest quarter.
Imports of electric vehicles (EVs) more than doubled to almost 70,000 in the June quarter.
Australia has been actively working to secure fuel shipments amid the Middle East oil crisis.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong is meeting with Pacific leaders in Fiji to rebuild trust and strengthen ties.
Australia plans to engage in talks with Tonga and the Solomon Islands to improve partnerships.
Wong expressed hope that China respects regional stability after a recent missile test.
Pacific leaders have voiced opposition to China’s ballistic missile test in July.
Australia is aiming to maintain peace and cooperation in the Pacific Ocean region.
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A wildfire in Calaveras County, California, destroyed seven buildings and burned over 15 square miles of forest. A 65-year-old man named Herbert Wayne Smith was arrested because officials believe sparks from his chain saw caused the fire, and a dead body was found inside one of the burned homes.
Key Facts
The wildfire occurred in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Calaveras County, California.
Seven buildings were destroyed, and the fire burned more than 15 square miles (39 square kilometers) of land.
Herbert Wayne Smith, 65, was arrested for starting the fire accidently with a chain saw.
Smith is suspected of recklessly causing the fire by using equipment that creates sparks without clearing nearby dry plants.
Prosecutors will decide if criminal charges will be filed against Smith.
A dead body was found inside a home damaged by the fire near Angels Camp.
Investigators are determining if the fire contributed to the person's death.
Cooler weather and calmer winds are helping firefighters control other wildfires in eastern Washington state, where at least 800 buildings have already been destroyed.
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Toronto police arrested two young suspects in connection with a recent shooting at the US Consulate, marking the second such attack in five months. Authorities believe the suspects were hired through an encrypted app and offered money to carry out shootings targeting various locations linked to national security.
Key Facts
Two suspects were arrested: a 19-year-old man named Xen-Ul-Abdeen Syed and a 15-year-old boy whose identity is protected by law.
The shooting happened early in the morning on July 27, with a bullet striking the front of the US Consulate in Toronto.
This was the second shooting at the consulate in five months; the first occurred on March 10, with arrests made in June for that incident.
Police described both shootings as national security incidents, increasing protection at US and Israeli diplomatic sites in Canada.
Investigators say suspects are recruited online via encrypted messaging apps and paid to shoot at selected targets and record the attacks.
Targets have included synagogues, Jewish schools, a waste management company, and the US Consulate.
Police believe the two arrested suspects were also involved in setting fire to a vehicle shortly before the latest shooting.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are conducting a related national security investigation alongside Toronto police.
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A fire started at a workers’ living camp at a building site for earthquake housing in Hatay, southern Turkiye. Firefighters put out the fire, and no one was hurt. Officials have begun an investigation to find out what caused the fire.
Key Facts
The fire happened at a workers’ accommodation camp.
The camp is part of a construction site for earthquake housing.
The location is Hatay, in southern Turkiye.
Firefighters controlled and extinguished the fire.
No injuries were reported.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.
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Mexican authorities have arrested Ángel Aguirre, the former governor of Guerrero state, for allegedly hiding evidence about the disappearance of 43 students in 2014. The case involves suspected violence linked to drug cartels and government officials and remains unresolved after more than 10 years.
Key Facts
Ángel Aguirre was governor of Guerrero from 2011 to October 2014, shortly after the students vanished.
The 43 students disappeared after taking buses on their way to a protest in 2014.
Prosecutors accuse Aguirre of concealing evidence related to the students' whereabouts.
The case is seen as a symbol of impunity and ties between cartels and authorities.
Only bone fragments of three students have been found, and the motive is believed to be connected to heroin trafficking.
A cartel in Iguala reportedly attacked the students with help from local, state, and federal security forces.
Former federal Attorney General Jesús Murillo Karam is also charged in the case.
The Mexican government under former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador called the case a "state crime."
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A young Hawaiian monk seal named RU99 began staying near a local resident’s home on Moloka‘i, drawing attention on social media and helping change local views about the endangered seals. The island faces challenges with seal killings and misunderstandings about the animals, which are among the world’s rarest.
Key Facts
RU99 is a one-year-old Hawaiian monk seal that appeared in a resident’s yard in Kapaʻakea, Moloka‘i.
The seal’s presence and social media posts by Hawaiiloa Mowat, a local resident, have positively influenced community attitudes.
Hawaiian monk seals are endangered, with about 1,600 left in the wild, around 400 living near the Main Hawaiian Islands.
Moloka‘i has had problems with people harming seals, including deliberate killings and suspicious deaths.
Previously, a seal named RL80 was found with a bullet and later died due to injuries from fishing gear.
Federal officials monitor seal deaths and investigate incidents involving harm to the seals.
Some local fishers believe seals compete with them for fish, contributing to local tensions.
Efforts by volunteers and officials focus on protecting seals and educating the community about their importance.
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Two very strong dust storms hit the Phoenix, Arizona area within a few days this week. These storms, called haboobs, are some of the most severe in many years, with very strong winds and large amounts of dust reducing visibility.
Key Facts
The dust storms happened on Monday, August 3, 2026, and again early Thursday morning.
These storms are known as haboobs and can create large walls of dust that reduce visibility and can be dangerous.
Both storms reached Category 5 on a dust storm severity scale, the strongest level.
Category 5 storms have very high dust levels and winds near 50 miles per hour (80 kilometers per hour).
Such strong dust storms occurring so close together is unusual and has not been seen before in available records.
The Phoenix area has been drier than usual, which makes dust storms worse because more loose dust is available.
Experts say climate change may increase drought and strong storms, possibly causing more severe dust storms in the future.
No serious damage or accidents were reported during these storms because they mostly occurred late at night when fewer people were driving.
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An Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has caused 1,751 deaths in three months. Efforts to stop the virus are being slowed by ongoing conflict, problems in tracking cases, and lack of money.
Key Facts
The Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC is spreading very quickly.
In three months, the outbreak has killed 1,751 people.
Conflict in the area makes it hard for health workers to do their jobs.
Gaps in disease monitoring are causing delays in detecting new cases.
There is not enough funding to fully support the response efforts.
The World Health Organization (WHO) considers this the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak.
The situation is challenging because of violence and security issues in the region.
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New attacks by Israel have targeted Lebanon after soldiers were killed, breaking a ceasefire that began in June. These events happened even as peace talks between Lebanon and Israel took place in Rome, arranged by the United States.
Key Facts
Israeli air and artillery strikes hit Lebanon recently.
Lebanese soldiers were killed for the first time since a ceasefire started in June.
The ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel was fragile.
Peace talks between Lebanon and Israel are ongoing in Rome.
The peace talks are part of a process led by the United States.
The situation remains tense despite diplomatic efforts.
The discussion features experts from the Middle East and U.S. foreign policy backgrounds.
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said trade talks with the United States have become difficult after President Donald Trump criticized Canada’s leadership and threatened higher tariffs. Canada continues to negotiate while trying to protect its workers and businesses amid a tariff dispute.
Key Facts
President Trump called Canada’s leadership “nasty” during a speech in Las Vegas.
Canada and the U.S. are engaged in tough trade talks, described by Carney as “nasty.”
The U.S. already imposes tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and cars.
Trump has threatened to add 50% tariffs on more Canadian goods starting August 19.
Tariffs are taxes on imports that can raise prices for buyers.
Carney said aluminum prices in the U.S. have increased 58% due to tariffs.
Canadian officials say their trade responses are in reaction to existing U.S. tariffs.
Many Canadians are upset with Trump’s comments and tariff threats, leading some to cancel trips to the U.S.
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Nigerian security forces freed 308 people who had been kidnapped in separate attacks in a northern forest area. The rescued people were returned safely to their homes.
Key Facts
308 abducted individuals were rescued by Nigerian security forces.
The kidnappings took place in northern Nigeria, specifically in a forested area.
The freed abductees were brought back home.
The article also mentions other African news, such as a workforce crisis in South Africa's textile industry due to xenophobic protests.
There is a brief note about a Nigerian artist who uses clay to create colorful portraits.
The main focus is on the rescue operation in northern Nigeria involving the abductees.
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