Scientists have discovered that a type of parasitic fungus called Cordyceps, known for infecting and controlling insects like ants, also lives inside mosses. This could be a survival strategy used by the fungus when insect hosts are scarce, showing a previously unknown life stage linked to moss environments.
Key Facts
Cordyceps fungi infect insects by spreading inside their bodies and controlling their behavior, eventually killing them.
The fungus forces infected ants to bite onto moss or plants before they die.
DNA tests found the same Cordyceps fungus living inside mosses near infected ants.
This suggests the fungus may have a life stage where it lives in moss, not just insects.
Cordyceps includes over 400 species, each targeting specific insects like ants, cockroaches, and beetles.
Previous studies showed the fungus forms networks inside insect bodies to control muscles and behavior.
The new research was done in the Amazon, collecting samples from ant death sites covered in moss.
Understanding this moss stage may explain how Cordyceps survives when there are fewer insect hosts available.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is suggesting he might take action alone against Iran to stop its nuclear program, despite ongoing talks between the U.S. and Iran. Netanyahu said he is ready to do whatever is needed to protect Israel, even as President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Netanyahu’s public statements about Iran.
Key Facts
Netanyahu hinted at possibly taking unilateral action against Iran’s nuclear program.
Iran’s commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps allegedly said Iran will keep developing nuclear weapons, but no official Iranian confirmation exists.
Netanyahu emphasized preventing Iran from getting nuclear weapons and called the U.S. Israel’s greatest ally.
Israel struck Iran once since an April ceasefire but the conflict has continued.
President Trump said Netanyahu wants to keep the U.S. involved by sharing intelligence publicly.
The Iran-U.S.-Israel conflict has disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, affecting global oil supplies and prices.
Analysts say the war against Iran has not met its goals and is a strategic failure.
Netanyahu has taken a strict stance on Iran, opposing past nuclear deals and warning about Iran’s missile and proxy capabilities.
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney criticized President Donald Trump for blaming the United Nations after a teleprompter stopped working during an event last year. Carney made jokes about the situation and said he does not believe there was any conspiracy behind the malfunction.
Key Facts
The incident involved a teleprompter malfunction at a United Nations event last year.
President Trump blamed the UN for the teleprompter failure.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made a public comment mocking President Trump’s reaction.
Carney joked by announcing a teleprompter had stopped working and said he does not see it as a conspiracy.
The remarks were made during a speech by Carney on Wednesday.
Carney’s comments highlighted differences in how the two leaders interpret technical problems.
The issue received attention due to President Trump’s public accusations following the event.
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On August 12, a total solar eclipse will be visible across parts of northern Spain and other areas, the first such eclipse seen on mainland Europe since 2006. During this event, the Moon will cover the Sun completely for a short time, creating a brief period of darkness during the day.
Key Facts
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves directly between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow on Earth.
This eclipse will start in northern Russia and move over Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain, and northeastern Portugal.
In northern Spain, the eclipse will last just under two minutes, causing darkness shortly before sunset.
Partial solar eclipses will be visible for about one hour and 45 minutes across much of Europe, Canada, northern U.S., and northwest Africa.
The Sun appears blocked because it is about 400 times larger than the Moon but also about 400 times farther away, making their apparent sizes in the sky nearly equal.
It is important to wear special eclipse glasses to protect your eyes, as looking directly at the Sun can cause serious eye damage.
Total solar eclipses are rare for any given area; the same place may wait hundreds of years before seeing another one.
Another total solar eclipse will cross southern Spain in 2027 and will last longer than this one.
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Eight Arab and Muslim countries jointly condemned Israeli attacks in Gaza, especially those targeting hospitals, medical staff, and civilians. They said these actions break international laws and harm efforts to maintain a ceasefire and peace plan supported by the United States.
Key Facts
The foreign ministers of the UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt issued a strong statement against Israeli violations in Gaza.
They condemned attacks on healthcare facilities, ambulances, medical workers, and civilian areas in Gaza.
These attacks violate international humanitarian law and threaten the delivery of medical aid.
Hamas welcomed the statement and urged the US and mediators to pressure Israel to stop violations and uphold the ceasefire agreement.
Gaza’s health system is near collapse; only half of its 36 hospitals are partly working.
Israeli air raids damaged a medicine warehouse, and shortages of critical drugs put patients at risk.
The ministers said Israeli actions also include settlement expansion and attacks in the West Bank and Jerusalem, harming the two-State solution efforts.
Since the ceasefire began 300 days ago, there have been over 4,000 Israeli violations, with more than 1,200 Palestinians killed and over 4,100 wounded according to Gaza’s Government Media Office.
UNICEF reported at least 300 children killed in Gaza during this period.
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Argentina said it will not respond with diplomatic actions after Brazil lowered its diplomatic relations because of insults from Argentina’s President Javier Milei toward Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Brazil will now deal with Argentina through a lower-level diplomat instead of a full ambassador, marking a drop in relations between the neighbors.
Key Facts
Brazil downgraded diplomatic ties with Argentina by dealing with a charge d’affaires, not a full ambassador.
This happened after Argentina’s President Milei called Brazil’s President Lula a “thief,” “corrupt,” and “ex-convict” on TV.
Lula was previously imprisoned after a corruption conviction, which was later overturned due to judicial bias.
Brazil’s ambassador to Argentina will not return to Buenos Aires.
The two presidents have not met officially since Milei took office in 2023.
Milei supports Brazil’s Bolsonaro family, which opposes Lula, who is running for a fourth term.
Brazil is also in a diplomatic conflict with the United States over ambassador appointments and visa refusals.
Lula emphasizes that Brazil rejects foreign interference and demands respect in diplomatic relations.
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Many people have become sick this year from foodborne illnesses like salmonella and cyclosporiasis. These illnesses come from eating contaminated food or water and can cause similar stomach symptoms.
Key Facts
Thousands of people have been infected with foodborne illnesses this year.
Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
Cyclospora is a parasite that causes similar symptoms but often lasts longer.
Both illnesses usually come from eating contaminated food or drinking unsafe water.
It is important to wash fruits and vegetables well to reduce the risk.
Doctors can test stool samples to confirm which illness a person has.
Treatment may include hydration and sometimes medication depending on the illness.
Preventing these infections involves good food safety and hygiene practices.
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FIFA’s president Gianni Infantino proposed a plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, causing a major crisis in world football’s leadership. After strong protests and a threatened boycott by UEFA, FIFA withdrew the plan and apologized for mistakes, but UEFA still refuses to support FIFA competitions until changes are made.
Key Facts
FIFA proposed creating FIFA Forward Enterprise to allow private investment in World Cup tournaments.
UEFA, European football’s governing body, threatened to boycott the World Cup over the plan.
FIFA apologized for poor handling of the proposal and withdrew it from consideration.
UEFA said it lost confidence in FIFA president Gianni Infantino and maintains its boycott threat.
The plan involved $40 million to FIFA’s 211 member associations to gain support.
Media linked the investment fund to Thrive Eternal, connected to the Trump family.
The controversy caused resignations and internal criticism within FIFA staff.
European Leagues and other groups called for governance reforms in FIFA following the incident.
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The United States has asked the Philippines to extradite Apollo Quiboloy, a Filipino church leader, to face trial in the U.S. on charges including child sex trafficking and fraud. Quiboloy is currently detained in the Philippines, where he faces similar charges, and the extradition request will need approval from Philippine courts.
Key Facts
Apollo Quiboloy leads the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church and has a large following in the Philippines and abroad.
The U.S. has charged Quiboloy with child sex trafficking, fraud, conspiracy, money laundering, and visa fraud.
Quiboloy was arrested in the Philippines in 2024 on charges of child and sexual abuse and human trafficking.
Philippine courts must approve the U.S. extradition request, and suspects must usually finish local trials before being extradited.
A 1994 treaty between the U.S. and the Philippines allows for temporary surrender of suspects for trial abroad in certain cases.
Quiboloy denies the allegations, calling them lies from former followers and opponents.
He was a spiritual adviser to former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.
The U.S. indictment includes claims that female church members were forced into sexual acts under threats of punishment.
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The article discusses how President Trump manages U.S. global influence mainly through direct actions rather than building international alliances. It compares this approach to the Soviet Union's past strategy of acting alone on the world stage.
Key Facts
President Trump handles U.S. foreign affairs mostly without relying on international networks.
This method is similar to how the Soviet Union exercised its power globally.
Acting unilaterally means making decisions and taking actions without cooperating extensively with other countries.
The comparison suggests a focus on direct power plays instead of diplomatic partnerships.
The article examines the effects of this approach on America's position in world politics.
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The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has passed 4,000 cases and may be changing, according to health officials. The epidemic is very severe, spreading in conflict areas, and officials plan to search houses for new patients and increase use of vaccines and treatments.
Key Facts
The Ebola outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
Over 4,000 confirmed cases and 1,801 deaths have been recorded as of early August.
This is the second-largest Ebola outbreak on record, worse than the early weeks of the 2014-18 West Africa outbreak.
Many infected people are not tracked because of poor contact tracing and many deaths happen outside treatment centers.
The outbreak mainly affects Ituri province but has spread to four other provinces and nearby Uganda.
Africa CDC plans to switch from contact tracing to actively searching for Ebola cases by visiting homes door to door.
Officials plan to use the antiviral drug remdesivir and test a vaccine called Ervebo on the affected strain.
The outbreak is disrupting healthcare services, lowering vaccination rates for other diseases like measles.
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A recent study finds that climate change significantly contributed to the large wildfires in Canada that burned over 7 million acres this summer. President Donald Trump said the wildfires happened because of poor fire management, but researchers point to changing climate conditions as the main cause.
Key Facts
The wildfires in Canada burned more than 7 million acres this summer.
President Donald Trump blamed poor fire management for the wildfires.
A study by World Weather Attribution (WWA), involving U.S. and international researchers, links the wildfires mainly to climate change.
The U.S. National Center for Atmospheric Research and Princeton University are part of WWA.
Climate change causes warmer temperatures and drier conditions, which increase the risk of wildfires.
Fire management practices may affect wildfire spread but are not the primary cause in this case.
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This article ranks the top 10 Hollywood power couples of all time based on factors like stardom, box-office success, awards, cultural influence, and career longevity. It highlights current and past famous couples, including Tom Holland and Zendaya as the leading modern pair.
Key Facts
Tom Holland and Zendaya starred in two major 2026 movies that boosted the North American box office to a record weekend.
The ranking considers personal fame, combined movie earnings, awards, impact on culture, and how long the couples have been together.
Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell have been together since 1983 without marrying and appeared in multiple films together.
Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz are Oscar winners with strong international careers and married since 2010.
Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively met on a film set, married in 2012, and have had recent box office successes.
Bruce Willis and Demi Moore were married from 1987 to 2000 and remained close after their divorce.
The article ranks these couples from 10th place upward, showing a mix of old and new Hollywood stars.
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Israeli prosecutors have charged a settler, Yinon Levi, with reckless manslaughter for the killing of Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen in the West Bank. This is the first time in over seven years that an Israeli has been indicted for killing a Palestinian in the area.
Key Facts
Yinon Levi faces charges of reckless manslaughter, armed trespassing, and property damage related to the killing of Awdah Hathaleen.
Hathaleen was killed in July 2025 during a land dispute when settlers used excavators near his village, Umm al-Khair.
Video evidence reportedly shows Levi firing shots at unarmed Palestinians, including the moment Hathaleen was shot.
A Palestinian rights group found no evidence that Palestinians were armed and questioned Levi’s claim of self-defense.
Levi was previously sanctioned by the UK and EU for violence against Palestinians; US sanctions were lifted after President Donald Trump began his second term in 2025.
Human rights groups say the indictment is rare and highlight ongoing impunity for settlers and soldiers accused of violence in the West Bank.
Since the Gaza war began in October 2023, more than 1,100 Palestinians, including 240 children, have been killed by settlers and Israeli forces in the West Bank.
Attacks by settlers in the West Bank have increased, now averaging 190 per month, linked to organized groups like the Hilltop Youth and armed settler teams.
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A pregnant woman, Emma Atkinson, died after falling from a ninth-floor window in Leeds. An emergency surgery delivered her baby girl about 30 minutes after her death, and the baby survived despite injuries. The inquest could not determine if the fall was intentional.
Key Facts
Emma Atkinson was 38 years old and seven months pregnant at the time of the fall.
The fall happened on 22 October 2024 from a ninth-floor window in her father’s flat.
Paramedics pronounced Atkinson dead at the scene around 10:20 am.
An emergency cesarean section was done at the hospital, and the baby girl was born soon after.
The baby suffered a punctured lung and broken tibia, stayed in intensive care but later recovered.
Atkinson’s death was ruled a deliberate fall, but intent to die could not be confirmed.
Atkinson had mental health issues and was worried about possible jail time related to a missed court date.
Family members were divided on whether she meant to end her life; some believed she would not leave her children.
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Romania is sinking four barges filled with rocks into the Danube River to redirect water flow toward the Cernavoda nuclear power plant. This is a temporary effort to keep the plant’s second reactor running amid record-low water levels caused by heatwaves and low rainfall.
Key Facts
The Danube River is at record low levels because of extreme heat and little rain.
Romania’s Cernavoda nuclear plant uses river water to cool its reactors and produces about 20% of the country’s electricity.
One reactor at Cernavoda already shut down last week due to the low water levels.
Romania’s military blasted rocks from the riverbed and loaded them onto barges.
The barges will be sunk near the Bala Canal to create an underwater barrier that redirects water toward the power plant.
The plant’s director said this could extend the second reactor’s operation from 5-6 days to about 9-10 days.
It takes about a day for the effect of the submerged barges to reach the plant, which is 60 km downstream.
Romania declared a state of alert for energy on July 31 and asked people to save electricity during peak hours to avoid power shortages.
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Iran is close to finalizing a deal with Oman to jointly manage the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global oil shipping. Iran says the United States, under President Trump, is not involved in these talks despite his claims of progress.
Key Facts
Iran and Oman are working on a deal to co-manage the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is an important passage for oil shipments worldwide.
Iran says the deal is almost finalized.
President Trump has said there has been progress regarding the waterway.
Iran denies any U.S. involvement in the deal.
The information comes from CBS News reporting on statements by Tehran.
The collaboration aims to ensure safe and shared control of the strait.
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A power failure at the Manchester Rail Operating Centre caused trains to stop across north-west England on Thursday afternoon. Train services were delayed or cancelled, and passengers were advised not to travel or to allow extra time while disruptions continued.
Key Facts
A power cut occurred just before 2 pm in Greater Manchester, where the signalling centre is based.
The emergency generator failed to start on time, causing signalling to stop and trains to halt.
Train services from companies like Northern, TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, and others were affected.
Power was restored, but safety rules required a slow and careful restart of signalling systems.
Disruptions affected areas including Greater Manchester, the Midlands, and north-west England.
Passengers experienced cancellations and delays of over an hour.
People traveling within Greater Manchester could use Bee Network buses or Metrolink trams for free during the disruption.
Network Rail and National Rail websites advised travelers to check for updates and plan for delays.
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Saudi Arabia has appointed Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Salem Al-Shehri as the commander of a new multinational maritime defence coalition. The coalition aims to protect shipping routes in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden, ensuring safe passage for international trade and energy supplies.
Key Facts
Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Salem Al-Shehri was named commander of the coalition one week after it was formed.
The coalition includes 14 countries: Bahrain, Bangladesh, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Turkey, and Yemen.
The coalition focuses on protecting freedom of navigation and securing key trade and energy shipping routes.
It is described as an open group, inviting other countries that share its goals to join.
The coalition will hold a planning meeting on August 12-13 to finalize its structure and invite more members.
The area controlled by the coalition is a strategic maritime passage connecting the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.
This development occurs amid tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, especially concerning the nearby Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is critical because about 20% of the world’s oil and gas supply passes through it.
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German officials discovered and safely removed an explosive drone at Leipzig airport, signaling a new level of security threat. Experts suspect the drone is part of a hybrid attack, possibly linked to Russia, as Germany faces increased covert aggression connected to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Key Facts
A drone armed with explosives was found at Leipzig/Halle airport in eastern Germany.
The drone was discovered flying between two Ukrainian planes late at night.
Germany’s Interior Minister called it a “professional hybrid threat” but did not name a specific attacker.
Hybrid warfare involves secret or indirect attacks that are hard to respond to openly.
Germany had over 1,000 suspicious drone sightings in 2025 alone.
Security experts consider Russia the most likely source, with China possibly involved.
Leipzig is important for DHL delivery services and military support shipments to Ukraine.
The incident highlights growing fears of covert attacks linked to Russia's war on Ukraine.
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