Two firefighting helicopters collided near Athens while fighting wildfires that have destroyed homes and forced evacuations in Greece. Wildfires continue to affect several European countries after a summer of very hot and dry weather.
Key Facts
Two Bell helicopters crashed in midair near Athens while combating a fire, with four crew members aboard.
One helicopter exploded and fell to the ground; search and rescue teams responded to find the crews.
Nearly 500 firefighters, along with help from France and Romania, are working to control multiple wildfires in Greece.
The wildfires have destroyed over 10,000 hectares of land and damaged more than 100 homes.
A man was arrested on suspicion of starting a wildfire on the Greek island of Kefalonia.
Fires in France and Spain showed signs of slowing down but some flare-ups remain.
Hungary’s only nuclear power plant shut down due to low water levels in the Danube River caused by drought.
The drought and heatwave are causing challenges across Europe, including water restrictions in many areas.
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A passenger ferry caught fire near Madura Island in Indonesia’s Java Sea. Hundreds of people were rescued, but at least five have died and many remain missing.
Key Facts
The ferry caught fire near Madura Island in Indonesia.
Hundreds of passengers were rescued from the fire.
At least five people have died in the incident.
Dozens of passengers are still missing.
The fire happened in the Java Sea, a body of water near Indonesia.
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President Donald Trump decided not to carry out a planned attack on Iran after talks with Iran and other nearby countries. Despite this, no clear solution has been found to allow safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global trade that Iran controls part of.
Key Facts
President Trump delayed a major attack on Iran following requests from Iran and regional countries.
Iran controls part of the Strait of Hormuz, where many ships are currently stuck waiting for permission to pass.
Iran and the US have not agreed on how to manage shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s military warns it will respond strongly to any attack on its civilian infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince spoke with President Trump, urging peaceful dialogue to reduce tensions.
Attempts to mediate by countries like Pakistan, Qatar, Oman, and Turkiye have been ongoing but have not succeeded.
A prior agreement from June to partially reopen the strait and ease some US sanctions failed within a month.
Conflicts linked to Iran have also affected nearby regions like the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb strait, involving attacks by Iran-supported groups.
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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested shifting global energy routes away from the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for oil and gas transport that Iran controls. Experts say this idea is a long-term goal because current pipelines cannot handle the full volume, and changing the system would need huge investments and time.
Key Facts
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway that handles about 20 million barrels of oil daily, around 20% of the world's oil trade.
It also serves as a key route for about 20% of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade, mainly from Qatar.
Rubio sees Iran's control of the strait as a threat and says a shift is needed to move energy trade away from the strait.
Existing pipelines, like Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline and the UAE’s Abu Dhabi pipeline, together carry only about 9 million barrels per day, less than half the strait’s capacity.
A blockage of the strait could cause global competition for gas, leading to price spikes and economic problems worldwide.
Changing the energy transit routes would require decades and billions of dollars in investments.
Moving routes away from Hormuz could create new vulnerabilities at other locations like the Red Sea.
It is unclear how countries like Kuwait, Qatar, and Iraq would transport their oil and gas without using the strait.
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Several towns in southern Nepal have experienced days of violence between Hindu and Muslim communities. The violence started after a disagreement about a yearly Hindu religious procession in the Sunsari district near the border with India.
Key Facts
The violence took place in southern Nepal, mainly in the Sunsari district.
The conflict was between Hindu and Muslim communities.
It started last week due to a dispute over an annual Hindu procession.
The Sunsari district is close to the border with India.
Several towns remain tense because of ongoing communal unrest.
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Moroccan footballer Faten Ben Omar El Azizi died while trying to reach Ceuta, a Spanish territory in North Africa. Her family said her visa to enter the Schengen area was approved on the same day she passed away.
Key Facts
Faten Ben Omar El Azizi was a Moroccan football player.
She died while attempting to cross into Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in North Africa.
Dozens of people died making the same crossing at that time.
Her family reported her Schengen visa was approved on the day she died.
Ceuta is a small Spanish territory located on the northern coast of Africa.
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People in Muzaffarabad, a city in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, did not vote in a recent election. They protested because violence in the area since June has caused many deaths, making it hard for elections to happen peacefully.
Key Facts
Muzaffarabad is in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Residents boycotted the local election.
A strike took place during the election period.
At least 80 people have died in unrest since June, according to local sources.
The election happened despite ongoing protests and violence.
The situation has caused questions about whether elections can be fair and safe in the area.
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Bingo is a simple numbers game played by many people at once. It has been popular in places like American Legion halls and church basements and helps raise billions of dollars for charities and non-profits.
Key Facts
Bingo is a game involving calling out numbers for players to match on their cards.
It allows many people to play together at the same time.
The game is often played in community spaces like American Legion halls and church basements.
Bingo raises large amounts of money—billions of dollars—for charities and non-profit groups.
The game has a long history and remains popular today.
CBS News correspondent Luke Burbank reported on this topic.
This story was originally broadcast on April 12, 2026.
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The bodies of famous climber Nirmal Purja and three other mountaineers were found after an avalanche on Broad Peak in northern Pakistan. Rescue teams have recovered several bodies but continue to search for two climbers still missing due to difficult weather and terrain.
Key Facts
Nirmal Purja, a well-known British-Nepali climber, died in an avalanche on Broad Peak, one of the world's highest mountains.
The recovered climbers include Purja, Wang Zhong, Nima Sherpa, and Kili Pemba Sherpa.
Earlier, rescue teams found four other bodies but recovered only three because weather stopped helicopter operations.
The search continues for two climbers still missing after the avalanche.
Nirmal Purja was famous for climbing the 14 highest peaks in the world in a record 189 days in 2019.
The avalanche involved a 10-member international climbing expedition.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan thanked military, civilian rescuers, and Sherpas involved in the rescue.
The expedition was led by Purja and included Pakistani guide Sohail Sakhi, whose body remains missing.
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Stacey Lee Webber is an artist from Philadelphia who uses small coins and bills to create sculptures and jewelry. Her artwork is made completely out of money and can be expensive.
Key Facts
Stacey Lee Webber is based in Philadelphia.
She creates sculptures and jewelry using real coins and bills.
Her art pieces are made entirely out of money.
The value of her artwork can be quite high.
Her work was featured in a CBS News story originally aired on April 12, 2026.
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Wildfires continue to threaten parts of Europe, especially Greece, where strong winds push flames closer to villages near Athens. France and Spain face large fires as well, causing hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate. The fires are worsened by hotter temperatures and drought linked to climate change.
Key Facts
Strong winds are driving wildfires deeper into western Attica, near Athens, Greece, forcing evacuations.
Greece deployed nearly 500 firefighters and 23 aircraft, but wind made firefighting difficult.
France’s largest wildfire forced 224,000 people to leave their homes and burns across 420 square kilometers of forest.
Nearly 3,000 firefighters are working on the fires in France, along with efforts in Provence.
Fires in France and Spain have displaced about 300,000 people during the summer.
Europe’s climate has warmed more than twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s.
Scientists link human-caused climate change to doubling the chances of extreme fire conditions seen in these blazes.
Greece’s government ordered evacuations in several communities and recalled the 2018 deadly Mati fire disaster as a warning.
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About 50,000 people, mostly Moroccans, crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa over a few days. The border situation changed suddenly, with Moroccan police allowing Moroccans to cross while forcefully stopping sub-Saharan migrants. At least 72 people died trying to reach Ceuta by swimming.
Key Facts
Around 50,000 people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta in one week.
The border controls on the Moroccan side were suddenly lifted for Moroccans.
Sub-Saharan migrants were pushed back by Moroccan police during the crossing.
At least 72 people drowned or got crushed in the attempt to cross by sea.
Spain’s prime minister called the crossing a violation of Spain’s territory.
Spain blames human-trafficking groups for exploiting a recent court ruling.
Morocco denies involvement and says criminal groups caused the surge.
The event may be linked to political tensions between Spain and Morocco over Western Sahara.
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Roads around the Ragem village in Yemen near Taiz are unpaved and difficult to travel, making it hard for villagers to reach markets and get water. Local volunteers began fixing the roads themselves after government and aid efforts didn't help, improving transport and giving hope to the community.
Key Facts
The village of Ragem is 70 km from Taiz, with rough roads only accessible by large four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Minibus drivers often refuse to travel these roads unless paid much more than usual, forcing many people to walk long distances.
About 7,600 people live in Ragem and nearby hamlets with limited transport and supply access.
The government says it does not have enough resources to pave these roads.
Three years ago, local youth started a volunteer project to repair and pave the roads using donations.
Residents donated money ranging from a few cents to over $600, and many villagers contributed labor.
Volunteers have paved over 124 meters of road recently, with about 500 meters left on difficult sections.
Unpaved roads also hinder water delivery, causing families in nearby camps to walk long distances carrying heavy water containers daily.
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About 60,000 migrants from North Africa crossed into the Spanish territory of Ceuta, a small city on the border with Morocco. Most migrants have been returned, but the event caused deaths and renewed debate on immigration in Europe. The city is managing tensions as local people and political groups respond differently to the crisis.
Key Facts
Around 60,000 mostly young men from North Africa entered Ceuta over two days.
At least 72 people died trying to cross, some drowned and others died in a stampede.
Spanish authorities returned most migrants to Morocco and plan to build a fence.
Civil guard ships searched nearby waters for bodies after the surge.
Far-right Spanish politicians visited Ceuta, calling for migrants to be expelled.
The city of 84,000 normally includes a mix of Christians, Muslims, Jews, and Hindus living together.
Some locals worry about the impact of the surge on Ceuta’s tradition of tolerance.
Protests took place both for and against the far-right politicians and their views.
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A wildfire called the Old Trails Fire started in eastern Washington state and spread quickly because of strong winds and very hot weather. Thousands of people were told to leave their homes, and officials declared a state of emergency as the fire burned about 4 square miles and damaged buildings.
Key Facts
The fire began around noon on Saturday and burned brush and grass.
The fire quickly moved toward residential neighborhoods in Spokane.
A state of emergency was declared in Spokane due to the fire.
Officials do not yet know the full amount of damage from the fire.
Nearly 4 square miles (10 square kilometers) were burned by the evening.
Firefighters had no containment of the fire as winds kept it spreading.
Power company Avista shut off electricity in the area to reduce fire risk.
The National Weather Service issued a "particularly dangerous situation" alert for eastern Washington.
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Ceuta, a small Spanish city next to Morocco, faced a large surge of around 60,000 migrants entering in two days. Most migrants have since returned to Morocco, but the city is dealing with the effects of the event, including deaths and local debates about immigration and border control.
Key Facts
About 60,000 migrants entered Ceuta from Morocco within two days.
At least 72 migrants died, some by drowning and others in a crowd crush.
Most migrants have returned to Morocco after the surge.
Ceuta’s population temporarily increased by more than half due to the arrivals.
Some migrants said the border was effectively open and authorities did not stop the crossings.
The city’s shops and daily life began returning to normal over the weekend.
The crisis sparked protests and counterprotests involving both far-right politicians and local Muslim residents.
Spanish civil guard ships continued searching for migrant bodies near the city’s beach.
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A ferry in Indonesia carrying 271 people caught fire near the island of Java. At least five people died, dozens are missing, and over 220 passengers and crew were rescued as the fire was brought under control. The cause of the fire is still being investigated.
Key Facts
The ferry Mutiara Sentosa 2 was traveling from Surabaya to Makassar with 232 passengers and 39 crew.
The fire started between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. near Sumenep regency, off Java.
The ferry operator reported the fire about an hour after it started.
Nearby vessels and rescue teams helped evacuate passengers; some jumped into the sea to escape the flames.
At least five people died, 225 were rescued, and about 41 remain missing.
Rescue efforts included ships from the Indonesian Navy and search and rescue teams from Surabaya.
The ferry route between Java and Sulawesi usually takes about 40 hours and carries many domestic travelers.
Indonesia relies heavily on ferries for travel because it has over 17,000 islands.
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Thousands of volunteers in north-east England are cleaning up tiny plastic pellets called nurdles that spilled into the sea after a ship collision on July 19 at the Port of Tyne. The pellets have spread across multiple beaches, causing environmental damage and health concerns, prompting local officials and communities to organize cleanup efforts.
Key Facts
A ship collision on July 19 near the Port of Tyne caused about one billion nurdles, small plastic pellets, to spill into the water.
Up to 2,000 volunteers from local communities are helping clean the beaches, using simple tools like dustpans and brushes.
The plastic pellets have washed up on beaches from Cambois to Seaburn, sometimes covering the sand like a thick layer.
Local leaders have called this a "pollution emergency" and want the shipowners to pay for cleanup.
Volunteers work by sifting sand and shaking seaweed to remove the nurdles section by section.
There is concern about the environmental impact on marine life, people fishing, and visitors at the beach.
Official advice is to avoid handling the pellets due to potential risks, but volunteers continue because official cleanup is slow.
A web app has been created to help organize and support the cleanup effort.
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The article asks readers what items they wish could be bought from vending machines. It mentions that in Germany, sausages can be purchased this way and invites people to share their ideas or questions.
Key Facts
The article highlights that vending machines in Germany sell sausages.
It asks readers to suggest other items they would like to see available in vending machines.
Readers can post their answers or questions online.
Some responses will be chosen and published the following Sunday.
The article is open to ideas from different places and cultures.
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The UK Home Office has informed some EU citizens that their post-Brexit residency rights were given “in error,” affecting their ability to stay legally in the UK. This decision comes as many are about to upgrade their temporary "pre-settled status" to permanent "settled status," causing uncertainty for those impacted.
Key Facts
At least 100 EU citizens have been told their residency rights were granted by mistake.
These letters come as people approach the end of their five-year pre-settled status period.
Pre-settled status allows EU citizens in the UK for fewer than five years before Brexit to stay legally.
Those affected must apply to upgrade to settled status for permanent residency.
The Home Office is reviewing cases, including children, non-EU family members, and arrivals after December 31, 2020.
Gabriela, a Brazilian-Portuguese woman working in the NHS, was told her pre-settled status was wrong because she didn’t have a Portuguese passport at the time of her application.
The3million campaign group says many people were granted status in good faith and fear thousands may be affected.
The Home Office says the status was given without proper evidence that the person was an EU citizen before the UK left the EU on December 31, 2020.
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