Andy Burnham, a UK political leader, says that giving more power and money control to regions supports the need for the UK to have a written constitution. The UK is one of few democracies without such a document, which clearly sets rules for how a country is governed.
Key Facts
The UK currently does not have a written constitution, unlike most major democracies.
Burnham’s devolution plan gives more financial control to regional leaders in England.
He believes these changes increase the need for a formal, written constitution.
A written constitution would clearly define the powers of local, regional, and national governments.
Historically, countries adopt written constitutions after major disruptions like war or revolution.
Burnham’s changes aim to reduce central government control from London’s Whitehall area.
The plan is partly inspired by Germany’s constitution, which promotes equal living standards across regions.
Such constitutional changes could limit how easily laws can be changed by the government.
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Vincent Pastore, an actor best known for playing Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on The Sopranos, has died at age 80. He was found in his home on Long Island after not being heard from for several days.
Key Facts
Vincent Pastore was 80 years old when he died.
He was well-known for his role as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on the TV show The Sopranos.
Pastore often played mobster or tough guy characters in movies and TV shows.
He appeared in movies such as Goodfellas and Awakenings in 1990.
He was discovered by his manager after several days without contact.
Pastore was born in the Bronx and grew up in New Rochelle, New York.
He served in the navy during the Vietnam War.
He attended Pace University and had a daughter named Renee Pastore.
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Fifa President Gianni Infantino faces serious pressure after trying to sell stakes in Fifa competitions without informing other officials. Uefa, the European football authority, threatens to boycott Fifa events and has said it no longer trusts Infantino’s leadership, while other football groups demand a review.
Key Facts
Gianni Infantino was elected Fifa president in 2016 and is currently serving his third term.
Infantino tried to sell investment stakes in Fifa competitions privately, causing controversy.
Uefa threatened to boycott all Fifa competitions, including the World Cup, due to Infantino’s actions.
Other football federations like Concacaf and some Asian Football Confederation members have called for a review of Fifa’s leadership.
Two of Infantino’s close advisers, Carlos Cordeiro and Kevin Lamour, have left their positions.
Uefa declared it has lost confidence in Infantino’s leadership.
Removing Infantino could require a Fifa Council emergency meeting or an extraordinary congress of member associations.
Infantino could still run for a fourth term in March 2027, and any challenger must announce candidacy by November 2026.
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Vincent Pastore, an actor famous for playing mobsters and tough guys, especially as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on the TV show "The Sopranos," has died at the age of 80. He was found at his home on New York’s City Island after not being heard from for several days.
Key Facts
Vincent Pastore was best known for his role as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on the TV series "The Sopranos."
He died at the age of 80 and was found at his home on New York’s City Island.
His manager, Bob McGowan, learned of Pastore’s death from another actor, Vincent Curatola.
Pastore’s acting career included movies from the 1980s such as “Goodfellas” and “Awakenings.”
He often played gangster characters in films and TV shows.
Pastore was born in the Bronx, grew up in New Rochelle, New York, served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, and attended Pace University.
He had a daughter named Renee Pastore.
His manager described him as loyal, charitable, and helpful to others.
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Photographer Kieran Dodds has spent over ten years capturing portraits of people with red hair from various parts of the world. His latest project focuses on red-haired individuals in America, highlighting their diverse backgrounds, including Native American ancestry and mixtures with European heritage.
Key Facts
Kieran Dodds is a photographer from Edinburgh who has focused on photographing red-haired people since 2013.
His work has taken him to places known for red hair, including Scotland, Russia, and Jamaica.
Dodds noticed he had very few American subjects in his earlier book and then started photographing red-haired Americans.
Many Native Americans with red hair have European ancestry, often from Scottish, Irish, German, English, or Swedish roots.
Joshua Elliot, a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, is featured on the cover of Dodds’ new book "Gingers of America."
Some Native Americans, like Lakia Jones, have red hair without known European ancestry, displaying a unique deep ruby color.
The project reveals early marriages between Scots or Irish and Native Americans, contributing to the spread of red hair in the U.S.
Dodds made seven trips to the U.S., visiting states like Alabama, to explore the red-haired community and their stories.
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A tourist plane crashed near Nazca, Peru, killing all 13 people on board, including 11 passengers and 2 crew members. The plane took off from Pisco Airport and crashed around 12:55 p.m. local time; authorities are investigating the cause.
Key Facts
The crash happened near Nazca, a city in southern Peru known for the ancient Nazca Lines.
There were 13 people on the plane: 11 passengers and 2 crew members.
The plane departed from Pisco Airport in Peru.
The crash occurred around 12:55 p.m. local time on a Saturday afternoon.
The plane crashed in a field outside the city.
Peruvian police are investigating what caused the crash.
The Nazca Lines are large drawings made on the ground, recognized by UNESCO.
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More than 50,000 migrants crossed into the Spanish city of Ceuta from Morocco in a sudden surge, overwhelming border guards. Spain says the situation is now under control, but questions remain about who organized the mass crossing and why it happened on the same day.
Key Facts
Ceuta is a Spanish city on the northern coast of Africa, bordering Morocco.
Around 50,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta in just a few days, many by sea or climbing the border fence.
At least 67 people died trying to enter Ceuta during this event.
Spain’s Supreme Court issued a ruling in July limiting immediate returns of migrants who arrive by sea.
Spanish officials say human trafficking groups used the court ruling to encourage migrants to cross massively.
Some believe Morocco may have helped organize the surge to pressure Spain.
Morocco does not recognize Spain’s control of Ceuta and Melilla and has tense relations with Spain over Western Sahara.
Spain restored full diplomatic relations with Morocco in 2022 after a period of tension.
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Representative Thomas Massie criticized fellow Republicans for being upset about a recent migrant surge into Ceuta while they had supported language in a House committee report that seemed to accept Morocco’s claim over the Spanish territory. Ceuta, controlled by Spain but claimed by Morocco, saw about 50,000 migrants cross into it, causing a crisis.
Key Facts
Thomas Massie said Republicans showed double standards on the Ceuta migrant crisis.
Republicans, except Massie, voted for a House bill with a report describing Ceuta as "located in Moroccan territory."
The language supported diplomatic talks between Spain and Morocco about Ceuta’s future.
The bill itself did not change the status or ownership of Ceuta.
Ceuta is a Spanish city on the coast of Morocco and is one of Europe’s land borders with Africa.
Around 50,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta suddenly, causing Spain to send military forces.
More than 48,000 migrants returned to Morocco after the crisis peaked.
At least 67 people died during the surge, due to drowning and accidents.
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Vincent Pastore, an actor best known for playing Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero in the TV show "The Sopranos," has died at the age of 80. He was found dead at his home in the Bronx, and authorities said there was no sign of foul play.
Key Facts
Vincent Pastore was 80 years old when he died.
He was famous for his role as "Big Pussy" in "The Sopranos," which aired from 1999 to 2007.
Pastore's character was killed off in season two but he appeared in guest roles afterward.
He was born in the Bronx on July 14, 1946, and served in the Vietnam War.
Pastore graduated from Pace University with a drama degree.
His film roles included parts in "Goodfellas," "Carlito's Way," and "Gotti."
He appeared in many TV shows like "Law & Order," "Blue Bloods," and "Yellowjackets."
Pastore and his "Sopranos" castmates won a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2000.
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An explosion at a restaurant in central Moscow killed two people and injured at least 21 others. The woman carrying the bomb, a security guard, and a customer died in the blast, and authorities are investigating the incident.
Key Facts
The explosion happened on Saturday at a restaurant on Kudrinskaya Square in Moscow.
An improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated inside the restaurant.
The woman carrying the bomb died in the explosion.
A security guard and a restaurant guest were also killed.
At least 21 people were injured in the blast.
The security guard tried to stop the woman from entering with the bomb before it exploded.
The National Anti-Terrorism Committee and Moscow Investigative Committee are handling the investigation.
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The US government has warned Americans living in the Middle East to be alert and ready to leave if violence in the region increases. This warning comes amid reports that President Donald Trump may order new military strikes against Iran soon, following recent US attacks on Iranian targets.
Key Facts
The US State Department issued an alert advising Americans in the Middle East to prepare for possible travel disruptions and to consider leaving the region.
US embassies in countries like Iraq, Bahrain, Israel, and Saudi Arabia shared this security warning.
President Trump may order new strikes against Iran, possibly targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure.
Recent US strikes targeted Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in response to missile attacks on US forces in the region.
Iran warned that any country cooperating with the US could face severe consequences.
The conflict has escalated after a failed ceasefire, with both sides conducting attacks and counterattacks.
US and Israeli strikes against Iran started in February and have continued in response to Iranian actions against US assets and allies.
The situation affects the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments.
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An explosion happened at a restaurant near Kudrinskaya Square in central Moscow, killing at least three people and injuring 21 others. Russian officials said the blast was caused by an improvised explosive device.
Key Facts
The explosion occurred around 8:10 p.m. near a summer café in Moscow.
Three people died: a security guard, a bystander, and a female suspect.
Twenty-one people were injured in the blast.
The device used was an improvised explosive device (a bomb made from homemade or non-standard materials).
Authorities temporarily blocked traffic near Kudrinskaya Square.
Emergency services and law enforcement responded quickly to the scene.
The incident is still under investigation.
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Spain reports that almost all of the estimated 60,000 migrants who recently entered the North African Spanish enclave of Ceuta have left on their own. Al Jazeera correspondent Jonah Hull provided a report from Ceuta about this situation.
Key Facts
Around 60,000 migrants entered Ceuta, a Spanish territory in North Africa, by land and sea in recent days.
Spain says nearly all of these migrants have voluntarily left Ceuta.
Ceuta is a small Spanish enclave located on the northern coast of Africa.
The migrants crossed into Ceuta in a large movement over a short period.
Al Jazeera correspondent Jonah Hull reported from the area about the migrant situation.
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Australia is using modern technology like satellites and drones together with Indigenous knowledge to better detect and manage wildfires. This approach combines scientific data with traditional practices, such as cultural burning, to reduce fire risks and protect the land.
Key Facts
Australia’s Black Summer fires in 2019-20 were its worst fire season, burning an area about the size of the UK.
The Bushfire Research Centre of Excellence uses technology to detect fire risks, including satellites that measure fuel moisture in vegetation.
Indigenous Australians have long used fire as a land management tool and maintain a spiritual connection to the land.
Professor Marta Yebra leads a project combining satellite data with Indigenous ecological knowledge to improve fire detection.
Indigenous experts like Adrian Webster use their traditional understanding of the environment to interpret and verify satellite data.
The project shows strong agreement between scientific measurements and Indigenous land knowledge.
Cultural burning involves controlled, low-intensity fires that prevent fuel buildup and are part of Indigenous land care.
Australia’s approach is unique compared to Europe, where such cultural fire management practices are less common.
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A small plane crashed in southern Peru while carrying mostly tourists to see the Nazca Lines, killing 13 people, including passengers and crew. The crash site caught fire quickly, stopping rescue efforts.
Key Facts
The crash happened on Saturday near the Nazca Lines in southern Peru.
At least 11 passengers and 2 crew members died in the accident.
The plane belonged to the Peruvian sightseeing company Aerodiana.
The plane left from Pisco, a city in the Ica region.
The Nazca Lines are large ancient drawings on the ground, best seen from the air.
The Nazca Lines date from 500 BC to 500 AD and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Peru is a popular tourist spot, attracting millions of visitors every year.
The crash site was quickly engulfed in flames, preventing rescue efforts.
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A small tourist plane crashed in Peru near the Nazca Lines, killing all 13 people on board. The plane went down on Saturday in the Pueblo Viejo region after taking off from Pisco airport.
Key Facts
The crash involved a plane carrying 11 passengers and 2 pilots.
The cause of the crash and the passengers' identities have not been released.
The Nazca Lines are ancient desert drawings and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
This crash occurred around 1:00 pm local time (19:00 BST).
The airline operating the plane is called Aerodiana.
Officials recovered four bodies soon after the crash.
Officials expressed sadness and condolences to the victims’ families.
Similar crashes over the Nazca Lines have happened in 2010 and 2022, with fatalities each time.
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A tourist plane crashed in Peru near the Nazca Lines, killing at least 13 people. The plane was on a sightseeing flight operated by a local company and took off from the nearby city of Ica.
Key Facts
At least 13 people died in the plane crash over the Nazca Lines in Peru.
The plane was carrying tourists on a sightseeing flight to view the Nazca Lines.
The Nazca Lines are large drawings in the desert made by Indigenous people hundreds of years ago.
The images are best seen from the air or special towers on the ground.
The plane belonged to the Peruvian company Aerodiana.
It took off from the city of Ica, near the crash site.
Peruvian authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.
Aerodiana has not yet made a public statement about the accident.
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Fighting has started again in western Tigray between Ethiopia’s federal forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), breaking a peace deal signed in 2022. Both sides blame each other for starting the clashes amid ongoing tensions and unresolved issues from the previous war.
Key Facts
Fighting began at dawn near Sheraro, close to the Sudanese border in western Tigray.
The Tigray regional government says federal forces started the attack; a government minister in Tigray blames the TPLF.
The peace deal signed in 2022 ended a war that lasted two years and killed hundreds of thousands but did not solve key conflicts.
Tigray accuses Ethiopia’s ruling party of blockades and drone attacks leading to the current fighting.
Ethiopia’s intelligence chief and a former TPLF spokesman warned war was likely before fighting resumed.
The US imposed visa bans on TPLF leaders it said were blocking peace efforts.
TPLF declared the peace deal “effectively dead” in July despite US attempts to keep it alive.
Experts say without strong international help, the conflict could grow larger and more deadly.
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A Cambridge University professor, Jason Arday, faced accusations of plagiarism by another academic, Nathan Cofnas. Arday acknowledged some errors but denied lying and said he was targeted due to racism connected to his work on diversity and education.
Key Facts
Jason Arday is a Cambridge professor who focuses on race and neurodivergence in education.
Nathan Cofnas, who lost his Cambridge position in 2024, accused Arday of plagiarism using detection software.
Cofnas said many parts of Arday’s PhD and articles copied other works with little change.
Arday admitted mistakes but said he is not lying and that the attacks are racially motivated.
Arday explained some errors relate to his autism and how he learns by mimicry.
A retired professor previously raised concerns about Arday’s articles, leading to journal corrections.
Arday’s claims of charity marathons and runs raised questions; he said the money was raised over 20 years with others involved under secrecy agreements.
Arday defended his record and said critics unfairly target him as part of opposition to diversity efforts.
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Greece is fighting severe wildfires near Athens, with hundreds of people evacuated and emergency workers trying to control the flames. Meanwhile, wildfires in France, Spain, and Portugal are mostly under control or no longer spreading quickly.
Key Facts
Strong winds have made wildfires in Greece worse, especially near Porto Germeno, a resort area west of Athens.
About 300 people were evacuated by sea from fire-affected villages near Athens.
Greek officials warned of extreme wildfire risk in several regions, including Attica and Evia.
The wildfire near Porto Germeno has spread over about 15 to 19 square miles, affecting many homes.
In France, the largest wildfire since 1949 is now under control, especially in the southwest region of Gironde.
Firefighters have contained fires in France’s Var area, stopping further spread overnight.
Portugal’s biggest wildfire was declared under control, and Spain’s fires have mostly stopped advancing.
Europe is experiencing faster warming than other continents, making drought and wildfires more common and severe.
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