U.S. diplomats left a United Nations Security Council meeting while French diplomats were speaking. This happened because of tensions between the U.S. and France over criticism of the U.S.’s human rights record.
Key Facts
The U.S. walked out during a UN Security Council meeting on Monday.
French diplomats were speaking when the U.S. diplomats left.
The two countries have tensions about the U.S.’s human rights record.
On the previous Saturday, France criticized the U.S. at the UN in Geneva.
France was upset about the U.S. voting against the reappointment of the UN high commissioner for human rights, Volker Türk.
The U.S. vote against Volker Türk caused diplomatic friction between France and the U.S.
The incident highlights ongoing disagreements between the U.S. and France at international human rights forums.
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A heatwave in southwestern France is making it harder for firefighters to control a large forest fire in the Gironde area. Although calmer weather recently helped slow the fire, new heat warnings and evacuation orders are raising concerns that the fire could spread again.
Key Facts
A large wildfire is burning in Gironde, a region in southwestern France.
Firefighters had some success stabilizing the fire due to calmer weather over the past two days.
The region is now under a yellow heat warning, indicating high temperatures.
New evacuation orders took effect on July 28, 2026, for some areas.
The heatwave increases the risk of the fire growing out of control again.
French authorities are actively monitoring the situation and managing evacuations.
The wildfire is part of a broader pattern of intense fires linked to rising temperatures.
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The man who attacked Berlin's Pride event was known to police and was listed as a strong supporter of ISIS. Experts say German authorities had been monitoring him because of his extremist views and past crimes. There is also ongoing concern about hate crimes targeting LGBTQ+ people in Germany.
Key Facts
The attacker at Berlin Pride was a known suspect to German police.
He was described as a "hardcore ISIS sympathizer" by an extremism expert.
German authorities had the attacker on a government watchlist for extremism.
The attack happened during a Pride event, which celebrates LGBTQ+ rights.
There are data showing hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people in Germany.
Experts monitor extremist individuals to prevent attacks and violence.
The attacker had committed other crimes before this incident.
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Ruby Chen, the father of Itay Chen, an Israeli-American soldier who died in attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, shared his memories of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham. The story reflects on their interactions and experiences following the tragic event.
Key Facts
Itay Chen was an Israeli-American soldier serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
He was killed during attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
Ruby Chen, his father, shared personal memories about Senator Lindsey Graham.
The article highlights the connection between the family and the U.S. senator.
This story appeared in a CBS News report.
The focus is on the aftermath of the October 7 attacks and personal reflections.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump will meet for the first time since they started a joint conflict involving Iran. They will discuss their relationship, a deal involving Lebanon and Hezbollah, and efforts to expand a peace agreement called the Abraham Accords.
Key Facts
Netanyahu and President Trump have not met since beginning a joint war against Iran.
The meeting aims to address tensions between the two leaders.
Netanyahu is facing pressure at home due to an upcoming election and his strained relationship with Trump.
President Trump is under pressure to end the war because it has hurt the economy and raised prices in the U.S.
They will talk about the agreement the U.S. and Israel made with Lebanon about the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
The leaders plan to discuss expanding the Abraham Accords, a peace agreement between Israel and other countries.
A White House official provided information about the meeting but requested anonymity.
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The Department for Transport reported that the busiest commuter train in England and Wales last autumn was a Thameslink service between Bedford and Three Bridges, with overcrowding slightly decreasing overall due to increased capacity. Four South Western services and two Thameslink routes are among the top ten busiest, and work is ongoing to improve space during peak hours.
Key Facts
The most crowded train was a Thameslink morning service from Bedford to Three Bridges with a load factor of 176%.
Overcrowding on commuter trains in major English and Welsh cities fell slightly compared to autumn 2024.
About 1.1% of peak-time travelers were on overcrowded trains.
More than 1.2 million of 1.9 million daily autumn journeys were in London.
South Western Railway increased capacity by nearly 30% in the last year with new trains.
Thameslink trains include extra standing room and have added services to reduce crowding.
The data comes from passenger counts on weekdays between September and December 2025.
A quarter of passengers traveling in and out of London during peak times had to stand; in other cities, only 5% stood.
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The U.S. and Taiwan coast guards held a rare joint exercise to work together on maritime safety issues like storms, drug trafficking, and illegal fishing. This cooperation is part of a 2021 agreement and takes place amid ongoing tensions with China, which claims Taiwan as its territory.
Key Facts
The American Institute in Taiwan shared photos of U.S. and Taiwanese coast guard ships working together during typhoon season.
The joint exercise focuses on shared concerns such as disaster relief, marine resource protection, and combating illegal activities at sea.
The cooperation follows a 2021 memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Taiwan on maritime law enforcement.
China claims Taiwan as its own and has increased its coast guard presence near Taiwan in recent years.
The U.S. disagrees with China's patrols near Taiwan, calling them a threat to regional stability.
While the U.S. supports Taiwan's security, it keeps official ties low-profile to avoid provoking China.
The two coast guards recently stopped a semiconductor smuggling case, protecting sensitive technology from possible military use by China.
The U.S. Coast Guard cutter USCGC Midgett sailed with Taiwan’s patrol vessel CG5005 Taipei during the exercise.
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Firefighters in Spain and France are fighting some of the worst wildfires ever seen in western Europe. More hot and dry weather is expected, which may make the fires harder to control.
Key Facts
Wildfires are burning across Spain and France.
These fires are among the worst in western Europe’s history.
Firefighters are actively working to stop the spread of the fires.
Weather forecasts predict continued hot and dry conditions.
Dry weather increases the risk and intensity of wildfires.
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President Donald Trump will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Tuesday. This meeting happens shortly before Senator Lindsey Graham’s funeral, which Zelenskyy is attending after Graham helped arrange sanctions on countries buying Russian oil and gas.
Key Facts
President Trump and President Zelenskyy will meet on Tuesday at the White House.
This is their second meeting in the same month.
Zelenskyy is visiting Washington to attend Senator Lindsey Graham’s funeral.
Senator Graham made a final effort to support Ukraine by securing sanctions on countries buying Russian energy.
Zelenskyy announced his arrival in the U.S. on social media and shared his visit’s goals.
A far-right activist close to President Trump recently changed position on Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The funeral service for Senator Graham is held at Washington National Cathedral.
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A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 hit southern Japan on Tuesday. Dozens of people were injured, and some buildings were damaged, according to officials.
Key Facts
The earthquake measured 7.1 on the Richter scale.
It occurred in southern Japan.
Dozens of people were reported injured.
Several buildings sustained damage.
The Japan Meteorological Agency reported the earthquake.
The event happened on a Tuesday.
Emergency services responded to the incident.
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Nearly 4,000 people are being evacuated from tourist areas near Bordeaux, France, due to wildfires made worse by strong winds and heat. France and Spain are fighting severe wildfires that have forced hundreds of thousands of people to leave their homes, with fires in both countries setting new records for size and damage.
Key Facts
About 4,000 people are evacuated from campsites and holiday spots around Lacanau near Bordeaux in France.
Wildfires in the Gironde department have destroyed 42,000 hectares (104,000 acres) of forest.
French President Emmanuel Macron described the situation as the toughest wildfire crisis since World War II.
Wildfires are also burning in other parts of France, including the Alps and the southeast Var area.
Spain is facing its largest wildfire on record near Ávila, burning 50,000 hectares.
Approximately 330,000 people have been evacuated in France, Spain, and Italy due to wildfires recently.
European Union countries are sending firefighting planes and helicopters to help France and Spain.
Experts warn that wildfires may continue into November, with 2026 possibly becoming a record year for burnt land in Europe.
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A woman killed in 1936 and buried under a building in Toronto has been identified using advanced DNA testing. The victim, Mary McLeod Moffat, was a Scottish immigrant to Canada, and her husband is believed to have been responsible for her murder.
Key Facts
The woman was murdered around April 1936 and buried intentionally.
Her remains were found in 1995 during building demolition in Toronto.
Police used investigative genetic genealogy, a DNA method that builds family trees, to identify her.
Mary McLeod Moffat immigrated from Scotland to Canada in 1913.
Her husband, Andrew Lloyd Moffat, is suspected to have killed her; he later lived under a false name and died in 1985.
DNA samples from relatives confirmed her identity.
This case is one of two old Toronto murders recently solved using this DNA method.
The other case identified a woman who died in a 2004 car crash fire.
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A new study from Purdue University looked at how different drinks affect mouth acidity, which can wear down tooth enamel over time. The study found that unsweetened sparkling water causes a smaller and shorter increase in mouth acidity than sugary soda, suggesting it may be a safer choice for teeth when consumed in moderation.
Key Facts
Researchers tested saliva acidity after drinking sugar soda, unsweetened sparkling water, calcium-fortified sparkling water, and plain water.
Soda caused the biggest and longest-lasting drop in mouth pH (more acidic), which can harm tooth enamel.
Sparkling waters caused only a temporary acid increase, with levels returning close to normal within 20 minutes.
Mouth acidity stayed above 5.5 for sparkling waters, a threshold below which enamel can start to dissolve.
The study involved 20 adult participants drinking each beverage on separate occasions.
Frequent sipping of acidic drinks can increase the risk of tooth erosion by not allowing the mouth’s natural balance to recover.
Long-term dental effects depend on how often and how long teeth are exposed to these drinks, and whether they contain sugar.
Experts advise that while sparkling water is less risky than soda, it is not completely harmless for teeth.
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Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi visited Turkiye to improve cooperation on security, water, and economic issues, including oil exports. The two countries are negotiating a new oil pipeline agreement and exploring ways to boost trade and infrastructure projects despite challenges.
Key Facts
This is Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s first visit to Turkiye since taking office in May.
The visit focuses on strategic cooperation, especially on security, water management, and economic ties.
Iraq and Turkiye are working on a new oil-export deal after the previous one expired; Turkiye wants higher fees and a minimum export volume.
Iraq aims to find new oil export routes through Turkiye and Syria to avoid reliance on the Strait of Hormuz.
Iraq recently signed energy deals worth $200 billion with U.S. companies to increase oil and gas production.
A major transport project called the Development Route would connect Iraq’s southern port to the Turkiye-Syria border via rail and highways but has faced delays due to security issues.
Water issues are a concern, as Iraq accuses Turkiye of building dams that reduce water flow to Iraqi rivers.
Iraq wants to benefit from Turkish expertise in energy, infrastructure, and transport to support its development plans.
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Actor William Shatner and his daughter Melanie Shatner Gretsch both faced stage 4 cancer around the same time. They have now recovered and talked about how they supported each other during their illness.
Key Facts
William Shatner is a well-known actor.
His daughter is Melanie Shatner Gretsch.
Both were diagnosed with stage 4 cancer nearly simultaneously.
Stage 4 cancer means the cancer was advanced when discovered.
They helped each other cope during their treatment.
Both William and Melanie are now free of cancer.
They shared their experience in an interview with CBS News.
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The Booker Prize announced 13 semifinalists for this year's fiction award, including past winners Marlon James and Douglas Stuart, and Pulitzer Prize winner Elizabeth Strout. The shortlist features books from various countries and covers many themes like family secrets, social issues, and science fiction.
Key Facts
The Booker Prize semifinalists list has 13 novels from authors worldwide.
Marlon James and Douglas Stuart, previous Booker winners, are semifinalists again.
Elizabeth Strout, a Pulitzer Prize winner, is also on the list.
The novels cover diverse subjects such as gay life in 1980s Jamaica, father-son relationships, and dystopian futures.
Three debut authors from the US, Turkey, and Ireland are included.
The judges look for books that challenge how we think and use different styles like humor and shock.
The Booker Prize is open to any novel published in the UK or Ireland, regardless of the author's nationality.
The final six will be announced on September 22, and the winner will be revealed in London on November 9.
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Uganda has declared itself free of Ebola after its last patient was discharged in mid-June. The country’s outbreak was linked to a larger ongoing Ebola outbreak in neighboring Congo, which remains serious with thousands of cases and deaths.
Key Facts
Uganda confirmed two Ebola cases in May, linked to people crossing from Congo.
Uganda ended its outbreak after quarantining all contacts for 21 days with no new cases.
The Ebola virus type in this outbreak does not have approved vaccines or treatments.
Uganda took measures like stopping handshakes, postponing a large religious event, and suspending transport with Congo.
Congo’s outbreak began in May and has over 3,200 cases and 1,400 deaths, making it the fastest spreading Ebola outbreak there.
The Congo outbreak may soon exceed the country’s previous highest case toll.
Ebola spreads through contact with bodily fluids of infected people or contaminated objects.
Fruit bats are believed to naturally carry Ebola viruses, according to the World Health Organization.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Washington, D.C. to meet with President Donald Trump and to attend the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham. Zelensky emphasized the importance of defense cooperation with the United States and working towards peace.
Key Facts
Volodymyr Zelensky flew to Washington, D.C. early Tuesday morning.
Zelensky has a scheduled meeting with President Donald Trump.
The visit includes attending the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina.
Zelensky stated that anti-ballistic defense is the top priority.
He also highlighted the need for strategic cooperation between Ukraine and the United States.
Zelensky expressed a desire to bring peace closer through these efforts.
The statement was posted on X (formerly Twitter) early Tuesday morning.
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French police found the remains of five newborn babies in cardboard boxes at a couple’s home in Orange, a town in southeastern France. Authorities started a murder investigation after the woman’s partner discovered the remains following the birth of a healthy baby at home.
Key Facts
The remains of five newborns were found in cardboard boxes at a home in Orange, France.
The woman had just given birth to a healthy baby at home on Sunday before going to the hospital.
The woman’s partner discovered the remains when searching their home and informed hospital staff.
Police opened a murder investigation after the discovery on Monday night.
The couple also has two children aged eight and nine.
Forensic experts believe the bones are from five newborn infants and further tests are planned.
Investigators have not yet interviewed the mother.
Similar cases have led to prison sentences in France in recent years involving deaths of newborns.
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Led By Donkeys, a campaign group, received £27,000 in compensation after a large protest banner about Gaza was seized and destroyed by London authorities. The banner was taken without permission in December 2024, and after legal action, a company responsible for storing it agreed to pay for the damage.
Key Facts
Led By Donkeys displayed a 40m by 40m banner in Parliament Square that said “Yes It’s A Genocide.”
The banner was taken and destroyed by Greater London Authority (GLA) officials in December 2024.
The banner related to Israel’s actions in Gaza after attacks by Hamas in October 2023.
The GLA gave the banner to the company Veolia, which destroyed it after about 12 weeks due to its condition.
Led By Donkeys demanded compensation, and Veolia paid £27,216 to cover the banner’s cost.
The campaign group said their protests about Palestine are often treated differently and face more legal challenges.
The banner included testimony from Israeli scholar Prof Amos Goldberg calling the situation genocide.
International bodies, including a UN inquiry, have reported that Israel’s actions in Gaza may amount to genocide, which Israel denies.
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