Wildfires are spreading in parts of France and Spain, causing many people to evacuate. Authorities worry that a new heatwave, with very high temperatures, could make the fires worse or start new ones.
Key Facts
Nearly 4,000 people were evacuated from tourist areas in southwestern France, and more than 250,000 have fled the Gironde region.
The Gironde area, known for wine and including the city of Bordeaux, is the worst hit in France.
France expects a fourth heatwave of the year, with temperatures up to 40°C (104°F).
Spain has evacuated about 116,000 people, but some have returned home as fires are partly controlled.
Large areas of land, around 800 square kilometers (310 square miles), have burned in central Spain.
Firefighters continue to fight fires near major cities like Madrid and towns in provinces such as Toledo and Avila.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called the fires a clear sign of climate change effects.
Officials have banned public events in some parts of France to reduce risks during the heatwave.
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A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 hit southern Japan’s Kumamoto prefecture, injuring at least 50 people and causing a shopping mall to partially collapse. Authorities are assessing damage, dealing with power outages, fires, and evacuations while warning of possible aftershocks and landslides.
Key Facts
The earthquake struck Kumamoto on Kyushu island with a magnitude of 6.8.
At least 50 people were injured; some are trapped inside a collapsed shopping mall.
About 300,000 people were told to evacuate to safe centers.
Power outages affected 48,000 homes, and several buildings, roads, and bridges were damaged.
More than 60 aftershocks followed, ranging from magnitude 1 to 4.
A tsunami warning was issued but lifted within two hours.
Factories of TSMC, Sony, and Fujifilm evacuated workers due to the quake.
Transport services like JR Kyushu’s trains and Kumamoto airport were disrupted or suspended.
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Firefighters in the Gironde region of France are working hard to control wildfires as temperatures are expected to rise to 40°C during a new heatwave. Around 2,000 firefighters are involved, and many people have evacuated while officials warn about the impact on air quality and safety.
Key Facts
Wildfires have been burning in the Gironde region near Bordeaux, a city with 260,000 people.
2,000 firefighters have been deployed to fight the fires.
A new heatwave expected to bring temperatures up to 40°C will likely make the situation worse.
Around 220,000 people have evacuated in France recently, including 4,000 tourists near the Gironde coast.
About 240 homes have been destroyed by the fires.
Air quality in Bordeaux has worsened, causing people to stay indoors and businesses to close.
President Emmanuel Macron called the fires "the toughest since World War Two."
A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of starting a fire in a different region and faces 15 years in prison.
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Sir Clive Alderton, the principal private secretary to King Charles III, will step down in May 2027. The royal household has begun searching for his replacement, and Sir Clive will assist with the transition while continuing in his role until his 60th birthday.
Key Facts
Sir Clive Alderton has served as King Charles III’s principal private secretary for many years.
He manages the King and Queen’s official duties and advises on important events like the Coronation.
Sir Clive will leave his role in May 2027 when he turns 60.
The royal family is looking for a new top aide to replace him.
He played a key role in the smooth transition when King Charles III became monarch in 2022.
His annual salary was between £300,000 and £305,000.
Sir Clive has a background as a diplomat.
Prince Harry referenced Sir Clive’s role in his book "Spare," calling him "the Wasp" and highlighting his involvement in the Sussexes’ departure from royal duties.
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German investigators found a video where the suspect of the Berlin Pride attack appears to claim responsibility and support for the Islamic State group. The suspect, Abdul Ballout, died after ramming a van into a crowd and using a machete, killing one person and injuring 31 others.
Key Facts
The attack happened near the closing party of Berlin’s Pride festival.
Abdul Ballout, 21 years old, was the suspect and was killed in a police confrontation.
A Polish woman died, and 31 people were hurt in the attack.
Investigators found a video on a cellphone in the suspect’s van where someone believed to be Ballout pledged loyalty to the Islamic State group.
The suspect was born in Germany, has Lebanese roots, and traveled to Lebanon in 2025 trying to join the Islamic State in Syria.
Authorities found other evidence pointing to connections with the Islamic State at an apartment.
Officials are reviewing how Ballout was able to move freely despite a past conviction related to his attempted links to the Islamic State.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt called for stricter measures like ankle bracelets to monitor dangerous individuals.
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Spain is making progress in controlling some of the worst forest fires in its history, according to the prime minister. Over 50,000 hectares burned near Avila, close to Madrid, but firefighters are starting to see improvement as they continue their efforts.
Key Facts
Spain has faced very large wildfires recently, with over 50,000 hectares burned near Avila.
Firefighters and emergency teams are actively fighting these fires.
The Spanish prime minister said they see "the light at the end of the tunnel," meaning the situation is improving.
Spain is also preparing for a new heatwave, which could worsen fire conditions.
The wildfires are among the worst the country has experienced.
Large-scale evacuations have taken place in the affected areas around Madrid.
The fires are linked to extreme heat and climate factors.
Similar fire risks and heatwaves are affecting parts of Europe as well.
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An Israeli soldier recorded himself running a full marathon loop around a military base in Gaza. The soldier said Israeli forces will remain stationed there. This event highlights the different daily realities for Israelis and Palestinians in the area.
Key Facts
The soldier ran 42.2 kilometers (a marathon distance) around a Gaza military outpost.
The video showed the soldier saying Israeli forces are staying in the area.
Gaza is a region with ongoing military conflict and restrictions on movement.
Palestinians in Gaza face challenges like war, displacement, and limited freedom to move.
The soldier’s marathon contrasts with the hardship faced by local Palestinians.
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A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southern Japan. The earthquake caused a part of a shopping mall to collapse, trapping people inside and resulting in casualties. Rescue teams are working to help those affected.
Key Facts
The earthquake measured 7.1 on the magnitude scale.
It hit the Kumamoto Prefecture in southern Japan on July 28, 2026.
The second floor of a shopping mall collapsed due to the quake.
People are trapped inside the collapsed shopping mall.
Authorities confirmed there are casualties.
Rescue operations are ongoing to save those trapped.
The incident was covered by Japanese media and reported by Reuters and Kyodo.
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A new study shows that pregnant women exposed to higher levels of the weed killer chemical glyphosate during mid-pregnancy may have a greater chance of giving birth early, before 37 weeks. This research analyzed urine samples from over 1,400 women and found that higher glyphosate levels were linked to an increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth.
Key Facts
Glyphosate is the main chemical in many herbicides, including Roundup.
The study looked at 1,450 pregnant women in New York City from 2016 to 2019.
Urine tests measured glyphosate during early and mid-pregnancy.
7% of births in the study happened before 37 weeks (preterm).
Higher glyphosate levels between 18 and 25 weeks raised preterm birth odds by 35%.
The risk of spontaneous early labor doubled with higher glyphosate exposure.
No link was found between glyphosate early in pregnancy or its breakdown product (AMPA) and preterm birth.
Experts suggest washing produce and avoiding herbicides at home to reduce exposure.
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President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are scheduled to meet while tensions are rising due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran. The meeting aims to address concerns related to the war in the region.
Key Facts
President Trump is meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The meeting takes place amid increasing conflict involving Iran.
Rising tensions in the Middle East are a central issue for discussion.
The meeting is expected to focus on security and diplomatic progress.
This event is part of ongoing efforts to manage regional instability.
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A strong 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit southern Japan, causing buildings to collapse and people to become trapped under rubble. The quake also resulted in injuries and significant damage to infrastructure.
Key Facts
The earthquake measured 7.1 in magnitude.
It struck southern Japan.
The quake caused buildings, including a shopping mall, to collapse.
People were trapped under the rubble of collapsed structures.
Many individuals were injured due to the earthquake.
The earthquake caused damage to roads, bridges, and other infrastructure.
Rescue efforts are underway to help trapped victims.
News updates are being provided by CBS News correspondent Ramy Inocencio.
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Laura Loomer, a US far-right influencer and ally of President Donald Trump, visited Ukraine and was shown extensive damage caused by the war. Previously critical of US aid to Ukraine and calling the country a "Nazi state," Loomer apologized to President Zelensky, saying she had believed Russian propaganda before her visit.
Key Facts
Laura Loomer is a US far-right influencer and supporter of President Donald Trump.
She has criticized US assistance to Ukraine and called Ukraine a "Nazi state" in the past.
Loomer visited Ukraine and was given wide access to see the war damage.
After her visit, she apologized to Ukraine’s President Zelensky for believing Russian propaganda.
Ukrainian authorities welcomed her visit despite her earlier criticism.
President Zelensky might use Loomer’s influence to gain support within the White House.
The visit marks a shift in Loomer’s stance on the war in Ukraine.
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President Donald Trump said the United States is engaged in friendly talks with Iran to end months of fighting, after pausing military strikes last week. Iran denies direct negotiations but says intermediaries may pass messages; Oman is leading mediation efforts with other countries involved. The talks focus on controlling the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route, amid fears a wider war could erupt again.
Key Facts
President Trump described the talks with Iran as "very friendly" and sees a good chance for progress.
Iran publicly denies direct talks with the U.S., but says messages may be exchanged through intermediaries.
Oman is leading mediation efforts, with Qatar, Pakistan, and Egypt also involved, alongside U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Fighting between the U.S. and Iran slowed after weeks of attacks and a pause in strikes last week.
The main sticking point in talks is the control and shipping rules of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for oil transport.
An earlier agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) in June aimed to ease tensions but disagreements over the strait’s control caused renewed conflict.
Iran wants to control shipping routes through the strait and hinted at charging fees after a 60-day free transit period.
Oman established a new shipping corridor supported by the U.S., which Iran says breaks the agreement.
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President Donald Trump is hosting Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington, D.C. The meetings come as tensions involving Iran are rising and world leaders gather to honor Senator Lindsey Graham, who recently passed away.
Key Facts
President Trump is meeting with President Netanyahu of Israel.
President Zelenskyy of Ukraine is also meeting with President Trump.
The meetings are taking place in Washington, D.C.
The visits coincide with growing conflict related to Iran.
World leaders have gathered to honor the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
Lindsey Graham died unexpectedly earlier this month.
The news was reported by CBS News and journalist Olivia Rinaldi.
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Thirteen novels have been chosen for the longlist of this year's Booker Prize, a prestigious award for fiction written in English and published in the UK or Ireland. The list includes books set in different places like Mexico City, Jamaica, and Massachusetts, and features authors such as Elizabeth Strout, Douglas Stuart, and Marlon James. The longlist will be narrowed down to a shortlist in September, with the winner announced in November.
Key Facts
The Booker Prize longlist has 13 novels by various international authors.
Judges received 163 book submissions to review for this prize.
The prize honors long fiction written in English and published in the UK or Ireland.
The six shortlisted authors will each get £2,500 and a special edition of their book.
The winner will receive £50,000 and a trophy.
Notable longlisted authors include Elizabeth Strout, Douglas Stuart, and Marlon James, who have won or been shortlisted before.
The books cover diverse topics, like assisted suicide clinics, family struggles, and social issues before the 2024 US election.
Some well-known authors, such as Maggie O’Farrell and Julian Barnes, did not make this year’s longlist.
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Mumia Abu-Jamal, a prisoner serving a life sentence without parole in Pennsylvania for the 1982 murder of a police officer, has asked the United Nations to review his case. He claims his imprisonment is unfair and has asked the UN to consider violations during his trial and his sentence under international law.
Key Facts
Mumia Abu-Jamal has been in prison for nearly 45 years and maintains he is innocent of murdering a police officer.
He is serving life in prison without any chance of parole, meaning he will remain in prison for life regardless of age or health.
Abu-Jamal filed a petition with the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to review his imprisonment.
His legal team argues that his trial had many unfair elements, including the exclusion of most Black jurors and a biased judge.
The judge in his case was known for giving many death sentences, mostly to minority defendants, and was overheard using racial slurs.
New evidence disclosed in 2018 raises questions about the reliability of the prosecution’s main witness.
His life sentence without parole is described as “death by incarceration” because it allows no possibility of release.
Abu-Jamal has written 15 books and is known internationally as a political figure and writer.
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The 2026 Booker Prize longlist includes 13 novels from authors in seven nationalities across three continents, with nearly half from the UK. The list features past winners Douglas Stuart and Marlon James, three debut novelists, and is chaired by classicist Mary Beard.
Key Facts
The Booker Prize 2026 longlist has 13 novels by authors from seven countries on three continents.
Almost half of the longlisted authors are from the United Kingdom.
Douglas Stuart, who won Booker in 2020, and Marlon James, who won in 2015, are both on the longlist.
Three writers are debut novelists: Kenan Orhan, Rebecca Perry, and Djamel White.
Mary Beard, a well-known classicist and broadcaster, leads the judging panel.
Marlon James’s novel, The Disappearers, deals with a homophobic attack in 1980s Jamaica.
Elizabeth Strout is longlisted for her third time with The Things We Never Say, a novel about America under President Donald Trump.
The submissions included 163 books written in English and published in the UK or Ireland between October 2025 and September 2026.
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Large wildfires in North America and Europe, made worse by climate change, have destroyed homes and forests and forced many people to leave their homes. Studies show that the health and mental effects of these fires can last for years, as seen in Hawaii where people still face physical and emotional challenges three years after major wildfires.
Key Facts
Nearly 1,000 fires are burning in Canada’s boreal forests, causing evacuations and smoke pollution in Canadian and US cities.
Wildfires in US states like Washington, Oregon, and Idaho have produced smoke that could reach as far as Florida.
Europe has seen large wildfires in the UK, France, and Spain, forcing over 250,000 people to evacuate.
Climate change, caused by burning fossil fuels, is making wildfires more frequent and severe by drying out plants and soil.
Smoke from wildfires can cause serious breathing and heart problems, even hundreds of miles away from the fires.
A study in Maui found that people still suffer from health problems like poor lung function, high blood pressure, depression, and PTSD three years after the 2023 wildfires.
Children affected by wildfires may seem resilient but can still experience hidden emotional and physical effects.
Recovery from wildfires involves more than rebuilding homes; it includes long-term health and social support.
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In 2025, European countries reduced their international aid spending, especially to the poorest nations, while increasing funds mainly for Ukraine. This decline follows significant cuts by the United States, and overall global aid is projected to continue falling in 2026.
Key Facts
The European Union is the world’s largest humanitarian donor but focused most of its increased aid on Ukraine in 2025.
Official development assistance (ODA) from EU institutions fell by 13.8 percent in 2025.
Aid to the poorest countries and sub-Saharan Africa decreased by over 20 percent.
The United States cut its ODA by 56.9 percent, causing most of the global aid decline.
Several European countries, including Germany, France, and the UK, reduced their aid budgets by 10 to 17 percent.
The UN target for aid spending is 0.7 percent of gross national income, but EU countries averaged only 0.42 percent in 2025.
The OECD projects global aid will drop another 6.9 percent in 2026, marking a multi-year decline.
Some European countries are cutting aid to increase their defense budgets, with the UK officially reducing its aid target to fund military spending.
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