Hot dogs originated from German sausages and became a popular American food by the late 1800s. They are now a cultural symbol often associated with baseball, regional traditions, and even diplomatic moments involving U.S. presidents and foreign leaders.
Key Facts
The term "hot dog" first appeared in a print in Indiana in 1884.
German sausages like weisswurst and bockwurst helped shape what Americans call hot dogs today.
By the 1890s, hot dogs were commonly linked to baseball games in the United States.
The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council lists 19 different regional hot dog varieties in the U.S.
Hot dogs have played a role in U.S. international relations, sometimes called "hot dog diplomacy."
British King George VI and Queen Elizabeth were served hot dogs during their visit to America before World War II.
Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev tried an American hot dog in 1959 and praised American sausage-making.
Hot dogs continue to inspire art and cultural events, such as a large hot dog sculpture in New York’s Times Square.
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Researchers have started a study to test two possible treatments for a growing Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo. The outbreak involves a rare type of Ebola virus called Bundibugyo, for which there are no approved treatments or vaccines.
Key Facts
More than 1,400 people in Congo have been diagnosed with the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, and 438 have died.
The World Health Organization (WHO) began enrolling participants in the study on July 2, 2026.
The study is testing two drugs: remdesivir, an antiviral medicine, and MBP134, an experimental antibody treatment.
All patients in the trial will receive standard care plus one or both drugs, or neither, to compare results.
Survival of participants will be tracked for 28 days after treatment begins.
The trial is currently only at one treatment center in Congo’s Ituri province due to safety concerns.
Researchers hope the trial will show if either treatment improves survival and can be scaled up in the future.
The study is a collaboration between Congo’s national research institute, Oxford University, Antwerp’s Institute of Tropical Medicine, and international health organizations.
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Wilbur, a pet cat from a village in Cornwall, appeared bright blue after coming into contact with blue cornstarch used at a neighbour’s gender-reveal party. Wilbur’s owners were worried at first, but a vet expert said the dye was unlikely to harm the cat, and washing her right away was the correct action.
Key Facts
Wilbur is a female cat usually grey, black, and white.
She got covered in blue dye from cornstarch used in a neighbour’s gender-reveal party.
The family initially thought Wilbur might have been painted with harmful paint.
The gender-reveal involved children kicking footballs filled with blue cornstarch.
Wilbur rolled around in leftover cornstarch in the garden, turning her fur blue.
The family washed the cat repeatedly to remove the dye; a small stain remains.
A vet specialist said the food dye used on cornstarch is unlikely to cause harm.
The vet advised pet owners to stop pets from licking unfamiliar substances and to seek vet advice.
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Tropical Storm Douglas is moving in the eastern Pacific Ocean near the U.S. West Coast but remains far from land and is not expected to cause coastal damage. Forecasters predict the storm will weaken over cooler waters and disappear by Friday, though some models suggest it could come closer to Baja California.
Key Facts
Tropical Storm Douglas is the fourth named storm of the 2026 eastern Pacific hurricane season.
The storm is about 1,175 miles west-southwest of Baja California, with 40 mph winds, moving north at 6 mph.
Douglas is forecast to move over open water, weaken over cooler seas, and become a post-tropical cyclone by Friday.
There are currently no coastal watches or warnings for Douglas.
"Spaghetti models" show different possible storm paths; most predict Douglas will stay away from land, but one shows a possible turn toward Baja California.
The 2026 eastern Pacific hurricane season is expected to be above normal, with 15 to 22 named storms predicted.
El Niño conditions in the Pacific are increasing storm activity in the eastern Pacific by creating favorable weather for storm development.
El Niño generally increases storms in the eastern Pacific while reducing them in the Atlantic hurricane season.
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German prosecutors have charged a former Ukrainian army officer for a 2022 attack on the Nord Stream gas pipelines. The officer is accused of leading a group that planted explosives underwater to damage the pipelines and disrupt gas supplies from Russia to Europe.
Key Facts
A court in Hamburg, Germany charged Serhii K, a former Ukrainian army officer, for involvement in the Nord Stream pipeline blasts.
The attack happened in September 2022 and damaged Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in the Baltic Sea.
Prosecutors say Serhii K and his team used fake documents and transported explosives underwater near Denmark to destroy the pipelines.
The pipelines supplied Russian gas to Europe, and damaging them aimed to stop gas revenue Russia used for its war.
Serhii K denies involvement in the attack.
Ukraine’s government and President Zelenskyy have not yet commented fully, awaiting details from Germany.
Serhii K was arrested in Italy in August 2023 and moved to Germany in November 2023.
German courts claim jurisdiction since the pipelines end in Germany and the attack affected German energy security.
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The Princess of Wales made a surprise visit to Wimbledon, where she met the public and handed out tickets. She watched a tennis match on Court 18, sitting with important tennis figures.
Key Facts
The Princess of Wales visited Wimbledon without prior announcement.
She gave out tickets to people attending the event.
During her visit, she accepted card payments from attendees.
She sat on Court 18 to watch a match between British player Arthur Fery and Finland's Otto Virtanen.
The princess was seated between Deborah Jevans, chairwoman of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, and former British tennis player Tim Henman.
The visit took place on a Thursday during the Wimbledon tennis tournament.
The event involved interaction with members of the public attending Wimbledon.
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After grieving the loss of her dog, Alabama Jackson developed painful blisters on her eyeball caused by rubbing her eyes too much while crying. She had the blisters treated by an eye doctor, but they returned, so she is now avoiding rubbing her eyes to let them heal naturally.
Key Facts
Alabama Jackson lost her 7-year-old rescue dog, Goober, who had a serious spinal disease that caused paralysis.
After saying goodbye, she cried a lot and rubbed her eyes, leading to an unusual health problem.
Jackson developed multiple blisters called conjunctival cysts on the outer layer of her eyeball.
An eye doctor used local anesthesia and a needle to pop the blisters in her left eye.
The blisters caused blurry vision and discomfort but did not severely affect her sight.
Despite treatment, the blisters came back due to continued eye rubbing.
Jackson is now using eye drops and avoiding rubbing her eyes to prevent infection.
She shares her experience as a reminder to be gentle with your eyes during emotional times.
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This summer, tick bites are expected to increase across the United States due to warmer temperatures that allow ticks to spread to new areas. Health officials warn that tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease and others are becoming more common, and people are advised to check carefully for ticks and remove them quickly to prevent infection.
Key Facts
The CDC reports the highest rate of emergency room visits from tick bites since 2017.
Warmer weather is causing ticks to move into new parts of the country.
Lone star ticks can cause a red meat allergy called alpha-gal syndrome.
Powassan virus, carried by some ticks, can cause serious brain-related symptoms like memory loss and seizures.
Education on tick prevention is increasing, but tick-related diseases are still rising.
Camp counselors in Wisconsin are teaching kids how to check for ticks during summer activities.
Removing ticks within 24 hours reduces the risk of Lyme disease.
The CDC recommends using tweezers or tick removal tools and seeing a doctor if symptoms like rash or fever appear after a tick bite.
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Spain launched a plan in April to let nearly 1.2 million undocumented migrants apply for legal status. The government is processing applications to give work and residence permits, while some political groups oppose the policy.
Key Facts
Almost 1.2 million people applied for legal status in Spain between mid-April and June 30.
Over 600,000 applications are already being processed.
About 67% of applicants come from Latin America, with Colombia alone making up nearly 26%.
Other main countries of origin are Morocco (13.3%), Venezuela (11.8%), and Peru (8.8%).
Most applicants are under 45 years old; 57% are men and 43% women.
Applicants must have no criminal record and prove they lived in Spain for at least five months before January 1.
The government expects around 500,000 people will qualify for permits.
The permits allow holders to live and work only in Spain.
The Spanish government says immigration is important for economic growth and avoiding population decline.
Some opposition parties criticize the plan, calling it harmful and a threat to jobs and services.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius is over. The last person exposed to the virus finished quarantine, tested negative, and no new cases have appeared since May 25.
Key Facts
The hantavirus outbreak infected 13 people and caused 3 deaths.
The virus involved is a rare strain called the Andes virus.
The MV Hondius cruise ship started its journey on April 1 from Argentina.
The first cases traveled through Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay on a bird-watching trip.
The virus may have spread between people who were in close contact.
Over 650 contacts across 33 countries were monitored by health authorities.
Symptoms include fever, tiredness, muscle aches, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and breathing problems.
Hantavirus usually spreads through contact with urine, droppings, or saliva from infected rodents.
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Ugandan health authorities and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have reported a confirmed case of Marburg virus disease in a young child who died. This comes amid an ongoing Ebola outbreak in nearby regions, and there is limited public information about the Marburg case from Ugandan officials.
Key Facts
A 1.5-year-old child in Uganda died from Marburg virus disease.
Marburg virus is related to Ebola and causes similar hemorrhagic (bleeding) illness.
Africa CDC said no other people who had contact with the child showed symptoms.
Uganda’s health ministry has been cautious about sharing details and reportedly did not confirm an outbreak.
The World Health Organization was informed of the case on June 30.
The US embassy issued a health alert about a possible case on June 29.
Reports suggest Uganda may have two cases, but any spread appears limited.
The Marburg case occurs as Ebola outbreaks continue in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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An 11-year-old boy in Ontario, Canada, died of rabies after waking to find a bat on his face. Doctors said the rare death could have been prevented with better public understanding of rabies risks and treatment.
Key Facts
The boy found a bat on his nose and mouth while staying at a cottage in northern Ontario in 2024.
His parents caught the bat and released it without suspecting rabies, as they saw no bites or unusual bat behavior.
Rabies is very rare in Canada, with only 28 cases since 1924 and none in Ontario since 1967.
Bats are the main carriers of rabies in North America, and bites or scratches can be so small they go unnoticed.
Rabies can enter the body through saliva contacting cuts, eyes, nose, or mouth.
Symptoms appeared 19 days later with facial tingling and swelling; rabies was confirmed by brain scans and tests.
There is no cure for rabies once symptoms start, and it is almost always fatal.
Early treatment after exposure, called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), is very effective at preventing rabies.
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Israel disagrees with a United Nations report accusing its military of deliberately targeting Palestinian children. However, some incidents involving children being hit by precise weapons raise questions about whether these were truly accidental.
Key Facts
The UN Commission report claims Israeli forces intentionally target Palestinian children.
Israel rejects these accusations from the UN report.
Some Palestinian children have been shot with precision weapons.
Precision weapons are designed to hit specific targets accurately.
The use of such weapons in these cases makes it hard to say the shootings were accidental.
The report and Israel’s response highlight ongoing tension and conflict in the region.
The information is reported by Al Jazeera correspondent Emma Withrow.
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A textile artist from north-west London, Holly Searle, is happy after a large box containing 206 pieces of her tea towel artwork was returned. The box had been lost in transit while sent to an arts festival but was later found and delivered back to her home.
Key Facts
Holly Searle sent a box of 206 tea towel artworks via 48-hour delivery on June 22.
The box was meant for an exhibition at the Alton Arts Festival in Hampshire.
The box went missing and was later found after a search by Royal Mail and public help.
The box traveled outside London to Coventry due to water damage on the label.
The artworks, created over seven years, were all undamaged when returned.
The postman who delivered the box seemed unaware of the search for the parcel.
Royal Mail apologized and will give a refund to Holly Searle.
A man donated 80 vintage tea towels to help replace the lost ones during the search.
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Rescue teams in Venezuela continue searching for survivors eight days after deadly twin earthquakes struck the area. Despite many casualties and destruction, a man trapped under rubble was rescued alive, while the U.S. government rejected criticism of Venezuela’s earthquake response.
Key Facts
Twin earthquakes hit Catia La Mar, Venezuela, causing severe damage and many deaths.
At least 2,295 people died and over 11,000 were injured, according to Venezuela’s government.
Rescue workers have been digging through rubble for more than a week to find survivors.
A 43-year-old man survived being trapped nearly eight days under a collapsed shopping mall.
A toddler was also rescued after being trapped six days in the disaster zone.
Many people are living in shelters or outside due to destroyed homes.
Medical experts worry that untreated injuries and diseases could worsen health problems.
The U.S. rejected criticism aimed at Venezuela’s handling of the earthquake response.
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King Charles took part in a traditional hand ba' game in Jedburgh, Scotland, during his visit to the town. The event, part of the Jethart Callant's Festival, involved local teams playing a historic and energetic street sport that has been played in the area for centuries.
Key Facts
King Charles officially started an exhibition hand ba' game in Jedburgh.
Hand ba' is a traditional street sport in the Scottish Borders, played for about 500 years.
The game involves two teams: the Uppies and the Doonies, trying to carry the ball to different points in the town.
The sport is known for being energetic and sometimes rough, causing the King’s security to stay alert.
There are only about 14 traditional hand ba' games still played regularly in Britain.
King Charles has also started a similar ancient game before, in Derbyshire.
The visit coincided with the start of the Jethart Callant’s Festival, featuring horseback rides and traditional dances.
The King spent over three hours in Jedburgh, meeting locals and visiting a company that makes insulation from hemp.
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The Vatican declared that the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), a traditionalist Catholic group, has formally broken away from the Catholic Church. It excommunicated the group's bishops and priests after they consecrated new bishops without the pope’s approval and warned their followers of penalties.
Key Facts
The Vatican said the SSPX officially separated from the Catholic Church, calling it a schism.
The Society of St. Pius X consecrated four new bishops without permission from the pope.
The Vatican’s doctrine office issued the excommunications, which are severe church penalties.
The Vatican warned followers of the SSPX that they could also face serious sanctions.
SSPX opposes modern reforms in the Catholic Church and prefers the old Latin Mass.
The group has challenged the Vatican for about 50 years by claiming to be more faithful to Catholic tradition.
This response by the Vatican is stronger than usual and goes beyond normal church rules.
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Russian mercenaries from the Africa Corps are using combat drones in Mali that were previously mainly seen in the war in Ukraine. These drones, called Lancet loitering munitions, are small missile-like devices with cameras, used to target vehicles and armed groups in the Sahel region of Africa.
Key Facts
The Africa Corps, a Russian mercenary group, now supports the Malian army after replacing the Wagner Group.
They have deployed the Lancet drone, a loitering munition used since 2020 by Russia in Ukraine.
The Lancet drone can fly for a long time and is remotely piloted via a camera.
Images of drone debris found in Mali match parts sold on a Ukrainian resale website featuring captured Russian equipment.
The drone was found near Timbuktu after Russian mercenary drone strikes targeting rebel separatists and jihadist groups.
The Lancet drone was designed to hit armored vehicles and artillery, not for use in African environments or against insurgent forces.
The drones are used alongside reconnaissance drones to seek out and attack targets like pickup trucks in conflict zones.
The drone debris evidence came from an anonymous source linked to the Azawad Liberation Front, a separatist group active in northern Mali.
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A weather event called a heat dome will bring very hot temperatures to many parts of the United States during the Fourth of July weekend. This heat dome will cover much of the East Coast, the South, and other regions, leading to dangerous heat conditions.
Key Facts
Millions of Americans will experience the heat dome during Independence Day celebrations.
The heat dome causes a large area of high pressure that traps warm air.
This results in extremely hot temperatures over several days.
The affected areas include most of the East Coast and the southern United States.
Meteorologists warn that the heat could create dangerous health conditions.
The heat dome will last through the holiday weekend.
People are advised to take steps to stay cool and hydrated.
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A 43-year-old security guard, Hernán Alberto Gil Flores, was rescued alive after being trapped for eight days under a collapsed shopping mall in La Guaira, Venezuela, following two strong earthquakes. International rescue teams worked under difficult conditions to save him, while many others remain missing or injured.
Key Facts
Two earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 hit Venezuela, killing nearly 2,200 people and injuring over 11,000.
Hernán Alberto Gil Flores was trapped in his security cabin in the basement of Galerías Playa Grande mall for eight days.
A pocket of air in his cabin helped him survive the collapse.
Rescue teams from Costa Rica, Chile, the US, Portugal, and Mexico worked together to find and extract him.
Rescuers used a telescopic camera and a narrow shaft to keep contact and provide water and nutrients.
The rescue was complicated by unstable buildings, heavy rain, and aftershocks.
Most collapsed buildings in La Guaira have been searched with no survivors found.
The community faces shortages of food and water, and there have been reports of theft and arrests of police officers involved.
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