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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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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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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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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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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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