A strong El Niño weather pattern, combined with conflicts and shipping problems, is raising global food prices and disrupting supplies. Experts warn that these challenges will continue through 2026 and may cause higher costs for groceries worldwide.
Key Facts
The United Nations says world food prices in August 2024 were the highest since 2022.
The ongoing El Niño event is expected to be much stronger than those recorded since 1950.
The World Meteorological Organization says El Niño will likely last until at least February 2027 and cause more droughts and floods.
The El Niño event is contributing to forest fires in Indonesia, which is the largest producer of palm oil.
Palm oil prices have risen about 24% in 2024 due to the fires and climate impacts.
Rising palm oil costs are expected to increase prices of other vegetable oils like sunflower, soy, and canola.
Conflicts in Europe and Asia are also disrupting food supplies and shipping routes.
Economists warn that damage to crops, energy supply, and trade routes will drive food prices higher globally.
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Iryna Terekh, previously an architect in Ukraine, now leads a defense company called Fire Point. The company is testing a new ballistic missile designed to reach Moscow.
Key Facts
Iryna Terekh used to design patios in Ukraine before shifting careers.
She now runs a defense company named Fire Point.
Fire Point is working on a ballistic missile project.
The missile is intended to have the range to reach Moscow.
This development reflects changes related to the conflict involving Ukraine.
The report was made by CBS News correspondent Aidan Stretch.
The news is available on the CBS News app and website.
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King Charles III sent a letter to senior government officials to explain that Prince Harry and Meghan are nonworking members of the royal family after returning to the United Kingdom. This means they do not perform official royal duties.
Key Facts
King Charles III wrote a letter to top government officials.
The letter clarified the status of Prince Harry and Meghan.
Harry and Meghan have returned to the United Kingdom.
They are considered nonworking royals.
Being nonworking means they do not carry out official royal tasks.
The information was reported by CBS News.
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Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, the three Baltic countries, are preparing for possible attacks from Russia because of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. These countries are concerned that Russia might expand its military actions to their region.
Key Facts
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are Baltic nations in Northern Europe.
They share borders and close history with Russia.
Russia is currently involved in a war with Ukraine.
The Baltic countries fear Russia could attack them next.
These nations are increasing their defense measures.
The conflict in Ukraine has raised security concerns in the region.
NATO and European allies support the Baltic countries' defense.
The situation is part of wider tensions between Russia and Western countries.
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Lithuania is getting ready for the possibility of war with Russia because of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. People in Lithuania are taking steps to protect themselves in case Russia becomes aggressive toward their country.
Key Facts
Lithuania is preparing for a possible military conflict with Russia.
The preparations come as the war in Ukraine continues.
Lithuanian citizens are involved in these readiness efforts.
The situation reflects concerns about Russian aggression in the region.
Lithuania shares borders near the area affected by the Ukraine conflict.
The news was reported by CBS News correspondent Aaron MacLean.
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Thousands of people protested in Germany against the far-right party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) after it won a large share of votes in a state election. The AfD is strong in two upcoming regional elections, raising concerns about its impact on democracy and minority rights.
Key Facts
The AfD won nearly 44% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt, its best result ever in a state election.
Demonstrations against the AfD took place near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin and other cities. Organizers say more than 14,000 people protested.
The AfD calls for deporting asylum seekers and reducing support for renewable energy and public broadcasting.
The party is close to forming a government in Saxony-Anhalt but needs three more votes for a majority.
Germany’s domestic intelligence agency classifies the AfD as rightwing extremist, seeing it as a threat to democracy.
The AfD leads voter polls in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, with about 35% support before elections on September 20.
Other parties in Berlin remain competitive, with the Christian Democrats, Social Democrats, the left-wing Linke, and Greens all polling closely.
Many protesters expressed concern that the AfD’s far-right views threaten democracy and social services.
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A type of skin fungus that causes itching and does not respond well to regular medicine has spread to 29 countries. The number of infections has increased three times in a short period.
Key Facts
The fungus causes itchy skin infections called ringworm.
It does not respond well to usual treatments, meaning it is drug-resistant.
The fungus has been found in 29 different countries.
The number of cases has tripled in recent years.
This spread makes it harder to control and treat the infections.
Scientists studied the fungus to understand its growth and resistance.
Drug resistance means the medicines normally used are less effective or do not work.
The increase in cases poses a concern for public health officials.
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An Amazon Air cargo plane went off the runway while landing in Miami and struck two vehicles. This accident caused the deaths of five people. A commercial pilot, Capt. Laura Einsetler, commented on the investigation that will follow.
Key Facts
The crash involved an Amazon Air cargo plane in Miami.
The plane overran the runway during landing.
Two vehicles were hit by the plane after the crash.
Five people died as a result of the accident.
Capt. Laura Einsetler, a commercial pilot, discussed the upcoming investigation.
The cause of the crash is currently being looked into.
The incident happened at an airport in Miami.
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that all the people who died in the Amazon cargo plane crash at Miami International Airport were in vehicles struck by the plane. The crash caused at least five deaths and several injuries.
Key Facts
An Amazon cargo plane crashed at Miami International Airport.
The crash resulted in at least five deaths.
Several people were injured in the incident.
The victims who died were all inside vehicles hit by the plane.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.
Details were shared publicly by the NTSB through CBS News.
The crash involved vehicles near the airport area.
The authorities continue to gather information about the cause of the accident.
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President Donald Trump posted an edited video on his Truth Social account showing King Charles appearing to ignore a grocery store worker who fainted. The original footage, from 2020, actually shows King Charles stopping to help the man and showing concern.
Key Facts
The edited video was posted on President Trump’s Truth Social account on Labor Day.
The clip makes it look like King Charles ignored a fainting grocery store employee.
The original video was filmed in July 2020 at a grocery distribution center in Bristol, England.
In the full video, King Charles stays with the employee and others come to help.
President Trump has described King Charles as a friend and praised him recently.
Buckingham Palace did not comment on the edited video when asked.
The video was part of a montage comparing world leaders unfavorably to President Trump.
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The conflict between the U.S. and Iran is ongoing as the midterm elections approach. President Trump has tried to minimize the importance of the war. Retired Vice Admiral Robert B. Murrett shared his analysis on the situation.
Key Facts
The Iran war is still happening.
The midterm general election in the U.S. is coming soon.
President Trump has downplayed or reduced the seriousness of the Iran conflict.
Retired Vice Admiral Robert B. Murrett gave his expert opinion about the situation.
The discussion was featured on CBS News.
The focus is on how the conflict affects politics and public perception.
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Lithuania is training civilians, including students and adults, in survival and weapons skills to prepare for a possible Russian invasion. This move follows the ongoing war in Ukraine and uses lessons from that conflict to improve the country’s defenses with both traditional methods and new technology.
Key Facts
Russia recently bombed Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, killing at least two people.
President Trump's envoys visited the region to try to negotiate peace.
Lithuania, a NATO member with fewer than 3 million people, trains civilians in military skills.
Students at a high school in Vilnius learn survival and weapons training alongside regular classes.
Lithuania is teaching people how to use and defend against drones.
The country uses a mix of high-tech tools like sensors and drones and traditional defenses like tank obstacles.
Lithuania is close to Belarus, an ally of Russia, which has been used in attacks on Ukraine.
Lithuania’s leaders say they are not afraid of Russia and are ready to defend their country because of their history.
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The UK government, led by Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, has declared Israel’s occupation of the West Bank as fully unlawful. The UK is imposing new sanctions on trade and services linked to Israeli settlements, accusing settler groups of ethnic cleansing with government support.
Key Facts
The UK calls the Israeli occupation of the West Bank unlawful in its entirety for the first time.
The UK, along with France and Canada, has banned imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied territories.
Sanctions will target services like construction and financing of settlements, and advertising of illegal settlement properties in the UK.
Personal sanctions will be applied to individuals accused of promoting violence by settlers.
The UK will also ban exports, including arms, that support the occupation.
The actions are a response to plans to expand the E1 settlement, which could further divide the West Bank.
Miliband called the situation “ethnic cleansing” carried out by settler terrorists with Israeli government backing.
Other European countries, including the Netherlands and Ireland, have also banned goods from Israeli settlements.
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Authorities in Rome have unveiled a large, ancient fresco and mosaic from the 1st century AD. These artworks, showing a maritime city, were found underground at the Baths of Trajan and have been restored for limited public viewing.
Key Facts
The fresco and mosaic were discovered in the 1990s during excavations under the Baths of Trajan, near the Colosseum in Rome.
The fresco shows a walled port city from a bird’s-eye view but the city's exact identity is unknown.
The mosaic measures about 15 meters high and has detailed decorations, including architectural elements and figures.
The Baths of Trajan were dedicated by Emperor Trajan in 109 AD and were once the world’s largest bath complex.
The artworks are opening to the public in small groups to test how they handle humidity and climate before wider access.
The site also includes a large semicircular upper-level "library," possibly part of the original bath complex.
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Prince Harry and Meghan were surprised by how Buckingham Palace released a letter confirming they remain non-working members of the royal family. The letter, sent by King Charles III, was shared with officials and made public with little notice to the couple, reminding them they will not use royal titles or perform official duties.
Key Facts
Prince Harry and Meghan returned to the United Kingdom but remain non-working royals.
Buckingham Palace released a letter from King Charles III about their status without much notice to the couple.
The couple had only about one hour to review the letter before it went public.
The letter confirmed Harry and Meghan will not use royal titles like "His/Her Royal Highness."
They will continue charity work privately, not as official royals.
Security decisions, including police protection, are handled by a government group called RAVEC.
Harry has sought to restore public police protection, which was withdrawn when they stepped back from royal duties in 2020.
Palace observers are concerned about potential tensions related to Harry and Meghan’s return to the UK.
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An 83-year-old man in Scotland was jailed for collecting over two million child abuse images, the largest such collection found by police in the country. Alan MacPherson admitted to downloading and sharing illegal images over 14 years and will be supervised for three years after his four-year prison sentence.
Key Facts
Alan MacPherson, aged 83, was found with more than two million child abuse images on multiple devices.
Over 805,000 of the images were confirmed to show child sexual abuse, much of it very serious.
Police identified MacPherson after tracing his internet address while he shared illegal images with an undercover officer.
The images mainly involved girls aged 9 to 15, with some victims possibly as young as 7.
MacPherson was sentenced to four years in jail and will be on the sex offenders register for life.
He will also be supervised for three years after his release.
MacPherson admitted to collecting images for personal reasons over 14 years.
His defense mentioned his failing eyesight and that his family has distanced themselves from him.
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French authorities are investigating after female workers at the Eiffel Tower were removed from their posts during a visit by a Hindu religious group called BAPS. This led to a strike and closure of the landmark as staff protested the treatment of women.
Key Facts
Female employees at the Eiffel Tower were taken off duty during a private visit by about 100 members of the BAPS Hindu group.
BAPS monks follow strict rules that forbid contact with women, which led to men replacing female staff during the visit.
Eiffel Tower staff felt humiliated and went on strike, causing the landmark to close on Monday.
Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said the investigation would start quickly and stressed that gender equality must be respected everywhere.
The tower’s operating company admitted that the request to limit interaction with women should not have been accepted.
BAPS has connections with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ruling party, BJP.
BAPS apologized for the incident but did not clearly explain the request to remove female staff.
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal stated that no culture or belief can dictate women's place in France.
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More than 140 golf clubs in England broke their water use rules in the last five years, often by taking too much water or using it at the wrong times. Although many breaches endangered the environment, no fines or prosecutions have happened.
Key Facts
Over 140 golf clubs in England violated their water extraction licenses from 2021 to 2025.
More than a third of violations involved illegally taking water, either over limits or outside allowed times.
Other breaches involved poor or missing monitoring and reporting of water usage.
Around 100 golf clubs’ breaches posed risks to the environment.
No golf clubs have been fined or prosecuted for these violations.
The Environment Agency monitors and aims to bring violators into compliance but can take stricter action if needed.
England is currently experiencing a severe drought, with over 70% of the area affected.
Water licenses regulate how much water businesses can take from natural sources like rivers and lakes to protect the environment and public needs.
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Sir Tom Jones said he did not want to leave the TV show The Voice, but ITV decided to remove him from the coaching panel. The broadcaster mentioned financial difficulties and a desire to refresh the show with new coaches. Talks are ongoing, and ITV hopes he may return.
Key Facts
Sir Tom Jones, aged 86, has been a coach on The Voice UK since it started in 2012.
ITV decided to "fire" him from the judging panel due to financial and insurance reasons.
ITV also wanted to refresh the show with new coaches, leaving no coaching chair for him.
He was offered a smaller role, appearing without full involvement from the beginning of the show.
Sir Tom said he loves the show and was not happy about the decision.
ITV said they enjoy working with him and hope he will return to the series.
The Voice UK’s next season production was set to start soon.
Sir Tom has worked with many other coaches and helped three contestants win the competition.
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Yemen’s Houthis launched attacks on four cities in Saudi Arabia using drones and missiles, injuring over 70 people and damaging oil facilities. Saudi Arabia promised to defend itself and take necessary actions after the strikes, which mark a major escalation in the ongoing Middle East conflict involving Iran, Saudi Arabia, and their allies.
Key Facts
The Houthis, backed by Iran, attacked Saudi cities including Khamis Mushait, Abha, Najran, and Jizan using drones and missiles.
Over 70 people were wounded, including women and children, and oil installations were set on fire.
Saudi Arabia vowed to retaliate and defend its territory, stating it would take all necessary measures.
The attacks hit important oil facilities, including a large refinery in Jizan near the Yemen border.
The conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia has lasted more than a decade but has recently intensified.
The war now includes wider regional tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran, affecting global oil prices.
Iran has announced plans to create a maritime exclusion zone in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping route.
Recent military exchanges occurred between US and Iranian forces, increasing fears of broader conflict.
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