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Author Salman Rushdie testified in a federal terrorism trial about the 2022 attack where he was stabbed fifteen times on stage. The attacker, Hadi Matar, is accused of carrying out the stabbing as an act of terrorism linked to an old death threat from Iran's former leader.
Key Facts
Salman Rushdie was stabbed on stage in Buffalo, New York, in 2022 while preparing to speak.
The attacker, Hadi Matar, was convicted on a state attempted murder charge and faces federal terrorism charges.
Rushdie testified he was stabbed fifteen times, blinding his right eye and seriously injuring other parts of his body.
Prosecutors say Matar acted on a 1989 death order (fatwa) from Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini calling for Rushdie’s death over his book "The Satanic Verses."
Rushdie described the knife coming very close to his brain and detailed his long recovery.
Matar’s defense questions if prosecutors can prove his intent or connections to terrorism groups.
Rushdie said he had no proof of Matar’s terrorist ties but had suspicions based on the fatwa history.
The fatwa has never been officially repealed but Iranian government distanced itself from it in 1998.
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A heatwave in England has caused many people, especially young women and parents, to feel anxious and scared about climate change and extreme weather. Experts say this kind of worry, called climate anxiety, is mental distress linked to events like heatwaves and floods. Some affected people are finding ways to cope by joining community activities or making lifestyle changes.
Key Facts
England experienced its warmest June on record during a recent heatwave.
Tavia Watts, a mother, shared her anxiety about the heat harming her children, gaining strong public support online.
About 4.6% of people in the UK have climate anxiety, according to a University of Bath study.
Young people and women are more likely to feel climate anxiety.
Psychologists say people who experience extreme weather events fear future ones, increasing their anxiety.
Some people report severe distress, including thoughts of suicide or drastic life changes due to climate fear.
Coping methods include activism, community events, and changing habits like becoming vegetarian.
The heatwave has made some people feel the future is very uncertain and scary.
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The United Nations envoy for Yemen expressed concern about the Houthis’ recent attacks on ships in the Red Sea, warning these actions could lead to a full-scale war. He urged all parties to return to talks to resolve Yemen’s ongoing political and security problems and help bring peace to the region.
Key Facts
The Houthis attacked two Saudi oil tankers with missiles and drones, resuming their blockade of Saudi-linked shipping in the Red Sea.
The blockade was imposed after a bombing damaged the runway at Sanaa airport, which the Houthis blame on Saudi Arabia.
The Houthis are backed by Iran and have also launched missile attacks targeting a Saudi airport.
The attacks have disrupted shipping near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a key global shipping route, causing higher oil prices.
Yemen’s civil war began in 2014 when the Houthis took control of the capital, Sanaa, pushing the government to Aden.
The conflict has paused since 2022 but political talks remain stalled between the Houthis and the internationally recognized government.
The UN reports that 22 million Yemenis need aid, with many facing severe hunger.
President Donald Trump warned that the US will hold Iran responsible for Houthi attacks and promised military retaliation if attacks continue.
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Laura Loomer, a strong supporter of President Donald Trump known for controversial social media posts, met with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after changing her view on the war in Ukraine. Previously, she downplayed Russia's invasion and shared Russian propaganda, but during her visit she showed sympathy for Ukrainians and urged moral clarity.
Key Facts
Laura Loomer had long minimized Russia's invasion of Ukraine and shared pro-Russian views.
She has nearly 2 million followers on social media platform X.
During her visit to Ukraine, she experienced an air raid and changed her opinion about the war.
Loomer admitted her earlier statements were unkind and called for clear moral understanding of the conflict.
She previously criticized U.S. military support for Ukraine and called the country a place of "Nazi apologists," a phrase Russia has used to justify its war.
Some conservative figures share skepticism about helping Ukraine, including Tucker Carlson and JD Vance.
The U.S. support for Ukraine has caused divisions within the Republican Party.
Loomer's meeting with Zelenskyy may impact political debates in Washington.
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Dave Green and Andrea Urmston became close friends while working at Manchester Airport, only to find out later that they are brother and sister. Green was adopted and had not seen his birth family for over 30 years until they reunited with the help of their mother.
Key Facts
Dave Green and Andrea Urmston met and became friends while working at Manchester Airport.
Green revealed he was adopted and his birth name was Stuart Proudlove.
Urmston’s maiden name was also Proudlove, and she suspected they were siblings.
Their mother, Susan, had given Green up for adoption many years ago.
Susan had tried unsuccessfully to find her son before with the help of the Salvation Army.
Green had a happy childhood and knew he was adopted but never searched for his birth family.
Green and Urmston’s reunion brought joy and closure to their family.
Their mother passed away recently but was happy to be reunited with her son before she died.
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Scientists in France studied over 100,000 birdsongs from more than 3,000 species and found that all birdsongs are made from eight basic types of sounds called "motifs." They discovered that birds living in different environments, like tropical forests or temperate areas, use different combinations of these motifs to make their songs.
Key Facts
Researchers analyzed about 116,000 birdsongs from a global database collected by volunteers.
They identified eight basic sound types, or "motifs": three kinds of trill, three kinds of whistle, chaotic notes, and harmonies.
Birds in tropical forests use simpler sounds, like flat whistles, to be heard through dense vegetation and noisy environments.
Birds in temperate regions use more complex songs with fast trills to communicate over shorter distances.
The study showed that the environment shapes how birds create their songs through evolution.
Human changes to habitats and background noise may affect how birds use these song motifs in the future.
The research can help scientists understand how birds might adapt to changing environments and increased noise pollution.
The study was published in the journal Science.
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President Donald Trump warned Iran and Yemen’s Houthi rebels of a major military punishment after the Houthis attacked Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. These events raised oil prices above $100 a barrel and heightened fears of a growing regional conflict affecting the global economy.
Key Facts
Yemen’s Houthi rebels attacked Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, disrupting shipping.
Brent crude oil price rose above $100 per barrel, increasing by 7% amid tensions.
President Trump said the U.S. would hold Iran responsible for the Houthi actions and promised strong military retaliation.
Iran and the United States threatened to increase attacks on each other following recent strikes.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned the situation could spiral out of control.
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde cautioned that energy price shocks might raise inflation and lead to higher interest rates in Europe.
The conflict reignited recently after a brief ceasefire ended, with fighting near the Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command reported ongoing airstrikes aimed at reducing Iran’s ability to threaten commercial vessels.
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Two Palestinians died and several others were hurt in recent Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City. The strikes targeted refugee camps where many displaced people live.
Key Facts
Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza City again.
Two Palestinians were killed during these attacks.
Several other Palestinians were injured.
The strikes struck refugee camps sheltering displaced people.
Gaza City is home to many people who have lost their homes.
The airstrikes are part of ongoing conflict in the area.
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Brazilian investigators found that severe icing, mechanical problems, and crew distractions caused the Voepass plane crash in August 2024 that killed 62 people near Sao Paulo. The aircraft lost lift due to ice buildup and went into a flat spin, making recovery impossible.
Key Facts
The crash happened on August 9, 2024, in Vinhedo, near Sao Paulo, Brazil.
All 62 people on board the Voepass ATR 72-500 died.
The plane encountered severe icing while flying at 17,000 feet.
Ice buildup caused the plane to lose lift and enter a flat spin.
The plane’s de-icing system had repeated technical faults during the flight.
The crew was distracted by radio and administrative tasks during critical moments.
Investigators said Voepass tolerated known mechanical issues before takeoff.
This was Brazil’s deadliest air crash since 2007.
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The United States has carried out airstrikes against targets in Iran for the 13th night in a row. These actions follow threats made by President Donald Trump against Iran and the Houthi group, warning of strong military responses.
Key Facts
The U.S. has launched airstrikes for 13 consecutive nights targeting Iran.
President Donald Trump issued warnings of "major military punishment" to Iran and the Houthis.
The strikes are part of ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
Retired Marine Colonel Mark Cancian provided analysis on the situation.
The Houthis are a group involved in regional conflicts, often backed by Iran.
The news was reported by CBS News and includes video coverage.
This is an escalation in the conflict involving U.S. interests in the Middle East.
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The U.S. military has carried out its 13th night of strikes against Iran amid rising conflicts over important shipping routes. The clashes involve Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacking Saudi oil tankers, and both Iran and the U.S. are trying to control the Strait of Hormuz, a key passage for global oil shipments.
Key Facts
The U.S. military is striking Iran to reduce its threat to civilian and commercial ships in the region.
Yemen’s Iran-supported Houthi rebels attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.
The Strait of Hormuz is crucial, with about 20% of the world’s oil and gas passing through it.
President Donald Trump warned of major military action against the Houthis and Iran if attacks continue.
Oil prices rose over 6% to around $100 a barrel due to the tensions.
Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi visited Tehran to promote peace and avoid Iraqi land being used for attacks.
Several regional countries and the U.N. urge diplomacy to reduce the risk of wider conflict.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for stronger mediation efforts to prevent further escalation.
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Thousands of young Indians are protesting against exam paper leaks and demanding education reforms and the resignation of the Education Minister. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) youth movement has quickly grown into one of India's largest student protests, focusing on fairness in exams rather than political ideology.
Key Facts
The protests started due to repeated leaks in major public exams in India.
Tens of thousands of students marched toward India’s parliament, facing police tear gas and baton charges.
The movement is led by activist Sonam Wangchuk, who went on a 26-day hunger strike.
Protesters demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and education reforms.
Unlike previous protests, this movement is not based on ideology or a single community but on concerns about fairness in the education system.
The exam system affects a wide range of students across caste, class, and gender.
Experts say the movement challenges the government’s ability to manage administration effectively, not just its political policies.
Many protesters and their families see fair exams as essential for social advancement.
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Derek Williams, a longtime CBS News cameraman known for covering major events in Asia for 40 years, has died at age 79. He reported on historic moments like the Vietnam War and Tiananmen Square massacre and was praised for his bravery and skill by colleagues.
Key Facts
Derek Williams worked for CBS News as a cameraman for about 40 years, mostly in Asia.
He covered important events such as the Vietnam War, Tiananmen Square massacre, the first Iraq War, and Beirut massacres.
In 1989, Williams and correspondent Richard Roth were detained briefly during the Tiananmen Square crackdown but were later released.
Williams married his Vietnamese girlfriend as Saigon fell in 1975, using poker winnings to bribe officials to arrange the wedding.
Former CBS News president Susan Zirinsky described Williams as an intuitive and brave cameraman who was a great human being.
Williams suffered from Parkinson’s disease and was recently diagnosed with cancer before his death.
He lived in California after leaving Asia but returned to New Zealand to be near family as his health declined.
Colleagues remembered him as a mentor, friend, and a cameraman who knew how to stay safe in dangerous situations.
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New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a 20% cut in business taxes for pubs, clubs, and live music venues to help them during the cost-of-living crisis. This is his third major policy in a few days, including plans to cap bus fares and remove VAT on household electricity bills.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham became UK Prime Minister in July 2026.
He announced a 20% cut in business rates, a local tax on firms, for pubs, clubs, and live music venues in England.
The tax cut aims to save about 32,000 hospitality businesses around £1,100 (about US$1,400) per year each.
This measure will start in April 2027.
The cost of the tax cut, estimated at £100 million (US$133 million) annually, will be funded by reducing tax relief for vape shops and gambling arcades.
Burnham called pubs important to communities and said businesses causing "social harm" would be treated differently.
The Conservative Party questioned how the tax cut would be paid for and noted previous business rate reductions were cut under Labour.
Burnham’s announcements also include a bus fare cap and removing VAT on electricity bills to help with the rising cost of living.
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Charli XCX released a new album called "Music, Fashion, Film" with 11 songs that mix different music styles and explore themes like fame and creativity. The album shows her unique style and thoughtful approach to being an artist.
Key Facts
The first single from the album is "Rock Music," which is about making rock music in a dance music world.
The album has 11 songs that combine rock sounds with electronic and alternative music.
Charli XCX worked closely with co-producers A.G. Cook and Finn Keane on this album.
The songs deal with ideas about being famous, making art, and showing emotions.
The music includes simple rhythms and unusual guitar sounds inspired by early music she loved.
The album’s mood mixes humor with thoughtful feelings about celebrity life and performance.
Some songs reference other artists or styles, like post-grunge and pop-punk.
Charli XCX’s work often challenges listeners to think about music and identity in new ways.
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An Indonesian court convicted 19 people for trafficking at least 34 babies, many of whom were sent to Singapore for adoption. The verdict raises questions about what will happen to these babies, with no clear answers yet from either Indonesia or Singapore on whether the children should return to Indonesia or stay with their adoptive families.
Key Facts
A court in Indonesia found 19 people guilty of trafficking infants.
At least 34 babies were trafficked, with 12 sent to Singapore.
The babies were sold for adoption, causing concern for adoptive parents in Singapore.
Singaporean parents have undergone government checks but were unaware the babies might be trafficked.
Indonesian authorities say more work is needed to clarify the babies’ legal status and parentage.
Singapore has not yet provided an official response on the babies’ future.
Child rights groups in Indonesia argue trafficked children should be returned to their biological parents.
There is little information on what happens to trafficked children after rescue, especially those sent abroad.
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The International Mathematical Union awarded the Fields Medal to four mathematicians on July 23, 2026. This is a prestigious prize given every four years to outstanding math researchers under 40, and it honors discoveries in the field amid growing influence from artificial intelligence.
Key Facts
The Fields Medal is known as the Nobel Prize of mathematics.
This year’s winners are Hong Wang and Yu Deng from China, John Pardon from the United States, and Jacob Tsimerman from Canada.
Hong Wang is the third woman ever to receive this award since it began in 1936.
Wang solved a more than 100-year-old math puzzle called the Kakeya conjecture involving the smallest area a rotating pencil sweeps.
The prize includes a gold medal and 15,000 Canadian dollars (about US$17,000).
Winners must be under 40 years old at the time of the award.
The award ceremony took place at the International Congress of Mathematicians in Philadelphia.
The rise of AI is influencing mathematics and reshaping how the field works.
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The Houthis have blocked the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a key shipping route in the Red Sea. This blockade could disrupt global trade and cause prices to rise around the world.
Key Facts
The Bab al-Mandeb strait is an important passage for ships traveling between Europe, Asia, and Africa.
The Houthis are a group involved in a conflict in Yemen.
Their blockade prevents ships from passing through this narrow waterway.
Many goods, including oil and products, move through this route.
The blockade could slow down shipments and increase shipping costs.
Higher transportation costs may lead to higher prices for goods worldwide.
This situation adds risks to global supply chains.
International attention is focused on resolving the blockage to restore trade flow.
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Houthi rebels in Yemen said they attacked two oil tankers in the Red Sea, causing oil prices to rise above $100 per barrel. President Trump warned the United States would respond with strong military action if another tanker is attacked and also raised concerns about possible conflict with Iran.
Key Facts
Houthi rebels in Yemen attacked two oil tankers in the Red Sea.
This caused international oil prices to rise above $100 per barrel.
President Trump threatened "major military punishment" if another tanker is attacked.
The Red Sea is a key route for global oil shipments.
President Trump warned of potential escalation involving Iran.
The attacks raise fears of disruptions to global energy supplies.
The situation increases tensions in the region affecting international relations.
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A former U.S. diplomat, Timothy Lenderking, discussed the Houthi group's attempts to block shipping in the Red Sea. He has experience as a special envoy to Yemen and worked in U.S. government roles related to the Middle East.
Key Facts
Timothy Lenderking is a former U.S. diplomat focused on Yemen and the Near East.
He served as special envoy to Yemen during his government career.
Lenderking also worked as acting assistant secretary for Near East Affairs.
He now works at the law firm Squire Patton Boggs.
The discussion centers on Houthi attacks targeting shipping routes in the Red Sea.
Houthis are a group involved in conflict in Yemen and the surrounding region.
Blocking Red Sea shipping affects trade and international maritime traffic.
The interview aims to provide expert insight into the regional security situation.
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