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World News
Comprehensive coverage of international news and global events
Tropical Storm Bertha formed on Monday and is heading toward the Gulf Coast, where it may bring heavy rain and rising water levels near the shore. At the same time, strong storms in the Midwest caused flooding in Des Moines, Iowa, and several tornadoes were seen in northern Wisconsin.
Key Facts
Tropical Storm Bertha developed on Monday.
The storm is moving toward the Gulf Coast region.
Authorities expect heavy rain and a possible storm surge (rising sea water) on the Gulf Coast.
Severe weather in the Midwest caused flooding in Des Moines, Iowa.
Multiple tornadoes were spotted in northern Wisconsin.
CBS News reporter Lana Zak covered the weather events.
The information was shared through CBS News and its app.
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A study of about 1,700 middle-aged adults found that people who watch a lot of TV may have changes in their brains linked to memory problems and dementia. The research showed that sitting time spent watching TV has different effects on the brain compared to sitting time spent working.
Key Facts
The study analyzed data from the ARIC Study, involving adults around 53 years old when first surveyed between 1987 and 1989.
Participants who watched TV very often had smaller brain regions related to memory and areas vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease.
These frequent TV watchers also had more white matter damage, which is linked to stroke, cognitive decline, and dementia.
Smaller frontal and occipital lobes were observed in heavy TV viewers; these brain parts help with planning and visual processing.
Differences remained even after accounting for physical activity, diabetes, body weight, smoking, and alcohol use.
Sitting for work, which often involves mental tasks, was associated with healthier brain structure compared to TV watching.
The study highlighted that not all sitting time affects brain health the same way; mental engagement during sitting matters.
Researchers suggested that watching TV is mostly passive and requires less mental effort than working or reading.
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Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced plans to remove VAT (a kind of sales tax) from household electricity bills starting in October, which would save the average household about £45 a year. He said this tax cut would be funded by canceling a digital ID program introduced by Keir Starmer, though critics say this program did not have a clear budget.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is the Prime Minister and has begun his term with a tax cut plan.
The plan removes VAT on household electricity bills, lowering costs for families.
The tax cut will start in October and save households around £45 per year.
Funding for this will come from ending Keir Starmer’s digital ID scheme.
Some experts, like ex-minister Darren Jones, say the digital ID scheme was "unfunded," meaning it didn’t have a clear source of money.
The tax cut aims to help with the cost of living.
The announcement was discussed on the BBC podcast "Newscast."
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Hungarian prosecutors raided data centers used by the Fidesz party, led by former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, to investigate possible misuse of government funds. The investigation centers on suspicions that about $53.5 million was improperly handled through a cultural fund while Orbán was in office.
Key Facts
Prosecutors and tax investigators raided offices with data servers linked to the Fidesz party.
The probe involves suspected embezzlement and misuse of grant money from Hungary’s National Cultural Fund.
Six current and former officials face charges related to the misuse of about 17 billion forints ($53.5 million).
The accused deny any wrongdoing.
Funds were reportedly given in unclear ways to artists supporting Fidesz and campaigning for the party.
The raid happened without prior notice and included attempts to seize Fidesz’s communication systems.
Fidesz governed Hungary for 16 years before losing the April national election.
The current government, led by Prime Minister Péter Magyar, is working to remove Orbán’s influence in institutions.
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Ukraine is facing a political crisis involving two main figures: Mykhailo Fedorov, a young tech expert who became defense minister six months ago, and General Oleksandr Syrskyi, a traditional military leader. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Fedorov, causing protests, due to conflicts between their different approaches to defense during the ongoing war with Russia.
Key Facts
Mykhailo Fedorov is 35 years old and has a background in technology, not the military.
Fedorov modernized Ukraine’s drone program and changed military purchasing rules to reduce corruption.
He helped Ukraine become known for its drone warfare, gaining international attention.
Before being defense minister, Fedorov led Ukraine’s digital government reforms.
Fedorov blamed General Syrskyi for blocking needed military reforms and using traditional command styles.
Oleksandr Syrskyi is a Soviet-trained general who commands Ukraine’s armed forces.
President Zelenskyy fired Fedorov during a government reshuffle amid tensions between the two men.
The dismissal of Fedorov sparked protests across Ukraine by people supporting his innovative approach.
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A ferry in Guyana called the MV Barima sank on November 16, 2024, with about 179 people on board. So far, 69 people have been rescued, 27 bodies found, and many are still missing. Authorities are investigating the cause and suspect illegal overloading.
Key Facts
The MV Barima ferry capsized off the Essequibo coast in Guyana during a trip from Georgetown to Port Kaituma.
Around 179 people were on board, more than the official list of 133 passengers and crew.
At least 69 people were rescued, but 27 bodies, including four children, have been found.
The ferry was 87 years old and had been repaired earlier in 2024 but was due for major repairs in October.
Survivors reported the ferry sank very quickly, within minutes.
Officials suspect the ferry was overloaded with passengers and cargo not listed on the official manifest.
The captain and another crew member tested positive for marijuana and are in police custody as part of the investigation.
Neighboring countries have sent help, including rescue teams and divers, as efforts shift from rescue to recovery.
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Two firefighters died while fighting a building fire in Mérignac, near Bordeaux airport in southwest France. The fire caused some flight delays at the airport.
Key Facts
The incident happened on Tuesday in Mérignac, a suburb of Bordeaux.
Two firefighters lost their lives while responding to a building fire.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez informed lawmakers about the firefighters' deaths.
The airport said the nearby fire caused delays to some flights.
More information about the incident is still being awaited by officials.
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Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun is visiting Washington to meet with President Donald Trump. They will discuss ways to bring lasting peace after fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah group in Lebanon.
Key Facts
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is meeting President Trump in the Oval Office.
This is Aoun’s first meeting with President Trump and his first visit to the White House since 2009.
Lebanon has experienced months of fighting involving Israel and Hezbollah, a group supported by Iran.
Lebanon and Israel are having rare direct talks, with the U.S. acting as a mediator.
Lebanon wants Israeli troops to leave large parts of southern Lebanon.
Lebanon seeks support to strengthen its military in areas controlled by Hezbollah.
The talks aim to create long-term peace and stability in the region.
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The U.S. State Department has warned travelers worldwide about rising tensions between the United States and Iran. They especially advise Americans in the Middle East to be cautious because U.S. government locations in the region and beyond may be targeted.
Key Facts
The State Department issued a global travel warning due to increased conflict between the U.S. and Iran.
Americans in the Middle East face higher risks during this period.
U.S. diplomatic buildings both in the Middle East and other regions have been targeted.
The warning was announced on a Monday.
The alert highlights the possibility of unexpected increases in violence or conflict.
Travelers are advised to remain alert and exercise caution in areas with U.S. diplomatic presence.
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A Spanish hotel company, Meliá, will stop all its business in Cuba by the end of the week because new U.S. sanctions make operating there too difficult. The company said it wants to make this change smooth for its workers, suppliers, and customers.
Key Facts
Meliá is a large Spanish hotel group with 14,000 rooms in Cuba.
Meliá announced last month it would close 15 of its 34 hotels in Cuba.
The remaining 19 hotels are operated with the Cuban tourism ministry.
U.S. President Donald Trump ordered new sanctions in May that target Cuba and foreign companies working there.
These sanctions make it nearly impossible for companies like Meliá to run hotels in Cuba.
Meliá began working in Cuba after the country opened its tourism sector in the 1990s.
The U.S. has had an economic embargo on Cuba since 1962 and blocked all oil shipments to the island since January, except one Russian ship.
Other foreign companies have also cut ties with Cuba’s military-controlled businesses under U.S. pressure.
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A small monkey was found abandoned in a laundry bag on a London bus. New laws now require primate owners in England to get licenses and microchip their animals to reduce neglect and abandonment.
Key Facts
A female common marmoset monkey was discovered on a London bus in a laundry bag.
The monkey, named Oyster, was stressed, dehydrated, but is now healthy and living in a sanctuary.
New rules from April require all primate pets in England to be licensed and microchipped.
Owners who don’t follow the law risk heavy fines or jail time.
Animal groups warn that some people may abandon primates instead of licensing them.
Around 5,000 primates are thought to be kept as pets in England.
The RSPCA and bus company are investigating who abandoned the monkey.
Experts say primates need special care that cannot be met by normal pet owners.
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Lebanese President Joseph Aoun will meet President Donald Trump in Washington on July 21, 2026. Lebanon's military has entered parts of southern Lebanon to disarm the group Hezbollah under a deal with Israel, aiming to end Israel’s presence there.
Key Facts
Lebanon is trying to create "safe zones" in its south as part of a peace agreement with Israel.
Lebanon’s military has begun moving into areas to disarm Hezbollah, a group supported by Iran.
Israel requires Hezbollah to be disarmed before it will withdraw from southern Lebanon.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss these efforts.
The deal aims to bring stability and normal life back to southern Lebanon near the Israeli border.
Hezbollah is an armed group involved in Lebanon and supported by Iran.
This development is part of broader Middle East peace and security efforts.
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The United States carried out air strikes in Iran for the tenth night in a row. Reports indicate that around 100 U.S. service members have been hurt at various military bases in the Middle East this month.
Key Facts
The U.S. conducted air strikes against Iran for ten consecutive nights.
About 100 U.S. service members have been injured this month.
The injuries happened at multiple military bases in the Middle East.
CBS News reporters Charlie D'Agata and Aaron Navarro covered the story.
The news was shared through CBS News and its app.
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Astronomers found that about 10 billion years ago, the Milky Way collided head-on with a smaller galaxy called the Gaia Sausage. This crash flipped the Milky Way’s disc on its side and changed how stars move in its outer regions.
Key Facts
The Gaia Sausage was a dwarf galaxy that hit the Milky Way directly around 10 billion years ago.
This collision tore apart the Gaia Sausage and added its stars to the Milky Way.
The impact flipped the Milky Way’s disc by more than 90 degrees over hundreds of millions of years.
Scientists used supercomputer simulations to study how such collisions affect galaxies.
Stars in the Milky Way’s halo (a surrounding cloud of stars) rotate much slower than those in the main disc.
The slow rotation in the halo is explained by the effects of the Gaia Sausage collision and the resulting disc flip.
The Gaia spacecraft helped map the Milky Way and revealed stars with unusual orbits linked to the collision.
Future major mergers are expected but will be less dramatic than the Gaia Sausage event.
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The current outbreak of cyclospora infection mainly causes a type of diarrhea that is more sudden and forceful than usual. This symptom is characteristic of the illness.
Key Facts
Cyclospora is causing an ongoing outbreak.
The main symptom is a sudden, forceful type of diarrhea.
This diarrhea is described as "explosive," meaning it happens quickly and with strong urgency.
Cyclospora is a type of parasite that affects the digestive system.
The infection is commonly linked to contaminated food or water.
People with this symptom should seek medical advice for diagnosis and treatment.
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Nearly 100 U.S. service members were injured during Iranian airstrikes on U.S. bases in the Middle East this month. A Marine Corps veteran and veteran organization leader spoke about the human impact of the conflict on those who serve.
Key Facts
Iranian airstrikes targeted U.S. military bases in the Middle East recently.
Close to 100 U.S. service members were injured in these attacks.
Kyleanne Hunter is a Marine Corps veteran and CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
Hunter spoke to CBS News about the effects of the conflict on service members.
The discussion focused on the real human consequences of the war involving Iran.
The news was reported by CBS News and shared on their news app.
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Actor Josh Duhamel discussed his role in the TV series "Ransom Canyon" and shared thoughts about his expanding family during an interview on "CBS Mornings."
Key Facts
Josh Duhamel stars in the TV series "Ransom Canyon."
He spoke about how much he knew about living on a ranch before filming the show.
Duhamel talked about his growing family during the interview.
The interview was featured on "CBS Mornings."
The discussion focused on both his work and personal life.
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A man named Joshua Kerry was charged with murdering former British politician Ann Widdecombe by hitting her 21 times in the head with a hammer at her home in southwest England. Police are investigating whether the attack was connected to political or terrorist motives.
Key Facts
Ann Widdecombe was attacked with a hammer 21 times on the head.
She was found dead at her home after missing a planned TV interview.
Joshua Kerry, 28, was arrested more than 250 miles away and charged with murder and possible terrorism.
Police continue to investigate Kerry’s motive, including possible political or terrorist links.
Widdecombe was a former Member of Parliament and government minister known for conservative views.
She gained public attention through reality TV and later joined the Brexit Party and Reform UK.
The attack has raised concerns about the safety of politicians after previous murders in the UK.
Widdecombe’s death occurred in the village of Haytor, near Dartmoor National Park, England.
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The United Nations refugee agency reported that over 100 people died or went missing last week after trying to cross the sea off the coast of Mauritania to reach Europe. Two separate boat incidents left 144 people dead or missing, while 387 others were rescued.
Key Facts
The incidents happened between July 14 and 18 near Mauritania’s coast.
One boat carrying 160 people from Gambia was stranded for 25 days after running out of fuel.
Mauritania’s coast guard said 122 people went missing from this boat.
In another case, 179 people were rescued from a boat that left Senegal.
The cause of death or disappearance is related to long distances and unsafe, overcrowded boats.
Mauritania’s waters are a major route for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa trying to reach Europe.
The route to the Canary Islands is known as one of the deadliest sea crossings.
Economic problems in sub-Saharan Africa motivate many people to attempt this dangerous journey.
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