A small plane crashed in shallow water near the town of Seldovia, Alaska, killing the pilot and three passengers. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the cause of the crash.
Key Facts
The pilot was Eric Middlebrook, 68, from Anchorage, Alaska.
The three passengers were Ronald Schmidt, 65, Lance Schmidt, 20, and Daniel Simons, 82, all from California.
The plane was a Piper PA-24 heading from Anchorage to Seldovia.
The crash happened in about 15 feet of water near the shore.
Troopers waited for the tide to lower before recovering the victims.
The NTSB and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash.
U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan said aviation safety in Alaska is a top priority.
A separate plane crash in western Alaska a week earlier killed eight people.
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Nigeria is facing a serious problem with kidnappings, especially mass abductions involving hundreds of people. Armed groups often kidnap people to demand money, and many Nigerians are upset because the government has not stopped these crimes.
Key Facts
More than 500 people were recently kidnapped in Niger State, a region in North-Central Nigeria.
Kidnappings have become a big security issue in Nigeria over the past few years.
Armed groups often hold kidnapped people and ask for ransom money to release them.
Thousands of Nigerians have been kidnapped in recent years.
Many citizens are angry about the government’s slow and weak response to stopping kidnappings.
Experts like Kabir Adamu and Kemi Okenyodo have discussed the causes and impact of kidnappings in Nigeria.
The problem is seen as getting worse rather than improving.
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Seven main candidates for France’s 2027 presidential election took part in their first debate in Paris, discussing France’s economic problems and how to fix them. The candidates come from different political views, from the hard left to the far right, and they disagreed on the best solutions as France’s current president, Emmanuel Macron, cannot run again after two terms.
Key Facts
The debate involved seven leading candidates for the 2027 French presidential election.
France’s current president, Emmanuel Macron, has served two terms and is not eligible to run again.
Candidates ranged from the hard left to the far right.
Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally party, proposed a 125 billion euro plan to cut costs.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon from the hard left called for wage increases and criticized tax cuts given by Macron.
Former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe warned against large debts and actions that could isolate France from banks.
There are concerns the moderate vote may split due to many candidates from similar centrist to right-wing groups.
Polls suggest Mélenchon and Le Pen could make it to the final round, possibly leaving traditional parties out.
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Yayoi Kusama, a famous Japanese artist known for her use of polka dots in many types of art, passed away in Tokyo on August 14, 2026, at 97 years old. A 2012 CBS News profile shared her passion for art and her lifelong focus on dots, which she linked to childhood hallucinations.
Key Facts
Yayoi Kusama was a celebrated artist from Japan.
She used polka dots in paintings, sculptures, and even on people.
Kusama died on August 14, 2026, in Tokyo.
She was 97 years old when she passed away.
Her art was influenced by hallucinations she experienced from childhood.
CBS News featured a profile of Kusama in 2012.
The profile showed a Kusama exhibition at New York's Whitney Museum of American Art.
Kusama was known worldwide for her unique and colorful art style.
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Peter Cullen, the Canadian actor known for voicing Optimus Prime in Transformers and Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh, has died at age 85. He had a long career in voice acting, including work in TV shows, movies, and video games, and was recognized with awards for his performances.
Key Facts
Peter Cullen died peacefully at his home in Los Angeles at age 85.
He first voiced Optimus Prime in the 1984 Transformers TV series and returned for seven Transformers films from 2007 to 2023.
Cullen also voiced Eeyore for Disney’s Winnie the Pooh franchise starting in the late 1980s.
He created the monster sounds in the 1987 film Predator and voiced other characters like King Kong roars and the robot KARR from Knight Rider.
Cullen learned to voice Optimus Prime with inspiration from his older brother, a Vietnam war veteran and Marine Corps captain.
He gave part of his earnings from Optimus Prime to his brother until his brother passed away in 2011.
Cullen received a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2011 and a lifetime achievement award in 2023 for his voice work.
His family encouraged fans to honor his legacy by acting with compassion, integrity, and loyalty.
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At least three Palestinians were killed in recent Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, while Israel renewed threats to remove people from areas where kites or balloons are flown. These attacks happened despite a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States in October 2025, with Israel targeting Hamas fighters and accusing kite flying as a security threat.
Key Facts
Three Palestinians died in separate Israeli strikes in Gaza, including attacks on tents sheltering displaced people.
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz threatened to evacuate Palestinians from any area where kites or balloons are flown.
Katz said balloons and kites will be treated like drones, even if they do not carry explosives.
Israeli military states they targeted a Hamas commander involved in holding Israeli hostages.
The ceasefire, arranged by the US in October 2025, reduced major fighting but deadly Israeli strikes have continued.
More than 1,300 Palestinians have been killed and over 4,000 injured since the ceasefire started.
The Israeli military reported five soldier deaths and one civilian contractor death in the same period.
Since the war began in October 2023, over 73,400 Palestinians have been killed and more than 174,400 injured in Israeli attacks.
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Around 90 American citizens are missing after severe flash floods hit areas along the border of Nepal and Tibet, killing many people. U.S. officials have rescued three Americans and are working with Nepalese leaders to offer assistance.
Key Facts
About 90 Americans are unaccounted for following flash floods in Nepal and Tibet.
The U.S. State Department has confirmed no known American deaths so far.
Three Americans have been rescued from the flooding.
Many missing Americans were pilgrims visiting Mount Kailash, a sacred site in Tibet.
The floods impacted groups returning from Mount Kailash organized by the Isha Foundation.
President Donald Trump stated that U.S. officials have communicated with Nepalese leaders and offered help.
The Isha Foundation has a presence in both India and Tennessee, USA.
A specific American, Venus Rajnikant Patel, was reported missing after being at a hotel near the flood-affected area.
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Two beluga whales and four dolphins have been moved from a closed Canadian marine park to an aquarium in Valencia, Spain. This move was part of a global effort to save the animals from being put down.
Key Facts
A Canadian marine park closed more than a year ago.
The park housed two beluga whales and four dolphins.
These animals were rescued to prevent euthanasia (being put down).
They arrived at the Oceanografic aquarium in Valencia, Spain.
The relocation was an international effort to protect marine animals.
The species involved are beluga whales and dolphins.
The aquarium in Spain will now care for these animals.
This move shows cooperation between countries for animal welfare.
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France has temporarily loosened strict rules for making some famous cheeses because a long drought cut the grass supply for cows. The government is allowing farmers to use feed from outside their usual regions to help produce cheeses like Abondance, Beaufort, and Comté.
Key Facts
France relaxed cheese-making rules due to a severe summer drought.
The rules affect cheeses from eastern mountain regions, such as Abondance, Beaufort, and Comté.
Farmers can feed cows with grass and hay brought in from outside their traditional areas.
Other cheeses like Cantal, Bleu d'Auvergne, and Rocamadour may also get similar exceptions.
The National Institute for Origin and Quality (INAO) approved temporary changes to protect other local foods affected by the drought.
Products like Calvados, cider, Crémant d'Alsace wine, lamb, and plums will also benefit from these changes.
These exceptions come from French and European laws allowing flexibility during extreme weather events.
The drought challenges the long-held idea that certain foods must come from specific local areas, called “terroir.”
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Peter Cullen, a well-known voice actor famous for giving Optimus Prime his deep, commanding voice in the 1980s “Transformers” series, has died at age 85. He also voiced characters like Eeyore in the “Winnie the Pooh” cartoons and worked on many other TV shows and movies during his long career.
Key Facts
Peter Cullen died at his home in Los Angeles at age 85.
He was best known as the voice of Optimus Prime in the 1984 “Transformers” cartoon and the recent live-action movies.
Cullen also voiced Eeyore in various “Winnie the Pooh” productions.
His voice acting career began in the late 1960s and included roles in “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,” “The Smurfs,” and “G.I. Joe.”
Before auditioning for Optimus Prime, Cullen thought he would just be voicing a truck.
The character of Optimus Prime was inspired by Cullen’s older brother, a U.S. Marine.
Cullen’s voice work helped create a popular and long-lasting franchise with toys, comics, and films.
He often attended fan conventions and connected emotionally with multiple generations of fans.
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A new study finds that El Nino weather events, which cause global temperature spikes and extreme weather, are getting stronger because of human-driven climate change. These El Ninos are now over 36% stronger than before the industrial era and are increasing in intensity alongside rising global temperatures from fossil fuel use.
Key Facts
El Nino is a natural warming of Pacific Ocean waters that affects global weather patterns.
Strong El Ninos can cause heat waves, floods, droughts, and cost trillions of dollars in damages.
The study shows El Ninos are 36% stronger now than before the mid-1800s, with a 16% increase in just the last 40 years.
The increase in El Nino strength closely matches the rise in global temperatures caused by human activities.
The current El Nino forming is expected to be the strongest on record.
El Nino severity is measured by how much warmer the central Pacific Ocean is compared to normal over three months.
Scientists warn that stronger El Ninos can worsen climate hazards like coral die-offs, fisheries collapse, and food shortages.
The study reviewed 900 years of El Nino history to reach its conclusions.
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A fire at the Amur Gas Chemical Complex in Russia’s Far East has killed 15 workers, including one Russian and 14 foreign nationals. The plant, still under construction, is jointly owned by Chinese and Russian companies, and authorities are investigating the fire’s cause.
Key Facts
The fire took place at the Amur Gas Chemical Complex in Russia’s Amur region, near the Chinese border.
Fifteen employees died in the fire; one was Russian and the rest were foreigners.
The complex is a joint venture between China’s Sinopec and Russia’s Sibur.
The fire started in an auxiliary process area, and main equipment was not damaged.
The plant is still being built and was planned to begin operating in early 2027.
Authorities are investigating the cause without finding evidence of sabotage.
Construction continues at unaffected parts of the complex.
Air quality is being monitored and no harmful emissions are above safe limits.
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A gang attack in Kenscoff, Haiti, killed 47 people and kidnapped more than 50. The police are facing criticism for failing to prevent the violence, and they have not shared clear plans about rescuing the hostages. Many people have been forced to leave their homes due to the violence.
Key Facts
A gang attack in Kenscoff, near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, resulted in 47 deaths and over 50 kidnappings.
Haiti’s National Police have been criticized for not stopping the attack.
Police spokesperson Garry Desrosiers did not provide detailed answers about rescue plans or intelligence before the attack.
One gang leader has threatened to kill the hostages if police kill any gang members.
Over 2,600 people were displaced because of the attack, according to the U.N. International Organization for Migration.
Security operations had reduced violence in Kenscoff by 66% earlier this year before the recent attack.
Armed groups control about 70% of Port-au-Prince and other parts of Haiti.
Haiti is preparing for its first general election in more than ten years despite ongoing security problems.
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President Donald Trump signed an order to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America" amid a trade dispute with Canada. The U.S. recently imposed tariffs on Canadian goods, and Canada plans to respond with its own tariffs, while rejecting the name change.
Key Facts
President Trump issued an executive order to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America.
This follows a breakdown in trade talks and new U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods worth $20 billion (C$28 billion).
Canada plans to apply matching tariffs ("dollar for dollar") in response.
Canada’s officials have said they will continue to call the lake "Lake Ontario" and do not recognize the U.S. name change.
Trump's administration instructed the U.S. Department of the Interior to update the official U.S. geographic names database with the new name.
In 2025, Trump renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which Mexico also rejected.
Trade discussions between the U.S. and Canada ended abruptly, with both sides blaming each other for last-minute demands.
Canada said the U.S. withdrew some demands related to French language and culture in the trade talks, leaving room for future negotiations.
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Six Flags Magic Mountain has closed its X2 roller coaster after two severe brain injury incidents in July. The coaster’s unique design causes riders to spin independently, and the cases have raised questions about the safety of extreme thrill rides.
Key Facts
Two women suffered serious brain injuries after riding the X2 roller coaster in July.
One woman had emergency brain surgery and spent weeks in a coma; the other is in critical condition.
The X2 coaster features seats that rotate 360 degrees independently of the track.
X2 was the world’s first “fourth-dimension” coaster and is called a “fifth-dimension” thrill ride.
The ride reaches speeds up to 76 mph and has a 215-foot drop.
The coaster has been closed since July 12 as California regulators investigate.
Lawsuits claim the coaster caused catastrophic brain injuries and one death.
X2 was refurbished in 2008 with new effects and upgraded trains.
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Ratko Mladić, known for leading violent attacks during the Bosnian war in the 1990s, has died in prison. A BBC correspondent who covered the breakup of Yugoslavia shared memories of meeting Mladić early in the conflict and described the suffering experienced by civilians during the war.
Key Facts
Ratko Mladić was a Bosnian Serb military commander during the Balkan wars.
He is known as the "Butcher of Bosnia" due to his role in severe war crimes.
Mladić died while serving a prison sentence.
Ethnic cleansing, mass murder, rape, and genocide occurred under his command.
The Srebrenica massacre is a particularly infamous example of genocide linked to Mladić.
A BBC reporter met Mladić during the early days of the Bosnian war in 1992.
Civilians suffered greatly, with towns captured suddenly and many people forced to flee.
The war caused deep ethnic divisions and suffering for ordinary people beyond ethnic labels.
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A glacier collapse in the Himalayas caused a deadly flash flood along the Nepal-Tibet border, killing at least 360 people and leaving 1,400 missing. Experts say this disaster shows how climate change is weakening glaciers and mountain permafrost, increasing the risk of such events in mountainous areas.
Key Facts
The flood was caused by a glacier collapse near Langtang Lirung mountain in the Himalayas.
Initial reports blamed an earthquake, but experts confirmed the seismic activity came from the glacier collapse itself.
The flood swept away buildings, roads, and caused at least 360 deaths and 1,400 missing persons.
The glacier collapse pushed rocks and debris into nearby rivers, making water levels rise rapidly by 7 to 9 meters in 30 minutes.
High temperatures and heatwaves melted ice that helped hold the glacier and mountain rock together.
Monsoon rains saturated the soil, adding to the instability that caused the flood.
Scientists warn that warming temperatures are making glaciers and frozen ground (permafrost) unstable worldwide.
The UN and climate experts say these types of disasters will become more common as global temperatures rise.
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A deadly flash flood in Nepal was likely caused by a large piece of a glacier breaking off and blocking a river temporarily, which caused a sudden surge of water downstream. The disaster killed hundreds and left more than a thousand people missing, while researchers continue to study how rising temperatures in the Himalayas may increase such risks.
Key Facts
The flood occurred after a large part of a glacier fell and possibly dammed a river temporarily.
Scientists detected a glacier collapse with a magnitude of 5.2 using seismic and satellite data.
Hundreds of people died, and over a thousand, including foreigners and pilgrims, remain missing.
The Himalayan region is warming faster than many other parts of the world.
The Hindu Kush Himalaya region contains massive ice reserves and is the source of 12 rivers feeding 1.9 billion people.
Rising temperatures due to burning fossil fuels may increase glacier melting and flood risks.
Flood waters rose quickly—up to 9 meters (about 30 feet) in 30 minutes—giving little time to escape.
The flood damaged homes, roads, bridges, hydropower dams, and other important infrastructure.
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A new study found that human-caused global warming is making El Niño events stronger. El Niño is a natural climate pattern that heats parts of the Pacific Ocean every few years and affects weather worldwide. The study shows recent strong El Niños, like the current “Godzilla” event, are linked to rising global temperatures caused by burning fossil fuels.
Key Facts
El Niño occurs every 2 to 7 years when the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean heats up.
This warming affects weather globally, often bringing hotter temperatures and altered rain patterns.
Recent El Niño events have become stronger and more frequent since the late 19th century.
The current El Niño, called a “Godzilla” event, is expected to be the strongest in living memory.
Burning fossil fuels has caused global temperatures to rise, which in turn makes El Niño events more intense.
Scientists studied coral fossils from the Galápagos Islands to track ocean temperatures over 1,000 years.
Since 1982, variability in El Niño events has increased by about 37% compared to preindustrial times.
The findings suggest climate change could make very strong El Niño events more common in the future.
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The Red Cross is responding to a major natural disaster in Nepal where entire villages and communities have been destroyed. Rescue teams are working to find survivors and deliver urgent help, but their efforts are slowed because roads, bridges, and communication lines have been destroyed.
Key Facts
A natural disaster has caused severe damage in Nepal, washing away whole villages.
The Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are leading rescue and relief operations.
Damaged infrastructure like roads and bridges makes it hard to reach affected areas.
The main focus is on search and rescue and providing life-saving assistance.
Local Red Cross volunteers are helping their own communities despite personal losses.
The disaster has created a complex humanitarian crisis in the region.
Preparations for long-term recovery are beginning alongside emergency efforts.
Over 1,300 people have been reported missing after the floods in Nepal.
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