Lebanon handed over Major-General Adel Issa, a former senior Syrian army officer, to Syrian authorities to face charges including murder and torture. This is the first such transfer since President Bashar al-Assad was removed from power in 2024.
Key Facts
Adel Issa was a commander in the Syrian army and led forces in the eastern province of Deir ez-Zur.
He was accused of intentional homicide, torture leading to death, and inciting civil war and sectarian conflict.
Issa denies the charges against him.
He was arrested in Beirut on August 8 after being identified by Syrian embassy officials.
Syrian authorities have given Lebanon a list of over 200 former Syrian officers wanted for prosecution.
This transfer comes after the Assad regime collapsed in December 2024.
A judge in Damascus will handle Issa’s case, which could go to a criminal court.
President Bashar al-Assad was sentenced to death in absentia in January and currently lives in exile in Moscow.
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President Donald Trump announced new, severe economic measures against Iran, calling them the "most crushing economic operation ever" against a country. He warned that any nation or business helping Iran would face serious economic consequences as the U.S. seeks to isolate Iran.
Key Facts
President Trump described the new sanctions on Iran as the most severe economic action ever taken against a country.
He said Iran missed a chance to make a deal to end their ongoing conflict with the U.S.
The sanctions will target countries, businesses, airports, and financial institutions helping Iran.
Activities like oil smuggling, cash transfers, and front companies connected to Iran will be stopped.
Trump called for allies to join the U.S. in isolating Iran economically.
He predicted the measures would seriously damage Iran's economy.
The sanctions aim to pressure Iran during a conflict that has lasted over five months.
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A truck carrying squid overturned in Narragansett, Rhode Island, spilling over 20 tons of squid onto the road. This accident blocked traffic for eight hours on Sunday.
Key Facts
A tractor-trailer overturned on its side in Narragansett, Rhode Island.
The truck was carrying more than 20 tons of squid.
The squid spilled onto a roadway.
Traffic was blocked for about eight hours because of the spill.
The incident happened on a Sunday.
Rhode Island state police reported the accident.
Clean-up and clearing the road took several hours.
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Doctors warn that young people who vape risk lung problems and may start smoking cigarettes later. A large review found links between vaping and breathing issues, nicotine addiction, and mental health concerns among youth.
Key Facts
Vaping among young people is linked to coughing, wheezing, bronchitis, and worsening asthma.
Vaping can lead to nicotine dependence and encourages later cigarette smoking.
Around one in five British youths aged 11-17 have tried vaping.
Vaping has increased about ten times in popularity among young people over the past decade.
The Tobacco and Vapes Act aims to reduce youth vaping by introducing plain packaging, hiding vape products in stores, and restricting flavor names.
Evidence also links vaping to dental problems and mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
Experts call for more research and stronger policies to protect children from nicotine addiction.
Vaping products are criticized for using sweet or alcohol-related flavors to attract young users.
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President Donald Trump said the joint military exercises between the U.S. and South Korea are insulting to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The U.S. is shortening these drills, and Trump said he will meet Kim later this year, highlighting a positive relationship between them.
Key Facts
The U.S. and South Korea were holding military exercises originally planned through August 27, but they will end a week early, on Friday.
President Trump called the exercises an insult to North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un.
Trump announced plans to meet with Kim later this year but did not confirm if they are exchanging letters.
North Korea views the military drills as provocative and said shortening them does not improve relations between the countries.
Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un’s sister, said the aggressive nature of the drills remains despite their reduction.
North Korea is suspected of helping U.S. adversaries like Iran and Russia.
Trump stated that he has a good relationship with Kim Jong Un, unlike past U.S. presidents.
North Korea has conducted several missile tests this year, including two in August before the joint exercises.
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Forecasters have lowered their predictions for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season due to a strong El Niño event. They now expect fewer storms overall but warn that the risk of hurricanes hitting the U.S., especially along the Gulf Coast and Carolinas, remains significant.
Key Facts
The new forecast predicts 8 to 11 named storms, 3 to 4 hurricanes, and 1 to 2 major hurricanes for 2026.
This is a decrease from earlier forecasts that predicted up to 16 named storms.
A strong El Niño event in the Pacific is increasing wind shear over the Atlantic, which can stop storms from forming or getting stronger.
El Niño’s impact means fewer storms may form, but the U.S. is still at risk for direct hurricane hits.
The northern and eastern Gulf Coast and the Carolinas are especially vulnerable to hurricanes this season.
Warm ocean waters near the U.S. coast can make some storms grow rapidly, giving less time to prepare.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the busiest time around September 10.
Experts remind people to stay prepared because a less active season can still have very powerful storms.
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President Donald Trump has paused his plan to charge a 50% tariff on imports from Canada while trade officials work on a final agreement. Meanwhile, the Israeli military is starting criminal investigations into two killings by its troops in Gaza, and the United Arab Emirates stopped trade with Iran after accusing Iran of firing missiles at its land.
Key Facts
President Trump paused a 50% tariff on Canadian imports.
U.S. trade officials are negotiating a final deal with Canada.
The Israeli military is investigating two killings by its troops in Gaza.
These investigations are classified as criminal.
The United Arab Emirates halted trade with Iran.
UAE accused Iran of launching missiles toward its territory.
The halt in trade happened one day after the missile accusations.
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Thousands of beagles bred for medical research at Ridglan Farms in Wisconsin have been relocated and are now living in new homes. These dogs were previously used for scientific testing but have now been freed from the breeding facility.
Key Facts
Ridglan Farms in Wisconsin bred beagles for biomedical research.
Thousands of beagles were kept at this facility.
The beagles have been moved from the breeding facility.
The dogs are now living in new and different environments.
This relocation marks a change from their previous life used in medical testing.
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Prince Harry and his wife Meghan plan to move back to the United Kingdom after six years of living in the United States. They will live outside London, and their two children have been enrolled in a British school. Their status as non-working royals will remain unchanged.
Key Facts
Prince Harry and Meghan will leave the U.S. by the end of August 2026 to live in the UK.
They will settle in a private home outside London, not in a royal residence.
Their children, Prince Archie (7) and Princess Lilibet (5), have enrolled in a British school starting September 2026.
King Charles III was informed about the move and welcomed the chance to see more family time.
The couple will not resume official royal duties and remain non-working royals.
Harry and Meghan left the UK in 2020 amid family disagreements.
Harry has expressed a desire to reconcile with his father, who is undergoing cancer treatment.
The couple visited the UK recently in July 2026 and had a private meeting with King Charles III.
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Five Americans died in a helicopter accident while visiting Kenya. Meanwhile, in the United States, almost 100 million people experienced very hot weather across many states.
Key Facts
A helicopter crash happened in Kenya involving tourists.
Five American citizens were killed in the crash.
The United States experienced extreme heat affecting nearly 100 million people.
The heat was felt from one coast of the U.S. to the other.
The report was featured on CBS Evening News on August 19.
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The Twins Days Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio, is the largest yearly event where twins come together. The festival celebrates twins and also provides opportunities for scientists to study how twins are similar and different.
Key Facts
The Twins Days Festival is held every year in Twinsburg, Ohio.
It attracts the largest gathering of twins in the world.
The event celebrates the special connection between twins.
Scientists use the festival to research twins’ similarities and differences.
The festival is both a social event and a place for scientific study.
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The United States will send a military hospital ship to Peru's northern Pacific coast in February 2027 to help with the expected effects of the El Nino climate event. This aid is part of a larger partnership between the U.S. and Peru, which includes sharing equipment, expertise, and joint efforts to prevent and respond to climate problems.
Key Facts
The U.S. hospital ship USNS Comfort will arrive in Peru in February 2027.
El Nino is a warming of the Pacific Ocean that changes global weather, causing heat waves, floods, and fires.
El Nino in 2027 could match or be stronger than the severe event in 1997.
The U.S. ambassador to Peru, Bernie Navarro, announced this plan after talks with Peru’s Foreign Minister Carlos Espá.
The U.S. is also increasing humanitarian aid for recent earthquakes in Colombia and Venezuela.
Peru and the U.S. are working together on military operations and helping Peru with mining and infrastructure projects.
President Keiko Fujimori of Peru plans to focus on preparing for El Nino’s impact.
The goal is to improve fast and effective aid responses to emergencies like earthquakes and climate disasters.
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Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are moving back to the United Kingdom with their children, but they will not take on official royal duties. Their children have already enrolled in British schools and will start classes in September.
Key Facts
Prince Harry and Meghan are returning to live in the UK.
They will not return as working members of the royal family.
King Charles III learned of their decision recently, after their visit last month.
Their two children, Prince Archie (7) and Princess Lilibet (5), will attend schools in Britain starting in September.
The couple left royal duties about six years ago and moved to California.
Their move will make it easier for King Charles III, who is receiving treatment for cancer, to see his grandchildren.
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The Syrian Foreign Minister, Asaad Al-Shaibani, told Axios that Israel’s bombing of the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Syria was unjustified because Syria was not allowing Turkey to build a military presence there. Israel said the attack aimed to stop Turkey from expanding militarily at the base, but Syria said the work was only to repair the airbase for its own use.
Key Facts
Israel bombed the Abu al-Duhur airbase in northern Syria early Tuesday, targeting runways and hangars.
The airbase is about 45 miles from the Turkish border.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said Israel warned Syria not to host Turkish troops before the strike.
Syrian Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani said Syria was not building a Turkish military base and was only repairing its damaged airbase.
Al-Shaibani confirmed Turkish officers visited recently for military training and cooperation, but no permanent Turkish presence was planned.
Syria also maintains military cooperation with other countries, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, and Russia.
Syria and Israel had communication before the strike, with Syria asserting sovereignty over the base.
President Donald Trump was briefed about the strike but did not comment on it publicly.
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Deadly airstrikes hit Gaza, killing at least 10 people after U.S. negotiators asked Israel to reduce attacks. Israeli troops also crossed into southern Gaza and arrested a Hamas police colonel, raising doubts about progress toward a ceasefire.
Key Facts
At least 10 people were killed in two airstrikes in Gaza on Wednesday.
Israeli forces detained a Hamas police colonel in southern Gaza early Wednesday.
One strike targeted a Hamas commander involved in the October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 Israelis.
Another strike hit four Hamas militants suspected of planning attacks against Israeli troops.
An Israeli strike the day before killed seven Palestinians, including a child, at a seaside cafe.
Jared Kushner, a U.S. negotiator and President Trump's son-in-law, met with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on Monday and asked for a reduction in attacks.
Since the ceasefire in October, Israeli strikes have still killed at least 1,273 people in Gaza according to local health officials.
The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has killed over 73,400 Palestinians in nearly three years.
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Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, are moving back to the UK after living in the US for over six years. They will not return to royal duties, but their two children will start school in the UK this September.
Key Facts
Prince Harry and Meghan moved to the US in 2018 and lived in California.
They informed King Charles III, Prince William, and Princess Catherine about their decision to move back.
The couple stepped down from senior royal roles in 2020 to become financially independent.
They have two children: Archie (born 2019) and Lilibet (born 2021).
Both children are enrolled to start school in the UK in September 2024.
Harry and Meghan will not resume official royal duties.
Tensions arose in the royal family after their 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey discussing struggles with the royals.
Harry faced security protection issues when visiting the UK, losing a legal battle related to police protection.
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Australia's foreign minister, Penny Wong, expressed strong dissatisfaction after Israel decided not to prosecute those responsible for the death of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom. Frankcom and six colleagues were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza in April 2024, and Australia is pushing for justice and accountability.
Key Facts
Zomi Frankcom was an Australian aid worker with World Central Kitchen.
She and six colleagues died in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza in April 2024.
Israel decided not to prosecute anyone for the deaths caused by the airstrike.
The Israel Defense Forces admitted there were serious failures and errors leading to the strike.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong called the decision disappointing and lacking accountability.
Wong plans to summon the Israeli ambassador to Australia to discuss the issue.
Australia will keep pressing Israel for justice for the victims.
The Israeli announcement came on World Humanitarian Day, which Australia found especially insulting.
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Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, are reportedly planning to move back to the United Kingdom. This information comes from a source familiar with the situation.
Key Facts
Prince Harry and Meghan are considering relocating to the UK.
Meghan holds the title Duchess of Sussex.
The news comes from an unnamed source close to the matter.
The story is still developing, with more updates expected.
The couple currently lives outside the UK.
No official statement has been made by Harry or Meghan yet.
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