China’s imperial cuisine, once part of royal court rituals, is still preserved today in places like Fangshan Restaurant in Beijing. This cuisine includes special dishes like the “dream pastry,” linked to Empress Dowager Cixi, and follows traditional meal customs from the Qing Dynasty.
Key Facts
Fangshan Restaurant in Beijing serves dishes from China’s imperial cuisine and was founded in 1925 by former Qing Dynasty chefs.
The “dream pastry” started as a minced pork pancake and became famous after Empress Dowager Cixi dreamed of it and then ate it.
Imperial cuisine includes daily meals and grand feasts with strict customs and rituals, especially during the Qing Dynasty.
Drinking milk tea was an important first step in Qing dynasty banquets.
During banquets, the emperor gave wine or food to princes and officials, who showed respect before eating or drinking.
Sacrificial rituals involved offering meat like unseasoned pork, seen as an honor to receive and a way to respect ancient traditions.
The Palace Museum in Beijing preserves objects related to imperial court dining, including pastry molds.
Traditional cooking techniques and recipes continue to be used to keep imperial cuisine alive today.
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Oil prices went up to their highest point since July because fighting in Iran is still happening and shows no sign of stopping. The ongoing conflict is affecting the supply and cost of oil globally.
Key Facts
Oil prices increased to the highest level seen since July.
The rise is linked to the continuing war in Iran.
The conflict in Iran has not yet ended or slowed down.
The war is causing uncertainty in the oil market.
Higher oil prices can impact global fuel costs and economies.
CBS News national security analyst Aaron MacLean reported on the situation.
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Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s former defence minister, has called for presidential elections during the ongoing war with Russia, despite the current martial law that suspends elections. Fedorov was dismissed from his post in July and criticized Ukraine’s government for corruption and poor leadership, but President Zelensky has not yet responded to his call.
Key Facts
Ukraine has been under martial law since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, which stops elections from happening.
Mykhailo Fedorov was fired as defence minister six months after his appointment.
Fedorov’s dismissal led to protests and was linked to conflicts with army commander Oleksandr Syrskyi, who was later replaced.
Fedorov called for safe and legal wartime elections to restore democracy in Ukraine.
He criticized Ukraine’s leadership, saying it faces a crisis and fears change, and pointed out corruption harms the war effort.
President Zelensky appointed Yevgeniy Khmara as acting defence minister after Fedorov’s dismissal.
Fedorov refused other government roles, wanting only to return as defence minister.
Fedorov is known for using technology and innovation in the war, including drone warfare and cyber-attacks.
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In Assam, India, heavy monsoon rains caused severe flooding that killed more than 100 people in 2026. Experts said the floods have become worse due to climate change, environmental damage, and poor planning, and they called for better early warnings, scientific risk studies, and restoring natural areas to absorb water.
Key Facts
A man named Rojo Neog was swept away by sudden floodwaters and found dead three days later.
Floodwaters in some villages rose rapidly, from knee-deep to neck-deep in about 30 minutes.
Assam experienced its worst flooding in about 60 years in 2026.
Causes include intense rainfall, sand mining, deforestation, wetland loss, urban growth, and heavy reliance on embankments.
Experts suggest spending less on flood barriers and more on early warning systems and understanding changing flood risks.
India’s monsoon rains occur from June to September and are becoming more unpredictable and powerful due to global warming.
Assam is one of the most flood-prone areas in India, with about 40% of its land at risk.
India is good at rescuing and providing relief but needs to improve disaster prevention efforts.
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South Korea and the United States have agreed to shorten their joint military drills after President Donald Trump ordered a significant reduction. The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, which train the allies for possible North Korean threats, will end earlier than planned and include smaller field training activities.
Key Facts
The Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises started on Monday and were originally scheduled to last 11 days.
The drills will now end on Friday, instead of August 27, following President Trump’s order to reduce them.
President Trump cited good relations with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea’s refusal to join the U.S. war against Iran as reasons for the cutback.
These exercises mainly involve computer-based training to enhance joint command and response skills.
North Korea strongly opposes the US-South Korea military drills and calls them a rehearsal for war.
North Korea’s state media called the drills “frantic” and vowed to counter any hostile actions.
Experts say the reduced drills might weaken the military readiness and alliance between the US and South Korea.
Trump and Kim Jong Un met three times but their talks stalled because of disagreements over sanctions and denuclearization.
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Archaeologists in Lima, Peru, found the skeletal remains of an adult man near an ancient pyramid called Huaca Pucllana. They believe he was buried as part of a ritual by the Lima culture, which lived in the area from the 1st to 7th centuries.
Key Facts
The bones were found near Huaca Pucllana, an adobe pyramid in Lima, Peru.
The remains likely belong to a man who was sacrificed in a ritual.
The body was buried inside a canal linked to a ceremonial pool, lying on his left side with his head facing the pyramid and ocean.
The Lima culture existed around 700 years before the Inca Empire.
Huaca Pucllana served as an important religious and administrative center for the Lima culture.
The site is now surrounded by modern parks, streets, and apartment buildings.
Peru’s government says there are over 400 archaeological sites across Lima.
Archaeologists often find tombs and burial items when digging along Peru’s coast.
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Fire authorities in Australia warn of high bushfire risk in several regions, including the Northern Territory, New South Wales, and Queensland, due to dry conditions and increased plant growth from earlier rains. The Australian and New Zealand Council for Fire and Emergency Services advises residents to prepare early for fire season.
Key Facts
The Northern Territory faces high fire danger because of large amounts of dry plants that can burn easily.
Low soil moisture raises fire risk in parts of New South Wales and south-east Queensland as an El Niño weather pattern strengthens.
Other states like Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, and South Australia also expect greater fire risk.
Bushfire risks are especially high in areas that burned in the 2019-20 black summer fires due to regrown vegetation.
The wet season caused heavy plant growth, but dry conditions afterward have made these areas more flammable.
Introduced grasses, like buffel grass, increase fire danger by spreading quickly and burning easily.
Fire officials recommend communities learn about local dangers and prepare early by clearing flammable materials around homes.
Weather outlook predicts continued warm and dry conditions, increasing the chance of fires this spring and summer.
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Two French filmmakers have been held in Togo since July 27 and are under official investigation, according to France’s foreign ministry. The filmmakers work as journalist-directors for a French production company, but no details about the reason for their arrest have been shared.
Key Facts
Two French nationals were detained in Togo on July 27, 2026.
They work as journalist-directors for a French production company.
France’s foreign ministry confirmed they are under judicial investigation.
Togo is a West African country led by President Faure Gnassingbe since 2005.
Northern Togo faces security issues due to nearby jihadist activity in Burkina Faso.
The government in Togo declared a state of emergency in the northern region.
Press freedom in Togo is limited; it ranks 97th out of 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders index.
No specific reasons or details about the filmmakers’ arrest have been made public.
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The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is experiencing its deadliest Ebola outbreak, caused by a rare strain called Bundibugyo virus. The outbreak began spreading before it was officially declared in May 2024, and has since caused over 4,900 confirmed cases and more than 2,300 deaths, surpassing the previous record.
Key Facts
The Ebola outbreak started spreading in early April 2024, weeks before the official declaration on May 15.
The virus strain causing this outbreak is Bundibugyo virus disease, first identified in Uganda in 2007.
There are no approved vaccines or specific treatments for this Bundibugyo strain.
Over 4,900 cases and 2,300 deaths have been reported in the current outbreak.
The previous record outbreak (2018–2020) was caused by the Zaire strain and caused 2,299 deaths.
Health workers use early detection, supportive care, infection control, and community engagement to manage the outbreak.
Armed conflict, mistrust, difficult terrain, and delayed case identification have made containment harder.
The DRC has increased laboratory capacity in Ituri Province from none to over 12 labs to improve diagnosis.
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US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee described violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank as "terror." This statement came after Israeli settlers surrounded a Palestinian-American family's home for several days in the village of Qusra.
Key Facts
Mike Huckabee is serving as the US Ambassador to Israel.
He called settler violence in the West Bank "terror."
The West Bank is a territory occupied by Israel.
The violence included a siege lasting several days.
The siege targeted a Palestinian-American family's home.
The incident happened in the village of Qusra.
Huckabee's comments are unusual for a US official.
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The United States has criticized Israel for launching airstrikes on a Syrian military airbase near the Turkish border, calling the attack an unnecessary action that could increase tensions. Israel said Syria was about to break a security agreement by allowing Turkish troops at the airbase, while Syria and Turkey condemned the strikes as harmful to regional stability.
Key Facts
Israel conducted eight airstrikes on the Abu Duhur airbase in Syria near the Turkish border.
No injuries were reported from these strikes.
Israel claimed Syria was about to break a security agreement by letting Turkish troops use the airbase.
Syria and Turkey accused Israel of aggression and said the strikes threaten peace in the region.
The US ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria and Iraq criticized the strikes as unnecessary.
The Abu Duhur airbase has not been used as a military airfield since 2013 and is in an area controlled by rebel forces.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who opposes Assad, prefers de-escalation with Israel and has close ties to the US.
The US said it would continue to offer talks to help reduce tensions between Syria and Israel.
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Ron Bailey is a political campaigner in the UK who has helped get many laws passed over the past 40 years. He uses community support and detailed knowledge of the law to influence politicians and bring about change.
Key Facts
Ron Bailey has been involved in passing 16 bills into law and changing 25 other laws in the UK.
He started his activism in the 1960s by protesting against laws that harmed homeless families.
Bailey studied old property laws to support his campaigns and to defend his actions.
In the 1980s, he successfully pushed for a law that made local government meetings and documents more open to the public.
He built public support by sharing secret information about council activities to increase pressure on politicians.
Bailey believes important political wins happen outside Parliament by mobilizing communities.
He advises allowing political opponents to keep their dignity and avoiding strict party loyalty during campaigns.
Bailey’s work has included projects with the Green Party and various rights and energy organizations.
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President Donald Trump posted a map on social media that showed the Strait of Hormuz labeled as U.S. territory. He also stated that there are no new talks planned with Iran.
Key Facts
President Trump shared a map on Tuesday.
The map incorrectly showed the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. territory.
The Strait of Hormuz is an important waterway located near Iran.
President Trump said no new negotiations are scheduled with Iran.
The report about this was covered by CBS News.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic route for global oil shipping.
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Forecasts suggest that after some wetter and cooler days in late August, parts of the UK may experience another warm and dry spell in September. This could be a sixth heatwave following an unusually hot summer with record-breaking temperatures and ongoing drought conditions.
Key Facts
The UK had a very hot and dry summer in 2026, possibly the hottest on record.
Rain and cooler temperatures occurred briefly in late August, about 2 to 4°C below mid-August averages.
Long-range weather models predict high pressure may bring dry, sunny weather and warmer air from Europe in early September.
Soil dryness and warmer sea temperatures (up to 3°C above average around the UK) can increase land temperatures.
England and Wales are under drought, worsened by July being the driest month recorded.
The Met Office forecasts an above-normal chance of warmth and more heatwaves in September to November.
It is uncertain exactly when or if a heatwave will happen in September, but the risk is increased.
Meteorological autumn runs from September 1 to November 30, marking the transition to cooler weather.
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The leader of Quebec’s Parti Quebecois said they will not hold a vote on Quebec’s independence while President Donald Trump is in office. The party plans to wait until after President Trump’s second term ends in 2029 to have a calm discussion about independence.
Key Facts
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon leads the Parti Quebecois, a party that supports Quebec’s independence.
He said a referendum on independence would be too risky during President Trump’s time in office.
Quebec’s next provincial election must happen by October 5, with Parti Quebecois currently leading in polls.
If Parti Quebecois wins, they plan to hold an independence referendum later in their four-year term.
President Trump’s approach to Canada, including tariffs and comments about Canada becoming a U.S. state, has caused tension.
This tension has increased Canadian nationalism and complicated secession movements in provinces like Quebec and Alberta.
Experts say Quebecers still mostly support staying in Canada because of potential economic problems if they separate.
Political science experts see current Parti Quebecois polling as not showing a rise in support for full independence.
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Astro is a dog that helps students overcome fear and learn how to surf on South Padre Island, Texas. He is part of a family tradition of dogs that teach surfing.
Key Facts
Astro is a dog surf instructor.
He works on South Padre Island in Texas.
Astro helps students who feel anxious or nervous about surfing.
He is a second-generation surfing dog, meaning his parent also taught surfing.
The dog helps make learning to surf easier and more fun for students.
This story was featured on CBS News.
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Ukraine launched nearly 800 drones in an attack targeting Moscow, the capital of Russia. This large-scale drone strike was confirmed by the mayor of Moscow.
Key Facts
Ukraine sent about 800 drones towards Russia.
The drones targeted Moscow, Russia’s capital city.
The attack happened overnight.
The information was reported by the mayor of Moscow.
This event is part of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Drone attacks involve sending small flying devices to gather information or attack targets remotely.
The strike shows Ukraine's capability to carry out large-scale drone operations.
Moscow is the political and administrative center of Russia.
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A 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit Flores Island in Indonesia, causing at least 70 deaths and leaving thousands of people without homes. Authorities are working to provide food, water, and medicine to those affected.
Key Facts
The earthquake measured 7.7 in magnitude.
It struck Flores Island in Indonesia.
At least 70 people have died because of the quake.
Thousands of people are displaced and have lost their homes.
Emergency workers are delivering food, water, and medicine.
The report comes from Manggarai, a location affected by the earthquake.
Relief efforts are ongoing to help those in urgent need.
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Scientists studied over 3,400 children in London and Luton and found that lung growth in London children improved quickly after the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) was introduced in 2019. The research shows that reducing air pollution helped reverse damage to children's lungs, allowing them to catch up with children in less polluted areas.
Key Facts
The study tracked children aged 6 to 9 in London’s Ulez and compared them to children in Luton for five years.
London children’s lung capacity was smaller than Luton children’s before Ulez but caught up after four years.
The Ulez reduced harmful pollution like nitrogen dioxide from motor vehicles in London.
The percentage of London children with lung impairment dropped from 14% to 9% during the study.
Lung function tests showed children could breathe more air out quickly, indicating better lung health.
Children’s lungs are vulnerable to pollution because they are still developing and are closer to exhaust fumes when outside.
Air pollution can cause asthma, heart disease, diabetes, and early death.
The study provides strong evidence that clean air zones can help improve children’s lung health.
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Queen Camilla spoke about how hard it was to keep King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis secret during his early treatment. She described the challenge of staying silent while visiting cancer patients before the diagnosis was made public.
Key Facts
Queen Camilla is president of Maggie’s cancer charity.
She learned about King Charles III’s cancer in January 2024 but kept it private until the official announcement on February 5, 2024.
The Queen spoke about the difficulty of not being able to discuss the King’s illness during an official visit to a cancer support center.
King Charles III has continued cancer treatment for over two years, with his health reportedly improving.
The King has not revealed the exact type of cancer he has.
The King’s announcement led to a 12% rise in men contacting Maggie’s after their cancer diagnosis.
Maggie’s operates 27 centers in the UK that help many patients and families affected by cancer.
Queen Camilla highlighted the importance of support for cancer patients and their families based on her visit experience.
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