A Chinese-American mother who moved from Los Angeles to Nice, France, described the major differences between school lunches in the U.S. and France. She highlighted that French school meals include balanced courses with fresh, healthy ingredients, while many American parents are concerned about the quality of school lunches in the U.S.
Key Facts
Marissa Fortson moved with her family from Los Angeles to Nice, France, for a healthier lifestyle and cultural experience.
She remembers typical U.S. school lunches as chicken nuggets, pizza, mashed potatoes, and mac and cheese.
A 2024 study found that fewer than half of California parents think U.S. school lunches are good quality, tasty, or healthy.
French school lunches often have three courses: a salad, a main dish, and a dessert.
Typical French school meals include items like green salad, chicken curry with rice, salmon pasta, and fresh bread.
French schools teach children about food, encourage trying different flavors, and emphasize eating with proper utensils.
There is a strong focus in France on fresh ingredients, sustainability, and organic foods in school meals.
Fortson’s TikTok video about French school lunches received 1.2 million views, sparking discussion about school meal quality differences.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Colt Gray, a 16-year-old who killed two students and two teachers in a 2024 school shooting in Georgia, pleaded guilty to 55 charges including murder. A psychologist testified that Gray had a troubled childhood and became deeply interested in mass shootings online, but planned the attack intentionally without hallucinations or delusions.
Key Facts
The shooting happened at Apalachee High School in Georgia on September 4, 2024.
Four people died: two teachers (ages 39 and 53) and two 14-year-old students.
Several others were injured, with seven wounded by gunfire.
Colt Gray pleaded guilty without a plea deal to 55 charges, including murder.
A judge will decide if Gray can be eligible for parole after hearing more evidence.
Gray had a chaotic and lonely childhood marked by family drug use, fights, financial problems, and frequent moves.
He was paranoid and feared teachers and others were against him, also suspecting hacking on his computer.
The psychologist said Gray planned the shooting carefully and was not driven by hallucinations or mental illness symptoms at the time.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Gunmen attacked a village in northwestern Nigeria, killing at least 30 people and injuring others. The attack happened late Sunday night in Naridon village, Kaduna state, an area that has faced repeated violence from armed groups.
Key Facts
The attack took place in Naridon village, Kaura council area, Kaduna state, Nigeria.
At least 30 people were killed and several others injured.
The community was attacked around the same time last year.
Local residents say the government has failed to protect them from armed group attacks.
No group claimed responsibility for the recent attack.
Armed groups, often called "bandits," regularly raid communities and kidnap people for ransom in northern Nigeria.
These bandit groups often form from former herders involved in clashes over land and resources with farmers.
Nigeria also faces violence from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, mainly in the northeast.
The U.S. government criticized Nigeria for not protecting Christians and carried out a joint attack against Islamic State members in Nigerian territory in December 2023.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Homeless families in temporary housing in London were told they could not use the building’s air conditioning, as it was not offered as part of their rental agreement. This led to some children getting sick during heatwaves, but management has since allowed tenants to use the air conditioning with advice to limit use due to high costs.
Key Facts
Homeless families in Britannia Point, London, could not use built-in air conditioning because it was not provided as an amenity in their temporary housing contracts.
Two children were hospitalized during recent heatwaves due to the extreme heat inside these buildings.
The building is owned by Criterion Capital and the tenancies are managed by agencies, including Aura Assets Management.
Residents were told that using air conditioning could result in high bills, up to £500 for the summer, due to standing charges.
Windows in the glass-fronted building open only slightly, making it difficult to cool the flats without air conditioning.
After complaints, the management restored air conditioning for tenants but requested sensible use to avoid large utility bills.
Local politicians expressed concern about the health risks and urged immediate restoration of air conditioning.
Aura Assets Management explained the earlier ban on air conditioning was based on previous operational rules but has since changed.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The article reports on the difficult situation in southern Lebanon caused by conflict-related displacement. It highlights that returning home is only the first step, and true recovery requires rebuilding communities, restoring services, healing psychological harm, and maintaining international support over time.
Key Facts
Many Lebanese people have been displaced due to conflict in southern Lebanon.
Ceasefires and designated return areas offer hope but do not solve all problems.
Recovery involves more than returning home; it includes restoring dignity and public services.
Psychological wounds from the conflict are significant and require attention.
Sustained international support and protection for aid workers are essential for long-term recovery.
Community trust and resilience depend on ongoing commitment, not just immediate relief.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is involved in providing help.
The situation remains a complex humanitarian crisis despite some positive steps.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Chilean police have captured Nelson Haase, a retired colonel convicted for the kidnapping and murder of folk singer Victor Jara during Augusto Pinochet's military dictatorship. Haase fled after his sentencing in August 2023 but was found in southern Chile in June 2024.
Key Facts
Victor Jara was a popular folk singer and supporter of socialist president Salvador Allende.
Jara was kidnapped, tortured, and killed shortly after the 1973 coup that brought Pinochet to power.
Haase was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2018 for Jara’s murder and kidnapping after a Supreme Court ruling in 2023.
Haase disappeared after his sentencing and was captured nearly three years later in Puyehue, southern Chile.
Haase was one of eight officers convicted for Jara’s death; five others are in jail, and one died by suicide when police came to arrest him.
Thousands of people were arrested, tortured, or killed during Pinochet’s 17-year dictatorship.
In 2023, the US extradited retired army lieutenant Pedro Barrientos to Chile, who was found liable for Jara’s murder by a Florida jury.
Jara’s death remains a symbol of human rights abuses under Pinochet’s regime.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Prosecutors in Berlin have revealed that the suspect in a deadly car attack at the Berlin Pride event has a troubling criminal past. The suspect previously served time in prison for attempting to join ISIS, the militant group.
Key Facts
The incident involved a car ramming attack at the Berlin Pride celebration.
The attack resulted in deaths.
Authorities are conducting an ongoing investigation.
The suspect has a prior criminal record.
The suspect was imprisoned for trying to join ISIS, a violent extremist group.
This information was disclosed by prosecutors handling the case.
A former FBI agent, Doug Kouns, commented on the investigation.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The UK is expecting its fourth heatwave of the year, with temperatures reaching up to 35°C by Wednesday. Fire chiefs and health services have warned the public to be cautious due to increased risks of heat-related illnesses and wildfires.
Key Facts
A fourth heatwave is forecast in the UK, with highs around 35°C by Wednesday.
July temperatures have been about 3°C above average across the UK so far.
Southern England has experienced only 1% of its normal July rainfall.
Heat health alerts are in place for parts of England, including amber alerts for the east and south-east.
Emergency services expect more cases of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke.
Wildfires have occurred recently, including a large fire in Scotland’s Cairngorms park forcing evacuations.
Fire chiefs asked the public to avoid disposable barbecues and be careful with cigarettes to prevent fires.
Climate change is making heatwaves hotter and more frequent, possibly leading to changes in heatwave definitions.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday at the White House. These meetings aim to discuss important issues involving Israel and Ukraine.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump will meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday.
The meeting will take place at the White House.
President Trump will also meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the same day.
The meetings focus on U.S. relationships with Israel and Ukraine.
CBS News reporter Nancy Cordes provided the latest information.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Federal officials are investigating a video showing a man kicking a protected sea lion in La Jolla Cove, California. The man could face fines or jail under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which forbids harassment of marine mammals.
Key Facts
A viral video shows a man kicking and harassing a sea lion near La Jolla Cove, San Diego.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed its Office of Law Enforcement is investigating the incident.
Sea lions are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which bans harming or disturbing marine mammals.
Violations can lead to fines up to $36,498 per offense and possible prison time up to one year.
The identity of the man in the video has not been made public, and no charges have been announced yet.
Additional penalties under California’s animal cruelty laws could apply if the animal was harmed.
PETA urged authorities to file criminal charges against the man seen in the video.
San Diego’s mayor condemned the act and asked local police to review the footage.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about protecting sea lions at La Jolla Cove while allowing public access.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Pentagon announced that more than 600 U.S. service members have been killed in the conflict with Iran. The Department of Defense updated the numbers quietly, sparking questions about why detailed information has not been shared openly.
Key Facts
The number of U.S. military deaths in the Iran conflict has passed 600.
Four service members died in recent strikes by Iranian forces.
The Department of Defense made a quiet update to the casualty count.
There is public concern over the lack of clear information from the Pentagon.
The Pentagon is responsible for reporting casualty numbers in conflicts involving U.S. forces.
The conflict with Iran has caused significant U.S. military losses.
Transparency about military casualties is important to the public and lawmakers.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Scientists found that a natural brain molecule called tryptamine increases the longer an animal stays awake and helps signal when it is time to sleep. This molecule works by activating a brain receptor named GPR139, which promotes sleep, suggesting a new path for treating insomnia.
Key Facts
Tryptamine is a molecule in the brain that rises with the length of wakefulness.
The increase in tryptamine is linked to time awake, not the time of day.
Tryptamine activates GPR139 receptors on neurons that promote sleep.
When this pathway is blocked, animals have trouble recovering sleep after deprivation.
Experiments in mice and pigs showed that drugs targeting GPR139 improved sleep length and quality.
The study was conducted by researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and others.
The findings were published in the journal Nature Neuroscience.
Researchers believe targeting GPR139 could lead to new treatments for insomnia.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The United States stopped airstrikes against Iran for the first time in 13 days on Monday. Experts suggest that the pause may be related to the lack of support for the conflict.
Key Facts
The U.S. paused military strikes on Iran on Monday.
This pause ended a 13-day period of ongoing strikes.
Retired Marine Colonel Mark Cancian provided analysis on the situation.
The break in attacks might be influenced by public opinion about the war.
The news was reported by CBS News and available on their app.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The United States is 100 days away from the 2026 midterm elections. Lawmakers and voters are focusing on important primary elections that will help decide candidates for the general election on November 3, 2026.
Key Facts
The 2026 midterm elections are set for November 3, 2026.
It is 100 days until the midterm elections.
Primary elections are ongoing to select candidates for various political offices.
These primaries will influence which candidates appear on the ballot in November.
Lawmakers and voters are paying close attention to these key primaries.
CBS News is covering and analyzing these important primary races.
The midterm elections will affect control of Congress and other political positions.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Heat waves and low rainfall have caused huge wildfires in France and Spain, forcing over 300,000 people to leave their homes. These fires are some of the largest and most severe in recent European history, worsened by rising temperatures linked to climate change.
Key Facts
Wildfires in France and Spain have scorched more than 300,000 hectares (about 1,160 square miles) this year.
Over 300,000 people have been evacuated from affected areas in both countries.
France recorded its hottest June ever, with temperatures 3.8°C (6.8°F) above normal and nearly half the usual rainfall.
Spain experienced six times more burned land in the first half of 2026 compared to 2025.
The wildfires include Spain’s largest and third-largest fires on record, with one near Madrid burning over 50,000 hectares (193 square miles).
The dry and hot weather, worsened by climate change, has made vegetation dry and easier to burn.
Firefighters in Spain reported that some fires were too intense to fight directly.
The European Union described the evacuations as among the largest in Europe since World War II.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump has placed 50% tariffs on certain Canadian goods, including wine, hockey sticks, and cement, affecting about $20 billion in imports. This move has caused concern among the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), a major Republican donor, because it could increase building material costs and worsen the housing crisis.
Key Facts
On July 20, the White House imposed 50% tariffs on selected Canadian imports under a 1930 trade law.
Tariffs cover items like wine, hockey sticks, and cement and take effect on August 19.
The NAHB says the tariffs will raise building material prices and hurt home builders.
The NAHB’s political action committee gave over $1.6 million to Republicans in 2024 and is a major GOP donor.
NAHB has urged President Trump to exclude construction materials from tariffs to protect housing affordability.
Canada supplies about 85% of U.S. softwood lumber and nearly 25% of the country’s overall supply.
Current tariffs do not affect softwood lumber, steel, aluminum, or copper, and some duties on Canadian softwood may be reduced soon.
Republican senators have expressed concern that tariffs could increase costs and inflation, complicating GOP messages before the November elections.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A 21-year-old man with ties to ISIS attacked the Berlin LGBTQ+ Pride parade by driving into the crowd and using a machete, killing one woman and injuring at least 29 people. The attacker, Abdul Ballout, was known to police and in a deradicalization program that was close to disqualifying him due to concerns about his true intentions before he was killed by police after a manhunt.
Key Facts
Abdul Ballout was a German citizen with Lebanese roots who attacked the Berlin Pride parade with a vehicle and a machete.
One woman, a Polish national, died and at least 29 people were injured.
Ballout had a criminal record including assault and extortion.
He shared ISIS propaganda on social media in 2024 and tried to travel to Syria to join ISIS but was arrested in Lebanon and jailed.
He returned to Germany in late 2025 and was convicted for preparing violent acts and spreading ISIS propaganda but received a suspended sentence.
Ballout was in a deradicalization program but was about to be removed due to concerns his cooperation was not genuine.
Police searched his home weeks before the attack but found only a toy gun and dismissed the case.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wants to investigate how such attacks can be prevented in the future.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Many Haitians in the U.S. will lose their Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a program that allows them to stay safely during crises in their home country. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to deport large groups of these Haitians as their TPS ends.
Key Facts
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a U.S. program that protects people from deportation if their country is unsafe.
Haitians have been living in the U.S. under TPS due to crises in Haiti.
The TPS designation for Haitians is ending, which means they no longer have legal protection to stay.
ICE is preparing to deport large groups of Haitians who lose this status.
Deportations will be carried out soon after TPS ends.
The situation affects many Haitian immigrants living in the U.S.
This development has drawn attention from media sources like CBS News.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Israeli forces raided a United Nations training center for Palestinian refugees in East Jerusalem. During the raid, staff were detained, tear gas and stun grenades were used, and a fire started at the facility.
Key Facts
The raid took place at a United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) training center.
The location of the center is in occupied East Jerusalem.
Staff members at the center were detained by Israeli forces.
Israeli forces used tear gas and stun grenades during the operation.
A fire broke out at the training center during the raid.
The raid happened after Israel warned it planned to demolish the building.
The UNRWA supports Palestinian refugees with services like education and training.
East Jerusalem is a contested area with a history of conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The wife of Eric Bieniemy, the offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, was shot at their home in Ashburn, Virginia. Police responded to the incident in the evening and are investigating the case.
Key Facts
The shooting happened on Sunday evening just after 7:30 p.m.
The location was the 20000 block of Northpark Drive in Ashburn, Virginia, a suburb of Northern Virginia.
The victim is Mia Bieniemy, wife of Eric Bieniemy.
Eric Bieniemy is the offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs football team.
Police were called to the scene and have begun an investigation.
The incident was initially reported by ESPN.
No further details about the shooter or motive were provided in the report.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
