The UK is expected to have a more changeable second half of summer with some rain possible, especially in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Despite this, temperatures are likely to stay above average, and more heatwaves may occur in England and Wales.
Key Facts
The UK summer of 2026 has been unusually hot, breaking temperature records from 1976.
Some places in southern England have had over four weeks without measurable rain.
Hosepipe bans are active for millions of households due to dry conditions.
Dry weather has increased wildfire risks in several areas.
Weather forecasts predict more low-pressure systems bringing rain, mainly in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The Azores high (a large high-pressure area over the Atlantic) could keep parts of the UK drier.
Temperatures will likely remain above normal, with possible heatwaves continuing into early August.
Long-range weather predictions are uncertain and focus more on general trends than daily details.
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A new movie called "The Odyssey" has increased interest in the ancient Greek epic poem by Homer. Kelly Olson, an expert in classical studies, explains the history and importance of this old story on CBS News.
Key Facts
"The Odyssey" movie is based on Homer's ancient Greek epic poem.
The poem tells the story of Odysseus and his long journey home after the Trojan War.
Kelly Olson is a graduate chair at the University of Western Ontario’s Department of Classical Studies.
She appeared on CBS News to discuss the historical background of the poem.
The movie and discussion aim to help people understand the original epic better.
Homer’s "The Odyssey" is one of the oldest and most important works of Western literature.
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A landslide near Chongqing in southwest China has killed at least eight people and left 34 missing. Ten homes were buried, and over a thousand people had to leave their homes because of the disaster.
Key Facts
The landslide occurred on the outskirts of Chongqing, a city in southwest China.
At least eight people have died due to the landslide.
Thirty-four people are still missing after the event.
Ten residential buildings were buried by the landslide.
More than 1,000 residents were evacuated from the area for safety.
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Gracie Abrams has released her third album called Daughter From Hell, which explores themes of pain, responsibility, and emotional struggles in early adulthood. The album features soft, introspective music with sharp, personal lyrics but maintains a sound similar to her previous work.
Key Facts
Daughter From Hell is Gracie Abrams' third album.
The album deals with themes like heartbreak, relationships ending, and personal responsibility.
Abrams uses sharp and emotional lyrics, often using the metaphor of knives to describe pain.
Some songs hint at darker, gothic influences, but the overall music remains soft and introspective.
The album was produced by Aaron Dessner, known for working with other famous singers like Taylor Swift.
Abrams gained fame touring with Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo and was nominated for a Grammy in 2023.
Her previous album included a UK number one single called That’s So True.
The album’s quiet music style sometimes contrasts with the intensity of Abrams’ lyrics.
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Nigel Farage is running to retake his seat in a UK parliamentary by-election following his recent resignation over undeclared gifts and donations. The election will have a record number of 34 candidates and take place on August 13, with Farage favored to win according to an online prediction market.
Key Facts
Nigel Farage resigned as MP for Clacton after controversy about gifts and donations he did not initially declare.
Farage received a £5 million ($6.7 million) gift from a billionaire cryptocurrency investor.
Other donations under question include one from a convicted fraudster, which Farage denies wrongdoing over.
The by-election is expected to feature 34 candidates, the largest ever for a UK parliamentary election.
Major UK political parties are not competing, calling the election a "media circus."
Candidates include satirical figures like comedian Jon Harvey (Count Binface) and Alan "Howling Laud" Hope from a long-standing satirical party.
Lawrence Fox, a far-right actor and politician, is also running.
Farage spoke at CPAC London, inviting voters to decide if he should return to Parliament.
Online betting markets give Farage a 95% chance of winning the election on August 13.
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Andy Burnham will become the new prime minister of the United Kingdom on Monday, taking over without a general election or a full Labour Party contest. He plans to lead a significant left-wing government with changes focused on energy bills, public services, and social care.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham, former mayor of Greater Manchester, is becoming UK prime minister.
He assumes power without a general election or a full Labour leadership vote.
Burnham promises major changes not seen in 40 years.
His plans include lowering energy bills, reducing bus fares, and increasing public control of utilities.
Burnham aims to reverse the influence of policies from the 1980s under Margaret Thatcher.
He will appoint a cabinet, including the new chancellor Shabana Mahmood.
Burnham wants to unite Labour and avoid internal party conflicts.
Some parties criticize Burnham for lacking a public mandate and being too left-wing.
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Many places in the US and Europe are facing record-breaking heatwaves that cause thousands of deaths. Phoenix, Arizona, has successfully reduced heat deaths by creating programs like cooling centers and free air conditioning, serving as a model for other cities dealing with extreme heat.
Key Facts
Heatwaves recently caused over 2,000 extra deaths in France and about 2,700 in England and Wales.
The US reported at least 44 heat-related deaths over the 4th of July weekend.
Scientists note that nighttime temperatures are staying high, preventing the body from cooling down.
Phoenix, located in Maricopa County, has very hot weather and has worked for years to reduce heat-related deaths.
Phoenix was the first city to hire a "heat officer" in 2021 to manage heat safety efforts.
Heat deaths in Maricopa County dropped from 645 in 2023 to 405 in 2025 due to better programs.
The county offers free or repaired air conditioning to low-income residents and open, 24-hour cooling centers.
Experts suggest assigning a heat officer and improving communication can help other cities handle extreme heat too.
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Seven American aid workers from Samaritan’s Purse are quarantined at a U.S.-supported Ebola isolation facility in Kenya after being exposed to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. None of the workers have symptoms, and they are staying in military tents on a base in Kenya for the 21-day monitoring period before returning to the U.S.
Key Facts
Seven American aid workers are quarantined at an Ebola isolation site at Laikipia Air Base, Kenya.
The workers are part of a 72-member team responding to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The isolation period is 21 days, which is the standard time to monitor Ebola exposure.
The facility was built and is supported by the U.S. government.
The workers live in military tents and receive food from the U.S. military.
Kenya has no recorded Ebola cases but has opposed the facility due to health risk concerns.
Kenya’s High Court ordered a stop to the facility’s construction, but it was completed nonetheless.
The Ebola outbreak in the DRC has over 2,100 confirmed cases and more than 800 deaths, spreading faster than before.
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Jimothy is a raccoon living in Seattle who has a condition called short-spine syndrome, which affects his back. Despite this, many people in the local community and online have shown support and care for him.
Key Facts
Jimothy is a raccoon with a rare condition called short-spine syndrome.
Short-spine syndrome affects the length and shape of a raccoon's spine.
Jimothy lives in Seattle.
The local community has accepted and cared for him.
Jimothy has also gained attention and support on the internet.
The story was featured by CBS News.
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Smoke from wildfires in Canada has affected the air quality in many large U.S. cities for three days in a row. This has created harmful air conditions for millions of people living there.
Key Facts
Canadian wildfires have produced smoke that traveled into the United States.
The smoke has covered major cities across the U.S.
This situation has lasted for three consecutive days.
Millions of Americans are experiencing poor air quality because of the smoke.
The air conditions caused by the smoke are considered dangerous for health.
News outlets like CBS News are reporting on this ongoing event.
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In a remote town in southern Ecuador, many people have Laron syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that stops the body from growing taller than about 1.2 meters (3.9 feet). Researchers are studying this condition because people with Laron syndrome seem to have less cancer and diabetes, and this could help develop new treatments to prevent these diseases.
Key Facts
Laron syndrome is a rare genetic condition that causes very short height due to the body’s inability to use growth hormone.
Most of the 840 known cases worldwide live in the southern provinces of Ecuador, especially in the town of Piñas.
The disorder was identified 60 years ago by doctor Zvi Laron.
People with Laron syndrome have fewer cases of cancer and diabetes than others.
Scientists hope to create drugs or diets that copy the protective effects seen in people with Laron syndrome.
The syndrome likely originated in Indonesia thousands of years ago and spread through migration.
Twins María Luisa and María del Cisne have the condition and support each other with shared experiences.
A new research paper documenting all known cases is due to be published soon.
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The European Union has asked Israel to stop building new settlements and taking actions that harm the future of a Palestinian state in the West Bank. This call comes after Israel approved a large budget to build 34 new settlements, amid rising violence and disputes over the legality of these settlements.
Key Facts
The EU urges Israel to halt settlement expansion and stop legalising outposts in the occupied West Bank.
Israel’s security cabinet approved 1.3 billion shekels ($427.8 million) to build 34 new settlements.
Most countries and international bodies consider Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law.
Israel rejects the claim that its settlements are illegal and does not recognize Palestinian sovereignty in these territories.
The EU is divided on whether to impose stronger trade restrictions on products from West Bank settlements.
Violence continues in the West Bank, including attacks on Palestinian children by Israeli settlers and Israeli forces.
Two Palestinian children were hospitalized after settlers threw stones at their family vehicle.
The EU’s foreign policy chief said the situation in the West Bank is worsening and making a two-state solution less possible.
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The World Cup final, watched by over 1 billion people, has given Palestinians in Gaza brief moments of happiness and hope during a time of great hardship. The tournament has helped people there feel connected to the wider world.
Key Facts
The World Cup final takes place on Sunday.
More than 1 billion people are expected to watch the final.
Palestinians in Gaza have experienced moments of joy thanks to the World Cup.
The event has provided a sense of connection amid difficult conditions.
Reporters Nick Schifrin and Shams Odeh provided insights from Gaza.
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US Republicans have threatened to impose sanctions on Canada and Canadian officials due to smoke from Canadian wildfires affecting air quality in the US. President Donald Trump plans to speak with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney about the wildfires and suggested adding the cost of pollution to tariffs on Canada.
Key Facts
Smoke from large Canadian wildfires has caused hazy conditions and poor air quality for millions in the US.
President Trump said the US has been “invaded” by dirty air and proposed adding pollution costs to tariffs on Canada.
Republican Senator Bernie Moreno from Ohio plans to introduce a bill to sanction Canada and officials for not preventing wildfires.
Four Republican House members from Michigan wrote to Prime Minister Carney warning the US might act independently if Canada fails to manage forests.
Canadian Prime Minister Carney emphasized that fighting climate change is a shared global responsibility, including the US.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford suggested the US should send help instead of complaining, noting Canada has aided the US during American wildfires.
Both Canada and the US are experiencing above-average wildfire activity, partly due to climate change causing hotter, drier summers.
The largest fire in Canada currently burns over 787,000 acres in Ontario, forcing evacuations and destroying communities.
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Christopher Nolan's movie "The Odyssey" is becoming very popular and selling many tickets. The film is based on a story that is almost 3,000 years old, and people still find its themes meaningful today.
Key Facts
The movie "The Odyssey" is directed by Christopher Nolan.
It is anticipated to be one of the biggest films this year.
The film is breaking ticket sales records already.
"The Odyssey" is based on an ancient story from about 3,000 years ago.
The story remains important and meaningful to modern audiences.
The article is part of the arts and culture series called CANVAS.
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Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, a Cuban artist and critic of the government, was allowed to travel to the United States after serving a prison sentence. He was jailed for five years for offenses like insulting national symbols and causing public disorder, and he was detained during protests in 2021.
Key Facts
Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara is a Cuban artist known for opposing the government.
He was sentenced to five years in prison in 2022 for insulting national symbols and disturbing public order.
He was detained in July 2021 when trying to join mass protests in Cuba.
His parole application to enter the US was approved, allowing him to travel there temporarily.
After finishing his sentence, Cuban authorities did not reveal his location for several days.
Cuban officials accused him of working with the US to cause instability in Cuba.
Human rights groups say Cuba currently holds over 1,300 political prisoners, including some teenagers in adult prisons.
The US has maintained a strict fuel blockade on Cuba, increasing tensions between the two countries.
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Conspiracy theories have influenced American history since the country's beginning. Journalist Jesse Walker discusses how such ideas played a role during the American Revolution on Judy Woodruff's podcast.
Key Facts
Conspiracy theories are not just a recent trend; they existed during America's founding.
These theories influenced people's views and actions during the American Revolution.
Jesse Walker is a journalist and author who studies conspiracy ideas.
Judy Woodruff hosts the "In Pursuit of Happiness" podcast.
The discussion explores how conspiracy thinking affected the revolutionary era.
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Wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota is affecting the air quality for over 100 million people in the northern half of the United States. In addition to poor air quality, heavy rain and very hot weather are expected in the region.
Key Facts
More than 100 million people in northern U.S. are under air quality alerts.
The alerts are due to widespread wildfires in Canada and Minnesota.
The smoke from these wildfires is moving down across the eastern U.S.
Heavy rain is forecasted for parts of the affected area.
Extreme heat is also expected alongside the smoke and rain.
The information is provided by CBS News national investigative correspondent Tom Hanson.
The situation impacts a large part of the northern U.S. population.
The wildfire smoke is creating health and environmental concerns.
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Japan's parliament passed a law that allows only men from the father's side to become emperor. This decision raises worries because the imperial family is small and mostly female, including Emperor Naruhito's popular daughter, Princess Aiko, who cannot inherit the throne under the current rules.
Key Facts
Japan's parliament updated the Imperial House Law to allow only males from the paternal line to become emperor.
The law permits adoption of distant male relatives to have future heirs.
Princesses can keep their royal status after marrying commoners under the new law.
Emperor Naruhito’s 24-year-old daughter, Princess Aiko, is excluded from succession because she is female.
The immediate line of succession includes Emperor Naruhito's younger brother and 19-year-old nephew, Prince Hisahito.
Only five of the 16 adult members of Japan’s imperial family are men; there are no male children except Prince Hisahito.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and conservatives say only male blood holds the emperor’s authority.
Some Japanese citizens and experts criticize the law for reinforcing a male-only system and excluding women, calling it a return to tradition rather than gender equality.
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Some North Koreans have secretly discovered K-pop music despite strict government bans. Defectors say this music introduced them to new ideas and helped them adjust to life outside North Korea.
Key Facts
North Korea tightly controls access to outside culture, forbidding South Korean music and TV shows.
Defectors like Lee Yeon-su and Kang Gyu-ri began listening to K-pop only after leaving North Korea.
K-pop groups such as BTS and Blackpink are popular among some North Koreans who hear or see their music secretly.
Listening to or watching South Korean entertainment is illegal in North Korea and can result in punishment.
K-pop has become a symbol of freedom and fun for many defectors adjusting to new lives in South Korea.
Some North Koreans recognize K-pop idols despite their government promoting only Kim Jong Un as a celebrity.
BTS’s Korean name, Bangtan Sonyeondan, is even used as slang by some North Koreans.
The melody and energy of songs like BTS’s "Dynamite" captivated people who could pick up South Korean broadcasts near the border.
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