Smoke from many Canadian wildfires has caused very bad air pollution in several large U.S. cities, including Chicago, Detroit, and New York. Officials have warned people to stay indoors, wear masks, and the situation is expected to last for several days.
Key Facts
Over 130 wildfires are active in northwestern Ontario, Canada, with at least 60 out of control.
Smoke from these fires has spread to U.S. cities near the Canadian border and the Northeast.
Chicago and Detroit were among the most polluted cities globally on July 16, 2026.
New York’s air quality reached levels harmful to everyone, prompting health warnings.
Masks and cooling centers were offered to help people cope with unhealthy air and heat.
The air quality index in parts of the Midwest exceeded 700, which is considered "hazardous."
Outdoor events, including a Major League Soccer game in Chicago, were postponed due to the pollution.
Authorities expect the smoke to remain a problem for at least two more days and possibly longer.
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Drones carrying explosives were shot down over Erbil, a city in Iraq. Explosions happened near the U.S. consulate, and security forces intercepted multiple drones to prevent possible attacks.
Key Facts
Several drones were detected flying over Erbil, Iraq.
Some of these drones were carrying explosives.
Security forces shot down at least one explosive-laden drone.
Kurdish authorities reported that coalition forces intercepted a total of eight drones.
The explosions occurred close to the U.S. consulate in Erbil.
Eyewitness videos show several drone interceptions and explosions.
The incident involved both local Kurdish and international coalition forces working together.
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The United States increased its air strikes on Iran amid rising tensions. In response, Iran launched attacks on U.S. bases and facilities in the Middle East.
Key Facts
The U.S. carried out air strikes on Iran overnight.
These actions intensified already growing tensions between the two countries.
Iran responded by attacking U.S. military bases and facilities in the Middle East.
The situation involves military actions on both sides.
The news was reported by CBS News correspondent Charlie D'Agata.
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A man named Daniel Sean James is accused of killing Kirandeep Kaur, a young mother, by stabbing her while she was asleep with her husband and baby in their home in west London. He also allegedly attacked another man before breaking into Kaur’s home, and he was arrested after injuring himself trying to escape.
Key Facts
Daniel Sean James, 46, is charged with murder, attempted murder, and possessing a blade.
The victim, Kirandeep Kaur, was 24 years old and asleep with her husband and three-month-old baby.
The incident happened on Uxbridge Road in Hayes, west London.
Before breaking into Kaur’s home, James allegedly stabbed a man in his 20s in the back on the street.
James broke into Kaur’s home around 7:50 a.m. while the family was asleep.
Kaur’s husband woke up to her scream and saw someone leaving their bedroom.
Kaur was stabbed in the chest and was declared dead at 8:26 a.m.
James broke both his ankles jumping out of a window and was caught by police.
He appeared in court by videolink and his plea hearing is scheduled for October 1.
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The UK government has announced large cuts to its foreign aid budget, reducing direct support to some African countries by up to 90% over the next few years. The government plans to focus more on funding global organizations like the World Bank instead of giving money directly to individual countries.
Key Facts
UK aid to some African countries like Mozambique and Malawi is set to drop by 90% by 2029.
Other countries such as Rwanda and Sierra Leone face cuts of around 80%, while Somalia’s aid reduces by nearly half.
The UK government made these cuts to help increase spending on defense.
Labour’s government aims to fund multilateral donors, seen as more efficient, instead of direct bilateral aid.
Charities warn these cuts could harm projects that help vulnerable communities facing conflict and climate challenges.
The foreign secretary explained the UK will still work hard on development but in new ways with partners.
The UK will chair the G20 next year, which includes major countries like China and India.
Some politicians want to restore aid spending to previous levels tied to 0.7% of the UK’s national income.
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Iranian officials have reportedly asked Yemen’s Houthi rebels to block the Red Sea if the U.S. attacks Iran’s energy sites. This request aims to disrupt a key maritime route in response to potential U.S. military actions.
Key Facts
Iran requested Yemen’s Houthis to block the Red Sea in case of U.S. strikes on its energy facilities.
The Red Sea is a crucial passage for international shipping and energy transport.
Two senior Iranian sources and a regional contact confirmed the request to Reuters.
The Houthis are a Yemeni armed group involved in regional conflicts.
The discussions about this request happened within Iranian leadership circles.
The move would be a strategic response to potential U.S. military action targeting Iran’s energy sector.
Blocking the Red Sea could impact global trade and energy supplies.
U.S. actions against Iran’s energy sites have been a topic of ongoing tension.
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French President Emmanuel Macron visited the Fontainebleau forest near Paris after wildfires burned about 10% of the forest area. He said the fire will take weeks to fully put out and promised to replant the damaged forest. Police have arrested several people suspected of starting the fire, including a volunteer firefighter.
Key Facts
Wildfires affected at least 10% of the 20,000-hectare Fontainebleau forest.
President Emmanuel Macron visited the site to assess the damage.
The fire is expected to take several weeks to be completely extinguished.
Macron pledged to replant the forest after the fire.
Several arrests have been made in connection with the fire.
One arrested person is a volunteer firefighter who has been formally investigated.
Authorities suspect the fire was started intentionally by arsonists.
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Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, has been made a member of the House of Lords by Labour leader Keir Starmer just before Starmer’s planned resignation. Khan will continue as mayor and has said he does not want a government minister role, focusing instead on his current term and London’s future.
Key Facts
Keir Starmer appointed Sadiq Khan to the House of Lords shortly before stepping down as Labour leader.
Sadiq Khan is the current mayor of London and has served since 2016.
Khan has said he wants to focus on his mayoral duties and does not wish to join the government cabinet.
He is the first Muslim mayor of a major Western capital.
Khan has led London through major events like the Covid pandemic and terrorist attacks.
Khan received a knighthood last year.
Some other regional mayors, like Ben Houchen, also serve in the House of Lords while holding mayoral office.
Starmer has appointed many new members to the House of Lords to rebalance it, which has been dominated by Conservatives.
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French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu visited Morocco to strengthen the partnership between the two countries, focusing on security, counterterrorism, and energy cooperation. They agreed to explore projects for exporting renewable electricity from Morocco to France while facing new allegations that Morocco used Pegasus spyware to spy on French officials.
Key Facts
French PM Lecornu called the relationship between France and Morocco "exceptionally positive" and at a "turning point."
The two countries signed an "enhanced exceptional partnership" to deepen cooperation.
France and Morocco aim to increase energy cooperation, including exploring ways to export renewable electricity from Morocco to France.
Morocco’s Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch emphasized shared goals and restored trust between the two nations.
A media consortium reported that Morocco used Pegasus spyware to target French officials, including Lecornu.
Pegasus spyware can secretly read messages, track locations, and turn on cameras and microphones on phones.
Morocco denied the spying accusations and has asked for proof.
These spying reports caused some tension during Lecornu’s visit, limiting the press conference to brief statements without questions.
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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy defended his choice to remove Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov after tensions with the military’s top leader. This decision caused protests in Kyiv and concern from foreign partners during a visit by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Key Facts
Zelenskyy said there was a difficult relationship between Defence Minister Fedorov and Ukraine’s military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi.
Zelenskyy chose to support Syrskyi, leading to Fedorov’s dismissal.
Over 1,000 people protested in Kyiv, showing their support for Fedorov and demanding Syrskyi’s removal.
The protests were one of the few large anti-government demonstrations since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Kyiv, met Zelenskyy, and expressed strong support for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy gave Starmer Ukraine’s highest foreign award, the Order of Freedom.
Starmer praised Ukrainian drone strikes and said the war’s momentum was shifting away from Russia.
Fedorov accused military leaders of blocking reforms and favoring loyalty over effective decisions.
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Andrew Marr discusses Andy Burnham’s upcoming role as the leader at Number 10 Downing Street. The conversation covers uncertainties about Burnham’s cabinet choices and his plans to handle economic problems that challenged the previous Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.
Key Facts
Andrew Marr interviewed Andy Burnham before Burnham takes charge of the UK government.
Burnham is preparing to become Prime Minister and lead from Number 10 Downing Street.
There is uncertainty about who Burnham will appoint to his cabinet, the group of senior government officials.
Burnham will face economic challenges similar to those encountered during Keir Starmer’s time as Prime Minister.
The interview is featured on the BBC Newscast podcast, presented by Adam Fleming.
Newscast offers daily political news analysis and can be accessed on smart speakers and online.
The content is produced by a BBC team including Jack Maclaren, Shiler Mahmoudi, Beth Pritchard, Ben Andrews, Chris Gray, and Sam Bonham.
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A new study by the University of Southern California found that young, non-smoking lung cancer patients often eat healthier diets than the general population. Researchers suggest pesticide residues on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains might play a role in lung cancer, but the findings are still early and need more research.
Key Facts
The study focused on people diagnosed with lung cancer by age 50, most of whom never smoked.
These patients scored higher on the Healthy Eating Index, meaning they ate more fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains than average Americans.
Researchers suspect pesticide residues on non-organic produce might be an environmental risk factor for lung cancer.
Earlier studies show farmworkers exposed to pesticides have higher lung cancer rates.
Lung cancer is usually linked to older adults, smokers, and men, but rates are rising in young non-smokers, especially women.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, with 2.5 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths in 2022.
Experts caution that the fruits and vegetables themselves are not likely causing cancer, but the pesticides used in farming might.
More research is needed to understand the possible link between healthy diets, pesticides, and lung cancer in young non-smokers.
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A British minister has asked FIFA to investigate after Argentina’s World Cup players displayed a banner saying "The Falklands are Argentinian" during their match against England. The UK government says political messages are not allowed in football and wants FIFA to look into the matter.
Key Facts
Argentina’s players showed a banner claiming the Falkland Islands belong to Argentina after beating England 2-1 in the World Cup semifinal.
British Business Minister Peter Kyle called this a serious break of FIFA’s rules, which ban political messages at games.
The UK prime minister’s office supported the call for an investigation by FIFA.
The Falklands conflict happened in 1982 when Argentina invaded the islands and the UK took back control after a brief war.
Argentina still claims the islands, which the UK governs as a British overseas territory.
Argentina’s Vice President called the English "usurping pirates" before the match, raising tensions.
Argentina’s foreign minister said Buenos Aires filed a formal protest over a British warship near the Falklands, accusing the UK of illegal actions.
FIFA has not yet responded to the calls for investigation.
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A new Pew Research poll shows that China is viewed more favorably than the United States in 27 out of 36 countries surveyed. President Donald Trump’s global trust rating is lower than both Chinese leader Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden.
Key Facts
The survey covered 36 countries and over 42,000 people from February to May 2026.
China is preferred to the U.S. by major U.S. allies like Germany, Turkey, and Sweden.
Mexico and Canada favor China over the United States, by 59% to 40% and 44% to 33%, respectively.
Only six countries strongly favor the United States: Japan, South Korea, India, the Philippines, Israel, and Poland.
Confidence that President Trump will "do the right thing regarding world affairs" dropped from 31% to 21%.
Confidence in Xi Jinping rose from 25% to 31%.
Trump’s favorability rating is 16 percentage points below President Biden’s lowest rating from 2024.
The poll reflects shifting global opinions with declining views on the U.S. and improved views on China.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) says the Ebola virus is spreading faster in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) than in any previous outbreak. In just two months, there have been over 2,000 confirmed cases and 796 deaths, with the virus present in several provinces and neighboring Uganda.
Key Facts
The current Ebola outbreak in DRC began on May 15, 2026.
More than 2,000 Ebola cases and 796 deaths have been confirmed.
This is the third-largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded.
The outbreak spread to five provinces in DRC and to Uganda.
The virus strain causing this outbreak is Bundibugyo, which has no approved vaccine or treatment.
The outbreak is occurring in an area with active armed conflict, complicating response efforts.
Over 80% of new cases are found outside known contact lists, meaning many infections are not traced.
About two-thirds of deaths occur in communities among people who did not receive medical care in health facilities.
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Scientists say the El Niño weather pattern in the Pacific Ocean could become the strongest ever recorded. This event may cause very hot and dry weather in parts of the world and could help make 2027 the hottest year on record.
Key Facts
El Niño is a natural climate pattern where ocean temperatures in the Pacific rise above normal.
Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology says this El Niño could be the strongest ever seen.
The peak temperature in the Niño 3.4 region might reach over +3°C, higher than the previous record of +2.6°C in 1983.
A strong El Niño usually causes hotter, drier weather in southern and eastern Australia during winter and spring.
Globally, El Niño can cause severe storms in some areas and droughts in others.
Experts warn this event could help make 2027 the hottest year worldwide.
Many Australian cities like Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne have a high chance of extreme heat and low rainfall from August to October 2026.
Scientists link the stronger El Niño to rising ocean heat caused by climate change.
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President Donald Trump has threatened military strikes on Iranian infrastructure, which may lead Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen to block the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a key shipping route near the Red Sea. Closing this strait, along with the already closed Strait of Hormuz, could seriously disrupt global oil shipments and raise energy prices.
Key Facts
President Trump warned he might strike Iranian power plants and bridges to pressure Iran in negotiations.
Iran’s allied Houthi militants in Yemen are prepared to attack ships in the Bab al-Mandeb strait using missiles and drones.
The Bab al-Mandeb strait is a strategic waterway connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean.
Closing this strait would block a major oil export route, adding to the disruption caused by the closed Strait of Hormuz.
The Houthis recently resumed missile attacks on Saudi Arabia after a truce ended following Saudi strikes in Yemen.
The U.S. recently launched strikes on Iranian military sites aimed at reducing threats to ships passing through these waterways.
Saudi Arabia has rerouted much of its oil exports through the Red Sea port of Yanbu, making the area critical for oil markets.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Yemen controls the decision to close the Bab al-Mandeb strait.
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A Ukrainian businessman, Vadym Iermolaiev, who survived a bombing attack in Monaco, has accused Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, known as GUR, of organizing the attempt on his life. French investigators identified the bomber and Ukrainian authorities have arrested suspects, including a GUR officer, in connection with the incident and a related murder.
Key Facts
Vadym Iermolaiev survived a bomb attack in Monaco that injured him and critically wounded his partner.
Iermolaiev publicly accused serving and former officers of Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence agency of planning the attack.
The bomber was identified as Anastasiia Berezovska, a Ukrainian national, who died near Kyiv days after the bombing.
Two suspects, Vladyslav Reut (a GUR officer) and Oleksandr Zhykovych (former law enforcement), were arrested in connection with Berezovska’s death.
Ukrainian prosecutors claim the bombing was the act of a rogue intelligence officer acting without agency approval.
Iermolaiev disputes this, saying evidence points to a wider conspiracy within GUR, including its leadership.
The attack severely injured Iermolaiev’s family, with his partner suffering catastrophic injuries and their child seriously harmed.
The case creates political challenges for Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy and may affect Ukraine’s relations with European countries.
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Canada is facing very bad air quality because of smoke from over 800 active wildfires, with more than 100 of them out of control. The smoke is causing health warnings in cities like Toronto and may spread to the northeastern United States, potentially affecting events such as the World Cup final in New Jersey.
Key Facts
Canada currently has 835 active wildfires.
Among these, 112 wildfires are considered out of control.
Smoke from the wildfires has made the air quality hazardous, especially in Toronto.
Toronto residents have been advised to stay indoors if possible.
U.S. officials worry that the smoke could reach the northeastern U.S.
The smoke might impact the World Cup final scheduled in New Jersey.
Wildfires and their smoke are a major cause of pollution and health risks in the region.
The situation is ongoing as wildfires continue to burn across Canada.
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China is introducing rules to stop people from forming relationships with AI chatbots. Officials are worried that these AI relationships could cause addiction, mental health problems, and contribute to fewer babies being born.
Key Facts
China is banning romantic or close relationships with AI chatbots.
This move is to address China’s declining birthrate.
Officials are concerned about addictive behavior linked to AI chatbots.
Psychological harm from AI relationships is also a factor in the ban.
The declining population is a major reason behind the government’s new rules.
Matt Sheehan, a senior fellow at Carnegie Endowment, explains these motivations.
The ban is part of China’s broader effort to manage social and demographic issues.
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