The UK government has declared a severe drought in parts of southern England after months of very low rainfall. Water and flooding minister Emma Hardy asked people to save water to prevent this drought from becoming a constant problem.
Key Facts
Severe drought is declared in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex, and West Sussex.
The drought is due to exceptionally low rainfall, the lowest in over 100 years.
Reservoirs in affected areas are at very low levels, some below 20% capacity.
The government says water supplies will continue but is taking steps to protect water resources.
Minister Emma Hardy urged citizens to use water wisely in the coming weeks.
Robbie Moore, opposition shadow minister, said the government reacted too slowly to the drought.
Wimbleball Reservoir serves about 300,000 homes, currently at 14.9% capacity.
Ardingly Reservoir serves 280,000 customers, currently at 19.4% capacity.
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Dengue fever cases reached record highs worldwide in 2024, with more than 14.6 million reported infections and over 12,000 deaths. The disease is spreading due to climate change and urbanization, making mosquito control more difficult and requiring action focused on preventing mosquito breeding in small, often overlooked water containers.
Key Facts
In 2024, the World Health Organization reported over 14.6 million dengue cases globally, the highest ever recorded.
More than 12,000 deaths from dengue were reported worldwide in 2024.
Around half of the world's population is now at risk of dengue infection.
The Americas reported over 13 million dengue cases in 2024 alone.
Warmer temperatures from climate change have increased dengue cases by about 18% in parts of Asia and the Americas.
Aedes mosquitoes, which spread dengue, breed in small water containers like flowerpots, gutters, buckets, and even bottle caps.
Mosquitoes develop from eggs to adults in 7 to 10 days, making early control of breeding sites critical.
Mosquito prevention must focus on removing breeding sites in private spaces, as public mosquito control alone is not enough.
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Authorities identified the body found in a barrel at Lake Mead as Edward Lelburian Jackson, an Arkansas man who was shot in the head and killed in the early 1980s. The killing remains unsolved, and police are seeking help from the public to find more information.
Key Facts
Edward Lelburian Jackson’s remains were discovered in a rusted barrel on Lake Mead’s shore after water levels dropped.
Jackson was in his mid- to late 50s when he died, and he was shot in the head.
The identification was made using bone DNA testing and matching clothing and composite images.
Jackson was from Hot Springs, Arkansas, and had a brief criminal record in the early 1980s.
His family last saw him in Arkansas in the early 1980s and did not report him missing, as he often traveled.
There is no direct evidence linking his death to organized crime in Las Vegas, but the case shows signs similar to mob-related killings.
The killing is estimated to have occurred in the early 1980s.
Police and homicide detectives continue to investigate the case to uncover what happened.
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FIFA will investigate the "Peace Prize" it created last year and gave to President Donald Trump. The review will check how the prize was made and why Trump was chosen, as part of a bigger look at decisions made while Gianni Infantino has been FIFA president.
Key Facts
FIFA’s Football Social Responsibility Committee will study the Peace Prize and recommend what to do next.
The prize was created in November 2025 to honor people who work for peace.
President Infantino gave the first Peace Prize to President Donald Trump in December 2025 during the 2026 World Cup Draw.
FIFA said Trump helped establish a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine in October 2025.
Some groups questioned if FIFA should give political awards and whether Infantino broke rules about staying neutral.
FIFA’s Vice President Debbie Hewitt said they will review how the prize was created, who decided on the award, and if it needs to be changed or removed.
The investigation is part of a wider review of FIFA leadership actions under Infantino.
Issues like the lifting of a ban on a U.S. player, possibly influenced by the U.S. president, are also being examined.
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During the olive harvest in the West Bank, settlers have set Palestinian olive trees and vehicles on fire. These attacks, known as pogroms, have been happening while Israeli forces are present in the area.
Key Facts
The attacks are happening during the Palestinian olive harvest season.
Settlers have burned olive trees and vehicles belonging to Palestinian farmers.
The attacks are described as pogroms, meaning violent mob attacks.
These incidents are taking place across the occupied West Bank.
Israeli forces have been present during these attacks but have not stopped them.
The olive harvest is an important time for Palestinian farmers for their livelihood.
Such attacks increase tensions between settlers and Palestinian communities.
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President Donald Trump said the United States will not use nuclear weapons against Iran but might use a powerful non-nuclear bomb known as the "mother of all bombs" (MOAB). He mentioned possible future strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites but rejected sending U.S. troops to fight on the ground.
Key Facts
President Trump ruled out using nuclear weapons against Iran.
The U.S. is considering using the GBU-43/B MOAB, a very large non-nuclear bomb.
The MOAB weighs nearly 10 tonnes and carries about 8.5 tonnes of explosives.
MOAB explodes above the ground to create a powerful blast affecting structures within a 1 km radius.
Trump said the U.S. may attack Iran’s nuclear facilities, especially one deep underground at Pickaxe Mountain.
He said the U.S. does not plan to send ground troops to Iran.
Trump believes the war will end soon, either by force or diplomatic talks.
He is concerned that if Iran gets nuclear weapons, they might use them quickly.
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Yorkshire Wildlife Park reopened after a man was killed by a tiger in one of its enclosures. The park is working with authorities on an investigation, and the tiger involved remains alive and well.
Key Facts
A 24-year-old man named William Chapman was killed by an Amur tiger named Altai at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster.
The park closed immediately after the incident and reopened after consulting with relevant authorities.
William Chapman had a history of mental illness, including schizophrenia, and was under NHS care.
City of Doncaster Council is investigating health and safety at the park and will share results with the coroner.
The park’s "Land of the Tiger" area, where the incident happened, is now open to visitors.
The tiger Altai is not euthanised and is reported to be safe and well.
The park is providing trauma support to staff and visitors affected by the event.
The inquest into William Chapman’s death will continue in March 2027.
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The United Nations warns that nearly one million displaced Palestinians in Gaza are at risk of flooding and freezing temperatures as winter nears. These dangers come amid ongoing Israeli attacks in the region.
Key Facts
Almost one million displaced Palestinians in Gaza face flood risks.
Winter is bringing colder, freezing temperatures to the area.
The United Nations issued the warning about these risks.
Flooding and cold weather will worsen the situation for people already displaced.
Israeli military attacks are continuing during this time.
The combination of weather and conflict creates a difficult environment for residents.
The UN aims to raise awareness and encourage support to help those affected.
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A New Zealand museum released 47 old aerial photos of Nikumaroro island, where Amelia Earhart may have crash-landed in 1937. These clear photos could help researchers looking for evidence of Earhart and her plane on the island.
Key Facts
The photos were taken on December 1, 1938, during a New Zealand survey of Pacific islands by an amphibious biplane.
Amelia Earhart disappeared on July 2, 1937, while trying to fly around the world near the equator.
A popular theory is Earhart crash-landed on Nikumaroro (formerly Gardner Island) and survived for some time.
The photos are in high resolution and were found over ten years ago by a museum archivist in Christchurch.
Purdue University scientists are currently searching part of Nikumaroro for an object seen in satellite images, called the “Taraia Object.”
Some experts doubt the “Taraia Object” is plane wreckage and think it might be a fallen tree.
The island is part of Kiribati, a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Weather has slowed the current search, but the team plans to continue and share results soon.
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A British man named Joshua Foster was fined €3,000 after his two-year-old son died by falling from a fourth-floor hotel window in Cyprus. Foster said he thought the window was closed and lost control of his son while showing him the view.
Key Facts
The boy fell about 12 meters (40 feet) from the fourth floor of a hotel in Chlorakas, Cyprus.
The incident happened on July 12, the first day of the family’s holiday.
Foster, aged 37, pleaded guilty to causing death by a careless or dangerous act.
He did not know the window was open and believed there was protective glass.
Police tested Foster for alcohol; his blood alcohol level was 124mg, but it was not a major factor in the case.
Foster was held in custody for eight days after the incident and showed clear remorse.
The window was large, measuring 2.85 meters wide and 1.2 meters high.
The child was taken to a hospital but could not be saved.
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Jamaican filmmakers are creating more stories that openly explore the country’s history of slavery and colonialism. These films use culture and creative expression to share difficult truths and promote understanding about the lasting effects of enslavement.
Key Facts
Jamaican TV series like "Possession" include themes of slavery, colonialism, and their ongoing impact.
The story in "Possession" involves a British lawyer discovering a dark spirit connected to Jamaica’s colonial past.
Filmmakers want to represent the trauma and lasting legacy of slavery clearly and honestly.
Experts say culture and art help educate people about reparations and historical memory.
Jamaica is becoming a popular location for both local and international film productions.
Diaspora filmmakers focus on real Jamaican life, avoiding stereotypes often seen in foreign films.
Jamaican film leaders aim to tell authentic stories using local talent combined with international support.
The rising openness in Jamaica’s film industry reflects a larger political and cultural awakening about history.
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India’s Election Commission has removed over 130 million names from the voter list in a large-scale revision called the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). This process has led to protests, with many people, especially from minority and marginalized groups, losing their right to vote.
Key Facts
More than 130 million names were deleted from India’s electoral rolls during the SIR.
The SIR is a revision process done to update voter lists, but this one is much bigger and more controversial than before.
Muslims, women, migrants, and other marginalized groups were disproportionately affected by the deletions.
The Election Commission and ruling party defended the action using the term “purification.”
Voters were required to provide many documents, which was hard for poor and less educated people.
The SIR used technology and AI tools like ERONET to check for mismatches in voter information.
Women often faced extra difficulties due to name or address changes after marriage.
Many protesters called for the chief election commissioner’s resignation, and police cracked down on demonstrations.
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A father was fined 3,000 euros after his two-year-old son fell from a hotel window and died in Cyprus. The boy fell from the fourth floor while the father showed him the view, and the court found the father's actions reckless but not intentional.
Key Facts
The accident happened on July 12, 2026, at the King Evelthon Beach Hotel in Chlorakas, Cyprus.
The boy fell nearly 40 feet (12.1 meters) from a fourth-floor window.
The father is Joshua Foster, 37, from Essex, UK.
Foster said he thought the window was closed and lost control of his son.
He admitted causing death through reckless or dangerous behavior.
Foster was fined 3,000 euros (£2,500) by the Paphos District Court.
The boy was taken to the hospital but later died.
Foster had some alcohol in his system, but it was not considered important to the case.
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Prime Minister Andy Burnham is visiting Scotland to propose sharing more decision-making powers with Scottish regions and towns, working alongside the Scottish government. His visit happens as the Scottish National Party (SNP) holds a conference to promote independence, a referendum Burnham has refused to support again.
Key Facts
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is in Scotland to offer cooperation on devolving powers to local areas.
He plans to ask Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, to work together on this plan.
Burnham’s speech emphasizes spreading opportunities beyond central governments to regions and cities.
The SNP is holding its annual conference in Aberdeen, focusing on a strong pro-independence campaign.
Burnham has ruled out another Scottish independence referendum.
SNP ministers accuse Burnham of hypocrisy for questioning Brexit but denying independence votes.
The debate centers on who should hold power: Westminster or the Scottish people through a referendum.
Other UK political news includes proposed changes to youth benefits, Reform party culture, and possible tax increases on banks.
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An adviser to Argentine President Javier Milei claimed that Britain is being "colonized by Islam," using the election of a Muslim British lawmaker as an example. He said this is a reason why Argentina should reclaim the Falkland Islands, a territory controlled by the UK but claimed by Argentina.
Key Facts
Santiago Caputo, an adviser to President Javier Milei, said Britain is being "colonized by Islam" due to the election of a Muslim MP, Sagal Abdi-Wali.
Caputo linked changes in British society to Argentina’s claim over the Falkland Islands (called Las Malvinas by Argentina).
Argentina has long disputed British control of the Falklands, which have been a British territory since 1833.
The Falklands were the site of a war between Argentina and Britain in 1982, ending with British victory.
In 2013, nearly all Falkland Islanders voted to stay a British territory.
Argentina recently increased efforts to regain the islands, including legal action against oil drilling around the Falklands.
Sagal Abdi-Wali is a Somali-born MP who took an oath on the Quran and represents a London district.
Britain says the Falkland Islanders’ wishes are central to the territorial dispute, while Argentina calls the islands "unlawfully taken."
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The United States is thinking about using its largest non-nuclear bomb on Iran if President Donald Trump decides to restart fighting. The conflict began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February and has been stuck without progress on talks since summer.
Key Facts
The US may use its biggest non-nuclear bomb against Iran in a future conflict.
This decision depends on President Donald Trump's choice to renew fighting.
The conflict started in February with attacks from the US and Israel on Iran.
Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have not succeeded since summer.
The war is currently at a standstill, with no new progress reported.
The report about this consideration was made by CNN and shared by France 24.
No further details about military plans or timing were given in the article.
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China and North Korea have opened the New Yalu River Bridge to improve trade and cooperation between the two countries. However, experts say the new bridge may not greatly increase trade because of international sanctions and North Korea’s focus on security.
Key Facts
The New Yalu River Bridge connects China's city of Dandong and North Korea’s city of Sinuiju.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang and North Korean Premier Pak Thae-song said the bridge will boost trade and relations.
The old bridge used for trade is too small and carries limited weight, while the new bridge has four lanes.
China provides about 95% of North Korea’s official trade.
International sanctions limit what North Korea can trade, especially goods related to its nuclear and missile programs.
North Korea’s leadership prioritizes security over economic expansion.
China and North Korea have increased cooperation under President Xi Jinping and leader Kim Jong Un.
The bridge opening follows closer North Korea ties with Russia, including a new road bridge between Russia and North Korea.
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Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is asking European leaders for support during a meeting in Brussels. He said Ukraine will no longer follow President Donald Trump's instructions not to attack Russian oil refineries, after tensions rose when Trump relaxed sanctions on Russia to allow more diesel exports.
Key Facts
President Zelensky is meeting European allies in Brussels to discuss support for Ukraine.
Ukraine will stop following President Trump's demand not to hit Russian oil refineries.
Relations between Ukraine and the United States have worsened recently.
President Trump eased sanctions on Russia, allowing more diesel to be sold worldwide.
This easing of sanctions happened after Russia agreed to release a large amount of diesel.
The changes in policy affected global energy markets and Ukraine's military actions.
The Brussels summit also involves discussions about the European Union budget and other topics.
Other European issues, such as protests and security concerns, are ongoing but separate from this meeting.
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European Union leaders met in Brussels for two days to talk about the EU’s next long-term budget and ongoing support for Ukraine. They also discussed ways to boost Europe’s economy as energy prices rise and global tensions increase, but many leaders disagreed with the new budget proposal, making an agreement uncertain.
Key Facts
EU leaders gathered in Brussels for a two-day summit.
Main topics included the EU's long-term budget and support for Ukraine.
Leaders want to strengthen Europe's economic competitiveness.
Rising energy prices and geopolitical uncertainty are key concerns.
There was strong opposition to a new budget proposal.
The budget deal may not be finished by the end of the year.
The summit included talks about Ukraine's ongoing conflict.
The event was covered by France 24 news.
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Indian police increased security in New Delhi ahead of a protest organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which demands the resignation of India's Chief Election Commissioner. The protest follows the jailing of two CJP activists and ongoing demonstrations about election roll changes.
Key Facts
The Cockroach Janta Party is a youth-led group protesting for electoral reforms and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Two CJP leaders were jailed for five days after allegedly trespassing at a protest site.
Authorities deployed thousands of extra police officers and closed New Delhi’s Central Park, where the rally was planned.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said police might arrest him before the protest, but he and his supporters are ready to be jailed.
Protesters accuse the government of hypocrisy, pointing out that political leaders in power today once protested under similar conditions.
The election commissioner removed over 130 million names from voter rolls, which CJP calls voter fraud; officials said it was to remove duplicates and invalid entries.
The CJP was formed in May due to youth anger over education leaks and unemployment issues under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
The movement has gained support from political opposition and forced the resignation of the education minister.
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