Russia is building a new power line to connect the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to its own electricity grid. This effort aims to keep control of the nuclear site, which is located in a conflict zone in southern Ukraine and has seen recent attacks that have damaged parts of the power infrastructure.
Key Facts
Russia is constructing an electricity transmission line to link Europe’s largest nuclear plant (Zaporizhzhia) to the Russian power grid.
Satellite images show the line runs near a road called the "highway of death," known for drone attacks on Russian forces.
The plant is still operated by Ukrainians but is controlled by Russian forces since early 2022.
The nuclear plant needs off-site power to stay safe, but attacks have cut power multiple times since the conflict began.
Before the war, the plant had 10 power lines; now, only one remains operational.
Russia intends to restart at least one reactor once the plant is connected to its grid.
Construction of the new line was disrupted by Ukrainian drone attacks targeting substations.
The power line may also support Russian military operations in occupied southern Ukraine.
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Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, has increased tensions with the Muslim community by targeting what he calls "radical Islam" and enforcing new laws on religious practices. His government arrested prominent Muslim scholars and introduced stricter rules on religious education and mosque activities, causing protests and closing major mosques.
Key Facts
Captain Ibrahim Traore, Burkina Faso’s transitional leader, declared a battle against religious extremism.
He criticized some Muslim scholars for promoting extremist ideas and warned about suspending imams who preach such views.
The government passed the Religious Freedoms Law, introducing prison and fines for religious abuses like forcing children to beg.
The law aims to strengthen the country’s secular principles and control religious organizations’ finances.
Two prominent imams, Mohamed Ishaq Kindo and Mahmoud Barro, were arrested after opposing the new law.
The largest Sunni mosque in the capital, Ouagadougou, was closed due to public order concerns following protests.
Burkinabe students studying Islamic law abroad were ordered to return, or they risk losing citizenship.
The tightening of control marks a shift from previous cooperation between the government and influential Muslim scholars.
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A white foamy substance appeared on a busy highway in Nigeria, attracting many people and raising safety concerns. Nigeria’s environmental agency is investigating and testing samples to find out what the foam is and if it is harmful.
Key Facts
The foam showed up on the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway, a main road linking northern Nigeria to the capital.
Many drivers stopped to take pictures and shared them on social media.
Some people thought the foam was snow or clouds falling from the sky.
Nigeria’s National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (Nesrea) is leading the investigation.
Nesrea collected samples of the foam, nearby soil, and water for laboratory testing.
There is a warning for people to stay away from the foam and the nearby area until tests are complete.
Early findings suggest the foam came from a spill after a lorry crashed on the highway, but the cargo type is not yet known.
Officials have not yet confirmed if the substance is dangerous or how to safely handle it.
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Luke Bracey talks about the new "Little House on the Prairie" TV series on CBS Mornings. He explains that the show is based on the original books and not a restart of the old TV show. Bracey also shares why the story connects with viewers today and how music helped him and a co-star understand their characters better.
Key Facts
The new series "Little House on the Prairie" is adapted from the original books.
It is not a reboot of the old television show.
Actor Luke Bracey discussed the show on CBS Mornings.
He believes the story still connects with people now.
A playlist of songs helped Bracey and a co-star bond and get into their roles.
The interview is available on the CBS News app and website.
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France recorded 5,764 more deaths than usual between June 17 and July 2, 2026, during a period of extreme heatwaves. Most of the extra deaths were among older people, and this was the highest death increase during a heatwave since 2003.
Key Facts
France had 5,764 excess deaths from all causes between June 17 and July 2, 2026.
This period coincided with a record-breaking heatwave with temperatures over 40°C in many areas.
About two-thirds of the extra deaths were people aged 75 or older.
Less than 20% of the excess deaths were among people aged 45 to 64.
Half of the extra deaths happened during three days, from June 25 to 27.
The average temperatures on June 24 and 25, 2026, were the highest ever recorded in France for any month.
The last major heatwave in France with high excess deaths occurred in 2003, causing around 15,000 deaths.
Public health officials did not link the extra deaths solely to the heat, but the timing makes it likely related.
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At least seven oil tankers near Yemen turned around after the Iran-linked Houthi group declared a maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia. The embargo bans ships from loading or unloading at Saudi ports and threatens to target vessels, raising concerns about trade through the Red Sea, a major route for oil shipments.
Key Facts
Seven or more oil tankers changed course near Yemen after the Houthi group announced a maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia.
The Houthis banned ships from loading or unloading cargo at Saudi ports and said vessels could be targeted in their operational area.
Nearly 15% of global sea trade passes through the Red Sea, which connects key waterways like the Suez Canal and Bab al-Mandab Strait.
The Red Sea is a critical route for Saudi oil exports, especially since the Strait of Hormuz faces restrictions due to conflicts.
The EU's naval force recommended that ships linked to Israeli, US, or Saudi interests avoid the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden for safety reasons.
Saudi Arabia denies blocking Yemeni ports and has promised to protect its ships under international law.
Yemen has been in a civil war since 2014, with a Saudi-led coalition backing the government and ongoing conflict with the Houthi rebels.
Recent attacks and air strikes between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia have escalated tensions despite a previous informal truce.
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Andy Burnham has become Britain’s seventh prime minister since Brexit, and European leaders have welcomed him with hopes of closer UK-EU relations. Although Burnham focuses mostly on domestic issues, his plans to boost UK industry and reduce dependence on foreign technology could lead to new cooperation with the EU.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is the seventh British prime minister since Brexit.
EU leaders like Ursula von der Leyen, Emmanuel Macron, and Friedrich Merz have expressed support for better UK-EU ties.
Burnham opposed Brexit isolation in 2016 and hopes for eventual UK rejoining of the EU, but currently does not plan to push for re-entry.
He aims to unify the UK rather than reopen Brexit debates.
Burnham’s policies focus on domestic growth, industrial development, and economic sovereignty.
His approach may lower priority on direct trade negotiations with the EU.
Burnham seeks to reduce UK reliance on foreign datacentres and US-centered technology policies.
These goals align with the EU’s own plans for tech sovereignty and strategic autonomy, potentially leading to pragmatic cooperation.
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Prince George, born in 2013, has grown from a newborn into a teenager and future king. He has been in the public eye since birth, with his new birthday photo showing him dressed more formally as he starts a new phase of life, including attending boarding school.
Key Facts
Prince George was born on July 22, 2013, at St Mary’s Hospital in London.
His first public photo was taken the day after his birth when his parents left the hospital.
He has appeared in public since early childhood, including royal tours overseas with his parents.
George began school in 2017 at Thomas’s Battersea in London and later moved to boarding school Eton College.
He has taken part in royal ceremonies, such as serving as a page boy at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in 2018.
George attended Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022, marking a public moment of grief.
With the Queen’s passing, his grandfather became King Charles III, his father became Prince of Wales, and George became second in line to the throne.
His new birthday photo shows him in a suit, highlighting his growth into teenage years.
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Tornadoes caused significant damage from the Midwest to the Northeast United States on Tuesday. At the same time, Tropical Storm Bertha affected the Gulf Coast, bringing strong winds and rough waves, especially in Panama City Beach, Florida.
Key Facts
Tornadoes occurred in several states between the Midwest and Northeast regions.
These tornadoes caused major damage in the affected areas.
Tropical Storm Bertha reached winds of 59 miles per hour.
The Gulf Coast, including Florida's Panama City Beach, experienced rough surf and strong winds.
Authorities in the Gulf states are preparing for more impact from the storm.
The event highlights severe weather happening across different parts of the country on the same day.
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Anson Mount talks about the new fourth season of the TV show "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds." He says this season is the best so far and explains how the show keeps pushing creative limits.
Key Facts
Anson Mount is an actor in "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds."
The show is currently in its fourth season.
Mount believes this season is the best one yet.
He feels the show continues to challenge the cast and creators.
The discussion about the season took place during an interview shown on CBS News.
"Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" is part of the larger Star Trek franchise.
The show is available to watch on CBS and related apps.
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France’s Environment Minister Monique Barbut offered to quit over a new law that allows some controversial pesticides again. President Emmanuel Macron refused her resignation, saying urgent climate action is needed.
Key Facts
Environment Minister Monique Barbut disagreed with a bill reintroducing certain pesticides.
She submitted her resignation to President Macron because of this disagreement.
President Macron refused to accept her resignation.
The decision reflects the urgency to act on climate change.
The news was reported by FRANCE 24 on July 22, 2026.
The bill is controversial due to concerns about the environmental impact of pesticides.
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President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb an underground Iranian nuclear site known as Pickaxe Mountain. The U.S. administration is considering possible military action related to this location.
Key Facts
Pickaxe Mountain is an underground nuclear facility in Iran.
The site is heavily protected and fortified.
President Donald Trump has publicly threatened to attack this site.
The U.S. government is currently thinking about military options against Iran.
The threat has caused increased attention on the nuclear site and Iran’s nuclear activities.
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Hadi Matar, who stabbed author Salman Rushdie in 2022, is facing a second trial in the U.S. on terrorism charges after already being convicted of attempted murder. Prosecutors say he acted in support of Hezbollah and followed a fatwa calling for Rushdie’s death. Rushdie survived but suffered serious injuries.
Key Facts
Hadi Matar stabbed Salman Rushdie multiple times during a public talk in New York in August 2022.
Matar was convicted of attempted murder and assault in a state trial and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
He denies terrorism charges including supporting terrorists and transnational terrorism, which could lead to life in prison.
Prosecutors claim Matar acted because of a 1989 fatwa from ayatollah Khomeini calling for Rushdie’s death over his book The Satanic Verses.
They also allege Matar had connections to Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia, and researched details about carrying out the attack.
Evidence includes notes, propaganda videos, photos of Khomeini, and communications with an Iran-based contact.
Salman Rushdie lost the use of one eye and suffered lasting nerve damage but survived the attack.
Rushdie published a memoir in 2024 about the attack called Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder.
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Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores are in a New York jail facing drug trafficking charges after being captured in a U.S. military raid. They deny the charges and their lawyers plan to challenge the legality of the capture before the trial begins.
Key Facts
Maduro and his wife have been held in a Brooklyn jail since a U.S. military raid in early January.
They face charges of conspiracy to send large amounts of cocaine into the United States.
Both have pleaded not guilty and deny involvement in drug trafficking.
The raid was authorized under President Trump's administration and described as a precise law enforcement action.
Maduro calls himself a prisoner of war and calls the raid a kidnapping.
U.S. prosecutors accuse Maduro of working with Venezuelan authorities to help drug traffickers.
The defense plans to argue that the military capture was illegal.
No trial date has been set, and Maduro and Flores have not requested bail.
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A British woman named Isabel Rose was sentenced to six years in prison in Hong Kong for blackmail and interfering with justice. She was found guilty of making a false rape claim against a British banker while visiting Hong Kong in early 2024.
Key Facts
Isabel Rose, 26, from London, accused a British banker of rape after visiting Hong Kong in January 2024.
The banker was arrested but later released without charges.
Rose was then arrested, charged, and convicted of blackmail and perverting the course of justice.
The court found Rose tried to get £100,000 from the banker by making false claims.
WhatsApp messages between Rose and the banker were used as evidence in the trial.
Rose denied the charges, saying the rape occurred, but the court disagreed.
Judge Adriana Tse described Rose’s actions as cruel and said she abused the man’s kindness.
Rose was sentenced to five years for blackmail and three years for interfering with justice, with one year added consecutively.
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The US is set to announce a deal with Saudi Arabia that would allow the country to enrich uranium for civilian nuclear use. This deal is part of a broader US strategy in the Middle East but has raised concerns about the risk of nuclear weapons development in the region.
Key Facts
The US plans to help Saudi Arabia build a civilian nuclear program, including uranium enrichment.
The deal is expected to be announced officially by President Donald Trump's administration.
The agreement could include US companies building a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia.
Some US lawmakers and Israeli officials worry the civilian program could lead to nuclear weapons development.
The deal will be submitted to the US Congress but does not require Congress’s approval to proceed.
Saudi Arabia wants to pursue a civilian nuclear program and sees it as their right.
The US also hopes this agreement will be part of a larger strategy, including Saudi Arabia normalizing relations with Israel and a US defense pact.
The US previously signed a nuclear deal with the United Arab Emirates, but that country does not enrich uranium.
The deal comes amid ongoing tensions and conflict between the US and Iran in the region.
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Ukrainian President Zelenskyy removed Oleksandr Syrskii, his military chief, after protests following the dismissal of the defence minister. This change is part of several leadership shifts in Ukraine’s and Russia’s militaries during their ongoing war. Syrskii was replaced by Mykhailo Drapatyi to help improve military efforts against Russia.
Key Facts
Oleksandr Syrskii was Ukraine’s military chief and helped defend Kyiv early in the war.
Syrskii planned a major counterattack around Kharkiv in 2022 that helped Ukraine recapture important cities.
Syrskii was removed after protests sparked by the firing of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who had conflicts with Syrskii.
Mykhailo Drapatyi was appointed as the new military chief by President Zelenskyy.
Over 10 Ukrainian generals and top officials have been fired during the war for various reasons, including corruption and performance.
Russia has also replaced several military leaders, including commanders connected to key battles and a mercenary group mutiny.
The leadership changes in both countries reflect ongoing struggles to manage the war effectively.
Zelenskyy said the recent changes aim to fix problems in military mobilization and frontline management.
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An independent autopsy could not determine how 18-year-old Nolan Wells died. Wells had gone missing after a boat trip to Horn Island, Mississippi, and his body was found two days later.
Key Facts
Nolan Wells was 18 years old and from Mississippi.
He went missing after a boat trip to Horn Island on July 4.
His body was found on July 6 by a U.S. park ranger.
An independent autopsy was performed in Washington D.C.
The autopsy result said the cause of death is undetermined.
The investigation into his death is still ongoing.
The family’s attorney is Ben Crump.
The news about the autopsy was announced on a Wednesday.
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The article talks about the benefits of growing sugar kelp, a type of seaweed, in the ocean. It explains that sugar kelp farming can help improve health and protect the environment.
Key Facts
Sugar kelp is a kind of seaweed farmed in the ocean.
Ocean farming of seaweed can provide health benefits when eaten.
Seaweed farming can help improve the environment by cleaning water and absorbing carbon.
The report is from 2018 and was presented by Lesley Stahl on 60 Minutes.
Seaweed farming is a growing industry with potential positive impacts on both food and nature.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed his commander-in-chief following several days of protests. He appointed a new commander-in-chief and took action against an online retailer believed to support Russian military operations.
Key Facts
President Zelenskyy fired Ukraine’s commander-in-chief after protests in the country.
A new commander-in-chief was appointed by Zelenskyy.
The protests occurred during a period of cabinet instability.
Ukraine targeted an online retailer it accused of helping Russian military logistics.
The situation reflects ongoing tensions related to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
The change in military leadership happened amid political challenges in Ukraine.
The news was reported by CBS News correspondent Aidan Stretch.
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