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Esme Rice was sexually assaulted on a London train and reported it to the British Transport Police (BTP) via their text service. After 13 hours without a response, she shared her experience on social media, which led to the police opening an investigation and acknowledging the delay.
Key Facts
The assault happened on the Elizabeth Line in London late on a Saturday night.
Two men sexually harassed Esme Rice by stroking her back and groping her as she tried to leave the train.
Esme reported the incident using BTP’s non-emergency text line (61016) but did not get a timely reply.
After waiting 13 hours with no contact, Esme posted videos about the assault on Instagram and TikTok.
Her social media posts gained thousands of views and many comments from women with similar experiences.
Shortly after Esme’s public posts, BTP contacted her and confirmed an investigation had started.
BTP’s Assistant Chief Constable admitted the delay was too long and said an internal review is underway.
BTP has a long-standing public safety campaign titled "See it. Say it. Sorted" aimed at encouraging people to report incidents on trains and stations.
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Prince Harry and Meghan will stay with their two children at a royal estate during their visit to the UK next month. The visit will last several days and includes Harry’s work with military charity events and other causes.
Key Facts
Prince Harry, Meghan, and their children Archie (7) and Lilibet (5) will stay at a royal estate in the UK.
This is their first family trip to Britain in four years.
The exact royal residence has not been disclosed.
They will also use private accommodation during the trip.
Harry’s visit marks the start of a year-long lead-up to the Invictus Games in Birmingham in July.
Harry has declined stays at Buckingham Palace before due to privacy and safety concerns.
No extra palace security has been publicly offered for this trip; security is managed by the UK Home Office.
The King last saw his grandchildren publicly in 2022, and Harry met the King for tea in early 2024.
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A record-breaking heatwave in the UK will end this weekend as cooler air moves in from the Atlantic. Temperatures will drop across most areas by Sunday, but eastern and south-eastern England will stay hot through Saturday with an amber heat warning in place.
Key Facts
A strong heatwave has affected the UK, breaking temperature records.
Cooler air will arrive starting Sunday, ending the heatwave for most regions.
Eastern and south-eastern England will remain hot on Saturday, with temperatures in the high twenties to low thirties Celsius.
An amber warning for extreme heat is active until 9 pm Saturday in south-east England and East Anglia.
Weather fronts from the Atlantic will bring cloud and scattered showers on Sunday.
Scotland, Northern Ireland, and western parts will have cooler conditions and some rain on Saturday.
Two heatwaves have already occurred this summer in the UK, setting new monthly temperature records.
Long-term forecasts predict above-average temperatures and possible more heatwaves before autumn begins on September 1.
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The United States carried out strikes on Iranian missile and drone storage sites. These strikes were in response to what the U.S. says was an Iranian attack on a commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz. This exchange has created uncertainty about the stability of the agreement between the U.S. and Iran.
Key Facts
The U.S. attacked Iranian missile and drone storage locations.
The strikes were a response to an alleged Iranian attack on a commercial ship.
The incident took place in the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route.
The U.S. calls the attack by Iran a reason for retaliation.
These actions happen amid a ceasefire or agreement between the U.S. and Iran.
The exchanges have caused concerns about whether the U.S.-Iran agreement will hold.
Kimberly Halkett reported on the situation.
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A review found 260 babies died or were seriously injured due to long-standing failures in maternity care at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. Families affected by the tragedies, including Gary Andrews and Dr. Jack Hawkins, played a key role in exposing the problems and pushing for changes.
Key Facts
The Nottingham maternity review was led by Donna Ockenden and published after serious failings were found at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
260 babies either died or suffered serious injury due to systemic issues in maternity services.
Jack and Sarah Hawkins lost their daughter Harriet in 2016; an external review later found 13 care failures and said her death could likely have been prevented.
The initial hospital investigation incorrectly blamed an infection and found no fault, but families challenged these findings.
Gary and Sarah Andrews lost their daughter Wynter in 2019 due to missed warning signs and poor staff handovers during a busy hospital shift.
The Care Quality Commission prosecuted the hospital trust over Wynter’s death, resulting in an £800,000 fine after the trust admitted failures.
Staff shortages and unsafe practices had been previously highlighted by midwives before the deaths occurred.
The campaign by affected families was crucial in prompting the wider investigation and report into the maternity services.
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Andy Burnham, a leading candidate to become the UK Prime Minister, is being urged by senior figures to call an early election to gain a clear mandate for change. Meanwhile, the UK and much of Europe are experiencing record-breaking heatwaves with temperatures exceeding 40°C.
Key Facts
Lord Case, former Cabinet Secretary, advises Andy Burnham to be honest with the public and call an early election.
Polls show Burnham’s Labour party slightly ahead of Reform UK but with a very narrow margin.
Former Prime Minister Sir John Major warns Burnham may not be ready to lead and suggests the UK should rejoin the EU's single market within five years.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood plans to introduce an immigration bill to create faster, safe paths for refugees, despite concerns from Labour MPs.
The UK is facing a record heatwave, with temperatures over 37°C, and Europe is experiencing its fifth day of soaring heat above 40°C.
Prince Harry will visit his mother Princess Diana’s grave with his children during their UK visit next month.
England football striker Harry Kane was reportedly freed from a "curse" ahead of a match against Panama.
Tens of thousands of England football fans have gathered in New York ahead of the World Cup match against Panama.
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A Boeing 777 made a very low flight over an airfield in Central Texas during a test flight. The plane was flying about 25 feet above the ground, which caught attention and led to an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Key Facts
The low pass happened over Horseshoe Bay Resort Jet Center airport in Central Texas.
The plane was a Boeing 777 owned by Jetran, a Texas-based company.
The flight was a final test before the plane was delivered to Qatar Airways Cargo.
The plane had Qatar Airways colors but was not operated by them nor were the pilots from Qatar Airways.
The pilots notified air traffic control before doing the low pass over runway 17.
The FAA is investigating the low pass flight.
A former safety board chair said the pilots might lose their licenses due to the risky maneuver.
The flight appeared planned with an audience watching and videoing the low pass.
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A giraffe named Gracie escaped from a ranch in Texas and wandered around the Texas Hill Country for two weeks. She was found on Friday, just a few miles away from the ranch where she got loose.
Key Facts
Gracie is a giraffe that escaped from a ranch in Texas.
She was missing and roaming the Texas Hill Country for two weeks.
On Friday, Gracie was spotted near the ranch she escaped from.
The search for Gracie lasted for two weeks.
The location where she was found is only a few miles from the ranch.
The story was reported by CBS News and covered by Mark Strassmann.
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The United States carried out airstrikes on Iran after Iran attacked a cargo ship with a drone in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command said the strikes targeted Iranian sites that store missiles and drones.
Key Facts
Iran launched a drone attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday.
The U.S. responded with airstrikes on Friday.
The airstrikes targeted Iran’s missile and drone storage facilities.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key waterway for global shipping.
President Donald Trump called Iran’s attack a "foolish violation" of a ceasefire.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) oversees military operations in the region.
The U.S. strikes were a direct response to Iran’s drone attack.
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Red flag wildfire warnings were issued on Friday in eight Western U.S. states. Strong, dry winds are creating very dangerous fire conditions across a large area from the Pacific Northwest to the Desert Southwest.
Key Facts
Eight states in the Western U.S. have red flag wildfire warnings.
These warnings signal a high risk of wildfires due to weather conditions.
Dry air and strong gusty winds are causing these dangerous fire conditions.
The affected area stretches from the Pacific Northwest down to the Desert Southwest.
Red flag warnings alert people to be careful and prepared for possible wildfires.
Firefighters and emergency officials monitor these conditions closely to respond quickly.
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A magnitude 4.9 earthquake hit northern Venezuela days after two strong earthquakes caused heavy damage and hundreds of deaths. The country is still dealing with rescue efforts, many injured people, and thousands missing after the earlier 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes.
Key Facts
A new 4.9 magnitude earthquake occurred 61 km northwest of Maracay, Venezuela.
The tremor was felt in Maracay and the capital, Caracas.
Earlier, Venezuela was hit by two large earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude.
At least 920 people died in the earlier earthquakes, with expectations the toll could rise above 10,000.
Over 3,360 people were injured, and more than 172 remain trapped under rubble.
More than 50,000 people are reported missing after the earthquakes.
Some areas, including parts of La Guaira state, have restricted access for safety reasons.
Residents have organized rescue and supply efforts, using vehicles as ambulances and sharing information on social media after restrictions were eased.
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The death toll from recent earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to over 900 people. Rescue teams are working quickly to find survivors during the critical time when they have the best chance to rescue people alive.
Key Facts
More than 900 people have died in the Venezuelan earthquakes.
The disaster involves multiple earthquakes striking Venezuela.
Rescue workers are actively searching for survivors.
There is one day left in the crucial "golden" window for finding people alive after the quake.
The "golden" window refers to the first 72 hours after an earthquake when survivors are most likely to be rescued.
The situation remains urgent as rescuers race against time.
The article is based on reports by CBS News and correspondent Camilo Montoya-Galvez.
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KWN, an R&B singer from East London, rose from working delivery jobs to selling out venues worldwide within two years. After independently selling her demo online, she signed with RCA Records and gained fame with her hit "Worst Behaviour," including a popular remix featuring US singer Kehlani.
Key Facts
KWN's real name is Khyra Wilson; she is 26 years old and from Walthamstow, East London.
Two years ago, she delivered parcels for Amazon and worked part-time in a restaurant before her music career took off.
She sold 5,500 copies of her demo online at £1.99 each to raise money for a full release.
KWN signed with RCA Records before Christmas 2024, a major label home to well-known R&B artists.
Her song "Worst Behaviour" became popular worldwide, especially after a remix featuring US R&B star Kehlani.
The remix video showed both singers despite them being sick during filming, and the song was released on Valentine's Day 2025.
KWN performed at famous venues, including the Sydney Opera House, drawing over 2,500 fans.
KWN and Kehlani dated last year, and their presence has made an impact on queer representation in R&B music.
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Many people with hidden disabilities like autism and ADHD find music festivals challenging because their needs are not always recognized. Some festivals are starting to create special quiet spaces and provide helpful items to make events more comfortable for these attendees.
Key Facts
Over 15% of people in the UK are neurodivergent, meaning their brains work differently from typical patterns.
Neurodivergent attendees often face difficulties at festivals because their disabilities are not visible.
Festival-goers with ADHD, autism, and similar conditions have shared experiences of feeling overwhelmed by crowds, noise, and lack of quiet areas.
Some have needed to leave events early or find alternative accommodation due to sensory overload.
The UK’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee issued guidelines recommending improvements in festival accessibility.
Recommendations include better infrastructure, security, training for staff, and ticketing options designed with input from disability-led groups.
Download Festival introduced a sensory space with noise-cancelling headphones and calming activities for neurodivergent attendees.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission ruled that Live Nation, a major festival organizer, must improve accessibility at its events.
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A South African Netflix drama called The Polygamist explores the complicated life of a wealthy man with multiple wives and a mistress. The show has become very popular in Africa and other countries, sparking conversations about polygamy, marriage, and family issues.
Key Facts
The Polygamist is a 22-episode drama in the Zulu language.
It starts at the funeral of Jonasi Gomora, a wealthy businessman with two wives and a mistress.
The story shows their relationships and family conflicts over five years.
The show was released on Netflix on June 12 and quickly became a top trend.
It is based on a 2012 novel by Zimbabwean author Sue Nyathi.
The series was made by Netflix and South African company Stained Glass TV, with input from daughters of former South African president Jacob Zuma.
The show has been most watched in South Africa and Kenya, and popular in Nigeria and other countries.
It has triggered discussions on social media and inspired cultural reactions like taxi decorations in Nairobi.
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A small number of people from Western countries, including the US, Britain, and Canada, have moved to Russia seeking a lifestyle based on traditional Christian values. Russia introduced a "Shared Values visa" to attract these migrants, allowing them temporary residency if they share Russia’s spiritual and moral beliefs. However, some migrants find the reality harder than expected due to restrictions on information and other challenges.
Key Facts
Leo Hare, an American from Texas, moved to Russia in 2023 after receiving asylum.
Russia promotes itself as a country upholding traditional Christian family values, contrasting with Western cultural changes.
The Shared Values visa was launched by President Vladimir Putin in 2024 for citizens of 47 countries Russia calls "unfriendly."
The visa offers up to three years of temporary residency without requiring language or history tests initially.
Applicants must declare they reject Western "destructive neoliberal ideology" and support Russian moral values.
After three years, visa holders must pass language and history exams to convert to permanent residency or leave Russia.
Over 3,400 people had applied to this visa program by spring 2026, but approval numbers are unclear.
The visa does not include financial or housing support; applicants pay a fee and must pass medical and criminal checks.
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Relations between Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and U.S. President Donald Trump have worsened significantly since 2025. What was once a close political alliance has turned into public disputes and personal insults, damaging their diplomatic ties.
Key Facts
Meloni was once called the "Trump whisperer" and attended President Trump's second inauguration in January 2025.
Early in 2025, she represented the EU in talks to ease tensions about U.S. tariffs on European goods.
Tensions began in March 2025 when Italy blocked U.S. military planes from using a NATO base without parliament approval, due to Italy’s constitution and public opposition to war.
Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV on social media, calling him "weak on crime," which Meloni publicly condemned because Italy is a deeply Catholic country.
Trump then criticized Meloni personally, saying she was "not the same person" and blamed her for changes in Italy’s politics.
At the June 2025 G7 summit, Meloni and Trump appeared to reconcile after a private talk.
Shortly after, Trump claimed Meloni begged for a photo with him, a statement Meloni strongly denied as false.
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A police detective and a child protection expert suspected Jeffrey Donaldson of child abuse a year before he was officially named in a police complaint. Donaldson was found guilty of 18 sex abuse charges and awaits sentencing later this year.
Key Facts
A detective and a church safeguarding officer thought Jeffrey Donaldson was a secret child abuser in 2023 after talking with one victim.
The victim did not name Donaldson in their first meeting with police but described a "very high profile" person.
The church safeguarding officer and detective chief inspector later confirmed their suspicion that Donaldson was the abuser.
A former senior police officer said this suspicion should have been reported to the PSNI chief constable.
Allegations include abuse that happened between 1985 and 2008 when victims were children.
Donaldson was found guilty of 18 charges, including one count of rape.
Donaldson’s wife was found legally responsible for helping him in five related charges.
Police have not commented further due to ongoing legal proceedings.
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