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Three Greek firefighters die as wildfires threaten parts of southern Europe
Three Greek firefighters have died while battling wildfires in Crete and the Peloponnese. The fires in Crete were exacerbated by gale-force winds, leading to the evacuation of several villages. In Spain, a fourth heatwave has begun, complicating firefighting efforts as authorities warn of the potential for wildfires to reignite. This year, over 207,000 hectares of land have been burned by wildfires in Spain, marking a significant environmental crisis.
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Veteran Ugandan opposition leader collapses in court and in ICU, his wife says
Kizza Besigye, a Ugandan opposition leader, has been admitted to an intensive care unit in Kampala after collapsing during his treason trial. His wife reported that he is currently unconscious and unresponsive. Besigye has been in detention since November 2024 and has been charged with treason alongside his aide. The ICU where he is being treated is heavily guarded, and his family has requested that he receive treatment from his personal physician.
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Australia takes Telegram to court over alleged failure to remove 'pro-terror' material
Australia is suing Telegram for not removing pro-terror material, including videos of the Christchurch shootings. The eSafety commissioner stated that Telegram could face fines of up to A$54.6 million for violating safety obligations. The platform has been accused of hosting extremist content that is easy to find. Telegram has denied the allegations and plans to contest them in court.
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Singapore fines French teen $465 for viral straw-licking stunt
Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, a 19-year-old French student, was fined S$600 for licking a straw from a vending machine and returning it. He pleaded guilty to public nuisance after posting a video of the act on Instagram. The vending machine company, iJooz, replaced all 500 straws in the machine following the incident. Maximilien expressed remorse for his actions, acknowledging the consequences of what he initially thought was a playful act.
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Anthony Fauci refuses to answer questions during tense US Senate hearing about Covid origins
During a US Senate hearing, Anthony Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment over 100 times, fearing prosecution for perjury. He has previously testified about Covid-19 at several congressional hearings. Fauci described the allegations against him as preposterous and stated that he felt targeted by Republican lawmakers. His refusal to answer questions led to discussions about holding him in contempt of Congress.
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Watch: Japanese mall explodes after magnitude 6.8 earthquake
Search teams are looking for survivors in the partially collapsed Aeon shopping mall after a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Japan. Witnesses reported an explosion and smoke at the mall following the quake. The earthquake occurred in Kumamoto prefecture on Kyushu island. The mall was evacuated before the explosion, which affected the second floor.
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SwitchBot makes a better fan
The SwitchBot Battery Circulator Fan 2 Pro has been released, featuring native Matter support and a powerful 70-hour battery. It is designed for portability and can operate quietly for extended periods. The fan has the highest wind velocity and longest throw distance of any SwitchBot fan to date. Availability is currently limited to North America, with a UK and European model expected to include additional features.
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Stunning photos capture July's Buck Moon over the UK
The July full Moon, known as the Buck Moon, illuminated the UK sky on Wednesday night. It reached its peak at 15:36 BST, captivating skygazers who captured stunning photos. This Moon is the second of three full Moons during the summer season. The next full Moon, the Sturgeon Moon, will rise at the end of August.
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NASA Johnson Interns Shaping the Future of Exploration
NASA interns at Johnson Space Center are gaining hands-on experience while contributing to real missions. Macie Landon is one of the interns, focusing on the Moon Base Program through graphic design and multimedia tools. She has developed a passion for storytelling to inspire future generations about NASA's work. Landon encourages students interested in STEM to pursue their genuine interests.
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Death toll in Japan earthquake rises to 30 as aftershock and heat hamper rescue efforts
The death toll from the recent earthquake in Japan has risen to 30, with ongoing rescue efforts hampered by aftershocks and extreme heat. The 6.8-magnitude quake struck Kumamoto prefecture, injuring at least 62 people. Approximately 5,000 Self-Defence Forces personnel are deployed to assist in the search for survivors. Many homes are without electricity and running water, prompting emergency aid efforts.
The GuardianRead brief →Rooms — choose a topic
Five entries into current topics.
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Three carefully selected English-language videos from AI, health and geopolitics.
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A long-form technical conversation with one of the researchers behind modern transformer systems.
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Watch on YouTube → GEOPOLITICSEurope, Russia and preparedness for a wider conflict
A discussion of European security, NATO resilience and the strategic risks posed by Russia.
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