Andes pass shuts again after record snow closure; Antarctic winter still refuses to break
The main crossing between Chile and Argentina is closing again today as fresh snow bears down on the Andes—less than a week after it emerged from its longest shutdown in history.
The Los Libertadores/Cristo Redentor crossing spent 34 consecutive days closed, from July 14 to August 18, as repeated snowstorms, strong winds and ice buried the high mountain route.
The previous record closure was 26 days, set in 2023.
At the height of the shutdown, crews on the Chilean side were clearing snow walls and blocks of more than 6 m (20 ft) high, while thousands of trucks accumulated on either side of the border.
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The main crossing between Chile and Argentina is closing again today as fresh snow bears down on the Andes—less than a week after it emerged from its longest shutdown in history.
The Los Libertadores/Cristo Redentor crossing spent 34 consecutive days closed, from July 14 to August 18, as repeated snowstorms, strong winds and ice buried the high mountain route.
The previous record closure was 26 days, set in 2023.
At the height of the shutdown, crews on the Chilean side were clearing snow walls and blocks of more than 6 m (20 ft) high, while thousands of trucks accumulated on either side of the border.
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Mother, 2-year-old daughter killed by lightning strike in Florida
A woman and her child are dead after reportedly being struck by lightning Sunday afternoon in Broward County.
According to the Margate Police Department, first responders received a 911 call at 2:30 p.m. that two people had been struck by lightning and were found lying on a sidewalk in the area of NW 1st Street.
Officers and Margate Fire Rescue personnel arrived and immediately began rendering aid to the victims.
Fire Rescue transported the woman, identified as Kenya Glasgow, 31, to Broward Medical Center in Deerfield Beach.
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A woman and her child are dead after reportedly being struck by lightning Sunday afternoon in Broward County.
According to the Margate Police Department, first responders received a 911 call at 2:30 p.m. that two people had been struck by lightning and were found lying on a sidewalk in the area of NW 1st Street.
Officers and Margate Fire Rescue personnel arrived and immediately began rendering aid to the victims.
Fire Rescue transported the woman, identified as Kenya Glasgow, 31, to Broward Medical Center in Deerfield Beach.
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🇭🇺☄️Brilliant meteor fireball lights up Hungary's night sky in spectacular pre-dawn display on August 22
A spectacular fireball streaked across the Hungarian sky early on Saturday, briefly turning night into day in parts of the country with an intense blue-green flash.
The exceptionally bright meteor appeared at around 1.24 AM, shortly after thunderstorms had moved away and skies began to clear.
Webcams across Hungary captured the rare celestial event, showing a bright object travelling across the sky before disappearing from view, Időkép reported.
The meteor's brightness is estimated to have reached around -10 magnitude, making it an exceptionally powerful fireball and potentially comparable in apparent brightness to the full Moon.
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A spectacular fireball streaked across the Hungarian sky early on Saturday, briefly turning night into day in parts of the country with an intense blue-green flash.
The exceptionally bright meteor appeared at around 1.24 AM, shortly after thunderstorms had moved away and skies began to clear.
Webcams across Hungary captured the rare celestial event, showing a bright object travelling across the sky before disappearing from view, Időkép reported.
The meteor's brightness is estimated to have reached around -10 magnitude, making it an exceptionally powerful fireball and potentially comparable in apparent brightness to the full Moon.
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🇨🇳🇻🇳Rain and flooding from Typhoon Narra hits China and Vietnam - up to a foot of rain in 24 hours for the latter
Typhoon Narra has hit northern Vietnam and parts of southern China, triggering heavy rains and flooding.
Thousands have been displaced, and at least one person has died in northern Vietnam.
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Typhoon Narra has hit northern Vietnam and parts of southern China, triggering heavy rains and flooding.
Thousands have been displaced, and at least one person has died in northern Vietnam.
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🇨🇳🇻🇳Rain and flooding from Typhoon Narra hits China and Vietnam - nearly 16 of rain for former, foot of rain in 24 hours for latter
Typhoon Narra has hit northern Vietnam and parts of southern China, triggering heavy rains and flooding.
Thousands have been displaced, and at least one person has died in northern Vietnam.
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Typhoon Narra has hit northern Vietnam and parts of southern China, triggering heavy rains and flooding.
Thousands have been displaced, and at least one person has died in northern Vietnam.
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🇮🇳Stray dog drags, mauls five-year-old girl in Rajasthan, India; Horrifying attack caught on CCTV
A five-year-old girl suffered serious injuries after a stray dog attacked her near her home in Rajasthan's Kota on Saturday evening, once again drawing attention to the city's continuing stray dog problem.
The child, identified as Namra, was playing in a lane outside her house in the Bengali Colony area of Chawani at around 7.15 pm when the animal suddenly pounced on her.
The dog bit and mauled her repeatedly, leaving her with deep injuries to her head, back and wrists.
She was later taken to a hospital for medical care.
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A five-year-old girl suffered serious injuries after a stray dog attacked her near her home in Rajasthan's Kota on Saturday evening, once again drawing attention to the city's continuing stray dog problem.
The child, identified as Namra, was playing in a lane outside her house in the Bengali Colony area of Chawani at around 7.15 pm when the animal suddenly pounced on her.
The dog bit and mauled her repeatedly, leaving her with deep injuries to her head, back and wrists.
She was later taken to a hospital for medical care.
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☄️Meteor fireball over the Mediterranean Sea (Aug. 23)
This video shows a bright bolide recorded on August 23, at 5:21 local time (equivalent to 3:21 universal time). It was almost as bright as the full Moon.
The event was generated by a rock (a meteoroid) from an asteroid that hit the atmosphere at about 77,000 km/h.
The fireball overflew the Mediterranean Sea.
It began at an altitude of about 87 km over the Mediterranean Sea, moved northeast, and ended at a height of around 28 km over the sea.
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This video shows a bright bolide recorded on August 23, at 5:21 local time (equivalent to 3:21 universal time). It was almost as bright as the full Moon.
The event was generated by a rock (a meteoroid) from an asteroid that hit the atmosphere at about 77,000 km/h.
The fireball overflew the Mediterranean Sea.
It began at an altitude of about 87 km over the Mediterranean Sea, moved northeast, and ended at a height of around 28 km over the sea.
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🇺🇦Dependence Day: A generation after the Soviet Union fell, Ukraine is a ruined proxy of the West
Ukraine could have bridged East and West.
Instead, corruption, nationalism, and Western meddling left it broken.
There is one feeling I often recall from having lived and worked in Ukraine - to be precise, in its most nationalist, full-of-itself city, Lviv - for a total of five years in the 2000s: Thank God, at least there's no violence! That is what I, some other foreigners, and quite a few Ukrainians, too, were thinking and even saying then.
The country was politically and even culturally polarized, extremely corrupt, and a sham 'democracy' even more fake than most of the rest.
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Ukraine could have bridged East and West.
Instead, corruption, nationalism, and Western meddling left it broken.
There is one feeling I often recall from having lived and worked in Ukraine - to be precise, in its most nationalist, full-of-itself city, Lviv - for a total of five years in the 2000s: Thank God, at least there's no violence! That is what I, some other foreigners, and quite a few Ukrainians, too, were thinking and even saying then.
The country was politically and even culturally polarized, extremely corrupt, and a sham 'democracy' even more fake than most of the rest.
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🇷🇺Britain's forgotten proxy war against Russia
London armed Russia's enemies, promised them independence, and walked away when its imperial gamble collapsed.
What is there in common between Ukrainians and the highlanders of the Caucasus, and what parallels can be drawn between Russia and Great Britain in the 19th century, and these same countries in the 21st century?
In the 19th century, the British Empire fought against the Russian Empire using the highlanders in the Caucasus in a way that's very similar to how Britain is now using Ukrainians.
In the 19th century, the Russian and British empires clashed fiercely over spheres of influence in the Caucasus.
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London armed Russia's enemies, promised them independence, and walked away when its imperial gamble collapsed.
What is there in common between Ukrainians and the highlanders of the Caucasus, and what parallels can be drawn between Russia and Great Britain in the 19th century, and these same countries in the 21st century?
In the 19th century, the British Empire fought against the Russian Empire using the highlanders in the Caucasus in a way that's very similar to how Britain is now using Ukrainians.
In the 19th century, the Russian and British empires clashed fiercely over spheres of influence in the Caucasus.
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🇮🇱Israel creates fake think tank in likely attempt to dupe AI chatbots
At a glance, the Hanover Institute for Public Policy looks like a new think tank dedicated to Israel/Palestine.
The organization churns out think-tank style reports on questions such as "Does AIPAC Use 'Dark Money in Elections?" and "Is Israel Carrying out a Deliberate Campaign of Starvation in Gaza?" But the Hanover Institute is not a real think tank.
None of the reports have bylines.
A small disclaimer at the bottom of the webpage notes that the organization was created on behalf of the Israeli Government Advertising Agency by Piro, Inc, a firm co-founded by Daniel Rosenberg, the producer of Spike Lee's "Inside Man." The Hanover Institute's reports - all of which are about Israel and Palestine - appear to be part of an Israeli effort to influence chatbots.
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At a glance, the Hanover Institute for Public Policy looks like a new think tank dedicated to Israel/Palestine.
The organization churns out think-tank style reports on questions such as "Does AIPAC Use 'Dark Money in Elections?" and "Is Israel Carrying out a Deliberate Campaign of Starvation in Gaza?" But the Hanover Institute is not a real think tank.
None of the reports have bylines.
A small disclaimer at the bottom of the webpage notes that the organization was created on behalf of the Israeli Government Advertising Agency by Piro, Inc, a firm co-founded by Daniel Rosenberg, the producer of Spike Lee's "Inside Man." The Hanover Institute's reports - all of which are about Israel and Palestine - appear to be part of an Israeli effort to influence chatbots.
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🇦🇲🇦🇿Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the region: New frontline & new GREAT Game!?
Jeffrey Sachs's unexpected appearance on a little-known Armenian talk show is not a coincidence but a symptom of deeper processes at work.
Why would a world‑class economist suddenly speak about the South Caucasus?
The answer, likely, lies in the shifting geopolitical landscape, where Armenia and Azerbaijan are becoming pawns in a game of great powers.
Armenia's real battle is at home.
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Jeffrey Sachs's unexpected appearance on a little-known Armenian talk show is not a coincidence but a symptom of deeper processes at work.
Why would a world‑class economist suddenly speak about the South Caucasus?
The answer, likely, lies in the shifting geopolitical landscape, where Armenia and Azerbaijan are becoming pawns in a game of great powers.
Armenia's real battle is at home.
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🇷🇺🇺🇦Russia signals willingness to consider new Ukraine peace ideas but insists any deal reflect battlefield conditions
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow remains willing to hear new U.S. proposals for ending the war in Ukraine, while maintaining that any settlement must account for Russia's stated objectives and the territorial situation created by nearly 4½ years of fighting.
Russia says it remains prepared to consider new proposals for ending the war in Ukraine, but Moscow is continuing to insist that any potential settlement account for what it calls the "realities on the ground." Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov made the comments in an interview with News.ru published Friday, signaling that Moscow is still open to negotiations with Washington even as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have largely stalled amid the war in Iran.
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Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow remains willing to hear new U.S. proposals for ending the war in Ukraine, while maintaining that any settlement must account for Russia's stated objectives and the territorial situation created by nearly 4½ years of fighting.
Russia says it remains prepared to consider new proposals for ending the war in Ukraine, but Moscow is continuing to insist that any potential settlement account for what it calls the "realities on the ground." Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov made the comments in an interview with News.ru published Friday, signaling that Moscow is still open to negotiations with Washington even as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have largely stalled amid the war in Iran.
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BEST OF THE WEB: Why medicine won't cure you—and how that's finally changing
The predatory business model that requires lifelong patients faces its first federal challenge with Kennedy's historic SSRI initiative When I was in high school, I observed a few discouraging events which led me to postulate: "no industry, organization or cause tasked with solving a problem will actually solve it because the problem disappearing threatens their economic livelihood or political power." Since that time, I have observed more examples than I can count in so many different spheres that I've accepted this dynamic is a common feature of society, and likewise, have come across many similar observations by others, my favorite of which was: Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program — Milton Friedman Recently a noteworthy examples of this principle came to my attention after I learned all of the online dating...
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The predatory business model that requires lifelong patients faces its first federal challenge with Kennedy's historic SSRI initiative When I was in high school, I observed a few discouraging events which led me to postulate: "no industry, organization or cause tasked with solving a problem will actually solve it because the problem disappearing threatens their economic livelihood or political power." Since that time, I have observed more examples than I can count in so many different spheres that I've accepted this dynamic is a common feature of society, and likewise, have come across many similar observations by others, my favorite of which was: Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program — Milton Friedman Recently a noteworthy examples of this principle came to my attention after I learned all of the online dating...
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Europe dodges a Rhine crisis, but for the worst possible reason
The Rhine has slightly risen from its mid-August record low (when Kaub's water level gauge - at the river's decisive chokepoint - was below 10 cm), but the relief is mostly optical.
Barges still cannot carry normal loads through it, leaving the industrial corridor from Rotterdam and Antwerp to southern Germany, eastern France and Switzerland short of transport capacity.
The immediate result is expensive freight, constrained chemical production and uneven fuel supply.
However, the more troubling conclusion is that Europe is avoiding a deeper disruption only because its factories and consumers are already demanding less.
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The Rhine has slightly risen from its mid-August record low (when Kaub's water level gauge - at the river's decisive chokepoint - was below 10 cm), but the relief is mostly optical.
Barges still cannot carry normal loads through it, leaving the industrial corridor from Rotterdam and Antwerp to southern Germany, eastern France and Switzerland short of transport capacity.
The immediate result is expensive freight, constrained chemical production and uneven fuel supply.
However, the more troubling conclusion is that Europe is avoiding a deeper disruption only because its factories and consumers are already demanding less.
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Shallow magnitude 6.0 earthquake strikes off the coast of Timor-Leste along the Pacific Ring of Fire
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Lospalos in the Banda Sea late Monday night, along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
The U.S. Geological Survey said that the earthquake struck at 11:10 p.m. local time about 134 miles north northeast of Lospalos at a depth of about 6.2 miles.
Located just east of Indonesia, this earthquake adds to a busy stretch of seismic activity across the volatile Pacific Ring of Fire following other recent major quakes in the region.
The Ring of Fire is a 25,000-mile belt of volcanoes and earthquake zones surrounding much of the Pacific Ocean.
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A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Lospalos in the Banda Sea late Monday night, along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
The U.S. Geological Survey said that the earthquake struck at 11:10 p.m. local time about 134 miles north northeast of Lospalos at a depth of about 6.2 miles.
Located just east of Indonesia, this earthquake adds to a busy stretch of seismic activity across the volatile Pacific Ring of Fire following other recent major quakes in the region.
The Ring of Fire is a 25,000-mile belt of volcanoes and earthquake zones surrounding much of the Pacific Ocean.
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Tornado tears through French village, leaving dozens hurt and homes ravaged
A tornado has torn through the village of Pomas in south-west France, injuring 39 people and damaging hundreds of homes.
Authorities said 15 people were taken to hospital and two were in a critical condition.
One man said his pregnant wife was injured after their house collapsed on her.
More than 120 emergency workers were deployed to the village south of Carcassonne after winds reaching 117km/h (73mph) tore roofs off houses and damaged an estimated 300 homes on Monday.
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A tornado has torn through the village of Pomas in south-west France, injuring 39 people and damaging hundreds of homes.
Authorities said 15 people were taken to hospital and two were in a critical condition.
One man said his pregnant wife was injured after their house collapsed on her.
More than 120 emergency workers were deployed to the village south of Carcassonne after winds reaching 117km/h (73mph) tore roofs off houses and damaged an estimated 300 homes on Monday.
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🇪🇸Severe summer hailstorms and floods trigger destruction across eastern Spain
A torrential downpour and hailstorm has brought fresh chaos to parts of Spain.
The east coast city of Tarragona experienced some of the worst weather, with one man filmed being swept down a street turned into a river as another still on his feet tried to keep up with him by running along the pavement.
Part of a shopping centre roof came down during the storm, although no-one is thought to have been injured.
The extreme weather also caused the deaths of around 100 pigeons in Tarragona Port which were reportedly caught out by hail.
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A torrential downpour and hailstorm has brought fresh chaos to parts of Spain.
The east coast city of Tarragona experienced some of the worst weather, with one man filmed being swept down a street turned into a river as another still on his feet tried to keep up with him by running along the pavement.
Part of a shopping centre roof came down during the storm, although no-one is thought to have been injured.
The extreme weather also caused the deaths of around 100 pigeons in Tarragona Port which were reportedly caught out by hail.
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🇾🇪Lightning strikes kill 4 people in Yemen
Eight people were killed or injured by lightning strikes in the past few hours across the governorates of Hadramout, Dhamar, Hajjah and Hodeidah, amid a wave of heavy rainfall affecting several parts of Yemen.
In Hadramout, one worker was killed and four others injured when lightning struck a concrete-block factory in the Tamhān area of Wadi Amd.
Local sources said the deceased was identified as Abu Waseem, while some of the injured were in critical condition.
In Hodeidah, Abdul Salam Mohammed Ali al-Shab was killed by a lightning strike in the Baneen area of Bara District.
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Eight people were killed or injured by lightning strikes in the past few hours across the governorates of Hadramout, Dhamar, Hajjah and Hodeidah, amid a wave of heavy rainfall affecting several parts of Yemen.
In Hadramout, one worker was killed and four others injured when lightning struck a concrete-block factory in the Tamhān area of Wadi Amd.
Local sources said the deceased was identified as Abu Waseem, while some of the injured were in critical condition.
In Hodeidah, Abdul Salam Mohammed Ali al-Shab was killed by a lightning strike in the Baneen area of Bara District.
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