In the French Alps village of Montchavin, a cluster of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cases has been linked to the consumption of false morel mushrooms. These mushrooms, which locals believed provided health benefits, contain toxic hydrazines that break down into dangerous neurotoxins. Sixteen villagers developed ALS after years of eating the mushrooms, a rate far exceeding the global average. Scientists, including Dr. Peter Spencer, discovered a direct correlation between false morel consumption and the disease, highlighting the irreversible consequences of misidentifying and consuming this mushroom variety.
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For the first time in 40 years of record-keeping, the seasonal upwelling system in the Gulf of Panama failed to occur, raising concerns about the future. This critical process, which typically brings cool, nutrient-rich waters to the surface, did not happen, leading to diminished temperature drops and productivity spikes. Researchers suspect a reduction in winds as the primary cause, though the exact reason remains unclear. Further research is underway to understand the cause and its potential consequences for fisheries and coral reefs, which depend on the upwelling.
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Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was admitted to a hospital in Brasilia due to feeling ill, his son reported. Bolsonaro has experienced recurring intestinal problems stemming from a 2018 stabbing, leading to multiple surgeries, with the most recent in April. He presented with symptoms including severe hiccups, vomiting, and low blood pressure. This hospitalization follows medical treatments and a recent Supreme Court sentence of 27 years in prison for his alleged involvement in a coup plot.
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The US has designated Colombia as a country that has “demonstrably failed” to meet its obligations to control drug trafficking, citing record cocaine production under President Gustavo Petro’s administration. Colombia’s government responded by announcing it would stop purchasing weapons from the US. The US attributed the surge to Petro’s policies, specifically peace talks with armed groups involved in drug trafficking, despite Petro’s claims that the increases occurred during the previous administration. While the US has not cut off aid, it has put pressure on the Colombian government to take more action, opening the possibility for recertification if aggressive steps are taken.
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During a G7 meeting, the United States proposed imposing increased tariffs on China and India due to their continued purchases of Russian oil. Japan’s Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato expressed that Japan would not support this action due to its commitment to WTO guidelines. Japan imports a small amount of oil from Russia and considers the Sakhalin-2 project a key LNG supplier, which is not subject to sanctions. G7 representatives are currently formulating a new sanctions package, aiming to finalize it within the next two weeks.
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A new investigation has revealed that Russia operates a vast network of over 200 facilities designed to re-educate, Russify, and militarize Ukrainian children. These facilities, located across Russia and occupied Ukrainian territories, include camps, schools, and military bases where children are subjected to patriotic indoctrination, combat drills, and even drone assembly training. The report, by the Humanitarian Research Lab at Yale, highlights the systematic deportation and militarization of children, violating international laws and potentially constituting war crimes. Furthermore, the investigation provides irrefutable evidence that contradicts Russian denials, with a significant number of facilities directly operated by the Russian government and showing signs of expansion.
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The 11th Army Corps has accused Russian forces of disguising themselves as civilians during a recent sabotage mission in Yampil, Donetsk region. The Russian troops allegedly hid in civilian buildings, using local residents as human shields, which is a violation of international humanitarian law. The 11th Corps reported that the troops were detected and neutralized, with the area remaining under Ukrainian control. This alleged tactic is reportedly a recurring issue, with similar incidents reported by other Ukrainian units in the past.
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Ukrainian forces reportedly struck the Saratov oil refinery overnight, causing explosions and a fire at the facility, which produces over 20 types of petroleum products and supplies the Russian military. This attack, carried out in cooperation between Ukrainian forces, is part of Kyiv’s escalating campaign against Russian oil infrastructure. The refinery, located in southwestern Russia, has been targeted previously, and its destruction comes as Russia faces a mounting gasoline shortage. While Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have intercepted numerous drones, the Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims.
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The Kyiv Independent reported that Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) orchestrated explosions in Vladivostok, Russia, as a retaliatory measure against troops accused of war crimes. The targeted unit, the 47th Airborne Assault Battalion, was stationed in the Primorsky Krai region, approximately 6,000 kilometers east of Ukraine. The HUR source stated the battalion, known for its alleged brutality, fought in several Ukrainian cities. While Russian authorities attributed the blasts to a gas equipment malfunction, this operation marks the second such incident near Vladivostok this year, following a similar attack in May.
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A UN commission of inquiry has determined that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, citing the scale of killings, aid blockades, and displacement as evidence. The report, which is the strongest UN finding to date, accuses senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, of inciting genocide. The COI’s conclusions are based on interviews, verified documents, and satellite imagery, and it concluded Israeli authorities had committed “four of the five genocidal acts” listed in the 1948 genocide convention. Israel has vehemently rejected the report and accused the commission of having a political agenda.
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John Q. Hosedrinker