Rising cost of living and housing insecurity identified as challenges in supporting children’s learning – The Irish Times

On August 7, a KLM Boeing 777 flight from Sao Paulo to Amsterdam experienced a frightening incident when a power bank ignited in an overhead locker, filling the cabin with smoke. Passengers covered their mouths with scarves as crew members responded with fire extinguishers; fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the flight continued safely to its destination. Want More Context? 🔎

A criminal gang in the UK, which stole nearly £700,000 from cash machines using specialist tools and stolen vehicles, was arrested shortly after boasting about evading police capture. The five members, including Noel Reilly and Simon Pagett, were found guilty of conspiracy to burgle and will be sentenced later, following thorough police investigations that gathered substantial evidence against them. Want More Context? 🔎

A second man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the fatal injury of Robert Brown, found on a bench near the River Nene in Northampton on August 1. The 41-year-old suspect remains in custody, while a 38-year-old man is on bail; police are urging witnesses from the area around the towpath to come forward to assist in the investigation. Want More Context? 🔎

Protests in Tel Aviv are escalating as families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza demand government action amid fears that Prime Minister Netanyahu's plan to intensify military operations could lead to further casualties. With over 60,000 Palestinians dead and ongoing humanitarian crises in Gaza, dissenting voices warn of the risks posed to both hostages and civilians. Want More Context? 🔎

Four members of a British family, including two 20-year-old twins, their 55-year-old father, and 51-year-old mother, were killed in a head-on car crash in Portugal while traveling from the Algarve to Mourao. The accident also claimed the life of a 19-year-old girlfriend and a Portuguese man, leading local officials to declare two days of mourning. Want More Context? 🔎

The EU will implement a new Entry and Exit System (EES) starting October 12, aimed at replacing passport stamping with digital checks using biometric data at border crossings for non-EU nationals. The system will be rolled out gradually across 25 EU countries and Schengen members, with specific checks at the Port of Dover, St Pancras International, and Folkestone, while manual stamping will remain in Ireland and Cyprus. Want More Context? 🔎