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Turkish stray dog law sparks opposition anger

Legislators approved Tuesday a new law aimed at removing millions of stray dogs from Turkey's streets that animal lovers fear will lead to many of the dogs being killed or ending up in neglected, overcrowded shelters. Some also say the law could also be used to target the opposition which made huge gains in the country's local elections months ago.

Deputies in the Turkish Grand National Assembly approved the legislation following a marathon overnight session as the government pushed to have it passed before the summer recess as demonstrations in cities across Turkey saw thousands call for the scrapping of an article that would allow some stray animals to be euthanized. Opposition lawmakers, animal welfare groups and others have dubbed the bill the "massacre law."

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China reports 7 more deaths from torrential rains, raising toll to 22

Torrential rains have left at least seven people dead and three others missing in southeastern China, state media said Tuesday, raising the death toll from a tropical storm to 22.

All the deaths have been in Hunan province. Heavy rains have been falling on eastern Hunan for days as Tropical Storm Gaemi moved inland after making landfall at typhoon strength in neighboring Fujian province on the Chinese coast.

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Sicilians deal so well with drought that tourists don't notice

Lakes are dry and fields are scorched by heat in Sicily, but water is still gushing copiously for tourists.

After an almost totally rain-free year on the Italian island, fountains inside Agrigento's famous archaeological park are still flowing, and pools in rows of hotels are full.

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Evacuations ordered in southern Greece as wildfires return to fire-struck island

Authorities have ordered multiple evacuations due to a wildfire on the island of Evia in southern Greece, with conditions worsening after nightfall when firefighting planes and helicopters were unable to operate.

The Fire Service said evacuations were ordered in four mountainous areas in the south of the island, located about 90 kilometers (55 miles) northeast of Athens. Several hundred firefighters and volunteers were deployed.

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Wildfire smoke may be worse for your brain than other air pollution

Wildfire smoke may be worse for brain health than other types of air pollution, according to new research linking it to an increased risk of dementia.

The findings, reported Monday at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Philadelphia, come as millions spent the weekend under air quality warnings from wildfires spewing smoke across the western U.S.

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Western diplomat expects 'symbolic' Israeli retaliation against Hezbollah

A Western diplomat whose country is involved in diplomatic efforts to prevent a major escalation in the fighting between Hezbollah and Israel says he anticipates Israel will keep its retaliation within boundaries that would not lead to an all-out war, similar to the exchange of strikes between Iran and Israel earlier this year after Israel struck an Iranian consular building in Syria.

“It’s clear that they (Israel) want to take a stance but without leading to a generalized conflict,” the diplomat said. “It’s sure that there will be a retaliation. It will be symbolic. It may be spectacular, but it will not be a reason for both parties to engage in a general escalation.” He spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak publicly.

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Paris Olympics brace for heat wave following soggy start

The 2024 Olympics famously launched with a rain-soaked opening ceremony that drenched athletes and spectators alike. Now, they're facing the opposite experience Tuesday: a heat wave.

Most of France is under a heat wave warning Tuesday, with temperatures in Paris and surrounding areas expected to climb to 35 C (95 F) or higher, the national weather agency said. Air conditioning is far less common in homes, shops and restaurants than in places like the United States.

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Probe of soldiers over alleged sexual abuse fuels tension in Israel

Nine Israeli soldiers were due to appear before a military court for an initial hearing Tuesday over what a defense lawyer said were allegations of sexual abuse of a Palestinian at a shadowy facility where Israel has held prisoners from Gaza during the war.

The investigation has stoked tensions between the military command and hard-line nationalists in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government who advocate an even harsher hand in Israel's conduct of the 10-month-old war in Gaza.

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'Clues' emerge from strike that killed 12 children in Golan Heights

Two days after a rocket slammed into a soccer pitch in the Israel-controlled Golan Heights, killing 12 children, many questions remain about the attack on the Druze town of Majdal Shams.

Israel accused Hezbollah in Lebanon of deliberately targeting civilians, while Hezbollah quickly issued a rare denial of any responsibility for the attack.

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How two Syrians in Rome are using hummus to help refugees and migrants

A pair of Syrians have created a community that provides support to migrants and vulnerable people in Rome, by sharing the flavors of a homeland torn by civil war.

Founded in 2018 as a "humanitarian catering service," HummusTown was originally aimed at raising funds for families and friends in Syria.

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