Where there’s fire, there’s smoke: Los Angeles blazes raise fears of ‘super toxic’ lung damage

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Concerns that dangerous fine particle pollution can become embedded in bloodstream and lungs

The Los Angeles wildfires have claimed the lives of at least 24 people and have burned more than 100,000 structures. While the focus is understandably on avoiding the flames, another immediate danger lurks across the county and beyond, one more difficult to escape: smoke.

The most dangerous component of wildfire smoke is fine particle pollution, also known as PM2.5 or soot. These tiny particles, smaller than one 20th the width of a human hair, can, if inhaled, become embedded in the bloodstream and lungs. It is estimated that about one-third of all particulate matter pollution in the US now comes from wildfire smoke.

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Some Israeli soldiers refuse to keep fighting in Gaza – Yahoo! Voices

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  1. Some Israeli soldiers refuse to keep fighting in Gaza  Yahoo! Voices
  2. Israeli soldiers refuse to fight until Gaza ceasefire is signed  The Telegraph
  3. Growing number of Israeli soldiers say they will lay down arms if there is no ceasefire in Gaza  Yahoo! Voices
  4. No more ‘cannon fodder’: Parents of troops, slain hostages demand Gaza deal  The Times of Israel
  5. 'Movements like these end wars': Israelis attend conference calling for IDF refusal  Haaretz
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At least 100 illegal miners have died while trapped in a South African mine for months, group says – The Associated Press

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  1. At least 100 illegal miners have died while trapped in a South African mine for months, group says  The Associated Press
  2. South Africa launches operation at illegal gold mine amid fears many dead  The Guardian
  3. Footage shows trapped miners, dead bodies underground after South Africa raid  Reuters
  4. Operation under way to rescue trapped miners from South African gold mine  Al Jazeera English
  5. South Africa starts rescuing illegal gold miners trapped for months  MINING.com
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Spain proposes 100% tax on homes bought by non-EU residents

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Pedro Sánchez announces measure in response to anger over rising housing costs

Spain has announced plans to impose a tax of up to 100% on real estate bought by non-residents from countries outside the EU, such as the UK, in an aim to tackle the country’s housing crisis.

The measure was one of a dozen unveiled on Monday by the country’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, as the government seeks to quell mounting anger over housing costs that have soared far beyond the reach of many in Spain.

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Surrey councillors ask ministers to ‘write off’ Woking’s £1bn debt

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Taxpayers asked to shoulder burden as beleaguered council expected to merge with neighbouring authorities

Taxpayers are being asked to shoulder £1bn in debt amassed by a bankrupt Surrey council that will be merged in the government’s plan for the biggest transfer of powers to England’s regions this century.

Posing a fresh financial headache for the government, councillors in Surrey have requested that ministers “write off” £1bn in debt held by troubled Woking borough council to enable a merger between the county’s 12 local authorities.

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Five soldiers killed, 10 wounded in explosion in northern Gaza, IDF says – The Times of Israel

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  1. Five soldiers killed, 10 wounded in explosion in northern Gaza, IDF says  The Times of Israel
  2. What Are Israelis and Gazans Dying For? A Pointless War With No Goals  Haaretz
  3. Soldiers killed in Beit Hanoun may have been caused by IDF weapons explosion  The Jerusalem Post
  4. Four Israeli soldiers killed in northern Gaza  The New Arab
  5. IDF faces growing threat from IEDs in northern Gaza  Long War Journal
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North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine haven’t shown desire to defect, Seoul’s spy agency says – PBS NewsHour

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  1. North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine haven’t shown desire to defect, Seoul’s spy agency says  PBS NewsHour
  2. Troops Detained in Ukraine Give Rare Glimpse Into North Korea’s Military  The New York Times
  3. North Korean troops are far from ‘cannon fodder,’ Ukrainian soldiers say  POLITICO Europe
  4. Zelenskyy says Ukraine ready to trade captured North Koreans for Ukrainian prisoners  USA TODAY
  5. Zelensky ready to hand North Korea back its captured troops  The Washington Post
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Lebanon’s Aoun taps ICJ chief justice as prime minister, in blow to Hezbollah – The Times of Israel

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  1. Lebanon’s Aoun taps ICJ chief justice as prime minister, in blow to Hezbollah  The Times of Israel
  2. Lebanon Names Nawaf Salam, a Diplomat and Jurist, as Prime Minister  The New York Times
  3. Transcript: A power shift in Lebanon  Financial Times
  4. Lebanon's Nawaf Salam to be designated PM, angering Hezbollah  Reuters
  5. Top ICJ judge Nawaf Salam named Lebanon’s next prime minister  CNN
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South Africa launches operation at illegal gold mine amid fears many dead

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Phone video shared by mining NGO appears to show dozens of wrapped bodies in underground tunnel

The South African government has launched a mission to bring to the surface potentially hundreds of people in an illegal mine who last year had supplies of food, water and medicine blocked by police in an attempt to force them out.

The government agreed to the attempt on Friday after the sister of one of those underground initiated a court case in response to letters from miners brought to the surface on Thursday.

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