A second suspect, a Ukrainian national named Vladimir Z., has been arrested in Croatia in connection with the 2022 Nord Stream gas pipeline explosions, following the arrest of another Ukrainian suspect in Italy last year. The explosions, which damaged both the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, occurred in September 2022 and were believed to be a sabotage effort aimed at disrupting gas deliveries and undermining Russia's military financing. German prosecutors are pursuing extradition for Z., asserting a strong suspicion that he was involved in planning the blasts, while Ukraine denies any state involvement in the sabotage.
At least five people were killed and 11 others injured in recent Russian attacks on Ukraine, including a drone strike on a bus in Kherson that resulted in four deaths and four injuries. In August, the United Nations reported 437 civilian deaths in Ukraine, marking the highest monthly toll since May 2022. Additionally, one person was killed and seven others injured in a Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia, and reports noted that Russia's air defense downed 453 Ukrainian drones in an overnight operation.
Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios, 31, was provisionally suspended from tennis after testing positive for cocaine, with the International Tennis Integrity Agency announcing the suspension following a sample collected during an ATP 250 event in Mallorca in June. Kyrgios admitted to his "huge mistake" in a public apology, expressing deep disappointment in himself and acknowledging the mental toll of injuries on his career. While suspended since August 4, he is barred from participating in or attending any events organized by tennis authorities and plans to take a 28-day break from social media to focus on personal recovery.
The Ebola outbreak in Congo has surpassed 5,000 cases, with the current count at 5,021 and 2,378 deaths, marking it as the fastest-spreading outbreak in history. The outbreak, fueled by insecurity and population displacement, has spread about three times faster than the previous deadliest outbreak that occurred from 2014 to 2016, which resulted in over 11,000 deaths. Despite the urgent need for an effective response, health workers face challenges such as safety threats, strikes due to unpaid wages, and a lack of approved vaccines or treatments for the virus.
Internal research indicates that Labour could lose up to 50 seats to the Green party if the government permits new drilling in the North Sea, with more than 50% of voters in key battleground constituencies supporting urgent climate action. This analysis, shared by the Greens, suggests that the towns represented by these Labour MPs are increasingly alarmed by climate issues, with over two-thirds in some areas wanting faster government action on the climate crisis. While some Labour officials dismissed these findings as exaggerated, the data shows that 37 out of the identified 50 seats had support for quicker climate action that equalled or exceeded the national average of 55.5%.
Diego Maradona's failing kidneys, indicative of chronic kidney disease, should have alerted his doctors, according to nephrologist Hernan Trimarchi during the trial concerning the football legend's death. Maradona, who died at age 60 from heart failure and acute pulmonary oedema in November 2020, was under the care of seven healthcare professionals accused of negligence, as they did not perform necessary medical checks during his two-week home convalescence. The defendants, facing up to 25 years in prison if convicted, are challenged by evidence that Maradona's deteriorating health was apparent, highlighted by a lack of blood tests and monitoring.
Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from tennis after testing positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, following a sample collected at an ATP tournament in Mallorca in June; this confirmed positive was reported by a WADA lab on July 17. As a result of the suspension, which has been in effect since August 4, Kyrgios is prohibited from participating in any events organized by World Tennis, the WTA, ATP, or Grand Slams. He apologized to fans, family, and sponsors, acknowledging his mistakes and stating he would take a 28-day break from social media to focus on improving his situation, while currently ranking number 919 in the world.
Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig proposed changes to tenancy laws that would allow tenants greater freedom to install heat protection features like air conditioning and sun shades due to rising summer temperatures, which have approached 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in Germany. She also advocates for enshrining climate protection measures in the German constitution to facilitate government support for heat protection. Additionally, reports indicate that Donaustahl CEO Stefan Thumann has been in hiding for months following warnings of a Russian assassination plot against him.
The Caspian Sea, bordered by Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan, has a complex legal status that was clarified by the 2018 Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, which established territorial waters of up to 15 nautical miles and a 10-nautical-mile exclusive fishing zone for each country, but did not allocate fixed national shares. Before the Soviet Union's collapse, treaties emphasized common use rather than ownership shares, leading to ongoing disputes, with some Iranian politicians advocating for a 50% share and others calling for 20%; neither claim has received international recognition. The convention prohibits non-bordering states' military presence in the Caspian, aiming to prevent it from becoming a military base for external powers, though Iran is currently the only signatory yet to complete parliamentary ratification.
Feeling stuck or restless may indicate it’s time to start a "side quest," an activity that introduces whimsy and exploration into daily life, mirroring the concept from video games which adds depth to the main storyline. Engaging in play can activate various neural networks in the brain, enhancing problem-solving skills and bringing a sense of wonder, with resources available like a quiz from the National Institute for Play to help identify personal play styles. Exploring new activities, especially those outside your usual interests, can significantly impact your overall life experience and well-being.
Kelsey Mitchell scored 29 points and Caitlin Clark added 24 as the Indiana Fever defeated the Toronto Tempo 101-95, marking Indiana's fifth consecutive victory. Mitchell's performance tied her for the most games scoring 20 or more points in a row in WNBA history with A'ja Wilson, at 20 games, and she and Clark set a record with 16 occurrences of both scoring 20 or more in the same game this season. The Tempo, now on an 11-game losing streak with a record of 10-24, had Marina Mabrey leading their scoring with 22 points.
Beto Coral, a Colombian activist living in the U.S. for over ten years, was detained and forced to leave the country after protesting against far-right presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, who was endorsed by Donald Trump. Coral held up banners in Florida warning fellow Colombians about De la Espriella's potential deportation policies; he claims his arrest was influenced by De la Espriella and U.S. officials' efforts to suppress political dissent. During 30 days in detention, Coral faced assault and deprivation of food and water, eventually securing his voluntary departure back to Colombia in mid-July.
ProPublica is investigating U.S. military budgeting and contracting, highlighting that the Pentagon's spending often results in delays, cost overruns, and performance problems that are difficult for taxpayers to track. With Congress considering a record $1.5 trillion defense budget for the next year, ProPublica seeks insights from experts and insiders to understand the effectiveness of military spending. The initiative aims to clarify how taxpayer money is utilized and whether defense projects are adequately safeguarding the country.
The U.S. government has allocated a staggering $1 trillion for defense this year, more than double the combined appropriations for various agencies overseeing health, veterans affairs, education, housing, agriculture, and justice. Future projections suggest that defense spending may rise to $1.5 trillion, exceeding inflation-adjusted spending during World War II, while the Pentagon has never passed a comprehensive financial audit, reflecting a lack of transparency. Major defense projects, including the Zumwalt class destroyers (costing over $10 billion per ship), the GPS control system (over $7.5 billion), and the F-35 jet (anticipated expenditure of $2 trillion), often end up significantly over budget and past schedule.
Fifteen states in the U.S. allow corporal punishment in schools, with Arkansas having some of the highest rates, second only to Mississippi. During the 2021-22 school year, there were nearly 32,000 reported instances of corporal punishment, equating to about one incident for every 2,000 students. While thirty states and Washington, D.C. have laws banning corporal punishment in public schools, the practice remains prevalent in eight states, primarily in the South, fueled by community norms and beliefs.
In the U.S., over 400,000 children are currently on waitlists for federal childcare assistance, a sharp increase from around 118,800 in early 2024, reflecting a threefold rise over two years. Approximately 1.6 million children receive assistance from the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) each month, but insufficient funding has led to a shortage of available spots, with nearly one-third of U.S. states having waitlists for assistance. Advocates attribute the growing waitlists to rising numbers of low-income families applying for aid and the depletion of federal COVID-19 relief funds that had temporarily supported childcare programs.
Elbridge Gerry, a lesser-known Founding Father, is credited with the term "gerrymander" after he signed a redistricting plan in 1812 that benefited his party, the Democratic-Republicans, at the expense of Federalists. This redistricting plan was illustrated in a cartoon depicting the oddly shaped district as a monstrous "Gerry-mander," a combination of Gerry's name and the word "salamander." Gerry, who went on to serve as Vice President under James Madison, is remembered not for his prominence but for this term that has become pivotal in discussions of electoral manipulation in the U.S.
The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched investigations into Trainline, Virgin Atlantic, and Red Driving School for potentially misleading pricing practices, specifically related to "drip pricing" that obscures mandatory fees, which can result in unexpected total costs for consumers. The CMA's new consumer protection powers allow it to take action without court involvement, giving it the authority to impose fines up to 10% of a company's global turnover if violations are found; this follows previous enforcement actions where StubHub was ordered to pay nearly £1.5 million and the AA was fined £4.2 million. Trainline shares fell by as much as 14% after the announcement, while Virgin Atlantic stated it would cooperate with the investigation, asserting that mandatory fees are indicated throughout the booking process.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the fourth round of the Cincinnati Masters by defeating Wang Xinyu 6-1, 6-3 in just 54 minutes, marking her 45th consecutive victory at the Masters 1000 level. Fourth seed Daniil Medvedev suffered a surprising defeat to Brandon Nakashima after being pushed to a third set, losing 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (7/4), 6-1, while Felix Auger-Aliassime and Taylor Fritz both secured their places in the next round with straight-set victories. Notably, eighth seed Elina Svitolina withdrew from her match due to an ankle injury.
Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala announced he is dealing with a neurological issue, specifically temporary “but easily treatable absence seizures,” after collapsing during preseason games against Leipzig and Heidenheim. The 23-year-old Germany international expressed optimism about his condition and stated there is no additional health risk, emphasizing the importance of his recovery and continuing to play football. Following his recent incidents, Musiala received medical treatment and was supported by teammates during the episodes, with Bayern reporting he had to be substituted due to a knock shortly after entering the Heidenheim match.
In 2025, a total of 907 aid workers were either killed, injured, or kidnapped, with 350 fatalities reported—down from 387 in 2024. Gaza was identified as the deadliest location, with 186 aid workers killed, followed by Sudan. The rise in violence against aid workers has been attributed in part to the increased use of armed drones in conflict zones, prompting calls for greater protections and accountability from the international community.
UK inflation rose to 2.9% in July, driven primarily by rising energy bills following an increase in Ofgem's price cap, up from 2.6% in June. While food prices remained relatively stable at an annual rate of 1.3%, concerns about extreme weather impacting supply chains highlight potential future price pressures. With 10-year UK government bond yields reaching 5.05% due to rising inflation, Chancellor John Healey faces mounting pressure to support struggling households ahead of his upcoming budget.
Florida's primary elections showcased unexpected outcomes and anticipated results, occurring under a newly redrawn congressional map aimed at favoring Republicans, which could limit Democrats to only a few of the state's 28 House seats. In a significant upset, progressive state lawmaker Angie Nixon defeated former national security official Alexander Vindman despite being significantly outspent (raising less than $1 million to Vindman's over $16 million), indicating a shift in Democratic politics towards progressives. On the Republican side, Congressman Byron Donalds, backed by Donald Trump, won the nomination for governor, positioning him to potentially become Florida’s first Black governor, amidst a broader trend of increasing Black gubernatorial candidates nationwide.
Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies, Nabu and Sapo, launched an investigation into unnamed lawmakers and advisers shortly before a critical parliamentary vote on new defense minister Yevhen Khmara, following the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov. Fedorov, sacked last month, called for a wartime presidential election during a video address, arguing that democracy must endure even amid war, while highlighting the necessity to maintain a free European state. In related violence, at least four people were reported dead from Russian attacks, including a drone strike in Kherson, as Ukraine launched hundreds of drones at Russian targets, which Moscow claimed to have intercepted 453.
Virgin Australia has apologized to disability advocate Shane Hryhorec after he was removed from a flight due to a conflict over storing his wheelchair motor, a SmartDrive, which was not accommodated despite previous flights allowing its storage in the overhead locker. Hryhorec's viral video of the incident has amassed 16 million views, and he expressed feelings of humiliation and frustration, highlighting the need for change in airline treatment of passengers with disabilities. The Australian Human Rights Commission received over 100 disability discrimination complaints against airlines between 2016 and 2022, reflecting ongoing issues that the federal government has begun to address through a new aviation white paper aimed at enforcing disability standards.
Pakistan's government plans to challenge a Supreme Court ruling that orders the transfer of jailed ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan, 73, from Adiala prison to Shifa International Hospital within 48 hours for medical checks. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar stated that according to law, a convicted prisoner should receive treatment within jail or at a public facility, as Khan's family and party express concerns about his deteriorating health, including significant vision loss in his right eye. Khan, who served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022 and was sentenced to 17 years for graft late last year, remains a popular figure amidst his party's significant support in Pakistan, and his arrest has sparked nationwide protests.
Mary Peltola is currently leading the Democratic primary for the US Senate in Alaska with 46.8% of the vote, while incumbent Dan S Sullivan has 44.4%, and Dan J Sullivan is in third with 2.4%, with 66% of votes counted. In California, progressive Aisha Wahab leads with 51% in the special runoff election to fill Eric Swalwell's seat, while in Wyoming, Trump-backed Harriet Hageman is leading the Republican primary for US Senate. In Florida, Byron Donalds won the Republican nomination for governor, aiming to be the state's first Black governor, while Angie Nixon won the Democratic nomination for the open Senate seat, potentially becoming Florida's first Black senator if elected.
Lawyers for Erin Patterson, convicted of murdering three relatives with death cap mushrooms, argue her conviction should be quashed due to a "catastrophic" jury mix-up involving lodging at the same hotel as the prosecution and witnesses. Patterson, serving a life sentence for the 2023 killings, claims that evidence presented at trial was speculative and crucial evidence for her defense was excluded. The appeal also contests the adequacy of a 33-year parole period, with the prosecution maintaining that the jury's integrity was not compromised despite the hotel incident.
Andy Burnham has committed to ending rough sleeping in the UK by launching a £442 million national campaign to ensure everyone is housed for Christmas, emphasizing the urgency of tackling homelessness. While his plan received support from homelessness campaigners, they cautioned that addressing the longer-term temporary accommodation crisis is crucial, as the UK faces the worst homelessness issue in the western world. Additionally, Burnham announced a partnership to take local control of bus services in the West Midlands to protect jobs threatened by the departure of the National Express operator.
Lionel Messi, now 39, has hinted at the possibility of retiring soon, especially after the death of his father, reflecting on their journey together. He had an outstanding performance at the 2026 World Cup, scoring eight goals in eight games, adding to his record of eight Ballon d'Or awards, and demonstrating his continued influence in football, which includes significant achievements with Barcelona and his current stint at Inter Miami. As fans increasingly follow individual players like Messi and his rival Cristiano Ronaldo, rather than teams, his off-field impact and marketability have expanded globally, exemplified by the widespread wear of Inter Miami merchandise, even in areas far from the club's base.