Western Europe faced its hottest June and July on record in 2026, with an average temperature of 21.62 degrees Celsius (70.9 degrees Fahrenheit), exceeding the previous record by 2.79C (5.01F). This extreme heat, combined with persistent drought conditions, led to low water levels in major rivers and significant operational reductions at nuclear plants in Hungary and Slovenia, alongside widespread devastating wildfires that burned nearly 42,000 hectares in France and close to 44,000 hectares in Spain. Additionally, July recorded the highest sea surface temperatures outside polar regions at 20.96C (69.7 degrees Fahrenheit), surpassing the previous record of 20.89C (69.6 degrees Fahrenheit) set in 2023.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a US-backed 15-point peace plan for Gaza, insisting on complete disarmament of Hamas before considering any deal. The plan, proposed by Trump’s Board of Peace, called for Hamas disarmament in exchange for Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza and eventual power transfer to a Palestinian committee. Additionally, the ongoing US-Iran conflict has impacted 20,000 seafarers stranded in the strait of Hormuz, with 17 reported deaths due to hostilities.
Jane Coates is urging UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband to advocate for a reopening of the investigation into the shooting of her daughter, Lucy Harrison, who was fatally shot by her father, Kris Harrison, in Texas on January 10, 2025, a day before she was set to return to the UK. A Texas grand jury decided not to prosecute Kris Harrison, despite the coroner ruling that Lucy had been unlawfully killed and his actions amounted to gross negligence manslaughter. The case has raised serious concerns regarding the adequacy of the initial police investigation and the lack of support provided to the family by the UK government following Lucy's death.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino faces renewed criticism from UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC, which issued a joint letter stating that football "belongs to no individual" and calling for an independent review of a controversial stake sale proposal. Infantino's leadership has been challenged since his attempt to introduce private investment into FIFA competitions, a plan he quickly withdrew, and almost 70 of FIFA's 211-member associations have publicly expressed their support for him, while about a dozen have retracted their backing. The confederations emphasized the need for unity in football and accountability, criticizing a recent FIFA emergency meeting in which only one elected official attended.
On the first anniversary of Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif's killing, Palestinians and press freedom advocates remembered his significant contributions to reporting on Israel’s attacks in Gaza. Al-Sharif, born in 1996 in Jabalia refugee camp, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a press tent that also claimed the lives of three other journalists. His final will urged people to remember Gaza and stay committed to defending Palestine, a message that continues to resonate during memorials held in his honor.
Mohsen Rezaei, the former commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has been appointed as the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, replacing Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, amid ongoing tensions with the US and Israel over the Strait of Hormuz. Rezaei, aged 71, emphasized the significance of controlling the Strait, asserting it is worth "more than dozens of atomic bombs," particularly as the region is crucial for global oil and gas transit. His appointment comes at a critical time of conflict and negotiations, bringing notable military, economic, and political experience to oversee the strategic intersection of various governmental bodies.
Gabar Choli, a 40-year-old Kurdish asylum seeker, recounts his harrowing experience of being forcibly fed by ICE while on hunger strike for over two months at the Port Isabel ICE detention facility in Texas, suffering physical and emotional scars for nearly eight months from late May 2025 until his deportation in January 2026. Choli described the excruciating process involving multiple guards pinning him down and inserting a 60cm feeding tube through his nose, leading to severe health issues like swollen sinuses, a damaged esophagus, and significant psychological trauma. Despite an investigation revealing that many details of his case remain sealed and uncorroborated, Choli’s story highlights the inhumane treatment of detained immigrants amidst the Trump administration's anti-immigration policies.
Melissa Donnelly, the national secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union, has been elected to replace Sally McManus as the head of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU). McManus and ACTU president Michele O’Neil, who served as the first all-female leadership team for eight years, announced their resignations after significantly shaping the Albanese government's workplace agenda. During Donnelly's seven-year tenure at the CPSU, membership grew by 23%, and she has advocated for various workers' rights initiatives, including flexible working arrangements and increased parental leave.
Kurdish hunger striker Gabar Choli, who endured force-feeding while on hunger strike in US immigration detention for eight months, described the experience as having "mentally broke" him. Choli was subjected to this treatment at the Port Isabel federal detention center from late May 2025 until his deportation in January 2026, with ICE obtaining court orders for involuntary medical treatment for 18 hunger strikers within that timeframe. He protested against the inhumane conditions at the facility but faced physical restraint and forced feeding, which is regarded as torture by human rights groups, while officials claimed that involuntary medical treatment is only applied to prevent imminent life-threatening conditions.
President Trump is proposing a record $1.6 trillion Pentagon budget for next year, which includes a $600 billion increase that is nearly double China's total annual military budget. A report from the Institute for Policy Studies highlights that the U.S. military presence in Hawaiʻi has not only created economic hardships and environmental damage, but the Pentagon also owes over $130 billion in back rent to the islands. The pursuit of military dominance, especially against China, risks catastrophic consequences, as evidenced by the failure of post-9/11 wars which have cost around $8 trillion and led to significant civilian casualties and displacement.
Harvey Nichols has expressed that it may not survive another year without new investment, reporting a significant loss after tax of £105 million for the year ending March 29, 2025. The Knightsbridge-based department store chain, owned by Dickson Poon, has been put up for sale for approximately £40 million, with Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group emerging as the frontrunner amid several bids. The retailer has struggled in recent years, unable to make a profit since the pandemic, and its directors have warned that it will run out of money within the next year without a rescue deal.
The trial of Duane "Keffe D" Davis, a former gang leader accused of ordering the 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur, begins in Las Vegas and is expected to last a month. Prosecutors allege that Davis provided the gun used in the drive-by shooting that killed Shakur, who was 25 years old at the time, and if convicted, Davis faces life in prison without parole. The case, which was cold for decades, gained traction following the release of Davis's memoirs in 2019, where he claimed involvement in the crime but later backtracked and pleaded not guilty.
Tropical Storm Dolphin, which made landfall in Yuhuan, Zhejiang province with winds of 151 km/h (94 mph), triggered China's highest weather alert and resulted in the evacuation of over one million people. As the storm moved inland, it weakened but continued to bring heavy rainfall to eastern provinces, with central and eastern Zhejiang predicted to receive between 250-500 mm (9.8-19.7 inches) of rain. In addition to widespread flight cancellations—943 in Shanghai—authorities prepared for potential flooding and landslides in Beijing, where significant rainfall is expected from Tuesday to Thursday.
Suspected crime boss Daniel Kinahan, aged 49, was extradited from Dubai and spent his first night in custody in Ireland after being charged with directing a criminal organization between 18 October 2015 and 6 April 2017, with a court hearing lasting just 13 minutes. He is remanded in custody until 5 October, and has indicated that he expects not to receive bail, stating, "I think we all know I won't be getting bail." The Kinahan cartel has been linked to over a dozen gangland murders and is said to have been responsible for importing large quantities of drugs and firearms worldwide, with their activities reportedly contributing to a feud that claimed 18 lives.
In early August, Europe experienced a record-breaking heat wave, with Austria reaching 41.2°C, Slovakia 42.2°C, and Hungary 41.8°C, leading to prolonged tropical nights with overnight temperatures above 28°C. The extreme heat has resulted in drying soil and vegetation, prompting wildfires across Italy, France, Serbia, and Bulgaria, while water levels in the Danube fell to an all-time low, impacting energy production in Slovakia and Serbia. Meanwhile, Typhoon Dolphin hit China, prompting a red alert for heavy rainfall and winds, with Typhoon Chan-hom expected to make landfall in Japan, where it could bring gusts of up to 80 mph and has already contributed to monsoon conditions that have killed six people and displaced over 380,000 in the Philippines.
World number two Elena Rybakina overcame a significant challenge to reach the Canadian Open quarterfinals, bouncing back from 0-3 and two breaks down in the final set to defeat Liudmila Samsonova 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. Fourth-ranked Coco Gauff advanced smoothly, defeating Alina Korneeva 6-3, 6-1, and will now face 14th-ranked Belinda Bencic, who won her match against Alexandra Eala 6-4, 6-0 in just 73 minutes. Rybakina will play against Naomi Osaka, who ousted Leylah Fernandez with a score of 6-4, 6-4 in 82 minutes, marking a competitive path forward for both top contenders.
The National Drought Group is set to declare more areas in England as officially in drought as the UK anticipates its fifth heatwave of the year. Currently, all of Wales and over half of England are experiencing drought, leading to temporary hosepipe bans for millions and significant depletion of water supplies, especially in the south and south-east. Temperatures are predicted to reach 36C (97F) or higher this week, exacerbating drought conditions and increasing risks to wildlife, infrastructure, and food security.
A ground robot named Murakha, over a metre high and capable of traveling up to 12 km/h, got stuck in a trench in Ukraine, requiring another robot to pull it out due to safety concerns for human rescue teams. Murakha, along with its counterparts manufactured by Robotic Complexes and over 200 startups across Ukraine, represents a shift in warfare where technology is replacing traditional frontline combat, as highlighted by an officer who noted that “in 2022, it was a war of people; today people fight robots.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remarked on the transformative role of these robots, including their ability to deliver heavy payloads and avoid detection, emphasizing the ongoing technological evolution on the battlefield.
In Maine's competitive Senate race, women voters could play a decisive role, making up nearly 60% of the total turnout in the 2020 election, where they voted for Joe Biden by 23 percentage points but narrowly supported Republican incumbent Susan Collins by just three points. Following the suspension of Graham Platner's campaign due to a rape allegation, Troy Jackson emerged as the Democratic nominee, needing to effectively appeal to women voters on a broad range of issues beyond childcare and abortion to counter Collins' support. With independents comprising almost a third of the electorate, Democrats view this election as a critical opportunity to regain a Senate majority, particularly since Collins is the only sitting Republican Senator seeking re-election in a state Trump lost in 2024.
Alaska Airlines operates approximately 1,500 flights daily and has partnered with Air Space Intelligence to utilize the Flyways AI system, which enhances dispatchers' efficiency by processing real-time information on air traffic and weather. Since implementing Flyways in 2021, Alaska Airlines has reportedly saved tens of thousands of flight hours and about one million gallons of fuel annually. The FAA is now looking to integrate similar predictive analytics across the entire U.S. airspace to improve efficiency and safety.
The military plans to start screening service members for low testosterone levels amidst a cultural fixation on testosterone therapy, fueled by social media claims and endorsements from influencers like Joe Rogan. Urologist Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt emphasizes that not every man needs testosterone therapy, as symptoms attributed to low testosterone can often stem from other health issues, and warns against online clinics that provide prescriptions without proper testing and follow-up. Experts suggest that testosterone has implications beyond reproduction, impacting overall health, with factors like obesity, diabetes, and sleep apnea contributing to testosterone deficiency, but caution that therapy should focus on restoring normal levels rather than peak performance.
A new poll shows that 50% of 1,000 respondents support moving toward proportional representation in U.S. House elections, with nearly a quarter opposed and a third unsure. Support for this system is notably high among younger, more educated, and left-leaning voters, but 60% of Trump voters also back it. Additionally, about 70% of respondents in a Pew Research poll expressed a desire for more political parties, indicating widespread dissatisfaction with the current two-party system.
Mike Lindell, the MyPillow founder and candidate for the Minnesota governor's primary election, emphasizes his close ties to former President Trump, claiming it gives him an advantage over other candidates, despite Trump's history of losing in Minnesota. While Lindell has recently stepped down as CEO of MyPillow to focus on his campaign, his run is complicated by friction with the party establishment, concerns about his residency, and past allegations of abuse. Polls suggest he may be leading in the primary, with notable rivals including state House Speaker Lisa Demuth, who has also been a top fundraiser in the race.
More than half of the yards in a section of Omaha, Nebraska, near a former lead smelter are still contaminated enough to lead to high blood-lead levels in children, with tests finding 208 out of 388 homes exceeding 100 parts per million of lead. The EPA's current cleanup threshold allows yards with lead concentrations below 400 parts per million to remain untouched, and despite efforts, 1 in 10 remediated homes still have lead levels over this threshold. Although elevated blood-lead levels in children have declined in Omaha, rates remain above the national average, prompting ongoing concern from residents and health officials.
The Interlochen Center for the Arts has faced revelations of sexual abuse spanning decades, with nearly 50 adults accused of misconduct in about 70 allegations reported by former students from the 1950s to the 2010s. Paul Busch, a former student who was abused at age 16, has brought attention to the school's unsafe environment, stating that the conditions allowed predators to exploit vulnerable youth, including instances involving convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Despite Interlochen's claims of improvement and enhanced safety measures, Busch insists that the institution's response is inadequate, as the impact of the abuse continues to affect survivors like him.
A Ukrainian drone attack on the Russian city of Nizhnekamsk killed 12 people and injured 39 on August 8, 2026, according to Tatarstan authorities. The attack targeted industrial and civilian facilities in a city that serves as an important oil refining hub, located about 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) from the Ukrainian border. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the campaign aims to compel Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the ongoing invasion, while Ukraine's long-range drones have increasingly hit targets deep inside Russia.
A woman who sought refuge at a London Travelodge to escape her domestic abuser was assaulted after staff gave him her room key without verifying her identity. The incident occurred in October 2025 when the man deceived the receptionist by claiming his girlfriend was having a seizure, leading to him being handed a key and directed to her room, where he physically attacked her. Travelodge has acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating that such occurrences are "very rare," and has since implemented changes to improve their room access security policies and staff training.
At least 13 people, including one child, were killed and 39 others injured in a Ukrainian drone strike on the Russian city of Nizhnekamsk, located over 1,100 kilometers (680 miles) from the Ukrainian border. The attack targeted industrial facilities and residential areas, marking one of the deadliest strikes on Russia since the escalation of the war, with unverified images showing significant destruction. In response to the ongoing conflict, Tatarstan has declared a period of mourning, while Russian air defenses reported shooting down over 450 Ukrainian drones overnight.
Thames Water paid its chief financial officer, Steve Buck, a £1m signing fee amid scrutiny over its finances and calls for nationalisation, drawing criticism for rewarding executives despite ongoing environmental issues. The company serves 16 million customers and has been on the brink of collapse for over two years, with the government being urged to take control to address debts estimated in the billions. Thames Water additionally paid £4.1m in bonuses to senior managers last month, while Buck's total remuneration for the financial year was reported at £591,000, excluding the new signing fee which was not detailed in their annual report.
Malawi qualified for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) semifinals and the FIFA World Cup by defeating Ghana 2-1, overcoming an early goal by Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah. Rose Kadzere scored the winning goal in the 79th minute, ensuring Malawi's historic advancement despite being ranked 153rd and having never qualified for WAFCON before. In another quarterfinal match, Cameroon surprised defending champions Nigeria with a 1-0 victory, marking only their second win against Nigeria in 14 WAFCON encounters.