A new study reveals that the brown-lipped snail, Cepaea nemoralis, can produce five different types of mucus with varying properties by modulating the proportions of specific proteins and ions. The snails create a lubricant mucus for locomotion, two types of defensive mucus for protection against threats, a protective mucus for sealing themselves in their shells, and an adhesive mucus for clinging to surfaces. This understanding of snail mucus composition could inspire the development of new materials, including potential applications in medical technologies like wound sealing or drug delivery.
The Trump administration has reached a $1.22 billion agreement with the German energy firm RWE to relinquish its offshore wind leases, representing the fifth such deal aimed at redirecting taxpayer funds towards fossil fuel investments, totaling nearly $4 billion. RWE will use $900 million to acquire a 16% stake in an unidentified Louisiana liquified natural gas project and has also entered a $300 million turbine reservation agreement for 15 natural gas peaker plants. The deal, which includes leases off the coasts of New York, California, and Louisiana, has faced criticism and legal challenges, particularly regarding its impact on clean energy initiatives.
President Trump's proposed 250-foot arch near the National Mall faces significant opposition, with the National Park Service identifying 37 historic properties that would be adversely affected by its construction. Critics argue that the arch would disrupt the critical visual and ceremonial connection between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington House, especially given its placement in Memorial Circle near Arlington National Cemetery. A lawsuit from Vietnam War veterans has been filed to block the arch's construction, asserting it would undermine the solemn atmosphere of the area and require congressional approval, which Trump has neither sought nor recognized.
Stella Gollovena, 47, has been charged with four counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after allegedly stabbing four men in the back with scissors in Covent Garden. The four victims, aged 34, 39, 42, and 56, received hospital treatment for their injuries but were later discharged as they were not considered life-threatening. Gollovena, who did not enter pleas to the charges, is remanded in custody until her next hearing on September 3.
Two men were arrested in Thetford, Norfolk, after police intervened during two nights of unrest involving over 100 protesters opposing plans to house asylum seekers in former military barracks. On Tuesday night, police responded to reports of 30 to 50 people attempting to break into a property, leading to injuries among officers, including one struck by a rock and another bitten. Local MP Terry Jermy condemned the violence and expressed concern that tensions were escalating, emphasizing that those targeted are human beings deserving of rights, regardless of their immigration status.
Sydney Towle, a TikTok creator who shared her battle with stage 4 cholangiocarcinoma, has died at the age of 26, nearly three years after her diagnosis. She inspired over a million followers with her candid posts about living with cancer and aimed to reshape perceptions of young cancer patients while blending her struggles with lifestyle content. Towle's family confirmed her death following her recent transition to hospice care, highlighting her fight and the love they have for her in their announcement.
US researchers have used artificial intelligence to design 16 fully functional viruses that can replicate in the lab, marking the first successful creation of complete genomes by AI. These new viruses, known as bacteriophages, were specifically designed to infect E. coli bacteria and raise new possibilities for treating antibiotic-resistant infections. While the breakthrough is seen as a significant advancement in synthetic biology, experts emphasize the urgent safety and security concerns, warning that the technology could potentially be misused to create harmful pathogens.
Sydney Towle, a 26-year-old social media influencer known for sharing her experience with an aggressive form of cancer, passed away from complications related to bile duct cancer after battling cholangiocarcinoma for nearly three years. At the time of her death, she had over a million followers on TikTok and more than 200,000 on Instagram, where she chronicled her journey through chemotherapy and advocated for rare cancer awareness. Following her death, thousands of fans paid tribute to her resilience and optimism, with her family expressing their pride in her fight and commitment to continue her legacy.
Ceuta's leader, Juan Jesus Vivas, reported to EU lawmakers that approximately 100 people died during a recent surge of around 72,000 migrants crossing from Morocco to Spain’s territory. He indicated that 3,000 to 5,000 migrants remained in Ceuta, while the city faced challenges with hundreds of unaccompanied minors lacking food, water, and shelter. Vivas emphasized the need for increased security resources and criticized the insufficient deployment of forces to manage the ongoing situation effectively.
Ukraine has recently targeted two oil refineries in Russia as part of its strategy to disrupt the oil revenues that fund Russia's military efforts. President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that these strikes aim to limit Moscow's financial resources for the war. The intensity of attacks between the two nations has increased in recent weeks, with mediation talks proving unproductive.
South Korea's space agency, KASA, reported that a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket's empty upper stage crashed into the Moon at approximately 06:35 GMT on Wednesday, traveling at a speed of about 5,400 mph (8,700 km/h) and weighing around 4,000 kg (630 st). The lunar orbiter Danubri captured images of the impact site, showcasing the Moon's surface before and after the crash, although the flash created was too faint to be seen by amateur astronomers. Astronomer Matt Bothwell expressed concerns regarding the increasing amount of space debris, warning that it may become challenging to navigate beyond Earth's orbit in the coming decades.
Between 3,000 and 5,000 migrants are currently in Ceuta after approximately 78,000 arrived from Morocco last week, resulting in 100 deaths. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's response has faced criticism, while Ceuta's mayor, Juan Jesús Vivas, highlighted the ongoing humanitarian emergency, stating that nearly 75,000 migrants were returned to Morocco, yet conditions remain unsustainable, particularly for the 4,860 registered migrant children. The crisis has prompted tensions within the EU, with calls for enhanced cooperation from Morocco to prevent future mass crossings and ensure the safe return of migrants.
An explosion on a passenger minibus in Jaramana, a town near Damascus, resulted in seven reported injuries, with two fatalities believed to have occurred, although this is not yet officially confirmed. The blast, attributed to an explosive device planted on the minibus, has heightened tensions in a town that has seen rising unrest and violence since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. This incident marks the first bombing of its kind in Jaramana since that political transition, following a series of recent blasts in Damascus linked to the ISIL group.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino, despite facing scrutiny over a scrapped proposal to sell stakes in Fifa's global competitions, retains support from several African football associations, with five out of seven Fifa Council members from Africa publicly backing him. Notably, Morocco, which will co-host the men's 2030 World Cup, has reaffirmed its support alongside other nations like Egypt and the DR Congo, emphasizing the benefits they've received from Fifa's Forward programme initiated in 2016. This programme has provided essential funding for football projects in regions with limited commercial investment, but there are rising calls for greater governance and sustainability in Fifa's engagement with African football.
A US federal judge has temporarily halted an order requiring Donald Trump to provide financial records to the BBC as part of a libel lawsuit over a 2024 documentary. Trump’s legal team argues that the BBC's request for extensive financial information, due to be produced by August 6, is overly broad and politically motivated, while the BBC maintains that Trump's business value is relevant to the case. The lawsuit seeks $10 billion in damages based on allegations that the documentary harmed Trump's reputation, despite the BBC having apologized for editing a scene that depicted Trump encouraging the January 6 Capitol attack.
UEFA, representing 55 European nations, has decided to maintain its boycott of the World Cup, demanding guarantees that FIFA will not attempt to commercialize the tournament again. The boycott follows FIFA President Gianni Infantino's proposed plan to sell stakes in World Cup operations to private investors, which faced significant backlash and internal opposition within FIFA. Infantino, who previously announced intentions to run for another term in March, may face severe consequences if the boycott continues, especially with upcoming tournaments in 2026 and the Women's World Cup in Brazil next year.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated a willingness to take unilateral action against Iran, particularly as tensions rise ahead of an election, claiming Iran intends to advance its nuclear weapons program. Despite only one official strike on Iran since the ceasefire began in April, Netanyahu argues that the nuclear threat from Iran is existential and is determined to prevent them from acquiring a bomb. The ongoing conflict has led to significant economic repercussions, including a surge in global oil prices and shortages in critical supplies, while analysts criticize the war as a strategic failure for both the U.S. and Israel.
The FDA has approved Moderna's new mRNA-based flu vaccine, mFLUSIVA, for individuals aged 50 and older, marking it as the first flu vaccine to use the same technology as COVID-19 vaccines. Research involving over 40,000 participants indicated that mFLUSIVA is safe and may offer stronger protection than traditional flu vaccines, with its availability anticipated before the 2026-2027 respiratory virus season. The FDA's decision followed a unanimous recommendation from a panel of independent advisers, despite previous resistance stemming from political controversies surrounding mRNA technology.
Former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker has been cleared to return to boxing after serving a three-month drugs ban due to a positive cocaine test on the day he lost to Fabio Wardley on October 25, 2025. The UKAD investigation revealed that Parker's cocaine ingestion resulted from exposure to his nutritionist, who admitted to using cocaine daily in the week before the fight. Parker's professional record now stands at 36 wins and 4 losses, and he was WBO heavyweight champion from 2016 to 2018 before losing to Anthony Joshua.
The FCC voted 2-1 along party lines to repeal the 39% national cap on TV ownership, allowing one company to own stations reaching more than 39% of U.S. TV households, a decision that benefits large media conglomerates like Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar. FCC chair Brendan Carr argued that eliminating the cap would support local broadcasters, while dissenting commissioner Anna M. Gomez deemed the move unlawful and detrimental to local journalism. Critics have raised concerns that this change could lead to reduced media diversity, job cuts, and a decline in the quality of local news content.
Eight Arab and Muslim countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, condemned Israeli violations in Gaza, particularly the targeting of healthcare facilities and civilian areas, calling it a grave breach of international humanitarian law. The Government Media Office in Gaza reported 4,091 ceasefire violations over 300 days, resulting in over 1,254 Palestinian deaths and 4,121 injuries, while only 35 percent of expected aid trucks have entered the territory. Additionally, UNICEF stated that at least 300 children have been killed during this period since the ceasefire began.
Argentina has decided not to retaliate after Brazil downgraded its diplomatic ties, handling affairs through a charge d'affaires instead of a full ambassador, in response to attacks from President Javier Milei against Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. This diplomatic rift was sparked when Milei referred to Lula as "a thief," "corrupt," and an "ex-convict" during a TV interview, despite Lula having served 580 days in prison due to a corruption conviction that was later overturned. Relations between the two countries have reached a historic low, as there have been no official meetings between the presidents since Milei took office in 2023.
The United States has requested the extradition of Filipino church leader Apollo Quiboloy, who is on the FBI’s most wanted list for child sex trafficking and fraud charges. Quiboloy, 76, has been detained since 2024 and faces multiple allegations, including sex trafficking of children and fraud, as part of a 2021 indictment that includes nine individuals and charges such as conspiracy and money laundering. Extradition requires approval from two Philippine courts, and under the 1994 extradition treaty, local authorities can request temporary surrender of suspects for trial abroad before resolving local cases.
No-frills airline EasyJet has agreed to a £5.7bn takeover by US firm Apollo after rival Castlelake withdrew from bidding, with shareholders set to receive £7.15 per share. EasyJet, which employs over 19,000 people and operates around 1,200 routes across 35 European countries, will maintain existing jobs for at least 12 months post-takeover. The deal still requires regulatory approval, particularly in the EU, where ownership rules will necessitate that EU-based shareholders, including the Haji-Ioannou family, hold around half of the business.
healthcare disruptions have led to a rise in untracked Ebola transmissions. As of August 4, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported 3,973 cases and 1,801 deaths, with the outbreak now being the second-largest on record, surpassing the West Africa outbreak in terms of case and death counts at 11 weeks. Health officials are implementing a door-to-door active case search strategy as contact tracing efforts have proven inadequate, identifying only 10 contacts per Ebola patient instead of the expected 40.
Israeli prosecutors have charged settler Yinon Levi with reckless manslaughter for the killing of Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen, marking the first indictment of an Israeli in over seven years. Hathaleen, a 31-year-old father of three, was killed in July 2025 during a confrontation that erupted when settlers attempted to level land for an illegal outpost, leading to violence captured on video indicating Levi's culpability. The indictment comes amidst escalating settler violence in the West Bank, with attacks averaging 190 per month in 2026, and has occurred against a backdrop of significant casualties, with at least 1,100 Palestinians, including 240 children, killed since the Gaza war began in October 2023.
Emma Atkinson, 38, who was seven months pregnant, fell nine stories from her father's flat in Leeds on October 22, 2024, and was pronounced dead shortly after the 10:20 am incident. An emergency caesarean section was performed at Leeds General Infirmary, resulting in the safe delivery of her baby girl, who has since recovered from injuries including a punctured lung and fractured tibia, and is being raised happily by family members. The coroner's inquest determined that Atkinson had “deliberately propelled herself” from the window, but could not conclusively establish her intent to end her life, as prior evidence suggested she had plans for the future.
European teams may still consider boycotting competitions like the World Cup, as Uefa stated that Fifa's defense of president Gianni Infantino "changes nothing," following the English FA's withdrawal of support for him after a controversial plan to sell stakes in World Cup rights to private investors. Infantino had proposed offering $40 million (around £30 million) to associations that supported private investment in tournaments, a plan Uefa rejected as it demanded retraction of these proposals and assurances against future attempts to alter the game's integrity. Despite Uefa's loss of confidence in Infantino, he appears to have rallied support among some Fifa management members, while others within the organization criticized his handling of the situation, suggesting a divide in trust and confidence in his leadership.
German officials have denied reports of a drone carrying explosives being near a cargo aircraft meant for Ukraine munitions, asserting that the plane was empty at the time of the incident. An investigation into the drone found near the Antonov AN-124 Condor is ongoing, and the German Interior Minister is planning a meeting with European counterparts to discuss drone defense and infrastructure protection. Additionally, nearly 12,000 heat-related deaths have been reported in Germany this summer, highlighting the severe impacts of heatwaves.
Kemi Badenoch has appointed former neo-Nazi Joshua Bonehill-Paine as an adviser to the Conservative party after he withdrew as a Tory candidate for local elections. Bonehill-Paine, who was convicted of harassing a Jewish MP and identifies as a "nationalist, fascist, theorist and supporter of white rights," will focus on the issue of youth radicalization. Since his release from prison, he claims to have engaged in counter-extremism work.