The U.S. government cut funding for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2025, which caused major health programs in Nepal to shut down. This reduction in aid has led to more deaths among pregnant women and babies due to lack of nutrition support and medical care.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump’s administration ended USAID in 2025, reducing foreign aid worldwide.
USAID previously funded programs that helped pregnant women and children with nutrition and healthcare.
In Nepal, many nutrition and maternal health programs closed because of these funding cuts.
About 60% of women’s health organizations in Nepal had to cut their services after the aid reductions.
Programs that trained nurses and midwives and supported pregnant women directly were stopped.
These programs had helped around 100,000 women and girls in Nepal over three years.
The Gates Foundation warned that child deaths may rise globally in 2025 due to decreased aid.
Health workers in Nepal report more deaths during childbirth since these programs ended.
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Japan strongly protested President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Kuril Islands, which both Russia and Japan claim. The visit highlights a long-running dispute between the two countries over these islands, which stopped them from signing a peace treaty after World War Two.
Key Facts
President Putin visited the Kuril Islands, according to Russian state media.
The islands are claimed by both Russia and Japan.
Japan refers to the island Putin visited as Etorofu, while Russia calls it Iturup.
Japan’s foreign minister said the islands belong to Japan by history and international law.
Japan strongly opposes President Putin’s visit to these islands.
The dispute over the Kuril Islands has lasted for decades.
This disagreement prevented Russia and Japan from signing a peace treaty after World War Two.
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Three Palestinian families in Qusra, located in the occupied West Bank, are trapped inside their homes because Israeli settlers have blocked roads and stopped water and electricity services. The Israeli army removed the settlers from a nearby area after two days, but the settlers came back within a few hours.
Key Facts
The incident is happening in Qusra, in the West Bank, an area under Israeli occupation.
Three Palestinian families are confined inside their homes.
Israeli settlers have blocked the roads around these homes.
The settlers also cut off the families’ water and electricity.
After two days, the Israeli military evacuated settlers from a nearby outpost.
Despite this, the settlers returned within hours.
The situation has lasted for at least two days.
The Israeli army is involved but has not prevented the settlers from coming back.
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Rescue teams in Colombia are in the final stage of search efforts after a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake that has killed 265 people and injured over 3,500. Nearly 500 people are still missing, and thousands of homes and buildings have been destroyed, with ongoing efforts focused on finding survivors and providing emergency help.
Key Facts
A strong 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit Colombia, the strongest this century in the country.
At least 265 people have died, and more than 3,500 have been wounded.
Around 500 people remain missing after the quake.
More than 9,550 homes have been destroyed.
Cities most affected include Pereira and Cali, with 83 and 74 deaths respectively.
Rescue teams are entering the "final phase" of searching for survivors, typically a 72-hour period after a disaster.
Colombian President Abelardo de La Espriella declared an economic emergency and plans to create a fund to rebuild damaged hospitals, schools, and infrastructure.
Local citizens have volunteered to help by bringing water, food, and donating blood to support rescue efforts.
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An oil spill from the tanker Caroline Bezengi has reached Oman's mainland, polluting beaches along the central coast. The spill, which started in June after the tanker ran aground, has affected up to 40 kilometers of coastline and is expected to impact more areas nearby.
Key Facts
The Caroline Bezengi tanker has been leaking oil since it ran aground off Oman's coast on June 8.
Oil has spread to beaches in Ras Madrakah, polluting about 40 kilometers (25 miles) of coastline.
Oil is expected to reach the southern coast of Masirah Island, affecting 10-20 kilometers (6-12 miles) of coastline.
The spill covers nearly 400 square kilometers (154 square miles), centered around the Hallaniyat archipelago.
The Hallaniyat islands are home to a marine reserve protecting sea turtles and other marine life.
The tanker is part of Russia’s shadow fleet and is under sanctions by the EU, UK, Switzerland, Canada, and Ukraine.
The ship is owned and operated by companies based in China.
Environmental groups like Greenpeace warn the spill could cause a severe environmental disaster without urgent action.
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Zambians voted in a presidential election to decide if President Hakainde Hichilema should serve a second term. The election also includes votes for Parliament and local councils, with results expected on Monday.
Key Facts
The election took place on a single day, with about 8 million registered voters in a country of 22 million people.
President Hakainde Hichilema is the candidate from the United Party for National Development (UPND).
He faces 13 other candidates, with Brian Mundubile from an opposition alliance seen as his main rival.
The election is seen as a test of Hichilema’s economic policies since he became president in 2021.
Hichilema inherited a troubled economy and worked on restructuring Zambia’s large foreign debt.
Under his leadership, Zambia has experienced some economic growth and attracted investors.
Many citizens remain frustrated due to high unemployment, rising food prices, and unstable electricity.
Election results are expected to be announced on Monday.
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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s style of dressing has changed as her political role has evolved. Starting with a tougher, outsider look in 2022, she now wears softer, pastel suits that convey calm authority, reflecting her more moderate and pragmatic leadership approach.
Key Facts
Giorgia Meloni became Italy’s prime minister in October 2022.
She originally wore dark suits and black boots, showing a tougher image.
Now, Meloni often wears pastel-colored suits with wide-legged trousers.
Her wardrobe change matches her political shift from extremist outsider to more moderate leader.
Meloni governs with a pragmatic approach toward the EU and supports Ukraine in its war against Russia.
She faces challenges from other right-wing politicians but remains Italy’s longest-serving postwar leader.
Meloni is Italy’s first woman prime minister, and fashion has special importance in Italy’s culture and economy.
Other world leaders also use clothing to show their political identity, like Ukraine’s Zelenskyy and Britain’s Andy Burnham.
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Britain is expected to experience its fifth heat wave this summer, with temperatures rising as high as 38°C (100°F), making it likely the hottest summer on record. The country is facing drought conditions, wildfires, and challenges in hospitals due to the extreme heat.
Key Facts
Temperatures in central and southeast England may reach up to 38°C, close to the August record of 38.5°C set in 2003.
The UK’s Met Office says average weather conditions for the rest of August could make this the hottest year on record.
Many parts of the UK are officially in drought, affecting water supplies for homes, farming, and nature.
Southern Water has requested a drought order to ban nonessential water use like car washing and filling non-domestic pools.
Hospitals have seen nurses collapse or suffer from heat exhaustion due to inadequate cooling.
Over 1,000 wildfires have occurred in England and Wales this year, matching last year’s record.
The UK government is considering a ban on disposable barbecues to reduce wildfire risks.
Extreme heat challenges highlight the need for the UK to adapt to warmer weather safely.
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A judge in Miami will decide if Andrew and Tristan Tate, social media personalities, should stay in jail while they fight being sent to the UK. The brothers face serious charges there, including rape and sex trafficking, which they deny. Their lawyers argue they are not a flight risk and should be released during the legal process.
Key Facts
Andrew and Tristan Tate were arrested on July 18 and have been in federal jail in Miami since.
They are accused in the UK of rape, sex trafficking, and other serious crimes.
The UK must send evidence for extradition by mid-September, so the case could take months.
The Tates deny all wrongdoing and claim they follow all legal rules in Romania and elsewhere.
Prosecutors say the brothers are a danger to the public and may try to intimidate witnesses.
Lawyers for the Tates say their active social media presence proves they are not trying to flee.
A U.S. magistrate judge will hear arguments before deciding if the brothers can be released or must stay in custody.
No date is set yet for the extradition hearing, and the brothers are kept in a special jail area for safety.
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Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, is running in a special election in Clacton, a town near London, after resigning his seat in Parliament. The election features a record 34 candidates, including a satirical opponent named Count Binface who wears a trash can on his head. Voter turnout is expected to be low due to summer holidays and a heatwave.
Key Facts
Nigel Farage resigned his parliamentary seat to trigger the special election in Clacton.
Farage hopes the election will clear up questions about his finances.
The main opposition parties, Labour and Conservative, chose not to run candidates against Farage.
Count Binface, a political satirist dressed as a comic alien, is Farage’s main challenger.
There are 34 candidates total, setting a record for the election.
Some candidates represent joke or single-issue parties, like the Monster Raving Loony Party.
The ballot paper for voters is unusually long, about 3 feet (1 meter).
Turnout is likely low because it is a special election during summer holidays and a heatwave of over 35°C (95°F).
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More stingray stings have happened on Southern California beaches this year because a marine heat wave has warmed the water and drawn more stingrays closer to shore. Lifeguard reports show that stingray incidents are about twice as many as last year and are expected to keep rising with upcoming El Niño weather patterns.
Key Facts
Stingray stings at beaches like Bolsa Chica and Huntington Beach have doubled compared to last year.
Over 3,100 stingray incidents were reported so far this year in Southern California.
BTS member V revealed in a livestream that he has been experiencing hearing loss in his right ear for about two and a half years. He said the condition worsened during his military service, but he is now receiving treatment while the band continues their world tour.
Key Facts
V, whose real name is Kim Tae-hyung, has hearing loss in his right ear, with hearing reduced to about 30% compared to his left ear.
He has been dealing with this issue for around two and a half years but only recently shared it with fans.
V's hearing got worse during his mandatory military service in South Korea, which began in 2023 and ended in June 2025.
He is now taking medication and regularly visiting the hospital for treatment.
BTS is on a world tour, their first in years, after completing military service and a hiatus.
The tour started in April in South Korea and recently included concerts in Baltimore, Maryland.
Fellow BTS member Jungkook mentioned managing a shin injury during the tour to continue performing.
The tour will visit cities such as Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, Bangkok, Sydney, and Hong Kong.
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Zambia is holding elections where the rivalry between current President Hakainde Hichilema and his late predecessor Edgar Lungu still affects politics. Hichilema is running for a second term while facing opposition linked to Lungu’s supporters, with conflicts over Lungu’s burial and accusations of unfair treatment during the campaign.
Key Facts
Hakainde Hichilema is seeking re-election after beating Edgar Lungu in 2021.
Edgar Lungu died in South Africa in June 2025; his burial caused legal disputes.
Lungu’s family opposed a state funeral overseen by President Hichilema.
The main opposition candidate, Brian Mundubile, was a government chief whip under Lungu.
Mundubile’s team promises to bring Lungu’s body back to Zambia for a respectful burial.
The opposition accuses Hichilema of authoritarian actions like office raids and detentions.
The ruling party denies these claims, saying the opposition can campaign freely this time.
Zambia’s economy has improved since an earlier crisis, with lower inflation and free education introduced.
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A new report shows that planned coal mining projects worldwide increased by 11% last year, mainly due to India’s big push to expand coal production. This growth in coal mining projects happens even though global demand for coal is not rising and renewable energy is growing.
Key Facts
Global planned coal production is expected to increase by 2.5 billion tonnes per year, an 11% rise from the previous year.
India, especially the states of Jharkhand and Odisha, proposed many new coal mines to boost output.
India aims to raise its coal production to 1.15 billion tonnes in the 2025-26 fiscal year to meet growing electricity needs and cope with more frequent heatwaves.
Despite the rise in new coalmine proposals in India, the number of new mines starting operations worldwide fell by 40% last year.
China and Australia reduced their coal mine startups by 44% and 96%, respectively.
Wind and solar power generated more electricity globally than coal for the first time last year.
The increase in coal projects in India goes against the predicted global decline in coal use by the end of the decade.
Experts suggest governments could cancel new coal projects to avoid more coal production as clean energy becomes cheaper.
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Israeli settlers have surrounded and blockaded three Palestinian families in their homes in the West Bank village of Qusra, cutting off their water and electricity. Palestinian residents say the settlers are trying to take their land, while Israeli forces have been criticized for not stopping the settlers effectively.
Key Facts
Settlers besieged three Palestinian families in Qusra, a village in the West Bank.
The families are trapped inside their homes with no water or electricity.
Security footage shows settlers surrounding one house and Israeli soldiers present but not dispersing them effectively.
Palestinians rely on limited resources like solar power and stored water to survive.
Israeli military said it would send more troops to control the situation and prevent further conflicts.
The Israeli military called the settlers’ actions illegal and promised disciplinary action against security staff who acted improperly.
Similar attacks and land seizures have occurred recently in nearby villages.
Violence and land disputes have increased in the West Bank amid expanded settlement construction by Israel’s government.
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Venezuela’s interim government and opposition ended their first round of talks agreeing to reform the country’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice and to seek access to Venezuela’s frozen funds in the Bank of England. These funds would help finance recovery after June’s deadly earthquakes.
Key Facts
The talks took place in Caracas and lasted several days.
Both sides agreed to start reforming the Supreme Tribunal of Justice, Venezuela’s top court.
The court had previously approved President Maduro’s controversial 2024 re-election.
The group also agreed to try to access Venezuela’s international reserve money frozen in the Bank of England.
The funds are intended to help rebuild after earthquakes on June 24 that killed over 6,300 people.
Both sides want clear rules to ensure the proper use of these funds, including transparency and auditing.
Interim president Delcy Rodriguez’s government and opposition leader Dinorah Figuera represented their groups in the talks.
Exiled opposition leader Maria Corina Machado did not participate but supports the talks happening.
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A partial solar eclipse was visible in the sky above Paris, casting the silhouette of the Eiffel Tower. In some places like Greenland, Iceland, and Spain, the eclipse was total, meaning the sun was completely covered.
Key Facts
A partial solar eclipse was seen in Paris.
The Eiffel Tower’s shape was visible against the eclipse.
The eclipse was only partial in France and parts of Europe.
Greenland, Iceland, and Spain experienced a total solar eclipse.
A total solar eclipse means the sun is fully covered by the moon.
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A rare amber extreme heat warning is active in much of England, including London and the Midlands, with temperatures expected to reach up to 38°C. The heatwave is causing health risks, travel disruptions, and may break several temperature records before temperatures drop by the weekend.
Key Facts
The amber heat warning is in effect from 9:00 AM to 11:59 PM on Thursday in eastern and southeastern England, the Midlands, and parts of Yorkshire and Humber.
Temperatures could rise as high as 38°C (100°F), with widespread heat in the mid-30s Celsius.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued heat health alerts across all of England until 9:00 PM on Friday, warning of serious health impacts, especially for people over 65 and those with existing health problems.
The heat may cause power outages, and delays in rail and air travel.
Tropical nights, with temperatures above 20°C overnight, are expected, increasing health stress.
The heatwave will likely last two or three days before temperatures fall but will remain around or above average for mid-August.
If temperatures reach 36°C or higher, 2026 will set a new record for the most days above this temperature.
This summer is on track to become the warmest on record for the UK if average temperatures stay high through August.
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Voters in eastern England are taking part in a special local election where Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, is running against many candidates, including a comedian dressed as a dustbin called Count Binface. Mainstream political parties are boycotting the vote, making it a contest mainly between Farage and a mix of independents and joke candidates.
Key Facts
The election is a by-election held in Clacton, eastern England.
Nigel Farage leads the Reform UK party, known for its anti-immigration views and support for Brexit.
Mainstream parties like Labour and the Conservatives are not participating in this election.
There are 34 candidates in total, including many independents and joke contenders.
Count Binface, a comedian wearing a dustbin costume, has gained media attention and may get about 20% of the vote.
Farage has called the election a fight between "the people of Clacton versus the Establishment."
Political experts say the election result will likely not change broader British politics.
Voter turnout is expected to be lower than usual due to the boycott by major parties.
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David McBride, an Australian army whistleblower jailed for leaking secret military documents about unlawful killings in Afghanistan, has been released on parole after serving 27 months of his five-year, eight-month sentence. McBride, who has lung cancer, will complete the rest of his sentence under community supervision.
Key Facts
David McBride pleaded guilty in 2023 to leaking top secret Australian Defence Force documents to the media.
His leaks exposed evidence that Australian forces unlawfully killed 39 Afghan civilians during the war.
McBride was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison but granted parole after 27 months.
He is being treated for lung cancer and will have surgery to remove part of his lung.
McBride’s actions led to a major inquiry and the establishment of a special watchdog investigating war crimes.
Two former Australian special forces soldiers have been charged with murder based on these investigations.
Prosecutors argued McBride acted out of personal reasons and endangered national security, while his lawyers said he acted with honorable intentions.
The leaked information formed the basis of a 2017 media report called The Afghan Files, which revealed details of Australian military misconduct.
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