Hotel prices in several European cities have risen sharply as many tourists travel to see the first total solar eclipse visible in Europe this century on August 12. Spain and Iceland are among the most popular viewing spots, prompting concerns about increased fire risks and heavy traffic in some areas.
Key Facts
Hotel prices in Reykjavík, Iceland, have nearly doubled, reaching about $793 per night.
Spain expects around 460,000 foreign tourists for the eclipse, with significant price hikes in cities like A Coruña, Mallorca, Santiago de Compostela, and Bilbao.
Small towns in the eclipse path have been fully booked for months, and some US travelers are doing house exchanges with locals in Spain’s Castilla y León region.
Spanish authorities are concerned about fire risks due to very dry conditions and expect 1.5 million extra car trips on the eclipse day.
Spain has banned parking near dry vegetation, barbecues, and fireworks, and has closed some natural parks to reduce fire danger.
About 200,000 hectares have burned in Spain this year from wildfires, six times the amount from the same time last year.
Spain plans to deploy 35,000 police officers to help manage safety and traffic during the eclipse.
NASA set up telescopes in Villalibado, Spain, to live stream the eclipse to over 10 million people worldwide.
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Anne Hathaway showed her pregnant belly at a recent film premiere, which led to some people online saying it looked fake. She responded by posting on Instagram to confirm her bump was real and joked about having fake hair instead.
Key Facts
Anne Hathaway is pregnant with her third child.
She wore a custom crop top that showed her belly at the Los Angeles premiere of The End of Oak Street.
Some social media users said her baby bump looked fake, while others defended her.
Hathaway posted a video saying, "Fake hair, real bump."
The outfit included a sculptural halter top, low-rise jeans, and red high heels.
The look sparked mixed opinions, with some calling it body positive.
Hathaway has been promoting another film called The Odyssey this summer.
Her maternity style has drawn media attention and inspired nail trends like "coconut water" nails.
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A man named Peter Smith suffered permanent eye damage after watching the 1999 solar eclipse without proper protection. He warns people to use safe glasses or indirect methods to watch the upcoming eclipse to avoid serious eye injuries.
Key Facts
Peter Smith damaged both his retinas after viewing the 1999 solar eclipse using a borrowed welder’s mask.
His eye damage causes lasting effects, including flashing dots and headaches.
Optometrist Sarah Farrant warns that even a partial eclipse can harm the retina and central vision.
Viewing the sun without certified eclipse glasses or indirect methods can cause a "solar burn" to the eye.
Safe viewing options include glasses meeting ISO 12312-2 safety standards or indirect viewing like using a kitchen colander to project the eclipse’s shape.
Looking directly at the sun with naked eyes, sunglasses, unfiltered cameras, binoculars, or telescopes is dangerous.
The next solar eclipse in the UK is happening soon, increasing the risk of people watching without proper protection.
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A Syrian court has sentenced former President Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher to death for war crimes and crimes against humanity during Syria's civil war. Both fled to Russia after being removed from power in a 2024 rebel offensive. The court also sentenced Assad's cousin, Atef Najib, to death for torture related to protests that started the war.
Key Facts
Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher were sentenced to death in absentia (without being present) for crimes during the 14-year Syrian civil war.
The charges include murder, torture, arbitrary arrests, and crimes against humanity.
Both men escaped to Moscow after rebels overthrew Assad’s government in December 2024.
Atef Najib, Assad’s cousin and former political security chief, was sentenced to death for torturing boys who protested in 2011.
Russian officials have refused to extradite Assad and his allies to Syria for trial.
Since Assad’s fall, Syria has seen continued violence, including sectarian killings targeting different communities.
Syrian authorities have started efforts toward transitional justice by arresting former officials and forming committees.
Assad became president in 2000 after his brother died; his rule was known for harsh repression despite initial hopes of reform.
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A strong earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck parts of Colombia on August 10, 2026. Rescue teams are working to find survivors, and the death toll is already in the hundreds and may rise.
Key Facts
The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.4.
It hit parts of Colombia on Monday, August 10, 2026.
An eyewitness video showing the earthquake is shared on social media.
Rescue operations are currently ongoing.
The death toll is in the hundreds and could increase.
Authorities are actively searching for survivors.
The event caused widespread damage in the affected areas.
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Courts in England and Wales have banned Meta glasses because they can secretly record videos, which is not allowed in courtrooms. People who try to enter courts wearing these glasses will have them taken away and returned when they leave.
Key Facts
Meta glasses can record video while being worn and have raised privacy concerns.
Courts in England and Wales have prohibited wearing Meta glasses inside judicial buildings.
If someone brings Meta glasses into court, the glasses will be taken and given back after leaving.
Recording images or videos in UK courts without permission is illegal and can lead to punishment.
Smartphones are allowed in courts but cannot be used to record court activities.
A judge previously accused a man of using smart glasses to get help during a court case, though he denied it.
Courts in New York have also banned smart glasses for secret recording risks.
Meta sold 7 million pairs of these glasses last year, priced between £269 and £469.
Some UK restaurants, theatres, and pubs have also banned Meta glasses over worries about privacy.
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In July 2026, about 95% of mainland France experienced drought conditions due to a record dry spell. This drought was part of a wider pattern affecting many parts of Europe during successive heatwaves.
Key Facts
Almost all of mainland France had drought conditions in July 2026.
The drought is linked to ongoing heatwaves hitting Europe.
These heatwaves caused very low water levels and dry soil in France.
The drought affected agriculture, water supplies, and natural environments.
Such drought conditions are unusual due to their scale and intensity.
This situation reflects a broader environmental challenge across multiple European countries.
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The head of military intelligence for eastern Libya’s Libyan National Army, Major-General Fawzi al-Mansouri, was killed by a bomb placed on his car in Benghazi. This assassination shows ongoing security problems in Libya, where different groups still have power despite a ceasefire in 2020.
Key Facts
Major-General Fawzi al-Mansouri was the military intelligence chief for eastern Libya’s Libyan National Army (LNA).
He was killed by an improvised explosive device (a homemade bomb) as he entered his car outside his home.
The attack occurred late on Monday in Benghazi’s Hawari district.
The eastern Libyan government’s prime minister condemned the killing and vowed to investigate.
Al-Mansouri was appointed in 2024 as director of military intelligence with the rank of major-general.
Libya remains divided between eastern and western factions after the 2011 uprising that removed Muammar Gaddafi.
The LNA, led by Khalifa Haftar, controls much of eastern and southern Libya and is based in Benghazi.
The internationally recognized Government of National Unity is located in Tripoli and controls the west.
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Morgan Freeman helped open a blues music club in Clarksdale, Mississippi, 25 years ago because there was no place to hear live blues music easily. Recently, he produced and narrated an album called "Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience," which combines blues music with classical orchestra sounds and tells the history of blues over 100 years.
Key Facts
Morgan Freeman co-founded the Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, Mississippi to create a venue for blues music.
The new project, "Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience," is both a touring show and an album.
The album features famous blues artists and a classical orchestra from London.
Freeman is the album’s producer and narrator but does not perform music himself.
The album tells the story of blues music from the 1930s to today in 12 tracks lasting about 45 minutes.
The project aims to bring blues music to new audiences and celebrate its cultural history.
Freeman describes blues as music that expresses people’s pain, hope, and history.
The album includes a cover song by Muddy Waters’ great-nephew, linking blues to current culture.
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Jury selection started for the trial of Duane "Keffe D" Davis, a former gang leader accused of planning the murder of rapper Tupac Shakur in 1996. Davis denies the charges and could face life in prison if found guilty.
Key Facts
Duane "Keffe D" Davis is 63 years old.
He is charged with organizing the shooting that killed Tupac Shakur.
The murder happened in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas in 1996.
Davis did not pull the trigger but is accused of planning the crime.
He has pleaded not guilty.
The trial is taking place in Clark County, Nevada.
If convicted, Davis could receive a life sentence without parole.
The case is happening 30 years after Tupac Shakur’s death.
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Turkey’s lawmakers approved a law that offers limited amnesty to Kurdish PKK militants. This law is part of a peace process aimed at ending many years of violent conflict between Turkey and the PKK.
Key Facts
The Turkish Parliament passed a bill on August 10, 2026.
The bill provides limited amnesty, meaning some militants can avoid punishment under specific conditions.
The Kurdish PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) has been involved in a long-running conflict with the Turkish state.
The peace process aims to reduce or stop the violence that has lasted for decades.
This vote is seen as an important step toward resolving the conflict peacefully.
The PKK is considered a militant group by Turkey and other countries.
The law could help reintegrate former militants back into society.
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France is experiencing a severe drought caused by multiple heatwaves this summer. About two-thirds of the country’s groundwater is below normal levels, and around 70% of France is under water restrictions to save water.
Key Facts
France is facing an exceptional drought due to repeated heatwaves.
Two-thirds of groundwater levels in France are currently below normal.
About 70% of the country has water restrictions to help conserve water supplies.
The drought is linked to extreme heat this summer.
Water restrictions aim to protect limited water resources during this dry period.
The situation poses challenges for agriculture and daily water use.
The drought is part of wider climate change impacts in the region.
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A family in Colombia recorded their escape from their home during a 7.4 magnitude earthquake. This was the strongest earthquake in Colombia this century, causing at least 132 deaths.
Key Facts
The earthquake in Colombia had a magnitude of 7.4.
It occurred on a Monday.
The family initially thought the shaking was a small tremor.
The shaking lasted more than 30 seconds and became very strong.
The family, including two young children, escaped safely.
At least 132 people died because of this earthquake.
Colombia’s Geological Service reported this is the strongest earthquake in Colombia in the 21st century.
The family believes life is the most important thing, not material possessions.
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In Pakistani cities like Karachi and Lahore, a small but growing group of women DJs is changing the male-dominated music scene. Despite conservative values and government restrictions, these women are creating new electronic music events, mostly in informal, underground settings within urban elite circles.
Key Facts
Pakistan has a conservative culture and a limited presence in global music and entertainment.
Major cities Karachi and Lahore have an emerging DJ scene gaining attention.
More women are becoming DJs in a field traditionally dominated by men.
This DJ culture is mostly informal, featuring one-time events and underground parties.
Authorities in Pakistan often try to stop cultural events they consider immoral.
The scene mostly involves the urban elite and is not widespread across the country.
The article was reported by Shahzaib Wahlah and Ondine de Gaulle for FRANCE 24.
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Atef Najib, a former Syrian security official, has been sentenced to death by a court in Damascus for crimes committed during the Syrian civil war. He was sentenced alongside ousted Syrian leader President Donald Trump al-Assad and his brother, both sentenced in absentia for crimes against humanity linked to the 2011 crackdown in Deraa.
Key Facts
Atef Najib was a former head of political security in Deraa province during the start of the Syrian uprising in 2011.
Najib is a cousin of former President Bashar al-Assad and served in a key security role under his regime.
Najib was arrested in Syria in January 2025 after having fled the country following al-Assad’s overthrow in December 2024.
A Syrian court sentenced Najib to death for murder, torture, and crimes against humanity during the violent suppression of protests.
President Donald Trump al-Assad and his brother Maher al-Assad were also sentenced to death in absentia, as they are living in exile in Russia.
Najib is the only senior former official physically present in Syria to face trial under the new transitional authorities.
The court found that the 2011 crackdown in Deraa involved systematic violence amounting to crimes against humanity.
The trial began in April 2025, with Najib charged for his role in the arrest, torture, and killing of protesters and detainees.
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Kazakhstan has released a female tiger named Umit into a nature reserve, marking the first time the Caspian tiger has been reintroduced after being extinct for over 70 years. Scientists found that the Caspian tiger and the Amur tiger are genetically very similar, allowing Amur tigers to be used to bring back the Caspian tiger’s presence.
Key Facts
Umit, a female tiger from Russia, was released near Lake Balkhash in Kazakhstan on July 31.
Kazakhstan is the first country to restore the Caspian tiger’s range after it was declared extinct.
The last reliable sighting of Caspian tigers in Kazakhstan was more than 70 years ago.
The Caspian tiger was declared extinct in 2003 due to hunting and habitat loss.
DNA shows the Caspian tiger and the Amur tiger are almost genetically identical.
Plans are to build a population of about 50 tigers in the region using tigers brought from Russia.
Two tiger cubs are being raised in the reserve with minimal human contact and could be released next year.
Suitable habitat for reintroduction was identified mainly in Kazakhstan, especially in Ile-Balkhash nature reserve.
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A Taiwanese court sentenced a woman named Hsu Chun-ying to seven years in prison for working with Chinese officials to influence Taiwan's politics. Hsu, born in China and married to a Taiwanese citizen, was found guilty of breaking laws related to infiltration and banking by transferring money improperly from China.
Key Facts
Hsu Chun-ying was sentenced to seven years for conspiring with Chinese government officials and proxies.
She violated Taiwan’s Anti-Infiltration Act and Banking Act by transferring about $760,000 improperly.
Hsu is part of a group called "mainland spouses," people born in China who moved to Taiwan after marriage.
Prosecutors said Hsu worked with Chinese officials to influence political parties and elections in Taiwan.
She supported political candidates linked to the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) under Chinese direction.
Taiwan’s government accused her of gathering intelligence for China to affect Taiwanese politics.
The case highlights tensions between Taiwan and China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory.
Hsu led a now-disbanded group for cross-strait marriages and families, aimed at immigrants from China.
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Jackie was a bald eagle who brought many people together. She died about a month after fighting with two other birds, leaving a lasting impact on the community.
Key Facts
Jackie was a mother bald eagle.
She engaged in a fight with two other birds.
Jackie died nearly one month after the fight.
Her story united millions of people.
Friends of Big Bear Valley shared information about her legacy.
The bald eagle is a symbol of wildlife and nature in the U.S.
The news segment was produced by ABC News' Danny New.
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Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region has been hit by hundreds of missile and drone attacks amid the ongoing United States-Israel war with Iran. The violence has caused deaths, damaged infrastructure, and severely hurt the region’s economy and trade.
Key Facts
The Kurdish region has been attacked over 1,000 times by missiles and drones from Iran or militias inside Iraq.
These attacks have targeted military sites, energy facilities, Kurdish opposition groups, and civilian areas.
The regional government says the conflict caused a 70% drop in trade within the Kurdish region.
The total damage to the Kurdish region is estimated at about $1.14 billion.
Kurdish officials say they did not take part in the war or allow attacks on Iran from their land.
The Kurdish government has named armed groups responsible for the attacks and given this information to Iraqi authorities.
Pro-Iran armed groups and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have launched strikes on U.S. assets in the region.
The U.S. has also carried out retaliatory attacks against these groups in Iraq.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is using ballistic missiles from North Korea in attacks on Ukraine. He also said North Korean troops are fighting alongside Russian forces and that Russia is preparing to increase missile production and soldier recruitment.
Key Facts
Russia used North Korean ballistic missiles in attacks on the city of Zaporizhzhia, killing six people and injuring 19.
Three more civilians, including a 15-year-old boy, were killed by Russian drones and artillery in central Ukraine.
Russia and North Korea signed a strategic partnership in 2024, agreeing to help each other if attacked.
Reports say over 1,000 North Korean troops are fighting in Ukraine alongside Russian forces.
Ukraine captured two wounded North Korean soldiers in January 2025 for the first time.
Zelenskyy warned that cooperation with Russia helps North Korea improve its missile technology, which could threaten other countries in Asia.
Russia is increasing missile production to overcome Ukraine’s limited air defense capabilities.
Russia is preparing for a major increase in soldier numbers to push forward on the long eastern and southern front lines.
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