Foundations led by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos have started the Phoenix Species Project with $200 million to save 100 of the world’s most endangered animals. The project focuses on protecting species threatened by climate change and habitat loss, working with local communities and experts.
Key Facts
Leonardo DiCaprio’s Re:wild and the Bezos Earth Fund are funding the project.
The project is the largest-ever fund dedicated solely to saving critically endangered species.
It aims to help animals like the golden-crowned sifaka (a lemur), Malayan pangolin, and pink land iguana.
Efforts involve cooperation with local governments, environmental groups, and Indigenous peoples.
The project supports ongoing smaller conservation efforts to make them sustainable.
Some animals targeted are found only in specific places, like the Hickory Nut Gorge salamander in North Carolina.
The initiative also honors naturalist David Attenborough by including Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna.
The project was born from discussions starting in 2021 between DiCaprio, Bezos, and conservation experts.
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Nigerian police broke up the country’s largest meth lab on July 29. The lab was in a shed on land near two villages and was connected to a big drug operation involving a Mexican cartel.
Key Facts
The meth lab was the biggest ever found in Nigeria.
It was located on an acre of land in a forest near Abidagba and Iroto villages.
The lab was abandoned when law enforcement found it.
It was part of a multimillion-dollar methamphetamine drug operation.
The operation involved a Mexican cartel expanding into Nigeria.
Nigerian police conducted the raid and dismantled the lab on July 29, 2026.
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A Nigerian judge named Faruku Hassan Bunza was taken from his home by unknown armed men on July 26. Police reported on August 3 that he has been freed, but the kidnappers have not been caught yet.
Key Facts
Faruku Hassan Bunza is a judge in Nigeria.
He was kidnapped from his home in Bunza town on July 26, 2026.
Unknown gunmen carried out the abduction.
Police announced his release on August 3, 2026.
Details about how the judge was freed are not clear.
The kidnappers are still at large and have not been arrested.
Kidnapping for ransom is a common crime tactic in Nigeria.
Criminal groups often demand money from the government or families to free victims.
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French and British authorities rescued 157 migrants after a boat caught fire while crossing the English Channel. The incident happened on the border between French and British waters, and no deaths were reported.
Key Facts
A boat carrying migrants caught fire in the English Channel on Tuesday morning.
The fire occurred near the boundary between French and British waters.
Migrants on board jumped into the water to escape the fire.
French and British vessels carried out the rescue operation.
A total of 157 migrants were saved.
No casualties were reported from the incident.
This rescue was one of the largest operations in the Channel since 2018.
The event highlights ongoing migrant attempts to cross the English Channel.
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President Donald Trump announced a deal for Hamas to disarm completely in Gaza. However, Israel has raised concerns about the plan, and fighting in Gaza continues. Some Israeli ministers and people in Gaza say the plan does not reflect the current situation.
Key Facts
President Trump announced a deal aiming for Hamas to fully disarm in Gaza.
Israel expressed worries to the US about the agreement shortly after it was announced.
Israel is increasing its bombing in Gaza even as the deal is proposed.
Some far-right Israeli ministers oppose letting international forces into Gaza, despite government approval.
People living in Gaza say Trump's plan does not match the worsening conditions they face.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces internal pressure related to the deal.
The situation remains tense with ongoing violence and disagreements over peace efforts.
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A landslide struck a mountain monastery in northern Ethiopia during an overnight prayer service, killing 14 people and injuring seven. Rescue efforts have stopped, and funerals are underway for many of the victims.
Key Facts
The landslide happened early Monday morning at Tsadqane Debre Mitmaq St Mary Monastery in Ethiopia's Amhara region.
The monastery has a prayer chamber carved into the mountain where worshippers were gathered.
Heavy rain caused the hillside above the monastery to collapse.
Fourteen people died, and seven were injured, five seriously.
The prayer service included a holy water ritual for spiritual healing.
Eleven of the deceased were buried at the monastery; the others were taken to their hometowns.
Emergency workers, security forces, and locals helped with search and rescue.
Landslides are common in Ethiopia’s rainy season (June to August) and are worsened by climate change.
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Palestinian patients who had been treated abroad returned to Gaza and reunited with their families after nearly three years. Many Palestinians still cannot leave Gaza for urgent medical care because Israel restricts travel due to damage to the local healthcare system.
Key Facts
Palestinian patients left Gaza to get medical treatment in other countries.
They have just come back and met their families after almost three years.
Gaza’s healthcare system has been heavily damaged over time.
Many Palestinians cannot leave Gaza to get urgent medical care.
Israel controls travel in and out of Gaza and blocks some patients from leaving.
Thousands of patients still wait for permission to leave Gaza for treatment.
The damage to Gaza’s health services makes it necessary for some patients to seek care abroad.
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About 60,000 migrants recently crossed into Ceuta, a small Spanish city on the coast of Morocco, causing concern across Europe. This event has increased political fears about immigration and border control, especially among right-wing groups.
Key Facts
Around 60,000 migrants entered Ceuta, Spain, from Morocco in a short time.
Ceuta is a small Spanish enclave located on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast.
Many migrants were influenced by false social media claims that Spain had opened its borders.
Most migrants have since returned, but the images spread quickly and caused political reactions.
Right-wing European leaders used the event to criticize immigration policies.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni suspended the EU’s border-free travel agreement with Spain temporarily.
Spain’s government supports migrant regularization, allowing many migrants to live and work legally in the EU.
The incident highlights tensions between immigration policy, economic needs, and social concerns in Europe.
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Heat waves and wildfires are becoming more severe in many parts of the world due to climate change. Summers are now hotter and more dangerous, causing health risks, destruction of homes, and large-scale evacuations.
Key Facts
About 20,000 people died in Europe earlier this year from extreme heat.
In eastern Washington, 600 homes recently burned down due to wildfires.
Firefighters have died while trying to control climate-driven fires in Europe and North America.
Summers used to be pleasant but now often bring heat, fires, and floods that make them dangerous.
Cities like Phoenix, Arizona, now experience more intense summer heat than before.
Some areas, like New Mexico, have seen less reliable but sometimes stronger monsoon rains.
Large evacuations have occurred, such as 220,000 people in France fleeing a wildfire west of Bordeaux.
The article compares the global impact of these climate events to living in a war zone caused by human actions against nature.
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A wingtip from a World War II fighter plane flown by American ace pilot Richard Bong has been brought back from Papua New Guinea to Wisconsin. The piece was recovered decades after the plane crashed in 1944 and is now displayed at the Richard I Bong Veterans Historical Center.
Key Facts
Richard Bong was a World War II pilot credited with shooting down 40 Japanese aircraft.
Bong flew a Lockheed P-38 Lightning plane nicknamed "Marge," named after his girlfriend Marge Vattendahl.
The plane crashed in March 1944 in what is now Papua New Guinea after an engine failure.
Bong was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1944 and died in a test flight crash in 1945.
The wingtip was found in the jungles of Papua New Guinea’s Madang province by explorers in 2024.
The recovery involved cooperation between the Richard I Bong Veterans Historical Center, Pacific Wrecks, Papua New Guinea officials, and the Wisconsin National Guard.
The recovered wingtip was flown from Papua New Guinea to Wisconsin and displayed at an airshow before being placed in the museum.
The wingtip is on a permanent loan to the U.S., while another part of the plane will remain with Papua New Guinea’s national museum.
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Luis Carlos Rúa was sworn in as a Colombian senator while wearing a white elephant costume. He became well-known by exposing unfinished and wasted public projects in Colombia under the name "Elefante blanco" and only revealed his identity shortly before the election.
Key Facts
Luis Carlos Rúa, aged 34, ran for senator mostly anonymously as the character Elefante blanco (White Elephant).
The White Elephant name refers to public projects that are costly but abandoned or useless.
Rúa’s videos exposing public work issues gained hundreds of thousands of views and helped restart some projects.
He received about 124,000 votes and won a Senate seat among 102 new Colombian senators.
He started making videos in 2021 after moving to Medellín due to threats while working in Pereira’s local government.
Rúa chose to wear the elephant costume during official events but removes it at times.
To fund his activism, he did freelance work, sold plush toys, and ran crowdfunding campaigns before deciding to become a senator.
Political experts see his success as a sign of people’s growing distrust in traditional politics and the power of social media in elections.
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Thousands of migrants remain in Ceuta, a Spanish exclave in North Africa, following a large crossing at the border last week. Many of these migrants come from countries such as Sudan, Afghanistan, and Gaza, fleeing conflict and difficult conditions.
Key Facts
Ceuta is a Spanish territory located in North Africa.
Recently, thousands of migrants crossed into Ceuta in a short period.
Local authorities are having trouble managing the large number of migrants who stayed.
Among the migrants, there are people from Sudan escaping war.
There are also migrants from Afghanistan and the Gaza region.
These migrants have traveled long and difficult journeys to reach Ceuta.
Spain and the European Union are seeking a coordinated response to border issues.
The migrant situation in Ceuta is affecting political discussions across Europe.
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President Donald Trump is trying to restart talks with Iran after previous military actions did not lead to a deal. However, Iran has denied that any negotiations with the United States are happening right now.
Key Facts
President Trump wants to resume diplomatic talks with Iran.
His earlier efforts included military strikes that did not produce a deal.
The president said negotiations would begin again on Monday.
Iran said it was not starting talks with the U.S. at this time.
There is disagreement between the U.S. and Iran about whether talks are happening.
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Fighting has increased again in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, causing many people to flee to neighboring Sudan. Both the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Ethiopian government blame each other for the new violence, despite a brief pause in fighting since August 1.
Key Facts
The conflict in Tigray escalated strongly over the weekend, marking the worst violence since a peace deal in 2022.
The peace deal is known as the Pretoria agreement, signed in 2022 to reduce fighting in Tigray.
Both sides involved, the TPLF and the Ethiopian government, accuse each other of restarting hostilities.
Many residents of Tigray are leaving their homes and crossing the border into Sudan to escape the violence.
Although fighting paused temporarily on August 1, concerns remain about the conflict becoming much larger.
The Tigray conflict began several years ago and has caused widespread suffering and displacement.
Refugees moving into Sudan face challenges as they seek safety amid the ongoing crisis.
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Ebola has killed over 1,700 people in eastern Congo during the fastest-growing outbreak of the disease. The outbreak started in May 2026, mainly affects Ituri province, and is spreading mainly through community transmission rather than identified contacts.
Key Facts
More than 3,800 Ebola cases and 1,700 deaths have been reported in eastern Congo.
The outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved vaccines or treatments yet.
Nearly 80% of new cases come from community spread, not known contacts.
The outbreak is concentrated in Ituri province but has spread to five other provinces, including some large cities.
Armed conflict, illegal mining, and community mistrust make contact tracing and response difficult.
Over 100 healthcare workers have been infected, with strikes occurring due to unpaid wages and unsafe conditions.
The World Health Organization and Africa CDC are actively monitoring the situation and working on clinical trials of drugs and vaccines.
Uganda has declared itself free of Ebola after curing its last patient in June 2026.
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Rescue teams in Pakistan are searching on foot for the remains of 10 climbers who died in an avalanche on Broad Peak, the world’s 12th-highest mountain. Bad weather has stopped helicopters from flying, slowing down rescue efforts.
Key Facts
The avalanche happened on Broad Peak, in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of northern Pakistan.
The climbers came from Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, China, Britain, and the United States.
Eight bodies were found by ground teams, and at least three were recovered and brought down the mountain.
Helicopters have been ready but cannot fly due to bad weather conditions.
One of the victims was Nirmal Purja, a well-known Nepal-born climber and former British Army soldier.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister expressed condolences to the families and governments of the victims.
Rescue operations continue with help from embassies of Nepal, Oman, the U.K., and the U.S.
Mountaineering accidents are common in northern Pakistan because of dangerous weather, avalanches, and falling ice or rocks.
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Drone attacks from both Russia and Ukraine have caused deaths in each country, with at least five people killed in each. Ukrainian drones have struck targets deep inside Russia, including near Moscow and at oil and storage facilities, while Russia continues to attack Ukrainian ports and infrastructure.
Key Facts
Ukrainian drone strikes near Moscow killed five people and wounded ten others.
A Ukrainian drone attack on the Russian Black Sea resort Arkhipo-Osipovka killed seven people, including three children.
Russia claims to have shot down 320 Ukrainian drones overnight.
Ukraine has developed long-range drones able to hit targets deep inside Russia.
Russia has killed over 16,000 Ukrainian civilians since invading more than four years ago.
Russia attacked Ukrainian ports and targeted facilities used to repair military vehicles.
Russian and Ukrainian claims about troop casualties and damage cannot be independently verified.
Attacks have hit industrial zones and warehouses, including Russia’s largest online retailer Wildberries.
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A study in Spain found that a chemical related to common agricultural fungicides, called ethylene thiourea (ETU), may be linked to girls starting their periods earlier. Researchers measured pesticide chemicals in urine samples from girls aged 7 to 10 and observed a higher chance of early puberty in those with more ETU.
Key Facts
The study tracked 506 girls from the Spanish INMA project until adolescence.
Higher levels of ETU in urine were connected to a 32 to 39 percent greater likelihood of earlier first menstruation.
ETU comes from fungicides used on many fruits and vegetables.
Pesticides studied can affect hormones and are called endocrine disruptors.
Girls eating conventionally grown produce are the main group exposed to ETU.
Another pesticide marker (TCPy) was linked to later puberty, but reasons are unclear.
The research shows association but does not prove pesticides cause early puberty.
More studies are needed to confirm these findings and understand pesticide exposure effects.
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Ukrainian drones struck warehouses in the Moscow region, killing five people and injuring ten. The attacks targeted several locations, including facilities of the Russian online retailer Wildberries, amid ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Key Facts
A drone strike hit an industrial zone near Moscow, killing five people and wounding ten.
Ukrainian drones targeted three warehouses, including two operated by Wildberries, a major Russian online retailer.
Additional drone attacks damaged warehouses near Krasny Bor and Emmaus in Russia.
Wildberries accounts for about 10% of Russia’s retail sales and has been accused of helping Russians avoid Western sanctions.
Ukrainian officials reported Russian strikes killed civilians in Sumy and Mykolaiv, Ukraine.
Russia launched 136 drones against Ukraine overnight; Ukrainian forces intercepted 117.
Civilian casualties have increased in the Ukraine conflict, now more than four years long.
A drone strike also killed seven people at a crowded beach resort in southern Russia’s Krasnodar region.
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In Greece, wildfires are burning in several areas, and firefighters are working hard to control them. The fires have caused several deaths, and police have arrested two people linked to a fire near Porto Germeno, possibly caused by an electrical cable.
Key Facts
Multiple wildfires are spreading across Greece.
Hundreds of firefighters are trying to stop the fires.
Several people have died because of the fires.
Police arrested two suspects connected to one fire near Porto Germeno.
Investigators think that an electrical cable may have started that fire.
The wildfires are happening during hot and dry weather conditions.
The situation is severe and ongoing, with efforts continuing to contain the fires.
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