Hungary almost had to shut down its Paks nuclear power plant because the Danube River’s water level dropped too low to properly cool the plant. Other countries in the region are also taking steps to manage energy and water shortages caused by a severe drought and heatwave.
Key Facts
Hungary's Paks nuclear plant operated at about 10% capacity due to low water levels in the Danube River.
Around 1:30 a.m., the plant was very close to shutting down but water levels rose slightly by morning, allowing it to keep running.
Hungary used energy-saving measures, including businesses adjusting work and stores turning off fridges to reduce energy use.
In Romania, a controlled explosion was done to divert the Danube’s flow to cool its Cernavodă nuclear plant.
Romania plans further actions to redirect water by sinking old barges to help the nuclear plant.
Temperatures in parts of Romania and surrounding areas are reaching over 40°C (104°F).
The drought and heat are causing energy and water challenges in southeastern Europe.
EU ministers planned to meet about a migration crisis in Ceuta involving mass border crossings from Morocco into Spanish territory.
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A new study reviewed many clinical trials to find which types of exercise best help people with metabolic syndrome, a condition with several health risks like high blood pressure and high blood sugar. The study found no single best workout; different exercises improve different parts of the condition.
Key Facts
Metabolic syndrome includes health problems such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess belly fat, high triglycerides, and low good cholesterol (HDL).
About 1.54 billion adults worldwide had metabolic syndrome as of 2023.
Researchers analyzed 53 clinical trials with nearly 3,000 participants comparing many exercises like aerobic workouts, weight training, yoga, tai chi, qigong, and various HIIT workouts.
Combining aerobic exercise (like running or cycling) with resistance training (like weight lifting) best reduced waist size, body weight, bad cholesterol (LDL), and blood sugar.
Tai chi and qigong, which focus on movement, breathing, and mental focus, helped most with raising good cholesterol (HDL) and lowering top blood pressure numbers.
Longer high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts reduced body fat the most, while shorter HIIT sessions lowered triglycerides, total cholesterol, and lower blood pressure more effectively.
The study suggests exercise plans for metabolic syndrome might work better if tailored to the person's specific health issue rather than one standard workout.
Metabolic syndrome raises the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and other health problems.
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A truck carrying sand and a passenger van used as a taxi collided in Uganda, killing at least 14 people. The crash happened on a highway in Kalungu district, and the truck driver ran away after the accident.
Key Facts
The accident took place Monday night in Kamunga Trading Center, Kalungu district, Uganda.
At least 14 passengers in the van died in the collision.
Four other people were injured in the crash.
The truck driver fled the scene and is being searched for by police.
Road accidents are common in Uganda and often caused by poor vehicle maintenance, speeding, and bad road conditions.
In July, another accident in eastern Uganda killed at least 20 children and one adult after a school bus overturned.
The passenger van was operating as a commuter taxi at the time of the crash.
Officials reported the incident through a police statement.
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At least five people died and 10 were injured in a Ukrainian drone strike on a warehouse near Moscow. Russia also reported its own attacks on Ukrainian cities, causing deaths and injuries.
Key Facts
A Ukrainian drone struck a warehouse close to Moscow, killing five and injuring 10.
The targeted warehouse is believed to be linked to Wildberries, a large Russian online retailer.
Wildberries facilities in St Petersburg and Tver regions were also hit overnight.
Russia claims the warehouses supply the Russian military; Ukraine denies this.
Russia's defense ministry said it intercepted and destroyed 320 drones during the attacks.
Russia launched strikes on Ukrainian cities including Mykolaiv, Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, and Dnipro.
In Mykolaiv, one elderly woman died and seven people, including two children, were injured.
A food warehouse was set on fire in Dnipro due to Russian strikes.
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Bob Montgomery, an 82-year-old cyclist, completed a 3,300-mile bike ride across Australia to raise money for a motor neurone disease (MND) charity. He died peacefully a day after finishing the ride, which he completed with his 18-year-old grandson.
Key Facts
Bob Montgomery cycled from Broome in Western Australia to Bowral, near Sydney.
The ride covered 3,300 miles (5,300 km) and took six weeks.
He and his grandson raised about A$105,000 (around $74,000) for an MND charity.
This was his sixth fundraising ride for MND NSW, a cause personal to him.
Montgomery lost a cousin to MND, motivating his fundraising efforts.
His wife, Jenny, was with him when he passed away peacefully.
The local community welcomed him with applause at the ride’s end.
MND NSW's chief executive praised Montgomery as a dedicated supporter and friend.
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Daphne Caruana Galizia was a Maltese journalist investigating corruption involving a businessman named Yorgen Fenech and top government officials when she was killed in a car bomb attack in 2017. Her son, Matthew, testified that his mother was working on leaked emails linking Fenech to corrupt activities related to Malta’s electricity privatization project before her death.
Key Facts
Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed in a car bomb attack in October 2017.
She was investigating suspected corruption involving Yorgen Fenech and Malta’s government members.
Yorgen Fenech, a wealthy Maltese businessman, is on trial for allegedly ordering the killing.
Matthew Caruana Galizia, her son, helped with her investigative work and testified at the trial.
The investigation included leaks from the Panama Papers and emails from Electrogas, a company partly owned by Fenech.
The leaked information implicated Malta’s energy minister Konrad Mizzi and prime minister’s chief of staff Keith Schembri in setting up offshore companies.
Daphne was planning a journalism project to analyze the Electrogas emails with international media before her death.
After her murder, Matthew started the Daphne Project to continue the investigations with other news organizations.
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Ariana Grande announced she will take a break from public life after her current tour ends in early September. She said this decision was planned carefully and is meant to set healthy boundaries because people need rest sometimes.
Key Facts
Ariana Grande is finishing her Eternal Sunshine Tour, ending on September 1.
She said her break is not a sudden decision but something she planned quietly a long time ago.
Grande wants to set boundaries and take a rest from public visibility.
A representative said she is taking a "well-earned break" due to ongoing public scrutiny.
She reassured fans that negative stories about her are not accurate and wanted to speak directly to them.
Fans showed support and concern, using the hashtag #weloveyouariana on social media.
Grande will no longer appear in a London theater production next year because of her break.
The Barbican theater hopes to welcome her back when she is ready.
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Heavy rains in Sri Lanka’s central mountainous region caused floods and mudslides, killing five people and injuring three. The government closed schools and deployed army and navy troops to rescue those affected and evacuate nearly 2,000 people.
Key Facts
Five people died after being buried by mudslides in two houses in central Sri Lanka.
Three people were injured and two are missing due to the floods and mudslides.
Heavy rains have damaged 129 houses and flooded homes, fields, and roads.
Nearly 2,000 people were evacuated for safety.
Army and navy troops are helping rescue people trapped by floods and mudslides.
The central region is the worst affected by the heavy rains.
Roads have been blocked by mudslides, rocks, and fallen electric posts.
This disaster follows Cyclone Ditwa in November, which killed nearly 640 people and caused extensive damage in the same area.
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A British maritime agency reported that a cargo ship was hit by an unknown projectile near Oman in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said the U.S. and Iran have resumed talks to reduce conflict, but Iran said it is only speaking with Oman about safe navigation in the Strait.
Key Facts
A cargo ship was struck near Al Khasab, Oman, in the Strait of Hormuz around 2 a.m. local time.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations Center provided limited details about the attacked ship.
The Strait of Hormuz is an important waterway for about one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas.
Iran has been attacking ships and has effectively shut the strait since the war began in February.
The U.S. has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports in the same area.
President Trump said talks with Iran had resumed to try to end the conflict.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said it is not negotiating with the U.S. but only with Oman.
Iran says talks with Oman focus on creating a safe route for ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
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President Donald Trump announced a new agreement for Hamas and armed groups in Gaza to disarm as part of a ceasefire deal from October 2025. However, fighting continued with Israeli strikes killing dozens of Palestinians in Gaza shortly after the announcement, as both sides disagreed over conditions for implementation.
Key Facts
President Trump announced a "historic agreement" for Hamas disarmament in Gaza on July 30.
The deal is part of the second phase of a ceasefire from October 2025.
Hamas said it will not disarm unless Israel stops attacks and withdraws troops.
Israel says it will not withdraw until Hamas is fully disarmed.
Israeli strikes killed at least 26 Palestinians in Gaza within days of the agreement.
A strike destroyed a medicine warehouse linked to Al-Aqsa Hospital, affecting medical supplies.
July 2026 was the deadliest month in Gaza this year, with 152 people killed.
Since the ceasefire began in October 2025, 1,250 people have been killed and over 4,100 wounded in Gaza.
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Ukrainian drone attacks hit targets in Russia near Moscow and St Petersburg, killing six people and injuring others. The strikes damaged warehouses, including those owned by Russian online retailer Wildberries, and caused fires. Both Russia and Ukraine deny intentionally targeting civilians amid the ongoing conflict.
Key Facts
Ukrainian drones attacked Russian sites near Moscow and St Petersburg.
At least six people were killed and nine injured in the attacks.
A warehouse near St Petersburg owned by Wildberries caught fire but no one was hurt.
In the Belgorod region near Ukraine, a drone strike killed one woman and injured two people.
Russian bomb strikes in the Ukrainian city of Sumy killed two children and an elderly woman.
Both Russia and Ukraine deny targeting civilians during their ongoing conflict.
Finland briefly lifted a temporary aviation restriction in the eastern Gulf of Finland related to the attacks.
The situation is part of the wider war triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
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Three lions have died at a zoo in Tokyo due to suspected heatstroke as Japan experiences very high temperatures and humidity. Other lions at the zoo are sick and receiving treatment, while authorities work to protect people and animals from the extreme heat.
Key Facts
Three lions at Tama Zoological Park in Tokyo died from suspected heatstroke in recent days.
Since mid-July, 10 of 16 lions showed signs of illness like loss of appetite and less activity.
The heat in Japan combines high temperatures with high humidity, which is harder for lions to handle than dry heat in Africa.
The zoo has taken steps to protect animals, such as sprinkling water, improving ventilation, and using spot air conditioners.
Around 18,600 people went to hospitals in Japan for heatstroke in one week in July, with 45 deaths reported on arrival.
Japan’s hottest temperature on record was 41.8°C (107.2°F) in August last year.
Japan aims to reduce heat-related deaths, which are about 1,300 each year, by half by 2030.
Scientists link rising heat waves in Japan and South Korea to human-caused climate change.
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A feral cat named Nine Lives was caught and killed after three years of killing rare native animals on New Zealand’s Purerua peninsula. The cat killed many rare brown teal ducks and other native wildlife, causing serious harm to local conservation efforts.
Key Facts
Nine Lives was a large grey tabby feral cat living on the Purerua peninsula in New Zealand.
It killed about 1% of the rare brown teal ducks introduced to the area, plus kiwi chicks, native geckos, and other animals.
The cat was first seen in 2023 and avoided traps for three years, earning its name.
Conservationists used cameras, traps, and bait like salmon and rabbit to finally catch it in July 2024.
After capture, the cat was humanely shot to protect wildlife.
Its body will be taxidermied to help educate people about the dangers of feral cats.
New Zealand has many feral cats, which threaten native species and are part of a government Predator-Free 2050 plan.
The capture of Nine Lives is seen as a win for conservation on the peninsula.
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Half of England and all of Wales are officially in drought, with wildfires burning in various locations and reservoirs running low. Some media outlets and commentators are debating how to respond to climate change, with a minority arguing against efforts to reduce carbon emissions despite the clear evidence of climate impacts.
Key Facts
Half of England and all of Wales are currently declared to be in drought.
Wildfires have affected the Cairngorms, Suffolk, and the Isle of Wight.
Reservoir levels are low, raising concerns about water supply.
Farmers warn there may be food shortages as a result of the heat and drought.
The Royal Horticultural Society is considering relocating hydrangeas to cope with hotter weather.
Some media, such as The Telegraph, suggest abandoning net zero carbon goals to adapt to a warmer climate.
Climate denial groups argue that climate crisis warnings are exaggerated and politicized.
Experts note that despite a minority of deniers, most people support stronger action on climate change.
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Bob Montgomery, an 82-year-old charity cyclist, died in a car accident one day after finishing a 5,200 km bike ride across Australia to raise money for motor neurone disease. He completed the ride with his grandson and raised nearly $105,000 for MND NSW, a group that supports people with the disease.
Key Facts
Bob Montgomery recently finished a 5,200 km bike ride from Broome to Bowral, Australia.
The ride was a fundraiser for motor neurone disease (MND) and was called "One Last Ride."
Montgomery was 82 years old and completed the ride with his 18-year-old grandson, Tom.
He died in a single-vehicle crash in Sydney’s Arncliffe suburb a day after the ride.
Emergency services treated him at the scene before he was taken to St George hospital, where he passed away.
His fundraising raised $104,965 for MND NSW, an organization supporting people with motor neurone disease.
This was Montgomery’s sixth interstate fundraising ride for MND NSW.
MND NSW and its CEO praised Montgomery for his dedication to raising money and awareness for the disease.
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Young protesters in India, calling themselves the Cockroach Janta Party, held demonstrations demanding the resignation of the education minister over leaked exam papers. Their protests led to the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, marking a rare concession from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and showing growing political power of India’s youth.
Key Facts
The Cockroach Janta Party is a youth-led protest movement in India focused on education reforms and government accountability.
They began protests in May after leaked exam papers threatened students’ futures.
The movement used humor, satire, and social media to organize and spread their message.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned due to pressure from these protests.
Nearly half of India’s population is under 25, giving young people significant influence.
Modi’s government rarely changes course due to public pressure, making this resignation notable.
The movement represents a shift toward more youth participation and less fear of protesting in India.
The protests expanded their focus to broader issues like youth unemployment and transparency in government.
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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez faced strong criticism from leaders across the European Union after tens of thousands of migrants suddenly arrived in the Spanish territory of Ceuta in North Africa. The crisis led to deaths and raised debates about migration policies, with Sanchez defending his government’s response and accusing others of political motives.
Key Facts
Around 50,000 to 60,000 migrants arrived suddenly in Ceuta last week, causing a humanitarian crisis.
More than 80 migrants died, some drowned or were trampled in a rush to cross a barrier.
Most migrants were returned to Morocco within hours, with Spanish and Moroccan authorities working together.
22 EU leaders criticized Spain’s migration policies and court rulings, asking for stricter border controls.
Spain’s Supreme Court ruled that migrants arriving by sea cannot be deported without legal process, unlike those crossing land borders.
Sanchez said smugglers misused the court ruling to encourage migrants to cross by sea.
The incident highlighted divisions within the EU over migration, security, and other political issues.
Some leaders say this crisis showed a lack of unity in Europe amid wider global challenges.
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Huw Edwards, a former BBC newsreader convicted in 2024 of accessing illegal images of children, entered a poetry competition at Wales' National Eisteddfod under a fake name. Actress and abuse survivor Sera Cracroft criticized his participation, saying it hurt survivors and was too soon after his conviction. The competition's rules keep entrants’ identities secret until winners are announced.
Key Facts
Huw Edwards was convicted in 2024 for accessing 41 illegal images of children, including seven classified as very serious.
He received a six-month suspended sentence and must stay on the sex offenders' register for seven years.
Edwards submitted a poem to Wales’ biggest cultural festival, the National Eisteddfod, under the pseudonym "Y Gelyn" (The Enemy).
Entrants in the poetry contest use fake names, and judges do not know the real identities during judging.
Actress Sera Cracroft, who survived child sexual abuse, said Edwards’ entry was harmful to survivors and inappropriate given the timing after his conviction.
Edwards described his poem as a tribute to his father and said it aimed to challenge a false story about him.
His poem did not win; it was placed in the third tier of entries by the judges.
The National Eisteddfod said it reviews its entry process to make sure it works well but currently keeps entrant identities confidential during judging.
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A street artist named Martin Withers, called the "Minion Man," paints cartoon characters on street cabinets and bollards in Salford, Greater Manchester. His art covers up swear words and vandalism, making the area look nicer and providing something positive for local children.
Key Facts
Martin Withers is a 38-year-old street artist from Little Hulton, Salford.
He earned the nickname "Minion Man" after painting bollards to look like Minions from the Despicable Me movies.
Withers now paints other cartoon characters like The Simpsons and Tom and Jerry on street cabinets.
His paintings cover offensive graffiti and brighten up local street furniture.
The painted cabinets belong to BT Openreach, a company that maintains local phone and internet connections.
Withers has also painted female versions of Minions and a special tribute piece for the NHS.
He has epilepsy and says painting helps him get out and feel good.
People in the community have praised his work for improving the look of the estate.
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A group of fast-moving wildfires near Spokane, Washington has forced about 65,000 people to leave their homes and destroyed over 700 buildings. The fires are fueled by dry conditions and strong winds, making them one of the worst wildfire emergencies in the state’s recent history.
Key Facts
Three wildfires started on the northern outskirts of Spokane over the weekend.
The fires have burned more than 8,000 acres of land, including forests and neighborhoods.
About 65,000 people were ordered to evacuate, up from 4,000 just a day earlier.
Over 700 buildings, mostly homes, have been destroyed or damaged.
More than 1,000 firefighters are working to control the blazes.
No deaths have been confirmed, but there were initially nearly 300 missing person reports.
A 37-year-old was arrested on suspicion of starting the fires deliberately.
The region is experiencing a severe drought and dry vegetation, which helped the fires spread quickly.
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