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Wildfires are burning strongly near Bordeaux, France, forcing thousands to leave their homes. In Spain, a national emergency was declared as fires close to Madrid and Ávila forced over 63,000 people to evacuate or stay indoors, with firefighters and the military working to control the blazes.
Key Facts
Thousands of people were evacuated from suburbs near Bordeaux, including Le Haillan, Eysines, and Merignac.
Over 141,000 people have been evacuated from the Gironde and Landes regions in France.
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said the wildfires are at a level never seen before.
The French army has been called in to help fight the fires.
Spain declared a national emergency due to wildfires near Madrid and Ávila.
More than 63,000 people in Spain were evacuated or told to stay indoors because of the fires.
Spain’s national emergency declaration lets the central government take control from regional authorities.
Spanish officials warned that the fires have reached a critical stage and firefighting resources are stretched.
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Wildfires are spreading through southwest France near the city of Bordeaux. Strong winds and very dry conditions have made it hard to control the fires, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate.
Key Facts
Wildfires are happening in southwest France, close to Bordeaux.
Over 40,000 people have had to leave their homes to stay safe.
The fires are growing because of very dry weather described as "tinder-box" conditions.
Extremely strong winds are making the fires worse and harder to stop.
The region is vulnerable to wildfires due to dry conditions and heat.
These events are part of a wider pattern of wildfires in France and near Spain during this period.
Emergency services and authorities are working to manage the evacuations and fight the fires.
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Thousands of people have been evacuated from areas near Madrid due to large wildfires burning close to the city. Firefighters are working to control these fires, which have been made worse by a heatwave and dry conditions.
Key Facts
Large wildfires are burning near Madrid, Spain.
Thousands of residents have been forced to leave their homes for safety.
Firefighters are actively trying to contain and control the fires.
The wildfires are linked to a heatwave causing very hot and dry weather.
Authorities are monitoring the situation to prevent further damage.
The fires present a serious natural disaster risk to the region.
Smoke from the fires can be smelled miles away in surrounding areas.
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Andy Burnham has become the UK's 59th prime minister, replacing Sir Keir Starmer as Labour Party leader. In his first week, Burnham introduced several plans to help with the cost of living, including cutting VAT on electricity bills, capping bus fares at £2, and reducing business rates for pubs and music venues.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham became prime minister and Labour Party leader at the start of the week.
Burnham announced cutting VAT on electricity bills to save households about £45 a year.
Bus fares will be capped at £2, funded by shifting government spending priorities.
Pubs and small live music venues will get a 20% cut in business rates.
Some people in southern England welcomed these measures as helpful but see more help as needed.
Burnham spent a day working at No 10 North in Manchester, a new government office aimed at local economic growth.
Political experts say Burnham’s early moves have caused a small rise in opinion polls.
Business owners warn that without more support, some local businesses may close permanently.
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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited Syria for three days, marking the first UN chief visit since before the civil war started. He aims to support Syria’s rebuilding and encourage a stable and inclusive future after President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s leadership replaced Bashar al-Assad in 2024.
Key Facts
Antonio Guterres arrived in Damascus, Syria, for a three-day visit.
This is the first visit by a UN secretary-general to Syria since 2009.
Syria’s civil war lasted over 13 years and ended with Assad’s overthrow in December 2024.
President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who replaced Assad, leads a new government formed from Islamist rebel factions.
The UN supports Syria’s rebuilding and a political system that includes all ethnic and religious groups.
Violence against minority groups, including Alawites and Druze, has occurred since the transition.
Guterres called for accountability for sectarian violence during his visit.
Guterres plans to meet with President Sharaa, civil society leaders, and the new Syrian parliament.
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One month after earthquakes struck Venezuela, families are still looking for missing people in collapsed buildings. More than 5,500 people have died, and thousands are unaccounted for. Survivors say that recovery efforts and help from other countries are still very much needed.
Key Facts
Earthquakes hit Venezuela about one month ago.
More than 5,500 people have died due to the earthquakes.
Thousands of people are still missing.
Families continue searching through collapsed buildings for their loved ones.
Memorial events have been held to honor those who died.
Survivors say that efforts to recover and rebuild need more support.
They also urge more international aid to help with the crisis.
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Andy Burnham, who grew up near Culcheth in Cheshire, is now the UK’s prime minister. He is the first northern prime minister in 50 years and focuses on reducing the gap between rich and poor regions by promoting growth outside London.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is from the village of Culcheth, near Manchester and Liverpool.
He became the UK prime minister and is the first northern leader since Harold Wilson 50 years ago.
Burnham has strong ties to his local community and often speaks about his northern roots.
He wants to shift power away from London to improve economic growth in all areas.
Burnham recently opened No 10 North in Manchester to support this goal.
Warrington, near his hometown, is being developed with new projects including an AI data center.
Locals have mixed feelings about whether having Burnham as prime minister will change things.
The Cherry Tree pub in Culcheth is a local spot tied closely to Burnham’s personal story.
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Andy Burnham, the new UK Prime Minister, is using social media actively and in a casual, engaging style. He shares short videos and collaborates with influencers to reach younger and wider audiences, using platforms like TikTok. His approach has drawn comparisons to Zohran Mamdani, the mayor of New York, who has a similar online style.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham became UK Prime Minister recently and promised to change the way politics is done.
Burnham’s social media uses fun, mobile-friendly videos, emojis, and memes to engage people.
His TikTok following and searches surged by over 2,000% when he took office.
Burnham released videos about policy, such as cutting VAT on energy bills and ending rough sleeping.
He collaborates with influencers and celebrities, like athlete Sir Mo Farah and TikTok star Max Klymenko.
His video style is similar to New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, including copying some video moves.
Experts say Burnham’s social media work helps him build a new public image outside his traditional base.
Burnham’s team posts both live, casual videos and professionally made campaign clips.
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Swimming lessons have restarted in Gaza after three years of war, with makeshift pools built from sandbags and rubble on the beach. Hundreds of children are learning to swim, giving them a chance to enjoy normal childhood activities in an area affected by violence, loss, and destruction.
Key Facts
Swimming classes are held in five pools made by volunteers on Gaza’s beaches using sandbags and rubble.
These classes help children, many of whom have experienced trauma, to relax and have fun despite the ongoing conflict.
A UN survey found that 96% of children in Gaza feel like they might die soon due to the ongoing war.
Many children have lost family members in Israeli attacks, and Gaza has the highest rate of child amputees globally.
Most schools in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged, and many children have no access to formal education.
The Israeli siege has caused severe shortages leading to hunger and long-term health problems for children.
The swimming academy was founded more than 20 years ago and is run this summer by volunteers to support children.
The pools provide a rare space for physical activity and mental relief from living in crowded, unsafe conditions.
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The UK’s largest Muslim event, Jalsa Salana, is going ahead with extra security due to rising anti-Muslim hate crimes. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, which organizes the event, has a long history of facing hostility but continues to promote unity and loyalty to the UK.
Key Facts
Jalsa Salana is the UK’s largest Muslim convention, expected to attract about 50,000 people from over 100 countries.
Security staff have been increased by several hundred, and there is close work with police and emergency services.
Last month, another Islamic event closed early after arrests linked to a far-right threat.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has been in the UK since 1913 and built one of London’s first mosques in 1926.
Anti-Muslim hate crime in England and Wales rose by 19% in the year to March 2025.
One mosque in Britain is attacked every five days on average.
The community promotes interfaith dialogue, local cooperation, and urges members to be proud and visible as Muslims in Britain.
The Ahmadiyya community faces hostility both from far-right groups and from some extremist Muslims.
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Groups of people are illegally hunting hares in the UK by using dogs to chase them, a practice called hare coursing. This activity is organized by gangs who cause damage, scare farmers, and sometimes leave dead animals in public places. Police report thousands of such incidents in recent years, but responses vary due to limited resources.
Key Facts
Hare coursing uses dogs like greyhounds to chase and catch hares, with points given for how the hare runs and if it is caught.
The sport was banned in the UK in 2005 but now happens illegally at night and in rural areas.
More than 9,000 reports of hare coursing were made in the UK over the past three years.
Criminal gangs organize these events, which include gambling, prizes, and using violence or intimidation.
In one case, a farmer’s land was invaded by over 70 people with vehicles, damaging crops and property.
Dead hares and other animals have been dumped in villages, disturbing local residents and children.
Police can be stretched thin and sometimes cannot respond quickly to these incidents.
The BBC investigation uncovered the hidden and dangerous nature of this illegal bloodsport.
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Wildfires in southwestern France and central Spain have forced over 200,000 people to leave their homes. French authorities ordered evacuations near the city of Bordeaux and mobilized the military to fight the fires as they threatened populated areas.
Key Facts
Wildfires are spreading through southwestern France and central Spain.
More than 200,000 people have been evacuated due to the fires.
French authorities ordered evacuations near Bordeaux as a safety measure.
The Gironde region's roads are advised to be avoided to allow emergency vehicles to move freely.
President Emmanuel Macron sent the military to help control the fires in France.
Spain declared a national emergency in the Madrid area and the province of Avila.
The fires in France have burned around 14,000 hectares (about 34,600 acres).
These wildfires are affecting multiple European countries, including France, Spain, and Italy.
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Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Yemeni Houthi group exchanged attacks after the Houthis announced a blockade and attacked Saudi ships. Meanwhile, the US military disabled a tanker trying to break a blockade on Iranian ports in the Gulf of Oman, amid ongoing tensions and military actions between the US and Iran.
Key Facts
Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen's port city of Hodeida and a nearby island.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for a missile attack on the Saudi city of Jizan.
The US Navy disabled a tanker in the Gulf of Oman that attempted to break the US blockade on Iranian ports.
The tanker crew ignored multiple warnings before the US fired on the ship’s engine room to stop it.
Oman sent a delegation to Tehran for talks about the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route.
Iran claims it carried out drone strikes on US military bases in retaliation for US attacks.
President Trump said talks with Iran are ongoing but warned the US is ready to use military force if needed.
Oil prices briefly rose due to security concerns around shipping routes but fell after safe passage of some tankers.
The US and UK plan to hold a conference about the Strait of Hormuz next week with senior military officials attending.
A ceasefire agreement signed in June between the US and Iran collapsed after renewed attacks on ships.
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Funerals were held for four Palestinians who died near the city of Nablus in the West Bank. Palestinian officials say Israeli settlers and soldiers attacked the area, while Israel said the violence started after a separate attack on Israeli civilians.
Key Facts
Four Palestinians were killed near Nablus, a city in the West Bank.
Funerals for the four took place overnight.
Palestinian leaders accuse Israeli settlers and soldiers of attacking the area.
Israel says the violence began following an attack on Israeli civilians.
The West Bank is an area occupied by Israel but claimed by Palestinians.
The situation reflects ongoing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians in the region.
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Greece has nominated Mount Olympus to be included on the UNESCO World Heritage list because of its cultural and environmental importance. The decision will be discussed soon by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee during their session in South Korea.
Key Facts
Mount Olympus is Greece’s highest mountain, rising 2,918 meters above the sea.
It is famous in Greek mythology as the home of the gods and the throne of Zeus.
Greece first proposed Mount Olympus for UNESCO World Heritage status in 2014.
The mountain was Greece’s first national forest (1938) and a biosphere reserve since 1981.
In 2021, Mount Olympus was declared a national park to protect its natural environment.
About 500,000 tourists visited the mountain last year, with numbers expected to rise.
Protection from threats like forest fires, worsened by climate change, is a key concern.
Becoming a World Heritage site would help safeguard the mountain from overdevelopment and tourism damage.
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Young Liberians are using social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and podcasts to share and preserve their country’s history and culture. This digital approach helps continue the tradition of storytelling that was disrupted by Liberia’s civil wars and urban migration.
Key Facts
Liberia’s history was traditionally passed down by elders through storytelling and ceremonies.
The country does not have the formal griot tradition found in some West African regions, but elders played a similar role.
Liberia experienced two civil wars between 1989 and 2003, killing about 250,000 people and disrupting cultural transmission.
Urban migration has increased, with nearly half of the urban population internally migrating, reducing community-based storytelling.
Young Liberians are now using digital media to document and share their history and culture.
Archive Liberia, led by Bilphena Decontee Yahwon, is one project working to preserve Liberian history through research and public storytelling.
Digital platforms allow Liberian stories to reach audiences both inside the country and across the Liberian diaspora worldwide.
This shift from traditional to digital storytelling is seen as an evolution of culture, rather than a loss.
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A 17-year-old boy died after being stabbed during a violent incident in Luton, England. Police have started a murder investigation and arrested two teenage boys in connection with the case.
Key Facts
The stabbing happened at Kingsway Recreation Ground in Luton around 6:30 pm on Friday.
Police saw several teenagers carrying large knives during the incident.
The 17-year-old victim was taken to the hospital but died shortly after.
One teenage boy was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and is being questioned.
Another teenage boy was also arrested but is still in hospital with serious injuries that are not life-threatening.
Bedfordshire Police have asked the public to provide any information about the event.
The incident is under investigation as a murder case.
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Next week, many parts of England and Wales are expected to experience very hot weather with temperatures rising up to 35°C (95°F). This could lead to the UK having its fourth heatwave of the year, following three previous heatwaves earlier in 2026.
Key Facts
Heatwaves in the UK happen when temperatures stay above a certain level for three consecutive days.
The threshold temperatures vary by region, from 25°C in northern and western areas to 28°C in eastern England.
Three heatwaves have already happened this year, in late May, June, and July.
Some places like Usk and Exeter have had heatwave conditions for 20 days in a row, the longest stretch this year.
Cooler weather and rain are expected at the weekend but may be temporary.
Next week, a high pressure system will bring warmer, drier conditions to southern parts of the UK.
Temperatures could reach 30-35°C in East Wales and much of England, possibly causing a fourth heatwave.
Scotland and Northern Ireland will be cooler but still warmer, with highs in the mid to high twenties Celsius.
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The Saudi-led coalition launched strikes against military and telecom sites controlled by the Houthis in the Hodeidah region. The Houthis have threatened more attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities and shipping routes, increasing tensions in the area.
Key Facts
Saudi-led coalition targeted Houthi military sites in Hodeidah governorate.
Telecommunications facilities controlled by the Houthis were also hit.
The Houthis warned they might attack Saudi oil infrastructure.
They also threatened shipping routes near Saudi Arabia.
These actions have raised concerns about more fighting in the region.
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