Japan is facing heavy rain and flooding after extreme downpours in recent weeks, especially in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures. At the same time, parts of western Europe, including France and Spain, experienced severe storms with strong winds, large hail, and a tornado.
Key Facts
In Toyama, Japan, 361.5mm of rain fell in one day, about half of London’s or Paris’s yearly average rainfall.
Several rivers in Japan overflowed, causing floods and mudslides that damaged buildings.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency issued the highest-level rain and landslide warnings, prompting evacuations.
Typhoon Saudel recently hit southern Japan with winds up to 100 mph and heavy rain before moving toward southeast China.
The current El Niño weather pattern may increase storms and rainfall in Japan.
Western Europe saw severe storms with heavy rain, strong winds, hail up to 10 cm in Spain, and a tornado in Pomas, France.
The storms in Europe were caused by a mix of low-pressure systems, unstable air, and changing wind patterns.
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A massive flood caused by a landslide hit the Nepal-Tibet border region, killing at least 469 people and leaving nearly 1,000 missing. Rescue efforts continue as thousands of police and military personnel work to find survivors and assess the damage.
Key Facts
The flood happened on August 26, 2026, in the Rasuwa district near the Nepal-Tibet border.
At least 469 bodies have been recovered so far, with nearly 1,000 people still missing in Nepal.
In Tibet, 3 people died and 558 remain missing due to the disaster.
A landslide triggered the flood, displacing over 100 million cubic meters of ice, rock, and debris.
The landslide caused a wall of water that damaged villages, roads, and bridges up to 62 miles downstream.
About 1,545 people were injured and rescued so far.
Over 8,000 police officers and military personnel are involved in rescue and recovery operations.
The United States Geological Survey recorded the landslide as a 5.2 magnitude seismic event.
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Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, the king of Uganda’s Tooro Kingdom who became a monarch as a young child, has died at the age of 34. His death was announced by the kingdom’s prime minister, and a prince heir will be named according to tradition.
Key Facts
Oyo Nyimba became king at age 3 after his father’s death in 1995.
He was known as the world’s youngest king and was admired by many, including world leaders.
His death was announced by Prime Minister Calvin Rwomiire Akiiki on a Friday morning.
Oyo had been treated abroad for an unknown illness before his death.
The Tooro Kingdom is one of Uganda’s traditional kingdoms restored in 1993, with cultural but no political power.
The kingdom is located in western Uganda, near the Congo border.
Oyo never married and was considered a notable bachelor in Uganda.
Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi was a longtime supporter and friend of Oyo’s royal family before Gadhafi died in 2011.
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King Haakon VIII became Norway’s monarch after his father passed away. He represents a modern Norwegian monarchy focused on social issues, even as his family faces several scandals involving his wife, stepson, and sister.
Key Facts
Haakon VIII became king after the death of King Harald.
He focuses on issues like protecting the environment and fighting racism and homophobia.
Haakon grew up attending public schools and served three years in the Norwegian navy.
He studied political science and international politics in the U.S. and the U.K.
His wife, Mette-Marit, has a past that included a rebellious youth and controversial connections.
Mette-Marit recently had a lung transplant due to pulmonary fibrosis.
His stepson, Marius, was sentenced to four years in prison for rape and assault but has appealed.
Haakon’s sister Martha-Louise is known for promoting alternative therapies and married a man critics call a “charlatan.”
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At least 469 people have died and over 1,500 remain missing after a large glacier collapsed in the Nepal-Tibet border region, causing massive flooding. Rescue efforts are ongoing but are difficult because many roads and bridges were destroyed.
Key Facts
A glacial collapse caused a huge flow of ice, mud, and rocks into a Himalayan river, leading to severe floods.
The flooding mostly affected Nepal’s Rasuwa district near the China border and parts of Tibet.
The death toll is at least 469 in Nepal and 3 in Tibet, with more people still missing.
Over 1,500 people are missing, including 668 tourists from 34 countries.
Many missing tourists were on trekking trips or traveling for a Hindu pilgrimage to Tibet.
The flood caused water levels in rivers to rise rapidly, by up to 9 meters (27 feet) in 30 minutes.
Rescue teams face challenges because floodwaters damaged infrastructure like roads and bridges.
Authorities are using unusual places like science academies as temporary morgues due to space shortages.
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King Harald V of Norway, Europe’s oldest monarch, died at age 89 in Oslo. He became king in 1991 and was known for modernizing the Norwegian monarchy while serving as a symbolic head of state in a democratic country.
Key Facts
King Harald V died on a Friday at 6:35 a.m. at the National Hospital in Oslo.
He was 89 years old and Europe’s oldest monarch at the time of his death.
Harald became king in January 1991 after the death of his father, King Olav V.
His son, Crown Prince Haakon, automatically succeeded him as King Haakon VIII.
The Norwegian monarchy has a mostly ceremonial role; real political power is held by the elected parliament.
Harald was born in Norway in 1937, the first Norwegian prince born there since 1370.
During World War II, Harald and his family fled to the United States to avoid Nazi occupation.
He married his school sweetheart Sonja Haraldsen after nine years, despite pressure to marry a European princess.
Harald was an accomplished sailor and represented Norway in several Olympics.
He worked to modernize the monarchy and maintain its popularity in Norway.
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Rescue efforts in Nepal have been paused because a new, overflowing lake upstream may cause more flooding after a deadly flash flood near the Nepal-China border. The flood has killed at least 469 people, with over 1,500 still missing between the two countries.
Key Facts
Authorities stopped rescue operations temporarily due to fears of more flooding from a newly formed lake.
The death toll in Nepal rose to 469, up from 390 the previous day.
China reported 3 deaths in Tibet from the disaster.
More than 1,500 people are missing in Nepal and China combined.
The new lake holds about 70 million cubic feet of water and is expected to increase by 106 million cubic feet soon.
The lake’s barrier is located near Gyirong Port, a border crossing flooded by mud and water.
Nepal’s military and disaster authorities have airlifted over 3,200 people from affected areas.
Rescue teams are trying to reach people trapped in a tunnel near the Nepal-China border, but mud is blocking access.
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Crown Prince Haakon of Norway became King Haakon VIII following the death of his father, King Harald V. His oldest child, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, is now the heir to the throne. The Norwegian monarchy is mostly symbolic, and King Haakon will work to maintain its stability and popularity.
Key Facts
King Harald V of Norway died recently, making Crown Prince Haakon the new King Haakon VIII.
Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Haakon’s oldest child, became the heir to the throne.
Norway’s monarchy dates back to the ninth century and was restored by popular vote in 1905.
The royal family has mostly symbolic power; the Norwegian parliament holds political power.
King Haakon stepped in as regent during his father’s health decline in recent years.
Norway’s royal succession was changed in 1990 to favor the firstborn child regardless of gender but not retroactively.
King Haakon has a political science degree and a master’s in development studies.
He has a background in the navy and diplomatic training and enjoys sports and music.
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A Dolly Parton impersonator, Kelly Vohnn, spoke out after CNN used her photo by mistake in a news report about Dolly Parton's death. CNN apologized for the error and said sorry to Dolly Parton's family.
Key Facts
CNN showed a photo of Kelly Vohnn dressed as Dolly Parton during a report on Dolly Parton's death at 80.
Kelly Vohnn did not give permission for her photo to be used and said she would never try to trick people.
The photo was from a Las Vegas event where Vohnn performs as a Dolly Parton tribute.
Vohnn asked news organizations to check their photos carefully before using them.
CNN apologized and confirmed they reached out to Dolly Parton’s family.
Vohnn is glad CNN contacted the family and hopes such mistakes do not happen again.
This is not the first time Vohnn’s image was wrongly used in news about Dolly Parton.
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Norway's King Harald died peacefully at the age of 89 on August 28 at the National Hospital. He had been hospitalized for a rare blood condition that worsened before his death. His son, Haakon, will become the new king.
Key Facts
King Harald of Norway died on August 28 at 6:35 a.m.
He was 89 years old when he passed away.
Harald was being treated for a rare blood condition.
His health became "extremely serious" shortly before his death.
The announcement came from the Norwegian royal palace.
King Harald died peacefully at the National Hospital.
His son, Haakon, will succeed him as the new king, Haakon VIII.
The news is recent and still developing.
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Britain's railways have faced problems this summer due to extreme heat, including two recent derailments. The heat causes steel rails to expand and sometimes buckle, damaging tracks and disrupting train services. The railway system was built for cooler and wetter conditions, and experts are looking at ways to adapt it to hotter weather.
Key Facts
Two recent derailments happened in East Sussex and Essex, one causing 30 injuries.
This summer in Britain was one of the hottest and driest on record, with heatwaves and droughts affecting England and Wales.
Steel rails expand when heated, which can cause them to buckle if they cannot move freely.
The UK railway tracks are made to handle up to about 46°C rail temperature but have been recorded as hot as 51°C.
Soil drying under the tracks can cause the ground to shrink and settle unevenly, damaging track stability.
Rails are pre-stressed during installation to reduce buckling risk, with a stress-free air temperature set at 27°C in the UK.
Hotter countries like Australia, the US, and southern Europe set a higher stress-free air temperature for rails, because they have warmer winters.
Re-stressing rails seasonally might help adjust to varying temperatures but is not currently practiced widely.
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Norway’s King Harald V died at age 89 after being treated for a rare blood condition. He ruled for 35 years, modernized the monarchy, and will be succeeded by his son, King Haakon.
Key Facts
King Harald V passed away peacefully at Oslo National Hospital.
He was the first Norwegian-born king since the 14th century.
Harald modernized the monarchy and married a commoner, breaking old traditions.
He was a unifying figure during crises, including the 2011 terror attacks in Norway.
His son Haakon becomes the new king after Harald’s death.
Harald was married to Queen Sonja for nearly 58 years and had two children and six grandchildren.
During World War II, he and his family fled Norway and lived abroad before returning.
He studied social science, history, and economics at Oxford University.
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King Harald V of Norway died at the age of 89, and his son became King Haakon VIII. Harald was the oldest monarch in Europe and ruled Norway from 1991 until his death.
Key Facts
King Harald V was 89 years old when he died.
His son automatically became King Haakon VIII after Harald’s death.
Harald was Europe’s oldest reigning monarch.
He was crowned king in 1991 after the death of his father, King Olav V.
Harald was born in Norway in 1937, the first Norwegian prince born there since 1370.
During World War II, Harald and his family went into exile in the United States to avoid Nazi occupation.
Harald married his school sweetheart, Sonja Haraldsen, with his father’s permission.
The Norwegian monarchy has a symbolic role, with real political power held by an elected parliament.
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Families of 33 missing British tourists have traveled to Nepal after deadly floods hit Nepal and Tibet. The floods have killed at least 475 people, and hundreds, including many tourists, remain missing as rescue efforts continue.
Key Facts
At least 475 people have died due to floods in Nepal and Tibet.
Around 537 tourists are reported missing in the flooding.
Nepalese authorities identified 33 British nationals among the missing tourists.
Families of the missing British nationals have flown to Nepal to look for their relatives.
The UK government has offered £5 million to assist Nepal in flood rescue and relief efforts.
Some missing British nationals were on religious pilgrimages or participating in tours when the floods happened.
Several UK tour companies have reported tourists missing in the affected area.
Officials warn that the region may face more flooding soon.
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King Harald V of Norway died at the age of 89. His son, Haakon, became King Haakon VIII following his death. King Harald was Norway’s oldest monarch and was known for modernizing the royal family while serving in a mostly ceremonial role.
Key Facts
King Harald V died at 6:35 a.m. at the National Hospital in Oslo.
He was born in 1937 in Asker, Norway, and was the first Norwegian prince born in Norway since 1370.
His family escaped to the United States during World War II to avoid Nazi capture.
Harald became king in 1991 after his father, King Olav V, passed away.
Norway’s royal family has mostly symbolic duties, with real power resting in an elected parliament.
Harald was an Olympic sailor and loved the sea, winning a world championship in yachting in 1987.
He married his high school sweetheart, Sonja Haraldsen, in 1968, despite pressure to marry a European princess.
His son Haakon automatically took the throne as King Haakon VIII after Harald’s death.
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Three former leaders of Hong Kong’s annual Tiananmen Square vigil were convicted of inciting subversion under China’s national security law. They appeared in court to discuss their sentences, which could be up to 10 years in prison. The court also found their disbanded pro-democracy group guilty.
Key Facts
The three convicted are Lee Cheuk-yan, Chow Hang-tung, and Albert Ho, former leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China.
They were charged in 2021 under China’s national security law, which targets actions seen as threatening state security.
Lee and Chow pleaded not guilty, while Ho pleaded guilty.
They face a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
The pro-democracy alliance organized annual vigils in Hong Kong commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.
The court judges said the defendants encouraged efforts to end one-party rule in China by unlawful means.
The verdict has raised concerns among foreign governments about declining freedoms in Hong Kong.
Chow argued that seeking democracy should not be treated as a crime and that she did not deserve prison.
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King Harald V of Norway died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital on August 28 at age 89. His son, Crown Prince Haakon, became the new king amid recent controversies involving Haakon’s wife, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, related to her past connection with Jeffrey Epstein.
Key Facts
King Harald V was Norway’s monarch since 1991 and Europe’s oldest reigning king at 89.
He died peacefully in hospital after treatment for haemolytic anaemia, a condition causing red blood cell destruction.
Crown Prince Haakon succeeded him as King Haakon VIII.
Norway’s prime minister expressed sadness and gratitude for Harald’s long service.
The royal family faces controversy over Crown Princess Mette-Marit's association with Jeffrey Epstein, revealed by US documents.
Mette-Marit apologized publicly for her friendship with Epstein.
Mette-Marit's son, Marius Borg Høiby, was sentenced to prison in June for rape and other offenses and is appealing.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit has serious health issues, including a lung transplant in July.
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Lifeguards in Gaza are working under difficult conditions to keep swimmers safe along the crowded beaches. Many of their tools and rescue equipment were destroyed in the war, but they continue to watch over people trying to enjoy moments of relief amid ongoing conflict.
Six months after the United States and Israel launched a military campaign against Iran, the conflict has shifted back to economic pressure. Iran’s leadership has weakened due to targeted attacks, and severe sanctions have deeply hurt Iran’s economy, making survival more difficult.
Key Facts
The US and Israel began a coordinated military campaign against Iran on February 28, following growing tensions after Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed early in the campaign, and his son Mojtaba was appointed but has not appeared publicly.
Several top Iranian military leaders were also killed, leading to new appointments focused on loyalty and continuity.
The US has intensified economic sanctions under “Operation Economic Outcast” to cut off Iran’s financial connections worldwide.
Iran’s oil exports dropped from about 1.8 million barrels per day to less than half a million.
Inflation in Iran is nearing 90%, and food prices have doubled compared to last year.
The current economic crisis is worsened by long-standing international sanctions and internal economic weaknesses.
The campaign’s outcome has so far been Iran’s survival but with increasing economic hardship.
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Six months have passed since the United States and Israel started a war with Iran. President Donald Trump expected the conflict to last only a few weeks, but it is still ongoing with no plans for peace talks.
Key Facts
The war between the US, Israel, and Iran began six months ago.
President Donald Trump initially predicted the war would last four to five weeks.
The conflict has continued far beyond that estimate.
President Trump has said the war will go on as long as needed.
There is currently no timetable for restarting peace negotiations with Iran.
The US and Israel are the main countries leading the conflict against Iran.
Discussions about Trump’s accomplishments during the war are ongoing.
The situation remains unresolved with no clear end in sight.
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