Guatemala's Fuego volcano erupted on August 4, 2026, sending lava and ash high into the air. Authorities issued an orange alert and began evacuating nearby villages due to the dangerous volcanic activity and risk of ashfall.
Key Facts
Fuego volcano is located 22 miles from Guatemala City and stands 12,346 feet tall.
The eruption started Monday morning and grew stronger by night, producing lava flows and ash clouds nearly 4 miles high.
Guatemala's disaster agency CONRED issued an orange alert, the second highest level before the most serious red alert.
Officials evacuated two villages close to the volcano to protect residents from lava, ash, and volcanic debris flows.
The volcano’s activity is increasing and may become more explosive, according to the country’s Institute of Volcanology.
Communities on the volcano’s western and southern slopes face the highest risk.
Fuego is one of Central America’s most active volcanoes and has caused deadly eruptions and evacuations in recent years.
The 2018 eruption killed 215 people and left many missing due to lava flows destroying nearby villages.
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Water levels in the Danube River have dropped to record lows due to a drought, causing old World War II German warships sunk in 1944 to reappear. This low water level also threatens power plants and disrupts river traffic, prompting regional efforts to manage water and conserve electricity.
Key Facts
The Danube is the second longest river in Europe and flows through 10 countries.
The drought has lowered the river’s water so much that rusty World War II German warships are now visible.
These ships were purposely sunk by Nazi Germany in 1944 to slow Soviet troops during World War II.
Some sunken ships still have weapons and explosives, making removal difficult.
Romania used explosives in 2026 to blast rocks and redirect water toward a nuclear power plant on the Danube.
Low water levels endanger power plants near the river, leading governments to start electricity-saving measures.
Experts say the extreme heat and drought are linked to global warming and other causes.
The drop in water has almost stopped large ship traffic near the Serbian port of Prahovo.
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The latest Global Liveability Index ranks cities worldwide on factors like safety, healthcare, culture, education, and infrastructure. No U.S. city made the top 10, with Honolulu ranking highest at 25th place, while European, Australian, and Japanese cities dominated the top spots.
Key Facts
Copenhagen, Denmark, is ranked the world’s most liveable city for 2026.
Vienna (Austria) and Melbourne (Australia) are second and third, followed by Sydney, Zurich, Geneva, Osaka, Adelaide, Vancouver, and Tokyo in the top 10.
U.S. cities rank mostly in the middle; Honolulu is 25th, Atlanta 29th, Pittsburgh 30th, Seattle 33rd, and Washington, D.C. 38th.
New York improved by three places to 66th but remains among the lowest-ranked large U.S. cities.
Liveability is scored based on stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.
U.S. cities generally score well in culture, environment, education, and infrastructure but lag due to stability issues like crime and unrest.
Regions are ranked with Western Europe highest on average, followed by North America.
Cities affected by war, such as Kyiv and Damascus, ranked among the least liveable.
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A Russian ship carrying military vehicles stopped at the Port of Lomé in Togo for the first time on its way to Mali. This new route is part of Russia’s support for the Malian government and replaces an earlier path through Guinea.
Key Facts
The Russian cargo ship Mikhail Britnev, under US sanctions, delivered military vehicles at the Port of Lomé in Togo on July 9, 2026.
The ship is on the US sanctions list because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The cargo is intended for Mali’s armed forces and their allies, including a Russian-controlled paramilitary group called the Africa Corps.
The Mikhail Britnev was loaded with armored vehicles at the Baltiysk Naval Base in Russia’s Kaliningrad region.
The ship traveled through the English Channel, escorted by a Russian navy ship and monitored by a British navy vessel.
The ship turned off its tracking system temporarily before arriving at Togo.
Previously, Russian military deliveries to Mali passed through Guinea and then traveled 995 kilometers to Mali’s capital.
The new route through eastern Mali is about 1,842 kilometers, nearly twice as long as the old path.
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A mass funeral was held in Gaza City for 112 members of the same extended family whose remains were recovered from rubble nearly three years after an Israeli strike. The strike hit their homes in November 2023 during the conflict between Israel and Hamas, and this funeral is the largest since the warfare began in October 2023.
Key Facts
The funeral took place in Gaza City for 112 people from the Hassayna and Abu Sharia families.
The family died in an Israeli military strike on November 23, 2023, during the conflict.
The remains were only recovered in July 2026 after being buried in rubble for almost three years.
Gaza's Civil Defense, part of the Hamas-run Interior Ministry, handled the recovery of the bodies.
Over 70,000 Palestinians have died in the conflict since it began in October 2023, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Israel says it targets militants and denies accusations of committing genocide in Gaza.
Hamas and Gaza officials accuse Israel of killing civilians and committing massacres.
The funeral included speeches asking why women and children are being killed and had banners calling to "Stop the genocide in Gaza."
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A drone followed a man at a market in Kherson, Ukraine, before exploding on Tuesday. The man, aged 52, was injured with small pieces of metal (shrapnel) and had a mild head injury (concussion).
Key Facts
The incident happened in Kherson, southern Ukraine.
The location was a minibus that had been turned into a market.
A drone was seen following the man before it exploded.
The man is 52 years old.
He suffered shrapnel wounds, which means small pieces of metal hit him.
He also had a concussion, a type of mild brain injury.
Local police reported the injuries.
The event took place on a Tuesday.
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Qatar says it is helping mediate talks between the US and Iran to avoid conflict, but no direct meetings between the two countries are planned. Iran is negotiating with Oman about reopening the Strait of Hormuz for shipping, while the US and Qatar continue efforts to find a peaceful solution.
Key Facts
Qatar, Pakistan, and Oman are working to restart diplomatic talks between the US and Iran.
No direct talks between the US and Iran are currently scheduled.
Iran is negotiating only with Oman about reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key shipping route for about 20% of the world’s oil and gas.
The US and Iran had a preliminary agreement to reopen the strait, but it collapsed after disputes and attacks.
President Donald Trump canceled a planned US-Israeli military strike on Iran to allow time for diplomacy.
A cargo ship was hit by an unknown projectile in the Gulf, and one sailor is missing.
Iran says reopening the strait depends on ending the US blockade of its ports.
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A new study shows that adults with overweight and belly fat can reduce body fat and waist size by doing their weekly exercise in either one long session or several shorter sessions. Both ways were effective, but exercising three times a week improved heart and lung fitness more than a single weekly workout.
Key Facts
The study involved 315 inactive adults with overweight and belly fat.
Participants were split into three groups: one did 75 minutes of high-intensity exercise once a week, another did the same exercise spread over three sessions, and the third group did no exercise.
After 16 weeks, both exercising groups lost body fat and reduced waist size.
Fat loss was about 0.8 kg for the once-a-week group and about 1 kg for the three-times-a-week group, a small difference.
Exercising three times a week led to better improvements in heart and lung fitness than one session per week.
The study suggests that busy people can still get health benefits from exercising once a week.
Experts recommend choosing an exercise routine that people can stick with over time, rather than focusing only on intensity.
Exercise can lower risks of heart disease and early death even when done just once or twice a week.
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Glen Hansard, a famous Irish singer and songwriter, died in a motorcycle crash in Dublin at age 56. Many well-known musicians, including Bono and Eddie Vedder, attended his funeral at St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, where friends and family performed music to honor him.
Key Facts
Glen Hansard was an Irish musician and Oscar-winning songwriter.
He died in a motorcycle accident in Dublin last week.
Hansard was the lead singer of the rock band The Frames.
His career began with the 1991 film The Commitments and spanned over 30 years.
The funeral took place at St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin with musical performances.
Famous musicians like Bono, Eddie Vedder, Hozier, and The Edge attended the funeral.
Hansard won an Academy Award in 2008 for Best Original Song for the film Once.
His widow, Maire Saaritsa, spoke at the funeral, mentioning their three-year-old son.
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Reading and writing skills in Australian schools have declined for most age groups, with one in three students not reaching national Naplan standards. While numeracy scores improved for older students, they decreased for year 3 students. Disruptions during testing and regional issues affected participation and reporting.
Key Facts
1.2 million students in years 3, 5, 7, and 9 took Naplan tests in March.
One in three students did not meet the expected benchmarks in reading, writing, and numeracy.
Reading scores decreased for students in years 5, 7, and 9 but remained stable for year 3.
Numeracy scores improved for years 5, 7, and 9 but fell to the lowest level since 2023 for year 3 students.
Tests saw disruptions from industrial action in Tasmania and flooding in the Northern Territory, leading to no state-level reporting for Tasmania.
The education minister highlighted the need to improve early years’ math curriculum and supports evidence-based methods like phonics and small-group tutoring.
Victoria, the ACT, and New South Wales had the highest Naplan scores and support explicit teaching methods.
The federal government plans to invest an additional $20 billion over ten years to improve public education with a focus on early phonics and numeracy checks.
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Police and intelligence agencies in Australia are investigating a fire and vandalism attack on a defence company in Melbourne as a possible terrorist act by far-left extremists. The group claimed responsibility online, linking the attack to their opposition to weapons manufacturing and support for Palestine. Authorities are working to identify the suspects, who could face life in prison if convicted.
Key Facts
The incident took place on July 5, 2025, at Lovitt Technologies, a defence manufacturer in Melbourne.
The attack involved vandalism and setting fire to three vehicles near the company.
Police and the Australian intelligence agency ASIO are investigating the act as terrorism linked to far-left extremist ideologies.
The attackers wore black hoodies, gloves, and backpacks and posted a video online taking responsibility.
The video advised how to make an incendiary device and expressed opposition to the government and support for Palestine.
Lovitt Technologies supplies parts for the global F-35 fighter jet program, which is used by the Israeli military.
Police say violent protests like this are unacceptable and have urged the public to share information or dashcam footage.
If convicted, the suspects could face life imprisonment.
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The article discusses concerns about Saudi Arabia developing nuclear weapons. It argues against creating ways for Saudi Arabia to acquire nuclear arms, emphasizing the risks involved.
Key Facts
The abolition movement aims to eliminate all nuclear weapons.
The article says total nuclear disarmament is currently not achievable.
There is worry about Saudi Arabia obtaining nuclear weapons.
Creating a nuclear pathway means allowing a country to develop nuclear arms.
The article suggests avoiding any steps that could lead Saudi Arabia to develop these weapons.
The focus is on preventing nuclear proliferation in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia’s potential nuclear capability could increase regional tensions.
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The 1977 Star Wars movie has been dubbed into Welsh and will air on Welsh TV channel S4C starting Christmas Day. Many well-known Welsh actors provide the voices, and the project celebrates the Welsh language and its culture.
Key Facts
Star Wars will be shown in Welsh language on S4C and its platforms from Christmas Day.
Rhys Ifans voices Obi-Wan Kenobi, Matthew Rhys voices Han Solo, and Aimee-Ffion Edwards voices Princess Leia.
The Welsh version is called Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd, meaning New Hope.
The dubbing was a collaboration between Lucasfilm, Disney, S4C, and the Welsh government.
A full-size Millennium Falcon model was secretly built in Pembroke Dock, Wales, during the making of The Empire Strikes Back.
Other Star Wars-related filming and Welsh connections include scenes shot in Wales and Lucasfilm co-president Lynwen Brennan being born in Pembrokeshire.
The Welsh government aims to have one million Welsh speakers by 2050 and sees this dub as a way to support the language.
The announcement was made at the National Eisteddfod, an important Welsh music and poetry festival.
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The U.S. Army has nearly used up two important long-range missile types, the ATACMS and the PrSM, due to ongoing conflict with Iran. This shortage raises concerns about the U.S. military’s ability to conduct strikes and defend against attacks in other regions.
Key Facts
The U.S. has almost exhausted stocks of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM).
These missiles can hit targets in Iran from hundreds of kilometers away with high precision.
The U.S. and its allies used about 11,300 munitions within the first 16 days of the conflict with Iran, costing roughly $26 billion.
The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, which intercepts ballistic missiles, is also running low on interceptor missiles.
Shortages affect the U.S. military’s readiness to fight in other potential conflicts with China or Russia.
Ukraine’s air defense missiles have been diverted, impacting their defense against Russian attacks.
Building new missile stockpiles will take years, despite increased military spending and new factories.
President Donald Trump stated in March that the U.S. has a "virtually unlimited" supply of advanced weapons, though concerns remain.
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Around 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Spain’s Ceuta last week, but about 70,000 have returned to Morocco. About 1,000 unaccompanied children remain in Ceuta, facing difficult conditions without their families in an unfamiliar place.
Key Facts
Ceuta is a Spanish city located in North Africa near Morocco.
About 72,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta from Morocco during a recent surge.
Most migrants (around 70,000) have returned to Morocco voluntarily.
An estimated 1,000 migrant children without family are still in Ceuta.
The Spanish Interior Minister reported 75 migrants died, mostly by drowning during the crossing.
Morocco reported 11 additional deaths not counted by Spain.
A 17-year-old girl witnessed her 8-year-old brother drown and has been left separated from her family.
Local officials say it is hard to know the exact number of migrants still in Ceuta, estimating between 3,000 and 5,000 people remain.
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Hundreds gathered at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin to attend the funeral of Glen Hansard, a famous Irish singer-songwriter who died in a motorcycle accident at age 56. Many well-known musicians and actors, including Bono and Eddie Vedder, paid tribute to Hansard through music and speeches during the service.
Key Facts
Glen Hansard died last week in a motorcycle crash near Dublin at the age of 56.
His funeral took place on August 4, 2026, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin.
Hundreds of mourners, including musicians Bono, Eddie Vedder, Hozier, and actors Steve Coogan and Chris O’Dowd, attended the service.
Eddie Vedder performed Hansard’s song “The Song of Good Hope” with Markéta Irglová, Hansard’s longtime musical partner.
Hansard won an Academy Award in 2008 for the song “Falling Slowly” from the movie “Once.”
He was known as the front man for the Irish rock band The Frames and part of the duo The Swell Season.
Hansard also acted in the 1991 movie “The Commitments” and released solo albums, including one nominated for a Grammy in 2016.
His widow, Maire Saaritsa, read a poem she wrote for him and thanked police officers who helped after the accident.
Many musicians, including Bruce Springsteen, publicly expressed their sadness over Hansard’s passing.
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Thousands of people in Gaza City attended a large funeral for 112 Palestinians whose bodies were found under rubble nearly three years after an Israeli air strike. The victims included many children, and the attack destroyed their homes in November 2023.
Key Facts
The funeral was held for members of the Hassayna and Abu Sharia families in Gaza City.
Their bodies were recovered after two weeks of digging by Gaza’s civil defence teams.
The attack happened in November 2023 and flattened a residential building in the Sabra neighborhood.
At least 40 of the victims were children.
The funeral was one of the largest since the conflict in Gaza started in October 2023.
Relatives accused Israel of war crimes related to the attack.
Families called for international investigations into this and other similar incidents.
Hundreds of bodies are still believed to be buried under rubble across Gaza.
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Spain and other European Union (EU) countries resolved disagreements after a large group of migrants entered the Spanish territory of Ceuta from Morocco. Most of the 72,000 migrants who crossed last week have returned, and EU officials said the situation tested Europe's border security and cooperation but was ultimately managed.
Key Facts
Around 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in North Africa, from Morocco last week.
Spain confirmed that all but about 2,000 of these migrants have returned to Morocco.
The incident exposed tensions within the EU about how to handle migration and border control.
22 of the 27 EU countries wanted stronger action against illegal immigration and were critical of Spain’s migration policies.
Spain’s government favors a more open migration approach compared to some hardline EU countries like Italy and Denmark.
There were talks among EU interior ministers to address the crisis, and the meeting ended on a constructive note.
Some EU countries, including France, expressed solidarity with Spain and rejected harsh criticism.
The EU migration chief said the crisis tested Europe’s ability to manage borders and remain united, and stated the situation was resolved.
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Large wildfires near Spokane, Washington, have caused heavy smoke to spread across several states and Canadian provinces, damaging hundreds of buildings and forcing about 60,000 people to evacuate. The smoke has made air quality very dangerous, leading officials to warn residents to stay indoors and limit outdoor activities.
Key Facts
Wildfires near Spokane include the Old Trails Fire, Fairview Fire, and Autumn Lane Fire.
By August 2, these fires burned about 5,400 acres, growing to over 7,500 acres later.
Around 700 buildings have been destroyed, causing evacuations of roughly 60,000 people.
NASA satellite images show thick smoke moving from Washington into Idaho, Montana, and parts of Canada.
The air quality in Spokane and nearby counties reached “Very Unhealthy” levels due to fine particles called PM2.5.
PM2.5 particles are tiny and can harm lungs and the heart, especially affecting vulnerable groups.
The National Weather Service issued Washington’s first-ever “particularly dangerous situation” fire weather alert because of strong winds, heat, and dry fuel.
Authorities advised people to avoid outdoor burns, stop activities that create sparks, and follow fire safety rules during Red Flag Warnings.
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A soldier in Russian-held Crimea shot and killed four people, including one soldier and three civilians, and wounded four others. The shooter was detained, and investigations are ongoing. Meanwhile, drone strikes targeted Russian areas near Moscow and a Black Sea beach, resulting in several deaths and injuries amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Key Facts
The shooting happened in Khmelnytske, part of Sevastopol in Crimea.
One soldier and three civilians were killed; four people were injured.
The civilians killed were two men aged 71 and 59, and a 64-year-old woman.
The shooter was a serviceman who was detained by authorities.
Crimea was annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014, and it is strategically important in the war.
Recent Ukrainian drone attacks have targeted Russian supply lines and locations near Moscow.
A drone strike hit a crowded beach in southern Russia's Krasnodar region, killing seven people.
Both Russia and Ukraine use electronic jamming to defend against incoming drones during the conflict.
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