A father in Japan left his 7-year-old son alone on Mount Fuji for several hours while he continued hiking with his older son. The boy was found by mountain staff near a hiking station and reunited with his father, who was reprimanded by police for leaving the child alone.
Key Facts
The boy, 7 years old, was left on Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain, at over 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) elevation.
The father told his son to wait after he said he was tired and continued hiking with his older son.
Mountain hut staff found the child around 07:30 local time and alerted police.
The father was located at the eighth station, about three hours’ hike away.
Police told the father that leaving a child alone on the mountain is unacceptable.
The family was hiking the Fujinomiya route, starting from the fifth station, which takes about five hours to the summit.
Mount Fuji is 3,776 meters (12,389 feet) tall and is an active volcano and a World Heritage site.
About 200,000 people climb Mount Fuji each year, but some routes limit daily hikers to avoid crowding.
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Multiple people died in a crash between a police vehicle and a car on the A66 near Middlesbrough, England. The accident happened early in the morning, and emergency services are still at the scene while the road remains closed.
Key Facts
The crash involved a police vehicle and a Volkswagen Passat.
It occurred on the A66 in South Bank, near Middlesbrough, Teesside.
The collision happened at about 03:39 BST on 22 August 2026.
Multiple people have died as a result of the crash.
Police are working to identify the victims and notify their families.
The road is closed both ways between Normanby Road and Church Lane.
Emergency services vehicles are still present at the site.
The situation is ongoing, and updates will be provided as they become available.
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Congo has received over 16,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine to help fight a fast-spreading Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus. The outbreak has caused 2,516 deaths out of 5,290 confirmed cases and is growing quickly despite challenges like armed conflict and attacks on health workers.
Key Facts
Congo received 16,250 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine at Kinshasa airport.
A total of 70,000 vaccine doses are expected from the World Health Organization and partners.
The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved treatment or vaccine.
Ervebo has been effective against other Ebola strains and may offer some protection against this virus.
So far, 2,516 people have died out of 5,290 confirmed cases in this outbreak.
This outbreak is spreading faster than any previous Ebola outbreak in Congo.
Violence and attacks on health workers have made it harder to control the outbreak.
Displacement and poor infrastructure also worsen the situation for response efforts.
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Russian drone and missile attacks in Ukraine have killed at least two people overnight, following a deadly strike on a shopping mall that killed 16 people. Kyiv and other regions continue to face attacks amid ongoing conflict, with rescue efforts underway and repeated targeting of civilian areas.
Key Facts
At least two people were killed in Ukraine due to recent Russian drone and missile strikes.
A shopping mall attack in Kryvyi Rih killed 16 people and injured around 130.
Kyiv was hit by ballistic missiles targeting railway infrastructure, killing one and wounding another.
Fifteen years after the fall of Libya's capital Tripoli and the death of leader Muammar Gaddafi, many young Libyans continue to leave the country in search of better opportunities. Professionals like Sarah Mizran and Nader Elgadi moved abroad for education and safety, finding new lives while staying connected to Libya’s future through community efforts.
Key Facts
Tripoli fell in August 2011, ending Muammar Gaddafi’s 42-year rule.
Many young Libyans left after the conflict, seeking education and safety abroad.
Sarah Mizran, an architect, left Libya for the UK to study sustainable architecture.
Nader Elgadi, a former media company owner, also moved to the UK due to ongoing conflict.
Elgadi founded “Libya in the UK,” a charity for the Libyan diaspora to support cultural connection and rebuilding hopes.
Both Mizran and Elgadi see the UK as home but maintain ties to Libya.
Experts say many skilled Libyans remain in government but face obstacles from corruption and unqualified officials.
The post-revolution period saw a return of Libyans who struggled to create effective governance, contributing to ongoing challenges.
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The World Bank says Lebanon’s economy will shrink by 6.4% in 2026 because of a rise in conflict that damaged homes, infrastructure, and disrupted daily life. Inflation is expected to get worse, and the country needs banking reforms and better government management to help recovery.
Key Facts
Lebanon’s economy grew by 4.2% in 2025, its best since 2019’s financial crisis.
Conflict escalated in March 2026, causing damage and displacement.
The World Bank predicts Lebanon’s GDP will shrink 6.4% in 2026.
Inflation could rise to 17.5% due to supply problems and high fuel costs.
Lebanon’s parliament passed laws to help fix its banking sector.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) supports Lebanon’s new financial laws.
The IMF plans to hold meetings in Beirut to discuss a bailout program.
Political stability and security are important for economic recovery after the war ends.
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Russian attacks on Ukraine killed at least two people in Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia. These strikes came a day after a bombing at a shopping mall in Kryvyi Rih killed 16 people and wounded many others.
Key Facts
One person died and several were injured in a warehouse strike in Kyiv’s Darnytskyi district.
A Russian drone attack in Zaporizhzhia killed one man and injured four others.
The previous day, at least 20 people died in multiple bombings across Ukraine.
The shopping mall attack in Kryvyi Rih caused 16 deaths and injured 130 people, including 23 children.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the mall attack a deliberate act targeting emergency responders.
Rescue efforts continued overnight, with nine people still reported missing, including two children.
The United Nations reported the highest civilian death toll in Ukraine so far this year.
These attacks are part of ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
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Child hunger is worsening in Somalia because many health centers have closed due to cuts in international aid. Nearly 1.9 million children are expected to suffer from malnutrition this year amid severe drought and rising food shortages.
Key Facts
More than 200 health and nutrition centers in Somalia have shut down after aid cuts.
There was a 32% increase in children admitted with severe malnutrition in the first half of 2026.
About 1.9 million children in Somalia are projected to be malnourished this year.
Somalia faces a severe drought that has killed livestock and ruined crops, causing food shortages.
Around 500,000 people were displaced by drought between January and April, adding to 3.3 million already displaced.
Funding for malnutrition treatment in Somalia dropped by over 80% due to aid cuts from the US and Western countries.
Somalia was excluded from a $2 billion global humanitarian aid pledge due to concerns over corruption.
Rising fuel and fertilizer costs, along with forecasts for heavy flooding from El Nino, may worsen the crisis.
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A gallery at London's Natural History Museum that has been closed since World War Two will reopen on September 16. The gallery will display 50 objects exploring how humans' relationship with nature has changed over time.
Key Facts
The gallery has been closed to the public since 1943.
It is called Nature and Us and features 50 objects.
The reopening is part of the NHM150 project, which aims to update or open a new gallery every year until 2031.
Visitors can see historic items like a Crystal Palace dinosaur model and a Victorian skeleton of a monk seal.
The exhibition will be open for 18 months as an experimental display that invites visitor feedback.
Originally, the space was used for osteology (study of bones) and mammal exhibits.
During World War Two, the museum's botanical collections moved into this space after damage elsewhere, resulting in its closure to the public.
The Natural History Museum is free to visit and located in South Kensington, London.
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Wildfires in Europe have uncovered dangerous old bombs and mines from World War I and II buried underground. These explosives sometimes detonate due to the heat, posing risks to firefighters and emergency teams working in affected areas.
Key Facts
Wildfires in France, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands have revealed buried bombs and mines from the two world wars.
Some explosives have detonated because of the intense heat during the fires.
A bomb disposal team was sent to Limburg, Netherlands, near a World War II battle site to check for underground bombs.
Climate change is causing more extreme weather, making fires more intense and exposing buried munitions.
Heavy rains earlier in the year led to more vegetation growth, which then fueled the summer wildfires.
The High Fens forest in Belgium, known for remaining wartime explosives, has seen recent detonations.
No firefighters have been harmed so far, but emergency teams are cautious of hidden explosives in fire zones.
Old munitions have killed civilians even years after the end of World War II in affected areas.
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Russian missile and drone strikes killed at least two people in Ukraine on Saturday, following a deadly attack the previous day on a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih that killed 16 civilians. Ukrainian officials reported fires and injuries in Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, while rescue efforts continue amid increasing missile attacks.
Key Facts
Two people died in early Saturday attacks in Ukraine, with several others injured.
A fire broke out in a warehouse in Kyiv’s Darnytskyi district after a ballistic missile alert.
In Zaporizhzhia, a Russian drone strike killed one man and wounded four others.
The previous day, Russian attacks killed at least 20 people, including 16 at a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih.
Rescue operations found nine people missing, including two children, and 130 wounded, including 23 children.
The United Nations said civilian deaths in Ukraine this year are the highest since the war began.
Kyiv has requested more support from allies to defend against increased Russian missile strikes.
Diplomatic talks have failed as Russia demands large concessions from Ukraine, which President Zelensky refuses.
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Lily Hooper, an 18-year-old athlete and community member from Oakdale, New South Wales, was found deceased eight days after going missing while hiking. The local community held vigils and tributes to honor her memory and support her family.
Key Facts
Lily Hooper was 18 years old and disappeared while hiking in the New South Wales southern highlands.
Her body was found on Thursday, eight days after she went missing.
Lily was active in local sports, including martial arts and netball, and worked as a Sydney BridgeClimb guide.
The Oakdale community held a vigil at Willis Park, which was decorated with flowers and lights in her memory.
Local organizations, including her martial arts academy and sports clubs, paid tribute to her.
The Wollondilly Performing Arts Centre and shire library were illuminated in purple to honor her.
Flags in the region were lowered to half mast as a mark of respect.
The community and local authorities provided support for people affected by the tragedy.
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China plans to launch its Chang’e-7 robotic mission to the moon’s south pole between August 24 and 31. The mission will search for ice water in permanently shadowed craters, using an orbiter, lander, rover, and a small hopping robot to explore areas never visited before.
Key Facts
Chang’e-7 includes four parts: an orbiter, lander, rover, and a solar-powered hopper.
The orbiter will stay in moon orbit to take pictures and send data to Earth.
The lander will set down near Shackleton Crater, a 21 km-wide pit near the moon’s south pole.
The rover will explore the landing site and study rocks and soil.
The hopper will move short distances inside the crater to access hard-to-reach spots.
Past missions have shown water exists on the moon, especially in permanently shadowed craters near the poles.
Water on the moon is important because it could support future astronauts by providing drinking water, cooling, fuel, and oxygen.
The 1967 Outer Space Treaty bans countries from claiming the moon but does not clearly address commercial ownership of moon resources.
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Heavy monsoon rains caused severe flooding in Assam, India, and neighboring Nagaland between July 18 and 20, leading to many deaths and widespread destruction. The floods swept away homes, killed over 100 people, and displaced around 700,000 residents in the region.
Key Facts
Floods affected Assam’s Sivasagar district and parts of Nagaland due to heavy rains and landslides.
More than 100 people died and 700,000 were forced to leave their homes.
Around 1.2 million people were impacted by the floods in the whole state.
Floodwaters destroyed 2,700 villages and damaged rice fields, a key local food source.
Strong currents and debris, including large trees, destroyed many homes.
Some residents used boats to rescue more than 1,000 people during the flooding.
Survivors took shelter on rooftops as floodwaters rose quickly.
Rescue efforts continued despite challenges like lack of food and water.
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Five teenagers died and a family of four was seriously injured in Ireland when a car driving the wrong way on a motorway crashed. The teenagers were involved in a dangerous social media trend where they filmed themselves driving recklessly to gain attention online. This event has raised concerns about youth behavior, social media influence, and public safety.
Key Facts
The crash happened on the M9 motorway near Dublin around 3 a.m. on August 16.
Five boys, aged 15 to 18, died in the crash; all were known to police and some to child welfare services.
The boys were driving a BMW in the wrong direction, trying to provoke police to chase them.
A family of four in a Hyundai was seriously injured; they were on their way to Dublin airport for a family wedding.
The teenagers had posted videos of dangerous driving on social media, especially TikTok.
Experts say social media encourages risky behavior because young people want attention and approval online.
The tragedy sparked fundraising efforts raising over €660,000 for the injured family and plans for a local vigil.
Some online comments were harsh against the teens, causing their families to remove funeral notices.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, moved to California in 2020 after stepping back from royal duties. They signed high-profile media deals with Netflix and Spotify, but as those deals end and their plans change, they are preparing to return to the UK.
Key Facts
Harry and Meghan left the British royal family in 2020 and moved to California.
They signed a reported $100 million deal with Netflix for various media projects.
They also secured a $20 million podcast deal with Spotify.
Their media projects have had mixed success, with some popular and some poorly received.
Harry has expressed a desire to return to the UK, partly due to family reasons and his father King Charles’s health.
Their Netflix documentary series about their royal life broke viewing records.
The media environment is highly competitive, making it hard to succeed even for famous people.
The couple’s future media plans are unclear as major deals have ended or been reduced.
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Communities in Northern Philippines are flooded and want explanations about flood control projects. They say they paid for these flood protections, but the measures are not working during the monsoon season.
Key Facts
Northern Philippine communities are experiencing flooding during the monsoon season.
Residents feel prepared for floods but are upset about ineffective flood control measures.
The communities claim flood control projects were funded but did not prevent flooding.
People are requesting answers from officials about the failed flood protection.
The flooding has seriously affected daily life in these communities.
The report comes from journalist Jamela Alindogan of Al Jazeera.
The issue highlights concerns about disaster preparedness and infrastructure in the region.
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A 17-year-old Palestinian was killed and another person seriously hurt in an attack by settlers near Hebron in the West Bank. The United Nations urged for the protection of Palestinians and for those responsible to be held accountable.
Key Facts
The attack happened in the West Bank, an area under Israeli occupation.
The victim was a 17-year-old Palestinian teenager.
Another person was critically injured in the same attack.
The attack was carried out by settlers living in the area.
So far this year, 22 Palestinians have been killed in attacks by settlers.
The United Nations responded by calling for protection of Palestinians.
The UN also demanded that those who commit such attacks should face justice.
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In December 2025, Burkina Faso detained 11 Nigerian Air Force crew after their plane made an emergency landing without permission but later released them following talks. This event highlights growing political and security tensions between Nigeria and the Sahel countries of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, who formed a new alliance and left the regional economic group ECOWAS.
Key Facts
A Nigerian Air Force C-130 plane made an emergency landing in Burkina Faso in December 2025 due to technical problems.
Burkina Faso detained the 11 crew members for entering its airspace without approval; they were released after diplomatic discussions.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger created the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in 2023 for mutual defense.
These three countries withdrew from ECOWAS, a West African economic community, in January 2025.
The region faces ongoing security issues from groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP operating across borders.
Niger left a joint regional force fighting armed groups around Lake Chad in March 2025 to protect its oil fields.
Experts warn that the reduced cooperation between Nigeria and AES countries could allow militants to move and operate more freely.
In April 2026, coordinated militant attacks in Mali killed the country's defense minister, showing continued instability in the Sahel.
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