Hungary is facing a severe water crisis caused by prolonged drought, heat waves, and a long history of draining wetlands and water from the land. Water levels in lakes and rivers have dropped to record lows, harming wildlife, agriculture, drinking water supplies, and even the country’s nuclear power plant.
Key Facts
Lake Velence, Hungary’s third-largest lake, has water levels fallen to about 8 inches, far below the normal 5 feet for August.
Swimming beaches on Lake Velence have been closed due to low water.
Over 99% of Hungary’s land is experiencing severe or extreme drought.
Wildfires have affected large parts of Europe, including Hungary, this summer.
Drought and heat have damaged crops and caused drinking water shortages in Hungary.
Hungary’s water management system historically drained wetlands and water from the land, losing over 80% of its wetlands.
The loss of wetlands makes Hungary more vulnerable to drought and desertification, especially on the Great Hungarian Plain.
Hungary’s nuclear power plant is threatened by water shortages caused by the drought.
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The U.S. and South Korean militaries ended their annual joint drills six days early as a goodwill gesture toward North Korea. Despite this, North Korea fired short-range missiles and said the scaled-back exercises do not change its view of the drills as threatening, making future talks between the U.S. and North Korea uncertain.
Key Facts
The U.S. and South Korea cut their Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises short by six days.
President Donald Trump ordered a significant reduction of the drills before they started, citing his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and disagreements with South Korea over the Iran war.
North Korea’s Kim Yo Jong said the reduced drills do not lessen their aggressive nature.
North Korea launched about 10 short-range ballistic missiles into the sea after the drills began.
The U.S. Pacific Command stated these missile launches did not pose an immediate threat to the U.S. or its allies.
Talks between President Trump and Kim Jong Un have stalled since 2019, with North Korea demanding the U.S. drop its condition of denuclearization before resuming negotiations.
North Korea’s ties with Russia influence its military and economic situation, and it may seek greater support from China.
Experts believe North Korea might try to gain economic and diplomatic benefits from the U.S. after the U.S. midterm elections.
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A reticulated python at Chester Zoo was treated for a cancerous tumor in its jaw using electrochemotherapy, a treatment usually used for humans. The snake fully recovered and is now eating and behaving normally after the combined surgery and cancer treatment.
Key Facts
The python is 4 meters (15 feet) long and named after actress Jodie Foster.
It had a fibrosarcoma, a type of cancerous tumor, in its jawbone.
After the tumor returned post-surgery, vets used electrochemotherapy to target leftover cancer cells.
This is believed to be the first time electrochemotherapy was used on a snake.
The treatment was done in partnership with cancer specialists from the University of Liverpool.
Vets had to improvise by joining two operating tables because one table wasn’t large enough.
The snake recovered quickly and returned to normal eating and activity within months.
Details of the treatment will be shared with veterinarians worldwide to help others.
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Ethel Caterham, who lives in Surrey, celebrated her 117th birthday, making her the world’s oldest living person. She became the oldest living person after the previous record holder died in April 2025 and has lived through many historic events, including both world wars and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Key Facts
Ethel Caterham is 117 years old as of her birthday in Surrey.
She became the oldest living person in April 2025 after Sister Inah Canabarro’s death.
Caterham was born before the Titanic sank and the Russian Revolution happened.
She survived Covid-19 at age 110.
Caterham worked as an au pair in India and later lived in Hong Kong, where she opened a nursery school.
She married British Army lieutenant colonel Norman and had two daughters who died before her.
King Charles visited her shortly after her 116th birthday in 2025.
The oldest person ever recorded was Jeanne Calment from France, who lived to 122 years.
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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects people in many different ways, and its definition has changed a lot over time. Some experts, like Professor Dame Uta Frith, are questioning whether the current broad definition may include people who are not truly autistic, leading to debate among researchers, autistic individuals, and charities.
Key Facts
Autism Spectrum Disorder describes differences in communication and behavior and covers a wide range of experiences.
The number of autism diagnoses in England has risen from about 700,000 three years ago to around 1.1 million today.
Professor Dame Uta Frith, an autism researcher, suggests some people with autism diagnoses might be misdiagnosed.
Some autistic people and charities strongly disagree with Dame Uta’s views, fearing they could harm autistic identities and rights.
Autism’s definition has evolved since 1911, originally linked to childhood schizophrenia and later expanded to include a spectrum of traits.
The term Asperger’s Syndrome was used in the past but was replaced by the unified ASD diagnosis in 2013.
The increase in autism and ADHD diagnoses has led to a government review on neurodivergence and mental health.
There is ongoing debate about how broad or narrow the autism diagnosis should be to best serve those affected.
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A long-term study of 22,000 people in the UK found that men with heart disease have a higher chance of getting and dying from cancer compared to women. Smoking, being overweight, and drinking too much alcohol were key factors linked to this increased risk, especially for lung and oesophageal cancers.
Key Facts
The study followed 22,000 British adults for 25 years.
About half had or developed heart disease during this time.
Men with heart disease had a 17.3% lifetime risk of cancer; women had 12.8%.
Men without heart disease had a 10.2% risk, and women had 8.2%.
People with heart disease were more likely to get stomach, oesophageal, lung, bowel, and skin cancers.
Men with heart disease were more likely to die from stomach, oesophageal, and lung cancers.
Smoking, obesity, and alcohol use are common risk factors for both heart disease and cancer.
Experts say more research is needed to understand why heart disease raises cancer risk and to improve prevention for people with heart conditions.
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A new group of Israeli settlers has moved back to Kadim, a settlement in the West Bank, 21 years after it was evacuated by an earlier Israeli government. The return comes as part of a broader effort by Israel’s current government to expand settlements in the West Bank.
Key Facts
Thirty families arrived at Kadim, bringing furniture and building materials.
Kadim was evacuated in 2005 during Israel’s disengagement plan from Gaza and some West Bank settlements.
The evacuation was done because those settlements were seen as costly and isolated.
Israel’s current government has reversed the ban on settling in this area.
Senior Israeli politicians attended the opening ceremony, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
More than 100 new settlements have been approved by Israel’s government since late 2022.
Palestinian residents nearby express fear and concern about the settlers’ return.
Kadim is the last of the settlements evacuated in 2005 to reopen; others like Ganim and Homesh have also reopened.
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A nature project at the Holnicote estate in England has helped the land stay green during a hot and dry summer by restoring rivers and wetlands to their natural state. This work shows that natural solutions can help prevent wildfires, protect wildlife, and reduce flooding in extreme weather.
Key Facts
The Holnicote estate is managed by the National Trust in Somerset, England.
Rivers were returned to their natural paths and wetlands were restored to act like natural sponges.
These changes kept the land green during five heatwaves in the summer while nearby areas dried out.
Restoring wetlands helps store water during droughts and slows water flow during storms.
Over 90% of the UK’s wetlands have been lost in the last 100 years.
The project shows that nature-based solutions can reduce wildfire risks and protect communities.
Experts warn that climate change is causing more floods, droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires.
The National Trust urges the government to invest more in nature to build climate resilience.
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The body of Australian hiker Lily Hooper was found after an eight-day search in New South Wales. Officials mistakenly reported she was alive before confirming she had died, and they have apologized to her family for the error.
Key Facts
Lily Hooper, 18, was an experienced hiker reported missing last week in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia.
About 1,000 people took part in the search for her over eight days.
Her body was recovered from Nattai National Park and airlifted by police.
A post-mortem will be done to confirm her identity and cause of death.
NSW Premier Chris Minns and Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon apologized for wrongly saying she was found alive.
The mistake came from a miscommunication involving codes used during search operations.
Officials plan to review communication policies to prevent similar errors.
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Russia’s navy conducted missile tests near disputed islands that both Russia and Japan claim. Japan strongly criticized the tests, which followed President Donald Trump’s visit to the area by Russian President Vladimir Putin, heightening tensions between the two countries.
Key Facts
Russia’s Pacific fleet fired Bastion missiles from Etorofu island, hitting targets about 300 km away.
The drills included a nuclear-powered submarine and a guided-missile cruiser.
President Putin visited Etorofu, part of the disputed islands, which Japan calls the Northern Territories.
Japan’s foreign minister said Japan opposes military build-up on these islands.
The islands were taken by the Soviet Union from Japan after World War II.
The exercises began on August 4 and involve around 60 ships, 30 aircraft, and over 13,000 military personnel.
Japan protested the large-scale Russian military drills on August 5.
The Russian drills will continue until August 29.
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Prince Harry and Meghan plan to move back to the United Kingdom from California with their children. They will live privately and not return to royal duties, while questions remain about whether Harry can rebuild his relationship with his brother, Prince William.
Key Facts
Harry and Meghan will move to the UK soon, enrolling their children in British schools.
They plan to live in a private home outside London, not resuming royal duties.
Harry and William’s relationship was damaged by Harry’s public criticisms of the royal family.
The family’s return raises concerns about how they will fit back into the royal scene without overshadowing others.
King Charles III, Harry’s father, is undergoing cancer treatment.
Harry wants his children to grow up in Britain and close to their grandfather.
A recent meeting between Harry, Meghan, King Charles, and the children may have helped ease tensions.
The couple’s decision follows concerns about safety and division in the United States.
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British rapper and YouTuber Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos, known as Yung Filly, will have a retrial in Australia on three rape charges. A jury previously found him not guilty on some charges but could not decide on others, and he faces sentencing on assault charges before the retrial.
Key Facts
Yung Filly is the stage name of Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos, a British rapper and social media star.
He faces 10 charges related to alleged sexual assault and rape after an incident in Perth, Australia, in 2024.
Last month, a jury found him not guilty on three counts of sexual penetration without consent.
He was also cleared of one assault charge and a strangulation charge.
The jury found him guilty of two counts of assault causing bodily harm.
Yung Filly denies all the charges.
The alleged incident involved a 20-year-old fan and took place in a hotel room after a nightclub performance.
He will appear in court on 27 August to discuss changes to his bail, but the retrial date has not been decided.
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Prince Harry and Prince William have been emotionally distant for about six years due to deep personal issues. Harry and Meghan are moving back to the UK, but it is unclear if this will help the brothers repair their strained relationship.
Key Facts
Prince Harry and Prince William have been separated both physically and emotionally for six years.
Their relationship is marked by anger, resentment, and loss of trust.
The Prince of Wales (William) is still hurt and reluctant to forgive Harry.
Harry has expressed a desire to reconcile and stop fighting.
Harry and Meghan are returning to the UK, which may bring the brothers closer geographically.
Supporters of Prince William want to keep him focused on his public work and avoid distraction from the family drama.
In 2018, the brothers were united by the shared trauma of losing their mother.
The palace has not made official comments regarding Harry and Meghan’s return or the brothers’ relationship.
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A 23-year-old reticulated python named Jodie Foster at Chester Zoo received a new type of cancer treatment called electrochemotherapy, usually used for humans. After surgery to remove a tumor from her jaw, the treatment helped her recover, and she is now eating and moving normally.
Key Facts
Jodie Foster is a 15-foot-long, 50 kg reticulated python living at Chester Zoo.
She was diagnosed with a fibrosarcoma, a cancerous tumor in her jaw.
Surgery removed the tumor, but it returned and affected her jawbone.
Electrochemotherapy, combining a cancer drug with electrical pulses, was used in her treatment.
This is believed to be the first time electrochemotherapy was used on a snake.
The treatment made cancer cells absorb the drug better, improving its effect.
Jodie was anesthetized in her habitat and operated on using two joined operating tables.
Post-treatment checks show no signs of the cancer returning.
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A Hong Kong court convicted two pro-democracy activists, Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung, of inciting subversion for organizing vigils to remember the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown. The case highlights concerns about freedom of expression under Hong Kong's national security law.
Key Facts
Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung led the Hong Kong Alliance, which organized annual candlelight vigils for Tiananmen massacre victims.
Both were found guilty of inciting subversion, a charge linked to violating Hong Kong’s national security law.
Chow Hang-tung is a Cambridge-educated lawyer who has been jailed since 2021 and conducted hunger strikes every June to mark the Tiananmen anniversary.
Lee Cheuk-yan has been involved in labor and human rights activism since the 1970s and witnessed the Tiananmen crackdown in 1989.
The Hong Kong Alliance was dissolved after Beijing imposed the national security law in 2020 following large protests.
Albert Ho, another leader of the Alliance, pleaded guilty to related charges earlier in 2026.
The convictions are seen as a sign of increasing limits on free speech and political activism in Hong Kong.
The activists stated their goal was democratic reform and ending one-party rule but not necessarily the complete elimination of the Communist Party.
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Two pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung, were found guilty of national security charges for organizing candlelight vigils remembering the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. They face up to 10 years in prison as their trial highlights growing restrictions on freedom in Hong Kong.
Key Facts
Lee Cheuk-yan (69) and Chow Hang-tung (41) are former leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China.
They were convicted of "incitement to subversion" for organizing Tiananmen Square vigil events.
The activists denied the charges but were found guilty in a Hong Kong court in 2024.
These vigils were banned starting in 2020 amid COVID-19 and before a new national security law was enforced.
The activists could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.
The case is seen as a sign of shrinking freedom of expression in Hong Kong under Beijing’s control.
In 1989, Chinese troops killed many protesters in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square; this event is heavily censored in China.
Another activist, Jimmy Lai, was sentenced to 20 years for similar national security charges earlier in 2024.
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Severe storms hit Delaware and New York on Thursday evening, causing damage, flooding, and travel problems. Officials declared states of emergency in Dover, Delaware, and Nassau County, New York, due to reports of tornadoes and waterspouts.
Key Facts
A possible tornado caused significant damage in Dover, Delaware.
Officials in Dover urged residents to stay off roads and stay home.
Two waterspouts were reported over water near Queens and Long Island, causing damage in parts of southern Queens and Nassau County.
Both Delaware’s Dover and New York’s Nassau County declared states of emergency.
Flooding occurred in New York City, including flooded subway stations during rush hour.
Flight delays and cancellations affected major airports in Philadelphia and the New York City area.
Around 6,750 flights were delayed and about 850 flights canceled across the U.S. due to the storms.
A flood watch was in place from Philadelphia to New York City until early Friday morning, with more storms expected in the Mid-Atlantic region.
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A small plane carrying eight people crashed in a remote area of western Alaska. The plane took off from Anchorage and was flying to Cape Newenham when the crash happened around midday. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the accident.
Key Facts
The plane was a Cessna 441 model.
It crashed at about 12:15 p.m. local time on Thursday.
The flight started in Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city.
The destination was Cape Newenham, a location in Alaska.
All eight people were on board during the crash.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported the crash.
The NTSB, which investigates crashes, will look into what caused it.
The crash happened in a remote, hard-to-reach part of western Alaska.
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Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan was taken to a hospital for a medical check-up after the Supreme Court ordered it. After the evaluation, he was returned to prison, and the government said he did not need urgent medical treatment.
Key Facts
Imran Khan is the former Prime Minister of Pakistan.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered Imran Khan to be evaluated in a hospital.
He was transferred from prison to the hospital for the check-up.
After the medical evaluation, he was sent back to prison.
The government reported that no urgent health problems were found during the evaluation.
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