Swimmers have been warned not to swim at the first official bathing site on the River Thames in south-west London because of toxic blue-green algae in the water. The algae appeared due to very hot weather, low water flow, and pollution from sewage. Thames Water plans to pump treated sewage back into the river nearby, which has raised concerns about the river’s health.
Key Facts
Blue-green algae, which are toxic, have been found in the Thames at the new official bathing site in Ham, south-west London.
This type of algae is rare in flowing rivers and is linked to hot weather, low river flow, and pollution from sewage.
Thames Water’s sewage treatment plant at Hogsmill is three miles upstream of the bathing site.
Thames Water wants to pump 75 million litres of treated sewage daily into the river near the bathing area as part of a water recycling project.
The project is controversial and opposed by local politicians and groups but is classified as a strategic infrastructure project allowing it to proceed despite opposition.
The Environment Agency has warned swimmers not to enter the water at this site due to health risks.
Thames Water has breached legal limits by releasing raw sewage and delayed important upgrades to sewage plants until 2028.
Swimmers and environmental campaigners say the river is under stress from drought, high temperatures, and pollution.
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Scientists at Stanford University found that older people are more at risk of illness or death from extreme heat than previously believed. Their study shows that rising global temperatures could pose serious dangers to the elderly because their bodies cannot cool down as well as younger adults.
Key Facts
The study focused on how age affects the body’s ability to handle heat.
People aged 60 and older are expected to make up 21% of the world’s population by 2050.
Older adults reach dangerous heat stress levels at lower temperatures than younger adults.
Current global warming is about 1.4°C above preindustrial levels, close to the 1.5°C threshold important for elderly heat risk.
More older people are experiencing at least 180 hours a year beyond safe heat limits.
Older adults sweat less and their blood vessels do not expand as well, making it harder to cool down.
Heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke and heart attacks can occur at lower temperatures for elderly people.
Factors like humidity, sunlight, and physical activity also affect how heat impacts health.
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A video claiming that Lake Como in northern Italy has dried up because of a “geological rupture” is false. The images were created by artificial intelligence, and satellite photos show the lake still has water, though its level is lower due to drought.
Key Facts
A fake report posted on TikTok in August 2026 showed AI-generated images of Lake Como drying up.
The video falsely claimed a geological rupture emptied the lake.
The TikTok account that posted the video admits all its content is AI-generated.
Satellite images from August 13, 2026, show Lake Como still contains water.
Webcam footage from the lake area also shows water levels have not drastically dropped.
Lake Como’s water level has fallen about 30.2 cm from its usual measurement due to drought.
The lake is very deep, with a maximum depth of 418 meters, so it is far from drying up.
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North Korea said that cutting back U.S.-South Korean military exercises does not change their view that the drills are provocative. Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, stated that the smaller scale of the drills will not affect North Korea's stance, while also denying current communication between the two countries’ leaders.
Key Facts
The U.S. and South Korea decided to reduce the size and length of their Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises.
North Korea views these exercises as aggressive, regardless of their smaller scale.
Kim Yo Jong, North Korea’s leader’s sister, said they are not interested in the scaled-back drills.
She denied ongoing communication between Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump.
President Trump earlier ordered the Pentagon to reduce the joint military drills.
South Korean officials were surprised by the sudden announcement from the U.S. without prior discussion.
The U.S. Pentagon said training would continue but some events were canceled or changed to simulations.
The military drills are important for joint readiness but are a long-standing point of tension with North Korea.
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Labour’s Bridget Phillipson says Richard Tice, deputy leader of the Reform party, should apologize to firefighters for telling people to “enjoy” the summer’s extreme heat, which has caused wildfires and home damage in the UK. The dispute is part of a wider political debate about climate change policies and how to respond to rising temperatures and environmental risks.
Key Facts
Richard Tice told the public to “enjoy” the extreme summer heat and joked about English wine improving because of it.
Bridget Phillipson, Labour party chair, said Tice should apologize to firefighters who risked their lives fighting wildfires caused by the heat.
Firefighters have battled fires that forced evacuations and destroyed homes recently in the UK.
Labour highlighted Tice’s comments alongside footage of wildfire damage to show the real impact of the heatwave.
The debate reflects ongoing political arguments about the UK’s net zero carbon emissions target and climate policies.
Labour’s Claire Coutinho criticized the government for focusing on cheap electricity rather than stronger climate actions.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham held a meeting on the heatwave but was criticized for not clearly addressing climate change.
The government may soon decide on approving new oil and gas fields in the North Sea, affecting the UK’s climate strategy.
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The 2026 wildfire season in the United States is unusually large, with millions of acres burned, mostly in the western states like Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, and Kansas. Oregon has four of the ten largest active wildfires, with the biggest being the Big Grass Fire, which is the largest in the state's history.
Key Facts
Over 7.2 million acres have burned across the U.S. as of mid-August 2026, more than the total for all of 2025.
The West region, especially Oregon, is experiencing the most wildfire activity this year.
The largest active wildfire is the Big Grass Fire in Malheur County, Oregon, burning 579,169 acres and 85% contained.
Four of the ten largest wildfires in the country are in Oregon.
Many large fires started due to lightning storms, worsened by dry weather and higher temperatures.
Other major fires include the Rowe Creek Complex (373,785 acres) and the Coleman Creek Fire (308,721 acres) in Oregon.
Fires are burning grass, bushes, and trees over wide areas, often pushing into difficult terrain.
Federal forecasters noted two big lightning events in July boosted fire activity across the Northwest.
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Russia’s large online retailer Wildberries is removing company logos from its delivery trucks to avoid being targeted by Ukrainian drone strikes. Ukraine says Wildberries warehouses support Russia’s military, a claim denied by Moscow. Repeated drone attacks have damaged many Wildberries warehouses, disrupting both civilian deliveries and military supply chains.
Key Facts
Wildberries is a major Russian online retailer selling clothing, electronics, groceries, and household goods.
Ukraine claims Wildberries warehouses help supply materials for Russian military drones, but Russia denies this.
The company has removed branding from trucks to make their delivery routes less visible and reduce attacks.
Wildberries stopped showing military-related products on its website to appear less involved in the conflict.
Ukrainian drones have hit at least 25 Wildberries facilities across Russia since mid-July.
One major warehouse near Moscow was struck on August 16, damaging a large part of Wildberries’ storage space.
The strikes have damaged about 20% of Wildberries’ warehouse space, impacting Russia’s economy and military supply.
Experts say these attacks pressure Russia by cutting military supplies from civilian commerce and challenge public support for the war.
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The Israeli military has started criminal investigations into two separate incidents in Gaza: the killing of 5-year-old Hind Rajab and the deaths of 15 Palestinians, including rescue workers. These probes come after recordings and videos raised questions about the use of fire by Israeli forces during these incidents.
Key Facts
Hind Rajab, a 5-year-old Palestinian girl, was killed in Gaza in January 2024 when Israeli troops fired at a vehicle carrying her family.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) admitted for the first time that their soldiers fired on the vehicle after initially denying presence in the area.
A criminal investigation was launched due to alleged failures in coordinating the movement of the Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance.
Hind’s desperate calls for help were recorded during the attack, and her body was recovered 12 days later along with two paramedics sent to rescue her.
The IDF also opened a criminal probe into the killing of 15 Gazans, including medics, in a March 2025 attack on rescue vehicles.
Video evidence showed rescue teams with emergency lights being fired upon, contradicting earlier IDF claims that the vehicles were suspicious.
The Israeli military said Hamas operatives were among those killed and reported bulldozing the bodies and vehicles at the site.
United Nations and rescue workers were able to recover the bodies about a week after the attack.
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The Colorado River supplies water to about 40 million people and irrigates over 5 million acres of farmland. Due to a long drought and high water use, its reservoirs are at record low levels, and states relying on the river have not agreed on a new management plan, leading to federal intervention with proposed water cuts.
Key Facts
The Colorado River provides drinking water for about 40 million people.
It waters more than 5 million acres of farmland.
Reservoirs Lake Mead and Lake Powell are at record low water levels.
A long drought and increased water demand have stressed the river.
Seven states rely on the river: Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, and California.
These states failed to agree on a new long-term water management plan.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation proposed mandatory water cuts for Arizona, California, and Nevada starting in 2027.
Upper-basin states like Colorado will have voluntary water use targets but still face low water levels.
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Two men have been arrested after the burned body of social media influencer Sonia Bellina was found in a vineyard in southern France. The local prosecutor confirmed the body is Bellina's following DNA tests, and a murder investigation is ongoing.
Key Facts
Sonia Bellina was a 29-year-old social media influencer with about 260,000 followers on TikTok.
Her burned body was found on August 12 in a vineyard near Nîmes, France.
Two men were detained due to evidence linking them to the case.
Authorities confirmed Bellina's identity through DNA analysis after several days of investigation.
Bellina had been visiting her family in southern France before her 30th birthday.
The family’s lawyer described the killing as exceptionally brutal and said the body appeared abandoned.
Bellina’s family has faced online harassment and hurtful comments following the incident.
The family asked for privacy and will not make further public statements.
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President Trump said he expects to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un again this year, possibly around the November APEC summit in China. He has directed his aides to contact North Korea as part of efforts to restart talks on halting its nuclear weapons program, though North Korea has not confirmed any plans.
Key Facts
President Trump plans to attend the APEC summit in Shenzhen, China, later this year.
He expects to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un again in 2024.
The White House and North Korea have not officially confirmed any meeting.
Past summits between the two leaders did not lead to denuclearization agreements.
North Korea has continued to expand its nuclear weapons program.
President Trump reduced U.S. participation in joint military drills with South Korea.
Trump stated the military exercises sent a "hostile signal" to North Korea.
South Korea is seeking greater military independence and faster acquisition of nuclear submarines.
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Scientists have discovered a new star, called S301, that orbits closer to the Milky Way’s central black hole, named Sgr A*, than any previously known star. This close orbit may help researchers learn about the black hole's spin, an important property beyond its mass.
Key Facts
Sgr A* is the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way.
The star S301 was found using the GRAVITY instrument on the Very Large Telescope in Europe.
S301 moves on an orbit that takes only 8.7 years to go around Sgr A*, faster than other nearby stars.
Its orbit is very stretched out, not circular.
Observing S301’s motion could reveal the spin of the black hole, which affects how the star’s orbit changes over time.
Spin is one of two main properties of black holes besides mass; the other is electric charge, which cannot be measured.
Studying stars near the black hole helps scientists understand the environment around it and test physics theories like relativity.
Previous stars took much longer to orbit, making it hard to study spin effects without either very precise instruments or long time periods.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reelection campaign has included a billboard showing New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani alongside other political figures considered hostile to Israel. The billboard aims to make Israeli voters see Netanyahu’s opponents as aligned with Israel’s enemies to encourage support for Netanyahu in the October 2026 election.
Key Facts
Netanyahu’s Likud party featured New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on an Israeli campaign billboard.
The billboard also shows Turkish President Erdoğan, Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei, and Hezbollah’s Naim Qassem.
The slogan on the billboard translates to: "They want Netanyahu to lose. Don’t let them win."
Mamdani has publicly criticized Netanyahu, calling him a "war criminal" related to the Gaza war and supporting the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant.
Netanyahu denied the ICC allegations and accused Mamdani of spreading hate in New York.
The billboard tries to link Netanyahu’s local political opponents with foreign figures seen as threats to Israel.
The campaign strategy focuses on rallying voters against Israel’s enemies rather than promoting Netanyahu’s policies.
The Israeli election is set for October 27, 2026.
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Thousands of young Moroccan migrants, many without adults to care for them, are living on the streets of Ceuta, a Spanish territory in North Africa, after crossing the border from Morocco. Despite harsh conditions and dangers, many minors refuse to return home because they hope for a better future in Europe.
Key Facts
Around 2,500 minors remain on the streets of Ceuta after over 70,000 migrants entered the area in late July 2026.
Most migrants voluntarily returned to Morocco, but about 4,000 unaccompanied minors stayed, with only 1,500 receiving official care.
Many minors sleep in the Tarajal industrial zone, using few blankets and often lying on the ground.
These young migrants left due to difficult living conditions and wish to stay in Europe for better opportunities.
Some minors have experienced violence and attacks after arriving, including robberies and even deaths.
The Spanish government and local organizations are struggling to manage the crisis and provide help for the children.
The migrants are hopeful Europe will offer them protection and a chance to build new lives.
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At least 36 aid workers and contractors have been killed in South Sudan since January, exceeding the total number killed in all of 2025. Violence and fighting between government forces and opposition groups have made it dangerous for humanitarian workers, limiting help to vulnerable people.
Key Facts
36 humanitarian workers and contractors were killed in South Sudan since January 2026.
More than 450 violent incidents against aid workers were reported from January to July 2026.
This number is more than twice the incidents recorded in the same period last year.
Renewed conflict has forced aid groups to leave some areas, blocking help to people in need.
About 10 million people in South Sudan need humanitarian aid in 2026.
Over 7.5 million people face severe food shortages in the country.
The UN has called on South Sudan’s government and peace agreement parties to protect aid workers and investigate attacks.
Funding shortages threaten the support for 650,000 refugees and asylum seekers in South Sudan.
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Mykhailo Fedorov, who was Ukraine’s defence minister for six months, was recently fired by President Zelenskyy. Following his removal, Fedorov has become a strong political opponent, accusing the government of corruption and calling for wartime elections.
Key Facts
Protesters in Kyiv have shown support for Fedorov since he was dismissed.
Ukraine’s parliament approved a new defence minister, Yevhen Khmara, replacing Fedorov.
Fedorov released a video calling for elections during the war and criticized government corruption.
He claimed corruption in the defence ministry harms Ukraine’s war efforts by blocking reforms and mismanaging procurement.
Allegations include missed deliveries of drones, ammunition, and technology needed for the front lines.
Senior figures close to Zelenskyy, like former chief of staff Andriy Yermak, have been linked to corruption scandals but deny wrongdoing.
Experts say corruption and old systems slow down Ukraine’s progress despite active civil society and political engagement.
President Zelenskyy has not publicly responded to Fedorov’s claims as of the article’s publication.
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A large cyberattack in France exposed the personal details of about 700,000 people by breaking into the government’s tax database. Officials have discovered that hackers also attacked other government websites.
Key Facts
The cyberattack targeted France’s government tax database.
About 700,000 people had their personal information exposed.
Hackers did not stop at the tax database; other government sites were also hacked.
The French government is currently investigating the cyberattack.
This is a significant breach involving sensitive government data.
The attack happened in August 2026.
Cyberattacks on government systems can risk personal security and trust.
No further details about the hackers or motives have been published yet.
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Israel has started the process to build about 1,200 new homes in a disputed area of the West Bank known as E1, near East Jerusalem. This project could separate parts of the West Bank and make it harder to create a future Palestinian state.
Key Facts
Israel opened tenders to build 1,234 homes in the E1 area, part of a larger plan for 3,401 homes approved last August.
E1 is a strategic area east of Jerusalem that could divide the West Bank into two separate parts.
Building in E1 is widely opposed internationally because it threatens the two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians.
The deadline for construction bids is October 19, just before Israel's general election on October 27.
The current Israeli government supports the settlement expansion, aiming to reduce chances for a Palestinian state.
East Jerusalem was taken by Israel in 1967 and later annexed in 1980, a move not recognized by most countries.
About 700,000 Israeli settlers live in West Bank settlements, while around 3.3 million Palestinians live nearby.
Peace groups and Palestinians have legally challenged the E1 building plans, warning they hurt peace prospects.
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The UK Health Security Agency has declared a national outbreak of salmonella, a food poisoning caused by bacteria often found in eggs and poultry. Most cases have occurred in England, and imported eggs or egg products are currently the main suspected source of the infection.
Key Facts
One person has died and hundreds have fallen ill in the UK due to salmonella.
Salmonella bacteria live harmlessly in animals like chickens and cattle but cause illness if their contamination spreads to humans.
People mainly got sick from eating out at restaurants or cafes, not from home cooking.
Symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever, appearing 12 to 72 hours after infection.
Cooking eggs and food thoroughly can kill salmonella bacteria and prevent illness.
Genetic tests show the bacteria from current cases are closely related, indicating a common source.
Imported eggs are the likely source, with no current link to UK-produced eggs or poultry.
Vigorous hygiene and cooking measures, as well as buying British Lion or Laid in Britain marked eggs for vulnerable groups, are advised for protection.
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Israel’s military has started its first criminal investigations into actions by its soldiers during the Gaza war. These investigations focus on the deaths of a young girl named Hind Rajab, her family, and 15 Palestinian paramedics, but not on attacks that killed aid workers from two international organizations.
Key Facts
Israel’s military announced criminal investigations into troop conduct in the Gaza conflict.
The investigations focus on the killings of 5-year-old Hind Rajab and her family.
They also focus on the deaths of 15 Palestinian paramedics.
The military will not open investigations into three attacks that killed aid workers from World Central Kitchen and Doctors Without Borders.
The announcement was made on August 19, 2026.
The situation relates to the ongoing war in Gaza.
The investigations mark the first time Israel’s military probes its troops in this conflict.
The report was provided by FRANCE 24 from Jerusalem.
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