BBC News

Water bills set to rise for many after firms permitted extra funding
Ofwat has given provisional approval for 13 water companies to charge customers more to pay for investments.

Son pays tribute to dad, 102, who died after allegedly being assaulted in pub
Phillip Ormerod was taken to hospital in critical condition and later died, police have confirmed.

The key signs you may have damaged your eyes by looking at the eclipse
Symptoms after looking at the sun without eclipse glasses can include blurred vision

Palestinians told to leave homes in village where Israeli settlers besieged houses
The mayor of Qusra says Israeli troops have been telling families to leave their houses, using some as barracks.

Honeytrap thieves jailed for killing men they had drugged
Adina Mihai and Madalin Dumitru gave their victims the drug GBL to render them unconscious.

Busiest ever period for England's A&Es as extreme heat hits
More than 2.4 million visits in each of last three months, as unions warn of inhumane conditions.

Harvey Nichols bought by owner of Sports Direct
The department store made famous by sitcom Absolutely Fabulous had warned it would cease trading.

UK defends seizing shadow fleet tanker after Putin threat
The UK government says it is "disrupting and deterring shadow fleet vessels" in accordance with the law.

Voting under way in Clacton by-election
Voters will choose between 34 candidates - the most to stand in any British parliamentary election.

Dating app Bumble divides users by ditching its signature 'women-first' chat rule
The dating app's boss says the move is in response to a successful trial and a change in what users want.

Five key takeaways from results day 2026
Top grades and students going to university are on the up, but technical subjects are also becoming more popular.

Results, appeals and resits - what to do if things don't go to plan
Your full guide to A-level results day, including what to do if you are not happy with your grades.

How to get the most out of clearing
From listing potential outcomes to picking up the phone, these are some top tips for getting through clearing.

How do I apply for an apprenticeship and what will I get paid?
Apprentices split their time between training and working - and are paid by their employer.

Everything you need to know about university costs
With rising tuition fees and living costs, do higher graduate earnings cover the cost of a degree?

Who could potentially replace White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt?
The job requires managing a complex relationship with the media - as well Trump's high expectations.

How Premier League shirts will change with gambling sponsor ban
Premier League kits are going to have a very different look this season after clubs voted to ban gambling on the front of shirts. BBC Sport looks at the history of sponsorship, and who is replacing the betting companies.

Putin can no longer claim victory in Ukraine, Nobel Peace Prize winner tells BBC
In an exclusive interview with the BBC’s Steve Rosenberg, Dmitry Muratov says the Kremlin leader can only "destroy Ukraine, not conquer it", with the war now in its fifth year.

'I was blown away' - the fans who heard Phoebe Bridgers' unreleased album in a planetarium
Armagh Planetarium hosts an early album listening party for American singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers.

Six ways to keep your home and yourself cool in hot weather
Six simple things you can do to help keep your house cool when temperatures rise.

Your heatwave tips on how to cope in extreme temperatures
From what to wear to getting a restful night's sleep, you share your tips for beating the heat.

No air con? Here's how to get the most out of your electric fan
Point it at your face? Use a bowl of ice? Open a window? Our experts separate fact from fiction.

Why heatwaves hit women harder
Experts are calling for better awareness of the heat-related risks to women and more targeted efforts to protect them.

Man bitten by shark off Irish coast says he 'didn't think he was going to make it'
'The fish is in the right' says experienced fishermen bitten after catching blue shark.

Met chief accepts mistakes made over Simon Levy but defends investigation into murders
Critics - including Labour MP Jess Phillips - have accused the Met of overlooking the first murder carried out by Levy.

Scientists invent 'world's greenest party balloon'
Imperial College London experts say standard party balloons can take years to break down.

Leading doctor rebukes NHS chiefs over transplant failings
NHS Blood and Transplant's medical director says waiting lists for organ operations are unfair but leaders are not solving the issue.

Japan PM says Putin's visit to disputed islands 'absolutely unacceptable'
It was the first time the Russian leader had visited the Kuril islands, according to state media.

UK economy grows but experts warn of challenging months ahead
Hot weather and the men's football World Cup boosted the economy but the Iran war may weigh on growth

Eurovision Song Contest 2027 to be held in Burgas, Bulgaria
The Black Sea location has been selected after Bulgarian singer Dara won this year's contest.

BBC News app
Top stories, breaking news, live reporting, and follow news topics that match your interests

Andy Burnham's Emergency Cobra Meeting On Extreme Heat
Prime Minister Andy Burnham chairs an emergency Cobra committee meeting.

Is Trump trying to influence foreign elections?
In Brazil and elsewhere, leaders raise concerns over alleged election meddling by the US.

Philomena Cunk examines life and existence
Mockumentary from Charlie Brooker starring Diane Morgan

In 1940s Australia, a young orphan is brought to a remote orphanage
The miracle is in the mystery. A nun's faith is challenged by an orphan at her monastery

Hodgkinson into 800m final and Werro through despite nasty fall
Keely Hodgkinson reaches the women's 800m final at the European Championships - moments after rival Audrey Werro suffers a dramatic fall that put her place in doubt.

Tielemans apologises to Villa fans for Man Utd remarks
Youri Tielemans apologises to Aston Villa fans after suggesting he had moved to a bigger club in Premier League rivals Manchester United.

How Premier League shirts will change with gambling sponsor ban
Premier League kits are going to have a very different look this season after clubs voted to ban gambling on the front of shirts. BBC Sport looks at the history of sponsorship, and who is replacing the betting companies.

Critical former referees add to culture of fear, says retiring Taylor
Retiring Premier League referee Anthony Taylor says his decision to quit was partly due to the toxic debate around officials.

Bangladesh dominate Australia despite Smith reprieve
Australia batter Steve Smith benefits from an odd technology reprieve, but Bangladesh otherwise dominate the hosts on day one of the first Test.

Leicester City put up for sale for more than £200m
Leicester City's Thai owners King Power are hoping to sell the club after 16 years, for more than £200m.

Hodgkinson leads home Broeders-Bol to qualify for 800m final
Great Britain's Keely Hodgkinson wins her 800m semi-final leading home Femke Broeders-Bol of the Netherlands.

Al Jazeera

Turkiye’s AK Party turns 25: A journey of change and renewal
In a quarter-century, the party has strengthened democracy, driven development and elevated Turkiye’s global standing.

Iran says Strait of Hormuz under its control, rejects Trump claims
Iran asserts full control over the Strait of Hormuz, challenging US claims of dominance in the strategic waterway.

Pro-Palestine football fans lament West Ham for signing Manor Solomon
The 27-year-old Israeli player has used his platform to defend Israel amid the genocide in Gaza.

Oman says massive oil spill reaches coastline: What damage could it do?
Oil has been spilling from the Caroline Bezengi, a tanker that has been leaking crude since running aground off Oman.

Ukraine attacks key Russian grain terminal on Black Sea port
Ukraine has damaged Russia’s grain export terminals in an attack on the Novorossiysk port.

Ebola outbreak caused by new ‘animal transmission’: What that means
More than 2,000 people have died after contracting the latest strain of the Ebola virus.

Report from scene of Palestinian homes besieged by settlers
Report from scene of Palestinian homes besieged by settlers

Lebanese Americans sue US over Israel’s rights abuses in Lebanon war
Michigan-based group leads class action lawsuit against US government and defence contractors over Lebanon war abuses.

Spanish Super Cup will be held in Turkiye in 2027
The tournament from February 2 to 7 will feature Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad.

Turkiye lays out ‘mechanisms’ of defence pact with Pakistan, Saudi Arabia
Three nations to group ministers, hold ⁠joint exercises and deepen defence industry cooperation under the pact.

Falling Danube flow forces shutdown of Romania’s sole nuclear plant
Romania had tried to avert a total shutdown of the plant, which usually generates a fifth of the country's electricity.

Infantino’s FIFA fate must go to an election, says Africa football chief
CAF have given under-fire Gianni Infantino their backing, and now say the FIFA president must stand in March's election.

Five charts that explain the high cost of living in the UK
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is on a nationwide tour to listen to the ‘financial concerns’ of the people.

US-Iran talks in deadlock – what’s the latest?
The US and Iran continue their standoff in the Strait of Hormuz as mediators try to coax talks.

Colombia earthquake response tests new far-right government
Disaster tests President Abelardo de la Espriella and his government as it scrambles to find survivors and provide aid.

More than 135 million people in Europe face temperatures over 35C
Europe is the fastest-warming continent in the world and in some places is ill-equipped to deal with hot weather.

Israel trucks out Gaza’s rubble to ‘hide genocide’ and ‘redraw the map’
Israel carts away Gaza's rubble to destroy war crimes evidence and make the landscape unliveable, rights groups say.

Fulham walk off in Malaga in friendly repeat of Senegal AFCON final protest
Fulham's friendly in Malaga turned sour as the Premier League club walked off ahead of a penalty shootout.

Civilian deaths in Ukraine in July hit highest level since May 2022: UN
At least 437 civilians were killed and 2,610 injured in Ukraine in July, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission said.

Eurovision to bar countries at war from hosting: What that means
Israel, which hosted the contest in 2019, will no longer be allowed to do so - but can still compete, protesters say.

Russell Westbrook announces NBA retirement after 18 seasons
Westbrook, a former NBA Most Valuable Player, holds the record for the most career triple-doubles in league history.

Life and loss as a first responder in southern Lebanon
A new Al Jazeera film speaks to the head of the Civil Defence in Tyre, southern Lebanon's largest city.

What postcolonialism looks like in Southeast Asia
AJ's Jamal Elshayyal moderates a panel of academics and leaders from four countries

Japan protests as Russia’s Putin visits disputed Kuril Islands
Japanese PM says Putin's visit to the Pacific island chain, seized by the Soviet Union in 1945, is 'unacceptable'.

Singapore-flagged container ship crashes into riverbank in India
A Singapore-flagged container ship crashed into a bank of the Hooghly River in eastern India.

Global Times

New archives on notorious Unit 731 reveal Japanese military's cover-up of biological warfare
Newly released wartime records from the Hailar branch of Japan's notorious Unit 731 reveal how the Japanese military disguised biological ...

Former Chinese premier Zhu Rongji passes away at 98
Former Chinese premier Zhu Rongji died of illness at the age of 98 in Beijing at 11:06 a.m. Wednesday.

China extends anti-dumping measures on single-mode optical fibers from India for another 5 years
China will continue to levy anti-dumping duties on imports of single-mode optical fibers from India for another five years, China's ...

Decaying US Pacific military facilities, carrier staff mental health woes expose Washington's ambitions outstripping capacity: Chinese expert
From recent reports on corroding buildings and falling ceilings at US military facilities across the Pacific to an intensifying mental ...

Whom do 41 countries think they are scaring? China's missile tests don't need permission: Global Times editorial

Are US export controls really about containing China – or controlling America itself?
Global Times

Fragility in China ties is a self-inflicted choice by Australia, not a given
Global Times

GT Voice: US ban on metal waste exports isn't 'shortcut' to supply security
Global Times

Why China's favorability is rising across the Global South
The global perception landscape is changing. For decades, the United States occupied a dominant position in international public opinion. The latest Pew Research Center survey, however, points to a notable turning point: for the first time in than two decades, China is viewed favorably than the ...

Chinese, Thai police bust transnational credit card fraud ring, arrest nine suspects
Zero-tariff policies, systemic support help African countries expand exports, upgrade industry

Zero-tariff policies, systemic support help African countries expand exports, upgrade industry
Chinese, Thai police bust transnational credit card fraud ring, arrest nine suspects

Takaichi reportedly mulls skipping visit to notorious Yasukuni Shrine on anniversary of WWII surrender; experts see political maneuvering, not historical remorse
Due to concerns about fueling tension with China and South Korea, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is considering refraining from visiting the notorious Yasukuni Shrine, a symbol of Japanese militarism ... China's national carbon emissions market sees trading volume top 930 mln tonnes The cumulative trading volume of China's national carbon emissions rights trading market had exceeded 930 million tonnes by the end of July, Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu said ... China registers 3.275 million marriages in H1, down 264,000 year-on-year: official data China registered 3.275 million marriages in the first half of this year, down 264,000 from the same period last year, while 1.383 million divorces were recorded, according to data released ...

China's national carbon emissions market sees trading volume top 930 mln tonnes
Takaichi reportedly mulls skipping visit to notorious Yasukuni Shrine on anniversary of WWII surrender; experts see political maneuvering, not historical remorse Due to concerns about fueling tension with China and South Korea, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is considering refraining from visiting the notorious Yasukuni Shrine, a symbol of Japanese militarism ... The cumulative trading volume of China's national carbon emissions rights trading market had exceeded 930 million tonnes by the end of July, Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu said ... China registers 3.275 million marriages in H1, down 264,000 year-on-year: official data China registered 3.275 million marriages in the first half of this year, down 264,000 from the same period last year, while 1.383 million divorces were recorded, according to data released ...

China registers 3.275 million marriages in H1, down 264,000 year-on-year: official data
Takaichi reportedly mulls skipping visit to notorious Yasukuni Shrine on anniversary of WWII surrender; experts see political maneuvering, not historical remorse Due to concerns about fueling tension with China and South Korea, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is considering refraining from visiting the notorious Yasukuni Shrine, a symbol of Japanese militarism ... China's national carbon emissions market sees trading volume top 930 mln tonnes The cumulative trading volume of China's national carbon emissions rights trading market had exceeded 930 million tonnes by the end of July, Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu said ... China registered 3.275 million marriages in the first half of this year, down 264,000 from the same period last year, while 1.383 million divorces were recorded, according to data released ...

How China's grid powers through peak summer demand
China's factory-built buildings find growing markets overseas

China's factory-built buildings find growing markets overseas
How China's grid powers through peak summer demand

China-ASEAN trade ties deepen as supply chains, connectivity strengthen
Freight trains linking south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region with Vietnam now operate on a daily basis, up from the previous schedule of three days a week, carrying electronics and machinery south while bringing tropical fruit, including durian and mangosteen, to the north.

Guangdong's foreign trade surges 20.5% from Jan-Jul, imports up 37.4%
The foreign trade of South China's Guangdong Province, the country's manufacturing and transportation hub, stood at 6.49 trillion yuan ($960 billion) in the first seven months of the year, rising ... Spanish govt's support for SAIC EV plant to advance local electrification agenda: Chinese experts The Spanish government's backing for a planned electric vehicle (EV) factory by China's SAIC Motor, despite some concerns, shows that rational commercial logic overrides unwarranted security fears. This move would ... Does large exports and a big surplus equal 'overcapacity'?: People's Daily For some time, certain economies, anxious about their own industrial competitiveness, have shifted blame for domestic structural problems onto China. They have promoted the one-sided claim that "large export volumes ...

Spanish govt's support for SAIC EV plant to advance local electrification agenda: Chinese experts
Guangdong's foreign trade surges 20.5% from Jan-Jul, imports up 37.4% The foreign trade of South China's Guangdong Province, the country's manufacturing and transportation hub, stood at 6.49 trillion yuan ($960 billion) in the first seven months of the year, rising ... The Spanish government's backing for a planned electric vehicle (EV) factory by China's SAIC Motor, despite some concerns, shows that rational commercial logic overrides unwarranted security fears. This move would ... Does large exports and a big surplus equal 'overcapacity'?: People's Daily For some time, certain economies, anxious about their own industrial competitiveness, have shifted blame for domestic structural problems onto China. They have promoted the one-sided claim that "large export volumes ...

Does large exports and a big surplus equal 'overcapacity'?: People's Daily
Guangdong's foreign trade surges 20.5% from Jan-Jul, imports up 37.4% The foreign trade of South China's Guangdong Province, the country's manufacturing and transportation hub, stood at 6.49 trillion yuan ($960 billion) in the first seven months of the year, rising ... Spanish govt's support for SAIC EV plant to advance local electrification agenda: Chinese experts The Spanish government's backing for a planned electric vehicle (EV) factory by China's SAIC Motor, despite some concerns, shows that rational commercial logic overrides unwarranted security fears. This move would ... For some time, certain economies, anxious about their own industrial competitiveness, have shifted blame for domestic structural problems onto China. They have promoted the one-sided claim that "large export volumes ...

2026 Sziget Festival held in Budapest, Hungary
Artists stage a performance during the 2026 Sziget Festival in Budapest, Hungary, Aug. 10, 2026. The event officially opened to the public on Tuesday on Budapest's Obuda Island, bringing together ... Guizhou's karst caves offer cooling retreats for summer tourists Tourists enjoy via ferrata climb at a karst cave in Zunyi City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Aug. 7, 2026. Best known for its karst landscape, Guizhou has made the best ... In a Beijing hutong, old roots hold firm amid renewal Just after six each morning, 63-year-old Chen Zhongyi unlatches the wooden door of a pigeon loft outside his home in Beijing's Lanman Hutong. Within seconds, than 20 homing pigeons ...

Guizhou's karst caves offer cooling retreats for summer tourists
2026 Sziget Festival held in Budapest, Hungary Artists stage a performance during the 2026 Sziget Festival in Budapest, Hungary, Aug. 10, 2026. The event officially opened to the public on Tuesday on Budapest's Obuda Island, bringing together ... Tourists enjoy via ferrata climb at a karst cave in Zunyi City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Aug. 7, 2026. Best known for its karst landscape, Guizhou has made the best ... In a Beijing hutong, old roots hold firm amid renewal Just after six each morning, 63-year-old Chen Zhongyi unlatches the wooden door of a pigeon loft outside his home in Beijing's Lanman Hutong. Within seconds, than 20 homing pigeons ...

In a Beijing hutong, old roots hold firm amid renewal
2026 Sziget Festival held in Budapest, Hungary Artists stage a performance during the 2026 Sziget Festival in Budapest, Hungary, Aug. 10, 2026. The event officially opened to the public on Tuesday on Budapest's Obuda Island, bringing together ... Guizhou's karst caves offer cooling retreats for summer tourists Tourists enjoy via ferrata climb at a karst cave in Zunyi City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Aug. 7, 2026. Best known for its karst landscape, Guizhou has made the best ... Just after six each morning, 63-year-old Chen Zhongyi unlatches the wooden door of a pigeon loft outside his home in Beijing's Lanman Hutong. Within seconds, than 20 homing pigeons ...

Chinese anti-war film casts US as invader, outperforms Hollywood, through a human, kitchen-centered view of Middle East conflict
Years after tackling social issues in the breakout hit film Dying to Survive, Chinese director Wen Muye returns with Once Upon a Time in the Middle East. The film opened nationwide in China on Tuesday, and, including advanced screenings, crossed 200 million yuan ($29.6 million) at the box ...

Guo Lanying, China's 'People's Artist' and voice of 'My Motherland,' passes away at 97
Multiple Chinese universities raise gaokao score requirements for arts admissions

Multiple Chinese universities raise gaokao score requirements for arts admissions
Guo Lanying, China's 'People's Artist' and voice of 'My Motherland,' passes away at 97

Svoboda.org

В Новосибирске арестована активистка "Аграрного совета"
Ранее в четверг у Ларисы Михайловой прошли обыски

Ремонт НПЗ в Орске после атаки дронов может занять около полугода
Власти уже ввели ограничения на продажу топлива

В Севастополе в результате взрыва погиб военнослужащий Минобороны РФ
Подозреваемая задержана

На Северном Кавказе зафиксировали самые низкие среднедушевые доходы в России
В четырёх регионах Северо-Кавказского федерального округа (СКФО) зафиксировали самые низкие среднедушевые доходы в России. Худшая ситуация – в Ингушетии, где показатель составляет 24,7 тысячи рублей в месяц. Это почти в три раза меньше среднего значения по стране и почти в десять раз меньше, чем у лидера рейтинга – Чукотского автономного округа. Карачаево-Черкесия заняла третье место с конца – там среднедушевые доходы населения составили 34 тысячи рублей. На пятой строчке Дагестан с...

В Севастополе при обезвреживании снаряда погибли пять человек
Четыре сотрудника МЧС и охранник

Россия и Украина обменялись телами погибших военных
Российская сторона передала 261 тело погибших, украинская – 24

На Трампа подали в суд из-за продажи раннего доступа к его постам
Согласно иску, месячная подписка составляет 100 тысяч долларов

Япония выразила протест в связи с визитом Путина на Курилы
Российский президент впервые посетил остров Итуруп

ВСУ: Украину атаковали более 130 дронов. Есть погибшие и раненые
Часть Измаила осталась без электроснабжения

22-летний житель Чечни осуждён на шесть лет колонии за комментарии о Путине

После атаки дронов горит НПЗ "Газпром нефтехим Салават" в Башкортостане
Также атакован склад Wildberries

Зеленский сообщил об освобождении 26 сёл в нынешнем году
Проект DeepState обновил карту, показав успехи ВСУ

Генштаб ВСУ: при атаке на Новороссийск поражены 4 корабля РФ
Украинские военные в ночь на 12 августа в ходе удара по Новороссийску поразили четыре российских военных корабля, утверждает Генштаб ВСУ. По предварительным данным, повреждены фрегаты "Адмирал Макаров" и "Адмирал Эссен", малый ракетный корабль "Буян-М" и сторожевой корабль "Василий Быков". Независимых подтверждений этого пока нет, однако известно, что в порту Новороссийска после ночной атаки отмечены пожары на нефтяном терминале и в Военной гавани, где расположены стоянки российских...

Сценарист Павел Тетерский покинул Россию, отбыв арест
У него дома также прошёл "осмотр помещения"

Путин пригрозил "зеркальными мерами" - захватом европейских судов
В ответ на задержания судов теневого флота

Слёт разработчиков БПЛА "Дронница" перенесли, ссылаясь на угрозу
Организаторы утверждают, что узнали о подготовке нападения

Стало известно, чем конкретно суд мотивировал снятие "Яблока"
"Пусть всегда будет солнце" в решении тоже фигурирует

Литва сделает непроходимыми границы с Россией и Беларусью
Выкопает рвы, восстановит болота и укрепит заграждения

В Петербурге доцента университета задержали по делу о донатах ФБК
Игоря Зайцева подозревают в финансировании экстремистской деятельности

HRW призвала США заблокировать турецкие кассетные снаряды для Киева
Неразорвавшиеся элементы опасны для мирных жителей

Africanews

France opens disciplinary proceedings against ambassador to Central African Republic
The case comes at a sensitive time for French diplomacy. Paris has been working to restore ties with the Central African Republic after relations deteriorated in recent years as Russia expanded its influence in the country through the Wagner paramilitary group

Zambians vote as Hichilema’s economic record faces crucial test
Zambians began voting Thursday in a presidential election testing President Hakainde Hichilema’s economic record amid widespread frustration over the cost of living. Millions are also choosing lawmakers and local councillors in a one-day vote expected to produce results on Monday.

Iran says Strait of Hormuz will stay blocked despite Trump’s claim of ‘total control’
The Strait of Hormuz remains blocked and Iran says it will stay that way until its conditions are accepted.

South Africa seeks reimbursement from African countries for migrant repatriations
South African law enforcement officials said last week they would intensify operations targeting illegal migration and related offenses.

RSF claims key victory in Sudan’s Blue Nile region
Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, say they have taken full control of Geissan, in the Blue Nile region, near the Ethiopian border.

Putin watches Russian navy drills off Russia's Sakhalin Island
Russia's President Vladimir Putin observed naval exercises off Sakhalin Island on Thursday before travelling to the disputed Kuril Islands, prompting a strong protest from Japan.

Russian drone strikes passenger train in Odesa region, killing driver
A Russian Shahed drone struck a passenger train in Ukraine’s Odesa region on 13 August 2026, killing the driver and his assistant and forcing the evacuation of 340 passengers, including 67 children, in the Berezivka district.

West Africa: gold rush reshapes the mining market [Business Africa]
Soaring gold prices are reshaping the investment landscape across West Africa. In the first quarter of 2026, global demand reached 1,231 tonnes, representing a record $193 billion market up 74% year-on-year.

Nigeria's rescued kidnap victims face physical and psychological toll
Fifty-seven residents of Woro, rescued earlier this month, are being treated at a hospital in Ilorin, with most of the suffering notably from malnutrition.

Meet the main contenders in Zambia's presidential vote
An incumbent, two former ministers and a veteran journalist are among 14 candidates vying to become Zambia's president in an election Thursday.

Cameroon defeat Morocco 3-1 to reach Women’s AFCON final
Cameroon are through to the Women’s AFCON final after a dramatic penalty shootout against hosts Morocco. The two sides couldn’t be separated after 120 minutes, with Morocco missing a huge chance to seal the win when Fatima Tagnaout saw her penalty saved in the 118th minute.

Thousands watch partial solar eclipse in north of Algeria
It was in a zone that experience almost 98 per cent of totality as the moon passed between the Earth and the sun.

Fewer children, more seniors as fertility drops across Maghreb
Economic pressures and changing social norms are driving couples in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia to have fewer babies, with a recent study saying Maghreb fertility was at a historic low. Across all three Maghreb countries, fertility rates fell by more than half since the 1970s.

Soaring stingray numbers off California beaches drive record injuries
California is seeing unusually large numbers of round stingrays near its beaches, as warmer coastal waters and an expected strong El Niño draw the animals closer to shore.

Colombia: "scene of horror" as Pereira rescuers search rubble
Colombia's earthquake death toll rose to 265 in Pereira by 12 August 2026, with almost 500 still missing. Rescuers described scenes of horror as the critical 72-hour survival window closed.

Zambia: Polls open in elections expected to favour incumbent president
President Hakainde Hichilema is running on his economic record even as households face a cost of living crisis.

Half a million visitors flock to Spain’s path of total solar eclipse
Spain witnessed its first total solar eclipse in more than a century on Wednesday 12 August, drawing millions of people to viewing sites across the north of the country as the Moon passed directly in front of the Sun.

Moroccan authorities say they have beefed up security at Ceuta border
The annoucement comes as calls resurfaced on social media for mass crossings into the Spanish enclave in North Africa.

DRC: World Health Organisation Chief sounds alarm on ebola outbreak
Having returned from a trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo, the world health organisaiton chief is sounding the alarm on the ebola outbreak.

Tunisia: Sidi Bou Said residents welcome UNESCO inscription
It's been two weeks since Tunisia's Sidi Bou Said was inscribed on the UNESCO world heritage list, much to the delight of residents.

Chef preserves Hatay's culinary heritage after devastating earthquake
Chef preserves Hatay's culinary heritage after devastating earthquake

Zambia: Hakainde Hichilema expected to win upcoming vote
14 candidates are throwing their hats in the ring to become Zambia’s next president in the upcoming election. Among them is main opposition challenger Brian Mundubile, seeking to defeat president Hakainde Hichilema.

Europe swelters through record heat as drought and wildfires intensify
Western Europe has endured its hottest June-July period on record, with extreme heat, drought and wildfires gripping parts of the Northern Hemisphere. The WMO says the warming climate is making heatwaves more frequent, intense, longer and more widespread.

Ebola outbreak takes heavy toll on Bunia's economy and public health
Health officials say misinformation and delayed treatment continue to fuel the outbreak.

HYROX fever sweeps Bangkok as fitness craze takes Asia by storm
HYROX is gaining momentum across Asia, drawing everyone from elite athletes to first-time competitors into a fast-growing fitness phenomenon. In Bangkok, packed training sessions are preparing participants for a race combining running and functional workouts.

WAFCON: Morocco to face Cameroon Wednesday evening
Women's Africa Cup of Nations tournament hosts Morocco and Cameroon will face each other Wednesday evening at the Moulay El Hassan stadium.

Meta faces major US trial over alleged youth social media addiction
Meta faces a high-stakes trial in California over allegations that Facebook and Instagram were deliberately designed to keep minors hooked. A coalition of U.S. states is seeking sweeping changes to the platforms and potentially up to $1.4 trillion in penalties.

Hichilema rallies thousands as Zambia heads to presidential vote
Tens of thousands of supporters gathered in Lusaka for President Hakainde Hichilema’s final campaign rally ahead of Thursday’s election, as the incumbent seeks a second term amid concerns over jobs, living costs and allegations of opposition intimidation.

Quake leaves Colombian towns in ruins as Valle del Cauca counts dead
Western Colombia hit by deadly quake as Zarzal, Roldanillo and El Cairo report widespread damage.

Colombia quake rescuers save woman after 36 hours trapped in rubble
A 32-year-old woman has been rescued alive in Pereira after spending 36 hours trapped beneath a collapsed building. Rescuers located her 10 hours before reaching her.

Rescued kidnap victims in Nigeria recount ordeal during 6 months of captivity
After six months in captivity, victims of a mass kipnapping in Nigeria’s Kwara state have been recounting their ordeal. More than 100 people abducted from the Woro community were rescued by government forces earlier this month.

Cristiano Ronaldo marries long-time partner Georgina Rodriguez
Together, the couple command hundreds of millions of social media followers and have expanded their brand beyond football through investments in fashion, hospitality and other business venture

Funeral held for Libya’s military intelligence chief killed in car bombing
Senior Libyan National Army officials gathered in Benghazi on Tuesday for the funeral of military intelligence chief Fawzi al-Mansouri, killed in a car bombing a day earlier as he left a mosque. His assassination has raised fresh security concerns in Libya’s divided east.

Death toll in Zimbabwe ferry disaster rises to 44: police
At least 44 people lost their lives when a ferry sank on Zimbabwe's Lake Kariba on Tuesday, the Zimbabwe Republic Police said, releasing an updated toll.

Kenya bids to become first African nation to host World Athletics Championships
Kenya Bids to Become First African Nation to Host World Athletics Championships

Moment Cali hospital collapses after powerful Colombia earthquake
A 7.4 quake in Colombia partially collapsed the Hospital Universitario del Valle in Cali on Monday, forcing patients outside as rescuers search for hundreds feared trapped.

Europe scrambles for eclipse glasses as solar power output set to dip
Shops and opticians across Europe are running short of certified eclipse glasses ahead of Wednesday’s total solar eclipse, with queues forming in Paris, London and Brussels as demand surges.

US Senate votes to extend AGOA trade programme for 32 African nations
The United States Senate has approved a two-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, maintaining duty-free access on more than 1,800 products from eligible countries.

At least 14 artisanal miners killed after illegal mine collapses
At least 14 artisanal miners were killed and eight others injured when the walls of an illegal mine collapsed in on them, South African police said on Tuesday.

At least 18 killed in Egypt truck crash, many children
At least 18 people, many of them children aged 13 to 14, were killed on Tuesday in northern Egypt when two pick-up trucks carrying agricultural day labourers crashed, a local medical source told AFP.

Libya oil company says blazes contained after drone attacks on complex
A major gasoline reservoir in Libya's Zawiya, west of Tripoli, caught fire and collapsed on Monday after what authorities said was an attack by unknown perpetrators.

DR Congo Ebola death toll surpasses 2,000 as scientists trace likely origin
Adding to scientists' understanding of the crisis, a new study has found that the outbreak was most likely triggered by a new spillover of the virus from animals to humans, rather than continued transmission from a previous Ebola outbreak.

Syrians celebrate landmark verdict as court sentences Bashar Assad to death in absentia
Bashar and Maher Assad remain in Russia after fleeing Syria following the collapse of their government. Syria's new authorities have called on Moscow to extradite them to face justice.

Bulgaria lights up its Black Sea coast with digital art festival
Bulgaria’s southern Black Sea coast became an open‑air gallery from 7 to 10 August, as the second LUNAR: Sea of Lights festival brought 17 light and digital artworks to five seaside communities.

Civil society groups warn against Congo referendum
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, 65 civil society organisations are urging President Félix Tshisekedi to abandon plans for a constitutional referendum.

Italy’s Po river runs low as drought threatens farms and water supplies
Italy’s Po River has fallen to historically low levels as the country endures its fourth heatwave of the summer, exposing wide stretches of dry riverbed near Pavia and raising fresh concerns over water supplies and farming across northern Italy.

Ceuta migrant crisis deepens as leader calls for detention centre
Spain is facing mounting pressure over the migrant crisis in Ceuta after tens of thousands crossed from Morocco last month. The enclave’s leader is calling for a detention centre, while Madrid insists border controls and security measures remain firmly in place.

France’s oldest lumberjack contest puts axe skills to the test
France’s 73rd lumberjacking championship in Chamrousse saw 60 competitors race axes through logs, preserving Alpine forestry traditions for 2,000 spectators.

MSF warns of worsening malnutrition crisis among displaced children in Somalia
The United Nations says more than 500,000 Somalis were displaced during the first three months of this year, with drought responsible for nine out of ten displacements.

South Africa hit by icy blast as snow blankets several provinces
A bitter cold snap is sweeping across South Africa, bringing heavy snow, freezing temperatures and strong winds to several provinces. Snow has covered high-lying areas while forecasters warn of more wintry weather and rough seas along the coast.