BBC News

Temporary ban on sale of disposable BBQs over wildfire risk
Single-use grills pose a "significant risk to the public" in current drought and heatwave conditions, the government warns.

Chris Mason: Where does this unorthodox by-election victory leave Nigel Farage?
As expected, the Reform UK leader easily won the Clacton by-election but was nowhere to be seen after the result.

British cyclist Tarling dies in Volta a Portugal accident
British cyclist Finlay Tarling dies at the age of 19 in a serious accident during the eighth stage of the Volta a Portugal.

Trump asks Supreme Court to allow ballroom work to continue
Forcing the US president to go "hat-in-hand to Congress" for permission would be "dangerous", the administration says.

Bezos-backed consortium buys a third of Liverpool FC
Liverpool's owners agree to sell around a third of the club to a consortium including billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos - in a deal that values the Reds at more than £5bn.

Prisoners charged over attack on Sara Sharif's father
Steven Sansom, 47, and Adam Watson, 39, are also charged with other offences relating to the Belmarsh Prison incident.

Glastonbury festival organiser dismisses rumours that Madonna will headline in 2027
Emily Eavis says the festival has booked its headliners, but the Queen of Pop is "definitely not" among them.

Watch: Moment €9m worth of art stolen from Italy museum
Police released the CCTV footage after the art, which was stolen in March, was recovered.

'Glam helps mentality' says sprinter Amy Hunt, but can it give you that winning edge?
Sprinter Amy Hunt has been showing off her nails at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.

What we know so far about the West Midlands fires
Several fires swept across the West Midlands on Thursday destroying homes and forcing residents to flee.

I got an £89 refund – how to cancel and avoid unwanted subscriptions
After the PM announced a crackdown on subscription traps, readers share how they got into and out of unwanted plans.

What do people in Clacton think of Farage's by-election win?
The Reform leader wins the by-election he triggered, and gains more votes than last time.

Instagram accounts fuelling Ceuta migrant crisis with paid advice for help to cross
BBC's Top Comment podcast has found a network of Instagram profiles glamourising the swim around the Morocco-Ceuta border fence.

You got hold of eclipse glasses just in time - here's what to do with them now
Solar specs are tricky to recycle because of their lenses, so here are three things to do instead.

Weekly quiz: What was used to smuggle Donald Trump off Air Force One?
How much attention did you pay to what happened in the world over the past seven days?

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.

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.

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.

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.

Eurovision proposes new rules to reduce political voting
Organisers reportedly say politically motivated voting is "persistent" and is seen as "deeply worrying".

Builders unearth €9m gold stash sealed in walls of Belgian property
Construction workers found the stash in the walls of a cellar while drilling to lay sewage pipes.

Electric vehicle sales targets could be cut after pressure from car makers
The government says it is considering cutting the new electric car sales target from 80% to 50% by 2030.

Mother jailed for killing baby by burning her with a hairdryer
Courtney Gartshore, 28, used the appliance to subject three-month-old Dahlia-Rose to "significant and sustained heat" on her head and body.

Count Binface to perform at Fringe after by-election defeat
The alter ego of comedian Jon Harvey finished second to Nigel Farage in the Clacton by-election.

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 Iran really trying to kill Trump?
How developed is the Tehran regime’s assassination operation abroad?

British cyclist Tarling dies in Volta a Portugal accident
British cyclist Finlay Tarling dies at the age of 19 in a serious accident during the eighth stage of the Volta a Portugal.

Bezos-backed consortium buys a third of Liverpool
Liverpool's owners agree to sell around a third of the club to a consortium including billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos - in a deal that values the Reds at more than £5bn.

Chelsea say no Fernandez move as deadline passes - but is it really over?
Chelsea's deadline for clubs to bid £120m for midfielder Enzo Fernandez has passed - and they now expect the Argentine to stay at the club this season.

VAR, timewasting and subs - new rules for the new season
The 2026-27 season will feature an unprecedented number of new laws, mostly designed to tackle tempo disruption and make the game quicker.

Johnson-Thompson boosts heptathlon medal hopes
Great Britain's Katarina Johnson-Thompson boosts her medal chances at the European Athletics Championships with a strong high jump performance.

Ramsay-Peaty confused by early exit at Europeans
Former Olympic and world champion Adam Ramsay-Peaty says he is "confused" as his poor run of form continues at the European Aquatics Championships.

Celtic's Engels poised for West Ham transfer
Belgium midfielder Arne Engels is having a medical pending a transfer to West Ham United, Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has confirmed.

Al Jazeera

Philippines drug war victims seek justice through truth commission
Families of drug war victims testify before the Truth Commission, seeking answers and closure after years of silence.

Top French court upholds assisted dying law, rejects teen social media ban
The decisions mark both a victory and a setback for President Emmanuel Macron, who had championed both policies.

Mangione pleads guilty to federal charges in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing
Mangione admits to shooting Brian Thompson in federal court, still faces separate state charges.

Zambia suspends vote counting in election citing violence
Zambia's electoral commission on Friday suspended vote counting nationwide.

Qatar challenges AFC over open letter attacking FIFA President Infantino
Qatar FA President Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani complains about lack of consultation about AFC open letter to FIFA.

‘The party of the Cubans’: How Republicans courted a key South Florida vote
Polls suggest Cuban American voters in Florida remain largely Republican, despite frustration over immigration.

Ahmed al-Sharaa: A New Vision for Syria
An exclusive interview with the man who became president of Syria in 2025 about his vision for his country’s future.

Kushner to visit Israel after Netanyahu rejects Gaza Board of Peace plan
Visit to address Israeli opposition to plan for Hamas to disarm, Israel to withdraw from Gaza, board official says.

Mutual defence: The alliances that preceded Turkiye-Pakistan-Saudi pact
The pact says an armed ⁠⁠attack on any one of the ⁠⁠three countries would be ⁠⁠regarded as an ⁠⁠attack against them all.

Pakistan PM’s ‘red line’ warning to India over water treaty
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif accused India of illegally suspending the Indus Waters Treaty.

Russia stance will be defended in court, pledges World Athletics chief Coe
Russian Athletics has lodged new claim at Court of Arbitration for Sport to challenge sanctions, but WA will fight it.

US missionary kidnapped in Niger released after nine months in captivity
Kevin Rideout, a pilot with the evangelical missionary agency SIM International, was abducted in the capital, Niamey.

Saudi Arabia announces start of Red Sea defence alliance: Will it work?
Thirteen countries have become members of the Saudi-led maritime alliance.

Israeli soldiers prevent aid delivery to besieged Palestinians
Israeli soldiers prevent aid delivery to besieged Palestinians

US wants Netanyahu to condemn settler violence in Qusra
Mike Huckabee, US ambassador to Israel, described the settlers in Qusra as "Israeli terrorists" amid weeklong siege.

Rising Australian golfer Bang dies of brain haemorrhage in Thailand aged 18
Jessica Bang won her first professional event this year but died after collapse in Thailand and emergency surgery.

Israeli PM Netanyahu calls UK ‘the Islamic Republic of Britain’
The Israeli PM's remark comes amid signs of growing tension between Israel and the UK's Labour government.

Huckabee calls Israeli settlers ‘terrorists’: Can US push end Qusra siege?
US ambassador to Israel has issued a rare condemnation of a violent siege on families in the West Bank village of Qusra.

Man City tight-lipped on Rodri transfer amid Barcelona and Real Madrid link
Manchester City's Enzo Maresca coy on the future of midfielder Rodri ahead of Community Shield showdown with Arsenal.

US threatens ‘indefinite’ blockade against Iran: How long can it last?
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth claims US Navy can sustain blockade despite reports of poor conditions.

Russian ballistic attacks intensify as Kyiv claims Dnipropetrovsk advance
Ukraine says it has liberated 26 settlements in the south as it retools under heavy bombardment.

Record-breaking rain in Japan leaves several dead, thousands stranded
At least four people were killed, and one remains missing after record-breaking rain triggered flooding in Japan.

Scrutiny over Farage’s finances has ‘hurt Reform UK support’
Scrutiny over Farage’s finances has ‘hurt Reform UK support’

Seven killed in tunnel accident at Indian hydropower project
Water and debris burst into a state-run hydropower tunnel in Uttarakhand following a landslide.

New Zealand break ranks with Oceania as FIFA’s Infantino divide grows
Oceania have offered support to Gianni Infantino, but New Zealand have gone against their own confederation in FIFA row.

Global Times

US' 100% tariffs on imported drones largely targeting China lay its protectionism, disrupt global supply chain, backfire on own consumers: experts
The US on Thursday imposed sweeping tariffs of up to 100 percent on imported drones and related components, a move ...

China reports 522,000 new COVID-19 cases, one death in July amid fluctuating upward trend
China reported 522,000 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases in July, including 487 severe cases and one related death with cases showing ...

China will continue to conduct rights-protection and law-enforcement operations in waters adjacent to Ren'ai Jiao: MND
China firmly opposes the unfounded accusations and smears made by the Philippines and Australia against China. Regarding the Philippine side's ...

Chinese chip giant SMIC's Q2 net profit jumps nearly 262% on AI demand surge
Chinese chipmaker Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) reported a jump of 261.7 percent in its second-quarter net profit, with revenue ...

Issuing 'digital passport' in Panama – US overreach goes too far: Global Times editorial

Lai Ching-te, pro-DPP media stage double act, but their rumor skills worse than schoolchildren's: Hai Feng
Hai Feng

Fabricator of false history: Algorithmic-powered Japanese revisionism carry greater peril
Qu Yanping

GT Voice: What are China's tech giants betting on with AI spending?
Global Times

Exclusive: Scholars trace Imperial Japanese Army's germ-warfare outrage across Asia, calling for preventing atrocities from recurring
A documentary revisiting the Imperial Japanese Army's lethal human experiments and biological warfare program has attracted than 1 millions views online, bringing renewed global attention to one of World War II's darkest chapters and a history still little known outside Asia.

DPP's absurd 'mobile‑network disruption drill' reveals intention to stoke cross‑Straits tensions: expert
Chinese, Thai police bust transnational credit card fraud ring, arrest nine suspects

Chinese, Thai police bust transnational credit card fraud ring, arrest nine suspects
DPP's absurd 'mobile‑network disruption drill' reveals intention to stoke cross‑Straits tensions: expert

Takaichi reportedly mulls skipping visit to notorious Yasukuni Shrine on anniversary of WWII surrender; experts see political maneuvering, not historical remorse
China reports 522,000 new COVID-19 cases, one death in July amid fluctuating upward trend China reported 522,000 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases in July, including 487 severe cases and one related death with cases showing a fluctuating upward trend, China national disease control authority said. ... 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's national carbon emissions market sees trading volume top 930 mln tonnes
China reports 522,000 new COVID-19 cases, one death in July amid fluctuating upward trend China reported 522,000 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases in July, including 487 severe cases and one related death with cases showing a fluctuating upward trend, China national disease control authority said. ... 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-bound summer bookings surge 105% for South Korean travel agency
Key oil pipeline commissioned in E.China, can carry than 18m tons of crude per year

Key oil pipeline commissioned in E.China, can carry more than 18m tons of crude per year
China-bound summer bookings surge 105% for South Korean travel agency

Robot participation quadruples at 2nd World Humanoid Robot Games
The upcoming second World Humanoid Robot Games will see the number of participating robots quadrupling from last year's inaugural event, organizers said Thursday.

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 ...

Lake Songhua Resort in NE China turns into year-round tourism destination
A drone photo taken on Aug. 12, 2026 shows tourists watching sunrise at the Lake Songhua Resort in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province. The Lake Songhua Resort, located in ... In pics: red-crowned cranes at Zhalong National Nature Reserve in NE China Tourists view red-crowned cranes at Zhalong National Nature Reserve in Qiqihar, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Aug. 13, 2026. 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 ...

In pics: red-crowned cranes at Zhalong National Nature Reserve in NE China
Lake Songhua Resort in NE China turns into year-round tourism destination A drone photo taken on Aug. 12, 2026 shows tourists watching sunrise at the Lake Songhua Resort in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province. The Lake Songhua Resort, located in ... Tourists view red-crowned cranes at Zhalong National Nature Reserve in Qiqihar, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Aug. 13, 2026. 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 ...

2026 Sziget Festival held in Budapest, Hungary
Lake Songhua Resort in NE China turns into year-round tourism destination A drone photo taken on Aug. 12, 2026 shows tourists watching sunrise at the Lake Songhua Resort in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province. The Lake Songhua Resort, located in ... In pics: red-crowned cranes at Zhalong National Nature Reserve in NE China Tourists view red-crowned cranes at Zhalong National Nature Reserve in Qiqihar, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Aug. 13, 2026. 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 ...

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 ...

Out-of-work Chinese actors turn to theme parks as immersive characters after AI squeezes short-drama jobs
Guo Lanying, China's 'People's Artist' and voice of 'My Motherland,' passes away at 97

Guo Lanying, China's 'People's Artist' and voice of 'My Motherland,' passes away at 97
Out-of-work Chinese actors turn to theme parks as immersive characters after AI squeezes short-drama jobs

Svoboda.org

На жителя Кургана составили протокол: он слушал песню в интернете
Песня оказалась внесена в список "экстремистских"

Лавров объяснил отказ РФ замораживать конфликт "подвигом дедов"
Лавров признал, что "всё больше и больше голосов призывают немедленно остановиться"

Минюст России признал нежелательными ещё пять организаций
Из США, Германии, Италии и Грузии

Во Франции заблокировали решение о запрете соцсетей для детей
Конституционный совет счёл ограничения несоразмерными

"Яблоко" подало апелляцию на решение об отстранении от выборов
Её рассмотрят 17 августа

Жертвой покушения в Польше должен был стать рэпер Киевстонер
ФСБ считает, что рэпер причастен к подготовке диверсий СБУ

В странах Центральной Азии масштабное отключение электричества
Пострадали Казахстан, Узбекистан, Таджикистан и Кыргызстан.

Более 1200 россиян осудили за "терроризм" в первую половину 2026 года
В день выносят по 10 приговоров

Суд арестовал обвиняемую в подрыве российского офицера в Севастополе
Маргарите Реутт 32 года, ранее её штрафовали за "дискредитацию армии"

Политик Борис Надеждин рассказал, почему решил уехать из России
По словам политика, он предпочёл эмиграцию тюрьме

Пентагон: на восстановление энергетики Украины потребуется до года
Документ охватывает период с 1 апреля по 30 июня 2026 года

ФСБ: осуждённый на 23 года Георгий Пирогов работал на разведку Польши
В 2024 году при невыясненных обстоятельствах он пропал в Узбекистане

Политику Льву Шлосбергу запросили 12 лет колонии
По делу о повторной дискредитации армии

Украину атаковали более 100 беспилотников. Есть погибшие
На Краматорск сброшены авиабомбы

В Тверской области во время атаки БПЛА повреждён склад Wildberries
В Ленобласти целью атаки стал порт Усть-Луги

В Калужской области меняют порядок продажи бензина
Решение власти связали с новыми очередями на заправках

Потери Wildberries и его продавцов могут составить 600-800 млрд рублей
Общие потери крупнейшего российского маркетплейса Wildberries и работающих с ним продавцов от ударов украинских беспилотников могут составить 600-800 млрд рублей. Об этом в четверг пишет Forbes со ссылкой на оценку ведущего аналитика исследовательского агентства Data Insight Сергея Семко. По подсчетам эксперта, восстановление складов и инфраструктуры может стоить компании RWB от 147 до 223 млрд рублей. В том случае если потребуется полный демонтаж, вывоз отходов и рекультивация территории,...

В Италии произошёл взрыв на заводе оборонного холдинга KNDS
Причина мощного взрыва выясняется

Комик Саша Долгополов заочно арестован по делу о реабилитации нацизма
Об этом сообщает "Медиазона"

Власти Польши сообщили об аресте россиянина за подготовку убийства
По словам премьера Туска, арестованный дйествовал по заданию Москвы

Africanews

Croatia wildfire near Omiš injures residents and disrupts holiday travel
A major wildfire near Omiš, around 25 kilometres south-east of Split, forced about 1,200 residents and tourists to evacuate overnight on Thursday and into Friday as strong winds drove the flames towards the coastal town.

Zambia's opposition leader expresses 'grave concern' as vote count suspended
Just hours after Zambia’s electoral commission suspended vote counting nationwide, opposition presidential candidate Brian Mundubile raised “grave concern,” calling for full transparency amid reports of violence.

Zambia suspends vote counting after election violence
Official presidential results are expected on Monday, with authorities appealing for calm as election officials work to resolve the disruptions and resume the counting process.

Worries grow over mysterious illness killing Kenyan elephants
Worries over the death of elephants are mounting in southern Kenya, where at least 19 animals have died since June from an unexplained condition. With symptoms including partial paralysis, conservationists and communities are demanding urgent investigations into what is killing the elephants.

War in Ukraine: Deadly Russian air raid on Kramatorsk leaves 1 dead and 17 wounded
At least one person was killed and 17 injured in a Russian airstrike on Kramatorsk in eastern Ukraine overnight, according to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service.

Rome’s Colosseum extends cool night tours as heatwaves scorch city
Rome’s Colosseum is opening late four nights a week this summer, offering fully booked evening tours as a cooler, more magical way to visit.

AI could transform African agriculture but access remains a major challenge
Senior FAO official for Africa Meshack Malo described artificial intelligence as a powerful tool for farmers, stressing the need for Africa datasets, language models, research capacity and agritech firms, to enable the continent to be not only the consumer but the driver of the technology.

Emmy-nominated director looks to Tupac trial for long-awaited closure
Emmy-nominated director Alexandria Stapleton is hoping the trial of a man accused of orchestrating Tupac Shakur’s 1996 killing will bring answers and “some sort of closure” to the rapper’s family, friends and fans.

Chad's president pardons opposition leader and former prime minister Succes Masra
The presidency has not provided further details on the reasons behind the pardon, and it remains unclear whether the move could open the door to renewed political dialogue between the government and the opposition.

Activists attempt to deliver supplies to besieged Palestinian families
Three homes in the village of Qusra in the occupied West Bank have been under an almost week-long siege by Israeli settlers.

From Research to the Field: Transforming Africa’s Seed Systems
On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, AGRA looks back on a transformation that starts with a seed, but goes far beyond it.

In quake-hit Cali, ‘hugs here’ station brings comfort amid rubble
In quake-hit Cali, residents find comfort at a “hugs here” station, as Andres Solomon and volunteers share solidarity while rescuers clear rubble.

Turkey urges Egypt to join its defence pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan
The trilateral deal signed last week stipulates that an attack on any of the three states will be treated as an attack on all.

Vietnam police seize nearly 1.2 tonnes of ivory hidden in timber logs
Vietnamese police have seized nearly 1.2 tonnes of ivory at Quy Nhon port, in Gia Lai province.

Colombia earthquake: Dog rescued alive as 72-hour window closes
Colombia rescuers treated a dog pulled alive from earthquake rubble in Cali on Thursday, as emergency teams made a final push to find survivors before the critical 72-hour window closed.

Nigeria’s Muslim and Christian leaders sign new peace accord
More than 50 Muslim and Christian leaders have signed a new peace accord in Nigeria, aiming to ease religious tensions and promote harmony.

Burkina Faso: Appeal delays trial of Norbert Zongo murder accused
The Attorney General said three prominent figures were to go on trial to answer to charges of murder, aggravated destruction of property, and complicity in murder.

Unprecedented rainfall in Japan leaves at least four dead in Chiba prefecture
Unprecedented rainfall battered Japan on Thursday, leaving at least four people dead and flooding parts of Chiba prefecture, east of Tokyo. Authorities issued the region’s highest-level rain warning for the first time, while landslide alerts and power cuts affected thousands of residents.

France wildfire forces 525 people to flee as Landes forest burns
France evacuated about 500 people from the village of Luglon on Thursday, 13 August, as a fast-moving wildfire swept through drought-hit pine forest in the Landes.

DR Congo's fastest-growing ebola outbreak spreads to sixth province
The World Health Organization says it on track to surpass the deadliest in history, which killed over 11,000 people a decade ago.

Wildfire forces evacuation of 1,000 as flames sweep Croatia’s coast
Croatia is battling a wildfire that swept through vegetation and homes in Lokva Rogoznica on Thursday, 13 August, forcing about 1,000 residents and tourists to evacuate.

Cuba marks 100th anniversary of Fidel Castro's birth amid energy crisis
Cubans are facing food and water shortages, and chronic power cuts, exacerbated by a US oil embargo, with some asking whether his successors are up to the job.

Vote counting underway in Zambia after presidential election
Vote counting is underway after Zambians cast ballots Thursday in a presidential election testing incumbent Hakainde Hichilema’s economic record against widespread frustration over the cost of living. About 8 million voters were registered, with results expected Monday.

Zimbabwe's Kariba ferry disaster victims honoured as death toll reaches 44
Hundreds gathered for a memorial service in northern Zimbabwe on Thursday to honour victims of the Lake Kariba ferry disaster, which killed at least 44 people. Survivors recalled a desperate struggle for life as the vessel capsized in rough waters.

Mali frees 82 soldiers held by militants, pardons French embassy official
Mali says 82 soldiers held captive since deadly attacks in April have been freed by armed groups, in a rare breakthrough as the country battles jihadist and rebel insurgencies. The junta also pardoned a French embassy official accused of spying and ordered his expulsion.

Displaced families and hospitals struggle as Sudan's war ravages El-Obeid
The war, which began in April 2023, has killed at least 59,000 people, displaced around 13 million, and pushed large parts of Sudan into famine.

Doku commits to Manchester City until 2031 in five-year deal
Jérémy Doku has signed a new five-year contract with Manchester City, keeping the Belgium winger at the Etihad until 2031. The 24-year-old has become a key part of the squad since joining from Rennes in 2023.

One dead, several injured in Rotterdam port blast at Gunvor refinery
The Netherlands is investigating an explosion at the port of Rotterdam that killed one person and injured several others on Thursday, 13 August. The blast happened at about 11:30 a.m. at an oil facility in the Europoort industrial section of Europe’s largest port.

Brussels unveils giant flower carpet inspired by Hokusai masterpiece
Brussels has transformed its historic Grand Place into a giant floral version of Japan’s Great Wave off Kanagawa, using around 500,000 dahlias laid out over 1,300 square metres of cobblestones.

Ecuador police seize 370kg of cocaine near Colombian border
Ecuadorian police have seized hundreds of kilograms of cocainee in an area known as Guagua Negro near the Colombian border. Anti-narcotics officers spotted a suspicious truck during an operation and moved in.

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.