French PM booed on visit to wildfire-affected region as Belgium tackles enormous blaze – Europe live
The Guardian •

French PM booed on visit to wildfire-affected region as Belgium tackles enormous blaze – Europe live

Wildfire thought to be largest in Belgium’s history creeps closer to German border prompting evacuationsMeanwhile, the head of the Belgian firefighters, Marc Gilbert, told Belgian media that the country needed more resources to be ready to fight major fires.In comments reported by VRT and Nieuwsblad, he called for urgent recruitment to the service and for greater integration of firefighting fleet ...

A town in the Netherlands will not let you live there unless you grow food on 50% of your land
Times of India •

A town in the Netherlands will not let you live there unless you grow food on 50% of your land

Oosterwold, a Dutch town, mandates residents cultivate food on their properties. This unique urban experiment balances nature and living with low density. Residents manage their plots, growing produce for personal use and local businesses. A food hub offers resources to assist residents with agricultural practices. This initiative aims to enhance sustainability and the area's agricultural characte...

Hong Kong’s sports sector helped generate extra HK$46b in value in 2024
SCMP •

Hong Kong’s sports sector helped generate extra HK$46b in value in 2024

Hong Kong’s sports sector helped to generate an extra HK$46 billion (US$5.9 billion) in value for the economy in 2024, the year local athletes clinched two gold and two bronze Olympic medals, with a lawmaker calling for targeted policies to build on that success. The Census and Statistics Department on Monday released an analysis of contributions to Hong Kong’s economy by sports and related activi...

Hong Kong’s sports sector in 2024 helped generate extra HK$46b in value
SCMP •

Hong Kong’s sports sector in 2024 helped generate extra HK$46b in value

Hong Kong’s sports sector helped to generate an extra HK$46 billion (US$5.9 billion) in value for the economy in 2024, the year local athletes clinched two gold and two bronze Olympic medals, with a lawmaker calling for targeted policies to build on that success. The Census and Statistics Department on Monday released an analysis of contributions to Hong Kong’s economy by sports and related activi...

Was Ice Poseidon banned from a Pokémon store in Japan? Here’s what happened

Was Ice Poseidon banned from a Pokémon store in Japan? Here’s what happened

Times of India •

While streaming live, Ice Poseidon was stopped by security at a Pokémon store in Japan, as a guard identified him and refused him entry. However, after changing his look, he managed to slip into the store unnoticed. Inside, he proceeded to buy several packs of Pokémon cards, with the reasons for the earlier conflict remaining a mystery to his audience.

Would you eat ketchup that was made from algae but fulfilled your protein intake? Scientists have just created one

Would you eat ketchup that was made from algae but fulfilled your protein intake? Scientists have just created one

Times of India •

Researchers are enhancing ketchup by incorporating protein extracted from microalgae. This exciting advancement greatly increases the protein levels in this beloved condiment. Studies showed that adding moderate amounts of algae preserved the familiar taste and look of ketchup, while excessive levels changed its flavor and hue. Microalgae represent a sustainable, effective method for enriching foo...

Wildfires spread across Europe as thousands evacuated

Wildfires spread across Europe as thousands evacuated

France 24 •

Wildfires are spreading across Europe, forcing evacuations and causing deaths and major damage. Greece, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Germany and the UK have all battled severe fires, with Croatia also seeing multiple blazes and arrests over suspected arson.

Temperatures to fall across Europe as substantial rain heading for parts of UK

Temperatures to fall across Europe as substantial rain heading for parts of UK

The Guardian •

Temperatures could drop by more than 15C compared with last Thursday as cold front moves arrives from MondayRelief from the unrelenting heat is finally arriving this week across western Europe, with more unsettled conditions bringing the chance of rain. Temperatures are expected to fall back towards the seasonal norm, with some parts of the UK even falling about 3C below normal by Thursday. After ...

A 52-slab Nebraska bridge turns concrete into giant resistor, warming road during snowstorms

A 52-slab Nebraska bridge turns concrete into giant resistor, warming road during snowstorms

Times of India •

A Nebraska bridge is using 52 slabs of conductive concrete that can heat its surface and melt snow and ice during winter storms. Developed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor Chris Tuan, the technology uses steel shavings and carbon particles to carry electricity through the concrete. The system could reduce the need for de-icing chemicals at bridges, airport tarmacs, intersections and oth...

US and South Korea begin military drills despite Trump call to scale back

US and South Korea begin military drills despite Trump call to scale back

France 24 •

US and South Korean forces began on Monday joint military drills as planned, despite Donald Trump calling for them to be scaled back. Trump said the exercises were too costly and hostile toward North Korea, while critics warned reducing them could weaken South Korea’s security. The drills are set to continue until August 28.

West Bank : UN delivers aid to besieged Palestinian families in Qusra

West Bank : UN delivers aid to besieged Palestinian families in Qusra

France 24 •

The UN delivered aid to Qusra in the West Bank after Israeli settlers cut off several Palestinian families from food, water and electricity. Residents say they have faced months of harassment and attacks, while rights groups accuse settlers of trying to force Palestinians from the area. Critics warn that Israel’s plan to transfer law enforcement powers in the West Bank could further entrench contr...

Virgin Trains gets go ahead to run services to Europe in new blow to Eurostar monopoly

Virgin Trains gets go ahead to run services to Europe in new blow to Eurostar monopoly

The Guardian •

Operator wins track access approval for up to 20 daily return trains through tunnel to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam in 2030Virgin Trains has been granted track access by the rail regulator to run new services between London and Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam in 2030, in a step forward for its plans to break’s Eurostar’s passenger monopoly on the cross-Channel route.The Office of Rail and Road (ORR...

Malaysia to scrap 55-year-old university law, but will campus reform follow?

Malaysia to scrap 55-year-old university law, but will campus reform follow?

SCMP •

Malaysia may finally scrap the university law that generations of students have blamed for stifling campus dissent, but activists and academics say the harder fight will be over what comes next. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has promised to abolish the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971, better known by its Malay acronym AUKU, a law that has long sat at the centre of arguments over how m...

Trump orders cuts to South Korea joint drills despite warnings about Kim regime

Trump orders cuts to South Korea joint drills despite warnings about Kim regime

The Guardian •

President says he ‘gets along great’ with dictator but US officials say Ukraine war is boosting North’s capabilitiesDonald Trump has said he is scaling back joint US military drills with South Korea aimed at deterring North Korea, despite military officials from both countries warning that Kim Jong-un’s regime is learning new battlefield tactics from the Ukraine war.The drills under Ulchi Freedom ...

Ukraine launches one of its largest drone attacks on Russia

Ukraine launches one of its largest drone attacks on Russia

France 24 •

Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks on Russia, hitting a Wildberries warehouse and other sites. Meanwhile, Russian strikes continued across Ukraine, destroying civilian and industrial areas. The attacks are bringing the war closer to civilians on both sides.

Burnham exchanged messages with individual impersonating Trump chief of staff

Burnham exchanged messages with individual impersonating Trump chief of staff

The Guardian •

PM was in contact with unknown person pretending to be senior White House aide Susie Wiles, it is understoodAndy Burnham exchanged messages with someone impersonating Donald Trump’s chief of staff, the Guardian understands.The prime minister was in contact with an unknown individual pretending to be the senior White House aide Susie Wiles before concerns were raised about the incident. No messages...

Brian Eno, Romy and Thom Yorke sign letter urging PM to reject new North Sea drilling

Brian Eno, Romy and Thom Yorke sign letter urging PM to reject new North Sea drilling

The Guardian •

Robert Smith, Olly Alexander and Paris Paloma also among signatories saying exploitation of Rosebank and Jackdaw fields defies realityBusiness live – latest updatesMore than 200 musicians including Massive Attack and Brian Eno have written to Andy Burnham, urging him to reject plans for more oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.The letter, signed by 211 artists such as Bobby Gillespie, Olly Alexa...