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Romania has declared a 30-day energy alert as Danube river levels fall too low to cool its nuclear reactors
In response to alarming low levels of the Danube river, Romania's energy sector is on high alert. Unit one of the Cernavoda nuclear power facility has ceased operations due to water scarcity. To maintain unit two's functionality, emergency measures including river dredging have been implemented. Authorities have also undertaken the blasting of rock formations to facilitate better water flow. Resid...
What is Truth API? The $100,000 feed that has landed Trump a lawsuit
Two press organisations have asked a Manhattan federal court to shut down Truth API, the service launched this month that sells Wall Street firms faster access to US President Donald Trump's Truth Social posts for up to $100,000 a month.
UK economy shows surprising resilience – but that might not last | Richard Partington
Weaker growth, rising energy costs and persistent inflation mean Britain could face tougher times in the autumnUK economic growth slows downBusiness live – latest updatesIn the spring the International Monetary Fund warned Britain faced the heaviest economic blow from the Iran war among the world’s most advanced nations. Almost six months into the conflict, on the surface, the UK appears to be pro...
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.
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Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan Mecca pact ‘far from’ Nato-style defence alliance
The security pact signed on Friday by three of the world’s most powerful Muslim nations with a vow to enhance collective deterrence remains far from what many are calling an Islamic Nato, according to experts. The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement between Saudi Arabia, the Persian Gulf’s top oil exporter, Nato member Turkey and Pakistan, a nuclear-armed South Asian state, will be challenged by divergi...
Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan Mecca pact ‘falls short’ of a Nato-style defence alliance
The security pact signed on Friday by three of the world’s most powerful Muslim nations with a vow to enhance collective deterrence remains far from what many are calling an Islamic Nato, according to experts. The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement between Saudi Arabia, the Persian Gulf’s top oil exporter, Nato member Turkey and Pakistan, a nuclear-armed South Asian state, will be challenged by divergi...
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and Count Binface go head-to-head in snap UK poll
Polling stations opened around 7:00 am and will close by 10:00 pm, with counting beginning immediately and a result expected early Friday.
Eclipse: Europe falls into darkness as millions watch
Millions across Europe looked to the skies on Wednesday as the Moon passed in front of the Sun in a rare solar eclipse. The eclipse was total in parts of Iceland and northern Spain, while much of Europe, including France and the UK, saw a spectacular partial eclipse, with more than 90% of the Sun covered in many areas.
Rising temperatures are transforming Ireland into a rare wine country; the island now has 42 vineyards with upcoming bumper crops
As climate change enhances grape-growing conditions, Irish winemakers foresee a bountiful harvest. Expanding vineyards are drawing considerable attention from international investors. The unique interplay of soil and coastal weather is enabling the production of exquisite wines. To adapt to Ireland's cooler climate, new grape varieties are being introduced, with a focus on high-quality output to e...
Chinese custom sees women throw embroidered balls from balconies to choose husbands
In some classic Chinese novels and period dramas, women of ancient times would throw an embroidered ball from a balcony to the street to randomly choose whoever caught it as their husband. In the classic novel Journey to the West, published in the 16th century, the father of the main character, Buddhist monk Xuanzang, was chosen by his mother by throwing an embroidered ball. In the 1998 Chinese dr...
Latest news bulletin | August 13th, 2026 – Midday
Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this August 13th, 2026 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.
‘Lauf’ and ‘minceur’: the words that made a 13-year-old from Melbourne a world Scrabble champion
Dineth Fernando – who moved to Australia with his family in February – says he just needed to ‘find the word and play – that’s all’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastDineth Fernando’s first language isn’t English and he only arrived in Melbourne six months ago – but already he’s claimed an international Scrabble title with an Australian flag draped around his shoulders.The ...
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.
Why did Lacy cancel his stream with Mark Wahlberg? Here’s what happened
Streamer Lacy opted out of a collaboration with actor Mark Wahlberg due to his desire for a more authentic interaction rather than a superficial promotional appearance. Upon discovering Wahlberg's previous engagements with other creators, Lacy felt disheartened. He reiterated the importance of genuine connections, ultimately deciding that the collaboration's scripted nature did not align with his ...
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.
Solar eclipse 2026: One in eight people worldwide see partial eclipse
The first total solar eclipse visible in Europe in almost 30 years swept across the continent on Wednesday evening. Millions of tourists flocked to Spain, where the eclipse’s "path of totality" meant the Moon completely blocked out the Sun. But around one in eight people around the world were able to glimpse a partial eclipse.
Why women in the Maghreb are having fewer children
The Maghreb region has seen a dramatic drop in birth rates in recent years. Most women now have fewer than three children, compared with the 7-8 children per woman that was typical in the 1970s.
TikTok's finfluencers: How reliable is the financial advice reaching young investors?
Young people are increasingly turning to social media for financial information and advice, amid a sea of dubious tips. What do experts say are the warning signs to watch out for?
Deepwater Horizon damaged deep-sea corals in 2010; NOAA is now restoring them 16 years later
In a groundbreaking initiative, scientists are working to revive deep-sea coral ecosystems that were harmed by an oil spill. Utilizing corals grown in laboratories along with advanced tools, they have successfully deployed these corals at great depths. This project focuses on rejuvenating delicate habitats in the Gulf of Mexico, with ongoing monitoring set to evaluate both the survival rates of th...
What postcolonialism looks like in Southeast Asia
AJ's Jamal Elshayyal moderates a panel of academics and leaders from four countries
South Korean airport becomes busiest in world for global traffic amid Iran war
Incheon airport had 38.39m international passengers in first half of 2026, as traffic diverted from Middle East hubsSouth Korea’s Incheon airport has become the world’s busiest airport for international passengers, in part owing to disruption in the Middle East caused by the Iran war.The airport, South Korea’s main gateway, about 30 miles (48km) west of Seoul, handled 38.39 million international p...
Reform UK's Farage faces off against Count Binface in election
Voters cast their ballots on Thursday in a local English election pitting Nigel Farage against his main challenger, a comedian dressed as a trash can, in a test of opposition to the Reform UK leader's brand of populist politics. Our correspondent in London Benedicte Paviot tells us more.
McDonald’s Hong Kong pulls shrimp burgers after Taiwan detects antibiotic residue
McDonald’s has temporarily removed its popular Ebi Burger series from its menu in Hong Kong as a “precautionary measure”, following a similar suspension in Taiwan due to food safety concerns, despite the shrimp patties used in the local items coming from a different production batch. Taiwan McDonald’s announced on Thursday morning that it had immediately suspended sales of “Ebi Burger” and “Double...
McDonald's Hong Kong pulls shrimp burgers after Taiwan detects antibiotic residue
McDonald’s has temporarily removed its popular Ebi Burger series from its menu in Hong Kong as a “precautionary measure”, following a similar suspension in Taiwan due to food safety concerns, despite the shrimp patties used in the local items coming from a different production batch. Taiwan McDonald’s announced on Thursday morning that it had immediately suspended sales of “Ebi Burger” and “Double...
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'.