World News Hub

More parts of England to be declared in drought amid another summer heatwave – latest updates

The heat and continuing dry conditions are being supercharged by the escalating climate crisisThe National Drought Group (NDG) is expected to meet this afternoon and declare that more parts of England are officially in drought, as parts of the UK head into a potential fifth heatwave of the year this week.All of Wales and more than half of England are already in drought after an unprecedented perio...

Anguished locals watch as Israel demolishes homes in southern Lebanon

Anguished locals watch as Israel demolishes homes in southern Lebanon

Hong Kong eyes licensing for livestock in New Territories amid urban push

Hong Kong residents raising goats, sheep and cattle in the New Territories must get a licence under a proposed regulation which aims to reduce nuisance and hygiene problems affecting neighbours amid the acceleration of urban development projects such as the Northern Metropolis. The plan was revealed in an Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) document, scheduled to be discussed...

German scientists made a sponge-like material that pulls drinking water from air

Etna eruption: arrivals halted at Catania airport

Due to the eruption of Mount Etna, Catania airport has announced the suspension of all incoming flights until 5 p.m. on Monday 10 August.

‘Like the movies’: How Ukraine’s ground robots are changing rules of war

They carry ammunition, can conduct kamikaze missions and have shown they can capture enemy positions.

Historic drought: rivers reveal hunger stones, warships and mammoth remains

Water levels across Europe have plunged to record lows due to the ongoing drought, exposing a host of long-hidden relics; here is a selection.

‘Islamic Nato’ may create China opening in Middle East

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey signed a Nato-like defence agreement in Mecca as the United States’ war on Iran prompts countries in the region to rethink security arrangements. The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement stipulates that “any armed attack against any one of the three states shall be regarded as an attack against them all”, the three countries said in a joint statement. Saudi Crown Prince ...

Ukrainian drone attack on the Russian city of Nizhnekamsk kills 12, authorities say

Authorities in Russia's Tatarstan region say a Ukrainian drone attack on the city of Nizhnekamsk killed 12 people and wounded 39 others

Woman assaulted after Travelodge staff gave room key to her abuser

The woman had gone to London hotel for a ‘night away from the fear’ in latest incident of chain giving keys to men without checking firstTravelodge staff gave a room key to the domestic abuser of a woman, who then physically attacked her.The woman, who is remaining anonymous, told the BBC that she was staying in a branch of the hotel in London to escape the man, but he followed her and was given a...

At least 13 killed in Ukrainian drone strike on Russia's Tatarstan region, officials say

It is one of the deadliest Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia since the start of Moscow's war on Ukraine.

🔴 FIFA: UEFA, AFC, CONCACAF slam Infantino, say football 'belongs to no individual'

UEFA, CONCACAF and AFC slam Infantino, say football 'belongs to no individual'

FIFA president Gianni Infantino came under fire again on Monday as a joint letter from three confederations – UEFA, CONCACAF and AFC – declared football "belongs to no individual".

Centuries-old Roman shipwreck discovered off the coast of Italy

Divers discovered a centuries-old Roman shipwreck about three miles off the coast of Sicily after a tip from the public. The site, believed to be dated between the second and first centuries B.C., contains hundreds of clay jugs and two lead anchor stocks.

Centuries-old Roman shipwreck discovered off the coast Italy

Divers discovered a centuries-old Roman shipwreck about three miles off the coast of Sicily after a tip from the public. The site, believed to be dated between the second and first centuries B.C., contains hundreds of clay jugs and two lead anchor stocks.

China evacuates a million from homes as Typhoon Dolphin arrives

China evacuates a million from homes as Typhoon Dolphin arrives

How the guest list for Beijing’s summer retreat reveals its tech priorities

China’s central government has invited dozens of scientific, technological and academic experts to its annual summer retreat, highlighting how the country is focusing on innovation and breaking through “chokepoints” amid fierce competition with the US. According to state news agency Xinhua, the Communist Party’s Central Committee and the State Council, China’s cabinet, invited 60 experts to the se...

Thames Water faces row over £1m payment to finance chief

Campaign group says firm is ‘taking the mickey’ by paying fee and Andy Burnham should nationalise itBusiness live – latest updatesThames Water has paid its chief financial officer, Steve Buck, a £1m signing fee despite intense scrutiny of Britain’s biggest water company’s finances as it tries to avoid being taken into public control.The utility revealed that it made the payment last month, in a le...

Nigeria eliminated as Cameroon, Malawi reach WAFCON semis and World Cup

Outsiders Malawi qualify for their first FIFA World Cup, while defending champions Nigeria are eliminated by Cameroon.

Labour says Farage has ‘no serious answers’ to prisons crisis – UK politics live

Reform says it will free up space in jails in England and Wales by rapidly deporting all foreign offendersGood morning. Andy Burnham has said Middlemarch is his favourite novel, but he may not remember George Eliot’s line about the genial businessman Mr Vincy who “blustering as he was, had as little of his own way as if he had been a prime minister”. Burnham only took over in No 10 three weeks ago...

North Carolina dam tested three flows to balance wildlife and power

For two decades, the Roanoke Rapids Dam has been diligently analyzing water flow levels. Scientists observed the effects on fish and mussel populations, discovering that a medium flow rate supports wildlife while optimizing power generation. This significant finding permits greater water diversion to enhance electricity production, as the dam commits to using this medium flow strategy for an addit...

Two people bitten by beavers in less than two weeks at Maryland park

At Cunningham Falls State Park, two people experienced beaver bites that resulted in positive rabies tests for both animals involved. Consequently, park authorities have restricted access to water areas to ensure public safety. Ongoing surveillance is focused on assessing the rabies situation, and restrictions will persist until health officials confirm that the park is safe for all visitors.

Hong Kong hotel sector recovery elusive for unprepared investors

Signs of recovery in Hong Kong’s real estate industry are becoming more apparent, so much so that key indicators in parts of the sector are experiencing some of the fastest growth rates in the Asia-Pacific. In the hotel market, average daily rates, which were declining in annualised terms for most of 2025, grew 9.5 per cent in the first half of this year. This was the third-fastest growth rate amo...

Diamond buyer admits stealing HK$11m worth of gems to fund gambling addiction

A former procurement manager at Tse Sui Luen Jewellery in Hong Kong has pleaded guilty to stealing diamonds worth more than HK$11 million (US$1.4 million) from suppliers over six years by manipulating consignment records to fund his gambling habit. The High Court heard on Monday that Mui Ka-fai, 63, obtained small diamonds from the jeweller’s regular suppliers and resold them once or twice a month...

Singapore replaced a 2.7-km concrete canal with a winding river; biodiversity rose 30%

Singapore transformed a 2.7-km concrete canal at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park into a 3-km meandering river between 2009 and 2011. The project created a flood plain and more varied river habitat. Later research found 26 fish species in the rehabilitated section, including three native species, compared with eight non-native species in an untreated canal section.