Over 40,000 people are being evacuated from the Cap Ferret peninsula in southwestern France due to large wildfires. These fires have burned more than 10,000 hectares of forest in the region.
Key Facts
More than 40,000 residents and tourists are leaving the Cap Ferret area for safety.
The wildfires are spreading across the southwest part of France.
Over 10,000 hectares (about 24,700 acres) of forest have been destroyed by the fires.
The Cap Ferret peninsula is a popular tourist destination.
The region is facing increased wildfire risks due to dry conditions.
Authorities are actively managing evacuations to protect people.
Similar wildfire incidents are affecting other parts of Europe, including areas near Madrid, Spain.
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A 58-year-old Swiss man, Bernhard Sutter, who was the head of a euthanasia company, died after losing consciousness while hiking Mount Fuji in Japan. This was the second death on the mountain since hiking season began in July, which has seen increased safety measures due to a rise in accidents and large numbers of hikers.
Key Facts
Bernhard Sutter, managing director of the euthanasia firm EXIT, died after a medical emergency on Mount Fuji during a family trip.
He lost consciousness while hiking and was pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital.
This was the second death since the Fuji hiking season started on July 1; a 65-year-old Japanese man also died after a fall.
A 99-year-old Japanese woman was rescued after injuring herself and staying overnight in a mountain hut.
Mount Fuji has become very popular but dangerous, with some hikers unprepared for the long and difficult climb.
Authorities have introduced daily limits on climbers and fees to reduce overcrowding and improve safety.
In 2024, there were nine deaths on Mount Fuji; there were no deaths reported in the 2025 season.
Police advise hikers to avoid pushing themselves, consider weather and fitness, and plan hikes they can handle safely.
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The United States and Saudi Arabia have agreed on a deal to develop a civilian nuclear energy program in Saudi Arabia. However, President Donald Trump added a new condition that Saudi Arabia must first normalize relations with Israel, a step Saudi Arabia resists without progress on Palestinian statehood, putting the deal’s future in doubt.
Key Facts
The deal aims to help Saudi Arabia generate electricity using nuclear power.
It is expected to last 30 years and involves US technology and expertise.
President Trump said Saudi Arabia must normalize relations with Israel before the deal advances.
Saudi Arabia will not recognize Israel without a clear path to Palestinian statehood.
The deal must be reviewed by the US Congress before going forward.
A Saudi-based uranium enrichment facility might be part of the deal but is uncertain.
Saudi Arabia has not accepted broader International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections.
If the US deal falls through, Saudi Arabia might seek nuclear cooperation with other countries like China or Russia.
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Wildfires have caused the evacuation of around 40,000 people on the Cap Ferret peninsula in southwestern France. The fires have also spread in Spain and Italy, killing four firefighters and destroying many homes. European countries are dealing with record heat and severe fire outbreaks, and the EU is providing support to help fight the flames.
Key Facts
About 40,000 people were evacuated from the Cap Ferret peninsula in France due to wildfire.
Over 25,000 acres of land have burned in southwestern France, with 80 homes damaged or destroyed.
Three firefighters died in southern Europe battling wildfires, and one firefighter died in Italy.
Spain declared a state of emergency near Madrid, evacuating more than 10,000 people.
France requested help from the European Union, which sent three water-bombing planes.
The heatwave in France caused 5,700 more deaths than usual last month, with record-high temperatures.
Fires are also severe in Italy, where arson involving animals was reported.
The European Forest Fire Information System says this year’s burned land area in the EU is the second largest ever recorded.
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Four Palestinians and one Israeli were killed in a shooting in the northern West Bank village of Tell after clashes involving Israeli settlers and the Israeli military. The incident is the deadliest attack in the West Bank this year and has increased tensions between Israeli settlers and Palestinian communities.
Key Facts
Four Palestinians from the same family and one Israeli man in his 30s died in the shooting.
The attack began when about 20 Israeli settlers entered the Palestinian village of Tell near Nablus early Friday morning.
Palestinian residents said settlers aimed to attack, damage property, and set fires, while the Israeli military arrived shortly after.
The Israeli military said they responded to an attack on Israeli hikers near a nearby settlement and that attackers seized a weapon and fired.
Videos showed Palestinian individuals shot and lying on the ground near the village.
The Palestinian foreign ministry called the event a massacre involving settlers and Israeli forces.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to meet officials to discuss a strong response.
The Israeli military placed a temporary security cordon around Nablus and Tell.
Israeli settlers called for further attacks against the village, escalating fears of more violence.
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Nine months after a ceasefire began in Gaza, conditions there remain very difficult. Humanitarian groups say that limits on aid and supplies stop any real improvement despite the reduction in fighting.
Key Facts
A ceasefire has been in place in Gaza for nine months.
Large-scale fighting has decreased since the ceasefire started.
Gaza still faces a serious humanitarian emergency.
Aid groups cannot provide more than short-term relief due to strict limits.
Restrictions affect aid delivery, building materials, fuel, and access for workers.
The main problem is the inability to rebuild and improve life, not just damage from the conflict.
The Norwegian Refugee Council’s Palestine mission highlights these issues.
The situation remains urgent despite the ceasefire agreement.
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President Donald Trump has imposed new tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on over 80 countries, replacing a previous 10% global tariff that was set to expire. These tariffs target countries accused of using forced labor and have caused criticism from US allies. Trump also mentioned he is close to deciding on a large-scale military attack against Iran.
Key Facts
The new tariffs apply to more than 80 countries, including the UK, EU member states, Mexico, Canada, Australia, India, and China.
The tariffs replace a 10% global duty imposed in February, after the Supreme Court ruled many earlier tariffs illegal.
The tariffs are based on section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, targeting forced labor practices.
Some affected countries have questioned the forced labor justification, saying their labor laws are strict.
President Trump said he is close to deciding on a "massive attack" against Iran, larger than previous strikes.
Oil prices have risen above $100 a barrel amid tensions related to Iran and attacks on Saudi tankers.
Israel would reportedly support the US if asked to join any military action against Iran.
There are ongoing concerns about rare cancer cases in southern California, with authorities investigating possible environmental causes.
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Giorgia Meloni became Italy’s first female prime minister in 2022 and has shown political closeness to President Donald Trump. She is seen as a connection between Trump’s MAGA movement in the U.S. and Europe’s far-right politics, while also working to increase Italy’s influence in the European Union.
Key Facts
Giorgia Meloni became Italy’s first female prime minister in 2022.
Meloni expressed political alignment with President Donald Trump and his MAGA movement.
She was the only European leader invited to President Trump’s second inauguration in 2025.
Meloni acts as a link between the American MAGA movement and European far-right groups.
Critics say she has softened some hardline positions to stay politically effective in the EU.
Meloni started her political career with the National Alliance, a post-fascist party.
Experts have noted authoritarian tendencies in Meloni’s governing style during her first three years.
She aims to boost Italy’s influence in Brussels, where the European Union’s headquarters are located.
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Iran carried out drone strikes on U.S. military bases in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait, and explosions were reported near a U.S. base in northern Iraq. In response, the U.S. conducted multiple strikes on Iranian military targets, including a Revolutionary Guard base in northern Iran, as tensions escalate in the Middle East.
Key Facts
Iran targeted U.S. military bases in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait using drones.
Explosions were heard near a U.S. base in northern Iraq where American forces are stationed.
The U.S. has conducted 13 consecutive nights of strikes on Iranian targets to stop attacks near the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. struck the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval headquarters in Gilan province, damaging equipment.
Iran’s drone attacks reportedly hit fuel tanks, warehouses, barracks, and aviation hangars at various U.S. bases.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard claimed to have destroyed an ammunition depot and caused casualties at a U.S. base in Kuwait.
U.S. military officials say current use of advanced missile interceptors in the region is at an unsustainable pace.
An overnight U.S. strike in Iran’s Khuzestan province reportedly killed at least four people and injured others.
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A South African court has temporarily stopped the impeachment process against President Cyril Ramaphosa over a scandal involving undeclared cash. The court order pauses public hearings while the president challenges a report accusing him of serious misconduct.
Key Facts
The Western Cape High Court granted an interim order halting the impeachment committee from holding public hearings.
The impeachment relates to the “Farmgate” scandal, where $580,000 was found hidden in a couch at Ramaphosa’s farmhouse.
The money allegedly came from the sale of buffaloes, according to President Ramaphosa.
The scandal emerged after the cash was reported stolen in 2020.
Ramaphosa denies wrongdoing and refuses to resign over the incident.
The African National Congress (ANC), led by Ramaphosa, lost its majority in the May 2024 election, partly due to corruption allegations.
Ramaphosa still has support from the ANC and leads a coalition government.
It is unclear how coalition partners would vote if the impeachment proceeds.
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Sky Three Residence Club in Brooklyn, New York, offers residents a unique quarter-mile running track on its rooftop. The building includes many wellness and lifestyle amenities, such as a large pool, sports courts, fitness center, and other facilities designed to promote health and relaxation.
Key Facts
Sky Three is located at 532 Neptune Avenue, near Coney Island in Brooklyn.
It has the only rooftop residential running track in New York City, about a quarter-mile long.
The running track is five floors above street level, providing a quieter environment.
Amenities include Brooklyn’s largest residential pool, pickleball and basketball courts, a yoga studio, saunas, and a massage room.
Other features are an arts and crafts studio, outdoor playground, coffee shop, pet spa, bicycle storage, and parking with 150 electric vehicle chargers.
The building opened in November 2025.
The developer is Cammeby's International, which aims to integrate wellness into daily life.
Similar wellness-focused residences are being built, but none have a rooftop running track like Sky Three.
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Axel Rudakubana, who was sentenced to life in prison for killing three children in Southport, has been moved from a high-security prison to a psychiatric hospital. Families of his victims and prison officers say this move might be an attempt to manipulate the system, although his minimum 52-year sentence remains unchanged.
Key Facts
Axel Rudakubana was jailed for life in January 2023 with a minimum of 52 years for murdering three children.
He was transferred from Belmarsh prison, a high-security prison, to Broadmoor, a high-security psychiatric hospital.
The transfer occurred because it was decided he could not be safely managed in a prison.
Broadmoor hospital has strict security, including locked wards and 24-hour monitoring.
Families of the victims and prison officers believe Rudakubana is trying to manipulate the legal system with this change.
Rudakubana had previously been treated as a mental health patient and was linked to counter-extremism efforts, but no clear violent ideology was found.
The 1983 Mental Health Act allows for his return to prison if hospital treatment is no longer needed.
Rudakubana also attacked other children and adults and was found guilty of possessing dangerous materials and terrorism-related items.
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Volkswagen reported a big drop in profits and lowered its sales forecast because car sales in China have fallen sharply. To deal with this, Volkswagen plans to cut up to 100,000 jobs, mostly in office positions, and reduce the number of car models it makes.
Key Facts
Volkswagen expects car sales to drop by up to 3% this year, reversing an earlier forecast of a 3% increase.
Sales in China have fallen by more than 31% in the first half of the year.
The company's operating profit fell by 9.5% to €3.5 billion in the second quarter.
Volkswagen plans to cut up to 100,000 jobs worldwide, mainly in administrative roles.
The company aims to reduce the number of car models it produces by up to half.
Volkswagen faces strong competition from cheaper Chinese carmakers, who are also exporting more cars to Europe.
Volkswagen employs more than 650,000 people across brands like Audi, Porsche, and Bentley.
The company is undergoing a major restructuring to become more efficient and competitive despite possible union resistance.
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A South African court has temporarily stopped a parliamentary inquiry that could lead to President Cyril Ramaphosa's impeachment over a 2020 theft at his private farm. The court ruling pauses the process until a related legal case, challenging the inquiry panel's findings, is decided in September.
Key Facts
In 2020, thieves stole about $580,000 in cash hidden in a sofa on Ramaphosa's farm in Limpopo province.
The theft became public in 2022 when a former spy chief accused Ramaphosa of hiding the incident from authorities.
An independent panel suggested Ramaphosa might face charges related to the theft and possible law violations.
Parliament initially blocked an impeachment inquiry but was forced to reconsider after the Constitutional Court ruled Parliament acted unlawfully.
Ramaphosa argues the panel misunderstood its role and misjudged the evidence against him.
A Western Cape judge suspended the impeachment hearings until Ramaphosa's challenge to the panel's findings is resolved.
Ramaphosa’s political party, the African National Congress, no longer holds a majority and governs in coalition after recent elections.
The president claims the stolen cash came from selling buffaloes and respects the court's recent decision to halt the inquiry.
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President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on imports from more than 80 countries, citing their failure to stop forced labor. Some Democrats and even allies of the president have criticized these tariffs, saying they could raise prices and harm Americans.
Key Facts
The Trump administration imposed new tariffs on goods from over 80 countries due to alleged failures to prevent forced labor.
These tariffs replace a 10% global duty that was set to expire.
Democrats, including Congresswoman Linda Sánchez, argue the tariffs are not a serious effort to combat forced labor and are unevenly applied, especially towards China and Australia.
Congressman Brendan Boyle said the tariffs act like a sales tax and will increase costs for American families.
Some White House insiders privately expressed concern that the tariffs could negatively affect affordability and spending.
Brazil’s government rejected the U.S. claim about forced labor enforcement and called the new 12.5% tariffs unfair.
The tariffs have drawn criticism from both political opponents and some within President Trump’s circle.
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More than two dozen states and the District of Columbia have sued the Trump administration over new rules tied to federal disaster and homeland security funding. The states say the rules force them to change election laws and cooperate with immigration enforcement to get billions in aid, which they argue is illegal.
Key Facts
The lawsuit was filed in Rhode Island by 24 states plus the District of Columbia.
It challenges FEMA and Department of Homeland Security policies linking funding to election and immigration requirements.
The states say the administration is overstepping its authority by changing state election laws and forcing cooperation with federal immigration agents.
The lawsuit claims these funding conditions violate the Administrative Procedure Act and the Constitution’s rules on federal spending.
The new rules require states to use paper ballots, do manual vote checks, update voter records, and verify citizenship of voters.
States that do not meet these rules risk losing at least 20% of their Homeland Security Grant Program funding.
This funding supports protecting communities from threats like cyberattacks and terrorism.
State officials argue the administration is using emergency and security funding to push political goals about elections and immigration.
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A young adult from Generation Z stopped using most social media platforms for one year, except for LinkedIn and YouTube used for work and study. During this time, they noticed better focus, clearer thinking, and more meaningful personal connections without distractions from social media.
Key Facts
The author quit Instagram, Facebook, X, Snapchat, and other platforms for 12 months but kept LinkedIn and YouTube.
Many people in their generation spend four or more hours a day on social media.
Early on, the author felt a strong habit of reaching for apps that were deleted.
They did daily activities differently, like going to the gym without headphones and waking up without checking their phone.
Without social media, the author stopped worrying about likes, followers, and views.
Their thinking became clearer and more creative without constant online distractions.
Staying in touch with others required more effort, such as making real phone calls and sending messages.
The author realized social media often leads to passive monitoring of others' lives, not active connection.
Memorable moments, like watching stars in Death Valley, were enjoyed fully without feeling the need to share online.
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The Gironde region near Bordeaux in Southwest France is facing major wildfires again, four years after a big fire hit the area. The region is at high risk because of large pine forests, ongoing drought, and many tourists, which help fires spread quickly.
Key Facts
The Gironde region around Bordeaux is experiencing major wildfires.
A severe wildfire affected the area four years ago.
The region has many maritime pine trees, which burn easily.
There is a persistent drought making the land dry.
Heavy tourist activity increases fire risk and challenges.
These factors cause fast-moving and hard-to-control wildfires.
Wildfires are a growing problem in Southwest France.
Climate change contributes to hotter, drier conditions increasing fire risk.
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The European Commission said TikTok did not do enough to protect the privacy of children on its app, letting adults see minors’ accounts. This problem could lead to cyberbullying and unwanted contact. TikTok now has a chance to respond before the EU decides on fines or other actions.
Key Facts
The European Commission found TikTok allowed adults to view the accounts of minors.
This failure to protect privacy exposed children to risks like cyberbullying and unwanted contact.
The EU can issue a non-compliance decision and fine TikTok up to 6% of its yearly revenue.
Earlier, the EU found TikTok’s design features like autoplay and endless scrolling were addictive and harmful to users’ health.
The investigation is part of the EU’s wider effort to regulate large tech companies such as Meta and Apple.
TikTok is a Chinese-owned social media app popular worldwide.
The EU has 27 member countries working together on rules to protect digital privacy and safety.
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President Donald Trump has introduced new tariffs as part of his trade policy during his second term. These import taxes aim to influence the US economy, and there is discussion about how much American households are affected by higher prices due to these tariffs.
Key Facts
President Trump has implemented additional tariffs on imports during his second term.
Tariffs are taxes on goods coming into the country, meant to protect certain US industries.
The new tariffs have recently taken effect and are in the news.
There is debate about the actual impact of tariffs on US households’ costs, with some estimates suggesting prices have increased by about 1.5%.
The BBC reporter Samira Hussain explains how these tariffs affect the economy and who pays the price.
Tariffs are a tool used to try to meet specific economic or trade goals set by the administration.
It is not yet clear if these tariffs fully achieve their intended objectives.
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