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Electric vehicle (EV) sales in Australia nearly doubled in the first half of 2026 compared to all of 2025, reaching over 103,000 units. Rising fuel prices and government efficiency rules are encouraging more people to buy EVs, which now make up almost a quarter of all new car sales.
Key Facts
Australians bought 103,855 battery electric vehicles from January to June 2026, slightly more than the total sold in 2025.
EVs accounted for 23.4% of new car sales in June 2026, up from 10.3% in June 2025.
Sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles rose to 54,121 in the first half of 2026, exceeding 2025’s total of 53,249.
Fuel prices, especially diesel, have risen significantly due to the Middle East conflict and the end of a government fuel tax cut.
New government rules on vehicle efficiency are supporting the growth of EV sales.
The majority (80%) of EV sales are in small and medium SUV market segments.
Australia’s EV market share is growing but still lags behind European countries like Norway, where EV sales exceed 90%.
Experts say once consumers switch to EVs, they usually do not return to petrol vehicles.
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Russian forces attacked several cities in Ukraine with missiles and drones, killing at least six people, including a child in Chernihiv. In response, Ukrainian forces also launched strikes on Russian-occupied areas, killing four civilians in Horlivka. Both sides deny targeting civilians, but casualties have increased sharply in 2026.
Key Facts
Russia launched seven ballistic missiles and 136 drones targeting cities including Kyiv, Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv.
A Russian drone hit a supermarket in Chernihiv, killing two people, including a nine-year-old girl, and injuring 25 others.
Ukrainian officials reported deaths and injuries from drone and glide bomb attacks in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Sloviansk.
Ukrainian drone strikes killed four civilians in the Russian-occupied city of Horlivka and wounded emergency workers.
Russian authorities said Ukrainian drones hit Belgorod, a city inside Russia, injuring 12 people including children.
The United Nations reported 1,396 Ukrainian civilians killed and 7,978 wounded in the first six months of 2026, while 250 civilians were killed and 1,596 wounded in Russia.
Both Moscow and Kyiv deny intentionally targeting civilians despite rising casualties.
Peace talks led by the United States have stalled as Russia controls large parts of eastern and southern Ukraine.
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Two people died and five others were injured in a shooting at the Bite of Seattle food festival near the Space Needle on Sunday evening. Medical staff treated four victims, including a toddler, and police asked people to stay away from the area after the shooting.
Key Facts
The shooting happened during the Bite of Seattle food festival at Seattle Center.
Two people were killed and five others were wounded.
Four victims were taken to Harborview Medical Center, including a toddler and adults.
One victim was in critical condition.
Witnesses described chaos with people running, hiding, and falling during the shooting.
The festival has been held every year since 1982.
Approximately 350,000 people usually attend the event over three days.
Police urged the public to avoid the area after the shooting occurred.
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Britain’s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on his first meeting with a foreign leader since taking office. The visit highlights strong UK support for Ukraine amid ongoing conflict with Russia and includes discussions on defense cooperation and new military technology.
Key Facts
PM Andy Burnham took office on July 20, 2026, and Zelensky’s visit is the first by a foreign leader since then.
Zelensky will urge Britain to increase defense spending to help Ukraine amid intensified fighting with Russia.
Burnham will visit a British naval base with Zelensky to meet military personnel training Ukrainians.
The UK will share technology called "Stone Cloak," a small electronic jammer that disrupts Russian air defenses.
"Stone Cloak" is part of a 100-year UK-Ukraine partnership signed in January 2025 and has already been sent to Ukraine.
Zelensky expressed interest in a "drone deal" and plans to build a drone factory in Britain to strengthen military cooperation.
The visit precedes Zelensky’s trip to Washington D.C. for talks with U.S. officials.
Both sides stressed their commitment to a strong and long-lasting partnership to support Ukraine in the conflict with Russia.
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Oil prices dropped on Monday after the United States paused its strikes on Iran, creating a chance for diplomacy. Iran also stopped its retaliatory attacks, raising hopes for talks on reopening a key shipping route, the Strait of Hormuz.
Key Facts
The US stopped attacking Iran for three days after 13 nights of strikes.
Iran halted its retaliatory military actions in the Gulf region.
The pause aims to allow diplomatic talks to resume regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital passage for global oil shipping.
Iran and Oman are discussing ways to keep shipping safe through the strait.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacked Saudi ships in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, another important shipping route.
Oil prices had risen above $100 per barrel last week amid fears of conflict disrupting supply.
News of the attack pause and talks caused oil prices to fall sharply, easing market concerns.
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Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte said on Sunday that his office finished a fourth round of job cuts since he began leading the agency on June 19. These layoffs are part of an effort to reduce the size of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and focus its work.
Key Facts
Bill Pulte is the Acting Director of National Intelligence.
He took over the position on June 19.
Since then, the office has completed four rounds of layoffs.
The goal is to reduce the size of the ODNI staff.
The changes aim to help the ODNI focus better on its priorities.
Pulte described the reductions as smart and careful.
The ODNI oversees the United States intelligence community.
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Wildfires are still burning near Bordeaux in southwestern France. About 220,000 people have been evacuated across the region to keep them safe from the fires.
Key Facts
Wildfires are active near the city of Bordeaux in southwestern France.
Firefighters are working to control the fires.
Tens of thousands of people near Bordeaux have had to leave their homes.
In total, around 220,000 people have been evacuated across southwestern France.
The evacuations aim to protect people from the dangers of the wildfires.
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A new alliance between a separatist group called the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and an al-Qaeda-linked group named Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has changed the conflict in northern Mali. Their joint attacks have challenged the Malian army and Russian-backed forces, raising concerns about the future of peace and security in the region.
Key Facts
The FLA and JNIM began a coordinated military campaign on April 25, 2026, in northern Mali.
This alliance combines a separatist group wanting independence for Azawad and an Islamist group aiming to overthrow the government.
They have carried out various attacks, including ambushes, drone strikes, and assaults on military convoys.
The Malian government calls this alliance a terrorist connection and is working to stop it.
The cooperation is unusual because the FLA is secular and nationalist, while JNIM follows an Islamist ideology.
The fighting intensified after the 2015 peace agreement failed and political instability followed with military coups.
Russia’s military group, Africa Corps, supports the Malian army after replacing the Wagner Group.
The FLA insists it wants independence for Azawad and says it will only make peace if this is recognized.
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Several people were shot near the Seattle Space Needle on Sunday night, according to the Seattle Police Department. The police asked people to avoid the area while they investigated but did not share details about the victims or suspects.
Key Facts
The shooting happened near the Seattle Center, a popular area with the Space Needle and Climate Pledge Arena.
The Bite of Seattle food festival was taking place nearby when the shots were fired.
Police reported multiple shooting victims but did not give exact numbers or injury details.
Witnesses heard many shots and initially thought they were fireworks.
One person was seen receiving CPR at the scene.
People nearby ran away quickly to escape the dangerous situation.
The police have not announced if any suspects are in custody.
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Multiple people were shot at the Seattle Center during the Bite of Seattle festival on Sunday night. Police responded to the scene and asked people to avoid the area while the investigation continues.
Key Facts
The shooting happened at Seattle Center, a public event space.
It took place during the Bite of Seattle, an annual food festival with vendors and live music.
Several people were shot, though exact numbers and conditions have not been confirmed.
Police alerted the public to stay away from the area for safety reasons.
The Seattle Police Department is actively investigating the incident.
The story is still developing, and more updates are expected.
No information on suspects or motives has been released yet.
The shooting raises concerns about public safety at large events.
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Multiple people were injured in a shooting near Seattle’s Space Needle on Sunday night. Police are investigating and have asked people to stay away from the area.
Key Facts
The shooting happened close to the Space Needle in Seattle.
Several people were hurt in the incident.
The Seattle Center, where the shooting occurred, was hosting the Bite of Seattle food festival.
Bite of Seattle is an annual event that started in 1982.
The festival usually attracts around 350,000 people over three days.
Police have not released more details about the shooting yet.
Authorities are actively investigating the case.
Police advised the public to avoid the area near the shooting.
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A large iceberg turned over near Ilulissat, Greenland, on July 25. This event happened close to the Ilulissat Icefjord, a protected area recognized by UNESCO, and no one was hurt.
Key Facts
The iceberg flipped over with strong force.
The underside of the iceberg was jagged and became visible.
The location is near Ilulissat, Greenland.
The area is called Ilulissat Icefjord, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
No injuries were reported during the iceberg capsizing.
The event caused waves and mist around the iceberg.
The date of the event was July 25.
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Shein reported a loss of $99 million in the first quarter due to slower sales after the U.S. removed a duty exemption on small imports. The company faces higher costs and delays partly because of new tariffs and global issues like the Iran war, and it is preparing to launch shares in Hong Kong soon.
Key Facts
Shein lost $99 million in the first quarter of this year, compared to a $395 million profit in the same period last year.
The loss is linked to U.S. President Donald Trump ending a tariff exemption for small packages under $800.
This exemption allowed cheap goods to enter the U.S. without extra taxes, benefiting online shopping sites like Shein.
Shein plans to raise prices in the U.S. to offset some of the tariff costs.
The company also experienced delays and higher costs due to the Iran war affecting some markets.
Shein had 281 million active customers who made over one billion orders in the year ending March 2026.
Shein received approval to list shares on the Hong Kong stock market after failing to list in New York and London.
The U.S. government cited concerns over tariff evasion and illegal drug imports as reasons for ending the tariff exemption.
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Newly revealed documentary footage shows Senator Lindsey Graham strongly supporting military action in Iran. In the footage, Graham compares President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to World War II leaders Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill.
Key Facts
The footage was recorded by filmmaker Alex Holder over many hours with Senator Lindsey Graham.
Graham expresses firm support for war in Iran.
He compares President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu to Roosevelt and Churchill, leaders during World War II.
Lindsey Graham was a U.S. Senator from South Carolina.
The documentary footage is newly released to the public.
The comparison suggests Graham views Trump and Netanyahu as wartime leaders.
The remarks highlight Graham’s strong stance on U.S. foreign policy concerning Iran.
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French President Emmanuel Macron is holding a crisis meeting as wildfires near the city of Bordeaux, amid a heatwave that makes firefighting harder. In France and Spain, tens of thousands of people have been evacuated due to large and fast-moving fires that have damaged hundreds of thousands of hectares of land.
Key Facts
Wildfires are closing in on Bordeaux, about 15 km from the city center, with no evacuation planned for its 850,000 residents so far.
More than 220,000 people have been evacuated in southwestern France because of the fires.
The fire in the Gironde region is creating a rare and dangerous "pyrocumulonimbus" thunderstorm fueled by the fire itself.
France has seen about 98,000 hectares burnt nationwide this year, with 42,000 hectares lost in the southwest alone.
Spain is fighting wildfires near Valencia, forcing around 15,000 people to evacuate.
The wildfire in the Ávila region of Spain is the largest in recent history and has led to more than 90,000 people being evacuated around Madrid and Ávila.
Officials warn that temperatures could reach 40°C (104°F), which complicates efforts to control the fires.
Spanish leaders have called for broad public support to address the climate emergency contributing to these disasters.
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The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has infected 3,200 people and caused at least 1,405 deaths. The virus has spread mainly in the northeastern Ituri province and recently expanded to other areas, while health workers face challenges in controlling the outbreak.
Key Facts
The current Ebola outbreak in the DRC is the 17th for the country and started on May 15.
About 1,000 new infections were reported in just 10 days, raising the total cases to 3,200.
At least 1,405 people have died from the virus so far.
Nearly 90% of cases are in Ituri province, near the borders with South Sudan and Uganda.
The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has no approved vaccine or treatment yet.
Health workers face hardships including unpaid wages and difficulties reaching affected areas.
The UN Humanitarian Air Service helps transport medical teams and lab samples to outbreak zones.
Scientists are testing new vaccines and treatments specifically targeting the Bundibugyo strain.
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Typhoon Noul hit southern China, bringing strong winds and heavy rain. In Hong Kong, scaffolding collapsed on a building, but no injuries were reported, and many flights were canceled at the airport.
Key Facts
Typhoon Noul made landfall in southern China on Sunday morning.
The typhoon caused strong winds and heavy rain in the region.
Scaffolding along Cheung Sha Wan Road in Hong Kong collapsed due to the winds.
Police received many calls about the scaffolding collapse but reported no injuries.
Around 360 passenger flights were canceled at Hong Kong airport because of the typhoon.
State media said Typhoon Noul is the strongest to hit China so far in 2026.
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Former Israeli army chief Gadi Eisenkot has become the main opponent to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the October 27 general election. Eisenkot leads a new party called Yashar and focuses on restoring Israel’s security, unity, and democratic values after recent conflicts.
Key Facts
Gadi Eisenkot is a former Israeli military chief and is challenging Prime Minister Netanyahu in the upcoming election.
Eisenkot’s party, Yashar, is currently polling ahead of Netanyahu’s Likud party.
Eisenkot supports a 10-point plan to improve Israel’s security and democratic institutions.
He dismisses calls for a future Palestinian state following recent attacks by Hamas.
Eisenkot helped develop the "Dahiya Doctrine," a military strategy targeting enemy areas that hide fighters among civilians.
He wants to create a state inquiry into the 2023 Hamas attack, criticizing Netanyahu’s handling of intelligence.
Eisenkot proposes a "universal national service law" to include ultra-Orthodox Jews and Arab citizens in compulsory military service.
He pledges to protect judicial independence, minority rights, and a free press.
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Lebanon’s army says Israel has destroyed many homes and stopped them from helping residents return to certain areas in southern Lebanon called “pilot zones.” Families in Zawtar al Gharbiya have seen a lot of damage, and Israeli forces remain close by.
Key Facts
Lebanon’s army accuses Israel of bulldozing homes in southern Lebanon.
The destruction mainly affects areas called “pilot zones.”
Lebanese forces tried to escort residents back to these zones but were blocked.
Families in the town of Zawtar al Gharbiya have found widespread damage to their homes.
Israeli military forces are still present near these affected areas.
The situation involves tensions along the border between Lebanon and Israel.
The “pilot zones” are areas where Lebanon wants to help residents return and rebuild.
This event is part of ongoing issues between Lebanon and Israel.
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Argentina’s leader, Javier Milei, insulted Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, calling him a "thief" and a "convict" during a rally in Brazil. In response, Brazil recalled its ambassador to Argentina, and President Lula said he would continue to lead without interference from other countries.
Key Facts
Javier Milei is Argentina’s leader and spoke at a rally in São Paulo, Brazil.
Milei criticized Brazil's President Lula without saying his name directly.
Brazil recalled its ambassador to Argentina after Milei's remarks.
President Lula said Brazil does not accept outside interference in its affairs.
The rally was for Flávio Bolsonaro, a right-wing candidate and son of former President Jair Bolsonaro.
Jair Bolsonaro was sentenced to over 27 years in prison for trying to stay in power after losing an election.
Lula was previously jailed for corruption but his convictions were cancelled by Brazil's Supreme Court.
Lula narrowly won the presidential election in 2022 against Jair Bolsonaro.
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