Firefighters have been working overnight to control a large wildfire that has spread over more than two miles in Cairngorms National Park, Scotland. People living nearby and visitors at campsites and ski resorts have been evacuated, and authorities warn the fire risk remains very high.
Key Facts
The fire started around 11:50 am near Ryvoan Bothy at Nethy Bridge in the Cairngorms National Park.
The wildfire has spread across more than 3.5 kilometers of dry land.
Villages, campsites, and ski resorts in the area have been evacuated as a precaution.
The fire service continues to fight the fire with four firefighting vehicles still at the scene.
The central Highlands, southern and eastern Scotland currently have a "very high" risk of wildfire.
Public are advised to avoid Glenmore Forest Park and Loch Morlich during firefighting efforts.
No injuries have been reported so far from the wildfire.
Wildlife groups and nearby estates are assisting in firefighting efforts, but some resources like helicopters are unavailable due to fires elsewhere.
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A woman in her 60s was bitten by a large eastern brown snake caught in her bike chain while cycling in northern New South Wales, Australia. She was treated in hospital and recovered after receiving medical care, and the snake was euthanised due to injuries.
Key Facts
The woman was cycling on the northern rivers rail trail near Burringbar when she ran over a two-metre eastern brown snake.
The snake got tangled in her bike chain, biting her on the thigh.
Paramedics treated her, and she was taken to Tweed Valley hospital in a stable condition; she was discharged the next morning.
The eastern brown snake is one of the world’s most venomous snakes and common in eastern Australia.
The snake catcher said the snake’s head was free to strike and the woman experienced a "dry bite," where no venom entered her bloodstream.
The snake was euthanised due to injuries from being trapped in the bike chain.
Cooler weather and the snake being blind in one eye likely slowed its reflexes and contributed to the incident.
Eastern brown snakes are often confused with harmless snake species by the public.
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Smoke from wildfires in northern Ontario caused Toronto to have the worst air quality among major cities worldwide on July 16, 2026. The smoke spread into parts of the northeastern United States, raising health concerns and leading officials to warn people to limit outdoor activities.
Key Facts
Toronto recorded an Air Quality Health Index of 10+, which is considered "very high risk."
Wildfires are burning far from cities but send smoke over large areas affecting many places.
New York City and surrounding states experienced unhealthy air and were advised to avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
Two groups of children camping in the Canadian wilderness were rescued safely with help from helicopters and the Canadian military.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires has increasingly affected large parts of the United States in recent years.
The city of Toronto canceled outdoor World Cup fan events due to poor air quality.
Over 80,000 people are expected to gather at the World Cup final in New Jersey despite smoke and haze.
Canada reported this wildfire season started slower than previous years but warned fires could worsen because of warm weather.
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The United Nations reported that over 500 people are feared dead after two boats carrying mostly Rohingya refugees sank off the coast of Myanmar in late June and early July. The refugees were fleeing conflict and poor conditions, and their journeys were dangerous due to bad weather and unsafe boats often run by traffickers.
Key Facts
Two boats carrying more than 500 people likely capsized near Myanmar recently.
Most passengers were Rohingya refugees from Myanmar’s Rakhine state.
Some refugees had left crowded camps in Bangladesh seeking safer lives.
One boat with about 250 people lost contact soon after leaving.
Another boat with roughly 280 people sank off Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady coast on July 8.
The sea conditions were dangerous due to rainy season and flooding.
Nearly 300 people are already reported missing or dead at sea this year in the region, including Rohingya and Bangladeshis.
UN agencies urge better rescue efforts, asylum access, and action against human trafficking networks.
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A man in Suffolk, England, named Stephen Hind, has a banana plant in his garden that has started to grow fruit, which surprised him. The bananas are unlikely to be edible due to the UK climate, but the plant’s growth is unusual for the area.
Key Facts
Stephen Hind bought a banana plant a few years ago to decorate his garden near his back door.
The plant has grown to about 12 feet tall and is now producing banana bunches.
Banana plants usually grow in warm, humid tropical countries, not in the UK.
Experts say banana plants can grow in greenhouses or warm, sheltered spots outdoors in the UK, but producing edible fruit is difficult.
The bananas in Stephen’s garden probably will not be good to eat.
When a banana plant fruits, that part of the plant dies, but new shoots come up from the base.
Climate change and recent hot weather may have helped the banana plant grow in Suffolk.
Stephen’s banana plant was bought from Henstead Exotic Garden, which sells unusual plants.
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Tobey Newall from Salford is a builder who balances large objects like sheds and ladders on his chin. He plans to try breaking the world record for the tallest item balanced on a chin, currently held by a 71-foot pole.
Key Facts
Tobey Newall discovered his balancing talent six years ago at a DIY store.
He balances heavy and large objects, including a 10-foot worktop weighing 101 pounds.
Newall has about 350,000 followers on social media who watch videos of his balancing acts.
The current world record is 71 feet, held by US juggler Cardon Firth since 2018.
Newall will use a special 100-foot fiberglass pole to attempt breaking this record.
His friend Travis Mooney helps with balancing and filming the stunts.
Newall has tried the record challenge three times before with no success.
The balancing acts have attracted attention from brands and content creators.
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Home piercing kits sold online are causing serious ear injuries, including scarring and deformities. Professionals warn that piercing guns and self-piercing can lead to damage that is hard or impossible to fix, and experts suggest banning these kits or adding age restrictions.
Key Facts
Home piercing kits can be bought online for as little as £1.50 without age checks.
Piercing guns use blunt jewelry and can cause rough, damaged piercing holes, unlike needles that make smooth cuts.
Injuries range from uneven earlobes to completely shattered ear parts like the helix or tragus.
Some people have required emergency care to remove piercings gone wrong.
The UK Association of Professional Piercers wants a ban on at-home piercing kits and guns.
There are no UK laws setting a minimum age for ear piercings done by professionals, but many studios set their own age limits.
In Wales, it is illegal to perform intimate piercings on anyone under 18.
Online retailers say they follow the law but do not have specific restrictions preventing sales of piercing kits in the UK.
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Tourists in Bucharest, Romania, are renting apartments in buildings that are officially unsafe in case of a big earthquake. Many of these illegal rental listings appear on Airbnb and Booking.com, even though Romanian law bans renting in such high-risk buildings.
Key Facts
At least 207 illegal rental properties in Bucharest’s most earthquake-prone buildings are listed on Airbnb and Booking.com.
These buildings have the highest seismic risk level, called RS1, and are banned from letting due to safety concerns.
Bucharest is the most earthquake-vulnerable capital in the EU and had a deadly earthquake in 1977 that killed over 1,500 people.
Romania made it illegal in 2024 to rent apartments in high-risk buildings, with fines for violations ranging from €1,000 to €2,000.
Only some buildings have been inspected, so more unsafe rentals likely exist than those identified.
Airbnb and Booking.com do not require hosts to prove their buildings are safe, and the platforms say it is the owners’ responsibility.
Some renters were unaware that staying in these buildings is illegal and only discovered the danger after booking.
A few hosts on Airbnb rent multiple apartments in high-risk buildings, often marketing them as comfortable or charming despite the risks.
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UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer made a final visit to Ukraine to show the UK's strong and lasting support for the country amid the ongoing war with Russia. He met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv and highlighted the UK’s long-term commitment to Ukraine’s defense and security.
Key Facts
Sir Keir Starmer made a last trip to Ukraine as Prime Minister.
He met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.
The UK signed a 100-year partnership with Ukraine for defense and trade cooperation.
The UK increased its defense investments and supported new war-fighting technologies.
British-made artillery barrels are being supplied to Ukraine under a £61 million contract.
Russia continues to attack Ukrainian ports, including Odesa, killing eight people in recent strikes.
Starmer recalled supporting Zelensky shortly after a dispute between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump.
Andy Burnham will replace Starmer as Labour leader and is expected to become the next prime minister soon.
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Andy Burnham, soon to be UK Prime Minister, faces a big housing problem with high prices and long waits for affordable homes. The UK government has promised to build many new homes, but it is not meeting its current targets.
Key Facts
The average house price in England was £300,000 last year, about eight times the average salary.
The Labour government wants to build 1.5 million new homes in England during this Parliament but is already behind schedule.
Andy Burnham plans a large council house-building program, the biggest since after World War II, but has not given exact details.
The government pledged £39 billion to build 300,000 new social and affordable homes over 10 years.
Council house building has fallen sharply since the 1980s due to past policies that sold many local authority homes.
In 2025, councils built only 1,970 new homes, compared to almost 200,000 per year in the 1950s.
To meet Burnham’s goals, councils would need much more money and staff to manage large building projects.
Only about 204,000 new homes were built in the 12 months to March 2024, below the yearly target needed to reach 1.5 million homes.
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The UK government has proposed a voluntary overnight social media curfew for 16- and 17-year-olds, blocking access from midnight to 6 a.m. by default on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. The plan also aims to turn off features like autoplay and infinite scroll to help teens sleep and focus better, but users can choose to disable these limits.
Key Facts
The curfew would apply automatically but can be turned off by 16- and 17-year-olds.
The ban would last six hours, from midnight to 6 a.m., on major social media platforms.
Features that encourage continuous watching, like autoplay and infinite scrolling, would be off by default.
A stricter ban on social media use for children under 16 is planned to start in 2027.
The UK government views this as a gradual way to help teens move safely toward adulthood.
Some politicians and child safety groups worry the voluntary system won't work well.
The policy still needs official approval and will likely be implemented by the next prime minister.
Australia has already banned social media use for under-16s since December 2023, setting a global example.
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A former member of Morocco’s intelligence service revealed that Morocco used Pegasus spyware to spy on journalists, human rights activists, and foreign officials. Pegasus, made by Israel's NSO Group, can access all data on a mobile phone and secretly activate its camera and microphone. This information is based on insider testimony and a joint investigation by multiple news organizations and Amnesty International.
Key Facts
Pegasus spyware allows remote access to phone data, including emails, messages, photos, and can turn on cameras and microphones.
Morocco denied using Pegasus to target critics but evidence from a whistleblower shows it started using the spyware in 2017.
The spyware was reportedly demonstrated to Moroccan intelligence officials in Rabat by NSO Group representatives.
The whistleblower said the UAE bought Pegasus and shared it with Morocco’s intelligence service.
The spyware was used mostly for high-value targets after cheaper spying methods failed.
Multiple media organizations and Amnesty International collaborated on this investigation, analyzing leaked emails, records, and testimonies.
Two other former Moroccan intelligence agents confirmed the whistleblower’s information.
Morocco’s intelligence service is called the Direction Générale de la Surveillance du Territoire (DGST).
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New Zealand actor Sam Neill died at 78 from pneumonia in a Sydney hospital. He had successfully fought blood cancer but passed away unexpectedly, with his family and agent confirming the cause of death.
Key Facts
Sam Neill was 78 years old when he died.
He died from pneumonia, according to his agent and family.
Neill had been treated for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a blood cancer, and was cancer-free at the time of death.
He received a cancer treatment called CAR-T therapy.
Neill acted in films like Jurassic Park and TV shows like Peaky Blinders.
He completed four projects during the last year of his life, to be released soon.
Neill was born in Northern Ireland and grew up in New Zealand.
He is survived by four children and eight grandchildren.
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There have been heavy nightly strikes between the US and Iran since a recent agreement was signed. A former US ambassador said Iran wrongly thought President Trump would give up or back down.
Key Facts
The US and Iran have been engaging in heavy strikes every night.
These attacks are the most intense since the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed one month ago.
A former US ambassador spoke about the situation on Al Jazeera’s program called "This is America."
The ambassador said Iran made a mistake by believing President Trump would stop or relax the US response.
The MOU agreement was intended to manage tensions between the US and Iran.
The strikes indicate ongoing conflict despite the agreement.
President Donald Trump remains firm in his position regarding Iran.
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The Royal Netherlands Navy is testing uncrewed vessels, drones, and underwater robots to improve sea defense. These autonomous systems aim to work alongside crewed ships to reduce risk to people and enhance military capabilities within the next decade.
Key Facts
The Dutch navy is conducting a five-week trial near Den Helder with uncrewed vessels called Defender 1 and Defender 2.
The navy plans to have over half of its operations done by uncrewed systems within five years.
The autonomous fleet includes underwater vehicles, boats, drones resembling giant flies and bats, and an undersea mine mapper named Lobster Robotics.
These systems operate under a “system of systems” model, allowing new technology to be added or replaced easily.
Artificial intelligence helps control these systems but humans remain responsible for important decisions like using weapons.
The Dutch navy’s Goalkeeper air defense system has used autonomous functions for over 40 years.
The use of uncrewed technology responds to challenges like labor shortages and increased operational demands.
Other countries, including the UK and US, are also investing heavily in similar autonomous military technology.
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A senior Chinese official, Wang Huning, visited North Korea for talks with a top North Korean party leader. The meeting aims to strengthen ties between China and North Korea after Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Pyongyang last month.
Key Facts
Wang Huning is the fourth-highest-ranking official in China.
Wang met Jo Yong Won, a top official in North Korea’s Workers’ Party.
The meeting follows President Xi Jinping’s first visit to North Korea in seven years, in June 2024.
China and North Korea agreed on a "far-reaching blueprint" to strengthen their strategic relationship.
China wants closer diplomatic, law enforcement, and military cooperation with North Korea.
North Korea has recently grown close to Russia but continues to rely on China as its largest economic partner.
The two countries discussed improving public welfare, business, culture, and party cooperation.
Experts say both nations want to deepen ties to gain economic and geopolitical advantages.
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Many South Koreans adopted by families abroad are finding out that their adoption records were false or incomplete. Some adoptees discovered their birth families thought they were dead, and adoption agencies may have hidden or changed important information. The South Korean government has apologized for its role in these problems.
Key Facts
Marie Wang, adopted from South Korea to Denmark, found her adoption records contained false information about her birth mother.
Many adoptees were told their birth parents gave them up because of poverty or other reasons, but some learned their families believed they had died.
Mia Lee Hansen was reunited with her birth family after DNA testing revealed they thought she had died as a baby.
Hospital records and other documents often conflicted or were missing for adoptees.
South Korea’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission found the government was involved in problematic overseas adoptions.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung apologized to adoptees and families for the pain caused by these adoption issues.
Advocates say adoption agencies did not keep accurate records and sometimes fabricated files.
Many adoptees have never returned to South Korea, feeling disconnected from their birth families.
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Volunteers in the United States are helping the National Archives read and type out old handwritten documents from the Revolutionary War. These documents include about 2.5 million pages of pension files, which are records related to payments made to war veterans.
Key Facts
Volunteers are reading handwritten papers from the Revolutionary War period.
The documents are written in cursive, which can be hard to read today.
These papers come from pension files, which are records about money given to veterans.
There are about 2.5 million pages that need to be transcribed.
The project helps preserve history and makes the information easier to access.
The National Archives organizes this work.
People helping with this task are called "citizen archivists."
This effort relies on ordinary Americans volunteering their time and skills.
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The U.S. Central Command said it started a second round of military strikes against Iran on Wednesday, after an earlier set of attacks the same day. Retired Navy Vice Admiral Robert Murrett explained that the conflict between the U.S. and Iran has entered a new phase.
Key Facts
The U.S. Central Command carried out a second wave of strikes against Iran on Wednesday.
These strikes followed an earlier series of attacks earlier that day.
Retired Navy Vice Adm. Robert Murrett spoke about the situation in a CBS News interview.
Murrett said the conflict between the U.S. and Iran is now in a new phase.
The information was reported by CBS News.
The article does not specify what prompted the strikes or the details of the attacks.
The focus is on the increased military actions and the changing nature of the conflict.
No direct response from Iran is mentioned in the report.
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The Australian National University (ANU) denied losing control of its campus during a pro-Palestine student encampment held in 2024. An internal review found the encampment posed high mental and social risks, leading the university to improve its security procedures for future protests.
Key Facts
The pro-Palestine encampment was set up in April 2024 to show support amid the Israel-Gaza war.
ANU conducted a safety review which rated the encampment’s psychosocial risks as high. Psychosocial risk means problems that affect people's mental health and social wellbeing.
The university tried several times to end the encampment, which finished after a dispute over electricity and lights.
ANU announced it would stop investing in controversial weapons and small arms manufacturers during this period.
The university’s security team kept close watch on the encampment and interacted with students to ensure safety.
ANU investigated claims of a Nazi salute at a student meeting but found no misconduct. The gesture thought to be a salute was explained as a common personal gesture by the student.
About 500 people attended the student meeting where the allegations arose, with one student removed for misconduct unrelated to the salute.
The royal commission is examining antisemitism and social cohesion in universities, including ANU’s handling of these events.
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