World
NZ English official language law mocked by critics as 'pathetic waste'
New Zealand's parliament has passed legislation making English an official language, drawing derision from linguists, legal experts and a Māori MP who called it a pathetic waste. The law, part of a coalition deal, gives English the same status as te reo Māori and NZ sign language, but opponents say it was unnecessary and ideologically driven.
The Guardian World · 3 Aug, 07:52
Indonesian Ferry Fire Kills at Least 5; 41 Still Missing
A passenger ferry carrying 271 people caught fire off Madura Island in Indonesia, leaving at least five dead and 41 unaccounted for, according to authorities.
NPR World · 3 Aug, 07:52
/nginx/o/2026/08/03/17825204t1hd5bc.jpg)
Trump says talks with Iran to start Monday; strikes postponed
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that talks with Iran will begin on Monday, after he confirmed that he had decided to postpone devastating strikes on Iran.
TVNET · 3 Aug, 07:51
Russia claims it shot down 1,158 Ukrainian drones in a single day
Russia's Defense Ministry says its air defense downed 1,158 fixed-wing Ukrainian drones over the past day, also claiming to have destroyed six guided aerial bombs and one HIMARS rocket.
Ukrainska Pravda (EN) · 3 Aug, 06:56
Texas Police Pull Over Woman with Newborn; Pregnant Woman Found Dead at Same Time
On October 9, 2020, in De Kalb, Texas, police stopped a car whose driver said she had just given birth and was heading to the hospital. At the same time, police in New Boston received a report of a pregnant woman found dead.
TVNET · 3 Aug, 06:55
Spokane wildfires destroy hundreds of homes as evacuations continue
Fast-moving wildfires have devastated neighborhoods in Spokane, Washington, reducing hundreds of structures to ash and forcing thousands to flee. Officials report no confirmed casualties yet, but the situation remains dangerous with fires still uncontained.
France 24 · 3 Aug, 06:53
Politico’s Berlin Playbook podcast releases new Machthaber edition
Politico Europe has released a new episode of its special series “Machthaber” within the daily Berlin Playbook podcast. The episode, hosted by Gordon Repinski, focuses on the most powerful and controversial political figures of our time.
Politico Europe · 3 Aug, 06:52
Spokane wildfires in Washington burn 600 structures, force 60,000 evacuations
Wildfires in the Spokane area of Washington state have destroyed 600 structures and forced 60,000 people to evacuate, while about 1,000 square kilometres have burned statewide.
Al Jazeera · 3 Aug, 06:51
WWII German Danube flotilla wrecks resurface in river as water levels drop
Wrecks of German warships scuttled in the Danube in 1944 have reappeared due to low water levels. An EU-funded project aims to remove 21 of the most dangerous wrecks by 2028.
Delfi · 3 Aug, 05:56
Russia strikes Rozetka's largest warehouse for second time in a day
Two Shahed drones hit the largest warehouse of Ukrainian online marketplace Rozetka in Brovary, Kyiv Oblast, on the night of 1-2 August, marking the second attack within a day. The company reported no casualties and called the strike a targeted attack.
Ukrainska Pravda (EN) · 3 Aug, 05:55
Two Firefighting Helicopters Collide in Greece
Two firefighting helicopters have collided west of Athens, crashing while battling widespread fires. A search operation for the two aircraft is currently underway.
LSM · 3 Aug, 05:55
Romania issues second air alert in a day
Romania's border area saw a second air alert on August 2 after an air target was detected near the border with Ukraine. Two Romanian F-16 fighter jets were scrambled to monitor the situation.
ERR (rus) · 3 Aug, 05:54
/nginx/o/2026/07/31/17819097t1h6809.png)
Despite Convictions, Le Pen Starts Fourth Presidential Campaign and Leads Polls
Marine Le Pen has officially launched her fourth bid for the French presidency after an appeals court ruling, even though she has twice been found guilty of misusing European Parliament funds. She is currently the clear favorite in polls, while her political heir Jordan Bardella has again been sidelined.
TVNET · 3 Aug, 05:53
Massive Attack call Singapore ban a 'surreal experience' after Palestinian flag display
The British band Massive Attack said they were banned from Singapore after displaying a Palestinian flag during a concert, calling the episode a "surreal experience" and stressing the importance of freedom of expression.
The Guardian World · 3 Aug, 05:51
Death toll in Moscow restaurant explosion rises to five
Five people have died after an explosion at the Balzi Rossi restaurant in central Moscow, with several more seriously injured. Russian investigators are treating the blast as terrorism, saying the device was hidden in a gift-like box.
Ukrainska Pravda (EN) · 3 Aug, 04:54
Italian Navy Boards Russia-linked 'Shadow Fleet' Tanker in Mediterranean
The flagship of the EU's EUNAVFOR MED IRINI mission, Italian warship Thaon di Revel, inspected a sanctions-hit tanker in international waters off Pantelleria, with support from Greek and Polish assets.
ERR (rus) · 3 Aug, 04:54
Sudanese army drone strike kills 35 at Darfur court, rights group says
Sudan's army drone strike on a traditional court in North Darfur killed 35 people, according to Emergency Lawyers, while the RSF's self-declared government reported 37 dead.
France 24 · 3 Aug, 04:51
Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv strikes Wildberries again as deadly exchanges continue
Ukrainian and Russian forces traded deadly strikes on Sunday, with Kyiv hitting another Wildberries site and Russian attacks killing at least five in Ukraine. An EU naval mission separately boarded a sanctioned tanker from Russia’s shadow fleet.
Guardian Ukraina · 3 Aug, 04:50
Malaysia tightens hiking rules as social media trend fuels rescues
Malaysia is introducing nationwide hiking restrictions — including mandatory guides at 189 high-risk sites and bans on some compressed hikes — after a social media-driven hiking trend led to a sharp rise in lost adventurers and rescue operations.
The Guardian World · 3 Aug, 04:50
U.S. Restores Some Vaccine and Health Aid to UNICEF, Gavi and World Food Programme
The United States has restored a portion of vaccine and health aid to UNICEF, Gavi, and the World Food Programme, though the funding remains significantly below previous levels.
The New York Times · 3 Aug, 03:57
Two pilots killed in helicopter crash as Greek wildfires intensify
Two helicopter crew members died in a midair collision on Sunday while battling wildfires in Greece, bringing the week's death toll to five. Strong winds are hampering firefighting efforts and threatening the outskirts of Athens.
France 24 · 3 Aug, 03:56
UK's first 'super-university' combining Greenwich and Kent set for September launch
The merger of the universities of Greenwich and Kent will create a new institution with more than 50,000 students, becoming the UK's third-largest higher education provider.
The Guardian World · 3 Aug, 03:51
Greek police arrest man over killing of British woman found in suitcase in Athens
Greek police have arrested a 26-year-old foreign national in connection with the murder of a 38-year-old British woman whose body was found in a suitcase in Athens last month. The suspect has confessed and faces charges including intentional homicide and robbery.
Deutsche Welle · 3 Aug, 03:50
Total solar eclipse on 12 August: What to expect in Europe and Latvia
On Wednesday, August 12, a total solar eclipse will be visible in parts of Europe; in Latvia the Moon will cover about 80 percent of the Sun's disk.
Jauns.lv · 3 Aug, 03:50
Cowboys Fringants Bassist Appointed Quebec’s Chief Scientist
Jérôme Dupras, bassist of the popular Quebec folk rock band Les Cowboys Fringants, has been named the province’s chief scientist. He will help shape Quebec’s environmental future.
The New York Times · 3 Aug, 02:55
Russian strike destroys Nova Poshta hub in Kharkiv Oblast, killing employee
Russian forces have destroyed a Nova Poshta logistics hub in Kharkiv Oblast with two strikes, killing an employee. The same night, a major Rozetka warehouse in Brovary was hit again by Shahed drones.
Ukrainska Pravda (EN) · 3 Aug, 02:53
Sudan army drone attack in Darfur kills 35, rights group says
A rights group has reported that a Sudanese army drone attack in Darfur killed 35 people. The attack is part of the ongoing war between army chief al-Burhan and RSF commander Dagalo.
Al Jazeera · 3 Aug, 02:52
UK scientists and artists petition to save Jodrell Bank Observatory
More than 100 public figures have signed a letter urging the UK prime minister to reverse a funding cut that threatens to close the Jodrell Bank Observatory and its e-Merlin radio telescope network.
The Guardian Science · 3 Aug, 02:50
James Webb Telescope Rewrites the Story of the Early Universe
New observations from the James Webb Space Telescope are challenging existing theories about the early universe, from unexpectedly massive black holes to galaxies that are too bright. Astronomers are developing new models to explain these phenomena.
Wired · 3 Aug, 01:55
Washington state wildfires prompt evacuations and power outages
Wildfires in the Spokane area of Washington state have burned more than 250,000 acres, forcing evacuations and cutting electricity. The governor has declared a statewide emergency and a burn ban.
BBC World · 3 Aug, 01:55
Russia tests new Lotos self-propelled artillery system six years after planned mass production
Russia's Kalashnikov concern says the 120mm Lotos self-propelled artillery system is undergoing state trials, though it was initially expected to enter mass production in 2020.
Ukrainska Pravda (EN) · 3 Aug, 01:54
Wildfires Force Mass Evacuations Across Pacific Northwest
Fast-moving wildfires are forcing mass evacuations in Washington State and British Columbia, Canada.
Al Jazeera · 3 Aug, 01:52
Idaho restaurant shooting suspect died of self-inflicted gunshot wound, police say
The man suspected of opening fire at an Idaho fast-food restaurant died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Three people were killed and seven injured.
The Guardian World · 3 Aug, 01:50
Trump: new talks with Iran to begin Monday after strikes called off
US President Donald Trump says negotiations with Iran will start Monday after he halted planned strikes to pursue a deal. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes on Gaza killed at least 18 Palestinians, and an Iranian ship crew returned home after a Ukrainian attack.
France 24 · 3 Aug, 01:50
At Least 14 Killed in Suicide Bombing Targeting Anti-Militant Protesters in Pakistan
A suicide bombing that targeted protesters at an anti-militant rally in northwestern Pakistan has killed at least 14 people, according to officials.
Sky News · 3 Aug, 00:54
Ukraine Hits Russian Airbase and Refinery in Overnight Strikes; Russian Drone Crosses into NATO Airspace
In the early hours of August 2, Ukraine continued its deep-strike campaign, hitting the Engels airbase, the Saratov oil refinery and drone production facilities. A Russian drone also crossed into Romanian airspace for about 20 minutes before being shot down over Ukraine.
Euromaidan Press · 3 Aug, 00:54