Here's how much time Hungary’s Paks nuclear power plant may take to restart after unprecedented shutdown
Restarting Hungary’s Paks Nuclear Power Plant could take up to a week if all four reactor units are shut down simultaneously, according to the plant’s Deputy CEO for Technical Affairs. The unprecedented situation is expected due to the record-low water level of the Danube, which has reduced the ava»»»
Pakistan’s Broad Peak avalanche: Three climbers’ bodies recovered, search continues
Pakistani rescuers recovered three bodies on Friday after an avalanche hit Broad Peak during a climbing expedition, officials said. The Gilgit-Baltistan government identified the recovered climbers as Nepalese mountaineer Pur Bahadur Gurung, Omani climber Nathira Ahmed and American climber Mallory »»»
Ceuta explained: Why migrants are crossing into the Spanish territory from Morocco
Thousands of migrants have entered Spain’s tiny North African territory of Ceuta from Morocco, with at least 57 people reported dead during the attempt, prompting Spain to deploy military support to reinforce the border. Migrant arrivals surge at Ceuta borderVideos and images from the frontier show»»»
Traffic restored after Boom Gorge rockfall, but congestion persists - | 24.KG
A rockfall occurred overnight on August 1 in Boom Gorge, the Main Traffic Safety Department confirmed the information. According to the agency, traffic police officers and other emergency services are working at the scene, taking all necessary measures to deal with the aftermath of the incident. Al»»»
Paks shutdown safe but costly, minister says after plant visit
The shutdown of the Paks nuclear power plant is not an emergency — every step is being taken in accordance with the strictest safety regulations and a pre-established procedure, wrote István Kapitány, Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy, on his Facebook page, following a visit to the nuclear po»»»
Weak export prices push Hungary’s producer inflation back into negative territory
Industrial producer prices were an average 0.4% lower in June 2026 than in the corresponding period of the previous year. Domestic output prices rose by 1.8%, while non-domestic output prices were cut by 1.4% compared to June 2025. Compared to the previous month, domestic output prices went up by 0»»»
Osh and Azerbaijan's Ganja become sister cities - | 24.KG
As part of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s state visit to Kyrgyzstan, a ceremony to sign and exchange a memorandum establishing sister city relations between Osh and Azerbaijan’s Ganja took place at Rukh-Ordo Cultural Center in Cholpon-Ata. According to the City Hall of the southern capital, t»»»
IDF strikes Gaza after Trump announces Hamas disarmament plan
Israeli strikes have continued across Gaza hours after US President Donald Trump announced a “historic agreement” under which Hamas would be disarmed and the IDF would completely withdraw from the enclave. At least one Palestinian was killed and several others were wounded in the attacks on Friday,»»»
Japan launches intelligence bureau but lacks overseas network - UPI.com
The 730-person agency will coordinate intelligence for the prime minister, while a separate foreign intelligence service is planned The photo shows the Prime Minister's Office (Kantei) in Japan. The Japanese government launched the National Intelligence Bureau on Friday as an organization reporting»»»
Prosecutors admit 'botched installation' damaged D.C. reflecting pool - UPI.com
President Donald Trump claimed the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which cost nearly $15 million to renovate, had been damaged by vandals. But in a court filing Friday evening, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said the damage was caused by a "botched installation." Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI. | Licen»»»
Labour’s Bev Craig is elected Greater Manchester mayor to succeed Andy Burnham
MANCHESTER, England: Labour Party candidate Bev Craig was elected mayor of Greater Manchester on Friday, after a vote triggered by the departure of Andy Burnham to become Britain’s prime minister. Craig won 66.3% of the votes in a runoff with Sian Astley from the anti-immigration party Reform UK. “»»»
US Justice Department drops criminal case against ex-Olympian charged with damaging Reflecting Pool
WASHINGTON: The Justice Department moved Friday to dismiss a criminal case charging a former Olympian with deliberately damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, saying evidence prosecutors had recently received refuted the idea that vandals were to blame. Government lawyers said in a 20-page »»»
FIFA scraps World Cup sell-off plan after resistance from members
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Friday that world soccer’s governing body had scrapped plans to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors after widespread backlash. FIFA’s plan was to raise up to $4.2 billion by selling about a 20 percent stake in a new unit that would run FIFA ev»»»
Major American oil companies reap massive profits as US and Iran fighting drives energy prices higher
NEW YORK: American oil and gas giants raked in massive spring profits while fighting between Iran and the US impeded petroleum shipments and consumers around the world paid more for fuel and confronted shortages. The conflict, now in its sixth month, halted most shipping through the Strait of Hormu»»»
Reports: New wave of U.S. strikes could target Iran's energy resources - UPI.com
President Donald Trump said the U.S. would be hitting Iran "very hard" with new airstrikes that could be launched as early as this weekend. Photo by Aaron Schwartz/UPI | License Photo July 31 (UPI) -- The United States military is preparing to launch a fresh wave of airstrikes on Iran as early as t»»»
From CARS to EVs: How the Philippines is rewriting its automotive industrial policy
Manila is finally beginning to reshape its automotive policy for the 21st century. The government's decisions on local car-production incentives in 2026 signal a broader shift in Philippine industrial strategy — away from simply protecting conventional vehicle assembly and toward attracting the nex»»»
S. Korea, Argentina sign critical minerals partnership
Argentina and South Korea are set to deepen their cooperation in the critical minerals industry, the Argentine foreign ministry announced Friday. The deal comes one day after Seoul entered a similar partnership with Chile, during a visit to South America by President Lee Jae Myung. The agreement wi»»»
US and Israel prepare to bomb Iran’s energy infrastructure – media
The US and Israel are preparing a major bombing campaign against Iran’s energy infrastructure that could begin as early as this weekend, according to multiple media reports. The proposed operation would target power plants, oil refineries and other energy-related facilities in what CBS News describ»»»
Judge denies bid by Musk's xAI to block Minnesota nudification ban - UPI.com
Elon Musk's xAI sued Minnesota seeking to block the state's law banning nudification technology. File photo by Francis Chung/UPI | License Photo July 31 (UPI) -- A federal judge on Friday turned down a request by Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company, xAI, to block a Minnesota law banning nud»»»
Manufaktura, managed by Apsys, after 20 years maintains 100% rent level
Manufaktura in Łódź, managed by Apsys, ended 2025 with 100% retail occupancy and a 2.3% y/y increase in sales. The mixed-use shopping and cultural complex attracts up to 21 mln visitors annually, demonstrating how long-term management can strengthen a property’s value. Since opening in 2006, it has»»»
Inflation rises sharply in July, led by fuel prices
Poland’s annual inflation rate reached 3.0% in July, in line with market expectations, according to preliminary data from Statistics Poland. Consumer prices rose 0.8% m/m, mainly due to the end of the government’s fuel price support program. Fuel prices increased 15.8% y/y and 13.9% m/m after the s»»»
Zionists celebrate Spanish migrant invasion
As nearly 50,000 North African migrants surged into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta overnight, one group responded with mockery and glee: Israeli politicians and their Zionist supporters, who celebrated the slap in Spanish President Pedro Sanchez’ face. An estimated 49,000 migrants, predominantly youn»»»
Europe heatwave threatens energy and transport
The disastrous heatwave and drought across Europe have pushed the Rhine and Danube rivers to historic water lows, forcing two EU countries into atomic energy power-downs while disrupting industrial output and major trade routes. The Rhine and Danube serve as vital commercial corridors, historic bor»»»
Zelensky asks Trump to help him get Elon Musk’s OK to use Starlink to help with strikes on Russia
WASHINGTON: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has pitched President Donald Trump and other American officials on helping Ukraine win permission from tech titan Elon Musk to use his Starlink satellite communications system to guide strikes inside Russia. The push for expanded use of Starlink co»»»
Spain’s Ceuta migrant crisis explained: What triggered the mass crossing?
Up to 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta in roughly 24 hours, overwhelming border forces and increasing the territory’s population by as much as 70%. The unprecedented influx has triggered a political crisis, raised questions over the true nature of the»»»
Trump blames Spain for migrant chaos despite return of tens of thousands to Morocco
US President Donald Trump and other far-right leaders on Friday seized on Spain's migration crisis to bolster their political messaging on immigration, while over half of the migrants who had crossed the border made their way back to Morocco voluntarily the same day. US President Donald Trump»»»
Thousands of migrant children in the US could face new deportation risks as legal aid deal expires
HARLINGEN, Texas: Advocates warn that tens of thousands of migrant children who came to the United States alone could lose legal representation in immigration court and increase their risk of deportation as the Trump administration allows a contract with legal services providers to expire. Friday m»»»
Anthropic's AI model Claude hacked three companies during testing - UPI.com
Anthropic said it reviewed 141,006 recent operations by its Claude models after rival OpenAI recently revealed its own AI agents had unexpectedly accessed the Internet and hacked a third party. File Photo by Adam Vaughan/EPA July 31 (UPI) -- Anthropic said some of its artificial intelligence models»»»
Netanyahu targets Mamdani as public feud deepens
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has renewed his criticism of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has said the Israeli leader could be arrested on war-crimes charges if he visits the city. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in 2024 over Israel’s mi»»»
Circle K wants to buy all shares of Żabka for PLN 32 each
Canadian convenience-store operator Alimentation Couche-Tard plans to acquire 100% of Żabka Group for PLN 32 per share, valuing the Polish retailer at PLN 32.62 bln. The offer represents a 9% premium to Żabka’s July 30 closing price, although some analysts believe investors could reasonably expect »»»
Poland’s minimum wage becoming highest in EU after accounting for purchasing power
Poland ranks among the European Union countries with the relatively highest minimum wages after differences in living costs are taken into account, according to Eurostat data. In nominal terms, Luxembourg recorded the highest minimum wage, at EUR 2,771 per month, while Bulgaria had the lowest, at E»»»
Google rolls back new satellite image AI tool after backlashGoogle rolls back new satellite image AI tool after backlash
WASHINGTON: Google rolled back Friday a new feature allowing Google Earth users to generate AI visualizations on top of the service’s satellite imagery, following a furious backlash from researchers and open-source intelligence experts about the potential for disinformation. “We’ve seen geospatial »»»
Nine Rohingya missing after boat capsizes in Bangladesh
COX’S BAZAR, Bangladesh: At least nine Rohingya were missing after a boat carrying them capsized in the Naf, a shared waterway between Bangladesh and Myanmar, police said Friday. The Rohingya were believed to be fleeing ongoing fighting in Myanmar's Rakhine state between the military and the Arakan»»»
Hungary prepares to shut down its only nuclear power plant as Danube water levels fall to record lows
Budapest: Hungary is preparing to shut down its only nuclear power plant for the first time in its 44-year history as record-low water levels in the Danube River disrupt cooling operations, authorities said today. The country's Prime Minister Peter Magyar told a press conference that the Paks Nucle»»»
Abu Dhabi extends Parent-friendly Label application deadline
Organisations across the UAE now have until August 14 to apply for the fourth cycle of the Parent-friendly Label, the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) has announced. The deadline was extended following strong interest from semi-government, private and third-sector organisations since appli»»»
UNICEF: Sudan’s El-Obeid ‘massive disaster’
GENEVA: The Sudanese flashpoint of El-Obeid and surrounding areas are experiencing a spike in malnutrition, gender-based violence and other issues, the United Nations’ children’s agency said on Friday. It said the conflict was “a massive disaster that keeps getting worse.” Now in Khartoum after vis»»»
With fields destroyed and hives lost, Gaza’s beekeepers struggle to start over
GAZA/CAIRO: Standing on the roof of a war-damaged building overlooking the ruins of Gaza City, beekeeper Ibrahim Al-Dabba gently lifts a honeycomb frame as bees buzz around him. “Bees require trees, we are raising bees among rubble,” he said. For Gaza’s beekeepers, the struggle to rebuild their li»»»
Budapest landmarks to go dark: Parliament, Buda Castle and Citadella lights switched off
Several of Budapest’s best-known landmarks will temporarily go dark as Hungary introduces further energy-saving measures in response to the country’s critical electricity situation. Officials announced on Friday that the decorative lighting of the Hungarian Parliament will be switched off, while th»»»
U.S. Senate Advances Nomination of Eric Wendt as Ambassador to Albania
The U.S. Senate on Thursday approved a procedural resolution allowing the chamber to consider and vote on a package of 74 nominations, including Eric Wendt's nomination to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to Albania. The measure passed by a vote of 50-47, with three senators abstaining. While Wend»»»
President Saied offers condolences to Algerian counterpart after Boumerdès tragedy
TUNIS, July 31, 2026 (TAP) – President Kais Saied held a phone call on Friday afternoon with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to extend his heartfelt condolences following the tragic incident that occurred earlier on Friday in the Algerian...»»»
August night sky has a rare double feature with eclipse, meteor shower - UPI.com
People watch through special solar glasses as the moon moves across the sun during the 2024 solar eclipse in Milwaukee, Wis., on April 8, 2024. The first total solar eclipse since the 2024 event will take place in August. File Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI | License Photo August will feature three majo»»»
Eddie Howe resigns as Newcastle boss to ‘recharge’
LONDON: Eddie Howe confirmed on Friday he had stepped down as Newcastle manager to “recharge and take a break” following a turbulent end to his five-year spell at St. James’ Park. Howe revitalized a club that had struggled for decades, securing a first major trophy in 56 years by winning the League»»»
Hezbollah: Lebanese People Saw No Action from Authorities as Israeli Enemy Continues Destruction of Villages
Hezbollah said Lebanese authorities have taken no action in line with their national and sovereign responsibilities as the Israeli occupation entity continues to destroy villages in southern Lebanon. In a statement, Hezbollah affirmed that the Israeli enemy was continuing, in full view of the Leban»»»
F-35B fighter jet crashes near Marine Corps base in San Diego - UPI.com
The F-35B is a fifth-generation stealth fighter het that costs more than $100 million. The aircraft is one of the most advanced pieces of equipment in the U.S. military’s arsenal. File Photo by Staff Sgt. Corey Hook/U.S. Air Force July 31 (UPI) -- A military fighter jet crashed near Miramar Marine »»»
Own agricultural land? Abu Dhabi's new housing scheme could unlock a Dh1.75m loan
Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Housing Authority (ADHA), in collaboration with the Urban Planning and Permits Centre at the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), introduced the Housing Construction Loan on Subdivided Agricultural Land service, aligning with the goals of the Year of Family. Th»»»
Algeria bus crash kills at least 27: rescuers
Algiers, Algeria: An Algerian bus crashed into a ravine on Friday, killing at least 27 people and wounding dozens more, the country's health minister said. The bus left the road near the coastal town of Boumerdes, east of the capital Algiers, for unknown reasons, according to the civil defence. At »»»
Chelsea fined $13m, handed suspended transfer ban for breaching agent rules
LONDON: Chelsea were fined £10 million ($13.4 million) and given a suspended two-window transfer ban on Friday after an appeal hearing into sanctions imposed for multiple breaches of Football Association rules. The Premier League club were initially given a suspended six-point deduction along with »»»
To the last Ukrainian: Why the EU doesn’t want Kiev’s draft dodgers
Statehood Day in Kiev. Very important. Very historical. “So how can I make it all about me?” the EU said. Here comes Brussels to put the “hood” in “statehood” day, and bring some muscle to Kiev’s mobilization hustle. What a great opportunity for the EU to come back into town for another photo op, a»»»
The Iran-US conflict is becoming a defining test for BRICS and the SCO
The military and political confrontation between the United States and Iran is becoming less a crisis than a permanent feature of the international landscape. A new center of chronic instability is emerging in south-western Eurasia, and it will shape political and economic developments across the w»»»
Pakistan coal mine explosion kills dozens - UPI.com
Bodies of the victims are transported to a hospital after a methane gas explosion in the Sorange coalfield on the outskirts of Quetta, Pakistan, on Friday. Photo by Fayyaz Ahmad/EPA July 31 (UPI) -- A coal mine explosion in Pakistan's Balochistan province left at least 34 people dead and rescue wor»»»