August recorded the highest global temperature ever measured as climate extremes continued to intensify.

global warmingheat recordclimate extremes

The EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service says August had a global average air temperature of 16.96°C, surpassing the previous monthly record from 2023. Scientists mainly attributed the extreme heat to human-caused climate change, while continued ocean warmth and a strong El Niño could raise the risk of floods, droughts and wildfires.

global warmingclimate changeextreme heatCopernicus Climate Change Service

Europe’s Copernicus climate service said Earth had just endured its hottest August on record. Scientists said global heat remains stuck at an elevated level.

global warmingrecord heatCopernicus

Copernicus says the global average air temperature in August 2026 was 1.65°C above the pre-industrial reference level, tying it with the hottest month ever recorded. Prolonged, early heatwaves also pushed Western Europe past its previous summer temperature record, set in 2003.

global warmingextreme heatWestern EuropeCopernicus

The EU climate monitor said Thursday that August was the hottest single month ever recorded worldwide, while western Europe experienced the warmest summer measured by the agency.

global warmingextreme heatwestern Europe

A succession dispute has engulfed Uganda’s Tooro kingdom after the late King Oyo Nyimba’s family rejected a royal committee’s choice of Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as successor. The family says Oyo left a will naming his son, whose identity has not been publicly confirmed, while the kingdom’s prime minister urged both sides to remain calm.

UgandaTooro kingdomroyal succession

A succession dispute has broken out in Uganda’s Tooro Kingdom ahead of King Oyo’s burial. Clan elders selected UBC TV presenter Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as monarch, but Oyo’s family says a 2022 will named his undisclosed young son as heir. The queen mother also says the family is being effectively confined at the palace.

Tooro Kingdomsuccession disputeUganda

Uganda’s traditional Tooro kingdom was plunged into a bitter succession dispute on Thursday after the family of late King Oyo Nyimba rejected clan members’ choice of a television news anchor as his successor.

UgandaTooro Kingdomsuccession dispute

Cameroon Football Federation president and former football star Samuel Eto’o says he will support FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s re-election despite the recent backlash against him. Eto’o cites what Infantino has brought to African football and says African federations will defend what they consider right amid the challenges facing them.

FootballFIFASamuel Eto'o

The French Football Federation says it is withdrawing support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino and his reelection bid. Infantino faces mounting calls to resign over his abandoned plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and other football associations, including those of England and Italy, have also pulled their backing.

footballFIFAGianni Infantino

The French Football Federation has unanimously withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA president. FFF chief Philippe Diallo said trust had been broken, citing concerns over FIFA governance after Infantino’s proposal to sell a stake in FIFA competitions was abandoned. France joins several European federations seeking reform and a credible alternative candidate.

French Football FederationGianni InfantinoFIFAfootball governance

The French Football Federation says France will not back Gianni Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA president in March 2027. It is joining Belgium, Italy, Scotland, Sweden and Wales, whose federations have also publicly withdrawn their support.

FootballFIFAPresidential election

The European Central Bank raised interest rates to contain inflation fueled by higher energy costs linked to the US-Iran war. Eurozone inflation has risen above 3%, while the ECB projects 0.9% economic growth and 3.0% inflation for 2026, warning that price pressures may persist well above target.

European Central Bankinterest ratesinflationenergy prices

The European Central Bank raised interest rates by a quarter point, taking its deposit rate to 2.5%. An energy shock driven by the Iran war is lifting eurozone inflation and has prompted the bank’s second increase in three months.

ECBeurozone inflationinterest ratesenergy shock

Organisers say 2,977 drones recreated the Twin Towers at full scale, with each light symbolising a victim of the 9/11 attacks. The public memorial artwork, titled “2,977 Lights Over New York Harbor”, was made with artists, producers and members of the 9/11 community, including victims’ families, survivors and first responders.

New York CityTwin Towers9/11 memorial

Nearly 3,000 drones illuminated New York City’s skyline during a test for a 9/11 tribute marking the 25th anniversary of the attacks in 2026.

New York City9/11drone tribute

Houthi forces seized the Yemeni port city of Mocha on Thursday in a major offensive against the Saudi-backed government. Hundreds of women and children fled toward Lahij and Aden. Mocha’s position near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait could give the Houthis leverage over a critical energy and trade route while severing anti-Houthi supply lines.

YemenHouthisMochaBab al-Mandeb

Yemen’s Houthis have taken the key Red Sea city of Mocha after internationally recognised government forces withdrew, expanding their control over the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Analysts call the advance a significant blow to the government and warn it could threaten Saudi and international shipping.

YemenHouthisBab al-Mandeb Strait

The Iran-backed Houthis are seeking control of Yemen’s entire Red Sea coast, a move that would strengthen their leverage over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s busiest and most contested maritime chokepoints.

Bab el-Mandeb StraitHouthisYemenmaritime chokepoint

Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen are rapidly moving along the Red Sea coast, threatening to gain greater leverage over the crucial Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s most important trade routes.

HouthisYemenBab el-Mandeb StraitRed Sea

A fire at a school in Bukavu, a city controlled by rebels in Congo, killed at least 17 people, including some children, medical sources said on Thursday.

CongoBukavuschool fire

Donald Trump promised $500 rebate checks for 1 million Affordable Care Act enrollees across 30 states. He claimed the Americans had been charged excessive fees under former President Joe Biden.

Donald TrumpAffordable Care Actrebate checks

The federal government will provide $500 refunds to nearly one million Americans over Obamacare overcharges, the White House said Thursday.

United StatesObamacarerefunds

Ahead of the midterm elections, the Supreme Court again rejected a congressional map in Missouri that favored Republicans.

MissouriSupreme Courtcongressional mapmidterms

The Supreme Court on Thursday blocked a Republican Missouri state official’s effort to use a newly drawn GOP congressional map in this year’s election.

MissouriSupreme Courtredistricting

Insomniac Games’ latest PlayStation 5 title is a fast-moving action game that abandons the open-world format for constant momentum. Its blood-soaked combat may initially shock players, while the story has the feel of a sincere soap opera at its core.

Marvel’s Wolverineaction gamePlayStation 5