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1. New president asks Trump to bring deadly antidrug campaign to Colombia
Colombia’s newly inaugurated president has requested former U.S. President Donald Trump to reinstate a controversial antidrug campaign in the country. Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, and the president believes renewed efforts are essential to combat this ongoing crisis.
2. Huge fires start tearing through homes in central England
Massive fires have broken out in the West Midlands area of England, with dramatic footage showing flames engulfing buildings and a golf course. The West Midlands Fire Service reported extreme demand for assistance, with two casualties reported in Stourbridge as crews battle the blazes.
3. Nero’s Bridge emerges from Tiber River as Rome faces water crisis
The remnants of Nero’s Bridge have surfaced in the Tiber River in Rome, revealing the impact of weeks of drought. This ancient structure, which once connected the city center to the river’s right bank, has become visible due to significantly lowered water levels.
4. Putin angers Japan with visit to islands seized by Soviet Union in WWII
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to disputed islands has sparked outrage in Japan. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that the visit “wounds the feelings” of the Japanese people and exacerbates existing anti-Russian sentiment in the nation.
5. Explosion heard near Rome through Italian munitions factory
A significant explosion occurred at a munitions factory near Colleferro, southeast of Rome, with reports indicating the blast was audible from several kilometers away. Emergency services are currently responding to the incident as local media provide updates.
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6. The U.S. military reports a significant depletion of its Reaper drone fleet, losing approximately 25% due to extensive operations in the Iran conflict. These drones, valued at around $50 million each, have become prime targets for Iranian forces and their proxies in the region.
7. In Poland, authorities have detained a Russian national suspected of plotting to assassinate a Ukrainian-American dual citizen in Warsaw. Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized that this incident marks a concerning escalation, being the first known attempt by Russian operatives to target an American citizen on NATO soil.
8. New research analyzing ancient DNA from Chilean mummies has revealed that smallpox was introduced to the Americas following European colonization. This groundbreaking study, published in the journal Science, highlights the timeline of the disease’s arrival through genetic evidence found in mummies dating back to the early colonial period.
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Japanese companies are facing criticism for their slow adoption of artificial intelligence. Despite significant investments, experts highlight that only a small fraction of employees at these firms are actively using AI technologies, and even then, their usage is often quite limited. Prof Yasushi Ogasawara from Meiji University points out a lack of tech-savvy individuals within the workforce, which hinders broader implementation.
In response to the extreme summer heat, Japan is introducing a new product known as the Do Hiemon, or “The Cooling Box.” With over 53,000 heatstroke cases reported in recent months, this innovative cooling unit is being deployed in public spaces and offered for sale to businesses. Priced at 1.5 million yen, equivalent to approximately $9,407 or £6,973, the Do Hiemon aims to provide relief during the sweltering temperatures.
Turning to the weather. In Riga, 12 to 25 degrees with partly cloudy low. In London, 20 to 36 degrees with sunny feels like. In Paris, 24 to 39 degrees with sunny low. In Brussels, 21 to 38 degrees with sunny feels like. In Berlin, 17 to 32 degrees with sunny feels like. In Stockholm, 12 to 25 degrees with partly cloudy low. In Madrid, 26 to 38 degrees with sunny feels like.
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