Firefighters are battling a major wildfire burning through a nature reserve in Belgium. The blaze has been described as the worst the country has seen in recent years. Emergency crews have been deployed to contain the rapidly spreading fire. The incident has raised concerns about the scale of wildfire damage to the protected natural area.
A shooting at Virginia State University left five people injured, one of them critically. The incident took place in the early hours of Saturday. University officials confirmed that multiple suspects were involved in the attack. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
An Israeli airstrike on Ansar in southern Lebanon has killed at least seven people, according to Lebanon's Prime Minister. Among the victims were three children and two women, as reported by Lebanese state media. The strike is the latest in a series of Israeli military actions targeting Lebanese territory. Lebanese officials have condemned the attack amid ongoing regional tensions linked to the broader conflict in the Middle East.
A father and his two young children were stranded at sea for approximately 16 hours after their jet ski capsized off the coast of Koh Samui, Thailand. The group spent the night drifting in open water before rescuers were able to locate and retrieve them. The incident occurred near the popular Thai island, a well-known tourist destination in the Gulf of Thailand. All three were eventually rescued safely following the overnight ordeal.
South Korean leader Lee Jae Myung has proposed formal talks with North Korea aimed at officially ending the Korean War. The conflict has remained technically ongoing since a ceasefire armistice was signed in 1953, leaving the peninsula in a state of frozen conflict for over seven decades. Lee's offer represents a diplomatic overture toward Pyongyang to replace the armistice with a permanent peace agreement. The proposal signals Seoul's intent to pursue dialogue as a path toward lasting stability on the Korean Peninsula.
A father aged 50 and his two sons were rescued after spending approximately 16 hours stranded at sea near Koh Samui island in Thailand. The group had been floating on a jet ski before authorities located them. A local official confirmed the rescue to AFP on Saturday. The incident highlights the dangers of recreational watercraft activities in open coastal waters.
Jason Arday, a former Cambridge University professor, has been found dead, prompting an outpouring of tributes. His family confirmed they are in shock over the loss. They also stated that a sustained campaign of misinformation had taken a severe toll on him. No further details about the circumstances of his death have been publicly disclosed at this time.
BBC Verify has analysed satellite imagery showing the widespread environmental impact of summer heatwaves across western Europe. The extreme heat and prolonged drought conditions have visibly affected rivers, agricultural fields, and mountain landscapes. The images highlight how bodies of water have shrunk and vegetation has dried out across the region. The visual evidence underscores the scale of climate-related stress that western Europe experienced during the recent summer season.
A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Flores island in eastern Indonesia early Saturday morning. The disaster has resulted in at least five fatalities. The tremor hit in the early hours, affecting the region significantly. Authorities are assessing the full extent of damage and casualties following the seismic event.
Actor Bella Ramsey has expressed a wish that they had been more rebellious during their teenage years. The comment came as Ramsey promotes a new film centered on a cancer survivor who attends a camp for chemotherapy patients. The film explores themes of friendship, love, and personal freedom discovered at the so-called 'chemo camp'. Ramsey's reflection on their own adolescence appears to connect with the liberating journey depicted by their character in the movie.
The BBC has moved to subpoena members of Donald Trump's family as part of a lawsuit related to its Panorama programme. The broadcaster's legal team contends that Trump's relatives possess firsthand knowledge of his intentions during his speech near the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. That speech preceded the storming of the Capitol building by a mob of Trump supporters. The subpoena request reflects the BBC's effort to build its case by obtaining testimony from those closest to the former president.
An Air India pilot has reportedly returned a positive result for cannabis in a drug test, triggering an investigation. The case has drawn attention to the limitations of cannabis testing in aviation safety contexts. Unlike alcohol tests, cannabis tests cannot reliably indicate when the drug was consumed or whether the pilot was impaired at the time of flying. This has prompted debate among experts about what such a positive result can and cannot tell investigators. The incident highlights broader questions about the adequacy of current drug testing protocols in the aviation industry.
Sue Nyathi, the Zimbabwean author behind The Polygamist, has spoken about her journey creating the novel that became a Netflix hit. Nyathi self-funded her debut work, raising questions about the financial barriers facing aspiring writers. She noted that women viewers and readers widely see their own experiences reflected in the story. Her comments have sparked a broader conversation about who has the economic means to pursue a writing career.
A growing number of Canadians are choosing to boycott travel to the United States as a form of political protest. Instead of heading south, many are opting to explore destinations within Canada or travel to other countries abroad. The trend reflects a broader sentiment among Canadians seeking to send a financial message to the US administration. The shift in travel preferences is having a noticeable impact on where Canadians are directing their tourism spending.
Older adults in one of the world's most rapidly aging countries are adopting parkour as a fitness strategy. The discipline, traditionally associated with younger practitioners, is being used to help seniors improve mobility and coordination. Proponents suggest that parkour-style movements can reduce the risk of falls and related injuries among the elderly. The trend reflects a broader effort by aging populations to find unconventional but effective approaches to maintaining physical health.
A large wildfire near the port town of Omis in Croatia has injured dozens of people and forced thousands to evacuate their homes. Authorities have described the blaze as one of the worst wildfires in the country's history. Emergency services have been deployed to the affected area to battle the fire and assist displaced residents. The scale of the disaster has prompted significant concern among Croatian officials managing the crisis.
Luigi Mangione, 28, has pleaded guilty to federal charges in connection with the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. In court, Mangione directly admitted to shooting Thompson in Manhattan, resulting in his death. The charges he pleaded guilty to include stalking resulting in death. The case drew widespread public attention following Thompson's high-profile killing.
Luigi Mangione entered a guilty plea in court, marking the first time he publicly described how he carried out the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione stated 'I shot Mr Thompson' during the court proceedings, a moment that drew significant attention given the high-profile nature of the case. The murder of Thompson had sparked widespread public debate when it occurred, attracting global media coverage. Mangione's courtroom admission represented a major development in a case that had captivated audiences worldwide.
Five years after the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, women across the country say their lives have changed beyond recognition. Speaking to the BBC, Afghan women described experiencing or witnessing public floggings as a form of punishment. Many reported losing their jobs, stripping them of financial independence and security. Access to healthcare has also been severely restricted, with women saying the barriers are putting lives at risk.
A US aircraft carrier is being dispatched to relieve the USS Lincoln following reports of serious onboard problems. Thousands of sailors aboard the Lincoln have reportedly been dealing with food shortages and broken plumbing systems. Conditions have allegedly deteriorated to the point where some crew members considered jumping overboard. The US Navy is sending a replacement vessel to address the situation and relieve the affected crew.
