Blasts

Hungary and Romania face energy crisis as record-low river levels force atomic power plants to reduce outputEurope live – latest updatesRomanian naval forces carried out a controlled explosion to help redirect vital cooling water from the drought-hit Danube to the country’s last working nuclear ⁠reactor, as neighbouring Hungary ​said it may be able to eke out two more days of power from its only atomic plant.Hungary and Romania have been forced to shut down nuclear reactors cooled by the Danube for the first time, as record-low water levels deepen fears of an energy crisis across the region. Romania has declared a nationwide state of emergency throughout August stemming from a decline in electricity production after record low Danube river levels led to the shutdown at the Cernavodǎ nuclear plant. Continue reading...

• Spain has condemned Italy and France after the two nations implemented stricter border controls and targeted checks on arrivals from Spanish territory. • The diplomatic tension follows a massive migrant crisis in Ceuta, where between 50,000 and 60,000 people attempted to enter Spain from Morocco. • Spain has labeled these unilateral security measures as "selfish" and "unlawful," arguing that the actions undermine European solidarity.

• Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez criticized EU allies for their "selfish" reaction to the migration crisis in Ceuta, accusing them of spreading prejudice and misinformation. • Sánchez argued that border security is a "shared responsibility," noting that Spain and Morocco have worked together to prevent unauthorized movement into mainland Europe with minimal support from other member states. • The tension escalates as Italy has temporarily reinstated border checks on arrivals from Spain, while officials in Finland and Denmark have suggested suspending Spain from the Schengen area.

• Palantir CEO Alex Karp criticized the AI industry as "effing insane" during a CNBC interview on Wednesday, targeting the practices of leading AI firms. • Karp specifically accused these companies of overcharging their customers, exploiting sensitive business data, and compromising U.S. national security. • The critique highlights growing tensions regarding the ethics of data usage and the strategic vulnerabilities created by the rapid, unregulated growth of AI.

• England has begun preparations to face DR Congo in the Round of 32, while Scotland's Steve Clarke has stepped down as manager. • The tournament sees the exit of Iran and South Korea, with the latter's president publicly criticizing the team's performance. • Key matchups on Monday include Japan against Brazil and Morocco against the Netherlands, testing whether non-European or South American teams can break the traditional elite's dominance.

• The Supreme Court struck down a Hawaii gun law in a 6-3 ruling in the case of Wolford v. Lopez. • Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson faced significant backlash from gun rights groups for her dissent, in which she suggested the Court should have examined if a "Black Code" law violated the Second Amendment. • This legal clash highlights a tension between historical racial restrictions and modern interpretations of firearm ownership rights.

• Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot criticized the BJP on Saturday, claiming that justice has not been served four years after the murder of Kanhaiya Lal. • Gehlot alleged that the BJP is utilizing the case for electoral advantages while failing to facilitate a speedy trial for the accused. • Despite the involvement of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and a special NIA court, Gehlot asserts there has been minimal progress under the current state and central governments.