Races

• The New York Times is fact-checking key competitive Senate races in Maine, Michigan, and Ohio, focusing on the accuracy of campaign claims. • Republican candidates are centering their attacks on illegal immigration and terrorism, including claims by Mr. Rogers that Dr. El-Sayed is a "radical Islamist." • Democrats are countering by highlighting the unpopularity of President Trump’s cuts to Medicaid to gain an electoral advantage.

Somosierra will be prime spot to view celestial alignment on 12 August, an event that poses logistical challengesLittle stirs in the mountains above Somosierra beyond the wind that lashes the flat peaks, the cows that graze on parched grass and the sun that beats down on the abandoned aerodrome where generations of glider pilots learned to ride air currents alongside squadrons of vultures and red kites.But all this stillness will disappear, albeit temporarily, on the evening of 12 August, when swathes of northern and eastern Spain and the Balearic islands experience a total solar eclipse, the likes of which has not been seen here for more than 120 years. Continue reading...

• Democratic candidate El-Sayed is challenging incumbent Stevens in a Michigan primary race, focusing on critical policy differences regarding foreign aid. • El-Sayed has condemned Stevens for supporting continued military funding for Israel and criticized the millions in spending by AIPAC’s super PAC, the United Democracy Project. • Aligning with progressive figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, El-Sayed is campaigning against corporate political influence and accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.

• Primary elections are taking place across five states, including Missouri, Kansas, Virginia, Washington, and Michigan. • In Michigan, the Democratic Senate primary features a key contest between Representative Haley Stevens and public health official Abdul El-Sayed. • Kansas voters are deciding on a conservative-led proposal to elect state Supreme Court justices instead of having them appointed by the governor.

Soaring temperatures continue to sweep parts of Europe, while Okinawa faces powerful winds and storm surgesEurope live – latest updatesUnbearable, record-breaking heat has dominated the summer of 2026 across much of Europe. New records were set in central Europe last week, with Wieselburg in Austria registering a new July peak of 40.3C (104.5F). This is particularly significant as it is just 0.2C behind the all-time high, set in the August of 2003.However, not all of the northern hemisphere has experienced extreme heat and aridity. Vancouver recorded its wettest July since 2016 and the third wettest since 2008, with 33.6mm of rain. While that total may not appear exceptional, it is only a touch above the 1991-2020 climate average, highlighting how unusually dry July has been in the Canadian city over the past decade. Continue reading...

• Wall Street investors are awaiting the release of the U.S. nonfarm payrolls report on August 7 and upcoming corporate earnings to determine the market's next direction. • Markets are currently navigating significant volatility driven by geopolitical tensions and uncertainty regarding the Federal Reserve's future interest rate policies. • The situation is critical because the Federal Reserve's most recent communication failed to provide a clear roadmap for monetary policy, leaving stocks without a definitive outlook.

Temperatures up to 35C forecast, triggering heat health alerts and pleas to take care in parched parks and rural areasParamedics and firefighters are braced for emergencies across the country this week after UK forecasters predicted a fourth heatwave of the year.Temperatures are forecast to reach as high as 35C by Wednesday, triggering heat health alerts and an appeal from fire chiefs to take care in parched parks and rural areas. Continue reading...

• House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries launched the "Fighting for an Affordable America" agenda, marking the start of the 100-day countdown to the midterm elections. • The battle for House control is expected to be decided by just 20 key races, with Pennsylvania identified as a critical "swingy" state. • These elections serve as a referendum on the Trump administration's second term, specifically focusing on economic policies and military actions against Iran.

Commonwealth and Western Australia to fund study into construction of large-scale petrol refinery as buffer against fuel vulnerabilityGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia’s first new oil refinery in 60 years could be built in Western Australia under the Albanese government’s long-term strategy to shield the country from future global oil shocks.The commonwealth and the WA government will fund a $4m early-stage feasibility study into construction of what would be the country’s third large-scale petrol refinery. Continue reading...

Storm warnings stretch from Florida to Louisiana as Bertha brings heavy rain, flooding risk and possible tornadoesTropical Storm Bertha strengthened in the Gulf of Mexico and was moving slowly toward the Florida Panhandle and Alabama, causing a tropical storm warning and storm surge watches, forecasters said.The storm was about 110 miles (177km) south of Panama City, Florida, and 170 miles (274 km) south-east of Mobile, Alabama, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Tuesday morning. It was moving north-west at 5mph (8 kph) with maximum sustained winds of 50mph (80 kph). Continue reading...

• The Indian Parliament is set to begin its Monsoon session this Monday amidst a volatile political climate. • The session is expected to be marked by intense confrontations over contentious bills and shifting political alliances between the government and the opposition. • This period serves as a critical test of legislative arithmetic and the government's ability to navigate protests and political instability.

• India's Parliament begins its Monsoon Session on Monday, with expectations of a "stormy showdown" as the government pushes key legislation. • The legislative agenda includes a renewed Constitution Amendment Bill focusing on delimitation and women's reservation. • Speaker Om Birla must rule on a request by six Shiv Sena-UBT MPs seeking to join the Eknath Shinde-led party in the Lok Sabha.

• European nations are deploying diverse technologies to protect aging infrastructure from record-breaking heatwaves that are causing railways to buckle and roads to melt. • Mitigation strategies include using drones for track inspections, AI-powered sensors for monitoring, and applying white paint to reflect sunlight. • In Norway, workers at Oslo airport doused the tarmac with water on Wednesday as temperatures reached 30°C (86°F), which is 10°C above the seasonal norm.

• Chinese AI startup DeepSeek is in talks to raise $1.5 billion at a valuation of $71 billion, following a previous $7 billion funding round. • The deal is backed by major investors, including Tencent and a state-led AI fund from Beijing, signaling strong domestic support. • This rapid growth demonstrates China's ability to advance its AI capabilities despite ongoing U.S. restrictions on high-end technology.

Up to 16in of rain fell in some areas as forecasters warn another foot could fall, prompting rescues and road closuresSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailHeavy rains in south Texas have washed out highways and stranded motorists, with forecasters warning that more severe weather could bring dangerous flooding to already drenched counties near the border with Mexico.On Tuesday, storms dumped up to 16in of rain in some rural areas of the state, leading to the dispatch of emergency crews to make at least two dozen rescues across the region. Officials shut down parts of a highway near Ulvade, 80 miles west of San Antonio. Continue reading...

• Wall Street is entering a critical week as investors prepare for a combination of corporate earnings reports and key inflation data releases. • Market participants are closely monitoring Federal Reserve commentary and economic figures to determine the future direction of interest rates and monetary policy. • Heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East remain a primary concern, posing potential risks to global energy supplies and market stability.

• Wall Street investors are preparing for a critical week focused on upcoming consumer and wholesale inflation data to gauge the Federal Reserve's future monetary policy. • Market participants will monitor key economic indicators, including retail sales, industrial production data, and the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book, alongside major bank earnings. • These reports are vital for determining the central bank's outlook on economic growth and potential interest rate decisions.

Tensions between progressive and moderate camps of Democratic party on display in key Senate race in Michigan The Israel-Gaza war created gaping divisions in the Democratic party and contributed to a resounding loss in a critical presidential election year in 2024. Two years later, the issue continues to dominate races across the country, as progressives try to seize on Israel’s falling popularity and a broad anti-war sentiment ahead of November’s midterms.A recent debate among two Democrats vying for one of the most competitive US Senate seats in the country openly displayed the tension between progressive and moderate camps of the party. Continue reading...

Meeting of 32 member states comes at crucial time for alliance after tensions with US over Iran and GreenlandNato leaders will gather in Ankara on Tuesday after a turbulent six months. And as the US continues to pressure its allies to increase defence spending, the other 31 members of the alliance will be hoping to mollify an unpredictable Donald Trump.On Monday, Mark Rutte, Nato’s secretary general, called for the allies to present “clear, concrete and credible plans” to reach the organisation’s spending targets. “President Trump fully expects that all allies will step up immediately and get on the path to 5% and do it with urgency,” he said. Continue reading...

Spain, Portugal, France and UK face spell of high temperatures, while Super Typhoon Bavi barrels through north-western PacificEurope live – latest updatesAnother surge of heat spread across western Europe at the weekend, with Spain, Portugal and France already sweltering and southern parts of the UK joining them on Monday.Temperatures are once again forecast to climb to 10-15C above average, with highs approaching 40C (104F) in the hottest parts of France and Spain, while the UK is expected to reach the low- to mid-30s celsius. Continue reading...

• China has emphasized a "people-centered" approach to the digital future during a recent conference focused on the acceleration of AI. • The 2026 Global Digital Economy Cities Report was released, identifying key priorities such as industrial collaboration, data openness, cybersecurity, and the mutual recognition of standards. • This strategic shift matters as it seeks to create a more trustworthy, inclusive, and sustainable environment for global digital development.

Move comes amid growing outbreak in Texas and after two-month halt on mandatory shotsThe US military is racing to vaccinate new recruits after a two-month halt on mandatory flu shots – but it’s a temporary reprieve, as the shots will soon expire and new doses will not be available for months.Officials will need to lean on other prevention measures to contain the growing flu outbreak at Lackland air force base in San Antonio, Texas, experts say. Continue reading...

First time red warnings issued in UK for three consecutive days; Paris to ban drinking alcohol in public as hospitals reach ‘saturation point’European heatwave is worst ever and impossible without climate crisis, scientists sayParis to ban drinking alcohol in public as hospitals hit heatwave breaking pointThe UK Met Office has extended a red heat alert into Friday for a large area of south-east England, the first time such warnings have been issued for three days in a row.The red warning is in place until 9pm for London, Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, Hampshire and Kent. Amber heat warnings are in place for a wider area on Friday, and are running into Saturday for parts of east and south-east England. Continue reading...

• The European Central Bank (ECB) has warned that the EU's shift toward interventionist industrial policies and increased state aid is creating significant economic trade-offs. • According to a pre-release of its Economic Bulletin, state aid expenditure has risen sharply due to global economic shocks and a resurgence of government intervention. • The ECB highlights a growing disparity in subsidy distribution, as member states with higher fiscal capacity can provide more support than smaller or poorer nations.

Temperatures expected to hit 40C in parts of the UK, as extreme heatwave spreads slowly eastwards, sparking warnings in Italy and the NetherlandsFrance records hottest day ever as 40 people drown across countryTell us: how is the heatwave in the UK and across Europe affecting you?Europe is braced for another day of an unprecedented heatwave that has smashed records in many countries.Italy’s health ministry has declared a red heatwave alert in 16 cities for Wednesday, including Milan and Rome, and in the UK, temperatures are expected to reach 40C in some areas. Continue reading...

Channel Nine TV presenter also calls former UK prime minister Keir Starmer a ‘wanker’ in teaser for interview with RobinsonFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastChannel Nine TV presenter Karl Stefanovic has posted a video of himself embracing UK far-right activist Tommy Robinson, who is set to appear on his podcast.It comes after the Gold Logie winner told another UK activist, Ant Middleton, a former soldier who has spoken at Robinson’s “unite the kingdom” rallies, he would “make a great prime minister”, in an interview on his podcast, the Karl Stefanovic Show, on Monday. Continue reading...

Officials expand safety measures as French capital prepares for huge annual street celebrationParis is preparing for a street party of unprecedented scale on Sunday, as more than 2 million people are expected to gather for the Fête de la Musique amid a huge influx of music fans from the UK and warnings of record temperatures.France’s annual free street music festival, which has been running for more than 40 years, has grown into the country’s largest cultural event. What was previously a nationwide showcase for local and amateur talent – from village choirs to classical ensembles and techno acts in the capital – has evolved into a vast international open-air celebration. Continue reading...

• The Asia-Pacific screen economy is rapidly expanding toward a $200 billion valuation, driven by the growth of streaming and digital media. • Media Partners Asia estimates that AI could provide a regional "dividend" of up to $15 billion annually, though a significant monetization gap compared to the U.S. remains a primary challenge. • To combat this gap, platforms are shifting toward bundling as a structural pillar to acquire millions of new users in India, Indonesia, and Thailand.