Matthew Wright, former Southern Water CEO, and three ex-employees face charges of conspiracy to defraud the Environment Agency and Ofwat between 2012-2017. They allegedly manipulated sewage wastewater testing to avoid millions in fines, marking the first time a water industry boss faces criminal charges over sewage discharges.
A doctor in Shenyang, China, gained significant social media attention after a video showed him pushing his bicycle through deep floodwaters to perform two scheduled surgeries during the heaviest rainfall since 1951, highlighting his dedication.
Yemen's Houthi militia claimed responsibility for attacking two Saudi oil tankers, Encelia and Layla, in the Red Sea using missiles and drones. A Saudi news agency confirmed the Encelia was ablaze near Jizan. This comes amidst ongoing US military strikes in Iran and escalating regional tensions.
China has launched the High Intensity Heavy-ion Accelerator Facility (HIAF) in Huizhou, Guangdong, a record-breaking particle accelerator capable of producing the world's most intense beams of charged atoms. This 2.6 billion yuan facility will aid research in cancer treatment and spacecraft materials.
Tour de France anti-doping authorities deny accusations of preferential treatment for French rider Paul Seixas, who hasn't undergone nocturnal testing like other top riders. The ITA states decisions are impartial, while a stage summary notes Jasper Philipsen's win and Adam Yates's illness.
French authorities reported 5,764 excess deaths between June 17 and July 2, primarily among those 75 and older, during a heatwave. This comes as southern Europe faces extreme temperatures, with Spain battling massive wildfires and other countries experiencing heat-related issues.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani launched Public Interest Technology (PIT) Crews, recruiting tech professionals for in-house teams to build digital tools for city agencies. Funded by $5.24 million for 30 roles, this initiative aims to deliver faster, user-centric government software, starting with a "Click to Cancel" complaint portal.
Families in Far North Queensland are devastated by the planned July 31 closure of Mareeba Business Solutions (MBS), a supported-employment program for nearly 20 people with disabilities. Locals who funded the facility fear its sale, while Endeavour Foundation cites NDIA funding challenges and dwindling commercial contracts for the $200,000+ annual losses.
Nigeria's environmental agency, Nesrea, has launched an urgent investigation into a strange white foamy substance that appeared on the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway. The agency has warned the public to keep their distance, as motorists have been stopping to photograph the unidentified material, sparking safety concerns and speculation.
Former Southern Water CEO Matthew Wright and three ex-employees face criminal charges for conspiracy to defraud the Environment Agency and Ofwat. They allegedly manipulated sewage wastewater test results from 2012-2017 to avoid millions in fines, with a trial set for September.
A Seoul court fined Mayor Oh Se-hoon 10 million won for violating the Political Funds Act over opinion poll payments tied to his 2021 mayoral by-election campaign. If upheld on appeal, the ruling could cost him his job.
South Korean prosecutors have requested a one-year prison sentence and a 20m won fine for the owner of a two-Michelin-starred Seoul restaurant. The charges stem from violating food sanitation laws by serving desserts topped with ants, an insect not approved for consumption under local regulations.
Australia will conduct a national test of its new AusAlert emergency system on Monday, emitting a siren from most phones. The federal government proceeds despite state concerns over landline reach and warnings from domestic violence campaigners for "safe phone" users to power off devices to avoid exposure.
Nanik Sudaryati Deyang resigned as chief of Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency, overseeing President Prabowo Subianto's free meals program, due to health reasons. This marks the second leadership change in over a month amid budget cuts and a criminal probe into the program.
L'International Testing Agency (ITA) a confirmé que tous les coureurs du Tour de France 2026 encore en lice ont subi des contrôles antidopage sanguins lors de la journée de repos du 20 juillet, complétant les tests pré-compétition et en cours de course, malgré les critiques sur les contrôles nocturnes.
Japan recorded its first "kokushobi" (cruelly hot day) with temperatures exceeding 40C in Gifu and Aichi prefectures, leading to new heat warnings. The rising heat has caused over 2,000 heatstroke deaths in 2024, impacted agriculture and sports, and prompted new "Cool Biz" clothing recommendations for office workers.
Japan experienced its first "kokushobi" (cruelly hot day) with temperatures over 40C in central cities like Tajimi, Gujo, and Toyoda. The new term, introduced by JMA, aims to warn the public about dangerous heat, as heatstroke cases rise and authorities issue alerts.
An Associated Press source reports over 500 US military personnel wounded in combat operations against Iran, surpassing the Pentagon's official count of 482, amid earlier reports of US vulnerability to Iranian strikes in the Middle East.
A UK humanitarian worker, potentially exposed to Ebola while treating patients in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is being monitored in isolation at a London hospital. The individual shows no symptoms, and the UK Health Security Agency states the risk to the general public remains low.
South Korea's foreign ministry clarified its cooperation with NATO aims for global peace, responding to Russian concerns. Separately, three Korean films received invitations to the Toronto International Film Festival. Domestically, the FSS chief pledged a swift disciplinary process against MBK Partners over Homeplus, while rival parties agreed to pass a special counsel bill for election ballot shortages. The industry ministry also confirmed stable crude oil supply despite Middle East tensions.
Rich Paul, LeBron James's agent, stated James will not be rushed into deciding his next NBA team as he enters free agency, emphasizing it's a business choice despite interest from teams and a desire from Commissioner Adam Silver for a swift announcement.
Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has established a dedicated unit to investigate cybercrime and financial fraud linked to cryptocurrency. This initiative follows the creation of the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) in July 2025, which regulates digital assets, and a statement in December 2025 indicating Pakistan ranked as the world's third-largest crypto market by retail activity.
The Trump administration has weighed cutting ties with the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) over a dispute regarding a deputy high commissioner appointment, prompting urgent lobbying from diplomats and aid groups. This potential withdrawal threatens UNHCR's funding and the global refugee system, which is already strained by conflicts in Ukraine and Sudan.
The Trump administration is considering cutting ties and funding to the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), its largest donor, prompting a diplomatic campaign to maintain support. This deliberation follows a dispute over the appointment of UNHCR's deputy high commissioner, with the US-backed candidate being overlooked. A withdrawal would severely weaken UNHCR amidst record global displacement.
