A massive wildfire in France's Bordeaux region has burned nearly 104,000 acres in France and 190,000 acres in neighboring Spain, forcing over 300,000 evacuations and described as an unprecedented 'pyrocumulonimbus' fire.
A predicted 'super' El Nino could inflict $10-20 billion in damage across Africa, threatening food security, government finances, and banking sectors, potentially reducing GDP by 1-2% in heavily affected countries.
China's top flood control body held an emergency inter-agency meeting to coordinate disaster prevention for an expected 12th named storm, as widespread intense rainfall and saturated soil increase the risk of flash floods and landslides nationwide.
The India Meteorological Department forecasts widespread rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds across India on July 24, with heavy rainfall expected in western, northern, and northeastern regions, affecting major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata.
Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir joined thousands of Jewish extremists storming Jerusalem's al-Haram al-Sharif compound, known as Temple Mount, on Thursday. They prayed and waved Israeli flags, violating the decades-old status quo agreement and sparking condemnations from Palestinian and Jordanian officials.
Tropical Storm Bertha, the Atlantic's second named storm, is expected to track along the northern Gulf Coast, bringing storm surge and winds. Despite an El Niño pattern predicting fewer storms for 2026, unusually warm Atlantic and Gulf waters increase the risk of more powerful hurricanes, prompting calls for preparedness.
A new international study published in Nature reveals that human-driven sea-level rise has quadrupled the frequency of extreme coastal flooding events globally since 1900. The research, based on over a century of tide gauge observations and climate models, highlights a fundamental long-term shift, making even ordinary tides and storms capable of causing damage that once required exceptional conditions. This necessitates a rethink of flood risk planning in coastal communities.
Hong Kong's July rainfall has already surpassed typical levels by 23%, with a meteorologist warning of more extreme downpours due to global warming. The Observatory expects further rainstorms this weekend as a tropical cyclone approaches, following weeks of heavy rain and numerous warnings.
Beavers reintroduced to Paradise Fields in Ealing, West London, have successfully mitigated flooding around Greenford Tube station, a problem that previously plagued the area. The "nature's engineers" built dams, creating wetlands that slow water flow and boost local biodiversity, demonstrating a free, effective solution.
Hong Kong expects thundery showers moving east from western Guangdong, with heavier downpours and squally thunderstorms affecting parts of the territory in the next couple of hours, followed by sunny intervals and very hot conditions later in the week.
Spain secured their first FIFA World Cup title since 2010 by defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 in extra time, with substitute Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal. Argentina played with 10 men after Enzo Fernández was sent off, while a controversial half-time show and a post-game incident involving Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino also occurred.
Seven developing countries, including Pakistan and Ethiopia, are now using China's AI-powered Mazu weather warning system on the ground to enhance preparedness for natural disasters like typhoons and rainstorms, with 40 Global South countries testing its cloud version.
Golf-ball-sized hailstones and severe thunderstorms have struck parts of France, Germany, and Poland, causing flooding and damage to property and agriculture. Concurrently, monsoon flooding in Bangladesh has killed at least 53 people, affected a million, and caused widespread disruption and displacement.
The northeastern US faces severe thunderstorms and flash flooding, compounded by Canadian wildfire smoke in NYC. Meanwhile, Texas continues to battle destructive floods, with two deaths and hundreds rescued, as major rivers are expected to surge, following weeks of relentless downpours.
Texas Hill Country experienced deadly flash flooding for the second year in a row, causing high-water rescues, road closures, and at least one death. Relentless downpours led to rivers rising rapidly, with the Guadalupe River surpassing last year's levels in some areas.
Wildfire smoke from Ontario and Minnesota affects US mid-Atlantic, northeast, Midwest, and Great Lakes, causing poor air quality, health concerns, and event disruptions, with some relief possible by Sunday.
Hong Kong's weather forecaster may issue a No 1 typhoon signal between Monday evening and Tuesday morning due to a low-pressure system approaching from the South China Sea. Heavy rainstorms, thunderstorms, and squalls are expected on Tuesday, with potential flooding in low-lying areas.
Severe microbursts with wind gusts of 60-70 mph caused widespread damage across Philadelphia and surrounding counties on Saturday afternoon. The storms downed trees, power lines, flooded streets, and damaged buildings, including a partial roof collapse at a housing authority apartment complex. Officials declared a Disaster Emergency and are working on recovery efforts.
Hong Kong's observatory forecasts heavy showers and squally thunderstorms for the coming week, with uncertainty about the development of a low-pressure trough into a tropical cyclone. Rain is expected Tuesday and Wednesday.
Billionaire Jim Ratcliffe left a BBC interview after details of his personal finances were revealed. The episode was removed from iPlayer. Scammers are using fake news articles, including clones of The Guardian, to lure victims into fake investment platforms.
Emergency crews in southeastern Missouri conducted multiple water rescues Friday after heavy thunderstorms dropped up to nine inches of rain, trapping campers and flooding roads. A catastrophic flash flood emergency was issued for parts of Iron and Reynolds counties.
Typhoon Bavi, one of the strongest storms in decades, has caused deadly landslides in the southern Philippines, killing at least 15 people. The massive storm is now heading towards Taiwan and southeastern China, prompting widespread flight cancellations, school closures, and evacuations.
The Salton Sea in California is rapidly shrinking, exposing a dry lakebed that generates harmful dust storms. These storms, carrying dust and toxic chemicals, exacerbate respiratory illnesses like asthma, particularly in children, and pose significant health risks to the half-million residents of the Coachella Valley.
Hundreds of snakes, including cobras, escaped from flooded breeding farms in Hengzhou, southern China, after Typhoon Maysak caused severe storms and flooding. Warnings have been issued to residents, with reports of snakebite victims and increased anti-venom supplies.
