- Multiple fatalities confirmed after car travels wrong way on Co Kildare motorway
- Spanish jets intercept and destroy drone in Romanian airspace on Sunday
- EU countries agree to extend temporary protection for those fleeing Ukraine until March 2028
- Makhachev claims record 17th consecutive UFC victory over Machado Garry
- B.C. evacuees return home Saturday with warnings to prepare for changes
- Eight dead in Midwest flooding as Lala approaches Hawaii
- New simulation challenges pilot suicide theory in Air India crash investigation
- Polish village unveils tallest Marian statue in Europe, funded by Karkosik
Europe
A 55-metre statue of the Virgin Mary has been erected in the Polish village of Konotopie, becoming the tallest Marian monument in Europe. Funded by billionaire Roman Karkosik at an estimated cost of 100 million zlotys, the statue will be blessed on 15 August, despite the site remaining unfinished.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced strikes on key Russian military sites, including the Progress Rocket and Space Centre in Samara, using FP-5 Flamingo cruise missiles. The operation aimed to reduce Russian military capabilities and was part of Ukraine’s strategy to pressure Moscow amid ongoing hostilities.
Spain experienced its first total solar eclipse in over a century on Wednesday, transforming day into night for a brief period. Crowds gathered across the country to witness the spectacle, as the lunar shadow journeyed from the northern coast to the Balearic Islands, captivating onlookers with the Sun’s shimmering corona.
A magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck the Phlegraean Fields near Naples, Italy, prompting 10 aftershocks. Four injuries were reported, alongside damage to buildings and churches. Rail services were suspended for safety inspections as emergency services assessed the impact. Residents were advised to stay calm and follow official guidance.
Authorities have called off the search for British surfer Arran Strong, who disappeared off Portugal’s Arrifana beach earlier this week. The 28-year-old, who competed in the World Surf League since 2016, went missing while paddleboarding with coach José Maria Pyrrait.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Spain is seeing progress in combating ongoing wildfires, although he warned of continued challenges due to soaring temperatures. The government reports nearly 100,000 individuals affected, with over 63,000 evacuated. Fire crews are prioritising merged fire fronts in the Madrid region.
A magnitude 4.1 earthquake struck near Pizzone, Italy, just after midnight on Saturday, monitored by the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology. The tremor, felt across Isernia and surrounding provinces, prompted public evacuations; however, no injuries or damage have been reported.
Tensions in the Middle East escalated as Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched missile attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting a major refinery in Yanbu. Greek military sources reported that a deployed Patriot missile battery intercepted the attack, while Riyadh faced similar threats in Jizan, prompting civil protection warnings.
The International Criminal Court’s member states have voted to remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan, marking a historical first. This decision follows allegations of sexual misconduct, which Khan denies, and comes amid significant pressure from the US government regarding the court’s jurisdiction and ongoing investigations.
From our sponsors
Subscribe to News
Get the latest news from WTX News Summarised in your inbox; News for busy people.
Advertisement
Subscribe to Updates
Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

