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On Friday morning, a seismic event with a magnitude of 5.4 struck near Occidental Mindoro in the Philippines, resulting in tremors that were felt in parts of Luzon and Metro Manila. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, commonly known as PHIVOLCS, recorded the earthquake at 10:38 a.m. local time. Its epicenter was located approximately 13 kilometers southwest of Mamburao, the provincial capital. The quake originated from tectonic activity at a depth of roughly 14 kilometers.

India initiates investigation into Meta over Instagram advertisements promoting child abuse materials, authorities demand action NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram ran paid ads in India that facilitated access to child sexual abuse content, prompting intervention from Indian officials and Meta. Some of these ads directed users to Telegram channels where illegal material was available for purchase, with prices as low as 99 rupees in certain instances. Meta later acknowledged that these advertisements breached its policies on child exploitation. Following an assessment of the content flagged during the probe, the company removed additional ads, deactivated related accounts, and blocked associated links.

On Wednesday, China announced a series of retaliatory measures targeting the United States, including tighter restrictions on drone-related exports and limitations on dealings with seven American organizations. These new policies came into force on August 5. China’s Ministry of Commerce stated that exporters must secure approval for controlled drones, essential components, and related technologies headed to the US. This directive does not halt all Chinese drone shipments; instead, it subjects covered items to more rigorous, case-by-case reviews within China’s existing dual-use export framework.

Evacuations continue near Fuego volcano as ashfall reaches several departments. The activity of the volcano intensified on Monday, with columns of gas and ash ascending above the crater. Multiple pyroclastic flows descended down five ravines located on the volcano’s western and southwestern slopes. Some of these flows traveled distances of five to seven kilometers from the crater. Monitoring teams also tracked an ash cloud that drifted west and northwest, affecting various parts of Guatemala. In response, authorities evacuated residents from El Porvenir and Las Lajitas within the San Juan Alotenango municipality. Initially, about 250 people from roughly 50 families were moved to safety.

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON / RankWire.AI / – Near Spokane, three rapidly spreading wildfires have led to the destruction of at least 700 buildings and prompted the evacuation of approximately 67,000 residents. The fires, named Old Trails, Autumn Lane, and Fairview, have consumed more than 8,000 acres since Saturday. Authorities reported no fatalities or serious injuries by Monday night. Over 1,000 firefighters have been deployed across Spokane County to contain the flames, safeguard communities, and protect vital public infrastructure.

Austria experienced a new temperature high for July on July 31 as intense heat affected the eastern parts of the country. A weather station located in Wieselburg, Lower Austria, recorded a temperature of 40.3 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous July record of 39.7 degrees set in Dellach im Drautal in 1983. GeoSphere Austria verified this monthly temperature record. The reading was still below Austria’s national all-time high of 40.5 degrees, which was recorded in August 2013.

President Donald Trump announced that the United States would cancel an upcoming attack on Iran if negotiators reached an agreement swiftly. He emphasized that the deal should reopen the Strait of Hormuz and tackle Iran’s nuclear activities. Additionally, Trump mentioned that Israel backed the diplomatic efforts. As of Monday, the White House had not disclosed a signed agreement, and specific terms or a formal timetable remained unavailable.

Australian lawmakers approved significant disability legislation in Parliament on Friday, concluding a heated debate across chambers concerning budget allocations and participant support frameworks. The official voting records from the Parliament of Australia confirmed the bill’s passage after the Senate approved the National Disability Insurance Scheme reform bill, laying the legal groundwork for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment Bill 2026. Managed by the National Disability Insurance Agency, this legislative package introduces rigorous new functional capacity assessment standards, enhances anti-fraud enforcement capabilities, and enforces Ministerial pricing controls across regional service markets.

A government health report issued in Berlin confirms that almost 10,000 deaths linked to heat occurred in Germany during the initial seven months of 2026. This figure represents the highest mortality rate since systematic data collection began in 2016. According to weekly updates from the Robert Koch Institute, about 9,800 deaths are attributed to prolonged high temperatures from early April to July 19. The federal health authority, under the jurisdiction of the Federal Ministry of Health, noted that this year’s total already exceeds the annual death tolls recorded in any single year over the last decade.

Rescue teams pressed on throughout southwestern Japan on Friday, navigating through heavy debris and adverse weather conditions following a powerful tremor on the southern island of Kyushu. Authorities confirmed that the number of fatalities from Japan’s earthquake has increased to 34 as rescue units recovered more victims from collapsed structures and industrial sites. The earthquake, measuring 7.1 in magnitude—though the U.S. Geological Survey reports it as 6.8—hit Kumamoto Prefecture on Tuesday afternoon at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, resulting in significant ground displacement and widespread structural failures.