Japan records hottest July since 1898
Japan experienced its hottest July on record, with average temperatures 2.89°C above normal—the highest since records began in 1898, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). The previous record, set in 2024, was exceeded by a significant margin, according to Xinhua.
A temperature of 41.2°C was recorded in Tamba City, Hyogo Prefecture—the highest ever observed in the country. Parts of Hokkaido also neared 40°C during the same period.
Meanwhile, rainfall on the Sea of Japan side of the Tohoku region and in central Hokuriku was the lowest since 1946, underlining growing concerns over Japan’s intensifying climate extremes, Xinhua reported.
Flash floods kill eight in northern Vietnam
Eight people have died and three are missing after flash floods and landslides hit Dien Bien province, northern Vietnam, in recent days.
Around 60 homes were damaged, and 30 villages remain isolated. Nearly 700 personnel are involved in search efforts, according to Xinhua.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha urged swift relief and emphasized the safety of both residents and rescue teams.
Joint airdrops deliver aid to Gaza amid ongoing violence
Jordan, Egypt, Germany, the UAE, France, and Spain jointly airdropped humanitarian aid into Gaza on Friday. The IDF said 126 packages were delivered, with Germany, France, and Spain joining the effort for the first time, Xinhua reported.
Jordan reported sending 57 tonnes of food and baby formula, bringing the total aid dropped since last week to around 148 tonnes.
Meanwhile, Palestinian agency WAFA said 24 people were killed by Israeli forces the same day, including five reportedly seeking aid, according to Xinhua.
4 killed in bar shooting in US Montana, search for suspect ongoing
Four people were killed in a shooting at The Owl Bar on Friday morning in Anaconda, a city in the US state of Montana, according to Xinhua.
The suspect, identified as Michael Paul Brown, is considered armed and dangerous. Law enforcement has urged residents to avoid the Stumptown area, where a manhunt is ongoing with a heavy police presence.
Montana Highway Patrol confirmed that search efforts are focused near Stumptown Road and Anderson Ranch Loop Road in western Montana, Xinhua reported.
