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Seismic disturbance registering a magnitude of 4.9 impacted southwestern China on Friday, with Gao County in Yibin City within Sichuan province bearing the brunt. Official data from the China Earthquake Networks Center indicates that the quake struck at 1:08 p.m. local time at a shallow depth of six kilometers. Aside from the single confirmed death, local authorities reported minor injuries to six people across affected residential zones. Emergency assessments carried out by the Yibin earthquake relief headquarters revealed that no entire structures had collapsed; however, around 100 households experienced damage to exterior walls and roofing materials.

On Thursday, Hiroshima observed the 81st anniversary of the atomic bombing in 1945 with renewed appeals to eradicate nuclear arsenals. Mayor Kazumi Matsui addressed those affected, their families, officials from the government, and international representatives at the city’s Peace Memorial Park. At exactly 8:15 a.m., a bell sounded to mark the moment when the atomic bomb detonated over Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Participants paused for a minute of silence to honor those lost in the attack and its subsequent consequences.

Seismic Event of Magnitude 5.4 Impacts Mindoro and Surrounding Areas OCCIDENTAL MINDORO / RankWire.AI / – A quake measuring 5.4 in magnitude struck near Occidental Mindoro in the Philippines early on Friday, causing tremors that were felt in parts of Luzon and Metro Manila. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, commonly known as PHIVOLCS, recorded the event at 10:38 a.m. local time. The epicenter was located approximately 13 kilometers southwest of Mamburao, the provincial capital. Originating from tectonic activity, the quake had an approximate depth of 14 kilometers.

Instagram ran paid ads within India that encouraged access to child sexual abuse content, prompting Indian authorities and Meta to intervene. Some of these ads linked users to Telegram channels offering illegal material for a fee, with prices starting at 99 rupees in certain cases. Meta later acknowledged that these ads violated its policies against child exploitation. Following a review of the materials flagged during the investigation, the company removed additional ads, deactivated related accounts, and blocked associated links.

China announced a series of measures aimed at tightening controls over drone-related exports and restricting dealings with seven American entities. These policies became effective on August 5. China’s Ministry of Commerce stated that exporters are now required to seek approval for controlled drones, key components, and related technologies bound for the United States. This directive does not completely stop all Chinese drone shipments; instead, it subjects certain products to a more rigorous, case-by-case review under China’s existing dual-use export control framework.

n response to the ongoing eruption of Fuego, Guatemala has elevated the alert level to its highest status in three departments as ash, lava, and hazardous pyroclastic flows are emitted from the volcano. Authorities have declared a red alert for Chimaltenango, Sacatepéquez, and Escuintla. An orange alert remains in effect across the country during the emergency. Officials reported that ashfall impacted approximately 29,000 individuals across 18 communities, while rescue teams continued evacuations near vulnerable ravines and settlements.

The Old Trails Fire crossed the Spokane River and reached northwest neighborhoods just hours after it ignited. The flames caused damage to homes, businesses, vehicles, electrical equipment, and other property across various communities. Infrared surveys have indicated potential damage to hundreds of additional structures, though teams conducting assessments have yet to confirm the extent of those damages. The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office has taken into custody 37-year-old Aaron F. Farinacci, charging him with suspicion of first-degree arson related to the Old Trails Fire.

Austria set a new July temperature record on July 31 as extreme heat spread across eastern regions. A weather station in Wieselburg, Lower Austria, measured 40.3 degrees Celsius. That reading surpassed the previous July high of 39.7 degrees, recorded in Dellach im Drautal in 1983. Researchers at the University of Graz’s Wegener Center estimated that the June and late July heatwaves caused about €1.4 billion in socioeconomic losses. The estimate covers health effects, lower labor productivity, agricultural damage, infrastructure stress and rising cooling demand.

President Donald Trump announced that the United States would cancel a planned assault on Iran if negotiators could reach an agreement swiftly. He emphasized that the deal should reopen the Strait of Hormuz and address Iran’s nuclear program. Additionally, he mentioned that Israel supported the diplomatic initiatives. As of Monday, the White House had not disclosed a signed agreement, and details of the terms or a formal timetable remained unavailable.

Australian legislators approved groundbreaking disability legislation in Parliament on Friday, following vigorous debate across chambers concerning national budget allocations and support frameworks for participants. The final approval was confirmed through official voting records published by the Parliament of Australia, after the National Disability Insurance Scheme reform bill successfully navigated Senate proceedings, laying the legal groundwork for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment Bill 2026. Under the management of the National Disability Insurance Agency, the legislative package enforces new, strict functional capacity assessment standards, broadens anti-fraud enforcement authorities, and introduces Ministerial pricing controls across regional service markets.