Kyiv Strikes Kill 1, Injure 5 in Overnight Attack
At least one person was killed and five others were injured after Russia launched an overnight attack on Ukraine‘s capital, Kyiv, late on Tuesday, according to the city’s military administration. Explosions rocked Kyiv, marking the latest escalation in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force reported the approach of several ballistic missiles, which were heard exploding in the Ukrainian capital.
The latest attack comes amid intensified cross-border strikes by both Russia and Ukraine, resulting in civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. Earlier on Monday, at least seven people were killed after debris from a Ukrainian drone fell onto a crowded beach in the southern Russian resort city of Gelendzhik. Russian state news agency TASS reported that four of those killed were children, and 58 people were injured.
Regional Governor Veniamin Kondratiev said the casualties occurred when debris from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) fell onto the beach. The incident remains unclear whether the drone crashed on its own or was brought down by Russian air defense systems. Russian authorities have also reported continued Ukrainian drone attacks, including a strike that killed five people and injured six others in the Moscow region overnight.
The renewed attacks highlight the continuing escalation in the conflict, with both sides reporting civilian casualties and infrastructure damage amid sustained aerial assaults. Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy reported that Russia launched more than 270 drones at Ukraine overnight, killing at least five people. The attacks also hit industrial sites, including a production facility owned by the Ukrainian state gas company Naftogaz.
The conflict has resulted in significant damage and loss of life on both sides, with Russia’s Defense Ministry reporting that 155 Ukrainian drones were shot down during the night over Russia and the annexed Crimean Peninsula. A child died in Russia’s western Yaroslavl region after a Ukrainian drone hit a private house, according to local Gov. Mikhail Evraev.
This latest attack on Kyiv is part of a larger pattern of escalating violence between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides engaging in cross-border strikes and reporting civilian casualties. The situation remains volatile, with ongoing attacks and retaliatory strikes.
Northern California Earthquakes Hit Near Covelo
Twin Earthquakes Rattle Northern California, Triggering ShakeAlert Warnings
Twin earthquakes hit Northern California on Wednesday afternoon, with the stronger quake centered about 19 miles northwest of Covelo at a shallow depth of roughly 3 miles. The US Geological Survey recorded the quakes at about 3:21 p.m. local time Wednesday, triggering ShakeAlert warnings to mobile devices in parts of Northern California. Local residents, including those in the Trinity-Mendocino county area, received these alerts, which provided crucial seconds to protect themselves before stronger shaking arrived.
The earthquakes struck in a relatively remote part of Northern California, limiting the potential for widespread damage. However, shallow earthquakes can produce noticeably stronger shaking near the epicenter than deeper events of similar magnitude. Emergency officials continue to remind residents that earthquakes can strike without warning and that the safest immediate response is to drop, cover, and hold on. The latest earthquakes add to a string of recent seismic activity in the region, including a magnitude 4.4 quake in July and a magnitude 5.6 earthquake in June.
The ShakeAlert system, which pushed alerts to mobile devices, played a crucial role in warning residents of the impending shaking. For some residents, the first warning came not from the shaking itself but from their phones. There were no immediate reports of injuries or significant damage, but the twin jolts kept residents alert in an area accustomed to living with seismic risk.
This recent seismic activity in Northern California is reminiscent of previous earthquakes in the region, such as the ones that struck in June and July. The US Geological Survey and emergency officials continue to monitor the situation, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and swift action in the event of an earthquake.
19 miles northwest of Covelo, the epicenter of the stronger earthquake, is a relatively remote area, which limited the potential damage.
The US Geological Survey's recording of the quakes at 3:21 p.m. local time Wednesday is a crucial piece of information, as it triggered the ShakeAlert warnings that helped residents prepare for the shaking.
Messi Scores 2 Goals in Inter Miami's 4-2 Win
Messi Nets 2, Inter Miami Beats San Luis 4-2
Lionel Messi scored his first two goals since the World Cup as Inter Miami beat Atlético San Luis 4-2. Messi's goals in the 11th and 44th minutes brought his total to 14 goals in 12 Leagues Cup matches, making him the career scoring leader in the tournament. Inter Miami extended its unbeaten streak to eight matches with the win.
The match at Nu Stadium was delayed 30 minutes in the second half due to lightning in the area. Telasco Segovia and defender Micael also scored for Inter Miami, while Noah Allen had three assists. Rafa Llorente scored for San Luis, which took an early lead through David Rodríguez's header.
Messi's performance marked his return to form after being held off the scoresheet against Columbus. He led Argentina to its second straight World Cup final appearance before losing to Spain and has now taken the lead in the Leagues Cup's all-time scoring list.
This win follows Inter Miami's 2-2 draw with the Columbus Crew on Saturday, where Messi played 37 minutes as a substitute. With this victory, Inter Miami solidifies its position in the Leagues Cup, and Messi continues to make history in the tournament.
The Leagues Cup has seen Messi's impressive skills before, as he led Miami to the title in 2023 and the final again last year. His consistent performance has earned him a reputation as one of the greatest players in the sport.
SpaceX Moon Impact: Photos Coming in Weeks
Moon Crater Photos: NASA's Wait Begins
The wait for photos of the Moon crater left by SpaceX's rocket impact has begun, with NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter expected to capture before-and-after images within two weeks. On August 5, 2026, the upper stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket struck the Moon, ejecting an estimated 1,100 tonnes of lunar material. The impact was tracked by Abu Dhabi's Al Khatim Astronomical Observatory, which detected neither a flash nor visible ejecta.
The Al Khatim Astronomical Observatory, part of the International Astronomy Centre, produced the most detailed estimate of the impact, with director Mohammad Shawkat Odeh stating that the collision excavated around 450 cubic metres of lunar soil and rock. Under the Moon's weak gravity, some of the ejecta could have risen as high as three kilometres above the surface before falling back.
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, which has been mapping the Moon since 2009, will be used to capture the before-and-after images of the impact site. The orbiter will have to pass over the right patch of ground, in the right lighting, at the right altitude for the resolution needed, before downlinking, processing, and comparing the images against the existing archive to confirm the new feature is the crater rather than something already there.
The Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter will also look for opportunities to capture imagery of the impact site, according to a NASA spokesperson. The first pictures are expected to appear between the middle and end of August, although no specific date has been promised. Locating a crater roughly 25 metres across on a surface the size of Africa takes time, even when you know approximately where to look.
Scientists had been uncertain about what the impact would look like, with predictions ranging from a brief flash to a visible cloud of dust and rock, to nothing at all. The complication was that the rocket struck the lit side of the Moon, making any impact flash difficult or impossible to detect. However, detections by the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona suggest evidence of a plume, which Al Khatim is now waiting on observations from other ground-based observatories and space telescopes to confirm.
The impact of the SpaceX rocket on the Moon is a significant event, with NASA planning to collect data from the event and refine techniques for tracking objects in space. The wait for photos of the Moon crater may be long, but it will be worth it to see the aftermath of this historic event.
For those waiting for the photos, it's a matter of patience. The images will be released as soon as they are available, and they will provide a unique glimpse into the aftermath of the SpaceX rocket impact on the Moon.
August 12 Total Solar Eclipse Path
Total Solar Eclipse on August 12: What You Need to Know
A total solar eclipse will occur on August 12, 2026, marking the first such event visible in mainland Europe since 2006. The path of totality will span northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and Portugal. This rare celestial event happens when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth, casting a narrow band of shadow across our planet.
The total eclipse will be visible in a specific region, known as the "path of totality," which will start in northern Russia and then cross over Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and the northeastern tip of Portugal. In Spain, the eclipse will move from the northern city of Oviedo to the island of Mallorca. The eclipse will also cross over areas that have been hit by devastating fires in Spain, which scientists say were made more likely by human-driven climate change.
For observers in Spain, the total eclipse will last under two minutes, just before sunset. The northern city of Burgos, for example, will be plunged into darkness for exactly one minute and 48 seconds. However, partial eclipses, which occur as the Moon starts and finishes crossing the Sun, will last around one hour and 45 minutes. Partial eclipses will also be visible in most of Europe, Canada, the northern United States, and northwest Africa.
It's essential to note that one or two solar eclipses occur roughly every year, but the small band of totality means that the same area may wait 400 years before seeing another one. NASA will be live-streaming the event on August 12, starting at 1:15pm ET (1715 UTC), so you can watch the eclipse from anywhere.
People planning to watch the eclipse should remember to use specifically designed eclipse glasses that filter UV rays and meet the standard ISO 12312-2:2015. It's crucial not to look directly at the Sun during an eclipse, as it can cause serious eye damage. Experts warn that there are no pain receptors in eyes to warn the brain they are being injured, so problems only appear later.
If you're interested in watching the eclipse, you can check NASA's live stream on August 12. Additionally, there will be another total solar eclipse on August 2, 2027, which will cross southern Spain, northern Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula. Its totality will last six minutes and 23 seconds.
For those in the UAE, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments has called for an eclipse prayer during the Blood Moon on September 7. While the total solar eclipse on August 12 will not be visible in the UAE, residents can still watch the live stream and learn more about this rare celestial event.
In conclusion, the total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, is a rare and significant event that will be visible in parts of Europe. It's essential to take necessary precautions when watching the eclipse and to use specifically designed eclipse glasses to avoid eye damage.
Wizz Air Loss 2026: Fuel Costs Soar
Wizz Air Shares Drop 5% as Fuel Costs Bite
Wizz Air, the European budget airline, has reported a first-quarter operating loss of €183.3 million ($211.7 million) as soaring fuel costs and depressed airfares weighed heavily on its performance. The company's shares fell more than 5% in early trade following the announcement. This loss is a significant blow to the airline, which is already facing pressure from rising fuel costs and intense competition in the European aviation market.
The airline's CEO, József Váradi, stated that while forward bookings are still strong, the rest of the year is expected to present both industry challenges and strategic opportunities. Despite the current turbulence, Wizz Air has insisted that it has ample liquidity to ride out the challenges. The company has also guided for seat capacity growth of up to high-twenties percentage in the second quarter, but warned that revenue per available seat kilometer would fall by a low single-digit percentage year-on-year.
The strain on Wizz Air's finances is echoed by its rival, Ryanair, which has also flagged the pressure facing European budget airlines. In contrast, full-service flag carriers such as Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, and IAG have proven more resilient to the current market conditions, buoyed by demand from affluent travelers and direct Europe-Asia routes that avoid the Gulf.
The current challenges facing Wizz Air and other European budget airlines are a result of a combination of factors, including soaring jet fuel expenses, depressed airfares, and market pressures linked to regional conflict. As the airline industry continues to navigate these challenges, Wizz Air's ability to adapt and respond to changing market conditions will be crucial to its success.
In terms of the numbers, Wizz Air's first-quarter operating loss of €183.3 million is a significant decline from its previous performance. The company's revenue per available seat kilometer is also expected to fall in the second quarter, which will put further pressure on its finances. However, the airline's guidance for seat capacity growth of up to high-twenties percentage in the second quarter suggests that it is still confident in its ability to attract passengers and grow its business.
Overall, Wizz Air's current challenges are a reflection of the broader pressures facing the European aviation industry. As the airline continues to navigate these challenges, its ability to adapt and respond to changing market conditions will be crucial to its success.
