Central Europe, including the Czech Republic, Poland, Austria, Germany, and Slovakia, is preparing for severe flooding due to heavy rainfall expected over the weekend. Authorities are implementing flood defenses and canceling public events in anticipation of potential inundations.

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza on August 31 resulted in at least 48 fatalities as health officials prepared for a polio vaccination campaign. The ongoing conflict has led to significant casualties and a humanitarian crisis in the region.

Malaysian authorities rescued 402 children from welfare homes linked to an Islamic business group amid allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation. The police arrested 171 suspects, including caretakers and religious teachers, during the operation.

China's legislature has approved a plan to gradually raise the retirement age, starting in 2025, in response to an aging population and declining workforce. The retirement age for men will increase to 63 and for women to 55 or 58, depending on their job type.

Will Charouhis is working to plant 1 million mangroves in South Florida to address coastal threats and climate change, inspired by the impacts of Hurricane Irma. He founded Forces of Nature to facilitate cleanup, planting, research, and education efforts.

The UK High Court has ruled that the approval for the first new deep coal mine in decades is unlawful, citing insufficient consideration of greenhouse gas emissions from burning coal. The ruling follows a legal challenge from environmental campaigners and a recent Supreme Court decision on fossil fuel projects.

One year after catastrophic flooding in Derna, Libya, caused by the bursting of two dams, the city is undergoing reconstruction while many families still mourn their missing loved ones. The Libyan government has allocated significant funds for rebuilding efforts, but challenges remain in identifying victims and providing support to survivors.

Nigeria's state-owned oil company NNPC Limited will be the sole distributor of gasoline from the Dangote Refinery, which began processing gasoline last week. The first batch of gasoline is set to load on September 15, as part of an agreement to reduce reliance on imported refined products.

The Hague has become the first city globally to ban advertisements for fossil fuels and high-emission services, effective January 1, 2025. This decision aligns with the city's goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2030.

Public awareness and campaigns regarding river pollution in England have increased, with significant changes in water quality monitoring revealing both challenges and improvements in biodiversity. The rise in reported sewage spills and the need for better wastewater treatment practices are central to ongoing public protests and discussions.

Wien Energie, Vienna's main power company, announced it will completely phase out Russian natural gas by 2025, sourcing alternatives from the North Sea and other regions. This decision comes as Austria aims to reduce its reliance on Russian energy supplies following the invasion of Ukraine.

Brazilian police have raided a criminal organization involved in laundering 3.1 tonnes of illegally mined gold from the Amazon rainforest. The operation resulted in multiple arrests and the freezing of significant assets linked to the group.

South Korea is expanding its nuclear power capabilities, generating more electricity from nuclear than fossil fuels for the first time in 2024 and planning to add four new reactors by 2038. The government aims for nuclear to comprise 36% of the energy mix by 2038, reversing previous anti-nuclear policies.

A joint U.S.-Iraqi operation on August 29 resulted in the deaths of four ISIS leaders and 14 operatives in Western Iraq. The raid also left seven U.S. troops injured and confiscated various weapons and equipment.

Turkey's intelligence chief met with Hamas representatives in Ankara to discuss ceasefire negotiations amid ongoing conflict in Gaza. The war, which began on October 7, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides.

Typhoon Bebinca, a strong Category 1 storm, is set to make landfall on China's eastern coast, prompting significant flight cancellations and evacuations in Shanghai. The storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall coinciding with the Mid-Autumn festival holiday.

European and Muslim nations convened in Spain to discuss a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing the need for a clear implementation schedule. Spain, Norway, and Ireland have recognized a unified Palestinian state, and the meeting aimed to address the ongoing violence in the region.

Chinese policymakers are set to cut interest rates on existing mortgages by approximately 80 basis points to stimulate the housing market and household consumption. This move will impact over $5 trillion in outstanding mortgages.

The UK housing market experienced a 0.8% increase in average asking prices in September, following the Bank of England's first interest rate cut in over three years. The number of sales agreed also rose significantly, indicating improved buyer demand amid lower borrowing costs.

A Colombian court has ordered Ecopetrol and Petrobras to stop drilling at the Uchuva-2 gas well due to failure to consult the local Indigenous community. The ruling requires a consultation process and a new environmental impact study.

Germany has signed a migration agreement with Uzbekistan to facilitate the movement of skilled workers to support its economy. The deal also includes mechanisms for the return of migrants without legal status.

A UN report indicates that Gaza's economy has drastically declined to less than one-sixth of its pre-war size, with significant job losses and rising unemployment in the West Bank. The report emphasizes the need for international aid and a comprehensive recovery plan to address the humanitarian crisis.

Ukraine has successfully exchanged 49 individuals with Russia, including military personnel and civilians. This marks the 56th swap since the beginning of the conflict, with a total of 3,569 Ukrainians returned from captivity.

A national memorial honoring Queen Elizabeth II will be established in St James's Park, London, with plans for its design to be revealed by 2026. The memorial aims to commemorate her legacy and will be located near Buckingham Palace.

Stellantis is suspending production of the electric Fiat 500 for four weeks due to a lack of orders in the European market. The company is investing in the Mirafiori plant to enhance battery performance and plans to introduce a hybrid version of the model by 2026.

A salvage operation is set to resume for the Sounion tanker, which was attacked by Houthi rebels and is currently on fire in the Red Sea, holding about one million barrels of crude oil. The operation aims to prevent a potential environmental disaster from a possible oil spill.

Severe flooding in northeastern Nigeria has affected up to 1 million people and resulted in at least 30 deaths. The flooding was triggered by the collapse of the Alau dam, leading to significant damage in Maiduguri and the escape of dangerous animals from a local zoo.

India has eliminated the floor price for basmati rice exports to enhance competitiveness and increase shipments ahead of the new crop season. The previous minimum export price was $950 per metric ton.

European businesses in China are increasingly discouraged by the economic outlook and are calling for immediate action from Beijing to improve the investment climate. The EU Chamber of Commerce highlights a significant drop in foreign direct investment and concerns over China's commitment to reform.

India has topped the global cryptocurrency adoption rankings for the second year in a row, while Indonesia has emerged as the fastest-growing market. The report from Chainalysis highlights significant trading activity in both countries despite regulatory challenges.