NATO jets shot down a drone after it entered Latvian airspace on Friday, raising fresh concerns along NATO’s eastern border. NATO said two Italian fighter jets and two Turkish F-16s were sent to respond. An Italian jet destroyed the drone, but its origin is still unknown. Latvia said the drone may have entered its airspace because of Russian electronic warfare. A separate drone crashed in Romania near the Ukrainian border, with no damage reported. Meanwhile, Ukraine confirmed a drone attack on Russia’s Ust-Luga port, causing a fire and damage to two processing units. Russia also reported major drone attacks overnight.

At least 8 people have died after record rainfall hit eastern Japan, causing floods and landslides. Authorities called the rain “unprecedented”. Chiba prefecture recorded more than 100mm of rain per hour, the highest rainfall ever recorded in the country. More than 20,000 homes lost power. Over 100,000 households were asked to evacuate as the rain triggered flooding and landslides. Thousands of passengers were stranded overnight at Tokyo’s Narita Airport after transport services were disrupted. Several trains and major highways remain closed. Japan’s Meteorological Agency said heavy rain could continue through Friday, while authorities warned of further floods and landslides. (PC: Reuters)

Bangladesh has tightened electricity-saving measures as severe natural-gas shortages reduce power generation and cause prolonged outages of up to 12 hours in some areas. The government has ordered shopping malls, markets and retail shops to close by 8 PM, an hour earlier than the previous deadline. Trade fairs and cultural events must also end by 8 PM, while illuminated billboards must be switched off by 7 PM and decorative lighting has been banned. Hospitals, pharmacies and food-related businesses are exempt. The worsening crisis has also been linked to global energy-market disruptions caused by the ongoing Iran conflict, increasing pressure on Bangladesh’s LNG supplies. (PC: AP)

New Zealand ultrarunner Sophie Woods has set a new record for completing the 2,000km Via Alpina trail across eight European countries. The 42-year-old finished the demanding route from Italy to Monaco in 28 days, 17 hours and 59 minutes, beating the previous record of 35 days and 21 hours. Woods endured thunderstorms, heatwaves, injuries and exhausting days of running for up to 20 hours. Supported by her husband and photographer, she completed the journey on August 1. The achievement also transformed her outlook after personal struggles, giving her renewed confidence and inspiring thousands of women and girls to pursue endurance running. (PC: X)

A commuter train carrying around 150 passengers derailed near Lewes in southeast England on Thursday afternoon, leaving two people seriously injured and several others hurt. The Southern Rail service had departed from London Victoria when it veered off the tracks shortly before 4 p.m. At least three carriages overturned, prompting a major emergency response involving police, firefighters and paramedics. All passengers were safely evacuated, while injured people were assessed and some taken to hospital. The cause of the derailment remains unknown. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch is investigating the incident, while major disruption to rail services in the region is expected. (PC: AP)

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has strongly rejected US President Donald Trump’s claim that Washington has “total control” over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Araghchi accused the United States of repeatedly making serious miscalculations because of intelligence failures, warning that Washington could make an even bigger mistake over the waterway. Calling “fake intelligence” more dangerous than fake news, he urged the US to be cautious. Iran’s Basij commander also maintained that the strait remains under Iranian control and management. The confrontation comes amid continuing US-Iran tensions and severely reduced shipping through the crucial global energy route. (PC: X)

Bangladesh is facing a worsening power crisis, with several areas experiencing electricity outages lasting 8–10 hours. The shortage has disrupted homes, businesses, agriculture and industries, particularly outside Dhaka. To conserve electricity, the government has ordered shopping malls, markets and shops to close by 8 pm, while illuminated billboards must be switched off earlier. The crisis is linked to severe fuel and natural-gas shortages affecting power generation, with wider pressure from disruptions in global energy supplies. Bangladesh has also approached India for additional diesel supplies to ease the situation. Authorities are implementing energy-saving measures as public frustration grows. (PC: AP)

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has called Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the disputed Kuril Islands “absolutely unacceptable,” saying it worsened Japanese sentiment toward Russia. Putin visited Iturup, known as Etorofu in Japan, one of four southern Kuril islands claimed by both countries. Takaichi said the islands are historically and legally Japanese territory and that Putin’s visit “wounds the feelings” of the Japanese people. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi also strongly protested the trip. The territorial dispute has prevented Japan and Russia from signing a post-World War II peace treaty. Russia administers the islands, annexed by the Soviet Union after the war, and has strengthened its military presence there amid continued tensions.

Russia is increasingly using improvised anti-drone defences to protect ships and maritime infrastructure from Ukraine’s expanding Black Sea drone campaign. The sanctioned tanker Caruzo recently passed through the Bosphorus covered with anti-drone nets, metal cages and water tanks, while another tanker, Rizvel, was also seen using netting. Such barriers are intended to obstruct incoming drones and reduce blast impact. Ukraine has reportedly struck more than 218 Russian-linked vessels in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov since early July, targeting shadow-fleet ships and energy infrastructure. The attacks have raised shipping costs and insurance risks. Russia has also reinforced Novorossiysk naval facilities with nets, booms and barges. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine recently struck ships and infrastructure there. (X/@TankerTrackers)

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has sharply rejected US President Donald Trump’s claim that Washington has “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz. Araghchi accused the US of repeated intelligence failures and said such failures had contributed to serious miscalculations in the ongoing Iran conflict. Warning against another misjudgment over the strategically vital waterway, he urged Washington to exercise caution. Araghchi argued that relying on inaccurate intelligence could prove more dangerous than misinformation, saying “fake intelligence” may be worse than fake news. His remarks underline escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington over control and security in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy transit route. (PC: PTI)