France places 78 departments under orange heat alert as temperatures forecast to reach 40C; nearly 70% of the country now under water-use restrictions

Italy declares drought emergency across northern regions including Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto and the Marche. Switzerland increases water releases from Lake Lugano to aid Lake Maggiore.

Lake Maggiore is suffering from drought and Switzerland is increasing releases from Lake Lugano. Water is also scarce in Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto and the Marche: this is Italy's new emergency.

China's Yellow River marks 27 consecutive years of uninterrupted flow, the Ministry of Water Resources says Wednesday.

China's Ministry of Water Resources said Wednesday that the Yellow River, China's second-longest river, has maintained an uninterrupted flow for 27 consecutive years.

Germany's inflation rate jumped to 2.8% in July from 2.3% in June, driven by energy prices, Destatis said Wednesday. Economists warn record-low Rhine water levels could push prices higher.

Germany's inflation rate accelerated to 2.8% in July, up from 2.3% in June and 2.6% in May, according to official data released Wednesday. Destatis president Ruth Brand said energy prices remained the key driver, while economists warned that record-low water levels on the Rhine could add further price pressures.

Erdogan says the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement could expand beyond Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to 'all brotherly countries' seeking regional stability

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement could expand beyond its three current members—Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan—and is open to "all brotherly countries" seeking peace, prosperity and stability in the region. He said the pact is built on collective deterrence to strengthen regional security.