In July 2026, global electric vehicle sales increased by 9% year on year, reaching a total of 1.85 million units. Among major EV markets, Europe experienced the strongest growth in July, with sales rising 33% from the previous year to approximately 450,000 units. China continued to be the world’s largest electric vehicle market in terms of monthly volume, despite a 5% decline from a year earlier to roughly 980,000 units in July. North American EV sales declined significantly, with approximately 140,000 units sold in July—a 27% drop from the previous year.
Magnitude 5.4 earthquake shakes northeastern Pakistan and parts of Gilgit-Baltistan. Regions including Hunza and Nagar experienced intense tremors, with Chipurson Valley in Upper Hunza among the zones most affected. Located near Pakistan’s borders with China and Afghanistan, this mountainous region saw residents evacuate their homes due to the shaking. The incident triggered landslides and rockfalls in various parts of the valley, and a rockfall near Ramanji blocked the Chipurson Valley road, hampering access to remote settlements in this high-altitude area. Initial assessments by local authorities indicate no casualties have been reported so far. Officials also confirmed that no structural damage has been verified during their preliminary evaluation. Nevertheless, the earthquake caused significant ground shifts on steep terrains, with falling rocks disrupting local roads. Since Chipurson Valley features narrow routes through rugged mountains, the Gilgit-Baltistan administration is actively monitoring affected communities and evaluating the immediate impact on infrastructure and residents following the tremors and associated landslides. Landslides Block Roads in Upper Hunza The earthquake’s epicenter was near Sost, a northern Pakistani town situated along the Karakoram Highway corridor. Sost serves the settlements of Upper Hunza and lies south of the Khunjerab Pass, which connects Pakistan to China’s Xinjiang region through one of the highest international crossings. According to official data, the earthquake was centered in the broader northwestern Kashmir seismic zone, with its shallow depth causing noticeable tremors
Health
According to official data through Aug. 7, the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has resulted in 1,916 fatalities and 4,209 confirmed cases. This total represents an increase of 29 deaths compared to the 1,887 reported in the previous update. Additionally, health officials have identified 595 patients in isolation for treatment, while 828 individuals have recovered from the Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak.
Travel
Etihad Airways plans to start seasonal nonstop flights between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg on December 17, 2026. These flights will operate four times weekly until March 21, 2027. The route will link the UAE capital with Sweden’s second-largest city during the winter travel season. Tickets for the new service from Abu Dhabi to Gothenburg are currently available. Flights will operate between Zayed International Airport and Göteborg Landvetter Airport.
Technology
UN child safety push targets AI, disinformation and harmful online platform practices. Ahead of International Youth Day on Aug. 12, the Department of Global Communications issued the brief. According to the report, over 82% of individuals aged 15 to 24 are internet users globally. Such access fosters educational opportunities, civic involvement, and economic inclusion. Nonetheless, harmful online environments can negatively influence the cognitive, emotional, and social growth of young users. The document also highlights that children and teenagers are still developing critical skills for evaluating online information. The UN categorizes these threats into three groups: technology, distribution channels, and harmful content. Risks related to technology include misuse of digital tools and AI. Distribution issues involve algorithms, digital inequality, and limited access to independent journalism. Content-related dangers encompass disinformation, online harassment, and hate speech. The report notes these issues often overlap because technology influences how information is disseminated and which content gains prominence across digital platforms. Scrutiny intensifies on digital platforms’ approach to child safety A key focus of the brief is on how leading technology firms design their digital offerings and generate revenue. It indicates that attention-driven systems can promote practices that exploit psychological vulnerabilities among young users. Data collection and behavioral advertising further enable highly tailored marketing strategies. The report underscores concerns about exposure to extreme content and features that foster compulsive use. It urges tech companies and AI creators to embed child rights and safety considerations into their product and service development processes. Various governments worldwide are exploring