Capital and primate city of Hungary
A roundup of recent Formula 1 coverage shows drivers pushing back on 2026 regulation changes, arguing the 50/50 power split and energy-management tech disrupts on-track racing. Editors stress the sport’s growth goals clash with drivers’ call for more direct control and traditional racing dynamics.
Scientists have found that human-caused warming has made the hot, dry and windy weather that fuelled this summer’s wildfires far more likely: roughly 20 times more likely in central Spain and about twice as likely in parts of France. The results accompany mass evacuations, record burn areas and heavy smoke that has crossed international borders.
A record summer of heat, drought and wildfires has prompted an emergency Cobra meeting and voluntary retailer suspensions of disposable-barbecue sales. Green groups have written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham urging him to call the crisis 'climate change' and stop new North Sea drilling; Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has questioned net zero and urged adaptation and celebration of warmer weather.
Extreme heat has gripped central and eastern Europe, with Slovakia seeing 42°C in Dolné Plachtince and Austria hitting a national high. The Danube’s water levels are at record lows, threatening energy supply and transport. Forecasts warn the heat will persist, with officials urging conservation and vigilance against heat-related health risks.
Europe endures a blistering heat wave with temperatures above 40C in several countries. Italy places all 27 major cities on red heat alerts; authorities extend evening hours at Rome’s Colosseum and Pantheon and open cooling measures. Wildfires, drought and energy stress accompany the heat, prompting precautions for residents and visitors.
The Guardian reports on a staged interpretation of Mahler’s response to trauma, using Freud’s office as a framing device. The performance blends narrative with live music, highlighting Mahler’s frenetic energy and the cuckoo motif, with nuanced debates about pacing and orchestral texture. Available on BBC Sounds until 12 October as Proms run through September.
The 47-year-old referee has retired from English football after officiating 668 pro matches, including 163 international fixtures and all major domestic cup finals. He will direct elite refereeing in Turkey and has criticised media scrutiny, saying balance is needed in officiating analysis.
The Hungarian Parliament confirms Andr?s Baka as transitional president, as the ruling party pursues a sweeping constitutional overhaul that tightens control over media and judiciary. The move comes after Tisza-led reforms dismantle Orbán-era institutions and set the stage for a new constitutional order.
Paris Saint-Germain have retained the UEFA Super Cup after Déziré Doué's 61st-minute strike, awarded following a VAR review, beat Aston Villa 2-1 in Salzburg. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring before 17-year-old Brian Madjo levelled for Villa on his competitive debut, becoming the youngest scorer in the fixture's history.
The 31-year-old Ramsay-Peaty has finished eighth in his 50m breaststroke heat at Paris, after setting the world record in 2017. He has described the performance as not good enough, is aiming to rebound with new start work and is targeting Los Angeles 2028, where the 50m will be included. compatriot Nowacki also misses the semi-finals.
The NYPD says two hate-crime incidents at Orthodox synagogues are under investigation after bags of motor oil were thrown at two Brooklyn/Queens temples. Authorities are ramping up security as antisemitic incidents rise; a Bronx suspect has been linked to a separate deli shooting and a wider spree is under review.
A Polish-registered bus en route to Nyíregyháza has veered off the M3 motorway near Mezokeresztes, overturning and injuring many. Police say the driver likely fell asleep; 12 deaths have been reported as the scene is ongoing. Rescue teams are at work and authorities are in contact with Polish officials.
Arsenal have begun the season with a string of wins, including a hard-fought Champions League victory over Napoli decided late by Martin Odegaard, and sit among early title favourites. Manchester United have opened their Champions League campaign with a 4-0 win at Old Trafford, while Manchester City, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have also taken strong early European results.
Rising heat and drought across Europe have lowered river levels, exposing World War II ships, mammoth remains and ancient structures. Analysts warn climate-driven extremes are intensifying, threatening ships, power plants and freight, while historians document maritime relics surfacing along the Danube and Rhine.
Paris Saint‑Germain has moved its Ligue 1 opener against Rennes to Roazhon Park after declaring the Parc des Princes pitch unsafe following a scorching summer. The club has also completed major summer sales — including Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye in high‑value deals — and has generated roughly €400m from departures while recruiting selectively.
Mercedes are limiting upgrades under the 2026 cost cap while rivals press ahead, widening the performance gap at the front. Norris has won twice in a row for McLaren, with Antonelli leading the standings and Russell close behind. Monza looms as a crucial test for Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes.
Lando Norris has moved within striking distance in the title race after a strategic masterclass in Zandvoort. Norris has overtaken rivals to win the Dutch Grand Prix, with Antonelli still leading the standings and Russell closing in. Verstappen’s dramatic Lap 1 crash disrupted the race and reshaped the podium picture.
Fifa has shelved the Forward Enterprise plan amid fierce opposition from UEFA and other bodies. Ceferin calls for Infantino to quit; EU associations warn against selling football to private investors. The plan is dead, but governance tensions persist as Infantino seeks support ahead of a potential fourth term.
Multiple Champions League playoff ties have produced tense finishes, with Sabah overturning a late deficit against Hapoel Beersheva to reach the group stage; other ties see Glimt and Celtic maintaining leads as Monaco prepares the draw.
Celtic have surrendered a four-goal aggregate lead to LASK Linz, crashing to a 5-1 defeat in Linz and losing Champions League group-stage progression. The comeback keeps Celtic in European football via the Europa League, while coaching staff face scrutiny over squad depth and defensive resilience.
English clubs Bournemouth, Sunderland and Crystal Palace are set for European action this season after the Europa League draw placed them in pots with Juventus, Milan and Olympiacos among others. The field features Celtic, Real Sociedad and Marseille as the tournament grows more competitive. The draw determines fixtures for the group phase, with teams facing two from each of four pots and hosting half the matches.
Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool are among the English clubs taking part as the league phase draw for the 2026-27 Champions League places teams into eight-match groups. PSG, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid headline pot one, with Celtic aiming to reach the knockout rounds after a 3-0 first leg win in their play-off. The draw is set for Aug. 27, 2026, with fixtures running from September.
Israeli and international carriers are expanding routes and resuming services amid ongoing conflict-related volatility. Delta and United are returning to Ben Gurion, Israir is launching Tel Aviv-New York, and Israeli airlines are increasing capacity, while fares remain high in the near term. A direct Manila route is planned, and fares to the US show volatility through the fall travel season.
Top long jumper Davis-Woodhall has suffered a severe concussion in a rear collision while en route to training. She remains uncertain for the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest, with prize money of $150,000 for each event winner.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen has won the inaugural Ultimate Championships 5,000m in 12:59.24, earning $150,000. The event also featured other champions, including Duplantis and Russell, with a $10m prize fund and a range of record attempts.
A provocative Novig ad featuring Sydney Sweeney in minimal clothing has drawn strong criticism from female athletes and commentators. Novig’s equity partnership with Sweeney is aimed at boosting brand visibility ahead of football season, but observers warn the stunt risks credibility and backlash alongside growing interest in sports-prediction markets.
Hungary has ordered 10 Russian diplomats to leave the country, saying they engaged in activities unacceptable under the Vienna Convention. Budapest insists the move does not break diplomatic ties with Russia, while Moscow vows a harsh, painful response as Hungary’s new government shifts away from its predecessor’s pro-Russia stance.
Athletes at the Ultimate Championship have secured $150,000 first prizes, reshaping how track and field rewards performance. Competitors across sprints, distance and field events have delivered standout results amidst a star-studded field.
Arsenal travel issues from a technical air-traffic disruption have delayed their Napoli trip as they prepare for a Champions League clash. Jurrien Timber is nearing a return, while Napoli announce Scott McTominay’s ablation procedure and rest. Arsenal sign teenager Mylo Bernard for their academy intake.
Keely Hodgkinson wins the 800m at Athlos London in 1:56.40, wearing Nike’s all-black speed suit designed to reduce drag and regulate temperature. The event, outside New York for the first time, features an all-women format with a Tiffany crown and a $65,000 prize for winners. The season-ending meet aims to spotlight female athletes and redefine track and field’s spectacle.
World Athletics has reaffirmed its ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competition as CAS reviews sanctions tied to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The IOC and other sports bodies have varied in their treatment of Russian athletes, with CAS hearings ongoing and the Los Angeles 2028 Games in view.
The Novig advertising campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney, showing her in minimal clothing while posing with sports gear, has prompted widespread criticism from athletes and commentators about the sexualisation of women in sport. The backlash has seen outspoken responses from figures like Amy Hunt, Ariarne Titmus and Gracie Kramer, while Sweeney defends the project and highlights other nude campaigns.
Josh Kerr has delivered a landmark season, winning the Ultimate Championship 1500m and collecting multiple titles, as Amy Hunt also posts a record-breaking year. The duo’s success fuels discussion over BBC SPOTY selection amid a strong athletics year.
Nairobi has become the first African city to host the World Athletics Championships, with Munich set to stage the 2031 edition. The decision follows a World Athletics council meeting in Budapest, highlighting Africa’s emergence in the sport and the continued growth of global championships.
The controversy over a Novig advert featuring the Euphoria star wearing minimal clothing and sports equipment has prompted a strong response from the female sporting community. Athletes and fans argue such imagery harms participation among young girls, who face rising dropout rates in sport.
World Athletics has awarded Nairobi the 2029 World Championships, marking Africa’s first hosting of the event. Munich will stage 2031, while London and Rome miss out. Kenya touts upgrades to Kasarani Stadium and infrastructure as a historic milestone for African sport.
The Swedish left-wing bloc has secured a slim 176-seat majority following a tightly contested election. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has resigned, and Magdalena Andersson is exploring coalition options with the Left Party, Greens and Centre Party. The speaker will oversee subsequent talks to form a government within a tight timeframe.
World clubs from CONCACAF, UEFA and CAF aim to compete in a mixed-host format in Miami, with new minimum standards and increased global visibility for women's club football. The event will feature Barcelona and Club America among others, as the sport expands beyond national teams.
China dominates the pool at the Asian Games, with Zhang Yufei and Yu Zidi among the standout performers, as records fall and new talents emerge ahead of Budapest 2027 and the 2028 Olympics.
Rui Pinto’s protection status is being reassessed amid continued scrutiny of Manchester City’s finances and Football Leaks documents. City maintain their innocence while authorities weigh further inquiries across Europe; Pinto has been a protected witness since 2020, with new risk assessments pending.
The International Olympic Committee has confirmed a handful of countries are engaging in continuous dialogue to bid for future Olympic Games. A deadline of October 31 is set for formal interest, with shortlisting and feasibility assessments to follow between 2027 and 2029. Ahmedabad, Munich and Cape Town are among the cities named in emerging bids for 2036 and beyond.