Paul Murray: State Budget surpluses haven’t been planned, they’re the result of a run of historic luck

An eight-year-old boy was severely injured after being impaled by his bike handlebars at a BMX track in Preston, Lancashire, on August 1. He received first aid from bystanders before being taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital for surgery; his mother described the incident as a "horrific freak accident," while local officials stated it was not due to any defect in the track. Want More Context? 🔎

As the Taste of the Kimberley festival approaches from August 15 to 17, Northern Territory cotton grower Simone Cameron emphasizes the event's role in connecting consumers with producers while showcasing the agricultural richness of the region. Cameron looks forward to educating attendees about cotton farming and promoting local industries, highlighting the festival's community spirit and the importance of sustainable practices. Want More Context? 🔎

Earth experienced its third-warmest July on record, with average temperatures reaching 16.68°C, 0.45°C above the 1991-2020 average, and a record national temperature of 50.5°C in Turkey. Although there was a pause in breaking global temperature records, scientists warn that climate change continues to have severe impacts, urging governments to accelerate CO2 emission cuts to mitigate extreme weather events. Want More Context? 🔎

Dylan Danielson, 32, and his two daughters, Hayven, 12, and Fayeah, 8, were killed in a factory explosion in Nebraska on July 30, shortly after Danielson made a desperate call to his wife detailing their location amidst the chaos. Fundraisers have been launched to support their families as the investigation into the incident continues. Want More Context? 🔎

A promotional video for the Seattle Kraken featured their mascot, Buoy, and player John Hayden fly-fishing in Katmai National Park when a grizzly bear unexpectedly approached them. The tense encounter ended without injury, as the bear lost interest and turned away, with Hayden joking that the bear was intrigued by Buoy's appearance. Want More Context? 🔎

An ambitious goal to halve breast cancer deaths is supported by a $25 million grant from the National Breast Cancer Foundation to the Garvan Institute for the "AllClear" program, aimed at preventing cancer recurrence. Led by Associate Professor Christine Chaffer, the research will focus on dormant cancer cells to develop new therapies, with hopes of eventually predicting patients' recurrence risk. Want More Context? 🔎