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Percy Sillitoe

The Diamond Smugglers is a non-fiction book by Ian Fleming published in November 1957. The book is based on two weeks of interviews Fleming undertook with John Collard, a member of the International Diamond Security Organisation (IDSO) and a former member of MI5; the IDSO was headed by Sir Percy Sillitoe (pictured), the ex-head of MI5 who worked for the diamond company De Beers. The IDSO was formed by Sillitoe to combat the smuggling of diamonds from Africa; it was estimated that £10 million worth of gems were being smuggled every year out of South Africa alone. The book expands upon a series of articles that Fleming wrote for The Sunday Times in 1957. The Diamond Smugglers is one of two non-fiction books written by Fleming. It received mixed reviews, although critics thought the subject was interesting and that the facts were as interesting as works of fiction. There was interest in turning the book into a film, but the plans did not come to fruition. (Full article...)

Meg White

• ... that Meg White (pictured), a key figure in the 2000s garage-rock revival, has not made any public appearances since 2009?
• ... that Italian football clubs could have a third reserve team in the early 20th century?
• ... that Lourdes Klitzkie took up running in her late thirties to combat boredom, then qualified for the Olympics?
• ... that Herb Alpert's 2024 album 50 commemorates both his 50th studio album and his golden wedding anniversary?
• ... that Margarethe Hardegger established an illegal abortion clinic in her own home?
• ... that in July 2025 Elon Musk opened a flying saucer–shaped diner on Route 66 in Hollywood?
• ... that Queen Melisende wanted to get rid of her husband's friend Elias, so she made him an offer that he could not refuse?
• ... that the joint-most successful team in the Indian Premier League finished last in 2025?
• ... that Bishop Anselm, Abbot Geoffrey, and Viscount Rohard were sent in 1142 to delicately inform the Byzantine emperor that he was welcome in Jerusalem—just not with an army?

Pauline Ferrand-Prévot

• In cycling, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (pictured) wins the Tour de France Femmes.
• In association football, the Copa América Femenina concludes with Brazil defeating Colombia in the final.
• An 8.8-magnitude earthquake strikes off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia, triggering tsunami warnings across the Pacific Ocean.
• In association football, the UEFA Women's Euro concludes with England defeating Spain in the final.

August 8

Warsaw radio mast

• 685 BC – Spring and Autumn period: Amid a succession dispute, the forces of Duke Zhuang of Lu, who was attempting to install a claimant to the Qi throne, were defeated at the Battle of Qianshi.
• 1695 – The foundation for what is now known as the Wren Building, the oldest surviving college building in the United States, was laid in a ceremony at Middle Plantation, Virginia.
• 1918 – The Battle of Amiens began in northern France, marking the start of the Allies' Hundred Days Offensive through the German front lines that ultimately led to the end of World War I.
• 1991 – The Warsaw radio mast (pictured), then the tallest structure ever built, at 646.38 metres (2,120.7 ft), collapsed due to an error in exchanging the guys on the highest telecommunications equipment of the mast.
• 2010 – A massive mudslide in the Chinese province of Gansu killed at least 1,471 people.