World News

Ukraine Rejects Iran Threats After Caspian Sea Strike

Report

Ukraine Rejects Iran Threats After Caspian Sea Strike

Ukraine has dismissed Iranian threats of retaliation after Kyiv targeted an Iranian cargo vessel in the Caspian Sea, an attack that appears to mark the first direct military link between the wars involving Ukraine and Iran.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha rejected Tehran's response on Monday, describing its accusations as "unjustified and groundless" in a post on X.
He accused Iran of being "a direct accomplice" to Russia's invasion of Ukraine by supplying weapons that have been used against Ukrainian civilians since the full-scale war began in 2022.
Kyiv Defends Strike on Iranian-Linked Vessel
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that Ukrainian forces had achieved "very good results" during long-range operations in the Caspian Sea, including strikes against vessels transporting military-related cargo connected to Iran.
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) said its drones struck an oil platform in the northern Caspian Sea, a Russian missile boat and cargo vessels that it said were under international sanctions.
Iran Condemns Attack
Iran's ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, told Iran's state news agency that the cargo ship Anna was anchored about 5km from the mouth of the Volga River when it was hit.
Ukraine's ambassador to Israel, Yevgen Korniychuk, said the vessel had been transporting drone and missile components from Iran to Russia rather than civilian goods. Speaking to Israel's N12 television, he argued that Ukraine and Israel were confronting the same "axis of evil" on different fronts.
Iran and Russia have strengthened military ties since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Tehran began supplying Shahed drones to Russia in 2022, and the aircraft have since been modified and used extensively in attacks on Ukrainian cities.
In an interview with Sky News published over the weekend, Zelensky also said Iran was preparing to supply Russia with ballistic missiles, following reports that short-range missiles had already been delivered as early as 2024.
Escalating Tensions
Ukraine has also dispatched military specialists to several Gulf states in recent months to help improve defences against Iranian drone attacks carried out in response to US and Israeli military action.
The Caspian Sea serves as a key transport corridor between Russia and Iran, making it strategically important for military logistics.
Kyiv has long accused Tehran of enabling Russian attacks through its drone supplies, but Saturday's operation appears to be the first time Ukrainian forces have directly targeted an Iranian vessel.
Iran said one sailor was killed and several others were wounded in the strike. Its foreign ministry insisted Tehran had "never intervened in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine."
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the attack as "a blatant UN Charter violation" carried out at Israel's urging to draw Europe into its conflict with Iran. In a post on X, he warned that the incident "CANNOT GO UNANSWERED."
Sybiha responded by sharing Araghchi's statement on X with the words "Iranian lies" superimposed across it.
He also accused Tehran of attempting to divert attention from Russian attacks on grain shipments leaving Ukrainian ports, saying those strikes threaten global food security.
Analysts Warn of Risks
Alongside attacks on oil depots, Wildberries warehouses and Russia's shadow fleet of oil tankers, the Caspian Sea strike forms part of what Zelensky has described as Ukraine's "long-range sanctions campaign" aimed at weakening Russia's war economy.
Some analysts, however, questioned whether expanding operations against Iranian-linked targets serves Ukraine's long-term interests.
Former Ukrainian intelligence official Ivan Stupak said the objective was to disrupt supply routes and inflict economic damage on Russia, but warned against broadening the conflict.
"The main idea... is to disrupt trading routes and cause as much damage as possible," he told the BBC. "But it's not a good idea for Ukraine to have another battlefront with Iran. It's not good for us."
Olha Polishchuk of the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (Acled) said the strike was better understood as an effort to disrupt Russia's military supply chains rather than an attempt to open a new conflict with Iran.
"Targeting that route allows Kyiv to put further pressure on Russia's supply networks beyond the traditional battlefield," she said.


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28 July 2026

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July 27Jul 27

Iran War Fuels GOP Doubts Over Hegseth's Leadership

Iranian Conflict

Iran War Fuels GOP Doubts Over Hegseth's Leadership

Confidence in Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is weakening among Republican senators as the conflict with Iran continues with no clear end in sight, according to several GOP lawmakers.

Growing concerns over the war's cost, military strategy and leadership have prompted criticism from within President Donald Trump's own party.
Republican concerns grow over Pentagon leadership
Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina said he no longer has confidence in Hegseth, accusing him of lacking experience managing large organisations, micromanaging the Pentagon and forcing out respected military leaders. Tillis argued that these decisions had undermined the Department of Defense and suggested other Republican senators were close to voicing similar concerns.
Another Republican senator, speaking anonymously, said reports from inside the Pentagon pointed to a broader loss of confidence in Hegseth among senior military officials, concerns that had spread to Capitol Hill.
Strategy and costs under scrutiny
Some Republican lawmakers have questioned whether the administration underestimated Iran's response to the conflict. They cited the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has driven up global oil and gas prices since February, and Iran's willingness to strike neighbouring countries including Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
The expansion of fighting into the Red Sea, where Iran-backed Houthi militants have targeted Saudi oil shipments, has also raised concerns that the Pentagon failed to anticipate the wider regional impact.
Sen. Susan Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, criticised the recent departures of senior military officers during a hearing on emergency defence funding. She described the loss of experienced commanders as "deeply troubling" and said she wanted more information from the administration about its overall strategy and objectives for the war.
A second Republican senator said there were increasing "rumblings" about possible strategic miscalculations, particularly regarding the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's ability to threaten neighbouring states.
Some Republicans back stronger military action
Despite the criticism, several Republican defence hawks continue to support the administration's approach and argue that stronger military action could still achieve US objectives.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker urged Trump to "finish the job" by increasing the intensity of military strikes. Sen. John Cornyn argued that the United States had the military capability to reopen the Strait of Hormuz without making major concessions to Tehran, saying a decisive outcome was needed to avoid a prolonged conflict.
However, frustration has grown as the war has continued for nearly five months, far longer than Trump's earlier prediction that it would last only four or five weeks.
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said she believed the American public was becoming increasingly weary of the conflict.
Funding battle looms in Congress
Republican lawmakers have also expressed concern over the financial cost of the war. Hegseth recently told lawmakers the conflict had cost $37.5 billion, while independent estimates from Moody Analytics put the figure at more than $132 billion.
Sen. Joni Ernst said many members of Congress remained concerned about defence spending and wanted greater transparency from the Pentagon regarding the war's costs.
The administration is seeking approval for an additional $73 billion in military funding through the budget reconciliation process, but several Republican senators have warned there is currently insufficient GOP support to guarantee its passage. The effort is further complicated by the absence of Sen. Mitch McConnell, who has not voted since June because of health issues.
Tillis also questioned whether the removal of senior military leaders had weakened strategic planning, arguing experienced commanders might have better anticipated Iran's ability to disrupt shipping through both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait while mobilising Houthi forces in the Red Sea.

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28 July 2026

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July 27Jul 27

Trump Warns of Strong Military Action if Iran Talks Fail

Iranian Conflict

Trump Warns of Strong Military Action if Iran Talks Fail

US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States will return to "very strong military action" against Iran if ongoing diplomatic efforts fail to produce a rapid breakthrough.
Trump Sets Deadline for Diplomacy
Speaking to Axios on Monday, Trump said Washington was engaged in intensive discussions with Tehran but stressed that negotiations had limited time to succeed. "We are in very deep talks with Iran. If they don't work out, we will go back to very strong military action," he said. Asked how long he would allow negotiations to continue, Trump replied: "Not much time. Either it goes fast or not at all."
He repeated the message to reporters aboard Air Force One, saying Iran had sought talks only because of sustained US military pressure. At a campaign rally in Michigan later the same day, Trump said negotiations were currently "very friendly" but warned the US would use force if necessary.
Tehran Rejects Claims of Direct Talks
Iran, however, denied that direct negotiations with the United States were taking place.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said mediators continued to pass messages between the two sides but insisted Tehran was not engaged in direct discussions with Washington over the conflict, which began in late February following a series of US-Israeli strikes.
The differing accounts came as Iran and Oman continued discussions on the future management of the Strait of Hormuz. Although the two countries reportedly moved closer to a broad understanding, they remain divided over Iran's proposal to charge transit fees for ships using the strategically important waterway.
Hormuz Negotiations Continue
Technical talks between Iranian and Omani officials took place in Tehran on Friday and Saturday. Diplomats believe progress in those discussions, supported by China, Qatar and Pakistan, contributed to Washington's decision to pause military operations after nearly two weeks of strikes.
According to reports, senior US officials also cautioned Trump about shrinking munitions supplies and the risks posed by Iranian retaliation against American bases in the region, including facilities in Kuwait and Jordan. The top US military commander in the Middle East, Adm Brad Cooper, reportedly advised ending the bombing campaign around the Strait of Hormuz after concluding it had reached the limits of its effectiveness.
Washington has said its military campaign responded to repeated Iranian violations of a memorandum of understanding signed in June, including attempts to restrict commercial shipping using a southern route protected by the United States. Iran rejects that interpretation, arguing the southern route breaches the ceasefire arrangement and that Tehran retains primary authority over reopening the strait.
Dispute Over Shipping Fees
Oman has been seeking to persuade Iran to adopt a voluntary contribution system similar to the one used in the Strait of Malacca, where users help fund environmental and navigational services. The proposal would require international backing, including from the United Nations and the International Maritime Organization.
Iran has instead developed a plan allowing it to collect fees from vessels based on factors such as ship type, cargo, navigation history and environmental impact. Iranian officials argue the heavy volume of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz justifies compensation for pollution and other costs.
Baqaei described the talks with Oman as constructive but said they were unrelated to US diplomacy. He said the discussions were intended to create mechanisms for safe navigation while protecting the rights and security interests of the two coastal states.
Meanwhile, the United States has continued encouraging commercial vessels to test the Iranian blockade. Iranian officials said six ships with disabled navigation systems attempted to use the southern route on Sunday. They said one vessel came under fire while the others turned back.
The United Nations Office for Project Services reported that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply, averaging about five vessels a day over the past week, compared with almost 130 daily before the conflict began.

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28 July 2026

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July 27Jul 27

Trump Tells Americans to Recall Event That Never Happened

Trump

Trump Tells Americans to Recall Event That Never Happened

President Donald Trump has again repeated a false claim about wind power, telling Americans to remember a nationwide television outage that never happened while criticising renewable energy during a speech at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Washington.
Trump repeats familiar wind power claim
Speaking on Thursday, Trump renewed his attacks on wind energy, which he has long criticised, and claimed people were unable to watch a presidential debate because "the wind wasn't blowing."
Referring to renewable energy policies, Trump said the country had been "scammed" by what he called the "Green New Scam." He then described a fictional scenario in which households could not watch a debate between himself and then-President Joe Biden because wind turbines had stopped generating electricity.
The anecdote has featured in Trump's speeches before, despite having no factual basis.
Electricity grids use a mix of power sources rather than relying solely on wind generation, allowing supply to continue even when wind speeds are low. Battery storage systems can also store surplus wind energy for use when production falls.
Debate attracted millions of viewers
Trump's story centred on his June 2024 debate with Biden. However, the debate was watched by tens of millions of Americans, with more than 51 million viewers tuning in on television alone, according to Nielsen estimates.
Many of those viewers were in Texas, the country's largest producer of wind-generated electricity. The Republican-led state remains the leading producer of wind power in the United States while also being the most populous state won by Trump in the 2024 election.
Although the Biden administration promoted renewable energy and set a goal of achieving 100% clean electricity by 2035, the Green New Deal never became law. The proposal, introduced by progressive Democrats as a non-binding congressional resolution, called for a decade-long transition to clean, renewable and zero-emission energy sources.
Federal data shows wind energy accounted for about 10% of US net electricity generation in 2024.
Additional disputed claims
Trump also repeated other claims that have been challenged.
He said California experiences "brownouts and blackouts every weekend," despite there being no evidence to support that assertion. A spokesperson for California Governor Gavin Newsom said the state has not experienced rolling blackouts for nearly six years and has not issued emergency Flex Alert conservation requests since 2022, citing investments in clean energy and battery storage.
The president also said the United States had attracted "$19.2 trillion" in investment during his first 12 months back in office and complained he received "no credit" for it.
However, no evidence has been provided to support that figure, and the total investment received during the current presidential term falls well short of the amount Trump cited.

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27 July 2026

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July 26Jul 26

Police Shoot Dead Berlin Pride Attack Suspect

Report

Police Shoot Dead Berlin Pride Attack Suspect

Police have shot dead the main suspect in the deadly attack near Berlin's Pride celebrations, German officials have said. Authorities said 21-year-old Abdul Ballout was killed during a police operation on Sunday at an allotment garden in Berlin's Spandau district. Police confirmed the death after a manhunt following Saturday night's attack.

One woman was killed and 29 other people were injured when a man allegedly drove a rented minivan into pedestrians before attacking people with what appeared to be a machete in Tiergarten park near the Brandenburg Gate. The incident occurred at about 10pm local time, close to one of Europe's largest LGBTQ+ Pride events.
Related story: https://aseannow.com/worldnews/berlin-pride-cancelled-after-vehicle-hits-crowd-r1555/
The attack prompted organisers to end the celebrations early and came amid heightened concern in Germany following a series of fatal vehicle and knife attacks.
Authorities Detail Suspect's Background
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt identified the suspect as Abdul Ballout, saying he had a history of criminal offences, had become radicalised and had links to the Islamist scene.
Dobrindt said Ballout had previously received a juvenile sentence of one year and 10 months in prison, although it had been suspended.
German media reported that Ballout, a German citizen of Lebanese heritage, had supported Islamic State and travelled to the Middle East last year in an unsuccessful attempt to join the group. Bild and Der Spiegel reported that he was later convicted of preparing a serious act of subversive violence.


Abdul Ballout

Police had earlier warned the public not to approach Ballout, describing him as potentially armed and dangerous. Officers also searched an apartment in Berlin's Schöneberg district but found no one there.
Before the police operation, Der Spiegel interviewed Ballout's father, Tawfik, by telephone while he was in Lebanon. He described his son as "generous, emotional" and said the family, although Shia Muslims, did not support Islamic State. He said he believed his son had been "brainwashed" and that they had spoken normally on the day of the attack.
Leaders Condemn Attack
Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany would not allow the attack to divide society and pledged to defend the country's freedoms. Earlier, he described the assault as an attack on society and vowed those responsible would be punished. Flags at the Bundestag were lowered to half-mast.
Police said the driver swerved the white minivan into pedestrians in Tiergarten before crashing into a tree. Witnesses reported that the suspect fled on foot, prompting a large-scale search involving helicopters and officers from several German states.
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner described the violence as an attack on the city's free and open society.
The Pride parade, known in Germany as Christopher Street Day, attracted hundreds of thousands of people. The annual event commemorates the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York and has been held in Berlin since 1979.
International Support
Leaders across Europe expressed solidarity with Germany following the attack. Messages of support came from the leaders of Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, France and Italy, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the Pride parade represented the EU's values of freedom, dignity and equality.
UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband also expressed solidarity with Germany after speaking with his German counterpart.
Far-right political figures also responded, with Alternative für Deutschland co-leader Tino Chrupalla condemning religious extremism, while France's Jordan Bardella described Islamist extremism as a continuing threat across Europe.

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27 July 2026

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July 26Jul 26

Appeals Court Blocks Trump Mail Voting Restrictions

USA

Appeals Court Blocks Trump Mail Voting Restrictions

A federal appeals court has ruled that the Trump administration cannot enforce proposed restrictions on mail-in voting in 23 states that challenged the measures, leaving the changes on hold ahead of the US midterm elections.

The First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston issued a 2-1 decision on Saturday, upholding an earlier order that blocked the administration from implementing the restrictions in the states involved in the lawsuit.
Court backs state control of elections
The court said the Constitution gives state and local authorities responsibility for administering federal elections.
In their majority opinion, the judges said the executive order would introduce "unprecedented levels of involvement by federal officials in how states administer elections". They warned the measures could create confusion and risk disenfranchising eligible voters if introduced before the November midterm elections.
The ruling follows a separate decision last week by a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., which lifted a nationwide injunction against the executive order. As a result, it remains unclear whether the US Postal Service will seek to apply the proposed restrictions in the 27 states not covered by the Massachusetts-based injunction.
The White House did not immediately comment on the latest ruling.
Postal Service proposal
President Donald Trump signed an executive order in March 2026 calling for greater federal oversight of mail-in voting.
In June, the US Postal Service proposed new regulations requiring states to provide approved voter lists and introducing stricter rules governing mail-in ballots.
Postmaster General David Steiner told Congress that, under the proposed regulations, the Postal Service would refuse to deliver ballots in states that did not comply with the new requirements.
During a Senate hearing, Democratic Senator Gary Peters of Michigan asked whether ballots would still be delivered if a state refused to provide its absentee voter list to the federal government.
Steiner replied that, under the proposed regulation, the Postal Service would inform such states that it required the voter list before delivering ballots.
A Postal Service spokesperson declined to say last week whether the agency intended to implement the proposed restrictions, citing ongoing litigation. The Trump administration has indicated it may appeal the case to the US Supreme Court.
Debate over voter fraud
Trump has repeatedly claimed that mail-in voting is vulnerable to widespread fraud, although those allegations have not been supported by evidence.
A November 2025 analysis by the Brookings Institution found that fraud involving mail ballots was extremely uncommon. Examining the 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022 general elections, researchers estimated an average fraud rate of 0.000043%, equivalent to about four fraudulent mail votes for every 10 million cast.
Separately, the Heritage Foundation's election fraud database records 387 cases involving fraudulent absentee ballots across all US elections documented since 1982.
The latest ruling applies only to the 23 states that brought the legal challenge, potentially leaving different voting rules in place across the country while the legal battle continues.


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27 July 2026

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July 26Jul 26

UK Won't Be Intimidated by Iran Threats, Wes Streeting Says

UK-Politics

UK Won't Be Intimidated by Iran Threats, Wes Streeting Says

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has said the UK will not be intimidated by Iran's recent threats, describing the country's rhetoric as "sabre-rattling" and insisting Britain is prepared to respond to any attack against itself or its allies.

Iran declared last week that the UK was a legitimate target because of its support for the US and Israel during the conflict with Tehran.
Iran warning dismissed
Speaking to the BBC, Streeting said Britain should not place "too much stock" in Iran's statements.
"We stand ready to respond to any attacks Iran wishes to wage against this country or our allies and we will continue to do that," he said.
UK limits role in military action
Streeting reiterated that Britain has not taken part in offensive US military operations against Iran and has no plans to do so.
The UK has, however, allowed the US to use British bases hosting American personnel and aircraft for what it describes as defensive operations.
Asked whether Iran had the capability to strike the UK, Streeting again played down the threat, saying the government would not be intimidated by the regime's recent remarks.
He also stressed that while London has differed from Washington over offensive military action, the two countries remain aligned on protecting maritime security and ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Naval mission and Russia concerns
Streeting said he is due to meet US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in the coming week after discussing ideas to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. He added that he had already spoken to Hegseth by telephone.
The defence secretary also said Britain is prepared to lead a naval mission to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz when conditions allow.
He said maintaining secure shipping routes through the strategic waterway was important because disruption there affects global energy prices and the cost of living.
Separately, Streeting criticised a recent live-firing exercise by a Russian warship in the English Channel, describing it as "performative" and "irresponsible".
He said the incident highlighted what he called Russia's unsafe and unprofessional conduct, adding that Moscow continues to pose a threat to UK security.
Streeting also said the public was largely unaware of the extensive daily efforts undertaken to counter Russian aggression.

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27 July 2026

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July 26Jul 26

Israeli Settlers Accused of Burning West Bank Mosques

Israel

Israeli Settlers Accused of Burning West Bank Mosques

Israeli settlers allegedly set fire to two mosques, cars and agricultural land in the occupied West Bank overnight, according to Palestinian officials, amid rising tensions following a deadly clash earlier this week.

The attacks came two days after violence near the village of Tal left four Palestinians and two Israelis dead. Both sides blamed each other for triggering the confrontation.
Mosques and Property Targeted
Palestinian officials said settlers attacked two villages, damaging vehicles, stealing property and spray-painting hate graffiti on buildings.
In the village of Qusra, Mayor Abdul Azim Wadi said settlers set fire to a mosque that was under construction. He said the attackers also spray-painted the word "revenge" on the mosque's walls.
The Israeli military said troops were deployed to Qusra and that police would investigate the incident and collect evidence.
In a separate attack, Palestinian officials said settlers set fire to another mosque in the village of Kour and painted slogans on its walls.
Violence Escalates After Tal Clash
Palestinians say there have been multiple settler attacks on villages across the West Bank since Friday's deadly confrontation in Tal.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has meanwhile conducted raids and arrested dozens of Palestinians as part of what it described as a "counter-terrorism" operation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the Tal incident by pledging "powerful action", including the possible demolition of the homes of two Palestinians alleged to have been involved.
Growing International Concern
Violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank has increased sharply in recent months, drawing international condemnation but showing little sign of easing.
The security situation had already worsened before the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023. Since the outbreak of the Gaza war that followed, settler violence in the West Bank has intensified further.
According to the United Nations, 1,114 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since the Gaza war began, with the vast majority of deaths attributed to the IDF. The UN says at least 35 of those deaths involved settler attacks.
The UN also says 41 Israelis, including civilians and security personnel, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations in the West Bank during the same period.
Israel has established hundreds of settlements housing around 700,000 Jews in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since capturing the territories in the 1967 Middle East war. Palestinians seek those areas, together with Gaza, for a future independent state. Around 3.3 million Palestinians live in the West Bank alongside the settlements, which are regarded as illegal under international law.

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27 July 2026

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• 550 views

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July 26Jul 26

US Ambassador Says Trump Paused Iran Strikes for Talks

Iranian Conflict

US Ambassador Says Trump Paused Iran Strikes for Talks

President Donald Trump has suspended US military strikes on Iran for a second consecutive night to allow diplomatic efforts to continue, according to the US ambassador to the United Nations.

Speaking to Fox News on Sunday, Ambassador Mike Waltz said the president was "giving talks some space" and allowing negotiations "a little bit of room" before deciding on any further action.
An Iranian army spokesperson also said on Sunday that Tehran had halted its "retaliatory" attacks in the region.
Diplomatic Efforts Continue
The pause comes after nearly two weeks of daily US airstrikes and reciprocal Iranian attacks, which effectively ended the ceasefire agreed in June.
Asked by NBC whether the suspension of strikes signalled a decision against further escalation, Waltz said: "I wouldn't go that far at all. The president is keeping all options on the table."
He also dismissed a New York Times report suggesting US officials had warned that an expanded conflict could significantly reduce the country's stockpile of air defence munitions.
"The US military... has everything that it needs to conduct this campaign as effectively as it needs to be," Waltz said.
Meanwhile, Iran and Oman held several rounds of technical discussions in Tehran on Friday and Saturday on managing the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei.
Strait of Hormuz Remains Key Sticking Point
Control of the Strait of Hormuz has become a central issue in renewed tensions between Washington and Tehran and remains a major obstacle to securing a lasting end to the conflict.
The US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding in June to halt military operations, reopen the strategic waterway and work towards a broader agreement to end the war within 60 days.
However, the agreement collapsed after Iranian forces attacked tankers in the Strait of Hormuz on 13 July. In response, the US resumed airstrikes and reinstated a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Iran retaliated with attacks on US military facilities across the Middle East, killing four American soldiers. According to Iran's health ministry, subsequent US strikes have killed dozens of people.
International Concern Grows
UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said he would meet US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth this week to discuss security in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important shipping routes for oil, liquefied natural gas and other vital commodities.
"When it comes to securing maritime freedom and free commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, that's where we are absolutely aligned," Streeting told the BBC.
Oil prices earlier this week rose to $100 a barrel for the first time since May, reflecting growing concerns over global energy supplies as fighting continues.
As the conflict approaches its fifth month, public support in the United States remains limited. A new CBS/YouGov poll found that 57% of Americans are frustrated by the war, while only 19% said they were optimistic about the situation.
Official figures indicate that thousands of people have been killed across the Middle East since the US-Israeli war with Iran began in February, with most of the casualties reported in Iran and Lebanon.
President Trump is due to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday.


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27 July 2026

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July 26Jul 26

Burnham Says He Will Challenge Trump if UK Interests Demand

UK-Politics

Burnham Says He Will Challenge Trump if UK Interests Demand

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he is prepared to challenge US President Donald Trump if doing so is necessary to protect Britain's national interests.
First talks with Trump
In his first major interview since becoming prime minister, Burnham told the BBC that while he had enjoyed a positive initial conversation with Trump, he would not hesitate to express a different view when he believed it was in Britain's best interests.
Burnham described his first exchange with the US president as "really warm" and said the two leaders had got off to a good start.
However, when asked twice whether he trusted Trump, the prime minister avoided giving a direct answer. Instead, he said: "It's a changing world, isn't it, and you just obviously have to call things as they develop."


Video screenshot
Putting Britain's interests first
Burnham said he could never promise to agree with the US president on every issue.
"I can't at any point say that I won't take a different opinion from him, that I will need to voice a different idea that is right for Britain," he said.
Asked whether he would publicly challenge Trump if necessary, Burnham replied: "Of course."
"You have to defend your own national interest before anything else. That's what you're required to do if you're to do this job properly," he added.
The prime minister also said he had been concerned about Trump's decision to begin the conflict with Iran and insisted he "wouldn't hold back from saying what I think is right".
Burnham added that remaining connected to the public would continue to shape his leadership.
"My strength is remaining close to people, close to the public. That will not change as prime minister," he said.
Defence spending and election plans
Burnham declined to commit to a timetable for raising UK defence spending to 3% of GDP.
His Chancellor, John Healey, resigned from the previous government after arguing that spending should reach that level by 2030 to ensure the country's security.
Burnham said he had appointed Healey knowing his views on defence funding and acknowledged the importance of the issue.
He said the government's immediate priority was to ensure its defence investment plan was fully funded before decisions were taken ahead of this year's Budget.
Pressed again on when defence spending would reach 3% of GDP, Burnham said: "We've got to work out the way of doing that."
The prime minister also ruled out calling an early general election before 2029.
"I'm going to rule it out... I don't think people want it," he said, adding that his priority was to focus on "getting the country back where it should be".

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26 July 2026

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July 26Jul 26

Russian Men Jailed in Angola Over Coup Plot Claims

Report

Russian Men Jailed in Angola Over Coup Plot Claims

Two Russian nationals have been sentenced to prison in Angola after being convicted of terrorism and espionage over an alleged plot to destabilise the country and influence its political future.

Lev Lakshtanov was sentenced to eight years in prison, while Igor Ratchin received an 11-year sentence after an Angolan court found them guilty of terrorism and spying. Both men denied the allegations, maintaining they had travelled to Angola for cultural and business purposes.
Alleged Coup Plot
Prosecutors accused the pair of planning activities aimed at influencing Angola's presidential election next year. They alleged the men intended to fund the country's main opposition party, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), or force a leadership change within the ruling Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), which has governed the country since independence from Portugal in 1975.
The prosecution also alleged the two Russians helped organise demonstrations linked to a nationwide minibus taxi strike over fuel price increases between 28 and 30 July 2025. The protests escalated into widespread rioting and looting, leaving 22 people dead and resulting in more than 1,600 arrests, according to official figures.
Angola's security forces faced accusations of using excessive force during the unrest, including firing live ammunition at protesters. The government defended its actions, saying its use of force had been "progressive" and justified. Earlier in July 2025, Human Rights Watch said security forces had used excessive force, including rubber bullets and tear gas, to disperse a peaceful protest against rising fuel prices.
Alleged Russian Links
Angolan prosecutors further claimed Lakshtanov and Ratchin were connected to Africa Politology, a Russian disinformation and propaganda network that emerged from the Wagner mercenary group.
According to an investigation by media organisations including Forbidden Stories, the network came under the control of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) after Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin died in 2023. Wagner was subsequently rebranded as Africa Corps and incorporated into Russia's military structure.
Russia has expanded its presence across Africa in recent years. Wagner, followed by Africa Corps, has supported governments in countries including the Central African Republic, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. Russian troops have also been deployed to Equatorial Guinea, Libya and Sudan since 2023, according to a US Congress report.
Angola's Changing Foreign Relations
Angola has traditionally maintained close ties with Russia. During the country's 1975-2002 civil war, the Soviet Union and Cuba backed the MPLA, while the United States and apartheid-era South Africa supported rival groups, including UNITA.
Since taking office in 2017, President João Lourenço has sought to strengthen relations with the United States and Europe while maintaining Angola's important oil-exporting economy.
Elsewhere in Africa, Madagascar's President Michael Randrianirina has strengthened relations with Russia since taking power in a coup in October 2025. Russians now serve in his presidential guard, and a weekly television programme on Madagascar-Russia relations was launched earlier this month.
Appeals Under Way
Two Angolan defendants were also tried in the case. Sports journalist Carlos Tomé received a suspended two-year prison sentence, while Francisco de Oliveira, secretary-general of UNITA's youth wing, was acquitted.
Portuguese news agency Lusa reported that prosecutors have appealed both of those outcomes. Lakshtanov and Ratchin have also appealed against their convictions but will remain in custody while the appeal process continues.

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26 July 2026

• 5 comments
• 420 views

webfact

July 25Jul 25

Berlin Pride Cancelled After Vehicle Hits Crowd

BREAKING NEWS

Berlin Pride Cancelled After Vehicle Hits Crowd

Several people were injured at Berlin's annual Pride celebrations on Saturday after a vehicle reportedly drove into a crowd near Tiergarten park, according to police.
Vehicle Incident at Pride Event
Emergency services responded to the scene in the city centre, where the injured were being treated. Police said the exact number of casualties had not yet been confirmed.
Police Launch Manhunt
Authorities said an intensive manhunt was under way and urged people to avoid the area while the operation continued.
In a statement posted on social media, police said they believed a vehicle had entered Tiergarten park, struck several people and caused multiple injuries.
A large number of police officers and fire department rescue units were deployed to the scene as the emergency response continued.
Pride Event Cancelled
Organisers cancelled the remainder of the annual Christopher Street Day celebrations following the incident.
Images from the scene showed a heavy emergency services presence, with at least one injured person being taken away by ambulance on a stretcher.
Earlier in the day, large crowds had joined the Pride parade through central Berlin before gathering near Tiergarten park for evening events.
Police have not released further details about the vehicle or the circumstances surrounding the incident, and the investigation is ongoing.


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26 July 2026

• Report

• 126 comments
• 634 views

webfact

July 25Jul 25

UK Rejects Palestinian Woman’s Visa but Approves Husband’s

UK-Politics

UK Rejects Palestinian Woman’s Visa but Approves Husband’s

A Palestinian woman from East Jerusalem has been refused a UK visitor visa while her husband’s application was approved, forcing the couple to cancel plans to visit their son in London.

Karim Abdallah, who has lived and worked legally in the UK since 2019, had invited his parents, Therese Abdallah, 69, and her husband, Ghassan Abdallah, to spend several weeks with him. Therese is a retired English teacher, while Ghassan works as a psychologist.
Family Visit Cancelled
The couple had previously travelled to the UK on academic visits without encountering visa difficulties. However, the Home Office rejected Therese’s latest application, saying officials were not convinced she was a genuine visitor who would leave the UK at the end of her stay. Ghassan’s application, submitted through the same process, was approved.
Concerns Over Return Home
In its refusal letter, the Home Office said Therese’s ties to the UK outweighed her connections to her home country and concluded it was not satisfied, "on the balance of probabilities", that she intended to leave after her visit.
The decision came despite the couple applying together with the same invitation from Karim and his partner, who also provided evidence that they could financially support the visit.
Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem occupy a distinctive legal position. They are not Israeli citizens but hold Israeli and Jordanian travel documents. Because Therese needed separate visas for both the UK and a family wedding in Ireland, she submitted one application using her Israeli travel document and another using her Jordanian document.
Karim said his mother had previously been refused a UK visa in 2019 due to a technical issue involving a bank statement submitted in Hebrew.
The latest refusal also informed Therese that she had no right to appeal or request an administrative review.
Strong Family and Community Links
According to Karim, his mother has deep roots in East Jerusalem, where she was born and has lived all her life. Although he lives in the UK, his brother, an oncologist, remains in East Jerusalem with his wife, children and extended family.
Karim said his mother would have no reason to remain in Britain, noting that spending too long outside East Jerusalem could jeopardise her residency status.
He said he had lived lawfully in the UK for several years, worked, paid taxes and did not receive state benefits. He added that he had been looking forward to taking his parents to attractions including Kew Gardens and attending a family wedding in Ireland before the visa refusal disrupted their plans.
Home Office Response
A Home Office spokesperson declined to comment on the individual case but said all visa applications are assessed on their own merits and on the evidence submitted, including any previous visa refusals.

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25 July 2026

• 30 comments
• 484 views

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July 25Jul 25

ICC Members Vote to Remove Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan

Report

ICC Members Vote to Remove Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan

Member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) have voted to remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan following findings that he committed serious misconduct linked to sexual misconduct allegations.

Khan, who became the court's third chief prosecutor in 2021, was suspended last month. At a special session in New York, the Assembly of States Parties, representing the ICC's 125 member states, voted 82-0 in favour of dismissing him.
The court's oversight body concluded in June that Khan had committed a "serious breach of duty and serious misconduct" by engaging in an improper sexual relationship with a junior staff member and attempting to prevent her from pursuing her complaint.
ICC members back dismissal
Khan has consistently denied the allegations. His lawyer said he would challenge what he described as the "lawfulness and fairness" of the decision through all available legal means. It remains unclear what legal options are still available following his dismissal.
In a statement after the vote, the ICC acknowledged the decision of its member states and said it remained committed to maintaining "a safe, inclusive, and respectful working environment for all personnel".
Long-running investigation
The allegations against Khan first surfaced in May 2024, when claims of sexual misconduct involving a female staff member were reported to the ICC by a third party.
The court's Independent Oversight Mechanism (IOM) initially opened an investigation but later closed the case after the alleged victim chose not to participate. Critics said the handling of the investigation damaged confidence in the oversight process, while investigators said there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations.
A second referral was made in October 2024, prompting the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) to launch a wider investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of authority.
The inquiry, which ran from November 2024 until December 2025, examined more than 5,000 pages of evidence and witness testimony. Its findings were later reviewed by a panel of three judges, who advised on whether Khan's conduct amounted to serious misconduct.
Khan has been on voluntary leave since May 2025 while contesting the allegations. He also remains suspended from practising law in the UK after the Bar Standards Board imposed an interim ban during its own investigation.
Court faces wider political pressure
Khan was unable to attend the vote at United Nations headquarters because he is barred from entering the United States under sanctions imposed by the Trump administration.
Those sanctions followed Khan's decision to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged crimes connected to the war in Gaza.
The case has unfolded during a period of mounting political pressure on the ICC, with supporters warning the controversy could weaken the world's only permanent international war crimes tribunal.
Earlier this month, the United States announced a wider campaign to dismantle the court "brick by brick", describing it as a threat to US sovereignty. The measures include visa restrictions, asset freezes and diplomatic pressure on allies to withdraw from the ICC or reject its jurisdiction over their nationals.
The United States, Russia and Israel are not members of the ICC. However, the court can exercise jurisdiction over crimes committed by their nationals on the territory of ICC member states.

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25 July 2026

• 8 comments
• 470 views

webfact

July 25Jul 25

Trump Threatens EU Probe Over US Tech Company Fines

Trump

Trump Threatens EU Probe Over US Tech Company Fines

US President Donald Trump has threatened to investigate the European Union and impose new tariffs in response to fines levied against major American technology companies.

The warning comes days after the European Commission fined Google €890 million ($1 billion), saying the company had operated in a way that unfairly disadvantaged rivals to its services.
Trump Targets EU Over Penalties on US Tech Firms
In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused the EU of unfairly targeting US firms, naming Google, Apple, Meta and Amazon. He warned that Europe would face a "very big price" for its actions.
"The United States of America is not a 'PIGGYBANK' for Europe, nor will we allow it to be!" he wrote.
Trade Investigation and Tariff Threat
Trump said the penalties imposed on US companies should be "entirely reversed" and announced plans to launch a Section 301 trade investigation into the EU. He also said he was considering imposing "a substantial TARIFF" on the bloc.
Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 authorises the Office of the United States Trade Representative to investigate and respond to trade practices deemed unfair. The Trump administration has opened several such investigations since returning to office last year.
The latest threat follows Trump's announcement a day earlier of tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on imports from 60 trading partners, including the EU, the UK and China.
Last month, he also warned of a 100% import tariff on any European country introducing a digital services tax targeting American technology companies, although several European nations have had such taxes in place for years.
Google Responds as Other Companies Await Comment
Google said it had worked to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act despite concerns about recent regulatory decisions.
"We have worked hard to comply with Europe's Digital Markets Act but have expressed our concerns about the impact of recent EC decisions," Google spokesman José Castañeda told the BBC. He added that the company appreciated the engagement of the US administration.
Trump also claimed that Apple had been fined $15 billion by the EU, Meta $3 billion and Amazon $2.5 billion. However, it was unclear where those figures originated.
The European Commission, along with Apple, Meta and Amazon, has been asked to comment.
Long-Running Regulatory Disputes
Shortly before the 2024 US presidential election, Trump said Apple chief executive Tim Cook had called him to complain about penalties imposed by European regulators. The conversation followed Apple's defeat in a long-running dispute over unpaid taxes.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has faced multiple EU penalties for breaches of privacy and competition rules. It is also under scrutiny over claims that some features of its apps are addictive. Last year, Meta accused the EU of attempting to disadvantage successful American businesses.
Amazon has also faced investigations by European regulators but has largely avoided major financial penalties. In 2022, it agreed to change some of its business practices following an investigation by the European Commission.
Separately, Luxembourg's data protection authority fined Amazon more than $800 million over alleged breaches of the General Data Protection Regulation, but that decision was overturned last year.

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25 July 2026

• USA

• 5 comments
• 471 views

webfact

July 25Jul 25

Trump Criticises Media at White House Correspondents' Dinner

USA

Trump Criticises Media at White House Correspondents' Dinner

US President Donald Trump mixed praise with sharp criticism of the media during the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) dinner, as the event returned three months after its first gathering was cut short by a shooting.

The annual dinner celebrated press freedom while honouring journalists and others affected by the attack, which forced the cancellation of the April event.
Event Returns After April Shooting
Opening the evening, outgoing WHCA President Weijia Jiang of CBS News said the association would not allow the April attack to define the event, declaring that it would return to the Washington Hilton next year.
Trump presented an award to US Secret Service officer Victor Gonzalez, who was wounded while responding to the shooting, recognising his actions during the incident.
The president also congratulated award recipients from several news organisations, including a team from the Wall Street Journal recognised for its reporting on Trump's links to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump Alternates Between Praise and Criticism
Before the dinner, many White House correspondents expected Trump to deliver a forceful attack on the media, given his long-running disputes with several news organisations, including The New York Times, CNN and The Wall Street Journal.
At times, Trump's remarks were light-hearted. He joked that "the second time is always better" and repeated a line from the cancelled event, saying, "The show must go on." He also said he respected "most" journalists.
However, his speech soon shifted to familiar criticism of the press. Trump accused many journalists in the room of suffering from "Trump Derangement Syndrome" and joked that the dinner represented the largest gathering of such people.
He also suggested some reporters were fortunate the earlier event had been interrupted, saying he had planned to criticise them more extensively.
The president joked that the news industry would struggle once he leaves office because there would be "nobody to report on". He later put on a "Trump 2028" hat and joked about seeking another presidential term.
Call for Free Speech
Despite his criticism of the media, Trump urged Americans to resolve disagreements peacefully and defend freedom of speech.
"We settle our differences not with bullets, but with open and vigorous debate," he said, adding that violence should never be allowed to silence public discussion.
The president appeared relaxed throughout much of the evening, joking that he sometimes believed members of the press simply did not like him. His hour-long speech also included criticism of Democratic politicians and several public figures.
Heightened Security
The dinner took place against a backdrop of continued tension between the White House and the media. Last week, Trump threatened to revoke the licences of several US television networks after they declined to broadcast his primetime speech on election security.
Attendance at the gala was significantly lower than at the original April event, with around 700 guests compared with more than 2,000 previously.
Security was substantially increased. Roads around the hotel were closed, police and National Guard personnel were deployed, and guests underwent multiple security checks before entering the venue. At one stage, attendees were directed to walk in single file past armed Secret Service officers.
The man accused of carrying out the April attack, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, has been charged with attempting to assassinate the President of the United States. Investigators said he was tackled by agents before reaching a staircase leading to the ballroom where the dinner was beginning.
Among those attending Saturday's event were Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, FBI Director Kash Patel, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.


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25 July 2026

• 11 comments
• 486 views

webfact

July 25Jul 25

Trump Moves to Dismantle ICC 'Brick by Brick'

Trump

Trump Moves to Dismantle ICC 'Brick by Brick'

Donald Trump’s administration has announced a campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court “brick by brick”, stepping up pressure on the court and on countries that continue to work with it.

The US move comes amid a wider retreat from parts of the post-war international framework. The administration has pulled funding from dozens of international institutions, shut down USAID, and withdrew from the Paris climate agreement. It has also signalled it would not automatically come to the aid of allies under attack, and the article says the “Board of Peace” is intended to sideline the United Nations.
US drive against the ICC
Last week, the US State Department said it wants to break up the ICC’s authority and infrastructure. It said the approach would involve “increased scrutiny” of countries that do not reject what it called the ICC’s “false authority” while still receiving US assistance, with particular focus on states that benefit from the US “security umbrella”.
The policy is set out as official US action rather than an informal threat. The article describes it as a sustained effort backed by planning and enforcement, rather than a short-lived political message.
Sanctions aimed at judges, officials and partners
Travel restrictions and sanctions have already been imposed on judges and senior court officials, and further measures are expected.
The article says individuals targeted by sanctions can find themselves cut off from key parts of daily life and commerce. It cites examples such as personal bank accounts being closed and a range of US-based services becoming inaccessible, including ride-hailing and booking platforms. It also notes that email access can be blocked because major providers are based in the United States, and says the court may need to shift or back up evidence stored on Microsoft systems.
The campaign also includes cooperation with other countries outside the ICC, and the article says this could align the US with states such as Russia and China.
UK role and the court’s internal crisis
As one of the court’s major backers, the United Kingdom is likely to be among the countries drawn into the US scrutiny. The article says the UK contributes just over £15m a year and is the fourth largest donor after Japan, Germany and France.
The ICC’s vulnerabilities are also internal. The article reports that two women, including an ICC staff member, have accused Karim Khan, the court’s chief prosecutor, of sexual abuse. It says the ICC’s executive committee voted last month to suspend him after concluding he committed serious misconduct, though Khan denies wrongdoing. The court’s 125 member states are due to vote this Friday on whether to remove him from office.
The article also cites criticism of the ICC’s record. It says the court has struggled with major cases, including those involving Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto, accused over Kenya’s post-election violence in 2007-08. It adds that as the ICC delayed, witnesses disappeared and the cases collapsed after Kenyatta and Ruto later won elections.
The article says these weaknesses may make it harder for the court’s supporters to defend it. It argues that even so, the ICC’s existence continues to affect perceptions and decision-making by keeping arrest risks and indictments in play for senior figures, including figures such as Israel’s prime minister and Russia’s president, and it notes that Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, is on trial for crimes against humanity.
It also references Luis Moreno Ocampo, the ICC’s first chief prosecutor, who said the administration views the court as a barrier and fears it could become a target after leaving office.


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25 July 2026

• 56 comments
• 533 views

webfact

July 25Jul 25

Mass Evacuations as Wildfires Sweep France and Spain

Fire

Mass Evacuations as Wildfires Sweep France and Spain

Tens of thousands of people fled wildfires in south-west France on Friday, while Spain declared a national emergency as several large fires merged outside Madrid and hot, dry conditions fuelled the blazes.

In France, authorities ordered the full evacuation of the Cap Ferret peninsula, an Atlantic Coast tourist hotspot. With two major fires threatening homes and campsites, emergency services sent boats to move people to safety.
France orders full evacuation
About 110,000 people, many of them visitors, were told to leave, officials said. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said one of the fires was “convective”, meaning it could sustain itself, change direction and move mainly eastward, towards the Bordeaux metropolitan area.
A second major fire, which began near Saumos north of Cap Ferret, threatened to cut off the peninsula’s only road and was the largest blaze in France so far this season, Nunez said. France’s interior ministry said the fire had scorched more than 14,000 hectares of forest and destroyed more than 100 homes and one campsite.
Yoan Urien, who evacuated from Biscarrosse after police ordered his neighbourhood to leave late on Thursday, said he could see the fires from his home. “We could see the clouds becoming darker and darker,” he told Reuters. Marie Duelz, a Belgian tourist at Cap Ferret, said she saw a plume of ash that blocked the sun.
French President Emmanuel Macron asked for army support for firefighting, a source close to the president said. Both France and Spain, dealing with successive heatwaves and wildfires in recent years that scientists say are worsened by climate change, also sought assistance from the European Union as emergency services were stretched.
Spain declares national emergency
In Spain, more than 19,000 people were ordered to evacuate from towns in the mountains west of Madrid. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said over 2,000 personnel and 10 aircraft had been deployed in attempts to stop the fires from converging.
The national emergency was the first Spain had ever declared over a wildfire, and it allowed federal funding to be released to respond to the crisis. Madrid regional leader Isabel Díaz Ayuso said the fires had merged and called it “the worst wildfire in our region’s history”, blaming very high temperatures and winds that did not ease.
Evacuees described scenes of sudden danger. Enrique Martin, sheltering in Cebreros west of Madrid, said he had to run from his house after seeing “a ball of fire”. He added that taking only a few more minutes would have put his home at risk.
A third fire in Avila province was on the verge of joining, or may already have joined, the two major blazes near Madrid, Spain’s government representative for Castile and León, Nicanor Sen, said. Spanish police said they had arrested one person and were investigating another person suspected of starting that fire using heavy machinery in a prohibited area.
Grande-Marlaska said the government’s decision to declare an emergency was shaped by the dense population in the west of Madrid, where many residents have second homes. Díaz Ayuso said that in one development, 43 homes had been destroyed.
Regional help and worsening heat
After a short reprieve over the weekend, France’s temperatures are expected to rise sharply again next week, according to Meteo France. The high temperatures could warm rivers used to cool nuclear reactors, potentially leading to reduced power output. EDF data showed the Golfech 2 reactor in southern France has remained offline since July 7 due to heat-related restrictions.
The heat has also affected agriculture. Weeks of hot weather are taking a toll on the condition of the maize crop in France.
Across Europe, wildfires have already burned more land this year than the annual average over the past two decades, data shows, as the continent has endured three close together heatwaves. Scientists have said human-driven climate change increases the intensity of heatwaves, droughts and wildfires and can also create conditions for sudden, destructive storms.
Authorities said Greece was sending two firefighting aircraft to Spain, Croatia was providing a plane and staff to help France, and Italy was dispatching a firefighting plane to Tunisia, which is also dealing with wildfires.


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25 July 2026

• 10 comments
• 873 views

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July 24Jul 24

US Measles Cases Hit 35-Year High for Second Year

USA

US Measles Cases Hit 35-Year High for Second Year

Measles cases in the United States have reached a 35-year high for a second year in a row, according to data compiled by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). By just over halfway through 2026, the country has recorded more cases than in any year since 1991, surpassing the level reached last year.

Although the disease was declared eliminated in the US in 2000, more cases have been logged in the past 18 months than in the previous 25 years combined. Dozens of new cases are reported to the CDC each week, with several large outbreaks continuing from 2025 and others emerging in different parts of the country.
“This essentially is a public health failure, and it’s avoidable,” said Dr Andrew Racine, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Racine said most cases involve children and that nearly all of them are unvaccinated.
Record totals and linked outbreaks
Responding to measles outbreaks has become a persistent challenge for public health agencies. The CDC data show multiple outbreaks that began in 2025 continued into 2026, and new exposures have led to additional large outbreaks affecting much of the country.
South Carolina has recorded more measles cases in 2026 than any other state. In Spartanburg County, an outbreak began in October and grew to nearly 1,000 cases before ending in April, making it the largest in the US in decades.
Neely, the Rev. Scott Neely’s Unitarian Universalist Church of Spartanburg, was described as sitting in the centre of the outbreak. He said he initially felt insulated, but contact tracing later found a link: on the first Friday of 2026, the state health department reached out after a person with measles had attended the church’s annual Christmas brunch. Neely said the event potentially exposed dozens of attendees.
Tracing spread after no guest list
Neely said there was no list of who attended the potluck-style brunch, which was led by congregation volunteers and open to community members. To continue the investigation, the South Carolina Department of Public Health asked for names so staff could follow the chain of exposures and reduce further spread.
Messages were exchanged quickly among church leadership and workers. Within hours, someone shared a photo taken in the room. Neely said a team effort was then used to identify people in the image, collect contact information and pass it to the health department.
He said he did not hear further updates from the state and that transmission appeared not to extend beyond the initial exposure, which he attributed to high vaccination rates within the congregation. Neely said the experience showed how time-consuming contact tracing can be, while also reinforcing the role of vaccination.
“This story was a community trying to figure out what to do in real time,” he said, adding that cooperation and vaccinations helped.
At least 2,318 cases have been reported in 2026, with more than five months left in the year, and the total has already passed last year’s figure. Nearly 2,300 cases were reported in 2025, about 12 times the annual average since measles was declared eliminated and the worst year in more than three decades.
More than 90% of 2026 cases are linked to outbreaks and involve people who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown, the CDC data show. Most cases this year are connected to outbreaks that started last year, including one that began along the Utah-Arizona state line and has been continuing for more than a year. International health officials are set to assess in November whether the US can still claim measles elimination status.
Strain on investigation teams
Health officials say measles is extremely contagious and investigations are labour-intensive. Dr Farrell Tobolowsky, medical director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health’s communicable disease programme, said investigators were activated after exposures from just two cases in April and that the department would struggle to handle more than one case without additional staff, amid pressures following public health funding cuts.
Virginia has seen outbreaks concentrated around lower coverage pockets despite high overall vaccination rates. In Buckingham County, an outbreak that began after a case was detected in May has been linked to more than 150 cases, with local staff meeting residents, interviewing families and working with healthcare providers. The state also used a mobile care team for testing and support at home.
In Pennsylvania’s Lancaster County, the state health department said the outbreak has continued to grow, with more than 100 cases reported this year. A spokesperson said none had received both recommended doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, and added that two doses provide 97% lifetime protection.
In South Carolina, after the January scramble, Neely said the church began hosting mobile vaccination clinics as part of the response.


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25 July 2026

• Health

• 83 comments
• 585 views

webfact

July 24Jul 24

SK Chairman Ordered to Pay Ex-Wife $644M

Report

SK Chairman Ordered to Pay Ex-Wife $644M

A South Korean court has ordered SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won to pay 944bn won (£483m; $644m) to his ex-wife, Roh Soh-yeong, in a divorce case that has been closely followed in the country.

The award, which still needs to be finalised, is lower than the 1.38tn won Chey was told to pay in an earlier ruling in 2024. The court’s decision comes more than a decade after Chey and Roh’s marriage, which lasted 35 years, ended following revelations that Chey had fathered a child with another woman.
Court order and amount
Roh’s legal team had sought a division of assets after the couple’s separation, arguing that Chey benefited from support linked to her father, Roh Tae-woo, who was president of South Korea between 1988 and 1993.
Under the latest court outcome, Chey has been instructed to pay Roh 944bn won, with the figure set out as part of asset division in the divorce proceedings.
Chey’s lawyers said after the verdict that Chey is “deeply sorry” that the case has caused concern, adding that they would set out a specific response after reviewing the ruling in detail.
Earlier ruling overturned at Supreme Court
In 2024, the court had determined that Roh Tae-woo gave Chey 30bn won from a slush fund in 1991. It then ordered Chey to pay Roh 1.38tn won as part of the divorce settlement.
However, the Supreme Court overturned the 2024 verdict last year, ruling that the slush funds had been illegally obtained and therefore could not be treated as part of the couple’s assets for the purpose of dividing property during the divorce.
That Supreme Court decision narrowed what could be considered in determining the settlement, leading to the renewed order now being reported by South Korean media.
SK Group ties and recent market momentum
SK Group is one of South Korea’s major family-run conglomerates, known as chaebols, which play a dominant role in the country’s economy.
The group began as a textile business in 1953 before expanding into multiple industries and becoming the second-largest chaebol after Samsung. Its businesses are present in everyday consumer life, including SK Telecom phone services and SK-branded fuel stations.
SK Group’s global profile has risen further through SK Hynix, its semiconductor arm. SK Hynix supplies chips to Nvidia and recently marked a record-setting debut on the US stock market.
As SK Hynix’s valuation climbed amid strong demand for AI-related chips, SK Group and Chey’s prominence have increased. In May, SK Hynix surpassed $1tn on the South Korean stock market. The company also raised $26.5bn in a New York share offering described as the largest listing by a foreign firm in the US.
In the latest developments around Chey’s public standing, President Lee Jae Myung last month praised Chey during the launch of a landmark AI investment plan, alongside Samsung chairman JY Lee, describing both as “Heroes of Korean People”.

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25 July 2026

• 0 comments
• 425 views

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July 24Jul 24

Record 165 Migrants Arrive In Dover On One Boat

UK-Asylum crisis

Record 165 Migrants Arrive In Dover On One Boat

A record 165 migrants reached the UK in a single Channel crossing, the Home Office said, after the boat arrived in Dover on Thursday afternoon.

The new figure surpassed the previous peak recorded in July, when 128 people travelled from France in one vessel.
Record crossing in Dover
Border Security Command released images showing officers towing a “mega dinghy” estimated at 13m (42ft) long, roughly the size of a standard bus.
In comments provided with the confirmation, a Home Office spokesperson said the arrival was a “stark reminder” that criminal gangs have “no regard” for the safety of people they claim to be helping. They added: “The reality is clear and lives are being lost in the Channel”.
Death toll and safety concerns
The University of Oxford’s Migration Observatory said 162 people died in the Channel between 2018 and 2025.
It said the wider total rises to 257 when deaths linked to migration are included, including accidents involving people trying to board lorries bound for the UK.
Care4Calais said the route was becoming more dangerous as crossings involved more people per boat. Sydney Sopher, from the refugee charity, said the UK and French governments have spent years focusing on border security and enforcement, but that this had made Channel crossings more and more dangerous.
He said the charity has called for governments to open safe routes, arguing that enforcement without such options continues to push people into unsafe attempts.
Sopher pointed to the discovery of a body on a beach in Berck days earlier and said the deaths were preventable. He added that the charity believes the tragedies could be stopped overnight by opening safe routes.
Home Office figures and France deal
The Home Office said a new deal with France, signed in April, is intended to prevent “perilous journeys” by boosting enforcement action on beaches.
It said the measure would build on more than 45,000 attempted crossings stopped since the 2024 election.
Home Office figures showed 366 people arrived in the UK on three boats on Thursday during warm, sunny weather with calm conditions at sea. Some 172 people made the journey on Wednesday, ending an 11-day hiatus linked to wind in the Channel.
Combined, the Home Office recorded 538 arrivals across Wednesday and Thursday together.
Officials recorded 13,007 arrivals so far this year. The total is 45% lower than the number logged at this point last year and down 18% compared with the same period in 2024.
Many migrants come from some of the poorest, most oppressive and most chaotic parts of the world, and they typically ask to claim asylum once they are picked up by UK authorities.


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25 July 2026

• 20 comments
• 435 views

webfact

July 24Jul 24

Irish Police Stop Bomb Bound for Northern Ireland

Report

Irish Police Stop Bomb Bound for Northern Ireland

A car carrying an “extremely significant” explosive device was intercepted in the Republic of Ireland as it was being driven towards Northern Ireland, Irish police said.

Gardaí said the vehicle was stopped in County Monaghan on Wednesday during an operation focused on dissident republican activity. Police in Northern Ireland believe the bomb was intended for an attack on a police facility north of the border.
Northern Ireland’s main theory is that the device was being transported for use against a police station in the region. Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly confirmed on Friday that officers had found an explosive device after the car was stopped on the N2 near Carrickmacross at about 15:00.
Arrests and court appearance
A woman in her 20s has been charged and is due to appear in court in County Meath on Friday evening. A man in his 40s remains in custody, gardaí said.
Gardaí said the operation was intelligence-led and targeted individuals believed to be involved.
Police sources in Northern Ireland believe the New IRA was likely responsible for the planned attack.
“Extremely significant” device defused
Kelly said the incident was a serious concern but described it as part of an ongoing threat faced by the authorities from a small group of dissident republicans who have not accepted the Good Friday Agreement process for removing weapons and explosives.
“The bomb was not just components or pieces,” Kelly said. “This was an explosive device and it would have or could have potentially caused significant damage.”
Ireland’s Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan described the find as “very worrying”, adding that it showed there was an ongoing threat from dissident republican activity. He said gardaí had been able to apprehend a suspect and that the device had been defused.
Kelly said officers had information about those involved.
RTÉ reported that gardaí sources said the device included a power unit, a detonator and military-grade explosives.
Officials praise cross-border response
Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant thanked gardaí for their “quick, decisive action”, saying the interception of a dangerous device helped keep communities safe on both sides of the border. He said cross-border security cooperation remained vital.
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said the seizure and arrests underlined joint commitment to addressing threats posed by violent dissident republican groups. He said the PSNI would continue to liaise closely with An Garda Síochána and offer support as required.
Political reaction
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill said the bomb reflected a “wreckers’ agenda” and that those responsible had no support for her communities.
Democratic Unionist Party leader Gavin Robinson said the incident raised questions about how the Irish government was assessing the threat from dissident republican terrorism and whether its response matched the level of danger.
Alliance Justice Minister Naomi Long said she “unequivocally” condemned the actions, saying there could be no justification for efforts intended to endanger lives.
Ulster Unionist Party deputy leader Diana Armstrong thanked An Garda Síochána for professionalism and swift action.
Social Democratic and Labour Party MP Colum Eastwood said the incident would bring back difficult memories for many, adding that violence harms communities and tears families apart.
Fine Gael’s David Maxwell, who represents Cavan-Monaghan, thanked gardaí for stopping the device crossing the border and said the Irish Defence Forces had helped make it safe.
Dissident republicans: background
The term “dissident republicans” covers individuals and groups that do not accept the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which ended the worst of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
The Provisional IRA, the main armed republican organisation during the conflict, declared a ceasefire before the deal and ended its armed campaign in 2005. Dissident republican groups include breakaway factions such as the Continuity IRA and the New IRA, which are smaller than the Provisional IRA but have access to high-calibre weapons. They have used improvised explosive devices and mortars in attacks and attempted attacks.


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25 July 2026

• UK

• 3 comments
• 619 views

webfact

July 24Jul 24

US Imposes New Tariffs on 60 Trading Partners

USA

US Imposes New Tariffs on 60 Trading Partners

The United States has imposed new tariffs on 60 trading partners, extending a fresh phase of its trade dispute, which was reignited after President Donald Trump returned to office last year.

The duties, which apply to almost all US imports, will be set at 10% to 12.5% on goods from the targeted countries. The move replaces an identical tariff regime that expires on Friday, according to the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR).
New duties replace expiring levy
The latest measure covers the top 60 US trade partners and accounts for 99.4% of American imports, the USTR said.
The White House proposed the tariff range last month, citing concerns that key economic partners had not done enough to tackle forced labour.
USTR Jamieson Greer said the action would “begin to correct” both what he described as a human rights abuse and a trade practice that distorts markets, adding that it aimed to improve the welfare of workers.
In comments provided to the BBC’s Today programme, US trade expert Caroline Freund said the swap was “like for like” and that the administration was maintaining a similar framework after the previous one ended.
Court ruling in the background
The new tariffs follow an earlier decision by the US Supreme Court, which this year ruled that many of the emergency-based tariffs imposed around the world were illegally enacted.
Friends and critics have pointed to the legal context in explaining why the Trump administration has sought alternative grounds for imposing import duties. Freund said the forced-labour justification did not reflect the central purpose of the policy, adding that Trump was looking for a legal basis to introduce and retain the tariffs.
Other analysis suggested the impact on businesses and consumers could be moderated by exemptions covering some goods, said Wendy Cutler of the Asia Society Policy Institute.
Cutler said many trading partners were likely to respond by pursuing arrangements that reduce dependence on the US.
UK, China and EU among targets
The United Kingdom, China and the European Union are among those affected by the new duties.
The head of the British Chambers of Commerce, William Bain, said the UK had lost comparative advantages against the EU as a result of the tariffs. He told the BBC that the EU already has a 10% all-inclusive deal for tariffs on its goods, while the UK faces a 10% universal tariff on top of duties imposed on individual products.
David Henig, director of UK trade policy at the European Centre for International Political Economy, said the UK had “slightly moved backwards”, adding that the outcome could change quickly under Trump.
The UK government said firms would face no change to the tariff rate the UK is subject to. A government spokesperson said the UK takes forced labour seriously and is working so that businesses are not complicit in global supply chains.
It also said UK whisky would not be affected after Trump agreed to exempt the product during King Charles and Queen Camilla’s state visit to the US.
Reactions from other governments
Brazil’s government called the new 12.5% rate “unjustified”. Japan said it regretted the tariffs, while Australia’s trade minister, Don Farrell, described the levies as “completely unjustified”.
China previously opposed unilateral tariff measures and denied forced-labour allegations. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, said there was “no so-called forced labour in China” and that such claims were used for “political manipulation”. Several international human rights groups have said forced labour exists in China, particularly among Muslim ethnic minorities in Xinjiang.
Trump has long argued that tariffs protect American workers and support US economic growth. In April 2025, he imposed tariffs of up to 50% on global trading partners in a campaign described as “Liberation Day”, but the Supreme Court later struck them down and said the president had exceeded his authority, leading to tens of billions of dollars in refunds.
The White House then pursued other approaches, including a broad 10% levy that expired on Friday, and Washington has also imposed tariffs on countries such as Brazil and Canada. The US and China remain involved in a tit-for-tat tariff dispute that is currently on hold, while the administration has used tariffs to press other countries on non-trade issues, including Mexico.
The White House may also impose further tariffs, with investigations underway into 16 countries over claims of manufacturing overcapacity, covering a large share of US imports.


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25 July 2026

• 47 comments
• 813 views

webfact

July 24Jul 24

Russian Missile Strike Kills 10 at Kyiv Drone Expo

Ukraine Conflict

Russian Missile Strike Kills 10 at Kyiv Drone Expo

At least 15 people have been killed in Russian attacks across Ukraine, including 10 who died when ballistic missiles struck a drone technology exhibition near Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said around 100 people were injured in the daytime attack, which targeted an event attended by leading figures from Ukraine's defence industry. He announced an investigation into the incident and said authorities were examining how the exhibition was organised and what security measures had been in place.
Missile attack hits defence technology exhibition
Ukraine's prosecutor general also said investigators were working to determine who authorised the event and whether adequate precautions had been taken.
According to Ukrainian air force spokesman Yuri Ihnat, Russia launched three ballistic missiles at the exhibition site, with Ukrainian air defences intercepting only one of them.
Russia acknowledged carrying out the strike. Its Defence Ministry said it had used high-precision long-range weapons against a venue where drones intended for attacks on civilian targets in Russia were being demonstrated. Moscow said drone manufacturers, members of Ukraine's drone forces and security personnel involved in planning strikes on Russian territory had been present.
The attack marks at least the third time since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 that a defence technology exhibition has been targeted.
Questions over event security
The strike prompted immediate concern over the safety of Defence Ministry adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov, known as Flash, and Lyuba Shypovych, who has worked on technology projects for the Ukrainian military.
Both later confirmed on social media that they were unharmed. Beskrestnov said he had chosen not to attend because of security concerns.
The attack has also triggered widespread criticism over the decision to hold a publicly advertised defence-related event during wartime, with many questioning whether it unnecessarily exposed participants to risk.
Separately, five people were killed in the eastern city of Sloviansk after Russian glide bomb attacks.
On Friday evening, Zelensky said intelligence reports suggested Russia was preparing another large-scale missile assault that could take place later that day or within the following 48 hours.
Ukraine strikes targets inside Russia
Ukraine also carried out overnight attacks deep inside Russian territory. Officials said six people were killed and 26 wounded in strikes on the city of Kirov, more than 1,000km from the front line.
Zelensky said Ukrainian forces had hit what he described as one of Russia's key military facilities, which supplies aircraft and missile components used in attacks on Ukraine.
Ukraine also targeted warehouses belonging to Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer, in the St Petersburg region. The attacks were the latest in a series against the company's logistics facilities over the past week.
Kyiv says it has expanded its targeting beyond oil infrastructure to logistics hubs that can be used to acquire military equipment, aiming to disrupt supplies reaching the Russian armed forces. The strikes have also affected many small and medium-sized businesses operating through the retailer.
Diplomatic moves continue
Zelensky is expected to travel to the United States next week and is scheduled to meet President Donald Trump on Tuesday, according to a White House official, as Washington attempts to restart peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
Trump ally Laura Loomer, who interviewed Zelensky in Kyiv on Friday, quoted the Ukrainian president as saying he also intended to attend the funeral of US Senator Lindsey Graham on the same day.
Elsewhere, Romanian President Nicusor Dan said a Romanian F-16 fighter jet shot down a Russian drone that entered the country's airspace on Friday. Romanian authorities had earlier issued air raid alerts across several eastern and south-eastern regions.


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25 July 2026

• 0 comments
• 409 views

webfact

July 24Jul 24

West Bank Shooting Kills Six Amid Conflicting Accounts

Middle East

West Bank Shooting Kills Six Amid Conflicting Accounts

At least four Palestinians and two Israelis have been killed in the occupied West Bank following a deadly shooting in the village of Tal, marking the deadliest single incident in the territory in several months.

Conflicting accounts have emerged over how the violence unfolded. Palestinian residents told the BBC that local people confronted a group of Jewish settlers who were attacking homes in the village before Israeli soldiers arrived and opened fire. Israel's military, however, said Palestinians initiated the violence by attacking Israeli hikers.
Deadly Violence Erupts in Northern West Bank
According to eyewitness Ahmed Zeidan, around 30 settlers entered Tal early in the morning, prompting residents to confront them. He said hand-to-hand clashes broke out while Israeli soldiers were present. Essam Saifi, a local leader from the Palestinian Authority's ruling Fatah movement, told Reuters that settlers opened fire before Israeli forces arrived and also began shooting. Palestinian officials said several other residents were wounded.
Israeli Military Gives Different Version
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said troops were responding to reports that Israeli civilians hiking in the area had come under attack. The military said the hike had not been coordinated with security forces.
According to the IDF, a security guard from a nearby settler outpost arrived at the scene, where a Palestinian seized his weapon and fatally shot him. Soldiers then killed the alleged attacker during the ensuing exchange of fire.
The military said four members of the same Palestinian family died during the confrontation. It also confirmed that a 27-year-old Israeli soldier was killed during operations in the area, although the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear. Two other Israelis were reported wounded.
Videos Circulate as Investigation Continues
Videos widely shared on local media, but not independently verified, appear to show confrontations involving Palestinians, Israeli soldiers and armed Israelis dressed in civilian clothing.
One clip shows a chaotic confrontation with gunfire while civilians, including children, watch nearby. Another appears to show two Palestinian men attempting to seize weapons, with one apparently succeeding before multiple shots are fired by both sides.
Israeli forces later raided a hospital in Nablus, saying they arrested two Palestinians suspected of involvement in the shooting after they sought medical treatment.
Political Tensions Escalate
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned what it described as a "massacre" in Tal, accusing the Israeli government of enabling settler violence through political support and impunity.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to respond "with full force against the terrorists and those who orchestrate and sponsor them". Following an emergency security meeting, his office announced that the home of the alleged Palestinian attacker would be demolished and that efforts to legalise unauthorised settler outposts and establish new ones would be accelerated.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Golan criticised the move, saying it demonstrated "a clear intent to set the area ablaze".
Further clashes were later reported in nearby villages, where dozens of armed settlers and Palestinians reportedly confronted one another. Local medics said several Palestinians were injured, including one person shot in the head in Farata.
Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for villages linked to the attackers to be treated in the same way as Gaza, saying the "enemy must suffer the loss of land and homes" for every Israeli killed.
Rising Violence Since Gaza War Began
Violence across the occupied West Bank has increased sharply since the Gaza war began following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023.
According to the United Nations, 1,114 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since then, most by Israeli forces, with at least 35 deaths involving settler attacks. During the same period, 41 Israelis, including civilians and security personnel, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations in the territory.
Israel has built hundreds of settlements housing around 700,000 Israelis across the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem since capturing the territories in the 1967 Middle East war. The settlements are considered illegal under international law, a position Israel disputes. Around 3.3 million Palestinians live in the same territory.

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25 July 2026

• Israel

• 8 comments
• 402 views

webfact

July 24Jul 24