French international news agency
Heatwaves are intensifying across Europe, with several countries recording near-record highs. Hospitals report strain as temperatures surpass 30C in many areas, while drought and wildfires push governments to implement urgent measures. The unusual heat, tied to persistent high-pressure systems, is prompting warnings and adaptation efforts.
Since January, a U.S. oil blockade has cut most foreign fuel shipments to Cuba and has pushed the island into its worst energy and economic crisis in decades. Repeated nationwide blackouts have occurred, hospitals and transport are strained, tourism has collapsed and Havana has approved limited economic reforms while secret U.S. intelligence and diplomatic contacts continue.
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has announced there will be no more elections and his congress has begun drafting constitutional changes to extend the presidential term and block opposition candidates. The proposal would make terms seven years and bar those labeled "traitors" or "coup plotters" from office; the UN and the US have condemned the moves.
Kenya faces rising political violence as youth goon squads stalk public events ahead of elections. Reports describe shootings, property damage and arrests linked to clashes in Kisumu and Nyahururu, with security forces promising firm action. Dozens of suspects have been detained as authorities warn violence will not go unpunished.
A Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen has returned to its origin after a window dislodged in flight, causing rapid decompression. A 61-year-old Serbian passenger remains in hospital with burns and neck injuries. Investigations are under way by Greek authorities, with international agencies also involved.
Smoke from hundreds of active wildfires in Canada has blanketed large parts of the US Midwest and Northeast and made air quality hazardous in cities including Detroit, Chicago and New York. Authorities have issued health alerts, opened cooling centres and distributed masks; officials expect rain to disperse some smoke but warn that pollution will linger in the Upper Midwest.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Maj. Gen. Mykhailo Drapatyi as Ukraine’s commander-in-chief after mass protests over the dismissal of reform-minded ex-defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Drapatyi, 43, is being welcomed as a moderniser; Fedorov has refused offered alternatives and his supporters are continuing street demonstrations while Russia keeps striking Ukrainian cities.
Protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party have forced Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign over exam leaks and irregularities. The movement, born online, has mobilized millions of Gen Z followers and spurred government actions, from a high-profile task force to a renewed push for exam reforms. The developments unfold as Prime Minister Modi grapples with youth frustration and political backlash.
Novo Nordisk has filed a US lawsuit accusing Eli Lilly of false advertising over weight‑loss and diabetes drugs, arguing Lilly used outdated trial data to claim superiority. Lilly defends its campaigns, citing SURMOUNT‑5 results. The case centers on GLP-1 treatments and the race for market dominance, with potential damages and corrective advertising at stake.
Tesla has reported weak Q2 profits and heavy capital spending on AI, robotaxis and humanoid robots, turning free cash flow negative and sending its shares sharply lower. SpaceX has fallen since its IPO and heavy short interest is piling up. Investors are demanding clearer timelines for robotaxi, Optimus and Tesla–SpaceX collaboration as capital needs rise.
Daniel Siad, 69, who is linked to Epstein’s trafficking network, has been found dead in Colombes, France. Investigators are conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of death while continuing to examine his alleged role in facilitating Epstein’s crimes.
UNESCO has placed several Lebanese cultural sites on its danger list amid ongoing Israel-Hezbollah clashes. Tyre and Beaufort Castle face threats to their conservation, with the Lebanese government requesting the designation. The move follows direct damage from recent hostilities and concerns over access, with UNESCO urging protection of the sites’ universal value.
Opposition figures in Tunisia remain in deteriorating health under a heatwave in overcrowded prisons. Families report extreme conditions as authorities refuse information, while protests mark five years since the emergency rule crystallizing tensions between Saied’s government and opponents.
The Department of Justice has withdrawn grand jury subpoenas that sought New York Times reporters' testimony and phone records after a federal judge sharply questioned the government's handling of the leak probe into reporting about President Trump's new Air Force One. The DOJ has said the investigation remains ongoing.
Since late July 2026, fast-moving wildfires have forced more than 200,000 people to flee across southwestern France and central Spain. Fires have scorched tens of thousands of hectares, pushed toward Bordeaux and areas west of Madrid, injured firefighters, prompted France to deploy soldiers and led Spain to declare a national emergency.
India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned amid mass student protests over exam leaks, marking a significant political development as the Cockroach Janta Party-led movement pushes for accountability and systemic reform.
A white van has driven into crowds in Tiergarten park near the Brandenburg Gate during Berlin’s Christopher Street Day on Saturday night. Police have said one woman has died, multiple people have been injured and an intensive manhunt has been under way for a suspect believed to have Islamist links.
Authorities have identified 21-year-old Abdul Ballout as the suspect who has driven a van into a crowd near Berlin’s Christopher Street Day closing party, then stabbed people; one woman has died and about 29–31 people have been injured. Police have shot and killed Ballout after a manhunt, and investigators have found a video and other material referencing Islamic State on devices linked to him.
China’s CXMT has raised about $8.6-9.8 billion in its STAR-market IPO, underscoring Beijing’s drive for tech self‑reliance. The stock surged on debut but faces headwinds from limited access to EUV tooling and ongoing competition from Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron. Analysts say long-term success depends on closing technology gaps, not investor enthusiasm.
Brazilian President Lula Da Silva is defending sovereignty as talks with the US fray over election interference fears. Milei’s rhetoric and Bolsonaros’ campaign moves intensify regional tensions ahead of Brazil’s October vote. Diplomatic spats include visa revocations and downgrades, amid a broader regional shift toward conservative leadership.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage has struck the Moon near Einstein Crater at about 5,400 mph, carving a new crater and launching a dust plume. South Korea’s Danuri orbiter has photographed the site and released images. NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is scheduled to image the impact next week while scientists begin analysing ejecta and crater formation.
Three women, aged 19, 24 and 36, have been hospitalised after a daytime knife assault in Paris’s Porte de Clichy. Two women are gravely wounded but their lives are not in danger. An off-duty police officer detained the suspect; motive is unclear as investigators weigh whether to launch a terrorism probe.
Keiko Fujimori has been sworn in as Peru’s president, vowing a hardline approach to crime and instability after a tumultuous decade of leadership. She pledges military involvement in high-crime areas during emergencies and seeks to bolster ties with the United States while addressing El Niño impacts and inequality.
Kenya Wildlife Service reports ten elephants showed partial paralysis and died within two days; five others were found dead in Kimana Sanctuary and Kuku Ranch areas. Preliminary tests suggest a potential toxic substance, while some analyses are negative. Environmental investigations are underway to identify a common source. Officials say there is no evidence of risk to humans.
Wildfires have ravaged large areas west of Madrid and across the Gironde and Landes regions, forcing tens of thousands to evacuate. Authorities report stabilisation in some areas, while heatwaves and drought deepen risk. Residents return home or relocate as the crisis continues to evolve in Spain, France and nearby countries.
Iran has launched multiple ballistic missiles at US forces in the Middle East. Interceptions have been reported, while pricing and markets react and a ceasefire effort is unsettled. The attack ends a brief pause in fighting and raises questions about next steps.
A major earthquake has struck Kyushu, Japan, triggering a collapse at a shopping mall and a mill chimney, with dozens dead or missing. Power and water outages affect tens of thousands as temperatures rise. Rescuers are racing to reach survivors amid aftershocks and ongoing heat.
The High Court has ruled on costs in the case involving Mitch Winehouse and Naomi Parry/Catriona Gourlay after an 11-week trial. ANL faces a potential indemnity costs award, with interim payments due in August. The court notes the overall costs exceed 34.5 million pounds, while the claimants’ insurance coverage stands at 16.2 million.
Poland has found debris and a 10m crater near Tarnawa-Kolonia after an object that Polish and NATO radars tracked disappeared from airspace and crashed; Warsaw and NATO say evidence points to a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile that crossed into Polish airspace during a large overnight Russian strike on Ukraine that has killed at least eight people.
The Spokane Complex Fires are burning near Spokane, Washington, with multiple blazes uncontained. Evacuations have intensified to tens of thousands, and authorities warn that hotter, drier conditions could worsen the situation. Firefighters are contending with wildland-urban interface terrain, extreme weather, and ongoing investigations into ignition sources. The outlook remains challenging as temperatures rise later in the week.
The United States and Saudi Arabia have signed a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement and a bilateral safeguards pact, but President Donald Trump has said the deal is conditional on Riyadh normalising relations with Israel. Officials and commentators are disputing whether the White House and Energy Department coordinated the announcement. Critics warn the pact weakens non‑proliferation safeguards and could spur a regional arms race.
The Board of Peace-backed roadmap has reached a final draft in Cairo, with Hamas accepting the framework while stipulations hinge on Israel’s withdrawal and disarmament. Mediators from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey push for a staged implementation, though Netanyahu’s position on disarmament and the timing of a withdrawal keep the plan in flux amid Israel’s elections.
Amazon has disclosed a $600 million tariff refund in Q2 after a Supreme Court ruling found Trump-era tariffs illegal. The refunds, largely benefiting customers, will be issued automatically where specific charges can be traced. Most refunds will go to affected buyers, with third-party sellers absorbing the bulk of the levies.
Prosecutors have moved to dismiss charges against former Olympian David Hearn after new documents show the Reflecting Pool damage resulted from a botched installation by a contractor, not vandalism. The White House has championed the project as part of America’s 250th anniversary preparations. The development follows Pirro’s admission of mischaracterizing the evidence and the Interior Department’s role in the case.
Massive Attack has been banned from returning to Singapore after two of its members displayed a Palestinian flag on stage and joined chants of Free Palestine during a July 29 show. Police say the actions could harm racial and religious harmony, issuing stern warnings and an entry ban. The band says the incident was a surreal expression of solidarity with Palestinians and that they are proud of the moment.
Joint letter from 22 EU members urges rapid, coordinated action to secure borders as about 60,000 migrants reach Ceuta from Morocco; most have returned, but the border spike triggers a Schengen debate and political backlash.
A framework for talks between Venezuela’s government and opposition has been agreed, focusing on reforming the judiciary, transparency in the use of frozen assets, and a potential path to elections. High-level discussions include bringing in reforms to the Supreme Tribunal of Justice and the National Electoral Council, while addressing post-earthquake relief and disaster recovery.
Ukraine has reported intensified Russian missiles and drones; Kyiv appeals for air defences as civilian casualties rise. Ukraine and its partners are negotiating further support and arms deliveries amid ongoing violence.
A small passenger plane carrying 13 people, including 11 foreign tourists and two crew, has crashed near Nazca, Peru, killing all aboard. The aircraft was operated by Aerodiana and had departed from Ica/Pisco for a sightseeing flight over the Nazca Lines. Authorities are investigating the cause amid strong winds that had disrupted flights earlier in the day.
Nadezhdin, a veteran Russian liberal politician, has posted a video from Paris stating he is alive and free but not in Russia as he reassesses next steps after facing detentions, a foreign agent designation, and a ban from September’s elections. He previously challenged Putin and planned to run in 2024 and 2026 elections but was barred amid a crackdown on dissent.
Three female lions die at Tama Zoological Park in Tokyo amid a record heatwave. Ten lions have fallen ill since mid-July, and staff are treating several others while air-conditioned enclosures and cooling measures are being deployed.
Guatemala’s Fuego volcano has erupted since Monday, spewing lava, ash and pyroclastic flows that have forced about 1,700 people from at least 18 communities and closed a major highway. Authorities have raised orange and red alerts in nearby departments, suspended some classes and warned that rain could trigger deadly lahars.
The Khalra case in Punjab remains a touchstone for human rights accountability after Paramjit Kaur Khalra and Sikh activists were subjected to disappearances, torture, and killings tied to state actions during the 1980s. Recent films and international attention rekindle debates over state accountability and freedom of expression.
Iran and Oman are nearing a bilateral arrangement to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. A temporary central corridor could allow normal oil traffic to resume while broader peace talks with the United States and other parties continue. Officials warn that any reopening remains contingent on U.S. actions and broader security guarantees.
Zelenskyy has warned that air-defence shortages could worsen as Russia launches a wave of ballistic missiles and drones. Ukraine is relying on allies for Patriot interceptors, with talks about domestic production and European partnerships intensifying. At least 17 people have been killed across Kyiv and surrounding areas, while drones have been largely shot down.
Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Lebanons Legal Agenda have released investigations finding that Israeli strikes on 22 April in al-Tiri have targeted journalists Amal Khalil and Zeinab Faraj, described the attacks as war crimes and said Israeli forces impeded rescue efforts. Israel has denied deliberately targeting journalists and said it struck Hezbollah-linked targets.
Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh have been naturalised in Brisbane after seeking asylum in Australia during Iran’s Women’s Asian Cup protest. Five teammates returned to Iran; the pair remain and are now Australian citizens, training with Brisbane Roar and calling Australia home.
Fighting has intensified in Yemen after Houthi missile, drone and naval strikes have killed dozens of pro-government fighters and civilians, damaged the port of Mocha and hit Saudi facilities including an Aramco site in Jazan. Government forces have launched coordinated counter‑attacks across Marib, Hadramawt, Taiz and the Red Sea coast and Saudi authorities are reinforcing defence ties.
Brazil has downgraded ties with Argentina amid a diplomatic spat linked to Brazil’s election cycle, while U.S. actions and regional acrimony intensify. Investigations into a deadly Brazilian air crash add to scrutiny of aviation safety and governance.
A 14-year-old student has killed multiple people at his home and at Debsirin Nonthaburi School on Bangkok’s outskirts and has taken his own life. Authorities have said the attacker shot his grandparents at home before firing at teachers and students; more than 30 people have been wounded and several remain in critical condition.