A large fire broke out at Libya’s biggest oil refinery in Zawiya after unknown attackers used drones to hit fuel tanks. Emergency teams are working to control the blaze, and so far no serious injuries have been reported. The situation shows ongoing instability as rival groups in Libya continue to struggle for power.
Key Facts
The Zawiya oil refinery west of Tripoli was struck by drones multiple times over two days.
A fuel tank holding about 4.5 million liters was hit and collapsed after catching fire.
Libya’s National Oil Corporation may stop refinery operations if attacks keep happening.
No serious injuries; most treated for smoke inhalation.
The refinery produces around 120,000 barrels of oil each day.
Similar attacks targeted a naphtha storage tank and a water desalination plant recently.
Libya remains divided between two main power groups since the fall of leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
The current conflict involves forces in the east led by Khalifa Haftar and the western government based in Tripoli.
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Syria’s former president Bashar al-Assad and Atef Najib, a former security official, were sentenced to death by a court in Damascus. They were found guilty of murder and torture linked to violent actions during Syria’s civil war in 2011.
Key Facts
Bashar al-Assad was sentenced to death for premeditated murder.
Atef Najib was sentenced to death for premeditated murder and torture.
The court ruled the actions in Deraa province were crimes against humanity.
The trial took place in Damascus, Syria’s capital.
The crimes occurred during the early stages of the Syrian civil war in 2011.
Ataf Najib was the former head of political security in Deraa province.
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A 29-year-old man has been arrested in Glasgow in connection with a racist attack on delivery driver Muhammad Jawad Yaqoob during protests last month. The man faces charges of racially-aggravated assault after throwing a traffic cone at Yaqoob, who was targeted with racial abuse. Police continue to investigate and plan more arrests.
Key Facts
The attack happened on 25 July during protests at Glasgow Green.
Yaqoob, a 31-year-old delivery driver from Pakistan, was hit by a traffic cone thrown by the suspect.
The incident was recorded and widely shared on social media.
Fifteen people were arrested during the protests, and more arrests are expected.
The protests involved anti-immigration and anti-racism groups leading to violent and hate-related incidents.
Yaqoob said he felt unsafe returning to work after the attack but had to continue due to financial needs.
Police Scotland deployed a major investigation team to identify other suspects.
The clashes coincided with the opening weekend of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
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Congo is facing its fastest growing Ebola outbreak, with over 2,000 people dead among 4,381 confirmed cases. The outbreak began in May and involves a rare Ebola virus strain that has no approved vaccines or treatments.
Key Facts
Congo’s Ebola outbreak has recorded 2,011 deaths so far.
There are 4,381 confirmed Ebola cases in total.
About 704 patients are currently in isolation and receiving care.
The outbreak started in May 2026 but began spreading earlier in February.
This is Congo’s 17th Ebola outbreak and the largest one recorded.
The virus involved is a rare type called Bundibugyo, with no approved vaccine or treatment.
The death toll doubled from 1,000 to 2,000 in about three weeks, showing the outbreak is speeding up.
The outbreak started in a remote area, making it harder to get help to affected people.
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At least 14 artisanal miners died and many were injured at an old, unused mine near Rustenburg, South Africa. Police found the miners but did not give details about how they died.
Key Facts
The miners died at a disused mine about 130 kilometers northwest of Johannesburg.
The South African Police Service reported the deaths on Tuesday.
Officials did not share the exact cause of death.
The provincial police commissioner was traveling to the mine site.
Many artisanal miners in South Africa work illegally in old gold and platinum mines.
These miners often lack proper safety gear and can stay underground for weeks.
Informal mining is linked to criminal gangs and violent conflicts.
Rustenburg is a center for platinum mining, and South Africa holds the largest platinum reserves in the world.
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Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s recent 40-day military campaign aimed to pressure Russia into ending the war, but it did not lead to a ceasefire or significant Russian concessions. Russia responded with harsh attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure, worsening the situation as Ukraine faces difficult choices between continued conflict and negotiating peace under tough conditions.
Key Facts
Ukraine launched intense attacks using long-range missiles targeting Russian infrastructure to force Moscow to end the war.
Russian President Putin has not agreed to any peace deals and continues military offensives.
Ukrainian strikes caused fuel shortages in Russia and Crimea, but Russia managed to ease the crisis.
Russia retaliated with airstrikes shutting down Ukraine’s Black Sea ports and damaging key supply and retail hubs.
Fighting continues in eastern Ukraine, especially near Donetsk, with Russia taking more border territory.
Ukraine’s media campaign aimed to influence U.S. President Donald Trump but did not change his support stance.
New U.S. sanctions against Russia face uncertainty in Congress and may not affect the war’s direction.
Ukraine expects a very harsh winter due to destroyed energy and possibly water systems from Russian attacks.
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Russian forces launched overnight attacks on several cities in Ukraine, including Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Donetsk, causing deaths and injuries. President Zelenskyy said the strike on Zaporizhzhia involved North Korean missiles and other weapons, and Ukraine responded with drone attacks inside Russia.
Key Facts
Russian attacks on Zaporizhzhia killed at least six people and injured 20.
Six people were also killed and 16 injured in attacks on Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk.
President Zelenskyy said Russian forces used North Korean ballistic missiles, Zircon missiles, and guided bombs in the Zaporizhzhia attack.
The attacks targeted civilian infrastructure, according to Zelenskyy.
Ukraine’s drone strikes hit Russian targets including a military base in Voronezh, an oil refinery in Orsk, a cargo ship in the Black Sea, and facilities in occupied Russian areas.
Russia’s defense ministry claimed it targeted military transport and logistics centers in Kyiv and a steelworks in Zaporizhzhia.
The Russian strikes included a warehouse complex storing drone components and electronic warfare equipment.
Ukraine’s drone strike on Voronezh caused fires at a logistics warehouse but no goods were damaged, and deliveries were rerouted.
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Indonesia is facing large wildfires that have burned over 100,000 hectares of land. These fires have caused poor air quality, leading to school closures and a large firefighting effort involving nearly 50,000 personnel.
Key Facts
More than 100,000 hectares (247,000 acres) have been burned by wildfires in Indonesia.
Nearly 50,000 firefighters are working to control the fires.
Dozens of schools remain closed due to unhealthy air caused by the smoke.
The mayor of Pontianak city on Borneo island ordered schools to close and students to study from home.
Six provinces are currently prioritized for firefighting: Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan.
El Nino, a climate pattern causing dry weather, is making fires worse by reducing rainfall.
Authorities are using cloud seeding—a method where chemicals like silver iodide are sprayed into clouds to encourage rain—to help put out the fires.
Firefighters have mostly controlled a fire in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java, which burned about 900 hectares (2,200 acres).
The area burned so far in 2024 is more than double compared to the same period in 2023.
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Israeli Consul General Ofir Akunis criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for calling the pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC "monsters," saying this language is similar to what Nazis used against Jewish people. Mamdani defended his words by saying AIPAC supports a harmful status quo in the Middle East through hidden political money. Akunis also warned about rising antisemitism and urged Americans to pay attention to this issue.
Key Facts
Israeli Consul General Ofir Akunis compared Mayor Mamdani’s use of the word "monsters" for AIPAC to Nazi language used against Jews in Europe.
AIPAC (American Israel Political Action Committee) is a powerful group that supports Israel and has been criticized by some progressive politicians in the U.S.
Mayor Mamdani said AIPAC uses dark money (untraceable political donations) to keep its political power and block peace efforts.
Akunis expressed concern about increasing antisemitism worldwide, calling it a threat to both Israel and Western countries.
Akunis criticized progressives who support both LGBTQ+ rights and the Palestinian cause, saying such rights are not respected in Palestinian territories or in Iran.
Mamdani’s comments came during a rally supporting progressive candidates who later won their races.
Akunis urged Americans to defend freedom of speech and women’s rights against extremist influences.
The Israeli diplomat accused some U.S. politicians of using Israel-related issues to distract from local problems.
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Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faced criticism for his remarks about two expensive melons given to him by Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. A former Japanese ambassador called Albanese’s comments disrespectful, but Albanese said the joke came from the podcast host, not him. Opposition leaders have asked Albanese to apologize, but he has rejected their demands.
Key Facts
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi gave Anthony Albanese two high-value crown melons during her visit to Australia in May.
Crown melons are a prized gift in Japan, costing more than $180 each.
Albanese called the melon gifts “pretty strange” but also “quite good” during a July podcast episode.
The podcast host made a joke comparing the melons to Pamela Anderson, which Albanese joined in responding to.
Shingo Yamagami, former Japanese ambassador to Australia, called the comments “sexist” and damaging to the Australia-Japan relationship.
Opposition leaders in Australia demanded Albanese apologize to Takaichi, which he refused, saying the joke was from the host.
Albanese’s government denies the comments were offensive and stresses the strong partnership between Australia and Japan.
Albanese previously apologized for unrelated controversial comments about Kylie Minogue on the same podcast.
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Criminal gangs in Belgium are using short-term rental platforms, similar to Airbnb, to store drugs, money, weapons, and people. Belgium’s national drug commissioner, Ine Van Wymersch, says the flexibility of these rentals helps organised crime, and authorities are working to stop this misuse.
Key Facts
Gangs rent short-term apartments to hide illegal goods because bookings can be easily changed or canceled.
In August, police found cocaine and cash in an Airbnb rental in Brussels linked to drug activity.
In 2024, a drug operation seizure worth €21 million involved an Airbnb rental in West Flanders.
Airbnb says criminal bookings are very rare and uses technology to spot suspicious activity.
Short-term rentals are part of a larger problem including anonymous emails, encrypted communication, cryptocurrency, and delivery services that criminals exploit.
Antwerp is a major entry point for cocaine in Europe and has seen drug-related violence and threats.
Belgium’s national drug commissioner warns the country risks becoming a narco state without stronger action.
The government is focusing on tracing and attacking criminal money to fight organised crime effectively.
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Sudanese armed forces found a mass grave with at least 25 bodies in Kurmuk, Blue Nile State, after retaking the town from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Local officials accuse the RSF of killing women, children, and hospital staff during their occupation, amid ongoing fighting in the region.
Key Facts
The mass grave was discovered in the northeastern part of Kurmuk during army operations.
The victims included children, women, and hospital workers.
The killings reportedly happened near Jebel Fankat, a strategic hill used by the RSF for drone attacks.
The RSF and Sudanese army have been in conflict since April 2023.
The RSF has been accused of mass killings in several areas, including Khartoum and El-Fasher.
Fighting continues in Blue Nile State and West Darfur, causing many people to flee their homes.
The World Health Organization estimates around 40,000 people have died due to the conflict.
More than 14 million people have been displaced from their homes because of the fighting.
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Amber heat health alerts have started across most of England from Tuesday morning until Friday morning because of a fifth heatwave this summer. These alerts warn of serious effects on health services, vulnerable people, and other risks as temperatures rise and drought conditions worsen.
Key Facts
Amber heat health alerts are active across almost all regions in England from 9am Tuesday to 9am Friday.
The north-east of England has a less intense yellow heat health alert.
High temperatures may affect hospitals, care homes, and workers, causing health risks especially to older people and those with illnesses.
Other risks include overheating indoor places, problems managing medicines, power demand exceeding capacity, and more travel delays.
Water-related accidents like drowning and cold shock may increase during the heatwave.
Four more English regions were declared in drought recently, joining several others and all of Wales, due to very dry weather.
About 71% of England is under "flash drought," a rapid dry period after the driest July on record.
Temperatures are forecast to reach mid-30s Celsius by Thursday, possibly over 36°C in some areas.
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Legend Storer, a 20-year-old former college swimmer from Hawaii, has been charged in connection with the death of a security guard at a Maui resort. The security guard was found unresponsive after an attack by a naked man, who was later identified and arrested as Storer.
Key Facts
Legend Storer is 20 years old and used to be a college swimmer from Hawaii.
A security guard named Michael Dyer, 63, was found dead at a West Maui resort.
Police found Dyer after an attack by a naked man around 5:30 a.m. on August 5.
Surveillance footage showed the naked man arriving around 1:45 a.m. and attacking Dyer.
The same naked man was later found injured in a nearby area called Kahana.
Storer was taken to a hospital for medical evaluation before being arrested.
He was charged with second-degree murder and first-degree burglary; an indecent exposure charge was also referred to prosecutors.
Police have not shared a reason or motive for the attack.
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Congo is facing its fastest growing Ebola outbreak, with over 4,300 confirmed cases and more than 2,000 deaths reported. The outbreak, caused by a rare type of the Ebola virus, began in February and has no approved vaccine or treatment.
Key Facts
The Ebola outbreak in Congo started in February but was officially declared on May 15.
There are 4,381 confirmed Ebola cases in Congo so far.
At least 2,011 people have died from the outbreak.
Currently, 704 patients are being treated and isolated.
This outbreak is the fastest growing Ebola outbreak on record.
The virus involved is the Bundibugyo strain, which is rare.
There are no approved vaccines or treatments for this type of Ebola virus.
The outbreak began in a remote and vulnerable area of Congo.
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President Donald Trump said the United States controls the Strait of Hormuz with a strong naval blockade amid ongoing conflict with Iran that began on February 28. He also demanded compensation from Iran for harm caused by the conflict, responding to Iran’s own compensation demands. Oil prices surged due to uncertainty about when the strait might reopen for shipping.
Key Facts
President Trump stated the U.S. Navy controls the Strait of Hormuz with a “steel wall” naval blockade.
The conflict with Iran started on February 28, affecting global oil transport through the strait.
Iran demands compensation for war damages linked to the conflict.
President Trump countered by demanding compensation from Iran for U.S. military deaths and injured personnel.
Around 20% of the world’s oil supply passed through the Strait of Hormuz before the war.
Oil prices rose by 5% amid doubts about the strait reopening soon to free ship passage.
U.S. intelligence detected a missile threat to Air Force One in Turkey, leading President Trump to secretly switch planes for security.
The U.S.-Iran conflict is causing ongoing tensions affecting global trade routes and energy markets.
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Russian forces launched missile and drone attacks overnight in southeastern Ukraine and Kyiv, killing six people and injuring others. Ukraine and Russia both reported damage and casualties, with Russia stating it targeted military and transport facilities, while Ukraine said a children’s hospital in Kyiv was hit.
Key Facts
Six people were killed and 19 wounded in missile and bomb attacks in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region.
A ballistic missile struck Kyiv, causing damage and injuring one person.
A children’s hospital in Kyiv’s Shevchenkivskyi district was hit, resulting in a fire and one injury.
A drone attack in the southern city of Mykolaiv injured a 75-year-old woman.
Russia said its attacks targeted defense and logistics centers in Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia.
Ukraine claimed an overnight drone attack killed one person and injured two in Russia’s Voronezh region.
Russian air defenses destroyed 15 drones over Voronezh and surrounding areas.
Ukraine is facing challenges defending against attacks due to shortages of Patriot missile interceptors.
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A strong 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit western Colombia's coffee-growing region on Monday, killing at least 164 people. Rescue teams worked through the night on Tuesday to find survivors amid damaged buildings and collapsed homes in cities like Cali and Pereira.
Key Facts
The earthquake struck Colombia's coffee-growing area early Monday.
At least 164 people have died, with more casualties expected.
Cities like Cali and Pereira saw many buildings destroyed or damaged.
In Cali, around 85 people died, and some hospital floors collapsed, trapping patients.
Rescue workers, police, soldiers, and volunteers dug through rubble to find survivors.
Pereira reported 66 deaths and major damage, including to its airport.
A curfew was put in place in Cali and Pereira due to safety concerns, including reports of looting.
Authorities deployed 1,000 security forces to help maintain order and assist rescue efforts.
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Rescue teams in western Colombia continue working after a powerful earthquake caused buildings to collapse and homes to be destroyed. The number of deaths is expected to increase as search efforts continue.
Key Facts
The earthquake hit western Colombia and was the strongest in the country in many years.
Rescue workers are digging through rubble to find survivors.
Many buildings and houses were flattened by the quake.
The death toll is not final and may rise as more searches are done.
Emergency response is ongoing to help those affected by the disaster.
The earthquake has caused widespread damage across the region.
This event is one of the most serious natural disasters Colombia has faced recently.
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India’s relationship with Israel has grown stronger, including cooperation in military supply and production. Despite concerns about the conflict in Gaza and international criticism of Israel’s actions, India continues to support Israel and supply military components.
Key Facts
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s ties with Israel have become closer, especially in defense and strategic areas.
India used to mainly buy weapons from Israel but now helps produce weapons through joint ventures and partnerships.
Amnesty International revealed that Indian companies supplied many weapon parts to Israeli military suppliers during the Gaza conflict.
These parts included small arms components, artillery shell casings, drone warheads, and military vehicle parts.
Some Western countries have limited arms sales to Israel over concerns about the war in Gaza and humanitarian law violations.
United Nations commissions have accused Israel of committing genocide and war crimes in Gaza, and the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Despite this, India’s government and public have not shown major opposition to the arms supply or Israel’s actions.
Analysts link India’s support to shared nationalist ideologies and political support from Modi’s voter base.
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