Iran and Oman are close to agreeing on a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway for global oil transport. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump announced a pause on new attacks against Iran, asking for a quick deal that includes reopening the strait and ending Iran’s nuclear threat.
Key Facts
Iran’s foreign minister said talks with Oman about a new route in the Strait of Hormuz are nearly finished.
The new route will be different from the current northern and southern shipping corridors and will protect both countries’ rights and security.
The Strait of Hormuz is crucial because about 20% of the world’s oil passes through it.
Iran claims the U.S. is responsible for closing the strait due to a naval blockade and hostile actions.
A ceasefire in June broke down over disputes about shipping routes, leading to renewed fighting in July.
President Trump said the U.S. and Israel agreed to stop new attacks on Iran if a deal is quickly reached to reopen the strait and stop Iran’s nuclear threat.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged Trump to focus on dialogue and reduce tensions.
Iran may send another delegation to Oman as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Thousands of migrants from Morocco recently crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, hoping to reach mainland Spain. Most returned to Morocco after the border events, but some remain in Ceuta, facing uncertainty and limited resources while seeking asylum or better opportunities in Europe.
Key Facts
About 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish city of Ceuta over two days.
At least 72 people died during the crossing attempts.
Many migrants, including a 20-year-old woman named Dikra, want to stay in Spain and pursue their goals despite hardships.
Those still in Ceuta depend on local residents and Spanish soldiers for food and water.
Ceuta and Melilla are Spanish enclaves in North Africa but are not part of the EU’s open-border Schengen area, so migrants face border checks going to mainland Europe.
Some migrants have past experiences living in Europe but face challenges such as deportation or unemployment.
The recent influx caused a humanitarian crisis and renewed debates about immigration policies in Europe.
Migrants come from various countries, including Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa, seeking stability, work, and safety.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Two firefighting helicopters collided in mid-air while battling wildfires west of Athens, Greece. The crash killed two crew members, and two others survived.
Key Facts
The collision happened while the helicopters were working to stop wildfires.
The crash took place west of Athens, the capital of Greece.
Two people on board the helicopters died.
Two other crew members survived the crash.
Video footage of the collision has been shared publicly.
The helicopters were actively involved in firefighting efforts at the time.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Ukraine launched many drone attacks deep into Russian territory, killing at least eight people and hitting military and economic targets. Russia said it shot down most of the drones, but some strikes caused damage and deaths in several Russian regions. Meanwhile, Russia continued heavy missile attacks on Ukraine, causing civilian casualties.
Key Facts
Ukrainian drones hit multiple Russian regions, killing at least eight people.
A drone strike in Udmurtia (far inside Russia) killed three civilians in a car.
Saratov and Engels cities in Russia were attacked; two people died when a residential building was hit in Engels.
Ukraine targeted an oil refinery in Saratov, a bomber airbase in Engels, and an oil depot in Kaluga.
Three people died and five were wounded in Ukraine strikes in Belgorod region near Ukraine’s border.
Ukrainian drones also attacked a warehouse in Samara region but caused no deaths.
Ukraine aims to disrupt Russia’s war effort by hitting its economy and energy infrastructure.
Russia fired a record 376 missiles at Ukraine in July, killing over 170 civilians and heavily targeting Kyiv.
Ukraine’s air defenses intercepted many drones but struggled to stop ballistic missiles due to a shortage of US Patriot missiles.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
John Limbert, a former American hostage in Iran and former US official, says that trying to force Iran with strong military actions does not work. He explains that both the US and Iran believe using force will make the other side give in, but this approach only leads to ongoing conflict.
Key Facts
John Limbert was an American hostage in Tehran during the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
Limbert later served as US deputy assistant secretary of state for Iran.
He says the US cannot control Iran by using force.
Iranian leaders also believe that attacking shipping in the Strait of Hormuz will make the US back down.
Both countries think using pressure and attacks will force the other side to agree.
Limbert argues this "iron fist" strategy does not solve the problems between the US and Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz is an important waterway for shipping and oil transport.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said FIFA President Gianni Infantino is not the right leader for world soccer after Infantino’s plan to sell World Cup profits to private investors caused controversy. UEFA and other soccer bodies criticized FIFA’s leadership and planned to prevent similar proposals in the future.
Key Facts
Prime Minister Andy Burnham publicly said Infantino should not lead FIFA.
Infantino proposed selling stakes in the World Cup to private investors, which many opposed.
UEFA lost confidence in FIFA’s leadership and threatened to boycott FIFA competitions.
CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation also opposed Infantino’s plan.
Infantino withdrew his controversial plan after backlash from soccer organizations.
UEFA said it would create a plan to ensure such proposals do not happen again.
Some soccer associations, including Qatar, still support Infantino.
The next FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March in Rabat, Morocco, with candidate entries due by November 18.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he will work hard to stop people crossing the English Channel in small boats after thousands of migrants entered Spain’s territory of Ceuta. He emphasized the need for safe and legal ways for refugees to come and said the UK is increasing efforts to fight human trafficking and control its borders.
Key Facts
Around 50,000 migrants entered Ceuta, a Spanish territory in North Africa, before most were returned to Morocco.
The UK had its busiest day for small boat crossings this year, with 752 people arriving in one day.
So far in 2025, about 14,526 people have crossed to the UK by small boats, which is fewer than last year.
The UK has almost doubled the number of officers in the National Crime Agency fighting immigration crimes.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood supports immigration reforms to reduce people risking boat journeys.
Spain installed a long floating barrier in the water to stop migrants crossing from Morocco by boat.
At least 72 people died trying to reach Ceuta during the recent migrant surge.
Spain’s large migrant influx caused political tensions and questions about the Schengen free-movement zone.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
After an Israeli strike hit western Gaza City, people found the body of an unborn baby among the debris. The attack killed a pregnant woman, her husband, and their five-year-old son.
Key Facts
An Israeli strike took place in western Gaza City.
The strike caused the deaths of a pregnant woman, her husband, and their young son.
Residents searching the rubble found the body of the unborn baby the woman was carrying.
The incident happened during ongoing violence in the region.
The attack destroyed homes and caused civilian casualties.
This event highlights the severe impact of the conflict on families in Gaza.
Emergency responders and residents continue to search the rubble for survivors and victims.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump threatened a large military attack on Iran amid an ongoing conflict now in its sixth month. After diplomatic efforts and pressure from allies, he delayed the attack for a possible deal to reopen a key shipping route, but no formal agreement has been reached yet.
Key Facts
The conflict with Iran has lasted six months, longer than originally expected.
President Trump warned of a military strike on Iran that could be the largest since World War II.
U.S. allies, including Saudi Arabia, urged the president to reconsider bombing Iran’s energy infrastructure.
Diplomatic talks showed progress toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway, but no concrete deal exists.
Iran recently attacked Egypt, and Saudi Arabia joined the U.S. in bombing Iranian-backed militias.
Senator Mark Kelly criticized the president’s approach as erratic and escalating the conflict.
The conflict has caused economic pressures in the U.S., including higher prices for gas, food, and rent.
Public opinion polls indicate the war is unpopular with Americans.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The band Massive Attack was banned from Singapore after displaying a Palestinian flag and shouting "free Palestine" during a July 29 concert. Singaporean police detained and questioned the band members, confiscated passports temporarily, and said the band violated laws on public political expression and foreign flags.
Key Facts
Massive Attack held up a Palestinian flag and shouted "free Palestine" during a concert in Singapore.
Singapore police detained the band members, searched their hotel rooms, and temporarily took their passports.
Singapore banned Massive Attack indefinitely from returning and performing in the country.
The band was warned about laws restricting public display of foreign flags and political speech at events.
Singapore enforces strict rules to maintain racial and social harmony amid the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Massive Attack expressed surprise that showing the Palestinian flag would break any law.
The band has a history of making political statements, including support for Palestine.
Singapore's government advised against public political displays linked to the Israel-Gaza war in 2023.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Nirmal Purja, a famous Nepalese climber known for breaking records on the world's highest mountains, died in an avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan. He was 43 years old and also survived as a military special forces member before becoming a mountaineer and gaining worldwide fame through a Netflix documentary.
Key Facts
Nirmal Purja was a Nepalese mountaineer who completed climbing all 14 highest mountains above 8,000 meters in just 189 days.
He served in the British army as part of the elite Special Boat Service and was the first Gurkha to do so.
Purja co-founded Elite Exped, a company leading high-altitude climbing expeditions focusing on safety and Nepalese leadership.
He died in an avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan, an event that also killed nine other climbers.
Purja was featured in the Netflix documentary "14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible," which showed his record-breaking climbs.
In 2018, he was honored as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his achievements.
He helped lead the first all-Nepalese team to successfully climb K2 in winter.
Purja was known for risking his own safety to rescue stranded climbers in the dangerous death zone on mountains.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, age 80, has officially started his campaign for a fourth and likely final term in the October elections. He emphasized his good health and plans to protect Brazil’s resources and defend the country’s independence from foreign influence.
Key Facts
Lula’s Workers’ Party formally endorsed his bid for reelection in the October 2026 election.
He is 80 years old and said he stays fit by exercising regularly.
This will be Lula’s seventh presidential race, with this likely his last.
Lula aims to boost Brazil’s defense industry and protect its rare minerals from foreign control.
His main opponent, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, has support from members of U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration and presidents from Argentina and Israel.
The election is seen as important for the future of Latin America.
Lula has attracted some centrist political parties and increased his popularity in recent months.
The campaign focuses on lowering income taxes for low earners and introducing debt forgiveness.
Lula and his party expressed concerns about foreign influence through social media and electronic voting manipulation.
Brazil’s Vice President said the country’s electronic voting system is secure and not influenced by foreign countries.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
At least 72 migrants have died after about 60,000 people crossed from Morocco into the Spanish city of Ceuta over a few days. Spanish authorities and the European Union are working to manage the large number of migrants and improve border controls.
Key Facts
Around 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta in a short period.
At least 72 people died trying to enter Ceuta, including some who drowned or were crushed.
Over 1,000 migrants have been treated by health services since the surge began.
More than 48,000 migrants returned to Morocco within 48 hours of crossing.
22 European Union countries asked for coordinated border management.
Italy suspended the passport-free travel agreement with Spain due to the crisis.
Spanish authorities built a 500-meter floating barrier off Ceuta’s coast to control crossings.
Spain has a program to grant residency to many undocumented migrants but does not allow irregular arrivals in Ceuta to move freely to mainland Spain or the EU’s Schengen area.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Heavy rain caused floods and a landslide in Kerala, India, killing at least two people and injuring eight. More than 500 people have been rescued, and weather officials say more rain is expected.
Key Facts
Torrential rain caused flooding and a landslide in Kerala.
At least two people died and eight were injured.
More than 500 people were rescued from affected areas.
Weather officials warn that heavy rain will continue.
The events happened in the Indian state of Kerala.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced his final bid for reelection ahead of the October 2026 election. His rival, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, has support from leaders linked to U.S. President Donald Trump and others, raising concerns about foreign interference in Brazil’s elections.
Key Facts
Lula is 80 years old and running for president for the seventh time.
Lula’s party wants to protect Brazil’s defense industry and rare minerals from foreign control.
Lula warned that foreign powers like China, the U.S., and France should respect Brazil’s sovereignty.
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, Lula’s main opponent, has backing from figures connected to President Trump, Argentina’s Javier Milei, and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Lula’s party fears coordinated social media attacks and bot campaigns aimed at influencing voters and harming trust in Brazil’s electronic voting system.
Lula’s campaign focuses on tax cuts for low-income people and a popular debt forgiveness program.
Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin praised Brazil’s electronic voting system as secure and resistant to foreign interference.
Lula has drawn support from moderate political groups and is polling better now than six months ago.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A homemade bomb exploded at an Italian restaurant in Moscow, killing at least three people and injuring 21 others. The explosion occurred when a woman carrying the device tried to enter the restaurant but was stopped by a security guard.
Key Facts
The bomb blast happened around 8:00 PM local time near the center of Moscow.
The location was an Italian restaurant on Kudrinskaya square.
The explosion was caused by a homemade explosive device.
A woman carrying the bomb attempted to enter the restaurant.
Security personnel prevented her from fully entering before the bomb detonated.
The restaurant was hosting a private event at the time.
Russian state media and security officials reported the incident.
At least three people died and 21 were injured in the blast.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Two Greek firefighting helicopters crashed while fighting a wildfire west of Athens, killing two crew members and injuring two others. The fire, driven by strong winds, forced evacuations and caused serious challenges for firefighters battling the blaze and others in Greece and Europe.
Key Facts
Two Bell helicopters collided over Psatha, west of Athens, during firefighting efforts.
Four crew members were onboard; two died (one Greek, one Danish), two survived (one Greek, one British).
The wildfire started near Agios Vasileios and spread toward Porto Germeno and forested mountains.
Strong winds made firefighting difficult and forced evacuations of coastal communities.
Nearly 500 firefighters and 23 aircraft have been fighting the fire, but wind limited water collection flights.
Evacuations occurred in several areas, including Kandili, Agia Skepi, and Toutouli.
Wildfires are a growing problem across Europe, with 2025 being the worst fire year on record.
Scientists link worsening wildfire conditions to human-caused climate change, which makes fires more likely and severe.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A suicide bomber killed at least 14 people and injured over 20 outside a police station in Pakistan’s Swat Valley during a protest. The attack happened as people gathered to demand government action against rising violence in the region.
Key Facts
The bombing took place on Sunday evening in Kabal, Swat Valley, near the Afghanistan border.
The attacker detonated explosives after police tried to stop and search him at the police station entrance.
At least 14 people died and 22 were wounded, many taken to a hospital in Saidu Sharif.
Protesters were calling for action against increasing violence and accusing authorities of cracking down on peaceful residents.
Swat was previously a stronghold of the Pakistan Taliban before a 2009 military operation.
The Pakistani Taliban (TTP) has been fighting an insurgency since 2007 to impose its rule.
Attacks have recently increased, including drone bombings that killed police officers and a car bombing killing soldiers.
Pakistan has accused Afghanistan’s Taliban government of sheltering armed groups, a claim Afghanistan denies.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Uganda has unveiled a statue to honor Yonatan Netanyahu, the Israeli soldier who died during a 1976 rescue mission at Entebbe airport that freed hostages from a hijacked plane. The event marked 50 years since the raid and highlighted the strong relationship between Uganda and Israel today.
Key Facts
Yonatan Netanyahu was the only Israeli soldier killed during the Entebbe hostage rescue mission.
The mission rescued over 100 hostages from a hijacked Air France flight diverted to Uganda.
The hijackers were members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
The Ugandan government at the time was led by dictator Idi Amin.
Three hostages died during the rescue, and one was later killed in a hospital in Kampala.
At least 45 Ugandan soldiers and the hijackers also died in the fighting.
The statue stands outside the old airport terminal where the rescue took place.
Uganda’s army chief acknowledged the difficult history but emphasized the strong current partnership between Uganda and Israel.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A new report says governments could collect an extra $500 billion a year by changing the way multinational companies are taxed. Instead of taxing profits where companies report them (often in tax havens), countries want to tax profits where real business happens, such as where workers and customers are located. The United Nations is starting talks to create global rules on this.
Key Facts
Multinational profits are often reported in tax havens, where companies pay little tax.
The report proposes “unitary taxation” to tax profits where real economic activity occurs.
This approach aims to shift tax revenue from tax havens to countries where workers and customers are.
The UN is holding talks to make a global tax framework, with goals to finish by late 2027.
The US, under President Trump, left these talks last year and encouraged others to do the same.
Rich countries, like Britain and EU members, would gain billions more in tax revenue.
Developing countries could receive $156 billion more, a sum larger than their current IMF loans.
The talks aim to modernize tax rules designed for old industrial companies to fit today’s global digital economy.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
