Yemen’s Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, said they carried out deadly attacks this week against Saudi-backed forces and ships near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. These attacks have killed many people and raised worries about more fighting spreading in the region. The Bab el-Mandeb is an important route for global shipping, and recent attacks have reduced tanker traffic there.
Key Facts
The Houthis are an armed group in Yemen supported by Iran.
They claimed responsibility for attacks killing dozens of civilians and soldiers.
Some of the attacks targeted Saudi oil tankers near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The Bab el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is a key shipping route.
About 12% of global trade moves through the Bab el-Mandeb, especially container ships.
Recently, fewer tankers have passed through this strait due to the attacks.
The Houthis want to stop Saudi Arabia’s blockade on Yemen by attacking Saudi forces and ships.
Experts warn that ongoing attacks could disrupt two major shipping routes and affect global oil supplies.
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Puerto Rico is experiencing a severe drought that has led to strict water rationing. Many residents are waking up to find they have no running water as the island tries to conserve its limited supply.
Key Facts
Puerto Rico is currently facing a drought that has affected its water availability.
The government has imposed strict water rationing measures to manage the shortage.
Some people on the island are waking up without access to running water.
These measures aim to conserve water and extend the supply during the dry period.
The drought and rationing are causing significant challenges for daily life in Puerto Rico.
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In July, Russia used a record number of glide bombs in its attacks on Ukraine, while Ukraine reported very high Russian casualties. Fighting continues with intense air strikes and ground battles, with both sides suffering losses and controlling different areas.
Key Facts
Ukraine’s military claims Russia had 42,800 casualties in July, the highest this year.
Russia launched 8,300 glide bombs in July, more than any previous month of the war.
Ukraine says drones caused over 30,000 Russian casualties in July.
Russia’s control of land in Ukraine has significantly decreased this year.
Russia used infiltration tactics to send troops behind Ukrainian lines but many were pushed back.
Ukraine started a 40-day air strike campaign targeting Russian military and energy sites, renewing it in August.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy estimates 450,000 Ukrainian casualties, including 50,000 deaths.
Independent verification of casualty numbers from both sides is not possible.
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President Donald Trump says he is involved in talks between Iran and Oman to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is an important waterway for global oil shipping.
Key Facts
President Trump claims participation in negotiations involving Iran and Oman.
The negotiations aim to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key route used for shipping oil around the world.
CBS News reported on President Trump's statement about these talks.
Oman is acting as a mediator between Iran and other parties.
The reopening of the Strait could impact international trade and energy supplies.
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Armenia is putting the leader of its Apostolic Church and six other clerics on trial for not following a court order. They are accused of refusing to reinstate a defrocked bishop and could face up to two years in prison if found guilty. The trial is part of a growing conflict between the church and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
Key Facts
The head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos Karekin II, and six clerics will stand trial.
They are accused of disobeying a court order to reinstate Bishop Gevorg Saroyan.
Saroyan was defrocked by the church in January over alleged abuse of authority.
Saroyan supports Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who wants Karekin II to resign.
Karekin II has criticized Pashinyan’s handling of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and accused him of losing territory to Azerbaijan.
Pashinyan has accused the Catholicos of spying for Russia and breaking a vow of celibacy, but has not provided proof.
Critics say the trial is politically motivated and an attempt to weaken government opponents.
Legal experts warn the case threatens the church’s independence and raises concerns about Armenia’s judicial fairness.
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Spanish-led police and European partners broke up a large criminal group that smuggled migrants, drugs, and weapons across the Western Mediterranean. The operation arrested 78 people, seized boats and illegal items, and revealed harsh conditions faced by migrants.
Key Facts
The police raid was led by Spain with help from Europol and other European countries.
The criminal network smuggled migrants by boat between Algeria and Spain.
The group also trafficked drugs and weapons across the Mediterranean Sea.
Authorities arrested 77 suspects in Spain and one in Algeria on June 16.
Police seized 18 motorboats, drugs, satellite phones, a gun, and about 25,000 euros in cash.
The network made over 24 million euros by smuggling more than 2,000 migrants in at least 64 separate trips.
The smugglers used fast, unregistered "ghost" speedboats to avoid detection.
Migrants were reportedly abused, sexually assaulted, and kept in poor living conditions by the smugglers.
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A photographer captured a powerful image of Miriam Sim, a 76-year-old woman, as she returned to her burned neighborhood in Spokane, Washington, after a large wildfire destroyed many homes. The photo shows her emotional reaction as she sees the damage to the place she lived for over 20 years.
Key Facts
The Old Trails Fire hit the northern part of Spokane, Washington, destroying hundreds of buildings on August 1, 2026.
Photographer Lindsey Wasson, working for The Associated Press since 2023, took the photo on August 3 as people returned to assess damage.
Despite evacuation orders, Wasson was able to enter the area on foot after power company workers allowed access.
Miriam and her husband Daniel Sim were returning to their home, which had been destroyed in the fire.
Miriam wore a white outfit that contrasted with the burned neighborhood, highlighting her presence in the photo.
The photo was taken with a Sony A1 camera using a 16-35mm lens.
Miriam and Daniel have lived in the neighborhood since 2005; they are considering whether to rebuild after the disaster.
The photographer aimed to show both the wide destruction and the personal emotional impact of the wildfire.
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Pope Leo XIV will visit France from September 25 to 28, 2026. During this trip, he plans to meet with survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy as part of ongoing efforts to address abuse scandals in the Church.
Key Facts
Pope Leo XIV’s trip to France includes visits to Paris, Lourdes, and Metz.
He will meet with victims of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church; details of the meeting will be announced later.
Survivors will help prepare for the meeting with the pope.
France reported an estimated 330,000 children were sexually abused by church personnel over 70 years.
The pope recently appointed Bishop Thibault Verny to lead the Vatican’s child protection advisory commission.
The visit will include meetings with French bishops, interreligious gatherings, and visits to social support centers.
Pope Leo XIV’s France trip is his fourth international visit in 2026.
In Paris, he will meet President Emmanuel Macron and speak at UNESCO headquarters.
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Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have agreed to help each other if any one of them is attacked. Their leaders signed a defense pact in the city of Mecca. This means an attack on one country will be treated as an attack on all three.
Key Facts
The defense agreement was signed by the Saudi crown prince, Turkish president, and Pakistani prime minister.
The signing took place in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
The deal states that an armed attack on any one of the three countries is considered an attack on all of them.
This agreement aims to strengthen cooperation between the three countries on security matters.
It is a formal pact to provide mutual support in the case of armed conflict.
The agreement involves Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan.
It is a step toward closer military and defense cooperation among these nations.
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Rome authorities are trying to find housing for about 400 people who were living in an occupied building called Spin Time Labs and were recently evicted. The building's private owner took it back after rejecting the city council’s purchase offer, leaving many former residents, including children and elderly people, sleeping in tents during a heatwave.
Key Facts
Spin Time Labs is a 10-floor building in Rome that had been occupied by community groups since 2013.
Around 400 people, including families and elderly, were evicted at the end of July following a small fire and legal disputes.
The private owner refused Rome council’s offer to buy the building and regained possession legally.
More than 200 people are currently camping outside the building in extreme heat; some have health issues, and one child was hospitalized.
Rome’s leftwing council and the charity Caritas are looking for alternative housing solutions.
The mayor of Rome expressed frustration, saying the owner had already decided not to sell the building.
Spin Time Labs provided social services like a food bank, a restaurant, and workspace over the past decade.
The eviction has sparked debate about Italy’s approach to squatted buildings and social welfare policy.
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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticized both Russia and Ukraine for the worsening conflict and urged them to stop fighting. He called for an immediate end to attacks and a lasting ceasefire as Ukraine launched drone strikes on warehouses in Russia.
Key Facts
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke out against both Russia and Ukraine.
He urged both sides to reduce violence quickly.
Guterres called for a permanent ceasefire to end the fighting.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is escalating.
Ukraine used drones to strike warehouses in Russia.
The UN chief’s message highlights the need for peace and stability.
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Iran has used its control over the Strait of Hormuz to greatly reduce shipping traffic, cutting daily vessel passages by about 96% compared to the previous year. This disruption affects global oil and gas shipments, raising costs and risks for producers, importers, and insurers, and giving Iran political influence in the region.
Key Facts
The Strait of Hormuz is a key shipping route for about one-quarter of the world’s seaborne oil trade.
In early August, only about 4 ships passed daily through the strait, down from about 90 during the same week in 2025.
Oil and gas shipments through Hormuz dropped from 3.5 million to around 143,000 metric tonnes per day—a 96% decrease.
Iran controls this narrow waterway and can disrupt traffic using threats or attacks involving missiles, mines, drones, or ship seizures.
Most oil passing through Hormuz goes to Asia, with China and India receiving 44% of the crude oil shipped there.
Disruptions cause higher insurance costs, longer shipping times, and increased energy prices worldwide, even affecting U.S. fuel costs.
The disruption also affects exports of key fertilizers, which India imports heavily through Hormuz.
These impacts give Iran leverage to influence Gulf states, Asian importers, and the U.S. to seek de-escalation.
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Argentina, Mexico, and Africa have expressed support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino amid controversy over a dropped plan to sell World Cup commercial rights. UEFA, Europe’s football governing body, opposes Infantino and plans to boycott FIFA events, showing a growing split in international football leadership.
Key Facts
Argentina and Mexico publicly back FIFA president Gianni Infantino after Africa’s football confederation also supported him.
Infantino faced backlash for proposing to sell commercial rights to the World Cup and other FIFA events but later withdrew the plan.
FIFA apologized for mistakes related to the proposal and promised to review the decision process while supporting Infantino.
UEFA opposes Infantino and confirmed it will boycott FIFA events; UEFA member Norway even called for Infantino’s resignation.
Mexico’s football federation supports Infantino despite its regional group CONCACAF criticizing him.
Argentina’s football association praised Infantino’s work over the past decade but acknowledged past errors and wants to continue under his leadership.
Africa’s Confederation of African Football, with 54 members, unanimously backs Infantino, giving him strong global support.
The upcoming FIFA Congress in Morocco in March will be a key event, where Infantino is expected to face a leadership challenge.
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Father Gerard Paul, a Catholic priest from Grenada who was suspended from church duties after criticizing the church and its clergy, is now using calypso music to speak out about issues like sexual abuse and the conflict in Gaza. He performs in calypso competitions and has recorded songs that share his social and political views.
Key Facts
Father Gerard Paul is a suspended Catholic priest from Grenada.
He can no longer lead masses, funerals, weddings, or baptisms.
His suspension followed his repeated criticism of the church and clergy.
Paul has turned to calypso music, a Caribbean genre known for social messages.
He performed at Grenada’s main calypso carnival, Spicemas, and reached the finals.
He recorded songs addressing topics such as Gaza and U.S. military actions in the Caribbean.
Paul started performing calypso in seminary 40 years ago and sees it as a platform for social change.
He believes calypso helps him reach a wider audience than traditional priestly duties.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to visit Serbia, a European country that maintains good relations with Russia despite the war in Ukraine. Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic will discuss cooperation and EU membership with Zelenskyy, while continuing Serbia’s position of not sanctioning Russia.
Key Facts
Zelenskyy’s visit to Serbia will be his first official trip to the country.
Serbia remains friendly with Russia and has not joined sanctions against Russia for invading Ukraine.
Serbia depends heavily on Russia for its energy needs.
Serbia is trying to join the European Union, but its close ties with Russia delay this process.
Serbia has offered aid to Ukraine and plans to help rebuild the country after the war.
President Vucic says Serbia will keep its current stance on not sanctioning Russia.
Both leaders aim to strengthen cooperation and discuss their countries’ paths to EU membership.
Serbia faces criticism and risks losing EU funds because of its relationship with Moscow and concerns about democracy.
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Ron Simon, a food safety attorney with over 30 years of experience, shares five foods he avoids due to the risk of foodborne illness. These foods are usually eaten raw or undercooked, which can allow harmful bacteria and viruses to survive and cause illness.
Key Facts
Raw milk and unpasteurized dairy products can contain dangerous bacteria like E. coli and Listeria; pasteurization kills these germs without reducing nutrition.
Raw sprouts (alfalfa, bean, clover) often carry bacteria because the warm, humid sprouting process helps germs grow.
Undercooked hamburger is risky because grinding spreads bacteria throughout the meat; burgers should be cooked to 160°F to kill germs.
Raw eggs can carry Salmonella inside them; using pasteurized eggs removes this risk.
Raw oysters filter water and can concentrate dangerous bacteria like Vibrio and viruses; infections are rare but serious for vulnerable people.
The attorney distinguishes raw hamburger from rare steak, noting bacteria are only on the surface of whole cuts.
People with weakened immune systems, children, pregnant women, and older adults face greater risks from these foods.
Cooking these foods properly or choosing pasteurized versions reduces the chance of getting sick.
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Central and western Europe will face another wave of very hot weather next week, with temperatures reaching the high 30s Celsius in countries like France, Spain, and Italy. Recent days have seen record-breaking heat in Austria and Slovakia, and wildfires have started in parts of southeastern Europe due to strong winds.
Key Facts
Next week, France, Spain, and Italy will have daily highs in the high 30s Celsius (around 100°F).
Germany, Poland, and Czechia will see their hottest temperatures later in the week.
The heat moves because of shifts in high and low pressure systems over Europe.
Austria set new all-time July heat records, reaching above 41°C (about 106°F) in early August.
Slovakia also broke its all-time temperature record with 41.4°C (106.5°F).
A high-pressure weather system is causing heat that raises the freezing level above 4,000 meters, speeding up glacier melting in the Alps.
Wildfires began in the Greek Islands after strong winds caused power line sparks, damaging a palm forest on Crete.
Meanwhile, in the United States, the hottest temperature this year was 51.8°C (125.2°F) in Badwater, California.
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An 11-year-old girl was found dead in the water at Gore Glen Woodland Park in Midlothian after a major search. Police are investigating the cause of her death, which is currently unexplained.
Key Facts
The girl was found in Gore Water near Shank Bridge around 4:25 PM on Thursday.
A search began around 12:40 PM after concerns were reported.
Police Scotland are treating the death as unexplained and are investigating.
The girl's family has been informed.
Scottish Fire and Rescue sent two fire engines to help with the search.
Two ambulances, a special operations team, and a critical care paramedic were at the scene.
Gore Glen Woodland Park is a popular place for walking and has views of the Pentland Hills.
Gore Glen was once the site of Scotland’s first large gunpowder mill established in 1794.
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Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia have signed a mutual defense agreement that treats an attack on any of them as an attack on all. Meanwhile, Iran-backed Houthi rebels have increased attacks on Saudi-linked targets in Yemen and near the Saudi border.
Key Facts
Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defense agreement on June 22, 2022.
The agreement means if one country is attacked, the others will defend it collectively.
Saudi Arabia’s critical infrastructure has been targeted in attacks linked to the Iran-Yemen conflict.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels fired missiles at Marib province in eastern Yemen and also attacked Najran region in Saudi Arabia.
The attacks injured civilians, including women and children, according to Saudi-led coalition officials.
The Houthi group has not claimed responsibility for recent missile strikes but says it will continue targeting Saudi-backed forces.
These attacks mark a significant increase after a truce in 2022 reduced fighting.
A Lebanese soldier was lightly wounded by Israeli shelling in southern Lebanon recently.
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