Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir shared a video where he made fun of a Palestinian prisoner about the poor conditions in prison. Over 3,300 Palestinians are currently held without being formally charged.
Key Facts
Itamar Ben-Gvir is a far-right Israeli government minister.
He posted a video mocking a Palestinian detainee.
The detainee is a woman, but the reason for her detention is unclear.
More than 3,300 Palestinians are detained without formal charges.
The video highlighted poor conditions inside the prison.
The incident has drawn attention to treatment of Palestinian prisoners.
Ben-Gvir’s comments were seen as controversial.
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This short documentary tells the story of Aboubaker, a young man who left Sudan in 2022 to seek a better life in Europe. After traveling through multiple countries and crossing the Sahara Desert, he settled in Madrid. Meanwhile, war erupted in Sudan in April 2023, and Aboubaker watches the fighting from far away, worried about his family back home.
Key Facts
Aboubaker left Sudan at age 23 in 2022.
He traveled through five countries and the Sahara Desert to reach Europe.
He now lives in Madrid, Spain.
He rebuilds his life through football, work, and his Sudanese community.
War broke out in Sudan in April 2023.
Aboubaker is anxious about news from his family in Darfur, Sudan.
The story shows his experience of leaving home and living with uncertainty about the conflict.
The documentary was directed and produced by Chiara Brambilla for Al Jazeera Originals.
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The Lake District faces problems during summer with visitors leaving litter, camping without permission, and damaging nature. Local councils and the police work to stop bad behavior using fines and education but have limited staff and resources.
Key Facts
Many visitors do not follow the Countryside Code, which asks people to "leave no trace."
Issues include trash left behind, people camping in unauthorized places (called fly-camping), and human waste left in the environment.
Visitors have been cutting down tree branches to make fires, harming important trees like a large oak at Ullswater.
Westmorland and Furness Council and Cumberland Council manage parts of the Lake District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Police and council officers can use Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) to fine or move people causing trouble.
Only eight fines have been issued so far this summer; councils prefer to talk to offenders first.
The councils have very few officers and expect funding cuts that will limit enforcement ability.
Parking fines are low and may not stop bad parking; new government rules could raise fines up to £500.
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A large wildfire near Bordeaux, France, was contained but still burning after scorching a very large area and forcing 224,000 people to evacuate. Meanwhile, firefighters are also working to control a separate fire in the Provence region, where flames have stopped spreading but are not fully controlled.
Key Facts
The Bordeaux wildfire burned about 420 square kilometers (162 square miles) in 10 days.
Around 224,000 people had to leave their homes because of the fire near Bordeaux.
About 3,000 firefighters are working on both the Bordeaux and Provence fires.
Firefighters are using methods like cutting firebreaks (clearing vegetation to stop fire spread) and extinguishing hot spots.
The Bordeaux fire is "fixed," meaning it’s contained inside its edges but not fully out.
Dry weather, high temperatures, and wind are risks that could make the fires flare up again.
Firefighters from Ukraine, Lithuania, and French Polynesia are arriving to help.
Scientists say climate change doubled the chance of these extreme fire conditions in France.
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Fourteen Israeli soldiers were sent to military prison for organizing an unauthorized walkout at the Sde Teiman military base. This punishment is different from a case at the same base where five soldiers returned to duty after sexual abuse charges against them were dropped.
Key Facts
Fourteen Israeli soldiers led an unauthorized walkout from the Sde Teiman base.
These soldiers were sentenced to military prison as punishment.
The walkout was not approved by military authorities.
At the same base, there was a sexual abuse case involving a Palestinian detainee.
In that case, five Israeli soldiers faced charges.
Those five soldiers returned to reserve duty after the charges were dropped.
The two situations show different responses to soldiers’ actions at the base.
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This week’s major events include wildfires in Europe, a deadly earthquake in Japan, and a migration surge at Spain’s Ceuta border. Also, record-low water levels in Bulgaria revealed ancient mammoth remains.
Key Facts
Wildfires burned parts of Europe, including Greece and France, with two firefighters dying in Crete.
An earthquake in southwestern Japan killed 34 people and damaged a shopping center.
Tens of thousands of migrants tried to cross into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco before many returned home.
The remains of a woolly mammoth were uncovered in Bulgaria due to low water levels in the Danube River.
Smoke from a missile attack was seen over Kyiv, Ukraine.
Zinedine Zidane was appointed as the new coach of France’s national football team.
Spanish authorities responded to the migrant influx by installing barriers and deploying the military in Ceuta.
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England and Wales are experiencing a severe drought with July expected to be the driest month ever recorded. This comes after multiple heatwaves and has caused low water levels, wildfires, and damage to crops and natural habitats.
Key Facts
Half of England and all of Wales are officially in drought.
July rainfall in England was only 7% of the usual amount, and just 1% in southern England.
The Thames River at Reading reached its lowest water level ever recorded.
Around 23 million people in England and Wales face hosepipe bans to conserve water.
Firefighters responded to 393 wildfires across England and Wales in July, the busiest month on record.
Climate scientists warn UK summers will become hotter and drier by 2070 due to climate change.
Farmers have had to harvest early or worry about losing crops because of water shortages.
Some natural and historic sites have been visibly affected by the dry conditions and heat.
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Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency due to fast-moving wildfires threatening Spokane and other areas. The Old Trails Fire has forced hundreds of evacuations, destroyed thousands of acres, and caused dangerous smoke levels affecting air quality in much of eastern Washington.
Key Facts
The Old Trails Fire began northwest of Spokane and grew to about 3,000 acres by Saturday evening.
Around 4,000 structures were at risk, and over 200 people were evacuated in Spokane and nearby communities.
Firefighters had no containment of the fire as winds pushed flames toward homes and across the Spokane River.
The governor issued a statewide burn ban through September 30 to prevent more fires.
Several important facilities in Spokane, including a hospital and water plants, were evacuated.
The emergency declaration allows the state to use more resources and potentially deploy the National Guard.
Air quality alerts warn that smoke pollution could reach unhealthy levels across eastern Washington.
The wildfire smoke came from fires in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia, worsening pollution in the area.
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A ferry carrying 271 people caught fire near Madura Island in Indonesia, resulting in five deaths and 41 people missing. The ship was traveling from Surabaya to Makassar when the captain reported the fire.
Key Facts
The ferry was en route from Surabaya to Makassar in Indonesia.
The fire broke out while the ferry was near Madura Island.
Five people have been confirmed dead.
Forty-one passengers are currently missing.
The ferry was carrying a total of 271 people.
The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) is handling the emergency.
Video footage shows passengers in life jackets and smoke coming from the ferry.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, and more information will be released.
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Hundreds of people in Ceuta, a Spanish city in North Africa, came together to stop a far-right rally that was against migrants. The rally was canceled after the local residents protested, following a recent increase in migrants entering Ceuta from Morocco.
Key Facts
Ceuta is a Spanish city located in North Africa.
A far-right group planned a rally against migrants in Ceuta.
Hundreds of local residents protested against this rally.
The protests led to the cancellation of the planned rally.
The rally occurred amid recent tensions due to more migrants crossing from Morocco into Ceuta.
The situation reflects ongoing concerns about migration in the region.
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Harare, Zimbabwe, experienced a quieter day as people waited to see if a planned nationwide shutdown would happen in protest against constitutional changes. These changes extend the presidential term to 7 years, move the next election to 2030, and change how the president is elected, sparking criticism from opposition groups.
Key Facts
Zimbabwe’s Parliament approved constitutional amendments in July, changing election rules and terms.
The amendments extend presidential and parliamentary terms from 5 to 7 years.
The next presidential election is moved from 2028 to 2030.
Future presidents will be elected by parliament, not directly by voters.
Opposition groups and activists called for a nationwide shutdown to protest these changes.
Police deployed heavily in Harare and banned public gatherings without approval.
The shutdown did not cause major disruptions; the city was calm and business returned to normal.
The government says the changes aim to reduce political tensions linked to frequent elections.
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President Donald Trump said the US and Israel agreed to pause new attacks on Iran while working quickly to reach a deal to end ongoing conflict. Iran denied asking for a pause and remains on high alert amid regional tensions, with key shipping routes still disrupted.
Key Facts
President Trump announced a halt to new US and Israeli attacks on Iran, conditional on a quick peace deal.
The deal would include reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending Iran’s nuclear threat.
Iran denied requesting a pause and said its military is prepared for any situation.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly urged Trump to avoid escalating attacks.
The US is facing low supplies of Patriot missile interceptors, which protect American forces.
US military leaders have expressed concern about these depleted missile defenses.
Trump dismissed concerns over supplies and urged quick action on the deal.
Key waterways like the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea remain disrupted by Iran-backed groups.
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A 17-year-old girl died at the Kendal Calling music festival after suffering a medical problem early in the morning. Police are investigating what happened and have asked witnesses to come forward.
Key Facts
The girl was 17 years old.
She had a medical episode around 2:15 AM.
Paramedics and medical staff tried to help her at the festival but she died at the scene.
Police are investigating and want to talk to people near the Calling Out tent and Big Wheel.
Police especially want to speak to a group of women who first raised concern for the girl.
The girl’s family has been informed and is receiving support.
Festival staff were on site and assisted emergency services immediately.
The festival organizers expressed sadness and offered sympathy to the family.
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Ahmet Davutoglu was a key figure in shaping Turkiye’s foreign policy and served as foreign minister and prime minister under President Erdogan. He later became a critic of the political system and started an opposition party but has now decided to leave party politics, citing frustration with the current political environment.
Key Facts
Davutoglu was an academic before entering politics and developed the “strategic depth” doctrine, aiming to make Turkiye a central diplomatic power.
He served as foreign minister from 2009 and then as prime minister after Erdogan became president in 2014.
Under his influence, Turkiye expanded its diplomatic presence in Africa and the Middle East and promoted regional cooperation.
His foreign policy included maintaining relations with varied powers like Hamas, Russia, and the U.S. through what he called “rhythmic diplomacy.”
The Syrian civil war challenged his vision as Turkiye’s support for opposition forces led to ongoing regional instability.
Davutoglu became leader of the ruling party but struggled with internal party dynamics and political limitations.
He started the opposition Future Party but decided to end the party’s activities and withdraw from active politics.
He described his exit as a move away from a “polluted political climate” rather than a defeat.
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Greece is battling large wildfires that have destroyed many forests and farms. Strong winds are making it harder for firefighters and may cause the fires to spread more in the coming days.
Key Facts
Wildfires are burning in multiple areas of Greece, including near Porto Germeno and the northern Peloponnese.
Winds have reached speeds of up to 100 kilometers (62 miles) per hour, making firefighting difficult.
Nearly 500 firefighters are working near Porto Germeno to stop the fire from reaching western Athens.
Over 16,000 hectares (about 40,000 acres) of land have been burned in recent fires.
Some villages, including Porto Germeno, were evacuated and many homes have been damaged or destroyed.
Fires on islands like Crete, Paros, and Cephalonia also caused damage recently.
A wildfire expert estimates the Porto Germeno fire may be a "megafire," meaning it is very large and severe.
Greek Civil Protection officials say firefighting crews are stretched to their limits due to many fires and bad weather.
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Ukraine has increased drone attacks on Moscow and nearby areas, causing damage and forcing residents to use bomb shelters. These attacks target important Russian sites and aim to disrupt Russia’s war efforts and economy.
Key Facts
Ukraine has carried out 322 drone strikes on Moscow and surrounding areas since January 2026.
This number surpasses the total 2025 attacks, which were 287 in the same region.
Ukrainian drones have targeted oil depots, military bases, logistics hubs, and warehouses.
Attacks have caused fires, damage to residential buildings, and fuel shortages near Moscow.
Moscow officials say most drones are shot down before reaching the city, but many still cause damage.
Ukrainian President Zelensky said these strikes focus on cities where Russian leaders live.
In June, a drone attack on a Moscow oil refinery caused a major fire and was called a "game-changer" by Lithuanian President Nausėda.
These attacks aim to weaken Russian morale and economy, increasing pressure on Russia to negotiate.
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The U.S. government warned Americans to reconsider traveling to Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in North Africa, due to a recent migrant crisis where tens of thousands crossed from Morocco. The situation sparked diplomatic tensions in Europe, with some countries temporarily tightening border controls and debating Spain's role in the crisis.
Key Facts
Tens of thousands of migrants entered Ceuta from Morocco over a few days.
Spain reported 67 deaths related to the migrant crossings, either by drowning or crowd crushes.
The U.S. issued a Level 3 travel advisory for Ceuta, meaning Americans should reconsider visiting due to safety concerns.
Mainland Spain has a Level 2 advisory advising increased caution because of terrorism and unrest.
Italy temporarily reinstated border checks on travelers arriving from Spain.
Finland and Denmark supported suspending Spain from the Schengen travel area over the crisis.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez criticized some EU countries’ responses as unfair and politically motivated.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Spain and Morocco for managing the situation and stated no migrants reached mainland Europe.
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Hungary has shut down its only nuclear power plant because the Danube River’s water level fell to a record low. This was caused by long heatwaves and droughts in Europe, which also led to an energy crisis.
Key Facts
Hungary’s only nuclear power plant stopped operating for the first time due to low water in the Danube River.
The Danube River level dropped to a record low because of ongoing drought and extreme heat.
The nuclear plant uses water from the Danube to cool its systems.
Europe is experiencing long heatwaves and droughts that affect energy production.
These weather conditions have triggered an energy crisis in the region.
The shutdown is linked to climate change impacts in Europe.
The news was reported on August 2, 2026.
The situation highlights challenges in relying on natural water sources for energy needs.
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Flight attendants at WestJet, Canada’s second-largest airline, started a strike on Sunday over pay disagreements. The strike led to the cancellation of over 300 flights, affecting travel in Canada during a long weekend.
Key Facts
The strike involves 4,400 WestJet flight attendants represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
The dispute focuses on how flight attendants are paid for work done while still on the ground.
The union says some ground work is unpaid; the airline says flight attendants are paid through a "credit hour" system.
WestJet offered a new pay proposal including hourly rates for all pre- and post-flight work and a wage increase, which the union rejected.
The strike affects WestJet flights using Boeing 737s and 787s, causing cancellations and refunds.
Flights operated by WestJet Encore (using Q400 planes) and partner airlines are not affected.
Air Canada flight attendants had a similar strike last year, lasting three days over pay for groundwork.
WestJet is trying to keep communication open with the union to reach an agreement and resume normal operations.
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A truck bomb exploded near a police station in Colombia close to the Venezuela border, injuring 14 people. The Colombian government blamed rebel groups for the attack, which occurred just days before President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella is set to take office.
Key Facts
A truck bomb exploded near a police station in Colombia.
The explosion wounded 14 people.
The attack happened near the border with Venezuela.
Colombia’s government blamed rebel groups for the bombing.
This occurred less than a week before President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella takes office.
President-elect Espriella plans to stop the current government’s peace talks with armed groups.
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