World News

US strikes cause extensive damage on Iran’s Qeshm Island

July 30, 2026 • Al Jazeera

Summary

US strikes caused heavy damage on Iran’s Qeshm Island. Iranian officials reported that a couple and their two-year-old child died when their home was hit, and two other children were hurt.

Key Facts

The attacks took place on Qeshm Island in Iran.
A residential building was struck during the US strikes.
A couple and their two-year-old child were killed in the attack.
Two other children were injured.
Video footage shows widespread damage on the island after the strikes.

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Al Jazeera

Turkish police detain actor-turned-mayor Erdal Besikcioglu in latest raids targeting opposition

July 30, 2026 • AP News

Summary

Turkish police detained Erdal Besikcioglu, a former actor and current mayor, during raids targeting opposition officials on charges including corruption and criminal activity. These arrests are part of broader investigations into alleged misconduct in opposition-run municipalities.

Key Facts

Erdal Besikcioglu, former TV actor and current mayor of Etimesgut in Ankara, was detained by police.
He is being investigated for irregularities and forgery related to municipal tenders.
Other charges include criminal organization membership, embezzlement, bribery, extortion, and tender-rigging.
The raids targeted 42 municipal officials and 13 company representatives across nine provinces.
Three deputy mayors were also arrested in the latest operations.
Besikcioglu was elected mayor in 2024 as a member of the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP).
Hundreds of opposition officials have been arrested in recent years amid similar corruption probes.
CHP leadership was removed by court order in May, prompting some members to form a new party.

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AP News

Is Israel repeating the Crusaders’ fatal mistake?

July 30, 2026 • Al Jazeera

Summary

This article compares the current situation in Israel and Palestine to the Crusades in the 11th century. It questions whether Israel, described as a state supported by Western weapons and governed by religious groups, might face a similar fate as the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem, which fell after less than a century.

Key Facts

The article draws a parallel between modern Israel and the Crusader kingdom established in Jerusalem in 1099.
The Crusader state was controlled by religious warriors and backed by European settlers.
The Crusaders ruled Jerusalem for 88 years before losing it to Saladin, a Muslim leader who united the Muslim world.
The article suggests the Muslim world today remains divided in its response to Israel.
It raises the question of whether Israel’s political and religious approach will succeed long term.
The discussion is presented by political philosopher Roy Casagranda.
This content is part of a podcast episode produced by Al Jazeera.

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Al Jazeera

India’s arms sale to Israel risks complicity in Gaza genocide, Amnesty says

July 30, 2026 • Al Jazeera

Summary

India continues to send weapons and parts to Israel despite concerns they might be used in violence against Palestinians in Gaza. A report by Amnesty International shows India has become an important supplier of military equipment to Israel since October 2023.

Key Facts

Amnesty International analyzed 2,596 shipments of weapons and parts from India to Israel since October 7, 2023.
India supplied over 390,000 small arms parts, more than 560,000 explosive ordnance parts, and nearly 300 military vehicle components to Israel.
These exports include items like drone warheads, artillery shell casings, and parts for bombs and grenades.
Amnesty used international trade codes to identify weapons-related shipments and excluded civilian goods.
Indian companies exported components to Israeli firms such as Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and IMI Systems Limited.
The International Court of Justice ordered Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza in 2024, and many groups call Israel’s actions there genocide.
Amnesty International says India has not regulated its arms exports to Israel to meet international law and has strengthened its defense ties with Israel.
India is one of Israel’s largest defense customers, accounting for 29% of Israel’s arms sales between 2020 and 2025.

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Al Jazeera

Veteran Ugandan opposition politician collapses in court and in ICU, his wife says

July 30, 2026 • BBC World

Summary

Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye collapsed unconscious in court during his treason trial and was admitted to intensive care in Kampala. He has been detained since November 2024 and is refusing treatment from government doctors, with his family requesting care from his personal physician.

Key Facts

Kizza Besigye is a 70-year-old opposition leader in Uganda facing treason charges.
He collapsed in court while objecting to state-appointed lawyers and was rushed to Mulago National Referral Hospital.
Besigye has been in detention since November 2024, after being abducted in Kenya and brought back to Uganda.
He remains unconscious and unresponsive, refusing treatment from government medical staff.
His wife, Winnie Byanyima, has asked for him to be treated by his personal doctor at a private clinic.
Besigye’s main lawyer was arrested last month, and another lawyer was barred from entering Uganda.
Supporters are appealing to President Museveni and the army chief for Besigye’s release on humanitarian grounds.
Besigye has run against President Yoweri Museveni multiple times and once served as Museveni’s personal doctor.

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BBC World

Can the UN’s Refugee Convention survive?

July 30, 2026 • Al Jazeera

Summary

The 1951 UN Refugee Convention was created to protect people forced to flee their countries because of danger. Today, many countries face challenges in following its rules due to large numbers of refugees from conflicts around the world. Some countries have introduced stricter policies against refugees, raising concerns about the future of the convention.

Key Facts

The Refugee Convention was created after World War II to protect people fleeing persecution.
It currently has 149 countries as members and no country has left the agreement.
More than 41 million refugees are recorded worldwide due to recent wars and crises.
The convention protects refugees from being sent back to countries where they might be harmed (non-refoulement).
Some rich countries, including the US and European nations, have tightened rules on refugees and asylum seekers.
The US Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to turn back asylum seekers and remove protected status from some groups.
European countries like Denmark and Greece have implemented policies that critics say contradict the convention’s principles.
Campaigners call for more international cooperation and fair sharing of responsibility to protect refugees.

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Al Jazeera

At least 13 killed in Russian attacks on Ukraine as Poland investigates airspace violation – Europe live

July 30, 2026 • Guardian World

Summary

At least 13 people died and many were hurt in heavy Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine. Poland is investigating an explosion after an unidentified object, believed to be a Russian missile, crossed into its airspace and crashed.

Key Facts

Russia launched 74 missiles and 284 drones targeting Ukraine.
Casualties mainly occurred in the Dnipropetrovsk and Lviv regions of Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine lacks enough air defense missiles from its partners.
An object entered Polish airspace near the Ukrainian border and exploded in eastern Poland.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is leading an emergency meeting about the incident.
Ukraine’s foreign minister identified the object as a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile.
The missile crossing into Poland violated NATO airspace.
Ukrainian and Polish officials emphasized the need to focus on their shared security against Russia despite past disputes.

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Guardian World

In the waters off Malaysia, Iranian oil sales continue despite blockade

July 30, 2026 • Al Jazeera

Summary

An Iranian oil tanker called Humanity sailed near Malaysia, turned off its tracking system, and likely transferred its oil cargo to another ship at sea. This area is known as a place where Iranian oil is secretly sold despite U.S. sanctions and a naval blockade. Most of this oil is believed to be sent to China.

Key Facts

The tanker Humanity passed through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore and entered Malaysian waters before turning off its automatic identification system (AIS).
The ship was near the Eastern Outer Port Limits (EOPL) of Malaysia in the South China Sea, an area about 70 km from shore.
The tanker likely transferred its oil to another ship at sea to hide the oil’s Iranian origin, a practice called ship-to-ship transfer.
China buys around 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports, often through small, independent refineries known as “teapot” refineries.
The EOPL has been a busy area for selling sanctioned oil from Iran, Russia, and Venezuela for many years.
Satellite data shows that such oil trading activities have continued despite an ongoing U.S.-Israel blockade of Iranian ports.
Malaysia has legal control over the area’s natural resources but faces difficulties policing oil transfer activities there.
Malaysia recently updated its laws to try to stop unauthorized ship activities in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

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Al Jazeera

Liz Waddell: Husband of American Missing in Grenada Believes No Foul Play

July 30, 2026 • Newsweek

Summary

Elizabeth "Liz" Waddell, an American tourist, went missing while swimming near Grand Anse, Grenada, on July 22. After a week-long search involving family, local authorities, and the U.S. Embassy, her husband said they believe no crime was involved in her disappearance.

Key Facts

Liz Waddell is from North Carolina.
She disappeared while swimming near Grand Anse beach in Grenada at about 5:30 p.m. on July 22.
Her husband, Cailen Waddell, participated in the search along with family, local police, the U.S. Embassy, and volunteers.
The search lasted a week and involved hundreds of hours of effort.
Authorities are still investigating her disappearance as a missing person case.
Officials are looking for information about her actions before she entered the water.
No evidence so far suggests foul play or criminal activity in her disappearance.
The case is ongoing and updates will follow as new information appears.

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Newsweek

WATCH: 'The Brady Experience' offers tours of iconic TV home

July 30, 2026 • ABC News

Summary

"The Brady Experience" is a new attraction in Los Angeles where fans can visit a replica of the original house used in the TV show "The Brady Bunch." The tour includes many details that appeared in the show, allowing visitors to experience the iconic setting up close.

Key Facts

"The Brady Experience" offers tours of the famous home from "The Brady Bunch."
It is located in Los Angeles.
The home is a detailed replica of the original TV house.
The tour highlights many recognizable features from the show.
The experience is designed for fans of the classic series.
It is a newly opened attraction as of July 2026.
Visitors can explore the setting of this popular 1970s TV show.
The exhibit aims to recreate the feeling of the original show's environment.

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ABC News

Deadly overnight raid on a Pakistani police post leaves 11 officers and 15 attackers dead

July 30, 2026 • AP News

Summary

A violent attack on a police post in northwestern Pakistan killed 11 police officers and 15 attackers after a gunfight. The attack took place in the Hangu district near Afghanistan, with security forces fighting the militants for about an hour.

Key Facts

The attack happened overnight at the Khazina police post in Hangu district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
11 police officers died, including a senior officer named Diyar Khan who led backup forces.
Security forces killed 15 militants during the gunbattle.
More than 24 police officers were injured in the attack.
Militants used heavy weapons and ambushed reinforcements on the way, damaging an armored vehicle.
No group claimed the attack, but suspicion points to Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a known militant group active in the area.
The TTP is linked to the Afghan Taliban, who returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
Pakistan accuses Afghanistan’s Taliban government of sheltering TTP militants; Afghanistan denies this.

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AP News

Russian strikes across Ukraine, from east to west, kill at least 7 and wound dozens

July 30, 2026 • AP News

Summary

Russian forces carried out missile attacks across Ukraine, killing at least seven people and wounding dozens more. The hardest hit areas were in the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region and the western Lviv region, with damage to homes, schools, and other buildings.

Key Facts

Russian attacks happened overnight into Thursday across multiple regions of Ukraine.
At least 7 people died, including children aged 6, 11, and 17 in the Dnipropetrovsk area.
Dozens of people were injured, including at least 30 in Lviv and several in Kyiv and the Kyiv region.
Residential buildings, schools, kindergartens, markets, and vehicles were damaged or destroyed.
The attacks have been happening almost every week and have intensified over the summer.
Local officials in the affected regions reported the casualties and damage through social media.
Kyiv was hit with ballistic missiles, killing one man and injuring two others.
Rescue operations were ongoing in the hardest-hit areas as officials provided updates.

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AP News

Cooler weather and potential rain move into the French region torched by wildfires

July 30, 2026 • AP News

Summary

Cooler and more humid weather, along with some rain, arrived in southwestern France, where huge wildfires have burned a large area. Firefighters are still working hard to control these fires, while similar wildfires continue in Greece, where three firefighters recently died.

Key Facts

Wildfires in southwestern France have burned an area about four times the size of Paris (approximately 42,000 hectares or 162 square miles).
Cooler temperatures around 27°C (80°F) and light rain are expected to help slow the fires.
About 2,200 firefighters and more than 20 aircraft are actively fighting the fires in France.
Humidity reached 80% overnight but is expected to fall by midday.
An “orange” heat wave alert was lifted in the affected French region.
Wildfires are also burning in southern Greece, particularly on the island of Crete.
Three firefighters have died while battling wildfires on Crete.
Up to a third of a million people have been evacuated from homes and vacation areas in France and Spain due to the fires.

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AP News France24

Archibald prize 2026: portrait of Jewish leader after Bondi terror attack wins people’s choice award

July 30, 2026 • Guardian World

Summary

Artist Michael Zavros won the 2026 Archibald people’s choice award for his portrait of Alex Ryvchin, a Jewish community leader, painted shortly after the Bondi terror attack. The portrait features Jewish cultural symbols and reflects on faith, history, and the impact of recent events on the community.

Key Facts

Michael Zavros won the $5,000 people’s choice prize for his portrait of Alex Ryvchin.
Alex Ryvchin is co-head of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.
The portrait was created weeks after the Bondi terror attack.
The painting includes tefillin, a Jewish religious item with verses from the Torah.
Zavros and Ryvchin met at a Sydney beach before the portrait was made.
Zavros discovered Ashkenazi Jewish heritage in his background after a DNA test.
The main Archibald prize ($100,000) was won by Richard Lewer for a different portrait.
A record number of 45,769 votes were cast for the people’s choice award this year.

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Guardian World

Polling stations open for mayoral election

July 30, 2026 • BBC Top Stories

Summary

Polling stations in Greater Manchester have opened for a mayoral election after Andy Burnham resigned. Voters will choose a new mayor using a voting system that allows them to pick a first and second choice.

Key Facts

Andy Burnham resigned as mayor because he was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP), and MPs cannot be mayors.
The mayoral election is happening to find Burnham’s replacement.
Polling stations opened at 7:00 AM and will close at 10:00 PM BST.
Seven candidates are running, representing different political parties and groups.
The voting uses the supplementary vote system, where voters choose a first and second choice.
If no candidate gets more than 50% of first-choice votes, only the top two move to a second round.
Second-choice votes from the eliminated candidates are counted to decide the winner.
The election results will be announced on Friday.

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BBC Top Stories

Campaigners rail against ‘plundering’ of ancient Kent woodland to make way for quarry expansion

July 30, 2026 • Guardian World

Summary

Kent County Council has proposed expanding a quarry into Oaken Wood, a 40-hectare ancient woodland site in Kent. The plan would require destroying parts of a forest that has existed for centuries and supports important wildlife and natural habitats.

Key Facts

Oaken Wood is an ancient woodland site continuously wooded since at least the year 1600.
The wood has been traditionally managed by coppicing sweet chestnut trees, helping them regrow and absorb more carbon.
The area supports wildlife such as dormice, nightjars, and owls, plus old oak trees and wildflowers.
Kent County Council wants to expand a nearby quarry to extract Kentish ragstone, a stone used in historic buildings like the Tower of London.
The council’s approval would include Oaken Wood in their mineral sites plan but still needs government permission.
Campaigners oppose the plan, arguing that protecting nature should take priority over mining stone for building restoration.
Ancient woodland soils contain fungi networks, seed banks, and act as carbon sinks, making the forest ecosystem difficult to replace.
The quarrying would mean destroying the woodland, which cannot be simply recreated once lost.

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Guardian World

Polls open in Greater Manchester mayoral byelection overshadowed by new PM and Farage’s antics

July 30, 2026 • Guardian World

Summary

Voting has started in the Greater Manchester mayoral byelection, which is the largest byelection in UK history with over 2 million voters. Labour candidate Bev Craig is expected to win easily, as Labour has gained support following Andy Burnham becoming prime minister and Reform UK’s focus shifting elsewhere.

Key Facts

The byelection is to replace Andy Burnham, who left the mayor role after winning a parliamentary seat.
Over 2 million people can vote in this election, making it the biggest byelection in British history.
Bev Craig, Labour’s candidate and leader of Manchester city council, leads in polls by around 20 percentage points.
Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has shifted attention to a different election in Clacton.
The mayor controls a £3 billion yearly budget and important powers in housing, health, policing, and transport.
The election uses a supplementary voting system where second-choice votes can decide the winner if no one gets over 50%.
Labour is likely to gain more second-choice votes than Reform UK, giving them an advantage.
The Green party believes its real support is stronger than polls show, especially outside central Manchester.

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Guardian World

Middle East live: US air strikes on Iran's Qeshm island kill three people

July 30, 2026 • France24

Summary

The US military carried out air strikes on Iran’s Qeshm island, killing three people including a child. The strikes were in response to Iranian attacks on US military bases in Jordan. Jordan also intercepted missiles launched from Iran, and the US imposed new sanctions related to Iran.

Key Facts

US air strikes on Qeshm island in Iran killed three people, including a two-year-old child.
The US said the strikes were retaliation for Iranian attacks on US bases in Jordan.
Jordan’s air defenses shot down five missiles fired from Iran with no reported casualties.
US and Saudi strikes in Iraq killed at least 20 members of a pro-Iran armed group called Hashed al-Shaabi.
Iraq warned it will protect its land and stop it from being used against other countries.
The US imposed new sanctions on groups linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards for attacking commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump stated the US would respond strongly to attacks on US forces in the region.

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France24

MI5 agent murder report led to secret police phone checks

July 30, 2026 • BBC Top Stories

Summary

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) conducted secret checks on the phone of journalist Brian Rowan after he reported on the murder of Denis Donaldson, who was an MI5 and police agent. This spying was part of an operation called "Operation Mally" and involved monitoring Rowan’s communications to find his sources. The PSNI chief has offered to meet Rowan to discuss the matter, and the family of Denis Donaldson are concerned that they may also have been watched.

Key Facts

Denis Donaldson was a police and MI5 agent inside Sinn Féin.
Journalist Brian Rowan’s phone was secretly monitored by PSNI after he wrote about Donaldson’s murder.
The spying searched for contacts between Rowan’s phone and police phones to identify sources.
This operation, called "Operation Mally," happened around 2006 and was not previously disclosed.
The Chief Constable of PSNI, Jon Boutcher, has offered to meet Rowan to address concerns.
The family of Denis Donaldson suspect they might have also been monitored in some way.
An independent review found PSNI’s spying on journalists was not widespread or systemic but identified several unlawful cases.
Since a law change in 2015, no further unlawful access to journalists’ phone data by PSNI has been reported.

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BBC Top Stories

Jordanian air defenses shoot down 5 missiles launched from Iran, state-run news agency says

July 30, 2026 • AP News

Summary

Jordan’s air defenses shot down five missiles fired from Iran, according to Jordan’s official news agency. The U.S. military responded with strikes on numerous Iranian Revolutionary Guard targets after Iran attacked a U.S. base in Jordan. No casualties were reported from the missile interceptions or air strikes.

Key Facts

Jordan intercepted and destroyed five missiles launched from Iran.
No one was hurt by the missile attacks in Jordan.
The U.S. carried out air strikes against many Iranian Revolutionary Guard locations.
President Donald Trump promised a strong response after Iran targeted the U.S. base in Jordan.
Iranian media reported injuries from attacks on the island of Qeshm and explosions in Khuzestan province.
The U.S. and Saudi Arabia attacked Iran-backed militias in Iraq, killing at least 26 people including Iranian advisers.
Drone strikes caused fires on two natural gas vessels at the Egyptian port of Damietta; the responsible party is unclear.
The ongoing conflict risks escalating into a wider war and impacts the global economy.

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AP News

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