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Large wildfires continue to affect southern Europe, including France, Spain, and Greece, driven by heat, drought, and strong winds. Firefighters have contained a major fire in the Fontainebleau forest near Paris and are battling new blazes near Dijon, while three firefighters died fighting fires in Greece.
Key Facts
A wildfire near Fontainebleau south of Paris has been contained, affecting about 6 hectares.
A new fire broke out near Dijon in the Burgundy region, burning 125 hectares so far, with no injuries or home damage reported.
More than 150 firefighters and 78 fire trucks are working on the fire near Dijon, with reinforcements expected.
Water-dropping helicopters assisted in the Dijon fire during the day but stopped at night.
Three firefighters died on July 29 while battling wildfires in Greece amid strong winds.
Wildfires across southern Europe are driven by a combination of heat, drought, and windy conditions.
Authorities warn that the next 12 hours are crucial for controlling a fire in the Madrid region, Spain.
Thousands of people have been evacuated from tourist areas in France due to ongoing fires.
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A 19-year-old French student in Singapore was fined S$600 (about $465) for licking a straw from an orange juice vending machine and putting it back. He shared a video of the act on social media, which led to public outrage and a court case where he pleaded guilty to causing a public nuisance.
Key Facts
The student’s name is Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien.
He licked a straw from an iJooz orange juice vending machine and then replaced it.
The incident happened on March 12 in Goldhill Centre, an affluent area in Singapore.
Maximilien posted the video on Instagram with the caption "city is not safe."
The vending machine company replaced all 500 straws in the dispenser after the incident.
Public nuisance in Singapore can lead to up to a S$2,000 fine or three months in jail.
Both the prosecution and defence agreed that a fine was an appropriate punishment.
Maximilien apologized, saying he did not realize his actions would have serious consequences.
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A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 struck southwestern Japan on Tuesday, causing an explosion at a mall, damaging buildings, and killing at least 23 people. Rescue teams are still working in the affected area, but hope to find more survivors is fading.
Key Facts
The earthquake occurred in the Kumamoto area on Kyushu, Japan’s southern main island.
It measured 7.1 in magnitude.
The quake caused an explosion at an AEON Mall shopping center.
A factory chimney was toppled, and many homes were destroyed.
At least 23 people have died as a result of the earthquake.
At least 63 people were injured, with five in serious condition.
Rescuers continue to search for survivors, but time is running out.
The exact number of missing people is unknown.
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Australia's eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman-Grant, has taken legal action against the messaging app Telegram for allegedly not removing extremist and pro-terror content, including violent videos. Telegram could face a fine of up to A$54.6 million for not following Australia’s Online Safety Act rules.
Key Facts
Australia is suing Telegram for not removing pro-terror content, including videos from terrorist attacks.
The possible fine for Telegram is up to A$54.6 million (about US$38 million).
The case involves content linked to known violent extremist acts like the 2019 Christchurch mosque shooting and the Buffalo shooting in 2022.
Julie Inman-Grant said Telegram ignored warnings and kept extremist content easy to find on the platform.
Telegram was previously fined A$1 million in February 2025 for slow responses to questions about child abuse and extremist content.
Russia charged Telegram’s founder Pavel Durov with facilitating terrorism, and France is investigating him for not moderating content properly.
Australia might ask the federal court to stop Telegram’s service if the situation does not improve.
The case highlights the pressure on digital platforms to protect users from violent and extremist content.
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Mansouri village in southern Lebanon is split by Israel’s Yellow Line, a military border that separates a small part of Lebanon occupied by Israel from the rest of the country. Residents of Mansouri say they live with fear because of this division and the presence of Israeli forces.
Key Facts
Mansouri is a village in southern Lebanon.
The village is divided by the Yellow Line, a military boundary.
The Yellow Line separates 6% of Lebanese land occupied by Israel.
Israel controls the area beyond the Yellow Line.
Residents report living in fear due to this separation.
The division affects daily life and security in Mansouri.
Al Jazeera journalist Zeina Khodr interviewed the villagers.
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Russian forces carried out missile strikes on Kyiv, killing at least one person and causing fires in several districts, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of a large attack. Air raids also damaged buildings in Lviv, and Ukraine called on allies to supply more air defense missiles.
Key Facts
At least one person died from Russian strikes on Kyiv.
Fires were reported in several districts of Kyiv.
Kyiv mayor urged people to stay in shelters due to ongoing missile attacks.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy warned of a massive Russian strike and urged caution during air raid alerts.
Residential buildings in Lviv were damaged by Russian air attacks.
Poland scrambled fighter jets to protect its airspace near Ukraine’s border.
Zelenskyy requested more air defense missiles from Ukraine’s allies.
A warehouse in Penza, Russia, was damaged by a Ukrainian drone attack, injuring one person and causing evacuations.
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The United States military launched strong strikes on Iran after Iran attacked US bases and allies in the Middle East. These attacks increased tensions in the region, involving several countries including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, and Israel, and reduced chances for peaceful talks.
Key Facts
The US carried out strikes targeting Iranian forces in response to attacks on US bases in Jordan.
Saudi Arabia and the US hit militant bases in Iraq linked to Iran.
Iran fired missiles at Jordan, which intercepted several of them.
Israel accused Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group, of breaking a ceasefire by using a drone attack.
The US and Saudi air operation targeted sites belonging to Iran-aligned militias in Iraq.
The Iraqi group Hashed al-Shaabi said 20 members, including Iranian advisors, were killed and condemned the strikes.
Iraq protested the US-Saudi strikes, calling them a violation of its sovereignty.
President Donald Trump said the US strikes were coordinated with the Iraqi government.
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A strong earthquake of magnitude 6.8 struck Japan’s Kumamoto prefecture on Kyushu island, killing 17 people and injuring at least 62. Rescue efforts face challenges from high heat, a large aftershock, and damage to buildings including a collapsed shopping mall.
Key Facts
The earthquake hit Kumamoto prefecture in south-west Japan with a magnitude of 6.8.
At least 17 people have died and 62 were injured.
Around 5,000 Self-Defense Forces personnel are conducting rescue operations.
A magnitude 5.8 aftershock occurred overnight, hindering rescue work.
About 170 rescue workers are searching inside the damaged Aeon mall in Kashima town.
Nearly 35,000 homes have lost electricity, and 15,000 homes lack running water.
More than 8,800 people are staying in over 400 shelters with added air conditioning due to hot weather reaching 35°C.
Some residential areas have homes flattened and collapsed into a river.
The earthquake caused damage to buildings, roads, and factories, leading some car and chip manufacturers to halt production temporarily.
Japan is located in a very seismically active zone known as the "ring of fire," with frequent earthquakes.
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Safiya Musa, a Nigerian mother, lost her husband and two children in a violent raid by armed bandits in Katsina State. After fleeing with her remaining children, she found a new way to support her family through a United Nations program that taught her sewing and provided her with materials to start a small business making handbags.
Key Facts
In 2023, armed bandits attacked Kankara, Katsina State, killing about 20 people, including Safiya’s husband and two youngest children.
Safiya fled first to Batsari, then later to Jibia to escape further bandit attacks.
She now lives in a camp for displaced people in Jibia with her three surviving children.
Northwest Nigeria has faced over a decade of violent raids and kidnappings by armed bandits.
The violence has forced thousands of families to leave their homes and disrupted farming and trade.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) runs a Climate Security Project providing vocational training to women affected by conflict in the region.
Safiya was trained in handbag-making, received sewing machines and materials, and turned this skill into an income source.
The project trained 20 women in March 2024 to help them start small businesses to become self-reliant.
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A cold front will bring cooler weather and some rain to parts of the UK this week. However, many drought-hit areas in England and Wales will likely not receive rain soon, continuing water shortages and restrictions.
Key Facts
Temperatures reached 35.2°C on Wednesday in parts of the UK, the hottest day in over two weeks.
The UK set a new June temperature record of 38.0°C last month.
More than half of England and parts of Wales are officially in drought due to prolonged hot, dry weather.
Over 20 million people in England are under hosepipe bans to save water.
Northern Wales and Upper Severn river basin were declared in drought last week.
Scotland monitors water scarcity rather than declaring drought but some areas face severe shortages.
The cooling cold front is unlikely to bring rain to the driest areas in southern England.
Rain is expected mainly in north-west UK, which has had wetter conditions this month.
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Au Kam San, a former pro-democracy lawmaker in Macao, was arrested in July 2025 under Macao’s national security law. His family says he has faced restrictions on legal representation and communication, raising concerns about fairness as his case moves forward.
Key Facts
Au Kam San is the first publicly known person arrested under Macao’s national security law since 2009.
He is accused of giving false information to overseas anti-China groups and inciting hatred against Beijing and Macao’s government.
Authorities limited Au’s choice of lawyer and prevented the lawyer found by his family from visiting him.
Books related to the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy movement were confiscated from Au’s home.
Au has been held incommunicado, meaning no contact with his family for nearly a year.
A court confirmed charges against Au include subverting state power and endangering national security.
He could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted on multiple charges.
Macao operates as a Chinese special administrative region with a government loyal to Beijing and limits on pro-democracy activism.
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The US military launched strikes against Iran after Iran attempted attacks on American forces in the Middle East. These actions follow recent joint US-Saudi strikes on Iranian-backed groups in Iraq and come amid ongoing conflict between the two countries.
Key Facts
The US began strikes in response to Iran firing on US bases in Jordan and ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The US Central Command (Centcom) called the strikes a "powerful response" to Iran's attacks.
Joint US-Saudi airstrikes recently hit Iranian proxy sites in Iraq, targeting military and weapons locations.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it attacked a US air base and command center in Jordan and struck oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump promised a strong retaliation against Iran for attacking US troops.
Iraq condemned the US-Saudi strikes on the Popular Mobilisation Forces, an Iran-backed group, calling it a violation of Iraqi sovereignty.
President Trump claimed the strikes were coordinated with the Iraqi government.
The conflict has lasted five months, despite attempts at diplomatic talks and temporary pauses in fighting.
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Thousands of people in Spain were allowed to return home after firefighters controlled some major wildfires. Meanwhile, France faced new wildfires and high temperatures as a heatwave continued across southern Europe.
Key Facts
Spain lifted evacuation orders for parts of Avila province and towns near Madrid on July 30, 2026.
Some people returned to homes untouched, while others found their houses destroyed by fire.
Firefighters in France’s Gironde region reported a second calm night as the large wildfire near Bordeaux remained stable.
More than 600 people fled a new wildfire in the Var region on France’s Mediterranean coast.
Another wildfire near Dijon in eastern France burned 125 hectares but caused no casualties or home damage.
Europe has experienced several heatwaves and a severe drought this year, increasing wildfire risks.
Spain burned 207,000 hectares of land, one of the largest amounts recorded in January to July.
France burned 92,000 hectares in the same period, the highest in 20 years.
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A large wildfire has broken out on the Suffolk coast at Dunwich Heath. Firefighters are working hard to control the fast-moving fire, which has led authorities to declare a major incident and ask people to avoid the area.
Key Facts
The wildfire started on Wednesday afternoon in heathland near Dunwich Heath, Suffolk.
About 90 firefighters are responding to the fire in difficult conditions.
The fire is spreading quickly towards St James's Church near Westleton Road.
A major incident was declared because of the fire's size and complexity.
The National Trust and RSPB Minsmere nature reserves are near the fire and helping with the response.
People are asked to avoid Westleton Heath, Mount Pleasant, Westleton Walks, and a main bridleway to keep the area clear.
Fire crews are using off-road vehicles, drones, and quad bikes to fight the fire.
There is an amber heat-health alert for nearby regions due to hot weather, which may affect fire risks.
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The United States and Iran are both claiming control over the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global oil and gas shipments. President Donald Trump announced the U.S. will enforce a blockade and charge ships fees for safe passage, while Iran insists it controls the strait and has threatened to attack vessels not following its routes. This rivalry increases tensions and risks disrupting international trade and energy markets.
Key Facts
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow passage between Iran and Oman, used for transporting Middle East oil and natural gas.
Iran claims sovereignty over the strait and controls its waterways through its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.
The United States says it controls the strait and announced it will block Iran and charge fees for safe ship passage.
Both countries are carrying out attacks against each other to assert control over the waterway.
International law recognizes the strait as an international waterway allowing free passage for ships.
Neither the U.S. nor Iran has formally agreed to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, but its rules are widely accepted.
Iran’s control efforts followed attacks by the U.S. and Israel on Iranian targets earlier in 2026.
Disputes over control have increased global energy prices by threatening the reliability of oil shipments through the strait.
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Wildfire smoke contains tiny particles that can harm health and linger in the air for days. Experts advise staying indoors and using air filters, either built into air conditioners or portable ones, to keep indoor air clean during smoke events.
Key Facts
Wildfire smoke has small particles that cause short-term and long-term health problems.
Smoke can spread over large areas and stay for multiple days.
Central air conditioners can help clean indoor air if they have high-quality filters (MERV 13 or above) and recirculate inside air.
Portable air filters with HEPA filters are effective and should not produce ozone, which is harmful.
DIY air filters made by attaching furnace filters to box fans are affordable and work well.
Running the AC fan continuously during smoke events is recommended.
Window AC units often lack proper filters, so pairing them with portable or DIY air filters is best.
Heat combined with smoke worsens health risks, so keeping cool and filtering air is important.
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The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. About 20% of the world’s traded oil and a similar share of natural gas pass through it, making it a vital route for global energy supplies. Recent conflicts and attacks in the area have disrupted shipping, causing oil prices to rise worldwide.
Key Facts
The Strait of Hormuz is about 21 miles wide at its narrowest point.
It connects major oil exporters in the Middle East like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UAE, Kuwait, and Iran to markets in Asia, Europe, and North America.
Around one-fifth of the world’s traded crude oil passes through the strait daily.
Recent attacks by Iran on oil infrastructure have lowered tanker traffic and production in the area.
Iran uses missiles and low-cost drones to target ports and refineries, making defense difficult.
Limited pipelines exist to bypass the strait, but they cannot replace its full oil-carrying capacity.
Reduced oil exports from this region have caused global oil prices to increase, affecting consumers worldwide, including in the United States where gas prices are over $4 per gallon.
The Strait of Hormuz’s status heavily influences global energy security and market stability.
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Artist Betye Saar, known for her work highlighting Black identity, culture, and spirituality, died at age 99 in Los Angeles. She was a key figure in the 1960s Black Art Movement and created art using found objects to express themes of Black liberation and history.
Key Facts
Betye Saar died at 99 years old and would have turned 100 this week.
She was part of the 1960s Black Art Movement and pioneered assemblage art using found objects.
Saar reclaimed harmful Black stereotypes and historic memorabilia to create powerful artworks promoting Black empowerment.
One of her famous works is "The Liberation of Aunt Jemima" (1972), which transformed a racist image into a symbol of resistance.
Her work evolved to include themes about culture, politics, environment, and history.
Saar began as a designer and started making art at age 35, continuing into her 90s.
Major museums like the Museum of Modern Art and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art have exhibited her work, especially in recent years.
She taught and influenced many Black artists and was honored by the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 2026.
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Uganda has declared itself free of Ebola after releasing its last patient in mid-June and completing a 42-day waiting period without new cases. Meanwhile, the Ebola outbreak in neighboring Congo continues, with a high number of confirmed cases and deaths reported.
Key Facts
Uganda’s last Ebola patient was discharged on June 16, 2026.
Uganda waited 42 days, the time needed to confirm no new Ebola cases, before declaring the country Ebola-free.
Uganda’s cases were linked to the larger outbreak in eastern Congo’s Ituri province.
Uganda reported a total of 20 Ebola cases during the outbreak.
Uganda took measures like canceling a large religious event and halting transport to prevent spread.
Congo has reported 3,262 Ebola cases and 1,437 deaths as of the latest update.
The current Congo outbreak is the fastest spreading on record and may soon pass the country’s previous highest toll.
There is no approved vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo type of Ebola virus causing this outbreak.
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The United States has resumed airstrikes on Iran after several days without attacks, following Iranian missile strikes on US bases in Jordan. The conflict involves multiple countries, including Saudi Arabia and Iran-backed militias in Iraq, raising fears of a wider war in the Middle East.
Key Facts
The US launched airstrikes in Iran in response to Iran’s recent missile attacks on American forces in Jordan.
President Donald Trump said the US would strike Iran hard and warned Iran that more attacks were coming.
Saudi Arabia partnered with the US to target militias backed by Iran in Iraq, killing at least 20 fighters and six Iranian advisers.
Drone strikes caused fires on two natural gas ships at Egypt’s Damietta port; it is unclear who carried out these strikes.
If Iran or its allies were behind the strikes on Egypt, the conflict could significantly widen.
Oil prices rose sharply after the renewed fighting, with Brent crude reaching $88 per barrel.
Iraq’s president condemned the US-Saudi strikes on Iraqi territory as a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty.
Saudi Arabia is seeking to build an international coalition to protect shipping routes in the Red Sea from attacks by the Houthi group.
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