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World News
Comprehensive coverage of international news and global events
A woman and her toddler were found dead in the ocean near Port Macdonnell, South Australia. Emergency crews are searching for a missing baby who was with them.
Key Facts
A car with its engine running was found at Port Macdonnell at about 11:15 a.m. on Monday.
Police discovered the bodies of a 36-year-old woman from Compton and her toddler in the ocean.
The baby who was with them is missing, and police are very concerned for its safety.
Detectives and forensic experts are on their way to investigate the scene.
Police asked the public to report any sightings of a white Isuzu MUX with license plate S592BJR.
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France and Spain are battling huge wildfires that have forced hundreds of thousands of people to leave their homes. Firefighters are racing against a heat wave expected to make the fires worse, while government leaders work to support affected communities and prepare for the recovery.
Key Facts
Over 250,000 people have been evacuated in France due to large wildfires, especially in the Gironde region.
The Gironde fire has burned an area four times the size of Paris.
Firefighters have seen some progress overnight, helped by rain and favorable conditions in some areas.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron held a crisis meeting and promised long-term aid for those affected.
Spain also faces wildfires near Madrid and Valencia, with 76,000 people evacuated and 30,000 confined at home.
The fires have created rare “pyrocumulonimbus” clouds that can produce strong winds, lightning, and even small tornadoes.
Officials attribute the fires’ size and intensity to early, severe heat waves and dry conditions linked to climate change.
Authorities are taking extra steps to keep tourists away from fire-affected areas during peak holiday season.
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Mediators from Qatar and Pakistan have made progress in talks to prevent war between the United States and Iran after a period of rising attacks. Both countries have paused their military strikes for three days, creating a chance to return to a ceasefire and discuss safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
Key Facts
The United States and Iran stopped attacking each other for three days following nearly two weeks of escalating strikes.
Mediators led by Qatar and Pakistan are trying to reopen talks between Washington and Tehran.
The U.S. attacks began after Iran fired at ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, an important global oil route.
President Donald Trump has allowed space for these diplomatic talks to continue.
The U.S. denies running low on defensive interceptors used against Iranian attacks.
Iran’s military has launched counterattacks killing at least four U.S. service members in the region.
Mediators are also working with Oman to manage safe ship transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran says it is receiving messages through mediators but is not in direct talks with the U.S. at this time.
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Elon Musk shared a violent film called Citizen Vigilante on his social media platform X, which portrays extreme anti-immigrant and far-right ideas. Musk has also promoted far-right politicians and messages in Europe, especially on issues related to immigration and race, using his influence to support these views.
Key Facts
Citizen Vigilante is a violent film by German director Uwe Boll starring Armie Hammer.
The film was initially denied a rating in Germany but gained attention when Elon Musk made it free on X for 48 hours.
Musk reposted a message suggesting vigilante murder is a moderate response to crimes committed by immigrants.
Musk owns X (formerly Twitter), where many content moderation rules were removed, making it a platform with more far-right content.
He has reposted messages from white nationalist activists claiming white people are under threat.
Musk endorsed Marine Le Pen, leader of France's far-right National Rally party.
He shared content from far-right activists like Tommy Robinson and supported right-wing parties in several European countries.
Musk encouraged protests after a violent stabbing in Northern Ireland linked to immigration tensions, and his posts coincided with riots in Belfast.
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Bill Oddie, a British comedian and nature presenter, has died at age 85. He was famous in the 1970s for the comedy group The Goodies and later hosted nature programs like BBC’s Springwatch. Throughout his life, he dealt with serious depression and mental health challenges.
Key Facts
Bill Oddie was born on July 7, 1941, near Rochdale, England.
He became famous as part of the comedy group The Goodies in the 1970s.
Oddie loved bird watching and made it a central part of his career.
He presented nature shows, including the BBC’s popular Springwatch.
He suffered from severe depression and was treated in psychiatric hospitals.
His treatment caused serious side effects, including lithium poisoning.
Oddie attended Cambridge University and was part of the Footlights comedy club.
The Goodies’ song “Funky Gibbon” reached number four on the UK music charts.
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A 21-year-old man with a history related to Islamist extremism drove a minivan into people near the Berlin Pride parade, killing one person. Police shot and killed the suspect the day after the attack in the Tiergarten park area close to the Brandenburg Gate.
Key Facts
The attack took place at about 10 pm on a Saturday near Berlin’s Pride celebrations.
The location was Tiergarten park, near the Brandenburg Gate.
One person died as a result of the van ramming the crowd.
The suspect was a 21-year-old man with previous Islamist extremist activity.
Police shot the suspect dead on Sunday, one day after the attack.
The attack was close to Christopher Street Day, one of Europe’s largest LGBTQ events.
The incident was treated as connected to terrorism due to the suspect’s background.
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Firefighters in France worked throughout the night to fight a large wildfire, assisted by local people. Aircraft used to fight fires from the air could not operate at night due to poor visibility, so most work was done on the ground.
Key Facts
Nighttime conditions stopped firefighting planes from flying.
Firefighters worked closely on the ground with local residents.
The wildfire was large and difficult to control.
The blaze threatened important French defense company sites.
Similar wildfires are happening in Spain nearby.
Climate change is making such extreme fires more common and severe.
French President Macron held a crisis meeting because of the fires.
About 250,000 people had to leave their homes due to the wildfires.
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A large wildfire in southwestern France has burned over 42,000 hectares and destroyed 240 homes. The fire is now threatening important French defence and space industry sites near Bordeaux.
Key Facts
The wildfire is in the Gironde region of southwestern France.
More than 42,000 hectares (about 104,000 acres) have burned so far.
Around 240 homes have been destroyed by the fire.
The flames are moving closer to Bordeaux, a major city.
Key French defence companies like ArianeGroup, Dassault, and Thales have sites near the fire.
These sites are considered sensitive because they work with defence and space technology.
Firefighters are working hard to stop the fire from spreading further.
The wildfire is part of a wider trend of extreme weather events linked to climate change.
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Spanish officials said they will begin letting some people who left their homes because of wildfires near Madrid return on Monday. The spread of these large forest fires has slowed down, showing some success in efforts to control the damage.
Key Facts
Spain is starting to allow evacuees from wildfires near Madrid to go back home.
These wildfires are some of the worst forest fires in Spain’s history.
The fire situation has improved, with slower fire growth reported.
Authorities are managing the crisis and coordinating returns carefully.
Wildfires have affected thousands of people, forcing many to evacuate.
The fires are part of a larger pattern of extreme weather events linked to climate change.
Neighboring France is also dealing with large wildfires and related emergencies.
European leaders are holding crisis meetings to address the fires and their impact.
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Large wildfires are burning in southwest France near Bordeaux and central Spain near Madrid. Experts say climate change, with more heatwaves and less rain, is causing more frequent and stronger fires in these areas.
Key Facts
Wildfires are some of the worst in decades in southwest France and central Spain.
Climate change has led to repeated heatwaves and dry conditions.
Dry grass and forests have helped fires spread quickly.
These fires release large amounts of CO2, a gas that adds to global warming.
About 250,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in France because of the fires.
French President Macron held a crisis meeting to address the wildfire situation.
Spain has started allowing some people evacuated from fires to return home.
The situation is urgent as new heatwaves are expected, increasing the risk of more fires.
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President Emmanuel Macron has called an emergency meeting of his cabinet to deal with large wildfires in southwest France near Bordeaux. Firefighters are working to stop the fires as another heatwave is expected, and over 300,000 people in France and Spain have had to leave their homes because of wildfires worsened by extreme heat.
Key Facts
President Macron held a crisis meeting to coordinate the response to wildfires in southwest France.
The wildfires are near Bordeaux, a city with about 850,000 people.
Fires are 9 miles (15 km) from Bordeaux and considered very large by local officials.
Firefighters worked through the night, and the fire situation was mostly stable in the wine-growing Gironde region.
More than 300,000 people have evacuated homes in France and Spain due to wildfires.
Spain evacuated over 75,000 people, including areas near Madrid, where fires have slowed down.
Europe has faced three heatwaves this summer with record-high temperatures, which dry out land and make wildfires worse.
Residents described the fires causing ash-covered skies and destruction of forests.
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South Korea’s ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for three years, for lying during his presidential campaign. He denies the charges and has appealed, with the case potentially affecting his party’s election funding if the ruling is upheld.
Key Facts
Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from office in April 2025 after issuing a brief martial law decree in December 2024.
The Seoul Central District Court found Yoon guilty of making false statements during his 2022 presidential campaign.
Yoon was sentenced to 18 months in prison, with the sentence suspended for three years, meaning he will not serve time immediately.
The court ruled that Yoon lied about his relationship with a fortune teller and denied introducing a defense attorney in a bribery case during his time as a prosecutor.
If higher courts uphold the verdict, Yoon’s conservative People Power Party may have to return about 40 billion won ($27 million) in government election reimbursements.
Yoon is facing seven criminal trials, including a life sentence for rebellion linked to his attempt to impose martial law.
The Supreme Court has upheld some of his convictions, including a seven-year sentence related to bypassing Cabinet approval for martial law.
The martial law declaration lasted only a few hours before it was repealed by lawmakers who overcame security forces at the National Assembly.
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Hurricane Genevieve strengthened into a Category 5 storm in the East Pacific but is expected to stay far from land along the coast of Mexico. Another hurricane, Fausto, weakened to Category 1 and is moving toward Hawaii, where it may cause large waves.
Key Facts
Genevieve reached Category 5 status with wind speeds of 160 mph (260 kph).
It is located about 530 miles southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.
Genevieve is moving northwest at 13 mph and will likely stay out at sea.
No watches or warnings are in effect for coastal areas, but dangerous waves and rip currents are possible along parts of Mexico’s coast and Baja California Peninsula.
Genevieve is expected to start weakening on Tuesday.
Hurricane Fausto has weakened to Category 1 with winds of 80 mph (130 kph).
Fausto is about 670 miles east of Hilo, Hawaii, moving west-northwest at 14 mph.
Fausto may become a tropical storm but could still cause strong surf in Hawaii.
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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to deliver his annual State of the Nation speech amid a major corruption scandal involving his allies, political tensions with the vice president’s impeachment trial, and economic challenges from a renewed war in the Middle East. Security is tight in Manila due to protests and recent bomb threats near government buildings.
Key Facts
President Marcos Jr. will give his speech in Quezon City, near Manila, with over 23,000 police deployed for security.
A homemade bomb exploded near the Department of Justice gate, causing no injuries, and bomb parts were found near the Senate.
The corruption scandal exposed last year involves flood-control projects and implicates lawmakers and officials taking illegal payments.
Some Senate members and a former House member have been indicted and detained for corruption related to these projects.
Former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, also indicted, denies wrongdoing and is in hospital detention.
Protests include effigies of President Marcos and U.S. President Donald Trump, reflecting political tensions.
The vice president of the Philippines is currently undergoing an impeachment trial.
Marcos previously declared a national energy emergency due to the war in the Middle East affecting fuel and food supplies.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit the United Kingdom to meet Prime Minister Andy Burnham, marking the first visit by a foreign leader since Burnham took office. The visit highlights the UK’s continued support for Ukraine amidst ongoing conflict with Russia.
Key Facts
Zelenskyy will meet Burnham at a naval base in England on Monday.
This is the first foreign leader visit since Burnham became UK prime minister a week ago.
Burnham has limited foreign policy experience, having served nine years as Manchester’s mayor.
Over 200 Ukrainian military personnel are currently training in Britain to improve war skills and countermine measures.
The UK will share technology behind its “Stone Cloak” system, which helps block drones from being detected.
Ukraine has increased drone attacks inside Russia, targeting military and industrial sites.
Russia responds with missiles and drone attacks on Ukraine.
Recent Russian attacks caused deaths and damaged residential areas in Ukraine.
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Two brothers, Immo and Sascha Feldmer, continue the old tradition of making charcoal in the Harz forest in Germany. They produce charcoal using a method that has been used in the area for over 1,000 years, burning beech wood slowly inside mounds covered with earth.
Key Facts
Immo and Sascha Feldmer run a family charcoal business near Hasselfelde in Germany’s Harz forest.
They use beech wood, which burns slowly and creates high heat, to produce charcoal.
The charcoal is made by stacking wood in earthen mounds that smolder for weeks with limited air to avoid burning into ash.
This traditional charcoal making method has been practiced in the Harz Mountains for more than 1,000 years.
Coal burning was important historically to produce heat needed for smelting metals like silver, lead, copper, and zinc in the area.
Today, mining is no longer active in the Harz region, and only a few charcoal burners remain in Germany.
The Feldmers sell their charcoal mainly for barbecue use.
The process requires constant care to maintain the right amount of ventilation and prevent fires.
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New streaming options this week include “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” the animated “Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” Zendaya and Robert Pattinson’s movie “The Drama,” and Ariana Grande’s new album “Petal.” There is also Lollapalooza music festival streaming from Chicago with many artists performing.
Key Facts
“The Devil Wears Prada 2” streams July 29 on Hulu and Disney+; it brings back the original stars and is set 20 years later.
“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” streams July 30 on Peacock; it was the first film to earn over $1 billion worldwide.
“The Drama,” starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, streams July 31 on HBO Max, featuring a story about a couple facing relationship problems.
Ariana Grande’s new album “Petal” releases July 28 and includes the lead single “Hate That I Made You Love Me.”
Lollapalooza festival runs Thursday to Sunday in Chicago and is available to watch on Disney+ and Hulu.
The selection includes movies, music, and live events available for streaming from July 27 to August 2.
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Bill Oddie, a well-known TV presenter and comedian, has died at 85. He was famous for his work in wildlife programs and for encouraging people to protect the environment.
Key Facts
Bill Oddie died at the age of 85.
He was a TV presenter, comedian, writer, and musician.
Bill Oddie was best known as a wildlife presenter and a bird expert.
He worked to promote respect and protection for nature.
He was involved in protests and campaigns for conservation.
His agent, David Foster, announced his death.
More details about his passing will be released later.
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Hurricane Genevieve has grown into a very strong Category 5 hurricane in the eastern Pacific Ocean, far southwest of Mexico. The storm rapidly intensified over a weekend but is not expected to hit land directly, although it is causing dangerous ocean conditions near the Mexican coast.
Key Facts
Genevieve is a Category 5 hurricane with winds between 150-155 mph.
It formed about 700 miles southwest of Mexico’s coast.
The storm’s central pressure dropped to 934 millibars, indicating high strength.
It rapidly strengthened from Category 1 to Category 5 in less than two days.
Warm ocean waters and favorable weather conditions helped the storm grow quickly.
Genevieve has a small, compact eye about 10 nautical miles wide.
It is moving west-northwest and is expected to stay offshore, away from land.
Coastal areas near Mexico are experiencing dangerous surf and rip currents caused by the storm.
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In 1988, the UK government under Margaret Thatcher banned radio and TV broadcasts of voices from IRA members and Sinn Fein leaders during a violent conflict in Northern Ireland. Media worked around the ban by using actors to dub the speeches, a period explored in the documentary film The Ban.
Key Facts
The broadcasting ban was introduced in 1988 due to IRA attacks in Northern Ireland.
UK radio and TV were not allowed to air voices of IRA members and Sinn Fein leaders.
Media used actors to dub the banned voices, including Stephen Rea dubbing Gerry Adams.
The ban was seen by some as a way to limit free speech and protest during security concerns.
The documentary The Ban features interviews with Gerry Adams, Stephen Rea, and Sinn Fein’s Danny Morrison.
Danny Morrison called the censorship a “farce,” questioning its effectiveness.
The film reflects on how governments use security threats to justify restrictions on speech.
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