President Donald Trump said a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route in the Middle East, could happen as soon as Wednesday or Thursday. Iran and Oman are working on an agreement to allow safe passage of ships through the strait, which is important for global oil shipments.
Key Facts
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway for global oil and gas transport.
President Trump mentioned the deal might be announced soon, with progress made in talks.
The proposed agreement includes ship routes controlled by Iran for entry and Oman for exit.
Service fees may be charged for security and environmental protection in the strait.
The U.S. has opposed any deal that gives Iran control over the strait.
Iran and Oman are negotiating safe shipping lanes that respect their national security.
The deal might be linked to lifting the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports.
Oil prices fell slightly as hopes for a deal increased, easing concerns about supply.
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Every year in Mukalla, Yemen, a weather pattern called Al-Baldah cools the usually hot summer for a few weeks, attracting thousands to the Arabian Sea coast. This seasonal change brings relief and economic chances to local people despite ongoing challenges from the country’s war and poor infrastructure.
Key Facts
Al-Baldah is a yearly climate event in Mukalla, Yemen, occurring from late July to early August.
The weather becomes cooler, drawing crowds to the beaches for swimming and relaxation.
Local youths, like 15-year-old Abdulrahman Badr, sell traditional food and tea to visitors during this time.
The war in Yemen has caused widespread death, displacement, hunger, and damage to infrastructure.
The Al-Baldah season provides some economic opportunities and a break from hardship for residents.
Despite the festive atmosphere, not all locals benefit equally, and issues like power shortages continue to harm daily life.
Temporary stalls and vendors set up along the beach to serve visitors.
Families and young people participate in games and swimming, with some women swimming while wearing traditional full black abayas.
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Goods have started to return to markets in Gaza after months of shortages caused by Israel's blockade and war. However, many families still cannot afford to buy these goods because of job losses, high prices, and ongoing economic problems.
Key Facts
Gaza has faced months of shortages due to Israel’s blockade and war starting in October 2023.
Some goods are now available again in Gaza markets, but prices remain very high.
Many families, like Ghadeer Nassar’s, struggle to find money to buy food and basic items.
People have resorted to selling personal belongings or trading food to survive.
Shop owners face the challenge of customers wanting to buy on credit but not having money to pay later.
Food insecurity remains very high according to the United Nations and the World Food Programme.
Economic conditions in Gaza have worsened, with food prices more than doubling since before the war.
Reconstruction and economic recovery are delayed because Israel has not allowed rebuilding efforts to start fully.
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Russian missile and drone strikes hit Kyiv and nearby areas, killing at least 15 people and wounding many others. These attacks are part of a recent increase in long-range assaults amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Key Facts
At least 15 people died and dozens were injured in Russian strikes on Kyiv and its region overnight.
The Russian military targeted logistic hubs and supply centers in Kyiv, claiming they were used for military purposes.
Russian forces also struck three cargo ships near the Black Sea port of Odesa.
Russia has more than doubled its missile use in July compared to previous periods.
Recent attacks include missile strikes in the Moscow region causing casualties.
Ukrainian authorities and responders have been dealing with damage to warehouses and infrastructure.
The conflict involves frequent long-range missile and drone attacks by both sides.
The situation remains tense with ongoing military actions affecting civilians and logistics.
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An Australian teenager who killed a British woman in Queensland had his reduced prison sentence overturned by Australia’s High Court. The court reinstated the original longer sentence after an appeal had previously shortened it.
Key Facts
Emma Lovell, a 41-year-old British woman living in Australia, was stabbed to death during a home invasion on Boxing Day 2022.
The attacker was a 17-year-old boy at the time, who was sentenced to 14 years in prison with 70% to be served in 2024.
An appeal reduced his sentence to 60%, but the High Court ruled this reduction was not allowed and restored the original sentence.
The case led to stricter youth crime laws in Queensland.
A second teenager involved was found not guilty of murder but received 18 months detention for burglary and assault.
Emma Lovell’s husband and family expressed relief after the High Court decision but said the anniversary of her death remains difficult.
Queensland’s Attorney-General and Premier supported the court ruling and emphasized justice for the Lovell family.
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A special organ in Halberstadt, Germany, is playing a single piece of music by composer John Cage very slowly and continuously since 2001. This performance is planned to last 639 years, ending in 2640, making it one of the longest concerts ever.
Key Facts
The organ plays John Cage’s "ORGAN²/ASLSP (As SLow aS Possible)" composition.
The music started on September 5, 2001, Cage’s 89th birthday.
The piece is scheduled to finish on September 4, 2640.
The composition includes very slow changes, sometimes one month or even years per note.
The performance takes place in the Burchardi Church in Halberstadt, Germany.
The organ uses an electric blower to produce continuous sound.
A recent chord change added a new note, marking about 4% completion of the whole project.
The project also helped restore the church building.
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Singer-songwriter Kate Nash recorded a new version of Sinéad O’Connor’s song "Famine," which talks about Ireland’s Great Famine and Britain’s role in it. Nash wants to highlight how many English people, including herself, don’t know much about this history and hopes to encourage learning and discussion.
Key Facts
Kate Nash covered the 1994 song "Famine" by Sinéad O’Connor about the Irish Great Famine.
Nash has Irish roots and has personal ties to Ireland through her family and upbringing.
She says many English people are unaware of their own history, including the history related to Ireland.
Nash rewrote parts of the song and added a new verse reflecting her experience of dual identity.
Sinéad O’Connor's song helped Nash learn about a topic not well covered in schools or at home.
A history professor said English schools usually don’t teach much about Anglo-Irish history, causing gaps in understanding.
There is a growing call for better education on Irish history in the UK because of the close relationship between the two countries.
Nash’s project aims to bring attention to this shared, complex history and encourage more people to learn about it.
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A UK parliamentary report recommends banning over-the-counter flea treatments for pets because they contain harmful chemicals that damage wildlife and the environment. These chemicals, found in popular spot-on treatments, have been detected in rivers and bird nests, showing they harm ecosystems beyond pets.
Key Facts
Flea treatments for cats and dogs often contain chemicals called imidacloprid and fipronil.
These chemicals are banned in pesticides in the UK and EU due to their toxicity to fish, bees, and other invertebrates.
Research found these chemicals in nearly half of water samples from nine Welsh rivers.
Songbirds use fur contaminated with these chemicals for nests, leading to more unhatched eggs and dead chicks.
The chemicals can break down into even more toxic substances, including harmful “forever chemicals” called PFAS.
The committee suggests banning sales of these treatments in pet shops and online but allowing vets to prescribe them when needed.
There are concerns about the pet medicine industry influencing how these treatments are regulated.
The British Veterinary Association supports the call for tailored advice to pet owners on using flea treatments safely.
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Qadaruddin Shishir, a Bangladeshi journalist and fact-checker, investigates illegal killings and false information after protests that removed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024. He started an independent group to fight fake news and train new fact-checkers during Bangladesh’s political change.
Key Facts
Qadaruddin Shishir is a journalist and fact-checker from Bangladesh.
He studies extrajudicial killings, which are illegal killings without trial.
His work follows student-led protests that ended Sheikh Hasina’s government in 2024.
Bangladesh is undergoing a political transition with new leaders.
Shishir focuses on stopping false information spreading online.
He created an independent organisation for fact-checking.
The organisation also trains young people to check facts and fight misinformation.
His goal is to help protect democracy and rebuild trust in Bangladesh.
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Early Wednesday morning, Russian missiles hit multiple places in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital. At least one person died, and buildings including a tall building and warehouses were damaged.
Key Facts
The attack involved Russian ballistic missiles.
The strikes happened across more than seven locations in Kyiv.
Damage occurred to a multi-storey building and warehouses.
Civilian infrastructure was also hit.
At least one person was killed in the attack.
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Duane “Keffe D” Davis is going on trial for organizing the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, nearly 30 years after the shooting. Davis faces a murder charge related to a gang and has pleaded not guilty. The trial will focus on whether Davis planned the attack, not on who actually fired the shots.
Key Facts
Duane “Keffe D” Davis is accused of organizing Tupac Shakur’s 1996 killing.
Tupac Shakur died after a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas on September 7, 1996.
Shakur was shot while riding in a car with Marion “Suge” Knight, who survived.
Davis faces one charge: murder with a deadly weapon to assist a criminal gang.
Davis has been in jail since late 2023 and denies the charges.
The trial is expected to last about a month and aims to prove Davis was the person directing the attack.
Davis’ own statements and a book he wrote helped reopen the cold case.
Tupac’s family hopes the trial will bring truth and justice after many years.
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Duane “Keffe D” Davis will go on trial for organizing the 1996 drive-by shooting of rapper Tupac Shakur in Las Vegas. Tupac, riding in a car with Marion “Suge” Knight, was shot and died a week later; Knight was wounded but survived.
Key Facts
Duane Davis was arrested in 2023 and pleaded not guilty; his trial starts August 10, 2026.
Tupac Shakur was shot on September 7, 1996, while a passenger in a BMW driven by Marion Knight.
A white Cadillac pulled alongside their car before the shooting occurred.
Tupac died a week after being shot at age 25; Knight survived with serious injuries.
The shooting is linked to a rivalry between rival gangs connected to East Coast and West Coast hip-hop scenes.
Davis has admitted to leading a Crips gang in Compton, California, and allegedly planned the attack.
Other people in Davis’s Cadillac with him that night are all deceased and were not charged.
Tupac was a highly influential rapper, actor, and activist with many awards and honors after his death.
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The childhood home of astronaut Neil Armstrong in Wapakoneta, Ohio, is for sale for the first time in almost 40 years. The house played a key role in Armstrong’s early interest in flying and has been preserved by a retired history teacher who has welcomed visits from several astronauts.
Key Facts
Neil Armstrong lived in the house at 601 W. Benton St. as a teenager.
Armstrong started building model airplanes and testing them in the house.
He took flying lessons nearby and made his first solo flight at age 16.
The home has been privately owned by Karen Mikesell since 1988, a retired history teacher.
Mikesell has preserved the house’s original character and Armstrong’s bedroom.
Nine astronauts, including Buzz Aldrin, have visited the home.
Mikesell has received space-related gifts, such as a moon rock and gold foil from Apollo 11.
The house is a notable landmark connected to Armstrong’s space legacy but is not open for regular tours.
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Lloyd Robertson, a well-known Canadian TV news anchor who led CTV National News for 27 years, has died at age 92. He was a trusted journalist who covered many major events and retired in 2011 after a long career in broadcasting.
Key Facts
Lloyd Robertson died at the age of 92.
He was chief anchor of CTV National News from 1984 to 2011.
Robertson worked at CBC before joining CTV in 1976.
He covered important events like elections, wars, and the September 11 attacks.
He was voted Canada’s most trusted TV journalist 11 years in a row by TV Guide Canada readers.
Robertson was honored with the Order of Canada and inducted into several halls of fame.
After retiring as anchor, he continued with CTV as a special correspondent.
He was married in 1956 and had four daughters.
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Heavy rain caused sudden cloudbursts in the Pir Panjal mountains of Indian-administered Kashmir on July 19, triggering deadly floods and landslides. These disasters destroyed homes, killed at least 28 people, and left many missing in remote mountain villages like Murrah.
Key Facts
A cloudburst caused mud, rocks, and water to flood the village of Murrah, trapping eight family members inside one house.
The village lost electricity, roads, and mobile phone connections after the floodwaters damaged infrastructure.
Rescue teams, soldiers, and volunteers searched by hand because heavy machinery could not safely reach the unstable area.
Murrah is a remote village in the Pir Panjal range and is home mostly to the Gujjar community, who rely on farming and livestock.
At least 28 people died in floods and landslides across Jammu and Kashmir caused by several cloudbursts this month.
Scientists link increased heavy rainfall in the western Himalayas to rising temperatures from climate change.
Nearby areas, including Rajouri town and Gurez Valley, also suffered damage from floods and landslides.
The disasters have caused widespread displacement, loss of homes, and destruction of transportation routes.
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Hundreds of people in Rome have been living in tents after a fire forced the evacuation of Spin Time Labs, a building used for housing and social help. The government led by Giorgia Meloni wants to close such squatted buildings, but local authorities and community members are trying to find solutions for the displaced residents.
Key Facts
Spin Time Labs has been occupied since 2013 and provides social services like a food bank and co-working spaces.
A small fire on July 29 led to the evacuation of around 400 residents, including children, elderly, and disabled people.
The Meloni government views squatted buildings as places linked to crime and seeks to shut them down.
The building is under two legal seizures: one by the private owner and one connected to the fire.
The Italian interior ministry was ordered to carry out an eviction in 2020 but delayed action due to concerns about leaving vulnerable people homeless.
Rome’s city council and volunteers are providing tents, food, and medical help to those displaced.
Local officials have offered to buy the building to maintain community services.
The residents come from many countries and backgrounds, living together as a community despite the difficulties.
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Hundreds of people have gathered in Fnideq, Morocco, near the Spanish border town of Ceuta, looking for missing family members after a large group crossed into Ceuta last week. At least 99 people have died during the crossing, and many others are missing or still in Ceuta, including hundreds of unaccompanied children.
Key Facts
Around 72,000 people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta last week.
At least 88 people died in Ceuta and 11 died in Morocco during the crossing.
Most people who crossed into Ceuta have been returned to Morocco within 48 hours through cooperation between Spain and Morocco.
Some returnees say they came back voluntarily due to hunger and lack of jobs, while others say they were forced by police.
NGOs have raised concerns that some eligible for asylum were sent back without chance to request protection.
About 2,000 people remain in Ceuta, including 862 registered unaccompanied children.
Families in Morocco wait anxiously, showing photos of missing loved ones trying to find them.
Spanish police set up an office in Ceuta to collect reports of missing people.
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Bolivia has sent over 200 police and military officers to patrol its border with Brazil. This action comes after fighting between Brazilian criminal gangs, which has caused at least nine people to die.
Key Facts
Bolivia deployed more than 200 police and military personnel to the border with Brazil.
The deployment is a response to violence between Brazilian criminal gangs.
These gangs are fighting to control drug trafficking routes.
At least nine people have died due to this gang violence.
The border area has become unsafe because of these clashes.
Bolivia aims to stop the violence from spreading into its territory.
The situation highlights ongoing problems with drug-related crime in the region.
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Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, warned that North Korea will consider new military actions after Japan test-fired a U.S.-made Tomahawk missile. She accused Japan of shifting from defense to becoming a military power and blamed the U.S. for supporting Japan’s increased military activities.
Key Facts
Japan recently test-fired a U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missile from the destroyer Chokai in the Pacific Ocean.
North Korea’s Kim Yo Jong said Japan is moving away from defense toward preemptive attack capabilities.
Kim accused the United States of helping Japan’s military growth by supplying missiles and supporting tests.
North Korea warns it will take "additional military options" in response to Japan’s actions.
The statement reflects ongoing criticism by North Korea of security ties between the U.S., South Korea, and Japan.
North Korea sees Japan’s military activities as a direct threat to its security and a reason to develop its own weapons.
Analysts suggest North Korea might use this message to justify future military demonstrations or missile tests.
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Taiwan has started its largest annual military exercise, called "Han Kuang," to prepare for a possible attack from China. The drills involve soldiers, reservists, and civilians practicing responses to invasions, including air raid drills and slowing mobile internet. China claims Taiwan as its territory and has increased military pressure on the island.
Key Facts
Taiwan’s "Han Kuang" military exercise runs from August 5 to 14 and is its biggest yearly drill.
The exercises include combat simulations for troops and reservists and civilian emergency drills like air raid practices.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has increased military activities around the island.
The Chinese military frequently sends fighter jets and warships near Taiwan and conducts large-scale exercises.
Taiwan has focused on developing smaller, agile weapons like drones to defend itself with asymmetric warfare strategies.
Taiwan plans to raise its defense budget to 5% of its GDP by 2030 amid political disagreements over spending.
Command decentralization and drone coordination are key features of this year’s exercise to improve battlefield decisions.
Officials aim to build "whole-of-society" defense, including civilian readiness and urban resilience for war or disasters.
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