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Parts of Wales have been declared in drought due to very low rainfall, record dry conditions, and ongoing heatwaves. Rivers and groundwater levels are exceptionally low, leading to problems for wildlife, farming, and natural habitats.
Key Facts
Wales has received only about 5% of its usual July rainfall this year.
North and parts of mid Wales, including Gwynedd, Anglesey, Dee, Clwyd, and Upper Severn, are officially in drought status.
The drought declaration is based on extremely low river and groundwater levels and impacts on wildlife and farming.
Rivers such as the Clwyd, Wye, Alwen, Alyn, and Conwy are running at very low levels.
Extra water is being released from reservoirs to support river flows in some areas.
Wildfires have occurred in north and south east Wales due to the dry conditions.
The drought is described as an environmental drought, affecting natural ecosystems before causing widespread crop failure or water shortages.
July could become the driest month in Wales for nearly 190 years if more rain does not fall soon.
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Ghana’s President John Mahama has asked the African Union (AU) to hold a formal discussion about rising attacks on foreigners in South Africa. Over 160,000 foreigners have left South Africa, and several people have died in recent months due to violence against undocumented immigrants.
Key Facts
President John Mahama wants the AU to debate the increasing violence against migrants in South Africa.
More than 160,000 foreign nationals have left South Africa because of rising hostility.
Several people have died in the attacks against undocumented migrants over the past two months.
Ghanaian citizens have asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the attacks.
South Africa’s government says the ICC petition is “opportunistic” and does not meet investigation standards.
The AU Commission chairperson says violence against migrants is a serious concern and illegal migrants should be handled legally.
Ghana postponed a South African presidential visit after the death of a Ghanaian national, although officials said the death was not linked to the xenophobic violence.
President Mahama stressed the need for African solidarity and joint solutions through the AU.
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President Donald Trump said the nuclear agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia depends on Saudi Arabia normalizing relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords. The deal involves peaceful civil nuclear cooperation and does not include enriching nuclear material for weapons.
Key Facts
The nuclear agreement is between the U.S. Department of Energy and Saudi Arabia.
The deal focuses on civil nuclear energy, not military or weapons use.
President Trump stated there will be no enrichment of nuclear material.
Saudi Arabia must normalize relations with Israel as part of the agreement.
The normalization would happen through the Abraham Accords, a peace agreement framework.
The announcement was made by President Trump on a Thursday.
The deal aims to promote peaceful nuclear cooperation between the two countries.
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Suspected militants attacked a vehicle carrying a district judge in southwestern Pakistan, killing the judge and his security guard. The attack happened in Mastung, Balochistan, an area with ongoing separatist violence.
Key Facts
The attack took place in Mastung district, Balochistan province, Pakistan.
Judge Abdul Hakim Kakar and his security guard were killed in the ambush.
The judge was traveling from Quetta to Mastung to hear court cases.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.
Suspicion falls on Baloch separatist insurgents, especially the banned Baloch Liberation Army.
The Baloch Liberation Army is considered a terrorist group by the United States since 2019.
Balochistan has a long history of separatist violence and Taliban attacks.
The insurgent groups in the area often target security forces, government officials, and civilians.
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London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, and the police chief said crime has gone down in the city, showing it is safe despite some online claims saying otherwise. They noted that certain crimes like theft and burglary dropped significantly, especially in popular tourist areas. Khan also said many negative stories about London online are spread by automated accounts and some foreign groups, targeting him partly because of his background and political views.
Key Facts
London’s overall neighborhood crime dropped by 14% in the year ending June 2026.
In Westminster, a key tourist area, these crimes fell by over one-third.
Camden, another tourist hotspot, saw a 25% decrease in such crimes.
London recorded 97 homicides in 2025, the lowest since 2014, and fewer per person than Paris, Berlin, or New York.
There has been a 200% rise in social media posts claiming London is unsafe or in decline over two years.
Mayor Khan says many negative stories come from bot farms, state actors in Russia and China, and some U.S. influencers.
Khan is concerned about rising hate crimes against Muslim and Jewish communities, partly linked to conflicts in the Middle East.
Khan supports better protection and confidence for faith communities to report hate crimes and feel safe practicing their religion.
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Young people in India are protesting against the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They are standing up to what they call an "architecture of fear" created by the government, demanding more honesty and less intimidation.
Key Facts
Indian youth are participating in widespread protests called the "Cockroach" movement.
The protests challenge the Modi government's decade-long political control.
Students seek accountability and transparency from the government.
Protesters say they are no longer scared of state intimidation or police actions.
The movement reflects a generational shift in Indian politics.
Police have been accused of harsh treatment against peaceful protesters.
Protests have spread from New Delhi to other cities like Mumbai.
Modi's government vows to take action on exam fraud amid the protests.
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South Africa has criticized a petition filed at the International Criminal Court (ICC) by two Ghanaians seeking an investigation into attacks on foreigners in South Africa. The petition claims the violence could be crimes against humanity, but South Africa believes its own legal system can handle the situation and says the ICC petition does not meet legal standards.
Key Facts
Two Ghanaians filed a petition at the ICC alleging widespread attacks on migrants in South Africa.
The petition calls for an investigation into crimes against humanity and accuses South Africa of failing to stop the attacks.
South Africa’s foreign ministry says the petition is "opportunistic" and legally insufficient.
Diplomatic tensions exist between Ghana and South Africa, with Ghana repatriating citizens after anti-migrant protests.
Anti-migrant groups in South Africa set a June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country.
Over 53,000 foreign nationals have been deported or voluntarily left South Africa recently; estimates suggest over 160,000 migrants have left in two months.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned attacks on migrants and urged people not to take the law into their own hands.
The West African regional bloc ECOWAS condemned attacks on West African migrants and called for South African authorities to end the violence.
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The price of oil rose above $100 a barrel due to increased fighting in the Middle East, which threatens the flow of oil to the world. The Houthi militia in Yemen attacked Saudi oil tankers, raising fears about disruptions in a key shipping route.
Key Facts
Oil prices passed $100 a barrel for the first time in two months.
Fighting in the Middle East is causing concerns about oil supply disruptions.
Yemen’s Houthi militia attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.
The Houthis used missiles and drones in the attacks, setting one tanker on fire.
The region’s conflict affects oil flow through the important Strait of Hormuz.
Oil prices had peaked at $126 a barrel in April but dropped to $71 in early July.
Prices started rising again after a U.S.-Iran agreement on oil failed and fighting increased.
Brent crude is the international standard used to measure oil prices globally.
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MI5 and the Police Service of Northern Ireland have been ordered to pay £20,000 in damages to journalist Vincent Kearney for illegally accessing his phone records. This is reportedly the first time MI5 has been required to compensate a journalist for such surveillance.
Key Facts
Vincent Kearney, a journalist, was the target of secret surveillance operations while working for BBC Northern Ireland.
MI5, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), and the Metropolitan Police obtained his phone records without proper legal authority.
The surveillance covered about 1,580 calls and texts, revealing contact numbers, addresses, and call locations but not the content of the communications.
The Investigatory Powers Tribunal found the surveillance "disproportionate" and unlawful, violating privacy and protections for journalistic sources.
MI5 and PSNI will each pay Kearney £10,000 in damages.
The PSNI Chief Constable admitted the authorizations were unlawful and said changes have been made to prevent future violations.
The tribunal emphasized the public interest in protecting journalistic sources to ensure information can be reported freely.
The National Union of Journalists called the ruling a landmark decision highlighting concerns about how journalists have been treated.
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A large study in Denmark found that long-term exposure to road traffic noise slightly raises the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. The study followed over 3 million people for 18 years and showed that having quieter parts of a home may reduce this risk.
Key Facts
Parkinson’s disease damages parts of the brain, affecting movement and balance.
For every 11.5 decibels increase in traffic noise at the loudest side of a home, the risk of Parkinson’s rose by 3%.
The study included 3.1 million Danish adults aged 40 and older and lasted 18 years.
Researchers accounted for air pollution but could not include lifestyle factors.
Noise pollution can disturb sleep and increase stress hormone levels, which may link to Parkinson’s.
Chronic noise exposure above WHO limits affects about one-third of Europeans.
Experts say noise might be a general stress factor rather than a direct cause of Parkinson’s.
The study suggests reducing loud traffic noise near homes could help lower Parkinson’s risk.
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Pakistan rejected Amnesty International’s request to investigate a March airstrike on a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul, calling the claims unsupported and describing the strike as self-defense. Amnesty said the attack may be a war crime and found no proof the center was used for military purposes. Afghanistan reported about 400 civilians killed, but Pakistan disputes the numbers.
Key Facts
The airstrike occurred on March 16, 2026, targeting the Omid drug rehabilitation center in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Amnesty International called for a war crimes probe, citing lack of evidence that the site was a military target.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry denied the allegations and said the strike was lawful self-defense.
Amnesty reviewed many photos, videos, satellite images, and witness statements to support their findings.
Afghanistan reported about 400 civilian deaths from the strike; Pakistan disputes this number and claims the site was military.
The U.N. mission in Afghanistan verified at least 269 civilians died and 122 were injured, with actual numbers potentially higher.
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been rising, partly due to Pakistan accusing Afghanistan’s Taliban government of harboring militants who attack Pakistan.
Pakistan says groups like the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operate in Afghanistan and carry out violence against Pakistan; Afghanistan denies this.
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Mehmet Fatih Cicekli, the governor of Ardahan province in Turkey, was removed from his job after photos of him wearing tight cycling shorts went viral. Some politicians criticized his clothing as inappropriate, while many locals and supporters have campaigned for his return, praising his work promoting sports and tourism.
Key Facts
Mehmet Fatih Cicekli was appointed governor of Ardahan in January by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
He was dismissed on July 17 by a presidential decree, with no official reason given.
The dismissal followed criticism from some politicians who said his cycling attire was unsuitable for a governor.
Critics said cycling tights did not fit the seriousness of the state and were against local cultural norms.
Cicekli said he was wearing normal sportswear and defended his active lifestyle including sailing, rowing, and cycling.
A petition in support of Cicekli gathered over 10,000 signatures calling for his reinstatement.
Local cyclists showed their support by accompanying him as he left Ardahan.
Some European politicians expressed support for Cicekli and criticized the conservative criticism he faced.
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Nicolás Maduro, the former leader of Venezuela, faces drug trafficking charges in the United States. His trial is set to begin in June 2027, and CBS News has provided information on what to expect from the legal process.
Key Facts
Nicolás Maduro is the former president of Venezuela.
He faces drug trafficking charges filed by the U.S. government.
The trial is scheduled for June 2027.
The case involves allegations related to drug smuggling activities.
CBS News legal reporter Katrina Kaufman has explained the upcoming legal proceedings.
The U.S. government is pursuing justice through its court system.
This news is part of ongoing international legal and political developments involving Venezuela.
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Two Kashmiri men, human rights activist Khurram Parvez and journalist Irfan Mehraj, were released on bail after years in an Indian jail on terrorism-related charges. They remain under tight court restrictions while India’s National Investigation Agency tries to overturn their bail.
Key Facts
Khurram Parvez and Irfan Mehraj were arrested on charges of funding terrorism and promoting separatism in Kashmir.
Parvez was arrested in 2021 and Mehraj in 2023 by India’s National Investigation Agency.
Both deny the charges; their group documents rights abuses in Indian-administered Kashmir.
They were granted bail by a lower court but the agency appealed to the Delhi High Court.
The High Court allowed their release but imposed strict limits on their movements, including a ban on travel to Kashmir.
Indian-administered Kashmir’s partial autonomy was revoked in 2019, leading to increased arrests and crackdowns.
Over 3,600 people were arrested under anti-terror laws in Kashmir from 2019 to 2023, with more than half still imprisoned.
The Kashmir conflict involves India and Pakistan both claiming the region, with a long history of violence and demands for independence or merger with Pakistan.
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The FDA is meeting to decide if pharmacies that prepare customized medicines can give out seven peptides that are not officially approved, but only with a doctor’s prescription for certain medical needs. Some health experts worry because there isn’t enough research to prove these peptides are safe or effective.
Key Facts
The FDA is holding an advisory meeting over two days.
The meeting focuses on whether compounding pharmacies can provide seven unapproved peptides.
These peptides would only be available with a doctor’s prescription.
The peptides would be used for special medical conditions.
Some health experts are concerned about the lack of scientific evidence supporting these peptides.
Compounding pharmacies make customized medicines for patients on a case-by-case basis.
The FDA is considering easing current restrictions on these peptides.
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Global oil prices rose close to $100 a barrel after Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacked ships in the Red Sea, threatening an important route for oil shipping. These attacks raised concerns about higher inflation and may affect upcoming U.S. Federal Reserve decisions on interest rates.
Key Facts
Brent crude oil price reached $98.82 per barrel, up 5.05%.
U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate hit $90.67 per barrel, up 4.42%.
National average gas price in the U.S. rose to $4.09 per gallon from $3.94 a week earlier.
Houthi rebels claimed attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait handles about 7% of the world's oil supply.
Rising oil prices could increase inflation, influencing the Federal Reserve’s July 29 interest rate decision.
The chance of a Fed rate increase on July 29 rose to 36% from 11% a week ago.
The U.S. has increased military support in the region, including refueling aircraft and bombers.
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President Donald Trump stated that he will hold Iran responsible if Yemen’s Houthi rebels carry out more attacks on ships. This comment followed a claim by the Houthis that they attacked two Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea.
Key Facts
President Trump made the statement on Thursday.
The Houthis are a rebel group in Yemen.
The Houthis said they attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.
President Trump warned that the U.S. will hold Iran accountable for any future Houthi attacks on ships.
A year earlier, the U.S. carried out a strong attack against the Houthis for interfering with trade.
The Red Sea is an important route for shipping and trade in the region.
Iran is often accused by the U.S. and its allies of supporting the Houthi rebels.
The situation involves security concerns for maritime commerce and regional stability.
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Daniel Siad, who worked with Jeffrey Epstein and helped recruit young women and girls, was found dead in France. He denied knowing about Epstein’s crimes but had serious accusations made against him.
Key Facts
Daniel Siad was a close associate of Jeffrey Epstein.
Siad’s role involved scouting models and recruiting young women and girls.
He was found dead in France.
Siad denied knowing about Epstein’s criminal activities.
He faced serious allegations himself.
Jeffrey Epstein was involved in a high-profile criminal case related to sexual abuse.
The death occurred amid ongoing investigations related to Epstein’s network.
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The British army has canceled a planned training exercise in Kenya after the Kenyan government declined to approve a defence agreement without changes. Kenya wants more control over cases against British soldiers and changes to the payment for hosting the training camp, causing a dispute between the two governments.
Key Facts
Kenya refused to approve a defence deal with the UK because of concerns about legal control and payments.
Kenyan lawmakers want more power to hold British soldiers accountable for crimes committed in Kenya.
The UK planned a training exercise with the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment in September, which is now canceled.
The UK Ministry of Defence said the training will be moved outside Kenya due to the issue.
Kenya benefits from the British army base BATUK in Nanyuki, which helps train Kenyan forces and supports the local economy.
There are reports of human rights abuses and other problems linked to the British troops in Kenya, including a high-profile murder case.
A British soldier is charged with murder in the death of Agnes Wanjiru, with Kenya keeping the legal case.
Both governments are still talking to try to solve the issues and resume training in Kenya in the future.
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Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall in Louisiana, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, and dangerous surf. The storm is now moving toward Texas, while severe flooding is also reported in West Virginia.
Key Facts
Tropical Storm Bertha hit Louisiana first, causing rough sea conditions and strong winds.
The storm is moving westward toward Texas.
Louisiana experienced heavy rain as Bertha passed through.
West Virginia is facing serious flooding at the same time.
Authorities are monitoring the storm's progress to warn people in its path.
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