Telstra’s CEO and other executives will appear before a parliamentary inquiry in Canberra after a nationwide outage disrupted emergency calls, businesses, payment systems, and train services in two Australian states. The inquiry will examine why the outage happened and how Telstra is handling customer compensation.
Key Facts
A nationwide Telstra outage affected emergency triple zero calls, businesses, payment systems, and trains in two states.
Telstra CEO Vicki Brady and other executives will attend a parliamentary inquiry on Friday.
The inquiry was called as an emergency hearing in response to the outage.
Greens spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young criticized Telstra for prioritizing profits over public safety.
Telstra is accepting compensation claims from customers and small businesses that can prove they were affected.
Critics say Telstra should offer automatic compensation to all impacted customers.
Representatives from the Australian Communications and Media Authority and communications department will also give evidence at the inquiry.
The inquiry aims to improve laws for better protection and reliable service from telecom companies.
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During sensitive Middle East talks, US officials warned Iran about a possible Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s main negotiators. The US aims to keep Israel, its close ally, from disrupting the talks with Iran, even though Israel denies the plot.
Key Facts
US officials quietly asked other countries to warn Iran of a potential Israeli assassination plot.
The targets were Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Israel rejected the report, calling it false.
Previous Israeli strikes killed other key Iranian negotiators involved in talks.
Ghalibaf survived two Israeli assassination attempts in recent years.
The US faces the challenge of managing Israel, its ally, to avoid spoiling the negotiation process.
Spoilers are actors who try to derail peace talks, often striking at critical moments.
The timing of the warnings coincided with public mourning in Iran and heightened political tensions.
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Several Palestinians were injured in different attacks by Israeli settlers and forces in the West Bank. These attacks come amid ongoing conflict related to Israel’s military actions in Gaza, with increased violence reported in recent months.
Key Facts
A 16-year-old Palestinian was shot in the chest by Israeli forces in Bani Naim and is in stable condition.
Israeli settlers beat a 30-year-old man in Abu Njeim, where he is now receiving hospital treatment.
Settlers attacked a family in Khirbet Emneizal, stole their sheep, and Israeli forces arrested seven people during the incident.
Attacks by Israeli settlers in the West Bank have increased since Israel started its war on Gaza in 2023.
The UN reports an average of six attacks by settlers on Palestinians or their property every day this year.
Israeli forces arrested 32 people across the West Bank on the same day, including 13 in Beit Ummar.
The UN Secretary-General criticized Israel’s move to give city status to the settlement of Givat Ze’ev, confirming it is illegal under international law.
In July 2024, the International Court of Justice stated Israel must end its occupation of Palestinian territories as quickly as possible.
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Syrian officials said they stopped a shipment carrying missiles and drones at the border with Iraq. They claim the weapons were meant for Hezbollah in Lebanon, but Hezbollah says it does not operate in Syria.
Key Facts
Syrian authorities intercepted weapons at the Syrian-Iraqi border.
The shipment included missiles and drones.
The weapons were reportedly meant for Hezbollah, a group in Lebanon.
Hezbollah denies having operations in Syria.
The incident involved stopping a smuggling attempt.
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A report has shown that nearly 3,000 Africans, including many Kenyans, have been recruited to fight in the war in Ukraine. About one in six of these fighters has died on the Russian side of the frontline.
Key Facts
Around 3,000 Africans have been recruited to fight in Ukraine.
Many of these fighters are from Kenya.
Approximately one out of every six recruited fighters has died.
These fighters are mainly on the side supporting Russia in the conflict.
The report was part of broader coverage including other African and global issues like Ebola spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo and wildfires in Algeria.
The report was published on July 16, 2026.
The source of the report is a program called "Eye on Africa."
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After the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Syria ended relations with some of its previous allies. However, Syria changed and strengthened its relationship with Russia.
Key Facts
Bashar al-Assad's government fell in December 2024.
Following this, Syria stopped working with some countries it had been close to.
Syria created a new kind of partnership with Russia.
Russia remains an important ally for Syria.
These changes show Syria is shifting its international connections.
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Ukraine’s President Zelensky has removed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, causing protests and a political crisis. The dismissal revealed a conflict between the defence minister and the country’s top general amid changes in Zelensky’s wartime government.
Key Facts
President Zelensky dismissed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
The removal of Fedorov led to protests in Ukraine.
The dispute between Fedorov and Ukraine’s top military general became public.
Zelensky is conducting his second reshuffle of the wartime government this year.
The events highlight tensions within Ukraine’s military leadership during the ongoing conflict.
Fedorov was considered one of Kyiv’s most popular defence officials.
The political crisis unfolds while Ukraine continues to face threats from Russia.
This situation is part of broader political and military challenges in Ukraine.
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Most countries in the world do not use daylight saving time (DST), which is the practice of changing clocks twice a year to extend evening daylight. While the United States, Canada, and many European countries still observe DST, many nations in Asia, Africa, and South America have stopped using it or never adopted it.
Key Facts
Daylight saving time involves moving clocks forward in spring and back in fall to make better use of daylight.
The U.S. and much of Canada, plus most European countries, continue to observe DST.
Countries like China, India, Japan, Brazil, Russia, and most of Africa do not use DST.
Some countries, including Russia, Brazil, Iran, and Mexico, have ended daylight saving time in recent years.
One reason some countries avoid DST is that near the equator, daylight hours vary little throughout the year.
The U.S. House has passed a bill that could make daylight saving time permanent, but it still needs Senate approval.
Supporters say DST can help businesses and recreation by offering longer evenings, while critics highlight potential health problems.
During the 1970s energy crisis, the U.S. tested year-round DST but stopped after public pushback.
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Syria stopped a truck carrying advanced weapons near its border with Iraq, saying the arms were meant for Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hezbollah denied any involvement. Iraq is helping Syria investigate the incident and wants to improve border security.
Key Facts
Syria found missiles, rockets, and drones hidden in an oil tanker truck near the Iraq border.
The weapons were discovered at the al-Tanf crossing during a routine search.
Syrian officials said the weapons were likely going to Hezbollah, a Lebanese group backed by Iran.
Hezbollah denied the accusations, calling them false and harmful.
Syria’s current government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, has been cracking down on weapon smuggling.
Iraq plans to form a special committee to investigate and work with Syria on border security.
The trucks use a route through Baniyas for fuel and goods between Iraq and Syria.
The United States’ President Donald Trump has spoken with Syria’s leader about disarming Hezbollah, but Syria says it will not interfere in Lebanon’s internal issues.
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Nicaragua has ended diplomatic relations with Italy because Italy criticized Nicaragua for not sending back a man convicted of kidnapping and killing former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro in 1978. Italy wants Nicaragua to extradite Alessio Casimirri, who has lived in Nicaragua for many years and is protected by its laws.
Key Facts
Nicaragua cut diplomatic ties with Italy over a disagreement about a murder case from 1978.
The case involves Alessio Casimirri, convicted of kidnapping and killing Aldo Moro, a former Italian Prime Minister.
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani criticized Nicaragua for protecting Casimirri and granting him citizenship.
Casimirri was a member of the Red Brigades, a far-left group responsible for Moro’s kidnapping and death.
Italy has repeatedly asked Nicaragua to extradite Casimirri, but Nicaragua’s laws do not allow extraditing its own citizens.
Moro was kidnapped in March 1978 and found dead about two months later.
Italy says it will keep demanding that Casimirri face justice in Italy.
Nicaragua’s decision followed Tajani’s public statements during a political summit in Spain.
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that a Tesla driver in Texas overrode the car’s driver assistance system before causing a fatal crash. The incident happened in June when the Tesla Model 3 left the road and crashed into a house.
Key Facts
The crash occurred in mid-June in Katy, Texas.
The car involved was a 2025 Tesla Model 3.
The driver was 44 years old.
The Tesla’s driver assistance system was overridden by the driver.
The car left the road, went onto a driveway, and hit a residence.
The crash resulted in at least one death (implied by "fatal crash").
The NTSB released preliminary findings about this accident.
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Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has threatened to use the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a key shipping route connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, as a front in its conflict with the United States. Iran would rely on its allies, the Houthis in Yemen, to disrupt shipping in this area, which could increase tensions in the region and affect global trade.
Key Facts
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is an important passage for global shipping traffic.
Iran’s IRGC has recently threatened to interfere with shipping in this strait.
Iran would use its allied group, the Houthis in Yemen, to carry out this disruption.
The area is already unstable and a point of conflict between different groups.
Disruption here could impact international trade and the global economy.
Experts from security and maritime organizations are analyzing the threat’s seriousness.
The situation is linked to wider tensions between Iran and the United States.
Previous related conflicts involve attacks on ships and regional confrontations.
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Ukraine's defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, was removed from his position, causing protests in multiple cities. He publicly criticized the army's top commander, leading President Volodymyr Zelensky to call for unity amid divisions in the military leadership.
Key Facts
Mykhailo Fedorov served as Ukraine’s defence minister for six months before being ousted.
Fedorov focused on modernizing and digitizing Ukraine’s army.
After his removal, Fedorov criticized the military’s highest commander in public.
Large protests took place in Ukrainian cities supporting Fedorov.
President Zelensky urged for unity among Ukraine’s military leaders.
The controversy highlights tensions within Ukraine’s military command.
The conflict happens amid Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the Russian invasion.
Fedorov was described by some as “Kyiv’s most successful defence minister.”
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A top Russian government hacking group called Sandworm, linked to Russia’s military intelligence, is using a new trick called Clickfix to infect computers and steal information in Ukraine. This method tricks users into copying fake CAPTCHAs containing harmful scripts that install malware to spy on or control the device.
Key Facts
Sandworm is an elite Russian hacking group tied to military intelligence (the GRU).
They use Clickfix, which shows fake CAPTCHAs that ask users to copy text that contains malicious commands.
Once entered, the commands install malware that collects data or opens backdoors for more attacks.
At least one Ukrainian organization was infected with malware named FreakyPoll during this campaign.
The malware includes reconnaissance tools named GhettoVibe and ScoutCurl that gather information from infected devices.
Other malware used includes FluidLeech (pretending to be antivirus software) and LoadLoop.
Sandworm also targets Android phones by tricking users into installing harmful apps called CowardDuck.
Ukraine’s CERT warned that the attackers alter web pages dynamically using special programs to show these fake CAPTCHAs.
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A global survey by Gallup shows more people now believe their communities are good places for minority groups. The 2025 Gallup World Poll found that a growing number of adults around the world think their area is welcoming for gay or lesbian individuals and other minorities.
Key Facts
The Gallup World Poll was released in 2025.
It measures how people feel about their communities' acceptance of minorities.
More adults worldwide say their communities are good places for gay or lesbian people.
The survey shows an overall rise in positive attitudes toward minority groups.
It covers responses from many countries around the world.
The survey reflects opinions on safety, acceptance, and fairness toward minorities.
This is part of a long-term effort by Gallup to track social attitudes globally.
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Iraqi authorities found about $19 million in cash and several kilograms of gold jewelry in secret locations connected to a former deputy oil minister. The money and items were hidden in these hideouts and have been seized by officials.
A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report says a bird strike likely caused a helicopter crash in the Hudson River near New York City that killed six people last year. The crash involved a Bell 206L-4 helicopter carrying a family of five from Spain and the pilot.
Key Facts
The crash happened in April 2025 in the Hudson River near New York City.
Six people died: a family of five (including three children) from Spain and the pilot.
The helicopter was a Bell 206L-4 model.
Bird remains were found in the helicopter wreckage and the crash area.
The NTSB concluded the crash was most likely caused by a bird strike.
A bird strike means a bird hit the helicopter during flight.
The report was released by the NTSB on a Thursday.
Further updates on this story may follow as investigations continue.
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The United States carried out air strikes against Iran for the fifth day in a row. These actions are part of ongoing military operations involving U.S. forces targeting locations linked to Iran.
Key Facts
The U.S. military conducted air strikes against Iran for the fifth consecutive day.
The strikes took place on a Thursday.
U.S. forces are actively involved in these operations.
The targets are connected to Iran.
The information comes from CBS News and Pentagon reporters.
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Ebola is spreading faster than before in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with over 2,000 confirmed cases in just two months and nearly 800 deaths. Meanwhile, Uganda is close to being free of the virus after discharging its last Ebola patient and starting a 42-day monitoring period.
Key Facts
The current Ebola outbreak in DRC is the third-largest on record.
Over 2,000 cases have been confirmed in DRC within two months, with 796 deaths.
The previous big outbreak took over 10 months to reach 2,000 cases.
Most new cases in DRC are not linked to known contacts, making it harder to control.
Healthcare workers in DRC started a strike due to unpaid wages during the outbreak.
Uganda had 20 cases, mostly from infected people who traveled from DRC.
Uganda has not reported new cases since June 22 and began a 42-day countdown to be declared Ebola-free.
Early diagnosis and safe care have helped 377 people in DRC recover from Ebola.
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The U.S. military has carried out airstrikes against Iran for six days in a row. These attacks aim to reduce Iran’s military power, starting each day in the afternoon Eastern Time.
Key Facts
The strikes began on a Thursday at 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
This marks the sixth day in a row that the U.S. has launched attacks against Iran.
The U.S. Central Command oversees these military actions.
The attacks target Iran’s military capabilities.
The strikes started shortly after the White House made a statement about Iranian officials.
The goal is to weaken Iran’s military strength through these airstrikes.
No specific details on the locations or damages were mentioned in the article.
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