Khalil al-Hayya has become the new leader of Hamas and delivered a televised speech promising to rebuild Gaza and support its people. He emphasized the goal of creating a united Palestinian state including Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, and called for an end to Israeli attacks in Gaza.
Key Facts
Khalil al-Hayya was selected by Hamas’s General Shura Council as the new head of the political bureau.
He replaced Yahya Sinwar, who was killed by the Israeli army in 2024.
Al-Hayya pledged to rebuild Gaza and help its residents who are living in difficult conditions.
He called for freeing Palestinian political prisoners held in Israel.
His speech stressed Hamas’s aim for a single Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
He spoke directly to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem.
Al-Hayya thanked countries working to stop the Israeli military actions in Gaza.
Before his appointment, Hamas was led by a five-man council including al-Hayya.
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A gas explosion caused a tunnel collapse at a hydroelectric project in Sikkim, India, killing at least 20 people. Rescue efforts have been slow due to water in the tunnel and leaking methane gas, making it hard to recover all the bodies.
Key Facts
At least 20 people died after a gas explosion caused a tunnel collapse in a hydroelectric project in Sikkim, northeastern India.
Out of 25 trapped workers, 13 bodies have been recovered so far; rescuers have seen 7-8 more bodies but cannot retrieve them yet.
Rescue operations are difficult because the tunnel is flooded and methane gas is leaking from underground rocks.
The hydroelectric project has a capacity of 500 megawatts and is managed by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).
The explosion was likely caused by the sudden release of methane gas trapped in rock formations inside the tunnel.
Recent heavy monsoon rains have made rescue and recovery efforts more challenging.
Infrastructure accidents are common in India, and experts warn that rapid development in the fragile Himalayan region increases disaster risks due to seismic activity and unstable rock.
In 2023, 41 workers were rescued after being trapped for 17 days in a tunnel collapse in northern India’s Uttarakhand state.
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President Zelenskyy of Ukraine is under pressure to bring back Mykhailo Fedorov, the former defence minister, after widespread protests. He recently fired the military commander Oleksandr Syrskyi and replaced him, but Fedorov rejected a new government role and wants his old job back.
Key Facts
Mykhailo Fedorov was removed as Ukraine’s defence minister after six months in the role.
Protesters demand Fedorov’s reinstatement and plan a rally outside Zelenskyy’s office in Kyiv.
Zelenskyy replaced Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces, with Mykhailo Drapatyi.
Fedorov declined the post of deputy prime minister for technological development, insisting on returning as defence minister.
The defence minister job is currently held by acting minister Yevhenii Khmara, a special forces commander.
Ukrainian drones recently attacked Russian warehouses, part of efforts to damage Russia’s economy amid the war.
Drapatyi plans to intensify military operations and develop new technology to improve the Ukrainian army.
The leadership crisis in Ukraine’s military comes from a clash between a younger moderniser (Fedorov) and an older traditionalist (Syrskyi).
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A new study of 95 older female Rottweiler dogs found that those who had puppies stayed healthier in later life than those who never had offspring. This challenges the idea that having children speeds up aging, at least in dogs, and suggests motherhood might help maintain health as they age.
Key Facts
Scientists studied 95 elderly female Rottweilers to see how having puppies affected their aging.
They measured "late-life robustness," meaning how well the dogs stayed healthy as they got older.
Dogs that had given birth were over three times more likely to remain healthy in old age than dogs that had not.
Dogs with more litters showed the highest levels of health late in life.
The study rules out that healthier dogs simply have more puppies; early health differences did not explain the results.
Researchers say dogs are good models for this study because they share environments with humans but avoid some human social complexities.
Experts caution the findings may not apply directly to humans because dogs have shorter pregnancies and less time raising offspring.
The study suggests future research on the genetic reasons why having offspring might protect against aging.
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A 70-year-old woman has been charged with the murder of Karen Carter, a British-South African woman found dead last year in Trémolat, France. Carter died from severe bleeding after being stabbed multiple times, and the suspect had been arrested previously but only formally charged on July 2, 2025.
Key Facts
Karen Carter was found dead in southwestern France on April 29, 2025.
Carter was 65 years old and ran two holiday rental homes in the village of Trémolat.
She died from severe blood loss caused by multiple stab wounds to her chest, abdomen, and arms.
The suspect is a 70-year-old local woman from Trémolat who was arrested shortly after the murder but released without charge at first.
She was formally charged with murder on July 2, 2025, and placed under judicial supervision.
Carter was last seen at a wine-tasting party with about 15 other guests, including the village mayor.
A 75-year-old businessman discovered Carter’s body; their relationship was described in the media but the victim’s husband said he believed the man was just a friend.
Carter’s husband was in South Africa at the time of the murder and was surprised by reports about her relationship with the businessman.
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France experienced a historic heat wave in June and early July 2026, which caused at least 5,700 more deaths than usual. The highest number of excess deaths occurred during the hottest days from June 25 to June 27, with the Paris region being the hardest hit.
Key Facts
French public health officials recorded 21,674 deaths from all causes between June 17 and July 2, 2026, in regions affected by the heat wave.
Without the heat wave, these regions would have expected about 15,910 deaths, so there were approximately 5,764 excess deaths.
The excess death rate was 36% higher than normal, the highest since the deadly 2003 heat wave in France.
June 24 and 25, 2026, were France’s hottest days ever, with an average temperature of 86°F and peak temperatures over 104°F in many areas.
Around half of the extra deaths happened during and just after the hottest three days (June 25-27).
The Paris region had about 1,999 more deaths than expected, about 80% above normal.
Hospitals and mortuaries struggled to handle the large number of heat-related cases and deaths.
Across Europe, early and extreme heat in June 2026 led to over 10,000 additional deaths compared to normal for that time of year.
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A U.S. judge has set a trial date for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, for June 1, 2027. They have been charged with drug trafficking after being captured in a U.S. military raid on Venezuela in January 2026 and have pleaded not guilty.
Key Facts
The U.S. military captured Maduro and his wife during a raid in Caracas in January 2026.
Both Maduro and Flores deny the charges and the legitimacy of the trial.
The trial is scheduled to begin on June 1, 2027, as set by Judge Alvin Hellerstein.
Maduro faces charges including conspiracy related to drug trafficking and could face life in prison if convicted.
Maduro’s defense plans to challenge the case based on sovereign immunity, which protects heads of state from being tried in foreign courts.
The U.S. government, under President Donald Trump, justified the raid by accusing Maduro of drug trafficking to the United States.
Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez has taken over following the raid and is aligned more closely with U.S. interests.
Venezuelan officials claim the U.S. attack killed 83 people, but the U.S. calls it a targeted law enforcement operation.
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Nicolás Maduro, the ousted Venezuelan president, and his wife, Cilia Flores, will stand trial in New York starting June 1, 2027. They were captured by US forces in a raid and face charges related to weapons and drugs, which they deny.
Key Facts
Maduro and Flores were seized by US forces on January 3 in Caracas, Venezuela.
They were brought to New York to face drug and weapons-related charges.
A judge set a pre-trial hearing for November 17 to discuss legal motions.
Maduro’s lawyer plans to use sovereign immunity, a law that protects some leaders from being prosecuted.
Maduro appeared in court wearing a jail uniform but was not handcuffed.
Some people protested outside the court, calling the trial unfair and opposing the US operation.
Other Venezuelans living in the US supported the prosecution, blaming Maduro for their country’s troubles.
Maduro and Flores wore headphones during court for translation.
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Charles Gaines, the author behind the book and documentary Pumping Iron, has died at age 84. His work helped make bodybuilding popular and introduced Arnold Schwarzenegger to a wide audience.
Key Facts
Charles Gaines died at the age of 84.
He co-wrote the book Pumping Iron with George Butler.
Pumping Iron helped bring bodybuilding into the public eye in the 1970s.
The book and later documentary featured Arnold Schwarzenegger and his rivalry with Lou Ferrigno.
Schwarzenegger’s bodybuilding fame helped him start a career in movies and later politics.
Gaines wrote other books including Stay Hungry, which became a movie starring Jeff Bridges.
Gaines was involved in bodybuilding from age 16 and studied writing at the University of Iowa.
He is survived by his wife Patricia Ellisor Gaines and three children, including his daughter Greta.
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U.K. prosecutors charge Andrew and Tristan Tate with rape, sex trafficking, and related crimes. U.S. court filings detail allegations of violent assaults and argue the brothers should stay in custody during extradition because they might try to run away.
Key Facts
The Tate brothers face multiple serious charges in the U.K., including rape, assault, and trafficking for sexual exploitation.
Three women accuse Andrew Tate of strangling and raping them, while another accuses Tristan Tate of similar acts.
Additional women in a separate U.K. civil case also claim violent sexual abuse by the Tates.
Prosecutors say the allegations include repeated strangulation causing serious injury.
Federal prosecutors in the U.S. argue the Tates should be held in jail because they have money, travel often, and have tried to target their accusers before.
The Tates have both U.S. and British citizenship.
Their lawyer denies the charges and says they are innocent and will be freed.
The extradition case is ongoing, and more updates are expected.
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Anonymous donors are sending food through delivery apps to student protesters in New Delhi. The students are protesting alleged leaks in medical exam papers and are also calling for changes in education and more accountability.
Key Facts
Student protests are happening in New Delhi.
The protests started due to alleged leaks in medical exam papers.
The protest movement is led by young people.
Protesters are also demanding educational reform.
They want more accountability from authorities.
Anonymous donors are sending food to protesters using food delivery apps.
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The new head of Israel’s Mossad spy agency, Roman Gofman, visited Washington for talks about the war in Iran and Iran’s nuclear program. He met with the CIA director and White House officials to coordinate on possible negotiations with Iran.
Key Facts
Roman Gofman became Mossad director in June.
This was Gofman’s first visit to Washington since taking office.
He met with CIA director John Ratcliffe and White House officials.
The talks focused on the Iran war and Iran’s nuclear program.
The visit happened before fighting and tensions near the Strait of Hormuz increased.
One goal was to coordinate the U.S. and Israel’s approach to Iran nuclear deal talks.
John Ratcliffe had warned that Iran might interpret the agreement differently than the U.S. expected.
The CIA and Mossad did not comment on the visit.
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President Donald Trump suggested that Syria could intervene in Lebanon to act against Hezbollah, a powerful group backed by Iran. However, U.S. officials and experts warned that such a move could cause more problems, including increased tension and instability in the region.
Key Facts
President Trump proposed that Syria, led by new President Ahmed al-Sharaa, might intervene militarily in Lebanon to counter Hezbollah.
Hezbollah is an Iran-backed group that has been involved in Lebanon’s politics and conflicts.
Syria’s new government has opposed this idea, fearing it would hurt relations with Lebanon and strengthen Hezbollah’s position.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Syria should focus on its own issues rather than intervening in Lebanon.
Hezbollah supported former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during Syria’s civil war before al-Sharaa took power in 2024.
Syrian military involvement in Lebanon ended in 2005 after nearly 30 years, following public protests.
Analysts warn that Syrian intervention could reignite old conflicts, worsen sectarian tensions, and destabilize both countries.
Security experts say a military move by Syria could harm Syria’s own security and is seen as a risky and short-sighted policy.
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Daniel Siad, a French modeling scout connected to Jeffrey Epstein, was found dead at his home near Paris. Authorities are conducting an autopsy to find out how he died.
Key Facts
Daniel Siad was a modeling scout in France.
He had ties to Jeffrey Epstein, who was a convicted sex offender.
Siad’s body was discovered on a Monday evening near Paris.
French prosecutors from Nanterre are handling the case.
An autopsy will be done to determine the cause of death.
Siad’s name appeared nearly 2,000 times in Epstein-related files released by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The news was reported by France 24 and their correspondent Emerald Maxwell.
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Matt Scribner, a horse trainer, found a fresh hole in the Sierra Nevada foothills in 2003 that later turned out to be the grave of missing teen Justine Vanderschoot. After Justine’s remains were found, her boyfriend Danny Bezemer and his roommate Brandon Fernandez were arrested and charged with her murder.
Key Facts
Matt Scribner saw a fresh hole digging on a trail near Auburn, California, in 2003.
The hole later was found to be Justine Vanderschoot’s burial site.
Justine, 17, had been missing since early September 2003.
Scribner reported the hole to authorities after seeing news about the discovery.
Danny Bezemer and Brandon Fernandez were arrested and charged with her murder.
Fernandez confessed and guided investigators to the grave, saying Bezemer strangled Justine.
The autopsy showed Justine was still breathing when buried.
Bezemer admitted to strangling Justine but blamed Fernandez for planning the crime.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has removed General Oleksandr Syrskyi from his position as the commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces. This decision followed public protests demanding new military leadership.
Key Facts
President Zelensky fired General Oleksandr Syrskyi on Tuesday.
Syrskyi was the top commander of the Ukrainian armed forces.
People in cities across Ukraine protested to change the military leadership.
Protesters viewed Syrskyi as representing an old and harsh style of leadership.
One protester called Syrskyi “the butcher-commander-in-chief.”
The change aims to address public concerns about military command during ongoing conflicts.
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Kobane, a city in northern Syria with mostly Kurdish residents, is starting to bring together Kurdish troops and the Syrian government forces after years of conflict. This process aims to create more unity and peace in the area following the civil war.
Key Facts
Kobane is a city in northern Syria populated mainly by Kurdish people.
The city is known for its strong Kurdish resistance during the Syrian civil war.
Recent efforts focus on integrating Kurdish forces with Syrian government forces.
The goal is to improve cooperation and stability in Kobane after the war.
France 24’s journalist Wassim Nasr reported directly from Kobane.
The article was published on July 22, 2026.
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Khalil al-Hayya, the new political leader of Hamas, has asked for a permanent stop to fighting in Gaza and for Israel to completely withdraw. He also wants faster rebuilding in Gaza, unity among Palestinians, and better relations with nearby countries during the ongoing US conflict with Iran.
Key Facts
Khalil al-Hayya is the new political chief of Hamas.
He called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
He wants a full Israeli withdrawal from the region.
He urged faster reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
He emphasized the importance of Palestinian unity.
He opposed any forced displacement of people.
He called for stronger ties with neighboring countries.
His speech mentioned the US conflict with Iran.
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Israel is worried about a new U.S.-Saudi deal to develop Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear program. Israeli officials fear this could lead to Saudi Arabia building nuclear weapons, increasing tensions in an already unstable Middle East.
Key Facts
The U.S. plans to invest in Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear capabilities.
Israel has never confirmed its own nuclear weapons but is widely believed to have them.
Israel fears the Saudi program might be weaponized, causing a regional nuclear arms race.
Normalization talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia stalled after the Gaza conflict in October 2023.
Saudi Arabia has said it does not want nuclear weapons but would consider them if Iran develops any.
Iran denies wanting nuclear weapons, but its uranium enrichment raises concerns in the U.S. and Israel.
There is ongoing conflict involving Israel, Iran, and U.S. allies in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia is not currently known to possess nuclear weapons.
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The U.S. military says the Strait of Hormuz is still open for commercial ships despite many attacks by Iran on vessels there. However, most large international ships are avoiding the strait because they fear these attacks, and traffic has dropped to a low level. Iran’s allies have also threatened another nearby shipping route used for energy shipments to Asia.
Key Facts
The U.S. Central Command states the Strait of Hormuz remains open to commercial shipping despite more than 30 attacks by Iran on ships since the war began.
President Trump warned he might destroy Iranian infrastructure for every new attack on ships in the strait.
Despite official statements, very few large international ships are using the strait; traffic recently fell to a three-week low.
Some ships use a southern route near Oman, supported only by limited U.S. air protection, but attacks continue there as well.
Greek shipping company Dynacom stopped sending ships through the strait after two vessels were hit and crews evacuated.
South Korea’s Sinokor Group is offering extra pay to mariners willing to navigate the risky route.
Iran’s Houthi allies in Yemen threaten to block Saudi shipments through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, another key shipping chokepoint.
Before the conflict, about 30% of the world’s oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb straits each year.
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