Two men accused of stealing €88 million worth of crown jewels from the Louvre in Paris said the person behind the theft was unhappy with what they took and thought they could have taken more. The suspects described how they broke into the museum, stole the jewels, and handed them over to an unnamed client who paid them for the job.
Key Facts
The theft happened at the Louvre museum’s Apollo gallery in October.
The stolen items included tiaras, a brooch, necklaces, earrings, and a crown that was dropped and damaged during the escape.
The suspects, named Abdoulaye N and Ghelamallah A, said they were hired just days before the robbery.
They were shown a video of the display cases to prepare for the heist.
Abdoulaye N said he was promised €15,000-€20,000 for the job, possibly more depending on the value of the jewels.
Ghelamallah A said he did not know the theft was happening at the Louvre; he thought it was a jewelry store.
They entered the museum at night, broke display cases, and tried to take as much as possible quickly to avoid being caught.
Both men refused to reveal the mastermind or others involved, fearing retaliation.
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A Swedish Member of the European Parliament (MEP), Abir Al-Sahlani, filed a police complaint against Danish MEP Kristoffer Storm for racist hate speech after he told her to "go home" on social media. The complaint follows far-right MEPs chanting "send them back" in the European Parliament after a vote on increasing deportations across the EU.
Key Facts
Abir Al-Sahlani is an Iraqi-born Swedish MEP from the Centre party.
Rightwing MEPs chanted "send them back" after a vote about deportations in the European Parliament.
Al-Sahlani condemned the chant, calling it targeted hate against immigrants.
Finnish MEP Sebastian Tynkkynen told her to "cry more" on social media.
Danish MEP Kristoffer Storm told her on social media that she "should go home."
Al-Sahlani filed a police complaint against Storm but not against Tynkkynen because Swedish police were unsure about handling his post.
Both Storm and Tynkkynen deny the accusations.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola condemned the behavior and promised appropriate action.
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Two firefighting planes and other equipment were sent to the Paris region to fight a large wildfire in the Fontainebleau forest, which has spread across 800 hectares. The fire caused highway closures and train delays during a heatwave that is affecting much of Europe and causing other wildfires.
Key Facts
A wildfire near Paris has burned about 800 hectares (around 1,978 acres) and is still spreading.
The fire forced part of a major north-south highway to close and delayed trains from Paris’s Gare de Lyon by up to six hours.
Firefighting planes were brought from southern France, where fires are more common, marking the first time this happened near Paris.
Along with planes, two helicopters and an observation aircraft were used to fight the fire.
The Paris area is experiencing its third heatwave this year, with record-high temperatures across Europe.
The heat has led to other problems, such as shutting down three nuclear power plants to protect waterways.
The Tour de France shortened a race stage because of extreme heat nearing 40°C (104°F).
Severe wildfires are also ongoing in other European countries like Spain and the UK during this heatwave.
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A fire broke out in a pub in Bangkok around midnight on Monday, killing at least 27 people. The incident has raised worries about poor fire safety, especially concerns that some emergency exits might have been locked.
Key Facts
The fire happened at a pub in Bangkok, Thailand.
At least 27 people died in the fire.
The fire started around midnight on Monday.
There are fears that several emergency exits were locked during the fire.
This tragedy highlights ongoing problems with fire safety rules in the area.
Authorities and the public are paying close attention to fire safety after this incident.
The event was reported by Al Jazeera journalist Tony Cheng from the scene.
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The United States military carried out new airstrikes on targets in Iran over the weekend. These strikes aimed to reduce Iran’s ability to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route.
Key Facts
U.S. forces launched additional strikes on Iranian targets on Sunday.
The attacks targeted "dozens of locations" using precision weapons.
The goal was to weaken Iran’s capability to attack international shipping.
The conflict is connected to increased hostilities around the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. Central Command (Centcom) announced the strikes publicly.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic waterway used for global oil shipments.
These attacks are part of ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
President Donald Trump’s administration has emphasized protecting shipping lanes in this region.
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A large wildfire broke out in the Fontainebleau forest near Paris, spreading over 800 hectares and causing evacuations and traffic disruptions. Firefighters used planes, helicopters, and over 400 personnel to fight the fire, which came during a heatwave affecting much of Europe.
Key Facts
The fire started late Sunday afternoon in Fontainebleau forest, about 60 km southeast of Paris.
It spread across 800 hectares (2,000 acres) and kept growing into Monday.
The A6 highway, a major road, was partially closed, and high-speed train services were delayed by up to six hours.
Around 15 homes in the village of Vaudoue were evacuated for safety.
Firefighting planes came from southern France, which is unusual for fires near Paris.
About 400 firefighters, two helicopters, and an observation plane worked to control the fire.
France has experienced several heatwaves this year, which have broken temperature records and increased wildfire risks.
So far this year, forest fires in France have burned 17,000 to 25,000 hectares, double the area burned by this time last year.
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The US military launched new strikes against Iran aiming to reduce Iran’s ability to attack ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran condemned the attacks and said they made diplomatic efforts useless, while tensions continue to affect global oil prices and regional stability.
Key Facts
The US began a new wave of military strikes against Iran on Sunday evening, targeting Iranian forces near the Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump directed the strikes to hold Iran accountable for attacks on civilian and commercial ships.
Iran responded by targeting US facilities in Gulf states and claimed it closed the Strait of Hormuz again.
The US military reported about 140 strikes on Saturday night alone, showing an escalation in conflict.
Iran’s attacks extended to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, which defended itself against missiles and drones.
Iran criticized the US strikes for undermining peace efforts and causing insecurity in the strait and regional shipping.
Talks between Iran and Oman to manage the strait failed due to perceived US pressure on Oman.
The conflict has raised global oil prices, with US oil futures jumping above $74 per barrel after the recent violence.
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Israel will hold national elections on October 27, 2026, the latest date allowed by law. The vote is seen as a test of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership following the Gaza war. Netanyahu plans to run again and aims to form a broad national government.
Key Facts
The Israeli parliament (Knesset) approved the election date of October 27, 2026.
The current Knesset term will end on July 17, 2026, completing a full four-year term.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, 76, is Israel’s longest-serving prime minister and will seek re-election.
Netanyahu seeks to build a broad national government, not aligned strictly with right-wing, left-wing, or Arab parties.
Recent polls show declining support for Netanyahu, with a majority of Israelis wanting a change.
Public criticism focuses on the ceasefire with Iran and security failures linked to the October 7 attacks.
A major election issue is whether ultra-Orthodox Jewish men should be drafted into the military.
Other concerns include ongoing judicial reforms, Netanyahu’s corruption trials, and the future governance of Gaza.
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The Israeli Army shared video showing tunnels beneath Lebanon’s Beaufort Castle. They say the tunnels were used by Hezbollah for their command centers. Israeli forces took back control of the 900-year-old castle in June.
Key Facts
The Israeli Army released video footage of tunnels under Beaufort Castle in Lebanon.
Israel claims these tunnels belonged to Hezbollah’s command centers.
Beaufort Castle is nearly 900 years old and is a historic site.
Israeli soldiers recaptured the castle in June.
The tunnels were hidden beneath the castle.
Hezbollah is a militant group based in Lebanon.
The video was made public by the Israeli military.
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China has widely adopted artificial intelligence (AI) in many areas, including healthcare, manufacturing, and delivery services. The government also uses AI for increased surveillance, raising questions about the future impact of AI technologies globally.
Key Facts
Millions of people in China use AI-powered doctor services.
Factories in China employ intelligent robots to improve production.
Drones deliver food in places like the Great Wall of China.
The Chinese government uses AI tools to monitor and surveil citizens more closely.
China’s broad use of AI could show how other countries might adopt this technology in the future.
Amy Hawkins and Annie Kelly discussed these developments in a podcast about China’s AI rollout.
The article is based on insights from the Guardian’s senior China correspondent.
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A fire broke out in a popular pub near the Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok, killing at least 27 people and injuring 63 others, some very seriously. Officials are checking if the pub had enough exits for people to escape safely.
Key Facts
The fire occurred in a well-known pub in Bangkok, Thailand.
At least 27 people died in the fire.
63 people were injured, with many in critical condition.
The pub is located close to the famous Chatuchak Weekend Market.
Authorities are investigating the number and quality of escape routes in the pub.
The cause of the fire has not been confirmed yet.
Emergency responders worked to control the fire and treat victims.
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Andy Burnham plans to hold a larger Budget event in the autumn to outline key priorities. The suspect in the murder of Ann Widdecombe drove 300 miles to her home, and police say the killing is not linked to politics.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is considering an expanded Budget this autumn.
The Budget may include a £38 billion tax increase plan.
A 28-year-old white British man is the suspect in Ann Widdecombe’s murder.
The suspect traveled 300 miles to Widdecombe’s house.
Police have found no political motive behind the murder.
Immigration reforms may be reduced, allowing up to 1.6 million migrants to stay indefinitely after five years instead of ten.
A new bill to prevent cover-ups related to the Hillsborough Disaster is set to pass soon.
Scientists estimate that a June heatwave caused 440 deaths a day at its peak.
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An African start-up called Terra Industries, based in Nigeria and Ghana, is making drones and surveillance equipment mostly from local parts to help protect important sites and borders. This effort aims to reduce Africa’s reliance on foreign military technology and improve defense and security across the continent and beyond.
Key Facts
African countries currently depend on foreign suppliers like Turkey, China, and Russia for military and surveillance technology.
Terra Industries was founded in 2024 by two young entrepreneurs, Nathan Nwachuku and Maxwell Maduka.
The company designs and builds drones, surveillance towers, and unmanned ground vehicles using over 70% locally sourced parts.
Terra’s equipment protects infrastructure worth about $11 billion in eight African countries and Canada.
Their products address problems like maritime piracy, border security, and protection of energy and mining facilities.
Terra plans to expand with a production facility in Ghana that will make up to 50,000 drones per year by 2028.
The start-up raised $34 million in early funding from major global investors connected to defense and technology companies.
Terra aims to serve other regions with similar security challenges in South Asia and South America.
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A wildfire in Spain’s Almeria province killed at least 13 people, including five believed to be British. The fire burned about 7,000 hectares of land and forced around 1,500 people to evacuate, with some now allowed to return to see the damage.
Key Facts
The wildfire occurred in Almeria province, southeastern Spain.
At least 13 people died, including several British citizens.
A 93-year-old British woman died later in hospital from injuries.
The fire burned approximately 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres) of land.
Winds up to 50 km/h (31 mph) helped the fire spread quickly.
About 1,500 people were evacuated; roughly 600 were allowed to return.
Some homes, including that of a British couple Emma and Simon Mitchell, survived the fire.
Authorities did not issue a widespread alert fearing it might cause confusion and complicate evacuations.
Local officials visited residents to give instructions on sheltering or evacuating.
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The United States has carried out new military strikes on Iran to stop Iran from threatening ships in the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump stated that the waterway is open, while Iran claims it is closed, causing increased tensions between the two countries.
Key Facts
The US launched recent strikes aimed at Iran's ability to threaten shipping lanes.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key waterway for global shipping.
President Donald Trump declared the Strait of Hormuz open for navigation.
Iran claims the Strait of Hormuz is closed.
The conflicting claims have led to an escalation of attacks and tensions.
The situation is ongoing and is causing concern over safety in the region.
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A fast-moving wildfire has burned about 800 hectares of the Fontainebleau forest near Paris, forcing partial closure of a major highway and evacuations. Firefighters, including two firefighting planes sent from southern France, are working to control the blaze amid a strong heatwave.
Key Facts
The wildfire started late on July 12, 2026, in Fontainebleau forest, about 60 km southeast of Paris.
It burned roughly 800 hectares and was still spreading as of early July 13.
The fire caused a partial closure of the A6 motorway, a major highway near Paris.
Around 15 homes in the nearby village of Vaudoue were evacuated.
Approximately 400 firefighters, two firefighting planes, two helicopters, and an observation aircraft are involved in fighting the fire.
Firefighting planes usually come from southern France, a drier and hotter region, and were deployed to the Paris area for the first time.
The fire disrupted traffic on highways and delayed trains at Paris’s Gare de Lyon station by up to six hours.
The region is experiencing its third heatwave of the year, increasing the risk of wildfires and complicating firefighting efforts.
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A free meningitis B vaccine is now available at many high street pharmacies in England for young people, especially those starting university or college for the first time. The vaccine protects against a dangerous bacterial infection that caused a large outbreak in Kent earlier this year and is given in two doses.
Key Facts
The vaccine protects against meningitis B, a serious bacterial infection that can cause brain inflammation and blood poisoning.
It does not contain live bacteria and cannot cause meningitis.
Common side effects include pain and redness at the injection site, mild fever, and headache, which usually go away in one or two days.
Vaccinations can be booked at pharmacies from July 13, with appointments from July 20.
Eligible groups include 17- and 18-year-olds registered with a GP and students under 25 starting university or residential college in England for the first time this autumn.
International students and students from other parts of the UK studying in England can also get the vaccine.
The vaccine requires two doses given at least 28 days apart for full protection.
The vaccine program follows a recent outbreak in Kent with 29 cases and 2 deaths, aiming to reduce risk among students sharing close living spaces.
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Zhang Zhidong, a Chinese national called the "king of fentanyl," is accused of being a key figure in a drug trafficking operation involving fentanyl shipped from China to Mexico. He was arrested in Mexico in 2024, escaped briefly, then was sent to the US in 2025 where he awaits trial for drug trafficking and money laundering.
Key Facts
Zhang Zhidong is a 39-year-old Chinese man accused of leading fentanyl trafficking.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid about 50 times stronger than heroin.
He was arrested in Mexico in 2024, escaped, and was later extradited to the US in 2025.
US authorities say Zhang ran a global operation moving fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine into the US.
Zhang has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial in New York.
He graduated from Peking University with a Spanish degree and worked in Mexico for a Chinese mining company.
Zhang is believed to have built links between Chinese chemical factories and Mexican drug labs.
US President Donald Trump has called fentanyl dealers "narco-terrorists" and classified fentanyl components as weapons.
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The UK is experiencing its third heatwave of the year, with temperatures expected to rise again this week. Some places in England and Wales could reach mid-30 degrees Celsius, while Scotland and Northern Ireland may also see heatwave temperatures. Health alerts are in place due to the risks from high heat and humidity.
Key Facts
The UK’s third heatwave of 2024 is intensifying after a brief temperature drop.
Temperatures in parts of England and Wales could reach around 34 to 35 degrees Celsius.
Scotland and Northern Ireland may experience heatwave conditions, with temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius.
Heat health alerts (amber and yellow) are active until the evening of July 15, warning of health risks.
The heatwave poses increased risks for older people and those with health conditions.
Night-time temperatures may stay above 20 degrees Celsius, causing some “tropical nights.”
Wildfire risk is high in England and Wales, with some areas at "exceptional" risk.
A possible weather change later this week might bring some cooler air, but the heatwave could return quickly.
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