Houthi rebels in Yemen said they attacked two Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea. This happened after the Houthis announced they would block Saudi ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Key Facts
The Houthis are a rebel group based in Yemen.
They claimed to have attacked two Saudi oil tankers named Encelia and Layla.
The attack took place in the Red Sea.
This is the first reported attack since the Houthis announced a blockade of Saudi ships.
The blockade targets ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key shipping route.
Saudi Arabia relies on oil tankers to transport oil through this area.
The situation adds tension to the ongoing conflict in Yemen and the region.
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Iraq’s new prime minister, Ali al-Zaidi, visited the United States and Iran shortly after taking office to balance relations with two influential countries shaping Iraq’s politics and economy. His government aims to shift Iraq’s ties with the US from security to economic cooperation while managing close but complex connections with Iran and its allied groups inside Iraq.
Key Facts
Ali al-Zaidi became Iraq’s prime minister in May 2026.
He made his first foreign trips to Washington, DC, and Tehran.
In the US, he and President Donald Trump discussed increasing economic partnerships and agreed on projects like reopening an Iraq-Syria oil pipeline.
Iraq depends heavily on Iran for natural gas and electricity, with bilateral trade over $12 billion yearly.
Millions of Iranian Shia pilgrims visit Iraq each year, showing strong religious and cultural ties.
Iran has influence in Iraq through Shia political parties and armed groups that are part of Iraq’s security forces.
The US pressures Iraq to control Iran-aligned armed groups linked to ongoing conflicts involving Iran.
Al-Zaidi is also working to improve Iraq’s relationships with Gulf states and Turkey to balance regional powers.
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A Czech army helicopter crashed on Thursday at an air force base southeast of Prague. One soldier died, and three others were injured and taken to hospitals.
Key Facts
The helicopter was a Venom model operated by the Czech army.
It had five soldiers on board at the time of the crash.
The crash happened around noon local time at the Náměšt nad Oslavou air force base.
Náměšt nad Oslavou is about 180 kilometers (112 miles) southeast of Prague.
One soldier died in the accident.
Three soldiers were injured and taken to hospitals.
The military has not shared more details about the cause of the crash or the condition of the injured.
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Yemen’s Houthi rebels have threatened to block shipping tied to Saudi Arabia in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key global trade route. This move could widen the conflict involving Iran and further disrupt oil exports and international trade.
Key Facts
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is crucial for global trade.
About 12% of the world’s trade and 25% of container shipping pass through this narrow waterway.
Houthis, supported by Iran, say they have closed the strait to Saudi-linked shipping in retaliation for Saudi actions in Yemen.
They reportedly attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, causing fires but no casualties.
Houthis plan to use mines, explosive boats, drones, and helicopters to block ships that ignore warnings.
The Houthis do not control the coast at the strait but are close enough to disrupt shipping.
Similar actions during earlier conflicts have shown how such attacks can effectively close important waterways.
This threatens global oil supplies, especially since the Strait of Hormuz, another key route, is already disrupted by conflict.
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More than 20,000 people have been evacuated from the Atlantic coast of south-west France due to a fast-moving wildfire near Saumos. Firefighters are working with planes and many crews to control the fire, which has burned 2,400 hectares in less than a day, but no deaths or home losses have been reported so far.
Key Facts
The wildfire started in a dense pine forest near Saumos, west of Bordeaux.
Over 20,000 people, including tourists, have been evacuated from the area.
The fire burned 2,400 hectares (about 5,928 acres) in under 24 hours.
Firefighters have deployed 700 personnel and four water-dropping planes to fight the blaze.
Nine local towns opened centers to shelter more than 2,500 evacuees.
The fire threatens wealthy and popular holiday areas like Cap Ferret.
Authorities say the fire may have been caused by a machine clearing undergrowth.
Another fire near Pontevès in south-east France burned 2,500 hectares and destroyed at least 10 houses.
France has seen multiple heatwaves and over 12,500 wildfires this year due to climate change effects.
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Fighting between Russia and Ukraine has caused deaths on both sides, including civilians and children. Both countries carried out attacks deep behind the front lines, increasing the number of casualties even though the main battle area has not changed much recently.
Key Facts
At least eight people died in attacks by Russia and Ukraine, including a three-year-old child.
Four people died in Ukraine; four others died in Russia and Crimea, a peninsula controlled by Russia.
A drone attack in Voronezh, Russia, caused a house fire and killed a young child.
Ukrainian strikes hit targets near Moscow, Crimea, and the Russian border region of Belgorod.
Russian attacks in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk and Sumy regions killed civilians and injured others.
Russia claimed it captured a village near Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, but Ukraine denied the claim.
Ukraine reported repelling multiple Russian attacks near Pokrovsk.
The European Union agreed on a new sanctions package targeting Russian banks, military industries, and shipping.
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Israel has freed 35 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza. They were moved through the Karem Abu Salem crossing to a hospital in Khan Yunis to meet their families.
Key Facts
Israel released 35 Palestinian detainees from Gaza.
The detainees were transferred via the Karem Abu Salem crossing.
They arrived at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis.
The purpose was to reunite them with their families.
The detainees came from Gaza, a Palestinian territory.
The release was organized by Israeli authorities.
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The Rosebank oilfield in the North Sea is at the center of a debate about new oil drilling in the UK. The UK government and energy companies are deciding whether to approve the project, while local residents and environmental groups oppose it due to climate and ecological concerns.
Key Facts
Rosebank is the largest untapped oil and gas field in the UK, located near Shetland in the North Sea.
Norwegian company Equinor and Shell's joint venture, Adura, are leading the Rosebank development.
Legal challenges delayed the project because prior approvals did not fully consider the environmental impact.
The UK government restarted the approval process in 2025, with a public comment period ending in August 2025.
Protests come from local residents and groups worried about climate change and damage to marine life.
Ithaca Energy, a Scottish company owned by Israeli conglomerate Delek Group, owns part of the project; Delek is controversial due to its links to Israeli settlements.
Some say Rosebank could conflict with the UK’s goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The final decision is expected from UK Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh after the public consultation.
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Large wildfires broke out in southern France, especially in southwest areas near the coast, destroying pine forests and forcing thousands of people to leave their homes. Hundreds of firefighters worked to control the fires starting on July 22-23, 2026, using water drops from helicopters and trucks.
Key Facts
Wildfires started around midday on July 22, 2026, in southeast and southwest France.
Thousands of residents and tourists were evacuated from affected areas.
The fires burned seaside pine forests and other vegetation.
Hundreds of firefighters fought the flames with water helicopters and wildland water trucks.
Smoke and flames were visible in places like Ponteves and Le Porge.
Some homes and outdoor areas, such as gardens, were damaged by the fires.
The fires were part of wider wildfire problems affecting parts of Spain, France, and Italy.
Efforts continue to contain the blazes amid a heatwave and dry conditions in Europe.
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Shania Twain's new album, "Little Miss Twain," tells the story of her early life and career, from performing as a child in Canadian bars to signing her first major record deal. The album includes songs reflecting on her past and features a tribute to her late mother, who supported her during those early years.
Key Facts
Shania Twain started performing at age 8 in small Canadian bars after hours.
Her early audiences included miners, lumberjacks, fishermen, and hunters.
The album "Little Miss Twain" covers her life from childhood to her late 20s.
She wrote some songs many years ago, including “Rockstars” and “Northern Town.”
The title track honors her mother, who died in a car accident in 1987.
Country singer Tanya Tucker performs a duet on the song “Little Miss Twain.”
Twain’s son, Eja D’Angelo Lange, contributes background vocals on several tracks.
The album reflects on personal stories fans had not heard before.
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The United States and Pakistan have criticized Yemen’s Houthi rebel group for threatening shipping in the Red Sea by declaring a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio blamed Iran for supporting the Houthis and warned that restricting shipping in this region could disrupt global oil supplies.
Key Facts
The Houthis, a rebel group in Yemen, declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia.
The blockade threatens commercial shipping in the Red Sea, a vital route for global trade and oil transport.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran arms and influences the Houthis and is behind the blockade.
The blockade affects the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Arabian Peninsula.
With the Strait of Hormuz blocked due to conflict, Saudi Arabia relies on a pipeline to the Red Sea for oil exports.
Pakistan condemned the Houthi threats, calling them a violation of international law and harmful to regional security.
Some ships reportedly rerouted after warnings from the Houthis; this was partially confirmed by ship tracking data.
Both the U.S. and Pakistan are monitoring the situation closely and have communicated their concerns to Saudi Arabia.
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The Vatican confirmed it is still holding a secret trial of Rev. Marko Ivan Rupnik, a former Jesuit priest accused of spiritual and sexual abuse of women. The Vatican denied reports that Rupnik was acquitted and said secrecy is necessary to protect the trial process.
Key Facts
Rev. Marko Ivan Rupnik is a Slovenian artist and former Jesuit priest accused of abuse.
Allegations date back to the 1990s and involve spiritual, sexual, and psychological abuse.
Vatican said reports of Rupnik’s acquittal are false and the trial is ongoing.
The Jesuits briefly excommunicated Rupnik in 2020 for abusing confessional powers.
Rupnik’s supporters deny the accusations and call them unproven.
Pope Francis waived the statute of limitations to allow a Church trial despite the age of claims.
Victims’ lawyer criticized the Vatican’s secretive process and lack of communication with victims.
The Vatican maintains secrecy to ensure the trial’s fairness and integrity.
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France’s public health agency reported about 5,700 more deaths than usual during a severe heat wave from mid-June to early July 2026. This heat wave set new temperature records and caused the highest increase in deaths since 2003.
Key Facts
The heat wave lasted from June 17 to July 2, 2026.
There were 21,674 deaths in affected regions, compared to an expected 15,910 without the heat wave.
The excess deaths numbered 5,764, a 36% increase above normal levels.
The hottest days were June 24 and 25, with temperatures over 40°C (104°F) in many areas.
The Paris region had the most unexpected deaths, with nearly 2,000 extra cases (80% above normal).
Hospitals struggled with more patients affected by heat-related illnesses.
Mortuaries in Paris were overwhelmed, unable to store all bodies before burial or cremation.
Overall, Europe saw over 10,000 extra deaths due to extreme early heat in 2026.
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Amnesty International says a Pakistani airstrike on a drug treatment center in Kabul, Afghanistan, that killed hundreds of civilians should be investigated as a possible war crime. The organization found no proof that the facility was used for military purposes, while Afghan and United Nations sources report hundreds of civilian deaths from the strike in March 2026.
Key Facts
The airstrike hit the Omid drug rehabilitation center in Kabul on March 16, 2026.
Afghan officials say about 400 civilians died in the strike; Pakistan disputes this number and claims they targeted a military site.
The United Nations verified at least 269 civilian deaths and 122 injuries from the strike but says actual numbers may be higher.
Amnesty International investigated by reviewing photos, videos, satellite images, and interviews, finding no evidence of weapons or ammunition at the center.
The Omid center was a 2,000-bed facility treating drug addiction for about ten years.
The strike happened during increased cross-border fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan that began the previous year.
UN reports document many civilian deaths and injuries related to cross-border violence between January and March 2026.
Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring militants who attack Pakistan, especially the Pakistani Taliban group, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
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FBI Director Kash Patel met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to discuss working together against international online scams that cause huge financial losses. The meeting focused on improving cooperation to stop scams, which are linked to human trafficking and cybercrime, especially in Southeast Asia.
Key Facts
FBI Director Kash Patel met Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in Phnom Penh on July 22, 2026.
Online scams in the Asia-Pacific region caused estimated losses of $114 billion in 2025.
Scam centers are mainly in border areas of Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia.
Criminals adjust their methods by shifting locations or working smaller scale after raids.
Patel also met Thailand’s Prime Minister to promote cooperation on scam centers and transnational crimes.
Southeast Asia has many scam operations due to weak law enforcement, especially in Cambodia and Myanmar.
Many scam workers are trafficked through false job offers and forced into near-slavery conditions.
Cambodia plans to host an international conference on fighting cyber scams in September 2026.
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The United States and Saudi Arabia have signed a new nuclear agreement that may allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium for its civilian nuclear projects. The deal, approved by President Donald Trump, aims to strengthen cooperation while maintaining nuclear safety and preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.
Key Facts
The U.S. and Saudi Arabia signed a nuclear cooperation agreement called a “123 agreement.”
The deal was approved by President Donald Trump and signed by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Minister of Energy Abdulaziz bin Salman.
This agreement could enable Saudi Arabia to build a uranium enrichment facility for peaceful purposes.
The agreement includes a bilateral safeguards agreement to ensure safety and nonproliferation.
The U.S. says this deal uses top nuclear technology and experts from the United States.
The deal will last for 30 years and involve U.S. companies in developing the nuclear program.
The agreement does not include the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Additional Protocol, which means less monitoring and inspection.
The agreement will be reviewed by the U.S. Congress, where it might face opposition.
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Germany deported Arafat Adil, a 21-year-old Uyghur man with Chinese and Turkish citizenship, from Frankfurt Airport to China. His family says he was taken into custody upon arrival in Beijing, raising concerns due to China's treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang.
Key Facts
Arafat Adil is a Uyghur man holding Chinese and Turkish passports.
He lived in Turkey since 2017 and sought asylum in Germany.
He was deported from Germany on Tuesday and arrived in Beijing Wednesday morning.
Upon arrival, Chinese authorities detained and questioned him.
Germany has not officially confirmed the deportation details.
China has been accused of detaining and mistreating Uyghurs in Xinjiang, where over 11 million Uyghurs live.
Germany usually grants protection to Uyghurs but deportations have not been suspended.
The deportation caused concern among Uyghur rights groups worried about persecution if returned to China.
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South Korean singer Lim Kim has released her second full album, "Exit to Nowhere," which reflects her personal growth and experiences over the past decade. The album contains seven songs that show her journey from uncertainty in her 20s to self-discovery in her early 30s.
Key Facts
Lim Kim first debuted 13 years ago with the album "A Voice."
"Exit to Nowhere" is her second full-length album and was released after a seven-year break since her last major music project.
The album has seven tracks that represent her feelings and experiences from her early 20s to now.
Her previous project, "GENERASIAN," focused on her identity as an Asian woman and broader cultural issues.
This new album is more personal, concentrating on her own life story.
Lim Kim started her career in 2011 in a folk-pop duo before going solo in 2013 and won two Korean Music Awards in 2020.
The album title "Exit to Nowhere" symbolizes the uncertain time she experienced while figuring out her path.
The title track "Never Gonna Be Alone" describes the feeling of loneliness experienced even in social settings like weddings.
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President Donald Trump’s administration signed a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia that removes previous U.S. demands requiring Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel. The agreement allows Saudi Arabia to develop its civilian nuclear energy program without strict controls preventing future military nuclear development.
Key Facts
Previous U.S. policy required Saudi Arabia to improve ties with Israel before receiving American nuclear technology.
President Trump’s deal ignores this condition, providing Saudi Arabia nuclear technology without linking it to Israel.
Critics warn this deal could trigger a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.
The agreement allows Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium on its own soil.
It lacks strong enforcement measures to stop Saudi Arabia from developing nuclear weapons in the future.
Saudi Arabia aims to use nuclear power to diversify its energy sources and reduce reliance on oil.
This deal marks a shift in U.S. Middle East policy under President Trump, focusing more on regional alliances and economic competition.
The U.S. is currently in conflict with Iran, a regional rival of Saudi Arabia, increasing tensions in the area.
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A Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet shot down a Russian Su-35 in a rare air battle, marking the first time a Ukrainian F-16 has downed a Russian plane. Ukraine has operated F-16s since mid-2024, using them mainly to defend against Russian missiles and drones.
Key Facts
A Ukrainian F-16 successfully shot down a Russian Su-35 fighter plane.
This event is the first confirmed air-to-air kill by a Ukrainian F-16.
Both the F-16 and Su-35 are fourth-generation fighter jets.
Ukraine started flying F-16s in summer 2024 after receiving planes from four NATO countries.
Ukraine uses F-16s mostly to defend cities from Russian missiles and drones.
Ukraine has about 39 F-16s in service but has lost at least three to combat damage.
Ukraine signed a deal in June 2025 to buy 16 Swedish Gripen jets, expected to arrive in about three years.
Russia has increased its missile and drone attacks on Ukraine in recent months.
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