- ‘This is where democracy beats totalitarianism’: Ukraine’s drone strike force takes the fight to Russia theguardian.com
- Zelenskyy Expresses Frustration With Pace Of Patriot Deliveries As Civilian Death Toll Climbs Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
- Zelenskyy: the world has Patriot missiles, political decision is needed Українська правда
- Russia seeks to expand ballistic missile production, Zelensky says The Kyiv Independent
- Zelensky urges partners to deliver anti-ballistic missiles and tighten sanctions on Russia Межа. Новини України.
Trump climbs down on Iran strikes after Saudi alarm and threats from Tehran
President claims delay is ‘subject to being able to rapidly make a deal’ as intervention by Saudi crown prince is revealed and Iran warns neighbours
Donald Trump said on Saturday night that the US would hold off on any new strikes on Iran provided a deal to end the months-long conflict is quickly reached – marking the president’s latest climbdown from extravagant threats to hit the Tehran regime hard.
The Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman called Trump on Saturday to express concerns about his strike plans, it was reported. Trump’s reversal also came after Iran threatened to retaliate decisively against its neighbours in the event of US strikes, while Kuwait reported being hit by Iranian drones on Saturday and two ships were attacked off Oman in the strait of Hormuz.
Continue reading...Dry, hot summers are putting Dutch dikes at risk and threatening German river trade – AP News
- Dry, hot summers are putting Dutch dikes at risk and threatening German river trade AP News
- What Happens When Your Danube River Ship Can't Sail Cruise Critic
- Rhine water level drops to around record lows, costs for industry rise Reuters
- Another Critical Oil Waterway Is About to Close Bloomberg
- Rhine drought strands ships and forces German production cuts Financial Times
How China Keeps Tabs on Foreigners – nytimes.com
How China Keeps Tabs on Foreigners nytimes.com
Anti-LGBTQ+ laws are on the rise across west Africa, campaigners warn
Activists in the region say politicians regard LGBTQ+ people as ‘the easiest scapegoats to maintain their power’
A growing number of west African countries are implementing or strengthening anti-LGBTQ+ laws, amid local political pressures and a global pushback against LGBTQ+ rights.
In March, Senegal doubled the maximum prison sentence for gay sex to 10 years and criminalised the “promotion” of homosexuality. Niger criminalised “sexual relations with a person of the same sex” in February, the first time same-sex intimacy had been outlawed in the country.
Continue reading...A woman with apparent heat stroke found dead while taking shelter in a car in quake-hit Japan – AP News
- A woman with apparent heat stroke found dead while taking shelter in a car in quake-hit Japan AP News
- Japan’s Rescuers Battle ‘Cruel Heat’ After Major Earthquake nytimes.com
- Japan ends rescue operation at a mall that collapsed after a strong quake NBC News
- Japan’s earthquake pain spreads with Toyota, Lexus, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Honda suspending production Automotive News
- Japan’s 400-year-old Kumamoto Castle damaged by 7.1 magnitude earthquake The Art Newspaper
Mall worker, 22, dies in Kumamoto explosion after being ordered to return inside to secure sales money – The Tokyo Reporter
- Mall worker, 22, dies in Kumamoto explosion after being ordered to return inside to secure sales money The Tokyo Reporter
- Japan earthquake: Two workers killed in Aeon Mall blast after re-entering on boss' order BBC
- A woman with apparent heat stroke found dead while taking shelter in a car in quake-hit Japan AP News
- Japan PM visits quake-hit Kumamoto Prefecture to assess situation Japan Wire by Kyodo News
- Japan’s Rescuers Battle ‘Cruel Heat’ After Major Earthquake The New York Times
Tourist plane crashes in Peru, killing 13
The small plane was flying over the Nazca Lines archaeological site when it crashed, according to local reports.
Moscow bomb kills at least three as device carried by woman explodes
More than 20 people injured in blast near Italian restaurant Balzi Rossi in centre of Russian capital on Saturday night
A homemade bomb carried by a woman killed three people and injured at least 21 in an explosion near a restaurant in central Moscow on Saturday evening, prompting speculation on social media that the attack may have been linked to the war in Ukraine.
The explosion occurred just before 8pm local time (6pm UK time) close to an Italian restaurant in one of Moscow’s seven Stalin-era skyscrapers at Kudrinskaya Square, police said.
Continue reading...Saudi Prince Concerned Over Trump’s Iran Strike Plan: Axios – Bloomberg
- Saudi Prince Concerned Over Trump’s Iran Strike Plan: Axios Bloomberg
- Scoop: Saudi crown prince raises concerns over Trump's plans for massive Iran strikes axios.com
- Saudi Crown Prince MBS urges Trump to ‘prioritise dialogue’ in US-Iran war Al Jazeera
- Trump gets conflicting messages as he seeks an exit ramp from the Iran war CNN
- Daily Briefing Aug. 2 – Saudis talk Trump down from Iran strike… for now The Times of Israel
Capital One says it closed Trump Organization’s accounts after anti-money-laundering review
Disclosure from 2021 investigation marks first time a bank has formally tied money-laundering concerns to Donald Trump
Capital One Financial hit back on Friday against a lawsuit over its decision to close the Trump Organization’s bank accounts years ago, stating that it did so after a review by anti-money-laundering experts.
The disclosure marks the first time a bank has formally tied money-laundering concerns to Donald Trump’s family business. Capital One is seeking to dismiss the case by casting doubt on claims of illegally debanking – or denying services on religious or political grounds – the Trump Organization.
Continue reading...Solitude as a new aspirational lifestyle: ‘We are not lonely’
A growing number of so-called "loneliness influencers" are spotlighting solo living without children or friends - and it's spurring debate.
Saudi Arabia gearing up for major assault and possible ground invasion on Iranian-backed Houthis: report – New York Post
- Saudi Arabia gearing up for major assault and possible ground invasion on Iranian-backed Houthis: report New York Post
- July 30, 2026 — Egypt struck for first time as US-Iran conflict pulls in more countries CNN
- Saudi Arabia Forms New Military Coalition to Deter Red Sea Attacks nytimes.com
- Saudis said to gear up for ground invasion against Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen The Times of Israel
- Saudi Arabia announces maritime defence alliance to secure vital waterways Al Jazeera
Teen Hikers Rescued 12 Hours Into Google Maps Hike – nytimes.com
- Teen Hikers Rescued 12 Hours Into Google Maps Hike nytimes.com
- A group of teen hikers relied on Google Maps. It was a disaster. SFGATE
- A Group of Teens Tried to Use Google Maps to Hike a Grueling 17-Mile Mountain Trail. Here’s Why It Was a Disaster People.com
- Why Google Maps isn't built for hikers, even with AI Mashable
- Google Maps Keeps Sending Hikers Into the Backcountry with Terrible Advice. Here’s Why. Backpacker Magazine
Young guns for hire – the teenage hitmen recruited to kill across Europe
The Foxtrot Network is thought to be responsible for about 35 murders in Europe, and uses violence-as-a-service tactics.
Foxtrot Network: The shadowy gang recruiting teen killers across Europe – BBC
- Foxtrot Network: The shadowy gang recruiting teen killers across Europe BBC
- How "Agent 47" Turned European Teenagers Into Real-Life Assassins NDTV
- How a Bored Norwegian Teen Became a Would-Be Hit Man Newser
- Iran-linked Foxtrot Network recruiting teenagers for murder attempts The Jerusalem Post
- Teenager convicted of UK murder plot ordered by Iran-linked crime gang CNN
Russian ship defies sanctions to send military vehicles to Mali – BBC
- Russian ship defies sanctions to send military vehicles to Mali BBC
- Russia Opens New Sea Route to Supply Africa Corps in Mali Военное дело
- Russia Sends Sanctioned Arms Ship Loaded With BMP-3s to Prop Up Mali’s Junta UNITED24 Media
- Russian arms convoy reached Bamako, intensifying Mali conflict Межа. Новини України.
- Russians transported armored vehicles to Mali on a sanctioned vessel - BBC unn.ua
Why Uganda is winning the battle against Ebola as virus spreads in DR Congo
Uganda discharged its last Ebola patient from hospital roughly two weeks ago.
Sopranos actor Vincent Pastore, known for playing mobsters and tough guys, dies aged 80
Veteran actor best-known for playing Salvatore ‘Big Pussy’ Bonpensiero, friend of Tony Soprano who becomes FBI informant
Vincent Pastore, a veteran actor who played mobsters and tough guys, and was best-known for playing Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on The Sopranos, has died. He was 80.
Bob McGowan, who had managed Pastore since his run on The Sopranos, told the Associated Press that he learned of his death Saturday from another client and actor on the show, Vincent Curatola.
Continue reading...Tourist plane crashes in Peru, killing 13
The small plane was flying over the Nazca Lines archaeological site when it crashed, according to local reports.