World News

Spain faces ‘complex’ three days with risks of heatwave and strong winds reigniting some fires – Europe live

Authorities fear progress in containing the fires in the Gironde and Madrid regions may be set back by temperatures expected to hit the low 40s in Brussels The European Union’s crisis-management team is expecting difficult weeks ahead, fearing a further outbreak of wildfires in Italy and Greece as the summer goes on. “ A firefighter will focus on protecting people. They will focus on protecting houses, protecting a business, a company, because this is something that matters for all our society. And indeed, sometimes by focusing on that, they cannot extinguish fire, [as] they would do it if it would be just forest. So this is new, this is worrying. And of course also, this means that we need to adapt our methods of fighting the fires. ” Continue reading...

Anthony Fauci invokes fifth amendment in Covid origins hearing, repeatedly declining to answer questions – live

Medical adviser says he invokes right not to answer questions and accuses Senate committee chair Rand Paul of having ‘obvious obsession’ with him Fauci invokes fifth amendment and declines to testify Sign up for US Breaking News email Gary Peters, the Democratic ranking member on the homeland security committee, said that the committee has a long history of bipartisan inquiry and oversight, and the subject matter of risky research and the origins of covid-19 are a legitimate area to study. But today’s hearing with Anthony Fauci was not an example of that, Peters said. Continue reading...

Burnham does not rule out tax rises for social care reform as he fast-tracks Louise Casey’s review – UK politics live

The prime minister says that current inefficiencies in the system will be tackled first, as he reveals final recommendations will be out by summer 2027 Andy Burnham is speaking now. In a reference to how he started campaing for social care reform almost two decades ago, he says it is good to see faces in the room “who’ve been on this journey with me for a long, a long time”. When someone in your family is receiving care, you look at everything through new eyes, don’t you? You notice things that maybe you didn’t notice before because you watch it so closely and so carefully. And I’ve just been really overwhelmed by their care, the skill in what they do, the professionalism. Can I just remind everybody that nobody thought we could get everybody in off the streets? So we can do difficult in this country and we can do it well. Continue reading...

'Odyssey' translator Emily Wilson says Nolan should have hired a scriptwriter

The renowned classics scholar caused a stir when her critical review of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey went viral. Wilson explains her reaction to the film and why she's translating the poem again.

Anthony Fauci refuses to answer questions during US Senate hearing about Covid origins

The former top US health official said he feared Republicans could try to trip him up and use his testimony to prosecute him for perjury.

Reform UK councillor charged after alleged racist social media post

Northumbria police said post by Glenn Gibbins, who was reinstated to the party after internal investigation, referenced Nigerian people A Reform UK councillor has been charged with posting a grossly offensive message on social media after allegedly making a racist comment about Nigerians. Glenn Gibbins, of Sunderland city council, has been charged with the offence under the Communications Act 2003, Northumbria police said. Continue reading...

Oscar-winning songwriter Glen Hansard killed in crash

Hansard, who was 56, won the best song Oscar for the 2007 low-budget musical film Once.

US-Saudi strikes in Iraq push region into ‘uncharted territory’, analysts warn

Riyadh’s decision to join US in strikes on Iran-backed militia further complicates widening and ‘unpredictable’ war US-Saudi strikes on Iran-backed militia in Iraq on Wednesday have pushed the region into “uncharted territory”, analysts have warned. Amid stark warnings of a widening and increasingly “unpredictable” conflict, Riyadh’s decision to publicly join the US in striking sites associated with Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), killing at least 20 fighters, has added another complicating dimension to the war. Continue reading...

Prince Harry and co-claimants face huge legal bill due to insurance shortfall

Claimants’ insurance might not cover Associated Newspapers’ costs for defending phone-hacking case, high court hears The Duke of Sussex and his co-claimants could be millions of pounds out of pocket after losing their privacy case against the publishers of the Daily Mail , the high court in London heard. The seven claimants, who include Prince Harry, Doreen Lawrence and Elton John, sued Associated Newspapers Limited over allegations of unlawful information gathering, with their claims dismissed in their entirely by Mr Justice Nicklin on 7 July. Now, their insurance may not cover the costs incurred by ANL defending the case. Continue reading...

Body found in suitcase in Athens 11 days ago that of 38-year-old British woman

Greek authorities identify remains after reported discovery in a derelict building by homeless man A body found in a suitcase in an abandoned building in central Athens has been identified as that of a 38-year-old British woman, with Greek authorities saying she had been dead for several weeks. Eleven days after the macabre find, police shed some light on the mystery of a body that until Wednesday had remained unidentified, after appealing to foreign law enforcement agencies. Continue reading...

FTSE 100 hits record high despite AI sell-off

Strong corporate results buoy market as investors move money away from tech and semiconductor stocks London’s FTSE 100 stock index has touched a fresh high, driven by strong corporate results as investors moved money away from tech and semiconductor stocks amid the global tech stock sell-off . The UK’s blue chip index rose as high as 10,951 points on Wednesday morning before falling back slightly, its best level since 27 February, the day before the US and Israel began attacks on Iran and sparked stock market volatility. Continue reading...

The population of an endangered Australian bat suddenly dropped by up to 16%. No one knows why

Exclusive: Scientists say about 5,000 fewer southern bent-wing bats have been recorded at a key maternity site for the species Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast A sudden decline in critically endangered bats is troubling experts, who recorded about 5,000 fewer southern bent-wing bats than usual at Naracoorte’s “bat cave” this summer. These tiny russet-toned microbats roost in caves and forage for insects over long distances across south-west Victoria and south-east South Australia. Continue reading...

Australians value batteries and EVs, but renewables industry must earn trust of regions, summit told

Clean Energy Council calls for a national, legislated scheme to funnel benefits of hosting renewables projects back to local councils Sign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter here Organised campaigns against wind and solar energy have proved “extremely effective” in undermining community support for renewable energy but enthusiasm for electric vehicles has jumped following Donald Trump’s attack on Iran, according to a detailed snapshot of Australian attitudes to the clean energy transition. The survey found levels of “deep support” for clean technologies were highest for home batteries and rooftop solar and also improving for major infrastructure projects such as transmission lines, which have been a target for critics of renewables. Sign up to get climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s Clear Air column as a free newsletter Continue reading...

Atlassian tightens tracking of staff AI use as other technology firms encourage ‘tokenmaxxing’

Some companies reportedly using leaderboards for employees who used the most AI in their work Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Software firm Atlassian has sought to tighten tracking of its staff’s AI spending by introducing “wallets” with monthly caps of up $2,000 for each employee, amid an explosion in costs at other tech companies. The move by Atlassian, which recently cited AI as part of the reason behind cutting 1,600 staff, bucks the trend of others in the tech sector who encouraged employees to use as much of the technology as possible, dubbed “tokenmaxxing”. Some companies have reportedly introduced leaderboards for employees who used the most AI in their work. Continue reading...

Bird flu is spreading locally and Australia faces more wildlife deaths. How bad could it get?

Authorities say local transmission of H5 bird flu virus among South Australian birds signals ‘shift in the situation’ Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Australia has entered a new phase in dealing with the incursion of deadly H5N1 bird flu , with authorities confirming on Wednesday that local transmission of the highly virulent strain had taken place. “We have had what is suggestive of local transmission for the first time,” Julie Collins, the federal minister for agriculture, fisheries and forestry, said on Wednesday afternoon, after 11 new suspected detections were reported in South Australian birds. Continue reading...

Icac hits paydirt as Reformers’ ‘shit sheets’ are given a very public airing

Dirt files are always damaging – not least those originating in the secretive rightwing Reformers sub-faction of the party Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast From time to time, dirt files – crudely known as shit sheets – flutter around the corridors of power in state and federal parliaments. They can be enormously damaging even if never published. While there might be speculation as to their origin, rarely is there confirmation – especially if the dirt file emanates from your own side. Continue reading...

Fauci invokes fifth amendment and declines to testify in Senate Covid hearing

Adviser to Trump and Biden for pandemic says Republican senator has ‘unhinged obsession’ with him US politics – live updates Dr Anthony Fauci, who served as a key adviser to Donald Trump and Joe Biden during the Covid-19 pandemic, has refused to answer questions at a high-profile congressional hearing, accusing a Republican senator of having an “unhinged obsession” with him. Fauci, the veteran former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (Niaid), invoked his constitutional right against self-incrimination when appearing before a Senate committee on Wednesday. Continue reading...

‘It’s just not cricket’: seaside town reacts to ‘Clickgate’ cheating row

Laughter, disbelief and outrage over video appearing to show Saltburn player tricking umpire into giving batters out At the Saltburn over-60s ukulele club there was a unanimous reaction to news that the town’s cricket club were being compared to the Argentina football team: laughter. Then a spirited rendition of I Love to Boogie. On the seafront, a litter-picking volunteer was looking forward to the Wednesday night quiz just to get the gossip. But she had her own view. “All I would say is it’s just not cricket, is it?” Continue reading...

A ​decade on the Iberian ​frontline​ has shown me that Europe’s ​climate ​emergency​ is ​impossible to ​deny

What once felt exceptional now arrives with grim regularity​ all over the continent, and it will only get worse • Don’t get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? Sign up here Spain has changed immeasurably since I arrived here 10 years ago to begin work as the Guardian’s Madrid correspondent. Over that time, the push for Catalan independence has exploded, sputtered and faded out; the Covid pandemic has hit with unimaginable ferocity , before seeming to linger for a face-masked eternity; and Podemos and Ciudadanos – the two upstart parties that once seemed likely to alter the Spanish political landscape irrevocably – have risen and fallen. Continue reading...

Rescue teams face ‘race against time’ in search for trapped survivors as death toll in Japan rises to at least 13 – as it happened

Emergency workers are continuing their search for survivors in southern Japan after yesterday’s powerful earthquake ‘Race against time’: Japan earthquake death toll rises as rescue teams search for missing An aerial view of a collapsed section of a bridge in the city of Yatsushiro after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 struck Japan’s southern Kumamoto prefecture: Japan’s Mainichi Shimbun newspaper has been speaking to people at the Nippon Paper Industries factory in Yatsushiro, where a chimney collapsed on to the site. “I never imagined something like this would happen,” said a 33-year-old man who worked at the factory. “I never thought that the chimney could collapse. I’m worried about the people inside.” He was off duty and at home when the earthquake struck, and was unharmed. The names of those rescued and those trapped have not yet been released. “Someone I know might be affected,” he said. Continue reading...

Thousands in Spain return home but new heatwave raises wildfire fears

Spain and France are both braced for the start of the fourth heatwave so far this summer and some fires have continued to burn.

Planes dump water on French wildfires as temperatures rise

Authorities have been trying to contain the wildfires, which have been burning for days.

Greetings from an isolated region in northern Pakistan's Hindu Kush mountains

Chitral borders Afghanistan and isn't easy to reach. Breathtaking views abound in this remote mountainous region — as do rockslides and avalanches.

Next 12 hours ‘decisive’ for wildfire near Madrid, says Spanish PM

Comments by Pedro Sánchez come as extreme heat renews pressure on firefighters tackling blazes across southern Europe Europe live – latest updates The next 12 hours will be “decisive” for a large wildfire burning near Madrid, the Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has said, as extreme heat renews pressure on firefighters racing to control blazes across southern Europe. Temperatures pushed higher by climate breakdown are forecast to reach 39C on Wednesday in Bordeaux, where firefighters have kept a monster blaze in nearby pine forests from reaching the suburbs, and 37C in Madrid, west of which Spain’s largest wildfire on record is burning. Continue reading...

How a Ugandan lost 20 years of her life to xenophobia

After decades of building lives in South Africa, renewed anti-immigrant tensions in 2026 forced hundreds of African migrants to leave. A Ugandan who spent two decades in South Africa shared with DW how she's coping.

Public executions in Iran spark anti-regime protests

The Islamic Republic publicly executed two Iranian protesters in Isfahan at dawn on July 28. Several hundred people gathered near a stage set up in the city’s Alikhani Square, but instead of cheering the execution, they chanted slogans against the police, prompting anti-riot units to disperse the crowd.

Flash floods and storms batter north-east US as deadly weather threatens millions

Lightning kills a New Jersey man as rescues, power outages and travel disruption hit region Bands of deadly, extreme weather including torrential rain and high winds sparked flash flooding and tornado warnings in several north-eastern US states on Tuesday night and into Wednesday, knocking out power for hundreds of thousands of people and playing havoc with travel. A 32-year-old man was killed on Tuesday afternoon in a lightning strike in Monroe township, New Jersey, authorities said. Continue reading...

Saudi Arabia joins US in strikes on Iran-backed militias in Iraq

US Central Command says proxy groups launched attacks against US bases and Saudi energy infrastructure.

'Two options' for Trump in Middle East war: 'he waits or he escalates massively'

US President Donald Trump confirmed on Fox News that the US and Saudi Arabia coordinated attacks on Iran-backed Iraqi militias with the Iraqi government itself. But Iraq has called the strikes a 'blatant violation', and its prime minister has called off a meeting with the Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salmane due to the attack. This comes as the US struggles to put an end to the war with Iran. FRANCE 24's Angela Diffley tells us more.

Drones and bulldozers: how the army is helping battle the blaze in France's southwest

Some 1,500 French soldiers have been deployed to help combat the Gironde fire. A team of France Television reporters was granted permission to embed with some of them to see how they help support local firefighters. From widening forest trails to helping identify hotspots, potential looters or civilians trapped by the flames, they are proving useful support to firefighters.

French wildfires: FRANCE 24 goes on the ground with firefighters

In France, the Gironde prefecture reported a second calm night and said the massive fire in the southwest was stable - but conditions are set to worsen as the country is about to be hit by a fourth heatwave, with temperatures expected to go above 40 degree celsius in the afflicted area. FRANCE 24 went with firefighters on the ground to understand what areas are considered sensitive as they battle blaze.

Comoros welcomes addition of centuries-old medinas to Unesco list

UNESCO has added six centuries–old medinas in the Comoros to its World Heritage List, drawing praise from the country's authorities as well as conservationists. Build as far back as the 12th century these ancient palaces, mosques and public squares were linked by a series of narrow streets and protected by imposing medieval walls.

Iran signals gas price hike as fuel crisis looms

Iranian authorities want to dampen fuel consumption, but a sudden increase in gasoline prices risks social unrest as many Iranian households are already under severe economic pressure.

Lebanon's pilot zone plan: Can it work?

The Israeli army has handed so-called "pilot zones" back to the Lebanese, The move is meant to facilitate an end to fighting between Hezbollah and Israel, and to Israeli occupation. But locals and experts are skeptical.

Madagascar struggles to deal with wave of kidnappings hitting capital city

In Madagascar, the capital remains shaken. Since the end of June, a wave of disappearances and kidnappings has hit Antananarivo, affecting mostly children and teenagers. Last Friday, the country observed a national day of mourning for the victims. The government has announced the creation of an anti-kidnapping task force, as reports continue to come in. FRANCE 24's Aurélie Kouman met with police officers and victims' families.

Despite praise, Chad to withdraw from the International Criminal Court

Chad announced that it is withdrawing from the Rome Statute and, therefore, from the International Criminal Court, as several other countries in the Sahel region have done. In an official statement, Chad’s government criticised the ICC’s alleged partiality, arguing that most of its investigations have concerned the African continent.

FIFA private investor plans spark backlash, UEFA fury

FIFA said Tuesday it plans to sell a stake in the business operations of the World Cup and its other competitions through the creation of a semi-private subsidiary. The decision marks a dramatic attempt to reshape the commercial landscape of global football, while opening a new front in a long-running battle with Europe for control over the massive wealth generated by the sport.

As fires still blaze, France thinks about how to rebuild its forests

As France grapples with wildfires, President Emmanuel Macron has spoken about the steps ahead to rebuilding forests. What would this look like and what are the options available? The European Environment Agency calls for more fire-resistant vegetation and natural barriers to limit the spread. what is also crucial is allowing forests to return to a wilder state, with diverse landscapes being more resilient to fire risks.

Japan searches for earthquake survivors as thousands evacuate

After a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Japan on July 28, the country's prime minister said 13 people had died so far and many were injured. The rescue work is ongoing to find those still missing. The earthquake struck the Kumamoto area on the southern main island of Kyushu, forcing over 260,000 people to evacuate. Roads were ruptured while homes across the region saw power knocked out.

Rogue OpenAI agent that hacked startup tried to attack other firms

ChatGPT developer says activity by autonomous tool was not at severity or scale of what occurred at Hugging Face OpenAI has revealed that a cyber-attack carried out by a rogue AI agent had more than one victim. The ChatGPT developer said the agent – an autonomous tool able to carry out sequences of commands without human help – had located and used logins to access four other unnamed “publicly-available services” in addition to the US startup Hugging Face. Continue reading...

France orders Russian journalist Xenia Fedorova to leave country over alleged Kremlin propaganda

France has ordered Russian journalist Xenia Fedorova to leave the country, the interior ministry said on Wednesday, amid accusations that she spread Kremlin propaganda through French television and radio ahead of next year's presidential election. Fedorova's lawyer said the journalist would “immediately lodge an appeal” against the expulsion order, while her employers condemned it as a “particularly serious breach of freedom of expression”.

What to know about France's fourth heatwave of the year

Firefighters are worrying that strengthening winds and an incoming heatwave could reignite embers and make it harder to battle blazes in France's southwest, as temperatures are set to go above 40 degrees celsius in the area. In Paris, up to 38 degrees are expected for what is now the fourth heatwave of the year. FRANCE 24's Luke Shrago tells us more.

Firefighter 'morale remains high' despite heatwave coming to France's blazing southwest

In the southwest of France, temperatures are expected to go over 40 degree celsius just as firefighters have managed to stabilise the mass blazes in the forests of the Gironde region. They are expecting the heatwave to set fires going again but 'morale remains high', says FRANCE 24's Carys Garland, as firefighters first and foremost committed to protecting local communities.

Peru takes ultraconservative turn as Fujimori becomes president

Peru's new president Keiko Fujimori was sworn in on July 28, taking her oath of office before the country's Congress. The conservative leader now becomes the Andean nation's 9th chief executive in just 10 years - her electoral victory, an extremely narrow one - with just 50,000 votes separating her from left-wing rival Roberto Sanchez. Fujimori, wasting no time in naming her cabinet and rolling out new measures with an emphasis on fighting crime in Peru - which is facing its worst security crisis in decades.

Zelensky and Netanyahu meet Trump as wars in Ukraine and Iran drag on

The two leaders sound encouraged after holding back-to-back bilaterals at the White House.

Ghana hit by nationwide blackout as power plants fail

The massive outage has left homes, businesses and some essential services severely disrupted.

BMW to cut ‘as many as 8,000 jobs’ under pressure from Chinese rivals

Layoffs will come in admin and development divisions in Germany, with production operations unaffected BMW is planning to cut as many as 8,000 jobs in Germany, according to reports, in the latest sign of Europe’s largest carmakers reducing costs under pressure from Chinese rivals. The Munich-headquartered company has started a voluntary redundancy programme agreed with employee representatives, a BMW spokesperson said on Wednesday. Continue reading...

European wildfires in maps - and how they're being tackled

Spain and France have so far borne the burnt of this summer's wildfires, caused by a succession of heatwaves and prolonged dry spells.

More than 100 aftershocks hit Japan after powerful quake that killed 13

People are being urged to stay alert, with earthquake aftershocks potentially reaching magnitude 7, officials say

'I thought I would die': Survivors describe shock and horror of powerful Japan earthquake

Rescue operations are ongoing following the 6.8-magnitude quake, as survivors wrestle with the shock.

U.S. and Iran resume attacks. And, Fauci to face Senate questions on COVID pandemic

The U.S. and Iran have resumed fighting after Iran attacked U.S. forces in the Middle East yesterday. And, a Senate committee will question Anthony Fauci about the COVID-19 pandemic.

US schools are struggling to keep the yellow bus running amid shortages and cuts

Districts are reducing routes and exploring new ways to get students to class as transportation costs climb Education officials across the United States are increasingly facing a fundamental challenge: how do they ensure that school students can actually get to their classrooms? The bright yellow school bus might be a visual icon of US education famous around the world, but in reality it is becoming harder for districts to steer. Continue reading...

Nepal's tiger numbers rise 20 percent to an estimated 429

The number of tigers in Nepal has risen by roughly a fifth over the past four years, wildlife officials say, strengthening the Himalayan nation's reputation for conservation. But as the number of tigers in the wild has risen, the number of tiger attacks on humans has increased with it.

UK looks to build naval coalition to secure shipping in Strait of Hormuz

US and Saudi forces said they struck an Iraqi militant alliance on July 29, as the Middle East war expands beyond its main focus in Iran to involve the Islamic republic's proxies. The strikes follow a short lull in direct US attacks on targets in Iran, with Tehran's allies in Yemen and beyond becoming increasingly drawn in. This comes as the UK is looking to build a naval coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz. FRANCE 24's Angela Diffley tells us more.

'Climate change is really here: We should seize this crisis moment to create a new momentum'

Oliver Farry is pleased to welcome Jean-Pascal van Ypersele, Climate Scientist and Professor at the Universities of Louvain and Liège in Belgium. Europe's latest heatwave is further evidence of a structural transformation of the continent's climate, warns Professor van Ypersele. His central argument rejects both fatalism and complacency. While insisting that humanity has not yet reached "the point of no return," he argues that the world has entered a period of exceptional urgency in which the costs of delaying climate action are escalating rapidly. He develops three interconnected themes: extreme heat, wildfires and public health crises as manifestations of a changing climate; he criticises the inadequacy of current political responses, suggesting that governments continue to underestimate the scale and immediacy of the challenge despite mounting scientific evidence; and he argues that adaptation and mitigation must proceed simultaneously: societies must become more resilient to unavoidable climate impacts while accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels to prevent even greater disruption.

How volunteers are helping forest wildlife survive their blazing habitats

Humans are not the only victims of the massive wildfires that have ravaged France over recent weeks. Heartrending images of deer and other wildlife fleeing flames, disoriented and distressed, have propagated across social media in recent days. Less visible species - smaller mammals and insects whose populations are critical to fragile ecosystems - have also been decimated. Groups of volunteers have been combing affected areas, searching for survivors to rehabilitate.

Tributes paid to DJ ​and electronic ‌musician Kavinsky who has died

He had a hit with Nightfall, which featured on the Drive soundtrack and at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Incoming heatwave set to worsen firefighting conditions in France's southwest

While the fire in the southwest of France in the Gironde department remains stabilised, officials are on edge today, as scorching temperatures hit France again. On July 28, there were some 14 incidents where scorched terrain reignited, sending firefighters racing in. With 42,000 hectares burned, and in total over 220,000 evacuated - including some 57,000 from towns outside Bordeaux overnight, the Gironde fire is one of the worst France has ever experienced.

Iran War Live Updates: U.S. and Saudi Arabia Target Iranian Proxies

Global oil prices jumped on Wednesday after the U.S. and Saudi Arabia said they had carried out joint airstrikes on Iranian proxies in Iraq, dragging more countries into the fighting.

Here’s the latest.

Russia charges Telegram founder Durov with facilitating terrorism

The FSB claims the messenger app, created by Pavel Durov, has failed to remove accounts and channels used for recruitment by Ukraine's secret service.

EU crisis chief urges tougher climate action amid France, Spain wildfires

Hadja Lahbib calls for existing plans to be accelerated and more investment as an ominous heatwave threatens.

Russia charges Telegram founder Pavel Durov with ‘aiding terrorism’

Russia's FSB says Telegram has not pulled content used by Ukrainian intelligence and 'terrorist' groups to plan attacks.

Russia Charges Telegram’s Founder Pavel Durov With Facilitating Terrorism

The charges against Pavel Durov reflected an ongoing fight over one of the most popular messaging and media apps in the country.

Fires Slow in France and Spain, but Worse May Be Ahead

Officials said they had contained the spread of vast fires in both countries, but warned that rising temperatures and high winds meant the situation was still fluid.

Summer of Heat, Fires and Storms Is a Reckoning for Europe on Climate

The continent is experiencing some of its biggest fires and highest temperatures ever. Residents are fleeing, leaders are struggling to respond and “it will get worse,” one climate expert said.

US joins forces with Saudis to strike Tehran-backed militias in Iraq

Oil price spikes after flare-up of fighting and claimed Iranian attacks on three tankers in strait of Hormuz The US military said it knocked down an Iranian missile barrage and worked with Saudi Arabia forces to strike sites in Iraq that Tehran-backed militias have used to launch attacks in recent days. The strikes on Wednesday killed at least 20 members of a former paramilitary alliance that includes pro-Iran groups. In what Washington cast ⁠as “an attempted surprise ⁠attack” by Tehran, Iran had launched multiple ballistic missiles at US forces in the Middle East, shattering a brief pause in fighting. Iran’s target was a US base in Jordan, Axios cited a US official as saying. Continue reading...

How has the Indian government responded to ‘Cockroach’ protests?

The BJP government's response so far has been a measured crackdown as it also attempts to woo the youth.

A safe space for Gaza women: A sanctuary to speak, heal and share amid war

A women’s safe spaces initiative in Gaza offers psychological support and awareness sessions.

What to know about the earthquake's aftermath in Japan

Five people have been confirmed dead in a factory damaged by a major earthquake in Japan, here part of a red-and-white smokestack collapsed in the quake. At least 13 died after a shopping mall was badly damaged, as the search for survivors is ongoing. The earthquake flattened homes, triggered fires, ruptured bridges and left thousands of people with no power. FRANCE 24's Gavin Blair tells us more from Tokyo.

Heatwave comes into southwest of France as firefighters keep battling blaze

The huge fire raging in France's southwest has stabilised, according to French officials, with authorities letting nearly 60,000 evacuees return to their homes - but 14 blazes have also reigniting. Now, firefighters are trying to contain the fires as the fourth heatwave of the year comes in, set to make the firefighting mission harder. FRANCE 24's Carys Garland is on a convoy with firefighters and tells us about the situation on the ground.

New York school pauses plan to deploy humanlike AI robot teacher after backlash

A school district in upstate New York is pausing plans to deploy an AI-powered, humanoid robot in the classroom after state education officials, teachers and local residents raised concerns.

‘The shaking was terrifying’: stories of survival and loss emerge after Japan earthquake

Rescuers pulling people from the wreckage in southern Japan in a haunting repeat of disaster that struck 10 years ago ‘Race against time’: Japan earthquake death toll rises as rescue teams search for missing “There was a voice coming from the collapsed house, and I could see a hand,” Tomohide Nagata, a volunteer firefighter, told the Kumamoto Nichinichi Shimbun. “One of our senior members crawled in and pulled him out. He was bleeding from the head, but I’m so glad he survived.” Nagata had heard a noise coming from one completely flattened home in the rural town of Hikawa, close to the epicentre of Tuesday’s 6.8-magnitude earthquake in southern Japan. The town was one of the areas hardest hit, with numerous older houses collapsing. Terrified of the ongoing aftershocks, many residents spent Tuesday night in their cars outside Hikawa’s town hall, where staff distributed food and drinks. Continue reading...

Trump's new spy chief Jay Clayton confirmed by US Senate

Jay Clayton's confirmation comes after the US president's original choice was rejected by lawmakers due to lack of relevant experience

Iran resumes missile attacks as U.S. and Saudis strike Tehran-backed militias in Iraq

The flare-up on multiple fronts raised the risk of a return to all-out war, underscoring the difficulty of winding down a five-month conflict that has jolted the world economy.

Netanyahu praises 'excellent' meeting with Trump in first since Iran war

US President Donald Trump and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in Washington D.C on July 28 as Netanyahu flew over for the funeral of US Senator Lindsay Graham. It was the first time the two have met in person since launching their joint war against Iran in February. Despite rumours of tensions between Trump and his ally prior to discussions, both sides praised the meeting.

'Delulu', 'Clock it': 'Cockroach' protest brings Gen Z slang to India's parliament

From "delulu" to "FOMO", Gen Z slang has made an unlikely journey from Instagram to parliament.

The Cuban Throwing Parties to Fight for Political Change

David González has suddenly become the host of Havana’s hottest parties amid its energy crisis. Can he turn them into a movement?

A Movie Night in Cuba’s Blackout

Amid the energy crisis caused by the Trump administration’s oil blockade of Cuba, our correspondent Jack Nicas visits a children’s movie night in a Havana neighborhood made possible by one family’s modified generator.

'Machines are collaborators' at this new museum of AI art

"What is beyond reality?" asks artist Refik Anadol. His latest projects include Dataland, an immersive AI art museum in Los Angeles, and an installation at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

As extreme heat grips the South and West, here's how to stay safe

Experts say immersion in cold water before an ambulance arrives can greatly increase the chances of heat stroke survival and reduce the risk of long-term complications.

The Federal Reserve faces a critical decision on interest rates

Policymakers at the Federal Reserve are meeting to discuss interest rates Wednesday. They're expected to hold rates steady, but there's a chance they could raise rates to combat stubborn inflation.

To win over working-class voters, Democrats need to stop talking about democracy

Working-class voters have moved away from the Democratic Party. Winning them back is key to the party's future, a new reports shows. But first, the messaging has to change.

More Americans are going bankrupt. What does that mean?

The bankruptcy rate has risen about 48% between 2022 and 2025, although it's still below pre-pandemic levels.

US says Iran trying to 'derail ongoing ceasefire talks' as strikes resume

Jordan's army said it intercepted five Iranian missiles on July 29, Tehran's first regional strike in days following a pause in fighting between it and the United States. Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed the attack, saying it was in response to "the aggressive actions" of the United States, without elaborating. The attack was the first Iranian strike on regional countries in days. FRANCE 24's Fraser Jackson tells us more.

At least 13 dead in Japan after powerful earthquake

After a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Japan on July 28, the country's Prime Minister said thirteen people had died, including five in a factory, so far and many were injured. The rescue work is ongoing to find those still missing. The earthquake struck the Kumamoto area on the southern main island of Kyushu. Japan is one of the world's most seismically active countries, sitting on top of four major tectonic plates along the western edge of the Pacific "Ring of Fire".

US and Saudi Arabia strike ‘Iran-aligned’ groups in Iraq

The US and Saudi Arabia launched joint air strikes on Iraq, targeting ‘Iran-aligned’ groups.

What to Know About Project Sunrise, a 22-Hour Nonstop Flight Between London and Sydney

Qantas plans to launch the world’s longest commercial flight next year from Sydney to London, using specially manufactured Airbus jets.

Jayden Seales takes five wickets as West Indies beat Pakistan in first Test

West Indies take a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series after Jayden Seales dominates with the ball on day 4 in Trinidad.

Iran and Oman swap proposals to manage Strait of Hormuz: What we know

Iran is proposing a deal that would see it have significantly more control than Oman.

Will Germany bring back mandatory military conscription next year?

A voluntary recruitment drive has only drawn 500 people so far this year, with many more eager to opt out.

India’s ‘Cockroach’ Moment

Narendra Modi caved to the demands of India’s young people — a nod to their real power.

Why is Uganda experiencing a food crisis?

At least 19 people have died of starvation in the country and 1.5 million are at risk of malnutrition, experts warn.

Russian industrial sites on fire after Ukrainian drone attacks

Russia's top online retailer Wildberries says it has evacuated warehouses in Ryazan.

IPL’s business value rockets to $20bn as India cricket league soars

Indian Premier League cements its place as cricket's number one T20 competition with an 11% rise in value this year.

Japan Races to Reach People Trapped After Earthquake Kills at Least 13

Rescue personnel are working to free those trapped in collapsed buildings after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto on Tuesday.

The Slovak village questioning its UNESCO status

The picturesque village of Vlkolinec in Slovakia has been on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 1993. Vlkolinec was recently in the headlines for wanting to be taken off the list. DW visited the village to find out why.

France evacuates thousands as fires displace a third of a million in southwest Europe

French authorities ordered 4,000 more people evacuated from tourist sites along its Atlantic coast, widening what may be France's largest peacetime evacuation.

India’s youth have broken Modi’s spell

At Jantar Mantar, satire and defiance punctured the prime minister’s aura of invulnerability.

France and Spain Race to Contain Fires Before Some Areas Reach 104 Degrees

Faced with massive blazes, firefighters in both countries are using a brief window of opportunity to bring the flames under control before temperatures spike.