Headlines: 20-31 July 2026

Thursday, 30 July 2026

Death toll tops 1,500 in fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history, Congo says (ground news LINK) — 30 July 2026

— The outbreak, declared May 15, involves the Bundibugyo virus, which currently lacks approved vaccines or treatments. Most cases are concentrated in remote Ituri province, accounting for nearly 90% of infections, though the virus has reached Kisangani.

Southwestern Japan earthquake death toll rises to 30 as evacuees battle sweltering heat (ground news LINK) — 30 July 2026

Hope dwindles for rescue in southwestern Japan quake as death toll climbs (ground news LINK) — 30 July 2026

— Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned it is "truly a race against time" to rescue trapped survivors, with more than 4,600 personnel deployed to assist in search operations. Rescue crews are digging through rubble at a paper factory and the Aeon Mall Kumamoto, where President Akio Yoshida confirmed three people died following an explosion. Thousands of residents remain in over 400 shelters or their cars, facing extreme heat reaching about 35C.

Poland investigates 'Russian missile' landing in territory after scrambling jets: children among those killed as air raid sirens sound across multiple Ukrainian cities (LINK) — 30 July 2026

Jordan says it foiled Iranian missile attack as US launches 'heavy' strikes on Iran after pause (ground news LINK) — 30 July 2026

Dow Jones stock market suffers worst drop since April 2025 (LINK) — 30 July 2026

MSFT looks 31.1% undervalued despite announcement of a $175 billion capital expenditure budget for 2026 (LINK) — 30 July 2026

U.S.: CDC map shows where cyclospora cases are spreading (ground news LINK) — 29 July 2026

China threatens retaliation against U.S. humanoid robot ban, says it 'severely damages' relations (LINK) — 30 July 2026

China generates less than half of its electricity from coal for the first time: wind and solar power alone generated 24.6% of the mix (ground news LINK) — 30 July 2026

Kenya says 15 elephants died of cyanide poisoning after eating tomatoes from nearby farms (LINK) — 30 July 2026

Wednesday, 29 July 2026

UN Security Council to hold first poll on Thursday in race to replace Guterres when he steps down this year: 7 candidates from Africa and Latin America face the first secret, non-binding Security Council ballot (LINK) — 29 July 2026

— The current candidates are Argentina's Rafael Grossi, head of the UN nuclear watchdog; former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet; former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan; former Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Maria Fernanda Espinosa; former Guyanese Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett; former Senegalese President Macky Sall; and Ugandan diplomat Olara Otunnu, who entered the race last week.

Brazil withholds approval of Trump's ambassador pick, deepening rift with US (ground news LINK) — 30 July 2026

AI-generated US government map of Africa mislabels every country at global AIDS conference (ground news LINK) — 30 July 2026

Hadi Matar, 28, convicted in terrorism trial over the 2022 stabbing of author Salman Rushdie: Rushdie was about to speak on writers' safety, slashed 15 times on an amphitheater stage at the Chautauqua Institution, a western New York arts and intellectual center. He was gravely wounded and lost the sight in his right eye (LINK) — 29 July 2026

— Prosecutors asserted that Matar was motivated by the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's 1989 call for Rushdie's death because of "The Satanic Verses". Matar himself declined to testify. Matar is already serving a 25-year New York state prison sentence on an attempted murder conviction in the stabbing. His federal sentencing is set for Nov. 3, when he faces a potential life term. Born in the U.S., Matar also holds citizenship in Lebanon, where Hezbollah is based. Iran's government has denied involvement in the attack.

Iran war: US, Saudi Arabia strike Iran-backed Iraqi militias (LINK) — 29 July 2026

Iran attacks US bases in Middle East as Trump meets Netanyahu: Iran has also struck three ships in the Strait of Hormuz and rejected Oman's proposal on managing the waterway (LINK) — 29 July 2026

— US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched multiple ballistic missiles. All the missiles were intercepted.

Ukraine strikes major oil refinery in Russia's Ryazan Oblast, Zelensky says, Wildberries warehouse also reportedly hit (LINK) — 29 July 2026

U.S. Boeings identified in report carried weapons, foreign mercenaries and drones for Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, UN experts find (ground news LINK) — 29 July 2026

— According to a draft report due in September, investigators detailed support from 1,500 Colombian mercenaries known as the Desert Wolves, hired by the United Arab Emirates-based firm Global Security Services Group to fight alongside the RSF. Boeing 727s were linked by Reuters to a U.S. military contractor's business network.

Russia's FSB charges Telegram founder Durov with facilitating terrorism (ground news LINK) — 29 July 2026

Ukrainian drones strike targets deep inside Russia, country's largest online retailer Wildberries hit again: reported to be at least the 10th attack on facilities belonging to Russia's equivalent to global retail giant Amazon (LINK) — 29 July 2026

Vox: Trump wants the Supreme Court to give him the unilateral power to rewrite election law (LINK limited) — 29 July 2026

Trump, DOJ appeal $83.3 million E. Jean Carroll defamation suit verdict to Supreme Court: lower court denied the effort as well as Trump's presidential immunity defence (LINK) — 29 July 2026

FIFA hits Argentina with World Cup charges for scuffle and "Malvinas" banner (LINK) — 29 July 2026

— CBS: FIFA lodged disciplinary charges against two Argentina players for striking Spain opponents moments after the World Cup final and charged Argentina's soccer federation for players showing a political banner about the Falkland Islands after beating England in the semifinals. A list of disciplinary cases opened by FIFA against Argentina also include "discriminatory chants and gestures" by fans, alleged assault by an assistant coach after the final and "throwing of objects by spectators in relation to several matches" at the World Cup. Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes faces three charges of assault in the post-game clashes after Spain's 1-0 win in the final on July 19, defender Nahuel Molina faces two charges and coach Roberto Ayala one. Molina and Thiago Almada also are charged with unsporting behavior, with the same charge leveled against Spain player Gavi.

— FIFA said all the people charged "have now been provided with the opportunity to present their position, following which a decision will be issued by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee in due course."

Trump announces a $22.5B makeover of Dulles airport that will eliminate the 'people movers' (mobile lounges ferrying travellers to the main terminal (LINK) — 29 July 2026

U.S.: Cyclospora outbreak may have peaked in Michigan after lettuce recall in main-hit state: nationwide, there are more than 18,000 confirmed or suspected cases (LINK) — 29 July 2026

— In nine states, most of the illnesses have been traced to shredded iceberg lettuce sourced from Taylor Farms de Mexico.

U.S.: Dr. Anthony Fauci pleads the Fifth to avoid Senate questions about Covid pandemic (LINK) — 29 July 2026

After oil refineries and cargo ships, Ukraine is now taking out Russian e-commerce: the Wildberries theory of Russian defeat (LINK) — 29 July 2026

Dino World: 10 common myths about dinosaurs that paleontologists have debunked: e.g. the Brontosaurus was a real dinosaur (LINK) — 29 July 2026

— The Brontosaurus never actually existed, and was in fact an incorrectly identified dinosaur created by putting the body of an Apatosaurus together with the head of a Camarasaurus. The mix-up happened during the late 1800s in what became known as the "Bone Wars," a fierce rivalry between competing paleontologists who rushed fossil findings into print without careful verification. More recent research has revived "Brontosaurus" as a potentially valid genus based on new skeletal analysis, though its standing remains debated. Researchers have identified more than 700 species of extinct dinosaurs, but that's probably just a fraction.

Tuesday, 28 July 2026

Ukraine sees no official evidence of Iranian missile strike plans (LINK) — 28 July 2026

Guterres meets with both sides in push to re-unify Cyprus (LINK) — 28 July 2026

Germany deports Afghan without criminal record, along with 30 others, for first time since Taliban takeover in 2021 (ground news LINK) — 28 July 2026

Criminal gangs increasingly lure people to work in online scam centers, UN migration agency warns (LINK) — 28 July 2026

U.S.: Teen gets life without parole for killing 4 at Georgia's Apalachee High School in 2024 (LINK) — 28 July 2026

— "You do not seem to be tormented by what you did. You seem to relish following in the footsteps of the murderers you idolize. You aren't wracked with guilt. You're proud of yourself," judge said.

Europe gets its AI enforcement powers on Sunday. The unit wielding them has 36 people (LINK) — 28 July 2026

US bans imports of new Chinese humanoid robots, robot dogs and power inverters over security concerns (LINK) — 28 July 2026

Futurism: El Niño set to upend the world economy (LINK) — 28 July 2026

American Prospect: The strongest el Niño in history is coming. Get ready: Donald Trump has no ideas, but America is ready for a U-turn on climate change (LINK) — 28 July 2026

Myanmar approves death sentence for cyberscam offences (ground news LINK) — 28 July 2026

UN to hold informal polls for new UN chief from Thursday (LINK) — 28 July 2026

Keiko Fujimori is inaugurated as Peru's president following a narrow election victory (LINK) — 28 July 2026

Fox News: Wisconsin brewery that offered 'free beer' when Trump dies said on 26 July alcohol permit revoked from 4 August (LINK) — 28 July 2026

Scientists have discovered the oldest age humans can live to even if we beat the aging process: 146-194 years (LINK) — 28 July 2026

— For now, the oldest verified person in recorded history remains France's Jeanne Calment, who lived to 122 years and 164 days.

US diplomats walk out of UN Security Council meet on Ukraine briefly after France criticizes Trump administration for human rights record (LINK) — 28 July 2026

— AP: The surprise move during a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine followed US opposition to giving UN human rights chief Volker Türk another four-year term. The reappointment on Friday got overwhelming support, including from France. What sparked the walkout was a social media post Friday from France's UN Mission in Geneva criticizing US opposition to a second term for the UN rights chief. The General Assembly voted 144-10 with 13 abstentions in support of Türk, with the US among the "no" votes. "The US used to be a beacon of human rights. Not anymore. Today, it stands alongside North Korea, Nicaragua, Mali & Russia, isolated. And the world no longer listens to it," the French Mission tweeted.

Monday, 27 July 2026

UN human rights chief says Israel must end occupation and house demolitions in Lebanon (ground news LINK) — 27 July 2026

Ukraine strikes major Russian fuel storage facility of 'national importance' in Udmurt Republic, General Staff says (LINK) — 27 July 2026

UK's Burnham pledges new drone tech to Ukraine in Zelensky meeting (LINK) — 27 July 2026

Trump asks Supreme Court to let him curtail mail voting (LINK) — 27 July 2026

Industrial poultry farming leads to 100-fold increase in food-poisoning bacteria, study finds (ground news LINK) — 27 July 2026

Gunmen attack a community in northwest Nigeria and kill 30 people, residents say (ground news LINK) — 27 July 2026

SpaceX stock hits new all-time low despite 'over the moon' Starship test (LINK) — 27 July 2026

SpaceX stock is down 49% — Elon Musk says that's exactly what investors should expect — (LINK)

U.S.: Bryan Kohberger files a petition to challenge his guilty plea and conviction: pleaded guilty last year to murdering four University of Idaho students and was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences (LINK) — 27 July 2026

Sunday, 26 July 2026

New front in US-Iran war escalates as Houthis fire at Saudi oil facilities: conflict also spreads to Caspian Sea as Tehran accuses Ukraine of a deadly attack on an Iranian vessel (LINK) — 26 July 2026

Europe wildfires: more than 300,000 flee homes and holiday accommodation in France and Spain (LINK) — 26 July 2026

— Guardian: Spain has declared a national emergency, the first time the country has ever done so over a wildfire. France's evacuations constituted "probably" the biggest peacetime evacuation the country has ever seen, its interior minister said.In Spain, wildfires are continuing to burn throughout the Madrid area and the province of Ávila, near the capital, according to authorities. Over 30,000 people have been evacuated from Ávila and over 15,000 in the eastern Castellón province of Spain.

U.S.: Three killed and four injured in shooting at food festival near Seattle's Space Needle (LINK) — 26 July 2026

Al Jazeera: Yemen's health workers race to halt latest outbreak of deadly dengue fever (LINK) — 26 July 2026

— 7,815 suspected dengue cases and 33 deaths were recorded between January 4 and July 18, 2026. Hadramout was the hardest-hit governorate, reporting 2,204 cases, followed by Aden (1,639), Abyan (962), Shabwa (951) and Taiz (770).

Saturday, 25 July 2026

Fighting between Saudis and Houthis escalates as Trump weighs a major military strike on Iran (LINK) — 25 July 2026

Iran reported no new U.S. strikes overnight into Saturday, marking the first apparent pause after 13 consecutive nights of attacks

More workers strike as Ebola cases in Congo near 3,000, including over 1,300 deaths (LINK) — 25 July 2026

UN chief on a visit to Damascus urges the international community to support Syrian people: reaffirmed that the United Nations recognizes the Golan Heights as Syrian territory (LINK) — 25 July 2026

Tanzania: 51 officials arrested and charged with terrorism over planned July protests, opposition says (ground news LINK) — 25 July 2026

Brazil: Bolsonaro son secures presidential bid against Lula (ground news LINK) — 25 July 2026

UBS releases the Global Wealth Report 2026 (LINK) — 25 July 2026

Germany launches manhunt after Berlin Pride van ramming kills 1 and injures 16: police believe the 21-year-old suspect has links to the Islamist scene: remaining Pride events called off (LINK) — 25 July 2026

— Berlin police said they were investigating whether the Pride ramming attack had a second phase. A police statement noted reports that several people were injured with "stabbing weapons".

Europe wildfires force over 250,000 evacuations in France and Spain (LINK) — 25 July 2026

Corpus Christi, coastal city in Texas with more than 300,000 residents, could be first US city to run out of water (LINK) — 25 July 2026

— NDTV: city struggling with falling water supplies after years of drought, rising demand and delays in developing new sources of water. Water shortage has been made worse by rapid industrial growth. Large petrochemical facilities in the region require huge amounts of water, adding pressure on supplies already affected by extreme weather conditions. A plastics chemical plant built in 2022 reportedly uses as much water for cooling every day as all residents of Corpus Christi combined. Officials had planned to reduce pressure on existing supplies by building a seawater desalination plant, which would convert ocean water into usable freshwater. However, the project has faced delays due to funding issues, regulations and opposition.

Seven U.S. states are hot spots for 2026's record measles outbreak (LINK) — 25 July 2026

Housing Bill Trump spurned becomes law: the first major housing bill in a generation (LINK) — 25 July 2026

Barcelona to nearly triple the cruise tax for short-stay visitors: cruise passengers visiting Barcelona for less than 12 hours could pay €30, or about $35, in combined taxes (LINK) — 25 July 2026

Contagious cancer found in North American catfish (LINK limited) — 25 July 2026

Friday, 24 July 2026

Kuwait and Bahrain launch first-ever strikes on Iran (LINK) — 24 July 2026

Trump upended the Saudi nuclear deal less than 24 hours after its signing: Saudi Arabia would have to join the Abraham Accords, moving to normalizing diplomatic stance toward Israel. Trump also denied that the agreement would allow uranium enrichment (LINK) — 24 July 2026

— Prince Mohammed has plainly stated he cannot agree to diplomatic ties with Israel without a viable pathway to Palestinian statehood. Yet Trump reimposed that condition in a 7:52 a.m. social media post, mere minutes after the Fox panel discussed the issue. Karoline Leavitt said later that morning that Trump had not spoken to the powerful crown prince — the kingdom's de facto leader — in the hours before or after his abrupt announcement of new conditions on the deal.

Al Jazeera: How Volker Türk won new UN rights chief term despite US, Israel, Russian opposition: General Assembly voted 144-10: the first person to serve two full terms as the UN rights chief since the position was created in 1993 (LINK) — 24 July 2026

ICC votes to dismiss Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan amid allegations of sexual misconduct (LINK) — 24 July 2026

Civilian deaths in the more than four-year Ukraine war have spiked this summer, with the United Nations saying June was the deadliest since the first year of Russia's invasion in 2022 (LINK) — 24 July 2026

Chocolate maker Lindt hit with lawsuit in the US over child labour claims (LINK) — 24 July 2026

Cryptocurrency exchange BitMEX faces class-action lawsuit over alleged bitcoin theft (LINK) — 24 July 2026

Ex-federal prosecutor on Jack Smith developments: 'This is preposterous' (LINK) — 24 July 2026

Fox News: Jack Smith hit with criminal referral as GOP moves testimony fight toward prosecution. Jordan accuses Smith of lying about accessing lawmakers' texts after new documents appeared to contradict testimony (LINK) — 22 July 2026

Scientists in California and S. Korea turn plastic waste into clean hydrogen fuel (LINK) — 24 July 2026

— SciTechDaily: Currently only 9% of plastic waste is recycled, while 79% goes to landfills and 12% is burned, releasing carbon dioxide. The new method operates at substantially lower temperatures than conventional gasification and stores the carbon as a solid mineral instead of releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In a single reactor, the new process treated mixed polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP) without requiring the plastics to be sorted first. The resulting hydrogen exceeded 90% purity.

Current Affairs: free-market fundamentalism has been empirically discredited: free download (LINK) — 24 July 2026

Swiss town of Chiasso to fine those who don't wash off dog pee (LINK) — 24 July 2026

Thursday, 23 July 2026

The US is issuing billions in tariff refunds, including 6% interest. More tariffs on way from 24 July (LINK) — 23 July 2026

— The Conversation: Of the roughly US$166 billion due to be refunded, more than US$85 billion has already been returned to businesses after a US Supreme Court ruling in February reversed the tariffs. The US Trade Representative's findings on alleged forced labour have prepared the ground for a 12.5% tariff on exports from 54 countries, including Australia, China, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, starting on July 24 2026.

— Trump's April 2025 tariffs relied on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), a 1977 law that lets presidents respond to extraordinary foreign threats – yet never mentions the word "tariff". On February 20 2026, the US Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision that IEEPA did not authorise tariffs – under the Constitution, only Congress has the power to impose taxes and duties. Trump responded with a temporary 10% global tariff, which expires on July 24 after the statutory 150-day limit. Trump has also pursued more targeted tariffs under laws dealing with unfair trade practices, national security and anti-slavery claims. These require investigations into foreign trade practices and lengthy procedures, which slow the process and also create a record that can be scrutinised in court. The US Trade Representative's findings on alleged forced labour have prepared the ground for a 12.5% tariff on exports from 54 countries, including Australia, China, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, starting on July 24 2026.

Hackernoon critical: UN warns AI is eroding information integrity and undermining public trust: "Unelected globalists want the same power and influence over narratives and information that big tech has for themselves" (LINK) — 23 July 2026

Google hit with $1 billion fine for breaking EU antitrust rules: giving its own products preferential treatment in search results, and blocking Android developers from sending users to alternate payment options (LINK) — 23 July 2026

War in Ukraine: EU agrees 21st round of sanctions on Russia: includes a 12-month freeze on the Russian oil price cap, as well as a one-year exemption allowing the transfer of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) to third ?countries, with automatic renewal (LINK) — 23 July 2026

— The new package also targets Moscow's financial and crypto sector and blacklists scores more Russian officials over the war. But a sweeping visa ban that had been proposed to stop Russians who fought in Ukraine coming to the bloc has been kicked down the road.

Fedorov turns down Zelensky's offer to become 'Deputy PM for Military Innovations' (LINK) — 23 July 2026

Rubio says Russia is losing over 5,000 troops a week in Ukraine (LINK) — 23 July 2026

Trump forcing Spain to pay US taxes on its FIFA winnings: 30% federal withholding tax (LINK) — 23 July 2026

U.S. Education Department rescinds disparate impact rule, a key tool used to assess school discrimination (LINK) — 23 July 2026

Patreon lays off 20% of its workforce (LINK) — 23 July 2026

North Korea busts elite hacking ring inside its on banks (LINK) — 23 July 2026

Wednesday, 22 July 2026

FIFA issues strong statement countering match-fixing allegations at the World Cup: its "Task Force identified no suspicious betting activity or indications of match manipulation in connection with any fixture" (LINK) — 22 July 2026

The US is issuing billions in tariff refunds, including 6% interest. More tariffs on way from 24 July (LINK) — 23 July 2026

— The Conversation: Of the roughly US$166 billion due to be refunded, more than US$85 billion has already been returned to businesses after a US Supreme Court ruling in February reversed the tariffs. The US Trade Representative's findings on alleged forced labour have prepared the ground for a 12.5% tariff on exports from 54 countries, including Australia, China, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, starting on July 24 2026.

— Trump's April 2025 tariffs relied on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), a 1977 law that lets presidents respond to extraordinary foreign threats – yet never mentions the word "tariff". On February 20 2026, the US Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision that IEEPA did not authorise tariffs – under the Constitution, only Congress has the power to impose taxes and duties. Trump responded with a temporary 10% global tariff, which expires on July 24 after the statutory 150-day limit. Trump has also pursued more targeted tariffs under laws dealing with unfair trade practices, national security and anti-slavery claims. These require investigations into foreign trade practices and lengthy procedures, which slow the process and also create a record that can be scrutinised in court. The US Trade Representative's findings on alleged forced labour have prepared the ground for a 12.5% tariff on exports from 54 countries, including Australia, China, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, starting on July 24 2026.

Yemen's Houthis claim attack on two Saudi oil tankers (LINK) — 22 July 2026

US signs landmark nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia that could pave the way for domestic nuclear enrichment (LINK) — 22 July 2026

Trump vows to hit Iranian bridge or power plant each time Tehran strikes ships in Strait of Hormuz (LINK) — 22 July 2026

Raw Story: Trump openly vows war crimes in revenge for Iran attacks: 'Bomb and destroy' (LINK) — 22 July 2026

— "Any time the Islamic Republic of Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, whether it be by Missile, Rocket, Drone, or any other device or weapon, the United States will bomb and destroy ONE BRIDGE OR POWER PLANT, including those located next to, or in, the Capital City of Tehran."

— Under international law, deliberately destroying civilian infrastructure like bridges and power plants is unlawful in most cases, with narrow exemptions only for targets that make a direct contribution to military action.

Iran war: Pentagon identifies 4th service member killed in recent days as U.S. carries out more strikes (LINK) — 22 July 2026

U.S. Congress: House passes $1.15 trillion defence bill, tees up billions more for Iran war: collapse of normally a large bipartisan coalition that advances the annual national security legislation, one of the last reliable areas of consensus in Congress (LINK) — 22 July 2026

Israel building 14-mile barrier inside Gaza (ground news LINK) — 22 July 2026

UNCTAD: Global trade continues to expand amid rising price pressures: up 12.5% on first 6 months of 2025. Services trade grew by 10.5%. "A significant share of the increase reflects higher prices rather than stronger trade volumes." East Asia was the main engine of global trade growth in the first quarter of 2026 (LINK) — 22 July 2026

Trump's AI safety chief resigns after just 90 days on the job: no reason given (LINK) — 22 July 2026

Donald Trump wants to nominate Gianni Infantino for United Nations Sec-Gen post after FIFA World Cup: Reports (LINK) — 22 July 2026

Ukraine's drone offensive hits 13 Russian ships and Crimea's power grid in 48 hours (LINK) — 22 July 2026

Kyiv Post: Why was Ukraine army chief Syrskyi fired? Some see the move as a response to public pressure and a step toward military reform, while others praise Syrskyi's wartime record or criticize Zelensky's leadership style (LINK) — 22 July 2026

US computer-science enrolment just fell for the first time in 20 years (LINK) — 22 July 2026

Substack adds AI detection: partnered with the AI detector Pangram so readers can scan posts, notes, and comments for how much a human actually wrote (LINK) — 22 July 2026

For the first time ever, humanoid robots perform surgery on live animals (LINK) — 22 July 2026

Geneva Watch Days was never supposed to happen (LINK) — 22 July 2026

— World Tempus: A victim of its own success? In just seven editions, Geneva Watch Days has become one of the defining moments of the watchmaking calendar, bringing to Geneva an open, decentralized format inspired by Dubai. But can that model survive now that attendance is approaching 15,000 visitors?

Tuesday, 21 July 2026

Ukraine: Zelenskyy replaces army chief after protests (LINK) — 21 July 2026

French lawmakers approve a sweeping social media ban for children under 15: the first country in the European Union to pass a blanket ban (LINK) — 21 July 2026

AI is writing, acting and producing China's minidramas. It's shaking a $14 billion industry (LINK) — 21 July 2026

Gray whales are dying in the Pacific: reduced food is the likely cause (LINK) — 21 July 2026

UNHCR set for Geneva move from Palais Wilson to Palais des Nations following cuts: around 5,000 UNHCR posts were cut worldwide, including some at headquarters, following reductions in funding from the US and other countries. The move is expected to save around 50% of rental costs (LINK) — 21 July 2026

Judge says Trump must hand over financial records to BBC: detailed financial information in connection with his defamation lawsuit against the BBC (LINK) — 21 July 2026

Heather Cox Richardson: the impact of Trump's SNAP cuts (LINK) — 21 July 2026

100-tonne buoy earns world-first wave energy certification (LINK) — 21 July 2026

Ukraine's new drones turn Russian supply routes into hunting grounds (LINK) — 21 July 2026

Monday, 20 July 2026

US to announce deal allowing Saudi Arabia a nuclear programme (LINK) — 22 July 2026

Ukraine fires 400 drones toward Moscow as Zelenskyy grapples with protests (LINK) — 20 July 2026

Ukraine unleashes more than 400 drones near Moscow in one of war's biggest attacks, striking an oil depot and logistics facilities more than 250 miles (640km) from the Ukrainian border (LINK) — 20 July 2026

Ukraine: UN humanitarian coordinator and agencies condemn Russian attacks, WHO warehouse damaged (LINK) — 20 July 2026

Iran attacks US command center in Syria and Gulf ally Bahrain amid escalating regional conflict (LINK) — 20 July 2026

Trump imposes 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, citing disputes over autos, alcohol and cheese (LINK) — 20 July 2026

'Totally DISCREDITED!' Trump orders probe of National Academy of Sciences over 'bogus' climate guidance (LINK) — 20 July 2026

— "Of course, the Academy has been run by Radical Left Dumocrats who, it turns out, published fraudulent, biased, and misleading Manuals on Climate Change."

Mexican drug lord 'El Mayo' sentenced to life without parole in U.S. (LINK) — 20 July 2026

AI falls short on context and cultural rhetoric in its versions of United Nations speech translations (LINK) — 20 July 2026

The secret language of dolphins decoded by researchers revealing complex linguistic structures that challenge our understanding of animal communication (LINK) — 20 July 2026

— One of the most fascinating discoveries in dolphin communication research is the existence of signature whistles. Each dolphin creates its distinctive signature whistle by about one year of age and uses it throughout its lifetime. The development of CHAT (Cetacean Hearing and Telemetry): this underwater computer interface allows humans to produce dolphin-like sounds and potentially establish two-way communication. The CHAT system includes a set of artificial whistles assigned to specific objects like "sargassum" (a type of seaweed) or activities like "play". In a landmark moment, a wild dolphin appeared to mimic the artificial whistle for "sargassum" after researchers used it—potentially the first documented case of interspecies communication using a mutually created, artificial language element.

American Heart Association reveals the optimal daily cups of coffee for your health: it depends (LINK) — 20 July 2026

For the first time in 27 years, a man set a new world record for fastest mile (LINK) — 20 July 2026

— Smithsonian mag: Scottish runner Josh Kerr, [28], delivered on their hopes and set a new world record for fastest mile, running the distance in a blistering 3 minutes and 42.66 seconds. The effort shattered the previous mark of 3 minutes, 43.14 seconds, which was set in 1999 by Moroccan runner Hicham El Guerrouj. Kerr is an Olympic medallist over 1500 metres and one of the most accomplished modern middle-distance runners. Roger Bannister in 1954 became the first man credited with beating the 4-minute mile. Bannister's mark was beaten soon after by Australian John Landy.

U.S. DOJ seizes more than 1,000 websites accused of illegally streaming FIFA World Cup matches (LINK) — 20 July 2026

Team creates better way to teach robots to walk on tricky terrain: Georgia Tech student: "our very efficient training recipe here can actually work for all kinds of terrain and environments" (LINK) — 20 July 2026