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Iraq’s electric grid hit by fire, explosions amid scorching heat (www.aljazeera.com)

A fire at a power station in southern Iraq and several explosions have affected the country’s ailing national electricity grid as temperatures rise....

Ukrainian Armed Forces announces successful strike on Chonhar Bridge (www.pravda.com.ua)

The defence forces of Ukraine successfully struck the Chonhar Bridge on Saturday morning.

‘We’re angry’: Israel tensions mount as army reservists threaten to refuse duty (www.theguardian.com)

Conflict over Netanyahu’s plans to overhaul judiciary is leading to new levels of civil disobedience – and potential security risks

Official tells AP that Saudi Arabia will host a Ukrainian-organized peace summit in August (apnews.com)

Saudi Arabia will host a Ukrainian-organized peace summit in early August seeking to find a way to start negotiations over Russia’s war on the country, an official said Saturday night. The kingdom and Kyiv did not immediately acknowledge the planned talks....

Why it's getting easier to be a single mum in China (www.bbc.com)

Until last year it was not really possible for most unmarried women to become mothers in China - practically speaking. But a social change is under way and it is driving shifts in policy too....

Japan remains in the grip of heat wave | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News (www3.nhk.or.jp)

The mercury in many areas of eastern and western Japan topped 38 degrees Celsius on Saturday....

Hungarian bookstores face fines over closed packaging for LGBTQ+ books (www.msn.com)

In a snug, wood-paneled Jewish bookstore in Hungary’s capital, Eva Redai carefully climbed the rungs of a ladder to arrange titles on the shelves. Among the books were volumes bound in plastic wrapping — titles containing LGBTQ+ content that the country’s right-wing government has deemed unsuitable for minors under 18....

African Union chair: Putin's grain offer not enough, Ukraine ceasefire needed (www.reuters.com)

The chair of the African Union, Azali Assoumani, said on Friday that proposals by Russian President Vladimir Putin to provide grain to Africa were not sufficient, and that a ceasefire in Ukraine was needed.

Germany: AfD to join far-right partners in EU parliament (www.dw.com)

Fascism is still on the rise:...

India, Manipur genocide : Opposition presses Modi on persistent Manipur violence (asia.nikkei.com)

Central troops struggle to prevent escalation amid outrage over sexual assault video

India, Manipur genocide : Silent London Protesters Demand Justice for Manipur Rape Survivors (thewire.in)

Under the shadow of the Indian High Commission, protesters marched to Parliament Square, where they stood in silence beneath the statue of Mahatma Gandhi.

Putin promises African leaders free grain despite 'hypocritical' Western sanctions (www.reuters.com)

MOSCOW, July 27 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday told African leaders he would gift them tens of thousands of tons of grain within months despite Western sanctions, which he said made it harder for Moscow to export its grain and fertilisers....

1 crew member killed in a fire on a cargo ship carrying nearly 3,000 cars in the North Sea (apnews.com)

Executions, torture and looting: Wagner accused of abuses in Africa (www.euronews.com)

India Hands Over Missile Corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam - News18 (www.news18.com)

BBC News - Climate records tumble, leaving Earth in uncharted territory - scientists (www.bbc.co.uk)

A series of climate records on temperature, ocean heat, and Antarctic sea ice have alarmed some scientists who say their speed and timing is unprecedented.

Fed fines Deutsche Bank $186 million and threatens further action (edition.cnn.com)

Mother in Osaka arrested for starving daughter and claiming insurance money (www.japantimes.co.jp)

Catholic abbot told to cover cross at Western Wall - The abbot was told that the cross worn at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City was "really big and inappropriate for this place." (www.jpost.com)

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