German city hit by massive hail storm (www.bbc.com)
The storms were so intense that half-a-metre-high piles of hailstones formed in some places....
Dominican Republic: Doctors Go On Strike Against Insurance (www.telesurenglish.net)
Last Monday, the strike announced weeks before by the Dominican Medical Association (CMD) took place, as part of a series of isolated protests, which would be carried out if the demands are not heard. Representatives of these companies informed that the strike will be nationwide....
Russia left out of Saudi peace talks on Ukraine (www.dw.com)
Officials from about 30 countries have been invited to participate in peace talks for Ukraine in the Saudi port city of Jeddah on August 5 and 6....
No Explosives Found on Rooftops of Zaporizhia Nuclear Plant (www.telesurenglish.net)
On Friday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that its experts had found no mines or explosives on the rooftops of two reactor units and turbine halls at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant....
Human Rights Watch urges US to stop atrocities in Sudan’s Darfur (www.aljazeera.com)
A leading human rights group has urged the United States to stem “ongoing atrocities” in Sudan’s western region of Darfur as Washington holds the presidency of the United Nations Security Council in August....
West African leaders get tough on Niger with threat of military action (www.ft.com)
The west African leaders who gathered for an emergency summit last weekend amid the unfolding coup in Niger weighed their options over how to respond....
Global South Countries Need a New Legal Framework for Debt Relief (jacobin.com)
Global South countries currently seek debt relief at forums like the IMF and G20, where wealthy nations’ interests dominate the conversation. Low-income economies need a forum where they can collaborate to solve urgent problems rather than begging for relief....
Skepticism prevails as Chinese leaders promise to back private businesses to spur slowing economy (apnews.com)
Home sales are 30-40% below last year’s depressed level after the economy barely grew in the latest quarter, according to the owner, who would give only his surname, Cai. He has cut staff by 80% to 40 employees. Their income from sales commissions has fallen as much as 90%....
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 522 (www.aljazeera.com)
Here is the situation on Sunday, July 30, 2023....
Sex abuse report casts shadow over Pope Francis’ Portugal visit (www.scmp.com)
Pope Francis heads to Portugal this week for a global gathering of young Catholics as the country grapples with a report into decades of sexual abuse of children by members of the Church....
Israel's judicial overhaul sparks military crisis as number of refusing reservists grows | (www.cnn.com)
A new law in Israel has taken away the court’s power to veto government decisions based on them being “unreasonable.”...
Niger coup: EU suspends security cooperation and budgetary aid (www.bbc.com)
The EU has suspended all security cooperation with Niger after the country’s army took power in a coup....
China likely supplying Russia's war in Ukraine, alleges US (www.euronews.com)
Beijing has “probably” provided Moscow with key technology, including drones and fighter jet parts, it is using to wage war in Ukraine, a US report claimed....
Niger coup attempt: President Mohamed Bazoum held (www.bbc.co.uk)
Olympic officials try to crush U.S. probes of China doping, threaten Salt Lake Games (www.npr.org)
In a shocking move on Wednesday, the International Olympic Committee moved to crush U.S. inquiries into a Chinese sports doping scandal, by threatening to reject Salt Lake City’s bid to host the Winter Games in 2034....
Israeli government quietly sends millions to unauthorized West Bank settler outposts (archive.ph)
A groups that monitors settlements in the West Bank says Israel has budgeted millions of dollars to protect and support the growth of small, unofficial Jewish farms in the Israeli-occupied territory...
U.S. Launches Effort to Stop Russia From Arming Houthis With Antiship Missiles (www.wsj.com)
Link without paywall
Fossil fuel extraction compatible with climate action, says COP29 host Azerbaijan (www.politico.eu)
Azerbaijan, the host of this year’s global climate talks, has suggested that continued fossil fuel extraction is compatible with the Paris Agreement....
China: Bridge collapses in sudden floods, killing several (www.dw.com)
At least 11 people died, and 30 people were missing after a bridge collapsed amid torrential rains in northwestern China, state media said on Saturday....
Greece shuts Acropolis and Adriatic Sea hits record-high temperature as extreme heat bakes Europe (www.cnn.com)
Israel’s settlement policies break international law, court finds (www.theguardian.com)
Highly infectious poliovirus found in Gaza sewage samples (www.theguardian.com)
The Ukrainian army pulls out from another eastern village as Russia smashes defensive positions (apnews.com)
Ukraine’s army has pulled out from the village of Urozhaine in the eastern Donetsk region, an official said Thursday, surrendering another front-line position as Russian forces blast Ukrainian defenses in a relentless onslaught....
Charles Michel tells Viktor Orbán he has ‘no role’ representing the EU on the world stage (www.politico.eu)
European Council president responds to Hungarian PM’s note about his “peace missions.”...
New deal establishes a hotline Chinese and Philippine presidents can use to stop clashes at sea (apnews.com)
