Israel’s military starts drafting ultra-Orthodox Jews – but the battle over serving ‘the army of God’ vs. the army of the state isn’t over, and points to key questions for the country’s future. (theconversation.com)
Chinese warships off Alaska and Cambodia highlight the role of near and far waters in sea power dominance. (theconversation.com)
Carter Center Observers invited by Venezuela condemn election (www.bbc.com)
Archived at ghostarchive.org/archive/BMGxf
Venezuela: UN Secretary General Guterres calls for ‘complete transparency’ following disputed presidential election (news.un.org)
Archived at web.archive.org/web/20240731135104/…/1152606
North korean armoured vehicles sighted in Ukraine according to german news (www.spiegel.de)
cross-posted from: feddit.org/post/1439031
Grenada estimates damages from Hurricane Beryl at up to a third of economy (www.reuters.com)
July 30 (Reuters) - Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell said on Tuesday that early estimates suggest that losses from deadly Hurricane Beryl, which hit the Caribbean earlier this month, likely total as much as a third of economic output.
China adjusts restrictions on unregulated civilian drones that can be used for military purposes (apnews.com)
BANGKOK (AP) — China says it will prohibit the export of all unregulated civilian drones that can be used for military purposes or in terrorist activities and that certain drone features will be restricted as the East Asian country faces repeated Western criticism for its stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine....
How Hungary's Orbán uses control of the media to escape scrutiny and keep the public in the dark (apnews.com)
In the months leading up to elections for the European Parliament, Hungarians were warned that casting a ballot against Prime Minister Viktor Orbán would be a vote for all-out war....
Rescuers search through mud and debris as deaths rise to 151 in landslides in southern India (apnews.com)
Hundreds of rescue workers searched through mud and debris Wednesday from multiple landslides that have killed at least 151 people in southern India, police said....
Is Ismail Haniyeh's assassination a setback for Israel-Hamas peace talks? (www.firstpost.com)
The death of Haniyeh, a significant figure in Hamas’s political and diplomatic structure, has raised serious questions about the future of ongoing ceasefire negotiations. American officials had recently indicated that these talks, mediated by Qatar, the United States, and Egypt, were close to yielding a temporary ceasefire and...
One-third of Ukrainians would give up land for peace – but it’s not as simple as that. (theconversation.com)
Did the king just get a pay rise? How the crown estate and the royal family’s income work. (theconversation.com)
Number of plastic bags found on UK beaches down 80% since charge introduced (www.theguardian.com)
Hailing the success of carrier bag laws, the Marine Conservation Society urges nations to push forward with plans for other single-use items...
Former lead BBC news presenter pleads guilty to 3 counts of making indecent images of children (www.ctvnews.ca)
Huw Edwards, the BBC’s former top news presenter, pleaded guilty Wednesday to three counts of making indecent images of children....
Global methane emissions rising at fastest rate in decades, scientists warn (www.theguardian.com)
Researchers call for immediate action to reduce methane emissions and avert dangerous escalation in climate crisis...
The newest victims of Australia's homelessness crisis (www.bbc.com)
This isn’t the retirement that Mary had dreamed of....
Venezuela: EU calls for full vote count in election dispute (www.dw.com)
The European Union will not recognize President Nicolas Maduro’s claim to victory in the Venezuelan election until all ballots were counted and accounted for, said Josep Borrell, the bloc’s foreign policy chief....
Warring drug gangs turn up the heat on Sweden’s government (www.politico.eu)
A surge in gang violence during a brutal summer spells trouble for the ruling parties....
Olympic triathletes swim in Seine River after days of concerns about water quality (apnews.com)
After days of water-quality concerns caused by heavy rains last week put the swimming portion of the Olympic triathlons in doubt, the women dove into the Seine River on Wednesday under gray skies that lingered following an early-morning drizzle, followed by the men a few hours later....
Russia launches one of war's largest drone attacks on Ukraine, Kyiv's military says (www.reuters.com)
Myanmar’s junta terrorised a Rohingya town. Then rebels burned it down. (www.reuters.com)
Carter Center unable to verify Venezuela election results, blasts officials for lack of transparency (apnews.com)
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The Carter Center said it was unable to verify the results of Venezuela’s presidential election, blaming authorities for a “complete lack of transparency” in declaring Nicolas Maduro the winner without providing any individual polling tallies....