Millions of 'toxic balls' wash up on Aussie beach prompting frantic plea to locals (au.news.yahoo.com)
A major clean-up is underway along Australia’s east coast after “millions” of polystyrene balls washed up onto the sand.
U.S. special envoy: no record of Hamas blocking or seizing aid (www.reuters.com)
Incident involving US warship intercepting missiles near Yemen lasted 9 hours (www.cnn.com)
US warship that intercepted drones and missiles near the coast of Yemen on Thursday encountered a larger and more sustained barrage than was previously known, shooting down 4 cruise missiles and 15 drones over a period of 9 hours, according to a US official familiar with the situation....
Hamas leader refuses to acknowledge killing of civilians in Israel (www.bbc.com)
Iranian teen injured on Tehran Metro while not wearing a headscarf has died, state media says (www.politico.com)
Evidence shows Hamas militants likely used some North Korean weapons in attack on Israel (apnews.com)
Hamas fighters likely fired North Korean weapons during their Oct. 7 assault on Israel, a militant video and weapons seized by Israel show, despite Pyongyang’s denials that it arms the militant group....
LGBTQ+ community in Kenya defies anti-gay protests (www.dw.com)
The LGBTQ+ community in Kenya is fighting back against recent anti-gay protests pushing for the curtailment of their rights as they seek recognition and acceptance....
Turkish president says he's bothered by U.N. decor that resembles 'LGBT colors' (www.nbcnews.com)
Extraordinary photos of July's extreme weather - BBC News (www.bbc.co.uk)
It is a summer of extremes. Burning temperatures followed by raging fires. Wild storms and torrential rain. And a run of broken climate records.
Afghanistan: Women protest closure of beauty salons (www.bbc.com)
Women in Afghanistan have held a rare protest against the Taliban’s decision to shut female beauty parlours and salons....
Temperatures in Iraq surpass 50 degrees Celsius amid heatwave (www.dailynewsegypt.com)
Netanyahu declares a ‘second war of independence’ as fears for Gazans grow (www.theguardian.com)
As thaw accelerates, Swiss glaciers have lost 10% of their volume in the past 2 years, experts say (apnews.com)
GENEVA (AP) — A Swiss Academy of Sciences panel is reporting a dramatic acceleration of glacier melt in the Alpine country, which has lost 10% of its ice volume in just two years after high summer heat and low snow volumes in winter....
Russian soldiers say they dream of conquering Ukrainian cities and moving their families there in haunting recruitment ad (www.yahoo.com)
Wagner Group sustains significant losses in clashes with Central African Republic rebels (www.middleeasteye.net)
A Russian reserve army of 15,000 soldiers is pinned down near Bakhmut and will be destroyed, says Ukraine's spy chief (www.businessinsider.com)
Netherlands, Denmark commit to deliver F16s to Ukraine -Dutch PM Rutte (www.reuters.com)
Hamas steals UN fuel, medical equipment kept for humanitarian purposes in Gaza city (www.thestatesman.com)
Russia temporarily bans fuel exports to most countries in response to shortages (www.reuters.com)
Ukraine to Russia: Your ‘Lost’ Mi-8 Pilot Actually Defected (www.thedailybeast.com)
South Africa: Putin to miss BRICS summit by ‘mutual agreement’ (www.aljazeera.com)
Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the summit of the BRICS group of nations in South Africa in August “by mutual agreement”, South Africa’s presidency said on Wednesday....
Israeli girl, 12, seen in viral ‘Harry Potter’ photo found dead with grandma in Gaza (nypost.com)
The 12-year-old Israeli girl whose “Harry Potter”-inspired photo went viral after she was kidnapped by Hamas has been found dead alongside her grandmother in Gaza.
France mobilises 7,000 troops and goes on high alert after school stabbings and mosque knife arrest (www.euronews.com)
France is mobilising 7,000 soldiers and increasing its alert status to “emergency attack” level after the death of a teacher in the northeast town of Arras, stabbed to death Friday by a former student with a record of Islamic radicalisation....
Global inflation fears as oil price rises towards $100 a barrel (www.theguardian.com)
French state schools turn away dozens of girls wearing Muslim abaya dress (www.bbc.co.uk)
