At least 19 die as thousands of migrants reach Spain’s African enclave of Cueta – Europe live

• The provided text argues that peace diplomacy should not be measured by quantitative metrics or traditional weighing systems. • The core objective of these diplomatic efforts is to prevent the onset of conflicts and wars, reduce escalation during active hostilities, and facilitate post-war rebuilding.

• Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility on Thursday for an attack on a US military base located in Kuwait as part of "Operation Nasr-2." • In a retaliatory move, US air strikes targeting Iran's Zanjan province resulted in the deaths of at least three IRGC members.

• Iran utilized a three-day lull in bombings and Omani mediation as a tactical respite to replenish missile launchers and prepare a surprise attack. • The situation escalated rapidly within the last 24 hours, resulting in the largest wave of U.S. strikes against the Revolutionary Guard since the conflict began.

• A coal mine explosion in Pakistan has resulted in at least 11 deaths, with dozens of miners still trapped underground. • Rescue operations are underway to locate survivors and extract those remaining in the mine following the blast.

• India has intensified its campaign for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as of July 30, 2026. • The bid is centered on the new SHANTI framework, which emphasizes Security, Humanitarian assistance, Anti-terrorism, Technology, and Infrastructure.

Boom in solar farms and home installations in first half of 2026 began shortly after start of US-Israel war against IranGreat Britain has recorded more new solar power installations in the first half of this year than in any six-month period since 2011, as households turn to rooftop panels to help cut their energy bills.An analysis of the government’s official figures shows that Great Britain added 142,536 solar installations in the first six months of the year, putting it on track to top last year’s record solar additions. Continue reading...

Rashad Sultanov, from London, suspected of conducting hostile surveillance and passing information to Revolutionary GuardsA British-Azerbaijani national has been arrested ⁠in Cyprus on suspicion of spying on a British airbase on the Mediterranean island and passing information to Iran’s ⁠Islamic Revolutionary Guard ⁠Corps, the Metropolitan police ​said.Rashad Sultanov, 44, from Islington, north London, was arrested on 17 July by Cypriot authorities ⁠and is being held in custody as extradition proceedings continue, the police said in a statement on Friday. Continue reading...

Unusual atmospheric phenomena causes widespread damage in US state, while heat continues to grip EuropeA rare and powerful tornado developed over north-east Wisconsin on Monday, lasting 26 minutes and carving a 12-mile path of destruction in western parts of Appleton and Menasha before dissipating over Lake Winnebago.The US National Weather Service classified the tornado as an EF3, making it the fourth of that strength to strike Wisconsin in 2026. EF3 tornadoes are relatively rare in north-east Wisconsin, and this year’s total is already the state’s highest since 1984. Continue reading...

Plan set to transform funding so English regions no longer rely on Whitehall handouts for projectsGood morning and welcome to our live coverage of UK politics. From 2028 English regional mayors, for the first time, will be handed a share of income tax receipts instead of central grants and be less beholden to the Treasury by being able to borrow to invest in big projects.Mayors will also be able to keep a share of business rates totalling tens of millions of pounds by April 2027, and gain greater control over services such as housing and transport, under plans that form part of the government’s devolution agenda.There is already a way that the business rates retention is distributed to correspond with central funding formula to correct for that.Because you wouldn’t want to have it that places like London and Manchester and Bristol were able to retain more of theirs while other areas that weren’t growing at the same rate, were falling behind.Yes, that’s right, and it will have more powers devolved, 16-19 funding, employment support budgets and the ability to tailor their own vocational routes. This will be an important part of developing their own local regional growth strategy as well. Continue reading...

Price of an average home now £277,542, up from £277,484 the previous month but lower than in May, says NationwideBusiness live – latest updatesEconomic uncertainty dampened UK house price growth in July as prospective house buyers remained cautious about interest rates during the US war with Iran in what should be peak housebuying season.House prices rose by just 0.1% in July from a month earlier, according to the lender Nationwide, while annual price growth slowed to 1.8% this month, down from 2.2% in June. Continue reading...

Some drowned and others caught up in crush, official says, and thousands sleep on streets or in parksAt least 18 people have died trying to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta after about 49,000 migrants breached the border with Morocco and poured into the tiny territory.Spain sent ​military and police reinforcements to Ceuta on Thursday after people crossed by land and sea. Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, is expected to join the interior minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, on a visit to Ceuta on Friday morning. Continue reading...

More than 100 firefighters remain at scene after Dunwich Heath blaze spread across 150 hectares and forced evacuationsFire crews tackling a large wildfire burning for more than 24 hours near Britain’s biggest nuclear power station have said the situation is “stabilising”.More than 100 firefighters have been battling the blaze in Dunwich Heath, near Leiston, on the Suffolk coast since Wednesday evening. Continue reading...