Calls grow ‘to flunk’ Portugal’s education minister amid exam marking fiasco

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

Live, rolling coverage as British oil company looks for buyer amid political dispute over future drilling licencesThe owner of British Airways has reported a steep fall in profits and said it expects no growth in passenger capacity this year as the US-Israeli war in Iran takes its toll.International Airlines Group (IAG) said it expected demand to stay strong, but added that its “disciplined cost control” could only partly mitigate the impact of “a significant fuel price increase” caused by the attacks on Iran. Iran closed the strait of Hormuz in response to the attacks, a key export route for oil from the Gulf.With these results IAG has again demonstrated that its excellent fundamentals are supporting continued value creation for our shareholders, despite the impact of the crisis in the Middle East and wider geopolitical events.The UK has been our home for more than 100 years and will continue to play an important role in our future. We’re proud of the jobs we create, the contribution we make to the UK economy, and the work we do to keep energy flowing every day.The North Sea remains integral to the UK’s energy system. However, as we focus our portfolio and direct capital to our highest-value opportunities, we believe our North Sea business will be better positioned as part of another company. It has world-class people, resilient assets and a proud heritage, and it is precisely these qualities that can attract an owner ready to back its next chapter. We are seeking an outcome that recognises that value.I indicated in the phone call that we had, a week last Monday, that I would take a pragmatic approach when it comes to the North Sea, and that is my intention as we go forward from here.There is a resource there. When people are struggling, we can’t ignore that. Hence, me indicating that to the president. Continue reading...

Latest study says global heating has made hot, dry and windy conditions in Spain at least 20 times more likelyThe extreme heat and drought stoking huge wildfires in Spain and France were made far more likely by the climate crisis, a scientific analysis has found.Global heating made hot, dry and windy weather at least 20 times more likely in Spain and twice as likely in France, experts from the World Weather Attribution (WWA) consortium calculated. The finding is the latest to pin the blame for the continent’s sweltering and deadly summer firmly on the heating caused by the burning of oil, gas and coal. Continue reading...

Exclusive: ADF personnel who were discriminated against for being LGBTQ+ are owed a national apology, federal government toldFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA national apology should be issued to LGBTQ+ veterans and service personnel who experienced discrimination at the hands of the Australian Defence Force, according to recommendations to the federal government.David Gibson, who was discharged from the military in 1989 because he was bisexual and chair of GLBTI Rights in Ageing, said it was time for the prime minister to issue an apology. Continue reading...

Scheme brought in up to 500 foreign-trained doctors a year and was seen as example of British ‘soft power’The NHS has scrapped a longstanding scheme that let overseas doctors boost their skills in UK hospitals and was seen as an example of British “soft power”.Senior doctors have criticised NHS England’s decision to axe the Medical Training Initiative, under which 400 to 500 foreign-trained doctors were given placements in Britain every year. Continue reading...

She Plays to Win face losing one of their female players after being told team must include a maleThe UK’s only all-female chess team have been promoted to the game’s top tier – only to be told they will have to add a man to their squad.She Plays to Win Lionesses A Team have fallen foul of a rule designed to boost female participation in the sport. Continue reading...

Robert Assaf separately tells anti-corruption inquiry money funnelled through lobbying firm to create ‘maximum benefit from a tax perspective’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA group of young conservative Liberal power brokers accused of soliciting illegal donations used some of the funds to pay for a bucks night, one of its members has told a corruption inquiry.The Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) on Friday heard again from Robert Assaf, who this week was the first witness from the conservative right Liberal factional group the Reformers to give evidence. Continue reading...