Next 12 hours ‘decisive’ for wildfire near Madrid, says Spanish PM

• A new report identifies a "threat axis" consisting of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, documenting 616 specific instances of security cooperation between the four nations. • The report warns of a "simultaneity problem," where these strategically aligned powers could coordinate actions to force the United States to manage multiple global crises at once.

• Iran is utilizing proxies and partners to launch attacks on regional states, allowing the Iranian government to maintain plausible deniability. • In response to Iranian efforts to control oil traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, the Iraqi federal government is actively developing alternative export routes.

• Dr. Binoy Kampmark reports on the potential removal of International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan in an article dated July 28, 2026. • The situation involves a complex intersection of political pressure and allegations of misconduct, specifically regarding the nexus between Khan's legal decisions and his personal fate.

• The United States and Saudi Arabia have partnered to launch military strikes against Tehran-backed militias operating within Iraq. • The escalation follows reported Iranian attacks on three tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global maritime chokepoint.

• The U.S. and Saudi Arabia conducted joint airstrikes targeting Iranian-backed proxy groups located in Iraq. • In retaliation, Iran launched attacks against various sites within Jordan, expanding the geographic scope of the conflict.

• India faces significant energy import vulnerabilities, highlighted by the 2026 oil price surge and critical chokepoints at the Strait of Hormuz. • The nation has the potential to meet up to 25% of its domestic energy demand growth through internal resources by 2047.

• Former President Trump's decision to pause attacks on Iran highlights the limitations of U.S. military power in asymmetric conflicts. • Despite aerial campaigns, Tehran has not been bombed into submission, as Iran leverages its mountainous geography and drone/missile capabilities to maintain strategic leverage.

Northumbria police said post by Glenn Gibbins, who was reinstated to the party after internal investigation, referenced Nigerian peopleA Reform councillor has been charged with posting a grossly offensive message on social media after allegedly making a racist comment about Nigerians.Glenn Gibbins, of Sunderland city council, has been charged with the offence under the Communications Act 2003, Northumbria police said. Continue reading...

Riyadh’s decision to join the US in striking sites associated with the Iran-backed Popular Mobilisation Forces further complicates a chaotic warUS-Saudi strikes on Iran-backed militia in Iraq on Wednesday have pushed the region into “uncharted territory”, analysts have warned.Amid stark warnings of a widening and increasingly “unpredictable” conflict, Riyadh’s decision to publicly join the US in striking sites associated with Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces, killing at least 20 fighters, has added another complicating dimension to the war. Continue reading...

Claimants’ insurance might not cover Associated Newspapers’ costs for defending phone-hacking case, high court hearsThe Duke of Sussex and his co-claimants could be millions of pounds out of pocket after losing their privacy case against the publishers of the Daily Mail, as their insurance may not cover costs incurred by Associated Newspapers defending the case, the high court in London heard.The seven claimants, who include Prince Harry, Doreen Lawrence and Elton John, sued ANL over allegations of unlawful information gathering, with their claims dismissed in their entirely by Mr Justice Nicklin on 7 July. Continue reading...

Authorities say local transmission of H5 bird flu virus among South Australian birds signals ‘shift in the situation’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia has entered a new phase in dealing with the incursion of deadly H5N1 bird flu, with authorities confirming on Wednesday that local transmission of the highly virulent strain had taken place.“We have had what is suggestive of local transmission for the first time,” Julie Collins, the federal minister for agriculture, fisheries and forestry, said on Wednesday afternoon, after 11 new suspected detections were reported in South Australian birds. Continue reading...

Clean Energy Council calls for a national, legislated scheme to funnel benefits of hosting renewables projects back to local councilsSign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereOrganised campaigns against wind and solar energy have proved “extremely effective” in undermining community support for renewable energy but enthusiasm for electric vehicles has jumped following Donald Trump’s attack on Iran, according to a detailed snapshot of Australian attitudes to the clean energy transition.The survey found levels of “deep support” for clean technologies were highest for home batteries and rooftop solar and also improving for major infrastructure projects such as transmission lines, which have been a target for critics of renewables.Sign up to get climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s Clear Air column as a free newsletter Continue reading...