Woman, 70, charged with murder of British expat Karen Carter in France

• Iran has launched missile and drone attacks on the Jordanian port city of Aqaba in a retaliatory strike. • The escalating conflict has disrupted global energy supplies, driving Brent crude oil prices above $94 per barrel.

• Yemen’s Houthis have declared a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia, escalating regional tensions by opening a new front in the Middle East conflict. • The U.S. military has conducted airstrikes against Iran for the 10th consecutive night, while an Israeli drone strike in Gaza City resulted in the deaths of a family of six.

• The United States and Iran are engaged in escalating attacks as officials express doubt over whether diplomacy can prevent a full-scale return to war. • Amidst these tensions, a new 30-year deal is expected to be established, focusing on long-term strategic development.

• Pakistan has reportedly requested a $10 billion exchange stabilisation facility from the United States to bolster its dwindling foreign exchange reserves. • Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb discussed the request and Pakistan's economic vulnerabilities during a meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington on Tuesday.

• Pakistan has requested a $10 billion exchange stabilisation facility from the United States to bolster its foreign exchange reserves and support the rupee. • The move follows a period of IMF-backed reforms that stabilized the economy but imposed high political costs through increased taxes and spending restraints.

• Author Laala Bechetoula has released a book titled "Gaza Hashem: A Tale Told by the Children," dated July 20, 2026. • The work is written for adults but utilizes the voices and simple language of Gazan children as the primary moral narrators.

• Pakistan has requested a $10 billion bilateral exchange stabilisation facility from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to bolster its foreign exchange reserves. • The request follows Pakistan's recent diplomatic efforts in mediating talks regarding the conflict in Iran.

• UN human rights experts condemned the M23 armed group on Tuesday for orchestrating a "reign of terror" in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. • The Rwanda-backed group is accused of systemic sexual torture and violence targeting civilians within the territories it controls.

Campaigners in Ukraine pledge to continue nationwide protests until Mykhailo Fedorov gets his job back Volodymyr Zelenskyy was under growing pressure to reinstate his sacked defence minister on Wednesday, after campaigners said they would continue indefinite nationwide protests until Mykhailo Fedorov got his job back.On Tuesday, Zelenskyy bowed to public demands by firing Ukraine’s commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. He appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new head of the country’s armed forces, as part of a radical reshuffle of the top military command. Continue reading...

European Commission says Paramount Skydance’s decision to end Universal venture addresses merger concernsParamount Skydance’s £80bn takeover of Warner Brothers took a step closer to being realised after it won conditional approval from the European Union.The European Commission said Paramount’s offer to ⁠end a film ⁠distribution ​joint venture with Universal Pictures addressed its concerns over the potential merger. As part of its commitments in the EU, Paramount has 13 months from the date of closing the deal to pull out from the venture. Continue reading...

Party chair queries status of funds Reform leader received from crypto billionaire Christopher HarborneThe Conservatives have asked HMRC to investigate whether Nigel Farage should have paid tax on the £5m gift her received from the crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne.The party chair, Kevin Hollinrake, wrote to the tax authorities questioning whether it was a payment to compensate him for running to be an MP. Continue reading...