The edition of
Wednesday 29 July 2026
21 stories, section by section, the most important first.
International
The Saudi Arabian Armed Forces and United States Central Command (U.S. CENTCOM) launch strikes against Iran–backed militias in Iraq in response to Iranian drone attacks against oil facilities in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province.
Israeli forces accuse Hezbollah of launching a drone attack on its forces in the Ali al-Taher ridge of southern Lebanon, in violation of the ceasefire.
Israeli forces also claim that their 401st Brigade Combat Team and Yahalom Unit have destroyed an underground headquarters belonging to Hezbollah, located near a UNIFIL post.
A drone strike targets the LNG storage tanker Energos Winter, which is leased by the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company, at the port of Damietta, Egypt. Additionally, another vessel is also targeted. The group responsible for the strike is currently unknown.
A senior officer in U.S. CENTCOM issues an internal email requesting troops to suggest "new creative and unconventional ways to pressure and punish Iran".
Data from Kpler shows that 39 commercial vessels have transited through the Bab el-Mandeb yesterday, the highest since July 19, while another five transited it today, including the VLCC Sophia and the Aframax tanker Ocean Laureate.
The Sudan Tribune reports that Rapid Support Forces militants retreating from Umm Sayala, Jabrat al-Sheikh, and Barah have launched retaliatory strikes in North Kordofan.
Ten police officers are killed in a drone attack and ambush in Hangu district of northwest Pakistan. Pakistani authorities claim that 15 of the attackers were killed.
Israeli forces strike a mosque in Gaza City in violation of the ongoing ceasefire and accuses Hamas of using it to store weapons.
The Popular Mobilization Forces reports that 20 militants have been killed in joint Saudi–U.S. strikes.
Several members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are also confirmed to have been killed in the Saudi–U.S. strikes in Iraq.
The U.S. CENTCOM launches strikes against Iran in retaliation of a attempted attack by Iran against Jordan.
Five soldiers are killed in a shootout with Al-Shabaab gunmen in Mandera County, Kenya.
Politics
Pope Leo XIV consecrates Fr. Francis Xavier Duan Yongkun as the coadjutor bishop of Bameng in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region under the 2018 provisional framework that cedes authority over its bishops to the Chinese government.
The government of Nauru announces the official change of name of the country from Nauru to Naoero.
The Law
Bolivian prosecutors issue an arrest warrant for former president Evo Morales for allegedly organizing protests and roadblocks across the country in May and June. The investigation follows complaints alleging armed uprising and terrorism.
Russia's Federal Security Service issues an arrest warrant on Telegram founder Pavel Durov for facilitating terrorist activity, alleging that Telegram helps Ukraine plan attacks in Russia.
Science
Kenya Wildlife Service says preliminary tests indicated cyanide-contaminated tomatoes may have killed 15 elephants near Amboseli National Park over the past month, warning that livestock grazing in the area could also be exposed.
Environment
Sport
FIFA opens an investigation into the Argentina national football team over altercations during the World Cup final and the display of a banner of the Falklands.
Stories adapted from Wikipedia’s Current events portal for 29 July 2026, by Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0.