Jul 28, 2026, 07:30 PM UTC

Wildfires across southwestern France and Spain have displaced over 300,000 people, forcing local authorities in Bordeaux to plan for a potential full evacuation as flames advance within 15 kilometers of the city. Flight operations at Bordeaux airport remain suspended, while emergency services previously used boats to rescue hundreds stranded in Cap Ferret. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez remarked, "We have never seen a fire of this magnitude."

In Spain, conflicting assessments emerged regarding the fires threatening the capital. Madrid regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso declared a state of emergency, describing the situation 60 kilometers west of Madrid as out of control and the worst in the region's history. However, Spain's military emergency unit later stated that while blazes in Madrid and Ávila remain active, they are currently under control. European fire experts warned the crisis reflects long-feared seasonal escalations.

Sources: Berlingske, Dagens Industri, NRK, TV 2 Nyheter

US President Donald Trump hosted separate White House meetings on Tuesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Zelenskyy described his discussion in the Oval Office as a "good meeting," focusing primarily on Ukraine's air defense needs amidst ongoing Russian missile strikes and potential peace talks. Although the Trump administration previously paused US military equipment shipments to Kyiv, Trump reportedly expressed admiration for Ukrainian drone technology.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu's visit marked his first White House meeting with Trump since early February, following joint strikes targeting Iran. The meetings highlight Washington's dual focus on ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East.

Sources: TV 2 Nyheter.

US President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday for a meeting lasting just over an hour.

While neither leader issued official public statements immediately following the discussion, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the encounter as "positive and productive" in a social media post. The working visit marks their first face-to-face interaction since Trump returned to office.

The talks occurred as Washington aims to de-escalate regional tensions and lay groundwork for renewed diplomacy with Iran, following a recent pause in tit-for-tat military strikes. Netanyahu's office shared photos from the Oval Office meeting, but both sides refrained from commenting on specific agreements or agenda items.

Sources: Bloomberg, Sweden Herald

Norwegian police have charged a 34-year-old man with murder following the death of 30-year-old Maren Sømme in Nærbø, Rogaland. Sømme was found severely injured at a private address on Sunday afternoon and later died in hospital. The suspect, who was Sømme's boyfriend, denies criminal guilt. Authorities revealed that the suspect had been arrested just over a week prior on suspicion of committing violence against her.

In a separate incident on Sunday evening, police in Trondheim arrested a man in his 20s on charges of attempted murder following violence at a private address involving acquaintances.

Sources: TV 2 Nyheter

Russia and North Korea are approaching the completion of their first direct road bridge across the Tumen River, connecting the Russian settlement of Khasan with Tumangang in North Korea. The new infrastructure runs alongside an existing rail link between the two countries.

Ukrainian officials have raised concerns about the development, warning that the bridge could function as a strategic corridor to facilitate logistics and military supplies between Moscow and Pyongyang. The project reflects growing bilateral cooperation between Russia and North Korea amid international sanctions.

Sources: Il Messaggero