Jul 29, 2026, 09:30 AM UTC

United States Central Command confirmed that American and Saudi military forces carried out joint precision strikes in Iraq against Iran-backed militants. The operation followed an attempted surprise attack by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which launched multiple ballistic missiles toward US forces in the Middle East. CENTCOM stated that all incoming missiles were successfully intercepted.

While US authorities did not detail target locations, Jordanian military sources reported intercepting five missiles aimed at an American base in Jordan. The escalation occurred shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington.

Addressing the situation, US President Donald Trump claimed American forces possess ammunition "well beyond our needs." Despite renewed hostilities, crude oil prices fell over five percent in Asian trading amid persistent diplomatic negotiations.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, El Mundo, ORF, TVP info

Firefighters in southwestern France and Spain are continuing efforts to contain massive wildfires advancing toward the Bordeaux metropolitan area. In France’s Gironde region, flames have burned over 42,000 hectares, with officials reporting 115,000 hectares destroyed nationwide this year. Emergency responders face severe conditions, with one official stating that authorities "are far from having the fire under control." Incoming high temperatures early in the week threaten to further worsen the situation.

Estimates of population displacement vary among sources. Le Figaro and Der Standard report 220,000 evacuations in Gironde, while BBC News and France24 state more than 250,000 people have fled across France and Spain. Helsingin Sanomat cites figures exceeding 325,000 total evacuations. Displaced residents have been advised they cannot return until the blazes are stabilized.

Sources: BBC News, Der Standard, France24, Helsingin Sanomat, Le Figaro.

Emergency crews in southwestern Japan are continuing rescue operations after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on Kyushu island. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed that at least 13 people have died, while government officials warn the final death toll could rise into the dozens.

More than 9,000 residents have been moved to temporary emergency shelters as authorities assess widespread structural damage. Rescue teams are attempting to reach people trapped in damaged structures, including a shopping center in Kashima where a floor collapsed following a reported explosion. Severe infrastructure damage, including fractured roads and collapsed bridges, continues to complicate search operations. Officials stated that the exact number of missing individuals remains unclear.

Sources: Der Standard, FAZ, ORF, TV 2 Nyheter.

UEFA’s 55 member nations are preparing to hold emergency talks following FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell minority stakes in a new World Cup commercial venture. England’s Football Association stated it was "deeply concerned" about the plan, which would create a separate commercial subsidiary for FIFA's flagship tournaments.

Tensions between European administrators and the global governing body have escalated, with reports indicating that potential boycott measures may be raised during the upcoming consultations. UEFA leadership previously condemned the initiative, reiterating that "none of us owns football."

While media and national federations across Europe have reacted with outrage, regulatory analysts suggest Infantino could still finalize the commercial restructuring depending on legal outcomes in the United States.

Sources: BBC News, FAZ, Le Figaro, NV, Tagesschau

The United States Federal Communications Commission has introduced a ban on the importation of foreign-manufactured mobile, bipedal, and quadrupedal robots. Under the new regulations, future models of foreign moving robotics will require special authorization from federal agencies, such as the Department of Defense, prior to import approval.

The regulatory authority cited national security risks, including potential espionage, data theft, and cyberattacks targeting critical artificial intelligence infrastructure. The measure is also designed to reshore the manufacturing of key technologies to the United States. Chinese robotics manufacturers, including Unitree, are among those affected by the restriction.

Sources: Die Zeit, FAZ, ORF.