Jul 30, 2026, 12:30 PM UTC

US Central Command conducted military strikes against targets in Iran in retaliation for a missile attack on American forces in Jordan, following warnings of a firm response from US President Donald Trump.

Simultaneously, Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine killed at least seven people, including two children. During the air raids, Polish police discovered a crater and fragments of an unidentified object that vanished from military radar. Poland scrambled fighter jets to secure its airspace, while Ukrainian officials stated the object was a Russian missile.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed strikes on a Russian oil refinery and a logistics center in the Ryazan region, aimed at weakening Moscow's war financing capabilities.

Sources: HRT Vijesti, Tanjug

A US federal court has convicted Hadi Matar on terrorism charges related to the August 2022 stabbing of author Sir Salman Rushdie. The 28-year-old dual US-Lebanese national, who is already serving a 25-year state prison sentence for attempted murder, now faces up to life imprisonment.

A federal jury in New York found Matar guilty on all counts, including committing transnational terrorism and providing material support to Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Lebanese group designated as a terrorist organisation by the United States. Prosecutors established that the attack during a public lecture, which left Rushdie blind in one eye, was motivated by fatwas issued against his 1988 novel "The Satanic Verses."

Sources: BBC News, Berlingske, HRT Vijesti, ORF, Sweden Herald.

Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan reiterated that European Union accession by 2028 remains his government's primary objective, explicitly ruling out unification with Romania as an alternative strategy.

Speaking prior to an official visit to Bucharest, Tofan addressed questions regarding potential unification, stating that such a decision rests entirely on public consensus among citizens on both sides of the border rather than political leaders. He emphasized that Chisinau is pursuing a clear strategy focused on completing negotiations and integrating into the EU framework. The statement comes as Moldovan authorities continue working to align national legislation with EU standards across key economic and labor sectors.

Sources: Digi24, Moldova1, Point, Rise Moldova.

Turkey’s unmanned combat aircraft, Kizilelma, has successfully executed its initial live-fire tests using its internal weapons bay. Developed by Turkish defense company Baykar, the platform conducted the test flights at the Corlu Flight Training and Test Center in Tekirdag province.

During the trials, the aircraft successfully struck designated targets with TEBER-82 and TOLUN precision-guided munitions deployed directly from its internal bay. Storing weapons internally allows the aircraft to maintain a reduced radar signature, strengthening its stealth profile during operational missions. Testing for the Kizilelma program continues as new capabilities are integrated.

Sources: Defence Turkey, Defence Turk

Athens has formally approved the acquisition of three Embraer KC-390 Millennium transport aircraft through an intergovernmental agreement with Portugal. The purchase forms part of a broader defense modernization package aimed at replacing the Hellenic Air Force's aging fleet of C-130 Hercules aircraft and strengthening its strategic air mobility capabilities.

By selecting the Brazilian-designed multi-mission platform, Greece becomes the latest European nation to integrate the KC-390 into its military inventory, joining existing operators across the continent. The procurement agreement utilizes Portugal's existing framework to facilitate the transfer.

Sources: Defence Turkey