Aug 2, 2026, 03:30 AM UTC

US President Donald Trump announced he has cancelled scheduled military strikes against Iran, making the decision conditional on reaching a rapid diplomatic agreement with Tehran.

Writing on social media, Trump stated that any potential deal must guarantee the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a permanent end to Iran's nuclear threat. The announcement follows intense military preparations by joint American and Israeli forces after US air defense systems intercepted multiple Iranian ballistic missiles directed at regional military positions.

While Iranian officials previously warned European nations against permitting American military deployments and threatened counterstrikes, financial markets responded positively to diplomatic prospects. Crude oil prices dropped by more than five percent during Asian trading sessions as investors weighed the likelihood of de-escalation.

Sources: BBC News, Corriere della Sera, El Mundo, FAZ.

European Union interior ministers are scheduled to gather for emergency talks on Tuesday following a surge of migration into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Between 50,000 and 60,000 people crossed into the North African territory from Morocco, leading to severe logistical strain and tragic casualties. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska confirmed that the death toll from drownings has risen to 67.

In response, a coalition of 22 EU member states demanded coordinated action and reinforced external borders. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen approved the emergency session. Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez firmly rejected suggestions to suspend Schengen arrangements, condemning such proposals as "selfish, polarising and unlawful." Spanish authorities maintain plans to deport arriving migrants back to Morocco as diplomatic discussions progress.

Sources: BBC News, Corriere della Sera, FAZ, Respect.

Gaza's civil defense agency reported on Saturday that rescue workers recovered the remains of 112 people from under rubble in Gaza City. The recovery effort, conducted over two weeks in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), involved 136 hours of intensive searching.

The operation focused primarily on the Sabra neighborhood of the city, where search crews cleared debris from destroyed buildings to retrieve victims. Emergency services have faced severe operational challenges during search and rescue efforts across the Palestinian territory amid ongoing conflict and extensive infrastructure damage. Local authorities indicate that additional casualties may still remain buried under collapsed structures across affected urban areas.

Sources: Berlingske

Ecologist Heinz Wiesbauer has detailed the long history of river regulation along Austria's alpine Enns River, illustrating how past attempts to control floodwaters offer vital lessons for modern environmental management.

Historically, communities attempted to tame the mountain river to protect settlements and gain agricultural land. However, early engineering interventions frequently disrupted local ecosystems, leading to unintended ecological damage that forced engineers and local authorities to revise their strategies over time.

Experts note that despite recent severe heat and drought conditions, heavy precipitation and flooding remain persistent threats. Contemporary flood management increasingly combines technical engineering with ecological restoration to better withstand natural disasters while preserving natural river systems.

Sources: Die Presse

The United States Department of Justice has subpoenaed freelance investigative journalist Matthew Cole, demanding the disclosure of confidential sources used in reporting for The New York Times. Federal Bureau of Investigation agents reportedly visited Cole at his residence as part of an inquiry into leaked information regarding a failed covert US operation in North Korea.

This action represents another instance of federal authorities pressing investigative reporters to identify anonymous government informants behind critical press coverage. Media freedom advocates frequently warn that subpoenaing journalists threatens investigative reporting and source protection.

Sources: Die Zeit.