Aug 2, 2026, 10:00 PM UTC

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a temporary pause on military strikes against Iran by American and Israeli forces, stating that Tehran and regional nations requested time to negotiate a new agreement. Speaking from Camp David, Trump claimed Iran is "almost defeated" and warned that attacks could resume if a deal is not reached quickly, noting the U.S. holds vast military reserves.

The announcement follows recent military friction in which U.S. forces intercepted multiple Iranian ballistic missiles aimed at American troops in the Middle East. In response to Washington's warnings, acting Iranian Defence Minister Majid ibn al-Reza stated that Tehran treats all threats as credible and maintains full combat readiness. Following signs of potential diplomatic progress, Asian oil prices fell by more than five percent.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, Defence24, Der Standard, El Mundo, FAZ.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called an emergency crisis meeting as severe wildfires rage across France and Spain, forcing between 250,000 and 325,000 people to flee their homes.

Officials cautioned they "are far from having the fire under control" as strong winds push blazes toward Bordeaux, where overnight evacuation orders were issued for seven nearby towns. Firefighters warned that an unprecedented pyrocumulonimbus cloud generated by the flames is creating volatile winds and lightning, further complicating containment efforts.

Meanwhile, Spain has declared a national state of emergency as fire crews struggle against persistent extreme heat. French authorities confirmed that evacuees cannot return until blazes are stabilized, with total burned land in France exceeding 115,000 hectares this year.

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

Fresh Israeli airstrikes hit the Gaza Strip on Sunday, killing at least 15 people, Palestinian officials reported. The latest strikes follow overnight bombardments that left eight dead in Gaza City, Khan Younis, and Deir el-Balah, marking a second consecutive day of military operations. The Israel Defense Forces stated the targets were military operatives, including two Hamas militants.

The violence comes despite US President Donald Trump pressing Israel to accept a proposed peace agreement, under which he announced Hamas had agreed to disarm. However, significant hurdles persist. Israeli officials insist on verifiable Hamas disarmament before withdrawing troops, whereas Hamas demands a full Israeli military pullout prior to surrendering its weapons. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet publicly endorsed the agreement.

Sources: BBC News, France24, FAZ.

Bavarian Prime Minister and CSU leader Markus Söder has publicly backed Friedrich Merz, affirming that the CDU politician's standing remains "very stable and strong."

Speaking on Sunday, Söder dismissed doubts regarding Merz's political leadership, emphasizing cohesion within the conservative Union alliance. The endorsement comes as German political parties navigate key national debates, including discussions over pension reforms and broader opposition strategies. By projecting confidence in Merz, Söder aimed to consolidate support across the CDU/CSU coalition while signaling political stability ahead of upcoming legislative challenges.

Sources: FAZ, Die Presse

An explosion occurred near the entrance of the Balzi Rossi restaurant in Moscow on Saturday night, raising questions over whether high-ranking Russian military personnel were targeted.

In an initial social media response, the restaurant's head chef downplayed the blast, writing "we are all fine" and describing the event as "a minor problem at the entrance." The post was deleted shortly after as the true nature of the bomb attack became apparent. While the restaurant reported its kitchen and dining area remained intact, investigations are underway to determine the circumstances and intended targets of the strike.

Sources: Die Presse.