Top News — Wed, Jul 29, 1:03 PM UTC

European Wildfires Rage Across France and Spain Amid Heatwave

Wildfires continue to burn across France and Spain, with some blazes four times the size of Paris, forcing thousands of evacuations. Authorities are bracing for a fourth heatwave with temperatures expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius, complicating containment efforts and raising climate concerns.

Dr. Anthony Fauci Testifies Before Senate on COVID-19 Origins

Dr. Anthony Fauci appeared before a Senate panel to testify on the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, with some reports indicating he invoked the Fifth Amendment. This testimony sets up a confrontation with GOP senators who have questioned his role and funding decisions related to gain-of-function research.

Ukraine Launches Drone Attacks on Russian Oil Refineries and Industrial Sites

Ukraine has launched drone attacks on two major Russian oil refineries and industrial sites, including warehouses of Russia's top online retailer Wildberries. These strikes mark a renewed effort to pressure Moscow's wartime economy and demonstrate Ukraine's evolving long-range drone capabilities.

Russia Charges Telegram Founder Pavel Durov with Aiding Terrorism

Russia has placed Telegram founder Pavel Durov on a wanted list, charging him with facilitating terrorism. The FSB claims the messaging app has failed to remove accounts and channels used by Ukraine's secret service for recruitment, making it harder to track down criminals.

Senate advances long-stalled Russia sanctions bill hours after Graham funeral

The Senate overwhelmingly advanced a bipartisan bill to impose harsher sanctions on Russia and buyers of Russian oil and gas, named in honor of the late Senator Lindsey Graham. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy was present as senators paid tribute to Graham, who championed the bill in his final week.

US, Saudi Arabia Strike Iran-Backed Militias in Iraq

US Central Command and Saudi Arabian Armed Forces conducted precision strikes in Iraq against Iran-aligned terrorists on July 28. This action follows an Iranian 'surprise attack' on US forces in Jordan, escalating the five-month-old conflict and causing oil prices to jump over 6%.

Trump Appeals $83 Million E. Jean Carroll Defamation Verdict to Supreme Court

President Trump and the Justice Department are petitioning the Supreme Court to review the $83.3 million defamation award granted to writer E. Jean Carroll. This appeal follows a previous rejection by the Supreme Court of Trump's bid to appeal a separate $5 million verdict in Carroll's favor.

Trump, Zelensky Meet at White House; Relationship Thaws

President Trump met separately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. Discussions focused on the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, with Netanyahu affirming a shared stance with Trump on preventing Iranian nuclear weapons.

FAA Grounds American Airlines Flights Nationwide Over IT Outage

American Airlines experienced a nationwide ground stop due to an IT outage that impacted all airports and facilities. The FAA briefly grounded all American Airlines flights before the issue was resolved and operations resumed.

French DJ Kavinsky, Known for ‘Nightcall,’ Dies at 50

French electronic musician Kavinsky, whose real name was Vincent Belorgey and was known for his hit single 'Nightcall' from the Drive soundtrack, has died at the age of 50. Authorities are investigating his death, though no suspicious elements have been reported.

Senate Confirms Jay Clayton as Nation's Top Intelligence Director

The Senate confirmed Jay Clayton as the new Director of National Intelligence in a 51-47 party-line vote. This confirmation places a permanent chief in charge of US spy agencies, potentially reviving stalled debates over intelligence reforms.

New York School District Pauses AI Robot Teacher Plan After Backlash

A rural New York school district has paused its plan to introduce a humanoid artificial intelligence robot into classrooms following backlash over data privacy concerns. The decision comes amidst broader debates about AI's role in education and its potential risks.

Last updated: 7/29/2026, 1:03:54 PM