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International news, diplomacy, Geneva-based organisations.

World

Persistent drought: elevated forest fire risk in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland

Persistent drought maintains elevated forest fire risk in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, Germany. According to the Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), Germany's national meteorological service, both states show at least level 3 out of 5 on the Waldbrandgefahrenindex—the national forest fire danger index—on July 13, 2026. Saarland, the Palatinate, and the Eifel have already reached level 4. Starting July 14, this level 4 is expected to extend to nearly all of Rhineland-Palatinate. A forest fire broke out on June 27 at Rotenfels, forcing the complete evacuation of the village of Traisen.

13 July 2026 at 05:01

World

Lindsey Graham, Republican Senator and Trump Ally, Dies at 71

Lindsey Graham, South Carolina's Republican senator and influential advisor to Donald Trump, died on July 11, 2026, at age 71, according to The Guardian. The day before his death, he visited Kyiv to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Tributes came from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, NATO allies, and Taiwan. Graham entered the Senate in 2003 and shaped U.S. foreign policy through support for the Iraq War and pressure for military intervention in Iran.

13 July 2026 at 03:23

World

Bangkok bar fire kills at least 27; Almería wildfire in Spain claims 13 lives

A bar fire in Bangkok's suburbs killed at least 27 people on July 13, 2026, according to reports. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt told reporters that smoke was likely the primary cause of the deaths. Thai authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Meanwhile, a forest fire in Spain's Almería province (Andalusia), declared contained on July 12, 2026, has claimed at least 13 lives and left 23 people missing since it began on July 10. The blaze destroyed over 6,000 hectares of forest, forcing the evacuation of 1,400 people.

13 July 2026 at 03:17

World

Forest fire in Botswana: blaze remains active three days after ignition

A forest fire ignited in Botswana on July 10, 2026, and remained active through July 12, according to the GDACS (Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System), a cooperation framework between the United Nations and the European Commission for natural disaster alerts. The system aggregated 32 monitoring documents from four partner organizations. The extent of the burned area, the number of people affected, and any material damages remain unspecified in available sources at this stage.

13 July 2026 at 03:17

World

Australia: Convicted Father Appeals After First Sworn Testimony by DID Alters in Court

An Australian father convicted in December 2024 to 21 years in prison for child sexual abuse is appealing his conviction. The five-week Newcastle District Court trial marked an Australian first: three alters of complainant LN, diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), each swore an oath and testified as separate individuals before the jury. Defence contests this procedure in six grounds of appeal. A five-hour hearing is scheduled for November before the NSW Criminal Court of Appeal.

13 July 2026 at 02:45

World

Almería wildfire: British couple found severely burned, 13 dead and 23 missing

A forest fire in Spain's Almería province has claimed at least 13 lives and left 23 people missing since July 10, 2026, according to The Guardian. A British couple on holiday was found severely burned and semi-conscious in a ravine near Bédar, then airlifted to intensive care with burns covering 40% of their body. More than 6,000 hectares have been destroyed and 1,400 people evacuated. On July 12, Andalusia's regional government declared the fire contained.

13 July 2026 at 02:34

World

Walthamstow fire: 125 firefighters tackle railway embankment blaze in East London

A fire broke out on July 12, 2026, on a railway embankment near Vallentin Road, Walthamstow (East London), mobilising approximately 125 firefighters from the London Fire Brigade (LFB). About 30 residential gardens, one house, and the rear extension of a second house were affected. The Weaver line of the London Overground, a surface railway network serving Greater London, was partially interrupted. No injuries were reported. Evacuated residents were cared for at Walthamstow Central Library.

13 July 2026 at 02:21

World

EU water pack ban from August? An MEP's claim is inaccurate

On July 1, 2026, French MEP Virginie Joron posted on X claiming that water pack handles would be banned across the EU from August 12, 2026. This claim is inaccurate. While the European Union's PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation) does come into effect on that date, water pack handles benefit from an explicit exemption in the regulation. The PPWR actually targets the plastic film wrapping around water packs, not the handles themselves. Joron's post, featuring an AI-generated image, exceeded 200,000 views. The European Commission has until February 12, 2027 to finalize the list of banned materials and exemptions.

12 July 2026 at 08:58

World

Iran launches missiles at Gulf states and closes Strait of Hormuz after ~140 US strikes

Iran launched missiles and drones against several Gulf nations on July 12, 2026, in retaliation for approximately 140 US strikes conducted overnight. Tehran simultaneously announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz "until further notice." Merchant ships were attacked in the passage, with one abandoned in flames by its crew. Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain all reported attacks or air-raid alerts. These events occur amid a theoretically active ceasefire between the US, Israel, and Iran.

12 July 2026 at 06:28

World

Typhoon Bavi: nearly 2 million people evacuated in China

According to France Info, nearly 2 million people were evacuated in China on July 11, 2026, as Typhoon Bavi approached the mainland. The typhoon previously struck Taiwan and several Japanese islands before heading toward China's eastern coasts. A Chinese state media outlet forecasts exceptionally heavy rainfall in Zhejiang and Fujian provinces, located in eastern China. The full extent of damage to territories already affected by the storm remains unknown.

11 July 2026 at 15:23

World

Parcoursup: Over 126,000 candidates without admission offers by July 11, 2026

Over 126,000 applicants registered on Parcoursup, France's university admissions platform, had not received admission offers by July 11, 2026, according to reports by franceinfo. The platform's complementary admission phase remains open until September 10, 2026, according to the same source. This information comes from a single source and has not been independently verified.

11 July 2026 at 12:23

World

Seveso, 50 Years Later: The Disaster That Transformed Industrial Regulation in Europe

Fifty years ago, on July 10, 1976, a chemical factory near Milan triggered an industrial catastrophe in Seveso, Italy, according to France Info. The accident caused extensive dioxin contamination. France Info describes this event as a pivotal moment in European environmental consciousness. According to the same source, the town of Seveso lent its name to a European directive regulating high-risk industrial activities. In 2026, the 50th anniversary of the disaster is being commemorated.

11 July 2026 at 10:41

World

Scaloni Defends Messi Before 2026 World Cup Quarterfinal Against Switzerland

Ahead of the Argentina-Switzerland quarterfinal at the 2026 World Cup, Argentina's manager Lionel Scaloni publicly defended Lionel Messi, according to franceinfo. On Friday, July 10, 2026, Scaloni told the press he does not appreciate criticism about Messi's level of play. Scaloni also stated that his team and Messi deserve an apology. Argentina and Switzerland are set to face each other in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup according to information reported by franceinfo.

11 July 2026 at 10:27

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