International
BREAKING: 29 Palestinians Killed, One Severely Injured In Israel As Violence Escalates
Israel and Gaza militants have traded heavy fire on Thursday, the third day of the worst escalation of violence in months, which has killed 29 people in the blockaded Palestinian enclave and one in Israel.
Air strikes by the Israeli army since Tuesday have killed fighters as well as civilians, including several children, said officials in the crowded coastal territory.
Rocket fire from the Gaza Strip killed one person in the central Israeli city of Rehovot and injured at least two others, Israeli police said. Three others sustained shrapnel injuries elsewhere in Israel.
Cairo was mediating efforts towards a truce between Israel and the Islamic Jihad militant group, while European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called for “an immediate comprehensive ceasefire”.
The United States stopped short of a clear call for a truce, but State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said the casualties were “tragic and heartbreaking”, while urging that steps be “taken to ensure that violence is reduced”.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said “the bloodletting must end now”, and the UN warned of “a negative impact on an already difficult humanitarian situation in Gaza”.
A source close to Islamic Jihad later disclosed that “a final formula for a ceasefire” was said to be under discussion in Egypt.
The Israeli army, however, said just before midnight (2100 GMT) that it was continuing to strike Islamic Jihad targets.
Gaza militants have fired 620 rockets at Israel since Wednesday, the military said, adding that 179 had been intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defence system.
The army said 25 percent of rockets fired from Gaza fell into the territory itself, killing four people, including three minors. AFP could not immediately obtain confirmation from Islamic Jihad or Hamas.
Shops in Gaza were shuttered and the streets largely abandoned as Israeli military aircraft circled the territory, where several buildings lay in ruins.
Islamic Jihad confirmed it had lost five military leaders in strikes in recent days, including Ahmed Abu Deka — the deputy of Ali Ghali, commander of a rocket launch unit, who was also killed by Israel on Thursday.
AFP
International
Trump threatens Iran bridges, power plant in latest Hormuz attacks
Trump told reporters that he was “not finished” with a war that has already cost Washington $37.5 billion.
US President Donald Trump threatened on Wednesday to bomb Iranian bridge or power plant each time Theran attack ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest round of escalation began on July 18.
Trump told reporters that he was “not finished” with a war that has already cost Washington $37.5 billion.
Fighting over the strait led to the collapse of a preliminary deal between the United States and Iran, and Tehran has reimposed its blockade on the strategic conduit for oil and gas shipments, firing on vessels that seek to transit.
The blockade has rattled markets and sent oil prices climbing, adding to the pressure on Trump to find an off-ramp to a conflict that has hit Americans’ pocketbooks heading into closely-fought midterm elections.
International
Zelensky sacks Ukraine’s top army commander after days of protests
Syrskyi was replaced by Mykhailo Drapatyi, 43, who is a popular, battle-hardened general.
•Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the country’s army commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi.
It comes just days after the removal of popular Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov – a move that triggered street protests across the country.Initial rumours that the end of Fedorov’s tenure was related to a conflict between him and Syrskyi were soon confirmed.
Fedorov, 35, has been widely praised for energising the ministry and transforming the armed forces, as well as leading a drive against corruption.
Syrskyi, 60, is seen by many in Ukraine as a Soviet-school commander reluctant to implement radical changes in the army.
Syrskyi defended his record in a farewell address, writing on Telegram: “An army that was fighting a difficult defensive campaign two years ago is now on the offensive.””I am handing over to my successor an army that is not only holding the line but is advancing… I sincerely hope this offensive will continue.”
Syrskyi was replaced by Mykhailo Drapatyi, 43, who is a popular, battle-hardened general.
” I will work responsibly, with full focus, and with respect for the people who are defending our country today,” Drapatyi said on Facebook
BBC
International
Burnham becomes PM, vows 10-year plan to stabilise UK
The 56-year-old is the sixth prime minister to enter Downing Street in the last 10 years.
•Incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham poses with Britain’s King Charles III on July 20, 2026 (Photo by Aaron Chown / POOL / AFP).
Andy Burnham became British prime minister Monday after meeting King Charles III at Buckingham Palace and was set to set out his vision for the country after taking over from Keir Starmer.
In his first speech, Burnham vowed to put forward a 10-year plan for Britain, saying the country needed to make politics work.
“Britain needs to show the world that we can regain our stability once again,” Burnham said just after being appointed by King Charles III to take over from Keir Starmer.
He pledged to “issue my first instruction to end rough sleeping in our country” once he starts work.
Starmer departed Downing Street on Monday morning, insisting in a farewell speech his two years in office had made Britain a better place.
The monarch met Starmer to accept his resignation and Burnham arrived next for the formal procedure in which the king asked him to form the next government and he accepted.
The 56-year-old is the sixth prime minister to enter Downing Street in the last 10 years.
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