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Latest news bulletin | July 31st, 2026 – Midday

Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this July 31st, 2026 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.

Why Japanese stealth fighters over Australia signal a strategic pivot against China

Japanese F-35A stealth fighters are flying training missions over Australia for the first time in Exercise Pitch Black – part of a broader defence pivot that experts say could bolster US and allied resilience against Beijing in a Taiwan contingency. The multinational exercise, held every two years and featuring around 100 aircraft, runs from July 20 to August 7. It comes just days after Japanese, ...

Chinese PTSD survivor finds healing through volunteering 15 years after devastating train crash

A young survivor of a catastrophic train collision 15 years ago has grown up to become a volunteer who gives hope to many inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients like her. Mengjun, 28, was diagnosed with IBD when she was graduating from senior secondary school. She said she was the “one unlucky person in 30,000” in China. She also has a more breathtaking identity: a survivor of the devastating 2...

A Massachusetts mother helped save one of America's dirtiest rivers

Scientists say massive Pacific Ring of Fire eruptions may have cooled Earth for centuries

Large volcanic eruptions from the Pacific Ring of Fire influenced past climate. These eruptions correlate with major glacial advances and cold spells. Over eighty percent of glacial advances occurred near significant eruptions. Volcanic sulphur aerosols cause atmospheric cooling and reduce solar radiation. These eruptions may have intensified the 8.2 ka cold event.

Prepare, don't just react: EU advisers warn after 16,000 excess deaths due to heatwaves

As Europe counts over 16,000 excess deaths due to this summer’s soaring temperatures, the European Union’s health security committee is calling for a fundamental shift in how governments prepare for heatwaves — moving away from reacting to emergencies towards systematic, long-term planning.

Japan earthquake: Number of dead rises as thousands remain in shelters

The number of people killed in Japan's earthquake has risen to 34 - as 9,000 remain in temporary shelters in searing heat.

Japan earthquake: Death toll rises as thousands remain in shelters

The number dead in Japan's earthquake has risen to 34 - as 9,000 remain in temporary shelters in searing heat.

九州新幹線 熊本～新水俣間「8月中の運転再開は困難」JR九州

JR九州によりますと、九州新幹線は、運転を見合わせている熊本駅から鹿児島中央駅の間のうち、熊本駅と新水俣駅の間で線路や橋りょうに大きな破損が確認されたということです。このためこの区間については、8月中に運転を再開することは困難だと発表しました。一方、新水俣駅と鹿児島中央駅の区間は現在、運転再開に向けた検討を進めているということです。

Renowned Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja among missing climbers after avalanche on Broad Peak

Nepal’s Nirmal Purja, who led the expedition of 10 climbers, set a world record in 2019, becoming the first person ever to climb all 14 of the world’s highest peaks surpassing the 8,000 metre mark, in just 189 days.

A wild Himalayan spice is helping 200 families protect 100 sq km of forest while generating an income of Rs 39 lakh

Indigenous communities in Arunachal Pradesh are now earning livelihoods from a native spice. This wild Himalayan spice, known locally as Khagi, is helping over two hundred families. The community-led system for harvesting and marketing the spice supports forest patrols and biodiversity monitoring. This initiative provides a direct economic incentive for people to protect their forests and agricu...

Italy World Cup winner and AC Milan legend Franco Baresi dies aged 66

Franco Baresi, who won the World Cup with Italy and was regarded as one of football's finest defenders, dies aged 66.

「国家情報会議」設置で初会合 情報収集の戦略策定を確認か

インテリジェンス機能の司令塔となる「国家情報局」が7月31日に設置されました。政府は、高市総理大臣を議長に関係閣僚で構成する「国家情報会議」の初会合を開き、情報収集の指針となる初めての戦略を策定する方針を確認したものとみられます。

AFC backs UEFA and CONCACAF who plan boycott over FIFA World Cup proposals

FIFA face global mutiny as Asian Football Confederation stand with Europe and North America after their boycott threats.

About 49,000 migrants enter Spanish territory of Ceuta, officials say

The estimated number of arrivals is more than half of the population of the city, which is about 83,600.

Indian national in US on visitor visa jailed for $3.7 million fraud scheme targeting elders

FIFA World Cup plan fallout: Infantino’s senior adviser Cordeiro resigns

Pressure is growing on FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino following proposals for private investment in World Cups.

FIFA World Cup plan fallout: Infantino’s senior adviser, Cordeiro, resigns

Pressure is growing on FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino following proposals for private investment in World Cups.

熊本 被災地でガソリンの需要が急増 出荷状況は

停電などの影響で車中泊をする人もいるなか、被災地ではガソリンの需要が急増しています。石油元売り各社では近隣の県からガソリンを運ぶなどして供給を増やしていますが、被災して休業しているガソリンスタンドもあり、一部の店舗では車の行列ができています。

Rescue operation underway in Pakistan after coal mine collapses

In Pakistan an explosion at a coal mine over a kilometre below ground has killed at least 34 workers. Rescuers have searched through the night for missing miners, two of whom remain. Inspectors say methane gas caused the powerful blast, which damaged two adjacent mines. Balochistan is Pakistan's poorest province, but it's rich in resources - and mining accidents are common.

Sainsbury’s to sell Argos to three retail veterans in £120m deal

Trio set up Swift Partners for the acquisition, allowing supermarket to focus on core food businessSainsbury’s has agreed to sell the Argos retail chain for £120m to allow it to concentrate on its core food business.The supermarket announced on Friday it was selling the catalogue shopping business to a trio of retail veterans, a decade after buying the company for more than £1bn. Continue reading....

How Greece’s ‘door visa’ gives Turkish visitors easier entry to islands in the EU

Launched in 2024, the visa-on-arrival scheme covers 12 Greek islands in the Aegean Sea. Nearly 1.5 million Turks visited Greece in 2025, up from 1.2 million the previous year.

AI labels to be compulsory on authentic-looking content under EU rules

Companies must ensure people know when they are interacting with artificially generated images, audio and text designed to look realFrom apparently conspiring to steal elections to abusing staff or performing embarrassing dance moves, the last few years have seen plenty of fake content made about politicians intended to malign its targets and mislead the public.Now EU rules aim to stem the flood o...

Giant lifelike sculptures bring art closer to Chicago crowds

Carole Feuerman's hyperrealistic sculptures transform Chicago's Magnificent Mile into an open-air gallery, inviting visitors to interact with public art.

Archaeologists discovered Spain's oldest known Roman library inside a villa in Córdoba

Archaeologists identified a room at Fuente Álamo as the oldest Roman library. This space was previously thought to be a shrine to the god Mithras. The library's architecture matches known Roman library designs and is the westernmost in the empire. Its discovery highlights the cultural ambitions of its wealthy owner. This finding offers a unique glimpse into Roman intellectual life in Baetica.