Ukraine: massive drone attack repelled
On 31 July Ukraine repelled one of Russia's most massive attacks since the war began, shooting down 89 Iranian-designed explosive drones and a missile, primarily targeting Kyiv. Despite debris damage to buildings, there were no casualties. This attack comes 29 months into Russia's invasion, with daily bombardments straining Ukraine's air defences. Russia claims it only targets military and energy sites, but residential areas are frequently hit. Volodymyr Zelensky stressed the need for sufficient air defence supplies to protect against Russian strikes and called for faster deliveries of systems like the US-made Patriots. Meanwhile, Ukraine struck a weapons depot in Russia's Kursk region, causing a fire. Russia's slow advance continues, with small gains reported in July, capturing eight villages in north-east, eastern, and southern Ukraine.
Top Hamas leader killed
On 31 July Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, along with his bodyguard, was killed in an airstrike in Iran, an act labelled a ‘severe escalation’ by the Palestinian terror group. His death came hours after he attended a swearing-in ceremony for new president Masoud Pezeshkian. Pezeshkian vowed to defend Iran's integrity and retaliate against the perpetrators. This assassination, attributed to Israel, follows the killing of Hezbollah’s top military leader in Beirut; Israel claimed that he was responsible for a rocket attack on 27 July which killed twelve people, mainly children. Haniyeh, based in Qatar and the face of Hamas’ international diplomacy, was the highest-ranking official killed since the conflict began; his three sons have also been killed.
Venezuela: calls for transparency after disputed election result
Colombian president Gustavo Petro has urged a ‘transparent vote count’ in Venezuela amid mass protests following the disputed re-election of Nicolas Maduro. Petro, aiming to improve Colombia-Venezuela relations, emphasised the need for peace and professional international supervision to address the unrest and prevent further violence. He called on Maduro to honor Hugo Chavez’s legacy by ensuring a peaceful election process and accepting the true results. This follows the electoral council’s announcement of Maduro’s victory with 51% support over opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez’s 44%. The opposition claims fraud, asserting Gonzalez actually won. Protests in Caracas and other cities have met with police force, resulting in at least eleven deaths. International observers have expressed concerns, over both the election process and the crackdown on demonstrators.
Sudan: army chief survives drone attack
Sudan's military commander, Gen Abdel-Fattah Burhan, has survived a drone attack at a military graduation ceremony which killed five people. The attack occurred as the conflict continues between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with military leaders now operating mainly in the east of the country. The drone strike followed the RSF announcement of upcoming ceasefire talks in Switzerland, hosted by the USA and Saudi Arabia. The foreign ministry expressed readiness to participate but emphasised the need to protect civilians and accused the RSF of being the only party attacking cities, villages and civilians. The UN reports that over 4.6 million people have been displaced by the conflict, with many fleeing to safer areas within Sudan or neighbouring countries.
India: 270+ dead, 180+ missing, after devastating landslides
Hopes of finding over 180 missing people alive in India's Kerala state are dwindling as rescue workers search through mud and debris after landslides, triggered by torrential rains, killed at least 194 people. This disaster is the worst since 2018. More than 5,500 people have been rescued from hillside villages, but rescue operations are hampered by ongoing rains. Nearly forty bodies were found 30 km downstream from the landslide site in Wayanad district. Most victims were tea estate workers. About 1,100 rescue personnel, helicopters, and heavy equipment are involved in the efforts. Current reports indicate up to 276 deaths from the heavy rains and flooding. Over 8,300 people are in 82 relief camps. Kerala, prone to heavy rains and landslides, received 572 mm of rain over 48 hours, far exceeding forecasts. India has witnessed extreme weather in recent years, from torrential rain and floods to droughts and cyclones, blamed by some experts on climate change.
USA: Trump questions Harris’s ethnic identity
During a convention for black journalists, Donald Trump questioned Kamala Harris' racial identity, falsely claiming that she has only recently emphasised her black heritage. Trump remarked, ‘I didn't know she was black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn black’, and questioned whether she was Indian or black. Harris, the first black and Asian-American vice-president, dismissed Trump's remarks as divisive and disrespectful, emphasising that America's diversity is a strength. Her parents are Indian and Jamaican, and she attended Howard University and joined the Congressional Black Caucus in 2017. One critic asked, ‘Who appointed Donald Trump the arbiter of Blackness?’ He has a history of racially charged attacks, including false claims about Barack Obama's birthplace and questioning Nikki Haley's eligibility for presidency. Harris has faced a series of attacks since becoming the Democratic nominee: some Republicans have labelled her a ‘DEI vice-president’ - a reference to diversity, equity, and inclusion programmes.