Natalie Ortiz — News & World Editor Global oil prices surpassed $90 a barrel on Monday, July 20, as the conflict between the United States and Iran intensified. The escalation, which includes a naval blockade and strikes on energy infrastructure, has disrupted transit through the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about the stability of the global energy supply. Market Surge Following Middle … Read more
Israel Police arrested several current and former Tax Authority employees on Monday following a corruption investigation into the illegal granting of approximately NIS 80 million in tax returns. The operation, led by the Lahav 433 unit. Lahav 433 Arrests and the Tax Authority Investigation The investigation centers on allegations that employees of the Israel Tax … Read more
President Donald Trump announced Sunday that the Qatari-gifted Boeing 747-8 currently serving as a stopgap Air Force One will be sent for upgrades in the coming month. The president confirmed the aircraft will be maxed out with enhanced security capabilities to match the standards of traditional presidential jets. Upgrades for the Qatari-Gifted 747-8 President Trump … Read more
India Achieves First Private Orbital Mission with Vikram-1 Launch India has reached a historic milestone in its space exploration journey as Hyderabad-based startup Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched its Vikram-1 rocket, marking the country’s first private orbital mission. The mission, officially titled Mission Aagaman, successfully placed satellites into orbit, confirming India as the third nation globally—following … Read more
The proposed hospital for the Pays d’Aubagne, budgeted at 164,5 million d’euros, faces a critical deadline. According to reports from laprovence.com, local officials must secure the necessary land at the Gargues site before autumn 2026 or risk losing essential public funding, threatening the project’s viability. Funding Risks and the Autumn 2026 Deadline The urgency surrounding … Read more
Senegal Assumes Dual Leadership at ECOWAS Summit General Birame Diop has been appointed the new president of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). His appointment was finalized during the 69th ordinary summit of the organization, held on Sunday, July 19, 2026, in Freetown, Sierra Leone. As the sole candidate for … Read more
On July 19–20, 2026, Russia launched one of the most massive ballistic missile and drone barrages of the war against Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. The assault, which killed at least eight people, coincided with Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil infrastructure and “shadow fleet” tankers in the Black Sea. Escalation of Aerial Warfare Across Ukraine … Read more
Scholars and Activists Condemn Xenophobia at Mandela Day Event The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) joined other stakeholders to condemn recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa during a public lecture commemorating the 2026 Nelson Mandela International Day. The event, held on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at … Read more
The process to select the next Secretary-General of the United Nations is officially underway, with seven candidates currently vying to succeed Antonio Guterres. The field includes five women, a notable development as the 193-member organization seeks a leader to take office following the conclusion of Guterres’ second five-year term in December 2026. The Current Field … Read more
Developing nations at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) assemblies held in Geneva from July 7 to 15, 2026, demanded that IP enforcement policies remain anchored in the WIPO Development Agenda. Member states insisted that enforcement measures must prioritize public policy objectives, including public health and access to knowledge. Developing Nations Align WIPO Advisory Committee … Read more