WorldRussia is systematically taking tens of thousands of homes in four regions of Ukraine that it illegally annexed: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. BBC-reviewed documents indicate that 34,000 properties have already been seized or marked for confiscation. The homes are intended for Russian passport holders. Olga Robinson of BBC Verify explains how the Kremlin has used this policy as part of its strategy of “Russification” in occupied Ukraine.
BBC News
TechThe US Army is seeking to accelerate the path for new weapons to reach the battlefield. The Pentagon plans to open five military ranges to private industry for testing drones, counter-drone systems, long-range missiles, low-cost air-defense interceptors and other weapons. US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll discussed the effort with Bloomberg Television’s Tyler Kendall.
Bloomberg Television
HealthThe Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing its largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded. Its unprecedented nature is linked not only to the scale, but also to the fact that it went undetected for months before being correctly identified. Heather Kerr, the International Rescue Committee’s country director for Congo, says delayed diagnosis and the difficulty of distinguishing the Bundibugyo strain from common illnesses have hindered the response. The operational environment, active conflict and armed groups have compounded those obstacles.
CultureThe UK is marking 50 years since punk emerged during the long hot summer of 1976. More than 300 punk bands have gathered in Blackpool for the Rebellion Festival. The event began in the 1990s, when punk was starting to fade from history. Three decades later, Britons now in their 60s are revisiting the movement and rediscovering their disreputable past.
BBC News
WorldTürkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed a trilateral defence agreement intended to strengthen security ties among the three countries. The deal was concluded in Mecca during talks involving Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Mohammed bin Salman and Shehbaz Sharif. Saudi foreign-policy analyst Aziz Alghashian offers his assessment.
CultureMusic fans are weighing the contenders for the 2026 song of the summer. Jem Aswad, Variety’s executive music editor, discusses what he believes makes a hit stand out as the defining song of the season.
WorldSaudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan have signed a landmark defence agreement intended to deepen military cooperation and collective security. The pact was concluded in Mecca by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. It commits the three countries to closer defence coordination and joint deterrence against external aggression. The agreement comes as regional tensions are heightened, including conflict involving Iran.
SportsSingapore reached the ASEAN Hyundai Cup semi-finals after drawing 1-1 at home with Indonesia. Ragnar Oratmangoen put Indonesia ahead in the 47th minute before Ilhan Fandi equalised. Singapore avoided going down to 10 men when Song Ui-young’s second-yellow red card was overturned after a VAR review.
SportsResidents and visitors in Paris are heading to the Seine to try electric foil surfing. The emerging water sport gives participants the sensation of gliding above the river. It is becoming a new attraction in the French capital, where the activity is making waves among people looking for a different way to enjoy the city’s waterways.
Reuters
SocietyFootage filmed by a civil servant shows capybaras calmly wandering through the entrance hall of the legislative assembly building in Mato Grosso, Brazil.
HealthThe Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has exceeded 4,000 cases for the first time. Authorities monitored nearly 200 people after the death of someone suspected of having Ebola.
WorldThe number of Palestinian minors held by Israel in administrative detention rose sharply from 103 in January 2025 to 191 in March 2026, according to Israel Prison Service data obtained by Parents Against Child Detention. Child rights advocate Ayed Abu Eqtaish comments on the increase.
SocietyMichael Simpson, a former member of Florida’s boating safety task force, has been charged with attempted second-degree murder. He is accused of cutting off a teenage diver’s air supply during a confrontation over lobster hunting. The alleged incident involved the diver while the dispute was unfolding in Florida. Simpson now faces a criminal charge tied to the confrontation.
SocietySquishy toys have become a social-media sensation, including NeeDohs and other popular fidget products. Experts are warning parents about possible safety hazards linked to the trend. Counterfeit versions may contain dangerous chemicals. Heating or microwaving the toys could also cause a hazardous explosion.
WorldA Thai teenager fatally shot at least five people at a school outside Bangkok before taking his own life. Students sought cover during the shooting. The teenager had also killed his grandparents at home beforehand. The incident is described as Thailand’s worst mass killing since 2022.
Reuters
EconomyThis week’s major market stories include BP reporting a huge profit and Toyota moving quickly. Toyota also raised its forecast, making the automaker another key focus of the week’s business news.
Reuters
WorldUS Vice President JD Vance called Iranians “extraordinarily difficult people” and said reaching any nuclear agreement would take time. He described Iran as having a “fractured system” made up of people who want peace and “crazy radicals who want the war to continue.” Julia Roknifard from Taylor’s University provided analysis of the situation.
EconomyGold prices reached unprecedented highs in 2026. Global instability and declining confidence in the US dollar have driven the rise and encouraged countries to increase their reserves. Once banned for private ownership in several countries, gold has become a key pillar of modern finance.
BBC Chinese
PoliticsColombian President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella is due to take office on August 8. He has promised to wage war on drug gangs and move closer to the United States. The former lawyer won June’s run-off by less than one percentage point. A right-wing populist compared with Nayib Bukele and Javier Milei, he is set to be sworn in at an unusual location.
SocietySingapore’s Parliament is considering an anti-scam bill that could treat people who sell or rent social media and messaging accounts as accomplices, with caning potentially imposed. A separate road-traffic amendment bans holding a phone while driving, while lawmakers question whether operating mounted devices is equally distracting. An office “25” dress guide has also sparked debate over shorts at work and professional image.
WorldUganda is moving towards a worsening hunger crisis as a drought described as the country’s worst in decades destroys crops. Farmers report that months of little or no rain have severely damaged harvests since planting began. The prolonged lack of rainfall is putting food supplies under growing strain.
CultureNigerian artist Emmanuel Olatunde is reimagining portrait painting in his Lagos studio. He uses clay drawn from the earth beneath his feet and converts the natural material into paint. The 39-year-old artist developed this distinctive technique by combining his scientific background with his passion for art. His work turns an everyday substance into detailed artistic creations.
WorldSaudi Arabia warns that Iraqi factions and Yemen’s Houthis could carry out coordinated attacks. A senior official says the kingdom’s energy facilities are likely targets. Retired Lieutenant General Ghulam Mustafa discusses the Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan summit. He also examines emerging regional security cooperation. The warning comes amid concern over a wider regional threat.
WorldBloomberg Television’s “The Asia Trade” broadcasts live from Tokyo and Sydney ahead of the Asian trading day. The program highlights a report from Fars that Iran struck what it called “hostile targets” in the Strait of Hormuz. Markets in Asia are expected to open mixed as concern over tensions involving the United States and Iran weighs on sentiment. The yen has weakened beyond 158, adding a currency-market focus to the program’s coverage.
Bloomberg Television