Netanyahu Rejects Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan and Sets Disarmament Condition
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that Israel rejects the 15-point Gaza peace plan put forward by Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, declaring that Israeli forces will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is “genuinely” disarmed. The statement, made at a cabinet meeting, marks a rare public break with the US president, who had said little over a week earlier that his Board of Peace had reached a “historic” agreement with Hamas for the group to surrender its weapons. Netanyahu said he was confronting “a wave of rumours about Israeli weakness and Israeli withdrawal,” and insisted there would be no pull-out until Hamas disarmament was real.
In the same remarks, Netanyahu vowed once again to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, stating that this policy will continue “with an agreement or without an agreement, as long as I am prime minister.” His rejection of the US‑backed roadmap means the plan is not being pursued while Israel maintains the condition that Hamas be disarmed before any withdrawal.
Hunter Biden Says Father’s Prostate Cancer Has Spread to Bones
Hunter Biden has said that former President Joe Biden’s prostate cancer has spread further and is now in his bones, causing pain that he described as “very debilitating.” In an emotional BBC interview broadcast late on Friday, the younger Biden said it was “very sad to watch” his father’s physical decline, while noting that the former president continues to speak out on public issues.
Hunter Biden also addressed the pardon he received from his father, saying it was “not good” for the United States or for Joe Biden’s legacy, and denied any interest in running for office himself.
Houthis Claim Saudi Aramco Refinery Strike as Regional Tensions Rise
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis claimed responsibility for an attack on Saudi Aramco’s Jazan refinery on Sunday, the latest escalation since the 2022 truce in Yemen appeared to collapse last month. The drone strike came two days after Saudi Arabia signed a defence pact with Turkey and Pakistan, and as Iran and the United States remain at odds over the terms for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restarting negotiations.
The same day, Houthi strikes on the Yemeni port city of Mokha killed at least 11 people, according to a medical source. The attacks come as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed amid the diplomatic stand‑off.
British Columbia Declares Emergency as Wildfire Forces Mass Evacuations
Authorities in British Columbia have declared a state of emergency after a fast-moving wildfire forced nearly 22,000 people to evacuate and put another 9,700 on alert to flee. The blaze erupted on Friday and nearly doubled in size overnight into Saturday; one official described it as “like a bomb going off.” Premier David Eby announced the emergency measures as crews battle the flames in the Okanagan Valley. National police are investigating a possible death near Summerland, though the casualty has not been confirmed.
Demi Vollering Wins Second Tour de France Femmes Title
Dutch cyclist Demi Vollering sealed her second Tour de France Femmes title by winning the final stage on the Col d’Èze above Nice, finishing one minute and 18 seconds ahead of former champion Kasia Niewiadoma. Vollering had seized the yellow jersey on the penultimate stage with a dramatic late break in Nice, leaving only the closing day’s racing to decide the overall outcome.
Despite the decisive margin, a tactics row continued to overshadow the race. Niewiadoma, who finished second, said afterwards, “I know what’s right and what’s not,” signalling lingering discontent over the strategy that shaped the final stages.
Alleged Crime Boss Daniel Kinahan Extradited From Dubai to Ireland
Daniel Kinahan, the alleged leader of the Kinahan organised crime group, was extradited from the United Arab Emirates to Ireland on Sunday aboard an Irish government jet. He landed in Dublin and was taken in a bomb-proof van to the Criminal Courts of Justice to face trial, a decade after he fled into exile following an assassination attempt. Irish authorities accuse him of leading a family-run transnational crime syndicate.
Trump Names Will Scharf as New White House Counsel
President Donald Trump has named Will Scharf, his current staff secretary, as the next White House counsel and assistant to the president, effective 1 September. Scharf will replace David Warrington, who is leaving the administration to join the private sector. Scharf, a deeply conservative lawyer, recently helped secure approval for a $400 million White House ballroom project.
Puerto Rico Begins Water Rationing During Severe Drought
Puerto Rico’s government has begun cutting water service to homes this week as a severe drought exposes major weaknesses in the island’s water delivery infrastructure. The rationing has drawn growing public anger, with residents complaining that supplies have dried up even as authorities try to manage the shortage.
Travelodge Staff Gave Domestic Abuser Key to Victim’s Room
A woman staying at a London Travelodge to escape a violent partner was assaulted after hotel staff gave the man a key to her room, she told the BBC. The man followed her to the hotel, was handed a key by reception without her consent, kicked the door “off its hinges” and attacked her. The incident is the latest in which the chain has been accused of giving room keys to men without first checking with the female guest.
Harry Potter Fans Force Reroute of UK-Ireland Power Cable
A £430 million undersea power cable linking Britain and Ireland has been rerouted after Harry Potter fans objected that the original path would run beneath a memorial to Dobby, the fictional house-elf, on Freshwater West beach in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The new route passes near Bronze Age human burial remains. The issue gained attention after a project manager said in a BBC interview that cables would go under the Dobby “grave.”
Former NBA Coach and Champion Don Nelson Dies at 86
Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history and a five-time champion as a player with the Boston Celtics, has died at the age of 86. His family said he “peacefully went to be with the Lord” on Sunday morning. Nelson won titles with Boston in the 1960s and 70s, later coached the Milwaukee Bucks, Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors, and helped develop stars including Dirk Nowitzki and Stephen Curry.