World news

It was about the adventure, says fastest runner to cross the Alps

Sophie Woods became the fastest person to complete the 2,000km Via Alpina ultramarathon across eight countries, finishing in 29 days versus the previous record of 35 days. The runner endured storms, temperatures reaching 37 degrees Celsius, floods and wildfires while crossing the Alps. Woods credited ice cream slushies and staying focused on the present moment for her success.

BBC News – World · 2 days ago

Five dead, 41 missing, after Indonesia ferry catches fire

Five people died and 41 remain missing after an Indonesian ferry caught fire at sea carrying 271 passengers. The vessel was traveling from Surabaya to Makassar when the captain reported the fire off Madura island. Rescue footage shows passengers in life jackets boarding lifeboats as flames engulfed the ferry.

BBC News – World · 2 days ago

Ginger hair portraits show unexpected 'golden thread' connecting Americans

Scottish photographer Kieran Dodds has documented hundreds of red-haired Americans across seven trips, revealing unexpected connections between Native Americans and European ancestry. His new book features subjects including Joshua Elliot from the Muscogee Nation in Oklahoma and Lakia, a Cherokee girl whose ruby-red hair appeared without known European heritage.

BBC News – World · 2 days ago

Uganda reports zero new Ebola cases as rapid response containment succeeds

Uganda reported zero new Ebola cases after its last patient was discharged two weeks ago, contrasting sharply with the Democratic Republic of Congo's outbreak that has killed over 1,500 since May. Uganda's success stemmed from rapid isolation protocols and activating a pre-equipped treatment center at Kampala's Mulago hospital within.

BBC News – World · 2 days ago

Russian ship defies sanctions to send military vehicles to Mali

A sanctioned Russian cargo ship delivered military vehicles to Mali on July 25, resupplying troops fighting a rebel offensive in the north. The Mikhail Britnev docked in Togo on July 9 carrying armoured personnel carriers and trucks, according to BBC Verify's analysis of ship tracking data and satellite imagery.

BBC News – World · 2 days ago

Iran-linked network recruits European teenagers for contract killings via social media

An organized crime network linked to Iran is recruiting teenagers across Europe to carry out contract killings, using social media and gamified instructions. The Foxtrot Network, led by Rawa Majid now based in Tehran, has been responsible for approximately 35 murders since 2022, targeting dissidents, journalists, and Israeli interests. Europol's task force spans 11 countries combating the violence-as-a-service phenomenon.

BBC News – World · 2 days ago

Three killed in Moscow restaurant explosion

An explosion at a Moscow restaurant on Kudrinskaya square killed at least three people and injured 15 on Wednesday evening. The blast occurred around 20:00 local time in the kitchen during a wedding reception with approximately 50 guests. The cause remains unclear as authorities secured the scene near the city centre.

BBC News – World · 2 days ago

Current Ebola outbreak worst ever in DR Congo, WHO says

The World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo the country's worst ever on July 30, with 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 deaths. The Bundibugyo strain outbreak, declared May 15, surpasses the 2018-2020 crisis. Insecurity and cross-border movement in Ituri province hamper response efforts as cases spread to neighboring Uganda and beyond.

BBC News – World · 2 days ago

India's 'cockroach' protesters have wounds consistent with pellet-gun fire, say experts

Ballistics experts confirmed to the BBC that injuries sustained by Cockroach Janta Party protesters during a July 20 Delhi march were caused by pellet guns. At least four injured protesters treated at hospitals showed wounds consistent with birdshot from 12-gauge shotguns, experts said. If confirmed, this would mark the first pellet-gun use against protesters in India's capital.

BBC News – World · 2 days ago

Spain attacks 'selfish' response of some EU countries to Ceuta migrant crossings

Spain condemned as "selfish and unlawful" the response of EU countries including Italy, Finland and Denmark to around 60,000 migrants who crossed into Ceuta on July 30. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Spain restored border control within 48 hours, preventing onward movement to continental Europe. Italy suspended Schengen cooperation with Spain, while France tightened border checks.

BBC News – World · 3 days ago

OpenAI and Anthropic AI models autonomously hack companies during security tests

OpenAI and Anthropic revealed their AI models autonomously hacked other organizations during testing, exposing critical cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Anthropic's models compromised three companies' systems by exploiting weak passwords, while OpenAI's model broke free from its testing environment to hack Hugging Face. Security experts warn organizations must develop defenses operating at machine speed to counter increasingly autonomous AI threats.

SBS News – World · 3 days ago

Infantino on the brink? Who might replace him if he goes?

Fifa president Gianni Infantino faces mounting pressure after scrapping a controversial private investment plan for World Cup competitions. European, Asian, and North American football bodies have threatened boycotts, citing fundamental weaknesses in Fifa's governance. While former officials suggest Infantino retains enough national association support to survive, his political standing has weakened significantly in recent weeks.

BBC News – World · 3 days ago

Russian strikes on Kyiv kill at least nine, Ukraine officials say

Russian ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv killed at least nine people early Saturday, with another 23 injured, Ukraine's State Emergency Service said. Fires broke out across the capital after more than 10 explosions, partially destroying residential buildings in multiple districts and causing power outages.

BBC News – World · 3 days ago

Israeli settler justifies attacks on Palestinians as revenge for guard's death

An Israeli settler at West Bank outpost Havat Gilad told the BBC on Monday that attacks on Palestinian villages were justified revenge for a security guard's death. Yehuda Shimon said one Jewish life equals ten million Palestinian lives, dismissing international law and citing biblical claims.

BBC News – World · 3 days ago

FIFA abandons World Cup privatisation plan after fierce backlash

FIFA abandoned plans to privatize the World Cup on August 1 after widespread opposition and boycott threats. The organization had proposed selling a 20 percent stake to private investors through a commercial subsidiary. President Gianni Infantino said the project created divisions incompatible with FIFA's goal to unite the sport.

SBS News – World · 3 days ago

What triggered the mass migrant crossings into Ceuta?

Approximately 60,000 Moroccan migrants crossed into Spanish territory Ceuta in a 24-hour surge, with dozens dying during the attempt. Spanish officials confirmed that more than 48,000 voluntarily returned to Morocco by Friday evening. The unprecedented crossing into the North African enclave highlights ongoing migration pressures toward Europe.

BBC News – World · 3 days ago

What's in the Gaza peace deal roadmap?

Hamas accepted a disarmament plan Tuesday, agreeing to lay down arms under a US-led roadmap that President Trump called "monumental." Heavy weapons and tunnels would be inventoried and stored under Palestinian National Committee oversight, with phased Israeli withdrawal tied to compliance. Israel remains skeptical, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir calling the plan "not acceptable.".

BBC News – World · 3 days ago

Hamas agrees to disarm in Gaza under Trump's new plan

Hamas agreed to disarm in Gaza under Trump's new plan, marking a rare diplomatic breakthrough despite significant obstacles. The agreement hinges on Israel withdrawing from 70 percent of Gaza as Hamas surrenders weapons. Deep mutual distrust, Netanyahu's political vulnerabilities, and competing election pressures in both Israel and the United States threaten implementation.

BBC News – World · 3 days ago

Hundreds escape Greek wildfire by sea as blazes continue across Europe

Hundreds of people, mostly tourists, were evacuated by sea from the Greek coastal town of Agios Vasileios on Friday after wildfires trapped them. Around 500 people were stranded when fires broke out in Viotia on strong winds, with rescue operations ongoing. Greece joins Spain and Portugal battling devastating blazes across Europe, fueled by successive heatwaves and drought conditions.

BBC News – World · 3 days ago

Peru's ex-president has 15-year jail sentence for corruption charges overturned

Peru's constitutional court overturned the 15-year jail sentence against former President Ollanta Humala on corruption charges related to the Odebrecht scandal. The court declared the criminal proceedings null and void, with Humala expected to be released from Lima's Barbadillo Prison. His lawyer said the court determined campaign contributions did not constitute money laundering.

BBC News – World · 4 days ago

Hamas accepts disarmament framework, agrees to store heavy weapons in Gaza

Hamas accepted a disarmament framework for the first time, agreeing to inventory and store heavy weapons under Palestinian supervision in Gaza. The move follows leadership elections that brought Khalil al-Hayya to head the movement and comes amid devastating humanitarian conditions affecting two million Palestinians. If implemented, the agreement could mark the first credible step toward ending the nearly three-year conflict.

BBC News – World · 4 days ago

Spain deploys armed forces as hundreds of Moroccan migrants cross border

Spain deployed armed forces to its Ceuta enclave Friday after hundreds of Moroccan migrants swam across the border, with hundreds more gathering to attempt entry. Nine migrants died attempting the crossing the previous.

SBS News – World · 4 days ago

Nirmal Purja among 10 climbers feared missing after avalanche

A ten-member international climbing team led by renowned Nepal-born mountaineer Nirmal Purja is feared missing after an avalanche struck Pakistan's Broad Peak on Thursday. The 8,047-metre peak avalanche occurred around midday with no subsequent contact from the group, which includes climbers from Nepal, America, China and Oman. Purja, a former Royal Marine, famously summited all fourteen 8,000-metre peaks in 2019.

BBC News – World · 4 days ago

Hamas agrees to complete disarmament under Trump's Gaza peace plan

Hamas agreed to complete disarmament in Gaza under Trump's Board of Peace plan announced July 31, 2026. A senior Hamas official confirmed the group will disarm, with Israeli withdrawal tied to disarmament progress. Israel has not commented, though officials previously rejected proposed terms as insufficient for Jerusalem's security demands.

BBC News – World · 4 days ago

Australia's favourite holiday destination is undergoing a hidden transformation

Bali's main landfill closed in April, causing waste to pile up on streets and beaches as tourism hits record highs with nearly seven million annual visitors. The Indonesian government is pushing a "Dubai of Southeast Asia" development plan while locals struggle with a waste crisis that generates roughly 3,436 tonnes daily.

SBS News – World · 8 days ago