Saturday, July 5, 2025

BIG Wrap

Niger situation remains ‘fluid’ as army backs coup plotters

(Al Jazeera Media Network) The situation in Niger “remains fluid” a day after mutinous soldiers detained toppled President Mohamed Bazoum and announced they had seized power in a coup because of the West African country’s deteriorating security situation. Tensions remain high between supporters of the coup and people loyal to the deposed government, said Al Jazeera’s Ahmed Idris, who has reported extensively on Niger. Supporters of the coup ransacked and set fire to the headquarters of the...

Wall squats and planking better than running at lowering blood pressure, study says

(BBC News) Strength-training exercises such as wall squats or holding the plank position are among the best ways to lower blood pressure, a study suggests. Current guidance focusing mainly on walking, running, and cycling should be updated, the UK researchers say. Analysis, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, of trials involving 16,000 people found all exercise lowered high blood pressure. But wall squats and planking led to larger falls than aerobic exercise. These isometric exercises are...

What is next for Israel after Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul bill?

(Al Jazeera Media Network) A law passed by Israel’s parliament on Monday that would overhaul the judiciary and limit its powers has sent the country into uncharted territory, amid mass protests from the opposition. The new legislation, known as the “reasonableness bill”, removes the ability of the Supreme Court to strike down government decisions deemed “unreasonable”. The far-right government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, says that the judges have gotten too strong and need to be reined in,...

Spain in ‘political limbo’ after election yields no clear winner

(Al Jazeera Media Network) Spain appears headed for a hung parliament after national elections on Sunday left parties on the right and left without a clear path toward forging a new government. With 99 percent of votes counted by 11:45 p.m. (21:45 GMT) on Sunday, the conservative opposition People’s Party (PP) had 136 seats while Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s ruling Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) had 122 seats. Parties with the greatest potential to be kingmakers were...

Crimea bridge closed after fuel depot hit — Russia

(BBC News) A drone attack on an ammunition depot in Crimea has led to civilian evacuations and disrupted transport, Russian authorities have said. Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-installed governor of occupied Crimea, said Ukraine was behind the attack. Aksyonov said local residents living within five kilometres of the blast were being evacuated. Rail services across the Kerch bridge have also reportedly been halted. Earlier on Saturday, Russian authorities stopped traffic on the bridge, but then swiftly reopened it to...

U.S. soldier absent without leave in North Korea, says Pentagon

(BBC News) The Pentagon says it considers army private Travis King to be "absent without leave" in North Korea after he crossed the border during a tour. Officials admitted they had no idea of his condition or where he was being held. Earlier, the White House said the U.S. had tried to contact Pyongyang through "multiple channels" but had seen no response. PV2 King dashed across the heavily fortified border area on Tuesday. It is unclear if he...

Cluster munitions in Ukrainian hands, being deployed in field, says White House

(Al Jazeera Media Network) U.S.-supplied cluster munitions are in Ukrainian hands and being deployed in the field as part of Kyiv’s battle against Russia, White House national security spokesman John Kirby has said. “We have gotten some initial feedback from the Ukrainians, and they are using them quite effectively,” Kirby said at a news briefing. Kirby said the cluster munitions are having an impact on Russian defensive formations and manoeuvring. Ukraine has pledged to use the cluster...

U.S. soldier ‘willfully’ crossed into North Korea, says official

(Al Jazeera Media Network) A man detained in North Korea after crossing the military demarcation line separating the two Koreas is a United States soldier who entered the country “willfully and without authorization,” according to a U.S. military official. The United Nations Command, which has helped oversee the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between South Korea and North Korea since an armistice ended fighting in the 1950-1953 Korean War, said on Tuesday the individual had been taking part in...

Russia warns against Black Sea grain shipments after ending deal

(Al Jazeera Media Network) A day after pulling out of the wartime grain deal and renewing global fears over food security, the Kremlin has warned that shipping grain out of Ukrainian Black Sea ports could be risky in the absence of Russian security guarantees, claiming Ukraine uses the waters for military activities. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov issued the warning on Tuesday, amid suggestions that Turkey could step in to protect Ukrainian grain shipments. The Black Sea grain deal brokered by...

Tunisia and EU finalize deal on migration

(Al Jazeera Media Network) The European Union and Tunisia have signed a memorandum of understanding for a “strategic and comprehensive partnership” aimed at combatting irregular migration and boosting economic ties between the bloc and the North African country, which lies on a major route for migrants and refugees travelling to Europe. European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held renewed talks with Tunisian President Kais...