Here are the major world news stories making headlines on Wednesday, July 29, 2026:
1. Major 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Japan
A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit southwestern Japan, leaving at least 18 dead as search and rescue operations comb through the rubble. Structural collapses, including a shopping mall explosion, were reported in the affected region.
2. US-Saudi Joint Strikes Target Iran-Backed Militias in Iraq
Tensions in the region escalated sharply following joint air strikes by American and Saudi military forces hitting positions held by Iran-backed paramilitaries in Iraq, leaving over 20 dead.
3. Trump Meets Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Benjamin Netanyahu
US President Donald Trump hosted back-to-back White House meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Discussions centered on joint production of Patriot interceptor missiles for Ukraine and regional security strategies in West Asia.
4. Wildfires Force Mass Evacuations Across Southwest Europe
Raging wildfires fueled by extreme heat and high winds have displaced over 300,000 people across France and Spain. French authorities ordered 4,000 additional evacuations from Atlantic coast resort areas.
5. Keiko Fujimori Sworn In as President of Peru
Following a tightly contested election, Keiko Fujimori was officially inaugurated as Peru’s President alongside the swearing-in of her new cabinet.
6. US Senate Advances Sanctions Targeting Russian and Iranian Oil Buyers
In an 86–12 vote, the U.S. Senate moved forward on a major sanctions bill aimed at squeezing buyers of Russian and Iranian oil, including energy importers in India and China.
7. Russia Indicts Telegram Founder Pavel Durov
Russian authorities officially filed criminal charges against Telegram founder Pavel Durov for alleged facilitation of terrorism and placed him on the state wanted list.
8. UN Investigation Finds Aircraft Transported Arms to Sudan Paramilitary
UN experts confirmed that Boeing aircraft detailed in recent investigative reports were used to supply weaponry to Sudan’s paramilitary forces, intensifying scrutiny over foreign involvement in the Sudanese war.
9. US Walkout Hits UN Security Council Over Diplomatic Rift
A tense diplomatic row erupted between US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, leading to an unexpected US walkout during a UN Security Council session.
10. Curfew Extended in Border Areas of Nepal Amid Unrest
Authorities in Nepal declared an indefinite extension of the curfew across key border districts following violent clashes, as Prime Minister Shah expressed deep grief over the loss of life.
