News in focus: Large forest fire near Madrid out of control

A major wildfire near Madrid has grown beyond control, destroying over 13,000 hectares of land, equivalent to more than 18,000 football fields, as authorities struggle to contain the blaze. The fire, located in the province of Guadalajara, continues to spread despite efforts by more than 500 personnel, including soldiers and 25 aerial firefighting units, working to create firebreaks. Helicopters have been continuously deployed to drop water on the flames. Officials confirmed that the fire has remained away from nearby settlements, though 20 communities with approximately 800 residents were evacuated as a precaution. The ongoing drought and low humidity levels have heightened the risk of wildfires across much of Spain, with climate change increasing the likelihood of prolonged dry and hot periods, particularly in the Mediterranean region. The situation worsened further with reports of a Russian air strike targeting the southern Ukrainian city of Saporischschya, resulting in at least two deaths and over 40 injuries, including eight children. Ukrainian emergency services shared the information through social media, indicating that the attack involved guided bombs, which struck a five-story residential building. This follows previous attacks on the area, including one recorded on July 10, 2026. Russia’s military responded by stating that Ukrainian forces had launched more than 400 drones toward Moscow, most of which were neutralized. In Britain, King Charles III has appointed Andy Burnham as the new prime minister, marking the seventh government leader within ten years. Burnham, who previously served as mayor of Greater Manchester, was selected by the ruling Labour Party after former leader Keir Starmer resigned following poor poll numbers and a significant defeat in local elections. Burnham pledged during his inauguration speech to pursue a “new path” in addressing the country’s major challenges. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has urged his Republican party to include Iran in a proposed sanctions package targeting Russia. This aligns with the late Senator Lindsey Graham’s earlier advocacy. The Senate has been debating the legislation for over a year, with revised proposals recently introduced by both Republican and Democratic senators. The measure would impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on the largest buyers of Russian oil and gas, primarily targeting China and India. Exceptions could be granted to countries importing less than 15 percent of Russia’s exported natural gas, provided they take “significant measures” to reduce such purchases. In northern Mali, a coordinated attack by jihadists and Tuareg separatists on a military convoy resulted in over 50 fatalities, including soldiers and members of state-backed militias. Twenty-four individuals were captured. The convoy, traveling from Anéfis to the city of Gao, fell into an ambush, according to military officials. The incident highlights the persistent instability in the region, where armed groups continue to challenge security forces.