Top U.S. & World Headlines — July 31, 2026

Gaza Disarmament Agreement [0:08]

• President Trump announced a "historic agreement" for the complete disarmament of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza.
• As part of the deal, Trump stated Israel will gradually withdraw from Gaza.
• Israel has not publicly confirmed its agreement to the plan.

  "Today the Board of Peace reached a historic agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza."

Hamas and Gazan Response [0:32]

• Hamas officials indicated that any weapon handover would only occur after Israel withdraws its forces, ceases attacks, and allows humanitarian aid.
• Displaced residents in Gaza expressed doubt about Israel's commitment to withdraw troops.

  "I call on Mr. Trump, the president of the United States, to pressure Israel to withdraw completely from the Gaza Strip so that we can live a dignified life and return to our homes."

Continued Violence and Suffering in Gaza [0:58]

• Israel has killed over 1,200 people in Gaza since a ceasefire took effect 10 months prior.
• Doctors Without Borders described the situation as a "continuation of the genocide calibrated to be violent enough to keep Palestinians suffering every day, yet silent enough to avoid stirring international outrage."

  "This is not a ceasefire. It's a continuation of the genocide calibrated to be violent enough to keep Palestinians suffering every day, yet silent enough to avoid stirring international outrage."

War Powers and Regional Alliances [1:23]

• The Senate voted down a War Powers Resolution to limit President Trump's authority to wage war against Iran, with a vote of 50 to 49.
• Saudi Arabia is forming a new military alliance with 13 other countries to protect shipping in the Red Sea, following Houthi targeting of Saudi vessels.
• Iran denied involvement in a drone attack on Egypt's Damieta port, suggesting Israel may have conducted a false flag operation.

  "The vote was 50 to 49."

Business Profits and Trump's Nomination [1:48]

• Oil firms reported their highest quarterly profits in years, attributed to rising gas prices caused by U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran.
• ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Shell reported billions in profits.
• President Trump may temporarily withdraw his nomination of Todd Blanche for attorney general due to demands from Senators Cornyn and Tillis regarding a settlement with the IRS.

  "I have no objection to temporarily withdrawing Todd's name if they do not do the right thing and putting him back after Cornyn and Tillis are out of office."

Europe's Heatwave and Wildfires [2:25]

• Parts of Europe are experiencing another heatwave, with firefighters battling blazes across France, Spain, Greece, Britain, and Germany.
• Three firefighters died in Greece.
• Over one million acres of land have burned this year, more than triple the recent historical average, with climate change identified as a major factor.

  "The devastation of this area, which is a natural beauty and the wildlife, is just awful."

Migrant Crisis in Ceuta [2:54]

• At least 18 migrants drowned attempting to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
• Nearly 50,000 migrants crossed the border by land or sea.
• Spain deployed military units to the area in response, and humanitarian groups condemned Spain's border crackdown.

  "On Thursday, as many as 49,900 migrants, nearly 50,000 migrants, crossed that border by land or sea."

Trump and FIFA Controversy [3:18]

• Opposition is growing to FIFA President Gianni Infantino's proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to a private equity group linked to Joshua Kushner.
• European soccer associations agreed to boycott FIFA competitions if the deal proceeds.
• A top FIFA advisor resigned in protest.

  "European soccer associations agreed to boycott the World Cup and other FIFA competitions if the deal goes through."