Tom Mcarthur

Israel’s plan to open tenders for 1,234 of approximately 3,401 approved housing units in the sensitive E1 area of the occupied West Bank has drawn condemnation from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Turkey and several Arab and Muslim-majority countries. Critics warn that the project would divide the West Bank, isolate East Jerusalem and undermine the prospects for a contiguous Palestinian state and a two-state solution. The United Nations secretary-general described it as an existential threat to such a state. The report also details the return of Israeli settlers to the former Kadim settlement near Jenin after a 20-year ban was lifted, amid concerns from Palestinian residents. The tender deadline falls shortly before Israel’s October general election, potentially making cancellation by a future government more difficult.

Jason Arday, a former University of Cambridge professor of sociology of education, was found dead at a house in Battersea, south London, aged 41. Police said the death was unexpected but did not appear suspicious. Arday had resigned from Cambridge the previous week amid plagiarism allegations and questions about some of his academic achievements, which he denied while acknowledging errors in his work. Researcher Nathan Cofnas had publicized the allegations, while Liverpool John Moores University had previously concluded that Arday had not plagiarized his doctoral work. Cambridge opened an independent investigation into Arday’s appointment. The controversy followed Arday’s celebrated rise from severe childhood developmental and literacy difficulties to becoming one of the university’s few Black African professors.

Two Belmarsh prisoners, Steven Sansom and Adam Watson, have been charged with attempting to murder fellow inmate Urfan Sharif, who is serving a minimum 40-year sentence for murdering his 10-year-old daughter, Sara Sharif. The alleged attack took place on 1 January 2025, and the defendants are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 26 August. Sharif's wife, Beinash Batool, and his brother-in-law, Faisal Malik, were also convicted in connection with Sara's death.

Former University of Cambridge sociology of education professor Jason Arday, 41, was found unresponsive at an address in Battersea, south London, and his death is being treated as unexpected but not suspicious. Arday resigned from Cambridge the previous week after plagiarism allegations and questions about his academic achievements, which he denied while acknowledging errors in some early work. Liverpool John Moores University had concluded that he had not plagiarised, while Cambridge and the University of Glasgow announced independent reviews. His family and supporters said sustained public scrutiny and misinformation had taken a severe personal toll, prompting wider questions about media conduct, racism in academia and Cambridge's duty of care.

Gianni Infantino retains substantial support among African football federations despite international criticism of his abandoned plan to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investors. The CAF executive committee unanimously backed him, while Egypt, Morocco, Niger, Mauritania and the Comoros have publicly supported him. African federations largely credit FIFA’s Forward programme with funding infrastructure, youth development, coaching and women’s football, making continued investment important for countries with limited public and commercial resources. Supporters in Morocco, Egypt, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Gambia, Malawi, Uganda and South Africa emphasise Infantino’s contribution to African football and, in some cases, support his re-election in 2027. However, critics including former Sierra Leone football leader Isha Johansen oppose excessive commercialisation, while some African officials want FIFA’s engagement to include stronger governance, transparency, sustainability and greater African influence over priorities. Senegal and several other countries have not yet publicly stated their positions.

Feliks, a critically endangered eastern imperial eagle from Serbia, was captured by poachers in Syria and held for ransom. Serbian conservationists refused to pay, while negotiations and assistance from a Lebanese partner organization secured his release. After recovering at Palić Zoo and being transported from Lebanon by Serbian peacekeepers, Feliks was released into the wild and will be closely monitored. Conservation efforts have helped increase Serbia’s population from one breeding pair in 2017 to 29 pairs this year.

A rare eastern imperial eagle named Feliks has been rescued after being captured by poachers in Syria and released into the Serbian wild. The Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia refused to pay the demanded ransom, helping avoid supporting the trafficking network, while lengthy negotiations secured the bird's release. Feliks spent more than six months recovering at a wildlife centre in Beirut and was later transported by Serbian peacekeepers to Palić Zoo, where he received further care before being released. The critically endangered species has increased from one breeding pair to 29 pairs in Serbia since conservation efforts began in 2017.

Gianni Infantino continues to enjoy strong backing from many African football federations, despite the collapse of his controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal. CAF’s executive committee unanimously reaffirmed its support, while federations and officials in Morocco, Egypt, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, The Gambia, Malawi and South Africa highlighted the importance of FIFA development funding for infrastructure, youth programmes and national teams. Support is driven largely by financial dependence on the FIFA Forward programme, particularly where government and commercial investment is limited. Critics, including former Sierra Leone football chief Isha Johansen, warn that greater commercialisation could compromise football’s future. African support is therefore substantial but accompanied by growing demands for transparency, good governance and greater autonomy for CAF.