Archbishop Andrew John of Wales has emphasised the importance of joint action in addressing the crisis of river pollution. A Church-led summit on river pollution is set for November, bringing together over 70 farmers, water industry representatives, environmentalists, and academics from across the UK. The archbishop acknowledged the complexity of restoring rivers, with competing demands, but stressed the need for cooperation across different sectors. He defended the Church’s involvement in secular matters, emphasising its responsibility to engage with critical issues such as climate change. He also praised athletes in the Paris Olympics, particularly the Refugee Olympic team, as examples of collaboration and mutual support. Archbishop Andrew urged the Church to continue fostering unity and cooperation within its global community and ministry areas. He also encouraged strategic, ambitious proposals for the Church's £100m Growth Fund, designed to support outreach projects over the next decade.

The ongoing migrant crisis has reshaped France’s northern coast, especially Boulogne. French rescue workers and officials are witnessing a tragic pattern of migrants fleeing death only to perish in dangerous Channel crossings. While both France and the UK condemn smuggling gangs, their responses differ. British authorities emphasise the criminality of smugglers, but French officials and citizens focus on the migrants’ motives, blaming the UK's loosely-regulated job market as a magnet for desperate people. The smugglers continue to adapt, launching boats from inland and resorting to violence. The French feel burdened by a crisis they see as Britain’s responsibility. Despite its significance, the issue gets less media coverage in France due to its own political challenges. Interior minister Gerald Darmanin continues to call for a new treaty between the UK and the EU; efforts against smugglers alone will not suffice to solve the issue.

An Indian ‘fixer’, Tara Chand Tanwar, is likely to face indictment for a long history of criminal activity. One example concerns Sandeep, from Rajasthan, who was working in Italy but lost his job in 2015. He paid €5,000 to Tanwar for a new job in logistics. However, the job exposed him to exploitative conditions, including twelve-hour workdays, lack of a contract, and overcrowded living arrangements. Sandeep’s fear of losing his residency kept him compliant. From 2012 to 2022, Tanwar used weaknesses in Italy’s migration and procurement laws to implement a system of bribery, blackmail, and mafia-like tactics. His operation funnelled millions through bank accounts linked to forced labour. Tanwar’s influence in Rajasthan, a region with high unemployment, had made him a pivotal figure in arranging jobs for hundreds of hopeful migrants, though he lacked the required licences. Workers were unaware of his illegal status and became trapped in debt.

The USA has filed criminal charges against Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, and five other individuals for orchestrating the deadly attack on 7 October which killed 1,200 people, including forty Americans. The charges include conspiracy to support a terrorist organisation, conspiracy to murder US nationals, and conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction. The complaint alleges support from Iran and Hezbollah. Three of the defendants are believed to be dead, while Sinwar remains in hiding. These charges are part of a broader effort to dismantle Hamas’s operations, but the White House also says it is actively working with Egypt and Qatar on a new ceasefire and hostage deal. In other developments, in Israel there have been three days of huge protests against Benjamin Netanyahu, and the UK government has decided to suspend sale of certain types of arms sales to Israel because they might be used in violation of international humanitarian law.