China verifying reports a Chinese national is among several climbers missing in a Pakistan avalanche, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Friday, with Beijing offering assistance.

Over 31,000 Australians trapped in crisis cycle between homelessness, mental health facilities and prisons, Homelessness Australia report finds. Persistent homelessness up 30.6% since 2019. Calls for 20,000 new supported housing places.

More than 30,000 Australians are trapped in a 'cycle of crisis' between homelessness, mental health facilities, hospitals and prisons due to a shortfall of supported housing, according to a new report from Homelessness Australia and Mental Health Australia. The report found persistent homelessness among people with mental health conditions rose 30.6% between 2019 and 2025 to 20,500 people, and calls on governments to fund 20,000 new supported housing places.

Ukraine deploys 70 rescuers and 15 specialized vehicles to France to fight forest fires, at Zelensky's order under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Kyiv also ready to send SES aviation.

Ukraine's InteriorIvan Vyhivskyi reported that a group of 70 Ukrainian rescuers with 15 specialized vehicles departed to France on Friday morning, July 31, to help fight forest fires. The mission was ordered by Volodymyr Zelensky within the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Ukraine is also ready to send State Emergency Service (SES) aviation.

Australia deploys Chinook helicopter with 11,300-liter water tank and 24 NSW firefighters to France to combat wildfires Macron called worst since WWII

Australia will deploy a Chinook helicopter with an 11,300-liter water tank, a Bell 412 reconnaissance helicopter, and 24 aerial and ground crew from NSW to France within days, ministers announced Friday. The assistance was requested by France amid wildfires that President Emmanuel Macron described as the worst since World War II.

Two bodies recovered on Pakistan's Broad Peak as rescuers search for others missing after Thursday's avalanche in Gilgit-Baltistan, the Alpine Club of Pakistan says

Pakistani rescue teams recovered two bodies on Friday while continuing search operations for several climbers missing after an avalanche struck Broad Peak in the Gilgit-Baltistan region around midday Thursday, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan.