General News Today — July 31, 2026

As the world continues to grapple with global issues, a mix of business, environmental, and geopolitical news has made headlines today. In the business world, UK retailer Sainsbury's has announced plans to sell off its Argos division for £120m, a move that could signal a significant shift in the company's strategy. Meanwhile, concerns about the growing problem of space junk are being highlighted, with reports suggesting that a ton of debris is tumbling unpredictably to Earth every week, posing a potential risk to people and property.

In other news, attention is focused on the ongoing situation in Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in North Africa, where tensions have been running high. On the international diplomacy front, former US President Donald Trump has claimed that a board tasked with brokering peace in the Middle East has reached an agreement on the disarmament of Hamas, although details of the plan remain unclear. Closer to home, a British Airways flight was forced to declare a mayday on approach to Heathrow, highlighting the importance of aviation safety. And in Washington, Trump's threat to withdraw a key nomination has raised concerns about the potential impact on the US justice system.

Today's signal:
• Sainsbury's to sell Argos for £120m (bbc.co.uk)
• A Ton of Space Junk Tumbles Unpredictably to Earth Every Week (nytimes.com)
• What to Know About Ceuta (nytimes.com)
• Trump says Board of Peace has reached agreement for disarmament of Hamas (bbc.co.uk)
• Trump Threatens to Withdraw Blanche as Attorney General, Dealing Blow to Nomination (nytimes.com)
• British Airways flight called mayday on approach to Heathrow (bbc.co.uk)