QWorld: MH370 Clues, New Taliban Leader, US Probes Cecil’s Killing

Here’s a quick wrap-up of the stories making news across the world on July 31, 2015.

Indian Ocean Debris Almost Certainly From Boeing 777 –Malaysia

Debris washed up on the French island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean is almost certainly part of a Boeing 777, a Malaysian official and aviation experts noted, potentially becoming the biggest breakthrough in the search for the missing Flight MH370.

Greece’s Tsipras Asserts Control Over Party With Congress Vote

Greece’s ruling Syriza movement backs a call from Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to hold an emergency party congress as he seeks to assert his control over rebel lawmakers balking at new bailout talks.

Taliban Announce Mansour as new Leader Amid Opposition in Ranks

Taliban spokesman officially announces Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour as the new leader of the Islamist insurgency aiming to topple Afghanistan’s government, but other senior figures say they reject the appointment.

IOC to Elect Hosts of the 2022 Winter Olympics

The International Olympic Committee will elect the host city for the 2022 Winter Olympics, with Beijing the favourites and Kazakhstan’s Almaty the underdog.

Rio de Janeiro Beefs up Security With Olympics a Year Away

Rio de Janeiro will employ more than twice the number of security personnel for the 2016 Olympics than London used in 2012, but authorities are not planning, unlike 2014 during the World Cup, to occupy the city’s notorious favelas, the games’ organizers say.

Killing of Cecil the Lion Triggers Probe by US Agency – Source

Killing of Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe by American dentist and trophy hunter Walter Palmer is investigated by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to see if it was part of conspiracy to violate U.S. laws against illegal wildlife trading, source close to case says.

Earth’s ‘Magnetic Personality’ Much Older Than Previously Known

Earth’s magnetic field is life preserver, protecting against solar winds that otherwise could strip away planet’s atmosphere and water. New research shows this protective shield is much older than previously known.

After Bumpy Landing, Philae Provides Insight on Comet

Europe’s Philae spacecraft does not have much time to do its work after surviving bounce landing on surface of comet, but information it collects reshapes scientists’ thinking about these icy bodies, new research shows.