Russian forces launched a wave of long‑range missile strikes against Kyiv and the surrounding Kyiv region overnight, killing at least nine people and wounding dozens, according to local officials. The attacks are part of a broader escalation of Russian artillery and missile campaigns that have increased civilian casualties over the past four and a half years of war. Kyiv authorities said the missiles struck residential neighborhoods and several state‑owned facilities, including a medical center and a school, as reported by Mayor Vitali Klitschko. The death toll in the capital was updated to eight with 33 people wounded, he added. In the Brovary district, regional governor Tymur Tkachenko reported one fatality and one injury, and damage to an industrial facility. The Ukrainian air force warned that Kalibr cruise missiles were heading toward Kagarlyk in the Kyiv region. Poland’s military command said it mobilized aircraft and activated air‑defence systems to protect its airspace near the Ukrainian border, while Romania’s defence ministry reported radar detections that led to the launch of two Spanish fighter jets and a Romanian helicopter; a drone entered Romanian airspace near Galati and crashed in Tulcea county. Moscow’s mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 250 drones were launched toward the Moscow region between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, and that 28 were destroyed. Ukraine has recently stepped up its own long‑range strikes on Russian targets, aiming to pressure Moscow toward negotiations to end the conflict. The attacks highlight the ongoing intensity of the war and the widening geographic scope of the conflict, as NATO members prepare air‑defence measures in response.
Geopolitics, diplomacy, and the stories shaping nations.
South Korean officials reacted with surprise after President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social account that the Pentagon would substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, just before scheduled drills were to begin. The annual exercises are a cornerstone of the seven‑decade security partnership and normally last about 11 days, involving field training and other activities. Trump described the drills as sending an inappropriate and hostile signal to North Korea and said Seoul had declined to join the United States and Israel in a military operation against Iran. The Pentagon said it was actively working to execute the directive. General Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, met with Defense Minister Ahn Gyu‑back at the Ministry of Defence. By Wednesday, the two militaries agreed to cut the exercise duration to five days and to reduce the scope of several field training components. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said the alliance remained essential while urging the development of stronger self‑reliant defence capabilities. He added that the United States’ decision reflected a desire for Seoul to assume greater responsibility for its own security and offered to help restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun told lawmakers that the government had not been notified in advance of Trump’s statement, noting that neither Seoul nor U.S. officials were aware of the content on Truth Social. Social media users expressed frustration and anger, with some saying reliance on the United States could be reduced over time and others questioning the reliability of the security guarantee. Opposition leader Jang Dong‑hyeok criticized Lee for not supporting Trump’s request regarding Iran, calling the move a diplomatic disaster that could unravel the alliance and lead to a full withdrawal of U.S. troops. The JoongAng Ilbo editorial argued that the alliance is reciprocal and urged the government to demonstrate contributions through investment, trade commitments, and support for navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The Korea Herald wrote that alliances can survive disagreements but are harder to sustain when major security decisions are announced on social media, especially as U.S. midterm elections approach. Analysts noted that Trump’s previous approach to North Korea and his criticism of Iran’s nuclear program complicate future negotiations with Pyongyang and that the episode has revived debate over whether South Korea should pursue its own nuclear weapons. Whether the reduced drills will affect the durability of the U.S.–South Korea alliance and the broader effort to manage Iran’s nuclear ambitions remains unresolved.
Seven people were killed on Wednesday morning when a safari helicopter crashed in a remote area of northern Kenya. The aircraft, a Eurocopter EC130 B4 owned by Lady Lori Helicopters, was carrying six passengers and a pilot on a charter flight from the Loisaba Conservancy to the Ewaso Nyiro region in Samburu County. Local police commander David Nkoroi confirmed that all seven occupants died. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said an investigation was under way.
Among the victims were five U.S. citizens, including José Suárez, president and general manager of several Telemundo stations in Florida, and Michele Sensi‑Contugi, director of Ecuador’s national intelligence service. Sensi‑Contugi’s wife, Stephany Hollihan Vasconez, also died; the couple left two children.
The U.S. State Department said it was in contact with local authorities and providing consular assistance. NBC Universal and Telemundo issued a joint statement expressing condolences. Ecuador’s presidency posted a statement on X offering its condolences to the family and associates.
The crash occurred near Mount Ololokwe, a tourist destination in Kenya. The helicopter was operating a charter flight for the travel company +Beyond. Tropic Air Kenya said it sent two helicopters to assist with search and rescue. The incident adds to a series of helicopter accidents in Kenya, including a February crash that killed a legislator and five others in western Kenya.
The campaign for Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election has started, with President Bola Tinubu confronting rising living costs and security concerns. Tinubu removed a long‑standing fuel subsidy and liberalized the foreign‑exchange market after taking office in 2023, arguing that the measures are needed to strengthen public finances and attract investment. The International Monetary Fund said the reforms have improved macroeconomic stability, but it warned that many households continue to face higher food prices, transport costs and reduced purchasing power. Shukurat Oyedele, who operates a small plastic‑goods shop in Ilorin, said a 21‑litre bucket that sold for 1,500 naira two years ago now costs about 3,200 naira, more than double the price. She said her profits have declined and her inventory is less stocked, forcing her to keep the shop open despite lower sales. Analyst Sekinat Ojeniyi of Africa Practice said the government must convince Nigerians that the reforms will eventually improve living standards, a proposition that is difficult when households have already experienced hardship. Security concerns persist in parts of the north and the Middle Belt, where kidnapping, banditry and farmer‑herder violence have been reported. Lawyer Anne Ochayi, who lives in Makurdi, said she worries about traveling through regions where such incidents can occur, and added that insecurity may affect voter sentiment. Opposition figures include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, both of whom are seeking to challenge Tinubu. Efforts to unite the opposition behind a single candidate have so far failed. Analyst Cheta Nwanze of SBM Intelligence said the fragmented opposition and lower turnout among Tinubu’s critics could determine the election outcome more than attempts to persuade voters. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) retains control of the federal government and maintains an extensive network of local political structures, which analysts say gives Tinubu an advantage in mobilising voters despite economic dissatisfaction. Thomas Eneji, a ride‑hailing driver in Abuja, said he plans to vote in 2027 and hopes for policies that make life easier for workers, but he also expressed concern that votes may not translate into change because of perceived manipulation. He noted that rising fuel costs have reduced his earnings, while many citizens continue to assess their daily lives rather than official GDP figures.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the decision not to open a criminal investigation into the death of aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six colleagues in Gaza fell far short of the accountability she expected. Frankcom, who worked for World Central Kitchen, was killed on 1 April 2024 when an Israeli airstrike hit a convoy in Gaza. Six other members of the convoy, including British, Polish, Palestinian and dual US‑Canadian nationals, were also killed. Wong said she learned of Israel’s decision late on Wednesday night and described the outcome as especially insulting because it arrived on World Humanitarian Day. She noted that two additional strikes followed the initial attack just minutes later and that the removal of two officers and reprimands of three others after an initial probe did not constitute sufficient accountability. The Australian government has requested drone audio from the strike, which has not been provided. The IDF said the convoy’s armed guard was not flagged before departure and was mistakenly identified as a Hamas fighter, and that the convoy had deviated from a route coordinated with the military. In its statement, the IDF said it had found no grounds for a criminal investigation into the deaths of four Médecins Sans Frontières workers in separate attacks in November 2023 and February 2024, and said the commanders’ decisions did not raise reasonable suspicion of criminal misconduct. World Central Kitchen said the IDF investigation conflated timelines and shifted blame for illegal conduct, and called for an independent inquiry because the IDF cannot credibly investigate its own actions. Australian former defence force chief Mark Binskin released a report in August 2024 that identified serious procedural failures that led to the strike, which the IDF had previously described as a “grave mistake.” An ambulance sent to reach Frankcom, coordinated with Israeli authorities, was later shelled, killing two paramedics. Wong said the government would continue to press Israel for justice for Frankcom and her colleagues, while the IDF maintained that no criminal responsibility existed.
Trump said on Wednesday that he would meet Kim Jong-un later this year, seeking to revive ties that had weakened after his first term. He made the comment while touring a new White House helipad, adding that the United States should “get along” with North Korea.
Trump noted that Pyongyang possessed 57 nuclear weapons, a number that aligns with prior U.S. assessments that the country holds between 50 and 60 weapons. The potential meeting would be the first between the two leaders since their 2019 encounter in Vietnam. He said he and Kim had exchanged letters and that they “fell in love” during previous summits, though those meetings produced limited progress on the nuclear issue.
He said the planned reduction of joint U.S.–South Korean military exercises was intended to avoid insulting Kim, describing the drills as “very insulting.” The Pentagon said the scaled‑back exercises would not affect U.S. training goals. South Korea announced that its annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise with the United States would conclude earlier than planned at the suggestion of the United States. Kim Yo Jong said she had no knowledge of any communication between her brother and Trump, but said her brother retained positive feelings toward Trump and that their relationship remained “excellent.” Analysts have suggested the renewed focus on North Korea could provide a foreign‑policy accomplishment for Trump as his campaign to curb Iran’s nuclear program stalls.
The White House has not disclosed a date or location for a possible summit, and no concrete arrangements have been announced.
Spanish authorities announced on August 20 that they will permit 500 unaccompanied migrant children currently in Ceuta to be transferred to the Spanish mainland, marking a reversal of earlier statements that they would be returned to Morocco. Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on the north African coast, received about 70,000 migrants on July 30, most of whom have since returned to Morocco. Spanish law requires the state to provide care for unaccompanied minors until they reach adulthood. Interior Minister Fernando Grande‑Marlaska said on August 13 that illegal entrants would be sent back, but the youth ministry, together with Ceuta’s regional government, is preparing a plan in which non‑governmental organizations and child protection agencies will assume care of the most vulnerable children, particularly girls, without transferring legal guardianship to regional authorities. Rubén Pérez Correa, secretary of state for children, has been in Ceuta since Sunday to address the situation of children living on the streets. The People’s Party criticized the proposal, asserting that the children should remain with their families, while the European Commission noted that EU law obliges the return of all irregular migrants, including unaccompanied minors. The mixed messages arise because the new EU immigration pact has not yet been incorporated into Spanish legislation, leaving existing rules on minor migrants in force. The transfer plan remains under discussion as the government seeks to balance legal obligations, regional opposition, and European requirements.
Prince Harry and Meghan plan to leave the United States by the end of the month and settle in a private residence outside London, British press reported, marking their return to the United Kingdom six years after stepping down as working royals. The couple, who have lived in California since 2020, have enrolled their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, in a British school for the upcoming term. They have selected a new house that is not one of the royal residences, according to The Telegraph. King Charles III was informed on Sunday that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex intend to return; the monarch said he welcomed the opportunity to see the family personally but emphasized that their status would remain unchanged and they would continue to be non‑working royals, the Press Association reported. Their planned move follows a July visit to the United Kingdom, their first in several years, during which they met privately with Charles. Harry and Meghan have not seen their grandfather since 2022. The announcement comes after media speculation that Harry would stay at Buckingham Palace, which the palace denied, stating that the invitation had not been accepted sufficiently in advance. Harry has previously said he holds the media responsible for the death of his mother, Princess Diana, who died in a 1997 car crash, and he has expressed a desire to reconcile with his father, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, although the specific type of cancer has not been disclosed. The development provides a rare personal update on the former senior royals as they resume residence in the United Kingdom, though no official change in their royal status has been announced.
Russian missile strikes hit Kyiv and the surrounding region on Thursday, killing at least eight people and injuring 33, according to Ukrainian authorities.
Russian missile strikes hit Kyiv and the surrounding region on Thursday, killing at least eight people and injuring 33, according to Ukrainian authorities. The attacks damaged apartment blocks, warehouses, a children’s hospital, a school and an industrial centre in the Solomyanskyi district. Rescue crews pulled two survivors from rubble while authorities worked to rescue people trapped under collapsed buildings. A Russian drone entered Romanian airspace near the border with Ukraine, crashed in an uninhabited area and started a small fire that was extinguished with no casualties reported. Polish forces launched defensive air operations to protect their airspace. Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko said the children’s hospital suffered broken windows and nearby cars were set on fire, and an educational institution was also damaged. Power was cut to thousands of properties overnight, and technicians worked to repair the damaged energy grids. The Russian defence ministry claimed to have targeted a drone component production facility and a munition depot in Kyiv, a claim that has not been independently verified. The strikes are part of a series of near‑nightly attacks on Kyiv, with more than a dozen regions hit in the past week.
Palestinian residents in Gaza face higher prices for essential items as smuggling of goods restricted by Israel since the October 2023 war has increased, according to an Associated Press investigation. Smugglers move cigarettes, batteries, iPhones, solar panels, fuel and medical supplies into the territory, often using trucks, military vehicles or humanitarian shipments, the investigation found. Israel has defined many of these items as dual‑use, claiming they could be repurposed for military purposes, and has restricted or banned their entry. The investigation analyzed Israeli court documents and spoke with traders, truckers and officials who spoke on condition of anonymity due to safety concerns. Traders and merchants say smuggling networks pay Israeli soldiers, drivers and warehouse workers, with some soldiers receiving payments for facilitating shipments. Merchants report that the Palestinian Authority’s Hamas‑run government collects a percentage of the price of smuggled goods, up to 80 percent if the items are not reported, and uses the revenue to fund public services and salaries. Israeli officials say they take the issue of smuggling seriously and are investigating alleged involvement by military personnel, but they did not answer detailed questions about specific roles. Since the war began, Israel has limited all entry of food, aid and commercial goods, imposing a total blockade for several months in 2023 that contributed to severe shortages in Gaza. The volume of goods entering through the Kerem Shalom crossing remains below prewar levels despite a fragile ceasefire that began in October. Some senior traders have obtained permits to import commercial goods, but Israeli authorities must approve each shipment, a process that can be lengthy and result in rejections on dual‑use grounds. Smuggling accounts for a substantial share of Gaza’s economy, with some merchants estimating that it represents more than half of their operations and generates over 70 percent of profits. Prices for items such as vehicle batteries and solar panels have risen significantly, with batteries selling for more than $2,300 compared with $140 before the war and solar panels priced at $3.25 per watt versus 16 cents per watt prewar. Cigarettes have become especially profitable, with packs selling for up to $140 on the black market, compared with less than $10 before the blockade. Smugglers hide large quantities of cigarettes in military vehicles, trucks, aid shipments or hollowed fruit, according to court documents and traders. Hamas officials say the money collected from smuggling supports civil service salaries and public services, not its armed wing, and that all resources are used to maintain essential facilities under wartime conditions. Israeli authorities have indicted several individuals, including reserve soldiers, for participating in smuggling rings that moved thousands of packs of cigarettes, iPhones and medical equipment, with alleged payments ranging from $1 million to $3 million. One alleged coordinator, referred to as Abu Bassel, is described in court documents as having connections with Israeli police and using an aid organization as a cover, a claim the organization denies. Residents report that the scarcity of basic items, such as fans, has made daily life increasingly difficult, with some questioning the rationale for banning dual‑use goods. The investigation highlights the complexity of the illicit trade, involving multiple actors on both sides of the border and raising questions about accountability and the long‑term impact on Gaza’s economy.
An increasing number of Israelis are leaving the country as critical elections approach later this year, reversing a long‑standing trend that has sustained Israel.
A study by the Israeli tax authority published earlier this month builds on previous reports indicating that higher‑income and highly educated Israelis are departing a nation whose government is shifting toward a harder‑right stance, leading many to feel the country no longer reflects their values.
The research found that emigration rates in 2023 and 2024 exceeded those of earlier years, with nearly 270,000 Israelis having left over the past three years, including about 91,500 in 2024 alone, according to a Tel Aviv University survey that used Central Bureau of Statistics data.
Concerns among liberal and educated Israelis focus on reduced secularism, weakened judicial independence, and security uncertainty following the Hamas‑led attack of October 7, 2023, and the subsequent war in Gaza, which has resulted in more than 73,000 Palestinian deaths and a prolonged conflict across multiple fronts.
Opposition figure Gilad Kariv, chair of the Knesset’s Immigration Committee, warned that the outflow could become a "tsunami" that the government is not addressing, while analysts note a stigma attached to those who leave, reflecting traditional Israeli terminology that frames emigration as a decline.
Economists argue that retaining young, skilled professionals is vital for Israel’s innovation‑driven growth, and the departure of top talent may undermine that advantage. Demographer Sergio Della Pergola said the wave reflects persistent security and political uncertainty rather than purely economic motives, while Professor Lilach Lev Ari noted a shift toward highly educated families emigrating, especially to the United States.
The government has not yet presented measures to curb the outflow, and analysts warn that continued loss of talent could affect Israel’s long‑term development.
Russian forces launched ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv and the surrounding Kyiv region on Thursday, killing at least nine people and wounding 33, according to officials. Explosions were reported in the Sviatoshynskyi, Solomianskyi and Shevchenkivskyi districts, where a nine‑storey residential building collapsed and caught fire and a children’s hospital sustained damage, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram. The emergency services reported eight deaths and 33 injuries in the capital, with fires breaking out in residential buildings and warehouses. In the Brovary district, one person was killed and another wounded after an industrial facility was damaged, regional governor Tymur Tkachenko said. Ukraine’s air force warned of incoming Kalibr missiles near Kagarlyk, and NATO members Poland and Romania mobilised air defences and scrambled aircraft in response. Russia’s defence ministry said it shot down 726 Ukrainian drones between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. The attacks occurred a day after parliament approved Yevhenii Khmara as the new defence minister, a career intelligence official who won 312‑2 in a vote, succeeding Mykhailo Fedorov, who was dismissed in July after a dispute with the army commander‑in‑chief. Fedorov had called for elections to be held while the war continues, a proposal that opposition lawmaker Solomiia Bobrovska described as a mistake while praising him personally. Dozens of demonstrators gathered in Kyiv to support Fedorov’s call, with some saying they favoured renewed elections but doubting that a vote could be conducted during active combat. Ukrainian law currently bars elections while martial law is in effect, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s term ended in May 2024, with the presidential election postponed.
UAE announced suspension of all trade and financial transactions with Iran after the defense ministry said Iran fired two ballistic missiles toward the Gulf state, one landing in UAE territorial waters. The statement said the move was intended to protect regional and international peace and security and to safeguard the international financial system. The announcement followed a phone call between President Donald Trump and Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al‑Nahyan and a separate call between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Emirati national security adviser Tahnoon bin Zayed al‑Nahyan. The UAE, a major trading partner of Iran, had halted trade at the start of the war but resumed commercial ties in recent months; in 2024 Iran imported about $21 billion worth of goods from the UAE, roughly 30 percent of total imports. The United States has increased economic pressure on Iran through a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and threats of new measures. Iran denied launching the missiles, calling the allegations unfounded and saying they undermine regional trust. Emirati analyst Abdulkhaleq Abdulla said the missile strikes surprised observers who believed there was an implicit understanding that Iran would avoid military action while trade continued. He said the trade suspension signaled that enough is enough. Former U.S. ambassador Marc Sievers said the announcement was likely coordinated with the United States, noting the timing of the presidential call and the secretary of state’s conversation with the Emirati adviser. Businessman Omar Al Busaidy expressed concern that the escalation could revive security alerts and lead to the cancellation of scheduled concerts in the UAE. The suspension follows the expiration of a tentative ceasefire agreement reached in June, leaving the conflict’s future uncertain.
Former Liberian Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has been charged with drug trafficking, money laundering and related offenses after being detained at Monrovia’s Roberts International Airport before she could board a flight, according to the country’s Justice Ministry. Howard-Taylor served as vice president from 2018 to 2024 under President George Weah, a period marked by corruption allegations. She is accused of illegally importing, selling and transporting controlled substances and helping to facilitate a drug‑trafficking network that includes three foreign nationals, two Croatians and one Ukrainian, who are alleged to be part of the same network. Police say the investigation targets organizers, facilitators and financiers of the network. Recent months have seen several large drug seizures in Liberia, among the biggest in the country’s history. The crackdown is part of a broader effort by President Joseph Boakai’s administration, which took office in 2024 and pledged to combat corruption and prevent Liberia from becoming a hub for drug trafficking, which West Africa increasingly serves as a transit corridor for cocaine moving from South America to Europe. The case remains under investigation, and authorities have indicated they will continue pursuing the foreign suspects while the former vice president awaits legal proceedings.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reported to be returning to the United Kingdom after six years in the United States, with plans to set up a private residence outside London, according to BBC and other British media.
Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior working royals in January 2020 after a period of tension with the royal family, relocating to Montecito, California, where they founded a media and lifestyle enterprise, including Meghan’s “As Ever” brand, according to public records.
Their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, are enrolled to begin at a British school in September, the BBC reported.
The family intends to retain their Montecito home and a vacation property in Portugal, suggesting the move may be temporary, the Daily Telegraph said.
Harry has said he would not return to Britain without adequate security protection, a concern that led to a legal dispute over the level of official security he was entitled to, which he ultimately lost, according to court filings.
Relations between Harry and his brother, Prince William, remain distant, the reports noted.
Buckingham Palace has not issued a formal statement on the reported relocation, and a palace spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment, the BBC reported.
British government officials, speaking anonymously, described the potential return as “essentially a family matter” and said security arrangements were not expected to change, the official said.
Charles was informed of the plan on Sunday and “welcomes the opportunity to see more of the Sussex family in a private and personal capacity,” according to BBC sources, and William and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, were also notified, the same sources added.
Harry continues to be involved with the Invictus Games, which is scheduled for Birmingham in July 2027, the reports said.
King Charles III was diagnosed with an undisclosed cancer in February 2024, underwent treatment through December 2025, and said in a May 2025 interview, “I don’t know how much longer my father has. Life is precious,” the BBC reported.
The couple has not indicated plans to resume official royal duties, and no official confirmation has been provided by Harry or Meghan.
Washington announced that it will discontinue the annual joint military drills with South Korea, a move officials say will not affect security on the Korean peninsula. The exercises, a staple of the U.S.-South Korea alliance since the early 1990s, have been held each year. Recent diplomatic talks have prompted a review of the training schedule. The decision reflects a shift in priorities amid reduced tensions on the peninsula.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they will return to the United Kingdom this fall, with their children enrolling in British schools, though they will not resume their previous roles as working members of the royal family, the Associated Press reported. The couple stepped back from royal duties in 2018 and relocated to California, where they have pursued commercial agreements with streaming and podcasting platforms. Since then, relations with senior members of the royal family have been strained, and Harry has recently expressed a desire for reconciliation in order to spend more time with his father, King Charles III, who is undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer. A source close to the Sussexes said the children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, have been enrolled at British schools beginning in September. The family intends to reside in a private, non‑royal property outside London while retaining a home in Montecito, California, and a vacation residence in Portugal, according to the source. Meghan will continue to operate her As Ever lifestyle brand from the United Kingdom, and Harry will have greater opportunity to work with his UK‑based charitable organizations, the source added. Harry faced a recent court ruling that held him and other plaintiffs liable for the publisher’s legal fees in a phone‑hacking case, with Associated Newspapers reporting costs of 34.5 million pounds ($47 million). After a separate legal challenge, a government committee declined to grant police protection for the prince and his family while they are in the United Kingdom, prompting Harry to state that armed protection is necessary because they remain members of the royal family. He has said he hopes to rebuild family relationships. Harry traveled to the United Kingdom last month for a series of charity engagements, and Meghan and the children accompanied him for part of the visit, during which they met King Charles at his Highgrove estate. It was the first time the children had seen their grandfather since the late Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee in 2022. However, no indication of improved relations has emerged between Harry and his brother, Prince William, the heir to the throne, a former BBC royal correspondent noted. Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on speculation regarding non‑working members of the royal family, and a representative for Harry and Meghan also declined to comment. The situation remains unresolved as the family prepares to return to the United Kingdom.
Russian missiles struck Kyiv overnight Thursday, killing at least 12 people and wounding 33, according to Ukrainian authorities. The air raid alert remained active into the early morning hours. The barrage hit 12 locations across Kyiv’s Darnytskyi, Sviatoshynskyi and Solomianskyi districts, damaging residential buildings, a medical facility and an educational institution. Emergency crews rescued people from rubble and responded to fires. In Solomianskyi district, the top two floors of a nine‑story residential building were destroyed and fires broke out on other floors. People were trapped in two residential buildings and a school shelter. Larysa Bondaruk, 60, said a rocket hit her building, causing loud explosions, debris, fire and smoke, and that her neighbor’s grandson died after being trapped under rubble. Rescuers responded quickly and professionally, according to Bondaruk. Russia says it is intensifying ballistic missile attacks on the capital to constrain Kyiv’s air defense stocks, while Kyiv’s limited interceptor capacity and constrained Patriot missile supplies hinder its ability to intercept. U.S. President Donald Trump had authorized Ukraine to obtain licenses to produce Patriot air‑defense systems before later reversing that decision. Ukraine has intensified its own long‑range strikes against Russian weapons depots and military facilities to degrade Moscow’s capacity to sustain attacks on Ukrainian cities. The attacks underscore the continued strain on Kyiv’s air defense system as the conflict persists.
More than 100 people died after an artisanal goldmine collapsed in the village of Zamboye in western Central African Republic, officials said Wednesday. The landslide occurred Tuesday afternoon about 50 km from Baboua near the Cameroon border, and social media footage showed sand burying miners. Over 100 bodies have been recovered, a figure confirmed by a Red Cross volunteer and a senior mining association official, and the Associated Press reported. A senior prosecutor in Baboua attributed the collapse to the failure of underground tunnels where miners were working. Rescue teams are searching for survivors among miners believed to be citizens of Central African Republic and Cameroon. Grégoire Mvongo, governor of Cameroon’s Eastern region, said his office is cooperating with Central African authorities to address the aftermath. Local officials have opened an investigation into the incident. Small‑scale artisanal mines often operate with weak safety standards, and at least 40 deaths have been recorded in CAR mining accidents earlier this year. Heavy equipment, including tractors, is being used in the retrieval mission, raising concerns that it may hinder rescue of those still trapped. The final death toll remains uncertain as rescue efforts continue.
Max D. Lederer Jr. announced his resignation as publisher of Stars and Stripes on Tuesday, stating that his leadership philosophy and view of the newspaper’s mission no longer aligned with the direction set by the Department of Defense. In a memo to staff and an interview with Stars and Stripes, Lederer said the disagreement concerns fundamental differences in how the publication should operate.
Stars and Stripes, established in 1861, receives substantial government funding while maintaining a claim of editorial independence from successive administrations. The newspaper has faced increased pressure in recent years, including a 2017‑2021 attempt by the Pentagon to eliminate its funding, which President Trump said would not occur under his watch.
The Trump administration’s second‑term Defense Department announced in January that it would seek to bring Stars and Stripes into closer alignment with government priorities. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell described the move as returning the newspaper to its original mission of reporting for warfighters. The same month, the department fired ombudsman Jacqueline Smith, who was tasked with safeguarding editorial independence, prompting criticism about erosion of press freedoms.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has accused Stars and Stripes of promoting “woke distractions” and of highlighting poor conditions and declining morale aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which is currently involved in operations against Iran. Hegseth has also restricted journalist access to Pentagon facilities, designating the press office as a classified area in June and pausing a court‑blocked rule that required reporters to have escorts. Additional policies have limited engagement with materials not explicitly authorized by the department.
Stars and Stripes was one of two military publications that reported on flagging morale and suicide attempts among service members on the USS Abraham Lincoln, which holds the record for the longest continuous deployment without a port call. The carrier left port in November, transited near Venezuela, and was redirected toward the region of Iran. Critics have said that administration rhetoric labeling critical reporting as traitorous undermines transparent communication about military operations.
Israeli Military to Investigate Gaza Killings, France Expels Iranian Diplomats, Iranian Parliament Speaker Visits Iraq Israeli military said Wednesday it will conduct criminal investigations into the deaths of a five‑year‑old Palestinian girl and her relatives and into the killing of 15 paramedics in Gaza, after reviewing about 150 incidents of troop conduct during the war. The probes come amid heightened diplomatic tensions, including France's decision to expel two Iranian diplomats and an Iranian parliamentary delegation's three‑day visit to Iraq. The Israeli military said it will investigate the February 2024 killing of Hind Rajab and her family after troops opened fire on a vehicle carrying them in Gaza City, and the March 2025 killing of 15 paramedics when Israeli forces shot at their vehicles in Rafah and later bulldozed the bodies, according to phone footage and the sole survivor. It added that it will not open investigations into three separate attacks that killed aid workers from World Central Kitchen and Doctors Without Borders. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she was "outraged" that Israel declined to pursue criminal charges for the deaths of seven aid workers, including Australian citizen Zomi Frankcom, and said the reprimand of three officers and the removal of two officers did not constitute sufficient accountability; she summoned Israel's envoy to Canberra for talks but did not request his expulsion, and noted that Australia has not yet received drone recordings of the incident. At least ten people were killed in two Israeli airstrikes in Gaza on Wednesday, according to local hospitals and the Palestinian Red Crescent, raising questions about the durability of a ceasefire that the United States has been urging Israel to de‑escalate. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf arrived in Iraq for a three‑day visit, meeting with Iraqi officials and praising Iran‑backed militias as a "key component of the country’s national power," while Iraqi leaders have sought to disarm those militias and requested special status for Iraqi oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for the country's budget. French Foreign Minister Jean‑Noël Barrot said France will expel two staff members of the Iranian Embassy in Paris in response to an alleged assault by Iranian security forces on two French diplomatic personnel in Iran, a claim Iran denied, saying the French diplomats had taken part in a secret meeting with suspects; he condemned the Iranian authorities for not investigating what he described as a premeditated and deliberate attack. The series of investigations, diplomatic moves and security incidents highlights the ongoing complexities and uncertainties in the Middle East as parties navigate humanitarian concerns and shifting alliances.
NASA announced on Wednesday that its $30 million effort to rescue the Swift space telescope failed, and the satellite is expected to reenter Earth's atmosphere and disintegrate later this year.
Swift, launched in 2004 to study gamma‑ray bursts, was the target of a rescue mission conducted by the startup Katalyst. The mission launched a small robot spacecraft on July 3 aboard a Pegasus rocket carried by an airplane. The robot was intended to capture Swift and raise it to a higher orbit.
On July 28, Katalyst reported that the robot had been spinning uncontrollably for 72 hours and lost communications, prompting NASA and the company to terminate the mission. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the result does not change the purpose of attempting the rescue.
NASA said it would still attempt to reach Swift to collect data that could help future satellite‑servicing efforts. The failure underscores the difficulties of on‑orbit repair and the risk of uncontrolled reentry of large spacecraft.
The outcome will provide lessons for engineers developing satellite‑servicing capabilities, while the timing of Swift’s reentry remains undetermined.
U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Wednesday that the United States would take economic measures against any country that supports Iran or provides it with a lifeline. He made the remark while referencing a map that labeled the Strait of Hormuz as a new U.S. territory. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. It is a key conduit for global oil shipments and has been a focal point of regional tension. Trump did not specify the nature of the measures or name any country. He also did not indicate when any action might be taken. The map, shared on social media, bore the caption "NEW U.S. territory" next to the Strait of Hormuz. His statement warned that countries assisting Tehran could face economic consequences. Previous U.S. policy has included sanctions targeting Iranian entities and individuals. The administration has sought to limit Iran’s influence in the region. No immediate response was issued by the Iranian government or by other governments referenced in the statement. The statement leaves the scope of potential economic actions undefined. It remains unclear how any affected nation would respond.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle plan to return to the United Kingdom, according to a report. The couple will not resume their roles as working members of the royal family. The visit would allow King Charles III, who is undergoing treatment for an undisclosed cancer, to spend time with his grandchildren. Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and moved to the United States, citing concerns about media treatment and alleged racism. In recent months, their relationship with the royal family has shown signs of improvement. The timeline includes their 2016 meeting, 2018 marriage, lawsuits against newspaper groups over alleged illegal phone hacking, the 2020 decision to step back, security changes, legal victories in privacy cases, King Charles's 2024 cancer announcement, and their 2025 meeting with the king. A 2026 plan to return was announced, and a recent visit in September marked the first meeting between Harry and his father in over a year.