President Donald Trump submitted a civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia to Congress for review on Monday, starting a 90‑day period for legislative evaluation. The agreement, signed last month in Washington by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and his Saudi counterpart, was classified and delivered to Capitol Hill as required by the Atomic Energy Act, according to a Trump administration official and a congressional aide. Trump has said the deal will not move forward unless Saudi Arabia normalizes relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords, a condition he announced the day after the signing, though the classified document does not specify whether that requirement is included. Under law, Congress may reject the agreement with a joint resolution during the review period; otherwise it becomes effective without a vote in either chamber. The full text of the agreement being classified is unusual, though previous 123 agreements have included classified annexes that were not released. Lawmakers have expressed concern that the deal could facilitate Saudi uranium enrichment and increase nuclear proliferation risks. The Saudi embassy in Washington declined to comment, and Saudi officials have stated that normalization with Israel would require a clear path to Palestinian statehood, a condition Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected. The agreement is expected to run for 30 years and would involve US firms in developing Saudi nuclear capabilities after a joint US‑Saudi study. The administration has indicated that the deal could take effect without a congressional vote if no rejection occurs. The outcome will depend on whether Congress rejects the agreement within the review window and whether the condition linking nuclear cooperation to Israel‑Saudi normalization is met.
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Israeli forces struck Nasser Hospital in Gaza on August 25, 2025, killing 22 Palestinians, including two journalists. The first attack killed Reuters cameraman Hussam al-Masri and another person. A second strike killed Associated Press visual journalist Mariam Dagga, rescue workers and others as they responded to the initial casualties. Israeli officials said the target was a suspected Hamas camera on the roof, but a soldier speaking anonymously said no evidence linked the camera to Hamas and that none of the six individuals the military said were associated with Hamas were the intended target. The military said it was examining the incident and would forward findings to the Military Advocate General’s Corps, but it has not provided a timeline or detailed information. Rights groups note that Israel rarely prosecutes soldiers for civilian deaths. AP and Reuters have again called for a full explanation and access for journalists in Gaza. The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that Israeli troops have killed 207 Palestinian journalists since October 7, 2023. Family members of the victims said the lack of investigation raises concerns about protections for journalists. The outcome of the military review remains pending.
SpaceX unveiled plans Tuesday to construct a $100 billion rocket launch complex on 125,000 acres of coastal wetlands in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, designated Starbase Louisiana, aiming to support Starship and AI satellite launches. The site will be SpaceX's fourth U.S. launch facility, expanding beyond South Texas and Florida, and is intended to increase launch cadence contingent on engineering and regulatory approvals, with construction slated to begin next year and the first Starship launch targeted for 2029. Governor Jeff Landry and state officials attended the announcement, where SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell said the port will generate more than 3,000 jobs with an average salary of $92,600, about 192 % above the parish average, and will include methane production, power generation, deep‑water shipping, vehicle processing, and an airport, while about 80 % of the land will remain natural wetlands and SpaceX pledged to fund marshland restoration and environmental stewardship. The project follows a settlement of a decade‑long lawsuit with ExxonMobil over wetland loss, clearing regulatory hurdles, and Starship is central to SpaceX's Starlink expansion and NASA's Artemis program, with a south‑facing launch trajectory over the Gulf supporting solar‑powered satellite operations. The development represents a major investment in U.S. space infrastructure and may set a precedent for large‑scale launch facilities, though environmental and community concerns remain.
The US‑led Board of Peace overseeing a Gaza ceasefire warned Hamas on Tuesday that flying kites is considered militant activity and must stop, after Israel said it would respond to such actions. An anonymous official said the message had been conveyed through the established mechanism.
The board was created in October by former President Donald Trump to monitor the ceasefire that ended major hostilities in Gaza. Since then, Israeli forces have continued limited operations and air strikes, which have killed 1,288 Palestinians according to health authorities.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Sunday that Israel would intensify its operations in Gaza if Hamas launched kites, drones or balloons. The warning came after kites were reported near the Gaza border in southern Israel, some bearing political messages, though no explosives were confirmed. Basem Naim, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, criticized the board’s warning, saying it treated ordinary children’s play as armed activity. The United Nations called Israel’s threat of expulsion over the kite incident unacceptable. The Board of Peace initially urged a phased Israeli withdrawal but later said that Israeli troops need not leave Gaza until Hamas is fully demilitarised.
Netanyahu expressed doubt about the plan and said a US general should verify the destruction of Hamas weapons, while the board maintained that a complete ceasefire requires Hamas disarmament.
The United States announced it will begin returning diplomatic staff to its embassies in the Middle East following the recent evacuation of personnel from Iran amid heightened tensions.
The State Department said the redeployment will start within the next several weeks, with initial moves to the embassies in Baghdad, Amman and Jerusalem.
In April, Iran ordered the closure of several U.S. diplomatic posts and the evacuation of American diplomats after a series of military incidents along the border, citing security concerns. U.S. officials said the withdrawal was prompted by threats to embassy personnel and the need to protect classified information.
The redeployment comes as the United States seeks to stabilize relations with regional partners while monitoring ongoing Iranian activities. Analysts noted that the return of diplomats signals a de‑escalation relative to the previous evacuation, though some experts cautioned that sporadic incidents could still affect embassy operations. The United Nations confirmed that it is monitoring the situation but has not issued any formal statements.
The United States has not set a definitive timeline for completing the redeployment, and it remains unclear how Iran will respond to the returning personnel.
Mazloum Abdi announced on Tuesday that the Syrian Democratic Forces will be dissolved, ending its status as an independent military organization. The SDF, a US‑backed coalition created in 2015, had fought the Islamic State and controlled large parts of northern Syria. In a televised address at the presidential palace in Damascus, Abdi said the integration of SDF units into the Syrian army was completed following January clashes that reduced the force’s size. The agreement, signed after fighting between Kurdish fighters and government troops, required the SDF to expel non‑Syrian PKK members. President Ahmed al‑Sharaa had earlier issued a decree recognizing Kurdish as a national language and affirming Kurdish rights. The integration represents a step in the new government’s effort to consolidate control over all of Syria since the 2024 ouster of Bashar al‑Assad. The SDF had fielded roughly 100,000 fighters at its peak and held oil‑rich territories in the northeast. The dissolution marks the end of the Kurdish autonomous military structure, though Abdi indicated that efforts to secure constitutional rights will continue.
The Sudan Doctors Network reported that Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-N) rebels killed 27 people, including four children, in attacks in South Kordofan on Tuesday. The attacks occurred in Qardud and Abu Hamama, areas inhabited by the Otoro tribe. The Sudan Doctors Network said the killings have led to a wave of displacement toward Abu Hitan and Kadugli. It warned that targeting unarmed civilians on ethnic grounds violates international humanitarian law and that continued violations could expand the conflict into a broader ethnic war. Women were among those wounded. The civil war, which began in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, has killed at least 59,000 people and displaced about 14 million, according to the World Health Organization, which estimates that 33.7 million people, two‑thirds of the population, need humanitarian assistance. The organization urged the international community to pressure the SPLM-N leadership to halt attacks on civilians.
Iran and Oman have resumed talks to establish a temporary navigational corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that handles about one‑fifth of global oil and LNG shipments, as diplomatic efforts to resolve the impasse with the United States continue. The two countries have been in on‑and‑off negotiations for weeks to manage traffic in the strait, which was largely shut down after hostilities began in February. A tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile about 9 nautical miles northeast of Oman’s Ash Shishah, disabling the vessel, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations. The discussions on Tuesday included agreement to clear mines from the strait, though U.S. officials have said all mines have been cleared. President Trump reiterated that all mines in the strait had been cleared. The United States is beginning to return diplomatic staff to some Middle East missions that were reduced amid heightened tensions, indicating a lower risk of immediate escalation, though many embassies will operate below full capacity. Washington has warned that it may penalize countries continuing to do business with Iran, but has not imposed sanctions at this time. Oil prices fell for a second consecutive day as traders downplayed the impact of the sanctions. Iran said the United States’ effort to isolate its economy was 'gross lawlessness' and expressed confidence that many nations would not join the pressure campaign. Public approval of the conflict in the United States has fallen to its lowest level since the war’s early days, and President Trump’s popularity is near a record low ahead of the November congressional elections, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll. The exact status of Iran’s nuclear program, which the United States and Israel seek to dismantle, remains unknown. The negotiations over the temporary corridor and the broader diplomatic stalemate continue, with no definitive resolution announced.
China said it will protect its interests after the United States announced new sanctions on Iran and companies that do business with Iran.
China said it will protect its interests after the United States announced new sanctions on Iran and companies that do business with Iran. The measures, announced by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday, bar financial institutions and businesses from engaging with Iran unless they cease all dealings. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said China opposes what it calls illegal unilateral sanctions and will take all necessary steps to safeguard its rights. Bessent described the action as the single greatest financial offensive against Iran and warned that banks and firms that continue ties could face isolation. He added that President Donald Trump would call world leaders to request they stop interacting with the Iranian regime, and said no one is above the reach of US sanctions.
The sanctions come ahead of planned talks between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping next month. Beijing processes most of the world's rare earths and other critical minerals, giving it leverage in any retaliation. Iran's economy ministry said Tehran is ready for the expanded sanctions and has a two‑year plan to manage them, saying it can absorb the costs.
Analysts have questioned the likely impact. David Oxley of Capital Economics said the direct effect on Iran's energy revenues would be modest, noting that about 90% of Iran's oil exports go to China, which has not recognized the sanctions. Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group said China opposes unilateral US sanctions and that regional partners such as Pakistan, Turkey and Iraq are unlikely to cut ties with Iran despite US pressure. He added that Iran's leadership is willing to endure economic pain and pass it to its people.
The United Kingdom's foreign secretary John Healey said Britain supports US efforts to secure a diplomatic solution and welcomes increased pressure. The sanctions follow a 60‑day ceasefire that expired without a settlement and come as oil prices have risen due to reduced exports through the Strait of Hormuz. The outcome of the upcoming Trump‑Xi meeting and the effectiveness of the sanctions remain uncertain.
Port-au-Prince, Haiti (AP) — At least 47 people were killed and more than 50 others were kidnapped when armed men attacked Kenscoff, a hillside community near the capital, on Sunday, the United Nations said on Tuesday.
The assault is believed to be one of the largest mass kidnappings in Haiti in recent years.
Kenscoff has seen sporadic violence since a major attack in January 2025, and security operations had reduced violence in the area by 66% between January and August, according to a statement from the U.N. Integrated Office in Haiti.
Romain Le Cour, head of the Haiti Observatory at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, said the attack represented "a major political and security test" for the government, police and the U.N.-backed gang suppression force.
He added that the gang leader threatened to kill hostages if security forces attempted to rescue them, describing the threat as a trap.
Le Cour said the attack may aim to force police and the gang suppression force to divert limited resources, or to send a message that the state’s claim of protection is inaccurate.
U.N. Secretary‑General António Guterres condemned the attack, noting that 22 of the victims were reportedly executed in a church where they had taken shelter.
Kenscoff Mayor Jean Massillon told the Associated Press that gangs set fire to 25 homes and killed two government employees, including his cousin who served as his security detail.
Researcher María Fernanda Arocha of the nonprofit Armed Conflict Location & Event Data said gangs target Kenscoff because of its strategic position relative to Pétion‑Ville and routes linking the capital to the south.
Between January and August, security operations had reduced violence in Kenscoff by 66% prior to the attack, she said, but criminal groups have shifted focus to rural communities where police presence is limited.
Survivors accused authorities of inadequate protection prior to the assault; the National Police rejected those claims and announced an investigation into possible complicity or negligence, and ordered additional specialized units to the area.
Gang violence has displaced a record 1.5 million people and killed more than 3,050 individuals from January to June, according to U.N. statistics, and nearly 800 rapes were reported from April to June.
The number of kidnappings reported from April to June rose more than 40% from the previous quarter.
The attack occurred as Haiti prepares to hold its first general elections in more than a decade on December 13.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe was in Moscow on Tuesday, according to people familiar with the matter. Flight tracking data showed a U.S. government transport plane departing Joint Base Andrews and arriving in Moscow, then leaving about eight and a half hours later, the data from Flightradar24 indicated. U.S. officials did not announce the trip before Ratcliffe’s arrival. The purpose of the meeting has not been disclosed. The visit occurred as Russia continues its war in Ukraine, which has persisted for five years.
Sudanese army forces have retaken Bara, Jabra al‑Sheikh and Umm Sayala and secured the Exports Road in North Kordofan, a key supply route linking Khartoum with the western state, according to the army and Al Jazeera. The advances have increased pressure on RSF supply lines, which have been targeted in fighting that now spans North Kordofan, Darfur and the Blue Nile region.
About 318 individuals, including four officers, have joined the army, with additional groups of about 270 people and 45 fighters surrendering in recent days, Al Jazeera reported. Analysts say the timing of these defections coincides with intensified army operations and internal challenges within the RSF, though the trend does not yet indicate a collapse of the paramilitary force.
General Abdel Fattah al‑Burhan, head of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, announced on August 15 a political initiative that offers temporary immunity and legal guarantees to participants in a national dialogue managed by an independent mechanism. Criminal proceedings against participants would be suspended while they engage in the dialogue, and the state would not dictate the agenda, he said. He also said the process would involve national forces that support state institutions, aiming to complete a legislative council.
Al‑Burhan reiterated that the war would continue until the rebellion is ended and rejected a truce that would allow the RSF to reorganise, while stating he remains open to a just peace and dialogue that excludes the RSF. He emphasized that military pressure would persist alongside the political track.
Malik Agar, deputy chairman of the council, said on August 22 that a military resolution remains the current option unless conditions for negotiations arise, and that the RSF must withdraw from cities and residential areas before talks can begin. In a separate interview on August 23 he added that the army would win the conflict but that negotiations would ultimately end the war, stressing Sudan’s need to address underlying ethnic, cultural, religious and geographic divisions.
The combination of battlefield gains, growing defections and the announced dialogue suggests the military balance may influence the terms of Sudan’s next political phase, though neither side has achieved a decisive victory.
At least 47 people were killed and more than 50 were kidnapped after an armed attack on the Kenscoff community near Haiti’s capital at the weekend, the United Nations reported. The assault occurred in the hills above Port-au-Prince, where homes were set on fire and several individuals were taken hostage. A gang leader threatened to kill the hostages if security forces attempt to eliminate gang members, according to the report. UN officials said the death toll could rise as investigations continue. Authorities have not announced a rescue plan, and the area remains under tight control.
At least 14 infants died in a fire at a hospital in Islamabad on August 26, 2026, according to local television reports.
The fire broke out in the neonatal intensive care unit and was extinguished by firefighters after several hours.
Hospital officials said an investigation would determine the cause of the blaze, and the health ministry expressed condolences to the families.
Authorities have pledged to review fire safety protocols in public hospitals across Pakistan.
Lines have grown outside gas stations across Tehran in recent weeks as the United States has tightened its blockade and threatened additional sanctions, with some people waiting two hours or more to fill their tanks. The uncertainty deepened on Tuesday after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States would fully sever Iran from the global economy. Iranian officials have indicated they may reduce heavy gasoline subsidies to endure the tightening measures.
The longer queues reflect economic strain marked by double‑digit inflation and a record low for the Iranian rial. A barber said he rushes to stations when his tank is half empty, and a taxi driver noted rising prices for fuel and other goods. President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the United States of using economic pressure to create social problems and economic dissatisfaction, saying Iran will not surrender. Analysts say the sectors most affected are those that provide essential services, such as fuel, food and medicine, while digital assets, gold, technology, aviation and shipping have served as informal lifelines for many Iranians.
The United Arab Emirates recently announced a cut of all trade and financial transactions with Iran, a move U.S. officials linked to pressure from Washington. Iran has also threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway that carried about a fifth of global oil and gas before the conflict, betting that economic pressure could influence U.S. policy ahead of midterm elections. Experts warn that prolonged sanctions could erode purchasing power further and increase the risk of unrest, though no major protests have been observed so far.
Instagram chief Adam Mosseri testified before a U.S. court on Tuesday as the second week of a trial against Meta began, saying that few teenagers had used the Take a Break safety feature before it was set to activate by default for teen accounts. The case, brought by 29 U.S. states, alleges that Meta designed its platforms to be addictive to children and collected data from minors in violation of federal law, seeking about $200 billion in damages. Mosseri said most teens did not want the feature and the company chose to make it the default in September 2024, noting that usage was in the low single digits before the change and that adoption was only 1‑2 percent of accounts. Former Meta engineers and a data scientist who worked on the feature told the court that Take a Break and related Quiet Mode were difficult to locate and were used by very few users, with some stating the tools were effectively designed to fail and that automatic activation could hurt engagement. The trial is expected to run for six weeks, with a jury advisory verdict and a decision by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers on liability and any civil penalties.
The economic consequences of the ongoing Iran war are expected to influence voter behavior in the November elections. Analysts note that rising inflation and energy price volatility may affect public opinion. Politicians have expressed differing views on the relevance of foreign policy versus the economy in the upcoming campaign. The extent to which the war’s economic impact will sway the electorate remains uncertain.
Canada announced Tuesday it will impose retaliatory tariffs on about $20 billion of U.S. goods, including steel, dairy, appliances, farm equipment and other products, effective September 8. The measures match U.S. tariffs and aim to pressure American industries. The escalation follows the Trump administration’s weekend decision to impose 50 % tariffs on Canadian imports after trade talks collapsed. Prime Minister Mark Carney said the U.S. demands indicated an intent to undermine major Canadian industries. Finance Minister François‑Philippe Champagne said the tariffs were necessary because economic integration was being used as a weapon. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly urged Canadians to purchase domestic products to protect jobs and said the measures would affect specific U.S. states. A senior official said the tariffs were not designed around the U.S. electoral map, unlike earlier rounds of retaliatory tariffs. President Donald Trump told Canadian leaders on Monday to “fall in line” or face “far WORSE” consequences and threatened additional 50 % tariffs on vehicles, auto parts and steel. He also suggested renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America,” a remark that echoed a previous executive order on the Gulf of Mexico. The tariffs rely on an obscure Depression‑era trade law that permits duties of up to 50 % on imports from countries that discriminate against U.S. businesses; no president has previously used this provision. The new duties would double the rate on many U.S. products from 25 % to 50 %, particularly steel and aluminum. Canadian officials said the goal is to safeguard Canadian companies and reduce imports, not to generate revenue. A $7.5 billion Canadian support package was announced for workers and businesses affected. Business owner Michael Howard II in Michigan said the tariffs could hinder his ability to provide for his family and noted the interdependence of U.S. and Canadian supply chains. British Columbia Premier David Eby said any agreement with the current U.S. administration would be unstable. The dispute remains unresolved, with both sides indicating willingness to continue pressure while the economic effects are expected to be moderate. The situation will likely influence consumer prices and business planning in the coming months.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Moscow on Tuesday aboard a U.S. military aircraft, according to reports. The visit was unannounced and the purpose has not been confirmed by either the United States or Russia.
In‑person meetings between senior U.S. officials and Russian counterparts are infrequent. Relations between the United States and Russia have been strained since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, according to diplomatic analysts.
Flight tracking data indicated the C‑17 departed Riga at 05:50 GMT and landed near Moscow’s Vnukovo airport at approximately 07:04 GMT, later returning to Riga before 17:00 GMT, according to FlightRadar24. Social media footage showed the aircraft’s approach and a motorcade moving through Moscow.
Prior to the trip, a senior Ukrainian official told CBS that the United States asked Ukraine to suspend strikes while Ratcliffe was in Moscow.
The CIA has taken part in previous prisoner exchange negotiations, including the 2024 release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan, as well as journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, according to public records. Analysts said Ratcliffe may be discussing possible releases of U.S. detainees held in Russia, such as Ksenia Karelina.
The visit occurs during the second term of President Donald Trump, who met Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit in Alaska in 2023, according to White House statements. Subsequent U.S.-led peace talks between Russia and Ukraine have stalled, according to officials familiar with the discussions.
The outcome of Ratcliffe’s talks remains undisclosed, and no official statement has been released by the White House, the CIA, or Russian authorities.
Oil prices fell for a second consecutive day on Tuesday as the United States shifted from potential military action against Iran to the threat of broader economic sanctions, leading to a decline of more than three percent in Brent crude, which slipped below $90 per barrel.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the White House was declaring an "economic D-Day" against Iran and its trade partners, though no timeline or specific countries were named. Pakistani officials reported positive talks with Iran's president on Monday, with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi saying the meeting was "very positive and productive" and suggesting the momentum could help advance lasting peace in the region.
Wall Street equities rose, with the S&P 500 gaining 0.3 percent, while European markets mostly advanced, though Paris slipped slightly. German data showed second-quarter growth stronger than previously estimated. Analyst Chris Low of FHN Financial warned that markets were underestimating the impact of new U.S. tariffs on Canada, which imposed counter-tariffs ranging from 15 to 50 percent on American goods. He noted that the weekend-imposed tariffs were broader and larger than previous measures. Investor sentiment was also driven by expectations for artificial intelligence company Nvidia's earnings on Wednesday, with research director Kathleen Brooks of XTB stating that Nvidia's results could be a key driver of price action and volatility later in the week. Investors are also watching the annual Jackson Hole gathering beginning Thursday, where Federal Reserve official Kevin Warsh is scheduled to speak; his remarks are expected to be parsed for clues about monetary policy amid persistently high inflation and a 30-year Treasury yield that reached a 19-year high, prompting the Treasury to plan additional bond buybacks to lower borrowing costs.
The outcome of the sanctions and diplomatic efforts remains uncertain, and their influence on oil prices and financial markets will become clear in the coming days.
Iran and Oman's foreign ministers met in Tehran on Tuesday to discuss a framework for managing ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The talks come after an oil tanker was disabled off Oman's coast, underscoring ongoing risks for shipping in the waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz handles about one fifth of global oil exports and has been largely closed since Iran began its conflict with the United States and Israel on February 28.
The two countries issued a joint statement saying they will establish a joint temporary navigational corridor and work to clear mines from the strait. They aim to create a permanent shipping corridor and reach a future agreement on the administration of the strait.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the parties reached an understanding on a temporary route, allowing traffic into the Persian Gulf from the Gulf of Oman to pass entirely through Iranian waters while outbound traffic would use a combination of Iranian and Omani territorial waters.
A oil tanker was disabled off Oman's eastern coast on Monday night; the UK Maritime Trade Organization reported the vessel's engine was disabled, all crew were reported safe, and no immediate environmental impact was observed. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he would consider bombing Oman if it interfered with American efforts to reopen the strait. Iran has periodically fired at vessels attempting to transit the strait to enforce its control, while the United States has also fired on vessels while imposing a blockade of Iranian ports.
Iran's president and senior officials met with a delegation from Pakistan that left Tehran on Tuesday to discuss reviving negotiations aimed at ending the Iran‑U.S. conflict, according to the Pakistani military.
China's Foreign Ministry said it is closely following U.S. Treasury plans to expand sanctions on entities and individuals linked to Iran, including some based in China, and asserted that China‑Iran cooperation should not be disrupted, noting compliance with international law. The Treasury Department imposed sanctions on nearly 60 Iran‑linked entities, including several based in China, without imposing secondary sanctions on countries that trade with Iran.
Israeli forces seized a UNRWA‑run vocational school near Jerusalem on Tuesday, stating the facility was unlawful because UNRWA does not own the land. United Nations' interim Mideast coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov called the seizure unlawful and said it deprived 340 Palestinian refugees of educational services. Israel has accused UNRWA of anti‑Israel bias and of employing Palestinian militants, claims the agency denies and says it investigates allegations and purges suspected militants.
Separate Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed at least three people in the Jabaliya refugee camp and one in Khan Younis, and destroyed a UNRWA warehouse storing nutritional supplies for children and mothers in Deir al‑Balah, according to hospital and charity reports. The United States has not yet indicated whether it will accept the emerging Iran‑Oman arrangement, and the broader Middle East conflict remains unresolved.
At least 14 newborns died and one infant survived after a fire broke out in the nursery of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital in Islamabad early Wednesday. The blaze began shortly before 07:00 local time on the third floor of the Mother and Child Centre, reportedly caused by a short circuit in an air‑conditioning unit, according to officials. Firefighters extinguished the flames and rescued the infant before the fire was fully controlled. Officials reported the death toll as 14, while broadcaster Geo TV cited 15. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences and ordered an investigation, stating that those responsible would face severe consequences. The incident is among the deadliest hospital fires in Pakistan, highlighting recurring safety violations and underfunding in the public health sector, which experienced a deadly fire in Karachi in 2025 that killed 65 people. Investigators will examine safety protocols to prevent future incidents.
Taiwan’s foreign minister will attend the Pacific Islands Leaders Summit in 2026, the foreign ministry said. The summit brings together leaders from Pacific island nations and is scheduled for later this year. The visit is meant to bolster diplomatic ties and regional cooperation. No specific agenda has been announced.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Taiwan is part of China during an Al Jazeera interview aired earlier this month, reaffirming Malaysia’s traditional policy of non‑alignment. He added that if a Malaysian state tried to break away, he would use force to protect national unity. The Chinese foreign ministry praised the comment, saying Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. Taiwan’s government warned that Anwar’s remarks could harm Taiwanese business confidence in Malaysia. Anwar later said Malaysia respects China’s position but favour a peaceful solution to tensions in the Taiwan Strait. He also called for stronger defence capabilities in Sabah, citing the presence of US‑backed military facilities in the Philippines. The Philippines is upgrading bases on Balabac, which lies near Malaysian islands, under an Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement with the United States. Analysts noted that Malaysia’s recognition of Taiwan as part of China dates to a 1974 communiqué. They said Anwar’s remarks should be viewed in the context of his September trip to China and his push for defence spending. Scholars described the stance as a realist interpretation of territorial integrity, arguing that a Chinese attack on Taiwan would be seen as an attack on a rebel group within a single state. The Five Power Defence Arrangements, which include Malaysia, continue to host Western military personnel and conduct regular exercises, providing a deterrent while maintaining diverse economic ties with both China and the United States. Malaysia remains a major recipient of Chinese investment under the Belt and Road Initiative, while Taiwanese firms continue to invest heavily in the country’s semiconductor sector.
A tornado hit the village of Pomas in southwest France on Monday, injuring 39 people and damaging hundreds of homes.
France averages several dozen tornadoes each year, and the storm occurred under an orange thunderstorm warning issued for much of the southwest region.
The tornado produced winds of about 117 km/h (73 mph) and destroyed or damaged an estimated 300 homes, leaving roughly 2,800 residences without electricity across ten villages. More than 120 emergency responders were dispatched to the area. Fifteen victims were treated in hospitals, and two remained in critical condition, according to local officials. Resident Pierre reported that half of the village was destroyed, describing the vortex as swirling like a huge red and yellow chimney and noting that a historic stone castle, built over 1,000 years ago, had partially collapsed. Resident Chantal said she was frightened when the roof of her home fell on her, adding that she had lost her house.
The third stage of the Vuelta a España cycling race was cancelled after a hailstorm forced riders to take shelter about 15 km from the finish line. Flight operations at airports in Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice, Toulouse and north of Paris experienced delays and cancellations, according to Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot. Météo‑France noted that the region had been affected by recent heatwaves and wildfires, including a fire that burned 42,000 hectares.
Authorities have not reported any missing persons, and the cause of the tornado is under investigation.