International Arabic news channel based in Doha, Qatar
Israeli settlers have besieged at least two Palestinian homes on Qusra's outskirts since Sunday, cutting water and electricity and blocking access. Israeli security forces have repeatedly failed to remove the settlers; the army has declared a closed military zone, deployed reinforcements and opened disciplinary probes after footage showed soldiers praying with settlers. The US embassy has publicly condemned the siege.
Kurdistan authorities have reported Iranian-launched drones struck the private office of KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and the residence of the region's security agency chief on 17 August, with no casualties. The attacks come as Baghdad presses for a September 30 deadline to bring armed factions under state control and as cross-border strikes and US-Saudi operations have raised tensions across Iraq.
Lebanon and Israel continue US-brokered negotiations over a June framework aimed at Hezbollah disarmament and Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Reports detail ongoing Israeli strikes, displacement in pilot zones, and Lebanese Army deployment, with authorities warning of persistent violence despite talks.
Houthi attacks on Yemen’s Red Sea coast have intensified, striking Mocha and al-Makha ports as government forces and militants trade strikes across Marib, Taiz and the western coast. The violence threatens shipping lanes, raises regional tensions, and risks drawing in regional powers as talks for a ceasefire stall.
Bloomberg reports officials are pushing for market structure rules and laws to govern emerging technologies, with a focus on ensuring the US maintains leadership and competitive edge.
Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem has criticised Lebanon’s participation in US-mediated talks with Israel in Rome and has rejected a June framework that ties Israeli withdrawals to verified disarmament and Lebanese army deployments in pilot zones. Technical teams have met in Rome while Israeli strikes, demolitions and clashes in southern Lebanon are continuing and Beirut is pressing Washington for verification guarantees.
Malaysia has announced a plan to repatriate up to 5,000 people to Myanmar and identified thousands of Myanmar nationals in detention; Myanmar's foreign ministry has reiterated it will work with Bangladesh to verify and receive former Rakhine residents once security stabilises. Rights groups warn returns will put Rohingya at risk amid renewed violence, trafficking and rising hostility in host countries.
Record crossings by mega-dinghies have surged across the English Channel, with boats carrying hundreds of migrants. Authorities are reinforcing enforcement and international cooperation as numbers fall overall but risks rise for those onboard.
A framework for talks between Venezuela’s government and opposition has been agreed, focusing on reforming the judiciary, transparency in the use of frozen assets, and a potential path to elections. High-level discussions include bringing in reforms to the Supreme Tribunal of Justice and the National Electoral Council, while addressing post-earthquake relief and disaster recovery.
Rep. Max Miller has refused to withdraw from Ohio's 7th congressional race after his ex-wife accused him of domestic abuse and the House Ethics Committee opened an inquiry. Party leaders missed the deadline to replace him on the general-election ballot, and Democratic groups have moved to boost challenger Brian Poindexter with millions in ad spending.
Clashes have intensified between Ethiopian federal forces and the TPLF in western Tigray near the Sudan border. Civilians are fleeing, and both sides accuse the other of violating the Pretoria peace deal. The fighting follows months of deteriorating relations since the Pretoria agreement and raises fears of a wider conflict in the region.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has ground toward a halt this weekend as a 60‑day ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran has reached its expiry and negotiations remain stalled. Kpler data shows single‑digit daily transits; Iran has repeated demands that the U.S. lift its naval blockade, remove sanctions and pay reparations, while the U.S. says it can maintain the blockade indefinitely and is planning further economic pressure.
North Korea has issued a warning of stronger deterrence as the U.S.-South Korea Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises approach. Pyongyang contends that the drills are provocative and vows to respond with a new level of deterrence. Multiple missiles have been fired this week, with experts saying the launches are intended to pressure the allies.
The Sudanese conflict persists as fighting between the army and RSF continues to upheave daily life. Civilians confront displacement, blocked routes, and humanitarian struggles, while international voices call for action.
Since early August the Houthi movement has carried out repeated missile and drone attacks on Yemeni government positions, the Red Sea port of Mocha and Saudi infrastructure, including a claimed strike on Aramco’s Jazan refinery. Yemeni government forces have responded with coordinated artillery, drone and air operations, and the UN has warned the country faces a return to large‑scale war.
The Board of Peace has issued its first construction contract for a 150-person outpost in Gaza to house Moroccan troops. Arkel International is named as contractor, but the legal framework remains unsettled and key questions persist about timelines, deployment, and legality.
Federal judges have blocked key parts of President Trump’s attempts to centralise voter-roll control and to curtail birthright citizenship, and lawyers have asked courts to treat his new August orders as violations of earlier injunctions. Separately, the Fifth Circuit has reversed a lower court ruling and restored Texas’s 2021 election restrictions.
Distant drone strikes hit multiple Wildberries warehouses across Russia, including Yekaterinburg in the Urals. Evacuations are under way with officials reporting some drone interceptions. Ukraine continues long-range strikes to disrupt Russian logistics and economy, while Russia asserts air defenses have intercepted hundreds of drones.
Canada and the United States have resumed intense negotiations to avert looming U.S. tariffs after weeks of tit-for-tat duties. Ottawa has been pressing for a broad, comprehensive deal; Washington is demanding changes including restored U.S. alcohol sales in some provinces and tighter rules on transshipped goods. Leaders say a final agreement remains subject to paperwork.
Unified Syrian and Lebanese security concerns frame talks on potential cross-border operations. While Washington presses for pressure points, Damascus faces internal and regional costs. A range of options is considered, from border controls to limited troop movements, with Iran’s retaliation potential guiding calculations.
Palestinian detainees and Gaza health officials report severe health deterioration among detainees held by Israel, while rights groups call for independent medical examinations and accountability. New details highlight alleged torture and medical neglect in prolonged detention amid ongoing conflict dynamics.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until the US ends the war, frees frozen assets and delivers a region-wide ceasefire. Tehran has presented six conditions, linking reopening to Washington’s compliance and Oman-mediated talks, while attacks near key shipping routes continue.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the U.S.-backed 15-point Gaza roadmap and said Israeli troops will not withdraw until Hamas is "genuinely disarmed." Hamas has affirmed its commitment to the plan, Washington says discussions with Israel are continuing, and the Israeli military has largely paused targeted strikes while ceasefire and reconstruction arrangements remain stalled.
A total solar eclipse has crossed parts of Spain, Iceland and Greenland while the UK and Ireland have seen a deep partial eclipse — the most extensive visible from the UK since 1999. Scientists have used airborne and balloon experiments to study the Sun's corona and the event has drawn large crowds despite patchy clouds and local viewing limits.
The Electoral Commission has paused vote counting amid reports of violence and theft of ballot papers. Bishops warn that delays undermine election credibility, while the government and opposition accuse each other of irregularities. Official results are expected soon as observers monitor the process.
Ukraine has expanded its use of long-range drones and ground robots to strike deep into Russia and support frontline operations. Drones pilot from distant centers, while ground robots carry supplies, evacuate wounded, and coordinate with aerial attacks. The shift signals a technological turn in warfare and raises questions about escalation and civilian risk.
British engineering firm JCB has set a new FIA-recognised land-speed record for a hydrogen internal-combustion vehicle. On 11 August at Bonneville Salt Flats, driver Andy Green has averaged 406.320 mph in the 32ft Hydromax powered by two hydrogen engines adapted from JCB machinery, more than doubling the prior hydrogen-combustion mark and showcasing JCB’s hydrogen programme.
West Ham has signed Israel international Solomon for about £5m with add-ons as they rebuild after relegation. He is set to improve the attack while the club targets immediate promotion back to the Premier League. Public reaction includes online backlash over his Israel advocacy, but fans hope his footballing impact will be decisive.
The State Department has revoked more than 175,000 visas, citing law-enforcement encounters, criminal activity and national-security concerns. Officials highlight cases including assault, DUI, theft and drug offenses, as well as birth-tourism concerns. The crackdown follows broader immigration enforcement and stricter vetting.
The African Union Peace and Security Council has returned to Khartoum to press for a ceasefire, humanitarian access, and a Sudanese-led political process. The SAF has recaptured parts of Khartoum and central Sudan, while RSF remains entrenched in Darfur. Preparations for a broad national dialogue are underway with regional and civil society actors, amid ongoing fighting and shifting alliances.
Warfare in Blue Nile State has escalated as RSF fighters and allied SPLM-N forces seize Kurmuk while the army withdraws. Drones and artillery have battered the town, causing new displacements as the conflict widens along border routes with Ethiopia.
A Damascus criminal court has sentenced ousted president Bashar al‑Assad, his brother Maher and several senior former officials — including Atef Najib, who is in custody — to death for murders, torture and crimes against humanity committed during Syria’s 14‑year conflict. The rulings have been issued in absentia for Assad and Maher, who are in Russia.
Heatwaves are intensifying across Europe, with several countries recording near-record highs. Hospitals report strain as temperatures surpass 30C in many areas, while drought and wildfires push governments to implement urgent measures. The unusual heat, tied to persistent high-pressure systems, is prompting warnings and adaptation efforts.
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake has struck western Colombia, with Cali, Pereira and surrounding regions bearing the brunt. Rescuers are digging through rubble as the death toll climbs and thousands of buildings are damaged. The new president has declared a state of emergency and mobilised security forces to lead the response.
Paris Saint-Germain has beaten Aston Villa 2-1 in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened, Villa teenager Brian Madjo levelled, and Desire Doue scored the winner after a VAR review awarded the goal. Somali referee Omar Artan, controversially denied a US World Cup visa, officiated the match.
Ceasefire negotiations in Gaza have stalled as Israeli air strikes resume, killing civilians and police officials. Mediators from the US, Egypt, and Qatar are pressing for a second phase of the ceasefire, including Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawal. Health authorities report multiple casualties from coastal Gaza strikes, underscoring fragile hopes for a durable halt to hostilities.
Mount Etna’s ongoing eruption has kept Catania airport closed or operating under strict restrictions, disrupting nearly 2,000 flights over the past week, with passengers rerouted to other hubs and price pressures rising during Ferragosto travel. Authorities warn ash emissions will continue to affect air traffic in the region.
Indonesia is battling widespread wildfires that have scorched tens of thousands of hectares, forcing school closures and online learning in affected provinces. Authorities are deploying cloud-seeding aircraft and firefighting efforts across six provinces with more than 107,000 hectares burned this year. The country faces a harsher dry season linked to El Niño.
Iraq has set Sept. 30 as the fixed date to end the military mission of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and to transfer bases to Iraqi forces, with US-led coalition drawing down in Iraq’s Kurdistan region. Officials say the pullout is on track, though disarmament of non-state groups remains unresolved and militias may resist the deadline.
Brazil’s ANPD has ordered Discord to suspend its Go Live and similar livestream features within three days until it implements safeguards for minors. The move follows the death of a 13-year-old in a Discord livestream and marks renewed regulatory scrutiny of tech platforms’ handling of minors and live content.
Colombia is joining the Shield of the Americas coalition, aligning with the US-led effort against drug cartels. The announcement comes as the Trump administration urges allies to reject the ICC, arguing the court intrudes on sovereignty. Rights groups warn of legal and civilian risks amid intensified regional security operations.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has cast his vote in Lusaka, launching a one-day election that will decide his bid for a second term amid concerns over rising living costs. Voters are also choosing Parliament members and local councilors; results are expected on Monday. Hichilema faces 13 challengers, with opposition leader Brian Mundubile seen as his main rival.
Settlers have besieged three Palestinian homes in Qusra near Nablus, cutting off water and power. US Ambassador Huckabee has publicly condemned the violence as "disgusting" and warned of accountability, while Israel weighs moving civilian policing into the occupied West Bank. The UN and Palestinian authorities condemn the siege as a tactic of displacement.
Poland has detained a suspect on Aug. 7, believed to be recruited by Russians and aimed at an American-Ukrainian citizen, in what Prime Minister Donald Tusk calls the first known attack on a US national ordered from Moscow on NATO soil. Poland says the operation involved US services and its own security agencies; authorities offer few further details.
The Kennedy Center's board has voted to place the inscription "Restored and Renovated By President Donald J. Trump" on the building and to close most of the facility for two years for renovations. The move has been led by trustees aligned with President Trump and has prompted immediate legal condemnation from Democratic board member Rep. Joyce Beatty.
Prichard Colón has died at 33 after a career hallmarked by a 2015 coma following blows to the head during a fight with Terrell Williams. He remains 16-0 before that bout; the incident triggered lawsuits and sparking renewed focus on safety in boxing.
Russia has launched overnight strikes on Ukraine’s Izmail port infrastructure along the Danube, injuring civilians and damaging a Togo-flagged vessel. Ukraine and Russia report targeting military cargo in the port area; attacks follow a broader wave of drone and missile activity across the region.
U.S. authorities have charged Melissa L. Farris with depredation of property and destruction of veterans’ memorials after the World War II Memorial fountain was defaced with red graffiti and soap. The incident follows similar vandalism at nearby sites and comes amid ongoing debate over the Reflecting Pool case.
The United States has imposed tariffs on Brazilian exports, with duties up to 37.5%, prompting Brazil to seek diplomatic consultations. Lula da Silva says Brazil will defend its position and warns against foreign meddling in the October elections. The dispute follows tensions over visa revocations and ambassador nominations, with both sides signaling potential retaliation but avoiding immediate escalation.
South Korea’s president has proposed resuming high‑level talks with North Korea to turn the armistice into a peace treaty. He calls for dialogue among directly involved parties to curb Pyongyang’s nuclear capabilities, while pledging to ease tensions and pursue peaceful coexistence. North Korea remains unreconciled, continuing weapons tests and strengthening frontline defences.