The Russian Federation: largest country, spanning Europe and Asia
A SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage has struck the Moon near Einstein Crater at about 5,400 mph, carving a new crater and launching a dust plume. South Korea’s Danuri orbiter has photographed the site and released images. NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is scheduled to image the impact next week while scientists begin analysing ejecta and crater formation.
Federal judges have blocked elements of President Trump’s efforts to curb birthright citizenship and to centralise voter-roll control, and plaintiffs have asked courts to bar his new orders. Judges in Boston and Washington have issued injunctions preventing the Postal Service and other agencies from implementing parts of his election and citizenship directives ahead of the November midterms.
European nations and the UK are intensifying efforts to disrupt Russia’s shadow fleet, with new EU sanctions allowing the sale of seized Russian oil cargoes. Putin warns that seizures amount to piracy and promises a response, while Western and Russian officials describe a growing maritime confrontation surrounding sanctioned oil shipments.
Poland has detained a Russian-backed suspect who was allegedly hired to kill an American-Ukrainian man on Polish soil. Prime Minister Donald Tusk says this marks the first known instance of Russia ordering an attack on a US citizen within a NATO nation. Investigations involve U.S. and Polish security services.
The European Broadcasting Union has updated Eurovision rules. Winners will be ineligible to host if armed conflict, sensitive geopolitical situations or regional instability affect security; the EBU can commission independent security assessments and appoint alternative hosts. The minimum competitor age rises to 18 and backing-track rules have been clarified for 2027.
A drone carrying an explosive device found near a Ukrainian cargo plane at Leipzig-Halle Airport has been defused after investigators removed its detonator. Flights were suspended and several aircraft diverted as Germany’s security services treat the incident as a new hybrid threat linked to foreign powers. Investigations are underway to determine the culprits and potential links to a broader network.
Nigel Farage has unveiled "Operation Fortress": a Reform UK plan to use the Royal Navy to intercept small boats in the English Channel, detain those on board, and return them to France or Belgium. The proposal has drawn legal, military and diplomatic scepticism, French officials have condemned it, and rivals say it aims to distract from party financial scandals.
Arsenal has added Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier as it defends its Premier League title. Fitness concerns for key players are being addressed as the club integrates new signings, with focus on squad depth and competition.
British heavyweight Moses Itauma will headline London’s O2 Arena on Aug. 29 for the vacant IBF heavyweight title, facing Filip Hrgovic. The title win would crown Itauma as the youngest world heavyweight champion since Mike Tyson. The bout is part of a broader heavyweight landscape shaped by Usyk’s vacating of belts and ongoing negotiations for future super-fights.
The Resolution Foundation has urged ministers to switch on a targeted energy discount by January 2027, arguing a means-tested scheme could shield about 40% of households—roughly 4 in 10—from higher bills. The plan, costing around £2bn, would focus on households where the top earner earns £24,000 or less, and would complement existing schemes amid a volatile energy market.
A chain of reports shows Europe witnessing a continent-wide total solar eclipse, with Spain, Iceland and Greenland offering the best views. Partial visibility extends across the UK and much of western Europe, while live coverage from ESA and NASA accompanies crowds gathered to watch the celestial event.
A collection of recent wildlife conservation updates covers a gorwing range of species and habitats: a babirusa birth at Chester Zoo amid wild population declines; Kazakhstan restores tiger range with a Caspian tiger release; pygmy hippo births in Edinburgh with privacy for early bonding; and mixed outcomes for big cats in the US and UK zoos. The articles highlight ongoing conservation work and the fragile status of several species.
Myanmar’s military-led government is pushing a calibrated path to regain ASEAN engagement and regional legitimacy after more than five years of isolation following the 2021 coup. Bangkok hosts Min Aung Hlaing for high-profile diplomacy with Thai leaders and business forums, while critics warn such engagements may prolong the civil war and bolster the regime.
The Washington Post reports that President Trump has covertly switched planes while in Turkey to evade an Iranian threat. Officials say a decoy flight carried journalists and some aides, while Trump moved to a smaller aircraft. The White House has not fully disclosed the details, prompting bipartisan calls for transparency.
An oil spill from the tanker Caroline Bezengi has spread rapidly along Oman’s southern coast and Masirah Island, threatening marine areas and a protected habitat. Authorities warn beaches may be contaminated as winds and currents push the slick toward Ras Madrakah and beyond. The vessel is linked to sanctions on Russia’s oil and is under investigation.
The Ming Yang plan for a new £1.5bn Ardersier factory nears a decision after UK ministers blocked it on security grounds. Proponents cite up to 1,500 jobs and supply-chain growth; opponents warn of cyber risk and strategic dependency. Leadership in Scotland and UK pledges a review as the new government weighs security against economic benefits.
The rare solar eclipse is visible across western Europe, with partial coverage in the UK and a total eclipse in parts of Iceland, Spain, and Russia. Observers are urged to use ISO-certified glasses and practice eye safety as the event unfolds today.
Ukraine has reported that Russian forces have fired ballistic missiles supplied by North Korea in overnight strikes that hit Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk and other regions, killing civilians and wounding dozens. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Russia has received more missiles and is preparing to deploy more North Korean troops, and Kyiv is pressing allies for air-defence supplies. (11 Aug 2026)
Multiple states have reported coordinated cyberattacks that have targeted internet-connected controllers in water and wastewater systems. Agencies have said attackers have changed passwords and locked operators out, forcing utilities to revert to manual controls; officials have reported disruptions such as loss of pressure but said drinking water remains broadly safe.
Taiwan’s Han Kuang exercises are extending to 10 days, testing 24-hour defense operations, urban resilience, and new US-inspired tactics. Civilians are mobilized, internet slowdowns simulate disruption, and reservists are being expanded to strengthen civil defense amid heightened tensions with China.
Multiple reports confirm armed groups have attacked a military base in the northeast, with troops repelling the assault amid casualties and property damage. Authorities say security is being maintained as reinforcements are dispatched and investigations begin.
Ukraine has reported intensified Russian missile and drone attacks across Kyiv and other cities. Zelensky has urged partners to accelerate air-defence deliveries, citing casualties and the mounting strain on Ukraine’s defensive network. NATO and US officials warn the war could intensify this winter.
The US has ongoing shortages of long‑range missiles and interceptors amid the Iran war. Authorities are replenishing stockpiles, ramping up production, and monitoring ally readiness as munitions levels remain stressed. Multiple outlets report depleted Patriot and THAAD interceptors and widespread use of ATACMS, PrSM, Tomahawks, and other missiles.
The United States and South Korea are conducting Ulchi Freedom Shield drills as North Korea launches a ballistic missile from the Wonsan area. The launch flies over 700km before landing in waters near Japan. Seoul and Washington say the exercises are defensive, while Pyongyang calls them a rehearsal for invasion.
Zelensky has visited Belgrade to meet President Vučić as Serbia balances Moscow ties with EU aims. Kyiv seeks logistics and energy cooperation, humanitarian aid, and a path toward EU membership, while Belgrade remains cautious on sanctions against Russia. Serbia pledges support for Ukraine’s resilience and studies a possible free-trade deal.
Robert Gilman has landed in the United States after Russia has released him on humanitarian grounds. U.S. officials have said he is walking and talking and will be flown to a military hospital in Texas for medical and psychological care after evaluations on the flight to Washington on Tuesday, 11 August 2026.
Andre1s Baka has been elected as Hungarys transitional president by a two-thirds parliamentary majority. The move accompanies a broader push by the Tisza government to dismantle Orban-era institutions, reform the constitution and restore independence in media and judiciary.
Syria and Russia have signed a memorandum of understanding that will transfer civilian control of Hmeimim airport and the commercial Tartus berth to Damascus and repurpose military areas at Hmeimim and Tartus into joint training centres, with the transition scheduled within three months, Syrian state media and Russian officials have said.
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.
Greenland Energy and partner 80 Mile have delayed their Jameson Land drilling plans to winter 2027 after Greenlandic regulators warned that equipment landings lacked approvals. The companies say the pause will allow for regulatory review and stronger ties with local authorities and communities. The move follows earlier confrontations over landing gear and environmental safeguards.
UN reports a rising number of girls deprived of secondary schooling in Afghanistan, with the ban affecting education, health, and the economy. The Taliban’s restrictions have widened gaps in literacy and teacher availability, prompting international calls to lift the ban.
The Washington Post reports a covert move during July’s NATO summit in Ankara, where Trump reportedly boarded the older Air Force One, then was secretly moved to a smaller jet via a catering truck. Reportedly, journalists believed they were traveling with him on Air Force One, while he flew to RAF Mildenhall in the UK on a different plane.
A Syrian court has sentenced ousted president Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher and their cousin Atef Najib to death in absentia or in person for crimes including murder, torture and crimes against humanity. Najib has been in detention in Syria and stood in a cage during the verdict. Assad and Maher remain in Russia under political asylum.
Traders have participated in Tuesday’s tenders with Bunge, CHS and Olam. A new wheat tender is expected to close on August 18, with shipments planned for September-October. Russia’s export tax changes and congestion at Black Sea ports have shaped a cautious market, while forecasts point to a potential fall in August grain exports.
The government has appealed via the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, arguing that universal injunctions cannot align with CASA after a Supreme Court ruling last year. The majority of tariff refunds have already been paid; hundreds of orders have been issued by the Court of International Trade, and tens of thousands of importers may pursue further relief within the statute of limitations.
Global gold-backed ETFs have drawn $3 billion in July, ending two months of outflows as Western investment demand shows tentative signs of recovery. Europe led inflows, North America posted modest gains, and Asian funds boosted holdings, while prices rebound from earlier lows but remain below January highs.
A Ukrainian drone attack on Novorossiysk has killed a child and injured several people, with damage reported to dozens of buildings as regional authorities confirm ongoing strikes across southern Russia and Ukraine. Authorities say the broader Krasnodar region has seen multiple casualties and infrastructure damage, while Russia reports counter-drone activity.
Ukraine has handed over proposals to U.S. negotiators aimed at ending the war with Russia. Zelenskyy says the United States can help strengthen Ukraine’s defense, notably air defenses, while pressuring Russia to pursue an end to the conflict. Washington officials have not detailed responses to Kyiv’s proposals.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited the Kuril Islands, meeting local officials and inspecting facilities, as Tokyo protests the move. The islands remain a long-standing flashpoint between Russia and Japan, with both sides citing historic and legal claims. Putin's trip follows separate drills in Sakhalin and underscores Moscow's ongoing security stance in the region.
France’s foreign ministry has opened an administrative inquiry into Ambassador Bruno Foucher after reports he hosted about 30 women at his Bangui residence between January 2024 and March 2026. Disciplinary proceedings are ongoing as Paris seeks to repair ties with the Central African Republic amid Russian influence.
News update: Ukrainian forces have targeted one of Russia's largest oil refining complexes, the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat plant in Bashkortostan, amid ongoing fighting. The attack follows nearby strikes on Russia's Black Sea naval base and a drone attack in Crimea. Repairs to another refinery in Orsk may take up to six months, according to regional authorities.
The White House has directed the Homeland Security Task Force to build a program enabling vetted private firms to conduct cyber surveillance and cyber effects operations against foreign transnational criminal organizations. The directive requires government oversight, strict vetting, and a $1 million escrow; details remain undefined as officials prepare next steps.
Authorities report a pardon in a Malian case involving a former officer accused of destabilising the government; France denies involvement and Mali cites due process, while broader security tensions persist across the region.
The Malian Armed Forces have announced that freed soldiers are safe and being cared for by authorities after a series of attacks on April 25 by al-Qaeda-linked groups and Tuareg separatists. The release is framed as humanitarian; at least several soldiers were killed during operations to retake Bamako and surrounding areas.
A Russian official says a 32-year-old Russian woman acting on Ukrainian intelligence has been arrested after an explosion killed Robert Shageyev, a former Ukrainian officer who switched sides. The incident coincides with a second fatal blast in Sevastopol linked to Ukrainian strikes, and Russia reports the destruction of a civilian train locomotive in Odesa region following drone activity. Kyiv and Moscow both reference Ukrainian involvement, while a Russian oil refinery near Orsk remains shut after damage.
The Army Corps has granted a permit for Enbridge’s Line 5 tunnel project, declaring it not contrary to the public interest despite adverse effects on species and archaeological sites. The decision moves the decade-long proposal forward while signaling ongoing court battles and new lawsuits from opponents.