Eastern European state at the centre of conflict and diplomacy
An improvised explosive device has detonated near the Balzi Rossi restaurant at Kudrinskaya Square in central Moscow, killing at least three people and injuring dozens. Authorities have described the blast as a terrorist attack and say an unidentified woman carrying the device died; investigators are examining whether the device was set off remotely or carried unknowingly.
Google has rolled back a new Google Earth feature that used Nano Banana 2 to generate images over real satellite, aerial and 3D imagery after users produced fabricated scenes — including fake refugee camps, bomb craters and nuclear plants. Google says generated images were watermarked and private; it has said it will add stronger guardrails.
Record low Danube levels have forced Hungary’s Paks nuclear plant to cut output to a few hundred megawatts and face a possible full shutdown; neighbouring Romania and Serbia have also reduced reactor or hydro output. Governments have ordered energy-saving measures and limited rail freight to conserve power as a renewed heatwave is pushing demand higher. (04 Aug 2026)
Joshua has come from an early knockdown to stop Kristian Prenga in the second round in Jeddah, preserving a potential all-British blockbuster with Tyson Fury. Fury had earlier stopped Mariusz Wach in seven rounds in Thailand. Contracts are reportedly signed, with venue and date still unsettled.
Oil benchmarks have fallen sharply after US President Donald Trump has said he called off planned strikes on Iran and reported that talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz will begin. Brent has dropped from above $100 to about $83 and US crude has fallen below $80, while markets and bond yields are reacting to lower geopolitical risk premiums.
BP has reported a quarterly profit of $5.73bn, more than doubling year-on-year, driven by higher oil prices amid Middle East conflict. The group plans to sell its US renewable natural gas unit Archaea and is considering further asset disposals, including a potential North Sea exit. CEO Meg O’Neill says the company is focusing on assets with the strongest potential to deliver returns.
Edinburgh’s King’s Theatre has reopened after a near-four-year closure following a £41 million refurbishment. The Edwardian venue now features enhanced accessibility, a level stage, extended fly tower, upgraded technical infrastructure and doubled hospitality capacity. Test events have taken place and tours are selling quickly ahead of fringe season.
Forecourt Eye reports a 20% rise in fuel thefts and a 48% jump in the value of stolen fuel across 550 UK forecourts in the five months since the February conflict began. Average petrol and diesel prices have reached multi-year highs, with forecourt crime expanding to include abuse and intimidation. Retailers partner with Facewatch to improve reporting.
Wildfires in Bordeaux’s Gironde region have stabilized after burning 42,000 hectares, prompting officials to reassess forest management. Temperatures have cooled and humidity risen, easing firefighting pressures. Ukraine will dispatch personnel to assist, as Europe endures a blistering summer.
Apple has filed a trade‑secrets lawsuit accusing OpenAI of stealing hardware-related information and poaching more than 400 employees. Apple has delayed its smart‑glasses launch to June 2027 and pushed consumer availability to late 2027 while it refocuses on Siri‑driven AI, privacy controls and developer support. The sector is also seeing rising competition from Chinese open‑weight models and growing investment in open AI infrastructure.
Troy Jackson has won the Maine Democratic nomination to replace Graham Platner and will challenge incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November. Jackson has consolidated delegate support at a special convention in Bangor and is positioning a working‑class, progressive agenda while critics and Jewish voters express concern over his recent stances on Israel.
New prime minister Andy Burnham has vowed to end rough sleeping in the UK, backed by 340m in new funding to create 1,200 homes and provide intensive support for at least 3,000 rough sleepers over five years. The programme builds on Covid-era measures and Manchester’s Bed Every Night, as rough sleeping numbers remain at record levels in 2025, with 4,793 people sleeping rough on a single autumn night.
The Red Sea region has seen renewed tensions as the Houthi movement threatens to impose tolls on ships transiting Bab al-Mandeb, while a Saudi-led maritime coalition works to secure freedom of navigation. The dispute has sent oil prices higher and drawn in multiple international actors amid ongoing US-Iran confrontations.
Trump has endorsed Darline Graham Nordone in the South Carolina special Senate race, prompting rival candidates to pledge loyalty to the president and outline paths to victory. Sanford, Fry, Norman and Lynch have entered the race, while Gowdy remains a potential wildcard. The field is consolidating around pro-Trump positions and policy priorities.
Michigan voters have gone to the polls today to choose a Democratic nominee for the open U.S. Senate seat. Progressive Abdul El‑Sayed has led recent polls against centrist Rep. Haley Stevens. The winner will face Republican Mike Rogers in November and will shape Democrats’ chances of retaking the Senate and the party’s ideological direction.
The IOC has provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, enabling athletes to compete internationally as various federations reinstate Russian participation. Ukraine challenges the move at CAS, arguing it violates the Olympic Charter and territorial integrity. Multiple sports have begun readmitting Russian and Belarusian athletes with flags and symbols permitted in some events.
Ukraine has expanded long-range drone strikes against Russia’s Wildberries warehouses, striking multiple hubs from Moscow to Saint Petersburg and Crimea. The attacks are part of a broader effort to disrupt Russia’s logistics and economy, with officials warning of financial strain on banks and businesses as the war continues.
SpaceX’s Starship 13th flight has deployed Starlink satellites and tested heat-shield upgrades. The test landed in the Indian Ocean with an intact booster and a taller test profile. Analysts discuss remaining heat-shield challenges for rapid reuse and cost reduction, with NASA eyeing Artemis and lunar missions.
The US faces intensified Iranian missile activity, with reports of diminishing Patriot and THAAD interceptors and Iran’s evolving missile program. Analysts say Chinese and Russian involvement is uncertain, while high-precision strikes raise questions about defence readiness amid ongoing regional tensions.
Ukraine has carried out long-range strikes in the Caspian Sea that hit vessels Kyiv says were carrying Iranian-linked military cargo to Russia. Iran has summoned Ukraine’s diplomat, said one sailor was killed and another wounded, and warned retaliation; Ukraine’s foreign ministry has denied intent to target civilians and called Iran’s threats unjustified.
Burnham has launched a northern base, No. 10 North, to devolve power from Westminster and speed up growth across post-industrial regions. Critics call it gimmick; supporters call it a circuit-breaker for Britain’s centralised economy. Details on funding remain unclear as ministers gather behind this new hub.
The government has unveiled plans to give England’s mayoral authorities a share of income tax to fund local development. While praised as a potential fix for regional inequality, the policy will take years to implement and risk leaving slower-growing areas behind, as councils seek to borrow for major projects amid central oversight.
Early on 30 July 2026 a missile that NATO and Polish officials say is likely a Russian Kh-101 has entered Polish airspace and crashed in a field near Tarnawa-Kolonia. NATO and Poland have activated air and ground defences. The strike was part of a larger Russian barrage that has killed at least eight people in Ukraine.
AP and Independent report reveal that six former child soldiers in Khartoum recount being forced to fight with the RSF, trained by Colombian mercenaries. They describe being shackled to anti-aircraft guns and artillery, with civilians cited as targets. UAE-linked groups are accused of arming the RSF; UAE denies it, calling shipments humanitarian. Events illustrate a wider deployment of foreign mercenaries in Sudan.
Ukraine reports intensified Russian strikes using missiles possibly supplied by North Korea, as Kyiv seeks more air defenses. Officials say the overnight attack killed civilians and damaged homes, with Kyiv calling for stronger Western Patriot interceptors amid escalating missile and drone barrages.
Ukrainian drone strikes have hit more Wildberries warehouses across Russia, while Moscow says it has downed hundreds of drones. The attacks are part of Kyiv’s long-range campaign to disrupt economic targets, with several sites damaged and casualties reported on both sides.
Fuel prices have surged amid Middle East conflict and shifting wholesale costs. RAC expects petrol at 160p per litre and diesel near 180p, with volatility likely to continue as geopolitics influence oil markets.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has partially uph eld Mudryk’s appeal, allowing the Ukraine winger to return to competition with immediate effect after accepting a breach of anti-doping rules. The case cites changes to WADA procedures and a low concentration of meldonium in the original test. Chelsea welcomes the decision as the team prepares for the new Premier League season.
The White House has not agreed to a domestic license for Ukraine to produce Patriots; officials are discussing the option, while Kyiv presses for stronger air defences amid ongoing Russian strikes. No official decision has been announced.
Joint letter from 22 EU members urges rapid, coordinated action to secure borders as about 60,000 migrants reach Ceuta from Morocco; most have returned, but the border spike triggers a Schengen debate and political backlash.
Ukraine has reported intensified Russian missiles and drones; Kyiv appeals for air defences as civilian casualties rise. Ukraine and its partners are negotiating further support and arms deliveries amid ongoing violence.
Satellite images show an oil sheen spreading around Qibliyah Island in Oman’s Hallaniyat Islands, with officials warning the tanker Caroline Bezengi is leaking crude as rough seas and monsoon winds threaten hull integrity. The vessel is under sanctions and has been grounded since June.
Wildfires across France and Greece have seen containment hold on several fronts, with hundreds of firefighters and international support keeping flames in check. Evacuations remain in place as weather conditions remain volatile and the threat of rekindling persists.
A Saturday night bombing at the Balzi Rossi restaurant in central Moscow has killed five people and injured 19, with authorities cautioning that the casualty toll may evolve. Russian officials say the attack targeted an event attended by a Russian security guard and other diners; Kyiv is denying involvement. The incident is under investigation as tensions rise between Moscow and Kyiv.
OPEC+ has decided to increase output by 188,000 barrels per day from September 2026, a move designed to stabilise markets and compensate for past overproduction. Nigeria remains under its DoC allocation and will not see changes to its targets as it seeks to raise crude output. The group will meet again on Sept. 6 to review conditions and consider further adjustments.
The Dow and S&P 500 have surged on continued talks with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with oil prices retreating as markets price in a potential deal. Major techs post strong earnings, helping sentiment.
A drone crash at a busy Gelendzhik beach has injured about 40 people. Officials say 17 were hospitalized; a medical disaster team is at the scene. The governor attributes the attack to Kyiv regime, while Ukraine denies civilian targeting. The event follows missile strikes on Kyiv and a separate incident at a Wildberries warehouse.
BP has reported its highest quarterly profit since 2022, buoyed by Brent crude at around $97 a barrel and strong refining margins. ExxonMobil, Chevron and Shell have also posted record or near-record profits in Q2, while markets are watching government pressure for potential price reductions. Trump has criticized the sector for profiteering, calling for lower prices.
Ukrainian drone operators are increasingly using AI-assisted autonomy to track targets when signal links fail, while broader drone programs expand with Western tech. Operators emphasize safety for human crews as robots take on more tasks.
Japan has adopted a 598-page defense paper, asserting China as its top strategic challenge and detailing plans to boost defense production, develop coastal drones, and deploy long-range missiles amid rising Pacific tensions.
Ukraine has targeted Wildberries warehouses in Russia amid ongoing drone campaigns. Russia reports drone and missile activity with casualties and fires near Moscow and in other regions. Reporting agencies cite Kyiv and local authorities on casualties and damage.
A gunman opened fire in Khmelnytske, killing civilians after shooting soldiers. Multiple people were wounded; the attacker has been detained. Officials say motives are under investigation. The incident follows heightened tension over Crimea, which Russia controls since 2014.
The United States is depleting its long-range munitions stockpiles, including ATACMS and PrSM, with officials warning that supply constraints could affect deterrence against Russia and China. The issue has become a focal point in discussions within the Trump administration as Pentagon officials stress that production is ongoing.
Ukrainian authorities have released video of a drone attack on a vegetable vendor in Kherson, injuring him and destroying his van. Ukraine calls it a war crime and says the drone was used to terrify civilians; Russia denies targeting civilians and blames Ukraine for the incident. The UN reports rising civilian casualties in 2026 amid intensified drone and missile strikes.