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Ukraine on Saturday said it struck a Russian airbase as Russia launched hundreds of drones overnight in its latest wave of long-range attacks, further diminishing hopes of progress toward ending the war that has now dragged on for over three years. Ukraine’s military General Staff confirmed that its forces targeted the Borisoglebsk airbase in Russia’s Voronezh region, which it described as the “home base” for Russia’s Su-34, Su-35S, and Su-30SM fighter jets. In a statement on Facebook, the General Staff said the strike hit a depot containing glide bombs, a training aircraft, and “possibly other aircraft.” Russian officials have not yet commented on the reported attack. Strikes on Russian airbases are part of Ukraine’s efforts to weaken Russia’s military capability and demonstrate its reach into high-value targets deep inside Russian territory. Last month, Ukraine claimed to have destroyed over 40 Russian aircraft stationed at various airfields inside Russia during a surprise drone operation. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 322 drones and decoys into Ukrainian territory overnight into Saturday. Of these, 157 were intercepted and destroyed, while 135 were lost, likely due to electronic jamming, according to Ukrainian officials. The western Khmelnytskyi region was the main target of the latest attacks. However, regional Governor Serhii Tyurin said no damage, injuries, or fatalities were reported. Ukraine pursues joint weapons production with allies as US pauses some arms shipments Russia has recently escalated its long-range aerial bombardments on Ukraine. On Friday, waves of drones and missiles targeted Kyiv in what officials described as the largest aerial assault since the invasion began. The attack killed one person and injured at least 26 others. The renewed Russian offensive follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s phone conversation with US President Donald Trump on Friday. Zelenskyy described the discussion as “very important and productive,” saying the leaders talked about strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses, the potential for joint US-Ukraine weapons production, and broader U.S.-led initiatives to end the war. Speaking to reporters Friday night, Trump confirmed the call, saying, “We had a very good call, I think.” When asked about the prospects of ending the war, Trump responded, “I don’t know. I can’t tell you whether or not that’s going to happen.” The US has recently paused shipments of certain military aid to Ukraine, including vital air defense missiles. European allies are now considering how they can fill the gap. Zelenskyy has said plans are underway to expand Ukraine’s domestic arms production, though scaling up such efforts will take time. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it shot down 94 Ukrainian drones overnight, along with an additional 12 drones on Saturday morning. No casualties have been reported in connection with those incidents.

Russia launched the largest missile and drone barrage on Kyiv since the start of the war in Ukraine, officials said Friday, as Moscow steps up its efforts to capture more Ukrainian territory. The overnight aerial assault lasted seven hours, killing one person and injuring at least 26 others, including a child, Ukrainian officials confirmed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described it as “a harsh, sleepless night” for the capital. Shortly after the attack, Zelenskyy held what he called a “very important and productive” phone conversation with US President Donald Trump to discuss ways to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses, joint weapons production, and broader US-led efforts to end the war with Russia, as reported by AP. Zelenskyy’s office said they discussed the possibility of future meetings between their teams to explore ways of enhancing Ukraine’s protection, particularly through direct projects in drone technology and defense industry cooperation. They also exchanged views on military procurement, investment, and diplomatic efforts with international partners. The White House did not immediately comment on the call. The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched 550 drones and missiles across Ukraine during the night, including 11 missiles. Most of the aerial assault involved Shahed drones. The attack caused severe damage across multiple districts of Kyiv. Emergency services removed more than 300 tons of rubble, while five ambulances responding to the aftermath were also damaged. Blasts lit up the night sky and echoed across the city as air raid sirens wailed. “Absolutely horrible and sleepless night in Kyiv,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha posted on X. He called it “one of the worst so far.” Kyiv’s Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko described “families running into metro stations, basements, underground parking garages, mass destruction in the heart of our capital.” “What Kyiv endured last night cannot be called anything but a deliberate act of terror,” Svyrydenko wrote on X. At least 14 people were hospitalized in Kyiv, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Ukraine pursues joint weapons production with allies as US pauses some arms shipments Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its forces targeted military production sites in Kyiv, including drone factories. Meanwhile, another prisoner swap took place Friday. Zelenskyy said most of the Ukrainian soldiers freed had been in Russian captivity since 2022 and were classified as “wounded and seriously ill.” The total number of soldiers exchanged was not disclosed by either side. The assault on Kyiv came hours after a phone call between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. When asked if any progress was made toward ending the war, Trump said, “No, I didn’t make any progress with him today at all.” He added, “I’m very disappointed with the conversation I had today with President Putin because I don’t think he’s there. I don’t think he’s looking to stop (the fighting), and that’s too bad.” Putin’s foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said the Russian leader told Trump that Moscow will continue its efforts to achieve its objectives in Ukraine and eliminate the “root causes” of the conflict. “Russia will not back down from these goals,” Ushakov told reporters after the call. Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, with Putin falsely claiming it was necessary to protect Russian-speaking civilians in eastern Ukraine and to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO. Ukraine's military is under pressure as Russia intensifies attacks along the 1,000-kilometer front line and escalates aerial strikes. Official data compiled by The Associated Press shows that Russia launched 5,438 drones and more than 330 missiles across Ukraine in June alone, a new monthly record. Throughout Thursday night, AP journalists in Kyiv reported the constant buzzing of drones, explosions, and intense machine-gun fire as Ukrainian forces tried to intercept incoming threats. Ukraine’s air defenses reportedly shot down 270 targets, including two cruise missiles, though another 208 targets were lost from radar and presumed jammed. Russia struck eight locations with nine missiles and 63 drones, while debris from intercepted drones fell across 33 sites. In addition to Kyiv, damage was reported in the Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv regions. Zelenskyy condemned the attack on Kyiv as “cynical.” Emergency services reported damage in at least five of the capital's 10 districts.

A gas station explosion in southeastern Rome on Friday morning left at least 25 people injured, including nine police officers and a firefighter, according to local authorities and rescue officials. The explosion, which occurred shortly after 8 a.m., was heard across the Italian capital, sending a massive cloud of dark smoke and fire into the sky, visible from several parts of the city. Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said police and firefighters rushed to the scene after receiving reports of a gas leak. “Two explosions followed after they arrived,” he added. Elisabetta Accardo, spokeswoman for Rome police, confirmed that 16 residents were injured, including two who were in “severe conditions” and hospitalized at Rome's Casilino Hospital. “Nine of the injured are from law enforcement corps — police and carabinieri — and one is a firefighter," she added. "But luckily they are not in life-threatening conditions.” Fifteen firefighting teams were deployed to the site and worked to bring the fire under control. Rome prosecutors have launched an investigation into the cause of the explosion, which may be linked to a reported gas leak during the unloading of liquefied petroleum gas at the station. Ukraine pursues joint weapons production with allies as US pauses some arms shipments Police swiftly evacuated a nearby sports center following the first explosion, bringing several children to safety. Officers also searched surrounding areas for people who may have been injured or trapped in nearby buildings. Barbara Belardinelli, a local resident, said she and her daughter were slightly injured after leaving their home to investigate the initial blast. “As soon as we heard the second explosion, we were also hit by a ball of fire. I thought that a car near us exploded, metal fragments were flying in the air,” she recalled. “We felt the fire on the skin, the arm of my daughter is still red, it was horrible.” Other residents described the explosion as so powerful it shook nearby buildings “like an earthquake,” breaking windows and tearing off shutters. Pope Leo XIV expressed his concern and solidarity, stating he was praying for those affected by the explosion, which occurred “in the heart of my Diocese.” Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she was closely monitoring the situation.

Serbian police have detained 79 university students and other protesters after breaking up street blockades in several cities amid ongoing demonstrations against President Aleksandar Vucic's populist government. Riot police intervened late Wednesday and into early Thursday in Belgrade, as well as in the northern city of Novi Sad and the southern cities of Nis and Novi Pazar. Authorities rejected accusations of police brutality and the use of excessive force. However, student organizers claimed that police violently dispersed peaceful protesters, with reports of officers using batons and shields to beat demonstrators. Local media said four students were hospitalized, one of whom suffered a broken collarbone. The Interior Ministry confirmed that four police officers were injured and a police vehicle was damaged, stating that security forces acted "in accordance with the law" during the operation. Tensions have been escalating in Serbia following a mass rally last Saturday where tens of thousands of people in Belgrade demanded early parliamentary elections. That protest ended in clashes between riot police and demonstrators. Despite months of growing public unrest, Vucic has refused to call a snap election. The protests began in November after a deadly incident in Novi Sad where a newly renovated rail station canopy collapsed, killing 16 people and sparking allegations of corruption and negligence in state infrastructure projects. Serbia is scheduled to hold its next parliamentary and presidential elections in 2027. In the meantime, Vucic has increased efforts to suppress the protests, labeling them as "terror" and accusing demonstrators of trying to destabilize the state. Opposition groups and human rights advocates accuse Vucic of becoming increasingly authoritarian over his decade-long rule, eroding democratic institutions while allowing corruption and organized crime to thrive—claims he denies. Although Serbia is officially seeking European Union membership, Vucic's administration has also maintained close ties with Russia and China.    

Ukraine is moving forward with early plans to jointly produce weapons with some of its international allies, officials confirmed, even as the United States announced a halt to certain promised arms shipments intended to support Ukraine’s defense against Russia. The developments come at a critical stage in Russia’s full-scale invasion, now nearing three and a half years. A renewed Russian offensive aimed at seizing more Ukrainian territory is putting Ukraine’s overstretched defenses under extreme pressure, while Russian missiles and drones continue to pound Ukrainian cities. At the same time, U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to broker a peace deal have reached a standstill. With the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump pulling back from support for Ukraine’s war effort, European nations are facing increased responsibility to pressure Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone on Tuesday for the first time in nearly three years. According to Macron’s office, during their two-hour conversation, Macron reaffirmed France’s “unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” and called for a ceasefire. Russian drone strike kills a married couple and injures 17 others, Ukraine says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said preparations are underway for upcoming meetings with European Union member states and other allies to discuss defense industry cooperation. “One of the main topics will be weapons production — joint investments, joint projects,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly address on Tuesday. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced that draft legislation enabling joint weapons production with international partners will be presented to Ukraine’s parliament later this month. Umerov stated that national defense companies reviewed the proposed laws on Tuesday. The plan includes establishing special legal and tax measures to support Ukrainian defense manufacturers in expanding and modernizing production. This could involve building new weapons manufacturing facilities both inside Ukraine and abroad, according to Umerov. Earlier this week, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul visited Kyiv, where he pledged Germany’s support to help Ukraine accelerate domestic weapons production. He was joined by representatives from Germany’s defense industry. Meanwhile, U.S. officials confirmed Tuesday that certain weapons deliveries to Ukraine are being paused over concerns that U.S. stockpiles have fallen to dangerously low levels. These weapons were pledged under the previous Biden administration, but the Pentagon did not specify which systems are being withheld. In response, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry summoned the U.S. chargé d’affaires, John Hinkel, on Wednesday for discussions on defense cooperation. Deputy Foreign Minister Maryana Betsa expressed gratitude for U.S. assistance but underscored the “critical importance” of delivering the previously promised defense packages, particularly to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense. Putin and Trump discussed Middle East tensions, Ukraine war in phone call Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reacted by saying that the Pentagon’s move could bring a negotiated settlement closer, stating, “The fewer weapons supplied to Ukraine, the closer the end of the war is.” The U.S. has been Ukraine’s largest military supporter since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. However, since Trump took office, Washington has announced no new military or weapons aid for Ukraine. According to Germany’s Kiel Institute, which tracks global military support, the U.S. provided no new assistance to Ukraine between March and April this year. For the first time since June 2022, European nations surpassed the U.S. in total military aid, contributing 72 billion euros ($85 billion) compared to the U.S.’s 65 billion euros ($77 billion), the institute reported last month. Washington’s latest decision could deprive Ukraine of some of its most advanced battlefield weaponry. Analysts say Europe can help fill some gaps by supplying artillery systems, but there are no European alternatives to key U.S.-made weapons like HIMARS missile launchers and Patriot air defense systems, both vital for protecting Ukrainian cities from Russian airstrikes. Ukraine's current stockpile levels and its most urgent defense needs remain unclear.

Hurricane Flossie intensified into a Category 2 storm off Mexico’s Pacific coastline on Tuesday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The hurricane is packing maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 kph), with rainfall already affecting parts of Mexico’s coastal regions. As of the latest update, Flossie was located approximately 150 miles (245 kilometers) southwest of Manzanillo. Russian drone strike kills a married couple and injures 17 others, Ukraine says The storm is currently moving northwest at a speed of 10 mph (17 kph) and is expected to maintain this trajectory over the coming days. Forecasters predict the system will move away from southwestern Mexico by Tuesday night. Further strengthening is anticipated, with Flossie likely to reach major hurricane status — defined as Category 3 or higher, with sustained winds of at least 111 mph (180 kph) — as early as Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.  

A Danish national suspected of gathering intelligence on Jewish individuals and locations in Berlin on behalf of Iranian authorities has been arrested in Denmark, German prosecutors said Tuesday. The suspect, identified only as Ali S. in accordance with German privacy laws, was detained last Thursday in the Danish city of Aarhus, according to a statement from federal prosecutors. He is accused of working for an Iranian intelligence agency, which allegedly tasked him earlier this year with collecting information on “Jewish sites and specific Jewish individuals” in Berlin. Prosecutors say he conducted surveillance on three properties in June, which they believe may have been part of preparations for additional intelligence operations or potential attacks on Jewish targets in Germany. "If these suspicions are confirmed, we are facing a deeply alarming operation," said German Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig, adding that the protection of Jewish communities remains a top priority for the German government. Denmark reiterates support for 'peaceful, democratic, equitable' Bangladesh  Following a brief but intense conflict between Israel and Iran in June, German security agencies increased protective measures for Jewish and Israeli establishments across the country. The suspect’s arrest followed intelligence shared by Germany’s domestic security service. He is expected to be extradited to Germany, where a judge will decide whether he remains in custody while formal charges are prepared. The exact timeline for his extradition remains unclear. In response to the incident, Germany summoned Iranian Ambassador Majid Nili Ahmadabadi to its Foreign Ministry. The Iranian Embassy in Berlin dismissed the allegations as “unfounded and dangerous,” claiming they are part of a deliberate attempt to distract from Israel’s recent military actions against Iran and the deaths of Iranian citizens. Germany, a close ally of Israel, has long had strained relations with Tehran. Nevertheless, it remains one of the European nations engaged in diplomatic efforts regarding Iran’s nuclear program. Relations worsened further in October, when Germany ordered the closure of all three Iranian consulates following Tehran’s announcement of the execution of Jamshid Sharmahd — an Iranian-German national living in the United States who was abducted by Iranian security forces in Dubai in 2020. Iran's embassy in Berlin now remains its only diplomatic mission in the country.

Russia’s former deputy defense minister, Timur Ivanov, was sentenced to 13 years in prison on Tuesday after being found guilty of embezzlement and money laundering in a high-profile corruption case that has highlighted deep-rooted graft within the Russian military — a factor many blame for Moscow’s failures on the battlefield in Ukraine. Ivanov, 49, is the most prominent figure caught up in an extensive investigation into military corruption that has implicated several senior officials linked to former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Despite the crackdown on his associates, Shoigu, a longtime ally of President Vladimir Putin, retained his political influence and was recently appointed as the head of Russia’s Security Council. Appointed as deputy defense minister in 2016, Ivanov was responsible for overseeing military construction, property management, housing, and medical support for armed forces personnel. His extravagant lifestyle sparked public anger in Russia, particularly as the war in Ukraine revealed significant shortcomings in military logistics and organization that contributed to Russia’s military struggles. Russian drone strike kills a married couple and injures 17 others, Ukraine says Ivanov was arrested in April 2024 and has been in detention since. On Tuesday, Moscow City Court convicted him of embezzling 3.9 billion rubles — approximately $50 million — which he has denied. In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered the seizure of his assets, which reportedly include luxury real estate and a valuable collection of vintage cars. Ivanov’s legal team announced plans to appeal the verdict. He has also been placed under sanctions by both the United States and the European Union for his involvement in Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.    

Four people have been detained in Istanbul for publishing a cartoon of Prophet Muhammad, which authorities say insults religious values. The arrests follow an investigation launched by Istanbul prosecutors into the alleged "public insult to religious values." The controversial cartoon appeared in the June 26 issue of satirical magazine Leman, referencing the ongoing Israel-Iran tensions and showing the Prophet Muhammad and Prophet Moses shaking hands over a devastated cityscape. The cartoon triggered widespread anger. Videos shared on social media show large crowds demonstrating outside Leman's Istanbul office, with some protesters attempting to enter the building by force. Fahrettin Altun, Türkiye's Communications Director, denounced the publication on social platform X, vowing that those who "shamelessly attack the sacred values of our nation" would face consequences. “This insult to our Prophet, who is the ultimate guide for Muslims, cannot be justified under the guise of press freedom,” Altun stated, calling the cartoon the product of a "sick mentality" that will be brought to justice. DU students protest BJP spokespersons’ derogatory remarks on Prophet Muhammad He urged the public to act with restraint and warned against provocations. Altun also assured that all state institutions are taking appropriate steps to address what he described as "this despicable attack on our faith and values." Additional security has been deployed around the magazine’s premises to prevent any untoward incidents, officials said. Depictions of prophets, including Prophet Muhammad and Prophet Moses — both revered in Islam, Christianity, and Judaism — are strictly prohibited in Islamic tradition. Source: Anadolu 

Representatives from dozens of countries convened Monday in Spain for a major United Nations conference aimed at addressing widening global inequalities and generating the trillions of dollars required to close the development gap—without the participation of the United States, once a key contributor. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opened the four-day Financing for Development summit in Seville, highlighting the difficult context: rising debt, falling investments, dwindling foreign aid, and growing trade barriers. “Development depends on financing, yet right now that engine is faltering,” Guterres warned in his opening remarks. “We have come to Seville to change direction—to fix and accelerate the engine of development so that investment flows at the scale and speed the world needs.” Co-hosted by the U.N. and the Spanish government, the conference is seen as a critical moment to address the estimated $4 trillion annual shortfall in funding needed to tackle poverty, achieve the U.N.’s lagging 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and lift millions out of hardship. Despite ongoing global instability and heightened geopolitical tensions, conference organizers remain hopeful the international community can confront the pressing challenge of ensuring access to food, healthcare, education, and clean water for all. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez echoed that optimism, telling delegates the summit was an opportunity to reject the belief that global rivalry and competition should define humanity’s future. Israeli airstrike on Iran’s Evin Prison raises fears for political prisoners Ambitious Plan to Bridge the Financial Divide Over 70 world leaders and thousands of officials from development banks, international financial bodies, philanthropies, businesses, and civil society groups are attending the Seville gathering, according to the U.N. However, the absence of the United States has cast a shadow over proceedings. Washington withdrew from the summit earlier this month after objecting to a 38-page outcome document that had been under negotiation for months among the U.N.’s 193 member states. Despite U.S. opposition, the other nations endorsed the agreement by consensus, paving the way for its formal adoption in Seville under the name The Seville Commitment (Compromiso de Sevilla). The document outlines urgent reforms to bridge the $4 trillion financing gap, including proposals for countries to ensure tax revenues amount to at least 15% of GDP, a threefold increase in lending from multilateral development banks, and mechanisms to boost private investment in essential areas such as infrastructure. It also emphasizes reforms to help countries manage soaring debt burdens. U.N. trade chief Rebeca Grynspan recently underscored the severity of the crisis, stating that “development is regressing” amid rising global debt. In 2024, 3.3 billion people lived in countries that spent more on debt interest than on health or education—a figure projected to reach 3.4 billion this year. Developing nations are expected to spend $947 billion servicing debts in 2025, up from $847 billion last year. An expert panel appointed by Guterres has put forward 11 recommendations to address the debt crisis, strengthen borrower nations, and promote a fairer global financial system. Israeli settlers attack military base in the West Bank U.S. Pushback on Global Reform Efforts American diplomat Jonathan Shrier explained Washington’s withdrawal, saying while the U.S. remains committed to global cooperation and economic development, the Seville agreement crossed several “red lines.” These included provisions seen as interfering with how international financial institutions are governed, expanding multilateral development bank lending, and granting the U.N. greater influence over global debt frameworks. The U.S. also opposed certain trade, tax, and innovation proposals, including calls for a U.N. framework on international tax cooperation, which conflict with American policy. The U.S., historically the world’s largest foreign aid donor, has scaled back significantly in recent years. Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was dismantled and foreign assistance budgets slashed, with Trump calling such spending wasteful. Other Western nations have also reduced international aid contributions. U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed called the U.S. exit from the Seville summit “regrettable,” emphasizing that many of the proposed actions cannot succeed without American involvement. “We will continue engaging with the U.S. after Seville and hope to convince them to play a role in lifting millions out of poverty,” Mohammed said.