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The death toll in a major Russian missile and drone strike on the Ukrainian capital rose to 23, including four children, officials said Friday, as U.S.-led efforts to end the three-year war remain stuck in apparent limbo. Authorities in the Kyiv region declared Friday an official day of mourning. Flags flew at half-staff and all entertainment events were canceled after Russia hammered Ukraine with almost 600 drones and more than 30 missiles overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, including rare strikes on downtown Kyiv. Rescue workers pulled 17 people from the rubble after the Kyiv attack, among them four children, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said. The youngest victim was a 2-year-old girl. Some bodies have yet to be identified, and eight people remain unaccounted for, authorities said. More than 50 people were wounded. “Thousands of personnel from the Interior Ministry’s agencies and units worked at the strike sites in Kyiv, rotating every few hours,” Klymenko said of the 30-hour rescue operation. Efforts to stop the fighting with a ceasefire and end Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II through a comprehensive peace settlement have made no progress despite intense diplomatic maneuvering. European Union defense ministers expressed outrage Friday over Russia’s continuing onslaught in Ukraine and vowed to exert more pressure on Moscow. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said that, at the request of Ukraine, the U.N. Security Council was due to hold an emergency meeting Friday in response to the latest Russian aerial attack. Putin set to attend summit in China with Iran, North Korea U.S. President Donald Trump has bristled at Russia’s stalling on an American proposal for direct peace talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump said a week ago he expected to decide on next steps in two weeks if direct talks aren’t scheduled. Trump complained last month that Russian President Vladimir Putin “ talks nice and then he bombs everybody.” But the latest attack on Kyiv drew no public condemnation from the Trump administration, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt noting that Ukraine has been striking Russian oil refineries. Putin is due to attend a summit meeting in China from Sunday that will also include Iran and North Korea, countries which like Beijing have aided Russia’s war effort, according to the United States. From Sept. 9, world leaders are expected to attend the U.N. General Assembly, where Russia's invasion will likely be discussed. Senior Ukrainian officials in New York for talks with US Meanwhile, Western officials are still working on security guarantees for Ukrain e that aim to deter another Russian invasion if a peace deal is signed. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko and the head of the presidential office, Andriy Yermak, were in New York on Friday to discuss the possible guarantees and further cooperation, according to a Ukrainian official. Zelenskyy noted Friday that Russia hasn’t budged from its terms for stopping its invasion. Ukraine, on the other hand, has accepted an American proposal for a ceasefire and a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy. Russia has repeatedly raised objections about the peace proposals. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Friday that security guarantees should be the result of peace negotiations rather than a prerequisite for talks to take place. “The provision of security guarantees is not a condition, but rather the result of a peaceful settlement that eliminates the root causes of the crisis in Ukraine,” Zakharova said. “That in turn will guarantee the security of our country,” she said. Zelenskyy wants more international pressure on Moscow Zelenskyy urged countries to crank up the pressure on Russia’s economy through sanctions and tariffs. “Russia refused to stop the killing — they even said ‘no’ to President Trump. We’re seeing negative signals from Russia regarding a possible leaders’ summit,” Zelenskyy said in a social media post. “Honestly, we think Putin is still interested only in continuing this war.” The Atlantic Council, a Washington think tank, noted that recent American presidents have shied away from taking a tougher line with Putin for fear of a potential nuclear conflict. “Putin knows that Washington and its allies have more than enough capacity to reverse his gains in Ukraine, but it is nearly certain that he doubts the United States has the will to do so,” the Atlantic Council said in an assessment this week. It added that “the second Trump administration has repeatedly signaled that the United States has no vital interests at stake in this war.”

A visit by a pair of U.S. senators to Taiwan has drawn criticism from China, which claims the island as its own and objects to any contact between officials of the two sides. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, a Mississippi Republican, and Nebraska Republican Deb Fischer arrived in Taipei on Friday for a series of high-level meetings with senior Taiwan leaders to discuss U.S.-Taiwan relations, regional security, trade and investment, according to the American Institute in Taiwan, which acts as Washington’s de facto embassy in lieu of formal diplomatic relations with the self-governing island democracy. Upon arrival, Wicker said: “A thriving democracy is never fully assured … and we’re here to talk to our friends and allies in Taiwan about what we’re doing to enhance worldwide peace.” “At a time of global unrest, it is extremely significant for us to be here,” Fischer added, noting that discussions would include “security, opportunities and progress for this part of the world.” But Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun protested the visit, saying it “undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and sends a gravely wrong signal to the separatist Taiwan independence forces.” The pair's two-day visit to Taiwan follows stops in Hawaii, Guam, Tinian, Pala and the Philippines. The U.S. is Taiwan's largest supplier of arms. It provides the island with the latest generation tanks, air defense missiles and upgraded F-16 jet fighters as part of its guarantee of security against Beijing's threat to invade. China considers the American supply of arms to Taiwan a violation of commitments made to it by previous U.S. administrations.

At least 49 people have died when a boat carrying migrants capsized this week, the Mauritanian coast guard said Friday. Authorities said the boat came from Gambia and capsized Tuesday morning off the coast of Mheijrat. “The boat left Gambia a week ago and had 160 people on board, including Senegalese and Gambian nationals,” Mohamed Abdallah, the head of the coast guard, told The Associated Press. “When the migrants saw the lights of the Mheijrat, they tried to move to one part of the boat, causing it to capsize,” Abdallah said. The official said 49 bodies have washed ashore and just 17 people were rescued so far. The others remain missing, the official said. In recent years, Mauritania’s waters have become a highway for migrants across sub-Saharan Africa seeking to reach Europe, primarily the Canary Islands. In July 2024, a similar incident killed more than a dozen migrants on their way to Europe off Mauritania, with 150 others declared missing. The country’s authorities have tightened control and expulsion measures for migrants. Last year, it signed a 210 million-euro deal ($225 million)with the European Union in a deal aimed at deterring migrants from using the country to get to the European Union. Mauritania has also been accused of abuse towards migrants who are transiting through the country in a nationwide coastal crackdown, according to human rights groups. An increasing number of West African migrants have been trying to reach Europe via the perilous Atlantic coast route in search of a better life as economic opportunities dwindle across the region. In September last year, at least 30 bodies were found on a boat off the coast of the Senegalese capital.

Defense ministers of Japan and Britain on Thursday praised their “deep strategic alignment” as a Royal Navy aircraft carrier made a historic stop in Tokyo. The HMS Prince of Wales, leading a 12-nation carrier strike group of 4,000 personnel on an eight-month mission, is the first foreign aircraft carrier to visit the Japanese capital, U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey said at a joint press briefing. “We are proud to be taking our air and naval cooperation to new levels,” Healey said after talks with Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani. The cooperation, he said, reflects the U.K.’s pledge to step up its economic and security engagement in the Indo-Pacific. Nakatani welcomed the milestone, saying: “Japan and the U.K. are the closest security partners in Asia and Europe, and we have steadily deepened our cooperation. I am delighted to share this historic moment when our defense ties have reached a new stage.” Both countries are working with Italy on the Global Combat Air Program, aiming to deploy a next-generation fighter jet by 2035. In a joint statement, the ministers vowed to speed up efforts to finalize the program’s first international contract by year-end. They said the initiative would support national aerospace industries, integrate cutting-edge technologies to counter future threats, and safeguard vital sectors. Japan has been expanding its defense partnerships beyond the United States in response to China’s growing assertiveness in the region. During recent multinational drills, a British F-35B fighter jet landed on the JS Kaga, marking the first time a U.K. aircraft operated from a Japanese carrier, underscoring Tokyo’s ongoing military buildup.

Massive flooding in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province has impacted over 1.2 million people and displaced nearly 250,000, after heavy rainfall and water released from overflowing Indian dams caused three major rivers to overflow. Rescue teams in boats rushed to reach stranded residents after the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers breached their banks. The flooding has destroyed homes, farmlands, and businesses, leaving many residents trapped. At least 15 people lost their lives in Gujranwala district and surrounding areas, police said. More rainfall is forecast from Friday and may continue into next week following a short break. Punjab’s provincial minister Marriyum Aurangzeb reported that 1,432 villages along the overflowing rivers have been submerged, affecting 1.2 million people and displacing 248,000. She added that around 700 relief camps and 265 medical centers have been established, and emergency supplies are being distributed. Nationwide, over 800 people have died due to floods since late June. Meanwhile, in India-controlled Kashmir’s Jammu region, record August rainfall has triggered flash floods and landslides, damaging infrastructure and affecting two major Hindu pilgrimage routes. Indian authorities evacuated thousands, with at least 115 deaths reported so far. This marks the first time in nearly four decades that the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers have all simultaneously reached high flood levels in Pakistan, complicating rescue efforts across multiple districts, the provincial irrigation department said. Some victims say they are still awaiting assistance. Zainab Bibi, 54, who was stranded on her rooftop for two days in Narowal, said she had ignored earlier warnings, believing her village—far from the river—would be safe. Mohammad Saleem, a farmer from the same district, said water from across the Indian border washed away his home and all their belongings. His wife, Kaneez Bibi, added that the dowry saved for their daughter’s November wedding was also lost in the flood. Evacuations began earlier this week across Punjab following heavy monsoon rains and rising water levels caused by India releasing dam water, which severely affected low-lying border areas. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif praised preemptive evacuations and the removal of illegal riverside structures for preventing higher casualties, calling it one of the province’s most severe flood emergencies in decades. She urged authorities to ensure no displaced persons are left without food or medical care and to take steps to control potential outbreaks of waterborne diseases. Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, during a visit to Narowal, accused India of releasing large volumes of water without proper warnings—allegedly violating a bilateral water treaty it suspended earlier this year. India had suspended the agreement after blaming Pakistan-based militants for an attack in Kashmir that killed 26 tourists—an accusation Islamabad denies. Iqbal described the water release as an act of “water aggression,” directly linking it to the current flooding. Indian officials have not responded publicly to the allegations. Among the affected areas was the historic shrine of Guru Nanak near the Indian border in Narowal, which was quickly evacuated by rescue teams. In 2022, Pakistan suffered devastating climate-induced floods that claimed nearly 1,700 lives.

Japan’s top trade negotiator canceled a planned trip to Washington Thursday to finalize a tariffs deal with the Trump administration, citing the need for further consultations, a senior government spokesman said. Trade envoy Ryosei Akazawa was to attend the 10th round of talks following the July 22 agreement that cut tariffs on most Japanese goods to 15% from the initially announced 25%. Japanese officials later raised concerns that the preliminary deal added extra duties, prompting Washington to promise corrections and refunds — which have yet to materialize. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi urged the U.S. to revise its presidential order to lower tariffs on autos and auto parts. He stressed that prompt implementation of the agreement is vital for the economic security of both nations. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick recently said Washington is ready to finalize the deal, under which Japan plans to invest up to $550 billion in the U.S. over the coming years. Plans for Akazawa’s visit remain undecided.

Torrential rainfall has triggered flash floods across parts of India and Pakistan, with Indian-controlled Kashmir's Jammu region reporting at least 32 deaths following a landslide on a pilgrimage route, according to the Press Trust of India. The specific timeline of the fatalities is not yet confirmed. In Pakistan, over 150,000 people have been displaced in Punjab province as heavy rains caused rivers to overflow and flood nearby villages. Officials have requested military support for rescue and relief efforts. More than 20,000 residents were evacuated overnight from flood-prone areas on the outskirts of Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city. These residents were living along the Ravi River, said Irfan Ali Kathia, head of the Punjab Disaster Management Authority. Mass evacuations began earlier in the week across six Punjab districts, spurred by unusually intense monsoon rains and water released from dams in neighboring India, which led to severe flooding in low-lying border regions, Kathia said. Rain is forecast to continue throughout the week. Flash floods and heavy downpours in the Himalayan region have already resulted in nearly 100 deaths in August alone. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the emergency response teams for rapid evacuations that prevented greater losses. He also confirmed that tents and aid supplies are being distributed to affected communities. Floodwaters in the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers are rising dangerously, submerging multiple villages across the districts of Kasur, Okara, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Vehari, and Sialkot, Kathia warned. Boats have been deployed to rescue people stranded in flooded areas. India informed Pakistan of the potential for cross-border flooding through diplomatic channels rather than via the Indus Waters Commission — the formal bilateral mechanism established under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty. India had suspended the commission’s operations following the killing of 26 tourists in Kashmir in April, a move Pakistan disputes. Meanwhile, rescue teams continue to search for over 150 people still missing after cloudburst-induced flooding earlier this month killed more than 300 in three villages in Pakistan’s Buner district. Since late June, flooding across Pakistan has claimed the lives of over 800 people. Experts say that climate change is intensifying South Asia’s monsoon rains, raising the risk of disasters similar to the catastrophic 2022 floods that submerged a third of Pakistan and left over 1,700 dead.

New U.S. tariffs on Indian exports came into force Wednesday, posing a serious threat to India’s trade with its top export destination. President Donald Trump initially set a 25% duty on Indian imports, but earlier this month, he signed an executive order adding another 25% in response to India’s continued oil imports from Russia. The combined 50% tariff is expected to impact $48.2 billion in Indian exports, according to Indian officials, who warn it may render trade with the U.S. economically unsustainable, risking job losses and slower GDP growth. While economic ties between India and the U.S. have grown, they remain fragile due to disagreements over market access and political considerations. The new tariffs may further strain relations and impact India’s economic momentum. Key Sectors Affected A report from the Global Trade Research Initiative, a Delhi-based think tank, highlights that labor-intensive industries such as textiles, jewelry, leather goods, food products, and automobiles will be the hardest hit. “This sudden tariff hike is a strategic blow that could erase India’s long-standing market position in the U.S.,” said Ajay Srivastava, the think tank’s founder and a former trade official. He warned that the move could trigger unemployment in export-driven sectors and undermine India’s manufacturing role globally. Sectors like pharmaceuticals and electronics have been spared for now, providing some relief due to their significant share in India’s exports. Exporters Express Concern Puran Dawar, a leather footwear exporter based in Agra and a supplier to global retailer Zara, called the new tariffs a major shock. He noted that unless domestic demand picks up or new markets are found, the leather industry will face severe short-term challenges. Dawar, who also chairs a regional export promotion council, emphasized that American consumers would also bear the brunt of higher prices due to the tariffs. Export groups say that many small and mid-sized Indian businesses heavily dependent on the U.S. will be particularly vulnerable. “It’s a complex situation. For some products, continued exports will simply no longer make sense,” said Ajay Sahai, Director General of the Federation of Indian Export Organizations. Modi Stands Firm Amid U.S. Pressure The U.S. continues to push India to open its agricultural and dairy markets. Although the two nations have had five rounds of trade negotiations, no agreement has been reached—primarily due to India’s reluctance to open these sectors, fearing job losses for millions of farmers and small businesses. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated he will not bow to pressure. “The welfare of our farmers, small traders, and dairy sector is my priority,” Modi said at a rally in Gujarat. He criticized what he described as “economic selfishness” in global politics. Following the tariff announcement, a planned sixth round of trade talks was canceled by a U.S. delegation. India Plans Economic Measures to Offset Impact To mitigate the effects of the tariffs, India is planning several domestic reforms. These include potential reductions in the goods and services tax on insurance, vehicles, and home appliances ahead of Diwali to boost consumer spending. Government departments are also exploring new financial incentives for exporters, including cheaper credit options. In parallel, India is seeking to diversify its trade partners by expanding exports to regions like Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Ongoing trade negotiations with the European Union are expected to take on greater urgency as India looks to lessen its reliance on the U.S. market.

Researchers in India have unearthed the fossilised remains of a rare crocodile-like creature from the Jurassic period in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district. The fossil, identified as a phytosaur, is estimated to be between 1.5 to two metres long and more than 200 million years old, according to experts. It was found in Megha village by senior hydrogeologist Dr Narayandas Inkhiya and his team from the state’s water department. Dr Inkhiya told the BBC that the site may contain "many more hidden fossils" that could shed new light on evolutionary history. "It also opens up the area as an important spot for fossil tourism," he added. Geoscientist CP Rajendran explained that the phytosaur was a semi-aquatic reptile, living in rivers as well as on land. "It later evolved into the crocodiles that you find now," he said. Local villagers first came across the fossil last week while digging a lake. They spotted skeletal-like formations and alerted authorities. Excavations later revealed what appeared to be a fossilised egg, possibly belonging to the reptile. VS Parihar, a senior palaeontologist leading the study, told NDTV that "the fossil indicates a medium-sized phytosaur that probably lived near a river here millions of years ago and ate fish to survive." Mr Rajendran noted the discovery is "probably a rare fossil specimen," as only limited phytosaur remains have been identified worldwide. While remarkable, experts say the find is consistent with the region’s history. Jaisalmer lies in the Lathi geological formation, a Jurassic-era ecosystem where dinosaurs once roamed. Dr Inkhiya himself discovered a fossilised dinosaur egg in Jaisalmer in 2023, while scientists from the Geological Survey of India had unearthed remains of the oldest known herbivorous dinosaur in 2018.  

France has summoned the American ambassador to Paris after he sent a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron accusing the country of not doing enough to fight antisemitism. France’s foreign ministry said Sunday that Ambassador Charles Kushner was called to appear Monday at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, describing his allegations as “unacceptable.” The White House did not immediately comment. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Sunday that the U.S. stands by Kushner, adding that he “is our government representative in France and is doing a great job advancing our national interests.” The formal summoning is a public expression of France’s displeasure. Kushner, a real-estate developer, is the father of Jared Kushner, former senior adviser to President Donald Trump. In his letter, released Sunday, Kushner criticized France for making public statements critical of Israel and gestures toward recognizing a Palestinian state, saying these actions “embolden extremists, fuel violence and endanger Jewish life in France.” He urged Macron to enforce hate-crime laws, ensure the safety of Jewish institutions, and abandon steps that give legitimacy to Hamas and its allies. France rejected the accusations, saying Kushner’s claims violate international law and the principle of noninterference in another country’s internal affairs. The ministry added that the letter falls short of the trust expected between allies. The dispute comes after Macron last week dismissed similar claims by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. France hosts Europe’s largest Jewish population, about 500,000 people, roughly 1% of the national population. The tensions also occur amid broader strains in French-U.S. relations over trade, UN peacekeeping in Lebanon, and support for Ukraine, though recent meetings between Trump and Macron have eased some differences. Charles Kushner had been pardoned by Trump at the end of his first term for past tax evasion and illegal campaign donation charges.