World
Ukraine approves 413 new drone models for military use this year
Ukraine has approved 413 new unmanned aerial systems for military use in 2026, with most of them produced domestically. The move underscores the country's push to expand and diversify its drone arsenal during the war.
Euromaidan Press · 18 Aug, 01:04
This Year's El Niño Could Become the Strongest on Record
El Niño is intensifying in the Pacific Ocean at an unusually fast pace this year and could reach unprecedented strength. The event is expected to shift rainfall and temperature patterns worldwide and carries significant economic risks.
Wired · 18 Aug, 01:01
Venezuela and Japan Both Hit by Major Earthquakes This Summer, but Their Responses Differed
Venezuela and Japan each experienced significant earthquakes this summer, and the two countries' responses to the disasters differed in ways that go beyond financial resources alone.
The New York Times · 18 Aug, 01:00
US trial begins for man accused in Tupac Shakur murder
A trial has opened in the United States for Duane Davis, accused in connection with the 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur. Prosecutors allege he served as the on-site commander during the fatal drive-by shooting.
Al Jazeera · 18 Aug, 00:59
Mother testifies Lindsay Clancy spoke of thoughts of harming her children
At the Massachusetts trial over the killing of her three children, Lindsay Clancy's mother testified that her daughter showed severe depressive symptoms in the months before the deaths and once admitted having thoughts of harming the children. The prosecution has rested its case and the defense has begun calling witnesses.
The Guardian World · 18 Aug, 00:58
/nginx/o/2026/08/17/17854673t1h2b87.jpg)
Uncontrolled wildfire in Belgium spreads toward Germany
A large wildfire is burning uncontrolled in Belgium and moving in the direction of Germany. Firefighters have so far been unable to contain the blaze.
Apollo.lv · 18 Aug, 00:02
Rostec begins mass production of mobile power substations to counter blackouts from Ukrainian drone strikes
Russian state defense conglomerate Rostec has announced the launch of mass production of mobile power substations designed to speed up electricity restoration after Ukrainian drone attacks damage the grid. Since June 2026, Russian-occupied Crimea has experienced continuous power outages.
Meduza · 18 Aug, 00:01
Torrential rains bring flooding to Lima and other parts of Peru
Heavy rainfall has flooded streets and homes in Lima, while rivers overflowing, landslides and road closures continue to disrupt life across Peru.
Al Jazeera · 18 Aug, 00:00
Russia's new Arena-M defense system struggles against volume of Ukrainian FPV drones
Russia's Arena-M active protection system has finally reached the front line in Ukraine, but it is struggling to cope with the sheer number of Ukrainian FPV drones.
Euromaidan Press · 18 Aug, 00:00
Trump hosts teen lifeguard and rescued boy at White House
Donald Trump welcomed 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams and the 10-year-old boy he rescued, Nathaniel Rai, to the Oval Office, admitting he might not have attempted the same rescue himself.
The Guardian World · 17 Aug, 23:03
Rhine River water levels drop critically low amid Germany's ongoing drought
Prolonged drought has pushed water levels on Germany's Rhine river to exceptionally low levels, complicating shipping on one of Western Europe's most important transport routes. The drop comes amid a record-breaking wave of extreme weather across the region.
Euronews · 17 Aug, 23:02
Russia deports head of Moscow's Azerbaijani diaspora as Baku seeks arrest of three Russians
Russia has deported Bakhtiyar Hasanov, head of Moscow's Azerbaijani diaspora organization, while Azerbaijan has issued in-absentia arrest warrants for three Russian citizens over remarks about Azerbaijan.
Meduza · 17 Aug, 23:00
Australia's Labor government and Coalition near deal on gambling advertising reform
Australia's governing Labor party and the opposition Coalition are close to a deal on gambling reform after Communications Minister Anika Wells introduced a register letting people opt out of online gambling advertising.
Politico Europe · 17 Aug, 23:00
Barred From the Ballot, Russian Party Becomes an Outlet for Public Discontent
Russia's only antiwar party, excluded from the ballot, has unexpectedly drawn wide attention and become a channel for public frustration in an otherwise dull, tightly controlled election campaign.
The New York Times · 17 Aug, 22:59
/nginx/o/2026/07/17/17789637t1h1cef.jpg)
Impostor tricks UK Prime Minister into believing he was White House official
Media report that UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham communicated with a person he believed to be White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, who turned out to be an impostor.
Apollo.lv · 17 Aug, 22:59
US firm valued at $81M moves toward investment deal with Ukrainian robotics company AIDronesUA
Ukrainian company AIDronesUA and US-based Empery Digital Inc. have signed an agreement to explore a possible strategic investment, with due diligence now underway.
Euromaidan Press · 17 Aug, 22:58
US Supreme Court again refuses to overturn sexual assault verdict against Trump
The US Supreme Court has for a second time declined to hear President Donald Trump's challenge to a jury verdict finding him liable for sexually assaulting and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll. The court gave no explanation for its decision.
Euronews · 17 Aug, 22:03
Russian tank's drone-defense system shot down seven drones — the tank burned anyway
Near Volodymyrivka on 7 August, a Russian tank's Arena-M active protection system intercepted seven Ukrainian drones, but the tank was destroyed regardless.
Euromaidan Press · 17 Aug, 22:03
/nginx/o/2026/08/17/17854658t1h3961.jpg)
Russia dismisses influential VEB.RF chief economist over gloomy forecasts
Andrei Klepach, chief economist of Russia's state development corporation VEB.RF, has been dismissed after making public statements about unfavorable prospects for the country's economy, the outlet The Bell reported Sunday, citing two sources.
Apollo.lv · 17 Aug, 22:02
US Navy destroyer drifted powerless in South China Sea for four days
The USS Benfold, a guided-missile destroyer with the George Washington strike group, lost power for several days in the South China Sea in July after a generator failure and had to be towed to the Philippines. The incident adds to broader concerns about strain on deployed US Navy crews.
The Guardian World · 17 Aug, 22:01
German army's active-duty troop numbers reach 13-year high
At the end of July, Germany's armed forces had 186,700 active-duty soldiers — the highest figure in 13 years, the German Defence Ministry announced on Monday.
TVNET · 17 Aug, 22:01
Massive wildfire in Belgium approaches German border
One of the largest wildfires in Belgium's history has been burning for days near the German border, covering about 30 square kilometers. Peaty soil in the area could keep the fire smoldering underground for weeks or months.
Jauns.lv · 17 Aug, 21:59
The Telegraph: Russia builds new drone bases near Ukrainian and Belarusian borders
The British newspaper The Telegraph reports, citing satellite image analysis by DroneSec, that Russia has built 10 new attack drone bases along its borders with Ukraine and Belarus. Some of the new drone variants could theoretically reach NATO territory, including Poland.
Meduza · 17 Aug, 21:59
Drone enters Moldova and explodes, likely of Russian origin
A drone entered Moldovan territory on Monday and exploded, with police saying it was likely of Russian origin.
LSM · 17 Aug, 21:58
Ukraine's new system calculates cost-efficiency of each military strike
Ukraine is using a new analytical module showing that eliminating a Russian soldier costs Ukraine around $3,032 on average, compared to Russia's roughly $65,000 investment in that soldier. The system indicates every dollar Ukraine spends on strikes inflicts nearly five dollars in losses on Russia.
Euromaidan Press · 17 Aug, 21:06
The "Banderol": the cheap "missile spam" Russia is using to terrorise Odesa
Russian forces are increasingly using a missile type known as "Banderol" against Odesa, launching 11 of them at the city on 9 August alongside several Kh-59 cruise missiles.
Ukrainska Pravda (EN) · 17 Aug, 21:03
Explosion reported at school in Afghan capital Kabul
An explosion has been reported at a school in Kabul, Afghanistan, but its cause and any casualty figures remain unconfirmed. The Taliban government has not yet commented on the incident.
Al Jazeera · 17 Aug, 21:02
UK ministers scrap plan to ease affordable housing rules after rural backlash
England's government has abandoned a proposal that would have let developers pay cash instead of building affordable homes on medium-sized sites, after housing experts warned rural areas would be hit hardest.
The Guardian World · 17 Aug, 21:00
Russia's Supreme Court upholds Yabloko's exclusion from elections, deputy chair jailed for over 11 years
Russia's Supreme Court confirmed the removal of Yabloko, the only openly anti-war party, from September's State Duma elections, while a Pskov court sentenced its deputy chair Lev Shlosberg to more than 11 years in prison for calling for a ceasefire.
Euronews · 17 Aug, 20:59
UK Cabinet ministers' personal phone numbers found online after PM Burnham targeted by texting scam
Following reports that UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham exchanged messages with someone impersonating a top Trump aide, it emerged that the personal mobile numbers of several Cabinet ministers, including Defense Secretary Wes Streeting, were publicly available online.
Politico Europe · 17 Aug, 20:05
Ukraine strikes control station for rare Orion drone linked to Russia's Banderol missile
Ukrainian forces hit a Shahed storage and launch site, a rare Orion drone control station, and drone relay points in occupied Crimea and Kherson Oblast.
Euromaidan Press · 17 Aug, 20:05
Tokyo's triennial water festival soaks shrine bearers in the streets
Tokyo's eastern districts hosted the once-every-three-years Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri on 16 August, with crowds dousing portable shrine carriers using buckets, hoses and water pistols. The centuries-old festival also carries a tragic chapter in its history.
Euronews · 17 Aug, 20:03
Netanyahu and Kushner talks fail to break Gaza deadlock
Benjamin Netanyahu told envoy Jared Kushner that Israel will not withdraw from Gaza or allow reconstruction until Hamas fully disarms, with no breakthrough reached after a three-hour meeting.
The Guardian World · 17 Aug, 20:02
Kushner tours region to push Trump's Gaza plan amid scepticism from both sides
US envoy Jared Kushner met Hamas leaders in Egypt and Israeli PM Netanyahu in an effort to advance Trump's 15-point Gaza roadmap. Both Palestinians and Israelis remain sceptical of the proposal.
Al Jazeera · 17 Aug, 20:00
Supreme Court Again Rejects Trump's Bid to Overturn E Jean Carroll Case
The US Supreme Court has declined for a second time to reconsider Donald Trump's bid to overturn a civil jury verdict finding him liable for sexually abusing and defaming writer E Jean Carroll. Carroll's attorney said the jury's verdict is now final and cannot be challenged in any court.
BBC World · 17 Aug, 19:02
Belgian festival cracks 7,200 eggs for giant omelette
Volunteers in Malmedy, Belgium prepared a giant omelette using 7,200 eggs in a four-metre pan over an open fire. The event marked the 30th edition of the town's Giant Omelette Festival.
Euronews · 17 Aug, 19:00