Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke about what he described as Western “piracy” and “robbery,” while dismissing Japan’s claims as groundless. He also said that marines from the Pacific Fleet are carrying out missions in the Pacific Operational Area. Putin characterized their performance as bold, professional and heroic. The remarks combine criticism of Western conduct and Japan with praise for the fleet’s personnel.
Vladimir Putin says Tokyo has shifted its position despite what he described as previously constructive relations with Russia. He recalled that the Soviet Union and Japan signed a declaration in the mid-1950s. According to Putin, that document opened the way toward a peace treaty. It also created a path toward resolving the issue of the Kuril Islands.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia poses no threat to Japan and that Moscow has no claims against Tokyo. He added that Japan has nevertheless classified Russia as a major threat. The remarks present Moscow’s position while highlighting the continuing gap between that view and Japan’s security assessment.
Forest City in Malaysia was once promoted as a “paradise.” The seaside apartment development has recently been raided by police over suspected involvement in scam activities. Police said fraudsters had moved into the largely empty complex.
Crypto asset manager Bitwise Asset Management has dismissed about 14% of its workforce. The job cuts come as digital-asset prices remain in a prolonged slump, underscoring the pressure facing the cryptocurrency industry.
A ferry in Indonesia caught fire. More than 100 passengers were rescued after the incident. No further details were given about where the fire occurred, whether anyone was injured or killed, or what caused it.
Former France and Manchester United star Paul Pogba has suffered another injury setback. The latest problem has prompted rumours about his future at Monaco. His continued prospects with the club are now uncertain. The development adds fresh doubt over what comes next for the midfielder.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says the conflict has revealed weaknesses in the US military. Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi said Iran had not yet reached its final objective, indicating that Tehran’s stated aims in the confrontation remain unfinished.
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Wu Dajing has been officially appointed head coach of China’s national short-track speed skating team. The Winter Sports Administration Centre of the General Administration of Sport of China announced the move on Wednesday. His appointment followed an open recruitment process.
Iran will soon join the BRICS New Development Bank, according to Central Bank Governor Abdolnasser Hemmati. He described the bank’s creation as the most important result of cooperation among BRICS member states. His remarks highlighted the institution as a central outcome of that cooperation.
One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce has defended the party by calling it “one of the gayest parties in Australia.” His remarks followed the resurfacing of a video by a failed One Nation candidate for Western Australia’s legislative council. In the video, the former candidate described same-sex attraction as a mental illness. Joyce condemned those comments as “highly offensive.”
The European Union has introduced new measures aimed at cutting packaging waste and addressing “forever chemicals.” The rules will be phased in over several years rather than taking effect all at once. Even so, some small sellers have already stopped shipments because of the extra paperwork and procedures. The added red tape is prompting concern among smaller businesses.
A total solar eclipse is set to cross northern Spain on August 12, marking one of Europe’s most eagerly awaited astronomical events of the decade. The Sun’s corona, animal behaviour and human emotions are among the phenomena that such rare eclipses can help scientists study. Observations of these celestial events have continued to yield insights for more than two thousand years since they were first recorded.
A rare total solar eclipse is due to take place within hours. As the Moon fully covers the Sun, parts of northern Spain will briefly be plunged from daylight into darkness. Millions of people elsewhere will see a partial eclipse across Europe, Canada, the northern United States and northwest Africa.
Thousands of people across Spain were swept up in excitement as they hurried toward locations offering the best view of Wednesday’s total solar eclipse. Trains filled to capacity, travellers arranged last-minute carpools, and social media users circulated suggestions for prime viewing points. France 24 spoke with several eclipse enthusiasts as they departed from Madrid to seek out the spectacle.
The last solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe occurred in 1999. This rare occasion offers a chance to witness another notable celestial event. Viewers can learn what to expect and make preparations before observing it.
The 2026 total solar eclipse has arrived. The guide explains what people need to know to watch this astronomical event. It focuses on when the eclipse can be seen and how to observe it, offering practical information for viewers preparing to follow the spectacle.
Spain and other parts of Europe are seeing a surge of visitors in quiet towns and villages as the continent prepares for its first total solar eclipse since 2006. Eclipse chasers have driven to these destinations, bringing a wave of tourism to communities that are usually sleepy. The celestial event has been billed as the “event of the century,” prompting travelers to make plans around the spectacle.
Millions of people in Spain and Iceland prepared to watch a total solar eclipse on Wednesday. They packed protective glasses and travelled toward locations where the rare astronomical spectacle could be seen in full. The event has generated widespread excitement across both countries.
🇬🇹 Maya community celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day
With flowers and candles, Indigenous Maya people conduct a thanksgiving ritual on an archaeological site near Guatemala City and honor their ancestral traditions on the UN's international Indigenous Peoples' Day.
🇬🇹 Maya community celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day
With flowers and candles, Indigenous Maya people conduct a thanksgiving ritual on an archaeological site near Guatemala City and honor their ancestral traditions on the UN's international Indigenous Peoples' Day.
India’s foreign ministry said maintaining peace along its disputed border with China is essential to relations between the two Asian neighbours. The statement came amid reports that military tensions had resurfaced between Indian and Chinese troops in a remote part of the Himalayas. The reported developments have renewed attention on the disputed frontier and the state of bilateral ties.
A wild water buffalo unexpectedly wandered into a family’s courtyard. Rather than chasing the animal away, the homeowner brought out a bucket and hose. The thirsty visitor was offered a drink, turning the unusual encounter into a lighthearted moment.
Firefighters in China received an emergency call on a scorching summer day about pigs suffering from the heat. A truck carrying more than 100 animals stopped outside a fire station after many of them nearly collapsed. The firefighters then carried out a rescue to help the pigs cope with the extreme temperatures.
A vehicle powered by hydrogen has established a new land speed record. The report gives no further details about the vehicle, its speed or where the record was achieved.
New analysis suggests that thousands of white-collar jobs based in London will relocate to other parts of the UK over the next five years. The report focuses on which roles are expected to move and where those positions are headed. The shift would redistribute some professional employment away from the capital.
An electronic invitation intended only for family and friends unexpectedly went viral. More than 300 strangers from across China then traveled to the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Saturday to attend the wedding. The unusual gathering followed the invitation’s rapid spread online.
Kalashnikov CEO Alan Lushnikov says Lebedev pistols have been supplied to the Russian army in large quantities this year. He identifies the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant as the country’s only large-scale pistol producer. The statement links the reported deliveries to the plant’s production role. No further details about the number of pistols or the recipients are given.
After the World Cup and before the domestic season begins, many football fans continue to want more of the sport. Amateur coders are helping meet that demand by contributing to the creation of popular mobile sports games. Their efforts fill part of the gap between major football events and the start of domestic competition.
With The Odyssey set to reach Chinese cinemas on August 14, anticipation and questions about the film are growing across social media. Classical scholars and literary critics overseas have also been scrutinizing the production. Much of their discussion centers on how faithfully Christopher Nolan’s adaptation captures Homer’s epic. The debate is intensifying as the Chinese theatrical release approaches.
Primary elections were held Tuesday in six US states, with both major parties heading to runoffs in several contests. In Minnesota, the progressive lieutenant governor defeated Representative Angie Craig in the Democratic Senate primary. Wisconsin’s Republican gubernatorial race remains too close to call. Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth defeated eccentric businessman Mike Lindell, who had Donald Trump’s endorsement, in the Republican governor’s primary. In South Carolina, Darlene Graham advanced to the Republican Senate runoff to succeed her late brother, Lindsay Graham, who died suddenly last month.
US primary results show mixed fortunes for candidates backed by Donald Trump. Some Trump-supported contenders won, while others lost. The Wisconsin race remains tight. Results from Minnesota, South Carolina and Alabama also form part of the broader picture.
US primary electionsWisconsinTrump-backed candidates
Yandex Pay has disappeared from the App Store, according to an announcement by the company. The statement confirms the app’s removal but provides no further details.
The number of people killed in Colombia is continuing to rise after the country’s worst earthquake in decades. At least 240 victims have been confirmed in the west, many discovered beneath the remains of their homes. Search teams are still working painstakingly to find survivors. Hope emerged on Tuesday when a 32-year-old woman was pulled alive from a collapsed apartment. The rescue effort continues amid the devastation.
Colombia’s president has thanked Vladimir Putin for words of support following an earthquake. Abelardo de la Espriella said authorities were dealing with the consequences of the emergency. He added that assistance was being provided to every family affected by the disaster. The remarks focused on the official response and support for those impacted.
Al Jazeera Latin America Editor Lucia Newman reports from the rubble of an apartment building in Cali. She describes the scene in the city identified as the worst-hit in Colombia after the earthquake. Her account comes directly from the debris surrounding the damaged apartment building, presenting a view of conditions on the ground after the quake.
Colombian rescue workers searched through a mountain of rubble in downtown Pereira after the earthquake. They called for everyone nearby to remain silent so they could listen for any sounds of life beneath their feet. The rescue effort focused on locating people who might still be trapped under the debris.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced solidarity with Colombia on Tuesday after the country was struck by a magnitude-7.5 earthquake on Monday. He also offered condolences to the families of those who died in the disaster.
Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a condolence message on Tuesday to Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella. The message followed a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Colombia on Monday. More than 200 people were killed and over 600 injured in the disaster. The earthquake hit the South American nation with a heavy loss of life and injuries.
Commercial flights have resumed at airports serving five Colombian cities following the earthquake. The airports in Armenia, Buenaventura, Cali, Quibdo and Manizales are again receiving commercial aircraft. Two other airports remain closed. The update indicates that air services have only partly returned after the earthquake, with restrictions still affecting some airport operations.
China registered 3.275 million marriages during the first half of 2026, according to figures from the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Over the same period, divorce registrations reached 1.383 million. The figures show a decline in marriage registrations alongside an increase in divorce registrations.
China marriagemarriage registrationsdivorce registrations
Kelsey Mitchell scored 20 of her 28 points before halftime on Tuesday. Caitlin Clark added 22 points and 10 assists for Indiana. Their performances carried the Fever past the New York Liberty, 106-92. The victory extended Indiana’s recent hot streak.
Blackstone Inc. and a group of Canadian pension funds are set to purchase a 25% interest in Air Canada’s Aeroplan loyalty program. The transaction is valued at C$2.5 billion, equivalent to about $1.8 billion. It gives the investors a substantial minority stake in the airline’s loyalty business.
China’s domestically developed C919 passenger jet completed its first scheduled international commercial flight after flying from Beijing to Mongolia’s new Ulaanbaatar airport. The daily Beijing–Ulaanbaatar service, operated as CA723/CA724, marks the aircraft’s entry into regular international commercial operations.
China’s domestically developed C919 large passenger aircraft has officially entered regular international commercial service. Its inaugural international flight departed from Beijing on Wednesday afternoon. The aircraft was bound for Ulaanbaatar, marking the start of its first international commercial operations.
China’s domestically developed C919 large passenger jet has started regular international commercial service. Air China flight CA723 departed Beijing at 3 p.m. Wednesday for a roughly two-hour trip to Ulaanbaatar, marking the aircraft’s first such operation.
C919international flightsChinese aviationAir China
China’s domestically developed C919 large passenger aircraft has completed its first international commercial flight. Air China’s CA723 service departed Beijing at about 3 p.m. on Wednesday. The flight was bound for Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, marking the aircraft’s first international commercial route.
The Comac C919 is scheduled to make its first international flight on Wednesday, flying from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. It is due to leave Beijing Capital International Airport at 3pm and arrive in the Mongolian capital slightly more than two hours later. Experts caution that China may need generations before the aircraft can seriously challenge western dominance of the commercial aviation industry it seeks to enter.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley narrowly defeated democratic socialist Francesca Hong in Wednesday’s Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor. His margin was less than one percentage point, making the result a strikingly close victory. The contest highlights a divide within the party between establishment candidates and an insurgent progressive movement. That split is emerging ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections.
Wisconsin Democrats chose Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley as their nominee for governor on Wednesday, according to US media reports. Crowley will represent the party in the race for Wisconsin’s state governorship. The selection followed the party’s primary process.
David Crowley has won the Democratic primary for governor in Wisconsin. Crowley reentered the race after receiving an endorsement from Gov. Tony Evers. He defeated democratic socialist Francesca Hong in the primary. The contest took place in the battleground state, a closely watched setting in US politics.
The 29th Chengdu International Motor Show is scheduled to take place from Aug. 21 through Aug. 30. The event will be hosted at the Western China International Expo. Its organizing committee said on Wednesday that nearly 120 automobile brands will participate.
Chengdu International Motor Showautomobile brandsauto exhibition
Organizers said the 29th Chengdu International Automobile Exhibition will take place from Aug. 21 to 30. Also known as the Chengdu Motor Show, the event will be held at Western China International Expo City in Sichuan Province. Nearly 120 automobile brands are expected to participate in the exhibition.
Chengdu Motor Showautomobile brandsauto exhibitions
Media reports say the European Commission is preparing revised rules for admitting new members. The proposed changes are expected to be presented to EU leaders at a European Council meeting scheduled for October 15. The discussions come as the bloc considers speeding up enlargement. Sources cited in the report indicate that officials are alert to the risk of a potential “Trojan horse” entering through the process.
Humanoid robots took part in football qualifiers at Beijing’s National Speed Skating Oval on Tuesday. The venue is widely known as the “Ice Ribbon.” The competition is part of the second World Humanoid Robot Games. Every action performed on the field had to be autonomous, making independent operation a central requirement of the event.
humanoid robotsrobot footballBeijingautonomous systems
Russia has received its first shipment of gasoline from India as the country faces fuel shortages. Bloomberg reported the delivery, citing data from the Kpler service. The shipment marks the start of gasoline supplies from India to Russia. No details were provided on the size of the shipment or any future deliveries.
The item presents what it calls evidence of atrocities. It frames the situation as a catastrophe for cultural heritage. No further details are provided in the brief description.
Tata Group chairman N Chandrasekaran says he will not seek another term when his tenure ends in February. He attributes the decision to a lack of support from the Tata Sons board. His departure will bring his period as chairman to an end at the close of his current term.
N. Chandrasekaran, chairman of India’s Tata Sons, said on Wednesday that he had resigned. He cited the board’s failure to approve his reappointment as the reason for his departure. The resignation comes amid tensions with the charity arm that controls the Tata Group, whose businesses range from salt to aviation.
Shares of Tata Group companies extended their decline on Wednesday, falling as much as 4%. The selling followed the resignation of N. Chandrasekaran as chairman of Tata Sons. His departure sparked a selloff across the conglomerate’s listed companies, sending their stocks lower. The market reaction spread beyond the parent company to other publicly traded Tata businesses.
India’s Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran has stepped down, according to a source directly familiar with the matter. The source said he will nevertheless remain in place until his current term ends. No reason for the resignation or details about a successor were provided.
Nigeria is weighing changes to the rules governing crude allocation and pricing. The country’s oil refiners’ association says the proposed adjustments would improve access to feedstock for refiners, including Dangote Refinery. The potential reforms focus on how crude is supplied and priced for local processing operations.
Elena Rybakina completed a major comeback to defeat Naomi Osaka at the Canadian Open. The victory sends Rybakina into the semifinals. She will next face Coco Gauff. Their match will determine who advances to the final.
Nigeria approved tax waivers for nearly 4,000 electric vehicles during the first half of this year, according to government data. Authorities are seeking to speed up adoption of the country’s nascent electric-vehicle market. Chronic shortages in electricity supply, however, pose a serious practical challenge to those ambitions.
Europe is preparing for yet another heatwave after repeated periods of extreme heat this summer. Grasslands have been scorched, while falling river levels have exposed secrets dating from the Second World War. July ranked as the hottest month on record for nearly 120 million Europeans. Europe also remains the world’s fastest-warming continent, with the latest report offering a snapshot of the consequences.
Russia’s Supreme Court has barred the country’s only anti-war party from taking part in next month’s parliamentary elections. The ruling is presented as the latest indication of the Kremlin’s efforts to silence criticism of the war in Ukraine. The conflict was launched by Vladimir Putin more than four years ago and remains central to the political crackdown described in the report.
Russia politicsanti-war partyparliamentary electionsSupreme Court
Russian President Vladimir Putin says tensions are increasing in both the Asia-Pacific region and the Arctic. He stresses that Russia has consistently advocated cooperation in the Arctic. Putin adds that Moscow continues to confirm its readiness to work with others on the use of the Northern Sea Route. The remarks present cooperation as Russia’s continuing position amid heightened regional tensions.
Tensions mount in both Asia-Pacific and Arctic regions, Putin says
FlashTranslated by Minutes
🕶️ Solar eclipse sparks scramble for protective glasses across Europe
The scramble for protective glasses has reached fever pitch across Europe ahead of a rare total solar eclipse, as pharmacies, opticians and other shops struggle to keep them in stock.
🕶️ Solar eclipse sparks scramble for protective glasses across Europe
The scramble for protective glasses has reached fever pitch across Europe ahead of a rare total solar eclipse, as pharmacies, opticians and other shops struggle to keep them in stock.
A senior adviser to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis says wildfires and heatwaves are becoming a greater medium- and long-term fiscal risk for Greece and the wider region. The government is increasing investment to strengthen an economy that depends heavily on tourism.
Donald Trump reportedly left Turkey last month on a secret military flight during an undercover operation. The reported mission was prompted by fears that Iran was preparing an assassination attempt against the US president. Trump was allegedly moved from one aircraft to another inside a catering truck. He said the aircraft switch exposed him to a “greater risk.”
Donald Trump said the decoy aircraft involved in a secret change to his flight plans faced a “greater risk.” Air Force One was still carrying journalists and senior aides during the change. Those people remained at apparent risk of an Iranian strike. His account highlighted the security danger surrounding the flight arrangement.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the aircraft he used after secretly taking a military flight from Turkey last month was exposed to a “greater risk.” His remark described the relative danger faced by the later plane, without explaining what created that risk. The statement followed his account of the undisclosed flight change from Turkey.
The White House Correspondents’ Association is asking President Trump’s administration to work with it on a future protocol for handling extraordinary security circumstances. The request follows revelations from leaks to news organizations about Trump’s secret plane switch last month. The group wants clearer arrangements for dealing with similar situations in the future.
Donald TrumpWhite House Correspondents’ Associationsecurity protocol
Donald Trump secretly changed planes while leaving a Nato summit in Turkey last month. The switch reportedly fooled even the press pool accompanying him. The journalists boarded the aircraft as planned, only to do so without Trump on board. The report looks at what travelling on Air Force One with the US president is like.
Kalashnikov CEO Alan Lushnikov describes the special military operation as the most serious test Russia has faced over the past 30 years. He says it is still too early to judge the results of the company’s work during the operation. The assessment of Kalashnikov’s performance therefore remains open for now.
South Korea expects to put more than 1 trillion won, or $707 million, of fresh capital into a new sovereign wealth fund next year. The fund will target artificial intelligence and other strategic industries. The move places the country alongside governments worldwide seeking to mobilize investment and gain an advantage in high-tech sectors.
South Koreasovereign wealth fundartificial intelligencerobotics
Ukrainian forces carried out 174 attacks on Russia’s Belgorod Region over the past day, the report says. Twelve of the attacks involved multiple launch rocket systems and artillery. Another 16 involved explosive devices dropped from drones. The attacks killed two people and left three others injured.
Acting Governor Alexander Shuvayev says Ukrainian attacks in Russia’s Belgorod Region have killed more than 600 civilians since February 2022. He reported that as many as 4,737 people have also been injured. The figures cover the period beginning in February 2022 and concern casualties in the region attributed to the attacks.
China exported 1.043 million vehicles in July, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. The figure was 81.3% higher than a year earlier. It marked the second consecutive month in which China’s vehicle exports surpassed one million units.
The death toll from Monday’s 7.4-magnitude earthquake in western Colombia has climbed beyond 240. Rescuers are racing to locate survivors who may remain trapped beneath collapsed buildings. A 32-year-old woman was pulled alive from the rubble on Tuesday, while many others are still missing. The disaster presents the first major challenge for President Abelardo de la Espriella, inaugurated last Friday. France 24 also spoke with correspondent Maria Clara Calle in Cali, one of the affected cities.
Colombia is racing to locate survivors after a deadly earthquake. At least 254 people have been reported dead so far. Rescue workers are continuing to search through collapsed buildings as they look for people who may still be trapped. The recovery effort remains under way.
Nagasaki and Hiroshima have treated Taiwan noticeably differently in arrangements for attending atomic bombing memorial events. Nagasaki placed Taiwan outside the diplomatic section, prompting protests and controversy over alleged Chinese pressure. The contrast has raised questions about a possible gap in Japan-Taiwan relations. The report frames the issue as a difference in treatment rather than a settled diplomatic conclusion.
A rare total solar eclipse is expected within hours, briefly turning daylight into darkness in parts of northern Spain as the Moon fully covers the Sun. Millions of people elsewhere across Europe, Canada, the northern United States and northwest Africa are expected to see a partial eclipse. Loic Rossi, a project manager at the French Astronomy Association, explains how solar eclipses occur.
Shanghai Jiao Tong University came from behind in the second half to defeat National Chengchi University 72-69. The closely contested game was played Tuesday in Hangzhou, in China’s eastern Zhejiang Province. The victory secured Shanghai Jiao Tong University the 2026 Asian University Basketball League title. The narrow margin underscored the intensity of the final.
basketballAsian University Basketball LeagueShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityHangzhou
China on Tuesday rejected accusations made by the United States and other countries. The dispute concerns a submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile test conducted by China in July. The criticism was raised at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. China declined to accept claims concerning how the test was notified.
China has strongly dismissed US criticism of a joint statement concerning Beijing’s notification of a ballistic missile launch. It accused Washington of using the Conference on Disarmament for what it called political manipulation and the application of double standards. The dispute centers on how the missile test was notified and how the joint statement addressed the matter.
China has rejected US criticism of a joint statement on its notification of a July submarine-launched ICBM test. At the Conference on Disarmament, Ambassador Li Chijiang accused Washington of political manipulation and double standards, defended China’s advance notices as responsible goodwill, and said China is not bound by the Hague Code of Conduct because it is not a member.
Russian stock indices declined when trading opened on the Moscow Exchange. The yuan-to-ruble exchange rate also fell by 3.1 kopecks from the previous session’s close, reaching 12,213 rubles.
Bloomberg is inviting readers to follow it on WhatsApp for timely updates on business, markets and stories shaping India and the world. The updates will be delivered directly to users’ phones.
Advertising activity on Wildberries has declined noticeably after Ukrainian drone attacks targeted the marketplace’s warehouses, Kommersant reports. The Russian business daily cited sources at major advertising agencies for the assessment. The report links the pullback in advertising to the strikes, without specifying which advertisers reduced spending or by how much.
Vladimir Putin says Moscow would respond in kind if European countries seize Russian merchant ships. His warning comes as Western governments intensify efforts against Russia’s so-called shadow fleet. The fleet consists of aging, poorly insured tankers that Moscow uses to evade sanctions and conduct hybrid operations. The statement frames possible vessel seizures as an issue likely to draw a reciprocal response from Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow would respond in kind if Western countries seized Russian commercial vessels. He stressed that the issue was not limited to the areas where Russian ships might be taken. Putin said Russia would act wherever Moscow considered such action necessary and reasonable. His remarks presented the possible response as extending beyond the immediate locations of any vessel seizures.
Wildberries, a Russian company comparable to Amazon, has come under heavy attacks. The strikes are presented as part of Kyiv’s effort to bring the feeling of war into Russia itself. The focus is on the company and its sites away from the conventional front line, rather than on battlefield positions. The wording highlights the domestic impact Ukraine is seeking through these attacks.
Japan’s ambassador to Australia has played down Anthony Albanese’s remarks about melons given by Sanae Takaichi. Tokyo was reportedly reassured by the Australian government that the prime minister did not make the comments in the manner described in reports. The Coalition is continuing to condemn the remarks and wants the federal police to investigate an allegedly leaked diplomatic cable. Labor has dismissed the demand as a “silly political stunt.”
Australian politicsJapan diplomacydiplomatic cableAnthony Albanese
Ukrainian drones attacked Russia’s Krasnodar Krai in the early hours of August 12, according to Governor Veniamin Kondratyev. He said “several hundred” drones targeted Novorossiysk, Anapa, Gelendzhik and the Temryuk District. The attack killed an 8-year-old child. Homes and businesses were also damaged in the strikes.
Overnight attacks struck port cities in Russia and Ukraine, leaving three people dead. The mayor of Novorossiysk described the city’s experience as a “horrific night.” A child was killed there, while dozens of buildings sustained damage. The account highlights the human and structural toll of the attacks without providing further details about the incidents.
One child was killed in the southern Russian city of Novorossiysk after a massive unmanned aerial vehicle attack. Air defense forces said they shot down several hundred UAVs during the assault. The attack took place in Russia’s southern Krasnodar Region, according to the report.
An overnight drone attack in the Russian Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk killed a child, Mayor Andrei Kravchenko said. He reported that four enterprises and more than two dozen residential buildings were also damaged. Kravchenko shared the account on Telegram on Wednesday.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is expected to claim victory in the Clacton by-election. The seaside town is portrayed as strongly enamoured with him, giving the party a prominent local success. Yet the strength of Reform UK’s wider popularity remains uncertain. The contest therefore raises the question of whether Farage can turn a town-level triumph into nationwide political support.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said plans to deploy new weapons in the Asia-Pacific region pose a threat to Russia. He said the region’s potential for conflict is growing. Putin also stated that NATO forces are infiltrating the Asia-Pacific region. His remarks framed the developments as an expanding security threat to Russia.
The International Energy Agency lowered its 2026 global oil demand forecast, citing the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz and high fuel prices. It now expects demand to fall by 1.6 million barrels per day, while oil supply is projected to drop by 4.3 million barrels per day as hostilities and maritime disruptions hinder recovery.
Prabowo Subianto is set to take the stage this week to address Indonesia, the world’s fourth-most populous nation. On the surface, he will appear more powerful than ever before. Yet that outward impression does not capture the full picture. The reality, according to the report’s framing, is more complicated as skepticism surrounding him grows.
Flash flooding moved into eastern Tennessee late Tuesday, leaving vehicles stranded and forcing road closures in western Knoxville, Lenoir City and parts of Pigeon Forge. Multiple rounds of storms bringing heavy rain and powerful winds are moving across the Midwest and Ohio Valley this week. The flooding is affecting travel in several communities as the storm activity continues.
Flash flooding spreads across eastern Tennessee, closing roads
FlashTranslated by Minutes
The wreckage of a World War II German warship, one of dozens sunk by retreating Nazi forces in September 1944, emerges from the low waters of the Danube River near Prahovo, Serbia, as drought and prolonged hot and dry weather continues to lower water levels across the region
📸 Andrej Isakovic
The wreckage of a World War II German warship, one of dozens sunk by retreating Nazi forces in September 1944, emerges from the low waters of the Danube River near Prahovo, Serbia, as drought and prolonged hot and dry weather continues to lower water levels across the region
Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics maker, reports that its profit rose 35%. The company links the increase to demand for artificial intelligence. It forecasts strong growth in 2026 as the AI boom continues to drive its business.
Russian Air Force Commander Sergey Kobylash described the Su-57 fighter as a key element in achieving air superiority. Discussing the service’s fleet, he said the “4++” generation Su-35S and Su-30SM multirole fighters, along with Su-34M bombers, carry out ground-support missions.
Liberal senator Andrew Bragg is maintaining his call to reduce Australia’s net migration to 180,000 a year. The shadow housing minister argues that setting net overseas migration at 180,000 or below for four years could help address a housing shortfall measured against population growth. Angus Taylor and other Coalition figures have avoided publicly endorsing the target. In a wide-ranging speech, Bragg also expressed regret that he failed to stop what he called the Morrison government’s “madness.”
The Minutes Reader extension turns the original page into a focused reading view and translates articles and video subtitles on demand. It is in limited beta.
TASSOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-08-12 09:38
