Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened retaliation over the West’s seizure of commercial vessels. Speaking from aboard a Russian warship, he characterized the measures directed at Russia as piracy and robbery. France 24 International Affairs editor Philip Turle provided further insight into the threat and its framing.
FFrance 24Original★★★★☆2026-08-12 13:47
AFP News AgencyMark Zuckerberg’s technology company Meta is facing a lawsuit seeking $1.4 trillion. The case alleges that the company intentionally created addictive features on its platforms to keep children hooked. Parents have for years voiced concerns about Facebook and Instagram’s effects on young people’s mental health. Jury selection is scheduled to begin this Wednesday.
FFrance 24Original★★★☆☆2026-08-12 13:46
Meta Platforms is set to face a coalition of attorneys general from 29 states in a federal court trial in California beginning Wednesday. The case alleges that the company engineered Facebook and Instagram to be addictive to children. A ruling against Meta could expose it to massive damages and require sweeping changes to its platforms. The proceedings represent the largest test so far for litigation over the effects of social media on young users.
Four US states are seeking an enormous $1.4 trillion in fines from Meta. California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey allege that the company founded by Mark Zuckerberg deliberately designed Instagram and Facebook to be addictive for minors. The accusations focus on how the platforms affect young users. Wassim Cornet reports from Los Angeles.
A major case described as social media’s “Big Tobacco moment” is opening today. Mark Zuckerberg’s company, Meta, is defending itself against allegations that it harmed children. The claims focus on addictive features allegedly designed for young users on Instagram and Facebook. France 24 journalist Delano D'Souza provides further insight into the proceedings.
At least 44 people were killed after a passenger ferry overturned in a Zimbabwean lake on Tuesday, police said. The revised toll is roughly three times the earlier estimate, following the discovery of more bodies.
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ReutersOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 13:45
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Ukrainian strikes on Russia’s grain and agricultural infrastructure were driving global food prices higher. She said the attacks were also worsening grain shortages. Zakharova added that the situation served the interests of some Western countries.
RReutersOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 13:40
Russia reduced its oil output by 6,000 barrels per day in July, according to OPEC. The organization said Russian production is currently constrained by the OPEC+ agreement.
T
TASSOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-08-12 13:37
Serbian politician Milos Jovanovic said Serbia could join the European Union only as a defeated and humiliated nation. His remarks oppose the country’s EU accession and sanctions against Russia. The statement frames possible membership in sharply negative terms, portraying it as incompatible with national dignity under current conditions.
TTASSOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 13:35
Iran and the United States remain locked in disagreement over efforts to establish a permanent end to the war in the Gulf. A senior Iranian source said talks had made no headway in reviving the interim agreement reached in June. The discussions were also intended to set a timetable for putting that agreement into effect. The two sides have yet to bridge their differences.
RReutersOriginal★★★★☆2026-08-12 13:35
Saudi Arabia has rerouted its oil exports away from the Strait of Hormuz. Most Gulf producers, however, still do not have a dependable alternative. The waterway remains the world’s most important energy chokepoint. Gulf states are therefore scrambling to identify another route for moving their exports.
DDWOriginal★★★★☆2026-08-12 13:35
A Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet was brought down by friendly fire, according to a defense source. Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation has opened a criminal probe following the aircraft’s crash. The investigation concerns the circumstances of the crash and possible responsibility for the incident.
TTASSOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 13:34
Politico reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to accept the Gaza plan. The refusal is also undermining confidence in the US-led Board of Peace. As a result, US allies are increasingly questioning whether Washington can deliver peace in Gaza. The report frames the dispute as damaging faith in the US-led effort.
TTASSOriginal★★★★☆2026-08-12 13:33
Tens of millions of people across western Europe are gathering to witness a rare solar eclipse. Enthusiasts have travelled to viewing locations in Spain, the United Kingdom and Iceland along the path of totality. A broad stretch of northern and central Spain, a small part of Portugal, and areas of Greenland and Iceland are expected to experience totality. The event is drawing crowds across the region.
TThe GuardianOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-08-12 13:33
A rare total solar eclipse is expected to cross a broad stretch of Europe. Rural villages in Spain and Iceland, where the phenomenon will be most visible, are being transformed into busy tourism destinations. The eclipse is drawing large numbers of visitors to places that are usually quieter. Its path is reshaping local travel activity around the event.
A rare solar eclipse is set to sweep across Europe and the Arctic. The celestial event will span both regions, drawing attention from skywatchers. Its path is presented as an unusually broad occurrence across these areas.
Millions of people across Europe are preparing to witness a rare celestial spectacle on Wednesday evening. During the total eclipse, the Moon will pass directly between Earth and the Sun. It will be the first total solar eclipse visible in mainland Europe in two decades. The liveblog will follow developments and reactions as the event unfolds.
A total solar eclipse will cross northern Spain on August 12 in one of Europe’s most eagerly awaited astronomical events of the decade. These rare occurrences continue to help scientists study subjects ranging from the Sun’s corona to animal behaviour and human emotions. Their scientific value has endured through more than two thousand years of observation. Olivier Joie-La Marle, head of space science at the Centre National d'Études Spatiales, offers further insights.
A rare total solar eclipse is expected within hours. Parts of northern Spain will briefly fall from daylight into darkness as the Moon passes in front of the Sun. Millions of people elsewhere across Europe, Canada, the northern United States and northwest Africa will see a partial eclipse. Beyond the spectacle, eclipses give scientists valuable opportunities to study the Sun and gain insight into the wider universe.
A rare total solar eclipse is expected within hours. As the Moon fully covers the Sun, parts of northern Spain will briefly experience darkness during the day. Millions of people elsewhere in Europe, Canada, the northern United States and northwest Africa will see a partial eclipse. Coverage of the celestial event will continue throughout the day.
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.
A woman trapped beneath the wreckage of a collapsed hotel in Pereira, Colombia, was rescued on Tuesday after 36 hours under the rubble. Search-and-rescue teams are continuing operations in the country’s coffee-growing Chocó region. The region was identified as the epicentre of Monday’s magnitude 7.4 earthquake. The rescue follows ongoing efforts to locate and assist people affected by the disaster.
FFrance 24Original★★★☆☆2026-08-12 13:32
A 32-year-old woman was found alive beneath concrete slabs 36 hours after an earthquake in Colombia. Emergency workers carried out a 10-hour rescue operation before pulling her from the rubble. The operation ended with her being brought out alive after more than a day trapped beneath the debris.
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.
Demand from Russian commercial companies for drone-defense equipment rose 6.6-fold in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier. Spending reached 441.3 million rubles. The figures were reported by the Russian business daily Vedomosti, which cited analysts at Tenderplan, a platform that tracks tenders. The increase points to a sharp expansion in corporate purchases of equipment intended to defend against drones.
MMeduzaOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-08-12 13:32
The Pentagon said North Korea’s recent missile launch does not pose a threat to the United States or its allies. Washington is aware of the launch, according to a statement from the command. The statement offered the assessment without providing additional details. The remarks concern the recent missile activity and its reported implications for the US and allied countries.
TTASSOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 13:32
North Korea fired a missile before military drills involving the United States and South Korea. Pyongyang has repeatedly denounced the exercises, saying they amount to a “rehearsal for invasion”. The launch comes amid the North’s continued opposition to the joint military activity.
President Donald Trump already has a Republican majority on the Federal Communications Commission, the agency overseeing America’s communications systems. A new nomination could give him a path to exclude opposing voices altogether. The FCC currently consists of two Republicans and one Democrat. The move could nevertheless expose the administration to legal risk. Brendan Carr is therefore described as being one firing away from an agency without effective internal opposition.
TThe VergeOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 13:31
The latest blockchain flywheel brings the “Stonks” concept together with NFTs. Users receive rewards in the form of tokenized shares or other assets.
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Bloomberg NewsOriginal★☆☆☆☆2026-08-12 13:30
Officials were concerned that a specific threat could place Donald Trump at enormous risk if he flew out of the country. The concern applied both to the legacy Air Force One aircraft and to the jet donated by Qatar. Trump had used the Qatar-donated plane to travel to the summit, according to a person familiar with the matter.
C
CNNOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 13:30
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 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.
Sudanese army air defenses reportedly intercepted drones over El-Obeid. The drones were said to have been launched by the Rapid Support Forces, or RSF. No details were given about damage or casualties linked to the interception. The incident adds another reported episode involving the army and the RSF in Sudan’s conflict.
AAl JazeeraOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 13:29
Since taking over the Department of Homeland Security in March, Markwayne Mullin has sped up efforts to expand the agency’s role. DHS is being positioned as a central force in Donald Trump’s campaign against what he portrays as widespread election fraud. The description retains the qualification that the alleged fraud is “purported,” signaling that the claim is not presented as established fact. Mullin’s tenure is therefore linked to a broader political effort to make election-fraud enforcement a major DHS priority.
CCNNOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 13:29
Ukraine’s military intelligence agency has disclosed the size of Russia’s stockpile of Geran attack drones. The report says Russian forces generally launch about 150 to 200 drones in a single attack while replenishing their reserves. On occasion, the number rises to approximately 300 drones.
TThe Kyiv IndependentOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 13:26
The International Energy Agency says global oil supply is set to decline by 4.3 million barrels per day this year, equivalent to roughly 4%. In its monthly oil market report issued on Wednesday, the agency linked the forecast to renewed hostilities in the Middle East. It warned that the conflict could push the world deeper into an oil-market deficit. The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remains out of reach.
RReutersOriginal★★★★☆2026-08-12 13:25
The International Energy Agency expects global oil supply to fall by 4.3 million barrels per day in 2026. Its estimates show that worldwide supply increased by 2.4 million barrels per day in July, reaching 101.5 million barrels per day. Gulf countries continued restoring oil production, contributing to the monthly rise.
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.
India is rapidly expanding its data-center capacity. More than half of the country’s data centers are located in areas already experiencing water stress. As India races to build even more facilities, limited water supplies are emerging as a significant constraint on that growth.
DDWOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 13:25
A new wave of Russia’s fuel crisis emerged in early August, according to reports from the regions. Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries were followed by gasoline lines in areas stretching from the south to the Far East. Orenburg Region and Sochi have brought back limits on how much fuel one person can purchase at a time. Sochi’s city administration also urged residents and tourists not to use personal vehicles. The report examines which regions continue to face fuel shortages.
MMeduzaOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 13:21
Yabloko has received the Supreme Court’s reasoned decision explaining its removal from elections. The court hearing lasted more than nine hours, according to the report.
TTASSOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 13:19
Seven OPEC+ countries increased their oil production in July by 1.424 million barrels per day. The group’s members had previously extended the deadline for making up past overproduction. That deadline now runs until the end of 2026. The development concerns the alliance’s output adjustment and compensation arrangements.
TTASSOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 13:17
The International Energy Agency says OPEC+ increased its June oil output by 1.15 million barrels per day in July. Despite the rise, the group failed to meet its planned quota. IEA data put the production shortfall against that quota at approximately 6.02 million barrels per day. The figures highlight a substantial gap between the planned level and reported production.
Israeli troops clashed on Wednesday with Jewish settlers as they tried to disperse them from a West Bank outpost. The settlers had established the outpost directly in front of Palestinian homes. Witnesses said the troops later withdrew after failing to remove the settlers from the area.
RReutersOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 13:15
Israeli security forces have reportedly pulled out from a site in a West Bank village. Two Palestinian families have been besieged there since Sunday. Around a dozen Israeli settlers are said to remain at the location after the security forces’ withdrawal.
Analysts say Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea could encourage the United States to build closer ties with Somaliland. The possibility comes as concerns increase about Djibouti’s reliability. Analysts also point to China’s expanding presence in the area as another factor that could influence a significant change in US policy.
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Fox NewsOriginal★★★★☆2026-08-12 13:15
President Donald Trump said the United States had “total control” of the Strait of Hormuz. His claim came as Washington and Tehran took tougher positions in negotiations over the critical waterway. The talks remain deadlocked, with neither side appearing to soften its stance. The development highlights the widening impasse between the US and Iran over Hormuz.
Iran has rejected Donald Trump’s claim that the Strait of Hormuz is under control. Tehran says the waterway will remain closed until the United States meets its demands and changes what it calls Washington’s “behaviour”. The statement comes as global energy prices rise, adding pressure to the talks between the two sides.
Only eight vessels were tracked in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, the lowest count in a week, according to shipping data. Owners have been avoiding the vital waterway as hostilities continue in the Middle East. The reduced traffic reflects the disruption caused by the ongoing regional tensions.
Brent crude prices have climbed after renewed attacks weakened expectations that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen. The violence has also reduced hopes that energy markets will return to stability. Market sentiment remains focused on the strategic waterway and the risks its disruption poses to energy flows.
Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Rezaei reiterated on the 11th that the Strait of Hormuz would not be opened unless the United States ended its maritime blockade and fighting. The US side has presented a different position. Washington and Tehran continue to make opposing claims over the strait, while the standoff remains unresolved.
The US military said on Tuesday that it had struck a Panama-flagged vessel attempting to approach an Iranian port. Washington said the ship was violating its blockade of Iranian ports. President Donald Trump again claimed that the United States had “total control” of the Strait of Hormuz. The latest developments in the Middle East are being followed through a continuing live update.
The United States and Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis reported separate attacks on shipping as hopes for ending the months-old Iran war weakened. Iran said the Strait of Hormuz would stay closed unless Washington accepted its conditions. Four crew members and two Yemeni rescuers were reportedly killed in a suspected Houthi attack, while the US said it fired missiles to disable a Panama-flagged cargo ship accused of violating a blockade on Iranian ports.
Iran’s top security official says the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed unless the United States meets Iran’s conditions. The statement came as Pakistan’s Naqvi visited Tehran. Iran is therefore maintaining its position that reopening the strategic waterway depends on US compliance with its demands.
US President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz is under complete US control. He warned that the United States would strike Iran if Tehran attempted to alter that situation.
For years, Pacific island nations persuaded larger and more powerful allies that climate change was the region’s defining security challenge. They also pressed those partners to respond. The focus is now shifting as China and oil shocks push climate concerns lower on the islands’ agenda. The change marks a departure from the priority these countries had worked to establish.
BBloomberg NewsOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-08-12 13:11
The Kyiv IndependentUS consumer prices rose as expected in July. The data could weaken the case for the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates next month.
RReutersOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 13:10
The United States released its consumer price index on the 12th. Prices rose 3.4% last month from the same month a year earlier. Although the increase remains high, the rate of growth was 0.1 percentage point lower than in the previous month. The slowdown may reduce expectations of an early interest-rate hike and could affect exchange rates and stock prices.
Annual inflation in the United States fell to 3.4% in July. The slowdown in food costs helped pull overall price growth lower. Housing expenses continued to keep prices somewhat higher, however. Inflation therefore eased without fully losing the upward pressure from housing.
Kalashnikov CEO Alan Lushnikov described why the AK-series weapons became famous around the world. He said their reputation rests not only on the assault rifle’s unmatched simplicity and reliability. Lushnikov also pointed to the sophistication of the design, its high degree of standardization and the interchangeability of its components as important factors behind the weapons’ global fame.
TTASSOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-08-12 13:05
Kalashnikov CEO Alan Lushnikov pointed to the origins of the company’s famous assault rifle when explaining its global reputation. He emphasized that Mikhail Kalashnikov was an ordinary soldier who designed the rifle for his own use. Lushnikov presented that personal origin as the key detail behind the weapon’s worldwide fame.
The United States is adopting a “wait-and-see” approach to the conflict involving Iran, according to The Atlantic. The magazine says earlier attempts by the US president to bring the conflict to an end have failed. The report presents the current policy as a response to those unsuccessful efforts, without describing a new initiative or agreement. It focuses on Washington’s posture rather than announcing a change in the conflict itself.
TTASSOriginal★★★★☆2026-08-12 13:05
Data released Wednesday by U.N. Women indicates that Taliban-imposed measures are sharply limiting Afghan women’s freedom of movement. Half of the country’s women now reportedly leave home only once or twice each month. The restrictions are also reducing their ability to take part in public life.
RReutersOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 13:05
Russia is planning a cultural film exchange with India and Brazil, director Nikolay Dann says. He argues that in-person venues provide the best setting for developing such exchanges. The proposal centers on direct interaction through cinema and cultural programming.
TTASSOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-08-12 13:04
Myanmar’s former ambassador to the United Kingdom appeared in a London court on Wednesday for trial. He is accused of trespassing at a diplomatic residence. The former envoy refused to leave after being dismissed for opposing Myanmar’s military coup five years ago. The case concerns his continued presence at the residence following his dismissal.
RReutersOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 13:01
Authorities foiled an alleged terrorist attack targeting an employee of the military commissariat in Russia’s Krasnodar Region. The suspect reportedly intended to blow up the employee’s car. The planned attack was directed at a staff member of the military commissariat, according to the available account.
TTASSOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-08-12 13:00
Ukrainian embassies abroad will automatically place men of draft age on the military register. The men will not have to travel to Ukraine to undergo an examination by a military medical commission. The measure concerns registration through foreign diplomatic missions. No further requirement is stated in the report.
TTASSOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 13:00
India’s smaller steel companies may be able to lower their electricity expenses by moving to renewable energy. The switch could also reduce carbon emissions by millions of tons. Renewable power is therefore presented as a way to address both operating costs and emissions in the sector.
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The Associated PressOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-08-12 13:00
Insta360 has announced the latest version of its popular 360-degree action-camera line. The X6 is smaller than last year’s X5 and the X4 Air, while promising stronger video performance. Its improvements come from a pair of larger custom square sensors made by Sony, each measuring 1/1.1 inches. The camera continues a product category that has helped Insta360 broaden its offerings.
TThe VergeOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-08-12 13:00
Ukraine’s government is seeking to sell thousands of state-owned assets. Most are described as unprofitable, inefficient, nonoperational, or some combination of all three. Yet the effort faces a major obstacle: offering low prices has not been enough to draw the foreign investors Ukraine is hoping to attract.
TThe Kyiv IndependentOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 12:59
Hainan is developing a tourism model focused on traditional medicine, according to the report. The resort city of Sanya, on the island’s southern coast, is playing an important role in advancing this tourism sector. The initiative links the island’s tourism development with traditional medical practices. Sanya is identified as a key location in the effort.
TTASSOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-08-12 12:57
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. plans to acquire Neos Investments for as much as $2.25 billion. The purchase will broaden the reach of Goldman’s asset-management business in the actively managed exchange-traded fund market.
BBloomberg NewsOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-08-12 12:56
U.S. inflation slowed last month, while a measure of underlying price pressures also eased. The figures suggest that higher oil and gas prices linked to the Iran war are having only a limited effect on broader costs across the economy. Even so, overall costs remain elevated, leaving price pressures at a high level.
TThe Associated PressOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 12:55
US inflation eased for a second consecutive month, with gas prices putting less pressure on consumers. Despite that moderation, concerns about the cost of living have not disappeared. Some household expenses continue to weigh on people as inflation cools. The report presents the slowdown alongside persistent affordability worries.
Colombia has declared three days of mourning for people who died in an earthquake. The announcement marks a national period of remembrance for the quake victims.
FFrance 24Original★★★☆☆2026-08-12 12:55
OPEC has once again lowered its forecast for global oil demand growth in 2026. Demand is now projected to rise by 0.6 million barrels per day.
TTASSOriginal★★★★☆2026-08-12 12:53
OPEC now expects global oil demand to rise by 600,000 barrels per day year-on-year in 2026, down from its July estimate of 800,000 bpd. Its forecast for 2027 was raised to about 2.2 million bpd from 1.9 million bpd.
Vietnam is confronting a sharp fall in its birthrate as its population ages. The country, home to more than 100 million people, was once known for large families, but fertility has dropped to 1.9 children per woman. The decline is worrying the government after more than four decades of a two-child policy aimed at controlling population growth. That restriction was officially lifted in June 2025.
FFrance 24Original★★★☆☆2026-08-12 12:53
Air Force commander Sergey Kobylash emphasized the role of reconnaissance and strike systems. He said modern aircraft technology had demonstrated its value during the special military operation. In his assessment, the technology proved to be a highly effective means of addressing operational and tactical tasks. The remarks underline the military significance attributed to these capabilities.
TTASSOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-08-12 12:50
Russian Air Force crews are being trained on simulators that incorporate scenarios from the special operation. Colonel General Sergey Kobylash says modern training tools can reduce the time needed for instruction. He also says they improve the quality of personnel training.
Germany’s cabinet approved measures on Wednesday to broaden the powers of its intelligence services. The proposed authorities would allow them to hack communications and disrupt the operations of foreign adversaries. Officials justified the move by pointing to what they describe as a growing threat from cyberattacks and hybrid attacks.
RReutersOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 12:50
A military F-16 aircraft crashed on Wednesday while carrying out a training flight in Turkey’s northwestern province of Yalova, according to the Turkish defence ministry. The pilot ejected from the aircraft and survived the crash. The ministry’s statement identified the incident as a training-flight accident and confirmed that the pilot escaped safely after the aircraft went down in Yalova.
RReutersOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 12:45
Saudi Arabia is increasingly being drawn into a war it did not choose. The kingdom is betting on defensive alliances as a way to deter a further slide into war. The framing presents Riyadh as trying to resist involvement rather than seeking the conflict. No further details are provided about the alliances or the war.
RReutersOriginal★★★★☆2026-08-12 12:40
An Egyptian student livestreamed the moment he was kidnapped.
AAl JazeeraOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-08-12 12:36
A source says top Iranian commander Esmail Qaani visited Iraq for meetings. The discussions focused on the Iraqi government’s plan to disarm armed groups. The proposal would place their weapons under state control. The source did not provide further details about the meetings or the plan’s implementation.
AAl JazeeraOriginal★★★★☆2026-08-12 12:34
A Manhattan skyscraper anchored by Ken Griffin’s Citadel is moving forward. The developers have formed a joint venture to build the project, which is valued at roughly $6.2 billion. The deal marks progress for the planned New York tower and brings the parties together to advance its construction.
BBloomberg NewsOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-08-12 12:30
Honor’s Robot Phone launches in China today. At first glance, the concept sounds questionable, especially because it is not really a robot. It is a conventional Android smartphone whose primary camera sits on a compact gimbal arm that unfolds from the back. The design packs something comparable to a DJI Osmo Pocket into the handset, producing a surprisingly capable camera setup.
TThe VergeOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-08-12 12:30
Lebanon’s parliament passed a general amnesty law on Wednesday as authorities seek to reduce overcrowding in prisons. The measure cuts sentences for inmates and applies to people held for more than 12 years without charges. It was approved one day after Lebanon abolished the death penalty. That decision made Lebanon the first country in the Middle East to take such a step.
FFrance 24Original★★★☆☆2026-08-12 12:28
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said a US-backed joint statement at the Conference on Disarmament, which alluded to China’s submarine-launched ballistic missile test and invoked the Hague Code of Conduct, was politically motivated and exposed hypocrisy and double standards. China urged relevant countries to create conditions for greater arms-control dialogue and exchanges.
C
CGTNOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 12:25
A white-tailed eagle at the Karelia Zoo has died after suffering a gunshot wound near Smolensk months earlier. The bird was listed in Russia’s Red Book of endangered species. Wildlife rescuers said authorities took 50 days to provide the documents required for treatment. The zoo announced the death in a social-media post on August 9.
MMeduzaOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-08-12 12:25
Acclaimed Iranian photojournalist Yalda Moaiery has spent much of her career recording dissent and documenting women’s lives in Iran. Her work has repeatedly put her at odds with the authorities. On Saturday, Iran’s National Journalist Day, she learned that she had received a 15-year prison sentence over her images and reporting.
RReutersOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 12:25
AFP News AgencyWhite Rabbit’s red, blue and white candy wrapper has become a design sensation on Western social media after an X user posted photos of it unfolded. The post drew about 6 million views and 265,000 likes, prompting images of tattoos, T-shirts, phone cases and preserved wrappers. The revival reflects the wrapper’s enduring visual appeal, Chinese childhood memories and growing overseas curiosity about Chinese culture.
CCGTNOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-08-12 12:21
The Houthis launched two ballistic missiles toward the Yemeni port of Mokha. No reports have emerged indicating whether the attack caused damage or casualties.
TTASSOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 12:21
Alexander Stepanov said that only the United States, France and Britain among the 41 countries possess intercontinental ballistic missile technology. He pointed to this detail while assessing a multinational statement concerning advance notice of missile launches. In his view, the statement signals preparations connected with a possible major war. The claim focuses on the military capabilities represented by the participating countries.
TTASSOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-08-12 12:21
More than 40 countries, including the United States and Japan, issued a joint statement on ballistic missile and other launch tests. They said the practice of giving advance notice was not followed during recent tests in the Pacific region. The countries called on states to provide notification at least 24 hours before such tests.
Sergey Kobylash said a Russian pilot destroyed two Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jets during a single air battle. The pilot reportedly carried out a maneuver skillfully and gained an advantageous tactical position. He then launched three air-to-air missiles. The account describes the engagement through the commander’s statement.
TTASSOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 12:20
Russia’s top military leadership says Battlegroup North units took control of the Vodyanoye settlement in the Kharkov Region over the past day. The Russian side says its forces destroyed an enemy armored combat vehicle during the operation. It also reported more than 210 Ukrainian troop casualties over the same period. The claims concern battlefield gains, equipment losses and personnel casualties.
TTASSOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 12:17
Zhu Rongji has died at the age of 97. He helped bring China into the World Trade Organization and championed reforms credited with fuelling the country’s growth.
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BBC NewsOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 12:10
Zhu Rongji has died at the age of 97. During 12 years serving as vice premier and premier, he led China’s economic development and pursued reforms across almost every part of the economy. His reform drive also drew public criticism because it left large numbers of state-owned enterprise workers unemployed. China subsequently moved substantially toward a market economy, ushering in its fastest period of development in history over the following two decades.
Former Chinese premier Zhu Rongji died of illness in Beijing on Wednesday morning at the age of 98. A joint obituary from China’s top party and state bodies praised him as an outstanding Party member, a tested and loyal communist fighter, and a prominent revolutionary, statesman and leader.
Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji died on Wednesday at the age of 97. He was associated with steering China’s economy toward the modern era. Zhu was also known for speaking plainly and avoiding euphemisms when expressing his views. His direct style became a defining feature of his public image.
Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji has died at the age of 97, state media reported. Known as an impatient and sharp-tongued reformer, he pushed state industry through wrenching changes during the 1990s. Those reforms helped ignite China’s explosive economic boom. Zhu also led the country into the World Trade Organization, marking another major step in its economic transformation.
Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji died of illness in Beijing on the 12th at the age of 97. China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency reported his death. Zhu worked on economic reforms during the 1990s and served as premier under former President Jiang Zemin. He was also known by the nickname “iron-fisted premier.”
Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji has died at the age of 98, state media reported. Known as an impatient and sharp-tongued reformer, he drove painful changes through China’s state-owned industries during the 1990s. Those efforts helped fuel the country’s explosive economic expansion. Zhu also led China into the World Trade Organization.
Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji has died in Beijing at the age of 98. His death was attributed to illness. He passed away at 11:06 a.m. on Wednesday.
Switzerland opened a public consultation on Wednesday over tougher banking regulations. The proposed measures would impose stricter bonus rules on UBS. Authorities are seeking to strengthen financial stability. The initiative follows the collapse of Credit Suisse in 2023.
RReutersOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 12:10
The Australian tech entrepreneur who drew attention for using ChatGPT, Grok, and other AI tools to create a personalized cancer vaccine for his dog has now launched a startup. Paul Conyngham says the company, Gamgee, will offer “personalised mRNA cancer vaccines for dogs.” His ambitions extend beyond that initial plan, according to the announcement.
TThe VergeOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-08-12 12:09
Meena and Minal were left at orphanages in India as infants and later raised by separate adoptive families in the Netherlands. Although they grew up only a short drive from one another, they knew each other as childhood friends rather than relatives. Four decades later, DNA testing revealed that the two women are biological sisters. The discovery gave them an answer to a longstanding gap in their lives and connected their shared childhood memories to their family origins.
RReutersOriginal★☆☆☆☆2026-08-12 12:05
Russia has imported gasoline from India for the first time as Ukrainian attacks target refineries. Bloomberg reported that Nayara Energy Ltd., an Indian refining company backed by Russia’s largest oil producer, Rosneft, supplied the fuel. The shipment traveled aboard tankers linked to Russia. The vessels passed through Egypt before the fuel reached Russia.
TThe Kyiv IndependentOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 12:02
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.
Flights at Sicily’s Catania airport were suspended again on Wednesday. Fresh ash emissions from Mount Etna led authorities to prolong restrictions on the surrounding airspace. The continued closure is disrupting travel during the busiest part of the summer holiday season. Airlines and passengers face further interruptions as access to the airport remains limited.
RReutersOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-08-12 12:01
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