Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has denounced corruption, a systemic governance crisis and the absence of national elections in a video address that triggered broad public debate. A political scientist says Fedorov may be using the political capital gained during protests to establish himself as an independent figure who could oppose Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Ukraine politicsMykhailo FedorovVolodymyr Zelenskyycorruption

Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov described what he called widespread corruption in Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, saying hundreds of people had grown accustomed to profiting from the state budget and were hindering efforts to end the war from a position of strength. He again urged Ukraine to prepare for the return of local, parliamentary and presidential elections.

Ukraine politicsDefense Ministrycorruptionelections

Orenburg city head Albert Yumadilov said drones attacked the city, with several UAVs downed over a special economic zone. Debris fell on the Ozon logistics complex and caused a fire that emergency services quickly extinguished. No one was injured.

drone attackOrenburgOzon

Ukraine’s military reportedly launched a drone attack on Orenburg overnight on Aug. 23, striking an Ozon logistics center, according to Russian Telegram channels. Social media footage appeared to show smoke over the warehouse, but the reports could not be immediately verified and the extent of damage was unclear. Ukraine’s military has not commented.

Ukrainedrone attackOrenburgOzon

Kazakhstan will hold a snap parliamentary election on August 23 to choose 145 members of the new unicameral Kurultai. The vote is expected to strengthen President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s control. Under the revised constitutional system, parties must win at least 5 percent of the vote to enter government, while international observers will monitor the election.

Kazakhstanparliamentary electionTokayevKurultai

The Atlantic says Donald Trump’s threats and pressure on Ottawa have failed to deliver results, leaving the US president behind in the trade conflict. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said negotiations were suspended and Canada would impose retaliatory tariffs from September 8, while US tariffs of 50% on some Canadian goods took effect Saturday.

Donald TrumpCanadatrade war

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and provincial premiers have responded after US President Donald Trump imposed 50 percent tariffs on about $20bn of Canadian goods. British Columbia Premier David Eby said Trump cannot be trusted.

CanadaDonald Trumptariffstrade war

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will impose dollar-for-dollar tariffs on US steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, electronics and other goods from September 8. He said Washington’s conditions were uneconomic, unfair and undermined Canada’s sovereignty after trade talks broke down.

CanadaUnited Statestariffstrade war

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada was “at war” in its trade dispute with the United States and would impose tariffs on U.S. steel, electronics and other imports from September 8. The measures are intended to match President Donald Trump’s new 50% tariffs dollar for dollar after negotiations between the two countries collapsed.

CanadaUnited Statestrade wartariffs

The Chinese humanoid robot Tianzhuo completed the 100-metre race in 9.39 seconds at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, faster than Usain Bolt’s 9.58-second world record. Developed by the Beijing Innovation Centre of Humanoid Robotics, it defeated two other China-made robots to win.

humanoid robotsrobot games100m record

Chinese humanoid robots set several records at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, including surpassing Usain Bolt’s 100-meter sprint record.

humanoid robotsrobot gamesBeijing

Sydney Marathon organisers have acknowledged that this year’s finisher medal mistakenly depicts Munich’s Allianz Arena instead of Sydney’s Allianz Stadium. Runners will still receive the medal, which organisers described as beautiful and now more unique, while the German arena also joked about the mix-up.

Sydney Marathonmedal errorAllianz Arena

Sydney Marathon organisers have acknowledged an “unfortunate error” after the finisher’s medal was engraved with Munich’s Allianz Arena instead of Sydney’s Allianz Stadium. They said the mistake had been met mostly with good humour and that their focus remained on delivering a safe, spectacular event.

Sydney Marathonmedal errorsports event

Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha has again requested a leave of absence after U.S. federal prosecutors indicted him on drug-trafficking, bribery and cartel-protection charges. The request came days after he defiantly reclaimed his post, prompting backlash.

MexicoSinaloacartel charges

Victorian opposition leader Jess Wilson says the Liberals would split the existing Court of Appeal into separate criminal and civil courts if elected, adding specialist judges to apply new bail and sentencing laws. Powerhouse Parramatta, a 12-year, A$915m museum and gallery project, has also revealed five inaugural exhibitions ahead of its planned 7 November opening.

Victoria politicsjudicial reformPowerhouse Parramatta

Iran has warned that countries joining US economic sanctions will be treated as enemies. Mohsen Rezaei, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, urged governments not to participate in Washington’s campaign and warned that any US action would make the confrontation “like an earthquake.” China criticized the pressure campaign, while the UAE said it was suspending financial and economic ties with Tehran.

IranUS sanctionseconomic pressureMiddle East diplomacy

An Iranian official warns that any state joining the United States would be treated as an enemy, and Tehran would retaliate by targeting its interests.

IranUnited Stateseconomic wardiplomacy

Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, warns that countries joining the US economic war against Iran will face “tit-for-tat” action. The warning follows Donald Trump’s threat to unleash “economic warfare” against Iran.

IranUnited Stateseconomic warfarediplomacy

Iranian Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohsen Rezaei warned that nearby countries joining the US campaign to weaken Iran’s economy would be treated as enemies and their interests could be targeted. His remarks came as the Trump administration intensified economic threats, while he also warned of possible attacks on alternative oil-shipping routes from the Gulf.

IranUS economic pressureregional tensionsStrait of Hormuz

Swedish police identified a 17-year-old girl as the victim of Friday’s deadly sword attack at a high school in Fagersta. The 18-year-old suspect, a student at the school, is being held on suspicion of murder and multiple attempted murders. Two boys were seriously wounded and another person suffered minor injuries. Investigators are examining possible links to online communities promoting school violence.

SwedenFagerstaschool attacksword attack

A 17-year-old girl was killed and three others were wounded when an 18-year-old man allegedly attacked students with a sword at Brinell high school in Fagersta. Police are investigating possible links to online communities promoting school violence. The suspect faces murder and attempted-murder suspicions.

Swedenschool attacksword attack

Swedish police identified the victim of a fatal school sword attack as a 17-year-old girl. An 18-year-old man carrying a sword attacked Brinell School in Fagersta, northwest of Stockholm, while classes were underway Friday.

Swedenschool attacksword attack

Swedish police are examining whether the 18-year-old man accused of attacking students with a sword at a high school on Friday, killing one, had links to online communities that promote school violence, according to a police source.

Swedenschool attackonline communities

A Texas judge on Saturday rejected Karmelo Anthony’s request for a new trial in the stabbing death of a 17-year-old athlete at a high school track meet. The killing drew national attention and led to harassment incidents.

Karmelo AnthonyTexasnew trialstabbing death