Former Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov told the BBC that corruption allegations in the government raise questions for President Volodymyr Zelensky about what he knew of possible wrongdoing in his inner circle. Fedorov also renewed calls for elections, while saying he had no evidence that Zelensky was personally corrupt. Elections have been suspended under martial law since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

Ukraine politicscorruption allegationselectionsZelensky

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

The Democratic Republic of the Congo government and the M23 rebel group agreed on a roadmap setting out the sequence and timetable for further peace negotiations. After meetings in Switzerland, they also backed a mechanism to review implementation and said the first ceasefire verification mission would take place on August 24 in Minembwe, South Kivu.

DR CongoM23peace talksceasefire monitoring

The Democratic Republic of the Congo and an M23-led rebel alliance have agreed on a roadmap for negotiations after five days of talks in Switzerland. The plan sets out steps and timelines for implementing a framework agreement signed in Doha last November, while fighting continues in the east.

DR CongoM23peace talksSouth Kivu

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho accused opponents and supporters of bullying Vinicius Junior during the club’s 2-1 La Liga opening win at Espanyol. Mourinho said Vinicius was not blameless but that the rough treatment had gone too far, describing it as a recurring pattern from opponents and crowds.

Jose MourinhoVinicius JuniorReal MadridLa Liga

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected calls for elections during Russia’s full-scale invasion, warning that a vote could split the country. He said Kyiv believes Russia may mobilize 300,000 additional troops after September’s parliamentary elections and announced an agreement with Germany for 600 Patriot PAC-2 interceptors in 2027-28.

UkraineZelenskyywartime electionsRussian mobilizationPatriot missiles

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says elections under current conditions would tear the country apart. He says Ukraine would consider discussing a vote only if partners guarantee it can be held safely, legally and democratically without strikes or shelling. The presidential election expected in 2024 was postponed under martial law.

UkraineVolodymyr Zelenskyywartime elections

The five-day World Humanoid Robot Games are taking place in Beijing with 51 events, including 30 sports competitions, and more than 2,000 humanoid robots. The machines have shown they can run and jump beyond human capabilities, play table tennis and soccer, and perform tasks such as connecting cables and handling packages. China is using the Games to highlight its competitiveness in the global technology race.

Chinahumanoid robotsrobot gamestechnology race

Tens of thousands of medals for the 2026 Sydney Marathon mistakenly feature Munich’s Allianz Arena instead of Sydney’s Allianz Stadium among the city landmarks. Organizers say they will use the flawed medals and call the error an unexpected touch of uniqueness. The Munich stadium responded humorously.

Sydney Marathonmedal errorAllianz Arena

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

Trade talks between the US and Canada have collapsed into a trade war, with Washington imposing 50% tariffs on $20bn of Canadian goods. Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada was ‘attacked’ and vows to match the measures dollar for dollar, while the escalation puts the future of the USMCA in doubt.

United StatesCanadatrade wartariffs

US and Canadian negotiators had been nearing a trade agreement earlier this week, but talks collapsed after both governments accused the other of making last-minute changes. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced retaliatory tariffs after Washington imposed a 50% levy on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods, and addressed Canadians on Saturday for the first time since the breakdown.

US-Canada traderetaliatory tariffsMark Carney

US President Donald Trump attacked Canada on Sunday, saying it wanted “the benefits of being a State, without being one.” His remarks followed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement of retaliatory tariffs after describing the existing deal as a “bad deal.” Talks between the longtime allies broke down in Washington on Friday, signaling a widening rift.

US-Canada relationstrade wartariffsDonald Trump

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

Saudi Arabia is making a major bet on the global gaming industry, having acquired Electronic Arts in a $55 billion deal. Its flagship Esports World Cup is also being held outside the country for the first time, in Paris, as part of efforts to diversify beyond an oil- and gas-driven economy.

Saudi Arabiaesportsgaming industryeconomic diversification

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Sunday that the country was dealing with “many problems,” including inflation, livelihood difficulties and unemployment, while authorities work to secure the people’s future. His remarks followed a US pledge to seek the regime’s “collapse” through a newly announced sanctions campaign.

IranUS sanctionsinflationMiddle East

Tensions between Iran and the United States are continuing to rise. Tehran says it may consider any country joining US sanctions an enemy, in response to Washington’s drive to isolate Iran’s economy. The US is due to outline its strategy at a press conference on Monday.

IranUnited Statessanctionseconomic isolation

The second World Humanoid Games began in China on Saturday and will run for five days. Robots are competing in boxing, football, high jump and table tennis, while one has already run faster than Usain Bolt’s 100m world-record pace. Another copied Cristiano Ronaldo’s “Siuuu” celebration, and droids joined a synchronised march at the opening ceremony.

Humanoid robotsWorld Humanoid GamesBeijingArtificial intelligence

The Associated Press livestreams the World Humanoid Robot Games in China.

Chinahumanoid robotsrobot games

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

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck the Greater Tokyo area on Sunday night, injuring more than 20 people. Burst water pipes flooded a roadway in one Tokyo district, while some elevators shut down automatically. No abnormalities were reported at nuclear facilities, and rail service resumed after a suspension. The epicenter was in Ibaraki Prefecture at a depth of 68 km.

Japan earthquakeTokyoIbaraki Prefecture

At least seven people were injured, mostly suffering bruises, when a magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck the Greater Tokyo area on Sunday night. The epicenter was in Ibaraki Prefecture at a depth of 68 kilometers. A tsunami warning was lifted within minutes; no abnormalities were reported at nuclear facilities, and train service has resumed normally.

Japan earthquakeTokyo areaIbaraki Prefecturenatural disaster

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck central Japan, setting off the nationwide alert system. The epicenter was in Ibaraki prefecture, bordering Tokyo, at a depth of 70 kilometers. Shaking lasted about 20 seconds, while a tsunami alert was lifted minutes after being issued. No damage or casualties were reported.

earthquakeJapanTokyoIbaraki

Kazakhstan is voting in a snap parliamentary election that critics say will strengthen President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s power. Constitutional changes replaced the upper house with a 145-member unicameral legislature, while only seven state-approved, Tokayev-loyal parties were allowed to field candidates. Term limits were also reset to permit him to run again in 2029.

Kazakhstanparliamentary electionKassym-Jomart Tokayevconstitutional reform

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