Briefing

Retired Vice Adm. Robert Harward discusses what he describes as the real “end state” of the Iran conflict, along with arrests linked to an alleged terrorism plot at a U.K. air base.

Iran conflictUnited Kingdomterrorism investigation

A US official says the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group is heading towards Iran, with a third carrier and two amphibious groups expected around the country by the end of November. The deployment adds to about 50,000 US personnel, F-35s and Marines in the region as Washington pressures Tehran while keeping military action possible. Iran has proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming nuclear talks in return for an end to the naval blockade, sanctions relief and a regional ceasefire.

United StatesIranaircraft carriersMiddle East military deployment

The United States has deployed two more Patriot air-defense batteries to protect oil and gas facilities in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, according to a report. Washington wanted to reassure its allies that it would defend key energy sites if a decision were made to resume a full-scale operation against Iran. The US is also sending more ships, fighter jets and troops to the region in preparation for that possibility.

United StatesSaudi ArabiaQatarIran

The first two of 66 new F-16V fighter jets ordered by Taiwan in 2019 are due to arrive on Friday after months of delays. The delivery will strengthen an air force that scrambles almost daily to shadow China’s military.

TaiwanChinaF-16V fighter jetsdefence

Indian captain Smit Machchhar says he opened the cockpit door after being attacked by his co-pilot on a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, allowing passengers to help stop the plane’s rapid descent. The flight diverted to Saudi Arabia, and Machchhar was later taken to Abu Dhabi in stable condition.

Flydubaipilot attackflight diversion

New video captures the frightening moments after authorities said a Flydubai co-pilot stabbed the captain during a flight and tried to crash the passenger plane, sending it into a nose dive.

Flydubaimidflight stabbingaviation safety

Fighting has broken out in northern Ethiopia after months of tension, pitting federal troops against a rebel alliance led by Tigrayan forces. The renewed conflict risks expanding into a regional war.

EthiopiaTigrayarmed conflict

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and election rival Flavio Bolsonaro are exploiting every controversy in a last-ditch effort to discredit one another and win voters ahead of Sunday’s nail-biting election.

BrazilelectionLulaBolsonaro

Brazil is heading into a knife-edge presidential vote whose consequences could extend well beyond its borders. The election unfolds amid U.S.-China rivalry and mounting attention to the country’s debt.

Brazil electionpresidential voteU.S.-China rivalrydebt

Speculation that far-right presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro could seek to remove Our Lady of Aparecida as Brazil’s patroness has triggered a nationwide outcry ahead of Sunday’s vote. With Bolsonaro and Catholic leftwing president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva tied in polls, analysts say the dispute could affect the knife-edge race.

Brazil electionFlávio BolsonaroLulareligious tensions

For decades, Europe depended on the United States for security and China for inexpensive goods, but it is now falling behind both. Tariffs, defence spending and Greenland are straining ties with Washington, while Beijing controls key supply chains and raw materials Europe still needs. Europe was absent when Donald Trump and Xi Jinping met last week, yet their decisions continue to affect the continent.

European economyUS-Europe relationsChina-Europe relations

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung warned that Seoul would take “further measures” if Kyiv does not publicly apologize for revealing the transfer of two North Korean soldiers captured while fighting for Russia. South Korea says Ukraine broke a confidentiality agreement, while Ukrainian officials deny that such an agreement existed, deepening the diplomatic dispute.

South KoreaUkraineNorth Korean POWsdiplomatic dispute

South Korea says it may take “further measures” if Ukraine refuses to publicly apologise for disclosing the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war. Ukrainian forces captured the prisoners early last year after they were deployed alongside thousands of North Korean troops to support Russia’s war against Ukraine.

South KoreaUkraineNorth Korean POWsdiplomatic dispute

South Korean President Lee warned that Seoul could take further measures against Ukraine unless it offers a public apology over the disclosure of a prisoner transfer. He said the issue concerns the honor of South Korea’s people and nation and cannot be overlooked.

South KoreaUkraineprisoner disputediplomacy

President Donald Trump said the United States may ask European countries to release diesel reserves as Washington seeks to contain price rises linked to the war on Iran. US officials urged Europe to tap emergency stocks, while the EU trade chief warned that a US diesel export ban would harm Europe’s economy.

United StatesEuropedieselenergy prices

An EU Copernicus report says western Europe’s June-to-August surface air temperatures were 2.5C above the recent decadal average, making this Europe’s third-hottest summer on record. Repeated heatwaves killed tens of thousands, damaged harvests and worsened drought, wildfires, low river flows and air pollution across the continent.

Europe heatwavesclimate changeextreme weatherwildfires

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Project Meridian will identify the technologies and capabilities the US military will need for future battlefields, including autonomous warfare. Elon Musk has been put in charge of the review.

Elon MuskUS militaryautonomous warfare

Christa Pike is in critical condition in hospital after Tennessee’s attempt to execute her failed. The governor has ordered an independent review and paused executions.

death penaltyTennesseeindependent review

Christa Pike is critically ill in a Nashville hospital after surviving Tennessee’s two attempts to execute her by lethal injection, her lawyers say. They say a blood disorder made it difficult to establish an intravenous line. Her lawyer, Randy Spivey, accused Tennessee of being unable to carry out an execution with “basic human dignity.”

Christa Pikedeath penaltyTennessee

Tennessee death-row inmate Christa Pike is in critical condition after a botched execution. The program also features harrowing new video of a FlyDubai cockpit battle and reports on satellites and AI being used to fight wildfires.

Christa PikeexecutionFlyDubaiartificial intelligence