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·25 August 2026 · 16:01 UTC

Former Russian official warns 'unknown sources' could attack U.K. drone factories for Ukraine; Kremlin says it's tracking missile production sites

The warning follows Andy Burnham's Kyiv visit, where the U.K. agreed to share technology for Ukraine to build French SCALP missiles domestically. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia's military is gathering information on production sites to target them, escalating tensions over British involvement.

·25 August 2026 · 15:52 UTC

Former Trump aide Scaramucci says president looks like 'an open can of Spam' without makeup; reveals he buys orange bronzer from Bronx supply shop

Scaramucci's mother 'hates Trump's makeup,' and a former staffer said Trump demanded Tic Tacs and 'Bronx Colors' face makeup in his bedroom, with housekeepers regularly bringing new shirts due to rust-coloured collar stains. Grisham's 2021 memoir also detailed his daily makeup routine and his self-haircut with huge scissors.

+1 source·25 August 2026 · 15:39 UTC

Two killed, Afipsky oil refinery on fire in Russia's Krasnodar after Ukrainian drone attack; governor confirms

The attack also injured two workers at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, and Ukraine's General Staff said it struck the refinery and a gas plant in Astrakhan. Russia's defence ministry reported shooting down 148 drones overnight.

·25 August 2026 · 15:39 UTC

Five more arrested over A66 crash that killed seven, including two police officers; police link group to serious organised crime

The five new arrests bring the total to 17, with four of the five having 37 previous convictions for offences including car theft and drug possession. Two suspects have already appeared in court, with Kai Beattie, 19, charged with firearm possession and Cameron George, 26, remanded on drug charges.

+2 sources·25 August 2026 · 15:17 UTC

President Tinubu orders rescue after mass kidnapping in Niger State; 'Terror will not cow Nigeria,' he says

The armed group posted a video on Facebook and WhatsApp showing about 600 women, children and older people abducted during the mosque attack. Reuters could not independently verify the figure, but if confirmed it would rank among Nigeria's largest mass kidnappings in recent years.

·25 August 2026 · 14:05 UTC

U.S. prepares to return Mideast diplomats evacuated before Iran war; first to Lebanon, full staffing for Israel, Jordan, Oman

The State Department said it 'continuously reviews the security posture' and is 'adjusting our staffing posture at certain posts' based on latest assessments. Embassies in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Lebanon will initially cap at 85% staffing, while Iraq, Kuwait, and Bahrain at 75%.

·25 August 2026 · 13:56 UTC

Saudi Arabia funds $7 billion Dragon Ball Z theme park complex near Paris; part of Macron's Choose France push to draw foreign investment

The investment is part of Macron's Choose France initiative, which at its June summit drew $108 billion in commitments across 71 projects. This theme park deal underscores the initiative's success in attracting major foreign capital to France.

+1 source·25 August 2026 · 13:45 UTC

Andrew Tate rented supercars and borrowed a yacht to appear 'uberwealthy', his lawyer says; legal filing argues business model depends on online attention

The filing also claims the $2.1m Aston Martin and $5m and $7m Bugattis in Tristan's videos were rented, and the superyacht was paid promotion. It dismisses a 'Mexican passport' as a cardboard prop for a Halloween costume.

·25 August 2026 · 13:45 UTC

Germany 'under threat,' Merz says after another explosive drone found near Leipzig airport; latest device reported Aug. 14

Merz said the government is working intensively with security agencies and will present findings shortly, adding that there is 'circumstantial evidence pointing to the perpetrators.' Interior Minister Dobrindt earlier suggested a state actor was behind the threat, and the government is seeking to give intelligence services more leeway against adversaries like Russia.

·25 August 2026 · 13:33 UTC

Tourist horrified as server leaves disgusting note on breakfast bill after simple request; says 'still in shock'

After the incident went viral, Clara received racist comments and was surprised by how many people admitted to similar acts, with one netizen saying, 'Just imagine how many times they did that and got away with it.' Others debated whether such behavior is common, with one commenter noting they've never seen it in food service.

+1 source·25 August 2026 · 13:33 UTC

Trump's Arctic saber-rattling boosts Iceland's pro-EU campaign as Aug. 29 referendum on restarting accession talks nears

Icelandic PM Kristrún Frostadóttir admitted concern after Trump confused Greenland and Iceland, saying 'It's a massive issue.' If Iceland joins, Norway and Liechtenstein would be the only non-EU members of the European Economic Area, prompting Norway's PM to urge attention.

·25 August 2026 · 13:33 UTC

NSA Ajit Doval says Modi, Xi gave 'clear and positive direction' to India-China ties as Beijing talks mark steady return to normalcy

The 25th round of Special Representatives talks included detailed 'small group' discussions lasting over 90 minutes, with Doval calling the round 'very important' ahead of the BRICS Summit. Xi is expected to attend the September 12 meet in New Delhi, his first visit to India in seven years.

+1 source3 updates

25 August 2026 · 12:22 UTCChina, India hold 25th round of talks on boundary question in Beijing; special representatives meet Tuesday 25 August 2026 · 06:35 UTCNSA Ajit Doval calls on Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng ahead of border talks; meeting with Wang Yi set for later in Beijing

+1 source·25 August 2026 · 12:42 UTC

Typhoon Narra floods intensify in southern China, submerging homes and forcing tens of thousands to relocate; rescue forces deploy pontoon bridge in Guangxi

In Chongzuo, water levels surpassed a 2008 record, prompting evacuation of over 15,000 people, while Guangxi relocated 54,000 total. Heavy rain is forecast to persist through Wednesday across Vietnam and southern China, with another storm system heading toward Japan and Taiwan.

·25 August 2026 · 11:13 UTC

Ship disabled by attack in Strait of Hormuz as Iran maintains stranglehold on shipping; Pakistan delegation leaves Tehran after 'very positive' talks

Pakistan's army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir led a delegation to Tehran, with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi calling the meeting with President Pezeshkian 'very positive and productive' and reporting 'significant progress.' Iran and Oman are finalizing their own proposal for managing the waterway, while China's Foreign Ministry warns that Iran cooperation 'should not be disrupted or undermined.'

·25 August 2026 · 11:03 UTC

Rare tornado injures 39, damages hundreds of homes in southwest France; 21,000 households without power, no missing persons reported

Interior minister Laurent Nunez called the tornado one of 'rare intensity' on X, saying it was 'severely damaging' to the village. The event follows a summer of extreme heat and record-breaking wildfires, with the last month burning 42,000 hectares—one of the largest forest fires since the Second World War.

+4 sources4 updates

25 August 2026 · 06:23 UTCTornado strikes Aude in southern France, damaging over 300 residences and injuring 15 people, local administration says 25 August 2026 · 05:43 UTCTornado damages hundreds of homes in southern France as summer heat gives way to thunderstorms +1 more report

·25 August 2026 · 10:40 UTC

Hundreds of academics sign open letter backing Nathan Cofnas, who accused late Cambridge professor Jason Arday of plagiarism, as Ghent University weighs disciplinary action

The letter, signed by 709 academics including professors from Duke, MIT, and UCLA, argues the proceedings against Cofnas 'appear to constitute retaliation' for exposing misconduct in British universities. Cofnas, suspended for a week, said 'they will almost certainly fire me.'

·25 August 2026 · 10:04 UTC

Wildfire haze from Indonesia spreads to Malaysia as South Sumatra turns to rain prayers; governor says 'we have done everything we can'

South Sumatra leads Indonesia with 1,429 wildfire hotspots, followed by West Kalimantan (1,226) and Central Kalimantan (811). Nearly 940 square kilometers burned in July alone, including over 20 square kilometers in South Sumatra, as thick smoke forced motorists to drive with headlights on during the day.

+2 sources3 updates

25 August 2026 · 05:15 UTCWildfire haze from Indonesia spreads to Malaysia as blazes intensify amid super El Niño; residents say each breath feels 'like smoking a cigarette'25 August 2026 · 04:00 UTCIndonesia intensifies aerial firefighting as wildfire haze spreads to Malaysia; President Prabowo visits Riau, South Sumatra as 36,000 hectares burn