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German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul concluded an Africa tour with stops in Nigeria and South Africa focused on trade, investment and energy cooperation. Discussions covered economic partnerships, the Just Energy Transition and South Africa’s exclusion from a G20 summit. Bilateral trade figures and company presence underscore Germany’s commercial interests on the continent.
Tens of thousands have been evacuated as wildfires rage across Spain, France, and Italy, with Europe preparing for another heat wave. Spain has declared a national emergency, France has requested EU assistance, and officials link the blazes to climate change.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new commander-in-chief, replacing Oleksandr Syrskyi. The move follows mass protests over the dismissal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and signals a push for military reform.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met in Manila for more than half an hour, discussing the situation in Ukraine and bilateral diplomatic issues. According to Russian officials, Lavrov conveyed Moscow's readiness for negotiations and warned against further arms supplies to Kyiv.
US President Donald Trump warned that the US would destroy one bridge or power plant each time Iran fires at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, as the conflict escalates. Iran's foreign minister responded with an 'eye for an eye' doctrine, and US strikes on Iran continued overnight. The confrontation has driven oil prices above $93 a barrel and raised global economic concerns.
Senior officials from the UAE and Saudi Arabia have posted similar messages on social media affirming close historical ties, signaling a thaw in relations months after a public falling out. The posts come amid renewed U.S.-Iran hostilities and differing views on regional conflicts.
Russian military officials report intensified strikes on Ukrainian port infrastructure and vessels used for military supplies, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying strikes will continue. A Russian legislator accuses Western nations of prolonging the conflict, while reports note the deaths of four Indian citizens in a strike at Odessa port.
Andy Burnham has become the UK's seventh prime minister since the Brexit vote, with EU leaders welcoming his appointment and expressing hopes for strengthened relations. The new premier's pro-European instincts and domestic focus present both opportunities and uncertainties for EU-UK ties.
TASS reports that a NATO Bombardier Challenger 650 Artemis II reconnaissance aircraft is flying over Black Sea neutral waters, following a routine route. Separately, a NATO RQ-4D Phoenix drone experienced a communications failure during a recent flight but landed safely; it is currently circling over the Mediterranean near Crete.
Ukrainian attacks hit warehouses of Russia's largest online retailer Wildberries, killing one in Krasnodar. Kyiv says it targeted military logistics hubs; Moscow reports its own strikes. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy spoke with US envoys and a Lavrov-Rubio meeting is reported.
Top diplomats from South Korea, the U.S., and Japan met in Manila on Wednesday, reaffirming close coordination on North Korea policy and committing to a robust deterrence posture. The three ministers also discussed economic security cooperation and agreed to deepen practical collaboration on nuclear energy, critical minerals, and emerging technologies.
Foreign ministers of South Korea, the U.S., and Japan met in Manila on Wednesday to discuss trilateral security and economic cooperation and coordinate on North Korea amid its deepening ties with Russia and China. The meeting took place on the sidelines of ASEAN-related gatherings, with separate bilateral talks between Seoul and Washington covering pending alliance issues, including Coupang and nuclear energy cooperation.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Berlin, sealing economic agreements focused on energy and trade. The talks also touched on the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, with Merz hailing the initialled peace deal as historic.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky amid protests and reported European pressure, appointing Mikhail Drapaty as his replacement. The move, alongside the earlier removal of Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov, has sparked protests and raised concerns about political stability and control over the military.
As the US-Iran conflict continues, President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing multiple military options, including an expanded bombing campaign and increased troop deployments. Israeli officials warn that an intensified US campaign could prompt Tehran to retaliate directly against Israel, while the IDF maintains high readiness and close coordination with US forces.
On his first full day in office, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a VAT cut on household electricity bills, funded by scrapping the £1.8 billion digital ID scheme. The move is part of his effort to tackle the cost of living crisis. John Healey was appointed chancellor and Ed Miliband foreign secretary.
TASS, citing a source in EU air traffic control services, reports that a NATO Bombardier Challenger 650 Artemis II reconnaissance aircraft has been spotted operating near Russia's Kaliningrad Region, with similar flights recorded nearly a dozen times in recent months. A second aircraft, a British Royal Air Force Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint, was also reported flying near the region within a 24-hour period.
Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stated that Moscow will account for Germany's nuclear weapons-related research in its military planning, following SVR claims about Berlin's capabilities. The German government dismissed these allegations as untrue, reaffirming its commitment to NATO's nuclear sharing arrangements.
South Korea's foreign ministry has responded to Russia's concerns over deepening military cooperation with NATO, saying the partnership aims to strengthen both sides' contributions to international peace and stability. Meanwhile, North Korea condemned NATO's fuel network overhaul plan as an unprecedented preparation for war.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has arrived in Manila to participate in ASEAN foreign ministers' meetings, including the Russia-ASEAN, East Asia Summit, and ASEAN Regional Forum formats. Lavrov expressed confidence in implementing agreements on settlements in national currencies, highlighted prospects for cooperation in food and energy security, and voiced shared concerns with ASEAN partners about the AUKUS alliance's compliance with IAEA rules.