Aug 7, 2026, 08:00 AM UTC

Explosions rocked Kyiv early Wednesday after Ukraine's air force warned of approaching ballistic missiles, marking the latest wave in escalating long-range strikes between Ukrainian and Russian forces. Recent reciprocal attacks have caused at least 15 deaths across several districts in the capital region and southern territories, according to local military authorities. Krasnodar Governor Veniamin Kondratiev condemned Ukrainian strikes in Crimea and southern Russia, characterizing them as deliberate attacks against non-military populations. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russian forces of conducting a "human safari" in Kherson following footage of a remote-controlled drone targeting a civilian. Separately, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed ongoing direct discussions between Washington and Iranian officials regarding Middle East tensions.

Sources: Le Figaro, Le Monde, Le Soir, Libération, RTBF Info.

Former Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte defended his government's pandemic response during a parliamentary inquiry commission hearing in Rome. Speaking for over three hours, the Five Star Movement leader denied any wrongdoing regarding emergency procurement and management, stating, "Scavate pure, da me nessun illecito."

Conte also mounted an offensive, announcing that he submitted an anonymous document to Rome prosecutors concerning a 100-million-euro deal with supplier JC Electronics for potentially counterfeit masks. Denouncing the parliamentary commission as a political "plotone di esecuzione," Conte engaged in heated exchanges with ruling coalition lawmakers over emergency decrees and procurement choices during the crisis.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica.

Iran and Oman are finalizing a draft agreement on geographic coordinates for a designated maritime corridor in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei. Officials cautioned that the bilateral framework depends on the absence of interference from outside parties and noted that local arrangements alone cannot guarantee complete security while American economic sanctions remain in place.

The diplomatic developments coincide with signals from US President Donald Trump regarding a potential broader resolution in the coming days. However, security concerns persist in the region. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported two unconfirmed explosions near an oil tanker off the Omani coastline, though the vessel and crew were confirmed safe without environmental damage.

Sources: BBC News, France24, STV News, Sweden Herald, The Guardian.

Firefighters in France's Aude department have contained a wildfire that burned 100 hectares near Narbonne, according to local authorities. More than 300 firefighters and ten aircraft were mobilized to suppress the blaze, with crew members remaining on scene overnight to monitor and extinguish remaining hot spots.

The containment comes as new environmental data indicates that wildfires in France have produced nearly four million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions between January and early August. This output exceeds total emissions recorded over the same period during severe fire seasons in 2003 and 2022.

Meanwhile, French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu is set to visit Gironde on 17 August to launch reconstruction initiatives for regions devastated by recent blazes.

Sources: Le Figaro, Le Monde, Le Soir, Libération, RTBF Info

US President Donald Trump has signed two executive decrees aimed at restricting birthright citizenship and curbing foreign visitors traveling to the United States to give birth. The directives target the practice often referred to as "birth tourism" by tightening entry conditions for pregnant foreign nationals.

The executive action comes five weeks after the US Supreme Court rejected an earlier attempt by the administration to limit constitutional protections granted under the 14th Amendment. Speaking after the signing, Trump stated that he intended to make "adjustments" to address legal loopholes following the judicial ruling. Opponents and legal experts expect the new orders to face immediate legal challenges in federal court.

Sources: France24, Le Figaro, Le Monde, Le Soir, Tagesschau