Aug 25, 2026, 10:30 PM UTC

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a 15-point Gaza peace proposal backed by US President Donald Trump, reiterating that Israeli forces "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed."

Netanyahu stated during televised remarks that "Israel rejects the 15-point document," which Hamas accepted in late July. The decision highlights diplomatic friction between Netanyahu and Washington, even as Israeli military strikes in Gaza have slowed under US pressure. Netanyahu faces intense domestic pressure ahead of Israel's general election on October 27, balancing demands from far-right coalition members against international calls for a ceasefire. Meanwhile, regional tensions persisted following reported Houthi strikes targeting Yemen's Mokha port and a Saudi Aramco oil facility.

Sources: Cyprus Mail, France24, STV News, The Guardian, The Herald.

Ukrainian lawmakers are scheduled to vote on Wednesday regarding President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s nomination of former intelligence chief Yevhen Khmara as defence minister, alongside the confirmation of Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. The parliamentary vote follows the removal of former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who publicly criticized systemic corruption and governance failures while advocating for wartime national elections.

Concurrently, newly appointed Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyj has initiated a comprehensive restructuring of the armed forces hierarchy. Drapatyj, recognized for his operational leadership dating back to 2014 combat actions in Mariupol, is working to dismantle internal patronage networks and streamline military management. The organizational overhaul addresses systemic command issues previously highlighted during the leadership transition.

Sources: Ekonomický deník, Hospodářské noviny, iROZHLAS, Respect, Seznam Zprávy

US President Donald Trump has threatened military strikes against Oman if the Gulf nation interferes with American efforts to control the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking in a telephone interview, Trump stated, "If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the shit out of them," while calling on Tehran to "put up the white flag" of surrender following the breakdown of an earlier ceasefire.

The warnings coincide with Iranian announcements that Tehran and Muscat are finalizing a separate agreement governing passage through the strategic oil waterway. Trump also claimed direct communication with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, though the group subsequently denied any involvement in talks. Furthermore, Washington threatened secondary economic penalties on any nation offering a "lifeline to Iran," even as maritime tracking confirmed shipping through the strait remains uninterrupted.

Sources: BBC News, Cyprus Mail, France24, Sweden Herald, The Guardian.

Moroccan and Spanish security forces have heightened border controls following widespread online calls urging a collective attempt to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on 15 August. The mobilization follows a late-July border surge prompted by social media rumors, which resulted in dozens of drownings and left hundreds of migrants stranded on local beaches.

In response to the renewed online campaigns, Moroccan authorities arrested several individuals suspected of inciting illegal crossings. Meanwhile, Spanish officials reinforced wire fencing around Ceuta, deployed additional police, and recalled military personnel from leave. Local residents report ongoing disruption as municipal resources remain under severe strain, with some expressing frustration over political exploitation of the situation. Monitoring of anonymous social media channels by both governments remains active.

Sources: Correctiv, Der Standard, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau.

Country music icon Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, her family announced on Tuesday. The news was shared in a video statement on her Instagram page by her nephew, Brian Seaver, who stated that the singer passed away peacefully in Nashville. Parton had previously canceled several performances starting late last year due to health concerns.

Born in 1946, Parton built a six-decade career as a singer, songwriter, actress, and philanthropist. She released nearly 50 studio albums, earned ten Grammy Awards, and achieved 26 number-one hits on the country charts with classics such as "Jolene," "9 to 5," and "I Will Always Love You." Tributes from around the world have begun pouring in to honor her legacy across the music industry and beyond.

Sources: Cyprus Mail, France24, STV News, Sweden Herald, The Scotsman.