World
CK Hutchison Files $1.5 Billion Treaty Arbitration Against Panama Over Balboa and Cristobal Port Concessions
The Hong Kong-listed conglomerate says Panama's January court ruling and February takeover of the two canal ports broke an investment protection treaty; Panama says its Supreme Court found the concession unconstitutional.
Polish Defense Minister Says Poland Is Ready to Close All Eastern Border Crossings
Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said on August 21, 2026 that Poland has the equipment and stockpiles to shut every crossing with Belarus and Russia if needed; his deputy said the shutdown would take seven to 14 days, and no closure order has been issued.
Ukrainian Drones Struck Syzran Refinery and Ust-Luga Port Terminal on Ukraine's Independence Day; Russia Said 95 Drones Downed
Ukraine's General Staff said long-range drones hit a Samara-region refinery and a Baltic export terminal on the night of Aug. 23-24, 2025, as Russian regional officials reported fires and no casualties; Russia's refining and fuel shortages have deepened through 2026 since.
Lula and Trump Discuss U.S. Tariffs in 80-Minute Call; Both Sides Agree to Restart Talks
Brazil's president called the U.S. president on Friday, Aug. 21, and said the 25% Section 301 tariffs imposed in July were "baseless"; Brazil's readout says Trump asked officials from both governments to meet soon.
DRC Government and AFC/M23 Agree Negotiating Roadmap After Aug. 17-21 Talks in Switzerland
A joint statement released by the U.S. State Department says the two sides, joined by Qatar, the U.S., Togo, the African Union Commission and Switzerland, set sequenced steps and timelines for the remaining protocols of the November 2025 Doha Framework.
Taiwan's Lai Marks 68th Anniversary of 1958 Kinmen Bombardment at Memorial Ceremony
President Lai Ching-te laid a wreath on Kinmen on August 23 and said China has not stopped its "ambitions for external expansion," as Chinese coast guard ships continue patrols near the islands and Beijing calls him a separatist.
Ukraine's Military Intelligence Says North Korea Sent About 8,500 More Troops to Russia, Including 400 Drone Operators
Kyiv's HUR says the new contingent is mostly in Kursk region and includes engineers and drone crews; Russia has not confirmed the figures, North Korea has called the 50,000-troop escalation estimate 'groundless,' and Ukraine says Moscow may still seek far more troops at a September Putin-Kim meeting.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Says Moscow Will Consider Peace Proposals That Match Putin's Goals and 'Realities on the Ground'
Sergei Ryabkov's remarks, made in an interview with the Russian outlet News.ru published Friday, restate Moscow's existing conditions while praising Washington for what he called constructive dialogue.
Seven Governments Issue Joint Statement Urging Israel to Withdraw Tender for 1,234 Homes in West Bank E1 Area
Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Norway called the August 18 tender "unacceptable" and asked Israel to retract it; Israeli ministers rejected the demand.
Bulgaria Tightens Security at Bezmer Air Base After Financial Times Report That Iran Weighed Strikes on U.S. Sites in Europe
NATO said it is "prepared to address any threat," while Bulgaria's defense minister said there is "no direct threat to national security."
Israel Says It Struck Syria's Abu al-Duhur Airbase on Aug. 18 to Stop a Turkish Deployment; Turkey and Syria Deny One Was Planned
Eight Israeli strikes hit the runway and storage buildings at the Idlib province base with no reported casualties, and the U.S. envoy for Syria called the attack an "unnecessary escalation."
UAE Says Two Missiles Fired From Iran Fell Into the Sea on Aug. 18; Iran Denies Launching Them
The Emirati Defense Ministry says one missile landed inside its territorial waters and one outside, with no casualties; Iran calls the accusation baseless and Abu Dhabi has since suspended trade with Tehran.