Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan wrote an open letter to Melania Trump, urging her to extend the compassion she showed for Ukrainian children to Gaza.

Erdogan reminded Melania of her past letter to Putin about Ukraine’s orphans.

Called Gaza “a graveyard for children,” citing 62,000 civilian deaths, 18,000 of them kids.

Urged Melania to send a letter to Netanyahu demanding an end to the crisis.

Closed with:

“It’s already too late for thousands, but still time to save over a million.”

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar:

If you have a problem buying oil from India, don’t buy it. Nobody forced you.

India: A giant effigy of US President Trump spotted at the Marbat Festival, protesting against the new 50% U.S. tariffs on India.

The festival traditionally burns effigies of “evil forces”.

1.9 million people, around 90% of Gaza’s population, have been forcibly displaced.

Since March 2025 alone, 800,000 have been driven from their homes.

Families are trapped in shrinking militarized zones, without freedom of movement, food, or water.

Even Al Mawasi, designated by Israel as a “safe zone,” is being bombed.

Up to 1,700 National Guard troops will mobilize across 19 states to support DHS and ICE in Trump’s immigration and crime crackdown.

Tasks include processing and logistical support, not direct arrests.

Source: Fox News

Mali: A drone strike on Africa Corps/FAMa positions at the Tessalit military camp in the north was reported to have been carried out by FLA.

Guinea: Military junta suspended three main political parties, including those of ex-President Alpha Condé and ex-PM Cellou Dalein Diallo, for 90 days.

Somalia: Clashes around Maraagade and Yucrun in Calmiskaad continued until late last night, followed by overnight airstrikes on IS-S positions.

It was reported that Puntland forces captured the Yucrun well, while only limited progress was made in Maraagade.

Netanyahu:

We must shorten the war quickly, and deal with social media algorithms.

It’s very hard to fight the deception, the lies.

Israeli soldier posted a POV video of herself bulldozing olive trees in the Palestinian village of Al-Mughayyir (NE of Ramallah).

Reports say 8,000–10,000 olive trees were destroyed, along with arrests and home raids.

Irish folk band The Mary Wallopers had their set at Victorious Festival (Portsmouth) abruptly cut after they raised a Palestinian flag and chanted “Free Palestine.”

Sound was shut down within a minute, and the band was removed from the stage.

Mali: JNIM released a video showing four Malian soldiers captured during the Farabougou attack.

Satellite images show a massive new antenna array under construction in Kaliningrad, just 25 km from Poland.

A huge circular antenna system (CDAA), nearly 1.6 km across – far bigger than typical sites.

Likely for SIGINT and electronic warfare – intercepting NATO comms, tracking forces, and possibly linking to Russian submarines.

New official footage shows North Korean troops using mortars, rockets, drones, and MLRS in combat operations in Russia's Kursk region against Ukrainian forces.

Top Israeli cyber official Tom Artiom Alexandrovich was arrested in Nevada for soliciting sex from a minor, but walked free the very next day.

He posted just $10,000 bail, wasn’t asked to surrender his passport, and immediately flew back to Israel.

Former Italian PM Mario Draghi:

For years the EU thought 450 million consumers = geopolitical power. 2025 proved that illusion dead.

We accepted U.S. tariffs, we were pushed into higher military spending.

On Ukraine & Gaza, the EU was a spectator, not a player.

Europe should become a protagonist, not a bystander.

NATO Military Committee Chief Giusseppe Cavo Dragone:

Allies gave Ukraine $50 billion in weapons in 2024 and aim for a similar level in 2025.

Sudan Doctors Network:

46 people have died from malnutrition in two months in South Kordofan, while nearly 19,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women remain in urgent need of nutrition.

China is willing to send troops to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping mission.

Source: WELT

Sudan: Joint forces supporting the army confirmed full control of Al Fashir airport in North Darfur on Friday.

The Japanese government, at TICAD 9, announced the creation of official “hometowns” and a special visa program for citizens of Nigeria, Tanzania, Ghana, and Mozambique.

The scheme aims to strengthen cultural ties and address labor shortages.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry:

Zelensky is ready to discuss the issue of territories in the format of the current front line, and only at a meeting with Putin.

Somalia: Defense Minister Moalim Fiqi warned opposition leaders, including ex-President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, against actions threatening security or attempting military intervention.

INTERPOL’s Operation Serengeti 2.0, one of Africa’s largest cybercrime crackdowns, led to 1,209 arrests and 97.4 million dollars recovered.

The operation also dismantled more than 11,400 malicious online infrastructures.

Somalia: Officials announced at least 20 Puntland soldiers killed and 30 wounded in clashes with ISIS-linked militants in Baallade Valley, Bari region.

86 years ago today, on 23 August 1939, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union signed the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact.

The secret deal divided Eastern Europe and paved the way for the invasion of Poland, marking the start of World War II.

It remained in effect until June 1941, when Germany launched Operation Barbarossa and invaded the Soviet Union.

Zelensky:

We will not give our land to the occupiers.

Only with Ukraine can the security of democratic nations be guaranteed.

~150 Israeli kids were denied entry to Tyrovol adventure park in southern France.

The manager cited “personal principles” tied to the Gaza war, refused them entry.

French Police arrested manager for religious discrimination.

South Korean troops fired 10+ warning shots after North Korean soldiers briefly crossed the DMZ while building a barrier.

No casualties.

North Korea called it a “serious provocation,” warned of possible retaliation.

UN Envoy Unveils 12–18 Month Roadmap to End Libya Deadlock

- UN envoy Hanaa Tetteh outlined a roadmap based on elections, a unity government, and inclusive dialogue.

- The plan starts by strengthening the Election Commission and resolving 2021 disputes, then forming a unity government to lead elections.

- Alongside, a structured dialogue involving youth, women, civil society, and marginalized groups will address root causes of conflict.

- Tetteh warned of spoilers and urged UN unity, saying Libyans demand elections and the roadmap could restore legitimacy and stability.

Ali Larijani, Iran’s National Security Council Secretary, said there is no evidence Azerbaijan aided Israel during the 12-day war.

He noted Baku’s explanations show no hostile action toward Iran, but warned:

“If we ever find proof, we will act differently. For now, we cannot act on baseless claims.”

Ukrainian MiG-29 pilot Maj. Serhiy Bondar died overnight during landing after a combat mission.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Türkiye began building a 224 km railway from Kars to the Dilucu border gate, linking directly to Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan exclave.

This strengthens Türkiye-Azerbaijan trade & transport; anchors Zangezur Corridor/TRIPP project, creating a new route bypassing Iran and Russia.

Trump Admin Fires DIA Chief After Iran Report Leak

U.S. Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth fired Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, citing “loss of confidence.”

The firing followed a leaked DIA assessment that said U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites only caused temporary damage (setback of months).

This contradicted Trump’s and Netanyahu’s claims of “obliteration.”

Trump:

I am pleased to announce that we are doing a major Tariff Investigation on Furniture coming into the United States.

Within the next 50 days, that Investigation will be completed, and Furniture coming from other Countries into the United States will be Tariffed at a Rate yet to be determined.

Rwanda: Government rejects accusations that Rwanda-backed M23 rebels massacred civilians in Rutshuru, eastern DRC in July, saying there is no credible evidence to support the claims.

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp quit after the caretaker cabinet blocked his push for EU-aligned sanctions against Israel over Gaza/West Bank actions.

Cabinet crisis deepens — rumors of more resignations (unconfirmed).

Eswatini: Government sued by human rights lawyers and activists over secret deal with US to accept third-country deportees, which they argue is unconstitutional.

Ghislaine Maxwell told Deputy AG Todd Blanche that claims Epstein worked for any intelligence agency are "bullshit."

Ghislaine Maxwell told Deputy AG Todd Blanche that she does not believe Epstein died by suicide.

Ghislaine Maxwell told Deputy AG Todd Blanche she never saw Trump act inappropriately or heard claims of him doing so with masseuses.

Russia remains banned by both FIFA and UEFA from all official competitions.

FIFA and UEFA earlier confirmed that the ban will remain in place through the 2026 World Cup.

FIFA President Infantino to TASS:

The more often Putin and Trump meet, the better it is for the whole world.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired a general after his agency’s initial assessment of U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites angered Trump.

Source: AP

Putin:

Russia is discussing the possibility of cooperation with the US in the Arctic and Alaska.

Putin:

All of today's Western Europe is practically deprived of sovereignty, but Russia cannot live like that.

Putin:

Russia expects a full-scale restoration of relations with the US.

Putin:

With Trump's arrival at the White House, a light appeared at the end of the tunnel in Russia-US relations.

Ghislaine Maxwell told Deputy AG Todd Blanche she had no incriminating info on high-profile figures tied to Jeffrey Epstein, denying the existence of a “client list” or blackmail scheme.

She insisted she never saw Trump, Clinton, or other well-known associates engage in wrongdoing.

Source: ABC News

Putin:

There is propaganda in the West, they say that Russia started the war.

Putin:

Russia is doing everything to stop the war started in 2014 against the population of Donbas.

Putin:

Russia has no unfriendly countries, there are unfriendly elites in states.

Coffins with the bodies of North Korean soldiers killed in the battles in Kursk were brought to Pyongyang.

Trump:

I settled 7 wars, and actually if you think about pre-wars, add 3 more so it would be 10.

Reporter: Powell indicated he might cut interest rates.

Trump: He should have cut over a year ago. He is too late.