At least 18 people, including two children, were killed and more than 100 injured after Russia launched one of its largest missile and drone attacks on Ukraine in recent months. Ukrainian officials said the overnight assault involved 656 drones and 73 missiles targeting Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv and other regions. Twelve people died in Dnipro after part of an apartment building collapsed, while six were killed in the capital Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelensky said civilian infrastructure and energy facilities were hit nationwide and renewed calls for additional Patriot missile systems. Russia said the strikes were retaliation for earlier Ukrainian attacks. (PC: BBC)  

US President Donald Trump reportedly lashed out at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a tense phone call over Israel's escalating military operations in Lebanon. According to reports, Trump warned Netanyahu, saying, "You'd be in prison if not for me," while accusing him of risking international isolation and undermining ongoing US diplomatic efforts with Iran.   The confrontation came after Israel launched strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut and expanded operations in southern Lebanon. US officials said Trump was concerned the escalation could derail sensitive negotiations with Iran and fuel wider regional instability. Following the call, Israel reportedly paused plans for additional strikes in Beirut, though Netanyahu maintained that operations against Hezbollah would continue. (PC: India Today)  

US President Donald Trump reportedly had a heated phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel's attacks in Lebanon. According to reports, Trump told Netanyahu, "You're f**king crazy," while criticising Israel's military actions. Trump also warned that continued strikes could increase Israel's isolation around the world. The call came as Iran threatened to suspend talks with the United States if attacks on Lebanon continued. Following the conversation, Israel reportedly dropped plans for strikes in Beirut. Later, Lebanon announced a partial ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel in an effort to reduce tensions in the region. (PC: AP)

A reported phone call between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu exposed growing tensions over Israel’s expanding military operations in Lebanon. According to reports, Trump strongly criticised Netanyahu, arguing that Israeli actions risked escalating regional conflict, increasing international isolation and undermining ongoing US diplomatic efforts with Iran. The confrontation followed Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah-linked areas in Beirut’s southern suburbs and expanded ground operations in southern Lebanon. US officials reportedly said Trump viewed Israel’s response as disproportionate despite acknowledging security concerns related to Hezbollah attacks. Following the call, reports suggested Israel paused plans for additional strikes in Beirut, though Netanyahu maintained that broader military operations would continue. (PC: India Today)

Hundreds of people protested in Kenya's Nanyuki town on Monday against a proposed Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base. The centre was reportedly planned to house American citizens exposed to the Ebola virus.   The protests came after Kenya's High Court temporarily blocked the project and suspended the admission of foreign patients. Petitioners argued that Kenya's healthcare system is not prepared to handle foreign Ebola cases.   Health Minister Aden Duale said the facility was intended for everyone, not only Americans. The US has pledged $13.5 million to support Kenya's Ebola preparedness. Kenya has reported no Ebola cases, though neighbouring Uganda has confirmed infections. (PC: AP)

The US military is expanding its drone programme and testing thousands of low-cost combat drones. The Pentagon has launched an 18-month competition called "Drone Dominance" to identify the best drone manufacturers.   The programme offers companies a share of $1.1 billion in contracts to build up to 300,000 drones. The Trump administration has also proposed spending $54.6 billion on drone warfare programmes in the next defence budget.   Many competing firms are startups founded by drone racers, hobbyists and technology entrepreneurs. The drones cost about $5,000 each and are designed for one-time combat missions. Officials say future wars are likely to rely heavily on large drone swarms. (PC: Getty Images)

Iran has suspended indirect communications with the United States through mediators, insisting that no diplomatic engagement can continue while Israeli military operations persist in Lebanon and Gaza. According to Iranian media reports, Tehran views the ongoing offensives as violations of broader ceasefire understandings and has halted exchanges of messages and documents with Washington. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that any breach in Lebanon undermines the entire ceasefire framework and could trigger wider consequences. The development comes as Israel expands military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon and continues actions in Gaza. The diplomatic setback raises fresh concerns over regional stability, maritime security and the future of Iran-US engagement. (PC: Reuters)

Iran has suspended indirect exchanges with the United States through mediators, citing Israel’s expanding military operations in Lebanon and alleged violations of ceasefire conditions. According to Iranian state media, Tehran halted the exchange of messages and documents with Washington, arguing that developments in Lebanon undermine broader efforts to maintain regional stability. Iranian officials stated that talks would not resume unless Israeli military operations in Gaza and Lebanon cease and forces withdraw from disputed areas. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned that escalation in Lebanon would be treated as a violation of the wider ceasefire framework, raising concerns over renewed regional tensions. (PC: AFP)

French naval forces, with support from the British military, intercepted and boarded a Russian-linked oil tanker in the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday. The vessel, named Tagor, was suspected of carrying oil in violation of international sanctions imposed on Russia.   French President Emmanuel Macron said the operation was carried out with help from allied countries, including the UK. British forces provided tracking and monitoring support before the tanker was boarded.   The ship is believed to be part of Russia's "shadow fleet", used to transport oil despite sanctions. Russia condemned the seizure and called such actions illegal.

Israel has ordered new strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, a stronghold of Hezbollah, as fighting between the two sides intensifies. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacks were in response to Hezbollah's rocket and drone strikes on Israel.   Following the announcement, many families fled the area, causing heavy traffic on roads leading out of Beirut. Lebanese officials said they were relying on US mediation efforts to prevent further violence.   Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli forces in response to Israeli attacks. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, both sides continue to exchange strikes, raising fears of a wider conflict in the region. (PC: Reuters)