An 11-year-old girl was stabbed eight times in Leicester Square, London, on Monday. Ioan Pintaru, 32, has been charged with attempted murder and possession of a blade. Pintaru allegedly grabbed the girl, placing her in a headlock before stabbing her in the face, shoulder, wrist, and neck. The girl, visiting as a tourist with her mother, remains in the hospital and will need plastic surgery. A shop security guard stopped the attacker, holding him down until police arrived. Pintaru, a Romanian citizen with no fixed address, has been remanded in custody.

Hamas fired two "M90" rockets at Tel Aviv on Tuesday. One rocket fell into the sea, and the other did not cross into Israel. Explosions were heard in Tel Aviv, but no injuries were reported. The Israeli Air Force confirmed the incident. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed 19 Palestinians. The US expects peace talks to proceed on Thursday, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken set to visit Qatar, Egypt, and Israel for discussions. Hamas is pushing for a deal already discussed, while Israel plans to send a delegation to the talks.

Russia’s Defence Ministry claims to have thwarted a Ukrainian attempt to advance into the Kursk region, using strikes from aviation, UAVs, and artillery. Russia reports halting a Ukrainian push near Martynovka, destroying two armored vehicles and killing fifteen personnel. The Ukrainian military has not yet commented, and the Guardian cannot confirm these claims. Meanwhile, Russia’s attacks on Pokrovsk in Ukraine’s Donetsk region have intensified, with 52 assaults reported in the past 24 hours. Ukraine's recent incursion, starting on August 6, has reportedly captured around 1,000 square kilometers of Russian land.

Ukrainian troops continue their advance in Russia's Kursk region, challenging recent claims of Russian forces stabilizing the frontline. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports that Russian command and control (C2) issues have hindered effective responses to Ukraine's incursions. Poor preparedness and overlapping directives from Vladimir Putin have contributed to the confusion within Russia's military leadership. Ukrainian forces have reportedly made gains near Slobodka-Ivanovka, Tetkino, Gordeevka, Uspenka, and Viktorovka, further destabilizing the region. The situation remains fluid as Russia struggles to regain control.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that "war is coming home" to Russia as Ukrainian forces advance in Russia's Kursk region, aiming to pressure President Vladimir Putin. Ukraine claims its troops hold one thousand square kilometers of Russian territory, though the Institute for the Study of War estimates the area at eight hundred square kilometers. Putin accused Ukraine of "crimes" against Russians, vowing a "worthy response." Meanwhile, Russia has set up four hundred temporary shelters for thirty thousand displaced residents. Power cuts in Ukraine's Chernihiv region followed Russian drone attacks on energy infrastructure.

The White House has warned that Iran or its proxies might launch an attack on Israel within days, citing intelligence reports. This alert follows recent Israeli strikes on Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. In response, US President Joe Biden, along with leaders from the UK, France, Germany, and Italy, has called for Iran to de-escalate and support ceasefire efforts. Israeli forces have heightened their readiness and continue to target threats in Lebanon. Discussions on a ceasefire mediated by Egypt and Qatar are set to resume, though they might be delayed if Iran acts.

After his widely viewed and technical glitch-ridden interview with former President Donald Trump on X, Elon Musk has invited Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris for a discussion on the platform. Musk’s chat with Trump, which focused on immigration and other issues, received 73 million views despite claims of over 200 million viewers. Musk, who reiterated his endorsement of Trump, faced criticism from Harris's campaign, which called out both Trump and Musk as "self-obsessed rich guys" and dismissed their efforts. Harris's campaign is currently experiencing a resurgence.

Sonny Stringer, 28, has been sentenced to two years in prison after stealing 24 mobile phones in a single morning in London. On March 26, Stringer and an accomplice were caught by City of London Police after snatching a woman's iPhone 15 on Blackfriars Bridge. Despite a high-speed chase and evading arrest initially, Stringer was stopped near Bank Junction when his bike collided with a police vehicle. He discarded a bag containing 22 phones and dropped two more during the chase. He was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on August 8.

Banksy's latest artwork, the ninth in his animal-themed series, has appeared at London Zoo. The graffiti, depicting a gorilla, seal, and birds, has sparked speculation about its message, with some viewing it as a critique of zoos and others as a tribute. The series, which began last week with an ibex near Kew Bridge, includes elephants, monkeys, and piranhas across London. London Zoo's media manager described the artwork as "incredible" and suggested the series aims to "bring cheer and joy" to the city.

Hamas has claimed that its operatives killed an Israeli hostage and critically injured two female hostages in Gaza. The incidents occurred during separate attacks by guards assigned to watch the prisoners. Hamas seized 251 hostages during the October 7 attack on Israel, with 111 still held, including thirty-nine presumed dead. The Israeli military has yet to confirm or refute the claims but continues to investigate. The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 1,198 Israeli and nearly 40,000 Palestinian deaths.