EXPLAINED: 18 - The Real Truth

First Thing: JD Vance accused of ‘gaslighting’ after saying he is skeptical US struck Iranian wedding

Vice-president’s claim US-Iran conflict is not war draws ridicule from Democrat Ro Khanna. Plus, iconic feminist Gloria Steinem dies at 92

The Guardian - UK · Sep 4

Russian attacks kill at least 3 in Ukraine as US talks on the war are expected

Russian attacks killed at least three people in Ukraine overnight, officials said Friday, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said US envoys are expected in Kyiv within days as part of renewed diplomatic efforts

The Independent UK · Sep 4

Russian general accused of masterminding attack on children’s hospital ‘shot in head’

Russian Telegram channels linked to Moscow’s security services say an unknown attacker shot the general twice

The Independent UK · Sep 4

Ukraine war briefing: US envoy to visit Kyiv in coming days, Zelenskyy says, as Putin signals ‘chance’ of peace

Negotiators to visit Kyiv and Moscow as US president Donald Trump says he wants to see an end to the war.

The Guardian - AU · Sep 4

JD Vance reacts to airstrike that killed four at Iran wedding: ‘Things happen’

The vice-president says he’s ‘extremely skeptical’ of Iran reports when asked whether US was responsible for deaths

The Guardian - US · Sep 3

Why Ukraine’s drained Kakhovka Dam is strategic for Russia

Small groups of Russian soldiers have been inching forward through the vast, drained Kakhovka reservoir since they blew up the dam in June 2023. Russian forces are infiltrating this “no man’s land” for reconnaissance purposes rather than for a future military offensive, said a military expert.

France 24 · Sep 3

A pregnant soldier mourns her 21-year-old husband at his funeral in Ukraine

A pregnant woman in Kyiv mourns her 21-year-old husband, who was killed in action

The Independent UK · Sep 3

EU’s ability to defend against invasion remains in doubt, finds official report

Fragmented infrastructure and reliance on US continue to hinder ‘defence readiness’, says European court of auditors

The Guardian - UK · Sep 3

Iran targets US bases as Israel warns sanctions could drive Tehran to ‘desperate steps’

Air bases used by US in UAE and Kuwait hit as Israeli defence chief says Iran’s regime fears collapse due to economic pressures

The Guardian - UK · Sep 3

Germany once cosied up to Putin. Now they are Russia’s public enemy number one in Europe

IN DEPTH: Berlin accused Moscow of being behind a recent drone attack at an airport in Leipzig. Experts tell Suha Kidwai that the Kremlin’s hybrid attacks are a deliberate ploy to destabilise the biggest economy in Europe ahead of key elections

The Independent UK · Sep 3