Top World News
Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces group says it has dissolved after merging with the Syrian army
Aug 25, 2026 - World 
The commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces on Tuesday announced the official dissolution of the group, which once controlled a de facto autonomous zone in Syria's northeast.
Burnham to take Zelenskyy’s pleas for Patriot missiles to Trump – as it happened
Aug 25, 2026 - World 
UK PM to join delegation of leaders lobbying US president to step up supplies, as Kremlin accuses Burnham of wanting to continue warBurnham plans trip to New York as Ukraine pleads for US-made missilesVatican envoy Paul Gallagher met Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow earlier today, and Reuters has some snap quotes from Pope Leo XIV’s representative following the meeting. He is quoted as saying that “The Ukrainian war must end” and that the pair discussed “avenues for pursuing lasting and just peace in Ukraine”.In relation to the post on a US military plane landing in Moscow (at 11:23), Reuters reported that the last time a US jet flew to Russia from Europe was in January, when special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner travelled to Moscow to meet Vladimir Putin for peace talks. Continue reading...
CIA director John Ratcliffe reportedly on Moscow visit
Aug 25, 2026 - World 
Unannounced trip reported by US media is said to be Ratcliffe’s first known visit to Russia as CIA chiefThe CIA director, John Ratcliffe, has made an unannounced visit to Moscow, US media reported, after flight data showed an American military aircraft flew to the Russian capital, where a US diplomatic motorcade was later spotted.CBS News quoted sources familiar with the situation as confirming Ratcliffe’s trip, saying it was his first known visit to Russia as CIA chief. Axios separately confirmed the visit, quoting a US official. Continue reading...
London bus drivers resume strike over heatwave working amid fears over air con deal
Aug 25, 2026 - World 
Drivers concerned that bus operator’s offer to retrofit cabs on 730 buses will not be complete by next summerLondon bus drivers have resumed strike action over having to work in high temperatures, amid fears that proposed improvements to air conditioning will not be complete by next summer.About 1,500 members of the Unite union working across north London and Essex are taking part in the four-day strike from Tuesday to Friday, after industrial action earlier this month. Further stoppages are planned for the coming weeks. Continue reading...
VW workers boo boss as he urges them to ‘pull together’ amid job cuts
Aug 25, 2026 - World 
Oliver Blume faces workforce at German HQ as carmaker struggles against Chinese competition and US tariffsThe chief executive of Volkswagen has faced boos and whistles of protest at the company’s headquarters after telling thousands of workers that a comprehensive reorganisation, which could include job losses and factory closures, is vital for its future.As Oliver Blume urged more than 10,000 workers on Tuesday to “pull together”, saying drastic restructuring measures at the struggling manufacturer were essential, they held up banners and shouted slogans, including: “Our jobs are not your balance sheet adjustments”. Continue reading...
