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Russia launched overnight drone attacks on energy and gas facilities across six Ukrainian regions, leaving over 100,000 people without power. Key infrastructure in Poltava, Sumy, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Chernihiv was hit, with hospitals and water services relying on backup power. Poltava’s electricity has since been restored, according to Reuters.

Ukraine’s Air Force shot down 74 of 95 drones, but 21 struck targets. The energy ministry called the strikes a deliberate effort to disrupt civilian infrastructure ahead of winter, while Russia maintains it targets systems supporting Ukraine’s war effort.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron aim to decide on the future of the Franco-German fighter jet program FCAS by year-end. Merz said the issue would not be discussed in upcoming government consultations but stressed Europe’s need for a new fighter jet, Reuters reported.

The €100bn project faces delays over leadership and work-share disputes, with France’s Dassault seeking dominant control while Germany favors a balanced consortium including Airbus and Indra. The disagreement threatens the start of FCAS’s second phase: developing airworthy demonstrators.

Merz will meet Macron Thursday, with ministers joining talks Friday, according to Reuters.

Pope Leo on Wednesday called for an end to the nearly two-year Israel-Hamas conflict, urging a permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages, and safe delivery of humanitarian aid. Speaking at the Vatican, he emphasized the need to protect civilians and fully respect international humanitarian law, including prohibitions on collective punishment and indiscriminate violence, Reuters reported.

The conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, has killed over 1,200 Israelis and at least 62,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, with 251 Israelis held hostage. Leo, the first US pope elected in May, has taken a more cautious approach than his predecessor, Pope Francis, who previously raised concerns about possible war crimes in Gaza.

A majority of French citizens want new parliamentary and presidential elections as Prime Minister Francois Bayrou’s minority government nears collapse. Two-thirds also favor President Emmanuel Macron’s resignation, according to Reuters.

Bayrou’s upcoming confidence vote on September 8 over the 2026 budget has sparked market turmoil, with opposition parties set to vote against him. If the government falls, Macron could appoint a new prime minister or call elections, though he opposes resigning.

Polls show 56–69 percent support dissolving parliament, highlighting widespread frustration with ongoing political instability, Reuters reported.

Shane Christie, former Highlanders and New Zealand Maori rugby player, has died at 39. Christie, who suffered multiple concussions during his career, suspected he had Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain condition linked to mood, memory, and behavioral changes, according to Al Jazeera.

He had planned to donate his brain to research to help make rugby safer and co-founded the Billy Guyton Foundation to raise awareness about concussion risks. Since retiring, he experienced headaches, memory lapses, and other symptoms linked to repeated head injuries.

New Zealand Rugby expressed condolences, praising Christie’s passion for the sport. The growing concern over CTE has also led over 1,000 former rugby players in the UK to pursue legal action against governing bodies, seeking compensation and reforms to protect player safety, Al Jazeera reported.

Around 30 United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employees have been placed on administrative leave after signing an open letter criticizing agency leadership and warning that budget cuts and policy changes under President Trump could undermine disaster response. The letter, released on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, drew over 190 signatories, many anonymous due to fear of retaliation, Al Jazeera reported.

Stand Up for Science called the suspensions retaliation against whistleblowers. Employees will continue to receive pay and benefits. FEMA has seen significant staff losses this year, and the letter warns that key post-Katrina reforms are being undone.

At least 30 people have died and many others injured after heavy rains triggered a massive landslide on Tuesday near the Vaishno Devi shrine in Indian-administered Kashmir, Al Jazeera reported.

Search and rescue teams, including security forces, disaster relief personnel, and local volunteers, are working to clear debris and locate survivors. The popular Hindu pilgrimage route to the temple has been temporarily suspended.

The landslide adds to the devastating impact of this year’s monsoon rains in the Himalayan region, which have left hundreds dead and missing across India and Pakistan, according to Al Jazeera.

Researchers in Australia have developed a method to spray fine seawater droplets that reflect sunlight, helping protect coral reefs from bleaching. The study, led by Queensland University of Technology with Southern Cross University, showed how high-pressure sprays break droplets into smaller sizes, optimizing mist coverage, according to Xinhua.

Wind tunnel experiments and computer modelling guided improved nozzle designs for more effective reef cooling. Published in the Journal of Aerosol Science, the findings support the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program and may have wider applications in agriculture and industry.