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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed regret after an Israeli strike mistakenly hit the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City, killing three civilians and injuring others, including the parish priest.

Netanyahu called the incident a tragedy and reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to protecting civilians and religious sites. The Israel Defense Forces said the church was struck unintentionally by shell fragments during operations, and the incident is under review, according to BBC.

Pope Leo XIV voiced sorrow over the loss and renewed calls for a ceasefire, while the Latin Patriarchate urged an immediate end to the war.

Iceland is preparing to launch formal negotiations with the European Union on a security and defense partnership, Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir announced during a joint press briefing with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Keflavik, according to Xinhua.

Both leaders expressed optimism that talks could begin in the coming weeks, with hopes of reaching an agreement by the end of the year.

Frostadottir also confirmed that the government is actively considering a national referendum on whether to restart EU accession talks.

Representatives from 36 countries gathered in Brazil on Wednesday for the BRICS Media and Think Tank Forum, focusing on deeper cooperation and a stronger voice for the Global South.

Xinhua President Fu Hua highlighted BRICS’ growing role in uniting developing nations and pushing for fairer global governance. Speakers from China, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, and Central America called for inclusive development, media collaboration, and resistance to external interference.

The forum concluded with a joint report and two new initiatives to boost South-South communication and content sharing, reinforcing BRICS as a platform for global reform, Xinhua reported.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee made a rare appearance at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial, calling it “an act of friendship.” He accused the judge of bias and compared Netanyahu’s legal troubles to those of President Donald Trump.

Netanyahu is on trial for bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, as Israel continues to fight in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. Trump had earlier called for the trial to be cancelled, calling it a “witch hunt” and demanding a pardon for the Israeli leader. Huckabee echoed Trump’s stance, defending the move as support, not interference, according to Firstpost.

South Korea’s Supreme Court has cleared Samsung chairman Lee Jae-yong of fraud charges linked to a 2015 merger, ending a lengthy legal battle.

Lee was accused of inflating the value of Samsung Biologics to tighten control of the company. Lower courts had already acquitted him, and the top court upheld those rulings, declaring the merger lawful, according to BBC.

The verdict was welcomed by South Korea’s business community, which hopes the decision will help Samsung navigate ongoing economic and trade challenges.

At least 63 people have died and nearly 300 were injured in Pakistan’s Punjab province after torrential rains triggered building collapses, electrocutions, and flooding, officials said.

Rawalpindi declared a public holiday as evacuations began near the swelling Leh River. In Chakwal, which saw 400mm of rainfall in a day, rescue teams and military helicopters were deployed, according to BBC.

The monsoon death toll nationwide has reached nearly 180 since late June, over half of them children. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz declared emergencies in several areas, urging residents to follow safety measures.

More rains and flash floods are expected through the weekend, with thousands of rescuers on alert, BBC reported.

Pakistan remains highly vulnerable to climate change, with recurring monsoon disasters and rapidly melting glaciers worsening the crisis.

The US Senate has approved a $9bn spending cut bill in a 51–48 vote, targeting foreign aid and public broadcasting. Passed after an overnight session, the bill is part of President Donald Trump’s broader effort to reduce federal spending, BBC reported.

The Senate version trims $8bn from international aid, including global health programs, and over $1bn from public broadcasting, affecting rural radio stations. A proposed $400m cut to the HIV/AIDS program Pepfar was dropped.

The bill now returns to the House, where its future remains uncertain ahead of Friday’s deadline, according to BBC.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has called on India, China, and Brazil to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin towards peace, warning that continued economic ties with Moscow could “slam back” on them.

His remarks come as India faces criticism for ramping up imports of discounted Russian oil since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. However, European and NATO countries remain major buyers of Russian energy, Firstpost reported.

The EU leads in liquefied and pipeline gas imports, while NATO member Turkey is the top importer of Russian oil products—highlighting a double standard in Western criticism.