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  • F1 chief says season finale could shift to Europe if Qatar, Abu Dhabi races are affected by war

    F1 chief says season finale could shift to Europe if Qatar, Abu Dhabi races are affected by war

    Amid escalating geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East, Formula 1 has prepared a backup plan that could see the 2025 world championship conclude on European soil if scheduled season-ending races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are forced to be canceled, series CEO Stefano Domenicali has confirmed.

    Domenicali, speaking to Formula 1’s official media platform following the recent Hungarian Grand Prix, emphasized that as of now, both the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix remain locked into the current calendar. No final decision on the fate of the two races, which are scheduled for November and December to close out the campaign, will be made until mid-September at the earliest.

    “If the situation will not be cleared the way that we believe it should be, before the middle of September, we will take the decision,” Domenicali said. “And in that respect, I just want confirm to you that if this will not be possible, that the end of the season would be in Europe.” Domenicali declined to share specific details of potential alternative European venues should the Middle East races be scrapped.

    This is not the first time Formula 1 has adjusted its calendar in response to Middle East geopolitical tension. Earlier in the season, the series canceled planned races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia over safety concerns linked to regional conflict, rescheduling the Bahrain Grand Prix to take place at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia on October 4.

    Looking ahead to the 2027 season, Domenicali noted that the planned 24-race calendar, which is set to be officially announced in the autumn, is progressing according to a standard schedule. Even so, the series has already begun developing alternate options in the event that the regional conflict remains unresolved by then. Regardless of any adjustments, Domenicali reaffirmed that Formula 1 remains committed to hosting 24 Grands Prix in 2027, matching the planned number of races for the upcoming season.

    The Hungarian Grand Prix marked the final event before Formula 1’s annual mid-season break. Racing is set to resume on August 23 with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. In the drivers’ championship, rising young star Kimi Antonelli holds a commanding 50-point lead over seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton as the series enters the break.

  • Kavinsky, French DJ and composer of ‘Nightcall’, dies at 50

    Kavinsky, French DJ and composer of ‘Nightcall’, dies at 50

    PARIS – The global music community is mourning the loss of one of France’s most distinctive electronic music talents, Kavinsky, the electro-pop composer behind the iconic mood-setting track “Nightcall” featured in the hit 2011 film *Drive* starring Ryan Gosling. The influential artist was 50 years old at the time of his passing.

    Officials with the Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed Wednesday that the composer, born Vincent Belorgey, was found unresponsive at his private residence on Tuesday evening. An official investigation into the exact circumstances and cause of his death has been launched, but first responders have stated that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the passing.

    Kavinsky’s career reached a new high point just months ago, when he took the stage at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics closing ceremony, delivering one of his final public performances. There, he teamed up with Belgian pop star Angèle to perform his signature hit “Nightcall” for a global audience of millions watching from the Stade de France and around the world.

    Since news of his death broke, tributes have flooded in from across France’s cultural and political spheres. Catherine Pégard, France’s Culture Minister, honored the artist in a post on the social platform X, calling him one of France’s “most singular voices.” Pégard noted that Kavinsky’s work, which blends infectious danceable rhythms with layered nostalgic undertones, will continue to resonate with listeners across multiple generations and international borders for years to come.

    French President Emmanuel Macron also shared his condolences in a public post on Facebook, writing simply: “Kavinsky, forever a source of French pride.”

  • Thousands in Spain return home but new heatwave raises wildfire fears

    Thousands in Spain return home but new heatwave raises wildfire fears

    A weeks-long wave of catastrophic wildfires has scorched vast swathes of Southern Europe, with tens of thousands of evacuees finally permitted to return to their homes in Spain this week as authorities across the Iberian Peninsula and France brace for the region’s fourth major heatwave of 2026.

    In Spain, officials have lifted evacuation orders and access restrictions across four affected regions: Toledo, Madrid, Ávila, and Castellón. In the Madrid autonomous community alone, 24,000 displaced residents have been cleared to return to their properties, while movement restrictions have also been removed for an additional 20,000 people living in high-risk fire zones. For many residents like the woman from Navas del Rey, this marks the first time they have set foot on their property since wildfires swept through their community.

    Despite the lifting of evacuation orders for most areas, the threat of new fire outbreaks and flare-ups of existing blazes remains critically high amid the incoming heatwave. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has warned that the next 12 hours will be a decisive period for containing the blazes near the capital, noting that while containment efforts have progressed favorably, rising temperatures, plummeting humidity and unpredictable wind gusts create significant new risks.

    One wildfire near Vall d’Uixó, northwest of Valencia, remains completely out of control. The blaze at Burgohondo in Ávila province, already the largest recorded wildfire in Spanish history, has scorched more than 108,000 acres of land and forced 40,000 people to flee their homes. Firefighting coordinator Francisco Bolaños reported that the blaze held stable through the previous night, but officials remain on high alert for reignition amid the heat, with crews working to secure the fire’s 112-mile perimeter.

    Across the border in southwestern France, the largest wildfires in the Gironde region are currently classified as “stabilized,” but officials have warned that new flare-ups have already been recorded, and forecasted dry winds and temperatures reaching 106°F (41°C) threaten to reignite large blazes. Blandine Sarrazin, mayor of the Gironde town Le Barp, noted that two new blazes broke out just one day prior, warning that the situation is growing increasingly difficult and requiring constant hyper-vigilance from residents and crews.

    Sixteen French departments are currently under orange heatwave alerts, including the southern Landes region. French fire services have deployed specialized emergency protocols to protect critical defense and aerospace industrial sites in Gironde, including high-risk “Seveso” sites that produce hazardous materials for missiles and rocket systems. In a small moment of goodwill amid the crisis, animal rescue volunteers in the Gironde town of Le Porge successfully rescued a young roe deer trapped in fire-affected woodlands.

    More than 2,000 people displaced by Spanish fires in the Tiétar Valley were housed by volunteer groups in the southern town of Talavera de la Reina, with around 300 evacuees still sheltering there as of Wednesday morning. Local mayor José Julián Gregorio confirmed that evacuees would continue to receive the same full level of care they received at the start of the emergency.

    Tragically, authorities in the southern Spanish city of Seville confirmed this week that a woman who suffered severe burns in the earlier Los Gallardos fire in Almería has died of her injuries in hospital. The Almería fire outbreak has now claimed 14 lives, with victims including citizens from Spain, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the United States, and France. No other fatalities have been reported from the current round of fires around Madrid and Castellón.

    The wildfire crisis extends beyond Spain and France this summer. Northern Portugal’s Vila Real district is currently battling an active blaze with a one-kilometer active fire front, and civil protection crews are maintaining constant surveillance to protect a local water treatment plant and a nearby gas depot near the town of Valpaços. In Greece, new wildfires have broken out on the Aegean island of Paros and in the southern mainland town of Trifylia, adding to the strain on European firefighting resources across the Mediterranean.

  • Oscar-winning Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard dies in Dublin motorcycle crash

    Oscar-winning Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard dies in Dublin motorcycle crash

    Tributes are pouring in across Ireland and the global music community after celebrated Oscar-winning Irish singer-songwriter and actor Glen Hansard died at 56 in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on the outskirts of Dublin, his management confirmed Wednesday. The tragedy unfolded shortly before 4:30 a.m. in Lucan, a suburban area west of the Irish capital. Ireland’s national police service confirmed that a man in his 50s, who was not publicly identified by law enforcement, received emergency medical care at the crash site but was pronounced dead a short time after the incident.

    ATC Management, Hansard’s representation team, told Irish public broadcaster RTE that the artist’s close family is left “deeply shocked and heartbroken” by the sudden, unexpected loss.

    A defining figure in Irish contemporary culture, Hansard built a decades-long career that seamlessly blended acting and original music. He first earned widespread recognition in 1991 with a role in the hit Irish film *The Commitments*, where he portrayed a member of a working-class Dublin soul band. His most iconic career milestone came in 2008, when he and collaborator Markéta Irglová took home the Academy Award for Best Original Song for *Falling Slowly* — the breakout track from the independent romantic drama *Once*, which starred the pair in the lead roles. The correction clarifies an earlier erroneous reporting that placed the Oscar win in 2007.

    Beyond his film and solo work, Hansard was a foundational force in Irish rock: he served for decades as the frontman of beloved Irish rock group The Frames, formed the acclaimed folk-rock duo The Swell Season alongside Irglová, and launched a successful solo career. His 2015 solo release *Didn’t He Ramble* earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Folk Album the following year, in 2016.

    Hansard was also deeply committed to charitable work in his home city. For many years, he organized and led the iconic Christmas Eve charity busk outside Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre, an annual event that draws crowds of locals and visitors alike. The open-air performance brings together well-known Irish musicians to raise funds for the Dublin Simon Community, an organization that supports people experiencing homelessness in the capital. Most recently, Hansard made headlines in 2023 for a moving, crowd-pleasing performance at the funeral of The Pogues’ legendary frontman Shane MacGowan, where he performed the band’s classic hit *Fairytale of New York* alongside Irish folk singer Lisa O’Neill — a moment that spontaneously prompted mourners to dance in the church aisles.

    Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin joined the many public figures honoring Hansard’s legacy Wednesday, saying he was “deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Glen Hansard.” In a post to the social platform X, Martin called the artist “a talented musician and actor who made a significant contribution to Ireland’s cultural landscape over many years.”

  • New UK leader Burnham vows to fix a ‘broken’ social care system

    New UK leader Burnham vows to fix a ‘broken’ social care system

    LONDON – Just one week into his tenure as United Kingdom Prime Minister, Labour Party leader Andy Burnham has made fixing England’s long-troubled social care system his top domestic priority, promising to break a decades-long cycle of political failure that has left the sector crumbling.

    At 56, Burnham acknowledges that his generation of political leaders shares collective blame for leaving the system in a state of disrepair. Built on a combination of an overburdened public sector and profit-driven private care providers, the current setup leaves vulnerable people facing catastrophic costs, a inequity Burnham compares to the failures of the United States’ healthcare system. “It was a major dereliction of duty that we failed to deliver decent care that is affordable for both individuals and the state,” he said during a speech at a London care home this Wednesday.

    Addressing widespread public skepticism that has grown after generations of unfulfilled reform promises, Burnham pushed back against expectations of more political inaction. “You’ve probably got a feeling of déjà vu,” he told the gathered audience. “Don’t have that. This time we’re going to do it.” He went further, criticizing decades of cross-party political infighting that put partisan point-scoring above urgent public need – including admitting his own role in past failed efforts. When he served as health secretary under former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 2009, Burnham first proposed social care restructuring, but the effort never delivered lasting change. After ten years serving as mayor of Greater Manchester outside of national government, his return to Downing Street gives him a second chance to address the issue, which he says is deeply personal: his father currently lives with Alzheimer’s disease.

    “ I’m making this a test of myself,” Burnham said. “I would never forgive myself if I left without having tried.”

    To build cross-party and public consensus around reform, Burnham laid out a clear roadmap for change. His core proposal is to create a new “national care service”, a publicly aligned system that would operate alongside the iconic taxpayer-funded National Health Service (NHS), the universal free healthcare system founded after World War II. Veteran social welfare expert Louise Casey, who has led multiple high-profile public inquiries, will helm a nationwide public engagement initiative dubbed the “Big Conversation”, designed to gather input from communities, care users and workers across the country. Casey framed the process as a rare opportunity to renegotiate the social contract around care, calling it a potential “game changer” for the sector.

    Burnham has also extended invitations to leaders of all opposition parties to join cross-party talks, arguing that meaningful reform can only succeed if rival parties set aside their differences to find common ground. So far, the main opposition Conservative Party has confirmed its health spokesperson will attend, and centrist Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has also committed to participating. Right-wing Reform UK, which leads national opinion polls but holds only seven of 650 seats in the House of Commons, has confirmed it did not receive an invitation.

    The prime minister has openly acknowledged that the transformation will require difficult choices, and he is prepared to face short-term political unpopularity to deliver change, including potential tax increases to fund the overhaul. Beyond system restructuring, Burnham also pledged to address long-standing issues in the care workforce: he plans to raise wages, expand training, and improve working conditions for care workers, who he said currently do life-saving vital work for “poverty pay”. The government will also review two contentious core elements of the current system: the personal contribution thresholds that require many people to spend almost all their savings before qualifying for state-funded care, and the dominant role of private for-profit companies that own the majority of UK care homes.

    Social care reform has been a toxic, unresolved political issue for decades, haunting both Labour and Conservative governments alike. With an aging national population growing the demand for care every year, and the broader public health system still recovering from strains of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for overhaul has become increasingly urgent for British policymakers.

  • Oscar-winning songwriter Glen Hansard killed in crash

    Oscar-winning songwriter Glen Hansard killed in crash

    The global music and film community is in mourning after news broke that Glen Hansard, the Oscar-winning Irish songwriter and beloved frontman of iconic rock band The Frames, has died in a tragic single-vehicle motorbike crash in his hometown of Dublin. He was 56 years old.

    Hansard, one of Ireland’s most celebrated creative talents, built an extraordinary career that stretched from street performance to the Hollywood red carpet. Born in Dublin in 1970, he cut his teeth as a young artist busking on Dublin’s city centre streets in his teens, honing the raw, heartfelt sound that would define his work for decades. His first major break in film came in 1991, when he was cast as Outspan Foster in the beloved Irish musical comedy *The Commitments*, introducing him to a global audience for the first time.

    It would be another 16 years before Hansard earned his most prestigious career honour, when he took home the Academy Award for Best Original Song for his work on the 2007 low-budget romantic musical Once. The film, which starred Hansard alongside co-writer Markéta Irglová, became a cultural phenomenon, turning its breakout track “Falling Slowly” into a modern classic and cementing Hansard’s legacy as a world-class songwriter.

    The fatal collision occurred on Lower Road in Lucan, a town located west of Dublin city. Emergency services received the first report of the crash shortly before 4:30 a.m. local time on Saturday. Ireland’s national police force has launched an appeal for any members of the public who witnessed the incident to come forward with information to assist their investigation.

    This is a developing breaking news story, and additional details are expected to be released in the coming hours as official information becomes available. Audiences can receive real-time updates on this story via the BBC News mobile app, or by following the official @BBCBreaking account on X for the latest alerts.

  • FIFA’s Infantino sets deadline for $20M offer to members in Kushner-backed World Cup investor plan

    FIFA’s Infantino sets deadline for $20M offer to members in Kushner-backed World Cup investor plan

    GENEVA — In a move that has plunged international soccer into turmoil, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has given the governing body’s 211 national member federations until September 19 to approve a groundbreaking and divisive proposal: selling a 20% stake in a newly created $20 billion FIFA subsidiary that would control the World Cup, Club World Cup and all of FIFA’s top competitions. The one-time $20 million payout promised to every approving federation is underwritten by Thrive Capital, the investment firm founded by Joshua Kushner — brother of Jared Kushner, former U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, who is listed as the anchor backer for the deal.

    In the confidential letter obtained by The Associated Press, Infantino framed the proposal as a once-in-a-generation, game-changing opportunity for FIFA’s global membership. “It is my duty and responsibility as FIFA president to present such game-changing opportunities to you, our members,” he wrote, adding that the initiative would unlock unprecedented capital to grow soccer across all member nations. If approved, the subsidiary, called FIFA Forward Enterprise, would bring on a pool of additional international investors, with global banking giant J.P. Morgan tapped to lead the fundraising process. The $20 million payout to each member would be disbursed over the four-year commercial cycle leading up to the 2030 men’s World Cup; if the plan fails, members will only receive the originally promised $10 million in funding over the same period.

    The proposal, which became public earlier this week, has triggered immediate and widespread pushback from every major regional governing body in global soccer. Europe’s UEFA, which operates the continent’s flagship competitions including the European Championship and UEFA Champions League, was the first to condemn the plan, arguing that the World Cup is not FIFA’s to sell. UEFA has already called an emergency online meeting for its 55 member federations this Thursday to coordinate a collective response.

    Concern has also spread to other continental confederations. The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) released a public statement Wednesday highlighting deep unease over the lack of transparent due process in the plan’s development. The Asian Football Confederation, based in Kuala Lumpur, added its voice to criticism, saying it was disappointed that such a high-stakes proposal became public before member confederations had the chance to review and debate the details internally.

    Regional governing bodies warn that the restructuring would create direct competition for their own elite competitions, as FIFA would likely increase the frequency of men’s and women’s World Cups and expanded Club World Cups to boost revenue for private investors, undercutting the value and audience share of existing continental events.

    Opposition has also extended to the highest levels of British politics, where the country is currently lined up to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup in a joint bid by England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland — a bid FIFA is expected to formally approve at a November virtual meeting. Andy Burnham, a lifelong soccer fan and prominent British political leader, publicly rejected the plan in an Instagram video message, saying “Football does not belong to investors. Once you have sold a piece of (the World Cup), you have sold out. Football belongs to the fans. It always has, and it always will.”

    This is not the first time Infantino has pushed an ambitious, controversial restructuring initiative during his 11-year tenure as FIFA president. Critics have long noted that Infantino has increasingly advanced major changes to global soccer without meaningful consultation with key stakeholders. Past proposals have included a FIFA Peace Prize and a plan to shift the men’s World Cup from a four-year cycle to a biennial event, both of which faced widespread pushback. This new plan also echoes the 2021 European Super League controversy, when widespread British political opposition — including threats of legislation from then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson — helped collapse the breakaway competition that threatened UEFA’s Champions League, a project that Infantino had quietly supported behind the scenes.

  • French DJ ​and electropop ‌musician Kavinsky dies aged 50

    French DJ ​and electropop ‌musician Kavinsky dies aged 50

    The global music community is in mourning following the news that celebrated French electro-house and synthwave pioneer Kavinsky, whose legal name was Vincent Belorgey, has been found dead at his Paris residence at the age of 50.

    A self-taught pianist born just outside Paris in Seine-Saint-Denis, Belorgey launched his music career in the early 2000s, cutting his teeth as an opening act for legendary French electronic duo Daft Punk. He would later rise to cult fame under his artistic persona: Kavinsky, a red-eyed zombie DJ that became one of the most recognizable alter egos in modern electronic music. As part of the second wave of France’s world-famous “French Touch” electronic movement, he stood alongside influential peers including Justice and Sebastian, carving out a unique niche that blended retro 1980s-inspired synth soundscapes with modern dance production.

    His signature 2010 track *Nightcall* remains his most iconic work. First earning a slow-building cult following after it was selected to score the opening credits of the acclaimed Ryan Gosling-starring neo-noir crime film *Drive*, the track saw a massive resurgence in global popularity earlier this year. After Kavinsky performed a special updated version of the hit during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games closing ceremony—with guest vocals from Belgian singer Angèle and a joint performance with French band Phoenix—the track broke records, becoming the most single-day Shazamed song in the history of the popular music identification app. *Nightcall* was originally co-produced with Daft Punk’s Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, mixed by Sebastian, and featured lead vocals from Brazilian artist Lovefoxxx on its original recording.

    Following the news of his passing, top French officials have led an outpouring of tributes to the beloved musician. French President Emmanuel Macron honored Kavinsky in a Facebook post, calling him “a source of French pride forever.” France’s Culture Minister Catherine Pégard also shared her condolences on the social platform X, writing that “with the sudden passing of Kavinsky, France has lost one of its most unique voices.” She added, “From the film *Drive* to the Paris Olympics, the whole world was moved by *Nightcall*. Both danceable and nostalgic, his music will continue to transcend generations and borders.”

    As of Tuesday, official investigations into the exact cause of Belorgey’s death are ongoing. Multiple French media outlets, including leading newspaper Le Figaro, and global newswire Reuters have confirmed that the Paris prosecutor’s office has confirmed he was found dead at his Paris home. First responders reported no suspicious circumstances at the scene, but prosecutors have opened a formal investigation to confirm the cause of death. Le Figaro also reported that Belorgey had complained of persistent headaches for several days before his death, leading authorities to preliminary suspect a stroke as a potential cause. The BBC has confirmed it has reached out to Kavinsky’s representatives for additional comment and confirmation.

  • Russia charges Telegram founder Durov with facilitating terrorism

    Russia charges Telegram founder Durov with facilitating terrorism

    In a sharp escalation of tensions between Russian authorities and the globally popular encrypted messaging platform Telegram, Moscow has brought formal terrorism facilitation charges against founder Pavel Durov, alleging the service has been exploited by Ukrainian intelligence for militant recruitment.

    Russia’s primary domestic security agency, the Federal Security Service (FSB), announced the accusations this week, claiming Telegram has been systematically used to plan, organize and carry out sabotage and terrorist operations across Russian territory. According to the FSB’s official statement, platform administrators have repeatedly refused to take down channels, group chats and automated bots that Ukrainian secret services operate to coordinate these activities.

    An international arrest warrant has now been issued for Durov, a Russian-born entrepreneur who has lived in self-imposed exile outside Russia for a decade. The 41-year-old billionaire, who holds citizenship in France and the United Arab Emirates, has not yet issued a direct public response to the new charges. Minutes after the Russian announcement, however, Telegram’s official account on the social platform X shared a viral image of Durov displaying an offensive middle finger, a clear rebuke to Moscow’s actions. Durov has long maintained that Russian authorities regularly fabricate justifications to crack down on his platform, framing these efforts as attempts to erode digital freedom for Russian citizens.

    Telegram has amassed a massive user base in Russia, with tens of millions of daily active users on the platform. It also boasts widespread popularity in neighboring Ukraine, making it a critical communications tool on both sides of the ongoing conflict. For years, Russian regulators have steadily restricted access to Telegram as part of a broader government crackdown on unregulated online speech and digital independence, tightening controls following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

    Durov’s break with Moscow dates back to 2014, when he refused to comply with Kremlin demands to shut down opposition-aligned communities on VKontakte, the successful Russian social network he founded earlier that was widely nicknamed “Russia’s Facebook.” After the standoff, he surrendered his stake in the company and left Russia permanently, never to return.

    Today, Telegram counts roughly 950 million monthly active users across the globe, building its brand around a core commitment to user privacy that sets it apart from many other large tech and social media companies. This positioning has earned it a loyal user base, but it has also drawn consistent criticism from global regulators who argue the platform’s lax content moderation policies allow illegal activity to proliferate. Durov and Telegram have repeatedly pushed back against these claims, defending their approach to moderation as balanced and rights-respecting.

    The new charges from Russia are not the first legal trouble Durov has faced in recent years. In 2024, French authorities arrested Durov and opened a formal investigation into allegations that he failed to implement adequate content moderation systems to prevent the spread of criminal activity on Telegram. He was released to return to his residence after several months in custody, but the investigation remains ongoing.

    As of this report, it remains uncertain whether any other countries will honor Russia’s international arrest warrant for Durov, given deep geopolitical divides between Moscow and much of the Western and Gulf diplomatic blocs.

  • Ukraine says it hit a major Russian oil refinery, hours after Zelenskyy’s meeting with Trump

    Ukraine says it hit a major Russian oil refinery, hours after Zelenskyy’s meeting with Trump

    KYIV, Ukraine – Fresh off a high-stakes meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington D.C., Ukraine has launched another long-range deep strike targeting one of Russia’s largest oil processing facilities, ramping up coordinated pressure across economic, military, and diplomatic fronts more than four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country.

    Overnight drone strikes ignited a blaze at the Ryazan oil refinery, located roughly 400 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed Wednesday. The facility boasts an annual processing capacity of 17 million tons of crude oil, turning it into gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and a range of critical petroleum products for Russia’s domestic and military use. Regional Russian governor Pavel Malkov confirmed that six people were hospitalized as a result of the attack, noting debris from downed drones sparked blazes at unspecified industrial sites in the area.

    This strike is part of a near-daily campaign of long-range attacks using Ukraine’s domestically developed drone and missile technology that has systematically damaged Russian energy infrastructure. The sustained campaign has contributed to growing fuel shortages across Russia, a development that has increased political embarrassment for the Kremlin amid its stalled invasion.

    The attack came just hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy closed out his Washington visit, where he secured a new opening for expanded U.S. support for Kyiv’s war effort. Zelenskyy had met with Trump behind closed doors on Tuesday, with both leaders framing the discussion as productive. Trump called the meeting a “Great Honor” in a post on his Truth Social platform, while Zelenskyy confirmed that a wide range of critical topics were addressed and the talks “went very well.”

    Prior to the meeting, Trump had signaled reluctance to continue U.S. military support for Ukraine at the start of his second term, a stance that sparked widespread fears that Kyiv and European allies would be forced to confront Russian aggression without Washington’s backing. But Ukraine’s recent string of high-profile military successes, particularly its innovative use of long-range drones to disrupt Russian supply lines and infrastructure, has helped rebuild U.S. goodwill for Kyiv’s cause.

    During his Washington visit, Zelenskyy also held talks with more than 60 bipartisan U.S. senators as Ukraine pushes for tougher economic sanctions on Russia. He met separately with executives from defense giant Lockheed Martin, just days after hosting a delegation from weapons manufacturer Raytheon in Kyiv. The two American firms are primary suppliers of the advanced weaponry Ukraine relies on, including Patriot air defense systems, and Zelenskyy confirmed that Kyiv is negotiating joint production agreements and technology transfers to build these critical systems domestically. Earlier this month, Trump announced he would approve manufacturing licenses for Ukraine to produce its own Patriots to counter Russia’s frequent ballistic missile attacks.

    Ukraine’s development of battle-tested, cutting-edge drone technology has drawn international praise from defense officials. Its rapid innovation in unmanned systems has allowed the smaller Ukrainian military to pin down Russia’s larger conventional force along the front lines and disrupt Russian supply chains by striking targets deep in Russian rear areas. “From reconnaissance and logistics to precision strikes, Ukraine has shown the world how unmanned systems can give smaller forces a decisive edge,” U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said during a visit to Kyiv earlier this week. Ukraine has also offered to share its drone expertise with allied nations, further boosting its international standing.

    The Ryazan refinery strike was not the only Ukrainian offensive action overnight. Ukraine’s General Staff also confirmed strikes on a Russian naval base in the Black Sea, a radar station in Russia’s border Bryansk region, a enemy drone launch site, and a key road bridge in the occupied eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine. For its part, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its air defense systems intercepted and downed 295 Ukrainian drones overnight across multiple Russian regions and occupied Crimea.

    Despite a year of diplomatic efforts by the Trump administration to broker a ceasefire, prospects for a negotiated end to the conflict remain remote. However, a senior U.S. official speaking on background confirmed that Trump’s top diplomatic envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will travel to Kyiv for further talks in the coming weeks.

    The new commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, Maj. Gen. Mykhailo Drapatyi, who was appointed last week as part of a government leadership reshuffle, held his first call Wednesday with Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, Supreme Allied Commander Europe and head of U.S. European Command. Drapatyi outlined his strategic vision for Ukrainian victory, saying: “At this stage of the war, we must strengthen operations across multiple domains, prevent enemy infiltration into our defensive lines, and expand both long-range and medium-range precision strikes against the enemy.”

    Russian attacks across Ukraine continued alongside Kyiv’s offensive operations Wednesday. In southern Ukraine’s Kherson region, a 67-year-old civilian was killed in a Russian airstrike, and three more men were wounded by a Russian drone strike on a residential neighborhood of Kherson city, regional military governor Oleksandr Prokudin said. Russian glide bombs hit the northeastern city of Kharkiv and 17 other settlements in Kharkiv region over the previous 24 hours, wounding 11 people, regional head Oleh Syniehubov added.