fredag 7 augusti 2026
Latest news
Middle East Crisis Situation in Iran
Iranian dissidents: “Was so wrong about Trump”
“Help is on the way,” promised Donald Trump when crowds of Iranians rose up against the regime in January. Now many of them feel deeply disappointed, they tell the New York Times.
– I really thought help was on the way, but I was so wrong, says 35-year-old Vahid.
– Trump and the US are deceitful and Trump is an entertainer. Their talk about human rights was only about their own gain, says 36-year-old Maryam, who participated in the protests.
This summer, Trump admitted that he always believed that the security forces would crush the popular uprisings he encouraged. And so it turned out – thousands to tens of thousands are estimated to have been killed during the protests last year and earlier this year.
The White House does not want to answer questions about Trump's promises to help liberate the Iranian people, but refers to the goal of preventing the country from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Political situation in the UK
London pubs could be restricted – the Prime Minister gives in
There are angry feelings in parts of London after a local government promised to limit pub opening hours and also introduce a cap on how many people can stand up and drink. The proposal covers the Soho and West End districts and thus one of Europe's liveliest nightlife areas, writes The Standard.
The row has become so loud that Prime Minister Andy Burnham has given in. A Downing Street spokesman says that Burnham is urging local politicians to work together with the industry and adds that crowded pubs are part of everyday British life.
- Soho did not become world famous by taking last orders early and turning off the lights at ten, says the spokesman.
The mid-term elections in the US
Republicans are said to be planning socialist smear
The Republicans' plan ahead of this autumn's mid-term elections is to claim that the Democrats' policies have been hijacked by left-wing activists, according to Axios.
Among other things, Trump's approval ratings, dissatisfaction with the Iran war and the economic situation suggest that the midterm elections could be a fiasco for the Republicans. An informant says that the plan is therefore to point to the Democrats and say "look, they are even worse".
Among other things, the party is collecting video material on left-wing profiles such as Hasan Piker and politicians such as James Talarico and Abdul el-Sayed. The plan is to present them as Israel-hating socialists and as representatives of the entire Democratic Party at next month's party convention.
- Our video treasure is endless, says a source.
Drone alarm in Europe
The drone is said to have been carrying a can of explosive dough - was kicked down by the driver
The drone at Leipzig airport, which according to many German media was carrying explosives, was in the vicinity of a Ukrainian cargo plane for four hours on Tuesday evening. This is shown in a video clip that the German newspaper Bild has seen.
A bus driver working at the airport then spotted the drone at low altitude and managed to kick it down, according to information provided to DPA and Der Spiegel.
According to Der Spiegel, the drone was carrying the explosive Semtex. Bild has information that the explosive was hidden in a tin can with a hole drilled in the bottom, where a lighter would trigger the explosion. The drone also reportedly had two SIM cards and a function that allowed the can to be released.
Information about the drone's function is still conflicting and more information is expected during the day.
Russian invasion
Sanctions
Graham's sanctions against Russia pass Senate
The sanctions package against Russia and Iran that Republican Senator Lindsey Graham led the work on before his death has been voted through the Senate, US media reports.
The proposal aims to strangle Russia's oil and gas revenues through sanctions against the largest buyers of Russian energy, including China and India. It also includes targeted sanctions against Putin and Russian politicians, military leaders, businesses and ships in the shadow fleet.
- Today we say to the people of Ukraine: You are not alone. And to Vladimir Putin we say: You will not conquer Ukraine, says Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, who worked on the proposal with Graham.
86 senators voted yes and eleven no. The proposal now goes to a vote in the House of Representatives, which is expected to take place next month due to the summer recess.
Russian reactions
Putin reportedly needs a victory – could test NATO with attack
Russian President Vladimir Putin may test NATO's resilience with a limited attack on a member country in the coming years. This is according to US intelligence obtained by the Wall Street Journal.
Previously, the US assessment was that Russia was unlikely to attack the defense alliance at the same time as invading Ukraine. But now the assessment is that Putin is pressured by his war in the neighboring country and that an attack that divides NATO could be the domestic political victory he needs.
Several possible attack scenarios are being painted, ranging from a cyberattack to a minor land invasion of the countries on NATO's eastern flank. The risk of the latter scenario is assessed as low but increasing.
The fighting
Trump on Ukraine's appeal: "We want missiles too"
Donald Trump has commented on Ukraine's appeal for more Patriot anti-aircraft missiles to defend itself against Russia's ballistic missile attacks.
- We want missiles too. Biden gave (Zelenskyj) ammunition worth $300 billion, he said, according to the Kyiv Independent.
Trump says that the military aid has depleted the US stockpile and that they are now focusing on replenishing it. When asked what he thinks about Russia's increasing attacks on civilian targets, he says:
- We are not involved. An ocean separates us.
However, the American president adds that he "hates to see" the high death toll in the Ukraine war.
Border crisis in Ceuta
Spain takes revenge on Italy – introduces border controls
Spain is introducing border controls for travelers from Italy, the Ministry of the Interior announced according to several media outlets.
This is a measure of revenge for Italy pausing Schengen cooperation with Spain and introducing border controls against the country after the migrant crisis in Ceuta.
The Spanish government today gave Italy the weekend to lift the border controls, which they call “unfair and discriminatory” and “a torpedo against European unity”.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni responded that she will not accept ultimatums from abroad.
The Spanish border controls against Italy will apply from midnight on Saturday until September 7.
Taxi drivers sentenced after migrant crisis in Ceuta
Morocco has sentenced seven taxi drivers to prison for up to six months and the equivalent of 10,000 kronor in fines for “aiding irregular migration”, writes the AP.
They are sentenced for driving migrants from the larger city of Tétouan to Fnideq, which borders Ceuta. These are the first sentences handed down in Morocco after last week’s migrant crisis in the Spanish exclave.
The local union for taxi drivers in Tétouan reacts with anger.
– Taxi drivers cannot be held responsible for what happened. They are being punished for having provided a service, says chairman Ali Younes.
The Ceuta border crisis — the issue
- Almost 80,000 people crossed the border from Morocco to Spanish Ceuta in late July 2026.
- At least 100 people died during the border crisis, many by drowning while trying to swim to Ceuta.
- Almost all migrants returned voluntarily or were deported to Morocco, and none have made it to the Spanish mainland.
- The incident led to strong criticism of Spain from several EU countries, but after an emergency meeting, EU member states expressed support for Spain's actions.
- Morocco pointed to disinformation and social media as the driving force,
while several experts accused Morocco of relaxing border controls.
Spain introduces border controls against Italy
Italy has introduced border controls against Spain after the migrant crisis in the exclave of Ceuta last week. Spain is responding in kind and introducing temporary border controls against Italy.
Italy has suspended Schengen cooperation with Spain for a month and introduced stricter border controls against the country after around 50,000 migrants made their way from Morocco to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
The Spanish government on Friday called the measure “unfair, contrary to the interests of the EU and discriminatory against the Spanish population”, and demanded that it be withdrawn by August 9.
“Italy does not accept ultimatums or foreign impositions regarding national security and border control”, was the response from the office of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Later, Spain's Interior Ministry announced that it would introduce border controls on travelers from Italy, starting Saturday midnight.
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