France 24

Approximately 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta on July 30-31, with 70,000 returning shortly afterward according to France 24 and Africa News. Spanish authorities cleared the El Trampolín beach area and established temporary shelters for 1,800 people using army tents. Thousands of migrants, including unaccompanied minors, remained in Ceuta after spending weeks in public spaces.

More than 300 companies displayed humanoid, industrial, and service robots at the five-day Beijing event that began August 19. The conference coincided with Unitree's stock-market debut, where shares rose nearly six-fold. Unitree founder stated that humanoid robots' transformative 'ChatGPT moment' remains about 10 years away.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has nominated Yevheny Khmara to serve as defense minister and Andrii Sybiha as foreign minister. Both appointments require parliamentary approval, with votes expected on Wednesday. The nominations follow the June dismissal of former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov, which France 24 reported triggered public outrage and a political crisis.

Patrick Vieira, born in Dakar and aged 50, has been named head coach of the Senegal national football team, replacing Pape Thiaw. He will begin duties next month ahead of 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and holds prior coaching experience in England, France, and Italy. This marks his first national-team appointment.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Iryna Mudra, deputy head of the presidential office responsible for legal affairs, on Wednesday via a decree published on the presidential website. The action occurred on the same day NABU and SAPO launched an operation targeting an alleged criminal organization involving senior officials and a current or former MP, with searches conducted at premises linked to Mudra and MP Vadym Stolar. No public statements from the agencies have identified Mudra or detailed specific allegations against her.

Leaders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Canada issued a joint statement condemning Israel's decision to open bidding for more than 1,200 homes in the E1 area of the West Bank. The project, green-lit last year, has drawn criticism for its potential impact on territorial contiguity between East Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank. Diplomatic actions included summons of Israeli officials by the United Kingdom.

The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise will conclude on August 21 instead of the originally slated August 27, following a US directive to scale back elements including combined field maneuvers. President Trump announced the changes on Truth Social, citing costs and signaling concerns toward North Korea. Some training has shifted to simulations at the suggestion of the US side.

Russian missile strikes overnight killed at least 12 people and wounded at least 33 in Kyiv and surrounding areas, damaging residential buildings, a medical facility, an educational institution, and other sites across 12 locations. Power outages affected 90,000 homes, with partial restoration reported, and an air-raid alert remained active into the early hours. Authorities released casualty figures on Thursday.

U.S. gross national debt exceeded $40 trillion for the first time, with total public debt reported at $40.05 trillion. Prior milestones include $38 trillion in October and $39 trillion in March according to available reports. The Congressional Budget Office had projected $39.4 trillion by the end of fiscal 2026.

A Russian rocket strike in Pechenihy village, Kharkiv region, killed 10 people according to multiple reports. Ukraine launched over 600 drones toward the Moscow region, injuring at least three people including a 10-year-old girl. Details on the exact nature of the Pechenihy target and additional casualties remain unverified across available sources.

Jared Kushner held meetings with a Hamas leader in Egypt and then with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. Netanyahu had rejected a US-backed Gaza ceasefire roadmap days before the Jerusalem meeting. The US continues to press Israel to approve the roadmap while an unverified report attributes a reconstruction condition to Kushner.

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has recorded at least 5,021 cases and 2,378 deaths as of the most recent Sunday report. M23 rebels have introduced new movement restrictions in response to the outbreak. The current outbreak has infected and killed more people at greater speed than any prior Ebola event.

US government data showed the national debt exceeding $40 trillion on Wednesday, marking a record high. Multiple outlets reported the figure, with some linking the pace of increase to prior tariff policies. Historical references to deficit-reduction efforts appear in coverage from right-leaning sources.

Russian authorities stated that drones targeted the Moscow region overnight, with air defenses intercepting more than 180 units and several people wounded along with buildings struck. Supported reports cite 620 drones involved while unverified claims reference over 600 and attribute the attack to Ukraine. The incident highlights verification gaps in sourcing from France 24 and The Independent.

IAEA inspectors have started excavation and exploration at the Deir el-Zour site in Syria, where Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi reported the discovery of another previously undeclared location containing several tons of nuclear material. Syria's interim government under President Ahmad al-Sharaa has granted access and pledged full cooperation with the agency. The material is linked to the former Assad regime's undeclared nuclear activities.

Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's former defense minister who was dismissed last month, publicly urged a move toward elections on Tuesday. Ukraine has postponed elections under martial law imposed after Russia's February 2022 invasion, which bars voting during active conflict. Fedorov stated that Russia should not dictate the timing of Ukrainian self-governance.

Multiple US states have initiated a trial in California accusing Meta of designing addictive features on Instagram and Facebook targeting users under 13. The states seek up to $200 billion in damages amid thousands of related lawsuits against Meta and Snap. The case centers on allegations of platform features intended to increase engagement among minors.

Ukraine's anti-graft agencies announced the discovery of a group that laundered 150 million hryvnias ($3.35 million) to cover bail in an energy corruption case. The group reportedly includes a presidential official, presidential staffers, and a lawmaker. Reports appeared on Wednesday from France 24 and The Kyiv Independent.