President Donald Trump’s administration has floated a proposal to end the war in Gaza by securing the release of all remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for halting military operations. The deal has been conveyed to Hamas but has not yet been accepted.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed Saturday that a precision airstrike last week in Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, eliminated several senior members of the Houthi regime, including the group’s so-called Prime Minister, Ahmed al-Rahawi. The Israeli Air Force conducted the strike on Thursday, August 28, with targeting based on real-time intelligence from the IDF Intelligence Directorate.
Russia unleashed a massive assault on southern Ukraine overnight into Saturday, striking residential areas and leaving dozens of civilians wounded just days after a rare and deadly airstrike on central Kyiv. The escalation comes as U.S.-led peace efforts continue to falter.
Pope Leo XIV has called for global fasting and prayer on August 22, urging Christians to plead for peace in war-torn regions. His appeal coincides with diplomatic efforts led by President Donald Trump, who hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in separate meetings aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said Monday on Fox News’ Hannity that Ukraine will likely need to accept ceding land to Russia as part of a negotiated settlement, while crediting President Donald Trump with laying the groundwork for peace.
California Governor Gavin Newsom sharply criticized the U.S. Marines and National Guard on Saturday, accusing them of “bringing war to the American people” during their recent mission in Los Angeles. The comments came as Newsom attempted to undermine President Donald Trump, who is campaigning for the Nobel Peace Prize after resolving multiple global conflicts.
President Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday drew praise from several European leaders who said his efforts have opened the door to peace in Ukraine. While the summit did not produce a ceasefire or formal agreement, Trump announced progress toward a potential comprehensive peace deal after three and a half years of war.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance met Saturday at Chevening House in Kent, England, with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and representatives from Ukraine and Europe in what a U.S. official described as “significant progress” toward ending the war in Ukraine. The meeting, hosted by Lammy at Washington’s request, lasted several hours and was aimed at advancing President Donald Trump’s stated goal of securing peace between Russia and Ukraine.
Russia and Ukraine launched widespread aerial attacks against each other overnight, resulting in civilian casualties and infrastructure damage on both sides, according to officials from both countries.
Russia has signaled openness to peace negotiations with Ukraine, but the Kremlin insists that its core objectives must be met—chief among them, Ukrainian withdrawal from annexed territories and rejection of NATO membership. The statement came just days after President Donald Trump issued a 50-day deadline for Moscow to accept a ceasefire or face intensified economic pressure.