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- Former Kosovo President Thaçi sentenced to 25 years for war crimes
- Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci sentenced to 25 years for war crimes
- Students conclude testimony in former Christian school principal’s assault trial
- House votes for third time to restrict Trump’s military actions against Iran
- Undersea microphones developed to protect UK’s £65 billion cables from threats
- Putin lifts 30-year ban on gas mask sales amid rising war tensions
- Thousands of police protest in Paris over working conditions and pay
- Geneva talks aim to address ongoing conflict between DRC and Rwanda
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Former Kosovo President Thaçi sentenced to 25 years for war crimes
11:00 am
Former Kosovo President Thaçi sentenced to 25 years for war crimes
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has entered a new phase as tensions escalate following the sentencing of former Kosovo president Hashim Thaçi to 25 years in prison by an international court in The Hague. This development could catalyse further instability in the region, given Thaçi’s prominent role in Kosovo’s history and the legal implications it may have on Serbia-Kosovo relations. The court’s ruling, which followed charges of war crimes during the Kosovo War, underscores the continuing repercussions of past conflicts in the Balkans. International responses are anticipated alongside discussions about Kosovo’s path towards European integration and regional security, as global officials continue to monitor global political tensions.
Economically, markets are reacting to these geopolitical shifts, with investors wary of potential sanctions or restrictions from the EU or NATO as stability in the Balkans is threatened. The upcoming summit for NATO leaders later this month will be critical in shaping responses to the evolving situation in Eastern Europe, especially as military and economic strategies are further debated. Observers will be looking closely at outcomes from this pivotal meeting. international markets and trade may react accordingly.
Key developments across the world
Former Kosovo president Hashim Thaci sentenced to 25 years for war crimes
INTERNATIONAL LAW — Hashim Thaci, the former president of Kosovo, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison. This sentence is a landmark decision by the international court in The Hague for crimes committed during the Kosovo War, which could have significant implications for other wartime leaders in similar cases.
Thaci was found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder and torture, leading a shadowy campaign in the late 1990s that targeted political opponents. This ruling is expected to influence ongoing international discussions about accountability for war crimes in conflicts worldwide.
Another Russian general killed in war against Ukraine
GLOBAL SECURITY — A high-ranking Russian general has been reported killed in Ukraine, marking another significant loss for the Russian military. This incident underscores the ongoing challenges for Russian forces in the conflict and raises questions about leadership in the military’s operations.
Reports suggest that the general was killed during a targeted strike in the occupied region of Donetsk, which has seen intensified clashes as Ukraine continues its counteroffensive. His death may contribute to further strategic adjustments by Russian forces, which are already facing mounting pressure.
Kennedy Center board votes to close for renovations after chaotic call with Trump
DIPLOMACY — The Kennedy Center’s board has voted to close for renovations following a tumultuous conversation with former President Donald Trump. This decision signals a significant turning point in the ongoing dispute over Trump’s name being removed from the centre’s iconic renovation project.
The situation escalated after Trump threatened to block funding if his name was not kept on the project, leading to heightened tensions and public interest in the renovations. The controversy highlights the intersection of politics and cultural institutions in the United States.
Three people killed after news helicopter crashes in Los Angeles
WORLD POLITICS — A tragic helicopter crash in Los Angeles has claimed the lives of three individuals, including a journalist and a pilot. The incident raises serious concerns about aviation safety in urban areas.
The helicopter was reportedly covering a news story when it went down, prompting an immediate investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. This event illustrates the significant risks faced by journalists in the field, particularly those relying on aerial coverage.
Ukraine May Have Killed Russia’s General Sergei Milchakov in Strike on Donetsk Headquarters
GLOBAL SECURITY — Ukraine may have successfully targeted and killed Russian General Sergei Milchakov in a significant operation against Russian forces. This development could further impact military morale on both sides of the conflict.
The reported strike on the headquarters in Donetsk highlights the ongoing intensity of military engagement in the region and suggests that Ukraine’s capabilities to conduct high-profile attacks are evolving. Such victories may influence international support for Ukraine’s military objectives.
What to watch — Developments in Ukraine’s military strategy following the reported killing of Russian general Sergei Milchakov will be crucial.
Further reading from global news sources
The Guardian
NBC helicopter crash in LA kills at least three people with others injured
Financial Times
Donald Trump says Kennedy Center renovation depends on whether his name is on it
Al Jazeera
Former Kosovo president Hashim Thaci sentenced to 25 years for war crimes | ITV News
Politico
Kosovo’s former president jailed for 25 years over war crimes
Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci sentenced to 25 years for war crimes
10:00 am
Get you up to speed: Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci convicted of war crimes
Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci was convicted by the Kosovo war crimes tribunal of four counts of war crimes related to the country’s war for independence from Serbia. He has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for crimes including murder and torture committed as a top commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army during the 1990s conflict.
The Kosovo war crimes tribunal has announced that Hashim Thaci was found guilty of war crimes on 16 September 2026, with the sentencing taking place on a Wednesday. The tribunal has confirmed Thaci’s conviction for his role as a commander in the Kosovo Liberation Army during the conflict in the 1990s, which involved the murder of 96 political opponents.
Kosovo’s government has yet to publicly comment on the tribunal’s decision regarding Hashim Thaci’s conviction. As further developments are anticipated, Thaci’s legal team is expected to file an appeal against the verdict.
What remains unclear — It is not specified whether Thaci plans to appeal the conviction.
Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci sentenced to 25 years for war crimes
BREAKINGBREAKING, NewsFormer Kosovo President Hashim Thaci convicted of war crimesPublished On 16 Sep 202616 Sep 2026
The Kosovo war crimes tribunal has convicted former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci of four counts of war crimes committed during his country’s war for independence from Serbia.
Thaci, 58, was sentenced on Wednesday to 25 years in prison for crimes including murder, torture and illegal detention committed as top commander of the ethnic Albanian Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) during the territory’s violent break from Serbia in the 1990s.
The tribunal said he was guilty of the murder of 96 political opponents and perceived collaborators with Serbian security forces by KLA forces during the conflict.
Thaci denies all the charges.
Wearing a suit and tie, Thaci stood in silence as Presiding Judge Charles Smith read out the sentence.
More to come…
Students conclude testimony in former Christian school principal’s assault trial
9:00 am
Get you up to speed: Students finish testifying in former Christian school principal assault trial
Five former Saskatoon Christian school students testified about the physical and mental effects of being struck with a paddle by Friesen. The incidents occurred at a Christian school in Saskatoon.
The investigation into the claims of former students is ongoing, with authorities gathering further testimonies and evidence. The school has not released any statements regarding changes to its disciplinary policies following the allegations.
The Saskatoon Christian school has stated it takes the allegations seriously and is cooperating with investigations related to the claims of former students. Following the testimonies, there are calls for stricter regulations on physical discipline in educational institutions, with advocates warning of potential legal changes to protect students.
What remains unclear — It is unknown how many additional former students may come forward with similar allegations.
Students conclude testimony in former Christian school principal’s assault trial
Five former Saskatoon Christian school students testified to their claims of physical and mental toll from being hit with a paddle by Friesen.
House votes for third time to restrict Trump’s military actions against Iran
7:00 am
Get you up to speed: House votes to limit Trump’s power to strike Iran for 3rd time, as 7 Republicans defect
The House voted 220 to 204 on Tuesday to block President Trump from further military action against Iran, with seven Republicans joining the opposition. The resolution, introduced by Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, directs the president to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.
The House resolution, led by Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, seeks to withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran and reflects a growing bipartisan challenge to President Trump’s military strategy. Following the passage, it remains uncertain if the Senate will advance the measure before its session concludes ahead of the November elections.
The House’s recent resolution to limit President Trump’s military action against Iran received increased Republican support, signalling a growing dissent within the party, as noted by Rep. Gregory Meeks who stated, “The administration has yet to demonstrate that seven months of war have produced a lasting strategic resolution to the threats posed by Iran.” As the Senate has not yet indicated its plans regarding the resolution, attention will turn to upcoming sessions and the potential for further legislative action before the elections.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain whether the Senate will address the House measure amid ongoing discussions about funding for the war.
House votes for third time to restrict Trump’s military actions against Iran
Washington — For the third time, the House voted Tuesday to block President Trump from taking further military action against Iran, with seven Republicans breaking with the president.
The vote ended in a 220 to 204 tally, marking a symbolic rebuke of the president over the largely unpopular war.
Tuesday’s resolution drew more GOP support than the previous two efforts to limit Mr. Trump’s war powers in June and July.
Three new Republicans voted yes — Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, plus Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn of Iowa — in addition to the four who supported the prior resolutions: Reps. Tom Barrett of Michigan, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Warren Davidson of Ohio and Thomas Massie of Kentucky.
It’s unclear whether the Senate plans to take up the measure in its last two scheduled weeks of session before the November elections. A war powers resolution that cleared the House in July has yet to see any movement in the Senate. Both chambers adopted another resolution in June, though the White House has argued against its validity.
The resolution, introduced by Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, directs the president “to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.”
Aug. 28 marked six months since the war began, and the Trump administration has yet to lay out an exit strategy as it seeks tens of billions in additional funding for the conflict that Mr. Trump initially predicted would last four to five weeks. The Pentagon has said Operation Epic Fury — the military’s term for the initial strikes against Iran — ended in May, but the U.S. and Iran have continued to exchange fire for months, and a ceasefire intended to bring the war to an end fell apart in July. Oil shipments from the region are still constrained, keeping global energy prices high.
Mr. Trump has defended his strategy in Iran, arguing the conflict has degraded the country’s military and predicting last week “the war will end immediately after the election.”
Republicans are trying to provide up to $73 billion in new funding for the war through the party-line reconciliation process. The House adopted a budget blueprint in July to initiate the process, but it stalled in the Senate over the inclusion of funding for Mr. Trump’s voting regulations bill known as the SAVE America Act.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office released an analysis Tuesday that estimated the war with Iran could cost approximately $2 billion to $3 billion per month for as long as it continues. Between Feb. 28 and Aug. 1, the war is estimated to have directly cost the U.S. about $38 billion.
“The administration has yet to demonstrate that seven months of war have produced a lasting strategic resolution to the threats posed by Iran,” Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said during floor debate Monday night.
Undersea microphones developed to protect UK’s £65 billion cables from threats
6:00 am
Get you up to speed: How microphones will help protect UK’s £65,000,000,000 undersea cables from Putin | News UK
BAE Systems is developing undersea microphones designed to enhance the protection of the UK’s undersea cable network, which is critical to the nation’s internet traffic. The technology, currently in the experimentation phase, aims to detect vibrations that may indicate threats to these vulnerable cables, amid increasing risks of sabotage from hostile states.
The technology for the undersea microphones, known as distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), is currently in the experimentation phase, with data being integrated into BAE Systems’ AI and machine learning programmes. Experts are developing tools to process the data effectively, ensuring timely identification and response to potential threats to the undersea cables.
The Ministry of Defence has acknowledged the increasing threats to undersea cables and is collaborating with BAE Systems to develop advanced acoustic sensors designed to protect this vital infrastructure. Experts believe that these new sensors, currently in the experimentation phase, could significantly enhance the UK’s ability to detect threats and respond swiftly to any incidents involving these critical cables.
What remains unclear — The specific timeline for the deployment of the undersea microphones and their military applications has not been disclosed.
Undersea microphones developed to protect UK’s £65 billion cables from threats
You can’t see them from space, but a network of critical undersea cables powers the UK.
The wires and pipelines carry over 90% of the nation’s daily internet traffic and are worth £65bn to the economy.
The race is on to protect these lifelines, which are currently ‘naked’ and ‘incredibly vulnerable’ to sabotage from Russia and other states.
WTX can reveal that undersea microphones are being developed to give the British military a leg up in this future battleground and help shield the UK from devastating attacks on its cables.
Experts at defence firm BAE Systems are developing these vibration-detecting sensors for military use, which will attach to cables and catch oncoming threats.
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Cables have long been at risk of accidental disruption, such as when ships unwittingly drag their anchor, or when fishermen trawl the seabed.
But now there is little doubt that Putin and other hostile states have their eyes on this critical undersea infrastructure (CUI).
Just last week, Nato forces foiled a Russian subsea sabotage plot, when they chased away ships in Arctic waters training to attack the cables with an undisclosed secret weapon.
Then Defence Secretary John Healey warned in Parliament last year that Russia was ‘gathering intelligence and mapping’ the UK’s cable network.
‘Much of our life as we know it goes through cables,’ says Tim O’Neill, Subsea Intelligence lead at BAE Systems.
‘There has been a real increase in the threat to this undersea infrastructure. It is no longer just benign accidents.’
Researchers at the defence giant are now working on a way to turn this very vulnerability into a military asset for the UK.
The answer lies in attaching powerful sensors onto the fibre optic cables.
Known as distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), the technology can detect even the faintest of vibrations near the cable, affecting the fibres.
BAE Systems want to revolutionise how these DAS sensors are used so they can ‘turn a cable running for hundreds of kilometres along
the ocean floor into a continuous array of microphones’.
The sensors would be able to detect any vibration on the seabed near the cable, and identify ‘everything from environmental shifts to the movement of vessels and even marine life’.
The sensors are already used widely on land but also on a limited commercial basis under the water.
But BAE want to advance this technology for military purposes.
O’Neill explained how it could work: ‘You will get an alert that something has hit the seabed at this position on the cable.
‘DAS will be able to pick up that anchor dragging far enough away that you can tell the vessel to stop, or if that doesn’t work, you still have time to send out military assets to intercept it.’
The tech is currently in its experimentation phase, with data being fed from a DAS sensor on a cable into BAE’s AI and machine learning programmes.
‘The reality is that this is a state problem,’ O’Neill added.
‘If we can get this into the hands of the UK government to support their activity, trying to counter Russian threats, then we want to be part of that.’
The challenge for experts is not just making sure the tech works, but figuring out how to handle the reams of data it pumps out.
So tools are also being developed which will tools which will identify the signals of interest as they appear and alert the operator.
Defence experts believe the new undersea microphones could mark a ‘small revolution’ in the future of underwater battle.
Alessio Patalano, who specialises in critical undersea infrastructure King’s College’s War Studies Department, believes the data from the sensors will enable military chiefs to better defend the ‘incredibly vulnerable’ cables.
He said: ‘The sensors provide persistent and consistent data on how to understand what’s happening around the cable in a way that was impossible.
‘It makes the seabed slightly more transparent, making it easier to understand where to operate, how to operate, and against whom you are operating.
‘It will also improve the ability to recover from any interference with the cables, because you are going to be faster at identifying where the problem is and the best way to address it.’
The Ministry of Defence has been approached for comment.
Putin lifts 30-year ban on gas mask sales amid rising war tensions
5:00 am
Get you up to speed: WW3 fears grow after Putin lifts 30-year ban on buying gas masks | News World
Vladimir Putin has approved the sale of gas masks to Russian families, lifting a ban that has been in place since 1992. From 1 March 2024, Russians will be permitted to purchase certified civilian filtering masks and other protective equipment.
From March 1, 2024, Russians will be able to buy civilian-certified filtering masks, including options for children, following a ban that has been in place since 1992. The Emergency Situations Ministry has stated that counterfeit and uncertified masks will be removed from the market to ensure quality control amid a broader restoration of Soviet-era civil-defence infrastructure, which includes the refurbishment of over 20,000 shelters across 82 regions.
The Emergency Situations Ministry (EMERCOM) has announced measures to ensure quality control by removing counterfeit or substandard gas masks from the market. From March 1 next year, Russian families will be allowed to purchase certified civilian gas masks, which marks a shift in policy amid increasing tensions with NATO.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain how the approval of gas masks will affect public perception of the threat of war among Russian citizens.
Putin lifts 30-year ban on gas mask sales amid rising war tensions
Russian families have been approved to buy gas masks by Vladimir Putin, triggering a new WW3 scare.
Gas masks were put on the restricted sales list, along with associated equipment, in 1992 after the Soviet Union collapsed.
Fears that Putin could be preparing for conflict with NATO have been brewing for several months after unsuccessful attempts to stop the war in Ukraine.
Earlier this month, a joint Nato operation is said to have intercepted Russian submarines attempting to destroy a vital undersea cable in the Arctic.
At a press conference, the Russian President also smirked when saying it’s a ‘military secret’ whether he will target British drone sites.
From March 1 next year, Russians will be permitted to purchase certified civilian filtering masks—including versions for children.
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Vladimir Putin has approved the sale of gas masks (Picture: EPA)
Sealed protective chambers designed for babies will also go on sale.
Gas masks can protect wearers from airborne chemical agents, toxic industrial substances and biological contaminants if the correct filter is fitted.
They offer some protection against radioactive dust produced by a nuclear explosion.
Pro-Kremlin military commentator Yury Baranchik said this decision was ‘particularly relevant’ alongside the upgrading of Soviet bunkers
He said: ‘Russian citizens will be allowed to purchase gas masks for their entire family. The ban, which has been in place for over 30 years, will be lifted….
‘This is particularly relevant in the context of ongoing renovations of Soviet-era bomb shelters in several cities. Good news, especially for the West.
Videos emerged of training on the use of the masks
Bomb shelters have also been restored
‘It would be beneficial to supplement this with real-world testing on the Novaya Zemlya archipelago.’
Drills involving gas masks are regularly conducted even among young recruits to military training schemes.
Counterfeit, substandard, and uncertified masks will be removed from the Russian market ensure quality control, said the Emergency Situations Ministry [EMERCOM].
The move seems part of a drive by the Russian authorities to scare its own people into believing they face the threat of war from the West at a time of deep tension in Putin’s conflict in Ukraine.
The change comes as Russian authorities undertake a vast programme to restore Soviet-era civil-defence infrastructure neglected since the end of the Cold War.
EMERCOM chief Alexander Kurenkov said earlier this year that more than 20,000 shelters were being restored across 82 Russian regions.
A reported ministry assessment found that only 16 per cent of Russia’s shelters and anti-radiation refuges were fully serviceable in 2022, while 67 per cent were unusable.
Donald Trump‘s son-in-law, and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, September 5, 2026. Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.” decoding=”async” loading=”lazy”/>
Putin has asked for proposals of work on nuclear weapons (Picture: REUTERS)
Russia has earmarked some 155 billion roubles (approximately £1.35 billion) for the programme.
Baranchik also demanded ‘real-world testing’ of nuclear bombs at Novaya Zemlya.
The Arctic archipelago was the Soviet Union’s principal nuclear testing ground and the site of the 1961 Tsar Bomba explosion, the most powerful nuclear weapon ever detonated.
Eleven months ago, Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov called for ‘preparations for full-scale nuclear tests immediately’ at a meeting of the Russian security council.
‘The readiness of the forces and facilities at the central test range on the Novaya Zemlya archipelago makes it possible to carry them out within a short time frame,’ he said.
Putin did not give an immediate go-ahead but demanded ‘proposals on the possible start of work to prepare nuclear weapons for testing’.
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