Israel assures Russia it will not supply weapons to Ukraine

Israel has assured Russia that it is not supplying weapons to Ukraine and intends to maintain direct political contacts with Moscow, according to a senior Russian diplomat.

Alexander Kinshchak, head of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department for Relations with the Middle East and North Africa, told Interfax that Russian officials had discussed reports of alleged Israeli arms deliveries to Ukraine with their Israeli counterparts through various channels.

According to Kinshchak, Israel has denied the reports and reaffirmed its existing position of refraining from military supplies to Kyiv.

‘We have discussed such reports with our Israeli colleagues through various channels and have been assured that they do not correspond to reality,’ Kinshchak said, adding that Israel continues to adhere to its ‘stated position on this sensitive issue.’

The Russian diplomat also highlighted what he described as the special character of Russian-Israeli relations, citing longstanding historical and cultural ties between the two countries. More than one million Russian-speaking people live in Israel, he noted.

Kinshchak further pointed out that Israel has not officially joined Western sanctions against Russia, despite pressure from its Western partners.

Political contacts between Moscow and Tel Aviv have also remained active. According to Kinshchak, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held six telephone conversations in 2025 and two more in 2026.

While Israel has maintained political and security contacts with Kyiv, Moscow says it has received assurances that Israel is not providing military assistance to Ukrainian forces.

US lost relevance as global power, says Tehran

Iranian army spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia told Iranian state agency IRNA in an interview published on Saturday that the “decline” of the United States is becoming “more visible,” claiming Washington has lost its “relevance as a major international power.”

“The Americans no longer have relevance as a power overseeing human rights issues, regional and global peace and security issues,” Akraminia claimed, adding that the creation of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement (MJDA) by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan was also a sign that the US lost its power in the Middle East and insisting it happened as a result of Iran’s achievemnts in the war against Washington.

The spokesperson reiterated that Tehran is “gradually” shifting its military doctrine from defensive to offensive amid the war.

Katz: Israel hit Syrian airbase over Trkiye’s plans

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Saturday that his country struck the Syrian Abu al-Zuhour airbase last week based on intelligence reports that signaled that Trkiye was planning to use the airbase for activities that could threaten Israel’s security.

“The IDF recommended several times carrying out the strike on the Abu Duhur airport in Syria in light of the clear intelligence received regarding Trkiye’s intentions to carry out activities there that would endanger the security of the State of Israel,” Katz said, claiming that the intelligence reports were shared with authorities in the United States.

The Israeli official also condemned the remarks by US Ambassador to Trkiye and Special Envoy for Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack, who said that Israel’s attack risks “rapid escalation into a direct military confrontation between Israel and Trkiye.” Katz claimed that Barrack’s comments were “full of inaccuracies” and that they “contradict the position of US President [Donald] Trump.”

North Korea condemns Japan’s record defense budget, warns of regional arms race

North Korea has criticized Japan’s planned increase in defense spending, warning that Tokyo’s record military budget could further escalate tensions and instability in East Asia.

In a commentary published Saturday, North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Japan’s Defense Ministry plans to request around 8.9 trillion yen ($56 billion) for fiscal 2027. The final allocation could rise to approximately 10 trillion yen ($63 billion) during the budget approval process.

Pyongyang accused Tokyo of using concerns over regional security threats to expand the capabilities of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and gradually transform them into what it described as ‘preemptive attack forces.’

According to KCNA, Japan’s proposed defense spending includes the development of underwater-launched hypersonic missiles, the deployment of attack drones, the integration of artificial intelligence into military command systems and the acquisition of additional long-range missiles.

North Korea also criticized Japan’s procurement of long-range strike weapons, including US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, arguing that such acquisitions demonstrate Tokyo’s departure from its postwar pacifist policy.

Japan’s planned spending forms part of its broader five-year defense buildup program, which allocates 43 trillion yen ($270 billion) for fiscal 2023-2027.

Tokyo has steadily increased defense spending since adopting a revised national security strategy in 2022, citing growing security challenges posed by China, North Korea and Russia.

Japan’s expanding military capabilities have prompted concern among some analysts that the buildup could contribute to a broader arms race in East Asia. China has also repeatedly criticized Japan’s increased defense spending and the expansion of its long-range strike capabilities.

SDF commander announces completion of integration agreement with Syrian government

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander-in-Chief Mazloum Abdi has announced the completion of an integration agreement between Kurdish-led institutions in northeastern Syria and the country’s transitional government.

Abdi said the security, military and administrative institutions established in northeastern Syria would be incorporated into Syria’s state institutions while preserving their identity and the gains achieved by the region.

He also confirmed that all non-Syrian Kurdish forces that had been assisting the SDF had withdrawn from the area.

Despite the announcement, key questions remain over how the integration will be implemented in practice, including whether the process will ultimately result in the dissolution of the SDF as a separate military structure.

The future role of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), the all-female armed wing associated with the Kurdish-led administration, also remains unclear.

Abdi said the Kurdish movement’s focus would now increasingly shift from the military sphere to politics.

According to him, the next stage of the struggle will centre on securing constitutional guarantees for Kurdish rights, including the right to education in the Kurdish mother tongue, equal citizenship and democratic local administration within Syria.

SOCAR to enter Uzbekistan’s retail fuel market and invest in gas station network

Azerbaijan’s State Oil Company SOCAR is set to enter the retail fuel market of Uzbekistan and invest in the construction of a network of gas stations, Azerbaijan’s Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov announced.

Speaking at the IV Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Interregional Forum in Tashkent, Jabbarov said SOCAR would expand its activities in Uzbekistan beyond upstream energy projects.

The minister noted that SOCAR is already participating as an investor in the development of the promising Ustyurt field in Uzbekistan through a partnership with Uzbekneftegaz and British energy company bp.

“We highly appreciate the trust shown in us. SOCAR will contribute to strengthening the energy security of fraternal Uzbekistan. Also today, it will be officially announced that it will enter the retail trade market of Uzbekistan and invest in the construction of a network of gas stations,” Jabbarov said.

The planned investment in gas stations will mark SOCAR’s expansion into Uzbekistan’s downstream retail energy market, complementing its existing involvement in the country’s oil and gas sector.

Jabbarov also announced that AzerGold CJSC, Azerbaijan’s state-owned mining company, will cooperate with Uzbek partners on geological exploration and mining projects.

According to the minister, both SOCAR’s and AzerGold’s activities will be carried out in various regions of Uzbekistan, further broadening Azerbaijan’s investment presence in the country.

German FM arrives in Kyiv amid Russian strikes

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul arrived in Kyiv on Saturday, amid intense Russian strikes.

Upon arrival in the Ukrainian capital, Wadephul condemned Moscow over the “indiscriminate killing of civilians.” He told the media that “never before has Russia fired more missiles at its neighbor.” He pledged more support for the war-torn country, noting that no European state aids Ukraine more than Germany does.

The Eastern European country was targeted by extensive Russian strikes overnight, with blasts confirmed in Kyiv, the Samara region and Zaporizhzhia.

Syria considers joining Mecca defence pact signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Trkiye

Syria is considering whether to join the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, a mutual-defence pact signed earlier this month by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Trkiye, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani said Thursday.

Speaking to journalists during a visit to Islamabad, Shaibani said Damascus would make its decision independently, describing Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Trkiye as important regional countries. He stressed, however, that no decision had yet been made on Syria’s possible accession to the agreement.

“We will study this matter and take a decision independently,” Shaibani said, adding that the three countries have an important role in the region.

The agreement was signed on August 7 by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Trkiye and establishes a framework for closer security and defence cooperation between the three countries.

Shaibani’s visit marked the first visit by a Syrian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly two decades. During the trip, he held talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and army chief Asim Munir.

The two sides also agreed to exchange ambassadors and establish direct flights between Islamabad and Damascus, further signalling an effort to strengthen bilateral relations.

The visit came amid renewed security tensions in Syria, following an Israeli strike near Aleppo a day earlier.

Syria has been seeking to rebuild diplomatic and economic ties across the region following years of civil war and the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government. Damascus has increasingly sought closer relations with regional powers as it attempts to consolidate its position and rebuild state institutions.

Telcos to block sites streaming school shootings, violent content

Telecommunications companies PLDT Inc., Smart Communications Inc. and Globe Telecom said they will block websites hosting or streaming footage of school shootings and other acts of extreme violence, following the recent fatal shooting at a school in Zamboanga City.

Manuel “Manny” V. Pangilinan-led PLDT said Friday, August 21, that it will block more than 100 websites found to be streaming or hosting footage of school shootings and other acts of extreme violence.

The blocking will also cover the network of its wireless arm, Smart, meaning PLDT and Smart subscribers will no longer be able to access websites identified by the company.

‘This is something we do not tolerate,’ PLDT Chief Operating Officer Butch Jimenez said.

‘We have decided to ban these kinds of sites preemptively, as soon as they are discovered. Our networks will not be used as a channel for content that glorifies violence and puts our communities, especially our children, at risk,’ he added.

Jimenez said the company will continue identifying and blocking similar websites through its own monitoring efforts and in coordination with government agencies, child protection organizations and parenting communities.

‘There is no debate to be had here, Content that turns real-world violence into entertainment has no place on our networks and in our society, and we will keep acting decisively every time we find it,’ he said.

Globe General Counsel Froilan Castelo, meanwhile, said the telecommunications industry has a responsibility to help make the online environment safer, particularly for children and young people.

‘We have a responsibility to help make the online environment safer, especially for children and young people. As new risks emerge, we need to keep looking at what more we can do,’ Castelo said.

‘The recent school shooting incident is one opportunity where the industry can work together by removing sites that induce violence in our networks. At Globe, we are ready to do our part and protect children online,’ he added.

Following Zamboanga shooting

The move comes three days after a shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University in Zamboanga City, where a 14-year-old student shot and killed another junior high school student before also fatally shooting himself. Two others were wounded.

The incident was livestreamed through the shooter’s Facebook account and another website, according to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

It was the second fatal school shooting in the country in less than two months.

In June, three students were killed and at least 20 others were wounded in a shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Leyte.

The government has also been looking into whether online games played a role in the two incidents.

In the Zamboanga shooting, Remulla said the shooter may have been influenced by Roblox, although the Department of Information and Communications Technology has yet to establish whether the game played a role. The company behind the gaming platform has been cooperating with authorities.

Following the Tacloban shooting, the government suspended the game GoreBox.

Child protection

PLDT said its latest move is part of its broader child protection and online safety programs, which include blocking websites that host child sexual abuse material.

Globe, for its part, said it blocked 438,446 domains and URLs containing child sexual abuse and exploitation materials in 2025, backed by more than $2.7 million in investments in content filtering and blocking systems.

The telcos said they will continue coordinating with government agencies and local and international organizations as online threats evolve.

PLDT and Smart had also previously said they were prepared to block Roblox on their networks should the government order them to do so.

Nationwide school safety drill

Meanwhile, the Department of Education is set to conduct a nationwide school safety drill on August 25, with teachers, students and personnel simulating how to respond to an ‘active attack’ on campus.

DepEd ordered schools to hold the drill simultaneously at 9 a.m. on Tuesday based on their respective contingency plans for active attack incidents.

The directive was issued on August 12, before the Zamboanga shooting, in response to the increasing occurrence of active shooting and other attack incidents affecting schools and communities worldwide.

Each DepEd regional office was ordered to designate one school as the ceremonial venue for the drill. Education Secretary Sonny Angara is set to join the activity at Carlos F. Gonzales High School in Maguinao, San Rafael, Bulacan.

Other schools are strongly encouraged to conduct their own drills on August 25 or on an adjusted schedule. Schools unable to conduct the drill on the prescribed date must notify their division Disaster Risk Reduction and Management coordinator

Communities urged to listen to struggling youth after Zamboanga school shooting

Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula called for greater care and attention to the struggles of young people following the shooting incident at Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

In a message of solidarity posted by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila – Office of Communications on Facebook, Advincula offered prayers for the victims, their families, those injured and traumatized and the entire university community. ‘An act of violence within a school community wounds more than those who are physically injured,’ Advincula said.

He said such violence also damages the sense of safety and trust that allows young people to learn, grow and pursue their dreams.

The Manila archbishop urged the public to listen more closely to young people, particularly those who may be silently struggling.

‘Some silently struggle with loneliness, anxiety, despair, family difficulties, bullying, academic pressures, and other crises that may not always be visible to those around them,’ he said.

Advincula said young people should have spaces where they can speak without fear of judgment, seek help without shame and feel that they are valued and loved.

He also called for united action beyond prayer, urging communities to strengthen a culture of care, compassion, dialogue and accompaniment.

‘Together, let us strengthen a culture of care, compassion, dialogue, and accompaniment so that violence and hatred may never have the final word,’ Advincula said.

The archbishop ended his message by asking for healing and consolation for all those affected by the incident.

‘May the Lord, Prince of Peace, bring healing and consolation to all who suffer,’ he said, while invoking Mary to accompany the Ateneo de Zamboanga community during the difficult time.

Second fatal school shooting in 2 months

The Zamboanga shooting was the country’s second fatal school shooting in less than two months.

Three days earlier, a 14-year-old student shot and killed another junior high school student at Ateneo de Zamboanga University in Zamboanga City before fatally shooting himself. Two others were wounded.

The incident was livestreamed through the shooter’s Facebook account and another website, according to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

In June, three students were killed and at least 20 others were wounded in a shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Leyte.