August 16: Ukraine’s Long-Range Strikes and Ben-Gvir’s Gaza Call
In Russia and Ukraine An overnight exchange of Russian and Ukrainian drones and missiles killed at least 12 people, as long-range attacks intensify while talks remain stalled. Ukraine has expanded strikes targeting Russian military industry and energy infrastructure, while Russia continues its campaign against Ukrainian targets. At Romania’s border Romania says NATO fighter jets shot down an unauthorized drone that entered its airspace. The incident underscores the risk of the war’s aerial campaign spilling across the alliance’s eastern frontier. In Gaza Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, called for killings in Gaza every night, directing the statement at Palestinians in the territory. The remarks add to alarm over rhetoric from a senior member of Israel’s government amid the continuing war. In Hawaii Tropical Storm Lala is moving west across Hawaii after weakening from a hurricane near the Big Island. Heavy rain, strong winds, and flooding have affected parts of the island chain from Maui and Oahu toward Kauai. In U.S. security The FBI is investigating how a North Korean remote IT worker secured a job with an unidentified U.S. federal agency before being found in July. North Korea has repeatedly used overseas technology workers to earn money, evade sanctions, and seek access to foreign organizations. In Kentucky One person was killed and four others were wounded when gunfire broke out during an outdoor concert at Charles Young Park in Lexington. The injured include children aged 4 and 14 and were reported in non-life-threatening condition. Police said there was no continuing public threat, but no arrests had been announced. In Scotland Two planned prisons are projected to cost nearly £800,000 per place. HMP Glasgow, expected to open in 2028, is now estimated at about £1 billion for 1,344 prisoners, while HMP Highland is projected to cost £209 million for 200 cells. Officials say the facilities are needed to modernize and expand the prison estate, though costs have risen far beyond the original estimates.
