CIA chief's secret Moscow visit opens fragile channel amid Ukraine war

CIA director makes secret Moscow visit for talks amid crisis in ties John Ratcliffe held unannounced talks with Russian intelligence officials, the first CIA chief to visit Moscow in nearly five years. The Kremlin called the meeting positive but said it is premature to judge whether it can ease the 'deep crisis' in bilateral relations. 1

Ukraine resumes drone attacks on Moscow, hits major Russian oil refinery Hours after CIA Director Ratcliffe left Moscow, Ukraine launched mass overnight drone strikes; Russia said it downed 426 drones over 15 regions. The NORSI refinery in Kstovo — Russia's fourth-largest — caught fire, and a Wildberries logistics center in Tambov Oblast was also hit. 23

Hamas agrees to disarm; Gaza envoy warns of point of no return At a UN Security Council briefing, Nikolay Mladenov said Hamas and armed factions agreed for the first time to hand over weapons and transfer authority to a UN-recognized transitional administration. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the US-backed plan, and Mladenov warned failure would be a 'point of no return.' 45

Iran and Oman edge toward Hormuz corridor deal but final accord elusive Tehran and Muscat discussed a framework for a temporary shipping corridor and mine clearance in the blockaded strait. The IRGC claimed agreement on shares and revenues, but a senior Iranian source said no final deal has been reached. 67

Pakistan proposes fresh 60-day timeline for US-Iran talks on Hormuz Pakistani sources say Islamabad is pushing a new 60-day period to revive direct US-Iran talks and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, after the initial Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding deadline expired on August 16. The proposal follows Army Chief Asim Munir's visit to Tehran. 8

Israel keeps striking Syria and Lebanon despite US diplomatic push Israeli artillery, air raids and ground incursions hit southern Syria and Lebanon, including shelling near Beit Jinn and raids in Quneitra. The strikes came days after Syria's foreign minister met Israeli intelligence officials in US-mediated talks in Jordan. 9

China urges citizens to leave Taiwan ally Eswatini over security risks Beijing cited rampant cyber fraud and gambling-related crime in advising nationals to relocate to safer countries. The advisory follows reports that 40 Chinese nationals were detained in Eswatini, the only African state with diplomatic ties to Taiwan. 10

African Union warns Sudan war could spill into Chad after cross-border strikes The AU expressed concern over August 20 airstrikes in Chad's Ennedi-Est region, which Chad's military blamed on Sudanese aircraft, and urged restraint. The incident has heightened fears that Sudan's three-year war is spreading across borders. 11

US insists no change in North Korea policy amid denuclearization doubts A US official said Washington's policy toward North Korea is unchanged, after President Trump declined to answer whether denuclearization remains his goal in reengaging with Kim Jong-un. The remarks aim to ease concerns of a shift toward arms control or tension reduction. 12

Venezuela's Chavismo blocks proposal to dollarize the economy Deputy Antonio Ecarri was removed from a parliamentary post and faces investigation after proposing formal dollarization with US economist Steve Hanke. The move comes as Venezuela struggles with over 500% annual inflation and a chronic currency crisis. 13