US strikes kill 18 in Iran, including wedding guests; Tehran retaliates

US strikes kill 18 in Iran, including wedding guests; Iran retaliates A US missile hit a wedding party in Kuhestak, killing four people including a four-year-old, as Washington struck Iran's southern coast near the Strait of Hormuz; at least 18 died and 108 were wounded overall. Tehran retaliated against US bases in Kuwait, Jordan, the UAE, Bahrain and Iraqi Kurdistan, and Trump warned the US can hit Iran 'anytime we want.' 1234

Erdogan says Turkey's SCO bid doesn't mean turning back on West At the Bishkek summit, Erdogan held one-on-one talks with Putin on nuclear cooperation and Black Sea shipping safety, while the SCO declaration condemned US strikes on Iran as violations of international law. Iran's president also met Putin, Modi and Sharif, though analysts say the bloc's backing is largely symbolic. 567

EU and NATO vow more pressure on Russia after Leipzig attack Commission President von der Leyen called Leipzig 'a new escalation on EU soil directly attributed to Russia,' and NATO's Rutte voiced full solidarity with Germany. Moscow, denying involvement, said it will close Germany's Goethe-Institut cultural centres in response to new German sanctions. 8

Russian drones strike central Kyiv for seventh consecutive day, injuring 13 A drone hit the National University of Food Technology, where 160 students sheltered, plus a residential building and medical facility. Zelensky called for more air defense, sanctions and defense-industry support from partners. 9

More than 900 killed in Gaza this year despite ceasefire, ministry says The Hamas-run health ministry says over 1,300 Palestinians have been killed since the October ceasefire, including 301 children; the UN considers the figures reliable. The IDF disputes them, saying there is no basis to assume all deaths resulted from its activity. 10

Tens of thousands march across Spain over Ceuta migrant crisis Protests in Ceuta, Madrid and Valencia demanded action after an estimated 80,000 migrants stormed the border in late July, with 5,000-9,000 still in the exclave. PM Sánchez told Congress there is no indication Morocco orchestrated the influx, as opposition leaders accused him of betrayal. 11

India and Belgium sign defence deals, including rocket production in India Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Belgian Minister Theo Francken reviewed ties and signed multiple MoUs and contracts under defence industrial cooperation. Francken stressed Europe's security is increasingly linked to the Indo-Pacific, citing Russia's alignment with Iran and North Korea and China's assertiveness. 12

US NATO envoy urges allies to prepare for possible Russian attack Ambassador Matthew Whitaker said allies must boost defense spending and weapons production because 'you can't predict what Vladimir Putin or any other adversary is going to do.' He declined to comment on intelligence reports that Russia could launch a limited attack on a NATO member by 2029. 13