Breakfast News Recap: Russia threats escalate as Gaza, Yemen and US security stories dominate briefing

Russia has been accused by US authorities of plotting targeted killings of Ukraine allies in the United States and Europe, while a separate report says five people have been charged over a Russian intelligence network linked to terrorism financing and a murder for hire plot. The Kremlin has also stepped up its rhetoric, with a senior aide threatening Warsaw with destruction if Poland joins military action against Russia.  🔗  🔗  🔗

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In the Middle East, the United Nations human rights chief warned that rubble clearing in Gaza may be destroying evidence of war crimes and concealing human remains, as scrutiny of the war intensifies. The Trump administration is also reported to be preparing a $2.8bn sale of 2,000 pound bombs to Israel.  🔗  🔗

Saudi Arabia said its air defences intercepted a drone launched by the Houthis towards Mecca, briefly raising a security alert, while satellite images showed major damage at a pumping station on the East West Pipeline after a strike last week, with repairs expected to take weeks. In Yemen, the UN refugee agency said more than 100,000 people have now been displaced as fighting intensifies on the western coast, and the Security Council has called an emergency meeting on the worsening situation.  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗

Across Europe and the Baltic region, NATO fighter jets shot down a drone that entered Lithuanian airspace, in what officials said was the first such incident of its kind. In Brussels, Ursula von der Leyen is expected to unveil EU wide social media curbs for children, while in Rome Giorgia Meloni met European Council President António Costa to discuss the EU budget and migration. France's new ambassador to Washington has also been cleared after a diplomatic spat over a UN vote.  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗

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In the United States, the House voted again to end war powers for Iran, with seven Republicans breaking ranks, and a congressional report said the war has cost about $38bn over six months while adding to inflation and draining munitions stockpiles. The Senate blocked a Trump backed crypto market bill by 50 to 49, a Republican lawmaker moved to impeach Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, and the administration said it will comply with the Supreme Court ruling blocking new mail ballot restrictions.  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗

Washington also confirmed it has deployed a weapon in Earth's orbit, raising fresh concerns about a space arms race, while the US imposed visa restrictions on South African officials over alleged discrimination. Separately, the FBI and Justice Department said they had uncovered an Iranian spyware campaign targeting dissidents abroad, and the House Speaker rejected calls for an AI moratorium.  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗

Elsewhere, the US Treasury yield rose to 5.04%, its highest since 2007, as surging oil prices fed inflation fears. The oil shock is feeding through to markets and policy debates, while the UK is in talks to join a Canada led defence bank aimed at helping countries raise more money for military spending.  🔗  🔗

In Africa and Latin America, violence in the Sahel is on track to hit record levels this year, and police in the Democratic Republic of the Congo used tear gas against protesters opposing proposed constitutional changes. In Venezuela linked legal fallout continued too, with businessman Alex Saab pleading guilty in a US money laundering case tied to an alleged bribery scheme.  🔗  🔗  🔗

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In Asia, Russia began early voting in occupied and frontline areas of Ukraine ahead of its parliamentary election, while China opened the Xiangshan Forum with warnings against coercion and historical revisionism and Iran's foreign minister is due in Beijing for talks with Wang Yi. In South Korea, a court ordered North Korea to pay 44.6 billion won in damages over the demolition of the Kaesong liaison office, and in the Philippines the Bangsamoro election ended in a hung parliament, setting up coalition talks.  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗

In Australia, Queensland has introduced legislation to repeal the Glenden housing rule, a move that has raised fears in the mining town about workers being forced to live elsewhere.  🔗

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