Over 200,000 without power, 100 homes damaged as hurricane hits Hawaii

Ukraine has renewed its appeal for advanced air defence missiles, warning that the country urgently needs stronger protection against Russian ballistic missile attacks before winter arrives. Speaking in Washington, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, Olha Stefanishyna, said diplomatic efforts to end the war are continuing, but military support remains essential as Russian strikes intensify. Stefanishyna said Ukraine hopes renewed ceasefire discussions with Russia could help bring an end to the conflict before the harsh winter season. However, she stressed that negotiations alone will not protect civilians from the increasing number of missile attacks targeting Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. She said the country urgently requires additional Patriot PAC 3 interceptor missiles to strengthen its air defence system. According to the ambassador, Ukraine is in talks with the Pentagon about obtaining a licence to manufacture Patriot PAC 3 missiles domestically. She acknowledged that such a project would take considerable time, with production possibly beginning anywhere between one and five years after approval. Ukrainian officials are also discussing a long term purchasing arrangement that would allow the country to secure future missile supplies by exchanging production slots with another customer. Stefanishyna revealed that representatives from Raytheon, the company that produces the Patriot air defence system, have already visited Ukraine. She added that Lockheed Martin, which manufactures the PAC 3 interceptor missiles, is preparing to send a team of specialists to the country to explore possible cooperation. Describing the current security situation, the ambassador said Russia has sharply increased its use of ballistic missiles during overnight attacks. She noted that recent waves of strikes have included between 30 and 40 ballistic missiles in a single night. While Ukraine has become more effective at intercepting drones supplied or produced by Russia and Iran, it still lacks enough advanced missile systems to counter large scale ballistic attacks. Stefanishyna said Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to expand missile production while maintaining pressure on Ukrainian cities. She argued that Ukraine has adapted successfully in many areas of the conflict but still requires additional missile defences to protect the population during the coming winter months. The renewed request for military assistance follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s meeting with United States President Donald Trump at the White House earlier this week. During the talks, Zelensky sought greater support for Ukraine’s air defence capabilities while also encouraging a fresh diplomatic effort aimed at ending the war. The ambassador said the latest peace initiative could include a visit to Kyiv by senior United States representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Although no official date has been announced, she said the visit could take place as early as next week if preparations are completed. Stefanishyna also said Zelensky has repeated Ukraine’s proposal for a ceasefire based on the current front lines, with negotiations continuing from that point. She stressed that meaningful progress is needed before winter because colder weather will make both military operations and humanitarian conditions more difficult. The ambassador also addressed reports about her own future in government. She confirmed that she had offered to resign from her position and return to Ukraine to respond personally to corruption allegations related to her financial declarations. Stefanishyna said President Zelensky had not requested her resignation and preferred that she remain in her role. However, she believes returning home is the best way to defend herself and her family against the accusations while the legal process moves forward.

At least eight workers were killed and five others were reported missing after toxic gas leaked from a vessel at a shipbreaking yard in Bangladesh on Friday. The incident occurred at the Ferdous Steel Shipbreaking Yard and Recycling Factory in Chittagong, a major hub for ship dismantling on the country’s southeastern coast. Witnesses said they heard cries from inside the facility before fellow workers rushed several affected employees to nearby hospitals. Police said eight people had died while a search operation was underway for those still unaccounted for. Authorities have formed an investigation committee to determine the cause of the accident and ordered a safety audit of the shipbreaking facility. Officials said the vessel involved had previously been used to transport liquefied natural gas. Although the yard was reportedly classified as a compliant facility, fire service officials raised concerns about whether proper safety procedures had been followed before dismantling work began. According to fire service officials, vessels must be completely cleared of hazardous gases before workers begin cutting them apart. They said workers who were closest to the gas leak died, while others farther from the affected area survived. Firefighters recovered three bodies from the site and rescued several workers who were found unconscious. The injured were transported to hospitals for treatment. The shipbreaking industry along Chittagong’s coast stretches for around 25 kilometres and provides employment to tens of thousands of people. Bangladesh is one of the world’s major shipbreaking centres, but the industry has repeatedly faced criticism over workplace safety, labour conditions and environmental risks. One of the workers killed in the accident was identified as Palash Jaladas. His family was left devastated by the tragedy, with relatives saying his wife, Bhoumika Jaladas, is eight months pregnant.