Russian warships dock in Venezuela amid rising global tensions

It happened while you slept. Here is what global agencies reported overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday.

• Two Russian warships arrived in Venezuela after recently visiting Cuba – AFP reported. Both Caribbean countries are ruled by socialist regimes that are friendly with Moscow. According to AFP, the two ships under the Russian flag were docked in the port of La Guaira, near the capital of Venezuela, Caracas. The Russian Ministry of Defence announced that the frigate Admiral Gorshkov and a tanker arrived in Venezuela; they are expected to stay for "a few days" – the French agency reported.

• Fighting continues against wildfires in Greece. Over 24 hours, there have been 52 forest fires, leading to the evacuation of tourists and residents. More than 140 firefighters, aeroplanes, and helicopters have been sent to the islands of Chios and Kos. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned of a dangerous summer ahead. Fires near Athens have been contained, but new ones have emerged fuelled by strong, dry winds. Hundreds of tourists and residents have been forced to flee, describing scenes of chaos. As an RMF FM journalist reported, nerves and tears were frayed. Some people did not follow authorities' instructions and arrived at the evacuation assembly point with large luggage.

• Hurricane Beryl, reaching the highest-fifth category on the Saffir-Simpson scale, devastated the southeastern Caribbean. At least six people were killed. The storm is now heading towards Jamaica.

• Russia accidentally dropped at least 38 unguided bombs over its own territory in April 2023-April 2024 - reports "The Washington Post". This data comes from a Russian document that fell into the hands of Ukrainian intelligence.

• The latest satellite images indicate the probable establishment of new Chinese intelligence-related spy bases in Cuba - according to the latest report from the American Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) based in Washington, D.C.