Kazakhstan’s president since 2019, diplomat and long-time statesman
Ahmed Shihab-Eldin has been acquitted of charges including spreading false information and harming national security after 52 days in Kuwaiti detention and has left Kuwait, his legal team and rights groups have said. His arrest had highlighted an expanding crackdown on social media and press coverage in Gulf states since the US-Israel strikes on Iran began in late February.
Vladimir Putin has overseen a scaled-down Victory Day parade in Moscow under heavy security, has said "the matter is coming to an end," and has offered to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a third country only after a final peace treaty is agreed. A US-brokered three-day ceasefire and a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap have been announced for the holiday.
The IAEA has sent a confidential report to member states saying its assessment of Iran's nuclear programme has not materially changed and that it remains unable to verify the current size, composition or location of enriched uranium stockpiles following U.S. and Israeli strikes. The agency is urging Tehran to restore safeguards access urgently ahead of the Board of Governors meeting.
During a state visit to Astana, Putin and Tokayev have advanced plans for a Russian-financed nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan, with construction expected to start soon and commissioning targeted for 2035-2036. Rosatom will lead the project, which aims to boost regional energy capacity and deepen bilateral ties.
Qatar has announced four days of national mourning after the death of Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who ruled from 1995 to 2013 and transformed the small emirate into a major regional power. Crowds and dignitaries have gathered in Lusail for funeral prayers and tributes, while the new emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, receives mourners and foreign leaders.
Since mid-July, Russia and Ukraine have traded deeper strikes: ballistic missiles and drones have hit cities around Kyiv and Sloviansk while Ukraine has struck deep into Russian territory, hitting oil depots, logistics hubs and Wildberries warehouses. A Russian strike on a grain ship leaving Odesa has killed foreign crew and prompted India to summon Russia’s envoy.
Ukraine has targeted an Iranian-linked vessel in the Caspian Sea, drawing Iranian retaliation warnings and Kyiv’s claim of strong long-range strikes. Tehran says the attack is hostile and uncalled for, while Ukraine asserts its action targets military cargo linked to Iran. The event marks a widening of the Russia-Ukraine conflict across maritime corridors.
The Moscow Times and Reuters reports indicate renewed discussions of a Ukraine-Russia peace proposal, with Kyiv and Moscow weighing ceasefire options as US envoys may visit Moscow; Tokayev suggests freezing the conflict and reviving Istanbul talks.