Central Asian republic, landlocked, growing energy hub
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.
Kazakhstan has redirected up to 100,000 metric tons of crude to the Baltic port of Ust-Luga and another 160,000 metric tons via the CPC in southern Russia, in a shift that follows attacks on the Druzhba pipeline and raises questions over supply to Germany and Berlin’s PCK refinery.
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.
Oil flows through key Gulf routes have been disrupted as conflicts escalate. Countries are adjusting production and trade, while insurers assess risk. The Strait of Hormuz remains the focal point as sanctions’ adjustments and new toll discussions surface amid regional tensions.
Foreign governments, banks and multinationals are flocking to China's yuan-denominated panda bonds as the currency's funding costs stay near historic lows. Issuance accelerates amid an interest-rate gap with the dollar, with sovereigns, institutions and corporates tapping the market.
US-African security ties are shifting from visible troop deployments to intelligence sharing and joint operations. AFRICOM officials say Nigeria is central to a new model of counterterrorism, with recent operations intercepting cargo and disrupting ISIS networks through international coordination.
Ukraine has intensified long‑range strikes on Russia’s oil infrastructure, targeting refineries and fuel depots. The attacks disrupt Moscow’s fuel supply, slow military logistics, and add pressure ahead of NATO diplomacy. Kyiv says its drones and missiles are striking Russia deeply behind the front lines, aiming to compel an end to the war.
OPEC+ has agreed to expand oil production by 188,000 barrels per day starting in August, the fifth straight month of increases. Core members Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman plan to unwind parts of a 2023 cut as markets rebalance amid shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz.