Central Asian republic, landlocked, growing energy hub
The US-backed Board of Peace has scaled back its Gaza reconstruction plans to a small pilot camp near Rafah and has approved limited multinational stabilisation personnel; Hamas has dissolved its Gaza governing body but has not agreed to disarm, and Israel has not signed legal agreements or authorised major troop withdrawals. Preparatory bases and small ISF detachments have arrived, but large-scale rebuilding is not expected before Israel's October election.
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.
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.
Nigeria is becoming central to a new model of counterterrorism. AFRICOM says security outcomes depend on intelligence sharing and coordinated action, with Nigeria at the heart of operations against ISIS and other groups. US forces have withdrawn most personnel, but partnerships continue through intelligence and joint actions.
Ukraine’s long-range strikes have hit oil refineries and energy facilities across Russia, fueling a fuel shortage in several regions. Attacks have disrupted refining capacity from Omsk to Yaroslavl, triggering rationing and price pressures while Moscow promises restoration efforts.
Ukraine’s long-range drone campaign has intensified strikes on Russian energy infrastructure and military targets, including oil refineries. The effort is reshaping warfare, drawing NATO spending initiatives, and raising Moscow’s risk of escalation as Kyiv seeks to constrain Russia’s revenues and force an end to the war.
OPEC+ has agreed to increase oil output by 188,000 barrels per day from August, marking the fifth straight monthly rise. While the move signals a cautious unwind of earlier cuts, oil supplies remain constrained by the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing regional tensions. Prices have edged back toward pre-war levels as shipping resumes.
Saudi Arabia has championed an international pledge to empower women in cybersecurity and strengthen cooperation on cyber policy at a UN Human Rights Council session. The resolution, submitted by Riyadh’s Geneva mission, builds on a 2020 crown prince initiative and aims to boost participation, skills development and safe digital environments worldwide.
The Gaza ceasefire remains in effect as the Board of Peace confirms plans for an international stabilization force. Morocco has signaled its participation, and authorities report ongoing strikes and casualties in Gaza, with Israeli forces targeting police stations and militant sites amid shifting security arrangements.
Fuel shortages persist across Russia as Ukrainian drone strikes disrupt refineries and supply networks. Regions report rationing, long queues at petrol stations, and authorities are imposing export bans while exploring imports to stabilise domestic supply. Prices have risen as the crisis deepens.
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.
Astronaut Anil Menon has completed an eight‑month stay aboard the International Space Station alongside Russian and NASA crewmates. The mission follows a history of tense US‑Russia space cooperation and signals ongoing collaboration on ISS operations amid geopolitical strains.
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.
At least nine Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza on Saturday, including three children. An airstrike on a Gaza City apartment building killed five people from the same family, with several others wounded. The toll across Gaza has climbed over 73,000 since October 2023, as civilians continue to flee and ceasefire talks remain at an impasse.
Kyiv has faced one of its largest ballistic missile barrages, with 41 missiles and 125 drones reported. Officials say air defences have shot down most missiles and drones, while several civilians have been injured or killed. U.S. licenses for Patriot interceptors are under discussion, with production hoped to begin by year’s end.
The UN and world powers are pressing for governance reform as demand for critical minerals rises. Leaders warn that without local processing and stronger rule of law, mining profits will bypass local communities and fuel conflict. New commitments aim to channel wealth into public services and jobs amid a global scramble for cobalt, lithium, nickel and rare earths.
SpaceX’s Starship is undergoing heat shield testing as a 13th flight seeks to validate rapid reuse and payload deployment. Early results show tiles surviving entry, but boundaries between tiles reveal vulnerabilities that could affect future reusability and cost. Investors and NASA eye the data for lunar and Martian ambitions.
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.