Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA): West Asian state on the Arabian Peninsula.
LIV Golf has signed an agreement with a lead investor approved by its board, signaling the path forward for the league under a new ownership structure. The deal aims to fund LIV’s next era, with plans to give players majority equity and expand to a 10-event schedule from 2027, while continuing events worldwide.
Iran has executed multiple men convicted over killings during January’s nationwide protests, including two public hangings in Isfahan’s Alikhani (Malekshahr) Square. Videos and witness accounts show residents chanting and trying to block the executions before security forces dispersed the crowd. Rights groups say executions and hunger strikes at Ghezel Hesar prison have risen since January.
The United States and Saudi Arabia have signed a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement and a bilateral safeguards pact, but President Donald Trump has said the deal is conditional on Riyadh normalising relations with Israel. Officials and commentators are disputing whether the White House and Energy Department coordinated the announcement. Critics warn the pact weakens non‑proliferation safeguards and could spur a regional arms race.
Joshua has come from an early knockdown to stop Kristian Prenga in the second round in Jeddah, preserving a potential all-British blockbuster with Tyson Fury. Fury had earlier stopped Mariusz Wach in seven rounds in Thailand. Contracts are reportedly signed, with venue and date still unsettled.
Boxing contender Raven Chapman has undergone emergency brain surgery after collapsing during a sparring session in Denmark. She has been taken off sedation and is awaiting repatriation to a UK hospital for rehabilitation; a GoFundMe has been launched to aid her recovery.
President Donald Trump has said he has paused planned strikes on Iran and that negotiators are working on a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and address Iran's nuclear programme. US officials, Qatar and regional partners are involved in talks; Iran denies direct negotiations with Washington. Shipping attacks and strikes continue to threaten energy routes.
Developments over the summer break confirm continued debate over Formula One’s 2026 rules. Drivers question energy-management measures; teams push for longer-term fixes while politics and calendar decisions loom as Qatar and Abu Dhabi races face potential disruption amid regional conflict.
Chelsea has completed the signings of veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson and (alongside others) forward Danny Welbeck as part of a broader overhaul under new coach Xabi Alonso. The club is balancing experience with youth to bolster its attack and leadership ahead of the new season.
LIV Golf is confronting a funding shortfall after the Saudi Public Investment Fund withdraws backing at year-end. The league is seeking about $260 million, with Indianapolis likely to host upcoming events and Michigan deemed unlikely. Investors’ decisions will shape LIV’s 2027 viability.
The Iraqi government has pledged to bring all armed groups under state control by the end of September. US-Saudi strikes on PMF sites highlight tensions as factions resist disarmament. Analysts warn of regional escalation and political backlash as factions align with external backers.
Messi has returned to the field for Inter Miami amid weather delays, scoring and assisting in a Leagues Cup clash. The club remains unbeaten in eight matches, with Messi’s form continuing after the World Cup final. Other MLS actions see Suarez and Mendez scoring in Columbus’ draw as the league contends with scheduling and player welfare.
The Strait of Hormuz is at the center of renewed diplomacy as Oman and Iran negotiate a 60-day temporary shipping corridor. Reports indicate inbound traffic would pass Iranian waters and outbound traffic through Omani waters, with possible security fees and a link to lifting U.S. port sanctions. Negotiations involve regional mediators; Tehran seeks greater control, while Oman pushes for open navigation.
The latest published pieces show a widening strike pattern across the Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and nearby states. Tehran’s campaign targets civilian and strategic assets, while Gulf and U.S.-backed defenses intercept most threats. Diplomatic channels persist even as attacks resume, hinging on a broader security architecture rather than a single guarantee.
A total solar eclipse will cross northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain and north-eastern Portugal on 12 August 2026; most of Europe, the UK and Ireland will see a deep partial eclipse close to sunset. Viewers should plan for clear western horizons, use certified eclipse glasses or projection methods, and note that the Perseids meteor shower peaks later that night.
Oil benchmarks have fallen sharply after US President Donald Trump has said he called off planned strikes on Iran and reported that talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz will begin. Brent has dropped from above $100 to about $83 and US crude has fallen below $80, while markets and bond yields are reacting to lower geopolitical risk premiums.
The United States and Iran remain in a tense stalemate as diplomacy stalls and military actions escalate near the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has warned of hard strikes but has intermittently paused actions as Gulf allies push for diplomacy. Public opposition to the war is rising amid casualties and economic pressures.
Tensions in the Red Sea have intensified as Houthis escalate maritime attacks and a blockade against Saudi-linked shipping. Attacks target vessels, widen regional confrontation, and threaten global energy routes amid ongoing US-Iran tensions.
Airstrikes by US and Saudi forces hit PMF sites in Iraq after attacks on Saudi facilities, while Iran-backed groups and regional rivalries threaten Iraq’s new prime minister’s plan to disarm militias and anchor the state. The broader Strait of Hormuz dynamics and Yemen’s Houthis add layers to the conflict, risking wider regional instability.
The Supreme Court has been asked to pause a large damages judgment against the Palestinian Authority and the PLO as they appeal a 2025 reinstatement of a case tied to 2002-04 Jerusalem attacks. Lower courts previously voided the verdict, then Congress updated the Anti-Terrorism Act; the high court’s action could impact funding for West Bank services.
Newcastle United has appointed Matthias Jaissle as head coach to succeed Eddie Howe. Jaissle, 38, arrives from Al Ahli with a track record of high‑intensity, attacking football and a trophy‑laden spell in Asia. The club aims to rebuild after a difficult 2025-26 season and a flurry of summer departures.
The White House has convened a meeting with AI leaders to review a proposed cybersecurity framework for advanced models, following OpenAI's recent agent hacks and calls for greater government access. Attendees include executives from Hugging Face, Anthropic, and others; Meta and Alphabet may participate. Markets show mixed responses as investors watch the policy discussion unfold.
Amazon-owned Zoox has obtained a temporary exemption from U.S. safety standards to begin charging fares for its robotaxi in Las Vegas, with up to 2,500 vehicles over two years and enhanced oversight. Launch begins Aug. 10, pending state approvals in other markets.
Six of Europe’s biggest oil groups report profits surging year-on-year as turmoil around the Strait of Hormuz tightens supply and pushes prices higher. U.S. and European majors show windfall gains amid disruptions, even as lawmakers debate windfall taxes and consumer costs rise.
Google has rolled back a new Google Earth feature that used Nano Banana 2 to generate images over real satellite, aerial and 3D imagery after users produced fabricated scenes — including fake refugee camps, bomb craters and nuclear plants. Google says generated images were watermarked and private; it has said it will add stronger guardrails.
The latest reporting shows ongoing exchanges about possible resumption of hostilities between the United States and Iran. Politically charged statements and shifting negotiations signal a fragile moment in a wider Gulf crisis, with energy markets reacting to uncertainty.
The movements of personnel and equipment between Harir Air Base, Erbil, and the US consulate are described as preparation for the withdrawal of remaining US troops under the 2024 agreement. Washington and Baghdad have framed the shift as a routine repositioning and a step toward ending the mission by September.
OPEC+ has decided to increase output by 188,000 barrels per day from September 2026, a move designed to stabilise markets and compensate for past overproduction. Nigeria remains under its DoC allocation and will not see changes to its targets as it seeks to raise crude output. The group will meet again on Sept. 6 to review conditions and consider further adjustments.
Developing reports indicate US officials say talks with Iran and Oman are advancing on a potential mechanism to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with energy prices expected to stabilize as ships await passage. Officials warn the final terms remain unsettled as negotiations continue.
The U.S. has halted a planned major attack on Iran and is pursuing negotiations over Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program. Allies and regional partners have urged restraint, and talks are set to begin tomorrow to shape a potential deal.
The acting attorney general has posted documents rescinding an order that created the $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund and clarifying tax immunity terms for Trump and affiliates. Republican senators had threatened to block Blanche’s confirmation, but an agreement appears to appease them, paving a path to a Senate vote before August recess. Democrats caution the deal may not be ironclad.
CENTCOM has asked military analysts for new, unconventional ways to pressure Iran, while exploring options including a two-week bombing campaign and efforts to push Tehran toward renewed talks. Officials say the goal is to demonstrate resolve and regain leverage in negotiations, even as the administration pitches diplomacy.
Major oil groups have reported multi-billion-dollar profits in the second quarter as conflict-driven supply disruptions and high fuel prices boost earnings. Aramco, BP, ExxonMobil and Chevron have posted strong results, while leaders criticize windfall profits and call for policy action. Markets remain volatile amid shifts in export routes and regional tensions.
BP has reported a quarterly profit of $5.73bn, more than doubling year-on-year, driven by higher oil prices amid Middle East conflict. The group plans to sell its US renewable natural gas unit Archaea and is considering further asset disposals, including a potential North Sea exit. CEO Meg O’Neill says the company is focusing on assets with the strongest potential to deliver returns.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, alongside Silver Lake, Affinity Partners and others, has completed a historic leveraged buyout of Electronic Arts, taking the gaming giant private. The deal, valued at about $55 billion, will see EA delist from Nasdaq. Analysts warn debt will be serviced by locking in core franchises while avoiding new IP, with potential job cuts on the horizon as the company restructures.
Lucid Motors has postponed the Cosmos midsize EV to the second half of 2027 as part of a broader leadership overhaul and cost-cutting plan. The company reports a Q2 loss of about $1.26 billion with liquidity of roughly $3 billion and is tightening governance, cutting thousands of jobs, and delaying product launches to fix quality and manufacturing issues.
The Israel Defense Forces have killed multiple Hamas commanders in coordinated strikes across Gaza, citing involvement in the Oct. 7 attacks and ongoing hostilities. The operations underscore a focused campaign against senior figures in Hamas and allied groups as ceasefire talks remain fragile.
Houthis have claimed attacks in Yemen that have killed and wounded hundreds of troops, while regional powers engage in Oman-mediated talks and explore military options if diplomacy fails. Brent crude hovers near $80 as the conflict threatens shipping routes in the Red Sea.
SpaceX has reported quarterly results with strong revenue but ongoing losses, highlighting a heavy $18bn capex focus on AI infrastructure. Investors are watching for returns as Starlink remains the profit engine while the AI division remains loss-making and the public market faces a volatile response as lock-up expirations loom.
Tehran and Muscat are moving toward a temporary, bilateral route through the Strait of Hormuz, with coordinates agreed and talks in final stages. Officials warn that security still depends on U.S. actions, and a full reopening remains uncertain as tensions persist and prices fluctuate.
A trio of articles show a shifting US stance on Israel, with surveys indicating rising unfavourable views of Israeli government and society among Americans across parties. The debate is moving toward tougher U.S. policy, even as some voices call for accountability and humanitarian considerations.