renewed US-Iran war: Washington reimposed a naval blockade of Iran, launched fresh airstrikes, and threatens to hit Iranian power plants and bridges next week, while Iran has struck Gulf targets (Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE-linked tankers), disrupting Strait of Hormuz shipping and Middle East aviation. Ukraine’s war with Russia continues to escalate with mutual deep strikes (Kyiv hit by ballistic missiles; Russian refineries and Black Sea shipping hit by Ukraine), even as France held a Bastille Day parade showcasing a “coalition of the willing” for Ukraine’s security. The World Cup 2026 (hosted in the US/Mexico/Canada) is in its semifinal stage, dominating attention across Europe and Latin America. Elsewhere, a deadly Bangkok bar fire (27+ dead), Sudan’s deepening civil war/famine, a DR Congo Ebola outbreak, and Toronto’s festival shooting are major stories.
Middle East
- Iran: US resumed a naval blockade and launched new airstrikes on Iranian military/port targets; Trump threatens to target power plants and bridges next week if Tehran won’t negotiate.
- Israel: IDF conducted raids in the West Bank (Hebron); Knesset advanced a law freezing ultra-Orthodox military draft enlistment; ongoing strikes in Gaza and Lebanon border tension continue.
- State of Palestine: Gaza ceasefire remains largely unfulfilled; a UN commission said Israel is deliberately targeting children in the conflict, according to its findings.
- Lebanon: New round of Lebanon-Israel talks resumed in Rome, mediated with the US.
- Syria: Israeli reports noted Israelis attempting to cross into Syria were detained by IDF amid ongoing regional tension.
- Saudi Arabia: Yemen’s Houthis targeted Saudi Arabia’s Abha airport amid a major escalation; flight cancellations hit Riyadh hub hard.
- Kuwait: A fire from an Iranian strike was brought under control at a targeted site; no injuries reported.
- Bahrain: Hit by Iranian retaliatory strikes following US action against Iran.
- United Arab Emirates: Tankers linked to the UAE were struck by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, killing one mariner and wounding eight.
- Qatar: World leaders gathered in Doha to honor the late Father Emir Sheikh Hamad.
- Yemen: Houthi forces escalated attacks on Saudi Arabia amid the wider regional conflict.
- Jordan: Along with Qatar and Indonesia, has previously joined condemnations of Israeli actions at Al-Aqsa; part of ongoing regional diplomacy.
- Turkey: Part of a new Saudi-Qatar-Turkey-Egypt-Pakistan regional bloc emerging after the Iran war; hosting diplomatic coordination on regional security.
- Egypt: Central to the same new regional alignment; remittances from Egyptian workers abroad hit record highs.
- Iraq: PM Ali al-Zaidi met President Trump at the White House amid regional instability discussions.
Europe
- France: Held its Bastille Day parade with Ukrainian troops marching for the first time, showcasing European support for Kyiv; Macron granted Ukraine licenses to produce SCALP missiles.
- Ukraine: Russia launched a ballistic missile attack on Kyiv killing at least 19 people; Ukraine struck over 100 Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov and hit a major Russian oil refinery.
- Russia: Summoned Germany’s ambassador over Berlin’s military support to Ukraine; over 90% of Russian regions reportedly face fuel shortages/rationing.
- Germany: Summoned Russia’s ambassador over alleged cyberattacks; delivered new artillery ammunition to Ukraine.
- United Kingdom: British troops marched in France’s Bastille Day parade for the first time in ~20 years, signaling deepened defense cooperation.
- Poland: Set to host “coalition of the willing” military exercises with France and the UK to bolster NATO’s eastern flank.
- Belgium: Several people reported dead after a fire in a lift shaft of a Brussels building.
- Spain: Beat France to reach the World Cup final.
- Hungary: Facing questions over whether it risks missing return to the Erasmus+ program despite EU promises.
Asia-Pacific
- China: Detained a US seismologist who studied North Korean nuclear tests; continues pressuring the Philippines and Taiwan in the South China Sea.
- Taiwan: Raised concerns over China’s new “ethnic unity” law and its potential political impact; expanding missile production amid tightening US weapons supplies.
- Japan: Continuing trilateral coordination with South Korea and the US on North Korea denuclearization and cyber threats.
- South Korea: Supreme Court upheld a 7-year prison term for ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol; deepening defense/AI cooperation with Japan.
- North Korea: Condemned Seoul-Tokyo military cooperation; North Korean hackers stole roughly $643 million in crypto in the first half of 2026.
- India: Summoned Iran’s deputy chief of mission over a Strait of Hormuz missile strike that killed an Indian seafarer; stock market saw a sharp selloff.
- Thailand: Death toll in the Bangkok bar fire rose past 27, with investigators probing locked exit doors; PM plans a China trip to boost tech investment.
- Philippines: VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial continued; the country marked the 10th anniversary of its South China Sea arbitral win.
- Vietnam: Repatriated remains of Vietnamese soldiers who died in Cambodia; dealing with heavy rain damage to homes and crops.
- Malaysia: PM Anwar Ibrahim’s political standing tested by a closely watched Johor state election.
- Indonesia: Hosting the ASEAN-ID Blue forum on the “blue economy” this week.
Americas
- United States: Trump escalated the Iran conflict and dropped a proposed 20% Strait of Hormuz fee after Gulf states offered US investment deals; Senate Democrats blocked the defense policy bill over Iran war concerns.
- Canada: Still processing the aftermath of a deadly shooting at a Latin culture festival in Toronto that killed at least two people.
- Mexico: President Sheinbaum pursuing legal action over migrant deaths in the US, while trying not to damage bilateral relations.
- Brazil: Supreme Court justice banned Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro from visiting his imprisoned father for 90 days.
- Venezuela: President Delcy Rodríguez replaced her foreign minister amid the aftermath of deadly June earthquakes.
- Chile: Senate finance committee advanced President Kast’s flagship economic reform bill.
- Colombia: A new mandatory national holiday law took effect; the country continues recovering from deadly building collapses.
- Argentina: Advanced to the World Cup semifinals, driving a wave of national attention ahead of Wednesday’s match.
Africa
- Sudan: EU banned Sudan gold imports to cut war financing; a court sentenced RSF leader “Hemedti” to death in absentia for war crimes.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo: US restricted direct flights for citizens there over the spreading Ebola outbreak; a second American infected was evacuated to Germany.
- Botswana: High Court hearing a landmark case that could make it the second African nation to recognize same-sex marriage.
- Nigeria: Security forces rescued 39 abducted schoolchildren and five teachers in Oyo state.
- South Africa: A prominent Zulu figure was removed as Zulu prime minister amid a trust dispute; tensions continue over migrant repatriation center conditions.
- Kenya: Government extended an 8% VAT on fuel for three more months amid Middle East volatility.
- Uganda: Denied a false rumor that its military chief had overthrown President Museveni.
- Liberia: The US denied visas to most of Liberia’s national football team delegation.
