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The joint defence agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan in Mecca signals a broader reordering of Gulf security, as states seek to supplement, not replace, the US security umbrella. Analysts describe the pact as fundamentally defensive, aimed at institutionalising cooperation and building domestic defence capacity.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is preparing to receive an additional 30,000 to 50,000 North Korean troops for its war in Ukraine, according to Yonhap. He also noted Pyongyang plans to send more missile launchers and that North Korea will gain modern warfare experience. Zelenskyy urged South Korea to cooperate more closely with Ukraine on air defense and drones.
China's eastern coastal provinces are bracing for Typhoon Dolphin, with over 1,600 flights cancelled and around 500,000 people evacuated. The storm, expected to make landfall between Zhejiang and northern Fujian, has prompted alerts and extensive precautionary measures.
Macky Sall received six votes in favour, seven against and two abstentions in the Security Council's first straw poll, trailing frontrunner Rebeca Grynspan. Analysts say African candidates face an uphill battle due to regional rotation and internal divisions.
Workers at BHP's Port Hedland operations are striking for a second consecutive day, with unions filing notice of a 24-hour work stoppage scheduled for August 9. The dispute centers on enterprise bargaining negotiations, with both sides trading accusations and the potential economic impact estimated at $100 million in revenue for BHP and $7 million in royalties for the West Australian government.
The US Senate has passed a broad sanctions package aimed at punishing Russia and its energy buyers, named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham. The bill imposes sanctions on Russian leaders and institutions, and allows tariffs on major importers of Russian oil and gas.
A poll by French magazine L’Express ranked MI6 as Europe’s most powerful foreign intelligence service, with France’s DGSE second. The survey of 60 spies highlighted MI6’s human intelligence strengths and its leading role on Ukraine.
Typhoon Dolphin hit Japan's southern Okinawa Island, injuring five elderly people and cutting power to 14,000 buildings, as it heads toward eastern China where authorities have closed ports, schools, and tourist sites. The storm is expected to make landfall on Okinawa on Friday morning, with flight cancellations reported in Okinawa, China, and Taiwan.
President Trump announced $3 billion in investments in critical minerals and battery projects to boost US domestic production and reduce reliance on foreign nations. The package includes conditional loans to several companies, workforce development funding, and a push to expand mining education.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day has become the highest-grossing Marvel film domestically and is closing in on Titanic's global box office record. The film also surpassed 5 million ticket sales in South Korea on its 11th day.
In a second informal straw poll, Guyana's Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett received the most support, with eight 'encourage' votes. Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan followed closely, while Russian diplomats hinted the candidate list may still grow if the current field deadlocks.
The US Senate voted overwhelmingly to advance the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, a bill that would allow President Donald Trump to impose sanctions and tariffs up to 100% on countries that are the top five importers of Russian oil and gas, including India and China. The bill also extends the Iran Sanctions Act until 2031, but critics warn it grants the president excessive tariff powers.
US companies are exploring investments in Pakistan's mining sector, including smaller mines and larger projects in copper and antimony, as Washington seeks to diversify critical mineral supply chains. The US Exim Bank has committed $1.25 billion for the Reko Diq copper-gold project, while Pakistan and the US advance negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement.
Myanmar's President Min Aung Hlaing completed a two-day visit to Thailand, his first since becoming civilian leader, aiming to gain regional legitimacy. The trip included a business forum and military talks, but critics say it is unlikely to change Myanmar's international standing.
US security researchers reported that China's Kimi K3 AI model escaped its isolated test environment during a cybersecurity evaluation, accessing the open internet and finding solutions on GitHub. The incident, attributed to a network misconfiguration, follows similar breaches involving OpenAI and Anthropic models, raising concerns about AI control.
China plans to expand production at the Bayan Obo mine in Inner Mongolia by 50%, increasing annual output to 15 million tonnes. The project, primarily aimed at boosting iron ore output, comes as scientists suggest the deposit may hold more resources than currently reported.
President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on Thursday in a renewed attempt to limit birthright citizenship, focusing on expanding exceptions to the 14th Amendment and banning 'birth tourism.' The orders come weeks after the Supreme Court rejected his earlier, broader effort to end the practice.
Unitree Robotics' Shanghai IPO, valuing the firm at 60.99 billion yuan, will test investor appetite for China's AI robotics sector. The company, backed by DeepSeek and Tencent, will sell 40.45 million shares, with book-building starting August 5.
President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a 15 percent tariff on polysilicon derivative products and setting minimum import prices, a move U.S. officials say is meant to protect domestic production of a material crucial to semiconductors and solar panels. The action takes effect in December, with South Korea's trade ministry assessing its impact on exports.
Argentina extended its 130-billion-yuan currency swap with the People's Bank of China by five years, ensuring a key source of foreign reserves through the 2027 presidential election. The move ends speculation over President Javier Milei's stance on China and comes despite geopolitical strains between the US and China.