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According to the Henley Passport Index, South African passport holders can travel to 101 destinations without a prior visa. The ranking places the country 50th or 96th globally, depending on the report, with regional highlights across Africa, Asia, the Americas, and the Caribbean.
Iraq's public employees face delayed July salaries as the country's oil exports plummet due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. With oil accounting for 90% of government revenue, Baghdad struggles to fund its $6.5 billion monthly wage bill, while officials warn of continued payment disruptions.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong told the Garma Festival that historic First Nations connections to the Pacific offer Australia a strategic advantage, as the Prime Minister's absence and calls for a truth-telling process marked the gathering.
A drone strike on Egypt's Damietta port caused fires on two vessels, marking the first attack of its kind on Egyptian territory as regional conflict intensifies. While no one was injured, the incident has raised concerns about maritime security and potential implications for the Suez Canal. Investigations are ongoing, with suspicions of Houthi involvement, but no group has claimed responsibility.
Shipping traffic through key Middle East chokepoints has fallen sharply following Houthi attacks on Saudi oil installations, with vessel transits at multi-month lows. Data from Kpler shows a significant decline in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, as regional conflict disrupts trade.
The European Union has agreed on its 21st sanctions package against Russia, targeting energy, financial services, crypto, and trade. The oil price cap is frozen at $44 for 12 months, Greece gets an LNG exemption, and new measures include bank bans and a mechanism to confiscate seized Russian oil.
Russian attacks on the Ukrainian port city of Odesa have killed at least three people, according to local officials, as Ukraine's drone forces strike Russian vessels in the Black Sea. The escalation comes amid a broader conflict over shipping routes crucial for grain exports, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visiting Kyiv to discuss defense integration.
The United States has launched a second barrage of air attacks on Iran, killing at least 14 people over two days, as fragile peace talks appear at risk of collapsing. Iran has fired back at US assets in neighbouring Gulf countries, and President Trump has declared the memorandum of understanding with Iran 'over'.
US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire with Iran is over and threatened fresh strikes, as fighting flared around the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command struck over 80 targets, and Iranian state media reported explosions, raising oil prices and straining the interim deal.
China conducted a submarine-launched missile test in the South Pacific, drawing sharp criticism from Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. The test highlights China's growing military capabilities and its challenge to the US-led security order in the region.
Super Typhoon Bavi made landfall on Rota in the Northern Marianas, bringing hurricane-force winds and torrential rains. The National Weather Service warned of catastrophic wind damage and long-lasting power outages, while the region is still recovering from Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
NASA has launched a robotic spacecraft to rescue its aging Swift Observatory, which is falling towards Earth due to increased solar activity. The high-risk mission, carried out by Katalyst Space Technologies' Link spacecraft, aims to boost the telescope back to a safe orbit, potentially paving the way for salvaging other satellites.
NASA has launched a robotic spacecraft built by Katalyst Space Technologies to boost the aging Swift Observatory into a higher orbit, after recent solar storms caused it to sink faster than expected. The mission, which could pave the way for rescuing other satellites, including potentially Hubble, is expected to last several months.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance have both rejected any tolls on the Strait of Hormuz, with Vance emphasizing that international waterways must remain free. The statements come amid a 60-day negotiation period between Washington and Tehran, while South Korea-linked ships remain trapped in the strait.
Despite US President Donald Trump's announcement of the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the removal of the naval blockade, vessel-tracking data shows traffic remains limited. Hundreds of commercial ships have crossed, often with transponders off, while some Iranian tankers may be slipping through. The number of vessels passing fluctuates sharply, with a recent closure announced by Iran leading to a fall in crossings.
Israel has opened a new embassy in Fiji's capital, Suva, 30 years after the previous one was closed, with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar attending the ceremony. The move is part of a broader diplomatic strategy to deepen ties with Pacific nations that have consistently supported Israel, and includes new cooperation agreements on national security and diplomatic training. Israel also announced plans to open a representative office in Papua New Guinea.
The US Treasury has sanctioned eight vessels and over 15 entities linked to Iran's military oil trade, targeting revenue used for its armed forces. Washington also warned Oman against any involvement in tolling the Strait of Hormuz, while President Trump reportedly threatened military action. The move comes amid a tentative ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran.
US and Iranian negotiators have agreed on a framework to extend the ceasefire for 60 days and launch talks on Iran's nuclear program, but the deal still awaits approval from President Donald Trump and Iran's leadership. The proposed agreement includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and easing the naval blockade, amid ongoing skirmishes between the two sides.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a vessel was boarded by unauthorized personnel while anchored northeast of Fujairah, UAE, and is heading toward Iranian territorial waters. The vessel is believed to be the Honduras-flagged Hui Chuan fishery research vessel, and communication with it has been lost.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele announced that Pacific leaders had invoked the Biketawa Declaration in response to looming fuel shortages, citing the Middle East crisis. However, confusion persists over whether the declaration was properly endorsed, as some leaders were reportedly not consulted. Fuel prices have risen, and some Pacific nations have already taken emergency measures.