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Pakistan and Iran have agreed to expand bilateral trade by keeping border crossings open 24/7, improving logistics, and harmonizing customs procedures. The move aims to reach a $10 billion trade target and comes amid regional economic strains from the US-Iran conflict.
Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive former health official, has won Michigan's Democratic Senate primary, defeating establishment-backed Representative Haley Stevens. The narrow victory signals a shift in the party's direction and sets up a general election battle against Republican Mike Rogers.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said Western supplies of interceptor missiles have dropped threefold compared with 2025, blaming delayed deliveries for damage in Kyiv after a Russian overnight strike. TASS reports, citing Zelensky's Telegram posts, that air defenses failed to intercept Russian Tsirkon and Iskander missiles, while The New York Times, as relayed by TASS, notes Western hesitancy due to global conflicts and production gaps.
US President Donald Trump has declined Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s request for hundreds of Patriot interceptor missiles, citing shortages linked to the military operation against Iran and the need to protect US assets and allies in the Middle East. The request, made during a meeting last week, was tied to concerns about Ukraine’s energy collapse in winter.
The Hong Kong Shipowners Association estimates that 70 to 80 of its member ships with around 1,400 to 1,600 seafarers remain stranded in or near the Strait of Hormuz due to the US-Israel conflict with Iran. Crews have sufficient supplies and access to video counselling, though their mental and physical well-being is a concern. No Hongkongers are reported among the crew, who are mostly mainland Chinese, Filipinos, Indians, and Eastern Europeans.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun outlined plans to enhance South Korea's defense and nuclear capabilities, including securing conditions for nuclear-powered submarines and uranium enrichment, in a policy briefing to President Lee Jae Myung. He also emphasized strengthening the U.S. alliance and diplomatic outreach to G7, NATO, and ASEAN.
Cathay Pacific reported a 71% year-on-year rise in net profit to HK$6.24 billion for the first half of 2026, driven by stronger demand and aided by a one-off gain from Air China dilution. Revenue jumped 25.3% to HK$68.06 billion, while the airline warned of elevated fuel prices amid Middle East tensions.
Rep. Wesley Bell won Missouri's Democratic primary, defeating former Rep. Cori Bush for the second time. Pro-Israel groups, including AIPAC's super PAC, spent millions to support Bell, who campaigned on a moderate platform and supported the US-Israel alliance. The race highlights divisions within the Democratic Party over Israel and progressive politics.
South Korean stocks opened sharply higher Wednesday, surging over 3.7 percent as easing concerns about artificial intelligence profitability and hopes for a US-Iran agreement over the Strait of Hormuz lifted investor sentiment. The KOSPI rallied after a volatile week of trading, with the Korea Exchange activating a buy-side sidecar.
Qatar has confirmed that Washington and Tehran are exchanging draft peace agreements through Qatari, Omani, and Pakistani mediators. The Emir of Qatar and US President Donald Trump discussed efforts to ease US-Iran tensions in a phone call, with Trump stating he canceled a planned strike on Iran to facilitate a deal.
Qatar says mediators are making progress toward a diplomatic resolution between the US and Iran, though no agreement has been reached and no direct talks are planned. Tehran denies US claims of ongoing negotiations, while Washington officials express optimism about reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
US senators voted along party lines to advance Todd Blanche's nomination as attorney general after he scrapped a controversial $1.8 billion fund. The fund, created through a settlement of Trump's IRS lawsuit, had caused Republican holdouts to delay the vote.
Iran and Oman are jointly developing a new central corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state media. Iranian officials say an agreement with Oman is necessary but not sufficient to reopen the waterway, and dispute US President Trump's claims of direct US-Iran negotiations.
Multiple sources report that the US Army has consumed nearly all of its highly accurate long-range missiles, including ATACMS and PrSM, during the five-month war with Iran. This depletion could affect US readiness in other regions, with concerns about deterrence against Russia and China.
Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey issued a joint statement condemning Israeli strikes in Gaza, calling them a 'flagrant violation' of international law. Gaza authorities report over 4,000 ceasefire violations and more than 1,200 Palestinian deaths since the truce began.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. and Iran could reach a deal this week to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing 'freedom of movement' in the waterway. Hundreds of ships remain stranded due to the Middle East war, and oil prices could fall if they are released. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted progress in talks but no finality yet.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened Iran with military action, only to walk back at the last moment, a pattern that has left Iranians exhausted and markets volatile. A June ceasefire and memorandum of understanding raised hopes, but the conflict resumed in July. Trump continues to say a deal is near, while Tehran denies direct talks.
TASS's reviews of Russian newspaper coverage report that Washington and Tehran are seeking to restart direct negotiations after President Donald Trump called off a planned attack, even as experts quoted in the Russian press warn the underlying conflict could persist for years. The digests also cover Ukraine's intensified strikes on civilian infrastructure after an army reshuffle, a suggestion that Syria could serve as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, an OPEC+ decision to raise production quotas, and Russian charges against Telegram founder Pavel Durov.
The Pentagon has introduced a new webpage to count US casualties in the Iran war separately since July 7, raising the official tally to 704—an 83% increase. Critics, including former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, accuse the department of obscuring the true cost of the conflict, while the Pentagon defends its approach as a reclassification.
EU countries have injected over 32 billion cubic meters of gas into storage since April, but levels remain well below targets amid competition for LNG and summer heat. The European Commission says it will continue seeking a complete ban on Russian energy supplies.