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Iran has stated it will carry out mine clearance in the Strait of Hormuz unilaterally, rejecting cooperation with other nations, after France and Oman announced a joint demining effort. The announcements come amid heightened maritime security concerns, with recent attacks on shipping and a lowered threat level.
Recent TASS reports highlight persistent tensions between the US and Iran despite ongoing negotiations, with the Strait of Hormuz and Lebanon ceasefire remaining key flashpoints. Meanwhile, the EU has postponed new Russia sanctions due to internal divisions, and NATO leaders are set to meet in Ankara amid disagreements over Ukraine, Iran, and the alliance's direction.
Niger has arrested dozens of people under a new penal code criminalising same-sex relations, prompting a climate of fear and forcing HIV service groups to halt operations. The crackdown is part of a broader wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation across West Africa.
Iran has begun public mourning and funeral processions for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes in February. His body lies in state in Tehran's Grand Mosalla, with ceremonies expected to draw up to 20 million mourners, and a fragile ceasefire with the US is in place.
US President Donald Trump reported more than $1.4 billion in income for 2025, much of it from cryptocurrency ventures including meme coins and World Liberty Financial. The White House denied conflicts of interest, while historians and ethics experts called the earnings unprecedented.
Qatar's prime minister met US envoys in Doha as Iran reiterated conditions for talks, including an end to hostilities in Lebanon and sanctions relief. Meanwhile, Israel's prime minister visited troops in southern Lebanon, vowing to remain as long as Hezbollah poses a threat.
South Korean stocks gave up early gains on Wednesday morning as investors offloaded semiconductor and large-cap tech shares, with the KOSPI falling 3.21 percent. The decline followed a downgrade of emerging-market equities by BlackRock, while U.S. stocks closed higher overnight on a continued chip rally.
South Korea's Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back has reiterated the need to consolidate the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies into a single institution, citing the need to break down service silos and address demographic challenges. Alumni associations and retired brass have called on the government to halt the plan, arguing it is being pushed without sufficient review and risks undermining military expertise.
India is reportedly in early-stage talks with the UAE to sell defence systems including the BrahMos supersonic missile and Akashteer air defence system. The potential deal is seen as a step in India's push to become a serious arms exporter, though it would require Russia's approval for the BrahMos sale.
Qatar's Foreign Ministry says US-Iran negotiations are ongoing despite no high-level talks, with technical meetings continuing. A ceasefire and memorandum of understanding are in effect, but officials stress that guarantees depend on the situation on the ground.
US Vice President JD Vance has stated that no tolls will be charged for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, countering a proposal reportedly submitted by Oman. Vance also expressed confidence in a US-Iran mechanism to keep the waterway open, noting that around 15 million barrels of oil have already been transported.
Keir Starmer's final defence investment plan, announced before he steps down, commits £298bn over four years but leaves his successor Andy Burnham to find an extra £4.7bn. The plan, funded by cuts to transport and energy projects, has drawn criticism from MPs and opposition parties.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unveiled a £15bn defence investment plan aimed at modernising Britain’s armed forces, but analysts warn of job losses from cuts elsewhere and question whether spending will meet Nato targets by 2030.
Washington and Tehran are sending delegations to Doha for indirect technical talks mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, focusing on the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's nuclear program, and the release of $6 billion in frozen funds. However, Iranian officials insist no direct meetings with the US are planned, contradicting President Trump's claim that talks would take place.
Regional instability from the Gulf conflict is dampening Pakistan's market sentiment, with foreign direct investment down 28% and bond outflows exceeding $2bn, even as remittances hit record highs and over 300,000 Pakistanis found Gulf employment in early 2026.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries pressed for a full unclassified briefing on the US-Iran conflict, calling the war 'reckless and costly.' Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff briefed Congress on peace talks, with assurances on Iran's uranium stockpile.
South Korea plans to downgrade its resource security crisis warning for crude oil to Level 2 and fully lift the natural gas alert, citing stabilized global oil prices amid US-Iran peace talks. The government will also end the vehicle rotation system.
The South Korean won weakened to a fresh 17-year low against the U.S. dollar on June 30, as foreign investors continued selling local stocks. Despite the currency's slide, the KOSPI rose, and analysts noted pressure from a strong dollar and a weak yen. Later in July, the won showed signs of recovery as foreign buying resumed.
Yonhap reported South Korean stocks opened higher Tuesday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street as easing Middle East tensions boosted investor sentiment. The KOSPI was up 0.68% at the open, before paring gains to 0.11% by 11:20, with major stocks showing mixed moves and battery shares falling.
South Korea's industrial output fell 0.3 percent in May, driven by a 10 percent decline in semiconductor production, which officials attribute to base effects and volume adjustments. Retail sales edged up 0.1 percent, while facility investment dipped slightly.