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At least two US military tanker aircraft were seen over the Persian Gulf during a reported IRGC operation near the Strait of Hormuz, according to TASS. The aircraft, identified as Boeing KC-135R Stratotankers, were flying over international waters as regional tensions persist.
President Donald Trump signed two executive orders aimed at restricting birthright citizenship and banning 'birth tourism.' The move comes weeks after the Supreme Court rejected an earlier attempt, and estimates of the practice's scale vary widely.
Israeli air strikes and shelling in southern Lebanon's Tyre district wounded at least eight people, according to Lebanese authorities, as a seventh round of US-brokered ceasefire talks concluded. The Israeli military accused Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire, while a booby-trapped explosion killed two Israeli soldiers.
Bangladesh's parliament elected BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as the country's 23rd president in a 255-88 vote on August 20, 2026, marking the first contested presidential election in 35 years. Alamgir was sworn in on August 21, succeeding Mohammed Shahabuddin, who resigned in July citing health reasons.
Iran and Oman are reportedly nearing an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz that would place inbound shipping under Iranian control, with outbound traffic routed through Omani waters. The deal, which has drawn scrutiny over its feasibility, would mark a significant shift in regional power dynamics following months of conflict.
Russian stock indices ended the trading session lower, with the MOEX Index sliding 0.69% to 2,285.88 points and the RTS Index shedding 1.27% to 884.56 points. The decline was attributed to profit-taking amid reports of expanded UK sanctions, while analysts noted the ongoing battle for the 2,300-point threshold.
Iran and Oman are discussing transit fees for vessels using the Strait of Hormuz, with reports indicating proposed rates of 3–7% of cargo value. An Iranian Foreign Ministry source dismissed claims of a 7% versus 3% disagreement as false, saying fees would vary based on services provided. The United States and other Persian Gulf states oppose mandatory payments to Iran.
The Russian Gymnastics Federation has announced that Russian athletes will compete as a full national team at the 2026 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Frankfurt, Germany, under the country's flag. The decision follows the lifting of restrictions by World Gymnastics and the ratification of participation with national symbols by the European Gymnastics Union.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the establishment of a diamond cutting cluster in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and the Smolensk Region, according to a decree published on the official portal of legal acts. The decree, effective March 1, 2027, designates Almazyuvelirexport as the operator. Putin also noted Alrosa's dominant share of global diamond reserves and production.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree removing Sheremetyevo International Airport from the list of strategic enterprises, while imposing conditions that preserve its core business and ban share transfers to foreign entities. The government will employ a 'golden share' mechanism in the airport's management.
European underground gas storage levels have dropped to their lowest in five years, with net injection rates hitting a three-year low in early August. Data from Gas Infrastructure Europe, cited by TASS, show storage facilities are only about 57% full, significantly below last year's levels and the European Commission's 90% target for the start of winter.
Hainan's international tourism and aviation sectors showed strong growth in the first half of the year, with foreign arrivals up about a third and new air routes expanding the island's global connectivity. Authorities plan to exceed 100 international routes by year-end, while maritime transport also gains momentum.
Russia's international reserves stood at $720.3 billion as of July 31, 2026, a weekly decline of $11.8 billion attributed largely to negative revaluation. A separate report shows reserves at $720.348 billion as of August 1, with foreign currency rising and gold value falling.
A Russian Foreign Ministry official accused Western countries of encouraging and becoming complicit in Ukrainian drone attacks on civilians, while also addressing stalled diplomatic contacts, Armenia relations, China, and readiness for US-brokered negotiations.
At the 8th Kyrgyz-Russian Economic Forum, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk reported a 25.5% increase in mutual trade turnover for the first five months of 2026, reaching $2.3 billion, and highlighted Russia's role in Kyrgyzstan's energy sector. President Vladimir Putin also noted a 26% rise in bilateral trade in 2025, surpassing $5 billion, and the financing of around 4,000 joint projects by the Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund.
Reports from Yemen indicate that Houthi attacks on military camps in Marib and Hadramout have killed at least 30 government troops, with some sources putting the toll at 45. The attacks targeted two camps, and the death toll may rise.
Ukrainian anti-corruption bodies have authorized searches linked to former ambassador Olga Stefanishina, who was dismissed in early August. Authorities suspect illegal enrichment exceeding $300,000 and have ordered bail of about $134,000, which she says she lacks.
Russia’s Eastern Economic Forum, scheduled for September 1-4 in Vladivostok, is set to feature 380 agreements worth 6.5 trillion rubles, according to Deputy Prime Minister Yury Trutnev. The event’s business program will include over 70 sessions across five thematic blocks, focusing on regional development, investment, and international cooperation.
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is approaching 4,000 confirmed cases, with the WHO warning that it is spreading faster than containment efforts. Government figures cited by France 24 and RFI show 3,973 cases and 1,801 deaths, while an earlier health ministry count reported by Africa News put the numbers at 3,874 and 1,751. In Kinshasa, residents are taking precautions as authorities screen arrivals and respond to a suspected case aboard an intercepted river boat.
At the 8th Kyrgyz-Russian Economic Forum in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyz officials highlighted Russia as a key market for domestic products and reaffirmed the priority of alliance relations with Moscow. The forum also saw an agreement to establish a unified mobile operator and drew more than 1,000 participants.