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Egypt's hesitation to join the Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan Mecca Pact is layered, with analysts pointing to India ties, Saudi opposition, and Cairo's non-aligned instincts. Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar has publicly questioned the pact's effectiveness.
Signatory States of the Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment have agreed to set up a Combined DCoC Task Force to coordinate maritime operations against piracy in the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden. The decision, endorsed at an extraordinary Steering Committee meeting in July and by National Focal Points in August, aims to complement existing international efforts while addressing the continued captivity of seafarers.
The UAE has issued a regulation allowing its Identity and Citizenship Authority to arrest foreign travellers whose passports show signs of tampering. The rule, grounded in Article 5 of the country's forgery legislation, applies to all nationalities and allows detention based on verified suspicion alone.
As the US prepares new economic measures against Iran, its leaders face mounting internal pressures from inflation, unemployment, and disrupted trade. Amid warnings from officials and public figures, the regime balances hardened rhetoric with cautious calls for an end to the war.
Talks between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US envoy Jared Kushner on the Gaza ceasefire deal ended without progress, with Netanyahu insisting on Hamas's disarmament first. Hamas, meanwhile, demands an Israeli withdrawal from the 60% of Gaza it occupies.
The UAE has introduced a residency permit for foreign women who have borne children with their Emirati husbands, even after divorce or the husband's death, under Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022. The same resolution also outlines two grounds for administrative deportation of foreign residents, including lacking apparent means of survival.
A Financial Times report citing sources close to Tehran says Iran has assessed striking US military assets in southeastern Europe, including bases in Bulgaria and Cyprus, if President Trump escalates the conflict. NATO says it is prepared to defend allies, while Bulgaria and Cyprus have taken precautionary measures and Cypriot officials deny the threat.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely restricted, with Iranian oil exports largely blocked by a US naval blockade while rivals use covert methods to keep crude flowing. Experts describe a stalemate where both sides face limits, but Iran's political resilience and military capabilities may allow it to outlast American pressure.
The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and six other nations have condemned Israel's rejection of President Trump's Gaza plan, urging compliance. The joint statement comes amid ongoing strikes, ceasefire violations, and a widening diplomatic rift.
President Donald Trump has vowed an intensified economic campaign against Iran, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signaling unprecedented measures as soon as next week. Options include secondary sanctions on Chinese refiners and banks, while Iran’s key oil trade with China and ties to neighboring countries complicate enforcement. Officials and analysts outline the scale of existing sanctions and the constraints on further pressure.
The UAE dispatched five humanitarian convoys carrying 683 tonnes of aid to Gaza this week, while a separate shipment of school supplies for over 25,000 children left Sharjah. The aid is part of the country's ongoing Operation Gallant Knight 3, which has provided more than $3.89 billion in assistance since its launch in 2023.
Egypt has renewed its opposition to Ethiopian plans for additional dams on the Blue Nile, with officials warning they will not allow construction that threatens downstream water security. The dispute, rooted in the uncompleted GERD agreement, now unfolds amid broader regional competition involving Red Sea interests and Middle Eastern powers.
Dhaka recorded 'moderate' air quality on Sunday and Monday, with different reports placing the city 18th or 27th globally. The AQI scores ranged from 68 to 87, and the top of the pollution list varied by report.
Washington has announced an unprecedented push to isolate Iran's economy, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pledging to sever every economic lifeline of the 'tyrannical regime.' Iran has vowed to shut down Gulf oil exports if the pressure continues, as diplomatic efforts and a crisis in the Strait of Hormuz deepen.
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum said Colombia refused entry to a Mexican military rescue team, while Colombia denied excluding any country and cited certification requirements. The dispute unfolded as international aid flowed into Colombia following a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that killed at least 273 people.
The White House released a report accusing dozens of countries of enabling China's shadow transshipment network and announced an AI-powered border detection system to combat tariff evasion. Estimates suggest up to $75 billion in goods were illegally transshipped, with significant tariff revenue losses. Skeptics question whether the new enforcement tool will address underlying trade imbalances.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Saturday that Tehran received 'numerous messages' from neighboring countries seeking new regional security arrangements, though he did not name any nations. The remarks come as Washington prepares to announce what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has called the 'toughest sanctions in history' against Iran.
President Trump asserts the US has 'total control' of the Strait of Hormuz, pledging to keep it, while Iran is described as 'shot' with 'no money.' Yet independent tracking data and official counts suggest traffic remains far below pre-war levels, and analysts dispute the administration's figures.
According to OPEC data cited by TASS, Russia was the largest oil supplier to India in June, with exports rising to 2.2 million barrels per day. India's total oil imports fell in June, while China's imports also declined, with Russia retaining its top position in both markets.
With the Strait of Hormuz disrupted by the US-Iran war and Iranian closure threats, Gulf states are scrambling for alternative routes. Saudi Arabia has redirected shipments via its East-West Pipeline, while experts warn that new pipelines cannot solve immediate problems and some countries remain fully dependent on Hormuz.