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Russian President Vladimir Putin is on a state visit to Kazakhstan, where he and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev have held talks in both narrow and expanded formats. The leaders are expected to sign a declaration on seven pillars of friendship and good-neighborliness, while discussing military cooperation and multilateral partnerships.
President Donald Trump threatened to use military force against Oman if it collaborates with Iran to control the Strait of Hormuz. The threat, made during a cabinet meeting, followed reports of talks between Oman and Iran over joint management of the strategic waterway. The US Treasury separately warned of sanctions against Oman if it facilitates tolls in the strait.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev began high-level talks in Astana, focusing on strategic partnership, economic cooperation, and regional projects. The state visit marks the second time Putin has made such a trip during his current term, and both leaders emphasized the strength of bilateral ties.
North Korea has denounced the Quad's joint statement reaffirming commitment to its complete denuclearization, vowing never to abandon its nuclear arsenal. The statement followed the Quad foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi, which also addressed North Korea's recent missile launches and maritime security initiatives.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac met with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan in Seoul, asking for Singapore's support in creating conditions for dialogue with North Korea. Balakrishnan's visit followed stops in China and North Korea, where he met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui. Officials expressed hope for gradual engagement despite current frosty inter-Korean relations.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that conflict in eastern DR Congo is complicating efforts to contain an Ebola outbreak, calling for an immediate ceasefire. The WHO has recorded 10 confirmed and 220 suspected Ebola deaths in the Ituri province, with the virus likely spreading wider.
Uganda has closed its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo in response to a surge in cases of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. At least seven cases have been reported in Uganda, while suspected cases in eastern Congo near 1,000. The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak a public health emergency but advises against border closures.
The Board of Peace, established by US President Donald Trump to oversee Gaza's reconstruction, has received no funds in its official World Bank-administered fund despite $17 billion in pledges. The shortfall underscores concerns about the board's structure and the lack of a viable political horizon, while Israel's military operations and humanitarian restrictions continue.
Russia's State Duma has adopted a draft appeal to the United Nations and global parliaments condemning a Ukrainian drone attack on a college in Starobelsk, which it says killed 21 people and injured dozens of students. The appeal calls on the international community to halt assistance to Ukraine, while Kyiv has not commented on the incident.
Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has announced a sweeping cabinet reshuffle that removes several veteran ministers while elevating younger technocrats, signaling both continuity and a calculated political strategy. Key changes include new leadership at Finance, Foreign Affairs, and Defence, with analysts debating whether this represents genuine renewal or the perpetuation of entrenched power.
At the World Urban Forum in Baku, African leaders underscored the destructive impact of climate change and rapid urbanization, while calling for more funding and innovative financing. Angola's minister defended accelerating UN-Habitat's urban agenda to make Africa an engine of sustainable development.
Dong Guangping, a Chinese dissident and former police officer, was detained by South Korean authorities after fleeing China in a rubber boat, spending 30 hours at sea. He has a history of attempted escapes and imprisonment for his activism, and his lawyer says the case is likely to be a political asylum request.
Syria has established a 'Breath of Freedom' Task Force to eliminate remnants of the Assad-era chemical weapons program, following the discovery of dozens of undeclared weapons and the arrest of 18 suspects, including a former general accused of involvement in a 2013 chemical attack.
Gaza health officials report at least seven Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes, including five in a refugee camp. A separate attack on a wedding in Gaza City killed six, with many injured. The incidents highlight ongoing violence despite a ceasefire.
Unionized workers at Samsung Electronics voted to approve a wage agreement, with 73.7% of the two largest unions' 62,616 members backing the deal. The agreement includes a special semiconductor performance bonus of 10.5% of business performance earnings, paid in company stock over at least 10 years. A minority union is continuing a legal challenge against the deal.
Israeli air strikes on Gaza City have killed at least 14 people and wounded dozens, according to local medics and witnesses. The strikes targeted residential buildings, including one in a busy market area, with Israel saying it hit Hamas commanders. The attacks come despite a ceasefire that has been in place since October.
North Korea announced Wednesday that it tested a newly developed lightweight multi-purpose missile launching system and tactical cruise missiles, with leader Kim Jong Un overseeing the exercise. State media said the tests evaluated a special mission warhead for tactical ballistic missiles and demonstrated progress in modernizing the country's artillery and missile forces.
Russian officials have condemned the West's reaction to the Ukrainian strike on a college in Starobelsk, accusing Western media of bias and questioning CNN's reporting. They also addressed nuclear deterrence, Armenia's geopolitical choices, and potential retaliatory strikes.
Despite official announcements that Iran's 88-day internet blackout would end, monitors report no immediate change. The shutdown, imposed during protests in January, has caused severe economic damage and has been criticized by digital rights groups. The slow restoration has raised questions about whether the government is fulfilling its promise.
During PM Shehbaz Sharif's visit to Beijing, China and Pakistan issued a joint statement reaffirming their strategic partnership, focusing on CPEC expansion, Gwadar port development, and regional stability. The visit also addressed climate resilience in CPEC 2.0 and reaffirmed Pakistan's one-China stance.