Australia-Fiji Defense Treaty: What It Requires and What Comes Next
Australia and Fiji signed a Pacific mutual-defense treaty on July 6, but it still needs ratification and does not mandate an automatic military response.
World
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FIFA’s World Cup Commercial Model Faces Scrutiny After Proposal Fails
FIFA withdrew its proposed private-investor vehicle after opposition from football confederations, leaving development funding and governance questions unresolved.
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Bangladesh President Resigns, Speaker Takes Interim Duties
Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned July 24, and a July 25 gazette placed presidential duties temporarily with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad.
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Taiwan Begins Han Kuang 42 Drills With Civilian Readiness Tests
Taiwan’s Han Kuang 42 drills run through August 14 and test military readiness, arms-production relocation, sea routes, communications and civilian response.
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West Bank settler attacks exceed 2025 fatality total, UN says
A U.N. humanitarian report says 18 Palestinians were killed in settler-attack-linked incidents in the West Bank by July 20, above 2025’s full-year total.
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A possible Hormuz reopening could reshape who directs ship traffic
Iran and Oman are discussing a possible Hormuz reopening, but route coordination, proposed service fees and permanent control remain separate and unsettled questions.
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Boris Nadezhdin leaves Russia after barred Duma bid
Boris Nadezhdin says he left Russia for Paris after a foreign-agent listing and court fine blocked his State Duma bid before September’s vote.
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UK watchdog seeks views on Sky’s proposed ITV acquisition
The CMA is collecting market views by August 6 on Sky’s proposed £1.6 billion purchase of ITV’s media assets; a formal phase 1 probe has not begun.
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EU Sanctions Target Russian Energy and Financial Networks in 21st Package
The EU adopted new Russia sanctions on July 23, expanding restrictions on banks, crypto, oil shipping and military supply chains while some measures remain delayed.
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Global trade is rising, but higher prices mask uneven gains
UNCTAD says global trade value rose sharply in early 2026, but higher energy, shipping and commodity prices explain part of the increase.
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Honduras lets former President Hernández face corruption case outside jail
A Honduran judge denied prosecutors’ request to detain former President Juan Orlando Hernández, imposing a travel ban and weekly court reporting instead.
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How Middle East Oil Disruption Can Raise Household Costs
Fuel markets are reacting first to renewed Middle East disruption, while freight, groceries, school goods and travel could face slower, uneven cost increases.
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Europe’s hot, dry summer deepens fires, drought and water stress
Fires and evacuations in Greece and France are unfolding alongside record heat, low river flows, falling reservoirs and drought measures in parts of Europe.
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Tuensang Road, Drain Tender Reaches Key ADB Project Deadline
A Nagaland tender for Tuensang road and roadside-drain work closes August 5, while the wider $162 million ADB-backed program remains proposed.
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WFP Suspends Afghanistan Food Aid in Peak Malnutrition Season
WFP says funding shortages will suspend famine-prevention food distributions in Afghanistan from August through October, as child-malnutrition needs peak.
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Lebanon’s Damaged Schools Put 100,000 Children at Risk Before September
A June nationwide assessment found 340 damaged Lebanese schools, including 17 destroyed, putting at least 100,000 children at risk of losing classroom access.
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Edinburgh’s 5% visitor levy begins, adding cost to overnight stays
Edinburgh’s 5% visitor levy now applies to eligible overnight stays, capped at five nights, as the city prepares for its August festival season.
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BOJ minutes show why inflation, yen and energy costs complicate rates
Bank of Japan minutes show a tightening bias, but energy costs, yen weakness and Middle East risks leave the timing of the next rate move uncertain.
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Azerbaijan sentences nine Toplum TV-linked journalists and activists
A Baku court sentenced nine people linked to Toplum TV to prison, including 15-year terms, as defense lawyers said they would appeal and press groups condemned the ruling.
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Zambia election puts copper, living costs and debt policy in focus
Zambia votes Aug. 13 as voters weigh jobs, prices and electricity while investors watch copper policy, debt discipline and ties with global partners.
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ASEAN-UK Plan Sets Five-Year Maritime and Security Framework
ASEAN and Britain adopted a 2027-2031 plan covering maritime safety, cables, crime, supply chains, energy and ASEAN-led regional forums.
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FIFA’s World Cup finance fight shifts from private equity to accountability
FIFA withdrew its proposed World Cup investment structure, but UEFA’s legal warning keeps questions about control, transparency and oversight alive.