**Summary:** A multi-storey residential building previously damaged by Israeli airstrikes collapsed in Gaza City, killing at least 20 people and leaving dozens trapped.

**Key points:**
- The collapse occurred overnight, leaving approximately 60 people missing and 14 injured.
- The six-storey building was home to about 100 displaced people seeking shelter.
- Rescue operations were severely hampered by a lack of heavy machinery and proper equipment in the territory.
- Civil defence officials warn that hundreds of other war-damaged structures across Gaza remain at high risk of collapse.

**Why it matters:** The tragedy highlights the immense dangers faced by displaced families sheltering in war-damaged infrastructure amid ongoing restrictions on rescue equipment and heavy machinery in Gaza.

Cyprus Mail - War-damaged Gaza building collapses, killing 20 people sheltering inside

Al Jazeera - At least 20 killed as multi-storey building collapses in Gaza City

El Comercio - Gaza: al menos 20 muertos y 60 desaparecidos en el derrumbe de un edificio bombardeado

War-Damaged Building Collapse in Gaza City Kills 20

**Summary:** The Kosovo war crimes tribunal in The Hague has sentenced former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci to 25 years in prison for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the 1990s conflict.

**Key points:**
- Thaci, 58, was convicted on four counts including murder, torture, illegal detention, and cruel treatment as top commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army.
- The tribunal found him guilty of the murder of 96 political opponents and perceived collaborators, alongside the illegal detention of 385 people.
- Thaci denied all charges throughout the trial, which drew large crowds of supporters outside the tribunal in The Hague and in Pristina.

**Why it matters:** The ruling marks a monumental milestone for the Kosovo war crimes tribunal, addressing accountability for the violent 1990s dissolution of the former Yugoslavia while deepening political tensions in the region.

Cyprus Mail - Former Kosovo president Thaci sentenced to 25 years in prison for war crimes

Al Jazeera - Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci convicted of war crimes

La Libre - L'ex-président du Kosovo Hashim Thaçi condamné à 25 ans de prison pour crimes de guerre

Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci Sentenced to 25 Years for War Crimes

**Summary:** South Korea and five Central Asian nations adopted the Seoul Declaration following their first summit in Seoul, agreeing to institutionalize regular meetings and expand economic and regional cooperation.

**Key points:**
- Leaders agreed to hold future summits regularly once every two years, with Kazakhstan offering to host the second summit in Astana in 2028.
- The summit established a consultative mechanism for industry ministers in the C5+1 format and an MoU on supply chain cooperation.
- Participating states emphasized cooperation in critical minerals, energy, infrastructure, urban development, and digital transformation.
- Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and other regional leaders held bilateral talks to reinforce mutual ties.

**Why it matters:** This summit elevates diplomatic and economic relations between South Korea and Central Asian states to the leadership level, creating formal cooperation frameworks in critical minerals, energy, and supply chains.

AKIpress - Korea and Central Asian leaders adopt Seoul Declaration

Trend - South Korea, Central Asia launch joint industrial co-op mechanism

Trend - South Korea and Central Asia agree on urban development cooperation

Trend - Central Asian states and South Korea sign Seoul Declaration

Trend - Turkmenistan reaffirms commitment to stronger ties with South Korea

Korea and Central Asian Leaders Adopt Seoul Declaration

**Summary:** European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed opening the door for Canada to become the European Union's first associate member to deepen bilateral ties.

**Key points:**
- The proposal was announced during the State of the European Union address in Strasbourg, France, in the presence of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
- The new partnership aims to build upon the existing CETA free trade agreement through a broader Alliance for the Future.
- The enhanced cooperation is intended to cover advanced manufacturing, technology, defense production, artificial intelligence, and the Arctic.

**Why it matters:** This unprecedented proposal signals a major strategic alignment between Europe and Canada as Ottawa seeks closer economic and security partnerships.

International: Top News And Analysis - Canada could become 'first associate member' of EU, bloc's chief says

La Tercera - Von der Leyen propone que Canadá sea miembro asociado de la Unión Europea

Jornal De Negocios - Von der Leyen prope ao Canad estatuto de "membro associado" da UE

The Star Toronto - EU chief Ursula von der Leyen says she wants Canada to become the bloc's 1st associate member

EU Proposes Canada as Its First Associate Member

**Summary:** A US Congressional Budget Office report states that the war launched by the US and Israel against Iran cost Washington approximately $38 billion by August 1.

**Key points:**
- Monthly costs for the conflict are estimated between $2 billion and $3 billion depending on military intensity.
- Iran's parliament board member Ahmad Naderi stated that the country's military is fully prepared for any scenario ranging from limited strikes to total war.
- The conflict has involved renewed naval blockades and maritime tensions affecting regional trade routes.

**Why it matters:** The ongoing military escalation and substantial financial expenditures underscore the severe economic and geopolitical toll of the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran.

Jordan Zad - الكونغرس: الحرب على إيران كلّفت الولايات المتحدة 38 مليار دولار

خبرگزاری باشگاه خبرنگاران | آخرین اخبار ایران و جهان | YJC - پیشروی‌های یمن چه تاثیری بر جنگ ایران دارد؟ + فیلم

خبرگزاری خبرآنلاین - آخرین اخبار ایران و جهان | Khabaronline - پیش بینی عضو هیات رئیسه مجلس از آینده جنگ میان ایران و آمریکا

US Congressional Report Details Rising Costs and Continuing Conflict in Iran

**Summary:** The U.S. Space Force confirmed it has space-control weapons in orbit, prompting China and Russia to warn against the militarization and weaponization of outer space.

**Key points:**
- The U.S. military stated that these orbital systems use kinetic and non-kinetic means to protect joint forces from hostile actions.
- China urged Washington to halt the expansion of military capabilities in space, while Russia called for complete desmilitarization.
- Analysts note the announcement formalized an open secret while raising concerns over an escalating space arms race due to a lack of comprehensive regulation.

**Why it matters:** The official acknowledgment of orbital weapons by the United States marks a critical escalation in major power competition for military space capabilities, intensifying geopolitical tensions and highlighting gaps in international space arms control treaties.

Subrayado HD - Estados Unidos anunció que tiene armas en el espacio y de inmediato respondieron desde China y Rusia

El Comercio - China y Rusia alertan contra la militarización del espacio tras el anuncio de Estados Unidos

US confirms space-based weaponry, drawing condemnation from China and Russia

**Summary:** During a joint press conference in Baku, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov discussed strengthening bilateral trade, South Caucasus stability, and preparations for upcoming summits.

**Key points:**
- Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that ongoing regional conflicts must come to an immediate end and praised progress toward lasting peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
- The ministers discussed coordinating efforts to achieve a $15 billion bilateral trade target and enhancing cooperation in energy and transport via the Middle Corridor.
- Baku and Ankara reviewed preparations for the upcoming summit of the Organization of Turkic States scheduled to be held in Ankara.
- The officials also addressed diplomatic avenues to de-escalate the crisis in the Middle East.

**Why it matters:** The high-level talks underscore the deepening strategic alliance between Turkey and Azerbaijan as they coordinate diplomatic policies on regional stability in the South Caucasus, the Middle East, and broader Turkic cooperation.

Trend - Azerbaijan, Türkiye seek to reach $15B trade target soon

Trend - Azerbaijan, Türkiye discuss preparations for upcoming OTS summit

Trend - Azerbaijan, Türkiye discuss diplomatic path to ease Middle East crisis

Trend - Azerbaijan, Türkiye to continue coordinated efforts on South Caucasus

Trend - Türkiye hails progress toward lasting peace between Azerbaijan, Armenia

Star Gazete - Bakan Fidan: Türkiye-Azerbaycan ilişkisi bölge için kilit rolde

Turkish and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers Discuss Bilateral Ties and Regional Peace

**Summary:** World Athletics has confirmed that Nairobi, Kenya, will host the World Athletics Championships in 2029, marking the first time the full track and field event will be held in Africa.

**Key points:**
- The decision was made by the World Athletics Council during its meeting in Budapest.
- Nairobi's Kasarani Stadium will serve as the central venue for the 2029 event and is undergoing renovations.
- Germany's Munich was selected to host the subsequent championships in 2031.
- World Athletics President Sebastian Coe described the choice as a historic milestone for African athletics.

**Why it matters:** This decision represents a historic breakthrough for African sports, bringing the world's leading track and field championships to a continent that has produced generations of elite distance runners but has never previously hosted the global event.

My Joy Online - Kenya confirmed hosts of World Athletics Championships 2029

Google News - World Athletics Championships to be staged in Africa for the first time with Nairobi as host

Nairobi to host 2029 World Athletics Championships, marking Africa's first time