**Summary:** US President Donald Trump stated that an agreement regarding the Strait of Hormuz could be reached as early as Wednesday or Thursday, following progress in talks between Iran and Oman to reopen the crucial waterway.

**Key points:**
- The emerging agreement reportedly involves ships entering the Persian Gulf via an Iranian-controlled route and exiting through an Omani-controlled route while paying service fees.
- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that significant progress has been made during the negotiations.
- Qatar is separately engaging in diplomatic efforts to help broker a sustainable resolution to the conflict.
- The potential deal is tied to broader discussions regarding lifting the US blockade on Iranian ports.

**Why it matters:** A potential agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could help normalize shipping through a critical global energy corridor, ease international oil prices, and serve as an initial phase toward resolving the ongoing conflict.

timeslive.co.za - Donald Trump says deal on Strait of Hormuz is imminent

hespress.com - ترامب يبشر بقرب إبرام "اتفاق هرمز"

Trump Says Deal on Strait of Hormuz Is Imminent

**Summary:** A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern Philippines near Sarangani island on August 5, 2026. No immediate casualties or damage were reported.

**Key points:**
- The United States Geological Survey reported that the tremor struck 32km southwest of Sarangani island at a depth of 62km.
- No tsunami warning was issued following the seismic event.
- Local government financial subsidy distributions were taking place when the strong shaking occurred, causing temporary panic among crowds.
- The region previously experienced a deadly 7.8-magnitude earthquake on June 8.

**Why it matters:** The earthquake highlights the ongoing seismic risks in the Pacific Ring of Fire, particularly in the southern Philippines which is still recovering from a powerful tremor earlier in the year.

straitstimes.com - 6.3-magnitude earthquake hits off southern Philippines

lalibre.be - Séisme de magnitude 6,3 au sud des Philippines

6.3-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Southern Philippines

**Summary:** Russian overnight missile and drone strikes on Kyiv and its surrounding region killed at least 15 people, injuring dozens more and triggering widespread fires in warehouse and logistics facilities.

**Key points:**
- Strikes impacted more than seven locations across Kyiv, including the Golosiivsky, Desniansky, Obolonsky, and Sviatoshynsky districts.
- Ukrainian emergency services reported 14 deaths and 27 injuries outside the capital, while the city's military administration confirmed one fatality in Kyiv.
- The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the attacks targeted transport, logistics, and distribution centers involved in weapons and drone supply.
- Simultaneously, Ukrainian drone attacks hit targets in Russia's Tula and Belgorod regions, causing fires and injuries.

**Why it matters:** The escalation of nocturnal missile and drone strikes underscores the intensifying civilian casualties and the severe strain on Ukraine's air defense capabilities.

rtbf.be - Ukraine : au moins 15 morts dans de nouvelles frappes russes sur Kiev et sa région

sudouest.fr - Guerre en Ukraine : des frappes russes font au moins 15 morts à Kiev et dans ses environs

lalibre.be - Au moins 15 morts dans des bombardements russes dans la région de Kiev

ansa.it - Ucraina: missili russi su Kiev, 'udite sei potenti esplosioni', almeno 15 morti e 20 feriti

Russian Missile and Drone Strikes on Kyiv Region Kill at Least 15

**Summary:** Brazil has reduced its diplomatic representation with Argentina to the level of business chargé and requested the return of its ambassador, following a series of public disputes between President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Argentine President Javier Milei.

**Key points:**
- Brazilian Chancellor Mauro Vieira delivered a formal note of protest to Argentina's ambassador in Brasília, Daniel Raimondi.
- Argentine President Javier Milei criticized Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during a recent visit to São Paulo, calling him a thief and corrupt.
- Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva dismissed Milei's actions as political clownishness and warned against foreign interference in Brazil's upcoming elections.
- Argentina's Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the decision as an ideologically motivated isolation step, confirming that Argentina will not retaliate by withdrawing its own ambassador at this time.

**Why it matters:** The severe degradation of diplomatic ties between South America's largest economies threatens regional integration and the future operations of the trade bloc Mercosur.

ellitoral.com - Brasil retira a su embajador de la Argentina y se profundiza la crisis

cadena3.com - Crisis diplomática sin antecedentes : Brasil retira a su embajador de la Argentina

perfil.com - La respuesta de Milei a Lula: lo acusó de actuar por "cuestiones puramente ideológicas", pero no retirará al embajador argentino

Brazil downgrades diplomatic relations with Argentina amid ongoing tensions

**Summary:** The United States has canceled the visa of Brazil's ambassador to Washington, Maria Luiza Viotti, in response to Brazil's delays in approving the U.S. ambassador designate.

**Key points:**
- A U.S. official stated that Viotti's visa will be restored once Brazil approves the designated U.S. candidate, Danny Parson.
- Washington cited previous diplomatic friction, including Brazil denying visas to a U.S. minerals delegation and senior human rights officials.
- The diplomatic dispute has escalated amid a growing strain in relations between the United States and Brazil.

**Why it matters:** This retaliatory diplomatic measure highlights a significant escalation in bilateral tensions between Washington and Brasilia over ambassadorial approvals and diplomatic access.

elpais.com - Estados Unidos cancela la visa de la embajadora de Brasil en medio de tensiones diplomáticas

elcomercio.pe - Estados Unidos cancela la visa de la embajadora de Brasil por demora en avalar a su representante

US Cancels Visa of Brazil's Ambassador Amid Diplomatic Tensions

**Summary:** Palestinians in Gaza City held a mass funeral for 112 members of the Abu Sharia and Al-Hassayna clans whose remains were recovered from rubble following an Israeli airstrike in November 2023.

**Key points:**
- A recovery team of 40 workers spent 17 days extracting the decomposed remains from the collapsed buildings in the Sabra neighborhood.
- The International Committee of the Red Cross provided logistical support, equipment, and training for the excavation operation.
- Among the confirmed dead from the 2023 strike were 40 children, 38 women, and seven people with disabilities.
- Palestinian authorities stated this was the largest mass funeral held in the territory since the war began.

**Why it matters:** The recovery and mass burial highlight the ongoing humanitarian toll and the severe difficulties of corpse retrieval in conflict zones where thousands remain missing beneath rubble.

cyprus-mail.com - Gazans bury nearly a whole clan found in rubble in mass funeral for 112

legit.ng - Gaza Holds Mass Funeral for 112 People Killed in 2023 Strike on Sabra Neighbourhood

www1.folha.uol.com.br - Palestinos fazem funeral de 112 pessoas mortas em ataques - 04 / 08 / 2026

Gaza Holds Mass Funeral for 112 Members of Extended Clan Killed in 2023 Strike

**Summary:** Cameroon President Paul Biya has signed a series of military decrees from Switzerland, including the historic promotion of Presidential Guard commander Raymond Jean Charles Beko'o Abondo to brigadier general.

**Key points:**
- Raymond Jean Charles Beko'o Abondo has served as commander of the Presidential Guard for thirteen years and is maintained in his post.
- The promotion marks the first time a Presidential Guard commander has attained the rank of general since the unit's creation in 1985.
- Additional military leadership changes include five other colonels elevated to brigadier general and General Ebaka Hippolyte appointed major general of the armed forces' general staff.

**Why it matters:** These high-level military reassignments and historic security promotions draw intense public scrutiny amid concerns over presidential leadership continuity and the prolonged absence of 93-year-old President Paul Biya.

Magazine Actualites Cameroun - Absence de Biya : Le gouvernement met fin à la rumeur

camer.be - Cameroun : Biya promeut un général à la tête de la Garde présidentielle

Cameroon President Paul Biya Signs Military Decrees from Switzerland

**Summary:** United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that Washington and Tehran could reach an agreement within days to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz, causing oil prices to drop significantly.

**Key points:**
- Brent crude futures dropped by up to 4% to fall below US$ 81 per barrel following the announcement.
- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the discussions aim to ensure freedom of movement for commercial shipping vessels.
- Qatar confirmed that a proposal is currently circulating between the parties, though a formal agreement has not yet been finalized.
- The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs previously denied engaging in direct negotiations with the United States, maintaining its sole active channel is through Oman.

**Why it matters:** A potential agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could normalize global energy shipping routes and substantially lower international oil and gas prices after weeks of conflict-driven volatility.

latercera.com - Petróleo se hunde aún más luego que EE.UU. dijera que podría llega acuerdo con Irán por el estrecho de Ormuz estos días

df.cl - El gobierno de Trump anticipa acuerdo con Irán para reabrir Ormuz este martes o miércoles y el petróleo profundiza sus bajas

sudouest.fr - Guerre au Moyen-Orient : un accord pour rouvrir le détroit d’Ormuz pourrait être conclu d’ici mercredi, selon le ministre des Finances américain

Quarte Bot