**Summary:** The United States and Japan carried out rare coordinated yen-buying operations in foreign exchange markets to halt the Japanese currency's decline to 40-year lows.

**Key points:**
- The Federal Reserve Bank of New York purchased yen on behalf of the US Treasury, marking the first outright US yen-buying intervention since 1998.
- Japan's Ministry of Finance indicated it may have spent roughly 8.45 trillion yen (approx. $53.7 billion) during Thursday's intervention alone.
- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's notepad displayed a handwritten note outlining potential yen purchases of $5 billion to $10 billion.
- The Bank of Japan maintained its benchmark interest rate at 1%, leaving a wide gap with US interest rates that continues to pressure the currency.

**Why it matters:** Coordinated currency market interventions by major global economies directly influence exchange rates, import costs, and macroeconomic stability between allied nations.

merimbulanewsweekly.com.au - Japan confirms joint yen intervention with US

upi.com - U . S . joins Japan in coordinated effort to support yen

US and Japan Conduct Joint Currency Intervention to Support Yen

**Summary:** US President Donald Trump announced that new negotiations with Iran will begin following his decision to call off a planned massive weekend attack after appeals from regional allies.

**Key points:**
- President Trump stated that leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Iran asked him to hold off on military action in favor of a deal.
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urged the United States to remain committed to the memorandum of understanding signed in June.
- Iranian state media denied that the Islamic republic requested the US to hold off on attacks.
- Negotiations are set to address critical issues including the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program.

**Why it matters:** The resumption of diplomatic talks and the avoidance of a major military escalation directly impact regional security in the Middle East and global energy markets.

newsfeed.zeit.de - Iran-Krieg: Trump kündigt für heute neue Gespräche mit dem Iran an

inquirer.net - Trump's on-again-off-again war against Iran: in his own words

nypost.com - Trump announces when new Iran talks to begin after calling off massive weekend attack

aljazeera.com - Iran war live: Trump says talks to resume; Tehran urges US to honour MOU

Trump Announces New US-Iran Talks Following Scrapped Weekend Strikes

**Summary:** The Sony superhero film "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" achieved a historic $927 million global opening weekend, powered by a record $355 million domestic haul.

**Key points:**
- The film's domestic gross marks the second-biggest North American opening of all time, trailing only "Avengers: Endgame."
- International ticket sales contributed $572 million, with China alone accounting for $121 million.
- The combined success of the film and Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" powered the biggest box office weekend in North American history.

**Why it matters:** The historic debut signals a major resurgence for theatrical blockbusters and superhero films following post-pandemic audience fatigue.

kfgo.com - Spider - Man : Brand New Day opens to a huge $927 million global box office

nbclosangeles.com - Spider - Man : Brand New Day makes box office history for opening

Spider-Man: Brand New Day Smashes Box Office Records With $927M Global Debut

**Summary:** Eighty-year-old Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced his candidacy for a fourth and final term during a Workers' Party convention in São Paulo.

**Key points:**
- President Lula stated he wants to "fight against old age" through daily physical exercise.
- He will face Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, in the October election.

**Why it matters:** This announcement sets the stage for a high-stakes presidential election in Latin America's largest economy, pitting the incumbent against the political lineage of former leader Jair Bolsonaro.

rtbf.be - Âgé de 80 ans, le président brésilien Lula se porte candidat pour un quatrième et dernier mandat

lalibre.be - Lula se porte candidat pour un quatrième et dernier mandat au Brésil : "Je veux me battre contre la vieillesse"

Brazilian President Lula Announces Candidacy for Fourth Term

**Summary:** A suicide bomber detonated explosives near a police station in Pakistan's Swat district during a protest, killing nine people, including four police officers, and injuring 20 others.

**Key points:**
- The attacker attempted to enter the police station at a busy intersection before being stopped by officers at the main entrance.
- Among the injured, seven people are currently in critical condition.
- The Swat district is located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, an area facing increased militant activity.
- No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

**Why it matters:** This deadly attack highlights ongoing security challenges and rising violence in Pakistan's border regions involving Islamist militant groups.

Vetogate - مقتل وإصابة 27 شخصًا في هجوم انتحاري بباكستان

Sud Ouest - Pakistan : neuf morts dans un attentat suicide lors d’une manifestation

Le Monde - Au Pakistan, un attentat-suicide fait au moins neuf morts et 20 blessés

Young Journalists Club - ۵ کشته و چندین زخمی در بمب‌گذاری انتحاری در پاکستان

Suicide Bombing Near Police Station in Pakistan Kills at Least Nine

**Summary:** The death toll has risen to 72 after tens of thousands of migrants made an irregular crossing into the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta, largely driven by viral social media misinformation.

**Key points:**
- Spanish authorities confirmed that most of the victims drowned while attempting to swim from Morocco, while others climbed border fences.
- Estimates indicate between 50,000 and 60,000 people entered the enclave, with the Spanish government reporting that nearly all have since returned to Morocco.
- King Felipe VI expressed strong concern and indignation over the events, emphasizing that the state must ensure security and prevent future occurrences.
- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez requested an urgent extraordinary meeting of European Union interior ministers to address the migration crisis.

**Why it matters:** This tragic mass migration event highlights the severe humanitarian risks of irregular border crossings, the rapid spread of misinformation via social media, and the strain placed on border security within European Union territories, prompting high-level diplomatic responses.

eldiadecordoba.es - El Rey , indignado por lo ocurrido en Ceuta , dice que el Estado debe evitar que se repita

rss.elconfidencial.com - "Lo vi en un vídeo y me vine": el viaje de cientos de kilómetros que provocaron las redes sociales hasta Ceuta

fnweb.de - Zahl der Toten bei Ceuta steigt auf 72

lemonde.fr - Ceuta : au moins 72 personnes sont mortes en voulant rejoindre l’enclave espagnole

Death Toll Rises to 72 Following Mass Migrant Crossing into Ceuta

**Summary:** An Indonesian ferry carrying 271 people caught fire while sailing between Surabaya and Makassar, resulting in five deaths and 41 missing persons.

**Key points:**
- The incident occurred on August 2, 2026, as the vessel traveled from East Java to South Sulawesi.
- The ferry's captain reported the fire to the company while the ship was at sea.
- Basarnas, Indonesia's national search-and-rescue agency, confirmed the casualty and missing figures as rescue operations continued.

**Why it matters:** This maritime accident highlights ongoing passenger safety concerns on major sea routes within the Indonesian archipelago, prompting urgent rescue operations.

straitstimes.com - Five dead, 41 missing after Indonesian ferry catches fire

sudouest.fr - Indonésie : un incendie sur un ferry fait cinq morts et 41 disparus

lemonde.fr - En Indonésie, un incendie sur un ferry fait cinq morts et 41 disparus, selon les secours

Indonesian Ferry Fire Leaves Five Dead and 41 Missing

**Summary:** Taiwan People's Party celebrated its 7th anniversary in Taichung, marking the first party event attended by founding chairman Ke Wen-je since his release from custody.

**Key points:**
- Founding chairman Ke Wen-je emotionally criticized President Lai Ching-te and stated the party will not surrender.
- Taiwan People's Party chairman Huang Crys-chang discussed strengthening cooperation with the Kuomintang to win upcoming local elections.
- Taichung Mayor Lu Xiu-yan and several other Kuomintang politicians attended the party celebration event to offer congratulations.

**Why it matters:** The event highlights the political positioning of the Taiwan People's Party and potential strategic cooperation with the Kuomintang ahead of local elections.

Quarte Bot