**Summary:** Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly criticized the Dominican Republic's decision to expel several Cuban diplomats, labeling the move as an act of subordination to U.S. pressure.

**Key points:**
- The Dominican Republic ordered the departure of nine embassy officials and their families under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
- Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez stated that there is no justification for the expulsions, which he claims aim to isolate Cuba.
- The Cuban government highlighted previous diplomatic friction, including the exclusion of Cuba from the upcoming X Summit of the Americas and a change in UN voting.
- Local reports indicate the affected diplomats and their families were given until August 16 to leave the country.

**Why it matters:** The diplomatic expulsions significantly strain bilateral relations between Cuba and the Dominican Republic, reflecting broader regional tensions tied to U.S. foreign policy in Latin America.

diariodecuba.com - 'Acto de subordinación a EEUU', califica La Habana la expulsión de sus diplomáticos de República Dominicana

almomento.net - Cuba rechaza «enérgicamente» expulsión 9 diplomáticos de RD

Cuba condemns Dominican Republic's expulsion of its diplomats

**Summary:** Authorities in Peru are undertaking preventive works, including the cleaning of the Huascarán ravine in Virú and planned free water distributions in Alto Trujillo, ahead of the El Niño phenomenon.

**Key points:**
- The Junta de Usuarios de Riego Presurizado initiated cleaning and desilting works at the Huascarán ravine in the Virú province.
- Preventive measures at the Huascarán ravine include building transverse retention dikes with local rocks and emergency channelling.
- Sedalib plans to distribute free drinking water using water tankers in Alto Trujillo starting the first week of September for a 70-day period.

**Why it matters:** These infrastructure and distribution efforts aim to protect vulnerable populations and agricultural irrigation systems from anticipated disasters caused by the El Niño phenomenon.

diariocorreo.pe - La Libertad: Distribuirán agua potable de forma gratuita en Alto Trujillo

diariocorreo.pe - La Libertad: Limpian quebrada Huascarán para proteger a familias de El Niño

Peru Takes Preventive Measures Ahead of El Niño

**Summary:** Brazilian electoral authorities restored Senator Flávio Bolsonaro's affiliation with the Liberal Party after a fraudulent party switch to Missão blocked his presidential candidacy registration.

**Key points:**
- The Tribunal Superior Eleitoral ruled that the unauthorized party transfer was due to the misuse of credentials rather than a systemic hack of electoral infrastructure.
- The fraudulent registration listed a fictitious address in Rio de Janeiro, prompting the TSE to open a Federal Police inquiry.
- Missão stated that its system flagged the irregularity and that the senator's office was notified of the issue earlier in the month without receiving a response.

**Why it matters:** The fraudulent party switch temporarily blocked a prominent presidential candidate from registering ahead of the general elections, highlighting vulnerabilities in party affiliation security.

correiobraziliense.com.br - TSE manda restabelecer filiao de Flávio Bolsonaro ao PL

dnoticias.pt - Filiação fraudulenta trava registo de Flávio Bolsonaro como candidato às presidenciais do Brasil

sapo.pt - Brasil : alegada filiao fraudulenta trava registo de Flávio Bolsonaro na corrida a presidente

terra.com.br - Flávio Bolsonaro aparece filiado ao Missão no TSE : entenda o que se sabe até agora

terra.com.br - 'Rua dos Bandido' , no Bairro Miliciano : como Flávio Bolsonaro foi registrado na ficha do Missão

TSE Restores Flávio Bolsonaro's PL Affiliation Amid Investigation into Fraudulent Party Switch

**Summary:** The Bulgarian coastal city of Burgas has been chosen to host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027 following DARA's victory with the song Bangaranga.

**Key points:**
- The Bulgarian National Television announced that the semi-finals will take place on May 11 and 13, with the grand final on May 15, 2027.
- A comprehensive evaluation by an international assessment group determined that the Burgas venue meets all necessary technical requirements.
- The decision has generated significant political commentary regarding local governance and tourism development along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast.

**Why it matters:** Hosting the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 in Burgas provides a major international platform to showcase Bulgarian culture, boost regional tourism, and stimulate the local economy.

bnews.bg - Супер изненада ! Европа даде Евровизия на Чичо Митко в Бургас и удари софийските джендъри от жълтите павета !

actualno.com - "Нямах никакво съмнение, че моят любим Бургас ще спечели": Съпругата на Радев за домакинството на Евровизия

Burgas Selected to Host Eurovision Song Contest 2027

**Summary:** Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned Washington to be careful after US President Donald Trump claimed total US control over the Strait of Hormuz.

**Key points:**
- President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that the US maintains total control over the Strait of Hormuz with a naval blockade.
- Abbas Araghchi dismissed the statements as fake intelligence and accused the US of miscalculating.
- Hossein Taeb, a close ally of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, claimed the US started another war in the strait but has failed.
- Shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has faced diplomatic impasses and stalled supplies following previous conflicts.

**Why it matters:** Disputes over control of the Strait of Hormuz threaten vital global oil shipping routes and heighten tensions between Washington and Tehran.

almomento.net - Trump dice no confía en Irán y asegura que EU controla Ormuz

egyptindependent.com - Iranian foreign minister slams “fake news” after Trump claims US control of Hormuz

Iran slams US Strait of Hormuz claims

**Summary:** Following a similar move in Ceuta, Spain's Guardia Civil has begun installing a new maritime barrier in Melilla amid heightened diplomatic tensions involving Spanish officials and Morocco.

**Key points:**
- The installation follows recent declarations made by Moroccan officials, prompting a sharper diplomatic tone from Spain regarding Ceuta and Melilla.
- The Guardia Civil initiated the construction of the new maritime security barrier off the coast of Melilla.

**Why it matters:** The installation of new maritime barriers and escalating rhetoric between Spain and Morocco highlight ongoing sensitivity and border security challenges surrounding the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla.

yabiladi.com - Après Ceuta, la Guardia civil espagnole installe une nouvelle barrière maritime à Melilla

yabiladi.com - Ceuta - Melilla : Après les déclarations de Ouahbi, l’Espagne hausse le ton

ar.yabiladi.com - بعد سبتة .. الحرس المدني الإسباني يشرع في تركيب حاجز بحري جديد بمليلية

Spain Installs New Maritime Barrier in Melilla Following Ceuta

**Summary:** Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi issued a firm protest after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the disputed island of Iturup in the Kuril chain.

**Key points:**
- Russian President Vladimir Putin traveled to the island of Iturup, known in Japan as Etorofu, following naval drills in Russia's Far Eastern Sakhalin region.
- Tokyo maintains that the southern Kuril Islands, referred to in Japan as the Northern Territories, are its original territory under historical and legal grounds.
- The territorial dispute over the islands has prevented Russia and Japan from concluding a formal World War II peace treaty.
- During the trip, Putin inspected local facilities including a fish-processing plant and met with residents.

**Why it matters:** The visit heightens ongoing tensions between Moscow and Tokyo over the unresolved territorial dispute, further straining diplomatic relations that have already deteriorated amid the Ukraine crisis.

newsonjapan.com - Putin Makes First Trip to Etorofu Island

keski-uusimaa.fi - Putin vieraili kiistellyillä Kuriilien saarilla, Japanilta jyrkkä reaktio

tagesschau.de - Kritik aus Japan: Putin besucht umstrittene Kurilen-Insel

actualidad.rt.com - Japón persiste en una vieja reclamación territorial contra Rusia tras visita de Putin

asiaone.com - Putin visits Japan-claimed islands for first time ; Tokyo protests

shorouknews.com - اليابان تحتج على زيارة بوتين لجزر الكوريل

Japan protests Putin's visit to disputed Kuril Islands

**Summary:** Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji has passed away at the age of 98 after medical treatment failed. Known for his tenure from 1998 to 2003, he left a lasting mark on economic policy and cross-strait relations.

**Key points:**
- Zhu Rongji served as China's Premier from 1998 to 2003 and was known for titles such as 'iron-faced premier' and 'economic czar'.
- During the 2000 Taiwan presidential election, he issued a stern warning that anyone pursuing Taiwanese independence would face no good outcome.
- His career included pushing forward structural reforms, tackling anti-corruption efforts, and guiding China's entry into the World Trade Organization.
- He was remembered for his direct and colorful public remarks, spanning from national press conferences to speeches at Tsinghua University.

**Why it matters:** The death of Zhu Rongji marks the passing of a major political and economic architect of modern China who shaped the country's domestic reforms and foreign relations during a critical historical period.

zaobao.com.sg - 朱镕基选前三天警告 谁搞台独就没好下场 陈水扁后险胜上台

stheadline.com - 朱鎔基逝世 ︱ 字字珠璣言顯風骨 公開講話金句連連

Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji Passes Away at Age 98