**Summary:** Armed insurgents within the armed forces launched an attack targeting the presidential palace and international airport in Niamey, Niger, before being repelled by the presidential guard and security forces.

**Key points:**
- Heavy gunfire, explosions, and mortar fire were reported across several neighborhoods of the capital starting around 1:00 AM.
- State television broadcasts were temporarily interrupted for over an hour before service was restored.
- State security forces later regained control of the military base at Diori-Hamani Airport following heavy clashes.
- The military called for calm and urged the public to disregard unconfirmed information.

**Why it matters:** The security incident in Niamey highlights ongoing instability and internal military threats facing Niger's ruling junta, which has governed since the 2023 coup.

Africa News - 'Army insurgents' tried to enter Niger's presidential palace

ZEIT ONLINE | Nachrichten, Hintergründe und Debatten - Unruhen im Niger: Schwere Gefechte in Nigers Hauptstadt Niamey

Jeune Afrique - Tentative de coup d’État au Niger : ce que l’on sait de la situation à Niamey

Hespress - هجوم يطال قصر الرئاسة في النيجر

Armed Insurgents Target Presidential Palace and Airport in Niger's Capital

**Summary:** An overnight Russian drone strike on a warehouse in the Kyiv region's Bucha district triggered a detonation, killing at least 27 people and injuring dozens more.

**Key points:**
- Kyiv region governor Tymur Tkachenko reported 42 injuries, including four children, and the evacuation of 381 people from the Bucha district strike zone.
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the warehouse blast caused significant damage to nearby residential buildings and a facility for the elderly.
- A separate attack in the Boryspil district resulted in the death of a 14-year-old.
- Criminal cases have been opened regarding official negligence over storing ammunition near residential areas.

**Why it matters:** The deadly strike highlights the severe ongoing human toll and infrastructure destruction resulting from intensifying aerial attacks in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

BBC News - At least 27 dead and hundreds evacuated after strikes near Kyiv

Cyprus Mail - Russian strike on Kyiv-area warehouse causes detonation, killing 27

Russian drone strikes near Kyiv kill at least 27 people

**Summary:** Residents of Niger's capital, Niamey, reported heavy gunfire and explosions overnight near a military base at the international airport and the presidential palace.

**Key points:**
- The origin of the gunfire and explosions remains unknown, and no official communication has been issued.
- Armoured vehicles were deployed to reinforce the neighbourhood near the airport following the incidents.
- Niamey's airport was previously targeted earlier in the year by the Islamic State in the Sahel and the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims.
- Niger has been ruled by a military leadership following a coup in July 2023.

**Why it matters:** The sudden security incidents in the capital highlight the persistent instability and jihadist threat facing Niger's military regime.

Jordan Zad - رويترز: إطلاق نار وانفجارات قرب القصر الرئاسي في عاصمة النيجر

Africa News - Reports of gunfire near military base in Niger's capital

Jeune Afrique - Niger : des tirs et détonations entendus à Niamey

Gunfire and Explosions Reported Near Military Base in Niger's Capital

**Summary:** US President Donald Trump announced an oil agreement with Venezuela granting the US majority control over 65 billion barrels of proven reserves.

**Key points:**
- The deal was negotiated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodríguez.
- Trump stated the agreement will more than double US crude oil reserves at no cost to American taxpayers.
- The arrangement involves a partnership with the private sector to access petroleum basins in Venezuela.

**Why it matters:** This unprecedented oil agreement significantly alters energy dynamics and supplies for the United States amid ongoing global market disruptions.

EL PAÍS - Trump anuncia un acuerdo con Venezuela para adueñarse de parte de su sector petrolero

La Tercera - Trump afirma que EE.UU. llegó a un acuerdo con Venezuela para tomar el control de 65 mil millones de barriles de sus reservas de petróleo

The Age - Latest News - Trump says US has agreed deal with Venezuela to take control of 65 billion barrels of oil reserves

Le Monde - Donald Trump annonce un accord pétrolier avec le Venezuela pour donner aux Etats-Unis le contrôle de 65 milliards de barils des réserves du pays

US and Venezuela Agree on Major Oil Reserve Deal

**Summary:** Aibek Dadebay, leader of the Adilet party, has been elected Chairman of Kazakhstan's new unicameral parliament, the Kurultai, by a unanimous vote during its first plenary session.

**Key points:**
- President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev previously proposed Aibek Dadebay's candidacy for the position.
- The Kurultai also established eight new Standing Committees, including those focused on agrarian issues, ecology, and constitutional legislation.
- Aibek Dadebay previously served as the head of the administration of the president of Kazakhstan.

**Why it matters:** This election establishes the leadership of Kazakhstan's newly formed unicameral parliament, shaping the country's legislative direction under President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev's governance structure.

AKIpress - Aibek Dadebay elected Chairman of Kazakhstan's unicameral Kurultai

Interfax - Спикером курултая Казахстана избран лидер победившей на выборах партии

Trend - Kazakhstan’s Kurultai establishes new Standing Committees

Aibek Dadebay Elected Chairman of Kazakhstan's Kurultai

**Summary:** King Harald V of Norway has passed away at the age of 89 at the national hospital in Oslo following treatment for a rare blood condition.

**Key points:**
- The palace announced that the king passed away peacefully at 06:35 local time on Friday.
- Members of the royal family had visited him in the hospital during the 24 hours leading up to his death.
- The royal flag on the palace roof has been lowered to half-mast in mourning.
- His son succeeds him as King Haakon VIII.

**Why it matters:** The death of King Harald V marks the end of a multi-decade reign, bringing a transition of the Norwegian monarchy to his son, King Haakon VIII.

Etusivu - Norjan kuningas Harald on kuollut

ZEIT ONLINE | Nachrichten, Hintergründe und Debatten - Norwegisches Königshaus: Norwegens König Harald ist tot

BBC News - Norway's King Harald dies aged 89

Star Gazete - Norveç Kralı V. Harald hayatını kaybetti

EL PAÍS - Muere Harald V, rey de Noruega, a los 89 años

France 24 - King Harald V of Norway dies at 89 and his son becomes King Haakon VIII

Le Monde - Harald V, le très populaire roi de Norvège depuis plus de trente ans, est mort

Norway's King Harald V Dies at Age 89

**Summary:** Donald Trump claimed the Strait of Hormuz as a new territory of the United States. Meanwhile, the U.S. reiterated that the strait was cleared of Iranian mines and stated that Tehran has not exported any crude oil.

**Key points:**
- The U.S. asserted that the Strait of Hormuz was successfully cleared of Iranian naval mines.
- U.S. officials stated that Tehran has failed to export a single barrel of crude oil amid tensions.

**Why it matters:** This development marks a significant escalation in geopolitical claims and maritime security tensions involving the Strait of Hormuz and energy exports.

huffingtonpost.es - Trump se adjudica el estrecho de Ormuz como "nuevo" territorio de EE.UU

La Tercera - EE.UU. reitera haber limpiado Ormuz de minas iraníes y agrega que Teherán no ha exportado ni un barril de crudo

El Comercio - Trump se adjudica el estrecho de Ormuz como “nuevo” territorio de Estados Unidos

Trump claims Strait of Hormuz as US territory

**Summary:** United States President Donald Trump signed an executive order in the Oval Office to officially change the name of Lake Ontario to 'Lake America'.

**Key points:**
- The executive order updates the official designation of the lake within the United States.
- The action has been described as intensifying a trade conflict with Canada.

**Why it matters:** This unilateral geographic renaming by the United States further strains diplomatic and trade relations with neighboring Canada.

Axios - Trump moves to rename Lake Ontario to "Lake America"

Reforma - Renombra Trump al Lago Ontario como 'Lago Amrica'

Jornal de Brasília - Trump assina decreto para mudar nome do Lago Ontário para ‘Lago América’

El Comercio - Trump firma orden ejecutiva para el cambio oficial del nombre del lago Ontario a “lago de América”

US President Donald Trump Signs Executive Order Renaming Lake Ontario to 'Lake America'