**Summary:** US President Donald Trump stated that no peace negotiations are currently underway or planned with Iran, while US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned of unprecedented new measures against Tehran.

**Key points:**
- Trump asserted that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, mines have been cleared, and the US naval blockade is fully operational.
- Iranian chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf reiterated that the strait will remain closed until Washington fulfills commitments under a June agreement.
- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that Washington will impose measures on Tehran that have never been seen before.
- Economic analysis indicates that Iran's economy has avoided total collapse despite sustained pressure due to targeted monetary transfer policies.

**Why it matters:** The breakdown in diplomatic talks and threats of severe economic escalation heighten tensions in the Middle East, directly impacting regional security and global energy transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

almomento.net - EU amenaza Irán con medidas que «nunca antes se han visto»

elcomercio.pe - Trump dice que no hay conversaciones en curso con Irán ni tampoco están previstas

jornaldenegocios.pt - Trump diz que no h conversaes em curso com o Iro e publica imagem de Ormuz como territrio dos EUA

Trump Denies Ongoing Iran Talks as US Treasury Warns of New Sanctions

**Summary:** Moscow's regional capital faced a massive overnight drone offensive involving over 620 launched devices, resulting in minor injuries and infrastructure damage, while Russia issued diplomatic warnings to the UK over alleged military support.

**Key points:**
- Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanine reported that 180 drones were destroyed in the regional airspace between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
- Regional Governor Andrei Vorobiov stated that three people were injured, including a 10-year-old child, and an e-commerce warehouse belonging to Wildberries sustained minor damage.
- The Russian embassy in London warned the United Kingdom of consequences regarding the alleged supply and use of British drones in deep strikes inside Russian territory.

**Why it matters:** This massive aerial assault on the Russian capital reflects the severe ongoing escalation of the conflict's drone warfare and highlights widening geopolitical friction between Moscow and Western nations supporting Ukraine.

rtbf.be - Guerre en Ukraine : la Russie annonce avoir abattu 180 drones ukrainiens qui ciblaient Moscou

sudouest.fr - Guerre en Ukraine : une attaque massive de 620 drones signalée à Moscou dans la nuit

lalibre.be - Le maire de Moscou affirme que 620 drones ont été lancés vers la capitale russe dans la nuit, trois blessés

Moscow Targeted by Massive Drone Attack as Russia Warns UK Over Escalation

**Summary:** Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva celebrated an oil discovery in the Morpho well off Amapá's coast, calling it a 'passport for the future' that can fund social investments while assuring safety measures prevent environmental disasters.

**Key points:**
- President of Congress Davi Alcolumbre thanked Lula for backing the offshore exploration and urged sovereignty over natural resources.
- Lula highlighted the use of a Blowout Preventer (BOP), a massive valve system designed to immediately seal the well in case of an emergency.
- Petrobras CEO Magda Chambriard confirmed the discovery during a press conference in Oiapoque.
- The exploration area in the Equatorial Margin is located approximately 175 kilometers from the Amapá coastline and over 500 kilometers from the mouth of the Amazon River.

**Why it matters:** The oil discovery in Amapá's Equatorial Margin introduces a significant new frontier for Brazil's energy sector, balancing economic development goals with ongoing debates over environmental protection and the energy transition.

oglobo.globo.com - Margem Equatorial : Em qualquer incidente , máquina usada na perfurao irá fechar o poço de petróleo , diz Lula

brasil247.com - Lula diz que máquina fechará poço de petróleo em caso de incidente

brasil247.com - Lula celebra descoberta de petróleo no Amapá : passaporte para o futuro

jc.uol.com.br - Lula : Eu ainda sonho em comprar de volta a refinaria que eles privatizaram

brasil247.com - Alcolumbre agradece apoio de Lula e defende soberania sobre petróleo do Amapá : deixem que nós decidimo

Lula Celebrates Oil Discovery in Amapá's Equatorial Margin

**Summary:** Evacuated residents of Sourbrodt are set to return home as heavy rainfall and containment efforts help curb a massive wildfire that has scorched over 3,000 hectares of vegetation.

**Key points:**
- Belgium's King Philippe visited the command post in Sourbrodt to thank firefighters and emergency personnel.
- International aerial support, including helicopters and planes from neighboring nations, has been deployed to assist ground crews.
- Health authorities and experts warned about potential health risks from fine particles (PM2.5 and PM10) generated by the combustion.
- The Liège prosecutor's office has opened an investigation to determine whether the fire's origin was accidental or intentional.

**Why it matters:** This historic wildfire highlights environmental vulnerabilities and transboundary pollution risks in peatland ecosystems, requiring extensive international emergency cooperation.

rtbf.be - Direct – Incendie dans les Hautes Fagnes : les habitants de Sourbrodt vont pouvoir regagner leur domicile, les opérations se poursuivent sur le terrain

lalibre.be - Incendie en Hautes Fagnes: "Ces particules sont les plus dangereuses car elles pénètrent dans les poumons et la circulation sanguine"

Hautes Fagnes Wildfire Contained as Residents Prepare to Return

**Summary:** An isolated high-altitude low-pressure system is causing heavy rainfall, strong winds, and aluvion risks across northern Chile, prompting preventive evacuations, road closures, and school suspensions.

**Key points:**
- Senapred maintains yellow alerts across five northern regions, affecting areas from Arica and Parinacota down to Coquimbo.
- Tocopilla ordered preventive evacuations in sectors including Pacífico Norte and Tres Marías due to potential aluvion flows.
- Power outages left over 23,000 customers without electricity between Arica and Parinacota and Coquimbo, with Antofagasta experiencing the highest impact.
- Transport connectivity was disrupted by landslides and rockfalls affecting routes such as Ruta 1 and Ruta 5.

**Why it matters:** The extreme weather event threatens local infrastructure, connectivity, and public safety in typically arid northern regions of Chile, requiring emergency preventative measures and widespread school suspensions.

df.cl - Cinco regiones del norte bajo Alerta Amarilla por lluvias, fuertes vientos y riesgo de aluviones

latercera.com - Baja segregada mantiene en alerta al norte: Tocopilla concentra las principales afectaciones y evacuaciones preventivas

Severe Weather and Isolated Heavy Rains Put Northern Chile Under Yellow Alert

**Summary:** US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, citing high costs, positive relations with North Korea, and Seoul's refusal to assist in actions against Iran.

**Key points:**
- The 11 days of Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises were scheduled to run from August 17 to 27 and involve 18,000 South Korean soldiers.
- President Trump stated that the drills sent a hostile signal to North Korea, which he described as unthreatening during his presidency.
- Trump instructed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to carry out the reduction because it was too late to completely cancel the planned exercises.

**Why it matters:** This decision marks a significant shift in regional defense posture and US alliances in the Indo-Pacific, impacting deterrence strategies against North Korea and diplomatic relations with South Korea.

latercera.com - Trump anuncia una “reducción sustancial” de los ejercicios militares conjuntos con Corea del Sur

scmp.com - Trump orders Pentagon to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea

theage.com.au - Trump praises North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, slashes military drills with Seoul

Trump Orders Pentagon to Reduce US-South Korea Military Exercises

**Summary:** The ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has surpassed the 2018-2020 crisis to become the deadliest in the nation's history, with over 2,300 deaths recorded.

**Key points:**
- The outbreak has reached 4,945 confirmed cases across six provinces just three months after being declared.
- The surge is driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments.
- The UN has warned that the virus is spreading rapidly and causing a death rate of one person every 30 minutes in the region.
- Uganda has also reported at least 20 cases in its capital city, Kampala.

**Why it matters:** The unprecedented transmission speed and high fatality rate of the current Ebola surge pose a severe public health emergency in central Africa, compounded by regional insecurity and healthcare challenges.

mizonews.net - Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo now deadliest in country s history

france24.com - Ebola outbreak in DR Congo now deadliest ever

mediapart.fr - En RDC, l’épidémie d’Ebola gagne du terrain plus vite que la riposte

sudouest.fr - Ebola : 2 300 morts, l’épidémie devient la plus meurtrière de l’histoire de la République démocratique du Congo

DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Becomes Country's Deadliest in History

**Summary:** Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro officially kicked off their presidential campaigns in their respective political strongholds ahead of the October election.

**Key points:**
- President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva addressed over 10,000 supporters at Vila Euclides Stadium in Sao Bernardo do Campo.
- Senator Flávio Bolsonaro gathered with voters on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, while his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, remained under house arrest.
- Both campaigns targeted women voters, who represent nearly 53% of Brazil's eligible electorate.
- Lula highlighted his administration's formal job creation and warned against foreign interference in the elections.

**Why it matters:** The upcoming October election in Brazil features a high-stakes race between incumbent President Lula da Silva and right-wing challenger Flávio Bolsonaro, highlighting critical economic shifts and political divides in the country.

manilatimes.net - Brazil's Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro kick off their presidential campaigns

timeslive.co.za - Lula da Silva launches re-election bid where he once led workers’ strikes

Brazil Presidential Candidates Launch Campaigns for October Election