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Sport
Home Heroes and Japanese Stars Shine in Qingdao
The Qingdao Grand Prix opened with memorable performances as home favourite Wenna Zhuang delighted the local fans. Hayato Kondo claimed a second Qingdao title, Kokoro Fujishiro earned her first Grand Prix gold, Hifumi Abe added another title, Maysa Pardayeva celebrated a maiden World Tour victory.
South Korea
Watch: South Korea holds first live-fire drill against drone swarms
South Korea's air force carried out its first live-fire exercise against a simulated swarm drone attack. Military forces used Vulcan air-defense guns, a portable laser and shotguns to intercept all 50 drones during the drill.
Focus
Tashkent forum closes with 166 investment agreements worth €37.6bn
In partnership with Center for the Production of Content for Mass Media under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
More than 10,000 participants, including delegates from 102 countries, examined market access, transport links, green power, digital exports and the policies needed to turn commitments into operating projects.
Iran
Gulf states weigh living side by side with Iran as Tehran weaponises Hormuz
As the frontline countries paying the largest price for the Iran war, pressed by severe economic urgencies, the Gulf states are beginning their own firm process towards regional stability with rival Iran, while Tehran continues weaponising the Strait of Hormuz to sow division with its neighbours.
Iran
IRGC warns ships over Hormuz routes as Rubio draws line on tolls
The IRGC warned that any vessel navigating outside Tehran's designated routes was acting illegally, directly rejecting Oman's newly announced temporary corridor, as Rubio told a GCC meeting the US would not accept fees regardless of how they are framed.
Europe Today
US-Iran talks 'threaten to derail the fragile peace process'
Former Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy believes Israel's campaign is "creating the urgency and opportunity" for Lebanon to confront Hezbollah. Levy said that if Lebanon is "capable of dismantling Hezbollah", it could mark the beginning of "a beautiful peace between Israel and Lebanon.
Iran
Hormuz confusion deepens as Iran and US clash over who controls it
Trump said Tehran had promised no tolls or charges in the strait, hours after Iran and Oman announced a joint permit system asserting their authority over the waterway. Rubio flew to Abu Dhabi to reassure Gulf allies, as analysts warned control over Hormuz would be a major strategic victory for Iran
Iran
Iran calls framework deal 'US defeat' as Trump threatens to halt talks
Iranian key negotiator hailed the US–Iran framework deal as a “declaration of US defeat,” while Trump warned that talks would end immediately if reports that Tehran is seeking to impose tolls on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz prove to be true.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan signs €10bn in EU deals as Tokayev wraps Brussels visit
During President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's visit to Brussels, strategic documents were signed with the EU, and 30 commercial deals were concluded with EU companies, with the EU being the Central Asian country's largest trading and investment partner.