ASEAN voices serious concern over Iran war spillover and energy shortages
Southeast Asian foreign ministers have voiced serious concern over the impact of the Iran war on energy supplies, as they met in Manila on Tuesday. The talks come amid disruption to key maritime routes, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has added pressure to oil imports across the region. ASEAN members are also discussing an oil-sharing mechanism as they seek to limit the effects of the crisis.In a statement, the ministers said they were deeply concerned that the developments were undermining efforts by key mediators and reducing the prospects for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.... [Continue Reading]
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Ukrainian drone strikes leave Russian-held Crimea facing power, water and fuel shortages
Residents in Russian-held Crimea are reporting severe disruption after sustained Ukrainian drone and missile strikes across the peninsula and the transport links connecting it to Russia. People in Yevpatoria and other parts of the Black Sea peninsula say electricity, running water and fuel have all become unreliable, with some areas cut off for much of the day. The disruption has deepened through the spring and summer, according to accounts from residents and local reporting.The campaign is described as Kyiv's largest sustained air effort against Crimea so far this year. Kremlin-installed authorities last month declared a state of emergency and temporarily... [Continue Reading]
Delhi protests continue after police crackdown on youth-led education movement
Thousands gathered again in the Indian capital Delhi a day after police used batons and tear gas to disperse supporters of the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party. The movement is demanding education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and had tried to march on parliament despite a police ban. The latest gathering came after Monday's confrontation near Jantar Mantar, where the protest drew large crowds and ended in violence.According to the supplied material, at least 60 protesters were wounded, 70 were detained and 118 police personnel were also injured during the crackdown. Police also tore down the stage... [Continue Reading]
Palestinians in Gaza react to Hamas election as daily hardship dominates
In Gaza City, Palestinians are reacting with mixed feelings to the election of Khalil al-Hayya as Hamas leader. For many residents, the political change has been overshadowed by the daily struggle to find food, clean water and shelter. The comments gathered from Gaza suggest that the leadership vote has had little immediate effect on people facing the continuing impact of war.One resident, Noman Saleh, said people in Gaza are suffering, hungry and humiliated, and argued that the political factions have failed ordinary people. He said it made no difference to him whether al-Hayya or someone else won, adding that what... [Continue Reading]
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EU recommends pause on methane penalties amid energy supply concerns
The European Commission has recommended that EU member states suspend penalties for oil and gas companies that fail to meet methane emissions rules between 2027 and 2030. The move comes as officials seek to protect energy supplies during a period of tight global markets and disruption linked to conflict in the Middle East. The recommendation is not legally binding, but it signals a significant shift in how the bloc plans to enforce one of its newer climate rules.According to the commission, the pause is intended to give importers time to comply while avoiding supply disruptions. The methane regulation was due... [Continue Reading]
Ukraine's strikes on Russian fuel infrastructure deepen petrol shortages
Ukraine's long-range drone campaign against Russian fuel infrastructure has intensified since May, contributing to petrol shortages across parts of Russia and in occupied Crimea. According to the supplied analysis, the strikes have hit refineries, fuel depots and oil tankers in the Black Sea, forcing some sites to pause production. The result has been an unusual move for one of the world's largest oil producers: Russia has begun importing consumer petrol, mostly from India, to help cover shortfalls.The analysis says there were reports in June of at least six strikes on oil refineries and seven on fuel depots in Russia. It... [Continue Reading]
Dismissal of Ukraine's defence minister highlights wider issues for Zelenskyy
Ukraine's abrupt dismissal of defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov has triggered demonstrations in Kyiv and drawn concern from senior European officials. The move comes at a time when the government appeared to be making gains in several areas of the war with Russia. It has also revived questions about President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's leadership style and his handling of military reform.Fedorov, who is 35, was appointed in January and had been widely associated with a more technology-driven approach to the war effort. He had pushed changes to military procurement, including competitive tendering, and sought to address corruption, manpower shortages and training problems.... [Continue Reading]
Kyiv protests erupt after Zelenskyy sacks defence minister in reshuffle
Hundreds of people gathered in central Kyiv on Thursday after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed defence minister Fedorov as part of a wider government reshuffle. Protesters marched through the streets carrying banners reading "The army is the priority" and chanting "Shame". The demonstration came as parliament also accepted Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko's resignation and approved Serhii Koretskyi, the former head of energy firm Naftogaz, as her successor.The dismissal has added a public dimension to a political reset that was already under way in Kyiv. Fedorov, who had been in the post for six months, was seen by supporters as a moderniser... [Continue Reading]
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UK updates resilience plans and warns public to prepare for possible food and water shortages
The UK government has updated its national resilience plans and is preparing a public awareness campaign later this year to encourage households to take steps for possible food and water shortages. The move is linked to risks from severe weather and cyber attacks, according to the supplied material. It comes as officials say the public should make "small but important steps" to prepare for disruption.Cabinet Office Minister Darren Jones said the government regularly assesses the risks the country could face and plans for what may come. He pointed to record temperatures in May and June as an example of the... [Continue Reading]
Gaza strikes kill children and aid worker as hospital courtyard hit during week of attacks
Israeli strikes and gunfire in Gaza killed children, an aid worker and other civilians over the course of a week, according to the supplied report, which also says a hospital courtyard was hit in northern Gaza. The incidents described took place between 8 and 12 July and were spread across al-Mawasi, Gaza City, the Nuseirat area and the vicinity of Kamal Adwan Hospital. The report presents the violence as part of a continuing pattern of attacks during the war in Gaza.According to Palestinian health officials cited in the row, at least eight people were killed in strikes on 8 July,... [Continue Reading]
Cuba suffers third nationwide blackout in less than 10 days as grid collapses again
Cuba's national power grid collapsed again on Tuesday, leaving about 10 million people without electricity in the island's third nationwide blackout in less than 10 days. The outage began around 11am local time, when the entire electrical system went offline, according to the state-run electricity company UNE. The Ministry of Energy and Mines said there had been a total disconnection of the electrical system.Officials said the latest failure affected the whole island and marked the fifth nationwide blackout in 2026. The repeated outages have become a major test for the country's power infrastructure, which has been under strain for months.... [Continue Reading]

