Breakfast News Recap: Middle East tensions widen as Gaza deal, NATO alert and market gains dominate

US Iran tensions escalated further as strikes and interceptions continued, with Pakistan saying talks between Tehran and Washington were still ongoing even as the conflict widened and disruption around the Strait of Hormuz deepened. The United States is also spending heavily on missile interceptors and other munitions, underlining the rising cost of the confrontation.  🔗  🔗

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In Gaza, Hamas said it had agreed to a deal to disarm in return for the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Strip, and separately accepted a framework for its remaining heavy weapons to be inventoried and stored under Palestinian supervision. The moves point to the most significant shift yet in the group’s position, though the details and implementation remain unclear.  🔗  🔗

Security fears widened in Europe after a Russian missile entered Polish airspace and crashed in eastern Poland, prompting NATO fighter jets and support aircraft to scramble. In Cyprus, a British man, Rashad Sultanov, was arrested on suspicion of spying on RAF Akrotiri for Iran, adding to the sense of regional tension.  🔗  🔗

India voiced alarm over repeated attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea after Indian seafarers were killed or injured, while the US Senate advanced a Russia sanctions bill that could trigger major tariffs on countries buying Russian oil, including India and China. Saudi Arabia and 13 other countries also launched a new maritime defence coalition for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to protect navigation through the Bab al Mandeb Strait.  🔗  🔗  🔗

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Pakistan faced another major domestic disaster after a coal mine blast in Balochistan killed at least 34 workers, while rescue efforts continued. In India, severe flooding in north Odisha affected more than seven lakh people after heavy rain triggered widespread inundation across several districts.  🔗  🔗

Japan’s earthquake death toll rose to 34 after the magnitude 7.1 quake in Kumamoto, with officials warning that aftershocks remain a serious concern. In Nepal, communal violence in the eastern Tarai spread from Sunsari to Siraha, leaving three dead and prompting curfews in several districts.  🔗  🔗  🔗

Across Europe, wildfires in France and Spain showed mixed signs, with a major blaze west of Bordeaux no longer advancing, even as smoke from fires across both countries exposed millions to dangerous pollution. Spain also reinforced Ceuta after a large migrant crossing from Morocco, with thousands entering the enclave by sea and by breaking through a border fence.  🔗  🔗  🔗

Elsewhere, Cuba’s healthcare system was reported to be deteriorating under the strain of US sanctions, fuel shortages, worsening medical shortages, rising death rates and prolonged blackouts. The UN opened its search for a new secretary general, with an initial straw poll putting Rebeca Grynspan ahead. Australia reported H5N1 bird flu at Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island, prompting a pause in tours to protect the endangered sea lion colony, while police also warned about uniforms and badges being sold on Chinese e commerce sites.  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗

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In Britain, the government announced £8.4 billion for the next phase of the Dreadnought nuclear submarine programme, and signalled a pragmatic approach to North Sea oil and gas after a call between Andy Burnham and Donald Trump. Trump also claimed Morocco had named part of the Tiznit Dakhla highway after him, a statement that has raised questions in Rabat.  🔗  🔗  🔗

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