Two Hong Kong activists were found guilty of inciting subversion under the city’s national security law, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. Lee Cheuk-yan, 69, a former legislator, and Chow Hang-tung, 41, a lawyer, were convicted after a trial that concluded on Friday. A third defendant, Albert Ho, 74, had pleaded guilty earlier. The court heard that they encouraged others to organize unlawful acts with the aim of subverting state power. Chow told the court in May that the law itself was on trial. The pair had organized annual candlelight vigils in Victoria Park to commemorate the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, events that were banned in 2020 on public health grounds. The national security law, enacted in 2020, criminalizes secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces. Human rights organizations said the convictions relied on vague definitions of subversion. Amnesty International called Lee and Chow prisoners of conscience and urged their immediate release. Human Rights Watch said the convictions showed how public mourning had become a crime in Hong Kong. Critics say the law has eroded the city’s autonomy and created a climate of fear, while authorities say it is needed to maintain stability. Sentencing for Lee and Chow is expected at a later date. The case highlights the limits placed on public commemoration in Hong Kong.
Geopolitics, diplomacy, and the stories shaping nations.
President Donald Trump threatened military action against Oman, a U.S. ally that has been mediating the war in Iran, and posted a map that circled the Strait of Hormuz and labeled parts of Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Iran as “NEW U.S. Territory.” He warned that any country providing lifelines to Iran would face “TREMENDOUS Economic Consequences.”
The conflict, which began in February, has entered a stalemate with reduced attacks on both sides and dwindling U.S. ammunition reserves. U.S. officials say Iran’s economy is severely weakened, but sanctions have also harmed Iranian civilians and have not produced the concessions Trump seeks on the Strait of Hormuz.
An anonymous administration official said Iran is “completely broke” and that the president can increase pressure through additional sanctions. White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said Trump has “destroyed Iran’s military capabilities” and will prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Former diplomat Alan Eyre likened the administration’s approach to a “thrashing mastodon” sinking into a tar pit and said Trump is angry that Oman is negotiating a deal that could give Iran partial control of the waterway, even though Trump agreed to allow Oman to negotiate in the June memorandum of understanding.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohsen Rezaei responded to the map with a joke, noting the gap between the claim and reality. Gulf states, which have sought to avoid the war, are exploring diplomatic accommodations with Iran, including a possible joint management of the Strait of Hormuz that would involve tolls and infrastructure to bypass the waterway. Analysts say Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are maintaining close ties with the United States while pursuing separate agreements with Iran.
The United Arab Emirates announced it would cut all trade ties with Iran after a phone call between Trump and Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al‑Nahyan. Edward Fishman of the Council on Foreign Relations said Trump’s threat of unprecedented economic warfare is unlikely to be implemented, given the long‑standing sanctions regime and limited options beyond targeting banks, refineries and overseas assets.
A Hong Kong court on August 21, 2026 convicted former Hong Kong Alliance leaders Lee Cheuk‑yan, 69, and Chow Hang‑tung, 41, of incitement to subversion for organizing annual candlelight vigils to commemorate the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown. The verdict carries a potential sentence of up to ten years in prison.
The Alliance, which coordinated the vigils for three decades, had its activities banned in 2020 under pandemic measures and again after the national security law was imposed in 2020 following the 2019 protests. Lee and Chow were charged in 2021 and have pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors said the activities threatened national security. Chow, a human rights lawyer who represented herself, told the court in May that the law itself was on trial. Mark Clifford, president of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, said the verdict was not surprising. He added that the pair had been characterized as speaking out against the authorities. Human Rights Watch’s Asia director Elaine Pearson said the case illustrated the Chinese government’s desire to erase public memory of the 1989 events. Chow described in a blog how she was restrained with specialized handcuffs and shackles during detention, reporting pain from the contortions required by the restraints. She is among the few prominent political detainees in Hong Kong who have continued to speak publicly about her treatment. In 2023, media mogul Jimmy Lai was convicted of national security offenses and sentenced to twenty years in prison.
Sentencing for Lee and Chow is expected at a later date. The case underscores ongoing concerns about freedom of expression in Hong Kong as the national security law remains in force.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, on Thursday to demand the removal of President Kais Saied and the restoration of democratic governance. The demonstration marked the second month of public protests over economic hardship and political restrictions. The previous protest on July 25 coincided with the anniversary of Saied’s 2021 dismissal of the government and suspension of parliament. Saied, a former constitutional lawyer elected in 2019, has ruled by decree since then and dissolved parliament in 2022. Activist Wissem Sghaier, who participated in the march, said the country faces severe challenges, according to Reuters. Protesters rejected “one‑man rule” and warned of a slide toward dictatorship, urging the release of jailed opposition figures, activists and journalists. Tunisian authorities have faced mounting economic pressure, with inflation at 5.2 percent, shortages of basic goods, and reduced public services, the World Bank reported. The government has introduced cost‑saving measures, including a halt to public sector hiring and cuts to imports. Protests have also erupted in other regions over water and power outages and environmental issues, indicating that public anger extends beyond political disputes to everyday hardships. Rights groups say the administration has intensified actions targeting opposition leaders, civil society groups, journalists and activists. The situation remains unresolved as the government has not yet responded to the demonstrators’ demands.
Seven people, including five Americans, died when a Eurocopter EC130 B4 helicopter operated by Lady Lori Helicopters crashed into Mount Ololokwe near the AndBeyond luxury safari camp on Wednesday at 9:13 a.m. local time. Mount Ololokwe, also called Sapashe by the Samburu County community, rises more than 6,500 feet above sea level and is a frequent destination for tourists and safari operators. Charter flights are commonly used in the area because of its expansive terrain. The helicopter was carrying guests of the tour company AndBeyond. Among the victims were Telemundo executive José Alberto Suárez, Ecuadorian intelligence chief Michele Sensi‑Contugi and his wife Stephany Hollihan, Miami restaurateur Roger Duarte, Henry Parra, Adam Hlavaty, and pilot Josh Outram. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said the cause of the crash is under investigation. Guide Samuel Kampala of Saruni Basecamp observed the aircraft circling the mountain before it struck a rock and began to descend. Authorities have not determined the cause of the accident.
On August 21, Myanmar’s military began an offensive in Rakhine State to secure land for a planned port project backed by Russia, according to Reuters. The military said the operation is intended to clear the area for construction. The port project, announced in 2024, is being financed by Russian entities and is expected to facilitate maritime trade. Local officials reported heightened troop activity in the region, and concerns about potential civilian displacement have been raised. The junta has not disclosed a schedule for the port’s completion.
Shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz fell to seven commodity vessels on Thursday, down from 43 the previous day, according to vessel tracking data. The drop occurred amid heightened security concerns and the pause of Iran-U.S. diplomatic talks.
The Strait of Hormuz handles a large share of global oil shipments. Tensions have risen after the United States sent the USS George Washington carrier strike group to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, which had been deployed for several months. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told allied nations that they must support U.S. sanctions against Iran or risk economic consequences.
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels said they targeted an airport and an Aramco facility in Saudi Arabia's Najran region, near the Yemeni border, according to their statement.
Analysts noted that the reduced vessel count could affect oil supply chains, though no immediate impact on prices has been observed.
The situation remains unresolved, with shipping activity expected to stay low until the diplomatic dispute is addressed.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono in Jakarta on Friday, and the two countries’ defence and foreign ministers are scheduled to meet later in a 2+2 dialogue. The talks focus on security, political relations and economic cooperation as Indonesia seeks to balance its ties with China and the United States amid trade disputes and South China Sea tensions.
Wang said that amid complex global challenges, the meeting under the new dialogue mechanism was timely and both countries should seize the moment. He added that unilateralism and hegemonic acts undermine global cooperation and stability, and that China aims to build high‑level cooperation with Indonesia.
Defence Minister Dong Jun arrived in Jakarta and said the two militaries have scope to work together to protect national interests and counter external threats. He noted that military cooperation is becoming higher in quality and more effective. Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said joint exercises, officer exchanges and defence industry partnerships will increase, describing the steps as part of Indonesia’s effort to strengthen its defence capabilities.
Earlier in August, the Chinese and Indonesian navies conducted a joint exercise east of Taiwan, which Indonesia described as routine and which also involved Japan and the United States. Analyst Curie Maharani said the location allowed China to project influence, and Indonesia recognised that great powers use defence diplomacy as an instrument of influence.
Chinese firms contributed $3.9 billion in foreign direct investment to Indonesia in the first half of 2026, according to Indonesian data. Some companies have called for more business‑friendly policies, citing high taxes and a new nickel pricing formula that raise costs. The China Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia said firms face stringent regulation, over‑enforcement and reports of corruption.
Key investors include Contemporary Amperex Technology and steelmaker Tsingshan Group. The meeting underscores continuing efforts to deepen economic and security ties while Indonesia maintains a non‑aligned foreign policy.
Balinese authorities sentenced a 26-year-old Swiss citizen to one year in prison for violating the Nyepi holiday restrictions on the island of Bali. The judgment was issued on March 20 following a video that circulated on social media, which was later removed. In the footage, the tourist walked on an empty beach and described the scene as "crazy," according to local reports. Nyepi, also known as the Day of Silence, obliges all individuals on the island to observe silence, stay at home, and refrain from loud noises, electricity use and public entertainment. The holiday fell on March 19 this year. The presiding judge stated that the defendant's actions offended the Balinese people and provoked public outrage, according to the Associated Press. The tourist told the court that he did not understand the scope of the restrictions and apologized, the Associated Press reported. Tourists have previously been detained or deported for similar breaches. Bali's tourism numbers have risen since the pandemic, reaching a record seven million international visitors in the prior year. Officials have said they will increase scrutiny of visitors to deter future violations.
The United States said it will impose sanctions described as the toughest in its history against Iran, effective August 20, 2026.
The United States said it will impose sanctions described as the toughest in its history against Iran, effective August 20, 2026.
Sanctions have been a central tool of U.S. policy toward Iran since the 2015 nuclear agreement and previous rounds have limited Tehran’s access to international finance.
The measures target Iran’s oil exports and related financial institutions, aiming to restrict revenue streams that support its nuclear and regional activities.
Washington said the sanctions will be administered by the Treasury Department and will be enforced through existing legal authorities.
Iranian officials condemned the decision, stating it violates national sovereignty.
The European Union expressed concern that the unilateral action could impede diplomatic efforts.
Analysts differ on the potential impact; some predict the restrictions will deepen Iran’s economic isolation, while others suggest they may pressure Tehran toward renewed negotiations.
The United Nations has not yet issued a statement, and the Iranian government has not indicated the timing of its response.
A Hong Kong court convicted two pro-democracy activists, Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung, of incitement to subversion under the city's national security law, a case that illustrates the use of the law to address political dissent.
The Hong Kong Alliance, a now‑dissolved group that organized annual candlelit vigils to commemorate the victims of China's 1989 Tiananmen crackdown, was targeted under the national security law enacted in 2020 after large protests.
Lee Cheuk-yan, 69, has been active in Hong Kong's labour movement since the 1970s and has worked on human rights issues related to China. He told the court that his involvement in the vigils began in the early years of the Alliance and that he had witnessed the 1989 protests in Beijing, describing hearing gunfire and seeing casualties. He said his commitment to democratic reform is a lifelong goal and that advocating for democratic change does not require ending the Communist Party's leadership.
Chow Hang-tung, 41, is a Cambridge‑educated lawyer who represented herself at trial. She joined the Alliance in 2010, became a spokesperson after the 2020 national security law was imposed, and has undertaken a hunger strike each June since 2021 to mark the anniversary. During the trial she quoted Liu Xiaobo, stating that the Alliance opposed one‑party rule rather than any specific party, and argued that seeking justice for Tiananmen victims is a moral duty that should not be treated as a criminal act.
Albert Ho, 74, a former leader of the Democratic Party and a founder of the Alliance, pleaded guilty in January to a related charge. He told the Legislative Council in 2009 that the CCP could not conceal the June 4 massacre through economic achievements, and in 2018 said that in a democratic China, one‑party rule would have to end, though this does not imply the elimination of the party.
The convictions mark the latest use of the national security law to prosecute individuals for activities related to the Tiananmen memorial, following the disbandment of the Alliance and the continued detention of other participants. The case may influence how the authorities address political expression in Hong Kong and could attract further international attention.
The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Canada have condemned Israel's plan to open tenders for about 1,234 new settlement homes in the E1 area of the occupied West Bank.
The statement, released on Thursday, said the construction would deepen instability in the West Bank and further damage Israel's international standing.
Israeli settlements are deemed illegal under international law, and the E1 project, which would link East Jerusalem to the Maale Adumim settlement, has been delayed for decades under diplomatic pressure.
The United Nations secretary‑general and Belgium's foreign minister also warned that the E1 plan threatens the viability of a contiguous Palestinian state.
Israel's housing ministry issued the tender on Wednesday, covering roughly 12 square kilometres between East Jerusalem and Maale Adumim, after the Israeli government approved 3,401 housing units in August.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, an ultranationalist settler, said the plans aim to erase the concept of a Palestinian state.
About 160 settlements housing 700,000 Jews have been built since Israel occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 1967, alongside roughly 3.3 million Palestinians.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's return to power in late 2022, leading a right‑wing coalition, has accelerated settlement expansion, especially after the Gaza war began following Hamas's October 7 attack.
Opponents, including Bedouin Palestinians and Israeli peace groups, have challenged the tender in Israeli courts, arguing that the development would cut off the northern West Bank from the south and hinder the creation of a unified Palestinian urban area.
The coordinated Western criticism highlights persistent diplomatic tension over settlement policy and its impact on peace negotiations.
Cap-Haitien, Haiti (AP) — The United States deported more than 160 people to Haiti on Thursday, the first flight since the Trump administration ended Temporary Protected Status for Haitians. The plane landed in Cap-Haitien because the main airport in Port-au-Prince remains unsafe due to ongoing gang violence. A ban on U.S. commercial flights to Port-au-Prince through early September further limited options.
Jean Négot Bonheur Delva, director general of Haiti’s National Office of Migration, said the government welcomes the returnees and will try to help them reach their homes. He noted that some deportees are not Haitian citizens but have Haitian ancestry. Officials offered each person up to $65 and basic food and drink, and said those unable to travel immediately would be housed in secure facilities.
Most of the deportees declined to speak, citing fear of gang retaliation in a city where gangs control an estimated 70 percent of Port-au-Prince. Some individuals said they had lived legally in the United States under TPS since 2010, while others had served prison sentences. One deportee, identified as Jean Diane Louis, said he left Haiti as a child and was sentenced to 19 years in prison for a crime he said he did not commit.
Activists warn that Haiti’s current security situation and limited resources make reintegration difficult. The United Nations estimates that gang violence has displaced more than 1.5 million people and caused more than 3,100 deaths between January and June. The United States has conducted only a handful of deportation flights to Haiti since December 2023, according to Human Rights First.
U.S. immigration officials also arrested a Haitian pastor and another man in Springfield, Ohio, on Thursday. The pastor’s organization said the arrests reflected heightened immigration enforcement in the area.
The Haitian group Supporting Refugees and Returnees said the deportations add to a growing humanitarian challenge and called for measures to assist the arrivals.
U.S. authorities have not disclosed how many of the 161 deportees were TPS holders. The Supreme Court’s June decision allowed the TPS program to end, affecting about 1 million people from multiple countries. Lower courts have since permitted the government to resume deportations.
The Haitian government has not announced a plan to receive and support the new arrivals, leaving the future of their integration uncertain.
Two former organizers of Hong Kong’s annual Tiananmen vigil were convicted by a Hong Kong court of inciting subversion under the 2020 national security law, with the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China also found guilty.
The annual vigil, which drew tens of thousands of participants before the pandemic, commemorated the 1989 crackdown and was the only large public remembrance in the former British colony. Authorities banned the event in 2020, citing the security law, and have since prosecuted several activists.
Lee Cheuk‑yan and Chow Hang‑tung, both former leaders of the alliance, pleaded not guilty. The judges said their call to "end one-party dictatorship" was interpreted as encouraging the overthrow of the Communist Party leadership, which the court deemed unlawful under the security law. They were charged in 2021 and face up to 10 years in prison. The verdict was delivered on Friday.
Lee’s wife, Elizabeth Tang, expressed disappointment and said the judges did not consider their lawyers’ arguments; she indicated the family may appeal. Chow’s mother, Medina Chow Lau Wah‑chun, said she hoped for a healthier environment. Tang Ngok‑kwan, a former alliance member, said police prevented him from attending with materials referencing June 4. Margaret Chan, a former participant, questioned how the alliance could incite patriotism. A co‑defendant, Albert Ho, pleaded guilty earlier and awaits sentencing.
Observers noted the trial reflects the erosion of civil liberties in Hong Kong since the security law’s implementation. Human rights groups say the law has been used to prosecute activists, lawyers and journalists. The 1989 crackdown, in which hundreds may have died, remains a taboo subject on the mainland.
Sentencing for Lee and Chow is pending. They will request reduced sentences at a hearing next week.
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was taken back to Adiala prison early Friday after a medical examination at Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad, following a Supreme Court order that required the exam.
Khan, who was removed from office in April 2022 and imprisoned in 2023 on corruption convictions, has been the focus of disputes over his health and the conditions of his detention.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said a team of doctors, including an ophthalmologist, a cardiologist and a physician, examined Khan and declared him medically fit; his sister Azma Khan was present during the examination. The Supreme Court panel, composed of three judges, ordered the transfer to Shifa and instructed that the medical board include specialists and Khan’s personal physician Faisal Sultan. The government said it would comply with the court’s directive and that all arrangements for the transfer had been completed.
Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, and his family had previously requested that he remain at the hospital for treatment, arguing that his health concerns were not being adequately addressed. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the government sought clarification from the Supreme Court on whether the medical relief granted to Khan applied only to him or could be extended to other prisoners, emphasizing that the request was not intended to delay implementation. The government also noted that, under existing regulations, prisoners receive medical care in prison or at government hospitals when necessary, and that Khan’s vision loss claims were disputed, with officials later reporting that he had regained about 70% of sight in his right eye.
The outcome of the medical directive and its potential application to other detainees remains under review.
Yung Filly, whose real name is Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos, is scheduled to face a retrial on three rape charges in Australia after a jury cleared him of several sexual assault counts and could not reach a decision on others. The alleged offences occurred in August 2024 when the 31‑year‑old Colombian‑born rapper was on tour in Perth and was accused of sexually assaulting a 20‑year‑old woman in his hotel room after performing at a nightclub in Hillarys. He denied all 10 charges, and the first trial resulted in acquittals on three counts of rape, one assault charge and a strangulation charge, while a guilty verdict was recorded on two counts of assault. Barrientos will appear in court on 27 August to seek a variation of his bail, and sentencing on the two guilty counts will be delayed until after the retrial; the prosecution said the complainant is willing to give evidence again. During the trial, Barrientos testified that he had been attracted to the woman and described their interaction as having "good vibes." Prosecutor Danielle Clarke described him as an entitled man with moderate fame who violated the complainant, while his defence lawyer argued that the complainant’s account contained inconsistencies and embellishments. The case remains pending, with no retrial date set, and the outcome will determine the final sentencing.
US officials warned allies and China on Thursday to join a campaign that isolates Iran’s economy, saying the pressure could force Tehran to change its policies. Iran’s foreign ministry called the US threats economic terrorism and crimes against humanity. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said any remaining economic ties to Tehran would hasten its economic decline and that further details would be provided at a press conference on Monday. Vice President JD Vance said the United States considers economic pressure the most effective tool and that Iran would attempt to apply pressure on the United States. Bessent added that discussions with China should be held privately but urged Beijing to cooperate. President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit the White House on September 24. The United States announced new sanctions Thursday targeting Hezbollah’s financing network in Lebanon, citing its close ties with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. The administration also approved a potential $4.5 billion sale of refueling aircraft to Qatar, which has served as a mediator in the conflict. A new US aircraft carrier strike group arrived in the Middle East on Wednesday, replacing the USS Abraham Lincoln, which had reported logistical issues during a deployment that began in November 2025. President Donald Trump said on his Truth Social platform that talks with Iran are on hold and announced an unprecedented economic operation, but did not specify the measures.
Cameroon's 93-year-old President Paul Biya returned to Yaoundé on Thursday after a 73‑day absence, landing at the capital’s airport at approximately 1600 GMT. Biya, who has led the country since 1982, had been in Geneva since June 7, a period his office described as a short private stay. He arrived with first lady Chantal Biya and was greeted by dozens of ruling party supporters wearing campaign apparel. Opposition figures condemned the prolonged absence as creating an institutional vacuum and said the country was operating on autopilot while the appointment of a new government and vice‑president remained pending. Senior ruling party figure James Fame Ndongo said the president continued to oversee state affairs. Teacher Giles Owono, 30, who attended the welcome ceremony, said the prolonged absence raised questions but did not change the functioning of the country. Prosper Nkou Mvondo, leader of the opposition party Univers, told AFP that the return was a spectacle with no substantive impact. Communication Minister René Emmanuel Sadi previously denied reports that Biya had been hospitalized in Geneva. With no vice‑president appointed, the senate president, Aboubakary Abdoulaye, is next in line should a power vacuum arise before a presidential election can be scheduled. The episode underscores ongoing concerns about governance continuity in Cameroon as the president approaches the later stages of his five‑decade rule.
United States has deported nearly 2,300 Mexicans to Guatemala and sent dozens to Honduras this year, a shift from earlier practice of returning them directly to Mexico.
Historically, Mexico accepted its own deportees and, since Trump’s second term, has entered agreements with Central American nations to act as transit points for migrants expelled from U.S. territory.
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo said 2,284 Mexicans have arrived in Guatemala as a transit stop before being sent to Mexico without refugee or asylum status.
The Mexican government has protested the transfers, stating that Mexican citizens have the right to enter Mexico and that the practice may endanger those seeking asylum.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said the administration is using “all lawful options” to carry out the largest deportation operation in history, as promised by President Trump.
Costs are covered by Mexico or, in some cases, by U.S. funding, according to Guatemalan officials.
The Mexican National Migration Institute confirmed the deportations began in April, with flights to Guatemala and Honduras followed by bus transport to southern Mexico.
Honduran officials did not respond to requests for comment, but records show 82 Mexicans arrived in San Pedro Sula in August and 35 more on a recent Thursday.
Additional data from NGOs indicate 165 Mexicans were deported to Honduras between May and mid‑July, and advocacy groups such as Human Rights First say the policy is intended to pressure Mexico.
Immigration lawyers note the tactic may circumvent court orders that block direct returns to Mexico, raising legal concerns.
The practice has continued with reports of Mexicans being sent to Costa Rica and other countries, while the Mexican foreign ministry says it is coordinating with partner nations to ensure safe return.
Egypt’s response to Ethiopia’s proposal to build three new Blue Nile hydropower projects focuses on diplomacy, international pressure and cooperation with Sudan rather than attempts to halt construction outright. The plan, announced in March by Ethiopia’s Water and Energy Ministry, includes the Karadobi, Mandaya and Beko Abo projects, which together are estimated to generate about 5,700 megawatts, though figures may change as the projects remain in the planning stage.
The initiatives follow Ethiopia’s September 2025 inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, a 5,150‑megawatt facility that completed a decade‑long negotiation process with Egypt and Sudan. Ethiopian officials say the new dams are intended to increase electricity generation and support economic development in a country where many lack reliable power.
Ezekiel Gebissa, a professor at Kettering University, noted that the impact on downstream nations will depend on the scale and purpose of the projects, adding that smaller dams could supply local electricity without substantially reducing water flow, while larger irrigation‑linked projects could have broader effects.
Egypt has expressed concern that upstream water storage could affect its supply, especially during drought, and has called for agreements on dam operation, drought management, water releases and data sharing. In September, Egypt raised the issue at the United Nations Security Council, asserting that Ethiopia’s GERD inauguration violated its international obligations.
Sudan, situated between Ethiopia and Egypt, seeks greater transparency and cooperation to protect its own interests, according to governance expert Mekki Elmograbi, though its ability to influence the process is limited by its ongoing conflict.
Analyst Abdiwahab Sheikh said Egypt possesses meaningful but limited leverage, relying on diplomatic channels, alliances and coordination with Sudan rather than economic pressure or military options.
The future of the three projects will be determined by negotiated rules on information exchange, advance notification, adaptive dam‑management and mechanisms for addressing downstream impacts.
U.S. and South Korean forces ended their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield drills early on Friday, six days before the originally scheduled conclusion, after President Donald Trump ordered a reduction in the exercise scope. North Korea responded with approximately ten short‑range ballistic missile launches toward the sea on Saturday. The U.S. Pacific Command said the launches did not threaten U.S. territory or its allies and reiterated that the United States remains committed to defending the region. Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said the reduction in drill duration would not change the nature of the exercises and that the gesture would not be sufficient for Pyongyang to return to negotiations. Leif‑Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University, said North Korea may seek broader economic and political concessions after the U.S. midterm elections, when President Trump’s domestic political position could shift. Kim Dong‑yub of the University of North Korean Studies said Kim Yo Jong’s measured language suggests the North wishes to keep dialogue open while pursuing additional benefits.
The Panama Canal Authority announced on Thursday that daily vessel transits will be capped at 34 ships beginning September 4, with the limit reducing to 32 ships on September 15, to conserve water as El Niño is expected to lower reservoir levels.
El Niño is a naturally occurring phenomenon that occurs every two to seven years when the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean is warmer than average, producing drought and heat across the region.
In May, the Authority told Reuters it had no plans to impose limits this year, citing water conservation measures enacted after the 2023 drought that cut traffic by roughly 36 percent.
The canal normally accommodates about 40 vessels per day, and traffic averaged 35 transits daily since June, making the new caps a reduction of roughly 15 percent.
The reduction may affect shipping schedules and increase costs for industries that rely on the waterway.
Authorities have previously imposed vessel limits to preserve water during dry periods, and they continue to monitor reservoir levels as scientists predict a particularly strong El Niño event.
Thursday, the Panama Canal Authority announced that daily ship traffic will be cut beginning September 3 because of a drought intensified by the El Niño weather pattern.
The canal links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and carries roughly five percent of global maritime trade and about 40 percent of United States container traffic.
Starting with 36 vessels allowed per day, the daily limit will drop to 34 on September 3 and to 32 on September 15.
The authority has lowered the maximum draft for the largest ships and is applying additional water‑conservation measures to preserve water levels.
Honduras placed 80 percent of its territory on drought alert on Wednesday.
The current El Niño episode is expected to rank among the strongest on record, according to the authority.
The canal operator said the reductions are intended to ensure the long‑term sustainability of the waterway.
Washington announced new sanctions against Hezbollah, targeting individuals and entities linked to the group. The measures aim to curb financial support that the group receives from Iran. Officials said the sanctions underscore the United States' view that Iran continues to provide assistance to Hezbollah. The Treasury Department listed several entities and individuals as designated under existing authorities. The action follows previous rounds of sanctions and reflects ongoing U.S. pressure on the network. Iranian officials have not responded publicly to the latest measures. The sanctions do not alter existing diplomatic channels between the United States and Iran, but they signal continued focus on Hezbollah's activities.
Hong Kong's High Court convicted two former leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China for inciting subversion under the national security law. Lee Cheuk-yan, 69, and Chow Hang-tung, 41, were found guilty of repeatedly using the phrase "end one‑party dictatorship" in public statements. Prosecutors said the statements were intended to undermine the Communist Party and diminish public confidence in the government. The three national security judges concluded that the conduct met the legal elements of subversion, an offense punishable by up to ten years in prison.
Founded in 2006, the alliance organized annual commemorations of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown in Beijing. Such gatherings were permitted in Hong Kong until the national security law took effect in 2020, after months of pro‑democracy protests in 2019.
The judgment, released on August 21, 2026, stated that the defendants' repeated calls, though non‑violent, breached the national security law. The judges emphasized that the intention to cause division and erode confidence in the ruling party satisfied the statutory requirements.
Albert Ho, 74, a former chairman of the alliance and the city’s largest opposition Democratic Party, pleaded guilty to the same charge in 2023 and remains detained.
Mitigation hearings for Lee and Chow are scheduled to begin later this month. The case illustrates how the national security law has been used to address public commemorations that were previously tolerated.
Legal analysts note that the verdict expands the law’s application beyond overt political activity, raising questions about the scope of permitted speech in Hong Kong.
Taliban released two United Nations staff members who had been detained in Herat on August 9, the United Nations said on Thursday morning. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported that it had not been formally notified of the reasons for the arrests and that the charges against the men had been dropped. The organization said it was following up to ensure the privileges, immunities and safety of United Nations personnel in the country. The release marks the latest detention of United Nations staff by the Taliban, which has held several local aid workers in recent months. A Human Rights Watch report last week said six employees of a local organization focused on women and children had been forcibly disappeared for more than a month. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the two men were in good health and faced no further judicial proceedings. Afghan authorities did not immediately comment on the release. United Nations agencies continue to operate in health, humanitarian assistance and other sectors across Afghanistan despite reduced international aid and the return of large numbers of Afghan citizens from Iran and Pakistan. The UN mission, mandated by the Security Council to promote humanitarian assistance and human rights, said it would continue to monitor the situation and seek respect for the freedoms of its personnel.
Fernando Cerimedo, 42, a political consultant who has served as an adviser to Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz Pereira and to several far‑right leaders in Latin America, was arrested in Santa Cruz de la Sierra on Tuesday on suspicion of ordering a gun attack on Nadia Beller, a Bolivian lawyer with whom he has been in a relationship since 2023. CCTV footage captured two men dressed as delivery riders firing at Beller outside a hotel on Monday night; she survived and was taken to a hospital. Beller said she had been lured to the hotel after receiving anonymous messages claiming she possessed evidence of crimes by former president Evo Morales, who is wanted on two arrest warrants. Police said they are investigating whether the incident resulted from a personal dispute between Cerimedo and Beller. Cerimedo’s lawyer, Ernesto Giraldes, said his client traveled to Santa Cruz specifically to visit Beller and denied any involvement in the shooting. José Luis Gálvez, a presidential spokesperson, said Cerimedo acted as Paz Pereira’s personal consultant but held no official government position, and the president expressed solidarity with Beller and pledged no interference in the investigation. Cerimedo was previously indicted in Brazil in 2022 for alleged involvement in a plot to keep former president Jair Bolsonaro in power after the 2022 election; prosecutors declined to file charges, citing insufficient evidence that he knew the alleged dossier was fabricated.