Newsworthy in the World on Monday

The weekend went by quickly. It’s Monday again. Here is today’s World News. I try not to repeat too much, but sadly, some developments linger for days, weeks, months, sometimes even years—like stupid wars.

Africa

Nigeria — Foreign capital inflows reached a six-year high of about $23 billion, while Nigeria’s stock market is up sharply this year. Yet the cost of making a basic pot of jollof rice has more than doubled since 2023, petrol is roughly six times more expensive after subsidy removal, and near-16% inflation is still squeezing families ahead of January’s election.

South Sudan — A South Sudanese whistleblower has been freed after nearly two months in detention, according to family members. The case had drawn concern over the treatment of government critics and people exposing alleged misconduct.

Libya — Libya’s central bank chief has tendered his resignation, adding another layer of uncertainty to an institution that sits at the heart of the country’s oil revenues, public salaries, and disputes between rival political authorities.

Egypt — Egypt’s core inflation increased to 14.7% in July, while annual urban consumer inflation rose to 14.9%. After months of economic adjustment and currency pressure, the renewed increase complicates hopes for faster relief for households.

Asia

Japan and Taiwan — Sony Group and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. are reportedly preparing to spend about 1 trillion yen on next-generation image-sensor chips. The project would deepen Japan’s return to advanced semiconductor manufacturing and strengthen ties with Taiwan’s dominant chip industry.

Taiwan — Taipei’s cabinet plans a 16% increase for 2027, taking the defence budget above roughly US$31 billion. The increase comes as Taiwan invests more heavily in missiles, drones, air defence and domestic weapons production.

North Korea — A South Korean cybersecurity firm says a North Korean hacking group has developed large-language-model tools that could automate parts of cyberattacks, analyse stolen data and produce more convincing phishing campaigns. It is another sign that generative AI is moving quickly into state-sponsored cyber operations.

Asia-Pacific defence — A senior Pentagon official said Monday that the United States is not withdrawing from Asia but expects allies to carry more of their own defence burden. The language signals a shift in how Washington is framing its security relationships across the region.

Australia & Pacific

South Australia — Premier Peter Malinauskas announced a formal inquiry into AI’s effects on education, workplaces, government, health, arts and culture. It begins in October and is due to report by July 2027, making South Australia one of the first jurisdictions to subject AI’s social impact to a Royal Commission.

New South Wales — The state education minister has asked regulators to consider a moratorium on unsupervised take-home assessments while they review how generative AI is affecting student work.

Australia — Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the government will amend proposed gambling legislation to address inducements, advertising aimed at children and young people’s exposure to betting promotions.

Australia — Defence officials confirmed reports of multiple drones operating near RAAF Base Williamtown and Newcastle Airport. Authorities are investigating the breach near one of Australia’s most important fighter-aircraft bases.

Australia — Internal documents show a Chinese woman who died by suicide in a Melbourne detention centre had previously been identified as a suicide risk. Beijing has formally raised “grave concern” with Australia over her treatment and the circumstances of her death.

Middle East

Gaza — The latest U.S. plan calls for Hamas to disarm while Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza. Hamas has accepted the framework, while Israel rejects withdrawing before disarmament is completed, leaving the sequencing of the two steps as the central obstacle.

Iran and Oman — Tehran says it is close to an agreement with Oman on new routes through the Strait of Hormuz, but Iran still demands sanctions relief, compensation and an end to U.S. military threats before fully reopening the waterway.

Gulf economies — Saudi Arabia’s market rose slightly Monday, while Dubai and Abu Dhabi fell as investors weighed the uncertain shipping negotiations and recent attacks on vessels and Saudi energy infrastructure.

Russia & Ukraine

Ukraine — Kyiv has reduced its 2026–27 grain-export forecast by as much as 12%, citing damage from Russian attacks on southern port infrastructure. Ukraine remains an important global supplier of wheat, corn and other grains, so repeated disruption at Odesa has consequences beyond the battlefield.

Russia — Uzbekistan’s consulate says seven of its nationals died in an attack in Russia’s Tatarstan region. The deaths highlight the growing number of migrant workers and foreign nationals being caught in strikes far from the front line.

Scandinavia & Arctic

Nordic and Baltic states — Poland and the Baltic countries are increasing physical security around critical infrastructure amid fears of possible Russian false-flag or hybrid operations. The measures include surveillance, protection of transport and energy assets and closer coordination across borders.

Europe

Germany

Germany warns that “hybrid warfare” is now a daily reality. Authorities are investigating a suspected drone incident while officials say cyberattacks, sabotage, disinformation and unexplained drone flights have become persistent security concerns rather than occasional events.

A far-right German influencer is seeking U.S. funding for a new media network. The application has drawn attention because of growing concern about foreign financing of political media and influence operations ahead of elections in eastern Germany.

Italy

Mount Etna shuts down arrivals at Catania Airport. An ash cloud from the Sicilian volcano forced authorities to suspend incoming flights. Etna erupts frequently, but airspace closures can quickly disrupt travel across Sicily and the central Mediterranean.

Italian scientists prepare a new solar instrument for the August 12 eclipse. Researchers are preparing equipment for a high-stakes test during Wednesday’s total solar eclipse, using the brief period of totality to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere.

Great Britain & Ireland

Britain puts almost £130 million into zero-emission vehicle technology. The funding is intended to support cleaner vehicle development and manufacturing as the UK attempts to retain an automotive industry during the shift away from combustion engines.

Ireland — Alleged crime boss Daniel Kinahan charged with directing a criminal organisation. The case targets one of Ireland’s most notorious alleged organised-crime networks and represents a significant escalation in prosecutors’ efforts against the Kinahan group.

Balkans & Central Europe

Croatia — Authorities arrest an alleged Serbian state-linked hacker. Croatian authorities are holding a Serbian national accused of hacking major government institutions and alleged to have links with Serbian intelligence. The arrest is politically sensitive given already difficult relations between Zagreb and Belgrade.

Albania — Court detains a Turkish activist after an extradition request. The case is attracting scrutiny over whether Albania’s courts will protect political dissidents or cooperate with Ankara’s efforts to pursue opponents abroad.

South America

Colombia — A magnitude 6.8 earthquake strikes the Pacific coast. The quake caused injuries and damage Monday, with authorities assessing buildings and infrastructure in affected areas. Early reports did not indicate catastrophic destruction, but assessments were continuing.

Canada

Ottawa is moving to strengthen domestic steel transport. The federal transport minister is announcing measures today aimed at making it easier to move Canadian steel between provinces and strengthen domestic supply chains. The initiative comes amid continuing trade pressure from the United States.

British Columbia businesses are getting new support to diversify away from trade disruptions. Ottawa is announcing investments today to improve productivity, strengthen supply chains and help B.C. companies reach new markets.

Canada and the U.S. are still negotiating before an August 19 tariff deadline. Ottawa is considering concessions involving autos and dairy quotas in exchange for relief from threatened U.S. tariffs and lower duties on Canadian steel and aluminum. Negotiators are meeting repeatedly as the deadline approaches.

Good News From Around the World

Italy — Wednesday’s eclipse becomes a major science experiment. Italian researchers will use a new solar instrument during totality to study details of the Sun’s corona that are normally hidden by its brightness.

Australia — Medicare bulk billing rises nearly five percentage points. The federal government says the share of medical visits billed directly to Medicare has increased markedly over the past year, reducing out-of-pocket costs for many patients.

Australia — Teachers may receive a substantial pay settlement. Victoria has offered public-school teachers a 28.3% increase over four years, plus a $2,000 payment and stronger workload protections, in an effort to settle the ongoing dispute.