Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has threatened India over the Indus Waters Treaty, stating that an enemy can't snatch even single drop of water from Pakistan. The treaty, signed in 1960, regulates the sharing of water between India and Pakistan. Sharif's comments come amid tensions between the two countries, with India accusing Pakistan of violating the treaty by diverting water for its own use. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warned India that Pakistan will not allow it to take even a single drop of water belonging to the country amid rising tensions between the two nations. The warning came after India put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which killed 26 civilians. Pakistan has repeatedly threatened to treat any attempt to stop its water supply as an act of war. Army Chief Asim Munir stated that if India built a dam, Pakistan would destroy it, emphasizing that the Indus River is not Indian property and that the country has resources to undo any designs to control it.
Pearl Global Industries is facing pressure from US customers to shift production to countries with lower tariffs, such as Vietnam or Bangladesh, where the company also has manufacturing facilities. In contrast, Gokaldas Exports plans to increase production in Ethiopia and Kenya, which have a 10 percent tariff, indicating a potential shift in global supply chain strategies amidst trade tensions.
Vladimir Putin made a series of high-profile visits to various countries in the Middle East and Asia, aiming to strengthen Russia's influence as a global power broker. He visited Saudi Arabia and the UAE, China, North Korea, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, Turkmenistan, Belarus, and Uzbekistan, signing numerous agreements and pacts with local leaders. These visits aimed to counter Western alliances and promote strategic ties between Russia and key nations in the region. Putin's meetings included a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, as well as deals with Vietnamese President To Lam and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported intense communications with European leaders and the US over the past week, focusing on achieving peace in Ukraine and Europe. He mentioned a coordination meeting where five common principles were agreed upon before discussing these positions with US President.
Israel has announced steps to increase aid to Gaza, including pausing fighting for part of the day in some areas and establishing protected routes for aid convoys. The move comes amid international pressure, with a statement signed by foreign ministers from 27 countries, including Australia, Canada, France, and the UK, calling for more aid. The European Union has also joined the effort, with its foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas among those who signed the statement, which now includes EU member states Italy and Latvia.
India's Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) held a bilateral technical meeting with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission in Rockville, Maryland, from August 6-8, to strengthen cooperation on nuclear safety and regulation as India aims to expand its nuclear power capacity. The meeting focused on regulating new and advanced reactors, codes and standards for advanced reactor technologies, and long-term operation strategies for nuclear power plants. Both sides identified potential areas for future collaboration, including the relaxation of rules allowing foreign entities to hold minority stakes in nuclear projects.
Australia and Vanuatu have agreed to a comprehensive deal that will bring significant trade benefits, including security cooperation and economic transformation, with a focus on labor mobility. The agreement was announced by Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, who described it as a "shared destiny" between the two nations. The deal will be formally signed by Vanuatu's Napat and Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the coming weeks. The agreement also includes funding for climate resilience following a devastating earthquake that hit Port Vila last December, which killed at least 14 people and injured hundreds.
The 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Bangladesh highlights significant human rights issues under the previous government, including arbitrary killings, disappearances, torture, and arbitrary arrests. The report notes widespread impunity for these abuses, with little to no action taken against officials or security force members responsible.
Britain has released a statement emphasizing that Ukraine needs clear security guarantees to defend its sovereignty, urging Russia not to impose restrictions on Ukraine's armed forces or cooperation with third countries. The statement comes ahead of a summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska, suggesting the "Coalition of the Willing" is prepared to deploy reinforcement forces after hostilities cease.