South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held brief talks in Manila, addressing alliance issues including follow-up on a joint fact sheet and U.S. concerns over South Korea's regulatory actions against e-commerce giant Coupang.
Southeast Asian foreign ministers expressed "serious concern" over renewed US-Iran hostilities, urging de-escalation to protect global energy and trade. The bloc also addressed South China Sea tensions, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticizing China, coinciding with a deepening China-Philippines standoff near Second Thomas Shoal.
Hundreds of U.S. diplomats evacuated from the Middle East due to escalating tensions with Iran remain in limbo, unsure when they can return to their posts. This situation exacerbates existing State Department staffing shortages under the Trump administration, drawing criticism from lawmakers.
Iran's president declared "full-scale war" as US expanded aerial campaigns and Tehran struck Gulf allies. Attacks hit Iran's Tabriz and Bushehr, while Iran targeted Bahrain and Kuwait. Houthis blockaded Saudi ports, impacting oil prices, despite ongoing de-escalation talks.
Top diplomats from South Korea, the US, and Japan will meet in Manila this week to coordinate on North Korea, enhance trilateral economic and security cooperation, and discuss regional issues, following a previous meeting in Ankara.
A US congressional advisory panel, the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, is making its first trip to China in seven years to investigate the national security implications of the two countries' economic and trade relationship. Chairman Randall Schriver stated the trip aims to understand, not reset, the relationship.
The US government has paid nearly $3m in compensation to victims of Havana Syndrome, a mysterious neurological condition affecting spies and diplomats. Payments, made under the Havana Act, are the first to US agency staff reporting symptoms like hearing strange noises and intense pressure.
Russian Foreign Ministry reveals Western embassies are anonymously contacting them to discuss a Russia-Belarus human rights report, despite publicly ignoring it.
The EU is preparing to reopen its MiCA crypto rulebook, likely in 2027, to regulate non-EU stablecoin issuers and broaden its scope. This follows U.S. regulatory moves and concerns over dollar-backed stablecoins dominating the market, potentially impacting the euro's monetary sovereignty.
Telstra, powering 25m mobile services, experienced a major outage blamed on a time-keeping server issue. The Australian government dismissed foreign interference speculation and launched an investigation. Services have largely returned to normal.
Top diplomats from South Korea, the U.S., and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and vowed to continue dialogue with North Korea. The trilateral talks, held on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, also focused on countering Pyongyang's cyberactivities and strengthening economic security.
South Korea, the US, and Japan signed an MOU to accelerate small modular reactor (SMR) deployments in the Indo-Pacific. The agreement aims to foster cooperation, de-risk projects, and provide competitive energy alternatives while upholding safety standards.
South Korea, the US, and Japan signed an MOU to accelerate small modular reactor (SMR) deployments in the Indo-Pacific. The agreement aims to de-risk projects, attract investment, and streamline licensing, offering competitive, safe alternatives for energy demands.
South Korea, the US, and Japan signed an MOU to cooperate on accelerating small modular reactor (SMR) deployments in the Indo-Pacific. The agreement aims to de-risk projects, catalyze investment, and streamline licensing, with the US committing over $10 million in new funding.
Explosions rocked Damascus near the Four Seasons Hotel, where French President Emmanuel Macron was reportedly staying, wounding at least 18 people. Macron was meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the time. The blasts are a setback for Syria's new rulers.
South Korean, US, and Japanese foreign ministers will meet in Turkey on Tuesday to discuss North Korea, regional and global affairs, and trilateral cooperation. The meeting aims to reaffirm cooperation amid geopolitical challenges and deepening ties between North Korea, China, and Russia.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated that the Ukraine conflict, provoked and planned by the West, has caused the complete collapse of the Euro-Atlantic security model. He cited decades of Western expansion eastward, NATO's proximity to Russian borders, and the sabotage of the Minsk agreements as contributing factors.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with US Senator Marco Rubio, emphasizing the importance of stable bilateral ties for both nations and the global community. Wang called for concrete actions, increased cooperation, and risk management to improve the relationship.
Jared Kushner and Steven Witkoff, leading US negotiations with Iran, face scrutiny over their business dealings, particularly investments from Middle Eastern governments and cryptocurrency ventures. Critics cite potential conflicts of interest and a departure from traditional diplomatic standards.
Chinese official Wang told US Senator Rubio on Tuesday that constructive and strategically stable ties are in the interests of both countries and the international community, urging action to remove interference and overcome obstacles for a correct path forward.
Over 100 prominent Indian and Pakistani figures, including former chief ministers and diplomats, have jointly appealed to PMs Modi and Sharif to revive bilateral dialogue and restore normal ties, stressing sustained engagement as the only viable path to resolving differences.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated that while progress has been made in issuing US visas to Russian diplomats, significant work remains. He noted that visas are being issued for official delegations and American officials have visited Russia, but full normalization of relations on this issue is still distant, depending on Washington's political will.
South Korea's foreign ministry briefed diplomats on preparations for the UNESCO World Heritage Committee session in Busan, July 19-29. The session, the first hosted by Korea since 1988, will discuss World Heritage site inscriptions and conservation, with a focus on the "Busan Declaration" for international cooperation.
Indian diplomats are increasingly promoting domestic single malt whiskies at international diplomatic events, turning embassies into showcases for brands like Indri and Rampur. This initiative boosts global visibility and helps forge commercial ties, highlighting the rising appeal of Indian spirits in new markets.
