Aug 2, 2026, 11:00 PM UTC

Diplomatic negotiations between Iran and Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz are entering their final stages after U.S. President Donald Trump paused a planned military strike against Iran to allow space for diplomacy. However, U.S. embassies across nine Middle Eastern nations issued urgent travel advisories, warning citizens of possible "unforeseen escalation" and urging them to consider leaving the region.

Meanwhile, violence continued in Ukraine. Local governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported that Russian air strikes on Kherson killed a 54-year-old woman and injured 18 people. Separately, Alexey Likhachev, head of Russia's Rosatom, stated that Ukrainian naval drones sank the Russian container ship Janjina in international Black Sea waters, noting that all 17 crew members were rescued.

Sources: N1, Tanjug

During his visit to Martin Brod in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated that there are no separate regional identities such as Bosnian or Croatian Serbs, asserting that "there are only Serbs."

Expanding on broader regional issues affecting Serbs, Vučić condemned the treatment of the Serb population in Kosovo. He accused authorities in Pristina of subjecting local Serbs to "horrible terror" and creating daily fabrications against them. Vučić further criticized the international community for staying silent regarding the plight of Orthodox Christians in the region. The remarks build on his earlier statements during the visit, where he highlighted Belgrade's financial investments in Serb-majority areas across Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Sources: FENA

US President Donald Trump has announced that negotiations between the United States and Iran are scheduled to restart on Monday. Speaking on the diplomatic effort, Trump expressed optimism about the prospect of reaching a bilateral agreement.

The development signals a potential renewal of diplomatic channels addressing longstanding tensions between Washington and Tehran. Specific details regarding the format, venue, and participating representatives for the upcoming discussions remain unconfirmed, with further official statements expected as talks proceed.

Sources: Anadolu Agency

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has warned Iran against launching an attack on Israel, asserting that Tehran would face severe consequences. Speaking in an interview with Israel's Channel 14, Katz stated that if Iran targets Israel, it will receive a "devastating blow," adding that Iranian leadership is fully aware of this outcome.

During the broadcast, Katz also criticized domestic reporting, accusing local media outlets of overlooking government military achievements. He stated that officials would continue to share operational results directly with the public. The remarks come amid ongoing security concerns and heightened regional tensions in the Middle East.

Sources: Anadolu Ajansı (Anadolu Agency)

Turkey’s Council of Higher Education (YÖK) has highlighted the critical role of artificial intelligence engineering degree programs in training specialized professionals to meet growing workforce demands. According to a statement from the authority, artificial intelligence has evolved into a fundamental technology that transforms decision-making, manufacturing, and service delivery across sectors such as defense, healthcare, finance, education, and public administration.

Educational leaders noted that global industry requirements are shifting toward specialists capable of developing new algorithms, interpreting complex data, and designing practical solutions, rather than basic software operators. The programs aim to equip students with targeted technical skills to solve operational challenges across diverse economic sectors.

Sources: Anadolu Ajansı (Anadolu Agency).