Aug 3, 2026, 06:00 AM UTC

United States President Donald Trump has announced that new negotiations with Iran will begin on Monday following his decision to call off proposed military strikes.

According to reports cited by Finnish daily Helsingin Sanomat, the cancelled operations were initially planned as a massive multi-day campaign in coordination with Israel. Trump stated that the decision to halt the attacks came after requests from Iran and several other Middle Eastern nations urging Washington to exercise restraint.

The resumption of diplomatic discussions marks a shift toward potential de-escalation in the region, though details regarding the venue and specific scope of the upcoming talks remain unconfirmed.

Sources: Helsingin Sanomat.

A Turkish court has ordered the arrest of 40 people, including Erdal Beşikçioğlu, the mayor of Ankara's Etimesgut district, following a corruption investigation into municipal operations.

The arrests stem from an inquiry led by the Ankara West Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Authorities initially detained 55 individuals, targeting alleged irregularities in public tenders, the creation of forged documents, and misconduct involving zoning and licensing procedures within the municipality governed by the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP).

While 40 suspects were remanded in custody pending trial, four others were released under judicial control conditions. Beşikçioğlu, a prominent former actor who was elected mayor in the March 2024 local elections, remains in custody as the legal proceedings continue.

Sources: Bianet.

Serbian Finance Minister Siniša Mali has touted the country's economic performance, asserting that state finances are in robust shape with approximately five billion euros worth of dinars held in treasury accounts alongside strong GDP growth. However, commentary published by Serbian news outlet Danas raised doubts over these claims, arguing that public treasury balances should not be interpreted as surplus wealth. The analysis cautioned against overly optimistic messaging from financial officials, noting that high liquid reserves often correspond to specific state liabilities or incoming debts rather than unencumbered fiscal strength.

Sources: Danas.

Proposals to mitigate global warming through solar geoengineering, including concepts like deploying reflective mirrors in space or releasing particles into the atmosphere, continue to draw debate among researchers and commentators. While advocates view solar radiation management as a potential technological intervention to reduce planetary temperatures, critics point to significant ethical, political, and environmental uncertainties. Historical concepts of space-based mirrors date back to mid-twentieth-century aerospace research, but modern applications face complex regulatory and ecological challenges. Experts emphasize that unproven technological fixes should not divert attention from emissions reductions, warning that deliberate planetary intervention could trigger unpredictable climatic side effects.

Sources: The Irish Times.

Nearly 13,000 citizens in Belgium have officially altered their surnames since a new law took effect in July 2024. The legislative reform simplified the civil registry procedure, allowing individuals to adopt their mother's surname or combine both parents' family names without complex administrative steps. Thousands of residents have taken advantage of the simplified rules to better align their legal identities with their personal or maternal heritage. The initiative represents a major update to the country's civil status framework regarding personal naming rights.

Sources: Le Soir