Aug 25, 2026, 06:00 PM UTC

US President Donald Trump announced that the Strait of Hormuz could reopen "very soon," indicating an agreement mediated by Oman could be reached shortly. However, Trump warned that Iran would be hit "very strongly" if negotiations fail.

Conversely, Iranian authorities maintained that the maritime passage will remain closed until Washington lifts sanctions, unfreezes assets, and ends military threats. Tehran confirmed a safe navigation route agreement with Oman, but high-ranking Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders pledged "strategic surprises" for the United States as defense doctrines are revised, asserting they will not yield to American pressure.

Sources: Diário de Notícias (DN), Expresso, Expresso das Ilhas, Jornal Económico, RTP (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal)

Press watchdogs in Serbia have reported a sharp rise in intimidation, death threats, and physical assaults targeting journalists and cultural figures.

In July, the Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia registered 19 safety incidents, including 14 physical threats and two assaults. Concurrently, the Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation tallied over 100 verbal attacks against press professionals by government and ruling party representatives.

Recent harassment affected diverse public figures. The Journalists' Association of Serbia urged action over online death threats against portal Volim Zrenjanin, while the Association of Independent Media condemned intimidation against editor Dragan J. Vučićević. Additionally, Belgrade prosecutors opened an inquiry into the physical assault of film director Stevan Filipović.

Sources: Beta, CDM (Cafe del Montenegro), Danas, N1, Tanjug

Portuguese healthcare access faced scrutiny after Almada's Garcia de Orta Hospital temporarily suspended voluntary pregnancy termination services due to staffing limitations. In response, the Left Bloc introduced a parliamentary resolution demanding guaranteed and timely reproductive care across the National Health Service.

Domestic safety also remained a critical concern, with official figures revealing an average of 82 reported domestic violence incidents daily across Portugal. Simultaneously, human rights groups highlighted the ongoing integration of Afghan women who fled Taliban restrictions to rebuild their lives in the country.

In regional migration news, the International Organization for Migration reported a 78 percent decrease in arrivals along the West African Atlantic route during early 2026. Officials attributed the decline to strengthened border cooperation between Senegal and Mauritania, though observers warned that alternative pathways remain highly dangerous.

Sources: Diário de Notícias (DN), Expresso, Expresso das Ilhas, Jornal Económico, RTP (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal)

Ukrainian drone operations hit Russian commercial infrastructure, striking Ozon and Wildberries logistics hubs in Leningrad Oblast, Moscow Oblast, and Dagestan. In Moscow Oblast, regional authorities confirmed five deaths and ten injuries following a warehouse fire. Additionally, a drone crashed onto a beach in Krasnodar Krai, killing seven people, including three children, and injuring roughly 40 others.

Concurrently, Russian forces claimed tactical progress near Artilne in Kharkiv Oblast, while Ukrainian troops advanced toward Uspenivka and Velyka Novosilka. A Russian strike on Kyiv resulted in nine fatalities and 33 injuries. Meanwhile, reports indicate Belarus is forming a new air assault brigade along its southern border.

Sources: Mediazona, Point, The Guardian, The Insider, Радіо Свобода

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to unveil a countermeasure package on Tuesday following the collapse of bilateral trade negotiations and the implementation of 50 percent US tariffs on 20 billion dollars worth of Canadian exports. The new American levies, which took effect over the weekend, impact roughly five percent of Ottawa's annual exports to its southern neighbour.

Ottawa's planned response will combine dollar-for-dollar retaliatory duties with financial assistance to support domestic businesses and workers. Tensions escalated further on Monday when US President Donald Trump threatened to increase duties on Canadian automobiles, trucks, and vehicle parts from 25 percent to 50 percent starting 1 January, as both nations exchange blame for the breakdown in talks.

Sources: BBC News, Cyprus Mail, France24, STV News, Sweden Herald