US President Donald Trump threatened to declare the Strait of Hormuz “United States territory” after Iran is defeated, according to remarks delivered Friday at a police academy on Long Island, New York. The statement came as his administration has not reached an agreement to end the ongoing war with Iran. Trump said he would make the declaration soon and claimed the United States had imposed a blockade in the strategic waterway.

Trump said no ship could pass through the strait without US permission, though it was not immediately clear whether his remarks announced a new policy decision. The Strait of Hormuz normally carries about one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil shipments. It is an internationally navigable waterway bordered by Iran and Oman, and tensions over its control have long persisted between Washington and Tehran.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on X that Iran would not be intimidated by US threats or displays of force, adding that opening or closing the strait was under Iranian authority. Iran has said it will not reopen the passage until the United States changes its behavior, and has demanded compensation for war damage, sanctions relief, and the unconditional release of seized Iranian assets.

International crude oil prices rose by more than $1 a barrel on Friday as fresh tanker attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and stalled peace talks between the United States and Iran heightened supply concerns. Brent crude gained $1.45, or 1.67%, to $88.52 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate rose $1.15, or 1.42%, to $82.40 a barrel.

For the week, Brent was on track to rise about 6%, while WTI was heading for a gain of about 5.4%. On August 14, two UAE oil tankers were hit by drones. No casualties were reported, but both vessels were damaged. The United Arab Emirates blamed Iran for the attack.

Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen well below normal levels, increasing concerns over international oil supplies. Analyst Andrew Lipow said the situation could become more serious if transit restrictions persist, noting that about 20% of global oil supplies are transported through the strategic waterway. The strait’s security situation, progress in US-Iran talks and tanker movements are expected to influence the market’s next direction.

Russia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Mikhail Ulyanov, said US aggression had damaged freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on X on Friday, he criticized US President Donald Trump’s policy on the strait. The report was published and updated on August 14, 2026.

Ulyanov said Washington’s reasoning was not understandable. He argued that while the United States seeks freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, that freedom has been undermined by US aggression against Iran. His remarks directly attributed the loss of navigation freedom to US policy.

The Russian envoy further said Washington was trying to erase the consequences of its strategic mistake by continuing the war. He described the situation as containing something wrong or inconsistent. The report cited Middle East Eye as its source for the remarks.

An international team of astronomers has identified three active supermassive black holes in the galaxy G0148-4214, more than 12.5 billion light-years from Earth. Led by the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, the researchers said this is the first evidence of three active black holes in one galaxy in the distant universe. The study was published in Astronomy & Astrophysics.

Two of the black holes are located in the galaxy’s central region, separated by about 620 light-years, while the third lies about 5,500 light-years from the centre. All three are active, drawing in material from surrounding accretion disks. The team identified them through spectral signals from fast-moving hydrogen atoms, using James Webb Space Telescope data and spectro-astrometry to distinguish the close central pair.

The largest black hole has a mass of about 80 million Suns, while the other two are about 600,000 and 2 million solar masses. Researchers estimate the central pair could merge within several hundred million years. With a redshift of 5.02, the galaxy is observed as it was about 1.2 billion years after the Big Bang.

Gen Z students are expanding campus-based climate action through research, innovation and practical projects, according to a report published on August 14, 2026. Initiatives include recycling paper and other waste, developing alternatives to plastic, using renewable energy, and conserving water and electricity. The report says young people are using digital platforms, social media and technology to build environmental awareness and pursue workable solutions.

The report describes climate change as a major global crisis, citing rising temperatures, floods, droughts, sea-level rise and pollution as threats to lives and economies. Experts say government and international action alone is insufficient, and that universities can serve as important spaces for climate-related ideas and technologies. They argue that supporting student research and innovation could produce effective responses to local environmental problems.

The Green Terry Foundation, Smart Campus Cloud Network and Yango Energy have jointly developed University Determined Contributions, or UDCs, modeled on Nationally Determined Contributions. They plan to launch a global movement involving Gen Z students at universities and higher education institutions. Analysts stress the need for research funding, training, laboratory facilities and opportunities to implement successful initiatives.

Global crude oil prices rose on Friday as growing military tensions involving Iran renewed concerns over supply disruptions. At 1:30 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time, Brent crude was up 9 cents, or 0.1%, at $87.16 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate gained 4 cents to $81.29. Supply worries intensified after the United States threatened to maintain a naval blockade on Iran indefinitely.

The Strait of Hormuz remains central to market concerns. Hossein Taieb, head of Iran’s Basij paramilitary force, said the strategic waterway was under the Islamic Republic’s management and control, according to the semi-official Fars news agency. The UAE’s state news agency WAM said two Abu Dhabi National Oil Company vessels were attacked while passing through the strait on Thursday evening, and the UAE government blamed Iran.

Demand concerns are limiting the price increase. OPEC and the International Energy Agency lowered their forecasts for global oil-demand growth this week, while US crude inventories posted their largest weekly increase in more than three and a half years. KCM chief market analyst Tim Waterer said supply concerns supported prices, but weaker demand expectations prevented sharper gains.

Six Arab national football federations have declared full support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino as his leadership faces public opposition from three confederations in Europe, Asia and North-Central America. Qatar, Morocco, Lebanon, Sudan, Egypt and Mauritania issued a joint statement backing Infantino, according to a report published on August 13, 2026. Morocco is listed as a co-host of the 2030 World Cup.

The dispute followed a proposal to sell part of the World Cup’s commercial rights to private investors. Infantino had proposed selling about 20 percent of FIFA Forward Enterprise to private investors, but the plan was scrapped after opposition from UEFA, the AFC and CONCACAF.

The Arab federations said they had confidence in Infantino’s leadership and his commitment to developing football worldwide. They also said they wanted to work closely with him to expand opportunities, bring people from different regions together and increase Arab countries’ contribution to global football. Infantino has apologised over the controversial commercial plan and is preparing to run again in FIFA’s election on March 17.

Apple is reportedly working on a special glass-focused design for its 2027 iPhone Pro models, marking 20 years since the first iPhone was introduced in 2007. Bloomberg technology journalist Mark Gurman said the company is not foregoing a major anniversary surprise, countering speculation that Apple would not make a significant change. Apple has not officially commented on the reported design plans.

Jefferies analyst Edison Lee had previously said Apple cancelled plans for an entirely glass iPhone for the 20th anniversary. Gurman’s information indicates that the idea has not been fully abandoned, but has shifted toward a design that gives glass greater prominence rather than using it throughout. Gurman said the more ambitious all-glass iPhone concept was dropped at an early stage of the design process.

The reported iPhone Pro models would have glass layers on the front and back extending to the device’s side edges, with a narrow metal ring or band between them. The devices are said to carry the internal codenames V73 and V74. If implemented, the plan could reduce the use of conventional metal frames and increase the use of curved glass, potentially creating a major exterior redesign.

Forty-one countries have issued an international call for other states to provide at least 24 hours’ notice before launching ballistic missiles or spacecraft. Published on August 13, 2026, the joint appeal seeks to prevent misunderstandings, heightened tensions and unintended conflict caused by surprise launches. Participants include the United States, Japan, South Korea, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and countries across Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

The countries said adequate information should be provided before launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and spacecraft. They said notices should include the launch time and location, missile type and possible trajectory. Without advance warning, a long-range missile launch could be mistaken for an actual attack, creating risks of military responses, regional tension and wider conflict.

Concerns have recently increased over several missile launches in the Pacific region. North Korea’s continuing ballistic missile tests have made the regional security situation more sensitive, according to the report. The joint statement said a 24-hour notice would allow affected countries to assess potential risks and take necessary measures, reducing the likelihood of miscalculation or an incorrect response. It also noted questions over effectiveness if all major missile powers do not participate.

Global crude oil prices declined further by late Thursday night, Bangladesh time. Brent crude fell $1.29, or 1.5%, to $87.69 a barrel by 1 a.m. West Texas Intermediate crude in the United States dropped $1.30, or 1.6%, to $81.97 a barrel, according to an Al Jazeera report.

Analysts believe the war involving the United States and Israel over Iran could reduce oil demand worldwide. Concerns over weaker demand have led to a reduction in the forecast for global oil demand growth in 2026. OPEC, the alliance of oil-producing countries, cut its projection in its monthly oil market report released on Wednesday.

Under OPEC's revised forecast, global oil demand is expected to increase by 580,000 barrels per day in 2026. However, the same conflict could create a potential oil supply crisis. Fears of major supply disruptions are limiting the scope for further declines in oil prices, as possible supply shortages continue to affect market expectations.

Global fuel oil prices rose, with Brent crude nearing $90 a barrel. Reuters data showed Brent crude gaining 72 cents, or 0.81%, to $89.63 a barrel on Wednesday morning. At the same time, US West Texas Intermediate, or WTI, crude rose 71 cents, or 0.85%, to $83.91 a barrel.

On Tuesday, benchmark contracts for both Brent and WTI ended the day more than $1 higher. Reuters said both benchmarks reached their highest levels since July 31 that day. Oil prices had already increased by nearly 5% on Monday.

The rise was linked to expectations that the prospect of a peace deal between the United States and Iran had diminished. Industry data also showed an increase in US crude oil inventories. Despite the inventory increase, uncertainty surrounding the possibility of a US-Iran peace agreement continued to support the upward trend in oil prices.

US President Donald Trump has publicly backed FIFA President Gianni Infantino amid demands for his removal, according to a report published on August 11, 2026. In a Truth Social post, Trump said FIFA would make a “serious mistake” if it considered removing Infantino. He described Infantino as an outstanding administrator and said the official had overseen the most successful World Cup ever.

Infantino recently proposed selling commercial rights for the FIFA World Cup and all other FIFA tournaments to private investors for $15 billion. The report said the proposed deal was accused of involving a company owned by the brother of Trump’s son-in-law. Infantino withdrew the proposal after strong opposition from UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation. The report also said Infantino has faced fresh controversy over allegations of an extramarital relationship in the workplace.

Despite the withdrawal of the commercial-rights proposal, UEFA, the AFC and CONCACAF remain committed to calls for Infantino’s resignation and are planning an alliance to remove him. Trump said FIFA would never again be as successful or profitable if Infantino left. The report noted that Trump and Infantino have long had close ties, including a special FIFA peace award presented to Trump during a World Cup draw event.

Afghanistan secured a place in the 2027 ODI World Cup main round after a thrilling three-wicket victory over Ireland in the third ODI. The result also confirmed Bangladesh’s direct participation before the 30 September cutoff date, according to the report published and updated on 11 August 2026.

Under ICC rules, the top eight teams in the rankings by the cutoff date qualify directly for the main round. Because host South Africa are already among the top eight, the team ranked ninth also receives direct entry. Following the conclusion of the Ireland-Afghanistan series, ninth-ranked Bangladesh’s place in the main round became fully assured.

The other directly qualified teams are hosts South Africa, Zimbabwe, defending champions Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England. Tenth-ranked West Indies have two ODIs remaining against India before the cutoff, but cannot rise to ninth even by winning both matches. They have therefore failed to gain direct main-round entry for a second consecutive World Cup and must return to qualifying next February.

UEFA, the AFC and Concacaf have jointly called for an independent investigation into FIFA President Gianni Infantino, according to a report published on August 10, 2026. The three confederations wrote to FIFA seeking an inquiry conducted by a neutral third party outside FIFA’s internal mechanisms into Infantino’s actions.

Their concerns centre on a proposal to sell partnership interests in World Cup commercial rights. They said the proposal was pushed forward quickly without proper consultation with members and relevant stakeholders. FIFA later described the matter as a communication error, but UEFA, the AFC and Concacaf said they were not satisfied, viewing it as a failure of leadership judgment and evidence of a trust crisis within football.

The dispute was further complicated by a meeting held in Morocco, where FIFA said only one elected official attended. No FIFA Council members or member association representatives were invited, and part of FIFA’s senior-official management committee attended. The confederations also requested preservation of all relevant documents, communications and records until an inquiry is completed. They said the dispute is not primarily about money and called for FIFA funds to be used more responsibly for football development in member countries.

Costa Rican diplomat and former vice president Rebeca Grynspan is leading the race to become the next United Nations secretary-general. Grynspan, who currently heads the UN Conference on Trade and Development, would become the first woman secretary-general in UN history if elected. She would also be the first Jewish person to hold the position.

In a secret Security Council ballot involving five permanent and 10 non-permanent members, Grynspan received 10 supportive votes. Four members expressed no opinion and one raised an objection. Her main rival, former Guyanese UN envoy Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, received nine supportive votes and two objections. Grynspan’s parents emigrated from Poland to Costa Rica, while her grandparents were killed by Nazis.

Secretary-General António Guterres’ term ends on December 31, 2026. Under the customary regional rotation, a candidate from Latin America is considered likely this time. A candidate needs at least nine Security Council votes and no veto from any permanent member. The process may be finalized by October, with a new secretary-general required to be selected by the end of 2026.