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Iran is considering targeted responses to recent events, Israel is revoking diplomatic accreditations, and Japan bracing for potential seismic threats.

Meanwhile, Catalonia's political landscape has been shaken by the dramatic return of a key separatist figure, and the US is actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East.

Details below ⤵️

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣🇮🇷 Iran: Tehran is reportedly considering targeting individuals it believes were responsible for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran rather than launching a direct attack on Israel. Iran has accused Israel's Mossad of orchestrating the killing, allegedly with help from operatives within Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The move comes as Tehran faces diplomatic pressure to avoid escalating tensions in the region. 

2️⃣🇮🇱 Israel: Israel has revoked the accreditation of eight Norwegian diplomats to the Palestinian Authority, citing Norway’s recognition of a Palestinian state and its perceived anti-Israel stance. Norway's foreign minister condemned the move as "an extreme act," while the Palestinian Authority and the EU’s foreign policy chief also criticized the decision, warning of its implications for peace efforts in the region. 

3️⃣🇯🇵 Japan: Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has canceled his planned trip to Central Asia after experts issued a rare warning of an increased risk of a "megaquake" along Japan's Pacific coast. The decision follows a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Kyushu, which prompted tsunami warnings and heightened concerns over the Nankai Trough subduction zone. Kishida aims to prepare for any potential disaster as the nation braces for the possibility of a significant seismic event.

4️⃣🇯🇵 Japan: The US ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, will skip the Nagasaki bomb commemoration after the city decided not to invite Israel, citing concerns over potential protests. The US embassy criticized the decision as politicizing the event and announced that a lower-ranked official would attend instead. Nagasaki’s mayor defended the exclusion, stressing the need for a peaceful ceremony to honor the victims of the 1945 nuclear attack.

5️⃣🇪🇸 Spain: Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont made a dramatic return to Barcelona after seven years in self-imposed exile, sparking a police manhunt. Despite an outstanding arrest warrant, Puigdemont addressed supporters near the Catalan parliament before disappearing. His return is seen as a move to pressure authorities into applying Spain's new amnesty law to him and disrupt the investiture of Socialist Salvador Illa as Catalonia's new president.

Major Story

The US, Egypt, and Qatar have jointly called for Israel and Hamas to return to negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of hostages, marking the latest diplomatic push to prevent regional tensions from escalating. Following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, an event Israel has not commented on but which Iran has vowed to avenge, the three nations announced that a "framework agreement" had been reached, with only the details of implementation remaining. Talks are set to begin on August 15th in either Doha or Cairo, with Israel confirming its participation, while Hamas has yet to respond.

The situation on the ground remains dire, as Israel continues its bombardment of Gaza, reportedly targeting Hamas command centers, while Hamas-run civil defense forces claim that Israeli strikes have hit civilian areas, including two schools, resulting in significant casualties. Despite numerous rounds of negotiations, a ceasefire agreement has remained elusive, particularly with the recent election of Yahya Sinwar as the new Hamas leader, a figure Israel considers one of the most extreme within the group. This change in leadership could complicate any forthcoming discussions, as Sinwar is held responsible for planning the October 7th attacks that have further inflamed tensions.

In the backdrop of these developments, Israel's security cabinet has shifted its meeting location to an underground bunker, reflecting heightened security concerns amid fears of potential retaliation from Iran or its allies. As the August 15th talks approach, the international community remains watchful, with the potential for a significant breakthrough or further escalation hanging in the balance.

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1️⃣🇨🇳 China: As China’s leaders meet at Beidaihe, investors hope the focus will be on boosting household spending amid slowing economic growth. Despite ongoing investment in high-tech industries, weak consumption remains a concern, leading to fears of overcapacity and deflation. While experts call for more direct support for consumers, Beijing seems unlikely to shift from its strategy of building China into a self-reliant technological superpower. 

2️⃣🇲🇿 Mozambique: Former finance minister Manuel Chang has been convicted by a US jury for his role in the $2 billion "tuna bonds" scandal, accepting $7 million in bribes and facilitating fraudulent investments that devastated Mozambique's economy. The loans, arranged with Credit Suisse and VTB Capital, collapsed into default, leading to severe financial repercussions for the country. Chang, who faces up to 20 years in prison, plans to appeal the verdict. 

3️⃣🇺🇸 US: Vice President Kamala Harris's adviser denied reports that she supports an arms embargo on Israel, reaffirming her stance that Israel must be able to defend itself. The rumors emerged after Harris met with pro-Palestine activists who advocate for ending US arms transfers to Israel. While Harris expressed deep concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, pro-Palestine groups argue that a change in tone is insufficient without a shift in US military support.

4️⃣🇬🇧 UK: British police remain on high alert after successfully preventing a repeat of recent riots which were sparked by false online reports. A strong police presence helped avert “far-right” gatherings on Wednesday, though the government remains cautious with further potential protests planned. Over 480 arrests have been made, with rapid sentencing helping to maintain order.

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