Security and hardware set the day's agenda — from a US claim on a strategic strait to Europe's arms build-up — while an earthquake off Indonesia is the day's other major story.

Middle East & war economy

  • Donald Trump says he will declare the Strait of Hormuz US territory after vowing to "finish defeating" Iran; Tehran's deputy foreign minister says the strait "will remain Iranian." Roughly a fifth of the world's oil passes through it. more
  • Ukrainian arms manufacturers warn their own Ministry of Defence that insufficient contracting, not enemy fire, could disrupt front-line supplies, as the US works through a missile shortage from its war with Iran that could take years to fix. more

Europe

  • Bundeswehr planning papers show close to 100 new defence contracts lined up under Germany's post-2022 Zeitenwende drive, due for sign-off after the summer recess, as a think tank flags the military's recruitment crisis as the real test of NATO readiness. more
  • Iceland votes 29 August on resuming EU membership talks frozen since 2013; a 'yes' would still require a second referendum and unanimous ratification by all 27 EU governments. more

Natural disaster

  • A magnitude-7.7 earthquake off Indonesia's Flores island has killed at least 38, up from an initial five, as rescuers reach areas cut off by landslides and power outages. more
  • Tsunami fears triggered mass evacuations to higher ground along Flores and nearby coastlines; whether the alert is lifted remains open. more