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Regulators and laws
US Extends Jones Act Waiver for 90 Days
New Rules Take Effect on August 17
US President Donald Trump has extended the temporary Jones Act waiver for another 90 days, Reuters reported. The decision will take effect on August 17, 2026, after the...
Incidents
Rhine Navigation Gauge Falls to 12 cm as Cargo Traffic Nearly Stops
Critical Rhine Section Is Almost Closed
European river levels continue to fall following prolonged heat and limited rainfall. The most severe disruption is at Kaub in Germany, a critical Rhine bottleneck connecting southern industrial regions...
Business
9 Companies Compete for 2026 Overland Transport Award
Award Recognises Project Cargo Transport
The Heavy Lift Awards organisers have named nine finalists for the 2026 Overland Transport Provider of the Year award. The category recognises an equipment-owning company that has completed an outstanding...
Global Affairs
Smugglers Charge Up to €7,000 to Move Migrants From Ceuta to Mainland Spain
Intelligence Reports a “Clandestine Maritime Bridge”
Italian intelligence services have submitted a report to the government concerning an alleged migrant-smuggling network operating across the Strait of Gibraltar. Details of the assessment were first reported by...
Transport and shipping
EU to Train 600 African Drivers for Jobs in Europe
Egypt and Morocco Join the Project
The European Union has launched the Skilled Driver Mobility for Europe II programme, known as SDM4EU II, to develop legal labour mobility pathways for professional drivers from North Africa.
According...
Business
Kyrgyzstan Has 317 Markets and 94 Shopping Centers
Traditional Markets Retain a Leading Role
Kyrgyzstan had 317 traditional markets operating at the end of the second quarter of 2026, according to the National Statistical Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Mixed markets remain the most...
International trade
Central Asia: 39% of Manganese Reserves Draw U.S.-China Competition
Washington Expands Its Minerals Diplomacy
Central Asia is becoming an important arena in the international competition for raw materials used in semiconductors, batteries, energy infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and defense manufacturing.
On June 10, 2026, Astana hosted...
Incidents
Chinese Rocket Suffers Failure During Satellite Launch from Wenchang Spaceport
Flight Lasted Less Than Two Minutes
A Chinese space mission ended in failure on the evening of August 10 at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan province. The Long March-7A rocket lifted off at...