The Weekly Report: August 30-September 6 2026
United States
U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff travelled to Moscow in an attempt to revive peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. When President Trump was questioned on Friday in the Oval Office, he said: “They’re bringing with them a proposal to end the war.” As part of the trip, they will meet with President Putin of Russia and then will travel to Ukraine to meet with President Zelensky of Ukraine. President Zelensky announced that Ukraine would cease strikes on Russia while these talks took place and appealed to President Putin to do the same.
Asia
On Wednesday, the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln arrived in Thailand for its first docking after being at sea for months. The ship left San Diego in November to begin its deployment and was expected to return in May; however, its deployment was extended as part of the U.S.-Iran war. After arriving at the port of Laem Chabang, the crew was driven by bus to the city of Pattaya, where they will stay at the Hard Rock hotel. The Mayor of the city greeted the Captain of the ship upon arrival saying, “It’s good to have you here.”
Europe
A Russian drone strike targeted Ukraine’s domestic intelligence service in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Friday. President Zelensky said the strike was specifically targeting the agency’s director. The Agency’s director, Oleksandr Poklad, survived the strike and has since been asked by President Zelensky to prepare an adequate response. An equivalent strike would see Ukraine target an intelligence head in Russia. This latest attack came only a day after Russia launched an intense bombing campaign throughout Ukraine.
Americas
On Wednesday, U.S. oil company Chevron announced plans to significantly expand operations in Venezuela. Over the next five years, Chevron plans to double its production to over 600,000 barrels a day. That number would be half of the amount of oil currently produced in Venezuela. This latest announcement came almost a week after President Trump announced his administration had reached a deal with another oil company to directly control oil operations in the South American Nation.
Africa
On Friday, the United Nations General Assembly announced its support for a world map depicting the size of Africa more accurately than the map currently used. According to supporters, the new map will show the true size of the African continent, as the current Mercator map shrinks the region that the equator passes through. This endorsement by the UN does not mean the current map can’t be used; rather, it’s meant to raise awareness regarding how people see visual representations of the Earth.
Middle East
Egyptian dissident Abdulrahman al-Qaradawi was pardoned by the UAE after being sentenced to 10 years in prison. President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE was responsible for pardoning him. He was previously convicted on charges of “engaging in activities that aim to undermine public security,” according to the Emirati government. He was pardoned after human rights experts brought attention to his case and warned of the bad precedent his conviction would set.
