Armed groups launched coordinated attacks across Mali on multiple fronts, including near a military base outside the capital, Bamako, according to the Mali army. Witnesses reported explosions and sustained gunfire close to the base. The army confirmed the attacks were coordinated, suggesting a level of planning and reach not typical of isolated incidents. Mali has been under military rule since a 2021 coup and has faced persistent insurgencies from jihadist and separatist groups across its territory, particularly in the north and center. The Bamako region was previously considered relatively insulated from frontline violence, making an attack near the capital significant. The ruling junta expelled French and UN peacekeeping forces in recent years and turned to Russian Wagner Group fighters for security support. Whether existing security arrangements proved effective in responding to this wave of attacks is the immediate question to watch. No casualty figures or group claims of responsibility were included in early reports.
Qatar's foreign ministry said mediators including Qatar, Pakistan, and Oman have reached "very progressive stages" in efforts to end the US-Iran war, pushing Brent crude down more than four percent.
Qatar confirmed it is mediating between the US and Iran but said no direct talks are currently planned. The clarification follows conflicting statements from President Trump, who claimed talks are under way, and Tehran, which denied any dialogue is happening.
Saudi Aramco reported sharply higher second-quarter 2026 profits as the Iran war restricts global oil supply and pushes crude prices up. Other oil supermajors also posted outsized earnings, raising concerns about sustained fuel cost pressure for importing economies.
President Trump called current Iran negotiations the "last chance" to end five months of conflict, pushing oil prices higher. Tehran denied formal talks are taking place, raising the risk of a diplomatic breakdown with direct consequences for global energy markets.
