Daily Digest — 5 Aug 2026

Russian ballistic missiles struck Kyiv on Wednesday, killing at least 14 people and wounding 22 more, as officials reported a “massive attack” on the capital and surrounding region. The assault, which follows a similar pattern of escalation, comes as diplomatic signals emerged from the US Treasury that a deal with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz is close. US envoy Scott Bessent described the waterway as “free and open” and hinted at an imminent agreement, sending oil prices down 0.7% to $⁠75.25 a barrel. Gold, in contrast, rose 1% to $⁠4,194.60, reflecting persistent safe-haven demand amid global uncertainty.

In the Middle East, Lebanon-Israel talks resumed but observers warn that proposed “pilot zones” risk entrenching occupation. Meanwhile, the UK Charity Commission has launched an investigation into donations to illegal Israeli settlements, following a formal complaint by a Labour MP. The move adds pressure on pro-Israel fundraising in Britain and touches on a long-running legal and political debate over the status of occupied Palestinian land.

Bitcoin stayed flat near $⁠64,000, even as MSCI’s world index hit a record high and tech stocks rallied on AI optimism. Asia’s semiconductor giants, including SoftBank, Samsung, and SK Hynix, surged 10% or more, tracking Wall Street’s AI-driven gains. Elon Musk’s SpaceX posted its first earnings as a public company, topping revenue forecasts but recording a $⁠540 million loss on its bitcoin holdings — a reminder of crypto’s volatility even for well-capitalised firms.

Elsewhere, Bolivia deployed 200 police and military personnel to its border with Brazil to curb escalating gang violence. In Bangladesh, a new documentary debunks viral disinformation that has fuelled unrest. And in the US, a federal judge reluctantly dismissed the last remaining prosecutions tied to the January 6 insurrection, raising concerns about the precedent for future political violence.

References

1. Explosions across Kyiv as Russian missiles strike Ukraine’s capital
2. Has a US court just set the grounds for another January 6 insurrection?
3. Bolivia sends troops to stop Brazilian gang violence along border
4. libexpat now funded by the City of Munich for up to 6 months
5. Pi’s Minimalism Is Its Advantage
6. Eight Myths on Software Engineering and GenAI
7. The Mansions of the Stars 85:21-22
8. Shortening the Prayers (At-Taqseer) -
9. Al Mu’akhir - الْمُؤَخِّرُ - The Delayer
10. Women must not feel pressure to have ‘ideal birth’, says Yvette Cooper
11. Charity Commission to investigate donations to illegal Israeli settlements
12. Government contracts to require job creation instead of green targets under new rules
13. “You stole, please return some.” Coldcard hacker’s wallet becomes a graffiti wall of pleas and hustles
14. Bitcoin flat at $⁠64,000 as stocks print records and Hormuz deal nears
15. SpaceX tops Wall Street revenue forecast, posts $⁠540 million loss on bitcoin holdings
16. U.S. says Strait of Hormuz is ‘free and open’ as Bessent signals deal with Iran is close
17. GM, Chinese automaker extend joint venture for 20 years despite geopolitical tensions with U.S.
18. SoftBank jumps 10% as Asia tech stocks track Wall Street AI rally
19. Elon Musk repeatedly one-upped his execs on SpaceX’s first earnings call
20. Lucid’s turnaround plan hinges on $⁠1.4B in cash savings, robotaxis
21. How to get the best hotel deals for TechCrunch Disrupt 2026
22. Burnham ‘looking into’ conducting Epstein inquiry, says victims minister
23. Dewormer and scabies drugs being sold as cancer treatments, BBC investigation finds
24. Russian ballistic missile strike on Kyiv kills 14 and injures 22, officials say
25. Debunking Fake News in Bangladesh | Witness Documentary
26. Lebanon-Israel talks resume but ‘pilot zones’ look like occupation
27. Explosions across Kyiv as Russian missiles strike Ukraine’s capital | AJ #shorts
28. Has a US court just set the grounds for another January 6 insurrection? | AJ #shorts
29. Bolivia sends troops to stop Brazilian gang violence along border