Arctic Policy Shift: Russia’s war in Ukraine has largely frozen Western Arctic ties, but Finland and Sweden’s rapid NATO moves are reshaping how Arctic allies coordinate security and cooperation. Black Sea Shipping Safety: Turkey summoned Ukraine’s ambassador after drone attacks hit Turkish-operated vessels, warning about risks to people, assets, navigation and the environment in the Black Sea. Oil Spill Risk Watch: A Russian-linked tanker, the Caroline Bezengi, remains intact off Oman but is still leaking; rough “Khareef” seas could spread the plume as conditions worsen into early September. Wildlife Trafficking Crackdown: Ecuador arrested a Russian woman accused of smuggling 32 marine iguanas from the Galápagos, with the animals sent to a conservation center. Climate Finance Push: UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar ended with a $1.3bn land-restoration and drought-resilience financing portfolio for 23 countries. Land Degradation Alarm: A UK intelligence report warns that six major ecosystems—including boreal forests in Russia and Canada—could face collapse within six years, raising displacement and resource-scarcity risks. COP26 Negotiations: Fiji’s PM said Pacific negotiators are outnumbered by fossil-fuel interests at COP26, pushing for stronger loss-and-damage finance mechanisms. Coal Industry Claim: Putin said Russia holds the world’s second-largest coal reserves and pledged continued development, including logistics and miner safety improvements.