At 12:10 Beijing time on Aug 16, 2026, China launched a batch of 24 low‑Earth‑orbit satellites for a satellite internet constellation from its Hainan commercial spaceport aboard a Long March‑12 rocket; the satellites reached their planned orbit and the launch was successful.

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi on the 15th, ahead of a national memorial ceremony, performed a remote worship facing Yasukuni Shrine from the Budokan parking lot, following the shrine ritual of two bows, two claps and one bow—an action treated as a substitute for an in-person visit. She also, in her capacity as LDP president, presented a tamagushi offering to the shrine. Japan’s defense minister and several other politicians visited Yasukuni the same day. The acts drew strong opposition from domestic peace advocates. Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo’s Chiyoda ward enshrines 14 Class-A World War II war criminals, including former prime minister Hideki Tojo.

Aug 15 — Iran's foreign minister Araghchi told Iranian media he does not intend to extend the ceasefire agreement with the United States and has not decided whether to resume talks. He said the U.S. violated the Iran–U.S. memorandum of understanding and that hostilities have resumed, so there is no extension of the ceasefire. He added that Qatar and Pakistan, acting as mediators, are exchanging information and remain in contact with Iran, but that does not mean Washington and Tehran are negotiating.