US launches fresh strikes on Iran as ceasefire frays

The United States and Iran traded fresh military strikes over the weekend, with both sides accusing each other of breaching the ceasefire agreement reached after months of conflict. The latest escalation followed a drone attack on a commercial tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, which Washington blamed on Iran.

US Central Command said it responded by striking 10 Iranian military targets, including air defence systems, drone storage facilities, communications infrastructure and military equipment near the strategic waterway. The Pentagon said Tehran had failed to honour the ceasefire after its forces targeted the Panama flagged tanker MT Kiku.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps rejected the accusation, insisting the US had attacked Iranian coastal positions first. In retaliation, it claimed to have launched ballistic missiles and drones against US military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain, including Ali al Salem Air Base and the Fifth Fleet headquarters. The exchange has raised fresh concerns about the durability of the ceasefire and the security of one of the world’s busiest energy shipping routes.

Two boys rescued alive as Venezuela earthquake death toll tops 1,450

Rescuers in Venezuela have pulled two 11- year old boys alive from collapsed buildings days after the country’s most powerful earthquake in more than a century devastated large parts of the nation.

The first boy, identified as Moises, was rescued from beneath concrete rubble to applause from emergency workers, while a second child was later recovered alive and carried to safety on a stretcher. Officials described both rescues as remarkable amid increasingly difficult search operations.

Authorities say at least 1,450 people have died since the twin magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck within seconds of each other, flattening hundreds of buildings and leaving tens of thousands missing. Rescue teams continue searching damaged neighbourhoods, saying survivors may still be found where access to food and water has allowed people to remain alive beneath the debris.

Eleven killed after skydiving plane crashes in eastern France

Eleven people have died after a civilian aircraft carrying skydivers crashed shortly after take off in the eastern French town of Tomblaine.

The aircraft, operated by a parachuting school, went down minutes after leaving Nancy Essey airfield. The pilot and all 10 passengers were killed, including five instructors and five first time tandem skydivers preparing for their inaugural jump.

French authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Interior minister Laurent Nuñez said several relatives witnessed the tragedy from the airfield, leaving many traumatised. Local officials described the incident as one of the region’s deadliest civilian aviation accidents in recent years, while psychological support has been offered to grieving families.

Europe heatwave linked to more than 1,300 deaths, WHO warns

The World Health Organization says Europe’s unprecedented early summer heatwave has been linked to more than 1,300 excess deaths as record temperatures continue to sweep across the continent.

Germany recorded a new national high of 41.7 degrees Celsius, while France reported about 1,000 additional deaths since the heatwave began. Health authorities said many victims were elderly people, with deaths at home rising sharply as power grids, hospitals and emergency services came under increasing pressure.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director general warned that Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average, describing extreme heat as a “silent killer”. Governments have urged residents to avoid outdoor activity during peak temperatures as schools closed and electricity systems struggled under soaring demand.

Saudi helicopter crash kills 14 Aramco workers

Fourteen people have been killed after a helicopter operated by Saudi state oil company Aramco crashed near the eastern city of Ras Tanura.

Saudi state media said the aircraft came down shortly after 6:00 am local time, killing everyone on board. All the victims were Saudi nationals. Authorities have opened an investigation to determine what caused the crash.

The accident occurred near one of Aramco’s largest oil refining and export facilities, where crude loading operations had only recently resumed following months of disruption linked to the wider Middle East conflict. The Saudi government expressed condolences to the victims’ families.

AFRICA

Burkina Faso cuts diplomatic ties with France

Burkina Faso has formally severed diplomatic relations with France, accusing its former colonial ruler of pursuing policies that undermine the country’s sovereignty and national interests.

The military government led by  Ibrahim Traore said France had engaged in “neo colonial ambitions” and supported activities hostile to Burkina Faso. Paris rejected the allegations, describing the decision as unjustified and urging French nationals in the country to exercise heightened caution.

Relations between the two countries have steadily deteriorated since Traore seized power in a 2022 coup, expelled French troops and strengthened ties with Russia and China. The junta said cultural and people to people ties would remain intact despite the diplomatic break.

DR Congo takes Rwanda to international court over conflict

The Democratic Republic of Congo has filed a case against Rwanda at the International Court of Justice, accusing Kigali of violating international law through alleged military operations and support for armed groups operating in eastern Congo.

Congolese authorities say Rwanda has breached several international conventions, including treaties covering genocide prevention, torture, racial discrimination and the protection of women. Kinshasa is asking the court to order Rwanda to halt the alleged violations and pay reparations to victims.

Rwanda has consistently denied accusations that it backs the M23 rebel movement, despite repeated claims by United Nations experts and several Western governments. The case marks another legal effort by Congo to seek international accountability over the long running conflict in its eastern provinces.

Uganda army chief orders shutdown of leading independent media group

Uganda’s largest independent media organisation has been forced off air after army chief General Muhoozi Kainerugaba ordered the closure of several television, radio and newspaper operations.

The Nation Media Group said soldiers surrounded its headquarters in Kampala while NTV Uganda, Spark TV and the Daily Monitor newspaper were effectively shut down. The military has not provided an official explanation for the action.

Kainerugaba, who is also the son of President Yoweri Museveni, defended the move on social media, saying he did not believe in a free press. Opposition parties and rights groups condemned the shutdown as a serious attack on press freedom in a country where concerns over political repression have grown ahead of future elections.

Congo Ebola cases climb above 1,200 as outbreak worsens

The Democratic Republic of Congo has reported 1,203 confirmed Ebola infections and 321 deaths as the country’s worst outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain continues to spread.

Government figures released on Friday show infections continue to rise across affected provinces despite intensified surveillance and response measures. Health officials remain concerned about the rapid spread of the virus, particularly in densely populated urban areas.

International health agencies are expanding treatment centres, contact tracing and vaccine research as neighbouring countries strengthen border screening to prevent further cross border transmission.

IMF approves $348 million support package for DR Congo

The International Monetary Fund has approved nearly $350 million in fresh financing for the Democratic Republic of Congo following successful reviews of its economic reform programmes.

The funding includes about $258 million under the Extended Credit Facility and another $90 million through the Resilience and Sustainability Facility. Congolese officials said a significant portion of the money will support climate adaptation, infrastructure development and social programmes.

Doudou Roussel Fwamba Likunde Li Botayi, Finance minister said the remaining funds would strengthen the country’s foreign exchange reserves and help stabilise the balance of payments as the government continues implementing economic reforms amid security and health challenges.