Iran supreme leader absent from father’s funeral as speculation over his whereabouts grows

Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader  was notably absent from the funeral of his father, the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, even as senior government officials and millions of mourners gathered to pay their final respects.

The funeral was attended by President Masoud Pezeshkian, Revolutionary Guards commander Ahmad Vahidi and Mojtaba’s three brothers, Masoud, Mostafa and Meysam. His absence has fuelled continued speculation over his health and whereabouts following unconfirmed reports that he was injured during the US and Israeli strikes that killed his father earlier this year.

Official mourning ceremonies began on Friday and will continue across Iran and Iraq over the coming days. Authorities expect between 12 and 20 million people to participate in what state media has described as the “funeral of the century”, marking the end of the rule of a leader who headed the Islamic Republic for more than three decades.

Trump offers to help end Ukraine war during call with Putin, Kremlin says

Donald Trump, United States president, has offered to help Russia and Ukraine find a political settlement to the war during a nearly 90-minute telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the Kremlin.

Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said the two leaders discussed the conflict ahead of next week’s NATO summit, with Trump reaffirming his willingness to work towards a rapid end to the fighting. Russia reiterated that any settlement must take account of its core strategic interests.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President  also confirmed speaking with Trump on the same day, saying they discussed conditions along the 1,200-kilometre front line and agreed to continue consultations during the NATO meeting. The conversations come as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict continue despite ongoing fighting.

Iran signals shipping fees for Hormuz while promising special terms for allies

Iran has indicated it intends to introduce service charges for ships using the Strait of Hormuz after the expiry of a temporary agreement with the United States, while promising preferential treatment for China and other friendly countries.

Speaking at the World Peace Forum in Beijing, Iran’s ambassador to China, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, said the fees would cover maritime security, navigation oversight and environmental protection rather than function as transit tolls.

The comments come as negotiations continue over a long-term agreement following last month’s ceasefire. Washington has maintained that Iran should not be allowed to impose charges on commercial shipping under any permanent settlement, highlighting another potential point of contention in the negotiations.

OPEC+ approves another oil output increase as Hormuz exports recover

OPEC+ has agreed to raise oil production targets again from August, signalling growing confidence that exports through the Strait of Hormuz are gradually returning to normal after months of disruption.

The alliance of major oil producers approved an increase of 188,000 barrels per day, adding to similar production rises implemented in June and July. Although output quotas have increased steadily since April, actual production has remained below target because the conflict involving Iran disrupted tanker traffic through the strategically important waterway.

Production has begun recovering in recent weeks as exports resume, but output remains below pre-war levels. The latest decision is expected to add more crude to global markets at a time when oil prices have eased.

Nigel Farage referred to UK standards watchdog over undeclared benefits claims

Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader has been referred to the British Parliament’s standards watchdog following allegations that he failed to declare benefits received before entering Parliament.

The referral follows a newspaper report claiming Farage received accommodation, security services and social media support from long-time associate George Cottrell during the year leading up to his election as an MP in 2024.

Farage has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, insisting that no parliamentary rules were broken. He is already facing a separate investigation over whether he properly declared a £5 million donation from a cryptocurrency billionaire before entering Parliament.

AFRICA

Trial of experimental Ebola treatments begins in DR Congo

The first clinical trial of potential treatments for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola has begun in the Democratic Republic of Congo, offering new hope as the country battles a worsening outbreak.

The World Health Organization said the first patient has been enrolled in the study, which will test two antiviral drugs against a strain of Ebola for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments.

The trial is being coordinated by Congolese researchers with support from the World Health Organization, Belgium’s Institute of Tropical Medicine and the University of Oxford. Health officials say successful treatments could significantly improve survival rates and strengthen the global response to future outbreaks.

Boat carrying students home from exams sinks in DR Congo, killing at least 20

At least 20 people have died after a wooden boat carrying students returning from state examinations capsized in central Democratic Republic of Congo.

The vessel sank while entering the junction of the Sankuru and Kasai rivers in Kasai Province. Local authorities said at least 80 people survived, although witnesses claimed more than 200 passengers were on board, raising fears that the final death toll could be much higher.

Boat accidents are common in the country because of overcrowding, poor maintenance and weak transport infrastructure. Civil society groups have criticised operators for ignoring basic safety standards in pursuit of profit.

Mali says army repels coordinated attacks on several towns

Mali’s military says it has regained control after armed groups launched coordinated attacks on five towns across the country in one of the largest assaults in recent months.

The attacks targeted military positions in Aguelhok, Anefis and Gao in the north, Sevare in central Mali and Kenieroba south of the capital, Bamako. The army said at least 26 attackers were killed during the fighting, while one pro-government fighter died and four others were wounded.

The latest violence comes just months after militants carried out attacks in Bamako and other areas, underlining the continuing security challenges facing Mali despite intensified military operations against insurgent groups.

Egypt expects first €1.5bn EU payment within days

Egypt expects to receive the next €1.5 billion instalment of the European Union’s macro-financial assistance package within days, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has announced.

The payment is part of a €5 billion financial support programme agreed with the European Union, with the remaining €3 billion to be released in two equal instalments. Cairo hopes to receive the final payment before the start of autumn.

The financial assistance forms part of a broader €7.4 billion partnership unveiled in 2024, aimed at supporting Egypt’s economy through concessional loans and other financial assistance as the country continues to face significant economic pressures.

Ebola cases in DR Congo rise above 1,500 as outbreak worsens

The Democratic Republic of Congo has confirmed that the country’s Ebola outbreak has continued to expand, with total confirmed infections reaching 1,502 and the death toll rising to 473.

Government figures show the outbreak remains concentrated in the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, where health workers continue to battle the spread of the highly infectious virus.

The increase comes as authorities begin clinical trials of experimental treatments and intensify surveillance efforts to contain the outbreak. Health officials continue to warn that the Bundibugyo strain has no approved vaccine, making rapid detection, isolation and treatment critical to limiting further infections.