US seizes Iranian vessel as Tehran rejects renewed peace talks

The United States has escalated its confrontation with Iran after Donald Trump, US president, confirmed that US forces seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship attempting to breach Washington’s naval blockade.

Trump said the vessel was intercepted and disabled, with US forces now in full control and inspecting its contents. The move comes as part of a broader maritime standoff, with both sides imposing competing restrictions in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

Tehran has responded by rejecting participation in a second round of peace talks, citing what it described as inconsistent US positions and excessive demands. The decision signals a further deterioration in diplomatic prospects, despite earlier mediation efforts led by Pakistan.

With oil flows still disrupted and global prices elevated, the continuation of the blockade suggests the crisis could persist, prolonging instability across energy markets and the wider region.

Canada warns overdependence on US has become economic vulnerability

Canada has signalled a strategic shift in its economic outlook, with Prime Minister Mark Carney warning that decades of close integration with the United States now represent a structural weakness.

In a direct address, Carney argued that changing US trade policies — including higher tariffs under Donald Trump, US President have altered the foundation of bilateral relations. He said Canada must reduce reliance on a single partner and diversify its economic ties in an increasingly fragmented global system.

The remarks reflect growing  :unease among US allies as Washington adopts a more protectionist stance, forcing partners to reassess long-standing economic dependencies.

Carney’s comments suggest a broader recalibration of global trade alignments, with implications for supply chains, investment flows and geopolitical alliances.

Fire destroys hundreds of homes in Malaysia’s Sabah state

A devastating fire has displaced hundreds of residents after destroying around 200 homes in a coastal settlement in Malaysia.

The blaze broke out in the Sandakan district of Sabah state and spread rapidly due to strong winds and the close proximity of wooden stilt houses, which are common in water villages inhabited by lower-income and stateless communities.

Emergency responders faced challenges accessing sufficient water due to low tide conditions, complicating containment efforts. Approximately 445 people have been displaced, with many now housed in temporary relief centres.

The incident underscores the vulnerability of informal coastal settlements to fire disasters, particularly in areas with limited infrastructure and emergency access.

Eight children killed in Louisiana shooting as police cite domestic motive

A mass shooting in Shreveport has left eight children dead in what authorities describe as a domestic-related incident, one of the most devastating tragedies in the city’s history.

Police said a single gunman opened fire across multiple locations, killing children aged between one and 14 before fleeing the scene. The suspect was later tracked down and killed by law enforcement.

Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the incident as an unprecedented tragedy for the community, with multiple families affected. Investigators have not released further details about the suspect or motive but confirmed the attack was linked to a domestic dispute.

The scale of the loss has reignited concerns over gun violence in the United States, particularly incidents involving children and family environments.

Thousands evacuated in Paris suburb after world war II bomb detonation

Authorities in Paris evacuated thousands of residents as a World War II-era bomb was safely detonated in a controlled operation in the suburb of Colombes.

The device, discovered during construction work, required a large-scale evacuation within a 450-metre radius, with nearly 800 police officers deployed to secure the area. Initial attempts to disarm the bomb failed, prompting officials to carry out a controlled explosion.

Local authorities described the operation as high-risk but ultimately successful, with residents allowed to return home later in the day.

Such discoveries remain relatively common across Europe, where unexploded wartime ordnance continues to pose risks decades after the conflict.

AFRICA

Kenya seeks World Bank support as Iran war drives economic strain

Kenya has requested emergency financial assistance from the World Bank to cushion the economic fallout from the Iran conflict.

Rising global oil prices and supply disruptions have placed pressure on fuel availability and inflation, forcing policymakers to seek rapid external support. Kenya is among the first major emerging economies to formally approach multilateral lenders over the crisis.

Kristalina Georgievan, Iternational Monetary Fund chief  indicated that at least a dozen countries are seeking similar assistance, highlighting the widespread economic impact of the conflict.

The request reflects growing concern across import-dependent economies as geopolitical tensions translate into domestic economic stress.

Egypt, regional partners push coordinated US–Iran peace framework

Egypt is working alongside regional partners to develop a coordinated framework aimed at securing a lasting peace between the United States and Iran.

Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said Cairo is collaborating with Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia to prevent renewed escalation and stabilise key global systems, including energy markets and supply chains.

The initiative reflects a broader regional effort to contain the fallout from the conflict and establish a post-war security architecture that protects Gulf stability.

While progress remains uncertain, the involvement of multiple regional powers signals an increasing desire for a coordinated diplomatic solution.

Mugabe’s’s son pleads guilty in South Africa firearms case

Bellarmine Mugabe has pleaded guilty to firearms-related charges in South Africa, following an incident linked to a shooting in Johannesburg.

The 28-year-old, son of former Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe, admitted to pointing a firearm and being in the country illegally. Charges of attempted murder were dropped after a co-accused accepted responsibility for the shooting.

The case has drawn attention due to Mugabe’s profile and raises broader questions about cross-border legal enforcement and accountability.
He remains in custody alongside his co-accused as the court considers sentencing.

First US deportees arrive in Democratic Republic of Congo

The first group of migrants deported from the United States under a new bilateral agreement has arrived in Kinshasa, marking the start of a controversial migration arrangement.

The deportees, reportedly from Latin American countries, were transferred despite having no direct ties to Democratic Republic of the Congo. Officials have yet to provide detailed public comment on the process.

The agreement forms part of a broader US strategy to outsource migration enforcement, raising legal and humanitarian concerns about the treatment and relocation of third-country nationals.

Further arrivals are expected in the coming days as the policy is implemented.

Libya recovers migrant bodies along Tripoli coastline

Authorities in Libya have recovered at least 17 bodies believed to be migrants along the coast near Tripoli, underscoring the continued dangers of Mediterranean migration routes.

The bodies were discovered near the coastal town of Zuwara, with most already buried according to official procedures. One victim has been identified and returned to their family.

Libya remains a key transit point for migrants attempting to reach Europe, despite ongoing instability and limited search-and-rescue capacity.

The latest recovery highlights the human cost of irregular migration and the persistent risks faced by those undertaking the journey.