Trump pauses Iran strikes to allow diplomacy, US envoy says
Donald Trump, US president has paused US military strikes on Iran for a second consecutive night to give diplomacy more time, according to Mike Waltz, US Ambassador to the United Nations. Speaking in separate television interviews, Waltz said the president was “giving talks some space” while stressing that Washington had not ruled out further military action if negotiations fail. “The president is keeping all options on the table,” he said.
The pause comes after nearly two weeks of daily US airstrikes and Iranian retaliatory attacks that effectively collapsed the ceasefire reached in June. Iran also signalled a temporary easing of tensions, with an army spokesperson saying Tehran had halted retaliatory attacks in the region. Waltz dismissed reports that the US was slowing its campaign because of dwindling air defence stockpiles, insisting the military had sufficient resources to continue operations if necessary. Meanwhile, Iranian and Omani officials held technical talks in Tehran on managing security in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil shipping route, raising cautious hopes that diplomatic efforts could prevent a broader regional conflict.
Burnham says he will challenge Trump if Britain’s interests demand it
Andy Burnham, British Prime Minister has said he will not hesitate to publicly disagree with US President Donald Trump whenever Britain’s national interest requires it. In his first major interview since taking office, Burnham described his initial conversation with Trump as warm and constructive but stressed that maintaining good relations with Washington would not stop him from speaking out when necessary.
Asked whether he trusted the US president, Burnham declined to give a direct answer, saying global politics was changing rapidly and leaders had to respond to events as they unfolded. He also said he remained concerned about Trump’s decision to launch military action against Iran and would not “hold back” from expressing his views where British interests were at stake. Burnham said his government would continue to put Britain’s interests first while maintaining close ties with its allies, signalling a more independent approach to foreign policy under the new Labour administration.
Berlin Pride attack suspect shot dead after police confrontation
German police have shot dead the man suspected of carrying out what authorities believe was an Islamist-inspired attack during Berlin Pride celebrations, ending an intensive manhunt that began after a deadly vehicle attack on Saturday night. The suspect, identified as 21-year-old Abdul Ballout, reportedly rushed at officers with a knife during an operation in Berlin’s Spandau district, prompting police to open fire.
The attack near Tiergarten Park killed one woman and injured at least 29 others after a van ploughed into a crowd before several people were also stabbed. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said investigators believe the incident was an Islamist terror attack, citing the suspect’s criminal history and alleged links to extremist networks. Prosecutors said Ballout had travelled to Lebanon in 2025 in an attempt to join the Islamic State group and was later imprisoned there before returning to Germany, where he remained under investigation.
Israel approves multinational force for post-war Gaza security
Israel has approved the legal framework for a multinational security force to enter Gaza under a ceasefire proposal backed by US President Donald Trump, according to an Israeli official. The decision was taken by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet ahead of his visit to Washington, where he is expected to meet Trump to discuss the next phase of the conflict.
The proposed International Stabilization Force will initially include about 200 personnel from countries considered friendly to Israel, including Uganda and Morocco. The force would operate only in areas outside Israeli military control, with each deployment requiring Israeli approval. Officials have not announced when the mission will begin. The proposal comes as much of Gaza remains devastated after nearly two years of war triggered by Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel. Supporters say the force could help restore security and humanitarian access, although significant political and operational challenges remain.
Russian missile and drone attacks kill civilians across Ukraine
Russia launched another wave of missile and drone attacks on Ukraine overnight, targeting Kyiv and several other regions, as both sides reported civilian casualties in the continuing war. Ukraine’s air force said Russia fired seven ballistic missiles and 136 drones, with explosions reported in the capital during the early hours of Sunday.
In the northern city of Chernihiv, a Russian drone struck a supermarket, killing two people, including a 10-year-old child, and injuring three others. President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attacks as “deliberate Russian terror” with no military justification. Meanwhile, Russian authorities said four civilians were killed in the Russian-occupied city of Horlivka by a Ukrainian drone strike. The latest exchanges highlight the continued intensity of the conflict despite repeated international calls for negotiations, with civilians on both sides continuing to bear the brunt of the fighting.
AFRICA
AfDB warns super El Niño could cost Africa up to $20 billion
Africa could suffer economic losses of between $10 billion and $20 billion if forecasts of a powerful “super” El Niño materialise, according to Anthony Nyong, African Development Bank Director for Climate Change and Green Growth. He warned that severe droughts, floods and storms linked to the weather phenomenon could reduce GDP in heavily affected countries by between 1 percent and 2 percent, while damaging agriculture, infrastructure and food security.
Nyong said the climate shock could also increase government borrowing, strain banking systems and trigger migration from the hardest-hit regions. Although the AfDB continues to project continental economic growth above 4 percent over the next two years, those forecasts were made before predictions of an exceptionally strong El Niño emerged. He described the projected losses as the first estimate by a major multilateral lender and warned that the impact was unlikely to be a one-off, underscoring the need for stronger climate resilience and disaster preparedness across Africa.
Uganda nominates veteran diplomat Otunnu for UN top job
Uganda has nominated veteran diplomat Olara Otunnu to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, making him the seventh candidate seeking to succeed António Guterres when his second term ends later this year. Otunnu, 75, previously served as UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict and is one of Africa’s most experienced diplomats.
In his vision statement, Otunnu pledged to prioritise ending major international conflicts, deepen institutional reforms and improve the efficiency of the UN system. He also proposed creating a global body to oversee artificial intelligence governance while ensuring climate action does not undermine economic development. His nomination comes as the UN faces growing pressure to reform its bureaucracy, strengthen peacekeeping efforts and respond more effectively to geopolitical tensions, humanitarian crises and climate-related challenges.
Senegal’s President Faye launches new party amid split with Sonko
Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Senegal’s President has formally launched a new political party, deepening his split with former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and the ruling Pastef movement that swept both men to power in 2024. Unveiled in Dakar, the new party, Kiiraay—meaning “shield” in the Wolof language—was described by Faye as the country’s new majority political platform.
The launch follows months of tensions between the two former allies, whose relationship deteriorated after Faye dismissed Sonko as prime minister in May.
Sonko later became Speaker of the National Assembly and continues to lead Pastef, which retains a commanding parliamentary majority. The political realignment comes as Senegal grapples with economic challenges and controversy over previously misreported public debt. Analysts say the growing rivalry between the country’s two most influential political figures could reshape Senegal’s political landscape ahead of future elections.
Congo’s Ebola outbreak surpasses 3,000 confirmed infections
The Democratic Republic of Congo has recorded 3,075 confirmed Ebola cases, including 1,354 deaths, according to the latest government figures, as health authorities continue efforts to contain one of the country’s deadliest outbreaks in recent years. The latest data show the virus continues to spread despite intensified surveillance, treatment and contact tracing.
Health workers face significant challenges, including insecurity in eastern Congo, limited medical supplies and attacks on healthcare facilities that have disrupted response efforts. Communities have also expressed frustration over strict public health measures, particularly burial restrictions aimed at limiting transmission. International health agencies continue to support the government’s response, warning that sustained funding and improved security will be essential to bringing the outbreak under control and preventing further regional spread.
Ramaphosa wins temporary court reprieve in Farmgate scandal
Cyril Ramaphosa, South African President has secured a court order temporarily halting a parliamentary impeachment inquiry linked to the “Farmgate” scandal, giving him temporary relief from one of the biggest political controversies of his presidency. The ruling pauses proceedings until early September, when Ramaphosa will seek to overturn an earlier panel report that found he may have breached the constitution.
The scandal centres on the theft of $580,000 hidden inside furniture at Ramaphosa’s private game farm in 2020. The president has consistently denied wrongdoing, saying the money came from the legitimate sale of buffaloes. While the court order delays parliamentary scrutiny, it does not end the legal and political battle surrounding the case.
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