Trump says US-Iran talks progressing as military pause holds

Donald Trump, US President, has said the United States is making progress in talks with Iran, raising hopes that diplomacy could prevent a return to military confrontation.

Speaking aboard Air Force One on Monday, Trump said Washington was engaged in “good talks” with Tehran and believed there was a “good chance” a deal could be reached. However, he warned that if negotiations fail, the U.S. would resume the air strikes it halted over the weekend after nearly two weeks of attacks on Iranian targets.

The pause in the bombing campaign marks a significant shift in Washington’s strategy after months of escalating conflict. While US officials described the suspension as an opportunity for diplomacy, Iran appeared to test the truce by launching drone attacks that were reported by Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Iraq. Tehran, however, denied requesting negotiations, insisting that discussions were continuing through mediators and dismissing reports that it had sought direct talks with Washington as fabricated.

Netanyahu heads to Washington with Iran at top of agenda

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister, travelled to Washington on Monday for his first face-to-face meeting with President Donald Trump since the conflict with Iran erupted. Speaking before his departure, Netanyahu said Iran would be the primary focus of their discussions, alongside efforts to strengthen Israel’s security and expand regional peace initiatives.

The visit marks Netanyahu’s eighth meeting with Trump since the U.S. president returned to office. Although Israel did not directly participate in the recent U.S. bombing campaign against Iran, officials have maintained close coordination. Trump suspended the strikes over the weekend, while Iran announced it would halt retaliatory attacks as long as the U.S. pause remains in place. Israeli officials have nevertheless warned that any fresh attack from Tehran would trigger a strong military response.

Ukraine rejects Iranian threats after Caspian Sea strike

Ukraine has dismissed Iran’s warnings of retaliation after Kyiv claimed responsibility for long-range strikes targeting military-linked vessels in the Caspian Sea, an attack that directly connects the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Andrii Sybiha, Foreign Minister said Iran had no grounds to threaten Ukraine, accusing Tehran of supporting Russia’s invasion by supplying drones and missiles that have been used against Ukrainian cities since 2022. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the strikes successfully targeted vessels carrying military cargo, while Ukraine’s security service reported attacks on an oil platform, a Russian missile boat and sanctioned cargo ships.

Iranian officials insisted one of the targeted vessels was a civilian cargo ship, but Ukraine’s ambassador to Israel said it was transporting drone and missile components destined for Russia. The incident highlights Ukraine’s growing willingness to strike military supply routes far beyond the battlefield.

France and Spain battle wildfires as fresh heatwave looms

Authorities in France and Spain are racing to contain devastating wildfires before another intense heatwave reaches western Europe later this week. More than 220,000 people have been evacuated in France, while around 100,000 residents in parts of Spain have either fled their homes or been ordered to shelter in place.

French President Emmanuel Macron visited firefighters near Bordeaux, praising emergency crews battling what officials describe as an unprecedented wildfire season. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the area already destroyed by fires has exceeded the country’s previous record set in 2022. Firefighters are using a brief period of calmer weather to bring the blazes under control before soaring temperatures and stronger winds return.

Burnham hosts Zelensky as first foreign leader since taking office

Andy Burnham, British Prime Minister, welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday as the first foreign leader to visit his government, underlining Britain’s continued support for Ukraine in its war with Russia.

The two leaders met at a naval base where they observed British-led military training programmes for Ukrainian forces, including Exercise Sea Breeze, which prepares personnel for maritime security operations in the Black Sea. Burnham reaffirmed that Britain’s support for Ukraine remains unwavering and announced new domestically developed jamming technology to help protect Ukrainian drones on the battlefield.
Downing Street said the UK has committed £25 billion in total assistance since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, including £16 billion in military aid.

AFRICA

South Africa investigates death of Nigerian during police arrest

South African authorities have launched an investigation into the death of a Nigerian national who collapsed while being arrested by police in Cape Town, prompting renewed concerns over the treatment of foreign nationals.

Initial post-mortem findings showed that 42-year-old Ibeh Chika Simon suffered multiple bruises and abrasions to his back and chest. Nigerian officials condemned the incident, with Consul General Ninikanwa Okey-Uche describing the reported police conduct as deeply disturbing and calling for a transparent investigation.

The case has heightened tensions between Nigeria and South Africa following another Nigerian’s death under similar circumstances earlier this year. Nigerian officials also alleged another citizen was shot during the same police operation, although South African police said they had no record of such an incident.

Congo’s Ebola outbreak surpasses 3,200 confirmed cases

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak continues to worsen, with confirmed infections rising to 3,200 and the death toll reaching 1,405, according to the latest government figures.

Health authorities are struggling to contain the outbreak as insecurity in eastern Congo hampers response efforts. Medical teams continue surveillance, treatment and contact tracing in affected communities while working to prevent further transmission of the deadly virus.

The outbreak remains one of the country’s most serious public health emergencies, with international health agencies supporting efforts to strengthen disease control measures.

Sundance wins $616 million arbitration against Cameroon over iron ore project

Australian mining company Sundance Resources has secured a $616 million arbitration award against Cameroon over the long-delayed Mbalam-Nabeba iron ore project after an International Chamber of Commerce tribunal ruled that the government breached its legal obligations.
The dispute arose after Cameroon revoked Sundance’s mining rights and later awarded the permit to another developer. The tribunal awarded damages, interest and legal costs to Sundance and its subsidiary Cam Iron.

The Mbalam-Nabeba deposit, located along the Cameroon-Republic of Congo border, is regarded as one of Africa’s largest undeveloped iron ore resources. The ruling follows Sundance’s unsuccessful $8.8 billion arbitration claim against the Republic of Congo earlier this year over the same project.

Human Rights Watch links Congo oil pollution to health risks

Human Rights Watch has accused French-British oil producer Perenco of exposing communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo to harmful pollution linked to its oil operations near the coastal town of Muanda.

The rights group said satellite imagery, photographs and interviews with residents, health workers and oil employees indicated routine gas flaring at multiple sites, including one located less than 80 metres from homes. Residents reported respiratory illnesses, chest pain, headaches and nausea, which the organisation linked to pollution from the facilities.

Perenco is the DRC’s only oil producer, pumping about 19,500 barrels of crude oil daily. Human Rights Watch urged authorities to enforce environmental regulations and strengthen oversight of the company’s operations.

Malawi installs first utility-scale battery to strengthen electricity supply

Malawi has commissioned its first utility-scale battery energy storage system, becoming the only country in southern Africa outside South Africa and Namibia to operate such a facility.

The 20-megawatt battery, installed by the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM), is designed to store solar energy and improve the stability of the national electricity grid. Officials say the project will help reduce power shortages and improve resilience as climate change threatens hydropower generation.

Malawi relies heavily on electricity generated from the Shire River, where water levels are expected to decline due to a strong El Niño weather pattern. The new battery system is expected to help integrate renewable energy and improve electricity reliability in one of Africa’s least electrified nations.