- 01
UNITED STATES
You’re f***ing crazy.
President Trump has announced an Israel-Hezbollah de-escalation, but only after the US president (per Axios) called the Israeli PM “f***ing crazy” for resuming strikes on Hezbollah’s southern Beirut stronghold! Iran has long hinged its US talks on Israel first reaching a Hezbollah truce, though there are already reported clashes and statements casting doubt on Trump’s claimed Hezbollah de-escalation. (Yahoo)
- 02
RUSSIA
Tanker seized.
French authorities have seized a Russian tanker in the Atlantic suspected of shadow fleet activities. Meanwhile, Putin has launched another 600 missiles and drones in his latest overnight attack on Ukrainian cities. (France24)
- 03
UNITED KINGDOM
Court says no, Brussels says yes.
The Hague’s Permanent Court of Arbitration has rejected Rwanda’s $134M compensation claim over the UK’s scrapped deal to deport irregular arrivals and asylum seekers to Rwanda. Meanwhile, the EU has just reached an in-principle deal allowing similar ‘return hubs’ outside the bloc. (DW)
- 04
DR CONGO
Ebola borders tightening.
As the Bundibugyo outbreak tops 300 cases across Congo’s east, neighbours like Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Burundi have intensified their border screening. Jitters have reached as far as Brazil and Italy, where authorities investigated (then ruled out) suspected traveller cases over the weekend. (ABC)
- 05
ETHIOPIA
Ballot over bullet?
50 million folks have queued up to cast votes in their country’s first general election since the Tigray war, with Prime Minister Abiy’s party on track for a landslide. (News24)
- 06
DENMARK
Third time’s the charm.
Under the shadow of another Trump tweet hinting he might yoink Greenland from Denmark, Prime Minister Frederiksen has finally secured a third term after a record 69 days of coalition talks. Surviving her party’s worst result since 1903, she’s now at the head of a centre-left minority government with four parties. (Al Jazeera)
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