US resumes Iran strikes as Trump revives Hormuz blockade, cargo charge plan
The United States has launched fresh military strikes against Iran and announced the resumption of its naval blockade around the Strait of Hormuz, deepening tensions in one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.
US Central Command said overnight strikes targeted an Iranian submarine and a naval maintenance facility, describing the operation as a response to Tehran’s attacks on commercial shipping in the strategic waterway. President Donald Trump also declared that the United States would become the “guardian” of the Strait of Hormuz and said a 20 percent charge would be imposed on cargo passing through the route, although his administration has not explained how such a levy would be enforced.
Iran swiftly rejected the move, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisting Tehran has “always been the guardian of the strait”, while the Iranian military warned it would not allow the US to interfere in managing the waterway. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had launched attacks against US military facilities in Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait, as well as radar installations in Oman. Bahrain accused Iran of targeting civilian areas.
Despite the escalation, some commercial vessels continue to transit the strait, although ship-tracking data indicates traffic remains significantly below normal levels. The renewed confrontation has further jeopardised efforts to restore a ceasefire and threatens global energy markets, given that around one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas exports typically pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Volkswagen plans up to 100,000 job cuts amid deepening global slowdown
Volkswagen Group is considering cutting as many as 100,000 jobs worldwide as Europe’s largest carmaker intensifies efforts to reduce costs following a sharp decline in profits and weakening demand in key markets.
Oliver Blume, the Chief executive told employees the company remains significantly more expensive to operate than many competitors, with costs about 20 percent higher than rival manufacturers. He said management is assessing all brands, regions and business units to determine the scale of restructuring required.
The proposed cuts would double the 50,000 positions previously earmarked for elimination in Germany by 2030. Blume also acknowledged uncertainty over the future of four German factories, including electric vehicle plants in Zwickau and Emden, which have struggled with high operating costs.
Volkswagen’s operating profit has fallen sharply in recent years, dropping from €22.6 billion in 2023 to €19.1 billion in 2024 before falling further to €8.9 billion last year. The company has been hit by weaker sales in China, where deliveries declined 26 percent in the first half of the year, while exports to the United States have also suffered following higher tariffs on imported vehicles.
The restructuring reflects mounting pressure on traditional European automakers as Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers expand aggressively into international markets with lower-cost production and advanced technology.
Trump backs Lindsey Graham’s sister for interim Senate seat
Donald Trump, US President has urged South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster to appoint Lindsey Graham’s sister, Darline Nordone, as interim senator following the Republican lawmaker’s death.
Graham, a close Trump ally and one of the Senate’s most influential foreign policy voices, died on Saturday at the age of 71 from an aortic tear. Trump described appointing his sister as “a fabulous tribute”, noting the senator’s close relationship with Nordone, whom he legally adopted after the deaths of their parents.
McMaster is expected to announce an interim replacement who will serve until January, ahead of a special election. Several Republican candidates have already declared their intention to contest the seat after Graham had secured the party’s nomination for the November election before his death.
South Carolina Senator Tim Scott also endorsed Nordone, calling her an appropriate temporary replacement as Republicans seek to retain the seat.
Europe records over 10,000 excess deaths during late June heatwave
More than 10,000 excess deaths were recorded across Europe during the record-breaking heatwave that swept western parts of the continent in late June, according to official mortality data.
Figures released by EuroMOMO, a mortality monitoring network supported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the World Health Organization, show that more than 9,000 of the additional deaths occurred among people aged 65 and above.
Health experts say prolonged extreme heat significantly increases the risk of heatstroke while worsening cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, making elderly people particularly vulnerable.
Scientists have repeatedly warned that climate change is increasing the frequency, duration and intensity of heatwaves across Europe, raising concerns over the continent’s preparedness for future extreme weather events.
Shein chairman to step down as retailer nears IPO
Donald Tang, Shein Executive Chairman is preparing to step down as the fast-fashion retailer moves closer to completing its long-awaited initial public offering, according to a Reuters report.
Tang, who has served as the company’s public face for the past three years, is expected to transition into a senior advisory role while continuing to work closely with management. His departure comes as the company finalises preparations for its stock market listing.
A former investment banker, Tang played a central role in engaging regulators and policymakers while representing the secretive company internationally on behalf of founder Sky Xu.
His exit raises questions over whether Xu will assume a more public leadership role or appoint another executive to oversee relations with investors and regulators as Shein enters its next phase as a publicly traded company.
AFRICA
Guinea-Bissau military court orders opposition leader back to prison
A military court in Guinea-Bissau has ordered opposition leader and former Prime Minister Domingos Simões Pereira back into custody, months after he was released from detention.
Pereira’s family said he was transferred from house arrest to prison following fresh accusations linking him to an alleged coup attempt in October 2025. They rejected the allegations, insisting he had not participated in any unconstitutional or violent activities.
The leader of the PAIGC opposition party was initially detained after last year’s military takeover before being released in February as part of efforts to ease tensions with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
His renewed detention is expected to deepen political uncertainty in the West African nation, where military intervention has repeatedly disrupted democratic governance.
South African rand weakens as Gulf conflict unsettles markets
South Africa’s rand fell against the US dollar as renewed fighting between the United States and Iran pushed investors away from emerging market assets.
The currency traded about 0.5 percent weaker after oil prices surged roughly 4 percent on fears that escalating conflict around the Strait of Hormuz could disrupt global energy supplies. The US dollar also strengthened as investors sought safer assets.
Analysts said the rand’s decline reflected broader market caution rather than domestic economic developments, with uncertainty surrounding Middle East tensions continuing to dominate investor sentiment.
Congo’s Ebola outbreak spreads to two more provinces
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has spread into the northeastern provinces of Haut-Uele and Tshopo, as health authorities struggle to contain the country’s worst-ever outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain.
The National Institute of Public Health reported 1,926 confirmed cases and 702 deaths nationwide. Tshopo has recorded four confirmed infections, including two deaths, while Haut-Uele has reported its first fatality linked to the outbreak.
The spread into additional provinces raises concerns that population movement could accelerate transmission despite ongoing surveillance and treatment efforts. Health authorities continue to expand response operations as the outbreak enters new communities.
EU sanctions Sudan’s gold trade to curb conflict financing
The European Union has imposed new sanctions targeting Sudan’s gold sector, seeking to disrupt a key source of funding for the country’s civil war.
The measures ban the purchase, import or transfer of Sudanese gold within the EU while also prohibiting exports of mercury and cyanide used in gold mining.
European officials said the restrictions are intended to reduce financial flows supporting the conflict between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces, which has fuelled one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises since fighting erupted more than three years ago.
Tshisekedi warns against aggressive tax action on Congo miners
Félix Tshisekedi, Democratic Republic of Congo President has instructed state revenue agencies to avoid heavy-handed enforcement against mining companies, warning that excessive pressure could discourage investment in the country’s strategic minerals sector.
Cabinet minutes show the president urged authorities to balance efforts to improve tax collection with maintaining investor confidence in Congo’s copper and cobalt industries, which remain central to the country’s economy.
The directive follows increased scrutiny of major mining firms after state auditors alleged several companies had underreported revenues and reduced mandatory payments to government development funds. The companies involved have denied wrongdoing.
Congo is the world’s largest producer of cobalt and the second-largest supplier of copper, making stability in its mining sector increasingly important to global supply chains for electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies.
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