A Paris court has found the former CEO of Lafarge, Bruno Lafont, and eight other former employees guilty of financing terrorism in Syria. Judges ruled that the world's largest cement manufacturer funneled approximately €5.6 million to groups including the "Islamic State" and the Nusra Front between 2013 and 2015.
Pope Leo XIV, during a four-day African tour to Algeria, emphasized that his increasingly strong anti-war statements are not directed at any individual. On Monday, he told reporters: "The things I say are not meant as attacks on anyone. I am not a politician. I am inviting all people to look for ways of building bridges of peace and reconciliation, of looking for ways to avoid war any time that's possible."
▪️ Pilots at Germany's flagship carrier Lufthansa, Lufthansa Cargo, and subsidiary Eurowings began a 48-hour strike on Monday morning, organized by the Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) trade union. This marks the fourth strike to impact the airline this year, coming just days after cabin crew downed tools in a separate labor action.
Djibouti and Benin held presidential elections over the weekend, joining the roughly 18 African nations going to the polls in 2026. These two French-speaking countries share one striking feature: high nomination fees that have attracted widespread protest. Djibouti's fee was set at about the equivalent of £20,000, while Benin has pegged it at around £328,000.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that his country will not join the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz announced by United States President Donald Trump, a move that has also drawn criticism from other US allies. Starmer told BBC radio: "We are not supporting the blockade," adding that the United Kingdom "is not getting dragged in" to the US-Israel war on Iran.
Sudan's food crisis is deepening, with millions of people surviving on just one meal a day, according to a report published by a coalition of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The report from Action Against Hunger, CARE International, International Rescue Committee, Mercy Corps, and the Norwegian Refugee Council states that the war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), entering its third year, has caused widespread hunger and displaced millions amid one of the world's largest humanitarian crises.
The Central Headquarters of Iran's Armed Forces announced that vessels associated with countries Tehran deems "hostile" will be denied passage through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Other ships will receive permits only if they comply with rules established by Iranian military authorities, in a move that escalates regional tensions.
▪️ In the "Geopolitics" program on Kun.uz, analysts discussed how a potential US withdrawal from the conflict and an agreement with Iran could alter the balance of power in the Middle East. According to political scientist Shavkat Ikromov, if the US regime exits the war due to domestic political reasons, including elections, and leaves Israel alone against its adversaries, Israel's military capabilities will be constrained, allowing only symbolic or limited operations.
Several incidents of attempted covert transportation of precious jewelry have been intercepted at Uzbekistan's border posts. Customs officials seized items with a total preliminary value exceeding half a billion Uzbek som, highlighting ongoing challenges in border security and illicit trade.
Voters in Peru went to the polls on Sunday to elect a new president and members of Congress. The election took place amid a spike in violent crime and corruption in the country, which heightened voter discontent and resulted in no clear favorite candidate emerging from the crowded field.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has begun monitoring a new coronavirus variant designated BA.3.2, nicknamed 'Cicada'. This strain has been detected in 23 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Mozambique. There is currently no data indicating it is more dangerous than other variants, but specialists note that children are infected more frequently than adults.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) announced that Ghana Premier League player Dominic Frimpong of Berekum Chelsea has been killed during an armed robbery on the club's team bus as they returned from an away match. The 20-year-old died following the attack, which occurred between Goaso and Bibiani while the team was heading home after a game against Samartex in Samreboi in southern Ghana.