Situation

El Obeid becomes key battleground in war between Sudan’s armed forces and their paramilitary enemies, the RSFFatima is losing count of the number of drone attacks on the besieged city of El Obeid in Sudan, but says the attacks this past weekend were the most violent so far.The drones hit schools and fuel stations, killing more than 20 people, including students, she says. “Over the past few months, seeing 40 or 45 drones is the norm. You can literally count them,” said the aid volunteer, whose name has been changed for fear of retribution. Continue reading...

• The Indian government anticipates an economic pick-up driven by stabilizing conditions in West Asia and a decrease in global oil prices. • This optimistic outlook is supported by current economic indicators that suggest strong momentum throughout the first quarter. • Lower oil costs are critical for India, as reduced import expenses typically lower inflation and boost overall domestic growth.

• Venezuela is experiencing a series of ongoing aftershocks following the occurrence of twin earthquakes on June 27, 2026. • Experts are warning of a dire situation as the region continues to shake, creating instability and potential danger for local populations. • This seismic activity is critical due to the risk of further structural collapses and the psychological toll on residents facing continuous tremors.

• The U.S. Supreme Court has issued a ruling that supports the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for certain individuals from Haiti. • This legal decision clears the way for the U.S. government to resume deportation flights to Haiti, despite the country's extreme instability. • The move is highly controversial as Haiti remains one of the world's most dangerous nations, with the UK's FCDO currently advising against all travel there.

• The city of El Obeid in North Kordofan, Sudan, faces an imminent ground offensive by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allies after 18 months of siege-like conditions. • Credible reports indicate a high risk of atrocity crimes and widespread human rights violations as the conflict intensifies in the region. • This escalation underscores the urgent need for international intervention to prevent mass atrocities and ensure accountability for perpetrators.

• The Swiss Federal Intelligence Service (SRC) has warned that the national security situation is deteriorating due to rising global instability. • The report highlights an increase in terrorism risks and hybrid threats originating from Russia, coinciding with profound upheavals in the international order. • This shift matters as multiplying crises and conflicts around Europe create a more volatile environment for Swiss security.

• Boston Celtics head coach and president Brad Stevens addressed the media following the selection of Chris Cenac Jr. with the 27th overall pick in the NBA draft. • The press conference focused on the "murky situation" surrounding star player Jaylen Brown and the team's pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo. • Stevens provided limited clarity regarding the roster dynamics, leaving questions about the team's long-term strategy and player stability unanswered.

• Ongoing hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants have led to increased strikes on Lebanese hospitals and essential services. • The targeted attacks on healthcare infrastructure are severely deteriorating the humanitarian situation for civilians across the region. • These strikes matter as they cripple the medical system's ability to treat casualties and manage chronic illnesses during an active conflict.

• The United States Mission to the United Nations issued a briefing calling for immediate economic and political reforms by the Cuban regime. • The U.S. demanded the release of political prisoners, the opening of the economy, and an end to the government's practice of blaming American policies for Cuba's internal misery. • The U.S. urged UN Member States to stop voting for the annual anti-embargo resolution and to ensure humanitarian aid reaches the Cuban people directly rather than the government.

• UAE health authorities have confirmed that the country's public health situation remains stable while they actively monitor developments regarding the Ebola virus. • To ensure national safety, the government is currently reviewing the virus's spread and reinforcing its medical preparedness and response protocols. • Simultaneously, a World Health Organization (WHO) delegation visited the UAE field hospital in Rafah to evaluate medical and humanitarian services provided in the southern Gaza Strip.

• Somalia has entered a period of political uncertainty and disorder following the decision to extend the terms of the Presidency and the Somali Parliament. • Both the executive and legislative branches have extended their mandates by one year, delaying the scheduled transition of power. • This move is significant as it disrupts the established political timeline and creates a state of transition that may lead to further instability.

• President Donald Trump stated 'I don't think about Americans' financial situation' while attending high-stakes US-China summit negotiations, sparking political fallout over rising consumer prices. • Vice President Vance responded that 'we have a lot of work to do,' as new data shows businesses' costs surged at their highest monthly rate in over four years with grocery prices also climbing. • The comments come amid Iran war concerns restricting global oil supply and sending gas prices skyrocketing, with Republicans defending the administration's policy prioritization over domestic inflation concerns.

With US inflation at a three-year high, US president insisted he’s not focused on economic hardship sparked by the conflictSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailDonald Trump has said the growing financial pressure inflicted on Americans by the war on Iran is “not even a little bit” motivating him to make a peace deal with Tehran.With US inflation at a three-year high, and fuel costs still climbing after a sharp rise in oil prices, the US president said on Tuesday that he is not focused on the economic hardship sparked by the conflict. Continue reading...

Trump’s attacks on Pope Leo XIV polarizing the diverse community as faith and politics come to a headMaryellen Lewicki meets once a week for Bible study with a group of Catholic women in Decatur, Georgia, in a space they try to keep clear of politics. But Donald Trump’s name arises nonetheless.“We have one person that we pray for during the course of the week,” she said. “What my friend said is that she prays for the president every day, that God will remove that hard heart of his and replace it with a softer one that has love.” Continue reading...

Developing countries face possible shelving of crucial green action plan at IMF and World Bank spring meetingsGovernments desperate for cash to protect their citizens from the growing impacts of the climate crisis are being put in a “beyond absurd” situation this week at global finance talks: they are being urged not to mention the climate, even as they address the current oil crisis.The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) spring meetings take place this week amid a fragile ceasefire in Iran and upended geopolitics. One of the priorities was to forge a new “climate change action plan” (CCAP) for the world’s biggest provider of funds to developing countries, to replace the current strategy, which expires in June. Continue reading...

• The Embassy of Switzerland's Foreign Interests Section in Tehran has temporarily closed due to the deteriorating security situation in Iran, effective until further notice. • The closure reflects heightened tensions in the region as the U.S. and Israeli military operations continue against Iran, now entering their fourth week. • The suspension of Swiss diplomatic operations, which typically represent U.S. interests in Iran due to the absence of direct U.S.-Iran diplomatic relations, indicates serious concerns about personnel safety in the capital.

Iranian parliament speaker says ‘no negotiations’ held with US, as Trump postpones energy strikes for five days; European Commission chief says war must come to negotiated endTrump claims ‘productive’ talks with Iran but Tehran denies contactIsrael launches new strikes on Tehran as Trump pauses Iran energy attacksWelcome to our ongoing coverage of the US-Israeli war on Iran and its wider repercussions in the Middle East and globally.Donald Trump has claimed the US and Iran have held talks in which the two sides had “major points of agreement”, and speculated that a deal could soon be done to end the war, a claim contradicted by Tehran.Trump said the threatened US strikes on Iranian power plants had been postponed after “very good and productive” discussions with Iran about a “complete and total resolution of our hostilities” in the Middle East. After hitting a four-year high, the price of oil fell dramatically following Trump’s comments, while stocks in Asia rallied.Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, said he had spoken with Trump, who saw a chance of an agreement with Iran, but added that Israel would continue its strikes against Iran and Lebanon. Trump believed there was a possibility of “leveraging the mighty achievements obtained by the Israeli and the US military, in order to realise the goals of the war in a deal – a deal that will preserve our vital interests”, the Israeli prime minister claimed in a video statement released by his office.Israel said it had launched “wide-scale” strikes on Iran on Monday morning, while Tehran continued to fire missiles at the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The Israeli military also claimed to have hit struck the main security headquarters of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as part of a “wave of strikes that was completed a short while ago in the heart of Tehran”.An Israeli strike also hit Beirut’s southern suburbs on Monday, Agence France-Presse quoted state media as saying, hours after the Israeli army issued an order for residents of the area to evacuate. An AFPTV live broadcast showed a cloud of smoke over the densely populated southern suburbs, which are considered a Hezbollah stronghold and have not been hit since Friday night. Continue reading...