Arab Republic of Egypt: a pivotal Middle East country at Africa–Asia crossroads
Tottenham Hotspur have acquired Omar Marmoush from Manchester City on an initial loan, with a 60m pounds option to buy next summer, amid a flurry of summer signings that have put Spurs over 300m in expenditure. Marmoush joins Savio in a City-to-Spurs reshuffle as Roberto De Zerbi rebuilds his attack.
Sudan’s conflict continues with battlefield pressure on the RSF and army, defections rising, and civilians bearing the brunt as regional spillovers complicate any path to peace. International diplomacy is nudging for a humanitarian truce, while new rounds of talks are planned in Addis Ababa.
A total solar eclipse has swept from the Arctic through Greenland and Iceland to parts of Spain and a sliver of Portugal, while much of western Europe, Canada and the northern US has seen a dramatic partial eclipse. Crowds have flocked to Spain and Iceland for minutes of totality; scientists and space agencies have run live coverage and field experiments.
Clashes have intensified between Ethiopian federal forces and the TPLF in western Tigray near the Sudan border. Civilians are fleeing, and both sides accuse the other of violating the Pretoria peace deal. The fighting follows months of deteriorating relations since the Pretoria agreement and raises fears of a wider conflict in the region.
Fringe coverage shows comedians embracing live audiences and personal storytelling as social media helps reach targeted crowds. Performers are weaving personal experiences into sets, with some addressing race, identity and resilience amid broader global tensions.
Kurdistan authorities have reported Iranian-launched drones struck the private office of KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and the residence of the region's security agency chief on 17 August, with no casualties. The attacks come as Baghdad presses for a September 30 deadline to bring armed factions under state control and as cross-border strikes and US-Saudi operations have raised tensions across Iraq.
The Sudanese conflict persists as fighting between the army and RSF continues to upheave daily life. Civilians confront displacement, blocked routes, and humanitarian struggles, while international voices call for action.
Houthis have launched repeated drone, missile and naval strikes that have damaged Yemen’s Mocha port, killed dozens and forced the port’s suspension. The group has claimed a drone hit on Saudi Aramco’s Jazan refinery and renewed attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al‑Mandeb, while Yemeni government forces have mounted counter‑attacks across multiple fronts.
Martin O’Neill has undergone a small procedure and is recovering at home. Shaun Maloney is coordinating training as Celtic prepare for their next match; a final call on the manager’s involvement will be made in the coming days.
A continental push to industrialise the textile and manufacturing sectors is accelerated by investment in long-term funding, high-value processing, and regional value chains. Across Africa, governments and investors are turning cotton, textiles, and infrastructure into job-creating industries to retain value at home.
The Hamas-disarmament framework backed by the US is facing renewed testing as Israel rejects the plan’s terms, insisting Hamas must be disarmed before any withdrawal. Hamas has expressed readiness to implement the second phase if Israel approves and begins implementing, while mediators push for a coordinated process amid ongoing clashes in Gaza.
Israeli airstrikes have hit southern Lebanon early on Saturday, killing at least seven people in Ansar and four in Deir al-Zahrani, Lebanese authorities and state media have reported. Israel has said it struck Hezbollah infrastructure in response to an attack that wounded Israeli soldiers; Lebanese leaders have condemned the civilian deaths. Talks under a US-backed framework are continuing.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the U.S.-backed 15-point Gaza roadmap and said Israeli troops will not withdraw until Hamas is "genuinely disarmed." Hamas has affirmed its commitment to the plan, Washington says discussions with Israel are continuing, and the Israeli military has largely paused targeted strikes while ceasefire and reconstruction arrangements remain stalled.
Divers have uncovered a 2,000-year-old shipwreck near Mazara del Vallo, packed with hundreds of wine and oil amphorae. Italy’s culture ministry says the vessel dates to the 1st or 2nd century BC and will be documented and protected as researchers study its cargo and origins.
A total solar eclipse has crossed parts of Spain, Iceland and Greenland while the UK and Ireland have seen a deep partial eclipse — the most extensive visible from the UK since 1999. Scientists have used airborne and balloon experiments to study the Sun's corona and the event has drawn large crowds despite patchy clouds and local viewing limits.
The African Union Peace and Security Council has returned to Khartoum to press for a ceasefire, humanitarian access, and a Sudanese-led political process. The SAF has recaptured parts of Khartoum and central Sudan, while RSF remains entrenched in Darfur. Preparations for a broad national dialogue are underway with regional and civil society actors, amid ongoing fighting and shifting alliances.
Warfare in Blue Nile State has escalated as RSF fighters and allied SPLM-N forces seize Kurmuk while the army withdraws. Drones and artillery have battered the town, causing new displacements as the conflict widens along border routes with Ethiopia.
Lebanon has passed legislation abolishing the death penalty and replacing it with life imprisonment with aggravated hard labour. Parliament has also approved a separate general amnesty law that will reduce some long sentences and free inmates detained more than 12 prison years while awaiting trial; the measures respond to severe prison overcrowding and political pressures.
Ceasefire negotiations in Gaza have stalled as Israeli air strikes resume, killing civilians and police officials. Mediators from the US, Egypt, and Qatar are pressing for a second phase of the ceasefire, including Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawal. Health authorities report multiple casualties from coastal Gaza strikes, underscoring fragile hopes for a durable halt to hostilities.
Houthi attacks on Yemen’s Red Sea coast have intensified, striking Mocha and al-Makha ports as government forces and militants trade strikes across Marib, Taiz and the western coast. The violence threatens shipping lanes, raises regional tensions, and risks drawing in regional powers as talks for a ceasefire stall.
The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement binds Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan to mutual defence and deterrence. Signed August 7, it marks a shift toward regional security coordination as US involvement in the Middle East becomes more constrained, with analysts noting the pact may empower regional partners without fully replacing Washington’s role.
The United States has claimed total control over the Strait of Hormuz, vowing to keep the waterway open amid ongoing hostilities with Iran. Washington describes its naval blockade as a “wall of steel,” while Tehran says it will continue to assert influence and imposes potential tolls as talks stall. Oil flows have shifted as attacks and new routes affect trade.
Iran seeks membership in BRICS’ New Development Bank to diversify funding amid sanctions and war pressures. Tehran aims to use regional currencies for trade and to secure financing for infrastructure as it faces economic strain.
The FIFA president has drawn support from several signatories ahead of next year’s vote, even as a revolt grows over a plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors. European and regional federations have warned of consequences, and some signatories have withdrawn support amid governance concerns.
Stocks waver as Walmart’s earnings miss dulls confidence; higher oil prices and rising yields weigh on sentiment. Treasuries signal caution as investors assess consumer resilience amid inflationary pressure.
The global football federation is confronting a fracturing alliance as three major confederations call for a review of Gianni Infantino’s leadership amid a shelved plan to sell World Cup commercial rights; New Zealand withdraws support, while Caf and Conmebol back Infantino for a fourth term. The next months will determine Infantino’s fate at the Rabat congress.
President Donald Trump has said he will "pretty soon" declare the Strait of Hormuz to be US territory after defeating Iran, and has touted a US naval blockade. Iran has rejected the claim, saying the strait "will only be closed and opened under Iran's command" and has refused to resume talks while the waterway remains blocked. Mediators continue quiet contact.
A US-backed plan to disarm Hamas and set a path to Israeli withdrawal has stalled after Israeli prime minister Netanyahu rejects the 15-point framework, arguing for genuine Hamas disarmament before any withdrawal. Hamas conditions the surrender of heavy weapons on an Israeli withdrawal and the establishment of a Palestinian state. The dispute leaves Gaza’s future uncertain as regional players weigh leverage and timing ahead of elections.
Kushner and Board of Peace envoys are engaging Hamas in Egypt to press for the 15-point Gaza plan. Netanyahu maintains disarmament conditions, while international mediators call for progress on the roadmap amid unfolding battlefield events.
France hosts Prince Mohammed bin Salman as leaders discuss diversifying energy and transport routes, including maritime and rail projects, amid regional and Middle East stability efforts. The Franco-Saudi partnership council is being convened to solidify cooperation.
Sudan's army-backed authorities are promoting a national dialogue while critics demand a ceasefire and addressing root causes. The AU and regional actors are intensifying mediation efforts, with civilians calling for guarantees, justice, and inclusive participation. The landscape remains fragmented as fighting continues.
Kushner and a U.S. envoy delegation have met Hamas leaders to advance the Gaza roadmap. Netanyahu maintains disarmament is a precondition for any Israeli withdrawal. Regional powers back mediators as talks accelerate toward a schedule for implementation.
Cameroon has won the Women's Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Malawi 3-0 in Rabat, ending a history of three previous final defeats. Marie Ngah Manga scored twice and Naomi Ndjoah Eto added the third as Cameroon secure their first continental title.
Al-Shaibani and Netanyahu have traded statements after Israel attacked the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Syria, saying there was no Turkish military build-up at the site. Damascus maintains the base remains Syrian, while Ankara denies any Turkish presence. The strike has drawn regional condemnation and heightened tensions among Syria, Turkey and Israel.
AP and partners report a thriving illicit trade at Gaza's border, with cigarettes, dual-use goods, tech, and daily essentials flowing in despite restrictions. The trade is profiting both sides, fueling prices for residents while supporting militant and military actors. Authorities say flows have increased since a fragile ceasefire, though remain well below prewar levels.
CEPI has awarded up to $16.5m to Minapharm to advance a Bundibugyo-specific Ebola vaccine through lab work and into a Phase I trial expected to take place in Africa. The DRC has received an initial 16,250 doses of Ervebo from a 70,000-dose allocation; 20,000 doses will enter a Phase III trial and 50,000 are earmarked for frontline and health workers as the outbreak has topped 5,600 cases and over 2,700 deaths.
Mediators, including Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, have warned that renewed Israeli strikes threaten the Gaza ceasefire process at a critical stage. Palestinian casualties have risen amid ongoing Israeli operations as international efforts push for a phased disarmament and Israeli withdrawal, with Trump’s peace framework pressing for disarmament in stages while Israel demands full Hamas disarmament before withdrawal.
Former captains from around the world have urged Pakistan’s government to permit an independent health assessment of Imran Khan, reinstate weekly family visits, and ensure timely medical treatment following a Supreme Court order transferring him to a private hospital. The move follows concerns over his health and treatment since his imprisonment.
A federal judge has vacated a policy that would have blocked immigrant visas to 75 countries, ruling Secretary of State Rubio exceeded his authority and violated the Immigration and Nationality Act. The decision reinforces consular officers’ control over visa eligibility and sparks renewed debate over the administration’s immigration agenda.
An American Airlines flight from Atlanta to Dallas landed safely at DFW after reports of a laptop catching fire mid-air. Four to five passengers sustained burns; crew contained the device and the plane taxied to the gate. FAA warns lithium batteries can overheat; some travelers received medical care after landing.
The United States proposes expanding the UN arms embargo to cover all of Sudan and drone-related technology, while the Security Council weighs tougher measures amid intensifying drone strikes and external support. Darfur remains a flashpoint as the embargo’s future hinges on a veto-wielding Security Council.
Parliament has unanimously approved energy minister Ndejembi to succeed Emmanuel Nchimbi as Tanzania’s vice president after Nchimbi’s resignation and CCM expulsion. The appointment follows Nchimbi’s call for change and resignation effective September 4, with a rapid parliamentary process confirming the nominee. The move caps a swift leadership transition amid internal CCM dynamics and ongoing constitutional reform debate.
Xi has scheduled a three-day visit to Egypt from Aug. 30 to Sept. 3, following the SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan. The talks with Egyptian President el-Sisi aim to deepen strategic partnership, bolster trade and defence links, and signal China’s regional footprint amid turbulence in the Hormuz corridor and Middle East tensions.
UEFA has filed court documents seeking discovery from Thrive Capital and FIFA as it pursues a Swiss criminal mismanagement case linked to Infantino’s abandoned plan to carve out FIFA’s commercial assets for private investors.
The Treasury Department has proposed a rule to sever the Emirati branches of Banque Misr from the U.S. financial system. The move accompanies sanctions steps against Iran-related entities and signals a push to isolate Tehran’s network without sanctioning key trading partners. The measure awaits a 30-day public comment period.