North African republic facing protests, economic strain and rights concerns
A total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026 has passed across Greenland, Iceland and parts of northern Spain while the UK and Ireland have seen a deep partial eclipse — the most extensive visible from Britain since 1999. Scientists have collected coronagraph and in‑flight data to study the Sun’s corona and short‑term atmospheric effects; safety warnings about direct viewing were widely issued.
El Mala has extended his contract with Cologne to 2031, retaining the No. 10 jersey amid transfer talk. He confirmed his commitment, saying he aims to build on last season’s 13 goals and five assists as the club hopes to fend off interest from Dortmund and others.
BBC and Al Jazeera report Manchester City are negotiating the transfer of Bouaddi from Lille to strengthen midfield, while Rodri’s exit to Barcelona is set to proceed on a four-year contract. City’s midfield overhaul appears imminent as Reijnders moves elsewhere.
Protests surge as Tunisia faces extreme heat, water and power shortages, with opposition groups criticizing President Kais Saied’s leadership. Demonstrators demand restored public services, release of detainees, and steps toward political reform amid ongoing economic strain.
The UK has established a national day to honour victims and survivors of terrorism. The event recognises those affected, including families and first responders, and signals ongoing support and calls for improved access to compensation and legal assistance. Northern Ireland communities are urging local recognition as well.
A migrant boat carrying 15 people sank off Zarzis, Tunisia, killing and injuring several. One survivor has been rescued, with bodies recovered over two days as protests erupt in Ben Guerdane. The incident follows years of cracked migration policies and EU-Tunisia cooperation.
The UN-backed 4+4 committee has forged an initial framework to hold presidential and parliamentary elections within 24 months under a unified executive. While rival institutions signaled tentative support, implementation remains the biggest hurdle as divisions persist and power-sharing is tested.
Dozens of Northern Ireland holidaymakers have been stranded in Tunisia after an EasyJet flight back to Belfast was cancelled. Passengers report little communication and mounting costs as the airline organises a direct Belfast flight and promises reimbursements. Some travellers have faced hotel stays and medication shortages while others race to find alternative routes home.
Algeria is confronting a severe heatwave that has intensified wildfires across the northern provinces, causing multiple deaths and injuries. Officials report dozens of blazes, with Bejaia, Jijel and Tizi Ouzou among the hardest hit; hundreds have been evacuated as firefighting efforts continue.
Algeria's president has ordered amendments to the penal code to allow capital punishment for those convicted of intentionally starting forest fires, as wildfires continue to devastate the northeast. The changes follow days of national mourning and authorities’ promises of compensation and restoration efforts. The government says several arson suspects have been arrested as the process moves toward legislation.
The BBC, Independent, and other outlets report on Scotland’s price-cap measures for essentials and public transport, amid fears from farmers that costs could ripple through to producers. Pilot schemes show rising bus ridership, but warn of unintended consequences as caps expand.
Rights groups have reported at least 10 prisoner deaths in Tunisia during a severe August heatwave, citing overcrowding, water and power cuts and poor medical care; the Committee to Protect Journalists has urged release of jailed Tunisian reporters. In Iran, courts have handed death sentences to two women over January protests and lawmakers are considering a bill that would criminalise contact with foreign media, curbing reporting and international engagement.
President Hakainde Hichilema has secured a second term with about 60% of the August vote, while the opposition leader Mundubile faces treason charges after post-election arrests as security operations raise concerns about the electoral process.
The International Court of Justice is hearing Germany’s objections to Nicaragua’s genocide case, arguing the court lacks jurisdiction and that key claims are inadmissible. The hearings come amid ongoing Gaza violence and a wider legal battle over Israel’s actions in the territory. Germany is defending its arms exports while Nicaragua accuses Berlin of facilitating genocide through support for Israel.
Declassified Spain-CNI documents reveal warnings of mass migrant entries before the Ceuta border rush on July 30-31, 2026. Governments dispute the scale, with Spain defending its actions while opponents call for accountability as thousands remain in Ceuta amid protests and EU border funding talks.
Tottenham has extended Lucas Bergvall’s contract, keeping the 20-year-old Sweden international at the club. He has made 80 appearances since joining from Djurgarden in 2024. The club says the renewal signals belief in his potential as interest from several clubs emerged over the summer.
Gaza flotilla activists have joined Wael Naouar’s hunger strike in Tunisian custody amid a probe into alleged financial flows. The detainees’ health is deteriorating as a Tunisian court weighs extending pre-trial detention for six months.
A consortium-led investigation shows the US has struck third-country deportation deals with states and UN agencies to move undocumented migrants out of the US. By early 2026, thousands have been deported to countries like Cameroon, Eswatini, and Ghana, with hundreds of millions allocated to signatories and to UN agencies. Critics warn of coercion and opaque negotiations.
The State Department has reprogrammed $52 million in foreign military financing from Slovakia, North Macedonia, Tunisia and Iraq to Panama, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has visited Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, signaling a pivot toward the Western Hemisphere amid concerns about narcotics, migration and China’s growing presence. The move follows earlier efforts to reduce European spending and troop deployments in NATO, aligning with a renewed Monroe Doctrine approach.
A trio of dispatches examines how language policy, script revival, and religious identity are evolving across the Muslim world—from Algeria’s shift to English as a primary foreign language in schools, to Indonesia’s Pegon script revival, to the Maldives’ commemorations of 900 Hijri years and the enduring place of Islam in national life.
UK prosecutors have lodged formal extradition requests with the US for Andrew and Tristan Tate, who face 59 charges in the UK, including rape and sex trafficking. The US State Department will review for treaty compliance, while the brothers’ lawyer challenges the documentation. Extradition still requires multiple steps, with the men remaining in US custody.
In Tunisia, four Global Sumud Flotilla activists remain in pre-trial detention as protests grow and global pressure mounts. Wael Naouar’s health deteriorates during a prolonged hunger strike, while supporters say the case targets civil society amid fears of a broader crackdown.
Libya’s oil infrastructure remains disrupted as the Sharara to Zawiya pipeline stays shut or is threatened by protests. The National Oil Corporation warns that continued shutdowns are reducing Sharara output, threatening state revenues and domestic fuel supplies amid ongoing instability.
The Authenticity and Modernity Party has won the most seats in Morocco's parliamentary election, but no party has an outright majority. PAM will need to form a coalition to govern while turnout remains historically low. The king will appoint the prime minister from the largest party. Youth discontent and calls for better public services persist as the country prepares for the 2030 World Cup.
Bangladesh is battling a large measles outbreak with over 1,087 deaths and nearly 187,000 suspected cases since March. Emergency vaccination campaigns have expanded to reach children 6 months to 59 months, while authorities confront immunity gaps from earlier disruptions in routine immunization.
Morocco has named Mansouri, former Marrakech mayor, to form a new government. She is tasked with building a coalition after elections, with promises of investment linked to the 2030 World Cup and reforms to inflation, wages and jobs. She becomes the second female prime minister in the Arab world, following Tunisia’s Najla Bouden.
Fatima Zahra El Mansouri has been named Morocco's first female prime minister after PAM won the most seats in the parliamentary elections. She is tasked by King Mohammed VI to form a government and will lead negotiations to build a coalition. Turnout was the lowest in two decades as PAM edges ahead of rivals. El Mansouri has previously served as Marrakech mayor and housing minister.
Uganda reports HIV prevalence stable at 5.9% with 1.496 million adults living with HIV; 85.3% know their status, 99.1% on treatment, 96.5% virally suppressed. In MENA, lenacapavir's global rollout shows affordability gaps and uneven access; six generic manufacturers will produce cheaper versions, but many countries remain excluded, raising concerns over reach of the prevention option.
A Comoros-flagged tanker, Khoryv, has been struck by a drone about 13 nautical miles off Constanta and has capsized and sunk. Romanian authorities have rescued nine sailors, recovered one body and are searching for three missing crew. The strikes follow a wave of drone attacks on merchant ships near Romania and Bulgaria that has left scores dead or missing.
A Turkish court will hear charges against Israeli leaders and senior officials in relation to the 2025-2026 flotilla interceptions aiming to break Gaza blockade. Italy has expanded its probe, naming more Israeli officials, including Defence Minister Katz and Prime Minister Ben-Gvir, amid alleged torture and abuse of detainees. The cases mark a widening push for accountability in international waters.
Protests led by UGTT and opposition groups have converged in Tunis amid an economic crisis, demanding freedom, the release of critics, and an end to restrictions on trade union rights. Police are deployed as demonstrators call for the president’s limits on power to be rolled back.
The UN and WMO warn that the current El Niño event could be unprecedented in strength, peaking late 2026, with impacts that will be felt long afterward. Sea-surface temperatures may rise to 3.8°C above average between November 2026 and January 2027, triggering far-reaching weather shifts and humanitarian strain across regions.
A Tunisian court has sentenced former Ennahda acting leader Mondher Ounissi to nine years and journalist Zied El Heni to four years in a case connected to leaked audio and terrorism charges. Several defendants tried in absentia receive long terms. The cases follow President Kais Saied’s consolidation of power and mounting pressure on dissent.
Protests over living conditions and police brutality have escalated in Tunisia. In Ettadhamen and Jebeniana, security forces have used tear gas to disperse demonstrators after deaths linked to police actions. Students in Sfax join a strike over medical services and a broader economic crisis fueling public anger.
The Sultan of Oman has visited China, signing a strategic partnership and 14 memorandums of understanding. The agreements cover digital economy, BeiDou navigation, energy, and investment, while underscoring Oman’s bid to diversify its economy under Vision 2040.