WORLD IN BRIEF: Assad sentenced to death, IMF reaches $439m Guinea deal, Russia use North Korean missiles and other stories

Trump reportedly switched planes in secret amid Iran threat

Donald Trump, US President, secretly switched aircraft after leaving a NATO summit in Turkey last month following a credible Iranian threat to target his plane, US media reported.

According to the Washington Post, Trump was seen boarding Air Force One but was then moved to a smaller military aircraft through a catering truck that had been raised to the aircraft level. The operation was reportedly kept from journalists and some White House staff travelling with him.

Officials told CBS News that US authorities had detected a credible Iranian threat to fire a missile at the presidential aircraft. The White House has not confirmed the report.

Trump had earlier described himself as Iran’s “number one target” during the summit. The reported switch came a day after the US resumed military strikes on Iran following the collapse of negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

Zelensky accuses Russia of using North Korean missiles

Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of using North Korean ballistic missiles in attacks on Ukraine, saying Moscow is becoming increasingly dependent on Pyongyang for military support.

Zelensky said strikes on the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, which killed seven people and injured at least 24, involved North Korean-made missiles. He provided no evidence for the claim.

Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russia of receiving missiles, troops and other military assistance from North Korea. Pyongyang and Moscow have deepened military cooperation since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The latest attacks came a day after Ukrainian drones struck targets in Russia’s Tatarstan, killing at least 13 people. Ukraine says its long-range strikes are aimed at facilities supporting Russia’s war effort.

Assad sentenced to death in absentia over war crimes

A Syrian court has sentenced former president Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia after convicting him of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during Syria’s civil war.

Assad fled to Moscow with his family after his government was overthrown in December 2024, ending more than five decades of Assad family rule.

His cousin Atef Najib, a former security chief in Deraa, was also sentenced to death. Najib was convicted of murder, torture resulting in death and the killing of children.

Six other former military and security officials, including Assad’s younger brother Maher and former defence minister Fahd al-Freij, were also sentenced to death in absentia.

The trials are part of efforts by Syria’s interim authorities to prosecute senior figures associated with the former regime.

Lebanon parliament votes to abolish death penalty

Lebanon’s parliament has voted to abolish the death penalty, potentially making it the first country in the Middle East to formally end capital punishment.

A majority of lawmakers backed the measure, although Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc opposed it. The bill must now go through the cabinet before being sent to President Joseph Aoun for approval.

Lebanon has not carried out an execution since 2004, although courts continue to issue death sentences. Rights groups estimate that more than 78 people remain on death row.

The proposed law would replace capital punishment with life imprisonment with hard labour.

Colombia earthquake death toll rises above 250

At least 250 people have been killed after a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, as rescue teams search collapsed buildings for survivors.

The earthquake, described as the strongest to hit Colombia in more than a decade, devastated parts of the country’s coffee-growing region. Buildings, schools, homes and health facilities were damaged or destroyed.

Rescuers have been working through piles of rubble, sometimes stopping operations to listen for people trapped beneath collapsed structures.

The disaster struck days after President Abelardo de la Espriella took office. He has visited affected areas and promised government assistance to communities that lost homes and livelihoods.

South Africa mine dump collapse kills 14 suspected illegal miners

At least 14 suspected illegal miners have died after a mine dump collapsed in South Africa, with authorities warning that others could still be trapped.

Eight people were injured in the collapse, which occurred at a legally operated mining site believed to contain platinum and other metals. Most of those killed are believed to be undocumented migrants from neighbouring Lesotho.

Police said three injured miners were detained after leaving hospital and could face charges related to illegal mining and trespassing.

Illegal mining, involving informal miners known locally as “zama zamas”, remains widespread across South Africa, particularly at abandoned mines and mining waste sites.

Drone attack sets fire to Libya’s largest operating refinery

A drone strike has caused a major fire at Libya’s Zawiya refinery, prompting the state-owned National Oil Corporation to consider suspending operations if attacks continue.

The strike hit a fuel storage tank containing about 4.5 million litres of fuel, triggering a fire that caused the tank to collapse. No serious injuries were reported, although several people were treated for smoke inhalation.

The refinery, located west of Tripoli, is Libya’s largest operational refinery, with a capacity of about 120,000 barrels per day.

The attack was the third reported incident in Zawiya within two days, highlighting the continuing security challenges facing Libya.

Somalia malnutrition crisis worsens as aid funding falls

A sharp decline in international funding is hampering Somalia’s response to severe child malnutrition as hunger worsens in displacement camps, Médecins Sans Frontières has warned.

MSF said funding for acute malnutrition programmes in parts of Somalia has fallen by more than 80 percent this year. The organisation said US support to aid agencies had dropped from about $70 million last year to nothing this year.

More than 22,000 nutrition cases have been admitted for treatment so far this year, an increase of more than 80 percent from last year.

MSF warned that the funding cuts are coming as humanitarian needs continue to rise, particularly among displaced children.

IMF reaches $439m preliminary deal with Guinea

The International Monetary Fund has reached a staff-level agreement with Guinea on a 41-month financing programme worth about $439 million.

The proposed Extended Credit Facility is designed to help Guinea manage rising mining revenues, strengthen its foreign exchange reserves and improve fiscal management and transparency.

The programme comes as Guinea prepares to benefit from increased mining activity linked to the Simandou iron ore project, one of the world’s largest undeveloped iron ore deposits.

The agreement still requires approval by IMF management and the Fund’s executive board, which is expected to consider it in September.

DRC Ebola deaths exceed 2,000

Confirmed deaths from Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo have surpassed 2,000 as the country’s latest outbreak continues to spread.

The DRC’s public health institute reported 2,011 confirmed deaths and 4,381 confirmed cases across five provinces.

The outbreak, the country’s 17th, is being driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments.

The World Health Organization has described the outbreak as the fastest-spreading Ebola epidemic on record and declared it a public health emergency of international concern. Delayed detection, conflict and overstretched health services have complicated containment efforts.

Zimbabwe boat carrying 95 people capsizes on Lake Kariba

A boat carrying 90 passengers and five crew members has capsized on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe, prompting a rescue operation.

Zimbabwe’s national police confirmed the incident but provided few details about casualties or the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Rescue teams have been deployed as authorities work to determine the number of people affected.