International
Mpox cases decline in Africa as vaccination efforts continue
The mpox epidemic, formerly known as monkeypox, is showing signs of decline in Africa, with a drop in infections recorded during the past week, the African Union’s public health agency reported Thursday.
Authorities described this trend as “very encouraging” on the path toward controlling the outbreak.
Since January 2024, there have been 150,880 suspected cases and 41,292 confirmed infections, along with 1,830 verified deaths and 205 suspected deaths across 26 African countries, according to data from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
“This week, we continue to observe a downward trend in the number of suspected cases as well as confirmed cases,” said Yap Boum, incident deputy manager of Africa CDC, at a press conference. “This is very encouraging as it helps us see the light at the end of the tunnel as we move forward,” he added.
During the last week, 3,113 new cases (879 confirmed) were reported, a decrease from the 3,323 cases (957 confirmed) reported the previous week. The decline was especially notable in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the epicenter of the epidemic, as well as in Uganda and Sierra Leone.
Boum also emphasized that “we continue to encourage intensified surveillance and other public health measures to sustain and accelerate the decline” in cases. He urged the strengthening of vaccination programs in the most affected countries and called for the mobilization of additional vaccine doses.
Currently, eleven African countries have received mpox vaccines, and seven are conducting vaccination campaigns. According to Boum, just over three million doses have been distributed in total. “We understand,” he added, “that vaccination is not a silver bullet, but it is a key component of the response” to the epidemic.
The African Union health agency declared mpox a continental public health emergency on August 13. The World Health Organization (WHO) issued an international health alert the following day, which has remained in effect since June 9.
Mpox is an infectious disease characterized by skin rashes, fever, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, headaches, back pain, and general fatigue.
International
Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubiocould potentially form a Republican presidential ticket for the 2028 elections.
Speaking during a dinner with law enforcement officials as part of National Police Week, Trump publicly praised both officials and said they could make “an ideal team” for the next presidential race.
“Who likes JD Vance? Who likes Marco Rubio?” Trump asked attendees before adding that the pair “sound like a good combination.”
The president highlighted his vice president’s performance in office, stating that their current partnership has been highly effective. “JD is perfect, that has been a perfect formula,” Trump told reporters later.
He further suggested that a Vance-Rubio pairing could represent a strong presidential and vice-presidential ticket, although he stopped short of offering any formal endorsement.
“I think it sounds like a presidential candidate and a vice-presidential candidate,” he said, while clarifying that his remarks should not be interpreted as an official backing of any future campaign.
So far, neither Vance nor Rubio has publicly confirmed any intention to run in the 2028 presidential election.
Rubio previously sought the Republican nomination in 2016 but withdrew after losing the primary race to Trump. Later, in a December 2025 interview with Vanity Fair, he said he would be among the first to support Vance if he decided to run for the White House.
Vance, meanwhile, has recently dismissed speculation of any political rivalry with Rubio amid growing discussion about potential future GOP leadership.
International
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
Russia accused Ukraine on Saturday of violating a Victory Day truce that was reportedly agreed with mediation from the United States, claiming that Ukrainian forces carried out attacks on Russian territory as well as on the annexed Crimean peninsula.
Despite the declared ceasefire, the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement that Ukrainian forces attacked Russian military positions using attack drones and artillery.
According to the ministry, Ukrainian forces made twelve attempts to advance toward Russian-held positions across several sectors of the front line.
It also alleged that Ukrainian strikes targeted civilian infrastructure in Crimea, several border regions, the Caucasus, and other areas including Moscow and Perm in the Ural region.
The Defense Ministry estimated around 8,900 violations of the ceasefire in total, including more than 7,000 drone attacks and over 1,000 strikes involving tanks, artillery, multiple rocket launch systems, and mortars since the truce came into effect at midnight.
Russia said its forces responded “symmetrically” to what it described as violations by Ukrainian troops.
Earlier, the Kremlin denied claims that Ukraine attempted to sabotage a military parade in Red Square marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
“No attempts were made. Everything went well,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told local media.
International
Trump Says U.S.-Iran Talks Progressing, Signals Possible Deal on Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Washington is holding “very good” talks with Iran and stated that there is a strong possibility of reaching an agreement to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“We’ve had very good conversations over the last 44 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll reach an agreement,” Trump said during an event held in the Oval Office at the White House.
The president’s remarks came just hours after he announced a temporary suspension of the military operation aimed at escorting vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf due to Iran’s blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Trump explained that the pause in operations is intended to facilitate diplomatic negotiations between both sides and prevent further military escalation in the region.
“We’re in good shape, and right now things are going well. Now we have to achieve what we need to achieve. If we don’t, we’ll have to go much further,” the Republican president warned.
In a post published on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump reiterated that if Iran accepts Washington’s proposed conditions, military operations and the naval blockade affecting the Islamic republic would come to an end.
However, he also issued a new warning to the Iranian government, stating that the United States would respond with attacks “of greater intensity” if Tehran rejects the agreement promoted by the White House.
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Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
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