International

Africa remains epicenter of Monkeypox as cases rise globally, WHO says

The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed on Thursday that between January 1 and July 31, 2025, a total of 34,386 monkeypox (mpox) cases and 138 deaths have been reported worldwide. The agency warned that the virus remains present in 84 countries, posing a risk of sustained community transmission if its spread is not contained.

Data indicate that Africa continues to report the highest number of infections. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) leads with 15,377 cases and 30 deaths, followed by Uganda with 6,522 cases and 35 deaths, Sierra Leone with 5,149 cases and 52 deaths, and Burundi with 1,394 confirmed cases.

The WHO noted that since its last report, Senegal reported mpox cases for the first time, and Turkey confirmed infections related to clade Ib. In July alone, 47 countries reported 3,924 new cases and 30 deaths, with increases in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific, while Africa, Europe, and the Americas showed declining trends.

However, 21 African countries recorded ongoing transmission over the past six weeks: clade IIb predominates in West Africa, clade Ib in East Africa, and both circulate in Central Africa. While the DRC, Uganda, and Sierra Leone have reduced their case numbers, Kenya shows an upward trend, with 370 infections this year, six of them fatal in patients with HIV.

Outside Africa, countries such as China, Germany, Turkey, and the United Kingdom continue to monitor mpox cases, emphasizing the need for vigilance and preventive measures.

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International

Two killed in shooting at restaurant near Frankfurt Airport

Two people were shot dead early Tuesday at a restaurant in Raunheim, near Frankfurt Airport, according to local police.

Preliminary findings indicate that an armed individual entered the establishment at around 03:45 local time (02:45 GMT) and opened fire on the victims, who died at the scene from their injuries.

The suspect fled and remains at large, while the motive behind the shooting is still unclear, German media reported. Authorities have launched a large-scale search operation.

International

U.S. counterterrorism chief resigns over opposition to war in Iran

Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced Tuesday that he has resigned from his post, citing his opposition to the ongoing war in Iran.

In a post on X, Kent said he could not, “in good conscience,” support the conflict, arguing that Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the United States. He also claimed that the war was driven by pressure from Israel and its lobbying influence in Washington.

In a resignation letter addressed to Donald Trump, Kent alleged that at the start of the current administration, senior Israeli officials and influential figures in U.S. media carried out a disinformation campaign that undermined the “America First” platform and fostered pro-war sentiment aimed at triggering a conflict with Iran.

Kent further stated that he could not support sending a new generation of Americans to “fight and die in a war that provides no benefit to the American people and does not justify the cost in American lives.”

Since the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran on February 28, at least 13 U.S. service members have been killed, while 10 others have been seriously wounded and around 200 have sustained minor injuries, according to a report published by The Wall Street Journal.

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International

German president warns Iran war could spread and disrupt Strait of Hormuz

The president of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, warned Monday that the war involving Iran could expand and further disrupt shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. He urged a swift end to hostilities between Iran, United States and Israel.

Speaking in Panama City during a joint appearance with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, Steinmeier said available information suggests Iran has significant capacity to disrupt maritime traffic through the key oil route.

“Iran has considerable potential to interfere with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz,” Steinmeier said through an interpreter. “We should therefore reach an end to the hostilities as soon as possible and call on all parties involved to make that happen.”

The remarks came during Steinmeier’s visit to Panama, the first by a German president to the Central American nation.

The German leader described the possibility of the conflict spreading as “very dangerous,” saying recent developments indicate that such a scenario cannot be ruled out.

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Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump urged allied nations to help ensure safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran moved to block the waterway in response to U.S. strikes. However, several allies—particularly in Europe—have shown little support for the proposal.

“Some are very enthusiastic, others are not, and some are countries we have helped for many years,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “We have protected them from terrible external threats, and they’re not that enthusiastic. And the level of enthusiasm is important to me.”

Meanwhile, Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s top diplomat, said the Strait of Hormuz falls “outside NATO’s scope” and stressed that “the war involving Iran is not Europe’s war.”