Author: Lester Holt

Three major opposition parties have announced they will vote against the government in the confidence motion scheduled for September 8. Paris – Prime Minister François Bayrou’s minority administration is at risk of falling next month. On Monday, three key opposition parties declared they would oppose the upcoming confidence vote. The Socialists play a decisive role, as their support largely determines Bayrou’s fate. Party leader Olivier Faure told Le Monde that supporting Bayrou is out of the question, and he reiterated on TF1 that his party would not back the government. Previously, both the far-right National Rally and the Greens had…

Student rescue attempt ends in fatalities along Egypt’s Mediterranean shoreline Alexandria, Egypt – A seaside trip ended in disaster when seven students drowned off the coast west of Alexandria. According to reports, a group of around 150 students had gathered at the beach when one young woman entered the water on Saturday despite a red flag signaling dangerous conditions. She soon struggled against the heavy surf. Several classmates tried to rescue her but were quickly dragged under by the strong tide. The Health Ministry confirmed that six young people, aged 15 to 21, lost their lives in the effort. Rescue…

Ottawa will lift some retaliatory duties while maintaining tariffs on automobiles, steel, and aluminium. Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday that Canada is rolling back a portion of the tariffs it imposed on American imports. Key levies on cars, steel, and aluminium will remain, with the changes set to take effect September 1. Action follows missed trade deadline The announcement comes after Carney’s first conversation with President Donald Trump since both countries missed the deadline for completing a new trade agreement. Previously, Canada had imposed a 25% tariff on around C$30bn (£16bn; $21.7bn) in US products, including appliances and fruit…

Federal Campaign Targets Democratic Strongholds President Donald Trump revealed plans to extend his anti-crime program to Chicago and New York, describing Chicago as chaotic and stating New York would be addressed next. The initiative is part of a broader federal strategy aimed at Democratic-led cities with Black leadership, a focus that has stirred significant opposition. National Guard to Carry Weapons in the Capital Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that National Guard personnel in Washington DC will now be armed, overturning earlier assurances that they would not carry weapons. Nearly 2,000 soldiers are stationed across the city, including reinforcements from states…

Tariff cut tied to EU legislation The United States will keep its 27.5% tariff on European cars in place until the European Union formally introduces legislation to lower barriers on American exports. According to a new framework agreement, Washington will reduce the levy to 15% only after Brussels takes legislative action. Agreement unveiled in Scotland The deal was announced on 27 July by Donald Trump and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen during a meeting at Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland. The accord commits the EU to remove tariffs on US industrial goods and expand access for American…

Countdown to September deadline Brazil has issued an urgent appeal for governments to put forward stronger climate pledges before the UN’s Cop30 summit in November. To date, only 28 countries have sent in their proposals, while key polluters such as China and the European Union remain absent. UN report depends on submissions The UN has set 25 September as the cut-off date for countries to hand in their nationally determined contributions (NDCs). These commitments will be used to compile a synthesis report showing whether the world is on course—or far off track—from the 1.5C global warming target agreed in Paris.…

Children Most AffectedHealth officials and aid agencies warn that diphtheria is spreading rapidly in Somalia, with over 97% of cases in children. The bacterial infection, which can be prevented through vaccination, has been rising due to low immunisation rates and poor living conditions. Sharp Rise in CasesDr Abdulrazaq Yusuf Ahmed, head of Demartino hospital in Mogadishu, reported a major spike. “In 2024 we admitted 49 patients, but within just four months of 2025 the number has reached 497,” he said. Deaths have also climbed from 13 to 42. National Data Shows Alarming TrendThe health ministry confirmed 1,616 infections and 87…

Extreme weather intensifies fire danger Southern Europe remains gripped by record heat and destructive fires. In Spain, a quarter of weather stations logged 40C or higher, with Cádiz recording 45.8C on Sunday. The Spanish meteorological agency Aemet warned that even as the heatwave begins to weaken, dangerous conditions persist in the east and south. Thousands displaced, lives lost Preliminary figures from Copernicus show 348,000 hectares burned in Spain so far this year—surpassing the devastation of 2022. Portugal has lost 216,000 hectares to flames. Fatalities include four people in Spain, among them a firefighter killed when his truck overturned, and two…