A building collapsed during a planned demolition in Nairobi, Kenya's capital, killing at least four people and injuring four others. According to a statement from the country's interior ministry, the army and other institutions participated in rescue efforts to locate individuals trapped under the rubble, with at least two people being pulled out alive.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has filed a motion in a Florida court in the United States to dismiss a $10 billion defamation lawsuit brought by U.S. President Donald Trump. In a 34-page filing, the broadcaster warned that the case could have a “chilling effect” on reporting, citing the potential impact of “expensive yet groundless litigation” on “free speech” within the media landscape.
US President Donald Trump claimed that “numerous countries” have told him “they’re on their way” following his appeal for an international naval coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing US-Israel war against Iran. However, Trump declined to identify any specific countries, stating, “I’d rather not say yet,” and added that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio would make an official announcement, highlighting the lack of transparency in the initiative.
The Cuban government announced on Monday that the island nation experienced a nationwide blackout, described by the Ministry of Energy and Mines as a "total disconnection" from the electricity grid. In a post on X, the ministry stated that the causes are being investigated and restoration protocols are being activated.
▪️ Berlin-Brandenburg Airport (BER), serving Germany's capital and surrounding region, has been forced to cancel all flights on Wednesday due to a strike announced by the Verdi union. The airport posted on X (formerly Twitter), advising passengers to contact their airlines or tour operators for information on rebooking and alternative travel options. The strike stems from a pay dispute with public-sector employers, as Verdi rejected an offer made in the second round of negotiations, deeming it "unacceptable". This disruption highlights ongoing labor tensions in Germany's transport sector, which have been exacerbated by economic pressures and union demands for better wages.
US President Donald Trump has demanded that European allies help secure the passage of oil and gas tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for global energy supplies. This issue dominated discussions at today's meeting of European Union foreign affairs ministers in Brussels. However, several member states indicated reluctance to involve NATO in guarding the strait, which was closed by Iran in response to the US-Israeli bombing campaign. EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas stated it is in the bloc's "interest to keep the Strait of Hormuz open," but concluded that there is "no appetite" among members to expand the EU's maritime mission to the area "for now," citing risks of becoming targets for Iran.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz asserted that NATO is a defensive alliance, not one for military intervention, while US President Donald Trump pressured allies to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Merz emphasized that NATO members are not obligated to participate militarily in the war against Iran initiated by the US and Israel, citing a lack of mandate from the UN, EU, NATO, and the German constitution. This stance highlights deepening fissures within the Western alliance over the conflict's prosecution.
Former US President Donald Trump has called on NATO allies to engage in the Persian Gulf crisis, revealing a purported misunderstanding of the alliance's purpose. His claim that securing the Strait of Hormuz is crucial for NATO's future contradicts its defensive nature, drawing criticism from experts. Former UK Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter told the BBC: "NATO was created as a defensive alliance, not for one ally to go on a war of choice and oblige others to follow."
The US-Israeli strikes on Iran that began on February 28 and Tehran's retaliatory attacks across the Gulf region have upended global energy and financial markets. Iranian ballistic missiles have targeted Israel, US military bases, oil depots, and other infrastructure. Attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz have dramatically reduced traffic through the narrow chokepoint, which handles about 20% of global oil and gas supplies.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has shifted his stance to voice criticism of US President Donald Trump's war with Iran, declaring that Germany will not participate in the conflict. After previously expressing understanding for US-Israeli actions, Merz now emphasizes Berlin's non-involvement. Government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius stated on Monday, "The government will not participate in this war," and confirmed Germany would not join a military operation to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
Carlos Mazon, the president of the Valencia autonomous community in Spain, has faced judicial scrutiny over allegations of mismanaging the catastrophic floods in October 2024. The floods resulted in 230 deaths and destroyed thousands of homes, marking Spain's deadliest natural disaster in decades.
Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi announced on Monday in Moscow that Nairobi and Moscow have reached an agreement to end the practice of recruiting Kenyans into the Russian army. Following talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, Mudavadi stated that both sides agreed to collaborate on stopping this activity and to develop a plan for repatriating Kenyans who were lured to Russia under false pretenses.