World

Iran executed at least 1,639 people last year, the highest number recorded since 1989, according to a report by Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) and Paris-based Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM). This represents a 68% increase compared to 2024, when 975 executions were recorded. The report states that most of those hanged were convicted of drug-related offences or murder, but at least 57 were convicted of security-related charges, including two protesters.

Pope Leo XIV has commenced an 11-day significant tour across four African nations: Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. According to a senior Vatican official, the journey aims to “turn the world’s attention to Africa” and marks the pontiff’s second major foreign visit since his election in May last year. Africa is home to over a fifth of the world’s Catholics, approximately 288 million people, making it one of the fastest-growing regions for the Church, with Vatican surveys indicating a “remarkable increase” in baptised Catholics on the continent.

Former Nigerian Oil Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke has vehemently denied allegations of accepting bribes and abusing her office during a trial at Southwark Crown Court in London. The 65-year-old ex-minister told the court on Monday that she had "tried to push back on corruption" in a country long plagued by it and categorically stated she never asked for, took, or received bribes of any sort from businessmen allegedly involved in the case.

US Senator Bernie Sanders has announced he will force a vote on a resolution to block the sale of nearly half a billion dollars worth of bombs and bulldozers to Israel, testing support for the US ally in Congress amid the war with Iran and growing discontent over Israeli actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. This move highlights the deepening skepticism within the US political establishment regarding unconditional military aid to Israel.

US President Donald Trump is facing growing backlash after posting an AI-generated image depicting him as a Jesus-like figure and launching a series of social media attacks on Pope Leo XIV, drawing criticism from across the Christian political spectrum and internationally. The image, shared on Trump’s Truth Social platform on Sunday and deleted on Monday, showed him in a white robe placing a hand on a man’s head in a scene resembling a healing. It was posted after a separate message in which Trump criticized the pope, calling him “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” actions that have reportedly exacerbated tensions with the Vatican.

Brazilian media have reported that the country's former intelligence chief, Alexandre Ramagem, has been detained by immigration authorities in the United States, where he had fled after being convicted in connection with a coup plot on behalf of former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro. CNN Brazil reported that Ramagem was arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Monday, citing Brazilian Federal Police and the Ministry of Justice and Public Security. The Brazilian outlet Globo reported that the arrest took place in Florida.

US President Donald Trump removed a social media post from his Truth Social platform featuring an AI-generated image that portrayed him in a Jesus-like manner. The image depicted Trump in flowing white and red robes, with his hands placed on a sick individual in a scene reminiscent of faith healing practices in America, drawing rare criticism from his devout religious supporters, including Evangelicals.

Following 16 years of Viktor Orban's rule, opposition leader Peter Magyar has secured victory in Hungary's elections. This development has sparked unexpected hopes in Brussels, as Orban's government was notorious in recent years for vetoing EU decisions and blocking aid deals for Ukraine. The European Union leadership expects the new government to cease its obstructionist course and approve the 90-billion-euro loan package for Ukraine.

In Hungary's parliamentary elections, Tisza party leader Peter Magyar secured a landslide victory, potentially altering the country's long-standing contentious relationship with the European Union. Viktor Orban, who ruled for over 16 years, was engaged in constant attrition with the EU, from staunchly supporting Russia and blocking sanctions against it to opposing funds for Ukraine. This approach resulted in Hungary facing sanctions, loss of access to EU funds, and diplomatic isolation under the previous regime.

A trial has commenced in Munich, Germany, involving two former Development Board chairs and two leading engineers from Audi, who are facing charges related to the massive "Dieselgate" emissions scandal. This environmental and business controversy, which first made global headlines over a decade ago, centers on the manipulation of emissions tests for millions of vehicles produced by the Volkswagen Group, including brands such as VW, Audi, and Porsche.

▪️ Pilots at Germany's flagship carrier Lufthansa, along with Lufthansa Cargo and subsidiary Eurowings, began a 48-hour strike on Monday morning. Members of the Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) pilots' union are striking on Monday and Tuesday, leading to the cancellation of hundreds of flights. The major hubs of Frankfurt and Munich have been hit hardest, marking the fourth strike at the airline in 2026.

Iran's judiciary announced that the assets of the country's women's football team captain, Zahra Ghanbari, have been released by local authorities, reversing an earlier decision to seize them. This move came after the player sought and then withdrew an asylum claim in Australia last month. Iran's Mizan news agency stated on Monday: "The assets of Zahra Ghanbari, a footballer for the Iranian women's national team, which had been seized, were released by court decision."