West Africa faces deadly flooding crisis, Sudan's RSF accused of crimes against humanity, Russia intensifies Ukraine assault, and Iran prepares funeral for slain supreme leader amid escalating regional tensions.

West African nations endure catastrophic flooding with Côte d'Ivoire reporting 59 deaths since May, while Ghana records 13 fatalities and torrential rains impact Benin, Togo, and Nigeria, signaling an increasingly deadly rainy season across the region.

Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) committed crimes against humanity in El Fasher including ethnic cleansing and systematic violence against civilians, according to an Amnesty International report, escalating concerns about the ongoing conflict.

Russia launches massive assault on Ukrainian capital Kyiv, killing at least 17-21 people with overnight fires and explosions throughout the city as the conflict intensifies following Ukrainian advances into Russian territory.

Iran prepares funeral ceremonies for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes, in a critical moment for the regime to demonstrate stability while warning against further attacks ahead of processions.

Niger's military regime conducts a 'witch-hunt' against LGBTQ+ population with at least 40 arrests, triggering fears of HIV/AIDS resurgence amid loss of access to PrEP drugs in a 'toxic' climate for minorities.

South Africa experiences violent anti-foreigner protests with over 2,000 demonstrators marching through Durban as an arbitrary deadline for undocumented migrants passes, forcing vulnerable immigrants to flee amid safety concerns.

Donald Trump refuses to renew the USMCA trade pact he championed, opting instead for short-term annual reviews, signaling a shift in U.S. approach to the Canada-Mexico trade relationship despite his prior support.

A bomb explodes at a Damascus cafe near Syria's main courthouse killing at least 6 people, underscoring persistent instability as the country attempts to transition from years of dictatorship and civil war.

India and Japan expand defense and economic ties through agreements on artificial intelligence, energy, and security, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif planning visits to Iran and Turkey for diplomatic engagements.

Pope Francis plans a July Fourth message about migrants during a visit to Lampedusa, Europe's gateway for desperate migrants, creating a split-screen moment as President Trump holds an Independence Day rally focused on immigration restrictions.