DR Congo, Iran, Afghanistan.
Today's three stories you should know.
DR Congo
The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has said it foiled a coup attempt in the capital Kinshasa and that both Congolese and foreign fighters were involved. The army said about 50 uniformed men attacked the homes of the prime minister, the defence minister and another top politician, and briefly occupied the office of the presidency. Security forces said they killed the group's leader, U.S.-based Congolese politician Christian Malanga, and three others. Around 40 fighters were arrested. Three Americans were among those detained, according to army spokesperson Sylvain Ekenge, including Malanga’s son. Want to know more? Reuters has published a comprehensive explainer.
More from Reuters here.
Iran
As you’ll have heard, Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash alongside the country’s foreign minister and other officials. Though ultimate authority in Iran rests with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Raisi was seen as his successor and his death is significant. The Associated Press today ran a useful piece on how the incident could impact the Middle East.
More from AP here.
Afghanistan
The ISIS affiliate in Afghanistan has claimed responsibility for an attack that killed three Spanish citizens and three Afghans. The group, known as ISIS-K, said it attacked a tourist bus carrying the three Spaniards and their guides in Bamiyan province, a major tourist area. ISIS-K, an avowed enemy of the Taliban, has been a constant thorn in the side of the Taliban government since it came to power, regularly attacking schools, hospitals, mosques and minority Shia areas.
More from the Guardian here.