Iran, Sudan, Uganda

Today's three stories you should know

Iran

Iran has been largely cut off from the world after authorities shut down the internet as anti-government protests appeared to widen, with footage emerging of buildings ablaze. Rights groups say at least 50 protesters have been killed and the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that several police officers had been killed overnight. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in an address on state TV, reiterated that the government would “not back down,” calling protesters “saboteurs” backed by the U.S. and expatriate opposition groups. Though there have been bigger protests in the past, the government is under pressure with a tanking economy and plummeting currency, partly caused by Western sanctions, as well as the blow it suffered in last year’s war with Israel.

More from France 24 here.

Sudan

Pakistan is close to finalizing a deal to sell $1.5 billion worth of jets and weapons to the government of Sudan, according to an exclusive report from Reuters, which would provide a significant boost to its forces in their ongoing war with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group. Spokespeople for the Sudanese and Pakistani militaries did not respond to requests from the news agency for comment. The deal would include 10 Karakoram-8 light attack aircraft, more than 200 drones for scouting and kamikaze attacks, advanced air defense systems, and perhaps JF-17 fighters. Though the financing was not clear, it was possible the funding could come from Saudi Arabia, a retired Pakistani air marshal told Reuters. The war between Sudan’s army and the RSF, which is backed by the UAE, has sparked the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

More from Reuters here.

Uganda

A presidential election in Uganda next week will be “marked by widespread repression and intimidation” against the opposition, journalists and rights activists, the U.N. Human Rights Office said in a report today. The government has used lawfare, including military legislation, to restrict opposition activities, the report said. It added that the police and military have fired on peaceful protesters and that security forces have snatched opposition supporters from the streets. The poll pits rapper-turned-politician Bobi Wine against incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for almost 40 years.

More from AP here.