US Strikes Iran | TPLF Backs Anti-Government Alliance | Tigray Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

[00:00:01][music] >> New assessment warns of worsening humanitarian conditions in Tigray displacement sites. US strikes Iran as war cost reaches $37.5 billion.

[00:00:16]Good evening. This is Daily News from Addis Standard broadcasting from Addis Ababa. Today is Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Here are the top stories we're following tonight.

[00:00:28]US strikes Iran as war cost reaches $37.5 billion. Fresh US strikes on Iran triggered air defense systems in Tehran on Wednesday as President Donald Trump signaled the conflict is not over warning he is not finished with the war.

[00:00:42]The escalation follows fighting over the Strait of Hormuz that collapsed a preliminary deal and [music] expanded the conflict across key global oil choke points. The US military said it carried out an 11th consecutive night of strikes targeting military infrastructure to weaken Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington remains open to diplomacy but accused Iran of not taking negotiations seriously. Iran through spokesman Esmail Bekaye said mediated talks are ongoing.

[00:01:10]The Pentagon estimates the war has cost $37.5 billion so far amid growing domestic pressure ahead of US elections.

[00:01:17]Iran has warned of retaliation if further strikes expand the conflict.

[00:01:22]Addis Ababa University wins inaugural MasterCard Foundation prize. Addis Ababa University has been named one of five winners of the inaugural Africa Higher Education for Transformation or AHEFT prize securing $3 million US dollars from the MasterCard Foundation to expand research, innovation and workforce development. The award announced in Kigali, Rwanda recognizes African universities demonstrating institution-wide transformation and creating greater opportunities for young people. AAU received the award in the excellence in research and innovation category. According to the MasterCard Foundation, the university was recognized for aligning its research with Ethiopia's national development priorities and translating scientific research into economic and social impact. Each of the five winning institutions will receive $3 million to scale transformative initiatives. The foundation says the HFT prize is backed by a $500 million commitment over the next decade to strengthen higher education across Africa.

[00:02:19]Ethiopia, Saudi foreign ministers discuss regional issues amid rising tensions. Ethiopia's foreign minister Gedeon Timothewos held a phone call with Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on July 21st discussing bilateral ties and a range of regional issues according to the Saudi Press Agency. Details of the discussions were not disclosed and no specific agreements were announced. [music] The call comes amid heightened tensions across the Horn of Africa and the Middle East where both countries have backed different regional actors. It also follows rising insecurity in the Red Sea after Yemen's Houthi movement announced a maritime blockade targeting Saudi Arabia. A move Riyadh condemned as a threat to regional stability. In the Horn, Saudi Arabia has reportedly expanded security cooperation with Somalia including training thousands of soldiers though this remains unconfirmed. The talks also come as calls grow within Ethiopia for stronger diplomatic engagement over Ethiopian nationals facing execution in Saudi Arabia. The discussion reflects ongoing diplomatic engagement as regional pressures intensify.

[00:03:18]TPLF backs alliances with anti-government forces as consultations conclude. The Tigray People's Liberation Front or TPLF says forming alliances with other groups opposed to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government is essential describing such cooperation as part of a shared struggle against what it called a common threat. In a weekly statement issued Tuesday, the party said public consultation forums held across Tigray under the slogan "Never to national destruction" concluded with broad support for cooperation with other forces facing similar challenges from the federal government. The TPLF did not identify the groups involved or provide details of any existing or planned alliances. The party also said participants agreed on the need to strengthen Tigray's military capacity, increase manpower and logistical support, and promote greater unity between civilians and fighters. The statement comes amid rising tensions between the TPLF and the federal government, which the party again accused of abandoning peaceful political solutions and pursuing policies against Tigray. The Ethiopian government has consistently rejected such allegations.

[00:04:18]More than 160,000 flee South Africa amid anti-migrant unrest. More than 160,000 foreign nationals have left South Africa over the past 2 months as anti-migrant unrest intensified across the country, according to an AFP tally based on figures from governments repatriating their citizens. The unrest has sparked weeks of nationwide protests, some turning violent. South African authorities have confirmed the deaths of an Ethiopian, a Malawian, and two Mozambican nationals, while some foreign governments say the death toll is higher. Zimbabwe has recorded the largest number of returnees with more than 108,000 citizens returning home by July 18th. Malawi says nearly 47,000 of its nationals have also returned since early June, while thousands more have gone back to Mozambique and other African countries, including Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, and Lesotho.

[00:05:05]Many migrants reportedly fled with only their belongings, fearing for their safety as anti-migrant groups intensified calls for undocumented foreigners to leave the country.

[00:05:14]Sudan cites suspension of Ethiopian electricity imports amid worsening power outages. Sudan has blamed the suspension of electricity imports from Ethiopia as one of several factors behind worsening nationwide power outages, according to the country's Ministry of Energy and Oil. The Ministry said power cuts, which reportedly exceed 18 hours a day in some areas, are being driven by multiple factors, including rising summer demand, maintenance at power plants, fuel and spare parts shortages, damage to electricity infrastructure, and the halt of power supplied through the Ethiopia-Sudan interconnection.

[00:05:45]According to Sudan Tribune, authorities say they have restored more than 260 megawatts to the national grid through maintenance work and expected generation capacity to exceed 600 megawatts once rehabilitation projects are completed.

[00:05:58]They also reported restoring more than 20 substations and repairing over 1,700 km of transmission lines. The report comes as Ethiopia continues to promote regional electricity trade despite previously stating it would continue supplying power to war-affected Sudan.

[00:06:15]New assessment warns of worsening humanitarian conditions in Tigray displacement sites. A new assessment by the shelter, land, and site coordination cluster says displacement in Tigray remains highly dynamic with many internally displaced persons, or IDP, sites recording new arrivals and secondary displacement while humanitarian needs continue to outpace available assistance. The July 2026 assessment covered 78 displacement sites hosting an estimated 307,000 people. It found that 47 sites reported growing populations, underscoring that displacement continues despite ongoing return initiatives. The report says food assistance remains the largest gap with 95% of sites reporting aid is insufficient. It also identified major shortages in health, nutrition, water, shelter, protection, and education services. Protection concerns remain widespread, including risks affecting children, women and girls, and people with disabilities. The assessment warns that without sustained humanitarian support, deteriorating conditions could further deepen displacement and humanitarian risks across the region.

[00:07:15]That's all for tonight's daily news.

[00:07:17]Thank you for watching. For continuous updates and detailed reporting, visit at a standard.com. Have a peaceful night.