Trump pauses planned Iran strike amid renewed Gulf diplomacy
Donald Trump, the United States President, says he has called off a planned military strike on Iran after Gulf leaders urged Washington to give diplomacy another chance, signalling a possible opening in efforts to end months of conflict in the Middle East.
Trump said leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates requested the pause as “serious negotiations” were underway. In a post on Truth Social, he said the United States was told a deal acceptable to Washington could soon emerge, while warning that military action remained an option if talks collapsed.
The comments come as a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran, brokered in April, continues to hold despite periodic exchanges of fire. Trump reiterated that any agreement must guarantee that Iran would not possess nuclear weapons.
Iran has not publicly responded to Trump’s latest remarks. Tehran previously insisted its proposals focused on ending the war, restoring maritime security and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the vital shipping route through which roughly a fifth of global oil passes.
Lebanon death toll tops 3,000 as Israel-Hezbollah clashes continue
Lebanon’s health ministry says more than 3,000 people have now been killed since fighting between Israel and Hezbollah escalated in March, underscoring the mounting human cost of a conflict that has continued despite repeated ceasefire efforts.
Officials put the death toll at 3,020, with more than 400 deaths recorded since the latest truce came into force on 17 April. Israeli strikes have continued across southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, while Hezbollah has maintained attacks on Israeli positions.
Israel says its operations target Hezbollah military infrastructure under terms of the US brokered truce agreement, while Lebanese authorities accuse Israel of undermining efforts to restore state control over weapons and security.
The ceasefire was extended by 45 days last week, with negotiations expected to resume in June, though both sides continue to accuse each other of violations.
Musk loses OpenAI lawsuit after jury rejects claims
A California jury has dismissed Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI and chief executive Sam Altman, handing the billionaire entrepreneur another major legal defeat in his escalating feud with the artificial intelligence company he helped found.
Jurors ruled unanimously that Musk had waited too long to bring the case, effectively invalidating his claims that OpenAI abandoned its original non profit mission after taking his early funding.
Musk accused Altman and OpenAI of shifting towards a for profit structure focused on commercial gain rather than developing artificial intelligence for humanity’s benefit. He also alleged Microsoft aided the transition.
The case drew significant attention during a three week trial featuring testimony from Musk, Altman and Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella. The jury deliberated for just two hours before siding with OpenAI.
Philippines opens impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte
The Philippines Senate has formally opened the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, deepening political tensions in a country already divided by rival factions tied to the Duterte and Marcos political dynasties.
The trial could bar Duterte from public office and derail her widely expected bid for the presidency in 2028. She faces accusations linked to alleged misuse of public funds and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and his allies.
The proceedings began after dramatic changes in Senate leadership following the return of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, a close Duterte ally wanted by the International Criminal Court over the Philippines’ anti drug campaign.
Senate president Alan Peter Cayetano, also seen as sympathetic to the Duterte camp, will oversee the politically charged proceedings.
Trump administration drops fraud case against Gautam Adani
The Trump administration has moved to dismiss criminal fraud charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, ending a high profile corruption case tied to allegations of bribery and sanctions violations.
The decision follows discussions involving Adani’s legal team, which reportedly told US officials the businessman planned to invest $10bn in the United States but could not proceed while the case remained active.
Adani had been accused of orchestrating a $265m bribery scheme linked to approvals for a massive solar energy project in India and misleading US investors about anti corruption safeguards.
The Justice Department’s move adds to a growing list of Biden era corporate investigations that have been abandoned or scaled back under Trump.
AFRICA
Kenya protests turn deadly as fuel price hikes trigger transport strike
At least four people have been killed and dozens injured in Kenya as nationwide transport strikes and protests erupted over soaring fuel prices, piling pressure on President William Ruto’s government.
Authorities say 348 people have been arrested after protesters blocked roads and burned barricades in Nairobi and other areas. Public transport was severely disrupted, leaving commuters stranded and businesses shut.
Fuel prices in Kenya have risen by more than 20 percent following disruptions to Gulf energy supplies linked to the US Israel Iran conflict and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Many Kenyans say the cost of living has become unbearable, with transport fares doubling in some areas.
Ebola deaths in DR Congo rise above 100 as outbreak spreads
More than 100 people have died in the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, as fears grow over regional spread.
The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak an international public health emergency after confirmed cases emerged in Uganda and Congo’s conflict hit eastern regions.
The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments. Health officials warn that insecurity, displacement and weak medical infrastructure could accelerate transmission.
An American doctor infected in DR Congo is being evacuated to Germany for treatment, while US health authorities say several Americans may have been exposed.
Uganda enacts controversial anti foreign influence law
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has signed into law a contentious “Protection of Sovereignty” bill that critics say could criminalise political opposition and civil society activism.
The law bans individuals or organisations acting on behalf of foreign interests from influencing policy without government approval. Violators could face up to 10 years in prison.
Rights groups say the legislation’s broad language threatens democratic freedoms, while the government insists it is necessary to protect national sovereignty from outside interference.
Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, has long accused foreign actors of supporting domestic opponents.
Zambia forms new gold mining venture to diversify economy
Zambia’s state investment company ZCCM-IH has launched a joint venture with Mining Mineral Resources to explore and mine gold, as the country pushes to diversify beyond copper production.
The new company, Kyalo Goldfields Limited, will operate in Zambia’s North Western Province and aims to formalise artisanal mining while expanding local processing capacity.
ZCCM-IH will hold a 51 percent stake in the venture, which officials say is part of broader efforts to strengthen Zambia’s mining sector and increase domestic value retention.
Cape Verde opposition set to return to power after election upset
Cape Verde’s opposition PAICV party appears poised to return to power after partial election results showed it defeating the ruling Movement for Democracy party in parliamentary elections.
With more than 98 percent of votes counted, the PAICV was leading with 46.7 percent of the vote, enough for an estimated 37 seats in the 72 seat parliament.
Incumbent Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva conceded defeat, though final results were still being verified. The outcome marks another peaceful transfer of power in one of Africa’s most stable democracies.
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