US-Iran ceasefire holds amid Hormuz clashes as Hegseth signals flexibility
The fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran remains intact despite escalating military activity around the Strait of Hormuz, according to Pete Hegseth, Pentagon’s chief.
Speaking to reporters, Hegseth said Washington anticipated early “churn” as it attempts to reopen the crucial maritime corridor under “Project Freedom”, a naval escort initiative distinct from the broader US-Israeli offensive against Iran. He stressed that responsibility for determining any formal breach of the truce ultimately rests with Donald Trump, the US President.
The remarks come after one of the most intense days of confrontation since the ceasefire took effect. Iran reported targeting US naval vessels, while Washington said it had destroyed multiple Iranian fast boats. Tehran also renewed strikes on the United Arab Emirates, with a South Korean vessel reportedly hit in the area.
Civilian casualties have begun to emerge, underscoring the risks of escalation. Despite this, both sides appear to be maintaining a narrow distinction between ongoing maritime operations and a full resumption of war.
Russian strikes kill dozens as rival ceasefire plans expose deep divisions
More than 20 people have been killed in fresh Russian strikes across Ukraine, even as Moscow and Kyiv advance competing ceasefire proposals that highlight the absence of a coordinated peace framework.
Ukrainian authorities reported fatalities in multiple regions, including Zaporizhzhia, Kramatorsk and Dnipro, with Volodymyr Zelensky condemning the attacks as deliberate and cynical.
The violence comes days before Russia’s Victory Day commemorations, with Moscow proposing a short truce on 8–9 May, while Kyiv has offered an open-ended ceasefire beginning earlier. The lack of alignment on timing, conditions and enforcement underscores the deep mistrust between the two sides.
Ukraine has framed its proposal as a test of Russia’s willingness to engage in genuine diplomacy, while continuing its own aerial strikes on Russian industrial and military targets. The duelling ceasefire announcement reflect a war still far from resolution.
Musk’s Mars ambitions emerge in high-stakes OpenAI trial
Fresh testimony in the ongoing legal battle involving Elon Musk and OpenAI has revealed the billionaire’s long-term vision to fund a human settlement on Mars.
Greg Brockman, OpenAI president told the court that Musk had sought majority control of the organisation in part to raise as much as $80 billion to build a self-sustaining city on the planet. According to the testimony, Musk argued that such ambition required full decision-making authority.
The case, which centres on OpenAI’s transition from a non-profit to a for-profit model, could have far-reaching implications for the governance and future direction of one of the world’s most influential AI firms.
US weighs visa sanctions on China amid deportation tensions
The United States is considering imposing visa restrictions on China as tensions grow over the repatriation of undocumented migrants.
According to a senior administration official, Washington believes Beijing has slowed its cooperation in accepting Chinese nationals ordered to leave the US. The issue is expected to feature prominently during an upcoming meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.
The dispute reflects broader strains in US-China relations, where trade, migration and geopolitical competition are increasingly intertwined. While China has previously accepted thousands of deportees, officials say the pace has declined significantly in recent months.
WHO probes possible human transmission in cruise ship Hantavirus outbreak
The World Health Organization is investigating a rare possibilty of human-to-human transmission of Hantavirus aboard a cruise ship anchored near Cape Verde.
At least three people have died and several others have fallen ill, with nearly 150 passengers remaining onboard under strict quarantine conditions. Health officials believe the virus—typically spread through contact with rodent waste—may in this case have passed between individuals in close contact.
Medical evacuations are under way, while international teams continue testing and monitoring efforts. The WHO has emphasised that the broader public risk remains low, though the incident has raised concerns about outbreak management in confined maritime settings.
AFRICA
Sudan escalates accusations over drone strikes as regional tensions rise
Sudan has accused Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates of involvement in recent drone attacks targeting key infrastructure, including Khartoum International Airport.
Khartoum has recalled its ambassador from Addis Ababa, alleging that drones used in the attacks were launched from Ethiopian territory and supplied by the UAE. Both countries have rejected or not responded to the claims.
The accusations add a new layer of regional complexity to Sudan’s protracted civil war, which has already drawn in multiple external actors and destabilised the wider Horn of Africa.
US moves to lift Eritrea sanctions amid red sea strategic recalibration
The United States is preparing to lift sanctions on Eritrea, signalling a potential shift in regional strategy as tensions in key maritime corridors intensify.
Analysts say the move reflects Washington’s growing focus on the Red Sea as a critical trade route, particularly as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz highlight vulnerabilities in global shipping.
The step is also seen as an attempt to recalibrate relations in the Horn of Africa, where overlapping conflicts in Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia threaten broader instability.
Boko Haram attack kills Chadian troops as lake Chad insecurity persists
At least 23 soldiers have been killed in an attack by Boko Haram militants on a military base in Chad’s Lake Chad region.
The assault underscores the enduring threat posed by the insurgent group, which has expanded its operations beyond northeastern Nigeria into neighbouring countries over the past decade. Chadian forces say they repelled the attack and are continuing clearance operations.
President Mahamat Idriss Deby condemned the incident, as regional militaries struggle to contain cross-border militant activity.
Tigray power move threatens fragile peace in Ethiopia
The Tigray People’s Liberation Front has reinstated its pre-war regional government in northern Ethiopia, raising fears of renewed conflict.
The party announced the restoration of its legislative council and the appointment of Debretsion Gebremichael as regional president, in defiance of the post-war political arrangement agreed with Addis Ababa.
The move has drawn warnings from federal officials and international observers, who fear it could unravel the fragile peace deal that ended a devastating civil war. Calls for de-escalation have intensified as tensions threaten to reignite violence in the region.
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