UK joins Hormuz defence mission as Iran tensions persist
The United Kingdom has pledged fighter jets, drones and a warship to a multinational mission aimed at protecting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to threaten one of the world’s most critical energy routes.
John Healey, British defence secretary said the mission would include Typhoon jets, mine-hunting drones and autonomous naval systems designed to secure commercial traffic through the strategic waterway, which carries roughly a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
The deployment comes after months of disruption in the strait following Iranian restrictions on passage in response to US and Israeli military operations. Although a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran has technically remained in place since April, repeated accusations of violations by both sides have kept the region on edge.
The UK said the mission, backed by more than 40 countries, would begin “when conditions allow” and was intended solely to restore confidence in international shipping lanes.
Starmer vows to stay on amid mounting Labour rebellion
Keir Starmer, the British Prime Minister has insisted he will continue governing despite growing calls from Labour lawmakers for him to resign after heavy electoral losses.
Speaking ahead of a major parliamentary ceremony, Starmer warned that removing his government would plunge Britain back into “chaos and instability”, framing his leadership as essential to maintaining reform momentum.
The embattled prime minister faces increasing internal dissent, with dozens of Labour MPs reportedly demanding his departure and several junior ministers resigning in protest. However, no formal leadership challenge has yet emerged from within the party.
Starmer’s political difficulties follow disappointing local election results that critics say exposed growing dissatisfaction with Labour’s performance since taking power in 2024.
Sam Altman says Musk wanted OpenAI control to pass to his children
Sam Altman, OpenAI chief executive has told a federal jury that Elon Musk once suggested control of OpenAI could eventually pass to his children.
Altman testified in California during Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI, in which the billionaire accuses the artificial intelligence company of abandoning its original non-profit mission.
According to Altman, Musk pushed aggressively for greater control of the organisation in its early years, including proposals for additional board seats, leadership authority and even making OpenAI a subsidiary of Tesla.
Altman described the discussions as “hair-raising”, saying Musk believed his business stature made him best positioned to lead the company into a for-profit future.
US, China align against Hormuz shipping tolls
The United States and China have agreed that no country should be allowed to impose tolls on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the US State Department.
The rare point of convergence between Washington and Beijing comes ahead of a planned summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week, where the Iran crisis is expected to dominate discussions.
US officials said Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi discussed the issue in an earlier phone call, agreeing that international waterways must remain open and free from unilateral control.
Iran’s tightening grip over Hormuz since the outbreak of war earlier this year has triggered sharp volatility in global energy markets.
Ukraine strikes deep inside Russia after deadly attacks
Ukraine says it struck gas infrastructure in Russia’s Orenburg region, more than 1,500 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, in retaliation for renewed Russian attacks that killed at least six people.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the operation reflected Kyiv’s strategy of responding “symmetrically” to Russian strikes.
Russian officials claimed nine Ukrainian drones were intercepted over the region, though debris reportedly damaged civilian infrastructure including a school and kindergarten.
The escalation followed the collapse of a brief ceasefire linked to Russia’s Victory Day commemorations, with both Moscow and Kyiv accusing each other of violating the truce.
AFRICA
South Africa’s top court blocks repeat asylum applications
South Africa’s Constitutional Court has ruled that rejected asylum seekers cannot repeatedly reapply for refugee status without specific legal provisions permitting it.
The court said allowing endless repeat applications risked creating a “never-ending cycle” that would obstruct deportations and overwhelm the immigration system.
Leon Schreiber, the Home affairs minister welcomed the decision, calling it a major step against what he described as abuse of the asylum system.
The case was brought by two Burundian nationals whose original applications had been rejected before renewed political violence erupted in Burundi in 2015.
According to the UN refugee agency, South Africa currently hosts more than 167,000 refugees and asylum seekers, many from Burundi, DR Congo, Somalia and South Sudan.
Museveni sworn in for seventh term in Uganda
Yoweri Museveni, Ugandan President has been sworn in for a seventh consecutive term, extending his four-decade rule over the East African nation.
Museveni, 81, won January’s disputed election with more than 70 percent of the vote, though opposition leader Bobi Wine rejected the result, alleging widespread irregularities.
Heavy security was deployed across the capital Kampala ahead of the inauguration ceremony, attended by several African heads of state.
Museveni, who first seized power as a rebel leader in 1986, used his speech to promise economic expansion through planned oil production and renewed infrastructure development.
Libya rescues migrants from trafficking dens
Authorities in eastern Libya say they rescued and deported 120 migrants who were allegedly being held captive and tortured by human traffickers south of Benghazi.
Officials said the operation began after an Egyptian migrant escaped captivity and alerted security forces to several locations where migrants were being detained and abused for ransom.
Three bodies were also recovered along the Mediterranean coast.
Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has become a major transit route for migrants attempting dangerous crossings into Europe.
South Africa’s unemployment rate rises again
South Africa’s unemployment rate rose to 32.7 percent in the first quarter of 2026, reinforcing concerns over the country’s prolonged jobs crisis.
Statistics South Africa said the number of unemployed people climbed to more than 8.1 million between January and March, up from 7.8 million in the previous quarter.
The country’s official unemployment rate has remained above 30 percent for more than five years and remains among the highest globally.
Despite investor optimism surrounding reforms introduced by the coalition government formed in 2024, job creation has remained weak, with most sectors recording losses during the quarter.
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