Scott Bessent, US Treasury secretary has urged allies to back Washington’s campaign to ‘squash’ Iran’s economy, saying the US intends to force the collapse of the Iranian regime.
Bessent told CNBC that countries must choose whether to support Washington’s pressure campaign, after President Donald Trump warned that states providing any ‘lifeline’ to Tehran would face ‘tremendous economic consequences’.
He said the planned economic measures could reduce the need for a large-scale resumption of military operations. The US and Israel launched strikes on Iran in February, triggering Iranian attacks on Israel, US forces and Gulf Arab states.
Western powers condemn Israel’s West Bank settlement plans
The UK, France, Germany, Italy and Canada have condemned Israel’s plans to build about 1,200 homes in the E1 area of the occupied West Bank, calling the project ‘unacceptable’ and urging Israel to withdraw it.
The countries warned that construction in the strategically important area east of Jerusalem could divide the West Bank and undermine prospects for a two-state solution.
The UN secretary-general also said the project posed an ‘existential threat’ to the possibility of a contiguous Palestinian state. Israel has approved thousands of housing units in E1 despite decades of international opposition.
Belgium’s Prince Laurent recognises former car salesman as son
Belgian Prince Laurent has legally recognised 26-year-old Clément Vandenkerckhove as his son following a relationship with singer Wendy Van Wanten.
Vandenkerckhove, a former car salesman, was formally brought into the royal family at a private town hall ceremony six months ago. He will hold the title of prince but will not receive a royal allowance or join the line of succession.
He has said he may retain his mother’s surname, saying abandoning it would betray what she had done for him.
Woman charged over alleged ISIS-inspired New York Capitol plot
US authorities have arrested a 35-year-old New York woman accused of planning an ISIS-inspired attack on the state Capitol in Albany.
The Justice Department said Jessica Bowie planned to use an explosive device to kill public officials and damage the building before fleeing to territory controlled by ISIS in Syria.
Authorities said Bowie had visited the Capitol grounds and taken photographs before being arrested after obtaining what she believed was an explosive device. Prosecutors also cited anti-American material she allegedly posted online.
Evergrande founder sentenced to life in prison
China Evergrande founder Hui Ka Yan has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of financial crimes linked to the collapse of the property giant.
Hui, once Asia’s richest man, pleaded guilty to eight charges including fundraising fraud, misuse of funds, bribery and securities offences.
Evergrande has defaulted on most of its roughly $300 billion in liabilities, making its collapse one of the biggest symbols of China’s prolonged property crisis. The court also fined Evergrande 8.82 billion yuan ($1.31 billion) and imposed prison terms and fines on other executives.
AFRICA
Cameroon’s Biya returns after 10 weeks abroad
Paul Biya, Cameroon’s President has returned to the country after more than 10 weeks in Europe, ending his longest recorded absence from Cameroon since taking power more than four decades ago.
The 93-year-old president arrived in Yaoundé from Geneva on Thursday, accompanied by his wife, Chantal Biya.
His prolonged absence had fuelled speculation over his health and ability to govern, while also reviving concerns about political succession in a country where power remains heavily concentrated around the presidency.
Ex-Zambian minister killed during opposition security raid
Former Zambian minister Mutotwe Kafwaya was killed during a security raid on a property linked to opposition leader Brian Mundubile, authorities have confirmed.
Police said Kafwaya was fatally wounded during an exchange of fire in Lusaka last Friday. Eleven people were arrested in the operation, which authorities linked to alleged insurgency and militia activity.
Mundubile, who is challenging President Hakainde Hichilema’s re-election, has rejected the allegations as fabrications. Hichilema won 60 percent of the vote, according to official results, while Mundubile received 38 percent.
Liberia receives first US deportees under Trump deal
Liberia has received the first group of people deported from the United States under an agreement allowing Washington to send up to 1,200 third-country deportees to the West African country over the next year.
Liberian Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah said most of those arriving were from Latin American countries, including Venezuela, Cuba and Colombia.
The deal is part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to secure agreements with African countries to accept migrants whom the US cannot legally return to their countries of origin.
CAR closes gold mine after deadly collapse
Authorities in the Central African Republic have ordered the closure of an informal gold mine near the Cameroon border after a collapse killed at least 49 people.
Mines Minister Rufin Benam Beltoungou said the victims included 35 Central Africans, 12 Cameroonians and two Chadians.
Earlier estimates had put the death toll above 100, but officials said rescue operations and casualty verification were continuing.
Ghana mineworkers demand $34.5m in frozen savings
Ghana’s Mineworkers’ Union has demanded the release of more than 380 million cedis ($34.5 million) in savings belonging to more than 19,000 workers.
The funds, including provident funds, welfare savings and severance payments, were frozen during Ghana’s financial-sector clean-up between 2017 and 2019, when hundreds of financial institutions lost their licences.
The union said affected workers include retirees, widows and dependants facing difficulties paying for healthcare, education and housing. It warned of renewed industrial action if the issue remains unresolved.