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Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has declared that his country will no longer be treated as a pawn in international conflicts, following a recent ceasefire with Israel. In a televised address, Aoun emphasized that Lebanon is committed to protecting its rights, unity, and sovereignty. The ceasefire, which was announced after over 2,200 deaths and a million displaced due to Israeli attacks that began on March 2, marks a significant shift in the country's stance. Aoun stated that Lebanon is transitioning from a focus on ceasefire agreements to working on permanent agreements that ensure the rights of its people and the integrity of its land. The Lebanese president expressed gratitude to several international parties, including US President Donald Trump and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for their role in ending the hostilities. He also assured that any future agreements would not compromise Lebanon's rights or territorial integrity. Aoun's statements come after direct talks between Lebanon and Israel in Washington, which drew criticism from the Lebanese public. The president outlined Lebanon's objectives, including the cessation of Israeli aggression, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the return of prisoners and displaced persons. Despite the ceasefire, Israel continues to occupy areas of southern Lebanon, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserting that troops would not withdraw during the ceasefire. Aoun's firm stance signals Lebanon's determination to assert its sovereignty and protect its interests in the face of ongoing challenges.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has rejected calls to quit amid mounting pressure over the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal. Starmer expressed his fury at not being informed that Mandelson had failed his security vetting before being appointed as the UK's envoy to Washington.The controversy centers around the Foreign Office's decision to overrule the recommendation of security officials not to give Mandelson the job. Mandelson was subsequently appointed in December 2024 and took up the post in February 2025, only to be sacked seven months later due to his ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.Starmer maintained that he was kept in the dark about the vetting outcome, describing the Foreign Office's failure to inform him as 'staggering' and 'unforgivable'. He has pledged to provide 'true transparency' to Parliament on Monday. The beleaguered prime minister said he only found out about the botched process on Tuesday, just before the revelations were published.Opposition Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch questioned Starmer's claims of ignorance, calling them 'completely preposterous'. She demanded his resignation, stating that 'all roads lead to a resignation'. The scandal has raised serious questions about Starmer's leadership and the UK government's handling of sensitive appointments.

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi announced on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz is "completely open" for commercial traffic, aligning the decision with the newly‑instated ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. President Donald Trump echoed the statement on social media, insisting the waterway is ready for business but also stressing that the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports will remain in full force until a comprehensive agreement is reached. In Paris, France and the United Kingdom convened a summit of roughly 40 countries to discuss a coordinated effort to restore freedom of navigation in the strait once the broader U.S.–Iran conflict subsides. The strait channels about 20 % of the world’s daily crude oil flow; its blockage had previously pushed fuel prices upward worldwide. The latest announcement prompted an immediate plunge in oil prices, offering a brief reprieve for markets. United States: Trump posted on Truth Social that the strait is "completely open and ready for business," yet reiterated that the blockade will stay in effect "until our transaction with Iran is 100 % complete." He later told AFP the deal to end the war on Iran is "close" with "no sticking points" remaining. Iran: Araghchi shared the opening on X, tying it to the 10‑day ceasefire. However, later state media quoted a senior IRGC official saying only non‑military vessels would be permitted, subject to IRGC Navy approval, highlighting internal ambiguity. United Kingdom: Prime Minister Keir Starmer co‑hosted the Paris summit with French President Emmanuel Macron, welcoming the reopening but urging that any solution be "lasting and workable." He pledged a "strictly peaceful and defensive" multinational mission to protect navigation when conditions allow. France: Macron called for an "immediate and unconditional" reopening by all parties and warned against any attempts to "privatise" the strait or impose tolls. His office outlined potential coalition roles, including intelligence, mine‑clearing, military escorts, and communication with coastal states. Germany: Chancellor Friedrich Merz offered German mine‑clearance and intelligence support, pending parliamentary approval and a UN Security Council mandate. He expressed a desire for U.S. participation, a request Trump publicly dismissed. Finland: President Alexander Stubb, attending the summit, praised Iran’s announcement but emphasized that durable solutions require diplomatic effort. United Nations: Secretary‑General António Guterres welcomed the opening as "a step in the right direction," while the International Maritime Organization began verifying compliance with freedom‑of‑navigation standards. Shipping industry: The Norwegian Shipowners’ Association, representing 130 firms and 1,500 vessels, called the development welcome but said practical details—such as mine presence and Iranian conditions—must be clarified. Germany’s Hapag‑Lloyd and Denmark’s Maersk both indicated they are reassessing risks but remain cautious about immediate transits. Markets: Analysts noted the announcement’s swift impact on oil markets. "This is the biggest development so far during the ceasefire and gives hope that the war will end soon," said Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB.

Burkina Faso’s military government announced on Wednesday the dissolution of 118 non‑governmental organisations and associations, citing compliance with existing legal provisions and imposing an immediate ban on their activities.The move, described by rights advocates as an "attack on basic freedoms", follows a series of repressive actions since the 2022 coup that brought Captain Ibrahim Traoré to power.All of the dissolved entities operate within Burkina Faso, many of them dedicated to defending human rights. The Ministry of Territorial Administration and Mobility, through Minister Emile Zerbo, warned that any non‑compliance with the July 2025 law governing civil‑society groups will attract penalties under current regulations.Amnesty International condemned the decision as a "flagrant attack on the right to freedom of association", noting that it contradicts both the Burkinabe constitution and the country’s international human‑rights obligations. Senior Sahel researcher Ousmane Diallo urged the authorities to rescind the decree immediately, emphasizing that the crackdown is part of a broader strategy that includes abusive legislation, intimidation, arbitrary detention, and prosecution of activists.Earlier this year, the regime forced all national and international NGOs to transfer their bank accounts to a newly created state‑controlled bank, dissolved all political parties after a three‑year suspension, and publicly urged citizens to "forget democracy."Burkina Faso continues to grapple with an insurgency linked to al‑Qaeda and ISIL affiliates; the government frequently accuses internationally funded NGOs of espionage or collusion with these armed groups, further justifying its restrictive measures.

Sudan's Prime Minister has outlined a strategy to bring an end to the country's ongoing war, which has caused immense suffering and displacement. The Prime Minister emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to address the root causes of the conflict and ensure a sustainable peace.The war in Sudan has resulted in significant humanitarian challenges, with many civilians affected by the violence. The Prime Minister's plan aims to address these challenges and provide a framework for rebuilding and stabilizing the country.The international community has been closely watching the developments in Sudan, and the Prime Minister's statement is seen as a positive step towards finding a lasting solution to the conflict. The Prime Minister's strategy will likely face challenges, but it represents a crucial effort to bring peace and stability to Sudan.

Celebrations erupted in Lebanon after a 10‑day ceasefire took effect, with the U.S. State Department noting that the pause opens a window for longer‑term negotiations between Israeli and Lebanese officials.President Donald Trump declared that an agreement to end the war on Iran is "very close," hinting that the next round of talks could occur this weekend in Islamabad. Iran’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the truce, describing it as part of a broader effort with Washington to pause the regional conflict.Tehran‑based analyst Abas Aslani acknowledged progress in the U.S.–Iran dialogue but warned that significant gaps remain, noting that both sides are preparing for either a negotiated settlement or a possible return to hostilities, while Trump appears to be seeking an “off‑ramp” from the war.Trump also expressed hope that Hezbollah would "act nicely and well" during the truce and announced a White House invitation for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.Speaking in Las Vegas, Trump dismissed warnings that the conflict could push oil prices to $300 a barrel, insisting that markets remain strong despite volatility and global fuel disruptions linked to the war.Netanyahu hailed the ceasefire as an opportunity for a historic peace agreement with Beirut, but reiterated that the disarmament of Hezbollah remains a non‑negotiable precondition.Hours before the truce began, an Israeli strike on the southern Lebanese town of Ghaziyeh killed at least seven civilians and wounded 33, intensifying Israeli public frustration over promises of a buffer zone in the north.Opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned the ceasefire, arguing it fails to remove the threat to northern communities and pledging that any future government would adopt a tougher stance.Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the truce, and Trump confirmed that the agreement also encompasses Iran‑backed Hezbollah.Analyst Rami Khouri noted that Hezbollah is central to the ceasefire but operates “behind a curtain,” while residents in Sidon remain anxious as Israel demands Hezbollah’s disarmament yet refuses to withdraw, leaving the truce fragile and far from permanent.

The conflict between Israel and Lebanon has led to a significant humanitarian crisis, with at least 2,196 people killed and over one million displaced in Lebanon. The ceasefire, announced by US President Donald Trump, aims to facilitate negotiations for a more permanent security and peace agreement.The truce came into effect at 21:00 GMT and includes Hezbollah, a Lebanese armed group backed by Iran. However, ceasefire violations have been reported by Lebanese forces, with several Israeli attacks recorded and intermittent shelling targeting villages.The terms of the ceasefire agreement allow Israel to preserve its right to self-defense while not carrying out offensive military operations. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the agreement does not preclude Israel's demand for the disarmament of Hezbollah.The ceasefire has been met with skepticism by some, with former Israeli diplomat Alon Pinkas expressing doubts about Netanyahu's commitment to the agreement. Hezbollah has also urged caution, with Ali Fayyad stating that the group will approach the ceasefire with vigilance.The conflict has significant implications for the region, with US-Iran negotiations potentially influencing the situation. Trump's announcement of the ceasefire coincided with his statement that a deal to end the war on Iran was 'very close'.

Following a 10-day truce agreement between Lebanon and Israel, tens of thousands of displaced Lebanese have begun returning to their homes in southern Lebanon. The truce, which came into effect on Friday, has brought a fragile calm to the region, with many residents eager to assess the damage to their homes and communities.Despite the ceasefire, Lebanon's army has accused Israel of several early violations, including intermittent shelling of southern Lebanese villages. Hezbollah has warned that it has its 'finger on the trigger' in case of Israeli violations, while French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed concerns that the ceasefire 'may already be undermined by ongoing military operations.'The conflict has resulted in over 2,100 deaths and 1.2 million displaced in Lebanon, according to Lebanese authorities. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has stated that the ceasefire does not mean Israel's campaign against Hezbollah is over, and that the group's fighters will have to be disarmed one way or another.As residents return to their hometowns, some have pledged to stay, while others have expressed fears that the fragile truce could collapse. The ceasefire could ease tensions in US-Iran negotiations, with Iran viewing the regional conflict as interconnected.

France and the United Kingdom are convening dozens of countries to advance plans for a multinational maritime force to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that has been closed since Iran imposed a blockade on February 28.The meeting, taking place at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris, is being chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with around 30 to 40 countries participating in person or by video conference.The talks will focus on the Strait of Hormuz Maritime Freedom of Navigation Initiative, a defensive mission aimed at restoring free passage through the waterway once a lasting ceasefire in the US-Israel war on Iran is in place.European leaders have warned that the ongoing closure threatens consumers with higher inflation, food shortages, and flight cancellations as jet fuel supplies dwindle. Over 20,000 seafarers are trapped on board hundreds of vessels caught in the blockade.“The unconditional and immediate reopening of the strait is a global responsibility, and we need to act to get global energy and trade flowing freely again,” Starmer said, accusing Iran of “holding the world’s economy to ransom”.The initiative mirrors Europe’s earlier efforts to assemble a security force for Ukraine and carries similar conditions: deployment only when the conflict ends and security conditions allow.A French presidential official stated that allies would need “an Iranian commitment not to fire on passing ships and a US commitment not to block any ships leaving or entering the Strait of Hormuz” before any mission could proceed.Washington’s absence from the discussions is deliberate, with Macron emphasizing that the mission to provide security for shipping through the strait would be “strictly defensive” and limited to non-belligerent countries.