WORLD IN BRIEF: Strait of Hormuz tensions eases, French academic fake prize probe, Mali militants and other stories

Iran signals safe Hormuz passage after US pauses naval operation

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has said safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz will be ensured following a pause in United States military operations, raising cautious hopes of de-escalation in one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.

In a statement on Wednesday, the IRGC navy said new procedures would govern navigation through the strait but did not provide details. It thanked ship owners and captains for complying with Iranian regulations during recent tensions.

The announcement followed US President Donald Trump’s decision to halt “Project Freedom”, a naval effort aimed at escorting stranded vessels through the waterway. Trump described the pause as a response to “great progress” in negotiations, reportedly mediated by Pakistan, although he confirmed that the broader US blockade of Iranian ports remains in place.

In a separate statement, Trump suggested the conflict could end if Iran agrees to previously discussed terms, adding that the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened to all shipping, including Iranian vessels, under a final agreement.

China urges swift reopening of Hormuz as diplomacy intensifies

China has called for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened “as soon as possible”, as Beijing steps up diplomatic engagement with Tehran ahead of a high-stakes summit with Washington.

Wang Yi, Chinese foreign minister made the remarks during talks in Beijing with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi — the latter’s first visit to China since the outbreak of the Iran war. Wang stressed that securing a comprehensive ceasefire is an “urgent priority” and warned against renewed hostilities.

Beijing, which has positioned itself as a neutral mediator, reiterated its support for dialogue between the United States and Iran, while also acknowledging Tehran’s stated commitment not to pursue nuclear weapons.

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The meeting comes days before a planned summit between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, where the Iran conflict and global energy security are expected to dominate discussions.

Musk-OpenAI trial reveals personal, corporate tension

Testimony in the high-profile legal dispute between Elon Musk and OpenAI has shed light on both corporate disagreements and personal dynamics within the tech ecosystem.

Shivon Zilis, a former OpenAI board member, told a federal court in California that Musk offered to donate sperm in 2020, a decision that led to her having four children with the billionaire. She described the arrangement as separate from any romantic relationship at the time.

Zilis, who has held senior roles across Musk’s companies including Tesla and Neuralink, also addressed her involvement in early discussions about restructuring OpenAI into a for-profit entity. Her testimony is central to Musk’s lawsuit seeking to reverse the organisation’s shift away from its original non-profit model.

OpenAI’s legal team has suggested Zilis may have shared internal information with Musk after his departure from the company in 2018, an allegation she has downplayed.

French academic probed over fabricated prize scandal

A French professor is under investigation after allegedly inventing a prestigious academic prize and awarding it to himself in an elaborate scheme to enhance his credentials.

Florent Montaclair, based in Besançon, claimed to have received a “Gold Medal of Philology” in 2016 from an organisation known as the International Society of Philology — a body investigators now believe does not exist.

The case has raised questions about oversight within academic institutions after it emerged that the award ceremony took place at France’s National Assembly and was attended by high-profile figures.

Authorities are also examining Montaclair’s academic qualifications, including a doctorate from a university that appears to have no verifiable existence. He has been suspended from his teaching position pending the outcome of the investigation.

CNN founder Ted Turner, pioneer of 24-hour news, dies at 87

Ted Turner, the media entrepreneur who transformed global journalism by launching CNN, has died at the age of 87.

Turner founded Cable News Network in 1980, creating the world’s first 24-hour television news channel and reshaping how audiences consume information. Despite early scepticism, CNN became a defining force in global media, particularly during major events such as the Gulf War.

Tributes have poured in from across the political and media spectrum. Donald Trump, the United States president described Turner as “one of the greats of broadcast history”, while current CNN chairman Mark Thompson called him “the giant on whose shoulders we stand”.

Turner’s broader media empire, Turner Broadcasting System, helped cement his status as one of the most influential figures in modern communications.

China condemns Eswatini over Taiwan ties in diplomatic row

China has issued a sharp rebuke to Eswatini for maintaining diplomatic relations with Taiwan, accusing the southern African kingdom’s leadership of being “kept and fed” by Taipei.

The criticism followed a visit by Taiwan’s president Lai Ching-te to Eswatini, one of the few countries that formally recognises Taiwan.

Beijing, which views Taiwan as part of its territory, has intensified efforts to isolate the island diplomatically.

Taiwanese officials have accused China of pressuring other countries to deny overflight access to Lai’s aircraft during the trip, highlighting the intensifying geopolitical contest for influence in Africa.

Militants intensify Mali attacks, target prison and supply routes

Armed fighters linked to al-Qaeda have escalated their campaign in Mali, storming a major prison facility and disrupting supply lines to the capital, Bamako.

The Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) group attacked the Kenieroba Central Prison, a high-security complex southwest of the capital, while also setting fire to trucks carrying food supplies.

The assault forms part of a broader offensive that has seen coordinated attacks on military bases and key urban areas, underscoring the deepening security crisis facing Mali’s military-led government.

Ivory coast dissolves electoral body amid credibility concerns

Ivory Coast has dissolved its Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) following sustained criticism over its handling of elections and perceived lack of independence.

Amadou Coulibaly, Government spokesperson said the move aims to restore public confidence and pave the way for a new electoral framework ahead of future polls.

The commission has long been a focal point of political disputes, including the contested 2010 election that triggered widespread violence. Critics argue its composition favours the ruling coalition, an allegation authorities have consistently denied.

Ghana inflation edges higher, ending disinflation trend

Ghana’s inflation rate has risen for the first time since December 2024, signalling a potential shift after months of steady decline.

Official data shows consumer inflation increased to 3.4 percent year-on-year in April, up from 3.2 percent in March. The uptick was driven largely by higher costs in services such as transport, education and hospitality.

Officials say the overall trend remains moderate but warn that global disruptions and regional pressures could begin to feed more broadly into prices.

US moves to lift Eritrea sanctions amid red sea realignment

The United States is preparing to lift sanctions on Eritrea, in a move analysts say reflects shifting geopolitical priorities linked to Red Sea security.

According to internal documents, Washington aims to improve ties with the strategically located Horn of Africa state, which sits along a key maritime trade route.

The decision comes as global attention focuses on alternative shipping corridors amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting Eritrea’s growing relevance in regional power dynamics.