Africa & World

Israel launched a large-scale airstrike on Iran early Friday, targeting approximately 100 sites including nuclear facilities and military command centres. The strikes resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking Iranian officials, including Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Hossein Salami, according to Iranian media.

Among the key targets was Iran’s Natanz atomic facility, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as central to Tehran’s nuclear enrichment programme. “These strikes will continue as many days as it takes,” Netanyahu stated, warning that intelligence indicated Iran was nearing the “point of no return” in its nuclear development.

Defence Minister Israel Katz said the operation sent a “strong and clear message,” asserting that individuals involved in efforts to destroy Israel would be “eliminated.”

In response, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed a “bitter and painful” retaliation. The Iranian military declared there would be “no limits” to its response, and later launched about 100 drones toward Israel. The Israeli military reported that its air defences intercepted the drones outside Israeli territory.

Neighbouring Jordan also reported intercepting drones and missiles that had violated its airspace, with air raid sirens sounding in the capital, Amman.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump told Fox News he had prior knowledge of the Israeli strikes, while emphasising that Iran “cannot have a nuclear bomb.” The U.S. government, however, stated it was not involved in the operation and warned Tehran against targeting American personnel or interests.

Iran dismissed the U.S. denial, saying the scale and coordination of the Israeli strikes could not have occurred without Washington’s involvement. “The United States will be held responsible for the consequences,” Tehran stated.

Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh has not ruled out the possibility of seeking a sixth term in the country’s 2026 presidential election, despite a constitutional age limit that would bar his candidacy.

In an interview published on Friday by The Africa Report, the 77-year-old leader declined to give a direct answer when asked if he would run in April 2026.

“I won’t answer that,” Guelleh said. “What I can say is that I love my country too much to lead it into a reckless venture or sow division.”

Under Djibouti’s current constitution, candidates over the age of 75 are prohibited from contesting presidential elections, meaning a sixth term would require constitutional amendments.

Guelleh, widely known by his initials “IOG”, secured a fifth term in 2021 with 97 percent of the vote. His ruling party, the Union for the Presidential Majority (UMP), maintains a firm grip on parliament.

Guelleh came to power in 1999 after serving as chief of staff to Djibouti’s founding president, Hassan Gouled Aptidon, for 22 years. His tenure has been marked by political stability in a region often plagued by unrest.

Djibouti’s strategic location at the Horn of Africa has made it a key military hub for global powers, including the United States, France, and China, all of which maintain military bases in the country.

American R&B singer Chris Brown has been granted bail by a UK court in connection with an assault case, on the condition that he posts a £5 million guarantee.

The court ruling, issued on Wednesday, allows the 36-year-old singer to proceed with his upcoming international tour, which is scheduled to begin on June 8 in Amsterdam.

As part of the bail conditions, Brown must return to the United Kingdom for a series of concerts starting on June 15. Failure to do so will result in the forfeiture of the £5 million guarantee.

Brown, a former partner of pop star Rihanna, has not publicly commented on the case.

Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones, his personal office announced on Sunday.

According to the statement, the 82-year-old was recently evaluated by doctors after presenting with urinary symptoms and a detected prostate nodule. Biden and his family are currently reviewing treatment options with his medical team.

“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management,” the office said.

Biden’s condition was further detailed with a Gleason score of nine — a high grade on the scale used to assess the severity of prostate cancer — indicating a particularly aggressive form of the illness.

Former President Donald Trump, Biden’s predecessor and successor, extended his well-wishes on his Truth Social platform, writing, “Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis. We extend our warmest and best wishes to [former first lady] Jill Biden and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”

Vice President Kamala Harris also expressed support on X, formerly Twitter, stating that she and her husband, Doug Emhoff, were “saddened” by the news. “Joe is a fighter – and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership,” she said.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined international voices wishing the former president well, expressing hope for a “swift and successful treatment.”