WORLD IN BRIEF: US–Iran talks fail, Haiti stampede kills dozens, Guelleh wins sixth term and other stories

WORLD IN BRIEF: US–Iran talks fail, Haiti stampede kills dozens, Guelleh wins sixth term and other stories

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s chief negotiator, blamed Washington for the breakdown, saying Tehran had presented “forward-looking” proposals but failed to secure trust. On the American side, JD Vance, US vice- president, acknowledged the failure, warning that the outcome was “bad news for Iran” more than for the United States.

The talks, held in Islamabad, marked the first direct engagement at this level since the 1979 Iranian Revolution. They took place during a fragile ceasefire following weeks of conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran.

Global concern has intensified over the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. Iran’s effective control of the waterway since late February has disrupted energy markets and triggered volatility across global stock exchanges.

Tensions escalated further after Donald Trump ordered an immediate US naval blockade of the strait, accusing Iran of “extortion” and vowing to interdict vessels complying with Iranian transit conditions.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps responded by warning that military vessels entering the area would face severe consequences, even as civilian passage remains conditionally permitted.

Viktor Orban has conceded defeat in Hungary’s parliamentary elections, ending more than a decade and a half of political dominance.

Opposition leader Peter Magyar declared victory after his Tisza party surged ahead with over 52 per cent of the vote, compared to Orban’s Fidesz party at just under 39 per cent, based on partial official results.

Magyar confirmed that Orban had personally called to congratulate him, signalling a significant political transition in Hungary after 16 years under Orban’s leadership.

The outcome could open the door to sweeping institutional reforms, including efforts to tackle corruption and restore judicial independence. However, the scale of change will depend on whether Tisza secures a two-thirds parliamentary majority required to overhaul key elements of Orban’s political legacy.

Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of widespread violations of a short-lived ceasefire declared for Orthodox Easter.

Ukrainian officials reported more than 2,200 alleged breaches by Russian forces, including continued attacks and the killing of unarmed soldiers. Moscow, in turn, claimed nearly 2,000 violations by Ukrainian troops, including attempted counter-offensives.

Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv would respond “symmetrically” to any aggression while expressing hope that the truce could be extended to support stalled peace efforts.

However, Vladimir Putin rejected extending the ceasefire, indicating that military operations would resume in full.

Despite the temporary pause, both sides reported continued drone activity and ground assaults, underscoring the fragility of even symbolic truces in the ongoing conflict.

At least 30 people are feared dead following a stampede at the Citadelle Laferrière, a UNESCO World Heritage site in northern Haiti.

The tragedy occurred during a crowded Easter event that had drawn large numbers of young people and tourists to the site near the town of Milot. Officials said the crush began near the entrance and was worsened by heavy rainfall.

Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé expressed condolences and confirmed that an investigation is underway, with emergency services deployed to assist victims.

Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as rescue efforts continue.

Guelleh extends 27-year rule with sixth term victory in Djibouti

Ismail Omar Guelleh has secured a sixth term in office with 97.8 per cent of the vote, extending his 27-year rule over Djibouti. The election, widely boycotted by opposition groups, saw his sole challenger receive just over two per cent of the vote. Guelleh’s candidacy followed a constitutional amendment removing the presidential age limit, allowing him to run at 78.

Positioned along the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Djibouti remains a key geopolitical hub hosting military bases from global powers including the United States, China, and France. Guelleh has defended his long tenure as a source of stability in a volatile region.

Libya has approved its first unified national budget in over a decade, marking a significant breakthrough in a country long divided by rival administrations.

The agreement, confirmed by the Central Bank, brings together the eastern-based House of Representatives and the Tripoli-based High Council of State, which have competed for legitimacy since the 2014 civil war.

Central bank governor Naji Issa described the move as evidence that Libya can overcome internal divisions with a shared vision for economic stability. The last unified budget was recorded in 2013.

The National Crime Agency has charged a Sudanese national following the deaths of four migrants attempting to cross the English Channel.

The incident occurred off the coast of northern France as migrants tried to board a small vessel reportedly used by smugglers to evade authorities. Dozens were rescued, while others continued the journey to Britain. The case highlights ongoing pressures on UK migration policy, a key political issue for Keir Starmer and his government.

A court in Eswatini has ruled that migrants deported from the United States must be granted access to legal representation.

The decision challenges the government’s initial refusal to allow lawyers access to detainees transferred under immigration enforcement measures introduced by Donald Trump.

Judges stated that denying access could not be justified, reinforcing legal protections for detainees regardless of how they arrived in the country.

Kenyan authorities have arrested four suspects in connection with the killing of Scottish businessman Campbell Scott.

Scott’s body was discovered in a forest near Nairobi after he went missing during a business trip. Investigators believe he was abducted and held while attackers attempted to access his financial accounts.

The arrests followed a multi-agency operation linked to broader investigations into violent robberies in the coastal region.

Police say the suspects are part of a wider criminal network, and further inquiries are ongoing.