Ugandan Opposition Leader, Bobi Wine Placed Under House Arrest as Museveni Leads Uganda Election

Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine was placed under house arrest on Friday, following elections that showed President Yoweri Museveni holding a commanding lead as he seeks to extend his 40-year rule. Museveni, who has governed Uganda since 1986, has faced widespread criticism for repressing opposition ahead of the vote, and his government imposed an internet blackout earlier this week. With roughly a quarter of votes counted, the Electoral Commission reported Museveni at 76.25 per cent and Wine at 19.85 per cent. Thursday’s voting was disrupted by technical problems, including malfunctioning biometric machines and delayed ballot deliveries in several areas. Final results for both presidential and parliamentary elections are expected by 0200 GMT on Saturday. Analysts say the outcome was largely predictable, given Museveni’s tight control over the state and security forces. The 81-year-old former guerrilla has routinely sidelined challengers during his four decades in power. Wine, 43, born Robert Kyagulanyi, has become Museveni’s most prominent opponent. The former singer, who grew up in Kampala’s slums, calls himself the “ghetto president.” “The military and police have surrounded the residence of President Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert, effectively placing him and his wife under house arrest,” his party, the National Unity Platform, said on X late Thursday. “Security officers have unlawfully jumped over the perimeter fence and are now erecting tents within his compound.” AFP journalists visiting Wine’s home on Friday described the scene as calm, though a military vehicle and several police officers were stationed outside. A heavy security presence was reported across Uganda on election day. The United Nations had warned that the elections were taking place in an environment of “widespread repression and intimidation” against opposition figures. Wine also alleged “massive ballot stuffing” and attacks on his party officials during the internet blackout, though these claims could not be independently verified.

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Trump Tells Iran He Will Not Attack, Warns of Consequences Amid Protests

US President Donald Trump reportedly told Iran that he has no intention of attacking the country, while urging caution, according to Iranian Ambassador to Islamabad Reza Amiri Moghadam, as reported by the Pakistani daily Dawn on Thursday. Amiri Moghadam said he “received information at around 1am, which indicated that Trump did not want war and had asked Iran not to attack the US interests in the region.” The announcement comes after heightened speculation that the US might take military action, following reports of troop withdrawals from Middle East bases and a warning for American citizens on Monday to leave Iran without delay. Trump had previously threatened Tehran over casualties during ongoing anti-government protests. Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, Trump adopted a more measured tone, noting that he had been informed executions in Iran had stopped, but cautioning that “if something like that happens, we will all be saddened.” Iranian authorities have accused the US and Israel of supporting what they describe as “riots” and “terrorism” amid the unrest. While official figures have not been released, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) estimates that more than 2,600 people, including protesters and security personnel, have been killed.

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Iran Warns US Any Intervention Could Trigger Attacks on American Bases

Iran has issued a warning to the United States that any intervention in the country’s ongoing protests could trigger attacks on American military bases in the region, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday. The alert comes amid rising tensions following repeated threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to act in support of protesters, as rights groups report thousands of deaths in Iran’s largest demonstrations in decades. Three diplomats said some personnel at the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar were advised to leave by Wednesday evening. Officials stressed this was a precautionary measure, not a full-scale evacuation like the one before last year’s Iranian missile strikes. One diplomat described the move as a “posture change” rather than an “ordered evacuation.” In an interview with CBS News on Tuesday, Trump promised “very strong action” if Iran executes protesters. “If they hang them, you’re going to see some things,” he said, while encouraging Iranians to continue protesting and take over institutions, declaring, “help is on the way.” The Iranian official said Tehran had contacted U.S. allies in the region, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Turkey, urging them to prevent Washington from striking Iran. “Tehran has told regional countries that U.S. bases in those countries will be attacked if the U.S. targets Iran,” the official said. The official also noted that direct communications between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff have been suspended amid rising tensions. An Israeli official said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet was briefed on the potential for regime collapse or U.S. intervention in Iran, though details on timing and scope remain unclear. Iranian state media reported that Ali Larijani, head of the country’s top security body, spoke with Qatar’s foreign minister, while Araqchi contacted his counterparts in the UAE and Turkey, asserting that Iranians were determined to defend their sovereignty against foreign interference. Internet blackouts have limited reporting from within Iran. The U.S.-based HRANA rights group has verified 2,403 deaths among protesters and 147 among government-aligned individuals, while an Iranian official put the death toll at around 2,000. Iranian authorities have accused the U.S. and Israel of instigating the unrest, labeling protesters as “terrorists.” Visiting a Tehran prison, Iran’s chief justice emphasized the need for swift trials and punishments for those accused of extreme violence, warning that speed was essential to preventing future incidents. HRANA reports that 18,137 people have been arrested so far. State TV said a funeral procession for more than 100 civilians and security personnel killed during the unrest would take place in Tehran on Wednesday. Pro-government rallies were also held across the country on Monday, demonstrating continued support for the clerical establishment, with no signs of cracks within security forces. The unrest occurs as Iran continues to recover from last year’s regional conflicts and setbacks to its influence, including losses by allies such as Lebanon’s Hezbollah. When asked about his “help is on the way” comment, Trump told reporters, “You would have to figure that out,” adding that while the death toll appears significant, the U.S. does not yet have full confirmation and would know more after reviewing reports on Tuesday evening. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department on Tuesday advised American citizens to leave Iran immediately.

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Trump Threatens 25% Tariff On Countries Trading With Iran Amid Widespread Protests

United States President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 25 percent tariff on any country that does business with Iran, increasing pressure on the Iranian government as the nation faces its largest protests in decades. Years of Western sanctions have severely weakened Iran’s economy, driving high inflation, rising unemployment, and the collapse of the rial. The current wave of protests stems largely from these economic difficulties, which the government has struggled to address due to international isolation. Iran’s economy relies heavily on exports to countries such as China, Turkey, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and India, with China purchasing roughly 80 percent of its oil. Trump’s announcement raises questions about how major trade partners will respond to the threat. “Effective immediately, any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “This Order is final and conclusive.” No formal documentation of the policy has been released by the White House, and the legal authority for implementing the tariffs was not specified. This move adds to a growing list of pressures from Trump on Iran, which have included economic sanctions and threats of military action, aimed at influencing the country’s political and economic decisions.

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Donald Trump Declares Himself Acting President of Venezuela After Maduro’s Capture

Donald Trump has declared himself “Acting President of Venezuela, Incumbent January 2026” in a social media post styled like an edited Wikipedia page. The post included his official portrait and listed him as both the 45th and 47th President of the United States, the statement was said. The claim is not reflected on Wikipedia and has not been recognized by any international organization, the report was said. The announcement followed a United States military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who were flown to New York to face federal drug trafficking and narcoterrorism charges. The operation came after months of US pressure, sanctions, and military activity targeting Venezuela, the report was said. Maduro has described his removal as a “kidnapping,” while countries including China, Russia, Colombia, and Spain condemned the action as a violation of international law, analysts said. Hours after Maduro’s ouster, Trump announced that the United States would temporarily govern Venezuela, citing security concerns and the need for a controlled transition, the statement was said. He added that the US would oversee Venezuelan oil production and sales to global markets during this period, the statement was said. Inside Venezuela, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim President by the Supreme Tribunal of Justice. Rodríguez rejected US authority, demanded Maduro’s release, and reaffirmed him as the nation’s rightful leader, the report was said. Trump warned that Rodríguez could “pay a very big price” if she did not cooperate, suggesting the consequences could be even more severe than those facing Maduro, who remains in US custody, the statement was said. Trump also took credit after Venezuelan authorities announced the release of political prisoners as a gesture toward peace. On Truth Social, he said the releases had occurred “in a big way” following US action and warned the freed prisoners to “never forget it,” the statement was said. The US President further called on major American oil companies to invest up to $100 billion in Venezuela to expand the country’s oil production. He said the US would determine which companies could operate in Venezuela and assist in rebuilding its oil sector, the statement was said. He also praised an agreement with Venezuela’s interim leadership to supply 50 million barrels of crude oil to the United States, adding that deliveries could continue indefinitely and help lower US energy prices, the statement was said.

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Donald Trump Denies Sean “Diddy” Combs Pardon Request

Donald Trump has rejected Sean “Diddy” Combs’ request for a presidential pardon, saying he has no intention of granting clemency to the music mogul. Combs, 56, is serving a four-year prison sentence after being convicted last July on two counts of transporting people across state lines for prostitution. He was acquitted of the more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. Trump confirmed that Combs had sent him a letter seeking a pardon but added that he was not inclined to act on it. In an interview with The New York Times published Thursday, Trump also made it clear he does not plan to pardon several other high-profile figures, including deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, disgraced crypto tycoon Sam Bankman-Fried, and former Democratic senator Robert Menendez. When asked about Derek Chauvin, the ex-Minneapolis officer convicted of murdering George Floyd, Trump said he had not been approached regarding a pardon. Trump has granted clemency to a number of individuals in the past, including over 1,500 people involved in the January 6, 2021 US Capitol attack and Honduran ex-president Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was serving a 45-year sentence for drug trafficking. The former president’s comments underscore his selective approach to pardons, favoring political allies and loyalists while denying requests from celebrities and other controversial figures.

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Trump Moves To Pull US Out Of 66 UN And Global Bodies

United States President Donald Trump has unveiled plans to withdraw the country from 66 United Nations and international organisations, a decision that would significantly scale back US involvement in global efforts on climate change, democracy, and peacebuilding. The move was announced in a presidential memorandum released by the White House on Wednesday night. Trump said the decision followed a review of international bodies, conventions, and treaties considered to be at odds with US national interests. He added that Washington would end its participation in the affected organisations and halt all financial contributions to them. The list issued by the White House shows that 35 of the organisations are outside the UN system, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. While classified as a non-UN body in the document, the IPCC is a UN-backed organisation that brings together leading scientists to evaluate climate data and provide assessments used by governments worldwide. The withdrawal plan also covers 31 UN bodies, among them the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the UN Democracy Fund, and the UN Population Fund, which focuses on maternal and child health. Several of the targeted agencies are involved in protecting vulnerable populations during armed conflicts, including the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children in Armed Conflict. Responding to the announcement, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the organisation was expected to issue an official response by Thursday morning. Although Trump has consistently argued for reduced US participation in UN forums, he has continued to play an active role in shaping decisions on the international stage.

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China Condemns US Over Planned Intervention In Venezuela’s Oil Sector

China has strongly condemned the United States’ planned intervention in Venezuela’s oil sector, sharply criticising President Donald Trump’s actions as a violation of international law. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning described the US move as an “outrageous use of force” and said Washington’s insistence that Venezuela manage its oil resources according to an “America First” agenda amounts to harassment and undermines the rights of the Venezuelan people. “Venezuela has full sovereignty over its natural resources and economic activities,” Mao said, adding that China’s own rights and interests in the country must also be protected. The criticism follows Trump’s announcement on his Truth Social platform that Venezuela’s interim government would transfer 30 million to 50 million barrels of “sanctioned oil” to the United States, with the proceeds intended to benefit both Venezuelans and Americans. China, a key ally and the largest buyer of Venezuelan oil, has consistently opposed foreign interventions in the South American country. The condemnation also comes in the wake of a US military operation that led to the removal of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, which Beijing and other global powers have denounced as a breach of Venezuela’s sovereignty. Mao’s statement reflects growing international concern over the US actions, highlighting tensions surrounding Venezuela’s oil resources and the broader geopolitical implications of unilateral interventions.

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