**Summary:** An eighth-grade student opened fire at a school in Kahramanmaraş, southern Turkey on April 15, killing at least four people including three students and one teacher, and wounding around 20 others. The attack occurred just one day after another shooting at a school in Şanlıurfa province that left 16 injured, raising concerns about gun violence in the country.

**Key points:**
- The attacker, an eighth-grade student, brought five weapons and seven ammunition magazines belonging to his father, a former police officer, into the school
- Victims included three students and one teacher; four wounded were in critical condition and underwent emergency surgery
- The attacker shot indiscriminately in two fifth-grade classrooms with approximately 10-year-old students before shooting himself
- The father of the attacker, identified as Ugur Mersinli, was detained by police as investigations continue
- This is the second school shooting in Turkey in two days; a 19-year-old opened fire at a technical school in Siverek on April 14, injuring 16 people

**Why it matters:** School shootings are rare in Turkey, but two incidents within 24 hours highlight concerns about firearm access and security in educational institutions. Authorities and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have pledged accountability as investigations proceed.

Turchia, almeno quattro morti nel secondo attacco in una scuola in due giorni

Ataque armado en escuela de Turquía deja cuatro muertos y 20 heridos

ارتفاع ضحايا إطلاق النار بمدرسة تركية

Student opens fire at Turkish school, killing at least 4 in second attack in two days

**Summary:** Ismaël Nabé, Guinea's Minister of Planning, has been elected President of the Board of Governors of the West African Development Bank (BIDC). This election represents a significant diplomatic achievement for Guinea within the ECOWAS regional framework.

**Key points:**
- Nabé serves as Guinea's Minister of Planning and now leads the BIDC's Board of Governors
- The BIDC is a key financial institution for West African development and integration
- Election reflects Guinea's growing influence in ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) governance structures
- Position involves oversight of the bank's strategic direction and member state coordination

**Why it matters:** This appointment strengthens Guinea's role in regional economic governance and demonstrates the country's institutional standing within ECOWAS. Leadership of the BIDC's governing body provides Guinea with influence over development financing and regional economic policy.

Agence Ecofin - Ismaël Nabé, ministre guinéen du Plan, élu à la tête du Conseil des gouverneurs de la BIDC

Guinée Matin - CEDEAO : le ministre Ismaël Nabé élu Président du Conseil des Gouverneurs de la BIDC

Guinea's Planning Minister Ismaël Nabé Elected Head of BIDC Governors Council

**Summary:** President Paul Biya has officially promulgated a constitutional amendment establishing the position of Vice-President of the Republic of Cameroon. The new office allows for a presidential successor to be appointed directly by the head of state.

**Key points:**
- The legislation was adopted by the Cameroonian Parliament in a congress held on April 4, 2026, following its introduction on April 2.
- The Vice-President will serve as the second-highest state official and assume the presidency in the event of a vacancy, without the immediate requirement of a popular election.
- The constitutional change grants the President exclusive authority to appoint and remove the Vice-President, who is barred from running in the subsequent presidential election.
- This reform marks the first time the Vice-Presidency has existed in the country since its abolition in 1972.

**Why it matters:** The creation of this office significantly alters the presidential succession mechanism in Cameroon, centralizing power by allowing for the appointment of a successor without a direct vote.

jeuneafrique.com - Vice-présidence au Cameroun : une promulgation, mais pas encore de nomination

camer.be - :: Biya promulgue la Constitution du vice-président : qui succédera sans les urnes ?

Cameroon President Paul Biya Promulgates Constitutional Amendment Creating Vice-Presidency

**Summary:** Pope Leon XIV has arrived in Cameroon for a four-day visit, marking a significant event that has drawn attention from both religious and political spheres across the nation.

**Key points:**
- The pontiff's itinerary includes religious services in Yaoundé, Douala, and Bamenda.
- Public expectations for the visit are high, with citizens hoping for progress on regional conflicts, economic challenges, and national security.
- The visit follows recent tensions, including a dispute over infrastructure projects in the capital.

**Why it matters:** The visit is viewed as a critical moment for national reconciliation and stability in a country currently navigating complex socio-political and security crises.

camer.be - :: Le message de paix du pape Leon XIV vient-il exorciser le Cameroun ?

jeuneafrique.com - Léon XIV au Cameroun : pourquoi la visite du pape chez Paul Biya est historique

Pope Leon XIV Begins Four-Day Apostolic Visit to Cameroon

**Summary:** The United States has completely halted all maritime trade with Iran, claiming the blockade targets 90% of the Iranian economy, even as President Donald Trump signals that diplomatic negotiations could resume in Pakistan this week.

**Key points:**
- U.S. Central Command reported that military forces successfully stopped all sea-based economic trade in and out of Iran within 36 hours of the blockade's implementation.
- President Donald Trump expressed optimism for a potential deal, stating that negotiations could resume in Pakistan within two days.
- The conflict has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global waterway for crude oil and gas transport, contributing to global energy price volatility.
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump discussed the situation, emphasizing the necessity of keeping the Strait of Hormuz secure.
- Negotiations remain complicated by ongoing Israeli military operations in Lebanon, which Iran insists should be covered by the existing ceasefire.

**Why it matters:** The total maritime blockade of Iran significantly escalates the ongoing conflict and threatens global energy security by disrupting critical oil and gas supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz.

Financial Post - India’s Modi, Trump Discuss Strait of Hormuz in Call

Cyprus Mail - US chokes off Iran sea trade, but Trump sees deal within days

The Straits Times - US shuts down Iran's maritime trade despite optimism for more talks

US Implements Full Maritime Blockade of Iran Amid Ongoing Diplomatic Efforts

**Summary:** The United States Department of the Treasury has lifted sanctions on the Central Bank of Venezuela and three other state-controlled financial institutions, authorizing previously prohibited transactions.

**Key points:**
- The measure affects the Banco Central de Venezuela, Banco de Venezuela, Banco Digital de los Trabajadores, and Banco del Tesoro.
- The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a license permitting commercial transactions with the Venezuelan government, subject to prior authorization.
- The policy shift follows the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in an American military operation earlier this year.
- The decision aims to facilitate the reintegration of Venezuelan banks into the U.S. financial system and the use of the dollar.

**Why it matters:** This move represents a significant step in the normalization of diplomatic and economic relations between Washington and Caracas following the change in Venezuelan leadership.

AlMomento.net - EEUU levanta sanciones a los bancos comerciales Venezuela

La Razón - EEUU levanta sanciones contra banco central venezolano

EL COMERCIO PERÚ - Estados Unidos levanta las sanciones al sistema de banca pública de Venezuela

US Lifts Sanctions on Venezuelan Public Banking Sector

**Summary:** US President Donald Trump has publicly attacked Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, calling her "unacceptable" and expressing disappointment in her refusal to support US military operations regarding Iran.

**Key points:**
- President Trump criticized Prime Minister Meloni for her defense of Pope Leo XIV, whom he previously labeled as weak on foreign policy.
- The US President accused Italy of failing to assist in securing the Strait of Hormuz and refusing to support US military actions against Iran.
- Prime Minister Meloni had previously described President Trump's remarks about the Pope as "unacceptable."
- Italy recently denied US military aircraft landing rights at the Sigonella air base in Sicily.

**Why it matters:** The public rift marks a significant deterioration in the relationship between the US and one of its previously closest European allies, highlighting growing tensions over regional security and foreign policy alignment.

Ziarul de Gardă - Donald Trump a etichetat-o pe prim-ministra italiană Giorgia Meloni drept „inacceptabilă”

tagesschau.de - Trump bezeichnet Meloni als "inakzeptabel"

La Tercera - Trump arremete contra Meloni por su defensa al Papa y su negativa a participar en la guerra: “Pensé que tenía coraje”

US President Donald Trump Criticizes Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni Over Iran and Pope

**Summary:** Following the April 12, 2026, presidential election in Benin, opposition candidate Paul Hounkpè of the Forces Cauris for a Benin Emerging (FCBE) party has conceded defeat to Romuald Wadagni, the former Minister of Finance.

**Key points:**
- Romuald Wadagni, the candidate supported by the ruling coalition, was widely considered the favorite to succeed outgoing President Patrice Talon.
- Paul Hounkpè issued a public statement and contacted Romuald Wadagni to offer his congratulations before the official results were announced by the Autonomous National Electoral Commission (CENA).
- The election saw a high voter turnout, with official results expected to be confirmed by the CENA by April 14, 2026.

**Why it matters:** The rapid and peaceful concession by the opposition candidate is being viewed as a significant democratic gesture in the context of Francophone African politics.

Quarte Bot