**Summary:** US President Donald Trump extended his ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz until April 6, citing ongoing negotiations that he claims are progressing well. The initial threat involved destroying Iranian power plants if the strait, crucial for global oil transport, remained closed.

**Key points:**
- The extension was granted at the request of the Iranian government, according to Trump.
- The new deadline is April 6 at 20:00 Washington time (00:00 GMT on April 7).
- Trump's negotiating team includes Vice President JD Vance, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner.
- Iran had previously threatened to fully close the strait and retaliate against energy facilities in Gulf states.
- Trump viewed Iran allowing passage to several oil tankers as a positive sign for negotiations.

**Why it matters:** This extension signals a temporary de-escalation in tensions between the US and Iran over maritime control, while negotiations continue regarding the strategic waterway.

Straße von Hormus: Donald Trump verlängert Ultimatum an den Iran bis Ostern - DIE ZEIT

Guerre au Moyen-Orient : Donald Trump repousse au 6 avril son ultimatum avant d'éventuelles frappes en Iran (revoir notre direct) - RTBF Actus

Trump extiende hasta el 6 de abril su ultimátum para que Irán reabra el estrecho de Ormuz - EL COMERCIO PERÚ

Trump Extends Ultimatum to Iran on Strait of Hormuz Until April 6

**Summary:** European stock markets concluded Thursday's trading session lower, erasing the previous session's gains due to ongoing uncertainty surrounding Middle East peace talks. The European "Stoxx 600" index fell by 1.2 percent, with most sectors and major exchanges declining.

**Key points:**
- The French "CAC 40" index dropped 0.98 percent to 7769 points.
- The German "DAX" index retreated 1.64 percent to 22581 points.
- The British "FTSE 100" index fell 1.33 percent to 9972 points.
- The education and technology sectors led the losses, declining by 3.4 percent and 2.3 percent, respectively.

**Why it matters:** The decline in major European indices reflects continued investor caution driven by unresolved geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

الأسواق الأوروبية تغلق منخفضة - زاد الاردن الاخباري - أخبار الأردن

Las bolsas europeas caen alrededor del 1 % mientras el petróleo sube cerca del 4 %

European Markets Close Lower Amid Middle East Peace Talk Uncertainty

**Summary:** Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who is currently jailed in Brooklyn following a surprise U.S. military capture in Caracas, will face additional judicial charges in the United States, according to U.S. President Donald Trump. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are already facing charges including narcoterrorism conspiracy.

**Key points:**
- Maduro and Flores appeared in a Manhattan courtroom on Thursday to argue for the dismissal of current drug trafficking charges.
- The couple claims U.S. sanctions prevent the Venezuelan government from paying their legal defense fees, interfering with their Sixth Amendment rights.
- Trump stated that Maduro has only been charged for a "fraction" of his actions and expressed hope that an accusation regarding "emptying his jails" onto the U.S. would be presented.
- Maduro was captured in a January 3 raid in Caracas and flown to New York.
- Current charges against Maduro include conspiracy for "narcoterrorism," cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons possession conspiracies.

**Why it matters:** The U.S. President has indicated that the legal proceedings against the captured Venezuelan leader will expand beyond the initial drug trafficking charges, escalating the international legal confrontation.

inquirer.net - Venezuela's Maduro back in court after stunning US capture

Cyprus Mail - Venezuela's Maduro arrives at US court in dispute over legal fees

EL COMERCIO PERÚ - Trump dice que Maduro enfrentará “otros cargos” judiciales más adelante en Estados Unidos

Trump: Captured Venezuelan President Maduro to Face More US Charges

**Summary:** The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced a new policy stating that only biological women will be eligible to compete in the female category in Olympic sports, effective from the Los Angeles 2028 Games. Eligibility will primarily be determined by a negative test for the SRY gene, which is present only in biological males.

**Key points:**
- The new rule aims to protect the fairness, safety, and integrity of the female category in all IOC sporting disciplines.
- Athletes with XY chromosomes (biological males) and those with androgen-sensitive disorders of sexual development must compete in male categories.
- Exceptions may be made for athletes with conditions like complete androgen insensitivity syndrome who do not benefit from testosterone's anabolic effects.
- The policy was developed by a working group in response to controversies, including those surrounding boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting at Paris 2024.
- The IOC President, Kirsty Coventry, stated that it is unfair and sometimes unsafe for biological males to compete in the female category.

**Why it matters:** This decision marks a significant shift in Olympic eligibility criteria regarding transgender athletes, basing inclusion in the female category on biological markers rather than previous hormone-based guidelines.

inquirer.net - Transgender women athletes banned from women's Olympic events

EL PAÍS - El COI anuncia que solo las mujeres biológicas podrán participar en disciplinas femeninas

IOC Bans Transgender Women from Competing in Female Olympic Events

**Summary:** South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa was disinvited from the G7 summit in France, scheduled for June in Évian, due to continuous pressure from the United States. Pretoria claims the US threatened to boycott the event if South Africa attended.

**Key points:**
- The withdrawal of the invitation was announced by the South African presidency on Thursday, March 26.
- US pressure is reportedly linked to South Africa accusing Israel of genocide before the International Court of Justice and accusations of persecuting white farmers.
- French President Emmanuel Macron had personally invited Ramaphosa during the G20 summit in South Africa in November 2025.
- South Africa stated the decision would not affect the bilateral relationship with France.

**Why it matters:** This incident highlights significant diplomatic tension between the US and South Africa, impacting South Africa's participation in high-level international forums like the G7.

News24 | France withdraws Ramaphosa’s invitation to G7 summit due to US pressure

Sommet du G7 en France : Emmanuel Macron a annulé l’invitation de Cyril Ramaphosa, affirme l’Afrique du Sud

South Africa disinvited from G7 in France after US pressure: Pretoria

South Africa Disinvited from G7 Summit in France Amid US Pressure

**Summary:** The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) officially launched the inaugural cohort of its Accelerator Programme, bringing together eight high-potential startups for a kick-off week in Cairo from March 23-27, 2026. Selected from over 1,600 applications, these ventures focus on building digital infrastructure to scale intra-African trade.

**Key points:**
- Eight selected startups will receive investment up to US$250,000, complemented by mentorship and market access.
- Participating startups operate in sectors like cross-border payments, digital logistics, and supply chain finance.
- The programme aims to accelerate startup expansion across the continent, supporting the implementation of the AfCFTA agreement.
- The Cairo kick-off week included meetings with Afreximbank leadership, including President Dr. George Elombi.

**Why it matters:** This initiative positions Afreximbank as a key catalyst for Africa's trade and innovation ecosystem by providing structured support for scalable, continent-wide digital solutions.

allafrica.com - Afreximbank Launches Inaugural Accelerator Programme Cohort to Scale Africa's Digital Trade Ecosystem

Afreximbank Launches Inaugural Accelerator Programme Cohort in Cairo

google.com - Afreximbank Launches Inaugural Accelerator Programme Cohort to Scale Africa’s Digital Trade Ecosystem

**Summary:** Cabral Libii, a Cameroonian opposition deputy, revealed that the law extending the mandate of deputies beyond its constitutional term was adopted without a documented formal vote, challenging its legitimacy. The parliamentary debates showed four distinct positions, but no official count of raised hands or ballots exists.

**Key points:**
- The National Assembly of Cameroon adopted a law extending the mandate of deputies past its normal constitutional end.
- Libii noted that procedures require a vote by raised hands for ordinary laws, but no images or official count are available.
- The situation is framed by recurring postponement of legislative and municipal elections since 2007.
- Four distinct positions were expressed during debates, ranging from inevitability to formal opposition based on law.

**Why it matters:** The lack of a traceable, formal vote undermines the democratic legitimacy of the mandate extension, leading to questions about the validity of the elected officials' support.

camer.be - Prorogation des mandats au Cameroun : Cabral Libii révèle qu'il n'y a pas eu de vote

Cabral Libii claims no formal vote occurred for mandate prorogation in Cameroon

magazine.pagesjaunes.online - Procédure judiciaire : Plainte d’Abaa Oyono contre les services de sécurité

**Summary:** Several provinces in Morocco are expected to experience thunderstorms and hail until Friday, March 27, 2026. One report specifically mentions heavy rain in the suburbs of Marrakech.

**Key points:**
- Weather forecasts predict thunderstorms and hail across multiple Moroccan provinces.
- The severe weather is expected to last until Friday.
- Heavy rain was reported in the suburbs of Marrakech.

**Why it matters:** This weather event indicates potentially disruptive conditions across parts of Morocco, including heavy rain in the Marrakech area.

Quarte Bot