Ukrainian President Zelensky will visit Türkiye today to meet Turkish President Erdogan in Istanbul.

LATEST: U.S. Military Aircraf Losses

F-35 – 1 damaged

F-15E Strike Eagle – 4 total

A-10 Thunderbolt II – 1 shot down

E-3G Sentry (AWACS) – 1 destroyed

KC-135 tankers – 8 total (1 destroyed, 1 crashed, 1 damaged mid-air, 5 damaged on base)

MQ-9 Reaper drones – 17 shot down

Helicopters: UH-60 Black Hawk – 1 damaged
HH-60G Pave Hawk – 2 damaged
CH-47 Chinook – 1 destroyed

Source: EGYOSINT

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Ethiopia’s UN Vote on Israeli Settlement Sparks Criticism & Confusion at Home

Ethiopia voted 'NO' on UN Human Rights Council resolution condemning Israeli settlements in Palestine, sparking domestic backlash for shifting its decade long diplomatic stand. Critics say the shift is a blow to Ethiopia's historic resistance against colonialism & Apartheid.

READ MORE

New footage shows the moment of the bombing of Karaj Bridge by U.S.-Israeli airstrikes in Iran.

Iran’s state media says fishermen found wreckage of a downed U.S. MQ-9 Reaper near Bushehr, but OSINT analysts say it’s almost certainly not an MQ-9.

The debris appears to match a Chinese-made Wing Loong II, likely operated by a regional state such as Saudi Arabia or the UAE.

This is at least the second Wing Loong II wreckage found by Iranian forces.

Either Saudi Arabia or UAE is actively involved in operations against Iran along with U.S. and Israel.

Source: fab_hinz

Two U.S. HC-130J Combat King II rescue tankers departed Stuttgart Army Airfield and are heading toward the Middle East, strongly indicating the search for the missing F-15E crew member is still active and likely expanding.

The HC-130J is specifically used to support combat search-and-rescue, especially by refueling HH-60/Pave Hawk rescue helicopters in flight.

The UAE says it intercepted 23 ballistic missiles and 56 drones from Iran today (April 4).

Since this round of attacks began in late February, the UAE says it has intercepted 498 ballistic missiles, 23 cruise missiles, and 2,141 drones.

Clash Point host Isaac Eshetu sits with Prof. Carlos Lopes, former Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa and leading African political economist, to examine how the war involving Iran is reshaping Africa’s economic and geopolitical position.

• Is Africa part of the war?
• How is it Impacted?
• Is the shock temporary?

WATCH

Renowned Political Economist Prof. Carlos Lopes
 
Africa is part of the war somehow. South Africa took Israel to ICC along with others. Netanyahu is currently under court mandate.
 
Djibouti hosts multiple military bases, with access to Bab el Mandeb Strait, the alternative to Hormuz.
 
The entire region is seen as very important strategically by UAE, Saudi, Israel. That's why we see so much volatility in the horn.
 
Diego Garcia in Mauritius was used for the war, now contested by President Trump.
 
Africa has a number of dependencies from that region that will be exacerbated in the war.

FULL INTERVIEW

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:

Iran's position is being misrepresented by U.S. media.

We are deeply grateful to Pakistan for its efforts and have never refused to go to Islamabad.

What we care about are the terms of a conclusive and lasting END to the illegal war that is imposed on us.

Trump refers to NATO as “our severely weakened and extremely unreliable ‘partner.’”

Iran said it used a new air defense system to target a US fighter jet on Friday.

Budget Battle Begins: Trump Asks Congress $1.5 Trillion for War

Trump proposed a record $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027 amid Iran war, as costs reach $2B daily, sparking political backlash for rising debt & cuts on domestic spending.

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Iran says it used a drone to attack an Israel-linked ship in the Strait of Hormuz, causing a fire.

Iran’s Minister of Science:

So far, 30 universities have been targeted by the aggressors of the Israeli regime and the United States.

BREAKING: Trump:

Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT.

Time is running out - 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them.

Glory be to GOD!

NEW: U.S. federal agents arrested the niece and grandniece of Qasem Soleimani on Friday.

Search for the Pilot Continues: Iran Offers $ Bounty - Trump Threatens

Iran called on civilians to capture the missing pilot shot down from U.S. aircraft, offering bounty money, as Trump threatened 48 hours remain before "hell will reign down" on Iran if they don't accept the deal.

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Renowned Political Economist Prof. Carlos Lopes

Africa is going to suffer quite a bit the first year & recover in the next. It was surpassing Asia in levels of growth in GDP before the war. That will be delayed now.

The immediate impact will be supply due to our poor logistics.

But the mega trends are in favor of Africa. Demographics & climate change are in our favor.

Wealthy countries have accelerated aging but Africa happens to be the repository of young age. Intensity in technology & AI needs a market, which favors Africa.

FULL INTERVIEW

Senator Graham:

After speaking with Trump this morning, I am completely convinced that he will use overwhelming military force against the regime if they continue to impede the Strait of Hormuz and refuse a diplomatic solution to achieve our military objectives.

Turkish President Erdogan and Ukrainian President Zelensky meet in Istanbul.