HARARE, Zimbabwe – Zambia accuses the U.S. of linking a $2 billion health assistance deal to access to its rich mineral resources. Zambia’s foreign affairs minister calls the outgoing U.S. ambassador’s corruption allegations “mischievous” and “undiplomatic.” The U.S. aims to reshape aid to Africa into transactional agreements, while challenging China’s influence. Talks have stalled in Zambia over U.S. demands for data-sharing and preferential treatment for U.S. companies. Critics warn this approach risks creating a parallel global health system and using health as a bargaining chip. The U.S. says its strategy reduces donor dependency and promotes local ownership.
NEW YORK – Recent court rulings on abortion pill access have reignited a contentious political issue in a midterm year. A federal appeals court restricted mail access to mifepristone pills, a common abortion method. The Supreme Court then temporarily restored access on Monday. It’s too early to say whether the rulings will affect the outcome of races this year, when issues around affordability are expected to take top billing for voters. But advocates on both sides hope it will sway voters their way. Some abortion rights groups are strategizing ways to reach voters who may be more motivated to turn out for Democrats. Abortion opponents warn their typically loyal Republican voters are frustrated the Trump administration hasn’t done more to ban abortion.
ATLANTA – The Justice Department is seeking the names of every person who worked in the 2020 election in Georgia’s Fulton County, a Democratic stronghold Donald Trump has accused of widespread voter fraud he falsely says cost him victory against Joe Biden in the state that year. Lawyers for the county filed a motion Monday to quash a grand jury subpoena requesting the information. The action follows the FBI’s January seizure of ballots and documents from the county. The county’s lawyers argue the subpoena is meant to target the Republican president’s political opponents and is overly broad. Trump still insists the 2020 election was stolen from him even though judges and his own attorney general concluded otherwise.
BEIRUT – Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon have killed at least seven people and wounded others. On Saturday, the Israeli military demolished parts of a Catholic convent in a border village. Israel has issued a warning for residents of nine southern villages to evacuate. Despite a ceasefire since April 17, Israel and Hezbollah have continued their attacks. The Catholic Church disputes Israeli claims that the convent was used for military purposes. Over the past weeks, the Israeli army has been leveling neighborhoods near the Lebanese-Israeli border. The conflict began on March 2.
– The Associated Press
