International news roundup: From South Africa’s ANC seeking a coalition partner to Trump’s guilty verdict

From South Africa’s ANC party losing its parliamentary majority, needing a coalition partner to former U.S. President Trump being found guilty on all 34 counts in a historic criminal trial, read a roundup of the most compelling news stories from Africa and beyond.

Here are some stories below:

The African National Congress seeks coalition partners

In the 29 May elections, 27.7 million people registered to vote, but only 16.2 million votes were cast, resulting in the lowest voter turnout in South Africa’s 30-year democratic history.

After all the ballots were counted, the ruling African National Congress received only 40.18 percent of the vote, short of a majority.

South Africa’s current president, 71-year-old Cyril Ramaphosa, has indicated he will not resign following the ANC’s poor performance at the polls.

Patoranking Foundation launches US$500,000 tech scholarship

Nigerian afrobeat and dancehall, musician Patoranking under his foundation, the Patoranking Foundation has announced the launch of a groundbreaking US$500,000 tech scholarship aimed at empowering young African talent.

Partnering with ALX Africa where 40 successful candidates will receive a scholarship for an ALX programme, as well as a paid internship opportunity with one of the world’s top tech companies.

The scholarship programme is designed to address the growing demand for skilled tech professionals in Africa and to bridge the gap in access to quality education and training in this field.

Zambian ex-first lady arrested on fraud charges

Esther LunguZambia’s former First Lady Esther Lungu and her daughter Chiyeso Katete have been arrested over possession of properties suspected to be proceeds of crime.

The two were arrested on Thursday in the capital, Lusaka, alongside another close relative identified as Charles Phiri, authorities said.

Lungu “failed to give a reasonable explanation” of how she acquired a US$30,000 (£24,000) estate in the capital, the state anti-drug agency said. Former President Edgar Lungu said the family would challenge the charges in court.

Donald Trump found guilty on all 34 counts in historic criminal trial

Former US President Donald Trump has been convicted on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in his historic criminal trial in New York.

It is the first time a former or serving US president has been convicted of a crime.

He will be sentenced on 11 July – the ex-president could face prison, but legal experts say a fine is the more likely outcome.

Trump calls the verdict a “disgrace” and attacks Judge Merchan, who presided over the case.

Billionaire plans new submersible expedition to Titanic following OceanGate incident

A real estate billionaire in Ohio is planning an underwater voyage to the site of the Titanic shipwreck, where a submersible imploded on its approach to the sea floor a year ago, killing all five passengers on board.

Larry Connor, 74, contacted Patrick Lahey, co-founder of Triton Submarines, and asked him to build a submarine that could safely and repeatedly reach the depths of the Titanic.

Connor plans to build a custom submarine that will reach depths of 13,000 feet and be called “The Explorer—Return to the Titanic.”

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