Apple Inc. has announced that John Ternus will take over as chief executive officer, succeeding Tim Cook, who is stepping down after leading the company for 15 years.

Ternus, who currently heads hardware engineering and has spent 25 years at the company, is set to assume the role on 1 September. Cook will transition into the position of executive chairman.

Cook has served as CEO since 2011, when he took over from co-founder Steve Jobs, who resigned due to health challenges shortly before his passing.

He will remain in charge throughout the summer to ensure a smooth handover, after which he will continue supporting the company in selected areas, including engaging with global policymakers.

His decision to step down comes after months of speculation about leadership succession within Apple.

Reflecting on his time in charge, Cook described the role as the greatest honour of his career, during which he guided the company to become one of the most valuable in the world.

In 2018, Apple made history by becoming the first publicly traded company to reach a $1 trillion valuation. Today, its market value stands at approximately $4 trillion.

Cook praised Ternus as a forward-thinking leader, highlighting his engineering expertise, innovative mindset, and strong leadership qualities.

He expressed full confidence in Ternus’s ability to guide the company into its next phase.

Ternus had increasingly been viewed as a leading candidate for the top role, especially following the departure of longtime chief operating officer Jeff Williams.

Over his extensive career at Apple, Ternus has contributed to nearly all major product lines, including multiple generations of the iPad and iPhone, as well as the introduction of AirPods and the Apple Watch.

He also played a key role in transitioning Mac computers to Apple-designed processors.

Having previously worked closely with Jobs, Ternus acknowledged Cook as a mentor and expressed enthusiasm about the company’s future, saying he is optimistic about what lies ahead.

Burkina Faso’s leader, Ibrahim Traoré, has told citizens to “forget democracy,” arguing that the system is not suitable for the country at this time.

Speaking on state television, Traoré said Burkina Faso should not focus on elections but instead prioritise rebuilding the nation. His remarks follow the decision by the military government to dissolve all political parties in January 2026 and take control of their assets.

The 36-year-old leader, who came to power after a coup in 2022, has repeatedly postponed elections, citing ongoing jihadist attacks and instability.

He maintains that restoring security must come before any political transition.
Despite criticism, Traoré has recorded several achievements since taking office.

His administration has intensified military operations against armed groups, leading to the recovery of some territories previously controlled by insurgents. The government has also strengthened local defence units and increased recruitment into the armed forces.

In addition, Traoré has pushed for economic independence by promoting local production and reducing reliance on foreign influence.

His government has also invested in agriculture and small-scale industries to support food security and job creation.

However, critics argue that his recent statements signal a growing shift toward authoritarian rule. They warn that sidelining democratic processes could weaken governance and limit citizens’ rights.

Supporters, on the other hand, believe his approach is necessary, saying stability and security must come first before democratic reforms can take place.

United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed Army Chief of Staff General Randy A. George to step down with immediate effect, as tensions continue during the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran.

In a statement shared on X on Thursday night, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed that General George “will be retiring from his position,” although no explanation was provided for the sudden move during a period of active military engagement.

The 61-year-old general was appointed to the role in 2023 under former US President Joe Biden. Throughout his career, he served in several international deployments, including operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

During his tenure as chief of staff, he focused on streamlining army structures and advancing modern warfare capabilities, such as low-cost missile defence drones and artificial intelligence-driven targeting systems.