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In a recent address, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and also Chair of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, expressed deep concern regarding the potential implementation of a visa ban policy. He characterized this proposal as a significant setback for not just regional integration, but also trade and diplomatic relationships. This raises a crucial question: how can nations foster cooperation when faced with barriers that impede collaboration? Speaking at the inauguration of…

Ethiopia Raises Concerns Over Egyptian Military Presence in Somalia Mogadishu (AX) — Tensions in the Horn of Africa are escalating as Ethiopia’s chief military officer recently raised alarms regarding an increased military presence from Egypt in Somalia. This situation poses what Ethiopia considers a substantial threat to its national security, drawing attention from both regional observers and the international community. During a parliamentary briefing in Addis Ababa, Field Marshal Berhanu Jula, the Chief of…

US President Donald Trump has remarked that an Israeli strike on Iran "could very well happen." He referenced a senior Israeli official's comments to the Wall Street Journal, indicating that such military action might occur as soon as Sunday if Iran does not agree to halt its atomic bomb material production. This scenario has raised apprehensions that military action could trigger a wider regional conflict and retaliatory strikes from Iran. Mr. Trump, however, has expressed his desire for a peaceful resolution to the…

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has recently highlighted alarming developments regarding China's military ambitions, asserting that the nation is "credibly preparing" to use force to disrupt the balance of power in Asia. He emphasized that the United States is "here to stay" in the Indo-Pacific region. Hegseth shared these insights during an annual security forum in Singapore, amidst ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and Beijing over trade, technology, and geopolitical influence. Since taking office,…

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has sounded the alarm: a staggering number of individuals in West and Central Africa are grappling with unprecedented levels of hunger. Amidst a backdrop of armed conflict, widespread displacement, economic turmoil, and relentless extreme weather, the region teeters perilously on the edge of a humanitarian crisis. From June to August alone, over 36 million individuals faced challenges in meeting even their most basic food requirements. Alarmingly, projections indicate that this figure could…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently delivered a sobering message directed at the Federal Government of Nigeria, urging the nation to maintain a watchful eye amidst escalating global trade tensions and increasingly stringent financial conditions. The IMF’s caution arises from a significant concern: if global demand starts to falter, Nigeria could see a sharp decline in its earnings from commodity exports. This is particularly alarming for a country heavily reliant on such revenue streams. This stark warning was…

Zambia's Controversial Cybercrime Law: A Tipping Point for Privacy and Civil Liberties The recent advisory from the United States Embassy regarding Zambia's newly enacted cybercrime law has stirred quite a conversation, not just among diplomats, but also among everyday citizens. The law facilitates the monitoring of phone calls, emails, text messages, and even streamed content, all in the pursuit of identifying what the legislation refers to as “critical information.” But what does that really mean for the average Zambian…

In a bold assertion, Donald Trump has once again hinted at the possibility of pursuing a third term as President of the United States, a move that would challenge the two-term limit established by the U.S. Constitution. During an interview with NBC News, Trump maintained, "I'm not joking," when pressed for clarification regarding his ambition for another presidential term. He further stated, "There are methods that you could do it," suggesting that he has considered unconventional routes to reach his goal. At 78, Trump has…

Winnie Byanyima, the head of UNAIDS, has issued a stark warning: substantial funding cuts from the United States for global HIV initiatives could precipitate a catastrophic outcome. She estimates that, if the current trend persists, we could witness a staggering 6.3 million deaths and 8.7 million new infections within the next four years. This trajectory threatens to erase decades of hard-won progress in combating the epidemic. Since the funding freeze took effect in January, the ramifications have been immediate and dire.…

Egypt has firmly opposed recent initiatives aimed at establishing an alternative government in Sudan. The Egyptian authorities have underscored that such efforts pose a significant threat to the country's "unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity." In a region fraught with turmoil, Egypt's stance carries weight, especially given its vested interests in Sudan’s stability. For almost two years now, Sudan has been embroiled in a devastating conflict between the national army and the paramilitary group, known as the Rapid…