FGM: United Nations boss Antonio Guterres launches plan to tackle ‘baked-in bias’ in Kenya
The UN chief also launched a plan to boost empowerment of women and girls around the world on Friday, unveiling details at a meeting commemorating International Women’s Day on the theme of investing in women and girls.
Port-au-Prince residents report heavy gunfire as Haiti opposition scrambles to form coalition against gangs
Haiti remained largely paralysed on Wednesday, with schools and businesses still closed amid heavy gunfire blamed on the gangs that control an estimated 80 per cent of the capital, Port-au-Prince. The country’s two biggest prisons were raided, resulting in the release of more than 4,000 inmates over the weekend.
Why schoolchildren are favourite fodder for abductors in northern Nigeria as region’s security crisis deepens
The kidnappings take place in the country’s troubled northern region, where relentless violence by insurgent Islamic militant organisations and by bandit groups with no particular ideology have crumbled communities and killed thousands of people.
Moscow on ‘red alert’ as US embassy in Russia warns of imminent attack by Islamic State extremists
Most Western countries advise against all travel to Russia and say their citizens should leave. The US has the highest level of warning for Russia – red “4 – Do not travel” – the same level as Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, South Sudan and Iran.
Russia changes Wagner mercenaries’ name to Africa Corps as Putin targets firmer grip on African politics, economies
Russia’s move to create the Africa Corps can be analysed from two possibly overlapping perspectives. First, by controlling Africa Corps, Moscow could be trying to avoid past mistakes. Wagner’s autonomy and power led to a supremacy battle between Prigozhin and senior Russian defence officials, which boiled over in an unsuccessful insurrection that saw Wagner soldiers marching on Moscow in June 2023. Second, aligning Africa Corps’ operations with Russia’s foreign policy, security interests and international commitments could be part of the country’s long-term military strategy in Africa.
Biden blasts Trump, Republicans for denying January 6 attack on Capitol Hill subverted US constitution
The greater thrust of his remarks focused on Trump, although Biden did not mention him by name. Biden opened by declaring democracy under threat at home and abroad and criticising Trump for inviting Putin to invade NATO nations if they did not spend more on defence.
Ramadhan with a difference: Muslims in Gaza to fast against grim setting of Israeli bombs
Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, along with the profession of faith, prayer, almsgiving and pilgrimage. Muslims see various meanings and lessons in observing the fast.
How technology is changing West African coast from piracy hub and illegal fishing paradise to safe haven
Since the Yaoundé Code of Conduct was signed in 2013, there has been some progress. As we found in a new study, tech-driven tools have been playing a vital role in addressing security threats at sea in west and central African countries.
UN says Haiti’s deteriorating security has compromised healthcare as government extends state of emergency
Authorities first announced a state of emergency on Sunday after fighting escalated, inmates were broken out of prison by armed gangs, and an estimated tens of thousands were displaced while Prime Minister Ariel Henry was in Kenya, seeking its leadership of an international force intended to fight the gangs.
Gunmen suspected to be herders abduct 290 students in latest raid on schools in Nigeria’s Kaduna State
Authorities had said earlier that more than 100 students were taken hostage in the attack. Sani Abdullahi, the headteacher, however, told Kaduna Governor Uba Sani when he visited the town that the total number of those missing after a headcount was 287.
