Saudi Arabia spearheads Arab scramble for alternative options to Trump’s Gaza plan
The latest Egyptian proposal involves forming a national Palestinian committee to govern Gaza without Hamas involvement, international participation in reconstruction without displacing Palestinians abroad, and movement towards a two-state solution, three Egyptian security sources said.
Kenya’s finance minister downplays US foreign funding freeze, says economic outlook is positive
Principal Secretary of State Department for National Treasury, Dr Chris Kiptoo, reiterated that the diversified economy and resilience have enabled the GDP to remain one of the highest in the world because the world growth rate is around three percent with sub-Saharan Africa representing 3.7 per cent and our GDP is around 5 per cent.
Why Trump views Africa as key to repulsing China influence, degrading Islamists and restoring hope among Christians
Counterterrorism efforts also featured prominently in Hegseth’s discussions. He underscored the importance of counterterrorism efforts in Africa. He pointed to the February 1 US airstrikes against ISIS targets in Somalia as an example of the military’s ongoing role in stabilising the region. Coordinated with the Federal Government of Somalia, the strikes reflect what he described as a necessary shift in decision-making authority to field commanders.
Trump and Modi agree to work towards deal to resolve trade concerns in wake of tariffs standoff
It’s not clear whether the case of billionaire Gautam Adani came up in the talks after his indictment by the US Justice Department in November over an alleged bribery scheme. Adani hails from Modi’s western state of Gujarat and his Adani Group runs several key infrastructure projects across the globe.
UNICEF reports M23 rebels, government forces raped 572 children in a week in eastern Congo
Health facilities in the restive region reported during the week from January 27 to February 2 a total of 572 rape cases – more than a fivefold increase compared to the week before, Lianne Gutcher, UNICEF’s communication chief in Congo, said. Of those, 170 of those treated were children, she added.
Kenya’s health minister says the nation remains on high alert to fight emerging diseases in East Africa
Health Director General Patrick Amoth announced that the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) has been activated, and the existing Mpox task force repurposed to manage the Ebola response, with both national and county Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) on heightened alert.
Why South Sudan’s ‘central bank in exile’ in Kenya elicits interest for fraud as world’s youngest nation burns
While President William Ruto may have inherited some of the dealings from his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, Tell found a link to the current regime to a foundation associated with the first family – the Eldoret-based Samoei Ruto Foundation, senior official (name withheld) reportedly who “now is a “secretary” supporting presidential advisers.” The extent of the Samoei Ruto Foundation’s chief executive’s involvement is not clear given her designation’s nebulousness.
Trump ‘golden age’ divides Republicans as they look for unity on taxes despite having majority in Senate, House of Representatives
Several House Republicans said their conference is considering a partisan continuing resolution or CR, that would keep funding flat for the remainder of fiscal 2025, which ends September 30, while they look to other legislation including fiscal 2026 appropriations to cut spending and eliminate Biden-era policies
Trump terms USAID ‘incompetent and corrupt’ as agency’s watchdog is fired for criticising new administration
Hundreds of USAID programmes across the globe representing billions of dollars of US assistance came to a halt after US President Donald Trump on January 20 ordered a freeze on most US foreign aid, saying he wanted to ensure it was aligned with his “America First” policy.
South African currency holds firm stable as Trump promises more tariffs on minerals
South Africa’s benchmark 2030 government bond was weaker, with the yield up 3.5 basis points to 9.1 per cent. On the stock market, the Top-40 index closed up about 0.4 per cent.
