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   The UAE has announced the successful mediation of a new exchange of 150 war captives between Russia and Ukraine. This is the fourth such exchange facilitated by the UAE since the start of the conflict.   The UAE's distinct relations with both sides have enabled it to leverage its diplomatic channels to reach this agreement, underscoring the country's commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine crisis.  The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised the cooperation of the Russian and Ukrainian governments in responding to the UAE's mediation efforts. This demonstrates the UAE's role as a neutral facilitator in the conflict.  The UAE reaffirms its dedication to continued diplomacy, dialogue, and de-escalation to mitigate the humanitarian toll of the crisis. The country's active mediation efforts aim to support a peaceful solution. The UAE’s mediating role is particularly noteworthy. UAE officials have repeatedly facilitated contacts between Uk...

  In an election deemed the most significant in 30 years for their nation, South Africans began voting Wednesday in schools, community centers, and large white tents set up in open fields . This election could place the young democracy in uncharted territory. President Cyril Ramaphosa, accompanied by his wife Tshepo Motsepe, cast his vote in the Soweto Johannesburg township. The African National Congress (ANC), which has dominated for three decades and led South Africa out of apartheid in 1994, now faces a new generation's discontent in a nation of 62 million people, half of whom are said to live in poverty. With an unemployment rate of 32%, Africa’s most developed economy reflects some of the most severe socioeconomic issues worldwide. Despite its slogan of "a better life for all," the persistent inequality—with poverty and joblessness disproportionately affecting the black majority—threatens the ANC's hold on power. After six consecutive national election victories,...

  Originally included in the October last year standard immunization campaign, the HPV vaccination—developed to help prevent cervical cancer—was then rolled out to most Nigerian states on Monday. Health professionals participated in a campaign to alert local villages in the southwest Oyo state of the country about the vaccination. “We have heard about cervical cancer before now, and we are aware of the disease it causes. That’s why I asked my daughter to go get vaccinated as a preventive measure,” said Ramotalai Awoniran, following her daughter’s vaccination. Nowadays, the HPV vaccination is offered all throughout the nation. According to the United Nations, cervical cancer ranks as the third most common cancer in Nigeria and the second most often occurring cause of cancer mortality among women aged between 15 and 44 years. In the most recent year for which statistics are available, 2020 saw 12,000 new cervical cancer cases and 8,000 fatalities registered for the nation. Unlike oth...

   In 2023, UAE-Africa ties reached a peak with Abu Dhabi's $4.5 billion clean energy investment pledge.   From 2012-2022, the UAE committed a total of $60 billion, making it the 4th largest foreign investor in Africa behind China, Europe and the US.  The UAE remains the top Gulf investor in Africa, followed by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait.   Africa attracts UAE investment while over 21,000 African companies have established operations in the UAE.  Programs like ANJE-ANGOLA support women entrepreneurs, receiving UAE funding for over 4,000 business projects.   Infrastructure upgrades in Morocco for events like CAN 2025 and 2030 World Cup aim to boost tourism and economic growth nationally.

  Chad Swears in President Mahamat Deby Itno Amid Contentious Elections N'Djamena, Chad — Following the elections on May 6, which marked the end of three years of military rule, Chad has inaugurated Mahamat Deby Itno as its president . The election, however, remains controversial, with significant disagreements regarding its validity. Mahamat Deby Itno, the son of the late Idriss Deby Itno, assumed power after his father's assassination in 2021 during combat with rebels, ending a thirty-year rule. The elections, postponed multiple times, were intended to restore democratic governance in the country. Just a day before the inauguration, Deby's primary opponent, Succès Masra, resigned from his position as prime minister. Masra, a longtime critic of Deby's extended rule, had previously left Chad in 2022 due to his involvement in anti-government protests but returned last year to serve as prime minister. Masra challenged the election results, claiming victory, but his appeal...

  Africa – There will be a full calendar of elections on the continent in 2024 with 19 nations scheduled to hold presidential or general elections. Closely regulated voting procedures and very competitive multiparty races are features of these elections. Crucially, two thirds of these elections are planned for the last quarter of the year. Whereas in certain  southern African countries  a single party has always dominated, power-sharing coalitions may emerge, others may see their first changes in power. This phenomenon maybe signals the emergence of multiparty democracy and encourages political innovation. A number of the Sahelian countries that have experienced coups recently have elections planned as part of their pledges to return to  civilian administration . The manner and timing of these elections will greatly influence the future governance of the area as well as its ongoing security concerns. About half of the elections are expected to be uncompetitive becau...

  Pretoria, Republic of South Africa – The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, recently announced that he has requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Republic of South Africa – The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, recently announced that he has requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and three senior Hamas leaders on charges of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. The South African presidency has welcomed this development. South Africa, a long-time supporter of Palestinian rights, recently brought a case against Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing it of genocide—an allegation Israel vehemently denies. The ICC's action aligns with South Africa’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, reflecting its commitment to international justice. Both Hamas and Israeli representatives ha...

  Revealing the Hidden Wildlife Treasures of South Africa: Tswalu Kalahari Reserve Beyond the well-traveled routes, there are hidden gems in South Africa, renowned for its famous “Big 5” safaris in well-known national parks like Kruger. As evidence of this, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve provides discriminating tourists with an insight into the captivating realm of Africa’s unique and unusual fauna. Learning about Tswalu Kalahari Reserve Over 100,000 hectares of Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, tucked away in the southern Kalahari, make it the biggest private game reserve in South Africa. Tswalu, unlike its more popular cousins, is still remote and provides a special haven for wildlife lovers looking for unusual experiences. Amazing Animal Encounters Animal lovers will find heaven in Tswalu Reserve, a sanctuary for uncommon and elusive species. Here guests can see meerkats in their native habitat, walk among black-maned Kalahari lions, and be in awe of Desert black rhinos. Every minute in Tswalu ...

  Government forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo foiled an attempted coup on Saturday night, leaving the country tense as officials work to restore order and investigate those involved. “The security and defense forces have put down an attempted coup d’état. Congolese and foreigners participated in the attempt,” said Brigadier General Sylvain Ekenge, spokesperson for the Congolese army. “These foreigners and Congolese have been put out of action, including their leader.” He assured the public that the situation was under control. The coup attempt occurred amid political unrest in President Felix Tshisekedi’s party due to a postponed parliamentary leadership election. The unstable political environment heightened concerns. Clashes were reported near the presidential palace, with armed men breaking into the home of Vital Kamerhe, a legislator and contender for Speaker of the National Assembly. Two police officers and one attacker were killed. By Sunday, Kinshasa appeared ...

  The public’s tolerance for the ruling African National Congress (ANC), which has ruled since the end of apartheid thirty years ago, will be put to the test in South Africa’s May 29 election. Polls indicate that President Cyril Ramaphosa and his party may lose more than 50% of the national vote for the first time as they struggle to hold onto their parliamentary majority. Even with the predicted drop in support, the ANC is still predicted to win the majority of the vote. To keep in power and guarantee Ramaphosa’s second term as president, it will, however, need to build a coalition in the absence of an absolute majority. With the recent municipal coalition government failures, this change may bring new challenges. A political expert at Tshwane University of Technology, Dr. Levy Ndou, warned against the volatility that coalition governments may bring. “Coalitions in various metros have shown that they often lack principle, which could lead to further instability in South Africa,” N...

  A significant turning point in  South Africa’s healthcare  reform efforts has been reached with the formal signing into law of a bill aimed at universal health coverage by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Speaking at the Union Buildings in Pretoria signing ceremony , Ramaphosa hailed the legislation as an essential first step toward establishing a more egalitarian society, particularly in view of the impending fiercely competitive election that is only two weeks away. Ramaphosa emphasized how urgently reform is required and criticized the fragmented and unsustainable nature of the existing healthcare infrastructure. He also characterized the current system as ineffective. The National Health Insurance (NHI) Act tackles the current two-tier health system, which has resulted in a significant percentage of the population being underserved. At the same time, the act offers increased treatment alternatives for individuals who have private insurance. With the new law, private insur...

  Premier league charts are staying volatile and the reason behind that is the craziness with which football is being played in the field . The 90 plus added extra time that fans come in to watch are full of uncertainties and excitement. This was the same energy during today’s match that took place in London between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.  Press Conference before match Before the match, Man City coach Pep Guardiola said “history is in front of us”, as he prepared his team for a blinder of a match. Tottenham is one of the most difficult teams to beat seeing Son’s performances with the ball. The South Korean football star is brilliant in the runups he takes to lead his team and often scores when his right foot comes to play.   Match Timeline But today his magic spell failed in front of Walker and his men although he tried his level best in order to take it away from City. The match started with Hotspur kicking the ball off while city fans cheered for th...

  The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will hold public hearings on May 16–17 in reaction to South Africa’s urgent appeal for more action in light of the continuous Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and Rafah. The South African delegation will be heard by the UN’s main judicial body, which has its headquarters in The Hague, on Thursday; the Israeli side will be heard on Friday. Citing the worsening conditions in Gaza, especially in Rafah where a sizable population is seeking safety from the fighting, South Africa submitted the urgent appeal with the International Court of Justice on May 10. The Israeli army’s recent invasion into the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, which essentially closed off Gazan Palestinians‘ access to the outside world, made the ICJ admit that the earlier temporary remedies were insufficient in addressing the changing circumstances. The serious scenario made South Africa stress how urgently further steps must be taken to lessen the humanitarian catastrop...

  Al Hilal, the Gulf kingdom's powerhouse, clinched their fourth Saudi Professional League title in five years , thwarting Cristiano Ronaldo's bid with Al Nasr, who trailed by 12 points. This victory marks the 19th domestic title for the Saudi football giants. Neymar, absent due to injury, rejoiced in his Al Hilal teammates' triumph in the Saudi Arabian league and eagerly anticipated his return for the upcoming season. The Brazilian sensation, who joined Al Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, sustained a cruciate ligament tear while on international duty, sidelining him for the season after contributing three assists in three appearances. Expressing his joy at the title celebrations following Al Hilal's 4-1 victory over Al Hazm, Neymar emphasized his excitement to reunite with the team on the field next season, acknowledging the incredible support from the fans. Al Hilal secured the league title with three matches remaining, boasting an impressive record of 29 w...

  Egypt has officially announced its intention to join South Africa in supporting the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) genocide complaint against Israel, which was initiated by South Africa in January. The complaint alleges that Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip violate its obligations under the Genocide Convention. According to the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Egypt decided to join the lawsuit primarily due to the increasing violence against Palestinians by Israel. The ministry strongly condemned Israel's attacks on Gaza, which have resulted in a significant number of casualties, particularly among women and children, as reported by Palestinian authorities. The ICJ has already made an interim decision acknowledging the potential for genocide in Gaza and directing Israel to take temporary measures to prevent such crimes. However, Israel's ongoing military operations in Gaza continue to raise concerns in other countries. Egypt's decision to join Turkey a...

  The Foreign Minister penned a letter to the Security Council, urging the conclusion of a decade-long UN political mission aiding Somalia in peacebuilding , security reforms, and democracy. Reuters was informed by three unnamed UN sources that the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), consisting of 360 members, was surprised by the request to depart upon the expiration of its mandate in October. Despite enduring hostility since 1991, including a twenty-year insurgency by Al Qaeda-affiliated militants, Somali authorities have endeavored to restore services and provide some level of security. Nevertheless, the Horn of Africa nation, home to 17 million people, remains one of the most perilous and impoverished in the world. In addition to the political initiative, there exists a UN-mandated African Union peacekeeping mission, set to conclude this year and involving a minimum of 10,000 troops. The authenticity of the May 5 letter, which gained traction on social media o...

  The Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria extended an invitation to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, to attend a sporting event he established for injured military veterans, known as the Invictus Games. The royal couple arrived at Abuja's Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Friday morning, marking their visit following Harry's recent journey to the UK for the 10th anniversary celebration of the Invictus Games. Despite extending invitations to members of his family, such as his father King Charles, brother Prince William, and sister-in-law Kate Middleton for a service at St Paul’s Cathedral, none of them were in attendance. Meghan accompanied Harry, and together they traveled to Nigeria. On their itinerary for Friday, the couple will tour a school and hold a meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff. Additionally, Harry plans to visit injured military personnel at a military hospital. Saturday's schedule includes their attendance at a training...

  Uganda is set to fully realize its tourist potential in a world where curiosity and travel are prevalent. The Pearl of  Africa Tourism  Expo , scheduled for May 23–25, 2024, is projected to be a watershed moment for Uganda, raising public awareness. This expo is an economic growth, cultural interchange, and sustainable practices stimulant that we cannot afford to miss. The tourism expo creates an endless amount of options. By uniting important participants from the local and international tourist sectors, it offers businesses a unique opportunity to highlight their innovations, attractions, and special offers. From the breathtaking natural beauties that Sir Winston Churchill dubbed the “pearl of Africa” to our colorful cultural experiences, this exhibition will present to the globe the diverse fabric of Ugand’s appeal. Let us not undervalue the economic effects of this historic occasion. More jobs for our people, more money for regional enterprises like  Uganda Air...

  On Monday, Kenya and Somalia signed an agreement regarding the two countries’ cooperation in political consultations, education, and defense. Musalia Mudavadi, who is also the cabinet secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, stated in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that the three bilateral instruments aim to further consolidate bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries. Mudavadi is also the cabinet secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs. It was during the third session of the Kenya-Somalia joint commission for cooperation (JCC) that Mudavadi made the statement that “the agreement was possible because of the dedication by our technical officials to address issues amicably.” As an additional point of interest, Mudavadi stated that Kenya and Somalia have a very special relationship, not only because they share a border but also because they have a strong and continued partnership. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperat...

  Madonna graced the famed Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro with a free concert, attracting throngs of devoted fans. The 65-year-old pop sensation exclaimed, "Rio, here we are in the most beautiful place in the world," kicking off the electrifying show. This event marked the climax of Madonna's Celebration Tour, celebrating her four-decade-long journey in the music industry. Approximately 1.6 million fans converged to witness the legendary singer's performance, highlighting the grandeur of the occasion. Anticipation built for hours, fueled by Madonna's Instagram post asking, "Are you ready?" The atmosphere crackled with excitement as fans danced to her hits emanating from the stage speakers well before the star's arrival. The concert itself was a historic spectacle, featuring multiple set and costume changes alongside breathtaking lighting effects. Madonna thrilled the audience with unforgettable renditions of classics like "Nothing Really Ma...

  Princess Charlotte has turned nine , and to mark the occasion a new photo has been released showing the young princess growing up. Her parents, The Prince and Princess of Wales, posted the new image on their social media accounts on Charlotte’s birthday, 2 May. In the picture, Princess Charlotte is wearing a blue shirt, red cardigan and leaning against a chain link fence adorned with flowers. Eagle-eyed royal enthusiasts were quick to point out the subtle tribute to Queen Elizabeth in the photo, the flowers featured in the photograph are Clematis Elizabeth, one of the first florets named after the late Queen, according to Gardens Illustrated. The birthday girl grinned at the camera while leaning on a bush. She paired a navy sweater and a maroon cardigan with a denim skirt and tights. In the photo, taken in recent days by her mother Kate, Charlotte, the couple’s second child, appears all smiles in the garden of their Windsor home. “Happy 9th birthday, Princess Charlotte!” reads th...

  While Jadon Sancho's performance for Borussia Dortmund against PSG was impressive , it's premature to push for his inclusion in the Euros or his return to Manchester United. Sancho has faced significant challenges in the past two years, and it's important not to add unnecessary pressure on him. Following the game, Sancho's interview with Jamie Carragher on CBS Sports stood out. Carragher, who had consumed eight pints of beer during the match, conducted a lively yet somewhat bewildering interview. This interview encapsulated the chaotic and distracting elements that have affected Sancho's career, with voiceovers and Sancho appearing somewhat uncomfortable in the spotlight. One of the questions raised during the interview concerned Sancho's hopes of being recalled to the England national team for the Euros. While Sancho responded appropriately, the question brings up various issues and detracts from the current reality of Sancho and England's situation. Suc...

  Ethiopia at the Crossroads’ at Peabody Essex Museum explores a rich tapestry of art spanning over 2,000 years. Banner Arts & Culture Presented by Cruz Companies There is a single country that can proudly assert itself as the cradle of humanity. This country today is home to more than 75 ethnicities and has the unique distinction of being the only African nation to resist colonial rule. Ethiopia has a rich history as one of the world’s oldest nations, acting as a meeting point for various cultures and religions in ancient times. The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem proudly showcases this extensive and fascinating history. The “Ethiopia at the Crossroads” exhibition, currently on display until July 7, is part of a traveling exhibition that began at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore and will conclude at the Toledo Museum of Art. The exhibition features over 200 objects that span 2,000 years, showcased in five galleries. The collection includes a variety of items, such as processi...