AFRICA WATCH. Africa and its strategic balance in Russia-Ukraine conflict
Foreign Policy, a weekly digest of national security, defense, and cybersecurity news, recently reported that Africa is under pressure from European diplomats, to not allow Russia to use them to “evade U.S. and European sanctions.” One should ask, what one had to do with the other? According to Bloomberg, on the day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, that the foreign...
Raúl holds fraternal meeting with Mexico’s President Andrés López Obrador
Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, on May 8, held a fraternal meeting with the president of the United Mexican States, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who was conducting a working visit to our country. The two leaders discussed the close relations shared by Mexico and Cuba, and recalled moments of our common history, especially the welcome and solidarity Cuban patriots have...
Slain Al Jazeera journalist was icon of Palestinian coverage
An Al Jazeera correspondent who was shot dead during an Israeli raid in the West Bank was a highly respected journalist in the Middle East whose unflinching coverage was known to millions of viewers. News of Shireen Abu Akleh’s death reverberated across the region. The 51-year-old journalist became a household name synonymous with Al Jazeera’s coverage of life under occupation during her...
Facebook sued in Kenya over work conditions for moderators
KAMPALA, Uganda—A man who says he is “destroyed” after working as a content moderator for Facebook has filed a lawsuit accusing the company of human trafficking Africans to work in an exploitative and unsafe facility in Kenya. The case against Meta Platforms, the Menlo Park, Calif. company that owns Facebook, and Sama, a San Francisco subcontractor, was lodged May 10...
Afghanistan: Nearly 20 million going hungry
Nearly 20 million people in Afghanistan—almost half the population—are facing acute hunger, humanitarians warned in a UN-backed report, published on May 9. The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis for the country also revealed a pocket of “catastrophic” levels of food insecurity in the northeast, affecting thousands. The analysis was conducted in January and February by partners who include the...
Sri Lanka orders troops to shoot those involved in violence
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka—Sri Lanka’s defense ministry ordered security forces on May 10 to shoot anyone causing injury to people or property to contain widespread arson and mob violence targeting government supporters. The order came after violent clashes a day earlier left eight people dead and prompted the resignation of the prime minister, who is blamed along with his brother, the...
Ambitions, plans of African Union Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat raising questions
The pretty bizarre exhortations by current Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Moussa Faki Mahamat and published in the daily Sudan Tribune, speaks to the ambitions of the former Chadian prime minister. The AU chairperson is a “ceremonial head” position, but Chairman Mahamat sometimes acts more like a chief potentate than a spokesperson representing 55 heads of African states. Born...
Powerful blast at Havana hotel kills at least 31, injures 54
HAVANA—A powerful explosion apparently caused by a natural gas leak killed at least 31 people and injured dozens when it blew away outer walls from a five-star hotel in the heart of Cuba’s capital. No tourists were staying at the 96-room Hotel Saratoga because it was undergoing renovations, Havana Gov. Reinaldo García Zapata told the Communist Party newspaper Granma. “It...
Reflecting on Ramadan
Muslims around the world observed and celebrated the conclusion of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, rejuvenation, service and renewed commitment to faith. Eid-ul-Fitr (Id-Al-Fitr) or “Festival of Renewal” or “Holiday/Festival of Breaking the Fast” celebrations took place in various Muslim communities. Families enjoyed communal prayers, food, fellowship, games and gifts for the children and much more. Eid...
Chinese national gets 20 years for abusing Rwandan worker
By Emmanuel Ali A Chinese businessman was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in Kigali, Rwanda, after a video of him beating a worker tied to a pole went viral last year. According to Associated Press and Agence France-Presse, Sun Shujun, 43, was the manager of a mine that produces cassiterite, the primary source of tin metal. The viral 45 second clip...