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Focus Nigeria-
How can public hospitals be improved to serve the poor better?
Improving public hospitals to better serve the poor requires a comprehensive strategy that addresses the core issues of funding, infrastructure, human resources, efficiency, and patient-centered care.
For a country like Nigeria, where the majority of the population relies on public healthcare and poverty is widespread, these improvements are vital for national development and social equity.

Here's a detailed approach:

I. Increased and Transparent Funding:

Allocate More Budgetary Resources: Governments at federal, state, and local levels must significantly increase the percentage of their budgets allocated to healthcare, aiming to meet or exceed international recommendations (e.g., the Abuja Declaration's 15%).

Targeted Funding for the Poor: Earmark specific funds for initiatives that directly benefit low-income patients, such as subsidized or free essential services, medications, and diagnostic tests for those who cannot afford them.

Strengthen Health Insurance Schemes (e.g., NHIS):

Expand Coverage: Aggressively expand the reach of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to cover a larger portion of the informal sector and vulnerable populations, potentially through community-based health insurance models or state-led initiatives.

Subsidies for the Poor: Implement government subsidies or premium support for low-income households to ensure they can afford health insurance contributions.

Streamline Processes: Simplify the enrollment and claims processes for the poor to reduce bureaucratic hurdles.

Combat Corruption and Ensure Accountability:

Implement robust financial management systems, regular audits, and strict anti-corruption measures within public hospitals to prevent embezzlement and ensure funds are used for their intended purpose.

Introduce performance-based funding where hospitals receive additional funds based on patient outcomes, efficiency, and satisfaction.

II. Infrastructure and Equipment Upgrade:

Renovation and Modernization: Invest in systematic renovation and modernization of existing public hospital buildings to create clean, safe, and dignified environments.

Equip with Modern Technology: Provide essential, functional diagnostic and treatment equipment (e.g., X-ray machines, ultrasound scanners, laboratory equipment, essential surgical tools). Ensure maintenance contracts and availability of spare parts.

Reliable Utilities: Guarantee constant access to clean water, reliable electricity (invest in solar power as a sustainable backup), and proper waste management systems in all public hospitals.

Basic Amenities: Ensure availability of basic amenities like clean restrooms (separate for male/female), comfortable waiting areas, and proper ventilation.

III. Human Resources Development and Motivation:

Adequate Staffing: Recruit and retain a sufficient number of qualified doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, and other support staff to reduce workload and improve patient-to-staff ratios.

Competitive Remuneration and Welfare: Offer attractive and timely salaries, allowances, and a comprehensive benefits package (including health insurance and pensions) to stem the brain drain and motivate staff.

Continuous Professional Development (CPD): Provide regular training opportunities to upgrade skills, keep staff abreast of new medical advancements, and improve patient communication.

Ethical Conduct and Empathy Training: Conduct mandatory training on medical ethics, patient rights, empathy, and respectful communication, particularly towards low-income patients who may feel disempowered.

Performance Incentives: Introduce performance-based incentives for staff tied to patient satisfaction, quality of care, and efficiency, rather than just volume.

Safety and Security: Enhance security measures within hospital premises to protect staff from harassment or violence.

IV. Operational Efficiency and Patient-Centered Care:

Streamline Processes: Implement efficient patient flow systems, from registration to consultation, diagnosis, and treatment, to reduce long waiting times and bureaucratic bottlenecks.

Digitalization (Electronic Health Records - EHR):

Implement EHR systems to improve record-keeping, reduce errors, enhance data sharing among departments, and enable better patient tracking.

Digitalize appointment scheduling and billing to minimize human interface and reduce opportunities for corruption.

Focus on Primary Healthcare (PHC): Strengthen the referral system from PHC centers to secondary and tertiary public hospitals. Well-equipped and staffed PHCs can manage common ailments, reducing the burden on hospitals and making basic care accessible at the community level.

Culturally Sensitive Care: Train staff to understand and respect the cultural beliefs and practices of diverse patient populations, which can influence health-seeking behaviors.

Patient Feedback Mechanisms: Establish accessible and confidential channels for patients to provide feedback, lodge complaints, and make suggestions for improvement. Use this feedback to drive continuous improvement.

Transparency and Information: Clearly display service costs (if any), patients' rights, and grievance procedures. Provide clear information about treatment plans in a language patients understand.

V. Innovative Service Delivery Models:

Mobile Clinics and Outreach Programs: Implement mobile health clinics that travel to underserved rural communities, providing basic diagnostic, preventive, and primary care services, as well as health education.

Telemedicine: Leverage telemedicine for remote consultations, specialist opinions, and follow-ups, particularly for patients in remote areas where specialists are scarce. This can reduce travel costs and time for patients.

Community Health Workers (CHWs): Train and deploy CHWs from within the communities to act as a link between the community and the health system, providing basic health education, screening, and facilitating referrals.

Partnerships with NGOs and CSOs: Collaborate with non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations that have experience in delivering healthcare to underserved populations.

By implementing these strategies, public hospitals can move towards becoming trusted, accessible, and high-quality healthcare providers for all, especially the most vulnerable members of society.

What’s At Stake In U.S.-India Military Ties As ‘Defining Partnership’ Of 21st Century Under Tremendous Strain?
While former U.S. President Joe Biden hailed the Indo-U.S. relationship as the “defining partnership of the 21st century,” many perceive President Donald Trump’s tenure as having strained this bond, which had enjoyed consistent bipartisan support and steady growth over the past 25 years.

Strategic elites both in India and the United States wonder whether Trump’s sudden animosity towards India is due to his weaponization of trade tariffs or it goes beyond to include other reasons, including personal diatribe against his “friend” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “betraying him” by denying his contribution towards ending the recent India-Pakistan skirmishes, thus weakening his endeavour to attain the cherished goal of a Nobel Peace Prize.

On the other hand, for the first time in recent history, President Trump’s actions, statements, and coercive tone have made relations with the United States an explosive domestic political issue in India.

The opposition, the media, and the Indian public are pressurizing the Modi government to avoid showing any weakness whatsoever before the American threat. Increasingly, the U.S. is seen now in India as an unreliable partner.

Trump’s sudden “hostility” towards India seemingly has fallouts on many dimensions of the bilateral relationship, including the one on the hitherto growing military ties, which the following paragraphs will be confined to.

After all, “security” has been one of the most important pillars in the Indo-US relationship, as evidenced by the numerous defense projects, initiatives, and agreements in recent years. Will there be a pause in all this, as has been the case in trade, now that India is a friend-turned foe for President Trump?

It is a very difficult question to answer, though unconfirmed reports suggest that India is re-examining some of the military deals agreed upon earlier, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh may not undertake his scheduled visit this month to Washington to conclude some major arms deals.

However, an attempt has been made below to compile the range of security cooperation and agreements between the two countries over the last few years that now face an uncertain future. This is based on the official data and statements of both India and the United States.

To begin with, it should be noted that defense cooperation between India and the United States is multifaceted. It includes regular institutionalized bilateral dialogue, military exercises, and defense procurements.

At the apex of dialogue mechanisms is the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue co-chaired by the Minister of External Affairs and Minister of Defence and the U.S. Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense. This dialogue guides on political, military, and strategic issues.

In the U.S., the Defense Policy Group (DPG), headed by the Defense Secretary and Under Secretary of Defense (Policy), provides a platform for a comprehensive review of defense dialogues/mechanisms.

India-US defense cooperation is said to be based on “New Framework for India-US Defense Cooperation”, which was renewed for ten years in 2015.

In 2016, the defense relationship was designated as a Major Defence Partnership (MDP). On 30 July 2018, India was moved into Tier 1 of the U.S. Department of Commerceʼs Strategic Trade Authorization license exception. It allows India to receive license-free access to a wide range of military and dual-use technologies.

The two countries have concluded important defense agreements that provide the framework for interaction and cooperation.

These are: Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (2016); Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (2018); Industrial Security Agreement (2019); and Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (2020) and Memorandum of Intent for Defense Innovation Cooperation (2018); and Security of Supplies Arrangement (SOSA) and Memorandum of Agreement regarding the Assignment of Liaison Officers (2024).

It may be noted that before 2008, U.S.-India defense trade was relatively limited, involving modest U.S. sales of naval helicopters and counter-battery radars in the mid-2000s.

In 2007, the United States provided India with an amphibious transport dock ship under the U.S. Excess Defense Articles program. The combined cost of these three deals was roughly $233 million.

However, since 2008, India has contracted for at least $24 billion worth of U.S.-origin defense articles, purchasing items through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and the Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) processes.

Major U.S. sales since 2008 include transport and maritime aircraft; transport, maritime, and attack helicopters; anti-ship missiles; and howitzers, among others. India is now the largest operator of C-17 Globemaster heavy transport and P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft outside of the United States.

In late 2024, the U.S. Congress was notified of a possible FMS to India of 30 advanced radio systems and other support equipment worth an estimated $1.17 billion for India’s Seahawk naval helicopters, with a goal of upgrading India’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities.

Other proposed sales include ASW sonobuoys, turbofans for indigenously produced Indian combat aircraft, and additional MK 54 torpedoes, Hellfire anti-tank missiles, and Excalibur guided artillery rounds. The United States also offers India advanced combat aircraft such as the F-21 Fighting Falcon and potentially the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II.

The two countries launched a bilateral Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) in 2023 to expand strategic technology and defense industrial cooperation (this was redubbed as INDUS Innovation in early 2025).

At the time, Ohio-based General Electric issued an unprecedented proposal to produce its advanced F414 jet engine in India jointly.

India has also approved the procurement of 31 armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian and SkyGuardian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) built by California-based General Atomics for as much as $4 billion.
Major U.S. Arms Purchases, 2000-2024
(Deliveries completed unless otherwise noted.)

Air
28 AH-64 Apache combat helicopters (25 delivered)

1,774 AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missiles (1,454 delivered)

600 WGU-59 air-to-surface rockets (25 delivered)

245 Stinger portable surface-to-air missiles

12 APG-78 Longbow combat helicopter radars

15 CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters

13 C-130 Hercules transport aircraft

11 C-17 Globemaster III heavy transport aircraft

2 MQ-9A Reaper UAVs (two-year lease in 2020)

512 CBU-97 guided bombs

640 JDAM and GBU-39 guided glide bombs (0 delivered)

249 turbofan aircraft engines (48 delivered)

Sea
1 Austin-class amphibious transport dock

24 MH-60R Seahawk naval helicopters (12 delivered)

12 P-8I Poseidon patrol and ASW aircraft

78 MK 54 ASW torpedoes (62 delivered)

6 S-61 Sea King ASW helicopters

63 Harpoon anti-ship missiles

18 naval gas turbines (4 delivered)

Land
12 Firefinder counter- battery radars

145 M-777 towed 155 mm howitzers

1,400 M-982 Excalibur guided artillery shells

145,400 SIG Sauer SIG716 assault rifles

Besides, one of the significant features of the Indo-US defense cooperation is “military to military exchanges” that are taking place through high-level visits, exercises, training courses, and regular service-specific bilateral mechanisms.

It is to be noted that India conducts one of the largest numbers of military exercises with the United States, which are growing in scale and complexity. Important bilateral exercises include Yudh Abhyas (Army), Vajra Prahar (Special Forces), Malabar (Navy), Cope India (Air Force), and Tiger Triumph (tri-services).

Other bilateral exercises include Tarkash joint ground force counterterrorism exercises involving U.S. Special Forces and India’s National Security Guard troops, and Sangam naval special forces exercises, which bring together companies of U.S. Navy SEALs and the Indian Navy’s Marine Commando Force.

Defense forces of the two countries also participate in the multilateral exercises. These include :

Red Flag (The U.S. Air Force conducts aerial combat exercises with units from allied and partner countries several times each year in the United States), RIMPAC (reportedly the world’s largest maritime exercise), and CUTLASS Express (sponsored by the Pentagon’s Africa Command.

The February 2025 edition of “East Africa’s premier maritime exercise” took place near Seychelles and included units from more than 20 countries, including India, Sea Dragon (annual ASW theater exercise.

The last one was held near Guam in March 2025 and included forces from the Quad partners and South Korea, and Milan (India has hosted this biennial Bay of Bengal exercise since 1994.

The U.S. Navy first participated in 2022. The 12th edition in February 2024 was the largest ever, with 50 nations and the inclusion of a U.S. Navy destroyer.

Significantly, India joined the U.S.-commanded multilateral Combined Maritime Force (CMF) based in Bahrain as an Associate Partner in April 2022. It became a full member in 2023. This multinational naval partnership has 46 members and five Joint Task Forces focused on counter-narcotics, counter-smuggling, and counter-piracy.

Incidentally, the two countries have formed the U.S.-India Counter Narcotics Working Group (CNWG) that meets annually to deal with the drug menace together through cooperative measures and mechanisms.

To sum up, given the above range of the security relationship, it is understandable when optimists say that it will weather the storm caused by Trump’s diatribe, if not now but after the U.S. midterm elections in 2027 and certainly in 2029 when his term ends.

Because any pause does not benefit either the U.S. or India, they argue. Be that as

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Keep her for a long time-
Israel has detained Greta Thunberg and other activists with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), who were aboard a humanitarian aid ship the Madleen en route to Gaza when it was intercepted. The vessel is being taken to Israel and the passengers are expected to be returned to their home countries, CNN reports.

Earlier in the day, the FFC posted a pre-recorded video featuring Thunberg, who said, “If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces, or forces that support Israel. I urge all my friends, family, and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible.”

SOS! the volunteers on 'Madleen' have been kidnapped by Israeli forces.
Greta Thunberg is a Swedish citizen.
Pressure their foreign ministries and help us keep them safe!
The ship’s passengers included Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham and Rima Hassan — a French member of the European Parliament. The ship set sail from Sicily with its 12 activist passengers a week ago.

3 Months After Tragic FA-50 Crash, The Philippines Signs Deal For 12 More Fighter Jets, Doubling Its Fleet

Amid rising security challenges in the South China Sea and Beijing’s increasing muscle flexing, the Philippines has decided to double its fleet of South Korean FA-50 fighter jets, signing a contract for 12 additional aircraft, following its initial purchase of 12 jets in 2014.

Notably, the deal was signed despite the Philippines grounding its entire FA-50 fleet earlier this year following the crash of an aircraft during a mission against communist rebels in March, in which two pilots were killed.

With ongoing tensions in the South China Sea (known as the West Philippines Sea in Manila), the Philippines intends to acquire 12 more light aircraft from South Korea at a cost of P40 billion (US$690 million), significantly enhancing its air capability.

However, questions were raised on the capability of the aircraft after the March crash. Now, these questions have been put to rest with the announcement of an additional order for 12 more aircraft.

“The Philippines has signed a contract for 12 more FA-50 fighter jets,” its South Korean manufacturer said on June 4.

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) valued the deal with the Department of National Defense at $700 million, with delivery of the jets to be completed by 2030. The Philippines, which has yet to confirm the pact, previously purchased a dozen of the light warplanes in 2014.

In a statement, the South Korean firm said the fighter jets would feature enhanced capabilities including “aerial refueling for extended range, (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar, and advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons systems”.

One of the Philippines’ original fleet of FA-50s went missing on March 4 while on a mission to provide air support for troops fighting guerrillas in a mountainous area of the southern island of Mindanao.

Rescuers found the wreckage of the plane and the bodies of two crewmen a day later.

After temporarily grounding the fleet, the Philippine Air Force ruled out any mechanical problems with the aircraft.

Air Force spokeswoman Maria Consuelo Castillo told a press conference in April that a confluence of factors had contributed to the crash, including mountainous terrain and visibility issues.

Castillo said in March that the purchase of additional FA-50s was under consideration by the defence department.

The Philippines has extensively used its FA-50 fleet in the fight against the Islamic State in 2017, called the “Marawi Siege,” and it was dubbed a “game changer” by the PAF officials. Currently, the fighter jets are also used in operations against the Communist rebels.

The Philippines is also using the jets in patrolling missions in the contested South China Sea.

In February this year, the Philippines’ FA-50 fighter jet fleet also took part in drills over the West Philippine Sea with the US B-1 “Lancer” bombers.

The exercise included maneuvering the aircraft within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The exercise aimed to strengthen interoperability between the two air forces, enhance air domain awareness, and improve agile combat employment capabilities.

The FA-50, a modern light combat aircraft, represents the PAF’s first line of defense in maintaining air superiority over the contested areas.

The latest FA-50 purchase comes at a time when the Philippines has virtually been pushed to the wall in the South China Sea. China has been conducting aggressive maneuvers against Filipino forces in disputed territories, occasionally assaulting and expelling them from waters that China considers its “territorial waters.”

Currently, the FA-50 is the only combat-capable aircraft in the PAF’s inventory. In fact, the service had earlier considered deploying the FA-50 to escort its patrol aircraft over the South China Sea last year. The FA-50 is based on the T-50, a trainer aircraft capable of supersonic flight that was modified from the F-16 to train pilots for the KF-16 and F-15K.

The FA-50 is predominantly designed for air defense, strike, and jet training missions.

Expanding Military Shopping List Of The Philippines
Manila is rapidly modernizing its armed forces to deter China and enhance its combat capability. The Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) earlier stated that it plans to buy 40 multi-role fighter jets, among other sophisticated weapon systems. Two aircraft have been offered to the country: the Saab Gripen-E and Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Block 70/72.

Notably, the latest FA-50 acquisition comes amid warnings from military analysts that the PAF is arguably the country’s least robust military component, highlighting the need for at least a dozen squadrons of multirole jets to protect the archipelago’s airspace effectively.

Earlier, the Philippines’ DND also confirmed that a P6.5 billion (US$110 million) deal for six Embraer Super Tucano light attack aircraft for the PAF’s 15th Strike Wing was signed in December 2024. The purchase is meant to reinforce the PAF fleet in the wake of the gap left by the decommissioning of the last two remaining Rockwell OV-10 Bronco light attack aircraft and two AH-1S Cobra attack helicopters.

In addition, the DND has announced the P1 billion (US$17 million) purchase of an aeromedical Bell 412 EPX helicopter for the Philippine Army’s use in emergency medical missions.

The country has also planned upgrades for various cyber systems of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as well as enhancements for the PAF’s ground-based air defense system and the introduction of new missiles.

In addition to the above-mentioned systems, the Philippines is reportedly considering the purchase of nine BrahMos missile batteries for its Army.

If finalized, this would be Manila’s second order of the BrahMos missile. In 2022, the Philippines signed a US$375 million deal with India for three batteries of the shore-based, anti-ship variant of the BrahMos missile for its naval forces.

Last year, Manila said it wanted to acquire the US Typhon mid-range missile system to bolster external defense capabilities.

Cornered by the PLA forces in the South China Sea, Manila is committed to spending at least 1.894 trillion pesos (approximately US$33.74 billion) to modernize and enhance its military capabilities by acquiring new systems, upgrading existing ones, and improving military infrastructure.

The deal for 12 additional FA-50 fighter jets will add crucial capabilities to the PAF.

All Negative news and polls are sponsored-
A flurry of recent surveys paint a troubling picture for Donald Trump: growing disapproval of his handling of the economy, increasing concerns about inflation, a majority disapproval of tariffs and a general pessimistic view on the potential for a recession.
The economy has long been one of Trump’s strongest issues, and he championed his economic agenda on the campaign trail, blasting the Biden administration on inflation and presenting himself as the “Art of the Deal” candidate. But following a tariff onslaught that sent markets into a tailspin and caused worldwide concerns about the future of the global economy, Americans are souring on Trump’s plans.

A series of recent polls lay out the warning signs for the White House.
A new Reuters/Ipsos poll released Wednesday showed just 37 percent of respondents approve of Trump’s economic agenda — compared with 42 percent who approved immediately following his inauguration in January.

Mexican authorities have announced what they say is the largest fentanyl bust in the country’s history, with over a ton of the synthetic opioid seized in two raids in the cartel-ridden northern state of Sinaloa.

“It is the largest seizure of fentanyl pills that has ever been made,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Thursday morning during her daily press conference, adding that the amount seized surpasses 20 million doses.

“Think (about it), the consumption of a person addicted to fentanyl over the course of a year is like a packet of sugar. Then think about a ton of fentanyl, we are talking about more than 20 million doses, and close to eight billion Mexican pesos ($394 million),” the president said.

The raids come days after US President-elect Donald Trump promised massive hikes in tariffs on goods from Mexico on the first day of his administration – a move he claims to be in retaliation for illegal immigration and “crime and drugs” coming across the border.

Two-thirds of Americans say Trump unprepared to accept the election outcome.
Most Americans say they and Kamala Harris alike are prepared to accept the outcome of the 2024 presidential election as legitimate. Donald Trump, not so much.

Eighty-one percent of Americans in a new ABC News/Ipsos poll say that regardless of which candidate they support, they are prepared to accept the outcome of the election. Fewer, but still 68%, see Harris as prepared to accept the outcome. Just 29% say the same about Trump.
Nearly all of Harris' supporters, 92%, say they personally are prepared to accept the outcome. That declines to 76% of Trump's supporters. Instead, 21% of his supporters - which translates to 8% of all adults -
Just 6% of Harris' supporters think Trump is prepared to accept the election outcome, rising to a still-mild 58% among his own supporters. Ninety-seven percent of Harris' supporters think she is prepared to accept the outcome; among Trump's supporters, only 44% think the

What are the key factors contributing to social cohesion and stability in Africa?
By Hugo Keji

Key Factors Contributing to Social Cohesion and Stability in Africa:-

Social cohesion and stability are essential for the development and prosperity of African countries.
They foster peaceful coexistence, economic growth, and sustainable development.
Here are key factors that contribute to social cohesion and stability across the continent.

1. Inclusive Governance
1.1. Democratic Institutions
Strong and transparent democratic institutions promote trust in the political system.
Regular free and fair elections ensure that citizens' voices are heard and represented.

1.2. Rule of Law
An effective legal system upholds justice and equality, reducing grievances.
Access to justice for all citizens helps to resolve disputes peacefully.

1.3. Decentralization
Empowering local governments enhances responsiveness to community needs.
Decentralization fosters local participation and accountability.

2. Economic Equity and Opportunities
2.1. Job Creation
Diverse economic opportunities reduce unemployment and poverty.
Support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) fosters entrepreneurship and innovation.

2.2. Wealth Distribution
Policies that ensure equitable distribution of resources prevent economic disparities.
Social safety nets protect vulnerable populations from economic shocks.

2.3. Access to Education and Skills Development
Quality education equips citizens with skills for better job opportunities.
Lifelong learning programs keep the workforce adaptable and competitive.

3. Social Protection and Welfare
3.1. Comprehensive Social Protection Systems
Social security programs provide support during unemployment, illness, and old age.
Child support and family assistance programs protect the wellbeing of future generations.

3.2. Health Care Access
Universal healthcare systems ensure all citizens receive necessary medical care.
Preventive health programs improve overall public health and reduce disease burden.

4. Cultural and Ethnic Integration
4.1. Promoting Diversity
Celebrating cultural and ethnic diversity fosters mutual respect and understanding.
Cultural festivals and exchange programs enhance appreciation of different traditions.

4.2. Conflict Resolution Mechanisms
Traditional and modern conflict resolution practices prevent and address disputes.
Community dialogue and mediation promote peaceful coexistence.

4.3. Anti-Discrimination Policies
Laws and policies against discrimination protect minority rights.
Equal opportunities for all ethnic groups strengthen national unity.

5. Education and Awareness
5.1. Civic Education
Civic education programs teach citizens about their rights and responsibilities.
Awareness campaigns promote understanding of democratic values and principles.

5.2. Media and Information Access
Free and independent media provide accurate information and facilitate informed public discourse.
Access to diverse sources of information prevents misinformation and promotes critical thinking.

6. Infrastructure and Development
6.1. Access to Basic Services
Reliable access to clean water, electricity, and sanitation improves quality of life.
Investment in infrastructure projects creates jobs and boosts economic activities.

6.2. Transportation and Connectivity
Efficient transportation networks facilitate movement and trade.
Digital connectivity bridges gaps in education and economic opportunities.

7. Environmental Sustainability
7.1. Sustainable Resource Management
Responsible management of natural resources prevents conflicts over resource allocation.
Environmental conservation programs protect ecosystems and livelihoods.

7.2. Climate Resilience
Building resilience to climate change mitigates its impact on communities.
Sustainable agricultural practices ensure food security and rural stability.

8. Strong Civil Society
8.1. Active Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
CSOs advocate for social justice and hold governments accountable.
Community-based organizations address local issues and mobilize grassroots support.

8.2. Volunteerism and Community Engagement
Volunteer initiatives strengthen community bonds and promote solidarity.
Community engagement in development projects fosters ownership and sustainability.

Social cohesion and stability in Africa are driven by inclusive governance, economic equity, social protection, cultural integration, education, infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and strong civil society.
By focusing on these key factors, African nations can build harmonious and stable societies that support sustainable development and improve the quality of life for all citizens.

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What strategies can be implemented to strengthen democratic institutions in African countries?
By Ugo Ikeji

Strengthening democratic institutions in African countries requires a multifaceted approach that addresses political, economic, social, and cultural dimensions.

Here are several strategies that can be implemented to bolster these institutions:

1. Promote Transparent and Fair Elections:-
Strengthening Electoral Commissions: Ensure that electoral bodies are independent, well-funded, and transparent to build public trust.

Adopting Technology: Use technology to improve voter registration, voting, and result tabulation to reduce fraud and increase transparency.

International Monitoring: Invite international observers to monitor elections and provide unbiased assessments and recommendations.

2. Enhance Rule of Law and Judicial Independence:-
Judicial Reforms: Implement reforms to ensure judicial independence from political influence and improve the efficiency of the legal system.

Access to Justice: Increase access to legal services, particularly for marginalized groups, through legal aid and education programs.

Anti-Corruption Measures: Strengthen anti-corruption agencies and enforce laws to combat corruption at all levels of government.

3. Strengthen Civil Society and Media:-
Support Civil Society Organizations (CSOs): Provide financial and technical support to CSOs that advocate for democratic governance, human rights, and social justice.

Protect Press Freedom: Ensure the media can operate freely and independently, protecting journalists from harassment and violence.

Public Awareness Campaigns: Conduct campaigns to educate citizens about their rights and responsibilities within a democracy.

4. Enhance Political Participation and Inclusivity:-
Encourage Youth and Women Participation: Promote policies and initiatives that increase the political participation of youth, women, and other underrepresented groups.

Political Education: Implement civic education programs to foster a culture of political engagement and responsibility among citizens.

Inclusive Policy-Making: Ensure that policy-making processes are inclusive and reflect the diversity of the population.

5. Strengthen Governance and Accountability Mechanisms:-
Decentralization: Promote decentralization to bring government closer to the people and improve accountability.

Performance Audits: Regularly conduct performance audits of government institutions and publicize the results to hold officials accountable.

Participatory Budgeting: Engage citizens in the budgeting process to ensure transparency and that public funds address community needs.

6. Promote Economic Development and Equity:-
Economic Reforms: Implement economic policies that promote inclusive growth, reduce inequality, and create jobs.

Resource Management: Ensure that natural resources are managed transparently and the revenues generated benefit the entire population.

Social Safety Nets: Develop social safety nets to protect vulnerable populations and reduce poverty.

7. Regional and International Cooperation:-
Regional Integration: Strengthen regional organizations like the African Union to promote democracy, peace, and security across the continent.

International Support: Leverage support from international organizations and donor countries to build democratic institutions and practices.

Peer Review Mechanisms: Engage in regional peer review mechanisms to share best practices and promote mutual accountability among countries.

8. Educational Reforms:-
Civic Education: Integrate civic education into the national curriculum to instill democratic values from an early age.

Higher Education: Promote higher education programs focused on governance, public administration, and political science.
Research and Advocacy: Support research institutions that analyze and advocate for democratic reforms and policies.

Conclusion
Strengthening democratic institutions in African countries requires sustained efforts and collaboration among governments, civil society, the private sector, and the international community.
By implementing these strategies, African countries can build resilient democratic institutions that promote good governance, accountability, and sustainable development.

A Surprising Early Warning Sign of Depression.
This depression symptom can precede others, especially in older adults.

KEY POINTS-
There is a strong correlation between depression and impaired sense of smell.
It is unclear whether loss of smell triggers depression or vice versa, or if the relationship is reciprocal.
Despite unclear causality, these findings do suggest new ways to diagnose and treat depression.

When mental health professionals look for signs of depression, they assess well-known signs such as altered sleep patterns, loss of appetite, disinterest in everyday activities, sadness, lack of energy, drug and alcohol abuse, difficulty concentrating, irritability, social withdrawal, suicidal thoughts, and other indicators that correlate with clinical depression.

But a much less well-known phenomenon associated with depression is impairment of the sense of smell [1,2,6].

These impairments include elevated thresholds for detecting odors and difficulties identifying and differentiating different odors [2,6]. Impaired olfaction is called dysosmia, while complete loss of sense of smell is termed, anosmia.

What causes what?
As with many symptoms of mental illness, the determination of causes and effects is not straightforward when it comes to the strong correlation between dysosmia and depression.

There is mounting evidence that odors can directly affect mood [11], as when the smell of your favorite childhood cookies evokes fond memories. And a healthy sense of smell, and associated sense of taste, is important for enjoying life [3].

Thus, one school of thought is that a degraded sense of smell and taste can directly lead to depression. Some researchers [1] have even speculated that one reason the incidence of depression tends to increase with age is that sense of smell also degrades with age [1].

However, the association between olfaction and depression may be more correlative than causative, according to other researchers {2.4,8]. Olfaction and mood have common neural underpinnings in structures such as entorhinal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, and orbito-prefrontal cortex [4]. Therefore, anatomical changes in these structures, such as atrophy associated with stress and excess corticosteroids could simultaneously affect mood and olfaction, without there being a direct causal link between the two.

Respiratory Infections and allergies, which are a leading cause of degradation of the sense of smell, also bring inflammation, which has been strongly linked to mood disorders [12]. A recent study of COVID-19 patients who suffered an impaired sense of smell also demonstrated a higher incidence of depression in these patients [7].

Thus, both depression and olfactory dysfunction may arise from a third factor such as stress, inflammation, or anatomical changes in shared neural structures, and not be causally related to each other, one way or another.

And yet, some researchers speculate that depression might trigger olfactory deficits due to declines in cognitive and information processing abilities in depressed patients, instead of from direct decreases in the functioning of olfactory structures. Functional imaging studies of depressed patients with and without olfactory symptoms reveal very little correlation between depression and olfactory bulb volume [5], leading the authors of the study to conclude: “We are therefore in favor of a top-down mechanism originating in higher cortical areas explaining parts of the relation between depression and olfaction [5]."

Implications for diagnosis and treatment
It remains unclear whether an impaired sense of smell helps trigger depression, depression by itself produces olfactory deficits, factors such as inflammation and stress both contribute to dysosmia and depression, smell and mood disorders are mutually reciprocal—or some complex interactions among all of the above factors is responsible for the depression-olfaction connection.

But even without knowing the causal linkage between olfaction and depression, the nexus of smell and mood could be important for both diagnosis and treatment of depression.

Adding olfactory function to the signs and symptoms employed to diagnose depression might facilitate earlier diagnosis in some patients or help determine the severity of the disorder. For instance, one longitudinal study of adults with depression, in which some members of the cohort did not have depression when the study began, but developed it during the study, provides evidence that in adults over 60, a decrease in olfactory function might be an early warning sign of depression [1]. Also, in older adults, the severity of depressive symptoms has been found to increase with the severity of dysosmia [13].

Regarding treatment for depression, therapies such as olfactory training (OT) and olfactory enhancement (OE), in which subjects are repeatedly exposed to a wide variety of odors and concentrations of those odors, have shown promise for relieving some symptoms of depression [9,10]. By themselves, these results don’t prove that dysosmia triggers depression, but the new findings do hint at a novel treatment modality for depression, especially when other treatment methods have not proven as effective as desired.

As a former sufferer of depression myself, I am encouraged by new insights emerging from the link between olfaction and depression, and I wish researchers in this emerging field more than just a whiff of success.

Africa in Focus-Particularly Nigeria. Nigeria has human resources and technical know-how to stay ahead with economic developements but political indifference and politicians funds embezzlement mindset kept them behind even less to offer in areas like providing essential products to it's population. Why....?
By Ugo Ikeji

Africa in Focus: Nigeria
Introduction:-
Nigeria, often referred to as the "Giant of Africa," is endowed with vast human and natural resources. Despite its potential to be an economic powerhouse, the country faces significant challenges that impede its development.
This piece explores why Nigeria, with its abundant resources and technical expertise, struggles to achieve its economic potential, particularly in providing essential products to its population.

Nigeria's Economic Potential:-
Human Resources:
Population: Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, with a population exceeding 200 million people. This demographic advantage provides a vast labor force and a significant market for goods and services.

Education and Skills: Nigeria has a growing number of educated professionals and skilled workers, especially in sectors such as technology, engineering, and medicine.

Natural Resources
Oil and Gas: Nigeria is one of the world's largest producers of oil and gas. The revenue from these resources has the potential to significantly boost the economy.

Agriculture: The country has fertile land and favorable climate conditions for agriculture, which can sustain both local consumption and export.

Challenges to Economic Development:-
Political Indifference:
Lack of Visionary Leadership: Nigeria's political landscape has been marred by leaders who often lack a clear vision for the country's development.

Policy Inconsistency: Frequent changes in government policies create an unstable business environment, deterring both local and foreign investment.

Corruption and Embezzlement-
Widespread Corruption: Corruption is rampant at all levels of government. Public funds are often diverted for personal gain rather than being used for public goods.

Impact on Public Services: The embezzlement of funds meant for infrastructure and social services has led to a deterioration in essential services such as healthcare, education, and transportation.

The Consequences of Ineffective Governance:-
Economic Instability-
Underdeveloped Industries: Despite its resources, Nigeria's industries remain underdeveloped due to inadequate investment and mismanagement.

Unemployment: High levels of unemployment persist, particularly among the youth, leading to social unrest and increased crime rates.

Poor Infrastructure-
Electricity Supply: Nigeria's electricity supply is notoriously unreliable, hindering industrial growth and affecting everyday life.

Transportation Networks: Poor roads and inadequate public transportation systems make it difficult to move goods and people efficiently.

Lack of Essential Products-
Healthcare: Hospitals and clinics often lack essential medical supplies and equipment, leading to poor health outcomes.

Education: Schools frequently face shortages of basic educational materials, contributing to low literacy rates and poor educational attainment.

Path to Improvement:-
Strengthening Institutions-
Anti-Corruption Measures: Implementing stricter anti-corruption laws and ensuring their enforcement can reduce the embezzlement of public funds.

Institutional Reforms: Strengthening institutions to ensure transparency and accountability in governance.

Economic Diversification
Investing in Agriculture: Diversifying the economy by investing in agriculture can create jobs and reduce dependency on oil revenue.

Encouraging SMEs: Supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can stimulate economic growth and innovation.

Improving Infrastructure
Energy Sector Reforms: Investing in renewable energy and improving the electricity grid can provide reliable power supply.
Developing Transportation: Enhancing road networks and public transportation systems can facilitate economic activities.

Meanwhile.....
Nigeria's journey to economic prosperity is hindered by political indifference and corruption.
Addressing these issues through strong leadership, institutional reforms, and economic diversification is crucial for the country to realize its full potential.

By tackling these challenges head-on, Nigeria can improve the quality of life for its citizens and take its rightful place as a leading economy in Africa.

The Entrenched Challenge: Political Corruption in Nigeria
Introduction
While Nigeria's path to improvement is theoretically clear, the practical implementation of these strategies is often hampered by entrenched political corruption.
Politicians frequently exploit reform initiatives as avenues for personal enrichment rather than societal benefit, perpetuating a cycle of underdevelopment and economic stagnation.

The Vicious Cycle of Corruption:-
Exploitation of Resources-
Resource Mismanagement: Nigeria's vast oil wealth and agricultural potential are frequently mismanaged. Funds intended for development projects are siphoned off, leaving these sectors underfunded and inefficient.

Revenue Diversion: Revenue from natural resources, which should be invested in public infrastructure and services, often ends up in private accounts.

Manipulation of Policies
Policy Manipulation: Politicians manipulate economic policies to favor their interests. This results in policies that lack continuity and fail to create a stable environment for business and investment.

Regulatory Capture: Key regulatory bodies are often controlled by individuals with vested interests, undermining their ability to enforce laws and regulations effectively.

Impact on Economic Development:-
Stifling Industrial Growth
Underfunded Industries: Industries remain underdeveloped due to the diversion of funds and lack of genuine investment. This stifles job creation and economic diversification.

Limited Innovation: The business environment is stifled by bureaucratic hurdles and corruption, discouraging innovation and entrepreneurship.

Infrastructure Deficiency:-
Power Sector: Persistent corruption in the power sector results in unreliable electricity supply, which hampers industrial and domestic productivity.

Transportation Networks: Infrastructure projects often experience cost overruns and delays due to corruption, leading to poor road conditions and inadequate public transportation.

Social Consequences:-
Decline in Public Services
Healthcare: Corruption in the healthcare sector leads to shortages of essential drugs and equipment, poor facility maintenance, and inadequate healthcare delivery.

Education: Embezzlement of educational funds results in poorly equipped schools, low teacher morale, and substandard educational outcomes.

Erosion of Trust:-
Public Distrust: The pervasive nature of corruption erodes public trust in government institutions. This distrust undermines civic engagement and hampers collective efforts for reform.

Brain Drain: Skilled professionals often emigrate to countries with better opportunities, further depleting Nigeria's human capital.

Addressing the Root Causes:-
Anti-Corruption Measures
Strengthening Anti-Corruption Agencies: Empowering agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to operate independently and effectively can help combat corruption.

Judicial Reforms: Ensuring that the judiciary is free from political interference is crucial for the fair prosecution of corruption cases.

Promoting Transparency
Open Government Initiatives: Implementing initiatives that promote transparency in government operations can help reduce opportunities for corruption.

Public Accountability: Encouraging public participation in governance and creating platforms for whistleblowing can enhance accountability.

The Role of Civil Society and Media
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
Advocacy and Monitoring: CSOs play a vital role in advocating for good governance and monitoring the implementation of public projects.

Public Education: Educating the public about their rights and the importance of transparency can foster a culture of accountability.

Media Freedom
Investigative Journalism: A free and independent media can investigate and expose corrupt practices, holding politicians accountable.

Information Dissemination: The media can inform the public about government actions and policies, increasing transparency.

Conclusion
The path to Nigeria's improvement is obstructed by political corruption and the misuse of resources. While the country has the potential for significant economic growth and development, overcoming these challenges requires a concerted effort to strengthen institutions, promote transparency, and hold leaders accountable. Only through sustained anti-corruption measures and active civic participation can Nigeria hope to break the cycle of corruption and achieve its full potential.

Hamas seeks 'complete halt' to war in Gaza proposal response.......

Hamas says it has submitted its response to a US-backed plan for a ceasefire in Gaza, with a senior group official telling the BBC that it still requires an Israeli commitment to a permanent ceasefire.

In a statement, the group, and its Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) allies, expressed "readiness to positively" reach a deal.

The proposed ceasefire plan - which was endorsed by the UN security council on Monday night - calls for a six-week ceasefire that would eventually become permanent.

Qatar and Egypt - who, along with the US, have mediated negotiations between Israel and Hamas - confirmed that the Palestinian group had submitted its reply.

In its statement on Tuesday evening, Hamas called for a "complete halt" to fighting in Gaza.

"The response prioritises the interests of our Palestinian people and emphasises the necessity of a complete halt to the ongoing aggression on Gaza," Hamas and the PIJ said.

The groups added that they were ready "to engage positively to reach an agreement that ends this war".

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said it was "helpful" that Hamas had submitted a response and that US officials were "evaluating" the group's requests.

Earlier on Tuesday US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had "reaffirmed his commitment" to the Gaza ceasefire plan and the world was waiting for the Hamas response.

The proposal set out by President Biden last month involves an initial six-week ceasefire, with Hamas releasing some hostages in exchange for Israel releasing an undefined number of Palestinian prisoners.

A second phase would see the remaining hostages released by Hamas and a total withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza as part of a “permanent” ceasefire, but the latter would still be subject to negotiations.

The actual Israeli proposal - reportedly lengthier than the summary presented by Mr Biden - has not been made public and it is unclear whether it varies from what the president conveyed in his statement on 31 May. It was presented to Hamas days prior to Mr Biden's speech.

Mr Netanyahu has acknowledged his war cabinet has authorised the plan but has not voiced unequivocally support for it. Far right members of his cabinet have threatened to quit his coalition and trigger its collapse if the deal goes forward, seeing it as surrender to Hamas.

Netanyahu walks tightrope as US urges Gaza ceasefire deal.

UN Security Council backs US Gaza ceasefire resolution.

As Mr Blinken met Israeli officials in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, protesters outside his hotel held American flags calling for an agreement. Many held pictures of hostages and chanted: "SOS, USA", and "we trust you, Blinken, seal a deal".

Vicki Cohen, the mother of Nimrod Cohen, 19, an Israeli soldier who was kidnapped by Hamas on 7 October, held a banner showing his picture.

She told the BBC: "We come here to ask Blinken and the USA government to help us, to save us from our government. Our prime minister doesn't want to bring our loved ones back, we need their help to pressure our government."

He then travelled to the Dead Sea for a conference of Arab leaders calling for greater aid access into Gaza, where he said Israel "can do more". He also announced $404 million in new aid for Palestinians, urging other countries to also "step up" assistance.

The war began after Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 others back to Gaza as hostages. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says more than 37,000 people have been killed in the Israeli offensive since then.

The Good, Bad and Ugly of America.

what do you think?

'God gave us Trump': Christian media evangelicals preach a messianic message.

"This is really a battle between good and evil," evangelical TV preacher Hank Kunneman says of the slew of criminal charges facing Donald Trump. "There's something on President Trump that the enemy fears: It's called the anointing."

The Nebraska pastor, who was speaking on cable news show "FlashPoint" last summer, is among several voices in Christian media pressing a message of Biblical proportions: The 2024 presidential race is a fight for America's soul, and a persecuted Trump has God's protection.

"They're just trying to bankrupt him. They're trying to take everything he's got. They're trying to put him in prison," author, media personality and self-proclaimed prophet Lance Wallnau said in October on "The Jim Bakker Show", an hour-long daily broadcast that focuses on news and revelations about the end times that it says we are living in.

"The hand of God is on him and he cannot be stopped."

In both the 2016 and 2020 elections, evangelical voters staunchly supported Trump despite claims of adultery and sexual misconduct, which he denied. With Trump now facing dozens of criminal charges as he pursues a second term, some Christian media are bolstering his support by portraying him as an instrument of God's will who faces persecution by his foes.

While the people making these claims are largely outside the mainstream in Christian media, they have amassed significant online followings and their messages reverberate across radio shows, cable TV and streaming platforms that reach millions of Americans every day.

The claims that Trump benefits from divine help present a jarring counterpoint to the views voiced by his critics, who denounce him as an immoral grifter set on dismantling democracy and point to his inflammatory rhetoric about immigrants in the country illegally and opponents he has threatened to prosecute.

The former president's myriad legal woes include allegations of sexual abuse and financial chicanery. In May, a jury decided Trump must pay $5 million in damages for sexually abusing a magazine writer in the 1990s and then branding her a liar. He is also facing a criminal trial on charges he covered up hush-money payments to a porn star. He has denied wrongdoing in both cases.

The barrage of legal actions have broadly served to rev up Trump's support among Republicans rather than diminish it, according to a July Reuters/Ipsos poll.

The roughly 80 million Americans who describe themselves as born-again or evangelical Protestants - about a quarter of the population - have provided the bedrock for his meteoric rise, and their turnout levels this November could prove critical in a tight contest against Democratic rival Joe Biden.

Reuters interviews with 10 experts in faith-based political outreach, political science, media and religion outlined the contours of a Christian media space broadly supportive of Trump and his policies, though offering differing views about any religious mission he might have, and highlighting a shift in the messaging at the fringes in the run-up to this election.

Many conservative Christians have long relied on Christian media to champion political causes tied to their faith, like anti-communism and anti-abortion.

But what's new about this election cycle is the unabashed support for Trump and the frequency he is depicted as "God's chosen" leader, said Brian Calfano, a political science and journalism professor at the University of Cincinnati who has researched the proliferation of media-savvy ministers who support Trump.

"Before Trump, there was some hero worship of favored politicians, but the larger philosophical or ideological causes received greater attention."

Language that casts Trump in messianic terms helps to energize his base, said Paul Djupe, a political scientist at Denison University who specializes in religion and politics.

Wallnau and Kunneman did not respond to Reuters requests for comment for this article, while representatives for FlashPoint host Gene Bailey and Bakker declined to comment. The Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

SELF-PROCLAIMED PROPHETS

Christian media includes thousands of religious podcasts, radio shows, cable TV and streaming platforms, with a combined monthly audience of more than 140 million Americans, according to the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) association.

Shows like FlashPoint and Bakker's show are comparatively niche.

FlashPoint for instance pulls in an average monthly cable TV audience of roughly 11,000 households, according to Comscore data, while the Victory Channel it appears on has more than a million followers on YouTube and Facebook combined. Trump participated in six interviews with FlashPoint between 2021 and 2023.

Many preachers ply their own trade and command significant online audiences. For example, Wallnau has his own podcast and more than 1.3 million followers on social media. Kunneman, another self-styled prophet, has close to 250,000.

Many Christian voters credit Trump with a series of policy victories, including the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in 2022 to overturn the constitutional right to abortion after he appointed three conservative justices to the court, plus the moving of the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

"There's a lot of evangelical conservative Christian voters that have some challenges with some aspects of his personality, but when they look at his policies, what he did, juxtaposed to what we have, and what's proposed by those on the other side, it's a no-brainer," said Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council evangelical advocacy group.

His "Washington Watch with Tony Perkins" airs every week day on about 100 Christian TV stations, various streaming channels and 800 radio stations and draws an average monthly cable TV audience of roughly 5,000 households, according to Comscore.

While Perkins, a more mainstream voice in Christian media, steers clear of any messianic messaging, the former Louisiana lawmaker said on his show in December that efforts to kick Trump off the Republican primary ballot were part of a "battle between good and evil".

"You will hear the fact that we do believe that God calls people to different walks of life, including into the political realm," Perkins told Reuters in an interview.

Much of the Trump content on Christian media looks at the former president through the lens of the Bible, he added, for example drawing a parallel between him and Cyrus the Great, the pagan ruler of the 6th century BC who liberated the Jews from Babylonian captivity and enshrined religious freedom.

On Trinity Broadcasting Network, a Christian outlet that reaches more than 100 million U.S. households, former Arkansas governor, TV host and Baptist minister Mike Huckabee says Trump should be judged by his deeds.

"He proved to be the most pro-life president in American history, by not just by what he said, but by what he did," Huckabee said in December.

Huckabee and Trinity Broadcasting Network did not respond to requests for comment.

'SO GOD GAVE US TRUMP'

It's difficult to get an exact count of how much of the Christian media is explicitly pro-Trump, because like other aspects of the fragmented media industry, it has ballooned in recent years over TV, radio, podcasts and social media.

NRB President Troy Miller said Christian media was becoming more politically focused, although political programming still represented less than 3% of overall content.

Nevertheless, he added, it is filling a vacuum for conservative evangelicals who feel mainstream media coverage doesn't reflect their values or fairly cover a candidate who in their eyes understands them and the issues they care about.

"You're programming for your audience, so Trump's going to be a major part of that," he said in an interview.

Miller said the view that Trump has been anointed by God reflects the fringe of Christian media but that the notion of spiritual warfare playing out in the U.S. is more mainstream.

Trump himself has leaned into the battle.

In a speech to an NRB conference last month Trump vowed to defend Christianity and urged Christians to vote for him in the Nov. 5 election, a contest he depicted in religious terms and likened to the great battles of World War Two.

"I know that to achieve victory in this fight, just like in the battles of the past, we still need the hand of our Lord, and the grace of Almighty God," he told the gathering to applause.

The former president has started some rallies with a messianic video made by social media influencers which opens with the line: "On June 14, 1946, God looked down on his planned paradise and said: I need a caretaker, so God gave us Trump."

He has also shared on the Truth Social media app a sketch of himself in court, sitting next to what appears to be a rendering of Jesus Christ.

Written above the drawing: "Nobody could have made it this far alone."