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Focus Nigeria-
What role should traditional medicine play in Nigeria's health system?
Traditional medicine (TM), often referred to as "African Traditional Medicine" (ATM) or "Alternative Medicine" (though the latter term can be broader), plays an incredibly significant, and often indispensable, role in Nigeria's health system, particularly given the challenges facing conventional Western medicine.
Over 70-80% of Nigerians, especially those in rural and low-income communities, rely on traditional medicine for their primary healthcare needs.

The role of traditional medicine should ideally be one of integration, regulation, and research, leveraging its strengths while mitigating its risks, to complement and enhance the formal healthcare system.

Here's a breakdown of its current and potential roles:

I. Current De Facto Role (Filling the Gaps):

Primary Healthcare Provider for the Underserved: In many rural areas where modern healthcare facilities are scarce or non-existent, traditional healers are often the only accessible and affordable source of healthcare. They serve as the first point of contact for a vast majority of the population.

Affordability and Accessibility: Traditional remedies and consultations are often cheaper than orthodox medicine, and payment in kind (e.g., farm produce) can be acceptable. Traditional practitioners are typically located within communities, making them highly accessible.

Cultural and Spiritual Resonance: Traditional medicine often takes a holistic approach, addressing not just physical ailments but also spiritual, psychological, and social dimensions of health. This resonates deeply with the cultural beliefs and worldview of many Nigerians regarding disease causation and healing.

Treatment of Specific Ailments: Traditional medicine has long been relied upon for managing certain conditions, such as:

Bone setting: Traditional bone setters (TBS) are popular for treating fractures and dislocations.

Mental health: Traditional healers often deal with mental illnesses, which are frequently attributed to spiritual causes in many Nigerian cultures.

Obstetrics and Gynecology: Traditional birth attendants (TBAs) play a significant role in maternal care, particularly in rural settings.

Herbal Remedies: A vast array of medicinal plants are used to treat common ailments like malaria, fever, skin infections, and digestive issues.

Source of New Drug Discovery: Many modern pharmaceutical drugs have their origins in traditional plant-based remedies (e.g., quinine from cinchona bark for malaria, artemisinin from Artemisia annua).

II. The Ideal and Future Role (Integration, Regulation, and Research):

Integration into Primary Healthcare:

Referral System: Traditional practitioners can be trained to recognize conditions beyond their scope and refer patients to modern health facilities. Conversely, orthodox doctors should be educated about common traditional practices to facilitate communication and understanding with patients.

Collaborative Care: For certain conditions, a collaborative approach could be beneficial, where traditional and modern practitioners work together, especially in areas like mental health, rehabilitation, and chronic disease management.

Community Health Workers: Traditional healers, with their deep community trust, could be integrated into community health worker networks for health promotion, disease prevention, and surveillance.

Standardization and Regulation:

National Policy and Legal Framework: Develop clear national policies and legal frameworks for the practice of traditional medicine, defining roles, responsibilities, and standards.

Registration and Licensing: Establish a robust system for the registration, licensing, and certification of traditional medicine practitioners (TMPs) to ensure they meet minimum standards of training and ethics.

Quality Control of Herbal Products: Implement strict regulations for the cultivation, harvesting, processing, packaging, labeling, and marketing of herbal remedies. NAFDAC (National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control) has a role here in ensuring safety, quality, and efficacy.

Code of Ethics: Develop and enforce a code of conduct and ethics for TMPs to curb quackery, exploitation, and harmful practices.

Scientific Research and Validation:

Efficacy and Safety Studies: Conduct rigorous scientific research, clinical trials, and toxicological studies on widely used traditional remedies to ascertain their efficacy, safety, active compounds, dosages, and potential side effects or drug interactions.

Preservation of Knowledge: Document and archive traditional medicinal knowledge (which is often oral and localized) to prevent its loss and facilitate scientific study. This also raises issues of intellectual property rights for traditional knowledge holders.

Drug Discovery: Invest in pharmaceutical research and development to identify new drug candidates from Nigeria's rich biodiversity, collaborating with traditional healers.

Education and Training:

Formal Training for TMPs: Develop formal training programs for TMPs that combine traditional knowledge with basic modern medical concepts (e.g., anatomy, physiology, hygiene, first aid, record-keeping, referral protocols).

Cross-Cultural Education: Incorporate elements of traditional medicine into the curriculum of modern medical and nursing schools to foster understanding, respect, and potential collaboration.

Public Education: Educate the public on the importance of seeking validated and regulated traditional medicines, and the dangers of harmful practices or unproven remedies.

III. Challenges to Integration:

Lack of Standardization: The diverse, often secretive, and undocumented nature of TM practices.

Safety and Efficacy Concerns: Issues with dosage, purity, potential toxicity, and lack of scientific evidence for many traditional remedies.

Quackery: The prevalence of charlatans and untrained individuals who exploit public trust.

Professional Skepticism: Resistance and distrust from some orthodox medical practitioners towards TM.

Spiritual vs. Scientific Divide: The challenge of reconciling spiritual and cultural aspects of TM with the scientific, evidence-based approach of modern medicine.

Despite these challenges, ignoring traditional medicine in Nigeria is not an option. Its widespread use and cultural significance necessitate its proper integration into the national healthcare system, ensuring safety, efficacy, and ultimately, better health outcomes for all Nigerians.

Focus Africa-
Are we giving up control over our supply chains, critical infrastructure, and even values?
There's a strong argument to be made that we are ceding control over our supply chains, critical infrastructure, and even cultural values due to economic dependency.
This is not a sudden surrender but a gradual process that can have profound long-term consequences for national sovereignty.

Supply Chain Control:-

Licensed by Google-
A heavy reliance on foreign imports, especially from a single country or region, means we've effectively handed over control of our supply chains to others. This vulnerability was starkly exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when global supply chains for everything from medical equipment to basic consumer goods were disrupted.
This dependence creates a major national security risk because a foreign power could use its control over these supply chains as a tool for economic coercion or sabotage. For instance, a country could restrict the export of a critical component to gain a political concession.

Critical Infrastructure-
Foreign investment in a nation's critical infrastructure—like ports, energy grids, and telecommunications networks—can be a major source of economic growth, but it also carries significant risks. Giving foreign entities control or even substantial influence over these assets could allow them to engage in espionage, disrupt services, or create vulnerabilities that could be exploited in a conflict. Many governments have created foreign investment review boards to vet such investments for national security risks, recognizing that foreign ownership of these assets can compromise a country's ability to operate independently.

Cultural Values-
Economic dependency acts as a Trojan horse for cultural influence. The influx of foreign goods and media from a dominant trading partner can subtly but powerfully shape local tastes, values, and norms.
This process, known as cultural homogenization, can lead to the erosion of local traditions and the adoption of a more universal, consumer-driven culture.
This isn't necessarily a top-down order; it often happens organically as people are exposed to and embrace popular foreign products, entertainment, and lifestyles.
Over time, this can lead to a decline in cultural identity and a shift in a nation's collective values, further entrenching the influence of the dominant foreign power.

Focus Africa-
How does economic dependency translate into political or cultural influence from foreign powers?
Economic dependency translates into political or cultural influence from foreign powers through a process often referred to as soft power.
This influence is non-coercive and stems from the ability to attract and persuade rather than to threaten or force. When a country becomes heavily reliant on another for trade, investment, or aid, it becomes vulnerable to both direct and indirect forms of external influence.

Political Influence-
Economic dependency gives foreign powers significant political leverage. The dominant country can use its economic relationship to pressure the dependent country into aligning its policies with its own interests.

Conditional Aid and Loans: International organizations or dominant countries often attach conditions to aid or loans. These conditions may require the recipient country to adopt specific economic policies, such as deregulation, privatization, or trade liberalization, which can open up its markets to foreign corporations.

Trade Sanctions and Incentives: A foreign power can threaten to impose trade sanctions or restrict market access to influence a dependent country's political decisions, such as its stance on human rights, territorial disputes, or voting patterns in international forums like the UN. For example, a country heavily reliant on another for a specific good may be forced to make political concessions to ensure that supply chain remains open.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): Foreign companies, backed by their home governments, can gain significant influence over the host country's domestic policy. They may pressure the government for tax breaks, relaxed labor laws, or a more favorable regulatory environment in exchange for continued investment and job creation.

Cultural Influence-
Economic dependency is a key vehicle for the spread of cultural influence. When a country's products, media, and technology dominate a market, they bring with them a set of values, norms, and lifestyles.

Media and Consumerism: The proliferation of foreign media, films, music, and social media platforms can shape a local population's tastes, values, and aspirations. This can lead to a shift away from traditional cultural practices toward a more global, often Western or Chinese, consumer culture. The popularity of a country's culture can increase demand for its goods, creating a self-reinforcing cycle.

Educational and Ideological Influence: Economic ties often lead to educational exchanges and the establishment of foreign-funded institutions. This can influence the curriculum and academic values of the dependent country. For example, a country offering scholarships or establishing cultural centers can promote its language, history, and political ideology, shaping the worldview of a new generation of leaders and professionals.

Who Owns The Future-
From Colonies to Coalitions: Can Africa Build a Unified Voice?
Africa’s history is a story of fragmentation imposed from without—borders drawn by colonial powers with no regard for people, cultures, or economic logic.
Today, the continent still wrestles with division, yet the stakes have never been higher.

As global powers jostle for influence, resources, and strategic advantage, can Africa transcend its fractured past to build a truly unified voice—one that speaks with power and purpose on the world stage?

The Colonial Legacy: A Fractured Foundation
Africa’s 54 countries were carved out in the Berlin Conference (1884-85), ignoring ethnic, linguistic, and cultural realities.

Arbitrary borders created states too small to wield global influence and often internally divided.

Colonial administrations prioritized resource extraction, not integration or development.

This legacy of division has made continental unity challenging—fostering conflict, mistrust, and fragmented policies.

Current Steps Toward Unity-
The dream of African unity is far from dead. Key initiatives include:

African Union (AU): Founded in 2001, replacing the Organization of African Unity, with a stronger mandate for political and economic integration.

African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): Launched in 2021, aiming to create the largest free trade zone in the world, boosting intra-African commerce.

Regional Economic Communities (RECs): ECOWAS, SADC, EAC, and others work regionally on trade, security, and infrastructure.

Agenda 2063: Africa’s strategic framework for socio-economic transformation and integration over 50 years.

Challenges to a Unified Voice-
Despite progress, obstacles remain:

1. Sovereignty vs. Supranationalism
Many nations fear losing sovereignty. Leaders hesitate to cede power to continental institutions, weakening enforcement and cooperation.

2. Economic Disparities
From Nigeria’s oil wealth to Malawi’s agrarian economy, disparities create conflicting interests and competition.

3. Political Instability and Conflicts
Civil wars, coups, and political repression distract from unity goals and complicate common foreign policy.

4. External Interference
Foreign powers exploit divisions through “divide and rule,” bilateral deals, and proxy conflicts.

5. Infrastructure and Connectivity Gaps
Poor transport, energy, and digital infrastructure hinder integration.

Why a Unified African Voice Matters Now-
-Global Bargaining Power: United, Africa can negotiate better trade terms, debt relief, and technology transfers.

-Security and Peace: Coordinated responses to terrorism, piracy, and conflicts reduce human and economic costs.

-Economic Growth: Integrated markets attract investment and enable industrialization.

-Cultural Renaissance: A shared African identity can empower youth, diaspora, and global cultural diplomacy.

How Can Africa Build This Voice?
- Strengthen Continental Institutions
Empower the AU with real enforcement mechanisms

-Foster transparency and accountability in continental governance

- Promote Economic Integration
Accelerate AfCFTA implementation

Harmonize regulations and remove non-tariff barriers

- Invest in Connectivity
Build cross-border infrastructure (roads, rail, energy grids, internet)

-Support regional digital identity and payment systems

-Encourage Political Will and Vision
Cultivate leaders who prioritize continental unity over narrow nationalism

-Engage youth and civil society in pan-African projects

-Manage External Relations Strategically
Present a united front in dealing with China, the West, and others

-Develop African-led development banks and investment funds

Conclusion: From Colonies to Coalitions
Africa’s future will not be written by outsiders but by Africans themselves—if they unite.

Building a unified voice is not easy. It requires courage to overcome colonial legacies, trust to bridge diverse peoples, and vision to see beyond immediate gains.

But in this moment of global flux, a strong, united Africa could transform from a continent of fragmented colonies to a coalition of powerful nations—one that shapes its destiny and helps shape the world.

The question is not if Africa can unite—but when and how it will seize this historic opportunity.

Focus Nigeria-
How can Nigeria stop the “brain drain” of doctors and nurses?
Stopping the "brain drain" of doctors and nurses from Nigeria requires a comprehensive, sustained, and multi-faceted approach that addresses the root causes of their migration.
It's not just about offering more money, but creating an enabling environment where healthcare professionals can thrive, feel valued, and provide quality care.

Here's a detailed strategy to combat the brain drain:

I. Improve Working Conditions and Environment:

Modernize Infrastructure and Equipment:

Adequate Funding: Significantly increase the healthcare budget allocation (currently far below the Abuja Declaration's 15% target) and ensure transparent and efficient utilization of funds.

Investment in Facilities: Renovate existing hospitals and clinics, and build new, well-equipped facilities, especially in underserved areas.

Modern Technology: Equip hospitals with up-to-date diagnostic tools, surgical equipment, and specialized machinery (e.g., MRI, CT scanners, radiotherapy machines). Ensure regular maintenance and availability of spare parts.

Reliable Utilities: Provide stable electricity (e.g., through solar power solutions and reliable backup generators) and clean water supply in all healthcare facilities.

Ensure Safety and Security:

Protection for Staff: Implement robust security measures within hospitals and clinics to protect healthcare workers from violence, harassment, and kidnapping, especially in high-risk areas.

Occupational Health & Safety: Establish and enforce comprehensive occupational health and safety policies that prioritize the physical and mental well-being of nurses and doctors.

Manage Workload and Staffing:
Adequate Staffing: Recruit more healthcare professionals to reduce the excessive workload on existing staff. This might require increasing training capacity within Nigeria.

Fair Scheduling: Implement equitable work schedules and shifts to prevent burnout and ensure a healthy work-life balance.

II. Enhance Remuneration and Welfare:

Competitive Salaries and Allowances:
Offer competitive salaries and allowances that are comparable to what healthcare professionals could earn in other sectors within Nigeria or in regional countries. While matching Western salaries might be challenging, making local pay significantly better than the current reality is crucial.

Timely Payments: Ensure prompt and consistent payment of salaries and benefits to avoid the frustration caused by arrears.

Attractive Benefits Package:
Health Insurance: Provide comprehensive health insurance for healthcare workers and their families.

Housing and Transportation: Offer subsidized housing, housing allowances, or transportation support, especially for those in rural or high-cost urban areas.

Retirement Benefits: Ensure robust and reliable pension and retirement benefit schemes.

Non-Financial Incentives:
Recognition and Appreciation: Create a culture of recognition and appreciation for healthcare workers' dedication and hard work.

Professional Support: Provide a supportive work environment that values their contributions and addresses their concerns.

III. Professional Development and Career Advancement:

Continuous Professional Development (CPD):
Fund and facilitate regular training programs, workshops, and seminars to keep doctors and nurses updated on the latest medical practices, technologies, and research.

Encourage and sponsor participation in international conferences and training programs where relevant.

Career Progression Opportunities:
Establish clear and transparent career progression pathways based on merit, performance, and further specialization.

Provide opportunities for specialization, postgraduate studies, and leadership roles within the Nigerian healthcare system.

Research Funding:
Allocate dedicated funds for medical research within Nigeria to encourage innovation and give professionals reasons to stay and contribute locally.

Mentorship Programs:
Establish mentorship programs where experienced doctors and nurses guide and support younger professionals.

IV. Strengthening Education and Training within Nigeria:

Increase Training Capacity:
Expand the capacity of medical and nursing schools to train more healthcare professionals, ensuring that the increase in quantity does not compromise quality.

Curriculum Review: Regularly review and update medical and nursing curricula to meet international standards and address Nigeria's specific health challenges.

"Train to Retain" Programs:
Consider policies that incentivize graduates (e.g., scholarships tied to service in Nigeria for a specific period, especially in underserved areas). This must be coupled with improved conditions to avoid simply delaying their eventual departure.

Rural-Focused Training: Develop programs that train healthcare professionals with a specific focus on rural health challenges and encourage them to serve in those areas.

V. Governance, Accountability, and Policy Coherence:

Effective Leadership and Management:
Appoint competent, ethical, and visionary leaders in healthcare institutions who prioritize staff welfare and quality of care.

Ensure efficient administrative management across all levels of the health system.

Robust Accountability:
Establish transparent mechanisms for addressing grievances, investigating misconduct, and ensuring accountability for poor management or corruption within the health sector.

Long-Term National Health Policy:
Develop and consistently implement a stable, long-term national health policy that is insulated from political fluctuations and prioritizes human resources for health. President Tinubu's new health policy is a step in this direction, but consistent implementation is key.

Engage Professional Bodies:
Foster better dialogue and collaboration with professional associations like the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) to address their concerns and gain their buy-in for reforms.

Leverage Diaspora Engagement:
Create structured programs to engage Nigerian healthcare professionals in the diaspora (e.g., for short-term missions, training, mentorship, or tele-medicine consultations). This can help transfer knowledge and build connections without demanding permanent return initially.

Combating the brain drain is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires substantial financial investment, political will, a commitment to systemic change, and a fundamental shift in how healthcare professionals are valued and treated in Nigeria.

Focus Nigeria-
Should education be completely free and compulsory until a certain level?
The question of whether education should be completely free and compulsory up to a certain level is a widely debated topic, but the consensus among international human rights bodies and most developed and many developing nations is a resounding "yes" for at least primary education, and increasingly for secondary education.

Here's a breakdown of the arguments for and against, and the general global trend:

Arguments for Free and Compulsory Education (Up to a Certain Level):
Human Right: International human rights law, enshrined in documents like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), recognizes education as a fundamental human right.
Primary education is explicitly stated as needing to be compulsory and free, with secondary and higher education progressively made free.

Increased Access and Equity:

Breaks the Cycle of Poverty: Financial barriers are a major reason why children, especially from low-income families, do not attend school. Free education removes these barriers, allowing all children, regardless of socioeconomic background, to access learning opportunities.

Reduces Inequalities: It helps to level the playing field, giving marginalized groups (girls, rural children, minorities) a better chance at education and future opportunities.

Societal Benefits:

Economic Growth: A more educated populace leads to a more skilled workforce, higher productivity, increased innovation, and greater economic competitiveness. Educated citizens are more likely to find employment, earn higher wages, and contribute more taxes, stimulating the economy.

Improved Health Outcomes: Educated individuals (especially women) tend to make more informed health decisions, leading to better public health outcomes, lower child mortality rates, and improved maternal health.

Reduced Crime and Social Stability: Education is correlated with lower crime rates. It fosters critical thinking, civic responsibility, and social cohesion, contributing to a more stable and peaceful society.

Active Citizenship: An educated populace is more likely to be engaged in civic life, understand their rights, and hold their leaders accountable, strengthening democratic institutions.

Child Protection: Compulsory education keeps children in schools and out of exploitative labor, reducing child labor and protecting them from harmful practices like early marriage.

National Development: Education is a cornerstone of sustainable national development across all sectors – agriculture, health, technology, governance, etc.

Arguments Against (or Challenges to) Fully Free and Compulsory Education:
Financial Burden on Governments: Providing truly free and quality education for all is incredibly expensive. It requires massive public investment in infrastructure, teacher salaries, learning materials, and technology. This is a significant challenge for developing countries with limited tax bases.

Quality Concerns:

Overcrowding: If not managed properly, universal free education can lead to overcrowded classrooms, diluting the quality of instruction.

Resource Strain: Spreading limited resources across a much larger student population can lead to inadequate supplies, poor facilities, and overworked teachers.

Reduced Accountability (Perceived): Some argue that if education is free, students might take it less seriously, and parents might be less invested, potentially leading to lower academic performance. However, this is often debated and depends heavily on the quality of the system.

Opportunity Costs for Families:
Even if tuition is free, there are indirect costs (uniforms, books, transport, food). For very poor families, the opportunity cost of sending a child to school (i.e., the income the child could have earned) can still be a significant barrier.

Curriculum Relevance (if not updated): Making education compulsory without ensuring its relevance to the job market or societal needs can lead to graduates who are educated but still unemployable, creating frustration.

Global Trend and Conclusion:
Globally, almost all countries have laws for compulsory education, and a significant majority provide free primary education. There's a growing trend towards making secondary education free and compulsory as well, recognizing its increasing importance in a knowledge-based economy. For instance, India's National Education Policy 2020 aims to make education free and compulsory for children aged 3 to 18.

For Nigeria, the argument for making education completely free and compulsory until a certain level (at least up to senior secondary school) is overwhelmingly strong.
It is not just an aspiration but a fundamental necessity for social equity, economic development, and national stability. The challenges, primarily funding and quality control, are significant but must be overcome.
These are investments that yield substantial long-term returns in human capital and national prosperity. The current system where primary education is nominally free but plagued by hidden costs, and secondary education often carries fees, still leaves millions of children out of school and perpetuates cycles of poverty and inequality.

The wealth of Mali, Songhai, and Ghana empires—especially under Mansa Musa.
The Wealth of the Mali, Songhai, and Ghana Empires: Africa’s Golden Age:-
For centuries, West Africa was home to some of the richest and most powerful empires in history.
The Ghana, Mali, and Songhai empires built vast wealth through control of trade routes, abundant natural resources—especially gold—and sophisticated governance.
These empires not only shaped regional economies but also had lasting influence on global history.

Ghana Empire (c. 300 – 1200 AD)
Often called the “Land of Gold,” the Ghana Empire was the earliest of the great West African kingdoms. Located in what is today southeastern Mauritania and western Mali, Ghana controlled major trans-Saharan trade routes. They traded gold, ivory, and kola nuts for salt, cloth, and other goods from North Africa.

Gold Wealth: Ghana’s control over gold mines made it one of the richest empires of its time.

Trade Monopoly: Ghana taxed merchants traveling through its territory, creating steady revenue.

Political Power: Its rulers, known as Ghana or “war chiefs,” maintained a strong military and centralized government.

Mali Empire (c. 1235 – 1600 AD)
The Mali Empire rose after Ghana's decline, expanding even further. Mali became legendary for its wealth, culture, and Islamic scholarship.

Mansa Musa: Mali’s most famous ruler (1312–1337), Mansa Musa, is often considered the richest person in history. His legendary pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324 showcased Mali’s immense wealth—he reportedly distributed so much gold on the journey that it caused inflation in the regions he passed through.

Gold and Salt: Mali controlled the gold mines of Bambuk and Bure, as well as important salt mines in Taghaza, making it a hub of economic power.

Cultural Center: Timbuktu and Djenné flourished as centers of learning, housing famous universities and libraries.

Trade Networks: Mali’s strategic location allowed it to dominate trade routes connecting sub-Saharan Africa with North Africa and beyond.

Songhai Empire (c. 1430 – 1591 AD)
Following Mali’s decline, the Songhai Empire rose to dominate West Africa’s political and economic landscape.

Trade and Military Strength: Under rulers like Sunni Ali and Askia Muhammad, Songhai expanded its territory and controlled key trade routes along the Niger River.

Wealth from Commerce: Songhai’s wealth came from taxing trade in gold, salt, and other goods, as well as agriculture and fishing.

Cultural Influence: Like Mali, Songhai invested in Islamic education and governance, making cities like Gao and Timbuktu cultural centers.

Administrative Innovation: Askia Muhammad reorganized the empire’s administration and expanded its influence through diplomacy and military campaigns.

Mansa Musa’s Legacy: The Richest Man in History
Mansa Musa’s reign marked the peak of Mali’s wealth and influence. His pilgrimage to Mecca not only displayed Mali’s riches but also connected West Africa to the broader Islamic world culturally and economically.

Economic Impact: His lavish spending and generous distribution of gold on his journey reportedly disrupted economies, demonstrating the sheer scale of his wealth.

Religious and Cultural Impact: Mansa Musa invested in building mosques, madrasas, and promoting Islamic scholarship, especially in Timbuktu.

Global Recognition: His wealth and pilgrimage put Mali on medieval maps and attracted scholars, traders, and travelers from across the world.

Conclusion
The Ghana, Mali, and Songhai empires exemplify Africa’s rich pre-colonial history of wealth, governance, and culture.
Their control of gold and trade routes made them global players long before European colonization.
Mansa Musa’s legendary riches symbolize a golden age of African civilization that still inspires pride today.

Data, Dollars, and Drones: Who Controls Tomorrow’s Tools?
“He who controls the data, programs the future. He who owns the drones, defends—or dictates—it. And he who prints the dollars, plays God with the global economy.”

The 21st century won’t be ruled by empires of land—it will be ruled by empires of data, capital, and surveillance technology. In this new world, algorithms shape minds, money moves faster than people, and drones fly where diplomacy dares not go.

But who truly owns these tools? Who benefits? And who is being left behind—or watched from above?

Data: The New Oil or the New Chains?
4.6 billion people are now online—most on mobile phones

Africa contributes a massive stream of digital behavior—but stores little of it locally

American and Chinese tech giants own 90% of global data traffic and storage

While data is harvested from Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, it’s analyzed in Silicon Valley, processed in Shenzhen, and monetized without consent.

“We are not just users—we are the unpaid labor feeding AI.”

Even worse: data colonialism is rising—where nations are reduced to mere sources of behavioral raw material.

Dollars: Still King of a Decaying Kingdom
Despite talk of "de-dollarization":

The US dollar dominates 88% of global trade

Countries like Ghana, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka still face currency collapse based on Fed decisions

Dollar scarcity creates austerity, debt dependency, and policy handcuffs for many Global South nations

The IMF and World Bank, still largely Western-controlled, act as gatekeepers to emergency funds—often in exchange for structural reforms that weaken local industries and sovereignty.

“When Washington sneezes, African currencies catch pneumonia.”

Meanwhile, crypto and fintechs try to provide escape routes—but they face crackdowns or co-option.

Drones: From Warfare to Watchdogs
Once a futuristic fantasy, drones are now:

Weapons in proxy wars (Libya, Ethiopia, Ukraine)

Surveillance tools for regimes monitoring protests

Delivery agents for aid and vaccines in hard-to-reach zones

Business tools for agriculture and logistics

But who owns the skies?

China’s DJI controls over 70% of the global commercial drone market

US and Israeli military drones dominate combat zones

African countries import rather than manufacture—despite strong use cases

Drones may save lives—or spy on them. Liberate farmers—or be used to suppress dissent.

Who’s Really in Control?
Let’s break it down:

Tool Controlled By Impact on Global South
Data Big Tech (US, China) Extracted, not owned
Dollars US Federal Reserve Externalized pain
Drones China, US, Israel Imported, rarely made

In all three, the Global South is a consumer, not a controller. And Africa, in particular, risks becoming the testing ground, resource mine, and data farm for tomorrow’s tech empires.

The Risks of Dependency
Surveillance authoritarianism (via foreign-built tech)

Digital dictatorships (where information flow is centralized)

Economic instability (due to external financial control)

Policy blackmail (based on foreign data or financial leverage)

If tomorrow’s tools are not domestically owned or ethically governed, Africa and other regions may end up technologically colonized—even as they go digital.

What Can Be Done?
-Data Sovereignty
-Build local data centers
-Enact data protection laws
Push for digital commons and open-source alternatives

Financial Autonomy
Explore pan-African payment systems and stable coins

Create sovereign wealth tech funds

Reduce dependency on external aid tied to conditionalities

Drone & Tech Manufacturing
Invest in STEM education and hardware innovation

Support tech hubs and partnerships with ethical manufacturers

Use drones for development, not just surveillance

Conclusion: Tools Are Not Neutral
Data, dollars, and drones will define this century. But they are not just neutral instruments—they are extensions of power, control, and ideology.

Africa and the rest of the Global South must ask:

Will we own the tools of tomorrow—or be owned by them?

This is not just a tech question.
It’s a question of sovereignty, freedom, and the shape of the future.

"What they don't teach you" on religion- For the general public: Why is religious literacy crucial for peaceful coexistence and informed civic engagement in a diverse world?
The question of "What they don't teach you" about religion, particularly for the general public, directly hits upon why religious literacy is not just a niche academic interest but an absolutely crucial skill for peaceful coexistence and informed civic engagement in our diverse, interconnected world.

Here's why:

1. Fostering Peaceful Coexistence: Bridging Divides and Reducing Conflict

Deconstructing Stereotypes and Prejudice:

What's Often Taught (or Inferred): Simplistic, often media-driven caricatures of religious groups (e.g., all Muslims are extremists, all Christians are judgmental, all atheists are immoral).

What's Untaught (and Crucial): The vast internal diversity within every major religion (different sects, denominations, interpretations, cultural expressions), the existence of peaceful and compassionate majority adherents, and the historical and political factors that often fuel extremism more than theology itself.

Why it's Crucial: Without this, the general public falls prey to misinformation and prejudice. Religious literacy allows individuals to look beyond headlines, challenge harmful stereotypes, and recognize the humanity in those with different beliefs. This directly reduces the likelihood of "othering," discrimination, and religiously-motivated violence or tension.

Understanding the Roots of Global Conflict:

What's Often Taught: Geopolitical conflicts are presented primarily through political, economic, or nationalistic lenses.

What's Untaught (and Crucial): The deep and often complex ways religious identity, historical grievances, theological interpretations, and religious leadership intertwine with political and economic factors to drive or exacerbate conflicts globally (e.g., in the Middle East, South Asia, parts of Africa).

Why it's Crucial: To genuinely understand and respond to global crises, the public needs to grasp the religious dimensions at play. Ignoring them leads to ineffective policies, misjudged interventions, and a perpetuation of conflict due to a lack of fundamental understanding of the actors' motivations and worldviews.

Promoting Effective Interfaith Dialogue:

What's Often Taught: Little about other religions beyond basic facts, leading to a perception that different faiths are fundamentally incompatible.

What's Untaught (and Crucial): The common ethical concerns, shared human experiences, and often similar underlying quests for meaning that exist across diverse religious and secular traditions. Also, how to engage in respectful dialogue without proselytizing or being dismissive.

Why it's Crucial: In pluralistic societies, friction is inevitable without dialogue. Religious literacy provides the tools to engage across belief systems, find common ground on shared values (e.g., justice, compassion, care for the environment), and work together on community issues, fostering social cohesion.

2. Informed Civic Engagement: Navigating a Complex Society

Understanding Domestic Politics and Policy Debates:

What's Often Taught: Political issues are framed as purely secular matters of policy and economics.

What's Untaught (and Crucial): The powerful role of religious lobbying groups, the influence of faith-based organizations on social policy (e.g., healthcare, education, social welfare), and how religious values inform voters' choices and politicians' positions on a vast array of issues (e.g., abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, environmental regulations, foreign aid).

Why it's Crucial: A religiously illiterate public cannot fully grasp the motivations behind certain political movements or legislative efforts. They may misinterpret policy debates or be unable to critically evaluate the arguments presented, hindering their ability to vote and participate effectively in a democracy.

Navigating Rights and Responsibilities in a Pluralistic Society:

What's Often Taught: Basic concepts of freedom of speech and religion.

What's Untaught (and Crucial): The complexities of religious freedom (e.g., balancing individual religious rights with public good, "reasonable accommodation" vs. discrimination), the historical evolution of church-state separation, and the diverse ways different societies approach religion in the public square.

Why it's Crucial: The general public needs to understand why certain religious groups act or advocate in particular ways, and how their rights intersect with the rights of others. This is essential for preventing clashes over public space, school curricula, workplace policies, and ultimately, for upholding a truly inclusive and equitable society.

Critical Media Literacy:

What's Often Taught: How to identify basic bias in news.

What's Untaught (and Crucial): How religious narratives are often oversimplified, sensationalized, or misinterpreted in media coverage; how to discern between genuine religious expression and the political manipulation of religious identity.

Why it's Crucial: In an age of widespread misinformation, religious literacy empowers individuals to critically evaluate news stories, recognize loaded language, and demand more nuanced reporting on religious issues, protecting them from being swayed by harmful narratives.

Appreciating Cultural Heritage and Diversity:

What's Often Taught: Culture is often presented broadly, without diving into its foundational elements.

What's Untaught (and Crucial): The immense influence of religion on art, architecture, music, literature, holidays, and social customs around the world.

Why it's Crucial: Understanding this enriches cultural appreciation, whether visiting a historic site, reading a classic novel, or participating in a festival. It allows the public to appreciate the depth and beauty of human creativity and tradition, fostering a richer civic life and more respectful interactions with diverse communities.

In conclusion, for the general public, religious literacy moves beyond mere curiosity; it is a practical necessity for navigating the complexities of modern life. It equips individuals with the understanding, empathy, and critical thinking skills needed to contribute to a society that is not only tolerant but genuinely capable of peaceful coexistence and robust, informed democratic engagement in a truly diverse world.

"What they don't teach you" on religion- For the non-believer/skeptic: How can this understanding move beyond simplistic criticisms and foster a more nuanced appreciation of religion's role in human history and culture?
"What they don't teach you" about religion, especially its complexities and historical nuances, offers profound benefits for the non-believer or skeptic. It enables them to move beyond superficial criticisms and develop a far more nuanced and insightful appreciation of religion's pervasive and multifaceted role in human history and culture.

Here's how:

1. Moving Beyond Simplistic Criticisms:

Challenging the "Religion is Inherently Bad" Narrative:

The Simplistic Criticism: Often, the default view among skeptics (sometimes fueled by media or personal negative experiences) is that religion is inherently a source of conflict, oppression, and irrationality. Famous historical examples (Inquisitions, Crusades) are highlighted as definitive proof.

The Untaught Nuance: A deeper understanding reveals that while religion has certainly been used to justify violence and oppression, it has also been a powerful force for social justice (Civil Rights Movement, anti-slavery movements), art, philosophy, charitable work, and community building. Understanding the complexity of human motivation and the interplay of power, politics, and specific interpretations (rather than religion itself) allows for a more balanced view.

Benefit for the Non-Believer: This moves beyond a reactive, often emotional, rejection to a more intellectually robust critique. It allows for a more precise analysis: not "religion is bad," but "certain interpretations or uses of religion, at certain times, have led to negative outcomes." This makes their arguments more credible and less easily dismissed by believers.

Deconstructing "Irrationality":

The Simplistic Criticism: Religious beliefs are often dismissed as purely irrational, lacking empirical evidence.

The Untaught Nuance: Understanding the philosophical depth of theology, the psychological functions of ritual and myth (e.g., providing meaning, coping with existential dread), and the sociological role of religion in creating community and social cohesion. Many religious ideas, even if not scientifically verifiable, address profound human questions that science doesn't (or can't).

Benefit for the Non-Believer: This allows for an appreciation of the reasons why people believe, without necessarily sharing those beliefs. It recognizes religion as a complex human phenomenon, not just a set of "wrong ideas." This fosters intellectual humility and prevents the trap of intellectual arrogance.

Recognizing Internal Diversity and Evolution:

The Simplistic Criticism: Treating entire religions as monolithic entities (e.g., "Islam says this," "Christianity does that").

The Untaught Nuance: The vast internal diversity within religions (different sects, denominations, schools of thought), the historical evolution of doctrines, and the influence of culture and context on religious practice.

Benefit for the Non-Believer: It enables a more precise critique. Instead of condemning an entire tradition, one can target specific interpretations or fundamentalist approaches. This fosters more productive dialogue and prevents strawman arguments.

2. Fostering a More Nuanced Appreciation:

Understanding Historical and Cultural Foundations:

What's Untaught: The profound extent to which religion has shaped laws, ethics, art, literature, music, philosophy, and political structures across virtually all human civilizations. Many concepts we take for granted (e.g., certain notions of justice, charity, human dignity) have strong religious roots.

Benefit for the Non-Believer: This allows for a deeper appreciation of the origins of human civilization and cultural achievements. One can admire a Gothic cathedral, a piece of classical music, or a work of art, recognizing its religious inspiration, without having to believe in the specific deity it honors. This enriches one's understanding of art, history, and the human story itself.

Recognizing Religion's Role in Meaning-Making:

What's Untaught: The deep human need for meaning, purpose, and connection, and how religion has historically provided frameworks for these existential questions for billions of people.

Benefit for the Non-Believer: It fosters empathy for believers and an understanding of the powerful emotional and psychological comfort religion can provide. It highlights that while one may not find answers in religion, the questions it addresses are universal. This can inform their own search for meaning, whether through secular philosophy, community, or personal values.

Informing Contemporary Social and Political Analysis:

What's Untaught: How religious beliefs continue to powerfully influence political movements, social debates (e.g., abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, environmental policy), and international relations.

Benefit for the Non-Believer: To truly understand the world today, one must understand the religious motivations and worldviews of many actors. Dismissing religion out of hand blinds one to a significant driver of human behavior and geopolitical events. It allows for more informed political engagement and a deeper understanding of "culture wars."

Enhancing Ethical Reasoning:

What's Untaught: The complex ethical systems developed within religious traditions, the internal debates about moral dilemmas, and the evolution of religious ethics over time.

Benefit for the Non-Believer: It provides a vast source of historical ethical reasoning, even if one doesn't accept the divine origins. One can learn from and engage with these ethical frameworks, comparing them to secular ethics and developing a more robust personal moral philosophy.

In essence, by grappling with the complexities of religion, the non-believer moves from a position of sometimes narrow, reactive opposition to one of intellectual curiosity and cultural literacy. It allows them to appreciate the historical depth, cultural impact, and psychological power of religion as a human phenomenon, even while maintaining their skeptical stance on its supernatural claims. This leads to a richer, more informed worldview and more productive engagement with the diverse world around them.

Ubuntu Safari #ubuntusafacom ubuntusafa.com

"Safa-Ubuntu" or "Safari Ubuntu" is a powerful phrase combining two meaningful African words from different languages:

Word Breakdown:
Safa or Safari (from Swahili):

"Safari" means journey or travel.

It's not just a physical trip — in African culture, it often refers to a life journey, mission, or path of growth.

Ubuntu (from Nguni languages like Zulu and Xhosa):

Ubuntu means "I am because we are."

It's a deep African philosophy of humanity, interconnectedness, compassion, and community.

Ubuntu Safari #ubuntusafacom ubuntusafa.com
"Ubuntu" is a powerful African philosophy and way of life deeply rooted in traditional African cultures. It is more than just a word—Ubuntu reflects the core values of humanity, community, compassion, and mutual respect.

What Does "Ubuntu" Mean?
At its core, Ubuntu is often translated as:

"I am because we are" or "A person is a person through other people."

In various African languages:

In Zulu and Xhosa (South Africa), Ubuntu means humanness or human kindness.

In Shona (Zimbabwe), the concept is similar to "unhu", referring to good character.

In Bantu languages across Africa, variations of Ubuntu emphasize collective responsibility, empathy, and communal living.

UbuntuSafa- Ubuntu Safari- You Are either with Ubuntu-Safari or Against.
#ubuntusafacom #ubuntusafacom #ubuntusafacom
https://ubuntusafa.com/ https://ubuntusafa.com/
Africans and blacks around the world join the movement of "Ubuntu Safari"
Safa or Safari (from Swahili):
"Safari" means journey or travel.
It's not just a physical trip — in African culture, it often refers to a life journey, mission, or path of growth.
Ubuntu (from Nguni languages like Zulu and Xhosa):
Ubuntu means "I am because we are."
It's a deep African philosophy of humanity, interconnectedness, compassion, and community.
#ubuntusafacom #ubuntusafacom #ubuntusafacom
So what does Safa-Ubuntu / Safari Ubuntu mean?
In plain terms:
"A journey of humanity"
or
"Walking the path of shared humanity and unity."
Full Meaning:
Safari Ubuntu is about more than travel—
It's a life journey guided by Ubuntu values:
Caring for others
Building community
Sharing resources
Respecting everyone as part of a great

How America can fast-track critical metals production—and disrupt the leverage that China just used...

Critical minerals are finally getting the attention they deserve. This year, rare earth elements have dominated headlines, whether because of geopolitical tensions in Greenland and Ukraine or escalating trade disputes with China. They loomed large in U.S.-China trade talks this week, allowing China to drive a hard bargain.

The 17 rare earth elements (REEs) are indispensable. They exhibit unique electromagnetic properties that make numerous technologies function—think smartphones, electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, humanoid robotics, advanced defense systems, and more.

The Trump administration seems to understand this. Recent actions by President Donald Trump—including his executive order “Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production” and his use of Section 232—have made clear America’s interest in rare earths. Indeed, long before this administration, bipartisan recognition of these minerals’ strategic value already existed, for national security and a vast array of advanced technologies.

China dominates in rare earth elements-
As has been widely reported, China currently controls around 90% of global REE production. Its dominance is so strong that even some Western companies must send their rare earth materials to China for processing. Now, with Beijing imposing export controls on key elements and rare earths having been a central focus during this week’s U.S.-China trade talks, the challenge has been further amplified for America.

China’s grip is the result of decades of long-term investment, aggressive policy, and an economic playbook designed to corner the market. Processing rare earths is also notoriously dirty, which is something China has historically been less concerned about.

A 4-point fast-track program-
If the U.S. is serious about building a resilient, domestic REE supply chain, it must act with urgency. Here’s how we can do it, and do it fast:

Inject capital at scale-
The U.S. must follow China’s lead by strategically funding and investing in rare earth producers and infrastructure. Rare earth development, particularly refining, requires significant capital, unless the asset is already advanced and leverages existing infrastructure. That is rarely the case in the U.S., and while both private and public companies are raising funds, significant federal support is essential to compete with China at scale. America’s late start means we must move faster and spend smarter. We can’t afford to wait.

Establish price stability-
Once U.S. producers are operational, price volatility becomes the next major hurdle. China can manipulate the global market by flooding it with underpriced material, undermining U.S. startups before they can gain traction. A temporary pricing floor or purchase guarantee for U.S.-sourced rare earths would help stabilize the market and protect domestic growth. The U.S. has implemented similar pricing strategies to support other foundational industries, including oil and agriculture. America’s emerging rare earth industry is critical and could benefit from these types of pricing initiatives.

Streamline permitting-
While the U.S. rightly values environmental protection and community impact, permitting delays are hampering progress. Responsible, low-impact projects are waiting in line, when they should be fast-tracked. We must retain environmental oversight but remove unnecessary bureaucratic barriers that stifle innovation and increase costs. China has little to no concern with environmental protection in regard to REEs, so removing these roadblocks in the short term will not only allow U.S. companies to get set up to compete, but will also be better for the environment in the long term, all while delivering significant value for American stakeholders.

Create a centralized refining hub-
The rare earth bottleneck isn’t mining—it’s refining. Processing capacity outside China is severely limited. The U.S. needs a centralized, government-backed refinery that serves multiple companies, enabling cost-effective and collaborative scaling. This shared facility would accelerate production, reduce risk, and mark a crucial step toward independence from China’s stranglehold. I believe this effort is the best path forward for Americans to unite and build the industrial infrastructure required to combat the big bully in the rare earth space.

The power of a public-private partnership-
With government support and private-sector innovation, we can build a fully integrated rare earth supply chain. Doing so would neutralize one of China’s most powerful economic weapons and create a strategic advantage for the U.S. in critical industries. It’s also a smart investment in America’s long-term manufacturing future.

This isn’t just about minerals. It’s about national security, technological leadership, and economic resilience. The time to act and join forces is now.

US President Donald Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the war in Gaza and stop talk of an attack on Iran, according to a source familiar with the conversation.

The two leaders spoke on the phone on Monday. Trump later said the call went “very well, very smooth.”

The call for Israel to change course comes as Washington pushes for a nuclear deal with Iran and engages in indirect talks with Hamas over a ceasefire in Gaza.

Netanyahu convened his top ministers Tuesday night after there was “some progress” in negotiations toward a ceasefire deal, according to his office. The purpose of the meeting was to give updates on the negotiations and discuss next steps.

Earlier in the day, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said there had been recent progress in ceasefire talks that also aim to bring back hostages held in Gaza.

“Israel is serious in its will to secure a hostage deal. There has recently been certain progress,” Sa’ar told a news conference in Jerusalem, adding that “in light of past experience, I don’t want to overstate it at this point.”

On Thursday, Hamas said it remains open to the ceasefire deal proposed by US envoy Steve Witkoff, but said it requires stronger guarantees against Israeli attacks.

In a televised speech on Thursday, Khalil Al-Hayya, a high-ranking official in the militant group, said Hamas has not rejected Witkoff’s proposal but has submitted amendments with stronger security guarantees.

Hamas wants any deal to include a permanent end to the war in Gaza and a withdrawal of Israeli forces.

Growing rift
Trump and Netanyahu appear increasingly at odds over the war in Gaza as the conflict passes the 20-month mark. Netanyahu has made clear that his war goals include the complete disarmament and removal of Hamas, while Trump has pushed for an end to the war.

It’s one of several major issues in the region where a growing rift is emerging between the US and Israel. In recent weeks, the Trump administration bypassed Israel on a trip to the Middle East, reached a ceasefire deal with the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen that failed to halt their ballistic missile attacks at Israel, and lifted sanctions on Syria – even as Israel warns against legitimizing a regime run by former jihadists.

Meanwhile, Trump said his administration is “trying to make a deal so that there’s no destruction and death” in Iran. The sixth round of talks between the US and Iran is slated to start in the coming days.

During their call, Trump asked Netanyahu to stop talking about an attack on Iran, the source familiar with the conversation said, and halt the leaks and reports about plans and preparations for an Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Netanyahu has repeatedly pushed for a military option to stop Iran’s nuclear program. In the conversation with Trump, Netanyahu told Trump that Iran is just trying to buy time and isn’t serious about negotiations, the source said. CNN reported last month that Israel was preparing for a possible strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

The Trump administration has also been trying to expand the Abraham Accords, the landmark series of agreements from Trump’s first term that saw Israel normalize relations with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco.
But Saudi Arabia – whose agreement to such a deal would be the ultimate prize – has repeatedly made clear that it will not normalize relations with Israel without concrete steps towards recognition of a Palestinian state and a plan to implement the two-state solution.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said this week that a two-state solution is no longer a goal of US policy, as it had been for decades of both Republican and Democrat administrations.

“Unless there are some significant things that happen that change the culture, there’s no room for it,” Huckabee told Bloomberg News in an interview in Jerusalem. He said it won’t happen “in our lifetime.” Huckabee has previously advocated for Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and once said that “there’s really no such thing as a Palestinian.”

Earlier in the war, Trump laid out vague plans for a “Gaza Riviera” that envisioned US control of the coastal enclave and the displacement of large parts of the Palestinian population living there.

International pressure has increased again on Israel. Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway say they have imposed sanctions on two far-right Israeli government ministers for allegedly “inciting extremist violence” against Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich face asset freezes and travel bans. They are champions of expanding Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Settler violence there has spiked since the start of the war in Gaza, where the ministers have been the most vocal in support of hardline policies.

Meanwhile, Israel's navy attacked docks in Yemen’s rebel-held port city of Hodeida, likely damaging facilities that are key to aid shipments to the hungry, war-wracked nation. This is the first time Israeli forces have been involved in attacks against the Iranian-backed Houthis, who have launched missiles and drones targeting Israel during its war on Hamas in Gaza.

Inside Gaza, Palestinian health officials and witnesses said Israeli forces fired toward crowds making their way to a food distribution point run by an Israeli and U.S.-supported group, killing three people and wounding scores.

And Israel deported activists including Greta Thunberg, the Foreign Ministry said, a day after the military seized their Gaza-bound ship protesting Israel's restrictions on aid to the territory.

Here's the latest:

UK and others sanction Israeli ministers for ‘inciting violence against Palestinians’

Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway have imposed sanctions on two far-right Israeli government ministers for allegedly “inciting extremist violence” against Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich face asset freezes and travel bans from the five countries. They are champions of expanding Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

The five countries’ foreign ministers said Tuesday that Ben-Gvir and Smotrich “have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights."

Thunberg speaks after Israel deports her.

Activist Greta Thunberg has arrived in France after being deported from Israel. She says the conditions she and other activists faced as they tried to sail to Gaza “are absolutely nothing compared to what people are going through in Palestine and especially Gaza right now.”

Israel seized their boat on Monday. Thunberg says they were well aware of the risks. “The aim was to get to Gaza and to be able to distribute the aid," she said in Paris.

She said the activists would continue trying to get aid to Gaza, where experts have warned of famine under Israeli restrictions on supplies into the territory of over 2 million people.

Israel says the U.K. is sanctioning 2 Cabinet ministers

Israel says it has been informed that the United Kingdom will sanction two of its Cabinet ministers. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar did not provide their names in public remarks.

It appears the sanctions will target Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, two far-right champions of Israeli settlements in Palestinian areas. Ben-Gvir and Smotrich both acknowledged the sanctions on social media, and Smotrich confirmed he was a target.

Israeli police arrest 13-year-old, accuse him of carrying out tasks for Iran

Israeli police arrested a 13-year-old, accusing him of taking money to carry out tasks for Iran.

A statement from the police and the domestic security agency Shin Bet Tuesday said the teen had been contacted on the messaging app Telegram by “Iranian elements,” without elaborating.

Police say the teen, a resident of Tel Aviv, was asked to take pictures of Israel’s missile defense system Iron Dome, a task he did not carry out. They also accuse him of spraying graffiti at the behest of his Telegram contact.

The teen was released on house arrest after being questioned, police said.

Over recent months, Israel has arrested several people in connection with what it says are attempts by Iran and others to pay Israelis to spy on facilities and officials.

Gaza aid ship’s organizers call activist detentions arbitrary

The group behind the Gaza-bound ship that Israel seized says that four of its passengers, including Greta Thunberg, have been deported.

The remaining eight are being detained while waiting to appear before a judge. They are expected to be deported within days.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition called on the Israeli authorities to release the passengers without deportation. It said their legal team will argue that the ship’s interception was unlawful and the detentions arbitrary. Lawyers will also demand that they be allowed to complete their mission to Gaza, the group said in a statement.

Remains of Thai hostage who was held in Gaza to be flown to Thailand

The Foreign Ministry of Thailand says that the remains of a Thai laborer who was taken hostage by Hamas will be sent back to Thailand on Tuesday.

Nattapong Pinta came to Israel to work in agriculture. Israel’s government said he was seized during Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack from a kibbutz in southern Israel and killed early in the war.

Israel said Saturday it had retrieved his remains in an operation in southern Gaza.

Spanish activist slams Gaza-bound boat’s interception after being deported by Israel

Sergio Toribio, a Spanish activist who was on the Gaza-bound ship seized by Israel, arrived in Barcelona Tuesday after being deported.

Speaking to reporters upon his arrival, he slammed Israel’s interception of the boat.

“It is unforgivable, it is a violation of our rights. It is a pirate attack in international waters.” he said.

He continued: “We weren’t doing anything wrong, we were just carrying provisions as a symbolic gesture.”

Spanish media described Toribio as a 49-year-old ship mechanic.

Israeli military says it intercepted a projectile fired from Gaza Strip

The Israeli military says it intercepted a projectile fired from the northern Gaza Strip that set off air raid sirens in nearby Israeli communities.

There were no reports of casualties or damage.

Rocket fire from Gaza has grown rare as Israel’s 20-month military campaign has depleted the military capabilities of Hamas, which fired thousands of rockets during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that ignited the war.

Palestinians say Israeli forces fired toward crowd near Gaza aid site, killing 3

Palestinian health officials and witnesses say Israeli forces fired toward crowds making their way to a food distribution point in the Gaza Strip early Tuesday, killing three people.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Awda Hospital in central Gaza, which received the casualties, said two men and a child were killed and at least 130 were wounded. The Associated Press spoke to two witnesses who said Israeli forces fired toward the crowds at around 2 a.m. hundreds of meters (yards) from the aid site.

Experts and humanitarian aid workers say Israel’s blockade and military campaign have pushed Gaza to the brink of famine.

Around 130 people have been killed in a number of shootings near aid sites run by a new Israeli and U.S.-backed organization. The Israeli military has acknowledged firing warning shots on previous occasions at people who it says approached its forces in a suspicious manner.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which runs the sites, says there has been no violence in or around the distribution points themselves. But it has warned people to stay on designated access routes and paused delivery last week while it held talks with the military on improving safety.

French foreign minister says 1 detained French activist signed expulsion order and will leave Israel

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Tuesday that one of the detained French activists who was on a Gaza-bound ship intercepted by Israel signed an expulsion order and will leave Israel on Tuesday for France.

The other five refused and will await court decisions in the coming days. In a separate post on X, Barrot said the five will face a “forced expulsion.”

All six received consular visits overnight around 3 a.m., he said, as did the other activists aboard the ship.

The French detainees were transferred overnight to a detention center in the Israeli city of Ramle, he said, and may receive another consular visit there.

Israel deports Greta Thunberg after seizing the ship she was on

Activist Greta Thunberg is being deported from Israel, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday, after the Gaza-bound ship she was on was seized by the Israeli military.

In a post on X, the Foreign Ministry shared a photo of Thunberg on a plane, saying that she was headed for France.

Thunberg was one of 12 passengers on board the Madleen, a boat carrying aid destined for people in war-torn Gaza.

The activists said they were protesting the ongoing war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Israel says such ships violate its naval blockade of Gaza.

Ukraine has criticised Polish plans to establish a remembrance day for Poles massacred by Ukrainians during the Second World War.

Poland’s parliament this week approved a new public holiday on July 11 to commemorate victims of a “genocide” committed by Ukrainian nationalist groups during the conflict.

The date marks what Poles call “Volhynian Bloody Sunday”, when a 1943 operation by Ukrainian death squads killed thousands of civilians in settlements across the Wolyn province, which is mostly now in Ukraine and known as Volyn.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry attacked the move, saying the decision to commemorate what it described as a “so-called genocide” flew in the face of “good neighbourly relations between Ukraine and Poland”.

“Poles should not look for enemies among Ukrainians, and Ukrainians should not look for enemies among Poles. We have a common enemy – Russia,” it said.

It added: “The path to true reconciliation lies through dialogue, mutual respect and joint work by historians, rather than through unilateral political assessments.”

Volodymyr Zelensky has commemorated the massacre with the laying of wreaths, but labelling the killings a genocide continues to be a contentious issue between the two countries.

Although Poland has been one of Ukraine’s staunchest backers in its fight against Russia, relations have been strained due to rows over EU policies that favour Ukrainian agriculture.

Polish farmers have picketed the Ukraine border to protest grain shipments being diverted from the Black Sea through Poland, a move, they say, which undercuts domestic produce. Brussels has also scrapped tariffs on Ukrainian grain, although this duty-free regime is set to end on July 5.

Karol Nawrocki, Poland’s new president, has also struck a more critical tone than his predecessor on support for Ukraine, saying Kyiv should not be admitted to the EU. Though the president’s role is largely ceremonial, he has the power to veto legislation.

An estimated 100,000 Poles were killed by Ukrainian nationalists during the Second World War in an attempt to ensure that Wolyn did not become part of postwar Poland.

The Bloody Sunday attack was planned so that the death squads would surprise as many Poles as possible during the Sunday mass, according to the Second World War Museum in Gdansk.

Elon Musk has hit back at Steve Bannon after the longtime MAGA hardliner called on President Donald Trump to “seize” SpaceX.

Following this week’s nuclear fall-out between Trump and top campaign donor Musk—who until last week was also one of the president’s most important advisers—Bannon slammed Musk’s government cost-cutting efforts and called for him to be deported.

During Thursday’s episode of his War Room podcast, he also referred to a social media exchange between the former allies in which Trump threatened to cancel Musk’s government contracts, and Musk responded that SpaceX would “begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately.

“When he threatens to take one of the big programs out of SpaceX, President Trump tonight should sign an executive order calling for the Defense Production Act to be called and seize SpaceX tonight before midnight,” Bannon said.

Generally speaking, the 1950 act doesn’t give the government the power to “seize” companies. Instead, it allows the president to control domestic industries during emergencies by ordering companies to prioritize orders from the federal government, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.

The president also has the power to allocate materials, services and facilities for production, make loans or loan guarantees to companies, and prevent hoarding of necessary supplies.

Both Democratic and Republican administrations have routinely used the act to place military orders, bolster domestic production of critical materials, and increase production of medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the CFR.

Rather than point any of this out, Musk responded to Bannon by calling him a slur favored by middle-school bullies—and MAGA culture warriors.

Taiwan is offering aid to its lone Central American diplomatic ally, Guatemala, as it attempts to stave off efforts by China to win away its last remaining partners.

During a meeting Thursday with his visiting Guatemalan counterpart Bernardo Arevalo, President Lai Ching-te said the two countries would “strengthen exchanges and cooperation as well as scholarship programs for young people, provide training for high-tech and information and communication talents.so as to push forward prosperity and development.”

Arevalo identified public health, education, agriculture, technology and infrastructure as key areas where Guatemala was seeking to increase its capacity.

”In the future, we shall continue to strengthen bilateral relations based on the solid foundations built in the past,” the president said.

Such assistance is key as Taiwan attempts to hold the line against advances by China, which typically offers big-ticket items such as highways, railways and stadiums to lure away Taiwan's allies, often expecting repayment at market rates.

Winning over Taiwan's allies brings China closer to its goal of diplomatically isolating Taiwan in order to demoralize the population and aid Beijing in its goal of “peacefully unifying” with the island it claims as its own territory.

Taiwan's offerings tend to be more modest and pragmatic, largely because it is a parliamentary democracy where all such spending must be approved by the legislature. It also offers the model of a functioning democracy in a world increasingly leaning toward hardline authoritarian regimes.

Still, China has steadily reduced the number of Taiwan's diplomatic allies to just 12 after launching campaigns in the Caribbean and Central America to win over countries such as Peru.

The man picked by Beijing as the second highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism pledged adherence to the ruling Communist Party's dictates Friday during a rare face-to-face meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, state media reported.

Gyaltsen Norbu, who is rarely seen in public, met behind closed doors with Xi Jinping in Zhongnanhai, the government compound in the center of Beijing, about 3,700 kilometers (about 2,300 miles) from his home monastery of Tashilhumpo, high on the Tibetan steppe.

Gyaltsen Norbu, 35, said he would “firmly support the leadership of the Communist Party of China, and resolutely safeguard the unity of the motherland and national unity,” the Xinhua News Agency reported.

The Chinese government appointed Gyaltsen Norbu as the Panchen Lama of Tibetan Buddhism in 1995 at age 5 after followers of the Dalai Lama recognized a different boy, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, as the Panchen’s incarnation.

That boy and his family disappeared in 1995 in what the U.S. government has alleged was an abduction by the Chinese government, and the Dalai Lama, 89, has refused to recognize the Chinese-appointed Panchen Lama.

The Chinese government says Gedhun Choekyi Nyima is now a college graduate living a private life and working at a stable job, while producing no evidence.

The Chinese-appointed Panchen Lama was quoted Friday by Xinhua as saying that he would “contribute to promoting national unity and progress, systematically promote the sinicization of religion in China, and promote the modernization of Tibet."

Xi's government uses the term “sinicization” to mean that all religions including Christianity and Islam must take their orders from the Communist Party, reduce their non-Chinese aspects and limit their role in society.

Xi was quoted as telling the Chinese government's Panchen that he should continue Tibetan Buddhism’s “strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, systematically advancing the sinicization of religion in China, and promoting the modernization of Tibet.”

Last month, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement marking the 30th anniversary of the disappearance of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, saying he and his family had been abducted by the Chinese government.

“Chinese authorities should release Gedhun Choekyi Nyima immediately and stop persecuting Tibetans for their religious beliefs,” Rubio’s statement read.

The position of Panchen Lama is especially sensitive since he is expected to take part in the recognition of a new Dalai Lama and serve as his tutor, a religious process that the officially atheist Communist Party is determined to control.

The meeting Friday also reflected Xi’s focus on economic and political stability within China’s borders, where an economic slump has raised concerns of anti-government outbursts and control over minority groups is an overwhelming obsession.

China claims Tibet has been part of China for centuries, but many Tibetans say they were effectively independent for much of that time and that Beijing is now seeking to destroy their human rights, language and Buddhist culture.

The Dalai Lama fled into exile in India in 1959 after an abortive uprising against Chinese forces and has long been vilified by Beijing as a separatist. The government denies his traditional right to recognize reincarnated lamas.

Chinese Web Around U.S. Military Bases Worries Americans; Is Ukraine’s ‘Shock’ Attack On Russia A Wake-Up Call For Trump?

The surprise Ukrainian drone attack on Russia, facilitated by the smuggling of drones inside trucks, has rattled the world at large. American analysts and lawmakers are now concerned that Chinese cargo ships that dock at U.S. ports could potentially carry out a similar stunt against the United States.

The Security Service of Ukraine, or SBU, launched the drone attacks on multiple Russian military bases on June 1 under ‘Operation Spiderweb.’ The operation involved 117 First Person View (FPV) drones that were smuggled into Russia, concealed in wooden containers with remotely operated roofs mounted on trucks.

These trucks, driven by individuals reportedly unaware of the cargo they were carrying, were positioned near the target air bases to ensure precision strikes.

Russia couldn’t have fathomed that an infiltration like that was taking place right under its nose. The strikes, meticulously planned over 18 months, humiliated Russia’s military by exposing the gaps in its intelligence architecture and the vulnerabilities in its air defenses.

Caught unaware, the Russian military sustained losses of billions of dollars. In the aftermath of the incident, several pro-Russian military bloggers said it was Russia’s Pearl Harbor, a reference to the surprise Japanese attack on the US Pearl Harbor port during World War II, that destroyed multiple US warships and aircraft.

The attack, perhaps the most significant demonstration of asymmetric warfare in recent times, will have far-reaching global repercussions. US analysts are concerned that China could replicate a similar move against America, utilizing its cargo ships that have unrestricted access to US ports, as highlighted by Newsweek in a recent report.

The report noted that lawmakers and security experts have expressed concerns over China’s state-owned shipping behemoth, COSCO Shipping, operating across US ports, despite being classified as a Chinese military enterprise by the Pentagon in January 2025.

US analysts have voiced concern that these cargo ships could be used to deploy drones, possibly hidden inside ships, to launch a preemptive strike on US ports in the event of a conflict.

COSCO is the largest state-owned shipping firm in China and a significant force in international marine logistics, with a considerable presence in important US ports, including Oakland, Long Beach, and Los Angeles, among others.

In January 2025, the House Committee on Homeland Security expressed concern about COSCO’s access to major US ports and the alleged presence of suspected Chinese Communist Party (CCP) political officers on board its ships, suggesting direct CCP influence. It warned of threats like espionage, cyber intrusion, or even sabotage by the Chinese.

The Trump administration has imposed port fees on COSCO to challenge China’s hegemony in the world’s shipbuilding industry. Additionally, the recently imposed US tariffs, including a 145% tariff on Chinese goods, have led to a sharp decline in COSCO’s shipments to American ports.

For example, the Port of Los Angeles saw a 35% plunge in cargo volume in May 2025, with COSCO and other carriers canceling transits.

Notably, a temporary US-China tariff truce last month spurred a surge in bookings, but COSCO continues to face operational challenges due to fees and reduced demand.

Despite COSCO’s reduced presence in the US, US analysts remain suspicious. Retired Navy Commander Thomas Shugart and a fellow at the Center for a New American Security said: “It is becoming borderline-insane that we routinely allow ships owned and operated by DoD-designated Chinese military companies to sit in our ports with thousands of containers onboard and under their control.”

While a Chinese attack is unlikely without an existing state of war, the presence of COSCO vessels near critical infrastructure, like the Norfolk Naval Station, raises concerns about espionage or sabotage.

It is pertinent to note that even the Ukrainian operation took 18 months of planning and intelligence gathering to achieve the desired result.

Moreover, there have been suggestive reports about China spying on US military facilities by purchasing land nearby and even infiltrating the US port infrastructure in the past, which makes the threat of a Ukraine drone-like attack more plausible to some in the US.

Chinese Spying Concerns Loom Large
Chinese ships docking at US ports have been a matter of discourse in the US for quite some time. Last year, a US Congressional investigation discovered that a Chinese business installed intelligence-gathering equipment on cranes used at US seaports, potentially enabling Beijing to spy on Americans or damage vital infrastructure.

ZPMC, a state-owned engineering company based in Shanghai, exerted pressure on American port authorities to grant remote access to its cranes, specifically those situated on the West Coast, i.e., the contiguous states of California, Oregon, and Washington.

The report, produced after a year-long research, warned that “This access could potentially be extended to other [People’s Republic of China] government entities, posing a significant risk due to the PRC’s national security laws that mandate cooperation with state intelligence agencies.”

Citing contract paperwork and testimonies from port operators, the investigation stated that “these unknown modems were believed to have been installed under the auspices of collecting usage data for the equipment.” These modems allegedly employed a covert approach to gathering data and circumventing firewalls, which could potentially disrupt port operations, even though they were unnecessary for the cranes to operate.

At the time, these findings caused alarm because about 80% of the cargo cranes in American ports are owned by ZPMC.

Transporting goods through US marine ports, which generate trillions of dollars in economic activity every year, requires ship-to-shore cranes. However, because these cranes can often be controlled remotely, anyone with access to the networks may be able to collect intelligence from ports or damage equipment.

In a hypothetical scenario, the intelligence collected through the cranes could be used to launch an ‘Operation Spiderweb’ type of operation where Chinese cargos double up as carriers of drones that go off by flicking a button on a remote.

Earlier, the White House disclosed plans to “phase out Chinese-made port equipment and fully return crane making to the United States to deal with 200 Chinese-made cranes at U.S. ports and facilities”. However, the progress of that effort under the Trump administration remains unknown.

Another prevailing concern in the United States has been the ownership of farm and commercial land near US military facilities by Chinese people and corporations.

A previous report revealed that Chinese companies purchased several farmlands close to strategic US military installations, including some of the most strategically important military installations, such as MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida; Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in San Diego, California; Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg) in Fayetteville, North Carolina; and Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) in Killeen, Texas.

Sources suggest that under the guise of farming, Chinese landowners could potentially set up surveillance equipment or use drones to monitor military sites. According to the January 2024 data from the US Department of Agriculture, China claims 349,442 acres out of roughly 40 million acres of foreign-owned farmland, or 0.87 percent.

It does not help that Chinese nationals have sneaked into military bases and other sensitive US sites more than 100 times in recent years, as the Wall Street Journal reported in 2023. This raises a very alarming issue regarding Chinese ownership of land near military sites.

Additionally, the US National Association of Realtors (NAR) stated in a report last year that the Chinese have remained the top foreign buyers of US residential property for the 11th consecutive year.

Experts caution that, just as Ukraine’s drones targeted Russian airfields, Chinese-owned property may be used for tracking devices, reconnaissance sites, or drones to observe US military activities.

The strategic placement of these lands near bases like Fort Liberty, which hosts critical airborne and special operations units, amplifies concerns about a surprise threat akin to Pearl Harbor’s unexpected attack.

Although no US federal law mandates a ban, individual states have been passing laws to curtail Chinese ownership of land near US military bases.

How did the Europeans handle African resistance movements — and did they label all resistance as “savagery”?

European colonizers responded to African resistance movements with brutal force, propaganda, and systematic repression. Yes—they often labeled resistance as “savagery,” “rebellion,” or “barbarism” to justify violent crackdowns and reinforce racist narratives that Africans were uncivilized and needed European control.

How Africans Resisted:
Africans did not passively accept colonization. Resistance came in many forms:

Military resistance (e.g., Zulu, Asante, Mahdist, Herero uprisings)

Spiritual and religious movements (e.g., Maji Maji Rebellion in Tanzania)

Political defiance (refusing treaties, disrupting administration)

Cultural resistance (preserving language, rejecting European norms)

Revolts by African soldiers and workers

European Responses to Resistance:
1. Military Suppression
Europeans used superior weapons, scorched-earth tactics, and mass killings to crush resistance.

Battles were often one-sided massacres due to advanced European guns vs African spears or old rifles.

Example:
The Herero and Nama Genocide (1904–1908, German South-West Africa) — Germany killed over 80% of the Herero people after they resisted land grabs.

2. Brutal Punishments & Collective Reprisals
Entire villages were burned, crops destroyed, and populations displaced.

Executions, forced labor, and imprisonment were common.

In Congo, under King Leopold II, hands were cut off as punishment for “resisting rubber quotas.”

3. Labeling Resistance as “Savagery”
Colonial reports and European media painted African resisters as irrational, violent, and primitive.

Terms like “tribal uprising,” “heathen rebellion,” or “barbaric violence” were used.

Colonial education taught that Africans should be grateful for European “civilization.”

This dehumanized African fighters and justified extreme force.

4. Divide and Rule
Europeans co-opted rival groups to fight against resisters (e.g., rewarding certain ethnic groups with power or protection).

They planted internal divisions to weaken unified African fronts.

But the Truth Was:
African resistance was:

Organized

Strategic

Often based on clear political, cultural, or religious motivations

These were not chaotic mobs—they were defenders of land, sovereignty, and culture.

Conclusion:
Europeans brutally crushed African resistance and used racist language to delegitimize it.
Labeling freedom fighters as “savages” served colonial goals—but history now recognizes many as heroes, revolutionaries, and defenders of independence.

By Jo Ikeji-Uju
https://afriprime.net/page...

European Tourist Arrival To U.S. “Drops” Under Donald Trump; Are Harsh American Policies Impacting U.S. Tourism?

Are Donald Trump’s stringent immigration policies, expansive tariffs, and nationalist rhetoric deterring European tourists from visiting the United States?

The number of visitors to the United States from Western Europe in March fell by 17 percent from the same month a year earlier, but then picked up 12 percent in April, according to the US tourism office.

The German Travel Association (DRV) said the number of Germans going to the United States dropped 28 percent in March, but then bounced back by 14 percent in April.

The association’s spokesperson, Torsten Schäfer, said that the Easter holidays fell later this year than in 2024, which may have impacted the figures.

“There’re practically no requests in recent months to change or cancel reservations,” Schaefer said. However, he noted “a rise in queries about entry requirements into the United States”.

At the end of March, several European countries urged their nationals to review their travel documents for the United States, following several high-profile cases of Europeans being detained upon arrival and subsequently deported.

Anecdotally, there are signs of Europeans opting not to visit Trump’s America.

“The country I knew no longer exists,” said Raphael Gruber, a 60-year-old German doctor who has been taking his family to Cape Cod in Massachusetts every summer since 2018.

“Before, when you told the immigration officer you were there for whale-watching, that was a good reason to come. But now, they are afraid of everything that comes from outside,” he told AFP.

Referring to invasive electronic checks at the US borders, he added: “I don’t want to buy a ‘burner’ phone just to keep my privacy”.

In Britain, Matt Reay, a 35-year-old history teacher from Northamptonshire, said he had scratched the United States off his list, preferring to go to South America, where his “money would probably be better spent”.

“It feels like, to be honest, that there’s a culture that’s built in the US in the last kind of 12 months, where as a foreign visitor, I don’t really feel like I’m that welcome anyway,” he said.

Reay said he felt “insulted” by both Trump’s tariffs on British exports to the United States and comments by Trump’s vice president, JD Vance, about Britain as “a random country”.

Trump’s public belittling of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a White House visit in February was also “outrageous”, he said.

According to the US tourism office, however, the number of British visitors to the United States in April increased by 15 percent year-over-year, following a 14 percent decline in March.

Oxford Economics, an economic research firm, attributed the March decline partly to the Easter dates this year, along with a stronger US dollar at the time, which made the United States a more costly destination.

However, it primarily highlighted “polarising rhetoric and policy actions by the Trump administration, as well as concerns around tighter border and immigration policies.”

Didier Arino, head of the French travel consultancy Protourisme, said April traffic to the United States might have picked up because European airlines were offering discounted flights.

“You can find flights, especially for New York, at 600 euros ($680),” he said.

In Germany, Muriel Wagner, 34, said she was not postponing a summer trip to Boston to see a friend at Harvard—a U.S. university embroiled in a legal and ideological struggle with Trump’s administration.

“I’ve been asked if the political situation and trade war with the US has affected our trip,” the PhD student said in Frankfurt.

But “you can’t let yourself be intimidated”, she said, adding that she was keen to discuss the tensions with Americans on their home turf.

Protourisme’s Arino said that, as “the mood has sunk” regarding the United States, potential tourists were rethinking a visit.

On top of the “financial outlay, being insulted by the US administration for being European, that really robs you of the desire” to go there, he said.

He estimated that the “Trump effect” would reduce the number of French tourists visiting the United States this year by a quarter.

A body representing much of the French travel sector, Entreprises du Voyage, said the number of French visitors to America dropped eight percent in March, and a further 12 percent in April. It is estimated that summer departures to the United States would drop by 11 percent.

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, covering major tourism operators, the US tourism sector — already reeling from Canadians and Mexicans staying away — could lose $12.5 billion in spending by foreign visitors this year.

Canada remains the leading source of tourists, with approximately 20.5 million visitors in 2024. Proximity, shared borders, and strong economic ties make the U.S. an accessible destination for Canadians.

Mexico ranks second, sending around 17 million tourists. Improved airline connectivity and a growing Mexican middle class have fueled this surge. Many Mexican visitors head to border states like Texas and California. Medical tourism also plays a key role in surging numbers.

The UK remains a prominent contributor, with about 4.04 million visitors in 2024. British tourists are drawn to urban centers like New York City and Los Angeles, as well as theme parks in Florida.

India has emerged as a significant player, with 2.2 million visitors in 2024. This growth reflects India’s booming middle class. Indian tourists, including a notable proportion of students and business travelers, tend to favor destinations in the Midwest and along the coast.

Germany sent approximately 1.7 million tourists to the U.S. in 2024. German visitors are attracted to national parks, cultural sites, and major cities. However, economic challenges in Germany, partly due to U.S. trade policies, have led to a decline in bookings compared to previous years.

China Emerges The “Most Distrusted” Neighbor Nation For South Koreans; Replaces ‘Colonial Power’ Japan.

China has reportedly displaced its longtime foe and former colonial power, Japan, in many South Koreans’ minds as the country’s most distrusted neighbor in recent years.

And ahead of Tuesday’s vote, anti-Chinese feeling has spread among South Koreans — online, at right-wing rallies, and in Seoul’s Chinatown.

Many of the quarter’s Chinese residents, such as 74-year-old Yu Shunzi, migrated to South Korea in the 1990s and 2000s in search of economic opportunities.

“A lot of Koreans still think China is a very backward country and discriminate against Chinese a lot,” she told AFP.

Yu, who arrived in 2007 from the northeastern Chinese province of Heilongjiang, said the situation is so bad that she planned to move back when the economy allowed.

“I want to go home, but with the exchange rate being this low, I’d lose a lot of money,” she said.

While former colonial master Japan has long had a difficult relationship with South Korea, Seoul’s ties with China have increasingly come under the spotlight.

In 2022, polling conducted by Hankook Research showed for the first time that South Koreans distrusted China more than they did Japan — a trend that has continued in recent years.

Former leader Yoon Suk Yeol referred to vague allegations of Chinese spying when he tried to justify his declaration of martial law, which led to his ousting.

Conspiracy theories have since run rampant among the South Korean right, fuelling the distrust.

However, analysts also suggest that a series of clashes between Beijing and Seoul in recent years over history, territory, and defense are the deeper cause of the schism.

“China’s growing assertiveness is the main reason behind South Korea’s negative views about the country,” said Ramon Pacheco Pardo from King’s College London.

“Most South Koreans have no affinity towards today’s China,” the international relations professor told AFP.

Seoul has long trodden a fine line between top trading partner China and defence guarantor the United States.

Relations with China nosedived in 2016 following the South’s decision to deploy the US-made THAAD missile defence system.

Beijing saw it as a threat to its own security and reacted furiously, imposing a string of restrictions on South Korean businesses and banning group tours as part of sweeping economic retaliation.

A series of public spats about the origins of Korean cultural staples such as kimchi, which China had claimed as its own, also left a bitter taste.

Yoon’s administration deepened that divide, cleaving close to the United States and seeking to improve ties with Japan.

“Under his leadership, Seoul made its position unmistakably clear: it stood with Washington and its allies, not Beijing,” Claudia Kim, assistant professor at City University of Hong Kong.

Opposition leader and election frontrunner Lee Jae-myung has publicly hinted that a softer line might be in the works if he wins.

Beijing won’t “miss the opportunity to improve relations with the South” if Lee wins, Cheong Seong-chang at Seoul’s Sejong Institute told AFP, suggesting a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping could even take place.

Lee has also raised alarm bells by saying that a future conflict between China and Taiwan would not be South Korea’s concern.

That could put him on a collision course with the administration of US President Donald Trump, which has made containing China a cornerstone of its bid to reshape the international order.

“Trump’s focus on deterring China may lead to a mismatch of foreign policy priorities with Lee,” Edward Howell, a lecturer in politics at the University of Oxford, told AFP.

Fake News Zooms
The compounding of deepening distrust of China has been accompanied by a surge in conspiracy theories.

Analysis by AFP revealed that many of the most widely circulated pieces of misinformation tap into fears of meddling by China.

Rallies in support of ex-president Yoon have featured calls to oust alleged “pro-Chinese Communist Party” forces, as well as posters with anti-Chinese slurs and slogans advocating for Chinese nationals to be deported.

A recent editorial in Beijing’s state-run nationalist tabloid Global Times condemned “far-right” forces in South Korea for “stirring up xenophobia” against Chinese people.

In Seoul’s Chinatown, Li Jinzi, 73, complained about a culture of “misinformation” that was breeding negative feelings towards her home country.

“Fake news breeds misunderstandings,” she said.

https://www.siecindia.com/...

My Poem
"Arise, Africa — Our Glorious Motherland: Awaken Your Sleeping Giants and Harness Your Riches for a New Era of Development!"

From the golden sands of the Sahara to the lush valleys of the Congo, Africa stands blessed with treasures untold — vibrant cultures, abundant resources, brilliant minds, and resilient spirits. Now is the time to rise with purpose.

To transform raw potential into thriving industries. To shape a future built not on foreign dependence but on the strength of our own hands. Let every river, mine, field, and forest become a fountain of prosperity for our people. Let innovation and unity lead the charge.

Africa, the world awaits your greatness — but first, you must awaken it within yourself.
The call is clear: Arise, Motherland!
Reclaim your destiny.
Build your legacy."

By Jo Ikeji-Uju
https://afriprime.net/page...

Thailand's negotiations with Washington on steep trade tariffs were postponed because the United States has asked Bangkok to review important issues, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said.

Thailand is among the Southeast Asian nations hardest hit by U.S. President Donald Trump's measures, facing a 36% tariff if a reduction cannot be negotiated before a global moratorium expires in July.

"We're not too slow and we are reviewing issues, including our tariffs that may be adjusted appropriately," Paetongtarn said, adding that Thai agriculture exports and additional imports were being examined.
The United States was Thailand's largest export market last year, accounting for 18.3% of total shipments, or $54.96 billion. Washington has put its deficit with Thailand at $45.6 billion.

"We are consulting academics and all parties and doing our best in this situation," she added.

"We are protecting the agricultural interests as much as possible," she said.

Chinatown merchants in the US are feeling the bite of tariffs.
Last week, a pack of rice crackers at Sun Vin Grocery store on Mulberry Street in New York City’s Chinatown cost $4.99.
But this week, after President Donald Trump’s tariffs on items imported from China took effect, the same crackers have a new price: $6.99.

Chinatowns across the U.S. are feeling the effects of the escalating tariff war, as prices of household goods imported from China, including traditional Chinese medicine, dried noodles and jade jewelry have already started to rise.

While Trump paused his tariffs on most of the world for 90 days, his tit-for-tat trade war with China has resulted in a steep 145% tariff on Chinese goods, and that’s hitting mostly family-owned small businesses in Chinatown hard. Many immigrant Chinese communities rely on businesses in local Chinatowns across the country for goods that are central to Chinese culture, for which there are few, if any, alternatives.