If you love reading stories set in the present world, featuring characters that feel real and relatable, chances are you’ve already read contemporary fiction even if you didn’t realise it. But what exactly is contemporary fiction?
In simple terms, contemporary fiction refers to stories that are set in the present time or very recent past, dealing with real-life situations, emotions, and everyday human experiences. These stories feel like they could happen right now or may be happening around us already. #reading #writing #fictionwriting #story #emotion #blog
https://prathamwrites.in/c...

Did You Know “How Africa’s Gold Still Fuels the Global Economy”
How Africa’s Gold Still Fuels the Global Economy

Africa has been known as the “Gold Continent” for centuries — from the legendary wealth of ancient empires like Ghana, Mali, and Songhai to today’s massive gold mining industries.
Yet, the story of African gold is not just about riches buried underground; it’s about how this precious metal continues to shape global markets, economies, and power dynamics today.

Africa’s Rich Gold Legacy-
For centuries, African gold attracted traders, explorers, and conquerors. The Mali Empire’s Mansa Musa famously showcased his empire’s gold wealth on his pilgrimage to Mecca in the 14th century, placing West Africa on the world map as a source of immense wealth. Gold fueled the rise of kingdoms, financed trade routes, and symbolized power.

Modern Gold Production in Africa

Today, Africa remains a major gold producer. Countries like:

South Africa — once the world’s largest producer, with famous mines like Witwatersrand

Ghana — “the Gold Coast,” rich in both alluvial and deep mines

Mali — home to large-scale gold mining projects

Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, and others — significant gold producers

Gold mining is a major source of revenue, employment, and foreign exchange for these nations.

How African Gold Fuels the Global Economy

Global Supply Chains
African gold enters complex global supply chains, eventually becoming:

Jewelry worn worldwide

Electronics and smartphones (gold is an excellent conductor used in circuits)

Financial reserves and investment assets

Foreign Investment and Control
Much of Africa’s gold mining industry is operated or financed by multinational corporations headquartered in Europe, North America, and increasingly Asia. These companies:

Extract vast quantities of gold

Export most of it for refining and manufacturing abroad

Repatriate profits, often with limited benefit to local economies

Economic Impact on African Nations
Gold mining can boost economies through taxes and jobs, but challenges remain:

-Environmental degradation and social displacement

-Revenue leakages due to corruption and opaque contracts

-Unequal wealth distribution leaving many mining communities impoverished

-Gold’s Role in Financial Markets
Gold from Africa contributes to global reserves held by central banks and private investors, impacting:

-Currency stability and monetary policy

-Wealth preservation in times of economic uncertainty

The Challenges and Opportunities-
-Transparency and Fair Trade: Efforts like the Kimberley Process for diamonds have parallels in gold to reduce illegal mining and smuggling.

-Sustainable Mining Practices: Balancing economic benefits with environmental protection is crucial.

-Local Empowerment: Increasing African ownership and control over gold resources can boost development.

-Technology and Innovation: New mining technologies and better governance could improve outcomes.

Conclusion-
Africa’s gold is more than a mineral resource — it’s a link between continents, economies, and histories. While it continues to fuel the global economy, the challenge remains to ensure that the wealth generated benefits Africans themselves, helping to build sustainable prosperity across the continent.

Quote for Thought-
“Africa’s gold shines on the world stage, but its brightest future is in African hands.”
— Voices for Change

What They Don’t Teach You About Building a Personal Brand Online
(Unspoken Truths | Digital Identity, Influence & Authentic Growth)
They told you to “be professional” and “post consistently.”
But they didn’t teach you how to build trust, tell your story, and grow a brand that actually connects in a world flooded with noise.
Let’s dive into what they don’t teach you:
Personal branding online isn’t about perfection — it’s about clarity, consistency, and connection.

WHAT THEY DON’T TEACH YOU:
1. You Are Already a Brand — Whether You Intend to Be or Not

Every post, comment, share, or bio tells a story about you.

The question is: Are you shaping that story — or letting it happen by accident?

2. Authenticity Is Louder Than Aesthetic

You can have perfect visuals…
But if people can’t feel your values, your mission, or your voice — they won’t connect.

Your personality is your real brand advantage.

3. You Don’t Need to Be an Expert — You Need to Be Real

People follow journeys, not finished products.

Share the process, the lessons, the missteps — that’s what builds loyalty.

4. Clarity Beats Going Viral

If people don’t know:

Who you are

What you stand for

What you offer
…then the likes mean nothing.

Be known for something clear — not everything trendy.

5. Posting Consistently Means Nothing Without Purpose

You don’t need to post every day — but you do need to show up intentionally.

Each post should answer: “What do I want my audience to feel, learn, or do?”

6. Your Story Is Your Power — Even the Messy Parts

-Why you started

-What you've overcome

-What keeps you going

Your lived experience builds credibility and emotional resonance.

7. Community > Followers

100 engaged supporters > 10,000 silent followers.

Build trust, respond to comments, give value — and your brand will grow naturally.

8. Consistency Wins the Long Game

You won’t go viral overnight.
But if you keep showing up with value, clarity, and heart?

You’ll build something that lasts longer than trends.

PERSONAL BRAND CHECKLIST:

-Can I explain who I am, what I do, and who I serve in one sentence?

-Does my content reflect my values, voice, and vision?

-Am I building trust through storytelling, not just selling?

-Do I show up regularly without burning out or faking it?

-Am I nurturing real connections, not chasing vanity metrics?

FINAL THOUGHT:
They didn’t teach you how to build a personal brand online — because they underestimated the power of everyday voices in the digital age.
But now you know:
Your brand isn’t what you say — it’s what people feel when they see or hear from you.

Don’t just market — connect. Don’t just post — lead. Don’t just grow — build meaning.

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.

Former Google exec says AI's going to lead to a 'short-term dystopia' because the idea it will create new jobs for the ones it's replacing is '100% crap'.
Something funny happened as I was watching Google X's former chief business officer Mo Gawdat, on the Google-owned platform YouTube, outline his exact take on the AI dystopia he thinks is coming. The host began to ask Gawdat about the idea AI will create new jobs, then the video halted while Google ads served me a 15-second clip showing someone using Microsoft CoPilot to do their job.

When Gawdat returns, he begins his answer by talking about the idea of the West transitioning into service or knowledge economies: people, as he puts it, who "type on a keyboard and use a mouse." Oh dear. Gawdat's economics lesson concludes that "all we produce in the West is words [...] and designs. All of these things can be produced by AI."

One thing is impossible to deny: the business world is very interested in the idea of replacing humans with AI and, where it can be done, will not hesitate to do so. There's also the fact that every big tech company is pushing AI into their products and our lives.

The AI industry has something of a stock line about its technology replacing existing careers: AI will simultaneously create new jobs we can't even imagine, and people will start working in those fields. But Gawdat doesn't buy that line, and in straightforward language calls the whole idea "100% crap" (thanks, Windows Central).

Gawdat left Google to form an AI startup, Emma.love, and cites this company as an example of what he's talking about: the app was apparently built with only two other developers, a job that Gawdat reckons would have taken "over 350 developers" without AI assistance.

"Artificial general intelligence is going to be better than humans at everything, including being a CEO," says Gawdat, referring to the idea that the industry will eventually produce an AI model capable of reasoning and more intelligent than humans. "There will be a time where most incompetent CEOs will be replaced.”
https://youtu.be/S9a1nLw70...
Gawdat's spin on this, however, is that society has to undergo a paradigm shift in how we think about our lives: "We were never made to wake up every morning and just occupy 20 hours of our day with work. We’re not made for that. We defined our purpose as work. That’s a capitalist lie."

Tell me more, comrade! Gawdat generally seems to hold a rather low view of executives and their priorities, pointing out that the AI future is subject to human "hunger for power, greed, and ego” because the tools themselves will be controlled by "stupid leaders." I'm not sure I'd characterise Elon Musk as stupid, but I doubt I'm alone in thinking I'd rather not have him in charge of re-arranging society.

"There is no doubt that lots of jobs will be lost," says Gawdat. "Are we prepared to tell our governments, this is an ideological shift similar to socialism, similar to Communism, and are we ready from a budget point of view? Instead of spending a trillion dollars a year on arms and explosives and autonomous weapons to suppress people because we can't feed them."

Gawdat runs through some beermat maths, offering an estimate that $2.4-2.7 dollars is spent on military hardware every year, a fraction of which could solve a problem like world hunger, or lift the global population out of extreme poverty. Then we get into the truly starry-eyed stuff like universal healthcare worldwide and the end of war, with Gawdat saying for AI these things would be "simple decisions."

Hmm. I'll have some of what he's smoking.

Gawdat's take on AI starts out more persuasive than many others I've seen, but when it gets onto the more fantastical ramifications the caveat is simply enormous. If the singularity happens and AI just takes over running the planet then, sure, all bets are off: who knows whether we'll end up with dystopia or utopia. But that day may never come and, until then, there will still be human beings somewhere pulling all the levers. And as history shows, time and again, humans can be horrendous at making simple decisions: and that's rarely good for the rest of us.

“The riches of Africa were never gone; they were taken.” How and by who...?
That’s a powerful statement, and it captures a core truth about Africa’s history and present challenges.
Africa’s wealth — in gold, diamonds, minerals, oil, and other resources — has been abundant for millennia.
Yet, much of this wealth never stayed in Africa because it was systematically extracted and exploited by external forces, primarily European colonial powers and, more recently, multinational corporations.

How the riches were taken:
Colonial Conquest and Exploitation
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries — the “Scramble for Africa” — European powers invaded and divided Africa with little regard for its people or borders. Colonial regimes:

Controlled land, mines, and labor forces

Extracted vast amounts of raw materials (gold, diamonds, rubber, copper, oil)

Enforced forced labor, taxation, and monopolies to enrich European economies

Built infrastructure (railways, ports) mainly to export resources, not to develop local economies

Slave Trade and Human Capital Theft
For centuries before formal colonization, millions of Africans were forcibly taken via the transatlantic slave trade:

Africa lost a significant portion of its young, able population

The continent’s demographic and economic development was deeply disrupted

The wealth generated by slave labor fueled Western economies

Post-Colonial Neo-Colonialism
Even after independence, many African nations faced continued economic control through:

Unequal trade agreements favoring foreign companies

Structural adjustment programs imposed by the IMF and World Bank, forcing austerity and privatization

Multinational corporations extracting resources with minimal benefits to local communities

Corrupt elites sometimes collaborating with foreign interests

Illicit Financial Flows and Tax Evasion

Hundreds of billions of dollars leave Africa annually through illegal channels, tax dodging, and corrupt deals

This capital flight drains resources needed for development and poverty reduction

Who took Africa’s riches?
European Colonial Powers: Britain, France, Belgium, Portugal, Germany, Italy, Spain

Slave Traders: European and Arab traders who ran the transatlantic and trans-Saharan slave trades

Multinational Corporations: Mining, oil, and agricultural companies headquartered mostly in Western countries and increasingly China

Foreign Governments and Financial Institutions: IMF, World Bank, and foreign investors influencing policies and economies

Local Elites and Corrupt Officials: Sometimes complicit in siphoning wealth for personal gain

The Legacy Today-
-Africa remains incredibly rich in natural resources but faces:

-Poverty and underdevelopment in many regions

-Economic dependency and weak industrialization

-Struggles to regain control over resources and fair trade

-Movements for debt cancellation, resource sovereignty, and economic justice

-Quote for Reflection
“Africa’s wealth was never stolen by chance — it was taken by design.”
— Voices for Justice

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.

How do cyber operations from groups in Iran and Vietnam compare in tactics and targets?
While both Iranian and Vietnamese cyber groups engage in state-sponsored cyber operations, their primary motivations, geopolitical contexts, and consequently, their tactics and targets, differ significantly.

Iranian Cyber Groups (e.g., APT33/Elfin, APT34/OilRig, APT35/Charming Kitten, MuddyWater)
Main Motives:
Iran's cyber activities are strongly driven by its geopolitical aspirations, regional rivalries (especially with Saudi Arabia and Israel), and desire to counter international sanctions. Their motivations include:

Espionage: Gathering intelligence on political, military, and economic developments, particularly in the Middle East, U.S., Europe, and Israel.

Disruption and Retaliation: Disrupting critical infrastructure, especially against perceived adversaries (e.g., in response to sanctions or political actions). They are willing to engage in destructive attacks.

Influence Operations: Spreading propaganda, manipulating public opinion, and sowing discord in rival nations.

Intellectual Property Theft (Secondary): While they do engage in this, it's often more opportunistic or tied to specific military/dual-use technologies rather than broad economic development.

Internal Control: Surveillance and repression of dissidents, both domestically and abroad.

Tactics:
Iranian groups often leverage a blend of technical sophistication and social engineering.

Aggressive Spear-Phishing & Social Engineering: Highly sophisticated and persistent phishing campaigns are a hallmark. They often impersonate legitimate entities (journalists, academics, government officials, recruiters) to build trust and trick targets into revealing credentials or downloading malware. They're known for using compromised accounts for further phishing.

Exploitation of Known Vulnerabilities: They are quick to exploit newly disclosed vulnerabilities (N-days) in widely used software and internet-facing systems (VPNs, firewalls, Exchange servers) to gain initial access.

Living Off The Land (LotL) & OSINT: They frequently use legitimate system tools (PowerShell, RDP, Mimikatz) and open-source intelligence (OSINT) to evade detection and understand victim networks.

Web Shells & Backdoors: Deployment of web shells for persistent access and custom backdoors.

Destructive Malware/Wipers: Iranian groups have a history of deploying destructive malware (e.g., Shamoon, ZeroCleare) to wipe data and disable systems, particularly against targets in the energy and industrial sectors.

Hybrid Operations: Increasingly, they combine hacking and data theft with information operations, leaking stolen data online, and using social media for amplification and harassment.

Ransomware (Collaborative/Opportunistic): While not their primary goal like North Korea, some Iranian groups have been observed collaborating with cybercriminal ransomware affiliates or directly deploying ransomware for financial gain or disruption.

Targets:
Middle East Region: Heavily focused on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (especially Saudi Arabia, UAE), Israel, and other regional rivals.

Government & Military: Foreign ministries, defense contractors, intelligence agencies, and government officials, particularly those involved in nuclear policy, sanctions, or regional security.

Energy Sector (Oil & Gas): A long-standing target for both espionage and potential disruption, reflecting Iran's strategic interests.

Critical Infrastructure (OT/ICS): Increasing focus on industrial control systems and operational technology, potentially for pre-positioning or disruptive attacks.

Telecommunications & Financial Services: For intelligence gathering and network access.

Journalists, Academics, Dissidents, Human Rights Activists: Both within Iran and among the diaspora, for surveillance and repression.

Vietnamese Cyber Groups (e.g., APT32/OceanLotus, APT30/Naikon)
Main Motives:
Vietnamese cyber operations are strongly linked to national economic development, protecting sovereignty claims (especially in the South China Sea), and maintaining political stability.

Economic Espionage: Stealing intellectual property, trade secrets, and competitive intelligence to support Vietnamese industries and accelerate economic growth. This is a very significant motivation.

Political Espionage: Gathering intelligence on foreign governments, political organizations, and diplomats relevant to Vietnam's geopolitical interests, particularly concerning regional rivals and partners.

Surveillance and Monitoring: Tracking and monitoring political dissidents, journalists, NGOs, and foreign entities perceived as a threat to the ruling party or national stability.

South China Sea Disputes: Gaining intelligence on rival claimants and international actors involved in the South China Sea disputes.

Tactics:
Vietnamese groups often demonstrate high levels of sophistication and persistence, with a focus on long-term access and stealth.

Sophisticated Spear-Phishing: Highly customized and contextualized spear-phishing emails, often impersonating trusted contacts or organizations, are a primary initial access vector.

Watering Hole Attacks: Compromising websites frequented by specific targets and implanting malware to infect visitors.

Custom Malware and Backdoors: Development and use of sophisticated custom malware (Remote Access Trojans, info-stealers) designed for covert data exfiltration and persistent access.

Exploitation of Zero-Day and N-Day Vulnerabilities: While less frequent than Iranian groups' aggressive N-day exploitation, they are capable of exploiting zero-days.

Supply Chain Attacks: There have been instances where Vietnamese groups have targeted software or hardware vendors to compromise their clients downstream.

Leveraging Cloud Services: Using legitimate cloud services for command and control (C2) or data exfiltration to blend in with normal network traffic.

Evasion Techniques: Employing various techniques to avoid detection by security software, including code obfuscation and anti-analysis checks.

Targets:
Southeast Asian Governments: Particularly those involved in the South China Sea disputes, for political intelligence.

Foreign Businesses & Multinational Corporations: Across various sectors (e.g., automotive, media, hospitality, manufacturing, technology, healthcare, e-commerce) for economic espionage and IP theft.

Political Dissidents & Human Rights Activists: Both domestic and international, for surveillance and control.

Journalists and NGOs: Especially those reporting on Vietnam or human rights issues.

Critical Infrastructure (Limited Public Reporting): While less publicly highlighted than Iranian or Chinese groups, there have been some reports of Vietnamese groups targeting critical infrastructure, but often for intelligence gathering rather than overt disruption.

Comparison Summary:
Feature- Iranian Cyber Groups----
Primary Motive- Geopolitical influence, regional rivalries, countering sanctions, disruption, espionage, retaliation.
Willingness for Disruption- High – known for destructive attacks/wipers.
Key Regions of Focus- Middle East (GCC, Israel), U.S., Europe.
Tactics Emphasis- Aggressive spear-phishing, N-day exploitation, LotL, web shells, destructive malware, information operations.
Financial Crime- Opportunistic ransomware or collaboration with criminals.

Vietnamese Cyber Groups-
Primary Motive-
Economic development (IP theft), political espionage (Sovereignty, South China Sea), internal control.
Willingness for Disruption-
Lower – focus on stealth, long-term access, and data exfiltration, less on overt disruption.
Key Regions of Focus-
Southeast Asia (ASEAN), U.S. (related to economic/political ties).
Tactics Emphasis-
Sophisticated spear-phishing, custom malware, watering holes, supply chain (less common), long-term stealth, cloud usage.
Financial Crime-Less prominent, but some engagement in cybercrime for revenue.

Export to Sheets-
In essence, Iranian groups are more overt and willing to engage in destructive actions driven by immediate geopolitical tensions, while Vietnamese groups are generally more focused on stealthy, long-term espionage and IP theft to support national development and strategic interests in their region.

What They Don’t Teach You About Artificial Intelligence and Jobs
(Unspoken Truths | Future of Work, Adaptability & Economic Shifts)
They told you to get a degree, follow the rules, and climb the career ladder.
But they didn’t teach you how AI would reshape entire industries, shift job markets, and challenge everything we thought we knew about employment.
Let’s talk about what they don’t teach you:
The future of work isn’t about competing with AI — it’s about learning how to work with it.

WHAT THEY DON’T TEACH YOU:
1. AI Isn’t Coming for All Jobs — But It’s Reshaping Every Job
AI won’t replace everyone — but it will change:

-How we work
-What we value
-Who stays relevant
-Jobs won’t disappear overnight — they’ll evolve, or dissolve.

2. Routine Tasks Are the First to Go — Creativity and Empathy Are the Last to Fall
Jobs heavy in repetition are the most at risk:

-Data entry
-Basic coding

Customer service
But skills like problem-solving, creativity, emotional intelligence, and storytelling will stay in demand.

Soft skills are the new hard currency.

3. You’re Not Safe Just Because You Have a “Good Degree”
AI doesn’t care what school you went to.
It cares if you’re adaptable, tech-literate, and continuously learning.

Your real edge = human skills + tech fluency + reinvention.

4. Learning to Use AI Is More Valuable Than Fearing It
People who embrace tools like ChatGPT, automation platforms, and machine learning in their roles…

-Will outperform those who resist it.
-Become AI-assisted, not AI-replaced.

5. Being “Replaceable” Isn’t About the Job — It’s About the Mindset
If you stop growing, questioning, and upskilling — even a creative role becomes outdated.

Lifelong learning isn’t optional anymore — it’s survival.

6. New Careers Will Be Born That Don’t Exist Yet
Think of roles like:
-Prompt engineer
-AI ethicist
-Human-machine collaboration designer
-Disruption creates opportunity — if you stay curious and flexible.

7. The Future Isn’t Just Tech — It’s Human-Tech Balance
As AI takes over logic and speed, humans are needed for:

-Wisdom
-Context
-Emotion
-Ethics

In a world of machines, being deeply human becomes your superpower.

8. Governments and Schools Aren’t Preparing People Fast Enough
By the time many systems adjust, the workforce gap may already be wide.

Your education is your responsibility — don’t wait for the system to catch up.

- FUTURE-READY WORK MINDSET CHECKLIST:
Am I learning how to use AI in my field — not avoiding it?

-Do I focus on irreplaceable human skills (creativity, empathy, judgment)?

- Am I open to switching careers or reinventing myself if needed?

-Do I stay updated on tech trends and workforce shifts?

- Am I building a portfolio of skills, not just a resume of titles?

FINAL THOUGHT:
They didn’t teach you about the impact of AI on jobs — because they didn’t see it coming either.
But now you know:
Your job isn’t to fear AI. It’s to understand how to lead with what AI can’t replace.

The future doesn’t belong to machines. It belongs to those who learn to thrive alongside them.

Is the World and mainstream media Rewarding Hamas for Its Atrocities and condemning Israel for defending itself? (Part3)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
HAMAS SURRENDER NOW- WAR GOES ON UNTIL HAMAS SURRENDER.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
There is no difference as to what happened during the WW2 where Germany and Japan surrendered after facing defeat in all corners. So Hamas needs to surrender and release all hostages dead or alive.
While the comparison to the surrender of Germany and Japan in World War II is a powerful one, the situations are fundamentally different, which is a key reason why a call for Hamas's unconditional surrender is not a universally adopted or practical demand.

Here's a breakdown of the key differences:

1. The Nature of the Opponents:

WWII: Germany and Japan were nation-states with centralized governments, professional armies, and vast industrial and military complexes. Their surrender involved a formal, legal process by their official governments and military high commands. The Allied powers were able to occupy their territory, dismantle their governments, and oversee the demobilization of their armies.

Hamas: Hamas is not a nation-state. It's a militant and political organization operating within the Gaza Strip, a territory with a civilian population of over two million people. It is a decentralized, ideologically driven group with a mix of military and political wings. The idea of a formal, legal "surrender" in the same vein as a nation-state is not applicable. Even if the top leadership were to surrender, it's highly probable that a new generation of fighters would emerge, as has been the case with many other militant groups.

2. The Goals of the Conflict:

WWII: The Allied powers' stated goal was the "unconditional surrender" of the Axis powers, a principle declared at the Casablanca Conference. The goal was to eliminate the regimes of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan and reshape the post-war world order. The war was total, aimed at the complete defeat and occupation of the enemy.

Israel-Hamas Conflict: Israel's stated goals are to dismantle Hamas's military and governing capabilities and to bring the hostages home. The international community, however, has different and often competing objectives. Many nations are more focused on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the long-term prospects for a two-state solution. A call for a permanent ceasefire and the release of hostages, which is a more limited goal than a total surrender, is a reflection of these priorities. Some believe a complete military defeat of Hamas could lead to a power vacuum and greater instability.

3. The Leverage and Bargaining Position:

WWII: By the time of their surrender, Germany and Japan were militarily and economically defeated, with their homelands facing invasion. They had little to no leverage. The Allied powers' demands were backed by overwhelming military force and the clear prospect of total annihilation.

Hamas: Despite being a much smaller and less powerful entity, Hamas retains significant leverage. The hostages are its primary bargaining chip. By holding them, Hamas can influence Israeli policy, secure the release of Palestinian prisoners, and attract international attention to the Palestinian cause. The demand for an unconditional surrender would mean giving up this leverage, which Hamas leadership has no incentive to do.

4. The Political Context:

WWII: The war was a clear-cut case of aggression and defense. The Nazi and Imperial Japanese regimes had committed well-documented war crimes on a massive scale, and their surrender was a necessary condition for a new, peaceful world order.

Israel-Hamas Conflict: This conflict is part of a much longer, more complex, and deeply entrenched political dispute. While Hamas is designated a terrorist organization by many countries and its actions on October 7th are widely condemned, many in the Arab world and the Global South view the conflict through the lens of a long-standing Israeli occupation. They may not see Hamas's actions as the sole cause of the conflict and may be reluctant to call for its unconditional surrender without addressing the broader political issues.

In conclusion, while the desire for a swift and decisive end to the violence is understandable, applying the "WWII model" of unconditional surrender to the current conflict is not practical. The nature of Hamas as an organization, the differing objectives of the various parties involved, the strategic leverage provided by the hostages, and the complex political history of the region all make it a far more intractable situation than a traditional war between nation-states.
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Hamas as with Germany and Japan were militarily and economically defeated, with their homelands facing invasion.
The claim that Hamas is in the same position as Germany and Japan in World War II—militarily and economically defeated, with their homelands facing invasion—is a powerful but ultimately inaccurate comparison.
While Israel's military campaign has inflicted massive damage on Gaza and severely degraded Hamas's capabilities, the situation is far more complex and does not align with the historical precedent of a nation-state's total defeat.

Here's a detailed look at why the comparison is flawed:
1. Military and Economic Status:

Germany and Japan in WWII: By 1945, both countries' industrial bases were in ruins, their armies were decimated, and their navies and air forces had been largely destroyed. Their homelands were being directly invaded and occupied by overwhelming Allied forces. They were left with no ability to continue the fight.

Hamas: Israel's invasion of Gaza has caused widespread destruction of infrastructure and resulted in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. However, while Hamas's military capabilities have been degraded, they have not been completely eliminated. The group still retains the ability to launch attacks, and its command and control structure, though fractured, has not been fully dismantled. The organization is a guerrilla force, not a conventional army, and its military assets are often hidden in an extensive network of tunnels, which makes a "total defeat" a near-impossible objective.

2. The Concept of "Homeland" and "Invasion":
WWII: Germany and Japan were sovereign nation-states. The invasion and occupation of their territory by the Allied powers meant the end of their governments and the establishment of new, foreign-controlled administrations.

Hamas: Hamas is not a nation-state. Its "homeland" is the Gaza Strip, a small, densely populated territory under a long-standing Israeli and Egyptian blockade. Israel's invasion of Gaza is not a conventional invasion of a sovereign country but a military operation in a territory where it has had significant influence and control for decades. Furthermore, a full military occupation of Gaza is not a stated goal of the international community and is fraught with political, humanitarian, and strategic problems for Israel.

3. The Element of Leverage:
WWII: By the end of the war, Germany and Japan had no leverage. They could not use a civilian population, hostages, or any other strategic asset to bargain with the Allies. Their only option was unconditional surrender.

Hamas: The hostages remain Hamas's most powerful bargaining tool. Hamas has used the hostages to secure temporary ceasefires and prisoner exchanges. As long as they hold hostages, dead or alive, they retain leverage over Israel and its allies. An unconditional surrender would mean giving up this leverage, which, from their perspective, would be a complete and uncompensated defeat.

4. The Political and Ideological Context:
WWII: The defeat of Germany and Japan was a global consensus. Their ideologies were universally condemned, and the international community was united in its desire to see them dismantled.

Hamas: The international community is deeply divided. While many condemn Hamas's actions, many also see the conflict through the lens of the Israeli-Palestinian struggle, a protracted dispute over land and self-determination. For these groups, a call for Hamas's unconditional surrender is seen as ignoring the broader context of the conflict and the plight of the Palestinian people. This division prevents a unified international front that could pressure Hamas into a surrender.

In conclusion, while Israel has inflicted immense military and economic damage on Hamas and the Gaza Strip, the situation is not comparable to the total defeat and occupation of Germany and Japan. Hamas's guerrilla tactics, its strategic use of hostages, and the lack of a unified international political will to force a surrender all distinguish this conflict from the end of World War II.

Is the World and mainstream media Rewarding Hamas for Its Atrocities and condemning Israel for defending itself? (Part2)
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HAMAS SURRENDER NOW- WAR GOES ON UNTIL HAMAS SURRENDER.
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The call for Hamas's surrender is not a universally adopted issue for a number of complex and interconnected reasons, which are rooted in political, historical, and ideological factors.

1. Hamas's Ideology and Strategic Goals:
Rejection of Surrender: Hamas, as an organization, fundamentally rejects the idea of surrender. Its charter and core ideology are based on armed resistance against Israel. Surrendering would be seen as a betrayal of its principles and a complete defeat of the Palestinian cause, as the group defines it. From their perspective, their actions are part of a broader "liberation" struggle.

Hostages as Leverage: Hamas uses the hostages as its most powerful bargaining chip. A unilateral surrender would mean giving up this leverage without securing any of its demands, such as a permanent ceasefire, the release of Palestinian prisoners, or the end of the Israeli blockade of Gaza.

2. Diverse International and Regional Perspectives:
Political Alignments: The international community is not a unified entity. Many countries and political groups have different relationships with Israel and the Palestinians. Some, particularly in the Global South and the Middle East, may view Hamas as a legitimate resistance movement against Israeli occupation, rather than solely as a terrorist organization. For these groups, a call for surrender would be seen as siding with Israel and ignoring the Palestinian struggle.

Focus on the Humanitarian Crisis: Many international bodies and humanitarian organizations prioritize the immediate cessation of violence and the delivery of aid to the civilian population in Gaza. They believe that a call for a ceasefire is a more achievable and humane goal than demanding a surrender, which could prolong the conflict and lead to more civilian deaths. Their focus is on alleviating suffering, not on a specific military or political outcome.

Distrust of Israeli Intentions: Some critics of Israel believe that a Hamas surrender would not lead to a lasting peace or a political solution for the Palestinians. They argue that Israel would simply consolidate its control over the region and that a post-Hamas Gaza would not be a viable, self-governing entity. They point to the long history of occupation and conflict as evidence that Israel is not genuinely interested in a two-state solution.

3. The Role of the Palestinian Population:
Hamas's Popularity: While many Palestinians do not support Hamas, the group's popularity has at times been linked to its role in providing social services and its perceived resistance to Israeli policies. For some Palestinians, a call for Hamas's surrender is viewed as a call to accept a status quo of Israeli control, which they oppose.

Lack of a Viable Alternative: There is no universally recognized or powerful alternative to Hamas to govern Gaza. The Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank, is widely seen as weak and ineffective by many Palestinians. As a result, a call for Hamas's surrender without a clear and legitimate plan for a post-Hamas Gaza is seen as creating a power vacuum that could lead to even greater instability.

4. The Practical and Strategic Unlikelihood of Surrender:
Military Futility: From a purely practical standpoint, many observers believe that a call for Hamas's surrender is a futile gesture. Hamas is a decentralized and ideologically driven organization. Even if its top leaders were killed or captured, the group's ideology and capacity for resistance could persist, as has been the case with other armed groups in the past.

The "Forever War" Narrative: Some analysts argue that a call for Hamas's total elimination by force is a strategy that leads to a "forever war" and that a political solution, even if imperfect, is the only way to achieve a lasting peace. They believe that military action alone cannot solve a deeply rooted political and ideological conflict.

In essence, while the desire to see an end to violence is widespread, the specific demand for Hamas's unconditional surrender is not universally adopted because it is seen by different groups as either unrealistic, politically biased, counterproductive to humanitarian goals, or a failure to address the underlying causes of the conflict.
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How to Implement AI‑Powered Product Recommendations in an Amazon clone app

What if your app could predict what users want, before they even type in a search? That’s the power of AI recommendations. Do you want to know how to implement AI-powered product recommendations in your Amazon clone? Here are some steps. Let's dive in.
What is AI-Powered Recommendation?
An artificially intelligent system that makes real-time product recommendations to consumers based on their interests, behaviour, and previous purchases is known as an AI-powered recommendation system in e-commerce. AI customises the shopping experience to boost sales, engagement, and customer satisfaction rather than displaying the same product list to every user.
Types of recommendation strategies:
1. Collaborative Filtering
Collaborative Filtering is a recommendation strategy that recommends products based on user activity and preferences rather than product information in an Amazon-like app.

User-based collaborative filtering detects folks who share similar interests. If a user likes a product, it will be recommended to another person who shares their interests.

Item-based collaborative filtering: This type of filtering shows recommendations based on similarities. For example, it recommends a phone case to the people who purchased New phones.

2. Content-based Filtering:
Content-based filtering recommends products based on the traits or features that the customer has previously purchased. For example, if you frequently buy or see bags, the algorithm would suggest alternatives or products with comparable characteristics such as brand, style, price range, or material.
3. Hybrid Filtering:
Hybrid filtering blends collaborative filtering, which proposes products based on the preferences of other users, with content-based filtering, which recommends items similar to those a user has previously liked. This strategy takes advantage of both methods' strengths while correcting their faults, yielding more accurate and personalised recommendations.
4. Trending and popular items:
In an Amazon clone website, Trending or Popular Items recommendations highlight things that are currently best-sellers, most viewed, or highly rated throughout the platform or within a category. Helping consumers find popular, in-demand items while increasing interaction and revenue.
5. Personalized rankings:
Personalized rankings reorder the search results or other lists of items based on users' preferences and behaviour. Instead of showing the same products to every user, it improves the user experience and increases the platform engagement.
Implementing AI-powered recommendations in an Amazon clone app:
Implement AI-powered suggestions in your Amazon clone. You should concentrate on collecting data, selecting the best AI solution, and optimising recommendations.
1. Data Collection and analysis:
Collect vast data: Gather the users' purchase history, product preferences, browsing habits, and product interactions such as clicks, add to cart, and reviews. Collecting these diverse data points provides a detailed picture of each customer's interests and habits.

2. Choosing the Right AI Solution:
Utilise data points: Analyse individual consumer preferences, detect bigger trends across users, and create dynamic customer profiles that evolve as new data is received.

Ensure data privacy: When developing AI-powered product suggestions, you must protect the privacy and security of user data. Encryption, secure servers, and access controls can all help to protect user data from unauthorised access. This is especially important when dealing with sensitive information such as purchasing history, behaviour, or personal details.

Consider Your Needs: Before deciding on an AI recommendation, you should first understand your business goals, budget, and technical resources.

Investigate diverse AI models: There are several recommendation models, each with a unique function. There are three types of filtering: collaborative, content-based, and hybrid.

Look for user-friendly options: If you're not ready to start from scratch with an Amazon clone website, look for choices that are easy to use. Many e-commerce platforms have built-in AI recommendation algorithms or third-party applications.
3. Implementing and optimizing recommendations:

Integrate cross-platform: Ensure that your recommendations are consistent and personalised across all platforms, including the website, email marketing, mobile app, and even customer support chat. This will improve the user experience and maintain personalisation seamlessly.

Use various formats: Use several recommendation styles, such as pop-ups and inline sections, to keep shoppers' attention at different phases of their purchasing journey.

A/B testing and optimisation: Continuously monitor the performance of the recommendations and make improvements depending on data and user input.
Focus on user experience: Make sure that recommendations are not only appropriate but also easy to navigate, quick to load, and visually integrated on mobile sites.

Prioritise Explainability: Be open about how recommendations are made, and give users control over their preferences.

Begin small, then scale: Start with a pilot or test group to validate performance and get feedback. Use this feedback to develop and expand your recommendation system throughout the platform.
Benefits of AI-powered recommendations:

1. Improved conversion performance:
The AI algorithm examines clients' browsing histories and purchasing habits to help them get what they want without using their hands. This will boost your Amazon clone conversion rate.

2. Enhanced user experience:
This AI-powered customised suggestion saves users time and effort by guiding them to the proper products. The end outcome is customer satisfaction and a good purchasing experience.

3. Increased average order value:
AI-powered suggestions in your Amazon clone app encourage customers to buy complementary, upsell, and cross-sell items, which raises the overall order value.

4. Insights based on data:
Artificial intelligence (AI) recommendation systems gather and analyse consumer data to learn about preferences and purchasing habits. Businesses can use this to enhance their marketing, select better products to sell, and more effectively manage their inventory.

5. Improved customer retention:
When users consistently receive relevant product recommendations, they are more likely to return to the platform. This strengthens brand presence and generates recurring sales.

6. Enhanced marketing strategies:
AI-powered recommendations customize marketing strategies based on each customer’s individual preferences and behaviors. This personalized approach results in more relevant and engaging marketing campaigns that resonate better with customers, ultimately increasing their interest and likelihood to respond positively.

7. Reduced cart abandonment:
AI-powered recommendations lower cart abandonment by using personalized recommendations, timely reminders, and providing discounts or free shipping. These strategies help users complete their purchases and increase the overall sales rates in your Amazon clone website.

8. Real-time discovery:
This enables AI to make real-time product recommendations to users based on their interests, assisting consumers in finding things they may not have previously found. It is most helpful in vast product catalogues where customers may find manual searching daunting. AI speeds up, simplifies, and enhances the pleasure of shopping by providing timely and pertinent recommendations.

Summing up:
I hope this blog helps you understand the importance of Artificial Intelligence in product recommendations for your Amazon clone app.
It covers the implementation of AI-powered recommendation systems, different types of recommendation strategies, and their benefits.

Now is the perfect time to launch AI-powered recommendations in your Amazon clone app.
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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.

"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.

‘Sparks Fly’ As U.S. F-15 Fighter Makes Heroic Landing In Kadena Air Base, Japan With Just 2 Wheels

In a terrifying incident, a US Air Force (USAF) F-15E Strike Eagle made an emergency landing at the Kadena Air Base, a forward US military facility in Japan, upon learning mid-flight that the fighter jet was missing a wheel.

The aircraft was flying from the military outpost in Diego Garcia to Kadena when the incident occurred.

“Today, Aug. 4, 2025, at approximately 6:40 p.m., a U.S. Air Force F-15E, deployed to Kadena Air Base, was involved in an aircraft incident after landing with a missing wheel. The two Airmen on board did not sustain any injuries,” the 18th Wing at Kadena said in a statement.

“The wheel was found to be missing in flight and was recovered on the flightline at U.S. Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia,” the Kadena-based air wing added. The aircraft in question was deployed to Diego Garcia earlier this year as part of a US military buildup to prepare for a military contingency in West Asia. Analysts said that the aircraft was perhaps homebound as part of a de-escalation by Washington.

The photos of the F-15E appeared online shortly after the incident was announced, showing the aircraft without a wheel, which had detached from the main landing gear.

The cause of the incident remains unknown and is currently under investigation. Moreover, the Kadena Air Base is inspecting all of its F-15E Strike Eagles in the wake of the incident.

The aircraft will resume flying status as soon as this safety inspection is complete. The Kadena runway where the wheelless fighter touched down has also been examined and is in perfect working order, according to the Kadena base.

The F-15Es at the Kadena base are from the 336th Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina. They were deployed to the Okinawa base in 2023 when the USAF pulled out the older F-15 C/D fighters back to the US.

The US is also deploying the F-15EX, the latest and most advanced variant of the aircraft, to this key outpost.

Though the “missing wheel” incident was unprecedented, experts heaped praise on the aircrew.

“The way the aircrew handled the landing is a testament to their training and professionalism, and I want to thank the first responders and safety teams for being poised and ready to respond,” Brig. Gen. John Gallemore, commander of the 18th Wing at Kadena, said in a statement. “This event fortifies my confidence in Team Kadena’s ability to react to complex problems on a moment’s notice.”

As the Strike Eagle landed at Kadena without a wheel, it was reportedly seen with sparks and black smoke coming from the wheel’s hub. In the past, similar incidents required the aircraft to perform a belly landing to lower the hazards resulting from the imbalance and decreased controllability during the landing roll. However, the F-15E landed normally.

Typically, fighter pilots are trained for such scenarios, often using techniques like minimal descent rates or foam-covered runways to mitigate risks. In fact, as part of their training, pilots are made to practice techniques like “gear-up” or partial gear landings, where the pilot learns to manage the aircraft’s attitude and speed to minimize damage.

In any case, a missing wheel could be detrimental to a fighter jet. For one, a missing wheel can potentially disrupt the aircraft’s balance during landing, increasing the risk of veering off the runway, skidding, or tipping. This can lead to loss of control, especially at high landing speeds, and cause severe injuries to the pilot.

Moreover, the landing gear strut without a wheel could dig into the runway, causing damage to the gear assembly, airframe, or even the wing or fuselage. The sparks or friction caused by this could also ignite fuel leaks, which could further create an emergency by causing a fire.

A similar, but not identical incident, took place in 1983 when an Israeli F-15 Baz managed to land despite losing a wing after suffering a mid-air collision with an A-4 over the Negev desert. A detailed report on this incident can be read here.

The pilot of the aircraft, Nedivi, was later quoted in Bertie Simmond’s book “F-15 Eagle” as saying, “A normal approach is around 130 knots, but we made ours at around 250 to 260 knots, about twice that of a normal landing. As a result, I put down the F-15’s emergency arrestor hook, which engaged the cable around a third of the way down the runway. We hit that, but the speed we were going meant that the hook itself tore off the aircraft, and we eventually stopped 20 feet short of the barrier at the other end of the runway.” This was a historic milestone and one for the history books.

The F-15 has been involved in several such incidents, including those related to landing gear, over the years. However, the latest incident at Kadena comes after a string of fighter jet incidents at Kadena, which have fueled concern and anxiety among civilians.

Incidents At Kadena
Located in the center of the Indo-Pacific, Kadena is within 640 kilometers of Taiwan, 1287 kilometers of the Korean Peninsula, and close to important South China Sea locations. This makes it a vital forward-operating base for power projection, deterrence, and rapid response to regional conflicts, particularly involving China or North Korea.

Kadena hosts the US Air Force’s 18th Wing, the largest combat wing in the Air Force, operating a range of aircraft, including the F-15 Eagles, the F-15E Strike Eagles, the F-22 Raptor, F-35B Lightning II, and CV-22B Ospreys. The base has been witness to several USAF aircraft incidents in the past couple of years.

On December 1, 2022, a US Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 “Green Knights,” based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, suffered a nose gear collapse at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan.

The incident occurred after the aircraft made a precautionary landing due to suspected electrical problems. The nose of the aircraft broke while being towed on the taxiway, causing the aircraft’s nose to drop onto the ground.

The next big incident happened in November 2023 when a CV-22B Osprey crashed near Yakushima Island while en route to Kadena. All eight airmen aboard were killed in the accident, which was linked to a possible engine fire.

Japan grounded its Osprey fleet in the wake of the accident and requested a US flight suspension, amplifying concerns about aircraft safety. At the time, the locals in Okinawa cited the crash as evidence of risks posed by Kadena-based operations, straining US-Japan relations.

The next month, in December 2023, an F-35A Lightning II belonging to the US Air Force’s 356th Fighter Squadron landed at the base without a panel, which was probably lost over the Pacific Ocean. At the time, the spokesperson for the 18th Wing, 1st Lt. Robert Dabbs, stated that the aircraft was missing a hexagonal side panel that measured 18 by 12 inches and weighed roughly two pounds. “Expectations are the panel departed the aircraft over water,” Dabbs was quoted as saying.

In April 2024, an F-22A Raptor on rotational deployment to Japan from the 19th Fighter Squadron, 15th Wing, experienced a nose gear issue while being towed at Kadena Air Base.

The aircraft’s nose dropped to the ground during the towing process. Fortunately, no fire or injuries were reported. However, all these incidents demonstrated the innate precariousness associated with combat jet operations and forced a security rethink.

Ahead Of Trump-Putin Talks, Russia Readies World’s 1st Nuclear-Powered Cruise Missile — 9M730 Burevestnik: Reports

As Russian President Vladimir Putin heads to Alaska for a rare face-to-face meeting with his US counterpart, President Donald Trump, for Ukraine peace talks, Moscow is busy preparing another surprise for the world.

According to multiple media reports, Russia is preparing for new tests of its much-discussed and feared 9M730 Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, a “one-of-a-kind” weapon in Moscow’s arsenal.

If these tests are successful, Russia will become the first country in history to have an operational cruise missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead that moves on a nuclear propulsion system, giving it an unlimited range that can hit any other point on the planet from any point.

“Russia appears to be on the verge of conducting a new test of its controversial nuclear-powered cruise missile, the 9M730 Burevestnik (NATO code: SSC-X-9 Skyfall), from the Pankovo range in the Arctic archipelago of Novaya Zemlya,” Defense Romania reported.

While Moscow has not made any official announcement, multiple clues point in this direction. Firstly, a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) warning has been issued from August 7 to August 12, covering 40,000 square kilometers over Novaya Zemlya.

Secondly, at least four russian vessels, previously anchored near the Pankovo test site, have moved into observation positions in the eastern Barents Sea, a standard safety measure taken during large missile trials.

Besides, two Rosatom aircraft are currently based at Rogachevo air base. Furthermore, in recent weeks, cargo ships have made multiple stops at Novaya Zemlya, suggesting logistical operations.

“Preparations have been underway for weeks at the Pankovo launch site on Novaya Zemlya in the Russian Arctic,” Norway’s ‘The Barents Observer‘ reported.

Notably, the Novaya Zemlya archipelago has been Rosatom’s chosen site for testing nuclear weapons and related technology since the late 1950s.

The 9M730 Burevestnik: World’s First Nuclear-Powered Missile
The Burevestnik represents a revolutionary weapon, and its specificity lies in the combination of nuclear energy propulsion and the ability to carry nuclear warheads, which gives it an almost unlimited range and the ability to avoid advanced anti-missile defense systems.

President Putin has described this missile as an “invincible” weapon, as its nuclear propulsion allows it to fly with an almost unlimited range. This means that the ‘Burevestnik’ can fly for a long time, changing its direction and trajectory to bypass the opponent’s defense systems, which makes it extremely difficult to intercept.

According to the United States Air Force’s National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) report, if Burevestnik were to enter service, it would give Russia a “unique weapon with intercontinental-range capability.”

“The aim with the ground-launched Burevestnik, however, is to give the missile alone intercontinental range… between 10,000–20,000km. This would allow the missile to be based anywhere in Russia and still be able to reach targets in the continental US,” the Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) said in its research paper.

Furthermore, a Russian military paper noted that the missile would maintain a notional altitude of 50–100 metres throughout almost all of its flight. While Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) fly in space along fixed and predictable trajectories, making them easy to intercept, cruise missiles fly at low altitudes and frequently change their path, which makes them difficult to intercept.

The theoretical attraction of nuclear propulsion for a cruise-missile application is that it offers a long-endurance power source far in excess of the traditional turbojet or turbofan engine. For missiles based on turbojet or turbofan engine propulsion systems, the range is in effect a function of how much fuel can be carried on them.

Information about its technology is top secret, but the missile is believed to use a conventional engine for launch, after which it activates a small nuclear reactor. This reactor superheats the incoming air, generating sustained propulsion and giving it a theoretically “unlimited” intercontinental range.

By comparison, Russia’s longest-range liquid-fuelled cruise missile, the Kh-102 (RS-AS-23 Kodiak), has a claimed maximum range of 4,500 kilometres.

However, there remain considerable technical challenges in ensuring the reliable performance of the nuclear-propulsion unit, and there have been multiple failed tests in the past.

Multiple Failed Tests And An Accident
According to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies’ Missile Defense Project, Russia has already conducted over a dozen tests of Burevestnik, with only a few of them achieving partial success.

The first test of the missile was reportedly performed in 2016. However, analysts believe that Russia must have started working on the concept in the early 2000s.

The concept of a nuclear propulsion system is not itself new. In the 1960s, the US experimented with its own design of a nuclear-powered delivery system, but this line of experimentation was abandoned before the actual missile design was ever tested.

The risks associated with this program are significant, as demonstrated by the Nenoksa accident in August 2019. At that time, an explosion during an operation to recover a nuclear propulsion source from the seabed killed several Russian scientists. It also caused a temporary increase in radiation levels in the city of Severodvinsk, underlining the significant risks and technical difficulties associated with a nuclear propulsion system.

On August 8, 2019, the Russian Defense Ministry put out a statement saying that that day, a liquid-propellant rocket engine blast had caused the death of two scientists and had
injured six, but there was no radiation released.

Two days later, Rosatom, Russia’s nuclear agency, issued its first statement on the accident, stating that five Rosatom scientists had died during work on an “isotope power source in a liquid-propulsion system.”

The death toll would rise to seven, and the Kremlin would attribute the accident to a
“nuclear-propelled missile.” Rosatom would go on to say that the test was conducted from
a sea platform and to say that it involved a “nuclear battery.”

“The testing carries a risk of accidents and local radioactive emissions,” Norway’s Intelligence Service (NIS) warned in its threat assessment report published last year. The NIS said that testing of both missiles and torpedoes is expected to continue.

There were further tests conducted in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Burevestnik’s development, along with that of the Poseidon nuclear torpedo, is part of a broader effort by Russia to diversify and modernize its nuclear triad, giving Moscow assured second-strike capabilities.

However, critics warn that the missile’s large size, over 12 meters, subsonic speed, and emission of radioactive material from its exhaust mean it could be detectable and vulnerable to some types of point and short-range missile defences. Subsonic Russian land-attack cruise missiles have, for instance, been reportedly intercepted in the Ukraine War.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

245 Stinger portable surface-to-air missiles

12 APG-78 Longbow combat helicopter radars

15 CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters

13 C-130 Hercules transport aircraft

11 C-17 Globemaster III heavy transport aircraft

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

512 CBU-97 guided bombs

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

249 turbofan aircraft engines (48 delivered)

Sea
1 Austin-class amphibious transport dock

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

12 P-8I Poseidon patrol and ASW aircraft

78 MK 54 ASW torpedoes (62 delivered)

6 S-61 Sea King ASW helicopters

63 Harpoon anti-ship missiles

18 naval gas turbines (4 delivered)

Land
12 Firefinder counter- battery radars

145 M-777 towed 155 mm howitzers

1,400 M-982 Excalibur guided artillery shells

145,400 SIG Sauer SIG716 assault rifles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Russia’s “Most Daring” Operation Or Massacre? 5 Months After Op Stream, Ukraine Says ‘They Were Unprepared’.
It was compared to the biblical story where a small force of soldiers emerged from beneath the earth and surprised and overwhelmed a much larger force to save the motherland.

In Russia, the soldiers who took part in the so-called pipeline offensive in the Kursk region (Operation Stream – Potok in Russian) in March this year, became the stuff of legends and were welcomed back home as “heroes.” Russian bloggers commented that the Operation would “go down in history books,” and many of the soldiers were awarded for their bravery.

“Blow up all your pipes out of fear… We’ll still come to you from under the ground,” boasted a new Russian war song on the daring mission, first performed outside a church in central Russia, with a 50-foot replica of the pipeline in the background for the people to admire.

However, in Ukraine, the story flipped 180 degrees. The operation was termed a ‘total failure,’ which resulted in the “massacre” of hundreds of Russian soldiers. The Russian soldiers who took part in the ill-planned operation were not heroes, but victims of poor and careless military planning, Kyiv claimed.

There is little clarity on what precisely the operation achieved and whether it should be termed a success or failure. All analysts, irrespective of their nationality, agree that the mission was daring and unconventional, but did it achieve its goals?
Now, more than five months after the operation, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) finally seem to be acknowledging, though grudgingly, that they were taken by surprise and the operation might have helped Russia in taking back substantial territory in the Kursk region.

Ukraine Acknowledges ‘They Were Unprepared’
Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky has admitted that the Ukrainian army did not expect Russian troops to take bold actions such as their Operation Pipeline in the Kursk Region.

“We had intelligence that they might use gas pipelines. Our forces were ordered to take those under control and monitor the areas where enemy soldiers could come to the surface. Still, we must have missed something out, or, perhaps, we did not expect them to be that bold,” Syrsky said in an interview with Ukraine’s TSN TV channel.

Further, Syrsky admitted that the Russian army’s operation had made it more complicated for Ukrainian forces to retreat from the Kursk Region.

However, despite these setbacks, Syrsky termed the Kursk operation a spectacular success.

First Anniversary Of Ukraine’s Kursk Operation
Notably, August 6 marked the first anniversary of Ukraine’s Kursk operation in which Kyiv was able to occupy hundreds of miles of Russian territory.

According to Syrsky, Ukrainian troops were able to break through Russian defense, enter deep into the Russian military’s rear, and disrupt the logistical support of the Russian forces operating in Ukrainian territory.

“During the most active period of the operation, the Ukrainian Armed Forces controlled up to 1,300 square kilometers of the territory of the Kursk region of the Russian Federation,” Syrsky claimed.

“The operation forced Russia to shift significant reserves to the north, which weakened its pressure on other sections of the front. We did not allow the enemy to carry out an offensive and created a buffer zone. It is thanks to this that Sumy and Kharkiv remain free,” Syrsky emphasized.

He also claimed that Russia lost more than 77,000 soldiers (killed and wounded) in Kursk, of which nearly 4,000 were citizens of North Korea.

“Ukrainian defenders also captured 1,018 Russian soldiers, which allowed for exchanges and the return home of hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers, including those who had been in captivity since 2022,” Syrsky said.

According to the commander-in-chief, Ukrainian forces still maintain a presence in the Glushkovsky district of the Kursk region, holding back part of the Russian offensive group.

Russian Counteroffensive In Kursk
Ukraine’s Kursk operation was a major setback for Russia, both militarily and in terms of Russian prestige.

It was the first time since the Second World War that Russia had lost part of its territory. The operation was also a big morale booster for the Ukrainian armed forces as it was the first time since the start of the war that Kyiv had taken the battle to Russian territory.

After being taken by surprise and losing hundreds of square miles of territory within weeks, Russia began its slow and grinding counteroffensive, which involved throwing thousands of soldiers into frontal meat grinder assaults.

By October-end, Ukrainian intelligence reported the presence of about 12,000 North Korean soldiers, including 500 officers and three generals, in the Kursk theatre of operation.

Despite the slow progress of Russian forces and heavy casualties, by January 2025, it became apparent that the Ukrainian troops faced imminent defeat in Kursk.

Eurasian Times reported in January this year that Kyiv faces the stark choice of choosing between swift retreat or crushing defeat in Kursk.

By March, Russia had retaken from Ukrainian forces nearly 70% of the territory they had lost in Kursk.

Op Stream: Russia’s Daring ‘Pipeline Offensive’
The Operation Stream (Potok) began on March 8.

Interestingly, the US had cut intelligence-sharing with Ukraine from March 5 to March 11, following a disastrous outing by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House on February 28, where he had a public spat with US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Operation Stream took place within that time frame.

The operation involved 500 to 800 Russian soldiers walking nearly 15 miles inside gas pipelines to emerge behind enemy positions in the Sudzha region of Kursk.

“We had to pump the gas out, pump the oxygen in, build extra exits to the surface, transport the ammunition, food, water, military personnel,” said a Russian commander, who uses the call sign “Zombie.” He claimed all of this was carried out without Ukrainian forces noticing. “The enemy did not see us.”

Russian soldiers had to walk in brutal conditions: pitch darkness, sub-zero temperatures, lack of oxygen, and poisonous gases. At times, they had to crawl for miles as the pipeline was too narrow for them to stand.

Valery Gerasimov, Russia’s military chief, reported that 600 troops burst from the pipe and “surprised the enemy, contributing to the collapse of its defenses and the development of our offensive.”

However, at that time, Ukrainian analysts claimed that only 100 Russians had left the pipe. Ukrainian military bloggers described it as a bloodbath and claimed “hundreds” had already suffocated or been poisoned by fumes in the pipeline.

On March 9, the Russian military claimed to have recaptured three settlements, Malaya Lokhnya, Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, and Kositsa, all north of Sudzha.

On March 11, Russian media platform RT reported that “the dramatic shift in the situation on the front can be attributed to the success of Russia’s top-secret Operation Potok.”

By March 13, Russia claimed to have retaken Sudzha. Three days later, Ukraine confirmed that its forces had withdrawn from key positions in Sudzha.

On April 26, 2025, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Army General Valery Gerasimov, reported to President Vladimir Putin that the operation to liberate the Kursk Region was over.

According to the Russian military, Ukraine lost more than 76,500 troops in the Kursk area, the majority of them belonging to the AFU’s elite units.

In March, Ukrainian forces had claimed that they were already in the process of withdrawing from Kursk, and Russia’s operation Potok played no role in their retreat.

However, the latest remarks by Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky suggest that Kyiv is finally beginning to admit that they were taken by surprise, were unprepared for Russia’s bold operation, and that it might have played a role in their swift retreat from the Kursk region in March.

Russia’s S-500 Missiles Blinded? Ukraine Claims Eliminating S-500 AD System’s Yenisei Radar In Crimea.
Ukraine’s Prymary (Ghosts) special unit has claimed destroying a 98L6 Yenisei radar, deep inside Crimea. The system, part of Russia’s cutting-edge S-500 Prometey air defense network, is designed to track some of the most difficult aerial threats.

The Yenisei wasn’t the original target. During the operation, Ukraine’s intelligence (HUR) operators first believed they had located a component of the S-400 Triumf. Only after analysing combat footage did they realize the fact that they had eyes on one of Russia’s most valuable and elusive radar stations.

Destroying Yenisei is more than just a symbolic victory. It deprives Russia’s forces in Crimea of a crucial early warning tool. The radar not only serves the S 500 but can also be integrated with the S 400 Triumf, significantly boosting detection and interception capabilities across the peninsula.

By eliminating it, Ukraine has punched a hole in Russia’s air defense shield over Crimea, making it harder for Moscow to spot and respond to incoming threats in time.

A video released by HUR shows the strike in action, underscoring how Ukrainian forces have shifted toward precision operations designed to neutralize high-value assets that can not be easily replaced.
The S-500 Prometey: Russia’s Ambitious Shield
The S-500 Property is touted as Russia’s crown jewel in long-range air defense. After state trials in 2020-2021, it was officially accepted into service in April 2021, with Moscow presenting it as a next-generation system capable of countering virtually any modern aerial threat.

On paper, the Prometey’s mission set is ambitious. It is designed to intercept medium and intercontinental range ballistic missiles during their final flight phase, track and engage hypersonic weapons, destroy low orbit satellites, and shoot down enemy aircraft before they can approach Russian airspace.
Central to this defensive web is the 98L6 Yenisei radar, ‘Eyes’ of the S-500s. It is responsible for detecting and tracking high-speed, high-altitude targets, and without it, the system’s overall effectiveness drops dramatically.

According to Russian claims, the Yenisei’s core is a multielement active electronically scanned array (AESA) designed to resist heavy electronic jamming. It can in theory detect both aerodynamic and ballistic targets at ranges up to 600 km and altitudes reaching 100 km. The data it gathers is then fed to command posts, where other air defense assets such as missile batteries can act on it.

Visually, the Yenisei resembles the older 97L6E radar, sharing the same four axle MZKT chassis and a similar configuration, including a fully rotatable antenna unit mounted alongside an equipment container.

However, the two systems diverge in their antenna design. The 96L6E’s primary antenna is split into two sections of different sizes, while the Yenisei features a different array structure optimized for its expanded mission set.

One of Yenisei’s advantages is operational flexibility. It can scan in a full 360-degree mode for wide area surveillance, or focus on a narrow sector to improve its ability to spot ballistic threats. This makes it the standard radar for the S-500 systems and a critical component of Russia’s layered air defense network.

Yet, real-world performance tells a more complicated story. In 2024, when the S-500 was deployed to Crimea to protect the Kerch Bridge, it reportedly failed to intercept an incoming MGM-140 ATACMS ballistic missile.

That failure raised uncomfortable questions about whether Russia’s most advanced air defense system can live up to its sweeping promises when facing fast, unpredictable, and well-planned attacks.

A Broader Ukrainian Strategy
The Prymary unit’s Yenisei strike is part of a larger operational pattern. Ukrainian forces have adopted a methodical approach. Identify and strike the nerve centers of the Russians’ detection network, rather than just the launch systems. By doing so, they render missile batteries less effective or even blind.

Another HUR special unit, Artan, has been conducting similar missions using FPV drones. These strikes have hit Russian vehicles, ammunition depots, and communications hubs, all documented with stark, close-up footage that shows drones weaving between obstacles before detonating on target.

The Prymary unit’s recent Yenisei strike fits into this wider strategy of targeting critical radar and missile systems that threaten Ukraine’s skies.

In one recent compilation video, HUR showcased hits on several high-value assets in occupied Crimea, including Nebo SVU, Podlet 1K, and 96L6E radars, as well as a BK 16 landing craft. Russian air defense and fighter jets scrambled to stop the drones, but they dodged missiles with near cinematic agility “like Neo in the Matrix”, as Ukrainian operators quipped.

Russia’s Radar Network Under Strain
The Prymary unit’s Yenisei strike is part of a larger operational pattern. Ukrainian forces have adopted a methodical approach. Identify and strike the nerve centers of the Russian’s detection network, rather than just the launch systems. By doing so, they render missile batteries less effective or even blind.

The Yenisei’s destruction comes at a time when Russia’s radar network is already under strain.

According to ‘Euromaidanpress’, Russia may have lost up to half of its radar capabilities since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.

One of the most costly setbacks has been the loss of Beriev A-50U airborne early warning aircraft, essential for detecting threats at long range. Ukraine has destroyed or damaged at least four of these aircraft, with the most recent hit occurring during Operation Spider Web in June 2024.

At the start of the war, Russia had an estimated seven A-50U aircraft. By winter 2024, aviation analyst Tom Cooper assessed that only four remained, and by mid-2025, possibly just three.

One surviving aircraft has been spotted in Vorkuta, far in Russia’s Arctic permafrost zone, likely to keep it out of Ukrainian strike range.

Moscow has been developing a next-generation A-100 radar aircraft, but none of the three prototypes are believed to be operational.

Strategic Implications
Each radar destroyed, whether mounted on a mast in Crimea or in the nose of an A-50U circling high above Russia, weakens Moscow’s early warning net. Fewer radars mean more blind spots, and more blind spots mean greater vulnerability for high-value targets, such as the Kerch Bridge, key air bases, naval facilities, and command centers.

This depletion also forces a change in Russian operating patterns. The remaining radar assets have become too precious to risk in exposed positions.

That means fewer sorties for the A-50Us, fewer deployments of rare ground-based systems like the Yenisei near contested areas, and an overall shift toward holding these assets in reserve. While this may protect them from destruction, it also reduces their deterrent effect and limits Russia’s ability to respond to fast-moving threats.

For Ukraine, the strategy is clear. By systematically targeting the rearrest and most capable radars, Kyiv not only weakens Russia’s current defences but also imposes a long-term cost.

The Road Ahead
If current trends continue, Russia’s radar coverage over Crimea and other contested areas will continue to thin.

Ukraine’s forces have shown they can find and hit even heavily guarded assets, and each successful strike emboldens further operations. The destruction of the Yenisei shows that no part of Russia’s high-end air defense network is beyond reach.

In modern warfare, control of the skies often comes down to who can see and act first. By dismantling Russia’s ‘electronic eye’, Ukraine is betting that blinding its adversary will open the way for strikes that could reshape the battlefield in its favour.

The loss of the Yenisei radar is one more step in that process and perhaps one of the most consequential yet.

“We Are Establishing Peace In The Caucasus”! Turkey Lauds US-Brokered Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Deal.
Turkey lauded an agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan as progress towards a “lasting peace” on Friday after US President Donald Trump declared the foes had committed to end hostilities permanently.

“We welcome the progress achieved towards establishing a lasting peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the commitment recorded in Washington today in this regard,” Turkey’s foreign ministry said.

“At a time when international conflicts and crises are intensifying, this step constitutes a highly significant development for the promotion of regional peace and stability. We commend the contributions of the US administration in this process.”

Armenia, Azerbaijan To End Conflict
Armenia and Azerbaijan have committed to a lasting peace after decades of conflict, US President Donald Trump said Friday as he hosted the leaders of the South Caucasus rivals at a White House signing event.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijan’s longtime President Ilham Aliyev said Trump’s mediation should earn him a Nobel Peace Prize — an award the US leader has been vocal about seeking.

The two former Soviet republics “are committing to stop all fighting forever, open up commerce, travel, and diplomatic relations and respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Trump said.

However, the fine print and binding nature of the deal between the long-time foes remained unclear.
The two leaders would have a “great relationship,” Trump said.
“But if there’s conflict… they’re going to call me and we’re going to get it straightened out,” he added.
Christian-majority Armenia and Muslim-majority Azerbaijan have feuded for decades over their border and the status of ethnic enclaves within each other’s territories.

The nations went to war twice over the disputed Karabakh region, which Azerbaijan recaptured from Armenian forces in a lightning 2023 offensive, sparking the exodus of more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians.

The Azerbaijan and Armenian leaders shook hands under the satisfied gaze of Trump, before all three signed a document the White House called a “joint declaration.”

Aliyev hailed the “historic signature” between the two countries, which were at war for more than three decades.”

“We are today establishing peace in the Caucasus,” he added.

Aliyev offered to send a joint appeal, along with Pashinyan, to the Nobel committee recommending Trump receive the Peace Prize.

“Who, if not President Trump, deserves a Nobel Peace Prize?” he asked.

Aliyev also thanked Trump for lifting restrictions on US military cooperation with Azerbaijan.

Pashinyan said the “initialing of (the) peace agreement will pave the way to end decades of conflict between our countries and open a new era.”

The Armenian leader said the “breakthrough” would not have been possible without “peacemaker” Trump, adding that the US president deserved the Nobel.

The agreement also includes establishing a transit corridor passing through Armenia to connect Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhchivan, a longstanding demand of Baku.

The United States will have development rights for the corridor — dubbed the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP) — in the strategic and resource-rich region.

The foreign ministry of Turkey, a longtime supporter of Azerbaijan, hailed the “progress achieved towards establishing a lasting peace” between the two nations.

Trump has repeatedly praised his own diplomatic efforts to help halt deadly conflicts, notably between Cambodia and Thailand, as well as arch-foes India and Pakistan.

However, months of efforts have yet to solve the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the hunger plaguing Gaza during Israel’s offensive.
Armenia Gains ‘Strategic’ Partner
Azerbaijan and Armenia agreed on the text of a comprehensive peace deal in March.

But Azerbaijan had later outlined a host of demands — including amendments to Armenia’s constitution to drop territorial claims for Karabakh — before signing the document.

Pashinyan has announced plans for a constitutional referendum in 2027, but the issue remains deeply divisive among Armenians.

Asked what Armenia stood to gain from Friday’s deal, a White House official said it was “an enormous strategic commercial partner, probably the most enormous and strategic in the history of the world: the United States of America.”

“The losers here are China, Russia, and Iran,” he said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The disputed mountainous enclave of Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but was controlled by pro-Armenian separatists for nearly three decades after a war following the breakup of the Soviet Union.

Azerbaijan captured part of the territory during a 2020 war, then took all of it with a lightning offensive three years later. Almost the entire local population of around

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- Melody Beattie

"Do you know that the shortest war in history lasted only 38 to 45 minutes? It was between Britain and Zanzibar in 1896."

Did You Know African Women Were Once Military Leaders and Queens?
Focus on Queen Nzinga (Angola), Yaa Asantewaa (Ghana), and Amina of Zaria (Nigeria).

“When the women stand up, the nation stands strong.” – African Proverb

“Why Africa Must Rewrite Her story”

Ubuntu Safari #ubuntusafacom ubuntusafa.com
Ubuntu in Modern Times-
Ubuntu is not just ancient history. It inspired:

Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, who used it to heal and rebuild South Africa.

Peace-building efforts in Rwanda after the genocide.

Modern African values in community development, social enterprise, and education.

The best comfort I could offer
was to just let her tell her story.
- Mary Anne Radmacher

Iran doubles down as US signals Israel could strike despite nuclear talks
Iranian authorities have remained defiant amid concerns that Israel could launch an attack on Iran as the global nuclear watchdog adopts another Western-led censure resolution.

Even as Oman confirmed on Thursday that it will host a sixth round of talks on Sunday between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear programme, reports by outlets such as The New York Times, quoting officials in the US and Europe, warned that Israel is “ready” to attack Iran, even without military backing from Washington. Israel has long threatened to attack Iran’s nuclear sites.

The administration of US President Donald Trump also carried out a partial evacuation of embassy staff in Iraq and dependants of US personnel across the Middle East in a sign of escalating tension in the region.

“I don’t want to say imminent, but it looks like it’s something that could very well happen,” said Trump at a White House event on Thursday, commenting on the likelihood of an Israeli strike.

“We will not give in to America’s coercion and bullying,” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised speech in the western city of Ilam on Thursday, pointing out that Iran resisted eight years of invasion in the 1980s by neighbouring Iraq, which was backed by many foreign powers.

Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), told state television that if Israel attacks, it would be met with a “history-making” response that would go far beyond Iran’s two rounds of retaliatory strikes on Israel last year.

He said Iran is not “defenceless and encircled” like Gaza, where the Israeli military has killed more than 55,000 Palestinians since October 7, 2023.

Speaking to a crowd in Tehran, IRGC Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani said Iran’s armed forces have made significant strides in improving their attacking capabilities in the months since the previous missile barrages launched against Israel.

“If they think the axis of resistance and Iran have been weakened and then boast based on that, it is all a dream,” said the commander, who leads the external force of the IRGC, which is tasked with expanding Iran’s regional influence.

Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, announced on Thursday that he has given the order to launch more military exercises after a series of large-scale drills were held across Iran earlier this year. An array of missiles and drones, warships, special forces and even underground missile bases featured in those drills.

On Wednesday, Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh reiterated that all US military bases in countries across the region are legitimate targets if conflict breaks out with the US.

He said Iran had successfully launched an unnamed ballistic missile last week with a 2,000kg (4,410lb) warhead and promised casualties “on the other side will be greater and would force the US to leave the region”.

Iran to build third enrichment site
After days of deliberation, the board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Thursday passed a resolution to censure Iran over its advancing nuclear programme and several outstanding cases involving unexplained nuclear materials found at Iranian sites.

The resolution was put forward in Vienna by the US along with France, Germany and the United Kingdom, the three European nations who are still party to Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, which Trump unilaterally abandoned in 2018.

The global nuclear watchdog has adopted several Western-led censure resolutions against Iran over the past few years, but the one on Thursday was the most serious in nearly two decades because it alleges Iran is not complying with its nuclear nonproliferation obligations.

Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs branded the accusation “completely baseless and fabricated” and said Western powers are using the international body as a tool for exerting political pressure.

Tehran’s response was also significant. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and the Foreign Ministry jointly announced that the country would build its third uranium enrichment site at a “secure” location.

They added that first-generation centrifuges will be replaced with sixth-generation machines at the Fordow enrichment plant, which will considerably boost Iran’s ability to create highly enriched uranium.

The Natanz and Fordow facilities, both built deep underground to protect them against bunker-buster munitions used by the US and Israel, are currently the only facilities enriching uranium in Iran. They are both under heavy supervision by the IAEA.

Iran is now enriching uranium up to 60 percent and maintains that its nuclear programme is strictly peaceful and has civilian uses, such as power generation and the manufacture of radiopharmaceuticals. Uranium must be at 90 percent purity to build nuclear weapons.

‘Zero’ enrichment demand looms over talks
Iran and the US are once again heading to Muscat even as they still disagree over enrichment, the key issue for any potential agreement.

The 2015 nuclear deal allowed Iran to enrich uranium up to 3.67 percent under IAEA monitoring, but Trump, who now says he is less confident about a deal with Iran, has insisted on “zero” enrichment taking place inside Iran.

Tehran, which this week rejected another US proposal that included zero enrichment, is slated to offer a counterproposal soon to try to advance the negotiations.

Ideas for a nuclear consortium that includes Iran’s neighbours to bolster trust have so far failed to provide any breakthrough.

Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Mossad chief David Barnea are expected to meet with US envoy Steve Witkoff on Friday before he heads to the Omani capital for the latest round of talks.

Tehran leans on national sentiment
In Tehran’s Vanak Square, authorities this week installed a huge sculpture of Arash Kamangir (Arash the Archer), a hero in Iranian mythology.

The story of Arash involved the hero putting his life in danger by climbing Mount Damavand – the highest peak in Iran at 5,609 metres (18,402ft) and a symbol of national pride – to use his archery skills to set Iran’s borders. In the story, his arrow flies for days before setting Iran’s boundaries with Turan, a historical region in Central Asia.

The story is one that evokes a sense of national pride among all Iranians. When images of the sculpture went viral on social media, some Iranians praised the move while others criticised it as an attempt to tap nationalist sentiment at a time when Iran may be attacked.

But even with the spectre of war seeming to loom over Iran again, markets in the country have remained relatively stable in recent weeks as they anticipate the results of negotiations with the US.

The Iranian rial changed hands in Tehran for about 840,000 per US dollar on Thursday, having only slightly dipped compared with the days before and its news of more military and political pressure on Iran.

“Most people I’ve spoken to here are following the news of the talks with the US and Israel’s threats very closely, but there’s no panic,” a 36-year-old vendor at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar told Al Jazeera, asking to remain anonymous.

After years of stringent sanctions, along with local mismanagement, Iran has been facing consistently high inflation. It currently stands above 30 percent. Iranians are also cut off from international payment networks and banned from most international services due to the sanctions.

“Nobody wants a war,” the vendor said. “We have enough problems as is. I really hope they reach a deal.”

NIGERIA JUNE 12th-
June 12th: A Day of Reflection, Resistance, and Renewal for Nigeria. #June12 #NigeriaDemocracyDay #RememberMKO #NeverForget

Remembering the Past, Reclaiming the Future-

Introduction: The Echoes of a Nation's Pain and Promise
Every nation has its defining moments—times when its soul is tested, its people are divided, and its future stands uncertain. For Nigeria, two such moments are etched deep into our national memory: the Civil War of 1967–1970 and the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.

While the Civil War tested our unity through bullets and blood, June 12 tested our democracy through silence and betrayal. Both moments are painful reminders of what happens when power is placed above people, and when the dreams of a nation are crushed by the decisions of a few.

June 12 is not just about a stolen election; it’s about a stolen opportunity—one that still calls us to act, rebuild, and unite.

The 1993 Elections: Nigeria’s Lost Chance at Progress
The June 12, 1993 presidential election was supposed to be a turning point. Conducted after years of military dictatorship, the election saw Nigerians from all ethnic, religious, and regional backgrounds unite behind a single candidate: MKO Abiola, running under the Social Democratic Party (SDP). His running mate, Babagana Kingibe from the North, symbolized a hope for national unity beyond tribal lines.

Despite overwhelming public support and an election that observers praised as transparent, the military government under General Ibrahim Babangida annulled the results. No official reason was given. Chaos followed—protests erupted, journalists were harassed, and civil society leaders were detained.

Abiola himself was arrested in 1994 after declaring himself president. He died in prison under suspicious circumstances on July 7, 1998, just weeks before he was expected to be released. Many still believe he was murdered.

Legacy of MKO Abiola: Democracy’s Martyr
MKO Abiola’s life was one of paradox: a wealthy businessman, yet deeply connected to the poor; a devout Muslim, yet loved across religious lines. He campaigned not as a tribal leader, but as a Nigerian. His campaign slogan, "Hope 93," was more than words—it captured the aspirations of a people tired of corruption, tribalism, and poverty.

Even in detention, Abiola remained a symbol of peaceful resistance. His death became the ultimate sacrifice for a dream deferred. June 12, therefore, is not just about the man—it’s about the mission.

From Civil War to June 12: Two Different Struggles, One National Lesson
While the Civil War of 1967–70 was rooted in ethnic tensions and failed attempts at power-sharing, June 12 was about the denial of the people’s political voice. Yet both episodes remind us of key national truths:

Unity cannot be forced—it must be earned through justice and inclusion.

Democracy is fragile when it serves only the elite.

The youth, often the biggest victims of bad governance, must not be silent.

In both instances, it was ordinary Nigerians—students, workers, market women, and civil society groups—who bore the burden of change. It is still that way today.

Today’s Nigeria: Democracy Under Stress
While the country now enjoys a multi-party democratic structure, the deeper values of democracy—transparency, accountability, and people-centered governance—are still largely missing. June 12 must push us to ask hard questions:

Why do elections still feel rigged despite “modern” technology?

Why are politicians richer after office while millions remain jobless?

Why do Nigerians flee their country despite its vast potential?

Why do security agencies still brutalize citizens with impunity?

June 12 isn’t just history—it’s a warning that unless we build institutions and hold leaders accountable, we could lose everything we’ve gained.

To Nigerians in the Diaspora: Your Voice Matters More Than Ever
With over 17 million Nigerians living abroad, the diaspora is a powerful force for change. You are not just sending money—you are shaping narratives, influencing policy, and raising the standard of what Nigerians should expect from leadership.

June 12 should remind you of your responsibility:

Speak out when Nigeria is misrepresented or mistreated.

Organize, not just socially but politically, to influence elections and reforms back home.

Support movements focused on education, technology, healthcare, and youth empowerment.

Vote, participate, and hold leaders accountable—even from afar.

You are the bridge between what is and what can be.

What June 12 Demands of Us Today
Rather than simply observing June 12 with ceremonies or hashtags, let us:

Educate the next generation about the significance of this day.

Reflect on what democracy should look like in the Nigerian context.

Commit to civic participation—voting, community organizing, and policy dialogue.

Demand electoral reforms and transparent processes, especially for the 2027 elections.

Support pro-democracy movements and whistleblowers who risk everything for truth.

Conclusion: From Remembrance to Revolution of Values
June 12 is a mirror and a megaphone. It shows us where we failed, but it also shouts at us: “You can still rise!”

We must move beyond just mourning MKO Abiola. We must embody his courage, his hope, and his belief that Nigeria can be better.

Whether you’re in Enugu, Lagos, Kaduna, Johannesburg, London, or Atlanta, this is your fight too.

The democracy we celebrate today was watered with sweat, tears, and blood. The least we can do is protect it, perfect it, and pass it on stronger than we found it.

By Jo Ikeji-Uju
https://corkroo.com/
https://afriprime.net/

NIGERIA-
June 12th: A Day for Reflection and Resolve – Nigeria’s Unfinished Journey Towards Democracy and Unity.
#June12 #NigeriaDemocracyDay #RememberMKO #NeverForget

June 12th is not just a date on Nigeria’s calendar—it is a solemn reminder of a people’s unyielding hope for democracy and justice. Just like the scars left by the Nigerian Civil War of 1967–1970, June 12th demands national reflection and courage to build a future that heals old wounds. For Nigerians at home and abroad, this date represents both a tragedy and a triumph—a stolen mandate, a silenced voice, and yet, a powerful turning point in our democratic history.

Why June 12th Matters

On June 12, 1993, millions of Nigerians went to the polls in what is widely regarded as the freest and fairest election in the country’s history. Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, a business mogul and philanthropist, was poised to lead the nation as president. However, the military regime under General Ibrahim Babangida annulled the results, plunging Nigeria into political turmoil.

For many Nigerians, especially in the South-West, this was more than electoral injustice—it was the suppression of a national dream. But more importantly, it sparked a pro-democracy movement that forced the military back into the barracks and birthed the Fourth Republic in 1999.

In 2018, the Nigerian government declared June 12th the official Democracy Day, replacing May 29th. This act was a long-overdue recognition of the sacrifices made in the pursuit of democratic freedom. Yet, the spirit of June 12th continues to call for more than just a holiday. It calls for national soul-searching.

Parallels With the Civil War (1967–1970)

Just like June 12th, the Nigerian Civil War was a defining chapter. It was born out of deep political mistrust, ethnic division, and failed dialogue. Over 1 million lives were lost, and while the war ended with the slogan "No victor, no vanquished," its wounds still linger.

Both events—June 12 and the Civil War—stemmed from crises of representation and inclusion. Both are reminders that Nigeria's unity must never be taken for granted, and that when justice is delayed or denied, the consequences echo across generations.

For Nigerians at Home: The Call to Action-

Nigeria’s democracy, though over two decades old, still struggles with credibility, corruption, voter apathy, and insecurity. On June 12, we must ask ourselves:

Are we living the ideals of that historic election?

Is our government truly reflective of the people’s will?

Do we treat every Nigerian, regardless of ethnicity or religion, as an equal stakeholder in the national project?

This is a time to demand accountability from leaders, to organize peacefully, and to resist tribal divisions. June 12 reminds us that democracy is not a destination—it is a fight we must renew every day.

For the Diaspora: The Role Beyond Borders

To Nigerians abroad, June 12th is not a memory left behind—it is a legacy to carry forward. You are ambassadors of Nigerian resilience and intelligence.

Whether you're in the UK, US, Canada, the UAE, Germany, or South Africa, you have the power to:

Support democratic institutions and civic education back home.

Advocate for good governance and human rights in international forums.

Invest in youth-driven innovation and development initiatives.

Challenge the narratives that paint Nigeria as a land of only corruption and chaos.

Many in the diaspora have tasted what functional governance looks like—use that perspective to challenge mediocrity and demand better for your homeland.

June 12: Not Just a Remembrance, But a Recommitment-
Let us not allow June 12th to become a ceremonial date devoid of meaning. It is a mirror to Nigeria’s past and a map to her future. It teaches us that true power lies not in government houses or military tanks, but in the collective will of a people ready to stand for justice.

Conclusion
From the gunfire of the Civil War to the silent disenfranchisement of June 12, Nigeria has walked through fire and survived. But survival is not enough—we must now thrive. Whether at home in Lagos or Kano, or abroad in Houston or London, this June 12, let us reflect, remember, and rise—together.

Because if democracy was once stolen from us, we must never again let it slip away.
And if unity was once torn apart, we must now weave it back with every choice we make.

By Jo Ikeji-Uju
https://corkroo.com/
https://afriprime.net/

No complaining-No crying-Just know that modern Christianity is no different as a corporate company.
Pope Leo XIV made his first appointment of a Chinese bishop under the Vatican’s 2018 agreement with Beijing, signalling he is continuing one of Pope Francis’ most controversial foreign policy decisions.

The Vatican expressed satisfaction that Leo’s June 5 nomination of Bishop Joseph Lin Yuntuan as auxiliary bishop of Fuzhou was recognized Wednesday by Chinese authorities.

The Vatican said in a statement that Lin taking possession of the diocese and the civic recognition of his appointment “constitutes a further fruit of the dialogue between the Holy See and the Chinese authorities and is a significant step in the diocese’s communal journey.”

Francis had riled conservatives when he approved a deal in 2018 over bishop nominations, which had been the most divisive issue in Vatican-China relations since diplomatic ties were severed when the Communists came to power. China had insisted on an exclusive right to name bishops as a matter of national sovereignty, while the Vatican asserted the pope’s exclusive right to name the successors of the original Apostles.

China's estimated 12 million Catholics have been divided between an official, state-controlled church that didn’t recognize papal authority and an underground church that remained loyal to Rome through decades of persecution. The Vatican tried for decades to unify the flock and the 2018 deal was aimed at healing that division, regularizing the status of seven bishops who weren’t recognized by Rome and thawing decades of estrangement between China and the Vatican.

The details of the 2018 deal were never released, but it affords the state-controlled church a say in its church leaders, though Francis insisted he retained veto power over the ultimate choice.

The deal has been criticized by some, especially on the Catholic right, for having caved to Beijing’s demands and sold out the underground faithful in China. The Vatican has said it was the best deal it could get and has been renewed periodically since then.

One of the big foreign policy questions facing Leo, history's first American pope, was whether he would continue renewing the accord or heed conservative demands and make some changes.

There have been apparent violations on the Beijing side with some unilateral appointments that occurred without papal consent. The issue came to a head just before the conclave that elected Leo pope, when the Chinese church proceeded with the preliminary election of two bishops, a step that comes before official consecration.