A Tunisian court has sentenced former President Moncef Marzouki to 22 years in prison in absentia, citing charges of undermining state security. Marzouki, who led the country from 2011 to 2014, has been an outspoken critic of current President Kais Saied. The verdict has intensified concerns among opposition groups over an escalating clampdown on dissenting voices. Marzouki, currently in exile in Paris, has consistently accused President Saied of dismantling democratic institutions and imposing authoritarian rule following his 2021 decision to dissolve parliament and rule by decree. Responding to the ruling, Marzouki dismissed the legitimacy of the court’s decision, stating: “Your…
Author: Tosin Onisuuru
Zambia’s former President, Edgar Lungu, will be laid to rest in South Africa instead of his home country due to an ongoing dispute between his family and the Zambian government over funeral arrangements. Lungu passed away earlier this month in a South African hospital after battling an undisclosed illness. Plans to repatriate his body have been disrupted by a rift between his family and the current administration, primarily surrounding the involvement of President Hakainde Hichilema in the funeral. The Lungu family, through their spokesperson and legal representative Makebi Zulu, confirmed the decision to hold a private burial in South Africa.…
Rwandan authorities have arrested prominent opposition figure Victoire Ingabire on allegations of inciting public unrest and forming a criminal organization, according to a statement from the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB). Ingabire, who leads the unregistered opposition party DALFA–Umurinzi, has long been a vocal critic of the government. She previously returned from exile in 2010 to run in the presidential election but was disqualified over accusations of genocide denial. In 2012, she was sentenced to prison on charges of attempting to form an armed group and downplaying the 1994 genocide—allegations she denied. She was released in 2018 under a presidential pardon.…
In a groundbreaking global achievement, Guyana has become the world’s only fully food-self-sufficient country as of 2025, according to a detailed study published in Nature Food journal. The study assessed 186 countries on their ability to produce seven essential food groups without relying on imports—and only Guyana met all the criteria. This remarkable milestone positions the South American nation as a global leader in food security, agricultural resilience, and sustainable farming. Guyana’s Unmatched Agricultural Achievement The study measured national food self-sufficiency across seven key categories: fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, cereals and grains, pulses and legumes, and oils and fats. Guyana…
The United States has resumed processing student visa applications for international applicants, with a significant new requirement: applicants must now make their social media profiles publicly accessible for government review. The U.S. Department of State disclosed that all applicants under the F, M, and J nonimmigrant visa categories—commonly used by students and exchange visitors—will be subject to expanded screening procedures that include a thorough assessment of their online presence. “Obtaining a U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right,” said a spokesperson for the department. “We utilize all available information to determine whether an applicant is admissible to the United…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has firmly denied any U.S. involvement in brokering the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan, asserting the agreement was achieved solely through direct military communication between the two nations. According to Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Modi clarified to U.S. President Donald Trump in a phone conversation that no discussions took place regarding U.S. mediation or trade negotiations during the ceasefire talks. “Prime Minister Modi told President Trump unequivocally that there was no dialogue at any point concerning a U.S.-India trade deal or third-party mediation,” Misri said. “The ceasefire was arranged through military-to-military communication, initiated…
In a major victory for free speech, Zimbabwe’s High Court has ruled that critical sections of the controversial Patriotic Act violate the country’s Constitution. Enacted in July 2023, the law criminalized actions deemed harmful to Zimbabwe’s “sovereignty and national interest.” Offenders could face severe penalties, including life imprisonment, the death penalty, or even the loss of citizenship. Critics, including human rights advocates and civil society groups, have long argued that the law was designed to suppress dissent—especially from those engaging international platforms or seeking global support to demand accountability. The court sided with the challengers, ruling that section 22A(3) imposes…
Almost four years after the shocking assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, Haiti is renewing its stalled investigation into the murder, as the country grapples with intensifying insecurity and a failing judicial system. President Moïse was killed on July 7, 2021, after being shot 12 times in his private residence in Port-au-Prince. The brazen attack captured global attention and highlighted Haiti’s alarming descent into lawlessness and external interference. The investigation has been consistently obstructed by gang violence, judicial resignations due to death threats, and security breakdowns. Although 20 suspects are currently jailed in Haiti, none have been tried despite facing formal…
In a move that marks the third delay of a potential TikTok ban, U.S. President Donald Trump is set to issue a fresh 90-day extension allowing the app to continue operating while it searches for a non-Chinese buyer, the White House confirmed on Tuesday. Originally, a federal law mandating the sale or ban of TikTok on national security grounds was scheduled to take effect just before Trump’s January inauguration. “President Trump will sign another Executive Order this week to keep TikTok live,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. “He’s made it clear, he doesn’t want TikTok to go dark.…
At least 60 migrants, including women and children, are feared dead after two boats capsized off the coast of Libya earlier this week, humanitarian sources have confirmed. One of the boats, carrying approximately 86 people, overturned near the Libyan coastal city of Zuwara due to rough sea conditions. Rescue teams managed to save 25 individuals, who were later transferred to a Libyan detention center. The missing passengers, primarily from Nigeria, the Gambia, and other African nations, remain unaccounted for. Emergency responders provided medical treatment to the survivors, who are currently reported to be in stable condition. This incident highlights the…
