Author: WAJ Team

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who secured his second term in the September 7 presidential election, was formally inaugurated today at the Palace of Nations in Algiers. This official ceremony was marked by the presence of Algeria’s highest institutions, highlighting the significance of the event in the nation’s political landscape. The inauguration began with the recitation of select verses from the Noble Qur’an, setting a solemn tone for the proceedings. Following this, Omar Belhadj, Chairman of the Constitutional Court, presented a statement detailing the final election results, confirming Tebboune’s substantial victory with 84.30% of the vote. Supreme Court President Tahar Mamouni then…

The Malian military successfully repelled a terrorist attack on the Faladie Gendarmerie School in Bamako early Tuesday morning. The situation is now reported to be under control, with the military conducting a thorough security sweep of the area. The attack began around 5:30 a.m. local time, with intense gunfire and explosions reported near the military police center located in the Feladie district, on the southeastern outskirts of Bamako. According to the military, a group of terrorists attempted to breach the gendarmerie school. The armed forces have launched “mopping-up operations” throughout the area to ensure the threat is fully neutralized. They…

A U.S. lawmaker has expressed concern over the ongoing detention of Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan in Nigeria, warning that it could strain diplomatic relations between the two countries. In a statement on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Representative James Hill, Vice Chairman of the U.S. House Financial Services Committee, urged the Biden administration to intensify efforts to secure Gambaryan’s release. Hill expressed surprise that Nigeria, a key U.S. ally, is holding a U.S. citizen who, according to Hill, is not directly involved in the matter for which he is detained. Hill also highlighted Gambaryan’s significant contributions to combating cybercrime,…

Zimbabwe has announced a plan to cull 200 elephants in response to a severe drought that has left many communities facing acute food shortages. The drought, intensified by the El Niño weather phenomenon, has wreaked havoc across southern Africa, resulting in widespread crop failure and impacting approximately 68 million people in the region. According to Tinashe Farawo, a spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (Zimparks), the elephant meat from this culling operation will be distributed to communities severely affected by the drought. This measure is intended to provide immediate relief to those struggling with food insecurity. The culling,…

The Egyptian cabinet has disclosed that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has instructed the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) to inject $5 billion into Egypt as part of the initial stage of a larger investment initiative. This announcement was made following a high-profile meeting in Riyadh between Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and the Crown Prince, where discussions centered on advancing and deepening the strategic partnership between the two nations. The cabinet’s statement did not elaborate on the precise timing of the investment, the nature of the planned projects, or how many phases the investment strategy will include. As…

On September 17, Angola will celebrate National Heroes’ Day, a significant public holiday dedicated to Agostinho Neto, the nation’s first president and a pivotal figure in the fight for independence from Portuguese rule. This day is marked by commemorative events that highlight Neto’s profound influence on Angola’s journey to freedom. Neto’s legacy is deeply embedded in Angola’s national identity. As a leader of the liberation movement and the country’s first president, his impact resonates through Angola’s values of unity, resilience, and independence. National Heroes’ Day serves as a tribute to his enduring contributions and the ideals he championed. A Look…

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Egypt on Tuesday to hold critical discussions on a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages. The meetings with Egyptian officials are a key step in efforts to end the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Significance: The visit comes amid prolonged negotiations involving the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt, aimed at brokering a truce between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. The primary objectives are to halt the violence and facilitate the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees. Major challenges include Israel’s demand to maintain its military presence in the Philadelphi…

Zimbabwean Olympic gold medalist and Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture, Kirsty Coventry, is setting her sights on a groundbreaking achievement by campaigning to become the first female president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Coventry’s candidacy marks a significant milestone in the IOC’s history, as it has yet to be led by a woman or an African. Coventry is one of seven candidates shortlisted for the prestigious role. Her competitors include prominent figures such as Britain’s Lord Coe, a two-time Olympic champion in the 1500m; Spain’s Juan Antonio Samaranch, who has significant experience in Olympic administration; Jordan’s Prince…

In Eswatini, a growing number of legislators, supported by human rights advocates, are calling for an urgent review of the 1991 Game Act. They argue that the law, which gives wildlife park rangers the authority to use lethal force against suspected poachers, lacks adequate checks and balances, resulting in unnecessary deaths and a lack of accountability. Park owners and conservationists have long defended the shootings, claiming that they are crucial for protecting endangered wildlife, especially in a country where poaching is a significant threat. According to them, these drastic measures have helped preserve Eswatini’s biodiversity and deter poaching activities, which…

Ghana has experienced significant losses in its cocoa sector during the 2023/24 season, with over a third of its total production lost to smuggling. This crisis has emerged as a result of low domestic cocoa prices and delayed payments to farmers, which have led many to seek better returns by selling to increasingly well-organized smuggling networks operating across the region. The global cocoa market has been strained by poor harvests in both Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, the two largest cocoa producers in the world. This has resulted in a four-year global supply deficit, causing cocoa and chocolate prices to rise.…

President Paul Kagame emphasized the crucial balance between politics, religion, and culture during the Thanksgiving Prayer Breakfast at Kigali Convention Centre. He advocated for a cautious approach to these domains to prevent extremism, underscoring that simplicity in their practice is vital for maintaining harmony and effectiveness. The event, organized by the Rwanda Leaders Fellowship (RLF) under the theme “Foundations of a Grateful Nation,” gathered a diverse group of attendees, including government officials, business leaders, diplomats, and senior religious figures. The purpose was to promote ethical values in leadership, celebrate electoral achievements, and set the stage for future development goals. Martine…

Nigeria’s annual inflation rate saw a significant decline to a six-month low in August, which may provide policymakers with an opportunity to pause their current cycle of rate hikes at their forthcoming meeting. According to the latest data, consumer prices rose by 32.2% in August, down from 33.4% in July. This reduction aligns with the predictions made by economists. The easing of inflation could prompt the central bank to reconsider its strategy of raising interest rates. This slowdown is attributed to several factors: the diminishing impact of currency devaluation, the temporary removal of fuel subsidies, and higher corn yields. These…

On Sunday, the Federal Government of Nigeria announced that it had received a significant shipment of humanitarian aid from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This aid, totaling 50 tons, is intended to support communities severely affected by recent flooding. The delivery took place at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, where it was formally presented by UAE Ambassador Salem Alshamsi. In his address, Ambassador Alshamsi underscored that this relief effort was spearheaded by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Al Nahyan. The gesture reflects the UAE’s enduring commitment to aiding nations stricken by natural disasters. This substantial contribution highlights the UAE’s role…

Zimbabwe is facing a profound humanitarian crisis, driven largely by El Niño-induced droughts that have ravaged the country’s agricultural sector. Peter Gift Mutasa, Chairperson of the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition and a prominent political commentator, shared critical insights on the worsening situation. According to Mutasa, the El Niño phenomenon has brought about severe storms and prolonged dry spells, which have decimated more than half of Zimbabwe’s harvest. This disaster has plunged approximately 7.6 million Zimbabweans into a state of acute hunger. Mutasa elaborated that the food insecurity crisis is expected to intensify between January and March, with projections indicating that…

South African actor Sello Motloung has passed away at the age of 54 following a collapse at his Johannesburg home on Sunday afternoon. Eloife Clasen from Artist Connection, his agency, confirmed that despite being rushed to the hospital by his wife, Motloung tragically died later that day. The sudden death of Motloung has deeply impacted both his family and his professional community. Clasen expressed profound grief, noting that Motloung was a cherished member of their agency and that his loss is felt keenly. Known for his passionate support of Orlando Pirates, Motloung had recently shared a light-hearted post on social…

Two tragic incidents unfolded on Saturday as a traveler died at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport, while another individual lost their life at King Shaka International Airport in Durban. Both cases are currently under investigation, with authorities yet to determine the exact cause of death. At OR Tambo, officials were alerted to a distressing event around 3:10 p.m. A report indicated that an individual had fallen from the fifth level of the airport’s parking structure to the ground below. Law enforcement and medical teams, including those stationed at the airport’s 24-hour clinic, responded immediately. Despite their swift efforts, paramedics pronounced…