Author: WAJ Editor

Between 2020 and 2021, U.S. authorities seized 13 ancient Egyptian artifacts at JFK Airport, including a 5,200-year-old vase, according to legal documents filed this month. Homeland Security Investigations agent Aaron Klein’s declaration revealed that the 14 items were confiscated for smuggling. These included a faience amulet of the goddess Hatmehyt from Egypt’s Late Period (664-332 BCE); a wooden canopic jar cover from the New Kingdom Period (19th Dynasty or later, around 1300 BCE); a Cypriot vessel; two painted limestone shabtis; a painted limestone bed figurine from the New Kingdom Period (1549-1075 BCE); two phallic figurines (664-30 BCE); a pre-Dynastic vase…

India’s partnership with Africa is crucial for the development of both India and the Global South, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India. President Droupadi Murmu’s upcoming state visit to three African nations underscores New Delhi’s commitment to strengthening ties with the region. From October 13-19, President Murmu will visit Algeria, Mauritania, and Malawi, marking the first-ever visit by an Indian Head of State to these countries. MEA Secretary (Economic Relations) Dammu Ravi highlighted the significance of the visit, particularly in the context of India’s broader engagement with Africa. The trip comes at a time when the…

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi had a phone conversation with Kais Saied to congratulate him on his re-election as president of Tunisia for another term. Sisi wished Saied success in his new tenure, according to Presidential Spokesman Ahmed Fahmy. During the call, President Sisi highlighted Egypt’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation across various sectors to benefit both nations and emphasized the importance of continued close coordination in addressing challenges to Arab national security. In response, President Saied expressed his sincere gratitude for Sisi’s kind gesture and emphasized the longstanding, strong ties between Egypt and Tunisia. Saied also commended the significant…

Mali’s military government is seeking over 300 billion CFA ($512 million) in outstanding taxes and dividends from Barrick Gold as part of a broader effort to increase revenue from mining companies. This move follows an audit of mining contracts and a push to renegotiate agreements under a new mining code, which could see state and private interests in mining projects rise to 35% from 20%, while also reducing tax breaks. Last month, Malian authorities briefly detained four local Barrick employees, and the Canadian mining giant has since been negotiating with the government to resolve claims. Barrick, which operates the Loulo-Gounkoto…

Prison conditions in DR Congo have worsened, with reports of torture and sexual violence emerging from detention centers operated by the intelligence services, according to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Volker Turk stated during a human rights briefing on October 8 that prisoners in DR Congo are held in “disastrous conditions,” lacking access to legal representation and communication with their families. The dire state of DR Congo’s overcrowded, violent, and unsanitary prisons gained attention in September when over 260 female inmates were sexually assaulted during a mass escape attempt at Makala Central Prison in Kinshasa. At least 129…

Zimbabwean Transport Minister Felix Mhona has reassured the public that the government will not abandon its road rehabilitation program following the successful hosting of the SADC Heads of State Summit in Harare in August. The program accelerated ahead of the summit, resulting in significant improvements to many major roads in Harare, including enhancements to traffic islands and greening of traffic circles. Concerns about a slowdown in the program had arisen due to a perceived decrease in the pace of rebuilding the city’s deteriorating road network.While inaugurating a newly rehabilitated section of Solomon Mujuru Drive (formerly Kirkman Drive), Mhona stated that…

The Chinese embassy in South Africa, headed by Ambassador Wu Peng, recently hosted a briefing to discuss the outcomes of the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. During this event, Li Yunze, Director of the National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA), emphasized the importance of China-South Africa relations, describing South Africa as a key partner in mutual assistance and shared goals for national development and international fairness. Looking forward, Li expressed China’s readiness to deepen cooperation with South Africa under the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), helping South…

Rwandan Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ernest Rwamucyo, stated on October 8 that Rwanda should not be blamed for the decades-long security issues in DR Congo, which stem from over 200 armed groups operating in the country’s east. This was in response to accusations from DR Congo’s Foreign Minister, Therese Kayikwamba, during a UN Security Council briefing on peace and security in DR Congo. Rwamucyo emphasized that DR Congo must take responsibility for its own internal problems rather than attributing them to Rwanda. He noted that many of DR Congo’s political and security challenges predate Rwanda’s independence, making it…

Ray McCauley, the influential and controversial founder of Rhema Bible Church South Africa, has passed away at the age of 75. Known for leading one of South Africa’s largest multiracial churches with over 45,000 members, McCauley played a significant role during the apartheid era, speaking out against racial injustice. Tributes have poured in, with President Cyril Ramaphosa offering condolences, praising McCauley as a “remarkable leader.” The South African National Christian Forum and former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela also honored his legacy. McCauley was both admired for his spiritual leadership and criticized for his political involvement and wealth. He allowed former…

Leaders from Hamas and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah movements are set to hold a new round of unity discussions in Cairo on Wednesday. According to Hamas media adviser Taher Al-Nono, a senior delegation from Hamas, led by chief negotiator Khalil Al-Hayya, arrived in Cairo on Tuesday. The talks will focus on Israeli actions in Gaza and the broader challenges facing the Palestinian cause. This will be the first meeting between the two groups since their talks in Beijing in July, where they agreed on steps toward forming a unity government.

A delegation from Türkiye’s parliament, led by Orhan Ates, president of the Türkiye-Mali friendship group, met with Mali’s transitional leader, Colonel Assimi Goita, on Tuesday to discuss strengthening bilateral relations. The discussions focused on cooperation in economic development and addressing Mali’s security challenges. Ates emphasized Türkiye’s interest in deepening ties with Mali, particularly in security, health, and education, and reiterated Türkiye’s support for Mali’s transition towards stable governance. He highlighted the growing cooperation between the National Transitional Council of Mali and Türkiye’s parliament, facilitated by the Türkiye-Mali parliamentary friendship group. Ates expressed the desire to further enhance trade, investment, and…

In a phone conversation with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi expressed concern over the severe impact of the ongoing regional escalation on the people of the Middle East. He emphasized that the unrest hinders the region’s aspirations for stability and development. Cypriot President Christodoulides commended Egypt’s efforts to restore stability in the region and reiterated Cyprus’ commitment to supporting all initiatives aimed at promoting peace and security, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency. Egypt has consistently called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, working tirelessly to prevent the escalation into a full-scale war in…

The Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group) has praised the German Government and its development finance institution, Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG), for their steadfast commitment to promoting impact investing in Nigeria. The NGX Group aims to strengthen partnerships that foster sustainable development with an emphasis on climate action. Temi Popoola, the group managing director of NGX, expressed this appreciation during the DEG impact investing dialogue held in Lagos on Tuesday. Popoola highlighted DEG’s significant contributions to enhancing sustainable finance in Nigeria and boosting confidence in the nation’s economy. “DEG, along with its partners in the German private sector, has…

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, urged DR Congo’s foreign minister, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, to ensure the government remains committed to the Luanda Process, a diplomatic effort aimed at easing tensions with Rwanda. During their meeting on October 7, Thomas-Greenfield stressed the need for DR Congo to uphold its peace agreements, especially the technical de-escalation plan agreed with Rwanda, which is crucial for reducing military and political tensions and promoting regional stability. “We encourage the DRC to stay committed to the Luanda Process and fully implement the de-escalation plan with Rwanda,” she said, emphasizing that continued dialogue between…

Illegal drug trafficking is emerging as a growing global issue, affecting both wealthy and developing nations, including those in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). At the third high-level consultation meeting of the Eastern & Southern Africa Commission on Drugs (ESACD) in Zanzibar, officials expressed concern over the ineffectiveness of current measures to combat drug trafficking and substance abuse. Despite some successes in countries like Tanzania, where policy reforms and preventive campaigns have been implemented, the illegal drug trade continues to thrive. Key speakers at the meeting stressed the need for stronger regional efforts to address the harmful impact of…

BRICS TV has underscored the importance of the Ras El-Hikma development project on Egypt’s northwest coast as a key initiative in bolstering economic ties between Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In a report broadcast on Monday, it was revealed that the total investment in this ambitious project is expected to reach $110 billion by 2045. Egypt is anticipated to receive 35% of the overall profits, positioning the development as a significant economic boost for the country. The Ras El-Hikma project is projected to generate approximately 750,000 direct and indirect jobs, with the city expected to house nearly two…