Burkina Faso’s military government has officially dissolved all registered political parties in the country, a dramatic move consolidating power nearly four years after the 2022 coup. The decree transfers party assets to the state and suspends political activity nationwide.
The junta, led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, justified the decision by claiming that political parties had contributed to national division and governance dysfunction. Reports indicate that the country had over 100 registered parties, all now effectively banned from operating.
The junta, led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, justified the decision by claiming that political parties had contributed to national division and governance dysfunction. Reports indicate that the country had over 100 registered parties, all now effectively banned from operating.
South Africa has expelled Israel’s chargé d’affaires, Ariel Seidman, over insulting social media posts targeting President Cyril Ramaphosa. The government called his actions a violation of diplomatic norms. In retaliation, Israel expelled South Africa’s senior diplomat in Ramallah, escalating tensions between the two countries.
More than 200 people have died after a massive landslide struck an informal coltan mining site in Rubaya, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The disaster occurred amid heavy rains that destabilized the ground around hand‑dug mining pits, burying miners and local residents under mud and debris.
The area is currently controlled by the M23 rebel group, which adds to the challenges of rescue and relief efforts. The death toll is expected to rise as search operations continue.
The area is currently controlled by the M23 rebel group, which adds to the challenges of rescue and relief efforts. The death toll is expected to rise as search operations continue.
Gold and silver prices have fallen after rising strongly for many months. The drop has surprised investors, especially since both metals were trading near record highs.
Earlier, prices were supported by strong buying from central banks, global uncertainty, and hopes that U.S. interest rates would come down. Recently, however, markets began to expect that interest rates may stay high for longer. This strengthened the U.S. dollar and made gold and silver less attractive to investors.
Experts say the fall looks like a correction after a long rise, not the end of the overall trend. Prices may remain unstable in the short term, but gold in particular is still seen as a long-term store of value.
Earlier, prices were supported by strong buying from central banks, global uncertainty, and hopes that U.S. interest rates would come down. Recently, however, markets began to expect that interest rates may stay high for longer. This strengthened the U.S. dollar and made gold and silver less attractive to investors.
Experts say the fall looks like a correction after a long rise, not the end of the overall trend. Prices may remain unstable in the short term, but gold in particular is still seen as a long-term store of value.
According to the studies of Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, Gen Z is the first generation to underperform their predecessors in attention, memory, literacy, numeracy, and IQ. Despite spending more time in classrooms, students today are scoring lower (especially in schools that heavily integrate digital technology). Research from 80 countries shows that students using computers around five hours a day in class perform significantly worse than peers with minimal screen time.
Humans are biologically wired to learn from other humans, not from screens. Technology cannot replicate the social and biological processes that make learning effective. Yet, rather than addressing this, education is bending standards to fit how children interact with screens (redefining reading comprehension and other measures to accommodate digital habits). This is not progress; it’s surrender.
Screens, regardless of size or context, harm cognitive development.
Humans are biologically wired to learn from other humans, not from screens. Technology cannot replicate the social and biological processes that make learning effective. Yet, rather than addressing this, education is bending standards to fit how children interact with screens (redefining reading comprehension and other measures to accommodate digital habits). This is not progress; it’s surrender.
Screens, regardless of size or context, harm cognitive development.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has released a substantial new tranche of documents related to the investigations into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including materials submitted to the FBI in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election. The release, part of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, has reignited public interest in Epstein’s social circle.
“Some of the documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election,” the DOJ said in an official statement. “To be clear, the claims are unfounded and false, and if they had a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already.”
“Some of the documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election,” the DOJ said in an official statement. “To be clear, the claims are unfounded and false, and if they had a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already.”
A second round of talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. to address the war in Ukraine has been postponed. Originally set for Sunday in Abu Dhabi, the meetings were moved to Wednesday and Thursday after a surprise U.S.-Russia meeting in Florida, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on social media.
Amazon is set to reduce its global corporate workforce by approximately 16,000 positions, marking another significant round of layoffs within a three-month period. The latest cuts bring the company’s total corporate job losses to around 30,000 since late 2025.
The reductions represent close to one-tenth of Amazon’s corporate staff and reflect the company’s efforts to streamline operations, reduce costs, and adapt to a growing reliance on automation and artificial intelligence to improve productivity.
The reductions represent close to one-tenth of Amazon’s corporate staff and reflect the company’s efforts to streamline operations, reduce costs, and adapt to a growing reliance on automation and artificial intelligence to improve productivity.
In a controversial move, the United States has transferred the captain and first officer of a seized tanker from Scottish waters onto a U.S. Coast Guard vessel. The vessel, formerly known as Bella 1, had been detained in the Moray Firth as part of U.S. sanctions enforcement related to Venezuelan oil exports.
The captain’s wife, Natia Dzadzama, had filed an emergency petition with Scotland’s Court of Session to prevent the removal, arguing that her husband’s rights were being violated. However, officials confirmed that the transfer had already occurred, leaving Scottish authorities unable to intervene.
The captain’s wife, Natia Dzadzama, had filed an emergency petition with Scotland’s Court of Session to prevent the removal, arguing that her husband’s rights were being violated. However, officials confirmed that the transfer had already occurred, leaving Scottish authorities unable to intervene.
BMW Group South Africa CEO Peter van Binsbergen has warned that an influx of low-cost Chinese and Indian vehicles could harm South Africa’s second-hand car market. While BMW remains resilient, he said the focus on cheaper new cars is short-sighted and could lead to job losses, economic strain, and long-term negative effects for consumers.
The South African government has approved renaming 21 towns, including East London, which will become KuGompo City. Supporters say the changes restore local culture, but critics warn of high costs and limited consultation.
Since 2019, taxpayers have spent around R14 million on the Geographical Names Council, which oversees such changes. This does not include expenses for updating road signs, maps, government systems, or business materials - costs that could run into millions more.
Residents and political parties argue funds should focus on urgent public services instead of symbolic renaming. The changes still need to be gazetted before taking effect, with a possible objection period for the public.
Since 2019, taxpayers have spent around R14 million on the Geographical Names Council, which oversees such changes. This does not include expenses for updating road signs, maps, government systems, or business materials - costs that could run into millions more.
Residents and political parties argue funds should focus on urgent public services instead of symbolic renaming. The changes still need to be gazetted before taking effect, with a possible objection period for the public.
Deportation, ICE, and the Media Narrative: What the Numbers Really Say
Deportation (formally called “removal”) has long been a cornerstone of U.S. immigration policy. But when it comes to understanding who is actually being deported, how, and why, the story is often distorted by selective media narratives.
Between 1993 and 2001, Bill Clinton oversaw roughly 866,000 formal removals. George W. Bush, navigating the post‑9/11 landscape, nearly doubled that number to 2 million. Barack Obama holds the modern record with 3.06 million, combining interior enforcement with targeted border operations.
Under Donald Trump's leadership formal removals fell to around 1.2 million. Trump’s “America First” approach prioritizes citizen safety, focusing on selective enforcement and border security rather than indiscriminate mass deportations. This strategy is reflected in ICE’s methods: intelligence-driven operations using surveillance tech, biometric databases and administrative warrants.
Deportation (formally called “removal”) has long been a cornerstone of U.S. immigration policy. But when it comes to understanding who is actually being deported, how, and why, the story is often distorted by selective media narratives.
Between 1993 and 2001, Bill Clinton oversaw roughly 866,000 formal removals. George W. Bush, navigating the post‑9/11 landscape, nearly doubled that number to 2 million. Barack Obama holds the modern record with 3.06 million, combining interior enforcement with targeted border operations.
Under Donald Trump's leadership formal removals fell to around 1.2 million. Trump’s “America First” approach prioritizes citizen safety, focusing on selective enforcement and border security rather than indiscriminate mass deportations. This strategy is reflected in ICE’s methods: intelligence-driven operations using surveillance tech, biometric databases and administrative warrants.
John Steenhuisen has announced that he will step down as leader of the Democratic Alliance, following growing pressure within the party. His decision comes amid criticism over his leadership style and ongoing factional tensions, with particular dissatisfaction linked to his handling of the recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in his role as Minister of Agriculture.
Some party insiders and agricultural stakeholders have argued that the response to the crisis was too slow and poorly coordinated, damaging confidence among key constituencies. While the FMD issue was not the sole factor, it is widely seen as a significant contributor to the erosion of support that ultimately led to Steenhuisen’s decision to relinquish the DA leadership.
Some party insiders and agricultural stakeholders have argued that the response to the crisis was too slow and poorly coordinated, damaging confidence among key constituencies. While the FMD issue was not the sole factor, it is widely seen as a significant contributor to the erosion of support that ultimately led to Steenhuisen’s decision to relinquish the DA leadership.
Ukraine has reportedly hit a power station inside Russia, leading to temporary disruptions to electricity and heating in nearby areas. Russian authorities condemned the strike, calling it an attack on civilian infrastructure.
The incident highlights the growing focus on energy facilities in the conflict, with power infrastructure increasingly affected as fighting continues.
The incident highlights the growing focus on energy facilities in the conflict, with power infrastructure increasingly affected as fighting continues.
The United States has renewed the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), extending the trade agreement until 31 December 2026. The short-term renewal allows eligible African countries to continue exporting selected goods to the US duty-free, helping to protect jobs and maintain trade flows. However, the one-year extension has created uncertainty, as many African governments and businesses were hoping for a longer-term commitment to support investment and economic planning.
The U.S. Navy shot down an Iranian drone over the Arabian Sea after it approached an American aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, with what officials described as “unclear” or “aggressive” intent. A U.S. fighter jet intercepted the drone in international waters, and the military said the action was taken in self-defense to protect the ship and its crew.
China has executed Bai Tianhui, a former senior banker and ex-general manager of China Huarong International Holdings, for accepting 1.1 billion yuan in bribes (equivalent to about R2.5 billion).
The case forms part of President Xi Jinping’s ongoing campaign to crack down on corruption at senior levels of government and finance.
The case forms part of President Xi Jinping’s ongoing campaign to crack down on corruption at senior levels of government and finance.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated that Ukraine could hold presidential elections within 60 to 90 days, provided that security conditions are guaranteed by international partners, including the United States and European allies. The announcement comes as Ukraine continues to operate under martial law, which legally prohibits nationwide elections during wartime.
Iran and the United States have moved their nuclear talks from Istanbul, Turkey, to Muscat, Oman. Iran wanted the meetings to stay private and focus only on nuclear issues, avoiding other regional topics. Oman was chosen because it has a long history of acting as a neutral and trusted mediator between Iran and the U.S., unlike Turkey, which is more politically involved in the region.