2026 African Union Summit: Continental Sovereignty and Security to Take Center Stage

Heads of state and diplomats from across the continent are descending on the Ethiopian capital this Wednesday for a high-stakes, two-day African Union (AU) Summit. The gathering arrives at a definitive moment for the 55-member bloc as it grapples with a surge in regional instability, the economic fallout of global trade shifts, and a renewed […]

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Kampala Celebrates King Charles III with a Tribute to Nature

Held at the residence of H.E. Lisa Chesney MBE, British High Commissioner to Uganda, the event brought together Government of Uganda ministers, senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, business leaders, civil society, and friends of the UK. The evening was a celebration not only of His Majesty’s birthday but also of the deep […]

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Google’s Free AI Revolution: How to Use 7 New ‘Stargate’ Era Tools Step-by-Step

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — While global headlines focus on the $500 billion “Stargate” infrastructure project, Google has quietly democratized the very same technology for the average user. As of January 2026, a suite of “agentic” AI tools has emerged from Google Labs, offering professional-grade research, app building, and creative design—all without a subscription fee. This […]

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President Trump Issues “Zero-Tolerance” Iran Directive: 25% Blanket Tariff for Global US Partners Doing Business with Iran

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a dramatic escalation of his administration’s maximum-pressure campaign, President Donald Trump issued a sweeping executive directive on Monday, January 12, 2026, targeting the economic lifelines of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The order mandates a 25% blanket tariff on all goods and services entering the United States from any country that […]

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President Trump Proposes 10% Credit Card Rate Cap

In a sweeping move aimed at direct consumer relief, President Donald Trump has called for a one-year, 10% cap on credit card interest rates.2 The announcement, made late Friday via Truth Social and reaffirmed in comments to reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday, seeks to take effect on January 20, 2026—coinciding with the one-year […]

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Fortress Europe: 35 Nations Seal Historic Security Pact for Ukraine

In a watershed moment for European security, a “Coalition of the Willing” comprising 35 nations has formally established a robust framework of security guarantees for Ukraine. The pact, finalized during a high-stakes summit at the Élysée Palace, creates a multi-layered “military backstop” designed to prevent any future Russian aggression once a ceasefire is reached. The […]

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Russia’s use of Oreshnik hypersonic missile should be universally condemned: UK statement at the UN Security Council

At the end of last week, Russia launched yet another brutal assault upon Ukraine. Ukraine has confirmed that on the night of 8 January, Russia launched 242 drones and 36 missiles, including an Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile, against targets across Ukraine, particularly critical energy infrastructure. The attack caused the death and injury of dozens of […]

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Pacific Diplomacy: President Xi and PM Carney Seek “Strategic Alliance” in Landmark Beijing Summit

In a high-stakes diplomatic reset, Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to host Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney this week, marking the first visit by a Canadian head of government to the Chinese capital in eight years. The summit, scheduled to begin Tuesday, January 13, arrives at a critical juncture for both nations as they […]

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Diplomatic High-Wire: Trump to Host Nobel Laureate Machado Amid Venezuela Power Vacuum

President Donald Trump is expected to host Venezuelan opposition leader and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado at the White House this week, marking a pivotal moment in the rapidly evolving crisis following the U.S. military capture of Nicolás Maduro.1 The high-stakes meeting comes as Machado concludes a high-profile diplomatic tour, which included […]

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Africa Brief and Strategic Update: Infrastructure, Business, Instability, Human Rights and Shifting Alliances

DUBLIN, January 12, 2026 — As 2026 opens, the African continent is witnessing a profound transformation characterized by massive infrastructure investments and significant shifts in geopolitical security. From the breaking ground of a $12.5 billion aviation hub in Ethiopia to the return of Sudan’s government to its capital, the landscape of the region is being […]

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