Author: Nemiah Morton

The situation in and around Ocheretyne is desperate for Ukraine This weekend, Russian drones and scouts surveilling the front line just west of the ruins of Avdiivka, in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast, observed something strange. Ukrainian trenches just east of the village of Ocheretyne, previously manned by soldiers from the Ukrainian army’s elite 47th Mechanized Brigade, were empty. The village was undefended Seizing the opportunity, the Russian army’s 30th Motor Rifle Brigade raced several miles along the railroad threading west from Avdiivka and captured most of Ocheretyne—and potentially also Novobakhmutivka, the village south of Ocheretyne. It’s the fastest penetration into…

The Czechs have never forgotten that allies handed over their Sudetenland Province to Hitler in 1938 after the German dictator promised it would be “last territorial demand I have to make in Europe.” The Czechs have never forgotten that allies handed over their Sudetenland Province to Hitler in 1938 after the German dictator promised it would be “the last territorial demand I have to make in Europe.” Months later, Nazis occupied their country and waged war in Europe and around the world for seven more years, killing tens of millions. To many today, Ukraine is the next Sudetenland as it…

If European countries don’t see defeat coming, we can’t turn the wheel to avoid it I left my meeting with a senior French officer feeling that the west is so weak it scarcely exists any more. “The West”, a longtime object of obsession for anti-westerners from Egypt’s President Nasser to Vladimir Putin, has shrivelled to a small rump of countries squabbling with each other. At times they seem willing to let Ukraine lose its war. I share the emotional impulse to keep intoning that Ukraine will win. But Panglossian war propaganda is becoming counterproductive. We need to see a possible…

Berlin (2/3 – 62.50). Lt. Gen. Alfons Mais says the €100 billion committed by the government last year is insufficient. Meanwhile, an association representing soldiers says the Bundeswehr turnaround needs to speed up. Germany would have to spend more money on its armed forces if it wants it fully equipped, army chief Lieutenant General Alfons Mais said on Sunday. He told the German news agency, dpa, the €100 billion ($107 billion) to speed up the modernization of the armed forces promised by Chancellor Olaf Scholz after Russia invaded Ukraine was not enough. Mais, caused a stir last year when he criticized what he described…

“A concrete kennel, measuring 2.5m x 3m. Most often, it is unbearable due to the cold and dampness. Water collects on the floor, and the window is tiny. The walls are thick, stifling any airflow, and not even the cobwebs stir. There is no ventilation, leaving one feeling suffocated at night, akin to a fish out of water. An iron bunk, reminiscent of those found on sleeper trains, is bolted to the wall.” This is how Alexei Navalny described the cell in which he spent 308 out of 1125 days in solitary confinement. His imprisonment amounted to both physical and…

Abidjan, Cairo, London (10/1 – 14) Mohamed Salah should be Egypt’s main weapon in The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) but the fact remains that he seems cursed in this tournament. Egypt will compete in the 34th edition of the biennial African association football tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The 2023 AFCON will be held in Ivory Coast from 13 January to 11 February 2024. Twenty-four teams will compete in 6 cities and 6 groups. Based on the rankings and form, some of the teams can be considered the favorites for winning the tournament. Senegal…

Ahead of the commemoration of the universal health coverage day, coordinating minister of health and social welfare alongside other health agencies are set to unveil the Nigeria health sector renewal investment initiative to push the commitment of the government on achieving basic healthcare for vulnerable populations. This message formed the crux of a policy dialogue with civil society, development partners and health experts on getting to the goal of universal health coverage. Nigeria’s budget for the health sector still remains low causing a strain on the existing infrastructure and leaving the health sector in dire need of improvement The health…

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly held a meeting to review some proposals that would contribute to increasing trade exchange with African countries. At the beginning of the meeting, the Prime Minister referred to the ongoing directives of President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to the government, emphasizing the importance of working to strengthen the Egyptian presence in Africa and supporting various cooperation frameworks in the continent in different fields, in a way that contributes to achieving common interests and strengthening relations. During the meeting, Minister of Trade and Industry Ahmed Samir reviewed several indicators of the current Egyptian presence in the African…

Atlanta (18/12 – 12) The Rabbit is about to be devoured by a snorting, writhing, fire-breathing Dragon, come 10 February 2024 (Lunar Calendar, for lunatics). While the dreadful 2023, known by the philosophical Chinese as the “Year of the Rabbit”, is characterized as “thoughtful, tender, considerate, kind-hearted, and talented in language” for folks born in 1939 / 1951 / 1963 / 1975, Dragons born in 1940 / 1952 / 1964 / 1976 are reputedly “…confident, intelligent and enthusiastic – not afraid of challenges, willing to take risks”. That sounds more like this year of living dangerously, don’t you think? “…aggressive,…

Morocco has received a $300 million investment from the World Bank (WB) to boost Higher Education and Scientific Research. According to a statement from the World Bank, the bank’s board of directors approved a $300 million “Program-for-Results loan to support the Government of Morocco in implementing its ambitious National Plan to Accelerate the Transformation of the Higher Education, Ecosystem Scientific Research, and Innovation.” The program is set to propel the implementation of a range of innovative and transformative approaches to increase the impact of higher education and scientific research in Morocco, the statement explained. Commenting on approving the investment, Jesko…