On July 9th, US President Donald Trump hosted leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal at the White House for a three-day mini-summit centered on “commercial opportunities.” The event, highlighted by a lunch in the State Dining Room, signaled what Trump described as a shift from aid to trade, stressing Africa’s “great economic potential” and rich natural resources such as minerals and oil.
While some hailed the conference as a bold move to reposition Africa in global trade, others argued that it was overshadowed by Trump’s tariff hikes and immigration policies, which continue to create uncertainty for African economies.
Analysts note that this meeting, viewed as a prelude to a larger US-Africa gathering, reflects Washington’s intention to pivot from aid dependency toward trade and investment, particularly in resource-driven sectors. However, questions remain about how sustainable this shift will be, and whether it truly benefits African nations or simply aligns with US commercial interests. The broader debate now is whether Trump’s strategy marks a genuine reset in US-Africa relations or risks deepening economic imbalances under the guise of partnership.
The All Progressives Congress Youth Parliament in the North-East has raised concerns over what it called circulating rumours about the possible replacement of Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 elections. At a press briefing held Friday in Bauchi, the group’s chairman, Kabiru Kobi, warned that any attempt to remove Shettima could threaten the party’s cohesion and harm President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid. Kobi explained that the ongoing speculation surrounding Shettima’s status is causing tension within the APC and may trigger internal disputes that could weaken the party’s standing ahead of the next election. He appealed to party leaders to reflect on previous errors and steer clear of divisions that could cause a breakdown, using the Peoples Democratic Party’s 2015 defeat as a lesson. According to him, the APC Youth Parliament fully supports the Tinubu-Shettima ticket in 2027, describing the duo as “tested and trusted.” He said “We want to state it unequivocally clear that any attempt to reconfigure the joint ticket of His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu/Kashim Shettima in 2027 will only bring resentment that could linger beyond the elections, with negative reverberations capable of affecting the party’s success. “It is far from hidden that the ghost of the PDP’s past actions still haunts the party today — history has little patience for those who choose to ignore its lessons. “As APC sails through these tumultuous waters, we must ask some pertinent questions: Can the party survive the machinations of fifth columnists within, who aim to use conspiracy theories to destroy the progress made with the 2027 elections on the horizon? “Should we ignore all the lessons of history and allow excessive ambition to cloud the reasoning of key players, ignoring the dangers ahead?” Kobi further stated, “At this juncture, we wish to inform His Excellency, our popular and charismatic leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that the calculated attacks are not truly aimed at the Vice President but at you. What these assailants are trying to achieve by this hypocrisy is to replace Kashim Shettima with someone of a fragile political reputation. “They know fully well that the Vice President would pacify his supporters to leave everything to God, and that would leave you to face the wrath of the Nigerian populace. This is because — in His just nature — God dislikes injustice.” The group pledged to keep rallying strong support for the Tinubu-Shettima ticket and urged all party members to stand united behind the pair. Kobi voiced concern over growing internal tensions in the APC, warning that such issues could weaken the party ahead of the 2027 polls. He emphasized the importance of solidarity and teamwork among party members. In his closing remarks, he reiterated the group’s trust in Tinubu’s leadership and his bold approach to critical economic reforms.
New Zealand wrapped up a dominant victory over Zimbabwe in just three days, clinching the first Test by nine wickets at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Friday.
Stand-in captain Mitchell Santner led from the front, claiming four wickets as Zimbabwe were bundled out for 165 in their second innings after resuming the day at 31-2. That left the visitors needing just eight runs to win the match, a target they chased down in only 14 deliveries.
The chase, however, wasn’t without a hiccup. Opener Devon Conway was bowled for four by Newman Nyamburi in the first over. But Henry Nicholls calmly struck the winning run in the third over after tea, putting New Zealand 1-0 up in the two-match series.
Zimbabwe had started the day hoping to erase a 158-run first-innings deficit and set a challenging target for the Black Caps. But the hosts were always facing an uphill battle, especially as New Zealand were two bowlers down Nathan Smith sustained an abdominal strain on Day 2, while Will O’Rourke did not bowl after lunch on Friday due to back stiffness.
The collapse resumed early as Zimbabwe managed only three runs before Nick Welch edged behind off O’Rourke. By lunch, they had slumped to 114-6, still trailing by 44 runs. Key wickets had already fallen Sean Williams, their top scorer with 49, was caught down the leg side, and captain Craig Ervine edged Matt Henry for 22.
Henry, who had taken 6-39 in the first innings, continued as the sole pace option after lunch. He picked up the crucial wicket of Sikandar Raza, completing a nine-wicket haul in the match. Santner then cleaned up the tail, finishing with figures of 4-27 from 17.1 overs. Henry ended with 3-51 in the second innings, while O’Rourke contributed 3-28 before leaving the field.
Zimbabwe had won the toss on Wednesday and opted to bat, managing just 149 in their first innings. New Zealand responded strongly with 307-9, setting up a comprehensive first-innings lead that laid the foundation for the swift win.
The two sides will meet again in the second and final Test as New Zealand look to seal the series.
Unions in Nigeria’s aviation sector have given the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, a seven-day ultimatum over the continued delay in implementing a revised salary structure for staff of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). In a joint letter dated July 31, the unions expressed deep frustration, noting that although negotiations with NAMA management were concluded more than eight months ago, the agreed salary revisions have yet to be enforced. The letter was jointly signed by the General Secretaries of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, the National Union of Air Transport Employees, the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employees. They warned that aviation workers would completely withdraw their services if the issue remains unresolved by the August 7 deadline. The unions decried the delay, stressing that although the salary review process was successfully concluded with NAMA’s management, its implementation has been stalled for the past eight months. It also noted that its “rank and file members,” particularly through their professional associations, had formally expressed their frustrations in writing over the months regarding the non-implementation of the salary adjustments agreement. The letter partly reads, “Recognising that notice of ultimatum has already been issued and served by our branches, which our national unions have adopted. “A seven-day notice of withdrawal of services from today, Thursday, the 31st day of July, 2025, is hereby issued.” The unions warned that if the issue remains unresolved by the end of the ultimatum, all NAMA workers across the country will begin a total withdrawal of their services. They also urged all NAMA clients to take note of the notification.
Every year on August 1st, people come together to celebrate National Girlfriends Day, a special occasion that shines a spotlight on the incredible bonds between women. While some might think it’s all about romantic relationships, this day is primarily about honoring the power, joy, and support of female friendships. Let’s explore the history, meaning, and how you can make the most of this empowering celebration.
What Is National Girlfriends Day and How Did It Begin?
National Girlfriends Day is a day to celebrate the close bonds between women, like best friends, sisters, moms, cousins, or even coworkers. It’s about appreciating the women who bring love, support, and joy into your life. The word “girlfriend” has two meanings: it can refer to a romantic partner or a female friend. According to Merriam-Webster, “girlfriend” first appeared in 1859 to describe female friends, and in the 1920s, it started being used for romantic relationships too. On this day, the focus is mainly on female friendships. This special day was created in 2006 by two women, Allie Savarino Kline and Sally Rodgers. They wanted to highlight the importance of female friendships and even made a website called Sisterwoman.com, which no longer exists. Thanks to their idea, people around the world now celebrate National Girlfriends Day every year.
Is National Girlfriends Day About Romance?
No, National Girlfriends Day is not just about romance! While you can certainly celebrate a romantic partner if you have one, the heart of this day lies in appreciating female friendships. These are the women who stand by your side through life’s ups and downs, offering a unique kind of support that’s hard to find anywhere else. Your “girlfriends” might be your childhood best friend who knows all your secrets, your sister who always has your back, your mom who gives the warmest hugs, or a coworker who turns a tough workday into a fun one. Female friendships are like a superpower, they help you feel loved and supported. National Girlfriends Day reminds us to cherish these women who make life more fun, fuller, and complete.
Why Is National Girlfriends Day Important?
In a fast-paced world, it’s easy to take meaningful connections for granted. National Girlfriends Day serves as a powerful reminder to pause, reflect, and appreciate the women who walk with us through every season of life.
Female friendships are special and worth celebrating. Girlfriends bring laughter, love, and strength to our lives. They’re there to celebrate your successes, like getting a new job, and help you through tough moments, like when you’re feeling down. This day is a chance to express gratitude to your girlfriends, spend quality time making new memories, and strengthen your friendship by reminding each other of its enduring bond. Life can get busy, and we sometimes forget to connect with our friends. National Girlfriends Day is a perfect reminder to make time for the women who make life brighter.
Ways to Celebrate National Girlfriends Day
Celebrate National Girlfriends Day by hanging out with your friends by going for a walk, lunch, or coffee, and plan a fun girls’ night filled with movies, wine, or laughter. Show your appreciation by sending gifts, heartfelt text or note, or share a photo online with the hashtag #i to honor your bond. If your girlfriends are far away, strengthen your connection with a call or video chat to catch up and reminisce. National Girlfriends Day is a beautiful celebration of the women who make life special. It’s not just about romance—it’s about the friendships that lift you up, make you laugh, and remind you that you’re never alone. On August 1st, reach out to your girlfriends and let them know how much they mean to you. Whether it’s a quick text, a fun hangout, or a heartfelt note, your gesture will make their day. So, gather your girlfriends, share some laughs, and celebrate the love, support, and joy you give each other. Happy National Girlfriends Day!
South Korea’s former President Yoon Suk Yeol, currently in detention and facing multiple criminal investigations, refused to cooperate with prosecutors on Friday, lying on the floor of his cell and declining to appear for questioning, according to a spokesperson for the special prosecution team.
Yoon, who was ousted from office in April by the Constitutional Court over his failed attempt to declare martial law last year, is under investigation by a special prosecutor appointed by President Lee Jae Myung. The team is probing a series of allegations, including influence-peddling and election interference involving both Yoon and his wife, former First Lady Kim Keon Hee.
Speaking at a press briefing, special prosecution spokesperson Oh Jung-hee said, The suspect stubbornly refused to comply, lying on the floor and not wearing a prison uniform. She added that prosecutors would attempt to question Yoon again, even if it required the use of force.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Yoon was dressed only in his undershirt and underwear when investigators entered his cell. In response, his attorney Yu Jeong-hwa criticized the disclosure, calling it “a public insult” and a violation of his client’s dignity, especially given the extreme heat inside the cell, which reportedly reached close to 40°C (104°F).
Yoon was returned to solitary confinement at the Seoul Detention Center in July as prosecutors sought additional charges related to his attempted martial law declaration in December. He is already on trial for insurrection a charge that carries a potential sentence of life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
Beyond the insurrection case, Yoon is the subject of several other investigations, including alleged misconduct involving his wife. Prosecutors claim the couple improperly influenced past elections, an accusation both have denied. Yoon’s legal team has denounced the investigations as politically motivated.
His lawyers have repeatedly stated that Yoon is in poor health and unfit for interrogation, citing preexisting conditions, including a risk of vision loss.
Oh noted the public significance of the case, particularly given Yoon’s former role as the nation’s top prosecutor. He has long emphasized the rule of law, fairness, and common sense, she said. Now, the public is watching closely to see whether the law applies equally to all.
Separately, prosecutors have summoned Kim Keon Hee for questioning on August 6. Her legal team has confirmed she will cooperate with the investigation and maintain her innocence.
The state of education in Nigeria continues to raise critical questions: what is the real standard today, what barriers stand in the way of progress, and are the reforms being introduced truly capable of changing the system? Concerns remain about student competence, their readiness for higher education, and whether the curriculum is preparing them for the demands of the modern workforce. In a rapidly changing global economy, alignment with 21st-century skills is no longer optional, it is essential.
Yet, despite recognizing education as the foundation of national growth, Nigeria still struggles with issues of quality, outdated teaching methods, and unequal access across regions. Ongoing reforms promise to address some of these concerns, but the success of these efforts will depend on consistent political will, adequate funding, and effective implementation. The challenge is ensuring that reforms go beyond policy statements and translate into real improvements that secure the future of the nation’s youth.
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo convened the inaugural meeting of a joint oversight committee on Thursday, marking a significant step toward implementing a peace agreement brokered last month in Washington even as several key commitments remain unfulfilled.
The meeting, held in Washington, included representatives from the African Union, Qatar, and the United States. The oversight committee was established to facilitate implementation and resolve disputes related to the agreement.
The June peace accord, seen as a diplomatic breakthrough by the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, aims to end longstanding violence in eastern Congo a region rich in valuable minerals such as tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper, and lithium. The conflict has claimed thousands of lives and drawn billions of dollars in foreign investment.
Under the terms of the Washington deal, Rwanda agreed to withdraw its troops from eastern Congo within 90 days, while both countries committed to forming a joint security coordination mechanism within 30 days. The agreement also called for the activation of a previously negotiated plan to monitor and verify the withdrawal process within three months.
Simultaneously, Congolese military operations targeting the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) a rebel group composed of remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Rwandan genocide were to conclude within the same timeframe.
However, more than 30 days after the agreement was signed, the joint security coordination mechanism has yet to meet, and no tangible steps have been taken toward either the withdrawal of Rwandan troops or operations against the FDLR.
Despite this, the joint oversight committee convened within the required 45-day window, staying on schedule.
Massad Boulos, Trump’s senior adviser for African affairs, told reporters on Wednesday that the peace process remains on track. He stated that an announcement regarding the security mechanism’s first meeting would be made soon.
Responding to concerns over the delayed military actions, Boulos said: “There was no timeline for that. If you look at the progress made since April, it has been substantial, consistent, and aligned with our objectives. So it’s not off track at all.”
Nonetheless, sources familiar with the negotiations acknowledged delays in implementation but maintained that the overall agreement remains intact.
Military and diplomatic sources told Reuters that conflict actors including the M23 rebel group and pro-government militia fighters known as the Wazalendo have continued to build up their forces along the front lines, raising tensions in the volatile region.
Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko on Friday unveiled a new economic recovery plan, vowing to fund 90% of the initiative using domestic resources while steering clear of further debt accumulation.
The plan is designed to stabilize the country’s finances as Senegal navigates economic headwinds despite recently commencing oil and gas production.
It also comes amid heightened concerns over financial transparency following revelations of undisclosed debts left by the previous administration, an issue that prompted the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to suspend its loan programme.
“We will turn to external partners solely for the asset recycling component,” Sonko stated during the launch event in Dakar, underlining a strong commitment to domestic resource mobilization as the backbone of the recovery effort.
US singer Justin Timberlake has disclosed that he has been diagnosed with Lyme disease. The 44-year-old explained that while the news left him “shocked,” it also clarified why he “would be on stage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness.”
Timberlake opened up about his condition on Instagram after completing his Forget Tomorrow world tour.
He admitted that at one point he considered ending the tour early but ultimately chose to carry on. Writing on Instagram on Thursday, he said: “As many of you know, I’m a pretty private person. But as I’m reflecting on the tour and festival tour, I want to tell you a little bit about what’s going on with me.
“Among other things, I’ve been battling some health issues, and was diagnosed with Lyme disease, which I don’t say so you feel bad for me but to shed some light on what I’ve been up against behind the scenes. ”If you’ve experienced this disease or know someone who has – then you’re aware: living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically.”
What Is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is an infection caused by borrelia bacteria, most often transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick. Ticks capable of carrying borrelia are found across much of the United States.
However, Lyme disease occurs most frequently in the upper Midwest, as well as the northeastern and mid-Atlantic regions. The illness is also prevalent in parts of Europe, along with south-central and southeastern Canada.
Symptoms Of Lyme Disease
A tick bite may appear as a small, itchy bump on the skin, similar to a mosquito bite. This alone does not mean you have contracted a tick-borne illness, and in fact, many people never realize they’ve been bitten by a tick. Early symptoms of Lyme disease may include:
A reddish rash or skin lesion called erythema migrans (EM)
Fever
Headache
Stiff neck
General body and joint pain
Fatigue
Swollen lymph nodes (swollen glands)
Signs and symptoms of the second stage of Lyme disease, also known as the early disseminated stage, may include:
Multiple rashes on different areas of the body
Facial muscle paralysis (Bell’s palsy)
Heart block, or a disruption in the heart’s electrical system
Numbness or unusual sensations (neuropathy)
If left untreated, late-stage Lyme disease can develop months to a year after infection, with symptoms such as:
Repeated swelling of large joints, especially the knee (arthritis)
Difficulty concentrating, often described as “brain fog,” which is a form of encephalopathy or brain damage
Widespread nerve damage affecting the skin, muscles, and organs (polyneuropathy)
What Are The Causes Of Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is caused by borrelia bacteria, which are primarily carried by the black-legged tick, also commonly known as the deer tick.
These ticks are responsible for transmitting the bacteria and are referred to by several names, including the castor bean tick, sheep tick, and deer tick.
How Is Lyme Disease Treated?
Antibiotics are most commonly doxycycline or amoxicillin are effective in treating Lyme disease. The length of treatment depends on the stage of the infection, but generally, the earlier treatment begins, the faster and more complete the recovery.
Pregnant women should also be treated for Lyme disease. However, there is no evidence to suggest that the infection can be passed from mother to fetus, nor is there strong evidence that Lyme disease increases the risk of miscarriage.
How To Prevent Lyme Disease
To lower your chances of being bitten:
Cover your skin when walking outdoors and tuck your trousers into your socks
Apply insect repellent to both your skin and clothing – products with DEET work best
Stay on designated paths whenever possible
Wear light-coloured clothing, making it easier to spot and remove ticks
See your healthcare provider if you develop symptoms of Lyme disease. Early diagnosis and the right treatment can greatly improve outcomes. If you know you’ve been bitten by a tick or have been in areas where ticks are common, monitor yourself closely for symptoms, and consult your healthcare provider immediately if they appear.
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