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Egypt, Jordan foreign ministers discuss Syria

Africa /

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi stressed on Monday the importance of supporting Syria and respecting its sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. During a phone conversation, they highlighted the need for enhanced coordination between regional and international actors to support Syria’s reconstruction efforts, according to a statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry. They said this should be achieved through a comprehensive political process led and owned by the Syrians themselves, calling for ensuring the people’s participation and protecting their rights. The two ministers also reviewed the latest developments in Syria, with the Jordanian foreign minister briefing his Egyptian counterpart on the outcomes of his visit to Syria earlier in the day. Safadi held talks with Ahmad al-Shara, head of Syria’s de facto governing group, in Damascus on Monday, with discussions focusing on Syria’s political transition and broader regional security concerns. During the talk, Safadi condemned the recent Israeli incursion into the Syrian territory. In addition, Safadi reiterated Jordan’s commitment to aiding Syria’s reconstruction efforts, emphasizing that Jordan will encourage both regional and international partners to engage with Syria’s emerging leadership. A statement posted by Jordan’s Foreign Ministry on social media platform X further underscored Safadi’s remarks, stressing that Syria’s reconstruction is of strategic importance to both Jordan and the broader region. In the context of regional security, Safadi emphasized the significance of securing the 386-kilometer border shared by Jordan and Syria. He pointed to the ongoing challenges posed by terrorism, drug trafficking, and weapons smuggling along this frontier, stating that border should be stable and secure. Also on Monday, Abdelatty engaged in a phone conversation with his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, to discuss the situation in Syria. Abdelatty emphasized the importance of respecting Syria’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, ensuring that its state institutions can effectively fulfill their roles. He underscored the necessity of implementing a comprehensive, Syrian-led political process that involves people from all walks of life to restore stability in the country. A militant alliance led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group waged a major military operation from northern Syria on Nov. 27. It swept southwards, captured the capital Damascus, and overthrew former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government within 12 days.

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Haiti’s interim president condemns gang attack, two journalists killed

Africa /

Haiti’s interim president, Leslie Voltaire, has condemned a deadly gang attack during the reopening of Port-au-Prince’s General Hospital on Christmas Eve, which left two journalists dead and several others wounded. Speaking on behalf of the transitional presidential council, Voltaire expressed outrage: “We condemn what happened today… when members of the population, journalists, and police officers were attacked,” he said. “We extend our condolences to the families, the Haitian National Police, and the journalists’ association. This act will not go unpunished.” The attack took place as reporters gathered to cover the hospital’s reopening, which had been delayed by gang violence earlier in the year. Suspected members of the Viv Ansanm gang coalition opened fire, causing panic and chaos. The Online Media Collective confirmed the deaths of journalists Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean. Graphic footage from the scene showed two bloodied bodies on stretchers, one wearing a press badge. Street gangs control around 85% of Port-au-Prince, paralyzing essential services. Despite government promises to restore order, violence continues to escalate, with journalists and law enforcement increasingly targeted. Haitian authorities have vowed to investigate the attack and hold the perpetrators accountable.

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 Palestinian death toll from Israeli onslaught in West Bank city rises to 8

World /

Four Palestinians were killed by Israeli army fire in the West Bank city of Tulkarem, taking the death toll from an ongoing military operation in the area to eight, the Health Ministry said early Wednesday. A ministry statement said that seven more people were injured, including two seriously, in the offensive. The Israeli army began a large-scale military operation in Tulkarem late Monday, triggering clashes with angry Palestinian residents, according to witnesses. An Israeli military statement said an army commander was injured in a roadside bomb explosion in the city on Wednesday. The army said the commander suffered moderate injuries after his vehicle hit an explosive device in the area. Over the past few years, the Israeli military has conducted regular raids in the West Bank, which have escalated with the beginning of the war on Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023. Palestinians have also been violently attacked by illegal Israeli settlers. At least 832 Palestinians have since been killed and over 6,500 others injured by Israeli army fire in the occupied territory, according to the Health Ministry. The escalation follows a landmark opinion in July by the International Court of Justice that declared Israel’s decades-long occupation of Palestinian land “illegal” and demanded the evacuation of all existing settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

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Oil markets remain closed on Christmas

Business /

 The majority of global markets remained closed on Monday due to the Christmas holiday break. The international oil benchmark of Brent crude increased by 1.3% to $73.58 per barrel on Tuesday, up from the previous session’s close of $72.63. The US benchmark West Texas Intermediate also rose by 1.2% to $70.10 per barrel, compared to $69.24 at the close of the prior session. Until the holiday, both benchmarks rose with stronger US economic growth data and expectations that global economic activity will drive oil demand upwards. Also, the US Federal Reserve (Fed) is expected to further ease its policy following lower-than-expected US inflation data. US stock markets closed early on Tuesday and will remain closed on Wednesday. Likewise, European stock markets had a half-day on Tuesday and will not trade on Wednesday. Hong Kong markets are also closed on Wednesday and Thursday, while South Korean markets remained closed on Wednesday.

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In Nigeria, 190 people have died from Lassa fever this year

Africa /

In Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, 190 people have died this year from Lassa fever, a viral disease transmitted from animals to humans. Jide Idris, Director of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), confirmed a worrying rise in both cases and fatalities nationwide. According to Idris, 9,492 suspected Lassa fever cases have been reported this year, with 1,154 testing positive. The outbreak has claimed 190 lives, and the fatality rate remains alarmingly high. In response, the Nigerian government has designated three drugs for treatment. Lassa fever was first identified in Nigeria in 1969 in the northeastern Borno State. The disease is spread through contact with rat droppings, can be transmitted person-to-person, and causes severe hemorrhagic fever, often fatal. Health authorities are urging Nigerians to avoid contact with rodents and other pests to help prevent the further spread of the disease.

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France mourns Cyclone Chido victims

Africa /

France observed a national day of mourning Monday in honor of the victims of Cyclone Chido, which devastated the French overseas department of Mayotte earlier this month. Flags were flown at half-staff across the country, and a minute of silence was observed at 10 a.m. GMT. President Emmanuel Macron commemorated the victims at Elysee Palace as ‘The Last Post’ was played, while recently appointed Prime Minister François Bayrou led what he said “a very moving moment of silence” at his residence Hôtel de Matignon. Bayrou spoke to media after the observance, saying the tribute “signifies a commitment so that the international community is present to reconstruct Mayotte.” The cyclone, the most destructive to hit Mayotte in 90 years, caused extensive damage to the island, known as France’s poorest department. It left at least 35 dead and around 2,500 injured, with the actual toll likely higher due to the widespread destruction of infrastructure and precarious living conditions. Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte on Dec. 14, destroying homes, disrupting water and electricity supplies, and severing communications. Emergency crews continue efforts to restore basic services, but the scale of the damage has made recovery efforts particularly challenging.

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Iran struggling to tackle energy crisis despite vast oil reserves

World /

 Iran is grappling with an energy crisis amid the cold winter weather, with many factories and government offices in some cities closed or operating with reduced hours while schools are switching to distance learning. The oil-rich country is suffering from an energy crisis due to sanctions, which have led to a lack of sufficient investments in its energy infrastructure. Power outages in industrial and residential areas and shortages of energy supply, especially in the winter, have caused economic and social issues. Electricity and natural gas outages have become commonplace in Iran due to rising energy demand coupled with inadequate infrastructure. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian recently appealed to the public to turn their thermostats down by 2C (3.6F).  Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi called on the public to reduce fuel consumption to provide more fuel to power plants to minimize problems with energy supply. All levels of education were suspended in December in several Iranian provinces. Iranian Vice President for Executive Affairs Mohammad Jaafar Ghaempanah said on Dec. 17 that factories and workshops in some industrial zones had halted operations due to the lack of natural gas, noting that despite the country’s demand of 945 million cubic meters, only 840 million cubic meters had been produced. Most of Iran’s electricity needs are met by thermal power plants using natural gas, resulting in a deficit of around 15,000 megawatts during peak demand, according to Tejaratnews. Around 94% of Iran’s electricity is produced from fossil fuels. As for clean energy, while the world’s share of wind and solar energy is around 13% of the total electricity generated globally, Iran’s share is at 0.6%. A significant reliance on natural gas, lack of technological advancements and outdated infrastructure negatively impact renewable energy development efforts, leading to energy losses and causing significant damage to the national economy. Iran’s energy inefficiency leads to higher costs and renders its electricity grid unreliable. Estimates suggest that power outages in the country could cost the economy $5 billion to $8 billion annually.  Iran aims to increase its renewable energy capacity to approximately 30 gigawatts by 2030, aiming to significantly expand its use of clean energy sources like solar and wind power, but financial difficulties and economic sanctions are affecting the inflow of foreign investments and the development of advanced technologies.  Russia boasts the largest proven natural gas reserves in the world at around 47 trillion cubic meters, while Iran has the second largest reserves at around 34 trillion cubic meters, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

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Study: Coffee may lower risk of head and neck cancers

Discover /

 Regular coffee drinkers may face a significantly lower risk of developing head and neck cancers, according to new research published on Monday. Researchers from the Huntsman Cancer Institute in the US analyzed data from 9,548 cancer patients and 15,783 healthy controls. An analysis combining data from multiple studies found that consuming four or more cups of caffeinated coffee daily was associated with a 17% reduction in overall head and neck cancer risk, researchers reported in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. Coffee drinkers showed 30% lower odds of oral cavity cancer and 22% lower odds of throat cancer compared to non-coffee drinkers. Even decaffeinated coffee consumption was linked to a 25% reduction in oral cavity cancer risk. Tea consumption showed mixed results. While drinking one cup or less daily was associated with a 9% lower overall head and neck cancer risk, consuming more than one cup is associated with a 38% higher chance of laryngeal cancer, the study found. “Coffee and tea habits are fairly complex,” said senior author Yuan-Chin Amy Lee from the research center in a press release by the publisher. “These findings support the need for more data and further studies around the impact that coffee and tea can have on reducing cancer risk,” she added. The research gains significance as head and neck cancer, which rank as the seventh most common cancer globally, continue to rise in low- and middle-income countries.

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Eskom posts R55 billion loss, yet projects R10 billion profit by 2025

Business /

South Africa’s state utility, Eskom, reported a massive R55 billion ($3 billion) loss for the fiscal year ending March 2023, largely due to a one-time charge related to the separation of its transmission unit. Despite this setback, Eskom is optimistic about its future, projecting a R10 billion profit for the fiscal year ending March 2025. The utility is undergoing a major restructuring, splitting into three units—generation, transmission, and distribution—as part of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2019 reform plan. Eskom attributed its losses to underperforming coal power stations, unsustainable debt, rising municipal arrears, and insufficient tariffs. On a positive note, Eskom saw a 14% increase in revenue, reaching R295.8 billion for the year ending March 2024. However, sales volumes fell 3% due to 329 days of load-shedding, which has hampered South Africa’s economic growth. In a positive development, Eskom’s power supply has stabilized, with no power cuts in the past nine months, raising hopes for economic recovery. This improvement in reliability has enhanced business confidence, and Eskom is hopeful for a financial turnaround by 2025.

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Chad orders full withdrawal of French troops

Africa /

France Forced to Speed Up Troop Withdrawal from Chad After Sudden Demand France was caught off guard as Chad ordered the full withdrawal of French personnel from its N’Djamena base by December 31, despite plans to begin a gradual repatriation of troops starting next week. This marks a significant blow to France’s influence in the Sahel, as Chad was its last stronghold in the region. The rapid change in circumstances comes after a deadly Boko Haram attack in October that killed 40 Chadian soldiers. The Chadian government accused France of failing to provide necessary assistance following the attack, leading to a breakdown in relations. The French army’s departure follows public demonstrations demanding that France end its military presence in the country. As a result, France began sending the first batch of 120 soldiers back on Friday, with more expected to follow in the coming weeks. This sudden withdrawal raises questions about Chad’s future alliances and the broader impact on security in the Sahel.

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