5 years to be ready for war. That is what Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told lawmakers on Wednesday. Boris Pistorius is convinced that his country will need to fight. This comes after he called for a review of the military late last year. He also has pointed to the danger of a possible retaliatory Russian attack on a NATO… Read More

Leaders of the United Methodist Church have expressed regret after the Ivorian branch decided to leave the union following the repeal of a long-standing ban on LGBTQ+ clergy. The events are the latest in a series of repercussions in Africa, where United Methodists are in the majority outside the United States, due to disputes over sexuality and theology. In May,… Read More

The owners of an East African eatery in Detroit are among the dozens of finalists for this year’s prestigious James Beard Chef and Chefs Awards. The nominees cover a diverse range of cuisine and chef experience, a recent shift following turbulent pandemic-era years for the James Beard Foundation. The most-anticipated categories include awards for outstanding restaurateur, chef, and restaurant. For… Read More

Ghana’s capital Accra was rocked by a massive demonstration on Saturday as civil society groups took to the streets to demand an end to chronic power shortages in the country. Timed to start to at dusk, the time when several neighborhoods of the capital go dark due to electricity cuts, the rally momentarily brought vehicular traffic to a standstill along… Read More

A new episode in the row between the West African neighbors who have trading accusations of hostility since May. This week Benin arrested five Nigerien nationals on accusations of entering the port of Seme illegally. Niger responded by accusing Benin of kidnapping staff of its oil company who it said were at the port to witness the loading of an… Read More

Pope Francis called Sunday for humanitarian aid to urgently reach Palestinians in Gaza and for Israel and Hamas to immediately accept proposals for a cease-fire and release of hostages. During his Sunday noon blessing, Francis also thanked Jordan, which this week will host an international humanitarian aid conference for Palestinians. “I encourage the international community to act urgently, with all… Read More

Haiti’s newly selected prime minister, Garry Conille, was hospitalised late Saturday in the capital of Port-au-Prince just days after arriving in the country, the government said. It wasn’t immediately known why Conille was hospitalised. The office of the prime minister said in a statement that Conille was feeling slightly unwell “following a week of intense activities.” It did not provide… Read More

A medal richly deserved but long denied to an African American combat medic wounded on Omaha Beach in the D-Day landings has been tenderly laid on the hallowed sands where he saved lives and shed blood. U.S. First Army soldiers held a ceremony in honor of Waverly Woodson Jr. on Friday on the beach where he came ashore and was… Read More