Thursday, October 30

World

Malawi’s ex-president wins election in comeback at age 85
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Malawi’s ex-president wins election in comeback at age 85

Peter Mutharika brought down inflation in his first term and now has to do the same again Malawi's former President Peter Mutharika has been declared the winner of last week's elections, in a huge comeback for the 85-year-old.  Official results show that he won 57% of the vote, compared to the 33% of President Lazarus Chakwera, 70.  Chakwera, a pastor before entering politics, conceded defeat ahead of the final result being declared, phoning Mutharika to congratulate him on his "historic win". Mutharika, a former professor of law, served as president from 2014 to 2020, when he lost to Chakwera by a wide margin. He inherits an economy that is in deep crisis, with a severe shortage of fuel and foreign currency in the poor southern African state.  The official...
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Colombia’s president calls US attacks on alleged drug boats ‘act of tyranny’
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Colombia’s president calls US attacks on alleged drug boats ‘act of tyranny’

US airstrikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean Sea are an "act of tyranny", Colombia's President Gustavo Petro told the BBC in an interview where he also called for criminal proceedings against US officials if investigations find Colombians were killed in the attacks. President Donald Trump has cast the strikes, which have reportedly killed 17 since they began this month, as needed to stop the flow of fentanyl and other illegal narcotics into the US. Legal experts and lawmakers, though, have questioned if they violate international human rights laws. "Why launch a missile if you could simply stop the boat and arrest the crew?" said Petro. "That's what one would call murder." Speaking to the BBC on Wednesday, Petro said there should be "zero deaths" in stopping...
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DCO and Member States Unite through WE-Elevate to Advance Female-Led Enterprises in the Digital Economy
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DCO and Member States Unite through WE-Elevate to Advance Female-Led Enterprises in the Digital Economy

The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), the world’s first standalone international intergovernmental organization dedicated to accelerating inclusive and sustainable digital economies, announced the expansion of its WE-Elevate program across all Member States on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) in New York.  Developed by the DCO to support female-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), WE-Elevate is a transformative capacity-building program designed to help entrepreneurs fully participate in the digital economy. Piloted in Rwanda, the program has already delivered tangible results, enabling female-led MSMEs to enhance digital skills, formalize operations, and expand into new markets. WE-Elevate c...
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Abu Dhabi’s TII and NVIDIA Launch Middle East’s First Joint ‘AI & Robotics’ NVAITC Research Lab
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Abu Dhabi’s TII and NVIDIA Launch Middle East’s First Joint ‘AI & Robotics’ NVAITC Research Lab

Pioneering humanoid and robotics R&D with next-generation AI integration The Technology Innovation Institute (TII), the applied research arm of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), has joined forces with NVIDIA, the world leader in accelerated computing and AI, to launch the Middle East’s first Joint Lab dedicated to both artificial intelligence and robotics. This landmark collaboration establishes a first-of-its-kind hub in the region for developing next-generation AI models, robotics platforms, and humanoid technologies that will accelerate innovation across industries. The announcement of the TII-NVAITC (NVIDIA AI Technology Center) Joint Lab for AI and Robotics was made during a signing ceremony held at TII’s headquarters in Abu Dh...
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Sharjah hosts Inclusion International 18th World Congress 2025 ‘We Are Inclusion’ for the first time, with 600 participants from 74 countries
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Sharjah hosts Inclusion International 18th World Congress 2025 ‘We Are Inclusion’ for the first time, with 600 participants from 74 countries

Sharjah hosted the 18th edition of the World Congress 2025 “We Are Inclusion” for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa, under the patronage and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The event was held from September 15 - 17 at Expo Centre Sharjah, and organised by the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) and Inclusion International, with support from the strategic partnership of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau.  The congress brought together 152 speakers, including self-advocates, families, experts, and policymakers from 160 organisations across 74 countries, featuring 59 sessions, with 600 participants.  During the event, Inclusion International granted Sheikha Jamee...
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AHF Applauds African Leadership in Strengthening Public Health
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AHF Applauds African Leadership in Strengthening Public Health

 AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) applauds the Government of Zambia for increasing its health budget allocation from 7% in 2021 to 12% today, an effort that reflects growing political commitment to strengthen national health systems and secure long-term sustainability. AHF also commends continental efforts by African presidents and regional institutions for driving urgent action on key public health priorities. These decisive moves by African governments and institutions come at a time when the continent’s health sector is under immense pressure from a sharp 70% decline in Official Development Assistance between 2021 and 2025 and rising debt burdens, with countries expected to service $81 billion of debt by this year. Ghana’s President John Mahama r...
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EmpowerME equips 86,000+ youth across MENA and Türkiye with job and enterprise skills in first year
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EmpowerME equips 86,000+ youth across MENA and Türkiye with job and enterprise skills in first year

EmpowerME has equipped more than 86,000 young people across MENA and Türkiye with practical skills for work and entrepreneurship in its first year, pairing intensive, mentor‑led learning with ambassador‑led local trainings. The three‑year, USD 6 million partnership by the Starbucks Foundation and Alshaya Group, delivered with INJAZ Al‑Arab/JA MENA and Habitat Association, aims to empower 250,000 youth across nine markets. INJAZ engaged 41,769 youth across Egypt, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Of these, 5,013 participated in intensive, hands‑on programs such as the Company Program, Innovation Day Camps, Sustainability & Green Entrepreneurship, and employability pathways; a further 36,756 joined webinars and short‑format sessions. Among the intensive cohorts wer...
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Germany summons Russian ambassador over drones in Polish airspace
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Germany summons Russian ambassador over drones in Polish airspace

The German government on Friday summoned the Russian ambassador to express its dismay over the incursion of drones into Polish airspace, an act Berlin is treating as a deliberate provocation by Moscow. The Foreign Office wrote on X that the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin were "dangerous" and "unacceptable." "NATO stands united to defend our alliance territory and our security," the ministry wrote. France and the Netherlands have also summoned Russian envoys following the violation of Poland's airspace by 19 Russian drones, which occurred late Tuesday and early Wednesday during attacks on neighbouring Ukraine. The threat led to a scramble by the Polish Air Force and NATO allies to shoot down the unmanned aircraft. It was the first time Russian drones had been taken ...
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RDF Mourns Lt Gen Innocent Kabandana
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RDF Mourns Lt Gen Innocent Kabandana

The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) has announced with deep sorrow the passing of Lieutenant General Innocent Kabandana. According to a statement from the RDF, Lt Gen Kabandana died on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at the Rwanda Military Referral and Teaching Hospital after succumbing to natural causes. The RDF described him as a dedicated officer who served the nation with honour, patriotism, and valour throughout his military career. “The Rwanda Defence Force extends its condolences and joins the family in mourning during this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace,” the statement read. Lt Gen Kabandana’s death marks a significant loss to the Rwandan military fraternity, where he was widely respected for his leadership and service to the country.
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Dubai Chambers and International Chamber of Commerce Launch Chamber Benchmarking Tool to Enhance Performance and Competitiveness of Global Chambers
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Dubai Chambers and International Chamber of Commerce Launch Chamber Benchmarking Tool to Enhance Performance and Competitiveness of Global Chambers

Dubai Chambers, in collaboration with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the World Chambers Federation (WCF), has launched the Chamber Benchmarking Tool, a first-of-its-kind platform enabling chambers of commerce to access best practices and benchmark their performance against global standards. Unveiled during the 14th World Chambers Congress in Melbourne, Australia, the initiative was showcased to 1,200 chamber leaders and officials from over 100 countries. As the premier global gathering for chamber representatives, the event is a vital platform for exchanging expertise and strengthening international networks. The tool is designed to transform the global chamber ecosystem by enhancing institutional performance and empowering chambers to deliver improved services, stre...
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