Iranian officials have sharply criticized the United States for a deepening diplomatic impasse, blaming a continued naval blockade and economic pressure for derailing negotiations despite a fragile truce that has so far held. Leaders in Tehran say the blockade of Iranian ports and restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz are incompatible with meaningful dialogue, warning…
South Africa has appointed Roelf Meyer, a veteran politician and one of the key negotiators who helped end apartheid, as its new ambassador to the United States. The move by President Cyril Ramaphosa signals a strategic attempt to repair increasingly strained ties between Pretoria and Washington following a turbulent period marked by political disagreements, diplomatic…
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Cameroon on Wednesday, launching a high profile leg of his 10 day African tour that has quickly evolved into a geopolitical flashpoint, drawing sharp criticism from United States President Donald Trump. The pontiff, the first American born pope, used his visit to amplify calls for peace, justice and ethical leadership…
President Donald Trump has warned that the United States could strike Iran’s critical energy infrastructure if negotiations to end the ongoing conflict collapse, intensifying already fragile tensions in the Middle East. In a social media post Monday, Trump said significant progress had been made in talks but cautioned that failure to reach an agreement, particularly…
Kenyan government has asked the Court of Appeal to overturn a High Court order freezing a USD 2.5 billion (Sh322 billion) health cooperation framework with the United States, warning the suspension threatens vital funding and medical support for millions. In an urgent application, Attorney General Dorcas Oduor said non-implementation would delay critical health benefits, some…
Kenya is facing a potential Sh45 billion annual economic blow after United States President Donald Trump ordered withdrawal from 66 international organisations, striking at the heart of Nairobi’s role as Africa’s leading United Nations diplomatic centre. The presidential memorandum, signed on 7 January 2026, directs immediate cessation of US participation and funding in 31 UN…
Thousands of Kenyans who dreamed of a new life in the United States are now facing uncertainty after the Trump administration announced a sudden pause on the Diversity Visa lottery program DV lottery program. The move, linked to a recent deadly shooting, has halted the issuance of green cards through the popular initiative, leaving many…
US President Donald Trump has suspended the Diversity Visa programme, known as the green card lottery, after a Portuguese national who gained residency through it carried out deadly shootings at Brown University and MIT. The move, announced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, halts a key legal immigration route and hits African nations hardest, with…
The Trump administration has suspended the diversity visa lottery programme, citing its use by the suspect in deadly shootings at Brown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on 18 December 2025 that the United States would immediately pause the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, commonly known as the green…
The White House has accused South African authorities of harassing and doxxing US government personnel involved in a refugee programme for white Afrikaner farmers, further straining ties between the two countries. US secretary of state Marco Rubio issued a strongly worded statement on Thursday, claiming South African officials briefly detained American staff and leaked their…
