Abidjan is in the spotlight as Ivory Coast returns a historic sacred drum from France, signaling restitution and cultural ties. Ivory Coast’s largest city (pop ~6.3M) and former capital.
A new leadership training program launched in Florence aims to equip policymakers, business leaders, and civil society with skills to address global governance challenges. The program emphasizes practice-based learning and cross-sector collaboration, reflecting a shift towards more integrated, reform-oriented leadership development.
The US‑Israel war on Iran has pushed energy, fertilizer and transport costs higher and forced global agencies to cut growth forecasts. The OECD and other groups have reduced 2026 growth projections, UNICEF has reported soaring freight bills and delivery delays, and US consumer sentiment has ticked up slightly as gas prices ease (15 June 2026).
The United States has announced that it is consolidating visa processing across Africa from nearly 50 embassies and consulates to 20 regional hubs. Kampala remains a full-service hub, while other posts are being shut or pared back. The changes are expected to begin in June and are driven by security, efficiency and staffing considerations, with applicants in affected countries needing to travel to designated hubs for interviews.