Ghana’s troops were targeted in Lebanon attacks, highlighting its role in UN peacekeeping. Ghana, in West Africa, is known for its rich history and independence.
Harry Maguire has been left out of Thomas Tuchel's 26-man England World Cup squad announced for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The 33‑year‑old centre back has said he is "shocked and gutted"; Tuchel has defended selections and emphasised team cohesion.
All Africa has reported that four Nigerian men have been killed fighting on frontlines after being recruited to Russia on the promise of security jobs and paid work. The Russian embassy in Abuja has denied any government-backed recruitment and has said it will share information with Russian law enforcement if evidence exists. Reports say the men were given tourist visas, trained for three weeks, pressed into service and deployed between December 2025 and January 2026.
African countries including Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya are confronting reports of their citizens being deceived and recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine. Despite official denials, evidence suggests thousands have been lured with false promises, with some killed or captured. Governments are working to counter illegal recruitment schemes amid diplomatic tensions.
AI-generated music platforms like Suno and Udio are facing legal challenges from major record labels over copyright infringement. Meanwhile, regional artists like Bash Luks and Ebo Taylor continue to influence music and social messaging in Africa, highlighting contrasting industry dynamics.
Ukrainian drones attacked port infrastructure in Russia’s Krasnodar region, damaging buildings and injuring three. Russia reported intercepting 172 drones over the Black Sea and southern regions. The attack disrupted air traffic and targeted the Sheskharis oil terminal, a key export facility supporting Russian forces in Ukraine.
Ghanaian UN peacekeepers in Lebanon were attacked during ongoing Middle East hostilities, injuring three soldiers and damaging their base. The UN and Ghana demand investigation and accountability amid escalating violence involving Israel, Hezbollah, and Iran proxies. The incident highlights increasing risks for UN forces in the region.
A sharp decline in cocoa prices has led to widespread land abandonment and alternative land uses in Ghana and Ivory Coast, with farmers turning to illegal mining and other activities as their yields and incomes plummet amid climate change and market volatility.
Tensions in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz threaten Africa's energy supply, raising fuel costs, inflation, and economic vulnerability. Countries heavily reliant on imported petroleum face supply shocks, with potential impacts on trade, household costs, and regional stability.
Several legal proceedings are ongoing: a South African case involving a shooting at Mugabe's residence, a UK protest trial over police conditions, and a Ghanaian footballer facing rape charges. These cases highlight issues of violence, protest rights, and legal accountability today.
Kenyan police officers have completed their deployment with the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force in Haiti, which aims to restore security amid ongoing gang violence. The mission, involving over 5,500 personnel, continues to face resource constraints, with Kenyan troops remaining central to operations. The second Kenyan contingent has returned home after a successful deployment.
On March 25, 2026, the UN General Assembly adopted a non-binding resolution supporting reparations for the transatlantic slave trade. The resolution, supported by 123 countries, calls for acknowledgment, apologies, return of cultural artifacts, and measures to address systemic racism. The US, Israel, and Argentina opposed; 52 abstained. The move aims to promote justice and healing for victims.
The UN General Assembly passed a non-binding resolution recognizing the transatlantic slave trade as a grave crime against humanity. It calls for acknowledgment, cultural restitution, and reparative justice, with 123 countries voting in favor. The resolution aims to deepen moral awareness and promote dialogue on reparations and historical accountability.
Several confectionery companies, including Nestlé and Hershey's, have announced plans to revert to using real chocolate recipes by 2027. This follows recent drops in cocoa prices and ongoing reformulations due to cost pressures, with some products already shrinking or changing ingredients without immediate price reductions.
Reform UK announced plans to block visas from countries demanding slavery reparations, citing Britain’s sacrifices in abolishing slavery. This stance follows recent UN resolutions recognizing slavery as a crime against humanity and calls for reparative justice, which many nations and leaders support, but the UK opposes, framing reparations as insulting and a threat to sovereignty. The debate highlights tensions over historical accountability and Britain’s global relations.
A French family has issued a formal apology for their ancestors' role in transatlantic slavery, coinciding with ongoing debates about reparations worldwide. The UN has recently recognized slavery as the 'gravest crime against humanity' and called for reparations, while discussions continue in France, the UK, and the US about addressing historical injustices.
Recent attacks on Chernobyl's containment structure highlight ongoing risks linked to the Ukraine conflict. A drone strike in February damaged the New Safe Confinement shell, raising concerns about nuclear safety and the potential impact on long-term containment. The incident underscores the evolving security threats to nuclear sites amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Anti-immigrant groups have organised protests in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban, urging stricter immigration enforcement and denouncing undocumented migrants. Demonstrations have disrupted commerce, drawn in political parties, and prompted police to monitor for violence and vigilantism.
Ghana has rejected a proposed five-year health-data sharing agreement with the United States, citing concerns that the deal would enable access to health data, metadata, dashboards and data dictionaries without prior country approval. Officials say the terms would outsourcing Ghana’s health data architecture to a foreign body, prompting talks to seek better safeguards and governance.
China has extended zero-tariff treatment to 20 more African nations, bringing the scheme to 53 of Africa’s 54 countries. Eswatini remains excluded due to its ties with Taiwan. Analysts say gains are limited, but the policy signals Beijing’s openness push and aims to boost China‑Africa trade.
Nigerian, Ghanaian and Mozambican leaders have formalised complaints with Pretoria over xenophobic violence and the treatment of their nationals in South Africa, with Nigeria outlining voluntary repatriation plans for its citizens and Ghana seeking evacuation measures. The replies come as two Nigerians were killed last month amid protests and a spike in anti-foreigner sentiment.
Zambia has rejected components of a U.S. health-aid deal amid concerns over data-sharing and preferential treatment of American firms. Washington says the framework aims to reduce donor dependence and boost local ownership, but negotiations have stalled as officials clash over privacy protections and minerals access.
The ICRC has reported the worst humanitarian consequences of Colombia’s six-decade conflict in 2025, with displacement rising sharply and civilians bearing the brunt of clashes among guerrilla factions, cartels and state forces. Ahead of the May 31 presidential vote, candidates face threats and deadly attacks, underscoring security as a central issue.
The Trump administration is using third-country deportation deals to move migrants out of the United States. Nine migrants have arrived in Sierra Leone under a West African arrangement, with others previously planned. The program has drawn questions about rights, transparency, and the pace of removals.
Sierra Leone has signed a Third Country National agreement with the United States to accept up to 300 ECOWAS nationals deported from the US each year, with a maximum of 25 a month. The first group of 25 deportees from Senegal, Ghana, Guinea and Nigeria is expected to arrive on May 20, 2026. The arrangement has drawn criticism over legal basis and treatment of deportees, and it remains unclear what Sierra Leone receives in return.