Author: Tunde

Extreme weather and ongoing conflicts are jeopardising global food production and trade. Experts warn that a potential super El Niño could further disrupt planting and harvesting, exacerbating food insecurity for millions. The wars in Ukraine and Iran are also disrupting shipping routes and supply chains. Shawn Arita, an Associate Research Professor at North Dakota State University, believes transport issues are more significant than supply problems. “The food does exist; the availability does exist. The main issue right now is that the movement is broken,” he said. Arita described the Strait of Hormuz as “a fertiliser corridor,” vital for farmers worldwide.…

Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio, has referred a petition concerning the controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill to the Supreme Court, invoking Section 122, subsection 1 of the 1991 Constitution. This action raises crucial questions about the President’s constitutional authority and the legitimacy of Parliament’s passage of the Bill. Section 122 allows the President to seek judicial opinions on petitions he must decide on, indicating that his approach to the Supreme Court may be constitutionally valid. However, a significant concern remains: whether this referral can postpone the process outlined in Section 106, which mandates that if a President rejects a Bill,…

In the wake of Danny Jordaan’s re-election as president of the South African Football Association (Safa) for a fourth term, remarks by Tankiso Modipa have highlighted ongoing concerns about leadership renewal within the organisation. Modipa, a member of the national executive committee and chair of the Western Province, asserted that only candidates familiar with Safa’s internal structure should lead the association. He claimed that outsiders, like businessman Sandile Zungu, lack the necessary understanding, suggesting they must start at the local level if they wish to vie for leadership in the future. Modipa’s statements raise important questions about why Safa lacks…

Five infant orangutans, a species native to the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo, were discovered last week in a forest in the Balasore district of Odisha, India, by forest rangers. Indonesia’s Forestry Ministry has requested that India ascertain the origin of the abandoned orangutans, known for their distinctive red fur, and return them if they are confirmed to have come from their natural habitat. The rescue has sparked concerns over how exotic animals enter India and the country’s role in the illegal wildlife trade. “This discovery on India’s eastern coast is astonishing,” said Kanitha Krishnasamy of wildlife trade monitoring…

Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has called on government institutions to prioritise job creation and private-sector growth in Sierra Leone’s FY2027 budget. He made this announcement during the budget launch at the Miatta Civic Centre on 16 September, themed “Building Resilience to Create Jobs.” Jalloh emphasised that government jobs alone cannot satisfy the demand for sustainable employment, especially among young people. He urged the implementation of policies that facilitate the establishment and expansion of businesses, leading to increased employment. He highlighted the importance of improved infrastructure, access to finance, investment-friendly policies, and effective public-private partnerships as crucial elements for this…

Redefining the Pernicious State in International Relations In international relations, the imbalance of power often overshadows justice. Wealthy nations wield significant influence over ideas and narratives, framing their opponents and promoting concepts that can justify aggression and reinforce their own standing. The United States has established a framework of biased terminology—like “rogue state”—embedded in its foreign policy. This Western-centric lexicon not only reflects a flawed theoretical foundation but also serves to legitimise harmful actions while vilifying weaker nations. As truth becomes secondary to narrative, the focus shifts to narratives that ensure dominance rather than those that reflect reality. Weak states…

State prosecutor Lawyer Yusuf Sulaiman Koroma has accused Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Joseph Steven of causing significant delays in drug-related cases at the High Court. The allegations arose on Monday, September 13, when a prosecution witness did not attend the court hearing scheduled before Justice Augustine K. Musa. Koroma explained that ASP Steven, the sole forensic expert for these cases, has repeatedly failed to appear in court to testify since his promotion from Police Constable to ASP. He highlighted that despite a subpoena compelling Steven to testify, the officer has been absent. “This has been his consistent behaviour, even…

Australia has introduced new measures to strengthen immigration controls, affecting international students, “visa hoppers,” and backpackers. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced these changes on Thursday, stating that foreign students will no longer be allowed to bring family members with them. Those seeking to extend their stay must pursue a higher qualification. The rules for working holiday visas will also become stricter, although these changes will not impact British nationals. A ballot system will cap the number of those eligible for second and third years of their working holiday visas, reducing the cap from 57,000 to 45,000 for the second…

Sanusi Lamido, the Emir of Kano and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, has urged for a stronger link between Nigeria’s financial system and the real economy. Speaking at the launch of the Access to Financial Services 2026 Report in Abuja on Wednesday, he highlighted the need for financial institutions to foster economic growth beyond just facilitating transactions. Mr Sanusi stressed that sound fiscal and structural policies are essential for attracting investments and boosting the production of goods and services. He argued that the financial sector must directly support sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing, rather than merely…

President Cyril Ramaphosa and Deputy President Paul Mashatile are both not fit to perform their official duties due to health issues. On Wednesday, the Presidency announced that Ramaphosa would be unavailable for public engagements after returning from the BRICS Summit in India on Monday. His medical team has recommended he take time to rest and recover. The statement indicated that, where possible, Ramaphosa has requested that Ministers represent him at scheduled events. Separately, Mashatile revealed on Tuesday that he underwent a minor medical procedure. He expressed satisfaction with his recovery, stating he is gaining strength each day. “On my doctors’…