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Category: International

  • Netanyahu vows continued strikes in Iran war, claims killing of two nuclear scientists

    Netanyahu vows continued strikes in Iran war, claims killing of two nuclear scientists

    MIDDLE EAST (NPA) — March 23, 2026 — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday held discussions with United States President Donald Trump regarding the ongoing war involving the US, Israel, and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

    Netanyahu revealed that the talks focused on consolidating the “tremendous achievements” made by Israel and the US in the conflict, while exploring additional strategies to secure their war objectives in a framework that protects the vital interests of both nations.

    In a televised broadcast, on Monday, monitored by Newpost Africa, Netanyahu stressed that diplomatic engagements would not deter Israel from continuing military operations in Iran and Lebanon.

    “We are crushing the missile program and the nuclear program, and continuing to inflict severe blows on Hezbollah,” he declared. “Just days ago, we eliminated two more nuclear scientists — and the hand is still outstretched.”

    The Prime Minister emphasised that Israel’s security priorities remain unchanged, regardless of the outcome of ongoing US talks with Iran. He insisted that Israel would safeguard its national interests under any scenario, reinforcing his government’s resolve to maintain pressure on Tehran and its allies.

    Observers note that Netanyahu’s remarks underscore Israel’s determination to pursue a hardline military approach while simultaneously engaging in high‑level diplomatic coordination with Washington. The statement also highlights the dual track of Israel’s strategy: combining battlefield operations with international negotiations to secure long‑term security guarantees.

  • Rising debt forces 3.4 billion to spend more on loans than health or education

    Rising debt forces 3.4 billion to spend more on loans than health or education

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — March 23, 2026 — Calls for a fundamental shift in global economic governance dominated discussions at the Impact Exchange in Geneva, Switzerland, where representatives from nearly 90 Member States, UN agencies, civil society, and experts gathered to advance a “Human Rights Economy.”

    The event, organised by UN Human Rights and the Universal Rights Group with support from the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, came amid warnings of rising inequality, surging debt, and austerity measures that could affect 85 per cent of the world’s population. “Austerity could slash investments in social protection, health, education, and the environment,” cautioned Nada Al‑Nashif, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights.

    Speakers stressed that economic growth without access to healthcare, education, clean water, decent work, and a healthy environment risks deepening divides. The Human Rights Economy framework, they argued, prioritises people and the planet in fiscal choices, moving beyond GDP as the sole measure of progress.

    Claudia Fuentes Julio, Chile’s Permanent Representative and Vice President of the Human Rights Council, underscored how inequality erodes social cohesion and urged innovative strategies to strengthen democracies. Chile’s reforms include a universal guaranteed pension, free public health services, and gender‑responsive budgeting.

    From The Gambia, Cherno Marenah highlighted people‑centred budgeting and the removal of VAT on sanitary products, while Jawad Ali of Pakistan emphasised constitutional commitments to uplift marginalised communities. Spain’s representative, Miryam Naveiras, pointed to progressive taxation and the Sevilla Declaration as a roadmap for debt relief and climate‑sensitive economic planning.

    South Africa’s Mxolisi Nkosi called for a fairer global financial architecture, stressing that development is a right, not a privilege. Portugal and Malaysia echoed the need for reforms in taxation, trade, and education, while civil society voices urged the adoption of metrics that reflect well‑being, equality, and sustainability.

    Throughout the Exchange, participants agreed that even in tight fiscal times, progress is possible when human rights guide economic choices. OHCHR announced the expansion of its ESCR Knowledge Hub, showcasing promising practices from 2020–2024 to help countries operationalise the Human Rights Economy.

    The message was clear: systemic reform rooted in human rights is essential to confront inequality and achieve the 2030 Agenda.

  • Trump pauses military strikes on Iran for five days as talks begin

    Trump pauses military strikes on Iran for five days as talks begin

    MIDDLE EAST (NPA) — March 23, 2026 — U.S. President Donald Trump’s “peace through strength” mantra may be showing results, following his announcement on Monday via his Truth Social account that the United States and Iran have, over the past two days, begun what he described as “very good and productive conversations” aimed at achieving a complete resolution of hostilities in the Middle East.

    Trump clarified that, based on the tenor and tone of these in-depth, detailed, and constructive discussions — which are expected to continue throughout the week — he has instructed the Department of War to postpone any planned military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days. He stressed that the pause is conditional on the success of ongoing meetings and negotiations.

    The statement, reproduced in full, reads: “I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE COUNTRY OF IRAN, HAVE HAD, OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS, VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS REGARDING A COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF OUR HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. BASED ON THE TENOR AND TONE OF THESE IN DEPTH, DETAILED, AND CONSTRUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS, WHICH WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR TO POSTPONE ANY AND ALL MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN POWER PLANTS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A FIVE DAY PERIOD, SUBJECT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE ONGOING MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP.”

    The announcement comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, where the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has destabilised oil markets and damaged critical civilian infrastructure. Trump’s decision to delay strikes is being interpreted as a cautious step toward de-escalation, while leaving open the possibility of military action should talks fail.

  • Pakistan and Iraq urge dialogue to ease Middle East tensions

    Pakistan and Iraq urge dialogue to ease Middle East tensions

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — March 23, 2026 — Pakistan and Iraq have jointly stressed that dialogue and adherence to international law remain essential for ensuring peace, security, and stability in the Middle East and beyond. This was part of a phone discussion held between Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, and Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Fuad Hussein, on the prevailing regional situation.

    In a statement released Monday by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@ForeignOfficePk), both leaders expressed deep concern over the ongoing escalation in the region and its wider implications for global stability.

    The statement reads in part: “DPM/FM underscored the need for collective efforts to de-escalate tensions and prevent further instability, emphasising that dialogue and adherence to international law remain essential for ensuring peace, security, and stability in the region and beyond.”

    The call comes amid mounting tensions in the Middle East, driven by the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The crisis has already had far-reaching consequences, including volatility in global oil prices and damage to critical civilian infrastructure across the region.

    Both ministers reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to working with regional and international partners to promote peace and stability. They emphasised that constructive engagement, rather than confrontation, is the only viable path forward to prevent further humanitarian and economic fallout.

  • IAEA Conference opens in Vienna on Safe Transport of Nuclear and Radioactive Material

    IAEA Conference opens in Vienna on Safe Transport of Nuclear and Radioactive Material

    VIENNA, AUSTRIA (NPA) — March 23, 2026 — The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has opened its International Conference on the #SafeSecureTransport of Nuclear and Radioactive Material today in Vienna, Austria. The global gathering brings together policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, technical experts, and international organisations to examine how to strengthen the safe and secure transport of nuclear and radioactive material worldwide.

    In his opening remarks, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi emphasised that for more than six decades, the global transport system has ensured the safe and secure movement of these materials across borders. He noted that changing conditions — from evolving security threats to new technologies and growing demand — mean the international community cannot afford to rest on past achievements.

    Grossi highlighted that around 15 million packages containing nuclear or radioactive material are transported each year, with about 95 per cent unrelated to nuclear power. These shipments play vital roles in medicine, agriculture, research, and industry. He stressed that as nuclear energy and radiopharmaceutical use expand, transport volumes will only increase.

    The Director General pointed out that denials and delays in shipments remain a systemic problem requiring systemic solutions. He underscored that strong international cooperation, coupled with the essential role of the private sector, will be key to ensuring timely and secure delivery. Grossi reaffirmed the IAEA’s commitment to supporting countries in getting life-saving materials where they are needed, safely and on time.

    Other industry organisations participating in the event include the National Nuclear Regulator of South Africa and Thailand’s Office of the Higher Education Commission (OHEC). Their involvement reflects the broad international collaboration necessary to address both technical and regulatory challenges in nuclear and radioactive material transport.

  • Albanese and Singapore’s Wong unite to safeguard fuel supplies as Middle East conflict rages

    Albanese and Singapore’s Wong unite to safeguard fuel supplies as Middle East conflict rages

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — March 23, 2026 — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday held talks with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who also serves as Minister for Finance and Member of Parliament for Marsiling, about strengthening cooperation to secure the fuel Australia needs with its international partners and longstanding friends.

    Albanese, in a statement, noted that he and the Singaporean leader agreed to support the flow of essential goods, including petroleum oils such as diesel, and liquefied natural gas between the two countries. He emphasised: “We’ll keep working closely as we deal with the impacts of the conflict in the Middle East. We’re working with partners around the world to make sure fuel keeps moving to where it’s needed most.”

    According to Albanese, overseas conflict is disrupting global supply chains, and Australia is taking proactive steps to manage the impacts domestically. 

    In a related effort, the Prime Minister also met with Dr Fatih Birol of the International Energy Agency to discuss strategies for working with trading partners to secure fuel supply. The ongoing war in the Middle East — involving the United States, Israel, and Iran — and the closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz has created significant instability in international oil markets.

    Australia consumes around 1.1 million barrels of oil per day, or approximately 33 million barrels per month, underscoring the importance of ensuring steady imports and reliable supply lines during this period of global uncertainty. The move by the Prime Minister is seen as a critical step in navigating a difficult period and safeguarding national energy security.

  • Kim Jong Un reappointed to North Korea’s top policy body

    Kim Jong Un reappointed to North Korea’s top policy body

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — March 23, 2026 — North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un has been reappointed as president of the State Affairs Commission, according to reports from the country’s state-run media.

    This latest reappointment underscores Kim’s continued dominance over the nation’s political structure and decision-making processes. It marks the third consecutive time he has been chosen to lead the commission since its establishment in 2016, when it was created as the country’s highest policy guidance body.

    The State Affairs Commission plays a central role in shaping North Korea’s domestic and foreign policy, and Kim’s repeated appointments highlight his firm grip on power and the enduring influence of his leadership within the government framework.

  • Iranian attacks will get to you, Netanyahu warns Europe to join fight

    Iranian attacks will get to you, Netanyahu warns Europe to join fight

    MIDDLE EAST (NPA) — March 22, 2026 — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Europe is not safe from Iranian attacks after Iran reportedly fired an intercontinental ballistic missile over 4,000 km, striking Diego Garcia—an American-British military base in the Indian Ocean.  

    Netanyahu made the declaration when he inspected the impact site of an Iranian missile attack on March 21, 2026, in the Israeli town of Dimona on Saturday.

    He said, “I’ve been warning for years. Leaders of the free world. The leaders of the moderate states, what more are you waiting for? President Trump has correctly said that Israel and the United States, in this great partnership; we are fighting the battle, not only for ourselves but for all of you. And he asks a simple question: where are you? And it’s time to head to President Trump’s call.”

    Dimona hosts a facility widely believed to house the region’s only nuclear arsenal, though Israel has never officially acknowledged possessing nuclear weapons. Iran’s atomic energy organisation accused the U.S. and Israel of targeting Natanz but said no radioactive leakage was reported.

    The Israeli military said interception attempts were made as the missiles approached, but it is still unclear if the nuclear site was hit. Iranian state television framed the strike as a “response” to Natanz. 

    The UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has not yet issued a statement confirming damage or a leak at the site, as it urged restraint to avoid the risk of a nuclear accident.

  • Israel orders destruction of Litani River Bridges, intensifies Lebanon offensive, demolitions

    Israel orders destruction of Litani River Bridges, intensifies Lebanon offensive, demolitions

    MIDDLE EAST (NPA) — March 22, 2026 — Israeli President Israel Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have directed the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) to immediately destroy all bridges over the Litani River, citing their use for terrorist activity and the movement of Hezbollah fighters and weapons southward. The leadership also ordered the acceleration of demolitions in Lebanese border villages, modeled after operations in Beit Hanoun and Rafah in Gaza, to thwart threats to Israeli settlements.

    According to a statement by President Katz on Sunday, the IDF is pressing forward “with full force” in its ground manoeuvre in Lebanon, aiming to eliminate Hezbollah positions, reach anti-tank lines, and secure controlling points to protect northern communities. Katz vowed: “Israel is determined not to allow the reality of before October 7th to return. We promised to protect the residents of the north — and that is exactly what we will do.”

    The escalation comes as Israel reels from heavy Iranian missile attacks on the nuclear-site town of Dimona, which left many civilians injured and infrastructure damaged. The war with Iran has now entered its twentieth day, showing no sign of abating.

  • Governor Radda Hosts 17 ambassadors, envoys at Katsina Sallah celebrations

    Governor Radda Hosts 17 ambassadors, envoys at Katsina Sallah celebrations

    KATSINA, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 22, 2026 — Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, on March 21 hosted seventeen ambassadors and diplomatic envoys during the Sallah celebrations in Katsina. The governor described culture as a powerful bridge for peace, unity, and sustainable development, fostering mutual understanding, strengthening social cohesion, and serving as a foundation for inclusive growth and global collaboration.

    In a statement on Sunday, Radda noted that Katsina holds a prominent place in the history of Northern Nigeria as a renowned centre of learning, commerce, and Islamic scholarship, with enduring legacies reflected in landmarks such as the Gobarau Minaret and the traditions of the Katsina and Daura Emirates.

    “I was honored to receive a distinguished delegation of Ambassadors and diplomatic envoys, led by the Ambassador of Belgium to Nigeria, His Excellency Pieter Leenknegt, who joined us to witness the 2026 Sallah Durbar Festivals,” Radda said.

    The delegation included envoys from France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Turkey, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Their participation in Hawan Sallah, Hawan Sarki (Hawan Bariki), and Hawan Magajiya reflected growing global recognition of Katsina’s cultural heritage.

    Beyond culture, the governor showcased strides in security, agriculture, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and water supply—pillars of his administration’s development agenda. He reaffirmed Katsina’s commitment to confronting insecurity through strategic operations and community-based initiatives aimed at lasting peace.

    “We do not claim perfection, nor do we ignore the challenges that remain,” Radda said, acknowledging communities still yearning for peace, families seeking relief, and young people in search of opportunity. “True leadership is not measured by how far we have come, but by our commitment to the journey ahead.”

    On behalf of the people of Katsina, the governor expressed appreciation to the visiting envoys and the international community, adding: “Katsina remains open to the world—for partnership, for business, for cultural exchange, and for shared prosperity.”