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The Habesha By LJDemissie April 25, 2026 An honest look at a grief that demands to be taken seriously This article was written from inside the Das — not to agree that the burial is
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When President Donald Trump tried to cancel five massive offshore wind projects under construction along the East Coast, it wasn’t just environmentalists who cried foul. Nine Republicans in the US House sent a letter to
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A highly mutated COVID-19 strain is circulating in California — raising concerns that disease activity could rise heading into the summer. The emergence of the BA.3.2 strain, nicknamed “cicada,” comes amid broader uneasiness about COVID
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The US Federal Reserve’s years-long renovation of two historic buildings along the National Mall to be used as part of its headquarters in Washington exploded into political controversy about a year ago, with a ‘New York Post’ report on the project’s “lavish” features and nearly $2.5bn price tag. The report came amid President Donald Trump’s escalating attacks on the Fed and Fed Chair Jerome Powell for not slashing interest rates as Trump wanted. It prompted an immediate call from Elon Musk, then head of the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, for an investigation, and accusations of wasteful spending by Republican lawmakers like Senate Banking Committee chair Tim Scott. Scott and several other members of the Senate Banking Committee on June 24, 2025, sent Fed Chair Jerome Powell a letter asking him to justify the cost of the renovations, which they said included “rooftop garden terraces, ornate water features, new elevators that drop board members off directly in their VIP dining suite ... rooftop Italian beehives” among other amenities. The next day Powell testifies before the Senate Banking Committee that reports of such luxury amenities are inaccurate. Documents show the Fed’s current budget for the two buildings is about $1.1bn more than it had originally allocated in 2020, with most of the increase attributable to rising costs for material and labour amid the post-pandemic surge in inflation. Office of Management and Budget director Russell Vought demanded Powell explain the building renovations and suggests the Fed did not follow proper approval procedures. Powell provides a detailed explanation of the renovations in a letter to Scott and the Senate Banking Committee’s top Democrat Elizabeth Warren. The Fed also posts a series of FAQs on its website detailing the costs, and Powell asks the Fed’s Inspector General to take a fresh look at the project. Powell responds to Vought’s letter with the same information provided to the senators. On July 24, 2025, Trump, accompanied by Pulte and Vought and senators Scott and Thom Tillis, visited the construction site and were given a tour by Powell. Trump takes the opportunity to again urge interest-rate cuts. In November, US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro opens a criminal investigation into Powell that focuses on alleged misstatements in his July Senate testimony, according to court documents that were unsealed four months later. Early this year, Powell disclosed the DoJ probe and subpoenas in an unusual Sunday evening video, calling it unprecedented intimidation, and a pretext for the president to gain influence over the Fed’s monetary policy decisions. The DoJ probe draws widespread condemnation as a threat to Fed independence. Senator Tillis says he’ll block any Fed nominee as long as the investigation remains open. Other Republican lawmakers raise similar objections. On January 30, 2026, Trump nominates Kevin Warsh to be the next Fed chair upon the expiration of Powell’s leadership term on May 15. Tillis reiterates his position. A US judge blocks the DoJ’s subpoenas, agreeing with Powell that the probe was an improper attempt to intimidate the central bank into cutting interest rates. Pirro vows to appeal the ruling. “I have no intention of leaving the Board until the investigation is well and truly over, with transparency and finality,” Powell says. Prosecutors from Pirro’s office make a surprise visit to the Fed’s renovation work site, and are turned away. The Senate Banking Committee holds a confirmation hearing for Warsh. Tillis reiterates his position. Pirro says her investigation is going forward. Trump gave his public support, saying “we have to find out” how the building cost so much. On April 24, 2026: Pirro says she’ll close the investigation and has referred it to the Fed’s Inspector General, which had begun its own investigation at Powell’s request nine months earlier. “I will not hesitate to restart a criminal investigation should the facts warrant doing so,” she adds.
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A view of cracked ground at a dam, as Zimbabwe is experiencing an El Nino-induced drought in Mudzi, Zimbabwe, in 2024. (Reuters/File Photo) Global weather forecasters predict a strong El Nino weather phenomenon will build during the second half of 2026, threatening hotter and drier weather across much of Asia, while boosting rains in parts of North and South America. Japan’s weather bureau says there is a 70% chance for an El Nino to emerge during the northern hemisphere summer, while Indian weather authorities warn the South Asian nation’s monsoon season could be below average for the first time in three years. Weather officials in China expect El Nino conditions to run through the end of the year after emerging in May. US Climate Prediction Center sees a 61% chance of an El Nino during the period from May to July. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology is predicting below long-term median rains in eastern cropping regions between May and August, the first half of the country’s growing season. Weather models indicate rains below, and temperatures above normal across Australia, Southeast Asia and India, said Chris Hyde, a meteorologist at weather intelligence firm Meteomatics with its headquarters in Switzerland. “Overall, I think it’s going to be ideal growing conditions across the US Midwest this year,” he added. “We will have to watch the timing of El Nino, there could be some impacts to excessive moisture towards harvest.” They are opposite phases of the same climate system in the tropical Pacific. El Nino is a natural pattern of unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific. It builds when shifts in atmospheric pressure weaken, or even reverse, normally steady easterly trade winds, allowing eastward movement of warm waters piled up in the western Pacific, for a redistribution of heat, altering global weather patterns. A La Nina forms when trade winds strengthen, pushing more warm water toward the western Pacific and allowing colder water to upwell in the east, driving sea surface temperatures below normal. La Nina often brings above-average rainfall to Australia and parts of Southeast Asia, but its impact on the Indian monsoon is variable, rather than uniformly strengthening. In the Americas, La Nina tends to lead to wetter conditions in parts of northern South America and drier conditions in the southern United States. Overall, the Americas broadly turn drier. An El Nino occurs every three to five years on average and a La Nina once every three to seven years, says Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology. El Nino events vary in severity and impact. A strong one in 2015 and 2016 caused severe drought across Australia and Southeast Asia, while weakening the Indian monsoon. It reduced output of grain, palm oil and sugar. At the same time, excessive rain in parts of South America disrupted soybean and corn harvests. A moderate El Nino in 2009 and 2010 brought dry weather that reduced yields of staples rice and wheat in India and Southeast Asia. The strongest El Nino on record was in 1997-1998. It caused drought in some parts of Asia slashed rice production, although India received average rainfall. Flooding in the Americas damaged crops. The most recent instance of a strong La Nina was from 2020 to 2023.
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Cao Xiaolin, China’s ambassador to Qatar The Middle East now stands at a critical juncture between war and peace. Recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward Four Propositions on safeguarding and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, offering the Chinese approach for the region to move toward lasting stability and injecting much-needed certainty into a Middle East — and indeed a world —shaken by turmoil. First, stay committed to the principle of peaceful co-existence. The Gulf states in the Middle East are close neighbours that cannot move away. It’s important to support the Gulf states in improving their ties, work to build a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security architecture of the Middle East and the Gulf region, and consolidate the foundation for peaceful co-existence. Second, stay committed to the principle of national sovereignty. Sovereignty serves as a foundation for all countries, especially developing countries, to survive and thrive, and it must not be violated. The sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the Gulf states should be earnestly respected, and the safety of their personnel, facilities and institutions vigorously safeguarded. Third, stay committed to the principle of international rule of law. We should safeguard the authority of international rule of law, reject selective application, and prevent the world from returning to the law of the jungle. It is important to firmly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms governing international relations underpinned by purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. Fourth, stay committed to a balanced approach to development and security. Security is a prerequisite for development, and development serves as a safeguard of security. All sides should work to create a sound environment for and bring positive energy to the development of the Gulf states. China stands ready to share with the Gulf countries the opportunities through Chinese modernization, and work with them to nurture a fertile ground for regional development and security. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a responsible major country, China has consistently acted to promote peace talks through concrete efforts. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has met and made phone calls with his counterparts from relevant countries nearly 30 times. The Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue, Zhai Jun, conducted shuttle diplomacy across several countries to ease tensions in the region. China has also maintained close coordination with all parties through the United Nations and other platforms, with the objective of advancing a ceasefire, ending hostilities, and promoting dialogue and negotiation. China’s efforts, commitment, and sense of responsibility in pursuing peace have won broad recognition from regional parties and the wider international community. A ceasefire does not equal peace. The spillover risks of the war remain, the regional security architecture is badly fractured, with a serious loss of trust between all parties. Any accidental escalation could once again push the situation toward the abyss. As the Chinese saying goes, “When strength is pooled, nothing is unconquerable; when wisdom is combined, nothing is unattainable.” Peace in the Middle East must ultimately be safeguarded by the people in the Middle East. China stands ready to work with all peace-loving nations, guided by Chinese President Xi’s Four Propositions, to jointly advance a common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security architecture for the Middle East, and to strive tirelessly for enduring peace and stability in the region. Related Story
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Governments from most countries around the world are set to participate in the 11th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which opens today at United Nations headquarters and runs through May 22.Held every five years, the conference assesses the effectiveness of the treaty – born out of Cold War tensions more than half a century ago – and examines whether it can advance disarmament, restraint, and co-operation amid mounting global security challenges.The NPT is one of the most widely adhered-to multilateral agreements and a cornerstone of international security.Entering into force in 1970 and regarded as a landmark diplomatic achievement of the United Nations, the treaty aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons by prohibiting their development, testing, production, acquisition, transfer, use, or threat of use.It also promotes co-operation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and advances the goal of general and complete nuclear disarmament.To date, 191 states have joined the treaty, which formally recognises five nuclear-weapon states – the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and China – on the basis that they conducted nuclear tests prior to January 1, 1967.However, non-signatory states possessing nuclear weapons remain a major challenge to the treaty’s effectiveness, as they operate outside its legal and verification framework.The UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu, said the review conference provides an opportunity for countries to identify common ground despite an increasingly difficult security environment and escalating rhetoric.She warned that the risk of nuclear weapons use is rising and must not be allowed to become normalised.Despite the treaty’s success in preventing the use of nuclear weapons in conflict for over five decades, the global non-proliferation regime is facing what many describe as its most serious crisis in years.The international security landscape is marked by rising nuclear risks and deepening mistrust, while many Cold War-era agreements have either collapsed or expired.In February, the New START treaty between the United States and Russia – which capped deployed strategic nuclear warheads – expired without a replacement.At the time, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the world is entering uncharted territory, with no legally binding limits on the nuclear arsenals of the United States and Russia, which together possess the vast majority of the world’s nuclear weapons.This era of mistrust was reflected in the previous two NPT review conferences in 2015 and 2022, both of which concluded without agreement on a substantive final document.All Arab states are parties to the NPT and have placed their nuclear facilities under comprehensive safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); a step Israel has yet to take despite repeated international calls and UN resolutions.Qatar has consistently emphasised, across international forums, the importance of adhering to all agreements and treaties related to nuclear disarmament and weapons of mass destruction.In February, Qatar participated in the high-level segment of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, represented by Jawhara bint Abdulaziz al-Suwaidi, the charge d’affaires at Qatar’s Permanent Mission in Geneva.She stated that the international system is undergoing a critical phase marked by increasing armed conflicts, declining adherence to international law and the UN Charter, rising geopolitical polarisation and competition, accelerated nuclear modernisation programmes, and the integration of emerging technologies into military systems.Al-Suwaidi noted that 2026 represents a pivotal moment for the global nuclear order with the convening of the 11th NPT Review Conference.She stressed that the treaty remains the cornerstone of the non-proliferation regime and a fundamental basis for pursuing nuclear disarmament, emphasising that disarmament is a humanitarian, security, and developmental necessity.She further underscored that establishing a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction remains a priority for enhancing regional security and stability. – QNA
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Today millions of South Africans at home and across the world commemorate Freedom Day, a moment of profound significance for our nation.This date marks South Africa’s decisive transition from the oppressive apartheid system to a free, democratic and constitutional state, following the country’s first democratic elections on April 27, 1994.Freedom Day is more than an anniversary; it is a powerful reminder of transformation against immense odds.This year’s commemoration, held under the theme United in Resilience for the Defence of Our Freedom and Democracy, concludes our year-long marking of 30 years of freedom and democracy.It speaks both to how far we have come as a nation and to the responsibility we carry to protect these gains in an increasingly uncertain world.From being a pariah state excluded from global institutions, South Africa has emerged as a country widely recognised for its commitment to human dignity, democracy, non-racialism, non-sexism, and constitutional governance, values the world urgently needs.South Africa’s transition stands as proof that dialogue, sacrifice, compromise, and principled leadership, exemplified by President Nelson Mandela, can overcome entrenched injustice.Freedom Day invites all the friends of South Africa to reflect honestly on the lived realities of apartheid and to contrast them with life in a democratic South Africa.Under apartheid, millions, especially Black South Africans, were systematically marginalised, dispossessed and denied basic human rights: the vote, freedom of movement, economic opportunity and dignity.Families were torn apart, livelihoods undermined, and social cohesion destroyed.Yet, from this painful history, a new social order emerged, founded on constitutionalism, democracy, and the rule of law.The adoption of South Africa’s Constitution in 1996, whose 30th anniversary we commemorate this year, gave concrete expression to the ideals of the Freedom Charter, shaped by decades of struggle against colonialism, apartheid and oppression.Today, the South African Constitution remains the highest law of the land, guiding efforts to consolidate democracy while confronting persistent inequality and historical injustice.For South African residents in Qatar, this reflection carries added significance, as their presence here as professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, and skilled contributors to Qatar’s development is itself a direct product of South Africa’s democratic transformation.It reflects a restored international standing and full re-entry into the global community.South Africa’s historical experience has also shaped its approach to global justice.The values enshrined in our Constitution compel us to act consistently on the international stage. It is within this moral and historical framework that South Africa has approached the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to hold Israel accountable for acts of genocide.This action underscores our commitment to international law, accountability and the protection of civilians, and serves as a warning against the dangers of extreme nationalism and unchecked violence.Our own past reminds us that silence in the face of injustice is never neutral.South Africa’s post‑apartheid identity is inseparable from global solidarity, having emerged from a collective international struggle in which states, civil society, and ordinary people around the world collaborated to dismantle apartheid and affirm the universality of human dignity.Conscious that its own freedom was secured through the moral courage and principled action of the international community, South Africa has consistently framed its foreign policy as a debt owed to peace, justice, and international law.It is within this ethical tradition that South Africa approached the ICJ, invoking the Genocide Convention to hold Israel accountable for alleged acts of genocide, not as an act of hostility, but as a reaffirmation of the same legal and moral principles that once protected South Africans themselves, namely, that grave injustices must never be normalised and that no people should be denied protection under international law.As we commemorate Freedom Day, we must celebrate progress while remaining clear eyed about what remains to be done.In 1994, South Africa inherited a deeply divided, unequal society and an economy isolated from the world. Despite limited resources and enormous backlogs, tangible progress has been made.Access to housing, clean water, electricity and basic services has expanded significantly for millions.These improvements have transformed everyday life for many South Africans.In 2024, South Africa entered a new chapter with the establishment of a Government of National Unity, reflecting a shared commitment to inclusive growth, job creation, poverty reduction and social cohesion.Encouragingly, key economic indicators have stabilised: inflation has eased, public investment is rising, electricity generation has improved, and confidence, both domestic and international, is slowly returning.At the same time, the South African government has intensified efforts to combat organised crime, illegal mining and gender based violence, while advancing transformative legislation, including the National Health Insurance Act, the Expropriation Act, and the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act, to expand access to opportunity in line with constitutional values.South Africa’s relationship with Qatar exemplifies how shared principles can be translated into practical cooperation.Bilateral relations since 1994 have been dynamic and characterised by consistent high level engagement.President Cyril Ramaphosa has undertaken a state visit to Qatar, and His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani was a special invited guest at the G20 Leaders’ Summit.South Africa and Qatar share a conviction that peace is the foundation for sustainable socio‑economic development.Both countries firmly maintain that dialogue, diplomacy, and inclusive mediation are the most effective means of resolving conflicts, particularly at a time of heightened and protracted hostilities in the Middle East.In this context, South Africa unequivocally condemns all attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, including critical energy facilities, as such acts are not only illegal in terms of international law and human morality, but also inflict immense human suffering and threaten regional and global stability.Upholding international law, protecting civilian lives, and fostering peaceful engagement remain central to efforts aimed at enduring security and prosperity.Energy co-operation remains a pillar of the bilateral relationship, exemplified by Sasol’s gas to liquids investment in Qatar and PetroSA’s involvement in the chemical sector.These partnerships support South Africa’s industrial stability while diversifying Qatar’s international energy co-operation.Multilaterally, South Africa’s role in BRICS and Global South platforms complements Qatar’s diplomatic outreach.At a time of geopolitical fragmentation, middle powers must build resilience through co-operation rather than rigid alignment.Current global disruptions – from energy supply shocks to disruptions in Red Sea and Suez trade routes – underscore the interconnectedness of energy security, civilian infrastructure and economic stability.These challenges contribute to inflationary pressures worldwide, affect Africa’s trade and food security, and demand closer co-operation between responsible global actors.Today, Qatar is South Africa’s fifth-largest trade partner in the Middle East and Gulf, with total bilateral trade of R7.9bn in 2023, spanning multiple fields.There remains significant untapped potential – particularly in attracting greater Qatari investment into South Africa’s priority, job creating sectors.In light of regional uncertainty, the South African government, through its mission in Doha, remains fully attentive to the safety and wellbeing of South Africans in Qatar.We continue to engage closely with Qatari authorities, who have demonstrated their commitment to stability and the protection of all residents. Qatar remains a safe and welcoming host country.As South Africans abroad, you are ambassadors of our nation, embodying resilience, excellence and solidarity. Your contributions strengthen South Africa’s reputation and deepen the bonds of friendship between countries.As we commemorate Freedom Day, let us recommit ourselves to the ideals that shaped our liberation: unity, dignity, equality and mutual respect.Let us defend our democracy, deepen our partnerships, and work collectively to build a South Africa that truly belongs to all who live in it.Freedom, after all, is not only something we commemorate – it is something we must continuously protect and advance, together.
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Government reports tend to make for less-than-scintillating reading. That’s the nature of the beast. Data can be dry. But for the better part of the 20th century, the covers of these reports were works of
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At first glance, AI companions for lonely seniors can seem dystopian, looking less like innovation than a bleak sign of social failure. Spending a couple days last week in Tokyo nursing homes, I watched plushie
