As the world observes International Women’s Day, women’s rights advocates confront a global trend of regressing freedoms, emphasizing the urgent need for sustained action at the United Nations.

During a poignant session at the United Nations on International Women’s Day, women’s rights advocates voiced grave concerns over the global backslide in gender equality. This gathering, marked by powerful declarations from leaders like Sima Bahous, executive director of U.N. Women, and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, underscored the vital need for a renewed commitment to women’s rights as human rights—a principle firmly established at the landmark Beijing conference 30 years ago.

The session highlighted not just the achievements in women’s rights but the severe and escalating challenges women face worldwide. These include encroachments on reproductive rights, persistent gaps in education and economic opportunities, and widespread violence and discrimination. This year’s International Women’s Day served as a crucial reminder of the robust efforts required to counter these setbacks and to propel forward the agenda set in Beijing.

Guterres’s speech emphasized the stark reality of gender disparities, noting that at the current rate, it would take 130 years to eradicate extreme poverty among women and girls. His message was clear: gender equality is fundamentally about power, and the struggle continues to ensure women have equal access to this power, symbolized by their presence at decision-making tables worldwide.

Jaha Dukureh, a U.N. goodwill ambassador for Africa and a survivor of female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage, added a deeply personal and powerful narrative to the discourse. Her call to action for governments to invest in women and girls’ social protection and education highlighted the direct link between economic independence and personal freedom.

The upcoming Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) meeting at the U.N. headquarters will further this dialogue, focusing on promoting gender equality and empowering women. However, the challenges are formidable. Sarah Hendriks, director of policy for U.N. Women, pointed out the increasingly well-funded and coordinated efforts by anti-women’s rights groups that threaten to undermine legal and policy gains. This year’s CSW is not just a routine gathering but a battlefield where the future direction of women’s rights will be contested.

The anticipated political declaration from the CSW, while a potential tool for progress, faces contentious negotiations, especially concerning reproductive rights. The outcome of these discussions will be a significant indicator of the international community’s resolve to defend and advance women’s rights.

In conclusion, the events at the U.N. around International Women’s Day reveal a critical juncture in the fight for gender equality. As advocates rally against a global backlash, the world must pay heed to these voices calling for justice and equality. The resolve shown at the U.N. must translate into concrete actions that uphold and advance the rights of women across the globe, ensuring that the gains of the past are not eroded but rather built upon for a more equitable future.

The once bountiful era of Western aid in Africa is receding, marking a significant shift in the continent’s development landscape. This decline is exemplified by the U.S. Administration’s recent moves to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a key source of aid, following significant reductions from other traditional donors like Britain, France, and Germany.

In Ghana, a country that once embraced the ambitious “Ghana beyond aid” policy introduced by then-President Nana Akufo-Addo in 2017, reality bites hard. His successor, John Mahama, inherits a nation teetering on the brink, facing its 17th IMF bailout. Yet, in the shadow of these challenges, Mahama sees a pivotal moment for Africa to forge a path toward self-reliance, viewing the reduction in aid not as a setback but as a necessary push toward autonomy.

The impact of diminished foreign aid is profound and immediate. African nations, which previously received substantial financial support for public health, humanitarian aid, and development projects, are now facing severe cutbacks. For example, Ethiopia, heavily reliant on aid for food support due to recurring droughts, now confronts the cessation of crucial funding streams. Similarly, the withdrawal of U.S. support threatens to exacerbate crises in conflict-ridden regions like Burkina Faso and Congo.

One of the most critical areas affected is health care, particularly HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, previously supported by PEPFAR. This program’s closure risks hundreds of thousands of lives in regions heavily dependent on external aid for healthcare provisions.

The cessation of aid also carries significant economic consequences. For many African countries, aid constitutes a major part of their gross national income (GNI) and serves as an essential source of foreign exchange. The reduction in aid is predicted to push nearly 19 million more Africans below the poverty line by 2030, impacting local economies and increasing unemployment among those previously employed by aid-funded projects.

Despite the daunting challenges, some African leaders and intellectuals see this as an opportunity to recalibrate and strengthen internal capacities. They argue that reliance on aid has often distorted policymaking and stunted the development of robust governmental systems. Reducing aid dependency could potentially lead to more accountable and self-sufficient governance.

For African nations to navigate this new reality successfully, they must prioritize sustainable economic policies, enhance fiscal capacities, and foster regional integration to mitigate the impacts of reduced foreign aid. Investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure will be critical to building resilience against economic shocks.

The reduction in aid presents a complex scenario filled with potential pitfalls and opportunities. It challenges African nations to redefine their development strategies and potentially paves the way for a more self-reliant and sustainable future. However, the transition will require careful management, robust policy responses, and a renewed commitment to good governance and regional cooperation.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday delayed for four weeks his new 25% tariffs on most Mexican and Canadian exports to the United States, his latest maneuver in a North American trade war that has plunged stock indexes for days and roiled U.S. relations with its longtime allies and two biggest trading partners.

Trump first delayed the tariffs on Mexican imports to the U.S. until April 2 after hearing directly from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on how her government had helped curb the flow of migrants and the deadly opioid fentanyl into the United States — two demands made by Trump on the country’s southern neighbor.

Hours later, he also paused the new duties on Canada, although what happens to the tariffs in a month on either country is unknown. Trump’s latest actions came a day after he paused the tariffs on vehicle imports from the two countries after the three biggest U.S. automakers said the tariffs would have a severe financial impact on them.

But investors cast an early verdict on Trump’s days of whipsawing action, engaging in a broad sell-off because of the financial uncertainty. The three major U.S. stock markets dropped again on Thursday, with the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average down by more than a percentage point, the broader S&P 500 off nearly 2%, and the tech-heavy NASDAQ plunging by almost 3%.

Trump said, in executive orders, that the tariffs will not be imposed on Mexican or Canadian goods imported by U.S. companies that fall under a trade agreement he reached with the two countries in 2018 during his first term in the White House.

In a post on his Truth Social social media platform, Trump said he eased the tariffs on Mexican goods “as an accommodation, and out of respect for, President Sheinbaum. Our relationship has been a very good one, and we are working hard, together, on the Border, both in terms of stopping Illegal Aliens from entering the United States and, likewise, stopping Fentanyl.”

Trump ended the post by saying “Thank you to President Sheinbaum for your hard work and cooperation!”

In a statement on Thursday, Sheinbaum said “We agreed that our work and collaboration have yielded unprecedented results, within the framework of respect for our sovereignties.”

Later, at a news conference, she said that during a Thursday phone call, Trump at first wanted his tariffs to stay in place.

But Sheinbaum said she gave him examples of the results she had achieved in the past month, including how Mexico limited the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. and how Mexican authorities had sent 29 top cartel operatives wanted by American officials to the United States. She also dispatched 10,000 troops to Mexico’s northern border to try to halt the flow of migrants and drugs into the United States.

“Mexico was treated with a lot of respect, and we reached this deal that benefits both nations,” she said, although it remained unclear what might happen next month when the tariff pause ends.

Sheinbaum had threatened retaliatory tariffs against U.S. exports to Mexico, but unlike Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, had held off on announcing them as she pressed for a diplomatic solution.

Trump contended that Trudeau had political motivations for attacking his imposition of the new levy on Canada.

“Believe it or not, despite the terrible job he’s done for Canada, I think that Justin Trudeau is using the Tariff problem, which he has largely caused, in order to run again for Prime Minister.,” Trump said on Truth Social. “So much fun to watch!”

‘We will not be backing down’

Before Trump announced the pause in his tariffs on Canadian exports, Trudeau said he welcomed it, but nonetheless would keep his retaliatory tariffs in place for now.

The Canadian leader said he expects Canada and the U.S. to be in a trade war for the foreseeable future after having what he called a colorful but constructive call with Trump this week.

Trudeau said the two sides are “actively engaged in ongoing conversations in trying to make sure these tariffs don’t overly harm” certain business sectors and workers. He also reiterated that “we will not be backing down from our response tariffs until such a time as the unjustified American tariffs on Canadian goods are lifted.”

‘There will be a little disturbance’

Trump touched off the trade war Tuesday by imposing tariffs against Washington’s three biggest trading partners, the 25% levy on Mexican and Canadian exports, while doubling an earlier 10% tax on Chinese products, to 20%.

Typically, tariffs are paid to the U.S. government by importers, who then often pass on the cost of the duties to individual consumers or businesses buying their products or raw materials they need for their own operations.

After Trump imposed the tariffs, all three countries swiftly announced they would retaliate with their own extra duties on U.S. goods.

Canada’s initial $21 billion worth of retaliatory tariffs have been applied on items such as American orange juice, peanut butter, coffee, appliances, footwear, cosmetics, motorcycles and certain pulp and paper products.

Ottawa plans a further $87 billion in tariffs in three weeks on American products such as electric vehicles, fruits and vegetables, dairy, beef, pork, electronics, steel and trucks.

In a speech Tuesday night to the U.S. Congress, Trump acknowledged the tariff turmoil, saying, “Tariffs are about making America rich again and making America great again. There will be a little disturbance, but we’re OK with that. It won’t be much.”

He has said his tariff stance is aimed at pushing manufacturers operating in other countries to move their plants to the U.S., where Trump said they would no longer face tariffs.

Political Tensions Escalate as Sudanese Politician Held in Kenya.

Yassir Arman, leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement Revolutionary Democratic Current (SPLM-RDC), was detained by Kenyan authorities upon his arrival in Nairobi. Acting on an Interpol warrant issued at Sudan’s request, the arrest marks a significant escalation in the Sudanese government’s crackdown on opposition figures.

Arman, a key figure in Sudanese politics and a vocal opponent of the military’s involvement in governance, was stopped by Kenyan police as soon as he disembarked his flight. He was informed of the arrest warrant and subsequently taken to a local hotel where he is currently being held pending further investigation.

The detention is based on charges that include collaboration with the controversial Rapid Support Forces during the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which erupted on April 15, 2023. These charges, as stated by Sudan’s Attorney General Al-Fateh Tayfour, also extend to other prominent members of the Coordination of Civilian Democratic Forces, or Tagadum, including former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok.

Arman’s arrest occurred amidst his planned meetings with Western diplomats to discuss the turbulent situation in Sudan. His visit was part of broader efforts by Sudanese civilian groups to seek international support against both the military-led government and the parallel government efforts by the Rapid Support Forces.

The accusations leveled against Arman and his colleagues have been criticized as politically motivated. On September 24, just days before Arman’s detention, Tagadum’s legal team had approached the General Secretariat of Interpol and the Commission for the Control of Interpol Files (CCF), challenging the legitimacy of the red notice. They argued that the allegations were part of a broader strategy to suppress political dissent through accusations of undermining constitutional order, genocide, and inciting rebellion.

This incident has raised significant questions about the misuse of international law enforcement tools to pursue political objectives. Sources close to the matter have called for Arman’s immediate release and have urged the Kenyan authorities to not participate in what they view as a politically motivated campaign orchestrated by the Sudanese government.

The international community is closely watching the developments, as they could have far-reaching implications for the use of Interpol in politically sensitive cases, as well as for the stability and human rights situation in Sudan.

The sacred month of Ramadan in 2025 showcases the remarkable adaptability of Muslims worldwide, as fasting durations fluctuate dramatically due to geographical variances. From the lingering daylight of Greenland’s shores to the shorter days of New Zealand’s landscapes, the fasting hours during Ramadan can last anywhere from 13 to 16 hours.

This year, Ramadan’s start varies globally due to its alignment with the lunar calendar, which typically causes the holy month to shift approximately 10 to 12 days earlier each year compared to the solar calendar. This unique aspect of the Islamic calendar underscores the dynamic nature of this observance through varying seasons across years.

In 2025, Muslims in regions near the poles, like Iceland and Greenland, will endure some of the longest fasting times, approximately 16 hours, due to the extended daylight hours during the summer months. Conversely, countries in the southern hemisphere, such as New Zealand and Chile, will experience shorter fasting periods, around 13 hours, owing to their proximity to the winter solstice.

The distinction in fasting hours also illustrates the diverse experiences of Muslims during Ramadan, affecting daily routines and spiritual practices. For instance, in the Northern Hemisphere, the fasting hours are on the decline and will reach their shortest duration by 2031 during the winter solstice, after which they will gradually lengthen. Conversely, in the Southern Hemisphere, fasting durations will incrementally extend as they approach their summer solstice.

These variations not only highlight the physical demands placed on those observing Ramadan but also reflect the profound commitment of Muslims to their faith, adapting yearly to the rhythms of the lunar calendar regardless of location.

The spiritual journey of Ramadan is deeply intertwined with the history of Islam, commemorating the month when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over 1,400 years ago. This period is one of reflection, prayer, and community, marked by a universal spirit despite the local differences in observance.

As Muslims worldwide welcome Ramadan, they navigate the challenges of their respective geographies, each community finding unique solace and strength in the rhythms of fasting and feasting, from dawn to dusk. This global observance not only underscores the diversity within the Muslim world but also the unifying threads of faith and endurance.

Toronto’s Somali community is poised to achieve a significant cultural milestone with the announcement of a $20 million federal investment for the construction of the Somali Centre for Culture and Recreation (SCCR). Located in the city’s Rexdale neighbourhood, this funding marks a historic achievement for both Black and Muslim communities within Canada’s bustling metropolis.

After nearly four decades of persistent advocacy, this federal commitment comes as part of the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program. The proposed 100,000-square-foot facility aims to be a net-zero emissions building, offering a wide range of services including fitness and sports facilities, arts and music spaces, and essential support services for newcomers.

The Somali Canadian community in Toronto, estimated to be around 20,000 strong, has long sought such a space that resonates with their cultural heritage while addressing their social needs. Many in this community arrived during the late 1980s and 1990s, fleeing the civil unrest in Somalia. Despite their substantial contributions to Toronto’s socio-economic fabric, they have faced numerous systemic barriers, including a significant lack of public infrastructure that caters to their specific needs.

The initial proposal for the cultural centre faced considerable hurdles, including local opposition to its planned location in Buttonwood Park due to concerns over losing valuable green space. This backlash, supported by political figures including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, led to the reconsideration of the centre’s location. After extended deliberations, a suitable site was secured at 95 Humberline Drive—a locale with a significant Somali population and a stronghold of Somali-Canadian heritage.

This new facility is not just a win for the Somali community but a pivotal step towards rectifying historical oversights in Toronto’s urban planning and community development. While the federal funds have injected new hope into the project, complete financing is yet to be secured. The SCCR continues to seek additional funding from provincial and municipal sources and is initiating community fundraising efforts to bring this project to fruition.

As the SCCR moves forward, it promises not only to be a cultural and recreational hub but also a transformative space that tackles broader social and economic challenges facing the Somali-Canadian community in Toronto. This project stands as a testament to the resilience and persistence of a community in pursuit of recognition and equality within the diverse tapestry of Canadian society.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announces significant firings over explicit chat group involvement within the NSA.

In a sweeping action that underscores a stringent stance on professional conduct within the intelligence community, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced that over 100 employees will be terminated from their positions. This decision comes in response to their involvement in explicit chats on Intelink, a secure intranet system used by the intelligence community, maintained by the National Security Agency (NSA).

The controversy centers around two chat server channels, labeled “LBTQA” and “IC_Pride_TWG.” These channels reportedly hosted discussions that deviated significantly from professional standards, engaging in what has been described as “obscene, pornographic, and sexually explicit” content. The fallout from these revelations includes not only the termination of the involved personnel but also the revocation of their security clearances.

Director Gabbard expressed her disapproval strongly on X, previously known as Twitter, condemning the chat groups as “disgusting” and indicative of the “DEI insanity” she associates with the previous administration. Her remarks reflect the broader administrative directive issued by President Donald Trump, which recently culminated in an executive order terminating diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across the federal government.

Deputy Chief of Staff Alexa Henning detailed the directive from Gabbard, which orders all intelligence agencies to pinpoint and dismiss those who participated in the inappropriate discussions by the end of the week. This sweeping action highlights a commitment to “clean house” and reestablish the foundational principles of trust and professionalism within the intelligence sectors.

In her appearance on Fox News, Gabbard elaborated on the severity of the breach, describing it as a “violation of trust” and a deviation from the core mission of the intelligence community. Her decision is framed as part of a larger effort under the Trump administration to eliminate corruption and restore integrity within federal institutions.

This incident not only signals a hardline policy against misconduct within the U.S. intelligence community but also sets a precedent for how such issues will be handled moving forward under the current administration. As the situation develops, the intelligence community is poised to undergo significant changes to ensure that its primary focus remains on safeguarding the security and freedom of the American people.

Elon Musk, armed with his power and presidential backing, reignites his plan to clean house in the federal government—this time, the stakes are high.

The world’s richest man and Trump’s point man on “government efficiency,” Elon Musk, sent a warning shot through Washington, daring federal workers to justify their existence or face termination.

His bold email demands federal employees provide a justification of their roles. The timing couldn’t be more chaotic—weeks into a Trump-era push to slash the bureaucracy to its bone. But did Musk underestimate the pushback? On Monday, federal agencies were sent scrambling, unsure whether to comply or defy, as the Office of Personnel Management bluntly declared his directive non-binding.

Musk, however, refused to back down, doubling down on the threat of termination: “Fail again, and you’re out.” His comments fueled uncertainty across federal agencies, which now face a storm of confusion and defiance. The crackdown has already seen over 20,000 government employees booted out—and that’s just the beginning.

Musk is pushing forward with his disruptive downsizing initiative—the DOGE program, designed to strip the government to the core. And as thousands teeter on the edge of the unemployment abyss, his radical methods are shaking the very foundations of Washington D.C.

But not everyone’s on board. Critics, including labor unions, have raised their voices in outrage, demanding the court block Musk’s “illegal” email orders. They claim it violates rights, risks national security, and creates chaos.

As Washington reels from these destabilizing orders, only time will tell if Musk’s plans will end in government collapse or triumph.