MILITARY SUPPLIES TO NIGERIA AFRICOM described the latest delivery as part of a broader United States strategy to strengthen operational cooperation with regional partners in West Africa. The command’s statement emphasized continued commitment to supporting Nigerian forces in counterterrorism and security operations. The timing of the equipment delivery suggests increased United States engagement in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges. The coordination between both governments appears to have intensified following the November appeal from the Tinubu administration and Trump’s public statements about potential military intervention. Security analysts note that while military equipment and intelligence sharing are valuable, addressing Nigeria’s complex security environment requires comprehensive strategies that include economic development, governance reforms, and addressing the root causes of insurgency and banditry. The insurgency in northeastern Nigeria has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with millions of people displaced and dependent on aid. The December airstrike and January equipment delivery mark a notable shift in United States Africa policy under the Trump administration, which has taken a more interventionist approach to countering Islamic State affiliated groups on the continent. Whether this increased engagement will translate into sustainable improvements in Nigeria’s security situation remains to be seen. For now, the delivery of military supplies represents a tangible manifestation of the security partnership both nations have emphasized publicly. As Nigeria continues operations against insurgent groups and criminal networks, the role of international support, particularly from the United States, appears set to remain significant in the months ahead. The United States has delivered critical military equipment to Nigeria as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security cooperation between the two nations. The supplies were formally handed over to Nigerian authorities in Abuja on Tuesday, according to the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). AFRICOM announced the development in a post on X on January 13, stating that United States forces delivered critical military supplies to Nigerian partners in Abuja. The command emphasized that the delivery supports Nigeria’s ongoing operations and underscores the shared security partnership between Washington and Abuja. The post also tagged the United States Mission in Nigeria. The military command did not specify the type or quantity of equipment transferred. However, an image attached to the announcement showed sealed military equipment being offloaded from an aircraft. Neither the United States Mission nor Nigerian authorities have disclosed operational details about when or how the newly delivered supplies will be deployed. The delivery follows a December 25, 2025 airstrike conducted by United States forces in coordination with Nigerian authorities. AFRICOM stated at the time that the operation in Sokoto State killed multiple Islamic State militants. President Donald Trump announced the strike on Truth Social, marking a significant escalation in direct United States military involvement in Nigeria’s security challenges. Nigeria has battled Islamist insurgents in the northeast for the past 15 years, confronting groups including Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The country also faces criminal kidnapping gangs and banditry, particularly in the northwest regions. These security threats have displaced millions of people and strained Nigeria’s military resources. The equipment delivery comes amid renewed collaboration between Nigeria and its international partners. In November 2025, the administration of President Bola Tinubu appealed to the United States government to deploy its military to assist Nigeria in combating terrorism. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed the appeal while responding to America’s decision to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern. That designation followed allegations by President Trump regarding the treatment of Christians in Nigeria. Trump described Nigeria as disgraceful and threatened military action if the government continued to allow what he characterized as killings of Christians. The Nigerian government rejected both the designation and Trump’s characterization of the security situation. Nigeria’s foreign ministry stated that the December airstrike was part of ongoing security cooperation with the United States, involving intelligence sharing and strategic coordination to target militant groups. Reuters reported in December that the United States had been conducting intelligence gathering flights over large parts of Nigeria since late November. The security partnership between Nigeria and the United States has existed for years, centered on counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, military training, and logistical support. United States assistance has included training programs for Nigerian military units, provision of equipment, and capacity building initiatives designed to improve operational effectiveness. In recent years, Nigeria has deployed United States supplied A29 Super Tucano aircraft in air operations against insurgent targets. The twelve light attack aircraft were delivered in 2021 following years of negotiation and have been used extensively in counterinsurgency operations in the northeast. 13th January,2026

INDONESIA CONSTITUTIONAL COURT HEARS CHALLENGES Controversial changes fueled protests when they were first proposed in 2019. Business groups, including the American Chamber of Commerce and European Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia, expressed concerns that the sex outside marriage provisions could deter investment and tourism. Human rights advocates warned that the law could be weaponized against political opponents, LGBTQ individuals, women, and religious minorities in the world’s most populous Muslim majority nation. Indonesia has a significant Christian minority and hundreds of ethnic groups with diverse cultural practices. President Joko Widodo’s administration, which oversaw the passage of the law, said it was grateful for public criticism and maintained that the reforms were intended to reflect Indonesian values and strengthen the legal system. Government officials also insisted that safeguards will be put in place to prevent abuse, including requirements that complaints for certain offenses like adultery must come from immediate family members. However, critics describe the law as a low point for democracy in Southeast Asia’s largest economy, warning it could be used to silence dissent and target political opponents. The court’s ruling will determine whether the controversial provisions remain in force. Indonesia’s Constitutional Court has previously struck down or modified laws deemed to violate constitutional rights, though the process can take months or years. The implementation of the new criminal code represents a significant shift in Indonesia’s legal landscape, affecting the lives of the country’s 280 million people and potentially impacting its reputation as a destination for tourists and foreign investors. Activists in Indonesia have filed legal challenges against the country’s newly implemented criminal code, warning that it poses a serious threat to civil liberties and gives authorities sweeping powers with limited oversight. The revised law, which replaced Indonesia’s colonial era penal code in January 2026, criminalizes sex outside marriage and makes it illegal to insult the president, vice president, and other top officials. Rights groups say the provisions could be used to restrict freedom of expression, privacy, and personal behavior. The Constitutional Court began hearing on Friday, January 10, 2026, the first of several petitions challenging the new code, which authorities argue includes sufficient protections. Sexual relations outside marriage were criminalized and now carry a sentence of up to a year in jail, effectively outlawing same sex relations as such unions are not recognized in Indonesia. The cohabitation of unwedded couples can see violators imprisoned for up to six months. When lawmakers approved the code in December 2022, the United Nations office in Indonesia warned that some provisions could infringe on fundamental freedoms and human rights. Yusril Ihza Mahendra, a minister overseeing legal affairs and human rights, hailed a historic momentum for Indonesia as it sheds the penal system inherited from Dutch colonial rule, which ended eight decades ago. Critics warn that the new criminal procedural law, which lays out the framework for the enforcement of the criminal code, grants officials broad powers with minimal oversight. “Now the police have a far greater authority to seize evidence, to arrest people,” said Andreas Harsono, Indonesia researcher of Human Rights Watch. The rules grant investigators, for example, the power to decide what constitutes urgent situations, meaning they can search and seize evidence without a court order. Authorities can also detain suspects if they do not cooperate during inquiry, said Iftitahsari, a lawyer and researcher at the Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (ICJR). “Granting these extensive powers could create greater space for corruption,” Iftitahsari, who goes by one name, told AFP. When the rules are unfair from the start, abuse of power and procedural injustice can easily increase, she said. Iftitahsari also warned of a democratic decline in Indonesia, which adopted democracy following the fall of the late leader Suharto, who ruled with an iron fist for more than three decades until the late 1990s. The new rules are certainly far from what is aspired in terms of upholding the rights of citizens in a democracy, said the lawyer. Edward, the deputy law minister, declined to comment on these claims, citing the ongoing court case. Several civil society organizations and legal advocates have petitioned the Constitutional Court to review the law, arguing that it violates Indonesia’s constitution and international human rights commitments. The criminal code can be challenged in the Constitutional Court if it is considered that the correct procedure was not followed before it was passed, including seeking relevant and transparent public participation. Labour unions have used that approach to challenge the Jobs Creation Law, which was passed in October 2020 and deemed unconstitutional a year later. The new code applies to both Indonesians and foreigners and also restores a ban on insulting the president, state institutions or Indonesia’s national ideology known as Pancasila. The law replaces a framework that had been in use since independence in 1946 and was a mix of Dutch law, customary law known as hukum adat, and modern Indonesian law. 13th January,2026

FIREWORKS KILLED TWO AT DUTCH NEW YEAR Two people died in separate fireworks accidents and a historic Amsterdam church burned down as violence marked New Year’s Eve celebrations across the Netherlands. A 17 year old boy from Nijmegen and a 38 year old man from Aalsmeer died in unrelated fireworks incidents, Dutch police reported Thursday morning. Authorities arrested one person in connection with the teenager’s death but released no additional details about the circumstances. Police made approximately 250 arrests nationwide as officers and emergency responders faced what union officials described as unprecedented levels of violence. Riot police deployed in several towns across the country to control disturbances. Nine Kooiman, head of the Dutch Police Union, told media the night saw an unprecedented level of violence against police and emergency services. Officials issued a rare nationwide mobile phone alert urging people to only call emergency services in cases of life threatening emergencies. In Amsterdam, flames destroyed the neo Gothic Vondelkerk, a 19th century Roman Catholic church that had overlooked Vondelpark since 1872. The blaze erupted shortly before 1 a.m. local time Thursday in the church tower. The 50 metre high tower collapsed and the roof was badly damaged, though Amsterdam authorities said the exterior walls remained intact. Renowned Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers designed the church, who also created Amsterdam’s Central Station and the Rijksmuseum. Cuypers devoted special attention to the Vondelkerk and moved into a house on Vondelstraat to overlook his work, according to historical records. The fire sent showers of cinders onto surrounding properties, forcing evacuation of several nearby homes. Evacuated residents found temporary shelter at a nearby yoga studio while firefighters worked through the night to contain the blaze. No injuries were reported from the church fire. Amsterdam police and fire department have opened an investigation but have not commented on what caused the fire. Local media reported the blaze was suspected to have been sparked by fireworks, though authorities have not confirmed this. The church served as a Roman Catholic place of worship from 1880 until 1977, when it was deconsecrated. A 1904 fire destroyed the original tower, which was rebuilt by Joseph Cuypers, son of the original architect. After secularization threatened the building with demolition, a foundation established in 1980 saved and restored it as a multifunctional venue for concerts, exhibitions and community events. New Year’s Eve 2025 marked the last year before a nationwide ban on the sale of fireworks to consumers comes into effect. Emergency room doctors, police, firefighters and politicians have campaigned for years for the prohibition, citing public health and safety concerns. According to the Dutch Pyrotechnics Association, revellers spent a record 129 million euros on fireworks this year, equivalent to approximately $151 million. Many Dutch residents purchased large quantities in anticipation of the coming ban. Some municipalities designated firework free zones, but enforcement appeared limited. An Agence France Presse journalist in a designated firework free zone in The Hague reported hearing loud bangs until approximately 3 a.m. The Netherlands traditionally rings in the New Year with residents setting off their own fireworks, a custom that causes hundreds of injuries and millions of euros in damage annually. Emergency services face particular strain treating severe burn injuries and responding to widespread property damage. Violence also erupted in neighboring Belgium, where police in Brussels and Antwerp were targeted with fireworks despite a New Year’s ban on their use. Police used tear gas and arrested more than 100 people in Antwerp, where minors as young as 10 and 11 targeted officers and emergency services with fireworks and stones. Vandals set fire to bikes, cars and rubbish bins in both cities. The destruction of Vondelkerk represents a significant loss to Dutch cultural heritage. Stadsherstel Amsterdam, the nation’s largest organization dedicated to restoring heritage sites, had described the building as having survived secularization and demolition threats through community preservation efforts. 2nd January,2026

AFD ON GERMANY'S 2026 AGENDA The German government, a coalition of the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU); its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU); and the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), will have to deal with difficult domestic policy issues in 2026. After grueling debates, the government passed its reform package for the state pension system through the Bundestag in December. The pension level is to remain stable until 2031, a commission will develop fundamental reforms to the system and submit proposals by mid-2026. Financial security in old age, in a society where people are living longer and the number of elderly people is rising, will remain a key concern for the country and its government. Young vs. old? How a fight over pensions is shaking the German government In the 2026 budget, the government subsidy to compensate for pension losses amounts to a hefty €128 billion ($150 billion) — around a quarter of the total budget. The pension commission is under pressure to develop truly practical proposals on an extremely complex issue. Raising the retirement age from 67 is on the cards. But some, like economics professor Jens Südekum, suggest doing away with a fixed retirement age for everyone. Südekum has said the size of the pension a person receives should depend solely on the number of years they have worked and paid into the system. In December, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) said the idea was "certainly worth considering," adding, "I want us to implement a comprehensive reform." At the beginning of 2026, young people in Germany aged 18 and over will receive mail from the government. Men must then complete the enclosed questionnaire, while women can do so voluntarily. The questions will focus on personal details, educational qualifications and other competences, as well as willingness to perform military service. Participation in a medical examination to assess their overall health and fitness will be mandatory. The government is counting on finding enough volunteers to increase the number of Bundeswehr soldiers from approximately 184,000 now to between 255,000 and 270,000 over the next decade, and to increase the number of reservists to 200,000. If all this does not work on a voluntary basis, the government will move to reinstate conscription, which has been suspended since 2011. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), a party with extremist elements, is already the strongest opposition party in the Bundestag. With several regional elections scheduled for 2026, it's expected to do well. In the eastern German states of Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the AfD is currently polling around 40%. Will the democratic centrist parties be able to take on the far right? And if the AfD becomes the strongest party by a wide margin in both states, will the promise made by the conservative CDU to never cooperate with the AfD hold true? Both elections are not until September, but they will dominate the debates about how to deal with the AfD until then. State elections in the western states in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate will kick off an exciting election year in March. Immigration and border controls The issue of migration will continue to be high on the agenda in 2026. Since the current government took office in May 2025, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) has made it clear that Germany is now pursuing a tough policy toward irregular immigrants with more people being turned back at the border. In mid-December, the interior ministers of the European Union also agreed on a significant tightening of the common asylum policy. So-called "return centers" are now planned again in countries outside the European Union, even though previous attempts, such as the one by the Italian government in Albania, have not been successful. With the common asylum policy, "...we will also manage to shift border controls to the European external borders," said Chancellor Merz in early December. This would spell the end of the time-consuming checks at all of Germany's external borders in 2026. Whether this will actually happen remains to be seen. The initiative of the EU interior ministers still needs approval by the European Parliament. 2nd January,2026

NDC REPLACEMENT FOR LATE NASER TOURE MAHAMA Following the completion of the seven-day post-burial Muslim prayers for the late Ayawaso East Member of Parliament (MP), Naser Toure Mahama, the constituents, especially within the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) have started public discussions on finding a successor, with some proposing Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed as a suitable replacement. Others have put up Dr Yakubu Azindow's name as also another possible replacement. They both contested the last NDC parliamentary primary ahead of the 2024 general election with Naser Toure Mahama, with Mr Mahama winning with 675 votes, while Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed got 525 votes, as against Dr Yakubu Azindow's 215 votes. The seven-day post-burial prayer for the late Naser Toure Mahama was observed at the national mosque on Sunday, January 11, 2026. This marked the first clear turning point for a constituency preparing for an inevitable by-election following the death of its sitting Member of Parliament. Mr Mahama won the seat on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress at the 2024 general election. Under Article 112(5) of the 1992 Constitution, the Electoral Commission is required to hold a by-election within three months after the Speaker of Parliament formally notifies it of a vacancy. Although the constitutional process was yet to be publicly triggered, discussions about who should represent the constituency have started within the community. Speaking in Nima after the prayers, Hajia Fati Mohammed, popularly known as Hajia Kande Majesty, said residents had accepted Mr Mahama’s death in line with Islamic belief but could not ignore the political consequences of losing a sitting MP. Hajia Kande Majesty, who is the Magajia of the NDC National Zongo Caucus and a former two-term women’s organiser in Ayawaso East, described Mr Mahama as a long-serving figure who spent close to 14 years working in the constituency, even though he did not complete four full parliamentary terms. “As Muslims, we accept death as the will of Allah,” she said. “But now the question before us is who can come and do more for the constituency.” She referenced the last NDC parliamentary primary in Ayawaso East, which Mr Mahama won with 675 votes, while Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed, secured 525 votes and Dr Yakubu Azindow polled 215 votes. According to Hajia Kande Majesty, those figures explain why certain names continue to feature in conversations about succession. “Mr Jamal came second,” she said. “After that, he did not walk away. He stayed in the community and continued working.” She pointed to Mr Jamal’s continued involvement in Nima, including support for party coordinators and assistance to women, as reasons some residents mention him as a possible replacement. She also noted his long-standing ties to the area, having lived and attended school in Nima. Hajia Kande Majesty cautioned against opening a crowded internal contest, saying that it could divide the constituency at a sensitive time. “If we bring many people again, we will divide ourselves,” she said. A more procedural view was offered by Alhaji Ismail Ali Horoya, the Greater Accra Regional Zongo Caucus Coordinator of the NDC and a former Ayawaso East Constituency Organiser. He said no one had formally declared an intention to contest the seat. Mr Horoya said attention within the party since Mr Mahama’s death had centered on funeral arrangements and Islamic rites, with political decisions expected to come after direction from the party’s national leadership. “There is a vacuum now, and there are rumours,” he said. “But until national gives direction, nobody can say this is the way forward.” From the community, Mr Awalu Angulu Awudu Agbaadzenaa, president of the Concerned Nima Citizens Foundation, said the by-election should not be treated as a routine exercise but as a chance to reassess representation. Mr Awalu acknowledged that names such as Mr Jamal and Dr Azindow continue to come up because they contested the last NDC primary and are well known in the constituency. He warned against imposing a candidate on residents. Mr Angulu said discussions should not be limited only to individuals who have previously contested. He mentioned Abdul Salam Daru and Najib Mohammed Sani as younger party members who could grow into leadership roles if given the opportunity. He added that political development in the constituency should not be confined to familiar names. “If somebody is imposed, it will bring serious problems,” he said, adding that some party supporters have privately indicated they could consider independent options if they feel excluded from the process. Another issue shaping discussions in Ayawaso East is whether the widow of the late MP will contest the seat. Supporters are reported to be mobilising, although no formal declaration has been made. Under Islamic law, a widow is required to observe iddah, a mourning period of four months and ten days. During this period, remarriage is prohibited and personal conduct is guided by specific religious obligations. Some Islamic scholars have explained that iddah does not directly bar political ambition, but it calls for restraint and respect for mourning practices. This has contributed to debate over the timing and appropriateness of any possible candidacy. Ghana has seen recent cases where widows have succeeded their late husbands in Parliament. In Ayawaso West Wuogon, Lydia Seyram Alhassan won the 2019 by-election following the death of her husband, Emmanuel Boakye Agyarko. In Mfantseman, Ophelia Mensah Hayford won the seat in the 2020 general election after her husband, Ekow Quansah Hayford's death. In Shai Osudoku, Linda Ocloo replaced her late husband after his death in 2016. By-elections triggered by the deaths of sitting MPs, including those in Ayawaso West Wuogon and Akwatia, have shown that such contests often place candidate selection, party unity and local acceptance under close public attention. The New Patriotic Party has already indicated its intention to contest the Ayawaso East by-election when it is called, despite the constituency’s history as an NDC stronghold. Ayawaso East remains in mourning, but the close of the seven-day prayers has signalled a shift from grief towards decision-making, as residents weigh who should next speak for them in Parliament. 12th January,2026

LET’S STRENGTHEN INSTITUTIONS Ms Nyaaba said that Ghana had moved away from an economic freefall, with notable gains in macroeconomic stability, currency performance, tax relief and governance intent. “Ghana is no longer plummeting into economic freefall. The ship has been steadied, the leaks plugged and a sense of direction restored,” she said. Ms Nyaaba said that stability could create conditions for growth, investment and innovation, but it does not guarantee them. She acknowledged that the Mahama administration had averted economic disaster; however, the progress could easily be reversed if corruption and weak accountability resurface. Speaking at a press conference in Accra last Wednesday, Co-Convener of Arise Ghana, Marion Gifty Nyaaba, said aside from assessing the progress and policing the policies of the current government, Ghanaians need to demand the fulfilment of the campaign promises of President Mahama, which it described as a social contract between the government and the people. Dubbed “An independent National Reflection on Ghana’s State of Affairs: One Year of the John Dramani Mahama Administration,” the press conference was to examine a year of President Mahama's tenure. A civil society organisation, Arise Ghana, has stressed the need to strengthen institutions to deliver on their mandates. It has also called for a broad national conversation on the country’s progress over the past year and its future trajectory under President John Dramani Mahama. “These improvements stem from a combination of policy discipline, international partnerships and domestic resilience — proof that when Ghanaians unite behind sound strategies, progress is possible,” she added. On governance, Ms Nyaaba said the Mahama administration had demonstrated a clear intent through a more consultative and inclusive governance approach. It cited the introduction of a Code of Conduct for public appointees, renewed momentum in anti-corruption efforts and the launch of Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) to reclaim misappropriated state assets, including looted state lands and bungalows. Ms Nyaaba, however, stressed that results, not declarations, must ultimately judge governance. Investigations, Ms Nyaaba said, must lead to prosecutions and prosecutions must result in fair and impartial convictions, regardless of political affiliation or social status. 12th January,2026

FEES FOR 2025/2026 ACADEMIC YEAR Following consultations involving the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), the University Council, management, and student representatives, the academic user facility fee for the 2025/2026 academic year at the University of Ghana will remain the same as the 2024/2025 academic year. In a press statement dated January 12, 2026 issued by the Ministry of Education, the Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Apaak explained that he chaired a meeting on January 8, 2026 with the Ministry of Education and GTEC, as well as the Council Chair, Management and Students of the University of Ghana, where GTEC directed to communicate the below fees and charges by the University of Ghana for the 2025/2026 academic year, The directives specify that these charges apply exclusively to the University of Ghana and cannot be adopted by other public tertiary institutions. The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has established a Fee Review Committee chaired by the GTEC leadership to assess future fee adjustment proposals from public tertiary institutions before recommending them to Parliament for approval. 12th January,2026

COPEC WARNS GHANA Mr Amoah cautioned economic managers against complacency, stressing that early signs of recovery should not be mistaken for long-term stability. He noted that sustained discipline and consistency are essential to consolidating the gains made so far. “I wouldn’t say we are out of the woods yet. So, for those managing the economy, now is not the time to celebrate or relax because people are saying things are improving. Once you begin celebrating before the ball enters the net, you risk losing focus,” he warned. He added that while the current economic managers appear to have found a workable approach, it is important to remain calm and committed to the path of fiscal discipline to ensure lasting stability According to him, although conditions have generally improved, Ghana cannot yet be said to be fully out of economic difficulty. “I think the past 12 months have been a mixed bag, but, fairly speaking, there has been significant improvement compared to what we witnessed four or five years ago,” he stated. The Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), Duncan Amoah, has praised the government for managing the economy prudently over the past year but warned against premature celebrations, stressing that Ghana’s recovery remains fragile. Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, January 10, 2026, Mr Amoah described the country’s economic performance over the last 12 months as a “mixed bag,” acknowledging noticeable improvements compared to the severe challenges experienced over the past three to five years. 10th January,2026