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🇮🇶 Iraq Shopping Mall Fire Kills 61

A fire at a week-old shopping center in Kut, Iraq killed 61 people with many still missing after an air conditioner explosion triggered the blaze. Survivors described being trapped as the fire spread rapidly through the mall, which lacked proper fire extinguishing systems according to witnesses who lost family members. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered an immediate investigation as the tragedy highlights Iraq's persistent safety standard problems, following similar deadly fires including a 2023 wedding party blaze that killed over 100 people and a 2021 hospital fire that claimed more than 90 lives. More - BBC

🇻🇦 Israel Strikes Gaza Catholic Church

Israeli forces bombed Gaza's only Catholic church, killing three people including a 60-year-old janitor and 84-year-old woman while wounding 10 others, including the priest, at the Holy Family Church sheltering displaced civilians. Prime Minister Netanyahu called it "stray ammunition" after Trump expressed his "not positive reaction" to the strike, while Pope Leo called for an immediate ceasefire expressing "deep sadness" over the attack. A UN report found Israel has destroyed over half of Gaza's religious sites since October 2023, with this latest strike coming as part of what Hamas called "a comprehensive war of extermination against the Palestinian people." More - Al Jazeera

Africa Stability Ratings and News Summary

More Unstable

🇩🇿 Algeria, 🇧🇯 Benin, 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso, 🇧🇮 Burundi, 🇨🇲 Cameroon, 🇨🇫 Central African Republic, 🇹🇩 Chad, 🇰🇲 Comoros, 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic Of The Congo, 🇩🇯 Djibouti, 🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea, 🇪🇷 Eritrea, 🇸🇿 Eswatini, 🇪🇹 Ethiopia, 🇬🇦 Gabon, 🇬🇳 Guinea, 🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau, 🇨🇮 Ivory Coast, 🇰🇪 Kenya, 🇱🇸 Lesotho, 🇱🇷 Liberia, 🇲🇬 Madagascar, 🇲🇼 Malawi, 🇲🇱 Mali, 🇲🇷 Mauritania, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇲🇿 Mozambique, 🇳🇪 Niger, 🇳🇬 Nigeria, 🇨🇬 Republic of the Congo, 🇸🇱 Sierra Leone, 🇸🇴 Somalia, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇸🇸 South Sudan, 🇸🇩 Sudan, 🇬🇲 The Gambia, 🇹🇬 Togo, 🇺🇬 Uganda, 🇪🇭 Western Sahara, 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe

More Stable

No countries were more stable over this period

Unchanged

🇦🇴 Angola, 🇧🇼 Botswana, 🇨🇻 Cape Verde, 🇬🇭 Ghana, 🇲🇺 Mauritius, 🇳🇦 Namibia, 🇷🇼 Rwanda, 🇸🇳 Senegal, 🇸🇹 São Tomé and Príncipe, 🇹🇿 Tanzania, 🇿🇲 Zambia

Regional News Summary

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains embroiled in the M23 conflict, which poses significant risks to the global supply of critical minerals essential for the tech industry. A recent BBC report provided rare access to a mine that is crucial for powering mobile phones, underscoring the importance of these minerals in the global economy [SOURCE - BBC]. This situation has raised alarms about potential neo-colonial exploitation, with countries like Pakistan expressing concerns over the scramble for these resources [SOURCE - Associated Press of Pakistan].

International efforts to stabilize the DRC have faced hurdles, as evidenced by Uruguayan peacekeepers being stranded in Rwanda while en route to the DRC, highlighting the logistical challenges of deploying international forces in conflict zones [SOURCE - MercoPress].

In a positive development, Mujinga Kashala has been elected as a bishop, marking a significant milestone for the DRC's religious community [SOURCE - United Methodist News].

Meanwhile, Algeria showcased its rich cultural heritage through a friendly dance competition in the Sahara, continuing an ancient festival tradition [SOURCE - Winnipeg Free Press]. However, trade tensions globally have raised concerns about Algeria's economic stability, although specific impacts on the country remain unclear.

In South Africa, Nissan reaffirmed its commitment to the local market despite uncertainties surrounding its plant, pledging to invest and create jobs. Conversely, ArcelorMittal warned of potential closures unless urgent solutions are found to address ongoing challenges [SOURCE - TechCentral] [SOURCE - The Citizen]. In the political arena, the Independent Electoral Commission rejected an application from an Islamic party seeking to introduce Sharia law, citing failure to meet registration requirements [SOURCE - The Citizen]. Additionally, Minister of Communications Khumbudzo Ntshavheni assured citizens of their safety amid detected coup risks, emphasizing that measures are being taken to address the threat [SOURCE - The Citizen].

In international relations, Israel has expressed a desire to mend ties with South Africa, aiming to strengthen diplomatic relations [SOURCE - The Citizen]. Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines and Airlink signed a codeshare agreement expected to enhance tourism and trade between South Africa and Turkey [SOURCE - Hürriyet Daily News].

In health news, cuts to US aid have halted HIV vaccine research in South Africa, raising concerns among health experts about the implications for the global fight against the disease [SOURCE - The Economic Times].

In Kenya, reports of police brutality have surfaced, with President Ruto's controversial orders to police raising alarms about human rights violations [SOURCE - World Socialist Web Site]. Additionally, Kenyan women working in Saudi Arabia have reported severe abuses, highlighting the urgent need for stronger protections for workers abroad [SOURCE - Jacobin].

In Nigeria, a wave of religious violence continues, with Fulani herdsmen targeting Christians in Kaduna State [SOURCE - Morning Star News]. The killing of 51 Muslims has sparked global outrage, while the deaths of over 1,000 Christians have received less attention, raising concerns about the disparity in responses to religious violence [SOURCE - PJ Media].

The situation in Sudan has deteriorated further, with reports of war crimes and a malnutrition crisis affecting children in the conflict-ridden region of Darfur. The International Criminal Court has highlighted the use of violence as a weapon in the ongoing conflict, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis [SOURCE - BBC]. UNICEF has warned that child malnutrition has doubled in West Darfur, with thousands at risk of starvation [SOURCE - The Daily Star].

In Zambia, the government's decision to increase taxes has raised concerns about promoting smuggling and illicit trade, as noted by the Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research [SOURCE - Zambia: News Diggers!]. Meanwhile, the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency has faced scrutiny for purchasing drugs at inflated prices without negotiation [SOURCE - Zambia: News Diggers!].

Weekend Diversions

OpenAI just released ChatGPT Agent, personalized agents that can conduct complex tasks on your behalf. This is only available to the higher-tier subscribers, but it’s a glimpse of where these tools are headed. Read more on the OpenAI blog

Meanwhile, if you have a GSuite subscription, Gems are rolling out. These are not as automated as GPT Agent — these are more like Zapier integrations you can build yourself — but there are many benefits, particularly that the data all remains in the same controlled environment. Gemin Gems release notes

Bloomberg has the details of how a regulatory investigation in India has opened up parts of the playbook for one of Wall Street’s most profitable firms.

If time allows, my weekend project involves running AI offline on one of these

Have a great weekend!

Carpe tomorrow!