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☪️ عِيد مُبَارَك

🇨🇳 🇺🇸 Trump-Xi Trade Talks Reset

President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to resume trade talks "shortly" after a 90-minute call that appeared to break an impasse over rare earth minerals and other disputes that had derailed their Geneva agreement. Trump acknowledged the trade relationship had gotten "a little off track" but said they were now "in very good shape," though he didn't specify whether China agreed to speed export licenses for critical magnets needed by US companies. The leaders exchanged invitations to visit each other's countries, but tensions remain over technology controls and Taiwan, with both sides having just 90 days under their Geneva tariff reduction deal to reach a broader agreement. More - Bloomberg

🇱🇧 Israel Strikes Beirut

Israel bombed southern Beirut on the eve of Eid Al Adha, targeting what it called an underground Hezbollah drone factory that produces "thousands" of drones funded by Iran. The strikes occurred despite a six-month-old ceasefire and forced thousands to flee densely populated neighborhoods after evacuation warnings, drawing condemnation from Lebanese leaders who called it a "flagrant violation" of international accords. Lebanon's government maintains the attacks, along with continued Israeli troop presence in southern Lebanon, constitute ceasefire violations, while Israel cites self-defense provisions in the November agreement. More - BBC

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, 🇲🇿 Mozambique, 🇳🇪 Niger, 🇳🇬 Nigeria, 🇨🇬 Republic of the Congo, 🇷🇼 Rwanda, 🇸🇳 Senegal, 🇸🇱 Sierra Leone, 🇸🇴 Somalia, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇸🇸 South Sudan, 🇸🇩 Sudan, 🇹🇿 Tanzania, 🇹🇬 Togo, 🇺🇬 Uganda, 🇪🇭 Western Sahara, 🇿🇲 Zambia, 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe

More Stable

No countries were more stable over this period

Unchanged

🇦🇴 Angola, 🇧🇼 Botswana, 🇨🇻 Cape Verde, 🇬🇭 Ghana, 🇲🇺 Mauritius, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇳🇦 Namibia, 🇸🇹 São Tomé and Príncipe, 🇬🇲 The Gambia

Regional News Summary

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to grapple with severe instability, marked by violence and human rights abuses. Recent reports from Human Rights Watch indicate that Rwanda-backed rebels have executed civilians, underscoring the dire situation in the region [SOURCE - ASIAONE]. Compounding these issues, former President Joseph Kabila has been banned from reporting, raising significant concerns about press freedom in the country [SOURCE - BBC].

In the business sector, Glencore-backed Cobalt Holdings has scrapped its planned London listing due to uncertain market conditions, reflecting the broader economic challenges facing the DRC [SOURCE - FINANCIAL TIMES]. The international community must intensify its focus on the DRC to address these pressing issues.

Regional tensions are also escalating, particularly between Algeria and Morocco over the Western Sahara issue. The UK has recently backed Morocco's autonomy plan, a move likely to provoke Algeria [SOURCE - MIDDLE EAST EYE]. This long-standing dispute has implications not only for the two nations but also for broader geopolitical dynamics in North Africa.

In the realm of diplomacy, Pakistan has reiterated its commitment to using its nuclear capabilities to counter perceived threats from India during a recent delegation visit to Algeria [SOURCE - REDDIFF]. Meanwhile, OPEC+ countries, including Algeria, have agreed to increase oil production, a decision that could influence global oil markets [SOURCE - TASS].

In South Africa, the agricultural sector is witnessing a promising development with the cultivation of saffron, the world's most expensive spice, yielding impressive returns for farmers [SOURCE - The South African]. However, the sector faces challenges as the Global Fund confronts a $6 billion shortfall, threatening essential life-saving programs [SOURCE - GroundUp].

In political developments, the South African High Court has called for legal reforms in cryptocurrency regulation, emphasizing the need for clarity in this rapidly evolving sector [SOURCE - Dimsum Daily]. Additionally, the South African Communist Party plans to run independently in the upcoming 2026 elections, posing a new challenge to the ruling African National Congress [SOURCE - The Citizen].

In Kenya, Access Bank has completed its acquisition of the National Bank of Kenya, marking a significant development in the banking sector [SOURCE - finance.yahoo.com]. Furthermore, the digital transformation in agriculture is enabling Kenyan farmers to enhance yields and minimize losses [SOURCE - forbes.com].

Tragically, Niger has faced catastrophic flooding, resulting in at least 200 fatalities and thousands displaced [SOURCE - France 24]. The Nigerian government is mobilizing resources to assist those affected, but the humanitarian crisis is deepening.

In Sudan, the humanitarian situation has deteriorated to alarming levels, with the UN labeling it the "world's worst humanitarian catastrophe." Attacks on aid convoys have further complicated relief efforts, with five fatalities reported in a recent incident [SOURCE - SABC News]. Over 4 million refugees have fled the ongoing civil war, highlighting the urgent need for international intervention [SOURCE - Times Live].

Weekend Diversions

The entire issue of Bloomberg Businessweek is devoted to AI…. Businessweek - The AI Issue

😻

Have a great weekend

Carpe tomorrow!