Tag Archives: Armed Forces

AMA, Business, Technology

Thales supports the Qatar Emiri Air Force in strengthening its air protection with the GM400α and the GM200MM/A radars air surveillance system

MaraviPost
  • Qatar has ordered GM200MM/A (Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission All-in-one) and GM400α (Ground Master Alpha) radars from Thales to enhance its airspace protection capabilities.
  • In addition to the radars, a national supervision and maintenance system will be delivered, as well as a training programme for operators and technicians.
  • Renowned for their reliability and efficiency, the Thales GM400α and GM200MM/A radars play an indispensable role in aerial surveillance and sovereignty around the world.
  • Thales has been a trusted partner of the State of Qatar for over 40 years, and supports the local economy and the country’s sovereignty through digital technologies in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030.
Signature during DIMDEX 2026

DOHA, Qatar, 28 January 2026-/African Media Agency(AMA)/-At the DIMDEX Exhibition in Doha, the Qatar Emiri Air Force signed an order for Ground Master 200 MM/A radars and Ground Master 400 Alpha radars, intended to strengthen the country’s airspace sovereignty.

The evolution of threats and conflicts in the airspace, particularly related to recent drone incursions, makes it essential for armed forces to have accurate and effective detection capabilities at all times means to process and take benefit of these new information and integrate the result into their national legacy systems. To address these critical issues, countries such as Qatar are increasingly investing in high-performance radars.

Easily deployable, Thales radars are essential assets for long-range and medium-range detection of all types of threats, regardless of the environment. The GM200 MM/A is an advanced aerial multi-mission radar, with outstanding performances on small targets, up to a distance of 350km. The GM400α offers superior situational awareness, with an unmatched tracking ability from low, slow, small to highly maneuvering threats, even in a dense clutter.

GM200 MM/A ©Thales

Benefiting from a Secure Digital Integration Platform (SDIP), a true force multiplier, the GM200 MM/A and GM400α radars provide an outstanding air picture with unequalled performance on difficult targets. This architecture also enables the preservation of a high-quality air picture with instant broadcasting, thanks to Secure network capabilities. The SDIP solution will allow the user to subsequently integrate all existing non-US sensors into a single Air Picture.

In addition to the radars, the Qatar Emiri Air Force will benefit from an experienced Thales local team which will be responsible for maintenance and operator training on a daily basis until 2036. With more than 200 Ground Master family radars sold worldwide, Thales proves once again that this solution is widely recognised for its performance and high level of reliability.

“We are proud to contribute to Qatar’s airspace sovereignty with our integrated air surveillance system based on our advanced medium and long-range tactical radars. The GM200 MM/A and the GM400α will support the Qatar Emiri Air Force in maintaining sovereignty and protecting their airspace against drones and other threats. This contract further demonstrates the enduring partnership between Thales and Qatar.”
Raphael Desi, Vice-President Integrated Airspace-protection Systems activities Thales.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Thales

About Thales in Qatar
Thales has been a trusted partner of the State of Qatar for over 40 years, providing technologically advanced solutions for the Defence, Public Security, Civil Aviation, Space, Enterprise and Cybersecurity markets. Thales supports the local economy and the country’s sovereignty through digital technologies in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030.

About Thales
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies in advanced for the Defence, Aerospace and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services addresses several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.
The Group invests more than €4 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum and cloud technologies.
Thales has more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion.

The post Thales supports the Qatar Emiri Air Force in strengthening its air protection with the GM400α and the GM200MM/A radars air surveillance system appeared first on African Media Agency.

Entertainment

Notre Dame Basketball Coach Charges Referee After Contentious Call Ends Game

Maravi Post Reporter

After the final whistle of the Notre Dame vs. University of California men’s basketball game on Friday, January 2, Fighting Irish head coach Micah Shrewsberry charged at an official, upset over the controversial ending to the game that led to his team’s loss.

The game, broadcast on ESPN, showed a scrum near the Notre Dame bench after the game ended, with Notre Dame players and coaches holding Shrewsberry back after he charged at official Adam Flore as Flore made his way off the court.

Another angle of the incident, posted by The Athletic via X, shows a closeup of the moment as Shrewsberry charged Flore as soon as the game concluded.

Notre Dame lost the game, 72-71, after a controversial foul gave Cal free throws in the final seconds of the game.

Parachutist at Armed Forces Bowl Gets Caught On Wire In Scary Pregame Moment

The referees originally called a foul on a three-point shot by Cal’s Dai Dai Ames, then reversed the call, then reversed the call again, creating confusion and frustration amongst both teams.

Cal came out on top after Ames made the extra free throw — after hitting the three-point shot that he was fouled on — leaving the Notre Dame team in disbelief of what transpired down the stretch, with frustrations boiling over.

Shrewsberry — who did not speak to the media after the game — released a statement on Saturday, January 3, showing remorse for his actions.

“I want to apologize for what took place immediately after the Cal game last night,” Shrewsberry said in a statement posted via X. “My actions were inappropriate and not symbolic of the leader I strive to be and what Notre Dame expects of its coaches and educators.”

GettyImages-2249777397 Notre Dame Basketball Coach Micah Shrewsberry Charges Referee After Controversial Call Ends Game
Head coach Micah Shrewsberry of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts against the Missouri Tigers during the first half at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center on December 02, 2025 in South Bend, Indiana Michael Reaves/Getty Images

He continued: “I will learn from this lack of judgement and be better in the future. I want to apologize to our team, our University and its leaders, to [Cal] Coach Madsen and his team, and to the ACC, as my actions were unacceptable.”

The ACC also released a statement after the incident, reprimanding Shrewsberry’s behavior towards the official.

“Shrewsberry aggressively confronted a member of the officiating crew following the game. The unsportsmanlike behavior that was displayed is unacceptable and tarnishes the on-court play between these institutions,” the conference said in a statement. “The ACC considers this matter closed and will have no further comment.”

It is unclear whether Shrewsberry will face any repercussions for the incident.

After his team helped calm him down, Shrewsberry joined the rest of the players and coaches in the traditional postgame handshake line, stopping to talk and hug some of the Cal players.

Ole Miss Player Slams Former Coach Lane Kiffin After Sugar Bowl Win

Cal head coach Mark Madsen addressed the incident after the game.

“There’s so much emotion in that gym — for the officials, for me, for the other team — but I was grateful Dai Dai rose up and made the shot,” Madsen said. “And I was grateful Dai Dai had the maturity and the huge presence of mind and the composure to knock down the free throw.”

He continued: “I thought there was a foul going up. [The officials] conversed a couple times, and they allowed it.”

Cal improved to 13-2 (1-1 ACC) with the win, while Notre Dame fell to 10-5 (1-1).

Entertainment

‘NCIS’ Is the Gift That Keeps on Giving Thanks to ‘Origins,’ More Spinoffs

Maravi Post Reporter

It’s been more than 20 years since NCIS premiered as a backdoor pilot on JAG — and the genre of criminal investigation series has never been the same.

NCIS debuted in 2003, following Mark Harmon’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs and his team of rowdy and somewhat green Naval Investigators — including Michael Weatherly’s Anthony “Tony” DiNozzo and Sean Murray’s Timothy McGee — as they found justice and answers for those killed or affected by crimes in the armed forces.

While there have been a lot of personnel changes over the past two decades, including Weatherly’s 2016 exit and Harmon’s 2021 departure, NCIS has remained a gift of a show — one that keeps on giving, for crime lovers.

Sure, spinoffs NCIS: New Orleans, NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: Hawai’i have all run their respective courses, but the flagship series was standing strong at the start of 2025 — and its spinoff game even stronger. (New Orleans ended in 2021, Los Angeles in 2023 and Hawai’i in 2024.)

Emily Wickersham Surprises ‘NCIS’ Fans With Bishop’s Season 23 Return

NCIS entered its 23rd season in fall 2025, something all of Us fans could, and very much did, celebrate.

The fall TV schedule also included new seasons of two beloved spinoffs, NCIS: Origins and NCIS: Sydney, as well as a new iteration of in the universe with familiar faces: NCIS: Tony & Ziva.

‘NCIS’

Why the NCIS Franchise Is the Gift That Keeps on Giving Thanks to Sydney Origins and More Spinoffs OG
Gary Cole, Sean Murray, Wilmer Valderrama and Katrina Law. Bill Inoshita/CBS

To say 2025 was full of riches for NCIS fans would be an understatement. NCIS dove into Alden Parker’s (Gary Cole) childhood, the death of his mother and teased Special Agent Ellie Bishop’s (Emily Wickersham) mysterious return to the show — and the season isn’t even over yet.

“We’re in our 23rd season, and you know, we’re still trying to do different shows and not trying to just do the same old thing,” Murray, 48, exclusively told Us Weekly in November of the OG series. “We’re trying to bring new stuff into it. And I think that’s one of the reasons why I’ve never been bored here.”

‘NCIS’ Universe Dating History: ‘NCIS: Sydney’ Stars’ Love Lives, More

Murray, the only original NCIS cast member still on the show, noted, “We’re always looking for the kind of, the interesting angle on things and a different take.”

Murray’s costars, which currently include Cole, Wilmer Valderrama, Katrina Law, Brian Dietzen, Rocky Carroll and Diona Reasonover, have also made it so fans keep coming back season after season in support.

NCIS’ spinoffs, however, are proving to be an equally valuable piece of the franchise’s success in recent years.

‘NCIS: Sydney’

Why the NCIS Franchise Is the Gift That Keeps on Giving Thanks to Sydney Origins and More Spinoffs Mackey JD
Olivia Swann, Todd Lasance. Daniel Asher Smith/Paramount+

NCIS: Sydney premiered in 2023, making it the first international iteration of the show. With female Special Agent Michelle Mackey (Olivia Swann) at the helm, fans have been taken into a whole different world of problem solving.

Mackey, along with her Australian Federal Police (AFP) counterpart Jim “JD” Dempsey (Todd Lasance), have viewers shipping them while also wondering how they can work side by side with so many cultural differences.

With the start of season 3, fans finally started to sink their teeth into the complex characters that make up their team — and the wild adventures that can happen in the Outback and beyond.

Katrina Law Wants Her ‘NCIS’ Character to Collab With Cote de Pablo’s Ziva

“The main thing for the characters is the past coming up to haunt us. And there is an overarching kind of conspiracy that somehow links to Mackey,” Swann, 33, exclusively told Us in October of the current season’s evolution. “It’s very, very interesting and very intricate. We are upping the ante in a way that I didn’t even think was possible. There is more action, there’s more drama, there is more fun.”

She teased, “It’s just a fun, wild ride, and we get to kind of tag along with this found family, these misfits who are just trying to keep people safe.”

Swann added that the writers really brought their A-game this season. “We have a treasure hunt. We have an alien abduction in the outback,” she promised. “We have a podcast cold case from years ago. We have a nanotech assassin. We have explosions up the wazoo.”

‘NCIS: Origins’

Why the NCIS Franchise Is the Gift That Keeps on Giving Thanks to Sydney Origins and More Spinoffs Prequel
Mariel Molino, Austin Stowell. Erik Voake/CBS

NCIS: Sydney isn’t the only spinoff that upped its game going into the fresh 2025 seasons. NCIS: Origins, which is actually a prequel series that debuted in 2024 didn’t shy away from drama, romantic entanglements or high-stakes cases to kick off season 2 earlier this year.

NCIS: Origins follows a young Gibbs, played by Austin Stowell, as he gets his start at NIS (it was once called Naval Investigation Service) in ‘90s while located in Southern California. His career with mentor Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid) begins after Gibbs’ wife and daughter are killed amid his tour overseas — which OG NCIS fans already know all about.

During season 2, however, the lingering romantic feelings between Gibbs and partner Lala Dominguez (Mariel Molino) became a major focus after she was nearly killed in a car accident to end season 1.

Why NCIS: Origins’ Mariel Molino Thinks Something ‘Bad’ Will Happen to Lala

Even though the series follows the NCIS cannon — so fans know Gibbs will be married a total of four times — viewers can’t help but root for Lala and Gibbs to be endgame. That desire for an entire franchise to somehow alter its trajectory speaks to the power of the acting in this show and just how beloved the stories are among fans.

“Even though we can’t play out this love, we can play out the subtleties of wanting someone and how that affects you in every aspect of your life, through work, in your career, in your personal life,” Molino, 33, exclusively told Us in October when asked about Lala and Gibbs’ future. “You just want to prove them wrong or make them proud.”

‘NCIS: Tony & Ziva’

Why the NCIS Franchise Is the Gift That Keeps on Giving Thanks to Sydney Origins and More Spinoffs Tony and Ziva
Cote de Pablo, Michael Weatherly. Marcell Piti/Paramount+

In September, Paramount+ added to the NCIS legacy with the premiere of NCIS: Tony & Ziva. If you’ve been around since day 1 of the OG series, then you could’ve guessed exactly what this spinoff was about. Tony DiNozzo (Weatherly) and Special Agent Ziva David (Cote de Pablo) and their story after they both left NCIS.

During their time on NCIS, the pair fell in love and after Ziva was presumed dead following an explosion at her family compound in the middle east, Tony discovered they shared a daughter named Tali. Ziva’s perceived death led to Tony leaving his job in Washington, D.C., to care for Tali and find out who harmed his true love.

NCIS fans eventually learned that Ziva was alive but it wasn’t until the Paramount+ show that they were privy to the missing years between Tony and Ziva once they were reunited. The creative spinoff included flashbacks to the years of 2020-2025 to tell the story of how the couple got back together, split up and coparented before being thrust back together to protect their daughter Tali from an imminent threat in modern-day Paris.

TV Couples We Should Leave Behind in 2025: ‘Landman’ and ‘Chicago Med’

NCIS: Tony & Ziva was canceled in December after just one season, but for fans of the couple it finally gave Us answers — and for that we are grateful.

“The real connection between them comes from, obviously, there are these very tender, also very flirtatious moments they have,” de Pablo, 46, exclusively told Us in October of Ziva and Tony’s connection ahead of the series finale. “Of course, [there are] the very sort of sexy scenes when they’re about to go into the apartment and all of that. As a fan, you have to see that to understand the payoff in the end. And so those flashbacks, I think work really well.”

As 2026 approaches, fans have more new episodes of NCIS, NCIS: Sydney and NCIS: Origins to look forward to — and if we’re lucky, more spinoffs to come down the line. But for now, all of Us can just breathe easy knowing the franchise is alive and well.

NCIS, NCIS: Origins and NCIS: Sydney return on CBS Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 8 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET, respectively.

AMA, Technology

Thales and AIO forge a new era of strategic cooperation – supporting Egypt in building its technological future with confidence and autonomy

MaraviPost

CAIRO, Egypt, 3rd December 2025 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/-Thales, a global leader in advanced technologies in advanced for the Defence, Aerospace and Cyber & Digital sectors, and Arab International Optronics (AIO) are proud to announce the reinforcement of their long-standing partnership, driving forward Egypt’s ambitions for technological sovereignty, innovation, and regional leadership.

  • For over 50 years, Thales has stood as a trusted partner of the Arab Republic of Egypt supporting the nation’s vision for growth and sovereignty. This reinforced collaboration is built upon this trust, leveraging the expertise of over 800 dedicated engineers and professionals to develop “Made in Egypt” solutions.
  • At the heart of this partnership, AIO and Thales will deepen their cooperation in 6 domains, including: the establishment of a Thales Training academy in Egypt and the cooperation with Thales entities in France, Great Britain, Belgium and Germany for defence solutions.
©Thales

The six domains of cooperation cover: 

  • Training: The creation of the Thales Academy in Egypt to develop the expertise of Egyptian Forces, government and civilian institutions in optronics, cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI), radio telecommunication and radar. The Thales Academy will feature a set of certified trainings delivered by Thales recognised experts and an extended cooperation between Egyptian and French universities.
  • Fire Control Systems (FCS): The development of an upgrade kit for heavy armoured vehicle, hence multiplying their efficiency on the battlefield, based on the expertise of AIO in Fire Control Systems (FCS) and the recognised excellence of Thales in optronics sighting solutions.
  • Remote Controlled Weapon Systems (RCWS): The development of laser guided rocket version of the well-known AIO X29 based on AIO expertise in RCWS and Thales expertise in laser guided rockets.
  • Surveillance: The procurement to Egypt armed forces of a combat proven solution based on Thales ground radar and Hand-Held Thermal Imager (HHTI). Managed by a unique command and control computer, this man-pack solution allows fast detection and identification of threats.
  • Service Centre: The development withing AIO premisses of a service centre dedicated to the support of Thales Hand-Held Thermal Imager deployed within the Egyptian forces.
  • Supply Chain: A deeper collaboration for the integration of AIO supplies and sub-assemblies into Thales supply chain that will benefit to both Thales and AIO. This collaboration will increase Thales product throughput and competitiveness, while allowing AIO to develop even further its industrial capabilities.

“With the reinforcement of this strong partnership with AIO, Thales in Egypt proud to contribute to the technological sovereignty of Egypt. By further anchoring Thales’ advanced solutions within Egypt, both our companies are committed to transforming Egypt into a regional technology hub, capable of supporting and exporting high-value, locally produced solutions to Egypt and other markets.” said Sherif Barakat, CEO Thales in Egypt.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Thales.

About Arab International Optronics

Arab International Optronics (AIO) is a distinguished, longstanding national industrial pillar, strategically established by the Egyptian Armed Forces to meet the nation’s requirements across both military and civilian sectors by manufacturing essential optical and electro-optical equipment. Operating nine state-of-the-art factories

AIO is recognized as one of the region’s premier industrial strongholds in advanced electro-optical systems, including day, night, thermal, and laser technologies. 

Beyond its crucial role as a supplier to the Armed Forces—providing critical equipment like advanced optical/electro-optical devices, laser systems, precision electronics, remote control weapon systems, integrated systems, and fire control systems—the company also significantly supports the national economy by exporting high-quality products to allied nations, thereby generating vital hard currency.

About Thales 

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies in advanced for the Defence, Aerospace and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services addresses several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.

The Group invests more than €4 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum and cloud technologies.

Thales has more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion.

PRESS CONTACT 

Thales, Media relations

pressroom@thalesgroup.com 

The post Thales and AIO forge a new era of strategic cooperation – supporting Egypt in building its technological future with confidence and autonomy appeared first on African Media Agency.

Lifestyle

French prosecutors drop charges against widow of former Rwandan Pres. Habyarimana

Maravi Post Reporter

The French judicial prosecutors have stopped investigations into the widow of former Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana over claims that she was involved in various atrocities during the 1994 genocide.

Agathe Habyarimana, the widow of Rwanda’s former president has been under investigation in France since 2008 for her alleged involvement in genocide and crimes against humanity.

The French National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) has submitted an appeal in March to formally charge Agathe as part of an ongoing inquiry into her suspected role in the 1994 Tutsi genocide.

Now 82 years old, Agathe Kanziga Habyarimana has been accused for years of being a key member of the “Akazu,” the inner circle of Hutu power believed to have planned the genocide. She has consistently denied these claims.

She was evacuated to Europe with her family on April 9, 1994, at the request of French President François Mitterrand, a close associate of her husband.

Since 1998, she has resided in France without legal status.

Despite Rwanda’s requests for extradition, France has declined to return her, citing concerns about her involvement in one of the 20th century’s most horrific events.

A complaint filed in 2008 by the Civil Parties Collective for Rwanda (CPCR) initiated a French investigation into her alleged complicity in genocide and crimes against humanity.

In February 2022, the investigating judge declared the case closed, indicating a probable dismissal. The defense contended that the duration of the investigation was excessive.

Nevertheless, in August 2022, PNAT sought additional hearings and cross-examinations, labeling it one of the most intricate cases still being examined.

During the genocide in 1994, approximately 800,000 individuals—primarily Tutsis and moderate Hutus—were killed by the Rwandan Armed Forces and extremist Hutu militias.

Source: Africanews

Lifestyle

Tensions flare between India and Pakistan amid missile strikes and escalating rhetoric

Maravi Post Reporter

Tensions between India and Pakistan have reached their most dangerous levels since 2019, following a series of missile strikes, retaliatory threats, and mounting civilian casualties on both sides of the border.

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, Indian missiles struck several locations across Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. One of the most significant attacks hit the town of Muridke in Punjab province — long associated with militant networks. These strikes, targeting at least 24 sites, were launched in response to what New Delhi claims was a deadly attack on Indian tourists in Kashmir last month, allegedly carried out by Pakistan-based militants.

Indian officials say the targets were linked to internationally proscribed groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed — organisations long accused of orchestrating attacks against Indian civilians and security forces.

“The Indian government says [the strikes] are affiliated with a series of what it considers terrorist groups…responsible for a number of very high-profile attacks — most notably the 2008 attacks in Mumbai,” said Dr. Walter Ladwig, Associate Fellow at King’s College London.

In Pakistan, the response was swift. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the strikes and praised his country’s military response. Speaking before a cheering parliament, he declared: “With the grace of God…our brave forces have given a resounding response to your dirty attack and turned the darkest night into the brightest night.”

Pakistan’s military reported that at least 26 civilians — including women and children — were killed in the Indian airstrikes. Among the dead were students at a seminary in Bahawalpur and worshippers at a mosque near a former Lashkar-e-Taiba complex in Muridke.

Dr. Ladwig warned that Pakistan’s response would likely follow its long-standing strategic doctrine. “The Pakistani military has a proclaimed policy of what they call quid pro quo plus,” he explained. “Whatever India does, we will do at least that in return, but also possibly a little bit more.”

This doctrine played out visibly in 2019, when India conducted airstrikes following a suicide bombing that killed Indian paramilitary forces. Pakistan swiftly retaliated with its own airstrikes. The hope among analysts is that, as with that crisis, both sides will seek to demonstrate resolve without crossing into full-scale war.

“That would be the optimistic case here,” said Ladwig. “That the Pakistani military will respond in some way that allows them to defend or restore their honour, but that it goes no further… If not, we could quickly escalate beyond control.”

Adding to the gravity is the evolving military landscape in South Asia. While India maintains a significantly larger defence budget, Pakistan’s military modernisation has been advancing rapidly — thanks in large part to Chinese support.

“Pakistan is reported to have gained access to Chinese variants of Russian air defence systems,” said Ladwig, pointing to jointly developed fighter jets and more robust air defences. “Although Pakistan has a significantly smaller defence budget, one of its huge assets is the fact that its main weapon supplier is China — and China delivers.”

India, for its part, continues to face challenges in modernising its armed forces. Despite multiple attempts, it has struggled to finalise large-scale arms procurements, relying heavily on legacy Russian tanks and a limited fleet of French Rafale jets.

In cities across India, civil defence drills have intensified, with air raid sirens echoing through urban centres. Schools are participating in emergency simulations, and citizens are bracing for further escalation. New Delhi has named its military operation “Sindoor,” after the red powder worn by married Hindu women — a symbolic nod to those widowed in last month’s Kashmir massacre.

Meanwhile, anti-India protests have erupted across Pakistan, with chants of defiance and vows of vengeance. Pakistan’s National Security Committee has warned that it “reserves the right to respond at a time, place, and manner of its choosing.”

Diplomatic ties have fractured further. Islamabad has closed border crossings, expelled Indian diplomats, and accused New Delhi of using terrorism allegations to justify attacks on civilians.

As the region sits on edge, the spectre of nuclear conflict looms in the background. Both countries possess nuclear weapons and a history of conflict stretching back to their partition in 1947. What happens next depends heavily on Pakistan’s next move — and whether the cycle of violence can be contained before it spirals out of control.

Source: Africanews

https://video.euronews.com/mp4/ED/14/29/60/08/ED_PYR_1429608_20250508083933.mp4
Lifestyle

Next round of US-Iran nuclear likely to take place in Oman this weekend

Maravi Post Reporter

An unnamed Iranian official has been quoted by state media as saying the fourth round of nuclear negotiations with the United States could take place over the weekend in the capital of Oman.

While the timing has not yet been finalised, the source said discussions will take place in Muscat over two days.

Speaking on Monday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, said Tehran’s principles and framework for participating in nuclear negotiations remain unchanged.

He said it remains committed to continuing “the path of dialogue and diplomacy” in talks with Washington.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb Iran if no agreement is reached with his administration to resolve the long-standing dispute.

“The threat posed by the [bellicose forces in the US] against Iran will undoubtedly prompt the Iranian armed forces to spare no effort and stay on high alert against any aggression or adventurism,” said Baghaei.

During his previous term in office, Trump pulled the United States out of a 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, leaving the agreement in tatters.

Western countries say Iran’s nuclear programme is geared towards producing weapons,  whereas Tehran insists it is purely for civilian purposes.

The delegations of Iran and the United States have so far held three rounds of indirect negotiations with mediation from Oman.

The fourth round, which was scheduled for 3 May in Rome, was postponed to an unspecified date owing to what Oman described as “logistical reasons”.

Source: Africanews

https://video.euronews.com/mp4/ED/14/13/47/05/ED_PYR_1413475_20250506125605.mp4
Lifestyle

African governments and armed groups: Paths to peace amid turmoil

Maravi Post Reporter

The United Nations has welcomed new developments involving African governments and armed groups, signaling cautious progress in two of the continent’s most fragile conflict zones.

Speaking at UN Headquarters on Wednesday, Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq announced that two armed groups in the Central African Republic (CAR) have rejoined the 2019 Political Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation. The groups—Return, Reclamation and Rehabilitation (3R) and Unité pour la Paix en Centrafrique (UPC)—had previously disengaged from the deal, but are now recommitting to its terms.

Valentine Rugwabiza, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for CAR, praised the move, while UN officials reiterated that the political agreement remains the only credible path to achieving lasting peace in the country. The UN peacekeeping mission, MINUSCA, continues to monitor the situation closely.

Meanwhile in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO has begun a significant humanitarian operation to relocate several hundred unarmed Congolese Armed Forces personnel, national police, and their dependents from MONUSCO facilities in Goma to the capital, Kinshasa. The move comes after the M23 rebel group took control of Goma in late January, forcing these individuals to seek refuge at UN bases.

“This transport operation is being conducted with the full consent of those involved and under the protection of the Geneva Conventions,” Haq said, emphasizing the neutral role of the International Committee of the Red Cross, which is facilitating the process with MONUSCO’s logistical support.

Over the past three months, MONUSCO has provided continuous protection to the disarmed personnel in accordance with UN regulations. The safe transfer to Kinshasa represents a critical step in restoring national authority and ensuring the well-being of those caught in the crossfire of conflict.

As tensions persist across parts of Central and East Africa, the UN remains committed to supporting dialogue, upholding international humanitarian law, and backing peace agreements as essential tools for stability.

Source: Africanews

https://video.euronews.com/mp4/ED/13/73/43/01/ED_PYR_1373431_20250501095929.mp4