The African Development Bank Group and The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise and strengthen cooperation between the two institutions. The signing took place on Wednesday 15 April, on the margins of the 2026 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in Washington DC.

Cooperation under the agreement will focus on capacity building, knowledge sharing and research, as well as engagement through technical dialogue, information exchange, joint seminars, and staff‑level interactions, subject to the internal rules and procedures of both institutions.

“In a world that has become more prone to frequent shocks, preparedness through cooperation is essential,” said ESM Managing Director Pierre Gramegna. “This MoU provides a structured framework for deepening our dialogue with the AfDB and sharing experience in areas such as market funding, governance, and crisis prevention and management.”

“This agreement reflects our commitment to mutually beneficial exchanges,” African Development Bank Group President Sidi Ould Tah, said. “By formalising our cooperation with the ESM, we are strengthening our ability to draw on international best practices, including in the context of efforts to establish the African Financial Stability Mechanism, a priority endorsed by African Union Heads of State and Government. Africa remains the only region without a dedicated regional financial stability mechanism, and this cooperation will be instrumental in helping safeguard financial stability in the region.”

United States President Donald Trump has announced a temporary suspension of planned military strikes on Iran, following what he described as “productive” peace discussions between Washington and Tehran over the weekend.

In a statement shared on Truth Social on Monday, Trump revealed that both countries had made progress toward easing tensions after days of heightened rhetoric and military threats.

“I am pleased to report that the United States of America, and the country of Iran, have had, over the last two days, very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East,” the president said.

As a result of the talks, Trump disclosed that he had directed the US Department of War to postpone all planned strikes targeting Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure for an initial period of five days. The pause, he noted, would depend on the continued success of diplomatic engagements.

The move marks a significant shift from the administration’s earlier stance. Over the weekend, Trump had warned that US forces would “obliterate” Iran’s power facilities if Tehran failed to reopen the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.

The strait is a vital global oil transit route, and any disruption has the potential to trigger sharp increases in energy prices worldwide.

In response to the ultimatum, Iran’s National Defence Council issued a stern warning, stating that any attack on its coastal regions or islands would result in the mining of “all communication lines” in the Persian Gulf a move that could severely disrupt international shipping and trade.

The temporary halt in military action has been welcomed cautiously by global observers, who have expressed concern over the economic implications of a prolonged conflict between the two nations. Analysts warn that further escalation could significantly impact global oil supply, drive up inflation, and destabilize financial markets.

While the talks are still in their early stages, the decision to pause strikes signals a potential opening for diplomacy in a region long plagued by geopolitical tensions.

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U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked widespread criticism after sharing a video on his Truth Social platform that briefly included imagery depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama in animal form.

The one-minute video, largely focused on allegations about irregularities in the 2020 U.S. presidential election, included a brief segment toward the end in which the Obamas’ faces were shown superimposed on animated figures resembling animals. The clip was posted late Thursday as part of a series of messages on Trump’s social media feed.

Political and Public Reaction

Democratic leaders and commentators quickly condemned the post. California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office described the inclusion of the imagery as “disgusting behavior” and called on political leaders across the aisle to reject it.

Other critics called the depiction offensive and racially insensitive, arguing it was inappropriate for the nation’s president to share such content. Prominent figures from both parties voiced concerns about the tone and implications of the post.

Election Claims and Context

Beyond the visuals, the video recycled false claims about voting machines and alleged irregularities in key battleground states during the 2020 election claims that have been widely debunked by election officials and independent fact-checkers.

The video also drew attention because it was part of a broader late-night posting spree by Trump that included a range of political commentary and conspiracy-related content on various topics.

Broader Debate

Supporters of the president framed the posting as part of political expression, while opponents said it crossed a line and fed into harmful stereotypes. The debate highlights ongoing tensions around social media use, political communication, and race in American politics.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that supporting the United States in the fight against the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and other parts of the world is a top priority for Israel’s government in 2026.

Netanyahu made the remarks during a conversation with evangelical community leaders in Florida, shortly after a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday.

“I want you to know that I spoke with President Trump yesterday. I said this publicly too. I see the battle against us and the battle against our Judeo-Christian tradition being waged around the globe,” Netanyahu said.

According to the Israeli leader, the persecution of Christians is being driven by what he described as radical Islamist forces, operating across multiple regions.

“That battle is waged primarily by two forces: radical Shiite Islam and radical Sunni Islam. That means the axis led by Iran, much battered admittedly, but still there, and the Sunni axis led by the Muslim Brotherhood,” he said.

Netanyahu specifically mentioned Nigeria while listing countries where Christians face persecution.

“They go to Europe, they go to the United States, they go to Africa — Nigeria. And we are conscious of the fact that Christians are being persecuted across the Middle East, in Syria, in Lebanon, in Nigeria, in Turkey and beyond,” he added.

The Israeli Prime Minister stressed that Israel is prepared to actively support U.S.-led efforts to defend Christian communities worldwide.

“Faith should speak its voice, and terrorism should be confronted not understood, confronted and defeated. And that is what we’re engaging right now,” Netanyahu said.

He further described Israel as a country that has consistently protected Christian communities within its borders.

“We’re also aware of the fact that one country protects the Christian community, enables it to grow, defends it, and makes sure that it thrives and that country is Israel. There is no other. None,” he stated.

Netanyahu revealed plans for what he described as a global coalition of nations aimed at supporting persecuted Christian communities.

“We are joining an effort to have basically a United Nations of countries that support Christian communities around the world beleaguered communities who deserve our help,” he said.

According to him, Israel is prepared to provide intelligence support in Africa, including Nigeria, and other undisclosed assistance in the Middle East.

“In Africa, with intel. In the Middle East, with a lot of means that I won’t itemize. This is a main part of our agenda, and it’s going to continue with greater force and greater might in this coming year,” Netanyahu added.

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Netanyahu’s comments come barely a week after U.S. airstrikes were reportedly carried out against terrorist targets in Nigeria, amid growing international concern over insecurity and religious violence in the country.

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American rap superstar Nicki Minaj has renewed her call for global action to stop violence against Christians in Nigeria. In a series of posts on Friday, she urged world leaders to intervene, writing: “You have grieved the Holy Spirit” and “SHED NOT THEIR BLOOD ANYMORE.”

Her comments follow her November address at the United Nations, where she appeared alongside faith leaders and U.S. officials to highlight rising attacks on Christian communities. Minaj echoed long-standing claims by activists that Fulani militants, Boko Haram, and criminal bandits have carried out targeted killings across Nigeria’s Middle Belt and northern regions.

The Nigerian government has repeatedly denied allegations of religious genocide, insisting the insecurity is driven by banditry, land pressures, and communal conflicts rather than a coordinated campaign against Christians.

However, the United States has imposed visa restrictions on individuals accused of fueling the violence and is reportedly considering broader sanctions, citing thousands of deaths recorded in recent years and widespread displacement.

Minaj’s intervention has reignited global conversation about Nigeria’s security crisis, with religious groups urging international bodies to intensify pressure for reforms and stronger protection for vulnerable communities.

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