“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was.”

The president did not release additional information about the operation, including casualty figures, the number of strikes conducted, or the specific targets hit. He described them only as “numerous perfect strikes.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth later confirmed the action in a post on X, saying, “The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end. The @DeptofWar is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas. More to come… Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation.” The Defense Department also shared an unclassified nine‑second video on X that appeared to show a missile being launched from a U.S. military vessel.

@POTUS “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries! I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was. The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing. Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper. May God Bless our Military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead Terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.

Nigeria’s foreign ministry acknowledged the operation in a statement, noting that U.S. officials had provided advance notice. The ministry said Nigerian authorities “remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorist and violent extremism,” adding that this cooperation “has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West.”

Trump said in November that he intended to designate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” under the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act. Such a designation is typically made following recommendations from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and the State Department, though it can be issued at any time. The label authorizes potential penalties but does not automatically trigger sanctions.

The State Department’s annual Report on International Religious Freedom, usually released in the spring, has not yet been published this year.

Nigerian officials have pushed back on Trump’s assertions that the government is failing to protect Christian communities. Analysts note that while Christians have been among those targeted by armed groups, the majority of victims in Nigeria’s northern regions—where most attacks occur—are Muslims.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has previously rejected claims that Nigeria is hostile to religious minorities. “Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so,” Tinubu said on social media. “Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it. Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths.”

The U.S. first placed Nigeria on the “country of particular concern” list in 2020, citing “systematic violations of religious freedom,” though the designation did not specifically focus on attacks against Christians. It was removed in 2023, a move widely viewed as an effort to strengthen diplomatic ties ahead of a visit by then‑Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

In the wake of Cameroon’s disputed October 2025 presidential election, opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary emerged as a defiant voice against what he called “electoral theft.” Declaring himself the rightful winner over President Paul Biya who was declared victorious by Cameroonian Constitutional Council with 53.7% of the vote. Tchiroma mobilized mass protests across the country. His calls for “ghost town” operations and civil resistance ignited unrest in cities like Douala, Maroua, and Garoua, leading to violent clashes with security forces and a reported death toll ranging from 16 to over 55.
Facing threats of arrest and accusations of inciting insurrection, Tchiroma vanished from public view in late October. His whereabouts remained a mystery until The Gambia’s Ministry of Information confirmed on November 23rd that he had arrived in Banjul on November 7th. The official statement, now circulating widely, describes his stay as “temporary and humanitarian,” emphasizing The Gambia’s commitment to neutrality and its refusal to serve as a base for subversive activity.

The Legal Limbo: Extradition Without a Treaty
Cameroon’s government has signaled its intent to prosecute Tchiroma, but without an extradition treaty between Cameroon and The Gambia, the legal pathway for his forced return is murky. In international law, extradition typically requires a formal agreement outlining the terms, offenses, and procedures for surrendering individuals between states. In the absence of such a treaty, The Gambia is under no legal obligation to extradite Tchiroma.
Instead, any potential extradition would depend on diplomatic negotiations and mutual goodwill. The Gambian government’s statement makes clear that it is working with regional partners, including Nigeria, to pursue “a peaceful and diplomatic resolution” to Cameroon’s post-electoral crisis. This suggests that Tchiroma’s fate may be tied more to political mediation than legal enforcement.

Political Shelter or Strategic Silence?
The revelation of Tchiroma’s presence in The Gambia, after a 16-day silence, has sparked criticism from Gambian opposition parties and civil society. The United Democratic Party (UDP) condemned the delay, calling it a breach of transparency. Yet many Gambians have expressed pride in offering sanctuary to a figure resisting authoritarianism, drawing parallels to their own history of political exile and dissent.
Tchiroma’s stay in The Gambia is emblematic of a broader African tradition of solidarity over sovereignty, where humanitarian refuge can serve as a buffer against political persecution. But it also places The Gambia in a delicate position: balancing its commitment to neutrality with the reality of hosting a high-profile dissident whose presence could strain relations with Yaoundé.

What Comes Next?
As of now, Tchiroma remains in Banjul, shielded by The Gambia’s humanitarian stance and the absence of a binding extradition framework. His future, whether as a political exile, a regional negotiator, or a returned defendant, will likely be shaped by regional diplomacy, not courtroom procedure.
For Cameroon, the challenge is not just legal, it’s symbolic. Tchiroma’s escape and shelter abroad underscore the fragility of its democratic institutions and the growing international scrutiny of its electoral process. For The Gambia, the decision to host him may prove to be a defining moment in its foreign policy, testing its resolve to uphold peace while navigating the complexities of continental politics.

A Complex Partnership
Actis brought international capital and management expertise, promising efficiency and improved governance. Yet the company faced mounting difficulties:

• Debt disputes – Eneo struggled with arrears owed by the State and public institutions, amounting to hundreds of billions of CFA francs.
• Infrastructure strain – Despite investments, households and businesses continued to endure frequent power outages and limited modernization of transmission lines.
• Public frustration – Citizens often criticized the gap between promised improvements and lived realities, fueling calls for greater government control.

A Strategic National Decision
By reacquiring Eneo, the Cameroonian government now holds 95% of shares, with the remaining 5% reserved for staff ownership. The move reflects President Paul Biya’s long‑term vision of economic sovereignty, modernization of strategic infrastructure, and reliable electricity access for all citizens.
Officials emphasize that nationalization will allow Cameroon to:

• Modernize the grid and expand rural electrification.
• Improve service quality and reduce outages.
• Ensure better oversight of energy investments.

Symbolism and Future Outlook
The buyback is more than a financial transaction—it is a symbolic reclaiming of national sovereignty. For households, businesses, and industries, it represents hope for a more stable energy future. For policymakers, it signals a shift toward prioritizing domestic control over strategic sectors.
As Cameroon embarks on this new era, the legacy of Actis remains a reminder of the complexities of privatization in essential services. The government’s bold step now places responsibility squarely in national hands, with expectations high that the promise of reliable electricity will finally be realized.

Vice President Obiang Mangue emphasized the importance of deepening collaboration and nurturing the spirit of goodwill between the peoples of both nations. His message highlighted not only the political and economic dimensions of cooperation but also the human connections that make these ties resilient and meaningful.

The encounter at the Unity Palace was more than a diplomatic exchange—it was a reminder of the enduring solidarity between neighbors who share history, values, and aspirations for peace and prosperity.

It also forecast third-quarter revenue below market estimates, grappling with a pullback in spending on traditional data center semiconductors and a focus on AI chips, where it lags rivals.

The results did not rock the broader chip industry.

AI powerhouse Nvidia and smaller rival AMD ticked up after hours, underscoring how well-positioned they were to take advantage of the AI boom, and Intel’s relative disadvantage.

“I need less people at headquarters, more people in the field, supporting customers,” CEO Pat Gelsinger told Reuters in an interview, talking about the job cuts. On the dividend suspension, he said: “Our objective is to … pay a competitive dividend over time, but right now, focusing on the balance sheet, deleveraging.”

Intel is in the middle of a turnaround plan, focused on developing advanced AI processors and building-out its for-hire manufacturing capabilities, as it aims to recoup the technological edge it lost to Taiwan’s TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker.

The push to energise that contracting foundry business under Gelsinger has increased Intel’s costs and pressured profit margins. More recently, the chipmaker has said it will cut costs.

On Thursday, Intel announced it would cut operating expenses and reduce capital expenditure by more than $10 billion in 2025, more than it initially planned.

“A $10 billion cost reduction plan shows that management is willing to take strong and drastic measures to right the ship and fix problems. But we are all asking, ‘is it enough’ and is it a bit of a late reaction considering that CEO Gelsinger has been at the helm for over three years?” said Michael Schulman, chief investment officer of Running Point Capital.

The company had cash and cash equivalents of $11.29 billion, and total current liabilities of about $32 billion, as of June 29.

Intel’s lagging position in the market for AI chips has sent its shares down more than 40 per cent so far this year.

For the third quarter, Intel expects revenue of $12.5 billion to $13.5 billion, compared with analysts’ average estimate of $14.35 billion, LSEG data showed. It forecast adjusted gross margin of 38 per cent, well short of market expectations of 45.7 per cent.

Cutting capex 

Analysts believe Intel’s plan to turn around the foundry business will take years to materialise and expect TSMC to maintain its lead in the coming years, even as Intel has ramped up production of AI chips for personal computers.

There has been an increased risk of an escalation into a broader Middle East war after the assassination of Haniyeh in Iran drew threats of retaliation against Israel.

Hamas and Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirmed the death of Haniyeh, who had participated in internationally-brokered indirect talks on reaching a ceasefire in Gaza.

Anxious residents in Israeli-besieged Gaza feared that Haniyeh’s killing on Wednesday would prolong the war.

Iran said the killing took place hours after he attended a swearing-in ceremony for its new president.

“It doesn’t help,” Biden told reporters late on Thursday, when asked if Haniyeh’s assassination ruined the chances for a ceasefire agreement.

Biden also said he had a direct conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier on Thursday.

Netanyahu’s government has issued no claim of responsibility but he has said Israel had delivered crushing blows to Iran’s proxies of late, including Hamas and Lebanon-based Hezbollah, and would respond forcefully to any attack.

Israel’s tensions with Iran and Hezbollah have fanned fears of a widened conflict in a region already on edge amid Israel’s assault on Gaza which has killed tens of thousands and caused a humanitarian crisis.

Gwadar is Pakistan’s only deep-sea port on the Arabian Sea, and is a key route of the $60bn China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The latest tensions in the port city began on Friday after the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) gave a call to demonstrate against alleged human rights violations, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings of people in Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest and poorest province.

Home to approximately 15 million of Pakistan’s estimated 240 million people, according to the 2023 census, Balochistan is rich in natural resources, including oil, coal, gold, copper, and gas reserves, which generate substantial revenue for the federal government.

The ethnic Baloch allege that the Pakistani state has neglected their community and exploited the province’s mineral resources. The anger fuelled separatist sentiments, with the province witnessing at least five rebellion movements since the formation of Pakistan in 1947.

The latest wave of rebellion began in the early 2000s to demand a larger share of the province’s resources and even calls for complete independence. The Pakistani security forces have since launched a severe crackdown on the rebellion, killing thousands of people in the last two decades.

Gwadar, due to its economic prominence, has been a hotbed of violence by armed and separatist groups, the latest being in March this year, when eight men tried to enter the Gwadar Port Authority complex before they were killed by security officials.

In a ceremony full of pageantry, before an audience of robed lords and lawmakers, Charles read out the laws the government is prioritising after Starmer’s centre-left Labour Party won a large majority at this month’s election.

What did the speech say?

The government said it would “get Britain building”, setting up a National Wealth Fund and rewriting planning rules that stop new homes and infrastructure from being built.

Economic measures included tighter rules governing corporations and a law to ensure all government budgets get advanced independent scrutiny. The government promised stronger protections for workers, with a ban on some “zero-hours” contracts and a higher minimum wage for many employees.

Also announced were protections for renters against shoddy housing, sudden eviction and landlords who won’t let them have a pet.

Regarding the UK’s border security, the speech charted out new measures including creating a beefed-up Border Security Command with “counterterrorism” powers to tackle people-smuggling gangs.

The urgency of the global climate challenge was also recognised in the speech – a change in tone from the Conservative government’s emphasis on oil and gas exploration.

Moreover, the speech confirmed that the government wants to “reset the relationship with European partners” roiled by Britain’s exit from the European Union in 2020 and said there would be no change to Britain’s strong support for Ukraine.

It is a goal Starmer can work towards when he hosts a meeting of the European Political Community, a group of more than 40 states formed in 2022 after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Thursday.

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